Jam is Jammin’
Have you found the new Jam Bistro yet? Cleverly, they use the catch phrase East of Eden for the restaurant located one door closer to the ocean than its neighbor and parent establishment Eden Restaurant, hence, East of, etc. Love it.
It’s across the street from its previous location in the basement of the Rehoboth Theatre. Now, it’s up where it belongs at 21 Baltimore Ave., with greater visibility at the old Camel’s Hump site that had been vacant for so long.
The place has been entirely redone with a contemporary, sophisticated but casual look. The small, secluded dining areas that were the hallmark of the old Camel’s hump remain, allowing for a quiet, private feel to some of the restaurant’s seating. Of course, by the big new center bar, there’s the feel of a great room, so JAM offers the best of both worlds. And it’s architecturally stunning wine wall adds a terrific design element.
Talented chef Gary Johnson has his kitchen producing an eclectic menu, offering an homage to the Camel’s Hump with some of that restaurant’s signature dishes like Tabouli, lamb Shish kabob, etc. highlighted on the menu with little camel graphics. If you are new to town, the Camel’s Hump was a grand institution here, closing in 2005 following the death of the owner.
But just as JAM plays tribute with hummus, it also kicks up its heels with its own calling card recipes like pan roasted crab cakes, bacon-wrapped meatloaf and salmon and salad. The concept is casual and friendly, featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients and an affordable price point. At dinner the other night, it was clear to me they met their objectives. We had a superb meal, the menu sported reasonable prices and the place was busy for mid-week in the fall.
We tasted the pork drummette, with a rich and savory (not to mention unique) pomegranate barbecue sauce, atop a spicy buffalo/blue cheese slaw. Amazing. We cooled down with the Wedge salad with walnuts, pretzel nuggets and pear slices, sampled some unusual Edamame Guacamole, both tart and sweet, followed by a taste of the deconstructed beef Wellington appetizer, with perfectly seared beef, paté mousse and delicate pastry topping. I’m going back for that appetizer and a glass of Malbec for my dinner.
Bonnie ordered the lamb kabob, which came with fresh veggies, like sweet onion and brussels sprouts on the skewer and was served with frizzled eggplant. I’m not really sure what frizzling is but we begged our waiter to pass along a request to put the frizzled eggplant on the menu as a stand-alone appetizer. Likewise, frizzles and Pinot Grigio would do it for us for dinner!
I sampled the spiced short ribs in a rich, smooth gravy. Heaven. Short ribs are all the rage these days, and Jam does it right. It didn’t hurt that we had the truffled mac ‘n cheese to go with it. Who knew we’d grow up to have such amazing choices in mac ‘n cheese!
Other entrees include: Pan Roasted Crab Cakes with lemon/ caper brown butter, cucumber salad, and green goddess aioli; Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf with whipped Yukon gold potatoes, onion straws and pepper gravy; Pan seared Scottish salmon, edamame guacamole and local greens salad, or Grilled Pork Chop in a creamed corn/bacon casserole, green bean/stone fruit salad and rhubarb vinaigrette. For classic Francais, you can have the Steak Frittes featuring a 12 oz. slow roasted prime rib, crispy smashed fingerlings, chef’s butter, au jus.
Feel like comfort food? Try the Oven Fried Chicken with whipped potatoes and local corn on the cob—not that everything on the menu isn’t comfort food in one way or another.
There are pastas and a burger choice, as well, plus a slew of wonderful desserts, none of which we were able to try, owning to our own gluttony in the previous courses.
There are salads for lunch, plus a fun list of things they do with French fries (sea salt and oil and vinegar, gravy and horseradish, truffle and parmesan, or old bay and tartar.
The entrée prices at Jam Bistro range between $16 and $18, plus daily specials individually priced. The Bistro is set to be open all winter, for dinner most nights, with one weeknight closure planned, and also for lunch, starting at noon, on Friday-Sunday. I have but one request…wish they would serve at least one brunchy item at lunch…sometimes on Sunday I need an egg starter.
So check on Jam Bistro in the ocean block of Baltimore Avenue—one of the hottest sections of town for innovative dining these days. You’ll be jammin’, just east of Eden. For information and reservations call 302-226-JAMM.