Chesapeake & Maine
Food from the sea—near and a little farther away!
Have you checked out Chesapeake & Maine? It’s a super addition to the fabulous dining scene in Rehoboth. Located at 136 Rehoboth Avenue, it’s a new dining venue by those marvelously off-center folks from the Dogfish dynasty offering fresh seafood sourced exclusively from the Chesapeake Bay and the waters of Maine in a casual atmosphere.
I wound up eating there twice in one week and can report that both experiences were satisfyingly wonderful. I will get to the delicious food in a minute, but first, décor and ambiance.
Starting with the unusual exterior, the place makes a great impression. The contemporary rounded archway entrance welcomes diners to the eclectic world of Chesapeake & Maine—with both food and décor from the two iconic seafood habitats of its name. Inside you’ll find modern nautical decorations, including wood cut charts of the areas, oyster shell chandeliers, whimsical artwork and a great big comfortable bar.
There are several seating areas, from booth seating to long tables to bar stools, and the place has a playful, busy vibe. The raw bar offers a tantalizing look at the fresh seafood choices and updates on the oysters and other delicacies available.
The great big bar to the right is a relic from another era, retrieved from the previous restaurant on the site, but now painted bright white and melding with the ambiance—along with a skillful bartender, the superstar is the Moscow Mule, a drink featuring vodka and ginger. It’s scrumptious.
The raw bar offers an array of oysters, including the restaurant’s exclusive Ebencook oysters, from the waters of West Boothbay Harbor in Maine. They are harvested by Colin Yentsch, a childhood friend of C&M’s owner Sam Calagione. Known as some of the best oysters in Maine, Ebenecook oysters are joined on the menu by Dogfish “Smoke in the water” oysters from Hooper’s Island, Maryland, Chincoteague Oysters from the Eastern shore of Virginia, and many more selections.
Also available at the raw bar or dinner table are oyster shooters, Middleneck clams, and the truly unique Maine Lobster cocktail, with hearts of palm, avocado, cucumber, blood orange, and tarragon green goddess dressing.
Oops, I almost forgot to tell you about the decadent smoked lobster deviled eggs assembled with pickled mustard seeds, shaved fennel, shaved radish, and lemon charcoal. We had to have a second order for the table.
As for the entrees, over the course of the two meals with friends I got to sample delicious cornmeal crusted flounder, the perfectly seasoned black bass entrée with red beet puree, bacon, fava beans, toasted Kasha, and arugula coulis, an amazing corn and edamame succotash, hushpuppies with corn and Old Bay seasoning, and the truly marvelous surf and turf featuring a juicy burger and generous chunk of lobster—delicious even without the bun.
Naturally, the restaurant offers a Maine lobster roll with lemon mayo, on a buttered toasted roll.
Our waitperson, Renah, got kudos for suggesting asparagus as a side when all the ones on the menu were carb-heavy.
So what’s all this fresh, flavorful dining cost? The entrée prices are right in line with all of the other upscale contemporary dining in town (appetizers $8-15, sandwiches $15-22, and entrees $19 for the Vegetarian Pasta, $26-$34 for the fish entrees, and $38 for the Maine Shore Dinner. The menu has a small portion offering of the Lobster Risotto for $18.
If dessert is even possible after the meal, try the lobster crème brulee (seriously!)—it’s properly sweet and desserty, but you sure can taste the hint of lobster.
You know it’s a comfortable restaurant with good food and drink when you happily spend almost four hours there talking with and dining with friends. I will be back.