The Memorial Day 2018 Restaurant Roundup

The target is Memorial Day as owners of Rehoboth-area bistros put the finishing touches on their digs. On Wilmington Avenue, Italian restaurateurs Tonya and Francesco Agostino made it just under the wire for their new aperitif-driven Azzurro Italian joint that opened just last week. Speaking of wire, as I write this, electricians and carpenters are putting the finishing touches on the new Iron Hill Brewery out on Coastal Highway. Training is well underway, and by the time you feast your eyes on this column, this upstate upstart will have opened its doors to the Memorial Day onslaught. Hopefully they're ready for that!

Bryan and Olivia's Roadhouse Bar & Grill will soon become Hooters there in Midway by Midway Galleria. I had fun stirring everybody up last week by announcing the event. To my knowledge, these are not the same franchisees that left the old Rehoboth Hooters high and dry there at First Street Station. Speaking of that spot at First and The Avenue, Dale and John's Cooter Brown's Twisted Southern Kitchen is beginning its first full season of Frito Pies, ribs and creative bourbon drinks. Burn off a few calories by climbing a couple of stairs. It's good for you. 

General Manager Lisa Doak and Susan and Rob Wood are excited about the big remodel of their tiny Grub Grocery where the High's used to be on The Avenue. Fresher food, an expanded menu and more vacationer-friendly goodies will lead things off. And it's one-stop shopping with CP liquors in the same building. Local wine guru Dave Hill is behind the counter to solve all your grape juice dilemmas. 

Wine aficionado Ray Kurz will be opening his Cuvee Ray in the old Sydney's/Pig & Fish spot in the fourth block from the Atlantic. Seems only right that Sydney Arzt herself will be booking music into that venue, including a stellar jazz brunch on Sunday, July 1. The music promises to be sublime. The place is tiny, so get your reservations while you can. 

Denizens of Bethany Beach are no strangers to Danio Somoza's good eats at 99 Sea Level on the boardwalk. Danio and his brother Enrique will debut their new steakhouse, Harvest Tide, in the very foreseeable future. They're in that old neglected spot on Savannah Road where DaVinci's used to be. Speaking of neglected spots, the Brothers Jacona and partner Al Tortella have given the old Wharf a major facelift to create their very own Wheelhouse. Raw bars, live entertainment and amazing views are available yet again at that iconic venue - along with a totally upgraded menu. 

Former Baltimore Orioles player Tyler Townsend and partner Bob Suppies have teamed up to create their new restaurant, The Pines. They are giving the entire building a cleanup and makeover. Townsend cut his industry teeth with the hospitality experts at SoDel Concepts, and is now fulfilling his dream in the old SOB's/Java Beach/Hobos space on Baltimore Avenue. 

It's a rare fan of the proverbial Dewey Beach Way of Life who doesn't remember Bill and Theresa Sponaugle's Dewey Beach Club - the southernmost watering hole in Dewey. Bill and Theresa sold the business to Mitch King, who settled on the name Port Dewey. Last year, Starboard partner and Dewey Beach denizen of note Steve "Monty" Montgomery sold the building to Harrisburg, Pa., natives Tom Treacy and his son Jeff. They revived the old Dewey Beach Club name, but recently rebranded it into Mez-Cali Taqueria Y Mezcal Bar. The place got more windows along with fewer of those annoying knee walls, and it actually looks bigger than it ever did. Jeff works hard behind the bar to keep the joint jumpin'. 

More spots are on the way, so keep an eye on The Business of Eating to find out what's new and tasty here in the Cape Region. That should keep you guessing until next week. Bon appétit.