Now open: The Pantry at Nage in Rehoboth
“Next to ‘food,' the best four-letter word is 'open’ ,” said Mark Harrison, referring to last week’s much-anticipated grand opening of The Pantry at Nage in Rehoboth Beach.
“The response from our guests is everything we hoped for,” says Harrison, co-owner and general manager of Nage Bistro and Wine Bar. Harrison, who has been with the popular Rehoboth Beach restaurant for almost a decade, adds “The Pantry at Nage is one of the most exciting ventures I’ve seen since I began with the company. It just shows just how strong the Nage brand has become."
So what’s new about this operation which has taken the place of the former Root Gourmet? “It’s several aspects,” he explains. According to Harrison, the restaurant’s passion for food and beverage is the driving force behind the tremendous success of its catering division. He also acknowledges Delaware Magazine’s Award -- “Best Caterer” in downstate Delaware.
To keep up with with the growing demand for unique and innovative events, it became necessary to create a new commissary kitchen. With the exception of the retail store in front, the entire building, located next door to the flagship Nage, is now dedicated to catering services as well as a new bakery facility for specialty desserts and artisan breads.
To be successful in today’s hospitality industry, it’s all about customer service. Harrison points out that the new business is really a partnership with guests who want to make informed decisions for entertaining at their office or in their home.
“We make it easy for them to host their own events, yet feel like a guest,” says Harrison who is well known for his outstanding customer service. “It’s what our guests expect from us."
“Whether we are creating an elegant, over-the-top event for a large number of guests, or producing a small coastal-casual party for a small group, every event gets the same level of attention to detail, explains Kathy McDonald, director of catering. “Our mission is to make every event memorable. For many of our guests these are once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and we take that very seriously. With the new facility, we’re able to give every catering event the attention it deserves.”
“We’re also aware that our Nage clientele does not live by dinner alone,” says Josh Grapski, co-owner and president of La Vida Hospitality Group. Grapski explains that many fans of Nage are young professionals who have a need for quality catering to serve their business meetings. Others are residents and out-of-town homeowners who enjoy entertaining friends at home, or hosting family holiday gatherings. “Our new customized Pantry Party Platters offer endless, affordable options with the chef-driven innovation they expect from Nage.” Grapski notes that The Pantry at Nage offers a free concierge service to help guests achieve the “wow” factor that guests remember.
“And for guests who just feel like staying home, our individual Pantry Dinners-to-Go let diners curl up in the comfort of home,” explains Liz Kornheiser, the chef in charge of the entire commissary operation. “The Pantry also offers terrific Family Meal Deals, including an entree and three sides to serve four,” she adds.
But not just any sides. Each week the menu is refreshed with new items to reflect local ingredients and new recipes from the chefs. For example, this Memorial Weekend, Pantry shoppers can choose three varieties of potato salad: Tarragon, Southwestern, Southern. Also available is sun-dried tomato pasta salad with lemon and oregano, herbed pasta salad with feta and artichokes, tomato and cucumber salad, plus white bean and rosemary salad.
Salad dressings are homemade, reflecting the pantry’s dedication to chef-driven quality. Right now the shelves offer citrus vinaigrette, Caesar, and horseradish-buttermilk.
Kornheiser points out that Pantry Dinners are all about giving customers a choice. Among some of the crowd-pleasers: Bourbon BBQ chicken legs/thighs, Hoisin Glazed Pork Ribs, Seafood Kabobs, Carolina-style Slow Roasted Pulled Pork, plus Gourmet Beet Burgers for Vegan guests. Visitors to The Pantry at Nage can expect a different menu each week. And for people who like to do some of the cooking themselves, there is a variety of Pantry ingredients for stocking their own pantries.
Renowned pastry chef is now at Pantry helm
“Our rising star, Pastry Chef Dru Tevis, is definitely the icing on the cake, and known to serious foodies throughout Rehoboth Beach,” said Harrison. Having graduated at the top of his class from New York’s French Culinary Institute. Tevis now oversees the entire Nage pastry team for both the restaurant and catering division. Tevis credits his creative approach to handcrafting Nage’s artisan desserts to his experience working as head baker for the famed dessert restaurant Momofuku in Manhattan.
We’re happy to open our doors to a level of service that locals and visitors alike will appreciate. It’s the beach; we want our guests to relax and enjoy themselves! adds Harrison. “Memorial Day is the perfect time to stop by and see how we can help you enjoy your free time!
The Pantry at Nage offers party platters, dinners-to-go, family meal deals, as well as outrageously good artisan desserts, “If it’s in our Pantry, it can be in yours!” adds Harrison, noting that The Pantry at Nage is still the No.1 choice for event catering, whether it’s lavish or laid back, guests enjoy the same service they’ve come to expect from Nage,” adds McDonald. “Our commitment to serving our guests is also our passion. It’s what we’re known for.”
The Pantry at Nage is located next door to Nage Bistro and Wine Bar at 19730 Coastal HIghway, Rehoboth Beach. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information and daily menu offers call 302-226-2037.
