Two proven concepts debut in Lewes and Rehoboth

If you like to try new things, then now's the time! Last weekend saw the opening of two brand-new eateries, each of which added to the lineup of two of the Cape Region's larger restaurant groups. I often write that "this ain't their first rodeo," and that applies to both of these informal and family-friendly spots.

Matt's Fish Camp Lewes, restaurant number nine for SoDel Concepts, opened last Sunday to a packed house. The late Matt Haley, founder of the restaurant group, felt that the Matt's Fish Camp idea was ripe for multiple locations, and he was proven right as customers stood outside on the deck waiting for seats in the nicely designed dining room.

Maurice Catlett, the former executive chef of Lewes' popular Fish On, was installed as the kitchen boss at Matt's, so getting great food right off the bat was no problem, even with the standard opening glitches and jitters that were certainly not evident to hungry patrons. Those of you who follow restaurants (if you're reading this, I suspect you are among that group) will notice that the menu gives a polite nod to one of Matt's former concepts that never quite made it (y'win some, y'lose some). Remember Betty's in the Midway Shopping Center? Fans of that short-lived little diner concept will recognize the chicken pot pie, the picnic BBQ chicken and the shrimp BLT pasta. I'll leave the rest to surprise you.

And of course, Matt's wouldn't be Matt's without the warm lobster roll and those ridiculously good fried Ipswich clams, available only at the two Matt's Fish Camps and Northeast Seafood Kitchen in Ocean View. From the pork belly po'boy (think banh mi with an attitude) to the crab cakes to the massive clam bake sporting a huge corn-on-the-cob, Matt's Fish Camp is one of those places where you could order blindfolded and always pick a winner. Matt's is on Coastal Highway in Tenley Square along with the Jerusalem International Grocery.

I managed to get in on the act at the new Jimmy's Grille in Rehoboth Beach when they finally unlocked the doors last weekend. This can't-miss-it spot shares Shore Plaza (directly across from Tanger Seaside Outlets) with Touch of Italy, Outlet Liquors, the recently reinvented Fork & Flask at Nage, Hickman's Meats and even the Oreck outlet store – Rehoboth's go-to spot for getting your vacuum cleaner fixed. (Think if it as one-stop-shopping for fervent foodies who not only appreciate a nice cocktail but are also clean freaks.)

Vacationers, especially those who drive here using Rt. 9/404, know about the landmark Jimmy's Grille in Bridgeville. For years it's been the traditional stop for the "daddy, are we there yet?" crowd hankerin' for all-day breakfast, hormone-free fried chicken, Delaware scrapple, down-home meatloaf and ridiculously good cakes and pies.

On Saturday afternoon I had the pleasure of broadcasting my weekly radio show – live (always an adventure, trust me) - from the new Jimmy's Grille in Rehoboth. The restaurant was full almost all the time as I interviewed Alex Pires (owner of Highway One LP and all three Jimmy's locations), Executive Chef Pete McMahon (remember him from the Blue Moon?) and Outlet Liquors wine guru Dave Hill, among others. Comfort-food favorites were flyin' out of the kitchen during the entire broadcast, and at around 5 o'clock when we finally packed up our microphones, speakers and about 24 miles of wire, Jimmy's Grille was on a wait. And they hadn't even been open for 48 hours!