Dogfish announces new Chesapeake and Maine restaurant

Finbar's in Rehoboth Beach will reopen in February as Chesapeake and Maine

Nearly two years after purchasing the neighboring restaurant, Dogfish Head founder Sam Calagione said, “We’re excited to combine our love for our two favorite maritime regions in the world into one restaurant concept.”

Chesapeake and Maine derives its name for Dogfish’s roots in the Chesapeake Bay area and for Maine, where Massachusetts-born Dogfish founder Sam Calagione spent his summers.

“We have had a blast drinking many beers and eating many oysters with the fisherman from both regions with whom we will be working closely at Chesapeake and Maine," Calagione said.

Chesapeake and Maine will have a maritime theme, featuring porthole windows and oyster shell chandeliers. The food will be sourced from Maine and the Chesapeake Bay, the company says, with New England-style dishes like Maine lobster Bolognese and seafood charcuterie.

The brewpub next door is ground zero for Dogfish Head beer; Chesapeake and Maine will spotlight Dogfish Head spirits with a draft-cocktail menu featuring Dogfish’s gins and vodkas.

Dogfish purchased the Finbar property in December 2013. The building sat vacant until recently as Dogfish expanded its Milton brewery, opened the Dogfish Inn in Lewes and introduced plans to rebuild the brewpub. Interior work on the building became visible in early fall.

Dogfish spokeswoman Janelle Miley said, "We really wanted to take our time with this project. We bought the building next to Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats not quite sure what we were going to do with it. We took our time visiting with the fisherman we would be working with and put a lot of thought into what this restaurant would be."

Chesapeake and Maine will be initially open for dinner only, from 4 to 10 p.m.