Rehoboth Foodie

Striper Bites is one of the DiSabatino family's trinity of popular Lewes eateries, and it's as much a bar as it is a restaurant. The menu entreats you to "Please Your Palate...Raise Your Spirits," and you can do both fairly well at Striper Bites. Entering the restaurant is almost like walking onto a dock, with wide plank wooden floors, multiple levels and lots of maritime tchotchkes.

Striper Bites offers a selection of pretty standard appetizers, with three notables: The first is the Lewes Beach Bruschetta. Grilled squash, tomatoes and cheese are stacked on toasted sourdough and drizzled with pesto and a pungent balsamic reduction. I suggest ordering it "for the table," as it's as filling as it is tasty. The other standout is the Bacon Wrapped Scallops. Except for one time when the scallops were mushy (slightly undercooked, perhaps?), this dish has never failed to satisfy. I ask for extra wasabi. Number three on the appetizer hit parade is the Crab Bisque, and it is definitely the star of the appetizer show: Not too thick and pasty, with a hint of sherry and a surprising amount of crabmeat. I also like the Striper Bites House Salad (hints of Greek and Italian play well together) and the Asian Duck Salad. Though I wish the duck could be a little more crispy and firm, the salad is cleverly put together, with multiple layers of taste. Top any of their salads with your favorite protein and make it a main course for only a few more bucks. Have you had some of the other salads? If so, please enlighten us below by posting a comment.

I'm a pushover for a good club sandwich, and the Striper Bites Club offers an interesting variation on the theme. The standard turkey component is replaced by Blackened Rockfish, and agrees nicely with the bacon, lettuce and tomato. The Caesar dressing was a pleasant surprise and worked well with the blackening spices. I've had the Maine Lobster Roll (though personally I could do without the tarragon in the mayo...just let the lobster shine through!), and also the Fried Flounder Sandwich (fried to a crispy crunch, presented simply with lettuce and tomato on sourdough). The Fish Tacos and the Crab Cake are on my "to do" list, so stay tuned.

Unfortunately, all of the lunch sandwiches are not available at dinner, notably the Maine Lobster Roll. I did ask for it one time, but they refused. Well, it is their restaurant, and they have the right to do what they want, but it seems to me that it might make sense to make your second most expensive sandwich available at dinner. So on my last visit I drowned my lobster sorrows in the Bites Burger (add bacon, thank you) and it was quite good. I've also had the Blackened Tuna Pasta (very simple, over penne with a nice cream sauce lightly laced with fennel) and the Asiago Scallops (grilled lightly brown in a not-too-cheesy sauce with tomatoes, veggies and pesto). Both are consistent and quite good.

Accompanying diners have enjoyed the Crab Cake, the Jambalaya (tasty, but needs more kick. Just ask for the hot sauce) and the Sesame Encrusted Salmon with a bright cilantro/soy Asian bent. If you are eating (relatively) light, the Salmon is something to consider.

Striper Bites is located right in the heart of Lewes at 107 Savannah Road. Going north toward the canal, just pass Second Street and there it is on the right. In the summer you can plop on the porch, sip your favorite from their long list of aptly named libations, and ogle the local foot traffic. They have off-season specials during the week (check the list on this site), and they do close for a while in the winter, so call them at 302-645-4657 just to make sure. Click here for the dinner menu at Striper Bites. (L., D., Bar) Price range: Moderate.