The more things change, the more they stay the same. That’s a perk when it comes to coastal dining. Along with a bevy of debuts, there are plenty of established restaurants, giving diners a range of choices. Here are a few of the newbies, along with some grand dames of dining.
Honey’s Farm Fresh, an 80-seat restaurant, opened in JD Café’s old space. Demonstrating the culinary circle of life, owners Mark Grabowski and Jim Paslawski previously had the Blue Plate Diner in the same site. Honey’s started with breakfast and lunch but planned to add dinner in summer. The juice bar should also be operating. (329 Savannah Road, Lewes, 644-8400)
Located next to RAL Studios on U.S. 9, Paradigm was initially named the Gallery Espresso, but the new name better reflects its ability to meet multiple needs, from lunch to dinner to late-night entertainment. Joe Bekeshka, who’s worked at Abbott’s Grill in Milford, is in the kitchen. The BLT turkey burger with tomato aioli, romaine and provolone is a big hit. (12001 Old Vine Blvd., Lewes, 313-5356, 231-2113, www.thegalleryespresso.com)
Gary and Lorraine Papp opened Palate Café and Catering in the old Capriotti’s site. The 40-seat café is also a gourmet to-go shop. The couple were chefs at The Buttery in Lewes. The menu, which is the same all day except for Sunday, when breakfast is served from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., features local and organic foods. (19266 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth Beach, 249-8489, www.tastepalate.com)
Tried-and-true: Café Azafran opened in 2003 in Lewes and expanded to Rehoboth Beach. The Lewes location has closed, but the Rehoboth site is thriving. The café serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with a Spanish flair. But don’t be surprised if chicken satay with a cucumber salad and feta pops up on the menu. (18 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-8100, www.cafeazafran.com)
See more about the beach in the next Insider.