Drift Seafood & Raw Bar — Restaurant in Rehoboth Beach

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Drift in Rehoboth Beach, DE, with my parents, and it was an exceptional experience that truly deserves five stars. Located at 42 1/2 Baltimore Ave, Drift specializes in exceptionally sourced and prepared seafood, reflecting the rich culinary traditions of the region, as noted on their official website.

The interior of the restaurant is beautifully designed, with a unique blend of modern and coastal elements. The front dining room is particularly charming, featuring eye-catching wallpaper and wooden shelves adorned with interesting decor pieces. The space feels both elegant and comfortable, with a casual raw bar area and a cozy dining room that create an inviting atmosphere. There’s also a nicely appointed patio for outdoor seating, perfect for enjoying a meal on a pleasant evening. This sophisticated yet relaxed setting, as described in a Rehoboth Foodie review, elevates the dining experience, making it ideal for special occasions.

Our culinary journey began with a selection of appetizers that showcased the restaurant’s dedication to quality. We started with the Thyme Focaccia ($8), which came with a delicious lemon and roasted garlic butter, setting the stage for the feast to come. The Bluefin Tuna Tartare ($24) was not a standout, with its delicate flavors enhanced by avocado, sesame cracker, and a zesty ginger lime vinaigrette -- I wouldn't order it again. On the other hand, the Fire Roasted Oysters ($21) was one of the best starters we had (if you don't count the Lobster French toast). highlight; the combination of banana, curry, bacon, and breadcrumbs created a unique and delicious taste that left us wanting more. The Blue Crab Hushpuppies ($19), served with crab fat aioli, pickled serrano, and tomato jam, were crispy on the outside and bursting with flavor inside.

For our main courses, we indulged in the Lobster French Toast ($39) and the Lobster Spaghettini ($41). The Lobster French Toast was a creative dish, featuring braised leeks and buerre monté on brioche, which was both rich and satisfying. The Lobster Spaghettini, made with black pasta, miso butter, breadcrumbs, and chili flake, had a perfect balance of flavors, though, there should have been a bit more of a kick given the supposed chili flakes -- to be honest, this was a dish I wouldn't order again unless it were improved (quite frankly, a spicy tomato sauce would've been more enjoyable). We also enjoyed the Seared Scallops ($44), which were cooked to perfection and frickin phenomenal paired with carrot, apple, cashew, and vadouvan, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes. The Heirloom Beets salad ($18) was a refreshing addition, with goat cheese mousse, smoked honey, pistachio, and grapefruit providing a delightful mix of sweet and savory notes.

To complement our meal, we savored some expertly crafted cocktails, as listed in the Drift Cocktails Menu. The Sun Medallion ($18), a refreshing mix of Libelula tequila, yellow bell pepper, aji amarillo, pineapple, and agave, was the perfect accompaniment to our seafood dishes. The Espresso Martini, though not listed on the provided menu, was rich and indulgent, offering a perfect balance of coffee and sweetness. The Union Lager ($8), a Zadie’s Lager from Maryland with 4.5% ABV, was a crisp and refreshing choice for those who prefer beer.

The service throughout the evening was impeccable. Our waitress, Kayla, was attentive, friendly, and extremely knowledgeable about the menu. She provided excellent recommendations, answered our questions with enthusiasm, and ensured that our dining experience was seamless from start to finish. Her warm demeanor and attention to detail made us feel truly valued as guests, aligning with the high praise for service noted in OpenTable reviews.

While the meal was on the pricier side, with the total coming to about $340 for three people, including gratuity, it was worth every penny. The quality of the food, the exceptional service, and the sophisticated ambiance made it a memorable dining experience that...

We had high expectations after the Washington Post raved about the restaurant. We arrived a little early for our reservations and began a glass of wine at the bar. When our (indoor) table was ready, there was no offer to carry our drinks to our table, which I expect as standard for a restaurant of this caliber. All other diners were carrying their own drinks from the bar to the tables, as far as I could tell. It was freezing there and many diners had their full winter coats on while dining.

Our crab fritters were fantastic, but that's where the exceptional food ended. The scallops were on top of a bed of bland couscous salad that was moist but relatively flavorless. The scallops were well prepared.

The steak was appropriately cooked at medium rare, though I detected on seasonings - even salt or pepper. I only found the tiny amount of romesco sauce when I was mostly done, as there was so little of it and a potato had covered it. The potatoes in the patatas bravas were overcooked with virtually no salsa brava, rendering them dry. The mushrooms presented as the side were very woody, hard to chew, and again quite dry. The steak entree could have been rescued with more flavor and sauces as the meat itself was very tender.

Eating indoors made it nearly impossible to hear my dining companion from across the table as it was so loud. This interior really needs some type of sound deadening. We ended up eating side-by-side, but I still had great difficulty hearing my dining companion as we tried to talk. While shivering from the cold.

While we had hoped this would be a new staple for dinner while in Rehoboth, the lackluster food will cross it off...

Huge disappointment!! Food is delicious so it’s even more disappointing. Terrible management. After calling, discussing in-depth with their reservations team regarding dining with children, was reassured kids are welcomed and that we would be given a high chair, once we arrive an entirely different story. No high chair, extremely crammed area with heat lamps on with small children not secured into a high chair. Finally after a while our waiter was able to get us a high chair for our one year old. Well, if you’re a parent you understand the challenge of letting a one year old have freedom and then trying to place them in a high chair in a crowded restaurant. After requesting juice, or any type of food and drink for my child since the menu is small and was told they don’t have anything, I gave my child “outside food” and management had let me know that wasn’t allowed so more then half of my meal was spent in the alley way so i didn’t disrupt any of the other paying customers. Just an all around terrible experience, the ending was that the managers answers to a terrible experience was giving my child a drift sticker. Needless to say will not be back ever, and I advise if you have smaller children do not...