Ivy: South Beach meets Dewey Beach
The feeling that you have somehow been miraculously transported to South Beach when you walk through the doors of Dewey Beach’s new Ivy restaurant and nightclub is exactly what was intended.
“When developing the concept for Ivy, one of my first thoughts was of the Delano Hotel in Miami,” said John Snow, one of the owners of Ivy. From that initial idea, Snow set out to create a space that offers a sleek, sophisticated style but still keeps the casual attitude that residents and visitors expect in Dewey. And he succeeded.
Ivy’s decor is modern with simple design elements that are accentuated by a state of the art lighting system. Sheer white curtains help divide and transform the space as needed.
Food and Drink
Dining is available inside or outside on the private bayside sand beach.
Chef Pete McMahon, formerly of The Blue Moon in Rehoboth Beach, offers a menu of small — one to two bite — dishes. There is a total of 16 savory offerings that range in price from $1.50 for a snow crab claw with wasabi cocktail sauce to $4.50 for baby field greens, toasted pine nuts and sundried cherries rolled in rice paper with a Champagne vinaigrette. There is a ‘Grand Poohbah Tasting’ option to have all 16 dishes for $50.
Some of the menu’s stars include a sea scallop on a scallion risotto cake with a hoisin-lime glaze ($4.50), a lamb chop rubbed with coffee and cocoa ($4.50) and a Kobe beef slider on a toasted brioche bun ($3). The burger pairs very well with the blue cheese and truffle fries ($3).
While Ivy does not have a pastry chef, its dessert options do not disappoint. Keeping with the small plate theme, diners can choose from housemade flavored marshmallow, pound cake or fresh strawberries ($2 ea.). Any of the desserts can be paired with a chocolate fondue ($2).
With Dewey’s reputation as a drinking town, Ivy of course offers an extensive signature cocktail menu as well as a full bar service.
The ‘Amelia,’ a delightful blend of Tito’s vodka, St. Germain, blackberry puree, lemon juice and a mint spring garnish, has quickly become a house favorite. A daily happy hour is held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Party
Once the sun sets over the beautiful Rehoboth Bay, Ivy transforms into a hip nightclub.
Resident DJ Andrew Hugh holds court from his perch in the center of the main dining room that is cleared of the tables and chairs to become a thumping dance floor. Adjacent to the DJ booth is a posh VIP seating area.
DJ Jazzy Jeff performed at Ivy for its opening night during Memorial Day weekend, and Snow plans to routinely have regional and national DJs on the lineup.
Beginning on Sunday, July 8, Ivy will kick of its ‘Detox’ party with DJ Skribble, who have been featured on MTV including appearance on The Grind and Total Request Live. The weekly event will be held from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. and feature a special brunch menu and drink specials.
Detox is specifically designed as an appeal to Rehoboth’s large population of gay and lesbian residents and visitors. A portion of the event’s proceeds will be given to support CAMP Rehoboth gay and lesbian community center.
More information on Ivy is available by calling (302) 227-9292 or visiting deweybeachlife.com.
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