Review disclosure: the owners of Vino Del Mar are two of my husband and I's closest friends, so we…read morehave had a front row seat (so to speak) from them transforming the space from the former Lewes Diner to Vino Del Mar and we were lucky that we had the opportunity to visit DE for their opening weekend where we sat at the bar.
Food: Overall, the food was excellent, with a great selection. I started with the stuffed dates, and my husband started with the fried brussels. He really liked them, and I enjoyed my dates. The bacon jam that accompanied the dates could stand to be slightly more salty than sweet, just to counterbalance the rest of the dish. We then shared the kale Caesar salad, which I must admit I when it came out that it was enormous, so I was glad we were splitting it! I absolutely loved the flavors, and the croutons added a great texture. Lastly, I had the Peruvian Chicken thighs and pimento rice and my husband had the fish of the day (salmon) and vegetable risotto. My dish was phenomenal. The chicken was juicy and the rice had just a touch of heat and the pesto sauce that accompanied really lifted both items. My husband's salmon was cooked to perfection with a gorgeous crispy skin.
Drinks: Vino Del Mar, although it has vino in the name, has an extensive drink list, both wine and cocktails (alcoholic and N/A) and beer, so really, something for everyone. I really appreciate the 3oz/6oz/9oz options for some of the wines so you are able to try more without getting tanked. Extensive wine list, with some more obscure regions and varietals represented, which this wine geek really appreciates. I did not have any of the cocktails, although (disclosure #2) I attended a cocktail competition the next day (not at the restaurant) and was able to try bartender Gary's signature thyme cocktail, which I really enjoyed. A great balance of sweet and savory.
Service: Gary (bar manager) is very personable, and his passion really shines through his wine recommendations as well as the attention to detail he pays to the cocktails he is creating. Lori always ensured that our water glasses were full. No issues with service at all.
Vibe: I never went to the Lewes Diner, so I have no idea what the place looked like before the owners gutted it and re-built it into Vino Del Mar, but they did a wonderful job. Clean lines, great cool tones, lots of grays and blue-gray walls. It's an older building, so no high ceilings or anything like that, but the restaurant is big and bright. I also think the upright barrels behind the bar is a great idea if you can't get into the bar; there's a space to have a drink while you wait without your needing to hover and encroach on other guests. We got there right at 1pm when they opened this past Saturday, and by 1:30pm, the bar was packed. Happy hour between 1-5 on Saturdays definitely draws a crowd (and happy hour is available throughout the entire restaurant when offered, not just at the bar, which is really appreciated).
Other: The menu clearly spells out allergens and other specifics (GF, VEG, etc.) so there's little guesswork if you have dietary restrictions or allergies.
If you're looking for a place in Lewes that has a great wine and cocktail list with excellent food, Vino Del Mar is the place to be. We look forward to visiting again soon, and if we lived in the area, we'd be regulars.