April 20th, 2011

Matt’s Fish Camp, Fresh Seafood, North Bethany, Restaurant, Review, Delaware Beaches, Opening Thursday, 4/21

I needed to write this post last night while my taste buds were still remembering the delicious meal I had just enjoyed. 

I experienced at Matt’s Fish Camp a great quality of ingredients, a culinary competence, a very good service and a relaxing and casual ambiance. 

Matt’s Fish Camp had soft openings a few nights this week.  Officially, this new restaurant is opening on Thursday, April 21st.  They will open 7 days a week with lunch and dinner by Memorial Week-End.   At present, they are opening at 4:00 p.m., Wednesdays to Fridays, and at 11:00 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Location?  South of Indian River Bridge, in North Bethany at Tower Shores.  Tel. is 302-539-CAMP.  Website?  www.mattsfishcamp.com.

Matt’s Fish Camp is the newest addition of already very well-known and successful restaurants from Lewes to Fenwick Island, Delaware, owned by Sodel Concepts.  To find out more info. about all their restaurants and catering services, please visit http://www.sodelconcepts.com.

It is just the type of restaurant that captures the essence of coastal dining; the ocean on one side, the bay on the other.   Local favorites serving the freshest catch of the day.  Just like the fish camps in the south.

On the right side of the building there are picnic tables where you can enjoy your carry out.

In the inside, a little music in the background, bar tables on one side; you can check the sun setting.  Open kitchen on the other side.

The dining area is set up with booths and tables.  It is very casual.  Just come as you are type of restaurant.  The staff?  Very friendly.

I started checking the menu.  I am sure they were wanting to see how it was received.  You can purchase wines by the bottle or by the glass.  Beers, some local like Evolution Primal Pale Ale, Dogfish 90min ipa and 16 Mile Blues Golden Ale.  Others, like Corona, Blue Moon, Troegs Hopback Amber, Miller Light, Coors Light and a Maryland favorite, the Natty Boh.

My eyes first went to what was called Jars.  These are starters served in Jars.  We ordered Matt’s spice roasted peanuts.  Slightly salted, slightly spicy; herbs in plain view.

Then I ordered the conch “red” chowder.  I love conch.  When I see it, I don’t think twice about it.  The soup had plenty of conch; the right amount of spice.  The flavor brought me right to the islands of the Caribbean.

My husband had Matt’s imperial crab stuffed oysters.  These oysters had a little bit of breading but Matt fixed him some without the breading. Very good; the crab imperial did not take over the oysters.

For the main entree I decided to have the whole black bass.  It was grilled and served over mashed potatoes, yellow squash and sugar snaps.  Every time I can order a whole fish, I will do so.  Even though you have to work around those little bones, it is worth it.  The taste is so different; the bones really add so much flavor while cooking.  It was tender and, again, perfectly seasoned. 

My husband decided to have the skate.  Both of us had never had it.  It was to have been dredged in flour in ordered to be pan seared but because of the gluten allergy it was served without the flour.  I took a bite and it melted in my mouth.  Very delicate. I was so surprised.  It was so good!!

Potato salad was brought to the table for sharing.  Perfect summer side.

By this time, my brain was signaling that I had eaten too much.  To please stop!  Well, Mike, our waiter, which by the way was very attentive, told me that he really loved the blueberry pie.  It was a classic pie.  I have to say that it was not overly sweet at all and I think Matt said he put a little pepper and sorry but I forgot which herb he mentioned.  Thyme, perhaps?

Then George and Jerry came to the table.  Having not seen each other in such a long time we started to catch up. A small order of the skate was ordered again because we raved so much about it that George needed to try it.  They were pretty happy with their meals, as well. 

I have a feeling we closed the fish camp.  Talk to you later….you know what?  You are going to love it.  You’ll see.  Let me know….