Dogfish to open Chesapeake and Maine March 7

Dogfish Head has announced it will open its newest venture Monday, March 7, when Chesapeake and Maine will debut on Rehoboth Avenue.

Inspired by Massachusetts native and Dogfish Head founder Sam Calagione’s summers in Maine and Dogfish’s connection to the Chesapeake Bay region, the new restaurant’s menu will mix seafood dishes from both New England and the Mid-Atlantic with Dogfish beer.

Such dishes include Namaste Steamed Ebencooke mussels and the Namaste Yuzu Granita, featuring Dogfish’s Namaste beer, and the Midas Touch mignonette, which incorporates Dogfish’s Midas Touch. Chespeake and Maine will also have Dogfish-inspired takes on lobster, oysters and catfish.

At 316 Rehoboth Ave., next door to Dogfish’s popular brewpub, Chesapeake and Maine will spotlight Dogfish’s distilling line, particularly Whole Leaf and Compelling gins and Analog vodka.

The seafood menu will be served up with a sound track featuring jazz, country and early rock, with artists such as Elvis Presley, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Billie Holiday and Patsy Cline.

“We’re excited to combine our love for our two favorite maritime regions into one restaurant concept,” Calagione said. “We’ve had a blast drinking many beers and eating many oysters with the fishermen from both regions with whom we will be working closely at Chesapeake and Maine.”

Dogfish bought the former Finbar space in December 2013, but construction did not begin on the new venture until fall 2015. Dogfish CEO Nick Benz said at an Aug. 22 permit of compliance hearing on Dogfish Head's new brewpub that the company was investing $1 million in upgrades to the building.

The entryway was completely remodeled – the company says the design was meant to replicate a lobster trap – and the inside includes seafaring flourishes, such as chunky knots separating the raw bar from the back dining room as well as round, porthole windows.