Fine dining gets friendly at 208 Social
The only aspects of shabby-chic, beach cottage-style 208 Social that are more exciting than chef-owner Nate Leonard's battleground kitchen stories are the food and beverage he serves in downtown Rehoboth Beach, painstakingly created from fresh ingredients daily.
Leonard opened 208 Social on Second Street barely a month ago and ever since, fine-dining fans in the Cape Region have been buzzing.
The chef himself boasts an impressive resume, which he explains, began after he left the armed forces, Army Airborne, and funneled his GI Bill into classical training at culinary school.
After working at Michelin star-rated restaurants in New York City such as Gilt. his tenures in Philadelphia included positions at the high-end Striped Bass and Petite Passion, but the chef said he was eager to get out of the city and head to the beach with his wife and 208 Social co-owner, Lisa, after they fell in love and married on the Delaware Coast.
The menu at 208 Social is fresh, lively and sophisticated. Subject to change based on availability and season, Leonard offers patrons steamed mussels or clams prepared any of three ways. "Sammies" may come loaded with day boat scallops or soft shells and truffle mayonnaise.
Even with the approachable Eastern Shore Dogs, he takes the game up a few notches, offering twin fried hot dogs with bacon, bean puree, avocado mousse and jalapeño relish.
As for the bar, Leonard and his trained team of mixologists like Dmitry Gorin emphasize the wine and cocktails have been selected with care, mostly small-batch or hand-made with freshly squeezed mixers, and delivered in thought-provoking combinations.
"Everybody leaves here happy," Gorin said. "Thats our goal; everything is fresh and homemade."
El Maguey is a cocktail made with mescal, charred pineapple, ginger jam syrup and lemon juice, while The Farewell combines Irish whiskey, caramelized banana, brown sugar and pineapple for a flavorful dessert drink.
Between rushes, the chef is known to make appearances in the bar or dining room, entertaining with stories of big-name kitchen calamities or the mad love he has for wife Lisa, whose role at the restaurant centers around styling the new spot and hospitality, as she's a registered nurse by day.
Throughout the bright, open dining, the couple displays their own photos of the Cape Region though Leonard said he hopes to encourage their patrons to submit art and photography for a spot on their wall.
From the friendly, knowledgeable staff to the delicate flavors and deliberate craftsmanship, the chef said he hopes 208 Social will evolve into a gathering spot for conversation, fine food and good times.
"We try to create a very family atmosphere here," Leonard said. "All I wanted to do was to take the food I learned to make and make it accessible to everyone."
208 Social is located at 208 Second St., Rehoboth Beach. For more information about 208 Social, go to www.208social.com or call 302-227-6700.
