Fish Hawk's of Dewey Beach, a new osprey-themed bar and restaurant with a modern and slightly upscale coastal vibe, opened for business July 17 at the corner of New Orleans Street and Coastal Highway.

"The main idea is to have something a little more elevated, where you can learn about better wines and a little bit of culture, as far as beverages and mixed drinks go," said Irish Richman, who opened Fish Hawk's with her husband Gary.

Located at 1904 Coastal Hwy., the restaurant's bar features a variety of craft cocktails, including six different variations of an espresso martini, curated beer and wine lists, and coastal-inspired food menus with shareables and handhelds. It offers higher-end wines and is one of the only bars – if not the only one – in Dewey Beach that serves real champagne from France, said Irish.

At Fish Hawk's, the beauty is in the details. The drinks not only taste good, but also look good, with a variety of elegant garnishes, Irish said.

"Every drink is a masterpiece in itself," she said. 

The bar took the place of the former Dewey Eat, which permanently closed earlier this year, and shares a building with Vavala's Beach Things and Woody's.

The Richmans' bid for the property was accepted in April, and they spent the next several months redesigning the place and fixing it up.

They went for what Irish described as a coastal, slightly nautical – but not kitschy – feel, with clean and natural colors like ivory, brown, white and blue, paired with wood flooring, tables and furniture. 

"I want it to feel like you're on a yacht, and you're going to dinner with the captain in the nice dining room," Irish said. "It's a very clean, gentle vibe."

The Richmans, with the help of general manager and head chef Brian Massa, came up with a mascot to serve as the face of the restaurant: Ozzy the Osprey. 

They like to say Ozzy is the cousin of the ospreys that nest in Dewey Beach. The Dewey Beach Lions Club's live osprey cam can usually be found livestreamed on at least one of the restaurant's TVs – along with sports games, added Irish, who's a Buffalo Bills fan.

With Ozzy as the face of the restaurant, the Richmans are looking to hold themed fundraising nights, where portions of their proceeds will benefit various local osprey and water wildlife foundations and preserves. This will allow them to help fund osprey research, and the upkeep of their nests and habitats.

On a similar note, the restaurant also uses sustainable products, like straws made out of oyster shells, which are biodegradable and digestible for marine life, such as turtles.

Artwork and photos of ospreys by local artists hang on the walls, and Irish hopes to eventually hold gallery and wine-tasting nights.

Overall, Irish hopes the restaurant can be a place for folks to gather with their friends and start their night.

"Come here first, get some pretty drinks, take some cute photos, and ask your friends, 'How's mom? How are the kids? How's your dog? When's your next trip?' And actually be able to listen to their answers," she said.

She's always dreamt of opening a restaurant or bar, and she and Gary had considered other properties, including one in Rehoboth, but none had been quite right. That is, until this property became available.

"This kind of just fell into our lap as an opportunity, and since it's always been in the back of my mind, it was just taking that leap," Irish said.