JAM Bistro opens in Rehoboth

JAM Bistro by Eden, 20 Baltimore Ave., is a place where fancy foods are served in a casual atmosphere.

The new restaurant, in Celebration Mall, site of the old Epworth Church is the product of the owners of one of Baltimore Avenue’s longest-running restaurants, Eden.

After a soft opening two weeks ago, Jeff McCracken and Mark Hunker, who have owned Eden the past five years, are ready to kick into another gear. They received a permit of compliance for JAM from the city commissioners Friday, June 18, which will allow them to serve on the outdoor patio in front of Celebration Mall.

“We’ve been looking for a year-and-a-half for another location to do something more casual,” McCracken said. “Take the quality of what we do in a more casual, less expensive environment.”

Hunker said, “We’re trying to take the Eden brand and expand it through Rehoboth and maybe other places. To do a quality meal, but you end up with a great atmosphere, good service and a fun place to be.”

The name JAM comes from the name of McCracken and Hunker’s holding company, JAM Holdings. Both names come from the first letters in “Jeff And Mark.”

“We batted around a couple of names for the bistro, and I said, ‘Why not just JAM Bistro,’ and we can do a play on the jams and some of the other things we have on the menu,” McCracken said.

The restaurant took over the downstairs space at Celebration Mall, formerly occupied by Ovations. McCracken and Hunker have not just changed the overall theme – from a dance club to a bistro – but also changed the color scheme and the interior design. McCracken, Hunker and the staff of Eden did the redesign themselves, working on the bistro during the day before opening Eden at night.

To help run the new bistro, McCracken and Hunker brought over Chris Capriotti, who has worked at Eden since its inception 14 years ago, as general manager.

Hunker referred to JAM’s menu as “really amazing food at a very approachable price point.” McCracken said JAM was bold American food, “things you’re familiar with – with a twist.”

Both lunch and dinner menus include unusual appetizers such as shrimp dumplings, edamame guacamole, pork drummets and warm mushroom sauté. There are also six variations on french fries, such as the crispy smashed fingerlings with smoked bacon and Vermont cheddar wiz, Old Bay fries with tartar sauce, truffles with Parmesan cheese and the plain Janes with tomato and bell pepper jam.

Sandwiches are classic but also with a twist, such as the prime beef burger with smoked bacon, cheddar cheese and caramelized onion jam. Hunker pointed to the open-faced smoked duck Reuben sandwich, which substitutes duck for corned beef.

The dinner menu features a Kobe beef burger, steak frites and grilled pork chops, as well as bacon-wrapped meatloaf.

Hunker said, “It’s really trying to take the best of the American table and jazzing it up.”

Everything on the JAM menu is priced at $20 and under and is made fresh daily.

As if the lunch and dinner menus weren’t enough, JAM also has a dessert menu highlighted by the outrageous chocolate brownie, which comes with caramel krispies and vanilla ice cream. Eden’s key lime pie also made the trip over to its sister restaurant, and there is also the peanut butter and jam bar, served with peanut butter whipple ice cream.

“You’re on vacation! You should have the best dessert that you can get. Use all your calories,” Hunker said.

Those looking for a nightcap drink will also find plenty to like at JAM. Beer lovers will find a slew of local and specialty beers from 16 Mile, Evolution and Victory, among others. JAM also has cocktail concoctions like the Jam N Juice, made from Blue Coat gin, ruby red grapefruit jam and grapefruit juice; the Bon Fire Tea; and mojitos.

There are also six styles of martinis done the JAM way.

Last but not least is the wine list. JAM offers 750 ml bottles like Dogfish Head’s Red and White, Saison Dupont and Chimay’s Blue Ale. But the real attraction is the “40 under 40” wine list: 40 wines all priced under $40. Besides getting a bottle, customers can get every wine by the glass and can see their wine bottle along the wall. Those who manage to polish off their bottle can have it put on the wall next to the bar with their own personal message.

“It’s just fun. People are finding it real fun,” Hunker said.

JAM Bistro is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch and 5 p.m. to midnight, with the bar remaining open throughout the day. For more information call 226-JAMM.