Rare ready to join local restaurant scene

Alex Piatrou and Tamara Tattersall have a lot of experience in local restaurants. They have worked in some and dined in many others. Now, they are taking their experience to the next level: opening Rare, their very own upscale restaurant. 

They made settlement Jan. 15, a big step on their journey.

“It’s time for us to start our dream. If you love what you do, you should keep doing it better and better,” Tattersall said.

Rare will be located in the former Ocean Grill and Bar at the Villages of Five Points near Lewes.

The business partners said they chose that location not just because it was available, but because there is demand.

“Lewes needs something like this. There are a lot of new people moving into this area,” Piatrou said.

Piatrou started working in local restaurants as a J-1 student more than 16 years ago.

Tattersall was the first employee Tom Holmes hired when he took over 1776 in 2007. She hired the kitchen staff and worked in many positions in the front and back of the house at the classic steakhouse restaurant.

Piatrou and Tattersall said they have one message about their new business: They are not here to compete. But, they also said they are not afraid of competition.

“We are unique. We’re very humble. We’re not competing with 1776. They will always be family,” Tattersall said.

Tattersall, who is from Chile, and Piatrou, a native of Belarus, said they will introduce new flavors on their steak and seafood menu.

“We’ll have South American flavor and good wine,” Tattersall said.

“We eat a lot of potatoes in Belarus, so we’ll have a lot of potatoes on the menu,” Piatrou said. “We’ll have the same quality steaks, but elevated from 1776.”

The business partners said the menu will be a result of a hiring a creative chef and using their extensive background to make a different dining experience.

Piatrou said Rare will seat about 127 people.

“It will be a classic interior, with tablecloths, romantic but also for families,” Tattersall said.

There will also be a private dining area.

Piatrou and Tattersall have posted their pineapple logo on social media and are currently running a contest for a slogan.

“The logo stands for amazing hospitality and fine food,” Piatrou said.

They are planning to open Rare in late March.

Piatrou and Tattersall said the experience will be worth waiting for.

“We also eat in local restaurants. We see what's missing, what needs to be tweaked. It will surprise in a good way with our food and hospitality. That’s the core of our family,” Piatrou said.