Revolutionary dining includes wish list

Some guy wrote about steaks in the Cape Gazette a few weeks ago, and his ramblings, though borderline incoherent, did inspire a long-overdue visit to 1776 Steakhouse in Midway. This quiet and upscale eatery has been in the same location for over 25 years. When they first opened, servers dressed up in Revolutionary-style garb, and the rumor is that the original owners priced all the entrees at $17.76. Good thing the Declaration of Independence wasn’t signed in 895. They’d have gone broke.

Around 1992 the establishment was sold to Kenny Butler, formerly the general manager of Kings Creek Country Club. Back then, Irish-born chef Phil Lambert ruled the kitchen at 1776, and it’s through that relationship that he eventually assumed the executive chef position at Kings Creek. (KCCC members never miss Phil’s steaks – he has not lost his magic touch.)

As Kenny’s success in racehorse ownership increased, his interest in the restaurant decreased, which brings us to that fall morning in ‘07 (I was there) when the contents were to be auctioned off in the parking lot. About two minutes before the gavel was raised, Tom Holmes and Bob Mitchell swooped down and snapped up the whole kit and kaboodle. (I had hoped to bid on the kaboodle. Always wanted one.)

Tom and Bob recruited Executive Chef Tammy Mozingo to oversee kitchen operations. Tammy had been sous chef and one of the original “seafood princesses” at Tom and Terry’s restaurant in Bethany Beach. After a stint at the Shark’s Cove and Bear Trap Dunes, Tammy steaked her claim at 1776.

She, Tom and Bob revamped the menu, but some favorites such as the escargot, lobster-stuffed black ravioli and crème brûlée cheesecake simply had to remain. Though the massive, custom-cut steaks are certainly the center of attention, Tammy’s seafood skills aren’t wasted at 1776. Not a carnivore? Try her pan-seared dayboat scallops.

Longtime Rehoboth Beach barkeep Johnny Farquhar became part-owner after Bob moved on, and Farquhar’s signature Chocolate Martini and Red Pear have become the stuff of happy hour legend. 1776 sells some unforgettable brews with names like Stone Arrogant Bastard, He’Brew R.I.P.A. and Wychwood Hobgoblin, and Johnny is particularly proud of the lineup of Trappist Beers. The Rochefort #8 hails from the year 1595, and the Orval Ale has been being served since 1628. It’s hard not to quaff a pint or two with your sizzling steak.

During my dinner at 1776 last week, Tom introduced me to a young family who had been treated to a visit to Rehoboth by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The daughter, who suffered from cerebral palsy, specifically asked for a visit to our Cape Region that included 1776 Steakhouse. They travelled all the way from Massachusetts to enjoy Tom, Tammy and Johnnie’s steaks. It was a touching moment as a beaming Tom Holmes proudly guided them on a tour of the busy kitchen. I live for moments like that.