The Buttery
2nd and Savannah Rd, Lewes, DE, 19958
The Buttery Menu
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Address :
2nd and Savannah Rd
Lewes, DE, 19958 - Phone (302) 645-7755
- Website https://www.butteryrestaurant.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Accepts Bitcoin : No
Good For : Brunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Dressy
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
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Matt R.
Perfect service, perfect cocktail, great wine prices and perfectly cooked lamb. Opted to inside seating and yes it's an old house so it's not a modern upscale bistro or newer style restaurant but it's perfect the way it is. Best manhattan I've had made in lewes/rehoboth, which is hard to understand why so many places mess it up...I'm talking to you Shorebreak Lodge! Started with a green curry crab soup. Wow! Definitely not the usual style for the east coast, but fantastic. The curry and chili oil had my nose gleefully running. Fantastic flavor and depth with nice lump crab. I ordered the rack of lamb, but another diner with us was having scallops so we ordered a seriously reasonably priced Pinot. Nothing on the wine list was outrageous unlike most other restaurants with the seemingly standard 3x markup. The lamb was cooked to perfection. 2 sections of 3 ribs with lots of meat. I'm usually disappointed by scallops for some reason, but not here. Seared to perfection they were delicate, grit-free, not dry, and flavorful. Perfectly executed. Tiramisu for desert was very very good as well. Not the normal disappointing example some places serve. Pricey? Maybe. Certainly not out of line for the quality of ingredients and service. Found it a little odd for some parents to be bringing toddlers to this place but to each their own. As long as they don't spoil a $100+ dinner for 2 I won't object.
(5)Rick E.
Sat at our normal table and Tom was our waiter. Love Tom - excellent service. Great salmonella n dish. Love the Buttery.
(4)P.L. B.
After a ferry ride from Cape May, NJ we found this gem. Deron took good care of us. Great food and drinks. Sat on the porch. Excellent experince!
(4)mui d.
Yes, the chowder is worth the hype. Buttery and creamy. Short Rib appetizer is nice and tender, but both of the item's Lack salt and boldness of the dish. Service is excellent, sexy Sinatra romantic atmosphere.
(3)Jimmy N.
Take it from a foodie who loves sea food, this place will not disappoint. Situated in an old home, it's quite a gem. It's a nice place to have date nights or business meeting. I don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu, but I recommend the crab spring rolls app, lobsters / crab cakes dinner. Cheers.
(5)Mark D.
Wanting a place that appealed to both our "Foodie" side and my love for history we thought we'd give The Buttery a try. From the outside you can tell they took particular pride in restoring the home into a fine dining establishment. The inside is no different the original flooring in the dinning room and antique appearance recapture the ambiance of yesteryear. Although, it's not large restaurant John, the owner, made sure to make use of every bit of space. From the looks of it the Buttery can accommodate groups of 8 to 12 as easily as it can a couple. The weather was permitting during our visit so we decided to dine on the side porch. Except for a few minutes sirens from the fire truck and later a couple of loud beach going motorists it was exactly what we were looking for. The Bar: The bartender is only a few steps straight back from the maitre'd station. The long bar and mirrors behind it accent the wood perfectly giving the lighting a welcome feeling to its patrons. The stock of liquors was good but not great. However, it's probably appropriate for the beach area, which it serves. The wine list was much more extensive and even had a few we hadn't tried before such as the French White Burgundy. That turned out to be quite good and the coolness of the drink made it a great choice for summer evening. Our daughter being under age ordered tea and enjoyed the ginger flavored simple syrup that accompanied it as a sweetener. Staff/Service: The owner John heard my speaking about my love for history when we walked in and later came by our table to tell us about the history of the town, the home he purchased and turned restaurant and the city's museum that was only a block away. Our servers, yep there were two assigned to our table, were both very polite, well versed on the menu while being attentive to our needs. Appetizers: As an accompaniment to the fresh warm breads brought to the table my wife chose the Roasted Red Pepper Soup. Our daughter ordered a House Salad and I decided to start with the Smoked Gouda Grits, which is normally served with the Grilled Beer Brined Chicken & Scallops dinner but they kindly made an appetizer portion for me. Unfortunately, I found the grits to be dry and tasteless. Our server catching there was something amiss brought a side of extra gouda. Coupled with some salt and butter I was able to bring the dish to life. Dinner: At the recommendation of one of our servers I chose the Bouillabaisse filled with Halibut, Lobster, Mussels and Clams. My wife went with the Daily Three Course Pre-Fixe Menu, which that night included a Citrus Crusted Mahi while our daughter picked the Twin Lobster Tails. Overall the meals were good but not great. Our daughters mashed potatoes were much like my grits, dry and in need of salt. Actually every dish was in need of flavor...i.e. salt. It was as if there was some purposeful aversion to the spice or any spice for that matter. The bouillabaisse was better than the other dishes but the lobster and some of the fish were over cooked. Overall we were all disappointed with the meals. Desert: Wanting a recovery from the drab dinner I once again placed my trust in my server and ordered the Lemon Meringue Tart. The ladies decided on the Gelato. The tart was good but to be honest the crust was a bit too thick and overcooked. It required a knife for me to cut through it. The meringue topping was equally thick, not the light whip one would expect for the dish. It was almost as if they baked the tart with the white topping in place...if so bad choice. The gelato however was wonderful and helped to make the meal a better experience. Cleanliness: The coed bathrooms were kept clean and I enjoyed the decor. A false bookshelf appearance gave it a classy look. The bar and dinning area were also kept clean despite a full house. I can't speak of the kitchen but in the past a good indicator is the clothing of the wait staff and bus'ers. With that in mind the place is as clean as it is neat and tidy. Overall: I wanted to absolutely love this place but for a fine dinning restaurant, which is the level I am rating it at, the food was bland and in case of every one of my entrées, overcooked. Since that's why it exists it doesn't matter how beautiful the surroundings or how much I enjoyed the staff, 3.5 Stars...rounded down for the price. There is no reason to pay that much for such a plain meal. 3 Stars
(3)Thomas H.
Went a couple of weeks ago on vacation, w/ my girlfriend. The menu wasn't terribly interesting, and we both decided to order the dry aged pork chop. The meal was good, could have been better seasoned, but not a big deal. The server was slightly inattentive for how few guests were there. The atmosphere was somewhat stuffy, but clean. The real kicker, and reason I didn't give 3 stars, was the liquor prices. I made the mistake of ordering myself a scotch. Glenfiddich 12yr which, depending on where you live, is about $40 a bottle. I was charged $18. I paid for almost half the bottle for appx. 2oz. I get alcohol markups, I've worked in restaurants my whole life, but that's just taking advantage of people.
(2)Jamie M.
For the past few times I've come to visit my parents in Lewes I can't say I've been blown away by the restaurants there. That all changed when we dinned at the Buttery. We walked in on Christmas Eve with no reservations and not only did they accommodate us but the staff went out of their way to ensure we were taken care of. We started off with the scallops appetizer, very tender and not overly seasoned. The duck bacon added the perfect balance to a this incredible seafood dish. The lamb was outstanding, it's prepared as a slow cooked lentil stew with fresh vegetable, the perfect Christmas Eve dinner. My parents had the sea bass, which although a little sweat, was one if the most tender pieces of fish I've had. Overall, the service, food and atmosphere made for the perfect holiday dinner experience. Definitely a repeat customer. Favorite Dish: Scallops with Duck Bacon
(5)Mike S.
Tip top of the mornin to ya! This place has class. This place has service with a smile. This place has the BEST seafood chowder I'ver ever eaten. the cod, the clam, the shrimp....OHHHH the Shrimp! How does one make a piece of shrimp dissolve in the mouth like a spat of butter?! Only by the GRACE OF GOD. Never has a shrimp been so tender, or a chowder so balanced. mmmm. I also had the Kobe beef burger, medium. It was cooked to perfection, and had that great quality kobe beef taste to it. Welcome to flavor country. The place is an old vicorian house, I sat on the patio and basked in the glory that was my lunch.
(5)Michael E.
Fantastic lunch, the lobster roll was very nicely done in lots of butter. The crab cakes looked fantastic, but only one little guy. Do call ahead and make sure you get reservations, even for lunch.
(4)William F.
We have dined at the Buttery several times in the past few months. It's a charming place with very good food and great staff. It's a good place to meet friends for an excellent meal.
(4)Kristen C.
We were here today for lunch and it was great! My husband got the lobster sandwich and I got the BLT melt on a whole grain croissant. Both sandwiches were equally as delicious. We sat on the front veranda. Food, ambiance, and service all good. We'll be back!
(5)Patrick O.
Went here on vacation with the girlfriend and sat out side the service was good and the food was very good and reasonably priced.
(4)Joyce L.
We took the ferry over for the Sunday brunch and honestly I do not feel it was worth the 22.50 they charged. My husband ordered the filet with two eggs over easy. I ordered the English breakfast with two eggs medium, both orders came back with hard burned eggs. Portion size was just ok. Service was good. They did give a plate of fruit to share and some muffins and it did come with a drink. My husband did point it out to the waiter that the eggs were way over done and he gave us excuse as to why they were cooked that way, he never offered to take them back. I would like to try it again maybe for lunch or dinner.
(3)Ken P.
I went in with high expectations because of the existing good reviews on the establishment. Those expectations were surpassed. The drinks were strong, and the steak was the best I have ever had, no exaggeration. The steak came with some potatoes which were new to me, but deliciously flavored. My friend got the roasted pork, which I couldn't stop picking at her plate at. If I am ever within a 30 minute distance of this place, and am remotely hungry... I WILL BE BACK.
(5)Andy E.
Yelp! doesn't get much wrong, but we had a terrible lunch experience. In the area and hearing about how great the seafood chowder was, my wife and I decided to give it a try. The decor is nice and the waitstaff friendly, but should it really take 30 minutes to get a $12 bowl of soup? We were 1 of only 5 tables occupied that afternoon, so it wasn't that the kitchen was overwhelmed. Then when we were served, the soup was more like thin potato broth than chowder. Wow, what an expensive disappointment. We felt like we had been food mugged.......
(1)Lynne P.
Wonderful happy hour at the bar. The bartender pours a generous glass of wine. This is a well-run friendly restaurant. You could tell that there were a lot of regulars at the bar. The staff made everyone feel at home. The setting, in an old Victorian home, is lovely.
(5)E C.
We decided to visit Lewes during the week and eat at the Buttery after hearing rave reviews from the DE neighbors. The historic bldg was musty, and I stayed hoping the food would erase the stale odor . Our waitress was pleasant, however, the food was average. The turkey / Gouda sandwich reminded me of Panera. A little more mango chutney would have helped the taste. The server recommended the potato salad. The first bite was good, but the rest was water-logged and flavorless. My friend tasted it and her face was spot on - yuck. She enjoyed her raw oysters, but the Caesar salad was nothing special. We'll stick to Rehoboth restaurants.
(2)Monica M.
Last night, my husband and I had outstanding meals and service at The Buttery. My husband is not easily impressed. It's rare for him to describe a meal as anything more than just "all right". However, his crab cakes were "delicious". My grouper was also. We can't wait to go back! Thank you for a very enjoyable dining experience.
(5)Michele H.
My favorite fine dining restaurant at the beach! Highly recommend Sunday brunch, especially a table on the porch. Our meal included freshly made breads and pastries and a fresh fruit plate. I had Eggs Benedict with fluffy poached eggs and roasted potatoes and asparagus. My husband had Filet Mignon with eggs which also included potatoes and asparagus. Mimosas and Bloody Mary's completed the meal. Awesome service in a lovely Victorian setting.
(5)Karen K.
Great lunch today at The Buttery. Kudos to our waiter, Anton, who did a terrific job in all aspects of his job. Food was good too! Delicious vegetable grinders - one served on a grilled sub role and the other prepared without bread for a gluten free diner. The Kobe burger was huge and tasty as was the seafood pasta. We were the only diners sitting outside on a lovely porch with ceiling fans. The few sprinkles outside did not even come near us.
(5)Anita O.
LOVE the Buttery! Can't say enough. The food is delish, but what's good food without great waitstaff! We've had GREAT waitstaff. Gorgeous atmosphere too! Everything was perfect both times we've been here!! My mouth is salivating at the thought of all the great meals we're going to have here!!
(5)Charles F.
My wife's and my experience was absolutely first class -- I had the crab cakes and she, the filet mignon. Her's was cooked perfectly as she had ordered and my cakes were just full of lump crab -- and absolutely zero shell pieces!!! But, by far the most impressive aspect of our visit was the owner/manager (John)(?). We came on a Saturday early evening, not even thinking of needing a reservation (it was well past Labor Day . . .). Not only were we greeted by John (as opposed to the hostess), but he personally arranged for us to get a table. Then, before actually deciding to dine there, I had a somewhat special cooking request. John, again personally, went to the chef to see if it could be done. That, of course, made our decision of where to dine for the evening (We were actually headed to another recommended restaurant before curiosity took us into The Buttery.). And, during the course of our meal, John stopped by to ask how things were -- not once but twice! Honestly, it would be difficult to beat his level of accommodation. The wait staff were also efficient and professional -- not only did our waitress check on us, but even the waitress for the table next to us check on us once. So, bottom line, one of the best overall dining experiences we've ever had! (And, by the way, not only do we not know anyone associated with this restaurant, that day was the first time we had ever visited Delaware -- pretty positive first impression!)
(5)Mary K.
We usually drive up to Lewes four or five times a year for lunch or dinner at The Buttery. Had lunch today and was dry disappointed ordered chicken salad which I have had many times before. It came smashed down on the plate and was so much mayonnaise that I could not taste or see the chicken. The waitress knew right away there was to much mayo. They replaced it with a sandwich but I was surprised my lunch was not taken off our bill. Disappointed to see a favorite restaurant not living up to their previous high standards. They could use more entree salads on their menu.
(2)Nancy A.
Great food and terrific wait staff add all that to a wonderful liitle town for strolling around after the meal and no way not to have a great evening here :-)
(4)James O.
The ambiance was better than the food. Sit outside this historic victorian and relax because you will need something to take your mind off the lack luster fare. Beware of the cheese plate.... For $20 you will receive cheddar, brie and blue cheese. Wow really exciting! The tenderloin was sufficient but the sides where something I could make at home. If your at Lewes DE their are better options for less money.
(3)Colleen O.
A group of ladies from our neighborhood ate here. I had fish of the day salmon and a fruit crepe for desert. Everything was delicious, I would recommend this restaurant.
(4)Food Mongol M.
The food here is really, really, really good. The service is awesome and very friendly. That food is made with some serious love.
(5)Janet F.
The Buttery has been in Lewes forever. It's at a great location at the corner of two main streets in this beautiful beach town. The food is delicious and nicely plated. I had the twin lobster tails an my husband and mother in law had the bouillabaisse. We all liked our meals. Except I forgot to ask for drawn butter and lemons to have with my lobster tails. We brought the kids with us. There is no kids menu but the waiter offered them a grilled chicken breast and pasta dish. For my daughter we asked for fries instead of pasta. One of the appetizers, moules frites, came with fries. However, we were told that the cook only makes fries when that particular appetizer is ordered. I was surprised that a nice place like the Buttery couldn't make some fries for my kid. I realize that the fries are freshly made, not frozen, but still.... The restaurant has a wifi account but no one in the place knew what the password was to the wifi. Please, we are in the year 2013 and people expect to have access to wifi if a restaurant has it set up. I still like The Buttery and the food was excellent. I will go back next time I am in Lewes.
(4)Bo W.
Lewes is pretty much the best-kept secret of a beach town when you live in the Northeast. I tell folks in Boston I'm going to Delaware to go to the beach, and they have to look at the map to remind themselves that Delaware has a coastline. The Buttery, on the other hand, is the worst kept secret in Lewes. Everyone knows that when you want some fine dining, delicious seafood, and beach-elegant atmosphere in Lewes, you hit the Buttery. I was pleasantly surprised. I tend to get really snooty once I'm outside of a city, and I start thinking things like "Oh, the Buttery, I guess it will be good FOR THE PROVINCES". However, everything we ordered (a party of 8 with diverse tastes) was well-prepared and some dishes were even inventive - this is a pretty conservative place, after all. My veal over risotto had a delicious, perfectly cooked veal reduction that tasted of hours over a low flame. The tenderloin was thick and juicy. My wife's salmon avoided being the roasted chicken of seafood (i.e. the same old boring shit you get everywhere) with an awesome plating of israeli couscous. And oh my god, the tiramisu was HUGE and CHOCOLATE. Not a scrap was left on the table. The service, however, left a lot to be desired. Maybe we are just spoiled, but my wife (who is the pickier of the couple) was not impressed that empty glasses and used silverware were left on the table, salt and pepper was left during dessert, people were left staring at their food while others had yet to be served, etc. Little things, yes, but they add up after a while, and if you're going to be the most expensive and hoity-toity restaurant in a beach town you should have the service to match the attitude. If service were improved, this would be an easy five stars. TL; DR- The Buttery- the only date night restaurant in Lewes.
(4)Jesca D.
My boyfriend and I dined at The Buttery this past Saturday night and had a wonderful experience! From the ambiance, the waitstaff, and the delicious food... everything was spot on. The restaurant looks like a big Victorian home on the corner of a quaint street in Lewes, the decor inside is dark and elegant. It was a busy evening on the night that we went, but the tables are spaced far enough away that you still feel like you are having an intimate meal. Our waiter was knowledgeable about the menu and provided us with a great recommendation, which was the Halibut special. It was heavenly! The halibut was cooked perfectly atop jasmine rice and tender asparagus with a bacon fennel sauce. We loved every bite. We would definitely eat here again!
(5)Julieann G.
My husband and I dined here recently. He made an early reservation for Saturday night. We had never been here prior, and had heard many good things. The restaurant is in an old Victorian house, and the decor is lovely. There is an outdoor porch, but my husband requested inside dining in order to enjoy the ac. Upon arrival, we were immediately seated in the bar area room. Our waiter was attentive and professional. Ice cold water was served, and within minutes I had a white burgundy wine and my husband had a cold, local beer. There are no bar taps, only bottled beer. The beer selection is not extensive. They did have Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA, which is a favorite beer. The wine list had many more selections. Warm fresh bread and butter were served as we looked over the menu. I opted for the 30.00 Prix Fix menu. My first course was a salad, no complaints, very tasty. We also shared moules and frites. The frites came in a little cup, not a big portion but that is fine as it is just an appetizer. The moules and the sauce were delicious. My entree, salmon with lavender and thyme was really amazing. I loved it. The salmon was cooked to perfection, tender, flaky and moist. My husband had the steak, served medium rare. It was a big, juicy looking steak. My husband did say that it was good, but a little on the tough side. My dinner came with a dessert. I chose the berry pie. Good, a little dry on the crust. My husband had the tiramisu- made with among other things, Kahlua- and this dessert was exceptional. There was not even a crumb on the plate. I will point out two things that detracted from my visit. One we were seated next to the door for the porch. This area had several people/wait staff going in and out. Every time this happened, we had a blast of hot air. Yesterday, in Delaware we hit 90 degrees- neither one of us like intense heat and humidity- hence asking for inside. This negated the comfort level somewhat. If we return, we would specially ask not to sit near the door. Next, (Probably due to the door) the collection of flies kept increasing. I know it is a summertime thing, but I really, really am turned off by flies, and when I am dining in a fine restaurant, the last thing I want to be able to do is actually count the number of flies on the wall. Lastly, I thought this was a bit of a dress up place- don't stress about that! We were dressed up, but as in southern Delaware in t
(4)Ann B.
Had a very nice and unexpected lunch: Pimm's Cup, fried oysters, country pâté, and seafood chowder. Service was prompt and friendly. When I go back to DE beach, I'll stop again.
(5)Jeanie J.
I thought the food here was just okay. I don't think that just because I'm on vacation, I should sacrifice standards. There aren't a lot of options in this town, and while it may be better than some other places, in a city, it wouldn't hold up. I think for the price, the food was nothing to scream about.
(2)Craig F.
The reputation of this place compelled me to eat there for my birthday dinner...I had a good meal overall but their menu was a bit limited...the chicken dish seemed to be the best choice that was picked from my table...crab cakes a close second...my beef tenderloin was ok also...but nothing overwhelmed any of us in terms of the flavors, or service for that matter...Not worth what we paid although it is certainly more than passable..have eaten at better restaurants in the beach area at a lower price point.
(3)Kari K.
Nice place for a romantic dinner. My fiance and I were very happy with the food. The portion sizes were large and satisfying. Both my filet and his pork chop were cooked as we liked and the sides went perfectly with the main item. Our server was very friendly, but missed a few things. Only I had a bread plate, so I shared with my fiance. We were never given appetizer plates. We didn't bother asking, as it wasn't a huge problem, just a minor inconvenience. Upon asking to see the dessert menu, the check was brought over. She must have forgotten, but not a big deal as I was planning on grabbing something later in the night. Overall, a nice meal in a quiet, cute restaurant.
(3)J P.
I don't understand why my review last year does not appear on the The Buttery page of Yelp. It's not even included in the ratings stats - it only shows one 1-star, which obviously excludes my review since there's another 1-star review this year. What's up Yelp? Hiding some negative reviews?
(1)Andrea T.
Lewes is the last bit of civilization until well Philadelphia. If you forgot to stop in Rehoboth to eat, just turn down route 9. The Buttery serves lunch until 2:30 and then does lite fare at the bar until dinner at 5. It's an old victorian house with a lovely porch where lunch is generally served. The lunch menu is pretty big, 4 different salads, 5 or 6 entree options. I had the soup and 1/2 a sandwich. Which was excellent pastrami. Easily could have been cured on the premises? However, it was very very thinly sliced. Served with swiss cheese, red wine pickled shallots, and a spicy mustard. The mustard was spicy...just right I hate when something is called spicy and it is practically yellow mustard. Served hot on rye. The soup of the day was an amazing bacon, vegetable, and lentil soup served with lemon creme fraiche. The lemon creme fraiche really made the soup. The brightness of the lemon picked up the vegetables and the smokiness of the bacon. It was a great soup. Definitely homemade. My mother had the fried oysters. Which she said were the best fried oysters she has had in quite sometime. Get there now, because oyster season is nearly over if you hold to the rule of never eat an oyster in a month without an R. It is supposedly an old wives tale, but I hold this rule to be true. Desserts looked amazing, gals at a table near us ordered the tiramisu and it is literally the size of a dinner plate! We had a nice leisurely lunch. The service was good, nothing extraordinary. We were out on the sunny porch and had a great view of the town, especially the dutch museum. Lewes and the Buttery are well kept secrets!
(5)Meghan C.
Great restaurant. Beautiful inside, good menu, and excellent service! Would recommend the crab cakes.
(5)BRANDON H.
I don't know if it was because we were famished after our day of biking from Lewes to Rehoboth and back, or if it was because the stranger that gave us directions along the way happened to be John "Buttery", but you couldn't tell me that the braised short rib wasn't the best thing in Delaware when I took my first bite. Ok, maybe I was a little hungry. But we had a great experience here. The service was impeccable, the drinks were great, and the food was fantastic. I recommend this place to anyone traveling to Lewes or Rehoboth.
(5)Maureen G.
I spend summer weekends in Delaware and I look forward to visiting the Buttery. The Sunday brunches are amazing. First, the atmosphere is classic. The dining on the porch in the summer time is so comfortable yet special. The fruit tray and bread baskets that accompany brunch are fresh and delicious. The menu choices are extensive and varied ranging from the favorite salad nicoise to eggs Benedict. Try it...you will like it. Make sure that you have a reservation.
(5)Susan D.
Wow. Best crab cakes this side of Baton Rouge. Amazing wine list, attentive but unobtrusive service, lovely relaxed atmosphere. Can't wait to go back. Susan, Trenton NJ
(5)Samantha M.
The buttery has a wonderful reputation, and despite living at the beach for years....this was the first time I went in. We went to try their new pub menu, uncertain if it compared to their regular menu. We had the kobe burgers, with greens and their house dressing. Hands down...one of the best burgers I've ever eaten. And their dressing is to die for. The burger was cooked and seasoned perfectly, and melted in your mouth. Service was friendly, but a bit slow/inattentive....but I would definately eat here regularly!
(5)Jennifer K.
Elegant decor, fantastic food, very good service! Would certainly recommend for a upscale or special occasion meal in Lewes.
(4)megan s.
My experience at The Buttery was nice, we ate inside instead of outside. It is inside a old Victorian House and decorated that way, when we went the people eating there were a little on the snooty side but you get that at expensive fancier restaurants. We felt the prices were a little too high for the quality of food you get and the menu is too small, the food was good but I have had better for a good deal less. I had the duck and it was very good, tasty in a nice sauce, my girlfriend had the rack of lamb which was expensive and just good, not great. The salad was $10 so we skipped it, no way we are paying $10 for lettuce and other greens. Overall a nice place to eat in Lewes but some of the other less expensive places have just as good of food. Service was pretty good.
(4)Stefan G.
The food itself would draw three stars--the restaurant suffers a bit from the notion that it is the ultimate dining destination in Lewes. This assessment is probably correct given local options but alone doesn't lift The Buttery beyond mediocrity. Pineapple slices on pork chops and sour cream on otherwise decent crab cakes are not likely to earn a Michelin star. What further depresses the rating, though, is the intransigence of management: upon noticing a "plating fee" of $10 on the check, we were brusquely informed that this policy was "printed on the menu." While I understand this policy when adults try to split entrees, in our case (two adults and a one eight year old child) it defies common sense. Does the restaurant realistically expect us to spend $35 for an entree for a child? Apparently so. In any case, our server should have reiterated that policy when we placed our order. Obviously they can run their place any way they choose to see fit, but their lack of flexibility in a context like ours and the brusque manner in which our questions were answered draws serious demerits in the customer service department. Very myopic perspective, alas. And, BTW, we've eaten in many places in DC seriously outclassing The Buttery's food, none of which would even think of a "plating fee."
(2)Jame F.
I've been to The Buttery over the years many times and NEVER been disappointed. Elegant and refined in every way, this eatery has always been consistent in all areas: the food is always mouth-watering, fresh and delicious, the service staff is impeccable, the venue is classic. I also enjoy the small intimate bar. If you're looking for an incredible Sunday brunch, this is THE place. Everyone raves about the restaurants in Rehoboth, and I agree there are a few gems there, but none compare to The Buttery in Lewes, truly not to be missed!
(5)Karen K.
Went for lunch. Fantastic sandwiches and delightful service. Will definitely be back!
(5)Ken Y.
Great experience beginning to end. The host was welcoming and friendly, the prix fixe menu offered a fantastic soup, entree and dessert, the waitstaff was knowledgeable and friendly. This is definitely the place to check out if you're ever in the Rehoboth area.
(5)K A.
One of the top restaurants in the state, and for good reason! Wonderful, inventive food. Very much worth making a reservation to get a table.
(5)Jared C.
We stopped going to the Buttery when they fired our favorite waitress, Christine, because there are many great places to spend your $ in Lewes. The brunch is always good, and nice for a night out. Sometimes there is attitude from some of the staff. Overall OK, but won't be back for a while.
(3)Paula C.
Had dinner the other night at the Buttery with good friends. Hadn't been there for a while but found it to be consistently good. Food was terrific. I had the bucatini with a very light saffron cream sauce with perfectly tender mussels. My friends said their good was terrific too. Service was very good and very friendly. This is always a good time!
(4)Andrew E.
This place was great. We went on a Saturday night and sat out on the deck. The prices are high when you order a la carte, but it is what you would expect with the quality of the food. They do have a great deal which is a 3 course dinner for $30 a person and we had 3 options. Both my wife and I ended up sharing the bruschetta with watermelon which was excellent, soup, the center cut pork chop was delicious. We also had creme brulee for desert which was excellent.
(5)peg g.
A wonderful fine dining experience in charming Lewes. My husband and I ate there while on a weekend getaway celebrating our anniversary. The food was on par with some of the best I have eaten anywhere. We shared a cheese plate which managed to pair three very different varieties of local cheese with quince butter and mustard. Delish. Then we each had a yummy salad, followed by osso bucco (him) and beef tenderloin (me). Everything was amazing. The only misstep was the tiramisu, which suffered from an over-abundance of chocolate drizzle on top (totally unnecessary). The wine list was extensive and our old vines Zinfandel was great. We did not find The Buttery to be anywhere near as expensive as others appear to. Perhaps living in D.C. Has made us used to spending too much on nice nights out. But....one appetizer, two salads, two entrees and two (yep, two) bottles of wine for under $200.00? That's not bad at all in my book.
(5)Kathy S.
For my Birthday dinner last night, friends took us to The Buttery for dinner. The food was excellent as usual. I had the Yellowfin Tuna, which melted in my mouth, Bill had the Tenderloin as did Jean. Tom had the Duck. Great service and a relaxed evening made this a memorable birthday.
(4)sharon o.
I've lived in Lewes for quite a few years and this is always one of my favorite dinner spots. The food is fresh and excellent quality. Many of the ingredients are from the local area (3 stars for that!). The place itself is a beautiful old victorian (which gets a bit cool in the winter as a old house will do!). Overall, one of the nicer places to eat in Lewes.
(4)Sam M.
We should have listened to our Innkeeper in Rehoboth and cancel our reservation! My partner took me here to celebrate my birthday. When we arrived, I was very excited because of the atmosphere and the friendly hostess. We were promptly seated and greeted by a very friendly server, named Pat. The night seemed like it would be a perfect one. After Pat left to get us water, another server, Jason, approached our table and said he would be waiting on us for the evening. He did not introduce himself, welcome us or explain what happened to Pat. We found his name out later from his partner. While we were waiting for our dinners to be served, Pat came up to check on us and apologize for the mix up. She asked if we had ever dined there before and asked if it was a special occasion. I explained it was my birthday and she made a big fuss. All of a sudden Jason approached the table, gave Pat a nasty look and brushed her away. We felt so badly for her. HIs attitude the rest of the evening was anything but professional. We use to own an inn and restaurant in Vermont and prided ourselves on customer service. We are still angry that we left him a twenty percent tip. My partner did write a note and told him that he did not appreciate his stiff attitude and rudeness toward a fellow server. I do believe our money would have been better spent dining elsewhere. When we spend over $150.00 on a meal for two, we expect better service and a more enjoyable dining experience.
(2)Nicole L.
Perhaps I found my visit disappointing because of the time of day I was dining. We arrived around 2:30 (past their lunch service) and were forced to make selections off of a menu much smaller than the lunch menu. The majority of items on our menu were salads, which I hate ordering at restaurants due to the fact that I can usually make them myself for less. I will say the crab cake was nice, as was the chowder (though there was way too much potato) but I think I would have enjoyed the dinner selection much more. Also, the waiter was extremely slow. Again, this complaint might have been due to the time of day. But, if I work based on tips then it shouldn't matter on the time of day for attentiveness.
(3)Brian G.
The halibut special was fantastic. The fish was perfectly prepared and on a bed of sea asparagus that naturally salted the dish. Great setting. Wine list was quite good although ordering wine by the glass severely limited our options. My husband had the crab cakes: very big lumps, little filler, could have used a bit more spice. The bed of sweet potatoe purée added a nice touch. The shredded cabbage wasn't necessary. Cute waiter. Attire ranged from the Hoity-Toity to smart casual.
(4)Anastasia W.
Wonderful specials, sweet atmosphere. We had pate, salad, seafood. Worth the price.
(5)Alyson O.
Quality food but not exciting or special. The Buttery seems like a place to go because it is fancy or special, not because the food is good. There was nothing wrong with our meal, it just wasn't innovative or exciting. We started with the cured scallops and had the fillet and halibut for entrees. It was like fancy wedding food. We skipped dessert and instead headed across the street to the Italian deli for a cannoli. Go to The Buttery if you are going to propose to your girlfriend or if your grandmother is in town. Go somewhere else for innovative, exciting food.
(3)Casey R.
I am honestly appalled by the experience that I just had at The Buttery this evening. Below is a very long and epic description of the evening. It's poorly written and filled with typos... Because I am stark raving ticked off! ** Please note that I did not speak with a manager at the time of service*** I recently moved to this area for a sixth month project. My Mom is in town to help me get settled. I was perusing a list of restaurants in the area and I saw The Buttery. My birthday is around the corner and my mom and boyfriend will be visiting me and I thought The Buttery would be perfect. After some further exploring I saw that The Buttery offers a Five for Five happy hour deal on the weekdays. I thought it would be nice to check it out before hand, so my Mom and I decided to go. We called to make sure the deal was going on, and we were told we would need to make a reservation.... Weird for a happy hour thing, but whatever we did it. We showed up and we were told we did not have a reservation. Ok.... We explained we came for the five for five deal and were told we had to have a reservation. The woman (who was a server standing in for the hostess) stared at us like we were Aliens. Then actual hostess came out and she sat us on the veranda. After waiting for a bit and watching another couple get waited on Our waitress shows up and we tell her we would like to see the menu for the five for five deal. She tells is we can't do that where we are sitting. At this point we are like Wtf. So she speaks to the hostess and she says just on Tuesdays we can sit here. (Today is Tuesday btw) Ok. So we move on. We try to place an order for drinks. We are told they are half off. So my mom asks for a b52 shot (grand mariner, baileys, kahula)). We are told that it's not covered. Whatever my mom orders it. This is my Moms signature drink.s he explains it's in a shot glass and explains exactly how to make it. The waitress comes back and says it will be In a snifter not a shot glass and is btw that's $30. WTF. Both my mom and I have lived in cities for many years and neither of us have EVER paid that much for that drink. Anyway. Let me move onto to the food. The sodas were all seltzer and no syrup. The fried Brussels sprouts were not only burned but had French Fries in them (from when they clearly put them in the deep fryer). The crab avocado spring roll was ok. Nothing to write home about. The whole atmosphere is very snooty. I do not get it. I know it does not matter but I have lived in Boston for years, I work in DC/Baltimore/NYC, vacationed on the vineyard and LBI... I have witnessed snooty and snobby. I do not tolerate it...and I certainly do not tolerate or expect a restaurant on off season to act so rude/snooty/snobby. It is ridiculous. Needless to say I am not going there for my Birthday... I would rather go to Grottos.
(1)EK J.
Very nice place. Very clean and quaint Lewes restaurant. Food average. Waitress was prompt and courteous. Food took 30 minutes to come out. Unacceptable for lunch for 4 people. The restaurant was not full by any means. My salad was skimpy. Not enough to call it a meal. Everyone else in our party seemed pleased however my daughter didn't finish her salad and she eats everything!
(2)Lourdes E.
We went for brunch this morning and I think it deserves 4 stars. The brunch at $22.95 is not a bad deal with a drink, good pastries and a meal. The only negative for me was how hot it got out on that porch outside. There were plenty of brunch options including a nice lobster quiche but it should have had more chunks of lobster meat. Overall it was a good experience.
(4)Pinki P.
I found this place on Yelp and decided to come here after seeing the ratings and reviews. The restaurant is very cute with a sophisticated atmosphere. My friends and I actually felt way under-dressed, and surprisingly we still got excellent service. Our server was super friendly and recommended us what to order. He asked us if we were locals, and we told him we were just visiting for a few days. He proceeded to give us advice on some things to do and places to go near where we were staying. The food was delicious! There were 4 of us and everyone enjoyed what they ordered.
(5)Suzy S.
I came here with a large group for Sunday brunch. We sat outside in the porch. Our waiter was kind and the service was great. Brunch was $22.95 but you get a lot for your money! It includes 1 alcoholic drink, a basket of pastries, fresh fruit, and the main course. I got filet with 2 over easy eggs and potatoes. It was delicious!
(5)daniel f.
Ideal Sunday brunch, picturesque traditional Lewes building with indoor and outdoor seating. High quality crab cakes and a kitchen that really knows how are cook a steak medium rare. Bloody Mary was spicy and delicious. A surprise hit was the home made biscuits with fresh spinach still moist inside. When a I mentioned how good they were, Timur (our server) offered us a couple extra. That thoughtful gesture coupled with solidly good food earned the 5 star rating.
(5)Gary A.
The Buttery is our "go to" spot for special occasions. Birthdays and whatnot are fun to have in the very nice ambience of their old world dining rooms. It gets even better when you're lucky enough to get Tom as a waiter- he's the best! Omnivores and vegans are treated very nicely here. The wine list is extensive and beers are a modest $5. The chef does some nice things with in season vegetables and inventive sauces. I had a vegan jambalaya and it was something I'll order again. Maybe even try to copy at home- The dessert menu looked good and Tom recommends several items and usually a cheesecake. He's a great guide and very entertaining. -Enjoy
(4)Dan B.
Wow, what an outstanding burger! My wife and I split a bacon cheese burger with lettuce and tomato, and fries. The burger was cooked to a perfect medium-rare with gorgon zola cheese. The soft, perfectly toasted bun enhanced this burger experience. The burger was so flavorful, I wouldn't dare to add mustard, catsup, or anything else to it. Just fantastic. The fries were cooked to a perfect golden brown crispy exterior with a soft hot interior. The meal was complemented with a tropical rum punch that was made up on the fly by the bartender. I recommend this place while strolling down 2nd st. in Lewes DE and want something to hold you over 'till dinner. I would wager that dinner is excellent based on this lunch experience. Tip: Take a seat out on the front porch facing Second St. and enjoy the shade, breeze, and pleasant activity while enjoying good food & drink.
(5)Mark M.
Filet is great and expertly prepared. Scallops were large and good. Rice was crunchy which was weird. Service was horrible. If you are not a local or a large party, don't bother. I can be treated this bad for much less than 121 bucks in any number of places.
(1)Caroline C.
Went the other night after coming to Lewes for years. The happy hour at the pub is the best thing to have happened! The drinks were half price and the pub menu is short, but amazing. Ordered a Kobe burger (no bun) and it as out of this world. {I am still thinking about it.} we started with the cheese board which was equally as delicious.
(5)Kurt B.
From top to bottom this restaurant is amazing. The ambiance is great and perfect for a romantic meal. The wine list is excellent and so is the service. The table bread is terrific. The house salad is delicious with a really superb dressing. I had the filet as an entree and the bourbon based glaze really ties in the flavor a in a wonderful way. For dessert I had the vanilla bean free brûlée and it did not disappoint. This place really made for a terrific experience and I highly recommend it.
(5)Schuyler H.
cheese plate was okay - had drunken goat which is hard to top but other than that stuff was just ok i had the lobster roll which was pretty good and my grandmother had the arugula salad with goat cheese which was really good
(3)Keith S.
Had lunch here the other day. Decided to eat on the porch area which had lots of fans. It's a nice old historic bldg and our lunch was really good. We had an oyster po boy and a smoked turkey and Gouda sandwich. Very good food, moderately priced. Good service too.
(4)Miro K.
Went here for dinner after an impromptu trip to Lewes. This restaurant is fantastic! The restaurant itself if gorgeous and we ate on the patio which was so quaint. Everything from the service to the salad to the balanced flavors of the main course were superb. All the food had special and subtle touches that made it so enjoyable. This place is certainly worth your money!
(5)Mark D.
Wanting a place that appealed to both our "Foodie" side and my love for history we thought we'd give The Buttery a try. From the outside you can tell they took particular pride in restoring the home into a fine dining establishment. The inside is no different the original flooring in the dinning room and antique appearance recapture the ambiance of yesteryear. Although, it's not large restaurant John, the owner, made sure to make use of every bit of space. From the looks of it the Buttery can accommodate groups of 8 to 12 as easily as it can a couple. The weather was permitting during our visit so we decided to dine on the side porch. Except for a few minutes sirens from the fire truck and later a couple of loud beach going motorists it was exactly what we were looking for. The Bar: The bartender is only a few steps straight back from the maitre'd station. The long bar and mirrors behind it accent the wood perfectly giving the lighting a welcome feeling to its patrons. The stock of liquors was good but not great. However, it's probably appropriate for the beach area, which it serves. The wine list was much more extensive and even had a few we hadn't tried before such as the French White Burgundy. That turned out to be quite good and the coolness of the drink made it a great choice for summer evening. Our daughter being under age ordered tea and enjoyed the ginger flavored simple syrup that accompanied it as a sweetener. Staff/Service: The owner John heard my speaking about my love for history when we walked in and later came by our table to tell us about the history of the town, the home he purchased and turned restaurant and the city's museum that was only a block away. Our servers, yep there were two assigned to our table, were both very polite, well versed on the menu while being attentive to our needs. Appetizers: As an accompaniment to the fresh warm breads brought to the table my wife chose the Roasted Red Pepper Soup. Our daughter ordered a House Salad and I decided to start with the Smoked Gouda Grits, which is normally served with the Grilled Beer Brined Chicken & Scallops dinner but they kindly made an appetizer portion for me. Unfortunately, I found the grits to be dry and tasteless. Our server catching there was something amiss brought a side of extra gouda. Coupled with some salt and butter I was able to bring the dish to life. Dinner: At the recommendation of one of our servers I chose the Bouillabaisse filled with Halibut, Lobster, Mussels and Clams. My wife went with the Daily Three Course Pre-Fixe Menu, which that night included a Citrus Crusted Mahi while our daughter picked the Twin Lobster Tails. Overall the meals were good but not great. Our daughters mashed potatoes were much like my grits, dry and in need of salt. Actually every dish was in need of flavor...i.e. salt. It was as if there was some purposeful aversion to the spice or any spice for that matter. The bouillabaisse was better than the other dishes but the lobster and some of the fish were over cooked. Overall we were all disappointed with the meals. Desert: Wanting a recovery from the drab dinner I once again placed my trust in my server and ordered the Lemon Meringue Tart. The ladies decided on the Gelato. The tart was good but to be honest the crust was a bit too thick and overcooked. It required a knife for me to cut through it. The meringue topping was equally thick, not the light whip one would expect for the dish. It was almost as if they baked the tart with the white topping in place...if so bad choice. The gelato however was wonderful and helped to make the meal a better experience. Cleanliness: The coed bathrooms were kept clean and I enjoyed the decor. A false bookshelf appearance gave it a classy look. The bar and dinning area were also kept clean despite a full house. I can't speak of the kitchen but in the past a good indicator is the clothing of the wait staff and bus'ers. With that in mind the place is as clean as it is neat and tidy. Overall: I wanted to absolutely love this place but for a fine dinning restaurant, which is the level I am rating it at, the food was bland and in case of every one of my entrées, overcooked. Since that's why it exists it doesn't matter how beautiful the surroundings or how much I enjoyed the staff, 3.5 Stars...rounded down for the price. There is no reason to pay that much for such a plain meal. 3 Stars
(3)Thomas H.
Went a couple of weeks ago on vacation, w/ my girlfriend. The menu wasn't terribly interesting, and we both decided to order the dry aged pork chop. The meal was good, could have been better seasoned, but not a big deal. The server was slightly inattentive for how few guests were there. The atmosphere was somewhat stuffy, but clean. The real kicker, and reason I didn't give 3 stars, was the liquor prices. I made the mistake of ordering myself a scotch. Glenfiddich 12yr which, depending on where you live, is about $40 a bottle. I was charged $18. I paid for almost half the bottle for appx. 2oz. I get alcohol markups, I've worked in restaurants my whole life, but that's just taking advantage of people.
(2)Jamie M.
For the past few times I've come to visit my parents in Lewes I can't say I've been blown away by the restaurants there. That all changed when we dinned at the Buttery. We walked in on Christmas Eve with no reservations and not only did they accommodate us but the staff went out of their way to ensure we were taken care of. We started off with the scallops appetizer, very tender and not overly seasoned. The duck bacon added the perfect balance to a this incredible seafood dish. The lamb was outstanding, it's prepared as a slow cooked lentil stew with fresh vegetable, the perfect Christmas Eve dinner. My parents had the sea bass, which although a little sweat, was one if the most tender pieces of fish I've had. Overall, the service, food and atmosphere made for the perfect holiday dinner experience. Definitely a repeat customer. Favorite Dish: Scallops with Duck Bacon
(5)Mike S.
Tip top of the mornin to ya! This place has class. This place has service with a smile. This place has the BEST seafood chowder I'ver ever eaten. the cod, the clam, the shrimp....OHHHH the Shrimp! How does one make a piece of shrimp dissolve in the mouth like a spat of butter?! Only by the GRACE OF GOD. Never has a shrimp been so tender, or a chowder so balanced. mmmm. I also had the Kobe beef burger, medium. It was cooked to perfection, and had that great quality kobe beef taste to it. Welcome to flavor country. The place is an old vicorian house, I sat on the patio and basked in the glory that was my lunch.
(5)Michael E.
Fantastic lunch, the lobster roll was very nicely done in lots of butter. The crab cakes looked fantastic, but only one little guy. Do call ahead and make sure you get reservations, even for lunch.
(4)Pinki P.
I found this place on Yelp and decided to come here after seeing the ratings and reviews. The restaurant is very cute with a sophisticated atmosphere. My friends and I actually felt way under-dressed, and surprisingly we still got excellent service. Our server was super friendly and recommended us what to order. He asked us if we were locals, and we told him we were just visiting for a few days. He proceeded to give us advice on some things to do and places to go near where we were staying. The food was delicious! There were 4 of us and everyone enjoyed what they ordered.
(5)Craig F.
The reputation of this place compelled me to eat there for my birthday dinner...I had a good meal overall but their menu was a bit limited...the chicken dish seemed to be the best choice that was picked from my table...crab cakes a close second...my beef tenderloin was ok also...but nothing overwhelmed any of us in terms of the flavors, or service for that matter...Not worth what we paid although it is certainly more than passable..have eaten at better restaurants in the beach area at a lower price point.
(3)Maureen G.
I spend summer weekends in Delaware and I look forward to visiting the Buttery. The Sunday brunches are amazing. First, the atmosphere is classic. The dining on the porch in the summer time is so comfortable yet special. The fruit tray and bread baskets that accompany brunch are fresh and delicious. The menu choices are extensive and varied ranging from the favorite salad nicoise to eggs Benedict. Try it...you will like it. Make sure that you have a reservation.
(5)Susan D.
Wow. Best crab cakes this side of Baton Rouge. Amazing wine list, attentive but unobtrusive service, lovely relaxed atmosphere. Can't wait to go back. Susan, Trenton NJ
(5)Samantha M.
The buttery has a wonderful reputation, and despite living at the beach for years....this was the first time I went in. We went to try their new pub menu, uncertain if it compared to their regular menu. We had the kobe burgers, with greens and their house dressing. Hands down...one of the best burgers I've ever eaten. And their dressing is to die for. The burger was cooked and seasoned perfectly, and melted in your mouth. Service was friendly, but a bit slow/inattentive....but I would definately eat here regularly!
(5)Jennifer K.
Elegant decor, fantastic food, very good service! Would certainly recommend for a upscale or special occasion meal in Lewes.
(4)megan s.
My experience at The Buttery was nice, we ate inside instead of outside. It is inside a old Victorian House and decorated that way, when we went the people eating there were a little on the snooty side but you get that at expensive fancier restaurants. We felt the prices were a little too high for the quality of food you get and the menu is too small, the food was good but I have had better for a good deal less. I had the duck and it was very good, tasty in a nice sauce, my girlfriend had the rack of lamb which was expensive and just good, not great. The salad was $10 so we skipped it, no way we are paying $10 for lettuce and other greens. Overall a nice place to eat in Lewes but some of the other less expensive places have just as good of food. Service was pretty good.
(4)Paula C.
Had dinner the other night at the Buttery with good friends. Hadn't been there for a while but found it to be consistently good. Food was terrific. I had the bucatini with a very light saffron cream sauce with perfectly tender mussels. My friends said their good was terrific too. Service was very good and very friendly. This is always a good time!
(4)Gary A.
The Buttery is our "go to" spot for special occasions. Birthdays and whatnot are fun to have in the very nice ambience of their old world dining rooms. It gets even better when you're lucky enough to get Tom as a waiter- he's the best! Omnivores and vegans are treated very nicely here. The wine list is extensive and beers are a modest $5. The chef does some nice things with in season vegetables and inventive sauces. I had a vegan jambalaya and it was something I'll order again. Maybe even try to copy at home- The dessert menu looked good and Tom recommends several items and usually a cheesecake. He's a great guide and very entertaining. -Enjoy
(4)Dan B.
Wow, what an outstanding burger! My wife and I split a bacon cheese burger with lettuce and tomato, and fries. The burger was cooked to a perfect medium-rare with gorgon zola cheese. The soft, perfectly toasted bun enhanced this burger experience. The burger was so flavorful, I wouldn't dare to add mustard, catsup, or anything else to it. Just fantastic. The fries were cooked to a perfect golden brown crispy exterior with a soft hot interior. The meal was complemented with a tropical rum punch that was made up on the fly by the bartender. I recommend this place while strolling down 2nd st. in Lewes DE and want something to hold you over 'till dinner. I would wager that dinner is excellent based on this lunch experience. Tip: Take a seat out on the front porch facing Second St. and enjoy the shade, breeze, and pleasant activity while enjoying good food & drink.
(5)Mark M.
Filet is great and expertly prepared. Scallops were large and good. Rice was crunchy which was weird. Service was horrible. If you are not a local or a large party, don't bother. I can be treated this bad for much less than 121 bucks in any number of places.
(1)Caroline C.
Went the other night after coming to Lewes for years. The happy hour at the pub is the best thing to have happened! The drinks were half price and the pub menu is short, but amazing. Ordered a Kobe burger (no bun) and it as out of this world. {I am still thinking about it.} we started with the cheese board which was equally as delicious.
(5)Kurt B.
From top to bottom this restaurant is amazing. The ambiance is great and perfect for a romantic meal. The wine list is excellent and so is the service. The table bread is terrific. The house salad is delicious with a really superb dressing. I had the filet as an entree and the bourbon based glaze really ties in the flavor a in a wonderful way. For dessert I had the vanilla bean free brûlée and it did not disappoint. This place really made for a terrific experience and I highly recommend it.
(5)Schuyler H.
cheese plate was okay - had drunken goat which is hard to top but other than that stuff was just ok i had the lobster roll which was pretty good and my grandmother had the arugula salad with goat cheese which was really good
(3)Keith S.
Had lunch here the other day. Decided to eat on the porch area which had lots of fans. It's a nice old historic bldg and our lunch was really good. We had an oyster po boy and a smoked turkey and Gouda sandwich. Very good food, moderately priced. Good service too.
(4)Miro K.
Went here for dinner after an impromptu trip to Lewes. This restaurant is fantastic! The restaurant itself if gorgeous and we ate on the patio which was so quaint. Everything from the service to the salad to the balanced flavors of the main course were superb. All the food had special and subtle touches that made it so enjoyable. This place is certainly worth your money!
(5)Lourdes E.
We went for brunch this morning and I think it deserves 4 stars. The brunch at $22.95 is not a bad deal with a drink, good pastries and a meal. The only negative for me was how hot it got out on that porch outside. There were plenty of brunch options including a nice lobster quiche but it should have had more chunks of lobster meat. Overall it was a good experience.
(4)Suzy S.
I came here with a large group for Sunday brunch. We sat outside in the porch. Our waiter was kind and the service was great. Brunch was $22.95 but you get a lot for your money! It includes 1 alcoholic drink, a basket of pastries, fresh fruit, and the main course. I got filet with 2 over easy eggs and potatoes. It was delicious!
(5)daniel f.
Ideal Sunday brunch, picturesque traditional Lewes building with indoor and outdoor seating. High quality crab cakes and a kitchen that really knows how are cook a steak medium rare. Bloody Mary was spicy and delicious. A surprise hit was the home made biscuits with fresh spinach still moist inside. When a I mentioned how good they were, Timur (our server) offered us a couple extra. That thoughtful gesture coupled with solidly good food earned the 5 star rating.
(5)Andy E.
Yelp! doesn't get much wrong, but we had a terrible lunch experience. In the area and hearing about how great the seafood chowder was, my wife and I decided to give it a try. The decor is nice and the waitstaff friendly, but should it really take 30 minutes to get a $12 bowl of soup? We were 1 of only 5 tables occupied that afternoon, so it wasn't that the kitchen was overwhelmed. Then when we were served, the soup was more like thin potato broth than chowder. Wow, what an expensive disappointment. We felt like we had been food mugged.......
(1)Ken P.
I went in with high expectations because of the existing good reviews on the establishment. Those expectations were surpassed. The drinks were strong, and the steak was the best I have ever had, no exaggeration. The steak came with some potatoes which were new to me, but deliciously flavored. My friend got the roasted pork, which I couldn't stop picking at her plate at. If I am ever within a 30 minute distance of this place, and am remotely hungry... I WILL BE BACK.
(5)Joyce L.
We took the ferry over for the Sunday brunch and honestly I do not feel it was worth the 22.50 they charged. My husband ordered the filet with two eggs over easy. I ordered the English breakfast with two eggs medium, both orders came back with hard burned eggs. Portion size was just ok. Service was good. They did give a plate of fruit to share and some muffins and it did come with a drink. My husband did point it out to the waiter that the eggs were way over done and he gave us excuse as to why they were cooked that way, he never offered to take them back. I would like to try it again maybe for lunch or dinner.
(3)Lynne P.
Wonderful happy hour at the bar. The bartender pours a generous glass of wine. This is a well-run friendly restaurant. You could tell that there were a lot of regulars at the bar. The staff made everyone feel at home. The setting, in an old Victorian home, is lovely.
(5)E C.
We decided to visit Lewes during the week and eat at the Buttery after hearing rave reviews from the DE neighbors. The historic bldg was musty, and I stayed hoping the food would erase the stale odor . Our waitress was pleasant, however, the food was average. The turkey / Gouda sandwich reminded me of Panera. A little more mango chutney would have helped the taste. The server recommended the potato salad. The first bite was good, but the rest was water-logged and flavorless. My friend tasted it and her face was spot on - yuck. She enjoyed her raw oysters, but the Caesar salad was nothing special. We'll stick to Rehoboth restaurants.
(2)Monica M.
Last night, my husband and I had outstanding meals and service at The Buttery. My husband is not easily impressed. It's rare for him to describe a meal as anything more than just "all right". However, his crab cakes were "delicious". My grouper was also. We can't wait to go back! Thank you for a very enjoyable dining experience.
(5)Michele H.
My favorite fine dining restaurant at the beach! Highly recommend Sunday brunch, especially a table on the porch. Our meal included freshly made breads and pastries and a fresh fruit plate. I had Eggs Benedict with fluffy poached eggs and roasted potatoes and asparagus. My husband had Filet Mignon with eggs which also included potatoes and asparagus. Mimosas and Bloody Mary's completed the meal. Awesome service in a lovely Victorian setting.
(5)Karen K.
Great lunch today at The Buttery. Kudos to our waiter, Anton, who did a terrific job in all aspects of his job. Food was good too! Delicious vegetable grinders - one served on a grilled sub role and the other prepared without bread for a gluten free diner. The Kobe burger was huge and tasty as was the seafood pasta. We were the only diners sitting outside on a lovely porch with ceiling fans. The few sprinkles outside did not even come near us.
(5)Matt R.
Perfect service, perfect cocktail, great wine prices and perfectly cooked lamb. Opted to inside seating and yes it's an old house so it's not a modern upscale bistro or newer style restaurant but it's perfect the way it is. Best manhattan I've had made in lewes/rehoboth, which is hard to understand why so many places mess it up...I'm talking to you Shorebreak Lodge! Started with a green curry crab soup. Wow! Definitely not the usual style for the east coast, but fantastic. The curry and chili oil had my nose gleefully running. Fantastic flavor and depth with nice lump crab. I ordered the rack of lamb, but another diner with us was having scallops so we ordered a seriously reasonably priced Pinot. Nothing on the wine list was outrageous unlike most other restaurants with the seemingly standard 3x markup. The lamb was cooked to perfection. 2 sections of 3 ribs with lots of meat. I'm usually disappointed by scallops for some reason, but not here. Seared to perfection they were delicate, grit-free, not dry, and flavorful. Perfectly executed. Tiramisu for desert was very very good as well. Not the normal disappointing example some places serve. Pricey? Maybe. Certainly not out of line for the quality of ingredients and service. Found it a little odd for some parents to be bringing toddlers to this place but to each their own. As long as they don't spoil a $100+ dinner for 2 I won't object.
(5)Rick E.
Sat at our normal table and Tom was our waiter. Love Tom - excellent service. Great salmonella n dish. Love the Buttery.
(4)P.L. B.
After a ferry ride from Cape May, NJ we found this gem. Deron took good care of us. Great food and drinks. Sat on the porch. Excellent experince!
(4)mui d.
Yes, the chowder is worth the hype. Buttery and creamy. Short Rib appetizer is nice and tender, but both of the item's Lack salt and boldness of the dish. Service is excellent, sexy Sinatra romantic atmosphere.
(3)Jimmy N.
Take it from a foodie who loves sea food, this place will not disappoint. Situated in an old home, it's quite a gem. It's a nice place to have date nights or business meeting. I don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu, but I recommend the crab spring rolls app, lobsters / crab cakes dinner. Cheers.
(5)Janet F.
The Buttery has been in Lewes forever. It's at a great location at the corner of two main streets in this beautiful beach town. The food is delicious and nicely plated. I had the twin lobster tails an my husband and mother in law had the bouillabaisse. We all liked our meals. Except I forgot to ask for drawn butter and lemons to have with my lobster tails. We brought the kids with us. There is no kids menu but the waiter offered them a grilled chicken breast and pasta dish. For my daughter we asked for fries instead of pasta. One of the appetizers, moules frites, came with fries. However, we were told that the cook only makes fries when that particular appetizer is ordered. I was surprised that a nice place like the Buttery couldn't make some fries for my kid. I realize that the fries are freshly made, not frozen, but still.... The restaurant has a wifi account but no one in the place knew what the password was to the wifi. Please, we are in the year 2013 and people expect to have access to wifi if a restaurant has it set up. I still like The Buttery and the food was excellent. I will go back next time I am in Lewes.
(4)Anita O.
LOVE the Buttery! Can't say enough. The food is delish, but what's good food without great waitstaff! We've had GREAT waitstaff. Gorgeous atmosphere too! Everything was perfect both times we've been here!! My mouth is salivating at the thought of all the great meals we're going to have here!!
(5)Andrea T.
Lewes is the last bit of civilization until well Philadelphia. If you forgot to stop in Rehoboth to eat, just turn down route 9. The Buttery serves lunch until 2:30 and then does lite fare at the bar until dinner at 5. It's an old victorian house with a lovely porch where lunch is generally served. The lunch menu is pretty big, 4 different salads, 5 or 6 entree options. I had the soup and 1/2 a sandwich. Which was excellent pastrami. Easily could have been cured on the premises? However, it was very very thinly sliced. Served with swiss cheese, red wine pickled shallots, and a spicy mustard. The mustard was spicy...just right I hate when something is called spicy and it is practically yellow mustard. Served hot on rye. The soup of the day was an amazing bacon, vegetable, and lentil soup served with lemon creme fraiche. The lemon creme fraiche really made the soup. The brightness of the lemon picked up the vegetables and the smokiness of the bacon. It was a great soup. Definitely homemade. My mother had the fried oysters. Which she said were the best fried oysters she has had in quite sometime. Get there now, because oyster season is nearly over if you hold to the rule of never eat an oyster in a month without an R. It is supposedly an old wives tale, but I hold this rule to be true. Desserts looked amazing, gals at a table near us ordered the tiramisu and it is literally the size of a dinner plate! We had a nice leisurely lunch. The service was good, nothing extraordinary. We were out on the sunny porch and had a great view of the town, especially the dutch museum. Lewes and the Buttery are well kept secrets!
(5)Meghan C.
Great restaurant. Beautiful inside, good menu, and excellent service! Would recommend the crab cakes.
(5)BRANDON H.
I don't know if it was because we were famished after our day of biking from Lewes to Rehoboth and back, or if it was because the stranger that gave us directions along the way happened to be John "Buttery", but you couldn't tell me that the braised short rib wasn't the best thing in Delaware when I took my first bite. Ok, maybe I was a little hungry. But we had a great experience here. The service was impeccable, the drinks were great, and the food was fantastic. I recommend this place to anyone traveling to Lewes or Rehoboth.
(5)Alyson O.
Quality food but not exciting or special. The Buttery seems like a place to go because it is fancy or special, not because the food is good. There was nothing wrong with our meal, it just wasn't innovative or exciting. We started with the cured scallops and had the fillet and halibut for entrees. It was like fancy wedding food. We skipped dessert and instead headed across the street to the Italian deli for a cannoli. Go to The Buttery if you are going to propose to your girlfriend or if your grandmother is in town. Go somewhere else for innovative, exciting food.
(3)Kari K.
Nice place for a romantic dinner. My fiance and I were very happy with the food. The portion sizes were large and satisfying. Both my filet and his pork chop were cooked as we liked and the sides went perfectly with the main item. Our server was very friendly, but missed a few things. Only I had a bread plate, so I shared with my fiance. We were never given appetizer plates. We didn't bother asking, as it wasn't a huge problem, just a minor inconvenience. Upon asking to see the dessert menu, the check was brought over. She must have forgotten, but not a big deal as I was planning on grabbing something later in the night. Overall, a nice meal in a quiet, cute restaurant.
(3)J P.
I don't understand why my review last year does not appear on the The Buttery page of Yelp. It's not even included in the ratings stats - it only shows one 1-star, which obviously excludes my review since there's another 1-star review this year. What's up Yelp? Hiding some negative reviews?
(1)William F.
We have dined at the Buttery several times in the past few months. It's a charming place with very good food and great staff. It's a good place to meet friends for an excellent meal.
(4)Jesca D.
My boyfriend and I dined at The Buttery this past Saturday night and had a wonderful experience! From the ambiance, the waitstaff, and the delicious food... everything was spot on. The restaurant looks like a big Victorian home on the corner of a quaint street in Lewes, the decor inside is dark and elegant. It was a busy evening on the night that we went, but the tables are spaced far enough away that you still feel like you are having an intimate meal. Our waiter was knowledgeable about the menu and provided us with a great recommendation, which was the Halibut special. It was heavenly! The halibut was cooked perfectly atop jasmine rice and tender asparagus with a bacon fennel sauce. We loved every bite. We would definitely eat here again!
(5)Casey R.
I am honestly appalled by the experience that I just had at The Buttery this evening. Below is a very long and epic description of the evening. It's poorly written and filled with typos... Because I am stark raving ticked off! ** Please note that I did not speak with a manager at the time of service*** I recently moved to this area for a sixth month project. My Mom is in town to help me get settled. I was perusing a list of restaurants in the area and I saw The Buttery. My birthday is around the corner and my mom and boyfriend will be visiting me and I thought The Buttery would be perfect. After some further exploring I saw that The Buttery offers a Five for Five happy hour deal on the weekdays. I thought it would be nice to check it out before hand, so my Mom and I decided to go. We called to make sure the deal was going on, and we were told we would need to make a reservation.... Weird for a happy hour thing, but whatever we did it. We showed up and we were told we did not have a reservation. Ok.... We explained we came for the five for five deal and were told we had to have a reservation. The woman (who was a server standing in for the hostess) stared at us like we were Aliens. Then actual hostess came out and she sat us on the veranda. After waiting for a bit and watching another couple get waited on Our waitress shows up and we tell her we would like to see the menu for the five for five deal. She tells is we can't do that where we are sitting. At this point we are like Wtf. So she speaks to the hostess and she says just on Tuesdays we can sit here. (Today is Tuesday btw) Ok. So we move on. We try to place an order for drinks. We are told they are half off. So my mom asks for a b52 shot (grand mariner, baileys, kahula)). We are told that it's not covered. Whatever my mom orders it. This is my Moms signature drink.s he explains it's in a shot glass and explains exactly how to make it. The waitress comes back and says it will be In a snifter not a shot glass and is btw that's $30. WTF. Both my mom and I have lived in cities for many years and neither of us have EVER paid that much for that drink. Anyway. Let me move onto to the food. The sodas were all seltzer and no syrup. The fried Brussels sprouts were not only burned but had French Fries in them (from when they clearly put them in the deep fryer). The crab avocado spring roll was ok. Nothing to write home about. The whole atmosphere is very snooty. I do not get it. I know it does not matter but I have lived in Boston for years, I work in DC/Baltimore/NYC, vacationed on the vineyard and LBI... I have witnessed snooty and snobby. I do not tolerate it...and I certainly do not tolerate or expect a restaurant on off season to act so rude/snooty/snobby. It is ridiculous. Needless to say I am not going there for my Birthday... I would rather go to Grottos.
(1)EK J.
Very nice place. Very clean and quaint Lewes restaurant. Food average. Waitress was prompt and courteous. Food took 30 minutes to come out. Unacceptable for lunch for 4 people. The restaurant was not full by any means. My salad was skimpy. Not enough to call it a meal. Everyone else in our party seemed pleased however my daughter didn't finish her salad and she eats everything!
(2)Charles F.
My wife's and my experience was absolutely first class -- I had the crab cakes and she, the filet mignon. Her's was cooked perfectly as she had ordered and my cakes were just full of lump crab -- and absolutely zero shell pieces!!! But, by far the most impressive aspect of our visit was the owner/manager (John)(?). We came on a Saturday early evening, not even thinking of needing a reservation (it was well past Labor Day . . .). Not only were we greeted by John (as opposed to the hostess), but he personally arranged for us to get a table. Then, before actually deciding to dine there, I had a somewhat special cooking request. John, again personally, went to the chef to see if it could be done. That, of course, made our decision of where to dine for the evening (We were actually headed to another recommended restaurant before curiosity took us into The Buttery.). And, during the course of our meal, John stopped by to ask how things were -- not once but twice! Honestly, it would be difficult to beat his level of accommodation. The wait staff were also efficient and professional -- not only did our waitress check on us, but even the waitress for the table next to us check on us once. So, bottom line, one of the best overall dining experiences we've ever had! (And, by the way, not only do we not know anyone associated with this restaurant, that day was the first time we had ever visited Delaware -- pretty positive first impression!)
(5)Mary K.
We usually drive up to Lewes four or five times a year for lunch or dinner at The Buttery. Had lunch today and was dry disappointed ordered chicken salad which I have had many times before. It came smashed down on the plate and was so much mayonnaise that I could not taste or see the chicken. The waitress knew right away there was to much mayo. They replaced it with a sandwich but I was surprised my lunch was not taken off our bill. Disappointed to see a favorite restaurant not living up to their previous high standards. They could use more entree salads on their menu.
(2)Nancy A.
Great food and terrific wait staff add all that to a wonderful liitle town for strolling around after the meal and no way not to have a great evening here :-)
(4)James O.
The ambiance was better than the food. Sit outside this historic victorian and relax because you will need something to take your mind off the lack luster fare. Beware of the cheese plate.... For $20 you will receive cheddar, brie and blue cheese. Wow really exciting! The tenderloin was sufficient but the sides where something I could make at home. If your at Lewes DE their are better options for less money.
(3)Colleen O.
A group of ladies from our neighborhood ate here. I had fish of the day salmon and a fruit crepe for desert. Everything was delicious, I would recommend this restaurant.
(4)Food Mongol M.
The food here is really, really, really good. The service is awesome and very friendly. That food is made with some serious love.
(5)Julieann G.
My husband and I dined here recently. He made an early reservation for Saturday night. We had never been here prior, and had heard many good things. The restaurant is in an old Victorian house, and the decor is lovely. There is an outdoor porch, but my husband requested inside dining in order to enjoy the ac. Upon arrival, we were immediately seated in the bar area room. Our waiter was attentive and professional. Ice cold water was served, and within minutes I had a white burgundy wine and my husband had a cold, local beer. There are no bar taps, only bottled beer. The beer selection is not extensive. They did have Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA, which is a favorite beer. The wine list had many more selections. Warm fresh bread and butter were served as we looked over the menu. I opted for the 30.00 Prix Fix menu. My first course was a salad, no complaints, very tasty. We also shared moules and frites. The frites came in a little cup, not a big portion but that is fine as it is just an appetizer. The moules and the sauce were delicious. My entree, salmon with lavender and thyme was really amazing. I loved it. The salmon was cooked to perfection, tender, flaky and moist. My husband had the steak, served medium rare. It was a big, juicy looking steak. My husband did say that it was good, but a little on the tough side. My dinner came with a dessert. I chose the berry pie. Good, a little dry on the crust. My husband had the tiramisu- made with among other things, Kahlua- and this dessert was exceptional. There was not even a crumb on the plate. I will point out two things that detracted from my visit. One we were seated next to the door for the porch. This area had several people/wait staff going in and out. Every time this happened, we had a blast of hot air. Yesterday, in Delaware we hit 90 degrees- neither one of us like intense heat and humidity- hence asking for inside. This negated the comfort level somewhat. If we return, we would specially ask not to sit near the door. Next, (Probably due to the door) the collection of flies kept increasing. I know it is a summertime thing, but I really, really am turned off by flies, and when I am dining in a fine restaurant, the last thing I want to be able to do is actually count the number of flies on the wall. Lastly, I thought this was a bit of a dress up place- don't stress about that! We were dressed up, but as in southern Delaware in t
(4)Ann B.
Had a very nice and unexpected lunch: Pimm's Cup, fried oysters, country pâté, and seafood chowder. Service was prompt and friendly. When I go back to DE beach, I'll stop again.
(5)Jeanie J.
I thought the food here was just okay. I don't think that just because I'm on vacation, I should sacrifice standards. There aren't a lot of options in this town, and while it may be better than some other places, in a city, it wouldn't hold up. I think for the price, the food was nothing to scream about.
(2)Andrew E.
This place was great. We went on a Saturday night and sat out on the deck. The prices are high when you order a la carte, but it is what you would expect with the quality of the food. They do have a great deal which is a 3 course dinner for $30 a person and we had 3 options. Both my wife and I ended up sharing the bruschetta with watermelon which was excellent, soup, the center cut pork chop was delicious. We also had creme brulee for desert which was excellent.
(5)Stefan G.
The food itself would draw three stars--the restaurant suffers a bit from the notion that it is the ultimate dining destination in Lewes. This assessment is probably correct given local options but alone doesn't lift The Buttery beyond mediocrity. Pineapple slices on pork chops and sour cream on otherwise decent crab cakes are not likely to earn a Michelin star. What further depresses the rating, though, is the intransigence of management: upon noticing a "plating fee" of $10 on the check, we were brusquely informed that this policy was "printed on the menu." While I understand this policy when adults try to split entrees, in our case (two adults and a one eight year old child) it defies common sense. Does the restaurant realistically expect us to spend $35 for an entree for a child? Apparently so. In any case, our server should have reiterated that policy when we placed our order. Obviously they can run their place any way they choose to see fit, but their lack of flexibility in a context like ours and the brusque manner in which our questions were answered draws serious demerits in the customer service department. Very myopic perspective, alas. And, BTW, we've eaten in many places in DC seriously outclassing The Buttery's food, none of which would even think of a "plating fee."
(2)Jame F.
I've been to The Buttery over the years many times and NEVER been disappointed. Elegant and refined in every way, this eatery has always been consistent in all areas: the food is always mouth-watering, fresh and delicious, the service staff is impeccable, the venue is classic. I also enjoy the small intimate bar. If you're looking for an incredible Sunday brunch, this is THE place. Everyone raves about the restaurants in Rehoboth, and I agree there are a few gems there, but none compare to The Buttery in Lewes, truly not to be missed!
(5)Karen K.
Went for lunch. Fantastic sandwiches and delightful service. Will definitely be back!
(5)Ken Y.
Great experience beginning to end. The host was welcoming and friendly, the prix fixe menu offered a fantastic soup, entree and dessert, the waitstaff was knowledgeable and friendly. This is definitely the place to check out if you're ever in the Rehoboth area.
(5)K A.
One of the top restaurants in the state, and for good reason! Wonderful, inventive food. Very much worth making a reservation to get a table.
(5)Kristen C.
We were here today for lunch and it was great! My husband got the lobster sandwich and I got the BLT melt on a whole grain croissant. Both sandwiches were equally as delicious. We sat on the front veranda. Food, ambiance, and service all good. We'll be back!
(5)Patrick O.
Went here on vacation with the girlfriend and sat out side the service was good and the food was very good and reasonably priced.
(4)Jared C.
We stopped going to the Buttery when they fired our favorite waitress, Christine, because there are many great places to spend your $ in Lewes. The brunch is always good, and nice for a night out. Sometimes there is attitude from some of the staff. Overall OK, but won't be back for a while.
(3)peg g.
A wonderful fine dining experience in charming Lewes. My husband and I ate there while on a weekend getaway celebrating our anniversary. The food was on par with some of the best I have eaten anywhere. We shared a cheese plate which managed to pair three very different varieties of local cheese with quince butter and mustard. Delish. Then we each had a yummy salad, followed by osso bucco (him) and beef tenderloin (me). Everything was amazing. The only misstep was the tiramisu, which suffered from an over-abundance of chocolate drizzle on top (totally unnecessary). The wine list was extensive and our old vines Zinfandel was great. We did not find The Buttery to be anywhere near as expensive as others appear to. Perhaps living in D.C. Has made us used to spending too much on nice nights out. But....one appetizer, two salads, two entrees and two (yep, two) bottles of wine for under $200.00? That's not bad at all in my book.
(5)Kathy S.
For my Birthday dinner last night, friends took us to The Buttery for dinner. The food was excellent as usual. I had the Yellowfin Tuna, which melted in my mouth, Bill had the Tenderloin as did Jean. Tom had the Duck. Great service and a relaxed evening made this a memorable birthday.
(4)sharon o.
I've lived in Lewes for quite a few years and this is always one of my favorite dinner spots. The food is fresh and excellent quality. Many of the ingredients are from the local area (3 stars for that!). The place itself is a beautiful old victorian (which gets a bit cool in the winter as a old house will do!). Overall, one of the nicer places to eat in Lewes.
(4)Bo W.
Lewes is pretty much the best-kept secret of a beach town when you live in the Northeast. I tell folks in Boston I'm going to Delaware to go to the beach, and they have to look at the map to remind themselves that Delaware has a coastline. The Buttery, on the other hand, is the worst kept secret in Lewes. Everyone knows that when you want some fine dining, delicious seafood, and beach-elegant atmosphere in Lewes, you hit the Buttery. I was pleasantly surprised. I tend to get really snooty once I'm outside of a city, and I start thinking things like "Oh, the Buttery, I guess it will be good FOR THE PROVINCES". However, everything we ordered (a party of 8 with diverse tastes) was well-prepared and some dishes were even inventive - this is a pretty conservative place, after all. My veal over risotto had a delicious, perfectly cooked veal reduction that tasted of hours over a low flame. The tenderloin was thick and juicy. My wife's salmon avoided being the roasted chicken of seafood (i.e. the same old boring shit you get everywhere) with an awesome plating of israeli couscous. And oh my god, the tiramisu was HUGE and CHOCOLATE. Not a scrap was left on the table. The service, however, left a lot to be desired. Maybe we are just spoiled, but my wife (who is the pickier of the couple) was not impressed that empty glasses and used silverware were left on the table, salt and pepper was left during dessert, people were left staring at their food while others had yet to be served, etc. Little things, yes, but they add up after a while, and if you're going to be the most expensive and hoity-toity restaurant in a beach town you should have the service to match the attitude. If service were improved, this would be an easy five stars. TL; DR- The Buttery- the only date night restaurant in Lewes.
(4)Sam M.
We should have listened to our Innkeeper in Rehoboth and cancel our reservation! My partner took me here to celebrate my birthday. When we arrived, I was very excited because of the atmosphere and the friendly hostess. We were promptly seated and greeted by a very friendly server, named Pat. The night seemed like it would be a perfect one. After Pat left to get us water, another server, Jason, approached our table and said he would be waiting on us for the evening. He did not introduce himself, welcome us or explain what happened to Pat. We found his name out later from his partner. While we were waiting for our dinners to be served, Pat came up to check on us and apologize for the mix up. She asked if we had ever dined there before and asked if it was a special occasion. I explained it was my birthday and she made a big fuss. All of a sudden Jason approached the table, gave Pat a nasty look and brushed her away. We felt so badly for her. HIs attitude the rest of the evening was anything but professional. We use to own an inn and restaurant in Vermont and prided ourselves on customer service. We are still angry that we left him a twenty percent tip. My partner did write a note and told him that he did not appreciate his stiff attitude and rudeness toward a fellow server. I do believe our money would have been better spent dining elsewhere. When we spend over $150.00 on a meal for two, we expect better service and a more enjoyable dining experience.
(2)Nicole L.
Perhaps I found my visit disappointing because of the time of day I was dining. We arrived around 2:30 (past their lunch service) and were forced to make selections off of a menu much smaller than the lunch menu. The majority of items on our menu were salads, which I hate ordering at restaurants due to the fact that I can usually make them myself for less. I will say the crab cake was nice, as was the chowder (though there was way too much potato) but I think I would have enjoyed the dinner selection much more. Also, the waiter was extremely slow. Again, this complaint might have been due to the time of day. But, if I work based on tips then it shouldn't matter on the time of day for attentiveness.
(3)Brian G.
The halibut special was fantastic. The fish was perfectly prepared and on a bed of sea asparagus that naturally salted the dish. Great setting. Wine list was quite good although ordering wine by the glass severely limited our options. My husband had the crab cakes: very big lumps, little filler, could have used a bit more spice. The bed of sweet potatoe purée added a nice touch. The shredded cabbage wasn't necessary. Cute waiter. Attire ranged from the Hoity-Toity to smart casual.
(4)Anastasia W.
Wonderful specials, sweet atmosphere. We had pate, salad, seafood. Worth the price.
(5)