The Pines
The American bistro is a restaurant phenomenon that started in the 1980s, originally fashioned as a response to the growing popularity of French bistro cooking. The ‘American’ bistro version sought to combine the elegance of traditional French cuisine with the everyday aesthetic of an American-style neighborhood restaurant, an easy mix in concept but often difficult to faithfully execute. The Pines, opened in 2018, successfully defines American bistro with a modestly inventive mix of French, Italian, and American butcher style dishes, including spins on classic comforts. The food is consistently good, and as important, The Pines has struck a balance of coastal restaurant simplicity and intimacy with the bistro style of easy hospitality. New chef Kyle Berman helms the consistent kitchen, which offers a muscular-leaning variety of appetizers and entrees mixed with some coastal favorites, including pasta dishes for the ‘Italian’ bistro slant. The kitchen typically delivers, as does the new ‘Treehouse Lounge,’ serving unique cocktails with small plates and desserts. The Pines sometimes features ‘events’ (including shows) which tend to draw attention away from the food, but the hospitality does not generally suffer even if distracted. Owned by the Second Block restaurant group, which has other downtown Rehoboth Beach locations, The Pines holds a unique space on Baltimore Ave., remaining a vibrant, fun, and innovative place to enjoy good food, entertainment on show nights, and cocktails served by a vibrant staff.