Federal Fritter & Bistro

Spectacular food in a truly mediocre setting. We had a gazpacho with Yellow, Tomato, and pineapple that was sublime.
Potato gnocchi with shrimp and jumbo lump crab also truly fabulous

Service was friendly, but a bit intrusive, too attentive. The restaurant was empty when we were there Wednesday night at 8 PM; and they kept trying to take our dishes away. Not really to push us out of the restaurant that just because they had nothing else to do.

And a truly terrible blueberry peach cobbler. I took one bite. They did comp me on the desert.

So most of the food is really quite good. But the ambiance is that of a mid range chain restaurant with super bright lighting. ( and I mean SUPER bright )

We would never go back because at these prices you want a total experience.

Obviously, I am the outlier in this review. Since most people love this place.
Not us 🙁🙁

I didn’t even have a chance to dine at this establishment because I wasn’t able to get past the “hospitality” manager. Talk about a misnomer. I’ve never spoken to such a rude restaurant manager in my life. She basically told me that the Federalist probably wasn’t the “right restaurant” for me because I inquired whether a vegetarian version of their prix fixe menu reflected a price difference. The conversation was such a bad experience that I couldn’t stomach the thought of dining there.

Do yourself a favor and visit this lovely restaurant right on the Rehoboth beach boardwalk. The service and food are unmatched. The owner Todd Gray and staff truly care about your experience. The food is absolutely amazing – everything we tasted melted in our mouths. Absolutely the best meal we had while in Delaware. Highly recommend!