LIFE

Framptons to open new Pig & Publican eatery in Lewes

Hannah Carroll
hcarroll2@dmg.gannett.com
Doug and Lisa Frampton, owners of Pig + Fish Restaurant and The Pickled Pig Pub, will soon open a new eatery in Lewes.

Doug and Lisa Frampton are at it again.

The husband and wife duo, who own Pig + Fish Restaurant in downtown Rehoboth Beach and The Pickled Pig Pub on Coastal Highway, will soon debut a new eatery — The Pig & Publican — in Lewes.

By blending a multitude of textures, elegant accents and one-of-a-kind light fixtures, the couple has transformed what was once an old deli inside the Beacon Motel, into a cozy and modern, Belgian-inspired restaurant.

In an effort to offer Lewes an exciting and new dining experience, the Framptons thought out-of-the-box for their restaurant's concept.

Everything about it, from the design and decor to the menu and beers says Western Europe.

"It still has our stamp on it, but it's unlike anything we've done before," Lisa Frampton said. "It'll be the perfect addition to the Lewes' dining scene."

The Pig & Publican will be open for lunch and dinner year round, with approximately 90 seats within the bar and dining room area, in addition to a small outdoor patio.

READ MORE: Back Porch Cafe: four decades of cutting-edge cuisine

Although the menu has not yet been finalized, guests can expect to see casual, yet upscale options like crepes, waffles, stuffed meatballs, and mussels, as well as a small raw oyster bar and a weekend brunch menu.

To accommodate beachgoers, hotel guests and lunch orders, The Pig & Publican will offer a "grab and go" counter for fast service and easy carryout. Behind the bar, there will be a variety of wine, handcrafted cocktails and Belgian-inspired craft beers from local, domestic and international breweries.

Potato frites, stuffed meatballs and mussels are a few options guests can expect to see on The Pig & Publican's menu.

With construction well underway, Doug and Lisa Frampton are hoping to open by late fall 2016. As excitement continues to build, the couple often laughs, admitting that they never intended to become restaurateurs with three eateries under their belts.

When they moved to Delaware in 2002, they did however entertain the notion of opening a Mexican restaurant. But things changed once they landed jobs at Iron Hill Brewery in Wilmington.

"Iron Hill opened our eyes to a lot of things," Doug Frampton said. "Things that did not involve chips and salsa."

The couple discovered a passion for good food paired with good beer, and turned their attention on brewpubs.

READ MORE:Delmarva's craft beer guide

They opened Pig + Fish in 2006 and The Pickled Pig Pub in 2009.

Both eateries are different, Pig + Fish is more upscale and appropriate for Rehoboth Avenue whereas The Pickled Pig Pub is laid-back and tucked away on the highway, yet are similar in many ways, he said.

Both boast excellent menus and inclusive beverage programs, highlighted by frequent beer and wine dinners — something that will continue at the new eatery. But most importantly, each restaurant has the same high standards for the way customers are treated.

"We learned at Iron Hill that having a good menu is important but it's nothing without good customer service," he said. "A friendly, knowledgeable staff is what will drive your business. Exceptional food is a plus, but exceptional experiences is what will make people come back."

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