DiFebo's Bethany is a few miles south of Rehoboth Beach on Rt. 26 (Garfield Parkway), less than a half-mile inland from the Bethany Beach totem pole. They offer a not-so-traditional Italian menu which can change at any minute, and pretty much everything is quite good.
As soon as possible after sitting down, order the Asian Dumplings. I know this is an Italian restaurant, but you're going to have to trust me on this. They are moist, firm and fully packed (not unlike myself, actually…), seasoned with a ginger/soy dipping sauce and paired with a bright and spicy peanut slaw. The other appetizers are good, especially the calamari (salty, fried crispy and begging to be dipped into Bobby's red sauce (they call it marinara). I've also had the Caprese (topped with a roasted pepper) and the Bruschetta du jour. They always have something unusual to slather on that crispy, garlicky crostini.
I like DiFebo's take on the ubiquitous “wedge.” (Does anybody NOT serve a wedge?) Rather than the traditional iceberg, tomatoes, bacon bits and chunky bleu cheese dressing, DiFebo's serves it up with romaine topped with arugula, gorgonzola chunks, pine nuts and (get ready) candied figs. I've also had the House of Greens and the Caesar Salads. Both generously portioned, cool and crispy. A fun thing to order for “the table” is the Antipasto. Very Italian, meaty and cheesy.
Again, I will repeat that not only do menus change like the tides here at the beach, but DiFebo's is even more prone to change. So use this as a guide, print it out, and go.
You can get their gnocchi piled in a big bowl covered with that red sauce (not too sweet, not too thick…they call it “Big Bob's Sunday Gravy”), or caprese style with mozzarella, ricotta and fresh basil leaves. My preferred dining companion loves the “Airline” Stuffed Chicken Breast, a straightforward preparation with chevre (goat cheese) and roasted peppers, perched high atop the house mashers with bright green, firm broccoli. On my last visit, they didn't have that or their (famous) roasted Veal Chop, but they do like to rotate the menu and hopefully it will be back. Other goodies include the Abruzzi Fish Fry (think Italian Fish ‘n' chips with some shellfish thrown in for fun. One of the problems with this place is that they regularly change the menu. I guess that's a good thing and a bad thing, because you can be disappointed that your favorite item is gone, but then the replacement is just as good.
I do know that Lisa and Jeff but a huge amount of thought and consideration into DiFebo's menu. Because the menu does vary so much, I don't want to spend too much of your time on things that might disappear, but be sure to call if you liked something before.
DiFebo's has a pretty extensive lunch menu, but the lunch service can be spotty. But they are set-up for take out, and you can by-pass the often-spotty table service at lunch. Lunch includes the stuffed Italian Hoagie, a variety of Cheesesteaks and some of the dinner offerings (such as the crabcakes, ravioli, gnocchi and chicken parm) served in lunch portions.
Click here to see their breakfast, lunch and dinner menus.
DiFebo's has opened a second location in downtown Rehoboth Beach in the old Adriatico spot. It is a huge improvement for that centrally located corner.
DiFebo's Bethany is at 789 Garfield Parkway on the north side next to Grotto Pizza. They are open at 8:30 for breakfast, 11:00 for lunch and dinner service begins at 5 p. m. Be sure to call off season, as their hours vary (302) 539-4550. (L., D., Bar) Price Range: Moderate+.
My wife & I really enjoy having lunch at DiFibo’s. The specials are very tasty and quite reasonably priced. On Thursday, the ladies entry is half priced.. Their “Lucky 7 Lunch Club” program provides that after paying for six lunches, the next one is free. Moreover, the facility is always clean and the personnel are very friendly. Service proceeds at a pleasant pace, especially for those not in a hurry to move on but to have a peaceful, enjoyable experience.