In spite of the never-ending restaurant headlines, I try to keep an eye on the smaller spots that run smoothly and quietly, day in and day out. One of those spots is The Pond.
Owner Pete Borsari has wisely made a major upgrade at The Pond by welcoming Executive Chef Dave Sauers back into the kitchen. Dave has left MIXX (which quite possibly could (1) change hands (maybe), or (2) close (we hope not!), before the 2016 season). Sauers and his twin brother Rex were line cooks at what was originally the Frogg Pond Tavern in the early 2000s.
In 2003, Dave worked at the old Fusion restaurant (where Salt Air is now). This prepared him for the executive chef position at Ponos in Dewey Beach, where he worked in 2008 and 2009. Borsari and then partner Ginger Breneman (also a twin, interestingly enough) hired him as executive chef of the newly opened MIXX in 2009, where he remained until just recently. Dave was a shining star there, building a strong reputation for cleverly prepared and presented food at a reasonable price. Not to mention owner Ginger Breneman's legendary bartending skills and friendly banter.
Dave has unveiled a new menu at The Pond. Lots of old favorites were brought back, including buffalo chicken dip, fajita salad, the New York strip and the popular French dip. Dave put his own spin on several of The Pond’s comfort-food favorites like the beer-braised short ribs and BBQ baby back ribs. Anyone who has followed this young chef through the years knows that his short rib preparations are the stuff of legend. Sauers’ new creations include a backyard BBQ grilled cheese sandwich consisting of pulled pork, mac ‘n cheese and cole slaw. “I wanted to pay homage to some of the tasty leftovers from a backyard barbecue,” he says. Borsari promises that the new Alabama white BBQ grilled chicken sandwich, the grilled turkey Cuban and the beer-braised short rib mac ‘n’ cheese will be exciting additions to the lunch and dinner options available at The Pond.
Sandwiches will still be half price from 11 a.m. until midnight on Wednesdays, and burgers will be discounted to $6 on Mondays – or kick ‘em up to the burger/wing combo for only $10. The new menu can be found at www.thepondrehoboth.com.
The addition of Dave Sauers as kitchen boss turns our venerable Frogg into a prince. Check out the new menu at The Pond.
Say it ain’t so……my husband and I love Mixx. We were there every Wed. For burger night. I will miss the pork burger with blueberry barbecue sauce and their very excellent martinis
There is no evidence at this point as to whether MIXX will close or not. The article was really just about the chef moving to The Pond. We join you in hoping MIXX opens for the season!
We will hope Mixx opens for another season. That said, we walk right by The Pond to get to Mixx, so maybe a new destination…..the chef is certainly worth a try in new/old surroundings.