Overall Food Service Noise Bathrooms Value

Stingray

/ Updated on June 15, 2017
Overall
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Service
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The first impression you get when entering Stingray Sushi Bar & Asian Latino Grill is the decidedly West Coast feel. The black/orange main room is indirectly lit, with low couches and hi-top tables dominated by the busy and colorful Sushi Bar. Amazingly, however, this well appointed bistro is smack in the middle of Rehoboth Beach, half-way down Lake Ave. (where Bob Chin's/Fran O'Brien's/Third Edition/59 Lake used to be). The only downstate member of Wilmington's Cherry Tree Hospitality Group, Stingray shares ownership with Mikimoto's, the Washington Street Ale House, and Presto Bistro/Coffee Bar in the Northlands.

After a recent flurry of visits, I can tell you that Stingray has managed to hold on to the quality it exhibited when I wrote the first review. The menu has changed several times since then, and we are mourning the disappearance of a few old items. The Grilled Shanghai Chicken Wings, the Wok-Smacked Pork Pot Stickers, the Smoked Chicken Spring Rolls and the Lobster Quesadilla are, sadly, the stuff of history, but they have been replaced by such goodies as the Duck Quesadilla (as generous as its taloned predecessor; with smoked bacon and that tasty chipotle sour cream), light-as-air Shrimp Shumai Dumplings nesting in a lake of coconut crab bisque, and (quite possibly the star of the show), the Hoisin Chicken Lettuce Wraps. Regular visitors to RehobothFoodie.com know how much I love a similar dish at a similar restaurant out on Coastal Highway, and Stingray's version most certainly lives up to that. Cold and crunchy bibb lettuce cradles a savory/sweet mix of veggies, chicken chunks and miso glaze. An additional textural component is provided by water chestnuts. These lettuce wraps are a must-get.

Another of my old favorites, the Shrimp Pad Thai Salad, has been replaced with the Duck + Scallop Pad Thai. Though I don't think they will ever reproduce that exquisite dressing on the original salad, this new dish is quite good in its own right. Bits of fried egg, peanuts veggies, and bean sprouts play politely in a tangle of rice noodles redolent of lime and cilantro. Pad thai sauce tops it off. The scallops were perfectly cooked — seared on the outside and ever-so-slightly opaque on the inside. Savory chunks of duck are scattered throughout and add meaty little exclamation marks to the mouth-feel of the dish. I would get this one again in a minute.

A fresh and colorful special that will hopefully find its way onto the regular menu is the Orange-Pomegranate Salad. It's slathered in a light and citrusy dressing and was quite good. Apple Butternut Squash Bisque is studded with lump crab in a coconut milk reduction. Another homage to Stingray's Latino bent is the Empanadas. Filled with beef and potato, they are joined by a spicy jalapeno teriyaki dip.

One of our favorites at Stingray — and pretty much everybody agrees — is The Hairy Mexican. No, it's not a waiter, bartender or one of the guys in the kitchen; it's a beautifully constructed sushi roll (fully cooked) consisting of fried shrimp and avocado, laced with a spicy sauce and tightly wrapped in crabstick with a mild eel sauce. In spite of the disquieting name, this thing is delicious. Another must-get.

I should warn you about the Pho at Stingray. It is not the traditional beef (or chicken, or shrimp, or vegetarian) noodle soup you might have enjoyed at your favorite Vietnamese joint. Stingray's version is kicked up with ginger, which works very nicely with the required rice noodles and peppery Thai basil. Not sure if the proteins are actually cooked in the heat of the broth as is typical in Vietnamese eateries, but the soup is tasty and quite filling. If only they had those cool and crunchy Gòi Cuôn (Summer Rolls) to go with it. Oh, well. (Stingray bosses? Are you listening?)

Crispy Calamari is lightly drizzled with a delightfully tart chipotle miso glaze. The squid is served in rings, fried in such a way as to preserve some of the chewiness of the fish while still providing a nice, bready crunch.

Of course, most people go to Stingray Sushi Bar & Asian Latino Grill for the sushi. On our most recent visit (with a party of 12), pretty much every combination of rolls and sashimi was ordered. Since the various versions often share plates or are part of a combo plate, I have provided several photos of the various selections. Some of the favorites at our table included the California Roll of cucumber, crabstick, avocado and masago (capelin roe, similar to tobiko or flying fish roe), two pieces each of the Eel and Tuna sashimi (thin-sliced fish without the rice wrapping), and the Double Fantasy Roll, made up of lobster tail tempura, snow crab meat and avocado. It's all crowned with white tuna and pepper-seared tuna.

A second round of delights included the Firecracker. It's hot and spicy, with salmon inside and out, with a bit of cool avocado. Presentation is cute, with a shrimp tail sticking out of each end. Friends who like Sushi have gayly devoured the Spicy Tuna and the Crunchy Yellowtail. One of our companions on a previous visit ordered the Supreme Combo — 10 pieces of sushi and a tuna roll. He's a sushi expert and the plate was clean in no time. Personally, I prefer the cooked variety, and Stingray accommodates with a selection of both cooked and uncooked rolls with a * on the menu.

Further piscene fun was provided by the Spider (a cooked delight with soft-shell crab, avocado, masago, crabstick and cucumber), a Fab Four roll (fried shrimp, asparagus fried tempura-style, with white tuna, seared pepper tuna and Cajun tuna), and one each of the Spicy Tuna and the Crunchy Tuna. Again — the various creations were grouped onto community plates based on who ordered what, so take a look at the photo gallery.

On an earlier visit, I had the Pork Tenderloin Mojo. A departure from the asian, the tender (cut it with a fork, thank you) roast pork crowns a brightly spiced black bean and corn salsa bathed in a light ginger-lime sauce. Butternut squash is on the side. Our waiter urged me to have it medium. His advice was well taken.


Denizens of this site know how I rant about pre-made desserts, beautiful but flavorless, past their prime and sadly desiccating in the walk-in. Well, at least two desserts at Stingray do NOT fall into that category, and I sincerely hope they are still on the menu when you go. Though the fried cheesecake spring rolls are indeed absent from the new menu, the Red Velvet Bites are a perfectly acceptable stand-in. Yup, tasty balls of red velvet cake enrobed in chocolate and drizzled with white icing, chocolate ganache and caramel.

Another must-taste is the Avocado Cheesecake. As far as I'm concerned, the photo says it all. Just order it. You will NOT be sorry.

Stingray is at 59 Lake Avenue. They offer the entire menu (!) for takeout, so call them (302) 227-MISO (6476). (By the way, speaking of phone numbers, Miso is a Japanese seasoning often made by fermenting soy. It's used to make a salty and flavorful soup that contains the softened miso paste. Tell 'em you heard it here first, kids!)

By the way, one of the top-notch activities in town is Chef Al Chu's Sushi 101 class. I've done it and it is not only a hoot, but you actually learn lots of stuff about sushi. It is often sold out, so sign up early. Click here to find out more or to enroll.

Click here for a look at Stingray's latest menu. (L. (weekends only), D. Bar) Price Range: Expensive.

Yes, a rare 5 stars for this place. Give it a try. I think you'll agree.

Off-season Specials & Hours

Specials & Moods change quickly. Always call a restaurant first.

pp = per person.
BOGO = buy one, get one.
Bloody = bloody mary.
domestics = American-made beers (e.g., Bud).
imports = foreign beers (e.g., Heineken).
Rails = non call-brand alcohol.
Prix Fixe = one set price.
Mains = entrees.
Margs = margaritas.
Chix = chicken.
AYCE = all you can eat.
Lite = Miller Lite
drafts = draught beer.
Early Birds = arrive before a certain time.
Apps = Appetizers.
bottles = beer in a bottle.
à la carte = order off the menu (no prix fixe).
crafts = micro/artisanal brews (e.g., Old Leghumper Lager)

59 Lake Ave.
(302) 227-6476

Sunday
Open 3 - 11
Happy Hour 'til 6
Monday
Open 4 - 12
Happy Hour 'til 6
Tuesday
Open 4 - 12
Happy Hour 'til 6
Wednesday
Open 4 - 12
Happy Hour 'til 6
Thursday
Open 4 - 12
Happy Hour 'til 6
Friday
Open 4 - 1am
Happy Hour 'til 6
Saturday
Open 3 - 1am
Happy Hour 'til 6
The Rehoboth Foodie

About the Author

"My goal is to promote Rehoboth Beach dining while remaining honest and impartial. I don’t gush unless a place deserves it, and I don’t pull punches, either. With so many good places to eat around here, it just doesn’t make sense to waste the calories — or the money — on anything less." View all articles written by The Rehoboth Foodie

Add Your Comment
  1. Avatar Toni says:

    Ordered takeout tonight and it was a real disappointment. General Taos chicken had no sauce, extremely dry overcooked. Same for the terryaki shrimp. Shrimp was rubbery, rice had an odd flavor we couldn’t identify, Smokey flavor not terryaki. The hairy Mexican and pork dumplings were very good. I don’t know if it was because it was takeout but it was quite pricey and not worth it. I hate leaving bad reviews but this was the second time we were not pleased.

  2. Avatar Tom Schwab says:

    We recently dined here (Sat. June 21,2014). We ordered the rockfish special. It was very poor. Very over cooked with a scant amount of parmesan and panko coating. Other party members had sushi which they enjoyed. I think the sushi chef’s are doing well. We probably will not return soon, unless we hear the rest of the kitchen improves.

  3. Avatar S. Woody says:

    Stingray did a bang-up job for the ’13 Rehoboth Restaurant Week. Excellent service and attention to detail (this is the first time I’ve seen an asian restaurant anticipate the customer’s needs and provide both chopsticks and Western silverware from the git-go), matched by the kitchen and sushi bar. My parner loved the chilled carrot/lemongrass/ginger soup, and enjoyed the halibut. I enjoyed the crab rangoons, and loved the California quake combo sushi/sashimi plate. And our cocktails were frankly sublime. If the purpose of Restaurant Week is to get new customers in the door to try new wares, Stingray succeeded on all counts. We will be back.

  4. Avatar fightingbluehen says:

    I guess I will have to give this place another try. I wasn’t that all impressed with the sushi and the techno music was so loud that the only way to communicate was to yell. That was a few years back though.

  5. Avatar Beach Eater says:

    Great updated review! Thank you. I’ll be making a return visit to Stingray soon. Your review, as usual, got me hungry.

  6. Avatar Libby says:

    I don’t think I can have a bad or even mediocre meal at Stingray. I love this place.

  7. Avatar Cable Girl says:

    Last night we had an outstanding dinner at Stingray! The rolls were terrific, the wine was an excellent choice, and those velvet bites for desert were a must! Once they turned the music down on the porch it was a perfect evening.

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