Seabird

"After taking flight in the spring of 2021, Seabird quickly soared to the top of Wilmington’s restaurant scene. The creation of local fixtures Lydia Clopton and Dean Neff, the restaurant is now open for brunch and dinner. A nautically inspired interior is the setting for Neff’s creative menu that is heavy on seafood, like the swordfish schnitzel, a seasonal seafood tower, and a smoked catfish and oyster pie. On the weekends, Seabird offers a brunch full of Southern bites, like a fried chicken biscuit, deviled eggs with caviar, barbecue oysters, and catfish and grits." - Matt Lardie

"Brendan McGill’s flagship restaurant Seabird has an emphasis on local and sustainable seafood and produce. Don’t shy away from some of the perhaps more offbeat options: The kelp Caesar salad is shockingly good, packing an umami punch and demonstrating how quality produce can combine with flavor from the sea." - Jay Friedman

"After a year away from the kitchen during the pandemic, Wilmington chef Dean Neff and his wife Lydia Clopton returned to the restaurant scene with a bang, opening Seabird smack dab in the middle of downtown earlier this year to rave reviews." - Eater Staff

"Seabird, soon-to-open in downtown Wilmington, is owned by Chef Dean Neff. The restaurant plans to integrate virtual pairing dinners as part of its offerings. Neff is concerned about the future favoring corporate restaurants." - Matt Lardie

"James Beard-nominated chef Dean Neff’s new downtown restaurant, Seabird, is slated to open in August 2020, serving coffee, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night cocktails." - Jenn Rice