PROPRIETOR
Cultured Pearl Sushi Bar & Restaurant Proprietor – Susan Wood
With a degree in both Business and Construction Management and several years of waiting tables under her belt, Susan Townley Wood, who has a real love of sushi, opened the Cultured Pearl Restaurant on Wilmington Avenue in 1993. It was the cravings for the freshest fish and the perfect seasoned rice only available hours away that convinced her it was high time that sushi came to the beach!
In 2007, after many successful years at the first location on Wilmington Ave, Susan and her husband, Robert, relocated the Cultured Pearl to it’s current location on Rehoboth Avenue. As risky as a second story restaurant was, the move gave Susan the opportunity to put her true talents to use. As the designer and project manager, Susan turned an existing hardware store into an indoor mall and a beautiful new Cultured Pearl. She created an atmosphere that is totally unique in the restaurant industry. From the Pearl’s long-term staff to its loyal customer base, the energy and passion Susan brings is evident in us all. Part of her secret is to always keep them guessing. What will the new construction bring? What delicious new concepts will be incorporated into the next menu release? The excitement builds with each new project completed and the start of every new year!
EXECUTIVE CHEF
Cultured Pearl Sushi Bar & Restaurant Executive Chef – Robert Wood
With a Business Degree from Montreal’s McGill University and a decade in the Information Systems industry, Chef Robert Wood relocated to Delaware from Vancouver, Canada in 1999. Shortly after his arrival he was introduced to Susan and the Cultured Pearl Restaurant. After helping unofficially for a while, he switched professions and became fully involved with the restaurant. For the first 8 years at the Cultured Pearl, Robert was trained by some of the very same chefs that work alongside him today. His style is a blend of his own tastes, others’ influences and listening to what the Cultured Pearl’s customers want and expect.
As the Executive Chef of the Cultured Pearl Restaurant, Robert has created the perfect balance between traditional Japanese, Thai, and Korean influenced dishes, and American flavors which provide a delicious menu for everyone. Top quality ingredients sourced globally and locally, are the cornerstone of his menu.
With 20 plus years of experience Chef Wood and his team look forward to continuing the Pearl tradition for many more.
Cultured Pearl Sushi Bar & Restaurant –
The Cultured Pearl Sushi Bar & Restaurant, established in 1993, has been a long time favorite for both the locals and visitors of Rehoboth Beach. Voted Best of Delaware every year, owner Susan Wood & Executive Chef Robert Wood, and their seasoned staff offer a delicious, beautiful, and unforgettable dining experience. To complement our award-winning sushi bar, our kitchen offers fan favorites such as Korean BBQ, ramen, tempura, noodles and more. Our menu is clearly marked for vegetarian and gluten free diets. We offer Happy Hour and a ½ priced Children’s Menu from 4-6 pm daily. Whether dining inside amid the bamboo and twinkling lights or outside in a beautiful rooftop gazebo overlooking koi ponds, gardens and views for miles, there truly is something for everyone! We hope you’ll come visit us soon!
Staying true to their own family needs, Susan and Robert have created a Family Dining environment which allows parents to bring their children into a fine dining restaurant without feeling unwelcome. Chef Robert has also designed a Children’s Menu based on his own daughter’s likes. Teriyaki, Tempura and Sushi alongside ever changing other kid friendly treats that make for a well received and nutritious meal for the next generation of Pearl devotees.
Cultured Pearl Sushi Bar & Restaurant
Voted “Best of Delaware” every year since it opened. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware