Top Ten places worth the gas money
A lot of the restaurants on this list are on the Eastern Shore because, as I found out when I did a story on the phenomenon awhile back, it's become a destination for serious diners from Annapolis as well as visitors to the area, and there are a lot of folks with a lot of money who live on the Eastern Shore.
There are more worthwhile places than I can list here, so I hope if you have a favorite that isn't on my list or posted under Next Week's Top Ten, you'll mention it below. Here are my ten:...
(Glenn Fawcett/Sun Photographer)
*208 Talbot (208 Talbot St., 410-745-3838) in St. Michaels. Modern American cuisine, southern influenced. Signature dish: cornflake-encrusted mahi mahi with basil potato salad, corn cream and a grape tomato relish. Entrees: $26-$31.
*Antrim 1844 (30 Trevanion Road, 410-756-6812) in Taneytown. Chef Michael Gettier is still there, producing a six-course meal plus hors d'oeuvres for $68.50. The cuisine is New American, specializing in seafood and game. Signature dish: pan-seared foie gras with blackberry demiglace.
*Danielle's (6 N. East St., Everedy Square, 301-663-6600) in Frederick. Italian and American cuisine. It's located where Tauraso's was. The original chef, who had left for the Tasting Room, is back. Signature dish: pork tenderloin with parmesan polenta and roasted fig puree. Entrees: $13-$26.
*Imperial Hotel (208 High St., 410-778-5000) in Chestertown. The stately, turn-of-the-century mansion houses a handsome dining room. Eclectic contemporary cuisine using regional ingredients. Signature dish: lollipop lamb chop trio with hummus, tzatziki, sauteed dandelion greens. Entrees: $26-$32.
*Inn at Easton (28 S. Harrison St., 410-822-4910) in Easton. Chef-owner Andrew Evans' modern Australian cuisine has received national attention. Signature dish: crab cake with tartar sauce, chive oil and tomato confit. Prix fixe menus: $60, $75, $110.
*Jules (11805 Coastal Highway, 410-524-3396) in Ocean City. Buy locally, cook globally. Signature dish: Smith Island softshells with an adobe beurre blanc. Just introduced a lighter fare menu. Entrees: $27-$35.
*Julia's (122 North Commerce St., 410-758-0471) in Centreville. Contemporary American with Asian accents. Signature dish: lobster in orange or other unusual sauce. One of two restaurants I gave four stars to in '04. Entrees: $25-$32
*Kennedyville Inn (11986 August Herman Highway.410-348-2400) in Kennedyville. Don't let the signature dish fool you, there are plenty of upscale dishes on the menu. Signature dish: traditional smoked pork barbecue. Entrees: $16.50-$26
*Michael Rork's Town Dock in St. Michaels. One of Baltimore's early celebrity chefs left town for the slower life on the shore. Local Chesapeake cuisine with a few more elegant entrees. Signature dish: bouillabaise. Entrees: $22.50-$29.50.
*Solstice (2 N. Main St. in the Atlantic Hotel, 410-641-3589 or 800-814-7672) in Berlin. New this season. Spanish-influenced French bistro. Signature dish: cowboy steak for two, a 2 1/2 pound ribeye. Entrees: $19-$32.
Comments
Marlin Moon Grille in West Ocean City was a finalist in the Restaurant Association of Maryland's Favorite Restaurant Award for 2007. They were also winner of 2006 and 2007 Wine Spectator Award for outstanding wine menu. The food and service here is excellent. Chef and Owner Gary Beach really know how to take care of you. http://www.marlinmoongrille.com/
Posted by: Kevin Lutz | August 28, 2007 8:57 AM
Michael Rork's Town Dock in St. Michaels:
I highly recommend the Town Dock. The food is wonderful, in particular the Crab Bisque. Service can be a bit lopsided at times though. But sitting under the stars in St. Michael's with a truly decadent cocktail (oh yes, the drinks are well mixed too) with a lovely bowl of crab bisque... that's life!
Posted by: Misha | August 28, 2007 9:10 AM
Shark's Cove in Ocean City is typically very solid.
Posted by: Chris | August 28, 2007 12:02 PM
The Grove Market in Bishopsville, MD is great. The food is wonderful, prices aren't bad and the friendly atmosphere is relaxing! Menu varies nightly, but the duck is always a winner. Desserts are fantastic - they taste as good as they look which isn't always true.
Posted by: ML | August 28, 2007 12:13 PM
How about 10 places worth the entree money. Note to author, people who read the Sun, don't spend $26 on an entree. There is plenty of delicious food to be had for under $20 an entree for those of us who are "serious" diners but also make less than $100,000. Heearing about some of those would be nice
Good idea. I'll see if I can talk our cheap eats reviewer Karen Nitkin into doing a Top Ten for us as a guest reviewer one of these days.
Posted by: King | August 28, 2007 12:14 PM
Giuseppe's in Frostburg (11 Bowery Street) - remember tha Maryland has mountains too! Great food, fresh, with lots of charm. Perfect for a fall weekend trip.
Posted by: Joanna | August 28, 2007 5:45 PM
How did the Inn at Little Washington not make this list?
I was sticking to Maryland.
Posted by: mdlrvrmuncher | August 28, 2007 5:47 PM
Re: 'King's Comments'...
People who read The Sun, don't pay $26 for an entree?
Thats insane.. I can assure you my Wife and I both earn far less than $100k, and both often pay that and above for top quality.
Posted by: Chris | August 28, 2007 10:36 PM
I heartily second your selections of Antrim and the Imperial Hotel. However, a warning about Antrim. Be sure Michael is in the kitchen the night you're going. We recently spent a weekend there (major anniversary) and were somewhat disappointed. Michael was on vacation. The food was good (some superb) but the entree choices were kinda sparse. And we were upset to find the identical menu the next night. No foie gras either.
Be warned that those glasses of wine you're offered in the lounge where you're seated for a half hour if you arrive on time are not part of the prix fixe.
Posted by: Jim Keat | August 30, 2007 6:06 PM
I agree with Chris' comment about Shark's Cove, but it's out of date. The place was sold to the same group that runs Blue Coast (Bethany), Fish-on (Lewes), and one other place I can't remember. What was Shark's Cove is now Catch 54, and the change seems to have reinvigorated the restaurant. More casual than before, I think, but very good seafood, better wine program, and nice cheap menu of "bar snacks" to munch on the dock.
Posted by: c mac | September 6, 2007 12:00 PM