ArtichokeGirl's Profile
Hell Point Seafood in downtown Annapolis, MD is good.
Hell's Point is a GREAT new addition to the Annapolis restaurant scene. I tried it for the first time last night. Took advantage of the Happy Hour specials and tried 3 of the small plates options- the stuffed quahogs were different and very good, and the thai mussels are fabulous!
Crabcake sandwich is excellent, and is served with a anise slaw- nice change from the typical mayo style.
Desserts are top notch- think pastry chef level. Tried the apple tart tatin- rated a 10! and the Eastern Shore layer cake is fabulous too.
This restaurant is an option for locals as well as out of town guests searching for high quality Chesapeake seafood.
Only suggestions I have would be to serve bread (for the mussel sauce) and to lower the music in the bar area. I sincerely hope that Annapolitans patronize a "city" level restaurant- make the trip downtown, take some change for the ticketed meter stand, and enjoy!
Real Seafood Co.- Annapolis Parole
Ate at Real Seafood Co. last night. It's located in the new Parole center.
I guess this post will serve mostly as a caution to future diners. Although the staff is friendly, the food is mediocre and the prices are very inflated for the quality of the food.
The happy hour special of 1/2 price appetizers is the only way to dine there. Calamari was good. My entree of salmon prepared in a "special "way (of course $1.50 additional) was actually: poached/strange style of cooking salmon, on top of regular white rice soaked in soy sauce. Then add 3 circles of spinach.
A real disappointment. Other diners had lobster ravioli (clearly arrives frozen from some supplier and then prepared there) and hamburger (looked pretty good). House salad was nice but of course another $1.50 to substitute.
Bread never arrived, and drinks were slow to be refilled. Plates arrived looking untidy with food around the edges. The self-serve wine machine, for which you get a credit card to use, is a novelty, although pricey. Service is lacking in quantity as well as precision. I don't know about other readers, but a server in an unironed, messy shirt leaves a bad impression!
A $50 bill for a meal that average is disappointing.
New Bakery in Annapolis- Praline
A new bakery has opened in Clock Tower Place (1410 Forest Drive) in Annapolis.
Excellent offerings of pastries, breads and takeout salads.
Open every day, with the helpful co-owner behind the case!
I've tried the baguette (excellent), chocolate croissants (to die for), and other cookies/bars.
Worth a trip for top quality offerings.
www.praline-bakery.com
(they have another store in Bethesda)
Birthday Cake in Annapolis
Main Ingredient has delicious cakes. There is also a Cheesecake Factory and a Whole Foods in Annapolis, if those offerings are more to his taste. There is also a company called Carolines Cakes, which has a website, and they are a showpiece of about 10 layers- delicious, and in caramel, chocolate and lots of other flavors.
Good luck.
Punk's Backyard Grill - Annapolis
A friend and I went this week- great addition to Annapolis restaurants. First, the concept is interesting. The staff is friendly, and the menu is varied. I got the veggie burger (very good) and my friend got the Thai salad (even better). Love the soda made with sugar rather than corn syrup. The best thing we tried were the desserts- pecan pie and the ice cream sandwiches made with 2 chocolate cookies with your choice of ice cream inside. Best thing about Punk's is its prices, which are very fair for the quality of food. I will definitely be back soon, and tell as many people as I can about this place!
Business Dinner in Baltimore
I'd recommend Lebanese Taverna too- their prices would easily accommodate your budget, parking is easy, its casual, they can handle vegetarians easily, and they have areas of the room that could be set off for a group.
The owners/managers are very nice and would help you with what you need, I bet...
Rosie Bea's Bakery - Annapolis, MD
Yes, I have tried Rosie Bea's, and found it to be a great addition to the neighborhood. What I've tried has been very good- the raspberry walnut cake was really different and excellent, and the other items I've tried have been good too.
Review:Carpaccio in Annapolis
www.carpacciotuscankitchen.com is the website.
I ate there a few weeks ago, and thought it was very good.
Had calamari (perfectly cooked), eggplant parmesan (wonderful), and a great dessert. Thought the prices were fair for the quality. Parking is easy, with street as well as garage parking (no validation though).
Its located in Park Place, next to Spa Circle, and about a mile from the Navy Stadium.
Looking for great chow-ish places in Ocean City, MD
Ocean City has quite a bit of overpriced restaurants with average food. My favorite place is Liquid Assets. You can sit at the bar, and the menu ranges in price from about $10 for burgers to $25 for seafood, etc. Wine by the glass is good, and the bartender/servers give good advice on the menu.
Galaxy 66- I went there last month for lunch, and left after spending over $20 for a sandwich and dessert. Dessert was the special of the day- and was $8, but the menu had no price. Considering that the BBQ sandwich and s. potato fries were $9, that's a joke- but even worse, they put the "cobbler" in the microwave before serving it to me (I heard the ring of the oven!) and the crust was so inedible that I had to send it back bc the spoon would not cut into it. Server's reply: "oh". Next piece was hardly better. My advice- forget Galaxy 66- overpriced, underserved and way too fancy for themselves.
recommendation please around inner harbor
There are lots of chains in that area- I like Lebanese Taverna in Harbor East, and you could walk there from your hotel. Great food, good prices and a large menu.
Looking for fab Middle Eastern Markets...
Lebanese Taverna Market on Lee Hwy. in Arlington, VA has lots of middle eastern ingredients. They could lead you to markets in that area. There is a halal market in Falls Church, but I don't have any more details. The new Lebanese Taverna restaurant in Harbor East might be able to give you ideas and sources, too. Good luck!
Suggestions for 40th Birthday Party Catering - Annapolis
Carolines Cakes and Catering has wonderful BBQ (and pig picking) and sides, as well as lobster rolls, etc. They do really nice catering, and create birthday cakes. Caroline's is the company with the layered cakes. They are located about 1/2 mile in the strip mall near the bay bridge toll exit, and they have a website too.
crab-cakes in annapolis?
Annapolis Seafood on Forest Drive- there are 3 levels- all are great and the backfin ones are amazing!
Labor Day weekend in Annapolis MD
Hope this isn't too late. I live in Annapolis and have some thoughts.
Jaleopenos has excellent spanish and mexican food- wonderful service, sangria and tapas. In the Parole area of Annapolis.
Las Delicias is on Bestgate, and would be a good place for an affordable meal with excellent quality ingredients. An open kitchen in a hole-in-the wall location in a strip mall.
Really inexpensive- Chipotle at the mall.
Paul's is very good. The desserts, like the layer cakes, are to die for. And parking in the back.
India's on West Street has wonderful food, and a fun weekday lunch buffet.
If you really want crabcakes, steamed crabs, etc. go to Annapolis Seafood on Forest Drive and get a carryout platter or bag. They have the best seafood around, and at prices much less than what you are going to sit down at a restaurant and get. They will cook crabcakes from the case in their kitchen, and they are truly some of the best I have ever had...along with both kinds of crab soup, etc. You might even be able to make yourself a fun picnic with what you can carry out.
Have a great weekend!
My votes against:
Wild Orchid- agree that the service is HORRIBLE.
Buddys- no thanks.
Reasonable Size Baking Potatoes (where to buy?)
Trader Joe's has bags of baking potatoes in small and average sizes. A bag is generally about $3, which is about the price of 2 from Whole Foods! They taste great too.
Crabhouses and crabcakes in maryland--pls. help me add to my list
Grew up on the Shore.. know crabcakes pretty well, and hesitantly try them while dining out.
Here are some places that have WOW-ed me:
The Center Club (Baltimore)
The Milton Inn (it's been several years but were memorable)
Julia's (Centreville, MD- excellent restaurant but wonderful crabcakes)
A sleeper.. Annapolis Seafood Co.- they sell 3 grades of crabcakes, and the most expensive are as large as a softball, and amazing! They will cook them for you, or you can carry out. That's where I would head for hard crabs as well.
Some distinctions.... eastern shore crabcakes DONT have Old Bay in them- maybe cayenne, but not OB... so many commercial ones do, and that's not authentic. Neither is extensive filler, like a ton of breadcrumbs or bread.
Buddy's is HORRIBLE- please don't go there. Phillips is hardly better, and O'Leary's is an overpriced seafood restaurant with a fair amount of pretention. Today's local paper had that place advertising for a souschef, bartender and assistant manager, so save your money.
In the Kent Narrows area, the Crab Deck is also very good. I favor that over Harris', but thats personal preference. Went to The Narrows recently and was shocked by the very worn interior (think 1985 era)- food was ok but expensive.
Rock Hall has decent seafood places and is off the beaten, tourist track. Chestertown has several very good restaurants for seafood and crabcakes: Brooks Mill and The Blue Heron. Both I can recommend to you strongly.
Hope this helps.
Annapolis Mall Area -- Dining Options?
Les Delices on Bestgate Road is a "hole in the wall" with great food! And affordable too. Menu consists of salvadorean and french/continental.
Baby shower suggestions in Annapolis area?
Actually, there is an excellent Indian restaurant in Annapolis called India's. On West Street across from Park Place. Their lunch buffet is one of my favorite lunches of all time, (and about $12!) but the owner is a friendly person who I would bet would help you plan anything you'd want.
The food and service are very very good, and the interior is atttractive too. Good luck!
Annapolis restaurant question
Has anyone tried the new Greystone Grill on Spa Circle? I drive by frequently but haven't tried it.
Annapolis/Eastern Shore Restaraunts
You will have quite a few choices in both areas. I will give you some thoughts on places that are moderately priced and a little different, as you can go to Ruths Chris, expensive steakhouses and seafood places in PA anytime!
Annapolis: Jalapenos is excellent- spanish food. Dont be put off by the location in a strip mall. Food and service are excellent. Downtown places are generally expensive, and not much different from what you've had before.
Eastern Shore: Easton has lots of good places. Out of the Fire is my favorite in Easton. People speak highly of Masons, Inn at Easton. 20 miles from Easton is a place called Julia's, located in Centreville. Worth the trip. Best crabcakes around, as well as other seafood. Reservation needed.
Kent Narrows area: The Narrows has the best food in that area, with Fishermans Inn a close second. A few miles away is Lisa's Small Plates, with nice wine, small plates and a connected bar. I've heard good things about Rustico but haven't tried it yet.
Hope this helps!
Deal on Le Creuset Oval French Oven
I bought a great Le Creuset piece last year. After doing some price searches, I found www.broadwaypanhandler.com was the best, with free shipping as well.
Good luck- I only wish I had bought the piece years ago- it's wonderful.
Gourmet Candy Apples
Two ideas, in different price ranges.
Whole Foods has nice looking homemade candy apples in its Bakery section this week.
Neiman Marcus has had beautiful apples in holiday themes in past years- not sure about this year, but they are Mrs. Prindable's brand.
Philly Chows Visiting Annapolis - HELP
I agree with the Lemongrass suggestion, and would add Cafe Normandie on Main Street and Jalapenos in the Parole area to the list. I ate at O'Leary's a few weeks ago, and it was disappointing as well as over priced.
Cafe Normandie has crepes and french food in a casual setting, and Jalapeno's (www.jalapenosonline.com) is a GREAT spanish restaurant, although in a strip center outside Annapolis. First-class tapas, and a fun place for groups- also wonderful margueritas and sangria.
Chart House and Ruth's Chris are also reliable restaurants in the Eastport area.
Enjoy Annapolis!
Annapolis- great food, great prices-Les Delices
I've been going to Les Delices on Bestgate Road in Annapolis for over a year. Great food- which is a combination of french/continental and salvadorean. Chef-owned, and he was the former sous-chef at Les Folies. Have tried everything from salmon caesar salad to cod with lobster sauce. Extensive menu, and all I've had is excellent!
Prices are so reasonable that you feel a little guilty- so tip well!
The location is a storefront in the Wawa's strip center on Bestgate. Plenty of parking, and open for lunch and dinner, and brunch on weekends.
Looking for good food on the eastern shore of Maryland?
From the area, and work here too. There are lots of places that have the standard fried crabcake, french fries, and choice of vegetable. For a great meal "inside the box", The Narrows is the best in the Kent Narrows area.
"Outside the Box":
Lisa's Small Plates is a bar and restaurant in the Acme shopping center a mile from the bridge. Very good food.
The new restaurant Americantina was disappointing to me- went last week and the service was bad, and what I wanted to order from the menu has been taken off after only a week of being open.
Julia's in Centreville is excellent for lunch and dinner- make a reservation, and you will have an excellent meal, with seafood and fried foods as real standouts. Easton is a little bit of a drive, but has some really good places like Out of the Fire.
Dinner Suggestion for Monday Night in B'more - From Portland
b in Bolton Hill has great food!
