Eastern Shore Restaurant Buzz | September 2008
By Brent Lewis
Don’t let baseball season slide by without having a batch of
Big Bats wings, voted by What’s Up? Eastern Shore readers as the Shore’s best. Original, hot, atomic, barbeque, tequila, honey teriyaki, or garlic and Old Bay, you’re sure to hit a home run whichever you choose. Stop in and check out the new menu which includes rookie of the year winners like buffalo chicken pizza and the Heater Burger topped with wing sauce and crumbled blue cheese. Manager Peggy Ridgely says her favorite might be the Country Fried Chicken, but What’s the Buzz? believes they’re all future Hall of Famers.
Celebrity sighting #1: Tiger Woods was recently spotted at
Rise Up Coffee on St Michaels’ Talbot Street. Rise Up Coffee is a locally owned business with a global state of mind. Tim Cureton runs his two Eastern Shore locations with equal parts a love of providing his customers high quality organic coffee and dedicated community service. Rise Up is a member of One Percent for the Planet, an organization focusing on using “market forces to drive positive environmental change by inspiring companies to give.” Our readers named this their favorite place for coffee this year.
Speaking of coffee in the Town That Fooled the British, check out
St. Michaels Perk coffeehouse, also on Talbot. This comfortable, laid back establishment with free wi-fi and walls adorned with the works of local artists is a wonderful addition to the town’s main drag. Perk offers many alternatives to their primo java, as well as baked goods and sandwiches. There’s outdoor seating and big leather couches inside to relax on.
Just Plain Joe’s is another special place to get your caffeine fix. Owners Joe White, Dan Wright, and Herb Culley are friends and coffee lovers, and have all served in our country’s armed forces. Their self-defined mission is to provide gourmet coffee at a price that members of the military can afford. There’s nothing particularly fancy about their Centreville, Stevensville and Fort Meade locales but their product is high end, using only the top 10 percent of the bean crop and served “Italian-style.” Though a for-profit endeavor, JPJ’s supports several charities and often sends free coffee to troops overseas.
Chesapeake Family Restaurant has opened in Grasonville. This 24-hour addition to the regional restaurant scene has been embraced by locals and travelers alike. Located off Routes.50/301 on 45A’s Hissey Road, Chesapeake Family Restaurant is being run by Bonnie Jean Simms and the management team that also operates B&B Family Restaurant in Chester’s Rainbow Plaza. Like
B&B Family Restaurant, Chesapeake Family Restaurant offers extensive breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus, and specializes in home cooking (liver and onions, meatloaf, and roast chicken are favorites) and warmhearted service.
Celebrity sighting #2: Iconic Led Zeppelin front man and Alison Kraus duettist Robert Plant was recently spotted at 208 Talbot in St. Michaels.
208 Talbot is a magnet for high profile guests, including an early visit by President Bush’s daughters Jenna and Barbara at the height of theirmedia exposure. 208 Talbot has won accolades from such diverse authorities as Wine Enthusiast and Tripadvisor.com. AAA has awarded the restaurant Three Diamonds three years in a row. What’s the Buzz? likes the grilled pork loin with homemade applesauce best.
Maribel Vazquez and her brother Salvador Vazquez have opened
El Torito Mexican Restaurant on the southwest corner of Maryland Avenue and Academy Street in Cambridge where
Crab Boy Seafood used to be. The building’s been remodeled and supports the authentic Mexican food with an appropriate atmosphere. In nice weather, the deck’s the place to eat but at least take a gander at the cool balloon themed booths inside. Anything you order, traditional items - burritos, enchiladas, and tacos - or unexpected dishes like seafood ceviches or chilled octopus - are prepared with style and expertise.
Denton’s
Market Street Public House, cattycorner from the courthouse, is an Irish pub that opened with flawless timing this past St. Patrick’s Day and has developed an enthusiastic following. Behind the long, inviting bar, there’s a great open kitchen that’s provides tasty breakfast, lunch and dinner service. The staff is friendly and conversation flows as easily as their fresh tasting Guinness. There’s music on most weekend nights and a Saturday/Sunday bluegrass brunch is new for the fall. Owner-manager Brian Tyler has filled a void in the local restaurant landscape and appreciates the welcoming response he’s received.
The Irish Crab at Easton Point Marina has submitted the required paperwork to Talbot County Planning and Zoning to become a restaurant where wait staff can take your order at a table and serve you. Right now customers must order at the counter, says Kathy Meehan, manager, and can sit at a table while enjoying the waterfront pub's food. "We are still up and running and you can still eat on our deck and drink the beer," Kathy says. The zoning commission is expected to approve the application in September.
brent lewis
sep 08
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