Restaurant news and culinary trends throughout the Chesapeake Bay region
Now that Spooky Season has come to a close, we are ready for the most cherished holiday season to begin. Not only do we get to celebrate harvests, holidays, and the new year with our families, but with our community as well at local events, such as the Baltimore Craft Beer Festival and the Sweet Potato Fest!
On the Restaurant Scene...
Westfield Annapolis Mall’s food court has been welcoming a slew of new “grab and go” places including Fuwa Sushi, Ramen & Dumplings, Cuates Mexican Grill, L’Antico Gusto Italiano, Butter Me Up, and Jongro BBQ. Looking for something new and different for your next lunch break? I have a few new options for you! Find more information at westfield.com/annapolis.
In addition to the food court additions, The Original Pancake House is coming to the Annapolis Mall. The hotcakes can be found behind the Cheesecake Factory, where The Brass Tap was previously. The Original Pancake House has been serving their pancakes since 1953. This will be the fourth location in Maryland; Baltimore, Rockville, and Bethesda being the others. Learn more at originalpancakehouse.com.
Get ready for burgers and zingers (buttermilk-drenched, hand-breaded, boneless chicken tenders) at the newest sports-themed casual dining in Annapolis, Miller’s Ale House. Miller’s is coming to Annapolis soon and is going to reside where the Macaroni Bar & Grill was located. The opening date has not yet been announced since the building is currently under re-construction. This is the fourth Maryland location of Miller’s (Bel Air, Hyattsville, Rockville) and 97th overall in the nation. Find more information at millersalehouse.com.
Sam’s on the Waterfront, located in Chesapeake Harbour Marina, closed earlier this year. After 17 years in Annapolis, Sam’s was not able to renew their lease. We hear that the owner is aggressively looking for a new location. In the meantime, Beacon Waterfront Galley and Bar has opened in the old Sam’s location. Learn more at beaconwaterfront.com.
The White Marlin Open was this August in Ocean City and one of the biggest fishing events of the summer. After days of fishing for the biggest fish in the Atlantic, hundreds of pounds of tuna, marlin, and more hit the shore. This year, captains donated more than three hundred pounds of fresh tuna to food pantries on the Lower Eastern Shore. The donations from the White Marlin Open improve the nutritional quality of the food for those in need as well as cater to medical and dietary needs of clients who must manage diabetes and high blood pressure.
We hear the popular Salisbury-based gastropub and music/comedy venue Roadie Joe’s Bar & Grill is planning to open a second location in the town of Berlin. More on this development as information becomes available. Check out the Salisbury location’s entertainment lineup at roadie-joes-bar-grill.business.site.
If you’re driving through Cambridge and wondering what all the cranes and construction taking place near the waterfront are up to, the old University Maryland Shore Medical Center building is being demolished as part of a 35-acre redevelopment by the public-private partnership named Cambridge Waterfront Development Inc. The mixed-used development will include restaurants, stages, and hotels. More on this as it…develops.
Events on the Town...
A great tradition of Baltimore is to grab our pretzel necklaces and a pint at the Annual Baltimore Craft Beer Festival. The festival will, once again, be at Canton’s Waterfront Saturday, November 5th from 12 to 5 p.m. There will be plenty of live music, local food trucks, shopping vendors, and, of course, beer. The day will celebrate Maryland’s growing craft brewing industry. Order passes at baltimorecraftbeerfestival.com.
Honey’s Harvest Farm in Lothian is bringing back their Annual Sweet Potato Fest on November 13th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This festival celebrates the sweet potato harvest and will feature live music, creative kids’ activities, sweet potato digging, a bounce house and face painting along with a farmer’s market, shopping and so much more. Find more information at honeysharvest.com.
Drink Up...
All things fall come together for a day full of food, drinks, and football on Thanksgiving. This holiday, try making a batch of autumn sangria for the family and finish the day with a slice of pumpkin pie paired with a pumpkin pie martini.
Thanksgiving Sangria
Ingredients
- 2 apples, cored, sliced thin and cut into bite size pieces
- 2 clementines, sliced and seeded
- 1 cup frozen cranberries
- 1 cup vodka
- 1 bottle chilled cava (or other sparkling wine)
Spiced Honey Syrup Ingredients
- 1/2 cup clover honey
- 1/2 cup water
- 3 whole star anise
- Fresh ginger, peeled and sliced into coins, 4–5 slices
- 1 strip of orange peel, no pith
Instructions
Combine the honey, water, star anise, ginger, and orange peel in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, then lower the heat to a slow simmer. Continue simmering for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Strain. In a large pitcher combine the fruit, vodka and half of honey syrup. Lightly muddle. Add the chilled cava and stir. Serve in glasses filled with ice and add fruit to each glass.
Photo and recipe courtesy of today.com
Pumpkin Martini
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1/2 ounce heavy cream or coconut milk
- 1/2 ounce pure maple syrup
- 2 Tbsp. canned pumpkin puree
- 1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
- 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
- Graham crackers for the rim
Instructions
Prepare the Rim: Crush a graham cracker with your fingers and place it on a plate. On another plate, add a small pool of maple syrup. Run the rim of a martini glass in the maple syrup first, rotating the glass so the rim is evenly coated. Then roll the rim in the crushed graham cracker until evenly coated. Place all other ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Add a handful of ice and shake until cold. Strain the drink into the prepared martini glass.
Photo and recipe courtesy of acouplecooks.com
