By James Houck
Photography by Tony Lewis, Jr.
This month, we visit bucolic St. Michaels, where restauranteur Jennifer Smith recently opened The Galley, self-described as, “The place to go for fresh, delicious, high quality food, drinks, and tasty desserts.” Smith’s recipe toward success in this small town is simple…its all about family and good manners. Quickly gaining a eakfast and lunch following, the restaurant prides itself on family recipes served with a smile. Smith shares her insights, as well as a tempting recipe for early risers.
What is your background, culinary and/or otherwise?
I have been in the automotive marketing industry for the past 17 years, however, I have always had a passion for cooking and entertaining others. Our menu is inspired from the meals that I grew up with while we were sailing or traveling the world as a family.
How long has The Galley been operating and what was the genesis of your restaurant?
The Galley opened on December 1st, 2017. I have wanted to own a restaurant my entire life and the stars aligned in October when the space became available and I was ready to take a leap of faith and follow a lifelong dream. Our kitchen is very small, similar to a Galley on a boat. Thus, our name.
What is your business/dining philosophy and how do you apply that to The Galley?
At the Galley we try to treat everyone as though they are part of our family. We believe in courtesy and respect and always saying please and thank you.
Do you have any partnerships with other local businesses as it relates to sourcing food and drink product?
We try to support our local businesses as much as we can. We offer rum from Lyon's Distillery, beer from Eastern Shore Brewing Co., and coffee from our local roasting company, the Blue Heron.
What else are you/The Galley known for in the St. Michaels community?
We are known for always supporting our community in any way that we can. We are open seven days a week and serve eakfast all day.
Please describe the customer experience at The Galley and what are your most well-known/trademark items on the menu?
Customers are always greeted with a warm welcome and a smile. I believe we have the most friendly and courteous staff in town. We are locally-owned and operated. Our most popular item on the menu is the Cali Breakfast Burrito paired with my famous Bloody Mary, a family recipe that is over 50 years old!
Please describe the food item your sharing with our readership. What makes it special? Are there any tricks to preparing it?
The item that we are sharing is our Gluten Free Breakfast Tacos. This is a spinoff of our famous Cali Breakfast Burrito, but with corn tortillas instead of flour. The dish is special because it is inspired from our trips to Baja California where you can have a burrito for any meal. Ours is unique because we include crispy tater tots, homemade salsa, and fresh avocado to each taco. Delish!
