The dreary days of January might make you want to hibernate, there are plenty of restaurants on the Eastern Shore offering delicious food to keep you warm through spring.r
Perhaps this news will perk you up from the winter doldrums: There will finally be a place to get fresh sushi in St. Michaels with the transformation of the St. Michael Perk Coffee House into a sushi bar, scheduled to open in March. The desire to open a sushi restaurant stemmed from the lack of similar eateries in St. Michaels, says owner Chris Agharabi, who also own Ava's Pizzeria. “There’s nothing like that in St. Michaels, so we’re going to give that a try,” he says. Ava’s also already has an experienced sushi chef on staff, which made the decision easier. The restaurant will be casual and moderately priced. The menu will start small and focus on “good vegetarian options,” Agharabi says, with growth depending on what the market dictates.
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If you're looking for a new place to eat right now, though, try the Lemon Leaf Café in Chestertown. The restaurant, located at 117 S. Cross St., serves classic homemade Eastern Shore fare, says owner JR Alfree, such as chicken and dumplings, crabcakes, and homemade chicken or shrimp salad stuffed in puff pastry. The restaurant serves eakfast every day, and according to Alfree, everyone raves over what they calls a “Flannel Cake,” which is a cross between a crepe and a pancake and drizzled with apricot syrup. From Thursday through Saturday, the café is open for dinner until 8 p.m. (it closes at 3 p.m. other days). Alfree strongly suggests reservations for dinner because they are very busy and frequently sell out. Call 443-282-0004.
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If you're looking to take advantage of some winter specials during the months that tourism on the Shore is down, plan a visit to Sherwood's Landing at the Inn at Perry Cabin. In cele ation of oyster season, the restaurant offers an oyster special every Friday through the winter, where you can dine on oyster shooters, oyster po’boy sandwiches, oysters on the half shell, oyster stew, plus a different chef specialty every week. The oysters are paired with Pommery champagne for $12 a glass, a price that “is just ridiculous,” manager Ron Didner says. “Champagne goes wonderfully with oysters.” There’s also a pairing for Chablis for $10 a glass.
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To finish things off on a sweet note, Two Tree Restaurant owner Dennis Hager wants to remind you that the restaurant is still serving its incredible desserts. Each dessert is made in-house with unexpected varieties such as persimmon pudding, which recently graced the menu. The Millington restaurant offers a Tuesday-night dessert special: buy two entrees and get dessert free.
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