Eastporter

Hi, everyone! Looking for suggestions/locations for a 40th birthday party for my husband. Ideally surprise party, and I don't have too much time to plan, as his birthday is mid-August. I know, I'm a total slacker. I've made inquiries with Againn, Birch & Barley, and Firefly, and have some good feedback from Againn. Am I missing other venues? Here are the details: Approx. 30 people cocktails & hors d'oeuvres (preferably heavy hors d'oeuvres, rather than just passed "bites") good scotch menu for my husband anywhere in DC--not really interested in VA or MD All suggestions welcome! Thanks!

As an Annapolis resident, I have to say I am thrilled to see some of these great new establishments coming into town. Crackers, the Fractured Prune is TO DIE FOR--you MUST go!! OMG everything is great but my favorite is the morning buzz--chocolate glaze with oreo crumbles and espresso grinds....sooooo good! I've also recently been to Kyma, mentioned above. Beautiful decor but sailors will notice a major oops! in one of their wall art installations--everyone I know who sails and has been there has mentioned it to me. Food was great, simple, yummy, and the service wonderful. No complaints---didn't have my socks knocked off, but it was very good. No mini crab-cakes on the menu (that I recall anyway).

Thanks JoeH...a little bird told me you might chime in on this topic! :-) Sounds like a great place....we will definitely check it out!

Chestertown Have a non food-related event to attend this weekend in Chestertown, MD and wondered whether anyone has any good haunts out there....I suspect that most people heading to the Eastern Shore from the DC region, when asked about great food or restaurant recommendations, would recommend Cantler's or Mike's or another Annapolis/Kent Island area hangout. Since we're only traveling from Annapolis to Chestertown, not very far really, I thought it would be nice to grab a bite out there and make an afternoon of it. Anyone have any good recommendations in town? Thanks!

Another fabulous experience at RTS this Saturday. It had been MONTHS since we'd been there--we always blame the long drive, but really that is just silly since it is still our favorite place in the entire area. I tried several things for the first time and just had to put in my two cents because the entire evening was just amazing. First, although I am not a big shrimp fan and never have been, having tried the Shrimp Baklava at RTC during the preview dinner, and knowing the quality of food at RTS in general, I knew that the shrimp would be perfectly cooked and so I took the plunge and tried the Shrimp Diablo. WHOA! Michael and his staff have totally made me a shrimp fan after these two amazing dishes. This dish was perfectly cooked and full of flavor and I loved it. Secondly, we tried the blackened scallops on a bed of carmalized onions and sauteed (I think?) garlic which was amazing. I have never in my life tasted a scallop dish like this--it melted in my mouth and the garlic and onions were sweet and savory and again, perfect. This is another seafood item, which, like shrimp, I generally avoid like the plague because of most restaurants' propensity to overcook it to the point of it being rubber. This, obviously, was not. It was FANTASTIC! We also sampled the crab bisque, which I had never tried, and it too lived up to my expectations and indeed exceeded them. Definitely will be ordering that next time I'm there or at RTC, as I understand it has made its way on the menu there. It was out of this world. Next, onto our favorites: petite filet, this time with horseradish cream which was great. Cooked perfectly, as always. Finally, another first: key lime pie. I usually opt for the mousse, which is always fantastic, but I had heard that the key lime pie was not to be missed. This is a taste I've recently acquired--used to turn my nose up at anything lime as a kid, but now I'm totally addicted. Can honestly say this was the best pie crust I'd ever had--super buttery and crispy and just awesome, and the filling was equally as good. Definitely the real deal. Also served with a heaping of strawberries and massive dollop of fresh whipped cream. And, oh, one more thing, the peanut butter fudge w/the check. I love that little touch. All in all, an amazing experience. WELL worth the long drive from home for us--and I'm sure now that we'll be returning more often, despite the distance. There's always an excuse to go when the food and service are that great. Kudos, also, to the staff, who are doing a great job in Michael's absence. Couldn't have been more friendly or attentive.

Thanks--good to be here and finally posting after lurking a while. Definitely would recommend Black Market to anyone in the area for a casual meal--it's so homey and comfortable and the food was really delicious.

I had brunch at Black Market yesterday and found the experience to be fabulous. Service was attentive, plenty of tables were available, but the place was lively. The food was superb. The brunch menu was perhaps a little heavy on the lunch items than I normally prefer, however, the beignets were amazing and the eggs benedict was to die for--light and fluffy, perfectly cooked, on a great angel biscuit, I think it was called. Our table also sampled the pancakes, a gulf shrimp salad, and a vegetable panini and everyone raved. I had been there for dinner about a year ago and thought the menu lacked variety and the service was only adequate. Our server yesterday was delightful and the food was great. It was a wonderful experience and we will definitely be back, as I suspect will our dining companions.