Area Restaurants Host Dining Events

The lion’s mane “crabcake” is just one of several vegan offerings at Bread and Butter Kitchen in Eastport. Photo: Bread and Butter.

By Kathy Knotts

Hungry visitors to the region are in for a treat when Annapolis Restaurant Week begins this weekend. Beginning Sunday, Annapolis restaurants come together to serve up the best of the city’s food and drink scene with the ever-popular event.

This year’s Restaurant Week, sponsored by the Downtown Annapolis Partnership, Visit Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, begins March 20 and runs through March 27. Restaurants in both downtown Annapolis and the greater Annapolis area will offer two- and three-course, price-fixed meal selections. It’s a taste of the area’s most popular restaurants, with a smaller bill to pay.

“This is a popular time for people to explore both their favorite restaurants and a chance to try a restaurant that you might not have been to in a while,” says Erik Evans, executive director of the Downtown Annapolis Partnership. “For 14 years, the Downtown Annapolis Partnership has invited foodies to visit Annapolis to enjoy special menus of Annapolis Restaurant Week with friends and family.”

As of press time, 36 establishments are offering menus or special discounts as part of the event. Select locations will also offer carry-out deals for those who prefer to dine at home.

Participating restaurants will offer price-fixed selections for breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner. Two-course breakfasts will be priced between $9.95 and $15.95; two-course lunches between $12.95 and $19.95; and three-course dinners will run between $29.95 and $39.95.

Select locations will be offering additional bonus items and incentives such as half-price bottles of wine, discounted appetizers, and/or specialty beverages. Vegetarian and gluten-free diners are in luck, as many participating restaurants offer those options, too. Reservations are recommended.

Full details and latest menus: AnnapolisRestaurantWeek.com.

Also this month, area restaurants are participating in Maryland Vegan Restaurant Week, through March 27. The month-long celebration of plant-based eating provides an opportunity for eaters of all types to try meatless dishes. The mission of Maryland Vegan Restaurant Week is to “bridge the gap by increasing the awareness, benefits, and accessibility of a plant-based diet through a fun, innovative and community-based experience.”

Unlike restaurant weeks that offer set-price meals, vegan week encourages venues to create a selection of plant-based items to be offered, letting chefs the chance to show off their skills in the kitchen.

Customers can cast their vote on favorite dishes on the website and post photos on social media using #MDVegan Week, #MDGoesVegan, #MDVeganEats, and #MDVE.

Participating restaurants in the region include Hook & Vine in North Beach, Real Food Studio in Leonardtown, Bread and Butter Kitchen in Eastport, and Miss Shirley’s Café in Annapolis. Learn more: mdveganeats.com.