Dining Guide 2022

An over-the-top hot cocoa from Bread and Butter Kitchen in Eastport.

We asked local restaurateurs, bakers and chefs to offer up some tips and recipes in this year’s Dining Guide. While we can’t guarantee it will be the same experience as dining in their establishments, it’s a great behind-the-scenes look at what’s happening in some of the hottest kitchens in Chesapeake Country.

Krista Pfunder & Kathy Knotts

Chesapeake flatbread at Blackwall Barn & Lodge.

Blackwall Barn & Lodge

Cuisine: Farm-to-table American restaurant with the freshest local ingredients

Recipe: Our Red Brick Chicken is a menu staple and a customer favorite. 

Ingredients

half a chicken, semi de-boned

1 sprig thyme

1 sprig rosemary

2 cloves garlic

2 cups chicken stock

1 Salt & Pepper to taste

1 t spoon tomato paste

1 oz sherry wine

1 oz butter

Recipe:

Leave the chicken breast uncovered in the refrigerator on a sheet pan under paper towels or a screen rack for one day. Dust chicken with Old Bay seasoning. Add oil to your pan on high heat. Place the chicken skin side down on the pan and sear for 2 to 3 minutes until the skin forms a nice golden brown crust. Flip your chicken and sear for another 2 minutes. Remove chicken from the pan. Place on baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees. Drain oil from the pan and add sherry wine, smashed garlic and herbs to the pan. Scrape the pan to release all the crust sticking to the pan and add chicken stock and tomato paste. Simmer until sauce becomes thick and smooth. Add salt and pepper to the sauce in small amounts until desired level of flavor is met. Remember: you can always add more; so don’t add too much at once. Plate your chicken with your favorite starch and vegetables. Whisk butter into your sauce and spoon over your chicken.

Take note: Drink specials and half price flatbreads Monday-Friday 4-7pm.

The Blackwall Barn & Lodge is the destination of choice for guests looking to host a memorable special occasion where their guests are pampered and appreciated. Whether hosting a small, intimate event for close friends or catering a large wedding for up to 200 guests, The Barn & Lodge will ensure that every detail surpasses your expectations.

Blackwall Barn & Lodge

329 Gambrills Road, Gambrills, MD 21054

410-317-2276

barnandlodge.com

Fish and chips at Brian Boru Irish Pub.

Brian Boru Irish Pub & Restaurant

Cuisine: Classic Irish cuisine and spirits.

A tip from the chef:

Have you ever prepared a soup or sauce that’s just a little too salty? Try this quick and easy solution: Peel a potato and poke holes into it using a fork. Drop the potato into your soup or sauce and simmer for a minimum of 15 minutes (but not more than 30). The potato can help by absorbing some of that extra salt. Remove potato before serving. Note: this trick only works for light over-salting. 

Brian Boru Irish Pub

489 Ritchie Hwy., #103, Severna Park

410-975-2678

brianborupub.com

Facebook/Insta/Twitter @brianborupub

Mediterranean flatbread at Smashing Grapes.

Smashing Grapes Annapolis

Cuisine: A fusion of Mediterranean and California coastal cuisines paired with world- class wines.

A tip from the chef: One of my favorite things to make is fresh potato gnocchi. There are a lot of recipes, but I like to use an Idaho russet potato. Bake the potato till it’s soft and cut long ways immediately. You have to do this while they are still hot or the flesh gets waxy. Run the potato through a ricer or food mill and allow to cool and dry. The drier the better. Then add egg yolk, flour, salt, and whatever else you like. Hand-knead into a dough, allow to rest, and roll out the gnocchi. Blanch in salted water and enjoy immediately or hold them for later.

—Chef Matthew Newland

Jazz Nights: Live jazz music Friday and Saturday nights from 9pm-midnight. Half off wines by the glass, avocado toast and flatbreads.

Private events & catering: We can accommodate a variety of events in our beautifully appointed dining rooms. From rehearsal dinners to family gatherings to wine tastings, and off-site corporate lunches our special events team is here to guide you through every step.

Smashing Grapes Annapolis

177 Jennifer Road, Annapolis, MD 21401

410-266-7474

smashinggrapes.com/Annapolis

Crabcake sandwich at Pirate’s Cove.

Pirates Cove Seafood Restaurant & Dock Bar

Cuisine: Classic waterfront dining featuring seafood and Maryland favorites.

Take note: It’s almost time to dust off your flip-flops! Warm weather in late-April will bring the annual opening of the Dock Bar at Pirates Cove featuring live music on the river. Dock your boat, sit back with a Maryland crab cake (made with authentic Chesapeake Bay blue crab), local oysters, a Pirates Cove signature cocktail or beer, and listen to local tunes. Can’t wait that long? Join us indoors all year round for peaceful waterfront views, a seasonally updated seafood menu—including the return of the popular Gabby Crabby— and live music. Visit us online for our newest menus, or subscribe to our e-blasts for the latest details on charity dinners, upcoming events, holidays and specials. Carryout and contactless pickup also available.

Pirates Cove Seafood Restaurant & Dock Bar

4817 Riverside Dr., Galesville

410-867-2300

piratescovemd.com

Facebook/Insta @piratescovemd

Hook and Vine

Hook and Vine

Cuisine: Southern Coastal cuisine with a focus on fresh ingredients, seafood. Able to accommodate dietary requests: Vegan, Gluten Free

Unique cocktails, fun wine list, local beer, zero proof cocktails

A tip from the chef: Food should be fun and delicious.

News: Come in for brunch on Sundays 10am-2pm. Some of our most popular menu items are the Bourbon Pork Chops, Maple Glazed Brussels Sprouts, the Hook & Vine Burger, Crab Dip with pretzel bread, Jambalaya, Shrimp & Grits, and Peach Bread Pudding. The most popular coctkails are the North Beach Peach (Woodford Reserve, Peach, OJ, Sour); Tropical Storm (Rumhaven Coconut, blackberry, lime); Southern Cosmo (Tito’s, Grand Marnier, Peach, cranberry). We have local beers on tap from Calvert Brewing, Greenspring Brewing, and Mully’s.

Events are currently being planned for dinners and tastings featuring wine, beer, tequila, bourbon. Our new spring menu will be released very soon, too.

Hook and Vine

4114 7th St.

North Beach, MD 20714

443-964-5488

hookandvine.com

Facebook/Insta @HookandVineMD

The Bell House Catering

The Bell House Catering

Cusiine: A full-scale catering company curating menus to best fit your food desires, sensitivities and lifestyles. 

A tip from the chef: The first step to creating an enjoyable dish is sharp knives. Take good care of your knife set and you will find chopping and dicing will become less of a chore.  —Kelly Bell 

News: The Bell House loves creating dishes and planning events from scratch to finish. We are a customer-centric catering company and will develop a menu with your needs and desires in mind. Our breads, sauces, marinades, dressings, and desserts are made in-house. We have a lot of favorites and you can try some of our recipes in the comfort of your own home from recipes posted on our blog. Subscribe to our mailing list and receive updates on prepared meals and events you can attend. 

The Bell House Catering

1825 George Ave, Suite 1, Annapolis

443-995-2694 

thebellhousecatering.com

Facebook/Instagram @bellhousecatering

South County Cafe

South County Cafe

Cuisine: American, plus pastries, desserts and coffee bar.

Tip from the chef: Support your local businesses! We appreciate the support from our customers over the last two years and we are ready to tackle any challenge 2022 may bring.

News: We will be releasing a new menu mid-March 2022 that includes six new items. Make sure you check out Facebook page or website every Tuesday and Friday for our specials. Did you know we have a coffee bar? Come in and order your favorite latte! We offer a variety of pastries and desserts including muffins, Danishes, cookies, and pies. Contact us for your next event! We offer a variety of options provided by Whitman’s Catering.

South County Cafe

5960 Deale Churchton Rd., Deale

410-867-6450

southcountycafe.com

Facebook @Southcountycafe

Crispy Brussels sprouts at Blackwall Hitch

Blackwall Hitch Annapolis

Cuisine: Coastally inspired American cuisine.

Recipe: Danny Choung is the executive chef at Blackwall Hitch Annapolis. Chef Danny grew up in Las Vega and graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 2006. Chef Danny’s favorite food is bulgogi, a Korean beef dish, which his mom used to make for him when he was growing up.

Bulgogi Sub

6 oz thinly sliced ribeye

2 oz sliced yellow onion

2 oz sliced mushrooms of any kind

2 oz Hellmann’s mayonnaise

2 slices of Gruyere cheese

1 oz of mizuna (Japanese mustard greens) or arugula

1 sub roll

Marinade for the beef:

½ cup of soy sauce

¼ cup of water

4 Tbs of sugar

1 tsp of minced garlic

1 Tbs of sesame oil

1 Tbs of mirin

½ tsp of black pepper

In a mixing bowl, add all the ingredients and mix it well until the sugar is dissolved. Add your thinly sliced meat, mushrooms, and onion into the marinade. Let it rest for one hour. Once the meat is marinated, you can cook it in the sauté pan until your desired temperature. To make the bulgogi sub, toast the sub roll and spread Hellmann’s mayo on both sides. Add your cooked meat, cheese, and bitter greens.

Take note: Drink specials and half price select appetizers Monday-Friday 4-7pm.

Private Events: Reserve one of our award-winning private rooms for your next special occasion. We can accommodate a variety of events in our beautifully appointed dining rooms. From bridal luncheons to rehearsal dinners to family reunions and graduations, our special events manager will guide you through every step. On-site design and planning services available.

Blackwall Hitch Annapolis

400 Sixth Street, Annapolis, MD 21403

410-263-3454

blackwallhitchannapolis.com

Parfaits by Haneke Bakes & Makes.

Haneke Bakes & Makes

Cuisine: Baked goods such as cakes, cupcakes, cake truffles/balls, pies, cheesecakes, cookies, breads, cobblers. Canned goods such as jams, sweet relish, sweet pickles. Plus savory sides: mac & cheese, charcuterie boards, brie bites, and more. Serving Annapolis and surrounding areas

A tip from the chef: The secret ingredient is always love!

News: Amanda Haneke is the owner and sole baker of Haneke Bakes & Makes. Her favorite orders are for custom cakes and some of her signature items are a red velvet cheesecake with cream cheese icing and a chocolate graham cracker crust; peanut butter pie and cakes; white cake with a raspberry filling and a white chocolate buttercream; sweet pickles and relish; and brie bites.

Haneke Bakes & Makes

Bakesandmake.com

Facebook/Insta @hanekebakesandmakes

Corned beef flatbread available at Galway Bay and Killarney House.

Galway Bay Irish Pub & Whiskey Bar

Cuisine: Classic Irish cuisine and spirits.

63 Maryland Ave., Annapolis

410-263-8333

galwaybaymd.com

Facebook/Insta/Twitter @galwaybaymd

Killarney House Irish Pub & Restaurant

Cuisine: Classic Irish cuisine and spirits.

584 West Central Ave., Davidsonville

410-798-8700

killarneyhousepub.com

Facebook/Insta @killarneyhousemd

Twitter @killarneyhouse

NEWS:  The month of St. Patrick returns! You don’t have to cross an ocean to enjoy warm Irish hospitality, hearty cuisine and craic; you’ll find it at Brian Boru, Killarney House and Galway Bay. We expect to see the hardcore among you on St. Patrick’s Day, but the celebration extends beyond March 17. Traditional Irish music will brighten each of our pubs beginning March 1. Look for local favorites Ray Weaver, The Drinker and The Scholar, Finbar’s Flight, Ciaran Quinn and many talented performers. Our bars are stocked with Guinness and Jameson (whiskey connoisseurs will appreciate Galway Bay’s growing whiskey bar featuring 80+ Irish whiskeys). Of course, our chefs will keep spirits high with shepherd’s pie, corned beef and cabbage, fish & chips and many delicious alternatives. While St. Patrick’s Day marks a special time of year for us, we celebrate the best of Ireland all year round. Visit us online to see our newest menus, or subscribe to our e-blasts for the latest news on brunches, charity dinners, upcoming events, holidays and specials. Carryout and contactless pickup also available.

Bread and Butter Kitchen

Cuisine: Creative breakfast and lunch cuisine. Bread and Butter Kitchen’s menu includes a variety of classics, as well as some signature dishes like Salsa de Huevos and the ever popular BBK breakfast sandwich, which features two fried eggs, bacon, sharp cheddar, red onions, avocado, and roasted garlic aioli on sourdough bread. House made scones and biscuits round out breakfast, while lunch features subs, burgers, and sandwiches like the Chicken Biscuit with Sriracha Honey. Eating lighter? No worries, there are amazing grain bowls and salads, too. They also offer creative vegan and vegetarian dishes that go beyond the Beyond burger.

News: Located right on Spa Creek in the charming Eastport neighborhood of Annapolis, this inclusive restaurant is often described as a hidden gem by locals in the know. Hyper focused on creating delicious food from scratch, nearly everything on the menu is made in house using top quality ingredients. It’s truly no wonder they receive so many 5-star reviews. Serving breakfast and lunch seven days a week, they also cater. Indoor seating is limited to six seats at the window and a few small tables. Outdoor seating is another story! There are more than 50 seats outside (and they are dog friendly), which is THE place to be on weekends when the sun is shining and live music is playing. In addition to a variety of grab-and-go items made in house, like soups, dressings, and their chorizo and breakfast sausage, you can find a variety of products available for purchase from local makers and farmers.

Bread and Butter Kitchen celebrates their 5th anniversary this May, so expect some fun surprises and pop-up events to mark the occasion. In the meantime, be sure to stop by for one of their over-the-top hot cocoas and a fabulous meal. 

Bread and Butter Kitchen

303 Second St., Suite A, Annapolis

410-202-8680

breadandbutterkitchen.com

JesseJays Latin Inspired Kitchen

Cuisine: Latin-inspired menu with cuisines primarily from Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Cuba.

A tip from the chef: Always work with a sharp knife.

News: We are looking forward to spring and can’t wait to re-open our outdoor bar dubbed “El Swampo”. The restaurant celebrates three years in April. We’ve been operating under the pandemic longer than not. We hope things continue to improve and hope to have a big third anniversary celebration since we weren’t able to celebrate our first and second anniversaries.

We are so grateful for our loyal staff. We have some that have been with us since day one and many others than have been with us since before the pandemic. They work hard every day, face challenges and changes with determination and we could not be more proud of them and our little restaurant. Please make your reservations and place carry out orders online.

JesseJays Latin Inspired Kitchen

5471 Muddy Creek Rd., Churchton

240-903-8100

JesseJays.com

Facebook/Insta @jessejayskitchen

Buffalo wings at Mamma Lucia.

Mamma Lucia

Cuisine: Authentic down-home Italian cooking in Calvert County.

News: In 1997, Sal and Maria Lubrano brought real Italian cuisine to Calvert County when they opened their first location in Dunkirk. Maria grew up in her mother’s deli in Naples. She brought the recipes with her so that when you dine at Mamma Lucia, you are enjoying regional, local favorites from southern Italy. The restaurants feature Italian products whenever possible, including tomato sauce and mozzarella. During a recent visit by Bay Weekly staff, a local band entertained diners and customers raved about the Bruschetta Alla Chesapeake — toasted bread topped with fresh tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, crab meat, basil, garlic and olive oil.

Mamma Lucia

10136 Southern Maryland Blvd., Dunkirk

301-812-1240

mammaluciarestaurant.com