Previewing Evelyn’s in West Annapolis
West Annapolis is soon to get a new eatery, as first-time restaurant owner Brandon Stalker waits for final permits to open the doors to Evelyn’s, a breakfast and lunch café focused on local and sustainable ingredients.
Stalker, an Annapolis native and former student at Key and Severn schools, purchased the building that previously housed German-themed Regina’s Restaurant. It’s been more than two years since Regina’s closed, which has led to much anticipation and speculation as to the new eatery.
Look for a transformed space with lots of light and stainless steel. Stalker has gutted the previous space and invested in a studs-up remodel with 24 seats. Named for his five-year-old daughter, Evelyn’s will be open seven days a week from 7:30am to 3:30pm, with a Hump Day Happy Hour on Wednesdays extending until 6:30pm.
Stalker has recruited local chef/restaurateur Carla Lucente as executive chef. Lucente brings a local following as the former chef-owner of b.b. Bistro, the popular coffee shop formerly located one block down Annapolis Street that closed its doors nearly four years ago. Lucente helped create Evelyn’s menu and developed the recipes. She’ll be shopping at farmers’ markets and local purveyors and harvesting from Evelyn’s own herb garden.
The menu promises breakfast specials such as a breakfast burrito ($8), pigs in a bacon blanket ($10), omelets, salads, sandwiches such as the chicken & cheddar panini ($9) and grass-fed burger ($10), plus a kids’ menu for the little ones. Evelyn’s has a full liquor license, so your fresh berry margarita will have local berries and your Bloody Mary will be crafted from a house-made mix and garnished with candied bacon and pickled green beans.
With final inspections underway, Lucente expects Evelyn’s to open any day now.
Evelyn’s: 26 Annapolis Street, 443-822-5996, www.evelynsannapolis.com