Savor the Chesapeake

A culinary compendium of restaurant, food, and beverage news and trends from the Chesapeake region

By Kelsey Casselbury

New and Improved

Yo Java Bowl Cafe in Chester has transitioned from an express food truck to a full cafe, where Bada Bean Coffee Shop was previously. The restaurant, which is open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., offers sandwiches, salads, soups, breakfast items, coffee (from Rise Up) and smoothies. 800-B Abruzzi Drive, Chester |

yojavabowl.wixsite.com/website

Over in Anne Arundel County, Always Ice Cream has opened a new location in Edgewater (to join their Main Street Annapolis and West Annapolis parlors). The store, located in South River Colony, is open daily at noon. The flavors change regularly, but you might see options such as Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Rise Up Coffee, or Peanut Butter Oreo. 129

Mitchells Chance Road, Edgewater | alwaysicecreamcompany.com

If you haven’t been to Flamant in Annapolis recently, it might seem a little different next time you pop by. In mid-January, the restaurant closed for a refresh, reopening as Flamant Bistro with an expanded menu and lower price points. With its new focus, the restaurant offers “a very accessible restaurant for families, and not just for special occasions anymore,” Chef Frederik De Pue told Baltimore Business Journal. 17 Annapolis Street, Annapolis | flamantmd.com

Do you want to play a game? GameOn Bar + Arcade is scheduled to open early this month on West Street in Annapolis in the former location of Chesapeake Brewing Company, which closed in 2020. The space will feature classic arcade games, plus basketball, skee-ball, and pinball machines, along with a full bar and a menu showcasing food truck-inspired dishes. It will be a new life for the brick building, which was built in 1908 and once was home to a fire station. 114

West Street, Annapolis | gameonbararcade.com

The End of an Era

If you, like so many Marylanders, grew up vacationing in Ocean City, you might feel a little nostalgic with this next news: Phillips Crab House has closed its Philadelphia Avenue restaurant for good. The eatery welcomed visitors for more than 65 years, but the property will be sold, the Phillips family announced on social media. Phillips has one traditional full-service location left, located on East Pratt Street in Power Plant Live in Baltimore, as well as a spot at BWI Airport.

Don’t Forget

Stews & Brews, otherwise known as the Easton Beer Fest, is planned for February 19 at the Easton Volunteer Fire Deparment. The festival has become the season’s destination for great beer and a great time. Stews & Brews will feature 25 craft brewers, wineries, and distillers, with unlimited tastings. Ten restaurant/ caterers will offer samplings of stews to festival goers. A tasting glass and stew sampling is included with your ticket. Food only (non-drinking) tickets are also available. Restaurants/caterers will have small plates for sale as well. facebook.com/EastonBeerFest

Annapolis Restaurant Week is scheduled for February 26–March 2, 2022. Although participating restaurants hadn’t been published as of press time, there’s bound to be some fabulous deals on prix fixe two-course breakfasts and lunches and three-course dinners. downtoanannapolispartnership. org/annapolis-restaurant-week

From the Bar: Feel the Heat

The average temperature in February in Maryland doesn’t even hit 45F (it’s 44.8F, in case you’re wondering), which generally means we’re finding ways to stay warm. Enter the hot toddy, a surefire way to ward off a chill.

This hot beverage originated centuries ago in India, but as the British Empire was wont to do, they took the drink and claimed it as their own. Hot toddies are purported to be a remedy for the common cold, but that might just be wishful thinking (though it’s never a bad idea to sip on hot fluids when you’re feeling under the weather).

Varieties abound, but hot toddies typically consist of hot water, some form of whiskey, honey and lemon, with some warming spices such as ginger and cinnamon in for good measure. Some people like to substitute hot tea for water—whatever sounds good to you sounds good to us. If you want to really mix things up, try out this version that uses Fishers Island Lemonade as a base.

Hot Lemon Toddy

Serves 1 6 ounces Fishers Island Lemonade Original 1 ounce whiskey 2 cinnamon sticks Lemon slice

Simmer the lemonade and cinnamon in a saucepan. Remove the cinnamon stick and pour into glass. Add a 1-ounce floater of whiskey.Garnish with a cinnamon stick and lemon wheel.

Recipe and photo courtesy of Fisher’s Island Lemonade, filemonade.com.