Savor the Chesapeake

Restaurant news and culinary trends throughout the Chesapeake Bay region

By Megan Kotelchuck

We are very lucky to live in a region with so many delicious dining options. We also have new places for cocktails and light fare opening, old favorites reopening, contest winners announced, culinary events, and more. Take a look!

On the Dining Scene...

 Annapolis Restaurant Week began February 25th, but continues through March 5th. Grab your family and friends and enjoy prix fixe menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at more than 40 participating restaurants in Annapolis (pictured: salad at Carpaccio). This year, select locations will also offer carry-out deals to enjoy at home! Find more information and participating restaurants at downtownannapolispartnership.org.

A new 1920s themed cocktail bar opened in Downtown Annapolis in November: Parley Room. Parley Room is a sophisticated, 30-seat cocktail bar located on the ground level of the Capital Hotel (formally State House Inn) and can be entered at 25 State Circle in Annapolis. Enjoy one of their many signature cocktails, build your own charcuterie board, or enjoy their light fare. Find more information on their Facebook page.

In September 2021, beloved Chris’s Charcoal Pit in Annapolis closed its doors because of the damage caused by a tornado in the area. But this past December, the Greek, American, and Italian restaurant announced that they will be reopening in a new location! Chris’s will be opening at 3283 Solomons Island Road within the Market South River Colony Shopping Center in Edgewater. Find more information on the website, chrischarcoalpit.com.

Last holiday season, The Irish Restaurant Company hosted its first-ever Galway Bay Irish Eggnog Cocktail Recipe Contest and have just announced their winner! The contest asked aspiring bartenders and eggnog enthusiasts to create a unique cocktail featuring Galway Bay Authentic Irish Eggnog. After 32 entries were received and tasted by expert bartenders at each of The Irish Restaurant Company’s locations (Killarney House in Davidsonville, Galway Bay Irish Pub & Whiskey Bar in Annapolis, Brian Boru Irish Pub in Severna Park, and Pirates Cove Restaurant and Dock Bar in Galesville), Nancy Solem’s Chocolate Mint Nog was announced the winner. Solem, of Glen Burnie, used Galway Bay Eggnog, chocolate mint liqueur, dark rum, and shaved chocolate in her recipe to claim the title. Susan Canter of Davidsonville earned second place honors with the Banana-nana Nog (Eggnog, banana liqueur, and chocolate syrup).

Drink Up...

Looking for a little luck this St Patrick’s Day? Well, let’s see if these recipes help.

The Lucky Irish Girl Cocktail

INGREDIENTS

1 ounce Baileys

1/2 ounce Kahlua

1/2 ounce Frangelico

2 ounces Milk of choice Green Food Coloring

Instructions

Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with a little ice. Shake, strain, pour, and bottoms up!

Recipe courtesy of fitnessista.com

Shamrock Sour

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons Lime Juice

1/2 tablespoon Lemon Juice

1/2 cup Simply Syrup

2 ounces Irish Whiskey

1 tiny drop of Green Food coloring Lime Wedges for garnish

Instructions

Combine ingredients and shake well. Strain over ice. Garnish with a lime wedge and a shamrock stirrer.