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...

 O’Shucks Irish Pub in Centreville closed a couple days before this past Christmas. Owners Jennifer and Michael Brown have decided to take a step back so that they are able to spend more time on their newer endeavor: Sugar Doodles Sweet Shop. This sweet shop has two locations; one in Chester and another in Centreville. Since the closing of O’Shuck’s, Chef Joseph Zagami has opened his own Gastro Pub in that location.

Across the bridge, a new 1920s themed cocktail bar opened in Downtown Annapolis in November: Parley Room. Parley Room is a sophisticated, 30seat 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.

Titan Hospitality is drawing out the blueprints to expand their restaurant group to Downtown Columbia. Titan Hospitality currently consists of Blackwall Barn & Lodge (Gambrills), Smashing Grapes (Annapolis and Gambrills), and Blackwall Hitch (Annapolis and Alexandria, Virginia). The Founder and CEO of Titan Hospitality, James King, said that they are planning on opening a second Blackwall Barn & Lodge location, which is both a restaurant and event space, as well as a third location of Smashing Grapes, their wine-forward restaurant. Plans are for both restaurants to open later this year.

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).

Eat, Drink, and Be Entertained…

St. Michaels ChocolateFest: St. Michaels is hosting the town’s 5th Annual ChocolateFest on March 4th throughout downtown. Restaurant chefs will put together delectable menus to showcase chocolate inspired dishes and desserts. The Chocolate Crawl will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. until sold out throughout the town. Chocolate lovers can also enjoy shopping while sampling chocolates, desserts, locally crafted wines, beers, and spirits. Find more information at stmichaelsmd.org.

Drink Up...

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