After steady growth over its first six year, Annual Annapolis Restaurant Week promises to be bigger and more ambitious than ever.
The event, held from Monday to March 1, includes 43 restaurants and the sponsor, the Annapolis Business Association, hopes to surpass 50 in 2016.
“This year we’ve increased the pool of opportunities, including once again restaurants outside the Annapolis city limits,” said ABA President Sean O’Neill. “Annapolis Restaurant Week has become so popular that last year, diners reported difficulty with obtaining reservations. With more restaurants participating, that shouldn’t be a problem.
“We’ve added some diversity this year, with Indian cuisine from india’s of Annapolis and Latin-themed food from Paladar Latin Kitchen,” O’Neill said.
While there are more restaurants, there won’t be an increase in prices. The ABA says meals will cost the same as they did last year: $12.95 for a two-course breakfast, $15.95 for a three-course lunch and $32.95 for a three-course dinner.
With more and more restaurant-goers enjoying eating breakfast out, establishments like 49 West and Miss Shirley’s have seen an increase in their breakfast business and both are offering breakfast during restaurant week. At 49 West, start with the fruit cup and then have one of their excellent quiches. A visit to Miss Shirley’s should include the carrot cake steel-cut oatmeal followed by the chicken and waffles.
Other West Street participants include Luna Blu, Ram’s Head Tavern, India’s, Tsunami, Metropolitan Kitchen and Lounge, Crush Kitchen and Wine House, and Paul’s Homewood Cafe.
At Luna Blu, a good bet for a first course would be their popular Crab Bruschetta. Then follow it with either the veal or chicken picatta. Diners can’t lose with either the tiramisu or the zabaglione for dessert.
In New Orleans, lagniappe is the word for something extra — nice and unexpected. Both Rams Head Tavern and India’s are offering a little bit of lagniappe to their restaurant week patrons. At Rams Head, a draft Fordham or a specialty beer cocktail will be included in addition to the three planned courses. Also, try the Cream of Crab soup to start and the Fresh Herb-Rubbed Grilled Pork Chops (with lemon couscous salad) next. No way to end that meal other than with their famous Peanut Butter Pie.
India’s is celebrating their first year of participating in restaurant week by offering not only some tasty Indian bread with the three-course meal, but they’re adding in a free glass of wine as well. Recommended would be the samosas and the Lamb or Chicken Tikka Masala.
Visitors to Tsunami will want to consider starting with the Shrimp and Scallop Potstickers and then having the Burnt Chili NY Strip Steak as a main course. Banana Lumpia is recommended for dessert.
Chef Steven Grant of Metropolitan Kitchen and Lounge was excited to plan some special treats for restaurant week.
“I’d recommend the Ahi Tuna Tostadas or the Shrimp and Grits Cakes as well as the Metropolitan Bistro Filet with Chimichurri Sauce,” he said. “I’m also making a Matcha Creme Brulee for dessert.”
Grant adds that matcha is a current culinary trend finding its way onto lots of menus. Metropolitan also has as one of its main course choices a vegetarian treat, Bangkok Tofu and Quinoa Stir Fry.
At Crush Kitchen and Wine House, they’re adding an amuse bouche (tidbit served at the beginning of a meal to stimulate the palate) to the three-course meal. Their crab dip would be a good choice as a first course and the Wild Mushroom Cassoulet recommended for a main course, particularly for vegetarians.
If you venture a bit farther out West Street, you’ll find Paul’s Homewood Café, a destination spot for delicious Greek food. Recommended to start would be the Grilled Oysters with Chipotle Old Bay and Bleu Cheese Crumbles. Then order the Meze Platter that will allow diners to choose three of their Greek specialties. Try the spanakopita, the pastitsio and the moussaka, then finish with a tasty Greek pastry.
Expanding restaurant week has meant that a number of Parole-area eateries are participating this year. In addition to The Melting Pot, several restaurants at Annapolis Towne Centre will offer restaurant week specials: Brio Tuscan Grille, Gordon Biersch, and Paladar Latin Kitchen and Rum Bar.
“We’re excited to be able to join restaurant week this year, and we look forward to showing off our recently revamped menu,” said Paladar manager Danielle Stevens.
She recommends starting with the Mojo Pulled Pork Tostones, then moving on to the Braised Beef Ropa Vieja, and finishing with the Butterscotch Rum Bread Pudding.
Back down West Street, two popular Park Place restaurants are on the list of restaurant week participants: Fado Irish Pub and Carpaccio Tuscan Kitchen. At Carpaccio, a good bet would be the spinach salad followed by either Veal Marsala or Eggplant Parmigiana.
Perennial favorite Severn Inn always plans something special for restaurant week and this year is no different. Recommended as a first course would be the Clams Casino and Baked Oysters. Then join them in going southern with roast chicken served with mashed potatoes, green beans and a buttermilk biscuit. Finish that tempting meal by having some carrot cake with pecan brittle.
Since the beginning of Annapolis Restaurant Week in 2009, several Annapolis-centric establishments have participated, but this year the recently opened Blackwall Hitch has joined in as well. Suggested for diners going to Blackwall Hitch would be opening with their Yukon Potato Leek Soup with Vermont Cheddar, moving on to the Carolina Shrimp and Grits (with jumbo shrimp, shallots, tomato, Andouille sausage, a Lemon Chardonnay Broth, and grits made with cheddar and parmesan). Try finishing with the apple dumpling.
Main Street in Annapolis is not just a magnet for visitors from all over the world, but it’s a popular destination for locals as well. Several Main Street restaurants are once again involved with restaurant week, including O’Brien’s and the Treaty of Paris. At the former, consider Oysters Rockefeller to start and the Sliced Steak Bordelaise with broccoli and mashed potatoes. A light dessert in the form of sherbet will be served.
The beautiful and historic Treaty of Paris is offering a most attractive restaurant week menu, including Fried Prawns Wrapped in Shredded Phyllo Dough (served with a Coriander Lime Sauce) and Grilled Sirloin with Port Wine Jus and Caramelized Shallots. Finish with the White Chocolate Creme Brulee.
(Other participating Main Street restaurants include Acme Bar and Grill, Cafe Normandie and Buddy’s Crabs and Ribs. A number of other downtown restaurants also are joining in; see the website in the When You Go box for the complete list.)
With so many delicious dishes available at these and other participating restaurants, local diners would be wise to “go early and go often.” Good food and good value, a winning combination.
Terra Walters is a freelance writer and editor based in Annapolis. She reviews restaurants for Entertainment.
WHEN YOU GO
WHAT: Seventh annual Annapolis Restaurant Week.
WHEN: Monday, Feb. 23 through Sunday, March 1.
COST: $12.95 for breakfast, $15.95 for a two-course lunch and $32.95 for a three-course dinner.
RESERVATIONS: Reservations are strongly recommended. The phone numbers of participating restaurants are provided on the restaurant week website, and most participants provide direct links for reservations and information about the special menus on that site.
MORE INFO: http://www.annapolisrestaurantweek.com.
http://www.facebook.com/annapolisrestaurantweek, @annaprestweek on Twitter
