Local Food Finds

Your weekly dose of some cool food and dining finds around town

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• The not-so-secret afternoon taco shop, El Oso, opened this past weekend, serving authentic Mexican food out of Naval Bagels in Annapolis. Bagels by day, tacos by night – what better way to utilize a restaurant?! Be sure to try their birria (flavorful beef slow cooked in a consumé) tacos, served on a corn tortilla with onions, jalapenos, and cilantro or their chicharones (deep fried pork belly) dipped in guacamole.  To satisfy your sweet tooth, order a horchata and churros to share (or not).
  • Tip:  Get an extra side of red salsa – it’s delicious and has some heat packed in it!  
  • Note:  It’s card only, closed on Sunday’s, and have limited indoor seating

• Nothing Bundt Cakes is running their Books and Bundts Youth Reading Program from now until June. For every month your child reads 400+ minutes, they will receive a free bundtlet and certificate! There is a reading tracker for your child to fill out and turn in – you can pick up the form from Nothing Bundt Cakes in Annapolis or email annapolis@nothingbundtcakes.com.

• Lunar New Year is this Saturday, February 10. For some folks, having dumplings is a tradition because they resemble little pots of gold or money pouches – by eating them, it’ll bring fortune and prosperity in the coming year. You can find dumplings at Fuwa Sushi, Ramen, and Dumplings in the Annapolis Mall – they have lots of dumpling options to choose from, like their spicy shrimp and pork wonton dumplings, pork and vegetable dumplings, pan fried chicken and vegetable dumplings, pan fried pork and vegetable dumplings, and even deep-fried shrimp and pork wonton dumplings!

• Hey Swifties! Just kidding. The Super Bowl is this Sunday, February 11. Here’s a couple restaurants doing parties and/or take-out deals:
  • 100 Lots Kitchen + Bar: Platters of Beef Wellington bites, shrimp cocktail, and charcuterie boards.
  • Bayside Bull: Smoked chicken wings, buffalo chicken dip, Maryland crab dip, homemade kettle chips with French onion dip, BBQ ribs, hummus, open pit beef or turkey sliders, steak and cheese egg rolls, BBQ bourbon meatballs, and loaded potato skins.
  • Bread and Butter Kitchen: Homemade chicken tenders, street taco bar, chili bar, dip platters, spinach and artichoke dip, buffalo chicken dip, and chili and cheese dip.
  • Full On Craft Eats & Drinks: Wings and buffalo chicken dip.
  • Main & Market: Sticky sriracha and honey chicken wings, hot Chesapeake Bay crab dip, Hawaiian sliders, pepperoni strombolis, veggie crudite, chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter icing, and iced football sugar cookies.
  • URBurger: Wings and a Big Game party box (includes cheeseburger sliders, wings, homemade Old Bay chips, and pickles).

• Valentine’s Day is right around the corner next Wednesday, February 14. If you’re still looking for somewhere to take that special someone, here’s a couple of restaurants with deals for two. Check out their websites or call for more information and to reserve your seats!
  • 100 Lots Kitchen + Bar: $68 for 2, 3-course meal
  • Acqua Al 2:  $95/person, 5-course meal
  • All American Steakhouse Edgewater: $75 for 2 people, 3-course meal (can also do carry out)
  • Cafe Normandie – $125/person, 4-course meal
  • Julep Southern Kitchen & Bar: $90 for 2 people, 3-course meal (also offered on Thursday, February 15)
  •  Leo:  $100/person, 4-course meal
  • Lasang Pinoy: $120 for 2 people, 4-course dinner + 2 glasses of wine (offered through Sunday, February 18)
  • Lure’s Bar and Grille: $110/person, 4-course bourbon dinner paired with 4 high end whiskeys
  • Skipper’s Pier Restaurant & Dock Bar: $130 for 2 people, 4-course meal + 2 bubbly drinks (offered through Sunday, February 18)
  • Yellowfin Steak & Fish House:  $60/person, 3-course meal (offered Friday, February 9 to Sunday, February 18)
  • The Lodge Annapolis is having a post-Valentine’s Day (Thursday, February 15) 5-course wine dinner experience for $145/person