Local Food Finds

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

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Newest restaurant on the block in West Annapolis, Chessie’s Wharf, officially opened yesterday! A combo of RaR’s locations in Cambridge, MD, the Annapolis taproom and restaurant concept features 38 local beers on tap, build-your-own beer flights, non-alcoholic brews, cocktails, mocktails (there’s a butter beer one!), and delicious food. The interior is beautiful, with glass doors that open up to a giant, heated patio. Try their infamous Chessie Burger (house beef blend, American cheese, butter bun, with toppings – you can get it in a single, double, or triple), fried crab balls (crab, imperial sauce, bread crumbs, crackers, and cocktail sauce), and drunken tots (tots, mozz cheese, bacon, beer cheese, scallions, with sour cream – can add chili, chicken, or crab meat). In a rush?  Order beer to-go at their kiosk for pick up. Hours are Monday to Thursday from 11AM-9PM; Friday-Saturday from 11AM-11PM; and Sunday from 11AM-9PM.

Looking for a unique food and drink pairing event? Here are two upcoming local events to check out:

• On January 23, The Blackwell Barn and Lodge, is hosting Sip and Slices, a casual cocktail-style event where you can sample Chef’s featured flatbreads and wine pairings from the Jackson family. $60.00/person plus fees.
• On January 25^th, Level – a small plates lounge, is hosting an exclusive bourbon experience featuring four courses paired with curated, creative bourbon cocktails. $80/person.

Looking for a kid-friendly, casual indoor place to eat that’s low cost for everyone? Here are three options if you’re not super picky:

• McDonald’s in Edgewater (113 Mitchells Chance Rd, Edgewater, MD 21037) has an indoor play place.
• Chick-fil-A in Edgewater (3220 Solomons Island Rd, Edgewater, MD 21037) has an indoor play place (closed on Sunday’s).
• Westfield Annapolis Mall has lots of kid-menu-friendly, low-cost dining options – like Chipotle (the build your own tacos is a fave), Chick-fil-A, Noodles and Company, Sbarro, and China Wok – eat a quick bite, then head over to the Anne Arundel County Public Library, Discoveries Library (near Crate & Barrel), where you can check out free books while watching your kid(s) play in the play area (there’s a kitchen, trains, building toys, puppet theater, etc.) – if you time it well, you can even attend a free program, like Family Storytime or Toddler Time. There’s also the mall PlaySpace by Build-A-Bear; a large fish tank that was featured on the show, Tanked, that kids like to run around; and a trackless train (for a fee). 

Hidden Gem + Happy Hour Holler: Check out Jalapeños, located in the Annapolis Forest Plaza for traditional Spanish and Mexican cuisine. Their happy hour features an extended food and drink menu (with most food prices ½ off, served tapas style) – some food faves include the Gambas al Ajillo (shrimp sauteed in olive oil, garlic, herbs, and tomato, finished with dry sherry), Albondigas de Pollo (Spanish-style chicken meatballs sauteed with almonds and Spanish brandy cream sauce), and Guacamole “Oaxaca” (made to order with cilantro, onion, jalapeno, tomato, and avocado served with chips in the traditional molcajete [stone mortar]). And of course the sangria is a must-order! Happy hour runs Sunday-Thursday from 4-6pm and Friday-Saturday from 3-5pm.

 Save the Date! Annapolis Restaurant Week is February 24– March 3. Participating restaurants will offer prix fixe menus for you to enjoy. You can indulge in a two-course breakfast between $9.95 and $15.95, a two-course lunch between $12.95 and $19.95, or a three-course dinner between $29.95 and $39.95. Some restaurants even have additional bonus specials!