Church dinners in Southern Maryland are a great way to get your fill of delicious food. Some folks make the rounds during dinner season - crab cake dinners in the summer and oyster dinners in the fall. At many of these dinners, the food is served family style; at some, buffet style. I hit the oyster dinner at St. George's today (family style) and had my first fried oysters of the season.
Today's dinner included fried oysters a plenty, stuffed ham, and roast turkey breast. Sides included parsley potatoes, green beans, pickled beets, applesauce (cinnamon and sugar), dill pickles, dinner rolls. Once things got underway, our servers kept the hot oysters coming and they were delicious (although not as good as my dad's oysters - his are well-seasoned and crispy, not at all greasy). I know things are busy in the kitchen during these dinners, but fried oysters really need to be drained on paper towels or even paper bags for just a few seconds to get rid of excess oil before they are served. Additionally, the serving bowls need to occasionally be wiped out between refills to absorb excess oil. Guess I can't complain too much as it's been years since I worked at one of these events.
The pickles were a real disappointment. Mrs. Barnes, a black woman in her 80s, has made bread and butter pickles for the church dinners at St. George's for years. Honestly, I can sit there and eat beets, her home-made pickles, and oysters and forget about the other food. I knew by the look that the pickles at today's dinner were not hers but I put several on my plate anyway. I ate one - it was awful! I must ask her for a jar of pickles as a special treat. If I'm successful in acquiring a jar, I will not be sharing them. Oh no!
I'm not much for plastic ware - it you're going to use it, get the good stuff. Hubby actually broke his fork today. Good thing he was about finished with his dinner. Kudos to the servers - many parish members, students who will be confirmed in the near future, and volunteers from the Paul Hall Center.
I purchased an applesauce cake from the baked goods table and sent it home with my dad. Hope it was good!
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Di Giovanni's Restaurant, 14556 Solomons Island Rd, Solomons, MD
It's been a couple of years since our last visit to Di Giovanni's Italian Restaurant. I wanted some place special to celebrate my daughter's completion of courses required for her graduate degree! The restaurant is open Tuesay through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. for breakfast and unti 8:00 p.m. for dinner. Chef-owner Jack Batten buys local and updates the restaurant menu frequently. The Chef also offers cooking classes, 4-or-5 course meals demonstrated (and participatory if you're so inclined) and served for your dining pleasure, along with a recipe booklet and his special tips. There's one coming up on 18 October called "Mother Sauces" for $40 and includes tomato, brown, bechamel, volute, and hollandaise - make the sauces and learn what to do with them. Visit http://www.digiovannisrestaurant.com/.
I'm sure Solomons was crowded during the Patuxent River Appreciation Days celebration this weekend but our timing was perfect arriving around 6:00 p.m. on Sunday evening with only a few tables taken. We were seated promptly in the dining room and enjoyed the water view overlooking the deck dining area while our server fetched our wine and beer. The menu changes every few days based on the freshest seafood and produce available. There were 8-to-10 appetizers from shrimp, to baked brie, to Oysters Chesapeake (which we tried - half dozen for only $6). There were also soup and salad options and entrees ranged in price from $12-to-$20 with several pasta options, crab cakes, and steak. Sandwiches with a side of fries could also be ordered any time of day and prices were very reasonable.
Fragrant, hot bread arrived at our table shortly after the drinks. There were two olive oil options at the table, one rosemary infused which was my choice. Bread - without asking (+); hubby asked for more bread when the entrees arrived and our server comlied with the request within minutes (++). The Oysters Chesapeake were gorgeous to behold and tasty to eat. Freshly shucked oysters on the half shell were topped with bread dressing, crab, and corn and served piping hot. There were three large lemon wedges on the serving plate and the dish was sprinkled with parsley. I had manicotti, two large pasta rounds stuffed with cheese and topped with homemade sauce that was excellent. Hubby had crab cakes and said they were the best he's had in a while - he likes them with some breading and seasoning, not a fan of a cake of lump crab meat heated and called a crab cake. The celebratory girl was thinking of shrimp scampi but since she's allergic to shrimp asked if the chef could make a clam sauce (which wasn't on the menu) instead. Our server asked and the chef seemed happy to comply. The dish of pasta with butter/garlic sauce was surrounded by clams in the shell - lots of them! Our graduate girl's friend ordered the Chicken Chesapeake sandwich - grilled chicken with crab and cheese on a sub roll. Before I had a chance to take a good look at it, he had polished off all but the last bite and said that it was good. The fries were thick and golden. Di Giovanni's was as good as I remembered; consistency - it's a good thing!
Our server apologized for being short staffed Sunday evening. As more diners entered, it became clear that he could not manage on his own and the chef pitched in. It was quite nice to have the chef working the dining area as well as the kitchen. Our server was very polite and hustled to make sure we were satisfied - kudos (+). We were there as night set in and dim wall lights were turned on to illuminate the dining room. The only drawback to the entire evening were the slamming doors - the main entrance to the restaurant and the doors to the deck. Honestly, if I had a screw driver I would have taken a stab at adjusting them.
I'm sure Solomons was crowded during the Patuxent River Appreciation Days celebration this weekend but our timing was perfect arriving around 6:00 p.m. on Sunday evening with only a few tables taken. We were seated promptly in the dining room and enjoyed the water view overlooking the deck dining area while our server fetched our wine and beer. The menu changes every few days based on the freshest seafood and produce available. There were 8-to-10 appetizers from shrimp, to baked brie, to Oysters Chesapeake (which we tried - half dozen for only $6). There were also soup and salad options and entrees ranged in price from $12-to-$20 with several pasta options, crab cakes, and steak. Sandwiches with a side of fries could also be ordered any time of day and prices were very reasonable.
Fragrant, hot bread arrived at our table shortly after the drinks. There were two olive oil options at the table, one rosemary infused which was my choice. Bread - without asking (+); hubby asked for more bread when the entrees arrived and our server comlied with the request within minutes (++). The Oysters Chesapeake were gorgeous to behold and tasty to eat. Freshly shucked oysters on the half shell were topped with bread dressing, crab, and corn and served piping hot. There were three large lemon wedges on the serving plate and the dish was sprinkled with parsley. I had manicotti, two large pasta rounds stuffed with cheese and topped with homemade sauce that was excellent. Hubby had crab cakes and said they were the best he's had in a while - he likes them with some breading and seasoning, not a fan of a cake of lump crab meat heated and called a crab cake. The celebratory girl was thinking of shrimp scampi but since she's allergic to shrimp asked if the chef could make a clam sauce (which wasn't on the menu) instead. Our server asked and the chef seemed happy to comply. The dish of pasta with butter/garlic sauce was surrounded by clams in the shell - lots of them! Our graduate girl's friend ordered the Chicken Chesapeake sandwich - grilled chicken with crab and cheese on a sub roll. Before I had a chance to take a good look at it, he had polished off all but the last bite and said that it was good. The fries were thick and golden. Di Giovanni's was as good as I remembered; consistency - it's a good thing!
Our server apologized for being short staffed Sunday evening. As more diners entered, it became clear that he could not manage on his own and the chef pitched in. It was quite nice to have the chef working the dining area as well as the kitchen. Our server was very polite and hustled to make sure we were satisfied - kudos (+). We were there as night set in and dim wall lights were turned on to illuminate the dining room. The only drawback to the entire evening were the slamming doors - the main entrance to the restaurant and the doors to the deck. Honestly, if I had a screw driver I would have taken a stab at adjusting them.
Cafe des Artistes, 41655 Fenwick St, Leonardtown, MD
Cafe des Artistes is one of my all-time favorite restaurants and has been ever since Chef Loic Jaffres and wife Karleen opened the upscale bistro more than 10 years ago. It's the perfect place to celebrate a birthday or anniversary, to take out-of-town guests for a special treat, or just to relax and enjoy a good meal. The Cafe is part of "buy local" - Southern Maryland chefs purchasing produce from local farms and orienting their menu to show off what's in season. The Cafe's menu is available at http://cafedesartistes.ws/. There's always a special that's well worth the adventure. The restaurant is open for lunch Tuesday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.; dinner Tuesday through Saturday 5:00 until 9:00 p.m.; and for Sunday brunch and dinner 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Outside dining is available and they have an area heater that makes it pleasant even as the evening turns chilly.
Appetizers include foie gras, escargots, crab dip, shrimp, pate, cheese plate, and more ranging in price from $9.50 to $16.00. Soup is always french onion and soup of the day. The french onion is divine but I've become more adventurous in my old(er) age and have recently gone for the soup of the day which has never disappointed and usually includes local ingredients. You have a choice of house or Ceasar salad (always my favorite) and now you can make either a meal by topping with the protein of your choice: chicken breast, jumbo lump crab, seared tuna, salmon, or NY strip ($12-to-$18 depending upon your combo). Dinner entrees ($20-to-$28) satisfy even the most discriminating taste and include dishes of steak, crab, lamb, veal, pork, shrimp, lobster, scallops, salmon, tuna, as well as vegetarian options of portobello mushroom in pastry and eggplant napoleon. Seriously, is there anything else that you can think to include?! The dessert menu also includes tasty treats like profiteroles, apple tarts, creme brule, and limoncello at an average $6 cost.
By the way, the Cafe offers local wines and always has live music on Friday and Saturday evenings. Randy Richie on the piano makes for very enjoyable dining.
We stopped by the Cafe at 8:30 Friday evening following First Friday in Leonardtown. Some members of our group dined a little earlier but everyone moved inside when we gathered following the music events. The Cafe staff quickly seated us at a round table large enough to accommodate eight of us. Everyone ordered drinks, four of us ordered late dinners. The Cafe uses fabric table cloths so the condensation on my water glass had a place to go (+). The carrot ginger soup was absolutely fabulous - I could have eaten two or three bowls of it and been in a very happy place - it was a thick puree and very hearty. I also had a classic Ceasar salad; who doesn't like the taste of anchovies? Given the late hour, I did not want to overdo it with a heavy meal (so I'll have to return soon). Hubby had the prime rib and it was strange that he didn't clean his plate. He said it was a little fatty and that can't be hidden by the aromatic peppercorn sauce. The warm bread with plenty of butter was delicious - bread without asking (+). I was disappointed not to have silverware available when the soup was served (-). Actually, I think my mouth dropped open in disbelief ... one of my favorite restaurants and I've always commented on the top notch service. Hopefully this was just an off night. Hubby says we arrived at 8:30, toward the end of the evening. Doesn't matter to me - we deserve the same fine food and wonderful service at those who arrived at 5:30, or 6:30, or 7:30.
One of my very favorite dishes at the Cafe is the seared ahi tuna. Take half of it home and put it in the frig. Cut it into cubes a day or two later and serve it as an appetizer with Pampered Chef's Ginger Wasabi sauce. This is A++.
Appetizers include foie gras, escargots, crab dip, shrimp, pate, cheese plate, and more ranging in price from $9.50 to $16.00. Soup is always french onion and soup of the day. The french onion is divine but I've become more adventurous in my old(er) age and have recently gone for the soup of the day which has never disappointed and usually includes local ingredients. You have a choice of house or Ceasar salad (always my favorite) and now you can make either a meal by topping with the protein of your choice: chicken breast, jumbo lump crab, seared tuna, salmon, or NY strip ($12-to-$18 depending upon your combo). Dinner entrees ($20-to-$28) satisfy even the most discriminating taste and include dishes of steak, crab, lamb, veal, pork, shrimp, lobster, scallops, salmon, tuna, as well as vegetarian options of portobello mushroom in pastry and eggplant napoleon. Seriously, is there anything else that you can think to include?! The dessert menu also includes tasty treats like profiteroles, apple tarts, creme brule, and limoncello at an average $6 cost.
By the way, the Cafe offers local wines and always has live music on Friday and Saturday evenings. Randy Richie on the piano makes for very enjoyable dining.
We stopped by the Cafe at 8:30 Friday evening following First Friday in Leonardtown. Some members of our group dined a little earlier but everyone moved inside when we gathered following the music events. The Cafe staff quickly seated us at a round table large enough to accommodate eight of us. Everyone ordered drinks, four of us ordered late dinners. The Cafe uses fabric table cloths so the condensation on my water glass had a place to go (+). The carrot ginger soup was absolutely fabulous - I could have eaten two or three bowls of it and been in a very happy place - it was a thick puree and very hearty. I also had a classic Ceasar salad; who doesn't like the taste of anchovies? Given the late hour, I did not want to overdo it with a heavy meal (so I'll have to return soon). Hubby had the prime rib and it was strange that he didn't clean his plate. He said it was a little fatty and that can't be hidden by the aromatic peppercorn sauce. The warm bread with plenty of butter was delicious - bread without asking (+). I was disappointed not to have silverware available when the soup was served (-). Actually, I think my mouth dropped open in disbelief ... one of my favorite restaurants and I've always commented on the top notch service. Hopefully this was just an off night. Hubby says we arrived at 8:30, toward the end of the evening. Doesn't matter to me - we deserve the same fine food and wonderful service at those who arrived at 5:30, or 6:30, or 7:30.
One of my very favorite dishes at the Cafe is the seared ahi tuna. Take half of it home and put it in the frig. Cut it into cubes a day or two later and serve it as an appetizer with Pampered Chef's Ginger Wasabi sauce. This is A++.
Charlie's Deli, 19661 Three Notch Rd, Lexington Park, MD
The talk at work for several months has been about the food at Charlie's Deli (formerly Peck's Tavern), about 3 miles south of Hermanville Road on the rt 235 side of St. Mary's County. I finally got the chance to have lunch there this week - 12 diners total. I was delighted by the updated look and freshness of the place. We arrived at 11:15 a.m. with reservations for our group so we ate in the "back room" which was delightful (spacious and clean). The deli has no liquor license and the bar has been replaced by an ice cream counter (Hershey's hand dipped ice cream as well as ice cream cakes available). The place is open every day from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The deli boasts cold and hot sandwiches at lunch time and includes sides of baked beans, potato salad, macaroni/tuna salad, pasta salad, cole slaw, french fries, or chips. Cold deli sandwiches of roast beef, corned beef, turkey, tuna, slides ham, chicken salad, egg salad, blt, and grilled chicken are piled high and accompanied by cheeses, dressings, lettuce, tomato, and onion on a variety of breads. Hot sandwich specialities include buffalo chicken, steak and cheese, french dip, cordon bleu, tuna melt, pastrami, and more. Angus burgers can be adorned with cheese, chili, mushrooms, and bacon. Salad plates of tuna, chicken, taco, and plain garden are also options. Baskets of wings, shrimp, fish and chips, and chicken tenders are also tempting. Every single item on the lunch menu is less than $10!!!
Folks around me had a variety of sandwiches and all commented on how good the food was. One member of our group is a regular at Charlie's (at least once or twice a week) and said the potato salad is the best he's ever had. He had a grilled Reuben sandwich and said that he orders the Reuben every other week - keeps going back to a favorite but trys new things in between. I had the Taco Salad - tortilla chips, cheddar cheese, black olives, hot peppers, lettuce, tomato, onion, and homemade chili. Salsa and sour cream were served on the side. The Taco Salad was more than I could eat so toward the end of the meal, I picked out the parts that I liked the best - the chili, olives, and peppers.
The Deli has fabric tablecloths with paper placemats - nice for catching the condensation from my glass of water (+). Our server took drink orders and ensured that there was adequate silverware and appropriate condiments before our lunch orders arrived (+). The place was jumping but our server managed to slip back several times to fill drink glasses. We were able to pay individually and fairly quickly with no problem. On the way back to work at 12:30 I noted that the entire place was filled with people - the "back room" was filled and every seat in the main part of the restaurant was taken as well. Great business - I hope they continue the good food and fine service for a great price.
The deli boasts cold and hot sandwiches at lunch time and includes sides of baked beans, potato salad, macaroni/tuna salad, pasta salad, cole slaw, french fries, or chips. Cold deli sandwiches of roast beef, corned beef, turkey, tuna, slides ham, chicken salad, egg salad, blt, and grilled chicken are piled high and accompanied by cheeses, dressings, lettuce, tomato, and onion on a variety of breads. Hot sandwich specialities include buffalo chicken, steak and cheese, french dip, cordon bleu, tuna melt, pastrami, and more. Angus burgers can be adorned with cheese, chili, mushrooms, and bacon. Salad plates of tuna, chicken, taco, and plain garden are also options. Baskets of wings, shrimp, fish and chips, and chicken tenders are also tempting. Every single item on the lunch menu is less than $10!!!
Folks around me had a variety of sandwiches and all commented on how good the food was. One member of our group is a regular at Charlie's (at least once or twice a week) and said the potato salad is the best he's ever had. He had a grilled Reuben sandwich and said that he orders the Reuben every other week - keeps going back to a favorite but trys new things in between. I had the Taco Salad - tortilla chips, cheddar cheese, black olives, hot peppers, lettuce, tomato, onion, and homemade chili. Salsa and sour cream were served on the side. The Taco Salad was more than I could eat so toward the end of the meal, I picked out the parts that I liked the best - the chili, olives, and peppers.
The Deli has fabric tablecloths with paper placemats - nice for catching the condensation from my glass of water (+). Our server took drink orders and ensured that there was adequate silverware and appropriate condiments before our lunch orders arrived (+). The place was jumping but our server managed to slip back several times to fill drink glasses. We were able to pay individually and fairly quickly with no problem. On the way back to work at 12:30 I noted that the entire place was filled with people - the "back room" was filled and every seat in the main part of the restaurant was taken as well. Great business - I hope they continue the good food and fine service for a great price.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Chief's - Your Neighborhood Bar, 44584 Tall Timbers Rd, Tall Timbers, MD
We celebrated a birthday this evening at Chief's in Tall Timbers. You might miss the restaurant and bar unless you drive (or walk) around to the back of the grocery store to check it out. I'm not sure when the renovation occurred, but it's an update from late 80s/early 90s when my youngsters were at Piney Point Elementary School and Chief's was the hang out after the Parent Teacher Association meetings. A glass door at the end of the bar lets in plenty of light and provides an easy exit onto a deck for smokers. Check out Chief's website at http://www.wjdent.com/. Dave and Andy Dent own the place and it's one of the few spots in the county where you can purchase Southern Maryland stuffed ham. For those who remember Chief (a retired Navy Chief who became an icon at the bar - started working there after retiring from the Navy in the 1960s and bought the place in 1978) raise your glass in a toast to his memory!
There was a variety of food ordered at Chief's this evening: pizza, coconut shrimp, fish and chips, and cheese steak. The portions were generous - there's fish in my frig for lunch tomorrow and half of the cheese steak went home with the birthday girl. The pizza looked good and smelled great - it got a thumbs up from diners. I understand that the coconut shrimp was a little heavy on the dough which made it chewy but the diner said that it had good flavor - I think he's a young man of discriminating taste.
You may order a sandwich from the deli and bring it into the bar/restaurant area for dinner which one in our group chose to do. I forgot to ask how the sandwich tasted but it was piled fairly high with meat and shredded lettuce. I didn't notice any left-overs.
For a neighborhood hangout, Chief's was busy on a Wednesday night. The bar was full and there were at least 30 people at tables having dinner during the two hours that we were there. Starters include sides as well as appetizers and start at $1.79 for cole slaw, mid-range of $4.99 for onion rings or fried pickles (yes, fried dill pickle spears and they are delicious), and higher for crab dip or steamed mussels at $10.99, or a full pound of steamed shrimp for $15.99. Salads included garden and ceasar as well as grilled chicken and grilled shrimp salads and soups were clam chowder and seafood chowder. Entrees ranged from steaks, to shrimp, fresh catch, scallops, and crab cakes. (I'm waiting to see oysters on the menu and I'm sure it will happen. I hit Chief's twice this summer for soft crabs - not just a couple of dinky soft crabs but three legal size soft crabs on the dinner plate.) Sandwich specialties are the cheese steak, chicken cheese steak, stuffed ham, crab cake, fish, and burger.
I had a drink at the bar before the others arrived. Fast, friendly service but no cocktail napkin or coaster (-). Fortunately, I was sitting near napkins so I helped myself. When the birthday girl and family arrived and we sat at a table, we still got no cocktail napkins with our drink order. There are plastic/oilcloth covers on the tables so there's no place for the condensation on your beverage glass to go except on you. When the food was served, we didn't have enough place settings of silverware (-). That was quickly rectified but is one of my pet peeves. There is a roll of paper towels on each table so those eating finger food dug in without hesitation. This is the first time, in a long time, that I've been in a local restaurant and not have the server come to the table asking, "Who got the xxxx?" I was impressed that our server knew who ordered which dish (+).
Chief's is a neighborhood joint. If you're in the hood. stop by. It's worth a visit. Food is served Monday through Friday from 4:00 until 9:00 p.m. and from noon unti 9:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Try the stuffed ham sandwich - only $7.00 so you can afford a few fried pickles on the side. Get ready to pucker!
There was a variety of food ordered at Chief's this evening: pizza, coconut shrimp, fish and chips, and cheese steak. The portions were generous - there's fish in my frig for lunch tomorrow and half of the cheese steak went home with the birthday girl. The pizza looked good and smelled great - it got a thumbs up from diners. I understand that the coconut shrimp was a little heavy on the dough which made it chewy but the diner said that it had good flavor - I think he's a young man of discriminating taste.
You may order a sandwich from the deli and bring it into the bar/restaurant area for dinner which one in our group chose to do. I forgot to ask how the sandwich tasted but it was piled fairly high with meat and shredded lettuce. I didn't notice any left-overs.
For a neighborhood hangout, Chief's was busy on a Wednesday night. The bar was full and there were at least 30 people at tables having dinner during the two hours that we were there. Starters include sides as well as appetizers and start at $1.79 for cole slaw, mid-range of $4.99 for onion rings or fried pickles (yes, fried dill pickle spears and they are delicious), and higher for crab dip or steamed mussels at $10.99, or a full pound of steamed shrimp for $15.99. Salads included garden and ceasar as well as grilled chicken and grilled shrimp salads and soups were clam chowder and seafood chowder. Entrees ranged from steaks, to shrimp, fresh catch, scallops, and crab cakes. (I'm waiting to see oysters on the menu and I'm sure it will happen. I hit Chief's twice this summer for soft crabs - not just a couple of dinky soft crabs but three legal size soft crabs on the dinner plate.) Sandwich specialties are the cheese steak, chicken cheese steak, stuffed ham, crab cake, fish, and burger.
I had a drink at the bar before the others arrived. Fast, friendly service but no cocktail napkin or coaster (-). Fortunately, I was sitting near napkins so I helped myself. When the birthday girl and family arrived and we sat at a table, we still got no cocktail napkins with our drink order. There are plastic/oilcloth covers on the tables so there's no place for the condensation on your beverage glass to go except on you. When the food was served, we didn't have enough place settings of silverware (-). That was quickly rectified but is one of my pet peeves. There is a roll of paper towels on each table so those eating finger food dug in without hesitation. This is the first time, in a long time, that I've been in a local restaurant and not have the server come to the table asking, "Who got the xxxx?" I was impressed that our server knew who ordered which dish (+).
Chief's is a neighborhood joint. If you're in the hood. stop by. It's worth a visit. Food is served Monday through Friday from 4:00 until 9:00 p.m. and from noon unti 9:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Try the stuffed ham sandwich - only $7.00 so you can afford a few fried pickles on the side. Get ready to pucker!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
O'Lordans Irish Pub, 14 Liberty St, Westminster, MD 21157
If you have occasion to visit Westminster, put O'Lordans Irish Pub on your list of MUST stops. The stone building, circa late 1860s, has been renovated with style and a nod to the past. The Pub is owned and operated by Dave and Wendy Johansson - Wendy traces the O'Lordans name to her grandmother's family. O'Lordans is open every day except Monday. Visit their website at http://www.olordansirishpub.com/.
I was at Westminster to hear Ramblin' Jack Elliott at the Westminster Theatre. O'Lordans is just a couple of blocks away from the theatre. While indulging in Bushmills Irish Whiskey, we decided to stay around for dinner since the Pub seemed to be attracting quite a crowd. Food and service were both A++!
O'Lordan's offers a variety of soups and salads ranging in price from $3 for small portions to $5 for large soups and $4 to $9 for salads. We decided to share an appetizer instead of soup or salad and indulged in the Oak Smoked Salmon served with flat bread, capers, red onions, hard-boiled chopped egg, and chive cream. It was excellent! Other appetizer options were Irish Cheese Board, Crab Dip, Gaelic Prawns, Irish Whiskey Tenders, Onion Loaf, Potato Skins, and more. Most were between $8 and $12.
The guys (hubby and a SOMD friend that we met at the Pub) both ordered the Gaelic Strip - 14 oz grilled New York Strip topped with 3 jumbo shrimp in white wine butter sauce. The steak was accompanied by roasted red bliss potatoes and Dublinear asparagus gratin. All of this for $25.99 - the steak was melt-in-your mouth tender and the shrimp firm and full of flavor. I must try asparagus gratin in my kitchen - you can too, just pull out your favorite gratin recipe and add a little Irish cheese to it! Thanks guys for giving me a taste from your plates!
I ordered Duck Ravioli - duck confit stuffed home-made ravioli topped with butternut squash and sage sauce. (Giada DeLaurentis has a similar sauce that she uses over pasta with shrimp and I've used her recipe several times. This sauce was reminiscent of Giada's and was absolutely divine.) The ravioli was accompanied by string vegetables (what's the culinary term for carrots, zucchini, etc., cut in very thin strips and sauteed for just a few minutes?). The mound of vegies in the middle of the plate was tender crisp with just a hint of butter and really benefited from a brush of the ravioli sauce. This dish was heavenly!
The Pub menu also contained filet mignon, salmon, crab cakes, lamb, chicken, and pasta dishes. I will most definitely return to O'Lordans and try something else next time ... although that will be difficult if the Duck Ravioli is the speciality of the night again. There is also an abundant sandwich list with lots of side options. Specialty desserts included Irish Cream Cheesecake, Bread Pudding, Irish Mist Strawberry Shortcake, and Baileys Irish Cream Rice Pudding - we were too full to indulge.
Service was excellent, from the bar tender to the hostesses to our server. These folks were very pleasant, enjoyed their work, and were proud of the building and their menu. I did not, however, get a cocktail napkin (-) while in the bar or when seated for dinner; you know my pet peeves!
I was at Westminster to hear Ramblin' Jack Elliott at the Westminster Theatre. O'Lordans is just a couple of blocks away from the theatre. While indulging in Bushmills Irish Whiskey, we decided to stay around for dinner since the Pub seemed to be attracting quite a crowd. Food and service were both A++!
O'Lordan's offers a variety of soups and salads ranging in price from $3 for small portions to $5 for large soups and $4 to $9 for salads. We decided to share an appetizer instead of soup or salad and indulged in the Oak Smoked Salmon served with flat bread, capers, red onions, hard-boiled chopped egg, and chive cream. It was excellent! Other appetizer options were Irish Cheese Board, Crab Dip, Gaelic Prawns, Irish Whiskey Tenders, Onion Loaf, Potato Skins, and more. Most were between $8 and $12.
The guys (hubby and a SOMD friend that we met at the Pub) both ordered the Gaelic Strip - 14 oz grilled New York Strip topped with 3 jumbo shrimp in white wine butter sauce. The steak was accompanied by roasted red bliss potatoes and Dublinear asparagus gratin. All of this for $25.99 - the steak was melt-in-your mouth tender and the shrimp firm and full of flavor. I must try asparagus gratin in my kitchen - you can too, just pull out your favorite gratin recipe and add a little Irish cheese to it! Thanks guys for giving me a taste from your plates!
I ordered Duck Ravioli - duck confit stuffed home-made ravioli topped with butternut squash and sage sauce. (Giada DeLaurentis has a similar sauce that she uses over pasta with shrimp and I've used her recipe several times. This sauce was reminiscent of Giada's and was absolutely divine.) The ravioli was accompanied by string vegetables (what's the culinary term for carrots, zucchini, etc., cut in very thin strips and sauteed for just a few minutes?). The mound of vegies in the middle of the plate was tender crisp with just a hint of butter and really benefited from a brush of the ravioli sauce. This dish was heavenly!
The Pub menu also contained filet mignon, salmon, crab cakes, lamb, chicken, and pasta dishes. I will most definitely return to O'Lordans and try something else next time ... although that will be difficult if the Duck Ravioli is the speciality of the night again. There is also an abundant sandwich list with lots of side options. Specialty desserts included Irish Cream Cheesecake, Bread Pudding, Irish Mist Strawberry Shortcake, and Baileys Irish Cream Rice Pudding - we were too full to indulge.
Service was excellent, from the bar tender to the hostesses to our server. These folks were very pleasant, enjoyed their work, and were proud of the building and their menu. I did not, however, get a cocktail napkin (-) while in the bar or when seated for dinner; you know my pet peeves!
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