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Crab Is in Good Company on the Arundel Menu
Jalapeños (85 Forest Dr., Annapolis, 410-266-7580, www.jalapenosonline.com) may sound Mexican, but there are as many tapas and Andalusian preparations as there are fajitas and enchiladas. The shopping center location has a Spanish flair, with a floor-to-ceiling fountain in the entrance, stucco walls, wrought-iron chandeliers and a double-sided fireplace. The Pachanga Grill (8395 Piney Orchard Pkwy., Odenton, 410-551-9318) and Broadneck Grill (1364 Cape St. Claire Rd., Annapolis, 410-757-0002) offer Mexican fare.
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Reynolds Tavern (7 Church Cir., Annapolis, 410-295-9555, www.reynoldstavern.org) offers a real English tea with crust-trimmed (of course!) tea sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam with tempting house-made sweets, including tiny tarts and chocolate-dipped strawberries, all served on proper china and accompanied by your choice of tea served in individual pots or champagne. There are also tearoom-style salads and sandwiches on the lunch menu. The oldest tavern in Annapolis also serves dinner Wednesday through Saturday nights.
Aqua Terra of Annapolis (164 Main St., Annapolis, 410-263-1985, www.aquaterraofannapolis.com), with its Asian-inspired cooking, draws a young, upscale crowd. An expansion into the adjacent storefront means there is more breathing room between the tables and a sound level more tolerant of conversation. Northwoods (609 Melvin Ave., Annapolis, 410-268-2609, www.northwoodsrestaurant.com) is known for its fixed-price dinners featuring French and northern Italian cuisine at a charming house off the beaten tourist path. Paul's Homewood Cafe (919 West St., Annapolis, 410-267-7891) is noted for its soft-shell crab sandwiches at lunch and homey desserts at dinner. Sunset Restaurant (625 Greenway, Glen Burnie, 410-768-1417, www.sunsetrestaurant.com), a glorified New Jersey-style diner specializing in seafood and Italian dishes, was once a gathering place for politicos in Anne Arundel County and is still a favorite of the locals. The Sputnik Cafe (1397 Generals Hwy., Crownsville, 410-923-3775, www.sputnikcafe.com) has Cold War-era decor and an eclectic menu. In contrast, the Sly Horse Tavern (1678 Village Green, Crofton, 410-721-4550, slyhorsetavern.com) draws inspiration from the Revolutionary War for its Williamsburg-style tavern. Potato Valley Cafe (47 State Cir., Suite 100, Annapolis, 410-267-0902, pages.annearundelcounty.com/dining/potato.htm) serves oven-roasted baked potatoes with your choice of toppings, from butter and sour cream to Cuban chicken with chili lime sour cream and cheddar. The line is often out the door. Buddy's Crabs & Ribs (100 Main St., Annapolis, 410-626-1100, www.buddysonline.com) is on the second floor of the building at the base of Main Street, overlooking the City Dock. This restaurant's motto is "We Love Kids," and the balloons and lots of distractions for the youngsters back that up. There is a children's menu that includes burgers and fries.
In some nearby areas, few restaurants open for Saturday and Sunday lunch. But that is prime time in Annapolis, especially near the waterfront. Middleton Tavern (2 Market Space, Annapolis, 410-263-3323, www.middletontavern.com) is one of several restaurants near the City Dock offering an extensive brunch (including oysters in season), and it has a children's menu, too. Another is McGarvey's Saloon & Oyster Bar (8 Market Space, Annapolis, 410-263-5700, www.mcgarveyssaloon.com). In the Eastport section of Annapolis, the Wild Orchid Cafe (909 Bay Ridge Ave., 410-268-8009, www.wildorchidcafe.net) is a brunch favorite, as is Sam's Waterfront Cafe in the Chesapeake Harbour development (2020 Chesapeake Harbour Dr., Annapolis, 410-263-3600, www.chesapeakeharbour.com/restaurant.html).
Just received a promotion? Survived the annual Polar Bear swim? Settled on that new boat? Carrol's Creek Waterfront Restaurant (410 Severn Ave., 410-263-8102, www.carrolscreekcafe.com), which is newly renovated, is a great place to gather with friends to mark the occasion. The bar seats used to be the best in the house; now every table in the house and on the deck has a great view of Spa Creek and the million-dollar babies that pass by. Fish is a big part of the menu, but there are many tempting meat preparations, and the vegetarian risotto could be dished up in Venice.