Prix fixe feasts
Annapolis Restaurant Week returns this weekend through March 3
Nearly three dozen restaurants are participating in Annapolis Restaurant Week, which begins on Saturday and runs through March 3.
This is the 16th year of the event, hosted by the Downtown Annapolis Partnership.
The 33 restaurants will offer prix fixe menus: two-course breakfasts for between $9.95 and $15.95, a two-course lunches between $12.95 and $19.95, and three-course dinners between $29.95 and $39.95. Some restaurants will offer additional specials.
“We all have our favorite restaurants we go to over and over again, so it’s kind of good to kind of find something new to try,” said Erik Evans, executive director of Downtown Annapolis Partnership. “During this time of inflation, we have kept the prices the same as the previous year to keep the event as affordable as possible for everyone to get out and enjoy our local restaurants.”
Restaurant Week is a good way for restaurants to serve dishes that are not normally on their menu and be “special and creative,” said Anthony Clarke, co-owner of Galway Bay on Maryland Avenue. As part
“During this time of inflation, we have kept the prices the same as the previous year to keep the event as affordable as possible for everyone to get out and enjoy our local restaurants.”
— Erik Evans, executive director of Downtown Annapolis Partnership
of their menu, Galway Bay will be serving a traditional lamb shepherd’s pie.
Shepherd’s pie, a traditional Irish dish, originally featured lamb as the common meat found in the dish; however, over time, beef became the meat more commonly used, Clarke said.
This year, three new restaurants are joining the event: Agave Mexican Restaurant and Tequila Bar, The Lodge Annapolis and Mother’s Peninsula Grille.
Four restaurants returning to the event after several years away include Main & Market, Annapolis Market House, Kitchen on West Street and Mi Lindo Cancun Grille, according to
Evans.
Main & Market has not participated in Restaurant Week since 2019, said Evie Turner, vice president of Main and Market Catering, Café & Bakery. Returning to one of Annapolis’ biggest weeks for restaurants this year “made sense” as they
plan to resume serving a full breakfast during the week, she said. During the COVID19 pandemic and the years after, Main & Market only offered breakfast on weekends.
“It’s what we are known for is that we’re open breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. So it kind of brings back some of the normalcy and [we are] looking forward to seeing our friendly faces in the morning from the customers,” she said.
During Restaurant Week, Main & Market will give customers a choice of a pastry and one of two entrees: crab Benedict or two eggs, sausage, bacon, pancakes and hash browns. For lunch, customers will get a cupcake of their choice and one of two entrees: a lamb gyro or a seafood platter.
Restaurants that can accommodate large parties are taking reservations. These include Blackwall
Hitch, Cafe Mezzanotte, The Lodge Annapolis, Luna Blu, Kitchen on West Street, and Middleton Tavern.
Restaurants such as Luna Blu and Carrol’s Creek Cafe are validating parking. Luna Blu is validating parking at Gott’s Court Garage and Carrol’s Creek Cafe is validating parking for up to 2 ½ hours.
Restaurant Week also is offering deals for wine drinkers. Chick and Ruth’s Delly is offering wine bottles for $14.99 daily. 49 West Coffeehouse, Winebar and Gallery is offering 25% off wine Monday through Friday. Elsewhere, restaurants such as Blackwall Hitch, Luna Blu, O’Brien’s Oyster Bar & Seafood Tavern and Paul’s Homewood Café are offering wine bottles at half price while the Melting Pot is offering half-priced wine bottles Thursday.
There also will be entertainment options during the week. Check individual restaurant websites for schedules. For menus, discounts, additional specials and gift cards, private dining options and a complete list of participating restaurants go to downtownannapolispartnership.org/annapo lis-restaurant-week.