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Kent Island Has Eateries with 'Narrows' Views
 | | Beth Rubin | | Kent Island diners feast on marina views. |
When I crave a getaway but lack the time for a day trip to St. Michael's or beyond, I cross the Bay Bridge for a meal with a view. A leisurely lunch or dinner overlooking the Bay and a stroll along the water morphs into a mini-vacation, leaving me refreshed, energized and able to face whatever awaits me on my return.
Here are a few of my favorite waterfront restaurants on Kent Island.
(A word to the wise: Between May and October, I urge you to plan your mini-escape on a weekday. Beach-related back-ups Friday through Sunday are a given. If you're locked into weekends, go Saturday for dinner or Sunday for lunch. Fagettabout Fridays as the eastbound traffic snarls begin early in the morning.)
Annie's Paramount
Steak and Seafood House 500 Kent Narrows Way North Grasonville, 410-827-7103, www.annies.biz
Voted Best Restaurant 7 years straight. Award winning steaks and seafood complimented by beautiful waterfront views of the Kent Narrows. Featuring Prime Angus Beef, Fresh Seafood and Pasta. Wine Spectator “Award of Excellence”. Voted “Most Romantic Restaurant”, “ Best Restaurant” Queen Anne’s County, Zagat Rated.
Hemingway's, Pier I Marina, 357 Pier 1 Rd. (parallels Route 50), Stevensville. 410-643-2722.
Papa—overseeing the dining scene from a large poster—would be pleased. Owner Bianca Arentz pays homage to her favorite author who, as the menu notes, had a "passion for fine food, drink and fellowship." Hemingway's has an unparalleled view of the Bay Bridge and setting sun, especially from the enclosed porch (make a reservation!) or the seasonal Lola's Tropical Bar & Grill, downstairs. At Lola's, sip a sundowner, order light fare or crack crabs at a picnic table a few feet from the water (strictly first-come, first-served). The culinary influences of the Florida Keys and Caribbean are obvious in the jerk and blackened seasonings and fruit-laced sauces. My papa says the fried oysters are the best around, the cornmeal batter crunchy and greaseless. I bow to his expertise in such matters. Seafood is a sure bet. Try the oysters (any way), broiled catfish, crab cakes or salmon in phyllo. Make Papa happy and order a slice of key lime pie.
Harris Crab House 433 Kent Narrows Way North (Exit 42 off Route 50) Grasonville, 410-827-9500, www.harriscrabhouse.com
On the north end of Kent Narrows, next door to the W.H. Harris Seafood processing plant which opened in 1947, sits Harris Crab House. The restaurant boasts large upper and lower decks, some of the freshest crabs and local catch on the Bay, and ambiance out the wahoo, I mean, wazoo. Friday nights, in season, those in the know line up for the Oyster Buffet. The menu has barbecued chicken, ribs and other selections for carnivores. The kids menu, for tots 10 and younger, includes an entree, fries, applesauce, ice cream and a drink. If you're coming by boat, there is public docking.
The Narrows 3023 Kent Narrows Way South, Grasonville. 410-827-8113. www.thenarrowsrestaurant.com.
If you want to pick crabs, go elsewhere. Having dispensed with that caveat, let me say that The Narrows is one of my favorite restaurants on the Eastern Shore. Dine on the deck or at a window table in the attractive dining room and watch the boats traversing tricky Kent Narrows. The kitchen aims to please all appetites and pocketbooks. So you can come here for a drink and appetizer(s), have lunch (Monday through Saturday), enjoy Sunday brunch, opt for a light supper in the $12-$16 range (Monday through Saturday from 4pm to closing), or go for broke with a multi-course dinner that includes salad, rice or potato, and a vegetable. Do try at least one of the following: seasame-crusted seared Ahni tuna, cream of crab soup, fried green tomatoes, crab omelette, oysters Benedict, crab cakes, pecan-crusted catfish, shrimp scampi. A children's menu, for kids 12 and under, is available Monday through Friday from 4:30 to 6:30pm. Kids 5 and under eat for free. Honest. Reservations are strongly recommended.
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