World Cup Cookout

It's because of my Dad that I'm a soccer fan. So of course we had to watch the World Cup with him.

As you now know, we lost. What a bummer! But it was a good, very sportsmanlike game and Japan got to celebrate a victory which is a positive. After the game, we enjoyed a family cookout.

My Mom has a dynamite kitchen. I love cooking in it, but cooking in another's kitchen is always a mixed bag. Like playing an away game on a stranger's home turf. It's not your choice of utensils or ingredients. Still, we managed just fine...

Caprese salad with homegrown tomatoes and basil

on the grill

Improvised Elote

 mild Italian sausages with condiments

... after all, it's not really about the end result, it's all about the game. Regardless of how the food looks, it's all about spending time and socializing with family and friends.

Downtown Detour

When I heard about the new Metropolitan Kitchen & Lounge, I looked at the menu first. The choices enticed me. Then I saw the beer list and I was really intrigued.

With my love of creamy, malty ales, I first tried the Anderson Valley Summer Solstice Cream Ale. The beer was good and a bit of a mystery. Dark and smoky, but somehow still summery.

The kitchen was running a bit slow tonight, for which our waiter graciously apologized, so we sampled another beer. I wanted to try the Brooklyn Lager, but our waiter talked me in to the Brooklyn Summer Ale. Another mysteriously summer-y ale, with hops and malt playing nicely together, which is hard to do.

Our small plates came out and they were worth the short wait! The mac and cheese was just what the menu promised. Nutty and creamy aged cheddar. What is the green sauce? I don't know, but it was tasty.

Aged Cheddar Mac & Cheese

On to the chicken & waffles. This sweet but oh-so-savory dish is made perfect by the rosemary-infused maple syrup. Think: pancakes and maple bacon, but less salty and more crunchy.

Chicken & Waffles

We finished our drinks on the rooftop just to take in the view.

Basil growing on the rooftop of Metropolitan

Normally, yelling out on the street as a form of advertising doesn't grab me, but on the long walk back from Metropolitan, somehow it worked.  We were invited into level for a cocktail and couldn't resist.

zested citrus fruit on the bar at level

My husband saw Applejack on the wall and craved a cocktail, so he told the bartender "Surprise Me!" good thing:

Applejack Cocktail

I tried the deconstructed pina colada. Pineapple, coconut, and just the right hint of lime.

deconstructed pina colada

In downtown Annapolis, detours can lead you to unexpected and awesome places.

Reviving the Market House

It's back.

Native Annapolitans are attached to memories of the old Market House, and if I may be so bold, I think the mayor is with them. From pieces of the plan I heard today, I'm hoping "Phase Two" will be a direct response to all the whispers in the crowd saying "It's not the old market house."

For the next six months, we have this Market House, and that's what so many locals came out to see earlier today. Today's Market revived the community feel with local businesses striving towards sustainability.

The biggest change came when you walked through the door. Cold. Ah, that blissful air conditioning. Right now, there's not really any inside seating but I hope that changes so diners can soak up the cool while they enjoy their food.

I was excited to finally try b.b. bistro - it's right around the corner from us but only open while we are at work, so we haven't been by yet. I was refreshed by a sweet-and-sour berry iced tea and a cold salad.

Leafy Green Romaine! You know how I feel about that. :)

My chicken Caesar salad came ready in a to-go container and featured a light version of Caesar dressing, home-made croutons, and may I say leafy green romaine lettuce. The container made dressing it easy, just pour and shake! I did feel I had to do some of the work cutting up my chicken breast, but I was appeased by the freshness of it. The salad was crafted in-house, not store-bought preserved food thrown together. That's really what you look for in a local restaurant and that's why I have hope in the future of this new Market House.

It's only been one day, but from my experience I think it was a good one. Will the good luck stick?

What did you think of opening day?

Day Tripping to City Tavern

This morning I had the best breakfast ever! It's all because yesterday we visited our colonial cousin, Philadelphia. We stepped back in time and dined with our Founding Fathers at City Tavern.

City Tavern is modern fine dining in the very building where the signers ate and drank - with the very food and drink they may have enjoyed. Like Gadsby's in Alexandria, City Tavern wants for you to have the most historically accurate meal possible while still affording you the conveniences of modern life, like air conditioning and credit cards. This means the recipes, tableware, furniture, and even the colonial garb of the waiters are carefully researched and crafted.

Even the beer has a history.

1.George Washington's Tavern Porter 2.Thomas Jefferson's 1774 Tavern Ale 3.Poor Richard's Tavern Spruce 4.Alexander Hamilton's Federalist Ale

The Tavern offers a Beer Sampler of the Ales of the Revolution from Yards Brewing Company. The two beers that really stand out are based on real revolutionary-era recipes. Washington's Porter somehow retains lightness against the deep taste of molasses. Its dark and malty but not heavy. Poor Richard's has a woody, smoky quality that sits on the back of your tongue and makes you wonder until you can't help but take another sip. (a hint: it's the spruce) We felt Jefferson and Hamilton's ales were good, but more like beers found in the modern era.

Before the meal, we were offered a selection of warm colonial breads. As soon as the pewter plate hit the table the fragrance of spices filled the air. Suddenly, it was a warm autumn day in a baker's kitchen. I could have sat there sniffing that perfumed air all day. A little butter made each slice a piece of heaven.

Pecan Sweet Potato biscuits, Spiced Molasses bread, and Colonial White Bread

I debated on ordering the rack of lamb, but it just didn't seem to be uniquely City Tavern. I wanted something historic and complex that said "Here I am in Philly and I'm so glad I made the trip (as if the bread didn't already win me over)." I settled on the same dish as my last visit: chicken Madeira.

Chicken Breast Madeira

Colonists may not have known what umami is, but they sure nailed it. Colonial food is full of rich gravies and dressings, and Madeira sauce is no exception. The earthy mushroom demi-glaze with a sweet tang of Madeira wine smothers chicken and mashed potatoes. The chicken is a full breast butterflied and perfectly cooked to be moist - no waste and no shortcuts. The mashed potatoes below are simple and not heavily seasoned. Rather than taking attention away from the sauce, they are the perfect sponge to get every last drop off the plate.

The mashed potatoes, Madeira sauce, and chicken played together wonderfully and the dish was just what I wanted.

Another round of those tasty breads came out with the food but we didn't have any room in our tummies to even consider touching it, so our nice waiter packed it up for us to take home. And this morning, I ended our meal in our own colonial hometown with crunchy pecan sweet potato biscuits and dark spicy molasses bread.

A trip to City Tavern is worth the $20 in tolls.

Because History tastes good.

Annapolis Irish Festival

We arrived at the festival at gate's opening and spent the morning exploring. I got my first taste of Ireland for the day with a Club Rock Shandy, a refreshing citrus soda with little bits of pulp, much like Orangina. Club sodas from Ireland, unlike most sodas this side of the pond, have very little sodium, so you actually feel refreshed when you finish the can.

We snagged The Rovers new CD from Jennifer, along with her signature, and our mission that morning became clear: we were on a scavenger hunt to find all The Rovers and get their autograph on Buy Us A Drink. From one stage to the other and across the fairgrounds, we were successful.

Satisfied with our morning victory, our plan was to grab an Irish lunch at Galway Bay during the heat of the day, so we left the grounds of the Festival for a bit. Disappointment met us in Downtown Annapolis when we found the power was out. The poor Galway staff were outside sweating and letting customers know they were closed. Who would have thought the staff at the festival would be cooler than the ones in the restaurant? I feel for the business the pub must have lost, but know we'll be back to make up for it.

Heading back to the festival, we set out our lawn chairs amongst the crowd in a shady spot. First, the Screaming Orphans. Cute, peppy, upbeat Irish girls singing pop music. I love the delicate sound they produce by harmonizing their voices. The Orphans had an amazing energy to them, their performance was a crescendo of animation, their drummer pounding wildly away and engaging the crowd to clap, dance, and sing.

I hadn't been able to find their old album East 21st Street anywhere, so I was happy to pick it up from the merch stand. The girl at the stand said the Orphans would be down after their performance for signing. And there we have it: another mission. With patience, we succeeded again.

The Rovers kicked off their performance rocking out on the bagpipes. The fiddle, drums, and guitar had the crowd buzzing as performers from other bands were invited onstage. As the sun went down, the rock concert feel took over and we couldn't help but abandon our comfy chairs to stand below the stage.

The lights, the sound, and the pounding of the ground got us pumped for the After Party at Fado Irish Pub.

I must say, Fado handled the crowd really well this time - we've attempted entry into the packed restaurant before on nights that the Rovers are playing to find an overbooked madhouse, but tonight the After Party was well-managed. There was room to stand and service from the bar was doable. We waited it out to the fun sounds of Icewagon Flu and our patience paid off when the Screaming Orphans left their table to mingle with the crowd before their set. We got the table where they had been sitting! Is that Irish luck?

Somehow, Screaming Orphans and The Rovers mustered the energy for another performance. They looked great from where we were sitting, but I imagine after such a long, hot day they must have been tired. What stamina musicians have.

After a day in the heat we had built up an appetite, so we ordered an Irish feast from our attentive waitress. My favorite from Fado is the potato wedges served with savory cheese dip. Salty and starchy, a perfect pub food.

The beer: Harp. My first Irish beer of the day, which is something I hope changes at the second annual Annapolis Irish Festival. Many other Celtic events are sponsored by Guinness, so why not ours? My only real disappointment with the festival itself was the lack of more authentic Irish food and drink (except, of course, my beloved club rock shandy.)

A woman and fellow festival-goer at a neighboring table ordered sliders that were delivered incorrectly, so Fado gave her another whole plate that she couldn't eat. She graciously offered the "extra" plate of sliders to us for free. More luck! She chatted with us for a while and we bought her a Guinness in return for her gift. What are strangers for?

Overall, the First Annual Annapolis Irish Festival was refreshing in its infancy. The vibe of the day was really focused on the music and the community that surrounds it. The Rovers asked the crowd, "Will you come again next year?" I say: yes.

Sipping on the Severn

Fourth of July weekend is a time to be proud we live in a colonial city that was paramount in the American Revolution. Local crabs and beer are plentiful. The meaty and woodsy scent of barbeque wafts over both land and sea. Sailboats and powerboats alike dot the horizon, filling up rivers, channels, and Chesapeake Bay. Tourists fill up the city dock while the locals scatter to waterfront dining that is off the beaten path.

Severn Inn is located aside the Route 2 bridge

Yes, we locals know the best place to survey the panoramic view of Historic Annapolis in all its glory is relaxing on the deck at Severn Inn. And smart locals sometimes get lucky enough to beat the crowds by going the day before a holiday.

Locals fishing under the bridge

The Inn's over-water deck offers lite fare that is just as delicious as the full menu indoors, yet for many dishes, more affordable. The sunshine and bay breeze are added bonuses. Today, the wind was perfect for sailing... and sail-watching.

Schooner Woodwind in full sail on the bay

The bar boasts micro-brews on tap, some local to Maryland and some to other coastal states. I had trouble deciding between the Blue Point Toasted Lager and the Victory Prima Pils, so our nice waiter offered me samples of both.

Toasted Lager (left) and Victory Pilsner (right)

The pilsner was light and refreshing, but with the bitter aftertaste of hops that my Dad loves so much (but I don't particularly care for). In the end, I chose the Toasted Lager. This golden brown lager did have a nutty, toasted flavor to the body but with a very smooth finish. What can I say? I like my beer smooth.

My husband and I ordered burgers. I mean, can it get more American than burgers and beer this Fourth of July? Not much. Waiting for our meal was the best part. The breeze blew strong and cool, clouds parted, the sun came out to shine, and some beautiful sails glided past us on the Severn River.

8 ounces of meaty Angus beef

On so many menus, the words "Grilled Angus Beef Burger" - along with the price tag - promise a level of flavor that just isn't fulfilled. That is not the case at Severn Inn. Every bite of their Angus burger lives up to the name and the price. In fact, being a pretty picky eater, it's not often that I leave a completely clean plate at restaurants, but this afternoon there was not a crumb to be seen. Our waterfront lunch was worth every penny.

Beautiful sailboat crosses the view of Annapolis

The food at Severn Inn is top notch, but the best part is location(x3). Even on a cloudy, muggy, rainy day, the view just can't be beat.

Close-up sailboat

We beat the crowd and the storm today, as the strong winds have now brought thunderclouds over Annapolis. A free show is the best ending to a beautiful, lazy Sunday afternoon.

Really enjoyed the Toasted Lager, anyone know where I can find it around here to take home?
Update: Found Blue Point Toasted Lager at Dawson's Liquors in Severna Park, MD thanks to a hot tip from senior blogger AnnapolisDrinks Dave over at The Noble Experiment. Thanks all!