Category Archives: Happenings

Why I’m participating in Annapolis Restaurant Week.

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Simply put – to support the community we live in. (And because it’s our monthly “Friends Night Out” outing.)

I’m not participating because I want to try a restaurant; I’ve been to all but one participating place. I’m going because a lot of these places are rather empty during the week. And I’m going to tip generously (if the service is decent) because the employees rely on those tips for income.

There are many observations I’ve made with this year’s promotion. And here they are:

First, two of the “hottest” restaurants in town are not on the list: Red Red Wine and Level. Why? Is it because they didn’t want to pay money to those organizing the efforts? Possibly, and I don’t know that I’d disagree with them if that was their reasoning.

Or maybe because they won’t pay to advertise and don’t need gimmicks to get people in their door? Guess what guys? I don’t think Annapolis Restaurant Week is a great thing either, but I’m partaking because I’m supporting our community. And quite frankly, I think you should, too.

Second, Vin 909, who, in my not-so-humble opinion, is the best restaurant in town, is participating. AND they’re including a glass of wine with your meal. (side note, John Barry, inside the O’Callaghan’s is also including booze!) AND the dinner menu gives you an entire choice! Proof again that they know what they’re doing. They keep it real and stay one step ahead of the game. I bet there’s a wait every night of the week for a table. And that wait will totally be worth it.

Third, the menu for Rams Head leaves a lot to be desired. You get a choice of soup for lunch plus a specific dish. For dinner, it’s a set menu. Period. End of discussion. No option. No Fordham draft included. When a senior person within Rams Head is also spearheading Restaurant Week, you’d think the options might be better. Right?

Fourth, my personal favorite restaurant in town is not participating. I’m not sure if they were approached as the focus this year is on downtown but I’m rather disappointed to not see them on the list. I obviously don’t need an excuse to dine at Sin Fronteras, but I think it’d be great exposure for them. If you haven’t been, you’re missing out. Just keep in mind that he’s able to keep his prices reasonable because his rent is extremely low. When you visit, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. And if you still don’t believe me, just check out their yelp reviews. For dessert, go next door and buy yourself a 40. They have the largest selection in town… chilled and ready to enjoy!

Osteria and Aqua Terra… y’all could use some business… you should have said yes!

So what do you think? Are you participating… and if so, where ya headed?

I sort of feel like the whole concept of restaurant week has run its course. If it’s gonna happen again for 2013, I have some ideas…

Save the cheese steak eggrolls.

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It’s been seven or eight months since Annapolis experienced one of the saddest tragedies since I’ve lived here. I’m not going to go into it, because at the end of the day, two young people lost their lives. I’ve long been a believer that when it’s your time to go, it’s your time to go. And that’s that. And while we should all take actions to lower the risks, at the end of the day, we have no control. I am in no way, shape or form, condoning the actions of those who broke the law. I just want people to take a step back and think.

While I originally intended for this post to come later, I thought today would be a good time. Tonight, Acme Bar’s disciplinary hearing continues at 7 pm at City Hall.

I have absolutely no idea what has been said and what the status or charges are, but I’m here to share what I do know. (And apparently there were two bars visited that night per this article.) First hand, from my own experiences. I am certain that this post will spark some debate, disagreement, etc. And for clarification, I don’t frequent the establishment very often… it’s not really my scene. I think some of the staff can at times be arrogant. But I’d say 85% of my visits have been positive experiences. So, here is what I want to share:

  • I know that the management and owners have never once denied a request to support any of the local charities I’ve been involved with.
  • I know that one of the management team members is a social worker at CASA during the day.
  • I know that I have been rejected entrance to the establishment because I did not have my ID, despite my wrinkles and crows feet. (And I’ve been admitted to other establishments without an ID.)
  • I know that they now have ID scanners and that no other restaurant in the City does.
  • I know that no single restaurant owner wants to be fined, have a bad rap, or welcomes problems and legal issues.
  • I know that they have some of the most delicious bar food ever. Their cheese steak egg rolls, while not very good for you, are absolutely delicious.
  • They have the second best homemade ranch dressing in town. (I’m not giving credit to the best because they have crappy service and they’ll get their own review later.)
  • I have witnessed Annapolis police officers pull over intoxicated drivers and call a cab for the drunk person (and move the car for them.)
  • I have seen the City ignore violations by other establishments.

So. Before you pass judgement, please remember the above mentioned points. And before you start throwing stones, keep in mind that the bouncer who allowed his underage sister in that night, will have to live with his decision. For the rest of his life. I’m not sure about you, but I know that no money in the world could ever fix that feeling for me.

$17M renovation. Not money well spent.

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Disclaimer. I’m a downtown resident. I know that I have to compromise a few things for the luxury of being able to walk home to use the ladies room instead of standing in line. I get it. And I appreciate that I’m right here in the thick of it. (Obvi. Or I wouldn’t have the content for this here blog.)

A few years ago, about $17M was spent redoing Gate 1 to the Naval Academy. (Affectionately referred to as the Nasal Cavity.) You know, the gate that is at the end of King George where all the kids get dropped off.  I’m not sure whose $17M it was (clearly, not mine!) but that’s a lot of money. So you’d think that after making that type of investment, they’d kindly inform these fine future leaders of America that they are to be dropped off INSIDE this fancy new area. Right?

Instead, the Mids prefer to say their 12-minute goodbyes and swap spit while parked “to the side” (which is essentially in someone’s front yard) and cause a traffic jam (and subsequent horn honking) on Randall St. (Randall is the street leading in to town that no one knows the name of.)

On the 19th, the City of Annapolis will be hosting a Public Presentation: “Circulation and Safety Study of Downtown Annapolis, and Memorial Circle: Conceptual Scenarios for Improvements”. The city has hired Sabra, Wang & Associates and some design firm to tell them how to fix the “inevitable traffic conflicts”. I’m curious to see if they evaluated one of the high traffic times… late Sunday night and all the other random times Mids have to be back on the Yard. All 4,000 of them. All at the same time.

Something tells me all that money spent and they missed it. Just look at the bottom of this page. They list five agencies. But nothing in reference to the school. If the City and USNA are going to work together, do you think that someone in uniform will be present at the presentation on the 19th? (Your’s truly has it on the calendar- let me know if you’d like to join!) Why can’t they drill it in their heads to use the drop-off space? That’s why $17 MILLION was spent. Duh. Even I can comprehend that.

JLA’s Ship Shape this Saturday, January 14th!

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Junior League of Annapolis, Inc. (JLA) is an organization of women committed to Promoting voluntarism, Developing the potential of women and Improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.

The organization focuses on women and children in Anne Arundel County.

If you have children, or know of children, or are responsible for their care, come out for Ship Shape, a health fair for kids, this Saturday, January 14 from 9a-1p at the Pip Moyer Rec Center.

It’s  FREE.

For more information, visit: http://jlannapolis.org/jla/npo.jsp?pg=event&eventid=1443