Treaty of Paris
By Gilles Syglowski
16 Church Cir
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 216-6340
historicinnsofannapolis.com
I believe it was about five years ago when I last visited Treaty of Paris. The restaurant has seldom changed overall, but I did notice something new. In the time since my last great dining experience, the Restaurant Association of Maryland has inducted Treaty of Paris into the Hospitality Hall of Honor. Located inside the Maryland Inn, the four-star Treaty of Paris restaurant is a well-known dining establishment in Annapolis, dating back to the 18th century. The restaurant takes its moniker from the famous treaty signed in 1783 by the United States, France, Spain, and the Netherlands, which acknowledged U.S. independence. Signees of the treaty included John Jay, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin, all of whom supped at this historic restaurant celebrating the American victory over the British in the Revolutionary War. It is even rumored that George Washington stayed at the inn. The Maryland Inn along with it’s historic sister properties, the Governor Calvert House and the Robert Johnson House, form the Historic Inns of Annapolis, where guests enjoy modern features and amenities amidst the rich traditions of this charming seaport community.
My dining partner and I began our meal, sharing a very smooth and creamy crab bisque: its perfect texture, rich in lump crab, was kissed with a sprinkle of Old Bay seasoning. For our second appetizer, we chose another local favorite, the shrimp cocktail. Five large, steamed shrimp were crowned in a cup and dressed with a regal remoulade sauce and a classic tartar sauce.
Following this fantastic start, we tried Treaty of Paris salad, which in my opinion was the hit of the entire dinner: very tender baby spinach leafs delicately tossed in a light and perfectly seasoned balsamic vinaigrette with grilled onions, toasted pine nuts, and chevre cheese. What a delight! Although escargots (which I looked forward to) were absent from the starters menu, we found the selection quite light and representative of local specialties.
As for our entrees, we decided to choose original dishes versus staples. Our first choice was the stuffed chicken breast; featuring two tender medallions, stuffed with artichoke, apple-wood smoked bacon, and smoked Gouda cheese. The medallions were served atop mashed potatoes. We found it scrumptious and flavorful, but recommend the addition of a light sauce that could potentially complement the potatoes in the dish. For our second entrée choice, we settled on the Sheltbourne shrimp pasta; a penne pasta dish sautéed with Andouille sausage, large shrimp, fresh vegetables, tomatoes, and blanketed in a light cream sauce. It was simple magnificence.
Afterwards, it was time for my favorite course of the dining adventure: dessert. We shared two. An incredible bread pudding made with the restaurant’s renowned popover rolls and mixed with light vanilla custard, served with fresh strawberries. Simply delicious. And we tried the Crème Brûlée: a classic I’ve enjoyed in many restaurants. This one was perfectly prepared.
For wine enthusiasts, Treaty of Paris offers a nice selection by the glass ranging from $7 to $9.50, including a Beaujolais Nouveau that my friend enjoyed very much. There is a nice, but not overbearing, list of wines by the bottle as well, ranging from $25 to $91: a taste for all palates.
Treaty of Paris is a landmark in Annapolis and will remain so. Smith, our waiter, provided utmost care and attention on this evening out, and the warm, rustic décor and overall ambiance was very inviting. Executive Chef Allison Trainor continues to uphold the tradition of a great dining experience, for which the restaurant has long been known.
When to Enjoy:
Breakfast: Sat. & Sun. 8 –10:30 a.m.
Lunch: Sat. & Sun. 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m.
Dinner: Tue.–Sat. 5:30–9 p.m.
Expect to Pay:
Starters: $6–12
Salads: $6–10
Entrées: $15–26
Gilles Syglowski is a Certified Executive Chef, Certified Culinary instructor and a food Service consultant. He is a graduate from the Lycee d'Enseignement Professionel Hotelier in Metz France. He is currently the General Manager of the Woman's National Democratic Club in Washington DC. Mr. Syglowski has more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry.
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