If you’re looking for a romantic place to bring your sweetheart for the most amorous day of the year, then there are plenty of places in the Annapolis area eager to cater to you. First, Osteria 177 on Main Street will offer a three-course candlelit meal with a complimentary Moscato toast after dinner. The meal costs $75 per person. Paladar Latin Kitchen and Rum Bar in the Towne Centre plans to offer a Valentine’s Day special that revolve around chocolate, such as cocoa-dusted Lamb Shank with white chocolate polenta. There will also be fish, dessert, and rum-based drink specials, but specifics had not been determined as of press time. As a bonus, couples that dine at Paladar on Valentine’s Day will receive a complimentary salsa/Latin dance voucher.
But perhaps dining out on Valentine’s Day isn’t the pinnacle of romance for you and your love—maybe you would rather stay in and create a gourmet meal for two. During the early days of February, Baltimore International College is offering two different Valentine’s Day-themed classes as part of its spring 2011 Food Enthusiast Classes. On February 6 and 10, attend the Valentine’s Day chocolate course. This three-hour class is taught by a Baking and Pastry Chef who will teach you how to prepare chocolate confections for your valentine. On February 3 and 10, learn how to prepare a Valentine’s Day dinner for two that includes foods known for their aphrodisiac qualities. The college also has upcoming St. Patrick’s Day food courses. For more information, visit Bic.edu.
Sick of hearing about Valentine’s Day? How about some non-love food news? There’s a new executive chef at The Rockfish in Eastport. Chef Sean Holland recently took over the kitchen at the restaurant on Severn and Second Street. A native of Texas, Holland spent eight years in Philadelphia, working notable restaurants, such as Moro, The Farmhouse, and Ameritage Bistro. After spending two years working on the Eastern Shore, Holland made his way to Annapolis. At The Rockfish, he focuses on offering seasonal, fresh, local, and sustainable food. The menu changes seasonally, but winter dishes included a creamy polenta with wild mushroom ragout, duck confit with cranberry beans and butternut squash, and grilled mountain brook trout with a pear vinaigrette.
Annapolis’ Main Street continues to undergo many changes with establishments opening and closing. One of these new establishments will be a Jimmy John’s franchise, a sandwich shop set to open in March. Kyle Murphy from Cambridge, Mass., owns the franchise, which will replace Ben & Jerry’s.
Finally, have you been looking for great cream of crab soup? Grocery store Graul’s in Annapolis now carries Cream of Crab soup from Annie’s Paramount Steak House in Grasonville on the Eastern Shore. The soup, which was previously only available on the Shore, was developed by owner Michael J. Katinas. He plans to expand the soup’s distribution to other retail locations in the near future.
