Restaurant ideas for hubby's BDay

[CalvertNewbie]

Thanks for the ideas so far. I've been reading some great reviews on those places. I'm also considering Jake & Al's Chop house in Lusby or DiGiovannis in Solomons. Anyone been to either one of these places recently?

[otter (Premo)]

Originally Posted by CalvertNewbie

Thanks for the ideas so far. I've been reading some great reviews on those places. I'm also considering Jake & Al's Chop house in Lusby or DiGiovannis in Solomons. Anyone been to either one of these places recently?

Jake and Al's has always been hit or miss with us, sometimes a fantastic meal, sometimes the pits. DiGiovannis is more consistent, I believe.

[greyhound]

Originally Posted by otter

Jake and Al's has always been hit or miss with us, sometimes a fantastic meal, sometimes the pits. DiGiovannis is more consistent, I believe.

I have found the same with Jake & Al's. First time I went we coudn't get waited on....8 of us, so we left. Gave them another try and the food was good. Third time I went the food was not so good. Haven't been back.

I've been to DiGiovannis twice. Was not impressed, I've had much better Italian food at other places....out of county....

My list in Calvert:

Abners
West Lawn Inn
Stoney's Broomes Island
Jerry's seafood PF

I tried the new Bil Vil in North beach once, I'd like to give them another try...was just ok the first time.

[otter (Premo)]

Originally Posted by greyhound

I have found the same with Jake & Al's. First time I went we coudn't get waited on....8 of us, so we left. Gave them another try and the food was good. Third time I went the food was not so good. Haven't been back.

Last time to Jake and Al's was lousy service, food was okay..But had a great time at the end of the night when the esteemed Ms Vrai sat the server down and lectured him on good service for 10 minutes and advised him to get out of the business.

[greyhound]

Originally Posted by otter

Last time to Jake and Al's was lousy service, food was okay..But had a great time at the end of the night when the esteemed Ms Vrai sat the server down and lectured him on good service for 10 minutes and advised him to get out of the business.

Dinner theatre...

[CalvertNewbie]

Originally Posted by otter

Last time to Jake and Al's was lousy service, food was okay..But had a great time at the end of the night when the esteemed Ms Vrai sat the server down and lectured him on good service for 10 minutes and advised him to get out of the business.

That's great! Who wouldn't have enjoyed seeing that?! So it's really only worth going there if you're with someone who you know will create some entertainment.

So Jake & Al's may be out of the question, at least for a BDay dinner.

[CalvertNewbie]

Originally Posted by greyhound

I have found the same with Jake & Al's. First time I went we coudn't get waited on....8 of us, so we left. Gave them another try and the food was good. Third time I went the food was not so good. Haven't been back.

I've been to DiGiovannis twice. Was not impressed, I've had much better Italian food at other places....out of county....

My list in Calvert:

Abners
West Lawn Inn
Stoney's Broomes Island
Jerry's seafood PF

I tried the new Bil Vil in North beach once, I'd like to give them another try...was just ok the first time.

Yeah, we haven't had much luck finding great Italian food down here either. Another vote for West Lawn Inn, huh? It's pretty close to us and all the reviews I've read are pretty good (in past threads, too). I think we'll wind up going out Sunday night because so many places seem to be closed Monday nights.

Is Abners a little place in Chesapeake Beach, off the main road, right near the water park? If so, I've seen it but never been there.

[itsbob (Premo)]

Originally Posted by CalvertNewbie

Hubby's BDay is on Monday. I want to take him out to dinner, someplace with a nice atmosphere and great food/service. Waterfront would be great. Is it still possible to find all that? It seems everywhere we've gone lately, the service has been really crappy.

We don't eat seafood. His favorites are steak, chicken parm or chicken alfredo. Any recommendations? I wouldn't mind heading down to St Mary's if the place was worth the drive. I did a forum search and was thinking of maybe trying a Solomons Island place. TIA!

I see the food your hubby likes, but what kind of atmosphere does he like?

For example, I'd be much happier at a Pit BBQ on my birthday than someplace I'd be expected to 'dress up'. I'd rather go to a place I can lick my fingers if I want, then a place that expects you to use a finger bowl.

I think most people would prefer to go to a place where they can be themselves (and that maybe the finger bowl type).. though I guess some people to like to go out now and then and pretend to be something they aren't.

[ohstate]

I recommend Vincenzo's Grill in the Calvert Marina. They are having live music tonight IIRC (jazz from St. Mary's college). They serve consistently tasty italian/mediterranean food. I love the ravioli for italian. Last weekend they had an eggplant parmesean special that was really good. They also have steaks, lamb chops, and ossobuco (lamb shank) that my husband really loves. Get a reservation - ask for a table by the window and tell them that it is his birthday. While they have white table cloths, you don't have to get very dressed up unless you want to. Most guys are in khakis and a collared shirt (i.e. polo shirt). Heck, we walked in last week and sat at the bar after getting rained out of the river concert series.

Vincenzo's Grill : Home

[CalvertNewbie]

Originally Posted by ohstate

I recommend Vincenzo's Grill in the Calvert Marina. They are having live music tonight IIRC (jazz from St. Mary's college). They serve consistently tasty italian/mediterranean food. I love the ravioli for italian. Last weekend they had an eggplant parmesean special that was really good. They also have steaks, lamb chops, and ossobuco (lamb shank) that my husband really loves. Get a reservation - ask for a table by the window and tell them that it is his birthday. While they have white table cloths, you don't have to get very dressed up unless you want to. Most guys are in khakis and a collared shirt (i.e. polo shirt). It is still a marina after all.

Vincenzo's Grill : Home

I've been thinking of trying that place for a while now because a lot of people on the forums seem to like it a lot. Then I kept hearing about DiGiovanni's. As for the atmosphere, would you say that Vincenzo's is nicer than DiGiovanni's? We love the water so I think either would have a nice view.