My husband and I are taking my in-laws to St. Michael's for a weekend getaway, and are looking for suggestions for dining (not the Crab Claw, please). Since we are sailing over from Annapolis, we won't have a car, so we would be most interested in recommendations within walking distance of the center of town (we have a slip reserved at the St. Michael's Inn and Marina). While cost is not an object, we don't want to go somewhere where a coat and tie is required -- that just doesn't travel too well! Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

Hi

I've always liked 208 talbott and Town Dock (I believe it used to be Longfellows) and I loved sitting on the porch for dinner. You can walk to either of these quite easily.

Enjoy - wish I were going.

A good friend (and foodie) told me that Inn at Perry Cabin now has small pub type restaurant. I love the food at their more upscale dining room (tho it's coat and tie).

I was in St. Michaels for three days mid-week in March, visiting a friend who lives there.
As it was slow season, some of the restaurants were closed.
However, some very good ones were open.
We had a great dinner at the Bistro. By the way, the mussels were an outstanding appetizer, we asked for more bread to sop up every last bit of the perfectly seasoned broth. I would have been happy to order more mussels but instead went for a main course of grilled sea bass and fresh asparagus.
The next evening we wanted a light meal and opted to eat in the bar of Inn at Perry Cabin. The bar is divided into two rooms. We were seated next to a crackling fire in the rear room.
We dined on a selection of appetizers, which included a fresh basil and tomato pizza , oyster stew, crab bisque and we downed those with a couple glasses of wine.

I suggest calling your inn and restaurant to confirm your reservations. They are shooting a movie there and according to the Washington Post yesterday many weddings/guests have been bumped so that the stars and crews have lodging/dining accommodations.

Michael Rorke's Town Dock is an excellent restaurant. My wife and I have gone there for about ten years. Chef Rorke has several original recipes for tuna, rock fish, salmon and other fish. I especially enjoy his sushimi (spelling?) tuna.

Thanks for your help. We're leaning towards either the Bistro or Town Dock -- probably Town Dock b/c the in-laws have somewhat provincial tastes in food, and Town Dock's menu seems to have a lot more familiar offerings. Query: will the men need to wear long pants? (We are going in about 2 weeks).

Fallback at Easton, Columbia.

Town Dock is more casual than most restaurants. I think nice shorts are allowed (might draw the line at cut-offs) if memory serves. The restaurant is located right on the main dock (which, as it has been expanded over the last couple years, partially obscures the view) of St. Michael's. The very location of the Town Dock encourages boaters to ease on over for a meal or cocktails.