bfrac

I'll check the papers and see what restaurants are offering. You can count on the nicer ones offering a brunch/dinner. Your B&B should be able to advise you as well.

Sunday would be a lovely day just to drive and see the countryside and how it appeals to you. You could save St. Michaels until Sunday and then drive on down to Tilghman or see a bit of St. Michaels and then go to Oxford.

Coming back from Oxford (get a good map) take back roads to Trappe and go on to Cambridge or back to Easton and do more looking around in town.

Remember, this is the Eastern Shore so all things go at a leisurely pace.

Another thought - what time does your plane arrive on Friday? That can make a difference on what I would suggest for that day or the whole itinerary altogether.

wanderer1

We arrive Fri at 11am and depart Monday at 4pm.

I know it is a bit further, but we had miles so we are flying Jet Blue out of Dulles.

We'll have to plan accordingly to get to the airport on time. I figure 2 hrs drive time?

bfrac

Drive time all depends on beltway traffic, but allowing 2 hours should be plenty. Friday shouldn't be a problem anyway since it is a holiday and a lot of businesses close. Just don't linger, get across the Bay Bridge as early as possible. For Monday, you should be arriving at the airport just ahead of afternoon rush hour so that should work in your favor also.

I have to go now, I'll get back to you this afternoon.

lolfn

the maritime museum in st. michaels will be open on easter sunday and i think some shops will be too. the hotel restaurants will be serving regular meals that day too. on easter in st. michaels, a good, more casual place to get lunch or dinner would be the perry cabin pub or the shore lounge at the harbour inn.

so unless you really want to be guaranteed to shop in st. michaels, i would do st. michaels, oxford and possibly tilghman on sunday.

in the easton area, i've already listed the developments that will probably be of most interest to you. east of rt 50 toward and into caroline county are a bunch of subdivisions plopped down on former farms but i doubt you'd be interested in that. there really are just cooke's hope, easton village and the older easton club. dixon square are luxury townhomes in historic easton. there are other townhome complexes but they are built right on the side of the highway. in st. michaels, you could drive through martingham which is another older planned community just north of town. tilghman has a few new developments too.

bfrac

I agree with lolfn and my earlier post. Friday afternoon get to Easton, check in, and check out town and have a nice leisurely dinner. Saturday go to Chestertown and Rock Hall. Sunday visit St. Michaels, etc. It will give you a nice feel for the area.

LN

One word of caution!

If I read you correctly you'll be coming from Dulles out to eastern shore Maryland. Please try to get to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge (in the Annapolis area) by about 2 pm as the bridge will start backing up early (always on a Friday and more so on Easter weekend).

You really wouldn;t want to get slowed down on Route 50 trying to get to the bridge. A good example is a 10 mile backup between 3:30 and 4 pm heading to eastern shore.

wanderer1

We'll have a little bit of time Monday to check out Easton some more if we get up early since our flight doesn't leave until 4pm.

Is Stevensville worth a stop on our way back to the airport?

wanderer1

p.s. Can anyone recommend a few good (casual and not too expensive) restaurants for our Saturday Chestertown/Rock Hall day?

bfrac

If you want to get up early and do more sightseeing, I would check out historic downtown Annapolis.

In Chestertown:
Luisa's Cafe - very good Italian, Washington Square shopping center, near Superfresh

Crossfire Cafe - Cross St., one block from farmer's market.

Play it Again Sam's - coffee, snacks

Rock Hall:
Waterman's Crab House - let me clarify that this is just average food but the views of the Bay Bridge and Chesapeake can't be beat. Our out of town guests always want to come here.

Bay Leaf Gourmet - sandwich shop on Main Street.

Bay Wolf Restaurant - Rt. 20, Rock Hall

There are others in both towns which would be on the pricier level and open for dinner and others I just wouldn't recommend.

wanderer1

OK, Lots of ideas. Thanks everyone.

Would like to get a Yes or No on these restaurants we found. Lunch we'd like to spend $10-$15, dinner no more than $22 pp for entrees, though would prefer to be in the teens if possible. We can certainly mix it up - a few cheaper places for lunch, a few more "casual upscale" places for dinner.

We won't be bringing dressy clothes however, so "smart casual" (pants for me and a sweater- no dresses) is as dressy as we'll get.

We like most all food other than Indian or sushi.

Here they are:

Easton:
Masons, Scossa, Out of the Fire, Restaurant Local, Rustic Inn, General Tanukis, Cafe 25.

Chestertown:
Brooks Tavern, Imperial Hotel, Blue Heron Cafe, Feast of Reason, Play it Again Sam, Andy's, Luisa's Cafe, Crossfire Cafe.

St. Michaels:
Shore Restaurant at the Harbour Inn
Purser's Pub at Perry Inn
Bistro St. Michaels

Oxford:
Latitude 38

Rock Hall:
Waterman's Crab House, Harbor Shack, PE Pruitts, Bay Leaf Gourmet, Bay Wolf Restaurant

Royal Oak:
Bella Luna

Favorites?? Any to stay away from? Any out of our price range or "dressy"?

bfrac

Easton: Masons, Scossa (nice casual, your pants and sweater will work in any of these restaurants) out of price range but very worth it if you want to splurge. General Tanukis is good, they have a nice sushi bar too. Cafe 25 is closed (it is where Tanukis is located). I have seen a new Thai restaurant in town but haven't been there yet. It gets good reviews.

Chestertown:
Brooks Tavern, Imperial Hotel, out of price range and I don't care for either. Blue Heron Cafe (nice casual) could be done for dinner-you need a reservation on Sat. night.
Feast of Reason - not sure if they are open on Sat; Play it Again Sam - coffee and snacks; Andy's - bar first, food second; Luisa's Cafe - very good Italian well within price range, my favorite in town (casual); Crossfire Cafe - do lunch and dinner, good food, quaint.


Rock Hall:
Waterman's Crab House - can be done for lunch or dinner in your price range; Harbor Shack and PE Pruitts -I don't care for; Bay Leaf - good for lunch sandwiches but tiny; Bay Wolf Restaurant - average to good in price range.

Royal Oak:
Bella Luna - haven't been yet but heard it is good, entrees on menu are from 18-38.

Oxford:
Latitude 38 - haven't been in a few years but it was good. A little on the pricy end but I think they have a bar menu with dinner specials too.

Do you have websites for these restaurants? I could send you links if you like.

lolfn

your clothing choice is perfect everywhere on the eastern shore. it isn't a dressy place.

easton:
mason's is a great lunch place and will fit your budget for lunch. terrific sandwiches and soup. but it is out of your price range for dinner.

out of the fire has excellent pizza which is about half the price than their dinner entrees.

general tanukis fits your criteria.

scossa and restaurant local are out of your price range.

st. michaels:
the pub at perry cabin is perfect for you. note that their wine by the glass isn't cheap ($10+) but the pours are huge, especially the reds.

the shore lounge which is downstairs in the harbour inn (the restaurant is upstairs) is more casual and offers a cheaper, lighter fare menu. i've had a couple great meals there. the restaurant is higher end.

the bistro is excellent but at the high end of your budget. and they are only open for dinner.

208 talbot has a light fare menu in their bar area that your could check out for lunch or dinner too.

royal oak:
bella luna is excellent. lunch is in the low-teens and dinner entrees in the $20s. they have been having $20 entree specials sunday thru thursday.

oxford:
i haven't been to latitude 38 for years. more casual/ cheaper places that are on the water are the masthead at pier st and schooners landing.

trappe:
just heard about mitchum's steakhouse. supposed to be excellent and i think the appetizers are substantial enough for a light dinner. it is on main street in trappe next to the gourmet market.

wanderer1

We have to leave on Monday @10am right after breakfast to head back to the airport.

Is it worth stopping off in Stevensville? I was thinking if it was, we could walk around town, then get a bit to eat, then drive out.

Any lunch suggestions?

bfrac

Sorry, I don't know. I haven't been in the town for years other than driving by on Rt. 50 to get to the bridge.

sprin2

Luisa's is excellent, but make a reservation for Sat. night. It won't look like you need it but it routinely fills up, especially on holidays. Great food and great price.

sprin2

I wouldn't make a point to stop in Stevensville, although if you do we like Hemingway's right at the bridge.

I would spend that time in Annapolis and late Monday morning getting in shouldn't be a problem. Much nicer and pleasant for a quick stroll and lunch before heading to the airport.

wanderer1

OK. Good suggestion.

Any ideas for lunch in Annapolis?

bfrac

Just go down to the historic center and there are plenty of restaurants to choose from. You won't have any problems finding something. I know you will enjoy this more than Stevensville.

wanderer1

Please tell me how we "go down to this historic center". I am not familiar with Annapolis at all, although I was there about 20 years ago and loved it.

What exit do we take off what road?

What about parking? I have heard it is a nightmare trying to find parking in Annapolis.

Thanks.

bfrac

I just got these directions from mapquest for you.
http://www.mapquest.com/directions/m...299%5d%20Main%

Signs are well posted.