July 9th, 2013

Waystead Inn, Burley Oak Brewery, Berlin, Maryland, Burley Dinner, Chef Eric, Chef Toby Gilbert, Burley Beers, Charcuterie Board, Ruder Shrimp Pizza, Fish & Chips, Beef Sausage, Sweet Corn Ice Cream, Are you Hungry Yet?

“You don’t have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces; just good food from fresh ingredients.”   julia child

Word of mouth was that the place to be on Monday, July 8th, was going to be at the Waystead Inn, located at 15 Harrison Avenue, Berlin, MD 21811.  Tel. 443-856-4755.  Berlin’s own Burley Oak Brewery, located at 10016 Old Ocean City Blvd., partnered with Chef Eric from Waystead Inn, and Chef Toby Gilbert from the Grove Market.  It was going to be a casual evening, where friends would get together to catch up and some new friends would be made, as well.

Waystead Inn is a Bed & Breakfast that offers 5 guest rooms with private bathrooms.  All modern facilities…restored with 21st century amenities, and a wrap-around porch.  Their Wednesday Dinners prepared by Chef and Innkeeper, Eric, are selling out quickly.  Please visit their website, http://www.waysteadinn.com, to find out what other events are on the schedule, including future dinners.

I have to tell you that one of the reasons that I was looking forward to this dinner was because I had heard that Chef Toby was creating some unique dishes.  He, apparently, is also fearless in his kitchen.  Picking up my friend, Debbie, was a no brainer, she was game.

Waystead Inn is very pretty in its simplicity…a quiet and peaceful retreat after the hectic 4th of July.

A round of beers from Burley Oak Brewery…Made in Maryland.  Website?  http://www.burleyoak.com.

Chef Eric welcomed us all and explained that some dishes were going to be served family style.  Toby and him would be sharing the kitchen.

As dishes arrived at the table…everyone waited for the person taking the photos…me.  So, let me tell you about the menu.

Charcuterie Board by Chef Toby – Soft Stout Ricotta, Harder Wheat Beer Ricotta, IPA Spicy Pickles, Honey Wheat Sweet Pickles, Hop Cured Duck Prosciutto, and local pig and rude boy headcheese.  I love this presentation with a favorite of the Hop Cured Duck Prosciutto and the rude boy headcheese.  Toby stopped by the table to describe his creation.

Ruder Shrimp Pizza by Chef Eric – Just the Tip in the dough and Rude Boy beer cooked Shrimp with Roasted Peppers, Caramelized Onions and Dry-Aged Wisconsin Cheddar.

We had a chatty group at our table.  We all put our 2 cents in.  And, some of us got into staging our meals.

Bryan, from Burley Oak was making the rounds…and a stop at a our table to see how we were doing.  Exciting things happening at Burley Oak Brewery.  They offer Brewery tours on Saturday, and Sunday at 3 p.m.  Please visit the website above mentioned to check them out.

I really liked the Fish and Chips by Chef Toby – The Truffle Chips were so good and….at this point my low fat diet was slowly in decline after this dish.  The fish was beer battered cod, with a vinegar gel sheet.

By the time the Beef Sausage, by Chef Eric, came along we were completely satisfied, but we managed a few bites.  It was a homemade beef sausage with garlic and apples.  Served with a Pale Ryder Stone Ground Mustard.

We were really looking forward to dessert.  A Sweet Corn Ice Cream by Chef Toby – Local sweet corn and beer soft-serve, chocolate ganache, beer caramel, honeydew and cantaloupe spheres, lemon zest!!  Awesome combination!

And, more spheres for our table!!!  The End; until next time. Thanks Toby.

Notes:  Waystead Inn  – No Children under 12, and no pets.  No smoking inside.  Two guests per room.  Find them on Facebook.

Burley Oak Brewery can be found on Facebook and Twitter.

November 5th, 2011

Atlantic Hotel, Historic Village of Berlin, Maryland, Maryland’s Eastern Shore

They say you have to see the town that Hollywood fell in love with….Remember?  Runaway Bride?  Or, Tuck Everlasting?  These movies were filmed in the town of Berlin.  And, even though it has been years since the streets were turned into a movie set, I always refer to both of those movies to see if people have a recollection.

The funny part is that when you do visit Berlin, it does remind you of the perfect movie set.  One thing, for sure, is the fact that this Historic Village is vibrant with an influx of shops, arts, entertainment and restaurants.  The shopkeepers?  Friendly!!

You cannot miss in the center of Berlin, the beautiful and historic Atlantic Hotel.  It is located at 2 North Main Street.  Tel. 410-641-3589.  Website? www.atlantichotel.com.

The Atlantic Hotel was built in 1895 by Horace F. Harmonson and his wife, Virginia Lingo Harmonson.  “Drummers” were traveling salesmen that crisscrossed the area during the turn of the century and they stayed at the hotel.

In those early times there was a livery stable in the back.  Here the sales of mules and horses took place.  Livestock would arrive in Berlin by rail, then it would be driven up through the town to the Atlantic Stable.

Mr. Harmonson had a horse-drawn bus.  He met incoming trains.  The bus would carry passengers directly to the Hotel.  “Drummers” would check into the Hotel and order up a horse and buggy from the stable to make their rounds. 

Other frequent guests at the Hotel were those on their way to the ocean, those interested in hunting and fishing; guides were readily available, and those who simply loved good food.

Move forward many years and in 1986 the Atlantic Hotel was purchased by 10 local businessmen who were interested in preserving this gem.  The Hotel now looks like it should have looked in its early days.

The Drummer’s Cafe opens daily with delicious food.  The staff is more than happy to take you through a tour of the hotel and even show you some of the rooms, as long as there are no guests.

During the filming of the Runaway Bride, The Atlantic Hotel was used for many of the scenes in the movie.

The Hotel stands by itsel, but on Jefferson St., next to the Hotel, there is a Gardener’s Cottage.  This cottage is also part of the Hotel and available for rent.  It is so cute.

The Historic Village of Downtown Berlin is perfect for strolling.  Just park your car; no meters, by the way, and take off exploring.   So many new things coming to this town; it is becoming a destination.

It is just 10 minutes West of Ocean City, Maryland, 7 minutes West of Assateague Island, 25 minutes East of Salisbury and 45 minutes South of Rehoboth Beach.

Note:  Some info. for this post was taken from The Atlantic Hotel.

Have a good one!!  Talk to you later….