April 26th, 2010
The Grove Market, Restaurant, Review, Bishopville, Maryland, Ocean City
What makes a good restaurant? To me, it has always been 5 key ingredients; I have mentioned them before. Some restaurants only have a few of those ingredients; The Grove Market encompasses them all, and they are: quality of ingredients, culinary competence, service, ambiance, and price.
The ingredients should be the best money can buy, the culinary competence, well, what can I say? The Grove Market has John McDonald, a seasoned chef and one of the best. Many years ago he had in Rehoboth Beach the very popular Garden Gourmet. The service should be attentive; not intrusive, always anticipating what the customer needs. The ambiance should be tranquil and relaxing. At the Grove Market it was definitely tranquil, amidst trees and marshes. The prices are just like all the restaurants at the beaches who are known for serving quality food.
The Grove Market is located on 12402 Saint Martins Neck Rd., Bishopville, Maryland, 21813. Tel. 410-352-5055. Even though it is in Bishopville, it is actually just so close to Ocean City, Maryland and I came from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware which took about 40 minutes.
It is tricky getting a reservation at The Grove Market. The restaurant is small. I think about 7 tables and 2 can eat at the bar. Therefore, reservations go quickly. My tip would be that if you want to eat there, then make the call, leave your information, and request any time they have available. We went at 5:30 p.m. which is earlier than I would have gone to any restaurant but it was fine, and it was definitely worth it.
Leslie and Patrick greeted us very graciously and took us to one of the tables in the back. Every time I go into this restaurant I just love looking around. It is funky; the walls are decorated with all kinds of adornments; lacrosse sticks, pictures, holiday lights, you name it.
Let me point out to you that there is not other restaurant like it in the Maryland and Delaware Beaches.
They have an extensive wine list. Beer is available as well and soft drinks.
There is no menu. Everything is recited from memory. I chose for my salad a beet salad with arugula and goat cheese. I have had it before and it was again, delicious. I knew that if they had the scallops I would order them as well. Last time they were so good, accompanied with a risotto and a roasted vidalia onion; they did not disappoint me. Just as good. Another appetizer was the smoked steelhead salmon. Here is where the explanation comes.
The steelhead salmon is commonly known as trout. They are a species of salmon. The land locked steelheads are known as rainbow trout.
The term steelhead differentiate between those rainbows that stay in fresh water permanently and those that go out in the ocean. In order to spawn, they return to the place where they hatched. Can be caught year-round and fly casting remains the most popular way to catch them.
If you like salmon, you would really enjoy this appetizer. Just like salmon, the taste is a little bit stronger.
Another entree ordered was the duck. It was roasted, a semi-sweet soy drizzle, with an English cumberland sauce, mashed potatoes and vidalia onions.
The Cumberland Sauce is a fruit base sauce with ingredients like red currants, port, mustard, pepper, orange, ginger and vinegar.
One person ordered dessert and I took a bite of this dense chocolate silk pie. It was very good and sinfully rich.
As usual, I have to say that a meal is best enjoyed with good company. As we were leaving, people were waiting. This restaurant is and has been very popular for a long time.
Another thing worth mentioning is that the restaurant was very sensitive to two people on our table with food related allergies; seafood, peanuts and gluten.
I guess I will be talking to you soon….
Please note that The Grove Market does not take credit cards.
Information for this post was taken from http://gosalmonfishing.com.
Tags: Bishopville, Food Allergy awareness, Gluten free awareness, Maryland, Ocean City, Restaurant, Restaurants, review, Reviews, Seasonal American Food, The Grove Market
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We can’t wait to go to The Grove Market.
We have gone to many of the best that OC has to offer like Marlin Moon now Micky Fins, Jules, The Hobbit just to mention a few.
We have wanted to go to the Grove Market for years and this year I will try a few weeks ahead of time to get a reservation and I can’t wait.
The reviews are great and we don’t need fancy, just good food.
Just waiting for August and vacation week.
Yes, that is the best way to go about it. Call and if you have to leave a message just also give an alternative date. Remember to bring cash sinc it is cash only. The restaurant is very small and unique. Write me back and let me know how you like it.
We made it to The Grove Market and we were not disappointed. I called two weeks before our OC vacation and spoke to Leslie the owner and made our reservation on the spot. Leslie was very polite and treated me just fine.
Dismiss all the detractors and pseudo critics of fine dining. The Grove Market is not pretentious nor is it elitist!
My wife and I aren’t credentialed food critics, but we are foodys and have eaten in many restaurants good and bad so I consider us good judges of fine food.
My wife had a Caprese salad with vine ripped tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella. Her entrée was a 8 oz. Fillet Mignon (Med) and it was delicious, it was accompanied with red roasted potatoes and a white corn and white bean succotash.
I had for an app. clams in the shell that were steamed with whole chunks of fresh tomato, celery and fantastic fresh spices that was out of this world it put me in mind of Bouillabaisse a very deep rich dish.
My entrée was flounder stuffed with crab imperial and it was so fresh and the flavors were exceptional.
We shared a piece of blueberry pie with fresh berry’s and homemade whip cream and coffee.
The meal was exceptional and with out a doubt in our minds the best restaurant in the Ocean City area.
Last but certainly not least was our server Amy she was a wonderful lady who made us feel right at home. Amy recites the menu since there are no printed menus and answered all of of questions.
Leslie the owner came to visit and was a very gracious host and saw to any other needs we had.
If your looking for a cheap dinner don’t go to the Grove, but if money isn’t an issue go by all means you won’t be disappointed.
We will certainly be back to the Grove on our next Ocean City vacation.
Enjoy,
Jeff
I am so glad you enjoyed it. I am waiting for the second season at the beaches so I can make it Their food is excellent.
As soon as I stumbe on a new blog post like this one, my mind always
seems to wander to best steakhouse restaurant. I have no good reason why but can’t help it.
Thanks for your post and for giving me a space to vent