FOOD & DRINK 1/6 vert EDIBLE INSPIRATION With its location just below the Mason-Dixon Line, Maryland’s food roots draw from both the refined tastes of the North and the downhome charms of the South. Today, local chefs are finding newfound inspiration from the region’s rich food history, evolving the dining scene through innovative takes on time-honored traditions. Baltimore City might be the state’s great culinary epicenter, with renowned restaurants turning out some of the top eats on the East Coast. A decade in, James Beard Award-winner Spike Gjerde continues to impress with his pioneering farm-to-table fare at Woodberry Kitchen, and lauded chef Cindy Wolf remains the grand dame of the mid-Atlantic for her Low-Country-meets-classic-French cuisine at Charleston in Harbor East. At the same time, more informal dining experiences are also catching national buzz, like the modern soul food of Ida B’s Table and the hip Chesapeake dishes at Dylan’s Oyster Cellar, while cheap, chic establishments have become common go-tos for locals, like taqueria Clavel, Asian street-food shop Ekiben and the worldly R. House food hall. Across the state, celebrity chefs have also been wooed by the Chesapeake’s abundance, like New York City’s Michelin-starred Andrew Carmellini, who is now serving creative riffs on Southern cooking at Rye Street Tavern along the Patapsco River in Baltimore. Just outside of Washington, D.C., prolific restaurateur José Andrés has also expanded his empire to the National Harbor with the seafood-themed Fish in Oxon Hill. Even Maryland’s own Top Chef finalist Bryan Voltaggio carries on in Frederick with his celebrated spots, the downhome Family Meal and world-renowned Volt. Off the beaten path, diners can discover hidden gems with rave reviews as well, such as the James Beard-nominated Inferno Pizzeria Napoletana outside of Gaithersburg and the whimsical Flamant in Annapolis. TAKEAWAY TREATS Fresh seafood and frothy beers aren’t the easiest to travel with, but luckily, there are a host of Maryland-made food souvenirs fit for the road. By the beach, families stockpile old favorites, such as Fisher’s Popcorn and Dolle’s salt water taffy, while in the city of Baltimore, sweet tooths crave fudge-covered Berger Cookies, crispy Otterbein’s cookies, and confections like Cow Tales and Mouth Party Caramels. Whether you’re looking for a tasty souvenir to share with someone back home, or just need a snack to hold you over on the way to your next Maryland adventure, these delicious delicacies travel well. ✥ 1/6 vert Pictured Clockwise from Top: Woodberry Kitchen, Baltimore; Old Westminster Winery, New Windsor; Crabcake at Charleston, Harbor East; Black Ankle Vineyards, Mount Airy 48 ✥ VISITMARYLAND.ORG | 1-877-209-5883 PHOTOS: SCOTT SUCHMAN; VISIT FREDERICK; OLD WESTMINSTER; JASMIN HEJAZI
Maryland Official Visitors Guide 2020 Maryland Official Visitors Guide: Page 48
