171292 Fri Jul 23 07:04:15 -0700 2004 12 14 Washington DC & Baltimore Area 0 919146 On Sunday, I am taking an old friend (and, wonderfully, also now a new client) and his wife out to dinner in Annapolis, where they live. Can anyone suggest and describe some currently interesting Annapolis-area eateries? I'm looking more for interesting food than standard tourist-area Annapolis (like Middleton's Tavern, for example). I recall the name "Sputnik Cafe," but now can't find it on the board and don't remember what/where it is. (Yes, I even need help with locations!) Please let me have your suggestions. Thanks in advance. Fri Jul 23 07:04:15 -0700 2004 0 Bonz 1 919147 Sputnik is actually in Crownsville on General's Highway. I know alot of people disagree with me, but I like Tsunami on West Street. Fri Jul 23 08:10:41 -0700 2004 919146 0 cbauer 2 919153 What is Sputnik like? What is Tsunami like? I am unfamiliar, so need descriptions, please . . . . Fri Jul 23 09:02:04 -0700 2004 919147 0 Bonz 3 919154 sputnik is an chef-owned asian fusion (not pan-asian) restaurant. it's pretty interesting, from the decor to the food. definitely takes a lot of risks. when it hits on the mark, it's quite good. i particularly like the noodle dishes and the duck dishes. i think it is the most interesting restaurant in the area. tsunami is sushi. good sushi. some people believe better than any in baltimore. les foiles is a french restaurant. i have not been, but it gets rave reviews. wild orchid is another restaurant that has been recommended on this board. hope this helps. congrats on the new client. Fri Jul 23 09:20:10 -0700 2004 919153 0 atls14620 4 919164 The funny thing about Tsunami is that it's a caucasian owned restaurant, which brings to question the authenticity of the fare. I've seen their menu, and it's not really a sushi joint though. They offer pan asian type of fare, and may offer some entrees with a bit of sushi. I didn't see any sushi menu or check lists, so don't expect that. In fact, the best sushi place in Annapolis is probably this little sushi cafe that's on main street which is a few doors down from the teppanyaki joint. Fri Jul 23 10:09:28 -0700 2004 919154 0 Joey 5 919182 The teppanyaki place on main street is called Nikko and the place with decent sushi at the end of main street (closest to the harbor) is called the Yin Yankee cafe. For good food, as a native Annapolis girl now living in DC, I would certainly try Eastport as opposed to downtown Annapolis. Try Carol's Creek, O'Leary's or Lewnes Steakhouse. If you are not looking for a more casual atmosphere try the Boatyard. Fri Jul 23 11:30:21 -0700 2004 919164 0 cms1981 6 919208 I have had sushi at both Tsunami and Joss cafe and was so unimpressed with either of them, especially Tsunami. Fri Jul 23 15:02:54 -0700 2004 919182 0 Hon 3 919159 Sputnik is offbeat. I find the 50's style of decorating there, with the plastic molded chairs, to be cold. The picture on its website makes it look nicer than it is. The menu is posted on the website. The one time I was there, when it was open for lunch, I came away thinking that the food sounded better than it tasted. Just my opinion, it is worth a visit, but it isn't the first place that would come to mind for a client dinner unless I knew the people were foodies. Fri Jul 23 09:48:44 -0700 2004 919153 0 Denise M. 3 919175 I've never been to Sputnik, but Tsunami is Asian-Fusion and owned by an Aussie. The master chef is a young guy. They have a great pepper encrusted wok seared filet mignon, a fabulous scallop dish as well as a good philo wrapped prawns served with a roasted corn and crab salsa. The sushi is good, we normally get the Toro Tuna sashimi. I haven't found sashimi this good (at least the Toro Tuna) anywhere else. It's a bit pricey, but I like it. They also have a great house drink called a Tsunami Martini. Don't have a clue what's in it, but one of those and you've got a nice warm and fuzzy feeling going on. Fri Jul 23 11:01:52 -0700 2004 919153 0 cbauer 1 919241 There was a recent post about Sputnik, link below, which is pretty much what I think of the place. My first choice would be O'Leary's for top-notch fish and seafood plus gracious service and comfort plus historic Annapolis atmosphere. Parking lot helps. Guests can take the walk a few feet to the water to gaze across Spa Creek to Ego Alley. I have never had a "miss" there, and with clients or other special events, that is important to me. They are also quite good with special dietary requests. Within a block of O'Learys in Eastport are Lewnes and Ruths Chris, both good but I tip toward the local Lewnes. Link: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/171148#918847 Fri Jul 23 22:02:38 -0700 2004 919146 0 crackers 2 919253 I did not see the previous post or I would have responded, but can I just put a different view out here? I have been to Sputnik on both business and non-business occasions, and while yes everything can be hit and miss and the place, would you disagree that it is certainly the most interesting restaurant in the area (and please, no Yin Yankee; serving snakefish does not make a restaurant "interesting"). And while I agree I wouldn't take a new client there (isn't that what steak houses are for?), certainly I would take my best friend from college there, particularly if my best friend loved food. I mean where else can you get a steak and cheese sandwich where the steak is korean bulgogi steak (used to be on the lunch menu; a fabulous idea)? Or roasted duck enchiladas with northern white beans and gorgonzola (which are fantastic by the way)? or thai red curry sea bass served with sticky rice and asparagus? Anyways, this is the way I see it. If you want large pours and immaculate service and setting and food that tastes exactly the same over and over and over again, by all means, Ruth Chris or Lewnes or whatever. If you want interesting food that will challenge your tastes and my make you say, "Ohmigod how did he think of this?" (and may make you say, "Wow, that's interesting but doesn't work") while supporting, I might add, a local business, then I would recommend Sputnik. Link: http://www.sputnikcafe.com/dinnermenu.html Sat Jul 24 09:50:43 -0700 2004 919241 0 atls14260 3 919276 You raise interesting questions. While a concept may be new or different than a locale's norm, if it doesn't work well, it should expect to be held to the same sandards as the many, many other locally owned spots in Annapolis...Chart House and Ruth's Chris being notable exceptions. In the case of Sputnik, the food, service and atmosphere have come up short each time. For instance, the "bulgoki" bears no resemblance to real bulgoki, in preparation, taste, or appearance. While it is tasty, just don't expect anything but a thin slab of meat with some sort of rub on it. The bass was a perfectly prepared piece of fish but was accompanied by a tasteless unadorned mound of rice and mushy asparagus. And though I don't need large pours to be impressed, something more than 4 oz. would be appreciated, especially if I waited 20 minutes for it to arrive. Yellow Fin on Rt. 2 on the South River seems to have innovative items, and a killer view. Anyone been? Sat Jul 24 20:24:01 -0700 2004 919253 0 pop corn 1 919296 While I may be too late for your plans today, I'd suggest the Wild Orchid Cafe. 909 Bay Ridge Ave. 410 268 8009. Call to check that they still exist - I haven't been there in a year or two. I recall an inventive menu, good quality ingredients, and nice cozy setting - though as I recall, it was at expense account pricing! Perhaps others can fill in a recent status report. A change of chef, owner, staff or concept could have changed everything since my last visit. Sun Jul 25 13:01:39 -0700 2004 919146 0 Warthog