Reynolds Tavern (Annapolis)

[Meg]

Does anyone have any experience with this restaurant, either for dinner, brunch, or the food at the Sly Fox Pub downstairs? We're staying there in September since it's right on Church Circle and ultra convenient for a show at Ram's Head, but trying to decide if we should venture elsewhere for dinner.

[Meg]

Thanks for everyone's input. You've confirmed what I hoped I was wrong about, i.e., there's not much Chow worthy food in the heart of Annapolis. We'll stick with our original plan which was to have dinner at the Ram's Head unless we like the feel of the Sly Fox pub, and likely hit Carrol's Creek for brunch on the way home. The Purple Tooth looks great. Though I suspect this quick trip will be more beer intensive (after spending the day at Ren Fest).

[nosey]

Do not plan on ordering from the menu during the show. It is totally different than the restaurant. You can get some basic, decent food at Ram's head, but it won't wow you!

[isabellaflynn]

I disagree about Pad Thai - is it something you might find in Bangkok? No - but it isn't sub par. It's actually more reasonable than Lemongrass just down the street and you can get a nice bottle of wine for $20 and under, so it makes it a relatively affordable outing. The food doesn't taste terribly different than Lemongrass in my opinion, and besides if you're looking for authentic Thai food in Annapolis (or any other authentic ethnic experience that isn't pub food or Irish) you're in the wrong place.

[crackers]

I agree with you that the food doesn't taste terribly different at Lemongrass and Pad Thai - both are sub par. Frankly, I don't care how cheap the wine is; it's still not going to make the food anything but safe, sweet and Americanized/bland. That may be just fine for lifelong residents of a town where Irish American pubs - mostly faux - and taverns dominate, and Thai - any Thai - is a welcome change. Or for people who don't expect anything close to authentic - Inner West Street is part of Tourist Central afterall. But I'm a chowhound, being asked for recommendations by a fellow chowhound, and so I can not recommend either place.

[Jason1]

I'd say that both Pad Thai and Lemongrass are pretty much the same. While their not-sub par for standard American Thai food that you can find anywhere, that's pretty much what they are. The Sly Fox pub has passable bar food, not great, but on a nice day I'd get lunch there just to enjoy the patio. If bar food is what you're after, the Ram's Head can be pretty good. Overall, it's a surprisingly tough area to get a great meal in. I would, however, recommend some wine and snacks either before or after the show from the Purple Tooth down West St.

[chowsearch]

good for outdoor drinks. try luna blu or pad thai across from the music or joss around the corner for sushi/japanese

[crackers]

Both Luna Blu and Pad Thai are sub par experiences for their genres. Tourist trap Italian and tourist trap Thai. The Rams Head Tavern itself has the nicest secluded walled patio in the entire city, though Reynold's Tavern's is nice as well - just more exposed to traffic. Rams Head is a decent option for dinner or brunch. http://www.ramsheadtavern.com/annapolis/documents/AnnapolisLowRes.pdf
IF you're going to a show, you can get a special discount meal package.

Chick & Ruth's on Main Street, and 49 West do a good job with breakfast. http://www.49westcoffeehouse.com/index.php
Galway Bay on nearby Maryland Ave. is a nice choice for dinner too. http://www.galway2006.com/menus.html