Tilghman Island Inn and Harrison's Chesapeake House Country Inn this weekend
This past weekend we took our boat from West River across the bay to Tighman Island Inn in the Knapp’s Narrows area. We’d called ahead and when they do have slips the depth is only 3’ so we had to dock at Tilghman Island Marina next door.
The Inn is very nice and has a warm design. Walking in the door a black poodle was curled up in a char to greet us along with the great staff. Business was light Sat night (only three other tables in use) but they were expecting a crowd for Thanksgiving.
The all menus are on line at:
http://www.tilghmanislandinn.com/menus.php
but what got us in the door was the Tasting Menu at $60 with 5 courses that had a this or that choice each. My wife and I decided who would get what and we were off to try it all. As for wine we took the suggestion and were very happy with Conundrum from Caymus Vineyards; it had a very complex range of notes that we found worked with the wide scope of the menu, $56.
First off I’ll tell you to skip the Spring Rolls I picked; the Oysters Rockefeller were MUCH better with three nice fat guys that were sweet and they were lovely.
Next round was Escargot w/angel hair pasta in a garlic sauce that was good but I went NUTS over my Pears & Cheese w/ Roasted Prosciutto wrapped around it & balsamic glaze that rocked it had a wonderful balance of sweet and salty with that nice earth of the ham. Wish I had more!!
Round 3 and she got the beets, apples, feta w/ lettuce ho hum from my point of view but she liked it. I however just went wild over a seared foie gras on house made brioche with dried cherry cabernet sauce again the roasted pears. Not sure why they have the roasted pears twice in a row on a tasting menu but as a dish it worked very well and again I loved this dish.
Main round and she had the Halibut Bouillabaisse Style in a Tomato Saffron Broth w/Shellfish, this was a nice piece of fish done just right and mussels, she did not complain other than to say it had a bit too much salt. I got a fine Fillet Mignon au Poivre with Fingerlings & Red Wine Demi; I thought the steak was done just as I’d asked (med/rare) and the sauce was so good I used the last of our bread to soak it from the plate, the potatoes were that warm creamy kind I love.
Last, she got a cute little Pumpkin Cake with warm Cinnamon Ice Cream that was OK. I got a Bittersweet Chocolate Cake w/house made Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. The only thing that seemed odd to me is the feel of sugar crystals in my mouth when eating the cake, like it was not dissolved all the way; taste was great but the grit was a bit odd.
Service was very good and on the way out we got to see the cat that hangs out near the bar along with yet another dog and a few more people who I guess were staying at the Inn enjoying a night cap and the soft sounds of a trio.
Next day, when we understood Tilghman Island Inn has a brunch for $25 we decided to take a walk to Harrison’s Chesapeake House Country Inn for an a la carte breakfast, the service was good and she had fine western omelets however, something was weird with my pancakes. Both of us could not put a finger on what the problem was but it just had an off taste, how can you screw up pancake? Anyway we did hear about some of the great all you can eat deals they run on weekend afternoons before 5 pm. Prime-rib, soft crab, oysters all for about $20. And on Friday nights they have oysters 8 ways; best call them first to see what the deal is as no doubt sea food changes.
