Faster, better…

Archive for August 31st, 2008

Eileen and I met after work one Thursday afternoon at Solomon’s Pier Restaurant in Solomon’s Island Maryland. We have eaten here many times over the years and keep coming back. Perhaps we take the spot for granted. This time I paid closer attention to the things I like and don’t like about restaurants.

We loved it! I couldn’t wait to say it. Our waitress was Megan. Megan ROCKS! The panoramic view of the Patuxent River at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay is awesome. Views from inside and outside the restaurant made this a preferred destination for us. The good news is that this restaurant is a great place to eat as well as one with ambiance and scenic views.

When we came in the front door an attentive hostess was there to greet us. No waiting or wondering just a pleasant greeting and NO pointing! We asked for a table outdoors since the weather was beautiful. Within a few minutes lovely Megan was there getting our drink order. Megan has this waitress thing down. She is attentive but not smothering, polite, positive, sure of herself and she knew the menu. Eileen always asks a difficult question about the menu. In many places what we get are blank stares but Megan gave my wife a direct answer. We observed that all of the staff at Solomon’s Pier enjoyed their work.

Eileen and I enjoyed the weather under a deck umbrella. We watched the boats and osprey and listened to the water lap on the piling below. You could hear yourself think. There was music from the bar on the deck but it wasn’t annoying. We also got a surprising benefit. The Patuxent Naval Air Station is on the other side of the river. Navy aircraft of all shapes and sizes land at the base. I enjoy observing military aircraft in flight. The vantage point at Solomon’s Pier allowed us to watch these great aircraft landing and taking off. Wow! Our own air show. It wasn’t too loud but I could understand how some who do not appreciate planes as I do might find the occasional passing roar an annoyance. No worse, and a lot less annoying than the roar of a diesel speed boat at Stoney’s up the road however.

I ordered the Pier Salad. Super presentation, meat cooked to specification, and fresh garden greens. The salad was served in a large red salad bowl dressing on the side. There was plenty in the bowl to eat. No skimping. No sir. It was more than a salad. It really was a great meal. Eileen had a crab cake and a house salad. I could tell she was absorbed in the flavor. The Solomon’s Pier is just a pleasant place to share an afternoon or evening and it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. We got more than our money’s worth. Part of the formula for running a great restaurant must be that you want the customer to take away good memories. We have always thought the Solomon’s Pier does just that.

Parking was plentiful near the restaurant. Set aside the time to walk through Solomon’s enjoying the sights and the shops. Take in the Calvert Marine Museum if its open. This little town also has some other exciting eating establishments. You will want to come back. You can’t go wrong at Solomon’s Pier.