Mid-Shore Food: Anthony’s Sneaks into Oxford

When the Spy sends two special agents on any case, particularly those involving the culinary arts, it shows we mean business when checking out new establishments in the area.

And that was the resource allocation for the Spy’s first reconnaissance mission this week at Anthony’s in Oxford.

Despite its under-the-radar opening a few weeks ago, it was easy for anyone passing the old beloved Latitude 38 on Oxford Road that Anthony’s had now arrived in its place.

While it looks the same on the outside, native Oxford will be a bit shocked and impressed with the warm red dining rooms that take its cue from Italy rather than the Eastern Shore.

A friendly wait staff seemed to be off to a good start as they continue to find their footing. And both the wine list and the dinner menu offer clues that some thought has gone into both. So it was perhaps no surprise that Anthony was Pope Tavern’s first chef when its new owners purchased it a few years back.

Now, Anthony has taken the big step of finally having his own place, and pride in ownership is very much on display. And that includes baking his own bread.

The agents didn’t push the envelope on the ordering front: salad and bolognese pasta for one, escargot and salmon for the other. A shared bottle of high quality chaniti and two folks were provided for a decidedly cinnamon-oriented tiramisu at the end.

All of those selections were enjoyable, but it is far too early (and unfair, says the Spy manual) to provide a serious critique here. Nonetheless, the agents gave Anthony’s an initial “code green,” meaning it was safe for the community to test themselves.

And that will be easy to do since, going against recent trends, Anthony’s is open seven days a week.

Anthony’s Italian Restaurant
 26342 Oxford Rd, Oxford, MD 21654
Phone: (410) 226-1118
Open seven days a week