It was a nice day for a weekend drive to lunch. For many, Denton is a place they drive by, but it is increasingly a place to visit and explore. Sitting on the Choptank River; yes, I do mean the Choptank, the community provides a fine opportunity to explore food and beverages along with retail shops along Market Street.

We selected Caroline’s In Denton for lunch and were delighted with what we discovered.

First, the location in an older house, fully refurbished, gets your attention. The friendly, family feel hits any visitor immediately. The commitment to a “farm to table” approach is real and welcomed. And, the one restaurant offers two variations, “Caroline’s Table” for finer dining and “The Sidebar” for a more casual meal.

We began our dining experience with two cups of Crab Bisque that was wonderful

The Denton Double caught my eye with everything packed into the smashed burger coming from local sources

You can find a wide variety of offerings by chef Ken Zellers, beautifully photographed on the website for Caroline’s. It’s a place we certainly will visit again soon!

Only a short drive from Easton, the journey is well worth the drive!

Not long after this wine and tap room restaurant opened in April, the Spy took a long look (June article) at the enterprise. As we enter the fall, a look by one of our spies seems in order and one slipped in recently on a quiet Monday afternoon. Monday is mentioned because one great advantage (at least for now) is that the Fool’s Lantern is open seven days a week.

One of the first thing one notices after strolling into this St. Michaels establishment is that you can utilize your personally issued plastic card to choose from among 12 different beers and 24 bottles of wine! However, a dining experience goes way beyond beer and wine. A full menu provides creative offerings of all sizes. Some can be shared and some are larger offerings for an individual diner.

Our spy reports that their own combination of shrimp, grilled chicken and Brussels Sprouts provided a welcomed and filling lunch. What proved too tempting was a dessert described as a cheese cake into which one dips graham crackers along with fruit. All were creative and delicious made all the more enjoyable with a glass or two of wine.

Whether you’ve been before or driven by and wondered just what was inside, a stop at the restaurant is well worth it; and, you will be honoring a bit of history at a time in our past when “The Town that Fooled the British” succeeded in thwarting a British invasion during the War of 1812 because St. Michaels’ residents brilliantly hung lanterns above town to misdirect gunfire, sending British cannon volley far above their intended targets.

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

During the past weekend, the Kalmar Nyckel docked in Cambridge. When not enjoyed at the marina, she hosted numerous guests for short cruises on the Choptank River. A short video provides a sense of her impressive presence.

Some history:

Kalmar Nyckel was constructed in about 1625, and was of a design called a pinnace. The ship was originally named Sleutel (Dutch for key), but was called Key for the city of Kalmar, which purchased the ship in 1629, as its contribution to a state-sponsored trading company.

It was later purchased into the Swedish Navy. When Sweden decided to establish a trading colony in the New World under the direction of Peter Minuit, Kalmar Nyckel was chosen for the voyage.

The ship sailed from Gothenburg in December 1637, commanded by Jan Hindriksen van der Water, but encountered a severe storm in the North Sea and had to divert to the Netherlands for repairs. They departed on New Year’s Day 1638, arriving in North America in March 1638.[2] They built a fort on the present site of the city of Wilmington, which they named Fort Christina.

The Kalmar Nyckel made four successful round trips from Sweden to North America, a record unchallenged by any other colonial vessel. Between colonial voyages, the ship was used by the navy as a transport and courier. She was sold out of Swedish service to Dutch merchants in 1651. At the outbreak of the First Anglo-Dutch War, she was employed as a fisheries protection vessel under Captain Dirk Vijgh. The ship was sunk off the coast of Scotland in action against Blake’s squadron on July 12, 1652.

In 1986, a group of citizens from Wilmington, Delaware, established the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation, whose primary source of funding is from the taxpayers of the State of Delaware, plus donations from corporations and individuals. The foundation designed, built, and launched a replica of Kalmar Nyckel. The modern ship, designed by naval architects Thomas C. Gillmer and Iver Franzen, with additional help from Melbourne Smith, Joel Welter, and Ken Court, was built at a shipyard in Wilmington. She was launched on September 28, 1997, and commissioned on May 9, 1998. The re-creation measures 94 ft (29 m) on deck and 131 ft (40 m) overall, with a 25 ft (7.6 m) beam, a 12 ft (3.7 m) draft, and a displacement of 300 tons.

-Wikipedia

For more than six decades, a group known as the Poplar Islands Yacht Club (PIYC) has existed in our region; and, while the islands may have disappeared, PIYC remains dedicated to its mission of fostering camaraderie and maritime adventure through cruising adventures on and around Chesapeake Bay. Founded in 1961 as a means of fostering the fraternity of yachting, the club has weathered various challenges while leaving an indelible mark on Maryland’s boating culture.

The PIYC’s origins can be traced back to the late 1950s when an increasing number of yachtsmen from both the Eastern and Western Shores of Maryland began cruising to the quaint harbor nestled within the Poplar Islands. Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman even sought solace in these islands during the 1930s and ’40s, playing poker, feasting on crabs and oysters, and engaging in private meetings with Democratic leaders.

Following a fire that razed the main lodge in 1946, the islands changed hands multiple times until they found a new purpose under Daniel H. Hodgeman. Hodgeman rebuilt the lodge and transformed the islands into a seasonal hub for the Poplar Islands Yacht Club in the summer and a gun club in the fall and early winter.

With the lodge restored and additional buildings renovated, the PIYC grew in popularity. Yachts frequented the harbor, with regular visitors securing their own name boards and reserved slips on the 300-foot pier that led to deep waters in Poplar Harbor. The navigational challenge of reaching the pier was overcome by two World War I mines painted orange and repurposed as buoys.

However, financial difficulties eventually forced Hodgeman to sell the islands to Dr. George Elkins of Philadelphia, who later donated them to the Smithsonian Institution for conservation and use as a wildlife refuge.

Over the years, the islands faced the threat of erosion and the division of land masses due to heavy storms. Concerned with the islands’ conservation, the State of Maryland and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers collaborated in 1994 to restore them as a waterfowl and wildlife sanctuary. The project involved enlarging Poplar Island using dredged materials from the Chesapeake Bay and Baltimore Harbor.

For the PIYC, the changing landscape necessitated a shift in focus. In 1965, the club’s members decided against purchasing the islands due to their high cost. Instead, they opted for monthly rendezvous during the yachting season at other yacht clubs and waterfront homes, leading to more engaging and diverse experiences.

The club’s membership, once limited to 60 yachtsmen within a 250-mile radius of the Chesapeake Bay, experienced a transition from sail to powerboats and from wood to fiberglass. As new activities and destinations were incorporated into the club’s itineraries, cruises began including more overnight stays at marinas with various amenities, such as floating docks, pools, restaurants, and even yoga facilities.

In recent years, the PIYC has seen significant milestones. In 2021, for the first time in its history, a woman was elected Commodore, breaking the so-called “fiberglass ceiling.” Additionally, the club’s newsletter, once a mimeographed flyer, evolved into a digital publication called “Anchor Lines,” featuring vibrant color photos and shared links to members’ extensive Southbound cruises.

Greetings, fellow agents. I have recently had the pleasure of dining at the Dock House Restaurant in Kent Narrows, MD, and I must say, it was a culinary experience fit for a king.

The seafood served at the Dock House is fresh and delectable, a true testament to the skill of the chefs in the kitchen. The crab cakes are succulent and flavorful, and the lobster is cooked to perfection. Each dish is prepared with the utmost care and attention to detail, leaving no room for error.

The ambiance of the restaurant is tranquil and peaceful, providing a much-needed respite from the chaos of the world. The gentle sound of the water lapping against the dock is a soothing backdrop to the meal, and the staff is attentive and courteous, ensuring that every need is met with grace and ease.

But what truly sets the Dock House apart is the breathtaking views from the restaurant. The waterfront vista is nothing short of spectacular, and it is no surprise that many a poet has been inspired by its beauty. To dine at the Dock House is to be transported to another realm, a world of pure joy and wonder.

This Spy highly recommend the Dock House Restaurant to all my fellow operatives. It is a true gem, offering a feast for the senses and a respite from the troubles of the world. If ever you find yourself in Kent Narrows, MD, do not hesitate to pay a visit. You won’t regret it.

Over and out.

A couple of spies sought out a new/old place for dinner recently and turned to Pope’s Tavern in Oxford. New chefs (see The Spy article), new menu, great wine list and whole new feel made for a delightful evening.

The menu is filled with wonderful Italian cuisine and the promise that pastas, sauces and desserts are all made fresh on the premises. Not to mention that the recipes come from a grandmother who traveled from Italy to New York in 1909.

Entering Pope’s Tavern in the Oxford Inn is a warm and welcoming experience. There is a full bar and a robust list of wines, mostly from Italy. Our Tuscan selection was superb!

The fresh homemade pasta (Fettuccine Alfredo) was delivered with a generous and tasty chicken parmesan perfectly prepared under the title, Gilda’s Chicken Parm. The bean soup might have easily come from Rome and the carbonara was solid and plentiful.

If a relaxing evening in the charming restaurant is not possible, Pope’s Market offers a wide selection of Italian choices, including prepared meals.

Current hours are Dinner: Thursday through Monday from 5 PM to 9 PM. Breakfast and lunch are served to the public on Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM. And, if you are staying at the Inn, breakfast is available all week.

You can find more information on their Facebook page or checkout their website