Reviews

Thanks to Mother Nature and the "media"-rologists, the evening of our dinner at O'Brien's was one of those fabulous ones in which the words November and balmy can be used in the same sentence.
 
As our group converged upon the long-established Main Street restaurant and watering hole, the discussion was about what we felt like eating for dinner. One of those decisions was to be made in an interesting manner.
 
Here's the story: As we were seated, we noticed a solitary female seated at a table nearby. She was enjoying a cocktail and seemed perfectly at ease dining alone. She wasn't reading a book, she wasn't chatting on her cell, she wasn't fidgeting and she didn't seem to be agonizing about where to look or what to do with her hands.
 
Kudos to that amazing woman! If she is reading this, she should know that all of us were in awe of her and admired her greatly as we shared tales of getting take-out, ordering room service, sitting at lunch counters and even skipping dinner to avoid eating alone in a restaurant.
 
Just as our own drinks were arriving, we noticed her entree being served. She was having prime rib. Bingo, decision made. The question about what to have for dinner had just been answered.
 
As we relaxed and enjoyed our drinks, we talked about how long we've been coming to O'Brien's, and each member of the group had been coming there since it was Fran O'Brien's, restaurant venture of the noted Redskins defensive lineman of the same name.
 
Even though it has been a local favorite for many years, not everyone knows the rich history associated with O'Brien's. The building was built in 1774 and opened as the Rose and Crown. Even though we were still an English Colony, the seeds for revolution had been sewn. As the First Continental Congress met in Philadelphia, this Annapolis tavern was a meeting place for both Royalists and Revolutionaries alike. Now, more than two centuries later, people still enjoy going to this venerable downtown landmark to be fed, "watered" and entertained.
 
Long a favorite for members of our party, the crab balls ($13.50) were the clear-cut choice for a shared appetizer. Let it not be forgotten, though, that the full name of this establishment is O'Brien's Oyster Bar and Restaurant, so work some oysters into your meal irrespective of what else you order.
 
Oysters on the half shell ($8 for six, $14 for a dozen) are always a good bet at O'Brien's as are the Oysters Crisfield ($8.25), in which the oysters are dressed up with crisp bacon, lump crab and melted cheddar.
 
One good way to sample several ways this kitchen shines when it comes to preparing oysters? The Oysters 5 Ways ($16) that includes oyster stew, Oyster Crisfield, Oyster Casino, Oyster Fritters, and Oyster Nachos. Even though this is billed as an appetizer for two, it makes a super entree as well. For some strange reason, the oyster stew isn't listed in the soups section of the menu - just Maryland crab, French onion and the ubiquitous cream of crab.
 
If you're accustomed to the little heavily breaded and usually greasy chunks that often pass for crab balls, you're in for a real treat with these. These succulent lump crab balls will melt in your mouth; but be warned that they tend to fall apart when you eat them, so try them on one of the yummy crackers that accompany, along with homemade cocktail sauce and tartar sauce.
 
No sooner had we finished wolfing down the crab balls than the entrees arrived.
 
One member of our party had decided on the Open Faced Crab MacClusky ($14), a felicitous combination of Jumbo Lump
 
Crab Imperial and Swiss cheese, toasted on a generous slice of Italian bread. With sandwiches and wraps, diners may choose between chips or fries, but we'd recommend the fries. After all, you can buy chips anywhere and these fries are better than average (available as Boardwalk fries for $4 on the list of side dishes).
 
The diner who could usually be counted upon to go for O'Brien's grilled salmon ($20) went counter to type and ordered the center cut sirloin ($22) that was outstanding. Grilled perfectly, it came with a creditable bordelaise sauce and two choices from the list of potato and vegetable side dishes (all entrees include salad from O'Brien's well-stocked and varied salad bar).
 
O'Brien's offers dinner specials and the diner who had already decided on prime rib selected the evening's special preparation over the more traditional prime rib cut available on the regular menu. The Chesapeake prime rib ($27) was a bountiful serving, topped with more of that divine crab imperial and accompanied by a baked potato and a nice vegetable stir-fry. As is always the case when we go to O'Brien's, we all got two meals for the price of one as everyone walked out with sizeable leftovers.
 
O'Brien's is like many other similar establishments in that they do a big bar business, have an active happy hour and have nightly live entertainment. Unlike many others, they also take food seriously. The menu is a full-service one and offers several beef, seafood and pasta entrees in addition to their raw bar, their burgers, their sandwiches and salads, and their lighter fare items.
 
In keeping with their restaurant focus, O'Brien's has an attractive wine list with some interesting choices of wines by the glass as well as good prices on the wines by the bottle. Red wine lovers might look for the Parker Estates Pinot Noir ($32) and white wine aficionados might try the Bethel Heights Pinot Gris for $29.
 
Some desserts are made in house and some are brought in. Go for the Oreo Pie ($4.25) which was, by the way, the choice of the lone lady who had dined at her leisure and was ready for coffee and dessert.

As we enjoyed the end of our meal, once again pleased with food and drinks and service, we mused that O'Brien's just might be around for another 200 years.

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