The newest restaurant in Eastport, Blackwall Hitch, has been open for about 3 months and has really hit its stride. I was invited to a soft opening and thought the food was great and the service was top notch–of course, to a degree you expect that when the owners are hovering around and they are out to impress!
Blackwall Hitch is new. There is nothing resembling the old Eastport Clipper or The Rockfish. And with any new place, you expect some bumps along the way. If Yelp is an indicator, they had a few. But if my dinner last Sunday night is an indicator–whatever they were, they are all behind them.
Rooftop Dining
We decided to eat on the rooftop. The sun was setting, it was not oppressively hot and there was a table available right at the rail with a view. For some reason (that could not be readily explained) draft beers are not allowed to be served on the roof. Bottled beers are fine, so I was content. We started off with the charcuterie which was plenty for the two of us. The only criticism is that they could have spared a few more of the poppy seed cracker things. The Cajun Prime Rib (my order) was cooked just the way I like it and had a very decent zing to it. The fries were unique–in a good way. Very thick, crisp and seasoned well–neither needed any additional sauces or seasonings…which, to me is a sign of a good meal. My date had the Mahi Mahi Tacos and said they were very good. Me? I don’t do seafood, so I took her word on it. But both meals were very amply sized and she ended up taking the last taco home!
The waitstaff was great. Andy (I may have that wrong) was there when you needed him, but let us hang out and talk and chat to our heart’s content. Drinks were refilled, plated removed and questions thoroughly answered. Well, all except the one about why no draft beers on the roof!
Speaking of the roof, Annapolis City has a weird rule that if you are eating on the roof–you need to do it before 10pm. So 10pm rolled around and we were asked to relocated inside. We paid the upstairs tab and headed down to the bar.
Downstairs Bar
Downstairs, we grabbed a couch and within a minute, a server was on hand to take our order and leave some complimentary still water if we wanted it. The crowd was mellow as was the piped in music–they have live music Wednesdays through Saturdays downstairs in the very cool looking bar with The Ocean lyrics painted on a white brick wall
Football
With football season upon us, Blackwall Hitch might be a place to consider. No, it is not a “sports bar” but they do have their living room. The “living room” is a private room with comfy couches, a great television screen and sound system. The room can be rented for special events during the week (think bachelor parties, business entertaining, etc) and features bottle service and a dedicated staff for you. The room can be open to the rest of the world, or if you want, sealed off. This fall they are offering a special football package for $600 for up to 8 people. OK, now that that is out of the way, it includes :
- Old Bay, Buffalo and BBQ Wing Platter
- Grilled Italian Sausages with
- Sauteed Peppers and Onions
- Chef’s Selection of Pasta Salad
- Chips and Pretzels
- Homemade Cookies and Brownies
- Unlimited Assorted Soft Drinks
- Unlimited Bottled Water
- Cooler of Assorted Domestic Beer
Do the math and it is only $75 a person and if you are headed out to a bar for the game and drinking a few beers, your tab is probably approaching that in any event! But, a VERY cool way to watch the game!
Special Events
With plenty of on-site free parking, Blackwall Hitch also should make your A-list for pretty much any special event–wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners, etc. In addition to the main dining room, there are four other rooms of varying size to handle every need–all of which can be separated from the public areas if desired. Corporate retreat, special birthday, large family gathering, etc. And with their private dining, you also have several special menus to make it an extra special time. With the holidays coming up, office party space in Annapolis is tight, but with the new digs in Eastport, it’s worth checking it out–but don;t wait if you are looking for this year!
