Photo Courtesy of the Chesapeake Room
Sometime last month, I attended an event at the yet-to-be-opened Chesapeake Room and though there was no food service at that event, I already loved the atmosphere and of course the large, tented patio on the corner of 8th Street SE and E Street SE.
The Chesapeake Room officially opened for business Memorial Day weekend, and I’d been remiss in getting over there until last week. My best friend (since we were 9) was in town and though I normally skip weekday lunches (or nibble on something while I’m working at home) she was hungry and had some specific cravings. She cobbled together a list of restaurants we’ve visited over the years, stretching from Half Moon Bay, CA to Annapolis, MD, to give me an inkling as to where we should go have lunch that day. I quickly realized she wanted something beachy; seafood would be nice, but wasn’t entirely necessary. I showed her the menu at Chesapeake Room, and off we went.
It was late on a gray, hazy, hot, humid afternoon, so we had no problem getting a spot on the patio. I’d given up the notion of getting any more work done that day, so I quickly ordered an Army-Navy Daiquiri. Anytime I see real daiquiris (nothing but rum, simple syrup, and lime juice) on a menu, I am compelled to order it and I wasn’t disappointed. It tasted exactly how it’s supposed to – light, refreshing, and only a tiny bit sweet – so I was considering the lunch a win even before I chose my entree.
Unlike my friend, I wasn’t in the mood for anything in particular, which is usually a problem for me when it comes to ordering. I can never decide and even on a menu of favorites, nothing grabs me. The Chesapeake Room’s lunch menu was thankfully condensed from its dinner menu (when you click on the lunch menu link on the website, it still displays the dinner menu – only about 2/3 of those items are available at lunch) so I had a short list of things to choose from, and for some reason, I opted for the bison burger (rare). I’m not sure what I was thinking on such a hot, sticky day – a light salad would have probably been a more appropriate choice. My friend chose something called “Seafood Bliss” (which is called “Chilled Seafood Salad” on the online menu), which was a better choice for the day.
This is not to say that my burger was bad. Quite the opposite. It was done perfectly (I admire restaurants that still have the, er… stones… to serve burgers bloody and only a bit warm on the inside and happily allow me thumb my nose at the food safety gestapo who’d gleefully have us all eating hockey pucks) and the bison was fresh and low in fat, but heavy on delicate, meaty flavor. It was served with a side of foie gras jus, which I didn’t like as much as I wanted to – but it’s possible that the heat and humidity was to blame. It was served with spring onion new potato salad, which I wasn’t fond of. It was drier than I’d have preferred – even discounting my usual preference for overly-mayo’d potato salad. I’m guessing this may have been because we were there at an odd time (2pm on a Monday).
My friend’s Seafood Bliss however, was just that. I was envious of her meal from the minute our plates were put down in front of us. It was the perfect lunch for the day with fresh, chilled shrimp, clams, mussels, scallops and squid on a bed of greens dressed in a champagne and citrus vinaigrette that brought out the flavor in the perfectly done seafood. Not a chewy squid ring to be found on top of a pile of fresh, crunchy greens. It was the ideal meal for a day that felt as if the heat and humidity were wearing steel-toed Doc Martens and standing on your chest.
We wanted to share a piece of the ginger cheesecake that’s on the menu, but they were out of it by the time we were at the end of our meal. There was some chocolate thing or another available, but neither of us like chocolate, so we opted for another drink.
Another area in which I must give the Chesapeake Room high marks: by the time we finished our long, multi-cocktailed lunch, we were the only diners left in the restaurant, but never once did we feel rushed. In fact we were encouraged to stay for one more drink. No one tried to push us out the door, and they went out of their way to make sure we felt comfortable to stay as long as we liked. While to my mind, this should go without saying – in a city where Michael Landrum is exalted (and his Ray’s the Steaks empire – the Southwest Airlines of steakhouses – is lauded by seemingly everyone on the street), it seems that the tolerance for being pushed out the door as you’re still chewing the last bite of food has increased. This is a dining trend that I loathe, and that our lingering was not only tolerated but encouraged at the Chesapeake Room will keep me coming back.
The Chesapeake Room is located at 501 8th Street SE and is open daily for lunch and dinner, and on weekends for brunch.
I was frustrated by the oyster “po boy.” Not disappointed, but frustrated that such delicious oysters (with a spicy horseradish crust) were served in such an awkward fashion. There’s a reason why po boys are served on Leidenheimer rolls, or indeed any soft baguette type roll: put oysters in a hard roll and you end up squeezing the oyster out when you put it in your mouth. Chesapeake Room decided, for some reason, to put the oysters inside a dense, hard, round roll that’s been cut down the middle from top to bottom. The soft part was dug out and the only way to eat it without the oysters falling out is like you would a hotdog or gyro. I ended up just using a knife and fork. I have to wonder if the head chef actually tried to eat this thing. Really awkward, but I’m looking forward to ordering the oysters sans bread as they were quite plump and tasty. And the outdoor deck is awesome.
I thought the oyster po boy was akward, too, but it was tasty. I struggled to find something on the lunch menu because the choices are limited, but I’ll give it another shot. I also won’t have a problem going back to get a drink and sit on the patio – it’s a perfect place to relax.
have they fixed the letters in the sign yet? (j/k)
I went back this weekend for dinner, and was again impressed. They were out of the strip steak that I’d ordered (it was late) and offered to replace it with a bison hangar steak. That sounded even better than the cow I was planning on, and when it arrived bloody and warm – the perfect rare – I was giddy. The accompanying mushroom bread pudding was worth the entree order.
And, we finally got to sample the ginger cheesecake which was delicious and light and fluffy; more like a mousse than a cheesecake.
I’m intrigued by this awkward po’boy though. I think I’ll venture away from the bison on future visits!
My husband, daughter and I waited for a table once, but settled for dinner at Ted’s when the wait went on a little longer than they promised (I’m not mad about, it’s our own fault for going at 7pm on a Saturday night).
I was actually kind of happy that we didn’t get a table. I hate seafood and we had out daughter with us. All this to ask, are the non-seafood choices worth going (most non-seafood choices aren’t worth a damn when the special is seafood) and more importantly, would I be putting people out by bringing my daughter? You’ve met her a time or two, so you might be able to say if her and all of her toddler ways are welcome by staff and fellow diners.
On the seafood v. non seafood point, I’d say yes, go. Of the four of us at dinner on Saturday, 3 of us had non-seafood entrees. I’m eager to go back and try the roasted chicken, based on my earlier experiences. (I love seafood, but have yet to order it there.)
On the kid point… Your daughter is the most low-key, sweet, polite and well-behaved toddler I’ve ever encountered, so I’ll guess this based on “regular” toddlers. I think kids would do best outside on the patio. We sat inside on Saturday night and the tables are up kind of high for little ones. I’m sure they have high chairs, but I’m not sure how high. I think you could do a booster seat on the booth though. Strollers would be a very tight fit.
As for child-tolerance… I was there late on Saturday night at an hour when most people with toddlers wouldn’t be dining, but it was an older crowd, many of whom I’d guess were parents or grandparents themselves.
Two things I didn’t notice (being childless myself) were whether or not there were changing tables (I don’t think so, but don’t quote me on that) and if there was a children’s menu.
I would say that Chesapeake Room doesn’t go out of its way to be child-friendly, but also isn’t going to be put out by you bringing the kids along. I’d recommend lunchtime or a weeknight dinner on the patio though.
I do think it’s at least a little weird that they don’t take reservations for groups under four.
@Maria, why? Neither Matchbox nor Ted’s (nor Granville’s, Jaleo, Zaytinya, and a whole slew of other places across the city) take reservations at all. Sometimes it’s frustrating, sure, but it’s also why people are able to wander in off the street and get a table.
Doesn’t their menu seem a little light? Especially on the seafood side? They really ought to have a crabcake sandwich on the menu, IMO. I’m hoping they will expand the selection once they find their groove
Nichole,
I, nor anyone I know have ever “wandered in off the street” and gotten a table at Matchbox, Jaleo, or Zaytinya – that is without waiting at least an hour. From a business standpoint, I realize why they do it. However, this business model effectively excludes those without the time to wait 2 hours to have a 45 minute meal. I solve the problem by eating out at 9 on Sunday evening. I just wish there was a more healthy mix of both non reservation and “wait till you sit” establishments to choose from.
@imgoph, I too am mystified by the typographical decisions at CR. Not only is the sign above the door messed up, but there is no convincing reason for having three distinct typefaces on the outside of the building: on the aforementioned sign, on the windows and on the awning. Looks fugly.
@G-Man, I suppose my response to you is, “So?”
I wandered in off the street on a Saturday night at around 8:30 pm to the Chesapeake Room and I think we waited only 10 or so minutes for a table. Had the wait been longer, we’d have found a spot at the bar and settled in. I go out to dinner as an evening activity -particularly on weekends – and do not want to be rushed and don’t mind having a couple of drinks beforehand if that’s what’s required. Have you tried to book a reservation at Acqua al 2 during a prime time on a weekend lately? Impossible. You might be able to walk in off the street and grab a seat at the bar (maybe) but that only works if you’re alone, or with one other person. I don’t fault them at all, but it’s nice to be able to only have a short wait on a weekend night without having to plan ahead.
If you’re only planning on spending 45 minutes eating your meal, then yeah – maybe these restaurants aren’t for you. Ray’s the Steaks will be happy to kick you out before you finish your last bite if you linger longer than an hour, so maybe that’s a good spot for you. But, particularly on weekends, I’m looking to have a few bottles of wine and enjoy my meal and the company I’m dining with, so waiting a little bit at the bar to get a table isn’t a problem at all.
@Maria: Huh? I got a reservation for 3 once.
I had the rockfish, it was ‘meh’. Pretty bland.
I wish people would stop focusing on the seafood aspect of this place. In the run up, every preview of it that I read said it was going to be a seafood restaurant. It obviously isn’t, and there are more non seafood items on the menu than seafood. The restaurant is more a “locally sourced” restaurant, which is a vague claim, but more along hte lines with Founding Farmers.