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One of the best parts of living in the Chesapeake Bay region is the opportunity to go out in a boat. The hardier the boat, the further the port of call. Our destination is Libbey’s Coastal Kitchen + Cocktails. Situated on the western shore of Kent Island at the foot of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, Libbey’s is rather close by for those of us who live in the Annapolis area. Driving there is a cinch, just minutes from the Bay Bridge. But the best way to visit Libbey’s is to go by boat. With complimentary slips to tie up to, we appreciate the option to visit by water.
In addition to offering a spot to park the boat, it also has a wide, shady lawn where they serve cocktails and something lovely to eat. The real bonus is the view. If you time it right, you can sit in an Adirondack chair alongside a like-minded friend or two just in time to watch the sunset over the Chesapeake Bay. Sunset is an event here. There are not many places in Maryland where you can actually enjoy the sunset. And as the sky darkens, the magic of the evening continues as automobiles make their way across the Bay Bridge, their lights twinkling in the darkness.
The restaurant offers some sort of special every day of the week. The night we visited, there was an oyster special on the menu. We had a nice half dozen local raw oysters. And why not check out the happy hour, Monday through Thursday, from 3 p.m. until 6:30 p.m.?
The wedge salad is exactly right. A crisp wedge of iceberg lettuce, with lumps of blue cheese in a creamy dressing, is generously studded with bacon. This salad, while simple in its composition, has something outstanding: the blue cheese is locally made at Chapel’s Country Creamery in Easton. This is a terrific salad. Its flavors will haunt you and make you want some now.
The cream of crab soup comes in a cup with plenty of crab meat and is seasoned with a shower of crab seasoning. With a dash of sherry (which we requested and added ourselves), this velvety soup is delicious.
The Rockfish Rachel sandwich pairs blackened rockfish fillet, coleslaw, swiss cheese, Thousand Island dressing, and marbled rye. The rockfish was nicely seasoned, but the coleslaw, while quite good, could have been more generous. This sandwich would have been more appreciated if it were more like the classic Reuben sandwich that inspired it. The bread, dry and not grilled, did nothing for the other ingredients, which were fine on their own.
Seafood Trinity is a selection of scallops, shrimp, and a crab cake. The shrimp and scallops are perfectly cooked but swim in a puddle of melted butter. A classic crab cake sits on the side with carrots, string beans, and a sadly bland mashed potato. This platter would have been so much better if perhaps the butter sauce had been offered on the side.
For dessert, we chose the Southern Strawberry Shortcake. The strawberries, vanilla ice cream, and strawberry sauce were exemplary. The biscuit and the whipped cream, however, lacked the lovely freshness of the strawberries.
Libbey’s has a lot going for it. Its charm lies in its basic fresh menu offerings and its spectacular location. We look forward to further exploring the menu on future alfresco visits and sitting on the lawn as we bask in the lovely atmosphere of the Chesapeake Bay.
As a side note, Libbey’s Coastal Kitchen owner Walt Petrie is a Vietnam War veteran. Petrie has erected a monument at the restaurant in honor of three members of his military unit who were killed in action. This moving tribute to fellow servicemen and women is deserving of a visit.
Libbey’s no longer allows helicopters to land on the patio; all aircraft are asked to land at the nearby Bay Bridge Airport.
Libbey’s Coastal Kitchen + Cocktails
357 Pier One Road, Stevensville, MD 21666 | 410.604.0999 | libbeyscoastalkitchen.com
Hours of Operation:
UPSTAIRS & DECK
M-Th: 11:00am – 8:00pm
F-Sat: 11:00am – 9:00pm
Sun: 10:00am – 8:00pm
Below Deck will reopen Friday, May 3rd
Photography courtesy Libbey’s Coastal Kitchen + Cocktails
© Annapolis Home Magazine
Vol. 15, No. 2 2024