The Tides Restaurant & Oyster Bar

The Tides
Restaurant & Oyster Bar
In a word-Superb!

When you think of exquisite, Lexington Park probably doesn't come to mind, with Patuxent River Air Station, the retail strips along Rt. 235, and the base contractors' offices. But located off of Expedition Drive, the Tides Restaurants and Oyster Bar makes Lexington Park a very desirable destination. That's where you'll find a fabulous dining facility that offers you the opportunity for an exceptional dining experience.

What makes this dining experience so exceptional is the combination of the beauty and comfort of the facility, the professionalism of the staff combined with the excellent food preparation and presentation. The cuisine is French and American with an Asian influence. The choices presented to you for everything from water to wine, entrees to desserts, are abundant. They offer five different menus from which to choose including, a martini menu with more than 18 choices, a wine menu with over 50 different wines available by the glass, and lets not forget lunch, dinner and a decedent dessert menu. And if all this isn't enough, the raw bar offers you a choice of a variety of fresh seafood, either raw or steamed as well as a great selection of sushi and sashimi.

The menu choices are not only abundant, but excellent. The food is meticulously prepared by Chef Ahmed Koroma, who makes everything from scratch including the breads, sauces, desserts, even the ice cream. All the ingredients are purchased fresh, insuring that each meal is perfectly delicious. He comes to the Tides from the Tavern at the Village where he was the head chef. He brings more than 20 years of food preparation to your table, and it shows very well. He has worked as Executive Chef in popular restaurants such as Planet Hollywood, Chef de Cuisine at the Ritz Carlton, Hilton Hotel in Alexandria, Clyde's, and was formerly Executive Chef at the Bethesda Country Club. Chef Koroma is also a professional ice carver and sugar sculptor. Each plate that goes out the his kitchen is a creation of its own. His presentations look almost as good as they taste!

The Tides is open for lunch and dinner offering a cornucopia of food options including fresh seafood, aged steaks, salads, soups, caviar, poultry and whatever else that may be available fresh. There is absolutely something for everyone. The menu changes on a regular basis and there are specials offered daily. Table side service is offered for both dinner and dessert and is personally presented to you by the Maitre'D, Arthur Ehrlich. The dessert menu includes choices that run the gamut from strawberry tart, tiramiru, creme brulee, mouses and gelato to Cherries Jubilee. For an after dinner drink try one of their specialty coffees (presented to you in your personal French press percolator) or cognacs.

To ensure your lunch or dinner is a perfect, Ehrlich is always available to make sure your dining experience is unlike any other. Ehrlich who is originally from Chicago, has more than 30 years experience in the food industry, his specialty is opening exceptional restaurants. He has been associated with several world class restaurants, from the renowned Le Coq au Vin in Chicago, to the Copper Grill Lobster & Steak House in Richmond. He trains all the service personnel to ensure they are fully knowledgeable on the proper techniques of food services, but also on all the foods and beverages that are sold at the Tides. He admits he's sometimes a little tough on his staff, because he expects perfection for his customers and wants your dining experience to exceed your expectations. He wants you to leave the Tides, saying "wow!" and you will!

The staff at the Tides Restaurant and Oyster are taught to be attentive and personal and to get to know your preferences, so upon your return they will have that information available to them and be able to provide you with more personalized service.

With the Tides Restaurant and Oyster Bar you are sure to be making Lexington Park one of your favorite destinations. Make a reservation today. We're sure you'll have a superb experience.

The Tides is located 1/4 mile north of Patuxent River Air Station on Expedition Drive. They are open Monday-Friday 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. for lunch, 5:30-9:30 p.m. for dinner (10:30 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays noon to 10:30 p.m., Sunday 3:30-9:00 p.m.

They offer a room for private events that seats 16, a monthly wine dinner, and many holiday events. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 301-862-5303. For more information and for a complete line up of menus, go to www.thetidesrestaurant.com.

Oyster in Bondage
with White Truffle Cream and Salmon Roe

Ingredients:

4 shucked oysters
4 slices of smoked salmon
8 ozs. shredded phyllo dough (Kataifi)
3 eggs (for egg wash)
1/2 tsp. Old Bay Seasoning
1/2 oz. white truffle oil
1/4 oz. lemon juice
3 T. crème fraiche or sour cream
2 C. vegetable oil
1 oz. salmon roe
Dash of tabasco
1 oz. of chives - thinly cut with scissors

Preparation:

Season oyster with old bay and wrap individually in salmon slice.
Dip in egg wash and wrap in phyllo shred, refrigerate for 1 hour.
Mix crème fraiche with tabasco and lemon juice, refrigerate.
Heat 2 C. of oil in 2 or 4 inch frying pan at 350 degrees.
Carefully fry oyster for 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
Remove onto paper towel to help drain excess oil.

To serve: Put a dollop of cream sauce on the bottom of a plate, spread out with the bottom of a spoon, put oyster on top of sauce, add 1/4 oz. of salmon roe on top of oyster, then drizzle with white truffle oil and garnish with snipped chives.

NOTE: Finely shredded potato can be substituted in place of shredded phyllo.