Review by Caroline Miller King and Photography by Ed Mann

Amanda Comer has a lot on her plate. Pun intended. That’s because the cheerful chef is busy running Solomons’ Lotus Kitchen, Blue Heron Inn bed and breakfast, and Bistro Belle Maison located inside the Inn. The Bistro is her latest endeavor. Open since July 2012, it treats diners to small plates, an intimate atmosphere and breathtaking views of Back Creek and The Narrows, the Patuxent River, and the Chesapeake Bay beyond.

Review and Photography by Caroline Miller King

Looking for a great spot to celebrate after your kid’s soccer game? Craving a pizza fix during your lunch hour? Or trying to find authentic Italian gelato for a sweet treat?

Nicolletti’s Pizza in California, Md., has you covered.

Story by Caroline Miller King and Photography by August Selckmann

What better time for a review of Southern Maryland’s barbecue joints than the summer? These spots offer simple, satisfying fare that’s perfect for enjoying at the picnic table – whether at the restaurant itself or a family gathering some place else. Almost all of the places listed below cater, so consider them before your next event.

Review and Photography by Caroline Miller King

As I opened the door to Ouzo’s Greek & Regional Cuisine in La Plata, I was met with the sight of a server presenting a fiery skillet to a table of guests – I would find out later the source of the flames was saganaki cheese topped with brandy and lemon – and shouts of “Opa!” from throughout the restaurant. With the friendly employees and the lively music playing in the background, there was a definite air of conviviality to the place.

Is there anything that says “Southern Maryland” more than the crab cake? It’s the absolute favorite summer food for so many Southern Marylanders. While we all enjoy picking hard shell crabs with a pitcher of beer and our best buddies, it’s the crab cake sandwich that truly satisfies our crabmeat craving. Whether you like it with tartar sauce or cocktail sauce, fried or broiled, with a bun or without … there is a crab cake out there calling your name! After all, Southern Maryland is Crab Cake Country!

Dana Spicuzza is no stranger to the restaurant business. The co-owner of DB McMillan’s, an Irish pub and grill located in California, Md., comes from a family well-entrenched in the St. Mary’s County dining scene.

It’s 8:15 on a Wednesday night in late August and every table at Jerry’s Place in Prince Frederick is filled. On weekends the wait could be an hour at this simple seafood restaurant. (No reservations taken.) What’s the attraction? The highway view? Not. Prices? Competitive. Food? Fantastic.

When childhood friends and Southern Maryland natives Nicholas White and Tony Graham decided to open The Prime Street Grille two years ago, they obviously were serious about the food. The former manager of Stoney’s Kingfishers in Solomons and federal employee-turned caterer, respectively, are turning out a sophisticated menu featuring expertly prepared steaks and seafood that could rival many of D.C.‘s well-known establishments.