It’s a bit of a hike down into the 7th, but a pretty drive with some nice tobacco barns along the way, so it’s kind of a pleasant trip. Plus, the signage is good enough that you don’t have to depend on your GPS to get you there (how times change).
Not knowing what to expect, we were pleasantly surprised when we got there. Since we’ve been talking about the evolution of waterfront places, I would put Morris Point into the “keep the old, but make it better” category (which I just coined). The building itself is a classic water front restaurant with quite a history (used to be Ebb Tide), built on the water with a little deck on back
But, in the front (where you arrive) it’s anything but classic because they’ve created a little sculpture garden for you. Nicely landscaped and plenty of things to attract your eye (and lenses) making it a very enticing entrance.
The statuary ranges from somewhat abstract to modern, and is “real stuff”. No plywood or wrought iron silhouettes here..
While my friend conducted his business inside, I settled on the back deck to contemplate sky and passing residents.
Finally the ladies arrived and after enjoying a glass of wine and the scenery we went inside for dinner. The smallish interior is also pleasantly decorated with only about 7 tables tucked next to the “open” kitchen. It’s almost like you’re going to a friend’s house for dinner rather than in a restaurant. If the mood struck you, you could easily carry on a conversation with the chef, he’s pretty much that close (of course he’s busy with the food, but you could). There was another table occupied, apparently from the neighborhood. We were helped by Debbie, one of the owners who just pulled up a chair and chatted for a while. Turns out she’s from Long Island, so MFO and she compared notes. Just like you would at a friend’s house.
But, unlike a friend’s house there is a menu. Back to the “classic” part, it’s a laminated two pager with what you would expect at such a place. Starters, Soups and Salads, Baskets (we didn’t see if they were red plastic), and some pasta dishes. Pretty much same stuff, crab balls, crab dip, oyster stew (in season), butterflied shrimp and clam baskets, fish and chips, comfort stuff. . But with a nod to the more modern, there was also a smoked trout platter there. The heartier main courses were also just what you want and expect, crab cakes, stuffed shrimp, fish of the day, but again perked up by a dish called a “fatty crab” which is a softshell stuffed with a crab cake. Sort of a crab within a crab deal. Of course they also offered the requisite “feast” option, with a choice of either a Patuxent or Potomac version (which understandably contain pretty much the same stuff,) with the primary distinction that Patuxent is broiled and Potomac is fried. Make of that what you will. They also have the “with choice of two sides” on most items, another Southern Maryland time honored seafood place staple.
Due to the business thing, were there on Thursday, normally a “prep” night (normal hours are Friday through Sunday) so some of the stuff wasn’t available. So we started with (more wine) and some Mozzarella sticks, then I had FOY (first of year) soft shells (unstuffed), MFO had a shrimp and scallop skewer kind of thing. In the perking up department, our friend had Brats (?!) and she had a nice piece of fish. Old and new together.
Throughout the meal, conversation continued all around between diners and kitchen and so on, just like a friend’s house. I’ll wait to comment on the food (what we had was good) after another visit when the full menu is available. All in all a nice waterfront experience, old mixed with new, quiet, restful, good conversation. Take a drive on a weekend and try it..I sort of thought it brings real meaning to “when you’re here you’re family”!
And of course if you went to a friends, you would be
DFD
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