More of Morris...

After enduring the day of withering heat, spent mostly cowering in the digs waiting for the “cool” of the evening, we did venture out to join some friends for a return visit to Morris Point Restaurant on Clements Bay in Abell, in an area known as the “Seventh” (District). Alert readers will remember our initial visit was earlier this spring, so we were glad to have a chance for another meal.

After a drive that seemed shorter this time, we arrived to be silently greeted by those pleasant statues.





The rest of the party had arrived prior to us, and kindly set our table with a child's high chair for the feeder. The place was pretty crowded with all of the tables occupied, so everybody had a good laugh. On our initial spring visit I likened the place to going to a friends house for dinner. I hate to repeat myself, but once again it felt like you were invited to a friend’s house for dinner. Most of the diners seemed to know each other, and there was several cross table conversations. Debbie and various family members run the front of the house while husband Chris is in the kitchen, sort of like home.

After getting a proper chair, we settled in with a glass of chardonnay and good conversation. We eschewed ordering a couple of times to facilitate the glass and table talk, occasionally joined in by Debbie. A glass or so later, we turned to the business of ordering. I believe the menu has not changed since our previous visit with the seemingly universal waterfront offerings of crab cakes, “feasts”, shellfish and seafood dinners, pasta dishes, along with non-seafood entrée’s of steak and chicken. There is also a little blackboard with a list of “today’s fish” along with some riffs on the regular menu items such as there was a shrimp and oyster basket (in lieu of just shrimp OR oysters on the menu), plus shrimp and scallops added to the mussel pasta. Of course there’s also that issue of “sides” to deal with. I’ll never figure that out, but okay.

I ended up with the shrimp and oyster (yes, red plastic) basket, MFO chose the shrimp/scallops/mussel pasta, two orders of broiled rockfish, and the non-seafood among us did a chicken broccoli and parmesan pasta with the former “holding’ the broccoli. Meanwhile conversation, wine, and Yuengling continued to flow with some bantering with the staff, just like in their home. Salads arrived, and I was impressed by the freshness of the lettuce, grape tomatoes bright red, crisp red onion rings, and creamy white cukes on a rectangular gleaming white plate. Just the thing on a hot and steamy day. My basket arrived with many shrimp and crispy fried oysters (I normally don’t do “fried”, but hey, in a waterfront? Just right). Other dishes arrived with the rockfish nicely broiled with good golden color (as opposed to the pallid Captain’s Table attempt) and both chickens were good. MFO’s pasta was a bit short on the shrimp and scallops, but more than made up for with a plethora of mussels. Overheard at other tables were mentions by the staff that they were “out” of something, which somehow seemed acceptable and appropriate in this home like setting. Just like Mom’s refrigerator.

We managed to “save room” for dessert for once, and were rewarded with a very nicely sized dish of bread pudding, a slice of key lime pie, and some rice pudding.

We thanked the staff and the kitchen and emerged into the growing twilight much better for the experience. While there are other waterfront choices, I would pass many to come to Morris Point. A relaxed, enjoyable, low key experience, just like a meal in your neighbors house (with most likely better cooking). And, among the whole restaurant there wasn’t one ball cap or tee shirt to be seen. Refreshing to see people who (although casual) are

DFD

PS today (25th) marks the beginning of the inaugural St. Mary’s County Restaurant Week, running now until August 8th. More on that soon… Morris Point is a participant.