The "Destination Dining: Chesapeake City, MD" Story

The Bayard House Restaurant in South Chesapeake City, MD.

It was an ordinary day.  Heading south towards Chesapeake City, Maryland to have lunch with our friends Pat and Dale who recently moved to warmer weather in South Carolina.  Gonna miss their company on nights when we have nothing to do and can give then a ring and plan something on the spot for the evening.  The warmer winter climate seems enticing, but we'd see less of our family if we moved that far south and family is more important to us than having to wear a coat in the winter.  

Schaeffer's Canal House in North Chesapeake City.

Today our destination is going to be the Bayard House at the foot of Bohemia Ave. by the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal.  Always fun to sit water-side in the restaurant and watch the boats in the summer, but just as much fun to take in the serenity of the slowly moving water during the winter.  There are basically three waterfront restaurants along the canal that we like to visit: The Bayard House, The Chesapeake Inn and Schaeffer's Canal House.  

The Chesapeake Inn which sits back from the C&D Canal.

Schaeffer's used to be a thriving place in the 1970's to 1990's when we visited the Chesapeake Bay area with friends and family, but came upon hard times and closed.  It recently re-opened and we gave it a try one time, but find we gravitate to the South Chesapeake City side of the Canal to the other two restaurants.  Both have great menus, but today we wanted a table right along the Canal to share with our friends.  

Enjoying our meals.  Pat and Dale on left with
Carol and LDub on the right.

So what did I have for my meal today?  Started with a cup of Crab Bisque which is very good, but personally not as good as the same soup at the Chesapeake Inn.  My main meal was Anaheim Pepper stuffed with lobster, crab and shrimp and baked with green chili sauce and cheddar cheese and topped with sour cream and salsa.  

My Anaheim Pepper with red potatoes
and green beans.  Click for larger view.

Absolutely fabulous!  I actually told the waitress that it probably was the best Anaheim Pepper I ever ate at the restaurant and that included at least two or three dozen other Anaheim Pepper meals I have had there in the past.  If it hadn't been the pepper, I would have had the Oysters Chesapeake which are oysters on the half-shell topped with lump crab meat and Hollandaise sauce.  For dessert I had the Creme Brûlée which was done perfect with little drops of whipped cream.  When I saw the brûlée listed on the menu today I just had to try it, but Carol and I usually split a big bowl of Canal Digger Crunch which is vanilla ice cream with chocolate pieces and chocolate and caramel syrup flowing through it.  

The Creme Brûlée.

Something specially made for The Bayard House by an ice cream company in Delaware.  Now if we had gone to the Chesapeake Inn both Carol and I would have had the award winning cream-based crab bisque that has minced vegetables and lump crab meat.  For our meal we both would have had our favorite Lobster grilled cheese which carries a fresh-sliced tomato, lobster meat, Monterrey jack cheese on butter grilled Texas toast.  It is phenomenal even though it is listed as a grilled cheese.  Comes with "old Bay" fries, fruit or coleslaw.  So you see, if you ever travel to Chesapeake City for a meal, there are many fine places to eat along the C&D Canal which have a big variety of food choices.  Enjoy some time if you are within driving distance.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.