98 Cannon Riverfront Grill and Salsa Grill are worth checking out

This is going to take a bit of traveling so find a comfortable spot. We’re going to two restaurants, one on the eastern shore, the other in Woodlawn and also a stop in Owings Mills. So if you’re ready, follow me,

Let’s cross the Bay Bridge and head to the picturesque town of Chestertown. You can spend a day just touring the highlights, like Washington College and the Chester River, but we’re going to the 98 Cannon Riverfront Grill, located at 98 Cannon Road.

Open seven days for lunch and dinner with a weekend brunch, you’ll dine with great views of the Chester River, usually very busy in the warmer months, so there’s lots to see. Be sure to grab a seat on the remodeled outdoor deck in season.

In total there’s seating for about 200, a bar with TV’s, a marina in the back, yes people do arrive by boat, daily specials (for example, Burger Night on Monday and Steak Night on Thursday), brick oven pizzas, Happy Hour 3 to 6 weekdays and late-night specials after 10 p.m.

Some of the signature lunch items include the fried brussel sprouts, the eastern shore broiled oysters and the fried green tomatoes. Oh, by the way, for dessert try the hot fudge brownie sundae.

Reach them on Facebook or 443-282-0055.

I know you can’t still be hungry but on the way home let’s stop at Salsa Grill, 6644 Security Blvd. This restaurant is owned and operated (with lots of help) by Jay Angle. He has been at this location since 1993. That’s 26 years for those who are counting. An amazing record in the restaurant business.

Open seven days for lunch and dinner, though Jay is thinking about breakfast, it seats 100, very casual, most of the produce is local, desserts made in house, plenty of parking, will cater on and off-premise and paintings on the wall that are for sale.

Signature menu items include the Empanada de Espinaca for a starter, the caesar salad, the Caribbean Paella and Vegetarian Stir Fry as main entrees. My favorite happens to be the Grilled Chicken Fra Diablo.

Reach Salsa Grill at eatsalsagrill.com or 410-265-5552.

Our final stop is the Irvine Nature Center, 11201 Garrison Forest Road Owings Mills. This is definitely an ideal family destination. Open seven days year-round it consists of wetlands, forests, meadows, over seven miles of walking trails, a 17,000 square foot exhibit hall, an outdoor classroom and native American sites.

There are also animals for you to observe. Such as a Maryland Terrapin, snakes, beehives and hawks. Your visit usually is self-guided. Irvine was founded by Olivia Irvine Dodge and it was moved from the St. Timothy’s School in 2008.

Eddie Applefeld

Eddie Applefeld is a Baltimore native and a graduate of Towson University. He has been in the broadcasting profession for over 30 years. Currently he is the Promotions Director of WCBM radio. Before that, he was part of the Rouse & Company show on WQSR, host of a cable TV show called Dining Out and adjunct instructor at Towson.
His past accomplishments include being named a finalist in Baltimore Tourism’s Employee of the Year Program and winner of Toastmaster’s Speaker of the Year contest. He was also twice a heartthrob for the American Heart Association’s gala fund raiser.