The Chart House restaurant

Downtown Annapolis can be a really nice place to be especially in the spring. On this night this past April 17th, it was breezy and had a slight chill. Much like the weather on the night of our wedding. the stage was set.

Our 16th wedding anniversary April 17th 1994. This past Saturday the 17th was as good a day as I can remember. The Chart house has been a long time staple for Tami and I. Special events are celebrated here for us. 
First off, we were seated in a nice window location, and the server we had was very upbeat and a professional from start to finish. I started with the Seared Ahi Tuna, which was at best ok. It was presented pretty bland, and the taste was not something fit for this setting.

Next was the Spinach salad with warm bacon vinaigrette dressing. The set up and presentation was excellent. It came out all in a Chiffonade fashion, lined up neatly, and the server actually tossed together the ingredients table side. The way in which everything was cut made it very easy to eat and enjoy. The bacon was in thick crisp chunks, so the hickory flavors came through very nice, and all of the accompaniments were too properly channeled into this dish. An A+. In fact this could have been an entree and been a success.

Finally, the Prime Rib entree. I had the smaller cut, and the rib was cooked as asked, to medium, and was as tender and flavorful as any I could remember.
The Steamed Asparagus with Shallot Buerre was as well, tender, and full of flavor.  Tami, had the Cocktail shrimp, which after a small mixup in the making of the sauce for it, was quickly remedied, however i was shocked to taste that they actually put straight ketchup for the sauce to begin with. I mean, who's watching what goes out here?? We actually had to show and explain it? It was truly straight ketchup, nothing else.

This of course was soon addressed, and Tami's Salad, was crisp, and was very enjoyable.
We finished off the evening with the Chart houses Mud pie, and coffee, which is always a winner.
I go to the Chart house mainly for the company in which I keep here. Tami. She enjoy's this place tremendously. I give the chart house kudos for the location of course (can't lose) and service which on this night, our server was top notch. The culinary side of it, always has it's share of up's and downs though. Rarely is it consistent. And that is a problem for a place that is as pricey as the Chart house. Needless to say, the food is not the first reason I come here. 

However, if this was addressed, and was consistent, this place would be perfect. It is of course a destination point for travelers and many locals simply because of it's location and tenure on the docks. A nice spot for a romantic evening to begin.