Dining at the Orchard Landing Restaurant in Towson is much like eating in a very hip, contemporary grandmother?s house.
It?s not the place for families to take rambunctious kids, but the dining room?s sophisticated interior is perfect for impressing your date. Billowed beige curtains line the walls instead of dated wallpaper. Booths are lined in rich flowered upholstery. Votives in patterned candleholders allow soft light to dance on the tables.
Our waitress was patient and attentive, despite the fact that we summoned her three times futilely before we decided what we wanted to eat.
The crab dip was served on a large platter filled with slices of soft warm French bread. Creamy and sweet, the appetizer was filled with fresh lump crab meat. The generous portion made us ask for more bread to slather on the thick dip.
Our house salad consisted of spinach leaves and other mixed greens, topped with huge cherry tomatoes, crunchy croutons and slices of cucumber. The homemade Caesar dressing was so thick it had to be spread onto the leaves with a fork. Needless to say, the consistency of the dressing turned us off to the salad immediately, and after a few bites, it was whisked away by the busboy.
A cup of Maryland crab soup followed, a tomato-based soup chock full of fresh veggies and shredded crab meat. Spicy and served hot, the soup was a great transition from the rich dip to the main course.
I ordered the rib special, a full rack of steaming ribs covered in a rich barbecue sauce, served with garlic mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables. Practically falling off the bone, the ribs were tender and juicy, the barbecue tangy and sweet. The whipped potatoes had a crusty outside and a silky garlic taste. The steamed carrots, broccoli florets, yellow squash and zucchini were perfect with a sprinkle of salt.
My companion had the steak and cake, a petite filet and lump crab cake. The filet was pink and savory, but the crab cake was mostly filler and didn?t impress. The homemade applesauce served with the dish was chunky and sweet.
We finished the meal with a small slice of peanut butter and chocolate pie, topped with whipped cream, a great cap to a delicious dinner.
If you go
Orchard Landing Restaurant and Lounge
1528 E. Joppa Road, Towson
410-823-5050; www.orchardlanding.com
» Who You?ll See: Older couples, families with older children
» What You?ll Pay: $50 for two
» What You?ll Eat: Fresh Maryland seafood
» What You?ll Drink: Water or wine
