Quiet Tables at Lures
Dec 27th, 2010 by Alex
I’ve driven past Lures Bar and Grille dozens of times on my way to Annapolis, but never stopped in. The restaurant is located on the side of General’s Highway in Crownsville, a stone’s throw north of Rams Head Roadhouse.
Having grown up on the tributaries of the Chesapeake, I found the interior well appointed and inviting. Table spacing was lounge-like without feeling crowded. A handful of cute holiday decorations pervade the dining room during the holiday season, without looking too gaudy; I especially enjoyed the Christmas tree with beer tap, seashell, and starfish decorations. It feels like home, but at the same time a little more upscale than some of the restaurants downtown.
The staff was friendly and efficient; drinks were refilled without request and without interruption. We found a varied menu with emphasis on seafood, and a competent kitchen to execute our choices with a unique flair.
The Nacho Chacho’s are described as "a generous portion of tortilla chips topped with hot queso cheese, diced tomato, red onion, jalapeno, cilantro, green onion, and sour cream, and grilled chicken." It sounded like a good option for splitting, and it is, but something was lacking. It was a touch bland, needing a salsa-like flavor itself of the plain vegetables.
I don’t care for most seafood, but I sampled the Rockfish Bites. Beer battered and fried until golden brown, they taste like fish. Shocker, I know. I’m clearly not the best person to ask about fish, but the spicy plum dipping sauce was pretty tasty.
The Perogies were sauteed in butter with onions, but weren’t anything special. I think the Mrs. T’s that I make at home with onions and garlic are just as good.
I ordered the Chicken BLT as my entree, advertised as “tender sautéed chicken breast seasoned with a spicy sweet dry-rub, topped with bacon, Havarti, lettuce, tomato, and mayo.” Juicy with a more sweet than spicy rub, but definitely a good flavor that melded well with the Havarti and bacon. The thing not mentioned, that really made the meal, was the bread. I find a lot of Focaccia-style breads to be too firm for sandwiches, but this roll was fantastically soft with great flavor. Also worth a mention were the fries, some of the best that I’ve had in a while; perfectly cooked and tossed in a light mix of seasoned salt and Old Bay, such that I didn’t even reach for the ketchup. I wouldn’t hesitate to have the BLT again (or another sandwich), so long as it comes on that same bread with those fries.
A co-worker also tried The Best Turkey Sandwich Ever, similarly presented. He said the sandwich definitely contended for the title, agreeing completely about the bread and fries (although he struggled to finish them all).
While we didn’t indulge in the libations, Lures has fourteen beers on draft at their cozy bar area. While there are some domestics, most are from microbreweries. They are currently advertising half-price drafts for Happy Hour (4-7pm Monday-Friday), $1 off all drinks, and reduced pricing on Nachos, Rangoons, Shrooms, and Ahi Tuna appetizers. The discounts are good throughout the establishment, not just at the bar (which is one of my pet peeves).
While Roadhouse is more of a bar that serves food, Lures feels more like a restaurant that has a bar. If your out-of-town company is tired of the bustle and crowds of downtown Annapolis, Lures would be an good choice. Once it gets warmer, the outdoor deck seating would be an appealing option to try out.
I really hate places where the nachos are topped with a cheese sauce rather than real melted cheese. It’s a dealbreaker for me.