A weekend away on Maryland's Eastern Shore
/Ah me, three nights and four days away with just T was just what we needed. And the perfect birthday present for him, to boot! I am so grateful to my in-laws for keeping the boys and letting us escape to the Eastern Shore.
We took off late last Friday morning, aiming for St. Michael's, MD. Lunchtime found us near Annapolis, and hunger and a quick Yelp search directed us to Giolitti, an authentic, delicious Italian delicatessen over which I went bananas. Italian radio streamed in the background, and my tonno Italiano sandwich was so good that I not only stopped talking while eating but also, fast forward, made Tom bring me by for another on our way home yesterday.
sicilian-style tuna, balsamic, provolone, lettuce, and perfect bread
T had a muffaletta on our first pass, and a meatball sub on our second. We also discovered Poppies chocolate-coconut macaroons, an import from Belgium that are like high-brow Girl Scout cookies (the Samoas, aka Caramel D'lights). We ate one box on Friday and now have another in our pantry, as well as some fab pastas, and one ball each of mozzarella di bufala and burrata and a large bag of speck, all imported from Italy, in the fridge. Winning!
Happy guy who, at the time this was snapped, was still 38. We found this a fitting memorial. Today he's 39.
If ever you are near Annapolis, haul ass to Giolitti! The only disappointment was their tiramisu which had some sort of flavored cream that neither T nor I liked at all. Like, I refused to take a second bite. Blech. The cannoli, on the other hand, utilized the freshest, crispiest, yummiest shell I've enjoyed in ages. While I am a purist and do not like chocolate in my cream filling, it didn't distract too terribly from this delicacy!
Once checked in to the Inn at Perry Cabin (a very lovely, comfortable, friendly place; we highly recommend if you get a good rate, as did we; too pricey on the regular, in our opinion, unless that matters not, in which case, go forth and enjoy.), we walked the main drag of St. Michael's, putzing and 'sploring (our old-as-we-are nickname for how we like to explore new places) and remembering what it's like to be nothing more than a couple.
It is so important to take this time for each other, to reconnect in unrushed, unscheduled ways. We played backgammon atop our bed, spontaneously attended the Cava cocktail event being hosted in the library (and met a young couple that happens to know one of our friends who was a groomsman in our wedding; SUCH a small world), went out to eat, napped, watched a movie, read, and got massages.
a hearty breakfast of quinoa, warm veggies, micro greens, balsamic drizzle, and a fried egg; at the Bartlett Pear Inn
It didn't matter that it drizzled and chilled Saturday as we 'splored the nearby (and charming) town of Easton, for we both fit under one umbrella and could pop into cozy bookstores and galleries and antique shops whenever a storefront caught our eye.
We could simply roll as if peacefully and purposefully atop a wave, and it was heavenly.
(The writer critic in me notices that there are three adverbs in the above sentence and not a few in this piece, is exceedingLY vexed about them, but is going ahead anyway.)
steamers and grilled bread; at t at the General Store
Even after fifteen years together, T had no idea that I love scarabs until we came across an ages-old soapstone one in a pop-up antiques market whose name now escapes me. You can't know how perfectly smooth and weighted that little treasure was. I wish I'd bought it. Over brunch, I read to T about scarab symbology and meaning. Funny and delightful to learn new things about someone you've known and been with for so long.
Yesterday, we headed home, stopping a couple times just because we felt like it and for a quick second pass through Giolitti, and then the boys tumbled in, and Nutmeg stretched and purred, and yay for gumbo in the freezer.
I'll head east to the Shore anytime!
Places to stay:
Inn at Perry Cabin, St. Michael's
Bartlett Pear Inn, Easton
Places to eat:
Giolitti Delicatessen, Annapolis
Bartlett Pear Inn, Easton (love the ambiance and food! Tom had a lamb burger that he said was superb)
Stars, Inn at Perry Cabin, St. Michael's (I had a stellar breakfast of Anson Mills grits with rhubarb and raspberry compotes and honey; off the chart good; T had a very solid eggs Benedict on cheddar biscuits)
t at the General Store, Easton (love the atmosphere, food was all presented in artistic but unfussy fashion but ranged from excellent-those steamers-to just OK; I would go back though!)
Ava's Pizzeria, St. Michael's (pizza was better than average but not outstanding, casual/jovial atmo)
Rise Up coffee, St. Michael's and Easton (a job well done)