We seldom make recommendations for fine dining on this blog because we seldom have occasion to sample it ourselves, but the other night I happened to have an excellent meal, and it seems appropriate to tell you about it.

One night last week, unencumbered by the inconvenience of caring for my children or complimenting Robbi, I picked up my mom (who is visiting for a few weeks) and drove to Easton, a bigger-than-Chestertown-but-still-rather-small town about 45 minutes south of here. We were meeting another friend for dinner in downtown Easton, at a restaurant inside a hotel. More specifically, at Hunter’s Tavern in the Tidewater Inn.

Reading the menu was a breathtaking event, a brain freeze of intimidating prices and alluring opportunities. There was nothing that I didn’t want to eat. I wish I had taken a photo of the appetizer section, because it was really as much art as cuisine. Forced to choose among our children, we elected for the edamame pot stickers. And they did not disappoint. Alas, I was too dazed with the beauty of the dish when it arrived to remember to snap a photo, but I had come to my senses by the time our main courses showed up.

Seared ahi tuna.

Spinach salad with blackened chicken.

And what would a dinner on the Eastern Shore be without a crab cake?

I took these photos mostly for the benefit of Robbi, who would likely count tuna and crab cake among her desert island fare. Perhaps the only thing she likes more is creme brule.

I’m sorry, Robbi. I show you these photos not to make you sad but to honor you.
Consider them a tribute to your impeccable taste.

Did I mention that the creme brule was topped with fresh strawberries a had a roasted caramel glaze?

And the thing that will surely cause Robbi the greatest pain of all? We didn’t even finish it. We were just too stuffed from all that other amazing food.

So there you have it.

If you’re looking for a really tasty dinner that is artfully presented, a pleasant atmosphere, and an inconvenient excess of money in your wallet, I heartily recommend Hunter’s Tavern in the Tidewater Inn.