Bistro St. Michaels, a popular local restaurant that closed in mid-2012, has reopened under the ownership of Robert A.W. Pascal.
The restaurant, which is now open Thursday through Monday for dinner only, welcomed its first guests on Friday, March 22, at 5 pm. “One of our goals was to remain true to the restaurant’s former ambiance of warmth and local hospitality,” Pascal said. “Based on what we heard this past weekend, our guests are pleased with what we’ve accomplished.”
Pascal, who is also owner and general manager of St. Michaels Harbour Inn, Marina & Spa, purchased the restaurant, noted for its warm atmosphere and great food made with ingredients native to this area, in October of last year. Since then, he has been working closely with Executive Chef David Hayes, who oversees the food operations at the Inn, to recreate that dining experience with a slightly different approach to the menu.
The menu, developed by Chef Hayes, features European-style bistro cuisine prepared with local sustainable products. Among the menu items are regional favorites with a twist such as Bistro Steamed Mussels served with a shallot, garlic, saffron, fennel, arugula, and white wine cream broth and grilled ciabatta; Duck Confit Crepe prepared with green onions, cabbage, smoked duck and an orange reduction syrup; and Bistro’s “Fruits de Mer” featuring scallops, shrimp, jumbo lump crab and fresh herbs in a seafood veloute served in a puff pastry basket.
Currently, the restaurant is open Thursday through Monday from 5 to 9:30 pm (10 pm on Friday and Saturday) for dinner. In May, the hours and menu will expand to include lunch as well as brunch on Sunday. Plans are for the restaurant to be open year-round.
Located at 403 South Talbot St., the 75-seat restaurant occupies a 100-plus-year-old clapboard house. Originally opened in 1996, the restaurant features a main floor with a bar and cozy tables for casual dining as well as a dining room upstairs, which is perfect for special events. For more information about Bistro St. Michaels or to make reservations visit www.bistrostmichaels.com or call 410-745-9111.
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