Residents and visitors to Talbot County have choices of some of the finest area restaurants, featuring a wide array of venues, menus and décor. In our Easton Village newsletters, we’ll review some of our local favorites and invite you to join us in sharing your dining experiences, recommendations and favorites with others. This month, we are spotlighting Hunters Tavern at The Tidewater Inn.
Located in the heart of downtown Easton, the Inn was built in 1891 and known as the Hotel Avon. It was a wood framed building that survived 53 years as Easton’s center of hospitality. In 1944, Hotel Avon was devastated in a fire. In 1949, 4,000 people gathered for the opening of the new Tidewater Inn, which was soon known as one of the finest hotels in the Mid-Atlantic region. In 1954, the Gold Ballroom and additional guest wing were built.
Recently, Easton Village Welcome Center Representative, Marcia Burgoon, and her husband visited Hunters Tavern with another couple. All four diners agreed that it was one of the best meals they have had in an area restaurant.
Marcia ordered the Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes, served with mustard sauce, and her husband ordered the Peppercorn Encrusted Flat Iron Steak, finished with a traditional pan sauce. Both said their entrees were “excellent!” Their dinner guests were equally pleased with the Eastern Shore Cioppino (fresh shucked oyster, shrimp, fish, and mussels served with a delicious broth of garlic, white wine, saffron and butter over angel hair pasta, and the Asian Chicken Salad with fresh mixed greens, toasted almonds, mandarin oranges, vegetables, and spicy Asian-style dressing, topped with chicken breast and fried wontons. The portions were more than adequate.
Other menu selections include Steak Au Poivre, Filet Mignon, Tuscan Chicken, Lobster Tempura, Smoked Peppered Bluefish, Calamari, Seared Rare Ahi Tuna, and Tavern Mussels.
The dinner party all agreed that the ambiance of the restaurant is just as appealing as its menu selections. Rich wood detailing and subdued lighting create a warm and welcoming setting. The evening was made even more pleasant by their gracious and attentive waiter, Paul Finiello. Marcia said, “It was a delightful evening, and one that will be repeated soon!”
