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by Bob & Tanya Waite
It’s early morning and I am surprised that Tanya is dressed and ready to go before me. Teasing me and laughing, she says, “Ya didn’t think I’d be ready, did ya?” I ask, “Are you ok?” At this point she asks, “Who’s ready, Mr. Big Stuff?”
Still smarting from Tanya’s retort I jump in the car and we hit the road. We plan to get to Annapolis several hours before check-in at the Annapolis Waterfront Inn. Before long we are crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to the Western Shore.
As we drive into Annapolis, Tanya is putting photos up on Facebook and I am trying to point out sites of interest, such as the United States Naval Academy. Driving by this venerable institution, we see no cadets. But we do get a glimpse of the buildings designed in the American Beaux Arts style of architecture.
We park by the Annapolis waterfront and walk into the Harbor Square Mall to look for souvenirs. Once inside we go a gift shop. Tanya picks out two Annapolis T-shirts for me. We are ready to leave, but she sees the shoes. Now shoes, boots and sneakers are Tanya’s obsession. And there is a canary yellow pair of sneakers on display. Tanya, who has more shoes that most department stores, doesn’t have any yellow sneakers. I say, “Poor kid, you don’t have enough shoes. You need a yellow pair of sneakers.” She agrees. “Yes,” she says, with a kind of glazed zombie look on her face. We leave richer by two shirts and a pair of yellow sneakers.
Close to the waterfront is a large shopping and dining area. The streets are full of shops, galleries, boutiques and restaurants bustling with lunchtime activity. Dining outdoors, people are eating everything from crab cakes to hamburgers with salads of every kind. We stop at the Harvest Wood Grill & Tap that has both indoor and outdoor dining. We go inside. The Crab Cake Sandwiches are delicious. Our waiter Jeff is not only well-mannered but very knowledgeable about things to do in Annapolis.
We check in at the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel at 3 p.m. At the desk is Caleb Mansey, a man who loves Annapolis and loves his job. He gives us many suggestions about food, entertainment and things to do. He makes himself available and insists that we call him with any questions or needs. He advises to wake up for the magnificent sunrise over the Chesapeake.
The hotel, outside and inside, is impressive. Its recent multi-million dollar renovation included both the exterior and interior changes. The bright white exterior is set off by new awnings, lighting that highlights the hotel’s features and a large clear glass window that offers a view of the lobby. The General Manager, Matt Nelson, describes this renovation as “… taking this gem that has stood watch over the beautiful Annapolis Harbor for decades to a welcomed new level.”
We are particularly impressed with the lobby. Tanya, usually in a hurry to get to our room, stops and admires the first floor of the hotel. At one end is a hallway that leads to Pusser’s gift shop and to Pusser’s Caribbean Grille. Inside the lobby are tastefully appointed sitting areas which are furnished with sofas and comfortable chairs. One of these areas has a large screen tv and another has a fireplace. Art is placed throughout the hotel.
Tanya is excited about going to go to our room, which we know has a waterfront view. Her jaw drops when we enter, “Oh wow! Look at this view!” She is actually jumping up and down. I am also impressed with the balcony that overlooks the Annapolis Waterfront. Immediately she says, “Put the suitcases in the closet. Don’t put anything down. I want to take pictures just the way it is.” I have enough sense to exit onto the balcony and take in the Chesapeake.
“Our room is gorgeous!” Tanya says, looking at the white dresser with visible wood grain. The furnishings are shades of blue and white with hints of brown and black. The comfortable king-sized bed has a blue cushioned backboard with a wooden frame, and the pillows display the blue and white theme that is prevalent throughout the hotel. In one corner is a sleek black desk lit by a brass desk lamp. Color is coordinated in such a way as to give the room a classic coastal look. Art is displayed above the dresser and in several strategic spots, including the bathroom.
We have a couple of hours to relax before dinner, so we decide to sit on the balcony. On the balcony are two chairs and small round metal table. Beyond the balcony’s black iron railing is one to the most delightful sights that I ever saw. The Chesapeake is right there. We are literally on the waterfront and we see every kind of boat imaginable, some docked and some in the water. There are speedboats, lots of sailboats, large cabin cruisers, and quite a few yachts. I see people kayaking, paddling canoes, sunbathing on the deck of a yacht and sailing.
After sitting for an hour and a half, we get dressed for dinner. We both dress up. It is our anniversary. We get to Pusser’s Caribbean Grill right on time. It is a warm September day and most of the restaurant’s guests decided to eat outside on the waterfront, next to the Chesapeake. We, not being dressed in casual beach attire, decide to eat in. The Covid-19 restrictions hardly matter, since in this very spacious restaurant there is only one other couple eating in.
The restaurant is rustic. The bar and dining area are dimly lit with ornate paneling that actually makes me think of pirates and the British Navy. We take a brief tour of the premises before being seated and find an impressive collection of nautical antiques. But what’s really amazing is the replica of the African Queen from the movie starring Humphry Bogart and Katharine Hepburn. The replica was actually used in the film.
Our server, Krista Hokanson is polite and friendly. She suggests several cocktails, including the Painkiller, which is a blend of Pusser's Rum, pineapple juice, orange juice and cream of coconut, served on the rocks with an orange slice and a cherry, then topped off with freshly grated nutmeg. It comes in three strengths, depending on how much pain you want to kill. I asked Krista about Pusser’s Rum and found out that it has won many awards. We, however, pass on the Painkiller. I order a Dewar’s and soda and Tanya orders a Rum Punch.
We look at the safe, paper menu while our drinks are being prepared. Two appetizers seem to be calling our names: Coconut Rum Shrimp (coconut breaded jumbo shrimp served with gingered yellow tomato chutney) and Steamed Spiced Shrimp (half pound of peel and eat shrimp tossed in island spices and steamed).
Tanya is conflicted about what she wants for an entrée. I know what I want and on the section of the menu called two mixed grill. I choose Jamaican Jerk Tuna Steak medium with mango salsa and the Flat Iron steak, lightly seasoned and chargrilled. After seeing me make a selection, Tanya goes for the mixed grill also, choosing a Mini Crab Cake and Fried Coconut Shrimp. Both selections are served with mashed potatoes and steamed asparagus.
While we are waiting for our food, Matt Shovestul, the restaurant manager visited our table. He tells us the story of Pusser’s name. On British Naval vessels the purser was the man who gave each of the sailors their daily portion of rum They would call to him and often drop the ‘r’, especially if they already had some rum. They would call, “pusser, pusser!” Matt also tells us stories about the Pusser’s Rum and how good it was. He gives me a sample, and it is very smooth.
The dinner is delicious. I especially love the Coconut Rum Shrimp and Tanya is partial to her entrée, Fried Coconut Shrimp and the Mini Crab Cakes. The Jamaican Jerk Tuna Steak is frankly the best tuna steak I ever ate. We are so full that we cannot even try to eat dessert. As we are leaving, Matt brings us each a gift; colorful metal Pusser’s rum cups that make us members of the Painkiller’s Club. On the back of the cup is the recipe for this infamous drink.
After returning to the room, we spend some time on the balcony watching the boats and enjoying the bay breeze. After that we relax watching tv and drift off to sleep. We wake up in time to meet Matt Nelson, the general manager of the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel at 9 a.m. in the lobby.
Matt Nelson is actually from the Philadelphia area and has held management positions at the Westin Philadelphia and The Rittenhouse Hotel. He became the general manager of the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel in July of 2019 and is very happy with the recent renovations and of everything from exterior to the lobby, rooms, and even the hallways. With Matt is Chara Hutzel, director of sales.
Matt loves Annapolis and views it as a wonderful place to visit. “While living in Philadelphia, Annapolis was where my wife and I would often go to get away and relax.” He hinted that now it is harder for them to get away without the kids. Both Matt and Chara are proud of the extensive renovations that were made not only to the exterior, lobby and guestrooms, but also to their event rooms. The Annapolis Waterfront hotel hosts corporate meetings, weddings and other events.
Although Covid-19 put a considerable strain on the hospitality business, Matt explains that unlike the hotels in large cities, the Waterfront did well because Annapolis is safer and considered than larger cities and the Waterfront has taken the precautions needed to ensure guest safety. I add that from what we see in Annapolis, the town itself is doing a great job promoting social distancing and other safety measures.
After meeting with Matt and Chara, we go to the Iron Rooster for breakfast. I eat one of their famous waffles with eggs on the side and Tanya eats French toast. The food, as we were told by several people was very good. It hit the spot on an off and on rainy day.
We go back to the hotel and relax, since it is damp outside. We sit for several hours on the Tanya loves rain and enjoys watching the rain fall on the bay and boats. Later it clears up and we order Chinese. It is over-the-top romantic to sit on the balcony, eat and watch the harbor lights.
Saturday morning I get up for the spectacular sunrise over the Chesapeake. The sun comes out of the bay turning darkness into dawn and lighting up the hundreds of docked boats. I will never forget the scene. Tanya briefly gets a glimpse and thanks God. She then goes back to sleep. We both are dressed and out by 11 a.m. Annapolis and the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel are not going to be a one-time stop for us. We will return.
(bio)
Bob Waite is the editor of Bucks County Magazine and Tanya is his wife, travel companion and the co-writer of this department.