The Renaissance Restaurant & Banquets by Apryl Parcher

Victoria Rose stood resplendent in her 200-year-old black lace mourning gown at the top of the stairs. She was poised as if ready to lift a corner of her skirt and descend the stairs to greet us, but the music on the player piano in the foyer competed for our attention, as did our hostesses, Catherine Blansfield and her daughter, Linda Brown.

“Welcome to The Renaissance,” said Catherine with a smile, as she introduced us to the “staircase maven” and the equally mysterious invisible piano player. She showed us all around the restored Victorian house-turned-restaurant at 156 Main Street in Elkton, which included a tour of the open kitchen (complete with original tongue-in-groove butler cabinets and corner hutches).

Once we were seated, the true charm of the historic building seeped in. Victorian dolls in tiny chairs adorn nooks and crannies, and the walls are filled with artistic touches selected by Catherine’s daughter, Linda. Even the table dressings evoke a bygone era.

As soon as we were seated, our server Lynn Writer appeared with menus. Since we were sharing, I opted for the Seafood Sampler, and Ken ordered the Smothered Steak (sirloin steak smothered with cheddar cheese, bacon, onions and mushrooms). We enjoyed our salads with house wines—a sharp, smoky Merlot, and a dry Glass Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon.

The appetizer was a delicious mound of hot crab dip with toast points smothered in minced fresh garlic, butter and spinach (there was so much we had to take some home).

Next came Ken’s medium-rare sirloin, nestled next to a large, grilled fluke mushroom and roasted red potatoes. It had the melt-in-your-mouth texture of a filet—very juicy and sweet.

My seafood sampler was a huge platter containing steamed Dungeness crab, a ramekin of baked Crab Imperial (we thought it had a hint of allspice in it…Yummy!), Clams Casino on the half-shell, with lots of diced pepper and bacon, a dish of scallops and shrimp sautéed in garlic butter, two small flounder fillets and a dish of drawn butter for dipping.

While we were enjoying this sumptuous meal, we were visited by two Victorian “ghosts.” Holding a guttering candle, a mysterious lady in a purple bodice and white petticoat peered around corners and out of windows. She was followed shortly by a tall, unsmiling gentleman dressed in a black top hat and coat who wandered by with a small lantern. He approached our table and gazed out the window, his expression blank. The pair wandered from room to room and soon disappeared, but they never spoke, so we don’t know what they were looking for (or if they found it).

Afterwards, dessert arrived, and it was wonderful. Ken had a tender strawberry-amaretto cake, with sliced fresh strawberries between the layers and a light cream cheese icing sprinkled with sliced almonds. I opted for a slice of an unusual apple pie/cake combination. Served warm, it consisted of a not-too-sweet apple filling with a butter cake crust—yummy with vanilla ice cream and fresh decaf coffee.

“If you dine at The Renaissance, you must visit the gallery afterwards—a treat for the rest of your senses.”

Even after we thought we just couldn’t enjoy another thing, our hostess told us that the Raimondi Gallery was open upstairs. If you dine at The Renaissance, you must visit the gallery afterwards—a treat for the rest of your senses. The quiet gurgle of fountains, accompanied by World music and the scents of mint, lavender, patchouli and wild orchid follow you from room to room where artwork of every description and unique gifts abound. Owner Gina Raimondi’s primitive expression wall hangings are a unique treat, and she extended that art form to one of Elkton’s Elks, the beautiful “Ancient Northern Elk” that resides on Main Street in front of The Renaissance.

Gina pairs up with instructor Teri Hurt to provide affordable art classes for adults and children throughout the year. Every Friday, for example, they hold a Ladies’ Night art class from 7-9pm, and resident artist receptions are held the second Friday of every month.

Fine food and a unique art-shopping experience…what could be a better combination?  The Renaissance and Raimondi Gallery provide both in historic downtown Elkton, and we give them each four thumbs up. Why not give them a try before the holidays?

The Renaissance can be reached at 410-398-4241, and the Raimondi Gallery at
410-392-9002.