Mark’s Score 9.5
Every once in a while, you have to treat yourself to an over the top, no expenses spared treat. I had had a couple of really rough weeks. I was ready for something indulgent, something memorable. When I want to indulge, Stars at the Inn at Perry Cabin is on my short list. Yes, it is not cheap, but however expensive it is, it is worth every penny.
Like St Michaels itself, the history of The Inn at Perry Cabin is tied to the War of 1812. In 1812 Samuel Hambleton owned the manor house that sat on this property. During the war he was an aid de camp to Commodore Perry. When he returned from the war, he added a wing to the manor and designed the wing to resemble Perry’s cabin on the flagship “Niagara,” from which the Inn gets its name. In 1980 the Meyerhoff’s of Baltimore bought the property and turned it into a hotel. Today the inn is owned by Orient Express, who expanded the property to its current 82 rooms.
I had just completed one of my St Michaels runs for Bordeleau, it was lunch time, and I was ready for something special. You know you are in for something special the moment you drive through their gate and down their tree-lined brick driveway, at the end of which, sits the valet desk. It was the first truly warm day, above 80 F (27 C) so I decided to sit out on the patio facing the Chesapeake Bay. There was a welcome light breeze off the bay. The water was still cold so the breeze had a slight and pleasantly salty earthy bouquet.
There were some lovely main courses on the menu, but I decided to go with two starters, a cup of the cream of crab soup (I almost ordered the “crispy deviled eggs”). But at the last minute I ordered the sesame spinach salad with avocados and grapefruit in an orange butter sauce. It just seemed like the perfect dish on a warm spring day by the bay. I wasn’t wrong. To wash it down, I ordered a glass of prosecco.
Though it was a beautiful day, there were few guests, so I savored a leisurely lunch. What is it about sitting next to the water that brings such a state of contentment? The crab soup was spectacular, there was a mound of crab surrounded by a rich savory broth, housed in an earthen bowl. I have to admit the salad was a bit less memorable but I enjoyed the combination of flavors and textures. I don’t order dessert very often, but it was such a perfect day I ordered the Smith Island Cake, which was more a work of art than a dessert.
Every once in a while, you have a meal so special, you are sad to see it come to an end. This was one of those meals. If you have a really special occasion, you can make it memorable by celebrating at Star.
Leave a Reply