Mark’s Score 8.8
I have been meaning to visit Capsize for a while. But in the off season most businesses in Oxford are either closed or have very limited business hours. However, spring is finally here and Capsize is open again!
Capsize is owned by former bar tender, Tom Marx. Tom has worked at Capsize since it opened in 2017 and he became owner in 2023. Local chef Mike Greenwood has been cooking since he was 14 years-old, and has been the chef at Capsize since 2018. Mike is very customer focused and seeks menu advice and requests from regular customers. Though it is in a tourist town, the vibe is very much a local neighborhood restaurant.
For my money Capsize wins the award for the restaurant with the best view on the Eastern Shore. It is located right next to the marina and town dock on the edge of Town Creek. Whether you are in the dining room, or the outdoor patio you have fantastic views of the creek and bay, as well as the stately homes along the river. The restaurant has its own dock, so you can arrive by boat. Either way, there is constant activity on the water which provides an ideal and restful tableau to accompany your meal.
I visited Capsize on a beautiful summer’s day. The river was full of boats, and there was a light breeze. In short, it was a perfect day to sit out on the patio and enjoy a leisurely lunch. It was still early in the season, in the middle of the week, so there were only a few other patrons.
I would classify their cuisine as upscale modern American with a strong waterman and southern influence. Though their entre menu is small (which is not a bad thing), they have a robust appetizer and light fair selection. It was a menu fit for a restaurant that calls itself a friendly neighborhood bistro.
Sometimes I order a couple of appetizers instead of a main, but I got an impression from the menu that their appetizers are designed to be shared, and I was dining alone. So, I ordered a beer and the Korean Shrimp Tacos. The shrimp rested on a bed of wasabi coleslaw and were lightly sprinkled with sesame seeds with a side of bulgogi sauce. It was a perfect dish for outdoor dining on a warm sunny day. The tacos were accompanied by a side of French fries that I would have to rate as some of the best fries I have had in a very long time. They were cooked to a golden-brown perfection.
In the end, dining out is all about the overall experience. Though the food and service are good and the dining room is charming (though on the stark side for my taste), the real draw here is a decent meal in one of the most spectacular settings on the Delmarva. You will get a very good meal at Capsize, but go for the view.
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