Mark’s Score 9.3
Things I learned writing a travel blog, you visit more dogs than gems. The well-known places are not always the best places, and every once in a while, you run across a hidden gem. Such is the case with t at the General Store in Royal Oak. What is most surprising about this restaurant is how unknown it is. It is just a few miles (kilometers) from the very busy St Michaels Road. It is even on the road for the popular Bellevue Ferry. Yet it appears that tourists, do not know of its existence, and that is a real shame because it is one of the best restaurants in the area.
T at the General Store is located in an old tin roofed country general store in the center of Royal Oak, at the T junction on the road to the Bellevue Ferry. Though it was once a general store, from the street it looks little bigger than an old garden shed. They bill themselves as a farm-to-table restaurant working with multiple local farms to provide high quality, healthy food at a reasonable price. Their name is a play on the fact that they are situated at a T junction and they serve a variety of teas which you can drink at the restaurant or purchase for take away.
I became aware of this restaurant when I accidently noticed it while driving to the ferry in Bellevue from St Michaels. I had passed the restaurant on several previous occasions and had completely missed it, frankly I thought it was an old shed. When I realized it was a restaurant I vowed to visit on my next trip to St Michaels. I drove over to the restaurant after work, I arrived a few minutes before they opened, so I took a seat on the front porch.
The building does have a certain country charm. It is not much to look at on the outside, but the interior design is exquisitely executed. They managed to update the country store interior into a charming, and warmly inviting dining area that manages to be both modern while retaining a turn of the century county store vibe.
Given that I was alone and the only customer, I sat at the bar. The bartender and waitress seemed genuinely happy to see me. In some ways, it felt like I had unexpectedly shown up at the home of old friends, just before dinner, and they were delighted to have the company.
I ordered the specials. A saffron crab and scallop soup to start and the halibut with a white wine, citrus, and saffron reduction sauce with mashed potatoes and carrots. I give both my highest accolade, they were memorable. The halibut was cooked to perfection and the sauce was delicate, tart, and savory.
I regret having taken so long to discover this restaurant. It is one of the best in the region and its quirky, unique ambiance make this one of my favorite restaurants on the whole Eastern Shore. Put this one on your short list.
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