100 Best Restaurants 2008: Lewnes' Steakhouse

Reviewed by Todd Kliman , Cynthia Hacinli , Ann Limpert , Dave McIntyre

No. 96: Lewnes' Steakhouse

Lewnes' Steakhouse

401 Fourth St.
Annapolis, MD
Phone: 410-263-1617

Cuisines:
Steaks, American

Opening Hours:

Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes

Nearby Metro Stops:
None nearby

Price Range:
Expensive

Dress:
Informal

Noise Level:
Chatty

Reservations:
Recommended

Special Features:
Party Space

Website:
Click here to open in new window.

Price Details:
Appetizers, $4.95 to $11.95; entrees, $18.95 to $38.95.


Cuisine: An old-fashioned steakhouse in thrall to a new phenomenon: wet-aging. Purists may scoff, but these well-marbled, well-crusted slabs of meat make up for a loss of nuttiness with juiciness and savor.

Mood: More like a neighborhood tavern than a steakhouse, this corner restaurant just across the Spa Creek Bridge in Eastport overflows with backslapping locals and bonhomie.

Best for: A steak dinner without the usual trappings—or money traps.

Best dishes: Porterhouse; New York strip; Lyonnaise potatoes sprinkled with paprika; creamed spinach; Key-lime pie.

Insider tips: Load up on the sides, which are reasonably priced—$5.95 for a plate of creamed spinach—and big enough for two to share. And the restaurant’s private reserve of wines will reward diners who want to drink as well as they eat.

Service: ••