Reynolds Tavern

The fireplace and oil lamps made the place feel just right for a cold winter date, and Noah Teague Booz was lovely to hear live. The dining room stayed quiet even with the pub nearby, which I really appreciated. The spaces were pretty bright, great for accessibility, though it softened the atmosphere a bit. Probably not a spot for kids. Dinner was wonderful, and we finished with drinks and dessert in the pub. We loved the steak frites, shrimp and scallops, and salmon risotto. The cream of crab tasted great, though it came a little cold. The Old Fashioned and Aperol spritz were both good. Service moved quickly for fine dining, but we never felt pushed out. Can't wait to come back.

I used to love Reynolds Tavern, but after our Mother's Day visit, I won't return. We were trying to order the soup on the Mother's Day menu for our kids, and the manager told us we had to pay $46 for each person seated at the table. We had never been told about that rule when booking. She said we had been, but that wasn't true. The soup was overpriced, and the policy was ridiculous, but the manager's rudeness was the worst part. She wouldn't discuss it and showed no apology. I felt we were treated terribly for trying to order soup for our children. I'd fire her if I ran the place. I also wasn't allowed to share food with my three-year-old daughter, though that rule wasn't stated anywhere. The website showed the wrong Mother's Day Tea price, despite the restaurant's claim that it communicates clearly. The manager was especially rude to a mother trying to enjoy Mother's Day with her kids. After reading other reviews, it seems other customers have also found this manager rude and dismissive. The owner should take those complaints seriously; it sounds like a wider issue with the same manager.

The tea service had such a classic, old-fashioned feel, and I loved that all the teacups and china were different. Our waitress patiently answered our many questions and knew her stuff. Even though my friend and I booked that same Sunday, the staff made room for us and were so accommodating. I'm more of a coffee person, so I ordered French press coffee and really liked it. The cucumber sandwiches and chocolate chip scones were my favorites. I liked the scones enough to bring a six-pack home. I had a lovely visit at Reynolds Tavern and will go back next time I'm in Annapolis.

I loved the historic feel of Reynolds Tavern. The deep dark floors and antique-style chandeliers give the space real charm, and knowing George Washington visited adds to that sense of history. It feels warm and inviting, and I'd love to take my mother and daughter for a girly tea lunch. For lunch I ordered the crab cake sandwich with fries. The crab cake was excellent, and the fried green tomato underneath was a nice surprise. The lightly buttered bread was perfect. I might have added a thin slice of tomato, but the sandwich was satisfying as served, and the fries came in a generous portion. I started with cream of crab soup, small but smooth, rich, and well balanced. This was my first high tea, and the scones were the highlight. I chose one plain and one cranberry orange, with house-made clotted cream and jam. They were fresh and beautifully baked, the best I've ever had. The rich, smooth cream was exactly what high tea should have, and now it'll be hard to enjoy an ordinary scone. I paired them with an oolong tea variation, served with what looked like homemade sugar cubes, a thoughtful touch. The whole visit was wonderful, and I can't wait to return.