Deep Creek Restaurant is a rare pearl in the crowded field of the region’s steak and seafood houses.
The Arnold, Md., restaurant sits along Deep Creek and has views of the Magothy River. The Magothy flows into the Chesapeake Bay just north of the Bay Bridge, so you can reach the restaurant by boat as well as car — a dock and marina are right outside.
Inside, most tables have a water view. Dress is casual. Framed regional artwork graces the walls. In fact, some of the pieces can be purchased right off the wall.
A raw bar just outside the dining area offers oysters, clams, mussels and shrimp.
On the lunch menu there are 10 sandwiches to choose from. Crab cake, grilled tuna, cheese steak and shrimp salad have all been tried on previous visits. The sandwiches are of good size and come with your choice of french fries or onion rings.
There are a half-dozen different salads to choose from, be it lunchtime or dinner.
Appetizers are fairly standard (crab dip, bruschetta, fried calamari), but one that is unique is the crab pizza ($9.99). Because the menu called the sauce Alfredo, we were pleasantly surprised at the lightness of the dish.
The sauce provided the perfect backdrop for the sweet crabmeat, paired with equally sweet diced tomatoes. A touch of cheese and just the perfect sprinkling of seafood seasoning completed the dish. A better crust would make this truly exceptional.
Cream of crab soup ($3.99 for a cup) is an exceptional version of this local staple. The menu touts it as “velvet,” and the decadent richness makes that an apt description. Just the right amount of spice and a generous serving of crabmeat seal the deal.
Deep Creek’s signature dinner entrees rely heavily on seafood, steak and pasta plates.
The flounder Veracruz ($19.99) was pan-fried fillets over baby field greens, drizzled with cilantro oil and a jalapeno cream, then topped with homemade salsa. The fillets were perfectly fried, not greasy at all, with a light, crisp crust. That crispiness paired well with the crisp greens and the crunchy fresh peppers and onions in the salsa. The hot fish and cold salad provided a welcome contrast to one another, while the strong flavors of the cilantro oil and jalapeno cream complemented rather than overpowered the mild, sweet taste of the fish.
Steak and cake ($32.99) is a combination of land and sea. Filet mignon is paired with a jumbo lump crab cake finished with a chipotle aioli sauce.
New York strip and scampi ($23.99) is a 12-ounce steak accompanied by a small portion of shrimp scampi. The steak was good, but a little overcooked.
The scampi were a bit richer than some versions, but still light and bursting with garlic and lemon. The shrimp were tender and not overcooked. A disappointing combination of broccoli and cauliflower was the vegetable of the day. The broccoli was overcooked, the cauliflower undercooked.
Seafood penne is a combination of shrimp, scallops and crabmeat sauteed with tomatoes and scallions in a Romano cheese sauce. A house salad and garlic bread are included.
With chicken marsala nouvo, the kitchen pan-sears a breast of chicken with mushrooms, marsala wine and cracked peppercorns. The dish comes to the table with herb mashed potatoes.
An interesting take on salmon was the baked salmon strudel. Salmon, spinach, artichoke hearts and Boursin cheese come wrapped in phyllo dough and garnished with a dill cream sauce.
For diners 12 and younger there is spaghetti, chicken nuggets, burgers, fried shrimp, grilled cheese and pizza all priced at $5.95, including fries and ice cream.
Three of the dessert offerings are homemade: Key lime pie, creme brulee and apple pie. Opting for sweet rather than tart, the creme brulee ($4.99) was a very satisfying choice. The custard was full-bodied and rich, with rich vanilla overtones. The caramelized sugar on top was perfectly crispy, but it could have been just a bit warmer when served.
RESTAURANT: Deep Creek Restaurant, 1050 Deep Creek Ave., Arnold, Md.; 410/974-1408
HOURS: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, with brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
RESERVATIONS: Accepted
PRICES: Soups and salads $3.45 to $9.95; appetizers $6.95 to $16.95; sandwiches $6.95 to $8.95; dinner entrees $12.99 to $32.99; desserts $2.99 to $4.99
CREDIT CARDS: All major cards
PARKING: On-site
ACCESS: Wheelchair accessible
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