Maryland restaurant does not disappoint
June 2025
by Peggy Hyland, Contributing Columnist
With beach season finally here, we headed east, stopping in Berlin, Md., to check out Blacksmith Bar & Restaurant. The covered deck was filled with patio tables that could be expanded to accommodate parties of various sizes, perfect for the summer crowd. We settled in to peruse the menu, which featured a dizzying array of specials, from seafood fritters to ribeye. Chef Justine Zegna rotates the specials based on availability and demand. Crowd favorites are likely to make repeat appearances, especially their mac and cheese (Brie, Gruyere and Gouda) topped with a tempura-fried lobster tail.
We decided to sample our way through some of the regular offerings, starting with the deviled eggs, which were fried to crispy perfection, filled with lump crab and sprinkled with Old Bay. They were truly stellar. We then turned our attention to the seafood fritters. They were made from shrimp, crab, lobster and halibut. The outside was light and crispy, and the filling was incredibly silky. They were served with a fantastic house-made ranch dressing. Ranch is never my go-to, but my ranch-loving companion and I happily topped our fritters with it.
As a seafood and fresh pasta fan, I could not resist the hand-cut pappardelle pasta with shrimp and lump crab. The tarragon-truffle cream had a beautiful garlicky herb finish, and everything went harmoniously with the delicate shrimp and lump crab. As much as I love crab and shrimp, the pasta was so good I would happily eat it plain. My companion chose the boneless short ribs with shrimp and stone-ground polenta. The polenta was incredibly creamy, and the shrimp were cooked to perfection. The bourbon and bacon cream sauce was tangy, perfect for the tender short ribs. It was nothing short of inspired.
We were full but could not resist dessert. My companion chose the bananas Foster cheesecake, a cannoli shell topped with toasted coconut. The texture of the filling was divine, and the cannoli shell was crispy and golden. I am a sucker for bread pudding, and the butterscotch and salted caramel bread pudding was outstanding. It was served over freshly whipped cream and had a salted caramel icing. It was enormous, definitely big enough to share. They also had an espresso martini with the same butterscotch toffee topping and ice cream as the bread pudding did.
The wine list is reasonably priced, and several regional beer offerings are available, including one made in Berlin. The service was delightful and attentive. Berlin is about 20 minutes from Ocean City, without the crowds and hustle found closer to the beach. It is a great place to stop on your way to or from Ocean City. They are closed on Sundays, so plan ahead to ensure you do not miss them. Berlin is a charming town, and Blacksmith is good enough to make it a destination in its own right.
Blacksmith Bar & Restaurant
104 Pitts St., Berlin, Md.
Monday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
410-973-2102