Story and Photography By Rita Calvert
O’Brien’s Steakhouse
113 Main Street, Annapolis // 410-268-6288 //obriensoysterbar.com
brbrThe rich, red painted brick structure resting at 113 Main Street in downtown Annapolis comes with a long and colorful history. It began its life more than 200 years ago as the meeting spot for Revolutionaries and loyalists to the crown. Next, as the only dining and dancing establishment in downtown Annapolis, it was the hub for sailors, merchants, and neighbors. It then became home of the first pizza in our town, before morphing into the first cabaret theater of the area. In the ’70s, when transforming into a steak house owned by a sports figure, it lured politicians and more sports figures along with a few ghosts. We spoke about this rich history and current endeavors, with owner Jerry Hardesty.
With rumors of ghosts in your historic building, do you know their names? Are they friendly? Do you have a ghost tour?
brbrI’d say the one ghost, Roland, who is here is friendly. But to tell you the truth, we have many more ghosts at Middleton. Groups who study ghosts as a science have come to me and asked to hold séances, which are held right around midnight to 1 a.m. That’s how the ghost’s name came through. No ghost tours...sorry.
O’Brien’s is said to be owned and run by family.
brbrBasically it’s just me and I’ve been around long enough with Middleton [Tavern] that I used to be called, “Old Man.” Now I’m just called, “The Dinosaur.” Chris Nokes has been working with me in administration and behind the scenes for well into 30 years. She’s considered family.
Wasn’t O’Brien’s originally called an Oyster Bar and Restaurant? When did the Steakhouse emerge?
brbrIt all started out as Fran O’Brien’s in the ’70s by the owner of the same name who was a defensive lineman for the Washington Redskins. The steak and seafood menu was a big favorite. I bought Fran O’Brien’s in 1993 and dropped the Fran since he had passed away. Right around the year 2000, I decided to bring back the style of Annapolis’ original steakhouse and I brought in certified Black Angus beef aged 45 days. We are proud of the process of dry aging the beef another week within the restaurant and then using our special in-house butchering process. However, we still have the raw bar, exactly as it has always been.
How are menus and then individual recipes developed? The double 14-ounce pork chop highlighted here will turn heads (and did, when I photographed it). How was the recipe conceived and developed for your menu?
brbrMy executive chef works solely with me to come up with concepts and then recipes for items on the menu. We may take an old standard and give it a new twist like the Double Pork Chop, which sits on a bed of caramelized onions with a balsamic reduction.
What is your food background?
brbrMy family is in the mortuary business and I attended the Mortuary of Science in NYC. While I was in school I waited tables and tended bar...and got absolutely hooked on the hospitality business-big time! I decided to follow that completely different field from the family business.
There are four flags flying in the front of the restaurant. Aside from the American flag and Maryland state flag, what do the other flags represent?
brbrWe fly the United States, Maryland, Marine, and Naval Academy flags. A lot of our inside decor is memorabilia paying homage to Annapolis history and Naval Academy sports heroes.
The special events room upstairs is quite dramatic. Tell us about it.
brbrNo one else around has a 20-foot flagstone fireplace, which was in the building when I took it over. Of course I kept it, while I had the interior design done with draping curtains that accent the 25-foot ceiling. The special events room is very successful for bridal rehearsal dinners, receptions, banquets, and wine dinners. The upstairs bar within the special events room is the overflow area on Friday and Saturday nights.
Speaking of wine tell us about the Wine on the Beach Festival.
brbrNineteen years ago I founded the festival, Wine on the Beach, in Ocean City, Maryland, which lasts two days. We get between 8,500 and 10,000 attendees who sample wines from the East Coast, micro-brewed beers, Delmarva food, local music, and many crafts.
Double Bone-In Pork Chop with Balsamic Onions and Oven Roasted Potatoesbr
Serves 1 (large portion)
brbrO’Brien’s in downtown Annapolis features this delicious and hearty pork chop that demonstrates how easy it is to take an American classic and give it a modern culinary twist.
- brbr1 14-oz pork chop (double bone-in)
- br1/2 large white onion
- br8 red potatoes
- br3 sprigs of basil, rosemary, and thyme, removed from stem, finely chopped
- br2 large cloves fresh chopped garlic
- br3 tablespoons olive oil
- br1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- br1 teaspoon sugar
- br1 teaspoon kosher salt and black pepper
- br1 cup demi-glaze (store bought or instant)
- br2 tablespoons butter
For the Pork Chop
brCoat pork chop on both sides with salt and pepper, garlic, and herbs. Heat sauté pan with 2 oz of olive oil, sear pork chop on each side for 3–4 minutes and set aside. Keep sauté pan aside as well.
For the Balsamic Onions
brIn seasoned sauté pan, heat 1 tablespoon butter, pinch of salt and pepper, and a pinch of sugar. Add onions and sauté for 2-3 minutes, then add 1 tablepoon balsamic vinegar and simmer for 15–20 minutes.
For the Herbal Demi-Glaze
brHeat demi-glaze in small sauté pan with 1/4 oz garlic and a pinch of herbs (basil, rosemary, thyme) and simmer for 2–3 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon butter at the end of simmering to thicken, then turn off heat.
For the Oven Roasted Potatoes
brBoil potatoes for 6–8 minutes and strain. Place potatoes in mixing bowl with remaining garlic, herbs, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Mix together and place on baking tray with pork chop and bake at 420 degrees for 12–15 minutes until potatoes are golden brown. Pork chop is best enjoyed cooked to medium. If well-done is preferred, remove potatoes and cook the pork chop by itself for an additional 6–8 minutes
Plating
brOn a dinner plate, make a bed of the caramelized onions and place the pork chop on top. Arrange potatoes on plate and finish with the herbal demi-glaze. Garnish with rosemary and enjoy!
