Best New Restaurant in Maryland

The Westlawn Inn was named the Best New Restaurant in Maryland last night by the state's restaurant association. And rightfully so. Nestled on a small street in the little town of North Beach, the Westlawn Inn is serving cuisine that rivals many of the finest restaurants in Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis.

Last night, while the award was being presented to owner Lee Travers, I was happily enjoying the restaurant's spectacular new Spring menu. Much like every meal I have eaten there in the past, it was superb. The new crab spring rolls were especially tasty, with a brilliant combination of fresh jumbo lump crab, cilantro, grapefruit, mango and toasted pumpkin seeds. The imaginative halibut entree, with white asparagus, fava beans and open ravioli of morel mushrooms was skillfully prepared and absolutely delicious.

It is refreshing to know that the efforts of Lee, chef John and the rest of the staff at the Westlawn Inn are being recognized. The restaurant is a gem which, with the pending development of the North Beach bay front, most certainly has a long and successful future in front of it.