• The restaurant opened in October 1998 after a complete renovation of the existing space. The interior, labeled “gorgeously sophisticated” by a local restaurant reviewer, is inspired by life on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay: there are gold-colored plaster molds of crabs, herons, terrapins (turtles) & fish mounted on the woodpaneled structural columns in the otherwise open space; the center of the ceiling is lit by fiber-optic lighting patterned after constellations; “sails” appear to billow over the bar area; and photographs by David Harp depicting life on the Chesapeake adorn an entire wall in over-sized frames.
The dining room is one flowing space that seats approximately 110. There is a copper-topped bar on one side that stretches almost 30 ft., separated by banquette seating from the dining room. On the other side of the room is a wall of floor-toceiling windows overlooking the museum’s Sculpture Garden. During the warmer months, almost 80 additional seats are available on the terrace surrounding a fountain and reflecting pool. This outdoor seating is prized by the locals, and earned a “Best of Baltimore” award from Baltimore magazine.
Gertrude’s dishes up a menu of regional (i.e., Chesapeake) foods and traditions for lunch, dinner, and a very-popular-with-the-locals brunch menu. The national (Southern Living, Coastal Living, Travel & Leisure) and local (Washington Post, Baltimore magazine, Baltimore Sun newspaper) press have sung their praises about our regional menu, and our preparation of traditional Chesapeake fare with sophistication. And of course, John Shields believes in using local, organic ingredients whenever possible.
What is “Chesapeake cuisine?” Crab Imperial, Single-Fry Oysters, Rockfish, PanFried Chicken, Corn Fritters and Crab Soup are just some examples. And while summer produce from the Eastern Shore (tomatoes, Silver Queen corn, cantaloupe, peaches) is popular when served here at Gertrude’s, nothing can compete with the restaurant’s #1 seller: Crab Cakes. We offer our crab cakes in three variations on any given day, but our Gertie’s Crab Cake, the most traditional, is always the most popular. |
