While visiting our friend Paul we wanted to thank him by taking him out to lunch. But not knowing anything about the area we relied on him for a good place to dine outdoors. Vin 909 in Annapolis Maryland could not have been a better choice!
The entry to Vin 909 Winecafé in Annapolis MD
The sign that you have arrived
Vin 909
Built on family history, Vin 909 Winecafé is about a passion for food, wine and beer. This place defines the vintage feel in an inviting setting in the eclectic neighborhood of Eastport. Vin 909 is approachable. It’s the kind of place that reminds us if the comfortable dining experiences all of love. And by highlighting local ingredients you can taste the freshness in their creative food. This is a place you want to come to eat on repeat.
History
Executive Chef Justin in the kitchen at Vin 909
To give you a little back history, Alex who is the owner and General Manager, and Justin the Executive Chef both spent 18 years away from the East Coast. They came home to bring their combined experience in California’s Mediterranean inspired cuisine and family roots in Italy and New England together. Both Alex and Justin strive to make Vin 909 more than just a place to eat. Instead they have created a personal and distinctive experience to the local community and visitors alike.
Gorgeous flowers and herbs growing in front of the restaurant
To quote their website “Our food is American, with many ingredients sourced from local, organic purveyors. Our influences and roots include Mediterranean, coastal Californian, and New England cuisines. All combined to create the seasonally fresh, American cuisine that is unique to Vin 909. Our approach is the European ideal of smaller, more frequent meals.”
The wine bar at Vin 909
Meals at Vin 909 in Annapolis Maryland are meant to be shared. And that’s just what we did. We each chose a hand formed pizza that sang out to us and shared them. Each one that we had was superb. The crust was light, chewy and flavorful. And those toppings fresh and yummy. And baking them in a brick oven makes them even more special.
The food
Vin 909’s Summer Menu
The Nightshade Pizza
The BLT Pizza
The Daily Specialty Pizza
I had the daily special which was topped with a variety of cheeses, roasted garlic and arugula. Paul ordered the Nightshade Pesto Pizza that had basil, almond goat cheese pesto, olive oil fried eggplant slices and mozzarella. And Steve chose The BLT which was generously blanketed in mozzarella, Applewood smoked bacon, heirloom tomato slices and arugula and drizzled with red wine basil vinaigrette. I truly could not tell you which one was best. It was a three way tie. They all tasted that good!
Sweet ending
Peach and Strawberry Cobbler with Vanilla Ice Cream and Dulce de Leche
Butterscotch Pudding with Carmelita Points and Whipped Cream
We were honestly too full for dessert so we hadn’t even glanced at the selections. But when the owner, Alex, found out that we were The Traveling Locavores he insisted on sending a couple of desserts our way. And OH MY were they ever tasty. Somehow the three of us managed to polish off both the Peach and Strawberry Cobbler with Dulce de Leche and Whipped Cream and the Butterscotch Pudding with Carmelita Points.
The gardens welcome you to dine at Vin 909
More of the spectacular gardens at Vin 909
We were so happy that Paul was taking us on our walking tour of downtown Annapolis so we could burn off some of that carb overload!
