Annapolis: Fado Irish Pub (October 2013)

My spouse and I dined at Fado Irish Pub on a Saturday morning prior to a Navy football game. We stayed nearby at the Westin Annapolis, and we read on the Fado website that the restaurant opened at 10:00 am, which would allow us just enough time for a quick bite before walking to the game. However, when we arrived, we learned that the restaurant often opens even earlier (for example, 7:00 am) when it broadcasts European soccer, in order to accommodate customers because of the time difference. So do not be afraid to show up earlier than the stated opening time.

The restaurant space is large, with half of their seating on the main floor and the other half of the seating just a few steps above the ground/street level. The restaurant also offers outdoor seating, and in the cooler weather, roll-down tent flaps keep diners warm in the semi-outdoor environment. One criticism of this restaurant is that the door that opens onto West Street says to use the side entrance, but that entrance is a little difficult to locate because of the roll-down flaps (and also, on the weekend that we were visiting, there was plastic fencing set up outside to keep customers queued to enter in the evening when the bar is busy and trying to maintain capacity control).

We realize that this is a chain restaurant, but it is not one with which we are familiar. We thought that the food was good - far better than other chains. Even though we visited in mid-morning, both the brunch (breakfast) and lunch/dinner menus were available. We enjoyed the pork belly, the macaroni and cheese, the lamb French dip served with thick-cut chips, and the bread pudding. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable, and the staff worked well together.

We had a great experience at Fado, and we would visit again if we encountered a location in another city (or if we return to Annapolis).