Annapolis: Federal House (October 2013)

My spouse and I dined at Federal House on a Friday afternoon for lunch in late October. We were looking for a restaurant in the heart of the harbor area near the Naval Academy, and this restaurant met our needs. This excellently located historic building dates back to the mid-1800s, with a brick exterior and lots of wood inside. The restaurant features some outdoor seating on the sidewalk, and lots of seating inside on ground/street level in two different rooms. One of the street-level rooms contains a traditional dining room, with tables spaced nicely, some in front of windows. (Some tables are a step up from other tables.) The main room contains the large bar, lots of TVs, and is open to the second floor (where banquet/event space is available). There are a few steps to gain entrance to the restaurant, so we are not sure how handicap-accessible it is, although there are handicapped restrooms on the first floor (as well as additional restrooms on the second floor); there might be another entrance that does not involve steps. The restaurant seemed family-friendly during the day, at least - we think that they have a DJ and dancing later in the evenings, when it might be more of a bar scene. The lunch menu offered both casual American fare (like sandwiches and salads and raw bar items) as well as entrees, with lots of seafood options. We shared calamari as an appetizer, and then ordered fish and chips and an oyster po'boy; the French fries were good, and the fish seemed like actual fish that someone had breaded (as opposed to something frozen). Our food was satisfactory, but we do not think that we would splurge on entrees that cost twice the price. Service was fine, but the restaurant was fairly empty when we dined, so it may take longer when it is filled to capacity. We feel that Federal House is a solid choice near the harbor, but there are many other options nearby.