Calvert House Inn - Riverdale Park

Been to this restaurant 5 times in the last month with different co-worker great food and service very fair prices. Thank you Calvert House and please keep it up.

My husband and I visited the Calvert House Inn for the first time. Upon arrival in the dining room, there was no clear indication of how we were supposed to obtain a seat. There was no hostess, no sign that said Please seat yourselves, etc. It was unclear whether we were supposed to seat ourselves, or ask a waiter for a seat. We asked a busboy what we should do, and he told us to just take a seat. Once seated, the busboy brought us menus and water but then we waited for at least 20 minutes with no one coming to take our order. Finally, the bartender came by and asked us if a waiter had taken our order yet. We said no. The bartender took out a notepad and jotted down our order. We noticed that the bartender did this for a few other tables, and also was bringing food to some tables. My husband and I both found it odd that the bartender was having to leave the bar and go around to tables doing the waiters ' jobs. Our first courses (soup and salad) arrived quickly, but it was at least another 30 minutes before our main courses (crab cakes and french fries) arrived. Also, our table did not have silverware and it took about 10 minutes for us to be able to flag down a busboy and ask for some silverware. We noticed that the ladies seated at the table next to us were also experiencing long waits and having difficulty getting anyone to take their order. They too appeared frustrated and I heard one of them say to her dining companion that they would never come back to this restaurant. I would also like to mention that I found the seafood chowder to be very bad. I could not eat it. It seemed as though any left-over vegetables that happened to be in the kitchen that day were added to the seafood chowder. It included random bits of red peppers, green peppers, and green beans (but no potatoes). And I could not identify the very few pieces of seafood that were in the soup. I am not a picky eater and I love seafood. This is the first time that I can recall a soup so bad that I was not able to stomach even a second bite. My french fries, however, were delicious. Finally, my biggest problem with the evening was that there was no soap in the women 's restroom (the one next to the bar). I was shocked by this. I am pretty sure that this is a huge health code violation of some kind. I have been to many restaurants in poor areas around the world, and even the most dirty, dingy restaurants at least had soap in the restrooms for patrons and employees. I did not even see a soap dispenser anywhere. Also, the toilet paper holder in the women 's room was not securely fastened to the wall, so it kept swinging upside down and the toilet paper roll kept falling off and rolling onto the floor. We asked for our check as soon as we were able to get the attention of the bartender, but 10 minutes later, he still had not brought it to us. So we flagged down a busboy and asked him for the check. He brought it to us and we tipped less than 20% for the first time in our lives. I sent an email to the restaurant via it 's website to describe my unsatisfactory experience, and didn 't even receive a reply. All in all, a terrible place in my opinion. We 'll never go back.

Several years ago, my husband and I were looking for a place to eat that wasn 't a chain restaurant. As we were driving down Rt.1, we spotted the Calvert House Inn. At that time, it didn 't look like much from the outside. However, once we entered, we were pleasantly surprised. It was quality all the way. The atmosphere was pleasant; the service was great and the food outstanding. We are now regulars and it keeps getting better and better. Not only do they still serve the same fresh seafood as always, they have also added naturally raised beef, veal, pork, and lamb and chicken dishes. Our favorites are Kobe Top Sirloin Steak and Murray 's Chicken. Last year for my mother 's 70th birthday, we had a party for her in one of the Calvert House Inn banquet rooms. Everyone at the party raved about the food. My aunt from out of town even ordered several dozen crab balls to go. Now, whenever we visit her, she requests that we bring her a few orders of crab balls. As we ate our meal the other night, listening to the Grand Piano being played, I asked my husband, Where else in this area can you get a dining experience such as this? He answered, Nowhere.

I have been to many areas within Florida, Alabama and the Carolinas where seafood is admired and must say that the Calvert House has superior food and service. I have always enjoyed the atmosphere and friendliness of the entire staff. The area is lucky to have this great family in the community!!

Calvert House is a very nice seafood house. In addition to its extensive seafood and meat menu, they have excellent soups and very nice appetizers. I particularly liked the lamb/lentil soup.