While out on an adventure to visit Hope For Wildlife, my wife and I did what we always try to do…read morewhile visiting an area we don't get too very often - find some delicious local eats!
Rose & Rooster quickly rose (sorry, not sorry) to the top of my list, with glowing reviews and a menu that was approachable but also putting more effort in than many rural cafes tend to.
We arrived for a late lunch and were able to easily snag a table out front and one blessedly in the shade. Ordering at the counter inside, it was a tough call for me between their seafood chowder and the fishcakes, but I eventually went for the latter. Some brunchy options were still available, and my wife opted for their croque monsieur.
Sipping on some iced Americanos, we soon had our food in front of us. I was immediately impressed with the fish cakes as they looked like they had an incredible crust on them, and looks did not deceive! They were wonderfully crisp, and the interior was smooth, but still had a little texture from the small chunks of potato. Salt cod gave a pleasant flavour, and the green tomato chow/jam was a star in its own right, striking a great balance between sweet and tart. Some yellow flower petals fancied things up further.
My side salad was fresh and crisp, with a mix of greens, cucumber, carrots and more, and a delicious, creamy dressing that had a flavour that I couldn't quite place, but quite enjoyed.
My wife's croque monsieur was served open-faced, and the cheese and ham had gotten some great colour under the broiler, while a thick slice of fresh bread held up well under the rich, hot mess on top.
Not to be outdone by the savoury foods, the desserts at Rose & Rooster will put you in a state of sugar-induced choice paralysis, but we were lured in by the colourful layers of the strawberry rhubarb and matcha layer cake! It's a mouthful to say, and eat, with alternating layers of airy cake, a summery strawberry and rhubarb spread, and a lovely matcha cream. Topped off with more cream and a dusting of matcha powder, it was a flavour-packed treat that did not disappoint.
It wouldn't be accurate to call Rose & Rooster a diamond in the rough, since the Eastern Shore is much too pretty for that, but we can stick to the jewelry theme and call them gold.
