Rumhouse — Restaurant in Annapolis

A Caribbean Love Letter:

From the moment we walked in, Stephanie's warm and attentive service set the tone for what would become an unforgettable evening. Her thoughtful menu recommendations guided us toward dishes that would soon become the highlights of our meal.

We began our culinary journey with the crab cake—a Venezuelan interpretation that was both herbaceous and utterly delicious, earning its place as a must-order appetizer. The doubles and succulent oxtail croquettes provided the perfect introduction to the restaurant's Caribbean soul, each bite revealing layers of authentic flavor that transported us straight to the islands.

For our main course, we shared three dishes that showcased the kitchen's remarkable range: the escovitch snapper, oxtail stuffed pasta, and Louisiana gumbo. The snapper arrived with stunning presentation, its aroma alone promising the deliciousness that followed. As someone who treasures authentic Trinidadian and Jamaican cuisine, I couldn't resist ordering a side of peppa sauce. While I found myself wishing for just a touch more pickle juice from the accompanying vegetables—not to mask the fish's beautiful texture, but to complement it—the peppa sauce delivered exactly the bright acidity and heat I was craving.

The oxtail stuffed pasta was nothing short of extraordinary. The meat fell apart at the touch of a fork, tender beyond belief, while the pasta achieved that coveted perfect al dente texture. This dish alone warrants a return visit. The Louisiana gumbo completed our trio beautifully, with its perfectly balanced seasoning, delicate rice, and generous portions of chicken, shrimp, and andouille that spoke to the chef's understanding of authentic Creole cooking.

Our meal reached its crescendo with two exceptional desserts: the chocolate voyage and bread pudding with an extra side of coconut ice cream. The bread pudding was everything you'd hope for—moist throughout with that coveted textured crust on top that provides the perfect contrast. The chocolate voyage surprised and delighted, presenting as an aesthetically stunning creation that delivered some of the finest chocolate mousse I've encountered in years.

What elevated this dining experience beyond the exceptional food was the genuine hospitality we received from an exceptional team. Chef Natasha graciously visited our table, and her authentic pride in her craft was palpable. You could feel her genuine care for each guest's experience radiating through every interaction. Dr. Coryse Zebovitz treated us like beloved family members rather than first-time visitors, creating an atmosphere of warmth that made the entire evening feel special. Jonathan, the hospitality director, was truly the cherry on top—his expertise shone when he presented our bottles of Chenin Blanc with such knowledge and enthusiasm that he didn't need to oversell its quality. The wine spoke for itself, and his honest recommendation proved absolutely spot-on.

What makes this level of service even more remarkable is that Rum House has only been open for a month. Yet their operations run with the polish and precision of a restaurant that's been perfecting its craft for years. Not a single wrinkle or blunder marred our experience—a testament to the dedication and professionalism of this incredible team.

Rum House is clearly a love letter—a beautiful expression of its owners' travels, cultural heritage, and deep passion for Caribbean cuisine. Every dish tells a story, every flavor feels intentional, every moment spent here feels like a celebration of the rich culinary traditions that inspire this remarkable kitchen.

I've discovered my new favorite restaurant, and I'm already planning my return. I suspect this will be the first of many, many...

I booked this reservation several months in advance for my wife’s birthday. She’s Trinidadian and was especially excited to try the crab and dumpling, a beloved island staple that is hard to find in the U.S. especially the DMV area. Unfortunately, her birthday dinner wish was left unfulfilled, and our experience was disappointing from start to finish.

Our 5:00 pm reservation turned into a two-hour wait for food, which did not arrive until 7:00 pm and was cold. It also took 45 minutes just to receive appetizers. Our server was not attentive, and throughout the evening we noticed nearly every table in the same situation - waiting endlessly with only drinks in front of them.

When the food finally arrived, it fell far short of expectations. The crab and dumpling tasted more like coconut cream with small dumpling pieces, lacking the authentic flavors we anticipated. The oxtail was especially disappointing. It was served in a tomato-based sauce as a pasta, but the pairing did not work. I have had oxtail pasta before, and this completely missed the mark.

The service also left a poor impression. We observed the owners choosing which tables to interact with, and unfortunately it did not feel equitable. Other patrons were visibly frustrated as well, and the overall atmosphere of the restaurant reflected widespread disappointment.

To make matters worse, the bathroom was overflowing with trash and had no tissue available.

On a positive note, the ambiance was excellent. The interior decorations created a warm and stylish setting, and the rum drinks with the fire presentation were enjoyable. However, drinks and décor alone cannot make up for such an underwhelming dining experience, especially when celebrating a milestone occasion.

I rarely leave negative reviews, and I truly hate writing this one. But this experience left me beyond frustrated and deeply disappointed. I wanted so badly to support this Black-owned small business, yet I walked away feeling let down on every level. I hope the owners take this feedback to heart. The concept is wonderful, but the service, food quality, and customer care need serious reflection and...

I excitedly waited over a month for my girls trip to the Rumhouse in Annapolis. I couldn't wait to be sweep away to the caribbean with bold spices, flavorful drinks and a wonderful atmosphere. We discovered they only serve brunch on Sundays. Ok, no problem, I've never had a brunch that I didn't love... until today. And, I REALLY Ionged to love this restaurant. Yet, the only thing that really grabbed my attention was the decor.

The servings were very small, which I don't mind as long as the food is really good. But dish after dish was disappointing. The Rumhouse punch was just ok. The Passionfruit FrenchToast was completely disappointing for $24 (not worth $10) although one of my friends enjoyed it. It was as if the chef took 2 slices of the smallest flat white bread, spread pf marmalade on it and cut it into triangles. That was not what I expected. (Was it even cooked?) The crab benedict was basically a $38 appetizer, with too much filler in the small crab cake. The shrimp and coconut grits lacked any flavor (my first bite of shrimp was raw in the middle.) The grits were the consistency of mashed potatoes. Occasionally, I would chew an unpleasant mealy patch that I assumed wasn't blended well. (BTW: This was the largest portion, but I only ate 2-3 bites, if that.) We split the jerk chicken and waffles. Unfortunately, I didn't get any of the jerk chicken. My friends grabbed it all, but I didn't complete the small bite of waffle or plantain that remained. Neither were worth my calories. I hate to be so harsh, but we were all disappointed. We actually paid the bill and immediately went to a different restaurant for food, drinks and dessert. I definitely hope the food gets better. We truly want your restaurant to succeed! But, I am compelled to tell the truth about...