Today I met my friend that I’ve known the longest (something like 35 or more years now) for lunch at Gordon Biersch in the Annapolis Towne Centre in Annapolis, Maryland.  She owed me lunch for a favor I did for her and that’s where I wanted to go to lunch because I wanted to have one of their world famous Märzen Barbecue Burger with Gordon Biersch Garlic Fries!!!

Gordon Biersch – The Interior

Gordon Biersch Restaurant – The Menu

Gordon Biersch – Outdoor Seating – Too Cold for February?

Lunch was great.  We even had desert.  It was a real treat.  But after lunch we took a walk in the afternoon sun.  It was warm – nearly fifty degrees for a change.  There was still plenty of snow around.  But, it’s starting to melt fast.

Annapolis Town Center Blouvard

That’s Grand View in the back ground (above and on the right) and Mariner Bay (above and on the left).

Grand View features one, two, and three bedroom apartment homes up to 3,650 sq. ft. in space, all with amazing views, spacious layouts, high ceilings, gourmet kitchens, concierge services, rooftop pool and sundeck, fitness center, and secure indoor designated parking.

Mariner Bay apartment living boast 208 luxury apartments ranging from 600 to 1,847 sq. ft. with high ceilings, gourmet kitchens with granite counter tops and stainless appliances and a rooftop terrace with pool, clubroom, fitness center, business center, yoga room, and lobby with fireplace.

Other places to dine at the Annapolis Towne Centre include Brio Tuscan Grille, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, The Chop House, Real Seafood Co., and Metro Silver Diner.

There were plenty of choices today for lunch but a burger and fries was what I wanted.  Next time, we’ll try Brio for Italian or P.F. Chang’s for Chinese or the Chop House for a steak or Real Seafood for crab cakes or the Metro Silver Diner for soup and a sandwich.  I’ll do my longest and dearest friend another favor sometime and we’ll be back!!!

Where is the nearest grocery store?  That’s a common question that out-of-town buyers often ask when I’m out showing them property in Annapolis, Arnold, Edgewater, Crownsville or Riva.  Distances around town can sometimes be deceptive with all the creeks and inlets and Severn River and Chesapeake Bay often located at what feels like the end of the earth.

If you live in Bay Ridge, Oyster Harbour, Arundel on the Bay, Hillsmere you might have to drive across town to Graul’s Market.  Or if you live in West Annapolis or downtown Annapolis you might need to drive across town to Safeway.  And most of us locals will drive from almost anywhere to shop at Whole Foods Market and the new The Fresh Market.  But if you live along the Bestgate Corridor in Tidewater Colony, Windgate, Rivergate, Sea Breeze, Scott’s Crossing, or Admiral’s Reach you’re in luck because you’ll have you’re pick of grocery stores because you’re only minutes away from them all!

If you’re looking to find the nearest Giant Food, use their store locator which can be found at Store Search. Giant Stores are located at Bay Forest Center and Festival at Riva.  If you’re down towards Edgewater, Maryland, you’ll find a Giant Food on the Southbound side of Solomons Island Road.

Or maybe you’re looking to find the nearest Safeway, use their store locator which can be found at Store Search.  Safewaystores are located at Housley Road and on Forest Drive.  If you’re up towards Arnold, Maryland, you’ll find a Safeway on the Northbound side of Ritchie Highway.

Should you find yourself in West Annapolis, visit Graul’s Market on Taylor Avenue.  But if you’re in Cape Saint Clair, you’ll find on on Cape Saint Claire Road.

Looking for something natual and organic groceries?  Then you might want to shop at the Whole Foods Marketat the new Annapolis Towne Center.  Or you might want to consider shopping at the new The Fresh Marketlocated at the Annapolis Harbour Mall.

If you’re looking for bulk item shopping, you could might consider Sam’s Club off General’s Highway and Shoppers Food Warehouse off Solomons Island Road.  But if you’re looking for pet food, Rocky (my lab mix) wants you to consider PetSmart off Housley Road.  So no matter where you live in Annapolis, Arnold, Edgewater, Riva or Crownsville, there’s good access to a wide variety of general grocery and specialty stores.

According to statistics published for July 2010 by Metropolitan Regional Information Systems this area had the following real estate activity.