Watershed Chestertown

Stunning decoration and construction features (huge list of regional artisans who contributed to its ambiance), remarkably good service for the first full week of opening, and excellent layout with good views of the open kitchen (and two chef's tables right beside it). The food is well prepared and presented, and clearly sourced locally and freshly, corresponding to the season. It's a bit noisy to me (80+ dB according to my phone app) but that seems to be the pattern these days, perhaps to drive the excitement. There were some problems with our reservation, but the manager was able to deal with it promptly and to our total satisfaction. They seemed to have enough staff (a rarity these days) to meet the seatings (they were full in the main dining room we were told, and it appeared to be true). It's pricey for Chestertown, but the prices were consistent with the quality of the food in Mid-Atlantic terms. Frankly, it's right up there with some of the best restaurants in DC, Baltimore, Philly and Wilmington. Let's hope it continues to be able to meet these standards.