Schamal Weems cooks up a storm in Neptune's kitchen                                                               The Bay Net photos by Anna Bedford

After almost two years of closure following Hurricane Isabel, Neptune’s Beach Club is back open for business and planning a grand opening event this Saturday, March 25. Neptune’s already has an impressive line-up of line band performances, including the Lloyd Dobler Effect scheduled for this Saturday’s big bash.

Schamal Weems is the new chef, and he’s cooking up a storm. Weems was preciously head chef at Harbor Sounds, and has since worked as a chef at the exclusive Tides restaurant in Lexington Park. Last week he served up a few samples from the new menu – including his light creamy New England Clam Chowder with bacon and chunky tomatoes, and possibly the best Maryland Crab Soup in the area – and that’s saying something! – which was a perfect combination of spice and cream.

Among Schamal’s specialties are coconut shrimp with a raspberry sauce, Cajun salmon with sweet potato fries, and the ever-popular wings. “They’re sweet, almost like a spicy Teriyaki,” enthused Zane Rettstatt, who organizes live music for the newly refurbished club. “I don’t want to just burn them up,” explained Schamal, “I want them spicy and then followed by a burn.” Responding to Zane’s enquiry about the distinctive sweetness he confided, “Brown sugar – that’s what you taste.” Schamal serves up the wings with a pepper, which has a function besides its aesthetic appeal. “The pepper kills the burn and stops the heat,” he said. The table of fortunate samplers regarded the vegetable with new interest, and many were amazed to find it truly did cool their fiery mouths.

Neptune’s has already opened its restaurant and bar, and also offers a catering service. The grand opening this Saturday will kick-off with a DJ at 10 p.m., followed by live music from Lloyd Dobler Effect until 1:30 am. Neptune’s Beach Club is located at 23900 N. Patuxent Beach Road in California. For more information call 410-610-1907.

View more photos from Neptune's kitchen in the slideshow below. The Bay Net photos by Anna Bedford.

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