The Kitchen

We have some very basic beliefs here at the Kitchen at the Imperial as to what kind of a restaurant we want to be.  We believe the dining experience should be just that, an experience, where the atmosphere, service, and food all come together to make the entire dining moment one to enjoy and savor.

We believe that casual fine dining should provide an approachable and unpretentious atmosphere in which guests can enjoy cuisine that uses the best available ingredients possible, made fresh daily, in a manner that lets the ingredients be the star.  Our goal is to build an environment in which our guests are equally comfortable stopping in for a quick cocktail in the Tavern after a day on the boat, bringing the entire family in for a low key meal in one of the dining rooms, or coming in for a quiet anniversary celebration.

We strongly believe in the farm-to-table (and water-to-table) concept, buying local, supporting our neighbors, and our local purveyors.  Our menu changes on a weekly and sometimes daily basis, taking seasonal to a new level and taking advantage of the local bounty provided to us by the Chesapeake Bay and our local farmers.  Getting the best product we can, treating it with respect and in a manner that lets the product shine is our philosophy and goal here at The Kitchen.

Our Story

In 2010, after 25 plus years in the technology field, Chef/Owner Steve Quigg decided to change careers, closing his IT consulting firm, moving to the Eastern Shore with his family and buying a small coffee shop in the bay side town of Rock Hall, MD.  The result of that decision, the casual fine dining restaurant The Kitchen at Rock Hall was a hugely successful establishment, garnering numerous awards for the cuisine and a strong following of loyal customers.  While being critically acclaimed, The Kitchen at Rock Hall was both small and seasonal.  In December of 2014, Chef Quigg decided to take the next step in the evolution of a chef and restaurateur and open the much larger location, The Kitchen at the Imperial in Chestertown, MD.  Open 7 days a week, 12 months a year, The Kitchen at the Imperial is an ever evolving, living entity, providing a home for the many staff members, a sanctuary for our faithful guests who have become our friends, and a place where new friends can find a warm welcome, a cold cocktail, and a contemporary American menu made with love.