Spotlight: UnWined on the Water

UnWined on the Water: A home for guests along the Elk River

After a fi re damaged his fi rst location in North East two years before, John Bragg opened his second UnWined on the Water in Elkton in March 2020, on the same day that Maryland Governor Larry Hogan closed state restaurants to indoor dining due to the arrival of COVID-19.

Undaunted, the new restaurant persevered. Soon, crowds began to arrive at the end of Plum Point Road to take home a wide assortment of pub food, appetizers, salads and entrees. Later that year, when the restrictions were lifted and the doors of UnWined on the Water offi cially opened, those who had merely just driven through during the darkest days of the pandemic stayed for the food, the atmosphere and the courteous commitment of the restaurant’s staff – all in close proximity to some of the most stunning views of the Elk River imaginable.

The intimate restaurant at the edge of a peninsula was a big hit.

“UnWined on the Water is surrounded on three sides by water, and from any table, you get beautiful views, whether you are outside on the deck or inside,” Bragg said. “You may fi rst arrive for the view, but you’re staying for the food, the atmosphere, the live music and the friendliness of the staff .”

To fl ip through UnWined on the Water’s menu is to witness the diversity of its off erings that come from the vision of Bragg and chef Miguel Rivera. From table to table on any given day is to see a date night dinner of Chesapeake Prime Rib and Filet Oscar; the casual fare of pub grub with a unique twist; a plentiful children’s menu; and a wide assortment of beverages to enjoy.

“I wanted to create a menu that allows everyone to feel a level of comfort no matter what their tastes are on any particular visit,” Bragg said. “Most who come to a waterfront restaurant expect to see a menu made up of inexpensive bar food, but here, everything we serve – from sandwiches to our entrees – is made with fresh products on a daily basis.”

If there is one intangible about UnWined on the Water that has made it so popular, it is one that is felt and not tasted. When Bragg was an undergraduate at the University of Delaware, he learned the restaurant business at a small diner in Newark, where his jobs ranged from busboy to dishwasher to short-order cook.

“There was something about the gift of being able to serve others that immediately resonated with me,” said Bragg, who has over 25 years in the restaurant industry. “Ever since then, my focus – and the focus of those on my staff – has been on our guests. It’s treating them as if we are inviting them into our home.”

At Unwined on the Water, the hospitality extends not just from adults to children, but also to four-legged kids, that now includes an Instagram page called “Dogs of UnWined on the Water,” that features a growing pictorial of some of the many dogs that accompany the restaurant’s guests.

“I have always been one of those people who does everything he can to ensure that other people are getting the most out of the experiences I provide for them,” Bragg said. “Family has always meant everything to me, and that feeling extends to everyone who works here. It is a collective mission by all of us – servers, chefs, bartenders – and to be able to see all of that magic happen is our pleasure. That’s always been our goal – to create a place that people enjoy coming to.”

Courtesy photos

In addition to a diverse menu, live music and the camaraderie of its guests, UnWined on the Water off ers spectacular views of the Elk River at sunset.

UnWined on the Water is also well known for its friendly and courteous staff , who treat guests like family.

From its outdoor deck to its cozy fi replace area decorated for every holiday, UnWined on the Water off ers its guests a place to relax and unwind.

UnWined on the Water is located at 285 Plum Point Road in Elkton. To learn more about its menu and special events throughout the year, visit www. unwinedmd.com or call 443-406-3947.