To his great credit, Herb Ritter is willing to chuckle when people point out how cute it is that he's a chef named Herb.
Which is what he did on the phone with me just now before getting down to business.
The business was this: Ritter has just become executive chef at The Gin Mill in Canton.
Ritter was The Gin Mill's very first chef when it opened a decade ago. He went on to work in North Carolina for a while, then returned to Maryland in the past year. He came back to The Gin Mill four and a half months ago, initially as sous chef. He became executive chef this week.
Ritter said he already has added some things to the menu, including a Crab Risotto with Smoked Tomato and Wilted Spinach entree for $19.
He plans to feature an appetizer of the week -- this week it's a $10 Marinated Beef Tenderloin Skewer with Teriyaki Glaze and Crispy Onions -- and to move the menu toward tapas dining.
Sun photo by Susan Reimer