Aqua 103, Hagerstown

Grilled steak, crab cakes, chicken dijon—the dishes at Aqua 103 may sound familiar, but the restaurant takes care to elevate its modern American cuisine while remaining true to the recipes' casual roots. Using organic produce as well as locally raised meats, the chefs create hearty meals with an emphasis on fresh flavors and artful presentation. Racks of ribs arrive glazed with a Rinehart Orchard's apple-butter barbecue sauce, the spicy pasta fra diablo overflows with shrimp, scallops, clams, and mussels, and bacon-wrapped cuts of filet mignon are seared to perfection atop a cold fusion-powered grill.

Echoing the theme implied by the restaurant's name, Aqua 103's dining room features a striking cerulean-blue accent wall. This subtle maritime homage is echoed by the turquoise cushions on the patio lounge and the blue-lit waterfall flowing behind the space's bar, which was handcrafted from stone and wood according to Hagerstown magazine. Crisp white linens adorn the tables, catching the natural light that cascades through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows.