Woodfire Restaurant Offers Unique Hardwood-Grilled Dishes

By Meredith Thompson

Break out the party hats and slice the cake, because Woodfire Restaurant is celebrating its fourteenth birthday on March 18. Steve Mainhart, owner of the restaurant that takes pride in its fresh, innovative cuisine and elegant yet relaxed atmosphere, stated that Woodfire is a quaint, community-oriented restaurant with a professionally trained staff.

In addition to a comfortable, down-home atmosphere, a 1,200-degree wood-burning grill sets Woodfire apart from other restaurants and serves as a focal point of its exposed kitchen. “We have a unique opportunity to have food grilled over real hardwoods, and that’s been the basis for our 14 years of operation,” Mainhart explained of the one-of-a-kind grill, used for many of the pizzas, breads and desserts found on his menu.

Mainhart, who is originally from Glen Burnie but currently resides in Arnold, launched his career in the food industry almost immediately after walking across the graduation stage. He travelled to Hilton Head, S.C., to work a summer job at a restaurant after college and ended up staying five years. He then spent seven years in Annapolis before returning to the area to help Garry Anderson, who also founded Garry’s Grill, open Woodfire. “There was an opportunity to open something new; I filled out an application, and here I am,” he chuckled.

In addition to serving lunch and dinner all week, Woodfire offers Sunday brunch and catering menus.

The area patrons know today as the back portion of the bar in Woodfire originally served as a lounge, but Mainhart quickly recognized a need for more space, at which point the Backroom was born. Known for hosting live music on weekends, the Backroom offers a classier feel than a sports bar, boasting eight 55-inch televisions and hardwood floors.

Trisha, a Severna Park resident and regular Backroom patron, comes to enjoy a drink with a friend each Friday afternoon. “I come here to see the bartender – she’s very entertaining – and there’s always nice people in here,” she observed. “It’s just cozy, the service is good, the people are kind and courteous and make contact, whereas some places you wait forever.”

Mainhart hopes to see continued growth for his business and the community, which he gives back to frequently. “I support local golf tournaments, churches and schools by providing them with gift cards – that’s where my focus goes,” he emphasized.

He believes Severna Park is a strong community, and very supportive of its local businesses. “Everybody works together. There’s a lot of volunteerism, and people tend to be more active,” he said.

Mainhart is passionate about every dish he serves, but holds a special place in his heart – or stomach – for the barbecued shrimp and scallops, paired with a cosmopolitan and followed with a rich piece of chocolate mousse cake. To learn more about Mainhart and his business, find him in his kitchen, located at 580 P Ritchie Highway, or online at www.woodfirebackroom.com.