Country Inn

The owner of the Westminster Inn and Bowling Brook Country Inn wants to expand his business by opening a conference center at the country inn in Middleburg.F. Mark Gross proposes a three-story, 30-bedroom center at Bowling Brook Farm at 6000 Middleburg Road, a 225-acre former horse farm."Bowling Brook is a very beautiful setting, the type of peaceful setting that lends itself to getting away from day-to-day business," he said.Mr. Gross needs approval from the Carroll County Board of Zoning appeals to build the center.

The Country Fare Inn will be reopening in its original location on Westminster Pike, now that Pearson's has closed. (Pearson's was one of several restaurants that the Country Fare Group tried there after the first Country Fare Inn moved to Owings Mills.)Richard Pirone, a partner in the consortium -- which includes the Brass Elephant, Fiori and Kings Contrivance -- says he'd like to see a return to a country French menu, but nothing (including an opening date) has been settled yet. Meanwhile, the building is undergoing substantial repairs and renovations.

The Carroll County Board of Zoning Appeals has ruled that the Winchester Country Inn at 430 S. Bishop St. in Westminster may provide catering services for banquets, weddings, receptions and other one-day events not open to the public.The inn, operated by Target Inc., opened in 1986 and has successfully offered catering services occasionally, the board wrote in its decision."Winchester Country Inn and the services provided by Target are exceptional and are of great benefit to the public," the board wrote.

Before the Carroll commissioners approve a recommendation to change county zoning laws to allow catering at country inns, they ought to consider carefully the rationale for such a decision. In doing a favor for a local innkeeper, the commissioners could end up unraveling the zoning code.Michael Gross, the owner of Bowling Brook Country Inn, would like the zoning code amended so he can cater parties and events at his Middleburg country inn. At first glance, his seems like a reasonable request.

Carroll County's choices of catering facilities could expand if the county commissioners approve an amendment to regulations governing country inns.Responding to Michael Gross' request in March, the Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended that the county allow country inns to cater private parties and receptions on site.Currently, outside caterers must be hired to provide food for parties or receptions at country inns.Mr. Gross is the owner of the Bowling Brook country inn in Middleburg and the Westminster Inn, a bed and breakfast.

Beverly and Stephen Kerkam decided several years ago they wanted to run a bed and breakfast. They found the perfect place: a 19th-century brick home on McKinstry Mill Road nestled in a quaint community between two scenic, historic towns.But it wasn't until they got approval from the county Board of Zoning Appeals last week that the Kerkams started to feel their ideas were finally taking shape."The main contingency was the zoning," said Mr. Kerkam, a systems engineer with Bell Atlantic Services.

The owners of a country inn in Middleburg have asked county officials to amend the zoning ordinance to allow them to provide catering and facilities for banquets, weddings and other social events.Charles M. Preston, a Westminster attorney who represents the owners of the Bowling Brook Country Inn, requested the amendment, said Solveig Smith, Carroll's zoning administrator. The 19th-century manor house is located on 225 acres off Middleburg Road in Middleburg.Under existing law, country inns and bed and breakfasts can serve meals only to overnight customers, Ms. Smith said.

Westminster Inn, 5 S. Center St., Westminster, (410 876-2893. This isn't the kind of country inn that serves fried chicken and corn fritters. The Westminster Inn specializes in contemporary American food: Blackened redfish with crab meat and creme fraiche. Tournedos and fried green tomatoes. Quail stuffed with wild rice and sun-dried cranberries. Sun-dried cranberries don't come cheap, but if price isn't a consideration, you can have a fine, even elegant, meal in one of the inn's two handsome dining rooms.

Kent Manor Inn, Routes 50 and 8, Stevensville, (410) 643-5757. Open every day for lunch and dinner, brunch Sundays. Major credit cards. No-smoking area: yes. Wheelchair-accessible: no. Prices: first courses, $4.75-$7.95; entrees, $14-$28.The weather forecast was for freezing rain, sleet and snow. The night was very dark. It was one of those arrivals where you tumble out of your car and into the inn, glad to be there at all. You discover a fondness for braided rugs and wall sconces, and the fact that your cozy little dining room has a fireplace absolutely delights you.Maybe we wouldn't have been so enchanted by the Kent Manor Inn if the weather hadn't been frightful -- so the pink and mauve walls, the ornamental plates on the marble mantel, the candles, the pink carnations on the tables, the crocheted tablecloths all seemed not kitschy but warm and homey and comforting.

Westminster Inn, 5 S. Center St., Westminster, (410) 876-2893. Major credit cards. Open for lunch and dinner Wednesdays to Fridays, open for dinner only Saturdays and Sundays. No-smoking area: yes. Wheelchair-accessible: yes. Prices: first courses, $3.75-$8.95, entrees, $16.95-$29.95.When my predecessor reviewed the Westminster Inn, the headline read "Chapter 1: Flawed But Promising"; and she urged readers to give it a couple of months because it was new and ambitious. I ended up giving it four years.