Our Story

Fast-casual Italian done right — crafted with intention and served in a relaxed, family-friendly space.

When my children were little, I was always searching for a place I truly loved to eat — somewhere the food felt elevated and thoughtfully prepared — but where my kids also felt completely comfortable and welcome. I rarely found both in the same space. It was either exceptional food in a setting that felt too formal, or casual and convenient without the quality I was craving.

That idea stayed with me for years.

After 25 years in corporate America — building teams, leading strategy, and learning how to execute with discipline and purpose — I made a decision. I would create the place I had been looking for all along.

Basilwood Kitchen is a locally owned and operated fast-casual Italian kitchen rooted in craftsmanship. It’s elevated food without the fuss. Quality without pretense. A place where families, friends, and neighbors feel comfortable gathering around the table.

Our menu is built on real standards. We craft neo-Neapolitan pizza using finely milled 00 flour and carefully fermented dough. Our pasta is extruded fresh daily from 100% semolina using traditional bronze dies. Our breads are baked in-house. Our sauces are made from scratch. If we don’t cook it, bake it, or prepare it ourselves, we don’t serve it.

We designed a window into our kitchen so guests can watch the pasta being made. There’s something special about seeing the process — about watching dough transform and understanding the care behind each dish. It’s a reminder that real food takes intention.

We believe great kitchens extend beyond our walls. That’s why we offer fresh pasta to take home, along with house-made sauces and a curated selection of Italian goods from our deli. Whether you’re dining in or bringing something home for your own table, Basilwood is designed to be part of everyday life.

Having grown up in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, moving back home after twenty years felt like a return to something meaningful. Basilwood Kitchen is my way of investing in this community — building something lasting, thoughtful, and welcoming right here where I was raised.

This kitchen reflects who I am: creative, disciplined, rooted in family, and committed to doing things the right way.

I’m so glad you’re here.

— Ginna Maznick-Schelfe
Founder, Basilwood Kitchen