316 replies to this topic

[KOK]

Faidley's and Pollock Johnny's at Lexington Market.

Attman's for corned beef and a bologna wrapped natural casing hot dog.

Ft Charles Pub for crabcake or burger (or both!).

Capt Larry's for Dark & Stormy's and steamed shrimp.

All relatively close to downtown.

Thanks,

Kevin

[NoEggs]

This is an older thread but I thought I would add some info for people visiting Baltimore in the future. I've been here all my life so I know some of the good places. For awesome crabcakes that are huge and have hardly any filler, G & M restaurant in Linthicum is the place. It is not far from BWI airport for reference. They even ship their crabcakes now! http://www.gandmcrabcakes.com/ We usually go here at least once a month.

For Indian I like the Akbar restaraunt. Two locations.
http://www.akbar-restaurant.com/

And Samos was mentioned too. It is in Greektown which is 5 miles? from the Harbor. It is very casual and almost carryout-like. http://www.google.co...&ct=result&cd=1

The best crabs are at Gaffney's in Highlandtown! It is not an eat-in place though. Just a place to pick up the crabs and take with you. Delicious! I've never gotten bad crabs from here in 20+ years! It is about 3 miles? from the Harbor (and before Greektown) off Eastern Ave. http://cityguide.aol...fin/v-102395679

Enjoy!!!

[davidbdesilva]

Was on the way back to Philadelphia with my wife and we decided to stop in Baltimore, sightsee for a bit, and have dinner. We were looking for something inexpensive but with good food (unfortunately you do not seem to have many BYOB's as we have in Philly) so based on this thread and the posts of John Talbott and others we decided to eat at the Helmand. I also took a look at my Zagat and saw that it was rated as 26 for food.

We enjoyed the Helmand but I must admit to being a bit underwhelmed. I know I am going to insult many by saying this but if this is one of the top places to dine in Baltimore than your dining scene is weaker than I thought. Don't get me wrong, the food at Helmand was good but this would be an average, run of the mill restaurant in Philadelphia. In fact, we have 2 Afghan restaurants in Philly (Kabul, Ariana) which we have often frequented and which I feel are every bit as good. The difference? We spend $35-40 there (they are BYOB) and I spent $94 at the Helmand (2 apps, 2 entrees, dessert, bottle of wine, tax and tip), which I felt was a bit much for this caliber of a restaurant. I had a nice conversation with the very friendly owner and we spoke about Philly.

After dinner we drove around the Inner Harbor and out to Fells Point. The harbor is absolutely beautiful and Fells Point seemed very commercial and geared toward 20-somethings (like Olde City in Philly for any familiar with our city). We enjoyed our brief stay in your lovely city and hope to return. We glanced into Ixia and Saffron and both looked quite nice.

[Croque Monsieur]

Little Italy (near the Inner Harbor for you tourists)

La Tavola
248 Albemarle St.
Baltimore, MD
phone 410 685-1859
www.la-tavola.com

This is the one place I can recommend in Little Italy. The chef, Carlo Vignotto, is from Venice, so expect that style as opposed to the industrial red sauce of the Littly Italy tourist traps. Good place for fish, reliable pastas, great risotto when it's on the menu. Moderately priced by Bmore standards (bargain by DC/NY standards).

Charleston is the best restaurant in Bmore, but expect to spend $150/pp and up for the full food/wine experience.

[doviakw]

All I know is that the above-mentioned LP Steamers seems like more of a "pure" crab place.  Here's their website.  Doesn't seem far from Inner Harbor.

LP Steamers was recommended to us by the concierge of the Hyatt Inner Harbor and, since we were looking specifically for crabs, he did not steer us wrong. They have any kind of crab that you want as long as it's steamed, bay-spiced crabs served in a pile on a table covered in brown paper ... perfect as far as I am concerned. Great to go with companions who like to take their time, savor the crabs and beer, converse a bit, eat crabs, drink some beer, ... you get the idea.

In my opinion, the mediums are probably the best value.

[Culinista]

This is an older thread but I thought I would add some info for people visiting Baltimore in the future. I've been here all my life so I know some of the good places. For awesome crabcakes that are huge and have hardly any filler, G & M restaurant in Linthicum is the place. It is not far from BWI airport for reference. They even ship their crabcakes now! http://www.gandmcrabcakes.com/ We usually go here at least once a month.

For Indian I like the Akbar restaraunt. Two locations.
http://www.akbar-restaurant.com/

And Samos was mentioned too. It is in Greektown which is 5 miles? from the Harbor. It is very casual and almost carryout-like. http://www.google.co...&ct=result&cd=1

The best crabs are at Gaffney's in Highlandtown! It is not an eat-in place though. Just a place to pick up the crabs and take with you. Delicious! I've never gotten bad crabs from here in 20+ years! It is about 3 miles? from the Harbor (and before Greektown) off Eastern Ave. http://cityguide.aol...fin/v-102395679

Enjoy!!!

Aack! I'm going to be in and out of Baltimore twice over the next couple of weeks, and I was hoping to get a fix of blue crab. (I grew up on fresh-caught crabs in Savannah.) Gaffney's sounds like my dream spot, but they are too dang seasonal and won't be open in Dec.

Any other quick and dirty Baltimore specialty that will make my trips there worthwhile? I'll be coming in by train from NYC, running over to Johns Hopkins, and have to be back in NY by dinner. I have to cab it everywhere since my license was stolen. I'm looking for an outstanding regional dish, not another modern Mediterranean bistro.

Edited by Culinista, 14 December 2006 - 10:46 AM.

[DTBarton]

Another local fave in Baltimore is Matthew's pizza. Been there a couple of times and had good pie.

http://baltimore.cit.../review/4989982

While not a restaurant, get the best fresh kielbasa I've ever had at Ostrowski's on Washington Street in Fell's Point.

http://ostrowskifamo...com/index2.html

[brioboy]

The anti-McCormick & Schmicks is the voluptuously decadent boho-chic Brewers' Art in the tattered remnants of a gloriously grand century-plus old row house. Dim light, beat up old sofas in which to slurp the ridiculoulsy fresh Belgian-style beers brewed in the rear greenhouse. Short ribs, black bass and other straightforward food premised on high-quality ingredients more than cutting edge presentation give this place street cred no national chain could ever hope to touch. Funky, cool staff complete the scene. I feel like I'm spilling a state secret writing about it here - if I lived in Baltimore I would be entirely selfish and keep it to myself.

[cdh]

Must say thanks to the cogniscenti here for the excellent recommendation of Mama's on the Halfshell for dinner in Baltimore. I found myself down there to hear a talk at the Aquarium yesterday and made the detour over to Canton for some excellent food indeed. Made a meal out of appetizers, and everything was very well executed.

Thanks all, and keep 'em in business for the next time I'm coming through town.

[John Talbott]

The nicest revelation of the season has been the opening of the Dogwood Cafe in Hampden. Even before they opened, they were serving sample mini-sandwiches at the Wine Source during wine tastings; then the Sampsons, Bridget & Galen (he ex-Harbor Court CIA-trained, etc.) opened a deli; and now a full-fledged resto at 911 W. 36th Street. It's a fine place, local, not a destination yet, but the wrinkle is that they train folks, with support from the Open Society, for restaurant work, who were most recently on the other side of the law. For folks who know the Paris Scene, it's reminiscent of "Oui Chef," Cyril Lignac's hilarious TV6 show that turned sullen teenagers into crisp wait and kitchen staff. Oh and the product is all local, and the producers are identified; we had two nice and very different salads and a veggie pasta and scallops with sesame crust, accompanied by a wine from the nearby Wine Source. A good start.

[onocoffee]

Another happy opening the impending arrival of Artifact Coffee in the Clipper Mill complex. Featuring some of the world's best coffees by Counter Culture Coffee of North Carolina the coffee house is being brought to you by the folks who delivered Joy America Cafe and GrandCru.

Look for the possible opening next week!

[mandabear]

I had a friend who lived in Baltimore, and we used to go to the Hollins Market and get the best thick cut bacon, As I recall, Baltimore has a lot of small farmer-type markets in the different neighborhoods. Also, we used to go to Coopers in Fells Point for dinner, crab cakes of course and for breakfast--- Zeus"in Fells Point as well
Baltimore was so much fun-- are those places still around??

[John Talbott]

As most readers of the Baltimore Sun and Baltimore magazine know, Sonnie and Melanie Sweetman sold Abacrombie, opposite the Meyerhoff, in February to move to Velden, Austria, but that's another story. They had only been there since March 2003 but it was definitely a choice place. In any event, their sous chef, Michael Putnam, has taken over the piano and after having had two meals there in the past week, I'm impressed. The salads are wonderful (greens as well as wilted spinach), chicken crisp and the various fish preparations were thought by my guests to be superb. The only hitch is the pricey wine list which starts with a Chinon at $40. My bills were $244 and $294 for four persons each time, the difference being that the latter bunch ordered dessert.

[Darren72]

Hello eGulleters,

I visited Baltimore last week for a short business trip and attempted to go to Mama's on the Half Shell. I called Friday afternoon to confirm that they do not take reservations (which they do not on Friday and Saturday nights), and to ask what the typical wait is around 7-8pm on a Friday night.

I was told the wait is usually around 15-30 minutes at that time of the evening.

So a group of us take a cab there and discover, to our surprise, that the wait will be over an hour.

Maybe there were larger crowds than normal.
Maybe the receptionist who told me the wait would be 15-30 minutes was new and didn't know how long the wait typically is on a Friday night.
Maybe the receptionist thought I was asking about 6pm, rather than 7-8pm.
Maybe the waits fluctuate from week to week, and she was being optimistic.
Maybe she didn't know what the wait would be and just made a guess.
Maybe the receptionist didn't think it was important to give an accurate indication of the wait time.

I don't know what happened. But I do know that future readers of this board should expect an hour long wait on a Friday night at 7:30pm at Mama's on the Half Shell. If you get in faster, good for you. If it takes an hour, at least you were warned.

It's frustrating to arrive at a restaurant you had been looking forward to, only to find out that, because of time constraints, you have to go somewhere else. We went to a rather unremarkable restaurant in the neighborhood.

Edited by Darren72, 26 March 2007 - 07:01 AM.

[Busboy]

I can't speak to your esperience in Baltimore, but I'll wager that it having been one of the first temperate Friday nights in many weeks had a great deal to do with it. Down here in DC, the streets were jammed and favorite Bistro of mine, usually 2/3 empty by 10:30 (when we arrived) had only two tables open.

Also, more generally, if you're going to a popular restaurant that doesn't accept reservations, 7:30 is the wrongest possible time to show up. Before seven or after nine, or expect a wait.

[John Talbott]

As an inveterate reader of newspapers for the Digest on the French Forum I always hit the Sunday NYT and todays had one of those "36 hours in...." articles, this on Baltimore, by David Allen that mentioned: Obrycki's, the Blue Moon Cafe, Attman's, the Helmand + the Brewer's Art.

[Leonard Kim]

I was in Baltimore for two nights last week. Was taken to G&M for crabcake one night and the Ambassador Dining Room the other. My immediate reaction upon receiving the menu at the latter was that it didn't look much different than the menu of other, considerably humbler Indian establishments, except that the prices were 2-3x higher. The food didn't seem obviously worth the price hike to me. Were we really just paying for the ambience?

The person taking me to G&M warned me ahead of time that it was a "dive." That's a bit much, and perhaps he was exaggerating just to make clear we weren't embarking on a fine dining experience. I don't have any reference point for crabcakes, but enjoyed eating the one I got. I asked how large they were, didn't account for a third dimension to the circle the waiter made with his fingers, and over-ordered. Oh well.

[onocoffee]

Speaking of crabcakes...

Took some friends visiting from Philly to Fresh Fresh Seafood on York Road in Towson last week. I go there from time to time since it's close to my shop and the fish is always fresh and good. Husband and wife team that love food and make some tasty meals. The ambience is nothing to speak about but the food is good and that's what's important.

One of my friends ordered the crab cakes and they were spectacular. G&M and Mama's On The Half Shell have nothing on these crab cakes. If there was any filler, I couldn't tell and the thing was made completely of lump meat. Amazing. Hands down the most amazing crabcake in Baltimore.

I'll head back there later this week just to be sure.

[bobby29]

Speaking of crabcakes...

Took some friends visiting from Philly to Fresh Fresh Seafood on York Road in Towson last week. 

Is that the place between 7-Eleven and Lutherville Bike Shop?

[John Talbott]

I was in Baltimore for two nights last week.  Was taken to G&M for crabcake one night and the Ambassador Dining Room the other.  My immediate reaction upon receiving the menu at the latter was that it didn't look much different than the menu of other, considerably humbler Indian establishments, except that the prices were 2-3x higher.  The food didn't seem obviously worth the price hike to me.  Were we really just paying for the ambience?

Yes, and the rent. Much as I love the owners, it is over-priced.

[onocoffee]

Bobby29-
You're thinking of the old Tako Seafood. That place is now closed.

Fresh Fresh is on the block between the Towson Circle and Pennsylvania Avenue, between Beach Bums Ice Cream and the Towson Artist Supply.

[John Talbott]

I had a chance to do takeout from the expanded, renovated, etc Tamber's, 3327 St Paul at 34th St, 410-243-5777. Huge portions for $8.95-14.95. I had the Lamb Saag and Shrimp Vindaloo with 4 Nan, which with two huge boxes or rice and two nice cups of raita came to just a bit over $30. I truly had enough for three persons and it was very good and very quick (10-15 min) and (for me) very local, thus convenient.

[Diann]

I'm going to be down at Johns Hopkins for a conference next Thurs/Fri (staying at the hotel on campus) and may have time for a dinner and some exploring on my own... any recommendations for good eats by yourself? No price or cuisine restrictions, but if we're talking nicer restaurants, I often like to eat at the bar when I'm by myself -- then you can interact with the bartender, fellow diners, etc.

Thanks!

[turkeybone]

I'm a cook who's moving down to the area and I'm wondering where I should poke around for work. My gf is going to Johns Hopkins, and I'm going to be living in Pasadena. I'm still relatively novice (3 years, then CIA, then a year lead-line/sous'ing (its complicated) at a 35 seat bar & grill in upstate NY. I know Cindy Wolf and Charleston/etc. seems to be the go-to, but are there other fine dining spots I should look into.. or maybe I need to suck it up and consider commuting to DC?

[John Talbott]

Nasublanca, 1036 East Fort Ave, 410-962-9890, open for dinner only Tuesday-Saturday, is a relatively new exotic fusion (Japanese-Spanish) place that has gotten good buzz but not much press. Four of us ate there last night (at the end of Restaurant week) and were very impressed. We started with intense/delicious roasted Japanese eggplants with den miso sauce and large portions of Prince Edward mussels with a fine sofrito-sherry broth, that was easily absorbed by the crispy toast. Then we had the panko-crusted walu with sweet potatoes and butter ponzu and paella with chicken, chorizo chunks, mussels and too gummy (a danger with pre-cooked paella) saffron rice. Three of us finished with the white chocolate banana bread pudding with "boozy" caramel and toasted walnuts - while the choco-phobic had a wonderfully dense coconut sorbet. The one sour note was the lack of a second bottle of the best-priced Spanish wine (it happens too often to be happenstance). The bill was $91.50 a couple before tips ($30.07 for three courses in restaurant week). Go back? You bet!

[Cajun Emily]

I agree that Mr. Karzai's restaurants are always good and inexpensive. Tapas Teatro isn't perfect but from my experience if you order a fish tapas you will not be disappointed. It would be nice to have some good French restaurants in Baltimore. I worked at Brasserie Tatin for awhile. I felt that it was overpriced and didn't stay true to a French Brasserie. I do like Cafe De Paris in Columbia. They got a new chef this year, French of course. The specials are always a good bet, last time it was Grouper with brussel sprouts and a wild mushroom puree. The super nice owner is always out and about chatting.

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned Peter's Inn in Fells Point. It's truly a gem. It received the same rating as Charleston's in Zagat's for food but cost's a third of the price. It's a strange little place really- sometimes a biker bar, very eclectic decor, small chalkboard menu that changes weekly. Great food - if you see any entree with cheesy grits on the menu get them! The grits alone are worth going for. Sometimes teamed with pan seared scallops, sometimes ribs, sometimes lamb chops. I love that place! It's tiny though and reservations are not taken. I've never had more than a 20 minute wait even on a Friday or Saturday for two people, however.

I've been hearing a lot about Jack's Bistro lately as well but I haven't managed to make it over yet. Anyone?

Emily

[Patapsco Mike]

Cajun Emily- for Baltimore Area French food- have you tried Au Petit Paris in Ellicott City? I've had some really wonderful meals there over the years.

When I'm in Baltimore, I can never stop myself from going to Faidley's in Lexington Market for crab cakes. I've eaten crab cakes all over the world- from Alaska to Paris- but none compare. They are really something special.

But with so many wonderful places to eat in and around Ellicott City and Columbia, the truth is that I rarely find an excuse to head to B'More.

[Cajun Emily]

Patapsco Mike,

Do you mean Cafe de Paris? I've never heard of Au Petit Paris - will have to look it up!

Cajun Emily- for Baltimore Area French food- have you tried Au Petit Paris in Ellicott City?  I've had some really wonderful meals there over the years.

When I'm in Baltimore, I can never stop myself from going to Faidley's in Lexington Market for crab cakes.  I've eaten crab cakes all over the world- from Alaska to Paris- but none compare. They are really something special.

But with so many wonderful places to eat in and around Ellicott City and Columbia, the truth is that I rarely find an excuse to head to B'More.

[Patapsco Mike]

ACK! I'm an idiot, please forgive me. My brain pulled the old switcheroo. Au Petit Paris is in Frostburg, and I've not eaten there in two decades (though it is decent).

I meant Tersiguels in Ellicott City. Very, very good and not as expensive as most people think. They grow a lot of their own produce and have a wonderful and ever-changing (though small) menu.

[Cajun Emily]

Oh yes! Tersiguels - I live about 2 blocks from the restaurant so it's a shame that I haven't been back in over a year. It is a little expensive but I've been told the trick is to go for brunch on Sunday - you get the same dishes for half the price. I really need to eat there again. I got in a rut and frequented Peter's Inn a little too much.

ACK!  I'm an idiot, please forgive me.  My brain pulled the old switcheroo.  Au Petit Paris is in Frostburg, and I've not eaten there in two decades (though it is decent). 

I meant Tersiguels in Ellicott City.  Very, very good and not as expensive as most people think.  They grow a lot of their own produce and have a wonderful and ever-changing (though small) menu.