Schmap Baltimore Dining & Drinking

Baltimore - Dining & Drinking
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The Chesapeake Bay takes its name from a Native American phrase for "Great Shellfish Bay." So it's no wonder that Baltimore, nestled along the bay's north shore, developed a hometown cuisine dominated by crustaceans. The blue crab, in particular, has become a city staple. In Baltimore, you'll find moist crabmeat stuffed inside Chinese dumplings, sprinkled over linguine and wrapped in fajitas.

Crab Cakes

Perhaps the ultimate crabmeat dish, and certainly the one Baltimore is most famous for, is the crab cake. You'll find these delightful crabmeat patties served in scores of bars and restaurants all over the city.

Some local favorites include those served at Phillips and Obrycki's, both of which are classic Baltimore crab-houses with convenient Inner Harbor locations. Other favorites include the South Harbor Tavern, just across from the Inner Harbor in Federal Hill, and Mamie's Café, in Hampden.

Wherever you decide to go for crab cakes, there are a few terms you should be familiar with. The first is Market Price. Crabs are both seasonal and in short supply, and thus the price varies even during the prime crabbing months of June through September. You should also know the terms Special, Backfin, and Jumbo Lump. These are the three grades of crabmeat, and rank the size of the pieces from smallest to largest. All three grades have the same flavor, and crab cakes made with Special or Backfin are usually much less expensive than those made with Jumbo Lump.

Inner Harbor

Once you've sampled the local delicacy, you'll want to take on the rest of the city's culinary treats. A great place to start is the Inner Harbor, which is in many ways Baltimore's showpiece. This dockside expanse is home to numerous educational and tourist attractions, hotels, stores, and enough restaurants to allow you to dine-out happily for weeks. Beside the aforementioned crab houses, highlights include Victor's Café, serving Italian-styled fare, and the bustling, seafood-oriented City Lights Restaurant. Then there's Hampton's, one of the finest restaurants in the city, and, according to Conde Naste, in the country.

Heading uptown from the Inner Harbor on North Charles Street, you'll soon come to the lovely neighborhood of Mount Vernon. Here, in the shadow of a 178-foot monument to George Washington, you'll find a number of great places to dine. Two more of the city's absolute best, The Brass Elephant and Tio Pepe are located here. Relative newcomers like The Purple Orchid, which serves a blend of French and Vietnamese cuisine, and Brewer's Art, which serves creative German-styled fare, also thrive here. Finally, it's also home to an array of fine ethnic restaurants such as The Silk Road, which serves Afghani dishes, and Akbar, which serves Indian dishes.

Federal Hill

Just south of the Inner Harbor is Federal Hill. A touch funkier than Mount Vernon, it's also host to a wide range of places to eat and drink. Foremost among them is Ten Oh Six, a tiny restaurant that blends Thai and Continental cuisine. There's also Matsuri, one of the city's many fine Japanese restaurants and the One World Café, a bohemian-flavored coffeehouse that serves great food and offers lots of vegetarian and vegan choices. Finally, over on the bay side of the neighborhood, you'll find Joy America Café, a four-star restaurant atop the American Visionary Art Museum.

Little Italy

Just to the east of the Inner Harbor lies Little Italy, one of Baltimore's culinary treasures. At last count, this 12-block expanse was home to over 20 fine Italian restaurants. It's really not fair to name just a few, but Sabatino's, Aldo's and Della Notte provide fine examples of what the area offers.

Fells Point

On weekends, this maritime district is swarmed with college students and young professionals looking for fun in the area's many nightclubs. Bohager's, with its large outdoor dance floor, is a prime example of these. But the neighborhood is also a favorite haunt of Baltimore's bohemian folk, who frequent coffeehouses like Funk's Democratic Coffee Spot. Then there are those places like Bertha's, an illustrious seafood restaurant, and The Horse You Came In On, an old fashioned bar, that epitomize the off-beat, blue-collar chic unique to Baltimore. There are also plenty of places to hear live music, including The Full Moon Saloon, which features blues music, and The Cat's Eye Pub, which features Irish music. And finally, it's also home to two of the towns best new four-star restaurants, The Black Olive and Kali's Court.

Canton

To the northeast of Fells Point is Canton, one of Baltimore's recently refurbished neighborhoods. Formerly an industrial area, it's now home to Atlantic, one of the city's most exciting new restaurants, and a number of upscale cocktail bars, such as The Gin Mill and The Cosmopolitan Bar & Grill. There are also several cozy, friendly neighborhood eateries, like Nacho Mama's and the Cosmopolitan Bar & Grill.

Many other great restaurants are scattered throughout the rest of Baltimore's many neighborhoods. The East Baltimore neighborhood of Greek Town is—as its name implies—host to many excellent Greek restaurants, Ikaros foremost among them. In the midtown neighborhood of Charles Village you'll find Niwana, a great Korean and Chinese eatery. Just to the north, in the Govans neighborhood, lies the marvelous Café Zen. To the west, Hampden is home to both the aforementioned Mamie's Café and the Café Hon. Up in the quiet neighborhood of Mount Washington, located in northwest Baltimore, you'll find several charming eateries including Ethel and Ramone's and The Desert Café. And a few minutes further west, in busy Pikesville, is the popular Olive and Sesame.

Indeed, you can count on always being able to find something good to eat, no matter where you go in Baltimore. And remember, when in doubt: order the crab cakes.

Copyright 1999-2005 Wcities, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Contact Wcities

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Akbar Restaurant

Quiet oasis of a restaurant

823 N Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201-5316
+1 410 539 0944
http://www.akbar-restaurant.com/
vinay@akbar-restaurant.com

Set in the heart of mid-town's busy Mount Vernon neighborhood, this quiet, softly lit oasis of a restaurant is the perfect place to restore yourself with a savory lunch or unwind with a hearty dinner. The décor is muted, the furnishings solid, the staff mature and sure-footed, and the traditional Indian cuisine- Sagwala, Makhani, Pulao are simply perfect. All the elements combine to make a visitor feel comfortable and relaxed. The lunch buffet is one of the city's best bargains.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Aldo's Ristorante Italiano

A beautiful dining experience 306 South High Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
+1 410 727 0700
http://www.aldositaly.com
sergio@aldositaly.com This lovely addition to Little Italy's restaurant scene specializes in the traditional cooking of Southern Italy, and a typical meal might include an appetizer of Fried Calamari, followed by the delectable Veal Scaloppine topped with a tasty Cannoli. But simply listing these old favorites doesn't do justice to this jewel of a restaurant, with its tuxedoed waiters, fresh cut roses and intimate dining rooms. The setting is very quiet and very romantic. Jackets are recommended for men.

Review © 2007, Wcities

American Visionary Art Museum

Art from other worlds 800 Key Highway
Baltimore, MD 21230
+1 410 244 1900
http://www.avam.org 'Visionary' is a term used to describe art that is created by people who use ordinary media to express their own intensely personal ideas about life. This museum has assembled a wonderful collection of this very Visionary art. Since Visionary artists generally lack formal training, and work outside of established art traditions, their works are as bold, innovative and inspirational as the visions that spawned them. Admission: USD11 Adults, USD7 Students and seniors, USD6 per person for groups of ten or more. Children under four years of age and under are free.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Bertha's

Eat mussels at Bertha's 734 South Broadway
Fells Point
Baltimore, MD 21231
+1 410 327 5795
http://berthas.com/
info@berthas.com In Baltimore, Bertha's means the blues - and mussels to beat the band. Offered with your choice of eight sauces, Bertha's Mussels are plump, tender, and steamed just right. For years this Fells Point landmark has been giving out green bumper stickers that simply state: "Eat Bertha's Mussels." The rest of the seafood entrees are also very good. They, too, boast fresh ingredients and a sure touch. The décor is warm and funky, the atmosphere lively, and, on weekends, even rowdy.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Black Olive

Freshest seafood available 814 South Bond Street
Baltimore, MD 21231
+1 410 276 7141
http://www.theblackolive.com/
info@theblackolive.com The Blue crab has always been king of Baltimore's seafood scene, but recently a new generation of restaurants has been challenging the crab's rule. The Black Olive, located in Fells Point, the heart of old Baltimore's maritime district, is perhaps the best. Only the freshest fish are displayed in The Black Olive's case, and guests can choose anything from locally caught Rockfish to more exotic fare. Selections are then grilled to perfection, filleted at tableside and served with the house's amazing Mediterranean-style sauces.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Brass Elephant

Venerable Baltimore dining institution 924 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
+1 410 547 8485
http://www.brasselephant.com
reservations@brasselephant.com Set in an elegant rowhouse near the center of town, this first-class restaurant has long been a Baltimore institution. The décor is simple and dignified but the meals are luxurious. Even basic dishes such as Roast Duck and Filet Mignon are done so well as to become truly memorable. And of course, the seafood is impeccable. Add to this a thoroughly professional wait staff, wonderful desserts and an extensive wine list, and it becomes clear why this is the kind of restaurant people come back to time and again.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Brewer's Art

Great beer and hearty food 1106 N Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
+1 410 547 6925
http://www.thebrewersart.com/i...
malthops@abs.net This Charles Street establishment, set in an opulent row house just north of downtown, boasts great food and a great bar. The downstairs bar features scores of micro-brews from around the region and the country. It's a grotto-like space, perfect for intimate conversation, and very popular with Baltimore's young professionals. The upstairs restaurant, with its marble fireplaces and raftered ceilings, is cozy and warm, and offers fare that's both hearty and inventive. The Saffron Ravioli should not be missed.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Cafe Zen

A beautiful little cafe 438 East Belvedere Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21212
+1 410 532 0022
http://www.cafezen.com
info@CafeZen.com In a city that has many fine ethnic restaurants, this North Baltimore establishment still manages to stand out. Inside, the atmosphere brings to mind the cool simplicity of an Asian print. The restaurant's beauty extends to its decor, the cuisine also shows an artist's touch. The Gow Bah is a perfect example- it's a well-balanced stew of tender meat and crisp vegetables awash in a delicate sesame sauce. All the dishes served here, including the many vegeterian entrees, show careful attention to detail.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Café Hon

Baltimore-style hospitality 1002 W 36th Street
Baltimore, MD 21211
+1 410 243 1230
http://www.cafehon.com
cafehon@earthlink.net There is an informal tradition among Baltimore waitresses to address customers as 'Hon.' (Pronounced to rhyme with 'bun.') Over the years, the term has come to symbolize the town's casual hospitality, and as such, it suits this friendly café perfectly. Located in Hampden, it has the ambiance of a suburban kitchen circa 1955, and the menu fits the décor just right. Dishes like Four Cheese Lasagna and 'Much Better Than Mom's' Meatloaf are guaranteed to stick to your ribs, and the Crabcake Platter does Baltimore proud.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Cat's Eye Pub

Baltimore's premier Irish music pub 1730 Thames Street
Fells Point
Baltimore, MD 21231
+1 410 276 9866
http://www.catseyepub.com/
catseyepub@hotmail.com According to Celtic music aficionados, this Fells Point pub is the place to go in Baltimore to hear authentic Irish folk music. With its wood-paneled walls and gigantic oak bar, it's the perfect setting for hoisting a glass of Guinness or Harp and enjoying a jig or reel. The steady stream of Irish musicians is supplemented by local and national jazz, blues and zydeco acts. Fell's Point can be nuts on weekends, so to enjoy the full homey effect of this place, visit during the week.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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City Lights Seafood Restaurant

Excellent family-oriented dining 307 Light Street
Light Street Pavilion
Baltimore, MD 21202-1011
+1 410 244 8811 This family-friendly Inner Harbor eatery is always packed with tourists who enjoy the informal atmosphere - the paper napkins give you an idea of the decor. The menu has a breadth and depth that is quite unexpected in such a venue. The seafood selection alone is chockfull of gourmet delights. The Maryland Crab Soup is about the finest in town, and the Grilled Salmon is fabulous. Add the terrific view of the harbor and you have the makings of an excellent dining experience.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: David Hsu

Cosmopolitan Bar & Grill

Casual, off-beat martini bar 2933 O'Donnell Street
Baltimore, MD 21224-4823
+1 410 563 5000 Not quite for martini lovers only - but close. This nifty bar, located in the newly revitalized Canton neighborhood, offers nearly a dozen varieties of the classic cocktail. You can sip, stir and shake in the downstairs bar area of this renovated row home, or relax in the dreamy upstairs dining room, which features dark blue walls festooned with painted clouds and stars. The menu is better than average bar-fare with an emphasis on seafood and a heavy Italian influence. All in all, it's a great place to unwind.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Cosmopolitan Bar & Grill photo by wcities
Photo: wcities

Della Notte

Affordable, fun Italian dining 801 Eastern Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21202
+1 410 837 5500
http://www.dellanotte.com/ This family-oriented eatery boasts one of the most original dining rooms in Little Italy. The circular room is dominated by a large artificial tree surround by working street lamps - the better to recreate the experience of dining on an Italian plaza. The kitchen's version of old Italian standards are affordable and well prepared. Be sure to save room for dessert - the Gelato Sundaes are a real treat. A children's menu is also offered.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Desert Cafe

Relaxing setting and great food 1605-7 Sulgrave Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21209-3617
+1 410 367 5808 Set on a cool tree-lined street in Northwest Baltimore's Mount Washington neighborhood, this wonderful Middle Eastern café offers - dare we say it? - an oasis of calm amid the bustle of daily urban life. The spicy fare, which includes an amazing Mango Curry Chicken Salad, is perfect for lunch or dinner. And with shiny metal stars hanging from the ceiling and colorful pillows scattered about, it's hard to imagine a more hospitable place for a relaxing meal.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Full Moon Saloon

Baltimore's Blues music capital 1710 Aliceanna Street
Fells Point
Baltimore, MD 21231
+1 410 276 6388
http://www.fullmoon-saloon.com/
info@fullmoon-saloon.com For many years, Baltimore has been home to a great Blues scene made up of countless knowledgeable fans and scores of talented musicians. Most of them, at one time or another, have visited this friendly, down-home Fells Point bar. How seriously do they take the Blues here? There are benches in front of the stage known as "Blues Pews," and the saloon hosts live music seven nights a week and national acts every Saturday. The kitchen even serves Blues cuisine, such as Gumbo, Pork Barbecue and Meatloaf.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Maddy Eckel

Funk's Democratic Coffee Spot

Very casual alternative coffee house 1818 Eastern Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21231
+1 410 276 3865 In this casual coffee house you'll find great java that spans the gamut from strong and black to exotic. The menu offers a fine range of vegan and vegetarian selections, as well as a number of choices for meat-lovers. The downstairs has a diner-like feel, with an open kitchen and scattered tables, some of which have chess boards printed on them. Upstairs offers cushy sofas, a pool table and a small library of used books. Live jazz and folk music is perfomed on the weekends.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Funk's Democratic Coffee Spot photo by wcities
Photo: wcities

Gin Mill

Friendly upscale bar 2300 Boston Street
Baltimore, MD 21224
+1 410 327 6455
http://www.theginmillcanton.com/
webmaster@theginmillcanton.com This bright, friendly, upscale bar, located between Fell's Point and Canton, is a favorite nighspot for young professionals. The bare-brick interior walls, the hardwood floors, the fireplaces, the three large bars and two pool tables all make for a great environment in which to unwind after a busy day. The menu of sandwiches, wings and soups is good, but the Blue Point oysters on the half-shell are great. Oddly enough, there aren't many tables or chairs, so unless you get here early, you will be standing.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Hampton's

Absolutely first-rate dining 550 Light Street
Harbor Court Hotel
Baltimore, MD 21202-6099
+1 410 234 0550
http://www.harborcourt.com This elegant restaurant, set in the downtown Harbor Court Hotel, consistently rates as one of the city's best. The menu is Contemporary American, organized around classic ingredients, with a focus on those currently in season. As a result, old standards like Lobster Bisque take on entirely new characters. The setting is opulent. The dining room, which offers a magnificent view, is done in the shades of a sunset, and appointed with wingback chairs, fresh flowers and gorgeous table settings.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Horse You Came In On Saloon

Classic Fells Point bar 1626 Thames Street
Fells Point
Baltimore, MD 21231
+1 410 327 8111
http://www.horsesaloon.com/
HorseSaloon@msn.com There's nothing upscale about this classic Fells Point institution. It's dark, the furnishings are a little battered and if the walls could talk, the first thing they'd ask for is a new coat of paint. But after that they would regale you with tales of good times and great music. Then they would remind you to bring in your Orioles ticket stub next time for a two-for-one round of drinks. If you're looking for a bar, this is one of the great ones.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Ikaros

Gourmet Greek dining 4805 Eastern Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21224-4434
+1 410 633 3750
http://www.ikarosrestaurant.com
comingsoon@ikaros.com Baltimore is a patchwork of vibrant ethnic neighborhoods, and one of the most delightful ways they celebrate their different heritages is through their restaurants. Ikaros, located in East Baltimore's Greek enclave is one of the best of these. For years, this quietly elegant establishment, with its cool white walls and darkly polished furnishings, has been serving some of the most sumptuous meals in town. The seafood, wrapped in phyllo sheets, is both delicate and savory, and the Moussaka is simply the stuff of legend.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Joy America Café

Fine dining and art 800 Key Highway, Inner Harbor
American Visionary Art Museum
Baltimore, MD 21230
+1 410 244 6500
http://www.avam.org/joyamerica
joyamerica@comcast.net Although it's located on the top floor of the American Visionary Art Museum, this is by no means your typical art museum restaurant. The food served in this spacious and sleek, yet entirely comfortable, room is original and refreshing, with a subtly tropical bent. The Roast Chicken, for example, is covered with molé sauce, and the Barbecued Shrimp are laced with papaya. Be sure to reserve a table by the arched windows for a tremendous view of Baltimore's harbor.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Kali's Court

Lovely Greek seafood 1606 Thames Street
Historic Fells Point
Baltimore, MD 21231
+1 410 276 4700
http://www.kaliscourt.com/
fish@kaliscourt.net Located in the historic but funky Fells Point neighborhood, Kali's Court brings a Greek sensibility to traditional Maryland seafood favorites, there's Orzo pasta floating in the crab soup, for example. With its high-ceilings and darkly polished furnishings, this fine restaurant has a casual elegance that makes it as appropriate for a romantic evening as well as for a friendly night out. Kali's also boasts a lovely brick courtyard for al fresco dining, but be sure to call ahead and reserve a table.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Kali's Court photo by wcities
Photo: wcities

Matsuri

Intimate and excellent Japanese restaurant 1105 South Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
+1 410 752 8561
http://www.matsuri.us/
Emailus@Matsuri.us Proving that good things do indeed come in small packages, this tiny restaurant serves succulent sushi and traditional Japanese cuisine. The tastefully decorated dining and Sushi bar area is tiny, but thanks to a friendly staff, and nice lighting, that atmosphere is one of relaxed intimacy. Sushi fans will delight not only in the vast selection of rolls and pieces, but in the absolutely first rate ingredients, and the beautiful presentation. The cooked selections are also wonderful, featuring light but savory sauces and lots of crisp vegetables.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Rob Friesel

Nacho Mama's

Lively Mexican bar and restaurant 2907 O'Donnell Street
Baltimore, MD 21224-4821
+1 410 675 0898 Canton, located just a few minutes to the Northeast of downtown, is the most recent in a fairly long line of revitalized Baltimore neighborhoods. As such, it has become home to young professionals and urban hipsters. One of the favorite hangouts of this energetic crowd is this small, friendly Mexican restaurant that offers enormous portions of good food at modest prices. The Portabello Mushroom and Spinach Quesadilla is terrific, National Bohemian beer is only USD1 a bottle, and at least a dozen portraits of Elvis grace the walls.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Niwana

Great Japanese and Korean cuisine 3215 N Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21218
+1 410 366 4115 Located in the charming and centrally located Charles Village neighborhood, this relaxed, casual restaurant serves up first-rate, yet moderately priced, Korean and Japanese cuisine. Take a seat at the sushi bar and feast on fresh tuna, salmon and mackerel, or find a quiet booth and enjoy the delicious hot dishes. The Be Bim Bop—a bowl of rice, mixed vegetables and meat, with a fried egg on top—is comfort food at its best. The understated Asian décor and fresh flowers add to the tranquil atmosphere.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Obrycki's

Genuine Baltimore crab house 1727 East Pratt Street
Baltimore, MD 21231
+1 410 732 6399
http://www.obryckis.com/
crabs@obryckis.com A summertime visit to Baltimore isn't complete without sampling the local delicacy: Steamed Blue Crabs. One of the best of the very many places specializing in the tasty crustaceans is this downtown institution. Since 1944, this casual, friendly restaurant has been covering its dining room tables with paper and serving piles of crabs, steamed perfectly and dusted with a unique black pepper spice. A variety of great entrees, including crab cakes and a terrific Crab Imperial, are also offered. Be sure to make a reservation!

Review © 2007, Wcities

One World Café

Friendly Alternative Vegan Coffee Bar 100 West University Parkway
Baltimore, MD 21210
+1 410 235 5777
http://www.one-world-cafe.com If you're in need of a caffeine fix and a vegan menu, this is the place to go. This colorful, sprawling café has enough flavored coffees, espressos and cappuccinos to satisfy anyone's craving. It also has one of the best vegan menus in town, featuring an amazing array of non-animal entrees. One World Café was voted Baltimore's "Best Vegetarian" by the City Paper. The all-natural, chemical-free entrees are made with organic ingredients and prepared daily. The wide selection of choices include such items as the Grilled Tuna Steak Sandwich, Breaded Organic Tofu and the Eggplant Gyro. Don't forget to save room for a tasty smoothie made from 100% fruit juices or a scrumptious homemade vegan dessert. One World Café also provides catering services.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Orchid Grill

Creative Asian and French cuisine 729 East Pratt Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
+1 410 837 0080
http://www.theorchidgrill.com This lovely restaurant serves an appealing blend of French and Asian cuisine. Its rewards have been rave reviews and a large and loyal clientele. The Chinese Duck is magnificent, as are the creative seafood entrees. The atmosphere is comfortably elegant. Muted colors, polished wood and linen tablecloths exude formality, yet fresh flowers and candle-lit tables provide homey accents. Rounding out this restaurant's attributes is a thoroughly knowledgeable and professional wait staff.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Phillips Harborplace

Great Inner Harbor crab house 301 Light Street
Light Street Pavilion
Baltimore, MD 21202
+1 410 685 6600
http://www.phillipsfoods.com/ Its prime Inner Harbor location, wide variety of offerings and friendly staff make this busy Baltimore institution a great place for first-time visitors to get acquainted with the city's number one culinary attraction: the Blue Crab. The tasty crustaceans are served in many forms: Crab Imperial, crab dip, crab cakes. Other places may do individual dishes better, but Phillips does a lot of things very well. The décor may tend toward chrome-plated sterility, but the atmosphere is pure fun.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Sabatino's

Familiar Italian dishes expertly done 901 Fawn Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
+1 410 727 9414 / +1 410 727 2667
http://www.sabatinos.com
lisam@sabatinos.com The pleasantly straightforward, starched-linen and fresh-flower atmosphere at this Little Italy landmark lets you know that you're in an old-school restaurant. The menu is full of old favorites - Ravioli and a Veal Parmesan that's truly noteworthy. Even the house specialties, such as the legendary Bookmaker Salad - shrimp, salami and provolone topped with a cheese dressing over crisp iceberg lettuce - has a comfortable familiarity. The chef isn't breaking any new ground here, but then again, why try to improve on the classics?

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: mreid0183

Victor's Cafe

Fine waterside dining 801 Lancaster Street
Baltimore, MD 21202-4336
+1 410 244 1722 Plenty of Baltimore's restaurants offer great views of the Inner Harbor, but Victor's Café allows you to dine at the water's edge. During warmer months, sit on the outdoor deck and watch the sailboats glide by. When it's cold, nestle in the cozy dining room and enjoy the view through the large windows. Of course, you can enjoy the fine Italian fare year round. The Lobster Ravioli is stupendous, as is the Chicken Maryland, a boneless breast covered with white sauce and crabmeat.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Washington Monument

Baltimore's Monument to George Washington 600 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
+1 410 396 0929 Towering above Mount Vernon Place is Baltimore's Washington Monument. The marble Doric column towers 178 feet with a statue of George Washington at its crown. The reward for climbing the steep, winding 228 steps is a bird's-eye view of Baltimore. The base contains a small museum with exhibits chronicling the architecture and development of the monument, which took nearly 15 years to build (1815-1829).

Review © 2007, Wcities

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