In 2009, B&O American Brasserie at Kimpton Hotel Monaco was the town darling. It opened amid great fanfare in the former Baltimore & Ohio Railroad headquarters, offering impressive New American cuisine in a swanky historic building.
Several restaurants have come and gone at this Belvedere Square landmark that was a popular shoe store in the 1950s. Some people are even suggesting that the building is jinxed. New owner Leonard Clarke is working to change that perception with Starlight Diner.
When chef-owner Chad Gauss was planning the menu for La Food Marketa in Quarry Lake, he was guided by one idea: What would he and his staff from The Food Market in Hampden eat if they were dropped into Central America?
Home Maid, the breakfast spot in Federal Hill, focuses on small-batch, scratch cooking. The results are tasty, but service can suffer.
La Scala Ristorante Italiano may not be the oldest restaurant in Little Italy, but after 21 years, it has become one of the stalwarts of the enclave.
There are some places where you feel comfortable immediately, and QuarterHouse Tavern in Canton is one of them.
Blue Hill Tavern opened to great fanfare in 2009, hailed as a pioneer in the awakening Brewers Hill area. Then diners mostly forgot about it.
City Cafe is the little coffee shop that could. After 22 years, the Mount Vernon staple has blossomed into a full-fledged restaurant with lunch, brunch and dinner menus served in a sleek, contemporary space.
Chef Rod’s Outrageous Burgers opened earlier this year in a former Food Mart at the gas station at 7894 Washington Blvd. It previously housed its sister restaurant, R&R Taqueria, which moved to a nearby strip shopping center.
Even the staff is happy that chef Chad Wells has taken over the direction of Victoria Gastro Pub's kitchen. On a recent visit, our waiter assured us that, even if we had dined there before, we could expect a new experience. He was partly right.
Paulie Gee's Hampden, a franchise of the original Paulie Gee's in Brooklyn, N.Y., opened in July, specializing in wood-fired, Neapolitan-influenced pizzas.
Onetime fine-dining hotspot has recently been refashioned into the laid-back Fells Point Tavern. The food choices are much more casual but the caliber of ingredients and creativity of the dishes are on par with the previous kitchen.
Regi's American Bistro has been a Federal Hill fixture since 1978, and for the past 14 years, owner Alan Morstein has been running the place with the energy of teenager, the passion of a lover and the drive of a politician.
On the verge of turning 30, Chaps Pit Beef on Pulaski Highway celebrated its middle age by opening an offshoot Chaps in Aberdeen in June.
Shigehiko "Jacky" Okiebisu opened Kippo Ramen in May because he missed his favorite noodle dish from his native Japan. That authenticity shines in the restaurant's tasty offerings.
A smaller version of the famed Eataly has come to Fells Point in the form of Modern Cook Shop.
SoBo Market has become a neighborhood gathering spot in South Baltimore, and it's laid-back dishes and friendly atmosphere should draw non-locals, too.
Wine lovers, rejoice. Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant is the place for you.
There's a lot of pizza competition in town, but if you're on the south side of the harbor, &pizza's delicious rectangular pie will satisfy any hunger pangs.
The space hasn't changed much since Jokers 'n Thieves became Southern Provisions in April, but a few updates to the interior and the menu help define its theme.
Woody's Cantina, which recently adjusted its name and menu, is a fun spot for a drink, a casual meal and an elevated view of the harbor.
To walk into Gunther & Co. in Brewers Hill is to be awed. The renovated boiler room of the old Gunther Brewing Co. is stunning with exposed brick, stainless steel and an imposing bar.
Andre Mazelin wants The Room, his new cafe in Mount Vernon, to be like a friend's cool basement, where you go for a drink and a bite to eat.
Daniela Useli, who came to Baltimore in 2000, outgrew the original space where customers ordered at a counter, so she moved Daniela Pasta & Pastries couple of blocks down The Avenue. She opened a larger trattoria in April with a cozy porch for outdoor dining, a liquor license and her signature chef statue welcoming guests.
As Baltimore breakfast stalwart Blue Moon Cafe gets ready to celebrate 20 years, its second installment, Blue Moon Too, continues its tasty traditions.
Under new management since last year, Nick's Fish House in Port Covington is even better. The downstairs deck has been refurbished, and the sprawling restaurant now has four outdoor bars with dining.
Known for its sweet and savory buns from around the world, The Bun Shop's second location is a fun place to stop by for an interesting pastry or two and a cup of coffee.
There's a lot of energy in Fells Point, especially in anticipation of Kevin Plank's forthcoming Sagamore Pendry Baltimore hotel, scheduled to open next year at the Recreation Pier. And that was the draw Sam Curreri needed to locate his second restaurant, Sammy's Enoteca, on South Broadway.
As I approached the entrance to Dovecote Cafe in Reservoir Hill, I noticed the name of a previous occupant etched in tile on the walkway -- Parkview Pharmacy. A
The new chef at Tark's Grill at Green Spring Station is tinkering with the menu just enough to stir up a little excitement. After eight years in operation, the popular Brooklandville restaurant was due for a food update.
The cuisine in Baltimore might not be as diverse as in some other cities, but Sajhoma is truly authentic Dominican fare.
The inn's rooftop Olive Room restaurant closed quietly in early January and reopened just as quietly in late March on the ground floor as Agora Bar and Grill. It's a more casual concept with an affordable menu geared toward a range of palates.
Grano Pasta Bar has been mixing and matching pastas and sauces in Hampden since 2008. Now, the Italian noodle shop has opened a second location in Federal Hill.
Earlier last year, Johnny's in Roland Park added a sushi bar five nights a week, causing a few heads to shake in wonder. While the fish preparations were glorious, it seemed like an odd offering for an American restaurant.
This may be one of the priciest restaurant views in Baltimore, albeit one of the most stunning vistas of the Inner Harbor and the city skyline.
It sounds like the beginning of a sitcom: Three guys meet at college and start cooking together.
When a longtime, respected restaurant brings on a new chef, people pay attention — or at least I do. Under chef Ray Kumm, the menu leaned toward a New American menu with European influences. When he decided to move out of state this year, Andrew Weinzirl took over the kitchen.
There's no purple patio, but there's plenty of purple passion — and orange fervor — at the new Mother's North Grille in Timonium, where 18 TVs are tuned to local sports and other games.
Huck's American Craft isn't your typical corner bar. Yes, there are beers on draft (20 to be exact), fruity crush cocktails, a condensed list of decent wines and the requisite TVs scattered around the room.
For several years, this Fells Point space has been trying to find its culinary niche. The latest rendition, Points South Latin Kitchen, sets its sights on a different part of the world, this time specializing in Central and South American cuisine. The results, so far, are promising.
Owners Scott Bauer and Nate McKinney have tapped into a tiny slice of Germany's famous beer halls at Das Bier Haus in Federal Hill.
Colette sashayed onto the Baltimore dining scene in February, flouncing her charms in much the same way that her sister restaurant, Bottega, did when it opened in 2013. The bistros, which are blocks from each other in Station North, have a similar quaint charm with intriguing menus that immediately attracted curious crowds.
Don't dismiss Red Goji because it is in a strip shopping center. The restaurant hits the mark with its well-prepared dishes and attention to using fresh
Habaneros Mexican Kitchen & Tequileria, tucked into a nondescript shopping center in Westminster, is a feast for the eyes once you've stepped inside. Red, yellow and lime green hues adorn the walls and tables. Festive Latin music gets your toes tapping.
Pie 360 delivers the goods ¿ a custom pizza made in front of your eyes that's ready in minutes.
Like the chefs Mario, Giada and Duff, Baltimoreans know Donna, as in Crivello, by her first name. She first shook up our taste buds in the early 1990s with roasted vegetables, tapenade and other Mediterranean dishes at her eponymous restaurant, Donna's Coffee Bar, in Mount Vernon.
As its name indicates, burgers are the star at Abbey Burger Bistro.
In a dizzying shuffle of staff, Fleet Street Kitchen is on its fourth chef since opening in 2012. But the latest recruit, Michael Correll, on board for more than a year, seems to have found a niche at the Harbor East restaurant.
Chefs Craig Curbean and Dante Davis are on a culinary mission -- to open as many Taste This restaurants as they can in Baltimore.
From seemingly out of nowhere, newcomer Josh White set up his smokers, special sauces and dry rubs at Smoke in Cockeysville, soon wowing the barbecue crowd and
Ian Hummel is just as passionate about his restaurant's historic building as he is about its beer. The brewmaster and co-owner of Brew House No. 16 in Mount Vernon wanted to save the old fire station while creating something new.
When friends who lived in Costa Rica told us how impressed they were with the food at Plaza Mexico in Fallston, we knew we had to try it. They raved about the
B Bistro has been a beacon in Bolton Hill since 2003 with its clever twists on American food. In the past three years, the restaurant has been through several chef changes. We thought it was time to stop by and see what B¿s newest chef, William Weaver, is creating in the kitchen.
You can't beat the charm and old-world ambience at Samos in Greektown, which opened in 1977 when Baltimore Mayor William Donald Schaefer was shaping the city.
The cafe is sweet place in the Baltimore County government seat to stop by for a coffee, breakfast, a pastry, lunch, or early happy hour.
With Kitchen of India, Mohammad "Babu" Rahman, a Bangladeshi native, has created an Indian food oasis in a modest strip shopping center on busy West Joppa Road
Admit it: You've scrambled an egg or two for dinner or hauled out a box of cereal after a long workday.
Chef Bill Griffin is having fun with the menu at Picasso's in Station North.
Forget the free peanuts from the space's former days as Midtown Yacht Club and Midtown BBQ & Brew. The shells on the floor are gone. After all, they would look out of place on the new restaurant's polished wood floors. Flavor in Mount Vernon is much more sophisticated than that.
With ties to the now-closed Velleggia's in Baltimore, Larry and Brian Leonardi know a thing or two about Italian restaurants. In their youth, the brothers
Bottega's plotline has more twists and turns than a soap opera. The tiny Italian trattoria in Station North closed in early June, with owner Adrien Aeschliman
When I first saw a sign on the Central Avenue building announcing that Tortilleria Sinaloa would be opening there, I did a double take. How exciting, I thought.
Waterfront Kitchen seems to change chefs as frequently as the items on its New American seasonal menu. Chris Amendola, formerly of Bookmaker's Cocktail Club and
Classically trained chef Edward Kim, who once oversaw the kitchens at the popular Soigne in South Baltimore and Saffron in Mount Vernon, came up with a simple concept. Customers select a protein, a noodle and a broth at a service counter and pick up their steaming bowls of soup when they're ready. Food can be eaten in the minimalist dining room with seating for 20 or ordered for takeout.
Editor's note: This week we introduce Suzanne Loudermilk as The Sun's dining critic. Suzanne has established a deep well of knowledge covering Baltimore and
The narrow streets and twinkling lights of Little Italy have been a part of the city's cultural fabric for decades. Both tourists and locals love it for the
Italian food brings people together. It can be vegetarian-friendly but also appease meat-lovers. Some dishes are comforting and stick to the ribs; others are
Sometimes restaurant visits come with a moral. Our recent trip to Twist in Fells Point certainly did -- it offered a good reminder to never judge a book by its cover. Or, in this case, not to judge a restaurant by its website.
Burkina Faso is not on most Baltimoreans' culinary radar. But thanks to Ramatou "Mina" Fofana and her Delights by Mina, which opened in downtown Baltimore in August, that's changing.
Baltimore is a barbecue town these days.
Baltimore has, over the past five years, become a solid pizza town, with offerings to please both traditionalists and wild experimenters.
In 2008, when the Marriner family opened Victoria Gastro Pub, the "gastro pub" was a relatively new concept in the United States. While the idea isn't so new
"When did Brussels sprouts become such a guilty pleasure?" a friend asks as we compulsively dip into a giant bowl of said sprouts at Ten Ten, the Bagby
With a cool space and decent service, Poets Modern Cocktails & Eats deserves to be part of Baltimore's hotel restaurant conversation.
On a single block in Hampden, the adventurous diner can try a duck-sausage sandwich, foamy French prix-fixe and something called a vegan power raw ball. Those seeking simpler pleasures need only cross Chestnut Street, where Grano Emporio serves old-school Italian fare in old-fashioned comfort.
Downtown Baltimore -- the centrally located neighborhood stretching between Lexington Market and the Jones Falls Expressway -- is known for a lot of things. But a vibrant dinner scene isn't one of them.
The May opening of Mayuree Thai Tavern, in the Canton spot that formerly housed Geckos, came as welcome news.
There was a wild-and-crazy party going on at Gertrude's the other night. But it wasn't at our table or any of the other pristine, cloth-covered tables in the refined dining room attached to the Baltimore Museum of Art.
Since 2009, 13.5% Wine Bar has announced its presence on the Avenue in Hampden with larger-than-life orange letters spelling out its name. You can't miss it.
At Umami, which opened in Catonsville in 2011, there's plenty of excellent savory flavor, but the food is Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Indian, not Japanese.
Le Garage Beer Bar & Frites, which opened in Hampden in the spring of 2014, is no stranger to change and has managed it well.
Though it opened in March, StoneBridge Grille feels like the kind of place that's been around for years -- and that will continue to be around forever.
When the Prime Rib opened in Baltimore in 1965, it was already "old school," borrowing its look and atmosphere from the supper clubs of the 1930s and '40s.
Grace Garden is one of the best Chinese restaurants in the Baltimore area.
Food and personalities shine at Henninger's Tavern
Angelo's Pie in the Sky is not your average Baltimore pizza joint.
We live in an exciting time for restaurant connoisseurs, with experimental concepts and new ideas popping up every day. These places are often wonderful, but
Korean-inspired menu takes it up a notch
Maggie's Farm has had a tumultuous few years. Fortunately, it's emerged as lovable as ever.
Northern Maryland is home to some of the state's most impressive farmland -- so it makes sense that Woodfire Kitchen, which opened in June in Parkton, has a
Fork & Wrench opened 31/2 years ago and quickly became one of the city's hottest reservations. Diners could not get enough of the Canton restaurant's creative
Play Cafe is the brainchild of Kathy Schott and Ryan Sterner, a couple Hampdenites with kids of their own. They have created a space that is completely kid-friendly, from the stroller parking inside the front door to the stack of IKEA high chairs ready for the taking.
Bella Vista Italian Restaurant is right at home in The Shops at Quarry Lake.
Restaurants located in major hotel chains have a specific challenge. Their offerings need to be broad enough to appeal to travelers, and ideally, they'll also be good enough to attract locals. 5485 Restaurant & Bar, which opened in June in the newly remodeled space in Columbia's DoubleTree Hotel, has the potential to do both.
Mezze isn't a new concept in the Baltimore dining scene. We've got plenty of Mediterranean spots, from casual to high end, and more than a few restaurants that focus on small plates. But as a restaurant concept, it's not overplayed, either.
Breadbangers, a new restaurant in Riverside, is the collaboration we never knew we needed: sandwiches and rock music.
Magdalena's team uses the phrase "upscale casual" to describe the restaurant, which opened in June. Though it is comfortable, casual might be a stretch. The food is carefully conceived, refined and grown up, and Magdalena is sure to become a favorite special-occasion spot. It deserves the honor.
In 2012, Nacho Mama's got some competition when El Bufalo Tequila Bar & Kitchen opened just down the street, in the space formerly occupied by Coburn's Tavern & Grill.
Corfu, a Mediterranean cafe specializing in Greek small plates, opened in early June on Cross Street in Federal Hill. The owner is Steve Armenis, a native of
In most restaurants, the space offers clues about what happens in the kitchen. Pictures of Italy on the walls, signs for Mexican beer, or crisp white linens on
Preserve, a smart, mostly winning and extremely loud American restaurant, opened in mid-April in the space on Main Street in Annapolis that was formerly home to
Clavel, which means 'carnation' in Spanish, is in full bloom this summer.
City living has a lot to recommend it, not the least of which is the appeal of a welcoming neighborhood bar that serves good food.
We had a fine Friday night dinner Birroteca Bel Air, the 7-month-old restaurant located on Baltimore Pike. Really, Birroteca was just what we wanted after at the end of a hot early summer week. It's just fancy enough to make you feel like you're having a night on the town, but it's comfortable and accessible.
Sometime over the past few years, Peruvian chicken captured the hearts and stomachs of Marylanders. This is no surprise. Peru's approach to chicken preparation
Bistro Rx opened in December 2010 in what had once been a pharmacy at East Baltimore Street and Linwood Avenue. Two other restaurants, Parkside Restaurant and Three preceded it, and neither lasted long. But Bistro Rx has established itself as a reliable amenity for the neighborhoods surrounding Patterson Park.
In conversations about the world's great food countries, Uzbekistan doesn't come up a lot.
Though Centre Park's menu seems a touch retro, it is mostly well executed and served with care. And now that so many restaurants are narrowly focused, that broad and familiar approach feels fresh.
Franco's Italian Bistro opened last fall in the Frederick Road location that had previously been Regions.
In Pasadena, The BBQ Joint hits all the right spots - Baltimore Sun review
Canton has landed a winner. Alma Cocina Latina, a new 90-seat Venezuelan restaurant in the Can Company, is the best restaurant to open for years in the
There is something charming about straightforward Mexican food. Tacos and margaritas, served in cheerfully decorated rooms, bring people together.
New restaurant near Woodberry combines pintxo bar, asador
Howard County is so celebrated for exotic ethnic food — its collection of Asian and Indian restaurants rivals anyplace in the country — that sometimes it's easy to forget that the county is also home to good, casual restaurants representing more familiar cuisines.
Katana is a sweet and promising new Japanese restaurant in Canton. The focus is sushi, but there are also hot and cold Japanese appetizers, entrees, and various
Barbecue is everywhere in Baltimore these days, from the food trucks to the stadiums to the suburbs. That's a good thing.
Suddenly, mussels and frites are everywhere. Belgian-themed restaurants, fry shops and bars have been cropping up in Baltimore lately. And now, Annapolitans
Baltimore is no stranger to great Afghan food. The Helmand restaurant has been a city favorite for years; the country's influence is also apparent in kebab shops and casual eateries scattered throughout town.
Chicken Rico might not be fine dining, and the new location may still have a few kinks to iron out, but it is definitely an asset to the Baltimore food scene.
The original Cafe Troia opened officially as a full cafe in 1992 but had operated for several years before that as an Italian grocery with a few tables.
Over the past few years, Korean food and "fast casual" dining have been trends on the rise, both in Baltimore and around the country. It was only a matter of time before a fast-casual Korean restaurant popped up in the city.
I've heard this from a few friends about the new Harbor East restaurant called Mussel Bar & Grille: "Well, I hope the mussels are good. That's the name of the
The main requirement for a good sushi experience is fresh, high-quality fish that is beautifully prepared. But to advance a level -- to jump from good to great
The latest opening in Charm City's ramen surge, Ejji Ramen, pairs a friendly wait staff with serious kitchen talent.
The new Canton joint Jokers 'n Thieves -- its name comes from a Bob Dylan song -- is the kind of place where people come for some live music, a few stiff
Over the past several years, Baltimore's bar food has steadily improved, with sophisticated flavors and techniques along with a farm-to-table ethos. But what
Aromes, a beguiling new 28-seat French restaurant in Hampden, is unique in Baltimore.
In Cockeysville, good Italian food is often found in the most unlikely places. Tucked into nondescript shopping centers here and there, locally owned Italian
The more I thought about Dalesio's, the more I liked it.
Any time a celebrated chef opens a new restaurant, even a tiny one, it's a good idea to pay attention. 1157 Bar + Kitchen, the new Locust Point outpost from Jason Ambrose, proves why. Over the past nine years, Ambrose has developed a solid fan base as the owner and former chef of Salt in Upper Fells Point, garnering praise for his creativity and commitment to flavor.
At Springs Landing Fine Country Pub in Mount Airy, the romance lives. Located in Howard County¿s northwestern corner, Springs Landing exudes quiet country charm ¿ with a menu as sophisticated as a celebrated spot in any big city.
There have been a couple of changes lately at the old Vito's Cafe, a sterling Italian restaurant in a shopping center on York Road in Cockeysville. Last summer,
The Inner Harbor's just-opened Shake Shack outpost is garnering big headlines but it's not the only new burger joint in town. On the northern edge of the city,
The new Fells Point restaurant Mare Nostrum is one of the nicest surprises in years. Arriving without publicity, the restaurant serves simple and wonderfully
In recent years, Peruvian restaurants have popped up throughout the city and suburbs -- think Pisco in Elkridge and the much-loved Puerto 511 near the downtown
Looking over the menu at Mari Luna Latin Grille is like browsing through a stack of travel brochures. There is churrasco from Portugal, paella from Spain, ropa vieja from Cuba and chamorro de cordero ¿ a lamb shank preparation popular in Mexico. Other offerings, like ceviche and empanadas, are popular throughout Latin America. It's hard to choose when you can have everything.
During the summer of 2012, Andrew Zimmern of the Travel Channel's "Bizarre Foods" shows descended on the Baltimore region to explore the food scene ¿ including an illuminating visit to several Korean restaurants in Baltimore and in Howard County. Though the show raised the national profile of Baltimore's Korean food community, the cuisine still hasn't experienced a major explosion in local popularity. Yes, kimchi has become something of a staple for people who love food. But while Vietnamese and Thai restaurants regularly draw diners that don't consider themselves particularly adventurous eaters, the region's Korean spots still fly slightly under the radar. That should change.
I have to admit I love the idea of putting an affordable and accessible Asian bistro in Station North, just a few doors down from the Charles Theatre.
Longtime fans of Iggies experienced a bit of panic last summer upon learning that the popular Mount Vernon pizza spot had been sold. Though Iggies loyalists were pleased that the restaurant wouldn't close, they were sorry to say goodbye to owners Lisa Heckman and Peter Wood.
Family Meal, a modern diner concept from the Frederick-based chef Bryan Voltaggio and his business partner, Hilda Staples, opened just after the new year at the Inner Harbor.
"This is the old Spike & Charlie's, right?" That's the No. 1 question I've been getting about Ryleigh's Oyster Mount Vernon, a new restaurant from Brian McComas, who owns and operates the original Ryleigh's in Federal Hill and a second, Ryleigh's Hunt Valley, on Padonia Road.
In Howard County, excellent ethnic restaurants pop up in so many unlikely spots that finding a good meal in a nondescript strip mall is no longer surprising. But that doesn't take away from the appreciation of the good food we enjoyed after dinner at Viet Pearl, which opened in Ellicott City in December. The restaurant's decor is strange at best, and the staff was still learning the ropes during our meal, but the food was excellent.
I mentioned to an acquaintance that I was reviewing Sip Wine & Dine, the new restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, a luxury condominium complex on Key
Cilantro in Owings Mills is super casual, food is super tasty
Prem Raja Mahat, the owner of the new Nepal House restaurant in Mount Vernon, is a well-known folk singer in his native Nepal. Just how highly regarded is Mahat? A National Public Radio profile in 2003 told listeners, "In America, Prem Raja Mahat manages an Indian restaurant in Baltimore, Maryland. But in his home country of Nepal, Prem Raja is one of the most popular singers. Think of him as the Bob Dylan of Katmandu ... or Elvis of the Himalayas."
The best days for the watering hole, ironically, appear to have been during Prohibition, when serving drinks was illegal, at least technically. As legend has it, savvy visitors to the bar at the back of the Belvedere Hotel would know to look at the two large amber-eyed plaster owls stationed at the bar's cash register- blinking eyes meant the liquor was flowing; static-eyed owls meant cool your heels.
When Pabu closed last summer after a short but successful stint in the Four Seasons Baltimore, there was much consternation among the city's biggest food lovers. Just a month after the opening of the new restaurant, Azumi, it's clear that the big shoes left by Pabu have been filled.
Located inside a Days Inn in Towson, Twisted Pizza Kitchen & Pub mixes up a few personalities.
You might be further lulled into thinking that Bookmakers is solely a cocktail lounge when you have a look at the drinks menu, which features in addition to a vast selection of bourbon, rye and American whiskeys an array of Japanese and Taiwanese whiskeys, eight varieties of absinthe, three kinds of chartreuse and 10 brands of amaro. All that, and a full-page cocktail list courtesy of Bookmakers' beverage director, Ryan Sparks, an alumnus of Brewer's Art, Jack's Bistro and Of
Over the past several years, Hampden has cemented its position as one of the food-friendliest neighborhoods in Baltimore. It's no surprise, then, to discover that behind one of the bright facades on a particularly charming stretch of 36th Street, a small crew is cooking some fantastic Indian street food.
Kosher restaurants in Baltimore have always tended to be Chinese joints, pizza shops and casual grills, but every 10 years or so, someone will try something a little fancier. These places don't usually last long, and who can say why? It could be because Baltimore's orthodox Jewish community is more family-oriented, not so interested in fancy dining. Or maybe those attempts were ahead of their time, or just not that good.
The northern part of Anne Arundel County has its fair share of restaurants that specialize in south-of-the-border flavors, most of which concentrate on Tex-Mex food that's both popular and familiar.
Baltimoreans have nostalgic affection for old apartment building eateries. The few that remain are located along University Parkway in Tuscany-Canterbury, like the one inside the Broadview on University and 39th St.
Over the past decade, the traditional flavors of the American south have been showing up in kitchens from New York to Paris. Soul food, the subset of southern
I like Iron Rooster a whole lot, and I think you should go to this new Annapolis restaurant, so I thought I'd tell you right off the bat that this new all-day breakfast restaurant in Annapolis offers free valet parking on weekends.
Severna Park has a number of positive attributes -- the water, the schools, the pretty houses -- but, historically, good restaurants have not been among the
We had a pretty convincing $52 bone-in rib-eye at Jack Binion's Steak, which is the name of the solid if not particularly compelling steakhouse at Horseshoe
Sports bars and seafood restaurants — especially family-friendly ones — don't necessarily seem like a natural combination. But at Steelefish Grille in Bel Air, big screen TVs and plenty of drink specials coexist happily alongside kids' menus and a seafood-heavy selection of entrees.
Saigon Today bills itself as "Asian fusion" but, as the name suggests, it's really a Vietnamese spot -- and that's just fine.
Towson has been a busy place this year. After years of stops and starts, the Towson Square project, including a brand new movie theater surrounded by new
Changes are afoot at the S&J Crab Ranch. Over the summer, the "J" in the equation ¿ owner James Kahn ¿ bought out his partner, Steve Recher. Kahn installed Chef Adam Sanchez in the kitchen of the 3-year-old Towson eatery. And Sanchez revamped the menu to better showcase his New Mexico roots.
Corner Bistro & Wine Bar has been open more than three years, long enough to earn itself a place of honor in the hearts and stomachs of the residents of Ridgely's Delight, a triangular-shaped neighborhood in Southwest Baltimore within shouting distance of Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
Pappas Restaurant and Sports Bar does not fall prey to the restaurant industry urge for constant change. The restaurant, which opened in Cockeysville in September, offers the same pleasantly old-school dining experience that locals have loved since the early seventies, when Mark Pappas opened the first Pappas Restaurant in Parkville.
In Hanover, a new German restaurant from the owner of Blob's Park
After years of traveling to Baltimore or Annapolis for dinner or drinks, Pasadena resident Steve Sumner was tired of the driving. Last November, the former
The menu at Arturo's Trattoria is similar but not identical to that at Osteria 177. Ottaviano has brought favorites such as the grilled fresh calamari appetizer, the Genoa-style cioppino and the duck breast stuffed with fresh dates in port wine sauce.
The night we visited Lobo, the new Fells Point bar and restaurant that occupies the old Pearl's space on Aliceanna Street, traffic was a mess. The evening was beautiful and streets were crowded, which meant a good 30-minute search for a parking spot.
There is no Johnny Sanchez. At least there's no Johnny Sanchez affiliated with the intriguing upscale taqueria at the new Horseshoe Casino Baltimore.
At Ashley's Sweet Beginnings, which opened in May in The Shops at Kenilworth in Towson, the desserts are so fabulous that being a grown up is difficult. Fortunately, the restaurant's soups and sandwiches are tasty enough that even the healthy stuff goes down as easily as a spoonful of sugar.
The casual Italian restaurant Facci was one of the first, best surprises of this dining decade.
Just inside the doors of In Like Flynn Tavern, a bright blue wall welcomes visitors with the W.B. Yeats quote, "There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven't yet met."
Some restaurants are hard to figure out. They present themselves as one thing and turn out to be another, or else they're in a continuing state of figuring
Bushmill Tavern is the restaurant/bar that every neighborhood wishes it had. There's nothing fancy about the place, from the bare bones decor to the burger-centric menu, but thanks to friendly service and a ton of talent in the kitchen, locals could eat at Bushmill every night and never get bored.
I had one of those soul-satisfying, I-love-Baltimore nights a few Saturdays back at Cafe Gia Ristorante, a colorful, cheerful and satisfying Italian restaurant on the corner of High Street and Eastern Avenue.
Belvedere Square, with its hip artisanal vendors, has earned its stripes as a food-lovers' destination. The area just to its south, now home to a handful of casual, capable eateries, is poised to piggyback on that success.
I like Pen & Quill, the new restaurant on the corner of Charles and Lanvale streets in Station North. It's pretty and comfortable, and the food, from executive
The Weekender, a self-billed "country diner," appears to be one of this new breed of restaurant. Opened in late July in the Monkton building that formerly housed Woody's Hitching Post, The Weekender serves dressed-up diner food for breakfast, lunch and "supper."
With new Peruvian joints popping up just about every other week (or so it seems), the flavors of Latin and South America are all the rage.
You'll get up from your meal at Ananda, maybe a bit reluctantly -- really, it's so cozy and comfortable here, you might want to linger -- feeling refreshed, pleasantly full and extremely satisfied.
We love a good anniversary. Baltimore is about to host a huge, weeklong celebration for the 200th anniversary of "The Star-Spangled Banner." Unless they're traveling by frigate, everybody and his brother is going to be passing through Locust Point on the way to Fort McHenry. Also celebrating ¿ Locust Point's own Wine Market Bistro, which is marking its 10th anniversary this month with various promotions and by feting diners with complimentary hors d'ouevres and wine tastings.
Like the original Kooper's Tavern in Fells Point and its newer sister in Mays Chapel, Kooper's Jacksonville is a happy, casual spot. With great burgers and a strong beer selection, Kooper's is a smart choice for Jacksonville. The restaurant manages to be both a lively pub and a family-friendly dinner spot.
Bartlett Pear Inn is the name of Alice and Jordan Lloyd's boutique inn on Harrison Street in Easton. It's also the name of their wonderful-in-every-way restaurant on the inn's first floor. It is a superb restaurant. The atmosphere is serene and relaxing, the service achieves a rare balance of proficiency and warmth, and the food is consistently satisfying.
Hamilton Tavern, on the corner of Harford Road and Wisteria Avenue, is a rare thing ¿ a true neighborhood tavern with citywide appeal. The official city-designated neighborhood for this address is Glenham-Belhar, but as Tom Creegan, the Brewer's Art partner who runs Hamilton Tavern, noted, everybody up there calls this neighborhood just plain Hamilton.
After a two-and-a-half-year renovation, Silks has reinvented itself as a welcoming neighborhood spot.
Tabor Ethiopian makes a home for regulars in Mount Vernon
Asian spot Luk Fu in Maryland Live! Casino could be a good bet for gamblers
Everyone's joining the party at this Irish-themed spot
At Indochine in Midtown, delicious food makes up for an unpolished decor.
The new Canton restaurant brings flash but not the flavor
New restaurant in Remington from the Woodberry Kitchen team is more than just the sum of its meats
With a new executive chef and pastry chef, Wit & Wisdom is flourishing.
Liam Flynn's Ale House has all the ingredients to be a great Irish-American bar and restaurant. Its welcoming space, friendly crowd and commitment to local products — both at the tap and in the kitchen — are points in its favor.
Taste of Aloha offers glimpse of Hawaiian cuisine in Arbutus
There is a jambalaya entree at Ethel's Creole Kitchen that you have to have. By that I mean, pick up the phone and make a reservation.
Fells Point's new Mexican spot, Papi's Taco Joint, feels like the right restaurant in the right place at the right time. Judging by the crowds, the neighborhood agrees.