While we have tried to make specific comments in the brief reviews, ratings, from K – KKKKK, are overall ratings, most heavily influenced by the food, but include other factors such as ambiance, décor and service. Cost estimates are based on one dinner with cocktail… $ inexpensive, under $20; $$ moderate, $21 to $30; $$$ expensive, $31 to $40; and $$$$ very expensive, $41 to $50: and $$$$$ over $50.
Keep in mind that in Baltimore, as everywhere, restaurants and clubs can open and close, change hours, dark nights, credit card policies, and even move with very short notice. Many restaurants are closed Sundays and Mondays, or even Tuesday. So do call each place that you plan to try and, of course, feel free to mention Chuck Klein Productions.
Atlantic – American Can Co. Bldg., 2400 Boston St., 410-675-4565 $$$ - Spike & Charlie Gjerde's new seafood restaurant is so absolutely the place of the moment, it almost doesn't matter what the food tastes like. However, it’s great. Known equally for fabulous seafood, an ultra-cool clientele, & décor special effects like an interior waterfall & shimmering wall projections. Also noteworthy: the Atlantic Martini, made with Ketel One, a dab of Blue Curacao, & Lemoncello, an Italian lemon liqueur.
Bertha’s – 734 S. Broadway 410-327-5795 $$ – Most every local has been to Bertha’s…just check out all the bumper stickers that read “Eat Bertha’s Mus–sels.” And mussels are the specialty of the house…served steamed & accompanied by your choice of butter-based sauce (There are 8 varieties…We like the basil-pesto one best.) However, stay with seafood. This isn’t the place for your red meat fix. As strange as it may seem, another house tradition is a Scottish Tea, served every day but Sunday. Reservations needed for Tea only.
Black Olive – 814 S. Bond St. 410-276-7141 $$$ - No gyros or moussaka at this chic Greek. What you can expect here are perfect & simple presentations of the freshest f
Boccacio - 925 Eastern Ave. 410-234-1322 $$$$ – Another Little Italy treasure…Quite pricey but most agree, this Northern Italian puts out a meal that’s well worth the tab. Expect superb service from a gracious staff & a famous face or two among the clientele. The thick, gooey Lasagna & the Cheese Ravioli are just plain yummy, & the Chef’s Special Veal Chop is a thing of beauty.
Brass Elephant – 924 N Charles St. 410-547-8480 $$$$ - An elegant Mount Vernon townhouse is home to this jewel of a restaurant. One of Baltimore’s favorite ‘special occasion’ spots, Brass Elephant creates a full 3-hour, 4 course Northern Italian feast built upon local, in season produce & seafood. Only for those with lots of time… & a very generous expense account. There’s a full bar & lounge upstairs. Jacket & Tie requested. Reservations suggested.
Brighton’s - Harbor Court Hotel, 550 Light St. 410-347-9750 $$$$– The less formal of the 2 hotel dining rooms (Hampton’s is their other room,) but still way impressive for it’s style, class, tempting menu & gorgeous Inner Harbor views. Menu is Continental with an emphasis on fresh Seafood. Deluxe crab cakes (heavy with all that crabmeat,) tender scallops & rockfish are all terrific. Serves breakfast, lunch, dinner & afternoon tea, every day but Sunday.
Caribbean Kitchen - 218 N. Liberty St. 410-837-2274 $ - Take-out only at this Jamaican gem. If you’ve got a thing for authentically fiery Jerk Chicken, steamed fish, curried goat & browned, stewed chicken, pull over & get in line. Opens at 7 AM. Closed Sundays.
Charleston – 1000 Lancaster St. 410-332-7373 $$$ - Low-country Southern cuisine served with high style by celeb chef, Cindy Wolf, formerly of Savannah. Charleston is both a popular & critical smash hit… Zagat ratings are all tops as they survey “Best in the City” for food (# 5), for décor (# 10), & for service (# 3.) Try the Gulf Shrimp with Tasso Ham & Andouille Sausage served over creamy grits. You’ll find an impressive wine selection & some mighty fine bourbons too.
Corks – 1026 S. Charles St. 410-752-3810 $$ - The menu is short & sweet at this nifty New American, and as you may deduce from the name, wine is what Corks is primarily about. Unlike most places that double the wholesale price the customer pays per bottle, here they just add $11.00 dollars to their cost. The pricier the wine, the better the deal. We suggest reservations & the bread pudding for dessert.
Da Mimmo – 217 S. High St. 410-727-6876 $$$$ – Baltimore has it’s own Little Italy & Da Mimmo’s is one of the neighborhood’s best. House specialties are the Seafood (especially shrimp,) & Veal dishes. Some good wines make all this hearty food taste even better. Portions are so big you’d be well advised to skimp on bread & salad. Can be quite noisy…and there’s live piano most nights.
Hampton’s- Harbor Court Hotel, 550 Light St. 410-347-9744 $$$$- A harbor view is just one of the perks at Hampton’s….others include beau–tiful serv–ice, elegant surroundings & terrific food. Pan-roasted lobster with herbs, garlic, & crabmeat risotto is our favorite.
The Helmand – 806 N. Charles St. 410-752-0311 $$ - Fabulous Afghan cuisine that is highly affordable make this one of Baltimore’s most popular eateries. Both carnivores & vegetarians find lots to tempt them on the glorious bill of fare. Especially good…the Dolma Murch (bell pepper stuffed vegetables, beans & rice,) & the Sabzy Challow (sautéed spinach & beef served over Afghan rice.)
Jeannier’s- Broadview Apts., 105 W. 39th St. (University Pkwy.) 410-889-3303 $$$ - Currently considered the top French restaurant in town (particu–larly since M. Gettier’s moved out of town.) Jeannier’s is about quiet elegance, & both the food & service are consid–ered first class. Patronized by lots of affluent Medicos from neighboring John Hopkins. Try the Veal Citronelle, or the wonderfully garlicky Escargot En Croute. Reservations advised.
Joy America Café – American Visionary Museum, 800 Key Hwy. 410-244-6500 $$$+ - As you might expect from it’s arty location, the food here is not just good, but really, really pretty. The startling, towering constructions on your plate will wow you, as will the bizarre but strangely satisfying combinations of ingredients that make up your entrée….like Tortilla & Lime-Crusted Chicken with Chile-Chocolate Sauce served with a Poblano-Potato Tamale. Not a good choice for the picky eater or meat-and-potato types.
Kawasaki – 413 Charles St. 410-659-7600 $$$ – Moderately priced, beautifully prepared ultra-fresh Sushi & Sashimi. Wonderful Japanese delicacies like Beef Tataki & something called a Spider Roll which is soft-shelled crab coated with chestnut dust, fried, then rolled with cu–cumber & rice. Service is charming, & your meal begins with a hot towel & a round of Saki. Modestly priced.
Luigi Petti – 1002 Eastern Ave. 410-685-0055 $$ – What makes this Little Italy eatery special? Two things, actually. First thing… it’s one of the few spots in the neighborhood that offers patio dining. Second thing… Grandma makes the ravioli! Friendly service… reasonably priced Southern Italian cuisine.
Matsuri – 1105 S. Charles St. 410-752-8561 $$ – This very reasonable restaurant probably serves the best sushi & sashimi in town. Even the salads that are served along side are great. If you must have sushi, & the place is just too crowded, you will be very happy with the bento box lunch.
McCormick and Schmick - Harbor Inn Pier 5, 711 Eastern Ave. 410-234-1300 $$+ – Part of the excellent West Coast seafood chain, McCormick & Schmick’s Baltimore establishment thrives for all the same reasons…incredibly fresh Seafood of every de–scription served the way you like it. Every–thing from Seared Asian Tuna to Chilean Sea Bass & New England Fried Cod…and of course, all the freshest catch from local waters. Harborplace views & a casual atmosphere just make it that much better.
Morton’s of Chicago - Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel, 300 S. Charles St. 410-547-8255 $$$$ - As always, reliably prime meats beautifully prepared. Am–bience & décor are clubby & soothing. No surprises here…but that’s why you like it.
Obrycki’s Crab House - 1727 E. Pratt St. 410-732-6399 $$+ – Picture long tables covered with newspaper, clumsy paper bibs, & a mess of steamed crabs better than any you’ve ever had. If you’re in Baltimore, you gotta be at Obrycki’s. Don’t wear anything fancy, eating crabs is a messy business, & all part of the fun. Reservations advised. Open for lunch & dinner. For extra fun, take someone along who’s never eaten Maryland crabs before… For one thing, it can be pretty scary when a bushel of them get dumped on your table, & more laughs are in store when a novice tries to crack these suckers open!
Pierpoint – 1822 Alicianna St. 410-675-2080 $$$+ - Nationally recognized chef/owner Nancy Longo creates imaginative new dishes from Maryland seafood classics in this small inviting spot in Fells Point. Her “comfort food with a twist” has made Pierpoint one of Baltimore’s favorites.
Polo Grill - Inn at the Colonnade, 4 W. University Parkway 410-235-8200 $$$$ - Excellent seafood dishes & grilled meats plus a good chance of spotting local & visiting celebs. Polo is definitely one of our favorites. “The only thing better than the service is the food.” That means fine dining. Oprah’s favorite entrée, Fried Lobster, is a house specialty, but try anything, you won’t go wrong.
Prime Rib - Horizon House, 1101 N. Calvert St. 410-539-1804 $$$$ - Although some say it’s not what it was, if you crave a thick hunk of succulent, juicy beef, beautifully prepared, this is the place. Did we mention the perfect mashed potatoes….whipped with butter & real cream, of course. Dramatic décor features black walls, leopard print carpets, & a neon-lit baby grand. Seriously, what more could you possibly want. Reservations are a must.
Purple Orchid – 200 S.President St. (Pier 6) 410-837-0080 $$$ – The Purple Orchid recently moved to this new location, but the food remains as before….a delicate French-Asian fusion. You’ll not only be impressed with the melded tastes, but with the lovely presentations as well. The new location features a sushi bar, a lounge, & outside seating with a harbor view.
The Ruby Lounge – 800 N. Charles St. 410-539-8051 $$$ – Pretty good food but who cares. The Ruby Lounge continues to be the sexy, way-hot place to see & be scene, so drop by for killer martinis & fab fusion appetizers like Green Chile Wontons & Smoked Trout Quesadillas. A sultry smoking lounge overlooks the ac–tion in the dining room below. Warning! If you’re having a bad hair day, you might want to skip the whole thing.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House – 600 Water St. 410-783-0033 $$$$ – Just what your doctor ordered… butter drenched beef. But the fans love it. Some say it is THE best steak in town (others prefer Morton's)...but there's no debate that the beef here is prime, aged & beautifully prepared. Filets, strips, rib eyes, porterhouse & more.
Sabatino’s – 901 Fawn St. 410-727-9414 $$+ – This is a perennial favorite in Little Italy… best known & loved for it’s spectacular opening item, The Book–maker Salad (that’s chopped iceberg lettuce, radish slices, pieces of shrimp, provolone, & salami…drenched with a rich & cheesey homemade dressing.) Devotees remind us that the salad is just the beginning, & you won’t be disappointed.
Shogun – 316 N. Charles St. 410-962-1130 $$+ - As the only Japanese owned & operated restaurant, this small & charming spot shoulders a huge responsibility & does it well. In addition to sushi, you will find a fine assortment of other traditional & not so traditional delicacies. Although you might be able to get in without a reservation, call first & ask to be seated in the Tea Room.
Sobo Café – 6 W. Cross St. 410-752-1518 $$ - For the coolest comfort food around, drop by the Sobo Café. They do a great job with classics like Chicken Pot Pie (the kind with big chunks of meat, creamy gravy, & flaky, melt in your mouth crust…just .like my mother never made .) Also, savory & rich Cincinnati Chili. And there’s plenty of non-traditional fare, like Spicy Peanut Stir-Fry. Paintings by locals, the bright yellow walls, the in–fectious good mood of the staff & lots of congenial regulars hanging out at the bar make Sobo Café a thoroughly gratifying experience. The icing on this little cupcake???? Nothing on the menu costs more than 10 bucks.
Sotto Sopra - 405 N. Charles St. 410-625-0534 $$$+ – Downtown, dark & oh-so-cool, this place attracts local BP’s like mad. Stellar Martinis, of course, but also a super wine list designed to show off the outstanding Modern Italian Cuisine. The antipasti is a coupes, offering near-perfect carpaccio & calamari, a fresh moz–zarella drizzled with herbed olive oil…one item proving better than the last. Entrees like poppy seed crusted tuna or saffron fettuccini with an osso buco ragout are be–yond terrific.
Spike and Charlie’s Restaurant and Wine Bar – 1225 Cathedral St. 410-752-8144 $$$ – Spike & Charlie’s does great things with seasonal cuisine (like Grilled Shrimp with Wild Rice & Pumpkin Risotto.) They’ve got some terrific wines… offering patrons 2-oz tasting pours, & last but not least, they make their own ice cream.
Tio Pepe - 10 E. Franklin St. 410-539-4675 $$$+ - Super Spanish-Continental fare, great Sangria, plus lots of wrought iron & rustic white–washed walls add up to one of Baltimore’s all-time, good time favorites. Best dishes include the Red Snapper a la Vasca, Roast Pig, & their sensational Garlic Shrimp.
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