enginerd's Profile
Where can I find the best Chocolate & Raspberry Dessert in B'more?
Agree fully. We had this and it was to die for. So yummy.
BEST MACARONI AND CHEESE?
Rub in Riverside has mac & cheese available as a side that is really great. I have def gone just to get the mac & cheese before, good thing I like the rest of their food too.
Best crab place in Baltimore and cheap eats??
Yeah, I got to have crabs at Obrycki's 2 weekends ago with a group of people. Maybe this board had just set my expectations so low, but I thought it was rather good. The seasoning was different yes, and I can steam crabs better myself, but they were definitely still tasty, and very meaty. They were expensive, but as Jfish said, they are always expensive.
Considering that it is IN Baltimore City and tasty and very meaty, I would have no issues taking people there if leaving the city wasn't an option.
Victoria Gastro Pub in Columbia?
Post deleted cause even though the resturaunt closes at 10, they still have late night with a late night menu until midnight.
That was still insanely rude though.
Ace of Cakes & Hygiene
Wow, you all really feel strongly about this. I have no idea what really goes on there, but please keep in mind this is TV. Since when is TV truthful? Assuming they do wash their hands and such, do you think the producers are really going to edit in when they do it? It's boring and could cause people to change the channel.
Now as for hairnets and coming in sick, I got nothing for that. Duff is a different type of chef, so he has a different type of bakery. It seems like there are enough people that don't care, they are ALWAYS booked.
Amicci's for a group? And logistics question
Baltimore just isn't a great public transportation city.
Light rail runs from the airport to the west side of the inner harbor. As far as I know that is your only option for public transportation. There is the Marc train, but that is aimed at commuters and only runs during rush hour on the weekdays. I have no idea how close your hotel is to the light rail stops. I suggest calling the hotel to find out how you can get from your hotel to find out.
http://www.bwiairport.com/ground_transportation/light_rail/
http://www.mtamaryland.com/services/lightrail/
The light rail will drop you off at Camden Yards. That is the closest stop to the inner harbor. It's still about 4-5 blocks to Harborplace.
In the inner harbor, I like capitol city brewing company, but I also like microbrews. Cheesecake factory is ok, most people only go for the cheesecake. They have a lot of dishes that will more than satisfy the general public. Most just don't consider it "chowhound worthy". I think as long as you stay away from Phillips you should be just fine. Not many people on this board eat in the inner harbor, so you'll have hard time finding recs.
Between Camden yards and the inner harbor is the Wharf Rat. Take a loot at their menu and see how they will do for you. They have good food and a cozy atmosphere. http://www.thewharfrat.com/ I would rather go there than the inner harbor. Sometimes they have live music at night too.
You can take a cab from the inner harbor back to the airport only for about $27 I think. It is a set fair as long as you catch the cab from inside the inner harbor. I think most of the airport hotels offer free shuttle service too and from the airport.
Amicci's for a group? And logistics question
I can't comment on the restaurant because I haven't been there.
You will need to drive. Technically you could take a bus or maybe even the metro (although not from BWI, the metro runs from near little Italy to NW of Baltimore city), but I would not recommend that by a long shot. Baltimore is not a city known for publick transportation. Parking is not so easy unfortunately. The best thing would be to drop your group off, and then go park in the Little Italy garage if you can't find street parking. I believe the garage is only 3 dollars on the weekend. It is on Central, at the intersection of Central and Bank. Some of the restaurants have valet, but I am not sure if Amicci's does. There is a "Little Italy" lot very close to the restaurants, but unless you are getting an early dinner it might already be full. The garage I spoke of should only be 4 or 5 blocks from Amiccis.
From Amicci's to the Renaissance Hotel, you will have to drive or take a cab (or multiple cabs), I would guestimate a 15-20 minute walk depending on walking speed and traffic. I would walk, but given that some in your group are not so mobile, I would not suggest it.
Cheap seafood restaurants in the Baltimore area
Yeah, I agree. I'm not sure how much luck you will have. Perhaps the best thing to do is go to a regular restaurant on a night that they have a special. The only thing we have done like that is Neptunes in Essex. On thursday night (I think) they do a $18 crabcake platter (2 huge crabcakes) special. The place isn't fancy and doesn't have much ambiance, but it is a good deal. I'm unfortunately not aware of any other place that does a special on any of the things you listed.
And just so you know, it's Mama's on the Half Shell.
Crabhouse/Seafood in Baltimore with kids
Just in case you don't know, Mama's on the Halfshell is a seafood place and not a Crabhouse. They will have crab dishes but no crabs. I don't think it is upscale, I always wear jeans, but it is by no means a uber-casual place. The dining room upstrairs is decorated more upscale, but the atmosphere is still casual. Downstairs is casual. I think it depends on your kids ages and what time you go, you would probably be fine for an early dinner. I have never seen people bring kids there, but I have only been for brunch or a late dinner.
What ages are your kids?
looking for BOBA TEA (bubble tea/pearl tea) in BALTIMORE city
There is also TenRen in college park, I usually go there whenever I am down there. Very good bubble tea in my opinion. It is a little closer that Rockville (depending on how you drive down). Still at least 40 minutes drive though.
I don't know any place in baltimore city other than teavolve. On a side note, about 1 out of ever 3 times I go they are out, which I guess is good because they don't make so much the tapioca ball get stale. The have excellent chai, so I'll usually get that as a back up. If you are going to head down there, I would call first to make sure they have still have some that day.
looking for BOBA TEA (bubble tea/pearl tea) in BALTIMORE city
Teavolve on Eastern Avenue in Fells Point has a few flavors of bubble tea
http://www.teavolve.com/
Delicious 7am Saturday morning breakfast
Thanks, took a look at the menus online and locations and I think we will go to Cafe at Country :). Plus pulled pork grits sound right up SO alley.
Thank you so much for adding the little notes about each place!
Delicious 7am Saturday morning breakfast
Coming into town this weekend and we need a place were we can get breakfast EARLY on Saturday. I know there will be a lot of places open (found some on this board already) but haven't found comments also about how the food is. The ones I have found that are great, don't seem to open early. I'll keep searching, but I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction.
We are staying at 54th and 6th and headed to Battery Park after breakfast. So literally anywhere in between is fine. We have already been to Norma's (I love it, SO thinks its over-rated, I guess I am just easy to please) and want to go somewhere new. We don't really care if it is fancy or casual. Since it's breakfast, price isn't really an issue either. I would love something more than a "diner", but I know its early, so we will take what we can get. Thanks!
Annabel Lee Tavern (B-More)
We actually went here Friday night too, I figured I would post because it got bumped. I had a garden salad and the chili-rubbed sea bass. The fish was excellent, but it was definitely a small plate. I ordered it off the specials board and it didn't say that it would be a small one, I guess I should have known better. I think if I had gotten a more hearty starter I wouldn't have gotten hungry an hour later. My SO got the Venison Pot Roast. The flavor of the stock and veggies was awesome, but the cut of the Venison was unfortunately too chewy and fatty for both his taste and mine. The waitress was great and took $7 off without us even asking because she found out my SO wasn't crazy about the food. We left her a nice big tip. I'll definitely go back again, I'll just remember to order more food.
Sandwich Shop in DC/Arlington/Alexandria
Lost Dog Cafe in Arlington on Washington Blvd, west of Ballston.
http://www.lostdogcafe.com/
Over 50 sandwiches available. My favorite is the big dog. Sooooooo good!
Their sister restaurant, Stray Cat, is in the same shopping center. I don't believe they offer carry out like Lost Dog, but if you are there to sit down and eat, they never have a line like Lost Dog does. They carry about 1/3-1/5 of Lost Dog's sandwiches. Lost Dog actually has a deli counter, with a restaurant on one side. Stray Cat is all restaurant.
Not exactly what you are looking for, but a ton of selections and I believe you can build your own. They have good pizza too.
S.O.S. I'm on a collision course with McCormick and Schmicks!
Haha no. I just used to "let people down gently" all the time in my previous job. Glad I could help.
S.O.S. I'm on a collision course with McCormick and Schmicks!
Once you have figured out your restaurant, I would say " Thanks for getting a reservation for us, but I have not been hearing good things about M&S lately. Since this is such a great occasion for us all to get together, I want to make sure everyone has the best meal possible. I was thinking we could try (insert resturaunt name here) cause I have just heard wonderful things about it/I have been there and it is wonderful. If it is alright with you, I'd like to make a reservation for us there instead."
And if you know that the restaurant cooks a meal particularly well that he would like, you can drop that during the conversation. "Their mussels are so wonderful, I can't have you come to DC and not try them."
Good luck.
TONIGHT - Inner Harbor Happy Hour
After 5pm the LAZ garage at 100 e pratt street is $5 flat rate (entrance on calvert i believe)
Where to buy smoked paprika in Baltimore?
This is where I got mine also, same brand. At the Canton Safeway.
Fells Point and vicinity
Resurrecting a 4 year old post? :)
Mezze is delicious! Loved the baby eggplant.
BWI and Inner Harbor rec's needed
While I think that Lexington Market and Faidley's are wonderful Baltimore experiences, I can't imagine getting a group of people with walkers through Lexington Market. I fear if you may go there, you will have to get everyone up to the seating section and then all the able bodied people go and collect the food. I'm not trying to say you shouldn't go there, I just don't really think of it as very accessible. Its doable, but certainly not your easiest option. Definitely the best crabcake in my opinion.
DuClaw brewing company is in Arundel Mills Mall. About a 15 minute drive from BWI. I really like their food, very casual. Open for lunch and dinner.
I love the breakfast/brunch at Mama's on the Half Shell (in Canton on O'Donnell St). Large variety with seafood options. With a group of 16, I would make a reservation.
The Helmand is a great place for dinner. Afghan food, but it is a nice place (exposed brick, tablecloths, updated look) but you can go there in jeans. I find even picky eaters can get something here because they have a lot of kabob options (who doesn't like spiced meat?). You absolutely have to make a reservation for a large group. It is in Mt. Vernon.
Most of the other places I frequent aren't good for big groups because they don't take recs and/or they are tiny inside.
Little Italy is a great place for groups. My favorites are Cafe Gia and Sabatinos. Chiapparellis is also good. Here is a post about Little Italy places. Most of these places have stairs and no elevator, but they do have downstairs seating, so just make sure you ask for a table downstairs. http://www.chowhound.com/topics/476826
BWI and Inner Harbor rec's needed
I don't know how helpful I can be with recs, but I just wanted you to know that the inner harbor will not be any less crowded during the game. When you go to the game Saturday, you will most likely see more Sox fans then Orioles fans.
I really like La Tasca, but you won't find any glowing reviews for it on this board. The sangria is good (there are betters in the city, but they aren't in the inner harbor). Just don't get the paella, cause its just blah. The tapas are good. If you are interested I can dig up a post I wrote about which tapas I think are the best ones there.
Some people have been recommending Blue Sea Grill. I have never been there, but you should be able to see their menu online. Stay away from Phillips Seafood. I can vouch for its horribleness. I think the best crabcakes in the city are Faidley's in Lexington Market, but with physically challenged people that might be a nightmare to get in and out of. Standing only there.
In Harborplace there is a Five Guys. Good burgers, and a quick lunch. All they serve is burgers though, but it is across the street. It seems you are from up north, so that should be something new.
You won't need to make a dash for BBQ in Camden Yards. There will be a line, but it will move fast. I think the BBQ is the best thing to eat in the stadium, but I'm not a big hot dog fan.
Most Baltimore residents don't venture to the inner harbor very often because it is so touristy and there are so many amazing restaurants aways from the inner harbor. Which is why you won't find a lot of glowing reviews for any places in the inner harbor. Most posts generally urge people to venture outward. But I understand with your physically challenged group members, staying close by is probably the easiest thing to do. Here is a previous posting for inner harbor recs http://www.chowhound.com/topics/464035.
Good Luck!
Cake Love - A Second Location?!?!?!?
I know you don't know me, but I just want to say for the record I very much enjoy Cakelove. I am not the only one either.
It amazes me the stories I hear about this and other bakeries. I don't know if I just have great luck, or way different taste buds. If you have had it and you don't like it fine, but if you have never had it, I would try it at least once. You never know, you might be one of those people that actually enjoys it.
My fav is the new german chocolate cake, but I have a feeling that will be replaced with the pumpkin once I can try it.
Fells Point/Canton wine bar recs
I am trying to narrow down a good restaurant that has a decent wine by the glass selection with food entrees at reasonable prices (15-25 range). Must be in Canton or Fells Point. Although I am considering Three, I just don't know what their wine selection looks like. Does anyone know?
Pazo is out because this group has been there before and we want to try something new.
Prefer not to go to Helens because we have also been there before (love it), but if nothing else will work we will probably go here because it pretty much fits what I am asking for.
Any places I am missing? This is for a Saturday night dinner at 5pm. Any type of food is fine.
Thanks!
Good Sit down Chinese in Baltimore/White Marsh
Unless they sold it, the people who own chopstix also own china wok. Both places are good. Great service.
Everyday Eating: Restaurants you frequent
It is a chain, but a small one. They have multiple locations in the greater DC area. I love this place, but I know somepeople who don't. They need to open one in Baltimore!
http://www.mobysonline.com/
Best Places in DC/Arlington for a Poor College Student!
Wow, considering I really like Moby Dick's, maybe that means I don't know anything about kabobs. I mean it isn't the most amazing food of my life, but for a quick meal it always got the job done. I never got hard unseasoned meat either, maybe I was just lucky.
Next time I am in town I'll definately have to try Kabob Bazaar. Since it is better than Moby's, I'll probably be blown away.
Romantic dinner in Baltimore
I've been to both Henningers and Birches and would agree they would be great places.
Pazo is a good date place, but if you want to be able to talk to your date, make sure you request a table upstairs, it can get quite noisey downstairs.
Best brunch in Baltimore
Mama's on the Half Shell if you like seafood brunch options. They also serve the full lunch menu during brunch after 11am.
I would not call it the best brunch in Batimore, but I love the brunch at Ale Mary's. They have excellent Mimosas also.
