11.16.25 Hubby and I…read morehad a concert to go to at CFG Arena so I decided to select a restaurant nearby before the show to celebrate my birthday coming up in 1.5 weeks. When I did a search online, this restaurant received high reviews and had a lovely ambiance. I made reservations via OpenTable. When I made the reservation, I noted it was for my birthday. Upon being seated, I was given a handwritten birthday card. Our server was Christopher. He was knowledgeable informing us of the specials and offering a recommendation after my husband selected a particular glass of wine. Christopher started us off by providing us with complimentary bread. I ordered the lobster ravioli (half size) and my hubby ordered the chicken marsala with spaghetti. I enjoyed the succulent lobster and the flavorful sauce. My hubby enjoyed his entree as well. For dessert, I ordered the chocolate semifreddo which had chocolate mousse, cold brew gelato, white chocolate crema, and chocolate hazelnut crumble. Christopher brought it out with lighted candle and surprised me with a complimentary olive oil cake. Both were delectable and simply perfection. If I were at home, I probably would have licked the plates. Towards the end of dinner, Christopher didn't come to check on us as frequently, but I appreciated his thoughtfulness with the complimentary cake and his knowledge of the menu. I enjoyed the food, ambiance, and special gestures the restaurant made to celebrate my birthday.

The service was on point and food & mocktails were delicious. The waiter encouraged each of us to…read moreorder the large portions of our pasta dishes, even though we already had an appetizer and two sides. Neither of us could finish our meals and didn't want to take seafood back to our hotel fridge. I get the desire to upsell but better advice would've been, get the small portions and save room for dessert. It's also very tightly packed and loud. So if you get over stimulated easily (or just spent all day in an airport/plane) maybe consider something more low key.

V-No Wine Bar is a great spot right on the water in Fells Point--definitely a vibe, especially on a…read morenice day. Sitting outside with a glass of wine while overlooking the harbor is hard to beat. They even have a designated area if you want to enjoy a cigar, which adds to the experience. The service has always been on point--staff is welcoming and attentive. My favorite is the frozen summer drinks with lavender. They're made like slushies and are strong (2 of these and you will be done for the evening) The wine is okay!! though not necessarily the highlight in my opinion. My biggest critique would be the small plates menu. There's a real opportunity here--expanding the food options would take this place to the next level and truly make it a complete experience.

We stopped into V-NO Wine Bar while walking around Fells Point, mostly because the location right…read moreon the marina caught our eye that part alone is a big selling point. When we arrived, we were the only ones there, and there was one staff member working. That said, she came over immediately, brought us menus, and made the experience feel welcoming right away. We had to ask about tastings and she poured us about four different wines to try, which was a really nice touch and made the experience feel relaxed. We liked a few of the wines and ended up purchasing a bottle of Honor Cava Brut Rosato for $32.99. Solid choice. Nothing mind-blowing, but enjoyable and fairly priced for the setting. The space itself felt calm and cozy, especially with the fireplace and wine displays, but at the time we were there it didn't have a ton of energy or buzz. To be fair, it was early in the day, so I can absolutely see this place feeling very different in the evening or on a weekend when the patio and waterfront vibe are in full swing. V-NO is a pleasant, low pressure wine stop with friendly service, a thoughtful tasting experience, and a beautiful waterfront location. It may not scream "vibes" during slower daytime hours, but it's an easy place to relax, learn what you like, and enjoy a glass (or a bottle) without feeling rushed. I'd definitely come back later in the day to see it come to life.

I have been on the hunt for my "cheers" and the hunt started here. I went one night with friends…read moreand grabbed seats at the bar. This place is so cozy and surprisingly easy to park. The vibes are right and the bartenders were nice and chatty, the only reason this place isnt "my" place and doesn't get 5 stars is because they dont make a very good dirty martini and thats like base level. I asked for it extra dirty and I could barely taste the olive brine, I actually had to have him pour more in front of me lol. Also service was a little slow. So for grabbing a quick drink with the girls sure, but staying as a regular nah.

After having this place on my list for a few months, I finally stopped in -- and it was worth the…read morewait! The interior is absolutely beautiful, cozy, intimate and welcoming, with a wide variety of drinks to choose from. The service was quick and friendly; the staff took the time to explain the drink menu and made sure our waters were always refreshed, all without ever making us feel rushed. This spot would be perfect for a date night or a fun evening out with friends.

We had a great experience at Benny's. The service here was prompt and friendly…read more The eggplant meatballs with polenta are a fantastic vegetarian option. Nice flavor and good portions. My friends got the lemon bar for dessert and they highly recommend it. I'd happily return if I'm ever back in the area!

I had an incredible experience at Benny's this weekend. We had a party of 9 for a birthday dinner…read moreand my wife wanted to go to a Mexican restaurant nearby that didn't take reservations. I went an hour early before everyone else was supposed to be there to get on the waitlist, but the wait was until 10 pm!! So I quickly switched gears and called Benny's because I've heard great things about them. The gentlemen who answered the phone was so kind, and was able to squeeze us in on the fly on a Saturday night, and they weren't slow. Got there super early because I was already in the area, and my wife and I decided to have an old fashioned and an espresso martini at the bar while we waited and they were excellent. The ambiance was upscale but still managed to be relaxed and comfortable. We had a lovely dinner, the waiter was busy but was still attentive and patient. Our whole experience was awesome, so we were already going back in the future. Yesterday I realized a mistake on my bank account from the bar charge, so I called around 6 pm and spoke to the same gentlemen as before. He got all my info and promised he'd call back in 5 minutes. I didn't really expect 5 minutes because I know how crazy the dinner rush would be at an Italian restaurant with a Wednesday wine special. Not even 3 minutes later he called back, and explained what happened, fixed it and I got a follow up text immediately letting us know the refund was already in process. Now, I've been in the service industry and I was a bartender, so I understand that I'm going to be a little biased here but from beginning to end Benny's went above and beyond. They clearly appreciate their customers and love their work, it shows.

This was the best dinner of my entire life. Came here for my 40th birthday and they did NOT…read moredisappoint. Got a bottle of Nebbiolo or two with our 4 course meal, and they even brought us limoncello at the end of it all!!! I will be coming back. The food was out of this world amazing.

I've been really looking forward to coming to Cinghiale for a while now. Finally got to go when a…read morefriend invited us for a birthday dinner. The ambiance of the restaurant is absolutely stunning! The details and decor is carefully designed. Really gives an elegant and comfortable vibe with sophistication. The staff is very friendly and accommodating. We all felt extremely welcomed. Their wine menu is extensive! I was really happy to have our server offer me a taste of a wine I was unsure of. The wine was amazing. We ordered two cocktails which were less impressive. If we were to go back, would definitely stick with wine. For our food the table ordered some salads to start. The beet salad was very fresh! Our main entrees were good. It was very pricey. You definitely need to order multiple courses to be full.

Special thanks to Ashanti and staff at the Bygone! My husband and I celebrated our 25th…read moreanniversary at the Bygone last night. We had an incredible evening. The food was exceptional and our server Ashanti was amazing. We arrived in daylight and were able to watch the sunset as we ate. The server even had a handwritten happy anniversary card from our friends at rhe Bygone! Thanks again for a wonderful evening!

Bygone fully redeemed themselves!!…read more We had amazing time celebrating a birthday! From the moment we walked into the restaurant, EVERYONE was cordial, attentive, and very helpful. Our host and server were very knowledgeable of the menu and drink options, and made excellent recommendations....and our table attendants were also efficient and kind. Our food was absolutely delicious (and expensive) and was brought out in a timely manner. The ambiance is sophisticated and trendy, with our booth having velvet back seating and beautiful low lights. Even though the restaurant is wonderfully styled, the vibe at night is a must see. Parking at the Four Seasons is available through garage, and valet, but you can also find street parking on the next street over. Overall, Highly recommend!

Best bar in Baltimore. Great wine, great drinks, great snacks! On top of that, the service is even…read morebetter!

If you're in Baltimore and looking for a place that truly feels special, this small, couple-owned…read morebar is an absolute gem. From the moment we walked in, we were welcomed like old friends by Kate and Chris. They are incredibly sweet, warm, and genuine. The kind of people who make you feel instantly at home. One of the most endearing parts of the experience is watching them interact. They playfully (and very wholesomely!) bicker with each other in a way that's clearly rooted in love and mutual respect. It adds so much charm and personality to the atmosphere, you can tell this place is truly their shared passion. Kate and Chris also have an incredible wealth of knowledge about the best local restaurants, hidden gems, and must-see sights around the city. Their recommendations made our trip even better! It's clear they care deeply about both their guests and Baltimore as a whole. And the cocktails -- absolutely outstanding. Expertly crafted, perfectly balanced, and made with care. They offer a wonderful variety of snacks and charcuterie that pair perfectly with the drinks, all thoughtfully curated and high quality. This isn't just a bar -- it's an experience filled with heart, personality, and top-tier hospitality. We can't recommend it highly enough!

This place was such a delight. We came here with our kids and they just loved this experience…read more The restaurant has a gigantic bocce ball court that takes up much of the first level. We were seated at a table that overlooked the court and a digital screen that flashed beautiful photos of Italy's top tourist spots. My kids were thrilled when they saw Venice, since they just learned about it in school. After ordering food, I took the kids to the bocce court while my partner could enjoy the wine and watch us from above. I know he appreciated having the break and a good glass of wine to go with it. Service was friendly and the food was fantastic. We ordered several dishes including several types of pasta, meatballs, cheesy bread and a caesar salad. The restaurant has a cozy atmosphere and a great vibe overall. I already have a reservation when we pass through Baltimore again in a few weeks.

This is a tight, upscale Italian food local that has a lot to offer…read more Yes it feels like you get stuffed in here with a shoehorn but the location is like an old house and it has lots of personality. Don't come here if you're just looking for blah food! If all you want is spaghetti and meat sauce go down to Fazzolis. This is higher flavor town Italian food with a mission to make you melt in delight. And it succeeds! Service is out standing, the food is flavor art, the location is tight but has great character, and I would come back in a heart beat!

I thought I already reviewed this but I must have failed to hit save or something…read more This wasn't all around Epic experience! My fiance wanted a particular French mushroom dish and this restaurant happened to have it. Add to it the Noir French Jazz vibes and it makes for one heck of a date. The service was quick and courteous. The show girls were a ton of fun and the band was talented. My fiancée was surprised and very happy with the whole experience. My girl quite hilariously said that the bread was tragically authentic, LOL! She's not wrong, it was pretty hard but it was also very good. The duck confit and savory crépe I would have loved it if they made that into an entree because I'd have eaten a whole plate of it. It was delicious! The short rib bourguignon was super tender, very delicious but the serving size is pretty small. I was surprised I ended up feeling full at the end but it's probably cuz I ate plenty of the bread and drinking and all that good stuff. The wild mushroom dish was very flavorful but my girl wasn't quite as fond of the puff pastry acting as the bowl. Outside of that we both loved it. It's not a cheap date, but it is a good date. I'm glad we went! This is definitely a place I feel comfortable recommending if you're looking for a little more high-end night out.

My husband and I had dinner at Monarque for the first time last Friday…read more Monarque is Atlas's French restaurant, located at the end of Atlas Quarter on Fleet Street (you pass Italian Disco, Tagliata, and the Elk Room, and walk straight to the end of the alley). Their menu might be classic French, but none of the entrees spoke to me. It was a warm late spring/almost summer night, and I found their menu to be heavy and not very seasonal. I wanted something lighter, something more spring. Since the entrees weren't calling to us, we stuck to the small plates/hors d'oeuvres section of the menu and shared: Potato & Leek Soup (butter croutons and garlic chive oil); Salad Lyonnaise (soft boiled egg, bacon lardons, endive, frisee, and radishes); tableside beef tartare (verjus mustard, capers, tomato, truffle); short rib pappardelle (truffled egg yolk, red onion, Parmesan, and short rib ragu); and Iberico Secreto (apple butter, macerated cranberries, hazelnuts, and microsage). Of these, I'd say we enjoyed the soup and the iberico the best. The beef tartare wasn't cut/diced or mixed very well despite the very fun tableside preparation. The pasta had a truffle oil pungency that isn't for us, so I wouldn't order that dish again, but otherwise the food was pretty good. I do think there is better French food in Baltimore, but Monarque offers something special. The service is great. The wine and cocktails are great. The decor is cool. But best of all? Thursday-Sunday, Monarque hosts Monarque After Dark. Burlesque, cabaret, live jazz music... At Monarque, it's dinner with a show. The performers we saw were great. Monarque After Dark made our night. If the food didn't blow me away, the experience still did. FYI the music is quite loud, so I wouldn't recommend dinner at Monarque if you prefer a quieter dinner! We had a great time at Monarque. I'd certainly return - next time for some drinks, oysters, and shrimp cocktails and the show!

We stopped in here for happy hour on a Friday. My friends and I ordered quite a few things to share…read moreand most everything was amazing. We order the turkey club, hush puppies, cream of crab soup, the charcuterie board, fries, and fried oysters to share. The turkey club was the star of the show. It had nice layers of avocado, the chicken was cooked well, and the bacon added a nice touch. For drinks we stuck to the margaritas and they were perfect! I would say you can skip the fries, the seasoning was great the batch of fries we had seemed like they might not have been fresh. The rest of the menu was so good I would still say you could skip the fries and order a double serving of hush puppies.

Although the food and waitstaff were excellent, the overall experience was disappointing…read more We arrived early for our reservation and were promptly seated at the worst table in the restaurant: the only table with no view, the waitstaff work area directly behind the table, and constant foot traffic behind us as well. We immediately asked the hostess for a different table. She told as that the three booths and the six other two-tops were all reserved. She left us with no attempt at an apology and promptly put reserved signs on all the open tables. When we left an hour later, one booth and 4 two-tops had never been used. Much to our dismay, we saw people seated outside even though we had received a text before arriving saying the patio was closed for the evening. To add insult to injury, even half empty, the noise level was so uncomfortable since everything was tile, marble, or wood that the alarm sensor on my smart watch sounded because of the decibel level. We will not be back.