I woke up with grits on my mind, and decided to wrap up Love Weekend with a solo date to Swill for…read morebreakfast. Swill is cozy, warm, and inviting. As my first visit, I wanted to play it safe and order foundational pieces to study the how and why of the creamy grits, perfectly scrambled eggs, and Bang Bang Shrimp. Served in a martini glass atop of small bed of spring mix and drizzled with yummy bang bang sauce, the shrimp was perfectly seasoned and battered, with a light Old Bay dusting. The grits were indeed creamy with an option to add shredded cheese, and that I did. I'll have to study how the eggs came out looking and tasting so fluffy, chef's kiss! My matcha latte was made with oat milk, sweetened modestly, and I could taste the delicious hint of nutmeg - so good! Chef Heather provided attentive and steady service throughout. Swill has a solid foundation in Baltimore, and I'm looking forward to coming back to try more dishes!

If you're looking for a brunch spot in Baltimore that understands indulgence, flavor, and vibes,…read moreSwill by Blacksmith delivers. We were lucky to experience this cute and cozy restaurant earlier today. When I say experience, I mean it...we were treated so well and enjoyed everything from the appetizers to the drinks and to the main dishes. Just to give you an idea of the vibe ...as you walk in, the exposed brick walls and cozy, low-lit atmosphere give it that modern industrial charm, relaxed, but still elevated. It feels like the kind of place where brunch easily turns into a full afternoon. It feels like you're stepping back into the past, but it's still feels very new and fresh. Now, let's get to the food and drinks. The French toast is the star. Thick-cut, golden, and perfectly crisp on the outside while soft and slightly custardy inside. Lightly dusted with powdered sugar and drizzled with syrup from a special carafe. It's a rich flavor without being overly sweet. Not to forget, it's topped with a dollop of whipped cream and berries. The chicken and waffles? A solid win. The waffle is fluffy with crispy edges, and the seasoned wings bring that savory balance. Sweet, crunchy...everything you want in one bite. Also, for an appetizer try the honey honey old bay wings and the chicken tacos, so delicious. Scrambled eggs were creamy and well-seasoned, and the breakfast meats (from classic sausage to crispy bacon) rounded everything out nicely. The cocktails are no afterthought. The margarita-style drink came in a chilled glass with a sugared rim, refreshing, slightly tart. Also, on the menu are a different types of juices and they're very open to making a perfect mix for you...a virgin blend or something spicier. Lastly, but definitely not least, Chef Heather is so sweet and very welcoming to us...this made everything even more special. Please come and support this local business that is perfect for a large group gathering, solo outing, small group gathering, just stopping in to get a coffee or a juice, and anything in between these. Swill by Blacksmiths is a great spot, with flavorful food, and this spot is unapologetically brunchy.

Adorable and quirky cafe that is 100% worth all the hype, the long waits, and the hard-to-snag…read morereservations. I visited Golden West Cafe on a Sunday afternoon with a moderately large group (7 people). We were originally hoping for a brunch reservation but could only snag a 3 PM slot -- a testament to how incredibly popular they are -- although we ended up being ready at 2 PM and called ahead to ask if they could seat us earlier. They, very graciously, were able to make space for us to come a tad earlier. The food was absolutely incredible -- it was some combination of American comfort and Mexican / Latin American, with classic Mexican items like huevos ranchos, fish tacos, and enchiladas right next to traditional American brunch selections like chicken and waffles, hot cakes, and so forth. Their menu is also remarkably vegetarian / vegan-friendly, and it features their own house-made vegan chicken! We decided to split a few items, including the zucchini brie hot cakes, fish tacos, and vegan hot honey chicken and waffles. All three were outstanding, but my favorite had to be the zucchini brie hot cakes. The cakes were remarkably soft and fluffy, and I loved the bit of sweetness from the zucchini (and maple syrup, of course), and the extra hit of rich creaminess and savoriness from the brie. It was the perfect sweet and savory combo, and it was easily one of the biggest surprises of the meal. The rest of the items were also delicious, although not quite as wowing.The fish tacos were well-fried and flavorful, and I was quite impressed by how crispy and thin their accompanying fries were. I really enjoyed the flavor of the hot honey vegan chicken and waffles, but I was, admittedly, a little bit thrown off by the texture of both. It's very possible that the waffle had just gotten a bit soggy because I ate this dish last and it wasn't quite at its peak freshness. Either way, I really enjoyed my time here, and it's 100% worth I try. I can't wait to make my way back to Hampden to sample the rest of their menu!

Golden West Cafe…read more First visit to Hampden and Golden West Cafe -- and it definitely lived up to the hype. Drinks: Baltimore Vice -- strawberry-forward with a Don Q rum float, coconut foam, and freeze-dried strawberries. Light, refreshing, and very easy to drink. Piñata Riot -- a tequila twist on a jungle bird. Slightly bitter, tropical, and well-balanced. Both cocktails were solid and worth ordering again. Food: Green Chili Burger -- while it didn't quite hit true Albuquerque green chile standards, it was still flavorful and satisfying. A strong menu option. Zucchini Brie Pancake -- the standout dish. Unexpectedly balanced between sweet and savory, rich without being too heavy, and something I'd absolutely reorder. Overall: Great first impression. The menu has a lot of variety, the cocktails are creative and well-executed, and it feels like one of those places you could keep coming back to and try something new every time. Would I go back? Absolutely.

Came here for brunch and enjoyed every bite! Food portions are pretty big and the menu might make…read moreyou drool Even when slightly busy they have a nice sense of urgency and the atmosphere of the restaurant is beautiful. The lemonade is also delicious but no refills for that, or cranberry or orange juice which is the only bummer. This location is a hidden gem and i will be back anytime im in Baltimore to try more food!

My coworkers put me on to this spot a couple of years ago, so shame on me for just getting around…read moreto my review... As others have said, this is a Black owned establishment that serves a community without many sit down options. I'm really pleased that they do a great job with service, food quality and price point. HSH doesn't have an extensive list of options, so they're able to do what they do pretty well. For appetizers, I've only had the fried green tomatoes. Pretty flavorful, especially with the sauce. In different visits, I've ordered salmon and grits, shrimp po boy, salmon and grits. All of them solid choices. At one of our "working lunches" we opted for adult beverages to take the edge off of an especially trying day lol. Sturdy drinks indeed. It's really a decent spot for a nice breakfast, brunch or lunch at a reasonable price. Definitely recommended.

SKIP THIS PLACE. If you do end up here, BE AWARE THEY WILL NICKEL AND DIME YOU…read more Met a friend here for 9:30am breakfast. shortly after being seated, a staff member decided to CRANK the music - it was Evanescence or something similar - either way it was obviously someone on staff's absolute favorite song and they decided to turn the volume so loud that it was difficult to have a comfortable conversation. It's 9:30am, I'm not trying to scream over 90s pop music to have a conversation with someone two feet away from me. The menu was a QR code on a dirty, laminated card stuck to the table. My friend and I each ordered an entree plus a short stack to share. Neither of our egg dishes came with toast so we ordered that on the side. All they offer is white, English muffin or biscuit. I ordered the white toast and it is the 2" thick, low quality, tasteless white bread they use for their French toast. Whatever. The utensils are one step above plastic - they are light-weight, cheap, rough edged crap you might imagine in a prison. Whatever. The plastic containers of half and half were already on the table, sitting there at room temp. Again, whatever. The waitress dropped off the bill, said to use the QR code to pay unless we were using cash, then took off. If we wanted to split the bill, I guessed we would need to wait for her to come back around. So, I offered to pay the astoundingly high bill. I open the QR link and the first things that popped are the tip options with 20% pre-selected. All told the bill was $97 for two people. When I got home I glanced at the itemized bill: *They charged us $16 for two cups of coffee with one refill each. *a 20 % tip was already included! Apparently, they add 20% onto checks over $50. Of course it's over $50 when you charge $16 for mugs of coffee, and $$ for sides of crappy white toast. Make no mistake, this is my fault for paying with the QR code and not combing through the itemized bill first. I guess I'm not used to going to neighborhood joints expecting to get fleeced. My suggestion: go around the corner to Spoons Cafe on Cross St: high quality food and you won't feel robbed blind when you look at the bill.

So many people recommended that I come here and that it was worth however long I'd have to wait for…read morea table. I went on a Saturday morning around 9:45 and waited about 25 minutes for a table for 2. The menu is EXTENSIVE and they have an option for pretty much anything you're in the mood for! I got the Mexican egg scramble and the pumpkin pancakes to share. The prices might seem slightly on the higher side for a breakfast place, but once you get your food you'll understand why. The portions are generous and the food is delicious! I ended up taking half of the food home and I genuinely looked forward to eating it as leftovers - which fed me for multiple meals. 12/10 would recommend the pumpkin pancakes no matter what season it is. They come with white chocolate chips, fruit, and a caramel drizzle on top. The French toast also looked incredible so I'll be sure to order that the next time I go! I

I have been hearing so much about Hannah's Cafe, so while I was in the Towson area, I knew I had to…read morefinally check it out. I am definitely a vanilla latte and banana bread expert myself (a title I have given myself!) and Hannah's Cafe was good. The latte was sweet and the banana bread was pretty good. It definitely had the perfect ratio of chocolate, but I almost wish it wasn't "pre-packaged" in the ziploc. I felt like it made it too wet and lost the freshness. While this packaging was ideal for my to-go order, I feel like it lost the taste from it. People ordering food seemed to love their meals. Everything smelled and looked delicious, so I will definitely have to go back and check it out. The cafe is super cute and clean, and while I think it is a little hidden, it is worth the visit!

Only incredible things to say about my experience at Hannah's cafe. We had only an hour for lunch…read moreand wanted a fresh meal. The food was incredible! Fresh and flavorful. We sat outside and the servers were amazing with bringing the food and waters outside quickly. I can't wait to go back and try more of their menu.

Little place in parking lot of super busy area. Lots of parking but very hectic. They have a drive…read morethru, indoor, and outdoor seating. Extensive menu and lots of options for food/drinks. I stopped in to grab a coffee. Got an iced Americano. Was $6 and was good. Nothing spectacular. Wouldn't go out of my way to go again. I have heard they have amazing food but I just went in for coffee. Service was good. Coffeehouse vibes. Clean and nice place.

Nice coffee shop located in the heart of Towson in Kenilworth shopping center…read more You can dine inside or use the drive-through. It's very convenient. I order the delicious coffee and sandwich with sweet potato and hummus. It was unbelievable. you need to try it

TEN OUT OF TEN! Would recommend!!! I pray continued prosperity and growth over this business! It…read morewas super refreshing to see Chef Kris in the trenches with her team! This is a black woman owned brand with a bright future! Support! Pictured: Hawt Honey Chic Egg & Cheese Salmon Sausage Egg, Spinach & Cheese Breakfast Potatoes Not pictured: OJ and Mango Fruitea

Place is cutesy and good for families. Unfortunately the food is only so-so. It's not *bad*…read moreexactly. But the Monte Cristo didn't have much flavor and the benedict had fried eggs instead of poached. In general the concept was kitschy and paint-by-numbers without too much care taken. Seems like reservations are rarely needed, and the Hood Park area in general is quite pleasant. I would consider this a backup if other brunch spots (Waverly, Monument, Brewer's Fork) were busy.

Stopped in on a whim for lunch. It's a cute little cozy spot with plants everywhere (my jam) and…read moreafghan rugs. They have a little menu with teas and afghani food. The server recommended peach tea and I was obsessed with the sugared almonds that came with ! Def must try. I had a rice dish which was tasty after I added some salt as some of the other reviews say. I would come back and try something else to eat and more of the yummy tea and almonds!

Cozy restaurant with very friendly service! The owner accommodated our large group of 10 people…read morewithout a reservation which was extremely appreciated. The mantoos (Afghan dumplings) were extremely delicious and flavorful, a highlight of the meal. We also had the eggplant, pumpkin, lamb shank platter, and dou piaza. Can't go wrong with anything on the menu, everything was so good.