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Explorer's Lounge

3.4 (39 reviews)
Open 6:30 am - 10:00 AM, 4:30 pm - 9:00 PM
Updated 3 months ago

Explorer's Lounge Photos

EXPLORER'S LOUNGE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Quiet
Touristy
Classy
Casual

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Evelyn C.

My husband and I were staying at the Royal Sonesta in Baltimore for our anniversary weekend. Explorer's Restaurant/Lounge is in the hotel on the 2nd floor so on our first night after a couple of hours driving, we decided to make it to the lounge before happy hour ended (it was a Friday/HH ends at 7pm). To start, I got a strawberry mojito which was really good. Tyre the bartender made it with fresh strawberries and mint. My husband got a Stella. We ordered wings and the chorizo flatbread. You can't go wrong with wings so they were good but to our surprise, our favorite was the chorizo flatbread - now this I would order again (even if it's somewhere else lol). We stayed a bit longer and I had 2 Hawaiian Martinis (OMG) and my husband (I think) got Jameson. The martinis were just PERFECT!!! We had a great time meeting new people that sat next to us; from locals to people travelling there for business. If you're in the area or staying at Royal Sonesta, give Tyre a visit. He was very nice and service was great. Thank you !

Double Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Covered Strawberries, and Cheesecake.
Alex K.

I came here for the Valentine's Day Dinner. The main course was delicious, but the appetizer was pretty average. I had the Avocado & Arugula Bruschetta as my first course and it was average; it had way too many onions, the bread was chewy, and there was little balsamic on it. For my second course, I had the Grilled Hanger Steak, which was delicious and would recommend. The dessert was great except for the dry chocolate cake.

Crab and Corn Chowder "fresh corn, lump crab, old bay". I literally found 2 pieces of corn in this "chowder". Very Watery.
Alicia B.

We went here for restaurant week. Not sure why they even advertised. Very disappointing - will not return. Lack of staff, overcooked steak, couldn't cut through the crust on the apple dessert. Can't make this stuff up.

Half Dozen Oysters
A. C.

(2/20/2014) Went for Restaurant Week to try out the Explorers Lounge at the Harbor Court Hotel. The feel is decidedly too rich for your blood. Prices are steep, best come at happy hour for $5 wine/$4 beers/half-off apps. The service seemed overwhelmed by the number of people dining-in, and mentioned that they're not used to being that busy; started off attentive, ended up having to get up and flag someone down at the bar for our desserts and check. Started with a few apps to share: Truffle Fries (earthy, crispy, shoestring white potato); Wild Mushroom Arancini (tart-creamy with goat cheese, savory, deep-fried to a crunchy dark brown); Harbor Court Honey Wings (deep-fried crunchy large wings with a dunk in a slightly spicy sticky sweet and savory sauce, like Korean fried chicken), "the best I've ever had" remarked one of our diners. The Spiced Pear Salad came with a warm savory tart of Saga Blue Cheese frisee, chicory, walnuts, and a sweet-tart red wine vinaigrette, really nice mix of warm fruit and "meaty" cheese with the cool crisp bitter lettuces. Honey Braised Shortribs were meaty and fork-tender, cannellini toothsome and flavorful, soaking up the meat juices. Braised Lamb Shank was a large bone-in portion, savory, herb-scented jus. I personally could've done without the Sweet Potato Gnocchi (but I'm not a gnocchi fan, in general, those gummy dough balls). Desserts were serviceable, very sweet, not much by way of subtle. If you need an after dinner sweet, they fit the bill. We'll be back to get our Out of Africa on with discounted libations and small plates. Probably the closest we'll get to the Ngong Hills.

American breakfast : eggs bacon hash browns toast coffee and juice choice of fruit instead of potatos
Megan R.

My uncle was staying at the hotel and we met him here for a brunch. I ordered blueberry pancakes and they were really good. Crispy, fluffy, yet the blueberry Weren't soggy. The coffee was fresh and had a nice strong flavor. Eggs were good but not outstanding. All and all the food was good and it was a nice environment for a relaxing breakfast. The decor is fun and makes you feel like you've stepped a bit back in time to some sort of old hotel. The service was a bit lacking. The staff, while nice enough, weren't exactly running to take anyone's order or make sure you needs were met. If your in the hotel and don't want to leave it's a convenient and solid choice for a nice meal.

We stayed at the Royal Sonesta on a business trip. We'd been going out to local places for breakfast but one day it rained torrentially so we decided to stay in and just have breakfast at the hotel at Explorers, on the 2nd Fl. According to the front desk they don't always have a breakfast buffet but they do have ala carte. My husband is a big fan of breakfast buffets (and we've been to very good ones at other hotel restaurants) so we went with that option. It was a bad move. I felt like I was getting the type of mediocre free breakfast buffet you'd normally get at a Hampton Inn except I paid $25pp for it. The French toast was chewy, the potatoes were soft and bland. The eggs, bacon, sausage were just ok. So if you're coming here for breakfast, I'd probably go for ala carte. At least it'll be fresh and cheaper.

Thanksgiving menu

Had Thanksgiving dinner here. They offered a set menu with good vegetarian options. It was pricey at $42 but the food was very good. The portions were just right too. Some places offer vegetable dishes and you get something that isn't seasoned well or with barely cooked vegetables. Not the case here. Everything was flavorful and done well.

Tamika B.

Last night I tried their Restaurant Week - 3 Course Dinner special. And my experience was just ok. I really wasn't wild. My first course was the Crab and Corn Chowder. It was delicious. Nicely seasoned with lump crab meat. My second course was the Spinach and Ricotta Ravioli. In my opinion it was just ok. Nothing to brag about. Then I ordered the Apple Gaulette for my dessert. Extremely disappointed. The gaulette was frozen as if it came right out of the freezer. My spoon couldn't penetrate it. I bring this to my waiters attention. He was new and took it to a seasonal waiter to confirm how the dessert was supposed to be served. Our waiter returns and says it's supposed to be served cold I say maybe cold but not frozen. I then decided to go with the pumpkin cheesecake which was just ok. My 2 drinks were good. It also took awhile for food and drinks to be served. I don't think I'll be back.

Entrance to the restaurant.

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6 years ago

Had appetizers and enjoyed. Nice hotel restaurant. Friendly staff. Prices reasonable.

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13 years ago

Delicious food. Maybe a little pricey but that is hotel food for you! The sweet potato fries were dreamy.

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10 years ago

Food and service was good. The atmosphere is nice and relaxing. A pleasant surprise for a hotel restaurant.

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8 years ago

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14 years ago

Dreadful, soulless, over priced typical hell hole of a hotel bar. Why do people put up with this? $16 for one drink?

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