This is a restaurant doing really excellent work that probably needs more attention from the…read moreBaltimore food scene. My wife and I made a reservation for bar seating to celebrate a promotion and requested to move to the dining room after realising there was a world cup crowd in the bar area. Absolutely no problem at all. Our server was on the bar staff and made excellent drink recommendations, even recommending second round pairings based on our order. The food came out of the kitchen immediately, our small plates were served as they hit the pass, and our main, the duck donburi, came out of the kitchen moments after we finished our small plates. Our order was all based on the server's recommendations and were all excellent. We finished the meal with a rotating dessert, tonight a dish with blueberry compote and coconut cream atop a small cake that was equally fluffy and rich, and port and a dessert cocktail, both equally satisfying and paired nicely with the dessert. On the way out, we left our takeout box of the leftover donburi on the table and were barely out of the front door for moments before a server ran out our box to us. He was not our server; they are just very attentive. Go to this restaurant, try their elegant Polynesian dishes and spins, appreciate the service and tip them well. This restaurant deserves to survive.

: Hands down amazing food. I've never tasted something so good. The problem is they sacrifice…read morequantity for quality and therefore bigger price. The rating is only low due to portion size and the price. I'm just the type of person that can't get behind charging like $17 for two small buns (had to order two). Would only go back if invited out, but I urge people to try their food at least!! Menu is small selection too haha, but their drinks?!! They got A LOT!

Been here twice and both times loved it. It does get crowded but thankfully they have additional…read moreseating upstairs. Their whiskey cocktails are delicious and food was good. Definitely will go back when craving a night out with a whiskey cocktail.

Absolutely one of favorite places for a beer and comfort food in Baltimore. Very friendly staff.read more

Amazing sliders and one of the best cheesesteaks we've had - compares to Philly !!…read more Coleslaw & fries were okay. great spot to host friends on a chill night !

We are always looking for some good pizza and Raffy's has made the list. We got artichokes,…read morepepperoni pizza, the goat pizza, a side of spicy ranch as well as some drinks. The artichokes were nothing special, I'd skip those next time. The pizza was delicious. Thin, crispy, and very nice sauce flavor and toppings. The side of spicy ranch had a kick to it. We were the only ones there at the time but the service was on top of it. She was nice and attentive. Id definitely come back and try other flavors. They do specials and offer a thursday date night deal.

Checked out the menu outside and saw their date night special for Thursday - it was Thursday! An…read moreappetizer, a pizza, and two cocktails for $45! We were greeted quickly and told to sit anywhere we waited. The restaurant was very well lit and decorated. I really enjoyed the atmosphere. The server was newer but very nicem she greeted us with a pitcher of water, concerning it was a very hot day this certained earned some points! We had some questions about out the menu and she asked the nearby bartender which was really helpful. We got the cocktail of the month and the brown derby. Both excellent and well made. Next we ordered the honey old bay wings. They were very salty, we asked for more honey and that helped a lot. Lastly we got the mushroom onion pizza. This was delicious and full of shrooms. A really great date night, I'm excited to return to try more!

Huge open space with tables, a bar, and small bites. There is also a beer garden outside space for…read morenice weather. Came here for a meetup with friends and had a blast! There are so many beers to choose from and I got the Zadie's Lager on draft (which was a delicious light beer). They have windows into the brewing area which looks super cool, and they brew a lot of the beers on site! I ended up getting a six-pack of Mountain Girl beers to take home. Staff was quick and friendly. It was busy for a Friday night and there were some kids running around and being obnoxious, but other than that we had a great time. This is the perfect spot for an event or meet up with lots of friends. The space is huge!!

i've been here several times and had a good experience during all of them. their take on a mule is…read morereally tasty and well balanced. i'm not much of a beer person, but their draft cider was incredibly dry (to the point it tasted like wine to me). not my cup of tea but could be someone else's. i also got the hummus and veggie wrap and soba noodle salad. the hummus and veggie wrap (not pictured) is pretty good and refreshing. i would say the same for the soba noodle salad. nothing mind blowing but for food at a brewery i'm not mad. their fries are cooked very well (though underseasoned). during the day there are far more kids that hang around, and it gets quite busy at night (especially on weekends). there is a really nice outdoor area to hang out in when the weather is nice. they have some fun activities, including a cute little vending machine with mystery packs in it. overall a fun time!

I had a shared guacamole dip and a drink while waiting for my lunch. Both were good and tasty. The…read moreother couple shared an oyster (fried) dish which they complimented. My lunch salad with chicken was good and filling. The cookies after lunch were great and enjoyed by all. The service was very attentive and timely. I had a question about a larger group for dinner and the manager appeared, showed me their spaces and patiently answered my questions. It is a very cozy environment for getting out of the heat or cold. All and all I enjoyed my lunchtime visit and would recommend a visit for uptown dining.

If you're looking for a similar but alternative from fine places like Garden & Grounds Bistro on…read moreClarkview Rd. (off the beaten path) or The Corner Pantry (too busy/noisy/cramped), both off Falls Rd--then Johnny's, further south but just outside the city on Roland is the place for weekend brunch/lunch or even dinner. Now perhaps they go a little overboard with people checking on you or upselling water preferences or bottomless mimosas (who am I to say, after all). However, their upbeat, information-sharing, food-accommodating efficiency slaps like a big city hotel fever dream! The menu is nicely sectioned into apps, lunch, brunch and sandwiches. I do wish they'd keep the coffee types in their own sections like my favorite cafés so I don't have to weed out such drivel as teas and lesser morning liquid mood enhancers. However, I was thrilled beyond belief that although it wasn't on the menu and the server didn't know what a flat white (my favorite "new" caffeine drink) was, the barista who came over did and their version was fine. Mom and I ordered an eggs Benedict and BLT--both with avocado and a side of modest mayo-y coleslaw with celery seed, a chai latte, flat white and a mimosa (other flavors exist as well). Unexpected treat: On-the-house almond pound cake (from a local bakery) with butter as a starter was SO good! Besides great food, great service and a great price for what we ordered, there are ample rooms and tables inside and out, affording minimal or no wait times and relatively medium noise to carry on a conversation. Notes: In nicer weather dining outside is great--and for special occasions, literally around the corner is Petit Louis Bistro, a Baltimore/Roland Park French food fav! Also, almost forgot: we got two strawberry shortbread cookies to go among several sweet selections from their bakery case!

I had a true 5-star experience at Nepenthe. A few weeks ago,…read moreI visited Nepenthe for a happy hour at work and had the chance to meet Chef Andrew. During our conversation, I mentioned that my wife absolutely loved a specialty burger from his previous restaurant. That restaurant closed several years ago, and the burger isn't on Nepenthe's menu. Without hesitation, Chef Andrew told me that if I gave him some advance notice and brought her in, he would get the ingredients and make it especially for her. So that's exactly what I did for her birthday. When the burger arrived, my wife was genuinely surprised. Chef Andrew even added a candle to the plate to make the occasion extra special. The burger was everything she remembered. She often says she compares every burger she eats to that one, but had resigned herself to the idea that she'd never have it again. Bravo, Chef Andrew. What makes this story even more remarkable is that I had only met him once before. This wasn't something I asked him to do--he was the one who suggested it. That's the kind of hospitality is something I'll never forget. The food at Nepenthe is consistently good, and the atmosphere is fun, lively, and full of energy. It's a great spot for happy hours, trivia nights, and group gatherings. I'll never forget the kindness and hospitality we experienced. This is Baltimore hospitality at its finest.

Nepenthe Brewing is a great place for vegans and non drinkers. Seem weird for a brewing company?…read moreMaybe, but they make it work well and that is why I'm a fan. Nepenthe Brewing has a rotating menu of inspired vegan dishes. This isn't your typical burger and fry brewery. We've visited for date nights, during vegan week, with kids and without. Each time, Nepenthe has not disappointed. Some of the dishes my family and I have enjoyed here are the Killer Tofu (top notch), Crispy Mushroom Banh Mi, Berry Smashed Mocktail, Lemon-Blueberry Cake and, for the kids, the fries with vegan pub dipping sauce. As long as Nepenthe keeps putting forth unique vegan food and mocktails, my family and I will keep it a part of our rotation.