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    Lew Gambino's

    3.5 (289 reviews)
    Closed Closed

    Lew Gambino's Photos

    LEW GAMBINO'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Casual
    Quiet
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Lew Gambino's

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    Reviews With Photos

    Shrimp Oreganati
    George A.

    The shrimp oregano was disappointing and actually pretty disgusting. All you taste is oregano throughout the whole dish the shrimp got lost in the overbearing almost raw flavor. I swapped the shrimp for a regular Caesar salad which was good enough for me. On the other hand the chicken parmigiana with the penne pasta combined with the feel and ambiance of the place was the only reason this review gets 4 stars. It's also a rare sight that you actually see the owner of the establishment serve guest and make sure that everyone is taken care of, it makes the customer feel appreciated. All in all I had a good experience at Ciao Bella and hope for an even better one the next time I am in the harbor! P.S. - watch out for their obnoxious sized menus.

    Sangria Martini
    Chris B.

    My wife and I stopped in for a quick drink and left three hours later will full stomach and a sweet cravings filled. When we first got in there was a group of four at the bar chatting it up with the bartender, and no other customers in the place. Only the bartender (soon found out that she is also the owner) and a couple waiters/waitresses were around. The atmosphere was enjoyable, almost like a local hole in the wall, neighborhood bar -- a mix between classy and down-to-earth. All the staff was extremely friendly, like welcoming in old friends to their home. Made perfect recommendations for my wife and I -- we will absolutely be visiting Little Italy for this little gem of a restaurant again soon. As we were heading out for the night, it was starting to get busier as couple and groups began filling in for dinner before their NYE plans. We started with drinks (Sangria Martini), and for the entree, my wife had the Seafood Tetrazzini, which was phenomenal (though I did not get to try too much of it. I took the recommendation of the staff to try the Shrimp Ricardo, instead of my normal Italian food, lasagna. Another recommendation that we took from the staff was the Chocolate Lava Cake (before dinner) and took home a large slice of Tiramisu. We walked out feeling perfectly satisfied, but not overfull like my normal trips to Italian restaurants. if you are ever in the area and looking for great food from a family-owned place, this is the one to visit. Depending on the time of day, it may be a little busy or it may be empty -- either way, you will not be disappointed that you stopped in.

    Totellini Romesco
    Sam A.

    This place was nice. Classic Italian-American food, done pretty well. Located in Baltimore's Little Italy section, they offer a decent seledtion of the classics of that genre. The puttanesca sauce was fresh and tasty. They start you with really good fresh bread, served with a delicious olive oil blend. The decor was fine as well, again about what one would expect in this setting. The wine list was fairly limited, with nothing remarkable, especially considering the lowest-priced Italian bottle was $39, which seemed a bit much. We had an early dinner before an Orioles game, and enjoyed it. It didn't blow me away, I've had similar meals countless times, and nothing stood out either way, thus the 3 star rating.

    The outside at night
    Lexie M.

    Cozy Italian place in the heart of Little Italy. Lots of tables with two dining rooms and bar area. The bar has a full stock for mixed drinks, wine and beer. The sangria was very tasty and I would recommend. I was only there for drinks and happy hour but the food smelled really good. I'd definitely come back and try this place with food. It seems to fill up quickly especially around dinner time so make sure you plan ahead.

    Chicken gabriella
    Lala L.

    Pros: the customer service was great. We really enjoyed our waiter as he was friendly and relatively quick. Also, the food was absolutely amazing (tip: order the seafood tetrazzini--you won't be disappointed!). You'll enjoy the bread with oil as well. We felt pleasantly satisfied at our experience until the end. Con: the menu lists the chicken Gabriella as $21. When we got the bill, we were charged $30 for it. There is no way chicken should cost $30, which was the exact same price as my seafood pasta. Why did they grossly overcharge us? The world may never know. For this reason, I don't think we'll be coming back. What a bummer.

    Mussel marinara (top), penne bacon carbonara (bottom)
    Daniel K.

    I came here for lunch on a weekday with a groupon worth $40 (paid $18). The restaurant interior was far from impressive. The decor seemed a bit cheap, furniture seemed a bit rundown, the air smelled a bit stale. Although there was a ton of space and amble seating, The restaurant itself wasn't too packed. While we were offered seats immediately, no one came to get our orders and greet us until about 15-20min after sitting down. I only noticed one waiter and when he eventually approached us, he seemed a bit frazzled but he was very sweet and nice. We ordered escargot for appetizer, penne bacon carbonara, and the mussel marinara. I read from prior reviews that the bread with olive oil was delicious, but we didn't get anything for the first 25 min. But once it did come out, man oh man was it glorious. The bread came steaming out with a super crunchy crust and soft, warm interior. The escargot soon followed next. I thought it was awesome, de-shelled, served with garlic and parsley seasoning. The juices were perfect for dipping our bread into. My girlfriend has a bit milder taste bud, so she thought the dish was too salty... she's odd. The mussel marinara was 'pretty good' with a home made taste. The mussels were large but not too fresh, sauce was on the milder side, and the noodles were firm. The carbonara was creamy, peppered, with huge chunks of bacon and mushrooms. Everything was solid, but not mind blowing. Overall, I enjoyed my lunch at Ciao Bella. The food was good, but would I come back and pay full price for the exact same meal? Probably not. But was it worth the $18 that I paid for the Groupon? Definitely.

    Sarah K.

    This place is amazing. The staff is friendly, food is 11/10. Tony Gambino is lit. Order the eggplant parmesan, it's life changing. Amazing customer service~ We left something there and one of the waiters ran after us to return it.

    Renee B.

    This was one awesome experience from start to finish. I got lucky and was able to park steps away from the business. I was greeted as soon as I entered. I was about to be seated when the a man told the waiter I could be seated on the side of the bar. At the time I had no idea whom he was but, I simply figured that he was in charge. My photos will show you everything I ordered while I was there. But, let me tell you now the only thing I consumed while there was a glass of Montepulciano d' abruzzo wine, Ciao bella Bruschetta, The delicious warm bread and dipping sauce, a glass of sangria and just a little of my Shrimp Fra Diavolo. I was full and pleased. I ordered the lobster ravioli to take home. Forgive me for not remembering my waiter's name because he was simply awesome. He suggested I have the Montepulciano which at the time I had never heard of nor could I pronounce. But, before I left the restaurant I did ask him to write the name of it down for me. By the time I left I could pronounce it myself. LOL. While dining another lady entered the restaurant and sat at the bar. She began to talk to the man at the bar as she dined. I heard her call him Tony. It was then that I realized he was the owner. I had a window seat. I had a rough day and I was just looking for a little bit of peace. I surely received it as I dined. I overheard the lady speaking of how good the sangria was and that was what made me try the sangria. I thank the waiter for great service and also before I left, I let Tony know that this was my first time dining here and it was a great experience. Everything was delicious from start to finish. Tony just gained a new customer. I can't wait to return. Thumbs all the way up to Ciao Bella Restaurants owner Tony and his staff. This place rocks.

    Cosmopolitan
    Kai W.

    I have gone to this spot twice within the last month and a half and the first experience was wayyy better than the last. Initially, I came in June to celebrate my anniversary. We found out about Ciao Bella thru Groupon so we decided to give it a go. It was a hot June day and by the time we arrived in Little Italy the sun was easing up so we decided to sit outside. It was sooooo nice. Good food, great service, and people watching. What can be better? I had the shrimp scampi over linguine, he had he stuffed tortellini. Both were delicious. I wasn't a fan of the wine list so I asked the waiter(he was great!) for a cocktail. He brought me back a cosmo (definitely recommend!) and made sure we never felt like we were outcasts since we were the only ones eating outside. Ahhhh but this past weekend.....not so great. We had to dine inside due to the rain. We were seated and told our waiter would be with us. The waiter never came so we dealt with the hostess and in between asked our waiter from the first time for help)drink recommendations, for our bread, etc. )Then, former Ravens player, Ray Lewis comes in. After us. All hands on deck!!!! I suppose. We waited longer than usual for everything. Bread. Appetizer. Entree, the portions were significantly less than our initial visit. And then Mr. Lewis left. Before us. Interesting. ....We were still waiting for the entree. Ohhhhhh to be famous. The experience just didn't sit well with me. Hence, the rating. I mean we paid for our meal. I'm sure a certain someone didn't. I'm. Just. Saying.

    Limoncello
    Desiree F.

    Ordered takeout and the food was delicious. Felt like eating your topical moms Italian food. Wished the portions were a bit bigger though.

    Jaci D.

    My boyfriend and I had a wonderful meal here on our last night visiting Baltimore. The ambiance was warm and inviting, and the owner treated us like family. I had the seafood tetrazzini and my boyfriend had the chicken Alfredo. Both dishes came quickly and tasted delicious, as was the gratis bread we shared while we waited. We also had a tasty piece of tiramisu to end the meal. Honestly I am surprised there wasn't a wait for a table. This place is a gem. Overall, five stars earned well by a very hospitable man and his business. We will definitely visit again!

    JohnandPenni L.

    There is just nothing to recommend this restaurant in our opinion. First the Food...we tried the Veal Parmesan, the Lasagna and the Ravioli Marinara, as well as the Caesar salad to start. First off, both the Lasagna and the Veal had a red sauce that tasted like, I can't believe I'm going to say this, Spaghetti-O's!! No Lie....SPAGHETTI-O'S!!!!!! The Veal was over fried and looked grey...yuck! The Rav's could've been from a box. The Ambiance....1980's run down and DIRTY, not to mention the smell...old basement...yuck! The Service was adequate, but considering there was no one else in the restaurant (to be fair it was 3 o'clock in the afternoon) it wasn't very friendly. All in all, with so many other choices in Baltimore's little Italy, we would avoid this one.

    Chicken piccata
    Jessica D.

    My friend invited me out since she got a Groupon to this spot. Personally I don't really eat at. Italian restaurants often because I do try to stay away from all the carbs but I'm always down for a dinner invite. We came in on a Sunday about 8:30. I felt bad for coming in so close up closing time also I know food and service tend to lack when you go in so close to closing time but it was the only time she could go. When we got there we were greeted right away and taken to our seat. When I put my coat down the hood got hooked on the straw in my water and knocked water everywhere.....oppsies! The servers were very polite and just moved us to another table. Our server was extremely sweet and attentive. He made excellent recommendations and we were in and out without feeling rushed even though it was so close to closing time. I got the chicken piccata and my friend got the chicken marsala both were great! I really appreciated the server took the time out to tell us about the chef and how he previously was a chef in France and how he prepared all the sauces. The entire experience was awesome and I'll definitely be back!

    Ginormous menu

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    The Wurst - Espresso Martini

    The Wurst

    4.3(46 reviews)
    0.9 miFederal Hill
    $$

    TLDR: Hidden speakeasy vibes, great cocktails, and an awesome spot to unwind before a night out in…read moreFederal Hill. Located on the top level of Crossbar Biergarten, The Wurst is a true hidden gem. You would never know it was there unless someone told you. The entrance is literally a walk-in freezer door just to the left of the stairs on the second floor, which adds to the fun speakeasy feel. We stopped in for pregame drinks before a nearby Yelp Elite event, and it did not disappoint. We were the only ones in the bar, and our bartender was fantastic, quick, friendly, and clearly knew his craft. I ordered a Paper Plane, a whiskey based cocktail with Aperol, lemon, and Amaro Nonino. It was perfectly balanced and the ideal drink to have after work. My fiancée ordered the Pornstar Martini, which she became very familiar with during a recent trip to Paris. The Wurst's version was a bit unorthodox since they serve the champagne on the side instead of as a floater on top. Not a negative, just different, and more of a deconstructed approach that some might treat like a chaser. Overall, The Wurst is a really cool concept bar that feels unlike anything else in Federal Hill. Between the hidden entrance, relaxed atmosphere, and quality drinks, it is definitely worth checking out if you enjoy creative cocktails and a good story to go with them.

    The Wurst Speakeasy is one of those hidden gems that instantly makes you feel like you've…read morediscovered something special. From the secret entrance to the moody lighting and curated cocktails -- the whole vibe is top-tier. I tried one of their signature smoky bubble drinks, and it was a full experience -- visually stunning and smooth to sip. The staff was friendly, the music was classy, and every detail felt intentional.

    Photos
    The Wurst - Champagne Cocktail

    Champagne Cocktail

    The Wurst - Decor

    Decor

    The Wurst - French 75

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    French 75

    The Charles - Crab cake egg rolls

    The Charles

    4.0(124 reviews)
    1.0 miFederal Hill
    $$

    So fun! Had some beers and watched the Os game! Will definitely be going back again soon! Service…read morewas great also!

    It's been a long time since I've been to this spot! I dropped in for brunch with my cousin on an…read moreearly Saturday afternoon. Given my experience with DC and other parts of MD, I was determined to contact them ahead of time and make sure I would have a spot for brunch. But after some contact on IG, they said it's just walk-ins and I would most likely get a table with no effort or wait. I was concerned... but they were right! So we got settled immediately and started ordering. Our gracious server asked for drinks, which have a bottomless option during brunch. We could pick from mimosas, crushes, sangria and bloody marys. I tried everything but the bloody marys, and while they were good, whew there was a lot of ice in the mimosa... I'm not used to ice there, so it threw me off but it was still good! The REAL highlight was the food... the item I got changed my life: Crab. Cake. Eggrolls. They came with this amazing sweet chili sauce and were so filling and delicious! I also got chicken & waffle sliders to go that had a nice kick and the waffle texture was great! My cousin enjoyed his food as well. Also, shout out to the bagel wall that's on the way to the bathroom. It had great options and all the fixings! If I wasn't full I would've gotten one myself. I will return here for brunch.

    Photos
    The Charles - Interior

    Interior

    The Charles - Crab cake egg rolls

    Crab cake egg rolls

    The Charles - Outside

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    Outside

    Order of the Ace - Bar view

    Order of the Ace

    4.5(26 reviews)
    0.2 miInner Harbor

    Perfect date night!!!!! The ambiance was sexy, romantic, small, and intimate. I loved how close I…read morewas able to sit by my boyfriend while enjoying the smooth sounds of the live jazz band featuring, Anna-Lisa Kirby. It was AMAZING! The decor was sexy and very exclusive, felt like a speakeasy vibes as the decor transported you into another era. It was magical Service was good, our waitress was really helpful with recommending good drinks. This was a post dinner bar visit so we mainly had drinks and added a few treats: colossal shrimp cocktail and warm butter cake. The colossal shrimp cocktail contained some of the largest prawns that I've ever had. They were fresh and perfectly prepared but one was enjoy to fill you up. The warm butter cake was sinfully good! Warm, soft, and sweet. The drinks were AMAZING! I ordered the Recurrence Eternal which contained gin, pear, and champagne. There were other ingredients in there but I wanted to spotlight these few. This was the perfect drink which will creep up on you LOL but it was sooooooooooo good. My boyfriend enjoyed his whiskey drink as well. Overall, the music, ambiance, drinks, and small bites made this place perfect. Can't wait to return

    This review is solely based on my experience with the bartender at the bar. I dine out solo a lot…read moreand always sit at the bar. I have never been splashed in the face during the shaking of a drink that was being made by the bartender. The bartender was of a different race and seemed annoyed by my presence from the jump. I had been splashed in the face twice until a customer of his race came and sat next to me. I did pay attention to his behavior while the woman was seated next to me and his drink mixing wasn't as aggressive. I had to go to the bathroom during my visit and told him I would pay before going to the bathroom so he wouldn't make any assumptions about me. I asked him to keep my drink behind the bar because the woman was still seated next to me. I came back and the woman eventually left. I was still finishing my drink and I was splashed 2 additional times. The last time I made him aware of what he was doing. His apology was disingenuous and passive aggressive. I left after this even though I had intentions on ordering desert and listening to the musicians that were about to get started. I did inform the manager about my experience prior to leaving. I'm leaving the review bc the experience still bothers me. If they have cameras at the bar I'm sure my reaction to the splashing can be observed.

    Photos
    Order of the Ace - The vibe

    The vibe

    Order of the Ace - Inside

    Inside

    Order of the Ace

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    The Outpost American Tavern - Chocolate Guava Tart

    The Outpost American Tavern

    4.3(278 reviews)
    0.7 miFederal Hill
    $$

    The food here is always good. However it is a pretty small restaraunt and tables for parties over 4…read morepeople are very limited. Best to have a reservation. Our party of 6 did not have a reservation and ended up waiting about 1.5 hours on a Friday. The hosts seemed a bit overwhelmed with the busyness of the evening - not sure if they just needed some extra hands on deck. Outpost has good cocktails and mocktails. The wings are a go-to for us and the burger does not dissapoint at all. However the star of the show at our last visit was the Brussels sprouts!! Sooo flavorful and crisped up. Highly recommend. Definitely stop by here if you have a reservation or a relatively small party and looking for a tasty lunch or dinner!

    A quick xmas eve dinner while we were in the neighborhood, we decided to secure some resys while in…read morethe area. We were promptly sat upon walk in. Vibes were comfy and cozy, with a neighborhood bar feel where if you're a regular they probably know your name and drink order. Parking is very tricky because this restaurant is in a residential area. My bf got the halloumi carbonara but unfortunately it was quite salty. Not just the crispy halloumi bits but the actual noodles and sauce as well. I got the brazillian picanha and though there was a miscommunication about the meat temp, it was promptly handled and I enjoyed the steak itself. The sides of mashed potatoes and asparagus however were a little weak compared to the steak itself. I can't explain it but the seasoning felt a bit off on the horseradish mashed potatoes. Dessert was excellent- we split the chocolate guava tart.

    Photos
    The Outpost American Tavern - Bar area

    Bar area

    The Outpost American Tavern - Halloumi Carbonara

    Halloumi Carbonara

    The Outpost American Tavern - Outside

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    Outside

    Lew Gambino's - italian - Updated May 2026

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