Right up-front, probably the best food quality and service combination I've experienced in the last…read moreyear or so....but you want the details. We'd heard about the quality of the happy hour, so decided to visit on a recent trip to Baltimore. We ended up ordering several items on the HH menu (burger, giant mozzarella log, buffalo pickles, oysters) and they were all stellar, and above-average from a portion standpoint. Our server was very good - I don't recall her name, but it was very attentive service, and when she had to leave the hand-off was damn near seamless. My friend also ordered the crab meatball spaghetti and said it was excellent. In fact, he returned two nights earlier without me, so that says a lot on it's own. The interior was a decent size, and crowds came/went - seemed to have somewhat of a "local" vibe. We were sitting with next to the window, so we didn't have any issues with noise, etc. I fully anticipate returning to this place on subsequent visits to Baltimore.

New Sunday Special offering from the Food Market! Your choice of steak, two sides and a sauce for…read morebetween $50-70. Me and my date split a 10oz ribeye, lobster Mac and baked potato (not a standard bake potato fyi) and added fried lobster tail. Everything was SO GOOD!!!

We were staying at the Lord Baltimore Hotel around the corner and since our hotel did not have a…read morerestaurant, it was quite convenient to come to the Kimpton Hotel. Since it was New Year's eve, there were few patrons or maybe this is the usual scene? Don't know. But there are some comfy couches by the front in which a young couple with a baby was nursing. Another couple was just finishing up dinner and started to head out. We were the only two diners for about 20 minutes before another couple came in for dinner. There were also about two or three people at the bar. So basically a very quiet place. No one at the hostess stand, only a woman at the bar. She eventually sat us and took our order. Things were slow but not so slow that I would complain. I would surmise that most of the staff was off that evening. Food was also slow in coming so there might have been a small crew in the kitchen as well. We ordered the mezze appetizer. Nothing to rave about. It was just a plate with vegetables and hummus. We both got the wagyu burger and fries. The whole meal was quite decent. The meat was cooked to the correct temperature and the fries were crispy. It was quite filling for me. Maybe it was NYE but everything was quiet and nice.

We were delighted to find out that this place is open until 10:00 pm (a rare find in Baltimore)…read morewhen we were in the neighborhood later one evening and needed a drink and a snack. The space is gorgeous - super high ceilings, giant chandelier, velvet couches - a very old school elegant vibe. The beer and wine selection were small, but very good. We split the rigatoni bolognese, which was phenomenal. The pasta was cooked properly and the sauce was chunky and tangy and amazing. Would definitely come back for a real meal at some point.

I love this place. I literally come here every time I visit from NY at least twice a month. Salmon…read moreand grits is my go to but everything is amazing!

Food was excellent. Service was great and the atmosphere was a whole vibe! Great place to eat hang…read moreout and enjoy yourself.

During a business trip to Baltimore, I made a reservation for Charleston, a James Beard Foundation…read moreAward winning restaurant along the Harbor. It was a short and lovely walk from my hotel, and I was dining alone and initially I wasn't sure how I felt about having a solo dining experience at an upscale restaurant. My concerns were immediately dispelled as soon as I opened the restaurant door. Two men greeted me and were incredibly gracious and welcoming. They quickly found my reservation and asked me if it was my first time at the restaurant and what brought me to town. Since it was pretty early for dinner (6pm on a Monday) they gave me options for where I wanted to sit, confirming that the lounge seating I reserved was best for me because it placed me near the large bay windows that faced the harbor and the setting sun. My waiter was friendly and knowledgeable. He not only knew the menu, but he had tasted several items and gave me direct feedback on items. I decided on the three-course menu with wine pairing. For starters, I had the fried oysters. The fry was light and crisp, and oysters were flavorful, still holding the freshness of the ocean. The olive bread serving was a nice touch. The second course was white truffle fettuccine with mushrooms. The mushrooms were tender, absorbing the flavor of the seasoning. The fettuccine was fresh, light and richness of the white truffle was a perfect compliment, but not overpowering. The third course was crispy wild halibut with a zucchini beignet. Again, they do a beautiful job with frying fish. The fish with lightly fried enough to get a nice crispy, but with no oily after taste. The zucchini beignet was crisp and fresh. The tartar sauce for the halibut gave the elevated dish a hearty, fun, comfort food finish. The wine pairings were perfection. From the Cremant d'Alsace Brut bubbly, which offered a refreshing and bright flavor to go with the light oysters, and even the Chardonnay, Dehlinger, which offered a citrus accent that was a nice balance with the warm, rich embrace of the fettuccine dish, Charleston sommelier experts make every effort to ensure that pairing enrich the dining experience. For those looking for an elevated dining experience in Baltimore by the Harbor, where you really feel taken cared of, I'll suggest visiting Charleston. Every staff member I engaged with, even as a solo diner, made me feel like I was a treasured guest.

My partner and I returned to Charleston for our annual Christmas dinner. While the food was…read moregenerally very good, we were a little less impressed with the service this year. The major hiccup we experienced was my gluten free lamb shank pasta being sent to the vegetarian sitting at the table next to us. Watching this unfold and the server's exasperated reaction was very awkward. That being said, the manager (or maitre d?)'s graceful handling of the situation thereafter was great. He told us what happened, played it off well, explained that it would be a bit of a wait for our next course as a result, and ended up comping all our wine. Really classy touch. However, even after the long wait for the pasta, it was ultimately under-salted under-seasoned and not impressive at all. As much as I appreciate the gluten free option, I wish I had just gotten something else especially after all that trouble! The rest of the service throughout the night was also oddly paced. We ordered less courses than last year (only three) but we were there for almost four hours. Tables around us who arrived after us were served their first courses before we even had a chance to order. We were asked to pick out a wine first before choosing our food and since we weren't sure what we were eating, we weren't ready to select a wine. Even just getting the food menu took a bit of waiting around. Our server didn't inquire about any food allergies either so it was tough making decisions when I wasn't sure what was gluten free - and this was an allergy that was noted in our reservation, too. At another point, I asked for a glass of red wine three different times until finally the maitre d grabbed it for me after the pasta debacle happened. As for the rest of my meal, the scallops and lobster soup were both yummy but not anything life changing. However, my boyfriend's lamb chop dish was very very delicious. The one bite I had, paired with the pomegranates, was heaven. By the way, they offer gluten free bread service too. Has the Charleston lost their touch after the recent James Beard press? I'm not sure but I do hope they step things back up again. You come to expect a little more from an institution like this, especially after being totally blown away last year.

Went here for date night, Food amazing,…read more Atmosphere amazing, Service wonderful. Then headed to the upstairs for more of lounge feel. Hookah that is ans I didn't bring any cigars so we didn't stay on the rooftop long. Definitely will recommend checking out The Garden Rooftop.

What a fun time! The food was hot and to perfection…read more PLEASE try the macaroni & cheese! It was so tasty. Seasoned and HOT! If you know,you KNOW!

This place is pretty chill. Evolved dive, has some ambiance…read more I was pleased with the beer selection and ordered a craft variety. Additionally I went with the meatloaf for my entree. Both beer and entree were really good and I'm looking forward to my next visit where I'll try another entree out (or maybe have the meatloaf again, TBD!).

Coming to Annabel Lee Tavern is to experience an Edgar Allen Poe themed restaurant. It's not very…read morebig, feels a little crampy, dingy, in a rustic neighborhood you wouldn't think had anything worthwhile. Then you find out about this hole in wall spot. My friend said I had to come here. We did. As soon as we stepped out of the Uber the adventure began. The building is so out dated but the entrance door held its charm. Neon lit Edgar portrait reading from a book his Annabel Lee. Complete with a bouquet of flowers. To the right more words of the writer surrounded with a few tables and chairs for those willing to chill in the cold. Inside was no different. Several crows, skulls everything you'd expect. And a well stocked bar. Many writings on the wall, articles, awards, etc all added to the vibe and theme. And of course dimly lit but you could still read the menu. We were guided to the back for our party of 5, in a corner away from everyone else. That made it easy for us to converse as we perused the menu exclaiming this and that of the dreadful names used and deathly ingredients mixed in. It definitely made it more appetizing. After working all day I was ready for a drink and settled on the To Isadore; gin, lavender syrup, lemon squeeze topped with segura cava. That hit the spot. Unfortunately, I had eaten quite a bit on this trip and forced myself to order the Chef Salad. Nothing more to say there. My wife, though, ordered the seafood lasagna. Never had that and it didn't sound like something I could get into. I was wrong. This is Baltimore. The seafood here is astounding. It was delicious and had to take a couple spoon fulls. My friend ordered the double beef patty burger. I was jealous until he offered me a bite. That was really good too, and juicy. If you're looking for an experience and are not too afraid you may want to visit Annabel's. I do recommend it and do insist coming after the sun has been well down.

I stopped in here after visiting the BMA for an early dinner as it was walking distance from the…read moremuseum. It's right on the harbor so depending on where you are seated you may be able to get dinner with a view. Reservations were easy to obtain and I was able to be promptly seated once I arrived. The staff were friendly and my server was attentive. I ordered the crispy fish sandwich and was pleasantly surprised at the portion size. The meal was delicious and I left full. Highly recommend if you're at the harbor.

My fiancé and I normally love blackwall hitch but we left so disappointed this last time. We had 4…read moreout of a dozen oysters rotten. One was visibly grey and desiccated and made it up to us, it made the entire table smell disgusting. The other 3 looked okay visually, but smelled rotten. I've never had an issue with oysters here before. I'm not sure if the shuckers were having an off day, but man. I was so disappointed! We were seated upstairs and our service was also lacking a bit, not getting refills quickly, etc. definitely not the best time!

It has been a minute since I have been to Topside. Perched on the 14th floor, Hotel Revival, this…read morerooftop restaurant has always been known for its views, sunny brunches and cozy dinners. Got together with a few friends for dinner during the holidays and it never disappoints. We stopped in on a Sunday, early evening around 5:30. It was pretty quiet so we were quickly seated at our table. Our server for the evening, Josh was phenomenal. Josh is pretty much knowledgeable about the entire menu and gave us wonderful recommendations from food to cocktails. And answered any questions that we had, I wound definitely sit in his section all the time. I highly recommend. Our table ordered a plethora of entrees, from the Chesapeake Cioppino( a seasfood stew with clams, mussels, rockfish, Maryland crab and fennel), a phenomenal dish and perfect for cold evenings. The Rockfish entree was really delicious and I was blown away with the crispy okra. Definitely a nice touch to the dish. It sits in a goan curry sauce, so delicious. You can never go wrong with their burger. The cracked pepper bacon along with the caramelized onion jam was really good on this burger and it was cooked perfectly, nice and juicy. We also had the Shenandoah lamb and the shrimp and grits, which were not pictured, my friends enjoyed those dishes as well. They have nice cocktail menu as well, all the cocktails are named after songs, such as Like a G6 for example. If you're in the Mount Vernon area of town, stop in and check them out. They also offer brunch and happy hour service as well. You won't be disappointed SYOY I

We came here for brunch because we were staying at the hotel there. This was terrible. We made a…read morebrunch reservation and after ordering, our food took 45 minutes to come. We didn't even get our scone before the 45 minutes. About 35 minutes in, we looked around us and noticed that not a single table that came before us had their food either. The servers said something about how everyone came in at the same time for the reservation which doesn't even make sense because the restaurant should be staggering food. Service was poor and servers were rude overall. We tried to ask if they were serving anything other than the brunch menu (like if there was a lunch menu too) and the girl looked at us like we were dumb. We later saw the table next to us with a burger, which was NOT on the brunch menu so obviously he was able to order out of the brunch menu. I got the Avocado Toast w Poached Egg. The flavor combo was unique, but was overall mid and the bread they used was not a good pick for an avocado toast. It was thick and soggy. Overall, food was mid. Service was terrible and the wait was ridiculous.