Restaurant Guide

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Rating System:
95-100 World class, everything is outstanding from service to ambiance to wine list
88-94 Among the best and favorites.
80-87 Very good, at times outstanding, but could be inconsistent or not provide a total dining experience
70-79 Good. May surprise you at times, usually inexpensive and casual.
60-69 Decent. A good weeknight, quick dinner out. Nothing fancy, but gets the job done adequately.
Below 60 Not recommended

Baltimore

Pazo-88--Spanish, Italian and French Riviera tapas. This is in my top 5 favorite restaurants in Baltimore. Try the involtini di tonno if it is available. Oh and the cannolis are the best I have ever had. The service is a bit spotty considering the Foreman training. The Pazo Red and Pazo white are 15 bucks each and eminently drinkable.

The Wharf Rat-79--This bar is the essence of the dirty sailors of Fell's Point's past. Don't go to the newer one on Pratt Street. The best micro-brewed beer in town and the best greasy bar food you have ever had. The pizza is some of the best in Baltimore and the chicken fingers are huge and juicy! Get both the BBQ and the honey mustard sauces. Wash it all down with Ironman Pale Ale.

Ixia-92--Aside from the dramatic space this restaurant is in, the food remains the star. Chef Kevin Miller is the most creative chef in Baltimore. His menu is constantly surprising and his food nearly world class. The fois gras and scallop appetizer is always pure pleasure and his take on bouillabaise is astounding. A friend recently loved the sweet potato gnocchi. Remember to save room for dessert as Kevin's training is in pastry. His homemade sorbets and ice creams are mind numbingly good and he is a master of bread pudding.

El Trovador-81--My favorite Salvadorean place in Baltimore. Stick with the platas tipicos and you can't go wrong. The portions here are enormous and the atmosphere is lively. Have a Tecate or two and some of the wonderful pupusa de puerco and the ribs are tender and good. Any of the biftek are great and so inexpensive. This is one of those restaurants where everything the waiter carries by your table, you ask what it is.

Arcos-73--Mexican food rules here in a interestingly renovated rowhouse. The owner is a contactor and he took parts from many different houses throughout Baltimore and used them to fashion this restaurant. It is beautiful, though a bit dark. Go when the backyard is open and they have tacos cut from meat on a spit and the mariachi band in the corner. The queso fundido with chorizo and the barbacoa are hits. Oh and the salsa and chips they serve are the best in Fells Point.

Mezze-86--The food here is very good and very consistent, but for some reason I can't rate this one higher. The spinach fritters and crabcakes are among my favorites. I also really like the grilled sardines. Do get the sangria! The food here is solid, I guess I just have never been blown away by anything. Its also a bit cramped and uncomfortable. Sit outside if you can. Update-went last night and I have not changed my mind a bit, in fact the waiter was awful.

Birches-90--I may be ranking this a bit high, but I was charmed to death by the atmosphere: the old wooden bar, the spittoon that ran along the base of the bar, the high ceilinged bathrooms with the old school trough in the men's room, the cozy dining rooms, the warm neighborhoody feeling and the magnificient food. The prices are a bit high. Some might balk at the 29 dollar fillet mignon or the 14 dollar shrimp and black bean wrap. I assure you that everything is worth it. The last time out I had perhaps the best burger I have ever had and my Companion had an awe inspiring cobb salad that fed us for 2 more days.

Fells Point Station-61--The only reason to go here is the wings. I am an expert on Buffalo style wings and these are the closest to the real thing.

Brick Oven Pizza-85--BOP has good pizza with a stunning array of toppings. The Lucky Seven is 7 cheeses and is heart stoppingly good. The greek salad is huge and amazing. The antipasto has 10-12 different toppings! Only place in Fells to get soy cheese for all you vegans. The cheesesteak wrap has what must be 1lb of meat and cheese in it.

Lucia's Pizzza
Lulu's
Slainte
Kooper's Tavern
Daily Grind
John Stevens LTD
The Waterfront Hotel
Bonaparte
Red Star
Burritos en Fuego
Jimmy's Restaurant
Admiral's Cup
Duda's
DuClaw Brewing Company
Fletcher's
Friends
Blue Moon
Ding How
Pierpoint
Thai Talay Grill
Asahi Sushi
Ze Mean Bean Cafe
Peter's Inn
Liquid Earth
One Eyed Mike's
Charleston
Chiru Sushi
Della Notte
Amicci's
Sarah's Cafe
Thairish
Helmand
Akbar
Red Maple
Brass Elephant
Banthai
Mick O'Shea's
Sacha's 357
Thai Landing
Brewer's Art
Tapas Teatro
Thai Arroy
Blue Agave
Spoons
Matsuri
Ten-O-Six
Regi's
Sam's Bagels
Sky Lounge

DC/MD/VA

Jaleo
Logan Tavern
Merkado
Rice
Lalibela
Java Green
Skewers
Coppi's Organic
Busboys and Poets
2 Amys
Thai Tanic
Zatinaya
Fado'
Vegetate
Veridian
Malaysia Kopitam
Bertucci's
A&J's
Joe's Noodle House
Mark's Duck House
Vegetable Garden
Amanna's Vegetarian Kitchen
Nirvana
14K
Chinatown Express
Teaism
Thai-Xing
Old Ebbitt Grill
Restaurante Tosca
Taberna del Alabardero
Thai Place
Bar Pilar
Julia's Empanadas
Soul Veg