Eat Special Issue
Charles Village/Waverly
Josh Sisk
Niwana
A GUIDE TO THE ICONS
$ = Inexpensive; “entrees” barely crack $10.
$$ = Entrees in the $10-$20 range, other than a few specials or the crab cakes.
$$$ Entrees $20 and up.
BYOB = The restaurant has no liquor license but allows you to bring your own booze. You may have heard of this.
P = On-site parking, i.e. a dedicated lot or garage.
T = Valet parking (for most places, this is weekends-only).
Out = Outdoor dining in season. Note: It could be a lovely deck, but it may be just a couple of tables on the sidewalk.
10pm = Serves food after 10 p.m. Many local restaurants will serve until 11 p.m. on weekends, but spots bearing this icon go further somehow.
B = Breakfast.
L = Lunch.
D = Dinner.
Br = Brunch on weekends.
Vg = Specializes in vegetarian/vegan friendliness. Almost all restaurants these days offer vegetarian options, and when asked by someone compiling a dining guide, many restaurants say that they can accommodate vegans on request, but this icon indicates vegetarian/vegan friendliness as a primary mission.
Rsv = Reservations are suggested, particularly for weekend dining.
Del = Delivery to a limited area, though many restaurants that don’t do phone-order delivery use web-based services such as carryout.com.
Published: March 2, 2011
ALIZÉE
4 W. University Pkwy, (443) 449-6200, alizeebaltimore.com
$$$ P Vg B L D Br
Alizée has gone from fusion to high-concept comfort food. The menu changes seasonally, but look for bistro-inspired fare—roasted chicken, lamb confit, rabbit—all done with clever sides like parsnip oatmeal.
AMBASSADOR DINING ROOM
3811 Canterbury Road, (410) 366-1484,
ambassadordining.com ambassadordining.com
$$$ Vg Out L D
In clement weather, everyone wants to sit out on the beautiful fragrant patio with its gurgling fountains. The platings of Indian food are prettier than the norm, executions a little lighter, but it all comes at a premium.
CARMA’S CAFÉ
3120 St. Paul St., (410) 243-5200, carmascafe.com
$ BYOB B L D Br
A small but cozy hideout that offers warm drinks, paninis, and a showcase of scrumptious baked goods.
CHARLES VILLAGE PUB
3107 St. Paul St., (410) 243-1611, cvptowson.com
$$ Out 10pm L D Br
Bar food heaven with XXL garbage nachos done up with chili, canned jalapeños, and so-nasty, so-good oozy nacho cheese; greasy fish and chips; and deep-fried potato skins..
DONNA’S Cafe and Coffee Bar
3101 St. Paul St., (410) 889-3410, donnas.com
$$$ Out B L D Br
This venerable Baltimore staple serves up a small menu of artful salads, sandwiches, and entrées for lunch and dinner, plus its namesake coffee.
LA FAMIGLIA
105 W. 39th St., (443) 449-5555, lafamigliabaltimore.com
$$$ P Vg Out 10pm d Rsv
Old-school Italian-American. Reliable seafood preparations, like clams casino or zuppa di pesce, satisfy.
GERTRUDE’S
Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Drive, (410) 889-3399
$$$ P Out L D Br Rsv
Polished and pretty, John Shields’ coastal cuisine restaurant doesn’t feel like a traditional clammy museum café—more like an upscale neighborhood bistro. The outdoor seating area, with views of the sculpture garden, is an Eden.
NIWANA
3 E. 33rd St., (410) 366-4115
$$ Out L D
Inexpensive Japanese and Korean food in Charles Village. Large appetizers threaten early satiation. Save room for a pot of noodles and green-tea or red-bean ice cream.
ONE WORLD CAFÉ
100 W. University Pkwy., (410) 235-5777
$$ Out 10pm B L D Br Vg
A variety of meatless and soy-filled entrées star here, from the eggplant gyro to the black bean quesadilla.
PAPERMOON DINER
227 W. 29th St., (410) 889-4444, papermoondiner24.com
$$ P 10pm B L D Br
PaperMoon’s décor looks like the result of a disturbed 7-year-old boy who got hold of all his sister’s playthings, but the food surpasses normal diner fare. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner with vegetarian and vegan options.
PETE’S GRILLE
3130 Greenmount Ave., (410) 467-7698
$$ B L
Neighborly charm is backed by genuinely good breakfast and lunch at incredibly low prices. Daily specials include roast turkey (from a bird cooked on-site), fish and chips, and blueberry waffles.
THAI RESTAURANT
3316 Greenmount Ave., (410) 889-6003
$$ P L D
This venerable spot consistently serves up some of the city’s best Thai dishes. Service is personal and warm, and the entrées are always top notch.
To comment you must first create a profile and sign-in with a verified DISQUS account or social network ID. Sign up here.
Comments in violation of the rules will be denied, and repeat violators will be banned. Please help police the community by flagging offensive comments for our moderators to review. By posting a comment, you agree to our full terms and conditions. Click here to read terms and conditions.
