Baltimore Restaurant Week ‘08 - Top 5 Summer Picks
Ah, summer is in the air. Oppressive humidity, swarming tourists and the O’s. Need a culinary escape? Follow your taste buds to foodie bliss. That’s right, it’s time once again for Baltimore Restaurant Week. Enjoy a 3-course dinner for $30.08 from a staggering list of more than 100 restaurants.
Having trouble deciding? We’re here to help! Last time, our strategy was to hit the places with the most high-end menu items. Our results were lukewarm at best. This year, we’re aiming to try some expensive places we’ve never been (able to afford). Here are our summer picks:
- Abacrombie - Reopened late last year with new chef. Menu standouts: house mac & cheese, pork confit with peach butter and tasty desserts.
- Bicycle - One of our best restaurant week experiences last time. The menu doesn’t appear until the last minute, but it won’t disappoint.
- Tabrizi’s - Fairly new waterfront Mediterranean dining next to the Ritz. Menu standouts: grilled house-made lamb grape leaves, sauteed baby octopus and calamari, and lamb kabobs with veal reduction.
- Louisiana - One of those places we always want to try, but could never justify the French sticker shock. Menu standouts: Louisiana shrimp and seafood gumbo, grilled lamb chops and bread pudding.
- Fin Steak & Seafood - New upscale spot in the lower level of the Admiral Fell Inn. Menu standouts: little neck clams and summer seafood linguine.
Our honorable mentions are Cinghiale (finally!), Corks and b Bistro. Unfortunately, some favorites are still absent from the list (we’re looking at you Woodberry Kitchen, Salt and Charleston). But don’t worry, there should be plenty of gastronomic delight awaiting you this go round. If only we could figure out why Ding How keeps coming back for more or the reason for that extra 8 cents ($30.08 price tag).
Where are you heading for restaurant week? Tell us in the comments!
July 16th, 2008 at 9:51 am
We always use restaurant week to go to Taste (now defunct) and Pazo. I’ll probably replace Taste with bicycle this go around.
July 16th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Hey downbeats! I was always disappointed with Pazo’s RW menu, but this year’s is looking much better. Maybe a good excuse to go back, since I haven’t been in a long while. Come back and let us know what you think of bicycle! I still remember a very good tuna tartare. I’d stay away from any lavender desserts though.
July 16th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
I believe the rationale for the extra eight cents is because it makes the lunch price $20.08, to match the year 2008. The dinner price simply adds $10 to that.
July 16th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
@Spam - Thanks for clearing that up! Now I can sleep easier tonight
July 29th, 2008 at 8:49 am
Went to Cinghiale on Sunday and was disappointed that they weren’t offering the Restaurant Week menu despite the fact that I booked the reservations on Open Tables Restuarant Week site. They were serving Sunday Supper, which for a vegetarian, there are few options other than the antipasto bar. I munched on tomato salad and olives while my friends enjoyed braised veal and creamy polenta and a pork dish. Gotta say, don’t advertise you’re open for Restaurant Week when it doesn’t include Sunday.
July 29th, 2008 at 11:37 am
Wow that’s too bad about Cinghiale. Definitely not cool to opt out of a day right in the middle! Now I am going to call to confirm all my reservations. Thanks for sharing.
August 3rd, 2008 at 7:50 am
roy’s was one of our favorites last year but was a big disappointment this year. vegetables and potatoes accompanying entrees were blander than bland - no seasoning or creative fixings. and the wonderful Roy’s Melting Hot Chocolate Soufflé from last year was replaced with a brownie and vanilla ice cream, nothing special.
August 3rd, 2008 at 11:50 am
No melting hot chocolate souffle!? I hate it when restaurants remove their signature item from the restaurant week menu.
August 7th, 2008 at 11:02 am
…went to RW on Sunday at Cinghiale…but was told about the menu when I made the reservation. It was actually cheaper at $29 per person. Food was very good. Enjoyed the antipasti selections to start best.