"You're family" vibe in B-more?

[Warthog]

Upon hearing of the closing of Ras Doobie's, a friend of mine (who likes to decribe herself as "elderly lady - with cat") inquired "Have you found a new place to be your clubhouse?"

It's an interesting question. While Doobie's wasn't necessarily a place "where everybody knows your name" like the "Cheers" TV show theme song put it, it was the sort of place where you were "adopted into the family" as soon as you walked into the door. I shared some amazing moments in the lives of complete strangers there, both happy and sad, in a way that is not common in our society today. It was sort of an "Anybody who is a friend of Doobie is a friend of mine" acceptance on the part of most of the people who were regulars.

Today's oddball query is whether anybody has any other *restaurant* faves in the Baltimore area that has that vibe of "We don't care who you are - you're welcome, you're included, join right in!" We all can probably point to at least one or two bars like that, some of which serve food, but it's not a vibe one often gets in restaurants.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

[JonParker]

As often as I think I can afford the calories, I go down to Fort Charles Pub, which Kaz recommended. It's definitely a bar, but it's got great bar food, and really has that kind of vibe in a SoBo kind of way. I love to go in and eat one of their massive burgers or a fried oyster sandwich, drink a beer and watch the Os lose.

I can't think of a restaurant like that. I wish i knew one.

Two other replies to comments in this thread: if you know an "elderly lady -- with cat" you're probably a good person, and asking for marinara at Samos is grounds for divorce.

[Warthog]

The "elderly lady - with cat" phrase comes from a time when her cat discovered the control panel for the alarm system in her house. The cat batting at the keybord set off the alarm, and the responding police officer had to file a report (after figuring out what happened) wherein he described the person who called for assistance as "elderly lady - with cat", which delighted my friend so much that it has become her favorite self-description.

To keep things chow-related, "Elderly Lady - With Cat" recommends the fried oysters at Gertudes, mourns the loss of Ras Doobie's, and hopes to find a new "clubhouse".

[baltoellen]

Zorba's in Greektown. For some reason, there's always some sort of party going on when you eat at the bar!

[Warthog]

Good choice! Zorba's definitely is a fave, but I suspect that the "walls" dont' really come down unless one speaks Greek. I've got the sort of "could pass for a wide range of ethnicities" looks and coloration that Anthony Quinn made a good movie career out of, though, so I still get treated as "one of us", even if I don't speak the language.

[baltoellen]

I have those sort of 'dark ethnic' looks too! In fact, until Mr. Baltoellen blew my cover once by asking for something silly at Samo's, namely, marinara sauce for the calamari, they were sure I was Greek The reason we didn't get marinara sauce, we were told, is that Greeks don't use it on calamari. My cover was permanently blown! (Whether or not I got better treament for 'being Greek,' I'll never know, though.)

I agree about the 'walls' coming down if one speaks Greek at Zorba's. In fact, sometimes, mostly on the weekends, it seems like a Greek family reunion there. But, then again, there is always the kitchen help watching fotbol on the sattelite tv, too! And, everyone is always really friendly....and, someone (often the owner) seems always to be buying a round a drinks for those of us at the bar!

[BmoreHound]

One Eyed Mike's. After all, he was open on Christmas to have people in.

The people at Birches are really really nice, but it's not really quite the same.

[salad man]

Bill's Terrace Inn,essex area bar- crab house. while you're waiting about an hour for some of the best crabs in B'more there is a certain sympatico,that breeds ---- well almost anything,

[venera]

I was going to say Mr Bill's, too. Mr. Bill himself escorted us to our booth, and the hon waiting the table said to me "You look too far from the table, hon, wanna scootch?" and then proceeded to push me from behind like a mom would a child. Upon departure, when I told Mr. Bill how wonderful his place was, he warmly kissed my hand and invited me back. Maybe it was the two pitchers of Yuengling that I had consumed on my own with my awesome, heavy, tasty crabs, but I believe I actually swooned. :)

While we were eating, neighboring tables would ask if the crabs were "fat", joked with a woman waiting for her friend to join her that they would steal her crabs, etc. Definitely a "we are one big happy, crab-eatin' family" vibe.

I also feel very welcome at Al Pacino Cafe on Cathedral in Mt. Vernon. The proprieter is always very warm and friendly, and recognizes us every time we come in. Not so much a rapport with the other diners, though.

The owner at Dionysus is always willing to sit and chat, and last fall she organized a clothing swap that she invited me to. Lots of people there know one another, and there's always a good, friendly, vibe there (though more so in the bar downstairs than in the restaurant upstairs.) Plus, their white pizza is orgasmic.