Baltimore: Pre-opera dinner?

[bruiserwoods]

Any suggestions for a great pre-opera dinner in Baltimore? I know nothing about Baltimore - but I am looking for something but not overly formal as it will be an early dinner. Thanks!

[michael4ny]

One of the "hounds" briefly mentioned Sammy's Trattoria, called it a red-sauce italian place and wasn't impressed. I guess that's why there's both vanilla and choclate ice cream. Ate there last Sat. and it's a far cry from a "red sauce" place. Excellent menu, very fresh ingredients, nice atmosphere. Head and shoulders above the "Little Italy " places. Crowd wore everything from jackets and ties to jeans and no one looked out of place. Big bonus..they still offer their "Restaurant Week" menu with lots of choices and very moderate prices. In our case, 1 app., 2 entrees, 2 glasses of wine and 1 dessert for approx. $60 before tip.

[venera]

Abacrombie, hands down. It's about a five-minute walk from the opera, and the food is magnificent. It will set the tone perfectly for your opera. Pricey, but worth every penny.

You can search the board for good Mt. Vernon and Station North recommendations for restaurants within walking distance. Within a five-minute walk are Tapas Teatro (only tapas, I find the dishes hit or miss, and it's usually loud and crowded), Sammy's Trattoria (Italian red-sauce place, I wasn't impressed), Dionysus (a neighborhood bar downstairs, but they can surprise you upstairs in the dining room), Dukem (Ethiopian and very casual).

About 10-15 minutes, near the Washington Monument: Akbar (Indian), Mughal Garden (indian),. Brass Elephant, the Helmand (great Afghan place, reservations are a must), Minato.

Bolton Hill is also nearby, and many people like b bistro.

Reservations are a must on symphony/opera nights.

(I believe three of the restaurants I named here are owned by the Karzai family: Helmand, b, and Tapas. No, I am not paid by the family to advertise! ;-) )

[tennisgal1206]

Wherever you choose, make sure they can get you in and out on time. I have heard horror stories about a certain place mentioned above that is notoriously slow with pre theatre events. Enjoy!

[hawaiigrl2003]

Sotto Sopra has a romantic atmosphere. Abacrombie is close by and would not disappoint. If on a budget, tho, both can be expensive. Brewers is mostly respected as a beer bar, and I have not been since they've gotten ANOTHER new chef.

[pmody]

I had dinner there last night, and it was great.

[rpb]

Sotto Sopra, maybe? Though I also agree with the Abacrombie suggestion.

[mjf32]

I love Ze Mean Bean. Not light fair... but sophisticated and warm.

[jes]

Ze Mean Bean isnt really near the Lyric.

[bordeauxfan]

My favorite pre-event dinner in that neighborhood is Abacrombie, delicious new-American but not overly-formal. Slightly further and slightly less expensive is Neo Viccino bistro. Google both for sample menus.

[hon]

and also, The Brewers Art

www.thebrewersart.com