Romance - Baltimore

[erehwesle]

Hey all,

I am going to be down in Baltimore this weekend. I don't know the town well, but my g/f is going to be with me. Any ideas for a very very romantic dinner? Price is somewhat of a concern, not entire. I have some 'emergency romantic dinner savings' put aside. I just want it to be lovely. Baltimore folks, give me your best!

Your suggestions are welcome.

Best,

erehwesle.

[jvanderh]

I'm too late, but I want to cast a vote for Cazbar. It's been one of my more romantic dining experiences. I thought the food was above average. The downstairs is pretty, and you can be served in a private little curtained booth upstairs, too.

[semorrow]

i know this is a bit late, but crush in belvedere square is a great spot...

[lawhound]

But romantic?

[FoiGras]

Lawhound is on spot--not quite romantic is Crush. Maybe "semorrow" had a romantic event there. The food is quite nice, though. FoiGras

[semorrow]

goodness, what's with the quotation marks?

any place can be romantic if you're with the right person, though i will admit the last time i was there was on valentine's day and they did a nice job.

[BaltEater]

Aldo's by far is the best choice.

http://www.aldositaly.com/

[laugh riot]

OP said price is somewhat of a factor, so Charleston and Cinghiale are affirmatively out. Romance depends on the woman, not the man. My wife cares more about atmosphere than food, and I've found that most men agree that their women are the same. Maybe I'm wrong, but if that's the case here, you want to have dinner somewhere overlooking water. Water is reflective and contemplative, which are chief elements of romance. Many will balk when I say Rusty Scupper, because OMG it's not totally hipster, but it has an impressive wine list, you can get a great meal there, and it has the best view in Baltimore. If it was just about food, that would not be my choice, or even in my top ten, but the OP doesn't want a pissing contest about food, he wants romance. Take her to Rusty Scupper.

-----
Cinghiale
822 Lancaster Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

Rusty Scupper
402 Key Highway, Baltimore, MD 21230

[erehwesle]

Cheers to that! Rusty Scupper is awesome.

-----
Rusty Scupper
402 Key Highway, Baltimore, MD 21230

[youami]

I second Henningers! Also really like Blue Hill Tavern.

-----
Blue Hill Tavern
938 S Conkling Street, Baltimore, MD 21087

[hopeinmee]

I also would recommend Blue Hill Tavern. Good food and dessert!

Another place I would recommend for romantic and not too pricy would be Meli in Fells Point. Not too expensive and they have some areas in the dining room that are somewhat separate from other tables. The food was good for the most part on my last visit there.

-----
Blue Hill Tavern
938 S Conkling Street, Baltimore, MD 21087

[erehwesle]

I was going to scrape up my spare change, bite the bullet and splurge on Charleston, but, Oh Noes! Staff vacation until 1/11! Mayhaps next time?

I'm thinking of Kali's Court. Thank you all for the recommendations.

-----
Kali's Court
1606 Thames Street, Baltimore, MD 22231

[hotel]

It hasn't been mentioned and most people probably wouldn't think to suggest it... but I went to B&O with my wife for our anniversary this year and it fits the bill I think. The dining room upstairs is much more quiet than the bar area, it's dimly lit and has big tables in large booths. Also the food is top notch. This place should be up for discussion as Best of Baltimore not named Charleston, IMHO.

And while it can get somewhat loud at Tio Pepe... drinking pitchers of sangria while sharing the Paella and some champagne oysters in their cavernous basement is pretty outstanding.

[JonParker]

I thought to suggest B&O but I've never been upstairs, and I don't consider the downstairs a really romantic place. Still, I have had a very romantic dinner there. I agree with you though that it's some of the best food in the area. It also won't break the bank -- it's not cheap, but it's not cash in the kid's college fund expensive like Charleston.

-----
B&O American Brasserie - Hotel Monaco
2 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201

[hotel]

I couldn't agree more about the downstairs not being inherently romantic but definitely has the capability of providing romance. The upstairs section is substantially more quiet, and the big black leather booths really give it a little extra. And yes, it is pretty reasonably priced.

The last time we went we had cocktails, a bottle of wine, 3 appetizers because I can't say no to the pork belly, or the market flatbread, while my wife insisted on bison carpaccio (who am I to deny her that?). I had a cassoulet (which was fantastic), and she had the sous vide wahoo and we came out around 150 bucks. Not too bad at all.

I've been more and more impressed with each of the 4 times I've eaten at B&O.

[erehwesle]

I have my reservation at Kali's Court, but seriously thinking of staying an extra night to go to B &O.... I'll call them tonight, maybe I can get there early enough on Friday. TWO restaurant dinners, my g/f is going to think I'm made of money :)

-----
Kali's Court
1606 Thames Street, Baltimore, MD 22231

[MrsWheatie]

Brewer's Art in the restaurant part-white tablecloths, can be casual or dressy, interesting beer and wine. Just make sure both of you try the garlic fries to cancel each other out. Of course I have some fond memories of dining here.

-----
Brewer's Art
1106 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21201

[crackers]

For a city its size, Baltimore has surprisingly few restaurants in the "romantic and chow-worthy" category, if you're talking about quiet, subdued lighting, widely-spaced tables, tablecloths, candles, flowers, etc. At the top of the list would be Charleston and Prime Rib, followed by Kali's Court and maybe Black Olive. None of them are in the cheap-eats cateogory.

Pazo is definitely loud and crowded, especially on a weekend.

-----
Kali's Court
1606 Thames Street, Baltimore, MD 22231

Black Olive
814 S. Bond Street, Baltimore, MD 21231

Prime Rib
1101 North Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

[JonParker]

See, one thing that makes Prime Rib and Charleston my choices for a romantic evening is that not only are they really good, but people are appropriately dressed. I love the food at Black Olive -- it's the best seafood restaurant I've ever been to and I recommend it without hesitation -- but I've seen people there in shorts and blue jeans. I'm about the least formal person on earth, but come on.

Kali's Court is a beautiful and romantic space, but the reason I have trouble recommending it is that on my one visit there the food was just eh. It was good, but like Oregon Grille, not good enough for what I paid for it. Also, the bartender shook our martinis, which is great if your idea of a good martini comes from James Bond movies, but I expect the bartender at a high end restaurant to know his craft well enough not to hand me a cloudy drink full of ice shards.

-----
Kali's Court
1606 Thames Street, Baltimore, MD 22231

Black Olive
814 S. Bond Street, Baltimore, MD 21231

Oregon Grille
1201 Shawan Road, Hunt Valley, MD 21030

[FoiGras]

I somewhat agree with Jon--The Prime Rib is quite romantic (soft piano music, standard steakhouse food, albeit above the Chain restaurants' offerings). A dining establishment where one can dress up (which is so rare in this day and age--I must be "showing" my age; but I do enjoy getting dressed up.

Charleston is romantic and VERY EXPENSIVE. So, I would count out that restaurant as an option based on the price consideration.,

Kali's Court is very romantic. I would recommend calling ahead and making a request as to your specific needs. The owners are VERY ACCOMMODATING. But, as Jon remarked, of late there can be a hit or miss cuisine-wise.

I will somewhat agree as to the opinions concerning the Oregon Grille. In the past, they were sliding down the scale where the food was concerned. But, dining there this past Christmas Eve renewed my attitude as this is a really good (not outstandingly great or innovative restaurant) venue. My Oysters Avery were fabulous. The over-sized dinner rolls, butter, complimentary crackers with tapenade and soft spreadable cheese--YESS,

The veal chop was exquisite. The accompanying pianist made the entire evening quite romantic, Holiday festive, and very good food. But, it doesn't come by without a higher end price tag.

Woodberry Kitchen is definitely NOT a romantic spot. It's eccelectic, loud, no table cloths, etc. Good food, but not a candlelight type of romance space.

Sotto Sopra is quite romantic, especially if you call ahead and make a request that you are celebrating a special occassion. Riccardo (owner) will bend over backwards to make certain that you have a romantic, memorable dinner. He and his Bride (and newborn baby) make the dining experience quite lovely .

Hope we "LOCALS" have helped in your decision making. Romance is from the heart, not the place or cuisine. Perhaps room service, with a huge bouquet of flowers and petals on the bed, along with candlelight and soft music--a bottle of nice wine or reasonably priced champagne, may be a better option. The dine out the next day at a much more casual venue. Happiness to the two of you. FoiGras

-----
Sotto Sopra Restaurant
405 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201

Woodberry Kitchen
2010 Clipper Park Rd # 126, Baltimore, MD

Kali's Court
1606 Thames Street, Baltimore, MD 22231

Oregon Grille
1201 Shawan Road, Hunt Valley, MD 21030

[edresner]

Rather than Pazo I'd consider Mezze in Fells Point. Great Mediterranean small plates, not overly pricey, nice atmosphere, and there's plenty to do within walking distance when you're finished your meal. The spinach fritters and the lamb options are favorites of mine.

[erehwesle]

You all are quick, and informative! Thank you so much.

I've been hearing so many nice things about Charleston, here and other places, worth the cost?

Oregon grille, also possible. Thoughts?

[masha]

If you can afford Charleston, it is "worth the cost." The food, service, and room are all topnotch.

[hon]

I think the dining room at Henninger's Tavern is romantic:
http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/rHyNCU...

-----
Henninger's Tavern
1812 Bank St, Baltimore, MD 21231

[jp4401]

Pazo is nice. Trendy and has small plates, so you can pay for a small meal or a big one. Its in Harbor west which makes it walkable to the inner harbor and fells point. Might be chilly though. It could get a little loud, but its a beautiful restaurant, I go for date nights with the wife.

There is a Ruth Chris steak house near a bunch of clubs in downtown. It might be pricier than what you were thinking.

If you can drive, the Oregon Grille in Hunt Valley is very romantic. Not close too much, a 2 min drive from some shopping and a movie theater. 20 mins from downtown.

Petite Louis is French and has nice French country inn look to it. In Roland Park.

Ambassadors, Indian food British colonial look, however, if you are really into Indian food, the food can be mediocre. In Roland Park area, walking distance from Johns Hopkins' Homewood campus.

Cinghiale is in Harbor west too, near Pazos. Italian. I have never been but it gets rave reviews. I have walked past it and it does look romantic inside. I plan to try it out one day.

della norte. Its italian too, more moderately priced. It has a tree in the center of the dining area. Which adds, I believe, to the romantic feeling of the place. Near little italy and harbor west.

Here is a link to Baltimore's best restaurant's by Baltimore magazine. I think all I listed are on that list. Good luck, romeo. ;)

http://www.baltimoremagazine.net/food...

-----
Cinghiale
822 Lancaster Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

Pazo Restaurant
1425 Aliceanna St, Baltimore, MD 21201

Oregon Grille
1201 Shawan Road, Hunt Valley, MD 21030

[JonParker]

Whatever merits Pazo has, romantic isn't among them. It's crowded and noisy -- it's meant to be a happening place rather than a romantic one. I didn't think the atmosphere at Cinghiale was particularly romantic either, but the drinks were fantastic.

Oregon Grille never impressed me -- nice atmosphere, but mediocre food for the price point (very high -- higher than Ruth's Chris for sure).

The Prime Rib is very old school romantic -- also pretty expensive, but lovely. I'd recommend it over any of the chain steakhouses for sure.

If you want to splurge, go with Prime Rib. If you want to really splurge, to to Charleston.

-----
Charleston
1000 Lancaster Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

Cinghiale
822 Lancaster Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

Prime Rib
1101 North Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

Pazo Restaurant
1425 Aliceanna St, Baltimore, MD 21201

[lawhound]

The Oregon Grille is rude, condescending and overpriced. These facts cancel out what might otherwise be a charming venue.

Petit Louis is a terrific restaurant, but really a bistro so hard to describe it as romantic.

Cinghiale is also perhaps a bit too bustling to fall into that category.

I agree with JonParker's comments about the Prime Rib and Charleston.

-----
Petit Louis
4800 Roland Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21210

Cinghiale
822 Lancaster Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

Oregon Grille
1201 Shawan Road, Hunt Valley, MD 21030

[ktmoomau]

I will actually back JP4401 up in that I think of Pazo as being romantic. Yes it is bustling, but that means you don't hear so and so talking about their cats next table over. But I am also late 20s so age might play a factor.

I also really like the atmosphere of Woodberry Kitchen, but again it can get pretty loud.

I know that Little Italy is often not big on people in Baltimore's list, but perhaps an old school Italian joint and then a trip to Vaccaro's? I would find that to be a really great date.

-----
Woodberry Kitchen
2010 Clipper Park Rd # 126, Baltimore, MD

Pazo Restaurant
1425 Aliceanna St, Baltimore, MD 21201