Baltimore: Charleston or Cinghiale?

[taramatt]

My husband has to be in Baltimore for work on our anniversary and I am going to join him and we'll have a nice dinner. From everything I've read, Charleston and Cinghiale seem to be the best rated restaurants. If you had to choose one, which would it be? Any other "must do restaurants" in the city? We are not that into steakhouses, so I've ruled out the Prime Rib. Thanks!

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Cinghiale
822 Lancaster Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

Prime Rib
1101 North Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

[tarotchan]

Cinghiale. Fabulous staff. They have a fabulous wine list. I didn't go for a year once and they remembered me as soon as I walked in the door. For fun you can also go on Sunday for the sunday supper which starts at 530pm. Antipasti, entree, dessert. $29 Though I've moved since and so I don't know if they do that still. It was always fun to go.

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Cinghiale
822 Lancaster Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

[amybat]

I am glad that my recent experience with an unpleasant waiter was an isolated incident, apparently. My husband went for lunch fairly soon afterward and mentioned the incident to his waiter, and he explained that on Saturday nights with a party of 6 or more (we had 6) they really push the table to get a unified "chef's suggested menu" for the whole table in order to make it easier on the kitchen and turn the table over. Understandable, but not acceptable if the urging is done an attitude...and our group was not given any 'heads up' about this in advance. I have been to Charleston about 5 times prior to this past experience, and this was my first negative one, so perhaps I am judging too harshly, but I resented it. It was a "big occasion dinner" and we were there to celebrate a happy event and it sort of put a damper on the evening.

[Jason1]

What's your budget? Charleston, the more expensive of the two, is also the better restaurant.

[amybat]

I don't necessarily agree--although the food is great at Charleson, my last outing there was ruined by utterably insufferable waitstaff. I heartily recommend Cinghiale though, and think it's by far the most satisfying of the two dining experiences. If you like waiters who sneer if you don't choose the "chef's suggested menu for your table" then by all means, hurry to Charleston!

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Cinghiale
822 Lancaster Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

[Jason1]

I had very, very good service at Charleston in May. Our waiter was outstanding. And I'm not sure about the Chef's suggested menu bit...it's not like the seasonal menu is their most expensive option. We were under not pressure to pick it, and did not pick it because the other options sounded great. I'd recommend the 4 course dinner (really 5 with the included dessert). Anything more than that would be way too much food unless you have a huge appetite.

[taramatt]

thanks all! I appreciate it - we don't really have a budget, just want great food and a great atmosphere.

[Hal Laurent]

I've never had bad service at Charleston, and definitely no hint of sneering. It's one of the things I like about Charleston, impeccable service, but no condescension.

The only high-end place I've ever been to that was even more that way was the Fountain in the Philadelphia Four Seasons.

[gregb]

I also did not encounter this type of attitude at Charleston. I’ve only been once, but the service was truly impressive. Our table put together a very challenging order for the wait staff and kitchen to organize. We had a 5 course with wine pairing, 4 course with a few half pours and a 3 course with no drinks (no chef’s suggested menus). I'm still not sure how they figured it all out logistically, but they never skipped a beat and did it all with a smile!