November 5, 2022
I only post exceptionally positive dining-out experiences here...no negative reviews.
I visited Baltimore in early November of 2022, to visit my son and daughter-in-law. The trees were all changing colors...SO beautiful!
These are fantastic choices...combination of great vibe, food and hospitality:
BREAKFAST
I enjoyed cozy & yummy breakfasts at home, at my son's house, so no breakfast/brunch restaurants to recommend...although I'm sure there are many great options!
LUNCH
The Local Oyster
After visiting the Walters Art Museum, my son and I walked up to Mt. Vernon Marketplace. There are a variety of casual eateries to choose from, and they all looked like they had a delicious specialty, so it wasn't easy narrowing down our choice. I'm a sucker for oysters though, so my son chose the fried oysters, and I ordered the roasted. They were absolutely delicious...and incredibly fresh tasting. I wanted to lick every last drop of the brine out of the shell. The Local Oyster had multiple awards and recognitions lining its walls, and they also had numerous other offerings on their menu...from fish sandwiches to all types of shellfish choices. If you're headed downtown for some shopping or museum-going, this is a great casual spot to stop in for a casual and delicious lunch or dinner.
From the Walter's Art Museum (art by children, my favorite painting seen today "Mud Pies") and a mural viewed on our walk afterward to Mt. Vernon Marketplace:
DINNER
Duck, Duck, Goose
Absolutely phenomenal! Located in the Bethesda arts and restaurant district (Fell's Point...see map below under Ramen Utsuke), this quaint French bistro had a charming and welcoming small main dining room and bar. We ordered the bread service (which no longer exists on the menu, but they'll still serve it if you inquire. My daughter-in-law knew to ask about it) and the specialty butter was creamy, rich and infused with some warming fall spices. It was also served with plump blueberry preserve, which was delicious on the butter. We also had the burrata appetizer which came resting in a lovely tomato consume. The duck confit is amazing, as well as the potato side that comes with it. A rich sauce is poured table side, to compliment the duck. I think I may have shut my eyes for every bite...so deeply flavorful. I ate about half of my entree, because we had the appetizers and I also had a large lunch. But I also wanted to continue enjoying the meal for one more day. I'm planning on making a duck, potato and egg scramble for breakfast. Can't wait!
Conrad's Crabs
I actually can't speak to the restaurant at all, because we got take-out from their market/deli. But everything was SO delicious. We happened to order on a night that was buy a dozen medium crabs and get a dozen fro free...so there was PLENTY to go around. Each crab is rubbed with a spice mixture and then steamed...and t they're caught just off the coast of Baltimore....so couldn't get any more "local!" We also enjoyed their steamed corn on the cob...SO sweet, juicy and refreshing! To top off this meal, my son stepped outside his back door and picked some lettuce from their garden...it was delicate and so fresh-tasting. This was a wonderful, special, and very messy, meal!
Ramen Utsuke
We enjoyed delicious bowls of ramen at Ramen Utsuke in Harbor Place. My son and I bot ordered the pork black and red, and my daughter-in-law ordered the chicken black and red. The ladies each had half a bowl leftover to enjoy for a meal tomorrow...the deliciousness will continue for another day...this is always good.) My pork ramen is pictured below, along with a few pics taken on our walk directly after dinner. We walked across the street and explored the harbor a bit. This restaurant is a favorite of my son and daughter-in-law, and now I know why!
EXTRA: THINGS TO DO IN BALTIMORE
Baltimore Farmer's Market
You can find an incredibly diverse offering of meats & fish, homemade bone broths, vegetables, food stands, and fun. I couldn't believe how many actual farms were represented, and the selections of meats from those farms was something we just don't see at my local Farmer's Market in Scottsdale, AZ.
We enjoyed super tasty sandwiches from Neopol Savory Smokery (salmon salad for some, and a shrimp salad sandwich for me...delish!), and purchased some natural drink mixers from CAnE Collective. The guava tiki and the pumpkin spice are both delicious! One of the three owners mans the stand, and he is super attentive, helpful and friendly!
Basignani Winery
We stopped in at this winery for a wine tasting, around lunch time. We had already had seafood sandwiches at the Farmer's Market, so we didn't sit and order pizza and share a bottle of wine, as others were doing. But it smelled great...so I'll recommend the pizza based solely on how delicious it looked and smelled! As for the wine tasting, it was an enjoyable experience. The tasting room is very rustic and located in a barn. Tons of charm and character, and evoked a spirit of adventure, which I loved. If you only enjoy super modern or elevated tasting rooms, this may not be the spot for you. It's more reminiscent of a pumpkin patch location/experience. The staff was lovely and helpful as well. We tasted a variety of dry whites, some reds, and quite a few sweet wines. Our take is that they do their best with the sweet wines. The dry whites were too acidic for my taste (I do generally love a good sauvignon blanc.)
Corner Shops at Falls Rd & Shawn Rd
NE Corner --> John Brown General & Butchery, John Brown Coffee and Hedgerow
NW Corner --> Farm Stand
We stopped in at these corner shops and they're delightful! The butchery shop has everything you would need for an amazing charcuterie board (they also have tables in the back and you can order to eat), and the gift shop Hedgerow has beautiful linens, bowls, books and more. Definitely worth a stop, especially if you're headed back to town from Basignani Winery. You'll drive right past it! The Farm stand across the street sells seasonal items. Currently they are overflowing with beautiful pumpkins of all sizes, shapes and colors!
We took a walk from my son's house to this little duo of corner shops. On the right is Pinehurst Gourmet & Spirits Shoppe, essentially an upscale liquor store where gourmet ice cream and baguettes are also sold; and next to it is Charlesmead Pharmacy, where there is an old-fashioned soda fountain counter. Milkshakes and daily lunch specials are sold here. We stopped in, and I ordered a mint chocolate-chip milkshake...very uncharacteristic of me, but I got swept away in some kind of childhood nostalgia. :-)
We took the long route home, enjoying the beautiful neighborhood. I absolutely love these homes!
Thank you for the great time in Baltimore, Taylor & April!
from left: April, Taylor, me...This pic is from a few years back, but it happened to pop up on my son's printed 2022 calendar pad while I was in town...fun, fun!
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