Restaurants in Maryland
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A
Blue Agave
Agave's does hip, upscale Mexican food, but it's not pretentious; a Midwestern family would feel as welcome here as a clique of New York socialites. The pork carnitas platter is heavenly and the margaritas could knock out a horse.
reviewed
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B
Vaccaro's Pastry
After a lovely Italian dinner, head to Vacarro's for the best desserts and coffee in town. The cannoli are to die for, and the gelato and tiramisu are divine.
reviewed
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C
Faidley's
Here's a fine example of a place that the press and the tourists found out about long ago, yet whose brilliance hasn't been dimmed by the publicity. Faidley's is best known for its crab cakes, in-claw meat, backfin (body meat) or all lump (the biggest chunks of body meat). Tuck in at a stand-up counter, a cold beer by your side, and know happiness.
The surrounding neighborhood is a bit rough, but safe enough during daylight hours.
reviewed
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D
Coburn's Tavern & Grill
At first glance, Coburn's looks like any other British/Irish pub in Canton: hardwood floors, exposed brick, sports on TV. But that's where the similarities end. The food is delish, from the burgers to the fish and steak dishes. Our favorite was the Captain's Toast appetizer: shrimp and crab sautéed with tomatoes, cream and Old Bay seasoning.
reviewed
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E
Obrycki's
Despite its somewhat touristy reputation, Obrycki's remains one of the city's best seafood restaurants. The menu is heavy on Maryland's most famous critter: blue crabs, including crab soup, crab balls, crab cakes, steamed crabs and soft-shelled crabs, meaning that Obrycki's is only open during crab season, ie March to November.
reviewed
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F
Brewer’s Art
In a lovely early-20th-century townhouse, Brewer’s Art serves delicious Belgian-style microbrews to a laid-back Mount Vernon crowd. You can enjoy tasty pub fare in the bar or enter the heritage dining room in back for innovative grilled meat and seafood dishes. Head downstairs for a more raucous atmosphere.
reviewed
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La Scala
Well worth the price for Little Italy’s best. Here you’ll find creamy risotto with shrimp and porcini mushrooms, angel-hair pasta with lobster tail, and rich gnocchi with pesto. There’s also a good wine list and an indoor bocce court that sees a fair bit of action.
reviewed
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G
Dominicano Internacional Restaurant
These Dominicans immigrated to the Land of Plenty to serve plenty: of chicken, pork, goat etc. It's all good. Technically in Highlandtown, bright island murals and Spanish-speaking waitstaff make this a fun place to eat on a summer afternoon, although there's no Red Stripe - damn.
reviewed
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H
Cafe Hon
You don't have to be sporting rhinestone-studded glasses and a bouffant hairdo to eat here, but you'll earn serious brownie points. The American comfort food at this veggie-friendly diner is as hearty as the café's attitude. After dinner slide over to adjacent Bar Hon.
reviewed
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PaperMoon Diner
Like a kaleidoscope dream, this brightly colored, quintessential Baltimore diner is decorated with thousands of old toys, creepy mannequins and other quirky knickknacks. The real draw here is breakfast - perfect eggs Benedict, fluffy pancakes and strong coffee.
reviewed
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Phillips Crab House
Though now synonymous with crabs in the DC region (Phillips operates restaurants throughout the capital region), it all started in Ocean City. The restaurant is a casual place, with a huge menu emphasizing crabs, which is what you should order.
reviewed
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I
Bertha's
Green bumper stickers across the state command you to 'Eat Bertha's Mussels.' You'll understand why after your first bivalve bite swimming in garlic butter. Seafood and pub grub make up the rest of the menu. Live music most evenings.
reviewed
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Fager's Island
The food is hit-and-miss, but it's a great place for a drink - Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture is cued up exactly 15 minutes and 34 seconds before sunset, to time the cannons with the sun hitting the horizon over the Isle of Wight Bay.
reviewed
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J
New York Fried Chicken
We're not exactly sure why a fried chicken place south of the Mason-Dixon would associate itself with NYC, but we are sure this place (and its associated, expanding franchises) serves some of the best greasy goodness in the city.
reviewed
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John Steven
In the heart of Fells Point, John Steven is known for delicious, reasonably priced seafood, including scrumptious bouillabaisse, seared ahi tuna and the famed crab cakes. Dine in the casual pub or in the open-air patio in back.
reviewed
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Dogfish Head Brewing & Eats
Delaware’s famous microbrewery also has a popular, family-friendly restaurant with a big menu featuring wood-grilled pizza, seafood and steaks. Catch live bands here on Friday and Saturday nights (at 10pm).
reviewed
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K
Dukem
A satellite branch of DC's famous Ethiopian restaurant, Dukem serves up the same delicious menu, including spicy chicken, lamb and vegetarian dishes, all sopped up with spongy flatbread. Live music most evenings.
reviewed
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Chick & Ruth's Delly
A cornerstone of Annapolis, the 'delly' is bursting with affable quirkiness and a stressfully large menu. Sandwiches are named after famous local folks - Maryland Senator Barbara Mikulski is the open-faced tuna.
reviewed
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Miss Shirley’s
Serves some of Baltimore’s most decadent breakfasts, including smoked salmon eggs Benedict, crabmeat omelettes and German apple pancakes. Delicious soups, salads and sandwiches bring in the lunch crowds.
reviewed
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L
Kumari
If you haven't had Nepalese food, think heavier and creamier (and at this place, tastier) than your average curry. Kumari's $8.95 lunch buffet is great value. Tibetan and Indian dishes are also on offer.
reviewed
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Galway Bay
The epitome of a power-broker bar, the Irish-owned and -operated restaurant-pub is the dark sort of hideaway where political deals go down over Jameson, stouts and mouth-watering seafood specialties.
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Never on Sunday
This working-man Greek diner caters to junkies, addicts, students, writers and other assorted scum. The food won't wow anyone into submission, but people usually come here too late/hungover to care.
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208 Talbot
From the oysters in champagne sauce to the pan-roasted rockfish, everything at 208 Talbot is delicately prepared and delicious. The perfect date restaurant.
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Bagels And…
This is a good kosher spot that serves some of the best bagels and bialys (like a flatter bagel that substitutes the center hole for a pocket of diced onions) in the state.
reviewed
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N
El Trovador
El Trovador is a cornerstone of the Latino community, and it does gussied up Salvadoran favorites (pork stew, grilled steak with onions and tomato sauce) with style.
reviewed
