Restaurants

Where to Dine

Baltimore has always been known for seafood, but the city is also home to a variety of ethnic and regional cuisines. There are plenty of good restaurants in the main tourist areas, with excellent choices in Little Italy, Fells Point, and Mount Vernon.

In recent years, the Inner Harbor has become a bit overrun with chain restaurants serving mediocre fare -- but the Hard Rock Cafe and ESPN Zone continue to draw big crowds. Power Plant Live, with its mix of chains, local restaurants, and clubs, is also packed at dinnertime. You'll find it a block north of Pratt Street, a short walk from Charles Street and the Inner Harbor.

A note for your wallet: Restaurant prices are creeping up, and $25 dinner entrees -- unheard of in recent years -- are becoming more common.

Baltimore's Best Crab Cakes

A visit to Baltimore means crab cakes -- but what makes a good crab cake is up for heated debate. You can expect jumbo lump mixed with a bit of mayo; fried or broiled is often the diner's choice. But each recipe is different. Is Old Bay seasoning required? How much filler is too much? Should you see a fleck of any plant material besides parsley?

Keep in mind a few things: Crabs run from May to September (more or less), so you have a better chance of getting local crab -- not Louisiana or Asia imports -- in those months. You don't have to go to a crab house for a decent crab cake. In fact, the number of crab houses has dwindled in recent years, but you can find good seafood at just about every restaurant around. Expect to pay about $12 to $15 for a crab-cake sandwich (served on crackers or a bun). A crab-cake platter will be at least $25 and usually comes with fries, coleslaw, and sliced tomato.

Below is my list of where I think you'll find a good crab cake. Are these the best? Have a marvelous time deciding!

Crab Shanty, 3410 Plum Tree Dr. (Rte. 40 W.), Ellicott City (tel. 410/465-9660; www.crabshanty.com). Good-size cake, not too much filler. Open Sunday through Friday for lunch, daily for dinner. Carryout is available.

Faidley Seafood, Lexington Market, 400 W. Lexington St. (tel. 410/727-4898; www.faidleyscrabcakes.com). The Faidley family has been selling seafood from this stall for 120 years. One of the things it does right is a traditional crab cake. Open Monday through Saturday from 8:30am to 6pm. Carryout only; shipping is available, too.

Gertrude's, at the Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr. (tel. 410/889-3399; www.johnshields.com). Noted chef John Shields offers traditional Baltimore-style cakes as well as a creative chef's special. Open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner.

Kali's Court & Mezze, 1606 Thames St., Fells Point (tel. 410/276-4700; www.kaliscourt.net). Crab, crab, and not much else. Open daily for lunch and dinner.

Obrycki's, 1727 E. Pratt St., Upper Fells Point (tel. 410/732-6399; www.obryckis.com). Traditional crab house, traditional crab cake. Open daily for lunch and dinner from mid-March to November.

Pierpoint Restaurant, 1822 Aliceanna St., Fells Point (tel. 410/675-2080; www.pierpointrestaurant.com). Crab cakes here are smoked -- different, but well worth a try. Open Tuesday through Friday for lunch, Tuesday through Sunday for dinner.

Family-Friendly Restaurants

With the emphasis on seafood in Baltimore, finding an affordable family restaurant can be difficult. Below are a few places where the younger set is quite welcome. The restaurants and food courts at Harborplace are also a good bet.

Amicci's It's casual; there are usually lots of families here, so you don't have to worry about disturbing other diners; and there's a great selection of pasta dishes. If it's crowded, try Sabatino's or Vellegia's.

Cafe Hon This Hampden eatery is so relaxed and offers so many comfort foods, you know a kid will like it. And the friendly staff caters to children, too. The dining room is filled with knickknacks and other stuff to keep the little ones interested until the food arrives.

Johnny Rockets This branch of the chain of retro '50s diners is located in Harborplace's Light Street Pavilion. It's both fun and affordable. Kids will definitely like the fries, burgers, and shakes. Service is lightning-fast.

Phillips Harborplace Perhaps the city's most affordable good seafood, even if you're visiting with the whole family. The Harborplace location is ideal for lunch or dinner after a day at the aquarium or the science center. The children's menu lists favorites like burgers, fries, and fried chicken.

Sweet Things in Charm City

Sometimes you just need a sweet -- and there are a couple sweet spots around town that shouldn't be missed if you're in the neighborhood.

Baltimore Cupcake Company, 1433 E. Fort Ave. (tel. 410/783-1600; www.baltimorecupcakecompany.com). This little pink-and-white shop down the street from Fort McHenry sells pretty $2 cupcakes and other sweets along with its Cafe du Monde coffee. Open Monday through Friday from 8am to 6pm, Saturday from 9am to 4pm.

Dangerously Delicious Pies, 2400 Fleet St., at Montford Ave. (tel. 410/522-PIES; www.dangerouspies.com). These aren't refined, fancily decorated pies. These are honest, homemade, fresh-out-of-the-oven pies. The rock-'n'-roll guys here make all kinds: fruit, Key (Bridge) lime, derby, and a towering lemon meringue. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 7am to 9pm; located between Fells Point and Canton, near Patterson Park.

Patisserie Poupon, 820 E. Baltimore St. (tel. 410/332-0390). You'll find this delightful French pastry shop in the shadow of the Shot Tower and near Port Discovery and Little Italy. (It's safer to drive here due to traffic.) Stop for coffee and a croissant or a fabulously decorated pastry. Open Monday through Saturday from 7am to 6pm.

Little Italy

In just a few packed blocks, you'll find all the pasta, cannoli, and chianti you could want. Make a reservation if you know where you want to eat beforehand. But if you prefer to wander, then plan to eat early or late and choose a place as you stroll through the basil-scented streets. If you don't have room for dessert, remember, there's always Vaccaro's to go. Tip: Parking has gotten easier with the opening of a huge garage at Pratt and President streets. Best of all, many restaurants now offer valet parking.