Charleston (Baltimore, Md.; tel. 410/332-7373): Southern cuisine takes center stage at this restaurant in the trendy Harbor East neighborhood. Expect to be treated like royalty as the waitstaff serves your micro-greens salad, grilled yellowfin tuna with andouille sausage, and a perfect crème brûlée.
Carrol's Creek (Annapolis, Md.; tel. 410/263-8102): The best views of the waterfront and Annapolis's skyline are paired with imaginative food here. Dine indoors or on the porch from a menu that is always changing, but might pair rockfish with polenta or free-range chicken with truffle-scented mashed potatoes. The cream of crab soup is always a winner.
The Best Affordable Dining
Sabatino's (Baltimore, Md.; tel. 410/727-9414): Good food at reasonable prices is the norm at most of Little Italy's restaurants. But Sabatino's also offers cozy dining rooms, an attentive waitstaff, and dinner served late into the night.
Eat at the museum: Gertrude's, at the Baltimore Museum of Art (tel. 410/889-3399), is a delightful spot that goes perfectly with a trip to view the exhibits or as a destination in itself. Gertrude's (as in Gertrude Stein) boasts artfully prepared food and outdoor dining (in season) with beautiful views.
Grill Art Cafe (Baltimore, Md.; tel. 410/366-2005): The stylish bistro setting and inventive sandwiches, salads, and brunch menu make Grill Art a great addition to the quirky Hampden scene. And the prices make this a good value, too.
