Best Dining Bets in Maryland
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 grilled yellowfin tuna with andouille sausage, and a perfect crème brûlée.
The Prime Rib (Baltimore, Md.; tel. 410/539-1804): Where Baltimore has gone to celebrate mergers and engagements for decades. It's swank, romantic, and serves perfect classic steakhouse fare.
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 seasonally changing menu. The cream of crab soup is always a winner.
Green Room (Wilmington, Del.; tel. 302/594-3154): Delaware's top restaurant wows diners the minute they see the impressive decor. But the real star here is the food: classic sauces, perfectly cooked entrees, and desserts prepared as art.
Krazy Kat's (Wilmington, Del.; tel. 302/888-4200): The Brandywine Valley's finest inn also has the finest classic dining. Enjoy a leisurely meal of exceptionally prepared food in the cozy candlelit dining rooms.
The Hobbit (Ocean City, Md.; tel. 410/524-8100): How we missed the charming Hobbit during its reconstruction. And how much we love the sleek, modern Hobbit, with its water views, cold martinis, and rich seafood dishes.
The Buttery (Lewes, Del.; tel. 302/645-7755): For sheer romance and excellent French-inspired food and wine, stop at this bistro set inside a Victorian mansion. The porch is lovely when the weather's warm; the softly lit dining rooms are warm when the weather's cold.
The Best Affordable Dining
- Sabatino's Italian Restaurant (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.
