First, Harborplace in Baltimore was built and turned the city into a sought-after destination for people around the world. Then came several restaurants that took advantage of the glorious views of the water. Then, locals began to develop the pride in their city that had been lost for years. If you should go to Baltimore on vacation or for business, be sure you experience the city's fine waterside restaurants.
Located in an area of rapid development on Baltimore's waterfront is Charleston, a restaurant that that has garnered raves from the local and national press. Cindy Wolf and Tony Foreman set out to create something special. What resulted is possibly the finest restaurant in Maryland. Charleston has become the place for special occasions among Baltimoreans. This is a prix fixe restaurant based on the number of courses you have in mind, with wine pairings adding about 50 percent to the cost. The menu offers appetizers like pan-seared Hudson Valley foie gras with port wine-poached pear. The entrees include dishes like pan-roasted magret duck breast, seared foie gras, crispy potato, and pan-roasted veal tenderloin served with potato "risotto," white asparagus, in a vermouth reduction.
Charleston
1000 Lancaster Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-332-7373
charlestonrestaurant.com
This restaurant combines intimacy with outstanding food, making a trip here completely enjoyable. The waitstaff is well trained, yet personable, and the food has risen to the point where Tabrizi's has been named one of the 50 best restaurants in Baltimore by Baltimore Magazine. The view of the Inner Harbor is incomparable, the jazz is awesome, and the restaurant also offers free parking. Start your meal with an appetizer like grilled house-made grape leaves stuffed with rice, and finished with extra virgin olive oil, served warm with goat cheese. Move on to an entree such as lamb kebobs glazed with demi-glace served over truffle risotto with roasted vegetables and pine nuts, or pan-seared sea bass with oyster mushrooms, mussels, tomatoes and garlic in a light chicken Marsala broth.
Tabrizi's
500 Harborview Drive
Baltimore, MD 21230
410-727-3663
tabrizis.com
The Rusty Scupper is at the south end of the Inner Harbor. After a quiet stroll through the harbor with your significant other, there's no better way to extend the evening's ambiance than dining at this restaurant. The view of the harbor and the restaurant's beautiful interior make you feel as though you are having a meal in a sunken ship. You can start your meal with one of several appetizers like spicy seared yellowfin tuna or an authentic Maryland Lump Crab Cake. The menu lists a variety of entrees like bouillabaisse--which contains shrimp, diver sea scallop, mussels, fish in a saffron tomato broth with rouille and crostini, or seared cod simmered in a coconut curry cream with thyme and shiitake mushrooms and served with wild rice, red peppers and yellow squash. The Rusty Scupper is very popular and quite expensive.
The Rusty Scupper
402 Key Highway
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-727-3678
selectrestaurants.com/rusty
