feb07b.indd


ACRL National Conference 
Larry Wilt 

Dining and nightlife in Baltimore 
Hot spots to visit near the Baltimore Convention Center 

Baltimore
 offers
 a
 wide
 range
 of
 eating
and
nightlife
options,
all
within
a
short

distance
of
the
Baltimore
Convention
Center.

They
 range
 from
 international
 fl
avor
 and

quality
to
“Bal’mer”
(or
“Bawlmer”
or
“Balti­
more”
to
“yew
outa
towners”—we
have
our

own
way
of
talking
here)
local
color
establish­
ments.
 These
 recommendations
 emphasize

the
 neighbor­
hoods
 that
 are

easily
 reached

from
 the
 Balti­
more
 Conven­
tion
 Center
 and

downtown
 ho­
tels.


Near the 
convention 
center 
Of
 course
 there

are
 fi
ne
 restau­
rants
 in
 all
 of

the
 major
 ho­
tels,
 and
 some

of
 their
 chefs,
 like
 Germain
 Haro
 at
 the

Marriott
Inner
Harbor,
have
won
prizes
for

their
creations,
but
we
should
focus
here
on

those
eating
spots
that
are
worth
the
effort

of
leaving
your
hotel.


There
 are
 a
 number
 of
 convivial
 sports

bars,
such
a
Pickles
Pub
($),
Sliders
($),
and

other
 small
 establishments,
 in
 sight
 of
 the

entrance
to
the
Camden
Yards
Orioles
Park,

where
one
can
get
a
sandwich.
The
Luna Del 
Sea
($$­$$$,
300
West
Pratt
Street,
410­752­
8383,
www.lunadelsea.com/)
is
right
across

from
the
convention
center.
Why
go
farther

for
a
quality
seafood
bistro?
It
also
offers
non­

Lexington Market, which has been in business since 1782. 
Credit: Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association. 

seafood
dishes
and
sandwiches.
The
Wharf 
Rat ($,
206
West
Pratt
Street,
410­244­8900,

www.thewharfrat.com/)
is
a
British
style
brew

pub
 with
 good
 food
 and
 very
 close
 to
 the

convention
center;
there
is
also
a
branch
at

801
S.
Ann
Street
in
Fells
Point.


A
few
blocks’
hike
north
on
Eutaw
Street

or
Paca
Street
will
get
you
to
the
Lexington 

Market
 (www.

lexingtonmarket.

com/),
which
has

been
in
continu­
ous
 operation

since
1782,
with

its
 food
 stalls

and
lots
of
local

characters.
Faid­
ley’s
 Seafood
 is

a
 star
 attraction

there.
 Or
 walk

up
 Green
 Street

to
 Donna’s
 cof­
fee
 shop
 ($)
 in

the
University
of

Maryland
Hospi­

tal
Lobby
(use
the
main
entrance
at
22
Green

Street)
and
walk
past
Edgar
Allan
Poe’s
grave

another
block
north.


At the Inner Harbor 
The
 Pratt
 Street
 Pavilion
 at
 Harborplace

has
several
restaurants
scattered
among
the

shops.
The
Light
Street
Pavilion
has
plenty
of

walk­up
fast
food
and
a
bit
of
seating.
It
also

has
 Phillips Harborplace
 ($$­$$$,
 410­685­

Larry Wilt is director of the library at University of 
Maryland-Baltimore County, e-mail: wilt@umbc.edu 
© 2007 Larry Wilt 

C&RL News February 2007  74 

mailto:wilt@umbc.edu
http:www.thewharfrat.com
http:www.lunadelsea.com


For music and dining, visit Power Plant Live. Credit:  Elizabeth 
Mengel. 

6600,
 www.phillipsseafood.com

/phillipsharborplace/)
 for
 seafood

and
 crabs.
 The
 Fudgery
 will
 en­
tertain
 you
 while
 you
 buy
 some

souvenir
fudge.


Comedy
clubs,
all
within
walk­
ing
 distance
 of
 the
 Inner
 Har­
bor,
 are
 The Comedy Factory at 
Burke’s Restaurant & Café
 (36

Light
 Street,
 410­547­7798,
 www.

baltimorecomedy.com/),
 which

also
 has
 good
 food
 ($­$$$);

Wi n c h e s t e r ’s  C o m e d y  C l u b  a t  
t h e  S h a m r o c k  P u b 
 ( 1 0 2 
 Wa ­
ter
 Street,
 410­576­8558);
 and

R a s c a l ’s  C o m e d y  C l u b  i n  t h e  
Power Plant (34
Market
Place,
410­545­0590,


www.rascalscomedyclub.com/Baltimore


/baltimore.html).



Just
 east
 of
 the
 Inner
 Harbor,
 you
 will

find
 plenty
 of
 entertainment,
 with
 eating

establishments
 scattered
 throughout.
 The

Power Plant Live
 (34
 Market
 Place,
 check

the
overview
at
www.powerplantlive.com/),

has
Cuban,
Cajun,
and
other
cuisines
among

the
standard
pub
grub,
as
well
as
music.
For

national
acts,
make
reservations
in
advance
at

Rams Head Live (www.ramsheadlive.com/).

To
eat,
drink,
and
think
sports,
try
the
ESPN

Zone
($,
601
East
Pratt
Street,
next
to
the
Na­
tional
Aquarium,
espnzone.com/baltimore/),

in
the
Power
Plant.
Also
in
the
Power
Plant

you
can
find
coffee,
light
lunch,
or
a
book
at

the
Barnes
&
Noble
bookstore
($).


Nearby,
Gardel’s
($$$,
29
S
Front
Street,

410­837­3737,
www.gardels.com/home.htm)

will
 give
 you
 dinner,
 or
 tapas
 in
 the
 bar,

with
 a
 bit
 of
 dancing
 later
 in
 the
 evening.

You
 might
 even
 be
 able
 to
 get
 a
 “drop­in

Salsa
lesson”
there
(www.dancingwithgrace.

com/baltimore­salsa­lessons.html).


South
 of
 the
 Inner
 Harbor,
 The
 Rusty

Scupper
($­$$)
would
be
good
for
lunch
or

drinks
 with
 a
 harbor
 view
 from
 the
 south

side
of
the
harbor.
If
the
American
Visionary

Art
Museum’s–Joy
Cafe
($$)
is
reopened
in

time,
with
its
great
harbor
view
and
creative

menu,
that
would
be
another
option.
A
bit

further
south,
heading
toward
Fort
McHenry,


fi
nd
 The Wine Market ($$$,
 921
 East
 Fort

Avenue,
 410­244­6166,
 www.the­wine

­market.com/).
 You
 can
 choose
 any
 of
 its

wine
 shop’s
 selections
 to
 accompany
 din­
ner,
 for
 a
 modest
 corking
 fee;
 the
 upscale

menu
 and
 warehouse
 ambiance
 will
 also

delight
you.


Federal Hill 
Going
 south
 from
 the
 Inner
 Harbor
 either

on
 Light
 Street
 or
 Charles
 Street,
 discover

a
 wide
 variety
 of
 restaurants
 and
 a
 large

number
of
bars,
some
with
music,
especially

concentrated
on
Cross
Street,
between
Light

and
Charles.
Check
the
Cross
Street
Market

($)
 for
 groceries
 or
 a
 stand­up
 meal
 while

you
 are
 exploring
 that
 neighborhood.
 Try

Spoons
($,
24
E.
Cross
Street)
for
great
cof­
fee
and
breakfast.
For
dinner,
the
Blue Agave 
($$,
 1032
 Light
 Street,
 410.576.3938,
 www.

blueagaverestaurant.com/)
 offers
 quality

Mexican
 food
 and
 an
 outrageous
 menu
 of


For online orientation 

•
 The
 Baltimore
 Convention
 Cen­
ter
 Web
 site,
 bccenter.org/,
 be
 sure
 to

look
 at
 the
 map
 at
 bccenter.org/about

/map.html.


•
 Baltimore’s
 tourism
 page,
 www.

baltimore.org/.


•
 The
 City
 Paper
 reviews,
 www.

citypaper.com/.


February 2007  75 C&RL News 

http:citypaper.com
http:baltimore.org
http:bccenter.org
http:blueagaverestaurant.com
http:market.com
www.the-wine
www.dancingwithgrace
www.gardels.com/home.htm
http:www.ramsheadlive.com
http:www.powerplantlive.com
www.rascalscomedyclub.com/Baltimore
http:baltimorecomedy.com
http:www.phillipsseafood.com


Tequilla
drinks;
Matsuri
($$,
1105
S.
Charles

Street,
next
to
the
Cross
Street
Market,
410­
752­8561,
www.matsuri.us/)
gets
Baltimore’s

“best
 sushi”
 rating.
 For
 an
 upscale
 eclectic

bistro
with
excellent
reviews,
peddle
over
to

The Bicycle ($$$,
1444
Light
Street,
410­234­
1900,
bicyclebistro.com/),
which
features
“18

Wines
@
$18/btl.”


North Charles/Mount Vernon 
Working
 your
 way
 up
 North
 Charles
 Street

from
the
Inner
Harbor:


Sotto Sopra
 ($$­
$$$,
 405
 N.
 Charles

Street,
410­625­2642,

www.sottosoprainc.

com/)
 offers
 fine

Italian
 cuisine
 in
 a

romantic
setting;
try

the
desserts
matched

with
wines.


T h e  H e l m a n d  
( $ $ , 
 8 0 6 
 N o r t h 

Charles
 Street,
 410­
7 5 2 ­ 0 3 1 1 , 
 w w w . 

helmand.com/)
 is

owned
 by
 a
 brother

of
 Hamid
 Karzai,
 the
 President
 of
 Afghani­
stan.
The
food
here
is
international
eclectic,

somewhat
Afghani,
and
a
great
value;
try
the

pumpkin
appetizer.



The Brewer’s Art ($­$$$,
1106
N.
Charles

Street,
 410­547­6925,
 www.belgianbeer.

com/),
 a
 Belgian­style
 brewpub
 with
 a

fine
 restaurant
 (dinner
 only)
 and
 set
 in
 a

townhouse,
 is
 rumored
 to
 have
 a
 former

librarian
as
an
owner.
Even
if
you
are
go­
ing
just
for
the
superb
beers,
at
least
try
the

garlic
fries
before
you
head
out
to
a
nearby

restaurant.


The
 Thai
 Landing
 ($$)
 is
 just
 a
 block

north
 of
 the
 Brewers
 Art,
 for
 those
 who

insist
on
reliable
Thai
food
after
a
Belgian

beer.
 Another
 few
 blocks
 north,
 you
 will

find
 Tapas Teatro
 ($$,
 1711
 N.
 Charles,

410­332­1229,
www.tapasteatro.net/),
which

offers
Spanish
Tapas
in
a
cozy
atmosphere.

Or,
going
a
half
block
south
from
the
Brew­
ers
Art,
you
will
reach
the
Belvedere
Hotel


Try the Belgian-style brewpub, The Brewer’s Art. Credit: 
The Brewer’s Art. 

(410­347­0888),
 which
 offers
 a
 great
 view

of
Baltimore
and
jazz
at
The
13th
Floor
(ask

in
 the
 lobby
 what
 floor
 it
 is
 on),
 and
 the

funky
Owl
Bar
($),
tucked
behind
the
hotel

lobby,
with
its
brick
oven
pizza.
Also
easily

reached
 from
 the
 Brewers
 Art
 is
 the
 Brass 
Elephant
($$­$$$,
924
N
Charles
Street,
410­
547­8480),
which
offers
Northern
Italian
and

contemporary
 American
 cuisine
 in
 an
 “old

Baltimore”
 Victorian/colonial
 India
 setting.

Just
off
Charles
Street
is
Tío Pepe’s
($$$,
10

E.
 Franklin
 Street,
 410­539­4675)
 a
 Spanish


Mediterranean
 fa­
vorite
 among
 Bal­
timoreans.
For
beef

lovers,
 there
 is
 the

P r i m e  R i b  s t e a k 

house
 a
 couple
 of

blocks
 east
 ($$$,

1 1 0 1 
 N . 
 C a l v e r t 

Street,
410­539­1804,

www.theprimerib.

com/).
 From
these

restaurants,
 closer

to
 the
 harbor,
 fi
nd

C l u b  O n e 
 ( 3 0 0 

E.
 Saratoga
 Street,


check
their
schedule
at
410­230­0049,
www.

onebaltimore.com/index1.htm)
 for
 happy

hour
or
a
variety
of
music
and
dancing.


Harbor East to Fells Point 
Going
 east
 from
 the
 harbor
 you
 fi
rst
 reach

Baltimore’s
“Little
Italy”
where
you
will
fi
nd

some
top
end
restaurants
such
as
the North-
ern Italian Boccaccio
 ($$$$,
 925
 Eastern

Avenue,
 410­234­1322,
 www.boccaccio­res­
taurant.com/).
 There
 are
 several
 other
 fi
ne

restaurants
near
it,
like
Aldo’s ($$$,
306
South

High
 Street,
 410­727­0700,
 www.aldositaly.

com/),
Chipparelli’s,
Ciao
Bella,
DaMimmo’s,

Della
Note,
and India Rasoi (411
South
High

Street,
410­385­4900),
the
best
Punjabi
Indian

Restaurant
 in
 Little
 Italy—good
 for
 veggies

and
non­veggies),
all
within
walking
distance

of
the
Inner
Harbor.
See
www.littleitalyres­
taurants.com/
for
more
information.
Consider

heading
 to
 Vaccaro’s Italian Pastry Shop 
($,
222
Albemarle
Street,
410­685­4905,
www.


C&RL News February 2007  76 

http:taurants.com
www.littleitalyres
www.aldositaly
http:taurant.com
www.boccaccio-res
www.theprimerib
http:www.tapasteatro.net
www.belgianbeer
http:helmand.com
www.sottosoprainc
http:bicyclebistro.com
http:www.matsuri.us


vaccarospastry.com/)
for
a
sinful
dessert
re­
gardless
of
where
you
have
dinner.


Visit Pazo Restaurant ($$­$$$,
 1425
 Alice­
anna
 Street,
 410­534­7296,
 www.pazorestau­
rant.com/)
 for
 Tapas­inspired
 delicacies
 with

a
 Mediterranean­influenced
 cuisine
 in
 stylish

atmosphere;
Baltimoreans
are
still
discovering

this
gem
that
is
on
the
way
to
Fells
Point.
Also

in
 this
 area,
 literati
 may
 enjoy
 the
 Irish
 food

and
ambiance,
with
music
most
nights,
at
The 
James Joyce Pub
($$,
616
President
Street,
410­
727­5107,
thejamesjoycepub.com/pub.html).


South
Broadway,
starting
about
four
blocks

north
of
the
water
at
Eastern
Avenue,
has
not
yet

been
dubbed
“Little
Hispania”
but
is
developing

into
a
center
for
Latin
American
restaurants.
Try,

for
 example,
 Restaurante Arcos
 ($$,
 129
 S.

Broadway,
410­522­4777)
and
there
are
several

others
nearby
where
they
hablan español.
Or

try
Cantonese,
Shanghai,
and
Szechuan
dishes

at
Ding How
($$,
631
S.
Broadway,
410­327­
8888)
You
can
relax
at
 Ze Mean Bean
(1739

Fleet
Street,
410­675­5999,
www.zemeanbean.

com/),
a
coffee
house
with
Eastern
European

cuisine,
wine
and
desserts.
For
a
nonsmoking

American­French
bistro,
try
the
Timothy Dean 
Bistro (1717
 Eastern
 Avenue,
 410­534­5650,

www.tdbistro.com/about.html).


At
 the
 high
 end,
 Fells
 Point
 offers
 the

acclaimed
 Charleston
 ($$$$,
 1000
 Lan­
c a s t e r 
 S t r e e t , 
 4 1 0 ­ 3 3 2 ­ 7 3 7 3 , 
 w w w . 

charlestonrestaurant.com/),
 Black Olive for

quality
 Greek
 organic
 ($$$­$$$$,
 814
 Bond

Street,
 410­276­7141,
 www.theblackolive.

com/),
 Kali’s Court Restaurant
 ($$$,
 1606

Thames
Street,
410­276­4700,
www.kaliscourt.

com/home.php)
for
Mediterranean­infl
uenced

dishes
with
great
seafood
choices,
and
Louisi-
ana
($$$,
410­327­2610,
www.louisianasrestau­
rant.com/home.html)
for
elegant,
Creole­style

southern
cuisine;
the
Antebellum­esque
setting

goes
perfectly
with
the
rich
menu
choices.
Try

the
crab
bisque.


There
 are
 too
 many
 bars
 to
 crawl
 in
 the

Fells
Point
neighborhood,
especially
on
Thames

Street
 and
 South
 Broadway.
 Some
 highlights

are:
 Bertha’s
 ($$,
 734
 S.
 Broadway,
 410­327­
5795,
 www.berthas.com/)
 for
 classic
 Bal’mer

atmosphere;
try
their
afternoon
tea
with
tarts


and
 scones;
 get
 an
 “Eat
 Bertha’s
 Mussels”

bumpersticker.
 The Full Moon Saloon
 ($,

410­276­6388,
 1710
 Aliceanna
 Street,
 www.

fullmoon­saloon.com/),
 serves
 up
 live
 blues

and
pub
food
seven
nights
per
week;
The Cat’s 
Eye Pub
($,
1730
Thames
Street,
pronounced

“theyms”
here,
410­276­9866,
www.catseyepub.

com/)
offers
pub
food
with
zydeco,
blues,
etc.,

in
an
Irish
Pub
setting,
across
from
the
outdoor

setting
of
the
television
show Homicide: Life on 
the Street.
The
young
and
daring
might
gravi­
tate
 to
 The Horse You Came In On
 ($,
 1626

Thames
Street
410­327­8111,
horsesaloon.com/)

or
Max’s
($,
737
S.
Broadway,
410­675­6297,

www.maxs.com/),
which
has
more
beer
taps

than
anyone
needs.


Of
course
we
cannot
overlook
Fells
Point’s

brew
pubs:
The Wharf  Rat ($,
branch
location

at
801
South
Ann
Street,
410­276­9034),
and
Du-
Claw
($,
901
S.
Bond
Street,
410­563­3400).
If

you
are
still
bumping
around
this
neighborhood

the
next
morning
or
as
late
as
3
p.m.,
stop
at

the Blue Moon Café ($,
1621
Aliceanna
Street,

410­522­3940)
for
breakfast;
it
is
also
nice
for

lunch
daily,
for
after
11
p.m.
dinner
on
Fridays

and
Saturdays,
and
for
vegetarian
selections.


The
Broadway
Market,
in
the
heart
of
Fells

Point,
is
good
for
a
sandwich
or
snack.
Closer
to

the
Inner
Harbor,
you
can
find
quality
groceries

and
 sandwiches
 at
 the
 Whole Foods Market 
(1001
Fleet
Street).


Steamed
crabs
and
crab
cakes
are
Bal’mer

specialties.
 To
 get
 these
 in
 a
 Bal’mer
 atmo­
sphere,
try
Obrycki’s
($$,
1727
E.
Pratt
Street,

410­732­6399,
www.obryckis.com/obr/stores/1/

index.cfm)
just
past
Broadway.
And,
somebody

has
whispered
that
you
can
get
a
better­than­
pub­grub
crab
cake
at
Duda’s Tavern
($,
1600

Thames
 Street,
 410­276­9719),
 also
 good
 for

burgers
and
kegs
of
quality
brews.


Just
 east
 of
 Fells
 Point,
 newly
 trendy

Canton
 has
 recently
 developed
 as
 a
 center

of
 entertainment
 and
 restaurants.
 It
 is
 reach­
able
by
water
taxi
or
land
taxi.
On
O’Donnell

Square,
 try Helen’s Garden ($$­$$$,
 410­276­
2233,
 www.helensgarden.com/V2/)
 for
 great

food
 and
 stellar
 wines
 in
 a
 relaxed
 setting,

Mama’s on the Half  Shell ($$­$$$,
 www.

mamasonthehalfshell.com/)
 for
 a
 laid
 back


February 2007  77 C&RL News 

http:mamasonthehalfshell.com
www.helensgarden.com/V2
www.obryckis.com/obr/stores/1
http:www.maxs.com
http:horsesaloon.com
www.catseyepub
http:fullmoon-saloon.com
http:www.berthas.com
www.louisianasrestau
www.kaliscourt
www.theblackolive
http:charlestonrestaurant.com
www.tdbistro.com/about.html
www.zemeanbean
http:rant.com
www.pazorestau
http:vaccarospastry.com


seafood
 place
 with
 a
 good
 atmosphere,

or
 Birches
 ($$­$$$,
 410­276­3160,
 www.

birchesrestaurant.com/)
 for
 contemporary

American
cuisine
with
an
inviting
and
comfort­
able
setting.
Both
football
fans
(there
is
a
TV
at

each
booth)
and
Alabama­style
barbeque
fans

will
like
Ray
Lewis’ Full Moon Bar-B-Que
($$,

2400
Boston
Street,
410­327­5200).
The Austin 
Grill ($$,
 410­534­0606,
 www.austingrill.com)

is
a
Tex
Mex
place
at
the
same
location;
it
has

music
on
Fridays
and
Saturdays,
usually
after

9
p.m.


Farther afield, but worth the trip 
If
you
get
north
to
36th
Street
in
colorful
Hamp­
den,
a
funky,
artsy
shopping
opportunity
near

The
John
Hopkins
University
campus,
try
Café 
Hon
($­$$,
1002
W.
36th
Street
410­243­1230,

www.cafehon.com/)
 for
 Bal’mer
 atmosphere

and
 flavor
 (Web
 site
 includes
 a
 primer
 on

“Bawlmerese”
 language).
 Across
 the
 street

is
 Suzie’s Soba 1 ($$,
 1009
 W.
 36th
 Street,

410­243­0051),
 which
 offers
 a
 creative
 menu

of
 fusion
 Asian
 dishes,
 especially
 featuring
 a


variety
of
noodles
and
some
very
nice
desserts.

Next
 door
 at
 Grill Art
 ($$­$$$,
 1011
 W.
 36th

Street,
410­366­2005),
you
can
do
sandwiches,

an
entrée­sized
salad,
or
a
full
dinner.
A
funky

atmosphere
and
a
“New
Mexico
meets
Far
East”

menu
 will
 intrigue
 you
 at
 the Golden West 
Café
($­$$,
1105
W.
36th
Street,
410­889­8891,

goldenwestcafe.com/),
just
a
block
away;
try

the
polenta
or
the
chorizo
burritos—breakfast

is
served
all
day.


The
 Baltimore
 Museum
 of
 Art
 has

Gertrude’s
 ($$­$$$,
 410­889­3399,
 www.

johnshields.com/restaurant/rest/gertrudes.html)

for
the
after­museum
lunch
or
dinner
or
try
their

brunch
on
Saturday
or
Sunday.


Note on reservations: Be
 sure
 to
 reserve

ahead.
Some
of
the
more
popular
places
may

be
booked
two
weeks
to
a
month
in
advance,

especially
when
a
conference
is
in
town.


And
 finally,
 when
 all
 else
 fails,
 ask
 a
 li­
brarian:
 There
 are
 many
 other
 worthwhile

restaurants
in
the
Bal’mer
area;
just
fi
nd
some

local
librarians
at
the
conference
and
get
them

started.


Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College, 
ranked among the nation’s top five schools of 
education, offers innovative summer programs 
for education professionals. 

The
2007
Summer
Institute
for


Academic
Library
Leadership



July
8-12,
2007


Nashville,
Tennessee



For additional information or to begin an 
application for consideration as a summer 
fellow, view our Web site at peabody.vanderbilt. 
edu/ALL07.xml or contact us at (615) 343­6222. 

PPI has a limited number of IMLS­funded 
scholarships available for librarians from under­
represented groups. 

For priority consideration, applications are due by 
March 1, 2007. 

C&RL News February 2007  78 

http:goldenwestcafe.com
http:www.cafehon.com
http:www.austingrill.com
http:birchesrestaurant.com