Baltimore MD
Jun 21, 2011 | 02:52 PM
#12
Teamspeed Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 790
From: The OC
Great post. Glad you liked the Monaco. I enjoyed it as well. Simple yet got the job done and was quiet. The places you went to eat look AWESOME and i will be most def going to them soon as Baltimore is close to my house. Does Charleston take reservations? You seem to know the chef there? Any info on getting a good table/reserv would be great.
I really wish I was there for longer to try out a few more restaurants. Maybe if I had a rental car so that I could get out of the city a little bit too, but I enjoyed the city very much.
Charleston does take reservations - I called in and it was simple and easy. It helps that I went on a weekday, but if you call enough in advance, as with all places, they shouldn't have a problem accommodating you. And I don't personally know the chef unfortunately (would be nice, she seems to own every nice restaurant in the city), I've just read a lot about her. The restaurant is highly acclaimed (Opinionated about Dining #9 on the Mid-Atlantic States restaurant list - Citronelle made #4), so it was an easy choice.
All things considered, it still doesn't surprise me that it's not super crowded - it's Baltimore (as opposed to LA, NY, DC, places where there's tons of people willing to drop $100+/p). So getting a reservation shouldn't be hard at all! Though, I'd probably still call a little in advance if it's going to be a weekend dinner. Oh and it doesn't hurt to go early and hang out at the bar either (good cocktails, awesome selection of liquors, etc).
Oh and when you get in, know that 5 courses (dessert is included in the meal, and doesn't count as one of the courses) is a LOT of food. Especially if you're getting heavy dishes. I could have (and probably should have) gone with 4. I'm not big on wine, but I'm sure the pairings are well thought out and compliment the dishes perfectly.
Jun 22, 2011 | 09:39 AM
#13
Thread Starter
| Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,214
From: Where the Grass is Greener
Thanks! Yeah the Monaco was quaint. I had to request a view though, almost was given a room facing a wall. That would have been nice, huh?
I really wish I was there for longer to try out a few more restaurants. Maybe if I had a rental car so that I could get out of the city a little bit too, but I enjoyed the city very much.
Charleston does take reservations - I called in and it was simple and easy. It helps that I went on a weekday, but if you call enough in advance, as with all places, they shouldn't have a problem accommodating you. And I don't personally know the chef unfortunately (would be nice, she seems to own every nice restaurant in the city), I've just read a lot about her. The restaurant is highly acclaimed (Opinionated about Dining #9 on the Mid-Atlantic States restaurant list - Citronelle made #4), so it was an easy choice.
All things considered, it still doesn't surprise me that it's not super crowded - it's Baltimore (as opposed to LA, NY, DC, places where there's tons of people willing to drop $100+/p). So getting a reservation shouldn't be hard at all! Though, I'd probably still call a little in advance if it's going to be a weekend dinner. Oh and it doesn't hurt to go early and hang out at the bar either (good cocktails, awesome selection of liquors, etc).
Oh and when you get in, know that 5 courses (dessert is included in the meal, and doesn't count as one of the courses) is a LOT of food. Especially if you're getting heavy dishes. I could have (and probably should have) gone with 4. I'm not big on wine, but I'm sure the pairings are well thought out and compliment the dishes perfectly.
I really wish I was there for longer to try out a few more restaurants. Maybe if I had a rental car so that I could get out of the city a little bit too, but I enjoyed the city very much.
Charleston does take reservations - I called in and it was simple and easy. It helps that I went on a weekday, but if you call enough in advance, as with all places, they shouldn't have a problem accommodating you. And I don't personally know the chef unfortunately (would be nice, she seems to own every nice restaurant in the city), I've just read a lot about her. The restaurant is highly acclaimed (Opinionated about Dining #9 on the Mid-Atlantic States restaurant list - Citronelle made #4), so it was an easy choice.
All things considered, it still doesn't surprise me that it's not super crowded - it's Baltimore (as opposed to LA, NY, DC, places where there's tons of people willing to drop $100+/p). So getting a reservation shouldn't be hard at all! Though, I'd probably still call a little in advance if it's going to be a weekend dinner. Oh and it doesn't hurt to go early and hang out at the bar either (good cocktails, awesome selection of liquors, etc).
Oh and when you get in, know that 5 courses (dessert is included in the meal, and doesn't count as one of the courses) is a LOT of food. Especially if you're getting heavy dishes. I could have (and probably should have) gone with 4. I'm not big on wine, but I'm sure the pairings are well thought out and compliment the dishes perfectly.
Aug 19, 2011 | 10:18 PM
#17
Teamspeed Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 183
I live in Baltimore and should be getting my grand prix press passes next week 
It's gonna be awesome, especially for car nuts like us. I really hope the negative press and unhappy residents don't ruin it for everyone. A few pics of the progress:
It's gonna be awesome, especially for car nuts like us. I really hope the negative press and unhappy residents don't ruin it for everyone. A few pics of the progress:
Aug 19, 2011 | 10:38 PM
#18
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,672
From: Philly burbs
thinking of going down for the day for the grand prix. was there a few months with family for a trip to inner harbor. stayed a few blocks in from inner harbor and its an interesting town when you venture off the path. Lots of colorful characters up to all sorts of colorful activities
Aug 21, 2011 | 05:05 PM
#20
Thread Starter
| Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,214
From: Where the Grass is Greener
thinking of going down for the day for the grand prix. was there a few months with family for a trip to inner harbor. stayed a few blocks in from inner harbor and its an interesting town when you venture off the path. Lots of colorful characters up to all sorts of colorful activities
Ah there you are. We are long overdue for a beer man. I still owe you for the PAZO recommendation from like 4 years ago LOL