DMG

I'm going to be eating dinner alone one night in Baltimore. I'd like to know the name of some good moderate-expensive restaurants where I could go in casual clothes for a great meal. I don't want Chinese, Thai, or Indian, and I'd prefer not going to a chain such as Morton's or Roy's. Some place within walking distance of Inner Harbor or Little Italy would be best but if I had to take a short cab ride, that would be okay too. Your advise would be appreciated.

GeorgeW

Let me suggest the Blue Agave in Federal Hill. It is a wonderful Mexican restaurant at which my wife and I ate twice while my son was convalescing from open-heart surgery at Johns Hopkins. An entree and a beer will run you $15-25 depending on what you get.

Budman

Amicci's in Little Italy. Great food, reasonable price. They have a shrimp/garlic sauce Pane Rotundo that's out of this world. Amiccis.com

MerryTravel

I second Blue Agave. Very good food and margaritas, and much more upscale than what you usually think of when you hear Mexican.

Kerry392

My husband travels to Baltimore frequently for business and always goes to Sabatino's in Little Italy. He sometimes goes twice in one week! I have eaten there once and it is delicious!

Sheryl

I third Blue Agave and second MerryTravel's description of it! I also suggest La Scala and La Tavola in Little Italy, Vespa in Federal Hill (near Blue Agave), or if you want to take a cab to Fells Point, Ze Mean Bean Cafe offers great Slavic food.

DMG

Thanks for the replies. I don't really care that much for Mexican so I'll probably go to an Italian place.

Also Where are the best crab cakes in ttown?

katiekb

I know I am in the minority but I don't like Blue Agave. I think the best crab cakes in town are at Speakeasy in Canton, but that would be a bit out of your way maybe. Amicci's is I think the best for the price in Little Italy. Its nothing special, but is tasty. We usually eat in Federal Hill, which is walking distance to the Inner Harbor. What do you like?
-Katie

dcdame

Best crabcakes -- hands down, IMO, is from Faidley's Seafood in Lexington Market, but it's not a sit-down restaurant -- so, if you can do lunch, go there & enjoy the local flavor (you can easily reach it via the subway -- go to Lexinton market from either the Shot Tower stop (2 stops away) or the Charles Center stop (1 stop away). Go to www.faidleyscrabcakes.com for details re the food.

For a moderate-priced casual Italian restaurant in Little Italy,
I'm partial to La Scala (mid-priced):

http://www.lascaladining.com/

dcdame

Oops, during my editing of what I orignally wrote, I neglected to change my verb ("is" should be "are"). I know it's obvious, but I hate "sounding" like an idiot.

DMG

I don't plan to go to the take out place so where I can I sit down and get a good crab cake near Inner Harbor? As a Chicagoan, I thought the crab cakes were a specialty in Baltimore. Maybe I was under the wrong impression.

La Scala and La Tavola are sounding good!

kakalena

If you're going to Little Italy don't miss Vacarro's bakery.

jiffer

Sabatinos has great food. My husband and I live in Baltimore and we eat at Sabatinos every modnth or two. In down town Baltimore it is hard to find a great crab cake place. If you are willing to travel 15 minutes outside of the city there are some great places. There is one palce in Glen Burnie call Romanos that have great crabcakes. Several other good places to try are G&M's by BWI airport and the Rusty Scupper which is a water taxi ride from the inner harbor and they have a wonderful waterfront view.

katiekb

Check the DC crab cake thread. There are lots of Baltimore places suggested. Everyone has their favorites, but I think most locals won't include Phillips on that list-the most prominent Harbor seafood place. Also, you can check the Baltimore Sun's dining section at www.baltimoresun.com.
-Katie