poss

I posted this under just "Baltimore" restaurants, and I realize almost all replies I'd get would be for in town eateries. Since my trip is coming up soon, I thought I'd better post more specifically. In short: would appreciate great restaurant recommendations for areas near Hopkins or Towson Universities. Thank you.

MaureenB

Near Hopkins U. are some simple restaurants, geared for student budgets. Two that we like are Donna's, which is on the corner of 31st and Charles St., I believe. It's a simple interior, but a very interesting menu and always good food and service. The other restaurant is Asian, Niwana (sp?, which is very close by, but I've forgotten the exact streets. It's on a cross street between St. Paul and Charles St., in Charles Village. I understand a new, upscale restaurant/bar has opened in Charles Village, but we haven't been back to Baltimore since it has opened.

Lots of restaurants in Towson proper. An especially good sushi restaurant is there, but I can't remember it's name! It's near the Sheraton North, and we got its name from the concierge there.
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poss

Thanks, Maureen. I did go to one of the Donna's on another trip to the area. I thought it was fine, but I'd like something a little more "upscale" this time. Doesn't need to be "fancy," but not a sushi place or cafe kind of thing this time. Any ideas? (I heard Towson has some new quite good restaurants?)

Judy24

Directly across the road from Hopkins (walking distance) is the Doubletree Inn at the Colonnade. They have a very nice restaurant setting which might be of interest to you. I just found out that it's just changed to the Spice Company. Although I haven't been to it, I went to the two prior restaurants in that location and they were both quite nice, so you might want to find out more about this.

MaureenB

If you want a really nice French restaurant, there's supposed to be one nearby. I'll ask my friend for the name and address and post it tomorrow.

basingstoke1

Live it up and go into B'more for dinner at Tio Pepe's. You will be glad you did. It features an upscale Spanish menu (as in Spain, not Mexico or Central America). Reservations are usually a must. Prices are on the high side, figure about $70 and up for two with a pitcher of Sangria. The white Sangria is exceptional. It is not all that far from the main Hopkins campus (which is nowhere near Towson). Not walking distance but not an expensive cab ride.

marginal_margiela

Near Hopkins is Gertrude's at the BMA. I recommend this place for eating outside in the museum's sculpture garden if the weather is nice. The food is highly regarded in Baltimore.

MerryTravel

I'm guessing the French restaurant Maureen is referring to Petit Louis in Roland Park. It's not walkable from Hopkins, but it's a short drive and the food is incredible (it's run by Cindy Wolf).

http://www.petitlouis.com/

poss

Thanks, everyone. I think we'll give Petit Louis a try. Had lunch there once a couple of years ago and weren't overly impressed, but I think I remember hearing that dinner is better there?
Tio Pepe: liked the food (esp the suckling pig), but would never go back-- one of the noisiest restaurants I've ever been in. Just impossible to have any real conversation.
Would still be interested in learning of good Towson restaurants. Good peaceful restaurants, not the "happening" places full of college age and 20-somethings.

basingstoke1

Poss- I agree that Tio Pepe does have a pretty high sound level. Those tables are really too close together - I guess its a testament to the restaurant's popularity. For me and many others, the food is worth it. Just the seafood part of the menu probably has more entrees than most seafood restaurants. My goal is to get through them all.

MaureenB

MerryTravel is correct in naming the French restaurant I was trying to remember.

If you are interested in Towson, you could call the Sheraton North and ask the concierge there for ideas.

We usually go downtown Baltimore for nice restaurants, like the Brass Elephant or Callie's. There are many to choose from if you want to head that direction. Good luck.
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Traveler2320

In Towson, I like Cafe Troia on Allegheny Avenue. It has great Italian food. I've only been there at lunch, and it draws a business crowd.

mich_mill

The Ambassador Dining Room has wonderful Indian food in a nice setting. It's right across the street (University Pkwy) from the Hopkins field.

http://www.ambassadordiningroom.com/aboutus.html

poss

I thought I'd report back. We had dinner at Petit Louis, and while we (3 of us) didn't think it was horrible, we know we'd not be interested ever in going back. The place was horribly noisy, for one thing. Two of our three appetizers were not hot, only lukewarm. And all 3 were just "ok"-- certainly nothing to write home about. Entrees all came properly heated, but were also (all 3) just "ok." Not bad, not great: We'd say about a "B-" Service was pleasant and the general atmosphere was also pleasant (nice mix of age groups and clothing styles) if it hadn't been for the noise level. One had literally to shout to be heard by tablemates-- which of course made everything noisier and noisier.

GeorgeW

The Washington Post restaurant critic, Tom Sietsema, raves about Charleston, a restaurant I haven't been to. If you like Mexican, I would recommend The Blue Agave on Federal Hill, just south of Harborplace.

poss

We've eaten at both of those restaurants and liked both a lot-- but they're nowhere near Towson or Hopkins University. Truly good retaurants though-- heads and shoulders above Petit Louis (imo)

MaureenB

This past weekend we had dinner at Spice Company, which is the new restaurant in the Doubletree Inn at the Colonnade. This is directly across the street from the Johns Hopkins U. lacrosse field. It's got a few kinks to work out to provide better service, but the menu and the food are good.