Cringo

Stayed at the Holiday Inn Baltimore -- Inner Harbor, March 2008. The stadium was about 2 block away. It was under $150, $18 a night for parking AND the Holiday Inn is great -- location, service, clean. I cannot say anything negative about my stay there!

KarenL

Days in is fine. DH and I stayed there last June when we went to an Orioles/Yankee game. Short walk to the ballpark.

It was clean and the regular room was a decent size. Not the Ritz but fine.

Have fun the Ballpark is beautiful.

JJ5

Well, we are a 5 to 8 block walk wherever we go, but I don't mind.

And I got FABULOUS tickets for the second game on ebay from a season ticket holder.

My Sox are off to a topnotch start and Baltimore is not doing shabby either- so we will probably see some excellent ball. Buhrle is pitching today so I will probably not see him in Baltimore.

Since we got Swisher and Crede is back, we can't do wrong. And Swisher is a gem- he dyed a bunch of the guys gottees blond with Revlon Frost and Tip. Bobby Jenks looks really funny- like a striped bear.

They are having fun and we are going to have great weather.

If all goes as planned and I get there, I will write a good trip report.

JJ5

We got Lord Baltimore Radisson for $98 a day on Priceline- for 4 days- so I am happy- in case I didn't post that on this thread.

Yesterday we had 2 grand slams in one game and it was about 38 degrees out. So we ARE warmed up! LOL!

LN

Cybor

Here's some of Baltimore's Li'l Italy restaurants. Sabatinos used to be great but not so sure lately.

Wherever have some dessert at Vaccaro's later or some Italian gelato.

1. Boccaccio

925 Eastern Ave, Baltimore, MD 21202 · 410-234-1322


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Avg. Entrée: $$$16 - $30
Reservations: Recommended
Dress: BCBC: Business Casual

Outdoor Dining: None
LITTLE ITALY. Baltimore's Little Italy is lined with fabulous dining opportunities, but this one is continually heralded as the best of the best. The elegant, candlelit decor makes it a prime setting for romantic evenings, though you are just as likely to see business meetings and casual get-togethers occurring here. Every one loves the impeccable service, the beautiful presentation, and of course, the food. Sit next to the lovely marble fireplace and feast on one of numerous fresh pastas, a tender steak Florentine, and mouthwatering veal scaloppini. The daily specials take advantage of the bounty of each season.

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2. Aldo's

306 S High St, Baltimore, MD 21202 · 410-727-0700


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Avg. Entrée: $$$$31 - $50
Reservations: Required
Dress: B, BCB: Business
BC: Business Casual

Outdoor Dining: None
LITTLE ITALY. A narrow two-story foyer, flanked with Italianate arches and elegant white columns, adjoins this attractive dining room. The menu emphasizes healthy, flavorful preparation techniques and fresh, seasonal ingredients. Start off with the shrimp St. Andrea with lobster saffron mashed potatoes and tomato garlic butter, and then select a lovely plate of steak, pasta, fish or veal for your main course. Excellent wine list.

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3. La Scala of Little Italy

1012 Eastern Ave, Baltimore, MD 21202 · 410-783-9209


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Avg. Entrée: $$$16 - $30
Reservations: Recommended
Dress: BCBC: Business Casual

Outdoor Dining:
This Little Italy kitchen serves up lovely Italian cuisine and delights guests with an impressive wine list and hip cocktails. The antipasto originale, an appetizer platter of olives, cheeses and prosciotto, will whet your appetite for a scrumptious meat or pasta dish. Splurge for the New Zealand lobster tail, simmered in spicy tomato sauce and served over angel hair pasta.

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4. Sotto Sopra

405 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21201 · 410-625-0534


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Avg. Entrée: $$$16 - $30
Reservations: Recommended
Dress: CC: Casual

Outdoor Dining: None
MT VERNON. For a memorable meal and contemporary atmosphere, this elegant Italian restaurant is a must. Flickering candles and minimalist decor create a uniquely romantic environment, and the terrific menu never fails to disappoint. Sample unique creations such as veal in tuna and anchovy sauce, thin pappardelle pasta with wild boar, or homemade duck ravioli with truffle oil. Amazing desserts include classic tiramisu and a rich vanilla crème brûlée. An extraordinary wine list and perfect service make an evening at Sotto Sopro an extravagant treat. Reservations recommended.

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5. La Tavola

248 Albemarle St, Baltimore, MD 21202 · 410-685-1859


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Avg. Entrée: $$$16 - $30
Reservations: Available
Dress: BCBC: Business Casual

Outdoor Dining: None
LITTLE ITALY. Most Little Italy restaurants have been around for years, so this one is a relative newcomer, but it has perfected its menu of modern Italian favorites and has earned praise for its simple, contemporary decor. Pastas and seafood are the specialties of the house, and patrons should make sure they sample both during a meal here. Try the heaping, homemade pasta topped with a unique sauce made with raisins, pine nuts, and spinach, combined in nutmeg-infused cream sauce. The crab-stuffed ravioli, fresh grilled salmon, and veal scallopini all get rave reviews, as does the flawless service.

$10 Dining Certificate for only $3 »
$25 Dining Certificate for only $10 »

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6. Amicci's

231 S High St, Baltimore, MD 21202-4473 · 410-528-1096


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Avg. Entrée: $$$16 - $30
Reservations: Available
Dress: BCBC: Business Casual

Outdoor Dining: None
LITTLE ITALY. Little Italy is full of excellent, authentic dining options, but this one has carved out a niche for its friendly hospitality and its simple but flavorful cuisine. Ample portions of pastas, meats and seafood are generously ladled with the excellent, robust tomato sauce and plenty of melting cheese. Sample ziti la rosa, full of tasty sautéed shrimp, or the sweet, hearty sausage Marsala. The restaurant has several small dining rooms divided by hallways, giving an intimate feel to the space. If you have any room left after all that feasting – most don't – the cannoli is a worthwhile indulgence.

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7. Da Mimmo

217 S High St, Baltimore, MD 21202 · 410-727-6876


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Avg. Entrée: $$$16 - $30
Reservations: Recommended
Dress: BCBC: Business Casual

Outdoor Dining: None
LITTLE ITALY. This glitzy Little Italy outpost steps up the elegance without sacrificing authentic charm. Perfect for romantic occasions or impressive business meals, this candlelit favorite has been pleasing patrons for more than 20 years. The pastas are hearty and innovative, with options like lobster tertrazzinia and seafood-stuffed tortellini, but it's the massive veal chop that makes patrons gasp when it's delivered to the table. It's as flavorful as it is massive. NB They also offer complimentary limo to and from the restaurant.

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8. Sammy's Trattoria

1200 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD · 410-837-9999


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Reservations: Recommended
Dress: BCBC: Business Casual

Outdoor Dining: None
MT VERNON. What's not to like about this charming corner dining room? Mustard walls, large windows, dark wood floors and a stunning bar adorn the interior, and the kitchen delivers artfully presented plates of pasta, veal, fish and more. Start off with shrimp bruschetta, then for your main course try the duck ravioli or veal tenderloin with a bottle of imported wine.

$25 Dining Certificate for only $10 »

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9. Dalesio's of Little Italy

829 Eastern Ave, Baltimore, MD 21202 · 410-539-1965


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Avg. Entrée: $$$16 - $30
Reservations: Recommended
Dress: BCBC: Business Casual

Outdoor Dining:
LITTLE ITALY. Now this is something different – Italian health food! Located among "richer" Little Italy eateries, D'Alesio's features spa cuisine that packs a nutritional wallop without sacrificing flavor or satisfaction. The excellent wine list, lovely Victorian-style dining room, idyllic balcony and great harbor views draw crowds looking for romantic yet unpretentious ambience. Try flavorful shrimp marinara, light duck ravioli, or whole-wheat pasta topped with sautéed chicken, mushrooms, and sundried tomatoes. Nutritional information is provided for each dish, so dig in without guilt.

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10. Sabatino's

901 Fawn St, Baltimore, MD 21202 · 410-727-2667


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Avg. Entrée: $$$16 - $30
Reservations: Available
Dress: BC, CBC: Business Casual
C: Casual

Outdoor Dining: None
LITTLE ITALY. A traditional favorite for years, this Little Italy restaurant's enjoys the patronage of dedicated locals. Start off with one of their terrific, if addictive, salads, generously topped with the special house dressing. Then move on to classic dishes like light and airy gnocchi, cheese-topped baked manicotti, and huge plates of rich fettuccini Alfredo. Great veal and seafood dishes are available as well. Sop up any extra sauce with a slab of fresh garlic bread, and you are sure to leave with your appetite sated. Perfect for meals after shows or events, thanks to the latest hours in the area.

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LN

Forgot to say

Baltimore has wonderful crabs - black pepper seasoning!! yummmmm!!

Try some restaurants in Fells Point and use the water taxi cause its a fun way to get around.

JJ5

LN, thank you, much! I will print this out tomorrow.

I wish I was going to be there longer than I can be, but I think we are going to hit glorious weather too.

I will eat some crab, crab cakes and some lobster. And go to Little Italy too.

tchoiniere

JJ5, enjoy your trip.

WannabeinaMontserrat

Check out the Fells Point area as well. The Admiral Fells Inn may work.

LN

Alas!!

Maryland is NOT known for lobster - only blue crab!! Boston is!!

Have a great visit!!

cybor

LN,
Great info. have you eaten at any of the above? Sabatano's perhaps?

Should I reserve soon as I'm starting to believe that when the Red Sox come to town it's a pain getting into a good restaurant - true?

JJ5,
I believe you're staying in the Inner Harbor area - how are you getting to Mt.Vernon?
Did you figure out how you'll be getting to the hotel from the airport. I know there's a shuttle but it's not cheap and looks like it may make a million stops.
I'm planning on calling the hotel I'm staying at (Days Inn Inner Harbor) to see what they suggest.

LN

Hi again

I've eaten at Sabatino's, Amiccis, and Da Mimmo's. They are all good and great Italian cooking!! I also ate at a place (Chiapparelli's ???) but not sure of the name.

Light rail is available from BWI to Baltimore and if you do a search you can find the routes. Most likely you can take that to the hotel. Sometimes the hotel provides a shuttle.

I'm not certain of how to get to Mt Vernon as I live south of the city in Annapolis.

cybor

Thanks LN, You're a gem

JJ5

I know that they aren't known for their lobster but I have a place in mind that has that with a combo of crab and crab cake (singular) that I have heard is the "best"- but it is about 3 blocks East of anyplace we are going to be actually, so it might not happen with all your good suggestions, LN. It's Obryck's in Fell's Point.

We may end up eating mid afternoon near Fell's, in Little Italy etc. on the game days, and/or quite late on Friday. We usually don't eat more than 2 times a day, to tell you the truth, ever.

cybor, we looked into the shuttle and we are going to take a cab from/to the airport. It was the only discussion of more than 3 minutes we had. My SO is more cab averse than I am- we have gotten some crazies a few time, especially in Boston by that big dig about 8 or 9 years back now. We actually were considering the MARC too, but we don't have enough time in Baltimore overall this time, to mess around, IMHO. These baseball trips are getting shorter, but better than not going at all.

I can see all this in nearly 4 days, I'm sure. This includes Fort McHenry, Fell's Pt., Federal Hill, Little Italy, and the Inner Harbor.
Aquarium at the later for sure, and possibly one other (Science) if we don't lag at the Aquarium. We have been to about 8 Aquariums in the USA and Europe and we like Chicago's about 2nd- so I'm pretty sure we can move in the Aquarium without feeling rushed. 2 baseball games, and I have good tickets to each- so we just show up. But I do have privilege to enter early and see the players/batting practice in that near field ticket section on the 17th.

We usually walk it all, but I have a feeling this time we are going to want to use cabs and public transport at times, because we are going to be moving too quickly to get most in otherwise. Walters is only 3 blocks from the hotel, so I might get there for an hour or two as well- probably solo and early morning. I bet I don't shop at all unless I need something. I would have liked one more day- but too many issues and sick people too. Well, the bird is glad anyway- he only goes to visit the other birds for 4 days instead of a week.

But I will have fun, and I do believe I am for once not going to bring snow, rain, sleet, or cold with me, as I usually do for every Southern or Eastern trip of many years. I actually in March two years ago brought the 40's, rain in buckets and a short frost to South FL for nearly a week, LOL!

I have a feeling Baltimore will be much like vast regions of Chicago, and that my general all around
city-hater SO will like it, as he LOVED D.C. too- because you need not dress and it is not overally GQ land- lots of regular schlubs' mix.

The other real maybe and I'm working on how I'm going to fit that in today is getting to that cafe where Laura Lippman writes. I think it is entirely possible too.

I have a feeling Mt. Vernon is going to be the omit. But that's ok. It's a good thing that the Maryland Zoo is 4 miles away- because this is a super zoo person and that would take a whole day. But we were just in D.C. in Feb. '07
and this area is one we are going to return to soon, I know it. Possibly D.C.,VA, MD, NC, SC combo on a drive trip, our favorite actually, as soon as I'm in MI prime time.

I'm working too on one more baseball trip this year. But next year in May or June it will be Minneapolis, Arlington, or Seattle for a baseball trip. Probably one of the first two as Seattle time frame and airfares are both nasty, unless it falls a lot different than the pattern of scheduling these last 2 years has.

THANK YOU all, and look for my trip report here.

Go White Sox!

Just in case the weather changes, I have my W.SOX knit stocking cap handy though.