I had some time to kill, so a colleague and I stopped by Ash Bar for a quick drink. The décor is…read morebeautiful, and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. The bartender was friendly, my colleague enjoyed a Tito's and club soda, and my French 75 was delicious. We didn't have time to try the food, but the experience was enjoyable enough that I'd definitely come back to check out the menu.

I visited Ash Bar for breakfast during my recent stay in Baltimore. I loved the art deco vibe and…read morebright lighting - it was a great place not only for a much-needed (hello jet lag) cup of coffee, but to spend some quality time on the ol' laptop while I waited for my breakfast order. There were lots of tempting things on the menu, but I ended up with my old fave: a 2-egg breakfast. Sometimes, you just need a couple of eggs, some toast, bacon, and potatoes to start the day. Am I right? My server was super friendly and the food came out hot and fast. I noticed they also have a very tempting pastry case which I'll plan to check out on my next visit! This is a great option if you're staying at the Ulysses - it's right next to the hotel lobby.

I really love this place! A group of my friends stopped here after Flower Mart in Mt. Vernon…read moreyesterday for a bite to eat. The space is dark and cozy. The food menu had a decent amount of variety but we all settled on the burger, which was delicious. The meat was juicy and the bun had a nice chewy texture. I had the super food salad as a side, which was also delicious. It had a kale base and an Asian/soy sauce dressing. I could've eaten another salad it was so good! The drinks were great quality too. The Amaro Daiquiri was my favorite. I also had a Frenchie, which was yummy. Service was solid as well. Can't wait to come back!

This place is an absolute gem and is one of the greatest values in the city. It's a hidden bar…read moredownstairs in a basement in mount vernon. With a speakeasy vibe, the service is quick and food is delicious. I would go here weekly if my waistline would allow it

Akbar was our go-to for Indian when we lived in Baltimore years ago. We were excited to revisit an…read moreold favorite while on a weekend getaway. We got in a bit late - 9pm ish on a Saturday. Even so, the place was empty, save for a pretty steady flow of Door Dashers. The ambiance was also much different than I'd remembered. I started to get nervous. Were we about to find that an old favorite had slid? GREAT NEWS - this place is still fantastic. We had vegetable samosas and chicken tikka masala. All were excellent, especially the entrees. As a bonus, our server mentioned just to ask for more rice if needed, no additional charge. Food was fantastic, portions were standard, service was attentive. We'll absolutely be back the next time we return to Charm City!

Tried Akbar for takeout last night for the first time and I've gotta say, of all the Indian spots…read moreon Charles St, this is probably my least favorite. It's not that it was bad necessarily, other places nearby are just better in my opinion. We ordered two chicken tikka masalas, garlic naan, and paneer pakora. I was disappointed to see, upon returning home, that they only gave us one side of rice for two orders of chicken tikka. That seemed a little strange to me especially since each order of chicken tikka was almost $20. The sauce had nice flavor but the chicken was tough and didn't fall apart like others I've had in the past. I would've preferred butter chicken but couldn't find it on their menu - maybe I just overlooked it or they have it listed under another name? The paneer pakora was OK, the breading was super thick and not crispy enough. The mint cilantro chutney it came with was unexpectedly spicy. I can handle my spice but I've just never had green chutney have that much of a kick to it. I didn't try the naan but my boyfriend said he's had better. All together it was $60 which seemed a little steep for what we got. The inside is surprisingly cute though and they do offer a lunch buffet. Would I return? Probably not just given the other options in the area.

Not sure how we waited this long to visit the Helmand but wow will definitely be a repeat visitor…read morebased on this first visit. My boyfriend's dad was visiting from out of town and we decided to take a chance and see if they had any spots open for a Friday night dinner for 3. They luckily did and we were lucky to find street parking right in front of the restaurant. The interior is done up very nicely with cultural decorative elements from the Afghani diaspora. Service was very fast and attentive and food did not take too long to get to us. I ordered the lamb shank with the raisin and carrot rice (as did my boyfriend's dad) and my boyfriend got the vegetable sampler. The lamb shank was so tender and the seasoning on it was so savory and complemented perfectly by the slightly sweet bursts of the raisins in the rice it came with. My boyfriends platter was also a smorgasbord of delicious looking veggie dishes. The prices are also very affordable in this neverending climate of higher prices for a nice meal out. Would absolutely recommend this place (I totally get why everyone raves about it) and will continue to visit in the future.

Made reservations but it didnt seem to matter, was not asked upon eventually greeting…read more The food was really good, came out super fast as well. I got the Shalgham challow but subbed the rice to the pillow and really enjoyedthe meal, good portion too. Also got that pumpkin appetizer which was good, but aside from the yogurt sauce, was just pumpkin, so wouldnt get again. I would visit again for the food.

Incredible atmosphere. The whole room was filled with pillars, statues, and old mirrors. The…read morehanging lights and A-frame ceiling makes me think the space used to be a church. The food was top notch and full of flavor. The menu had options across many cuisines and wasn't too expensive. The service was fast on account that there was only one server working. One of my favorite restaurants in all of Baltimore.

Interesting spot…read more Food- the food menu has an Asian influence and well seasoned. Our favorites were the salt and pepper chicken, beignets and fried rice. Drinks- cocktails/mocktails were tasty and creative and nice wine options. Vibe- definitely feels like a store and church and restaurant. The decor is simple and interesting and lots of unique pieces. Could be a cool space to rent out for an event. Pews and fun chairs, in addition to lots of mirrors and plants. Service-Aaliyah was wonderful. Attentive and gave great suggestions.

Unmatched views, chic decor, comfy seats, and attentive servers…read more I came in for a few drinks with a colleague. We didn't get any food but were allowed to sit at a 4-top by the window. It was a very pleasant time, and we enjoyed the view of beautiful Mount Vernon. Our server was very well-timed and attentive without being overbearing. I hadn't been there in a while, but l will make a point to come back again soon!

Baltimore, MD (Mount Vernon) - perched on the 14th floor of the Hotel Revival, Topside overlooks…read morethe Washington Monument and boasts stunning wrap-around views of the Baltimore skyline, with an aesthetic that's clean, bright and vibes modern-Deco. A respectably curated menu carries dishes that are inventively accessorized and beautifully plated, but the quality was somewhat hit or miss, and seems to aim for a level of upscale ambition that comes close but doesn't always quite match the intent in execution. I ordered the duck breast upon our server's recommendation and was happy with that choice, along with the creamy deviled crab. Others at my table seemed to enjoy their steak frites and the market fish special (walleye). The "artisanal" breads & spreads platter arrived on a lovely tea tray, but was far from luxe, I'm afraid, consisting of butter, yellow mustard, commercial-grade olive tapenade, thin jam, and an uninspired selection of dry breads. The Duchess of Bedford would roll over in her grave. Service was kind but rather slow, but if you're here to enjoy the view, you might appreciate the unharriedness. But this really is a gorgeous location for a meal or sunset cocktails. Topside's proximity to Meyerhoff Symphony Hall (home of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra) and the Lyric - both about a half mile away - also makes this an attractive pre-concert/theater spot to grab a bite or cocktail. Furthermore, it is located right by the Walters Art Museum and the George Peabody Library of the Peabody Institute, both worth visiting if you're killing time in the area.

I was in Baltimore for only a week and I heard it's an unwritten rule somewhere that while there…read moreyou MUST have a crab cake. The crab cake here did not disappoint. I didn't want to enjoy it as a sandwich so I picked a salad off the menu and they plated it perfectly. It's an 8oz crab cake but this was a generous 8 oz. The flavor was perfect and the crab very sweet. I enjoyed it with their Pear & Blue salad $14 which was a nice mixed of greens, a poached pear with blue cheese crumbles and candied walnuts. It was very agreeable. I did not plan on enjoying dessert until he said lemon bar, "Yes please!" The service was on point and I would definitely visit this local restaurant again if travels bring me to Baltimore. Thank you for a wonderful dinner.

This place was a treat! Stopped in during restaurant week, and on a lovely day when I could sit…read moreoutside. Charles St was a nice view with my meal and I enjoyed the people watching. My server was great! I placed my entire order up front: sparkling rose, French onion soup, the filet mignon, and a lemon bar. I was impressed with everything when it came out and I sampled it. The rose was refreshing, the soup was very filling, but I still smashed the steak when it arrived, lol! It was small yet well seasoned, perfect for a multiple course meal. And that lemon bar! It was good AND big! I ate about 2/3rds at this venue and had the rest as a midnight snack later. All win. Recommend.

Stopped in for a late night eat, and well it did the job. Didn't finish my meal, and didnt care to…read morepack it either. I don't think I would opt for it otherwise, think fried, fried and fried. Service was quick from ordering to having them shout tour order out though. The dining area gives cafeteria for sure, but thats just their vibe.

Not bad for a corner place to have some bites after drinking or a comedy show (like myself)…read more A huge menu for food and service is self order and you grab your own food. Seating is limited and it's pretty loud in here so -1 star on ambiance.

I had a great experience at Union Hill Craft Bar & Kitchen! The food was absolutely…read moreamazing--everything was fresh, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. The drinks were just as good, with a nice selection and great taste. The atmosphere was welcoming, and the service made the experience even better. I'll definitely be coming back and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great meal and delicious cocktails!

Union Hill Kitchen & Craft Bar is truly one of the gems of Baltimore. The food and cocktails feel…read moreintentionally crafted, and you can tell there is serious talent in that kitchen. From the shrimp carbonara to the steak to the craft cocktails, everything I've had has been excellent and consistently prepared with care. The bartenders are always warm and friendly, and the outdoor space is such a nice place to sit, eat, and enjoy a drink. The chef is easily one of the best I've experienced in the city. Just really, really good food and drinks every time.

A 3.5 but rounding up for local. Honestly, I hate buffets, but I did decently enjoy this lunch that…read moreI went to without understanding what I was doing. I had never tried Kumari in the past so I was excited to say something new and then learned upon sitting down that they offer buffet lunches on the weekends for about $18 all in. The service was really spectacular considering, and the tea was really delightful. Mango Lassi was too sweet. The space is quite large and they have seating on both sides of the restaurant. This is a no-frills restaurant and sometimes you have to grab silverware and napkins yourself but with two people working there and a restaurant full of people I thought the service was great. If you like a buffet, then I would very much recommend this place for you for Indian / Nepalese food.

My friends and I used to come here pretty frequently when I was a graduate student at Hopkins…read more Vaguely remember the food being great, and I used to look forward to the Masala chai. Came back for a weekend to show my husband around and thought it would be a good idea to check this place out again after so many years. Maybe the chef has changed or maybe my 25 year old had low standards - but the food wasn't good at all. Everything tasted just.. sweet. However, chai is still good and kheer wasn't too bad either. Still giving it 3 stars for all the good memories associated with it.