Baltimore

Dining at Charleston's is so decadently magnificent it borders on obscene. — BlackBook

Tapas are big in Baltimore -- and as pretty as Sascha's is, the food here is even better. — Frommer's

Occasions big and small draw boisterous revelers who want to party in Spanish --- this is one place you can laugh long and loud and no one will arch an eyebrow. — Gayot

Inexpensive yet tasty fare in the heart of Little Italy. — Gayot

The Afghani dishes at this Mount Vernon family restaurant are many a Baltimorean's go-to comfort food. — Tasting Table

Lovely French bistro with expansive menu. — Not For Tourists

Sabatinos IS Little Italy, if you've only got one shot to get the flavor of Little Italy go with Sabatino's it's an offer you can't refuse. — BlackBook

With amazing pancakes, omelets, and French toast, this upscale cafe has become the go-to destination for unbeatable breakfast and brunch. — Fodor's

Chef and cookbook author John Shields has created a restaurant filled with local delights -- making this place a destination in itself. — Frommer's

Fancier fare includes pan-seared duck breast with whisky-braised apple sauce and grilled halibut with cilantro-garlic butter. — Gayot

Johnny's is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a menu filled with old-fashioned goodness. — Frommer's

At this little hole in the wall, they know how to make a perfect pizza: soft chewy crust, tomatoey sauce, and the right amount of gooey cheese. — Frommer's

This romantic little Indian restaurant tucked behind an apartment lobby near the Johns Hopkins Homewood campus offers a menu of classics like chicken vindaloo, lamb saag and Goan fish. — Tasting Table

“Swimmingly fresh” fish is whisked from the ice display to be “prepared simply and beautifully” in the “delectable Greek style” before being filleted tableside. — Zagat

It’s easy to “fill up on beer” because the “housemade” Belgian-style brews are “affordable and delicious” at this “bohemian bourgeois paradise” in Mt. Vernon. — Zagat

Eastern European. More than a coffeehouse, with meaty dishes and live music. — Not For Tourists

A "young", "upbeat crowd" claims this Federal Hill sushi spot as a "local" go-to for "first-rate", "decently" priced raw and cooked Japanese eats served at a "good tempo". — Zagat

Powerful range of Mexican cooking, from the playful flavors of Tijuana to the sophistication of Mexico City to the piquant seasoning of Oaxaca. — Gayot