It's here -- Baltimore Restaurant Week! Here are the basics: it's a 10 day affair in which over 100 restaurants are participating. They're offering special, multi-course meals for $12-$35. As your average college student, always on the lookout for a good deal and craving good food after a year of cafeteria goodies, it sounds nearly irresistible. I've asked around for the best restaurants participating in Restaurant Week, and I'd like to present a list of fifteen restaurants which you should try this week.
BRUNCH
Miss Shirley's Café
Start off your morning in the Inner Harbor with a two-course meal for $15. Try some steel-cut oats and a custom omelette. Miss Shirley's Cafe also has a dinner menu for $35. (Note: weekends are excluded from the Restaurant Week deal).
Encantada
Grab a three-course brunch for $20 in Federal Hill! Encantada offers a vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options as well.Alma Cocina Latina
Located in Canton, Alma Cocina Latina is one of the few Latin American restaurants participating in Restaurant Week. For brunch, they're offering corn cachapa and churros for $20.
Aggio
Try a three-course Italian brunch for $20. Located in the Inner Harbor, Aggio is offering some delicious options like a carrot, ricotta, pine nut & citrus gremolata.LUNCH
Sotto Sopra
Found in Federal Hill, Sotto Sopra will be offering delicious contemporary Italian cuisine for $15. I've heard the grilled salmon is amazing!
Cava Mezze
Head down to Federal Hill for a $15 three-course dinner, complete with salads/dips, vegetables, and a meat/seafood entree.Ciao Bella
A charming restaurant in Little Italy, Ciao Bella is offering some delicious lobster ravioli as well as clam casino and cannolis for $15.
BlueStone Restaurant
Grab a 2-course seafood meal up in Lutherville-Timonium for $13-19. It's a little far, but the crab cakes and yellowfin tuna poke salad are worth the journey.
DINNER
Le Garage Bar & Bistro
Try something French in Hampden at Le Garage. They're offering a three-course meal for $35, and their desserts sound delicious - coffee crème brulee, coco profiteroles, and apricot sorbet!
Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse
Have you ever been so hungry that you thought to yourself "I'm gonna have to eat every f--ing chicken in this room"? (Game of Thrones, anyone?) Go down to the infamous Fogo de Chão in the Inner Harbor, where you can eat enough meat to comprise a herd of cattle and top it off with some soups, salads, and desserts. They'll be offering their unique experience at the discounted price of $35 this week.
Birroteca
Find a three-course Italian dinner in Woodberry for $35. Nominated by Baltimore Magazine as one of Baltimore's best restaurants, Birroteca will be offering their famous spaghetti and meatballs in their Restauran Week menus. (Note: weekends are excluded from the Restaurant Week deal).
Roy's of Baltimore
Head to Harbor East for Roy's Hawaiian Fusion, an Asian-themed restaurant which is offering a three-course dinner for $35. Their hibachi grilled salmon is great, and although their chocolate souffle isn't on their Restaurant Week menu, I would highly recommend trying it anyways.
Brewer's Art
Have a hearty, three-course meal in Mt. Vernon for $33 at Brewer's Art. The appetizers themselves sound like full meals - braised beef belly, crispy fairytale eggplant, the list goes on...
City Café
Find a three-course dinner for $35 in Mount Vernon at City Café, where you can try the mysterious "Something Vegan" and a delicious Double Chocolate Pot de Crème.
Corner Charcuterie Bar
Located in Hampden, Corner Charcuterie Bar is the place for some delicious wild boar or duck. Also named as one of Baltimore's best restaurants by Baltimore Magazine, Corner Charcuterie will be offering a three-course dinner for $35 this week.
Restaurants from all neighborhoods and of all cuisines are participating in Restaurant Week. It's a great way to try amazing food at an affordable rate and get to know the city of Baltimore a little better! Find a full list of restaurants and menus at www.baltimorerestaurantweek.com.