The über-cool, barn-chic — think rustic wood and stone — Artifact Coffee, 1500 Union Ave., 410-235-1881, capitalizes on the top-notch coffee service offered at big brother Woodberry Kitchen, and adds breakfast, lunch, and (soon) dinner to the mix. The baristas look like they’ve stepped out of a production of Oklahoma! with their farm dresses and Little-Boy-Blue shirts and trousers, but the service is professional and friendly. The pour-over coffee ($3.50) is a must.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House at Pier 5 hit on a brilliant idea when it took over the outdoor deck once occupied by Pizzazz Tuscan Grille. The upscale restaurant is now able to provide treasured waterfront real estate to its diners. The setting at The Waterfront Deck (711 Eastern Ave., adjacent to the Pier 5 Hotel, 410-230-0033) is sophisticated with a sleek, black bar, comfy orange couches, silver-colored chairs and tables, and a canopy of umbrellas. Open daily in the evenings, you can enjoy a full dinner there.

It wasn’t so long ago that Merlot was the grape variety that reigned supreme in people’s minds and in their wine glasses. Then, the movie Sideways came along, and Pinot Noir soared to popularity. Now, another grape variety has stepped into the limelight—Malbec. Full-flavored, dark, and structured, Malbec wines may lack the versatility of lighter varieties like Pinot Noir, but they satisfy a hankering for a robust red. Here are three examples:

Punto Final Malbec Reserva 2008
$19, Southern Wine & Spirits

Like its creator, the veal meatball at Chazz: A Bronx Original is Italian at its core, yet brilliantly unique in its construction. Its presence, similar to Sergio Vitale’s, looms large over the Harbor East restaurant from which this local chef appears poised to become the next big thing on the national food scene. Restaurateur and appetizer share other traits. Both are burly, sweet, and, in Baltimore, beloved. “We knew we wanted to do a meatball,” the 6-foot-3 Vitale says. “I also knew that I didn’t want to do it on top of pasta. It’s not the way it’s served in Italy.

Cavatelli with Heirloom Tomatoes and Goat Cheese

2 cups heirloom tomatoes, cut in half if they are small or in bite-size pieces if they are larger
1 small yellow onion, chopped
1/4 cup thinly sliced elephant garlic
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup fresh basil, roughly chopped
1 lemon, zest and juice
1/4 cup dry white wine
Crushed red pepper flakes to taste
Salt
1/2 cup FireFly Farms fresh goat cheese, crumbled into pieces
4 cups homemade cavatelli (see recipe)

Summer is in full swing, which means it’s picnic time. From Patterson Park to backyard hangouts, we love having a nosh with nature. But what to drink? A picnic wine must be able to pair with different foods, can’t be too expensive, and must be chill-able—because sometimes the humidity demands a cool thirst quencher. Here are three wines that meet our criteria.

We have the scars to prove it. For weeks, we’ve been cracking our way through dozens—and dozens—of steamed crabs, nicking our fingers on the sharp-edged shells and enduring the salty sting of Old Bay. But the battle scars were well worth it. Along the way, we got to savor our Maryland delicacy—spice-covered, hot-from-the-steamer crabs—from some of the Baltimore area’s best spots.