It's taken a while, but P.F. Chang's has finally come to Baltimore (600 E. Pratt Street, 410-649-2750), setting up residence in the Inner Harbor building that houses a Best Buy and new Filene's Basement. Before this, the nearest outpost of this quasi-Chinese chain was the one opened in Columbia in 2001. This one is a little smaller, and given a more intimate feel through the use of low lighting and extra soundproofing. Staff is friendly and upbeat, and the small, bright bar is a good stop for festive, candy-colored cocktails.

As its name suggests, Carlos O'Charlie's Sports Bar and Grill (3508 Eastern Avenue, 410-675-1485) is a mixture of random—but amusing—elements. There's the 1970's-era décor—lots of exposed wood and light fixtures that would have fit in well in the Brady Bunch's rec room—and the Latin-American pop tunes playing on the sound system. There is the Mexican and Salvadoran fare (the pupusas are great) sharing menu space with standard American items like steak and wings.

"Where can I eat around the Hippodrome?" is a question I get asked on a regular basis. Of course, most people know about Maggie Moore's (21 N. Eutaw Street, 410-837-2100), the stately Irish pub across the street. The theater also has its own Hipp Cafe (410-625-7850), while around the corner, Salsarita's Fresh Cantina (324 W. Baltimore Street, 410-962-8270) is a casual (and currently booze-free) option for burritos and such. But many people still seem unaware of the lovely and very conveniently located MemSahib (400 W.

When Eddie Dopkin first described Miss Shirley's to us about a year ago, it was to be geared as much toward carry-out as toward sit-down meals. Well, that was the idea, but French toast that good deserved to be enjoyed right away, at a table. So it made sense to move Miss Shirley's into the much larger space across the street (513 W. Cold Spring Lane, 410-889-5272) when Big Sky Bread Company moved out.

Quick, tell me where you would take someone to sample "American" food. The Prime Rib? A roadside barbecue stand? McDonald's?

You see my point: Any country's cuisine comprises a wide spectrum of flavors and classes. Le Cinq is no more nor less French than the lowliest sandwich stand serving croque monsieur and Orangina.

March is a tricky month in Maryland. It can be sunshine and daffodils outside just as easily as it can be howling wind and driving snow. If it warms enough to fire our vernal desires, the temptation to grill is great. Snow drifts outside, on the other hand, keep us in the mood for hearty winter fare—one needs energy to clear a space on the street big enough to display one's lawn furniture. Ahh, what to drink, what to drink?

Philippe Faury Condrieu 2004 ($40)

The owners of Truffles & Tea in Cross Keys have opened a new cafe at the bottom of the Ambassador Apartments in Homewood, where the floral shop Dutch Connection used to be, called Chocolatea (3811 Canterbury Road, 410-366-0095). As with their first business, this place offers a wide array of teas, plus some tasty gourmet truffles, but it also serves some nice light fare. Much of it is Asian—we really liked their miso soup—but there are also plenty of wraps and paninis. The atmosphere is bright and soothing, with cheerfully hued walls and relaxing music.