Baltimore City
Clementine at the Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave., 410-276-1651. Highlandtown.An offspring of the locavore Hamilton restaurant sets up shop in the performance/art space.
Dempsey’s Brew Pub & Restaurant, 555 Russell St., Suite B, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, 410-843-7901. Downtown. Former O’s catcher Rick Dempsey is a partner at this ballpark restaurant with an American menu and beers brewed on-site.
The Food Market, 1017 W. 36th St., 410-366-0606. Hampden. Housed in a former grocery store, this new addition to The Avenue promises “serious comfort food.”
The Fork & Wrench, 2322 Boston St., 443-759-9360. Canton. The old-time décor and impressive gastropub menu create a welcome modern-day throwback.
Heavy Seas Alehouse, 1300 Bank St., 410-522-0850. Little Italy. A beer-based restaurant led by a chef who once headed Top Chef judge Tom Colicchio’s Las Vegas restaurant Craftsteak.
PABU, 725 Aliceanna St., Four Seasons Hotel, 410-223-1460. Harbor East. This modern take on traditional Izakaya-style dining offers small plates, grilled items, and sushi and sashimi.
Plug Ugly’s Publick House, 2908 O’Donnell St., 410-563-8459. Canton. It’s named after an eponymous 1850s Baltimore political gang and capitalizes on the time frame in décor and its eclectic menu.
Tavern on the Square, 2903 O’Donnell St., 410-675-1880. Canton. The Blue Hill Tavern gang opened this upscale bar, offering contemporary American cuisine with a focus on local and game-oriented dishes.
Townhouse Kitchen + Bar, 1350 Lancaster St., 443-268-0323. Harbor East. The chef specializes in American fare with Latin, Asian, and Mediterranean influences.
Baltimore County
Towson Tavern, 516 York Rd., 410-337-7210. Towson.This stylish, dark-wood bistro raises the bar for fine dining with American regional fare from chef Daniel Henry, formerly of The Capital Grille.
McFaul’s IronHorse Tavern at Sanders’ Corner, 2260 Cromwell Bridge Rd., 410-828-1625. Parkville. The scenic porch remains at this one-time ice-cream store that now features traditional Maryland cuisine, an â la carte oyster bar, and other products from nearby farms.
Harford County
The Mallet, 2403 Belair Rd. (Rt. 1), 410-877-2722. Fallston. The new owners seem to have found the winning formula for this previously failed restaurant location by offering a mix of dining scenarios, including steamed crabs.
