Win, Place and Show Dining in Baltimore
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Baltimore is known as Charm City but it might as well be called Chow City for the wide range of food options it offers. If you're headed to Baltimore for the Preakness, be sure to check out as many of the places as possible on the list below. We've listed them as Win-Place-Show options, in order from most upscale to casual.
WIN: Fleet Street Kitchen (Distance from Pimlico: 7.8 miles, 13 minutes)
Photo courtesy of Fleet Street Kitchen
You're guaranteed to have a memorable experience at Fleet Street. This upscale American restaurant - you guessed it, on Fleet Street - is located between Baltimore's Little Italy neighborhood and Harbor East. A farm to table restaurant, Fleet Street Kitchen is all about using locally sourced, ethically raised and sustainable ingredients. If you love seafood as much as I do, your mouth will water just thinking about starters like baby octopus and hamachi crudo to entrees like butter poached halibut and king salmon with cauliflower puree and potato gnocchi. There's a lot on offer for beef lovers too. On the drink side, Fleet Street Kitchen offers a very nice variety of cocktails (including the McNulty, which I'll assume is named after Dominic West's character in The Wire) and craft beers, several of which are locally brewed.
PLACE: Bookmaker's Cocktail Club (Distance from Pimlico: 8.7 miles, 19 minutes)
Photo courtesy of Bookmakers
Located in the heart of Federal Hill, Bookmakers is one of the hottest and hippest spots in Baltimore to grab a drink and a bite. The menu offers everything from starters like shrimp and grits croquettes and buffalo polenta to main courses of eight ounce dry-aged Roseda (locally raised in Monkton) cheeseburgers and pork shoulder pot roast. The drink menu offers dozens of cocktails you've probably never even seen, to go along with a very nice selection of craft beers. Bookmaker's also offers something you won't generally find in Federal Hill: free parking in a private lot.
SHOW - DEAD HEAT (TIE)
Jokers n Thieves (Distance from Pimlico: 9.7 miles, 22 minutes)
Photo courtesy of Jokers n Thieves
This is a great spot if you're looking for a casual dining experience, stiff drinks and live music. The kitchen is run by Jesse Sandlin, a former Top Chef contestant. Her specialties include Southern-inspired comfort food and barbecue. You'll find some really tasty options on the menu, including piggy poutine, brisket sammies and low country shrimp and grits. Jokers n Thieves also offers at least half a dozen local craft cans, more than 20 other draft beers and several bourbon-centric cocktails.
Nickel Taphouse (Distance from Pimlico: 2.2 miles, 7 minutes)
Photo courtesy of Nickel Taphouse
If you want an oyster bar experience that you'll never forget, this is your spot. I counted 30 different types of oysters and preparations on the menu. You'll also find other options like kale, quinoia and buffalo brussel sprouts. The drink menu is also extremely deep, offering dozens of bourbons, ryes, whiskey and scotch. If you like IPA's and other craft beer, you can also spend days sampling here.