Station North Restaraunt GuidebookBaltimore, Maryland

Created by Graphic Design and Illustration Students at

Maryland Institute College of Art

Station North Restaraunt Guidebook

illustrations by MICA students

design by Becky Winslow

published by Maryland Institute College of Art

Station North Restaraunt Guidebook

illustrations by MICA students

design by Becky Winslow

published by Maryland Institute College of Art

©2010

All rights reserved. No illustration or portions of this

book may be reproduced in any form without written

permission from the publisher.

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Introduction

About Station North

Map of the Area

Reviews

Index

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Greetings from the Station North Arts & Entertainment District in the heart of Baltimore City!

One of the many attributes that makes Station North so vibrant and eclectic is the

variety of restaurants and cafes in and around the District. From award winning

pizza to delicious tapas; from sweet or savory crepes to Korean delicacies; and from

mouth-watering pulled pork sandwiches to some of the best wings around, there is

something for everyone in and around Station North.

The District’s proximity to the Maryland Institute College of Art campus has always

made the area a student-friendly and creative place to savor a variety of cuisines.

The students who compiled the reviews in this guide offer their opinions of eighteen

restaurants in and around the Station North Arts & Entertainment District. I hope that

their descriptions of the various restaurants and cafes encourage you to sample the

establishments and take in the eclectic variety of foods available here. And after your

meal, be sure to check out some of the great art, music, books, film and theater that

are here in Station North as well. You won’t be disappointed.

Bon appétit!

David Bielenberg

Executive Director

Station North Arts & Entertainment, Inc.

About Station North

Located in the heart of Baltimore, this was the first area

in the city to receive the state designation as an arts and

entertainment district. Spanning the communities of Charles

North,Greenmount West and Barclay, Station North is a

diverse collection of artist live-work spaces, galleries,

rowhomes and businesses — all just steps away from Penn

Station and Mount Vernon.The neighborhood features lots of

compelling dining options: from Korean to American take-

out. Mostly locally-owned restaurants, there are many dishes

unique to Baltimore and to this charismatic neighborhood.

The guide offers reviews of many eating establishments, and

we encourage you to sample the best of what Station North

has to offer.

Reviews appear in the order that they appear on the map.

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1501 Bolton St.(410) 383-8600

Hours:

TUES — SAT: 5PM — 10PM

SUN: 10AM — 2PM BRUNCH;

5PM — 9PM DINNER

1

B Bistro

Reviewer’s choice: Salad of Frisee

B’s atmosphere is casually chic. Going by myself, I felt somewhat awkward sitting alone in the lofty interior with its tall windows, high ceiling and open floorplan. This venue is definitely more enjoyable when visited with a group and doesn’t lend itself to intimate sequestered dining. I appreciated their support of local produce, including Maryland artisan cheeses and local bakeries. The dish I ordered was a delicate frisée salad with bleu cheese, thick delicious bacon, and a poached egg, presented as a daintily arranged nest of fresh, bold flavors.

Review by Cailin Nealon

On the Hill

1432 John St.(410) 225-9667

Hours:

MON — FRI: 7AM — 8PM

SAT: 8AM — 8PM;

SUN CLOSED;

(or open from 9AM — 8PM)

2

I really love the colors in the restaurant: there’s something very warm and inviting about them, and the menu written in colored chalk is lighthearted and pleasant. The atmosphere is very easy, very casual. The staff was lovely and the service was good. All in all it was wonderful — I really can’t believe I have lived a block away from On the Hill for three years and never bothered to give it a shot. I’ve got a lot of catching up to do!

Review by Erin Watson

Reviewer’s choice: The Bolton

Cafeé at Barnes & Noble

62 W Oliver St.(410) 837-5604

Hours:

MON — FRI: 7:30AM — 9PM

SAT: 9AM — 9PM

SUN: 10AM — 8PM

Reviewer’s choice: Granny Smith Apple Purse

4

While I waited for my apple purse to be warmed up, I pulled a photography magazine off the bookshelf in Barnes and Noble, conveniently only steps away from the Starbucks counter. Once the friendly barista handed me my aromatic after-school snack, I sat down at a table next to the large window, facing the outdoor patio where other students were getting work done on their laptops, taking advantage of the free wi-fi, and socializing over coffee. The Apple purse was so fresh, that it tasted like a slice of homemade apple pie that had just come out of the oven. As I flipped through my magazine and sipped my coffee, I couldn’t help but think that even if you didn’t like the taste of coffee, the fresh brewed aromas could attract almost anyone. Starbucks at Barnes and Noble Café is a great place to catch up with friends after class, re-caffeinate, and re-energize before a long night of studying and homework. I know I will find myself in Starbucks for these reasons quite frequently this semester.

Review by Jessie Leete

Java Moon Cafe

1515 N. Charles St.(410) 528-1018

Hours:

MON — FRI: 9AM — 5PM

Java Moon Cafe is a small bar/deli in Penn Station just out of the way enough to miss it if you’re in a hurry to catch a train. It’s not exactly the place you’d want to take your date but it is an excellent place to grab a beer and watch the game if you’re waiting for a train.

Review by Jessica Dikdan 6

Reviewer’s choice: Iced Chai

My lunch was a Mediterranean Veggie sandwich (one of the many vegetarian options) and I was delighted to find it filled with roast potatoes, black beans, cherry tomatoes, green olives, feta, artichoke tapenade, and all manner of tasty, colorful ingredients which I thoroughly enjoyed. With a wide selection of bottled drinks and pre-packaged pastries as well as affordable, gourmet meals, Kader’s Café Mocha is a great place for a peaceful, sit-down lunch or a hurried, one stop breakfast.

Review by Lara Kaminoff

Kader’s CafEé Mocha

1501 Saint Paul St.(410) 962-5717

Hours:

MON — SAT: 10AM — 5PM

7

Reviewer’s choice: Soup of the Day with Half a Café Sandwich of your choice.

Tapas Teatro

1711 N. Charles St.(410) 332-0110

Hours:

TUES — FRI: 5PM — 2AM

SAT — SUN: 4PM — 2AM

Reviewer’s choice: Murgh Tandoor

8

I ordered a glass of red house sangria, which was a great compliment to the meal. Being new to tapas, I sampled quite a few items. Crisp bread brushed with rich olive oil and paired off with salty chorizo started our meal. Spicy croquettes de Tapas Teatro came next, fried morsels of ground chicken and boursin cheese served with a creamy dipping sauce. The croquettes were just the right amount of spicy and perfectly fried. The batter fried vegetables included eggplant, asparagus, and onions on top of a sweet mango salsa. Although fried, these vegetables were not too greasy and the texture was pleasing. Eager to try something a little different, I ordered the serrano ham and fresh figs. They arrived perfectly arranged with a drizzle of olive oil and fresh herbs. The figs were the perfect slightly sweet note to the salty dry ham. The best dish of all was definitely the fried calamari. The squid was tender with a crunchy and buttery coating. I have eaten lots of calamari as an Italian, and found this was in the top of my ranks.

Review by Manya Caralle

Sofiffii’s Crepes

1723 N. Charles St.(410) 727-7732

Hours:

THURS — SAT: 11:30AM — 11:00PM

SUN: 12PM — 8:00PM

Reviewer’s choice: Thanksgiving Crepe

9

The mixtures of brightly colored paint, arrays of intriguing art, the wafting smell of crepes on the griddle, and witty banter among the employees gives Sofi’s Crepes an energizing and invigorating atmosphere. Perhaps, even more alluring, is that today the usual bombardment of people are not rushing through. After ordering – and the timing could not be more perfect – our friend Faith has just clocked in, and in front of our eyes, she whips up two tantalizing crepes, we embrace our piping hot crepes at a table outside. Underneath the awning, we are able to enjoy both the warm fall air and our delicious meals. Believe me, if the cheerful, polite staff and refreshing atmosphere do not bring you back, the food absolutely will.

Review by Kevin Valente

Joe Squared

133 W. North Ave.(410) 545-0444

Hours:

OPEN DAILY: 11 AM – 2 AM

Reviewer’s choice: Flag Pizza, BBQ Chicken Pizza, Crab Pizza

10

From my first visit to the restaurant, the place seemed lively and inviting. Joe Squared’s signature “square pizzas” come in a wide variety of good-quality and unique toppings. I took a bite from the “crab pizza” and the “BBQ chicken pizza” which were both delicious. The “Flag pizza” was also shared among us, which came with 3 different sauces so that we could try a few types. They also allow you to create your own pizza which was great for one friend who had certain dietary restrictions and preferences. We enjoyed the quirky decorations- including an old Ms Pac-man arcade game and walls featuring work by local artists, which gave the restaurant a warm and energetic atmosphere.

Review by Julianna Brion

Station North Arts Cafe1816 N. Charles St.(410) 625-6440

Hours:

MON — FRI: 8AM — 3PM

SAT: 11AM — 3PM

Reviewer’s choice: The BLT, Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken, and Maryland Sweet Tea

11

If you’re hungry and ready to be a part of Baltimore’s sunny and funky soul then you should already be on your way to Station North Arts Café. My eyes were taken by pleasant surprise when we arrived and were met with the smiles from the happy, gossiping regulars. The creamy peach walls are festooned with bright paintings ranging from the hands of local artists to Picasso. Every surface is decorated with memorabilia and trinkets, including a tiny golden Oscar sculpture and a model helicopter made from Coke cans. Dried chili peppers and photos of friends are pinned to the walls, fresh flowers beam up from every table, and the smell of coffee and spices dance in the air. I ordered the classic BLT and found no objections with its integrity, light on the mayo thank goodness! Overall, this bike friendly, eclectically charming, delicious sandwich making café has it going on in all the right places. Check. It. Out.

Review by Emma Munger

The Bohemiancoffee house1821 N. Charles St.(410) 400-0022

Hours:

MON — WED: 9AM — 10PM

THURS — SAT: 9AM — 3AM

SUN: 9AM — 2PM

12

Reviewer’s choice: whole-wheat bagel and an iced coffee.

The Bohemian Coffee House is small quirky coffee house on North Charles just past the Charles Theater. I visited this newly opened coffee house on a Saturday afternoon and was immediately charmed by the unique vintage decorations and the laid back atmosphere. I had to take a few moments to look around and discover the mechanical life-size monkey, jukebox, and a bookshelf full of art books. I was greeted at the counter by current and previous students of MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art), and ordered an ice coffee and toasted bagel. Both of these items were excellent. I also appreciated the decorative plate that the food was served on. I noticed guests taking advantage of the comfy couches and free wi fi. Unlike many other cafes that I have been to in the past, The Bohemian Coffee House has a generous amount of seating which gives customers the freedom to stay as long as they please. This is a great place to visit with friends or on your own, and I look forward to returning to this coffee house soon.

Review by Kathleen Marcotte

Joung Kak Restaurant

18 W 20th Street(410) 837-5231

Hours:

Open Daily 11AM - 4PM

A small place great for an early dinner or late lunch. I enjoyed the large menu selection, and had a hard time deciding what to eat. In place of bread, we were brought about eight tiny dishes with an array ranging form Kim chi to potato salad, and when our food came, it was delicious. This was my first time eating Korean cuisine, but the waitress was quite helpful in showing me how to mix in the sauces to get the most flavor. I found that I could have spent as much or a little as I wanted, but the amount of food makes everything quite reasonable. I would go when I have a lot of time available, as this is not a fast pace eatery.

Review by Olivia Ady

13

Reviewer’s choice: The Korean style pancake

Nak Won Restaurant

12 W. 20th St.(410) 244-5501

Hours:

MON: 10:30AM — 12AM

TUES — SUN: 10:30AM — 4PM

Reviewer’s choice: Soft Tofu Soup with Seafood

14

I tried Rice in Hot Stoneware which is a filling dish that you have to mix thoroughly first like a salad. It’s flavored mainly by the hot sauce that you have to put in, but otherwise I found it too simple for my taste. Nak Won’s appetizers, which include sweet potatoes, bean sprouts and kimchi helped add flavor if you eat it with the dish. Their kimchi taste pretty generic, but I’m okay with that. As a seafood fan, I preferred Soft Tofu Soup with Seafood which is a spicy, bean paste soup with abundant tofu, scallion and clams. Very yummy and very filling.

Review by Qing Zhuang

India Tandoor Restaurant2101 North Charles St.(410) 468-0969

Hours:

OPEN DAILY: 11:30AM — 10:30PM;

DELIVERY AVAILABLE DAILY: 11:30AM

— 10:15PM

Reviewer’s choice: Murgh Tandoor

15

The burgundy decor, dim lights, as well as the place settings inside of the restaurant made it seem as if it would be a nice place for lovers to dine on a special evening. The cost of the food is fair, but not amongst the cheapest which is why it can be saved for a special night out or in since delivery is available. What I enjoyed about the restaurant is that they provided an option about how spicy the food should be, which is very considerate of those with delicate stomachs, like myself. I wouldn’t recommend being bold on your first go with Indian food. I would also recommend walking to the restaurant, as it is a 20 min wait to get take out rather then the 40—60 min delivery promise from the website, which doesn’t guarantee hot food. Finally, I suggest using cash for the payment method. The time it takes for their credit charge to go through also takes a while and won’t appear on the statement until another decent amount of time has passed.

Review by Lauren Davis

I found the Yabba Pot to be a great relaxed place for vegetarian dining here in Baltimore. The coconut curry chick-un I ordered had a very tasty, ever-so-slightly-spicy sauce. The imitation chicken had a light, springy texture, and was arguably even better than the real meat in my opinion. If it is on the menu for the day, it is well worth checking out. They also offer healthy fruit and vegetable drinks that are blended fresh right in front of you. The smoothie my friend ordered was a worthy purchase. I found the service there is hit or miss depending on the day, but the food is always a treat.

Review by Caleb Lin

Yabba Pot

2431 Saint Paul St.(410) 622-8638

Hours:

MON — SAT: 11AM — 9PM

SUN: 10AM — 6PM

Reviewer’s choice: Coconut Curry “Chicken”

16

Terra Cafe

101 E. 25th St. (410) 777-5277

Hours:

MON — SAT: 9AM — 9PM

Reviewer’s choice: Sweet Potato Fries with Mango Ketchup

17

When I first saw Terra Cafe, I was enamored by the sign over the front door declaring “Welcome Family”. Terra Cafe was just that, very welcoming with a nice, open atmosphere. When I received the cheese steak that I ordered, it came garnished on the plate. It was so delicious, and you could tell that they put a lot of time and energy into their menu. They had ran out of regular french fries, so they gave me a huge basket of sweet potato fries at no extra charge. They were the best sweet potato fries I’ve ever had! They came with Terra Cafe’s own blend of mango ketchup, which was a great combination of flavors. Overall, my experience at Terra Cafe was a great one. I’d recommend it to anyone!

Review by Kristin Nohe

They have a simple, delicious family-style fare at very reasonable prices, and friendly service. If you want something that is loaded with cheese, incredibly delicious toppings, stromboli is the way to go. I really liked the crust and how cheesy it was inside of Stromboli. It was soft and chewy inside and crispy outside. Portions are very large and made of plenty of cheese. I thought the stromboli would maybe be better for take-out. I was pretty happy that I didn’t have to ask for extra cheese. Good sauce and plenty of cheese was the foundation for this good stomboli. I look forward to returning on future visits and trying one of their other dishes.

Review by Ellen Bae

Charles Restaurant

2500 St. Paul St.(410) 366-1600

Hours:

MON — THURS: 11AM — 12AM

FRI — Sat: 11AM — 1AM

SUN: 12PM — 12AM

18

Reviewer’s choice: Stromboli

iBar

2118 Maryland Ave.(410) 637-3089

Hours:

MON — THURS: 11 — 1AM

FRI: 11PM — 2AM

SAT: 1PM — 2AM

SUN: 5PM — 1AM

*Note contact iBar, their closing times fluctuate

based on how busy they are that particular night.

19

Reviewer’s choice: Buffalo Chicken Wings

From the moment you step into to the iBar, the place is split in two with an option to go up or and option to go down. Go upstairs first, all the action happens there, but you can always ask to go downstairs. The decor is eclectic and their seating is really comfortable and cozy. The tunes they play are great, they aren’t grading on your ears and you can her your conversation well. For the past two years they have been named Baltimore’s Best Chicken Wings so obviously I had to have those. I ordered their buffalo wings (medium) and their honey bbq wings and they truly live up to their award. The buffalo wings have a nice kick, and the sauce isn’t too overpowering where you can’t taste the chicken, which came out piping hot both times I visited. It also has this wonderful smoked crunch and they aren’t soft or soggy. The honey bbq wings are a little tamer and more on the sweet side, but still have that wonderful smoked crunch that makes them absolutely delightful.

Review by Sarah Straub

Nam Kang

2126 Maryland Ave. (410) 685-6237

Hours:

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK: 11AM — 4AM

Reviewer’s choice: Steamed Dumplings

20

Nam Kang Restaurant is situated on the basement level of a dull street corner, but upon entering after descending the narrow staircase, I found the atmosphere to be cozy and inviting. The pleasant wait staff seated me immediately and was very attentive, having to check back a few times before I had made my selection from the extensive menu. Numerous brick arches lead from the sushi bar and smaller seating areas in the front to the larger open seating room in the back. I found the décor very amusing; a blend of traditional oriental masks and lanterns, mixed with brightly painted polka dot flowerpots. It struck me as the perfect place for late night cravings while out on the town.

Review by Hannah Erhardt

Index

Barnes & Noble Cafe # 4

B Bistro # 1

Bohemian Cafe # 12

Charles Restaurant # 18

iBar # 19

India Tandoor # 8

All information presented in this book was accurate as of fall 2010. Please call restaurants

ahead of time to confirm hours, locations, and specials.

On the Hil # 2

Sofi’s Crepes # 9

Station North Arts Café # 11

Tapas Teatro # 8

Terra Café # 17

Yabba Pot # 16

Java Moon # 6

Joe Squared # 10

Jong Kak # 13

Kader’s Café # 7

Nak Won # 14

Nam Kang # 20

Acknowledgements

Olivia Ady

James Anderson

Ellen Bae

Juliana Brion

Os Campos

Magna Caralle

David Carpenter

Kathy Choi

Kamau Collins

Krystal Corbo

Lauren Davis

Jessica Dikdan

Lynn Dohrmann

Alex Dougherty

Hannah Erhardt

Julian Haddad

Crystal Hong

Nora Howell

Rosa Im

Stephanie Indrajo

Shu-Hsin Kao

Laura Kaminoff

Allison Kerst

Sam Kittinger

Jessica Kiser

Jessie Leete

Caleb Lin

Emily Long

Hannah Mack

Kathleen Marcotte

Katy Mitchell

Alan Morris

Emma Munger

Caili Nealon

Lorraine Nicoletta

Kristin Nohe

Nhi Ngyuen

Colin Nyborg

Wednesday Trotto

Ruth Tsang

Kevin Valente

Victoria Venditto

Erin Rae Watson

Becky Winslow

Qing Zhuang

The amazing book that you are holding exists through a collaboration by students and faculty at Maryland

Institute College of Art (MICA) in Baltimore, Maryland and members of the Station North community. Many

thanks go to the restaurant owners and staff who entertained the reviewers. Thanks, also, to MICA faculty

members Rebecca Bradley in Illustration and Brockett Horne in Graphic Design. Participating students include:

ColophonThis book was set in Avenir and Market Deco typeface,

designed by Becky Winslow 2011. It is printed in an edition

of 2.