ILLUSTRATIONS BY MICA STUDENTS

DESIGN BY HANNAH MACK

PUBLISHED BY MARYLAND INSTITUTE COLLEGE OF ART

station north restaurant guidebook

STATION NORTH RESTAURANT GUIDEBOOK

Illustrations by MICA students

Design by Hannah Mack

Published by Maryland Institute College of Art

© 2010

All rights reserved, No illustrations or portions of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the published.

Printed in the United States of America

table of contents

Introduction by David Bielenberg

About Station North

Map of the Area

Reviews

Index

Acknowledgements

7

9

11

13

51

53

7

introduction

greetings from the station north arts and entertainment district in 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 BielenbergExecutive Director Station North Arts & Entertainment, Inc.

9

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.

aboutstation

north

11

map

map by Cailin Nealon

13

reviews IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER

15

ORyum!

yuck!

b bistro

1501 BOLTON ST. (410) 383–8600

hoursTUES–SAT, 5–10PM

SUN, 10AM–2PM, 5–9PM

reviewer’s choice:SALAD OF FRISÉE

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

17

ORyum!

yuck!

1821 N. CHARLES ST.(410) 400-0022

hoursMON–WED, 9AM–10PM

THURS–SAT, 9AM–3AM

SUN, 9AM–2PMreviewer’s choice:WHOLE WHEAT BAGEL & 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 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

the bohemian coffee house

19

ORyum!

yuck!

There is a seating area separated from the cashier/kitchen area upstairs,

but it was a small area and crowded. They have such 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 stromboli. I look forward to returning on future visits and trying

one of their other dishes.

review by Ellen Bae

reviewer’s choice:STROMBOLI

charles restaurant bar and carryout

hoursMON–THURS, 11AM–12AM

FRI–SAT, 11AM–1AM

SUN, 12PM–12AM

2500 SAINT PAUL ST.(410) 366-1600

21

ORyum!

yuck!

iBar

2118 MARYLAND AVE.(410) 637-3089

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, the action

happens there, but you can always ask to go downstairs. The decor is

eclectic and their seating is comfortable and cozy. The tunes they play are

great, they aren’t grading on your ears and you can hear 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 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

hoursMON–THURS, 11AM–1AM

FRI, 1PM–2AM

SAT, 1PM–2AM

SUN, 5PM–1AM

reviewer’s choice:BUFFALO CHICKEN WINGS (MEDIUM)

23

ORyum!

yuck!

reviewer’s choice:MURGH TANDOOR

india tandoor restaurant

2101 N. CHARLES ST.(410) 468-0969

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 among 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

hoursALL WEEK, 11:30AM–10:30PM

25

ORyum!

yuck!

reviewer’s choice:ICED CHAI

hoursMON–FRI, 9AM–5PM

Java Moon Cafe is a small coffee shop/bar in Penn Station. The cafe offers

a very wide variety of coffees, teas, and frozen drinks as well as grab-n-go

sandwiches if you’re in a hurry. The cafe was extremely clean and everyone

working there was very pleasant and chatty. Java Moon is the best place in

Penn Station to hang out and watch a game at the bar if you happen to

be waiting for a train or in need of a nice cup of coffee.

review by Jessica Dikdan

1515 N. CHARLES ST.(410) 528-1018

java moon cafe

27

ORyum!

yuck!

reviewer’s choice:FLAG PIZZA, BBQ CHICKEN PIZZA, CRAB PIZZA

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

joe squared

133 W. NORTH AVE.(410) 545-0444

hoursALL WEEK, 11AM–2AM

29

ORyum!

yuck!

reviewer’s choice:KOREAN STYLE PANCAKE

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

18 W. 20TH ST.(410) 837-5231

joung kak restauranthours

ALL WEEK, 11AM–4PM

31

ORyum!

yuck!

reviewer’s choice:#115, SOUP AND HALF SANDWICH

When I arrived at Kader’s, I was initially intimidated by the low lighting and

the long coffee menu. Once I had settled into the soft leather couch, armed

with a sweet chai latte and a good book, I was able to relax into the reggae

pulsing from the distant speakers and take in the view of Penn Station,

just across the way. 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

1501 SAINT PAUL ST.(410) 962-5717

kader’s cafe mochahours

MON–SAT, 10AM–5PM

33

ORyum!

yuck!

reviewer’s choice:SOFT TOFU SOUP WITH SEAFOOD

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 Quing Zhuang

hoursMON, 10:30AM–12AM

TUES–SUN, 10:30AM–4PM

12 W. 20TH ST. (410) 244-5501

nak won restaurant

35

ORyum!

yuck!

reviewer’s choice:STEAMED DUMPLINGS

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

hoursALL WEEK, 11AM–4AM

2126 MARYLAND ST.(410) 685-6237

nam kang

37

ORyum!

yuck!

reviewer’s choice:THE BOLTON

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

1423 JOHN ST. (410) 225-9667

on the hillhours

MON–FRI, 7AM–8PM

SAT, 8AM–8PM

SUN, 9AM–8PM

39

ORyum!

yuck!

reviewer’s choice:THANKSGIVING CREPE

Just a short walk from the MICA campus, my roommate Brittany and I find

solace on this lazy Sunday afternoon inside the small, delectable gem that

is Sofi’s Crepes. 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

1732 N. CHARLES ST. (410) 727-7732

sofi’s crepeshours

THURS–SAT, 11:30AM–11PM

SUN, 12PM–8PM

41

ORyum!

yuck!

reviewer’s choice:APPLE PURSE & CAPPUCCHINO

While I waited for my apple purse to be warmed up, I pulled a photo

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 drank 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

62 W. OLIVER ST.(410) 837-5604

starbucks cafe at barnes and noble

hoursMON–FRI, 7:30AM–9PM

SAT, 9AM–9PM

SUN, 10AM–8PM

43

ORyum!

yuck!

reviewer’s choice:BLT, CEASER SALAD, MARYLAND SWEET TEA

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 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

1816 N. CHARLES ST. (410) 625-6440

station north arts cafehours

MON–FRI, 8AM–3PM

SAT, 11AM–3PM

45

ORyum!

yuck!

reviewer’s choice:FRIED CALAMARI

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. Eager to try something a little different, I ordered the serrano

ham and fresh figs. The figs were the perfect slightly sweet note to the

salty dry ham. The best dish of all was definitely the fried calamari. A large

portion of calamari served with marinara was the final dish of a great meal.

I have eaten lots of calamari as an Italian, and found this was in the top

of my ranks. Overall, Tapas Teatro is a slightly upscale place with many

delicious little meals for you and your friends/family to share.

review by Manya Caralle

1711 N. CHARLES ST. (410) 332-0110

tapas teatro hours

MON–FRI, 8AM–3PM

SAT, 11AM–3PM

47

ORyum!

yuck!

reviewer’s choice:SWEET POTATO FRIES WITH MANGO KETCHUP

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 Kristen Nohe

101 E. 25TH ST. (410) 777-5277

terra cafehours

MON–SAT, 9AM–9PM

49

ORyum!

yuck!

hoursMON–SAT, 11AM–9PM

SUN, 10AM–6PM

2431 SAINT PAUL ST. (410) 622-8638

yabba pot

I found the Yabba Pot to be a great relaxed place for vegetarian dining here

in Baltimore. Their rotating menu offers an assortment of vegan foods from

around the world. Entrees include various veggie “meats” like citrus soul

ribs and peppered steak. For sides, they offer various vegetables, such as

their cranberry nut adzuki. 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

reviewer’s choice:COCONUT CURRY CHICKEN

51

indexB Bistro

The Bohemian Coffee House

Charles Restaurant / Bar & Carryout

iBAR

Indian Tandoor Restaurant

Java Moon Cafe

Jong Kak Restaurant

Joe Squared

Kader’s Cafe Mocha

Nak Won Restaurant

Nam Kang

On the Hill

Sofi’s Crepes

Starbucks Cafe at Barnes and Noble

Station North Arts Cafe

Tapas Teatro

Terra Cafe

Yabba Pot

15

17

19

21

23

25

27

29

31

33

35

37

39

41

43

45

47

49

53

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.

acknowledgements

these students include:

Olivia Ady

Laia Albert

James Anderson

Ellen Bae

Julianna Brion

Os Campos

Manya 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

Lara Kaminoff

Allison Kerst

Sam Kittinger

Jessica Kiser

Jessie Leete

Caleb Lin

Emily Long

Hannah Mack

Kathleen Marcotte

Katy Mitchell

Alan Morris

Emma Munger

Cailin Nealon

Lorraine Nicoletta

Kristin Nohe

Nhi Ngyuen

Colin Nyborg

Liz Orr

Sean Ostrowski

Monica Picca

Emily Ragle

Elisabeth Rosenwasser

Colleen Roxas

Djamika Smith

Justine Smith

Kristin Squire

Sarah Straub

Wednesday Trotto

Ruth Tsang

Kevin Valente

Victoria Venditto

Erin Rae Watson

Becky Winslow

Qing Zhunag