ok that wasn’t exactly the weekend plan….
This weekend we had hotel reservations in Baltimore at The Hilton Garden Inn Inner Harbor with the intention of viewing the wonder that is the Baltimore fireworks display and then on Saturday celebrating my 44th birthday.
The best laid plans and all that eh? The fireworks were a bust as we thought 1) they would be cancelled as it downpoured @ 9:15 and 2) that we could see them from our room. Partially right — we could *hear* them from the room but there was a building in the way. Eh it happens.
So some reviews and opinions:
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The Hilton Garden Inn. Very nice hotel for the price. It’s cheaper than The Marriot (which has it’s own water taxi stop) but still in a nice area and nearly on the water. It’s half way between Fells Point and The Inner Harbor in the heart of Little Italy. Tons of stuff to see and do. Downside? parking is $20.00+ / 24 hours. It’s also a little odd finding/getting to the parking garage. Still very nice.
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Rusty Scupper. They’re nearly always a pleaser and I think this is the first time I’d not had a 4 star meal. Mostly that could be my choice as I’m rather picky about shrimp salad. I’d always ALWAYS recommend the stuffed shrimp and the cream of crab soup. The atmosphere is wonderful. One more small downer – they’ve discontinued the wine flights
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One Eye’d Mikes. We NEVER go to the Fells Point area without stopping by here. The people just remind me of Cheers. I’ve never failed to be promptly greeted and served and they always have a smile. They also have one of the best Ruben Sandwiches I’ve ever had.
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Max’s on Broadway. It’s a beautiful bar but for some reason I have yet to ever be served there other than when someone purchased Grand Mariner shots for a group of us one time and a private party upstairs. Seriously, I have had wait staff brush past me to walk over and talk to each other with nary a glance. I’ve stood at the bar until I’ve just given up and left. This was our 4th time trying. I might just give up.
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Kooper’s Tavern. I’d been in there before but usually I get sidetracked by Slante (a neat place providing soccer isn’t on unless you’re a soccer fan in which case you’ve just discovered Mecca). They carry the entire line of Clipper City Beers, and I had the best seasoned fries I’ve ever had. Brunch the next day was spot on as well.
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Ride The Ducks. Still overpriced. Sorry sorry but @ $25.00/person I don’t want a passive agressive driver who cut our tour short by 20 minutes and one stop (Poe Grave) because he got started late. Not my problem. I am sending an email out to them about this.
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Birds of a Feather. Picture a homey type (nearly beatnik) place only with scotch and no drums (or smoke – or poetry). Seriously, no noise at all … just people sitting around drinking scotch (or libation of choice including non alcoholic) discussing the weather, current events, whatever. We will be back. Best Scotch Selection I have EVER seen.
All in All Baltimore never fails to please. My biggest complaint is the lack of effective mass transit. I’ve been quite spoiled by Washington DC. Then again since I mostly wander between Fells Point and the Inner Harbor (and that IS available via water taxi if you’re interested) it’s not that big of a problem. Still I’d love to be able to see other areas that are not 1) walking distance or 2) available via water taxi.
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**the photo above was taken out the window @ Kooper’s Tavern. It’s taken of the building across the street that is the building used in filming Homicide Life On The Street. I just liked the play of light and shadow with wood on brick.
