The Reserve is one of the newest pub/restaurants to open in South Baltimore. The space has housed various bars over the years, most recently Charlotte’s, which was also a music venue. The current owners have given the space a thorough redesign, creating a spacious bar area up front and a casual dining area and another bar at the rear. Indeed, the newly installed kitchen is turning out some ambitious dishes that place this a cut above most area pubs. On the menu, you’ll find items such as grilled cornmeal-crusted red grouper in a smoked salmon caper buerre blanc, sesame-seared blue fin tuna, pistachio-crusted rack of lamb and pan-roasted semi-boneless quail. Appetizers include a mini surf n’ turf consisting of a petit filet and a mini crab crab with béarnaise sauce ($15). So if you’re coming in to throw back a few beers, expect more than the standard burgers and wings. 1542 Light St., 410-605-0955
