Epicure
Anyone attempting to navigate the streets of Federal Hill trying to find a “grown-up” place to eat— away from the frat-boy party scene of Cross Street— will welcome the reopened Porter’s. It still has the familiar neighborhood pub feel that it always has, and now has a new chef and a new menu to boot. They describe it as “comfort food with a twist,” and we won’t disagree, with offerings like grilled cheese (Halloumi cheese layered with toasted sesame bread and arugula), eggplant puttanesca (topped with mozzarella, sauce and pecorino), a meatloaf melt (on potato bread with bacon and pepperjack) and blackened venison (over Yukon gold puree, sautéed Swiss chard and rum beurre blanc). Open every day for dinner, and for brunch on weekends. 1032 Riverside Ave., 410-332-7345
The Blue Ridge Restaurant Group, based in Howard County, has opened its sixth restaurant, Stanford Grill, in Columbia. The “upscale casual” menu is straight-ahead American cuisine, with dishes such as hickory-grilled steaks, Eastern Shore-style crab cakes, wood-grilled fish and wood-fired rotisserie chicken. The wine list is primarily domestic, with 27 varieties available by glass. The building occupies the former Lone Star Steakhouse and has been fully renovated. The interiors, which seat 250 people, feature an open-air kitchen, a bar area and wood, granite and leather accents. There is also an outdoor patio for dining, and the restaurant offers jazz nightly. Open daily for lunch and dinner. 8900 Stanford Blvd., 410-312-0445
Nestled in the middle of a side street and tucked between bustling Harbor East and Little Italy is Vino Rosina. Located in a renovated industrial space in the Bagby Building, the new restaurant is the latest place to showcase the talents of homegrown chef (and former Top Chef contender) Jesse Sandlin. The sleek, minimal interiors include light hardwood floors, exposed brick walls, leather-clad dining chairs and chic hanging lamps. A rectangular bar upfront lends a social, convivial air to the place, and an open kitchen showcases the staff’s skills. The concise menu is divided into five categories: Raw, Salad, Oven Roasted, Sides and Cheese, plus charcuterie and appetizers. (Our pick: the roasted half chicken with fresh spinach and herb butter.) There’s an extensive wine list, and a nice selection of bottled beers, too. 507 S. Exeter St., 410-528-8600
After 12 years, ESPN Zone at the Inner Harbor’s Power Plant has closed. The Baltimore location had been the first in the national chain of sports-themed restaurant/ arcades. ... >>The Point in Fells Point has opened in the space that formerly housed Miss Irene’s and briefly, Poe Boys. (1738 Thames St., 410-327-7264) ... >> Now open at the Power Plant: Dick’s Last Resort, part of a national chain of casual restaurants “with attitude.” (621 E. Pratt St., 443-453-5961) ... >> Tangier’s has opened in Canton, serving a Moroccan spin on tapas. (845 S. Montford Ave., 410-327-0029) ... >> The Get Down is a new lounge that has replaced Fletcher’s. (701 S. Bond St., getdownbaltimore.com) ... >> Now closed: Baltimore Pho in the Hollins Market neighborhood.
The good news at the newly reopened McCabe’s: the trademark burger is as tasty as ever. Ditto the crab cakes. (The beef is from Springfield Farms and the breads are from Stonemill.) The accomplished kitchen also turns out lots of way-better-than-bar-food entrees like shrimp and grits, chicken potpie and polenta lasagne. And the rendition of French onion soup is stellar. New owners Dan McIntosh (Sonar) and Patrick Ito (Copra) have spruced the place up, too. Lighter paint on the walls brightens up the narrow space and the flow has been improved between the bar and the busy dining room by opening up the dividing wall. Welcome back, old friend! 3845 Falls Road, 410-467-1000
