Kitchen at Peter's Inn

I went to pick my boyfriend, JF, up from BWI today, and I figured we'd be hungry by the time he arrived, so I looked for "off-the-beaten-path" restaurants in Baltimore. In this research, I found that there's an adorable neighborhood called Fell's Point with lots of small restaurants and stores amongst cute row-houses. We got to the Kitchen at Peter's Inn and instantly I got a very friendly vibe. People were hanging out on the sidewalks with their puppies and friends and right outside the restaurant, they had set up a few tables for al fresco dining. As it was quite warm and humid today, we chose to sit inside - which turned out to be just as hot and humid since they didn't have air-conditioning on and they had the door open. The place was packed, but luckily they had one table open. JF looked around skeptically and said "this looks like a pub." I felt the same way- the dining area was quite tiny compared to the roomy and long bar- which was lovely, but the vibe of the place was of a neighborhood bar rather than a restaurant with fabulous food. The menu was handwritten (they change weekly) and there was a copy of it written on a blackboard on a wall. There was a pretty comprehensive wine list - French, Australian, American, and Italian. The menu was diverse from duck confit to bay scallops to filet mignon. I picked the bouillabaisse and he chose the new york strip steak. The bouillabaisse was amazing with clams, mussels, calamari and jumbo prawns. The broth and rouille were fantastic with the toasted french bread. So good in fact, JF ate most of it. The steak was juicy and tender and the mashed potatoes were smooth and creamy. Throughout the dinner we discussed how deceiving Peter's Inn was - our expectations were low, despite great ratings it received on zagat.com, but the food pleasantly surprised us. The decor is pretty fun - vintage hub caps, Christmas lights, nifty framed photos and paintings. The bar stools are all wood with back rests and look really nice and roomy. If I go back, I'd like to sit at the bar and hang out a while. If you haven't been, I suggest you stop in. By the way, they don't take reservations and the server told us that it's ALWAYS busy, and I believe him. Tasty tasty!!!

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www.petersinn.com

Commissary

Nestled in the hustle and bustle of Logan Circle, you'll find a classy yet casual slice of Americana. Landmarked by red umbrellas and a gated patio, Commissary is at once cozy and trendy. In addition to the tables and banquettes is a special feature - the lounge area front and center, somewhat reminiscent of a coffee shop with its comfortable chairs and wi-fi. The red and blue decor and brass stars adorning the walls tie in the family-friendly American neighborhood theme.
Don't let the intro fool you. The menu is quite diverse. You get everything from wasabi peas and quesadillas to tuna melts and lamb kebobs. Adults can have their pick from the wine selection while the kiddies play tic-tac-toe on the children's menu.
The fish tacos hit the spot! One order gives you three tortillas bedding small pieces of lightly fried fish, accompanied with sour cream, guacamole, and salsa on the side. You also get a choice of fries, chips, or corn and bean salad. Definitely go for the corn and bean salad! It makes the perfect topping for your taco. The bbq chicken pizza is also scrumptious, with a nice thin crust so you're not left feeling weighed down.
Back when Commissary used to be Merkado (same owner, different concept) I had the skirt steak, which was amazing. As the menu has changed, I'm sure this item has been updated with some twists, but I'd like to try the skirt steak with chimichurri and fries next time.
If you're in the mood for some libations, be sure to try their strawberry mint sangria for some sweet, sparkly goodness! It comes in a pitcher, so I would advise not to order it alone if you at all desire to make it home with no surprises.
Great atmosphere, great food, great prices... and being in the gayborhood provides for fun interactions and fantastic people-watching. Yummers!

$

www.commissarydc.com

The Dancing Crab

Perfect for a lazy Sunday brunch, complete with mimosas, omelettes, and... crab?? My first visit found me on a beautiful Sunday, what was meant to be a bite to eat before heading to the airport to get me on my way back home to MI after a trip to DC. It turned out to leave quite an impression, so much so that it became reason enough to extend my trip. An hour into the meal - waffle on table, crab mallet in hand, and suitcase in car - I called my airline. So this is what travel insurance is for! I mean... ow... my tooth... root canal... wink wink.
We started with the brunch buffet. Fruit, hush puppies, potatoes, sausages, crab rolls, full omelette station, waffles upon request, etc. Upon learning about the steamed crab deal in addition to the brunch, we added all-you-can-eat crab to our tab. If you're having the brunch, it's much more economical to do the ayce than by the dozen. And it's soooooo good!! The whole thing, sitting out on the covered patio, the chatty but friendly omelette man, the most delicious waffles ever, the endless supply of sweet crab meat. Three hours after we first sat down, the two of us finally found ourselves ready to call it an afternoon, fully satisfied and just plain full.
We went again last month with the parents, this time eating inside. Different ambiance, same great buffet, same amazing crab.
To fully enjoy the experience, don't plan on zipping in and out. Warning, your wallet will be a little lighter than when you came in, but it's all worth it for a good time with good company and good food. Yummers!!!

$$ brunch, $$$ brunch + crab

www.dcseafood.com/dancingcrab