If there’s one place in Baltimore that I know is consistently good, delicious, and can go from casual dinner to fancy dining it’s Little Italy. I’ve made a point this past year to try more Little Italy hotspots (somehow I always would wind up at Sabatino’s-not a bad thing, trust me!) and branch out a bit. From Rocco’s to Chiaparellis to now Caesar’s Den, I’ve been loving all the menus and wine options!

This past Friday night, it was time to hit Caesar’s Den! Perfect timing for me it was the night before the Little Italy Festival-the streets were awash in red and green and you could feel the community excitement over the hopping festival. I highly recommend anyone to check it out-there’s another in August-from great deals on anything from garlic bread to meatballs and vendors selling funky art pieces to watching older couples dancing in the street, it’s truly a magical experience! 

Upon arriving at Caesar’s, I placed my obligatory order for garlic bread. Of course you get regular bread on the table with butter but what Italian restaurant experience is complete without garlic bread?! 

Warm, buttery, rich in oils and spices, the garlic bread was one of the best I had in a while! I think I can easily say here and Rocco’s are the two places I’ve found quality garlic bread! My date and I easily ate two pieces ( I made sure to eat light for lunch in preparation for this dinner) which is probably best so that neither of us can detect garlic on the other! As a super huge garlic fan, whether it’s in my guac or bread, this had the perfect amount!

We decided to split their prosciutto di parma, mozzarella e peperoni. Absolutely amazing! The peppers were sweet and had a hint of both garlic and oil while the mozzarella was cold and fresh and the proscitto had that great flavor with a touch of salt and sweet. 

I would absolutely order this again as way to whet the palate while sampling some true Little Italy staples. Great for a light summer app (and it went wonderfully with my glass of Riunite Banfi, a super sweet rose that was akin to juice) and is a great display of how good Caesar’s is with staples! 

Filling up quickly on starters, I opted for one of my favorite Italian/summer salads-the caprese. Their mozzarella caprese was fresh and not overly saturated with EVOO but instead carried a light flavor of it. The tomatoes were hearty and sweet while the mozzarella was wholesome and hearty! 

My date ordered their fettucinni al salmone. A huge dish came out laden with fresh salmon, a portion big enough for the hungriest of men. The salmon was fresh and flaky, a perfect touch against their creamy and cheesy pasta. The light cream, capers, onions and smoked salmon was one of the more beautiful presentations I had seen-and the flavor far exceeded expectations!

To cap off our delicious dinner, I indulged in a tiny demitasse of espresso. A great way to slow down and enjoy the meal, the espresso came with various sugars (but honestly, it may not even need it) and was truly enjoyable on that rainy night.

Caesar’s was delightful and I’m looking forward to returning and trying more of their pastas and chicken dishes. The generous portions, huge flavor, and fresh Italian fare, along with a very knowledgeable staff, made for a very upscale dining experience that will leave me returning very soon! Great parking options and valet also add to the downtown dining experience!

Be sure to add Caesar’s for your next date night or family outing and enjoy quality dishes at very reasonable pricing-a great Little Italy must-stop!

Fall, to me, means several things in Baltimore. Some of my favorite festivals in the city, exciting new exhibits in the local museums and galleries, and being able to dine (comfortable sans humidity) al fresco. While most people may think of Fells Point, Inner Harbor, and even Harbor East as being go-to spots to dine outside and catch a few glorious rays bouncing off of the water, I have another little nook I like to perch while tasting flavorful wine and dining on fresh, gourmet fare. 

The Wine Market is not new to the always debated Federal Hill/Locust Point area but the menu is changing with various seasonal entrees, small plates, desserts, and so forth that every trip always brings something different yet appropriate for any seasonal cravings one might have. 

After spending a long day walking the Mount Vernon Square, it was unanimously decided that it was time to sit down, unwind, enjoy a glass of something light and refreshing, and end the day on a nice autumn note.

As you enter the Wine Market, you’re greeted with a little shop filled with wines, ciders, ales, and then some that provide great browsing material while waiting for your table (or even if you just want to pop in and find something for whatever you may be cooking at home later that night). With the option of buying a bottle and taking it to your table for dinner, the restaurant’s wine menu then becomes even more copious and overwhelming with great options.

After jotting down a couple new finds I’ll definitely be back to buy and try ( apple hard cider, anyone?), we were brought to our table outside. A pleasant September Saturday evening provided a warm enough breeze that we were able to be comfortable and enjoy the tucked away ambience the location brings. 

Always a true lover of sangria, I opted to try their house made sangria. A crisp, peachy concoction, the drink was refreshing, not overly sweet, and filled with peach halves and blueberries. Definitely a great end of summer drink that isn’t too heavy or rich for this time of year. 

While we were already provided a small plate of fresh bread and a tomato based oil to dip it in, we decided upon splitting a cheese plate with cardamon spiced almonds and quince paste (a dense jelly like square with a mild fruity tang). While I couldn’t even begin to repeat, rewrite, or remember the exact cheeses that were in season that night, I can remember we managed to polish off each of the three different triangles with ease.

A nice array of sharp, mild, and creamy cheeses filled the plate along with lightly buttered bread crisps. The plate disappeared in a matter of moments as the cheese worked perfectly with the sangria, the crisps, and the lightly seasoned nuts. For anyone looking for a casual meeting spot for a drink, I highly recommend this for just that! Opt for bar seating and enjoy a small plate of cheese and a glass of either wine or sangria to have a true Wine Market experience!

Following the cheese, both my date and I ordered Grilled Steak Salad (a full day of walking in the heat made us veer towards something light and easy over some of the more heartier entrees the restaurant offers). 

Words can’t describe how incredible and fresh the salad was when it arrived following the cheese plate. With all the dishes coming out in a steady pace, the salad arrived at the perfect time and looked as delicious as it tasted.

Chock full of fresh greens, deviled eggs, avocado, goat cheese, plump tomato, and, of course, a flavorful cut of steak ( cooked to your liking!), accompanied with a sweet and creamy dressing. 

Overall, The Wine Market provides a tucked away restaurant ( with a parking lot!) that is brimming with gourmet, decadent entrees and a slew of wine offerings and drink choices that change seasonally, e.g. a pumpkin inspired dessert that’s currently being offered. A great place to meet the girls for after work drinks or to bring the significant other for a quiet, romantic dinner, the restaurant is Baltimore’s answer (in my opinion) to Howard County’s Pure Wine Cafe and The Iron Bridge Wine Company. 

Stop by and be sure to check out their shop for some great take-home wines, sit down for a relaxing meal, or do both and leave far richer than you came in!