- Charleston (Baltimore, Md.; tel. 410/332-7373): Southern cuisine takes center stage at this restaurant in the trendy Harbor East neighborhood. Expect to be treated like royalty as the waitstaff serves your grilled yellowfin tuna with andouille sausage, and a perfect crème brûlée.
- Dogwood (Baltimore, Md.; tel. 410/889-0952): Organic, locally produced foods may be lovely on their own, but when prepared by a knowledgeable chef, sublime. Alice Waters, watch out.
- Carrol's Creek (Annapolis, Md.; tel. 410/263-8102): The best views of the waterfront and Annapolis's skyline are paired with imaginative food here. Dine indoors, or on the porch, from a menu that changes seasonally. The cream of crab soup is always a winner.
- Sabatino's (Baltimore, Md.; tel. 410/727-9414): Good food at reasonable prices is the norm at most of Little Italy's restaurants. But Sabatino's also offers cozy dining rooms, an attentive waitstaff, and dinner served late into the night.
- Gertrude's (Baltimore, Md.; tel. 410/889-3399): This restaurant in the Baltimore Museum of Art goes perfectly with a trip to view the exhibits or as a destination in itself. Gertrude's (as in Gertrude Stein) boasts artfully prepared food and outdoor dining (in season) with beautiful views.
- Celsius (Rehoboth, Md.; tel. 410/366-2005): Fill your pockets with cash and come early for Mediterranean-inspired seafood and Asian dishes. Prix-fixe menus and early bird specials make this lovely spot at the beach a good value.
- Jennifer's (Frederick, Md.; tel. 301/662-0373): This homey little place isn't chic. But it's friendly enough to accommodate small children, and its menus are simple and within almost everybody's budgets.
The Best Affordable Dining




