If you are in Charm City and looking for a heartwarming meal, head to Charleston in Harbor East. With chef Cindy Wolf manning the kitchen, you can’t help but fall in love with each and every bite.
Wolf’s regional American/French fusion Baltimore restaurant serves up dishes such as sautéed heads-on Gulf shrimp with Andouille sausage and Tasso ham with creamy stone-milled grits.
The restaurant also has an impressive wine program that includes several dozen sparkling wines and a selection of about 600 well-chosen whites and reds from the New World (Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Chile) and the Old (France, Italy and Spain). Charleston also offers more than a dozen microbrews and imported beers.
Wolf’s regional American/French fusion Baltimore restaurant serves up dishes such as sautéed heads-on Gulf shrimp with Andouille sausage and Tasso ham with creamy stone-milled grits.
The restaurant also has an impressive wine program that includes several dozen sparkling wines and a selection of about 600 well-chosen whites and reds from the New World (Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Chile) and the Old (France, Italy and Spain). Charleston also offers more than a dozen microbrews and imported beers.
Our Inspector's Highlights
- One of the things we really love about the beverage selection at Charleston is that all wines by the glass are available in whole and half pours, the latter of which are ideal for the smaller plates menu.
- Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary, are having a solo dinner or are with a party of friends or extended family, the warm and welcoming staff will instantly make you feel at home.
- Chef Cindy Wolf has made a name for herself and Charleston restaurant in Baltimore by producing a consistently superb menu of smaller sized plates that can be part of a three, four, five or six course meal.
- With a selection of about twenty offerings, including vegetable highlights, classic dishes and daily specials, the menu offers something for everyone, whether you’re looking for vegetarian fare or a lobster and foie gras feast.
- Tipplers will appreciate the selection of well-curated libations, most of which are classics — like the One Mint Julep, the Kir Royale or the mojito — though the mod martinis, all of which are poured tableside, are worth a gander.
Things to Know
- The restaurant only offers prix-fixe menus, with three, four, five or six courses, plus dessert and the option to add in a cheese tasting. Portions do run pretty large (for smaller plates, that is) and also include an amuse bouche and mignardises, which makes this one of the city’s outstanding fine dining deals.
- While Charleston’s dress code does not require a jacket and tie, men may want to wear them, as there will definitely be people in sport coats and bowties. As for the ladies, a cocktail dress would be appropriate.
- Keep in mind that Charleston is closed on Sundays, so you’ll have to come in between 5:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday for a taste of this unique menu.
The Food
- The first section of the menu includes a daily, changing selection of French-influenced fare championing American and low country flavors, so expect items like rich lobster soup with curry or pan-roasted sea scallops with nectarines and favas.
- The menu's second section showcases the “The Classics” offering Wolf's tried-and-true favorites like cornmeal fried oysters with lemon cayenne aioli and a superb pan-roasted wild rockfish with mushrooms.
- The vegetable section of the menu includes seasonal, fresh produce-based dishes (think heirloom tomato gazpacho or poached artichokes with basil come summer).
- Desserts, meanwhile, might highlight the bounty from local farms, like a blackberry tart with raspberry-peach-rose sorbet, or something a little richer, like guanaja chocolate mousse with roasted apricots.
The Bar
- If you’re looking for a refreshing cocktail before dinner or simply want a slightly less formal room in which to dine — one that offers you lovely harbor views, no less — you can head straight to Charleston’s bar.
- Located just to the right of the entrance, the windowed room features a long, handsome wood-topped bar flanked by floral padded stools with seat backs.
- Take your pick from the many spirits lining the wooden shelves behind the bar, or claim one of the cozy orange chairs at the smaller cocktail tables.
- Opt for one of the signature drinks, like the Harbor East Martini, made with Grey Goose l’Orange vodka, Cointreau, Grand Marnier, sparkling wine and orange, peach and lime juices — it’s like the fanciest, tastiest, most decadent version of Tang you could envision.
Amenities
Bar
Business casual
Dinner
Private dining
Reservations recommended 
