Tagliata: A Review of Baltimore's Favorite Restaurants

Baltimore Italian Eats: Dish-by-Dish Rating Guide 🇮🇹✨ Craving Italian cuisine in Baltimore? Here’s a detailed breakdown of every dish I tried—from 5-star faves to skip-worthy picks, perfect for planning your next meal (solo or with friends)! 🥖 Starters & Appetizers Focaccia Bread (with Creme Fraiche): 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Obsessed with this bread! It’s soft, chewy, and super moist (high hydration dough). Served with creme fraiche sprinkled with sea salt and black pepper—slather it on, and it’s absolutely delicious. A must-have to start! Oysters: 🌟🌟🌟 Slightly fishy, with a sauce that tastes like sriracha. For $24, the value is underwhelming—not worth the splurge. Polpette (Meatballs): 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Three hearty meatballs served with a small baguette slathered in cream. Flavors are solid but not groundbreaking, and the portion is generous. Calamari: 🌟🌟🌟½ Tangy, acidic seasoning with olives and raisins—but the combo feels odd. Not my favorite, but the calamari itself is cooked well. Tuscan Fried Chicken: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Crispy exterior + juicy chicken = foolproof deliciousness! However, it can be hit-or-miss—once the chicken was overcooked, making it just average. 🍝 Pastas & Risotto Squid Ink Campenelle: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Creamy sauce loaded with crab meat and brightened with basil. The pasta has a firm bite, and the crispy breadcrumbs on top (best eaten hot!) are a game-changer. Lobster Fra Diavolo: 🌟🌟🌟🌟½ Generous lobster meat, al dente pasta, and zesty tomato sauce with a slight kick. Only downside: inconsistent seasoning—once the sauce was overly salty. Bolognese: 🌟🌟🌟🌟½ My new go-to! Thick pasta tossed in cheesy meat sauce—no big surprises, but it’s crowd-pleasing, comforting, and never a letdown. Acquerello Risotto: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Creamy mushroom risotto with rich umami flavor. It gets a bit heavy halfway through, but the mushroom taste shines through nicely. Lobster Ravioli: 🌟🌟🌟½ Six small ravioli stuffed with lobster. The flavor is mild and delicate, but the portion is tiny—poor value for the price. 🥩 Mains (Steaks & Meats) New York Strip: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Dry-aged steak with a unique fermented aroma. The exterior is crispy, and the inside stays tender—though it was once over-charred, which dulled the taste. Cowboy Ribeye: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Similar to the New York Strip but with more marbling (richer flavor). Consistent quality overall, perfect for meat lovers. Braised Shortrib: 🌟🌟🌟🌟½ Fall-off-the-bone tender short ribs, served with radishes and ramp puree (American chives). The puree adds a fresh, savory kick that pairs beautifully with the meat—highly recommended! Veal Chop Milanese: 🌟🌟🌟 Breaded fried veal chop—overcooked and dry inside. Only pro is the large portion; it’s lacking in seasoning and flavor. #SoloDining #ItalianFood #BaltimoreFood #RestaurantRecommendation #AtmosphericDining #FoodieGuide #DishRating #HiddenGem