I find Donna's, one block north of the Monument on St. Charles, to be a delight. It is the kind of place where bread is brought with a bowl of olive oil, and everything seems fresh. I hope they will open one inside I495. ===== RESTAURANTS. First and foremost, crab eating in Baltimore is mandatory. Cheasepeake Bay blue crabs, that is. O'BRYCKI'S is the place most often recomme nded Get crabcakes at FAIDLEY'S in the Lexington Market or at PHILLIP'S in the Inne r Harbor. There are lots and lots of walkup eateries in the Harbor. Most are OK quality, but overpriced There is a Restaurant Row up Charles Street. We heard a lot about TIO PEPE'S (Spanish, $$$, dress code), but never tried. Enjoyed fabulous rockfish and vege table s at THE ORCHID (approx. 500 N. block of Charles) where they attempt a fusion of Asian and French. Tell JoAnna you heard about it via the Internet, she gets a big kic k out of that. For lunch, try LOUIE'S BOOKSTORE & CAFE also approx. 500-600 N. Charles on the west side of the street, then go over to the Art Museum. Go to Fell's Point and sto p at BERTHA'S (look for sign of lady on swing). Pick up a bumper sicker that says EAT BERTHA 'S MUSSELS , then eat some. For $7-8 get a huge plate of very large mussels, garlic butter and bread. One night go to Little Italy (walk or take the Water Taxi) and find AMICCHI'S. This is a casual p lace which is of excellent quality and is less expensive than many of the other Little Italy restaurants. Then go a block and a half to VACCARRO'S for dessert - gelato, cannoli, tirami su and coffee. Baltimore has a few pretty good local beers, but I can't remember the names. Finally, there is a Ruth's Chris Steakhouse there somewhere, for you carnivores, but I don't eat mammals when good seafood is available! ========
Baltimore, MD