Gertrude's
With the some of the best Maryland crab soup anywhere, Gertrude's is the spot for Free State foodies, thanks to celebrity chef John Shields' artfully prepared seasonal menu, which is heavy on the seafood and easy on the eyes. The build-your-own entrées are popular here, as are the gorgeous crab cakes. Rivaling the food for tasteful flair is the outdoor patio, which overlooks the Baltimore Museum of Art's meandering sculpture garden. A perfect place to impress out-of-towners without breaking the bank; also ideal for a quiet lunch among the academic cognoscenti of adjacent Johns Hopkins University.