Steakhouse$$$$mount-vernonBook 1 to 2 weeks ahead
The Prime Rib in Mount Vernon is a 1940s-style supper club with leopard carpet and a piano, serving the city's benchmark prime rib in black tie.
Order: The prime rib, with the Greenberg potato skins.
Tip: Jackets are required for men; a pianist plays nightly in the lounge.
SyrianChef Dima Al-Chaar$$$$federal-hillBook 1 to 2 weeks ahead
Ammoora in Federal Hill is Baltimore's Syrian fine-dining room at the Ritz-Carlton Residences, plating kibbeh and lamb beneath mother-of-pearl decor.
Order: The kibbeh and the saffron-rice lamb shanks with pomegranate.
Tip: The Damascene furniture and inlay are part of the experience; ask for a banquette.
Contemporary AmericanChef George Dailey$$$$bolton-hillBook 2 weeks ahead
Cookhouse in Bolton Hill is chef George Dailey's restored 19th-century rowhouse, plating pan-seared John Dory with chanterelles and foie-gras croquettes.
Order: The pan-seared John Dory with chanterelles.
Tip: The restored rowhouse parlour is the prettiest dining room in the city; reserve the front room.
Steakhouse$$$$harbor-eastBook 1 to 2 weeks ahead
The Ruxton in Harbor East is Atlas Restaurant Group's steakhouse, serving prime aged beef and house-made tater tots crowned with caviar near the waterfront.
Order: A dry-aged steak and the tater tots crowned with caviar.
Tip: It is the newest of the Atlas waterfront rooms; the bar pours a deep Martini list.
Japanese$$$$harbor-eastBook 1 to 2 weeks ahead
Azumi in Harbor East is Atlas Restaurant Group's contemporary Japanese room inside the Four Seasons, flying in fish for sushi, crudo and a long sake list.
Order: An omakase run of nigiri, plus the crudo selection.
Tip: Sit at the sushi counter for the omakase; the dining room overlooks the waterfront.
VeganChef Alisha Adibe$$$fells-pointBook 1 week ahead
Oleum in Fells Point is chef Alisha Adibe's vegan fine-dining room, plating plant-based small plates, house-made cheeses and an internationally spiced menu.
Order: Start with the house-made plant cheeses and whatever small plates are running.
Tip: It is one of the few plant-based fine-dining rooms in the region; start with the tasting menu.