RDAP13 will take place April 4-5, 2013 Baltimore, MD at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront. Walking distance from many great attractions, the location offers dining, entertainment and sight seeing opportunities to expand your conference experience.
The IA Summit volunteer crew has shared an excellent list of nearby restaurants you can peruse below.
Where to Eat
Hotel Information
Local Eats Within Walking Distance
Aldo’s Ristorante Italiano
Traditional Italian / $$$
Good for large groups
Map and Directions
Best restaurant in Little Italy (and one of the city’s best); spectacular traditional southern Italian food (and wines) and lots of menu surprises. Most of Little Italy can be skipped; Aldo’s should be mandatory. Upscale decor, vibe, clientele and waitstaff.
Bertha’s
Seafood-American / $$
Good for medium groups
Map and Directions
Good quality, done-right seafood is a staple here (“Eat Bertha’s Mussels” green bumper stickers are seen across the globe) at this 40-year-old Fell’s Point institution; inviting, well-worn dining rooms and no-frills bar sometimes stocked with characters; live music some weekends. Get the mussels and a bumper sticker.
Blue Moon
Breakfast / $
Good for small groups
Map and Directions
If you can schedule going at a time when there are no crowds, this legendary and messy breakfast joint has some amazing, decadent options (the Cap’n Crunch French Toast is not to be missed), but heavy crowds (see: two hour waits) can overwhelm the kitchen and staff.
Chazz
Italian / $$
Good for large groups
Map and Directions
Operated by a member of the Aldo’s restaurant family, this new, modern/traditional Italian restaurant offers the usual pasta and meat fare but specializes in lauded pizzas; the name comes from owner/actor Chazz Palminteri.
Cinghiale
Traditional Italian / $$$
Good for large groups
Map and Directions
Very precise, very upscale cuisine from Northern and Central Italy, with strong emphasis on wine pairings and creating a meal “experience.” Though it’s in a brand-new building, the restaurant has two halves: one formal (osteria, with dress code), one more relaxed and built of tile, metals and wood to give an Old World feel (enoteca).
The Black Olive
Greek / $$$
Good for large groups
Map and Directions
Seafood is the star at this upscale Fell’s Point restaurant which emphasizes organic foods, where you can select your own personal iced-down fish (cost varies by size/species) for grilling and tableside filleting. There are plenty of less aquatic options as well, including outstanding lamb dishes. Best to not wear shorts here.
Duda’s
American / $$
Good for small groups
Map and Directions
One of the few remaining no-frills bars in Fell’s Point, Duda’s has just a handful of tables, a small bar, a long menu, and is constantly full. The food is way better than it needs to be—the crab cakes are fantastic—and the beers are always cold here. If you’re looking to get away from the slick dining experiences and just eat some good food and drink some ales, run to Duda’s.
James Joyce
Irish / $$
Good for large groups
Map and Directions
Just a few steps from the Marriott is this faux-old Irish-pub-restaurant that can handle small and large groups, shows plenty of soccer and sports on a bank of TVs, and serves quite good staples like bangers and mash alongside a voluminous beer menu.
Kali’s Court
Mediterranean / $$$
Good for large groups
Map and Directions
Located through a New Orleans-like walled courtyard overflowing with flora, this upscale seafood restaurant is a favorite “event” destination of both locals and tourists. Abundant wine list; desserts are also recommended.
Lebanese Taverna
Lebanese / $$
Good for large groups
Map and Directions
A large, windowed space that’s both modern and warm, this D.C.-regional chain offers small plates featuring the best of Lebanese cuisine: lamb, artichokes, pomegranates, nuts, and four varieties of hummus. Large front bar area as well, good for getting evenings started.
Miss Shirley’s
Breakfast / $$
Good for medium groups
Map and Directions
A three-location Baltimore institution, Miss Shirley’s Inner Harbor location is often busy on weekends but can handle the load; huge, decadent French toast plates are a sure bet, and the adventurous may steer toward the benne seed fried chicken and white cheddar/green onion waffles.
Oceanaire
Seafood / $$$
Good for large groups
Map and Directions
A sleek, nautically-themed upscale seafood chain, Baltimore’s Oceanaire is built to handle crowds and large groups in the vast dining room or pairs and single visitors at the inviting bar. The seafood here focuses on big pieces of fish prepared perfectly and served with intriguing sauces, plus a huge variety of shellfish.
Pabu
Sushi / $$$
Good for medium groups
Map and Directions
Located next to the posh Four Seasons hotel and a short walk from the Marriott, this beautiful wood, bamboo and glass sushi restaurant is geared for both newcomers and veterans; the impressive sake selection numbers over 100, and the views of sunset over the Inner Harbor are some of the best in town.
Pazo
Spanish / $$$
Good for large groups
Map and Directions
One of Baltimore’s most popular social destinations, Pazo is home to two scenes within its vast brick and metal space; an excellent tapas and Spanish restaurant focusing on the Mediterranean region in both menu and setting, plus an enthusiastic cocktail and tapas crowd.
Slainte
Irish / $$
Good for medium to large groups
Map and Directions
Fell’s Point’s best Irish bar and restaurant, capable of handling a crowd and keeping them in drink and food; Slainte (pronounced “slawnt-cha”) is also the city’s capital of soccer (and other peculiar foreign sports) viewing, drawing big breakfast crowds for premier European matches.
Hotel Information
Added hotel
Courtyard Baltimore Marriott Downtown/Inner Harbor
1000 Aliceanna St, Baltimore, MD
The second hotel is one small block down the street from the conference hotel. The hotel rate for the IA Summit is $169.
Reserve one king size bed at The Courtyard Baltimore Marriott Downtown
Reserve two double beds Room at The Courtyard Baltimore Marriott Downtown
Conference Hotel – may be sold out
Reserve a room at the group rate (currently $179.00 for standard room). We share the IA Summit 2013 group code.
Baltimore Marriott Waterfront
700 Aliceanna Street, Baltimore, MD
As the event approaches, local volunteers will help compile a list of places to dine, network & enjoy near the hotel.
