JUSTIN TSUCALAS
Pink Flamingo
A James Beard semifinalist this year in the“ Best New Bar” category, Pink Flamingo is as quirky as its name suggests. Brought to us by gin bar Dutch Courage co-owners Brendan Dorr and Eric Fooy, the Remington tavern delivers in terms of cool cocktails, including the Dizzy Flamingo and neon green Glow Worm, plus a selection of more than 120 rums and other cane spirits. The seasonal menu is renowned for its signature Spam chips with French onion dip as well as the conch fritters with house mojo sauce. Dorr recommends the jerk half chicken platter but says when in doubt, try the Big Kahuna burger.“ It’ s a sizeable half-pound short rib patty of highquality beef topped with pineapplebacon jam.” 300 W. 30th St.
Southpaw
In Fell’ s Point, this casual neighborhood haunt is known for slinging a range of exceptional cocktails that strike just the right balance of relaxed and intentional. Owner Doug Atwell, who made this year’ s James Beard Award semifinalist list for“ Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service,” recommends beginning with a Southpaw house original, such as the Old Sport, before ordering a smashburger. His version, served with curly fries, is loaded with lettuce, onion, pickles, cheese and bing-bong sauce. For the cherry on top, he suggests wrapping up with a seasonal cocktail. 529 S. Bond St.
Urban Oyster
There’ s a lot more on the menu than oysters at this elegant and breezy Hampden fixture, where owner Jasmine Norton was named a 2025 James Beard semifinalist for“ Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic.” For starters, it’ s impossible to beat the lobster corndog, which comes doused in powdered sugar and accompanied by creole mustard dipping sauce. Entrees include moules frites, an aged sirloin steak cheeseburger and smoky grilled branzino served with roasted cauliflower, salsa verde and white bean puree, which blend to make one perfect bite. 914 W. 36th St.
The Wren
Last year, the no-frills Irish pub, which brings a taste of Continental European fare to Fell’ s Point, made two national best restaurant lists. First came the New York Times, then, only three days later, Bon Appetit chimed in. Both publications praised The Wren for its intimate, living roomstyle atmosphere( the space seats fewer than 40 guests) and fresh, ingredient-based dishes( the menu, scrawled on a chalkboard, changes daily). Locals continue to come back for slow-cooked dishes like roast chicken, cassoulet and potted beef. Pub co-owner Will Mester suggests ordering the most straightforward, least exciting item the day’ s lineup has to offer to get a true sense of the chef’ s abilities. 1712 Aliceanna St. VB
BALTIMORE. ORG 29