flyr16

Maui. Mostly.
We discussed the impressive lobby and view of that property.

christianj

As a local we have not stayed at the hotel but we did try Wit & Wisdom out for dinner. Sadly it was hands down one of the worst dinning experiences we have had in a long time. Service was horrible and the food was not prepared correctly and was bland and tasteless. IMHO definitely not worth the hype it's been getting and there are much better alternatives within a short walk including The Charleston and Cinghiale.

DrivingRain

Ive found the service here to be much worse than the food. I liked the food. But on multiple occasions it took 30-45 minutes to just get our order in.

Shangri-La

The restaurants at this property aren't getting a whole lot of love. I think one of them has already gone through a chef.

FlyingDoctorwu

The comment I keep hearing is that the food is pretty good... but very very expensive.... and not a ton of quantity...

which is tough for them because I find Charleston and and Cinghiale to be very very good and only expensive...

Wit and Wisdom is onto it's second chef...

FDW

AAerSTL

Had a good stay here several weeks ago. The property still has a new and fresh feel to it and the staff are friendly and eager to please. Despite being fully committed the night before my arrival, I was able to check in at 10:30am and be upgraded to a water view room. The room is well laid out and tastefully decorated, I especially enjoyed the large shower.

Spa and fitness center are well equipped and spacious. Spa access is complimentary for all guests one need to receive treatment for access to the sauna, experience showers, ice fountain, vitality pool. During my stay outdoor pool area has closed for the season, so I can't weigh in but it looks like a nice spot to spend time in the summer.

I was underwhelmed by the service and food at Wit & Wisdom. The restaurant seems to be in an identity crisis and can't identify if it is trying to be a small plates and lounge type establishment or full service restaurant. Sunday brunch too was underwhelming but nothing terrible.

Overall I will return when I am in Baltimore next.

DrivingRain

I had a meal recently at PABU. The service and beverages were quite good, the food was underwhelming though; bordering on disappointing. It's a small plate Japanese restaurant. We ordered close to a dozen different items and one after another was bland and dry including the chicken wing, fire roasted squid and our veg maki rolls. Others were better with more interesting flavor (rib eye, crusted pork tenderloin and a nicely done pork rib), but none could be considered close to exceptional. Bottomline: This restaurant would not survive in a market like New York. Even comparing it to NYC/philly Japanese restaurants that are more style than substance such as Morimoto...PABU falls markedly short in the food quality. A bill for two can easily approach 200 without a bottle of wine so it's also fairly expensive for a Baltimore restaurant.

I'd return only to the bar for their excellent cocktail/sake list and perhaps order some excellent roasted edamame to snack on. Otherwise, I won't be returning.

Earthman

Ok so we're staying here next week and I was looking forward to the japaneze

Are there any good restaurants within walking distance open on a sunday night?

FlyingDoctorwu

Cinghiale
Charleston
Fleet Street Kitchen is getting good reviews.
Also some new Greek place I've heard is ok.

But my go to for harbor east for a good solid meal is Cinghiale. I'm fairly casually so I always sit in the enoteca side.

Fdw

christianj

Several of us have recommended Cinghiale and Charleston. Depending on what you want and how far your willing to walk there are numerous choices. We also like:
Pazo - for tapas
Roy's - for Hawaiian and seafood
Kali's Court - American
Aldo's or Della Note - Italian alternatives but not as good as Cinghiale

I've also heard good things about the Waterfront Kitchen but we have yet to try it.

Earthman

Excelent,thanks.

Earthman

Just had an excellent stay here, I'd highly recommend service wise and hard product wise.My only experience of wit and wisdom was the bar in the evening which I thought was friendly and funky.The fireplaces were great.
Breakfast there was tasty and plenty of it.

Thanks again for the outside restaurant recommendations,Cinghaile especially.

FlyingDoctorwu

Glad you liked Cinghiale.. one of our favs!

FDW

Kagehitokiri

at FS >

2012 2.5* pabu http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/re...u,1244862.html (just published)
(3* in DC = sushi taro (2011) makoto (2007) kaz sushi bistro (2005))

2012 1.5* wit & wisdom (before chef change) http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/re...a,1220025.html

other baltimore >

2012 3.5* woodberry kitchen http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/re...n,1153915.html - opinions here?
2010 3.5* charleston (mentioned above) http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/re...n,1028484.html
2005 3* pazo (mentioned above) http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/re...o,1110712.html
2011 2.5* chameleon http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/re...n,1193454.html
2011 2* bluegrass tavern http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/re...n,1180742.html

FlyingDoctorwu

I've heard better and better things about Pabu; though primarily the sushi flown in from Tokyo....

Woodberry is excellent. Probably our favorite restaurant here in town... it's not terribly fancy... they excel at using great products and doing them really really well.. their oysters are some of my favorite in town (always very clean and very fresh).... brunch is probably my favorite meal here... the breakfast burger has my vote for best burger in town....

Chameleon is okay.. it's nowhere near the FS; rather it's out in Lauraville... parts of which can be kind of depressing...

Charleston is probably my pick for special occasions here in town... good service, good food... I've had much better experiences here than at Citronelle or City Zen...

Pazo is from the same group that brings us Charleston and Cinghiale... it's too loud for my taste... and the menu suffers from lack of focus... it tries to focus on small plates (tapas?) but also offering entrees and etc...

I ate at Bluegrass once... unremarkable meal.

FDW