So with the nice weather upon us I always want to try places with great views and nice outdoor seating. So we were down in Fells Point for Privateer Day and wanted to grab a nice lunch.

So we went to Shuckers Restaurant & Bar. The décor of this place reminded me of your typical sports related place- they proclaim to be the destination for spirits, sports, food and fun. The view is great as you look upon the harbor and people of Fells Point.

In the mood for seafood, I started with a cup of Seafood Bisque ($4.49) - the flavor was nice and there were amble size pieces of crab but I missed the rest of the seafood. I know bisque is normally thicker than most soup but this was thick like pudding. Despite the thickness and lack of other seafood the flavor was decent.

I then had the Seafood Cobb Salad ($13.99) - Lump Crab & Blackened Jumbo Shrimp served over a large garden salad topped with avocado, bleu cheese, bacon & egg and finished with a stone ground mustard vinaigrette. I was impressed with the amount of toppings served and the entire salad it self. One disappointment was the flavor of the shrimp, for being blackened it didn’t have much of the Cajun flare.

My Husband started with a cup of the Tomato Bisque ($4.49). It was average but we both agree it doesn’t beat Safeway’s Tomato Bisque.

For his main dish he had the Chicken Chesapeake ($17.99) - Fire grilled chicken breast topped with lump crab meat and imperial sauce and then broiled. The chicken and crab imperial were very moist. The dish also came with Cole Slaw and French Fries. The Cole Slaw wasn’t over powered with celery seed and fries were perfectly cooked.

The major problem we had was the wait for our food. It took also 45 minutes after we sat down to get us our soup and then another long length of time to get our main course. It could have been to the crowds of Privateer Day but tables around us that sat after us got all their food before we did and left before we did. I will agree that it’s atmosphere lives up to the spirits, sports and fun, however, it wouldn’t be my destination for a wonderful meal. With that said, it doesn’t mean I wouldn’t go back but I have other places I would pick over it.

I was heading out for a night with a friend and our first stop was to have dinner. Driving up Charles St. we decided to stop at XS Baltimore for dinner. I loved the atmosphere as soon as we walked in.

Have you even seen breakfast, sushi, cocktails and dessert all on one menu? Well here you will! The menu adds to the eclectic atmosphere.

The atmosphere adds to the originality of menu- exposed brick, steel and modern lighting with eccentric glass. The feel was very modern and hip. There are four possible floors for dining: 1- coffee bar/outdoor dining/sushi bar, 2- Mezzanine Dining, 3- Main Restaurant Dining Area with bar and DJ, and 4- Loft Dining Area. We ate on the 2nd floor which offered a great view of the main floor below.

My friend and I decide we would share some sushi and each order a salad. I started with the Cran-Apple Salad ($6.95)-mixed greens, sliced apples, dried cranberries, walnuts, and maple vinaigrette. The salad was crisp and refreshing except they did over do the dressing a bit. Since it was a vinaigrette is did flow to the bottom of the salad and was not drowning in it. My friend ordered the Mixed Berries Salad ($6.50)- a mixtures of blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and strawberries. The berries were fresh.

One of the sushi rolls we split was the Crazy Salmon Roll ($11.95)-8 piece Spicy salmon and tempura flakes inside, outside torched salmon and masago with eel sauce and sweet and spicy sauce. Beware this one is SPICY and it sticks with you- trust me it lingers! The second roll was Crunchie Fire ($11.50)- 8 piece Shrimp tempura and avocado inside; spicy tuna, tempura flake, and spicy sauce outside. This one had a kick to it but in no way lingered like the Crazy Salmon Roll. Both rolls were fresh and flavorful. Besides the heat (I would still order it again) we enjoyed both rolls extremely.

The Wine Market is the perfect scene for any age. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming with the industrial feel and the art adorned walls. I loved the feeling that surrounded me as I entered. I had a sense of relaxation and warmth. I thought this was a perfect place to go to during Restaurant Week.

I started with the Lobster Bisque with puffed arborio rice and shaved fennel. As it was placed before me I was impressed with the portion that I was given. The smells wound its way to me with a sweetness and savory. The texture was perfect and the seasoning wasn't over powering. I enjoyed every last drop.

For my entrée I had the steak frites- grilled 6oz flatiron steak with rosemary, truffle malt vinegar fries, and hooks blue cheese. As soon as the plate was placed down my mouth started to water. The steak was cooked perfectly to my request and my love of rosemary was satisfied. The steak was atop the delicious mound of fries. The texture is hard to explain other than saying that they were soggy but also crisp. I must say these were one of the best fries I have ever had. The blue cheese wasn't over powering and adds to seasoning on both the fries and steak. I had to make sure that this item was on their normal menu and I was ecstatic to see that it is.

Many of the items on the dessert menu were had a chocolate them. Since I am not very big on rich chocolate dessert I went with the mango sorbet. The sorbet was very refreshing, very dense and intensely flavored. As I ate it I wished that it wasn't served in such a delicate portion- I want a triple scoop on this one!

My friend tried the curry chocolate pav with toasted coconut crème fraiche (pav is layered dessert that typically has a cookie or cake filling). For those chocolate lovers out there this is a perfectly rich dream come true for you.

The service was perfect for those of us who like to dine and mingle with our company. Our server saw that we wanted to be able to talk and spend sometime together so we were given out space but he also made sure to not let us unattended.

The food is beautifully prepared and perfectly seasoned. The wait staff was pleasant and attentive- willing to let you gossip and mingle and not pushy for you to order. I feel in love with each aspect of this new gem for me and while be a frequent diner.