Comfort Food Maryland Style

If you know something about Maryland cuisine, that something is presumably connected with crab. But there are more sultry seafood dishes in Maryland that would rank it high among U.S. coastal states for sensational seafood restaurants. Among the best is Langermann's of Baltimore. This upscale eatery, featured recently in Food and Wine's online gallery of restaurants, serves "Southern inspired" comfort food that includes omnivore favorites --chicken, beef, and pork--and splendid seafood dishes for pescetarians (and just plain seafood lovers).

My dinner companions were my husband and son who have become quite tolerant of their meals being photographed from all sides before they can start eating (in the upper-right photo is my husband, his fork poised for digging into the Mahi Mahi).

Main Dining Room (Courtesy of Langermann's)

In the main dining room, Langermann's white-table-cloth setting and dark, polished-wood flooring is juxtaposed above by warehouse-style windows, fixtures and open space. Natural light pours in, gilding the silver in late afternoon. Our appetizers and entrees were flavorful and well presented.

My husband David ordered the "Pan Roasted Mahi Mahi" with fresh corn kernels, asparagus, brown rice, and a perky mango salsa. We started our supper with two appetizers that we enjoyed: the "Crispy Fried Catfish" fingers and Langermann's fabulous "Tuna Crab Tartar." The catfish was as crispy as you would expect with coleslaw and fresh tartar sauce. Although not considered a comfort food, traditionally, the Tuna Crab Tartar, (below right) has chunks of fresh tuna amid cooked crab and topped with crisp sea vegetables and a bright grapefruit wedge. My teenage son ordered herb roasted chicken with mashed potatoes and braised green beans. It was half eaten before I could get a photo.

Langermann's elegant Charleston Shrimp and Grits, my entree, was coziness in a bowl. 

For dessert, we shared a berry cobbler. The fruit filling was appropriately balanced with sweetness and tartness but was topped with a lattice crust that was barely baked. We forgave this because we were more concerned with the filling.

The hostesses and servers were friendly and attentive (but not too much). Parking is free and plentiful and valet service is available on Friday and Saturday nights. Outdoor seating is available as well. Overall, our visit to Langermann's was enchanting, and the food was satisfying. If you happen to be in Baltimore--or live there--you'll be remiss if you don't pay a visit to Langermann's.