Curing the January Blues

South Baltimore has a new dining destination. Welcome Rachel, the new restaurant from Chef Barry Fleischmann (formerly of Innovative Gourmet). Named for his daughter, the cozy bistro offers a casual, but sophisticated menu of New American cuisine. The space, once home to the still-sorely missed Soigne, housed a series of concepts over the years before sitting vacant for several more. Fleischmann has given it a complete overhaul, including a handsome barroom and two dining rooms. I found these swan head tap handles particularly charming.

And my rye Manhattan arrived in this stylish, modern cocktail glass. {Rachel, 554 E. Fort Ave., Federal Hill}

Speaking of new restaurants, uptown recently saw the opening of Dylan’s Oyster Cellar on The Avenue in Hampden. Owner Dylan Salmon started the concept in 2014 in a 6-month pop-up space in Mount Vernon. After a hiatus, he’s re-opened in more spacious quarters that include a big bar and a modest, charming dining room. I was pleasantly surprised to find such stylish, retro dishes on the menu such as Crab Imperial and Steak Diane (and it’s rumored that Lobster Thermidor has been spotted). And most nights, you’ll find Dylan himself behind the bar, happily shucking oysters. {Dylan’s Oyster Bar, 3601 Chestnut Ave. (corner of 36th), Hampden}

Quintessential Gentleman downtown has quietly grown over the past few years from a modest two-floor high-end barber shop to a quasi-department store with six floors housing a salon, spa, haberdashery, bar/lounge, pool room and a cigar lounge.

I recently spent part of the evening with a buddy in the stylish cigar room, sipping rye whiskey and indulging in a nice stogie. {Quintessential Gentleman, 31 S. Calvert Street, downtown}

Closing out Winter Restaurant Week, a few friends gathered one evening at La Cuchara in the Woodberry neighborhood. The entire sprawling restaurant was bustling, but when there, I always take a moment to stop and admire the featured charcuterie station up front, to see what gourmet treats are on offer for the evening. {La Cuchara, 3600 Clipper Mill Road, Woodberry}