R. House (301 W 29th St, Baltimore, MD 21211), the second food hall to open in Baltimore recently, is a former auto body shop that has been totally renovated into a modern, industrial space. There are eight (8) food stalls, each serving a different type of cuisine.
Ambiance
The vibe in R. House was that of a gourmet cafeteria. That may sound a little drab, but it's everything but. Whether you're on a date, out with family (including small children) or friends, R. House literally has something for everyone. Because it's such an open space, don't go expecting a quiet romantic evening for two, but a fun, lively atmosphere.
Cocktails
What I loved most about R. House was that there was a 40-seat bar at the far end serving handcrafted cocktails. (A great way to remind you that it wasn't your school's cafeteria.) I absolutely adored their cocktail menu. It's an "unofficial and mostly useless but hopefully somewhat entertaining guide to finding your next libation." You can go through a series of choices and depending on what you're in the mood for, you'll end up with a signature cocktail, beer or wine. It's genius!
I ended up trying the Lady Remington and Hearts + Daggers, both of which were well-made and potent. Cocktails were reasonably priced ranging from $10-$15.
Food
Here's the rundown of R. House's food options:
- Coffee and breakfast (Ground & Griddled)
- Traditional tacos (Amano Taco)
- Fried chicken sandwiches (BRD)
- Handmade arepas (White Envelope)
- Vegetarian fare (Stall 11)
- Mediterranean street food (ARBA)
- Korean BBQ (BeBim),
- Poke bowls (Hilo)
I had the (pork) tacos ($3 a pop) and they were delicious. My friend had food from BeBim and she also enjoyed her nice-sized portioned meal. Next time, I want to try BeBim or the handmade arepas!
Things to Note:
- Parking was a bit limited. There's a small parking lot next to R. House and street parking is also available. Just be sure to read the street signs before parking first.
- I went on a Friday night and it was very crowded. Be prepared to stand until a table becomes available.
- Seriously, stalk tables until you find one.
I absolutely adored R. House and look forward to going again!