Ruby Lounge
802 N. Charles St.
Phone: 410-539-8051
Price: $15-$30
Location: Mount Vernon
Hours: Tue.-Wed.: 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m.
Thur.-Sat.: 5:30 p.m.-11 p.m.
Sun.: 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
Closed Mondays
Ruby lounge is a refreshingly eclectic mix between a trendy New York lounge and an art deco poetry cafe. Located within view of the Mount Vernon monument, this Baltimore bistro brings a real urban feel to the otherwise quiet area. The enjoyment of slipping away into the sophisticated ambience would be reason enough to visit, but the vast array of diverse dinner choices and original cocktails make the evening complete.
It addition to a wide variety of beers and ales, Ruby Lounge features nightly drink specials, such as half off all bottles of wine with the order of an entrZe. If you're interested in a more creative choice, the Lounge boasts over 35 varieties of martinis, such as "pond water," a combination of Skyy citrus, melon liquor and sour mix; and another interesting choice, "orange bloom," consisting of Gin, triple Sec and sweet vermouth. These tempting drinks range from $6 to $8.50. If this seems like it may stretch your wallet a bit too much, try going on Thursday nights when all Martinis are $2 off.
Nothing goes better with these artistic drink blends than the cross-cultural menu that is always enhanced by a few specials dreamt up by the head chefs. But whether you stick to the menu or take a chance on a more daring dish, there is no way to go wrong. Even before the meal starts, warm French bread and herbed olive oil are provided to make the dinner selection process just that much more enjoyable.
With an array of appetizers and salads that are both inventively created and artistically presented, it is hard not to make a trip to this restaurant a four-course affair.
Some of the Ruby Lounge favorite starters are the Green Chili Wontons with fire roasted salsa, the fried oysters with Wasabi dipping sauce and the Skirt Steak salad with romaine lettuce and a Gorgonzola Tarragon dressing. Though these choices are not to miss, it is advisable to share them if you harbor any hope of having room for an entrZe and, of course, a delicious dessert.
The really wonderful thing about the entrZe options is that there really is something for every taste. Patrons, from the most avid meat lover, to the true seafood enthusiast, to the health conscious vegetarian, will find themselves tempted here.
There is a southwestern Risotto with both chicken and chorizo sausage, a pan-seared sea bass with lump crab, and pasta with sautZed seasonal vegetables. Though some of these options may cost as much as $25, there is also a nice range of choices you can get for about $15.
If these options still seem too exotic for your tastes, then not to worry. The Ruby Lounge also has a richly decorated brick oven where they cook gourmet pizzas. Among the choices, even the plain cheese pizza is a tasty amalgamation of smoked mozzarella, cheddar, gorgonzola and parmesan.
If you're feeling more daring, try the smoked trout pizza or the garlic duck breast pizza, both popular and inventive. These pizzas are not only nicely sized, but they range in price from only $10 to $13.
If you manage to still find room for desert, then indulge your sweet tooth with any number of the dessert specials changed often with the seasons and pastry chefs creations. Though whatever is chosen will surely be fulfilling, the chocolate mouse cake with fresh strawberries and whipped cream is especially indulgent.
To make the experience even better, Ruby Lounge offers a friendly and young but knowledgeable wait staff that seems more than happy to accommodate diet restrictions or menu alterations. The service was quick and attentive, and dare I say that many members of the wait staff was good looking and charming as well.
So for a hot date, a birthday dinner, or even a guys or ladies night out, spend some extra money and enjoy all that the Ruby Lounge has to offer. You will be hard pressed to find such a great ambience with such delicious food anywhere else in Baltimore.
