The French Connection

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French Kitchen
20 W. Baltimore St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 539-8400
www.lbfrenchkitchen.com

After ten straight weekends of a strict jeans-and-tee-only schedule, all that's left in your closet are some empty wire hangers, a powder-blue prom tux, and the special-occasion suit you only wear to job interviews and Cousin Janet's wedding.

Instead of giving in and doing laundry, take that suit (or at least a nice pair of pants) for a ride with a night of wining, dining and pretending there's more to your savings account than residuals from Grandma's birthday checks. Start at the French Kitchen, a recently opened French bistro located in the landmark Lord Baltimore Hotel where you can imagine impeccably dressed sophisticates drinking martinis and discussing world affairs.

Beyond the refined clientele, this elegant brasserie - located at the top of the lobby's grand staircase - has a lot going for it. To reclaim its status as one of Baltimore's most significant and luxurious spaces, every inch of the hotel has been renovated to its former glory. The result is a distinct Parisian vibe, thanks to Louvre-esque details like refurbished antique chandeliers, slightly imposing sky-high ceilings, lavish candelabras and an abundant use of gold and sky-blue trimmings. In fact, the restaurant occupies the hotel's Versailles Room, thus encouraging patrons to dine like French royalty.

More: Best Bistros in Baltimore

The menu is focused on seasonal takes on classic French bistro fare, with dishes like beet-cured salmon with dill and crème fraiche, monkfish with navy beans and pureed fennel and the "French Onion Burger", a behemoth topped with caramelized onion, bacon, gruyere pommes, pickle and remoulade. But it's not all stuffy, pinky-raised dining – a bright blue ceiling adds a bit of whimsy to the proceedings and Chef de Cuisine Zeke Altenbernd's food aims to be more approachable than traditional fine French cuisine.

More: E.S.P. Eat. See. Play. Baltimore

Add in fresh-baked artisanal bread and a small yet well-rounded wine list and it all comes together to create a dining experience worth putting your suit on for – as long as it's not the powder blue one.

By Arielle Sachar