Key:  $-inexpensive; $$-inexpensive to moderate; $$$-moderate to expensive; $$$$-expensive 

Mount Vernon Area

Akbar: 823 N. Charles St; 410-539-0944.  Northern Indian; lunch buffet and dinner; $$

Ban Thai:  340 N. Charles St; 410-727-7971; Authentic Thai dishes; lunch and dinner; $$

Brass Elephant:  924 N. Charles St; 410-547-8480; great happy hour; Dinner only.  $$$

Brewer's Art:  1106 N. Charles St; 410-547-6925; Stylish pub fare and home brews.  Good vegetarian options; extensive wine list. Opens at 4:30 p.m. $$$

City Cafe: 1001 Cathedral Street; 410-539-4252. Airy cafe; breakfast, lunch and dinner; $$

Donna's:  800 N. Charles St; 410-385-0180.  Coffee shop with gourmet salads and sandwiches.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner. $$

Helmand:  806 North Charles St; 410-752-0311; excellent authentic Afghan cuisine; vegetarian options; Lunch and dinner. $$

Ixia: 518 N. Charles St; 410-727-1800.  Fusion of American, Pacific Rim and Mediterranean cuisines.  $$$

Mid-Town Yacht Club:  15 E. Center St; 410-837-1300.  Pub fare; full Mexican menu; known for the peanuts on the bar floor. Lunch and dinner.  $$

Mughal Garden: 920 N. Charles St; 410-547-0001.  Indian; wonderful lunch buffet; more expensive at dinner time. $$

Owl Bar:  1 E. Chase St; 410-347-0888.  A haunt of Mencken's with a brass bar, owls, and yards of beer.  Lunch and dinner; $$$

Red Maple:  930 N. Charles St; 410-547-0149; Asian-themed tapas; chic interior and clientele; cover after 9 p.m. Dinner. $$

Saffron:  802 N. Charles St; 410-528-1616.  Upscale and imaginative Indian fusion cuisine. Lunch and dinner; $$$

Sasha's 527:  527 N. Charles St; 410-539-8880.  Eclectic dishes; grilled seafood and steaks; vegetarian entrees.  Lunch and dinner; $$

Sotto Sopra:  405 N. Charles St; 410-625-0534.  Classy and fairly expensive northern Italian restaurant with a good wine list. Lunch and dinner; $$$$

Thai Landing; 1207 N. Charles St; 410-727-1234.  Fresh Thai fare; lunch and dinner; $$

Tio Pepe:  10 E. Franklin; 410-539-4675.  Classic and expensive Spanish dining; a Baltimore institution.  Lunch and dinner.  Jacket required! $$$$

Viccino's:  1317 N. Charles St; 410-347-0349.  Creative fusion cuisine, pastas, fresh seafood. Lunch and dinner; $$$

XS:  1307 North Charles St; 410-727-8815.  Something for eveyone in a sleek, four-story lounge.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner. $$

Charles Village (JHU Area)

Ambassador Dining Room:  3811 Canterbury Rd; 410-366-1484.  Northern Royal Indian cuisine; great lunch buffet. $$$

Brasserie Tatin:  105 W. 39th St; 443-278-9110; Contemporary French brasserie; $$$ for lunch; $$$$ for dinner; reservations recommended for dinner.

Carma's Cafe:   3120 St. Paul Street; 410-243-5200; coffee and tea, homemade soups, sandwiches,and sweets. Open 7am to 8pm during the summer. $$

Charles Village Pub:  3107 St. Paul Street; 410-243-1611; good pub fare; student and local hangout; lunch and dinner.  $

Chipotle: 3201 St. Paul St. 410-662-1701; fresh, inexpensive Tex-Mex. Lunch and dinner. $

Donna's of Charles Village; 3101 St. Paul St; 410-889-3410.  Tiny but welcoming coffee shop with gourmet salads and sandwiches.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner.  $$

Gertrude's at the BMA:  10 Art Museum Drive; 410-889-3399; Chef John Shields' traditional Maryland cooking with a twist. Lunch and dinner.  $$$

Niwana:  3215 N. Charles St; 410-366-4115; Korean and Japanese dishes.  Lunch and dinner.  $$

One World Cafe: 100 W. University Parkway; 410-235-5777; Imaginative vegetarian fare with vegan options. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.  $

Paper Moon Diner:  227 W. 29th St; 410-889-4444.  Funky atmosphere; good diner and vegetarian fare; open 24 hours. $

PJ's Pub: 3333 North Charles St.; 410-243-8844.  Student hang-out known for great wings and burgers; $

Rocky Run; 3105 St. Paul St; 410-235-2501.  Local mini-change with its own brew; good burgers, appetizers; great place for kids.  Lunch and dinner; $$

Ruby Tuesday's; 3003 N. Charles St; 410-467-8155.  A national chain; reliable for burgers, salad bar, desserts.  Lunch and dinner; $$

The Spice Company; 4 West University Pkwy; 410-235-5400.  Eclectic cuisine; much better than the average hotel restaurant.  Lunch and dinner; $$$

Tamber's: 3327 St. Paul St; 410-243-5777.  Burgers, sandwiches, pastas and Indian food, all in the same place.  And good at both!  Lunch and dinner; $$

Thai Restaurant: 3316 Greenmount Ave; 410-889-6002.  The first Thai restaurant in Baltimore, and still the best.  Lunch and dinner; $$