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Name: Cinghiale - Osteria
Address: 822 Lancaster St, Baltimore, MD, 21202
Telephone: (410) 547-8282
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.92

Cinghiale - Osteria

822 Lancaster St, Baltimore, MD, 21202

(410) 547-8282
Store is closed

Cinghiale - Osteria Menu

Antipasti - First Plates

Lobster & Butternut Squash Soup

Salad of Romaine

Grilled Calamari

Salad of Bitter Greens

Chef’s Selection Of Bruschetta Del Giorno

Grilled Foie Gras

Local Beet Salad

Grilled Treviso Salad
Salumi - Charcuterie

Prosciutto Di San Daniele

Porchetta with Radishes & Arugula

Mortadella With Giardiniera

Salame Piccante

Finocchiona Toscana

Affettati Misti

Bresaola della Valtellina
Primi - Pasta & Risotto

Acquerello Risotto

Hand Formed Tortellini

Hand Cut Tagliatelle

Smoked Potato Gnocchi

Spaghetti alla Chitarra
Secondi - Main Dishes

Pan Seared Scallops

Pan Roasted Red Snapper

Grilled Orata

Grilled Chicken

Grilled Wagyu Sirloin

Grilled Magret of Duck

Red Wine Braised Beef Short Ribs

Grilled Rabbit Loin
Contorni - Side Dishes

Sautéed Spinach

Turnips & Carrots

Creamy Polenta

Roasted Cauliflower
I Dolci - Dessert

Tiramisu

Vanilla Panna Cotta

Selection of House Made Gelato & Sorbetto

Torta di Mele

Torta Tenerina

Crispy Sweet Potato Filled Ravioli

Healthy Meal suggestions for Cinghiale - Osteria

Antipasti - First Plates

Lobster & Butternut Squash Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salad of Romaine [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salad of Bitter Greens [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chef’s Selection Of Bruschetta Del Giorno [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Foie Gras [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Local Beet Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Treviso Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Salumi - Charcuterie

Prosciutto Di San Daniele [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Porchetta with Radishes & Arugula [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mortadella With Giardiniera [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salame Piccante [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Finocchiona Toscana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Affettati Misti [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bresaola della Valtellina [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Primi - Pasta & Risotto

Acquerello Risotto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hand Formed Tortellini [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hand Cut Tagliatelle [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Smoked Potato Gnocchi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spaghetti alla Chitarra [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Secondi - Main Dishes

Pan Seared Scallops [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pan Roasted Red Snapper [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Orata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Wagyu Sirloin [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Magret of Duck [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Red Wine Braised Beef Short Ribs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Rabbit Loin [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Contorni - Side Dishes

Sautéed Spinach [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Turnips & Carrots [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Creamy Polenta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Cauliflower [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
I Dolci - Dessert

Tiramisu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vanilla Panna Cotta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Selection of House Made Gelato & Sorbetto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Torta di Mele [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Torta Tenerina [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crispy Sweet Potato Filled Ravioli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Laura P.

We have dined here many times, many Tuesdays when they offer half price bottles of wine. The only problem we've ever had was with service. I recommend going in earlier than later, they don't seem to be too happy when people are there close to close. The food is always excellent. We've eaten off both fixed price menus and ala carte. The salumi are not to be missed. The only issue we've had with food are that the desserts tend to be boring and off par with the rest of the menu.
(5)
meerkats k.

our favorite place for a special celebration in Baltimore
(5)
J W R.

There are two sides to Cinghiale -- the Enoteca (rustic) and the Osteria (with table cloths). Both use the same menu. Multiple course meals with many options are available. Optional wine with each course (and the pours are generous.) I enjoyed everything we tried. It is in a cool neighborhood, the Harbor East side. If you want really good Italian, go here. I don't think you will be disappointed.
(4)
Jen R.

Excellent dining experience. Nice ambiance -- great service and very good food.
(5)
Rishi S.

What a great ambiance and service, food is served promptly, the manager walks around introducing tasting of different rare wines, Alejandro our waiter was very polite and efficient, I took away one star because the food didn't agree with my palate and seating time was too long despite making reservations, otherwise some exotic dishes and wonderful warm service, would definitely recommend it to family and friends...
(4)
B J.

This place is high class. From the complimentary valet to the hospitality staff dressed in suits, this restaurant is sophisticated yet approachable. It's a fantastic place for a date night if you aren't afraid to spent a little extra. La cucina della nonna was enough for me. Bruchetta was made just right. The shrimp pasta was so tender and buttery. Wine flights were just the right pairing. The cured meat platter is a nice balance to the palate. At the end of the meal the waiter even asked for our valet ticket so our car would be ready for us as soon as we walked out of the restaurant. Minus one star for price. It's a great restaurant but certainly not worth over $150 for two people.
(4)
Mike C.

Ate outside for Mothers Day, and it was a great time. Fantastic food, good service and beautiful night. a dining experience doesn't get much better.
(5)
Jeff F.

Hands down one of the top 5 places any out-of-towner should eat at in Baltimore. Perfect atmosphere and memorable food: - Grilled Foie Gras: other people liked it while I was reminded I don't Foie Gras - Carne Cruda - (veal tenderloin) incredible - highly recommended - Lobster Agnolotti - Awesome! - Local Potato Gnocchi w/ Caramelized Chanterelle Mushrooms - good - Grilled Magret of Duck - great - Fried skate - interesting reco by the waiter, but would never recommend or reorder.
(4)
Alisa K.

Great desserts, entrees -- in both the more casual and the fancier restaurants. I loved the lavender ricotta cheesecake. Great fish selection. Outdoor seating has a nice view of the water. Saw Kima from The Wire here my first night in Baltimore (she was having dinner with someone who looked like he was on the Baltimore City Council) and then she got into a Geo Prism and drove away.
(4)
Tanja P.

Alisha and Robin were super helpful with choosing a good wine and food pairing. Thanks for a great first experience !
(4)
Jennifer C.

Went to Cinghiale last night for dinner. Greeted nicely and seated quickly, waiter was a little off. We would ask for things and he would forget to bring them. We were slightly pressured to order more food than we really wanted, and sure enough when we got the smaller amount of food it was plenty. The ambiance is very nice, and it is pretty fairly priced for the quality of food. Our favorite dishes were the pork belly and the sausage stuffed cannelloni. I wouldn't say I was blown away by the food but I would return!
(4)
Rob E.

The Little Italy section of Baltimore near the Inner Harbor has quite a few Italian restaurants, and I cannot say that I have tried them all - actually this is the only one I have been to. I think I started at the top, or Cinghiale sets a good example or sets the bar high. Whatever the case, this is a good place to eat. Cinghiale is what I believe is called a new Italian style restaurant, which means that the portions are not as overflowingly large as you find in typical Italian restaurants. This does not mean that you are cheated and leave hungry as happens at some trendy places. It is just that you are able to finish your meal without being unable to move and that you do not have to leave a pound of pasta on your plate. You have choices of meals: a $62 fixed price meal with four courses, a $29 fixed price meal with three courses, or anything a la carte. I went with the $29 meal. The baby arugala salad with lemon and parmiagian cheese was a good start. The plain spaghetti with tomato and basil sauce was surprisingly good for being so simple. Not an overwhelming flavor but very good. The la torta chocolate cake with caramel and sweet cream gelato was a nice finishing touch. The service is a nice touch with the staff in their suits. You do not have to dress up here, but I would lean more toward business casual as opposed to shorts and flip flops.
(4)
Meatdowntown C.

I like that they offer the 50% bottles of wine in Tuesdays. Make sure to examine the check. They may not apply the discount unless you remind them. We enjoyed the Risotto and Gnocchi were good but ordinary so nothing to write home about them. The calamari appetizer and rabbit spaetzle were both fantastic. The bread is great and served warm, but you may need to ask for it. Please note this review is for the bar not the dining room. I'm also sensitive that the bartenders do more than most bartenders. Fixing capuccinos and cocktails for the entire restaurant. The restrooms are deluxe, offering cloth hand towels and stalls with floor-to-ceiling doors and Italianate artwork.
(4)
Greg H.

We had the Restaurant Week special last night. This is probably a great place but the RW special left a lot to be desired. For $30 fix price or $55 with paired wines it is probably a bargain compared to their high priced normal menu. We both had the scallops which was one of the two featured specials. It was a disappointing dish. Six large scallops on a bed of spinach. Trouble was the dish was like warm and to my taste, undercooked. The texture was very soft and the taste was cloying. It appeared it was cooked earlier and sat around. The server did recommend we get another dish to round out the order and it would have been better to have added a side of pasta. The paired wines were very good. Italian wines are too fruity for me though. The service was professional but we did have to ask three times for bread and got two small pieces each. I really felt shortchanged. The dining special should have made we want to go back again but I am not impressed and will not return.
(3)
Iris Z.

Came here with my family for restaurant week. Parents were not over-the-top amazed but they said it was an interesting and good experience. Complimentary valet parking was convenient and service in the restaurant was wonderful. Now for the moment we've all been waiting for-a review on the food. The restaurant week menu is limited but that's expected for 3 courses at $30 per person. Primi: I ordered the la carne crude which was raw wagyu beef topped with mushrooms and crisp parmigiano. It was phenomenal and I've always wanted to try wagyu beef. It was high in fat though and the dish made my stomach feel funny after I ate the whole thing. Secondi: Il Pettini. Scallops cooked medium-rare. Scallops were a great texture but some were too raw and at the end of this dish I had wished that I didn't eat so many raw things. Dolce: could not remember the name but it is pictured below. It was like a fruit tart and it came with gelato. Was a little too sour for my liking and would have preferred ice cream instead of gelato. Overall, good experience but nothing mind blowing except for the la carne Cruda
(4)
Joanna K.

Came here for celebration dinner. This place is loud so if you're bringing a group, it might be worth reserving a room where you can actually talk to each other. Food was good, I was not blown away. The menu is a bit creative not amazing. They do use good fresh ingredients so can't complain about that. The staff is friendly and attentive. I know people rave about this place and maybe that's why I wasn't blown away. Good place to go for slightly upscale dinner and I will definitely return again.
(4)
Cara R.

I love it here. I've been a few times over the course of 5 years, and every time I have had a great experience. This is authentic Italian food, so don't be confused by its close proximity to little Italy, you won't find 'americanized' favorites here, but you will find really amazing, creative but still simply good food. The menu has different options, whether you're looking for a simple quick bite, or a full on fine dining 4+ course experience, you can get it all here. The salumeria is located in the center of the restaurant, dividing the casual wine bar dining room from the linen clothed fine dining room. The meats and cheeses are sliced to order on full display. The service is exceptional. Complimentary valet. Sommelier on hand at your beckon call. What's not to love. Must must try the desserts, full time pastry staff on hand, take advantage :o)
(5)
Andrea C.

Maybe it was the absurdly good wine or the authentic hand-made pasta with perfect consistency and texture, but this is my favorite restaurant in Baltimore. This is as close to italian food as you will get in Baltimore, if not better. Incredibly creative chef with room to brag about it. Trust the chef, and be amazed. I was completely impressed with the depth and range of flavors in their charcuterie, the ink pasta was out of this world and the hand-made bow tie pasta left me speechless. Wowowow is all I can honestly say. Everyone in my party was blown away. Must do over ASAP.
(5)
Jenny H.

I came here for a birthday dinner on a late Saturday evening recently. We started off with their cheese plate and meat plate both of which were pretty good. The cheeses were fresh and pretty standard. The meat was good, freshly shaved prosciutto I thought was the best. The bread service was good too (one with tomatoes on top, the other bread was a moist, dense brown bread). My pasta dish (it was round ravioli-like filled pasta) with meat inside was just OK. I thought the skin of the pasta was too thin and not chewy enough. I also ordered the apple cider panna cotta for deserrt and thought it didn't really taste like the creamy panna cotta I normally like, it was too jello-like and not creamy enough for me. The gelato that it was served with had completely melted too by the time it arrived at my table so it was more of a sauce than actual gelato.
(3)
Sarah Z.

Checked out this restaurant for a work dinner recently. The "business" purpose of the dinner is what made me take a star off the rating, or else I would have given it 4. I realize that on of the main purposes of an Italian restaurant like this is the experience, you would think that the location of this restaurant (around a ton of hotels and businesses) would give them the background to properly handle professional dinners. Anyway, my issue is with the time between the first and second course. We waited over 30 minutes between courses with no explanation which is ridiculous. Luckily, a member of the party did mention something to the host. We received a free bottle of wine for the trouble, definitely made them redeem themselves a bit. Overall, the food was really good. Every single person in my party ate all of what they ordered and there were no complaints. We opted for the price fix menu. At $62/pp, you get a starter, a pasta dish, and an entree plus dessert if you're really feeling up to it. I went with the tagliatelle and grilled chicken. The chicken was amazing as was the pasta. I would recommend this place for a nice night out, but for a business dinner think twice or mention to the host to keep the service fluid.
(3)
Kendra W.

As my husband and I set out to celebrate a plethora of good tidings we were pointed to one place - Chingale. Some of our favorite foodie friends had told us it was probably the best meal they have ever had and it did not disappoint. My husband had the four course meal with wine pairings and they were incredible - most notable the 2012 Nero. My favorite part of the meal was the asparagus risotto with shrimp. I could had eaten it all day. Each portion was carefully crafted and the service was quite kind. We were clearly young and inexperienced in such cuisine but they treated us like a notable critic. I would gladly come again. Thanks for a great and memorable meal.
(5)
Chris V.

Food is out of this world. Pricey for the portion sizes but insanely creative offerings. Management kind of prickly but the waitstaff and bar staff are superb. Overall a nice experience. Free valet on Sunday afternoon is a plus for the area as parking is an issue! If you want to spend a few bucks this is the place.
(3)
Dustin T.

Came here on a Saturday night and let me just say... It is a very pricey place! But before I get into the food, there is complimentary valet parking, so that's nice! I mean, for the price you're paying for the meal, it better be, haha... So when looking at the menu, they have a half platter price (15 bucks) or a full plate (30ish bucks). I will say it was kinda annoying when the waiter kept telling our group that the food will not be enough... I get it... The portions were going to be small! But the waiter did redeem himself when he brought a complimentary cheese/crackers/ham plate. I ordered the tortellini half plate... When they said half plate, they weren't kidding! I mean it was good, but not at that price! Not sure if I would come back here.
(3)
Jenine F.

Holy cow! Audry M was FAB. I opted for the Toscana flight (a delicious White Vernaccia di San Gimingnano Fontaleoni 2011, a light Chianti Classico, Fattoria Poggiopiano 2008, Rosso di Montalcino, Il Poggione 2010 & Vin Santo del Chianti Classico, Badia a Coltibuono 2004) to accompany my Beet Salad and Agnolotti pasta. Mister had a Peroni, prosciutto with Pear, Black Squid Farfalle w/Lobster and Chicken w/Speck and Spinach. A yummy Lemon Verbena Gelato with Concord Grape & Cherry Sorbet rounded out our memorable evening. I want to come back and soon!
(5)
Amanda C.

If you are looking for incredible atmosphere, great location and comfortable, beautiful surroundings this is the place to go. If you are ravenously hungry and craving a large meal, this is NOT the place to go. That being said, I think the portions were ample considering the richness of the choice (I had the tortellini). My only question is why the wine glasses are filled with 3 sips...it certainly kept the wait staff busy just refilling our glasses all night.
(4)
Ipek S.

This is one of the best restaurants in baltimore- upscale and great service with fresh ( really fresh) food. Ingredients are very interesting, like radicchio and endive salad or truffle kale pastas etc. if you are looking for a romantic dinner to impress your date, you won't regret it.
(5)
Kelsey W.

Excellent place to come unwind, try some interesting & delicious food creations, and discover your new favorite wine! They offer complimentary valet service which is AWESOME considering how terrible parking normally is in the Harbor East area. The restaurant itself has a cozy rustic feel and the customer service is very warm and comforting. The food itself is higher quality so I would categorize this place to be more upscale. You can chose to have smaller plates as opposed to a full size portion which nice if you want to indulge with a tapas mindset while trying things you can't quite pronounce on the menu. They also allow you to try sips of different wines to ensure you love what you order. The staff is very knowledgeable and helps you make the perfect decision for your taste buds. Girls night out, business dinner, date night--this place caters to all occasions for a unique Baltimore experience!
(5)
Neelam P.

2 1/2* I love the atmosphere and feeling of this restaurant and had high hopes that the food would be spectacular. Being a vegetarian I felt really limited in my dinner options. Our server notified us that many of the dishes (like the risotto) are cooked in a chicken broth. Arugula Salad w/Lemon - very simple salad but it was quite delicious. The arugula was dressed perfectly and the lemon was a nice a touch. Ricotta w/house made potato chips - this was OK. The ricotta was very fresh, but the highlight for me were the chips. Butternut Squash Ravioli - I wasn't a huge fan of the pasta (felt a little tough to me). The filling was fine but nothing extraordinary. Spaghetti w/olive oil and veggies - my husband has been to the restaurant twice now and has ordered the same thing. This isn't on the menu but they were trying to be accommodating which is nice of the restaurant. The first time he had this dish he absolutely loved it. This time, the dish was a real disappointment. The spaghetti was a little tough and he asked for spinach and mushrooms but the dish came out including a mix of additional veggies as well. Honestly though, the veggies were very tasty, but the whole dish just didn't come together. Chocolate Budino - the highlight was the pomegranate sorbet, everything else was ok. Caramel Semifreddo - hubbie had this twice also and the dessert has been inconsistent. He loved it the first time, the second time half of the dessert was stuck to the dish. Overall, I'm glad I finally had the chance to dine here but I would pass on another dinner here.
(2)
Jeffrey H.

I asked a friend at work, if money was no object, where was his very favorite restaurant in Baltimore. He said Cinghiale was the most spectacular dining experience he'd had in Baltimore. He was right. :-) The vast majority of my restaurant reviews are three-star. Why is Cinghiale five? Why did I think that it is *well* worth splurging the $100 / person? What made Cinghiale so fun for my beloved and I, was that Cinghiale's chefs have figured out how to make each dish not just really tasty, but distinctly tasty, such that progression through dinner is a merry bounce from treat to treat. (It helped that the two of us each ordered different things and split everything, so that we essentially got to try twice the number of individual dishes). Every single part of the meal is designed to have surprising and fun touches. The entrees were all distinct, tasty, and appropriately cooked - everything that should be crispy was, everything that should be tender was. The cheese plate had four very distinct kinds of cheeses, each a very different flavor and texture from the others. Right down to the traditional complimentary bread, which was actually a variety basket of hand-made wheat straws, focaccia, and flatbreads, instead of simply a single type of bread. When you come to Cinghiale, you basically are asking to trust that the chef knows what she/he is doing. The night we went, the chef *definitely* knew exactly what she/he was doing, and the result was a marvelous, fun ride. If one is going to pay $100 for dinner (with wines), the meal can't just be merely tasty; it has to be something special and fun. The night we went, Cinghiale most certainly was, on all counts.
(5)
Caron S.

Not impressed. Cool atmosphere, had very high hopes and was severely let down -- and out $189 for three of us (including two $40 bottles of wine), sadly would not recommend or return. The cheese plate was good but nothing special. Very few crostini and nothing else to accompany the dairy. We ordered the escargot appetizer after being disappointed that they'd run out of the calamari. It arrived and was not flavorful and had no redeeming qualities (it was room temperature -- not hot). We didn't even finish it and it was a small portion to start with. Our entrees weren't memorable at all. My homemade pasta and sauce were bland. Again, very let down. Worth noting: our server was friendly and knowledgeable. She was also very attentive.
(2)
Patti N.

Love to come and sit at the bar. Recently came for a friend's bday celeb. John was terrific helping navigate the extensive wine list. Kudos all around!
(5)
Susie A.

Came here on a Sunday night. The food was good but not worth the price. The portions are on the smallish side but a 3 course would be sufficient depending on what you order. Favorite on the menu was the farfalle pasta. Service was okay. Our server took our order and disappeared for the rest of the night and we had to chase him down to order another bottle of wine. Glad I tired it but I'm not dying to go back.
(3)
D A.

Great wine and good service (that, in fact, saved this place from a special spot in Dante's Inferno). Unfortunately, severely mediocre food -- and at prices that make for some deep regrets. Has the "distinction" of being the only place in which I've sent a dish back twice. You can't solve the problem of serving a customer watery (no kidding) risotto by just draining off the liquid and sending it back to the table. Just another sad example of the elusive nature of anything resembling real Italian food in America. Fortunately, the subsequent Eagles concert was so good as to make it all seem less of a disappointment. Take it easy...
(2)
Michelle C.

Amazing italian restaurant. Went for dinner for two. Ordered one cheese (enough to split for two) with prosciutto to start. Amazing bellinis! Must have. Both of us ordered from the Della nonna menu which included an arugula salad and I ordered the baked lasagna (delicious) and my mother ordered tagliatelle with chicken. We had enough to take home with us! Both desserts on that pre fix menu are delicious as well!
(5)
Abigail R.

So... I have a few favorite Italian spots, and none of them are in Little Italy. Cinghiale has earned its spot - from the food to the busy atmosphere to the service. Cody was super helpful in helping us decipher the menu and design some vegetarian dishes. He also helped us pick a great peppery Pinot Nero that fit in perfectly with our rich, decadent pasta dishes. I started with the Fairytale Pumpkin Chestnut "Cappuccino" with poached pear. A lot of people think of pumpkin pie or pumpkin spice and expect that cinnamon sweet sugary flavor when they hear pumpkin. This soup was savory - the chestnut pumpkin flavor shown through this creamy bisque. The pumpkin is incredibly smooth. The poached seasonal pears at the bottom of the coffee cup was like a sweet surprise. This was all mine, despite the name, it is not vegetarian - there is chicken stock and pancetta. The brussels sprout and kale salad is also not vegetarian - but the chef was nice enough to sub out the pancetta vinaigrette for a lemon one. (I can't wait to go back and try it as it was designed; I hope it will still be on the menu...) This was definitely more kale than brussels, but I didn't mind. The baby kale was not at all bitter and the crisp shaved sprouts added a nice crunch. There were some other textural elements - shaved cheese and some croutons. For main courses, we all went pasta; we did have a 6.2 mile run the next day. My mom went with a chef-inspired pasta dish - fresh house-made spaghetti with seasonal vegetables - including more brussels, mushrooms and the baby kale. She loved the garlicky pasta and ate just about every bite. I was amazed that we all had pasta and each dish had a completely different flavor profile. I was the only one who ordered straight from the menu - a tajarin with a rich buttery sea urchin sauce and day boat scallops. The scallops were super sweet and exquisitely cooked. They truly complemented the briny and slightly floral pasta sauce. I cannot say enough about the chef's fresh pasta. This particular egg pasta has a long history in Tuscany - where locals would compete to see who could make the longest and thinnest noodle. Incredibly delicate but still very hearty. The half portion was plenty filling and had 6-8 scallops. My sister designed her own dish based on the ingredients she found on the menu. A simple gnocchi dish with a sage and parmesan brown butter.The gnocchi were perfect - thick pillows of dough that melted in your mouth with every bite. She ordered the large dish for hopes of left overs - there weren't any. It could be because my mother and I couldn't help ourselves either (sorry Karen!).
(5)
Laura B.

The restaurant has a beautiful view of the water. The wine and cocktail choices were very good. We started with the chefs choice meat and cheese plate- very nice. My spouse had the blue fin tuna and rabbit dishes. I had the short rib gnocchi and duck dishes. Both were outstanding. The wait staff was attentive but not smothering. Overall, nice visit and I would recommend it to others.
(4)
Tara C.

I can sum this up fairly quickly...overpriced Italian food. There were three of us that sat at the bar. We shared a meat and cheese platter. That was nice. We shared calamari and a salad. I didn't even remember seeing the calamari that's how small the dish was. The salad, so marginal it's not worth describing. One had lasagna, one had sausage and pasta, and I had fish. All very small portions. While the bartenders were very nice, our main courses didn't come out for at least 30 minutes. Not their fault. Anyhow, none of us will be back. I don't recommend.
(2)
Sarah K.

Let me preface this review by saying that I'm not very accustomed to such upscale dining, but I enjoy Italian food and came here with my boyfriend and his parents for his birthday. Everyone was very satisfied. Baltimore has excellent options for Italian, and if you're looking for something on the fancy-end with a ridiculously-long wine list and hand-sliced, fresh charcuterie, this place is it. The food was really really good, although I was not entirely sure what I was eating about 50% of the time. The menu is peppered with unusual items like partridge and wild boar. The dishes are tiny and expensive, so if you are looking for heaping portions of pasta, head to Little Italy. The wine presentation was a spectacle within itself, and the sommelier was friendly and knowledgeable without making me feel uncomfortable. My boyfriend had the Chinghale (wild boar), which was delicious. The chicken in my dish was cooked perfectly. As a table, we shared the grilled calamari and chef's selection of charcuterie as appetizers and then shared two pasta dishes. Everyone got their own entree. When we ordered, I feared that we had gotten way too much food, but it turned out to be the perfect amount. What the dishes lacked in portion size, they certainly redeemed themselves for in flavor and freshness. TIPS: Make a reservation. If you are driving, they offer complimentary valet, which is wonderful considering the parking mess that is Harbor East.
(5)
Bruce H.

This place was recommended to me by my sister. My lovely girlfriend and I went there for a nice romantic dinner without regard to price. We decided to eat on the casual side of the place as we did not have reservations... I had the Orecchiette which sounded wonderful. My meal was was not only undercooked but by the time they tried to fix the problem, my girlfriend was finished with her dish. I eventually canceled the dish and if it werent for a few bites of my girlfriend's meal....I would have starved. The icing on the cake was the waiter who was ignorant to the situation and refused to acknowlede or take responsibilty of the problem... I did get a glass of wine however. ...I will not go back and will tell as many people I know not to waste their money, their time nor their palettes.....I would suggest going to Cafe Gia...a wonderful place...great food and a delightful staff.
(1)
Berry G.

Note: The menu at this place changes every single day, depending on what's fresh, what's in season and what's available. THE GOOD: - The meat and cheese platters were very, very tasty. So was the focaccia bread (looks like cornbread). I actually liked these more than my main course. - Waiter service was great and staff was very friendly. They offered coat service and called a cab when we were ready to leave. - Grilled beef dinner was good, but the potatoes were diced into tiny pieces, which was totally unexpected. THE BAD: - Portions are extremely small. If you're looking for a hearty meal that'll leave you feeling stuffed, this isn't the place to come. - Don't see your favorite wine on the menu? Ask. The dinner menu has a completely different list of wines vs. the dessert menu, and they may be able to substitute something close if they don't have exactly what you're looking for. - Be mindful of the number of ice cream scoops you get. They lead us to believe the scoops were super small, but they were actually quite sizable. Ice cream is sold by the scoop. Waiter says he's never seen anyone finish four scoops. THE UGLY: - Apparently the duck is an awful dinner choice. Two of my friends ordered it and they both said it was tough to cut, tough to chew and had too much fat.
(3)
Tunaidi A.

There's a lot of good things to say about Cinghiale. Great service, complementary valet parking, large wine selection, alluring decor, choice between a dressy or more casual side of the restaurant, awesome bread, and options for pre fixe or a-la-carte menus. However, though food quality is certainly good, I'm not sure the prices justify them to that extent. I'm a fan of the soups and desserts (especially the tiramisu). The entrees, on the other hand, are small in portion size, high in price, and offers a taste that doesn't necessarily rival other competitors. Cinghiale is definitely worth trying, but you'll likely be pay for the experience, services, and atmosphere, rather than for the food.
(3)
Dante T.

I'm not going to let my judgment on meal price play a factor on this review. This is an upscale restuarant so you will be paying a premium. The bottom line is if I enjoyed my meal enough to give it a deserved high rating. I didn't. Don't get me wrong. The service was professional. The ambiance is what you would expect for Harbor East but the food was just okay. To me, this is one of those places you're supposed to like even though there are plenty of better choices out there for similar fare. It's not mandatory to eat here to be considered classy. It's okay to go to Little Italy down the street. It won't hurt Tony and Cindy's feelings. They'll be just fine and so will your appetite.
(2)
Robert W.

Baltimore has been lucky to have new restaurants pop up and thrive. But, I feel that Cinghiale (Enoteca side) is truly one of the constants in the Baltimore food scene. 1) Consistent, polished and educated service 2) delicious and well prepared food 3) great setting and lively atmosphere 4) extensive wine list 5) complimentary valet. Their menu changes with the season, but I know that my experience will be the same each time I go. I guess back in the day, places like the Prime Rib, Tio Pepe, Oregon Grille etc, where the places to be seen and dine. The Wolfe/Foreman group has easily surpassed them with Cinghiale and the Charleston.
(5)
Samantha G.

Cinghiale was lovely. We were on the Enoteca side. The atmosphere was welcoming with dark woods, high ceilings, and wonderful touches along the way. Loved the unique ceiling fans and the signed bottles from special occasions lining the booths. We sat down and immediately started scouring the wine list. Very overwhelming to say the least, especially if you are not yet too familiar with Italian regions. But they do have a sommelier that gave great suggestions to what we were in the mood for. Hit it right on the nose. The food was yummy. Not really melt in your mouth, cannot speak because it is so good.... but still very tasty and there were a few "yummmm"s along the way. Tortellini, Wagyu Beef, their version of a shrimp scampi, panna cotta, and some sort of gelato sundae with espresso poured over the top. The boyfriend decided that the espresso was overkill, but everything else left a positive impression. Our waitress, Amy, was also very pleasant and helpful. She was patient while we tried to make our decision. Everything on the menu looked so great! And since we are not heavy eaters, we didn't want to risk getting the full courses. She was also quite hilarious and definitely seemed to know her stuff. I would go back, actually plan on going back, without hesitation. Yum!
(4)
matthew l.

Stepping over the threshold at Chiangale does, with its rich woods and smart design remind you of Italy, though you will be hard pressed to find a restaurant that big in all of that wonderful country. We were taken straight away to a table for two in a line of pleasant tables for two. A waiter having to put on the brakes so as not to crash into us in his rush to deliver great service asked what we would like to drink? I ignored him as I eased my wife into the banquette and settled myself into my chair. He stood there smiling. I said that as soon as he delivered the menus and we had made our decision that he would be the first to know. Undeterred, he said, would you like bottled or tap water. I said, why don't you just bring the menus. He hesitated as if he had never encountered this possibility in his what-if scenarios, but he left and returned with the menus. He asked if we had made our decision. What decision? On your drinks? He was young and I tapped into my paternal side, put my hand lightly on his forearm and said softly, Look, why don't you go away for a bit , tend to your other tables and when you return I'm sure we will have learned enough to satisfy you. He left. My wife said that it looked like we had met the Manchurian Candidate of servers and instead of wanting to assassinate someone was programmed to rack up record libation sales. We laughed. We don't go to restaurants to cause trouble, just to enjoy each other's company with a bit of good food and wine and if we can be entertained too, so much better. We went up to the salad buffet and had the chef prepare simple sliced radishes and greens, a perfect start. Dutifully, Sparky returned and we ordered, she the porcetta plate, me the venison loin with chestnuts. Laurence Harvey's eyes lit up at the mention of the venison. You know, he said, I can recommend a fantastic wine with that venison. OK, shoot. A glass of a very impressive sounding Barolo. OK, how much? He couldn't wait to tell me. $25. Is that a bottle? Not a silly question as the previous month I had paid $32. for a bottle of wonderful wine at Babbo, Mario Batali's flagship with Del Posto in lower Manhattan. Oh no, a glass. Is it a very big pour? No, about average I guess. Can you tell me something about the wine? No, he offered, not the least bit embarrassed, but they tell me, its great. So I thought, if I were to put $25 down for a glass of wine, what better endorsement? I ordered a glass that was 1/3 the price which was delightful. And the tap water. The venison was done the way venison loin should be done with some crisp outer edges and pink in the middle. Though I almost broke a tooth on a dessicated chestnut. I called the floor manager over and assured her I was not looking for anything free but that she and the chef should know that the chestnuts are inedible and that management is rolling the dice litigiously speaking. She said she would let the chef know. She returned with a spectacular answer, the chef said that is exactly the way it should be. That was bit of a surprise and to my wife's embarrassment, I asked the manager, a nice albeit clueless girl, to tell the chef that he was a moron. I waited for him to come charging out of the kitchen wielding a cast iron skillet or at least a senior manager come to investigate, but nothing. I wondered if his lack of brains would help or hinder me if it got physical. Couldn't help. We paid the check with not a mention of a complimentary dessert or cup of coffee, a reflex in almost any restaurant after an incident Food 3-1/2 stars Service 1-1/2 stars Attitude 0 stars Arrogance - too monumental to measure. Well travelled people who know food and wine should never enter this place, though as a venue to make big bucks for a savvy owner exploiting the obvious unsophistication of his fellow citizens, this is 5 stars!
(2)
Jeremy B.

Ok, I'm going to sound a little dramatic but this restaurant was easily top-3 meal of my life. Heck, while we were still sitting there last night finishing our wine I called it the best food I ever had (hope my mom doesn't read this). We shared the foie gras over polenta and tuna belly appetizers which were perfect. The tuna was so good I ordered second plate. I consider myself tuna expert, this was amazingly fresh and expertly seasoned fish. I have no idea what they put on it and I don't really care, the taste was perfect. I had roasted halbut and my girlfriend had some kind of pasta dish with wild mushrooms. Again, I have no idea how they seasoned or cooked the halibut and I don't care. Every bite was perfect. I'm not really a pasta person but I tried my girlfriends dish and was amazed by the taste. Wine list is exclusively Italian hard to understand. I don't know much about Italian wines so I asked the waiter to recommend a light-body, easy drinking red. The bottle he brought was right on the money. We also tried their house chianti and it was excellent (as it should be for $18 a glass). I finished with an espresso which had a very nice, thick layer of crema... perfect. Service was professional, knowledgeable, and efficient without constant hovering - very well done. Loved every aspect of this place
(5)
brannen v.

Wow. We sat at the bar on Saturday night, expecting to get a drink before a movie. We each got a flight of wine - both of which were seriously spectacular - and 3 cheeses. The cheese was good and we were starting to get hungry, so we ordered more wine and split the spaghetti de chitarra with a meat sauce. I am still dreaming about the pasta dish, it was amazing. The ambiance is very cool, very Italian, and everything is thought out (check out the ceiling fans!). The service was great, the bartender was super knowledgable about all of the drinks and all of the food. This is a great date place and people were dressed up, but people were also coming to dinner in t-shirts and flip flops. If you're looking for good wine and Italian food, seriously, eat here.
(5)
Sally B.

Thank you Carlton, for making our meal so memorable. This was a special occasion for our friend Jennifer who's husband had undergone surgery to remove his stomach after a stomach cancer diagnosis. The surgery went swimmingly and we decided on Cinghaile as a sort of celebratory exercise in gratitude. Our partner was Carlton who was positive, hopeful, happy, and perfect. Thank you. The food was exceptional as always. I had the calamari which was probably the best we've had. It was tender without a hint of the dreaded rubbery texture which poor performing chefs sometimes deliver to the table. Not this. Set in a yummy, but nor overwhelming sauce that worked perfectly. The butternut squash soup was divine. I kept lifting spoonfuls from my friends appetizer. I hope she didn't mind but it was alarmingly good and I don't like squash. Flavorful, creamy yum mines. My friend and I shared the lamb ragu tagliatellle. My husband had the spaghetti with garlic and shrimp. Both dishes tasted fresh, not at all heavy, homemade and splendid. My friend asked for some fresh tomato sauce to add, and they obliged. I've never had such an amazingly fresh tasting simple tomato sauce. How come I can't pull that off in my own kitchen. What's the secret I wonder. A really nice and much needed evening. Thanks all.
(5)
Kris L.

OH dear. I've finally found it. FINE DINING IN BALTIMORE THAT IS WORTH THE HYPE. Happiness. I came to Cinghiale with a group of 6 for dinner on a weeknight. The greeting was warm. The wine list was extensive. We started off with the chef's selection of salumi. Delicious. For the main menus, there are 3 options you can choose from - $62 for an app, pasta, entree, and dessert OR $29 for bruschetta, entree, and dessert OR a la carte from either menu. The $29 option is pretty awesome-like having restaurant week minus the chaos and bad service. Everyone hypes up the lasagna here (lasagna out of all things!) and my friend had it...but i didn't get to taste it because it was gone in one bite. Will be ordering it next time. I had the pan-seared halibut which was RIDICULOUS-perfectly seasoned, grilled beautifully, moist and flaky. It was served over a corn cauliflower mix that complimented it perfectly. The forest mushroom taglitielle was also amazing in flavor andwith earthy tones. The lamb dish was also raved about at our table. The desserts were great-my fav was the seasonal apple cider sorbet. I will take the time to say that our server was amazing. No small need was left unchecked. Details were perfect (clearing plates, silverware, water glasses filled, offered to call valet as we paid the check) VOTE BEST SERVICE IN BALTIMORE*** Will be back VERY soon!
(5)
Mich S.

Dinner is delicious, the experience is even better! We dined at Cinghiale for our 5th anniversary, and it could not have been a more perfect evening -- the wait-staff were knowledgable and patient as they walked us through the menu; all of the food was amazing -- the Spaghetti Carbonara and Lemon Ricotta Bomboloni were particularly outstanding. But what stood out was the level of attention we were given -- from the valet to the hostess, to the wait-staff and management -- everyone knew it was our anniversary and they worked in harmony to make it a very special and memorable evening for us.
(5)
Andrea J.

Recently came here with family for a celebration and had a really nice experience. The only downside is the entree portions are quite small, and several people in our group either ordered a second entree or left hungry. The restaurant itself is gorgeous: high ceilings and nicely decorated, not to mention it's situated across the street from a beautiful harbor (at least when the road is not under construction all the time). The complimentary valet service is wonderful, given how tricky parking can be around there, and the waitstaff were excellent. Simply put, the food is delicious. It's almost hard to find better in Baltimore. I've been here three times now and have never been disappointed. This time we ordered several cheeses as one of the appetizers which everyone loved. At the start of the meal our waitress pointed out the three and four course preset meals and told us that the portions are such that one person can eat an entire four course meal on their own. We probably should have followed her advice. Instead we opted to order everything a la carte. I was disappointed that a full portion of risotto (~$29) was not filling, and I found myself raiding the bread bowl several times to feel satisfied. Unfortunately I wasn't alone, and as mentioned above we ordered some extra food and several extra desserts. As for what which items were particularly delicious, our group loved the porcini risotto and the grilled branzino. We also ended up with three orders of the caramel semifreddo since my family loved that stuff to no end. Overall it was a very pleasant dining experience and the food is amazing, however I feel that the portions are small, even for a high-end, gourmet place.
(4)
Felicia H.

I came here with my fiance and a couple of friends last Saturday for restaurant week. It is pricey, but the restaurant week deal had a three course meal with an optional wine pairing for each course. I got the wine pairing with my three courses and I enjoyed every single dish and every single glass. It's not somewhere I'm dying to go back to (mostly due to the high cost) but I liked my experience. The only negative comment I have is that I requested fresh cracker pepper & salt for my oil to dip my bread and the server never brought it out. I suspect he forgot, and I didn't bother to ask a second time because my first course had already arrived. An added bonus: free valet parking!
(4)
James K.

Great northern Italian pasta dishes. This is one of the few Baltimore restaurants (Peter's, maybe Jacks and Of Love and Regret being the others) that deliver a legitimately excellent dining experience. The wine list is extensive and well curated, the staff knowledgeable, attentive and helpful, and the food very well executed and sometimes creative. I have consistently ordered pastas, and have yet to be disappointed.
(5)
Kevin K.

Enter through the heavy front doors and pause: tiled "marble" floor bathed in dim yellow light, zig-zagging in all directions; mirrored wall behind the bar, bending perception; enotica to the left bustling and rowdy, tables within feet of the door; osteria far removed to the right, quiet and inconspicous; waiters bustling back and forth across your path; the host approaches and greets you with charm. This chaos is Italy. [Ambience: 5/5] The host informed us "It's Tuesday". And?! Choose enotica over osteria and every bottle of wine is 50% off. Ok! Service dropped similar hints throughout and kept us happy as clams. And they were PATIENT. We ordered in rounds at a very deliberate pace, our server never losing his cool: Conversation; then bottle of white and small plates; then more conversation; then a bottle ot red and mains; then more conversation. At the two hour mark, we were last there and felt a slight rush to leave. We skipped dessert and bottle #3 and did just that. [Service: 4/5] I like cocktails with food but the wine list was that good, a book in fact, and we settled on a crisp white and soft red. Both were fantastic, the white one of the better I've sipped. At the second bottle, the sommelier came and chatted with us. [Drinks: 4/5] Up until now, Cinghiale had impressed beyond Pazo and Petit Louis, on the road to 5 stars. Unfortunately, the food's execution dropped it to a 4. The bread was dry and flavorless save for excess salt, and the olive oil was just that--oily and flavorless because it had no counterpart. The portion was small as well, felt like I was crust-munching. The chef's charcuterie was a fresh selection of three. The speck wasn't gamey as the best I've tried, but the proscuitto di parma was spot on fresh and delicate, sliced probably within minutes. An incredibly restrained apricot was used as garnish and accented all meats, though oil was over-drizzled. Foie gras was thick as a child's fist, juicy and bursting as it should be. The apricot again countered nicely, but plating was drab and more accent required. Another small portion. The Gnocchi was fantastic, but the plate was nearly a soup given the amount of sauce. Textures spot on, but not as nuanced as several, including Jack's Bistro of Canton. We began ordering mains and our server noted "We're out of all three fish dishes. We may have some cod around." Huh?! We opted instead for the pork belly, which was done as well as I've had: paper-thin skin, sticky and crisp as if cooked for hours, the meat juicy and bursting, but again simply plated. The $29 portion is quite small--same size as Hamilton Tavern's $9 app--though far better. The duck was cooked excellently but too much fat remained, and again, equally small and boringly plated. [Food: 4/5] Cinghiale could have been excellent but instead fell just short. I've eaten with locals in the Northern mountains of Tuscany, producing one of the best meals I've shared--messy and sloppy, a wonderful combination of textures and flavors, round complimenting round until we were all sickeningly overwhelmed. Cinghiale's food instead feels prepared by a surgeon--calculating, plastic, and efficient--which is the exact opposite of all experiences Italian but the essence of every experience Wolf/Foreman.
(4)
J N.

First time eating here. Sat down and was immediately given the upsell for an appetizer. Then when i was ordering wine, was pushed toward the $27 glass. After order the steak was again pushed to order an app bc their portions were soooo small and the steak wld take 20 mins. Bartender warned me 3x and then tried to upsell. So annoying.... Btw, steak came out less than ten mins later. After all that the bread comes...which was very good. Then the steak which was also good. It was a little tough but overall flavor w the meat and potatoes was excellent. Aggressive push for wine and coffee againi think this was just a pushy bartender, or he attends lots of sales confs. Order choc cake with choc mousse... Tasted good but there were 3 penny sized portions of cake. How much does cake cost? I think the bartender ruined the it. Prob wont be back.
(2)
Athie L.

Just incredible! One of my favorite restaurants in Baltimore. The three course meal is totally worth it, and the service is impeccable. Try the deconstructed tiramisu.
(5)
Walter P.

Great dinner all three courses and robin was phenomenal waitress! Will definitely be back.
(5)
Steve H.

Haven't had a dinner this perfect in quite a while. Had the three course meal and left every plate clean and empty. Wine pairing with meal was on point and each course was better than the previous. Only sticking point was that the server came off as stiff and rushed during the explanation of the menu. However, the staff overall was expertly attentive and respectful during the meal.
(5)
Brian B.

Superb dinner. We dined at Cinghiale last night after it was recommended by the girl at the nearby (wonderful) wine store located next to Whole Foods. Gorgeous restaurant space, exceptional food and exceptional service. We had some of the best service that we've had in a long time. The bus boys/girls were amazing to watch. They ironed the table linens during each setup. The girl with the curls was especially efficient throughout the night and the staff truly worked as a team throughout the busy night. We look forward to returning on our next trip.
(5)
Julie Y.

Pretty standard for italian-american cuisine. The food is nothing to write home about although the service and the attention to their customers is exceptional. I do have to say that their tuna tartare and fish dishes are disappointing. Tuna tartare should not taste fishy or smell fishy despite it being raw fish- a sign that usually means the fish is not fresh. In addition, their halibut is overcooked. I am sure there are better places with service that is just as good in the area.
(3)
Emily L.

We waited too long to try this Baltimore classic! The atmosphere is sumptuous, perfect for a snappy winter evening: marble bars, leather seats, wrought-iron chandeliers and dark wood paneling are set off by rich fabrics and oil paintings. It feels like Italian dining was meant to be. Our friend had made a reservation, so we were seated promptly and ordered drinks. Neither of us could turn down the server's offer of a glass of prosecco, but my husband said he wasn't sure yet. When she returned with our drinks, he asked for an Americano. He was more than a little surprised when she brought a cafe Americano (espresso and hot water) instead of the classic Italian cocktail (Campari, vermouth and soda.) I could understand this mistake at a casual eatery, but at a fancy establishment known for Italian cuisine, I was shocked! If she was the slightest bit surprised at his ordering an after-dinner drink before dinner, she could have asked for clarification. But, being a classy guy, my husband made a joke and drank his coffee, which he said was excellent. I really liked that they offer so many choices for dining: there's a pricey prix-fixe ($60), a lighter version ($30) and an additional a la carte option for either menu. My friend and husband went with the simpler prix-fixe, and I have to say, I was amazed by the little tray of bruschetta they received: each of the half-dozen toasts was topped with a different fanciful combination. Pretty and delicious. I had a salad (sorry, difficulty remembering and the menu is long gone) and the black bass, both a la carte: they were delicious, though not particularly memorable. Dessert: I don't think you can go wrong with panna cotta anyway, but when you add vanilla and oranges, you're in the realm of the ethereal. We fought over it. My friend had something with rhubarb that was also divine. Our experience was lovely, and so was the food. We look forward to returning to get to know the menu better!
(4)
Virginia G.

We chose this restaurant to be our first dress-up date night dinner event. We made reservations for the enoteca and ordered from the prezzo fisso menu. The enoteca area of the establishment is more formal, whereas the osteria is more like a dress-casual bar. The menu has two prix fixe sides, a $29 "grandma's kitchen" selection and the more expansive and pricier $69 menu. However, you may make a la carte choices from either. To summarize the ambiance (and perhaps the entire date night experience) in a word, SENSUAL. Towering pillars of dark wood, crisp white linens, flickering candles, antiqued mirrors, authentic leather, custom imprinted china...a sort of steampunk-speakeasy ristorante of the highest calibre. My highest accolades go to the service staff, especially to the bus persons who worked like an efficient but quiet machine. Equal praise goes to the chefs. The gnocchi was a revelation of umami I had never known existed and may never experience again. Adventurous and inspired menu, yet true to the Italian tradition. However, I would have liked to see a vegetarian main course featured. A daunting wine selection. The cappuccino I ordered to finish my meal was incredible, just perfect. Highly recommended.
(4)
Supriya M.

Went there with a group of 15 on a Saturday night - we had made reservations way in advance and I had also mentioned that a large portion of our party was going to be vegetarian, so it would be nice to accommodate this in their daily changing menu. They were very flexible when we added 2 to our reservation at the last minute. The ambiance was, as always, fantastic. The wine list is so extensive, we had no idea where to begin. The server was a bit overwhelmed with all our orders esp. the vegetarian changes (they did not have too many options on the menu, so we needed to change what was there) but he managed. We ordered 6 different cheeses and they were quite excellent. Everyone was very pleased with their food overall - my beautiful bruschetta was a little disappointing in taste but the gnocchi was excellent. The tiramisu was fantastic. Overall, great place for large groups, accommodating and delicious!
(4)
Mike H.

Cinghiale is one of my "go-to" restaurants in Baltimore. I have found the food, service and atmosphere to be very good. I think that the menu offers quite a bit of options, specially if you arrive with a group. The portion sizes are good, the taste and presentation exceptional and the service to be highly efficient, courteous and friendly. I have never had a problem slipping into an empty seat at the bar when the dining room is crowded. The wine list is very good and the prices for wine are quite reasonable.
(4)
Jay G.

The two times I have visited Baltimore, MD for my anniversary with my girlfriend we have eaten dinner at Cinghiale - Osteria due to it's popularity and very close location to the hotel we stay at around the block. First off, the first time we were there was a year ago which we both enjoyed our meals. I can remember that included aged prosciutto, squid ink pasta, and some other very good dishes. This time, my girlfriend had the Burgundy Snails for antipasti which were pretty good compared to other escargot we have had in some french restaurants. I went with the Pan Seared Foie Gras which is one of my favorite foods and it was delicious to me as always. I ordered the Beet Carpaccio thinking it was beef carpaccio so that was a fail but we ate it anyway. The only issue with antipasti was that the foie gras seemed a bit undercooked but I enjoyed it anyway. For the primi options, she had the lobster ravioli and I had the tagliatelle pasta with black truffles which was also very good but much simpler tasting then I thought it would be. The lobster ravioli was also good. For secondi, I went with medium rare grilled duck breast which was extremely good and full of flavor. She had the grilled chicken which she enjoyed. For dessert I had two cheeses which were good but not something I wanted to finish after I ran out of aged port. She had the vanilla panna cotta which she enjoyed very much. My only complaint about this place is that the first time we came it was completely packed and we barely had space between other tables to have any privacy during conversation or to be romantic. This time it was very empty due to a Sunday night so it was a very nice personal experience. Overall, both experiences were great at this place and we would highly recommend it to anyone looking for delicious italian food.
(5)
Sunita E.

Coming here from NJ and thinking we are going to have a nice Italian dinner????? What a disappointment. Portions are small but in a way I was glad because food was was horrible. I left 5 pieces of gnocchi out 10 that was served to me. My fiancÃ© has chicken franchise. It looked like dry pieces of turkey left over from thanksgiving dinner over egg noodles. I heard him crunching on chicken and he didn't look so good. We are still waiting for desert as unfortunately we ordered it in the beginning of our meals. I am worried what we will get. Menu was confusing and the waiter was overly efficient as he kept on taking my plates before I was finished. I have never had this bad of an experience and what hurts is that it is a VERY pricey place. NOT worth it
(1)
Lou S.

Very upscale food, nice staff, professional service, the room is beautiful, the manager is so nice!
(5)
Ross C.

Absolutely wonderful- my wife and I had our engagement dinner here, opting for the prix fixe menu with the accompanying wine. Its still the place we send anybody for a 'special occasion' dinner. We're looking forward to a 'happy hour' in the enoteca to have the salami plate and a couple nice glasses of wine soon.
(5)
Mark C.

Quite frankly this is one of the best restaurants I've ever eaten at. The food is phenomenal, the service is impeccable, and the wine flights are well done. I would go back anytime.
(5)
Regina S.

Wow what a disappointing night. It was my husband's 50th birthday, and I even rented a limo for the occasion. We arrived promptly at 5:30 for our early dinner reservations and were seated quickly. We really loved the decor and the atmosphere of the restaurant and we were very excited to sample their food. After all, Cinghiale gets great reviews from diners and critics alike, and they even have picked up some "best of" awards. It didn't even occur to me that this place would not deliver the goods. Both my husband and I chose to go with the 3 course option. The first course was a sampling of I believe 7 different varieties of bruschetta. Intriguing,especially with the creative toppings (cauliflower, apple, spinach squash). The plates arrived and we dug in. Now as varied as the toppings were, both of us could not discern one from the other. The only one that stood out flavor wise was the bread that was topped with balsamic vinegar. But that's all you tasted. It was as if I had a cold -the kind that stifles your buds so you can just differentiate textures not flavors. It was so underwhelming I began to fear for the arrival of our next courses. Service was smooth, pleasant and timely. Next came my sausage filled pasta with parmigiano, butter and sage and my husband's spaghetti alla chitarra (pacific shrimp, capers, in a white wine garlic sauce) The beauty of Italian cooking is the use of simple, top quality ingredients. Of course, it helps when a talented person in the kitchen can take these gems and elevate them to a different level. The presentation of my dish was stark, but the beige pillows looked tasty and I reluctantly took my first bite. Where were the flavors? No nuttiness from the cheese, no earthiness from the sage, and no richness from the butter. The sausage stuffing also proved to be mild with little or no seasoning. How about fennel and a punch of garlic? Nothing but bland raviolis. Sadness. I didn't care at that point as I only prayed that my husband's dinner would be the shining star. Sadly, it too fell into the bland category. The capers were flavorless and the garlic was woefully absent. The shrimp were well prepared but the dish was another failure. Ok round three...dessert. I would have by passed this last course but it was included in our "deal" so we persevered. I ordered the vanilla flan and my partner the rustic tuscan apple cake. The flan was just ok. Beautifully creamy, but again bland. The sherbert like scoop that came with it puzzled me. It was super sour and didn't seem to be the right partner to the flan. The apple cake was super dry. The only saving grace was the sauce/cream that accompanied it. I was speechless and oh so disappointed that this important night of celebration included such mediocre food. So we headed back to the limo and soaked our sorrows with some chilled bubbly. At least the night wasn't a complete loss.
(2)
Douglas P.

The pluses: Service is excellent, the servers here really are pros, I can't stress that enough. The menu changes daily and with the seasons. The wine list is A+. Complimentary valet parking. Very enjoyable environment. The minuses: Like any of Cindy Wolf's places, it's priced a little high but that does attract a good crowd. And unless you really love the nuances of italian cooking and wine, you might do better at any of a half dozen excellent restaurants within 2-3 blocks.
(3)
Matthew C.

I attended a private event at Cinghiale with about 50 people. They seated us in a private room off the main dining area, which was just the right size and set up nicely for the group. The event included an arranged cocktail hour with hors d'oeuvres and three wines. The servers were knowledgeable about the wines, and provided effortless refills - even distinguishing the two reds apart in our glasses on sight. The servers were also both polite and helpful. The dinner itself was quite delicious, finely prepared and plated. Risotto was perfectly cooked and deeply flavorful. The beef was tender and equally perfectly prepared. I found the portions a tad small for the price, the panna cotta was a little looser than I generally like. The dinner itself was a surprisingly long service, with extended time between each course. That said, I found those were the only blemishes on my experience. I am keen to return to try other offerings on the menu, and additional wine pairings.
(4)
Karni J.

Great Italian restaurant with flexible menu. Great wine selection and the someliur was knowledgeable. I tried duck breast and I gotta say, one of the best meal. Wait staff was courteous and friendly.
(4)
B M.

Our server, Jerry, was delightful .... that was the only bright spot of our evening here. We ordered the small plate of hand-formed Tortellini with Prosciutto, Mortadella, Ricotta and a Rosemary Sauce; and the hand-cut Tagliatelle with Bolognese and Pecorino. Both were served cold, literally, cold. Pretty amazing for a Italian restaurant to serve totally cold pasta. We sent both plates back .... once returned, not much improvement. My tortellini were rubbery and the salt from the prosciutto/mortadella was overpowering. As for the tagliatelle, it was overcooked and the sauce tasted like watered-down hamburger helper. Sadly, the manager was too busy to stop to ensure the issue was corrected - it wasn't; we left and headed to Flemmings to share a steak and bottle of wine.
(1)
Ellie S.

For real Italian food lovers, food snobs, and serious foodies...this place is not that good. It's watered down italian food, not gourmet at all, and just because they have expensive types of meat and such does not make them worthy of an elite type restaurant. Come on Baltimore...
(2)
Alyssa P.

Love this place. You can go for casual small plates, a five course tasting menu or anything in between. They have a very reasonable fix price menu as well. I prefer the more casual bar area that has nice tables to sit at. You start with their homemade bruschettas which are amazing. I love the bread and olive oil dip. All their pastas are handmade and you can tell. Good perfectly all dente. I've had the bolognese sauce which is to die for and I couldn't get enough. The pasta primevera is out of this world. Always too full for desserts although they also look great ! Would recommend for any occasion no matter how big or small. I try to go as often as possible.
(4)
Chris C.

I wish you could give separate sets of stars for food and service. Our food was excellent. Everything was prepared nicely, and I can't really say enough good things about the food. On the other hand, despite some of the other reviews, our service fell flat on its face. Strike 1: The water server poured water past the glass on onto my wallet and phone, which were sitting very close to the edge of the table and not near the water glass. Strike 2: "What kind of bourbons do you have?". "Chivas Regal, Jameson's, Jack Daniels, "Wild Turkey". As nearly as I can figure, Chivas is scotch and Jameson's is Irish Whiskey. Fine - no problem. I'll have Jack Daniels on the rocks. A JD and coke promptly arrives. Strike 3: "I'll have the braised beef with polenta." When dinner was served, that looked a lot like Waygu beef tri-tips. Admittedly, they didn't charge us for the entrÃ©e, but it's not what we ordered. Strike 4: Can only find 3 of our 4 coats. Our waiter was the most impersonal guys I've ever seen - he was dull, dry, and never smiled. I would expect the waiter at a place like this to be personable and experienced. He appeared to be neither. On the other hand, the Sommelier was great - very knowledgeable. Any one of those things would be fine - I understand. But the combination was not that good.
(3)
Racquel C.

I celebrated a friend's birthday here yesterday, and the 4-course meal was AMAZING with wine-pairings! I'm a self admitted foodie. FYI, I live, work and dine in DC. I also travel around the country, and have dined at a lot of great restaurants. Until this point, my dining experience in Baltimore has been consistently poor. Finally, I've had an amazing dining experience in Baltimore! They provided top service, and each course was delectable! They've set the bar high! Job well done! I have nothing negative to say about this restaurant.
(5)
Nina U.

Opt for the valet- it's free, just tip them especially after you see them sprint to claim your car. Bookmark this place for a special occasion and make a reservation. They were great and even saved our table when we called to let them know were were behind in traffic. It's hard to find a great restaurant because then you want to eat there all the time. Thankfully, the prices are such that don't allow for the expensive splurge every day and I'm sure my belly is appreciative as well because I cannot control myself here. The ambiance has inspired me to save wine bottles and have friends sign them after it's emptied. That's not hoarding, just creative decorating. The Pinot Noir and Moscato were amazing. Don't even waste your time with a glass- go for the bottle...unless you want to do a wine pairing with dinner. The three-course meal is $29 but once again, I would upgrade and go for the four-course meal. You can totally skip the pre-fix and order by the dish but not nearly as good of a deal. Just have a small lunch or something earlier in the day to prep for this madness. It's not a ton of food and I rave quality over quantity but you will definitely be full. The three-course meals comes with six little bruschetta: 1. Grilled Local Squash 2. Sugar Snap Peas, Pignoli, Mint 3. Mortadella, Pickled Fennel 4. Ricotta Cheese, Crispy Onions 5. Roasted Local Red Beets 6. Olive Relish. I thought it was neat to try but wasn't blown away by any of them. With the four-course meal, you have many more options. I tried my friend's fois gras and have no idea how they make it but it's buttery smooth and delicious. I never like grilled calamari but this one was delicious. The homemade spaghetti was perfectly al dente, and a very large portion that I couldn't finish. The desserts are also very memorable. Not very big but just enough to please the pallet...gelato and cheesecake. mmmm.
(5)
Elliott P.

Overall Cinghaile (so hard to spell ;) ) is a solid four star joint. My wife and I went for the Restaurant Week 2009 promotion and opted for the $49 option with the wine parings. The food was 4/5, service 5/5 and the atmosphere 4/5 for being romantic, clean, but a bit noisy. I made the reservation on Opentable and got there promptly at 9, when the reservation was. Valet was free and quick. Had a drink (a Sazarac) at the very spacious bar which the bartender admittedly had never made but was still very well done. I admired his courage on this classic. After a few minutes, we were seated and presented with menus and some soft bread that was really good. Our waiter was polite and seemed very knowledgeable about the wine list. Not being a wine guy I nodded along. While the special menu had some good selections, I would have probably been happier with the regular menu. Next time I try it I'll update my review. I had some marvelous chickpea soup, then a slowcooked pork which I didn't like too much, and finally some olive oil cake that was pretty good. My wife's food was very good and I wished I'd ordered the same thing. All things considered this a great place to check out and it's hard to give a full review after trying only one three course offering. Their meat and cheese bar looked fantastic and I will be returned for some fresh sliced prosciutto in the near future. Definitely give this one a shot!
(4)
JJ J.

Cinghiale is hands down my favorite restaurant in Baltimore and when I saw that they added a fish dish to the Restaurant Week for this summer, i figured I would take advantage of the RW pricing. There are only a select few restaurants I would even consider for Restaurant Week (Aldo's, Kali's Court, Black Olive, and Cinghiale) and I've got to say that this time around, it's safe to say that Cinghiale takes the cake for best Restaurant Week experience I've EVER had. 1) APPETIZER: Started with the Local Heirloom Tomato Salad consisting of 3 types of tomatoes with arugula, basil, and a slice of Gorgonzola which is then drizzled with Sportoletti Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Special thanks to the Chef for a generous portion of the cheese. I'm not sure what kind of Gorgonzola was used, but it had a nice spicy kick to it. Was DEFINITELY amazing. 2) ENTREE: Went with the Pan Seared Norwegian Steelhead which sat atop Eggplant PurÃ©e and was topped off with Hen of the Woods Mushrooms and a nice Tomato Vinaigrette. First of all, for those of you trying fish at a nice restaurant, please understand that a cut of fish like Steelhead (similar to Salmon) should be prepared medium rare. ((Think about sushi, where salmon is consumed raw)) Cinghiale cooked it to perfection. Hen of the Woods mushrooms are some of my favorite mushrooms and these did not disappoint either. 3) DESSERT: Ended the meal with a couple different desserts. Both were great. We also ordered a nice bottle of Pinot Grigio which paired perfectly with the appetizer and fish entree. Overall: Service was great. (The General Manager David greeted us at the door and went above and beyond in welcoming us. This is the type of gesture that sets fine restaurants apart from others) Food was amazing as always. Best Restaurant Week experience in my past 10 years here in Baltimore. Kudos, Cinghiale.
(5)
Kathleen S.

My family (parents, sister and brother in law, my husband and I) just went to Cinghiale for my sister's birthday on the 18th, and we couldn't have picked a better place! The menu works either by a 4 course meal, a 3 course meal or a la carte. We started off with a cheese plate and fried olives (which I didn't expect to like but were very good). We also got a bottle of Chardonnay to share, which turned out to be three! I don't normally like Chardonnay, but this particular selection was delicious. For dinner I had the "Big Eye Tuna Tartare, Capers, Chive, Cured Egg Yolk, Crostini," which they explained ahead of time to me. It is tuna sliced thin and served rare, rolled with cucumber. I LOVED IT! Then for the second course, my husband had the "Hand Formed Tortellini Filled with Prosciutto" which was yummy, and I had squid ink pasta with lobster. I had the Margret of duck which was also served medium rare. It was perfect! For desert, I had the vanilla Panna Cotta, and my sister had the Tiramisu, which came in a martini glass. I thought my dish was better than hers. The staff definitely went above and beyond to make her birthday special. They greeted us and wished her a Happy Birthday, gave us a split of sweet desert wine, and obviously gave her a candle. No singing, it was all very tasteful. I didn't like that the menu was in Italian to the point that I couldn't decide what to get without the aid of the waiter. It also took us 3 hours to eat on a Sunday evening, when the restaurant wasn't busy. So that threw off our after dinner plans considerably. But over all it was a fun experience and we we're happy with our choice for the celebration.
(4)
Sarah G.

My boyfriend took me to Cinghiale for my 21st Birthday. Having spent four months in Italy and having tasted my fair share of Tuscan cuisine, I wasn't overwhlemed by the authenticity of the food but the quality was superb. Although very crowded- as was expected- we were sat at a nice table with a very friendly waiter who was ready to answer any and all questions we had about the menu. We decided on the Prezzo Fisso menu, where we could choose one plate from each category for a set price. The sea scallops are to die for! They were perfectly cooked- the best I've ever had. I would go back just for another plate of these. The filling on the hand-formed tortellini were good though I found the pasta itself to be a little tough. The three white wines I had, one for each course were all very good. My boyfriend was pleased with his choices as well- even if the serving sizes were a bit small for his liking. All in all, Cinghiale serves great food and has a nice staff. It's definitely a special occasion sort of place as the prices are like most other restaurants in Harbor East. Fun Fact: Cinghiale means Wild Boar!
(4)
Michelle E.

We dined here because of the high reviews and wonderful menu. We were looking for an authentic restaurant that concentrated on good pastas and had a vast array of salumi and cheeses. This place had both. We were more interested in making our selections ala carte, as we were not interested in secondi dishes. We ordered the salumi misti which had some delicious cuts of culatello, finocchiona and mortadella. I would have liked a few more slivers of the delicate meats in lieu of the mortadella, since for $20 it seemed like the cheapest cut. We also ordered a trio of cheeses which was a nice mix of robiola, pecorino and fontina. For our main entree we split two pasta dishes, there was a wonderful tortellini dish and a robiola ravioli with a butter sauce. Both were very rich, but having chosen the "larger" portions, we thought the dish was small for the "double" price tag. The price for half portions was $16 while the full portions were $30, but the double price didn't warrant double portions. The desserts were where this place failed. We ordered the tiramisu which was OK (but after trying Piedigrotta's original tiramisu, it couldn't compare) also the doughnuts which sounded good but were horrible. There were 4 quarter sized, cold, deep-fried pieced of dough that were not worth the $8.00. It was semi insulting to serve this from a kitchen that seems to have higher standards than that. Also, our cappuccinos were more like warmed milk with a shot of espresso. They were luke-warm at best and absolutely not frothy. Drinks were good and I may return with some exceptions. the ala carte menu may be a better value to those looking for a nice meal in a beautiful setting.
(4)
Madeline S.

I love their bread basket with amazing olive oil. The bruschetta is unremarkable. The raviolo was bland and was replaced by some good but not great gnocchi. The duck was good. The mocha bonet was excellent. Bread and dessert?!
(3)
Good For The Palate R.

Best Italian food outside of Italy. No contest between this Italian and the places in Little Italy, Bmore. Special Discount nights make this place more affordable. If you are thinking about going to pay $25-35 for an entree at a place in Little Italy, DONT, just come here and try their food. I guarantee you won't be disappointed. My only gripe is the dessert menu never floats my boat, but they always have a cheese tray to satisfy my after dinner needs. Great cocktails, and wine list. In case you are not familiar, this is owned by Cindy Wolf and Tony Foreman and they are the proprietors of two wine stores. They specialize in food and wine pairing and are highly knowledgable.
(5)
Cherpumple F.

Do you like Italian food? Then don't go here. Overpriced, meh-quality food. Service might be fantabulous, but I'd suggest going to Aldo's in Little Italy if you're looking for something similar.
(1)
She-Ra P.

Sure, it's fine, but it's not all it's cracked up to be. Lovely service, good wine list, fine view and atmosphere - check. Flavorful food? Not really. We had the Cucina della Nonna menu, with the various antipasti - the best of which were the "house marinated cerignola olives", and - let's face it - the olives are the star here, no matter what you marinate them in. The celery salad had no seasoning, and the lentil salad was fine. Just fine. Then the cinghiale ragu on chittarra pasta was a flat sauce of plain ground meat. I couldn't detect any use of tomato, tomato paste, onion, etc. Just ground meat browned up and deglazed with some stock or wine. If they did use other aromatic or flavor components, they were not prominent enough to merit it as a "good ragu". Could have been an off-night, but there you go. Fine evening socially, but culinarily, a lot of us can do better at home.
(2)
Fat T.

It was the wonderful experience not just good food. The service is exceptional. The service never disappoints at this establishment.
(5)
Sarah B.

Cinghiale is one of my favorite restaurants in Baltimore. Every detail, from the service to the garnishes on the food, is well thought out. We have had some truly excellent pasta dishes there and the appetizers are always special. The wine menu is intimidating but it is easy to ask for help and the service is always friendly. They have great cocktails as well. The bar room is great for a more casual, rousing meal, and the formal dining room would be better for a quiet special occasion. My only complaint is that on occasion when we have gone on the later side, we have felt a bit rushed by the servers. Other than that, Cinghiale gets five stars in my book. Try the panna cotta and tiramisu!!
(5)
Jason M.

Decor and atmosphere were really nice. Food, too say the least, was abyssmal. Soup starchy pasta not cooked well desert.... its really hard to go wrong. Somehiw they managed to. One of the worst restaurant in baltimore in my opinion.
(1)
Dennis R.

My first visit to Cinghiale was just after it had opened and although I was very impressed with the new space, the food left me wanting more...not just quantity but also quality. The bumpy start began when Stefano Frigerio, the executive chef who opened the restaurant, left for family reasons, replaced by Julian Marucci. Now, with Marucci at the helm, the portions are larger and the menu is now focused on traditional Italian fare. You must request the Veal Cheeks if they are not on either the Enoteca or Osteria menus. Chunks of melt-in-your-mouth veal in a delicate sauce...just unvbelievable! Go for the wine...go for the scene...and now, go for the food! Mangia Mangia, Ciao!
(4)
Lily B.

Came here for restaurant week and was not disappointed, at least most of the dishes on the restaurant week menu. The zucchini soup was outstanding, the heirloom tomato salad was fresh and tasty. The Branzino was grilled to perfection but hubby thought the Hand Cut Tagliatelle with Veal Bolognese was a bland and noodle over cooked. However our friends who like milder tasting food liked the way it was. Both the Panna Cotta and chocolate brownie were excellent. The service was friendly, but could use a little more attention to detail. The restaurant was packed so we could cut the staff some slacks for not putting olive oil on EVERY plate or filling water only for part of the table. Everyone at our table has pet peeve about hygiene - since there's no table mat and we didn't know how clean the table was, we didn't like the utensils being put directly on the tables. Overall great dining and will come back and sit at the Osteria section that has hopefully clean table cloths.
(4)
Roger H.

Overall: 4 Well executed contemporary Italian. Food: 5 You won't find old school dishes like Nonna used to make but the food here it pretty legit. It's definitely modern but in the best way possible. Fantastic wine list. Service: 5 Emmanuel was very helpful and really made our night. We dined with some pretty inexperienced diners and she really helped make everyone's night enjoyable. Decor: 4 Trendy and spacious. Value: 3 Though the food is quite good, it's pretty easy dropping some serious coin here, especially after ordering wine.
(4)
Dan A.

Of all the restaurants I've been to so far in Baltimore, I'd have to say that Cinghiale (pronounced "Ching gal lay") is among the best Baltimore's fine dining scene has to offer. Every time I've been here, it's been a great experience with great food and superb service. You'll find that even though this is an Italian restaurant, the items here are somewhat different from most of the items you'd get at Little Italy. It is my understanding that the food here emphasizes a different region of Italy than most typical Italian restaurants. Anyways, the most recent time I was here, I opted for the lasagna. Now, let me preface this by saying I absolutely am not a fan of lasagna. I actually go out of my way to avoid eating lasagna both at home and at restaurants! However, my friend REALLY REALLY REALLY recommended the lasagna so we tried it... and it was amazing! It is very different from your typical lasagna. More flavors, more refined... it's somewhat hard to describe. But it is definitely worth a try. Even better yet, it often is one of the cheaper entrees on the menu! If lasagna is not your thing (if it isn't you should still give it a try though!), I've found that the duck dishes here also tend to be very solid and well executed. And if you love wine, Cinghiale has a very good and extensive wine list here. Since this is an Italian restaurant, most of the wine here is of Italian origin. But it doesn't matter; the sommeliers here know what they are talking about and have always recommended great wines when I was here. Service here is on the mark too. Highly recommended! :)
(5)
Meghan M.

I was between a 4 and a 5 here and rounded down on account of it only being a first visit...but definitely a place I could see myself coming back to many, many times - if I lived in Baltimore, that is! That said, definitely planning to come back here on my next trip. I had the illustrious fortune of rolling into Baltimore on the heels of the second snowpocalyptic event of February, so after multiple flight cancellations, a day spent at Chicago O'Hare, and a harrowing drive into the city, I needed a good meal and a good place to relax. And a restaurant that was open. Cinghiale fit the bill on all accounts. Would definitely recommend that - if you're coming here for a first time, in particular - that you look at the tasting menus or fixed options, with the wine pairings. For 2 people, it was a great way to get a sense for the kitchen's breadth, as well as the menu...and eat a ton of great foods. Started with the mixed salumi and affetati misti, and picked at both. The salumi assortment was excellent - especially the proscuitto which was among some of the best I've had outside of Italy, and the bresola on the affetati plate was also superb. Highly enjoyed everything on both plates, along with the bread. Enjoyed the bread a little too much. Wine pairings were a Soave and a Chard varietal for the first course. Second course - braised beef ravioli as well as the black truffle risotto. No joke here, if I could have licked the freaking plates I would have. On both counts. The risotto in particular was absolutely delicious, although very rich, and the ravioli were savory and served with the most excellent sauce...both were perfect for a cold, snowy night - especially for this now-California girl. Wines here were rich to accompany the flavors, but are escaping me - I believe one was a Barbaresco and the other possibly a Tuscan blend..but don't quote me - I should have grabbed the pairing cards, and by this point I was full on in love with the food, so stopped paying attention. Third course - scallops over butternut squash and a veal loin strip - in this case I know for sure the scallops came with a Pinot Nero! But...cannot recall the veal pairing. The scallops were a little colder than they should have been, and the sauce had separated slightly, but was still delicious - especially the squash puree which was quite literally to die for. The veal was tender and was cooked to a perfect medium rare - I don't particularly care for veal but I tried it and even I had to agree it was great. I was, however, a big fan of the cauliflower served with it. Although neither of us had room for dessert, ordered a gelato assortment anyway, just to try it out (and because the assortment included a cinnamon gelato.) Cinnamon, fennel, and coconut gelato with a sugar wafer...I made room. It was great. All said, with 2 predinner drinks, 3 course tasting menu paired with great wines, 1 dessert, and coffee, came to about $100 a head - honestly, I see alot of complaints about the prices, but I thought that was ridiculously reasonable for food of this quality and good, heavy pours of wine. A winner, all around - go for the tasting menu, ask your server for recommendations, and you'll be happy - I was!
(4)
Joy T.

Went last week to celebrate with a friend. The sommelier recommended a great wine to satisfy our group's varied tastes. I ordered al la carte. Arugulad salad was good. The spicy sausage was flavorful and delicious. I had some of my friend's spaghetti with shrimp, which was amazing; I think I'll order that next time! Another friend had the spinach gnocchi and thought it was good but not great (I though the same). Another friend had the lasagna and loved it (I thought it was good). I would definitely go again and try a new dish and dessert.
(4)
Tj H.

I like this place a lot! I come here a few tines a week and sit at the bar. Great service! The Illy coffee is very good too, however their double espresso is extremely light (nowhere near enough) and very expensive. The deserts are awesome! So even if you feel the price range here is a little high for dinner you can always come in for desert and a coffee!
(5)
Nancy R.

This restaurant was a huge disappointment after having eaten delicious food in Baltimore. The pastas were UNDER COOKED (not just al dente) and so was the risotto. The kitchen used the same sauce on the risotto, a veal entrÃ©e, and a pasta. Also, the sautÃ©ed Foie Gras still had the vein in our pieces and was not cooked or even sautÃ©ed and the temperature was between room and cold. It was nice to see the detail of ironed tablecloths, but not at adjoining tables while the patrons are dining. This is our first Yelp review we have dined all over the world.
(1)
Mindy M.

Wow, this is yet another one of Tony Foreman and Chef Cindy Wolfe's latest and greatest creations. Don't be put off by the white table cloths, the bar area still has a full menu and jeans and a jacket are acceptable. Friday nights are less crowded than Saturday at this 30+ location. The food and wine is amazing, and expect prices that match. While there are many expensive bottles on the wine menu (which is one of the most exhaustive list I've seen with many bottles you can only get there) you can easily get an amazing bottle of wine for under $20. If you sit at the bar on a slower night, strike up a conversation with one of the bartenders. They can tell you amazing stories of their extensive training and even more interesting stories about the wine and food. Not sure what glass or bottle to get? They are very knowledgeable and can assist you in finding something that you like in your price range. I highly recommend the cheese plate (or at least try the Il Pecorino- I think that is the one with shavings of truffles in it) and the La Pasta e Fagioli soup.
(4)
Malissa S.

Very disappointed. I had heard so many great things about this place but I felt that the food was overpriced, the decor was shabby and the service average. The risotto was undercooked and the meats lacked any depth of flavor but a little saltiness. Overall, the food just left me dissatisfied for a reputable establishment. The decor I could overlook but I thought it could use a little updating. While the service from our server was good, the host was a little pretentious and unwelcoming. I've been to all scales of restaurants and would be willing to pay but found that this was not worth the price.
(1)
Ed S.

Most of the reviews I've written are for small establishments, usually places I've gone to on a weeknight with friends, and are usually mid-range establishments. Well, Cinghiale breaks the trend in more ways than one. Make no mistake ... this is an upper-end establishment in presentation, price, and quality. If you go here, make it a special occasion and dress up! You'll be glad you did. Cinghiale menu shines with many unusual dishes, and the four course prix fixe menu is a great way to experiment. The menu does, apparently, change with the seasons and what the chef wants to prepare, but there a number of choices in every category. Our party of four branched out, ordering a number of salumi, salad, secondi, and primi choices as well as some nice deserts. Everything was a hit at our table, from the leek soup with rabbit confitt to the duck, the pastas, and the steak. We did all seem to settle on the gelatto selection for dessert (though my wife had the tiramasu and the chef gave us a fifth dessert, the chocolate-filled "donuts" with his compliments). The only down side to Cinghiale is its popularity. We had an early evening dinner, but by the time we got out, it was crowded and a bit noisy. Not unpleasantly so, but you can tell this restaurant is popular and is going to stay that way! Make your reservations early, both ahead of time and for early evening if you want avoid the rush. Other than that, simply enjoy!
(5)
Michael O.

Joined a group here for dinner. Atmosphere was better than the food. The restaurant is is long and skinny with a nice bar area and some good views. In the middle of the restaurant is an area where appetizers are prepared which is a nice touch. Servers were polite and good. Food was good but nothing was amazing. Had a risotto dish which was a bit dry. Dessert was a pumpkin ice cream and cookie which did not pair well.
(4)
Joyce K.

Nice atmosphere; eats were okay, but not that impressed. Went here for restaurant week. I was hoping for a nice environment for a date. The Osteria dining room was nicely made up. It was a Saturday night, but not overly noisy (compared to the dining room at places like Roy's, which can be deafening at times). Our server was a bit stiff and mechanical, but attentive and courteous (though not that friendly -- perhaps could have been taken as a bit snobby). The food wasn't bad, but if I come back, I'm going to try some different offerings. I had the 3 course offering for restaurant week. The heirloom tomato salad was standard, the ravioli were also standard. Dessert was adequate as well. I got to try some of my boyfriend's antipasti, and I think that was the best part...nice variety and satisfying sampling of tastes.
(3)
K Sera S.

With the exception of an overly hip web site that doesn't appear to be targeted to Cinghiale's actual clientele (mid 30s - late 40s), I found the Foreman-Wolf team's newest effort to be a great addition to the up and coming Harbor East area. There are two dining areas--the enoteca (more casual, bar and tapas) and the osteria (more formal sit-down). Each one has a distinct menu, but I believe you can pillage from both. The interior is remarkably evocative of a true, old Italian wine bar. Super-high ceilings, tile floor, elegant, dark mahogany. It could be characterized as stark, but the windows facing the harbor give it a shot of cheer, day or night. The wine list has something for everyone and demonstrates well Tony's passion for presenting new and exciting tastes for all palettes--and budgets. They offer half-priced bottles on Tuesdays in the Enoteca; can't beat that! The shaved meats are delightful, the menu changes regularly (might even be daily). A great place to try if you're looking for elegance (but not the full-on Charleston experience) and creative small plates (but not the ooon-chi ooon-chi of Pazo's European techno music).
(4)
K B.

I have to say that when it comes to fine dining and excellent service, Cinghiale is probably in the Top 3 in Baltimore for me. I have been to this place before, but most recently went about 2 weeks ago for my boyfriend's birthday. They sat us in the main dining room at this cozy little table in the corner by the window. The first thing they did was bring us both a glass of champagne since they knew we were celebrating. Our waiter, James, was polite, knowledgeable, fast and overall a top notch waiter. He took the time to explain the items on the menu, made suggestions and gave us space when he saw that we were in conversation. My boyfriend opted for the $59 Prezzo Fisso (pre fixe) menu, and I ordered a la carte since I wasn't super hungry. He got the Prosciutto di San Daniele with Local Peaches, Spaghetti alla Chitarra, Maine Lobster, Chilies, Tomato Saffron Sauce, and the Pan Roasted Halibut, Sicilian Caponata, Basil Oil, Tomato Reduction. I got the Grilled Calamari, Crispy Parsnips, Extra Virgin Olive Oil and the Grilled Magret of Duck, Fresh Corn Polenta, Local Blackberries Balsamic & Port Reduction. Everything we ate was incredible. I don't usually get duck in too many places because it's often chewy or rough in texture, but this duck tasted like steak, was cooked to perfection and went very well with the polenta and blackberries. The manager, James Smith, came over to say hello since he remembered me from when I came in there about 2-3 years ago. (Pretty impressive and flattering) We chatted a little about the wines and the food, and then he walked away in order to let us finish eating. He's also very polite, very professional, very eager to please. Apparently James (our waiter) overheard us discussing what to get for dessert (I told my boyfriend to get whatever, and I'd just take a bite since I was pretty full) We were trying to decide between 3 different things and chose 1, however James brought us all 3...It was a birthday celebration, after all!! We got the Vanilla Panna Cotta, Hazelnut Praline, Salted Caramel Sauce, Zabaglione Semifreddo, Yellow Peach, Local Blackberries, Balsamico and a Napoleon; everything was incredible and decadent. The only thing that my boyfriend mentioned (that I disagree with) was that the Panna Cotta needs something to go with it to give it more texture. He thought that it tasted a little too much like whipped cream by itself. James then offered to give our ticket to the valet while I paid the bill...the bill did not include the champagne or the extra desserts. I usually tip 20%, but James got over 30% from me since everything was absolutely perfect. I would recommend (and have recommended) this place to any and everyone who is looking to have an incredibly delicious meal at a classy, upscale place. Sure, there is Ruth's Chris and Flemming's and a few other places with excellent food, however I feel as though none of those places match the service of Cinghiale.
(5)
Janet W.

Great atmosphere and food. The wine was reasonably priced. Our waiter was very helpful.
(5)
Nick A.

Ate hear for a business dinner. Cocktails, food, and overall experience was good
(4)
Page B.

If I were reviewing based only on the restaurant experience, this review would be 3 or 4 stars. The food was excellent and the service ranged from passable to good (it was difficult to understand some of the wait staff that brought the food...a mumbled "and here is your amameibn" is a bit frustrating). Our server was one of the few staff members that spoke clearly. We ordered the 4 course prix-fixe with wine pairings. While the wine list is broad, the pairings come on a card with your wines for each course checked off. One of the reasons we usually order the wine pairings is to try different wines. The wine pairing was the same for my husband's first two courses. While he wanted to try a different wine, he decided to trust the pairing choice with his course. However, the wine was not that good, and neither was the pairing. We were never offered the service of the sommelier (I guess because we got the pairings). Had the sommelier consulted with us, we probably would have asked for a different pairing to try something different. But, we were there to enjoy each other's company and the food/wine, so we decided to let it go. However, what has been most upsetting is what occurred when we left the restaurant. We valet parked (a complimentary service with the meal...so why wouldn't we?), and when the valet brought the car up, he ground the gears when stopping. Oy vey. Then, when we got in the car, my husband noticed the window was down. His window is tricky, and if you roll it down without watching, it sometimes comes off-track. One doesn't expect a valet to roll down the window. However, this valet rolled the window down all the way, and it came completely off the track. Thanks to the valet...the window has now been down during 3 days of rain. We filed an incident report, and when the valet manager contacted my husband, he said it was our fault for not expecting the valet to roll down the window and telling them not to do it, and has refused to provide any help. He was also told that the General Manager of Cinghiale agrees with the valet manager's position. As my husband stated, when you leave your car with the valet, you expect the car to come back in the same shape. Ours came back in worse shape, and we now face a pricey repair (in addition to our pricey meal at Cinghiale). This experience has soured us on Cinghiale (where we have visited 4 previous times), and really any of the other Foreman-Wolf properties. I love Charleston, Petite Louis, and Bin 604, but if this is how Foreman-Wolf treats their patrons outside of the dining room, I doubt we will be returning to any of their establishments.
(2)
Gareth M.

Excellent restaurant. Exquisite food, and the service is professional and attentive. From the main dishes, I prefer the pork rack over the wild boar, which was too gamey for my tastes. But everything is delish, just pick what sounds good to you and it's hard to go wrong!
(4)
Ira K.

Beautiful place and nice service but not the kind of food my group expected in view of the very high prices we paid. My steak (for $32) was very tough (I should have sent it back but didn't want to create any embarrassment for my friends.) My friend's pasta side order (for $11) was no more than a few forks full. We understand that northern Italian cuisine is noted for small portions but at these prices compared to what we got and in view of the mediocre food quality, this place is ridiculous. It reminded all of us of the "Emperor's New Clothes" (the staff must have been laughing throughout the evening in the kitchen.) You truly have to be a fool if you choose to dine here.
(1)
James J.

My girlfriend and I went here to enjoy a nice dinner, I had never been here before so I didn't know what to expect. The complementary valet parking when we arrived was very nice, and appreciated. Because of the location of the restaurant, I was expecting that there would be some tables overlooking the water, but was disappointed to see that it was a 1st floor street view with the water barely visible across the street. More disappointment came when we sat down. The place was very busy and they sat us right next to another table of two, the tables were adjacent and maybe 3 feet from each other, way too close. There was no privacy, I could hear every word they were saying and they undoubtedly could hear us perfectly as well. Most of the larger tables were spread further apart, but not these two small ones. Oh well, on to dinner. My girlfriend and I both chose the $60 four course option. The food was good, although I wasn't particularly wowed by anything. The serving size was just about right if you get the 4-course option (neither of us took home leftovers), but if you order a la cart from the main dishes (~$25) you are going to be very disappointed, as there is no way it is going to be enough food to satisfy even a small lady for dinner. Although the food was OK on average, the brocolli soup was delicious and my favorite item of the night. The service was about average for the price, the wait staff was attentive, nothing really negative to say there. Overall this is a solid restaurant, but way overpriced in my opinion. Our bill came to over $190 (two people, three glasses of wine, and tip). I can have a similar dining experience in the area for half of that price. The girlfriend and I both decided in the car not to go back in the future.
(3)
Ateet A.

I would like to give 3.5 stars for the food and service. This place had good food and the service wasn't terrible. I tried the 4 course and ordered a variety of things consisting of risotto, wagyu sirloin, prosciutto, and tiramisu. All were fairly good but nothing to give it that kick of "WOW". We did go there with family and friends. The only huge issue was that one of our family members was a vegetarian but we felt that coming to an Italian restaurant was very safe, unfortunately this is not he case. Almost all pastas had some form of chicken, beef, seafood, chicken broth or chicken stock, and the restaurant wasn't really ready to change the menu items whcih I also understand but at the same time they should have some available options for everyone, even though i am a huge meat-eater myself. all they had were 2 salads and so one person in our party was unsatisfied. will i go again?... not sure at this point, unless there is a special reason to as there are many others places to try in the DMV.
(3)
Jenna C.

The food tasted great but be prepared for small portions especially in the pasta's. I have a 17 year old brother and he finished his meal within a couple of bites (had to go somewhere else to get him a cheeseburger). Overall though, the waiting staff was excellent, the atmosphere is pleasant and the food tasted great. I probably wouldn't come back here again but I am glad we tried it.
(3)
P S.

We ate off the Nonna Menu, the brucetta had some strange items on it but it was pretty delightful. The service was top notch. The waitress was very good at making wine suggestions. The main course was alright - not the best I've ever had. The desert however was the best I have ever had! It is a little pricey but I would go again for a special ocassion.
(4)
Craig M.

We have been to this restaurant many times. Excellent food and wine selection. Their main menu is for a $62 prix fixe that includes an app, small pasta plate, meat and dessert. You can also order anything ala carte, and get a larger portion of the pasta dishes. All of my choices this visit were very good, but if I were to knock anything, portion sizes are small. They also have a $29 prix fixe menu that includes an appetizer assortment, entree and dessert. I've gone this route a few times in the past and recommend the lasagna and sausage stuffed pasta. The wine has a similar range of options, from high price to $7 glasses. Because of this range of price options, we have gone here for both special dinners and everyday meals.
(5)
Beth L.

Food is excellent here. Big place. Nice decor. It gets loud in the less formal area. Prices are very high. There is free valet parking.
(4)
Justin S.

What a great place. My fiance and I went here to celebrate our minus 1 year anniversary (the day one year before our wedding date). The waiter was extremely knowledgeable of all parts of the menu. He was very helpful at walking us through the meal. We were never rushed, approached each course one at a time before moving on to the next. It felt like we were in really good hands.
(4)
Jill M.

My experience here was for a birthday dinner with a group of eight. The atmosphere was perfect for this type of a celebration... nice enough to feel like a special occasion, quiet enough to keep a good conversation going, but not too formal or uncomfortable. I arrived a little late, and my group was already seated at a long table near the front of the restaurant. Two types of bread with olive oil had been served (brown bread with cracked pepper and focaccia). We ordered appetizers, salads, and entrees next. Some of my friends had ordered the grilled calamari appetizer, which they said was really tasty and perfectly cooked. The arugula salad I had was not too exciting, but I mainly ordered it to try and be healthy before I indulged in potato gnocchi with lamb ragu. My gnocchi was wonderfully creamy and dense, and the ragu was full of flavor. I ordered a half portion, which looked small (about a cup and a half of food) but was surprisingly filling once I finished it. Some other dishes around the table that got high marks were the scallops and grilled branzino. Only a few of us had room for dessert, which included the tiramisu and the torta di riso (rice pudding tart). The tiramisu got mixed reviews, and was a unique interpretation of the dessert, served in a martini glass, with mostly chocolate and no espresso-soaked lady fingers. I had the torta di riso, which was very good and served with with candied cherries and a vin santo gelato that had a mildly sweet raisin flavor. Overall, the food was well-prepared, the service was excellent, and our group really enjoyed the dinner.
(4)
Bristew M.

Remarkable food, wine selection and atmosphere. Been there a few times and have yet to be disappointed in a meal and/or wine pairing.
(5)
Athenaeus N.

I visited Cinghiale with my wife while we were down celebrating our anniversary. The restaurant is situated in what seems to be a newly built/rebuilt portion of the psuedo-inner harbor. There are a number of upscale dining options in the immediate vicinity as well as a Whole Foods, a wine shop (apparently owned by Cinghiale's owner), and a number of new apartment/loft/condo buildings. We arrived a little early for our reservation (around 8:15 for an 8:30 on the Sunday before the 4th of July) and were promptly seated without any hassle. My aperitivo was delicious, gin and st germain, very refreshing on a hot day. We decided on forgoing the prezzo fisso and instead opted to each order a salame, an antipasta, and a primo/pasta. Everything was delicious, and cripes they give you a lot of the salame, but I think the real star was the rabbit agnolotti, which was mind boggling. For dessert we split the vanilla panna cotta, and it ended up being just the right amount of food for us, very full but not stuffed. Our server (his name was Ted, I think) was fantastic. He was knowledgeable and friendly and very accommodating. We didn't mention it was our anniversary when we made the reservation but it came up when our dessert came out and we were given a very tasty digestivo. The only complaints that I had about the night were that the meal was probably a little overpriced for what we got, although I knew the prices going in so I really shouldn't complain, and I thought the space was a little too Cheesecake Factory-ish, kind of too open and maybe a little too close to the people around us, that sort of thing. Other than that it was a five star experience. Highly recommended!
(4)
Rachel B.

Have been here several times with my fiancÃ© and have always had a good experience. On Friday we took some out of town guests and had an especially great time. I love the atmosphere in the Enoctera - lively and fun, but still sophisticated. The service is always good and our server Nicole on Friday was especially great. The perfect amount of attentiveness without being overbearing. Also appreciated her help in deciphering some of the unfamiliar Italian words - very knowledgeable without an ounce of condescension. I also like that the manager always checks in just to make sure things are going well. The food, as usual, was wonderful. I always go with the left side of the menu (the four course tasting for $62) as the dishes always look so inventive and it's fun to try several things (plus it's a good deal). One of our guests had the three course menu and was also very satisfied. A consistently great experience - have been 5-10 times now and will keep coming back.
(5)
Gita B.

Wow. I'm no food snob, but I was shocked for the lack of flavor and quality. Maybe it's because I had such high expectations? I attended an organized event in the back room, and had the rock fish. It was something I could have made at home for a few bucks. I'm so glad this meal was not on my dime.
(2)
Stacey P.

We went here for my birthday dinner, there were 4 of us. There are numerous choices on the menu, which is nice. I ordered the grilled romaine salad and cod. The salad had fabulous flavors with a red wine vinaigrette, which might sound elementary, but it was delicious. The cod was cooked to perfection , moist and flakey, with a slight crispy crust. It was served with pureed cauliflower and what tasted like pickled cauliflower. I would call these more of a garnish though, and not a vegetable side. You will need to order sides separately, as most dishes do not come with anything else, which is a little disappointing for the price you pay. I ordered the tirimisu for dessert, and was disappointed, I think my sister makes it better! My husband ordered the gellato and he said it was good, you can choose 3 flavors.
(4)
Tori H.

Does Cindy Wolf have a restaurant that's not amazing?? Cinghiale is consistently tasteful and commendable. Everyone on the staff is welcoming and I just love the warm decor inside. I'm going to have to go back (and back again) to try more on their menu because once just isn't enough! If you're looking for fine dining at a lower price, and food that is mouthwatering good, check out cinghiale!!
(5)
Wasim Q.

This is one of my favorite Baltimore restaurants, and certainly the best Italian restaurant by far. They seem to change the menu fairly regularly, which is great-- a good reason to keep going back. The bread is amazing: served hot, with creative flavors (I think there was apple in the last batch I had there), and great flavorful olive oil to go with it. I loved the deconstructed tiramisu, and house made coffee ice cream was awesome. Service is AWESOME. The waiters all really know their stuff, and clearly have a passion about food. Patio seating on the harbor on a nice night is also a good bonus.
(5)
David Z.

Ya know, for the price ($59 for a prix fixe or else it is more if you consider several courses), this place is not often as satisfying as one would like. I've been there several times now, and although it's always good, in my opinion the blends of flavors in many of their dishes simply don't work well. It has been frustrating, in the face of fine service, nice ambiance, a long wine list, a few excellent dishes, etc.
(3)
Russell B.

We ate in the Enoteca portion of the restaurant. The ambiance was VERY loud, but not unexpected as we were warned that this was the less formal section, however some sort of effort could be made to soften some of the surfaces to make it a bit less jarring. Once our waitress returned to take our order (20 minutes of sitting watching the host run around looking for her rather than just coming to take our order) we enjoyed our meal immensely with one exception which I will get to later. The Maccheroni alla Chitarra was understated and at first felt bland, but once you have had a few bites you realize the beauty of it's simplicity. On the other end of the simplicity spectrum was the Taglietelle with Chicken Friccase which was hand cut pasta cooked in chicken broth served with pieces of chicken first stewed then fried again to give them some crispness, this was served with swiss chard and walnuts. Our table unanimously voted this dish the winner of the evening and a meal we would happily die eating. The disappointment of the meal was the Hand Formed Tortellini Filled with prosciutto, mortadella and ricotta in a light rosemary sauce which were so salty as to be rendered inedible. Perhaps the sauce may have balanced the plate, but there was scarce amounts to be found. With that many cured meats one expects saltiness, but this was so powerful that I, an avowed salt-a-holic, couldn't eat more than one. We reported this to the wait-staff who promptly attempted to correct the problem by offering us another entree but we were full from sharing the other dishes so it was simply removed from our bill. The wine list is incredible and the prices fair. We enjoyed a Vino Nobile and a Valpolicella with our meals and a Vernaccia to start. A selection of sorbetto and a ricotta pound cake finished off the meal. Overall an experience I would repeat.
(4)
Joel S.

The wife and I along with 2 other couples went to Baltimore for a long getaway weekend. Saturday night we decided to eat at Cinghiale based on it being rated the #1 Italian restaurant by Baltimore Magazine and it was within walking distance of our hotel. 5 of the 6 of us were Italian and all of us have traveled extensively in Italy. All of us are foodies. The physical restaurant is beautiful. Large,loud, very handsome inside. We were seated at the window so some of us could look out on people walking by and the boats while the others got to see the inside of the restaurant. Our headwaiter was average at best. In our initial order of a bottle of wine, he was very confused and had never heard of the wine even though it was right of their list. He seemed confused on the region, the grape and the name, although all of it was right on the list. On our second bottle, his comment was "Oh I know where to find that one". Seemed odd. On to the food. The 1st two course were for the most part excellent. Some had the prosciutto and pear, which was extremely good. One had soup that was good but oddly came lukewarm. The wife had a beet salad which was very sparse on the plate. I had the bruschetta sampler which was very tasty. The next course was also pretty good with exception of me having the same soup mentioned before and it was barely warm. Seemed odd. Then came the main courses and to a plate, they were average or below average at the very best. What a disappointment! 3 had the short ribs and they were tender but not as flavorful as one would expect. One had a steak that was on the cold side. One had duck that was stringy and I had the Cinghiale. I have eaten this dish all over Tuscany and in various restaurants in the US and this was by far the least inspiring version. It just tasted like some pasta with ground beef. It did not have the gamey wonderful flavor of boar nor did the ragu have the very deep and rich flavor of a long simmered reduced ragu. Perhaps our expectations were raised too high by the high rating but this is a big time, beatiful restaurant with very mediocre food.
(2)
Patrick H.

Being a bona fide fan of Charleston, I had read the reviews of Cinghiale and was somewhat trepidacious that it wouldn't live up to my expectations. While, I wouldn't say Cinghiale has replaced my first love (Charleston) I have to say we had a spectacular experience there. We went in for Restaurant week... I had done my homework and researched their menu... of course when we got there we were tempted away from the RW menu by the many other lovely items to be had. Starters: Chilled Yellow Tomato Soup with PEI Mussels. Luscious Heirloom Tomato Salad, Basil oil and Gorgonzola Cheese (High quality but a little lack luster - nothing out the ordinary) Second Course : Zucchini Risotto with Fried Squash blossom - (Revelatory in its simplicity and execution.) Sausage Ravioli with Porcini Mushrooms. MMMMMM Main Course: Magret of Duck Breast over a Lemon Verbena reduction. Perfectly cooked and served with a very interesting spice gremolata formed into a tiny quenelle. Very tasty and very cool! Seared Day Scallops : Expertly prepared but a small portion and again nothing out of the ordinary. Cheese Course: We had some classics. Sweet gorgonzola, Pamagiano Reggiano and Fontina. All were good, but the presentation was lacking. Served with nothing else. Dessert: Citrus Panna Cotta with berry compote and Pistachio cookies. MMMM I get all misty-eyed just thinking about it. Goat Cheese Mousse with Cherry Agrodolce in puff pastry. Equally trance inducing in its yumminess. Finally, I have to say that as good as the food was, the service was better. The staff there is unbelievable. It's rare that I find service that outshines a kitchen, but it certainly did here for us.
(5)
Jason and Winter N.

Visited Cinghiale in mid-June to celebrate a friend's birthday and thoroughly enjoyed the experience! Great location near the water and wonderful spacious, yet inviting ambiance. I have to admit we were a slightly loud, celebratory group but they were so helpful and friendly, and even took pictures for us and brought dessert for the birthday boy. They gave us great menu and wine recommendations, too, and everything was perfect. We ordered a wide variety of things, ranging from crab risotto to the lamb, steak to vegetarian pasta. Their prix fixe menu was a fantastic deal and allowed us to sample a little of everything, including desserts and appetizers - I highly recommend it.
(4)
J B.

Delicious food, great service. Worth the money for a special occasion!
(5)
Eby D.

I can't get enough of this place. The food is awesome and they are able to accommodate special dietary needs (i.e. gluten free) without sacrificing great taste. The wine is fantastic...When they bring a bottle to your table they actual taste it before you do to ensure they are not giving you a bad bottle! I've lived in Italy and NYC, and I can say for sure that Cinghiale is among the best Italian restaurants I've dined at...Its a great date spot and great place to bring friends and family who are visiting from out of town - just note that it does get crowded and a little loud weekends so definitely do an early reservation to avoid the Fri/Sat crowd.
(5)
Amy S.

Love this place! From the moment you pull up, the experience begins. They have complimentary valet parking and the staff is solicitous from the get go. I had a delicious gewÃ¼rztraminer that was recommended as well as the Yukon Gold Potato Gnocchi that I split with a friend as an appetizer. Delicious! I then moved on a special salad with several types of watermelon in it...I think it's a seasonal offering that was spectacular! I highly recommend it if they're serving it when you arrive. For my entrÃ©e I opted for Lasagna Marchigiana...it was scrumptious! For dessert, when I couldn't decide if I felt like gelati or sorbetti, my server very nicely offered to give me a scoop of each. So I got to try a blueberry gelati and a strawberry sorbetti....I'd be hard pressed to tell you which one I loved more, as they were both mouth watering. If you're looking for a delightful place that has ambiance, great service and delectable food choices, I wouldn't dare miss Cinghiale. It's perfection for the palate.
(5)
Joni D.

I shied away from this place because I had heard it was very expensive. And it can be - but I had the 3 course prix fix menu and the three courses were delicious, excellent portions and plenty of food. a fair price for the amount and quality of what I got. The service was top notch - attentive and well paced. The atmosphere is lively. It can be noisy but this was not overly so. Valet parking if free of charge and the wine list has lots of range.
(5)
Carrie D.

Every time I visit this place, I fall in love. Amazing food is definitely the key to my heart, but complimentary valet parking, impeccable service and an ambiance you want to dress up for are appreciated as well. :P I was part of a table of four, so we tried a bit of everything. The wild boar charcuterie was my favorite from the chef's selection. The grilled foie gras was the best overall dish of the evening. The foie gras was cooked perfectly and just melted in your mouth. The pork sausage served along with grilled quail was delicious. The lasagna was fantastic. (I originally teased my tablemate for ordering such a simple dish, but I had to give him major points for the order.) The only dish that was a disappointment was the tortellini filled with prosciutto. The dish was overly salty for all of us; and we all love our salted meats. Once the server heard this, however, she removed it from our check without being asked - again, impeccable service. I can't recommend this place enough!
(5)
Francine W.

I was an attendee at an educational event held in the private dining room. Free valet parking. There were about 100 of us at tables of eight. We began service with a choice of a Chianti or white table wine. I chose the white which was perfectly drinkable. The menu was prix fixe with a hors d'oeuvres course (hand passed by staff on silver trays), followed by antipasti, main and dessert courses. The main course was Grilled Chicken, Green Beans in Rosemary Sauce. Very tender and well seasoned. This was a very nice venue for this 2 hour program. The best thing, besides the food, was the service. The servers were very attentive, explained each course, inquired about food allergies, special needs or exclusions for menu items. They managed to to do all this while not disturbing the presenter or being a distraction. This is a very nice place for a private meeting.
(5)
Katie S.

I've eaten at Cinghiale before and had a wonderful time. This time, however, it was...meh. Don't get me wrong - food was great, wine was great, service was relatively attentive. But, we were put off when at the end of the meal when we paid our waiter in cash, we were waiting on the change from the bill. For 20 mins. Specifically, we needed $1 bills for the valet. The waiter never came back! It would have been an extraordinarily large tip, had we not asked for the change. The waiter seemed a bit put off that we asked for the change. Is asking for change something that is not done?? News to me. Despite the unfortunate ending, the food was outstanding. Maybe I'm a little more offended than I should be.
(2)
Syreeta B.

I give Cinghiale a solid 5 stars on service, atmosphere and the impressive wine selection. However I give them a 3.75 stars on food portions . So with "my math" that would equal a solid 4. I had dinner here recently,I am a novice when it comes to Italian cuisine. So I was apprehensive to come here, but I was pleasently surprised. Our server Josh was excellent, he knew the menu thoroughly. I ordered the prosciutto with pickled fennelhead ferns as the starter, It was so fresh and delicious. I also shared the Bruschetta Di Giorno. Six different delights with items such as deviled eggs to lamb sit atop a crisp toasted bread. Speaking of bread I forgot to mention the wonderful fresh bread that is served to your table. When the WA (waiter assistant) offers your the bread and olive oil TRUST ME say YES. I personally have never had olive oil as good as I did there. ....but now that I think about it Giant super market brand olive oil probably does not qualify as a comparison. I also had the grilled wagyu hanger steak it was also very good. Now I will say this restaurant does not serve the standard American sized portions. So don't be surprised to see small portions and $$$. Overall I had a great time but this little lady can eat, I left Cinghiale wanting something more. Nothing against the restaurant or the food but I was still hungry. That in the nutshell was my experience here. Good food and atmosphere but if you have a whole in your stomach like I do you and have big $$$ you may want to order double apps, entree and desserts ;-)
(4)
Edward S.

One of Cindy Wolf's restaurants, right across the street from Charleston's. Well,.. what are you waiting for? Pick up the phone and make a reservation. Now! I promise you won't be sorry.
(5)
Greg M.

This review is based on my first experience at Cinghiale - Osteria. I was highly anticipating dining here since I am a huge fan of all the Chef Wolf and Foreman restaurants. Valet parking here is complimentary and the staff was punctual and friendly. Entering into the restaurant your instantly greeted by the redolence of garlic, roasted meats and spices. The ambience was perfect as the lighting is sexy and cozy setting your expectations high for savory cuisine. The greeter welcomed us with enthusiasm and invited us to the bar until our table was ready. It was a Saturday night and the place was busy. We only waited 7-8 minutes before we were escorted to our table. We decided to choose the Prezzo Fisso option for dinner. This was 4 courses paired with wine for $92. each. This was an excellent choice and the whole experience was remarkable. The Italian meats were some of the best I have ever had in Baltimore. Try the Prosciutto di Parma aged 14 months with Giardiniera. The White Truffle Potato Soup was delectable, creamy and robust at the same time. The Tagliata di Manzo - grilled Wagyu Tri Tip was a Champion in the room. The wines were all paired superbly with each course. All of our courses were timed perfect and always were delivered at the appropriate temperature. The sommelier was extremely knowledgable and attentive. We certainly appreciated the menu as there were so many unique offerings that you won't find in any other Italian gourmet restaurant in Baltimore. Lastly our experience was worth every penny and I certainly would recommend this establishment to anybody who appreciates wine pairing dinners.
(4)
Phil S.

Outstanding Italian cuisine featuring a sort of new-American take on classic Italian ideas. Fantastic baskets of focaccia and ciabatta served with perfect oil were a great way to get things started. Really enjoyed the first course of foie gras and quail with a much appreciated 30- year old balsamic. I know it's decadent but I wish I could have had more than a dribbling of the syrupy vinegar. Lobster ravioli had nice sized pieces of lobster with an incredibly rich and finger licking good sauce. The wagyu strip was a highlight and a surprise given the environment, and the tiramisu was so, so good. The service started out well but quickly deteriorated. Our server seemed to disappear for long stretches of time, leaving our glasses half empty and dishes unattended. The coffee service was dreadful. Not only was the brew lacking in flavor but the pot was shared, as opposed to individual presses. Servers came by four times, each with a mostly empty pot so neither my wife or I, at any one moment, had simultaneous full cups of coffee.
(4)
Brian C.

I went here for the first time to celebrate my sister's birthday and I certainly hope it won't be the last. This place is perfect if your looking for not so typical Italian food. The atmosphere was amazing as soon as you walk in. An enormous bar just beyond the foyer that looked incredibly inviting. Plenty of semi-casual seating in the main room, with private rooms to the left and a more formal setting to the right. We sat in the more formal area. The entire staff from the host to the wait staff was very pleasant and accommodating. They were also extremely informative when it came to food and wine selections. This was a huge plus as some times, menus in restaurants like this can be intimidating. As mentioned in some of the other reviews, there are a la carte options, meals for two or a tasting for one (Prezzo Fisso). I opted for the later. My first course was Salame Piccante with Pickled Sweet Pepper. The gentlemen cutting the meats and cheeses does so in an open bar environment that's visible in the main room. The meat was really fresh and tasted perfect. My second course was the Squid Ink Tagliolini, Crabmeat, Preserved Lemon, Scallions, Jalapeno. I could not eat this fast enough! The pasta was made with the squid ink and was a little smaller in size than fettuccine. The crab meat was as expected and the jalapeno was present but not overbearing. Everything just meshed so well, it was quite impressive. The Third course was Grilled Tilefish, Shrimp, Calamari, Fennel, Squid Ink butter Sauce. I kept the squid ink theme going with this one! The tilefish was excellent, my first time trying it. Not too fishy and a great, moist texture. The addition of the calamari and shrimp were perfect and just enough in portion. For dessert I had Gianduja Torta, Hazelnut Buttercream, Ganache, Frangelico Chip Gelato. I wish I had taken a picture of this one because words do it no justice. If this is ever on the menu, please indulge yourself! I was incredibly impressed with this restaurant. The attention to detail in every aspect was noted and appreciated. They do a wonderful job here. I can't wait to return again.
(4)
Niran A.

Harbor East is quickly becoming the launching point for national chefs to enter the Baltimore dining scene. Leading the charge is Cindy Wolf, a Baltimore chef with many restaurants throughout the area. Her latest rendering is the rustic, yet elegant Italian kitchen known as Cinghiale. The dÃ©cor features rich woods, iron chandeliers, white linen and wine bottles displayed throughout the restaurant. The salumeria in the middle of the restaurant immediately draws you in with its aromas of cured meats and vegetables. The menu has many options of modern Italian cuisine and is cleverly organized in a prix fixe manner. There is a $29 per person three course prix fixe menu, which features several rustic appetizers and entrees plus a dessert. I'm sure the items on this menu are delicious; however, I encourage diners to splurge on the $62 four course prix fixe menu which is much more unique and expansive. The wine list is over ten pages long with wines exclusively from Italy. We eventually chose a wine from the Colosi vineyard in Sicily; a wine that our waiter suggested was comparable to a spicy cabernet. Once you settle in you are welcomed with warm, fresh, homemade focaccia bread, accompanied with the most delectable olive oil you will ever taste. We started off with a chef's selection charcuterie platter - featuring a large quantity of spicy salami, smoky prosciutto and some another fatty pork meat, all of which were truly delicious. The sweet corn chowder is a work of art as it comes to the table, at which point the waiter pours the rich soup onto the gnocchi, parmesan crisp and morel mushrooms. The soup had a velvety texture with a natural sweetness from the local corn. The parmesan crisp provided the perfect saltiness to the dish, with the mushrooms providing an earthiness to an otherwise very rich dish. The pasta dishes were completely homemade but were truthfully the low point of an otherwise amazing meal. We ordered the spaghetti chittara with lobster and the sausage-filled tortellini. The spaghetti had a nice chew and texture but the tomato sauce wasn't mind blowing while the lobster was under seasoned. The sausage filling in the tortellini was very tasty with accents of rosemary, but was way too salty - even for my palette. The tortellini itself was a bit too "al-dente", which ruined the dish. The main courses however more than compensated for the mediocre pasta dishes. My girlfriend ordered the grilled duck with sweet corn polenta and grilled peaches. The duck was beautifully cooked to medium rare with the skin being rendered crispy. The polenta made for a perfect bite with the meaty duck, while the peaches were a nice palette cleanser between the other two rich components of the dish. I ordered the John Dory, which is apparently a weird looking white flesh, flaky flat fish. The generous portioned filet was seared until the skin became cracker-like while the flesh was still juicy and pearly white. The shaved celery with Italian olive oil on top was an unlikely perfect combination. The roasted potato salad with olives was also nicely prepared, but I wish the potatoes were a bit crispier. The fish really was amazing though and I am glad that I had ordered it, as I was very hesitant at first. All in all, our meal at Cinghiale was a unique dining experience with some amazing food. The food is beautifully crafted and presented in an elegant setting near the water. It is nice to know that Baltimore can still have fine dining of this caliber without having celebrity chefs buzzing to open a new restaurant on our waterfront. Well done Cindy Wolf, well done.
(5)
Stephanie P.

My date and I dined here tonight for a leisurely two hours. WE had a reservation and were seated in a comfortable corner table. It was busy and lively, but not too loud. The menu is organized and the waitstaff knowledgeable. Our primary server managed his 5 minute introduction to the food/their approach to food without tacit discomfort or yawns. He was able to supply the region and year for each wine provided along with a description of its taste and defining features. We were neither overattended nor underattended - which for a meal of this difficulty and detail is a tough balance to secure. Rather than ending with it, we started with cheese - a three milk robiola (heaven), a pecorino and a "lucifero" -a spiced and creamy blue. We ordered from the four-course menu with wine pairings. I will definitely return for the more rustic menu options (particularly after seeing so many rave after the lasagne) - but if you're gonna go all out, go all out, eh? I had the spinach salad (with toasted pistachios and roasted beets and spinach that didn't taste like it'd been in a plastic bag in a walkin for a few weeks), the squid ink farfarelle (drop everything and go there now and order this dish - you will lick the sauce from the plate), and the seared tuna with parsnips. For dessert I had an apple tart with gelato and biscotti. My date had celery root salad, butternut squash risotto, sirloin with turnips, and panna cotta with pumpkin gelato- all amazing. While I felt the comforting presence of a centralized charcuterie station, I wasn't quite starving enough to start my meal that way. Next time, for sure. The presence of pork honoring was enough. I've rarely dined in an environment where timing, perfectly attentive service, and unimpeachable quality married together. And you tell me, again, this restaurant is in Baltimore? Where I've lived for ten years? And I haven't eaten there before tonight? I'm finally starting to see Harbor East through a more flattering lens than pesky, overblown and damn inappropriate gentrification.
(5)
Nathan C.

The big problem with Cinghiale, aside from trying to remember how to spell it on a mobile device, is that the menu is not your friend. There's just way too much stuff on there that all looks equally good, and there's no possible way to try it all. We dropped in as a party of three and all ordered off the prezzo fisso menu, which gets you either antipasti (appetizer) or charcuterie (plate of cured meat), a first and second course, and dessert. We all ended up ordering different items, and shared around bites -- a good strategy, it turns out. Between us for starters, we had the speck, grilled octopus, and cured Norwegian steelhead served on a chilled poached egg. Sounds weird, but it was good - not quite cured salmon, but similar enough. The grilled octopus, however, was outstanding. Not for those who freak out about tentacles, though. The speck (and most other charcuterie plates) are way bigger than you'd think. Next up: risotto with lamb ragu, tortellini stuffed with prosciutto, and something with beets and lobsters that I can't remember how to spell. The stuffed tortellini were the standout here - we all could have eaten nothing but those and left happy. The second and final main course was beef shortribs (incredible and tender), wagyu sirloin (delicious) and duck margret (medium-rare and perfect). Winners all around. The desserts here are likewise decadent - but don't miss the panna cotta. If you can swing it, and have a designated driver, get the wine pairing. They really know their spoiled grape juice here, and will match each course (including dessert) with an excellent wine. While not quite as pricey as Charleston (which is like saying "it's not as far away as the moon") it's not a budget restaurant. Even going cheap here is going to hit you at about $40 a head, and going expensive gets into the $75-$100 range. A great experience all around.
(5)
Donald P.

It doesn't get better than this Restaurant in service from the time you drop off your car with complimentary valet service to gelato for dessert. It radiates hours of teaching and employee service training in a comfortable formal setting. Tables are sufficiently spaced to allow and open feeling for all. Menu is varied from grilled rabbit livers, sweetbreads to duck eggs. Not to worry, there is also traditional Italian menu!! The Lasagna, Shrimp Pasta, Skirt Steak, and Tile Fish were excellent at our table. You are offered a la carte special menu and $29 price fix menu to suit all culinary tastes and pocketbooks. The only negative I could think about was the noise level at peak in the main dining room. (It really wasn't that unusual) This restaurant is now ranked in my two favorites in Baltimore.The Other is the Prime Rib (downtown). Don't miss visiting Cinghiale!
(5)
Lena H.

Cinghiale has been one of our favorite restaurants in the city for several years. The food is consistently delicious. We never miss getting a plate of salumi. I especially love the finocchiona and the plate always comes with a delicious pickle of something seasonal. The starters are always delicious. We especially loved the foie gras and the fennel soup during our last visit. But, by far, the best part of Cinghiale is the pasta. The squid ink pasta with ruby shrimp and bottarga tasted like the ocean. I want to eat it every day.
(5)
Jan T.

After recently receiving some more welcome news it was finally time to celebrate, and what better way to do this than to go out for a fancy dinner at a new spot that has been on the radar for quite some time. Cinghiale is an upscale Italian restaurant in Baltimore's most trendy of foodie neighborhoods, Harbor East. Nestled right against the shores of the Inner Harbor (with an embankment that prevented it from flooding on Sunday, fortunately), the restaurant offers all the conveniences that a Baltimore foodie is getting used to now (nice views, FREE valet, umbrellas). The look of the restaurant is classic Italian and could technically be transplanted to any harborside European city. Wood paneling, wine bottles lining the falls, dark chairs and white table clothes, massive windows facing out onto the street, all very nice. It's an open area, so I would imagine it can get a little boisterous during rush hours, but that too is an Italian staple. The food was excellent. There are actually two choices on offer, a Prezzo Fisso menu of 4 courses for $62 ($92 with wine pairing), and a more casual Cucina Della Nonna menu for $29, which includes 3 courses from a separate menu. This being a celebratory occassion, all dishes were chosen from the more formal menu. I began my meal with the Speck from Sudtirol with Local Peaches, this being a favorite from the old country. The speck was excellent, well flavored and drizzled with just a little oil to enhance the flavor. The texture, especially when combined with the peaches, was exquisite. For the pasta course, that most difficult of Italian tests, gnocchi. In this iteration, the gnocchi were served with pesto, pignoli, and heirloom tomato. As other posters have gone on about, there are standards to a good gnocchi, and, at least to my palette, the restaurant met them head on and exceeded them. A formidable blending of flavors that was tasty without being heavy, with just the right portion size. The secondi dish of choice was a Wagyu sirloin steak, cooked mid-rare and sliced on the plate, layered over grilled eggplant and served with a tomato marmaletta. While there were slight style points here, since the knife given with dinner is not quite heavy enough to easily cut steak, the food itself was delicious. Cut just right, and once again light and texturally well composed. The dessert here was that Italian classic, Tiramisu. As with everything else, it was well done. The drinks selection is quite good. We started with a cocktail, with my having a Cinghiale 75 (a variation on the gin and tonic using Hendricks), and then each chose wine from the extensive (16 pages of bottles plus glasses) wine menu, foregoing the wine pairing due to the delightful deluge of Sunda's sunny weather forecast. Dessert was accompanied by a Fernet Branca and a cup of strong, but pleasant, coffee. Overall an excellent restaurant for special occassions that is worth every penny spent. I would come again anytime.
(5)
Sean U.

BANGIN!!! $29 Prix Fix menu is the truth!!
(5)
Ina C.

4.5 stars. Cinghiale for me is one of a small handful of restaurants that I can rely on to give me consistently delicious and inventive food and superb service. I've been here no less than half a dozen times in the past year, and every time I have been more than pleased. First thing that you must know: FREE VALET PARKING. Street parking isn't that hard in this area, but why try? Okay, so the food. My standby is the gnocchi. What else is there to compare perfect gnocchi to than a pillow? How about a Tempurpedic(R) pillow?? Aha! If you love thumb-print sized mounds of light potato, you will love Cinghiale's gnocchi. They've definitely taken advantage of the season's bounty with their limited-time heirloom tomato salad with an unexpected gorgonzola cheese and other simple and fresh ingredients. I've followed the recommendation of my favorite server, James, and he's never steered me wrong. The staff here know and love the food, and it shows. And yes, they have more than just gnocchi and tomatoes. Another great thing about the menu is that the pasta dishes come in full and half portions, and you also have the option of ordering a four courses for $62. This is a STEAL. So get the girls, the family graduation party, the boyfriend, the in-laws... and take them to an impressive, satisfying, and delicious meal at my favorite restaurant in Baltimore, Cinghiale.
(4)
Madeline A.

I'm not sure if everything I ate was vegan, although the server said it was. Regardless, my pasta was delicious. The bread was delicious. I don't think there was anything I tried that wasn't impressive. Our server was very friendly and accommodating too. The atmosphere is high class and our table had a view of the water. I would certainly go back...and probably bring my parents (:
(4)
Gerard R.

Beautiful restaurant with great staff. Just went there for wonderful event over the weekend and the restaurant was super nice and very accomodating. A+++ service. The food was nothing special, especially for the price. Portions were average to small. There is no excuse I can fathom for charging $30+ for housemade pasta dishes. Very few of the fancy italian restaurants out in Los Angeles charge this much. I didn't taste anything special to justify the prices here in Baltimore. Their sister restaurant across the street Charleston is extraordinary, and Chef Cindy Wolf does an amazing job there. Cinghiale felt a bit disappointing. Oh, and the secondi were not very italian at all. I don't understand at all. Very confusing for a osteria. I had the skirt steak and it was tasty, but unfortunately it was lukewarm to cold. Again, just a bit lame for a restaurant charging $$$$. And $32 skirt steak with no veggies is awfully high for that cut which is tasty but let's be honest, it's a cheap cut of meat that's become popular because it's tasty but more affordable. I would go back to Charleston over coming here. Beautiful decor btw. Valet is complimentary.
(2)
Nichole B.

I had the liberty of dining at Chingale for Restaurant Week for the summer, so I decided to take full advantage of the discounted pricing for the week. And I am so glad that I had the chance to do so. I chose the tomato heirloom salad that was served with 3 different types of heirloom tomatoes, arugula and basil and drizzled with a delicious virgin olive oil called Sportoletti and the dish also came with a nice portion of Gorgonzola cheese that had this very nice kick to the appetizer. The entree that I chose was the pan seared Norwegian Steelhead that sat on top of a delicious eggplant puree along with Hen of the Woods Mushrooms and a Tomato Vinaigrette . Now when I ordered my steelhead, our waiter for the evening Sam, who was excellent and knowledgeable mind you, informed me that the Steelhead is normally prepared medium rare in the center ( pretty much a sushi style). So I ordered cooked fully and I was very satisfied. The Hens of The Woods Mushrooms was also a nice touch to the meal as well. Overall: The service was stellar as usual, again our server Sam went above and beyond to make our dining experience a most enjoyable one. He recommended good cocktails, the Chingale 75 is my favorite because it has prosecco and Hendricks gin. I will always recommend Chingale to any of my friends that want to experience amazing food, excellent service, and a great staff. Also the valet parking is complimentary. On Tuesday nights, Chingale offers half priced bottle of wine night. I highly recommend any of the restaurants in the Wolfe/Forman group for special occasions or if you want to take your significant other for a nice meal. And if by chance I highly recommend that you acquire your server to be Sam. He was my server for the evening and I was not disappointed. He is very knowledgeable about the dishes and the wines as well. You will not be dissapoionted
(5)
Suzanne J.

So we're almost regulars here, thanks to their weekly Cellar Raid - 50% of all bottles on their wine list on Tuesdays, seriously. This offer makes bottles very affordable to us that usually aren't and I can say with confidence that I've never had a bad wine recommendation here. We usually pop by and get the 3-course prix fixe menu ($39/person) and a bottle, and are always well satisfied. My weaknesses are the antipasti selections, salumi and the always rich Primi selections (pasta varieties) which you can order by half or full sizes. The wait staff always remind me that the half portion is on the smaller side, but my rebuttal is that they are the perfect portion served after an appetizer/antipasti, they are rich and always sauced well. I've found them to be the perfect size. The second best thing...if you find that you can't finish your bottle of wine in house, they'll cork it up for you and you can take it home, I love it. Go casual in the Enoteca (wine bar) or dress up for the Osteria (more formal dining room), both feature the same menu.
(4)
Albert G.

The food was very good (though potions were rather small), the wine list was nice, and the service and ambience were excellent. However this place is fairly pricey & upscale, so not what you would consider your typical homegrown Italian restaurant.
(4)
Nina P.

This was not my first trip to Cinghiale, nor will it be my last. I will give them another chance. The sea urchin panne cotta was AMAZING, delicate creamy and beautifully presented. My next dish was a pork belly, so salty that I had to send it back. So I ordered something I thought would be quick so as not to have a dinner companion staring at an empty plate--pasta carbonara. Back came the pork belly dressed up as coldish lardons. The cold egg yolk sitting on top of the pasta eyed me warily--and I it. No pepper no Parmesan. And the spaghetti so salty that I and the yolk stared at each other in disbelief... back went that mess. Our server had three tables in our immediate vicinity. She did a good job. I over-tipped and wished her well.
(3)
Murph R.

The food here is exquisite. I have been here twice and it's truly amazing. My only recommendation is that you don't go during restaurant week because it's busy and the service and ambiance suffer a little. The food is still GREAT.
(5)
Victoria L.

My SO and I were here last week for Restaurant Week. He ordered off the regular della Nonna menu while I ordered from the RW menu; both were, by far, some of the best italian food I've eaten in a very long time. From the RW menu, the caprese was fresh and flavorful, the ricotta ravioli was home-made, fresh, and buttery. The vanilla panna cotta was wonderful. From the della Nonna menu, we had the chef's selection of antipasti, Hand Cut Tagliatelle with Chicken Friccasea, Local Swiss Chard, and Walnuts, and the chocolate flan. All were amazing. I've never had noodles that melted in my mouth that way before. We also ordered a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc that went very well with everything. Their service is impeccable; anytime our glasses were close to empty they were there refilling them from the bottle. They asked if we preferred the wine on the table or on ice. They were attentive without being overbearing. Quite honestly I can't wait to go back for another meal.
(5)
Michelle K.

Your parents visiting from out of town? Then Cinghiale is the restaurant for you! The food is consistently good, everybody loves Italian food, and it should keep family squabbles to a minimum. The inside is brightly lit. Long wood tables, high vaulted ceilings and lots of glass windows keep the place feeling airy and a little corporate. The last time I was there, I saw a bachelor party settling down. The party of 15 seemed to be happy, so I think big groups might fare well here. The staff is quite young and sometimes sort of inconsistent. We managed to get bottles of wine twice in which the sommelier had no idea what it tasted like. However, I think you cannot really go wrong with any choice.
(3)
Jeanie T.

My boyfriend and I went here for our 6th year anniversary. Since it was our first time here, we had trouble finding the place because the name sign was not displayed as big as we had hoped.There is free valet parking available but unfortunately we missed out on it because we couldn't find the place for a while. After being warmly greeted and sat, we enjoyed the rest of our evening from there. They gave us a quiet corner table, which I had requested through the reservation.The ambiance was very romantic but it did get a little loud because it was during the dinner rush. I would like to say first off that the our server, Jessica, was excellent in explaining the menu as well as suggesting some of her favorite dishes. I am not a big wine drinker but she recommended some sparkling wine to start our dinner off that was perfect to my liking. My boyfriend also got a drink called the Rubino, which he liked but was too strong for me. The meals came out fairly quick and we enjoyed the majority of the dishes. We each decided to go with the prezzo fisso which is a 4-course meal that basically included an appetizer, 2 main courses, and dessert for $59.00. The online menu is somewhat different from the menu in the restaurant, some of the dishes that we ate may not be there next time. My boyfriend decided to get the grilled calamari, a pasta stuffed with lamb, the pan-seared scallops, and the dark chocolate brownie for dessert. The calamari was so soft and tender with a little spicy kick to it, I believe this was his favorite dish out of the entire 4 courses. The pasta was cooked beautifully with tomatoes the ground up lamb inside was perfect -- not too salty. The scallops were so sweet and tender, it was paired with a creamy, sweet corn polenta i believe. Those were my favorite and I wish i had gotten that instead of my dish. Finally, the the dark chocolate brownie was served with some ice cream. My boyfriend enjoyed this as well, but the brownie was a little too thick for my liking. I decided to try the foie gras ($6.00 upcharge), the lobster risotto, the veal shortrib, and the tiramisu. I have always been curious about foie gras and when I saw it on the menu, I thought it would be a perfect time to try. It is basically fat liver that is cooked to have a crispy layer on top. It with the pair with a sweet pear that was stuffed with crushed ameretto cookies, the sweet and salty combination was divine! The dish had the best presentation out of all of my dishes. The lobster risotto was made with big chunks of lobster that was cooked to perfection on top of a creamy, buttery, lemon chive risotto. Words cannot possibly describe how delicious this dish was but I can safely say that this was my FAVORITE dish. After our huge meal, I still wanted to order another big bowl of this, but I refrained. My next dish was the veal shortrib with olive oil crushed potato. I didn't enjoy this dish because of the layer of fat in between the meat. The server did explain that this was there but I didn't think it would make me as nauseous as I was. The rib was tough to cut on the top and a bit underseasoned in my opinion. Finally, the tiramisu came out and I was super excited. It was served in a martini glass and was dusted with chocolate powder. It tasted like creamy, tiramisu goodness but as amazing as it was, I couldn't finish it. As an anniversary gift, Jessica brought out a scoop of caramel gelato and coffee gelato which was super thoughtful and delicious. Overall, my boyfriend and I enjoyed our time and would love to come back (when we can afford it) again one day. Thank you Cinghiale for making it special =).
(5)
Cindy Z.

Cinghiale is a beautiful restaurant. The atmosphere here is definitely high class enough to be worth the price of the food, but also comfortable and warm. Basically, it looks how good, expensive Italian food should taste. I came for Restaurant Week but ended up ordering off their normal $30 prix fixe menu. The appetizer was a variety of brushettas, and let me tell you, these were not your grandmother's standard tomato-balsamic bruschettas. Each had a very unique flavor. Off the top of my head, there was buffalo mozzarella, pecorino with honey, eggplant, and a salmon-like fish tartare. So good! I loved how it gave you the chance to taste a little of everything. For the main course I had veal tagliatelle. Delicious. The noodles were soft and clearly house made, and it was sauced like an Italian pasta--not drowned like an American one. For dessert, a chocolate panna cotta with nectarines. The chocolate was very rich and not too sweet. Of course, they have free bread--a focaccia and some rustic loaf with a dark brown crust. The olive oil the bread was served with...well let's just say olive oil that looks so beautiful has to taste just as amazing. Our server was very attentive. We asked him once for more bread, and each subsequent time the basket was empty, he brought out more without being asked (we ate a lot of bread!) Drinks were constantly refilled, and they stopped by to ask how everything with doing enough times to make me feel taken care of, but not annoyed. And they have FREE VALET! They have a dressy room and a casual room, so you can wear whatever you like to dine at this fine establishment.
(5)
Richard L.

If you are going to eat Italian and you are going to spend money, there's a lot of things you could do. You could fly to Italy and eat a terrible pizza on the steps of the Duomo while young italian men yell "quanta costa bella ragazza" at your girl, or you could borrow money from the mafia and probably get to eat some delicious spaghetti with a home made ragu garnished with a bullet in your brain, or you could go to Cinghiale. I was recently here with my family and the dinner was excellent. Of particular note would be the poached egg appetizer, and the olives. Dear god the olives taste like no other olives I have ever seen, fat and juicy, the scent simply overpowering and incredibly juicy when bitten. The olive oil is the bright grass green of true EVOO, and tastes divine. The bread is fantastic. On to the main courses. I would point out the pork belly is a creation by the hand of fate itself, thousands of years of pig domestication leading up to the moment you bite into it - part of it crispy like bacon, part smooth like rilettes. It is a moment that stays in your mind and preoccupies you - gentlemen with your wives/girlfriends, please note you will pay even less attention to the picture your significant other is showing you on her iphone 4S(white version obviously) because you will instead be dreaming of marrying the pork belly and moving to an island country where you can ravish said pork belly every night like a coastline is ravished in a Bronte novel. The Dom Perignon was excellent as it should be. The 1998 Barolo was expertly double decanted to remove sediment and the flavor noticeably improved because of it. The Sommelier brought over some 50 year old bottles that had been consumed at a private tasting even a few days before, and I asked how I could get invited to such an event. he gave me that awkward laugh people give when asked to do something distasteful and I understood. It didn't matter. On e va, mi famiglia. The pasta was of course fresh and handcut in a boar ragu. Wonderful. I simply have one more thing to note. Why are you still reading this and not getting a table right now?
(5)
Rob N.

The Enoteca (where we dined) is an impressive, smart, casual space. With a long, dark wood wine bar at the back, Italian marble flooring, and burnished earth and metallic tones, it's warm and inviting for what really is a large open space with lots of hard surfaces. The charcuterie at Cinghiale is excellent - I love bresaola, and made sure we got some, but a fennel salami and buttery, sweet wild-boar prosciutto stole the show. Our party got down to noshing on lovely, lovely pork and beef bits with a bottle of Uva di Troia from Puglia, an assertive, tannic red that went well with fatty cured meats. Dinner went down well with everyone, even with a last-minute substitution for a rabbit confit that the kitchen was out of. Gnocchi with mushrooms and cheese was hearty comfort food, seared medium-rare duck with preserved cherries was excellent on a cold December evening, grilled rockfish was prepared well and pleasantly presented. The winter squash ravioli combined salty, sweet, and savory, and the beef tenderloin is a satisfactory cut for any steak fan. All were cheerfully consumed without complaint. I've been waiting to get here for some time, and wasn't disappointed in the least. It's a nice space, service is good, the food is very good, the wine list is excellent, and the fixed-price multi-course menu option that allows you to put together your own Antipasti, Primi, Secondi, and Dolce for a base $59 a person is genius (some dishes have upcharges, which are spelled out on the menu). Typically, the fixed price option is limited to a handful of choices - here, the entire menu is at your disposal. Fantastic! Only a couple of small mis-steps: Just because the check's arrived doesn't mean we're ready to hop in the car. The valet stand had my car up for at least 15 minutes before we were ready to walk out the door, while we were still finishing dessert and coffee in fact, and it seemed to be in the way while they dealt with other diners. On arrival, we were shown to a four-top booth for five people, three of which were not small guys, and had to ask to be relocated to an open table, which seemed to catch the hostess off guard. Cinghiale also suffers from the "big food, small tabletop" problem, at least in the Enoteca, where the dishes and glasses always seem crowded. Foreman and Wolf have a winning strategy for their restaurants, and it shows here.
(4)
Michael W.

This place is fantastic. The foie gras was out of this world and just absurdly large. Honestly it's almost too much but it was just too tasty to stop eating. I thought I made some pretty sick risotto at home but they put me in my place. Still, it is extraordinarily pricey so it's definitely a special occasion type of place.
(5)
Scott B.

There's something about this place... I enjoyed my meal a lot, the service was good, wine plentiful, but there was just something that irked me here. Maybe I was too hungry & was expecting more; who knows. At the end of the day the food is definitely good, it just didnt blow me away like it did for most other Yelpers. I found most of the items that I tried to be very good, but just not spectacular. Maybe that's my gripe here. Or maybe it was the fact that I left there hungry still as the portions left more to be desired size wise. My one takeaway was that the salami from the assorted meats platter left a lasting impression.
(3)
Daniel P.

For the amount of money i spent here, i definitely expected better. I went with a few friends and we all got separate things. Their menu consists of either a 4 course or 3 course menu, and i got the 3 course one. The first was a bruscetta platter with different toppings. One was literally a piece of bread with 6 green peas on it. The duck deviled eggs was very good, but the other 7 were forgettable. My main dish, a pasta dish with chicken confit, was good but too salty. The dessert, a strawberry rhubarb pie-like dessert with strawberry sorbet, was good but too sweet. It took all three of us to finish it. My friend's dish, however, was what really brought down the stars. She got a pasta dish with squash blossom and truffles. The waiters sold it really well, that the blossoms were in season and it was a light summer dish. However, the blossoms (all two really small flowers the size of my pinky) tasted like napa cabbage,and the truffles tasted like unsalted potato. And the pasta itself was very unflavored. For what we paid for the meal, i definitely did not think it was worth it. Don't go if you can't afford to spend 50-100$ a meal. There are much better baltimore fine dining places around!
(2)
Sonya A.

Need a developed tongue... Large plates and small servings but very unique.
(4)
Casey J.

No thanks, I'd rather microwave ramen. Ok, I expect to pay a premium price at such a place based on the location and the presentation, but this place is geographically confused...they are in downtown Baltimore, not exclusive parts of Paris or Rome. The food presentation felt contrived and had little to offer. I'm not a fan of large portions because it's a waste and is unhealthy. This place takes it to a new level with small portions. I ordered tortellini, which came with nothing else because that, of course, costs extra. Once my food arrived, my eyes about shot out of my head because there were only 3 tiny tortellini on the massive plate. They were stacked in a majestic pyramid all of 2 inches high, which, I'm sure, took great effort by the chef to assemble. After getting over my initial shock, I tasted the molecular sized bits of pasta. If you were to purchase a similar bag at a warehouse membership store, you'd encounter the same taste. Where this place lacks in stomach satisfying food, it makes up with atmosphere. It's a nice place, but it's certainly not for the 99% types who aren't anorexic.
(1)
Meribeth G.

Here for business so sat at the bar, great atmosphere!!!! Bar staff helpful on selecting great wine choices for food!!! Had the grilled octopus with chili olive oil so amazing!!!! Enjoyed the rabbit gnocchi without the truffle oil...a bit salty but very good!! Would have enjoyed more with friends but nice at the bar to eat alone! Across from water, great location!!!!
(4)
Abi B.

What a wonderful experience. The food was to die for and the waiter was top notch- very helpful at explaining the extensive menu. Great fancy night out on the town.
(4)
Jake W.

Service was above and beyond This place was simply amazing. The Lobster Was fantastic, melted in you mouth. The choices of fish were rockfish and wreckfish Our server Max The manager lyndsey Folded napkins
(5)
- J - -.

Restaurant week review: Being new to Baltimore, there are still many restaurants I have yet to try, so Restaurant week was good. I think the portions were perfect and that my soup, pasta, and desert were very nice. I think Restaurant week is a rip-off at many places, but here it felt well worth it. Allergy rating: 5 stars. The server was VERY attentive to my request to put it on the ticket and thanked me for mentioning it. I really appreciate service like that. The drinks were nice, though I find that wine list daunting (waitress helped with that) and the begging for more olive oil for the bread felt slightly absurd. If you're only going to give a tiny dab, just put a bowl on the table with a spoon or something. Asking for olive oil is silly. ANd I was aching to see some black cracked people but never got to. All in all, good experience. Would like to go back.
(4)
Adam A.

We ate at the Enoteca. Delicious food and excellent service. Would go back for sure. We tried several pasta dishes and all were good many were excellent. Other entrees, appetizers and desserts were great too. The service was outstanding and when someone in our party left something behind at the restaurant they immediately said they'd mail it to us out-of-towners. Thanks again.
(5)
Susan F.

I am somewhat of a food expert and love to share my positive restaurant experiences on Yelp and unfortunately today I have a major complaint. I ate at Cinghiale last week and was extremely disappointed. I purposely selected this restaurant since I had an incredible meal at Pazo thanks to Chef Wolf & Tony Foreman. The tides turned on me and every part of our meal failed. The pasta was gummy, the chicken was overcooked, the tiramisu was dry, the food wasn't served hot and the portions were ridiculously small. We had to order three more main entrees just to finish feeding our party of seven. On top of it, the service was also slow. Wow - to spend over $360.00 and walk away hungry and not satisfied - a waste of out money and time. I will make sure I read all the Yelp reviews next time I come to Baltimore to avoid making another Cinghiale mistake!! Looks like I share the same sentiment with many others.
(2)
Asam S.

This is a restaurant which makes you feel special from start to finish. The service is outstanding--the staff knows how to fuss over you without making you feel pressured. The salads and cheese plates were incredible and the main dishes were superb. The portions seemed to be 'just right' as well. For dessert, I tasted the tiramisu and gelato--both those desserts were AMAZING! This restaurant is perfect for just about any special occasion one can imagine.
(5)
Bill S.

Great place especially if someone else is paying. The Halibut was to die for. The beet salad was excellent and the presentation was even better. The service was top notch. The atmosphere great. The prices were sky high. The foccai bread round two was under cooked and tasted doughy. Menu incredibly creative. This was the best meal I have had at the nicest restaurant in the last 10 years.
(4)
Kimberly C.

Came with a friend to catch up on a Thursday night. Perfect for catching up with a friend, romantic night out with the significant other, or even a large group get together. Ambience: Glass wines on the table, old Italian fans on the ceilings, and other antiques throughout. An antipasto bar in the middle and signed wine bottles throughout... even the floor was gorgeous :P Service: Attentive and they treat you like first- class. If you're wearing a coat, they take it and hang it for you. Host and wait staff are incredibly friendly, even willing to describe the entire menu if you wanted. Price: There are two "fixed price" menu options. The higher-tier is a $60 4 course menu and the lower tier is a $30 3 course menu. You can also go a la carte and pick + choose what you want off the menu. Pasta dishes go up to $18 and entrees can go up to $30. Food: Went with the $30 3-course menu. First course is a sampling of 5 different bruschettas with toppings such as riccotta + sea salt, brussel sprouts + bacon, and even rabbit liver with an onion jam. Got the lasagna which was GOOD. Perfect balance of meat/sauce, salty/sweet, and a little cream/cheese- and the pasta itself! So crisp + tender.. i could go on and on. And then of course comes the dessert which was excellent as well.
(5)
Bruce D.

Food was all well prepared. Wreckfish and Hangar steak entrees were both delicious. Tuna Tartare Puttanesca app was just average - not much flavor - Puttanesca was not a "sauce" and should have had a bit more spice. Heirloom tomatoes app was simple and delightful. Tiramisu was very good but not outstanding but the Panna Cotta was superb. Service was spotty even on a slow Monday night. Waiter tried to tell me the Smirnoff for the Cosmopolitan was a gin, not a vodka (clearly he needs some education) and getting his attention was a challenge. Tables for two are only banquette seating so I definitely would not go there on a busy night as we would end up sitting closer to other couples than to each other. Valet parking is complimentary - nice touch but dinner with only two drinks was $143 plus tip.
(4)
Bob S.

Our son who lives in Baltimore treated us to dinner here on Saturday night. The food and service are top-notch. The interior is expansive and very well done. The restaurant is divided in to 3 sections. One is a large wine bar entrance as you enter. There are two private dining areas off to either side. (Reservations for the dining areas are almost a must.) Cinghiale is located right across the street from its sister restaurant, Charleston, also a great to place we've been to. The menu has 2 options; "Prezzo Fisso" a four course meal, and a more casual and rustic menu known as "La Cucina della Nonna," or Grandmother's Kitchen. The three of opted for the Grandmother's and were delighted we did. This includes a 6 piece bruschetta starter with various toppings . We each chose a different pasta dish. The lasgna is very rich.
(4)
Heather C.

I had such high expectations for Cinghiale but unfortunately it just didn't quite cut it. We sat in the bar area which is a bit more casual, but I would still except the service to be of superior quality as the prices are no less in the bar than in the more formal dining area. Unfortunately our server seemed quite inexperienced... I asked about the gnocchi... as I've mentioned in other posts, I am picky about gnocchi and only choose to order it if it is likely to not be like eating a lead bullet. I asked our server about the gnocchi and all he could really tell me was that it was heavy. As I tried to explain that I was wanting to know more about the weight of each gnocchi, and not about the fullness of the dish, he continued to state it's really heavy but it's in a pesto. In addition to asking specifically about the gnocchi itself, I told him I was vegetarian and asked about some good options, indicating I don't eat fish either. He suggested the gnocchi and another dish. I asked if the risotto was made with chicken broth - after checking he indicated it was. So ultimately I ordered the gnocchi - after all this is supposed to be one of the best restaurants in Baltimore. Also got the arugula salad. My husband had the watermelon carpaccio and the spaghetti alla chitarra. The salad was quite good, with fresh apricots. The watermelon carpaccio was also very tasty - good flavor combination. A nice foccaccia with olive oil is served complimentary. The gnocchi itself did not disappoint... it was very nice consistency. However, the pesto itself was completely bland - no flavor at all. For me there are two parts to pasta dishes... the pasta itself which must be done well, but ultimately is just a conduit for the sauce and/or accoutrements (veggies, seafood, meat, etc). Here, the sauce was just not good. It needed more salt... most likely in the form of more parmigianno reggiano. To top it off, the server asked how the gnocchi was to which I responded it was what I was looking for. He then told me there was anchovy juice in the pesto as well. Hmmm... we had already had a whole discussion about how I was vegetarian! My husband said his spaghetti was very good - al dente and flavorful. But ultimately, for the prices here, the food should be top notch along with very knowledgeable service. With this disappointing experience, combined with the high prices and the very small number of vegetarian options, it's not a place I would visit again. Prices to reference: one bottle of wine, two pasta dishes (one full size and one half size) and two salads... with tip $125.
(2)
S G.

Beautiful setting on the harbor, inside and out. Wait staff and service are impeccable. Appreciated complimentary valet parking. Food was fresh and creative but classic. Salumeria - fantastic. Fois gras- amazing. Sausage and sage stuffed metzaluna were wonderful. All five of us were delighted. Great place for a special evening.
(4)
Stephen R.

Great atmosphere, service is outstanding and the food is excellent. I would recommend the prosciutto app, leg of lamb, and the risotto was excellent. The service was just outstanding. When ordering wine, the server actually tasted it for you and then pours you the tasting...pretty cool, never saw it before, I thought she was gonna pull up a chair and start drinking with us. Anyways, very elegant, sophisticated place. Would go to again.
(4)
Valerie R.

I decided to splurge on the last night of my business trip and check out Cinghiale. I'd heard about the three-course meal for $29, but once my eyes got a glimpse of the selections on the four-course meal for $59 ($89 with wine pairings), I was hooked. I opted for the wine pairings since I have trouble making those kind of decisions and I'm glad I did - they gave me a card with the wine selections on it so I could remember what I had and what I'd liked. My first course was the fois gras, and it was phenomenal. It was seared to perfection, and the chanterelle mushrooms and fried quail egg complemented it wonderfully. It was a $6 upcharge, but well worth it. The next course was the risotto with the veal. All my friends tasted it and fell in love with it, too. It was creamy and rich and the veal provided just the right amount of heartiness. After that, I had the chicken saltimbocca. It was unlike any other I'd had, which are usually slathered with cheese and meat and gravy. The chicken breast was wrapped in proscuitto, which was crispy and fantastic. I'm not even sure there was cheese in anything but it didn't need it - the flavor was intense and the textures were amazing. Other people raved about the panna cotta with the salted caramel, and it's definitely worthy of raving! As for the service and atmosphere, both were very good. It felt a little rushed at times, but then again, we were 30 minutes late due to traffic. The enoteca was loud and relaxed, and I loved being surrounded by all the wine bottles. I thought the carved stone sinks in the restrooms were fabulous. I would come here again in a heartbeat!
(5)
Rick M.

Food was fantastic. Wine list was extensive although only Italians. Service was so attentive it was borderline overwhelming. Timing was perfect.
(5)
Dave B.

Great ambiance, food and service. We rarely get desert, but this time we ordered a Chocolate Mousse and Tiramisu.....both were fantastic!
(4)
Jerry D.

Lived up to all reviews. Four courses with wine pairings. The foie gras was superb and the sweetbreads were perfect. Service was excellent without being over bearing. Can't wait to get back to Baltimore.
(5)
Catherine A.

Fabulous wine selection - service was top notch...one of Baltimore's finer restaurants near the harbor.
(4)
DÃ©sirÃ©e B.

Great choice for a new years eve dinner! Food came out just above room temperature (i.e. warm but not hot) so we could experience the flavors that much more intimately. My boyfriend and I LOVE food and eating out but we're not particularly foodies as we prefer hole-in-the-wall establishments over fine dining - but we both agreed Cinghiale was a nice treat. I still keep thinking of the fois gras melting in my mouth, the earthiness of the snales/mushroom pasta dish, and the delicious pairing of braised lamb, yogurt, and couscous! So yeah, not something I would imagine as typically Italian, but delicious nonetheless. My only complaint is that I did feel a little rushed, but I guess that it's better than being ignored?
(4)
Ryan D.

"Tastes like Tuscany" Cinghiale is italian for wild boar. It's a staple in most dishes in Firenze (Florence). We visited here with family, they were able to sit a table of 12 on a Saturday night (with little notice) which was outstanding. The cuisine here is northern Italian, Florentine specifically. Don't come here looking for chicken or veal parm or spaghetti and meats balls. It would be like going into a Tex-Mex restaurant and asking for clam chowder. That being said- we have been to Florence recently, and felt like we got transported to a Trattoria in Tuscany- it was quite authentic and gourmet. We got the fixed price menus and were very happy. They offer a 3 course prix fixe and 5 course. The wine list was extensive with of course and excellent assortment wines (mostly Italian) on other website here- perhaps people didn't get what they were expecting? Anyways, we thoroughly enjoyed our dining experience. Service: Very good esp for 12 people. Atmosphere:Excellent, romantic. Value:Average- wasn't a bargain-but I did think this was foodie level dining. Verdict: I know we will be returning on future visits to Baltimore
(5)
Telegram S.

We ate the inexpensive "Nonna" fixed menu in the bar section so we maybe didn't get the full experience, but that said, I was really impressed. The place is huge (usually a bad sign in my experience), a little over-done for my taste but not tacky and the booth we were seated in was very comfortable and gave us plenty of privacy despite the hubbub surrounding us. Food was fresh and very well prepared. The set selection of bruschetta was a plate of varied, bite-sized revelations and our pastas were perfectly cooked, simple and delicious, in filling but not ridiculous portions. They had many wines by the glass so I got to try a bunch, which was fun. The server was young and needed a little polish. She was very nice but rushed us through our meal a bit, not in an obnoxious way but because she doesn't really get how to move things along properly. She also insisted on using pretentious Italy-by-way-of-Maryland pronunciations, constantly correcting our own apparently lesser versions. The customer isn't always right, but in this case it would have led to less cringing had she just let it go.
(4)
Kristina K.

Though difficult to spell and pronounce, Cinghiale (Ching-aale) features a lovely atmosphere and delicious, albeit pricey, new age Italian food. Curiously, the rating for Cinghiale had to be two tier: Monday through Saturday dinners are a 4-star; Sunday nights are more of a 2-star zone. After experiencing some growing pains, the kitchen here has become consistent: for apps, enjoy the prosciutto or the salame (exact pairings/sides vary), the foie gras (their searing is unbeatable!), and perhaps a cheese plate. For mains, focus on the duck or beef pasta dishes and the risotto (menu changes frequently so one can only generalize about the patterns). Cinghiale has a pastry chef whose amazing baked goods and icecream creations will make you want to lick the delicate little plate. Cinghiale, by the way, is open only for dinner so plan accordingly. Though their dark wood/white table cloth dining area is inviting enough, if the weather cooperates, reserve a table outside. If seasonally appropriate, you might want to partake of such a spot on 4th of July as their Harbor-view location that, reportedly, allows one to see the fireworks. For the best deal, come on a Tuesday night as their entire wine list is half off; this special has changed from going until 7 pm to all night so come thirsty! Look at this as an invitation to branch out to a more expensive wine than you are used to drinking: consider your typical price comfort zone, double the number, and look for a bottle in that price range. Hey, when else are you going to get this opportunity? The knowledgeable somalier will assist you with any questions. A word of warning: whatever you do, don't be tempted by their Sunday supper specials! While the deal of the changing 3-course menu sounds great, these dishes do not live up to their regular standards: meats in the buffet bar were of a different caliber, the pasta was a little off, the dessert only alright, and even the cappuccino-side cookies were dry to an excess. While you would be much better off trying their regular dishes, note that the regular menu is not available on Sundays--so just come another day.
(4)
Rich W.

Cool atmosphere and good service. The food just wasn't very good. Not much else to say. It wasn't good. Won't go back and wouldn't recommend.
(1)
Tara A.

This restaurant ranks up there with Kallie's Court and the other finer dining establishments in the area. I don't think everyone's experience will be the same so I'm not going to go into a lengthy review of what I ate, service, etc. I left feeling pleased and that the experience was well worth it. It can be a little loud. I suggest sitting in the finer dining area. The food was above average but to not the prices are too so I think you get what you pay for.
(4)
Ellen M.

Love it. Ambience so nice, food yummy. Always very happy to eat here. Expensive for what it is, but I still love it because of the great energy of the place.
(5)
Erin J.

We visited on the evening of June 4, and our experience was first-rate: Everything was impeccably served, explained, and presented, and the food was delicious. We especially appreciated assistance from the bartenders and the sommelier in picking out a few wines by the glass and then a bottle for dinner. After a glass of wine at the bar, we sat in the more-formal (white tablecloth) part of the restaurant; there's also outdoor seating and less-formal indoor seating. FOOD: 5 stars out of 5. I did the three-course prix fixe menu, and my husband did the four-course version. Everything--literally everything--was excellent. Between us, we tasted the grilled calamari, the prosciutto tortellini, the lamb, the chef's selection of antipasti, the rich lasagna, the tiramisu, and (I think) the chocolate bonet. We also ordered the robiola bosina cheese. We left full but not uncomfortably so. At $29 and $59 respectively, the prix fixe menus seemed like a great deal. You could eat more inexpensively there, but you would miss out on wonderful flavors and ingredients. SERVICE: 5 stars out of 5. The staff were attentive but not intrusive, and everyone seemed knowledgeable about the food and happy to offer an opinion when asked. Two bartenders helped us find a great bottle of wine (a Mastroberardino Lacryma Christi Del Vesuvio), and the sommelier checked in several times to make sure it was to our liking. Our server Jessica brought me a glass of peachy prosecco with dessert (for my birthday, which was that day). WINE LIST: 5 stars out of 5. The restaurant sells exclusively Italian wines. There's a relatively large and varied selection available by 3-oz and 6-oz tastes, and there are pages and pages and pages of bottles. (I gather that the owners of the restaurant also own two wine shops.) There aren't a lot of budget wines; I think the cheapest red was $29, and prices went up pretty quickly from there. The bottle we bought cost more than we typically spend but was a great fit for us (we like smoky, full-bodied reds with character), so no regrets at all. OVERALL: 5 stars out of 5, without question. Almost makes me wish I lived in Baltimore.
(5)
Nicolette F.

BY FAR THE BEST restaurant we've been to in Baltimore! Classic fine dining Italian with awesome service. The waiter even catered to and entertained my 3 children. And my husband's steak was one of the best we've EVER had! Everything was wonderful. Highly recommended.
(5)
Chaka H.

I went here with a large group (20+) so we had the private room and celebratory comments and toasts were had. :) First, let me say, that oftentimes service is compromised when you have such a large party, but the staff at Cinghiale were amazing! Very attentive, very knowledgeable and aware of the needs of each individual of the table. I did quickly forget that this was an Italian restaurant... and I kept forgetting, it just had a very different feel and the meals that were available for each entree seemed to fit many different food types. Apparently, the menu changes daily... but I can still tell you about my experience... I ordered the asparagus soup to start and it was tasty, although I didn't enjoy the string mushrooms strewn throughout, they were bitter. I continued with the gnocchi with lamb pieces and it was divine! My main entree was white fish... and I could not eat this fast enough... Overall, very very very delicious food! It's definitely a little "fancy" so be ready to pay a pretty penny!
(4)
Edward S.

Cinghiale has (mostly) fantastic Italian food. We both ordered the fixed price menu. I will say that their wine list is extensive and was phenomenal from start to finish- they clearly know their wines. First course was antipasti misti and calamari with parsnips- a top-of-the-line slicer really paid off as the meat literally melted in your mouth. I would come back for happy hour of bubbly and sliced meat alone. The calamari was perfectly cooked, tender and well complimented by the sauce. Second course of pasta I got the gnocchi, the chanterelle mushrooms were good, the gnocchi were just okay- a little too big and a little doughy for me. The sauce was just kind of eh for me as well. The marubini pasta with mint pesto, however, was awesome- marubini were like tiny ravioli in a savoury mint and shallot sauce complimented by toasted pine nuts and a sprinkling of cheese. Third course of fish I got the tuna which was seriously, seriously delicious. Seared rare the tuna was beautiful. It was served over an eggplant puree which was very mellow and creamy in texture but went really well with the stewed cranberry beans as they were a little salty. It all kind of came together in a savoury meaty delicious blend of flavors. The dish was garnished with roasted tomatoes which cleansed the palate with a burst of juicy acidity. The Branzino was also really good. The fish was moist and meaty with crispy skin, the zucchini agrodolce was a really nice compliment. The olive tapenade type accompaniment was good but slightly too salty/overpowering, although I still used it in moderation. Fourth Course dessert Best pannacotta I've ever had. Just enough gelatin to make the dessert solid, so it was extremely soft, slightly sweet, milky and redolent of vanilla. The salted caramel was a really nice accompaniment. Overall it was well balanced, mellow, and a really nice end to the meal. The Sbrisolona was equally delicious- crumbly, spicy, and light, it reminds me of the holidays. The downsides to this place- The service was not bad, but it was not good either. Our server was mostly absent from the table, and she didn't once ask us how anything was or if we enjoyed anything. For a $250.00 dinner I would make sure my guests enjoyed themselves. I think if we had another server we may have had a different service experience- all in all I would definitely go back as the food was great.
(3)
Spencer H.

Went here last night for the first time in several months and our meal was perfect. We started off with the Antipasti Misti (Chef's selection) and the Heirloom Tomato Salad w/ Gorgonzola. Both were great. For dinner I had the Eggplant Basil Ravioli, while my friends ordered the Grilled Magret. We each ordered our own dessert and shared - Pannacotta, Napoleon and the Tiramisu. All three were superb! Service was fantastic as well, from the moment we walked in until we left. It's still only my second favorite Foreman Wolf establishment (Petit Louis holds that title) but Cinghiale is more vegetarian-friendly, which is a plus.
(5)
Rick B.

Chinghale was almost exactly what I expected. Now that I've been to almost all of cindy wolfs restaurants but her bin 64 establishment. I have to say the food was very good, the bar staff was friendly and knowledgable, the maitre d'/ manager I presume was incredibly friendly, accommodating and understanding some of my guests came from out of town in which they hadn't packed dinner formal wear (like a jacket or nice dress)( chinghale doesn't require either but is definitely dressy casual on a saturday night), but our server was sub par unfortunately. Being I have over two decades of restaurant experience I usually am more forgiving of the waitstaff but also much more critical than my other guests I'm dining with. That being said our waitress however very nice and friendly was no where near on point the night we came in. She repeatedly forgot our drinks or they took forever, she asked if the table wanted more bread but never brought it, she forgot one of my guests desserts and never took any blame, and over all was just an absentee server with little professionalism for a place of that price point and class. I will be back to try it again (if I can convince any of my foodie guests to join me) but that waitress will hopefully have had what ever was going on with her that night pass over or some sort of a good leadership meeting with her to get her "stuff" together.
(3)
Tee B.

I couldn't wait to write this review. This review is a story with all the elements of good reading -- doting couple, over-the-top-restaurant, good, bad, ugly, and even a rescue. So we went to a show (Blue Man Group) and then came to this restaurant - had a reservation - looked it up because its supposed to be top in Baltimore. Arrived. Good: very well decorated - think of very upscale bar like Cheers with super glamour. Waiters/waitresses dressed for occassion. Seemed to attract well-to-do crowd. Food: 4.5/5 - exquisite, tasty, well-prepared. We had an issue with a hair in our salad. Minor issues: bathroom sink in stall didn't work. Bathroom should be cleaned better (Grant it - it was at night and maybe they clean it in the morning). I prefer softer seating versus hardwood bench-style chairs. Now here's where they need improvement: we experienced 'musical waiters' - maybe they do this late at night (it was 10:15pm; restaurant closed at 11pm). Waiter#1 Kool/Fun - he dipped without a word. Waiter#2 Had serious attitude problem from the very beginning - maybe it was because I said 'i wish the menu had more english in it' - but his attitude was a MAJOR turn off and almost ruined the evening. Waiter#3 Cheery and nice - I explained to her about the attitude problem of waiter#2. She made a beeline to management who fixed the problem faster than you can snap your finger - waiter#2 came back with the most delightful attitude I've experienced all week. So - moral of the story - I was going to give this review a 3 but good management (thanks to Valencia - who is a VERY good manager and gave us a free desert wine on the house) saved the day -- I own my own business (we do $10m/year so I know a BAD employee with a FUNKY attitude from a good employee) and Valencia is a very very good manager.
(4)
Russell R.

Kathleen and I get there mostly for special occasions. We like Italian food and theirs is first rate. The wine list is a treat, the staff knowledgeable, and the atmosphere fun. Also like the valet parking. Last night we went there on a whim, ate in the Enoteca and mainly munched on appetizers while sipping wine. Had a great time and look forward to going back.
(4)
Wei L.

Great service, but so so food. I went to this restaurant with a group of colleagues after having read 4-star rating on Yelp. We also have several people in the group who are vegetarian and Italian restaurants are usually vegetarian friendly. Most of us chose 29$ fix menu. We had good choices for the three courses. We were happy with the appetizer which is a sampler of 8 different bruschetta samplers. They were good. But when it come to the main course, it got interesting. My main course was spaghetti with grilled shrimp. The shrimps were tasty and just a little bit over cooked. However, the spaghetti was dry and tasteless. Some of the friends chose Hand Cut Tagliatelle - Chicken, Spinach and Walnut. The pasta was really good: not too soft and not too hard and tasty. The dessert was Cream of Cognac. But it didn't taste cognac. Now about service: our waiter was attentive and the service was good. My friends also found some of the interaction with our waiter were funny. Examples: One of the friends asked for pepper. His question was: brown or red? Another friend asked to add some pepper to the tasteless spaghetti. The plate was taken away for at least 10 minutes. She started to wonder what happened to her meal. It was returned. Our waiter asked the kitchen to add pepper (red this time without asking) and garlic sauces. The pasta was much better. Another friend found her vegetarian meal gnocchi had a taste of smoke meat. When she told a passing waiter about it, that one told her that gnocchi was supposed to taste like this (lol) and tried convince her to continue to eat it. But after her insistence, he agreed to give her a new dish. It was Hand Cut Tagliatelle. She was very happy with the new dish. The tip is order something that is tasty and you need to check it with the waiter before you order it .
(3)
Tom S.

First let me say that I rarely give any place 5 stars. But Cinghiale deserves all five of them. I went there on a recent Friday evening with my nephew and his partner. I was visiting Baltimore from CA (as I do frequently) and since I am usually in town for 1-2 weeks at a time, I try hard to be selective about where I dine. Given that Cinghiale is located in an entertainment district like Fells Point/east harbor area, this place was an unbelievably pleasant find. First: free valet parking. It doesn't get much better that that on a a busy Friday evening when a parking spot is nowhere to be found. Second, our waiter (whose name I unfortunately did not get because I arrived after my dining companions had already ordered their drinks) was the most outstanding waitperson I've had anywhere in quite some time. He was attentive, knowledgeable about the menu, was happy to accomodate a few special requests for us, and gave very prompt service. All 3 of us had the less expensive fixed-price menu, which was quite an ample portion. As other reviewers have noted, they begin with a 6 piece selection of bruschetta (small bites). For mains, two of us had the Lasagna w/Veal Ragu. It was absolutely the BEST lasagna I have ever had in my life. Rich and satisfying. Sort of like comfort food on steroids. I swear I would have licked the plate had I not been in public :-) Yes, it was THAT good. I should have written my review the next day, because now I don't recall what we had for dessert, but I DO recall that it was fabulous. It had espresso ice cream and chocolate. That's all I remember. There is ONLY one negative thing that I would say, and that it that it is louder than a restaurant should be. Having said that, MOST restaurants now days are too loud for me. OK, maybe it's me. Count on this: I WILL go back when I'm in town next time. And you should, too.
(5)
Mike S.

Disappointing after reading great reviews on here and other sites. If this is the best Italian place in Baltimore that's not a good sign for the other places. Meal started out well with the tuna tartare appetizer, but went vastly downhill with the pasta entrees. We ordered the spaghetti with lobster and the tagliatelle with bolognese. The spaghetti was incredibly salty for some reason and basically inedible. We mentioned the issue to the waiter and he replaced it fairly quickly, so that was a positive. The replacement was much better but still left a lot to be desired. The lobster was a bit off and there was nothing about the dish that made it memorable. The tagliatelle was also quite salty but I opted to work through it, which was a bad decision. Left about half of it on the plate and just asked for the check. It's never fun asking for a replacement item and throws off the whole experience. The waiter was nice enough about it I guess. Although when the check came I noticed there were two drinks we never ordered on there which I caught at the last second. Overall, it was a thoroughly disappointing experience and I would never go back.
(2)
Bradley A.

What others have said here is true: The service is excellent, the dishes solidly delicious and well-cooked, the wine fantastic, and the ambiance of the place very comfortable. We got the prezzo fisso and started with a glass of delicious prosecco. The portions were perfect except for the steak (a new addition to the menu), which was immense--you won't walk away from a prezzo fisso meal hungry. If you only get 3oz pours of wine, you can walk away from a 4 course meal without breaking the bank and still experience the expert pairings of the knowledgeable sommelier. The appetizers and the desserts were stronger than the primi and secondi, but that's not to say that the main dishes weren't excellent, we just wished the risotto was cooked a bit more and the steak a bit less.
(4)
Brian D.

Service was excellent. Atmosphere a little busier than I would have expected given the menu - very open. Food was good, dessert was amazing.
(4)
Sara P.

We got a gift card for this restaurant from my family for Christmas. Food was delicious, although quite rich (I ended up getting sick, which is more a testament to my delicate belly than the food itself, since BF felt fine and we shared everything). Definitely expensive, but worth it for a fancy dining experience and night out. It's in a cute area and close to the water for a post-dinner stroll. Highly recommended! Just be sure to come hungry and pack some Tums.
(4)
Andrew P.

Cold, inattentive waiter who scoffed when asked about recommendations and details of entrees and cheeses. We had to ask repeatedly for water glasses to be refilled. Out of a party of 11, 7 of us ordered the prix fixe menu. A few people were too full by the end and asked for their portions to be boxed. Our waiter took the food back into the kitchen, but nothing came back out. They threw away our food! Entire, untouched entrees were discarded. The manager shows up and takes another 30 minutes to sort out the problem, but does so with an attitude of scorn and disbelief. Incredibly bad service ruined the entire night.
(1)
Tim M.

When our son told us that he was getting married, we realized that we would have to plan a rehearsal dinner. Under the best of circumstances this is not easy. Since we live in Washington State and the wedding was in Baltimore, it added another level of complexity. How would we find a good spot, without being familiar with the various venues 3,000 miles away? I've never really had a decent "banquet" dinner and dreaded the thought of hosting a typical dinner. You know what I'm talking about; an almost fresh salad, a hunk of overcooked meat or fish, with steam table vegetables and a bland starch followed by an unimaginative desert. After literally hours of reading online menus, I was able to narrow the choice down to a few restaurants. Cinghiale was near the top of this list. The menu was impressive, with very inventive approaches to Italian cuisine. It looked great, but could they serve that menu to a group of 60 and maintain the quality? With some trepidation, I called Heather Beckman at Cinghiale. I asked her a couple of ridiculous questions in terms of adding a commercially prepared dessert rather than something prepared by their chef. I just wanted to see if they would compromise their standards just to book a banquet. She very tactfully refused my request. It was exactly the answer I was looking for. At that instant I knew I had found the restaurant I was seeking. After this it was all simple, we just had to plan the menu. Cinghiale has a unique way of charging for a banquet dinner. They simply figure out how much their banquet room would generate on that particular night if it were not being used for a banquet. That's how much you pay; whether you're hosting 30 people of 64 the price is the same. It really takes agonizing about cost out of the equation. There are always a few folks who fall on the cusp of whether they should be included in the invitation. It was very nice to be in a position of not worrying about spending more for those folks. Our initial guest list was 54, but we were able to add 6 more and not be concerned that we just added additional expense. Do you remember you had a six-course rehearsal dinner? I do. With Heathers expert help we were able to design a menu that knocked every ones socks off. We started with butlered appetizers. They included Bresaola, Salame, Grilled Shrimp with Speck, Vegetable Bruschetta, Tuna Tartare and Crispy Asparagus. I have never been a fan of raw fish or asparagus. The tuna tartare was melt in your mouth delicious. The asparagus was lightly breaded and gently fried, simply incredible! This was followed by a salad of baby greens, pickled beets, Gorgonzola, and edible flowers with a drizzle of the most wonderful balsamic vinaigrette. The primi course offered a choice of Gnocchi with a lamb ragu and fresh mint or Risotto with morel mushrooms, thyme and Parmigiano. For the secundi course we feasted on either grilled Branzino with caramelized endive and Meyer lemon and caper brown butter, or Magret of Duck with rhubarb, crystallized ginger in an Amaro sauce. A "real" dinner always includes a cheese course. We had a selection of Robiola, Taleggio, and Fontina. You'd think that after such a feast there would be no room for dessert. In most cases you'd be right. But when the dessert is home made salted caramel gelato you'd be wrong! We somehow made room. What about wine, I hear you cry. Five wines, all perfectly matched with the menu, accompanied this incredible six-course meal. No doubt the food was incredible. But the best food in the world will not make up for bad service. Cinghiale excelled at this too. We had a dedicated wait staff that was friendly, efficient and superb. Have you ever had you order taken at a banquet? Although we provided a count of the primi and secundi courses, and knew in advance what everyone was having, everybody's order was taken individually. Very impressive. We had a couple of vegetarians, no problem. They each got a special primi and secundi course. One individual was lactose intolerant. He got a special primi course. One individual was dieting and didn't want a primi course to watch his calories. He got a special low calorie primi course. The amazing thing is we didn't have to ask for this, it just happened. During the reception, the service was impeccable. No one ever had an empty glass. No one had to look around for the next appetizer. As is to be expected at this sort of affair, the bride and groom were mobbed with well wishers. They had a dedicated waiter who saw to their every need. Part of every rehearsal dinner is the "lets make fun of the kids" portion. There was a PowerPoint presentation prepared, but for reason that was unclear, the lap top would not interface with the projector. No problem, they ran up to the office, got their laptop and a flash drive and, voila, disaster averted. Bumped into the 5000 character limit--trust me--it's fantastic in every way!
(5)
Patrick H.

I had high hopes for Cinghaile, being such a fan of The Charleston, and Pazo. The flavors were spot on like all of Cindy Wolf restaurants, but the portions are extremely small. Puny is a better word. Service is not personable, robotic even. If you eat like a bird this restaurant is for you!! I shouldn't be hungry after 3 courses! I will not be returning, their are too many great restaurants in Baltimore that you won't feel ripped off when you leave!!
(2)
tania t.

Great food, great atmosphere. Didn't feel like we were in Baltimore, but then again, Harbor East never feels like Baltimore. The native New Yorkers dining with me were impressed and happy with their meals. Three of us ordered the three course prix fixe with wine pairings, and I have to say, I should have just stuck to the appetizer (gorgeous beet salad) and a large order of the pasta (rabbit!!), because I was too full by the time my braised pork belly rolled around. Frankly, the pork belly wasn't that impressive and I would have rather had more of that fantastic rabbit pasta! Great service and good dessert choices; the citrus neapolitano is very refreshing and great for summer, while the vanilla panna cotta is just delicious!!! Go treat yourself and go to Cinghiale now!
(4)
Steve K.

I had La Cucina Della Nonna - a roughly $30 offering including appetizers, a traditional Italian dish, and dessert - here. The antipasti and the main dish - Spaghetti alla Chittara with Shrimp and Capers - was excellent. On the negative side, we had a romaine heart salad to start the dinner - while it wasn't terrible, it had barely perceptible flavor. My girlfriend had a risotto here. It was ridiculously salty and bathed in liquid, and the rice was more like jasmine rice than arborio rice - it wasn't even the slightest bit creamy. We sent that one back because of the salt and it was replaced with a too-simple spaghetti-tomato-and-basil dish that reminded me very much of Chef Boyardee (although it wasn't awful). The dessert - chocolate flan with coffee bean gelato - was quite good, and had that with a glass of fortified Chianti which was also excellent. Enjoyed the Piemonte wine flight during the meal - including a mild white wine whose name I didn't recognize, a Barbera, a Dolcetto, and a Barolo. Cinghiale is great for wine - there are lots of options available by the glass and half-glass - which is often a better way to go nowadays than buying bottles.
(4)
TJ P.

I had dinner with a large group at Cinghiale on a busy Saturday night. Parking is tight around the restaurant, so there is free valet parking. The restaurant and bar are very attractive. The staff is well dressed, polite, attentive, and professional enough that you notice it. This is a good place to bring (and impress) a special date. The menu is a la carte and changes frequently, but basically, it has two columns. On the left side are the most creative dishes, from charcuterie plates, to appetizers, homemade pastas, unusual risottos, main dishes (such as rabbit confit) and desserts. The right side of the menu is called "Nonna's Kitchen," which offers, so to speak, Italian comfort food. If your Nonna fixed things like macaroni with a wild boar ragu on top. You can order from either side of the menu, and they also have a prix fixe dinner on each side. My group thought everything was delicious, especially the homemade pasta.
(4)
Jennie K.

Ambiance: The restaurant is modern, lively, and romantic. The restaurant is located near the water and is very spacious. It seemed like a wonderful date place :) Food: Although we were there during restaurant week, the items on the menu did not really catch our eyes. We decided to order from the regular menu. The heirloom tomato salad with basil oil and gorgonzola pieces was refreshing and enjoyable. One of the servers told us that the restaurant uses locally grown produces. I loved the potato gnocchi with mushrooms and swiss chard! Gnocchi tasted so chewy and delicious, and the brown sauce had a deep flavor that brought the ingredients together well. The grilled duck dish with polenta and blackberry balsamic was great too. For dessert, we ordered the vanilla panna cotta and enjoyed it very much. The overall presentation of the dishes was beautiful as well. Service: We had multiple servers helping us out with our wine and dinner choices. Extremely attentive and friendly.
(4)
Scott C.

Prix fixe has two great options, $59 and $29, northern and southern italian. Great options abound. Tortellini and tilefish were top notch, ricotta cheesecake not so much. Very nice seating options with excellent service.
(5)
Alan N.

Attended a large wedding rehearsal dinner that was fantastic. Tuna tartare and pea puree bruschetta apps to die for. Great beet salad perfectly done Bronzino entree, and best gelato with salted caramel ever. Very attentive service. Will eat here again next time in Baltimore.
(5)
Looti H.

Good service and ambiance. The food is delicious I recommend prosciutto and also calamari. A little expensive though
(4)
Geoff E.

The reviews among our table were mixed. In fact, the reviews among friends with prior visits were mixed. Having eaten here, I really find it hard to believe - I thought it was very good. With that, I think it is worth trying for a few dishes to see if you like the style of Italian cuisine, which is modern. An Ironic difference, with little Italy being two blocks away. The menu we found a bit perplexing, with two pre fix menus and options to order a la carte. We waffled over the menu while we enjoyed warm bread and oil they served us, which the were generous with. We ultimately decided to start with mixed appetizers including meats, cheeses and an antipasti. Everyone was happy with the way we started. Frankly, we were all full at the end. We decided to stay with primis for the dinner course and ordered the smaller portions - with one large portion. It was a good way to try everything with one exception; they were clearly smaller portions. The risotto we found exceptionally small. Had we ordered it as a 2nd course to a 4 course dinner, I think it would have still be small, but perhaps we would have found it a bit more appropriate. The fresh pastas were all excellent. The short rib ravioli was notably good, as was the gnocchi with lamb Ragu. For dessert, we ordered the ricotta cheesecake. The texture was dry and the portion was laughable for $8; exceptionally small. The gelato was nice and we all enjoyed that. In all, it's a good experience. If I did it again, I'd go with the pre fix menu. That would have been a far better way to experience the menu. We did find some of the portions small for the price, but most of the food was excellent. My wife and I were both in favor of 4 star reviews, while the couple we ate with rated 3.5 stars.
(4)
Sailracer S.

Wonderful Northern Italian on the Water. I stopped by on a Monday night and sat outside. The service was friendly, adaptable and wiling to give multiple suggestions. The inside was adorable (more french bistro than italian, but . . .) and the outside overlooked Baltimore Harbor across a quiet street and marina a bit off the main tourist track. The wine list, while focused on bottles, was broad. The cocktail menu was also attractive. While Cinghiale featured an extension of its restaurant week and a very reasonable full prix fixe with wine pairing ($75), I wasn't in the mood for 4 courses. So, instead I orderd the "Suppli Al Telefono" (Crispy Risotto with Mozzerella) and the Dorade (Arata) special. The rice balls were ligher than I expected in a wonderful sauce. The Dorade came with skin over fingerling potatos in a creme, which was devine. I'd definately hit up Cinghiale again. Wonderful spot, service and food.
(5)
Faisal M.

Service, service, service! Excellent food - try the grilled calamari and the duck. Anniversary dinner and they arranged a corner intimate table. They iron the table cloths tableside in 1 minute between services, people! Prices are quite reasonable for a romantic dinner out.
(4)
D M.

Food was good, service was polite, but here's why they're getting two stars - I got billed for the WRONG TABLE. The waiter charged me for a different table's meal (much more expensive). I pointed this out to him and asked him to bring the correct bill. He does and I sign for the correct amount. Well a few days later, checking my CC statement, it turns out I got billed for BOTH tabs. So now I have to sort this out and its definitely a pain in the butt.
(2)
Steve G.

We came here after an exhibit at the Baltimore Museum and met some friends from out of town who had heard of the chef and his success in another place. The place itself is very nice, big Saturday night crowd and comfortable. Service was above average which you would expect for an upscale place like this. The food was very good, not WOW but worth another trip here for sure. Turns out Cinghaile means 'wild boar' so I had the Cinghaile special and it was pretty tasty. Not gamey mush like pork. Others had the rock fish, steak and the gnocchi. The rock fish won by a huge margin.
(3)
Ji K.

This review is based on summer restaurant week 2008. One of the best restaurant week meals I've had if not the best (I've done more than 20 in DC & Baltimore the last several years ). It has been a while so I don't remember the names of the dishes I got but here goes. Appetizer: Bruschetta - good Soup - fantastic, probably my favorite soup I've had in an Italian restaurant. The pasta that was in the soup was really good and fresh Main: Veal - fantastic again, really tender and went well with the potato side it came with Seafood Risotto - one of the best Risotto I've tried. Not so good risotto can be quite bland but not this dish...had excellent, distinctive flavor. Dessert: Panna Cotta - Very good! Mixed summer berries - most disappointing item in the meal. Too sour. If the meal can be this good for Restaurant week, I can't imagine being worse during regular nights. Then again $30 per 3 course meal is hard to beat also.
(5)
Gerry G.

Having just returned a week ago from 2 weeks in Italy, surprisingly this meal was better than any of those I had in Italy yet at a fraction of the price. There are -- in addition to a la carte -- 2 basic choices at dinner -- a $29 three course meal (appetizer, pasta and dessert) or a four course (better appetizer, half-pasta, main course and better dessert) for $59. I opted for the latter, but did not select the $30 "wine pairing" which seemed rather lame. My sense is I would have been as pleased with a meal at a bargain price of $29 plus wine, as I was with the more elaborate and expensive and marginally higher quality meal (I chose the superb calamari, the tasty lobster pasta, a VERY well prepared broiled fish, and gelato) at 2x the price, but as I was in Baltimore by necessity I decided to splurge. The wines are served in 3 and 6 ounce pours -- I'd suggest you take the 3 ounce pours as they seemed nearly as generous as the 6 ounce pours seemed skimpy -- and there is an excellent selection. The Tentuta Luisa cab franc 2006 was outstanding, as was the 2008 Villa Solais, a Sardinian white. Service was attentive. All in all an excellent meal.
(5)
Ayon J. R.

Good food but very overpriced. Great location though, and the service is good. Plus, good cocktails.
(3)
David B.

Great location tucked off the water in Harbor East. Spacious, nice bar area, really liked the dÃ©cor with all of the wine bottles lining the walls. Staff was friendly. I was there with my fiancÃ© and some close friends celebrating our engagement. We expressed interest in the appetizer that was apart of the special, and they gave it to us on the house as an engagement gift! My Italian is a little rusty, so the menu was a bit hard to decipher. But once you're able to get past the language barrier and order, you won't be disappointed. We mostly ordered from the right side of the menu, which was closer to the more traditional dishes. The food was very good. My fiancÃ© was skeptical at first, but she definitely enjoyed her selection. I also liked its portions... enough to get you full but not so much that you're ready to fall asleep. It is pricey, so I'd only recommend it for special occasions.
(4)
Joanne S.

favorite restaurant in baltimore currently! the large wooden table right by the window was a perfect first-time spot. great service, amazing food. i chose the option of wine pairings with the different courses. i recommend anything off of their charcuterie menu. and i think that their pasta dishes are astounding. i had the lobster ravioli dish, perfect portion, which was paired with an amazing champagne. desserts here are also fantastic. the panna cotta was fabulous.
(5)
Adam O.

Okay- 4.5 stars really since there is always a little room for improvement. I put the 5 to convey that this is a must visit restaurant. I've been here 3 times now and am never disappointed. The food is great, the service is terrific, and the atmosphere is fun. I would say it is a great value too since it is not much pricier than most other places in town, but definitely a cut above. I like that it is northern Italian which is to say different than little Italy joints. a bit healthier too as the food does not rely on heavy sauces or frying as much, great selection of meats and cheeses and an extensive wine list.
(5)
Tatyana M.

Well, it's the first time, when I am "speechless" not because we had a WOW experience, but because it was quite the opposite in SUCH an establishment as Cinghiale. This was our first introduction to Tony Foreman and Cindy Wolf restaurants and it didn't go well at all (in spite of our very high hopes). POSITIVE: ambiance (classy in the osteria, very lay down and noisy in the enoteca), service was "nice", timely, attentive, but felt kind of 'too much", too "formalistic". Bread basket was fresh and tasty, but just olive oil without any kick to it makes it kind of "borring" in comparing with other restaurants we've been during RW. NEGATIVE: food and it's value. We considered ourselves lucky to have a restaurant week menu choice, otherwise we would be VERY upset spending even more on such unmemorable food. a) Tomato salad description: Gorgonzola, Basil, Arugula, Sportoletti Extra Virgin Olive Oil (quote from the menu) Reality: 2 slices of beefsteak tomato (tasting the same as from local supermarket, one of them having rotten spot), Gorgonzola, 1 cherry tomato cut in half, arugula. No olive oil or basil present in smell, taste or site. b) Local Zucchini Soup was substituted for some kind of Mushroom soup which was OK but nothing extraordinary. c) Hand Cut Tagliatelle with Veal Bolognese, Parmigiano was a highlight of the dinner, but again nothing that would make you to get back for it. d) Pan Seared Norwegian Steelhead, Eggplant PurÃ©e, Hen of the Woods Mushrooms, Tomato Vinaigrette was not impressive. The small piece of fish was fresh but cooked almost like seared tuna so most of the fish was rare and the skin though crisped very well was too salty to enjoy. We do love rare fish, but in this case cooked parts tasted much better then rare ones. Mushrooms (if they were there) were in such a quantity that they could of skip mentioning them in the description. Eggplant Puree was good. e) Both desserts were just the same unmemorable and mediocre as the rest of the food If somebody is interested in REAL north Italian food they should try to visit Obelisck in Washington DC. This restaurant was just pretending to be the one and people who know - know the difference. My thinking is that when restaurants participate in RW their gol is to impress patrons with their best so people would want to come back for more. Cinghiale did just the opposite to us. Sorry, but we don't want to have more of this.
(3)
Sara R.

Visiting Baltimore, staying in neighborhood and stumbled upon this place for early dinner @ the bar. Great service! Busy bar and lots of interesting drinks being made so entertaining if by yourself. I had the arugula salad, grilled calamari - delicious. Saved room for cheese course which too was yummy with the best toasted bread. Bread basket during dinner could be better but everything else was wonderful. Not so noisy @ the bar but the restaurant seemed to be getting up there in noise level. Great place to grab a bite by yourself or with a group. Eating at the bar was good - seats have backs!!!
(4)
Brian S.

I wasn't overly impressed with the restaurant. I have been to some of Cindy Wolf's other restaurants, but this one misses the mark slightly. The short ribs ravioli was lacking flavor, the small plate of risotto was about the size of two spoonfuls. Not sure if I would come back.
(3)
Kimberly D.

We came here for our anniversary and it proved to be a wonderful experience. First, they greeted us with a glass of champagne since I said it was our anniversary. We ordered from the sommelier (who was a young woman which was surprising) and she made a great recommendation for a pinot gris which went well with both the fish and the meat dishes we ordered. Great service - I asked to move our table and they had no problem with this. Food: the tomatoes on the heirloom salad were incredible but the cheese with it was a blue cheese, not mozerella didn't go with the tomatoes. I ordered a bunch of small plates, like the fried zuchinni which was out of this world like french fries but healthy and the calamari which had a wonderful garlic olive oil sauce. My partner had the veal which was also tasty, juicy and melt in your mouth. The order of the dishes was kind of weird, but maybe we messed them up by moving our table. The dessert was also fabulous, a cookie with cream on top and the best tasting plums I ever had (forgot the name of it). I highly recommend this place for special occasions. You can even eat here and not spend a lot by choosing the "home style" option of 3 courses for $25. Highly recommended!!!!! Probably the best restaurant in Baltimore. One odd note were the plastic pump bottles of liquid soap in the bathroom, didn't fit with the elegance of the rest of the place.
(5)
Andrew E.

Went there on a Friday night. Absolutely correct in every way. Good food, well-trained service staff, and nice bistro/brasserie ambience that's hard to find in the US. Very reasonable prices. It's the nicest place I've found in Baltimore - yet.
(4)
Nathan W.

My wife and I came here for our 7 year anniversary and had a wonderful experience from start to finish. The customer service was top notch. We were warmly greeted as soon as we walked in and seated within a minute despite being 40 minutes early for our reservation. Our server was one of the best we've ever had. He was attentive, but not over the top and had solid knowledge of the menu. That and he was good at feeding of my ego with comments like, excellent choice, one of my favorites, etc. and he gave us a sparkling dessert wine on the house. We both had the 4 course menu. I would give 5 stars for everything my wife had and I would give what I had 4. My second course was the gnocci and it was good but not to die for. We ordered a bottle of the Corte Majolu Amarone, 2007 and it was a killer bottle of wine. They also had us sign it and they have an area where they display these bottles so you can check it out on a return visit. A great experience and I will be back one of these days.
(5)
Jeannette M.

This was my first time here. I'd heard great things about it, but was disappointed. I went during restaurant week and I found the dishes to be just meh and the portions were very small. To be fair, my mom is Italian and I've traveled some in Italy and am a foodie, but still - this was just really low quality food. Usually I can only do appetizer / dinner or dinner / dessert (and not finish the dessert), but I scarfed down all three courses and came home and had a snack. The salad was kind of an odd combination (blood oranges, argula, red watercress, olives, and caprino), which can often work well, but in this case not at all. The crab and shrimp ravioli were just so-so--the sauce was simply butter, no other flavor. The chocolate cake and creme fraiche was good, but not excellent. In general, the food was not flavorful and I couldn't get over how small the portions were--Italian restaurants generally serve copious amounts. I don't think that it was worth $30 and I'm not convinced enough about the food to want to return to try the real menu. Oh, another thing, I ordered a glass of wine with dinner, it never came and we didn't see our waiter. I didn't want my food to get cold (it actually wasn't too hot when served), so by the time I saw him I was almost finished and too late for the wine.
(2)
Art V.

We live in New York City and were visiting friends in Baltimore, when we decided to try Cindy Wolf's latest venture. We are fans of Petit Louis, having been there on many occasions. I must say I was a little disappointed with this place. The total bill was about $90 per person, with wines ordered by the glass (a total of only 4 glasses). Most entrees were in the $25-$35 range, which seems high for Baltimore. Collectively, we had a fish, chicken, and pork dish, plus 3 appetizers and one pasta to share. None of the main dishes was a standout. In fact, the appetizers (suppli, carpaccio) were the best part of the meal. While the meat and fish dishes were well prepared and tasty, the portion sizes did not warrant the high cost. The waitstaff was attentive, perhaps a bit aloof and cold at times. We're experienced, well-traveled diners. We don't need a mini-discourse on Italian dining traditions.
(3)
Tim T.

Wonderful and knowledgeable wait staff. Started with the calamari and a wine pairing of vermentino. Calamari was excellent in an pepper infused olive oil. Taglietarie with wild mushrooms and a nice Pinot noir for the primi. Veal chop and montalcino for the meal. Nice panna cotta for dessert. Best Italian meal I have had in a long time. This place lives up to it's reputation .
(5)
John J.

We've been here twice -- once for the Sunday "family" meal and once in the main dining room for a celebratory dinner. Both have been great experiences! The service has been consistently top notch -- appropriately attentive, good wine recommendations, and a good knowledge of the menu. The wine list is comprehensive, the ambiance is very pleasant in both the enoteca (=bar) and osteria (=dining room), though it's worth noting that both are very different. Love the Salumeria (I highly recommend the porchetta with garlic sauce). NB: In my experience, the cooking for the Sunday night dinner was not at the caliber of the regular menu -- but neither was it at the price. For $25 bucks, you get what you pay for and more.
(4)
B B.

My boyfriend and I went to Cinghiale for our first anniversary. We made a saturday night dinner reservation a couple weeks in advance and requested a romantic table. They were very sweet; we got a nice table by a window with a view of the harbor, although we did have to wait about ten minutes for our table to be ready. The ambiance was great - except that there were two different parties seated near us who drank too much and were pretty rowdy. We ordered a couple different things; all were delicious and well presented. To start, I had a bellini, which was wonderful. Bf tried the Negroni, and decided he didn't like gin. I'm not a huge fan either, it was a little strong for me, but it was still good. I'd just like to take a moment to say that the bread (served before your meal, as much as you'd like) was phenomenal. Delicious. I had a squash soup with some sort of cheese ravioli in it. I have never enjoyed a soup more. Really. It was divine. Roasted pumpkin seeds on top - I can't do it justice. My bf is a huge fan of calamari, and he had the grilled calamari to start with. He loved it; said it was the best he'd ever had. Now - here is where we ran into a small problem. Our entrees were brought out before our pastas. I called attention to the problem and it was fixed, but we did have to wait quite a while for our proper dishes. However, when the plates did come, they were worth the wait. Bf had risotto. I tried it, and it was possibly the most delicious thing I've ever put in my mouth. Al dente rice, creamy, cheesy, deliciousness. I had lobster agnolotti (like a ravioli) in lobster cream sauce. The lobster was very tender and delicious. My entree, Chicken Mattone, was well cooked and good, but it was not spectacular. Same for bf's steak - good quality, well cooked, but nothing spectacular. Dessert was fabulous. Bf got the duetto di chocolate, I think it was called. It was a cappucino mousse and a cocoa nub ice cream. I wanted to eat the cocoa nub ice cream for the rest of my life. Mine was equally spectacular - I got the deconstructed tiramisu. Fabulous, but very rich. Large portion too, so I'd recommend sharing it unless you are feeling gluttonous. The final touch was a glass of a lightly sweet sparkling wine that they brought each of us - a toast for our anniversary, courtesy of cinghiale. I wish I could remember what it was called... moscatone, muscatone, something. overall, we want to go back again to try new things - steak and chicken were delicious, but we want to try some of their more exotic dishes, and return to our favorites. After tipping our waiter and valet, tax, a drink a piece, dessert, and 3 courses, our bill came to 170 or 180, I think. I thought it was worth it. We'll be back.
(4)
don q.

So I was really put off that our server could not pronounce the name of the restaurant properly (she repeatedly referred to it as "Ching-ALE"). But luckily we stuck around for the food which was all-around delicious. Nice charcuterie selection and probably the best risotto I've ever had. The osteria section seems like a nice option for a more casual experience and we'll probably try that for our third trip. Highly recommend.
(4)
Linda E.

Would have been five stars except the place is increddibly noisy (I do like to talk to my spouse) and the tables are so small we had to use the one beside us as our garage. Good thing no one was sitting there. However, the food was incredible. We had the calamari (grilled to perrfection) drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with red pepper. We wiped the bowl clean with bread. We also had the prosciutto and melon. Gorgeous. We skipped to the second course. I had black bass with grilled tomatoes. Wonderful. My husband had big eye tuna over sauteed olives and tomatoes. He doesn't even like olives and I only managed to snag about three off his plate. No room for dessert. Service was excellent and the servers and staff very knowledgable. If I come to Baltimore again, I will make a beeline here, but I'll eat outside on the sidewalk. The tables are bigger and the traffic isn't as noisy.
(4)
Emily C.

I dined here once at their $29 Sunday Supper, and it was a very pleasant experience. From 5:30 to 8:00pm on Sundays, Cinghiale offers a classic Italian supper that features an assortment of antipasti, a choice of pasta, and a dessert. The menu changes weekly, and the atmosphere is casual. You can check the menu on their website for and idea of what's served, but it's not always updated for the upcoming Sunday. You can go up for as many helpings of the antipasti as you want, but keep in mind there is still the pasta and dessert to follow! They have a decent selection of wines, and the service is excellent. If going for Sunday supper, it's unlikely that you'll need a reservation, but they say the last seating is at 7:30. However, I noticed several parties arrived after us and were seated with no problem.
(4)
hima s.

Yum! I went there in January and it was absolutely delicious. I did a wine pairing with each course (three -- I was a piggy!) and everything was amazing. This meal nearly made up for the freezing cold weather while I was there.
(4)
angelo t.

Outstanding food/drinks/atmosphere ! This is the place to go if you want to impress a guest. Wine selection is superb, like all the Cindy Wolf restaurants. Definitely plan on at least 2 hours. The intent of the full menu is a multi-course experience: Antipasti, primi, secondi, etc.. See wikipedia "italian cuisine, meal structure": en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itâ€¦
(5)
Phyllis M.

I was sorely disappointed at this VERY expensive restaurant, where we were celebrating a simultaneous birthday and graduation. The service was very good, but the food on many levels was average or below. We ordered brochette, which were tiny Melba toasts with 1/2 bite size portions. On them were a variety of toppings, most of them underwhelming, if there was enough to even taste! I ordered a lamb dish. I doubt there was 2 oz of lamb. They did not asked how I wanted it served and I had to send it back because it was RAW in the middle. It was cooked like Yellow fin tuna. I will eat tuna seared on the our side, but not lamb. Once cooked, my $30 minute portion was good, for the 3 bites it took to consume. Another person at the table got undercooked duck. My GOD, does anyone know about salmonella! The deserts were a very poor and SMALL canolli. Shells tasted like cardboard, and instead of a ricotta filling, it tasted like chocolate pudding. VERY VERY disappointed, and at $100/person it will NEVER be repeated by me or mine!
(1)
Barbara T.

Over-seasoned and overpriced. This was my 3rd visit to Cinghiale. On the first visit I was served foie gras that was nicely seared but cold (refrigerator temp) on the inside. I received an apology but nothing else. The rest of the meal was meager, but fine. On my second visit I had appetizers and wine. The wine list is inspired. I worked 25+ years in the restaurant business and was responsible for selecting wines...the list is first-rate. So, last night we tried it again. The meal was almost inedible due to over-salting. I had the tiny octopus and artichoke appetizer and the outside was over-seasoned to the point of salty bitterness. The gnocci entree was small but had exceptional gnocci - light and delicate like the real deal I had in northern Italy - but the lamb sauce was outrageously salty and tough. I am a tolerant diner and I could not eat it. I was offered another dish, so at least the response was professional. My cappuccino was perfection, but at this price they should get it all right. We won't be back.
(2)
shane w.

Annoying and clueless service, ( are you ordering bottled or tap water? And that's the greeting, shameless upselling, ("we" are pairing this big red (at $25.00 a glass) with your venison sir), unbelievably arrogant chef, (the brittle shards of rock hard pieces of chestnut that almost broke my tooth is exactly the way he wants it)?, having their valet come in to tell you that your car might be towed because there is a "rogue" meter maid out there?, spending $200.on a dinner for two with only two glasses of wine and have the server not crumb the table, etc etc etc. Until these breaches of the basic mandates of running a fine restaurant are addressed, Cinghiale will remain for me a wannabe and not-ready-for-prime-time player. DC is much too close. Why do Baltimoreans accept such condescending sub par treatment and pay a lot of money for the privelege? Am I being too tpugh on Cinghiale? Not by a long shot. If you want to charge New York prices, deliver a New York experience.
(2)
Rishi S.

What a great ambiance and service, food is served promptly, the manager walks around introducing tasting of different rare wines, Alejandro our waiter was very polite and efficient, I took away one star because the food didn't agree with my palate and seating time was too long despite making reservations, otherwise some exotic dishes and wonderful warm service, would definitely recommend it to family and friends...
(4)
Mike C.

Ate outside for Mothers Day, and it was a great time. Fantastic food, good service and beautiful night. a dining experience doesn't get much better.
(5)
Jeff F.

Hands down one of the top 5 places any out-of-towner should eat at in Baltimore. Perfect atmosphere and memorable food: - Grilled Foie Gras: other people liked it while I was reminded I don't Foie Gras - Carne Cruda - (veal tenderloin) incredible - highly recommended - Lobster Agnolotti - Awesome! - Local Potato Gnocchi w/ Caramelized Chanterelle Mushrooms - good - Grilled Magret of Duck - great - Fried skate - interesting reco by the waiter, but would never recommend or reorder.
(4)
Jake W.

Service was above and beyond This place was simply amazing. The Lobster Was fantastic, melted in you mouth. The choices of fish were rockfish and wreckfish Our server Max The manager lyndsey Folded napkins
(5)
Sara P.

We got a gift card for this restaurant from my family for Christmas. Food was delicious, although quite rich (I ended up getting sick, which is more a testament to my delicate belly than the food itself, since BF felt fine and we shared everything). Definitely expensive, but worth it for a fancy dining experience and night out. It's in a cute area and close to the water for a post-dinner stroll. Highly recommended! Just be sure to come hungry and pack some Tums.
(4)
don q.

So I was really put off that our server could not pronounce the name of the restaurant properly (she repeatedly referred to it as "Ching-ALE"). But luckily we stuck around for the food which was all-around delicious. Nice charcuterie selection and probably the best risotto I've ever had. The osteria section seems like a nice option for a more casual experience and we'll probably try that for our third trip. Highly recommend.
(4)
meerkats k.

our favorite place for a special celebration in Baltimore
(5)
Adam O.

Okay- 4.5 stars really since there is always a little room for improvement. I put the 5 to convey that this is a must visit restaurant. I've been here 3 times now and am never disappointed. The food is great, the service is terrific, and the atmosphere is fun. I would say it is a great value too since it is not much pricier than most other places in town, but definitely a cut above. I like that it is northern Italian which is to say different than little Italy joints. a bit healthier too as the food does not rely on heavy sauces or frying as much, great selection of meats and cheeses and an extensive wine list.
(5)
Gareth M.

Excellent restaurant. Exquisite food, and the service is professional and attentive. From the main dishes, I prefer the pork rack over the wild boar, which was too gamey for my tastes. But everything is delish, just pick what sounds good to you and it's hard to go wrong!
(4)
Ira K.

Beautiful place and nice service but not the kind of food my group expected in view of the very high prices we paid. My steak (for $32) was very tough (I should have sent it back but didn't want to create any embarrassment for my friends.) My friend's pasta side order (for $11) was no more than a few forks full. We understand that northern Italian cuisine is noted for small portions but at these prices compared to what we got and in view of the mediocre food quality, this place is ridiculous. It reminded all of us of the "Emperor's New Clothes" (the staff must have been laughing throughout the evening in the kitchen.) You truly have to be a fool if you choose to dine here.
(1)
Alyssa P.

Love this place. You can go for casual small plates, a five course tasting menu or anything in between. They have a very reasonable fix price menu as well. I prefer the more casual bar area that has nice tables to sit at. You start with their homemade bruschettas which are amazing. I love the bread and olive oil dip. All their pastas are handmade and you can tell. Good perfectly all dente. I've had the bolognese sauce which is to die for and I couldn't get enough. The pasta primevera is out of this world. Always too full for desserts although they also look great ! Would recommend for any occasion no matter how big or small. I try to go as often as possible.
(4)
Laura P.

We have dined here many times, many Tuesdays when they offer half price bottles of wine. The only problem we've ever had was with service. I recommend going in earlier than later, they don't seem to be too happy when people are there close to close. The food is always excellent. We've eaten off both fixed price menus and ala carte. The salumi are not to be missed. The only issue we've had with food are that the desserts tend to be boring and off par with the rest of the menu.
(5)
J W R.

There are two sides to Cinghiale -- the Enoteca (rustic) and the Osteria (with table cloths). Both use the same menu. Multiple course meals with many options are available. Optional wine with each course (and the pours are generous.) I enjoyed everything we tried. It is in a cool neighborhood, the Harbor East side. If you want really good Italian, go here. I don't think you will be disappointed.
(4)
Jen R.

Excellent dining experience. Nice ambiance -- great service and very good food.
(5)
Chris V.

Food is out of this world. Pricey for the portion sizes but insanely creative offerings. Management kind of prickly but the waitstaff and bar staff are superb. Overall a nice experience. Free valet on Sunday afternoon is a plus for the area as parking is an issue! If you want to spend a few bucks this is the place.
(3)
Rob E.

The Little Italy section of Baltimore near the Inner Harbor has quite a few Italian restaurants, and I cannot say that I have tried them all - actually this is the only one I have been to. I think I started at the top, or Cinghiale sets a good example or sets the bar high. Whatever the case, this is a good place to eat. Cinghiale is what I believe is called a new Italian style restaurant, which means that the portions are not as overflowingly large as you find in typical Italian restaurants. This does not mean that you are cheated and leave hungry as happens at some trendy places. It is just that you are able to finish your meal without being unable to move and that you do not have to leave a pound of pasta on your plate. You have choices of meals: a $62 fixed price meal with four courses, a $29 fixed price meal with three courses, or anything a la carte. I went with the $29 meal. The baby arugala salad with lemon and parmiagian cheese was a good start. The plain spaghetti with tomato and basil sauce was surprisingly good for being so simple. Not an overwhelming flavor but very good. The la torta chocolate cake with caramel and sweet cream gelato was a nice finishing touch. The service is a nice touch with the staff in their suits. You do not have to dress up here, but I would lean more toward business casual as opposed to shorts and flip flops.
(4)
Meatdowntown C.

I like that they offer the 50% bottles of wine in Tuesdays. Make sure to examine the check. They may not apply the discount unless you remind them. We enjoyed the Risotto and Gnocchi were good but ordinary so nothing to write home about them. The calamari appetizer and rabbit spaetzle were both fantastic. The bread is great and served warm, but you may need to ask for it. Please note this review is for the bar not the dining room. I'm also sensitive that the bartenders do more than most bartenders. Fixing capuccinos and cocktails for the entire restaurant. The restrooms are deluxe, offering cloth hand towels and stalls with floor-to-ceiling doors and Italianate artwork.
(4)
Greg H.

We had the Restaurant Week special last night. This is probably a great place but the RW special left a lot to be desired. For $30 fix price or $55 with paired wines it is probably a bargain compared to their high priced normal menu. We both had the scallops which was one of the two featured specials. It was a disappointing dish. Six large scallops on a bed of spinach. Trouble was the dish was like warm and to my taste, undercooked. The texture was very soft and the taste was cloying. It appeared it was cooked earlier and sat around. The server did recommend we get another dish to round out the order and it would have been better to have added a side of pasta. The paired wines were very good. Italian wines are too fruity for me though. The service was professional but we did have to ask three times for bread and got two small pieces each. I really felt shortchanged. The dining special should have made we want to go back again but I am not impressed and will not return.
(3)
Iris Z.

Came here with my family for restaurant week. Parents were not over-the-top amazed but they said it was an interesting and good experience. Complimentary valet parking was convenient and service in the restaurant was wonderful. Now for the moment we've all been waiting for-a review on the food. The restaurant week menu is limited but that's expected for 3 courses at $30 per person. Primi: I ordered the la carne crude which was raw wagyu beef topped with mushrooms and crisp parmigiano. It was phenomenal and I've always wanted to try wagyu beef. It was high in fat though and the dish made my stomach feel funny after I ate the whole thing. Secondi: Il Pettini. Scallops cooked medium-rare. Scallops were a great texture but some were too raw and at the end of this dish I had wished that I didn't eat so many raw things. Dolce: could not remember the name but it is pictured below. It was like a fruit tart and it came with gelato. Was a little too sour for my liking and would have preferred ice cream instead of gelato. Overall, good experience but nothing mind blowing except for the la carne Cruda
(4)
Joanna K.

Came here for celebration dinner. This place is loud so if you're bringing a group, it might be worth reserving a room where you can actually talk to each other. Food was good, I was not blown away. The menu is a bit creative not amazing. They do use good fresh ingredients so can't complain about that. The staff is friendly and attentive. I know people rave about this place and maybe that's why I wasn't blown away. Good place to go for slightly upscale dinner and I will definitely return again.
(4)
Cara R.

I love it here. I've been a few times over the course of 5 years, and every time I have had a great experience. This is authentic Italian food, so don't be confused by its close proximity to little Italy, you won't find 'americanized' favorites here, but you will find really amazing, creative but still simply good food. The menu has different options, whether you're looking for a simple quick bite, or a full on fine dining 4+ course experience, you can get it all here. The salumeria is located in the center of the restaurant, dividing the casual wine bar dining room from the linen clothed fine dining room. The meats and cheeses are sliced to order on full display. The service is exceptional. Complimentary valet. Sommelier on hand at your beckon call. What's not to love. Must must try the desserts, full time pastry staff on hand, take advantage :o)
(5)
Andrea C.

Maybe it was the absurdly good wine or the authentic hand-made pasta with perfect consistency and texture, but this is my favorite restaurant in Baltimore. This is as close to italian food as you will get in Baltimore, if not better. Incredibly creative chef with room to brag about it. Trust the chef, and be amazed. I was completely impressed with the depth and range of flavors in their charcuterie, the ink pasta was out of this world and the hand-made bow tie pasta left me speechless. Wowowow is all I can honestly say. Everyone in my party was blown away. Must do over ASAP.
(5)
Jenny H.

I came here for a birthday dinner on a late Saturday evening recently. We started off with their cheese plate and meat plate both of which were pretty good. The cheeses were fresh and pretty standard. The meat was good, freshly shaved prosciutto I thought was the best. The bread service was good too (one with tomatoes on top, the other bread was a moist, dense brown bread). My pasta dish (it was round ravioli-like filled pasta) with meat inside was just OK. I thought the skin of the pasta was too thin and not chewy enough. I also ordered the apple cider panna cotta for deserrt and thought it didn't really taste like the creamy panna cotta I normally like, it was too jello-like and not creamy enough for me. The gelato that it was served with had completely melted too by the time it arrived at my table so it was more of a sauce than actual gelato.
(3)
Sarah Z.

Checked out this restaurant for a work dinner recently. The "business" purpose of the dinner is what made me take a star off the rating, or else I would have given it 4. I realize that on of the main purposes of an Italian restaurant like this is the experience, you would think that the location of this restaurant (around a ton of hotels and businesses) would give them the background to properly handle professional dinners. Anyway, my issue is with the time between the first and second course. We waited over 30 minutes between courses with no explanation which is ridiculous. Luckily, a member of the party did mention something to the host. We received a free bottle of wine for the trouble, definitely made them redeem themselves a bit. Overall, the food was really good. Every single person in my party ate all of what they ordered and there were no complaints. We opted for the price fix menu. At $62/pp, you get a starter, a pasta dish, and an entree plus dessert if you're really feeling up to it. I went with the tagliatelle and grilled chicken. The chicken was amazing as was the pasta. I would recommend this place for a nice night out, but for a business dinner think twice or mention to the host to keep the service fluid.
(3)
Kendra W.

As my husband and I set out to celebrate a plethora of good tidings we were pointed to one place - Chingale. Some of our favorite foodie friends had told us it was probably the best meal they have ever had and it did not disappoint. My husband had the four course meal with wine pairings and they were incredible - most notable the 2012 Nero. My favorite part of the meal was the asparagus risotto with shrimp. I could had eaten it all day. Each portion was carefully crafted and the service was quite kind. We were clearly young and inexperienced in such cuisine but they treated us like a notable critic. I would gladly come again. Thanks for a great and memorable meal.
(5)
Dustin T.

Came here on a Saturday night and let me just say... It is a very pricey place! But before I get into the food, there is complimentary valet parking, so that's nice! I mean, for the price you're paying for the meal, it better be, haha... So when looking at the menu, they have a half platter price (15 bucks) or a full plate (30ish bucks). I will say it was kinda annoying when the waiter kept telling our group that the food will not be enough... I get it... The portions were going to be small! But the waiter did redeem himself when he brought a complimentary cheese/crackers/ham plate. I ordered the tortellini half plate... When they said half plate, they weren't kidding! I mean it was good, but not at that price! Not sure if I would come back here.
(3)
Jenine F.

Holy cow! Audry M was FAB. I opted for the Toscana flight (a delicious White Vernaccia di San Gimingnano Fontaleoni 2011, a light Chianti Classico, Fattoria Poggiopiano 2008, Rosso di Montalcino, Il Poggione 2010 & Vin Santo del Chianti Classico, Badia a Coltibuono 2004) to accompany my Beet Salad and Agnolotti pasta. Mister had a Peroni, prosciutto with Pear, Black Squid Farfalle w/Lobster and Chicken w/Speck and Spinach. A yummy Lemon Verbena Gelato with Concord Grape & Cherry Sorbet rounded out our memorable evening. I want to come back and soon!
(5)
Amanda C.

If you are looking for incredible atmosphere, great location and comfortable, beautiful surroundings this is the place to go. If you are ravenously hungry and craving a large meal, this is NOT the place to go. That being said, I think the portions were ample considering the richness of the choice (I had the tortellini). My only question is why the wine glasses are filled with 3 sips...it certainly kept the wait staff busy just refilling our glasses all night.
(4)
Ipek S.

This is one of the best restaurants in baltimore- upscale and great service with fresh ( really fresh) food. Ingredients are very interesting, like radicchio and endive salad or truffle kale pastas etc. if you are looking for a romantic dinner to impress your date, you won't regret it.
(5)
Kelsey W.

Excellent place to come unwind, try some interesting & delicious food creations, and discover your new favorite wine! They offer complimentary valet service which is AWESOME considering how terrible parking normally is in the Harbor East area. The restaurant itself has a cozy rustic feel and the customer service is very warm and comforting. The food itself is higher quality so I would categorize this place to be more upscale. You can chose to have smaller plates as opposed to a full size portion which nice if you want to indulge with a tapas mindset while trying things you can't quite pronounce on the menu. They also allow you to try sips of different wines to ensure you love what you order. The staff is very knowledgeable and helps you make the perfect decision for your taste buds. Girls night out, business dinner, date night--this place caters to all occasions for a unique Baltimore experience!
(5)
Neelam P.

2 1/2* I love the atmosphere and feeling of this restaurant and had high hopes that the food would be spectacular. Being a vegetarian I felt really limited in my dinner options. Our server notified us that many of the dishes (like the risotto) are cooked in a chicken broth. Arugula Salad w/Lemon - very simple salad but it was quite delicious. The arugula was dressed perfectly and the lemon was a nice a touch. Ricotta w/house made potato chips - this was OK. The ricotta was very fresh, but the highlight for me were the chips. Butternut Squash Ravioli - I wasn't a huge fan of the pasta (felt a little tough to me). The filling was fine but nothing extraordinary. Spaghetti w/olive oil and veggies - my husband has been to the restaurant twice now and has ordered the same thing. This isn't on the menu but they were trying to be accommodating which is nice of the restaurant. The first time he had this dish he absolutely loved it. This time, the dish was a real disappointment. The spaghetti was a little tough and he asked for spinach and mushrooms but the dish came out including a mix of additional veggies as well. Honestly though, the veggies were very tasty, but the whole dish just didn't come together. Chocolate Budino - the highlight was the pomegranate sorbet, everything else was ok. Caramel Semifreddo - hubbie had this twice also and the dessert has been inconsistent. He loved it the first time, the second time half of the dessert was stuck to the dish. Overall, I'm glad I finally had the chance to dine here but I would pass on another dinner here.
(2)
Jeffrey H.

I asked a friend at work, if money was no object, where was his very favorite restaurant in Baltimore. He said Cinghiale was the most spectacular dining experience he'd had in Baltimore. He was right. :-) The vast majority of my restaurant reviews are three-star. Why is Cinghiale five? Why did I think that it is *well* worth splurging the $100 / person? What made Cinghiale so fun for my beloved and I, was that Cinghiale's chefs have figured out how to make each dish not just really tasty, but distinctly tasty, such that progression through dinner is a merry bounce from treat to treat. (It helped that the two of us each ordered different things and split everything, so that we essentially got to try twice the number of individual dishes). Every single part of the meal is designed to have surprising and fun touches. The entrees were all distinct, tasty, and appropriately cooked - everything that should be crispy was, everything that should be tender was. The cheese plate had four very distinct kinds of cheeses, each a very different flavor and texture from the others. Right down to the traditional complimentary bread, which was actually a variety basket of hand-made wheat straws, focaccia, and flatbreads, instead of simply a single type of bread. When you come to Cinghiale, you basically are asking to trust that the chef knows what she/he is doing. The night we went, the chef *definitely* knew exactly what she/he was doing, and the result was a marvelous, fun ride. If one is going to pay $100 for dinner (with wines), the meal can't just be merely tasty; it has to be something special and fun. The night we went, Cinghiale most certainly was, on all counts.
(5)
Caron S.

Not impressed. Cool atmosphere, had very high hopes and was severely let down -- and out $189 for three of us (including two $40 bottles of wine), sadly would not recommend or return. The cheese plate was good but nothing special. Very few crostini and nothing else to accompany the dairy. We ordered the escargot appetizer after being disappointed that they'd run out of the calamari. It arrived and was not flavorful and had no redeeming qualities (it was room temperature -- not hot). We didn't even finish it and it was a small portion to start with. Our entrees weren't memorable at all. My homemade pasta and sauce were bland. Again, very let down. Worth noting: our server was friendly and knowledgeable. She was also very attentive.
(2)
Patti N.

Love to come and sit at the bar. Recently came for a friend's bday celeb. John was terrific helping navigate the extensive wine list. Kudos all around!
(5)
Susie A.

Came here on a Sunday night. The food was good but not worth the price. The portions are on the smallish side but a 3 course would be sufficient depending on what you order. Favorite on the menu was the farfalle pasta. Service was okay. Our server took our order and disappeared for the rest of the night and we had to chase him down to order another bottle of wine. Glad I tired it but I'm not dying to go back.
(3)
D A.

Great wine and good service (that, in fact, saved this place from a special spot in Dante's Inferno). Unfortunately, severely mediocre food -- and at prices that make for some deep regrets. Has the "distinction" of being the only place in which I've sent a dish back twice. You can't solve the problem of serving a customer watery (no kidding) risotto by just draining off the liquid and sending it back to the table. Just another sad example of the elusive nature of anything resembling real Italian food in America. Fortunately, the subsequent Eagles concert was so good as to make it all seem less of a disappointment. Take it easy...
(2)
Robert W.

Baltimore has been lucky to have new restaurants pop up and thrive. But, I feel that Cinghiale (Enoteca side) is truly one of the constants in the Baltimore food scene. 1) Consistent, polished and educated service 2) delicious and well prepared food 3) great setting and lively atmosphere 4) extensive wine list 5) complimentary valet. Their menu changes with the season, but I know that my experience will be the same each time I go. I guess back in the day, places like the Prime Rib, Tio Pepe, Oregon Grille etc, where the places to be seen and dine. The Wolfe/Foreman group has easily surpassed them with Cinghiale and the Charleston.
(5)
Abigail R.

So... I have a few favorite Italian spots, and none of them are in Little Italy. Cinghiale has earned its spot - from the food to the busy atmosphere to the service. Cody was super helpful in helping us decipher the menu and design some vegetarian dishes. He also helped us pick a great peppery Pinot Nero that fit in perfectly with our rich, decadent pasta dishes. I started with the Fairytale Pumpkin Chestnut "Cappuccino" with poached pear. A lot of people think of pumpkin pie or pumpkin spice and expect that cinnamon sweet sugary flavor when they hear pumpkin. This soup was savory - the chestnut pumpkin flavor shown through this creamy bisque. The pumpkin is incredibly smooth. The poached seasonal pears at the bottom of the coffee cup was like a sweet surprise. This was all mine, despite the name, it is not vegetarian - there is chicken stock and pancetta. The brussels sprout and kale salad is also not vegetarian - but the chef was nice enough to sub out the pancetta vinaigrette for a lemon one. (I can't wait to go back and try it as it was designed; I hope it will still be on the menu...) This was definitely more kale than brussels, but I didn't mind. The baby kale was not at all bitter and the crisp shaved sprouts added a nice crunch. There were some other textural elements - shaved cheese and some croutons. For main courses, we all went pasta; we did have a 6.2 mile run the next day. My mom went with a chef-inspired pasta dish - fresh house-made spaghetti with seasonal vegetables - including more brussels, mushrooms and the baby kale. She loved the garlicky pasta and ate just about every bite. I was amazed that we all had pasta and each dish had a completely different flavor profile. I was the only one who ordered straight from the menu - a tajarin with a rich buttery sea urchin sauce and day boat scallops. The scallops were super sweet and exquisitely cooked. They truly complemented the briny and slightly floral pasta sauce. I cannot say enough about the chef's fresh pasta. This particular egg pasta has a long history in Tuscany - where locals would compete to see who could make the longest and thinnest noodle. Incredibly delicate but still very hearty. The half portion was plenty filling and had 6-8 scallops. My sister designed her own dish based on the ingredients she found on the menu. A simple gnocchi dish with a sage and parmesan brown butter.The gnocchi were perfect - thick pillows of dough that melted in your mouth with every bite. She ordered the large dish for hopes of left overs - there weren't any. It could be because my mother and I couldn't help ourselves either (sorry Karen!).
(5)
Laura B.

The restaurant has a beautiful view of the water. The wine and cocktail choices were very good. We started with the chefs choice meat and cheese plate- very nice. My spouse had the blue fin tuna and rabbit dishes. I had the short rib gnocchi and duck dishes. Both were outstanding. The wait staff was attentive but not smothering. Overall, nice visit and I would recommend it to others.
(4)
Tara C.

I can sum this up fairly quickly...overpriced Italian food. There were three of us that sat at the bar. We shared a meat and cheese platter. That was nice. We shared calamari and a salad. I didn't even remember seeing the calamari that's how small the dish was. The salad, so marginal it's not worth describing. One had lasagna, one had sausage and pasta, and I had fish. All very small portions. While the bartenders were very nice, our main courses didn't come out for at least 30 minutes. Not their fault. Anyhow, none of us will be back. I don't recommend.
(2)
Sarah K.

Let me preface this review by saying that I'm not very accustomed to such upscale dining, but I enjoy Italian food and came here with my boyfriend and his parents for his birthday. Everyone was very satisfied. Baltimore has excellent options for Italian, and if you're looking for something on the fancy-end with a ridiculously-long wine list and hand-sliced, fresh charcuterie, this place is it. The food was really really good, although I was not entirely sure what I was eating about 50% of the time. The menu is peppered with unusual items like partridge and wild boar. The dishes are tiny and expensive, so if you are looking for heaping portions of pasta, head to Little Italy. The wine presentation was a spectacle within itself, and the sommelier was friendly and knowledgeable without making me feel uncomfortable. My boyfriend had the Chinghale (wild boar), which was delicious. The chicken in my dish was cooked perfectly. As a table, we shared the grilled calamari and chef's selection of charcuterie as appetizers and then shared two pasta dishes. Everyone got their own entree. When we ordered, I feared that we had gotten way too much food, but it turned out to be the perfect amount. What the dishes lacked in portion size, they certainly redeemed themselves for in flavor and freshness. TIPS: Make a reservation. If you are driving, they offer complimentary valet, which is wonderful considering the parking mess that is Harbor East.
(5)
Bruce H.

This place was recommended to me by my sister. My lovely girlfriend and I went there for a nice romantic dinner without regard to price. We decided to eat on the casual side of the place as we did not have reservations... I had the Orecchiette which sounded wonderful. My meal was was not only undercooked but by the time they tried to fix the problem, my girlfriend was finished with her dish. I eventually canceled the dish and if it werent for a few bites of my girlfriend's meal....I would have starved. The icing on the cake was the waiter who was ignorant to the situation and refused to acknowlede or take responsibilty of the problem... I did get a glass of wine however. ...I will not go back and will tell as many people I know not to waste their money, their time nor their palettes.....I would suggest going to Cafe Gia...a wonderful place...great food and a delightful staff.
(1)
Berry G.

Note: The menu at this place changes every single day, depending on what's fresh, what's in season and what's available. THE GOOD: - The meat and cheese platters were very, very tasty. So was the focaccia bread (looks like cornbread). I actually liked these more than my main course. - Waiter service was great and staff was very friendly. They offered coat service and called a cab when we were ready to leave. - Grilled beef dinner was good, but the potatoes were diced into tiny pieces, which was totally unexpected. THE BAD: - Portions are extremely small. If you're looking for a hearty meal that'll leave you feeling stuffed, this isn't the place to come. - Don't see your favorite wine on the menu? Ask. The dinner menu has a completely different list of wines vs. the dessert menu, and they may be able to substitute something close if they don't have exactly what you're looking for. - Be mindful of the number of ice cream scoops you get. They lead us to believe the scoops were super small, but they were actually quite sizable. Ice cream is sold by the scoop. Waiter says he's never seen anyone finish four scoops. THE UGLY: - Apparently the duck is an awful dinner choice. Two of my friends ordered it and they both said it was tough to cut, tough to chew and had too much fat.
(3)
Tunaidi A.

There's a lot of good things to say about Cinghiale. Great service, complementary valet parking, large wine selection, alluring decor, choice between a dressy or more casual side of the restaurant, awesome bread, and options for pre fixe or a-la-carte menus. However, though food quality is certainly good, I'm not sure the prices justify them to that extent. I'm a fan of the soups and desserts (especially the tiramisu). The entrees, on the other hand, are small in portion size, high in price, and offers a taste that doesn't necessarily rival other competitors. Cinghiale is definitely worth trying, but you'll likely be pay for the experience, services, and atmosphere, rather than for the food.
(3)
Dante T.

I'm not going to let my judgment on meal price play a factor on this review. This is an upscale restuarant so you will be paying a premium. The bottom line is if I enjoyed my meal enough to give it a deserved high rating. I didn't. Don't get me wrong. The service was professional. The ambiance is what you would expect for Harbor East but the food was just okay. To me, this is one of those places you're supposed to like even though there are plenty of better choices out there for similar fare. It's not mandatory to eat here to be considered classy. It's okay to go to Little Italy down the street. It won't hurt Tony and Cindy's feelings. They'll be just fine and so will your appetite.
(2)
Samantha G.

Cinghiale was lovely. We were on the Enoteca side. The atmosphere was welcoming with dark woods, high ceilings, and wonderful touches along the way. Loved the unique ceiling fans and the signed bottles from special occasions lining the booths. We sat down and immediately started scouring the wine list. Very overwhelming to say the least, especially if you are not yet too familiar with Italian regions. But they do have a sommelier that gave great suggestions to what we were in the mood for. Hit it right on the nose. The food was yummy. Not really melt in your mouth, cannot speak because it is so good.... but still very tasty and there were a few "yummmm"s along the way. Tortellini, Wagyu Beef, their version of a shrimp scampi, panna cotta, and some sort of gelato sundae with espresso poured over the top. The boyfriend decided that the espresso was overkill, but everything else left a positive impression. Our waitress, Amy, was also very pleasant and helpful. She was patient while we tried to make our decision. Everything on the menu looked so great! And since we are not heavy eaters, we didn't want to risk getting the full courses. She was also quite hilarious and definitely seemed to know her stuff. I would go back, actually plan on going back, without hesitation. Yum!
(4)
Michelle C.

Amazing italian restaurant. Went for dinner for two. Ordered one cheese (enough to split for two) with prosciutto to start. Amazing bellinis! Must have. Both of us ordered from the Della nonna menu which included an arugula salad and I ordered the baked lasagna (delicious) and my mother ordered tagliatelle with chicken. We had enough to take home with us! Both desserts on that pre fix menu are delicious as well!
(5)
matthew l.

Stepping over the threshold at Chiangale does, with its rich woods and smart design remind you of Italy, though you will be hard pressed to find a restaurant that big in all of that wonderful country. We were taken straight away to a table for two in a line of pleasant tables for two. A waiter having to put on the brakes so as not to crash into us in his rush to deliver great service asked what we would like to drink? I ignored him as I eased my wife into the banquette and settled myself into my chair. He stood there smiling. I said that as soon as he delivered the menus and we had made our decision that he would be the first to know. Undeterred, he said, would you like bottled or tap water. I said, why don't you just bring the menus. He hesitated as if he had never encountered this possibility in his what-if scenarios, but he left and returned with the menus. He asked if we had made our decision. What decision? On your drinks? He was young and I tapped into my paternal side, put my hand lightly on his forearm and said softly, Look, why don't you go away for a bit , tend to your other tables and when you return I'm sure we will have learned enough to satisfy you. He left. My wife said that it looked like we had met the Manchurian Candidate of servers and instead of wanting to assassinate someone was programmed to rack up record libation sales. We laughed. We don't go to restaurants to cause trouble, just to enjoy each other's company with a bit of good food and wine and if we can be entertained too, so much better. We went up to the salad buffet and had the chef prepare simple sliced radishes and greens, a perfect start. Dutifully, Sparky returned and we ordered, she the porcetta plate, me the venison loin with chestnuts. Laurence Harvey's eyes lit up at the mention of the venison. You know, he said, I can recommend a fantastic wine with that venison. OK, shoot. A glass of a very impressive sounding Barolo. OK, how much? He couldn't wait to tell me. $25. Is that a bottle? Not a silly question as the previous month I had paid $32. for a bottle of wonderful wine at Babbo, Mario Batali's flagship with Del Posto in lower Manhattan. Oh no, a glass. Is it a very big pour? No, about average I guess. Can you tell me something about the wine? No, he offered, not the least bit embarrassed, but they tell me, its great. So I thought, if I were to put $25 down for a glass of wine, what better endorsement? I ordered a glass that was 1/3 the price which was delightful. And the tap water. The venison was done the way venison loin should be done with some crisp outer edges and pink in the middle. Though I almost broke a tooth on a dessicated chestnut. I called the floor manager over and assured her I was not looking for anything free but that she and the chef should know that the chestnuts are inedible and that management is rolling the dice litigiously speaking. She said she would let the chef know. She returned with a spectacular answer, the chef said that is exactly the way it should be. That was bit of a surprise and to my wife's embarrassment, I asked the manager, a nice albeit clueless girl, to tell the chef that he was a moron. I waited for him to come charging out of the kitchen wielding a cast iron skillet or at least a senior manager come to investigate, but nothing. I wondered if his lack of brains would help or hinder me if it got physical. Couldn't help. We paid the check with not a mention of a complimentary dessert or cup of coffee, a reflex in almost any restaurant after an incident Food 3-1/2 stars Service 1-1/2 stars Attitude 0 stars Arrogance - too monumental to measure. Well travelled people who know food and wine should never enter this place, though as a venue to make big bucks for a savvy owner exploiting the obvious unsophistication of his fellow citizens, this is 5 stars!
(2)
Jeremy B.

Ok, I'm going to sound a little dramatic but this restaurant was easily top-3 meal of my life. Heck, while we were still sitting there last night finishing our wine I called it the best food I ever had (hope my mom doesn't read this). We shared the foie gras over polenta and tuna belly appetizers which were perfect. The tuna was so good I ordered second plate. I consider myself tuna expert, this was amazingly fresh and expertly seasoned fish. I have no idea what they put on it and I don't really care, the taste was perfect. I had roasted halbut and my girlfriend had some kind of pasta dish with wild mushrooms. Again, I have no idea how they seasoned or cooked the halibut and I don't care. Every bite was perfect. I'm not really a pasta person but I tried my girlfriends dish and was amazed by the taste. Wine list is exclusively Italian hard to understand. I don't know much about Italian wines so I asked the waiter to recommend a light-body, easy drinking red. The bottle he brought was right on the money. We also tried their house chianti and it was excellent (as it should be for $18 a glass). I finished with an espresso which had a very nice, thick layer of crema... perfect. Service was professional, knowledgeable, and efficient without constant hovering - very well done. Loved every aspect of this place
(5)
brannen v.

Wow. We sat at the bar on Saturday night, expecting to get a drink before a movie. We each got a flight of wine - both of which were seriously spectacular - and 3 cheeses. The cheese was good and we were starting to get hungry, so we ordered more wine and split the spaghetti de chitarra with a meat sauce. I am still dreaming about the pasta dish, it was amazing. The ambiance is very cool, very Italian, and everything is thought out (check out the ceiling fans!). The service was great, the bartender was super knowledgable about all of the drinks and all of the food. This is a great date place and people were dressed up, but people were also coming to dinner in t-shirts and flip flops. If you're looking for good wine and Italian food, seriously, eat here.
(5)
Sally B.

Thank you Carlton, for making our meal so memorable. This was a special occasion for our friend Jennifer who's husband had undergone surgery to remove his stomach after a stomach cancer diagnosis. The surgery went swimmingly and we decided on Cinghaile as a sort of celebratory exercise in gratitude. Our partner was Carlton who was positive, hopeful, happy, and perfect. Thank you. The food was exceptional as always. I had the calamari which was probably the best we've had. It was tender without a hint of the dreaded rubbery texture which poor performing chefs sometimes deliver to the table. Not this. Set in a yummy, but nor overwhelming sauce that worked perfectly. The butternut squash soup was divine. I kept lifting spoonfuls from my friends appetizer. I hope she didn't mind but it was alarmingly good and I don't like squash. Flavorful, creamy yum mines. My friend and I shared the lamb ragu tagliatellle. My husband had the spaghetti with garlic and shrimp. Both dishes tasted fresh, not at all heavy, homemade and splendid. My friend asked for some fresh tomato sauce to add, and they obliged. I've never had such an amazingly fresh tasting simple tomato sauce. How come I can't pull that off in my own kitchen. What's the secret I wonder. A really nice and much needed evening. Thanks all.
(5)
Kris L.

OH dear. I've finally found it. FINE DINING IN BALTIMORE THAT IS WORTH THE HYPE. Happiness. I came to Cinghiale with a group of 6 for dinner on a weeknight. The greeting was warm. The wine list was extensive. We started off with the chef's selection of salumi. Delicious. For the main menus, there are 3 options you can choose from - $62 for an app, pasta, entree, and dessert OR $29 for bruschetta, entree, and dessert OR a la carte from either menu. The $29 option is pretty awesome-like having restaurant week minus the chaos and bad service. Everyone hypes up the lasagna here (lasagna out of all things!) and my friend had it...but i didn't get to taste it because it was gone in one bite. Will be ordering it next time. I had the pan-seared halibut which was RIDICULOUS-perfectly seasoned, grilled beautifully, moist and flaky. It was served over a corn cauliflower mix that complimented it perfectly. The forest mushroom taglitielle was also amazing in flavor andwith earthy tones. The lamb dish was also raved about at our table. The desserts were great-my fav was the seasonal apple cider sorbet. I will take the time to say that our server was amazing. No small need was left unchecked. Details were perfect (clearing plates, silverware, water glasses filled, offered to call valet as we paid the check) VOTE BEST SERVICE IN BALTIMORE*** Will be back VERY soon!
(5)
Mich S.

Dinner is delicious, the experience is even better! We dined at Cinghiale for our 5th anniversary, and it could not have been a more perfect evening -- the wait-staff were knowledgable and patient as they walked us through the menu; all of the food was amazing -- the Spaghetti Carbonara and Lemon Ricotta Bomboloni were particularly outstanding. But what stood out was the level of attention we were given -- from the valet to the hostess, to the wait-staff and management -- everyone knew it was our anniversary and they worked in harmony to make it a very special and memorable evening for us.
(5)
Andrea J.

Recently came here with family for a celebration and had a really nice experience. The only downside is the entree portions are quite small, and several people in our group either ordered a second entree or left hungry. The restaurant itself is gorgeous: high ceilings and nicely decorated, not to mention it's situated across the street from a beautiful harbor (at least when the road is not under construction all the time). The complimentary valet service is wonderful, given how tricky parking can be around there, and the waitstaff were excellent. Simply put, the food is delicious. It's almost hard to find better in Baltimore. I've been here three times now and have never been disappointed. This time we ordered several cheeses as one of the appetizers which everyone loved. At the start of the meal our waitress pointed out the three and four course preset meals and told us that the portions are such that one person can eat an entire four course meal on their own. We probably should have followed her advice. Instead we opted to order everything a la carte. I was disappointed that a full portion of risotto (~$29) was not filling, and I found myself raiding the bread bowl several times to feel satisfied. Unfortunately I wasn't alone, and as mentioned above we ordered some extra food and several extra desserts. As for what which items were particularly delicious, our group loved the porcini risotto and the grilled branzino. We also ended up with three orders of the caramel semifreddo since my family loved that stuff to no end. Overall it was a very pleasant dining experience and the food is amazing, however I feel that the portions are small, even for a high-end, gourmet place.
(4)
Felicia H.

I came here with my fiance and a couple of friends last Saturday for restaurant week. It is pricey, but the restaurant week deal had a three course meal with an optional wine pairing for each course. I got the wine pairing with my three courses and I enjoyed every single dish and every single glass. It's not somewhere I'm dying to go back to (mostly due to the high cost) but I liked my experience. The only negative comment I have is that I requested fresh cracker pepper & salt for my oil to dip my bread and the server never brought it out. I suspect he forgot, and I didn't bother to ask a second time because my first course had already arrived. An added bonus: free valet parking!
(4)
James K.

Great northern Italian pasta dishes. This is one of the few Baltimore restaurants (Peter's, maybe Jacks and Of Love and Regret being the others) that deliver a legitimately excellent dining experience. The wine list is extensive and well curated, the staff knowledgeable, attentive and helpful, and the food very well executed and sometimes creative. I have consistently ordered pastas, and have yet to be disappointed.
(5)
Kevin K.

Enter through the heavy front doors and pause: tiled "marble" floor bathed in dim yellow light, zig-zagging in all directions; mirrored wall behind the bar, bending perception; enotica to the left bustling and rowdy, tables within feet of the door; osteria far removed to the right, quiet and inconspicous; waiters bustling back and forth across your path; the host approaches and greets you with charm. This chaos is Italy. [Ambience: 5/5] The host informed us "It's Tuesday". And?! Choose enotica over osteria and every bottle of wine is 50% off. Ok! Service dropped similar hints throughout and kept us happy as clams. And they were PATIENT. We ordered in rounds at a very deliberate pace, our server never losing his cool: Conversation; then bottle of white and small plates; then more conversation; then a bottle ot red and mains; then more conversation. At the two hour mark, we were last there and felt a slight rush to leave. We skipped dessert and bottle #3 and did just that. [Service: 4/5] I like cocktails with food but the wine list was that good, a book in fact, and we settled on a crisp white and soft red. Both were fantastic, the white one of the better I've sipped. At the second bottle, the sommelier came and chatted with us. [Drinks: 4/5] Up until now, Cinghiale had impressed beyond Pazo and Petit Louis, on the road to 5 stars. Unfortunately, the food's execution dropped it to a 4. The bread was dry and flavorless save for excess salt, and the olive oil was just that--oily and flavorless because it had no counterpart. The portion was small as well, felt like I was crust-munching. The chef's charcuterie was a fresh selection of three. The speck wasn't gamey as the best I've tried, but the proscuitto di parma was spot on fresh and delicate, sliced probably within minutes. An incredibly restrained apricot was used as garnish and accented all meats, though oil was over-drizzled. Foie gras was thick as a child's fist, juicy and bursting as it should be. The apricot again countered nicely, but plating was drab and more accent required. Another small portion. The Gnocchi was fantastic, but the plate was nearly a soup given the amount of sauce. Textures spot on, but not as nuanced as several, including Jack's Bistro of Canton. We began ordering mains and our server noted "We're out of all three fish dishes. We may have some cod around." Huh?! We opted instead for the pork belly, which was done as well as I've had: paper-thin skin, sticky and crisp as if cooked for hours, the meat juicy and bursting, but again simply plated. The $29 portion is quite small--same size as Hamilton Tavern's $9 app--though far better. The duck was cooked excellently but too much fat remained, and again, equally small and boringly plated. [Food: 4/5] Cinghiale could have been excellent but instead fell just short. I've eaten with locals in the Northern mountains of Tuscany, producing one of the best meals I've shared--messy and sloppy, a wonderful combination of textures and flavors, round complimenting round until we were all sickeningly overwhelmed. Cinghiale's food instead feels prepared by a surgeon--calculating, plastic, and efficient--which is the exact opposite of all experiences Italian but the essence of every experience Wolf/Foreman.
(4)
J N.

First time eating here. Sat down and was immediately given the upsell for an appetizer. Then when i was ordering wine, was pushed toward the $27 glass. After order the steak was again pushed to order an app bc their portions were soooo small and the steak wld take 20 mins. Bartender warned me 3x and then tried to upsell. So annoying.... Btw, steak came out less than ten mins later. After all that the bread comes...which was very good. Then the steak which was also good. It was a little tough but overall flavor w the meat and potatoes was excellent. Aggressive push for wine and coffee againi think this was just a pushy bartender, or he attends lots of sales confs. Order choc cake with choc mousse... Tasted good but there were 3 penny sized portions of cake. How much does cake cost? I think the bartender ruined the it. Prob wont be back.
(2)
Athie L.

Just incredible! One of my favorite restaurants in Baltimore. The three course meal is totally worth it, and the service is impeccable. Try the deconstructed tiramisu.
(5)
Walter P.

Great dinner all three courses and robin was phenomenal waitress! Will definitely be back.
(5)
Steve H.

Haven't had a dinner this perfect in quite a while. Had the three course meal and left every plate clean and empty. Wine pairing with meal was on point and each course was better than the previous. Only sticking point was that the server came off as stiff and rushed during the explanation of the menu. However, the staff overall was expertly attentive and respectful during the meal.
(5)
Brian B.

Superb dinner. We dined at Cinghiale last night after it was recommended by the girl at the nearby (wonderful) wine store located next to Whole Foods. Gorgeous restaurant space, exceptional food and exceptional service. We had some of the best service that we've had in a long time. The bus boys/girls were amazing to watch. They ironed the table linens during each setup. The girl with the curls was especially efficient throughout the night and the staff truly worked as a team throughout the busy night. We look forward to returning on our next trip.
(5)
Julie Y.

Pretty standard for italian-american cuisine. The food is nothing to write home about although the service and the attention to their customers is exceptional. I do have to say that their tuna tartare and fish dishes are disappointing. Tuna tartare should not taste fishy or smell fishy despite it being raw fish- a sign that usually means the fish is not fresh. In addition, their halibut is overcooked. I am sure there are better places with service that is just as good in the area.
(3)
Emily L.

We waited too long to try this Baltimore classic! The atmosphere is sumptuous, perfect for a snappy winter evening: marble bars, leather seats, wrought-iron chandeliers and dark wood paneling are set off by rich fabrics and oil paintings. It feels like Italian dining was meant to be. Our friend had made a reservation, so we were seated promptly and ordered drinks. Neither of us could turn down the server's offer of a glass of prosecco, but my husband said he wasn't sure yet. When she returned with our drinks, he asked for an Americano. He was more than a little surprised when she brought a cafe Americano (espresso and hot water) instead of the classic Italian cocktail (Campari, vermouth and soda.) I could understand this mistake at a casual eatery, but at a fancy establishment known for Italian cuisine, I was shocked! If she was the slightest bit surprised at his ordering an after-dinner drink before dinner, she could have asked for clarification. But, being a classy guy, my husband made a joke and drank his coffee, which he said was excellent. I really liked that they offer so many choices for dining: there's a pricey prix-fixe ($60), a lighter version ($30) and an additional a la carte option for either menu. My friend and husband went with the simpler prix-fixe, and I have to say, I was amazed by the little tray of bruschetta they received: each of the half-dozen toasts was topped with a different fanciful combination. Pretty and delicious. I had a salad (sorry, difficulty remembering and the menu is long gone) and the black bass, both a la carte: they were delicious, though not particularly memorable. Dessert: I don't think you can go wrong with panna cotta anyway, but when you add vanilla and oranges, you're in the realm of the ethereal. We fought over it. My friend had something with rhubarb that was also divine. Our experience was lovely, and so was the food. We look forward to returning to get to know the menu better!
(4)
Virginia G.

We chose this restaurant to be our first dress-up date night dinner event. We made reservations for the enoteca and ordered from the prezzo fisso menu. The enoteca area of the establishment is more formal, whereas the osteria is more like a dress-casual bar. The menu has two prix fixe sides, a $29 "grandma's kitchen" selection and the more expansive and pricier $69 menu. However, you may make a la carte choices from either. To summarize the ambiance (and perhaps the entire date night experience) in a word, SENSUAL. Towering pillars of dark wood, crisp white linens, flickering candles, antiqued mirrors, authentic leather, custom imprinted china...a sort of steampunk-speakeasy ristorante of the highest calibre. My highest accolades go to the service staff, especially to the bus persons who worked like an efficient but quiet machine. Equal praise goes to the chefs. The gnocchi was a revelation of umami I had never known existed and may never experience again. Adventurous and inspired menu, yet true to the Italian tradition. However, I would have liked to see a vegetarian main course featured. A daunting wine selection. The cappuccino I ordered to finish my meal was incredible, just perfect. Highly recommended.
(4)
Supriya M.

Went there with a group of 15 on a Saturday night - we had made reservations way in advance and I had also mentioned that a large portion of our party was going to be vegetarian, so it would be nice to accommodate this in their daily changing menu. They were very flexible when we added 2 to our reservation at the last minute. The ambiance was, as always, fantastic. The wine list is so extensive, we had no idea where to begin. The server was a bit overwhelmed with all our orders esp. the vegetarian changes (they did not have too many options on the menu, so we needed to change what was there) but he managed. We ordered 6 different cheeses and they were quite excellent. Everyone was very pleased with their food overall - my beautiful bruschetta was a little disappointing in taste but the gnocchi was excellent. The tiramisu was fantastic. Overall, great place for large groups, accommodating and delicious!
(4)
Mike H.

Cinghiale is one of my "go-to" restaurants in Baltimore. I have found the food, service and atmosphere to be very good. I think that the menu offers quite a bit of options, specially if you arrive with a group. The portion sizes are good, the taste and presentation exceptional and the service to be highly efficient, courteous and friendly. I have never had a problem slipping into an empty seat at the bar when the dining room is crowded. The wine list is very good and the prices for wine are quite reasonable.
(4)
Jay G.

The two times I have visited Baltimore, MD for my anniversary with my girlfriend we have eaten dinner at Cinghiale - Osteria due to it's popularity and very close location to the hotel we stay at around the block. First off, the first time we were there was a year ago which we both enjoyed our meals. I can remember that included aged prosciutto, squid ink pasta, and some other very good dishes. This time, my girlfriend had the Burgundy Snails for antipasti which were pretty good compared to other escargot we have had in some french restaurants. I went with the Pan Seared Foie Gras which is one of my favorite foods and it was delicious to me as always. I ordered the Beet Carpaccio thinking it was beef carpaccio so that was a fail but we ate it anyway. The only issue with antipasti was that the foie gras seemed a bit undercooked but I enjoyed it anyway. For the primi options, she had the lobster ravioli and I had the tagliatelle pasta with black truffles which was also very good but much simpler tasting then I thought it would be. The lobster ravioli was also good. For secondi, I went with medium rare grilled duck breast which was extremely good and full of flavor. She had the grilled chicken which she enjoyed. For dessert I had two cheeses which were good but not something I wanted to finish after I ran out of aged port. She had the vanilla panna cotta which she enjoyed very much. My only complaint about this place is that the first time we came it was completely packed and we barely had space between other tables to have any privacy during conversation or to be romantic. This time it was very empty due to a Sunday night so it was a very nice personal experience. Overall, both experiences were great at this place and we would highly recommend it to anyone looking for delicious italian food.
(5)
Sunita E.

Coming here from NJ and thinking we are going to have a nice Italian dinner????? What a disappointment. Portions are small but in a way I was glad because food was was horrible. I left 5 pieces of gnocchi out 10 that was served to me. My fiancÃ© has chicken franchise. It looked like dry pieces of turkey left over from thanksgiving dinner over egg noodles. I heard him crunching on chicken and he didn't look so good. We are still waiting for desert as unfortunately we ordered it in the beginning of our meals. I am worried what we will get. Menu was confusing and the waiter was overly efficient as he kept on taking my plates before I was finished. I have never had this bad of an experience and what hurts is that it is a VERY pricey place. NOT worth it
(1)
Lou S.

Very upscale food, nice staff, professional service, the room is beautiful, the manager is so nice!
(5)
Matthew C.

I attended a private event at Cinghiale with about 50 people. They seated us in a private room off the main dining area, which was just the right size and set up nicely for the group. The event included an arranged cocktail hour with hors d'oeuvres and three wines. The servers were knowledgeable about the wines, and provided effortless refills - even distinguishing the two reds apart in our glasses on sight. The servers were also both polite and helpful. The dinner itself was quite delicious, finely prepared and plated. Risotto was perfectly cooked and deeply flavorful. The beef was tender and equally perfectly prepared. I found the portions a tad small for the price, the panna cotta was a little looser than I generally like. The dinner itself was a surprisingly long service, with extended time between each course. That said, I found those were the only blemishes on my experience. I am keen to return to try other offerings on the menu, and additional wine pairings.
(4)
Karni J.

Great Italian restaurant with flexible menu. Great wine selection and the someliur was knowledgeable. I tried duck breast and I gotta say, one of the best meal. Wait staff was courteous and friendly.
(4)
B M.

Our server, Jerry, was delightful .... that was the only bright spot of our evening here. We ordered the small plate of hand-formed Tortellini with Prosciutto, Mortadella, Ricotta and a Rosemary Sauce; and the hand-cut Tagliatelle with Bolognese and Pecorino. Both were served cold, literally, cold. Pretty amazing for a Italian restaurant to serve totally cold pasta. We sent both plates back .... once returned, not much improvement. My tortellini were rubbery and the salt from the prosciutto/mortadella was overpowering. As for the tagliatelle, it was overcooked and the sauce tasted like watered-down hamburger helper. Sadly, the manager was too busy to stop to ensure the issue was corrected - it wasn't; we left and headed to Flemmings to share a steak and bottle of wine.
(1)
Ellie S.

For real Italian food lovers, food snobs, and serious foodies...this place is not that good. It's watered down italian food, not gourmet at all, and just because they have expensive types of meat and such does not make them worthy of an elite type restaurant. Come on Baltimore...
(2)
Regina S.

Wow what a disappointing night. It was my husband's 50th birthday, and I even rented a limo for the occasion. We arrived promptly at 5:30 for our early dinner reservations and were seated quickly. We really loved the decor and the atmosphere of the restaurant and we were very excited to sample their food. After all, Cinghiale gets great reviews from diners and critics alike, and they even have picked up some "best of" awards. It didn't even occur to me that this place would not deliver the goods. Both my husband and I chose to go with the 3 course option. The first course was a sampling of I believe 7 different varieties of bruschetta. Intriguing,especially with the creative toppings (cauliflower, apple, spinach squash). The plates arrived and we dug in. Now as varied as the toppings were, both of us could not discern one from the other. The only one that stood out flavor wise was the bread that was topped with balsamic vinegar. But that's all you tasted. It was as if I had a cold -the kind that stifles your buds so you can just differentiate textures not flavors. It was so underwhelming I began to fear for the arrival of our next courses. Service was smooth, pleasant and timely. Next came my sausage filled pasta with parmigiano, butter and sage and my husband's spaghetti alla chitarra (pacific shrimp, capers, in a white wine garlic sauce) The beauty of Italian cooking is the use of simple, top quality ingredients. Of course, it helps when a talented person in the kitchen can take these gems and elevate them to a different level. The presentation of my dish was stark, but the beige pillows looked tasty and I reluctantly took my first bite. Where were the flavors? No nuttiness from the cheese, no earthiness from the sage, and no richness from the butter. The sausage stuffing also proved to be mild with little or no seasoning. How about fennel and a punch of garlic? Nothing but bland raviolis. Sadness. I didn't care at that point as I only prayed that my husband's dinner would be the shining star. Sadly, it too fell into the bland category. The capers were flavorless and the garlic was woefully absent. The shrimp were well prepared but the dish was another failure. Ok round three...dessert. I would have by passed this last course but it was included in our "deal" so we persevered. I ordered the vanilla flan and my partner the rustic tuscan apple cake. The flan was just ok. Beautifully creamy, but again bland. The sherbert like scoop that came with it puzzled me. It was super sour and didn't seem to be the right partner to the flan. The apple cake was super dry. The only saving grace was the sauce/cream that accompanied it. I was speechless and oh so disappointed that this important night of celebration included such mediocre food. So we headed back to the limo and soaked our sorrows with some chilled bubbly. At least the night wasn't a complete loss.
(2)
Douglas P.

The pluses: Service is excellent, the servers here really are pros, I can't stress that enough. The menu changes daily and with the seasons. The wine list is A+. Complimentary valet parking. Very enjoyable environment. The minuses: Like any of Cindy Wolf's places, it's priced a little high but that does attract a good crowd. And unless you really love the nuances of italian cooking and wine, you might do better at any of a half dozen excellent restaurants within 2-3 blocks.
(3)
B J.

This place is high class. From the complimentary valet to the hospitality staff dressed in suits, this restaurant is sophisticated yet approachable. It's a fantastic place for a date night if you aren't afraid to spent a little extra. La cucina della nonna was enough for me. Bruchetta was made just right. The shrimp pasta was so tender and buttery. Wine flights were just the right pairing. The cured meat platter is a nice balance to the palate. At the end of the meal the waiter even asked for our valet ticket so our car would be ready for us as soon as we walked out of the restaurant. Minus one star for price. It's a great restaurant but certainly not worth over $150 for two people.
(4)
Chris C.

I wish you could give separate sets of stars for food and service. Our food was excellent. Everything was prepared nicely, and I can't really say enough good things about the food. On the other hand, despite some of the other reviews, our service fell flat on its face. Strike 1: The water server poured water past the glass on onto my wallet and phone, which were sitting very close to the edge of the table and not near the water glass. Strike 2: "What kind of bourbons do you have?". "Chivas Regal, Jameson's, Jack Daniels, "Wild Turkey". As nearly as I can figure, Chivas is scotch and Jameson's is Irish Whiskey. Fine - no problem. I'll have Jack Daniels on the rocks. A JD and coke promptly arrives. Strike 3: "I'll have the braised beef with polenta." When dinner was served, that looked a lot like Waygu beef tri-tips. Admittedly, they didn't charge us for the entrÃ©e, but it's not what we ordered. Strike 4: Can only find 3 of our 4 coats. Our waiter was the most impersonal guys I've ever seen - he was dull, dry, and never smiled. I would expect the waiter at a place like this to be personable and experienced. He appeared to be neither. On the other hand, the Sommelier was great - very knowledgeable. Any one of those things would be fine - I understand. But the combination was not that good.
(3)
Racquel C.

I celebrated a friend's birthday here yesterday, and the 4-course meal was AMAZING with wine-pairings! I'm a self admitted foodie. FYI, I live, work and dine in DC. I also travel around the country, and have dined at a lot of great restaurants. Until this point, my dining experience in Baltimore has been consistently poor. Finally, I've had an amazing dining experience in Baltimore! They provided top service, and each course was delectable! They've set the bar high! Job well done! I have nothing negative to say about this restaurant.
(5)
Nina U.

Opt for the valet- it's free, just tip them especially after you see them sprint to claim your car. Bookmark this place for a special occasion and make a reservation. They were great and even saved our table when we called to let them know were were behind in traffic. It's hard to find a great restaurant because then you want to eat there all the time. Thankfully, the prices are such that don't allow for the expensive splurge every day and I'm sure my belly is appreciative as well because I cannot control myself here. The ambiance has inspired me to save wine bottles and have friends sign them after it's emptied. That's not hoarding, just creative decorating. The Pinot Noir and Moscato were amazing. Don't even waste your time with a glass- go for the bottle...unless you want to do a wine pairing with dinner. The three-course meal is $29 but once again, I would upgrade and go for the four-course meal. You can totally skip the pre-fix and order by the dish but not nearly as good of a deal. Just have a small lunch or something earlier in the day to prep for this madness. It's not a ton of food and I rave quality over quantity but you will definitely be full. The three-course meals comes with six little bruschetta: 1. Grilled Local Squash 2. Sugar Snap Peas, Pignoli, Mint 3. Mortadella, Pickled Fennel 4. Ricotta Cheese, Crispy Onions 5. Roasted Local Red Beets 6. Olive Relish. I thought it was neat to try but wasn't blown away by any of them. With the four-course meal, you have many more options. I tried my friend's fois gras and have no idea how they make it but it's buttery smooth and delicious. I never like grilled calamari but this one was delicious. The homemade spaghetti was perfectly al dente, and a very large portion that I couldn't finish. The desserts are also very memorable. Not very big but just enough to please the pallet...gelato and cheesecake. mmmm.
(5)
JJ J.

Cinghiale is hands down my favorite restaurant in Baltimore and when I saw that they added a fish dish to the Restaurant Week for this summer, i figured I would take advantage of the RW pricing. There are only a select few restaurants I would even consider for Restaurant Week (Aldo's, Kali's Court, Black Olive, and Cinghiale) and I've got to say that this time around, it's safe to say that Cinghiale takes the cake for best Restaurant Week experience I've EVER had. 1) APPETIZER: Started with the Local Heirloom Tomato Salad consisting of 3 types of tomatoes with arugula, basil, and a slice of Gorgonzola which is then drizzled with Sportoletti Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Special thanks to the Chef for a generous portion of the cheese. I'm not sure what kind of Gorgonzola was used, but it had a nice spicy kick to it. Was DEFINITELY amazing. 2) ENTREE: Went with the Pan Seared Norwegian Steelhead which sat atop Eggplant PurÃ©e and was topped off with Hen of the Woods Mushrooms and a nice Tomato Vinaigrette. First of all, for those of you trying fish at a nice restaurant, please understand that a cut of fish like Steelhead (similar to Salmon) should be prepared medium rare. ((Think about sushi, where salmon is consumed raw)) Cinghiale cooked it to perfection. Hen of the Woods mushrooms are some of my favorite mushrooms and these did not disappoint either. 3) DESSERT: Ended the meal with a couple different desserts. Both were great. We also ordered a nice bottle of Pinot Grigio which paired perfectly with the appetizer and fish entree. Overall: Service was great. (The General Manager David greeted us at the door and went above and beyond in welcoming us. This is the type of gesture that sets fine restaurants apart from others) Food was amazing as always. Best Restaurant Week experience in my past 10 years here in Baltimore. Kudos, Cinghiale.
(5)
Sarah G.

My boyfriend took me to Cinghiale for my 21st Birthday. Having spent four months in Italy and having tasted my fair share of Tuscan cuisine, I wasn't overwhlemed by the authenticity of the food but the quality was superb. Although very crowded- as was expected- we were sat at a nice table with a very friendly waiter who was ready to answer any and all questions we had about the menu. We decided on the Prezzo Fisso menu, where we could choose one plate from each category for a set price. The sea scallops are to die for! They were perfectly cooked- the best I've ever had. I would go back just for another plate of these. The filling on the hand-formed tortellini were good though I found the pasta itself to be a little tough. The three white wines I had, one for each course were all very good. My boyfriend was pleased with his choices as well- even if the serving sizes were a bit small for his liking. All in all, Cinghiale serves great food and has a nice staff. It's definitely a special occasion sort of place as the prices are like most other restaurants in Harbor East. Fun Fact: Cinghiale means Wild Boar!
(4)
Madeline S.

I love their bread basket with amazing olive oil. The bruschetta is unremarkable. The raviolo was bland and was replaced by some good but not great gnocchi. The duck was good. The mocha bonet was excellent. Bread and dessert?!
(3)
Cherpumple F.

Do you like Italian food? Then don't go here. Overpriced, meh-quality food. Service might be fantabulous, but I'd suggest going to Aldo's in Little Italy if you're looking for something similar.
(1)
Fat T.

It was the wonderful experience not just good food. The service is exceptional. The service never disappoints at this establishment.
(5)
Jason M.

Decor and atmosphere were really nice. Food, too say the least, was abyssmal. Soup starchy pasta not cooked well desert.... its really hard to go wrong. Somehiw they managed to. One of the worst restaurant in baltimore in my opinion.
(1)
Dan A.

Of all the restaurants I've been to so far in Baltimore, I'd have to say that Cinghiale (pronounced "Ching gal lay") is among the best Baltimore's fine dining scene has to offer. Every time I've been here, it's been a great experience with great food and superb service. You'll find that even though this is an Italian restaurant, the items here are somewhat different from most of the items you'd get at Little Italy. It is my understanding that the food here emphasizes a different region of Italy than most typical Italian restaurants. Anyways, the most recent time I was here, I opted for the lasagna. Now, let me preface this by saying I absolutely am not a fan of lasagna. I actually go out of my way to avoid eating lasagna both at home and at restaurants! However, my friend REALLY REALLY REALLY recommended the lasagna so we tried it... and it was amazing! It is very different from your typical lasagna. More flavors, more refined... it's somewhat hard to describe. But it is definitely worth a try. Even better yet, it often is one of the cheaper entrees on the menu! If lasagna is not your thing (if it isn't you should still give it a try though!), I've found that the duck dishes here also tend to be very solid and well executed. And if you love wine, Cinghiale has a very good and extensive wine list here. Since this is an Italian restaurant, most of the wine here is of Italian origin. But it doesn't matter; the sommeliers here know what they are talking about and have always recommended great wines when I was here. Service here is on the mark too. Highly recommended! :)
(5)
Joy T.

Went last week to celebrate with a friend. The sommelier recommended a great wine to satisfy our group's varied tastes. I ordered al la carte. Arugulad salad was good. The spicy sausage was flavorful and delicious. I had some of my friend's spaghetti with shrimp, which was amazing; I think I'll order that next time! Another friend had the spinach gnocchi and thought it was good but not great (I though the same). Another friend had the lasagna and loved it (I thought it was good). I would definitely go again and try a new dish and dessert.
(4)
Nancy R.

This restaurant was a huge disappointment after having eaten delicious food in Baltimore. The pastas were UNDER COOKED (not just al dente) and so was the risotto. The kitchen used the same sauce on the risotto, a veal entrÃ©e, and a pasta. Also, the sautÃ©ed Foie Gras still had the vein in our pieces and was not cooked or even sautÃ©ed and the temperature was between room and cold. It was nice to see the detail of ironed tablecloths, but not at adjoining tables while the patrons are dining. This is our first Yelp review we have dined all over the world.
(1)
Malissa S.

Very disappointed. I had heard so many great things about this place but I felt that the food was overpriced, the decor was shabby and the service average. The risotto was undercooked and the meats lacked any depth of flavor but a little saltiness. Overall, the food just left me dissatisfied for a reputable establishment. The decor I could overlook but I thought it could use a little updating. While the service from our server was good, the host was a little pretentious and unwelcoming. I've been to all scales of restaurants and would be willing to pay but found that this was not worth the price.
(1)
Amy S.

Love this place! From the moment you pull up, the experience begins. They have complimentary valet parking and the staff is solicitous from the get go. I had a delicious gewÃ¼rztraminer that was recommended as well as the Yukon Gold Potato Gnocchi that I split with a friend as an appetizer. Delicious! I then moved on a special salad with several types of watermelon in it...I think it's a seasonal offering that was spectacular! I highly recommend it if they're serving it when you arrive. For my entrÃ©e I opted for Lasagna Marchigiana...it was scrumptious! For dessert, when I couldn't decide if I felt like gelati or sorbetti, my server very nicely offered to give me a scoop of each. So I got to try a blueberry gelati and a strawberry sorbetti....I'd be hard pressed to tell you which one I loved more, as they were both mouth watering. If you're looking for a delightful place that has ambiance, great service and delectable food choices, I wouldn't dare miss Cinghiale. It's perfection for the palate.
(5)
Wasim Q.

This is one of my favorite Baltimore restaurants, and certainly the best Italian restaurant by far. They seem to change the menu fairly regularly, which is great-- a good reason to keep going back. The bread is amazing: served hot, with creative flavors (I think there was apple in the last batch I had there), and great flavorful olive oil to go with it. I loved the deconstructed tiramisu, and house made coffee ice cream was awesome. Service is AWESOME. The waiters all really know their stuff, and clearly have a passion about food. Patio seating on the harbor on a nice night is also a good bonus.
(5)
Carrie D.

Every time I visit this place, I fall in love. Amazing food is definitely the key to my heart, but complimentary valet parking, impeccable service and an ambiance you want to dress up for are appreciated as well. :P I was part of a table of four, so we tried a bit of everything. The wild boar charcuterie was my favorite from the chef's selection. The grilled foie gras was the best overall dish of the evening. The foie gras was cooked perfectly and just melted in your mouth. The pork sausage served along with grilled quail was delicious. The lasagna was fantastic. (I originally teased my tablemate for ordering such a simple dish, but I had to give him major points for the order.) The only dish that was a disappointment was the tortellini filled with prosciutto. The dish was overly salty for all of us; and we all love our salted meats. Once the server heard this, however, she removed it from our check without being asked - again, impeccable service. I can't recommend this place enough!
(5)
Francine W.

I was an attendee at an educational event held in the private dining room. Free valet parking. There were about 100 of us at tables of eight. We began service with a choice of a Chianti or white table wine. I chose the white which was perfectly drinkable. The menu was prix fixe with a hors d'oeuvres course (hand passed by staff on silver trays), followed by antipasti, main and dessert courses. The main course was Grilled Chicken, Green Beans in Rosemary Sauce. Very tender and well seasoned. This was a very nice venue for this 2 hour program. The best thing, besides the food, was the service. The servers were very attentive, explained each course, inquired about food allergies, special needs or exclusions for menu items. They managed to to do all this while not disturbing the presenter or being a distraction. This is a very nice place for a private meeting.
(5)
Katie S.

I've eaten at Cinghiale before and had a wonderful time. This time, however, it was...meh. Don't get me wrong - food was great, wine was great, service was relatively attentive. But, we were put off when at the end of the meal when we paid our waiter in cash, we were waiting on the change from the bill. For 20 mins. Specifically, we needed $1 bills for the valet. The waiter never came back! It would have been an extraordinarily large tip, had we not asked for the change. The waiter seemed a bit put off that we asked for the change. Is asking for change something that is not done?? News to me. Despite the unfortunate ending, the food was outstanding. Maybe I'm a little more offended than I should be.
(2)
Joni D.

I shied away from this place because I had heard it was very expensive. And it can be - but I had the 3 course prix fix menu and the three courses were delicious, excellent portions and plenty of food. a fair price for the amount and quality of what I got. The service was top notch - attentive and well paced. The atmosphere is lively. It can be noisy but this was not overly so. Valet parking if free of charge and the wine list has lots of range.
(5)
Syreeta B.

I give Cinghiale a solid 5 stars on service, atmosphere and the impressive wine selection. However I give them a 3.75 stars on food portions . So with "my math" that would equal a solid 4. I had dinner here recently,I am a novice when it comes to Italian cuisine. So I was apprehensive to come here, but I was pleasently surprised. Our server Josh was excellent, he knew the menu thoroughly. I ordered the prosciutto with pickled fennelhead ferns as the starter, It was so fresh and delicious. I also shared the Bruschetta Di Giorno. Six different delights with items such as deviled eggs to lamb sit atop a crisp toasted bread. Speaking of bread I forgot to mention the wonderful fresh bread that is served to your table. When the WA (waiter assistant) offers your the bread and olive oil TRUST ME say YES. I personally have never had olive oil as good as I did there. ....but now that I think about it Giant super market brand olive oil probably does not qualify as a comparison. I also had the grilled wagyu hanger steak it was also very good. Now I will say this restaurant does not serve the standard American sized portions. So don't be surprised to see small portions and $$$. Overall I had a great time but this little lady can eat, I left Cinghiale wanting something more. Nothing against the restaurant or the food but I was still hungry. That in the nutshell was my experience here. Good food and atmosphere but if you have a whole in your stomach like I do you and have big $$$ you may want to order double apps, entree and desserts ;-)
(4)
Edward S.

One of Cindy Wolf's restaurants, right across the street from Charleston's. Well,.. what are you waiting for? Pick up the phone and make a reservation. Now! I promise you won't be sorry.
(5)
Greg M.

This review is based on my first experience at Cinghiale - Osteria. I was highly anticipating dining here since I am a huge fan of all the Chef Wolf and Foreman restaurants. Valet parking here is complimentary and the staff was punctual and friendly. Entering into the restaurant your instantly greeted by the redolence of garlic, roasted meats and spices. The ambience was perfect as the lighting is sexy and cozy setting your expectations high for savory cuisine. The greeter welcomed us with enthusiasm and invited us to the bar until our table was ready. It was a Saturday night and the place was busy. We only waited 7-8 minutes before we were escorted to our table. We decided to choose the Prezzo Fisso option for dinner. This was 4 courses paired with wine for $92. each. This was an excellent choice and the whole experience was remarkable. The Italian meats were some of the best I have ever had in Baltimore. Try the Prosciutto di Parma aged 14 months with Giardiniera. The White Truffle Potato Soup was delectable, creamy and robust at the same time. The Tagliata di Manzo - grilled Wagyu Tri Tip was a Champion in the room. The wines were all paired superbly with each course. All of our courses were timed perfect and always were delivered at the appropriate temperature. The sommelier was extremely knowledgable and attentive. We certainly appreciated the menu as there were so many unique offerings that you won't find in any other Italian gourmet restaurant in Baltimore. Lastly our experience was worth every penny and I certainly would recommend this establishment to anybody who appreciates wine pairing dinners.
(4)
Phil S.

Outstanding Italian cuisine featuring a sort of new-American take on classic Italian ideas. Fantastic baskets of focaccia and ciabatta served with perfect oil were a great way to get things started. Really enjoyed the first course of foie gras and quail with a much appreciated 30- year old balsamic. I know it's decadent but I wish I could have had more than a dribbling of the syrupy vinegar. Lobster ravioli had nice sized pieces of lobster with an incredibly rich and finger licking good sauce. The wagyu strip was a highlight and a surprise given the environment, and the tiramisu was so, so good. The service started out well but quickly deteriorated. Our server seemed to disappear for long stretches of time, leaving our glasses half empty and dishes unattended. The coffee service was dreadful. Not only was the brew lacking in flavor but the pot was shared, as opposed to individual presses. Servers came by four times, each with a mostly empty pot so neither my wife or I, at any one moment, had simultaneous full cups of coffee.
(4)
Brian C.

I went here for the first time to celebrate my sister's birthday and I certainly hope it won't be the last. This place is perfect if your looking for not so typical Italian food. The atmosphere was amazing as soon as you walk in. An enormous bar just beyond the foyer that looked incredibly inviting. Plenty of semi-casual seating in the main room, with private rooms to the left and a more formal setting to the right. We sat in the more formal area. The entire staff from the host to the wait staff was very pleasant and accommodating. They were also extremely informative when it came to food and wine selections. This was a huge plus as some times, menus in restaurants like this can be intimidating. As mentioned in some of the other reviews, there are a la carte options, meals for two or a tasting for one (Prezzo Fisso). I opted for the later. My first course was Salame Piccante with Pickled Sweet Pepper. The gentlemen cutting the meats and cheeses does so in an open bar environment that's visible in the main room. The meat was really fresh and tasted perfect. My second course was the Squid Ink Tagliolini, Crabmeat, Preserved Lemon, Scallions, Jalapeno. I could not eat this fast enough! The pasta was made with the squid ink and was a little smaller in size than fettuccine. The crab meat was as expected and the jalapeno was present but not overbearing. Everything just meshed so well, it was quite impressive. The Third course was Grilled Tilefish, Shrimp, Calamari, Fennel, Squid Ink butter Sauce. I kept the squid ink theme going with this one! The tilefish was excellent, my first time trying it. Not too fishy and a great, moist texture. The addition of the calamari and shrimp were perfect and just enough in portion. For dessert I had Gianduja Torta, Hazelnut Buttercream, Ganache, Frangelico Chip Gelato. I wish I had taken a picture of this one because words do it no justice. If this is ever on the menu, please indulge yourself! I was incredibly impressed with this restaurant. The attention to detail in every aspect was noted and appreciated. They do a wonderful job here. I can't wait to return again.
(4)
Niran A.

Harbor East is quickly becoming the launching point for national chefs to enter the Baltimore dining scene. Leading the charge is Cindy Wolf, a Baltimore chef with many restaurants throughout the area. Her latest rendering is the rustic, yet elegant Italian kitchen known as Cinghiale. The dÃ©cor features rich woods, iron chandeliers, white linen and wine bottles displayed throughout the restaurant. The salumeria in the middle of the restaurant immediately draws you in with its aromas of cured meats and vegetables. The menu has many options of modern Italian cuisine and is cleverly organized in a prix fixe manner. There is a $29 per person three course prix fixe menu, which features several rustic appetizers and entrees plus a dessert. I'm sure the items on this menu are delicious; however, I encourage diners to splurge on the $62 four course prix fixe menu which is much more unique and expansive. The wine list is over ten pages long with wines exclusively from Italy. We eventually chose a wine from the Colosi vineyard in Sicily; a wine that our waiter suggested was comparable to a spicy cabernet. Once you settle in you are welcomed with warm, fresh, homemade focaccia bread, accompanied with the most delectable olive oil you will ever taste. We started off with a chef's selection charcuterie platter - featuring a large quantity of spicy salami, smoky prosciutto and some another fatty pork meat, all of which were truly delicious. The sweet corn chowder is a work of art as it comes to the table, at which point the waiter pours the rich soup onto the gnocchi, parmesan crisp and morel mushrooms. The soup had a velvety texture with a natural sweetness from the local corn. The parmesan crisp provided the perfect saltiness to the dish, with the mushrooms providing an earthiness to an otherwise very rich dish. The pasta dishes were completely homemade but were truthfully the low point of an otherwise amazing meal. We ordered the spaghetti chittara with lobster and the sausage-filled tortellini. The spaghetti had a nice chew and texture but the tomato sauce wasn't mind blowing while the lobster was under seasoned. The sausage filling in the tortellini was very tasty with accents of rosemary, but was way too salty - even for my palette. The tortellini itself was a bit too "al-dente", which ruined the dish. The main courses however more than compensated for the mediocre pasta dishes. My girlfriend ordered the grilled duck with sweet corn polenta and grilled peaches. The duck was beautifully cooked to medium rare with the skin being rendered crispy. The polenta made for a perfect bite with the meaty duck, while the peaches were a nice palette cleanser between the other two rich components of the dish. I ordered the John Dory, which is apparently a weird looking white flesh, flaky flat fish. The generous portioned filet was seared until the skin became cracker-like while the flesh was still juicy and pearly white. The shaved celery with Italian olive oil on top was an unlikely perfect combination. The roasted potato salad with olives was also nicely prepared, but I wish the potatoes were a bit crispier. The fish really was amazing though and I am glad that I had ordered it, as I was very hesitant at first. All in all, our meal at Cinghiale was a unique dining experience with some amazing food. The food is beautifully crafted and presented in an elegant setting near the water. It is nice to know that Baltimore can still have fine dining of this caliber without having celebrity chefs buzzing to open a new restaurant on our waterfront. Well done Cindy Wolf, well done.
(5)
Stephanie P.

My date and I dined here tonight for a leisurely two hours. WE had a reservation and were seated in a comfortable corner table. It was busy and lively, but not too loud. The menu is organized and the waitstaff knowledgeable. Our primary server managed his 5 minute introduction to the food/their approach to food without tacit discomfort or yawns. He was able to supply the region and year for each wine provided along with a description of its taste and defining features. We were neither overattended nor underattended - which for a meal of this difficulty and detail is a tough balance to secure. Rather than ending with it, we started with cheese - a three milk robiola (heaven), a pecorino and a "lucifero" -a spiced and creamy blue. We ordered from the four-course menu with wine pairings. I will definitely return for the more rustic menu options (particularly after seeing so many rave after the lasagne) - but if you're gonna go all out, go all out, eh? I had the spinach salad (with toasted pistachios and roasted beets and spinach that didn't taste like it'd been in a plastic bag in a walkin for a few weeks), the squid ink farfarelle (drop everything and go there now and order this dish - you will lick the sauce from the plate), and the seared tuna with parsnips. For dessert I had an apple tart with gelato and biscotti. My date had celery root salad, butternut squash risotto, sirloin with turnips, and panna cotta with pumpkin gelato- all amazing. While I felt the comforting presence of a centralized charcuterie station, I wasn't quite starving enough to start my meal that way. Next time, for sure. The presence of pork honoring was enough. I've rarely dined in an environment where timing, perfectly attentive service, and unimpeachable quality married together. And you tell me, again, this restaurant is in Baltimore? Where I've lived for ten years? And I haven't eaten there before tonight? I'm finally starting to see Harbor East through a more flattering lens than pesky, overblown and damn inappropriate gentrification.
(5)
Nathan C.

The big problem with Cinghiale, aside from trying to remember how to spell it on a mobile device, is that the menu is not your friend. There's just way too much stuff on there that all looks equally good, and there's no possible way to try it all. We dropped in as a party of three and all ordered off the prezzo fisso menu, which gets you either antipasti (appetizer) or charcuterie (plate of cured meat), a first and second course, and dessert. We all ended up ordering different items, and shared around bites -- a good strategy, it turns out. Between us for starters, we had the speck, grilled octopus, and cured Norwegian steelhead served on a chilled poached egg. Sounds weird, but it was good - not quite cured salmon, but similar enough. The grilled octopus, however, was outstanding. Not for those who freak out about tentacles, though. The speck (and most other charcuterie plates) are way bigger than you'd think. Next up: risotto with lamb ragu, tortellini stuffed with prosciutto, and something with beets and lobsters that I can't remember how to spell. The stuffed tortellini were the standout here - we all could have eaten nothing but those and left happy. The second and final main course was beef shortribs (incredible and tender), wagyu sirloin (delicious) and duck margret (medium-rare and perfect). Winners all around. The desserts here are likewise decadent - but don't miss the panna cotta. If you can swing it, and have a designated driver, get the wine pairing. They really know their spoiled grape juice here, and will match each course (including dessert) with an excellent wine. While not quite as pricey as Charleston (which is like saying "it's not as far away as the moon") it's not a budget restaurant. Even going cheap here is going to hit you at about $40 a head, and going expensive gets into the $75-$100 range. A great experience all around.
(5)
Donald P.

It doesn't get better than this Restaurant in service from the time you drop off your car with complimentary valet service to gelato for dessert. It radiates hours of teaching and employee service training in a comfortable formal setting. Tables are sufficiently spaced to allow and open feeling for all. Menu is varied from grilled rabbit livers, sweetbreads to duck eggs. Not to worry, there is also traditional Italian menu!! The Lasagna, Shrimp Pasta, Skirt Steak, and Tile Fish were excellent at our table. You are offered a la carte special menu and $29 price fix menu to suit all culinary tastes and pocketbooks. The only negative I could think about was the noise level at peak in the main dining room. (It really wasn't that unusual) This restaurant is now ranked in my two favorites in Baltimore.The Other is the Prime Rib (downtown). Don't miss visiting Cinghiale!
(5)
Lena H.

Cinghiale has been one of our favorite restaurants in the city for several years. The food is consistently delicious. We never miss getting a plate of salumi. I especially love the finocchiona and the plate always comes with a delicious pickle of something seasonal. The starters are always delicious. We especially loved the foie gras and the fennel soup during our last visit. But, by far, the best part of Cinghiale is the pasta. The squid ink pasta with ruby shrimp and bottarga tasted like the ocean. I want to eat it every day.
(5)
Jan T.

After recently receiving some more welcome news it was finally time to celebrate, and what better way to do this than to go out for a fancy dinner at a new spot that has been on the radar for quite some time. Cinghiale is an upscale Italian restaurant in Baltimore's most trendy of foodie neighborhoods, Harbor East. Nestled right against the shores of the Inner Harbor (with an embankment that prevented it from flooding on Sunday, fortunately), the restaurant offers all the conveniences that a Baltimore foodie is getting used to now (nice views, FREE valet, umbrellas). The look of the restaurant is classic Italian and could technically be transplanted to any harborside European city. Wood paneling, wine bottles lining the falls, dark chairs and white table clothes, massive windows facing out onto the street, all very nice. It's an open area, so I would imagine it can get a little boisterous during rush hours, but that too is an Italian staple. The food was excellent. There are actually two choices on offer, a Prezzo Fisso menu of 4 courses for $62 ($92 with wine pairing), and a more casual Cucina Della Nonna menu for $29, which includes 3 courses from a separate menu. This being a celebratory occassion, all dishes were chosen from the more formal menu. I began my meal with the Speck from Sudtirol with Local Peaches, this being a favorite from the old country. The speck was excellent, well flavored and drizzled with just a little oil to enhance the flavor. The texture, especially when combined with the peaches, was exquisite. For the pasta course, that most difficult of Italian tests, gnocchi. In this iteration, the gnocchi were served with pesto, pignoli, and heirloom tomato. As other posters have gone on about, there are standards to a good gnocchi, and, at least to my palette, the restaurant met them head on and exceeded them. A formidable blending of flavors that was tasty without being heavy, with just the right portion size. The secondi dish of choice was a Wagyu sirloin steak, cooked mid-rare and sliced on the plate, layered over grilled eggplant and served with a tomato marmaletta. While there were slight style points here, since the knife given with dinner is not quite heavy enough to easily cut steak, the food itself was delicious. Cut just right, and once again light and texturally well composed. The dessert here was that Italian classic, Tiramisu. As with everything else, it was well done. The drinks selection is quite good. We started with a cocktail, with my having a Cinghiale 75 (a variation on the gin and tonic using Hendricks), and then each chose wine from the extensive (16 pages of bottles plus glasses) wine menu, foregoing the wine pairing due to the delightful deluge of Sunda's sunny weather forecast. Dessert was accompanied by a Fernet Branca and a cup of strong, but pleasant, coffee. Overall an excellent restaurant for special occassions that is worth every penny spent. I would come again anytime.
(5)
Sean U.

BANGIN!!! $29 Prix Fix menu is the truth!!
(5)
Ina C.

4.5 stars. Cinghiale for me is one of a small handful of restaurants that I can rely on to give me consistently delicious and inventive food and superb service. I've been here no less than half a dozen times in the past year, and every time I have been more than pleased. First thing that you must know: FREE VALET PARKING. Street parking isn't that hard in this area, but why try? Okay, so the food. My standby is the gnocchi. What else is there to compare perfect gnocchi to than a pillow? How about a Tempurpedic(R) pillow?? Aha! If you love thumb-print sized mounds of light potato, you will love Cinghiale's gnocchi. They've definitely taken advantage of the season's bounty with their limited-time heirloom tomato salad with an unexpected gorgonzola cheese and other simple and fresh ingredients. I've followed the recommendation of my favorite server, James, and he's never steered me wrong. The staff here know and love the food, and it shows. And yes, they have more than just gnocchi and tomatoes. Another great thing about the menu is that the pasta dishes come in full and half portions, and you also have the option of ordering a four courses for $62. This is a STEAL. So get the girls, the family graduation party, the boyfriend, the in-laws... and take them to an impressive, satisfying, and delicious meal at my favorite restaurant in Baltimore, Cinghiale.
(4)
Madeline A.

I'm not sure if everything I ate was vegan, although the server said it was. Regardless, my pasta was delicious. The bread was delicious. I don't think there was anything I tried that wasn't impressive. Our server was very friendly and accommodating too. The atmosphere is high class and our table had a view of the water. I would certainly go back...and probably bring my parents (:
(4)
Gerard R.

Beautiful restaurant with great staff. Just went there for wonderful event over the weekend and the restaurant was super nice and very accomodating. A+++ service. The food was nothing special, especially for the price. Portions were average to small. There is no excuse I can fathom for charging $30+ for housemade pasta dishes. Very few of the fancy italian restaurants out in Los Angeles charge this much. I didn't taste anything special to justify the prices here in Baltimore. Their sister restaurant across the street Charleston is extraordinary, and Chef Cindy Wolf does an amazing job there. Cinghiale felt a bit disappointing. Oh, and the secondi were not very italian at all. I don't understand at all. Very confusing for a osteria. I had the skirt steak and it was tasty, but unfortunately it was lukewarm to cold. Again, just a bit lame for a restaurant charging $$$$. And $32 skirt steak with no veggies is awfully high for that cut which is tasty but let's be honest, it's a cheap cut of meat that's become popular because it's tasty but more affordable. I would go back to Charleston over coming here. Beautiful decor btw. Valet is complimentary.
(2)
Nichole B.

I had the liberty of dining at Chingale for Restaurant Week for the summer, so I decided to take full advantage of the discounted pricing for the week. And I am so glad that I had the chance to do so. I chose the tomato heirloom salad that was served with 3 different types of heirloom tomatoes, arugula and basil and drizzled with a delicious virgin olive oil called Sportoletti and the dish also came with a nice portion of Gorgonzola cheese that had this very nice kick to the appetizer. The entree that I chose was the pan seared Norwegian Steelhead that sat on top of a delicious eggplant puree along with Hen of the Woods Mushrooms and a Tomato Vinaigrette . Now when I ordered my steelhead, our waiter for the evening Sam, who was excellent and knowledgeable mind you, informed me that the Steelhead is normally prepared medium rare in the center ( pretty much a sushi style). So I ordered cooked fully and I was very satisfied. The Hens of The Woods Mushrooms was also a nice touch to the meal as well. Overall: The service was stellar as usual, again our server Sam went above and beyond to make our dining experience a most enjoyable one. He recommended good cocktails, the Chingale 75 is my favorite because it has prosecco and Hendricks gin. I will always recommend Chingale to any of my friends that want to experience amazing food, excellent service, and a great staff. Also the valet parking is complimentary. On Tuesday nights, Chingale offers half priced bottle of wine night. I highly recommend any of the restaurants in the Wolfe/Forman group for special occasions or if you want to take your significant other for a nice meal. And if by chance I highly recommend that you acquire your server to be Sam. He was my server for the evening and I was not disappointed. He is very knowledgeable about the dishes and the wines as well. You will not be dissapoionted
(5)
Suzanne J.

So we're almost regulars here, thanks to their weekly Cellar Raid - 50% of all bottles on their wine list on Tuesdays, seriously. This offer makes bottles very affordable to us that usually aren't and I can say with confidence that I've never had a bad wine recommendation here. We usually pop by and get the 3-course prix fixe menu ($39/person) and a bottle, and are always well satisfied. My weaknesses are the antipasti selections, salumi and the always rich Primi selections (pasta varieties) which you can order by half or full sizes. The wait staff always remind me that the half portion is on the smaller side, but my rebuttal is that they are the perfect portion served after an appetizer/antipasti, they are rich and always sauced well. I've found them to be the perfect size. The second best thing...if you find that you can't finish your bottle of wine in house, they'll cork it up for you and you can take it home, I love it. Go casual in the Enoteca (wine bar) or dress up for the Osteria (more formal dining room), both feature the same menu.
(4)
Albert G.

The food was very good (though potions were rather small), the wine list was nice, and the service and ambience were excellent. However this place is fairly pricey & upscale, so not what you would consider your typical homegrown Italian restaurant.
(4)
Nina P.

This was not my first trip to Cinghiale, nor will it be my last. I will give them another chance. The sea urchin panne cotta was AMAZING, delicate creamy and beautifully presented. My next dish was a pork belly, so salty that I had to send it back. So I ordered something I thought would be quick so as not to have a dinner companion staring at an empty plate--pasta carbonara. Back came the pork belly dressed up as coldish lardons. The cold egg yolk sitting on top of the pasta eyed me warily--and I it. No pepper no Parmesan. And the spaghetti so salty that I and the yolk stared at each other in disbelief... back went that mess. Our server had three tables in our immediate vicinity. She did a good job. I over-tipped and wished her well.
(3)
Jeanie T.

My boyfriend and I went here for our 6th year anniversary. Since it was our first time here, we had trouble finding the place because the name sign was not displayed as big as we had hoped.There is free valet parking available but unfortunately we missed out on it because we couldn't find the place for a while. After being warmly greeted and sat, we enjoyed the rest of our evening from there. They gave us a quiet corner table, which I had requested through the reservation.The ambiance was very romantic but it did get a little loud because it was during the dinner rush. I would like to say first off that the our server, Jessica, was excellent in explaining the menu as well as suggesting some of her favorite dishes. I am not a big wine drinker but she recommended some sparkling wine to start our dinner off that was perfect to my liking. My boyfriend also got a drink called the Rubino, which he liked but was too strong for me. The meals came out fairly quick and we enjoyed the majority of the dishes. We each decided to go with the prezzo fisso which is a 4-course meal that basically included an appetizer, 2 main courses, and dessert for $59.00. The online menu is somewhat different from the menu in the restaurant, some of the dishes that we ate may not be there next time. My boyfriend decided to get the grilled calamari, a pasta stuffed with lamb, the pan-seared scallops, and the dark chocolate brownie for dessert. The calamari was so soft and tender with a little spicy kick to it, I believe this was his favorite dish out of the entire 4 courses. The pasta was cooked beautifully with tomatoes the ground up lamb inside was perfect -- not too salty. The scallops were so sweet and tender, it was paired with a creamy, sweet corn polenta i believe. Those were my favorite and I wish i had gotten that instead of my dish. Finally, the the dark chocolate brownie was served with some ice cream. My boyfriend enjoyed this as well, but the brownie was a little too thick for my liking. I decided to try the foie gras ($6.00 upcharge), the lobster risotto, the veal shortrib, and the tiramisu. I have always been curious about foie gras and when I saw it on the menu, I thought it would be a perfect time to try. It is basically fat liver that is cooked to have a crispy layer on top. It with the pair with a sweet pear that was stuffed with crushed ameretto cookies, the sweet and salty combination was divine! The dish had the best presentation out of all of my dishes. The lobster risotto was made with big chunks of lobster that was cooked to perfection on top of a creamy, buttery, lemon chive risotto. Words cannot possibly describe how delicious this dish was but I can safely say that this was my FAVORITE dish. After our huge meal, I still wanted to order another big bowl of this, but I refrained. My next dish was the veal shortrib with olive oil crushed potato. I didn't enjoy this dish because of the layer of fat in between the meat. The server did explain that this was there but I didn't think it would make me as nauseous as I was. The rib was tough to cut on the top and a bit underseasoned in my opinion. Finally, the tiramisu came out and I was super excited. It was served in a martini glass and was dusted with chocolate powder. It tasted like creamy, tiramisu goodness but as amazing as it was, I couldn't finish it. As an anniversary gift, Jessica brought out a scoop of caramel gelato and coffee gelato which was super thoughtful and delicious. Overall, my boyfriend and I enjoyed our time and would love to come back (when we can afford it) again one day. Thank you Cinghiale for making it special =).
(5)
Cindy Z.

Cinghiale is a beautiful restaurant. The atmosphere here is definitely high class enough to be worth the price of the food, but also comfortable and warm. Basically, it looks how good, expensive Italian food should taste. I came for Restaurant Week but ended up ordering off their normal $30 prix fixe menu. The appetizer was a variety of brushettas, and let me tell you, these were not your grandmother's standard tomato-balsamic bruschettas. Each had a very unique flavor. Off the top of my head, there was buffalo mozzarella, pecorino with honey, eggplant, and a salmon-like fish tartare. So good! I loved how it gave you the chance to taste a little of everything. For the main course I had veal tagliatelle. Delicious. The noodles were soft and clearly house made, and it was sauced like an Italian pasta--not drowned like an American one. For dessert, a chocolate panna cotta with nectarines. The chocolate was very rich and not too sweet. Of course, they have free bread--a focaccia and some rustic loaf with a dark brown crust. The olive oil the bread was served with...well let's just say olive oil that looks so beautiful has to taste just as amazing. Our server was very attentive. We asked him once for more bread, and each subsequent time the basket was empty, he brought out more without being asked (we ate a lot of bread!) Drinks were constantly refilled, and they stopped by to ask how everything with doing enough times to make me feel taken care of, but not annoyed. And they have FREE VALET! They have a dressy room and a casual room, so you can wear whatever you like to dine at this fine establishment.
(5)
Richard L.

If you are going to eat Italian and you are going to spend money, there's a lot of things you could do. You could fly to Italy and eat a terrible pizza on the steps of the Duomo while young italian men yell "quanta costa bella ragazza" at your girl, or you could borrow money from the mafia and probably get to eat some delicious spaghetti with a home made ragu garnished with a bullet in your brain, or you could go to Cinghiale. I was recently here with my family and the dinner was excellent. Of particular note would be the poached egg appetizer, and the olives. Dear god the olives taste like no other olives I have ever seen, fat and juicy, the scent simply overpowering and incredibly juicy when bitten. The olive oil is the bright grass green of true EVOO, and tastes divine. The bread is fantastic. On to the main courses. I would point out the pork belly is a creation by the hand of fate itself, thousands of years of pig domestication leading up to the moment you bite into it - part of it crispy like bacon, part smooth like rilettes. It is a moment that stays in your mind and preoccupies you - gentlemen with your wives/girlfriends, please note you will pay even less attention to the picture your significant other is showing you on her iphone 4S(white version obviously) because you will instead be dreaming of marrying the pork belly and moving to an island country where you can ravish said pork belly every night like a coastline is ravished in a Bronte novel. The Dom Perignon was excellent as it should be. The 1998 Barolo was expertly double decanted to remove sediment and the flavor noticeably improved because of it. The Sommelier brought over some 50 year old bottles that had been consumed at a private tasting even a few days before, and I asked how I could get invited to such an event. he gave me that awkward laugh people give when asked to do something distasteful and I understood. It didn't matter. On e va, mi famiglia. The pasta was of course fresh and handcut in a boar ragu. Wonderful. I simply have one more thing to note. Why are you still reading this and not getting a table right now?
(5)
Rob N.

The Enoteca (where we dined) is an impressive, smart, casual space. With a long, dark wood wine bar at the back, Italian marble flooring, and burnished earth and metallic tones, it's warm and inviting for what really is a large open space with lots of hard surfaces. The charcuterie at Cinghiale is excellent - I love bresaola, and made sure we got some, but a fennel salami and buttery, sweet wild-boar prosciutto stole the show. Our party got down to noshing on lovely, lovely pork and beef bits with a bottle of Uva di Troia from Puglia, an assertive, tannic red that went well with fatty cured meats. Dinner went down well with everyone, even with a last-minute substitution for a rabbit confit that the kitchen was out of. Gnocchi with mushrooms and cheese was hearty comfort food, seared medium-rare duck with preserved cherries was excellent on a cold December evening, grilled rockfish was prepared well and pleasantly presented. The winter squash ravioli combined salty, sweet, and savory, and the beef tenderloin is a satisfactory cut for any steak fan. All were cheerfully consumed without complaint. I've been waiting to get here for some time, and wasn't disappointed in the least. It's a nice space, service is good, the food is very good, the wine list is excellent, and the fixed-price multi-course menu option that allows you to put together your own Antipasti, Primi, Secondi, and Dolce for a base $59 a person is genius (some dishes have upcharges, which are spelled out on the menu). Typically, the fixed price option is limited to a handful of choices - here, the entire menu is at your disposal. Fantastic! Only a couple of small mis-steps: Just because the check's arrived doesn't mean we're ready to hop in the car. The valet stand had my car up for at least 15 minutes before we were ready to walk out the door, while we were still finishing dessert and coffee in fact, and it seemed to be in the way while they dealt with other diners. On arrival, we were shown to a four-top booth for five people, three of which were not small guys, and had to ask to be relocated to an open table, which seemed to catch the hostess off guard. Cinghiale also suffers from the "big food, small tabletop" problem, at least in the Enoteca, where the dishes and glasses always seem crowded. Foreman and Wolf have a winning strategy for their restaurants, and it shows here.
(4)
Michael W.

This place is fantastic. The foie gras was out of this world and just absurdly large. Honestly it's almost too much but it was just too tasty to stop eating. I thought I made some pretty sick risotto at home but they put me in my place. Still, it is extraordinarily pricey so it's definitely a special occasion type of place.
(5)
Scott B.

There's something about this place... I enjoyed my meal a lot, the service was good, wine plentiful, but there was just something that irked me here. Maybe I was too hungry & was expecting more; who knows. At the end of the day the food is definitely good, it just didnt blow me away like it did for most other Yelpers. I found most of the items that I tried to be very good, but just not spectacular. Maybe that's my gripe here. Or maybe it was the fact that I left there hungry still as the portions left more to be desired size wise. My one takeaway was that the salami from the assorted meats platter left a lasting impression.
(3)
Daniel P.

For the amount of money i spent here, i definitely expected better. I went with a few friends and we all got separate things. Their menu consists of either a 4 course or 3 course menu, and i got the 3 course one. The first was a bruscetta platter with different toppings. One was literally a piece of bread with 6 green peas on it. The duck deviled eggs was very good, but the other 7 were forgettable. My main dish, a pasta dish with chicken confit, was good but too salty. The dessert, a strawberry rhubarb pie-like dessert with strawberry sorbet, was good but too sweet. It took all three of us to finish it. My friend's dish, however, was what really brought down the stars. She got a pasta dish with squash blossom and truffles. The waiters sold it really well, that the blossoms were in season and it was a light summer dish. However, the blossoms (all two really small flowers the size of my pinky) tasted like napa cabbage,and the truffles tasted like unsalted potato. And the pasta itself was very unflavored. For what we paid for the meal, i definitely did not think it was worth it. Don't go if you can't afford to spend 50-100$ a meal. There are much better baltimore fine dining places around!
(2)
Sonya A.

Need a developed tongue... Large plates and small servings but very unique.
(4)
Casey J.

No thanks, I'd rather microwave ramen. Ok, I expect to pay a premium price at such a place based on the location and the presentation, but this place is geographically confused...they are in downtown Baltimore, not exclusive parts of Paris or Rome. The food presentation felt contrived and had little to offer. I'm not a fan of large portions because it's a waste and is unhealthy. This place takes it to a new level with small portions. I ordered tortellini, which came with nothing else because that, of course, costs extra. Once my food arrived, my eyes about shot out of my head because there were only 3 tiny tortellini on the massive plate. They were stacked in a majestic pyramid all of 2 inches high, which, I'm sure, took great effort by the chef to assemble. After getting over my initial shock, I tasted the molecular sized bits of pasta. If you were to purchase a similar bag at a warehouse membership store, you'd encounter the same taste. Where this place lacks in stomach satisfying food, it makes up with atmosphere. It's a nice place, but it's certainly not for the 99% types who aren't anorexic.
(1)
Meribeth G.

Here for business so sat at the bar, great atmosphere!!!! Bar staff helpful on selecting great wine choices for food!!! Had the grilled octopus with chili olive oil so amazing!!!! Enjoyed the rabbit gnocchi without the truffle oil...a bit salty but very good!! Would have enjoyed more with friends but nice at the bar to eat alone! Across from water, great location!!!!
(4)
Abi B.

What a wonderful experience. The food was to die for and the waiter was top notch- very helpful at explaining the extensive menu. Great fancy night out on the town.
(4)
- J - -.

Restaurant week review: Being new to Baltimore, there are still many restaurants I have yet to try, so Restaurant week was good. I think the portions were perfect and that my soup, pasta, and desert were very nice. I think Restaurant week is a rip-off at many places, but here it felt well worth it. Allergy rating: 5 stars. The server was VERY attentive to my request to put it on the ticket and thanked me for mentioning it. I really appreciate service like that. The drinks were nice, though I find that wine list daunting (waitress helped with that) and the begging for more olive oil for the bread felt slightly absurd. If you're only going to give a tiny dab, just put a bowl on the table with a spoon or something. Asking for olive oil is silly. ANd I was aching to see some black cracked people but never got to. All in all, good experience. Would like to go back.
(4)
Adam A.

We ate at the Enoteca. Delicious food and excellent service. Would go back for sure. We tried several pasta dishes and all were good many were excellent. Other entrees, appetizers and desserts were great too. The service was outstanding and when someone in our party left something behind at the restaurant they immediately said they'd mail it to us out-of-towners. Thanks again.
(5)
Susan F.

I am somewhat of a food expert and love to share my positive restaurant experiences on Yelp and unfortunately today I have a major complaint. I ate at Cinghiale last week and was extremely disappointed. I purposely selected this restaurant since I had an incredible meal at Pazo thanks to Chef Wolf & Tony Foreman. The tides turned on me and every part of our meal failed. The pasta was gummy, the chicken was overcooked, the tiramisu was dry, the food wasn't served hot and the portions were ridiculously small. We had to order three more main entrees just to finish feeding our party of seven. On top of it, the service was also slow. Wow - to spend over $360.00 and walk away hungry and not satisfied - a waste of out money and time. I will make sure I read all the Yelp reviews next time I come to Baltimore to avoid making another Cinghiale mistake!! Looks like I share the same sentiment with many others.
(2)
Asam S.

This is a restaurant which makes you feel special from start to finish. The service is outstanding--the staff knows how to fuss over you without making you feel pressured. The salads and cheese plates were incredible and the main dishes were superb. The portions seemed to be 'just right' as well. For dessert, I tasted the tiramisu and gelato--both those desserts were AMAZING! This restaurant is perfect for just about any special occasion one can imagine.
(5)
Jennifer C.

Went to Cinghiale last night for dinner. Greeted nicely and seated quickly, waiter was a little off. We would ask for things and he would forget to bring them. We were slightly pressured to order more food than we really wanted, and sure enough when we got the smaller amount of food it was plenty. The ambiance is very nice, and it is pretty fairly priced for the quality of food. Our favorite dishes were the pork belly and the sausage stuffed cannelloni. I wouldn't say I was blown away by the food but I would return!
(4)
Kimberly C.

Came with a friend to catch up on a Thursday night. Perfect for catching up with a friend, romantic night out with the significant other, or even a large group get together. Ambience: Glass wines on the table, old Italian fans on the ceilings, and other antiques throughout. An antipasto bar in the middle and signed wine bottles throughout... even the floor was gorgeous :P Service: Attentive and they treat you like first- class. If you're wearing a coat, they take it and hang it for you. Host and wait staff are incredibly friendly, even willing to describe the entire menu if you wanted. Price: There are two "fixed price" menu options. The higher-tier is a $60 4 course menu and the lower tier is a $30 3 course menu. You can also go a la carte and pick + choose what you want off the menu. Pasta dishes go up to $18 and entrees can go up to $30. Food: Went with the $30 3-course menu. First course is a sampling of 5 different bruschettas with toppings such as riccotta + sea salt, brussel sprouts + bacon, and even rabbit liver with an onion jam. Got the lasagna which was GOOD. Perfect balance of meat/sauce, salty/sweet, and a little cream/cheese- and the pasta itself! So crisp + tender.. i could go on and on. And then of course comes the dessert which was excellent as well.
(5)
Bruce D.

Food was all well prepared. Wreckfish and Hangar steak entrees were both delicious. Tuna Tartare Puttanesca app was just average - not much flavor - Puttanesca was not a "sauce" and should have had a bit more spice. Heirloom tomatoes app was simple and delightful. Tiramisu was very good but not outstanding but the Panna Cotta was superb. Service was spotty even on a slow Monday night. Waiter tried to tell me the Smirnoff for the Cosmopolitan was a gin, not a vodka (clearly he needs some education) and getting his attention was a challenge. Tables for two are only banquette seating so I definitely would not go there on a busy night as we would end up sitting closer to other couples than to each other. Valet parking is complimentary - nice touch but dinner with only two drinks was $143 plus tip.
(4)
Bob S.

Our son who lives in Baltimore treated us to dinner here on Saturday night. The food and service are top-notch. The interior is expansive and very well done. The restaurant is divided in to 3 sections. One is a large wine bar entrance as you enter. There are two private dining areas off to either side. (Reservations for the dining areas are almost a must.) Cinghiale is located right across the street from its sister restaurant, Charleston, also a great to place we've been to. The menu has 2 options; "Prezzo Fisso" a four course meal, and a more casual and rustic menu known as "La Cucina della Nonna," or Grandmother's Kitchen. The three of opted for the Grandmother's and were delighted we did. This includes a 6 piece bruschetta starter with various toppings . We each chose a different pasta dish. The lasgna is very rich.
(4)
Heather C.

I had such high expectations for Cinghiale but unfortunately it just didn't quite cut it. We sat in the bar area which is a bit more casual, but I would still except the service to be of superior quality as the prices are no less in the bar than in the more formal dining area. Unfortunately our server seemed quite inexperienced... I asked about the gnocchi... as I've mentioned in other posts, I am picky about gnocchi and only choose to order it if it is likely to not be like eating a lead bullet. I asked our server about the gnocchi and all he could really tell me was that it was heavy. As I tried to explain that I was wanting to know more about the weight of each gnocchi, and not about the fullness of the dish, he continued to state it's really heavy but it's in a pesto. In addition to asking specifically about the gnocchi itself, I told him I was vegetarian and asked about some good options, indicating I don't eat fish either. He suggested the gnocchi and another dish. I asked if the risotto was made with chicken broth - after checking he indicated it was. So ultimately I ordered the gnocchi - after all this is supposed to be one of the best restaurants in Baltimore. Also got the arugula salad. My husband had the watermelon carpaccio and the spaghetti alla chitarra. The salad was quite good, with fresh apricots. The watermelon carpaccio was also very tasty - good flavor combination. A nice foccaccia with olive oil is served complimentary. The gnocchi itself did not disappoint... it was very nice consistency. However, the pesto itself was completely bland - no flavor at all. For me there are two parts to pasta dishes... the pasta itself which must be done well, but ultimately is just a conduit for the sauce and/or accoutrements (veggies, seafood, meat, etc). Here, the sauce was just not good. It needed more salt... most likely in the form of more parmigianno reggiano. To top it off, the server asked how the gnocchi was to which I responded it was what I was looking for. He then told me there was anchovy juice in the pesto as well. Hmmm... we had already had a whole discussion about how I was vegetarian! My husband said his spaghetti was very good - al dente and flavorful. But ultimately, for the prices here, the food should be top notch along with very knowledgeable service. With this disappointing experience, combined with the high prices and the very small number of vegetarian options, it's not a place I would visit again. Prices to reference: one bottle of wine, two pasta dishes (one full size and one half size) and two salads... with tip $125.
(2)
S G.

Beautiful setting on the harbor, inside and out. Wait staff and service are impeccable. Appreciated complimentary valet parking. Food was fresh and creative but classic. Salumeria - fantastic. Fois gras- amazing. Sausage and sage stuffed metzaluna were wonderful. All five of us were delighted. Great place for a special evening.
(4)
Stephen R.

Great atmosphere, service is outstanding and the food is excellent. I would recommend the prosciutto app, leg of lamb, and the risotto was excellent. The service was just outstanding. When ordering wine, the server actually tasted it for you and then pours you the tasting...pretty cool, never saw it before, I thought she was gonna pull up a chair and start drinking with us. Anyways, very elegant, sophisticated place. Would go to again.
(4)
Valerie R.

I decided to splurge on the last night of my business trip and check out Cinghiale. I'd heard about the three-course meal for $29, but once my eyes got a glimpse of the selections on the four-course meal for $59 ($89 with wine pairings), I was hooked. I opted for the wine pairings since I have trouble making those kind of decisions and I'm glad I did - they gave me a card with the wine selections on it so I could remember what I had and what I'd liked. My first course was the fois gras, and it was phenomenal. It was seared to perfection, and the chanterelle mushrooms and fried quail egg complemented it wonderfully. It was a $6 upcharge, but well worth it. The next course was the risotto with the veal. All my friends tasted it and fell in love with it, too. It was creamy and rich and the veal provided just the right amount of heartiness. After that, I had the chicken saltimbocca. It was unlike any other I'd had, which are usually slathered with cheese and meat and gravy. The chicken breast was wrapped in proscuitto, which was crispy and fantastic. I'm not even sure there was cheese in anything but it didn't need it - the flavor was intense and the textures were amazing. Other people raved about the panna cotta with the salted caramel, and it's definitely worthy of raving! As for the service and atmosphere, both were very good. It felt a little rushed at times, but then again, we were 30 minutes late due to traffic. The enoteca was loud and relaxed, and I loved being surrounded by all the wine bottles. I thought the carved stone sinks in the restrooms were fabulous. I would come here again in a heartbeat!
(5)
Rick M.

Food was fantastic. Wine list was extensive although only Italians. Service was so attentive it was borderline overwhelming. Timing was perfect.
(5)
Dave B.

Great ambiance, food and service. We rarely get desert, but this time we ordered a Chocolate Mousse and Tiramisu.....both were fantastic!
(4)
Jerry D.

Lived up to all reviews. Four courses with wine pairings. The foie gras was superb and the sweetbreads were perfect. Service was excellent without being over bearing. Can't wait to get back to Baltimore.
(5)
Catherine A.

Fabulous wine selection - service was top notch...one of Baltimore's finer restaurants near the harbor.
(4)
DÃ©sirÃ©e B.

Great choice for a new years eve dinner! Food came out just above room temperature (i.e. warm but not hot) so we could experience the flavors that much more intimately. My boyfriend and I LOVE food and eating out but we're not particularly foodies as we prefer hole-in-the-wall establishments over fine dining - but we both agreed Cinghiale was a nice treat. I still keep thinking of the fois gras melting in my mouth, the earthiness of the snales/mushroom pasta dish, and the delicious pairing of braised lamb, yogurt, and couscous! So yeah, not something I would imagine as typically Italian, but delicious nonetheless. My only complaint is that I did feel a little rushed, but I guess that it's better than being ignored?
(4)
Ryan D.

"Tastes like Tuscany" Cinghiale is italian for wild boar. It's a staple in most dishes in Firenze (Florence). We visited here with family, they were able to sit a table of 12 on a Saturday night (with little notice) which was outstanding. The cuisine here is northern Italian, Florentine specifically. Don't come here looking for chicken or veal parm or spaghetti and meats balls. It would be like going into a Tex-Mex restaurant and asking for clam chowder. That being said- we have been to Florence recently, and felt like we got transported to a Trattoria in Tuscany- it was quite authentic and gourmet. We got the fixed price menus and were very happy. They offer a 3 course prix fixe and 5 course. The wine list was extensive with of course and excellent assortment wines (mostly Italian) on other website here- perhaps people didn't get what they were expecting? Anyways, we thoroughly enjoyed our dining experience. Service: Very good esp for 12 people. Atmosphere:Excellent, romantic. Value:Average- wasn't a bargain-but I did think this was foodie level dining. Verdict: I know we will be returning on future visits to Baltimore
(5)
Telegram S.

We ate the inexpensive "Nonna" fixed menu in the bar section so we maybe didn't get the full experience, but that said, I was really impressed. The place is huge (usually a bad sign in my experience), a little over-done for my taste but not tacky and the booth we were seated in was very comfortable and gave us plenty of privacy despite the hubbub surrounding us. Food was fresh and very well prepared. The set selection of bruschetta was a plate of varied, bite-sized revelations and our pastas were perfectly cooked, simple and delicious, in filling but not ridiculous portions. They had many wines by the glass so I got to try a bunch, which was fun. The server was young and needed a little polish. She was very nice but rushed us through our meal a bit, not in an obnoxious way but because she doesn't really get how to move things along properly. She also insisted on using pretentious Italy-by-way-of-Maryland pronunciations, constantly correcting our own apparently lesser versions. The customer isn't always right, but in this case it would have led to less cringing had she just let it go.
(4)
Bill S.

Great place especially if someone else is paying. The Halibut was to die for. The beet salad was excellent and the presentation was even better. The service was top notch. The atmosphere great. The prices were sky high. The foccai bread round two was under cooked and tasted doughy. Menu incredibly creative. This was the best meal I have had at the nicest restaurant in the last 10 years.
(4)
Alisa K.

Great desserts, entrees -- in both the more casual and the fancier restaurants. I loved the lavender ricotta cheesecake. Great fish selection. Outdoor seating has a nice view of the water. Saw Kima from The Wire here my first night in Baltimore (she was having dinner with someone who looked like he was on the Baltimore City Council) and then she got into a Geo Prism and drove away.
(4)
Tanja P.

Alisha and Robin were super helpful with choosing a good wine and food pairing. Thanks for a great first experience !
(4)
Kristina K.

Though difficult to spell and pronounce, Cinghiale (Ching-aale) features a lovely atmosphere and delicious, albeit pricey, new age Italian food. Curiously, the rating for Cinghiale had to be two tier: Monday through Saturday dinners are a 4-star; Sunday nights are more of a 2-star zone. After experiencing some growing pains, the kitchen here has become consistent: for apps, enjoy the prosciutto or the salame (exact pairings/sides vary), the foie gras (their searing is unbeatable!), and perhaps a cheese plate. For mains, focus on the duck or beef pasta dishes and the risotto (menu changes frequently so one can only generalize about the patterns). Cinghiale has a pastry chef whose amazing baked goods and icecream creations will make you want to lick the delicate little plate. Cinghiale, by the way, is open only for dinner so plan accordingly. Though their dark wood/white table cloth dining area is inviting enough, if the weather cooperates, reserve a table outside. If seasonally appropriate, you might want to partake of such a spot on 4th of July as their Harbor-view location that, reportedly, allows one to see the fireworks. For the best deal, come on a Tuesday night as their entire wine list is half off; this special has changed from going until 7 pm to all night so come thirsty! Look at this as an invitation to branch out to a more expensive wine than you are used to drinking: consider your typical price comfort zone, double the number, and look for a bottle in that price range. Hey, when else are you going to get this opportunity? The knowledgeable somalier will assist you with any questions. A word of warning: whatever you do, don't be tempted by their Sunday supper specials! While the deal of the changing 3-course menu sounds great, these dishes do not live up to their regular standards: meats in the buffet bar were of a different caliber, the pasta was a little off, the dessert only alright, and even the cappuccino-side cookies were dry to an excess. While you would be much better off trying their regular dishes, note that the regular menu is not available on Sundays--so just come another day.
(4)
Rich W.

Cool atmosphere and good service. The food just wasn't very good. Not much else to say. It wasn't good. Won't go back and wouldn't recommend.
(1)
Tara A.

This restaurant ranks up there with Kallie's Court and the other finer dining establishments in the area. I don't think everyone's experience will be the same so I'm not going to go into a lengthy review of what I ate, service, etc. I left feeling pleased and that the experience was well worth it. It can be a little loud. I suggest sitting in the finer dining area. The food was above average but to not the prices are too so I think you get what you pay for.
(4)
Ellen M.

Love it. Ambience so nice, food yummy. Always very happy to eat here. Expensive for what it is, but I still love it because of the great energy of the place.
(5)
Erin J.

We visited on the evening of June 4, and our experience was first-rate: Everything was impeccably served, explained, and presented, and the food was delicious. We especially appreciated assistance from the bartenders and the sommelier in picking out a few wines by the glass and then a bottle for dinner. After a glass of wine at the bar, we sat in the more-formal (white tablecloth) part of the restaurant; there's also outdoor seating and less-formal indoor seating. FOOD: 5 stars out of 5. I did the three-course prix fixe menu, and my husband did the four-course version. Everything--literally everything--was excellent. Between us, we tasted the grilled calamari, the prosciutto tortellini, the lamb, the chef's selection of antipasti, the rich lasagna, the tiramisu, and (I think) the chocolate bonet. We also ordered the robiola bosina cheese. We left full but not uncomfortably so. At $29 and $59 respectively, the prix fixe menus seemed like a great deal. You could eat more inexpensively there, but you would miss out on wonderful flavors and ingredients. SERVICE: 5 stars out of 5. The staff were attentive but not intrusive, and everyone seemed knowledgeable about the food and happy to offer an opinion when asked. Two bartenders helped us find a great bottle of wine (a Mastroberardino Lacryma Christi Del Vesuvio), and the sommelier checked in several times to make sure it was to our liking. Our server Jessica brought me a glass of peachy prosecco with dessert (for my birthday, which was that day). WINE LIST: 5 stars out of 5. The restaurant sells exclusively Italian wines. There's a relatively large and varied selection available by 3-oz and 6-oz tastes, and there are pages and pages and pages of bottles. (I gather that the owners of the restaurant also own two wine shops.) There aren't a lot of budget wines; I think the cheapest red was $29, and prices went up pretty quickly from there. The bottle we bought cost more than we typically spend but was a great fit for us (we like smoky, full-bodied reds with character), so no regrets at all. OVERALL: 5 stars out of 5, without question. Almost makes me wish I lived in Baltimore.
(5)
Nicolette F.

BY FAR THE BEST restaurant we've been to in Baltimore! Classic fine dining Italian with awesome service. The waiter even catered to and entertained my 3 children. And my husband's steak was one of the best we've EVER had! Everything was wonderful. Highly recommended.
(5)
Chaka H.

I went here with a large group (20+) so we had the private room and celebratory comments and toasts were had. :) First, let me say, that oftentimes service is compromised when you have such a large party, but the staff at Cinghiale were amazing! Very attentive, very knowledgeable and aware of the needs of each individual of the table. I did quickly forget that this was an Italian restaurant... and I kept forgetting, it just had a very different feel and the meals that were available for each entree seemed to fit many different food types. Apparently, the menu changes daily... but I can still tell you about my experience... I ordered the asparagus soup to start and it was tasty, although I didn't enjoy the string mushrooms strewn throughout, they were bitter. I continued with the gnocchi with lamb pieces and it was divine! My main entree was white fish... and I could not eat this fast enough... Overall, very very very delicious food! It's definitely a little "fancy" so be ready to pay a pretty penny!
(4)
Edward S.

Cinghiale has (mostly) fantastic Italian food. We both ordered the fixed price menu. I will say that their wine list is extensive and was phenomenal from start to finish- they clearly know their wines. First course was antipasti misti and calamari with parsnips- a top-of-the-line slicer really paid off as the meat literally melted in your mouth. I would come back for happy hour of bubbly and sliced meat alone. The calamari was perfectly cooked, tender and well complimented by the sauce. Second course of pasta I got the gnocchi, the chanterelle mushrooms were good, the gnocchi were just okay- a little too big and a little doughy for me. The sauce was just kind of eh for me as well. The marubini pasta with mint pesto, however, was awesome- marubini were like tiny ravioli in a savoury mint and shallot sauce complimented by toasted pine nuts and a sprinkling of cheese. Third course of fish I got the tuna which was seriously, seriously delicious. Seared rare the tuna was beautiful. It was served over an eggplant puree which was very mellow and creamy in texture but went really well with the stewed cranberry beans as they were a little salty. It all kind of came together in a savoury meaty delicious blend of flavors. The dish was garnished with roasted tomatoes which cleansed the palate with a burst of juicy acidity. The Branzino was also really good. The fish was moist and meaty with crispy skin, the zucchini agrodolce was a really nice compliment. The olive tapenade type accompaniment was good but slightly too salty/overpowering, although I still used it in moderation. Fourth Course dessert Best pannacotta I've ever had. Just enough gelatin to make the dessert solid, so it was extremely soft, slightly sweet, milky and redolent of vanilla. The salted caramel was a really nice accompaniment. Overall it was well balanced, mellow, and a really nice end to the meal. The Sbrisolona was equally delicious- crumbly, spicy, and light, it reminds me of the holidays. The downsides to this place- The service was not bad, but it was not good either. Our server was mostly absent from the table, and she didn't once ask us how anything was or if we enjoyed anything. For a $250.00 dinner I would make sure my guests enjoyed themselves. I think if we had another server we may have had a different service experience- all in all I would definitely go back as the food was great.
(3)
Spencer H.

Went here last night for the first time in several months and our meal was perfect. We started off with the Antipasti Misti (Chef's selection) and the Heirloom Tomato Salad w/ Gorgonzola. Both were great. For dinner I had the Eggplant Basil Ravioli, while my friends ordered the Grilled Magret. We each ordered our own dessert and shared - Pannacotta, Napoleon and the Tiramisu. All three were superb! Service was fantastic as well, from the moment we walked in until we left. It's still only my second favorite Foreman Wolf establishment (Petit Louis holds that title) but Cinghiale is more vegetarian-friendly, which is a plus.
(5)
Rick B.

Chinghale was almost exactly what I expected. Now that I've been to almost all of cindy wolfs restaurants but her bin 64 establishment. I have to say the food was very good, the bar staff was friendly and knowledgable, the maitre d'/ manager I presume was incredibly friendly, accommodating and understanding some of my guests came from out of town in which they hadn't packed dinner formal wear (like a jacket or nice dress)( chinghale doesn't require either but is definitely dressy casual on a saturday night), but our server was sub par unfortunately. Being I have over two decades of restaurant experience I usually am more forgiving of the waitstaff but also much more critical than my other guests I'm dining with. That being said our waitress however very nice and friendly was no where near on point the night we came in. She repeatedly forgot our drinks or they took forever, she asked if the table wanted more bread but never brought it, she forgot one of my guests desserts and never took any blame, and over all was just an absentee server with little professionalism for a place of that price point and class. I will be back to try it again (if I can convince any of my foodie guests to join me) but that waitress will hopefully have had what ever was going on with her that night pass over or some sort of a good leadership meeting with her to get her "stuff" together.
(3)
Tee B.

I couldn't wait to write this review. This review is a story with all the elements of good reading -- doting couple, over-the-top-restaurant, good, bad, ugly, and even a rescue. So we went to a show (Blue Man Group) and then came to this restaurant - had a reservation - looked it up because its supposed to be top in Baltimore. Arrived. Good: very well decorated - think of very upscale bar like Cheers with super glamour. Waiters/waitresses dressed for occassion. Seemed to attract well-to-do crowd. Food: 4.5/5 - exquisite, tasty, well-prepared. We had an issue with a hair in our salad. Minor issues: bathroom sink in stall didn't work. Bathroom should be cleaned better (Grant it - it was at night and maybe they clean it in the morning). I prefer softer seating versus hardwood bench-style chairs. Now here's where they need improvement: we experienced 'musical waiters' - maybe they do this late at night (it was 10:15pm; restaurant closed at 11pm). Waiter#1 Kool/Fun - he dipped without a word. Waiter#2 Had serious attitude problem from the very beginning - maybe it was because I said 'i wish the menu had more english in it' - but his attitude was a MAJOR turn off and almost ruined the evening. Waiter#3 Cheery and nice - I explained to her about the attitude problem of waiter#2. She made a beeline to management who fixed the problem faster than you can snap your finger - waiter#2 came back with the most delightful attitude I've experienced all week. So - moral of the story - I was going to give this review a 3 but good management (thanks to Valencia - who is a VERY good manager and gave us a free desert wine on the house) saved the day -- I own my own business (we do $10m/year so I know a BAD employee with a FUNKY attitude from a good employee) and Valencia is a very very good manager.
(4)
Russell R.

Kathleen and I get there mostly for special occasions. We like Italian food and theirs is first rate. The wine list is a treat, the staff knowledgeable, and the atmosphere fun. Also like the valet parking. Last night we went there on a whim, ate in the Enoteca and mainly munched on appetizers while sipping wine. Had a great time and look forward to going back.
(4)
Wei L.

Great service, but so so food. I went to this restaurant with a group of colleagues after having read 4-star rating on Yelp. We also have several people in the group who are vegetarian and Italian restaurants are usually vegetarian friendly. Most of us chose 29$ fix menu. We had good choices for the three courses. We were happy with the appetizer which is a sampler of 8 different bruschetta samplers. They were good. But when it come to the main course, it got interesting. My main course was spaghetti with grilled shrimp. The shrimps were tasty and just a little bit over cooked. However, the spaghetti was dry and tasteless. Some of the friends chose Hand Cut Tagliatelle - Chicken, Spinach and Walnut. The pasta was really good: not too soft and not too hard and tasty. The dessert was Cream of Cognac. But it didn't taste cognac. Now about service: our waiter was attentive and the service was good. My friends also found some of the interaction with our waiter were funny. Examples: One of the friends asked for pepper. His question was: brown or red? Another friend asked to add some pepper to the tasteless spaghetti. The plate was taken away for at least 10 minutes. She started to wonder what happened to her meal. It was returned. Our waiter asked the kitchen to add pepper (red this time without asking) and garlic sauces. The pasta was much better. Another friend found her vegetarian meal gnocchi had a taste of smoke meat. When she told a passing waiter about it, that one told her that gnocchi was supposed to taste like this (lol) and tried convince her to continue to eat it. But after her insistence, he agreed to give her a new dish. It was Hand Cut Tagliatelle. She was very happy with the new dish. The tip is order something that is tasty and you need to check it with the waiter before you order it .
(3)
Tom S.

First let me say that I rarely give any place 5 stars. But Cinghiale deserves all five of them. I went there on a recent Friday evening with my nephew and his partner. I was visiting Baltimore from CA (as I do frequently) and since I am usually in town for 1-2 weeks at a time, I try hard to be selective about where I dine. Given that Cinghiale is located in an entertainment district like Fells Point/east harbor area, this place was an unbelievably pleasant find. First: free valet parking. It doesn't get much better that that on a a busy Friday evening when a parking spot is nowhere to be found. Second, our waiter (whose name I unfortunately did not get because I arrived after my dining companions had already ordered their drinks) was the most outstanding waitperson I've had anywhere in quite some time. He was attentive, knowledgeable about the menu, was happy to accomodate a few special requests for us, and gave very prompt service. All 3 of us had the less expensive fixed-price menu, which was quite an ample portion. As other reviewers have noted, they begin with a 6 piece selection of bruschetta (small bites). For mains, two of us had the Lasagna w/Veal Ragu. It was absolutely the BEST lasagna I have ever had in my life. Rich and satisfying. Sort of like comfort food on steroids. I swear I would have licked the plate had I not been in public :-) Yes, it was THAT good. I should have written my review the next day, because now I don't recall what we had for dessert, but I DO recall that it was fabulous. It had espresso ice cream and chocolate. That's all I remember. There is ONLY one negative thing that I would say, and that it that it is louder than a restaurant should be. Having said that, MOST restaurants now days are too loud for me. OK, maybe it's me. Count on this: I WILL go back when I'm in town next time. And you should, too.
(5)
Mike S.

Disappointing after reading great reviews on here and other sites. If this is the best Italian place in Baltimore that's not a good sign for the other places. Meal started out well with the tuna tartare appetizer, but went vastly downhill with the pasta entrees. We ordered the spaghetti with lobster and the tagliatelle with bolognese. The spaghetti was incredibly salty for some reason and basically inedible. We mentioned the issue to the waiter and he replaced it fairly quickly, so that was a positive. The replacement was much better but still left a lot to be desired. The lobster was a bit off and there was nothing about the dish that made it memorable. The tagliatelle was also quite salty but I opted to work through it, which was a bad decision. Left about half of it on the plate and just asked for the check. It's never fun asking for a replacement item and throws off the whole experience. The waiter was nice enough about it I guess. Although when the check came I noticed there were two drinks we never ordered on there which I caught at the last second. Overall, it was a thoroughly disappointing experience and I would never go back.
(2)
Bradley A.

What others have said here is true: The service is excellent, the dishes solidly delicious and well-cooked, the wine fantastic, and the ambiance of the place very comfortable. We got the prezzo fisso and started with a glass of delicious prosecco. The portions were perfect except for the steak (a new addition to the menu), which was immense--you won't walk away from a prezzo fisso meal hungry. If you only get 3oz pours of wine, you can walk away from a 4 course meal without breaking the bank and still experience the expert pairings of the knowledgeable sommelier. The appetizers and the desserts were stronger than the primi and secondi, but that's not to say that the main dishes weren't excellent, we just wished the risotto was cooked a bit more and the steak a bit less.
(4)
Brian D.

Service was excellent. Atmosphere a little busier than I would have expected given the menu - very open. Food was good, dessert was amazing.
(4)
Murph R.

The food here is exquisite. I have been here twice and it's truly amazing. My only recommendation is that you don't go during restaurant week because it's busy and the service and ambiance suffer a little. The food is still GREAT.
(5)
Victoria L.

My SO and I were here last week for Restaurant Week. He ordered off the regular della Nonna menu while I ordered from the RW menu; both were, by far, some of the best italian food I've eaten in a very long time. From the RW menu, the caprese was fresh and flavorful, the ricotta ravioli was home-made, fresh, and buttery. The vanilla panna cotta was wonderful. From the della Nonna menu, we had the chef's selection of antipasti, Hand Cut Tagliatelle with Chicken Friccasea, Local Swiss Chard, and Walnuts, and the chocolate flan. All were amazing. I've never had noodles that melted in my mouth that way before. We also ordered a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc that went very well with everything. Their service is impeccable; anytime our glasses were close to empty they were there refilling them from the bottle. They asked if we preferred the wine on the table or on ice. They were attentive without being overbearing. Quite honestly I can't wait to go back for another meal.
(5)
Michelle K.

Your parents visiting from out of town? Then Cinghiale is the restaurant for you! The food is consistently good, everybody loves Italian food, and it should keep family squabbles to a minimum. The inside is brightly lit. Long wood tables, high vaulted ceilings and lots of glass windows keep the place feeling airy and a little corporate. The last time I was there, I saw a bachelor party settling down. The party of 15 seemed to be happy, so I think big groups might fare well here. The staff is quite young and sometimes sort of inconsistent. We managed to get bottles of wine twice in which the sommelier had no idea what it tasted like. However, I think you cannot really go wrong with any choice.
(3)
Ross C.

Absolutely wonderful- my wife and I had our engagement dinner here, opting for the prix fixe menu with the accompanying wine. Its still the place we send anybody for a 'special occasion' dinner. We're looking forward to a 'happy hour' in the enoteca to have the salami plate and a couple nice glasses of wine soon.
(5)
Elliott P.

Overall Cinghaile (so hard to spell ;) ) is a solid four star joint. My wife and I went for the Restaurant Week 2009 promotion and opted for the $49 option with the wine parings. The food was 4/5, service 5/5 and the atmosphere 4/5 for being romantic, clean, but a bit noisy. I made the reservation on Opentable and got there promptly at 9, when the reservation was. Valet was free and quick. Had a drink (a Sazarac) at the very spacious bar which the bartender admittedly had never made but was still very well done. I admired his courage on this classic. After a few minutes, we were seated and presented with menus and some soft bread that was really good. Our waiter was polite and seemed very knowledgeable about the wine list. Not being a wine guy I nodded along. While the special menu had some good selections, I would have probably been happier with the regular menu. Next time I try it I'll update my review. I had some marvelous chickpea soup, then a slowcooked pork which I didn't like too much, and finally some olive oil cake that was pretty good. My wife's food was very good and I wished I'd ordered the same thing. All things considered this a great place to check out and it's hard to give a full review after trying only one three course offering. Their meat and cheese bar looked fantastic and I will be returned for some fresh sliced prosciutto in the near future. Definitely give this one a shot!
(4)
Kathleen S.

My family (parents, sister and brother in law, my husband and I) just went to Cinghiale for my sister's birthday on the 18th, and we couldn't have picked a better place! The menu works either by a 4 course meal, a 3 course meal or a la carte. We started off with a cheese plate and fried olives (which I didn't expect to like but were very good). We also got a bottle of Chardonnay to share, which turned out to be three! I don't normally like Chardonnay, but this particular selection was delicious. For dinner I had the "Big Eye Tuna Tartare, Capers, Chive, Cured Egg Yolk, Crostini," which they explained ahead of time to me. It is tuna sliced thin and served rare, rolled with cucumber. I LOVED IT! Then for the second course, my husband had the "Hand Formed Tortellini Filled with Prosciutto" which was yummy, and I had squid ink pasta with lobster. I had the Margret of duck which was also served medium rare. It was perfect! For desert, I had the vanilla Panna Cotta, and my sister had the Tiramisu, which came in a martini glass. I thought my dish was better than hers. The staff definitely went above and beyond to make her birthday special. They greeted us and wished her a Happy Birthday, gave us a split of sweet desert wine, and obviously gave her a candle. No singing, it was all very tasteful. I didn't like that the menu was in Italian to the point that I couldn't decide what to get without the aid of the waiter. It also took us 3 hours to eat on a Sunday evening, when the restaurant wasn't busy. So that threw off our after dinner plans considerably. But over all it was a fun experience and we we're happy with our choice for the celebration.
(4)
Michelle E.

We dined here because of the high reviews and wonderful menu. We were looking for an authentic restaurant that concentrated on good pastas and had a vast array of salumi and cheeses. This place had both. We were more interested in making our selections ala carte, as we were not interested in secondi dishes. We ordered the salumi misti which had some delicious cuts of culatello, finocchiona and mortadella. I would have liked a few more slivers of the delicate meats in lieu of the mortadella, since for $20 it seemed like the cheapest cut. We also ordered a trio of cheeses which was a nice mix of robiola, pecorino and fontina. For our main entree we split two pasta dishes, there was a wonderful tortellini dish and a robiola ravioli with a butter sauce. Both were very rich, but having chosen the "larger" portions, we thought the dish was small for the "double" price tag. The price for half portions was $16 while the full portions were $30, but the double price didn't warrant double portions. The desserts were where this place failed. We ordered the tiramisu which was OK (but after trying Piedigrotta's original tiramisu, it couldn't compare) also the doughnuts which sounded good but were horrible. There were 4 quarter sized, cold, deep-fried pieced of dough that were not worth the $8.00. It was semi insulting to serve this from a kitchen that seems to have higher standards than that. Also, our cappuccinos were more like warmed milk with a shot of espresso. They were luke-warm at best and absolutely not frothy. Drinks were good and I may return with some exceptions. the ala carte menu may be a better value to those looking for a nice meal in a beautiful setting.
(4)
Good For The Palate R.

Best Italian food outside of Italy. No contest between this Italian and the places in Little Italy, Bmore. Special Discount nights make this place more affordable. If you are thinking about going to pay $25-35 for an entree at a place in Little Italy, DONT, just come here and try their food. I guarantee you won't be disappointed. My only gripe is the dessert menu never floats my boat, but they always have a cheese tray to satisfy my after dinner needs. Great cocktails, and wine list. In case you are not familiar, this is owned by Cindy Wolf and Tony Foreman and they are the proprietors of two wine stores. They specialize in food and wine pairing and are highly knowledgable.
(5)
She-Ra P.

Sure, it's fine, but it's not all it's cracked up to be. Lovely service, good wine list, fine view and atmosphere - check. Flavorful food? Not really. We had the Cucina della Nonna menu, with the various antipasti - the best of which were the "house marinated cerignola olives", and - let's face it - the olives are the star here, no matter what you marinate them in. The celery salad had no seasoning, and the lentil salad was fine. Just fine. Then the cinghiale ragu on chittarra pasta was a flat sauce of plain ground meat. I couldn't detect any use of tomato, tomato paste, onion, etc. Just ground meat browned up and deglazed with some stock or wine. If they did use other aromatic or flavor components, they were not prominent enough to merit it as a "good ragu". Could have been an off-night, but there you go. Fine evening socially, but culinarily, a lot of us can do better at home.
(2)
Sarah B.

Cinghiale is one of my favorite restaurants in Baltimore. Every detail, from the service to the garnishes on the food, is well thought out. We have had some truly excellent pasta dishes there and the appetizers are always special. The wine menu is intimidating but it is easy to ask for help and the service is always friendly. They have great cocktails as well. The bar room is great for a more casual, rousing meal, and the formal dining room would be better for a quiet special occasion. My only complaint is that on occasion when we have gone on the later side, we have felt a bit rushed by the servers. Other than that, Cinghiale gets five stars in my book. Try the panna cotta and tiramisu!!
(5)
Dennis R.

My first visit to Cinghiale was just after it had opened and although I was very impressed with the new space, the food left me wanting more...not just quantity but also quality. The bumpy start began when Stefano Frigerio, the executive chef who opened the restaurant, left for family reasons, replaced by Julian Marucci. Now, with Marucci at the helm, the portions are larger and the menu is now focused on traditional Italian fare. You must request the Veal Cheeks if they are not on either the Enoteca or Osteria menus. Chunks of melt-in-your-mouth veal in a delicate sauce...just unvbelievable! Go for the wine...go for the scene...and now, go for the food! Mangia Mangia, Ciao!
(4)
Lily B.

Came here for restaurant week and was not disappointed, at least most of the dishes on the restaurant week menu. The zucchini soup was outstanding, the heirloom tomato salad was fresh and tasty. The Branzino was grilled to perfection but hubby thought the Hand Cut Tagliatelle with Veal Bolognese was a bland and noodle over cooked. However our friends who like milder tasting food liked the way it was. Both the Panna Cotta and chocolate brownie were excellent. The service was friendly, but could use a little more attention to detail. The restaurant was packed so we could cut the staff some slacks for not putting olive oil on EVERY plate or filling water only for part of the table. Everyone at our table has pet peeve about hygiene - since there's no table mat and we didn't know how clean the table was, we didn't like the utensils being put directly on the tables. Overall great dining and will come back and sit at the Osteria section that has hopefully clean table cloths.
(4)
Roger H.

Overall: 4 Well executed contemporary Italian. Food: 5 You won't find old school dishes like Nonna used to make but the food here it pretty legit. It's definitely modern but in the best way possible. Fantastic wine list. Service: 5 Emmanuel was very helpful and really made our night. We dined with some pretty inexperienced diners and she really helped make everyone's night enjoyable. Decor: 4 Trendy and spacious. Value: 3 Though the food is quite good, it's pretty easy dropping some serious coin here, especially after ordering wine.
(4)
Meghan M.

I was between a 4 and a 5 here and rounded down on account of it only being a first visit...but definitely a place I could see myself coming back to many, many times - if I lived in Baltimore, that is! That said, definitely planning to come back here on my next trip. I had the illustrious fortune of rolling into Baltimore on the heels of the second snowpocalyptic event of February, so after multiple flight cancellations, a day spent at Chicago O'Hare, and a harrowing drive into the city, I needed a good meal and a good place to relax. And a restaurant that was open. Cinghiale fit the bill on all accounts. Would definitely recommend that - if you're coming here for a first time, in particular - that you look at the tasting menus or fixed options, with the wine pairings. For 2 people, it was a great way to get a sense for the kitchen's breadth, as well as the menu...and eat a ton of great foods. Started with the mixed salumi and affetati misti, and picked at both. The salumi assortment was excellent - especially the proscuitto which was among some of the best I've had outside of Italy, and the bresola on the affetati plate was also superb. Highly enjoyed everything on both plates, along with the bread. Enjoyed the bread a little too much. Wine pairings were a Soave and a Chard varietal for the first course. Second course - braised beef ravioli as well as the black truffle risotto. No joke here, if I could have licked the freaking plates I would have. On both counts. The risotto in particular was absolutely delicious, although very rich, and the ravioli were savory and served with the most excellent sauce...both were perfect for a cold, snowy night - especially for this now-California girl. Wines here were rich to accompany the flavors, but are escaping me - I believe one was a Barbaresco and the other possibly a Tuscan blend..but don't quote me - I should have grabbed the pairing cards, and by this point I was full on in love with the food, so stopped paying attention. Third course - scallops over butternut squash and a veal loin strip - in this case I know for sure the scallops came with a Pinot Nero! But...cannot recall the veal pairing. The scallops were a little colder than they should have been, and the sauce had separated slightly, but was still delicious - especially the squash puree which was quite literally to die for. The veal was tender and was cooked to a perfect medium rare - I don't particularly care for veal but I tried it and even I had to agree it was great. I was, however, a big fan of the cauliflower served with it. Although neither of us had room for dessert, ordered a gelato assortment anyway, just to try it out (and because the assortment included a cinnamon gelato.) Cinnamon, fennel, and coconut gelato with a sugar wafer...I made room. It was great. All said, with 2 predinner drinks, 3 course tasting menu paired with great wines, 1 dessert, and coffee, came to about $100 a head - honestly, I see alot of complaints about the prices, but I thought that was ridiculously reasonable for food of this quality and good, heavy pours of wine. A winner, all around - go for the tasting menu, ask your server for recommendations, and you'll be happy - I was!
(4)
Tj H.

I like this place a lot! I come here a few tines a week and sit at the bar. Great service! The Illy coffee is very good too, however their double espresso is extremely light (nowhere near enough) and very expensive. The deserts are awesome! So even if you feel the price range here is a little high for dinner you can always come in for desert and a coffee!
(5)
Mindy M.

Wow, this is yet another one of Tony Foreman and Chef Cindy Wolfe's latest and greatest creations. Don't be put off by the white table cloths, the bar area still has a full menu and jeans and a jacket are acceptable. Friday nights are less crowded than Saturday at this 30+ location. The food and wine is amazing, and expect prices that match. While there are many expensive bottles on the wine menu (which is one of the most exhaustive list I've seen with many bottles you can only get there) you can easily get an amazing bottle of wine for under $20. If you sit at the bar on a slower night, strike up a conversation with one of the bartenders. They can tell you amazing stories of their extensive training and even more interesting stories about the wine and food. Not sure what glass or bottle to get? They are very knowledgeable and can assist you in finding something that you like in your price range. I highly recommend the cheese plate (or at least try the Il Pecorino- I think that is the one with shavings of truffles in it) and the La Pasta e Fagioli soup.
(4)
Ed S.

Most of the reviews I've written are for small establishments, usually places I've gone to on a weeknight with friends, and are usually mid-range establishments. Well, Cinghiale breaks the trend in more ways than one. Make no mistake ... this is an upper-end establishment in presentation, price, and quality. If you go here, make it a special occasion and dress up! You'll be glad you did. Cinghiale menu shines with many unusual dishes, and the four course prix fixe menu is a great way to experiment. The menu does, apparently, change with the seasons and what the chef wants to prepare, but there a number of choices in every category. Our party of four branched out, ordering a number of salumi, salad, secondi, and primi choices as well as some nice deserts. Everything was a hit at our table, from the leek soup with rabbit confitt to the duck, the pastas, and the steak. We did all seem to settle on the gelatto selection for dessert (though my wife had the tiramasu and the chef gave us a fifth dessert, the chocolate-filled "donuts" with his compliments). The only down side to Cinghiale is its popularity. We had an early evening dinner, but by the time we got out, it was crowded and a bit noisy. Not unpleasantly so, but you can tell this restaurant is popular and is going to stay that way! Make your reservations early, both ahead of time and for early evening if you want avoid the rush. Other than that, simply enjoy!
(5)
Michael O.

Joined a group here for dinner. Atmosphere was better than the food. The restaurant is is long and skinny with a nice bar area and some good views. In the middle of the restaurant is an area where appetizers are prepared which is a nice touch. Servers were polite and good. Food was good but nothing was amazing. Had a risotto dish which was a bit dry. Dessert was a pumpkin ice cream and cookie which did not pair well.
(4)
Joyce K.

Nice atmosphere; eats were okay, but not that impressed. Went here for restaurant week. I was hoping for a nice environment for a date. The Osteria dining room was nicely made up. It was a Saturday night, but not overly noisy (compared to the dining room at places like Roy's, which can be deafening at times). Our server was a bit stiff and mechanical, but attentive and courteous (though not that friendly -- perhaps could have been taken as a bit snobby). The food wasn't bad, but if I come back, I'm going to try some different offerings. I had the 3 course offering for restaurant week. The heirloom tomato salad was standard, the ravioli were also standard. Dessert was adequate as well. I got to try some of my boyfriend's antipasti, and I think that was the best part...nice variety and satisfying sampling of tastes.
(3)
K Sera S.

With the exception of an overly hip web site that doesn't appear to be targeted to Cinghiale's actual clientele (mid 30s - late 40s), I found the Foreman-Wolf team's newest effort to be a great addition to the up and coming Harbor East area. There are two dining areas--the enoteca (more casual, bar and tapas) and the osteria (more formal sit-down). Each one has a distinct menu, but I believe you can pillage from both. The interior is remarkably evocative of a true, old Italian wine bar. Super-high ceilings, tile floor, elegant, dark mahogany. It could be characterized as stark, but the windows facing the harbor give it a shot of cheer, day or night. The wine list has something for everyone and demonstrates well Tony's passion for presenting new and exciting tastes for all palettes--and budgets. They offer half-priced bottles on Tuesdays in the Enoteca; can't beat that! The shaved meats are delightful, the menu changes regularly (might even be daily). A great place to try if you're looking for elegance (but not the full-on Charleston experience) and creative small plates (but not the ooon-chi ooon-chi of Pazo's European techno music).
(4)
Mark C.

Quite frankly this is one of the best restaurants I've ever eaten at. The food is phenomenal, the service is impeccable, and the wine flights are well done. I would go back anytime.
(5)
Andrew E.

Went there on a Friday night. Absolutely correct in every way. Good food, well-trained service staff, and nice bistro/brasserie ambience that's hard to find in the US. Very reasonable prices. It's the nicest place I've found in Baltimore - yet.
(4)
Tim T.

Wonderful and knowledgeable wait staff. Started with the calamari and a wine pairing of vermentino. Calamari was excellent in an pepper infused olive oil. Taglietarie with wild mushrooms and a nice Pinot noir for the primi. Veal chop and montalcino for the meal. Nice panna cotta for dessert. Best Italian meal I have had in a long time. This place lives up to it's reputation .
(5)
K B.

I have to say that when it comes to fine dining and excellent service, Cinghiale is probably in the Top 3 in Baltimore for me. I have been to this place before, but most recently went about 2 weeks ago for my boyfriend's birthday. They sat us in the main dining room at this cozy little table in the corner by the window. The first thing they did was bring us both a glass of champagne since they knew we were celebrating. Our waiter, James, was polite, knowledgeable, fast and overall a top notch waiter. He took the time to explain the items on the menu, made suggestions and gave us space when he saw that we were in conversation. My boyfriend opted for the $59 Prezzo Fisso (pre fixe) menu, and I ordered a la carte since I wasn't super hungry. He got the Prosciutto di San Daniele with Local Peaches, Spaghetti alla Chitarra, Maine Lobster, Chilies, Tomato Saffron Sauce, and the Pan Roasted Halibut, Sicilian Caponata, Basil Oil, Tomato Reduction. I got the Grilled Calamari, Crispy Parsnips, Extra Virgin Olive Oil and the Grilled Magret of Duck, Fresh Corn Polenta, Local Blackberries Balsamic & Port Reduction. Everything we ate was incredible. I don't usually get duck in too many places because it's often chewy or rough in texture, but this duck tasted like steak, was cooked to perfection and went very well with the polenta and blackberries. The manager, James Smith, came over to say hello since he remembered me from when I came in there about 2-3 years ago. (Pretty impressive and flattering) We chatted a little about the wines and the food, and then he walked away in order to let us finish eating. He's also very polite, very professional, very eager to please. Apparently James (our waiter) overheard us discussing what to get for dessert (I told my boyfriend to get whatever, and I'd just take a bite since I was pretty full) We were trying to decide between 3 different things and chose 1, however James brought us all 3...It was a birthday celebration, after all!! We got the Vanilla Panna Cotta, Hazelnut Praline, Salted Caramel Sauce, Zabaglione Semifreddo, Yellow Peach, Local Blackberries, Balsamico and a Napoleon; everything was incredible and decadent. The only thing that my boyfriend mentioned (that I disagree with) was that the Panna Cotta needs something to go with it to give it more texture. He thought that it tasted a little too much like whipped cream by itself. James then offered to give our ticket to the valet while I paid the bill...the bill did not include the champagne or the extra desserts. I usually tip 20%, but James got over 30% from me since everything was absolutely perfect. I would recommend (and have recommended) this place to any and everyone who is looking to have an incredibly delicious meal at a classy, upscale place. Sure, there is Ruth's Chris and Flemming's and a few other places with excellent food, however I feel as though none of those places match the service of Cinghiale.
(5)
Janet W.

Great atmosphere and food. The wine was reasonably priced. Our waiter was very helpful.
(5)
Nick A.

Ate hear for a business dinner. Cocktails, food, and overall experience was good
(4)
Page B.

If I were reviewing based only on the restaurant experience, this review would be 3 or 4 stars. The food was excellent and the service ranged from passable to good (it was difficult to understand some of the wait staff that brought the food...a mumbled "and here is your amameibn" is a bit frustrating). Our server was one of the few staff members that spoke clearly. We ordered the 4 course prix-fixe with wine pairings. While the wine list is broad, the pairings come on a card with your wines for each course checked off. One of the reasons we usually order the wine pairings is to try different wines. The wine pairing was the same for my husband's first two courses. While he wanted to try a different wine, he decided to trust the pairing choice with his course. However, the wine was not that good, and neither was the pairing. We were never offered the service of the sommelier (I guess because we got the pairings). Had the sommelier consulted with us, we probably would have asked for a different pairing to try something different. But, we were there to enjoy each other's company and the food/wine, so we decided to let it go. However, what has been most upsetting is what occurred when we left the restaurant. We valet parked (a complimentary service with the meal...so why wouldn't we?), and when the valet brought the car up, he ground the gears when stopping. Oy vey. Then, when we got in the car, my husband noticed the window was down. His window is tricky, and if you roll it down without watching, it sometimes comes off-track. One doesn't expect a valet to roll down the window. However, this valet rolled the window down all the way, and it came completely off the track. Thanks to the valet...the window has now been down during 3 days of rain. We filed an incident report, and when the valet manager contacted my husband, he said it was our fault for not expecting the valet to roll down the window and telling them not to do it, and has refused to provide any help. He was also told that the General Manager of Cinghiale agrees with the valet manager's position. As my husband stated, when you leave your car with the valet, you expect the car to come back in the same shape. Ours came back in worse shape, and we now face a pricey repair (in addition to our pricey meal at Cinghiale). This experience has soured us on Cinghiale (where we have visited 4 previous times), and really any of the other Foreman-Wolf properties. I love Charleston, Petite Louis, and Bin 604, but if this is how Foreman-Wolf treats their patrons outside of the dining room, I doubt we will be returning to any of their establishments.
(2)
James J.

My girlfriend and I went here to enjoy a nice dinner, I had never been here before so I didn't know what to expect. The complementary valet parking when we arrived was very nice, and appreciated. Because of the location of the restaurant, I was expecting that there would be some tables overlooking the water, but was disappointed to see that it was a 1st floor street view with the water barely visible across the street. More disappointment came when we sat down. The place was very busy and they sat us right next to another table of two, the tables were adjacent and maybe 3 feet from each other, way too close. There was no privacy, I could hear every word they were saying and they undoubtedly could hear us perfectly as well. Most of the larger tables were spread further apart, but not these two small ones. Oh well, on to dinner. My girlfriend and I both chose the $60 four course option. The food was good, although I wasn't particularly wowed by anything. The serving size was just about right if you get the 4-course option (neither of us took home leftovers), but if you order a la cart from the main dishes (~$25) you are going to be very disappointed, as there is no way it is going to be enough food to satisfy even a small lady for dinner. Although the food was OK on average, the brocolli soup was delicious and my favorite item of the night. The service was about average for the price, the wait staff was attentive, nothing really negative to say there. Overall this is a solid restaurant, but way overpriced in my opinion. Our bill came to over $190 (two people, three glasses of wine, and tip). I can have a similar dining experience in the area for half of that price. The girlfriend and I both decided in the car not to go back in the future.
(3)
Ateet A.

I would like to give 3.5 stars for the food and service. This place had good food and the service wasn't terrible. I tried the 4 course and ordered a variety of things consisting of risotto, wagyu sirloin, prosciutto, and tiramisu. All were fairly good but nothing to give it that kick of "WOW". We did go there with family and friends. The only huge issue was that one of our family members was a vegetarian but we felt that coming to an Italian restaurant was very safe, unfortunately this is not he case. Almost all pastas had some form of chicken, beef, seafood, chicken broth or chicken stock, and the restaurant wasn't really ready to change the menu items whcih I also understand but at the same time they should have some available options for everyone, even though i am a huge meat-eater myself. all they had were 2 salads and so one person in our party was unsatisfied. will i go again?... not sure at this point, unless there is a special reason to as there are many others places to try in the DMV.
(3)
Jenna C.

The food tasted great but be prepared for small portions especially in the pasta's. I have a 17 year old brother and he finished his meal within a couple of bites (had to go somewhere else to get him a cheeseburger). Overall though, the waiting staff was excellent, the atmosphere is pleasant and the food tasted great. I probably wouldn't come back here again but I am glad we tried it.
(3)
P S.

We ate off the Nonna Menu, the brucetta had some strange items on it but it was pretty delightful. The service was top notch. The waitress was very good at making wine suggestions. The main course was alright - not the best I've ever had. The desert however was the best I have ever had! It is a little pricey but I would go again for a special ocassion.
(4)
Craig M.

We have been to this restaurant many times. Excellent food and wine selection. Their main menu is for a $62 prix fixe that includes an app, small pasta plate, meat and dessert. You can also order anything ala carte, and get a larger portion of the pasta dishes. All of my choices this visit were very good, but if I were to knock anything, portion sizes are small. They also have a $29 prix fixe menu that includes an appetizer assortment, entree and dessert. I've gone this route a few times in the past and recommend the lasagna and sausage stuffed pasta. The wine has a similar range of options, from high price to $7 glasses. Because of this range of price options, we have gone here for both special dinners and everyday meals.
(5)
Beth L.

Food is excellent here. Big place. Nice decor. It gets loud in the less formal area. Prices are very high. There is free valet parking.
(4)
Justin S.

What a great place. My fiance and I went here to celebrate our minus 1 year anniversary (the day one year before our wedding date). The waiter was extremely knowledgeable of all parts of the menu. He was very helpful at walking us through the meal. We were never rushed, approached each course one at a time before moving on to the next. It felt like we were in really good hands.
(4)
Jill M.

My experience here was for a birthday dinner with a group of eight. The atmosphere was perfect for this type of a celebration... nice enough to feel like a special occasion, quiet enough to keep a good conversation going, but not too formal or uncomfortable. I arrived a little late, and my group was already seated at a long table near the front of the restaurant. Two types of bread with olive oil had been served (brown bread with cracked pepper and focaccia). We ordered appetizers, salads, and entrees next. Some of my friends had ordered the grilled calamari appetizer, which they said was really tasty and perfectly cooked. The arugula salad I had was not too exciting, but I mainly ordered it to try and be healthy before I indulged in potato gnocchi with lamb ragu. My gnocchi was wonderfully creamy and dense, and the ragu was full of flavor. I ordered a half portion, which looked small (about a cup and a half of food) but was surprisingly filling once I finished it. Some other dishes around the table that got high marks were the scallops and grilled branzino. Only a few of us had room for dessert, which included the tiramisu and the torta di riso (rice pudding tart). The tiramisu got mixed reviews, and was a unique interpretation of the dessert, served in a martini glass, with mostly chocolate and no espresso-soaked lady fingers. I had the torta di riso, which was very good and served with with candied cherries and a vin santo gelato that had a mildly sweet raisin flavor. Overall, the food was well-prepared, the service was excellent, and our group really enjoyed the dinner.
(4)
Bristew M.

Remarkable food, wine selection and atmosphere. Been there a few times and have yet to be disappointed in a meal and/or wine pairing.
(5)
Athenaeus N.

I visited Cinghiale with my wife while we were down celebrating our anniversary. The restaurant is situated in what seems to be a newly built/rebuilt portion of the psuedo-inner harbor. There are a number of upscale dining options in the immediate vicinity as well as a Whole Foods, a wine shop (apparently owned by Cinghiale's owner), and a number of new apartment/loft/condo buildings. We arrived a little early for our reservation (around 8:15 for an 8:30 on the Sunday before the 4th of July) and were promptly seated without any hassle. My aperitivo was delicious, gin and st germain, very refreshing on a hot day. We decided on forgoing the prezzo fisso and instead opted to each order a salame, an antipasta, and a primo/pasta. Everything was delicious, and cripes they give you a lot of the salame, but I think the real star was the rabbit agnolotti, which was mind boggling. For dessert we split the vanilla panna cotta, and it ended up being just the right amount of food for us, very full but not stuffed. Our server (his name was Ted, I think) was fantastic. He was knowledgeable and friendly and very accommodating. We didn't mention it was our anniversary when we made the reservation but it came up when our dessert came out and we were given a very tasty digestivo. The only complaints that I had about the night were that the meal was probably a little overpriced for what we got, although I knew the prices going in so I really shouldn't complain, and I thought the space was a little too Cheesecake Factory-ish, kind of too open and maybe a little too close to the people around us, that sort of thing. Other than that it was a five star experience. Highly recommended!
(4)
Rachel B.

Have been here several times with my fiancÃ© and have always had a good experience. On Friday we took some out of town guests and had an especially great time. I love the atmosphere in the Enoctera - lively and fun, but still sophisticated. The service is always good and our server Nicole on Friday was especially great. The perfect amount of attentiveness without being overbearing. Also appreciated her help in deciphering some of the unfamiliar Italian words - very knowledgeable without an ounce of condescension. I also like that the manager always checks in just to make sure things are going well. The food, as usual, was wonderful. I always go with the left side of the menu (the four course tasting for $62) as the dishes always look so inventive and it's fun to try several things (plus it's a good deal). One of our guests had the three course menu and was also very satisfied. A consistently great experience - have been 5-10 times now and will keep coming back.
(5)
Gita B.

Wow. I'm no food snob, but I was shocked for the lack of flavor and quality. Maybe it's because I had such high expectations? I attended an organized event in the back room, and had the rock fish. It was something I could have made at home for a few bucks. I'm so glad this meal was not on my dime.
(2)
Stacey P.

We went here for my birthday dinner, there were 4 of us. There are numerous choices on the menu, which is nice. I ordered the grilled romaine salad and cod. The salad had fabulous flavors with a red wine vinaigrette, which might sound elementary, but it was delicious. The cod was cooked to perfection , moist and flakey, with a slight crispy crust. It was served with pureed cauliflower and what tasted like pickled cauliflower. I would call these more of a garnish though, and not a vegetable side. You will need to order sides separately, as most dishes do not come with anything else, which is a little disappointing for the price you pay. I ordered the tirimisu for dessert, and was disappointed, I think my sister makes it better! My husband ordered the gellato and he said it was good, you can choose 3 flavors.
(4)
Tori H.

Does Cindy Wolf have a restaurant that's not amazing?? Cinghiale is consistently tasteful and commendable. Everyone on the staff is welcoming and I just love the warm decor inside. I'm going to have to go back (and back again) to try more on their menu because once just isn't enough! If you're looking for fine dining at a lower price, and food that is mouthwatering good, check out cinghiale!!
(5)
David Z.

Ya know, for the price ($59 for a prix fixe or else it is more if you consider several courses), this place is not often as satisfying as one would like. I've been there several times now, and although it's always good, in my opinion the blends of flavors in many of their dishes simply don't work well. It has been frustrating, in the face of fine service, nice ambiance, a long wine list, a few excellent dishes, etc.
(3)
Russell B.

We ate in the Enoteca portion of the restaurant. The ambiance was VERY loud, but not unexpected as we were warned that this was the less formal section, however some sort of effort could be made to soften some of the surfaces to make it a bit less jarring. Once our waitress returned to take our order (20 minutes of sitting watching the host run around looking for her rather than just coming to take our order) we enjoyed our meal immensely with one exception which I will get to later. The Maccheroni alla Chitarra was understated and at first felt bland, but once you have had a few bites you realize the beauty of it's simplicity. On the other end of the simplicity spectrum was the Taglietelle with Chicken Friccase which was hand cut pasta cooked in chicken broth served with pieces of chicken first stewed then fried again to give them some crispness, this was served with swiss chard and walnuts. Our table unanimously voted this dish the winner of the evening and a meal we would happily die eating. The disappointment of the meal was the Hand Formed Tortellini Filled with prosciutto, mortadella and ricotta in a light rosemary sauce which were so salty as to be rendered inedible. Perhaps the sauce may have balanced the plate, but there was scarce amounts to be found. With that many cured meats one expects saltiness, but this was so powerful that I, an avowed salt-a-holic, couldn't eat more than one. We reported this to the wait-staff who promptly attempted to correct the problem by offering us another entree but we were full from sharing the other dishes so it was simply removed from our bill. The wine list is incredible and the prices fair. We enjoyed a Vino Nobile and a Valpolicella with our meals and a Vernaccia to start. A selection of sorbetto and a ricotta pound cake finished off the meal. Overall an experience I would repeat.
(4)
Joel S.

The wife and I along with 2 other couples went to Baltimore for a long getaway weekend. Saturday night we decided to eat at Cinghiale based on it being rated the #1 Italian restaurant by Baltimore Magazine and it was within walking distance of our hotel. 5 of the 6 of us were Italian and all of us have traveled extensively in Italy. All of us are foodies. The physical restaurant is beautiful. Large,loud, very handsome inside. We were seated at the window so some of us could look out on people walking by and the boats while the others got to see the inside of the restaurant. Our headwaiter was average at best. In our initial order of a bottle of wine, he was very confused and had never heard of the wine even though it was right of their list. He seemed confused on the region, the grape and the name, although all of it was right on the list. On our second bottle, his comment was "Oh I know where to find that one". Seemed odd. On to the food. The 1st two course were for the most part excellent. Some had the prosciutto and pear, which was extremely good. One had soup that was good but oddly came lukewarm. The wife had a beet salad which was very sparse on the plate. I had the bruschetta sampler which was very tasty. The next course was also pretty good with exception of me having the same soup mentioned before and it was barely warm. Seemed odd. Then came the main courses and to a plate, they were average or below average at the very best. What a disappointment! 3 had the short ribs and they were tender but not as flavorful as one would expect. One had a steak that was on the cold side. One had duck that was stringy and I had the Cinghiale. I have eaten this dish all over Tuscany and in various restaurants in the US and this was by far the least inspiring version. It just tasted like some pasta with ground beef. It did not have the gamey wonderful flavor of boar nor did the ragu have the very deep and rich flavor of a long simmered reduced ragu. Perhaps our expectations were raised too high by the high rating but this is a big time, beatiful restaurant with very mediocre food.
(2)
Andrew P.

Cold, inattentive waiter who scoffed when asked about recommendations and details of entrees and cheeses. We had to ask repeatedly for water glasses to be refilled. Out of a party of 11, 7 of us ordered the prix fixe menu. A few people were too full by the end and asked for their portions to be boxed. Our waiter took the food back into the kitchen, but nothing came back out. They threw away our food! Entire, untouched entrees were discarded. The manager shows up and takes another 30 minutes to sort out the problem, but does so with an attitude of scorn and disbelief. Incredibly bad service ruined the entire night.
(1)
Tim M.

When our son told us that he was getting married, we realized that we would have to plan a rehearsal dinner. Under the best of circumstances this is not easy. Since we live in Washington State and the wedding was in Baltimore, it added another level of complexity. How would we find a good spot, without being familiar with the various venues 3,000 miles away? I've never really had a decent "banquet" dinner and dreaded the thought of hosting a typical dinner. You know what I'm talking about; an almost fresh salad, a hunk of overcooked meat or fish, with steam table vegetables and a bland starch followed by an unimaginative desert. After literally hours of reading online menus, I was able to narrow the choice down to a few restaurants. Cinghiale was near the top of this list. The menu was impressive, with very inventive approaches to Italian cuisine. It looked great, but could they serve that menu to a group of 60 and maintain the quality? With some trepidation, I called Heather Beckman at Cinghiale. I asked her a couple of ridiculous questions in terms of adding a commercially prepared dessert rather than something prepared by their chef. I just wanted to see if they would compromise their standards just to book a banquet. She very tactfully refused my request. It was exactly the answer I was looking for. At that instant I knew I had found the restaurant I was seeking. After this it was all simple, we just had to plan the menu. Cinghiale has a unique way of charging for a banquet dinner. They simply figure out how much their banquet room would generate on that particular night if it were not being used for a banquet. That's how much you pay; whether you're hosting 30 people of 64 the price is the same. It really takes agonizing about cost out of the equation. There are always a few folks who fall on the cusp of whether they should be included in the invitation. It was very nice to be in a position of not worrying about spending more for those folks. Our initial guest list was 54, but we were able to add 6 more and not be concerned that we just added additional expense. Do you remember you had a six-course rehearsal dinner? I do. With Heathers expert help we were able to design a menu that knocked every ones socks off. We started with butlered appetizers. They included Bresaola, Salame, Grilled Shrimp with Speck, Vegetable Bruschetta, Tuna Tartare and Crispy Asparagus. I have never been a fan of raw fish or asparagus. The tuna tartare was melt in your mouth delicious. The asparagus was lightly breaded and gently fried, simply incredible! This was followed by a salad of baby greens, pickled beets, Gorgonzola, and edible flowers with a drizzle of the most wonderful balsamic vinaigrette. The primi course offered a choice of Gnocchi with a lamb ragu and fresh mint or Risotto with morel mushrooms, thyme and Parmigiano. For the secundi course we feasted on either grilled Branzino with caramelized endive and Meyer lemon and caper brown butter, or Magret of Duck with rhubarb, crystallized ginger in an Amaro sauce. A "real" dinner always includes a cheese course. We had a selection of Robiola, Taleggio, and Fontina. You'd think that after such a feast there would be no room for dessert. In most cases you'd be right. But when the dessert is home made salted caramel gelato you'd be wrong! We somehow made room. What about wine, I hear you cry. Five wines, all perfectly matched with the menu, accompanied this incredible six-course meal. No doubt the food was incredible. But the best food in the world will not make up for bad service. Cinghiale excelled at this too. We had a dedicated wait staff that was friendly, efficient and superb. Have you ever had you order taken at a banquet? Although we provided a count of the primi and secundi courses, and knew in advance what everyone was having, everybody's order was taken individually. Very impressive. We had a couple of vegetarians, no problem. They each got a special primi and secundi course. One individual was lactose intolerant. He got a special primi course. One individual was dieting and didn't want a primi course to watch his calories. He got a special low calorie primi course. The amazing thing is we didn't have to ask for this, it just happened. During the reception, the service was impeccable. No one ever had an empty glass. No one had to look around for the next appetizer. As is to be expected at this sort of affair, the bride and groom were mobbed with well wishers. They had a dedicated waiter who saw to their every need. Part of every rehearsal dinner is the "lets make fun of the kids" portion. There was a PowerPoint presentation prepared, but for reason that was unclear, the lap top would not interface with the projector. No problem, they ran up to the office, got their laptop and a flash drive and, voila, disaster averted. Bumped into the 5000 character limit--trust me--it's fantastic in every way!
(5)
Patrick H.

I had high hopes for Cinghaile, being such a fan of The Charleston, and Pazo. The flavors were spot on like all of Cindy Wolf restaurants, but the portions are extremely small. Puny is a better word. Service is not personable, robotic even. If you eat like a bird this restaurant is for you!! I shouldn't be hungry after 3 courses! I will not be returning, their are too many great restaurants in Baltimore that you won't feel ripped off when you leave!!
(2)
Patrick H.

Being a bona fide fan of Charleston, I had read the reviews of Cinghiale and was somewhat trepidacious that it wouldn't live up to my expectations. While, I wouldn't say Cinghiale has replaced my first love (Charleston) I have to say we had a spectacular experience there. We went in for Restaurant week... I had done my homework and researched their menu... of course when we got there we were tempted away from the RW menu by the many other lovely items to be had. Starters: Chilled Yellow Tomato Soup with PEI Mussels. Luscious Heirloom Tomato Salad, Basil oil and Gorgonzola Cheese (High quality but a little lack luster - nothing out the ordinary) Second Course : Zucchini Risotto with Fried Squash blossom - (Revelatory in its simplicity and execution.) Sausage Ravioli with Porcini Mushrooms. MMMMMM Main Course: Magret of Duck Breast over a Lemon Verbena reduction. Perfectly cooked and served with a very interesting spice gremolata formed into a tiny quenelle. Very tasty and very cool! Seared Day Scallops : Expertly prepared but a small portion and again nothing out of the ordinary. Cheese Course: We had some classics. Sweet gorgonzola, Pamagiano Reggiano and Fontina. All were good, but the presentation was lacking. Served with nothing else. Dessert: Citrus Panna Cotta with berry compote and Pistachio cookies. MMMM I get all misty-eyed just thinking about it. Goat Cheese Mousse with Cherry Agrodolce in puff pastry. Equally trance inducing in its yumminess. Finally, I have to say that as good as the food was, the service was better. The staff there is unbelievable. It's rare that I find service that outshines a kitchen, but it certainly did here for us.
(5)
Jason and Winter N.

Visited Cinghiale in mid-June to celebrate a friend's birthday and thoroughly enjoyed the experience! Great location near the water and wonderful spacious, yet inviting ambiance. I have to admit we were a slightly loud, celebratory group but they were so helpful and friendly, and even took pictures for us and brought dessert for the birthday boy. They gave us great menu and wine recommendations, too, and everything was perfect. We ordered a wide variety of things, ranging from crab risotto to the lamb, steak to vegetarian pasta. Their prix fixe menu was a fantastic deal and allowed us to sample a little of everything, including desserts and appetizers - I highly recommend it.
(4)
J B.

Delicious food, great service. Worth the money for a special occasion!
(5)
Eby D.

I can't get enough of this place. The food is awesome and they are able to accommodate special dietary needs (i.e. gluten free) without sacrificing great taste. The wine is fantastic...When they bring a bottle to your table they actual taste it before you do to ensure they are not giving you a bad bottle! I've lived in Italy and NYC, and I can say for sure that Cinghiale is among the best Italian restaurants I've dined at...Its a great date spot and great place to bring friends and family who are visiting from out of town - just note that it does get crowded and a little loud weekends so definitely do an early reservation to avoid the Fri/Sat crowd.
(5)
tania t.

Great food, great atmosphere. Didn't feel like we were in Baltimore, but then again, Harbor East never feels like Baltimore. The native New Yorkers dining with me were impressed and happy with their meals. Three of us ordered the three course prix fixe with wine pairings, and I have to say, I should have just stuck to the appetizer (gorgeous beet salad) and a large order of the pasta (rabbit!!), because I was too full by the time my braised pork belly rolled around. Frankly, the pork belly wasn't that impressive and I would have rather had more of that fantastic rabbit pasta! Great service and good dessert choices; the citrus neapolitano is very refreshing and great for summer, while the vanilla panna cotta is just delicious!!! Go treat yourself and go to Cinghiale now!
(4)
Steve K.

I had La Cucina Della Nonna - a roughly $30 offering including appetizers, a traditional Italian dish, and dessert - here. The antipasti and the main dish - Spaghetti alla Chittara with Shrimp and Capers - was excellent. On the negative side, we had a romaine heart salad to start the dinner - while it wasn't terrible, it had barely perceptible flavor. My girlfriend had a risotto here. It was ridiculously salty and bathed in liquid, and the rice was more like jasmine rice than arborio rice - it wasn't even the slightest bit creamy. We sent that one back because of the salt and it was replaced with a too-simple spaghetti-tomato-and-basil dish that reminded me very much of Chef Boyardee (although it wasn't awful). The dessert - chocolate flan with coffee bean gelato - was quite good, and had that with a glass of fortified Chianti which was also excellent. Enjoyed the Piemonte wine flight during the meal - including a mild white wine whose name I didn't recognize, a Barbera, a Dolcetto, and a Barolo. Cinghiale is great for wine - there are lots of options available by the glass and half-glass - which is often a better way to go nowadays than buying bottles.
(4)
TJ P.

I had dinner with a large group at Cinghiale on a busy Saturday night. Parking is tight around the restaurant, so there is free valet parking. The restaurant and bar are very attractive. The staff is well dressed, polite, attentive, and professional enough that you notice it. This is a good place to bring (and impress) a special date. The menu is a la carte and changes frequently, but basically, it has two columns. On the left side are the most creative dishes, from charcuterie plates, to appetizers, homemade pastas, unusual risottos, main dishes (such as rabbit confit) and desserts. The right side of the menu is called "Nonna's Kitchen," which offers, so to speak, Italian comfort food. If your Nonna fixed things like macaroni with a wild boar ragu on top. You can order from either side of the menu, and they also have a prix fixe dinner on each side. My group thought everything was delicious, especially the homemade pasta.
(4)
Jennie K.

Ambiance: The restaurant is modern, lively, and romantic. The restaurant is located near the water and is very spacious. It seemed like a wonderful date place :) Food: Although we were there during restaurant week, the items on the menu did not really catch our eyes. We decided to order from the regular menu. The heirloom tomato salad with basil oil and gorgonzola pieces was refreshing and enjoyable. One of the servers told us that the restaurant uses locally grown produces. I loved the potato gnocchi with mushrooms and swiss chard! Gnocchi tasted so chewy and delicious, and the brown sauce had a deep flavor that brought the ingredients together well. The grilled duck dish with polenta and blackberry balsamic was great too. For dessert, we ordered the vanilla panna cotta and enjoyed it very much. The overall presentation of the dishes was beautiful as well. Service: We had multiple servers helping us out with our wine and dinner choices. Extremely attentive and friendly.
(4)
Scott C.

Prix fixe has two great options, $59 and $29, northern and southern italian. Great options abound. Tortellini and tilefish were top notch, ricotta cheesecake not so much. Very nice seating options with excellent service.
(5)
Alan N.

Attended a large wedding rehearsal dinner that was fantastic. Tuna tartare and pea puree bruschetta apps to die for. Great beet salad perfectly done Bronzino entree, and best gelato with salted caramel ever. Very attentive service. Will eat here again next time in Baltimore.
(5)
Looti H.

Good service and ambiance. The food is delicious I recommend prosciutto and also calamari. A little expensive though
(4)
Geoff E.

The reviews among our table were mixed. In fact, the reviews among friends with prior visits were mixed. Having eaten here, I really find it hard to believe - I thought it was very good. With that, I think it is worth trying for a few dishes to see if you like the style of Italian cuisine, which is modern. An Ironic difference, with little Italy being two blocks away. The menu we found a bit perplexing, with two pre fix menus and options to order a la carte. We waffled over the menu while we enjoyed warm bread and oil they served us, which the were generous with. We ultimately decided to start with mixed appetizers including meats, cheeses and an antipasti. Everyone was happy with the way we started. Frankly, we were all full at the end. We decided to stay with primis for the dinner course and ordered the smaller portions - with one large portion. It was a good way to try everything with one exception; they were clearly smaller portions. The risotto we found exceptionally small. Had we ordered it as a 2nd course to a 4 course dinner, I think it would have still be small, but perhaps we would have found it a bit more appropriate. The fresh pastas were all excellent. The short rib ravioli was notably good, as was the gnocchi with lamb Ragu. For dessert, we ordered the ricotta cheesecake. The texture was dry and the portion was laughable for $8; exceptionally small. The gelato was nice and we all enjoyed that. In all, it's a good experience. If I did it again, I'd go with the pre fix menu. That would have been a far better way to experience the menu. We did find some of the portions small for the price, but most of the food was excellent. My wife and I were both in favor of 4 star reviews, while the couple we ate with rated 3.5 stars.
(4)
Sailracer S.

Wonderful Northern Italian on the Water. I stopped by on a Monday night and sat outside. The service was friendly, adaptable and wiling to give multiple suggestions. The inside was adorable (more french bistro than italian, but . . .) and the outside overlooked Baltimore Harbor across a quiet street and marina a bit off the main tourist track. The wine list, while focused on bottles, was broad. The cocktail menu was also attractive. While Cinghiale featured an extension of its restaurant week and a very reasonable full prix fixe with wine pairing ($75), I wasn't in the mood for 4 courses. So, instead I orderd the "Suppli Al Telefono" (Crispy Risotto with Mozzerella) and the Dorade (Arata) special. The rice balls were ligher than I expected in a wonderful sauce. The Dorade came with skin over fingerling potatos in a creme, which was devine. I'd definately hit up Cinghiale again. Wonderful spot, service and food.
(5)
Faisal M.

Service, service, service! Excellent food - try the grilled calamari and the duck. Anniversary dinner and they arranged a corner intimate table. They iron the table cloths tableside in 1 minute between services, people! Prices are quite reasonable for a romantic dinner out.
(4)
D M.

Food was good, service was polite, but here's why they're getting two stars - I got billed for the WRONG TABLE. The waiter charged me for a different table's meal (much more expensive). I pointed this out to him and asked him to bring the correct bill. He does and I sign for the correct amount. Well a few days later, checking my CC statement, it turns out I got billed for BOTH tabs. So now I have to sort this out and its definitely a pain in the butt.
(2)
Steve G.

We came here after an exhibit at the Baltimore Museum and met some friends from out of town who had heard of the chef and his success in another place. The place itself is very nice, big Saturday night crowd and comfortable. Service was above average which you would expect for an upscale place like this. The food was very good, not WOW but worth another trip here for sure. Turns out Cinghaile means 'wild boar' so I had the Cinghaile special and it was pretty tasty. Not gamey mush like pork. Others had the rock fish, steak and the gnocchi. The rock fish won by a huge margin.
(3)
Ji K.

This review is based on summer restaurant week 2008. One of the best restaurant week meals I've had if not the best (I've done more than 20 in DC & Baltimore the last several years ). It has been a while so I don't remember the names of the dishes I got but here goes. Appetizer: Bruschetta - good Soup - fantastic, probably my favorite soup I've had in an Italian restaurant. The pasta that was in the soup was really good and fresh Main: Veal - fantastic again, really tender and went well with the potato side it came with Seafood Risotto - one of the best Risotto I've tried. Not so good risotto can be quite bland but not this dish...had excellent, distinctive flavor. Dessert: Panna Cotta - Very good! Mixed summer berries - most disappointing item in the meal. Too sour. If the meal can be this good for Restaurant week, I can't imagine being worse during regular nights. Then again $30 per 3 course meal is hard to beat also.
(5)
Gerry G.

Having just returned a week ago from 2 weeks in Italy, surprisingly this meal was better than any of those I had in Italy yet at a fraction of the price. There are -- in addition to a la carte -- 2 basic choices at dinner -- a $29 three course meal (appetizer, pasta and dessert) or a four course (better appetizer, half-pasta, main course and better dessert) for $59. I opted for the latter, but did not select the $30 "wine pairing" which seemed rather lame. My sense is I would have been as pleased with a meal at a bargain price of $29 plus wine, as I was with the more elaborate and expensive and marginally higher quality meal (I chose the superb calamari, the tasty lobster pasta, a VERY well prepared broiled fish, and gelato) at 2x the price, but as I was in Baltimore by necessity I decided to splurge. The wines are served in 3 and 6 ounce pours -- I'd suggest you take the 3 ounce pours as they seemed nearly as generous as the 6 ounce pours seemed skimpy -- and there is an excellent selection. The Tentuta Luisa cab franc 2006 was outstanding, as was the 2008 Villa Solais, a Sardinian white. Service was attentive. All in all an excellent meal.
(5)
Ayon J. R.

Good food but very overpriced. Great location though, and the service is good. Plus, good cocktails.
(3)
David B.

Great location tucked off the water in Harbor East. Spacious, nice bar area, really liked the dÃ©cor with all of the wine bottles lining the walls. Staff was friendly. I was there with my fiancÃ© and some close friends celebrating our engagement. We expressed interest in the appetizer that was apart of the special, and they gave it to us on the house as an engagement gift! My Italian is a little rusty, so the menu was a bit hard to decipher. But once you're able to get past the language barrier and order, you won't be disappointed. We mostly ordered from the right side of the menu, which was closer to the more traditional dishes. The food was very good. My fiancÃ© was skeptical at first, but she definitely enjoyed her selection. I also liked its portions... enough to get you full but not so much that you're ready to fall asleep. It is pricey, so I'd only recommend it for special occasions.
(4)
Joanne S.

favorite restaurant in baltimore currently! the large wooden table right by the window was a perfect first-time spot. great service, amazing food. i chose the option of wine pairings with the different courses. i recommend anything off of their charcuterie menu. and i think that their pasta dishes are astounding. i had the lobster ravioli dish, perfect portion, which was paired with an amazing champagne. desserts here are also fantastic. the panna cotta was fabulous.
(5)
Tatyana M.

Well, it's the first time, when I am "speechless" not because we had a WOW experience, but because it was quite the opposite in SUCH an establishment as Cinghiale. This was our first introduction to Tony Foreman and Cindy Wolf restaurants and it didn't go well at all (in spite of our very high hopes). POSITIVE: ambiance (classy in the osteria, very lay down and noisy in the enoteca), service was "nice", timely, attentive, but felt kind of 'too much", too "formalistic". Bread basket was fresh and tasty, but just olive oil without any kick to it makes it kind of "borring" in comparing with other restaurants we've been during RW. NEGATIVE: food and it's value. We considered ourselves lucky to have a restaurant week menu choice, otherwise we would be VERY upset spending even more on such unmemorable food. a) Tomato salad description: Gorgonzola, Basil, Arugula, Sportoletti Extra Virgin Olive Oil (quote from the menu) Reality: 2 slices of beefsteak tomato (tasting the same as from local supermarket, one of them having rotten spot), Gorgonzola, 1 cherry tomato cut in half, arugula. No olive oil or basil present in smell, taste or site. b) Local Zucchini Soup was substituted for some kind of Mushroom soup which was OK but nothing extraordinary. c) Hand Cut Tagliatelle with Veal Bolognese, Parmigiano was a highlight of the dinner, but again nothing that would make you to get back for it. d) Pan Seared Norwegian Steelhead, Eggplant PurÃ©e, Hen of the Woods Mushrooms, Tomato Vinaigrette was not impressive. The small piece of fish was fresh but cooked almost like seared tuna so most of the fish was rare and the skin though crisped very well was too salty to enjoy. We do love rare fish, but in this case cooked parts tasted much better then rare ones. Mushrooms (if they were there) were in such a quantity that they could of skip mentioning them in the description. Eggplant Puree was good. e) Both desserts were just the same unmemorable and mediocre as the rest of the food If somebody is interested in REAL north Italian food they should try to visit Obelisck in Washington DC. This restaurant was just pretending to be the one and people who know - know the difference. My thinking is that when restaurants participate in RW their gol is to impress patrons with their best so people would want to come back for more. Cinghiale did just the opposite to us. Sorry, but we don't want to have more of this.
(3)
Sara R.

Visiting Baltimore, staying in neighborhood and stumbled upon this place for early dinner @ the bar. Great service! Busy bar and lots of interesting drinks being made so entertaining if by yourself. I had the arugula salad, grilled calamari - delicious. Saved room for cheese course which too was yummy with the best toasted bread. Bread basket during dinner could be better but everything else was wonderful. Not so noisy @ the bar but the restaurant seemed to be getting up there in noise level. Great place to grab a bite by yourself or with a group. Eating at the bar was good - seats have backs!!!
(4)
Brian S.

I wasn't overly impressed with the restaurant. I have been to some of Cindy Wolf's other restaurants, but this one misses the mark slightly. The short ribs ravioli was lacking flavor, the small plate of risotto was about the size of two spoonfuls. Not sure if I would come back.
(3)
Barbara T.

Over-seasoned and overpriced. This was my 3rd visit to Cinghiale. On the first visit I was served foie gras that was nicely seared but cold (refrigerator temp) on the inside. I received an apology but nothing else. The rest of the meal was meager, but fine. On my second visit I had appetizers and wine. The wine list is inspired. I worked 25+ years in the restaurant business and was responsible for selecting wines...the list is first-rate. So, last night we tried it again. The meal was almost inedible due to over-salting. I had the tiny octopus and artichoke appetizer and the outside was over-seasoned to the point of salty bitterness. The gnocci entree was small but had exceptional gnocci - light and delicate like the real deal I had in northern Italy - but the lamb sauce was outrageously salty and tough. I am a tolerant diner and I could not eat it. I was offered another dish, so at least the response was professional. My cappuccino was perfection, but at this price they should get it all right. We won't be back.
(2)
shane w.

Annoying and clueless service, ( are you ordering bottled or tap water? And that's the greeting, shameless upselling, ("we" are pairing this big red (at $25.00 a glass) with your venison sir), unbelievably arrogant chef, (the brittle shards of rock hard pieces of chestnut that almost broke my tooth is exactly the way he wants it)?, having their valet come in to tell you that your car might be towed because there is a "rogue" meter maid out there?, spending $200.on a dinner for two with only two glasses of wine and have the server not crumb the table, etc etc etc. Until these breaches of the basic mandates of running a fine restaurant are addressed, Cinghiale will remain for me a wannabe and not-ready-for-prime-time player. DC is much too close. Why do Baltimoreans accept such condescending sub par treatment and pay a lot of money for the privelege? Am I being too tpugh on Cinghiale? Not by a long shot. If you want to charge New York prices, deliver a New York experience.
(2)
Kimberly D.

We came here for our anniversary and it proved to be a wonderful experience. First, they greeted us with a glass of champagne since I said it was our anniversary. We ordered from the sommelier (who was a young woman which was surprising) and she made a great recommendation for a pinot gris which went well with both the fish and the meat dishes we ordered. Great service - I asked to move our table and they had no problem with this. Food: the tomatoes on the heirloom salad were incredible but the cheese with it was a blue cheese, not mozerella didn't go with the tomatoes. I ordered a bunch of small plates, like the fried zuchinni which was out of this world like french fries but healthy and the calamari which had a wonderful garlic olive oil sauce. My partner had the veal which was also tasty, juicy and melt in your mouth. The order of the dishes was kind of weird, but maybe we messed them up by moving our table. The dessert was also fabulous, a cookie with cream on top and the best tasting plums I ever had (forgot the name of it). I highly recommend this place for special occasions. You can even eat here and not spend a lot by choosing the "home style" option of 3 courses for $25. Highly recommended!!!!! Probably the best restaurant in Baltimore. One odd note were the plastic pump bottles of liquid soap in the bathroom, didn't fit with the elegance of the rest of the place.
(5)
Nathan W.

My wife and I came here for our 7 year anniversary and had a wonderful experience from start to finish. The customer service was top notch. We were warmly greeted as soon as we walked in and seated within a minute despite being 40 minutes early for our reservation. Our server was one of the best we've ever had. He was attentive, but not over the top and had solid knowledge of the menu. That and he was good at feeding of my ego with comments like, excellent choice, one of my favorites, etc. and he gave us a sparkling dessert wine on the house. We both had the 4 course menu. I would give 5 stars for everything my wife had and I would give what I had 4. My second course was the gnocci and it was good but not to die for. We ordered a bottle of the Corte Majolu Amarone, 2007 and it was a killer bottle of wine. They also had us sign it and they have an area where they display these bottles so you can check it out on a return visit. A great experience and I will be back one of these days.
(5)
Jeannette M.

This was my first time here. I'd heard great things about it, but was disappointed. I went during restaurant week and I found the dishes to be just meh and the portions were very small. To be fair, my mom is Italian and I've traveled some in Italy and am a foodie, but still - this was just really low quality food. Usually I can only do appetizer / dinner or dinner / dessert (and not finish the dessert), but I scarfed down all three courses and came home and had a snack. The salad was kind of an odd combination (blood oranges, argula, red watercress, olives, and caprino), which can often work well, but in this case not at all. The crab and shrimp ravioli were just so-so--the sauce was simply butter, no other flavor. The chocolate cake and creme fraiche was good, but not excellent. In general, the food was not flavorful and I couldn't get over how small the portions were--Italian restaurants generally serve copious amounts. I don't think that it was worth $30 and I'm not convinced enough about the food to want to return to try the real menu. Oh, another thing, I ordered a glass of wine with dinner, it never came and we didn't see our waiter. I didn't want my food to get cold (it actually wasn't too hot when served), so by the time I saw him I was almost finished and too late for the wine.
(2)
Art V.

We live in New York City and were visiting friends in Baltimore, when we decided to try Cindy Wolf's latest venture. We are fans of Petit Louis, having been there on many occasions. I must say I was a little disappointed with this place. The total bill was about $90 per person, with wines ordered by the glass (a total of only 4 glasses). Most entrees were in the $25-$35 range, which seems high for Baltimore. Collectively, we had a fish, chicken, and pork dish, plus 3 appetizers and one pasta to share. None of the main dishes was a standout. In fact, the appetizers (suppli, carpaccio) were the best part of the meal. While the meat and fish dishes were well prepared and tasty, the portion sizes did not warrant the high cost. The waitstaff was attentive, perhaps a bit aloof and cold at times. We're experienced, well-traveled diners. We don't need a mini-discourse on Italian dining traditions.
(3)
John J.

We've been here twice -- once for the Sunday "family" meal and once in the main dining room for a celebratory dinner. Both have been great experiences! The service has been consistently top notch -- appropriately attentive, good wine recommendations, and a good knowledge of the menu. The wine list is comprehensive, the ambiance is very pleasant in both the enoteca (=bar) and osteria (=dining room), though it's worth noting that both are very different. Love the Salumeria (I highly recommend the porchetta with garlic sauce). NB: In my experience, the cooking for the Sunday night dinner was not at the caliber of the regular menu -- but neither was it at the price. For $25 bucks, you get what you pay for and more.
(4)
B B.

My boyfriend and I went to Cinghiale for our first anniversary. We made a saturday night dinner reservation a couple weeks in advance and requested a romantic table. They were very sweet; we got a nice table by a window with a view of the harbor, although we did have to wait about ten minutes for our table to be ready. The ambiance was great - except that there were two different parties seated near us who drank too much and were pretty rowdy. We ordered a couple different things; all were delicious and well presented. To start, I had a bellini, which was wonderful. Bf tried the Negroni, and decided he didn't like gin. I'm not a huge fan either, it was a little strong for me, but it was still good. I'd just like to take a moment to say that the bread (served before your meal, as much as you'd like) was phenomenal. Delicious. I had a squash soup with some sort of cheese ravioli in it. I have never enjoyed a soup more. Really. It was divine. Roasted pumpkin seeds on top - I can't do it justice. My bf is a huge fan of calamari, and he had the grilled calamari to start with. He loved it; said it was the best he'd ever had. Now - here is where we ran into a small problem. Our entrees were brought out before our pastas. I called attention to the problem and it was fixed, but we did have to wait quite a while for our proper dishes. However, when the plates did come, they were worth the wait. Bf had risotto. I tried it, and it was possibly the most delicious thing I've ever put in my mouth. Al dente rice, creamy, cheesy, deliciousness. I had lobster agnolotti (like a ravioli) in lobster cream sauce. The lobster was very tender and delicious. My entree, Chicken Mattone, was well cooked and good, but it was not spectacular. Same for bf's steak - good quality, well cooked, but nothing spectacular. Dessert was fabulous. Bf got the duetto di chocolate, I think it was called. It was a cappucino mousse and a cocoa nub ice cream. I wanted to eat the cocoa nub ice cream for the rest of my life. Mine was equally spectacular - I got the deconstructed tiramisu. Fabulous, but very rich. Large portion too, so I'd recommend sharing it unless you are feeling gluttonous. The final touch was a glass of a lightly sweet sparkling wine that they brought each of us - a toast for our anniversary, courtesy of cinghiale. I wish I could remember what it was called... moscatone, muscatone, something. overall, we want to go back again to try new things - steak and chicken were delicious, but we want to try some of their more exotic dishes, and return to our favorites. After tipping our waiter and valet, tax, a drink a piece, dessert, and 3 courses, our bill came to 170 or 180, I think. I thought it was worth it. We'll be back.
(4)
Linda E.

Would have been five stars except the place is increddibly noisy (I do like to talk to my spouse) and the tables are so small we had to use the one beside us as our garage. Good thing no one was sitting there. However, the food was incredible. We had the calamari (grilled to perrfection) drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with red pepper. We wiped the bowl clean with bread. We also had the prosciutto and melon. Gorgeous. We skipped to the second course. I had black bass with grilled tomatoes. Wonderful. My husband had big eye tuna over sauteed olives and tomatoes. He doesn't even like olives and I only managed to snag about three off his plate. No room for dessert. Service was excellent and the servers and staff very knowledgable. If I come to Baltimore again, I will make a beeline here, but I'll eat outside on the sidewalk. The tables are bigger and the traffic isn't as noisy.
(4)
Emily C.

I dined here once at their $29 Sunday Supper, and it was a very pleasant experience. From 5:30 to 8:00pm on Sundays, Cinghiale offers a classic Italian supper that features an assortment of antipasti, a choice of pasta, and a dessert. The menu changes weekly, and the atmosphere is casual. You can check the menu on their website for and idea of what's served, but it's not always updated for the upcoming Sunday. You can go up for as many helpings of the antipasti as you want, but keep in mind there is still the pasta and dessert to follow! They have a decent selection of wines, and the service is excellent. If going for Sunday supper, it's unlikely that you'll need a reservation, but they say the last seating is at 7:30. However, I noticed several parties arrived after us and were seated with no problem.
(4)
hima s.

Yum! I went there in January and it was absolutely delicious. I did a wine pairing with each course (three -- I was a piggy!) and everything was amazing. This meal nearly made up for the freezing cold weather while I was there.
(4)
angelo t.

Outstanding food/drinks/atmosphere ! This is the place to go if you want to impress a guest. Wine selection is superb, like all the Cindy Wolf restaurants. Definitely plan on at least 2 hours. The intent of the full menu is a multi-course experience: Antipasti, primi, secondi, etc.. See wikipedia "italian cuisine, meal structure": en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itâ€¦
(5)
Phyllis M.

I was sorely disappointed at this VERY expensive restaurant, where we were celebrating a simultaneous birthday and graduation. The service was very good, but the food on many levels was average or below. We ordered brochette, which were tiny Melba toasts with 1/2 bite size portions. On them were a variety of toppings, most of them underwhelming, if there was enough to even taste! I ordered a lamb dish. I doubt there was 2 oz of lamb. They did not asked how I wanted it served and I had to send it back because it was RAW in the middle. It was cooked like Yellow fin tuna. I will eat tuna seared on the our side, but not lamb. Once cooked, my $30 minute portion was good, for the 3 bites it took to consume. Another person at the table got undercooked duck. My GOD, does anyone know about salmonella! The deserts were a very poor and SMALL canolli. Shells tasted like cardboard, and instead of a ricotta filling, it tasted like chocolate pudding. VERY VERY disappointed, and at $100/person it will NEVER be repeated by me or mine!
(1)

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Address : 822 Lancaster St
Baltimore, MD, 21202
Phone (410) 547-8282
Website https://www.cgeno.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :5:30 pm - 10:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Valet
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Dressy
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

Claim Restaurant

Italian Cuisine

The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.

Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.

If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.

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Cinghiale - Osteria

822 Lancaster St, Baltimore, MD, 21202

Cinghiale - Osteria Menu

Antipasti - First Plates

Salumi - Charcuterie

Primi - Pasta & Risotto

Secondi - Main Dishes

Contorni - Side Dishes

I Dolci - Dessert

Healthy Meal suggestions for Cinghiale - Osteria

Antipasti - First Plates

Salumi - Charcuterie

Primi - Pasta & Risotto

Secondi - Main Dishes

Contorni - Side Dishes

I Dolci - Dessert

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