Restaurant is great, but please don't hire for catering! They told me they would cater a party and sent several informational emails. The party is tomorrow and I still haven't heard from them. Decided to go with another local restaurant that actually valued our business. Perhaps they are overcommitted, but I'd hate for other party-planners to be let down at the last minute like this. Go to the restuarant, but DON'T request catering.
(1)
Francisco I.
My wife and i have been to Clementine twice, and so far everything has been very good. I really enjoyed the chicken sandwich while my spouse loved the pulled pork sandwich. We ordered the macaroni and cheese for the kids and we both agreed it was the best we had ever had. One area they could improve is the speed of service. Both times we were there for lunch which could explain the slow service but it was not so bad that I would not recommend this place to everyone.
(4)
Drew T.
The ingredients are fresh, and they know how to put them together. As a matter of fact, the last time i went there might have been the best lunch i've had in years. Bacon and Asparagus sandwich with sharp cheddar and tomato chutney. I never would have thought of that one myself.
(5)
Amanda E.
Really wanted to like this restaurant, really wanted to make this our new regular place - but we weren't even able to eat at this restaurant due to peanut problems. I understand that peanuts are awesome and amazing (seriously - when the allergy having other half goes out of town I go on peanut benders), but with allergies being on the rise I also believe that restaurants should disclose on their menus if they can't serve people with peanut/tree nut allergies. After checking their menu, calling the restaurant, and then rechecking the menu, I made reservations in advance for four people this past Sunday using opentable. I even included a note, mentioning that two members of our party had peanut and select tree nut allergies. (in doing this we've found that restaurants that pose a risk call to discuss options in advance - or help us find a similar restaurant that won't result in an ER visit) We showed up at the restaurant and were promptly greeted by very friendly staff and shown to a table in the main room. Water was brought out, wine menus were being browsed and dinner items were being discussed. Our server then came out and mentioned the peanut note I had left in the reservation, and with that dropped a bomb. While there are no peanuts currently on their restaurant menu, in fact no allergens were on the restaurant menu, they share a kitchen with their catering company and with that could not guarantee the food was safe. I'm sorry - what?!?! So I'm not sure if they reuse pots/pans without cleaning or if they are just really messy back there - but they essentially told us that we could not eat at their restaurant due to our nut issues. I have to say that this was a first for me - we have been at chain restaurants that use peanut oils who have made sure my husband wouldn't die at their hands. Yet this locally focused non-chain restaurant was unable to accommodate us - or give us the information we needed in advance to avoid them , which would have been more than. An example of how to properly do this is Johnny's, who have loudly (and proudly) noted their use of peanut oil on the front of their menu - and also make it clear when you call to verify that their restaurant is not peanut safe because of the share space. Or the new restaurant Nickel Taphouse, their menu looked peanut free but a quick talk with someone let us know that occasionally the beer nuts included peanuts and that they couldn't guarantee anything that had gone in the fryer - awesome! We checked their menu (multiple times), I called them, and then made a reservation including a note about the allergies - and yet the first (only) time we were told this restaurant would not work for us was after we had sat down to enjoy dinner.
(1)
Amanda I.
I loved the decoration of the place. Rustic, quiet, and inviting. Greeted by a friendly host. The food was excellent, everything seemed fresh and seasonal. Service was so-so but think maybe it was just a busy night. I'll be back here.
(4)
Jonathan G.
I stopped here for a drink with a friend after having dinner at Hamilton Tavern. Clementine was just across the street, and it was late on a Friday. Surprisingly, the place was largely empty, except for a handful of patrons at the bar. Instead of trying to hustle us out the door, the wait staff was incredibly nice, chatted with us, and made some suggestions for dessert and drinks. I had no idea that we'd arrived with a half an hour to go before closing, but I felt like an appreciated customer. That was fantastic treatment, and they get five stars for it.
Horrible and frustrating dining experience! Four of us went last night and arrived around 7:30. The first misstep was re: drinks...2 of us ordered a glass of wine and 2 cocktails. Our waiter was apparently in the weeds so gave our order to a bus girl (?) She brought over a bottle of wine...we told her that we didn't order. She came back with 3 glasses of wine which again was incorrect. All of this took about 20 min. Finally, the manager/owner/hostess (?) with a tude got involved and delivered the correct drinks. She had the audacity to call insinuate that we were being difficult (we hadn't complained at this point) and even pointed at my friend and said "listen sweetheart, we're doing the best we can"!!! What?? Our original waiter returned and we ordered a charcuterie plate...no entrees yest, just wanted to relax and nibble. He REPEATEDLY came to our table asking us if we were finished (plenty left on plate) and would we care to order. This happened probably 6 times. We found a black hair in the accompanying lard sauce which the manager said was a piece of fuzz from her grey sweater! Again..the attitude was as though we were a pain in the ass, and she did nothing to accommodate us. We ordered entrees which were very disappointing. I had the rainbow trout which was dry and salty....the fingerling potatoes were burnt hash browns. The guys ordered the flat iron steaks which were cold and tough. My friend ordered a curry dish which looked like vomit. In the end, the manager took $10 off the check...I suppose because of the hair. No one apologized or gave us a reason to come back..which we won't! Too many choices in Balto right now...won't waste our time and $. Oh my darling Clemantine...you should shut your doors forever, dreadful sorry Clemantine!
(1)
Naomi G.
Heard a lot of good things about Clementine. Was very disappointed. My first visit here: I took my boyfriend for his birthday. The service was horrendous. Basically everything you can do wrong - from not approaching us until at least 15 minutes after we were seated (this after a 30 min. wait), to being essentially inaccessible to us throughout the meal - was done. Maybe it was his first day on the job. But that alone could have ruined our dining experience. Fortunately, there were other things to make it much worse. As an appetizer, my boyfriend ordered the escargot. Inside of it, we found a melted, hard piece of plastic. We brought it to the attention of our server, once we were able to flag him down - not to chew him out, but just to let him know - he apologized but did not offer to bring us another appetizer or replace it. Ok, fine. No biggie. He didn't tell us he was telling his manager, but about 10 minutes later - the host/manager came over to essentially argue with us over the fact that we had found a piece of plastic in our food. We didn't realize that our appetizer came with a free side of attitude. It went about like this: Him: So I understand you found a piece of plastic in your food. Us: Yes, it's no big deal, we just thought we should let you know in case it might have fallen in other people's food. Him: I see. Well, there is nothing in our kitchen that looks like this. Us: Oh, really... Him: None of our food is packaged in plastic. So I don't see how you could have found this in your food. Us: Uh..ok... Him: I do apologize, but I am pretty certain that this piece of plastic did not come from our kitchen. Us: Ok... It's as if he was offended, accusing us of lying, and certainly not apologetic. I could write a lot more about this extremely disappointing birthday dinner, but I'm just going to mention the quality of the food. Excluding the escargot, some of it was decent. Some of it was not good (i.e. the desserts). One thing was absolutely terrible. My entree came with collard greens - they were soaked in some sort of vinegar, and absolutely inedible. Not amateur. Not "meh." Inedible. I would expect more from any restaurant that prides itself on its quality of food - as Clementine seems to. To top the night off, our server got our bill completely wrong, and overcharged us on 2 separate food items. For some reason, fixing this took a very long time. And we really wanted to leave at this point. Finally, my second visit (I am always giving well-reviewed restaurants a 2nd chance when I have a negative experience) -- Myself and a group of 5 friends came around 9:00 PM on a Saturday. As seen clearly through the windows, more than half their dining room was empty. Yes it was late, but a full hour before they closed. The same host/manager that had been so rude to us on our last visit - informed us that they did not have room to seat us - and that we would have to wait outside. It was summer, so that was fine with us. We waited 45 minutes to get seated - again, the dining room was more than half empty - without any follow up or explanation from the host. I went back in to the host stand to check in, and the host simply informed us that he couldn't seat us yet. Again, no explanation. I went back outside and we just left. Frankly, both experiences were not only negative - but bizarre. I will not be going back.
(2)
Eric H.
Restaurant week portion sizes are generally small but what I experienced yesterday was kind of silly. Three courses picked were duck casear salad, stuffed mushrooms and duck confit. The biggest disappointment was the stuffed mushrooms. 4 total mushrooms dime -quarter sized. They weren't stuffed with crab or anything fancy so I'm not sure why they skimped on them. Duck Salad tiny, not really any duck! Just take the duck off an give me more salad if the duck is expensive. Duck confit more like a baked/fried duck leg. Didn't appear to be confit by any means from my experience but I may be wrong. Drinks were fine, service pretty good, we weren't offered desert however which was weird and we were seated as a couple in the kids room.
(2)
Kate M.
Three family members and I went for Restaurant Week. Each course took an hour to come out and my food was only mediocre. Because of the extremely slow service, they gave us "free dessert," aka a 30 percent discount, but because it was 10:30 pm (we say down at 730 pm), we got it to go. When I got home, it was the wrong cake and my mom described her peach cheesecake dish as "nasty." Waste of time, waste of money, only thing not "nasty" was my company.
(1)
JQ G.
Tasty and interesting selection. The Mac n cheese is always delicious! Would recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a nice meal in a comfortable atmosphere. Have been a few times and have meet been disappointed. Calling ahead for reservations may help with making sure you're seated quickly.
(4)
Ty F.
We went to Hamilton to see "The Caretaker", a Pinter play performed at Performance Workshop Theater. (Nicely done, BTW! see it before it closes.) After the show, we saw a Clementine business card in the theater lobby. We had heard of Clementine and decided to go for dinner. We got a parking place right out front. We came in with no reservations on Mother's Day, so we took two seats at the bar for dinner. The mussel appetizer with chardonnay butter was delicious. The mussels were large and perfectly cooked. The juice was wonderful and we savored every bit of it. My seafood stew and my wife's chicken and waffle dinners were also excellent. Service was very good. The bread was very good. My wife's deaf expresso cappuccino was great. This is not a cheap place. With the above mentioned items, we were at $78, but it was worth the money. The only down side for us was the metal ceiling, similar to the one at Cafe Hon. It makes the place too loud. I'd float some acoustic clouds and soak up some of the clatter. As the place thinned out a bit, the noise level became less of a problem. We'll go back. The brunch menu looks very good.
(4)
Jason C.
Came here again with friends and happy to report that the experience was still great! Bar is still excellent with lots of interesting choices and all tried were well executed. Wait staff is relaxed and friendly, lending the the laid back atmosphere. You really feel like you just want to settle in for a few hours here. The limited menu was also interesting with enough variety to please everyone. I really like this place!
(4)
Amanda F.
Oh my darlin Clementine! I've been to Clementine for both lunch and dinner and never had a dish that missed. The prices are a tad higher than I would like, but the food is tasty, creative, and fresh. One bite of anything on Clementine's menu, and you know you are tasting culinary expertise. Even my chicken salad sandwich was unique and unexpected, yet very tasty and hearty. My Brother claims his BLT was the best he's ever had. We ordered another Acorn Squash Bisque because it was so good and we wanted more. The side salads are more than just iceberg lettuce and a slice of tomato. Don't miss out on the dessert! So yummy. Unfortunately AND fortunately, their menu changes often given the farm-to-table philosophy. This means I have no idea of the name of the entree I ordered over a year ago when I visited for dinner. It was a FANTASTIC Asian fish soup (with Maryland seafood) that I have never tasted elsewhere. Basically, I will happily continue to revisit Clementine's in hopes that they bring the fish soup back or I find another entree I love just as much.
(4)
Natalie G.
I've been to Clementine a few times for dinner, and I have always enjoyed myself! We usually do a little tasting of everything and split it so I have had quite a few of the menu options. The chicken dish (it changes all the time) is really quite wonderful and if you can find a dish with braised kale on it, GET IT. The charcuterie is worth it, though make sure you ask for more crackers. Thrusdays are a great day to go - they have awesome wine specials, and their cocktails look fantastic, though I haven't yet tried one (I usually get the wine flight when I go). Maybe next time. I think the only thing that i could pick out as a negative would be that the bread was cold. This isn't a big deal, but would be a really nice touch if Clementine was looking for something more to do. I also loved that there's a little kids play area in the corner. My daughter is a bit young, but this had such a nice family friendly atmosphere that I would definitely consider letting her roam a bit free when she gets older. I haven't seen a space like this at a restaurant in quite awhile and it really added to the family kitchen feel. I would say that this restaurant is definitely worth checking out.
(4)
Elizabeth J.
Terrific and unusual drink selections and great service. I have had many delicious items such as the pot pie and the tacos are always amazing no matter which meat you choose to stuff into them. I really enjoyed all of the appetizers, but I was disappointed by the steak. I requested it medium rare and it came out medium/medium well. The kitchen immediately returned it and quickly prepared a new steak cooked perfectly, but unfortunately it had absolutely no flavor. For the price it was pretty upsetting, but everything else was and always has been delicious so I will continue to go there, but maybe just avoid the steak. I really appreciated the graciousness with which the kitchen did their best to please in this situation however.
(3)
Kojo B.
I had the zradaka chicken with grits and kale. The grits were fantastic, and the kale was good (rarely ever would i comment on anything green). The chicken though was way too salty. Other guests on my table enjoyed their meals i guess i probably selected the wrong entree. I will try it again, but i will also order something else. In the interim it is a solid restaurant, but just basing my reviews off of the chicken.
(3)
Gina S.
I've only been here once but I was very impressed by the quality of the food, I ordered a Spanish egg/chorizo dish that was full of flavor and definitely enough to feed 2 people. Prices are a little steep for certain items for what they were, but that's what you dish out for locally grown, organic food. My husband got Belgian waffles, said they were good but there was nothing outstanding about them. I wasn't a fan of the coffee, way too strong for my taste. The restaurant was very crowded and hard to get to our seats since the tables were set up so close to one another. We asked for a highchair and were given one that was so loose and wobbly that I was afraid it would break if I put my son in it. After asking for a new one and waiting nearly 10 minutes, we had to request it again and finally got one after waiting another 5 minutes. I may come back in the future to try something other than breakfast but I will opt for a time when it is less busy.
(3)
Shannon S.
I really want to like Clementine. The decor is warm and comfortable, there is never a long wait (for brunch), and the menu has all kinds of things that you won't find at your normal brunch spot. But the food is just so-so. I've been for brunch 3 times now, so I'm comfortable saying that it's not just that I haven't ordered the right things. On my first visit, I decided to order a bunch and see what I really enjoyed. I had coffee, a scone (I think blueberry), waffles with nutella whipped cream, and the cheese grits. The coffee was good, the scone was just OK, the waffles were cold and not at all as decadent as I'd imagined, the nutella whipped cream was a nice touch, and the cheese grits were by and far the best thing I had, but mainly because they are super cheesy and I LOVE cheese. The server was very attentive and patient as this was the first time I, or anyone in my party, had been there for brunch. He seemed very attentive, but then I can't really explain why my waffles came out cold? It wasn't so bad that I ruled out coming back to this place... So I did come back, about 2 weeks later. This time, I had the cumin potatoes, cheese grits, and the egg and cheese breakfast sandwich. I didn't expect much, and it's a good thing. The food was luke-warm again. The potatoes didn't have much flavor and the waitress looked at me like I had 5 heads when I asked for tomato on my sandwich ("Uh, I guess we can do that"?? Really!?) The sandwich did turn out OK though. So, yesterday morning we wake up late and want to get some brunch. I know all of my favorite places will be packed after 10am, so I decide, eh, why not give this place one more try. Food was cold again!! Does this place not have warmers?? I've officially given up. If I'm desperate for cheese grits, I'd consider going back, but my expectations will be in check.
(2)
Nick B.
Great place. Always packed. Great drink list (questionable bartender skills however, cost them a star). The charcuterie hit you in the face once you enter makes you order even if you don't want it. Well made menu cooked properly. If you can get a seat, take it.
(4)
Jen W.
Clementine was the beginning of putting Hamilton back on the map. It has that great neighborhood restaurant vibe and draws in foodies from all over the area. You might even mistake the restaurant for a retail store since the store front has maintained the original exterior. The decor is eclectic and warm with unique artwork and wood chairs and tables. The drinks are wonderful. They have a terrific selection of bottled and draft beers. Did you say you have Chimay on tap? Ask for the menu of cocktails and drinks. A favorite amongst friends is the Basil Lime Elixir - tart, sweet and herby. Great for all seasons and the way to start off the meal. The menu is seasonal with the ingredients fresh and locally sourced. They also have a strong focus on charcuterie and meats, but they always have great menu options for vegetarians. They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Dinner can be a bit pricey but the food is really great. I can't wait to go back for breakfast and Taco Tuesday.
(4)
Justin K.
I have now been to Clementine's a few times for Brunch. This is located up in Hamilton, a short hop threw the ghetto. In my opinion it is definitely worth the trip. It's a solid brunch location. I have yet to partake in dinner here, I just can't get enough a one thing...the Korean Hot Pot! This is the ultimate hangover cure and is just straight delicious. It has eggs, sticky rice, sprouts, bacon, mushrooms, cabbage, carrots, hoisin, and a Korean BBQ sauce. It sounds ridiculous and it is, ridiculously good! They have fresh baked goods every morning as well, such as the cinnamon and sugar coated muffin with bacon inside. Oh man, that was tasty. I enjoyed another tasty lick last time we were here and they had house made scrapple. It was top notch. Just like back home in PA. They also have a local theme where a lot of their products are from local businesses in the area. Additionally, they cure their own freakin' meat! I love that restaurants do that now, because it is a craft that must be honed over time through trial and error. From what i have experienced they do a solid job of curing. I highly recommend you give this place a try for brunch on the weekend; it is off the beaten path but well worth the adventure.
(4)
Jean E.
Really nice food, but they've gotta figure out the service: on one recent visit we were told it was a half hour wait despite 50% of the tables being empty. So that was disappointing. On a more recent visit, we had a table because we reserved beforehand, but after filling our drink order our waiter seemed to fall apart and it took 90 minutes for all of our food to be delivered. Even though there were only two other tables.
(3)
Idalee D.
Clementines is always good. Often there are little misses but overall it is a good place to eat. I especially recommend any of the house smoked meats and the coconut cake!
(4)
Gerry S.
This is a sweetheart of a restaurant with an upscale palate, excellent food, and a relaxed, casual vibe, in a section of the city that's more accustomed to diners and chains. There's a play-area for families with kids up near the entrance, and that sort of dichotomy between serious food and a laid-back, welcoming atmosphere really sets the tone for the place. We'll definitely visit again. First off, Clementine now seems to have their liquor license in hand, as we were offered a wine list with our menus. While wine may be a solid choice for such good eats, my advice is to first try the nonalcoholic "basil-lime elixir" on their drink menu. This was a delightful surprise - up-front with the basil taste, but with enough citrus to cut the spice, and not too sweet at all. I'd never tasted anything like it before. The food was excellent overall. The "fantastical" mac-and-cheese appetizer is every bit as good as the menu promises, studded with bits of fresh tomato, cheesy without being gloppy, and featuring plenty of brown, crusty, burnt-cheese bits. Travis's duck was perfectly rare, and came with asparagus that was so fresh he said, "you can still taste the field." Another reviewer mentioned that the mashed potatoes were too stiff for his tastes, and I'll second that sentiment. Flavored with smoked gouda, they were still awfully tasty though. While the cheese grits and braised greens that came with my catfish entree were outstanding, the fish itself was a surprising letdown. Perfectly fresh and well-cooked, the seasoning on it was so salty, I nearly sent the dish back. Everything else was so good, I chalked the fish up as a misstep. The desserts were all clearly made in house. I was eyeing the chocolate-peanut butter cake all through my meal, but when the waitress mentioned that the coconut cake came with real boiled icing, I had to try it. Travis's key lime pie was also delicious. Finally, since it's me, I have to mention that one of the owners is a long-bearded, smoking-hot bear of a man. I would probably return just for that view, but really, the food is well worth the trip.
(4)
Robby B.
I came to Clementine for weekend brunch a couple years ago and just now made it back over (finally!). This time we got lunch during the week. I wasn't as impressed this time around, but I still had a very good meal. I really like the feel of Clementine. It's a good mix of hipster-cool, sophisticated, and inviting. They have a some cool paintings and a bunch of ornithology pictures. The view into the meat storage room is cool too. I wish Clementine served breakfast food throughout lunch, but alas, they do not. I ordered the pit beef sandwich ($8.50). It was good, not great. Meat was every so slightly overcooked, and also not warm enough. Felt a bit like your average roast beef sandwich. The tiger sauce was good and the bun was soft but held up nicely. The portion was not huge. My side was the Moroccan carrot salad. It was raw carrot slices covered in yellow curry. It was refreshing because the curry wasn't too salty or overpowering. A few raisins were in there too, but it needed more. My friend got the pulled pork sandwich ($8) and it was fantastic. The meat was very tender and the orange BBQ sauce was great. This sandwich was bigger than mine, so I was mighty jealous. She got a salad as her side dish. It was a simple spring mix, but her green goddess dressing was delicious. It was both creamy and clean tasting. Service was generally quick, attentive, and friendly. One small mix up: they switched our sides. Our meals were quickly re-plated even though we insisted it wasn't necessary. (Actually, that was frustrating because I was starving and waiting to eat, but I know he was just trying to be a good waiter.) Overall, good food at a decent price for lunch. This recent experience at Clementine warrants a solid 3.5, but I've really enjoyed weekend brunch in the past, so rounding up to 4 is a no brainer. I can't wait to come back for brunch and to try dinner down the road.
(4)
Erica C.
This is a breakfast review. I like breakfast. I like this place. I like to go with people and split a bunch of food. Pig out at breakfast. You know? The Elvis waffle was tasty and fun. Nutella is always a winner in my book. The corned beef hash was delicious as well, nothing like the slop in a can I've grown not-so-found of. The house sausage was flavorful and went well with the other dishes. The breakfast casseroles are rubbery and bleh for the most part, avoid them....but do get the cheesy grits. Those are good. The house coffee is a nice touch. The ambiance is nice. The service is average. I like this place for breakfast, except for the weird casserole things. I could do without those.
(4)
Kim A.
Best Spot in Baltimore. My only complaint is that I found this place the first month I moved to Baltimore a year ago and it ruined me for other Baltimore Restaurants forever, but that is not really their fault. Their drinks are amazing. They make in house elixir mixers like basil lemonade. I don't even like tequila, but when it's mixed in their drinks, I love it! Great infused vodkas too. They do in house charcuterie in a glass room so you can look at the delicious meats. Their pate is to die for and is part of their Thursday happy hours. The best dish they served was the anise oyster french toast. It can be a bit pricey when you order drinks, but it is fine dining in a casual atmosphere, so no dressing up needed. It's also pretty loud and not pretentious at all. The area is a bit weird to be home to such an awesome restaurant, but I think I like that because it means it won't become uber trendy. Do yourself a favor and check it out.
(5)
Devonshire B.
Their breakfast is pretty darn scrumptious. If you hit it on a day where the special is biscuits and sausage gravy, don't pass it up! If you missed your chance, by all means, order the Belgian waffles with the whipped cream and strawberries. Make sure you order the syrup ON THE SIDE! If you don't, they utterly drench it. Taco Tuesday is also an amazing quirk to this restaurant. The smoked paprika catfish is out of this world when gathered up with all of the other taco ingredients. I believe they cook their refried beans with beef broth. So good! For dinner, it can be pretty pricey. I've gone only once during Baltimore's Restaurant Week, but I wasn't let down. They had a great menu and the quality was excellent. All in all, this place is worth it. If the syrup is the only negative comment I have about this place, then I'm ok with that (and so should you).
(4)
John M.
I ate here for my first time during Baltimore restaurant week. I plan to come back. I had the Pork Adobo - this is one of the best meals I have ever had. The pork was perfect and the right amount of vinegar and flavoring. The wait staff was terrific and made us feel at home! I am glad I don't live close - I would be here a few times a week.
(5)
D K.
Burger and beer is on on Wednesdays. Made with local beef burgers are excellent, very good texture and taste. You can't beat the half price beer. And Cristin is as always the perfect host and guide
(5)
Steve C.
Clementine is ok. It came very highly recommended from a couple whose opinions we trusted, but neither our brunch nor our dinner wowed us. That being said, we weren't disgusted either. The first time we went was for brunch. I had the Migas which is some sort of scramble with eggs and corn tortillas. The ingredients were fresh, I'll give them that, but it had no flavor! Like, none. I wanted to love my meal, but I was "meh" on the experience. We also had a side of their mac & cheese to share. Ample portions size and very very good. Then we went for dinner. This meal, again, had very very little flavor. I had fried chicken with grits and a shockingly small side garden salad. No flavor. I think they're going for the low sodium thing, which I suppose is great for our heart health, but tastebud wise it's disappointing. The food is very fresh, I will give them that, but they need to figure out a way to get more flavor in their food if they're opposed to using salt. This could be a great restaurant choice if you're on a low-sodium diet or have cardiac issues, but when I want comfort food, I'm not necessarily thinking about my health.
(3)
Omer B.
Been there twice now. The ambiance is ok. It felt a bit understaffed Sunday at 7pm. I walked in at 7:05. We go our cocktails at 7:35. Food was so-so. I had the charcuterie starter and the risotto. The charcuterie was good the risotto was not. My drink was the Peep (hendricks, icetea, syrup, lemon, mint). It tasted like a watered down ice tea. The waiter was ok. A bit slow because he was busy, wasn't really his fault. I am trying to like this place but I can't think of a single reason to comeback other than I saw the table next to me get their deserts, and they were huge (the deserts, not the customers).
I've been here before for dinner and was completely blown away, but I wanted to see if there was more to this place than just dinner so I decided to try it for breakfast. I was more than amazed when I completed my meal. I will say it started off as a disappointment as it was relatively busy and only 3 servers working the entire place, but once our drink order was in, it was nothing less than spectacular. I got the breakfast scramble and a side of their homemade sausage and washed it down with some local Zeke's coffee. The meal was perfectly cooked and full of flavor. The hot sauces were quite delicious as well. I liked the green hot sauce as it had plenty of kick. The red hot sauce tasted too acidic for my liking. This place has become one of my favorites and next up, I'll have to go there for lunch.
(5)
M F.
We had a very special dinner here, last minute and were treated so warmly and intelligently but what's more, the food and drink were delish. I had a beet and goat cheese thing for my main course, yummy, and got to try both the scallops (to die for) and the blue fish (a treat we westerners don't get.) Lots of us are from Portland, so we're used to getting to know our food on a first name basis. This was a perfect mix of classy and casual.
(5)
Dan A.
Located in the Hamilton neighborhood, Clementine may be easy to miss at first glance. However, it is worth finding as it serves some really good comfort foods. The mac and cheese is amazing and definitely needs to be ordered if it is your first visit. The menu features local ingredients. While some dinner dishes can be pricey and get into the upper $20 range, you can usually find a good amount of dishes under $20 as well. Most of the food is very solid; I've never had a horrible meal here. The surrounding area is a bit sketchy so be careful not to leave valuables and such visible in your car.
(4)
Jason L.
I love this place so much, I went back and tried the Grouper based on our servers avid recommendation - and I was blown away! This is definitely one of the best restaurants in Baltimore. My friend had the New York Strip which looked amazing - he loved it! I will definitely be returning here again and again and again.
(5)
Collin M.
Clementine prepares ingredients that are farm-to-table, fork-to-mouth, stomach-to-intestine, toilet-to-water filtration plant, filtration plant-to-body of water, body of water-to-rain cloud, rain cloud-to-farm and farm-to-table. It's how food should be, you know? The dining room is dimly lit and the walls are festooned with local artist's artwork and other fitting pieces. The dining furniture, as far as I could tell, is all-wood and the booths appeared to be old, surprisingly comfortable church pews. All in all, the atmosphere jives with the overall theme of the restaurant. The waitstaff was friendly and attentive, no complaints there. I ordered the Caesar-ish salad with chicken and a bowl of Asian braised beef soup. The soup was fine but tasted strongly of hoisin sauce. The salad, on the other hand, was great. All of vegetables were fresh, colorful and flavorful. The free-range chicken breast was large, perfectly cooked and was only an extra $3.50. Everything was topped with the right amount of delicious bacon-anchovy vinaigrette. Overall, Clementine offers delicious and inexpensive food, all while supporting local farms. Check it out.
(4)
Jen L.
Tried the catfish tacos on their Taco Tuesdays and thought it was good. Nothing special, but still pretty decent food. The Tres Leche was really good. Never had it before until here. The sangria was OK. I had the Rose one and wondered if I should have gotten the white one. The only thing that stinks is that they only serve Tacos on Tuesdays. Which is fine, but their full menu was very tempting and I couldn't order from it. Will have to come back and try it on a day other than Tuesdays. This is a great neighborhood dive restaurant. I think I would have liked it better if I had more variety for the menu other than tacos.
(3)
Silvia K.
This was an interesting experience. I probably will not go again because it is not something fit to my taste. Smells like cured meat. Has that old, rustic nature to the restaurant. Had the Mac N Cheese, which was alright, but I would not eat it again because I didn't like the sharp cheddar. We got the bacon-wrapped meatloaf and the ham dinner. It was alot of food. I didn't really like it, but I ate a decent chunk. The vegetables were good. Not a big fan of any part of the pig though, so the bacon wasn't a good idea. :P If you want a different experience, try it out, but you've been warned.
(2)
Shana W.
I really find it amusing that my boyfriends review of this racist establishment was removed. No matter how eloquently he explained our horrible visit to this restaurant, it doesn't change the fact that people of color are obviously not welcomed here. 'Our' money is just as good as the next persons....but no worries, we will rewrite our issue here again soon. It needs to be clearly documented and understood that people of color are not welcome. Word of mouth is a beautiful thing, and my corporation (A Top 10 Company in AMERICA) has issued to ban this establishment as well due to our visit. Stay tuned to our full review, yet again it will be typed. Thank you.
(1)
AsianZing L.
As another Yelper has already said, "I really wanted to like Clementine, but..." The quick summary: overpriced, overrated, inconsistent, and underwhelming. My friend and I went here last Friday night because she loves the place, and we wanted to have a nice, leisurely catch-up at a place we wouldn't have to scream to be heard. On that account, Clementine fit the bill. That's about it, though. We started off taking our time looking through the drink and wine list, and it became apparent quite quickly that our slower pace irritated our server. Also, despite what their website said, there is no "buy one, get the next half-off" cocktail happy hour on Friday nights. This was disappointing and really should be fixed on their website. My friend ordered a red wine that she loved; I ordered an amaretto sour that was atrocious. It was basically nothing but sour...one of the worst I've ever tasted. We then ordered the winter butternut squash dip appetizer, and that was delicious!! Definitely order that if you get the chance! Next, I ordered a glass of Riesling to go with my dinner. The Riesling they have, (it's the only one they offer), was excellent!! For our entrees, we asked the waitress what she recommended. She was not knowledgeable at all about the different meals and resorted to saying, "Umm, a lot of people like the scallops and the rabbit linguine...??" My friend and I had been looking at both of those entrees anyway, so she ordered the scallops and I got the rabbit linguine. My friend's scallops were delicious and wonderful; my rabbit linguine was absolutely boring and bland. I'm very surprised that it's one of the most popular items on the menu...it must be the novelty of eating rabbit, (which, honestly, was about as exciting as shelling lima beans...if you've done it, you know!!) Finally, for dessert, my friend wanted coffee with Baileys, but they were out of Baileys. Our waitress quickly up sold her to an $8 coffee drink, (doing her job pretty well there!) My friend said it was nothing special, and she wouldn't get the drink again. Because it seems I am a slow learner, I asked the waitress about their desserts. She, again, knew absolutely nothing about them...she had never tried ANY of them and resorted to saying, "I've sold a couple of cheesecakes and chocolate zucchini cakes tonight. Everyone has seemed to like them." Seriously, I've been a server many times over at a variety of restaurants, and as a server, a cardinal rule is that you MUST have tasted at least ONE item for every course so you can talk intelligibly about SOMETHING when a customer asks. Not impressed...do better. I decided to try the chocolate zucchini cake, and it was ho-hum at best and a bit dry. Nothing impressive, except the piece was very large...which really doesn't matter when it doesn't taste all that good. Overall, Clementine was disappointing. Definitely underwhelming and overrated. My experience was inconsistent; the highlights were the glasses of wine, appetizer and my friend's scallops. Everything else was mediocre at best. For all this, it was also way overpriced. I can think of many other places I'd rather drop $54 on a meal. Unless my friend begs me, I won't be going back. (Actually, even if she begs, I'm still going to try to convince her to go somewhere else).
(2)
Brian A.
I love Clementine but this 2 star review is in response to removing Tuesday Dinner Nights. I never tried 'Talian Tuesday but understand it was popular and loved but my real beef is with removing Taco Tuesday. How can you grace the world with the presence of your wonderful Tacos and than take them from us. The Chorizo tacos were possibly the BEST tacos I have ever tasted. Weeknights for me are usually reserved for the gym, cooking dinner at home and relaxing with my girlfriend and awful smelling canine but the sweet aromas, tantalizing flavors and welcoming vibe of Clementine's Taco Tuesday often pulled me out of my Lauraville home into the neighborhood bustle of Hamilton for a delish Taco. No More! NO MAS TACO MARTES!
(2)
Christopher S.
The sedition of average. The menu is very limiting and poor to choose from, beer selection is also poor at best, taste is probably the best part if there's something on the menu you like, but service is terrible. I've tried it twice to be patient but there's little hope, just stay away
(2)
Sarah B.
Everything about this place deserves 5 stars. The food, the service, the atmosphere. I had the apple smoked pork chop for dinner and it was crazy good. I knew it would be after how many wonderful things I'd heard about this place, though. I shouldn't be writing this review around lunch time... I'm getting quite hungry. After dinner, we moved over to the bar where we sat and chatted to the bartender. I asked him to surprise me and he mixed up a delicious concoction which I happily slugged down. I'd tell you what it was if I knew but either way, it was great and so was he. The bar atmosphere is lovely and the couches kind of call to you to just hang around a little while longer, which we did. I'm really looking forward to coming back here for breakfast because the menu looks amazing. Geez, I'm really hungry.
(5)
Zoe P.
My wife has celiac disease, which makes it a real pain to eat out. The staff at Clementine were extremely knowledgeable, helpful, and attentive. They went out of their way to make sure we had a great, worry-free meal. Great food, great drinks, great people. We will definitely be back!
(4)
Jen M.
I have never had a bad meal or cocktail here. I really like the brunch, and they always have an inventive and seasonal menu (including drinks!). Everything is locally sourced and made in house. Save room for dessert if you can, they cakes are worth it. Not to be missed if you're a foodie, and it's reasonably priced. There's even a kid's play area in one of the dining rooms.
(4)
Michelle B.
The ambiance is my kind of place, very chill and classy without being fussy. I would love to come here again with a bigger group of friends for a nice catch-up luncheon. The staff was attentive. It did take a while to get our food - but we were catching up, so we didn't mind. This place is very pleasant. The menu is small but ever changing. Although I didn't have any, their wine and spirits list has many options. I had a chicken salad sandwich for lunch with potato salad and fruit salad. The flavors were good, but a little flat. My friend had a breakfast sandwich with cheesy grits and was hoping for a little more cheese.
I had high hopes for breakfast - not just because it was my birthday brunch, but because their dinner food is wonderful. Alas, I found myself disappointed. I opted for the Seared Duck Hash. I mean really, how incredible does that sound? Duck, potatoes, poached egg - practically the makings of perfection. Only...not so much when not properly executed. The whole point of a poached egg (and hash, really) is a runny yolk, right? Sadly, neither of mine did. They were borderline soft boiled eggs really. When I brought this to the waiter's attention, he offered to have the chef make new ones, but said it would take a few minutes. So, he left me with my dish to sit and get cold as new eggs were poached. The other flaw of the dish was the varying shapes and sizes of everything - it made it terribly difficult to get each ingredient in one bite. The fingerling potatoes were cut into little discs, while the purple cabbage was shredded, the onions sliced and the duck in massive chunks. It just made for awkward eating. I found the cheese grits and blueberry corn muffin to be a let down as well. At first bite, the grits were decent. But I think the only cheese they added was what was sprinkled on the top. Once that layer was gone, the grits lacked flavor and seasoning. I actually took the salt shaker to it. As for the muffin, I adore all things blueberry...but I guess there's always an exception. Again, flavorless and the corn kernels were tough and chewy - it was an unpleasant surprise in the muffin. The real kicker is that the muffin was cold. As in, it was probably taken out of the refrigerator probably 10 mins prior. Perhaps I ordered the wrong things, but I think I'll stick to coming here for dinner just in case.
(3)
Pecan S.
I eagerly went to Clementine and will never return. The restaurant was not crowded & no one else waiting to be seated, yet our presence was never acknowledge. We sat on the black couch, read the menu for "at least" five minutes without interruption. Several staff looked directly at us but no one approached. So we stood up, placed the menus back on the front entrance table and waited..... Nothing.... I walked out, but my girlfriend stayed inside to call the restaurant by phone & inform them of our presence, but no one answered. I walked back in to get her for us to leave and was approached by a nonchalant and aloof staff member who only stated. " table for two" ? Our response - " No thank you, we're leaving. We we were waiting here and no one spoke to us." Staff shrugged her shoulders & replied, "Okay". At that point we realized that maybe Clementine does not want business from Blacks. Unfortunately, no distractions were present to avoid consideration to pull the race card on this one. We we eager to try them out, but Clementine can keep its food and we"ll surely keep our money. A yelp review may not catch the owner's attention, but hey... When people go somewhere to spend their money it has to feel right. No good feelings for Clementine.... The Waffle House has better service!
(1)
Axl R.
We came here for restaurant week (2-2014). It was a near 2.5 hour experience! Some of the food was good, but not to overcome the super slow service. Our drinks were not refilled, it took 20 mins to even get offered a drink. Portions of the food were cold, some were hot. The waiter and the restaurant did not deserve a tip at all, but I gave one anyway out of guilt. He pretty much ignored us the whole night because I feel he knew how super slow and half-hearted the kitchen was running. Most of our meals were far too creamy, over salted, and heavy. I would not recommend this place at all.
(1)
A P.
Although I am devastated by the loss of taco Tuesday, I have never been unhappy with a meal at Clementine. The staff has always been welcoming and has made me comfortable, but I'm easy. I don't expect a baby sitter at a restaurant, just good service and solid food. Clementine is proof that Baltimore can get it right sometimes. Great brunches!!! Try the Mac and cheese... Once I had an amazing mushroom pie... The roast beef with tomato jam(when it's in season)... And geez everything has always been delicious... And well portioned and shareable. Sit at the bar or in the loungey area if you can't get or don't want a table!
(5)
Yenling C.
I like everything. It's a wonderful place and price wise is good. Just the chocolate cake is a bit dry. They even have a small area for kids to relax on couch and pl
(4)
Anna K.
There were a lot of things I liked about Clementine but the space of the restaurant was not one of them. It was oddly laid out and I always felt like I had to maneuver around other tables to get around. Now onto the good stuff: We went there with friends of ours and ate WAY too much. We started with a round of cocktails - Cherrypicker (A-, not sweet enough for my taste); Spicy Ninja (A+), Copperfox (A++, my favorite) and the cider (meh). Apps included the cheese plate which was unfortunately pedestrian, the escargot which was super delicious, the pork and duck creton (A-) and the mac n'cheese which was OK. Entrees were linguine (too much garlic), cabbage rolls (A-), pork chop (A), and acorn squash stir fry (A). I was far more impressed with the apps than the actual meal. The wines we had were Fantastic though and we drank enough to probably color our remembrance of the meal. I don't know if I'd go back for a meal but maybe for drinks? I have to say though that the service was very good and the hostess was really accommodating when we came early.
(3)
Natalie F.
On a quick trip to Baltimore, I needed to find a place that would impress my boyfriend that wasn't going to be too expensive. The reviews were spot on and Clementine surely didn't disappoint! For an app, we both shared the duck nachos. They had just enough meat, but not too much that it overpowered everything else. I could have eaten those homemade chips all night! For our entrees, I had the cider-brined pork chop and he had the bacon-wrapped meatloaf. The pork chop was very juicy and had a great salty-sweet flavor. Both meals came with the BEST mashed potatoes I have ever had...divine! There was so much food we could only eat half and took the other half to finish later. While the food overall didn't blow my mind, it was thoroughly good! I would definitely go back here if I'm in the Baltimore area for another weekend.
(4)
Kelly M.
I'd been trying to make it out to Clementine for about a year. Everyone raved about it's high-end comfort food and I was really looking forward to it. It was good. But not great. I'll start with the high points: the service was wonderful. Our waitress was knowledgeable, attentive and pleasant. Now on to the Not-Bad, Just Not Spectacular: We ordered the curry crab dip appetizer which was very good. I ordered a the steak, which was cooked to order with a nice sauce and sides. JPK ordered the pork chop. His meal was more on the average side of things. It just didn't "sing" you know? Good beer and wine selection. I dunno, maybe there was too much hype but it just wasn't blowing my mind. There are plenty of other restaurants in my neighborhood that offer the same or better that I can walk to. I can't see making the effort to drive out there again.
(3)
Matthew L.
I stopped at Clementine because the restaurant I wanted to go to was having a private party that night. Since I live closer to the harbor, this was a bit of drive. I'm glad I made it. The restaurant is really cute. A mix between eclectic and trendy. (Think golden west cafe meets Red Star). It actually seems like it should be in Hampden. I wish I had gone on a normal night, but ended up on Taco night, so it was a closed menu. The plate was colorful and tasty. While not authentic, the tacos were creative and fun. I would like to try the restaurant again when they have the full menu available.
(3)
Jason K.
On May 16th I made a reservation for large party to celebrate a family member's birthday over Memorial Day Weekend. Today, on May 23, a full week later, I got an automated response email from OpenTable that my reservation has been cancelled. I called as they were calling me (ie they cancelled the reservation BEFORE calling). The explanation given is that they have decided to close the day of my reservation and they hadn't updated OpenTable. While I have no idea what happened there, this is completely unprofessional. Do you think Woodberry Kitchen would pull this one on their guests? Maybe this is why I could get a reservation at Clementine and not Woodberry. The staff was apologetic and offered me free desert on my next visit but that's not going to happen since I won't be coming in. Now I'm off to try to find a decent place for dinner less than a week from now for a very large group. Thanks Clementine.
(1)
Stef T.
I dined here tonight and loved this place! It was so cute, the service was friendly and the meal was well paced. The food was really delicious. My only complaint is that it was a little bit of a drive for me through some less welcoming neighborhoods.
(5)
Rachel F.
Ohmagawd, Baltimore. Why didn't you tell me about Clementine? Maybe it's the fact that I'm a midtown snob, but I have never ventured up into Hamilton for food - which my friends tell me makes me the worst foodie in the whole city. I would agree, because Clementine was incredible. Mostly I was hungover when I went their for brunch, so I was hooked when they brought out really strong Zeke's coffee. It hit the spot. And they were great about refills. Much appreciated. I got the breakfast scramble which was scrambley and cheesy and baconey. And their hotsauces were home made and good. I think everyone I was with was pretty content with their food. And there was a charcuterie! That's not even a word! Just noises. But very cool. In conclusion: Awesome.
(5)
Judy C.
Hamilton is one of the far-north neighborhoods of Baltimore that can easily be ignored, so during my last days being a Baltimorean, I had to explore. And at Hamilton, I went to Clementine--supposedly comfort food with an ethnic twist? I don't know how much comfort there was in the food, but the food did come with a twist. I think the gazpacho had quinoa as it had a grainy texture to it. It was unusual but interesting nevertheless. I got the stuffed peppers (with brown rice and veggies), which were healthy and delicious. My friend had the mackerel with seaweed salad (there's the twist again!), and he thought the mackerel could use some sauce but was cooked nicely. Oh, there was a comfort part for me! They served diet cream soda! I loved cream soda as a child, and given my hypersensitivity to weight gain (ha! Partly joking...), I was elated to have diet cream soda with my meal! :-) Good to know that my adventure was rewarding with a nice meal!
(4)
Adina K.
Taco Tuesdays! $10 for four corn tortillas, the protein of your choice (usually 3 options plus a veggie one), and homemade rice and beans. Your first beer is only $1.50. Great margaritas. The regular menu can be hit or miss. The highs are really high (charcuterie platter, mac and cheese), but the lows are a disappointment given the price point (uninspired gouda mashed potatoes with pretty much every entree, dry coconut cake). Great place to grab a drink, as the bar has some pretty unique cocktails available. I've tried a smattering of the options and all have been excellent. Everything is made in house, down to the pickles, and most of what you get is local. Looking forward to trying brunch here one weekend...I've heard good rumblings about it...
(4)
john f.
Clementine is probably the kind of place that changes it's menu seasonally, so i don't know how relevant this review will be in the future, but i was so happy to find a place that still serves duck breast. It seems that somewhere along the line, duck breast became passe, and every hip place dropped it for confit, kind of along with this attitude that confit is the preferred part for the connoisseur. Well lah di da for the connoisseurs, i love me some duck breast, and I'm bummed that nowhere serves it anywhere. except that for clementine, hence the 5 star review. Everything was excellent, the place is great, etc. I just hope that this review gets read by someone who's in charge at clementine, and helps sway them to keep the duck breast dish on the menu for the long term. next time it's date night, i know where I'm going . . .
(5)
Beee K.
What is up, Clementine?! I have a mixed feeling about this place. We went to have brunch on one Saturday, and the food was awesome. If I am writing this review solely on that visit, this place gets 4 and half stars. We loved Chicken Sandwich so much that my sis-in-law and I were stealing food from my hubby. It was delicious. Pumpkin muffin they had was really delicious, too. My duck hush was...alright, not lived up to my expectation, but it did not matter, the chicken salad was awesome. Could not wait to come back, so we did. Me and sis-in-law made sure to get chicken salad sandwich this time and awaited for the food to arrive. We both are hugely disappointed. Chicken had too much tarragon and was, I think cured. It was not like that before. Too salty and could not eat. We ended up returning the food and asked for the replacement. Was it because of the person making the food? Or they changed their recipe?? We were really sad. Replacement we got, which was some kind of noodle thing tasted ok, not that great. I have a hope for this place and it was really so good before.... please please please let me have that great chicken salad again! I only had 2 bites anyway! I would love to taste the whole thing!!!! Now I am little scared to go back and taste their chicken salad. I might need to give more time to be back.
(3)
Lynn K.
Discovery is the name of the game. Relatives who live in the Hamilton area could not believe that such a fine restaurant was now in their area. I remember this neighborhood when there was an old run down movie theatre on this side of the street. But we convinced them by meeting them there for breakfast one Saturday. They left singing along with Davy, Peter and Mickey ...."I'm a Believer!" I love to eat breakfast out and am always looking for a great spot and we found it at Clementines. I had the apple crisp muffin and I was suppose to split it but you know how that goes. Just a piece then another......GONE! Followed it up by having a delicious broccoli cheese souffle. It was perfect. Great way to start the day. The homemade sausage got rave reviews as well as all the casserole dishes ordered. Wish they were open everyday for breakfast!. I have returned numerous times since to meet friends there for lunch and dinner. None of us have had a bad meal. The service is great and if the owner is there she will come to the table and talk to you. It has expanded since we first started going but the service and food has not changed. The menu is always different which is a good thing. The ingredients are fresh and the chef mixes items together that sound a little strange but work. Spend time reading that menu. Desserts are home made so save room. They have a little bar area where you can have a drink while you wait for your party to arrive. They have some early specials and the bartenders are friendly and helpful. Oh my darling,,,,oh my darling Clementine what took you so long to invade this neighborhood and give them something to be proud of.......Please don't be lost and gone forever. I will be dreadfully sorry ! HInt: If you go there for breakfast ask for the housemade hot sauces. Great on the grits!!
(4)
Holly N.
What a great night! Started off with fabulous drinks from the bar, a beet salad and the charcuterie plate which was to die for.... homemade pate, fresh pickles and house dried meats with toast. This was an unexpected favorite of the night. I ordered fresh fish and the man ordered duck breast. Both fresh and delicious-- with interesting flavor combinations and fabulous texture. Everything was cooked to perfection. Our waitress Emily was amazing-- she was attentive yet unobtrusive, knew the menu inside and out and made wonderful recommendations. Can't wait to go back and in the meantime I'll be dreaming of the pate...
(4)
Lena A.
Quaint and adorable new age restaurant with all natural, home-style meals. I LOVE this place - and I don't care that I've only been here once! My cousin, Willy, introduce me to this place and he said the Mac & Cheese was to die for. Unfortunately, when we've arrived it was after two and the kitchen was closed, so the only options available to us were the sandwiches. :( Regardless, I ordered the Grilled Chicken w/ Thick Cut Smoked Bacon, Avocado, Tomatoes & Danish Blue Cheese Mayo and it was delicious and filling. The ingredients were very fresh and the flavors were enticing. The restarant is known better as a charcuterie for their pate, so I will definitely get that next time, as well as the Fantastical Mac N Cheese! The decor and ensemble of the place reminds me of something out if Hampden. There are unique art pieces and artifacts, and the restaurant helps promote local artists by selling their artwork and photography. As for atmosphere, it is very homey and low-key (I love it!). BTW, the prices are relatively reasonable and not extremely pricey. Also, the wait staff is very friendly and nice, so please be kind and tip nicely. Lastly, parking is almost non-existent. You cna try to park in front of the restaurant (parallel parking 'cuz you in da city!) or drive around the block and park somewhere on the side streets.
(5)
Kara T.
Finally made it back for drinks and Peep (she's the expert mixologist) delivered the goods - the basil lime elixir as it should be, murky green (but oh so good). My SO had one with tequila, I had one with rum (sort of herbal mojito-ish). Both were divine.
(4)
Christa H.
The decor of Clementine is amazing. It felt kind of like I'd walked into the bar that Gaston sings his song in in Beauty & the Beast, with the random deer head on the wall and all the cool art. We sat in a nice wooden booth that might've had a previous life as a church pew. The environment was calming and friendly, and everyone looked like they were enjoying themselves. The food was okay. I had the mac & cheese and, while it was good, it wasn't extraordinary (or even in the top 10 best mac & cheeses I've had in my life). My friends enjoyed their food (the tuna salad sandwich and the grilled cheese), but I don't think we thought anything was exemplary. For the three of us, our meal came to a little over $20, so it was definitely affordable. Our waitress was friendly and paid attention to us. I loved everything about Clementine but the food, but maybe I'll come back and try a different dish.
(3)
Bobby B.
I really want to love this place. The people are friendly and I like the decor, but after two visits there are a couple of things that bring it down. The first time I came here was shortly after it opened. We were seated right next to the kitchen, and they hadn't gotten their liquor license yet. The service was a little slow, but the food was good. On the latest visit for brunch, I was surprised and happy to see that they have expanded (appears to be more than twice in size), and they are now able to serve alcohol. However, we waited literally an hour for our food to come out after we ordered. I had the chicken and waffles, which was good but didn't make up for the time lost. I'll probably give Clementine one more shot before I vow to go elsewhere in the future.
(3)
Kelly B.
My first experience with Clementine was an absolute delightful one, of drinks and an appetizer. The decor is eclectic, the drink menu lengthy, and the small amount of food I had superb. The service was quick and very friendly - though I did go in with a regular who knew some of the staff on a first name basis. It was a Friday night and rather busy when we full got in - full up. We sat on some couches near the front in the 'bar' section, and decided to stick with just appetizers and drinks rather than a full meal. From the drink menu, I stuck with beers. The first a Rogue Juniper Pale Ale, the second a Green Flash West Coast IPA. The first spiced with a slight hop, the second rather strong and really hoppy. Both were 3.75 for a bottle - not that bad of a price. They have a number of other beers in bottles, and a very, very long list of cocktail concoctions that will be tried at further visits. For an appetizer, we got the Charcuterie Big platter, consisting of Duck Liver Pate w/ Fresh Ginger & Pear Liqueur ; Duroc Pork Sausage w/ Green Onion, Black Mustard Seed & Thyme ; Luceille's Bread & Butter Pickles & Red Dragon Mustard Seed & Ale Cheddar. This was my first experience with pate, and I was honestly a little put off at first. The flavor is REALLY strong and I didn't think I liked it. Tried a couple combinations of what was on our plate. It goes really well with either a slice of the sausage or a slice of the cheese, on top of a slice of bread. The pickles are a nice side dish, but mix it with the pate and it gets a little funky. The sausage was great, best I've ever had. It paired well with everything on the plate. The cheese was like eating spicy brown mustard, but in cheese form. Incredibly strong flavor - would not recommend munching it on its own, but paired with the bread of the pate, and the strong flavor melts into the others. Will definitely be returning for a full meal and to try the Seafood Charcuterie!
(4)
A B.
This is one of my favorite places. The food is always great, the atmosphere fun and cocktails are awesome. Its a bit expensive, but to me always worth it. Love you Clem!
(5)
Melissa C.
Clementine is my not so little Uptown gem. On every visit (and there have been many), I can count on hardy, thoughtfully prepared American classics. Go for inventive cocktails with homemade elixirs. Go for the super-duper delicious duck nachos. Go on an empty stomach and indulge in any of their screw-the-calories entrees. Oh, and go for the homemade (in-house) desserts. The atmosphere is chill and unpretentious... an eclectic mix of odd art and taxidermy. The crowd is a mix. Hamilton locals intertwined with North end residents with dough. Last but not least, the service has always been top-notch. Attentive, but not too attentive and just darn genuine. I always leave happy.
(5)
Jennifer H.
FINALLY someone in Baltimore has learned how to make biscuits and gravy. We were hesitant to order it but oh so glad we did so. We shared that dish and craved more. The Southwestern-type omelette I ordered was a bit disappointing, but my friend's Indian scramble was amazing. Everything was very fresh, and our server was outstanding.
(4)
Caroline E.
A serious hit or miss kind of place. The cocktails were well-crafted and creative. Charcuterie plate was tasty, although it sorely needed more bread/crackers. The Mac and cheese was the low point of our night- it smelled and tasted like spoiled milk. Our waiter said it was a combo of tomato and sharp cheddar that gave it "bite"- Dude, no. Something was very wrong, and I felt dismissed and patronized by the server when I asked why it tasted off. My stuffed trout was excellent, however, and the roast chicken was perfect- overpriced for what you get, but it was delicious. The service was sub-par. Our server seemed over-committed and I wish we'd had more refills on water. I was brought by a friend who had had great experiences in the past and wanted to show the place off, but we were both disappointed. Looking at other reviews, it seems like this place is really slipping. Not sure if I'll be back.
(2)
Trina T.
Really a Zero Rating!! The worst breakfast experience ever!!!! Sat there for almost an hour for eggs and bacon then the waitress comes out with one order when it's two of us dining. Therefore we would have to wait another hour to eat together while one meal will be cold. How unthoughtful! The owner made up for it with a future comp but breakfast was already ruined since it was part of the plans for the day. It off set our plans and we left "hungry." To make it worst... to be green and healthy we walked there therefore we walked home "hungry" after watching over 50 other patrons enjoy their breakfast. Waste of time. Did not feel welcomed at Clementines.
(1)
Laura B.
Finally made it to Clementine and it was worth the effort. Starting with cocktails... very good. They had more than one bourbon based specialty cocktail which goes a long way in my book. Staff was all really nice and attentive enough. We had the mushroom pie appetizer which was really delicious with an amazingly flaky pastry crust. The pork cheek and steak tres major were both were super tender and tasty. The coconut cake for dessert was super good. The prices are high for Hamilton but really not bad for comparable quality food in the city. We'll definitely be back.
(5)
Andy R.
The prix fix new years eve menu more than lived up to expectations. We've been meaning to eat here for a while now and the five course menu was delicious and the service friendly and efficient despite the usual "meat grinder" of new years eve dining. Unfortunately we didn't try The wine parings but the aperitifs recommended by the bar staff were original and very tasty. Not only was this a great dining experience, it was good value for money as well, we will definitely be returning.
(4)
Jonas C.
It was supposed to be one of those organic local places whose menu shifts with local availability. Overall the food was pretty good, portions were hearty and filling. The dessert was likewise hearty and rich and everything is pretty sharable. Things were well-made, not memorable, but well-made. Ambiance was fairly nice, homey and cozy kind of feeling. Good times.
(4)
Justin L.
Clementine has become my go-to spot in Baltimore for a comforting dinner experience. Both the veggies and the meats are locally sourced. The menu rotates weekly, with a few mainstays (such as the mac and cheese appetizer). They are good about updating their website with the newest version of the menu, so you can usually plan ahead. I would most accurately describe the place as "new American", featuring traditional style dishes with a contemporary twist. The aforementioned mac and cheese appetizer is usually a must whenever we visit. For five bucks you get a fairly large brick (and I do call it a brick, since the slice they give you is usually perfectly brick-shaped) which is plenty for two people to share. It is old-style, not overly cheesy but perfectly creamy with a delicious crust. Their drink menu is also extensive...we have never ordered a bad cocktail from here. The service is generally good, but frequently they have young/inexperienced wait staff that get in a little over their heads when the place is busy. The decor, while cute, is a little austere for a restaurant that's aiming for contemporary Americana look. I also would warn vegetarians that their vegetarian options are generally very limited. Usually there are only two, at most, vegetarian options on the menu. While every meat-based dish we've gotten here has been exceptional, the vegetarian entrees (while very good) are usually not of the same caliber. I would also consider the prices to be a little high (usually 20+ for a entree that contains meat) for a restaurant that advertises itself as affordable. This is really more of a 4.5-star review, but since Yelp doesn't allow half stars i'll round up because I like the place.
(5)
Karen R.
I had a surprisingly bad experience at Clementine on Mother's Day. Made a reservation for 6 pm for six people. That's pretty early in the dinner rush, you'd think they'd be on their game. Many of us had tomato soup for an app, which was great. Three of us ordered the half chicken for an entree, one ordered bouillabaisse, two ordered scallops, shrimp and grits. The chicken dishes were each two legs and two thighs - not a proper half chicken. They were roasted incorrectly - rubbery to the point where we couldn't cut them, skin not at all crisped. Everything was under seasoned. Bouillabaisse had very little fish in it for the price. Scallops and shrimp each had a couple scallops and a couple shrimp - again, not much for the price. They were also out of my mother's favorite coconut cake (and actually out of all cakes, which means they didn't bother with cake for that evening). To Clementine's credit, a server noticed I wasn't eating (I couldn't eat that chicken! Neither could my mother) and summoned the manager/owner. He apologized and took all the chicken dishes off the bill, which was still more than $200 somehow (only two cocktails ordered, a couple cups of soup, three entrees paid for and three desserts). Anyway, it was super disappointing that my mom's special dinner was dreadful. I don't think I'll be able to go back! Very sad, I'd had nothing but good experiences there, but they obviously phoned in this holiday dinner in every possible way. I'm glad they handled it properly by taking the chicken off the bill (which I honestly didn't expect). But there are too many great restaurants around to risk a dinner disaster again. Weirdly, a week ago I noticed another negative Yelp review here for Mother's Day, but it's gone now.
(2)
Heather S.
My favorite restaurant in Baltimore. The restaurant is enjoyable to eat at, with large wood tables and very earthy decor. They specialize in making their own meat products, and the chef's mother makes many of the desserts. Every meal is excellent - breakfast has great coffee, excellent egg scrambles at a good price. Lunch is always fun with great sandwiches, soups and salads. And my favorite is dinner and the charcuterie plate - I am a huge fan of their pate with house-made pickles. They make American style food, just a little fancier. The drinks are very good too. One note, if you go on a Tuesday, it is taco night. there are very few choices and it does not really represent how good their food is in my opinion.
(5)
Murray W.
Food was fresh and good. Chicken very salty. Service inattentive- no bread, until we asked, waiter disappeared for a while, water glasses filled when brought to waiter's attention. Decor is funky- ok for a place without the pretensions of fine dining, but when the meal is 100 dollars for two- shared appetizer and dessert no less, I expect more.
(3)
Alexander G.
Had the homemade italian sausage and the mac & cheese and it was delicious
(5)
Leslie F. M.
I've been to Clementine a bunch of times. It's my favorite place for lunch--the place I'd take out-of-town guests, clients, family, friends. Tonight, I had dinner with my husband--a last minute decision. We got a reservation an hour before dinner (on a Saturday night--unheard of!), and it was packed. But that didn't affect anything--not the service, not the deliciousness. I had the pork chop with applesauce and bleu cheese butter, with a kale of the gods! So delicious. My husband had red snapper and asparagus. We also had the salad with the perfect Green Goddess dressing. And we finished with white cake with milk chocolate frosting and peanut butter. To die for. This was an absolutely perfect meal. I can't wait to go back. P.S. The beer was killer, too--a double IPA. I had a few, so please forgive the crappy writing.
(5)
Malcolm G.
One of my absolute favorites. I don't think I've ever been disappointed. Last time I went was for Pwime Wib Wednesday and indeed the wib was pwime and lovely and marbled and thick and done just as ordered. The worst at Clemetine that I've ever had happen was that the service took a little longer than I might want when the place got busy. But it keeps me and my (omnivorous) friends happy. And that's a good thing. We have very high standards and Clementine has always met them. Good mixed drinks too.
Everytime I come here, the tables are mostly full, the servers keep busy, and the wait has been relatively short and sweet. These are all good things in my book!! The atmosphere is laid back, charming and the restaurant posseses an inventive approach to food as well as cocktails.
(4)
Shelly B.
We had breakfast here this morning and became instant fans. We showed up right at opening time so seating was not an issue. Service was wonderful. Our waitress was top-notch. My husband had the Egg scramble and I had sausage gravy over biscuits and we both loved our food. The coffee, a blend made just for them by Zeke's (called Oh my darlin) was so good. We love Zeke's coffee. The other special today, which I hope to have when we go back, was a corn waffle with jalapenos and they drizzle syrup over it. I love corn bread with jalapenos so that sounds awesome to me. The menu is a class act and the prices are very good. The decor is very cool too and added to the experience. Even the ladies room was attractive. I'm adding Clemantine to our "favorites" and we will be visiting them again.
(5)
Jillian B.
First experience Nov 2010 - Fantastic, Delicious, Great Flavor, Great Atmosphere. 2nd experience Nov 2011 - COLD FOOD - Steak was COLD, Mash Potatoes COLD, Vegetables nearly COLD and my boyfriends meal COLD COLD COLD. Delicious taste but who wants to eat a COLD PORK CHOP - ewww.
(2)
Kara W.
Good charcuterie and desserts.
(4)
Bill K.
Been here several times. Pork Tenderloin is always amazing. Creative drink menu. There are always so many great choices on the menu, I want to keep coming back. Desert is so worth it.
(4)
Lauren Y.
This is a great restaurant. For me, this is a breakfast and lunch place, and not a dinner place. The decor is casual. The food is excellent and should satisfy the pickiest of palates. I mean, who can argue with amazing mac and cheese for $5? The meats are excellent. The bread doesn't look like it came off an assembly line. The fruit salad actually had FRESH fruit in it (not frozen!) and was very tasty. The coffee is perfect. The cakes are good and are definitely home-made but not great. Stick with the rest because all of it is a winner. It is clean. The service is excellent. The waiter, Kristen, took the time to answer my grandmother's questions about the building (it used to be the Arundel). The store frontage blends in with the rest of the block, so I use the CVS across the street as landmark. I think all parking is on street and it's metered on Harford rd. Even though you are on Harford rd, you don't feel like you are sitting next to a major road when you are in the restaurant. It's fairly quiet. Love this place.
(5)
Wade P.
A place anyone can like. It has gone to the top of my list for places to take family and friends out to dinner. The prices are right, they have a little bit of everything and some serious talent in the kitchen.
(4)
Jean S.
so yummy. the menu changes, which is sometimes a little sad, since i find something and want it again. but there is almost always something that I want.
(5)
Ria S.
Great food, ambiance, down-to-earth, fresh-tasting, can I please live here? Got roasted duck and chicken pot pie. Everything was amazing. Go. now.
(4)
Judith Priest ..
Waking up Saturday morning, we definitely wanted to go somewhere good for breakfast, but were pretty sick of the regular places. So we decided to head over to Clementine. Simply put, it was one of the best breakfasts I've had in a long time. We were greeted in a very friendly manner, and told to sit anywhere we liked. The restaurant wasn't crowded, so we definitely had our choice of seats. Our waitress came and immediately took our drink order. We both ordered the Basil Lime Elixer and it was just perfect for the warm summer day. Very fresh and invigorating with a bit of carbonation to give it some spark. The menu was simple with bagels, muffins, and casseroles. My b/f ordered the egg bagel with their house-made bluefish and scallion cream cheese ($2.50). The cream cheese was absolutely delicious and very full of wonderful smoked fish flavor. Unfortunately, the bagel was a bit dry. It was accompanied by/garnished with a very small bowl of fruit salad, but the strawberries were overripe and it spoiled the dish. But believe me, the cream cheese made it totally worth it. They have other house-made cream cheeses and it would be worth the trip back just to taste them all. I ordered the bacon and monterey jack casserole with home fries ($5.00). It took quite a long time to get, but when it came it was apparent that it was not just a hunk sliced off from a bigger casserole, but rather individually cooked. It was wonderful, just the right amount of cheesey-bacony goodness. Even more wonderful were there home fries that came with it. Big chunks of potatoes so beautifully seasoned, that I felt guilty when my requested ketchup showed up. They certainly didn't need anything else. We also ordered a bowl of the cheese grits ($3.00, I believe) to share. They were divine, but if I had one complaint, it would be that they were too garlicky. Which is unusual for me to say, because I love overly-garlicky dishes. While the grits were nice and creamy, the large chunks of garlic added some unexpected crunchiness here and there. Texturally for me, it didn't work. But that's just me. So while all the food was delicious, it was also all room temperature and took quite some time getting to our table. I would understand if the restaurant was crowded, but it wasn't. We got our grits first, and they were room temp. Then came my b/f's bagel. And about 10 min. after that my casserole and home fries showed up. You'd think after waiting that long, they'd be piping hot. Nope, just very room temperature. So I'm not sure how that happened. Service was a bit on the slow side, but I expected it since that's what everyone has told me about the place. However, we were in no hurry and the atmosphere was cozy and warm, so we didn't mind waiting. The prices were amazingly cheap for breakfast. Our entire bill came to just under $16 and I was so shocked that I gasped out loud. If we hadn't ordered the grits and just stuck to water, we would have had a delicious breakfast for under $10. And that is really hard to find these days. We haven't been for dinner yet, but I'm really looking forward to going as soon as we can.
(4)
Benjamin S.
My wife and I went to Clementine for dinner expecting some good food and got fatty braised ribs, mediocre drinks and watery soup. Now, I've heard that their brunch is what makes them special so I will give them another chance, but avoid the dinner, it's not worth it.
(2)
Bear B.
I liked it so much I went back with Mr. Vegetarian, after reviewing the lunch menu to be sure there were choices for him. Regrettably, they had failed to make a veggie special that day. And the cucumber salad with red onion salad he wanted turned out to be a carrot and white onion salad when it arrived. And he asked for a simple bowl of avocado, chopped tomato, and bleu cheese but was told that all the avocado was already guacamole and all the cheese already mixed into a dressing, which means either they buy them premade or someone was not willing to be helpful. The mac-and-cheese was good, but veggie-wise this place disappointed not only in not having any choices, but in not being willing to work with us on even so much as a grilled cheese with tomato, or something. Not as great an experience this time, though my chicken and avocado sandwich with bacon was, let's face it, sublime.
(4)
kristin b.
if i'm going by the description set for each star - then two stars is accurate because i have had a lot better - food and service. i've known several people who have come here and been happy so i was looking forward to checking it out with another couple. i think the main issue was with our waitress who could have made the experience better. we had a 7:30 reservation and we didn't receive our main entrees until 9:15. i don't mind waiting for food if it comes out hot and delicious. in our case, my husband's compound butter atop his steak was a big glob of unmelted mess and my pork shank was so dry and rubbery i could hardly get any meat off of it to eat. when the waitress inquired about our food, i advised about the rubbery texture but i was so hungry that i would try and muster through it. we eat out a lot - we are definite foodies... and i can say that other restaurants would either insist on getting something else quickly, removing it from the check, or offering a complimentary drink or dessert. none of things happened. i could write more about why our experience was bad but would just leave it at this... i've had better.
(2)
nanci S.
Food was very good. Service was unbelievably poor. Waitress wasn't even that busy or too be found.. Forgot to bring requested items. She was very unprofessional....We weren't even offered dessert or another bottle of wine or anything else...Terrible service...I even worked in the industry for 15 years.
(3)
Jim F.
Amazing homemade type food with local ingredients. Try the catfish and grits with a basil lime elixir.
(5)
David M.
This place used to be one of my favorite restaurants but it has gone drastically downhill. The service is just terrible. Either they are weeded or not trained properly. The menu has become uninspiring and on busy evenings you should bring a pillow because you will wait a long time for your food.
(2)
Trevin P.
The decor is nice and ambiance lively, but we found the food lacking. Chicken Florentine soup was good, but over salted. My spare ribs with veggies and grits was "ok" but unremarkable for $20. D's duck was inedible, being undercooked it was tough and could be barely cut with a steak knife. The service was rushed and inattentive. Disappointed and $60 poorer.
(2)
M. V.
A group of us (party of six) went there on a Saturday night, around 5 p.m. We entered through the expanded area entrance. We could see a table of people seated, but no other diners in the area. After waiting a short time for the someone to greet us (the 40-something year-old with short hair, glasses, and strong hands), we were told that since we did not have a reservation we would not be seated before 8 or 9 p.m. We did not see a clearly printed sign stating that reservations were preferred, nor is there anything on their website which we visited prior to our trek to the establishment. And, to add further insult, we were half-heartedly offered seating at a small piece of furniture right in the front walkway, across from the front door, that looked like a bureau with chairs placed around it. The bureau was so small that it did not seem possible to have enough space for six plates and glasses, and the way it was presented to us, we did not actually feel welcome to sit there. Of course, we left. Now, I must inject here that we had been to Clementine on several previous occasions, for breakfast and lunch, and had a pleasurable experience each time, which is why we decided to go there for dinner. We went a couple of blocks down from Clementine, to Hamilton Tavern, which was much more crowded, and were seated for dinner less than 20 minutes after our arrival. We understand the value of keeping to the previously scheduled reservations; however, to turn away 6 diners without making any kind of effort to accommodate them seemed pretty pretentious. My question to the staff of Clementine is when did they get to be so self-important?! Much like Shana's review, my father felt like we were being discriminated against by this woman (there were 3 White people and 3 Black people in our group). I didn't initially pick up on that, but one can't help but wonder. I do not plan on ever going back.
(1)
A. C.
Have been several times, and it's always kind of a crapshoot; love it one night, disappointed the next. Lots of appealing items on the menu (dressed-up comfort food), usually no description issues, nicely locavore focused. I think the problems lie in uneven execution on the line and a little lack of attention to detail. A fave, the Duroc pork loin chops (in varying seasonal preparations) has come out perfectly moist and juicy, and then dry and overdone. Casseroles are usually a big fall and winter hit, usually nice mixes of moist meat, starch, veg and cheese fired up hot and piping in an individual gratin. Taco Tuesday is also pretty popular. When we were there, tried the 3 meat preparations, complex in seasoning, but really needed a little basic salt and a little acid for some zip. Desserts are homestyle; the cakes generally moist and very sugary; the chocolate chip cookie plate, kind of small and ordinary. Sometimes the small details really get to you, especially when you really want to like a place: stale bread, rock-solid cold butter, unevenly heated block of southwest casserole (hot on the outside, lukewarm in the middle). We keep trying though, and always recommend to folks looking for place out this way, but usually have to give them a few caveats first. Wish we could recommend wholeheartedly, but just can't.
(3)
MissEasy T.
Best meal I've had in a long time in Baltimore. Had been there for other meals of the day and evening snackage at the bar accompanied by cocktails but never for dinner. Extraordinary. A bunch of us went on impulse for dinner (though I did have enough time to make reservations). We each had a different entre and all tasted one another's dishes. ALL were so so very good. Service was a wee bit slow but we were having fun so WTH. Waitress was well informed and helpful. This place is a real gem. I hope it stays one of Baltimore's best kept secrets yet still manages to thrive. Too many awful people with money would ruin the cool and vibrant atmosphere of hip young tattooed families, working class Hamilton folk, artists and boring overeducated middle class people like ourselves. I've enjoyed many a fabulous restaurant in Baltimore only to see it made obnoxious by snarky, wealthy "foodies" slumming it in Hamilton, Hampden, and North Ave eateries. Make reservations and just go.
(5)
Dave J.
Great food. Not the best of neighborhoods but the food was worth it. Decor needs some work. Had a wonderful pot pie!
(4)
Matt B.
In town visiting family and checked on yelp for dinner options since I'm the family foodie. I was very happy when my bro said he got a reservation here. Outstanding service, friendly, sincere, and knowledgeable. Started with the mac and cheese-outstanding, duck nachos-even better, and seafood charcuterie-interesting. Of course I had to try a bit of everyone's entree, so I tasted the duck, rockfish, and pot pie, and my pheasant.. The pot pie and rockfish were the real winning dishes. My pheasant was tasty, but not truly confit texture. The duck was properly cooked and nicely seasoned. The guinea hen pot pie had it all going-texture and flavorwise. Same with the rockfish, although the lobster pate portion was a bit small. My only minor gripe is that everything was just a touch oversalted. If I lived in town I would be here a lot-especially on Taco night and for breakfast or lunch. When I am back in town which is a few times a year we'll be back.
(4)
B B.
Chicken salad sandwich was delicious- smoked tomato soup was just ok, VERY smokey. RoaSt beef sandwich was good but nothing special. Blueberry cake with lemon buttercream frosting was superb. Bill was twenty for lunch for two. Service was fine.
(3)
Doug W.
We went for breakfast after reading other reviews. Loved the atmosphere of the place. I ordered the Elvis waffle. It was supposed to be a Belgian waffle,but was no larger than the ones I make at home. It was slightly undercooked and couldn't taste the bacon that was supposed to be in it. My wife had an egg sandwich. It was good but greasy and the bacon wasn't crispy. The coffee was excellent and so was the service.
(3)
Christopher W.
You will be missed!! The waiters/waitresses are super awesome here. The fact that they take the extra effort to make sure your meal is done right goes a long way. The Meal: The beef I had was cooked perfectly to Medium Rare along with all the toppings and sauces perfectly placed in separate bowls as to not "touch" the beef. I tend to be a picky eater and asked for things to be on the side, and they just took it to the next level and placed them in bowls =) The Drinks: The old fashion I had was made well. I can't say it was the best, but definitely tasty. I also had a wine, but that is hard to mess that up =) Overall, the restaurant was worth the price paid and would go back. No specific dresscode, but doubt that will matter in the future
(4)
Rob N.
I still like Clementine - don't get me wrong. Their cocktail menu and bar are consistently pretty impressive. The food is, in general, rather good. Weekend brunch, in particular, is still worth the time for a visit. But I haven't really caught the wow factor that I used to get when I first came here. The menu continues to update with the seasons, and the house-cured meats are always worth trying. However, the dinner entrees especially seem to be getting a touch tired. Examples: Dishes that come with over-cooked mushy rice. No bueno. Meats with good sauces, but the meat itself underseasoned and a bit bland. And an unfortunate tendency for all the flavors on a plate to fall into a very similar range of intensity. So Clementine, if you please, a bit more contrast, a touch more salt on occasion, and give us some bright flavors for spring and summer. I know you've got it in ya.
(4)
Vanessa H.
Went in for brunch on a Sunday. The host was super polite when we walked in, then hemmed and hawed that we didnt have a reservation. He "found" a 2-top for us amongst the dining room of mostly empty tables. A bus boy quickly stopped by to give us water. Then we waited forever for a waitress. Then waited some more. When she finally did arrive she was on top of us, but initially service was pretty slow to get started. But then, then the food arrived, and everything changed. We ordered the apple, raisin, caramel french toast and the biscuits and gravy. Sweet and savory. I think this was the best french toast I've ever had in my life. I expected it to be really sweet but it wasn't, at all. The caramel was not thick at all and it just worked SO WELL. The biscuits and gravy were perfect. Flavorful but not heavy like so many biscuits and gravy dishes are. Winner, winner. We will come back here again and again. I cant wait to have dinner here. I dont even care about slow service. I will GLADLY wait for Clemetine's food.
(4)
Jerry C.
The wives had to go again since they heard clem. was closing shop. They love this place but for me its ehh since my initial experience. They had the bacon wrapped meatloaf and I had the 1/2 chicken entree. Chicken was cooked well but it had a knorr chicken bouillon flavor which was over powering and the skin was still a little fatty. My favorite part of the dish was the mash potatoes. As for the ladies they love their dishes and drank a bunch of mojitos. In the end, I was glad she was paying the hefty bill.
(2)
Mark C.
I can't say enough good things about Clementine, the staff is awesome and the food is always wonderful. I'm very sorry to see that it's leaving. We will miss you!!
(5)
Chris S.
I enjoy the look of Clementine, nice wide open space, straight forward design, which looks simple but is inviting for couples or groups. Service was good, the host and waiter were friendly and accommodating. They met all my needs. While I like the look and service the food I received was hit or miss or I can't give it a full ringing endorsements. I started with the escargot, this was my first experience with this item but I have always wanted to try it. They serve it in a sauce on top of bone marrow toast. Good but not a great flavor profile. For my entree I went with the bacon wrapped meatloaf and was sadly let down. Clementine's menu changes so I had been dreaming of the meatloaf all week and hoping it would be on the menu when I arrived and it was but it didn't meet my hopes. The meatloaf itself was just too dry for my taste which took away from my enjoyment. The accompanying mashed potatoes were overly salted. Kale was decent but shouldn't be the star of any plate. The dessert was amazing, I saw lemon meringue pie on their menu and dreamed of that all week as well, unfortunately they didn't have the pie that night but what I got instead was possibly better. I had the yellow cake with chocolate and peanut butter icing, this cake was amazing, moist and flavorful and the icing was fantastic, the peanut butter the perfect accompanying item to the chocolate. Utterly delicious. If the dessert was all I ate, Clementine just might be my new favorite restaurant but as I was a bit let down by the dessert I can't move it to the top of my must visit list.
(3)
Raven T.
Came here on my last stop for Winter Restaurant Week. I ride by here all the time but never stopped in. My first impression is that its larger than it looks from the outside. Everyone was nice, but the service could have been smoother. We had to wait a bit to order (turned out to be a miscommunication) and our courses came out of order, but nothing major and a nice time was still had. I started my meal with a blood orange margarita and shrimp bisque. The drink was fruity but potent and the bisque was creamy and was laced with large fresh shrimp. The second course actually came out after our entrees. I had bacon wrapped dates that were warm and crispy. There wasn't enough contrast or balance of flavors for me though, they were too sweet. I probably wouldn't order them again but if you like a little salt with your sweet I'd recommend them. The main course was pork belly with mashed potatoes and pickled veggies. It was soooo good. The pickled radishes were the perfect combo with the salty, crisp pork. The mac n cheese was really good too; so creamy. Its exactly what one would think of when you say the phrase "comfort food." Can't wait to go back!
(4)
Anush J.
We came here based on the food network recommendation. It is a very cute restaurant - with multiple wallhangings and farm tables and chairs. I really like the coffee. We ordered biscuits and gravy which were excellent. Probably the best we've had. The shrimp Benedict was also very good-it needed a touch of spice on top, probably a little paprika. We also felt that the pan seared duck hash also needed a little bit of spice. The lighting in the side room is excellent if you ever want to take pictures! Unfortunately we forgot to look at the food network dish recommendation!
(4)
Karen C.
Great experience for dinner last night. I grabbed a quick dinner with one of my girlfriends, and we both ordered the holupkis (or if you are in my Polish family, galumpkis). These are basically cabbage rolls filled with beef and pork and rice, covered in a non-Italian tomato sauce. They were delicious, and the mashed potatoes on the side tasted very buttery just like my mom's. The portion size was perfect, which has been my issue in the past. I could have stuffed myself and cleaned my plate but knowing we wanted dessert, I made sure to save a roll and some potatoes to eat for lunch the next day at the office. We shared the flourless chocolate cake for dessert, and it was lovely, very dense and chocolatey. It is really rich though, so for me sharing was perfect since a little goes a long way. Our server Randy was awesome. He was friendly and informative and on top of everything from drink refills to bringing the check in a timely manner. He really helped to enhance the experience. We had a really great time and I plan to come back soon while they are running the Eastern European dishes to see what else they are creating!
(4)
Stacie H.
I had the awesome pleasure of expericing the pork chop, seasoned greens and cheddar grits...can I say amazing! The food was delicious, and I really felt like this food came from my own kitchen! I am very hard to please, when it comes to food and I was very pleased!
(5)
Lee G.
(Really a 4.5, but I don't have the option) Clementine and I have had an interesting journey together. I say interesting because every time I have eaten here my love for the restaurant grows. The first time I ate here a few years ago I enjoyed it, but at the time I didn't feel a strong compulsion to go out of my way to return. Today, I am a believer. The service here has always been great here. Servers are always friendly and willing to talk about what is being served as well as offer suggestions. One of the times I visited, I brought a very picky eater (my mother), who not only they put up with (Kidding love you mom) but made sure that every request she had was met. I love the food here. While everything on their brunch menu looks great, I've only ever had the Korean Hot Pot. I wish I could try something else, but its so good that I will likely never order anything else for brunch. For dinner I have had the pork belly, which was massive! It was also unbelievably good. Finally I have to give a major shout out to the charcuterie. Some of the meats on that platter, specifically the liver spread, coffee rubbed coppa, and the bresola were life changing. Even better, they make it all in-house, and you can buy most of the meats at their market down the street. Basically, Clementine is a place you should make an effort to go to, and I am looking forward to my next visit.
(4)
Nga T.
I could not be more disappointed coming here. It was a Saturday evening my fiance and I decided to go out to eat in Baltimore to change things up. I remember seeing this place on DDD and suggested to come here. Not even 7pm this place was closed. There was a clear sign that said they are opened till 10pm. Yeah you guys might want to change that!
(1)
Amy C.
What a wonderful dining experience. I brought my sister here to celebrate her birthday, and I'm glad we decided to come here. We had a reservation, but we were a bit early, so the host gave us menus to look at while our table was being cleaned. We each got an appetizer, and both were delicious. I got the Brussels sprouts, and though the flavor was good, they were not cooked long enough for my liking. My sister got the devils on horseback, and they were delicious. I got the flank steak roulade as my main course. It was over a bed of roasted peppers and came with sweet potatoes. This took a little while to prepare, but it was worth the wait. My sister got the pork belly. It came with gouda mashed potatoes, rhubarb salsa, and pickled radishes. While I did not try any of her meal, she said it was delicious. The waitress, Lindsey, was very polite and attentive. Though it was a bit pricey, I would definitely come here again for a special occasion or to try their brunch menu.
(5)
Drew F.
Breakfast was awesome! The Grits were great as well as the breakfast sandwich.Make sure you try the coffee cake as well!!
(4)
Tiffany D.
I'm a true fan of Diners, Drive-in, & Dives and saw Clementine on there and wanted to try them. Let's just saw the food wasn't as good as it looked on Triple D. My friend and I decided we would start out getting the Mac & Cheese. It was not good and we didn't eat it past tasting it bc it wasn't worth the calories. It had no seasoning and tasted like butter and cheese. It was the right consistency but did no taste like Mac and cheese should. Not a speck of seasoning. I then made my own sandwich whic consisted of turkey, Swiss cheese, honey mustard, lettuce, onion (which the forgot to put on), and tomato. It was nothing special, I have had better sandwiches. My friend got the Reuben breakfast sandwich and she said it was ok. Nothing special. Doubt I ever go back.
(3)
Ahmed K.
Best high end restaurant in Baltimore that treats kids great, and as a parent i dont want to feel like my kids could be a problem in a fine dining restaurant like this but they are super friendly and even had a play area for my kids.
(5)
Roger H.
We heard a lot about Clementine as we looked at HL as a neighborhood choice. Choice wines, craft beers, charcuterie, awesome soups, burgers, and entrees in a farm to table, laid back atmosphere with a lot of art on the wall. And...it's true. The food though is simply excellent...down to the touches like home made pickled vegetables. We looked at the menu and just stared. Lots of choices and unlike many places, I was interested in them all. I got the chicken and the egg, my wife got a venison sausage plate, and my boy a delicious mac n cheese. My wife and I traded...then took back...our entrees. Service was really good but a little stoic...not bad at all...just not a representation of the funky cool inviting place it is. Again...excellent... just a little formal feeling wait staff for a place that is so laid back in feel and clients. Kid friendly too. Yes...they have toys and yes they have high chairs. Mommy and daddy wine and diner or craft beer lords can bring a youngin.
(5)
Becky S.
My family and I made our third trip to Clementine on February 20th. We were seated promptly upon our arrival, but were left unattended for 15 minutes before anyone came by with water. Our waitress did miraculously appear, and in a condescending tone, gave us the excuse, "We are so sorry for the wait, but you were seated too early." Not cool; sincere apologies are not followed up with an excuse. I'd rather wait to be seated than wait at my table. I ordered the beef cheeks for my main course, and they were good ... kind of like a crock pot roast beef ... that tasted like dirt. It was incredibly soupy; the accompanying broccolini and fingerling potatoes were lost in the sauce. Last time I checked, mashed potatoes were great for sopping up soupy messes. All in all, my meal turned out to be just a big, wet, sloppy mess that resembled the creature from the black lagoon. I will likely go back, but after a long cooling off period. I feel that Clementine has become a little too big for their britches, and that plain old good customer service or attention to detail is no longer important. I guess this is what happens after you are featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.
(2)
Joahnna F.
First time here last night and really enjoyed the meal and service. I had the bacon wrapped meat loaf which was so moist and delicious! My husband had the Murray's chicken and he thought it was very juicy and well prepared. Our server Brittany was great and helpful making recommendations based on our food and drink preferences. I would definitely recommend this place to friends and family wanting something different from what "chain" restaurants offer.
(5)
Chris S.
This is a great place. Wonderful food and the number one spot to take kids without having it become a zoo. Try the Elixer. Good breakfast too.
(5)
Lance B.
Used Yelp to reserve table. My notes for gluten free menu was recognized.Nice dinner with the family. Start to finish, dinner service was great . Wait staff was spot on . Entrees were fresh. Howard,our waiter admitted my wife's burger was over cooked . They re-did the burger -perfection . Big .
(4)
Don L.
I have not read all of the negative reviews that brought the average down, but I'm glad to report that Clementine deserves way better than what Yelpers are rating it. Is it fresh? Absolutely! They curate their own meat for goodness sakes! Show me another place that does that...and does it well! Is it delicious? Another absolutely! Every dish has its own uniqueness from the standard faire. And that's especially difficult to find for breakfast. For example, it's not just French Toast. It's fresh French Toast on Challah bread with just the right amount of sweetness & crispiness. It's not just a Breakfast Burrito. It's got the little something extra that pushes your standard breakfast dish into specialness. I also had the Cuban Sandwich...and again, they add their own take on it by adding a MOUNTAIN of Home-curated Ham on the light, soft & crispy bread. The mustard brings all the flavors together in the sandwich. Btw, the ham is curated just right- perfect amount of saltiness, juiciness and yummm.... To top everything off, I had the Duck Hash. Again, this is not your typical hash. Spicy? Yes. But if it's not spicy enough, try their housemade hot sauces! SO DELICIOUS!!! (& Excellent amount of heat!) On top of all of that, the restaurant's atmosphere is quaint, great for large parties, and overall friendly. I have to admit that being from California, I'm a bit spoiled on price-point to portion ratio regardless of freshness. BUT these portions are just right, especially for FRESH. I'll be back for dinner and update my review! This is #65 on my quest to eat all the Diners, Drive-ins, & Dives in America!
(5)
Steve D.
This restaurant is one of the best in baltimore. Between the excellent friendly service and the fact that the chefs will walk out and actually talk to you makes this place extremely welcoming. It has an open atmosphere and of course the food is amazing. Even though it has a rotating menu I have never had something less than great. Brunch is also completely baller.
(5)
Tear S.
This was my first time at Clementine. The atmosphere was superb and the staff was very accommodating. I ordered the Clementine cold cut and duck fat oven fries. It was delicious. It was a little bit of a crowd (I went on a early Sunday afternoon), but it was still comfortable. I will definitely be returning in the near future. =)
(4)
Heather G.
I was excited to bring my boyfriend to Clementine after my last visit was absolutely fantastic. I made reservations for 11:30 on Sunday morning and we showed up a little early. The restaurant was crowded, but didn't seem overwhelmingly so, and we were greeted immediately and sat quickly at a small table wedged in the middle of the dining room. Not ideal, but I wasn't about to complain. Our water glasses were filled silently by a bus boy from over my shoulder and that's where things started to go south. We sat for over 30 minutes without anyone acknowledging us or refilling my water glass. Staff members looked at our table multiple times, attended to the tables around us, but we were ignored. Eventually, a waitress asked if we had been helped, and when we said we hadn't, she seemed annoyed to have to help us. There was no introduction, no genuine apology, just the hurried taking of our orders. We ordered two cocktails (boyfriend ordered one with bourbon, I ordered the Gin-ny from the block), the coffee cake, and he ordered the breakfast scramble with bacon and sausage and I ordered the duck hash. Our drinks took about 15 minutes to come out after that. My boyfriend saw them on the end of the bar and, at this point, we were just making a game out of it. The waitress eventually asked if we had received our drinks yet and we said no. Again, no apology. Our drinks were delivered and a woman, who we assume was the manager, came over to say she was going to check on our food and to save room for dessert on them. At this point, we just wanted to eat and leave. My boyfriend did not enjoy his drink, but mine was pretty good. The manager came back and stated our food would be out in 4 minutes. Took a bit longer than that! But, when our entrees came out, I did get a water refill. The food was solid. My boyfriend didn't think they included the bacon in his scramble, but we found it eventually. We enjoyed our entrees, though they did forget the coffee cake. The waitress did come over while we were eating to make sure everything was good and apologized for what she was sure was the "worst service ever" (it was). She also acknowledged that she forgot the coffee cake and we could have it packed to go, or have a dessert on the house to go, and that she had taken everything off our check except the entrees. We thought that was fair considering we had enjoyed the food. We selected the golden cake with chocolate peanut butter frosting to take home and were disappointed in the dryness. Though the frosting was good, the cake itself had no flavor. After such a subpar experience, we are uncertain if we will ever go back.
(2)
G.M. B.
My husband and I visited Clementine's for Valentine's Day for the first time. It was wonderful. The atmosphere is slightly rustic/industrial and Baltimore! We had our table right next to the cool display of dried meats and canned goods. The service was great, the young lady we had was attentive, and made sure we understood the menu and specials they were having. She came back to check on us every so often which was nice because they were pretty full. Our water glasses were never empty (which is important to me because I drink a lot of water! haha) Food: For starters we had Oysters, very yummy with interesting toppings a citrus and a spicy. While I would have preferred my regular hot sauce what is the point of coming to a new place and not trying what they have? Turned out great. Mussels: so yummy! had bacon and spinach mixed in with a delicious broth!! Arugula Salad: lovely potatoes incorporated, very different salad which turned out to be very yummy. For our main course my husband had the Rib Eye which was DELICIOUS! And I had the Beef and Duck Meatloaf. I was interested in this so I decided why not? Great choice. Loved the mushroom sauce on top and the Gouda mashed potatoes were to die for! For Dessert I had the Apple & Cherry Pie/Tart, so delicious you HAVE TO TRY!! And my husband had Crème Brulee which was fantastic. All in All we had a wonderful experience at Clementine and left very full and happy and we will certainly be coming back again. Thank you!
(5)
Todd D.
Went here a while ago and remembered it being great. Great staff and drink selection was very good. Everything stood out and will go back again.
(5)
Justin W.
I went for a Sunday morning brunch with my girlfriend and her friend. The staff asked if we had a reservation and gave us a look when we said we didn't.... there were about 15 wide open, unused tables looking right at us. The food was good, nothing I haven't made at home before and it felt like the staff was trying to rush us out. The bussers took my unfinished plate. Our waiter was great though so they scored some points there. If I got invited to a meal there I'd go and I'd probably be somewhat pleased, however on my own I won't be going back.
(3)
Erin S.
My experiences here have been great and then 'meh.' A few things that really do stand out... Cocktails This place has GREAT cocktails. This will also make your dinner bill explode...the food here isn't really expensive but the cocktails ain't cheap. Fresh/Local The food really does taste fresh here. I also like that they are a little adventurous. I'd never had rabbit before coming here and it was a fun dish try. Service Great service here. The place is always busy, but never really crowded. I've always had really attentive servers. They are also very cool about people just hanging out... I came here with a large party for brunch the other week and we definitely stayed longer than appropriate after we finished our meals, but they were VERY cool about that and said we could stay as long as we wanted. They were also great at accomodating a last minute increase to the party (party of 8 became a party of 10). Food I've had some great dishes here and then some that left me a little disappointed. My favorite dish was a brunch special...it was an eggs benedict over local ham. The ham was RIDICULOUS. It was a really delicious meal. I also had a pasta in cream sauce with rabbit. I'd never had rabbit before and it was a really unique flavor to me. I had meatloaf here one time as well and it was awesome. I recently got the duck hash off the brunch menu because people have been raving about it for as long as I've heard of Clementine. I don't get it. It felt like poached eggs over diced potatoes...there wasn't a 'hash' feel to it. The dish was missing salt and I think I was expecting the potatoes to be a little crunchy? Also, supposedly there was a habanero-fig sauce, but I could not taste it. I actively disliked this meal. I also had a crabcake/eggs benedict waffle here one time that did not impress. Brunch, as of late, is kind of a miss. Dinners and cocktails are a hit.
(3)
Purvi P.
The food is passable. I had a light meal of the rabbit nachos and a couple of cocktails. The drinks were my favorite part-pretty amazing cocktail menu. However the service was just awful. We were seated fairly quickly. However our server was rude and not attentive in the least. We had to corral another staff member to get our check. I really wanted to like this place because of its commitment to local and fresh food- but it just isn't worth it.
(2)
Eric N.
Clementine is a solid choice for breakfast, lunch or dinner. This neighborhood gem is kid and family friendly. It is spacious, yet homey in its environs. The dress is casual, and the waitstaff are very courteous and kid friendly as well. The food is eclectic in variety. I have had pork based dishes, vegetarian meals, and everything in between. My favorite meal here is breakfast on the weekend. There is a large variety of choices, ranging from the typical (pancakes) to the very interesting (Korean hot pot bowl with eggs and rice). We have been here at least 10 times, and have not been disappointed. The proces are reasonable, and you won't leave hungry.
(4)
Larry F.
This place has great food and a great atmosphere ! Only thing I dislike and why I didn't give its 5 stars was the parking. The parking can be a nightmare!
(4)
Joel L.
Eclectic & Eccentric Clementine We went for the Sunday brunch with another couple who were back in Baltimore after many years away. Clementine was a good choice to give them a taste of the changes in some of the old Baltimore neighborhood restaurant scene. We enjoyed our selections of the Breakfast Burrito, Grilled Cheese, Mexican Cheese steak and Duck fat Fries. All of the selections were served hot, full of flavor with that unique twist that is characteristic of Clementine. This place may not be for everyone, but, if you like eclectic and eccentric this place is a good fit for you. Clementine offers very good food and service with a unique twist right here in a classic old Baltimore neighborhood setting.
(4)
Victor B.
I've been here many times but never ate the food. 2 weeks ago I seen this place on diner drives and dives and was thrilled to see a Baltimore restaurant on there. So here I am at Clementine. I had the Asian braised pork cheeks and to my satisfaction I loved them. Service is prompt and very friendly. Would definitely come back and would recommend to others. Definitely a great farm to table restaurant
(5)
Nick B.
Do you need a bit of "Farm to Table", but don't want to sell your children to the Woodberry hydra to afford it? Clementine is snooty nü-american for the everywoman. The menu feels complete, the themed nights are always on point, the carry out wine rack is highly affordable, and the scapple is always well-prepared. Be warned, they do cater to the upper-middle-class-mid-thirties-hipster-breeder set, so expect the shrill mouth-noises of children to unsettle your meal.
(4)
Allysa D.
We went here once and the service took forever. It took an hour to get our appetizer and even longer for the entree. It was awful. Even the waitress kept apologizing so not sure if that was a one time thing. The food wasn't even that good so it wasn't worth the wait either.
(1)
Graham D.
This was by far the best family dining experience that my wife and I have ever had with our 4 kids. Just goes to show that you don't need to have a theme with arcade games or other types of over stimulation to cater to families. Even the Children's Chicken on the kids menu defied convention by not being breaded fried strips or nuggets, but rather small medallions of grilled and well seasoned whole chicken breast, served with broccoli and mashed potatoes, all of which my 6 year old loved -- he didn't even ask for a dipping sauce! The play area is small, and I can imagine on more crowded nights the kids overwhelming it, but it was perfect for us. Our only complaint was the background music in the speakers, which was of some kind of festival blues or rock that made my wife feel "10 years older" as she put it, but gave it the benefit of the doubt of being super meta and "borderline ironic hipster". Of course music tastes are subjective, and I expect this changes frequently. The food, drinks and dessert were all delicious and perfectly prepared with great locally sourced ingredients. It was funny, when I first walked in, I said to my wife, I bet this place has a great bread pudding -- it just looks like the kind of place that has bread pudding -- and sure enough it's the first item on the dessert menu, and of course I ordered it, and of course it was delicious. Besides the music, Clementine met or exceeded all of our expectations, and we had high expectations for the food and just prayed that the kids would enjoy it, which they did. Clementine is a parenting win-win!
(5)
Jason P.
Food was plentiful, fresh, and delicious. They brought out samples of the meatloaf for everyone at the table. The waiter was very kind to the toddler dining with us -- a nice little touch.(Oh, they have a 'play area' for kids!)
(4)
Allison H.
Can't say I was super impressed by my most recent visit to Clementine. I came here with my mother and after we were promptly seated, we waited more than ten minutes for our waitress to reappear to take our order. Let me paint the scene here: it's lunchtime on a weekday and there is one other couple seated, and a man sitting at the bar. Not what I would call a lunch rush. Anyway, our food eventually arrived, but not without a few misadventures in between waiting and eating. The music that was playing began to blip out mid-song, creating moments of 'did the music just go out?' and 'oh wait.. it's back again.' It did soon completely fizzle out- to a droning buzz noise. That harsh buzz wasn't addressed until we were nearly finished our meals. A young man also came by to silently fill our water glasses. Something about the vibe in this place just wasn't super attentive and service oriented. Okay, okay, so the actual meals... my mom got the shrimp salad sandwich, and I can attest to the fact there were barely any shrimp in that thing. I felt bad considering how much it cost versus how much meat was actually there. I got the oyster po'boy and it was pretty spot on. The baguette especially was really fresh and tasty. It was a two star experience, but my sandwich was pretty flavorful so I can't in good conscience completely write the place off.
(3)
Supriya M.
We had heard so many good things about Clementine and were looking forward to going there. A Sunday night reservation for 5 people. We sat on a large table for 8 people which was sort of uncomfortable given how loud the restaurant was. To be fair, we were given the choice of a smaller table but that would have been too small. Anyway, we ordered drinks - the housemade basil lime elixir was just ok. My husband found some beers on the beer list he could try. For appetizers, we got beet salad and the trio lettuce salad, both of which were mediocre. The trio lettuce was slightly better. The turkey sausage soup tasted like chicken noodle while the curried zucchini soup was quite delicious ans surprisingly spicy. Dinner was a pork chop which my father in law seemed to enjoy, my MILs charcuterie plate which had interesting ingredients, my mom's sweet potato and coconut risotto which sounded better in writing, my husband's rockfish belly which was cooked well but was bland and flavorless, duck sliders with foie gras which again sounded better than they tasted, oysters which may have been the best thing we ate all night and my own NC bass which was also flavorless and bland. The chocolate ginger panna cotta was more of a chocolate mousse with a fancy name. Overall, the food was just ok. I've definitely experienced better and was not top 50 restaurant caliber. Service was extremely disjointed and spotty. The person who brought out our first salads brought them out and showed them to us without saying a word and expected us to figure out what went where. Our water was not refilled frequently. Our server seemed very busy. They forgot to put in the order for my bass, which they brought out 10 minutes after everyone else had their food. They apologized for this but a fine dining restaurant should comp the entree or make up for it somehow, which they did not. I guess maybe my expectations were high for the place and I have certainly been to many better places in Baltimore.
Excellent selection of fresh food for the foodie. Waiter not friendly or paying real attention. Tip reflected service only 10% and I rarely do that.
(3)
Aisha K.
There were so many options on the menu that sounded amazing so I had a little difficulty deciding. Our waitress was friendly and took the time to help with suggestions. I finally settled on the BBQ sandwich of the day and I definitely made the right decision! It and the slaw it came with were delicious. My friend and I happened to get there a bit before they closed between lunch and dinner so we ended up staying into the break period, but we never felt rushed, they never asked us to hurry up and never sent covert glares our way. They just went about their business and we got to enjoy a relaxed meal. Would definitely go back and try something else on the menu.
(5)
Michelle R.
Lost what could have been two regulars who wanted a new place to bring family/friends who came to visit the city. The service was terrible. The behavior of the manager was terrible, and the food was mediocre. Being rushed in and out (though we made a reservation) was unacceptable. 1. Disorganized. When we called for a reservation they asked us if we had children. We said no, so we figured we would not be set next to children. We were, three screaming kids. It was constant and uncomfortable. No one wants to eat in that atmosphere. Might as well of been at McDonalds. The room was empty, they could have seated us anywhere. Anywhere. Even a table away, so that it wasn't too much out of the service's way, and it would have made a huge impact on our mood, and our ears. I looked at their online menu, which, on Friday, had burgers up. So I asked if they had that menu, the waitress apologized and said it was not a valid menu, that was for Wednesday. Well, should not have happened, but I looked past it and ordered the pulled pork. Because it was what I wanted. She took my order, but then 10 minutes later... they didn't have it. So they didn't have what I wanted to start, then my second choice was stricken. Said they were out (But it was the start of dinner service... and she didn't tell us when she gave us our menus...). So I was irritated. Asked me what else I wanted, looking impatient. Didn't even really give me time to think. So I picked the bbq chicken with potatoes and greens, expecting something amazing. 2. Mediocre Food. It wasn't that good. At all. My husband liked his meal, but I tasted the shrimp, it was overdone, and he agreed a bit chewy. My meal... well I could have made it all on my grill. The chicken wasn't BBQed, it was grilled and then a sweet sauce was smeared on at the last moment, the potatoes had no depth of flavor, just bacon and potatoes (it was supposed to be a complicated complex melody of tastes), and the chard I had was the only thing well prepared. If you don't have a lot of experience with local, complex food, you may like it. But if you have a sensitive palette, you will find the flavors completely lacking. 3. Horrible service and price gouging. I ordered a Basil-Lime elixir. It was good. On the menu it says 2.00. When I got the receipt it said 2.75. That menu had been out for an entire week, and I know most people probably don't look at that .75 cents and think anything of it, but they had been overcharging guests for an entire week without fixing the menu. Being that they were inaccurate on their menu, and did not have what I wanted, which was advertised at the start of service (I went at 5:30, Dinner begins at 5), I expected some sort of compensation. I have gotten entire meals taken off the receipt for less of an infraction that that, which I never expect, but at the very least, good service means a complimentary drink or a dessert, because they made the mistake on their menu. Being that I was overcharged on the drink, I asked about this, and rather than kindness, I got a very rude manager, who wanted to HAGGLE over the price of the meal. Cut the different, because chicken is so much more expensive than pork.... and because she wanted to save paper by not changing the menu (okay, then why didn't the waitress tell us at the START of our meal, before we ordered, that the pork was not an option?!). I was done. I had it. The food wasn't that exceptional, and the service was less than standard, especially for the price. 20 an entree is not expensive, but it is that mid-range where I could have spent 20 on a meal somewhere else for the two of us, and been very happy with both the service, and the food (though it would not have been local sourced, and is why I chose to go to Clementine). Not only will I not go again, I am very active on social media, as well as with my friends, and I will be warning them away.
(1)
Sara E.
I am revisiting my review for this restaurant because of a second visit that was exceptional. My husband hosted a dinner here for his employees the Thursday before Easter. We also invited some family friends whose children can sometimes be borderline unruly. One of our guests was 45 minutes (!) late. We decided to eat charcuterie and cheese plates while we waited for her. The staff was wonderful. They made sure the kids in our party got their dinners and everyone's drinks were kept filled while we waited with absolutely no indication that they would like us to move along. When the kids became restless, there was a play area where they played with some other children who were dining there. Having eaten out with these friends before, we have often gotten in attentive service or felt hurried or looked down upon because we were dining with kids, but not at clementine. Everyone had a great time, felt completely at home and had a delicious meal. And I mean, a truly creative, fresh, meal in a relaxed setting. This place is a miracle, as far as I am concerned.
(5)
Rob C.
We arrived at 3:45. We were told they did not serve dinner until 5:00 so we killed some time when we returned at 5:00 they said they were book up all night. So we very uncomfortably sat at the bar in an empty restaurant. We both ordered the meatloaf(which is supposedly one of there best dishes). The food was mediocre at best neither one of us was compelled to even finish half of the meal. The service was terrible and when we left the place was still empty. Overall terrible experience. They turned away an older couple who drive several hours to try it due to no seats in an empty restaurant. Very disappointing the Hamilton Tavern down the street is ten times better and much more inviting.
(1)
Laura R.
This is one of my favorites in B'more. Food is above par with an eclectic menu for all tastes. Family friendly with a kids play area in the side dining room. All food is prepared by order, at busy times you will have a longer wait for your food, just be patient the wait is worth it. Bring some friends and good conversation and you won't even notice. The meats. All I can say is wow. Top notch.
(5)
Lindsey H.
As a vegetarian there isn't much to choose from on the menu but the things I have eaten have been delicious. Especially the vegan tacos on Taco Tuesday! The decor is super cute and even though it's always packed, it's pretty big so the wait is never too long. Highly recommended!
(4)
Leslie K.
I love Clementine's. Everything on the brunch menu is awesome. The biscuits and gravy, the Indian scramble, the migas, the breakfast sandwiches. I have not been disappointed at lunch either, the pit beef, the duck nachos, I love their house salad. Finally, dinner is both delicious, locally sourced, inventive, and reasonably priced. Their bar is also great, and cocktails are not crazy expensive like some other bars in the city. You can't go wrong.
(5)
Shandana M.
We love this place. Staff are nice, drinks are amazing, food is delicious and there's a whole couch and play area for kids. Mac and cheese is amazing! The menu is always changing but I've never had anything bad
(5)
Lauren S.
Meh. Went last night. Shared a cheese plate with another person in the party. The cheese plate was good; the jam that came with it was right on. For dinner I had whatever chicken they had on the menu. The carrots that came with it were delightful. The mashed potatoes were merely ok, and the chicken itself wasn't outstanding. I just wasn't impressed with any of it. My mixed drink was alright. The best thing I has was my coke and the carrots. The waiter was really good. Very accommodating and friendly. Will I be back? No. Nothing here wowed me. It's a lot like Woodberry Kitchen, which I'm not a fan of anymore either.
(3)
Em D.
Fantastic! Best meal that I have had in Baltimore and one of the top on the East Coast. Had the bluefish which was heavenly from the grits to the fish to the veggies - utter perfection. Partner had the pork cheeks which he would have been more than happy with had he not had some of my fish and then got plate envy. We had cocktails which were superb and the pickle tray to start --I know, who orders the pickle tray? well we do and it was divine. Also got the apple cake - again-superb. Service was excellent and the atmosphere was casual with a nice low volume for such a big space. We will be returning very soon--
(5)
Jessie C.
The ambiance is quaint and romantic but the food is nothing to write home about. I ate the Mediterranean burger. I ordered it medium but it was completely brown inside. The grilled zucchini on the burger had no real flavor to it. The entire meal was just nothing impressive. But the bottled beer was good and half price on Wednesday nights !!!!
(3)
Jamie B.
Cheese, charcuterie and pickle plate .Assorted drinks from the bar as well. Charcuterie could have had more portions. I have been to several places with Hearty portions. Cheese plate was okay. Pickle plate was great. The bouillabaisse was what intrigued me and was very excited to try it. After reading the online description of the menu for the day, it said specifically crab, shrimp, mussels, and catfish. I asked the food runner if there was supposed to be crab in it and he repeated all the items and did not say crab, he told me no crab. Our server, who was honestly very awkward and just not that helpful or the least bit outgoing, was no where to be found. (He jumped on our table asap, with out explaining the menu options and expected us to order within just about 8mins) So there was no crab in the bouillabaisse and it's listed on their online menu. the potatoes were pre cooked and seemed like they were just thrown in , and the shrimp I could have gotten out of an egg roll at my local Chinese joint. All in all, including service- I was VERY underwhelmed. Disappointed to say the least- held Clementine higher as the brunch never fails-
(3)
Dustin F.
Best atmosphere around and the food is outstanding. The waitress brought my girlfriend another beer when she seen it was empty and said I didn't want you to feel left out knowing we had a beer. She didn't even charge us! They use fresh local ingredients and the chefs are top notch. This resturant should be on tv shows for top American places to eat. This is a must try if you love food. The chicken with roasted brussel sprouts were amazing and I never thought my girlfriend would even eat Brussel sprouts. Can't say enough , just go there and find out yourself.
(5)
Lea Ann W.
My local friend and I stopped in Clementine for a glass of wine and dessert before I headed back to NYC. What we encountered was a rare and exceptional bartender who completely understood the subtle art of service. With an attentive ear Daniel anticipated what we wanted, suggested excellent wines with a perfectly informative description and engaged in fascinating discussion with us, while still allowing for a special moment two old friends share. To finish we were poured the best drink of 2014. Yes, I know we are only a month in but this drink will stick well into spring and summer. A glass of porsecco, a sugar cube dropped in and Daniel's own concoction of lavender, sage and cedar infused bitters. Like cupids kiss of light perfume! This rhythmic bartender may seem humble, but I'm certain he has a library of mixology up those sleeves. Just to note, being a bonafied city slicker I've been seasoned in fine locales worldwide, but oddly enough no cocktail or bartenter has impressed me more than what Clementine resturant has with Daniel.
(5)
Gina A.
Really great place! I ended up getting the duck hash for Sunday brunch which was delicious. I loved the fact that they had really unique cocktails, that always wins me over. Friendly staff, great food and drinks, I'd return.
(4)
Doris P.
I've been here numerous times, and have generally had good experiences. The food is relatively consistent, and I've always enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and the refreshing cocktails. That said, when a restaurant charges your credit card more than what you write on the tip and total line, I take issue. Sure, mistakes happen... but I called the restaurant and left a voicemail, AND followed-up with an email, and still, no response. It wasn't a huge discrepancy, but the very fact that they didn't want to address it, is enough for me not to return - which is a shame because it is a great spot in Hamilton. Still, if they don't have the integrity to respond to a customer's issue, then they really don't deserve my business.
(1)
Melissa M.
Have been to clementine twice. Food is decent but service is a joke. Will not be back.
(1)
noel c.
I've heard great things about Clementine and I've been wanting to eat here for a long time. Finally, I made it for brunch and it wasn't a great experience. I ordered the @Migas... eggs and tortillas were extremely dry no flavor hardly worth $10 The bad meal might have been forgivable, but the service was so bad. It was as if I was invisible--sitting with an empty coffee cup for the whole meal.
(1)
Scott S.
I had been singing Clementine's praises since I started going there a few years ago. I though the food, service and atmosphere were all excellent. However I had a terrible experience last Saturday. We had to wait a few minutes to be greeted as there was no hostess, or if there was one she was running food and setting up tables. We had a reservation but still had to wait 10 minutes before we were seated. Once we ordered it routinely took way too long for our drinks to come, and we waited at least 30 minutes for the appetizer, which was the crab dip with 6 tortilla chips that we had to ration. Drinks appeared at least 5-10 minutes after they had been ordered so I made sure to get a second drink when I still had half of my current one. I had to flag down our waiter to ask if the appetizer was still coming. He rarely stopped by to see if we needed anything after that, never once asked how the food was after it was served, and certainly didn't bother to apologize for the slow service. So how was it? Not as good as we have had in the past. My pork was dry but flavorful, but certainly not worth the price I paid. My wife had the duck but she thought it was average at best. I know one bad experience shouldn't tell the story on this place, but there are too many other places around Baltimore and DC to visit, and I don't plan to go back any time soon based on my most recent experience.
Some of the food at Clementine is mindblowing. My gf and I went for a fancy dinner on a Sunday evening, and took advantage of their AMAZING "Date Night" Deal--$40 for 2 salad/soup starters, 2 entrees, and 1 dessert. I was surprised how empty the place was on a Sunday, and the service was a bit stiff and lackluster. Mixed drinks were very good. Loved the basil lime elixir with your choice of hooch (I chose bourbon). The Fall salad with kale, purple/white and golden beets, and a tangy lemony dressing was exceptional, fresh, and seasonal. The turkey chowder with corn and sweet potatoes was rich and warming. The sour cherry pie with an almond crumble was a simple and delicious dessert. The flavors of the Duck Ramen was absolutely amazing, except it came out not very hot. But my gf's entree was a total miss. She ordered the Rabbit 2 ways, which the menu stated was a seared rabbit loin and braised rabbit legs over a bean cassoulet. We should have sent it back. The rabbit loin was cooked so well done that it was leathery--certainly not "seared." And there were NO RABBIT LEGS! We were wondering where the second type of rabbit was, and figured it was mixed into the cassoulet. But I re-read the menu when I got home, and that's when I noticed there were supposed to be braised rabbit legs in there. Finally, the bean cassoulet was so salty that it was a turnoff to the rich and tasty flavors that were present. With all of the problems of the dish, I actually cannot believe they allowed that to go out of the kitchen.
I have had very good experiences with food & service at Clementine in the past. This time it was an entirely different restaurant. Any restaurant is entitled to a bad night, but there were things that were unforgivable. There is a panel on the menu that lists specials by day. On Sundays, the special is a fixed menu for 2 people for $40. We asked what the chef's entree selection for the special was, and were told that the special was not being offered because it was Mother's Day. Yet there was no special Mother's Day menu. If you're not going to offer a day-of-the-week special, don't put it on your website and certainly take that leaf off your menu. Although they were not crowded at peak dinner time, they were out of chicken-- substituting duck in the same dishes -- and shrimp. How do you run out of chicken AND shrimp at 7:30pm? Of 8 entrees, 4 were affected. Under the circumstances, we had quite a few questions about the menu. The waitress, while pleasant, couldn't answer a single question without going back to the kitchen to find out. The ordering process took way too long. The only remaining item on the menu that appealed to me was the trout, but it came with beets. There are very few things I don't like, but I loathe beets. When I asked if another vegetable could be served in place of the beets I was assured that it would be not problem -- that they were just a small garnish on the plate. Moments later the guy who seated us -- the bartender? the host? -- came to the table with the waitress to tell me that, in fact, the beets were an intregal part of the plate. He asked me if I was allergic to beets, and when I hesitated, he pressed on, which put me in an awkward position. I felt somewhat like I was being interrogated. No beets: that's straightforward, right? Why was I being questioned? My husband always orders chicken, but dislikes duck. The only remaining item that appealed to him was the steak. For $34 it's reasonable to expect a very good piece of meat. This steak was tough and had a hunk of fat that was nearly 1/4 of the entree. My $23 trout was smaller than any trout I'd been served. The food was ok. Just ok. Finally, the water glasses. Water was all I was drinking, and our empty glasses went long stretches without being refilled. Were we neglected because we weren't drinking a more profitable beverage? I don't know. What's the deal? Change in ownership? Manager's night off? This single visit has turned me from a fan to someone who is unlikely to go back and give them one more chance. Sad to say, but there are too many great restaurants in Baltimore to take a chance on Clementine again.
(2)
Stella O.
Pro: interior of the restaurant Con: Horrible part of town. For the surrounding area, papa johns its a star better, Parking is a B)#(! I had the meatloaf ($15). I was not impressed, double T diner does a better job and costs less. This place is an overpriced DINER!
(2)
James L.
I've heard so much about this restaurant for years, and I finally went and checked it out the last week of April on a date. It was never going to live up to those expectations, but it was quite nice. The seared tuna appetizer was tasty. I had a fried catfish filet with sweet potatoes and slaw, and while the catfish was perfectly fried, the sides weren't much and the presentation was odd. Not that I'm generally a stickler for that, but it was like the chef sauced the plate with a very thin sweet potato puree and laid the golden fried deliciousness right in it to get soggy. That said, would take another date there. It's in my go-to list.
(4)
Stacey G.
Wonderful dinner. Enjoyable atmosphere. Generous portions. We had the seafood charcuterie platter and I fell head over fins in love with the smoked mackerel. I threw myself a curve ball and ordered the chicken because the corn, tomato, and crab salad sounded delicious. It did not disappoint. My husband had the soft shell crabs dinner and he was in heaven. Drink menu is diverse and unique and nicely priced. I would say they could probably cut back some on the butter and salt but in the food but, truth be told, I'm only mentioning that because there's a guilty person in my head wagging her finger at me for having something so delicious. Dessert -- berry layer cake -- was ok. It sounded like a solid, plain dessert and it was just that. I probably should've ordered something more decadent sounding. Great place for 2 or a group. Service was good and friendly.
(4)
Patrick H.
We ran back in to Clementine for breakfast. If I lived in the neighborhood, I would eat breakfast here every weekend! The egg casseroles are divine, the homemade muffins are everything you want in a muffin and the housemade sausage is sublime. Try the smoked salmon spread on a cheddar jalapeno bagel. Oh my.
(5)
Mel M.
dry boring sandwiches. at least it was cheap. macaroni was good (however im not into that dish regardless) service is VERY slow but cordial
(2)
Eric P.
Finally, another restaurant in Baltimore makes the list of great breakfast spots. The food is tasty & relatively cheap. The breakfast casseroles are $5 and are appropriately sized for breakfast.
(4)
Carrie L.
As a vegetarian, I knew of Clementine's reputation for being primarily a meat place. They have a "charcuterie." I had viewed their menu online, though, and saw that they were friendly to vegetarians as well. So my partner and I gave it a go one lazy Sunday evening. The place is adorable, and extremely clean. It seems that the menu changes frequently, but you'll always find an assortment of meats, including duck. They had two vegetarian options as well: veggie pad thai and Joe-Joe's Frittata, a vegetarian frittata. It wouldn't hurt to consider pairing an appetizer with a salad, too. We shared a macaroni and cheese appetizer, which tasted very old-style. Not overly salty or cheesy. I had a frittata which came with a greens salad that included fresh cherry tomatoes and basil. The basil was a nice touch. My partner had smoked paprika catfish with cheese grits and ham greens. I'm just saying, it looked fantastic. We did not have room to try the desserts, although they looked amazing. From the sound of the other reviews, they truly are. It was the best meal we've enjoyed in quite a few weeks. We'll be back.
(5)
P S.
The food was pretty amazing. Awesome food, make a reservation. The onlyh thing that would have made it better is if we hadn't continously see the waitress butt crack.
(4)
Charlotte B.
Best bet is to stick to charcuterie and pate appetizers. Those are the highlights of this restaurant. Smoked then grilled pork entree was dry and unpleasant. Not all of their entrees are real winners. choose carefully and pay attention to what waitstaff says. But if you are unhappy, they will try and fix it, their service goes above and beyond the expected.
(4)
Mark N.
This place tries hard and obviously has a lot going for it. It's definitely a plus when you pick up a menu and there are many, many dishes you are eager to try. The food here is inventive and unconventional and much of it is very good. We came on a busy Friday night. The main room in which we were seated was very loud. This is definitely not a place to bring a date. We basically had to shout at each other all night to be served. Virtually all of the food was excellent except my wife's dish. She ordered the whole roasted red snapper stuffed with vegetables. There was nothing wrong with it on the surface but when you tasted it, you realized that the snapper was a few days past its serving date. It had a slight off taste that made the dish disgusting. I can certainly appreciate how difficult it is for a restaurant that is not mainly a fish restaurant to keep something like whole red snapper on the menu. But still, I don't see any excuse for serving that. Better to say it's not available that evening. Otherwise all the food was wonderful. Service was slow. The waitress came to us and apologized explaining that the kitchen was backed up. The way she put it was, "It's such a zoo in there I'm afraid to go in." Not the greatest recommendation. More power to the people who love Clementine. It clearly has a lot going for it. But at these prices, I personally want a more polished restaurant experience.
(3)
Alyce D.
Only been once, and it was okay. I'd try it again, but really for the price of dinner, I'd rather be somewhere downtown.
(3)
Robert T.
This is yet another great kitschy find for Baltimore. We've been there twice, both times for breakfast. The meat products are all handmade in-house. The casseroles are good but a bit small. They are served with deliciously creamy cheese grits, and are pretty cheap; $5 generally. The bagels with spreads are also affordable only going for around a couple bucks. The breakfast scramble is really good; it's eggs, potatoes, house-made sausage, cheese. Everything but the kitchen sink. The Elvis Special Belgian waffle is outstanding. The waffle is cooked with bacon and pecans inside. It's topped with more pecans and a nutella whipped cream. Awesome. I got a side of the sausage on it's own, and surprisingly it was sort of dry. It was tasty, but I would stick to getting it as an ingredient mixed in with another dish. Overall great experience. Will be going back for taco Tuesdays!
(4)
Jessica C.
Love it! Taco Tuesday is a great deal and the food is delicious. Service was also great. Desserts are a bit heavy, wish there were a few more lighter options. I'll go back.
(4)
Caitlin R.
Visited here for the first time for a birthday and it was overall a good time. I enjoyed the area of Hamilton for the first time as well. Pros: - Great atmosphere - very relaxed, loved the vintage signs and dried/smoked meats hanging waiting to be eaten! - Ecsargot toast points - delicious - Service - delicious sides: grilled corn and veggies, broccoli - Dessert (had a raspberry shortcake...mmm) Cons: - Gouda mashed potatoes didn't taste like gouda - Asked for my beef cooked medium, and it was medium raw
(4)
Jeff W.
I've been to Clementine twice and the first time I remember having had a decent experience but hardly noteworthy. The second time, however, has led me to not really want to return and think it's highly overrated. Both times were for brunch so maybe I should try a different meal. But with how disappointing just about every aspect of my most recent experience was, I really don't see me coming back. To start things off, as soon as we entered the entire place smelled like a wet towel. Maybe this is from the house curing of meats that they have, but still, I'd rather not have to whiff rotting flesh when I enter a restaurant. After being seated it took a while to have anyone come back to take our order. It wasn't really crowded at all so there was no reason to have to wait for 10 minutes. Once we placed our order it was another 30 minutes until we received the food. When the food finally came out, it was so sad looking. My house cured corned beef "hash" consisted of 3 tiny, fatty and disgusting chunks of beef which tasted more like something out of a Dinty More beef stew can than a fancy in-house meat curing operation. It was laying on top of a bed of raw cabbage. All that for $13 or so. And not surprisingly, the elf sized portion did not fill me in the slightest. My girlfriend's meal (I think it was one of the egg scrambles) was also laughable, coming out looking like a dry muffin of egg, like some sort of weirdo hot pocket brand breakfast item. It was coupled with disturbingly bland and cold potatoes. Usually I'm not one to send things back, and I usually mock my parents for needing food so hot that it scalds the skin off the roof of your mouth, but these were just gross. Once we could flag the waitress down, we asked if they could be reheated and she scoffed at the notion that they had the equipment (i.e. a microwave) that could reheat food so she would have a cook saute up a new batch of potatoes for us. Well within a minute this freshly sauteed batch emerged, maybe 2 degrees warmer. Since they were essentially just a few red potatoes cut in half, cooked ever so slightly and then put on a plate, neither of us had any interest in eating them. Not even me and my completely empty stomach after eating my elf food corned beef. At this point we were both crabby after having taken an hour and a half to have prepared and consumed 3 oz of food each so we just wanted the check and to leave. But I remembered loving the coconut cake my first time here so I figured I could get at least one redeeming thing out of Clementine. I asked if we could get a piece of coconut cake to go and she said "ooh, we're actually all sold out". Really? You're sold out of cake at 10:40am on a Sunday? That just about sealed the deal and we got up and left, extremely disappointed in every way. 2 stars for the fact that I once had a piece of coconut cake here that put me in a 5 minute state of blind euphoria, but who knows if I will ever get another piece.
(2)
Chris B.
I really enjoyed my visit to Clementine with my fiancee. The service was fantastic, the menu was full of unique dishes I haven't tried before, and the food was delicious. Appetizers - steak tartar and cream of crab soup - both excellent. Dinner - pork loin and scallops. Only criticism was on the pork loin, it was over cooked for my taste but not too much, everything was delicious. The scallops were cooked perfectly and the accompanying pork belly was amazing. My fiancee got some cucumer vodka martini thing that she really enjoyed. I really liked the IPA on tap. You should go, it's good!
(5)
Jason S.
Over rated. Duck came cold. Waiter made a mistake on the check. Won't go back.
(2)
Rebecca L.
I liked Clementine, but I felt a little let down. Their drink menu is impressive- the home made basil lime elixir rocked! Different sodas (root beer, cherry, ginger), and an extensive wine & beer selection. Our waitress could have known the menu better. Ex: they were out of my selected wine- she didn't suggest an alternative (and it's a big wine menu to make your way through). She had to check with the kitchen if the mushrooms could have been removed from the meatball dish, and when I asked about the seafood charcuterie, I was told that the menu had a description of the items (!!!) So I ordered without knowing what a mousseline was (had an idea, but confirmation from my server would have been nice.) It was good (I love pickeled, salty things), but once was enough- I wouldn't order it again. The Mac N' Cheese WAS Fantastical- large portion for a app- BF said next time he'd order two and have as his meal. He had 1/2 Chicken w/ cherry, port BBQ sauce- chicken a little dry, but smoked gouda mashed potatoes were delicious. I had the roasted acorn squash- and after checking the online menu after our meal, I realized that the sauteed spinach didn't make it to my plate. Might have helped- it was a little blah-also a little dry. It's a creative menu, and I like that so much is local. Three deserts, all made by the owner's Mom (nice!) were offered, and my brownie tasted like a Mom brownie. :) Despite the menu hiccups, our waitress otherwise did a great job, checking back with us frequently. 3.5 stars- I liked it, but for a $100 meal (w/ tip), we should have left raving. I'll give it a second try, but for lunch instead.
(3)
David Z.
Great place for going to grab some trout for breakfast while your toddler plays with some toys a few feet away early on a Sunday morning... the service is a bit sub-optimal and food is rather gourmet but menu options are not so diverse.
(4)
Tim H.
Great! The value is outstanding. Go with friends for dinner relax and enjoy. It has a vibrant bistro feel to it. Read the entire cocktail menu before deciding. Many interesting choices. Try the charcuterie or the mussles as appetizers. All of the entrees impressed. Everything we had was outstanding! The best surprise was the bill. High quality food for at a very affordable price. Cost per Quality Bite (cqb) was off the chart.
(5)
Nancy L.
We went on a Thursday which is half price wine night. GREAT DEALS. We got a bottle of red for $9. I would highly recommend this night for groups. The decor is cozy. We were seated in the larger room off to the left. It was empty when we first arrived, which was weird. I like a full room, but more tables started to fill up after 15 minutes or so. We started with salads (I know boring) but very good. The roasted tomato basil dressing was yummy, but I didn't get enough of it. My hubby got the Black Angus grilled strip which was great. The mashed potatoes were so creamy and the strip was great. I ordered the bacon wrapped scallops. They were good, but not the best scallops I've ever had. I didn't get that melt in your mouth texture that I have enjoyed at other restaurants when ordering scallops. Dessert was coconut cake which I absolutely loved. Service was good, but not as personable as I usually like. Others were friendly upon entering and leaving, just our waitress, while polite, wasn't really warm. I would definitely go back.
(3)
Al E.
I wish it was great b/c I live right there, but sigh, we've had trouble. I guess lunch has gone over the best - shrimp salad sandwich and grilled chicken sandwich were fine. Breakfast was mixed: cold, sad muffin but good cream cheese with OK bagel. The veggie and cheese casserole was puny. The breakfast bill was ridiculously cheap but I went home and ate something b/c I was still hungry. Dinner: gf had a TERRIBLE whole fish entree. The poor guy was still wearing his scales and looked bad. Just remembering it makes me shake my head. I had a veggie stir fry that was very good. Another time tried a noodle with broth, Asian style type veggie thing - horrible. Bland and salty at the same time like the broth was drunk with soy sauce. Gf had a special pork dish - also bland. So I think we're done with trying dinner. Besides the inconsistent food, the pretense bothers me. That said, service was fine. And it's still just around the corner so maybe we'll go back if our oven blows up. Tried Clementine again b/c the 4 staff who were standing right by us at HT could not be bothered to even say Hello after we stood in front of the bar for awhile (which is where you're supposed to check in). Really tired of that crap. The good news: never trouble getting a table at Clementine. And the lemon rosemary fizz was delish. We've had some trouble with the entrees so went for small plates. House salad with green goddess dressing was fine; dressing needed salt. Gazpacho: I guess I prefer a chunky gazpacho. This was pureed. The flavors were pretty good with a little kick. Smoked trout. Really weird presentation. They fanned braised purple kale around the edges of a plate like flower leaves and then put the fish in the middle. Goat cheese and cider vinaigrette. The kale was fine but should have been de-stemmed. The fish was really tasty, not fishy. The goat cheese was unnecessary. Not at all sure why they put trout with kale and goat cheese. Mac and cheese. Supposed to be great here. It was fine. I make a mean mac and cheese and it's really simple, so I don't know why people have trouble. It was clearly re-warmed and slopped onto a plate and was not hot - just warm. Clementine's menu is annoyingly verbose and if you're trying to be fancy, please season the food and de-stem the greens. Just sayin. We made the right move b/c had we stayed at HT, we would have still been waiting for a table by the time we were walking home but C tends to disappoint. Oh Hamilton
(2)
Paul O.
Wonderful atmosphere, great service and a bit of an eclectic menu, but for those who like to try new things it is a wonder. I will be heading back on my next trip to Baltimore, perhaps for lunch this time.
(4)
Janet D.
We arrived with a party of 11 on a Sunday evening to celebrate birthdays. The food was fantastic (pork cheeks & oysters!). More importantly, the service was off-the hook great. Our server was knowledgeable, pleasant, accommodating and we did not lack for a single thing the entire hour plus we were there. Keeping up with a table of 11 is no easy feat, and our server (Rob??) was hands down the best I have had in a long, long time.
(5)
Steve K.
OK, but not too special, place for breakfast. Cheese grits were good, home fries so-so, scrambled eggs/bacon mess was decent. Orange juice was served in the original plastic Tropicana bottle - this place wasn't big on charm. Service was a little bit lax but maybe overworked. Miss Shirley's appeared to be better at everything. Might give it a try sometime for dinner.
(3)
Nod S.
This restaurant is one of my favorites. It is a little out of my way to go there, but I know that if I do go it will be easy to get a table, and the menu is guaranteed to offer something that sounds appealing that will be expertly prepared, and the staff will be friendly and attentive. I have only ever come for dinner. Never tried the breakfast and lunch offerings. The menu at Clementine rotates frequently, so even though I have been there a ton of times and always try new things, there is sure to be a tempting seasonal special to try. Plus, there are some winning dishes that are offered regularly. The charcuterie is simply unbeatable. The sausage and pate is made in house and has a wonderful texture and flavor. The mac and cheese is delicious, and a lot of food for the $4 price. I have gotten a few really great soups during the winter, but haven't been back since the weather turned warm to try the cold soup options. If you go during a cold season, the pot pie is really an impressive dish. For only maybe $11 you will get a huge, steaming, fluffy, crusty, perfectly prepared pie. When I first went, they had a rabbit pot pie, and months later I tried the chicken pot pie, and neither will disappoint. If you see any entrees offered with their mess o' greens, do it! They really are skilled in preparing the most delicious dark leafy greens. When I first started going to this restaurant, the cocktails made a big impression on me. They were creative and well executed. The menu is still creative, but I do not feel the execution is as strong as it once was when it comes to the cocktails. Nevertheless, I recommend trying a few. The basil elixir has a fresh sweetness that pairs well with a few different liquors, so you can get it how you like it best. The Stonewall is Clementine's take on the Stone Fence and is a safe bet as well with its pear cider, bourbon & fresh ginger. Taco Night is every Tuesday, and while it is a good bargain, I would rather go on a regular night to get the standard fare I love so much. If I lived in the neighborhood, I would probably take advantage of Taco Tuesday more often, and recommend it if you are near by. One warning-- steer clear of dishes that tout the use of cardamom. The only dish I have ever ordered at this restaurant that I truly hated was a pork dish seasoned with cardamom. The flavor and aroma was overwhelming, and it was impossible to steer clear of the little cardamom pods because they would hide in the sauce and under the vegetables. Trust me when I say you do not want to bite into any of those. Over all, a great place to eat a nice dinner and have a fantastic cocktail without dealing with crowds or snobbery. I like!
(4)
Bella F.
I had great expectations basing on reviews, but I was disappointed. The smell that assaulted my nostrils as soon as I walked in was not of food, but of mold and a bathroom, and it cringed my appetite. Charcuterie wasn't bad, but my duck was seriously overcooked. Blueberry cake was hard crusted and tasted stale. I won't be going there again, for the price I paid for food I should at the very least sit in a cleaner restaurant without flies.
(3)
Jeremy R.
A contender for Baltimore's best restaurant at prices that are hard to believe (cheap). Preparations are spot-on never excessive or jarring. They have a great wine list that consists of whatever you brought with you (BYOB) with a very reasonable corkage. If they have the Burgoo, don't pass it up. Staff is great but waits can be long. You are advised to make a reservation well in advance. Clementine Rules!
(5)
Hilary H.
We were excited to finally try Clementine but were unfortunately disappointed after a great start to the meal (charcuterie platter). We waited over 40 mins for the charcuterie and were understanding despite the fact that the restaurant was not overcrowded. We assumed it was a fluke but then had the exact same experience waiting on our entrees. I had scallops with risotto, he had rabbit pot pie. Both were bland (especially the risotto and pot pie filling.) Again, we didn't put up a fuss when we waited so long, just accepted their apology (one complimentary drink on the house). The worst part was, who appeared to be the chef was out socializing with what looked to be family before dinner service was even over. If things had been running smoothly, maybe this wouldn't have seemed odd, but considering the wait time on our food, it seemed especially unprofessional.
(2)
Lindsay S.
My kind of FOOD!! Fresh,homemade,local,Comfort food at its best!!! TRY there cocktails,they are amazing!
(4)
J H.
Went the other day and had the tuna pate appetizer. So good. Did not disappoint in the least. That said, Clementine really needs their liquor license.
(5)
Steve Y.
One of my favorites. I don't think I've ever been disappointed: except they always run out of the chocolate cake and the service is kinda slow. But the food was worth the wait.
(3)
Shayna S.
I've only been to Clementine once, but I really loved it! My mom and I went for Sunday Brunch recently, and the food was so fresh and delicious and unique. The staff was really friendly and gave great recommendations. The atmosphere is really awesome, it feels like home. I also love the bar, it looks great, it's well-stocked with a variety of alcohol and the drinks are all interesting and delicious. Can't wait to go back!
(4)
Caitlin S.
Loved Clementine. My sister and I weren't sure where to go, but wanted to check out a new place. After reading the positive review in City Paper, we decided that Clementine would be a nice change of pace. We also thought it wouldn't be too crowded. Boy, were we wrong! The place was a zoo, which makes sense in hindsight because it was a Friday. Luckily, the hostess was kind enough to seat us on the cushy upholstered furniture up front, where folks would typically wait for a table. The staff was very supportive of getting my sister, a vegan, a decent meal, even though the items they prepared weren't all on the menu. I had a delicious bluefish over mashed potatoes and corn slaw. The portion was perfect, the food was tasty, and it resulted in that wonderful, 'that was a healthy meal,' perfectly satiated feeling. The decor isn't very impressive, but it's comfortable. And the prices were so reasonable. I plan to head back, when I am feeling motivated to drive to the other side of town. This is definitely a good spot to take your parents, I am sure mine would take to this place like fish to water. BYOB!
(4)
Ron J.
Finally, we thought, a decent restaurant in Hamilton! Clementine is the spiritual offspring from Sobo, a great "feelgood" restaurant in Federal Hill. What Clementine promised was the same great food quality, eager and helpful service and all withing a walk or driving distance in Hamilton. Unfortunately, in almost every area, Clementine dissapoints. FIrst of all, the place was packed - OK, fair enough, it's new and people are curious and want to experience the new digs. Nonetheless, the full, loud room and lack of decent waiting space was a put-off. The waitress was rushed and flustered. The service consisted of jabs of questions revolving around "what would we have", to be expected for sure, but any question we had was met with a barely-beneath-the-surface impatience. I realize you're busy, but damn, take care of the customers, OK? I also had to ask twice to get a clean knife (dirty at the start with some unidentifiable morsel of someone else's food). The waitress was made aware that we are Pescetarian, nonetheless, she was apparently too distracted to make the connection between non-meat eating (essentially) and the fact that the mac and cheese contains prosciutto. Big service ding - and why is ham in mac and cheese? Not normal in any place I've frequented. And on top of that, the "vegetarian" entree for the evening, a curry dish with vegetables, contained grits with - yep - bacon. C'mon people, don't put meat in a side for the vegetarian dish. Really. The entrees are pricy, especially considering the VERY LOUD atmosphere (never heard of acoustic treatment, owners?), the diner-like decor, and cattle-herd like seating density. Most entrees upwards of $20. Rumor has it, there's a $5 cork charge (unsubstantiated), which is not particularly accommodating. Finally, I'll end on the only good note: the catfish and curry entrees were delicious!
(2)
Danielle M.
I've been here twice, and after my first visit, I knew I wanted to come back. The first time my husband and I visited, it was Taco Tuesday so it was a limited menu. But, it was a GREAT limited menu. We sat in the expanded space, which was very cold. I had to wear my winter coat inside, and even thought about wearing gloves while I ate my tacos. So, remembering the good food from that 1st visit, my husband made reservations for a Sunday Valentines Brunch for us. We were sadly a few min late for our reservation, but they still took us to a table right away. And then we sat, and sat, and sat. We sat there for 15 min, which put us right at the end of the brunch time. By the time our server came to greet us, she announced that brunch was over! I was really excited for the brunch because there wasn't much on the lunch menu I was excited about. So, then I had to rethink my order all over again! My husband felt so bad because he thought that he was taking me to one of my favorite places for some of my favorite food and then that didn't happen! So, I ordered basically a veg sandwich with the carrot side dish. Husband got the grilled chicken sandwich with the pasta salad side. I was VERY disappointed with my sandwich because everything was very wet and soggy. The flavor was great, but I think a bowl of soup isn't even as wet as the sandwich was! Now, the carrot side dish was the star of the show! I could swim in a tub of that side and ask for more. Husband was happy with his meal, but there wasn't anything really special about what he ate. We both were hoping for some more substantial lunch items, but none were to be found. So, we paid and went home disappointed. Fast forward a few hours and looking on their website, I found out that there were lunch specials that I would of enjoyed much much more! I was so sad that I didn't know about them from the server!! Please Clementine, train your staff. Your food is, for the most part, great! Hire an extra server for your busy times, because its not fair to the ones on the floor to be running around swamped and disorganized. It only hurts the diner's experience! I would of given 2.5 stars, but I'll give 3 because the space is cool and interesting, as well.
(3)
Chris W.
The review is from my blog at chriswalbert.com . After eating at Clemetine, the new restaurant in Hamilton last Friday, I really wanted to get the word out about this great spot and encourage all of you to check it out. Contrary to a certain review in the Baltimore Sun, Clementine, which is located in the 5400 block of Harford Road, is in downtown Hamilton and not Lauraville. The restaurant is housed in an unassuming storefront in the vicinity of a Blockbuster, a pawn shop, and a Dunkin Donuts. But please do not allow this to lower your expectations of Clementine. Clementine is the epitome of a great neighborhood restaurant. As soon as we walked in the door my family was greeted by a cheerful, if extremely busy, woman who offered us a seat on one of their couches. Luckily we had a reservation, so we only waited a few minutes; just long enough for my father and I to walk down the street and pick up a six-pack of Blue Moon to accompany our dinner. That's because, for the time being at least, Clementine is BYOB. Upon being seated, you realize that Clementine is not a place where you should expect much privacy or a quiet conversation. The dining room holds 20-30 tables in a large open room. The table next to you is no more than 5 feet away. What it lacks in privacy, though, Clementine's dining room more than makes up for with energy and life. For my appetizer, I had a hearty bowl of Maryland Crab Soup. While the soup was very tasty, my only real complaint was that it came out less than 5 minutes before my entree. This forced me to make the tough decision as to which dish I would let get cold. Sorry Maryland Crab Soup, you lost this battle to a strip steak served with Gouda mashed potatoes and sauteed vegetables. My entire family, most of who are not extremely adventurous eaters, really enjoyed their meals. My sister and father also got the strip steak, while my mother got 2 stuffed peppers that looked and tasted fantastic. We passed on dessert, but everything that I saw being served looked really good. It's hard to say exactly what it is about Clementine that I liked so much. Hopefully it's not too cliched to say that Clementine just has a great vibe. There's something about the atmosphere and the food that makes you want to relax and have a great time. It also is much less pretentious and more inclusive than so many other restaurants. The crowd spanned from families with young kids, to young adults, to older couples enjoying an evening out. For those of us who grew up or live along the Harford Road corridor, it's great to see new shops and restaurants coming to Hamilton. There's also talk that one of the owners of Brewer's Art is opening the Hamilton Tavern in the coming months. There's no reason that within a few years this section of Harford Road should be any less popular than The Avenue in Hampden.
(5)
Jeff D.
We had a great dinner there last night - it's a really hip/cool place and we will definitely be back and recommend to others. We shared the charcuterie plate as an appetizer and my dinner partner had the crab cakes (she rated them a B+). Based on Yelper reviews, I had the pork chop - also good but I'll look forward to trying other entrees in the future. There were no crying children as other reviewers referenced but our only complaints were with the service. The place was a little more than half full, yet our waters were rarely filled, I had to cut the pork chop with a standard butter knife (not easy) and the waiter pretty much gave us "drive-by" touch-and-go service. Finally, I left my reservation info on their answering machine as requested, but after not getting the confirmation call that the recorded lady promised, I called the day-of and learned that in fact the reservation had not been received or transcribed. This could have been a problem on a busy night, so consider this your warning about their shaky phone reservation system.
(4)
sarah b.
scallops are cooked perfectly! mac and cheese isn't very cheesey and the desserts are dry as cardboard. beware, young parents bring their babies with them, even sit them on the bar stools when you desperatly want to sit and drink a beer in a packed restaurant.
(4)
Hetty W.
4.5! What a great place for breakfast! It's a shame that they only serve breakfast Fri-Sun. I've been here a few times now for breakfast, and their egg casseroles never disappoint! Great home fries, and their house made hot sauces are excellent. And $1.50 coffee with free refills is tough to beat! Their salmon cream cheese is great, and I love that their bagels come with a little serving of fresh fruit. The atmosphere is very nice and cozy, especially in the morning when there's a bit of a crowd going. I've never had to wait for a spot though. A couple of downers: their breakfast menu is limited on Fridays and also limited after 11AM on Sat/Sun. Their baked french toast casserole is a little "different", can't say I quite enjoyed the texture. Maybe mine was overcooked, but it tasted a little burnt and was chewier than expected. All in all, definitely one of my favorite spots for breakfast. I've already been here three times, and loved it every time!
(4)
Dana C.
Always a fabulous dining experience. Have been to Clementine several times and always enjoy the drinks and food. Recommend sitting on bar side for a more warm and peaceful experience. Last time had rockfish. Cooked lovely, but gouda mash were a little heavy of a pairing with the fish. The charcuterie is delish and is a meal itself with some wine. The best nights to go are on Wednesdays and Thursdays to walk in. I would suggest a reservation for a Friday or Saturday night. Sitting at the bar is great too! The bartender there is awesome!
(5)
Elizabeth B.
Had a wonderful breakfast experience this weekend. Great service (friendly and very attentive), food, frequent coffee refills, and lovely ambiance.
(5)
emily m.
Hi, Do you remember me? I came in on Saturday with my boyfriend for a nice 'light fare' around 4pm. NOT one single customer was there. Not One. There was the 'congenial' bartender who was put off when asked if they were open, and a table of 3 going over the evenings menu. After getting a 'uh, if you want to' response to asking if we could sit at the bar, we were directed to chose any table. The bartender was then nice enough to drop off the beer and wine menus. 10 minutes later we were still waiting. 5 more minutes we got up and left. I have never left a restaurant in my entire life. The only good thing to come of this experinence, which I will NEVER repeat, is the Los Amigos down the block - we ventured in there, again, no one was there, but they served us Excellent food, along with Excellent Service. We will go back to Los Amigos.
(1)
Jeff R.
I'll continue the 4-star ratings for Clementine. I waffled between 3 and 4 stars, but I actually like the fact that they don't serve alcohol there, and the restaurant is pretty cozy. I checked out Clementine with some friends on a recent visit to Charm City. The food was pretty good, with a couple of vegetarian choices on a (supposedly) oft-changing menu. I opted for some a baked pasta concoction that hit the spot, along with a fancy root beer. My table also saw a pork chop, some mac-n-cheese, and a bottle of fizzy water. There were no complaints and everyones plates were clean, so Clementine passed that test. The mac-n-cheese was pretty amazing, actually. I'd recommend giving that a test run on your next/first visit. The service was a little uneven, but friendly for the most part. The owner (I think) greeted us as we came in, and showed us to our table. I got some strange looks for pulling out my laptop (free wi-fi, too) at the dinner table, but there were extenuating circumstances. Baltimore needs more restaurants like this (ones that don't double as bars). If I lived in the area, I'd be a Clementine regular.
(4)
Darlene J.
Great atmosphere & good food. Belgian waffles are wonderful!
(4)
Kevin S.
Hampden feel in a Hamilton setting. My server was as excited about the place and the menu as I was, and had intimate knowledge of all the dishes/apps. To me, this is an important part of any restaurant experience, and I appreciated this. The menu had something for everyone (we went for dinner) and I chose the braised pork shank w/ gouda mashed potatoes and bacon/kraut kale, with a cider reduction sauce. Bam, it was spot on in flavor, in fact it was probably the most flavorful dish I've had in a month. The seafood charcuterie was good but pricy for the portion size. The Duck Nachos were decent but nothing to write home about. The beer selection was fantastic, with microbrews from everywhere in bottles and even Chimay on tap. Menu also featured aged scotch of various vintages and a nice selection of wine. Some of the tables in the lower level (its a split-level two-room arrangement) were not well placed/ not cozy, and we were seated in one of them with a booming light in my eyes and directly next to the bathrooms/kitchen hallway... We asked to be moved and were promptly and courteously accommodated to the upper room which IMO was far more cozy. There was an odor of mustiness in the lower room also, which did not exist in the upper room. All in all our dinner was fantastic, menu was well done with plenty of choices for dinner, and atmosphere was energetic yet cozy.
(4)
Tin A.
This restaurant is tucked in those neighborhoods that are probably rarely trodden upon if you mostly stick to downtown, fells point, Charles Village, or Mt. Vernon. It has great indoor space where you could choose from a more pub friendly ambiance to the romantic dinner section of the restaurant. The food-amazing. My boyfriend and I celebrated a late Valentine's day and it was perfect. We ordered the pork loin apple and walnut salad. He got the two way duck and I ordered another pork loin with blueberry sauce and Gouda mashed potatoes. Finger...licking....yum. The wait staff-not pretentious at all. We had a great waiter who recommended a good beer and a sweet and tart white wine. The price isn't too bad either. There are couches near the front of the entrance if you want to just sit back and have a glass of wine with some friends. Although in the cold months I wouldn't recommend it as it's right near the door and foot traffic may give you more chills than a good time. Over all, a great dining experience. I'd definitely go again!
(4)
Richard G.
A little reticent about visiting Clementine based upon a couple of previous average reviews, we decided to give the restaurant a chance because of the eclectic and original nature of the menu. And we were not to be disappointed one bit. Negative comments preceding us never panned out, with the food not only superbly presented but even more delicious than anticipated. And the service was top notch with just enough time between courses to neither feel rushed nor ignored but to allow the previous course to settle and enjoy our conversation. The servings are more than adequate, and for older folks like us, could even be shared without leaving hungry. The setting is cozy, if not a wee bit noisy (which really adds to the vibrant nature of the place) and the wine list is one of the best I have seen anywhere. In fact, this brings me to the main purpose of this note. Inadvertently we were presented with a "Thursday night" wine carte which prices, we soon discovered, are 30% reduced from the usual costs (something to think about if looking for a fine meal on a Thursday!). But when this was pointed out on the bill, there was no hesitation by the waiter and the manager (Amy) to rectify the error and honor the lower price of the wines. This, if nothing else, should indicate the integrity and high standards of the restaurant. We are not locals, but when we return to Baltimore, you can be assured that Clementine will see us again.
(5)
Kim R.
This place is definitely good for kids, there is an area with toys and a couch for them to play. Saturday morning was pretty quiet so we got a table right next to the play area so the kids could wander from table to play. The food was good but my scramble had a lot of al dente onion that masked a lot of the other flavors (sweet corn, sausage...). One of the girls got the cheese grits, which were very good, but really just the same cheese grits I make at home. The service was disappointing, especially given how quiet the restaurant was. My coffee was never refilled. That said, the night before we called to ask about food allergies and the person on the phone was extremely helpful. And the provided a nice dairy-free meal for the allergic kid. Another daily special was really very good with shredded beef under a few over-easy eggs and a queso fresco. Yum. The neighborhood is adorable, the food is good and I think the service is probably usually better than our experience. Check it out!
(3)
Mary J.
Run, don't walk there! Well, we are picky and hard to please and generally think that Baltimore seriously does not have any good restaurants. Well, "Clementine" changed our mind. Friendly. Classy. Modern. Great food. Chef experiments quite a lot, food is so good! And also, apparently they have a superb bartender, I walked in, saw the place (did not make a reservation on Saturday night, but we were accommodated), and ordered some fancy cocktail. Sazerac, not easy to make, well, compared to some. Had it done perfectly. Food was delicious. We both had soft shell crab, two on the plate, with some great cucumber salad, very tasty. It did some magic combined with spiciness of the hot sauce on the crabs. All around people were having great time and good food. We loved it. Plan to come back! Parking, although in Baltimore, is easy to find, either on the street next to the restaurant (Gibbons) or at the CVS parking lot (apparently, restaurant patrons can park there). Hamilton rules, with all the good restaurants. "Clementine" shines. Thumbs up.
(5)
Christopher F.
Went to Clementines for lunch the other day with a friend and had one of the best lunches in my life. The Asian cicken soup was soooo delicious. I can still taste the ginger. The roast beef sandwich was good. They do need to offer more desserts though.
(4)
Robin S.
I went to Clementine tonight with 2 foodie friends. We were universally impressed. WOW. There were tons of gluten free options. The food was delicious. The cocktails were complex and interesting, and I'm not even a big drinker. I had the charcuterie and the duck confit, with asparagus and gouda mashed potatoes, and it was .... the flavors were amazing and balanced. We ALL loved it. The only thing I would change is I would have loved a gluten free dessert - but apparently it was just tonight they didn't have one. WOW again- best meal I have had in ages
(4)
Tiffany N.
Clementine is solid. The food is almost always good! I have had one subpar meal, but that may have been bad ordering on my part. I have been there numerous times. The dinner service is occasionally slow, but it's definitely one of the better brunch spots around. One of my favorite things is their kids dining room...see, I don't have kids and (no offense) I don't want to go out to eat with yours. So, thank you Clementine, for having a dining room where I can go enjoy a night out without listening to someone else's screaming kids! Also, they have a new rewards program. It's great for those who frequent the restaurant. Oh, and their chocolate peanut butter cake is the truth.
(4)
Michael Z.
Remember the scene in the Wizard of Oz when Toto pulls back the curtain? To me, that is Clementine. Maybe it's because I grew up in and live in the neighborhood that I dislike the place for trying to be something that it is not. It is a yuppy, hipster hangout. The food is organic, has strange names and over priced. For about $10 more you can go to Ruth's Chris and get a real steak meal. The whole concept of this restaurant just doesn't fit the neighborhood. You can park across the street from the jewelry store and next to a CVS that where broken into during the riots. You may choose to use the lot around the corner on Hamilton Ave. if you can find a spot that isn't being taken up by the non paying snowball stand patrons. That way you also get to be harassed by the 2-3 homeless people that work the intersection.
(2)
Todd D.
We were going to go up to 3.5 stars, but it didn't quite make it. We did Sunday brunch and there's some hit and miss going on here. We were two and had the duck hash and catfish and cheese grits. Both were good, not great, with a bit too much vinegar on both - two great dish ideas, and someone that really likes vinegar. I'm not averse to it, but they were a bit heavy handed this morning. Service was great, price ($40) for two with coffee was excellent. The espresso machine was out of order, which is strange, but if it went out last night, fair enough. If you do brunch it should be fixed at any cost. Nice decor, but you can tell it will get really loud when full...we were an early seating. We'll try it again...the idea is great, and close to being better..
(3)
Virginia B.
Really pretty surroundings inside. I enjoyed the atmosphere. The food I was less then impressed with. Not bad but not as refined on flavor as I was led to believe. I ordered a special that was beef, veggies, and potatoes. The whole dish was so over salted that it was hard to enjoy it. The drinks were pretty great though.
(3)
Jamal P.
Clementine is by far better than Woodberry Kitchen. The food here from last week was amazing and the service was great too. My buddies and I started out with the rabbit and the meat was so tender. We had a few other apps that were marginal, but what we really enjoyed were the desserts..ah something with salted caramel. Great place and local farm raised food delivered.
(4)
Chris R.
For today (I've had lots of great meals there) they missed the mark by a lot. They were out of my first three choices so I got the cold cut sandwich with duck fat fries. Fries weren't anything special, some burned parts and some barely cooked parts, oh and they weren't salted. The first half of the sandwich was just bread and meat with no sort of spread or tomato or anything else to help the sandwich. The meats were awesome and I came close to just taking the sandwich apart. The second half had some sort of vinegary spread that helped to better balance the sandwich. Shame two halves of the same sandwich were so different. Almost seems as though they are coasting to the closing date in August. It's a shame they don't try to get there on top.
(2)
Josh W.
The food has been consistently good and they have a good selection of drinks (discovered Saranac ginger beer here). However, the food isn't outstanding enough to justify the cost for us to come here on a regular basis. We've done Taco Tuesday, and also we've done it when they changed to spaghetti and meatballs. I've also had some rabbit dish, which was good, and a "West African" peanut soup, which wasn't great in comparison with something authentic. I love that Clementine is in the neighborhood. Oh they do the soups for Boordy Vineyards, and those are all tasty.
(4)
Kerri P.
Very disappointed with Clementine on Mother's Day. It took unusually long for our dinner to arrive. We ordered quick because we have a 3 and 1 year old. It took 30 minutes for the kids food to come out. Then another 10 minutes for our food and the appetizer came with our food. And after all that the food was just okay. Crab cakes were disappointing, bluefish was blah, deviled scallops eh. Service was pretty good though.
(2)
Anne K.
It's Saturday. You take your whole family to Clementine's. Your kid gets to play with other kids in the fantastic kid friendly corner while you swill Zeke's coffee and enjoy a warm cinnamon bun as large as your head. You may even try some real food like the duck hash, Korean hot pot, or chicken pot pie if you have any room left. My husband and I come here all the time with our daughter and are never disappointed. All of our waitstaff have been consistently amazing and friendly, the food is always on point, and the atmosphere is very laid back and super kid friendly. Hell, even the other people eating there are great! Stoked to see you Sunday, friends! Thank you for your gem of a restaurant.
(5)
Jocelyn O.
I would not step foot in this place again. It was not busy at all, but our waitress was less than attentive, until we paid the bill which she was able to get to right away. She only asked if we wanted a refill on our drinks (our cups were empty) when she dropped off the check. I got a bacon egg and cheese sandwich. The bread was soggy, there was 1 strip of bacon and the eggs weren't seasoned at all. I'd suggest finding another place for brunch before trying this place out.
(1)
Kerri M.
I've only come here a handful of times for brunch. I usually get something different each time I visit. I have repeated the grits because they are excellent (and that compliment is coming from a southern girl). My other half always gets the Korean Hot Pot and likes it, but he never gets enough and always has to order a side. I will say the service can be real slow here and it's annoying. Also it can be really crowded, unless you get there super early.
(4)
Rebekah O.
My girlfriend and I went to Clementine yesterday for brunch and it was awesome. I had the duck hash and she had the Korean hot pot. We both loved our choices (she felt that the kimchee could have been a tad bit spicier). The food menu is extremely diverse and the alcoholic options are well thought out and reasonable. I hadn't been to Clementine since it first opened due to an out of town move and I'm also glad to see how they've expanded. To finish they get many kudos for the "Becks Crabs" sign that they have on the wall. I love that they give a shotout to a Baltimore icon.
(4)
Jennifer L.
My experience at Clementine was nothing short of wonderful. From the hostess, to the bartender, and ending with our waiter -- their customer service was one of the best I ever experienced. While we waited for our table, the bartender came by to check on us to see if we wanted a drink. Drinks all around! We all asked him for recommendations. While we all got different drinks, he hit our expectations right on the nail. One person in my party even spilled most of her drink on the table by accident and the bartender gave her a new one. Charcuterie -- We went with our waiter's suggestions and ordered all sorts of sausages. All had it's own flavors, some spicier than others. The paste and crackers were delicious! Both components complement the sausages well. Pappardelle -- I've been ordering pappardelle more frequently these days. Large, flat pasta noodles. I dig it. I feel like I'm consuming less carbs because there is a less amount of noodles in the dish. The smoked duck was cooked to tender perfection and not overly salted. The flavors weren't very strong but overall it tasted very light. Their menu changes VERY frequently based on season and availability so you know you're eating some quality food!
(4)
Christy L.
Man friend and I came here for a $50 prix fixe Valentine's Day menu. We made reservations for 5:30 p.m., showed up at 6:00 p.m. (don't shoot me, I called to let them know we were late!), and were still greeted pleasantly by the hostess and seated right away. Once I took a glance at the menu, I made an impromptu decision to switch from the prix fixe to a la carte, mainly because they had a freaking amazing pork chop on the regular menu. It came with mashed potatoes, kale, and apple butter... I mean really -- who could turn that down?! It ended up being pretty good. Nothing that blew my mind, but it definitely held its own. I think the apple butter, which was both sweet and slightly bitter, was the best part of the dish. I could've taken a whole jar of that stuff home! For dessert, I chose a chocolate tart. It was melt-in-your-mouth delicious but a bit on the smaller side. For once, I actually made room for dessert and could've eaten triple the dessert that they gave me! Ambiance/ decor is no frills, but nice and relaxed - just how you'd want a farm-to-table restaurant to be. Not memorable... but I like it that way because I don't think good food should compete with a flashy restaurant space. They also have some pretty decent drinks. Try the sangria. 2 glasses of it and you'll be well on your way to a good buzz.
(3)
Andrea J.
Clementine is a awesome local restaurant that helps support local growers! The food is always delicious and the service is great! We come here for brunch or dinner! At either time you get awesome food, great service and stiff drinks!
(5)
Tunaidi A.
I checked out Clementine while they were offering their brunch menu. It's a neat restaurant and relatively spacious. There's definitely a handful of interesting items for brunch, such as the Indian scramble and the Korean hot pot. I appreciated the diversity, but couldn't resist the seared duck hash. I also got to try the french toast and the breakfast sample. The duck hash was a decent choice, while the other plates tasted as expected. I went with a relatively large group, so it took a while to be seated. However, service from there on was quicker. Other than the several scrambles that I saw, all the dishes' portions were on the smaller end of the spectrum. Clementine was a decent play and is worth another try.
(3)
Mick R.
I had heard such great things about Clementine, so I took the leap and headed up for Restaurant Week. We had a reservation for 6:45, and were promptly seated. The waiter was very helpful explaining the menu and philosophy of Clementine, and gave us a few minutes to look over the options. He came back a few minutes later to take our order, but we weren't ready. Unfortunately, after that, it was a bit of a wait to actually place our order, and it seemed to be a trend that continued for the rest of the night. It seemed to us that they were a bit short staffed. Possibly on a normal Tuesday night the staffing levels were ok and they were just busier due to Restaurant Week, but it was pretty noticeable. As for the food, I would say that both of us were underwhelmed. I had the Heirloom tomato salad which was pretty good. My date had the chilled peach soup which she enjoyed. Our mains are where we were most let down. The grilled flat iron steak was served lukewarm, and the flavors did not work for either of us. The pork adobo was good, but not great, and didn't seem to have anything about it which really set it apart from any other pulled pork type dish. For desert I had the blueberry pie, which I liked, but it wasn't by any means the best pie I've ever had, while my date had the "warm" peach cobbler, which was still pretty chilled. I'd probably be willing to give Clementine a second chance, as all of the other positive reviews seem to indicate that they are doing things right, but I'm not going to be rushing to do so.
(2)
Kelly H.
My boyfriend and I love making visits to Clementine. The atmosphere is very calming with tables and chairs made of wood and walls painted a relaxing shade of medium blue. The lights are just dim enough, and there's a little bit of art on the walls, but it's nothing overwhelming. The restaurant is quiet and unobtrusive enough that you can hear the person accompanying you, but not so much that you feel like everyone has full access to your conversation. Enough about the ambiance, because the food is awesome! It's both unique and seasonal, and most of the options seem somewhat healthy. The menu changes regularly, which gives my boyfriend and I an excuse to check in as much as we can. I would describe the food as being "updated homestyle," since many of the choices would be considered comfort food with Clementine's own special flair. One thing Clementine does especially well is vegetables. They have a way of making things like kale and broccoli taste pleasant--I'm not sure how they do it, but I'm much more than willing to consume vegetables I don't typically gravitate towards after walking through Clementine's doors. Vegetables aside, every dish I have tried there has been fantastic, from Chicken and Waffles to Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf, to Clams Casino Linguine to Pork Chops and Mashed Potatoes. Clementine is a foodie's paradise.
(5)
Chris H.
I don't really remember much about the night I went out with my buddies..., but I do remember eating a pork dish that was REALLY good. Had leftover and it was great the next day after heating it up. I also had a ginger drink...It's not a ginger Ale...but it was also really good.. Maybe I'm not the best person to review this. But Food's delish
(5)
Kerry M.
We were really looking forward to our first time at Clementine, but we were met with disappointment. The atmosphere was great, the food, really good, but the service was very disappointing. Let me start out by saying, we were eating late (8:45), so there were no other people waiting for a table, but we were also not the last table, so our server had no reason to rush us out, it was still well before kitchen closing time. We placed our order, got our drinks and then our appetizer came out. Still with a good amount left on our plate, a bus boy suggested that we "take that last smidge" so he could take our plate. I was actually waiting to ask for more toast to finish the final few bites of pate. On it's own - no big deal - we weren't that put off. But this kept happening the ENTIRE meal. not even halfway through our dinners, guys kept coming over asking to box our food or take our plates. We would be mid-bite or mid-sentence when this would happen. Normally, when people are through eating, they set down their utensils across the plates. None of the three men that were back and forth to our table had any sense of timing. After we finally finished eating, and the waiter came for our plates, he very quickly ran and grabbed a dessert menu, placed it on our table in what seemed to be a huge hurry, and left. Not at all what you expect from a place like this. There was ZERO salesmanship involved in the whole process, considering it was our first time dining. About the dessert: we ordered the German Apple Cake. I make this at home and it's delicious, so I thought surely this would even be better, especially because it was listed as having salted caramel. The server rushed it over to us, set it down, and we took a few bites. It was NOT worthy of being on a restaurant menu. The taste was fine, but it was very dry, and mediocre for the realm of what's expected on a dessert menu at a restaurant of this caliber. Before we were through, the server was pacing behind my boyfriend, eyeing our plate to grab it when we were finished. Let me say this: we dine out two times a week, always trying new places and returning to our favorites. I so wanted Clementine to be another "favorite" to add to our list. Instead of staying for a second drink, I was so put off by feeling rushed through the entire experience, that I decided to get the check and head up the road to Maggie's Farm for our next drink. The server's mistake is that if he had just slowed down, talked to us about the food, allowed us to finish our meal without feeling rushed, then our $76 check would have been rounded to $100 for a $24 tip. Instead I gave $14, which was already too high. In addition, what would have been a restaurant we'd likely visit again and again (food and atmosphere were excellent). now we will likely not return. We heard this same lament after discussing the restaurant with friends who had been, so I know it wasn't just us being sensitive. Please Clementine, shape up, because you could be great.
(3)
Jenny H.
I came here for brunch on Saturday, and I thought my duck hash was good (great duck gravy and potatoes) but my two poached eggs were cooked through....one of them was a little runny but the other was completely hard. And my husband's two eggs over easy were both completely cooked through too...disappointing. Runny eggs are the standard, no, for poached and over easy eggs? The grits I thought were just OK (had better elsewhere) and the Caesar salad was deconstructed and also pretty OK. My husband's brioche French toast were two thick slabs of toast with whipped cream on top....both a bit soggy.
(3)
Jaime C.
I had never heard of this place until recently. The spot itself is near by where I live. The interior was very "French kitchen" and friendly. My friend and I came for brunch and were surprised at the menu. They had a lot of interesting options and all were well priced. Our waitress was kind, but it honestly felt like she didn't know the menu well. My friend went with the Indian scramble and I choose the pan seared duck scramble. The dish was horribly bland and runny. It tasted as if the eggs were pulled right from warm water and plopped on to potatoes that weren't fully cooked. The duck was the only item in the dish that had some form of flavor. Rather sad since it looked great on the menu. Truthfully not worth $13 for it. My friends Indian scramble had no visual appeal and tasted heavily of mint. But for those that want veggies and some curry it's great. All in all a great spot to catch up, but the food was not good enough to make me come back.
(3)
Ashlee K.
Absolutely wonderful. Fresh, delicious food. Prompt, attentive service. Great selection of wine, beer, and whiskey! We opted to sit at the bar, and Erin served us drinks and attended our needs. She was great!! The food was incredible. I got the chicken, hubs got the soused shrimp. To quote him: "If broccoli tasted like this all the time, I would only ever eat broccoli." That's huge, coming from a true "meat and potatoes" man. Check it out. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Lauren S.
We have gone to Clementine a bunch of times and find it to be hit or miss. This past Friday night was a definite miss. I ordered a Manhatten Blanc which is actually vodka, not whiskey which is not explicitly indicated on the menu but I should have looked up the name of the liquor to make sure it was what I wanted. Ok, not their fault. Shrimp bisque was very tasty but not served with bread. The cauliflower salad was terrible, the dressing did not go with the bacon at all and the portion was small. I paid $19 for a curry dish with no rice. Just vegetables and a very watery sauce. The flourless chocolate cake is very good. Just a very inconsistent restaurant, don't risk your money for a nice date night when you may be disappointed! Maybe ok for a casual dinner with friends but don't drop $100 here, it's not worth it.
(3)
Ebony T.
So I thought I would walk up the street and treat my 9 yo to a date. We walked in and were told that they could only serve soup or salad since lunchtime was over and dinner was at 5. Perhaps that sh poo Ulster be listed with the times on the window. We left.
(1)
Michael H.
Saw the feature for this restaurant on diners, drive ins and dives. I live in Philadelphia, but my girlfriend's family is stationed in Baltimore. We ate here in early February for her nephew's birthday. First off, I love that they butcher everything in house. The decor is also nice and we appreciated having the room suitable for children, so our younger member of the party felt comfortable. Now for the food - we ordered pickled vegetables and bone marrow bread pudding. Both dishes were solid but not spectacular. For entree, I ordered the bacon wrapped meatloaf. This was a very good plate. Smoked gouda mashed potatoes were excellent, although the kale was a little overseasoned for my taste. For desert I ordered the Apple crisp. I didn't like that it was served cold. Again - solid, not spectacular.
(3)
Sarah S.
This place is AMAZING! The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and can make so many substitutions to accommodate any dietary restriction! Plus the atmosphere and drinks are awesome!
(5)
Danielle J.
Laid back atmosphere. Love that everything is from local farms. Cocktails were great. Cheese and charcuterie boards were very tasty...wish they offered a board with both cheese and meats so we didn't have to order both separately. It was a lot of food. My husband ordered the meatloaf. It was a very heavy meal but SOOO good. We ended up sharing the meat loaf...the squash dish I ordered was light, but wasn't to my taste. Would like to go back for brunch!
(4)
Virginia Y.
They catered an event at my work place. I really enjoyed their duck confit and their sausages. I love how everything was h'ordeuvres rather than heavy meals. Everything tasted great, well seasoned and all. I usually don't like beets but they had a beets salad, which turned out to be really good! Great job Clementine!
(4)
Abigail R.
they make a basil lime elixir that is worth the trip - just enough sweet, just enough sour, just enough tang. Otherwise, everything is pleasant with a slight Cajun style, but nothing was standout for brunch or dinner... The most impressive things are probably the wall of antique style mirrors. Somehow they show up differently at food expos - because they were the first to change my mind into thinking that liver was worth eating...
(3)
Jennifer I.
I love this place! Food is always fresh, the menu changes regularly, and the service is amazing. I love that I can get a table on a whim for either a date night or with my 2-year old. They have a great section of the restaurant for young children to play while the adults can enjoy a drink and/or dinner. Brunch is amazing as well! Cocktails are awesome and they make an outstanding dirty martini. We purposely go back to Clementine on some nights just to get a great meal and a dirty martini. I would highly recommend this place to anyone in the area who wants a good meal and relaxing atmosphere. Please check it out!
(5)
Heidi F.
Came here for Restaurant Week and really enjoyed everything. The food was great had the lamb Cesar salad, lamb nachos, and Shephard's Sausage. Honestly everything was so fresh and seasoned perfectly. The service was a little slow due to the busy restaurant week. Glad I got to try it!
(4)
Merr A.
Despite it's limited options for vegetarian's and food that generally just needs a little something extra to make it awesome I am a fan of Clementine's. The service is some of the best you'll find in Baltimore and there is free parking across the street. Additionally, Clementine seems to like to mix unusual flavours in their dishes, which sometimes fall flat, but it's nice to see some experimentation going instead of the standard steak and potatoes so many restaurants rely on.
(4)
Kevin K.
Cavernous, rustic general-store -esque space, both rooms adorned in unpainted wood. The decor is odd--Frankenstein poster--and the bar itself an odd, near-empty part of the dining room at Wednesday dinner. A window near the back gives patrons a view into the curing room, which is unfortunately adorned in formaldehyde green paint as backdrop for the hanging meats. [Ambience: 2/5] Incredibly accommodating service; I counted at least 10+ "Sure"s and "Of course"s. Our charcuterie was served without the cheese, we went dry on drinks near the middle of dinner, and the stages of our meal overlapped too quickly--quibbling about service that was otherwise very amicable. [Service: 3/5] Cheap cocktails are the cornerstone of the drink menu; the wine list is small. We tasted: the vodka rosemary lemonade fizz, which tasted of no alcohol but needed less sugar, and the bitingly green and hot Marty Robbins, an acrid challenge to finish. [Drinks: 2/5] We started with the house charcuterie, and that's what we'll return for. All of it was knockout, but the pate was star--fantastically salty and rich atop the delectably wheaty, house-made crackers that crumble in your hand. The beet terrine was cooler than most, ample goat cheese and nice plating. My chief complaint was simplicity--maybe throw in some golden beets. The mac and cheese was rich and hearty, a nice crunch atop, but lacking tang and space. The burrito bowl was largely unforgettable outside of the salsa, which was fresh and livening. I dislike corn in my burritos and this was no different. Avoid the dry, flavorless chicken mole tacos, which went unfinished. Eat as much of the complimentary cornbread as you can--hearty and served with room-temp butter, we counted an additional piece with every new plate. [Food: 3/5]
(3)
Dina T.
Parents of children that have to take turns feeding yourself- this is it! They have designated kid area with toys and sofa. Can't get any better. And all that comes with great food and service.
(5)
Kristen E.
Nice decor, locally owned, generally good food. However, a recent trip (on a Sunday) was marred by a waitress so rude that my girlfriends nearly left before ordering so we could meet somewhere else for lunch. Apparently she has a reputation in the neighborhood, because someone else knew exactly who she was when one of us described our experience. We did stay and order, and the food was mostly good. I liked the fried walleye but found the cheesy grits tasteless, and the one of us with an onion allergy had to take the onions off her dish because the waitress hadn't taken care of that. We then went next door to the Hamilton Bakery, owned by the same folks, for dessert. Hamilton has quite a few good places to eat these days, so I'll probably choose to spend my money elsewhere the next time I'm back in town.
(2)
Robbie R.
We came in for a nice dinner and that's exactly what we had. It was taco Tuesday as well as $5 margaritas. We decided to forego the tacos but chose the margs. The drinks were fantastic. My girlfriend got the strawberry salad with goat cheese dressing, and I ordered the duck nachos. The nachos came up without garnishes, and the manager promptly came over, removed the plate and got a new one. My soft shell entree was absolutely FANTASTIC. The price point could not be beaten. The server was kind enough to bring out a complimentary bread pudding to celebrate our anniversary. All in all, a fantastic evening.
(4)
Carrie F.
I wish I could give this four stars, as I had been once before and had a great experience, but my last time was woefully average when it came to the food and extremely sub par when it came to the service. My friends and I ordered the cheese board and the charcuterie. It took over 25 minutes for these appetizers to arrive (were they slaying the animals in the back?) This is almost unforgiveable had we ordered something that needed to be COOKED but alas... And for what we paid, it wasn't a lot of food. Our waitress was lovely and offered great recommendations on the drinks, and seemed very knowledgeable but she clearly had too many tables and could not be attentive to us. There was no apology as to why it took so long to get our appetizers. Our meals did come out about 10 minutes after that. My friend's steak was RARE and she ordered medium. Again... basic stuff that they just didn't get right. Everyone seemed to enjoy their food. I did not care for what I ordered but I think that was just because my perception of what it would be was not correct, so I won't even mention what it was. I would go back again on a week night or maybe get an earlier reservation to see if the service is any better.
(3)
Alex A.
I am frequently let down when I eat out. This place is the first restaurant I have been to in memory where I could have been served whatever the house chose to give me and I would be happy with it. Everything I tried was delicious and I want to try everything. I will return frequently.
(5)
Greg J.
we were so so impressed. food was off the hook, I had the pheasant and it was perfect. Ted was so chill bringing great service. the whole place has a relaxed elegance that can't be bought, it comes from that entrepreneurs vibe where the details are a personal statement. we have grown kids and found it so nice to see that there is a place where young families can enjoy a fine meal . the black ale was very good too. we will be back.
(4)
C P.
Went there for Sunday brunch and ordered the "Breakfast Scramble". It was delicious! The customer service was great and immediate. It's such a relaxing place.
(5)
Bryce M.
Clementine. ... you have staff butchers...housemade charcuterie. ..one could say you are meat experts. Sadly not the case. Please learn your meat temps. Duck was dry very dry medium almost well. T he parsnips were woody and I got three Brussel sprouts. For 23$ tge jus was good could have been better and a little too salty. The duck skin was blackened bit im not sure that was on purpose. It took an hour and 45 min to get our entrees. The stonewall drink could have used more ginger. Desert was nothing exceptional big poorly frosted hunks of cake. Overall fine but expensive and meh
(2)
Robin S.
I went to Clementine tonight with 2 foodie friends. We were universally impressed. WOW. There were tons of gluten free options. The food was delicious. The cocktails were complex and interesting, and I'm not even a big drinker. I had the charcuterie and the duck confit, with asparagus and gouda mashed potatoes, and it was .... the flavors were amazing and balanced. We ALL loved it. The only thing I would change is I would have loved a gluten free dessert - but apparently it was just tonight they didn't have one. WOW again- best meal I have had in ages
(4)
Jessie C.
The ambiance is quaint and romantic but the food is nothing to write home about. I ate the Mediterranean burger. I ordered it medium but it was completely brown inside. The grilled zucchini on the burger had no real flavor to it. The entire meal was just nothing impressive. But the bottled beer was good and half price on Wednesday nights !!!!
(3)
Drew T.
The ingredients are fresh, and they know how to put them together. As a matter of fact, the last time i went there might have been the best lunch i've had in years. Bacon and Asparagus sandwich with sharp cheddar and tomato chutney. I never would have thought of that one myself.
(5)
Greg J.
we were so so impressed. food was off the hook, I had the pheasant and it was perfect. Ted was so chill bringing great service. the whole place has a relaxed elegance that can't be bought, it comes from that entrepreneurs vibe where the details are a personal statement. we have grown kids and found it so nice to see that there is a place where young families can enjoy a fine meal . the black ale was very good too. we will be back.
(4)
C P.
Went there for Sunday brunch and ordered the "Breakfast Scramble". It was delicious! The customer service was great and immediate. It's such a relaxing place.
(5)
Anush J.
We came here based on the food network recommendation. It is a very cute restaurant - with multiple wallhangings and farm tables and chairs. I really like the coffee. We ordered biscuits and gravy which were excellent. Probably the best we've had. The shrimp Benedict was also very good-it needed a touch of spice on top, probably a little paprika. We also felt that the pan seared duck hash also needed a little bit of spice. The lighting in the side room is excellent if you ever want to take pictures! Unfortunately we forgot to look at the food network dish recommendation!
(4)
Heidi F.
Came here for Restaurant Week and really enjoyed everything. The food was great had the lamb Cesar salad, lamb nachos, and Shephard's Sausage. Honestly everything was so fresh and seasoned perfectly. The service was a little slow due to the busy restaurant week. Glad I got to try it!
(4)
Christopher W.
You will be missed!! The waiters/waitresses are super awesome here. The fact that they take the extra effort to make sure your meal is done right goes a long way. The Meal: The beef I had was cooked perfectly to Medium Rare along with all the toppings and sauces perfectly placed in separate bowls as to not "touch" the beef. I tend to be a picky eater and asked for things to be on the side, and they just took it to the next level and placed them in bowls =) The Drinks: The old fashion I had was made well. I can't say it was the best, but definitely tasty. I also had a wine, but that is hard to mess that up =) Overall, the restaurant was worth the price paid and would go back. No specific dresscode, but doubt that will matter in the future
(4)
Rob N.
I still like Clementine - don't get me wrong. Their cocktail menu and bar are consistently pretty impressive. The food is, in general, rather good. Weekend brunch, in particular, is still worth the time for a visit. But I haven't really caught the wow factor that I used to get when I first came here. The menu continues to update with the seasons, and the house-cured meats are always worth trying. However, the dinner entrees especially seem to be getting a touch tired. Examples: Dishes that come with over-cooked mushy rice. No bueno. Meats with good sauces, but the meat itself underseasoned and a bit bland. And an unfortunate tendency for all the flavors on a plate to fall into a very similar range of intensity. So Clementine, if you please, a bit more contrast, a touch more salt on occasion, and give us some bright flavors for spring and summer. I know you've got it in ya.
(4)
Vanessa H.
Went in for brunch on a Sunday. The host was super polite when we walked in, then hemmed and hawed that we didnt have a reservation. He "found" a 2-top for us amongst the dining room of mostly empty tables. A bus boy quickly stopped by to give us water. Then we waited forever for a waitress. Then waited some more. When she finally did arrive she was on top of us, but initially service was pretty slow to get started. But then, then the food arrived, and everything changed. We ordered the apple, raisin, caramel french toast and the biscuits and gravy. Sweet and savory. I think this was the best french toast I've ever had in my life. I expected it to be really sweet but it wasn't, at all. The caramel was not thick at all and it just worked SO WELL. The biscuits and gravy were perfect. Flavorful but not heavy like so many biscuits and gravy dishes are. Winner, winner. We will come back here again and again. I cant wait to have dinner here. I dont even care about slow service. I will GLADLY wait for Clemetine's food.
(4)
Caitlin R.
Visited here for the first time for a birthday and it was overall a good time. I enjoyed the area of Hamilton for the first time as well. Pros: - Great atmosphere - very relaxed, loved the vintage signs and dried/smoked meats hanging waiting to be eaten! - Ecsargot toast points - delicious - Service - delicious sides: grilled corn and veggies, broccoli - Dessert (had a raspberry shortcake...mmm) Cons: - Gouda mashed potatoes didn't taste like gouda - Asked for my beef cooked medium, and it was medium raw
(4)
Chris S.
I enjoy the look of Clementine, nice wide open space, straight forward design, which looks simple but is inviting for couples or groups. Service was good, the host and waiter were friendly and accommodating. They met all my needs. While I like the look and service the food I received was hit or miss or I can't give it a full ringing endorsements. I started with the escargot, this was my first experience with this item but I have always wanted to try it. They serve it in a sauce on top of bone marrow toast. Good but not a great flavor profile. For my entree I went with the bacon wrapped meatloaf and was sadly let down. Clementine's menu changes so I had been dreaming of the meatloaf all week and hoping it would be on the menu when I arrived and it was but it didn't meet my hopes. The meatloaf itself was just too dry for my taste which took away from my enjoyment. The accompanying mashed potatoes were overly salted. Kale was decent but shouldn't be the star of any plate. The dessert was amazing, I saw lemon meringue pie on their menu and dreamed of that all week as well, unfortunately they didn't have the pie that night but what I got instead was possibly better. I had the yellow cake with chocolate and peanut butter icing, this cake was amazing, moist and flavorful and the icing was fantastic, the peanut butter the perfect accompanying item to the chocolate. Utterly delicious. If the dessert was all I ate, Clementine just might be my new favorite restaurant but as I was a bit let down by the dessert I can't move it to the top of my must visit list.
(3)
Raven T.
Came here on my last stop for Winter Restaurant Week. I ride by here all the time but never stopped in. My first impression is that its larger than it looks from the outside. Everyone was nice, but the service could have been smoother. We had to wait a bit to order (turned out to be a miscommunication) and our courses came out of order, but nothing major and a nice time was still had. I started my meal with a blood orange margarita and shrimp bisque. The drink was fruity but potent and the bisque was creamy and was laced with large fresh shrimp. The second course actually came out after our entrees. I had bacon wrapped dates that were warm and crispy. There wasn't enough contrast or balance of flavors for me though, they were too sweet. I probably wouldn't order them again but if you like a little salt with your sweet I'd recommend them. The main course was pork belly with mashed potatoes and pickled veggies. It was soooo good. The pickled radishes were the perfect combo with the salty, crisp pork. The mac n cheese was really good too; so creamy. Its exactly what one would think of when you say the phrase "comfort food." Can't wait to go back!
(4)
Jerry C.
The wives had to go again since they heard clem. was closing shop. They love this place but for me its ehh since my initial experience. They had the bacon wrapped meatloaf and I had the 1/2 chicken entree. Chicken was cooked well but it had a knorr chicken bouillon flavor which was over powering and the skin was still a little fatty. My favorite part of the dish was the mash potatoes. As for the ladies they love their dishes and drank a bunch of mojitos. In the end, I was glad she was paying the hefty bill.
(2)
Mark C.
I can't say enough good things about Clementine, the staff is awesome and the food is always wonderful. I'm very sorry to see that it's leaving. We will miss you!!
(5)
Karen C.
Great experience for dinner last night. I grabbed a quick dinner with one of my girlfriends, and we both ordered the holupkis (or if you are in my Polish family, galumpkis). These are basically cabbage rolls filled with beef and pork and rice, covered in a non-Italian tomato sauce. They were delicious, and the mashed potatoes on the side tasted very buttery just like my mom's. The portion size was perfect, which has been my issue in the past. I could have stuffed myself and cleaned my plate but knowing we wanted dessert, I made sure to save a roll and some potatoes to eat for lunch the next day at the office. We shared the flourless chocolate cake for dessert, and it was lovely, very dense and chocolatey. It is really rich though, so for me sharing was perfect since a little goes a long way. Our server Randy was awesome. He was friendly and informative and on top of everything from drink refills to bringing the check in a timely manner. He really helped to enhance the experience. We had a really great time and I plan to come back soon while they are running the Eastern European dishes to see what else they are creating!
(4)
Stacie H.
I had the awesome pleasure of expericing the pork chop, seasoned greens and cheddar grits...can I say amazing! The food was delicious, and I really felt like this food came from my own kitchen! I am very hard to please, when it comes to food and I was very pleased!
(5)
Lee G.
(Really a 4.5, but I don't have the option) Clementine and I have had an interesting journey together. I say interesting because every time I have eaten here my love for the restaurant grows. The first time I ate here a few years ago I enjoyed it, but at the time I didn't feel a strong compulsion to go out of my way to return. Today, I am a believer. The service here has always been great here. Servers are always friendly and willing to talk about what is being served as well as offer suggestions. One of the times I visited, I brought a very picky eater (my mother), who not only they put up with (Kidding love you mom) but made sure that every request she had was met. I love the food here. While everything on their brunch menu looks great, I've only ever had the Korean Hot Pot. I wish I could try something else, but its so good that I will likely never order anything else for brunch. For dinner I have had the pork belly, which was massive! It was also unbelievably good. Finally I have to give a major shout out to the charcuterie. Some of the meats on that platter, specifically the liver spread, coffee rubbed coppa, and the bresola were life changing. Even better, they make it all in-house, and you can buy most of the meats at their market down the street. Basically, Clementine is a place you should make an effort to go to, and I am looking forward to my next visit.
(4)
Nga T.
I could not be more disappointed coming here. It was a Saturday evening my fiance and I decided to go out to eat in Baltimore to change things up. I remember seeing this place on DDD and suggested to come here. Not even 7pm this place was closed. There was a clear sign that said they are opened till 10pm. Yeah you guys might want to change that!
(1)
Amy C.
What a wonderful dining experience. I brought my sister here to celebrate her birthday, and I'm glad we decided to come here. We had a reservation, but we were a bit early, so the host gave us menus to look at while our table was being cleaned. We each got an appetizer, and both were delicious. I got the Brussels sprouts, and though the flavor was good, they were not cooked long enough for my liking. My sister got the devils on horseback, and they were delicious. I got the flank steak roulade as my main course. It was over a bed of roasted peppers and came with sweet potatoes. This took a little while to prepare, but it was worth the wait. My sister got the pork belly. It came with gouda mashed potatoes, rhubarb salsa, and pickled radishes. While I did not try any of her meal, she said it was delicious. The waitress, Lindsey, was very polite and attentive. Though it was a bit pricey, I would definitely come here again for a special occasion or to try their brunch menu.
(5)
Drew F.
Breakfast was awesome! The Grits were great as well as the breakfast sandwich.Make sure you try the coffee cake as well!!
(4)
Tiffany D.
I'm a true fan of Diners, Drive-in, & Dives and saw Clementine on there and wanted to try them. Let's just saw the food wasn't as good as it looked on Triple D. My friend and I decided we would start out getting the Mac & Cheese. It was not good and we didn't eat it past tasting it bc it wasn't worth the calories. It had no seasoning and tasted like butter and cheese. It was the right consistency but did no taste like Mac and cheese should. Not a speck of seasoning. I then made my own sandwich whic consisted of turkey, Swiss cheese, honey mustard, lettuce, onion (which the forgot to put on), and tomato. It was nothing special, I have had better sandwiches. My friend got the Reuben breakfast sandwich and she said it was ok. Nothing special. Doubt I ever go back.
(3)
Ahmed K.
Best high end restaurant in Baltimore that treats kids great, and as a parent i dont want to feel like my kids could be a problem in a fine dining restaurant like this but they are super friendly and even had a play area for my kids.
(5)
Roger H.
We heard a lot about Clementine as we looked at HL as a neighborhood choice. Choice wines, craft beers, charcuterie, awesome soups, burgers, and entrees in a farm to table, laid back atmosphere with a lot of art on the wall. And...it's true. The food though is simply excellent...down to the touches like home made pickled vegetables. We looked at the menu and just stared. Lots of choices and unlike many places, I was interested in them all. I got the chicken and the egg, my wife got a venison sausage plate, and my boy a delicious mac n cheese. My wife and I traded...then took back...our entrees. Service was really good but a little stoic...not bad at all...just not a representation of the funky cool inviting place it is. Again...excellent... just a little formal feeling wait staff for a place that is so laid back in feel and clients. Kid friendly too. Yes...they have toys and yes they have high chairs. Mommy and daddy wine and diner or craft beer lords can bring a youngin.
(5)
Becky S.
My family and I made our third trip to Clementine on February 20th. We were seated promptly upon our arrival, but were left unattended for 15 minutes before anyone came by with water. Our waitress did miraculously appear, and in a condescending tone, gave us the excuse, "We are so sorry for the wait, but you were seated too early." Not cool; sincere apologies are not followed up with an excuse. I'd rather wait to be seated than wait at my table. I ordered the beef cheeks for my main course, and they were good ... kind of like a crock pot roast beef ... that tasted like dirt. It was incredibly soupy; the accompanying broccolini and fingerling potatoes were lost in the sauce. Last time I checked, mashed potatoes were great for sopping up soupy messes. All in all, my meal turned out to be just a big, wet, sloppy mess that resembled the creature from the black lagoon. I will likely go back, but after a long cooling off period. I feel that Clementine has become a little too big for their britches, and that plain old good customer service or attention to detail is no longer important. I guess this is what happens after you are featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.
(2)
Joahnna F.
First time here last night and really enjoyed the meal and service. I had the bacon wrapped meat loaf which was so moist and delicious! My husband had the Murray's chicken and he thought it was very juicy and well prepared. Our server Brittany was great and helpful making recommendations based on our food and drink preferences. I would definitely recommend this place to friends and family wanting something different from what "chain" restaurants offer.
(5)
Chris S.
This is a great place. Wonderful food and the number one spot to take kids without having it become a zoo. Try the Elixer. Good breakfast too.
(5)
Lance B.
Used Yelp to reserve table. My notes for gluten free menu was recognized.Nice dinner with the family. Start to finish, dinner service was great . Wait staff was spot on . Entrees were fresh. Howard,our waiter admitted my wife's burger was over cooked . They re-did the burger -perfection . Big .
(4)
Tiffany N.
Clementine is solid. The food is almost always good! I have had one subpar meal, but that may have been bad ordering on my part. I have been there numerous times. The dinner service is occasionally slow, but it's definitely one of the better brunch spots around. One of my favorite things is their kids dining room...see, I don't have kids and (no offense) I don't want to go out to eat with yours. So, thank you Clementine, for having a dining room where I can go enjoy a night out without listening to someone else's screaming kids! Also, they have a new rewards program. It's great for those who frequent the restaurant. Oh, and their chocolate peanut butter cake is the truth.
(4)
Don L.
I have not read all of the negative reviews that brought the average down, but I'm glad to report that Clementine deserves way better than what Yelpers are rating it. Is it fresh? Absolutely! They curate their own meat for goodness sakes! Show me another place that does that...and does it well! Is it delicious? Another absolutely! Every dish has its own uniqueness from the standard faire. And that's especially difficult to find for breakfast. For example, it's not just French Toast. It's fresh French Toast on Challah bread with just the right amount of sweetness & crispiness. It's not just a Breakfast Burrito. It's got the little something extra that pushes your standard breakfast dish into specialness. I also had the Cuban Sandwich...and again, they add their own take on it by adding a MOUNTAIN of Home-curated Ham on the light, soft & crispy bread. The mustard brings all the flavors together in the sandwich. Btw, the ham is curated just right- perfect amount of saltiness, juiciness and yummm.... To top everything off, I had the Duck Hash. Again, this is not your typical hash. Spicy? Yes. But if it's not spicy enough, try their housemade hot sauces! SO DELICIOUS!!! (& Excellent amount of heat!) On top of all of that, the restaurant's atmosphere is quaint, great for large parties, and overall friendly. I have to admit that being from California, I'm a bit spoiled on price-point to portion ratio regardless of freshness. BUT these portions are just right, especially for FRESH. I'll be back for dinner and update my review! This is #65 on my quest to eat all the Diners, Drive-ins, & Dives in America!
(5)
Steve D.
This restaurant is one of the best in baltimore. Between the excellent friendly service and the fact that the chefs will walk out and actually talk to you makes this place extremely welcoming. It has an open atmosphere and of course the food is amazing. Even though it has a rotating menu I have never had something less than great. Brunch is also completely baller.
(5)
Tear S.
This was my first time at Clementine. The atmosphere was superb and the staff was very accommodating. I ordered the Clementine cold cut and duck fat oven fries. It was delicious. It was a little bit of a crowd (I went on a early Sunday afternoon), but it was still comfortable. I will definitely be returning in the near future. =)
(4)
Josh W.
The food has been consistently good and they have a good selection of drinks (discovered Saranac ginger beer here). However, the food isn't outstanding enough to justify the cost for us to come here on a regular basis. We've done Taco Tuesday, and also we've done it when they changed to spaghetti and meatballs. I've also had some rabbit dish, which was good, and a "West African" peanut soup, which wasn't great in comparison with something authentic. I love that Clementine is in the neighborhood. Oh they do the soups for Boordy Vineyards, and those are all tasty.
(4)
Kerri P.
Very disappointed with Clementine on Mother's Day. It took unusually long for our dinner to arrive. We ordered quick because we have a 3 and 1 year old. It took 30 minutes for the kids food to come out. Then another 10 minutes for our food and the appetizer came with our food. And after all that the food was just okay. Crab cakes were disappointing, bluefish was blah, deviled scallops eh. Service was pretty good though.
(2)
Heather G.
I was excited to bring my boyfriend to Clementine after my last visit was absolutely fantastic. I made reservations for 11:30 on Sunday morning and we showed up a little early. The restaurant was crowded, but didn't seem overwhelmingly so, and we were greeted immediately and sat quickly at a small table wedged in the middle of the dining room. Not ideal, but I wasn't about to complain. Our water glasses were filled silently by a bus boy from over my shoulder and that's where things started to go south. We sat for over 30 minutes without anyone acknowledging us or refilling my water glass. Staff members looked at our table multiple times, attended to the tables around us, but we were ignored. Eventually, a waitress asked if we had been helped, and when we said we hadn't, she seemed annoyed to have to help us. There was no introduction, no genuine apology, just the hurried taking of our orders. We ordered two cocktails (boyfriend ordered one with bourbon, I ordered the Gin-ny from the block), the coffee cake, and he ordered the breakfast scramble with bacon and sausage and I ordered the duck hash. Our drinks took about 15 minutes to come out after that. My boyfriend saw them on the end of the bar and, at this point, we were just making a game out of it. The waitress eventually asked if we had received our drinks yet and we said no. Again, no apology. Our drinks were delivered and a woman, who we assume was the manager, came over to say she was going to check on our food and to save room for dessert on them. At this point, we just wanted to eat and leave. My boyfriend did not enjoy his drink, but mine was pretty good. The manager came back and stated our food would be out in 4 minutes. Took a bit longer than that! But, when our entrees came out, I did get a water refill. The food was solid. My boyfriend didn't think they included the bacon in his scramble, but we found it eventually. We enjoyed our entrees, though they did forget the coffee cake. The waitress did come over while we were eating to make sure everything was good and apologized for what she was sure was the "worst service ever" (it was). She also acknowledged that she forgot the coffee cake and we could have it packed to go, or have a dessert on the house to go, and that she had taken everything off our check except the entrees. We thought that was fair considering we had enjoyed the food. We selected the golden cake with chocolate peanut butter frosting to take home and were disappointed in the dryness. Though the frosting was good, the cake itself had no flavor. After such a subpar experience, we are uncertain if we will ever go back.
(2)
G.M. B.
My husband and I visited Clementine's for Valentine's Day for the first time. It was wonderful. The atmosphere is slightly rustic/industrial and Baltimore! We had our table right next to the cool display of dried meats and canned goods. The service was great, the young lady we had was attentive, and made sure we understood the menu and specials they were having. She came back to check on us every so often which was nice because they were pretty full. Our water glasses were never empty (which is important to me because I drink a lot of water! haha) Food: For starters we had Oysters, very yummy with interesting toppings a citrus and a spicy. While I would have preferred my regular hot sauce what is the point of coming to a new place and not trying what they have? Turned out great. Mussels: so yummy! had bacon and spinach mixed in with a delicious broth!! Arugula Salad: lovely potatoes incorporated, very different salad which turned out to be very yummy. For our main course my husband had the Rib Eye which was DELICIOUS! And I had the Beef and Duck Meatloaf. I was interested in this so I decided why not? Great choice. Loved the mushroom sauce on top and the Gouda mashed potatoes were to die for! For Dessert I had the Apple & Cherry Pie/Tart, so delicious you HAVE TO TRY!! And my husband had Crème Brulee which was fantastic. All in All we had a wonderful experience at Clementine and left very full and happy and we will certainly be coming back again. Thank you!
(5)
Todd D.
Went here a while ago and remembered it being great. Great staff and drink selection was very good. Everything stood out and will go back again.
(5)
Justin W.
I went for a Sunday morning brunch with my girlfriend and her friend. The staff asked if we had a reservation and gave us a look when we said we didn't.... there were about 15 wide open, unused tables looking right at us. The food was good, nothing I haven't made at home before and it felt like the staff was trying to rush us out. The bussers took my unfinished plate. Our waiter was great though so they scored some points there. If I got invited to a meal there I'd go and I'd probably be somewhat pleased, however on my own I won't be going back.
(3)
Abigail R.
they make a basil lime elixir that is worth the trip - just enough sweet, just enough sour, just enough tang. Otherwise, everything is pleasant with a slight Cajun style, but nothing was standout for brunch or dinner... The most impressive things are probably the wall of antique style mirrors. Somehow they show up differently at food expos - because they were the first to change my mind into thinking that liver was worth eating...
(3)
Jennifer I.
I love this place! Food is always fresh, the menu changes regularly, and the service is amazing. I love that I can get a table on a whim for either a date night or with my 2-year old. They have a great section of the restaurant for young children to play while the adults can enjoy a drink and/or dinner. Brunch is amazing as well! Cocktails are awesome and they make an outstanding dirty martini. We purposely go back to Clementine on some nights just to get a great meal and a dirty martini. I would highly recommend this place to anyone in the area who wants a good meal and relaxing atmosphere. Please check it out!
(5)
Erin S.
My experiences here have been great and then 'meh.' A few things that really do stand out... Cocktails This place has GREAT cocktails. This will also make your dinner bill explode...the food here isn't really expensive but the cocktails ain't cheap. Fresh/Local The food really does taste fresh here. I also like that they are a little adventurous. I'd never had rabbit before coming here and it was a fun dish try. Service Great service here. The place is always busy, but never really crowded. I've always had really attentive servers. They are also very cool about people just hanging out... I came here with a large party for brunch the other week and we definitely stayed longer than appropriate after we finished our meals, but they were VERY cool about that and said we could stay as long as we wanted. They were also great at accomodating a last minute increase to the party (party of 8 became a party of 10). Food I've had some great dishes here and then some that left me a little disappointed. My favorite dish was a brunch special...it was an eggs benedict over local ham. The ham was RIDICULOUS. It was a really delicious meal. I also had a pasta in cream sauce with rabbit. I'd never had rabbit before and it was a really unique flavor to me. I had meatloaf here one time as well and it was awesome. I recently got the duck hash off the brunch menu because people have been raving about it for as long as I've heard of Clementine. I don't get it. It felt like poached eggs over diced potatoes...there wasn't a 'hash' feel to it. The dish was missing salt and I think I was expecting the potatoes to be a little crunchy? Also, supposedly there was a habanero-fig sauce, but I could not taste it. I actively disliked this meal. I also had a crabcake/eggs benedict waffle here one time that did not impress. Brunch, as of late, is kind of a miss. Dinners and cocktails are a hit.
(3)
Purvi P.
The food is passable. I had a light meal of the rabbit nachos and a couple of cocktails. The drinks were my favorite part-pretty amazing cocktail menu. However the service was just awful. We were seated fairly quickly. However our server was rude and not attentive in the least. We had to corral another staff member to get our check. I really wanted to like this place because of its commitment to local and fresh food- but it just isn't worth it.
(2)
Eric N.
Clementine is a solid choice for breakfast, lunch or dinner. This neighborhood gem is kid and family friendly. It is spacious, yet homey in its environs. The dress is casual, and the waitstaff are very courteous and kid friendly as well. The food is eclectic in variety. I have had pork based dishes, vegetarian meals, and everything in between. My favorite meal here is breakfast on the weekend. There is a large variety of choices, ranging from the typical (pancakes) to the very interesting (Korean hot pot bowl with eggs and rice). We have been here at least 10 times, and have not been disappointed. The proces are reasonable, and you won't leave hungry.
(4)
Larry F.
This place has great food and a great atmosphere ! Only thing I dislike and why I didn't give its 5 stars was the parking. The parking can be a nightmare!
(4)
Joel L.
Eclectic & Eccentric Clementine We went for the Sunday brunch with another couple who were back in Baltimore after many years away. Clementine was a good choice to give them a taste of the changes in some of the old Baltimore neighborhood restaurant scene. We enjoyed our selections of the Breakfast Burrito, Grilled Cheese, Mexican Cheese steak and Duck fat Fries. All of the selections were served hot, full of flavor with that unique twist that is characteristic of Clementine. This place may not be for everyone, but, if you like eclectic and eccentric this place is a good fit for you. Clementine offers very good food and service with a unique twist right here in a classic old Baltimore neighborhood setting.
(4)
Victor B.
I've been here many times but never ate the food. 2 weeks ago I seen this place on diner drives and dives and was thrilled to see a Baltimore restaurant on there. So here I am at Clementine. I had the Asian braised pork cheeks and to my satisfaction I loved them. Service is prompt and very friendly. Would definitely come back and would recommend to others. Definitely a great farm to table restaurant
(5)
Nick B.
Do you need a bit of "Farm to Table", but don't want to sell your children to the Woodberry hydra to afford it? Clementine is snooty nü-american for the everywoman. The menu feels complete, the themed nights are always on point, the carry out wine rack is highly affordable, and the scapple is always well-prepared. Be warned, they do cater to the upper-middle-class-mid-thirties-hipster-breeder set, so expect the shrill mouth-noises of children to unsettle your meal.
(4)
Allysa D.
We went here once and the service took forever. It took an hour to get our appetizer and even longer for the entree. It was awful. Even the waitress kept apologizing so not sure if that was a one time thing. The food wasn't even that good so it wasn't worth the wait either.
(1)
Graham D.
This was by far the best family dining experience that my wife and I have ever had with our 4 kids. Just goes to show that you don't need to have a theme with arcade games or other types of over stimulation to cater to families. Even the Children's Chicken on the kids menu defied convention by not being breaded fried strips or nuggets, but rather small medallions of grilled and well seasoned whole chicken breast, served with broccoli and mashed potatoes, all of which my 6 year old loved -- he didn't even ask for a dipping sauce! The play area is small, and I can imagine on more crowded nights the kids overwhelming it, but it was perfect for us. Our only complaint was the background music in the speakers, which was of some kind of festival blues or rock that made my wife feel "10 years older" as she put it, but gave it the benefit of the doubt of being super meta and "borderline ironic hipster". Of course music tastes are subjective, and I expect this changes frequently. The food, drinks and dessert were all delicious and perfectly prepared with great locally sourced ingredients. It was funny, when I first walked in, I said to my wife, I bet this place has a great bread pudding -- it just looks like the kind of place that has bread pudding -- and sure enough it's the first item on the dessert menu, and of course I ordered it, and of course it was delicious. Besides the music, Clementine met or exceeded all of our expectations, and we had high expectations for the food and just prayed that the kids would enjoy it, which they did. Clementine is a parenting win-win!
(5)
Jason P.
Food was plentiful, fresh, and delicious. They brought out samples of the meatloaf for everyone at the table. The waiter was very kind to the toddler dining with us -- a nice little touch.(Oh, they have a 'play area' for kids!)
(4)
Allison H.
Can't say I was super impressed by my most recent visit to Clementine. I came here with my mother and after we were promptly seated, we waited more than ten minutes for our waitress to reappear to take our order. Let me paint the scene here: it's lunchtime on a weekday and there is one other couple seated, and a man sitting at the bar. Not what I would call a lunch rush. Anyway, our food eventually arrived, but not without a few misadventures in between waiting and eating. The music that was playing began to blip out mid-song, creating moments of 'did the music just go out?' and 'oh wait.. it's back again.' It did soon completely fizzle out- to a droning buzz noise. That harsh buzz wasn't addressed until we were nearly finished our meals. A young man also came by to silently fill our water glasses. Something about the vibe in this place just wasn't super attentive and service oriented. Okay, okay, so the actual meals... my mom got the shrimp salad sandwich, and I can attest to the fact there were barely any shrimp in that thing. I felt bad considering how much it cost versus how much meat was actually there. I got the oyster po'boy and it was pretty spot on. The baguette especially was really fresh and tasty. It was a two star experience, but my sandwich was pretty flavorful so I can't in good conscience completely write the place off.
(3)
Michael Z.
Remember the scene in the Wizard of Oz when Toto pulls back the curtain? To me, that is Clementine. Maybe it's because I grew up in and live in the neighborhood that I dislike the place for trying to be something that it is not. It is a yuppy, hipster hangout. The food is organic, has strange names and over priced. For about $10 more you can go to Ruth's Chris and get a real steak meal. The whole concept of this restaurant just doesn't fit the neighborhood. You can park across the street from the jewelry store and next to a CVS that where broken into during the riots. You may choose to use the lot around the corner on Hamilton Ave. if you can find a spot that isn't being taken up by the non paying snowball stand patrons. That way you also get to be harassed by the 2-3 homeless people that work the intersection.
(2)
Todd D.
We were going to go up to 3.5 stars, but it didn't quite make it. We did Sunday brunch and there's some hit and miss going on here. We were two and had the duck hash and catfish and cheese grits. Both were good, not great, with a bit too much vinegar on both - two great dish ideas, and someone that really likes vinegar. I'm not averse to it, but they were a bit heavy handed this morning. Service was great, price ($40) for two with coffee was excellent. The espresso machine was out of order, which is strange, but if it went out last night, fair enough. If you do brunch it should be fixed at any cost. Nice decor, but you can tell it will get really loud when full...we were an early seating. We'll try it again...the idea is great, and close to being better..
(3)
Virginia B.
Really pretty surroundings inside. I enjoyed the atmosphere. The food I was less then impressed with. Not bad but not as refined on flavor as I was led to believe. I ordered a special that was beef, veggies, and potatoes. The whole dish was so over salted that it was hard to enjoy it. The drinks were pretty great though.
(3)
Jamal P.
Clementine is by far better than Woodberry Kitchen. The food here from last week was amazing and the service was great too. My buddies and I started out with the rabbit and the meat was so tender. We had a few other apps that were marginal, but what we really enjoyed were the desserts..ah something with salted caramel. Great place and local farm raised food delivered.
(4)
Chris R.
For today (I've had lots of great meals there) they missed the mark by a lot. They were out of my first three choices so I got the cold cut sandwich with duck fat fries. Fries weren't anything special, some burned parts and some barely cooked parts, oh and they weren't salted. The first half of the sandwich was just bread and meat with no sort of spread or tomato or anything else to help the sandwich. The meats were awesome and I came close to just taking the sandwich apart. The second half had some sort of vinegary spread that helped to better balance the sandwich. Shame two halves of the same sandwich were so different. Almost seems as though they are coasting to the closing date in August. It's a shame they don't try to get there on top.
(2)
Anne K.
It's Saturday. You take your whole family to Clementine's. Your kid gets to play with other kids in the fantastic kid friendly corner while you swill Zeke's coffee and enjoy a warm cinnamon bun as large as your head. You may even try some real food like the duck hash, Korean hot pot, or chicken pot pie if you have any room left. My husband and I come here all the time with our daughter and are never disappointed. All of our waitstaff have been consistently amazing and friendly, the food is always on point, and the atmosphere is very laid back and super kid friendly. Hell, even the other people eating there are great! Stoked to see you Sunday, friends! Thank you for your gem of a restaurant.
(5)
Jocelyn O.
I would not step foot in this place again. It was not busy at all, but our waitress was less than attentive, until we paid the bill which she was able to get to right away. She only asked if we wanted a refill on our drinks (our cups were empty) when she dropped off the check. I got a bacon egg and cheese sandwich. The bread was soggy, there was 1 strip of bacon and the eggs weren't seasoned at all. I'd suggest finding another place for brunch before trying this place out.
(1)
Kerri M.
I've only come here a handful of times for brunch. I usually get something different each time I visit. I have repeated the grits because they are excellent (and that compliment is coming from a southern girl). My other half always gets the Korean Hot Pot and likes it, but he never gets enough and always has to order a side. I will say the service can be real slow here and it's annoying. Also it can be really crowded, unless you get there super early.
(4)
Rebekah O.
My girlfriend and I went to Clementine yesterday for brunch and it was awesome. I had the duck hash and she had the Korean hot pot. We both loved our choices (she felt that the kimchee could have been a tad bit spicier). The food menu is extremely diverse and the alcoholic options are well thought out and reasonable. I hadn't been to Clementine since it first opened due to an out of town move and I'm also glad to see how they've expanded. To finish they get many kudos for the "Becks Crabs" sign that they have on the wall. I love that they give a shotout to a Baltimore icon.
(4)
Danielle J.
Laid back atmosphere. Love that everything is from local farms. Cocktails were great. Cheese and charcuterie boards were very tasty...wish they offered a board with both cheese and meats so we didn't have to order both separately. It was a lot of food. My husband ordered the meatloaf. It was a very heavy meal but SOOO good. We ended up sharing the meat loaf...the squash dish I ordered was light, but wasn't to my taste. Would like to go back for brunch!
(4)
Virginia Y.
They catered an event at my work place. I really enjoyed their duck confit and their sausages. I love how everything was h'ordeuvres rather than heavy meals. Everything tasted great, well seasoned and all. I usually don't like beets but they had a beets salad, which turned out to be really good! Great job Clementine!
(4)
Jennifer L.
My experience at Clementine was nothing short of wonderful. From the hostess, to the bartender, and ending with our waiter -- their customer service was one of the best I ever experienced. While we waited for our table, the bartender came by to check on us to see if we wanted a drink. Drinks all around! We all asked him for recommendations. While we all got different drinks, he hit our expectations right on the nail. One person in my party even spilled most of her drink on the table by accident and the bartender gave her a new one. Charcuterie -- We went with our waiter's suggestions and ordered all sorts of sausages. All had it's own flavors, some spicier than others. The paste and crackers were delicious! Both components complement the sausages well. Pappardelle -- I've been ordering pappardelle more frequently these days. Large, flat pasta noodles. I dig it. I feel like I'm consuming less carbs because there is a less amount of noodles in the dish. The smoked duck was cooked to tender perfection and not overly salted. The flavors weren't very strong but overall it tasted very light. Their menu changes VERY frequently based on season and availability so you know you're eating some quality food!
(4)
Christy L.
Man friend and I came here for a $50 prix fixe Valentine's Day menu. We made reservations for 5:30 p.m., showed up at 6:00 p.m. (don't shoot me, I called to let them know we were late!), and were still greeted pleasantly by the hostess and seated right away. Once I took a glance at the menu, I made an impromptu decision to switch from the prix fixe to a la carte, mainly because they had a freaking amazing pork chop on the regular menu. It came with mashed potatoes, kale, and apple butter... I mean really -- who could turn that down?! It ended up being pretty good. Nothing that blew my mind, but it definitely held its own. I think the apple butter, which was both sweet and slightly bitter, was the best part of the dish. I could've taken a whole jar of that stuff home! For dessert, I chose a chocolate tart. It was melt-in-your-mouth delicious but a bit on the smaller side. For once, I actually made room for dessert and could've eaten triple the dessert that they gave me! Ambiance/ decor is no frills, but nice and relaxed - just how you'd want a farm-to-table restaurant to be. Not memorable... but I like it that way because I don't think good food should compete with a flashy restaurant space. They also have some pretty decent drinks. Try the sangria. 2 glasses of it and you'll be well on your way to a good buzz.
(3)
Jenny H.
I came here for brunch on Saturday, and I thought my duck hash was good (great duck gravy and potatoes) but my two poached eggs were cooked through....one of them was a little runny but the other was completely hard. And my husband's two eggs over easy were both completely cooked through too...disappointing. Runny eggs are the standard, no, for poached and over easy eggs? The grits I thought were just OK (had better elsewhere) and the Caesar salad was deconstructed and also pretty OK. My husband's brioche French toast were two thick slabs of toast with whipped cream on top....both a bit soggy.
(3)
Sarah S.
This place is AMAZING! The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and can make so many substitutions to accommodate any dietary restriction! Plus the atmosphere and drinks are awesome!
(5)
Mick R.
I had heard such great things about Clementine, so I took the leap and headed up for Restaurant Week. We had a reservation for 6:45, and were promptly seated. The waiter was very helpful explaining the menu and philosophy of Clementine, and gave us a few minutes to look over the options. He came back a few minutes later to take our order, but we weren't ready. Unfortunately, after that, it was a bit of a wait to actually place our order, and it seemed to be a trend that continued for the rest of the night. It seemed to us that they were a bit short staffed. Possibly on a normal Tuesday night the staffing levels were ok and they were just busier due to Restaurant Week, but it was pretty noticeable. As for the food, I would say that both of us were underwhelmed. I had the Heirloom tomato salad which was pretty good. My date had the chilled peach soup which she enjoyed. Our mains are where we were most let down. The grilled flat iron steak was served lukewarm, and the flavors did not work for either of us. The pork adobo was good, but not great, and didn't seem to have anything about it which really set it apart from any other pulled pork type dish. For desert I had the blueberry pie, which I liked, but it wasn't by any means the best pie I've ever had, while my date had the "warm" peach cobbler, which was still pretty chilled. I'd probably be willing to give Clementine a second chance, as all of the other positive reviews seem to indicate that they are doing things right, but I'm not going to be rushing to do so.
(2)
Kerry M.
We were really looking forward to our first time at Clementine, but we were met with disappointment. The atmosphere was great, the food, really good, but the service was very disappointing. Let me start out by saying, we were eating late (8:45), so there were no other people waiting for a table, but we were also not the last table, so our server had no reason to rush us out, it was still well before kitchen closing time. We placed our order, got our drinks and then our appetizer came out. Still with a good amount left on our plate, a bus boy suggested that we "take that last smidge" so he could take our plate. I was actually waiting to ask for more toast to finish the final few bites of pate. On it's own - no big deal - we weren't that put off. But this kept happening the ENTIRE meal. not even halfway through our dinners, guys kept coming over asking to box our food or take our plates. We would be mid-bite or mid-sentence when this would happen. Normally, when people are through eating, they set down their utensils across the plates. None of the three men that were back and forth to our table had any sense of timing. After we finally finished eating, and the waiter came for our plates, he very quickly ran and grabbed a dessert menu, placed it on our table in what seemed to be a huge hurry, and left. Not at all what you expect from a place like this. There was ZERO salesmanship involved in the whole process, considering it was our first time dining. About the dessert: we ordered the German Apple Cake. I make this at home and it's delicious, so I thought surely this would even be better, especially because it was listed as having salted caramel. The server rushed it over to us, set it down, and we took a few bites. It was NOT worthy of being on a restaurant menu. The taste was fine, but it was very dry, and mediocre for the realm of what's expected on a dessert menu at a restaurant of this caliber. Before we were through, the server was pacing behind my boyfriend, eyeing our plate to grab it when we were finished. Let me say this: we dine out two times a week, always trying new places and returning to our favorites. I so wanted Clementine to be another "favorite" to add to our list. Instead of staying for a second drink, I was so put off by feeling rushed through the entire experience, that I decided to get the check and head up the road to Maggie's Farm for our next drink. The server's mistake is that if he had just slowed down, talked to us about the food, allowed us to finish our meal without feeling rushed, then our $76 check would have been rounded to $100 for a $24 tip. Instead I gave $14, which was already too high. In addition, what would have been a restaurant we'd likely visit again and again (food and atmosphere were excellent). now we will likely not return. We heard this same lament after discussing the restaurant with friends who had been, so I know it wasn't just us being sensitive. Please Clementine, shape up, because you could be great.
(3)
Kelly H.
My boyfriend and I love making visits to Clementine. The atmosphere is very calming with tables and chairs made of wood and walls painted a relaxing shade of medium blue. The lights are just dim enough, and there's a little bit of art on the walls, but it's nothing overwhelming. The restaurant is quiet and unobtrusive enough that you can hear the person accompanying you, but not so much that you feel like everyone has full access to your conversation. Enough about the ambiance, because the food is awesome! It's both unique and seasonal, and most of the options seem somewhat healthy. The menu changes regularly, which gives my boyfriend and I an excuse to check in as much as we can. I would describe the food as being "updated homestyle," since many of the choices would be considered comfort food with Clementine's own special flair. One thing Clementine does especially well is vegetables. They have a way of making things like kale and broccoli taste pleasant--I'm not sure how they do it, but I'm much more than willing to consume vegetables I don't typically gravitate towards after walking through Clementine's doors. Vegetables aside, every dish I have tried there has been fantastic, from Chicken and Waffles to Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf, to Clams Casino Linguine to Pork Chops and Mashed Potatoes. Clementine is a foodie's paradise.
(5)
Chris H.
I don't really remember much about the night I went out with my buddies..., but I do remember eating a pork dish that was REALLY good. Had leftover and it was great the next day after heating it up. I also had a ginger drink...It's not a ginger Ale...but it was also really good.. Maybe I'm not the best person to review this. But Food's delish
(5)
Jaime C.
I had never heard of this place until recently. The spot itself is near by where I live. The interior was very "French kitchen" and friendly. My friend and I came for brunch and were surprised at the menu. They had a lot of interesting options and all were well priced. Our waitress was kind, but it honestly felt like she didn't know the menu well. My friend went with the Indian scramble and I choose the pan seared duck scramble. The dish was horribly bland and runny. It tasted as if the eggs were pulled right from warm water and plopped on to potatoes that weren't fully cooked. The duck was the only item in the dish that had some form of flavor. Rather sad since it looked great on the menu. Truthfully not worth $13 for it. My friends Indian scramble had no visual appeal and tasted heavily of mint. But for those that want veggies and some curry it's great. All in all a great spot to catch up, but the food was not good enough to make me come back.
(3)
Ashlee K.
Absolutely wonderful. Fresh, delicious food. Prompt, attentive service. Great selection of wine, beer, and whiskey! We opted to sit at the bar, and Erin served us drinks and attended our needs. She was great!! The food was incredible. I got the chicken, hubs got the soused shrimp. To quote him: "If broccoli tasted like this all the time, I would only ever eat broccoli." That's huge, coming from a true "meat and potatoes" man. Check it out. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Lauren S.
We have gone to Clementine a bunch of times and find it to be hit or miss. This past Friday night was a definite miss. I ordered a Manhatten Blanc which is actually vodka, not whiskey which is not explicitly indicated on the menu but I should have looked up the name of the liquor to make sure it was what I wanted. Ok, not their fault. Shrimp bisque was very tasty but not served with bread. The cauliflower salad was terrible, the dressing did not go with the bacon at all and the portion was small. I paid $19 for a curry dish with no rice. Just vegetables and a very watery sauce. The flourless chocolate cake is very good. Just a very inconsistent restaurant, don't risk your money for a nice date night when you may be disappointed! Maybe ok for a casual dinner with friends but don't drop $100 here, it's not worth it.
(3)
Ebony T.
So I thought I would walk up the street and treat my 9 yo to a date. We walked in and were told that they could only serve soup or salad since lunchtime was over and dinner was at 5. Perhaps that sh poo Ulster be listed with the times on the window. We left.
(1)
Michael H.
Saw the feature for this restaurant on diners, drive ins and dives. I live in Philadelphia, but my girlfriend's family is stationed in Baltimore. We ate here in early February for her nephew's birthday. First off, I love that they butcher everything in house. The decor is also nice and we appreciated having the room suitable for children, so our younger member of the party felt comfortable. Now for the food - we ordered pickled vegetables and bone marrow bread pudding. Both dishes were solid but not spectacular. For entree, I ordered the bacon wrapped meatloaf. This was a very good plate. Smoked gouda mashed potatoes were excellent, although the kale was a little overseasoned for my taste. For desert I ordered the Apple crisp. I didn't like that it was served cold. Again - solid, not spectacular.
(3)
Andrea J.
Clementine is a awesome local restaurant that helps support local growers! The food is always delicious and the service is great! We come here for brunch or dinner! At either time you get awesome food, great service and stiff drinks!
(5)
Tunaidi A.
I checked out Clementine while they were offering their brunch menu. It's a neat restaurant and relatively spacious. There's definitely a handful of interesting items for brunch, such as the Indian scramble and the Korean hot pot. I appreciated the diversity, but couldn't resist the seared duck hash. I also got to try the french toast and the breakfast sample. The duck hash was a decent choice, while the other plates tasted as expected. I went with a relatively large group, so it took a while to be seated. However, service from there on was quicker. Other than the several scrambles that I saw, all the dishes' portions were on the smaller end of the spectrum. Clementine was a decent play and is worth another try.
(3)
Kevin K.
Cavernous, rustic general-store -esque space, both rooms adorned in unpainted wood. The decor is odd--Frankenstein poster--and the bar itself an odd, near-empty part of the dining room at Wednesday dinner. A window near the back gives patrons a view into the curing room, which is unfortunately adorned in formaldehyde green paint as backdrop for the hanging meats. [Ambience: 2/5] Incredibly accommodating service; I counted at least 10+ "Sure"s and "Of course"s. Our charcuterie was served without the cheese, we went dry on drinks near the middle of dinner, and the stages of our meal overlapped too quickly--quibbling about service that was otherwise very amicable. [Service: 3/5] Cheap cocktails are the cornerstone of the drink menu; the wine list is small. We tasted: the vodka rosemary lemonade fizz, which tasted of no alcohol but needed less sugar, and the bitingly green and hot Marty Robbins, an acrid challenge to finish. [Drinks: 2/5] We started with the house charcuterie, and that's what we'll return for. All of it was knockout, but the pate was star--fantastically salty and rich atop the delectably wheaty, house-made crackers that crumble in your hand. The beet terrine was cooler than most, ample goat cheese and nice plating. My chief complaint was simplicity--maybe throw in some golden beets. The mac and cheese was rich and hearty, a nice crunch atop, but lacking tang and space. The burrito bowl was largely unforgettable outside of the salsa, which was fresh and livening. I dislike corn in my burritos and this was no different. Avoid the dry, flavorless chicken mole tacos, which went unfinished. Eat as much of the complimentary cornbread as you can--hearty and served with room-temp butter, we counted an additional piece with every new plate. [Food: 3/5]
(3)
Dina T.
Parents of children that have to take turns feeding yourself- this is it! They have designated kid area with toys and sofa. Can't get any better. And all that comes with great food and service.
(5)
Kristen E.
Nice decor, locally owned, generally good food. However, a recent trip (on a Sunday) was marred by a waitress so rude that my girlfriends nearly left before ordering so we could meet somewhere else for lunch. Apparently she has a reputation in the neighborhood, because someone else knew exactly who she was when one of us described our experience. We did stay and order, and the food was mostly good. I liked the fried walleye but found the cheesy grits tasteless, and the one of us with an onion allergy had to take the onions off her dish because the waitress hadn't taken care of that. We then went next door to the Hamilton Bakery, owned by the same folks, for dessert. Hamilton has quite a few good places to eat these days, so I'll probably choose to spend my money elsewhere the next time I'm back in town.
(2)
Kojo B.
I had the zradaka chicken with grits and kale. The grits were fantastic, and the kale was good (rarely ever would i comment on anything green). The chicken though was way too salty. Other guests on my table enjoyed their meals i guess i probably selected the wrong entree. I will try it again, but i will also order something else. In the interim it is a solid restaurant, but just basing my reviews off of the chicken.
(3)
Carrie F.
I wish I could give this four stars, as I had been once before and had a great experience, but my last time was woefully average when it came to the food and extremely sub par when it came to the service. My friends and I ordered the cheese board and the charcuterie. It took over 25 minutes for these appetizers to arrive (were they slaying the animals in the back?) This is almost unforgiveable had we ordered something that needed to be COOKED but alas... And for what we paid, it wasn't a lot of food. Our waitress was lovely and offered great recommendations on the drinks, and seemed very knowledgeable but she clearly had too many tables and could not be attentive to us. There was no apology as to why it took so long to get our appetizers. Our meals did come out about 10 minutes after that. My friend's steak was RARE and she ordered medium. Again... basic stuff that they just didn't get right. Everyone seemed to enjoy their food. I did not care for what I ordered but I think that was just because my perception of what it would be was not correct, so I won't even mention what it was. I would go back again on a week night or maybe get an earlier reservation to see if the service is any better.
(3)
Natalie G.
I've been to Clementine a few times for dinner, and I have always enjoyed myself! We usually do a little tasting of everything and split it so I have had quite a few of the menu options. The chicken dish (it changes all the time) is really quite wonderful and if you can find a dish with braised kale on it, GET IT. The charcuterie is worth it, though make sure you ask for more crackers. Thrusdays are a great day to go - they have awesome wine specials, and their cocktails look fantastic, though I haven't yet tried one (I usually get the wine flight when I go). Maybe next time. I think the only thing that i could pick out as a negative would be that the bread was cold. This isn't a big deal, but would be a really nice touch if Clementine was looking for something more to do. I also loved that there's a little kids play area in the corner. My daughter is a bit young, but this had such a nice family friendly atmosphere that I would definitely consider letting her roam a bit free when she gets older. I haven't seen a space like this at a restaurant in quite awhile and it really added to the family kitchen feel. I would say that this restaurant is definitely worth checking out.
(4)
Elizabeth J.
Terrific and unusual drink selections and great service. I have had many delicious items such as the pot pie and the tacos are always amazing no matter which meat you choose to stuff into them. I really enjoyed all of the appetizers, but I was disappointed by the steak. I requested it medium rare and it came out medium/medium well. The kitchen immediately returned it and quickly prepared a new steak cooked perfectly, but unfortunately it had absolutely no flavor. For the price it was pretty upsetting, but everything else was and always has been delicious so I will continue to go there, but maybe just avoid the steak. I really appreciated the graciousness with which the kitchen did their best to please in this situation however.
(3)
Gina S.
I've only been here once but I was very impressed by the quality of the food, I ordered a Spanish egg/chorizo dish that was full of flavor and definitely enough to feed 2 people. Prices are a little steep for certain items for what they were, but that's what you dish out for locally grown, organic food. My husband got Belgian waffles, said they were good but there was nothing outstanding about them. I wasn't a fan of the coffee, way too strong for my taste. The restaurant was very crowded and hard to get to our seats since the tables were set up so close to one another. We asked for a highchair and were given one that was so loose and wobbly that I was afraid it would break if I put my son in it. After asking for a new one and waiting nearly 10 minutes, we had to request it again and finally got one after waiting another 5 minutes. I may come back in the future to try something other than breakfast but I will opt for a time when it is less busy.
(3)
Shannon S.
I really want to like Clementine. The decor is warm and comfortable, there is never a long wait (for brunch), and the menu has all kinds of things that you won't find at your normal brunch spot. But the food is just so-so. I've been for brunch 3 times now, so I'm comfortable saying that it's not just that I haven't ordered the right things. On my first visit, I decided to order a bunch and see what I really enjoyed. I had coffee, a scone (I think blueberry), waffles with nutella whipped cream, and the cheese grits. The coffee was good, the scone was just OK, the waffles were cold and not at all as decadent as I'd imagined, the nutella whipped cream was a nice touch, and the cheese grits were by and far the best thing I had, but mainly because they are super cheesy and I LOVE cheese. The server was very attentive and patient as this was the first time I, or anyone in my party, had been there for brunch. He seemed very attentive, but then I can't really explain why my waffles came out cold? It wasn't so bad that I ruled out coming back to this place... So I did come back, about 2 weeks later. This time, I had the cumin potatoes, cheese grits, and the egg and cheese breakfast sandwich. I didn't expect much, and it's a good thing. The food was luke-warm again. The potatoes didn't have much flavor and the waitress looked at me like I had 5 heads when I asked for tomato on my sandwich ("Uh, I guess we can do that"?? Really!?) The sandwich did turn out OK though. So, yesterday morning we wake up late and want to get some brunch. I know all of my favorite places will be packed after 10am, so I decide, eh, why not give this place one more try. Food was cold again!! Does this place not have warmers?? I've officially given up. If I'm desperate for cheese grits, I'd consider going back, but my expectations will be in check.
(2)
Amanda I.
I loved the decoration of the place. Rustic, quiet, and inviting. Greeted by a friendly host. The food was excellent, everything seemed fresh and seasonal. Service was so-so but think maybe it was just a busy night. I'll be back here.
(4)
Jen W.
Clementine was the beginning of putting Hamilton back on the map. It has that great neighborhood restaurant vibe and draws in foodies from all over the area. You might even mistake the restaurant for a retail store since the store front has maintained the original exterior. The decor is eclectic and warm with unique artwork and wood chairs and tables. The drinks are wonderful. They have a terrific selection of bottled and draft beers. Did you say you have Chimay on tap? Ask for the menu of cocktails and drinks. A favorite amongst friends is the Basil Lime Elixir - tart, sweet and herby. Great for all seasons and the way to start off the meal. The menu is seasonal with the ingredients fresh and locally sourced. They also have a strong focus on charcuterie and meats, but they always have great menu options for vegetarians. They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Dinner can be a bit pricey but the food is really great. I can't wait to go back for breakfast and Taco Tuesday.
(4)
Justin K.
I have now been to Clementine's a few times for Brunch. This is located up in Hamilton, a short hop threw the ghetto. In my opinion it is definitely worth the trip. It's a solid brunch location. I have yet to partake in dinner here, I just can't get enough a one thing...the Korean Hot Pot! This is the ultimate hangover cure and is just straight delicious. It has eggs, sticky rice, sprouts, bacon, mushrooms, cabbage, carrots, hoisin, and a Korean BBQ sauce. It sounds ridiculous and it is, ridiculously good! They have fresh baked goods every morning as well, such as the cinnamon and sugar coated muffin with bacon inside. Oh man, that was tasty. I enjoyed another tasty lick last time we were here and they had house made scrapple. It was top notch. Just like back home in PA. They also have a local theme where a lot of their products are from local businesses in the area. Additionally, they cure their own freakin' meat! I love that restaurants do that now, because it is a craft that must be honed over time through trial and error. From what i have experienced they do a solid job of curing. I highly recommend you give this place a try for brunch on the weekend; it is off the beaten path but well worth the adventure.
(4)
Jean E.
Really nice food, but they've gotta figure out the service: on one recent visit we were told it was a half hour wait despite 50% of the tables being empty. So that was disappointing. On a more recent visit, we had a table because we reserved beforehand, but after filling our drink order our waiter seemed to fall apart and it took 90 minutes for all of our food to be delivered. Even though there were only two other tables.
(3)
Idalee D.
Clementines is always good. Often there are little misses but overall it is a good place to eat. I especially recommend any of the house smoked meats and the coconut cake!
(4)
Gerry S.
This is a sweetheart of a restaurant with an upscale palate, excellent food, and a relaxed, casual vibe, in a section of the city that's more accustomed to diners and chains. There's a play-area for families with kids up near the entrance, and that sort of dichotomy between serious food and a laid-back, welcoming atmosphere really sets the tone for the place. We'll definitely visit again. First off, Clementine now seems to have their liquor license in hand, as we were offered a wine list with our menus. While wine may be a solid choice for such good eats, my advice is to first try the nonalcoholic "basil-lime elixir" on their drink menu. This was a delightful surprise - up-front with the basil taste, but with enough citrus to cut the spice, and not too sweet at all. I'd never tasted anything like it before. The food was excellent overall. The "fantastical" mac-and-cheese appetizer is every bit as good as the menu promises, studded with bits of fresh tomato, cheesy without being gloppy, and featuring plenty of brown, crusty, burnt-cheese bits. Travis's duck was perfectly rare, and came with asparagus that was so fresh he said, "you can still taste the field." Another reviewer mentioned that the mashed potatoes were too stiff for his tastes, and I'll second that sentiment. Flavored with smoked gouda, they were still awfully tasty though. While the cheese grits and braised greens that came with my catfish entree were outstanding, the fish itself was a surprising letdown. Perfectly fresh and well-cooked, the seasoning on it was so salty, I nearly sent the dish back. Everything else was so good, I chalked the fish up as a misstep. The desserts were all clearly made in house. I was eyeing the chocolate-peanut butter cake all through my meal, but when the waitress mentioned that the coconut cake came with real boiled icing, I had to try it. Travis's key lime pie was also delicious. Finally, since it's me, I have to mention that one of the owners is a long-bearded, smoking-hot bear of a man. I would probably return just for that view, but really, the food is well worth the trip.
(4)
Merr A.
Despite it's limited options for vegetarian's and food that generally just needs a little something extra to make it awesome I am a fan of Clementine's. The service is some of the best you'll find in Baltimore and there is free parking across the street. Additionally, Clementine seems to like to mix unusual flavours in their dishes, which sometimes fall flat, but it's nice to see some experimentation going instead of the standard steak and potatoes so many restaurants rely on.
Excellent selection of fresh food for the foodie. Waiter not friendly or paying real attention. Tip reflected service only 10% and I rarely do that.
(3)
Robby B.
I came to Clementine for weekend brunch a couple years ago and just now made it back over (finally!). This time we got lunch during the week. I wasn't as impressed this time around, but I still had a very good meal. I really like the feel of Clementine. It's a good mix of hipster-cool, sophisticated, and inviting. They have a some cool paintings and a bunch of ornithology pictures. The view into the meat storage room is cool too. I wish Clementine served breakfast food throughout lunch, but alas, they do not. I ordered the pit beef sandwich ($8.50). It was good, not great. Meat was every so slightly overcooked, and also not warm enough. Felt a bit like your average roast beef sandwich. The tiger sauce was good and the bun was soft but held up nicely. The portion was not huge. My side was the Moroccan carrot salad. It was raw carrot slices covered in yellow curry. It was refreshing because the curry wasn't too salty or overpowering. A few raisins were in there too, but it needed more. My friend got the pulled pork sandwich ($8) and it was fantastic. The meat was very tender and the orange BBQ sauce was great. This sandwich was bigger than mine, so I was mighty jealous. She got a salad as her side dish. It was a simple spring mix, but her green goddess dressing was delicious. It was both creamy and clean tasting. Service was generally quick, attentive, and friendly. One small mix up: they switched our sides. Our meals were quickly re-plated even though we insisted it wasn't necessary. (Actually, that was frustrating because I was starving and waiting to eat, but I know he was just trying to be a good waiter.) Overall, good food at a decent price for lunch. This recent experience at Clementine warrants a solid 3.5, but I've really enjoyed weekend brunch in the past, so rounding up to 4 is a no brainer. I can't wait to come back for brunch and to try dinner down the road.
(4)
Erica C.
This is a breakfast review. I like breakfast. I like this place. I like to go with people and split a bunch of food. Pig out at breakfast. You know? The Elvis waffle was tasty and fun. Nutella is always a winner in my book. The corned beef hash was delicious as well, nothing like the slop in a can I've grown not-so-found of. The house sausage was flavorful and went well with the other dishes. The breakfast casseroles are rubbery and bleh for the most part, avoid them....but do get the cheesy grits. Those are good. The house coffee is a nice touch. The ambiance is nice. The service is average. I like this place for breakfast, except for the weird casserole things. I could do without those.
(4)
Kim A.
Best Spot in Baltimore. My only complaint is that I found this place the first month I moved to Baltimore a year ago and it ruined me for other Baltimore Restaurants forever, but that is not really their fault. Their drinks are amazing. They make in house elixir mixers like basil lemonade. I don't even like tequila, but when it's mixed in their drinks, I love it! Great infused vodkas too. They do in house charcuterie in a glass room so you can look at the delicious meats. Their pate is to die for and is part of their Thursday happy hours. The best dish they served was the anise oyster french toast. It can be a bit pricey when you order drinks, but it is fine dining in a casual atmosphere, so no dressing up needed. It's also pretty loud and not pretentious at all. The area is a bit weird to be home to such an awesome restaurant, but I think I like that because it means it won't become uber trendy. Do yourself a favor and check it out.
(5)
Devonshire B.
Their breakfast is pretty darn scrumptious. If you hit it on a day where the special is biscuits and sausage gravy, don't pass it up! If you missed your chance, by all means, order the Belgian waffles with the whipped cream and strawberries. Make sure you order the syrup ON THE SIDE! If you don't, they utterly drench it. Taco Tuesday is also an amazing quirk to this restaurant. The smoked paprika catfish is out of this world when gathered up with all of the other taco ingredients. I believe they cook their refried beans with beef broth. So good! For dinner, it can be pretty pricey. I've gone only once during Baltimore's Restaurant Week, but I wasn't let down. They had a great menu and the quality was excellent. All in all, this place is worth it. If the syrup is the only negative comment I have about this place, then I'm ok with that (and so should you).
(4)
John M.
I ate here for my first time during Baltimore restaurant week. I plan to come back. I had the Pork Adobo - this is one of the best meals I have ever had. The pork was perfect and the right amount of vinegar and flavoring. The wait staff was terrific and made us feel at home! I am glad I don't live close - I would be here a few times a week.
(5)
D K.
Burger and beer is on on Wednesdays. Made with local beef burgers are excellent, very good texture and taste. You can't beat the half price beer. And Cristin is as always the perfect host and guide
(5)
Steve C.
Clementine is ok. It came very highly recommended from a couple whose opinions we trusted, but neither our brunch nor our dinner wowed us. That being said, we weren't disgusted either. The first time we went was for brunch. I had the Migas which is some sort of scramble with eggs and corn tortillas. The ingredients were fresh, I'll give them that, but it had no flavor! Like, none. I wanted to love my meal, but I was "meh" on the experience. We also had a side of their mac & cheese to share. Ample portions size and very very good. Then we went for dinner. This meal, again, had very very little flavor. I had fried chicken with grits and a shockingly small side garden salad. No flavor. I think they're going for the low sodium thing, which I suppose is great for our heart health, but tastebud wise it's disappointing. The food is very fresh, I will give them that, but they need to figure out a way to get more flavor in their food if they're opposed to using salt. This could be a great restaurant choice if you're on a low-sodium diet or have cardiac issues, but when I want comfort food, I'm not necessarily thinking about my health.
(3)
Omer B.
Been there twice now. The ambiance is ok. It felt a bit understaffed Sunday at 7pm. I walked in at 7:05. We go our cocktails at 7:35. Food was so-so. I had the charcuterie starter and the risotto. The charcuterie was good the risotto was not. My drink was the Peep (hendricks, icetea, syrup, lemon, mint). It tasted like a watered down ice tea. The waiter was ok. A bit slow because he was busy, wasn't really his fault. I am trying to like this place but I can't think of a single reason to comeback other than I saw the table next to me get their deserts, and they were huge (the deserts, not the customers).
I've been here before for dinner and was completely blown away, but I wanted to see if there was more to this place than just dinner so I decided to try it for breakfast. I was more than amazed when I completed my meal. I will say it started off as a disappointment as it was relatively busy and only 3 servers working the entire place, but once our drink order was in, it was nothing less than spectacular. I got the breakfast scramble and a side of their homemade sausage and washed it down with some local Zeke's coffee. The meal was perfectly cooked and full of flavor. The hot sauces were quite delicious as well. I liked the green hot sauce as it had plenty of kick. The red hot sauce tasted too acidic for my liking. This place has become one of my favorites and next up, I'll have to go there for lunch.
(5)
M F.
We had a very special dinner here, last minute and were treated so warmly and intelligently but what's more, the food and drink were delish. I had a beet and goat cheese thing for my main course, yummy, and got to try both the scallops (to die for) and the blue fish (a treat we westerners don't get.) Lots of us are from Portland, so we're used to getting to know our food on a first name basis. This was a perfect mix of classy and casual.
(5)
Dan A.
Located in the Hamilton neighborhood, Clementine may be easy to miss at first glance. However, it is worth finding as it serves some really good comfort foods. The mac and cheese is amazing and definitely needs to be ordered if it is your first visit. The menu features local ingredients. While some dinner dishes can be pricey and get into the upper $20 range, you can usually find a good amount of dishes under $20 as well. Most of the food is very solid; I've never had a horrible meal here. The surrounding area is a bit sketchy so be careful not to leave valuables and such visible in your car.
(4)
Jason L.
I love this place so much, I went back and tried the Grouper based on our servers avid recommendation - and I was blown away! This is definitely one of the best restaurants in Baltimore. My friend had the New York Strip which looked amazing - he loved it! I will definitely be returning here again and again and again.
(5)
Collin M.
Clementine prepares ingredients that are farm-to-table, fork-to-mouth, stomach-to-intestine, toilet-to-water filtration plant, filtration plant-to-body of water, body of water-to-rain cloud, rain cloud-to-farm and farm-to-table. It's how food should be, you know? The dining room is dimly lit and the walls are festooned with local artist's artwork and other fitting pieces. The dining furniture, as far as I could tell, is all-wood and the booths appeared to be old, surprisingly comfortable church pews. All in all, the atmosphere jives with the overall theme of the restaurant. The waitstaff was friendly and attentive, no complaints there. I ordered the Caesar-ish salad with chicken and a bowl of Asian braised beef soup. The soup was fine but tasted strongly of hoisin sauce. The salad, on the other hand, was great. All of vegetables were fresh, colorful and flavorful. The free-range chicken breast was large, perfectly cooked and was only an extra $3.50. Everything was topped with the right amount of delicious bacon-anchovy vinaigrette. Overall, Clementine offers delicious and inexpensive food, all while supporting local farms. Check it out.
(4)
Jen L.
Tried the catfish tacos on their Taco Tuesdays and thought it was good. Nothing special, but still pretty decent food. The Tres Leche was really good. Never had it before until here. The sangria was OK. I had the Rose one and wondered if I should have gotten the white one. The only thing that stinks is that they only serve Tacos on Tuesdays. Which is fine, but their full menu was very tempting and I couldn't order from it. Will have to come back and try it on a day other than Tuesdays. This is a great neighborhood dive restaurant. I think I would have liked it better if I had more variety for the menu other than tacos.
(3)
Silvia K.
This was an interesting experience. I probably will not go again because it is not something fit to my taste. Smells like cured meat. Has that old, rustic nature to the restaurant. Had the Mac N Cheese, which was alright, but I would not eat it again because I didn't like the sharp cheddar. We got the bacon-wrapped meatloaf and the ham dinner. It was alot of food. I didn't really like it, but I ate a decent chunk. The vegetables were good. Not a big fan of any part of the pig though, so the bacon wasn't a good idea. :P If you want a different experience, try it out, but you've been warned.
(2)
Megan M.
Restaurant is great, but please don't hire for catering! They told me they would cater a party and sent several informational emails. The party is tomorrow and I still haven't heard from them. Decided to go with another local restaurant that actually valued our business. Perhaps they are overcommitted, but I'd hate for other party-planners to be let down at the last minute like this. Go to the restuarant, but DON'T request catering.
(1)
Francisco I.
My wife and i have been to Clementine twice, and so far everything has been very good. I really enjoyed the chicken sandwich while my spouse loved the pulled pork sandwich. We ordered the macaroni and cheese for the kids and we both agreed it was the best we had ever had. One area they could improve is the speed of service. Both times we were there for lunch which could explain the slow service but it was not so bad that I would not recommend this place to everyone.
(4)
AsianZing L.
As another Yelper has already said, "I really wanted to like Clementine, but..." The quick summary: overpriced, overrated, inconsistent, and underwhelming. My friend and I went here last Friday night because she loves the place, and we wanted to have a nice, leisurely catch-up at a place we wouldn't have to scream to be heard. On that account, Clementine fit the bill. That's about it, though. We started off taking our time looking through the drink and wine list, and it became apparent quite quickly that our slower pace irritated our server. Also, despite what their website said, there is no "buy one, get the next half-off" cocktail happy hour on Friday nights. This was disappointing and really should be fixed on their website. My friend ordered a red wine that she loved; I ordered an amaretto sour that was atrocious. It was basically nothing but sour...one of the worst I've ever tasted. We then ordered the winter butternut squash dip appetizer, and that was delicious!! Definitely order that if you get the chance! Next, I ordered a glass of Riesling to go with my dinner. The Riesling they have, (it's the only one they offer), was excellent!! For our entrees, we asked the waitress what she recommended. She was not knowledgeable at all about the different meals and resorted to saying, "Umm, a lot of people like the scallops and the rabbit linguine...??" My friend and I had been looking at both of those entrees anyway, so she ordered the scallops and I got the rabbit linguine. My friend's scallops were delicious and wonderful; my rabbit linguine was absolutely boring and bland. I'm very surprised that it's one of the most popular items on the menu...it must be the novelty of eating rabbit, (which, honestly, was about as exciting as shelling lima beans...if you've done it, you know!!) Finally, for dessert, my friend wanted coffee with Baileys, but they were out of Baileys. Our waitress quickly up sold her to an $8 coffee drink, (doing her job pretty well there!) My friend said it was nothing special, and she wouldn't get the drink again. Because it seems I am a slow learner, I asked the waitress about their desserts. She, again, knew absolutely nothing about them...she had never tried ANY of them and resorted to saying, "I've sold a couple of cheesecakes and chocolate zucchini cakes tonight. Everyone has seemed to like them." Seriously, I've been a server many times over at a variety of restaurants, and as a server, a cardinal rule is that you MUST have tasted at least ONE item for every course so you can talk intelligibly about SOMETHING when a customer asks. Not impressed...do better. I decided to try the chocolate zucchini cake, and it was ho-hum at best and a bit dry. Nothing impressive, except the piece was very large...which really doesn't matter when it doesn't taste all that good. Overall, Clementine was disappointing. Definitely underwhelming and overrated. My experience was inconsistent; the highlights were the glasses of wine, appetizer and my friend's scallops. Everything else was mediocre at best. For all this, it was also way overpriced. I can think of many other places I'd rather drop $54 on a meal. Unless my friend begs me, I won't be going back. (Actually, even if she begs, I'm still going to try to convince her to go somewhere else).
(2)
Brian A.
I love Clementine but this 2 star review is in response to removing Tuesday Dinner Nights. I never tried 'Talian Tuesday but understand it was popular and loved but my real beef is with removing Taco Tuesday. How can you grace the world with the presence of your wonderful Tacos and than take them from us. The Chorizo tacos were possibly the BEST tacos I have ever tasted. Weeknights for me are usually reserved for the gym, cooking dinner at home and relaxing with my girlfriend and awful smelling canine but the sweet aromas, tantalizing flavors and welcoming vibe of Clementine's Taco Tuesday often pulled me out of my Lauraville home into the neighborhood bustle of Hamilton for a delish Taco. No More! NO MAS TACO MARTES!
(2)
Christopher S.
The sedition of average. The menu is very limiting and poor to choose from, beer selection is also poor at best, taste is probably the best part if there's something on the menu you like, but service is terrible. I've tried it twice to be patient but there's little hope, just stay away
(2)
Sarah B.
Everything about this place deserves 5 stars. The food, the service, the atmosphere. I had the apple smoked pork chop for dinner and it was crazy good. I knew it would be after how many wonderful things I'd heard about this place, though. I shouldn't be writing this review around lunch time... I'm getting quite hungry. After dinner, we moved over to the bar where we sat and chatted to the bartender. I asked him to surprise me and he mixed up a delicious concoction which I happily slugged down. I'd tell you what it was if I knew but either way, it was great and so was he. The bar atmosphere is lovely and the couches kind of call to you to just hang around a little while longer, which we did. I'm really looking forward to coming back here for breakfast because the menu looks amazing. Geez, I'm really hungry.
(5)
Zoe P.
My wife has celiac disease, which makes it a real pain to eat out. The staff at Clementine were extremely knowledgeable, helpful, and attentive. They went out of their way to make sure we had a great, worry-free meal. Great food, great drinks, great people. We will definitely be back!
(4)
Jen M.
I have never had a bad meal or cocktail here. I really like the brunch, and they always have an inventive and seasonal menu (including drinks!). Everything is locally sourced and made in house. Save room for dessert if you can, they cakes are worth it. Not to be missed if you're a foodie, and it's reasonably priced. There's even a kid's play area in one of the dining rooms.
(4)
Michelle B.
The ambiance is my kind of place, very chill and classy without being fussy. I would love to come here again with a bigger group of friends for a nice catch-up luncheon. The staff was attentive. It did take a while to get our food - but we were catching up, so we didn't mind. This place is very pleasant. The menu is small but ever changing. Although I didn't have any, their wine and spirits list has many options. I had a chicken salad sandwich for lunch with potato salad and fruit salad. The flavors were good, but a little flat. My friend had a breakfast sandwich with cheesy grits and was hoping for a little more cheese.
I had high hopes for breakfast - not just because it was my birthday brunch, but because their dinner food is wonderful. Alas, I found myself disappointed. I opted for the Seared Duck Hash. I mean really, how incredible does that sound? Duck, potatoes, poached egg - practically the makings of perfection. Only...not so much when not properly executed. The whole point of a poached egg (and hash, really) is a runny yolk, right? Sadly, neither of mine did. They were borderline soft boiled eggs really. When I brought this to the waiter's attention, he offered to have the chef make new ones, but said it would take a few minutes. So, he left me with my dish to sit and get cold as new eggs were poached. The other flaw of the dish was the varying shapes and sizes of everything - it made it terribly difficult to get each ingredient in one bite. The fingerling potatoes were cut into little discs, while the purple cabbage was shredded, the onions sliced and the duck in massive chunks. It just made for awkward eating. I found the cheese grits and blueberry corn muffin to be a let down as well. At first bite, the grits were decent. But I think the only cheese they added was what was sprinkled on the top. Once that layer was gone, the grits lacked flavor and seasoning. I actually took the salt shaker to it. As for the muffin, I adore all things blueberry...but I guess there's always an exception. Again, flavorless and the corn kernels were tough and chewy - it was an unpleasant surprise in the muffin. The real kicker is that the muffin was cold. As in, it was probably taken out of the refrigerator probably 10 mins prior. Perhaps I ordered the wrong things, but I think I'll stick to coming here for dinner just in case.
(3)
Jennifer H.
FINALLY someone in Baltimore has learned how to make biscuits and gravy. We were hesitant to order it but oh so glad we did so. We shared that dish and craved more. The Southwestern-type omelette I ordered was a bit disappointing, but my friend's Indian scramble was amazing. Everything was very fresh, and our server was outstanding.
(4)
Nick B.
Great place. Always packed. Great drink list (questionable bartender skills however, cost them a star). The charcuterie hit you in the face once you enter makes you order even if you don't want it. Well made menu cooked properly. If you can get a seat, take it.
(4)
Pecan S.
I eagerly went to Clementine and will never return. The restaurant was not crowded & no one else waiting to be seated, yet our presence was never acknowledge. We sat on the black couch, read the menu for "at least" five minutes without interruption. Several staff looked directly at us but no one approached. So we stood up, placed the menus back on the front entrance table and waited..... Nothing.... I walked out, but my girlfriend stayed inside to call the restaurant by phone & inform them of our presence, but no one answered. I walked back in to get her for us to leave and was approached by a nonchalant and aloof staff member who only stated. " table for two" ? Our response - " No thank you, we're leaving. We we were waiting here and no one spoke to us." Staff shrugged her shoulders & replied, "Okay". At that point we realized that maybe Clementine does not want business from Blacks. Unfortunately, no distractions were present to avoid consideration to pull the race card on this one. We we eager to try them out, but Clementine can keep its food and we"ll surely keep our money. A yelp review may not catch the owner's attention, but hey... When people go somewhere to spend their money it has to feel right. No good feelings for Clementine.... The Waffle House has better service!
(1)
Axl R.
We came here for restaurant week (2-2014). It was a near 2.5 hour experience! Some of the food was good, but not to overcome the super slow service. Our drinks were not refilled, it took 20 mins to even get offered a drink. Portions of the food were cold, some were hot. The waiter and the restaurant did not deserve a tip at all, but I gave one anyway out of guilt. He pretty much ignored us the whole night because I feel he knew how super slow and half-hearted the kitchen was running. Most of our meals were far too creamy, over salted, and heavy. I would not recommend this place at all.
(1)
A P.
Although I am devastated by the loss of taco Tuesday, I have never been unhappy with a meal at Clementine. The staff has always been welcoming and has made me comfortable, but I'm easy. I don't expect a baby sitter at a restaurant, just good service and solid food. Clementine is proof that Baltimore can get it right sometimes. Great brunches!!! Try the Mac and cheese... Once I had an amazing mushroom pie... The roast beef with tomato jam(when it's in season)... And geez everything has always been delicious... And well portioned and shareable. Sit at the bar or in the loungey area if you can't get or don't want a table!
(5)
Yenling C.
I like everything. It's a wonderful place and price wise is good. Just the chocolate cake is a bit dry. They even have a small area for kids to relax on couch and pl
(4)
Shana W.
I really find it amusing that my boyfriends review of this racist establishment was removed. No matter how eloquently he explained our horrible visit to this restaurant, it doesn't change the fact that people of color are obviously not welcomed here. 'Our' money is just as good as the next persons....but no worries, we will rewrite our issue here again soon. It needs to be clearly documented and understood that people of color are not welcome. Word of mouth is a beautiful thing, and my corporation (A Top 10 Company in AMERICA) has issued to ban this establishment as well due to our visit. Stay tuned to our full review, yet again it will be typed. Thank you.
(1)
Anna K.
There were a lot of things I liked about Clementine but the space of the restaurant was not one of them. It was oddly laid out and I always felt like I had to maneuver around other tables to get around. Now onto the good stuff: We went there with friends of ours and ate WAY too much. We started with a round of cocktails - Cherrypicker (A-, not sweet enough for my taste); Spicy Ninja (A+), Copperfox (A++, my favorite) and the cider (meh). Apps included the cheese plate which was unfortunately pedestrian, the escargot which was super delicious, the pork and duck creton (A-) and the mac n'cheese which was OK. Entrees were linguine (too much garlic), cabbage rolls (A-), pork chop (A), and acorn squash stir fry (A). I was far more impressed with the apps than the actual meal. The wines we had were Fantastic though and we drank enough to probably color our remembrance of the meal. I don't know if I'd go back for a meal but maybe for drinks? I have to say though that the service was very good and the hostess was really accommodating when we came early.
(3)
Natalie F.
On a quick trip to Baltimore, I needed to find a place that would impress my boyfriend that wasn't going to be too expensive. The reviews were spot on and Clementine surely didn't disappoint! For an app, we both shared the duck nachos. They had just enough meat, but not too much that it overpowered everything else. I could have eaten those homemade chips all night! For our entrees, I had the cider-brined pork chop and he had the bacon-wrapped meatloaf. The pork chop was very juicy and had a great salty-sweet flavor. Both meals came with the BEST mashed potatoes I have ever had...divine! There was so much food we could only eat half and took the other half to finish later. While the food overall didn't blow my mind, it was thoroughly good! I would definitely go back here if I'm in the Baltimore area for another weekend.
(4)
Kelly M.
I'd been trying to make it out to Clementine for about a year. Everyone raved about it's high-end comfort food and I was really looking forward to it. It was good. But not great. I'll start with the high points: the service was wonderful. Our waitress was knowledgeable, attentive and pleasant. Now on to the Not-Bad, Just Not Spectacular: We ordered the curry crab dip appetizer which was very good. I ordered a the steak, which was cooked to order with a nice sauce and sides. JPK ordered the pork chop. His meal was more on the average side of things. It just didn't "sing" you know? Good beer and wine selection. I dunno, maybe there was too much hype but it just wasn't blowing my mind. There are plenty of other restaurants in my neighborhood that offer the same or better that I can walk to. I can't see making the effort to drive out there again.
(3)
Matthew L.
I stopped at Clementine because the restaurant I wanted to go to was having a private party that night. Since I live closer to the harbor, this was a bit of drive. I'm glad I made it. The restaurant is really cute. A mix between eclectic and trendy. (Think golden west cafe meets Red Star). It actually seems like it should be in Hampden. I wish I had gone on a normal night, but ended up on Taco night, so it was a closed menu. The plate was colorful and tasty. While not authentic, the tacos were creative and fun. I would like to try the restaurant again when they have the full menu available.
(3)
Jason K.
On May 16th I made a reservation for large party to celebrate a family member's birthday over Memorial Day Weekend. Today, on May 23, a full week later, I got an automated response email from OpenTable that my reservation has been cancelled. I called as they were calling me (ie they cancelled the reservation BEFORE calling). The explanation given is that they have decided to close the day of my reservation and they hadn't updated OpenTable. While I have no idea what happened there, this is completely unprofessional. Do you think Woodberry Kitchen would pull this one on their guests? Maybe this is why I could get a reservation at Clementine and not Woodberry. The staff was apologetic and offered me free desert on my next visit but that's not going to happen since I won't be coming in. Now I'm off to try to find a decent place for dinner less than a week from now for a very large group. Thanks Clementine.
(1)
Stef T.
I dined here tonight and loved this place! It was so cute, the service was friendly and the meal was well paced. The food was really delicious. My only complaint is that it was a little bit of a drive for me through some less welcoming neighborhoods.
(5)
Rachel F.
Ohmagawd, Baltimore. Why didn't you tell me about Clementine? Maybe it's the fact that I'm a midtown snob, but I have never ventured up into Hamilton for food - which my friends tell me makes me the worst foodie in the whole city. I would agree, because Clementine was incredible. Mostly I was hungover when I went their for brunch, so I was hooked when they brought out really strong Zeke's coffee. It hit the spot. And they were great about refills. Much appreciated. I got the breakfast scramble which was scrambley and cheesy and baconey. And their hotsauces were home made and good. I think everyone I was with was pretty content with their food. And there was a charcuterie! That's not even a word! Just noises. But very cool. In conclusion: Awesome.
(5)
Judy C.
Hamilton is one of the far-north neighborhoods of Baltimore that can easily be ignored, so during my last days being a Baltimorean, I had to explore. And at Hamilton, I went to Clementine--supposedly comfort food with an ethnic twist? I don't know how much comfort there was in the food, but the food did come with a twist. I think the gazpacho had quinoa as it had a grainy texture to it. It was unusual but interesting nevertheless. I got the stuffed peppers (with brown rice and veggies), which were healthy and delicious. My friend had the mackerel with seaweed salad (there's the twist again!), and he thought the mackerel could use some sauce but was cooked nicely. Oh, there was a comfort part for me! They served diet cream soda! I loved cream soda as a child, and given my hypersensitivity to weight gain (ha! Partly joking...), I was elated to have diet cream soda with my meal! :-) Good to know that my adventure was rewarding with a nice meal!
(4)
Adina K.
Taco Tuesdays! $10 for four corn tortillas, the protein of your choice (usually 3 options plus a veggie one), and homemade rice and beans. Your first beer is only $1.50. Great margaritas. The regular menu can be hit or miss. The highs are really high (charcuterie platter, mac and cheese), but the lows are a disappointment given the price point (uninspired gouda mashed potatoes with pretty much every entree, dry coconut cake). Great place to grab a drink, as the bar has some pretty unique cocktails available. I've tried a smattering of the options and all have been excellent. Everything is made in house, down to the pickles, and most of what you get is local. Looking forward to trying brunch here one weekend...I've heard good rumblings about it...
(4)
john f.
Clementine is probably the kind of place that changes it's menu seasonally, so i don't know how relevant this review will be in the future, but i was so happy to find a place that still serves duck breast. It seems that somewhere along the line, duck breast became passe, and every hip place dropped it for confit, kind of along with this attitude that confit is the preferred part for the connoisseur. Well lah di da for the connoisseurs, i love me some duck breast, and I'm bummed that nowhere serves it anywhere. except that for clementine, hence the 5 star review. Everything was excellent, the place is great, etc. I just hope that this review gets read by someone who's in charge at clementine, and helps sway them to keep the duck breast dish on the menu for the long term. next time it's date night, i know where I'm going . . .
(5)
Beee K.
What is up, Clementine?! I have a mixed feeling about this place. We went to have brunch on one Saturday, and the food was awesome. If I am writing this review solely on that visit, this place gets 4 and half stars. We loved Chicken Sandwich so much that my sis-in-law and I were stealing food from my hubby. It was delicious. Pumpkin muffin they had was really delicious, too. My duck hush was...alright, not lived up to my expectation, but it did not matter, the chicken salad was awesome. Could not wait to come back, so we did. Me and sis-in-law made sure to get chicken salad sandwich this time and awaited for the food to arrive. We both are hugely disappointed. Chicken had too much tarragon and was, I think cured. It was not like that before. Too salty and could not eat. We ended up returning the food and asked for the replacement. Was it because of the person making the food? Or they changed their recipe?? We were really sad. Replacement we got, which was some kind of noodle thing tasted ok, not that great. I have a hope for this place and it was really so good before.... please please please let me have that great chicken salad again! I only had 2 bites anyway! I would love to taste the whole thing!!!! Now I am little scared to go back and taste their chicken salad. I might need to give more time to be back.
(3)
Lynn K.
Discovery is the name of the game. Relatives who live in the Hamilton area could not believe that such a fine restaurant was now in their area. I remember this neighborhood when there was an old run down movie theatre on this side of the street. But we convinced them by meeting them there for breakfast one Saturday. They left singing along with Davy, Peter and Mickey ...."I'm a Believer!" I love to eat breakfast out and am always looking for a great spot and we found it at Clementines. I had the apple crisp muffin and I was suppose to split it but you know how that goes. Just a piece then another......GONE! Followed it up by having a delicious broccoli cheese souffle. It was perfect. Great way to start the day. The homemade sausage got rave reviews as well as all the casserole dishes ordered. Wish they were open everyday for breakfast!. I have returned numerous times since to meet friends there for lunch and dinner. None of us have had a bad meal. The service is great and if the owner is there she will come to the table and talk to you. It has expanded since we first started going but the service and food has not changed. The menu is always different which is a good thing. The ingredients are fresh and the chef mixes items together that sound a little strange but work. Spend time reading that menu. Desserts are home made so save room. They have a little bar area where you can have a drink while you wait for your party to arrive. They have some early specials and the bartenders are friendly and helpful. Oh my darling,,,,oh my darling Clementine what took you so long to invade this neighborhood and give them something to be proud of.......Please don't be lost and gone forever. I will be dreadfully sorry ! HInt: If you go there for breakfast ask for the housemade hot sauces. Great on the grits!!
(4)
Holly N.
What a great night! Started off with fabulous drinks from the bar, a beet salad and the charcuterie plate which was to die for.... homemade pate, fresh pickles and house dried meats with toast. This was an unexpected favorite of the night. I ordered fresh fish and the man ordered duck breast. Both fresh and delicious-- with interesting flavor combinations and fabulous texture. Everything was cooked to perfection. Our waitress Emily was amazing-- she was attentive yet unobtrusive, knew the menu inside and out and made wonderful recommendations. Can't wait to go back and in the meantime I'll be dreaming of the pate...
(4)
Jonathan G.
I stopped here for a drink with a friend after having dinner at Hamilton Tavern. Clementine was just across the street, and it was late on a Friday. Surprisingly, the place was largely empty, except for a handful of patrons at the bar. Instead of trying to hustle us out the door, the wait staff was incredibly nice, chatted with us, and made some suggestions for dessert and drinks. I had no idea that we'd arrived with a half an hour to go before closing, but I felt like an appreciated customer. That was fantastic treatment, and they get five stars for it.
(5)
Lena A.
Quaint and adorable new age restaurant with all natural, home-style meals. I LOVE this place - and I don't care that I've only been here once! My cousin, Willy, introduce me to this place and he said the Mac & Cheese was to die for. Unfortunately, when we've arrived it was after two and the kitchen was closed, so the only options available to us were the sandwiches. :( Regardless, I ordered the Grilled Chicken w/ Thick Cut Smoked Bacon, Avocado, Tomatoes & Danish Blue Cheese Mayo and it was delicious and filling. The ingredients were very fresh and the flavors were enticing. The restarant is known better as a charcuterie for their pate, so I will definitely get that next time, as well as the Fantastical Mac N Cheese! The decor and ensemble of the place reminds me of something out if Hampden. There are unique art pieces and artifacts, and the restaurant helps promote local artists by selling their artwork and photography. As for atmosphere, it is very homey and low-key (I love it!). BTW, the prices are relatively reasonable and not extremely pricey. Also, the wait staff is very friendly and nice, so please be kind and tip nicely. Lastly, parking is almost non-existent. You cna try to park in front of the restaurant (parallel parking 'cuz you in da city!) or drive around the block and park somewhere on the side streets.
(5)
Kara T.
Finally made it back for drinks and Peep (she's the expert mixologist) delivered the goods - the basil lime elixir as it should be, murky green (but oh so good). My SO had one with tequila, I had one with rum (sort of herbal mojito-ish). Both were divine.
(4)
Christa H.
The decor of Clementine is amazing. It felt kind of like I'd walked into the bar that Gaston sings his song in in Beauty & the Beast, with the random deer head on the wall and all the cool art. We sat in a nice wooden booth that might've had a previous life as a church pew. The environment was calming and friendly, and everyone looked like they were enjoying themselves. The food was okay. I had the mac & cheese and, while it was good, it wasn't extraordinary (or even in the top 10 best mac & cheeses I've had in my life). My friends enjoyed their food (the tuna salad sandwich and the grilled cheese), but I don't think we thought anything was exemplary. For the three of us, our meal came to a little over $20, so it was definitely affordable. Our waitress was friendly and paid attention to us. I loved everything about Clementine but the food, but maybe I'll come back and try a different dish.
(3)
Bobby B.
I really want to love this place. The people are friendly and I like the decor, but after two visits there are a couple of things that bring it down. The first time I came here was shortly after it opened. We were seated right next to the kitchen, and they hadn't gotten their liquor license yet. The service was a little slow, but the food was good. On the latest visit for brunch, I was surprised and happy to see that they have expanded (appears to be more than twice in size), and they are now able to serve alcohol. However, we waited literally an hour for our food to come out after we ordered. I had the chicken and waffles, which was good but didn't make up for the time lost. I'll probably give Clementine one more shot before I vow to go elsewhere in the future.
(3)
Kelly B.
My first experience with Clementine was an absolute delightful one, of drinks and an appetizer. The decor is eclectic, the drink menu lengthy, and the small amount of food I had superb. The service was quick and very friendly - though I did go in with a regular who knew some of the staff on a first name basis. It was a Friday night and rather busy when we full got in - full up. We sat on some couches near the front in the 'bar' section, and decided to stick with just appetizers and drinks rather than a full meal. From the drink menu, I stuck with beers. The first a Rogue Juniper Pale Ale, the second a Green Flash West Coast IPA. The first spiced with a slight hop, the second rather strong and really hoppy. Both were 3.75 for a bottle - not that bad of a price. They have a number of other beers in bottles, and a very, very long list of cocktail concoctions that will be tried at further visits. For an appetizer, we got the Charcuterie Big platter, consisting of Duck Liver Pate w/ Fresh Ginger & Pear Liqueur ; Duroc Pork Sausage w/ Green Onion, Black Mustard Seed & Thyme ; Luceille's Bread & Butter Pickles & Red Dragon Mustard Seed & Ale Cheddar. This was my first experience with pate, and I was honestly a little put off at first. The flavor is REALLY strong and I didn't think I liked it. Tried a couple combinations of what was on our plate. It goes really well with either a slice of the sausage or a slice of the cheese, on top of a slice of bread. The pickles are a nice side dish, but mix it with the pate and it gets a little funky. The sausage was great, best I've ever had. It paired well with everything on the plate. The cheese was like eating spicy brown mustard, but in cheese form. Incredibly strong flavor - would not recommend munching it on its own, but paired with the bread of the pate, and the strong flavor melts into the others. Will definitely be returning for a full meal and to try the Seafood Charcuterie!
(4)
A B.
This is one of my favorite places. The food is always great, the atmosphere fun and cocktails are awesome. Its a bit expensive, but to me always worth it. Love you Clem!
(5)
Melissa C.
Clementine is my not so little Uptown gem. On every visit (and there have been many), I can count on hardy, thoughtfully prepared American classics. Go for inventive cocktails with homemade elixirs. Go for the super-duper delicious duck nachos. Go on an empty stomach and indulge in any of their screw-the-calories entrees. Oh, and go for the homemade (in-house) desserts. The atmosphere is chill and unpretentious... an eclectic mix of odd art and taxidermy. The crowd is a mix. Hamilton locals intertwined with North end residents with dough. Last but not least, the service has always been top-notch. Attentive, but not too attentive and just darn genuine. I always leave happy.
(5)
Lauren S.
Meh. Went last night. Shared a cheese plate with another person in the party. The cheese plate was good; the jam that came with it was right on. For dinner I had whatever chicken they had on the menu. The carrots that came with it were delightful. The mashed potatoes were merely ok, and the chicken itself wasn't outstanding. I just wasn't impressed with any of it. My mixed drink was alright. The best thing I has was my coke and the carrots. The waiter was really good. Very accommodating and friendly. Will I be back? No. Nothing here wowed me. It's a lot like Woodberry Kitchen, which I'm not a fan of anymore either.
(3)
Caroline E.
A serious hit or miss kind of place. The cocktails were well-crafted and creative. Charcuterie plate was tasty, although it sorely needed more bread/crackers. The Mac and cheese was the low point of our night- it smelled and tasted like spoiled milk. Our waiter said it was a combo of tomato and sharp cheddar that gave it "bite"- Dude, no. Something was very wrong, and I felt dismissed and patronized by the server when I asked why it tasted off. My stuffed trout was excellent, however, and the roast chicken was perfect- overpriced for what you get, but it was delicious. The service was sub-par. Our server seemed over-committed and I wish we'd had more refills on water. I was brought by a friend who had had great experiences in the past and wanted to show the place off, but we were both disappointed. Looking at other reviews, it seems like this place is really slipping. Not sure if I'll be back.
(2)
Trina T.
Really a Zero Rating!! The worst breakfast experience ever!!!! Sat there for almost an hour for eggs and bacon then the waitress comes out with one order when it's two of us dining. Therefore we would have to wait another hour to eat together while one meal will be cold. How unthoughtful! The owner made up for it with a future comp but breakfast was already ruined since it was part of the plans for the day. It off set our plans and we left "hungry." To make it worst... to be green and healthy we walked there therefore we walked home "hungry" after watching over 50 other patrons enjoy their breakfast. Waste of time. Did not feel welcomed at Clementines.
(1)
Laura B.
Finally made it to Clementine and it was worth the effort. Starting with cocktails... very good. They had more than one bourbon based specialty cocktail which goes a long way in my book. Staff was all really nice and attentive enough. We had the mushroom pie appetizer which was really delicious with an amazingly flaky pastry crust. The pork cheek and steak tres major were both were super tender and tasty. The coconut cake for dessert was super good. The prices are high for Hamilton but really not bad for comparable quality food in the city. We'll definitely be back.
(5)
Andy R.
The prix fix new years eve menu more than lived up to expectations. We've been meaning to eat here for a while now and the five course menu was delicious and the service friendly and efficient despite the usual "meat grinder" of new years eve dining. Unfortunately we didn't try The wine parings but the aperitifs recommended by the bar staff were original and very tasty. Not only was this a great dining experience, it was good value for money as well, we will definitely be returning.
(4)
Jonas C.
It was supposed to be one of those organic local places whose menu shifts with local availability. Overall the food was pretty good, portions were hearty and filling. The dessert was likewise hearty and rich and everything is pretty sharable. Things were well-made, not memorable, but well-made. Ambiance was fairly nice, homey and cozy kind of feeling. Good times.
(4)
Justin L.
Clementine has become my go-to spot in Baltimore for a comforting dinner experience. Both the veggies and the meats are locally sourced. The menu rotates weekly, with a few mainstays (such as the mac and cheese appetizer). They are good about updating their website with the newest version of the menu, so you can usually plan ahead. I would most accurately describe the place as "new American", featuring traditional style dishes with a contemporary twist. The aforementioned mac and cheese appetizer is usually a must whenever we visit. For five bucks you get a fairly large brick (and I do call it a brick, since the slice they give you is usually perfectly brick-shaped) which is plenty for two people to share. It is old-style, not overly cheesy but perfectly creamy with a delicious crust. Their drink menu is also extensive...we have never ordered a bad cocktail from here. The service is generally good, but frequently they have young/inexperienced wait staff that get in a little over their heads when the place is busy. The decor, while cute, is a little austere for a restaurant that's aiming for contemporary Americana look. I also would warn vegetarians that their vegetarian options are generally very limited. Usually there are only two, at most, vegetarian options on the menu. While every meat-based dish we've gotten here has been exceptional, the vegetarian entrees (while very good) are usually not of the same caliber. I would also consider the prices to be a little high (usually 20+ for a entree that contains meat) for a restaurant that advertises itself as affordable. This is really more of a 4.5-star review, but since Yelp doesn't allow half stars i'll round up because I like the place.
(5)
Karen R.
I had a surprisingly bad experience at Clementine on Mother's Day. Made a reservation for 6 pm for six people. That's pretty early in the dinner rush, you'd think they'd be on their game. Many of us had tomato soup for an app, which was great. Three of us ordered the half chicken for an entree, one ordered bouillabaisse, two ordered scallops, shrimp and grits. The chicken dishes were each two legs and two thighs - not a proper half chicken. They were roasted incorrectly - rubbery to the point where we couldn't cut them, skin not at all crisped. Everything was under seasoned. Bouillabaisse had very little fish in it for the price. Scallops and shrimp each had a couple scallops and a couple shrimp - again, not much for the price. They were also out of my mother's favorite coconut cake (and actually out of all cakes, which means they didn't bother with cake for that evening). To Clementine's credit, a server noticed I wasn't eating (I couldn't eat that chicken! Neither could my mother) and summoned the manager/owner. He apologized and took all the chicken dishes off the bill, which was still more than $200 somehow (only two cocktails ordered, a couple cups of soup, three entrees paid for and three desserts). Anyway, it was super disappointing that my mom's special dinner was dreadful. I don't think I'll be able to go back! Very sad, I'd had nothing but good experiences there, but they obviously phoned in this holiday dinner in every possible way. I'm glad they handled it properly by taking the chicken off the bill (which I honestly didn't expect). But there are too many great restaurants around to risk a dinner disaster again. Weirdly, a week ago I noticed another negative Yelp review here for Mother's Day, but it's gone now.
(2)
Heather S.
My favorite restaurant in Baltimore. The restaurant is enjoyable to eat at, with large wood tables and very earthy decor. They specialize in making their own meat products, and the chef's mother makes many of the desserts. Every meal is excellent - breakfast has great coffee, excellent egg scrambles at a good price. Lunch is always fun with great sandwiches, soups and salads. And my favorite is dinner and the charcuterie plate - I am a huge fan of their pate with house-made pickles. They make American style food, just a little fancier. The drinks are very good too. One note, if you go on a Tuesday, it is taco night. there are very few choices and it does not really represent how good their food is in my opinion.
(5)
Murray W.
Food was fresh and good. Chicken very salty. Service inattentive- no bread, until we asked, waiter disappeared for a while, water glasses filled when brought to waiter's attention. Decor is funky- ok for a place without the pretensions of fine dining, but when the meal is 100 dollars for two- shared appetizer and dessert no less, I expect more.
(3)
Alexander G.
Had the homemade italian sausage and the mac & cheese and it was delicious
(5)
Leslie F. M.
I've been to Clementine a bunch of times. It's my favorite place for lunch--the place I'd take out-of-town guests, clients, family, friends. Tonight, I had dinner with my husband--a last minute decision. We got a reservation an hour before dinner (on a Saturday night--unheard of!), and it was packed. But that didn't affect anything--not the service, not the deliciousness. I had the pork chop with applesauce and bleu cheese butter, with a kale of the gods! So delicious. My husband had red snapper and asparagus. We also had the salad with the perfect Green Goddess dressing. And we finished with white cake with milk chocolate frosting and peanut butter. To die for. This was an absolutely perfect meal. I can't wait to go back. P.S. The beer was killer, too--a double IPA. I had a few, so please forgive the crappy writing.
(5)
Malcolm G.
One of my absolute favorites. I don't think I've ever been disappointed. Last time I went was for Pwime Wib Wednesday and indeed the wib was pwime and lovely and marbled and thick and done just as ordered. The worst at Clemetine that I've ever had happen was that the service took a little longer than I might want when the place got busy. But it keeps me and my (omnivorous) friends happy. And that's a good thing. We have very high standards and Clementine has always met them. Good mixed drinks too.
Everytime I come here, the tables are mostly full, the servers keep busy, and the wait has been relatively short and sweet. These are all good things in my book!! The atmosphere is laid back, charming and the restaurant posseses an inventive approach to food as well as cocktails.
(4)
Shelly B.
We had breakfast here this morning and became instant fans. We showed up right at opening time so seating was not an issue. Service was wonderful. Our waitress was top-notch. My husband had the Egg scramble and I had sausage gravy over biscuits and we both loved our food. The coffee, a blend made just for them by Zeke's (called Oh my darlin) was so good. We love Zeke's coffee. The other special today, which I hope to have when we go back, was a corn waffle with jalapenos and they drizzle syrup over it. I love corn bread with jalapenos so that sounds awesome to me. The menu is a class act and the prices are very good. The decor is very cool too and added to the experience. Even the ladies room was attractive. I'm adding Clemantine to our "favorites" and we will be visiting them again.
(5)
Jillian B.
First experience Nov 2010 - Fantastic, Delicious, Great Flavor, Great Atmosphere. 2nd experience Nov 2011 - COLD FOOD - Steak was COLD, Mash Potatoes COLD, Vegetables nearly COLD and my boyfriends meal COLD COLD COLD. Delicious taste but who wants to eat a COLD PORK CHOP - ewww.
(2)
Kara W.
Good charcuterie and desserts.
(4)
Bill K.
Been here several times. Pork Tenderloin is always amazing. Creative drink menu. There are always so many great choices on the menu, I want to keep coming back. Desert is so worth it.
(4)
Lauren Y.
This is a great restaurant. For me, this is a breakfast and lunch place, and not a dinner place. The decor is casual. The food is excellent and should satisfy the pickiest of palates. I mean, who can argue with amazing mac and cheese for $5? The meats are excellent. The bread doesn't look like it came off an assembly line. The fruit salad actually had FRESH fruit in it (not frozen!) and was very tasty. The coffee is perfect. The cakes are good and are definitely home-made but not great. Stick with the rest because all of it is a winner. It is clean. The service is excellent. The waiter, Kristen, took the time to answer my grandmother's questions about the building (it used to be the Arundel). The store frontage blends in with the rest of the block, so I use the CVS across the street as landmark. I think all parking is on street and it's metered on Harford rd. Even though you are on Harford rd, you don't feel like you are sitting next to a major road when you are in the restaurant. It's fairly quiet. Love this place.
(5)
Wade P.
A place anyone can like. It has gone to the top of my list for places to take family and friends out to dinner. The prices are right, they have a little bit of everything and some serious talent in the kitchen.
(4)
Jean S.
so yummy. the menu changes, which is sometimes a little sad, since i find something and want it again. but there is almost always something that I want.
(5)
Ria S.
Great food, ambiance, down-to-earth, fresh-tasting, can I please live here? Got roasted duck and chicken pot pie. Everything was amazing. Go. now.
(4)
Stacey G.
Wonderful dinner. Enjoyable atmosphere. Generous portions. We had the seafood charcuterie platter and I fell head over fins in love with the smoked mackerel. I threw myself a curve ball and ordered the chicken because the corn, tomato, and crab salad sounded delicious. It did not disappoint. My husband had the soft shell crabs dinner and he was in heaven. Drink menu is diverse and unique and nicely priced. I would say they could probably cut back some on the butter and salt but in the food but, truth be told, I'm only mentioning that because there's a guilty person in my head wagging her finger at me for having something so delicious. Dessert -- berry layer cake -- was ok. It sounded like a solid, plain dessert and it was just that. I probably should've ordered something more decadent sounding. Great place for 2 or a group. Service was good and friendly.
(4)
Patrick H.
We ran back in to Clementine for breakfast. If I lived in the neighborhood, I would eat breakfast here every weekend! The egg casseroles are divine, the homemade muffins are everything you want in a muffin and the housemade sausage is sublime. Try the smoked salmon spread on a cheddar jalapeno bagel. Oh my.
(5)
Mel M.
dry boring sandwiches. at least it was cheap. macaroni was good (however im not into that dish regardless) service is VERY slow but cordial
(2)
Eric P.
Finally, another restaurant in Baltimore makes the list of great breakfast spots. The food is tasty & relatively cheap. The breakfast casseroles are $5 and are appropriately sized for breakfast.
(4)
Carrie L.
As a vegetarian, I knew of Clementine's reputation for being primarily a meat place. They have a "charcuterie." I had viewed their menu online, though, and saw that they were friendly to vegetarians as well. So my partner and I gave it a go one lazy Sunday evening. The place is adorable, and extremely clean. It seems that the menu changes frequently, but you'll always find an assortment of meats, including duck. They had two vegetarian options as well: veggie pad thai and Joe-Joe's Frittata, a vegetarian frittata. It wouldn't hurt to consider pairing an appetizer with a salad, too. We shared a macaroni and cheese appetizer, which tasted very old-style. Not overly salty or cheesy. I had a frittata which came with a greens salad that included fresh cherry tomatoes and basil. The basil was a nice touch. My partner had smoked paprika catfish with cheese grits and ham greens. I'm just saying, it looked fantastic. We did not have room to try the desserts, although they looked amazing. From the sound of the other reviews, they truly are. It was the best meal we've enjoyed in quite a few weeks. We'll be back.
(5)
P S.
The food was pretty amazing. Awesome food, make a reservation. The onlyh thing that would have made it better is if we hadn't continously see the waitress butt crack.
(4)
Charlotte B.
Best bet is to stick to charcuterie and pate appetizers. Those are the highlights of this restaurant. Smoked then grilled pork entree was dry and unpleasant. Not all of their entrees are real winners. choose carefully and pay attention to what waitstaff says. But if you are unhappy, they will try and fix it, their service goes above and beyond the expected.
(4)
Mark N.
This place tries hard and obviously has a lot going for it. It's definitely a plus when you pick up a menu and there are many, many dishes you are eager to try. The food here is inventive and unconventional and much of it is very good. We came on a busy Friday night. The main room in which we were seated was very loud. This is definitely not a place to bring a date. We basically had to shout at each other all night to be served. Virtually all of the food was excellent except my wife's dish. She ordered the whole roasted red snapper stuffed with vegetables. There was nothing wrong with it on the surface but when you tasted it, you realized that the snapper was a few days past its serving date. It had a slight off taste that made the dish disgusting. I can certainly appreciate how difficult it is for a restaurant that is not mainly a fish restaurant to keep something like whole red snapper on the menu. But still, I don't see any excuse for serving that. Better to say it's not available that evening. Otherwise all the food was wonderful. Service was slow. The waitress came to us and apologized explaining that the kitchen was backed up. The way she put it was, "It's such a zoo in there I'm afraid to go in." Not the greatest recommendation. More power to the people who love Clementine. It clearly has a lot going for it. But at these prices, I personally want a more polished restaurant experience.
(3)
Alyce D.
Only been once, and it was okay. I'd try it again, but really for the price of dinner, I'd rather be somewhere downtown.
(3)
Robert T.
This is yet another great kitschy find for Baltimore. We've been there twice, both times for breakfast. The meat products are all handmade in-house. The casseroles are good but a bit small. They are served with deliciously creamy cheese grits, and are pretty cheap; $5 generally. The bagels with spreads are also affordable only going for around a couple bucks. The breakfast scramble is really good; it's eggs, potatoes, house-made sausage, cheese. Everything but the kitchen sink. The Elvis Special Belgian waffle is outstanding. The waffle is cooked with bacon and pecans inside. It's topped with more pecans and a nutella whipped cream. Awesome. I got a side of the sausage on it's own, and surprisingly it was sort of dry. It was tasty, but I would stick to getting it as an ingredient mixed in with another dish. Overall great experience. Will be going back for taco Tuesdays!
(4)
Jessica C.
Love it! Taco Tuesday is a great deal and the food is delicious. Service was also great. Desserts are a bit heavy, wish there were a few more lighter options. I'll go back.
(4)
Chris B.
I really enjoyed my visit to Clementine with my fiancee. The service was fantastic, the menu was full of unique dishes I haven't tried before, and the food was delicious. Appetizers - steak tartar and cream of crab soup - both excellent. Dinner - pork loin and scallops. Only criticism was on the pork loin, it was over cooked for my taste but not too much, everything was delicious. The scallops were cooked perfectly and the accompanying pork belly was amazing. My fiancee got some cucumer vodka martini thing that she really enjoyed. I really liked the IPA on tap. You should go, it's good!
(5)
Jason S.
Over rated. Duck came cold. Waiter made a mistake on the check. Won't go back.
(2)
Jeff W.
I've been to Clementine twice and the first time I remember having had a decent experience but hardly noteworthy. The second time, however, has led me to not really want to return and think it's highly overrated. Both times were for brunch so maybe I should try a different meal. But with how disappointing just about every aspect of my most recent experience was, I really don't see me coming back. To start things off, as soon as we entered the entire place smelled like a wet towel. Maybe this is from the house curing of meats that they have, but still, I'd rather not have to whiff rotting flesh when I enter a restaurant. After being seated it took a while to have anyone come back to take our order. It wasn't really crowded at all so there was no reason to have to wait for 10 minutes. Once we placed our order it was another 30 minutes until we received the food. When the food finally came out, it was so sad looking. My house cured corned beef "hash" consisted of 3 tiny, fatty and disgusting chunks of beef which tasted more like something out of a Dinty More beef stew can than a fancy in-house meat curing operation. It was laying on top of a bed of raw cabbage. All that for $13 or so. And not surprisingly, the elf sized portion did not fill me in the slightest. My girlfriend's meal (I think it was one of the egg scrambles) was also laughable, coming out looking like a dry muffin of egg, like some sort of weirdo hot pocket brand breakfast item. It was coupled with disturbingly bland and cold potatoes. Usually I'm not one to send things back, and I usually mock my parents for needing food so hot that it scalds the skin off the roof of your mouth, but these were just gross. Once we could flag the waitress down, we asked if they could be reheated and she scoffed at the notion that they had the equipment (i.e. a microwave) that could reheat food so she would have a cook saute up a new batch of potatoes for us. Well within a minute this freshly sauteed batch emerged, maybe 2 degrees warmer. Since they were essentially just a few red potatoes cut in half, cooked ever so slightly and then put on a plate, neither of us had any interest in eating them. Not even me and my completely empty stomach after eating my elf food corned beef. At this point we were both crabby after having taken an hour and a half to have prepared and consumed 3 oz of food each so we just wanted the check and to leave. But I remembered loving the coconut cake my first time here so I figured I could get at least one redeeming thing out of Clementine. I asked if we could get a piece of coconut cake to go and she said "ooh, we're actually all sold out". Really? You're sold out of cake at 10:40am on a Sunday? That just about sealed the deal and we got up and left, extremely disappointed in every way. 2 stars for the fact that I once had a piece of coconut cake here that put me in a 5 minute state of blind euphoria, but who knows if I will ever get another piece.
(2)
Steve K.
OK, but not too special, place for breakfast. Cheese grits were good, home fries so-so, scrambled eggs/bacon mess was decent. Orange juice was served in the original plastic Tropicana bottle - this place wasn't big on charm. Service was a little bit lax but maybe overworked. Miss Shirley's appeared to be better at everything. Might give it a try sometime for dinner.
(3)
Christopher F.
Went to Clementines for lunch the other day with a friend and had one of the best lunches in my life. The Asian cicken soup was soooo delicious. I can still taste the ginger. The roast beef sandwich was good. They do need to offer more desserts though.
(4)
Rebecca L.
I liked Clementine, but I felt a little let down. Their drink menu is impressive- the home made basil lime elixir rocked! Different sodas (root beer, cherry, ginger), and an extensive wine & beer selection. Our waitress could have known the menu better. Ex: they were out of my selected wine- she didn't suggest an alternative (and it's a big wine menu to make your way through). She had to check with the kitchen if the mushrooms could have been removed from the meatball dish, and when I asked about the seafood charcuterie, I was told that the menu had a description of the items (!!!) So I ordered without knowing what a mousseline was (had an idea, but confirmation from my server would have been nice.) It was good (I love pickeled, salty things), but once was enough- I wouldn't order it again. The Mac N' Cheese WAS Fantastical- large portion for a app- BF said next time he'd order two and have as his meal. He had 1/2 Chicken w/ cherry, port BBQ sauce- chicken a little dry, but smoked gouda mashed potatoes were delicious. I had the roasted acorn squash- and after checking the online menu after our meal, I realized that the sauteed spinach didn't make it to my plate. Might have helped- it was a little blah-also a little dry. It's a creative menu, and I like that so much is local. Three deserts, all made by the owner's Mom (nice!) were offered, and my brownie tasted like a Mom brownie. :) Despite the menu hiccups, our waitress otherwise did a great job, checking back with us frequently. 3.5 stars- I liked it, but for a $100 meal (w/ tip), we should have left raving. I'll give it a second try, but for lunch instead.
(3)
David Z.
Great place for going to grab some trout for breakfast while your toddler plays with some toys a few feet away early on a Sunday morning... the service is a bit sub-optimal and food is rather gourmet but menu options are not so diverse.
(4)
Tim H.
Great! The value is outstanding. Go with friends for dinner relax and enjoy. It has a vibrant bistro feel to it. Read the entire cocktail menu before deciding. Many interesting choices. Try the charcuterie or the mussles as appetizers. All of the entrees impressed. Everything we had was outstanding! The best surprise was the bill. High quality food for at a very affordable price. Cost per Quality Bite (cqb) was off the chart.
(5)
Nancy L.
We went on a Thursday which is half price wine night. GREAT DEALS. We got a bottle of red for $9. I would highly recommend this night for groups. The decor is cozy. We were seated in the larger room off to the left. It was empty when we first arrived, which was weird. I like a full room, but more tables started to fill up after 15 minutes or so. We started with salads (I know boring) but very good. The roasted tomato basil dressing was yummy, but I didn't get enough of it. My hubby got the Black Angus grilled strip which was great. The mashed potatoes were so creamy and the strip was great. I ordered the bacon wrapped scallops. They were good, but not the best scallops I've ever had. I didn't get that melt in your mouth texture that I have enjoyed at other restaurants when ordering scallops. Dessert was coconut cake which I absolutely loved. Service was good, but not as personable as I usually like. Others were friendly upon entering and leaving, just our waitress, while polite, wasn't really warm. I would definitely go back.
(3)
Al E.
I wish it was great b/c I live right there, but sigh, we've had trouble. I guess lunch has gone over the best - shrimp salad sandwich and grilled chicken sandwich were fine. Breakfast was mixed: cold, sad muffin but good cream cheese with OK bagel. The veggie and cheese casserole was puny. The breakfast bill was ridiculously cheap but I went home and ate something b/c I was still hungry. Dinner: gf had a TERRIBLE whole fish entree. The poor guy was still wearing his scales and looked bad. Just remembering it makes me shake my head. I had a veggie stir fry that was very good. Another time tried a noodle with broth, Asian style type veggie thing - horrible. Bland and salty at the same time like the broth was drunk with soy sauce. Gf had a special pork dish - also bland. So I think we're done with trying dinner. Besides the inconsistent food, the pretense bothers me. That said, service was fine. And it's still just around the corner so maybe we'll go back if our oven blows up. Tried Clementine again b/c the 4 staff who were standing right by us at HT could not be bothered to even say Hello after we stood in front of the bar for awhile (which is where you're supposed to check in). Really tired of that crap. The good news: never trouble getting a table at Clementine. And the lemon rosemary fizz was delish. We've had some trouble with the entrees so went for small plates. House salad with green goddess dressing was fine; dressing needed salt. Gazpacho: I guess I prefer a chunky gazpacho. This was pureed. The flavors were pretty good with a little kick. Smoked trout. Really weird presentation. They fanned braised purple kale around the edges of a plate like flower leaves and then put the fish in the middle. Goat cheese and cider vinaigrette. The kale was fine but should have been de-stemmed. The fish was really tasty, not fishy. The goat cheese was unnecessary. Not at all sure why they put trout with kale and goat cheese. Mac and cheese. Supposed to be great here. It was fine. I make a mean mac and cheese and it's really simple, so I don't know why people have trouble. It was clearly re-warmed and slopped onto a plate and was not hot - just warm. Clementine's menu is annoyingly verbose and if you're trying to be fancy, please season the food and de-stem the greens. Just sayin. We made the right move b/c had we stayed at HT, we would have still been waiting for a table by the time we were walking home but C tends to disappoint. Oh Hamilton
(2)
Paul O.
Wonderful atmosphere, great service and a bit of an eclectic menu, but for those who like to try new things it is a wonder. I will be heading back on my next trip to Baltimore, perhaps for lunch this time.
(4)
Jim F.
Amazing homemade type food with local ingredients. Try the catfish and grits with a basil lime elixir.
(5)
David M.
This place used to be one of my favorite restaurants but it has gone drastically downhill. The service is just terrible. Either they are weeded or not trained properly. The menu has become uninspiring and on busy evenings you should bring a pillow because you will wait a long time for your food.
(2)
Nod S.
This restaurant is one of my favorites. It is a little out of my way to go there, but I know that if I do go it will be easy to get a table, and the menu is guaranteed to offer something that sounds appealing that will be expertly prepared, and the staff will be friendly and attentive. I have only ever come for dinner. Never tried the breakfast and lunch offerings. The menu at Clementine rotates frequently, so even though I have been there a ton of times and always try new things, there is sure to be a tempting seasonal special to try. Plus, there are some winning dishes that are offered regularly. The charcuterie is simply unbeatable. The sausage and pate is made in house and has a wonderful texture and flavor. The mac and cheese is delicious, and a lot of food for the $4 price. I have gotten a few really great soups during the winter, but haven't been back since the weather turned warm to try the cold soup options. If you go during a cold season, the pot pie is really an impressive dish. For only maybe $11 you will get a huge, steaming, fluffy, crusty, perfectly prepared pie. When I first went, they had a rabbit pot pie, and months later I tried the chicken pot pie, and neither will disappoint. If you see any entrees offered with their mess o' greens, do it! They really are skilled in preparing the most delicious dark leafy greens. When I first started going to this restaurant, the cocktails made a big impression on me. They were creative and well executed. The menu is still creative, but I do not feel the execution is as strong as it once was when it comes to the cocktails. Nevertheless, I recommend trying a few. The basil elixir has a fresh sweetness that pairs well with a few different liquors, so you can get it how you like it best. The Stonewall is Clementine's take on the Stone Fence and is a safe bet as well with its pear cider, bourbon & fresh ginger. Taco Night is every Tuesday, and while it is a good bargain, I would rather go on a regular night to get the standard fare I love so much. If I lived in the neighborhood, I would probably take advantage of Taco Tuesday more often, and recommend it if you are near by. One warning-- steer clear of dishes that tout the use of cardamom. The only dish I have ever ordered at this restaurant that I truly hated was a pork dish seasoned with cardamom. The flavor and aroma was overwhelming, and it was impossible to steer clear of the little cardamom pods because they would hide in the sauce and under the vegetables. Trust me when I say you do not want to bite into any of those. Over all, a great place to eat a nice dinner and have a fantastic cocktail without dealing with crowds or snobbery. I like!
(4)
Bella F.
I had great expectations basing on reviews, but I was disappointed. The smell that assaulted my nostrils as soon as I walked in was not of food, but of mold and a bathroom, and it cringed my appetite. Charcuterie wasn't bad, but my duck was seriously overcooked. Blueberry cake was hard crusted and tasted stale. I won't be going there again, for the price I paid for food I should at the very least sit in a cleaner restaurant without flies.
(3)
Jeremy R.
A contender for Baltimore's best restaurant at prices that are hard to believe (cheap). Preparations are spot-on never excessive or jarring. They have a great wine list that consists of whatever you brought with you (BYOB) with a very reasonable corkage. If they have the Burgoo, don't pass it up. Staff is great but waits can be long. You are advised to make a reservation well in advance. Clementine Rules!
(5)
Hilary H.
We were excited to finally try Clementine but were unfortunately disappointed after a great start to the meal (charcuterie platter). We waited over 40 mins for the charcuterie and were understanding despite the fact that the restaurant was not overcrowded. We assumed it was a fluke but then had the exact same experience waiting on our entrees. I had scallops with risotto, he had rabbit pot pie. Both were bland (especially the risotto and pot pie filling.) Again, we didn't put up a fuss when we waited so long, just accepted their apology (one complimentary drink on the house). The worst part was, who appeared to be the chef was out socializing with what looked to be family before dinner service was even over. If things had been running smoothly, maybe this wouldn't have seemed odd, but considering the wait time on our food, it seemed especially unprofessional.
(2)
Lindsay S.
My kind of FOOD!! Fresh,homemade,local,Comfort food at its best!!! TRY there cocktails,they are amazing!
(4)
J H.
Went the other day and had the tuna pate appetizer. So good. Did not disappoint in the least. That said, Clementine really needs their liquor license.
(5)
Steve Y.
One of my favorites. I don't think I've ever been disappointed: except they always run out of the chocolate cake and the service is kinda slow. But the food was worth the wait.
(3)
Shayna S.
I've only been to Clementine once, but I really loved it! My mom and I went for Sunday Brunch recently, and the food was so fresh and delicious and unique. The staff was really friendly and gave great recommendations. The atmosphere is really awesome, it feels like home. I also love the bar, it looks great, it's well-stocked with a variety of alcohol and the drinks are all interesting and delicious. Can't wait to go back!
(4)
Caitlin S.
Loved Clementine. My sister and I weren't sure where to go, but wanted to check out a new place. After reading the positive review in City Paper, we decided that Clementine would be a nice change of pace. We also thought it wouldn't be too crowded. Boy, were we wrong! The place was a zoo, which makes sense in hindsight because it was a Friday. Luckily, the hostess was kind enough to seat us on the cushy upholstered furniture up front, where folks would typically wait for a table. The staff was very supportive of getting my sister, a vegan, a decent meal, even though the items they prepared weren't all on the menu. I had a delicious bluefish over mashed potatoes and corn slaw. The portion was perfect, the food was tasty, and it resulted in that wonderful, 'that was a healthy meal,' perfectly satiated feeling. The decor isn't very impressive, but it's comfortable. And the prices were so reasonable. I plan to head back, when I am feeling motivated to drive to the other side of town. This is definitely a good spot to take your parents, I am sure mine would take to this place like fish to water. BYOB!
(4)
Ron J.
Finally, we thought, a decent restaurant in Hamilton! Clementine is the spiritual offspring from Sobo, a great "feelgood" restaurant in Federal Hill. What Clementine promised was the same great food quality, eager and helpful service and all withing a walk or driving distance in Hamilton. Unfortunately, in almost every area, Clementine dissapoints. FIrst of all, the place was packed - OK, fair enough, it's new and people are curious and want to experience the new digs. Nonetheless, the full, loud room and lack of decent waiting space was a put-off. The waitress was rushed and flustered. The service consisted of jabs of questions revolving around "what would we have", to be expected for sure, but any question we had was met with a barely-beneath-the-surface impatience. I realize you're busy, but damn, take care of the customers, OK? I also had to ask twice to get a clean knife (dirty at the start with some unidentifiable morsel of someone else's food). The waitress was made aware that we are Pescetarian, nonetheless, she was apparently too distracted to make the connection between non-meat eating (essentially) and the fact that the mac and cheese contains prosciutto. Big service ding - and why is ham in mac and cheese? Not normal in any place I've frequented. And on top of that, the "vegetarian" entree for the evening, a curry dish with vegetables, contained grits with - yep - bacon. C'mon people, don't put meat in a side for the vegetarian dish. Really. The entrees are pricy, especially considering the VERY LOUD atmosphere (never heard of acoustic treatment, owners?), the diner-like decor, and cattle-herd like seating density. Most entrees upwards of $20. Rumor has it, there's a $5 cork charge (unsubstantiated), which is not particularly accommodating. Finally, I'll end on the only good note: the catfish and curry entrees were delicious!
(2)
Jeff D.
We had a great dinner there last night - it's a really hip/cool place and we will definitely be back and recommend to others. We shared the charcuterie plate as an appetizer and my dinner partner had the crab cakes (she rated them a B+). Based on Yelper reviews, I had the pork chop - also good but I'll look forward to trying other entrees in the future. There were no crying children as other reviewers referenced but our only complaints were with the service. The place was a little more than half full, yet our waters were rarely filled, I had to cut the pork chop with a standard butter knife (not easy) and the waiter pretty much gave us "drive-by" touch-and-go service. Finally, I left my reservation info on their answering machine as requested, but after not getting the confirmation call that the recorded lady promised, I called the day-of and learned that in fact the reservation had not been received or transcribed. This could have been a problem on a busy night, so consider this your warning about their shaky phone reservation system.
(4)
sarah b.
scallops are cooked perfectly! mac and cheese isn't very cheesey and the desserts are dry as cardboard. beware, young parents bring their babies with them, even sit them on the bar stools when you desperatly want to sit and drink a beer in a packed restaurant.
(4)
Danielle M.
I've been here twice, and after my first visit, I knew I wanted to come back. The first time my husband and I visited, it was Taco Tuesday so it was a limited menu. But, it was a GREAT limited menu. We sat in the expanded space, which was very cold. I had to wear my winter coat inside, and even thought about wearing gloves while I ate my tacos. So, remembering the good food from that 1st visit, my husband made reservations for a Sunday Valentines Brunch for us. We were sadly a few min late for our reservation, but they still took us to a table right away. And then we sat, and sat, and sat. We sat there for 15 min, which put us right at the end of the brunch time. By the time our server came to greet us, she announced that brunch was over! I was really excited for the brunch because there wasn't much on the lunch menu I was excited about. So, then I had to rethink my order all over again! My husband felt so bad because he thought that he was taking me to one of my favorite places for some of my favorite food and then that didn't happen! So, I ordered basically a veg sandwich with the carrot side dish. Husband got the grilled chicken sandwich with the pasta salad side. I was VERY disappointed with my sandwich because everything was very wet and soggy. The flavor was great, but I think a bowl of soup isn't even as wet as the sandwich was! Now, the carrot side dish was the star of the show! I could swim in a tub of that side and ask for more. Husband was happy with his meal, but there wasn't anything really special about what he ate. We both were hoping for some more substantial lunch items, but none were to be found. So, we paid and went home disappointed. Fast forward a few hours and looking on their website, I found out that there were lunch specials that I would of enjoyed much much more! I was so sad that I didn't know about them from the server!! Please Clementine, train your staff. Your food is, for the most part, great! Hire an extra server for your busy times, because its not fair to the ones on the floor to be running around swamped and disorganized. It only hurts the diner's experience! I would of given 2.5 stars, but I'll give 3 because the space is cool and interesting, as well.
(3)
Aisha K.
There were so many options on the menu that sounded amazing so I had a little difficulty deciding. Our waitress was friendly and took the time to help with suggestions. I finally settled on the BBQ sandwich of the day and I definitely made the right decision! It and the slaw it came with were delicious. My friend and I happened to get there a bit before they closed between lunch and dinner so we ended up staying into the break period, but we never felt rushed, they never asked us to hurry up and never sent covert glares our way. They just went about their business and we got to enjoy a relaxed meal. Would definitely go back and try something else on the menu.
(5)
Robbie R.
We came in for a nice dinner and that's exactly what we had. It was taco Tuesday as well as $5 margaritas. We decided to forego the tacos but chose the margs. The drinks were fantastic. My girlfriend got the strawberry salad with goat cheese dressing, and I ordered the duck nachos. The nachos came up without garnishes, and the manager promptly came over, removed the plate and got a new one. My soft shell entree was absolutely FANTASTIC. The price point could not be beaten. The server was kind enough to bring out a complimentary bread pudding to celebrate our anniversary. All in all, a fantastic evening.
(4)
Chris W.
The review is from my blog at chriswalbert.com . After eating at Clemetine, the new restaurant in Hamilton last Friday, I really wanted to get the word out about this great spot and encourage all of you to check it out. Contrary to a certain review in the Baltimore Sun, Clementine, which is located in the 5400 block of Harford Road, is in downtown Hamilton and not Lauraville. The restaurant is housed in an unassuming storefront in the vicinity of a Blockbuster, a pawn shop, and a Dunkin Donuts. But please do not allow this to lower your expectations of Clementine. Clementine is the epitome of a great neighborhood restaurant. As soon as we walked in the door my family was greeted by a cheerful, if extremely busy, woman who offered us a seat on one of their couches. Luckily we had a reservation, so we only waited a few minutes; just long enough for my father and I to walk down the street and pick up a six-pack of Blue Moon to accompany our dinner. That's because, for the time being at least, Clementine is BYOB. Upon being seated, you realize that Clementine is not a place where you should expect much privacy or a quiet conversation. The dining room holds 20-30 tables in a large open room. The table next to you is no more than 5 feet away. What it lacks in privacy, though, Clementine's dining room more than makes up for with energy and life. For my appetizer, I had a hearty bowl of Maryland Crab Soup. While the soup was very tasty, my only real complaint was that it came out less than 5 minutes before my entree. This forced me to make the tough decision as to which dish I would let get cold. Sorry Maryland Crab Soup, you lost this battle to a strip steak served with Gouda mashed potatoes and sauteed vegetables. My entire family, most of who are not extremely adventurous eaters, really enjoyed their meals. My sister and father also got the strip steak, while my mother got 2 stuffed peppers that looked and tasted fantastic. We passed on dessert, but everything that I saw being served looked really good. It's hard to say exactly what it is about Clementine that I liked so much. Hopefully it's not too cliched to say that Clementine just has a great vibe. There's something about the atmosphere and the food that makes you want to relax and have a great time. It also is much less pretentious and more inclusive than so many other restaurants. The crowd spanned from families with young kids, to young adults, to older couples enjoying an evening out. For those of us who grew up or live along the Harford Road corridor, it's great to see new shops and restaurants coming to Hamilton. There's also talk that one of the owners of Brewer's Art is opening the Hamilton Tavern in the coming months. There's no reason that within a few years this section of Harford Road should be any less popular than The Avenue in Hampden.
(5)
Bryce M.
Clementine. ... you have staff butchers...housemade charcuterie. ..one could say you are meat experts. Sadly not the case. Please learn your meat temps. Duck was dry very dry medium almost well. T he parsnips were woody and I got three Brussel sprouts. For 23$ tge jus was good could have been better and a little too salty. The duck skin was blackened bit im not sure that was on purpose. It took an hour and 45 min to get our entrees. The stonewall drink could have used more ginger. Desert was nothing exceptional big poorly frosted hunks of cake. Overall fine but expensive and meh
(2)
Hetty W.
4.5! What a great place for breakfast! It's a shame that they only serve breakfast Fri-Sun. I've been here a few times now for breakfast, and their egg casseroles never disappoint! Great home fries, and their house made hot sauces are excellent. And $1.50 coffee with free refills is tough to beat! Their salmon cream cheese is great, and I love that their bagels come with a little serving of fresh fruit. The atmosphere is very nice and cozy, especially in the morning when there's a bit of a crowd going. I've never had to wait for a spot though. A couple of downers: their breakfast menu is limited on Fridays and also limited after 11AM on Sat/Sun. Their baked french toast casserole is a little "different", can't say I quite enjoyed the texture. Maybe mine was overcooked, but it tasted a little burnt and was chewier than expected. All in all, definitely one of my favorite spots for breakfast. I've already been here three times, and loved it every time!
(4)
Dana C.
Always a fabulous dining experience. Have been to Clementine several times and always enjoy the drinks and food. Recommend sitting on bar side for a more warm and peaceful experience. Last time had rockfish. Cooked lovely, but gouda mash were a little heavy of a pairing with the fish. The charcuterie is delish and is a meal itself with some wine. The best nights to go are on Wednesdays and Thursdays to walk in. I would suggest a reservation for a Friday or Saturday night. Sitting at the bar is great too! The bartender there is awesome!
(5)
Elizabeth B.
Had a wonderful breakfast experience this weekend. Great service (friendly and very attentive), food, frequent coffee refills, and lovely ambiance.
(5)
emily m.
Hi, Do you remember me? I came in on Saturday with my boyfriend for a nice 'light fare' around 4pm. NOT one single customer was there. Not One. There was the 'congenial' bartender who was put off when asked if they were open, and a table of 3 going over the evenings menu. After getting a 'uh, if you want to' response to asking if we could sit at the bar, we were directed to chose any table. The bartender was then nice enough to drop off the beer and wine menus. 10 minutes later we were still waiting. 5 more minutes we got up and left. I have never left a restaurant in my entire life. The only good thing to come of this experinence, which I will NEVER repeat, is the Los Amigos down the block - we ventured in there, again, no one was there, but they served us Excellent food, along with Excellent Service. We will go back to Los Amigos.
(1)
Trevin P.
The decor is nice and ambiance lively, but we found the food lacking. Chicken Florentine soup was good, but over salted. My spare ribs with veggies and grits was "ok" but unremarkable for $20. D's duck was inedible, being undercooked it was tough and could be barely cut with a steak knife. The service was rushed and inattentive. Disappointed and $60 poorer.
(2)
Janet D.
We arrived with a party of 11 on a Sunday evening to celebrate birthdays. The food was fantastic (pork cheeks & oysters!). More importantly, the service was off-the hook great. Our server was knowledgeable, pleasant, accommodating and we did not lack for a single thing the entire hour plus we were there. Keeping up with a table of 11 is no easy feat, and our server (Rob??) was hands down the best I have had in a long, long time.
(5)
Jeff R.
I'll continue the 4-star ratings for Clementine. I waffled between 3 and 4 stars, but I actually like the fact that they don't serve alcohol there, and the restaurant is pretty cozy. I checked out Clementine with some friends on a recent visit to Charm City. The food was pretty good, with a couple of vegetarian choices on a (supposedly) oft-changing menu. I opted for some a baked pasta concoction that hit the spot, along with a fancy root beer. My table also saw a pork chop, some mac-n-cheese, and a bottle of fizzy water. There were no complaints and everyones plates were clean, so Clementine passed that test. The mac-n-cheese was pretty amazing, actually. I'd recommend giving that a test run on your next/first visit. The service was a little uneven, but friendly for the most part. The owner (I think) greeted us as we came in, and showed us to our table. I got some strange looks for pulling out my laptop (free wi-fi, too) at the dinner table, but there were extenuating circumstances. Baltimore needs more restaurants like this (ones that don't double as bars). If I lived in the area, I'd be a Clementine regular.
(4)
Darlene J.
Great atmosphere & good food. Belgian waffles are wonderful!
(4)
Kevin S.
Hampden feel in a Hamilton setting. My server was as excited about the place and the menu as I was, and had intimate knowledge of all the dishes/apps. To me, this is an important part of any restaurant experience, and I appreciated this. The menu had something for everyone (we went for dinner) and I chose the braised pork shank w/ gouda mashed potatoes and bacon/kraut kale, with a cider reduction sauce. Bam, it was spot on in flavor, in fact it was probably the most flavorful dish I've had in a month. The seafood charcuterie was good but pricy for the portion size. The Duck Nachos were decent but nothing to write home about. The beer selection was fantastic, with microbrews from everywhere in bottles and even Chimay on tap. Menu also featured aged scotch of various vintages and a nice selection of wine. Some of the tables in the lower level (its a split-level two-room arrangement) were not well placed/ not cozy, and we were seated in one of them with a booming light in my eyes and directly next to the bathrooms/kitchen hallway... We asked to be moved and were promptly and courteously accommodated to the upper room which IMO was far more cozy. There was an odor of mustiness in the lower room also, which did not exist in the upper room. All in all our dinner was fantastic, menu was well done with plenty of choices for dinner, and atmosphere was energetic yet cozy.
(4)
Em D.
Fantastic! Best meal that I have had in Baltimore and one of the top on the East Coast. Had the bluefish which was heavenly from the grits to the fish to the veggies - utter perfection. Partner had the pork cheeks which he would have been more than happy with had he not had some of my fish and then got plate envy. We had cocktails which were superb and the pickle tray to start --I know, who orders the pickle tray? well we do and it was divine. Also got the apple cake - again-superb. Service was excellent and the atmosphere was casual with a nice low volume for such a big space. We will be returning very soon--
(5)
Tin A.
This restaurant is tucked in those neighborhoods that are probably rarely trodden upon if you mostly stick to downtown, fells point, Charles Village, or Mt. Vernon. It has great indoor space where you could choose from a more pub friendly ambiance to the romantic dinner section of the restaurant. The food-amazing. My boyfriend and I celebrated a late Valentine's day and it was perfect. We ordered the pork loin apple and walnut salad. He got the two way duck and I ordered another pork loin with blueberry sauce and Gouda mashed potatoes. Finger...licking....yum. The wait staff-not pretentious at all. We had a great waiter who recommended a good beer and a sweet and tart white wine. The price isn't too bad either. There are couches near the front of the entrance if you want to just sit back and have a glass of wine with some friends. Although in the cold months I wouldn't recommend it as it's right near the door and foot traffic may give you more chills than a good time. Over all, a great dining experience. I'd definitely go again!
(4)
Richard G.
A little reticent about visiting Clementine based upon a couple of previous average reviews, we decided to give the restaurant a chance because of the eclectic and original nature of the menu. And we were not to be disappointed one bit. Negative comments preceding us never panned out, with the food not only superbly presented but even more delicious than anticipated. And the service was top notch with just enough time between courses to neither feel rushed nor ignored but to allow the previous course to settle and enjoy our conversation. The servings are more than adequate, and for older folks like us, could even be shared without leaving hungry. The setting is cozy, if not a wee bit noisy (which really adds to the vibrant nature of the place) and the wine list is one of the best I have seen anywhere. In fact, this brings me to the main purpose of this note. Inadvertently we were presented with a "Thursday night" wine carte which prices, we soon discovered, are 30% reduced from the usual costs (something to think about if looking for a fine meal on a Thursday!). But when this was pointed out on the bill, there was no hesitation by the waiter and the manager (Amy) to rectify the error and honor the lower price of the wines. This, if nothing else, should indicate the integrity and high standards of the restaurant. We are not locals, but when we return to Baltimore, you can be assured that Clementine will see us again.
(5)
Kim R.
This place is definitely good for kids, there is an area with toys and a couch for them to play. Saturday morning was pretty quiet so we got a table right next to the play area so the kids could wander from table to play. The food was good but my scramble had a lot of al dente onion that masked a lot of the other flavors (sweet corn, sausage...). One of the girls got the cheese grits, which were very good, but really just the same cheese grits I make at home. The service was disappointing, especially given how quiet the restaurant was. My coffee was never refilled. That said, the night before we called to ask about food allergies and the person on the phone was extremely helpful. And the provided a nice dairy-free meal for the allergic kid. Another daily special was really very good with shredded beef under a few over-easy eggs and a queso fresco. Yum. The neighborhood is adorable, the food is good and I think the service is probably usually better than our experience. Check it out!
(3)
Mary J.
Run, don't walk there! Well, we are picky and hard to please and generally think that Baltimore seriously does not have any good restaurants. Well, "Clementine" changed our mind. Friendly. Classy. Modern. Great food. Chef experiments quite a lot, food is so good! And also, apparently they have a superb bartender, I walked in, saw the place (did not make a reservation on Saturday night, but we were accommodated), and ordered some fancy cocktail. Sazerac, not easy to make, well, compared to some. Had it done perfectly. Food was delicious. We both had soft shell crab, two on the plate, with some great cucumber salad, very tasty. It did some magic combined with spiciness of the hot sauce on the crabs. All around people were having great time and good food. We loved it. Plan to come back! Parking, although in Baltimore, is easy to find, either on the street next to the restaurant (Gibbons) or at the CVS parking lot (apparently, restaurant patrons can park there). Hamilton rules, with all the good restaurants. "Clementine" shines. Thumbs up.
(5)
Bear B.
I liked it so much I went back with Mr. Vegetarian, after reviewing the lunch menu to be sure there were choices for him. Regrettably, they had failed to make a veggie special that day. And the cucumber salad with red onion salad he wanted turned out to be a carrot and white onion salad when it arrived. And he asked for a simple bowl of avocado, chopped tomato, and bleu cheese but was told that all the avocado was already guacamole and all the cheese already mixed into a dressing, which means either they buy them premade or someone was not willing to be helpful. The mac-and-cheese was good, but veggie-wise this place disappointed not only in not having any choices, but in not being willing to work with us on even so much as a grilled cheese with tomato, or something. Not as great an experience this time, though my chicken and avocado sandwich with bacon was, let's face it, sublime.
(4)
kristin b.
if i'm going by the description set for each star - then two stars is accurate because i have had a lot better - food and service. i've known several people who have come here and been happy so i was looking forward to checking it out with another couple. i think the main issue was with our waitress who could have made the experience better. we had a 7:30 reservation and we didn't receive our main entrees until 9:15. i don't mind waiting for food if it comes out hot and delicious. in our case, my husband's compound butter atop his steak was a big glob of unmelted mess and my pork shank was so dry and rubbery i could hardly get any meat off of it to eat. when the waitress inquired about our food, i advised about the rubbery texture but i was so hungry that i would try and muster through it. we eat out a lot - we are definite foodies... and i can say that other restaurants would either insist on getting something else quickly, removing it from the check, or offering a complimentary drink or dessert. none of things happened. i could write more about why our experience was bad but would just leave it at this... i've had better.
(2)
nanci S.
Food was very good. Service was unbelievably poor. Waitress wasn't even that busy or too be found.. Forgot to bring requested items. She was very unprofessional....We weren't even offered dessert or another bottle of wine or anything else...Terrible service...I even worked in the industry for 15 years.
(3)
Judith Priest ..
Waking up Saturday morning, we definitely wanted to go somewhere good for breakfast, but were pretty sick of the regular places. So we decided to head over to Clementine. Simply put, it was one of the best breakfasts I've had in a long time. We were greeted in a very friendly manner, and told to sit anywhere we liked. The restaurant wasn't crowded, so we definitely had our choice of seats. Our waitress came and immediately took our drink order. We both ordered the Basil Lime Elixer and it was just perfect for the warm summer day. Very fresh and invigorating with a bit of carbonation to give it some spark. The menu was simple with bagels, muffins, and casseroles. My b/f ordered the egg bagel with their house-made bluefish and scallion cream cheese ($2.50). The cream cheese was absolutely delicious and very full of wonderful smoked fish flavor. Unfortunately, the bagel was a bit dry. It was accompanied by/garnished with a very small bowl of fruit salad, but the strawberries were overripe and it spoiled the dish. But believe me, the cream cheese made it totally worth it. They have other house-made cream cheeses and it would be worth the trip back just to taste them all. I ordered the bacon and monterey jack casserole with home fries ($5.00). It took quite a long time to get, but when it came it was apparent that it was not just a hunk sliced off from a bigger casserole, but rather individually cooked. It was wonderful, just the right amount of cheesey-bacony goodness. Even more wonderful were there home fries that came with it. Big chunks of potatoes so beautifully seasoned, that I felt guilty when my requested ketchup showed up. They certainly didn't need anything else. We also ordered a bowl of the cheese grits ($3.00, I believe) to share. They were divine, but if I had one complaint, it would be that they were too garlicky. Which is unusual for me to say, because I love overly-garlicky dishes. While the grits were nice and creamy, the large chunks of garlic added some unexpected crunchiness here and there. Texturally for me, it didn't work. But that's just me. So while all the food was delicious, it was also all room temperature and took quite some time getting to our table. I would understand if the restaurant was crowded, but it wasn't. We got our grits first, and they were room temp. Then came my b/f's bagel. And about 10 min. after that my casserole and home fries showed up. You'd think after waiting that long, they'd be piping hot. Nope, just very room temperature. So I'm not sure how that happened. Service was a bit on the slow side, but I expected it since that's what everyone has told me about the place. However, we were in no hurry and the atmosphere was cozy and warm, so we didn't mind waiting. The prices were amazingly cheap for breakfast. Our entire bill came to just under $16 and I was so shocked that I gasped out loud. If we hadn't ordered the grits and just stuck to water, we would have had a delicious breakfast for under $10. And that is really hard to find these days. We haven't been for dinner yet, but I'm really looking forward to going as soon as we can.
(4)
Benjamin S.
My wife and I went to Clementine for dinner expecting some good food and got fatty braised ribs, mediocre drinks and watery soup. Now, I've heard that their brunch is what makes them special so I will give them another chance, but avoid the dinner, it's not worth it.
(2)
M. V.
A group of us (party of six) went there on a Saturday night, around 5 p.m. We entered through the expanded area entrance. We could see a table of people seated, but no other diners in the area. After waiting a short time for the someone to greet us (the 40-something year-old with short hair, glasses, and strong hands), we were told that since we did not have a reservation we would not be seated before 8 or 9 p.m. We did not see a clearly printed sign stating that reservations were preferred, nor is there anything on their website which we visited prior to our trek to the establishment. And, to add further insult, we were half-heartedly offered seating at a small piece of furniture right in the front walkway, across from the front door, that looked like a bureau with chairs placed around it. The bureau was so small that it did not seem possible to have enough space for six plates and glasses, and the way it was presented to us, we did not actually feel welcome to sit there. Of course, we left. Now, I must inject here that we had been to Clementine on several previous occasions, for breakfast and lunch, and had a pleasurable experience each time, which is why we decided to go there for dinner. We went a couple of blocks down from Clementine, to Hamilton Tavern, which was much more crowded, and were seated for dinner less than 20 minutes after our arrival. We understand the value of keeping to the previously scheduled reservations; however, to turn away 6 diners without making any kind of effort to accommodate them seemed pretty pretentious. My question to the staff of Clementine is when did they get to be so self-important?! Much like Shana's review, my father felt like we were being discriminated against by this woman (there were 3 White people and 3 Black people in our group). I didn't initially pick up on that, but one can't help but wonder. I do not plan on ever going back.
(1)
A. C.
Have been several times, and it's always kind of a crapshoot; love it one night, disappointed the next. Lots of appealing items on the menu (dressed-up comfort food), usually no description issues, nicely locavore focused. I think the problems lie in uneven execution on the line and a little lack of attention to detail. A fave, the Duroc pork loin chops (in varying seasonal preparations) has come out perfectly moist and juicy, and then dry and overdone. Casseroles are usually a big fall and winter hit, usually nice mixes of moist meat, starch, veg and cheese fired up hot and piping in an individual gratin. Taco Tuesday is also pretty popular. When we were there, tried the 3 meat preparations, complex in seasoning, but really needed a little basic salt and a little acid for some zip. Desserts are homestyle; the cakes generally moist and very sugary; the chocolate chip cookie plate, kind of small and ordinary. Sometimes the small details really get to you, especially when you really want to like a place: stale bread, rock-solid cold butter, unevenly heated block of southwest casserole (hot on the outside, lukewarm in the middle). We keep trying though, and always recommend to folks looking for place out this way, but usually have to give them a few caveats first. Wish we could recommend wholeheartedly, but just can't.
(3)
MissEasy T.
Best meal I've had in a long time in Baltimore. Had been there for other meals of the day and evening snackage at the bar accompanied by cocktails but never for dinner. Extraordinary. A bunch of us went on impulse for dinner (though I did have enough time to make reservations). We each had a different entre and all tasted one another's dishes. ALL were so so very good. Service was a wee bit slow but we were having fun so WTH. Waitress was well informed and helpful. This place is a real gem. I hope it stays one of Baltimore's best kept secrets yet still manages to thrive. Too many awful people with money would ruin the cool and vibrant atmosphere of hip young tattooed families, working class Hamilton folk, artists and boring overeducated middle class people like ourselves. I've enjoyed many a fabulous restaurant in Baltimore only to see it made obnoxious by snarky, wealthy "foodies" slumming it in Hamilton, Hampden, and North Ave eateries. Make reservations and just go.
(5)
Dave J.
Great food. Not the best of neighborhoods but the food was worth it. Decor needs some work. Had a wonderful pot pie!
(4)
Matt B.
In town visiting family and checked on yelp for dinner options since I'm the family foodie. I was very happy when my bro said he got a reservation here. Outstanding service, friendly, sincere, and knowledgeable. Started with the mac and cheese-outstanding, duck nachos-even better, and seafood charcuterie-interesting. Of course I had to try a bit of everyone's entree, so I tasted the duck, rockfish, and pot pie, and my pheasant.. The pot pie and rockfish were the real winning dishes. My pheasant was tasty, but not truly confit texture. The duck was properly cooked and nicely seasoned. The guinea hen pot pie had it all going-texture and flavorwise. Same with the rockfish, although the lobster pate portion was a bit small. My only minor gripe is that everything was just a touch oversalted. If I lived in town I would be here a lot-especially on Taco night and for breakfast or lunch. When I am back in town which is a few times a year we'll be back.
(4)
B B.
Chicken salad sandwich was delicious- smoked tomato soup was just ok, VERY smokey. RoaSt beef sandwich was good but nothing special. Blueberry cake with lemon buttercream frosting was superb. Bill was twenty for lunch for two. Service was fine.
(3)
Doug W.
We went for breakfast after reading other reviews. Loved the atmosphere of the place. I ordered the Elvis waffle. It was supposed to be a Belgian waffle,but was no larger than the ones I make at home. It was slightly undercooked and couldn't taste the bacon that was supposed to be in it. My wife had an egg sandwich. It was good but greasy and the bacon wasn't crispy. The coffee was excellent and so was the service.
(3)
Alex A.
I am frequently let down when I eat out. This place is the first restaurant I have been to in memory where I could have been served whatever the house chose to give me and I would be happy with it. Everything I tried was delicious and I want to try everything. I will return frequently.
(5)
Supriya M.
We had heard so many good things about Clementine and were looking forward to going there. A Sunday night reservation for 5 people. We sat on a large table for 8 people which was sort of uncomfortable given how loud the restaurant was. To be fair, we were given the choice of a smaller table but that would have been too small. Anyway, we ordered drinks - the housemade basil lime elixir was just ok. My husband found some beers on the beer list he could try. For appetizers, we got beet salad and the trio lettuce salad, both of which were mediocre. The trio lettuce was slightly better. The turkey sausage soup tasted like chicken noodle while the curried zucchini soup was quite delicious ans surprisingly spicy. Dinner was a pork chop which my father in law seemed to enjoy, my MILs charcuterie plate which had interesting ingredients, my mom's sweet potato and coconut risotto which sounded better in writing, my husband's rockfish belly which was cooked well but was bland and flavorless, duck sliders with foie gras which again sounded better than they tasted, oysters which may have been the best thing we ate all night and my own NC bass which was also flavorless and bland. The chocolate ginger panna cotta was more of a chocolate mousse with a fancy name. Overall, the food was just ok. I've definitely experienced better and was not top 50 restaurant caliber. Service was extremely disjointed and spotty. The person who brought out our first salads brought them out and showed them to us without saying a word and expected us to figure out what went where. Our water was not refilled frequently. Our server seemed very busy. They forgot to put in the order for my bass, which they brought out 10 minutes after everyone else had their food. They apologized for this but a fine dining restaurant should comp the entree or make up for it somehow, which they did not. I guess maybe my expectations were high for the place and I have certainly been to many better places in Baltimore.
(2)
Michelle R.
Lost what could have been two regulars who wanted a new place to bring family/friends who came to visit the city. The service was terrible. The behavior of the manager was terrible, and the food was mediocre. Being rushed in and out (though we made a reservation) was unacceptable. 1. Disorganized. When we called for a reservation they asked us if we had children. We said no, so we figured we would not be set next to children. We were, three screaming kids. It was constant and uncomfortable. No one wants to eat in that atmosphere. Might as well of been at McDonalds. The room was empty, they could have seated us anywhere. Anywhere. Even a table away, so that it wasn't too much out of the service's way, and it would have made a huge impact on our mood, and our ears. I looked at their online menu, which, on Friday, had burgers up. So I asked if they had that menu, the waitress apologized and said it was not a valid menu, that was for Wednesday. Well, should not have happened, but I looked past it and ordered the pulled pork. Because it was what I wanted. She took my order, but then 10 minutes later... they didn't have it. So they didn't have what I wanted to start, then my second choice was stricken. Said they were out (But it was the start of dinner service... and she didn't tell us when she gave us our menus...). So I was irritated. Asked me what else I wanted, looking impatient. Didn't even really give me time to think. So I picked the bbq chicken with potatoes and greens, expecting something amazing. 2. Mediocre Food. It wasn't that good. At all. My husband liked his meal, but I tasted the shrimp, it was overdone, and he agreed a bit chewy. My meal... well I could have made it all on my grill. The chicken wasn't BBQed, it was grilled and then a sweet sauce was smeared on at the last moment, the potatoes had no depth of flavor, just bacon and potatoes (it was supposed to be a complicated complex melody of tastes), and the chard I had was the only thing well prepared. If you don't have a lot of experience with local, complex food, you may like it. But if you have a sensitive palette, you will find the flavors completely lacking. 3. Horrible service and price gouging. I ordered a Basil-Lime elixir. It was good. On the menu it says 2.00. When I got the receipt it said 2.75. That menu had been out for an entire week, and I know most people probably don't look at that .75 cents and think anything of it, but they had been overcharging guests for an entire week without fixing the menu. Being that they were inaccurate on their menu, and did not have what I wanted, which was advertised at the start of service (I went at 5:30, Dinner begins at 5), I expected some sort of compensation. I have gotten entire meals taken off the receipt for less of an infraction that that, which I never expect, but at the very least, good service means a complimentary drink or a dessert, because they made the mistake on their menu. Being that I was overcharged on the drink, I asked about this, and rather than kindness, I got a very rude manager, who wanted to HAGGLE over the price of the meal. Cut the different, because chicken is so much more expensive than pork.... and because she wanted to save paper by not changing the menu (okay, then why didn't the waitress tell us at the START of our meal, before we ordered, that the pork was not an option?!). I was done. I had it. The food wasn't that exceptional, and the service was less than standard, especially for the price. 20 an entree is not expensive, but it is that mid-range where I could have spent 20 on a meal somewhere else for the two of us, and been very happy with both the service, and the food (though it would not have been local sourced, and is why I chose to go to Clementine). Not only will I not go again, I am very active on social media, as well as with my friends, and I will be warning them away.
(1)
Sara E.
I am revisiting my review for this restaurant because of a second visit that was exceptional. My husband hosted a dinner here for his employees the Thursday before Easter. We also invited some family friends whose children can sometimes be borderline unruly. One of our guests was 45 minutes (!) late. We decided to eat charcuterie and cheese plates while we waited for her. The staff was wonderful. They made sure the kids in our party got their dinners and everyone's drinks were kept filled while we waited with absolutely no indication that they would like us to move along. When the kids became restless, there was a play area where they played with some other children who were dining there. Having eaten out with these friends before, we have often gotten in attentive service or felt hurried or looked down upon because we were dining with kids, but not at clementine. Everyone had a great time, felt completely at home and had a delicious meal. And I mean, a truly creative, fresh, meal in a relaxed setting. This place is a miracle, as far as I am concerned.
(5)
Rob C.
We arrived at 3:45. We were told they did not serve dinner until 5:00 so we killed some time when we returned at 5:00 they said they were book up all night. So we very uncomfortably sat at the bar in an empty restaurant. We both ordered the meatloaf(which is supposedly one of there best dishes). The food was mediocre at best neither one of us was compelled to even finish half of the meal. The service was terrible and when we left the place was still empty. Overall terrible experience. They turned away an older couple who drive several hours to try it due to no seats in an empty restaurant. Very disappointing the Hamilton Tavern down the street is ten times better and much more inviting.
(1)
Laura R.
This is one of my favorites in B'more. Food is above par with an eclectic menu for all tastes. Family friendly with a kids play area in the side dining room. All food is prepared by order, at busy times you will have a longer wait for your food, just be patient the wait is worth it. Bring some friends and good conversation and you won't even notice. The meats. All I can say is wow. Top notch.
(5)
Lindsey H.
As a vegetarian there isn't much to choose from on the menu but the things I have eaten have been delicious. Especially the vegan tacos on Taco Tuesday! The decor is super cute and even though it's always packed, it's pretty big so the wait is never too long. Highly recommended!
(4)
Leslie K.
I love Clementine's. Everything on the brunch menu is awesome. The biscuits and gravy, the Indian scramble, the migas, the breakfast sandwiches. I have not been disappointed at lunch either, the pit beef, the duck nachos, I love their house salad. Finally, dinner is both delicious, locally sourced, inventive, and reasonably priced. Their bar is also great, and cocktails are not crazy expensive like some other bars in the city. You can't go wrong.
(5)
Shandana M.
We love this place. Staff are nice, drinks are amazing, food is delicious and there's a whole couch and play area for kids. Mac and cheese is amazing! The menu is always changing but I've never had anything bad
(5)
Jamie B.
Cheese, charcuterie and pickle plate .Assorted drinks from the bar as well. Charcuterie could have had more portions. I have been to several places with Hearty portions. Cheese plate was okay. Pickle plate was great. The bouillabaisse was what intrigued me and was very excited to try it. After reading the online description of the menu for the day, it said specifically crab, shrimp, mussels, and catfish. I asked the food runner if there was supposed to be crab in it and he repeated all the items and did not say crab, he told me no crab. Our server, who was honestly very awkward and just not that helpful or the least bit outgoing, was no where to be found. (He jumped on our table asap, with out explaining the menu options and expected us to order within just about 8mins) So there was no crab in the bouillabaisse and it's listed on their online menu. the potatoes were pre cooked and seemed like they were just thrown in , and the shrimp I could have gotten out of an egg roll at my local Chinese joint. All in all, including service- I was VERY underwhelmed. Disappointed to say the least- held Clementine higher as the brunch never fails-
(3)
Dustin F.
Best atmosphere around and the food is outstanding. The waitress brought my girlfriend another beer when she seen it was empty and said I didn't want you to feel left out knowing we had a beer. She didn't even charge us! They use fresh local ingredients and the chefs are top notch. This resturant should be on tv shows for top American places to eat. This is a must try if you love food. The chicken with roasted brussel sprouts were amazing and I never thought my girlfriend would even eat Brussel sprouts. Can't say enough , just go there and find out yourself.
(5)
Lea Ann W.
My local friend and I stopped in Clementine for a glass of wine and dessert before I headed back to NYC. What we encountered was a rare and exceptional bartender who completely understood the subtle art of service. With an attentive ear Daniel anticipated what we wanted, suggested excellent wines with a perfectly informative description and engaged in fascinating discussion with us, while still allowing for a special moment two old friends share. To finish we were poured the best drink of 2014. Yes, I know we are only a month in but this drink will stick well into spring and summer. A glass of porsecco, a sugar cube dropped in and Daniel's own concoction of lavender, sage and cedar infused bitters. Like cupids kiss of light perfume! This rhythmic bartender may seem humble, but I'm certain he has a library of mixology up those sleeves. Just to note, being a bonafied city slicker I've been seasoned in fine locales worldwide, but oddly enough no cocktail or bartenter has impressed me more than what Clementine resturant has with Daniel.
(5)
Gina A.
Really great place! I ended up getting the duck hash for Sunday brunch which was delicious. I loved the fact that they had really unique cocktails, that always wins me over. Friendly staff, great food and drinks, I'd return.
(4)
Doris P.
I've been here numerous times, and have generally had good experiences. The food is relatively consistent, and I've always enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and the refreshing cocktails. That said, when a restaurant charges your credit card more than what you write on the tip and total line, I take issue. Sure, mistakes happen... but I called the restaurant and left a voicemail, AND followed-up with an email, and still, no response. It wasn't a huge discrepancy, but the very fact that they didn't want to address it, is enough for me not to return - which is a shame because it is a great spot in Hamilton. Still, if they don't have the integrity to respond to a customer's issue, then they really don't deserve my business.
(1)
Melissa M.
Have been to clementine twice. Food is decent but service is a joke. Will not be back.
(1)
noel c.
I've heard great things about Clementine and I've been wanting to eat here for a long time. Finally, I made it for brunch and it wasn't a great experience. I ordered the @Migas... eggs and tortillas were extremely dry no flavor hardly worth $10 The bad meal might have been forgivable, but the service was so bad. It was as if I was invisible--sitting with an empty coffee cup for the whole meal.
(1)
Scott S.
I had been singing Clementine's praises since I started going there a few years ago. I though the food, service and atmosphere were all excellent. However I had a terrible experience last Saturday. We had to wait a few minutes to be greeted as there was no hostess, or if there was one she was running food and setting up tables. We had a reservation but still had to wait 10 minutes before we were seated. Once we ordered it routinely took way too long for our drinks to come, and we waited at least 30 minutes for the appetizer, which was the crab dip with 6 tortilla chips that we had to ration. Drinks appeared at least 5-10 minutes after they had been ordered so I made sure to get a second drink when I still had half of my current one. I had to flag down our waiter to ask if the appetizer was still coming. He rarely stopped by to see if we needed anything after that, never once asked how the food was after it was served, and certainly didn't bother to apologize for the slow service. So how was it? Not as good as we have had in the past. My pork was dry but flavorful, but certainly not worth the price I paid. My wife had the duck but she thought it was average at best. I know one bad experience shouldn't tell the story on this place, but there are too many other places around Baltimore and DC to visit, and I don't plan to go back any time soon based on my most recent experience.
Some of the food at Clementine is mindblowing. My gf and I went for a fancy dinner on a Sunday evening, and took advantage of their AMAZING "Date Night" Deal--$40 for 2 salad/soup starters, 2 entrees, and 1 dessert. I was surprised how empty the place was on a Sunday, and the service was a bit stiff and lackluster. Mixed drinks were very good. Loved the basil lime elixir with your choice of hooch (I chose bourbon). The Fall salad with kale, purple/white and golden beets, and a tangy lemony dressing was exceptional, fresh, and seasonal. The turkey chowder with corn and sweet potatoes was rich and warming. The sour cherry pie with an almond crumble was a simple and delicious dessert. The flavors of the Duck Ramen was absolutely amazing, except it came out not very hot. But my gf's entree was a total miss. She ordered the Rabbit 2 ways, which the menu stated was a seared rabbit loin and braised rabbit legs over a bean cassoulet. We should have sent it back. The rabbit loin was cooked so well done that it was leathery--certainly not "seared." And there were NO RABBIT LEGS! We were wondering where the second type of rabbit was, and figured it was mixed into the cassoulet. But I re-read the menu when I got home, and that's when I noticed there were supposed to be braised rabbit legs in there. Finally, the bean cassoulet was so salty that it was a turnoff to the rich and tasty flavors that were present. With all of the problems of the dish, I actually cannot believe they allowed that to go out of the kitchen.
(3)
Debbie F.
I have had very good experiences with food & service at Clementine in the past. This time it was an entirely different restaurant. Any restaurant is entitled to a bad night, but there were things that were unforgivable. There is a panel on the menu that lists specials by day. On Sundays, the special is a fixed menu for 2 people for $40. We asked what the chef's entree selection for the special was, and were told that the special was not being offered because it was Mother's Day. Yet there was no special Mother's Day menu. If you're not going to offer a day-of-the-week special, don't put it on your website and certainly take that leaf off your menu. Although they were not crowded at peak dinner time, they were out of chicken-- substituting duck in the same dishes -- and shrimp. How do you run out of chicken AND shrimp at 7:30pm? Of 8 entrees, 4 were affected. Under the circumstances, we had quite a few questions about the menu. The waitress, while pleasant, couldn't answer a single question without going back to the kitchen to find out. The ordering process took way too long. The only remaining item on the menu that appealed to me was the trout, but it came with beets. There are very few things I don't like, but I loathe beets. When I asked if another vegetable could be served in place of the beets I was assured that it would be not problem -- that they were just a small garnish on the plate. Moments later the guy who seated us -- the bartender? the host? -- came to the table with the waitress to tell me that, in fact, the beets were an intregal part of the plate. He asked me if I was allergic to beets, and when I hesitated, he pressed on, which put me in an awkward position. I felt somewhat like I was being interrogated. No beets: that's straightforward, right? Why was I being questioned? My husband always orders chicken, but dislikes duck. The only remaining item that appealed to him was the steak. For $34 it's reasonable to expect a very good piece of meat. This steak was tough and had a hunk of fat that was nearly 1/4 of the entree. My $23 trout was smaller than any trout I'd been served. The food was ok. Just ok. Finally, the water glasses. Water was all I was drinking, and our empty glasses went long stretches without being refilled. Were we neglected because we weren't drinking a more profitable beverage? I don't know. What's the deal? Change in ownership? Manager's night off? This single visit has turned me from a fan to someone who is unlikely to go back and give them one more chance. Sad to say, but there are too many great restaurants in Baltimore to take a chance on Clementine again.
(2)
Stella O.
Pro: interior of the restaurant Con: Horrible part of town. For the surrounding area, papa johns its a star better, Parking is a B)#(! I had the meatloaf ($15). I was not impressed, double T diner does a better job and costs less. This place is an overpriced DINER!
(2)
James L.
I've heard so much about this restaurant for years, and I finally went and checked it out the last week of April on a date. It was never going to live up to those expectations, but it was quite nice. The seared tuna appetizer was tasty. I had a fried catfish filet with sweet potatoes and slaw, and while the catfish was perfectly fried, the sides weren't much and the presentation was odd. Not that I'm generally a stickler for that, but it was like the chef sauced the plate with a very thin sweet potato puree and laid the golden fried deliciousness right in it to get soggy. That said, would take another date there. It's in my go-to list.
(4)
Amanda E.
Really wanted to like this restaurant, really wanted to make this our new regular place - but we weren't even able to eat at this restaurant due to peanut problems. I understand that peanuts are awesome and amazing (seriously - when the allergy having other half goes out of town I go on peanut benders), but with allergies being on the rise I also believe that restaurants should disclose on their menus if they can't serve people with peanut/tree nut allergies. After checking their menu, calling the restaurant, and then rechecking the menu, I made reservations in advance for four people this past Sunday using opentable. I even included a note, mentioning that two members of our party had peanut and select tree nut allergies. (in doing this we've found that restaurants that pose a risk call to discuss options in advance - or help us find a similar restaurant that won't result in an ER visit) We showed up at the restaurant and were promptly greeted by very friendly staff and shown to a table in the main room. Water was brought out, wine menus were being browsed and dinner items were being discussed. Our server then came out and mentioned the peanut note I had left in the reservation, and with that dropped a bomb. While there are no peanuts currently on their restaurant menu, in fact no allergens were on the restaurant menu, they share a kitchen with their catering company and with that could not guarantee the food was safe. I'm sorry - what?!?! So I'm not sure if they reuse pots/pans without cleaning or if they are just really messy back there - but they essentially told us that we could not eat at their restaurant due to our nut issues. I have to say that this was a first for me - we have been at chain restaurants that use peanut oils who have made sure my husband wouldn't die at their hands. Yet this locally focused non-chain restaurant was unable to accommodate us - or give us the information we needed in advance to avoid them , which would have been more than. An example of how to properly do this is Johnny's, who have loudly (and proudly) noted their use of peanut oil on the front of their menu - and also make it clear when you call to verify that their restaurant is not peanut safe because of the share space. Or the new restaurant Nickel Taphouse, their menu looked peanut free but a quick talk with someone let us know that occasionally the beer nuts included peanuts and that they couldn't guarantee anything that had gone in the fryer - awesome! We checked their menu (multiple times), I called them, and then made a reservation including a note about the allergies - and yet the first (only) time we were told this restaurant would not work for us was after we had sat down to enjoy dinner.
Heard a lot of good things about Clementine. Was very disappointed. My first visit here: I took my boyfriend for his birthday. The service was horrendous. Basically everything you can do wrong - from not approaching us until at least 15 minutes after we were seated (this after a 30 min. wait), to being essentially inaccessible to us throughout the meal - was done. Maybe it was his first day on the job. But that alone could have ruined our dining experience. Fortunately, there were other things to make it much worse. As an appetizer, my boyfriend ordered the escargot. Inside of it, we found a melted, hard piece of plastic. We brought it to the attention of our server, once we were able to flag him down - not to chew him out, but just to let him know - he apologized but did not offer to bring us another appetizer or replace it. Ok, fine. No biggie. He didn't tell us he was telling his manager, but about 10 minutes later - the host/manager came over to essentially argue with us over the fact that we had found a piece of plastic in our food. We didn't realize that our appetizer came with a free side of attitude. It went about like this: Him: So I understand you found a piece of plastic in your food. Us: Yes, it's no big deal, we just thought we should let you know in case it might have fallen in other people's food. Him: I see. Well, there is nothing in our kitchen that looks like this. Us: Oh, really... Him: None of our food is packaged in plastic. So I don't see how you could have found this in your food. Us: Uh..ok... Him: I do apologize, but I am pretty certain that this piece of plastic did not come from our kitchen. Us: Ok... It's as if he was offended, accusing us of lying, and certainly not apologetic. I could write a lot more about this extremely disappointing birthday dinner, but I'm just going to mention the quality of the food. Excluding the escargot, some of it was decent. Some of it was not good (i.e. the desserts). One thing was absolutely terrible. My entree came with collard greens - they were soaked in some sort of vinegar, and absolutely inedible. Not amateur. Not "meh." Inedible. I would expect more from any restaurant that prides itself on its quality of food - as Clementine seems to. To top the night off, our server got our bill completely wrong, and overcharged us on 2 separate food items. For some reason, fixing this took a very long time. And we really wanted to leave at this point. Finally, my second visit (I am always giving well-reviewed restaurants a 2nd chance when I have a negative experience) -- Myself and a group of 5 friends came around 9:00 PM on a Saturday. As seen clearly through the windows, more than half their dining room was empty. Yes it was late, but a full hour before they closed. The same host/manager that had been so rude to us on our last visit - informed us that they did not have room to seat us - and that we would have to wait outside. It was summer, so that was fine with us. We waited 45 minutes to get seated - again, the dining room was more than half empty - without any follow up or explanation from the host. I went back in to the host stand to check in, and the host simply informed us that he couldn't seat us yet. Again, no explanation. I went back outside and we just left. Frankly, both experiences were not only negative - but bizarre. I will not be going back.
(2)
Stella W.
Horrible and frustrating dining experience! Four of us went last night and arrived around 7:30. The first misstep was re: drinks...2 of us ordered a glass of wine and 2 cocktails. Our waiter was apparently in the weeds so gave our order to a bus girl (?) She brought over a bottle of wine...we told her that we didn't order. She came back with 3 glasses of wine which again was incorrect. All of this took about 20 min. Finally, the manager/owner/hostess (?) with a tude got involved and delivered the correct drinks. She had the audacity to call insinuate that we were being difficult (we hadn't complained at this point) and even pointed at my friend and said "listen sweetheart, we're doing the best we can"!!! What?? Our original waiter returned and we ordered a charcuterie plate...no entrees yest, just wanted to relax and nibble. He REPEATEDLY came to our table asking us if we were finished (plenty left on plate) and would we care to order. This happened probably 6 times. We found a black hair in the accompanying lard sauce which the manager said was a piece of fuzz from her grey sweater! Again..the attitude was as though we were a pain in the ass, and she did nothing to accommodate us. We ordered entrees which were very disappointing. I had the rainbow trout which was dry and salty....the fingerling potatoes were burnt hash browns. The guys ordered the flat iron steaks which were cold and tough. My friend ordered a curry dish which looked like vomit. In the end, the manager took $10 off the check...I suppose because of the hair. No one apologized or gave us a reason to come back..which we won't! Too many choices in Balto right now...won't waste our time and $. Oh my darling Clemantine...you should shut your doors forever, dreadful sorry Clemantine!
(1)
Eric H.
Restaurant week portion sizes are generally small but what I experienced yesterday was kind of silly. Three courses picked were duck casear salad, stuffed mushrooms and duck confit. The biggest disappointment was the stuffed mushrooms. 4 total mushrooms dime -quarter sized. They weren't stuffed with crab or anything fancy so I'm not sure why they skimped on them. Duck Salad tiny, not really any duck! Just take the duck off an give me more salad if the duck is expensive. Duck confit more like a baked/fried duck leg. Didn't appear to be confit by any means from my experience but I may be wrong. Drinks were fine, service pretty good, we weren't offered desert however which was weird and we were seated as a couple in the kids room.
(2)
Kate M.
Three family members and I went for Restaurant Week. Each course took an hour to come out and my food was only mediocre. Because of the extremely slow service, they gave us "free dessert," aka a 30 percent discount, but because it was 10:30 pm (we say down at 730 pm), we got it to go. When I got home, it was the wrong cake and my mom described her peach cheesecake dish as "nasty." Waste of time, waste of money, only thing not "nasty" was my company.
(1)
JQ G.
Tasty and interesting selection. The Mac n cheese is always delicious! Would recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a nice meal in a comfortable atmosphere. Have been a few times and have meet been disappointed. Calling ahead for reservations may help with making sure you're seated quickly.
(4)
Ty F.
We went to Hamilton to see "The Caretaker", a Pinter play performed at Performance Workshop Theater. (Nicely done, BTW! see it before it closes.) After the show, we saw a Clementine business card in the theater lobby. We had heard of Clementine and decided to go for dinner. We got a parking place right out front. We came in with no reservations on Mother's Day, so we took two seats at the bar for dinner. The mussel appetizer with chardonnay butter was delicious. The mussels were large and perfectly cooked. The juice was wonderful and we savored every bit of it. My seafood stew and my wife's chicken and waffle dinners were also excellent. Service was very good. The bread was very good. My wife's deaf expresso cappuccino was great. This is not a cheap place. With the above mentioned items, we were at $78, but it was worth the money. The only down side for us was the metal ceiling, similar to the one at Cafe Hon. It makes the place too loud. I'd float some acoustic clouds and soak up some of the clatter. As the place thinned out a bit, the noise level became less of a problem. We'll go back. The brunch menu looks very good.
(4)
Jason C.
Came here again with friends and happy to report that the experience was still great! Bar is still excellent with lots of interesting choices and all tried were well executed. Wait staff is relaxed and friendly, lending the the laid back atmosphere. You really feel like you just want to settle in for a few hours here. The limited menu was also interesting with enough variety to please everyone. I really like this place!
(4)
Amanda F.
Oh my darlin Clementine! I've been to Clementine for both lunch and dinner and never had a dish that missed. The prices are a tad higher than I would like, but the food is tasty, creative, and fresh. One bite of anything on Clementine's menu, and you know you are tasting culinary expertise. Even my chicken salad sandwich was unique and unexpected, yet very tasty and hearty. My Brother claims his BLT was the best he's ever had. We ordered another Acorn Squash Bisque because it was so good and we wanted more. The side salads are more than just iceberg lettuce and a slice of tomato. Don't miss out on the dessert! So yummy. Unfortunately AND fortunately, their menu changes often given the farm-to-table philosophy. This means I have no idea of the name of the entree I ordered over a year ago when I visited for dinner. It was a FANTASTIC Asian fish soup (with Maryland seafood) that I have never tasted elsewhere. Basically, I will happily continue to revisit Clementine's in hopes that they bring the fish soup back or I find another entree I love just as much.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Megan M.
Restaurant is great, but please don't hire for catering! They told me they would cater a party and sent several informational emails. The party is tomorrow and I still haven't heard from them. Decided to go with another local restaurant that actually valued our business. Perhaps they are overcommitted, but I'd hate for other party-planners to be let down at the last minute like this. Go to the restuarant, but DON'T request catering.
(1)Francisco I.
My wife and i have been to Clementine twice, and so far everything has been very good. I really enjoyed the chicken sandwich while my spouse loved the pulled pork sandwich. We ordered the macaroni and cheese for the kids and we both agreed it was the best we had ever had. One area they could improve is the speed of service. Both times we were there for lunch which could explain the slow service but it was not so bad that I would not recommend this place to everyone.
(4)Drew T.
The ingredients are fresh, and they know how to put them together. As a matter of fact, the last time i went there might have been the best lunch i've had in years. Bacon and Asparagus sandwich with sharp cheddar and tomato chutney. I never would have thought of that one myself.
(5)Amanda E.
Really wanted to like this restaurant, really wanted to make this our new regular place - but we weren't even able to eat at this restaurant due to peanut problems. I understand that peanuts are awesome and amazing (seriously - when the allergy having other half goes out of town I go on peanut benders), but with allergies being on the rise I also believe that restaurants should disclose on their menus if they can't serve people with peanut/tree nut allergies. After checking their menu, calling the restaurant, and then rechecking the menu, I made reservations in advance for four people this past Sunday using opentable. I even included a note, mentioning that two members of our party had peanut and select tree nut allergies. (in doing this we've found that restaurants that pose a risk call to discuss options in advance - or help us find a similar restaurant that won't result in an ER visit) We showed up at the restaurant and were promptly greeted by very friendly staff and shown to a table in the main room. Water was brought out, wine menus were being browsed and dinner items were being discussed. Our server then came out and mentioned the peanut note I had left in the reservation, and with that dropped a bomb. While there are no peanuts currently on their restaurant menu, in fact no allergens were on the restaurant menu, they share a kitchen with their catering company and with that could not guarantee the food was safe. I'm sorry - what?!?! So I'm not sure if they reuse pots/pans without cleaning or if they are just really messy back there - but they essentially told us that we could not eat at their restaurant due to our nut issues. I have to say that this was a first for me - we have been at chain restaurants that use peanut oils who have made sure my husband wouldn't die at their hands. Yet this locally focused non-chain restaurant was unable to accommodate us - or give us the information we needed in advance to avoid them , which would have been more than. An example of how to properly do this is Johnny's, who have loudly (and proudly) noted their use of peanut oil on the front of their menu - and also make it clear when you call to verify that their restaurant is not peanut safe because of the share space. Or the new restaurant Nickel Taphouse, their menu looked peanut free but a quick talk with someone let us know that occasionally the beer nuts included peanuts and that they couldn't guarantee anything that had gone in the fryer - awesome! We checked their menu (multiple times), I called them, and then made a reservation including a note about the allergies - and yet the first (only) time we were told this restaurant would not work for us was after we had sat down to enjoy dinner.
(1)Amanda I.
I loved the decoration of the place. Rustic, quiet, and inviting. Greeted by a friendly host. The food was excellent, everything seemed fresh and seasonal. Service was so-so but think maybe it was just a busy night. I'll be back here.
(4)Jonathan G.
I stopped here for a drink with a friend after having dinner at Hamilton Tavern. Clementine was just across the street, and it was late on a Friday. Surprisingly, the place was largely empty, except for a handful of patrons at the bar. Instead of trying to hustle us out the door, the wait staff was incredibly nice, chatted with us, and made some suggestions for dessert and drinks. I had no idea that we'd arrived with a half an hour to go before closing, but I felt like an appreciated customer. That was fantastic treatment, and they get five stars for it.
(5)Tg F.
My wife and I come here frequently and have never been disappointed. I am from the south and love their southern inspired dishes and she is from South Africa and loves just about everything else. The service is always spot on. Yes, some entrées take longer than others to prepare but honestly I love my wife and I don't mind having a few minutes to talk to her while dinner is cooked. Seriously, if you don't like the people you're having dinner with, order the fish or scallops instead of the duck or chicken. I have never understood why people complain about how long it takes for their food to come and then mention that they ordered half a roast chicken. Have you ever roasted a chicken yourself? Don't you know how long that takes? The charcuterie and cheese plates are delicious aps, but the pickles steal the show. Desserts are prepared in house and if you have saved room, you won't be disappointed there either. The bar is very well-stocked and features seasonal and creative cocktails. We live in the neighborhood, so it takes very little effort for us to have a nice night out. Honestly, there aren't many restaurants in Baltimore that can pull us away from our own neighborhood gem.
(5)Stella W.
Horrible and frustrating dining experience! Four of us went last night and arrived around 7:30. The first misstep was re: drinks...2 of us ordered a glass of wine and 2 cocktails. Our waiter was apparently in the weeds so gave our order to a bus girl (?) She brought over a bottle of wine...we told her that we didn't order. She came back with 3 glasses of wine which again was incorrect. All of this took about 20 min. Finally, the manager/owner/hostess (?) with a tude got involved and delivered the correct drinks. She had the audacity to call insinuate that we were being difficult (we hadn't complained at this point) and even pointed at my friend and said "listen sweetheart, we're doing the best we can"!!! What?? Our original waiter returned and we ordered a charcuterie plate...no entrees yest, just wanted to relax and nibble. He REPEATEDLY came to our table asking us if we were finished (plenty left on plate) and would we care to order. This happened probably 6 times. We found a black hair in the accompanying lard sauce which the manager said was a piece of fuzz from her grey sweater! Again..the attitude was as though we were a pain in the ass, and she did nothing to accommodate us. We ordered entrees which were very disappointing. I had the rainbow trout which was dry and salty....the fingerling potatoes were burnt hash browns. The guys ordered the flat iron steaks which were cold and tough. My friend ordered a curry dish which looked like vomit. In the end, the manager took $10 off the check...I suppose because of the hair. No one apologized or gave us a reason to come back..which we won't! Too many choices in Balto right now...won't waste our time and $. Oh my darling Clemantine...you should shut your doors forever, dreadful sorry Clemantine!
(1)Naomi G.
Heard a lot of good things about Clementine. Was very disappointed. My first visit here: I took my boyfriend for his birthday. The service was horrendous. Basically everything you can do wrong - from not approaching us until at least 15 minutes after we were seated (this after a 30 min. wait), to being essentially inaccessible to us throughout the meal - was done. Maybe it was his first day on the job. But that alone could have ruined our dining experience. Fortunately, there were other things to make it much worse. As an appetizer, my boyfriend ordered the escargot. Inside of it, we found a melted, hard piece of plastic. We brought it to the attention of our server, once we were able to flag him down - not to chew him out, but just to let him know - he apologized but did not offer to bring us another appetizer or replace it. Ok, fine. No biggie. He didn't tell us he was telling his manager, but about 10 minutes later - the host/manager came over to essentially argue with us over the fact that we had found a piece of plastic in our food. We didn't realize that our appetizer came with a free side of attitude. It went about like this: Him: So I understand you found a piece of plastic in your food. Us: Yes, it's no big deal, we just thought we should let you know in case it might have fallen in other people's food. Him: I see. Well, there is nothing in our kitchen that looks like this. Us: Oh, really... Him: None of our food is packaged in plastic. So I don't see how you could have found this in your food. Us: Uh..ok... Him: I do apologize, but I am pretty certain that this piece of plastic did not come from our kitchen. Us: Ok... It's as if he was offended, accusing us of lying, and certainly not apologetic. I could write a lot more about this extremely disappointing birthday dinner, but I'm just going to mention the quality of the food. Excluding the escargot, some of it was decent. Some of it was not good (i.e. the desserts). One thing was absolutely terrible. My entree came with collard greens - they were soaked in some sort of vinegar, and absolutely inedible. Not amateur. Not "meh." Inedible. I would expect more from any restaurant that prides itself on its quality of food - as Clementine seems to. To top the night off, our server got our bill completely wrong, and overcharged us on 2 separate food items. For some reason, fixing this took a very long time. And we really wanted to leave at this point. Finally, my second visit (I am always giving well-reviewed restaurants a 2nd chance when I have a negative experience) -- Myself and a group of 5 friends came around 9:00 PM on a Saturday. As seen clearly through the windows, more than half their dining room was empty. Yes it was late, but a full hour before they closed. The same host/manager that had been so rude to us on our last visit - informed us that they did not have room to seat us - and that we would have to wait outside. It was summer, so that was fine with us. We waited 45 minutes to get seated - again, the dining room was more than half empty - without any follow up or explanation from the host. I went back in to the host stand to check in, and the host simply informed us that he couldn't seat us yet. Again, no explanation. I went back outside and we just left. Frankly, both experiences were not only negative - but bizarre. I will not be going back.
(2)Eric H.
Restaurant week portion sizes are generally small but what I experienced yesterday was kind of silly. Three courses picked were duck casear salad, stuffed mushrooms and duck confit. The biggest disappointment was the stuffed mushrooms. 4 total mushrooms dime -quarter sized. They weren't stuffed with crab or anything fancy so I'm not sure why they skimped on them. Duck Salad tiny, not really any duck! Just take the duck off an give me more salad if the duck is expensive. Duck confit more like a baked/fried duck leg. Didn't appear to be confit by any means from my experience but I may be wrong. Drinks were fine, service pretty good, we weren't offered desert however which was weird and we were seated as a couple in the kids room.
(2)Kate M.
Three family members and I went for Restaurant Week. Each course took an hour to come out and my food was only mediocre. Because of the extremely slow service, they gave us "free dessert," aka a 30 percent discount, but because it was 10:30 pm (we say down at 730 pm), we got it to go. When I got home, it was the wrong cake and my mom described her peach cheesecake dish as "nasty." Waste of time, waste of money, only thing not "nasty" was my company.
(1)JQ G.
Tasty and interesting selection. The Mac n cheese is always delicious! Would recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a nice meal in a comfortable atmosphere. Have been a few times and have meet been disappointed. Calling ahead for reservations may help with making sure you're seated quickly.
(4)Ty F.
We went to Hamilton to see "The Caretaker", a Pinter play performed at Performance Workshop Theater. (Nicely done, BTW! see it before it closes.) After the show, we saw a Clementine business card in the theater lobby. We had heard of Clementine and decided to go for dinner. We got a parking place right out front. We came in with no reservations on Mother's Day, so we took two seats at the bar for dinner. The mussel appetizer with chardonnay butter was delicious. The mussels were large and perfectly cooked. The juice was wonderful and we savored every bit of it. My seafood stew and my wife's chicken and waffle dinners were also excellent. Service was very good. The bread was very good. My wife's deaf expresso cappuccino was great. This is not a cheap place. With the above mentioned items, we were at $78, but it was worth the money. The only down side for us was the metal ceiling, similar to the one at Cafe Hon. It makes the place too loud. I'd float some acoustic clouds and soak up some of the clatter. As the place thinned out a bit, the noise level became less of a problem. We'll go back. The brunch menu looks very good.
(4)Jason C.
Came here again with friends and happy to report that the experience was still great! Bar is still excellent with lots of interesting choices and all tried were well executed. Wait staff is relaxed and friendly, lending the the laid back atmosphere. You really feel like you just want to settle in for a few hours here. The limited menu was also interesting with enough variety to please everyone. I really like this place!
(4)Amanda F.
Oh my darlin Clementine! I've been to Clementine for both lunch and dinner and never had a dish that missed. The prices are a tad higher than I would like, but the food is tasty, creative, and fresh. One bite of anything on Clementine's menu, and you know you are tasting culinary expertise. Even my chicken salad sandwich was unique and unexpected, yet very tasty and hearty. My Brother claims his BLT was the best he's ever had. We ordered another Acorn Squash Bisque because it was so good and we wanted more. The side salads are more than just iceberg lettuce and a slice of tomato. Don't miss out on the dessert! So yummy. Unfortunately AND fortunately, their menu changes often given the farm-to-table philosophy. This means I have no idea of the name of the entree I ordered over a year ago when I visited for dinner. It was a FANTASTIC Asian fish soup (with Maryland seafood) that I have never tasted elsewhere. Basically, I will happily continue to revisit Clementine's in hopes that they bring the fish soup back or I find another entree I love just as much.
(4)Natalie G.
I've been to Clementine a few times for dinner, and I have always enjoyed myself! We usually do a little tasting of everything and split it so I have had quite a few of the menu options. The chicken dish (it changes all the time) is really quite wonderful and if you can find a dish with braised kale on it, GET IT. The charcuterie is worth it, though make sure you ask for more crackers. Thrusdays are a great day to go - they have awesome wine specials, and their cocktails look fantastic, though I haven't yet tried one (I usually get the wine flight when I go). Maybe next time. I think the only thing that i could pick out as a negative would be that the bread was cold. This isn't a big deal, but would be a really nice touch if Clementine was looking for something more to do. I also loved that there's a little kids play area in the corner. My daughter is a bit young, but this had such a nice family friendly atmosphere that I would definitely consider letting her roam a bit free when she gets older. I haven't seen a space like this at a restaurant in quite awhile and it really added to the family kitchen feel. I would say that this restaurant is definitely worth checking out.
(4)Elizabeth J.
Terrific and unusual drink selections and great service. I have had many delicious items such as the pot pie and the tacos are always amazing no matter which meat you choose to stuff into them. I really enjoyed all of the appetizers, but I was disappointed by the steak. I requested it medium rare and it came out medium/medium well. The kitchen immediately returned it and quickly prepared a new steak cooked perfectly, but unfortunately it had absolutely no flavor. For the price it was pretty upsetting, but everything else was and always has been delicious so I will continue to go there, but maybe just avoid the steak. I really appreciated the graciousness with which the kitchen did their best to please in this situation however.
(3)Kojo B.
I had the zradaka chicken with grits and kale. The grits were fantastic, and the kale was good (rarely ever would i comment on anything green). The chicken though was way too salty. Other guests on my table enjoyed their meals i guess i probably selected the wrong entree. I will try it again, but i will also order something else. In the interim it is a solid restaurant, but just basing my reviews off of the chicken.
(3)Gina S.
I've only been here once but I was very impressed by the quality of the food, I ordered a Spanish egg/chorizo dish that was full of flavor and definitely enough to feed 2 people. Prices are a little steep for certain items for what they were, but that's what you dish out for locally grown, organic food. My husband got Belgian waffles, said they were good but there was nothing outstanding about them. I wasn't a fan of the coffee, way too strong for my taste. The restaurant was very crowded and hard to get to our seats since the tables were set up so close to one another. We asked for a highchair and were given one that was so loose and wobbly that I was afraid it would break if I put my son in it. After asking for a new one and waiting nearly 10 minutes, we had to request it again and finally got one after waiting another 5 minutes. I may come back in the future to try something other than breakfast but I will opt for a time when it is less busy.
(3)Shannon S.
I really want to like Clementine. The decor is warm and comfortable, there is never a long wait (for brunch), and the menu has all kinds of things that you won't find at your normal brunch spot. But the food is just so-so. I've been for brunch 3 times now, so I'm comfortable saying that it's not just that I haven't ordered the right things. On my first visit, I decided to order a bunch and see what I really enjoyed. I had coffee, a scone (I think blueberry), waffles with nutella whipped cream, and the cheese grits. The coffee was good, the scone was just OK, the waffles were cold and not at all as decadent as I'd imagined, the nutella whipped cream was a nice touch, and the cheese grits were by and far the best thing I had, but mainly because they are super cheesy and I LOVE cheese. The server was very attentive and patient as this was the first time I, or anyone in my party, had been there for brunch. He seemed very attentive, but then I can't really explain why my waffles came out cold? It wasn't so bad that I ruled out coming back to this place... So I did come back, about 2 weeks later. This time, I had the cumin potatoes, cheese grits, and the egg and cheese breakfast sandwich. I didn't expect much, and it's a good thing. The food was luke-warm again. The potatoes didn't have much flavor and the waitress looked at me like I had 5 heads when I asked for tomato on my sandwich ("Uh, I guess we can do that"?? Really!?) The sandwich did turn out OK though. So, yesterday morning we wake up late and want to get some brunch. I know all of my favorite places will be packed after 10am, so I decide, eh, why not give this place one more try. Food was cold again!! Does this place not have warmers?? I've officially given up. If I'm desperate for cheese grits, I'd consider going back, but my expectations will be in check.
(2)Nick B.
Great place. Always packed. Great drink list (questionable bartender skills however, cost them a star). The charcuterie hit you in the face once you enter makes you order even if you don't want it. Well made menu cooked properly. If you can get a seat, take it.
(4)Jen W.
Clementine was the beginning of putting Hamilton back on the map. It has that great neighborhood restaurant vibe and draws in foodies from all over the area. You might even mistake the restaurant for a retail store since the store front has maintained the original exterior. The decor is eclectic and warm with unique artwork and wood chairs and tables. The drinks are wonderful. They have a terrific selection of bottled and draft beers. Did you say you have Chimay on tap? Ask for the menu of cocktails and drinks. A favorite amongst friends is the Basil Lime Elixir - tart, sweet and herby. Great for all seasons and the way to start off the meal. The menu is seasonal with the ingredients fresh and locally sourced. They also have a strong focus on charcuterie and meats, but they always have great menu options for vegetarians. They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Dinner can be a bit pricey but the food is really great. I can't wait to go back for breakfast and Taco Tuesday.
(4)Justin K.
I have now been to Clementine's a few times for Brunch. This is located up in Hamilton, a short hop threw the ghetto. In my opinion it is definitely worth the trip. It's a solid brunch location. I have yet to partake in dinner here, I just can't get enough a one thing...the Korean Hot Pot! This is the ultimate hangover cure and is just straight delicious. It has eggs, sticky rice, sprouts, bacon, mushrooms, cabbage, carrots, hoisin, and a Korean BBQ sauce. It sounds ridiculous and it is, ridiculously good! They have fresh baked goods every morning as well, such as the cinnamon and sugar coated muffin with bacon inside. Oh man, that was tasty. I enjoyed another tasty lick last time we were here and they had house made scrapple. It was top notch. Just like back home in PA. They also have a local theme where a lot of their products are from local businesses in the area. Additionally, they cure their own freakin' meat! I love that restaurants do that now, because it is a craft that must be honed over time through trial and error. From what i have experienced they do a solid job of curing. I highly recommend you give this place a try for brunch on the weekend; it is off the beaten path but well worth the adventure.
(4)Jean E.
Really nice food, but they've gotta figure out the service: on one recent visit we were told it was a half hour wait despite 50% of the tables being empty. So that was disappointing. On a more recent visit, we had a table because we reserved beforehand, but after filling our drink order our waiter seemed to fall apart and it took 90 minutes for all of our food to be delivered. Even though there were only two other tables.
(3)Idalee D.
Clementines is always good. Often there are little misses but overall it is a good place to eat. I especially recommend any of the house smoked meats and the coconut cake!
(4)Gerry S.
This is a sweetheart of a restaurant with an upscale palate, excellent food, and a relaxed, casual vibe, in a section of the city that's more accustomed to diners and chains. There's a play-area for families with kids up near the entrance, and that sort of dichotomy between serious food and a laid-back, welcoming atmosphere really sets the tone for the place. We'll definitely visit again. First off, Clementine now seems to have their liquor license in hand, as we were offered a wine list with our menus. While wine may be a solid choice for such good eats, my advice is to first try the nonalcoholic "basil-lime elixir" on their drink menu. This was a delightful surprise - up-front with the basil taste, but with enough citrus to cut the spice, and not too sweet at all. I'd never tasted anything like it before. The food was excellent overall. The "fantastical" mac-and-cheese appetizer is every bit as good as the menu promises, studded with bits of fresh tomato, cheesy without being gloppy, and featuring plenty of brown, crusty, burnt-cheese bits. Travis's duck was perfectly rare, and came with asparagus that was so fresh he said, "you can still taste the field." Another reviewer mentioned that the mashed potatoes were too stiff for his tastes, and I'll second that sentiment. Flavored with smoked gouda, they were still awfully tasty though. While the cheese grits and braised greens that came with my catfish entree were outstanding, the fish itself was a surprising letdown. Perfectly fresh and well-cooked, the seasoning on it was so salty, I nearly sent the dish back. Everything else was so good, I chalked the fish up as a misstep. The desserts were all clearly made in house. I was eyeing the chocolate-peanut butter cake all through my meal, but when the waitress mentioned that the coconut cake came with real boiled icing, I had to try it. Travis's key lime pie was also delicious. Finally, since it's me, I have to mention that one of the owners is a long-bearded, smoking-hot bear of a man. I would probably return just for that view, but really, the food is well worth the trip.
(4)Robby B.
I came to Clementine for weekend brunch a couple years ago and just now made it back over (finally!). This time we got lunch during the week. I wasn't as impressed this time around, but I still had a very good meal. I really like the feel of Clementine. It's a good mix of hipster-cool, sophisticated, and inviting. They have a some cool paintings and a bunch of ornithology pictures. The view into the meat storage room is cool too. I wish Clementine served breakfast food throughout lunch, but alas, they do not. I ordered the pit beef sandwich ($8.50). It was good, not great. Meat was every so slightly overcooked, and also not warm enough. Felt a bit like your average roast beef sandwich. The tiger sauce was good and the bun was soft but held up nicely. The portion was not huge. My side was the Moroccan carrot salad. It was raw carrot slices covered in yellow curry. It was refreshing because the curry wasn't too salty or overpowering. A few raisins were in there too, but it needed more. My friend got the pulled pork sandwich ($8) and it was fantastic. The meat was very tender and the orange BBQ sauce was great. This sandwich was bigger than mine, so I was mighty jealous. She got a salad as her side dish. It was a simple spring mix, but her green goddess dressing was delicious. It was both creamy and clean tasting. Service was generally quick, attentive, and friendly. One small mix up: they switched our sides. Our meals were quickly re-plated even though we insisted it wasn't necessary. (Actually, that was frustrating because I was starving and waiting to eat, but I know he was just trying to be a good waiter.) Overall, good food at a decent price for lunch. This recent experience at Clementine warrants a solid 3.5, but I've really enjoyed weekend brunch in the past, so rounding up to 4 is a no brainer. I can't wait to come back for brunch and to try dinner down the road.
(4)Erica C.
This is a breakfast review. I like breakfast. I like this place. I like to go with people and split a bunch of food. Pig out at breakfast. You know? The Elvis waffle was tasty and fun. Nutella is always a winner in my book. The corned beef hash was delicious as well, nothing like the slop in a can I've grown not-so-found of. The house sausage was flavorful and went well with the other dishes. The breakfast casseroles are rubbery and bleh for the most part, avoid them....but do get the cheesy grits. Those are good. The house coffee is a nice touch. The ambiance is nice. The service is average. I like this place for breakfast, except for the weird casserole things. I could do without those.
(4)Kim A.
Best Spot in Baltimore. My only complaint is that I found this place the first month I moved to Baltimore a year ago and it ruined me for other Baltimore Restaurants forever, but that is not really their fault. Their drinks are amazing. They make in house elixir mixers like basil lemonade. I don't even like tequila, but when it's mixed in their drinks, I love it! Great infused vodkas too. They do in house charcuterie in a glass room so you can look at the delicious meats. Their pate is to die for and is part of their Thursday happy hours. The best dish they served was the anise oyster french toast. It can be a bit pricey when you order drinks, but it is fine dining in a casual atmosphere, so no dressing up needed. It's also pretty loud and not pretentious at all. The area is a bit weird to be home to such an awesome restaurant, but I think I like that because it means it won't become uber trendy. Do yourself a favor and check it out.
(5)Devonshire B.
Their breakfast is pretty darn scrumptious. If you hit it on a day where the special is biscuits and sausage gravy, don't pass it up! If you missed your chance, by all means, order the Belgian waffles with the whipped cream and strawberries. Make sure you order the syrup ON THE SIDE! If you don't, they utterly drench it. Taco Tuesday is also an amazing quirk to this restaurant. The smoked paprika catfish is out of this world when gathered up with all of the other taco ingredients. I believe they cook their refried beans with beef broth. So good! For dinner, it can be pretty pricey. I've gone only once during Baltimore's Restaurant Week, but I wasn't let down. They had a great menu and the quality was excellent. All in all, this place is worth it. If the syrup is the only negative comment I have about this place, then I'm ok with that (and so should you).
(4)John M.
I ate here for my first time during Baltimore restaurant week. I plan to come back. I had the Pork Adobo - this is one of the best meals I have ever had. The pork was perfect and the right amount of vinegar and flavoring. The wait staff was terrific and made us feel at home! I am glad I don't live close - I would be here a few times a week.
(5)D K.
Burger and beer is on on Wednesdays. Made with local beef burgers are excellent, very good texture and taste. You can't beat the half price beer. And Cristin is as always the perfect host and guide
(5)Steve C.
Clementine is ok. It came very highly recommended from a couple whose opinions we trusted, but neither our brunch nor our dinner wowed us. That being said, we weren't disgusted either. The first time we went was for brunch. I had the Migas which is some sort of scramble with eggs and corn tortillas. The ingredients were fresh, I'll give them that, but it had no flavor! Like, none. I wanted to love my meal, but I was "meh" on the experience. We also had a side of their mac & cheese to share. Ample portions size and very very good. Then we went for dinner. This meal, again, had very very little flavor. I had fried chicken with grits and a shockingly small side garden salad. No flavor. I think they're going for the low sodium thing, which I suppose is great for our heart health, but tastebud wise it's disappointing. The food is very fresh, I will give them that, but they need to figure out a way to get more flavor in their food if they're opposed to using salt. This could be a great restaurant choice if you're on a low-sodium diet or have cardiac issues, but when I want comfort food, I'm not necessarily thinking about my health.
(3)Omer B.
Been there twice now. The ambiance is ok. It felt a bit understaffed Sunday at 7pm. I walked in at 7:05. We go our cocktails at 7:35. Food was so-so. I had the charcuterie starter and the risotto. The charcuterie was good the risotto was not. My drink was the Peep (hendricks, icetea, syrup, lemon, mint). It tasted like a watered down ice tea. The waiter was ok. A bit slow because he was busy, wasn't really his fault. I am trying to like this place but I can't think of a single reason to comeback other than I saw the table next to me get their deserts, and they were huge (the deserts, not the customers).
(2)Matt W.
We had the dumplings as an app, pork chops and scallops as our entrees. Both courses were good, although not sure we expected the pork chop to be breaded as it was. It might have been an oversight on our part though. We got the creme brûlée for dessert and I was not impressed, it was incredibly syrupy about half way down the deep dish. Overall the food was fine, enough to return again, but the service was terribly slow. Luckily we made reservations and were seated upon arriving. We got drinks reasonably quick, and I'm impressed by the wait staffs knowledge of their pretty large drink menu. After that things slowed down. We ended up being there for over 2 hours, considering it is just a party of 2 I find this to be pretty excessive. The waitress was not very attentive to us, and even getting our check in a 30% full restaurant was a time consuming ordeal.
(3)Don Ryan A.
I've been here before for dinner and was completely blown away, but I wanted to see if there was more to this place than just dinner so I decided to try it for breakfast. I was more than amazed when I completed my meal. I will say it started off as a disappointment as it was relatively busy and only 3 servers working the entire place, but once our drink order was in, it was nothing less than spectacular. I got the breakfast scramble and a side of their homemade sausage and washed it down with some local Zeke's coffee. The meal was perfectly cooked and full of flavor. The hot sauces were quite delicious as well. I liked the green hot sauce as it had plenty of kick. The red hot sauce tasted too acidic for my liking. This place has become one of my favorites and next up, I'll have to go there for lunch.
(5)M F.
We had a very special dinner here, last minute and were treated so warmly and intelligently but what's more, the food and drink were delish. I had a beet and goat cheese thing for my main course, yummy, and got to try both the scallops (to die for) and the blue fish (a treat we westerners don't get.) Lots of us are from Portland, so we're used to getting to know our food on a first name basis. This was a perfect mix of classy and casual.
(5)Dan A.
Located in the Hamilton neighborhood, Clementine may be easy to miss at first glance. However, it is worth finding as it serves some really good comfort foods. The mac and cheese is amazing and definitely needs to be ordered if it is your first visit. The menu features local ingredients. While some dinner dishes can be pricey and get into the upper $20 range, you can usually find a good amount of dishes under $20 as well. Most of the food is very solid; I've never had a horrible meal here. The surrounding area is a bit sketchy so be careful not to leave valuables and such visible in your car.
(4)Jason L.
I love this place so much, I went back and tried the Grouper based on our servers avid recommendation - and I was blown away! This is definitely one of the best restaurants in Baltimore. My friend had the New York Strip which looked amazing - he loved it! I will definitely be returning here again and again and again.
(5)Collin M.
Clementine prepares ingredients that are farm-to-table, fork-to-mouth, stomach-to-intestine, toilet-to-water filtration plant, filtration plant-to-body of water, body of water-to-rain cloud, rain cloud-to-farm and farm-to-table. It's how food should be, you know? The dining room is dimly lit and the walls are festooned with local artist's artwork and other fitting pieces. The dining furniture, as far as I could tell, is all-wood and the booths appeared to be old, surprisingly comfortable church pews. All in all, the atmosphere jives with the overall theme of the restaurant. The waitstaff was friendly and attentive, no complaints there. I ordered the Caesar-ish salad with chicken and a bowl of Asian braised beef soup. The soup was fine but tasted strongly of hoisin sauce. The salad, on the other hand, was great. All of vegetables were fresh, colorful and flavorful. The free-range chicken breast was large, perfectly cooked and was only an extra $3.50. Everything was topped with the right amount of delicious bacon-anchovy vinaigrette. Overall, Clementine offers delicious and inexpensive food, all while supporting local farms. Check it out.
(4)Jen L.
Tried the catfish tacos on their Taco Tuesdays and thought it was good. Nothing special, but still pretty decent food. The Tres Leche was really good. Never had it before until here. The sangria was OK. I had the Rose one and wondered if I should have gotten the white one. The only thing that stinks is that they only serve Tacos on Tuesdays. Which is fine, but their full menu was very tempting and I couldn't order from it. Will have to come back and try it on a day other than Tuesdays. This is a great neighborhood dive restaurant. I think I would have liked it better if I had more variety for the menu other than tacos.
(3)Silvia K.
This was an interesting experience. I probably will not go again because it is not something fit to my taste. Smells like cured meat. Has that old, rustic nature to the restaurant. Had the Mac N Cheese, which was alright, but I would not eat it again because I didn't like the sharp cheddar. We got the bacon-wrapped meatloaf and the ham dinner. It was alot of food. I didn't really like it, but I ate a decent chunk. The vegetables were good. Not a big fan of any part of the pig though, so the bacon wasn't a good idea. :P If you want a different experience, try it out, but you've been warned.
(2)Shana W.
I really find it amusing that my boyfriends review of this racist establishment was removed. No matter how eloquently he explained our horrible visit to this restaurant, it doesn't change the fact that people of color are obviously not welcomed here. 'Our' money is just as good as the next persons....but no worries, we will rewrite our issue here again soon. It needs to be clearly documented and understood that people of color are not welcome. Word of mouth is a beautiful thing, and my corporation (A Top 10 Company in AMERICA) has issued to ban this establishment as well due to our visit. Stay tuned to our full review, yet again it will be typed. Thank you.
(1)AsianZing L.
As another Yelper has already said, "I really wanted to like Clementine, but..." The quick summary: overpriced, overrated, inconsistent, and underwhelming. My friend and I went here last Friday night because she loves the place, and we wanted to have a nice, leisurely catch-up at a place we wouldn't have to scream to be heard. On that account, Clementine fit the bill. That's about it, though. We started off taking our time looking through the drink and wine list, and it became apparent quite quickly that our slower pace irritated our server. Also, despite what their website said, there is no "buy one, get the next half-off" cocktail happy hour on Friday nights. This was disappointing and really should be fixed on their website. My friend ordered a red wine that she loved; I ordered an amaretto sour that was atrocious. It was basically nothing but sour...one of the worst I've ever tasted. We then ordered the winter butternut squash dip appetizer, and that was delicious!! Definitely order that if you get the chance! Next, I ordered a glass of Riesling to go with my dinner. The Riesling they have, (it's the only one they offer), was excellent!! For our entrees, we asked the waitress what she recommended. She was not knowledgeable at all about the different meals and resorted to saying, "Umm, a lot of people like the scallops and the rabbit linguine...??" My friend and I had been looking at both of those entrees anyway, so she ordered the scallops and I got the rabbit linguine. My friend's scallops were delicious and wonderful; my rabbit linguine was absolutely boring and bland. I'm very surprised that it's one of the most popular items on the menu...it must be the novelty of eating rabbit, (which, honestly, was about as exciting as shelling lima beans...if you've done it, you know!!) Finally, for dessert, my friend wanted coffee with Baileys, but they were out of Baileys. Our waitress quickly up sold her to an $8 coffee drink, (doing her job pretty well there!) My friend said it was nothing special, and she wouldn't get the drink again. Because it seems I am a slow learner, I asked the waitress about their desserts. She, again, knew absolutely nothing about them...she had never tried ANY of them and resorted to saying, "I've sold a couple of cheesecakes and chocolate zucchini cakes tonight. Everyone has seemed to like them." Seriously, I've been a server many times over at a variety of restaurants, and as a server, a cardinal rule is that you MUST have tasted at least ONE item for every course so you can talk intelligibly about SOMETHING when a customer asks. Not impressed...do better. I decided to try the chocolate zucchini cake, and it was ho-hum at best and a bit dry. Nothing impressive, except the piece was very large...which really doesn't matter when it doesn't taste all that good. Overall, Clementine was disappointing. Definitely underwhelming and overrated. My experience was inconsistent; the highlights were the glasses of wine, appetizer and my friend's scallops. Everything else was mediocre at best. For all this, it was also way overpriced. I can think of many other places I'd rather drop $54 on a meal. Unless my friend begs me, I won't be going back. (Actually, even if she begs, I'm still going to try to convince her to go somewhere else).
(2)Brian A.
I love Clementine but this 2 star review is in response to removing Tuesday Dinner Nights. I never tried 'Talian Tuesday but understand it was popular and loved but my real beef is with removing Taco Tuesday. How can you grace the world with the presence of your wonderful Tacos and than take them from us. The Chorizo tacos were possibly the BEST tacos I have ever tasted. Weeknights for me are usually reserved for the gym, cooking dinner at home and relaxing with my girlfriend and awful smelling canine but the sweet aromas, tantalizing flavors and welcoming vibe of Clementine's Taco Tuesday often pulled me out of my Lauraville home into the neighborhood bustle of Hamilton for a delish Taco. No More! NO MAS TACO MARTES!
(2)Christopher S.
The sedition of average. The menu is very limiting and poor to choose from, beer selection is also poor at best, taste is probably the best part if there's something on the menu you like, but service is terrible. I've tried it twice to be patient but there's little hope, just stay away
(2)Sarah B.
Everything about this place deserves 5 stars. The food, the service, the atmosphere. I had the apple smoked pork chop for dinner and it was crazy good. I knew it would be after how many wonderful things I'd heard about this place, though. I shouldn't be writing this review around lunch time... I'm getting quite hungry. After dinner, we moved over to the bar where we sat and chatted to the bartender. I asked him to surprise me and he mixed up a delicious concoction which I happily slugged down. I'd tell you what it was if I knew but either way, it was great and so was he. The bar atmosphere is lovely and the couches kind of call to you to just hang around a little while longer, which we did. I'm really looking forward to coming back here for breakfast because the menu looks amazing. Geez, I'm really hungry.
(5)Zoe P.
My wife has celiac disease, which makes it a real pain to eat out. The staff at Clementine were extremely knowledgeable, helpful, and attentive. They went out of their way to make sure we had a great, worry-free meal. Great food, great drinks, great people. We will definitely be back!
(4)Jen M.
I have never had a bad meal or cocktail here. I really like the brunch, and they always have an inventive and seasonal menu (including drinks!). Everything is locally sourced and made in house. Save room for dessert if you can, they cakes are worth it. Not to be missed if you're a foodie, and it's reasonably priced. There's even a kid's play area in one of the dining rooms.
(4)Michelle B.
The ambiance is my kind of place, very chill and classy without being fussy. I would love to come here again with a bigger group of friends for a nice catch-up luncheon. The staff was attentive. It did take a while to get our food - but we were catching up, so we didn't mind. This place is very pleasant. The menu is small but ever changing. Although I didn't have any, their wine and spirits list has many options. I had a chicken salad sandwich for lunch with potato salad and fruit salad. The flavors were good, but a little flat. My friend had a breakfast sandwich with cheesy grits and was hoping for a little more cheese.
(4)JJ C.
Clementine on a Friday night. Had a round of drinks before dinner, asked for a Beefeater martini and was told all they have is Hendricks's gin. Not my first choice but we ordered two of those. The waiter brought two Blow Fly martinis instead??? Without asking or advising he was changing the order? Something amiss there! Ordered the Charcuterie plate appetizer which was quite good but the pâté came with four (4) crackers? The entree was rockfish and bacon wrapped meatloaf which was very well done to the point of being dry! The desert our table liked the best was the lemon cheesecake. I was told the deserts are made by the owners mother, if only she could make the Martinis and he meatloaf.
(2)Michelle H.
I had high hopes for breakfast - not just because it was my birthday brunch, but because their dinner food is wonderful. Alas, I found myself disappointed. I opted for the Seared Duck Hash. I mean really, how incredible does that sound? Duck, potatoes, poached egg - practically the makings of perfection. Only...not so much when not properly executed. The whole point of a poached egg (and hash, really) is a runny yolk, right? Sadly, neither of mine did. They were borderline soft boiled eggs really. When I brought this to the waiter's attention, he offered to have the chef make new ones, but said it would take a few minutes. So, he left me with my dish to sit and get cold as new eggs were poached. The other flaw of the dish was the varying shapes and sizes of everything - it made it terribly difficult to get each ingredient in one bite. The fingerling potatoes were cut into little discs, while the purple cabbage was shredded, the onions sliced and the duck in massive chunks. It just made for awkward eating. I found the cheese grits and blueberry corn muffin to be a let down as well. At first bite, the grits were decent. But I think the only cheese they added was what was sprinkled on the top. Once that layer was gone, the grits lacked flavor and seasoning. I actually took the salt shaker to it. As for the muffin, I adore all things blueberry...but I guess there's always an exception. Again, flavorless and the corn kernels were tough and chewy - it was an unpleasant surprise in the muffin. The real kicker is that the muffin was cold. As in, it was probably taken out of the refrigerator probably 10 mins prior. Perhaps I ordered the wrong things, but I think I'll stick to coming here for dinner just in case.
(3)Pecan S.
I eagerly went to Clementine and will never return. The restaurant was not crowded & no one else waiting to be seated, yet our presence was never acknowledge. We sat on the black couch, read the menu for "at least" five minutes without interruption. Several staff looked directly at us but no one approached. So we stood up, placed the menus back on the front entrance table and waited..... Nothing.... I walked out, but my girlfriend stayed inside to call the restaurant by phone & inform them of our presence, but no one answered. I walked back in to get her for us to leave and was approached by a nonchalant and aloof staff member who only stated. " table for two" ? Our response - " No thank you, we're leaving. We we were waiting here and no one spoke to us." Staff shrugged her shoulders & replied, "Okay". At that point we realized that maybe Clementine does not want business from Blacks. Unfortunately, no distractions were present to avoid consideration to pull the race card on this one. We we eager to try them out, but Clementine can keep its food and we"ll surely keep our money. A yelp review may not catch the owner's attention, but hey... When people go somewhere to spend their money it has to feel right. No good feelings for Clementine.... The Waffle House has better service!
(1)Axl R.
We came here for restaurant week (2-2014). It was a near 2.5 hour experience! Some of the food was good, but not to overcome the super slow service. Our drinks were not refilled, it took 20 mins to even get offered a drink. Portions of the food were cold, some were hot. The waiter and the restaurant did not deserve a tip at all, but I gave one anyway out of guilt. He pretty much ignored us the whole night because I feel he knew how super slow and half-hearted the kitchen was running. Most of our meals were far too creamy, over salted, and heavy. I would not recommend this place at all.
(1)A P.
Although I am devastated by the loss of taco Tuesday, I have never been unhappy with a meal at Clementine. The staff has always been welcoming and has made me comfortable, but I'm easy. I don't expect a baby sitter at a restaurant, just good service and solid food. Clementine is proof that Baltimore can get it right sometimes. Great brunches!!! Try the Mac and cheese... Once I had an amazing mushroom pie... The roast beef with tomato jam(when it's in season)... And geez everything has always been delicious... And well portioned and shareable. Sit at the bar or in the loungey area if you can't get or don't want a table!
(5)Yenling C.
I like everything. It's a wonderful place and price wise is good. Just the chocolate cake is a bit dry. They even have a small area for kids to relax on couch and pl
(4)Anna K.
There were a lot of things I liked about Clementine but the space of the restaurant was not one of them. It was oddly laid out and I always felt like I had to maneuver around other tables to get around. Now onto the good stuff: We went there with friends of ours and ate WAY too much. We started with a round of cocktails - Cherrypicker (A-, not sweet enough for my taste); Spicy Ninja (A+), Copperfox (A++, my favorite) and the cider (meh). Apps included the cheese plate which was unfortunately pedestrian, the escargot which was super delicious, the pork and duck creton (A-) and the mac n'cheese which was OK. Entrees were linguine (too much garlic), cabbage rolls (A-), pork chop (A), and acorn squash stir fry (A). I was far more impressed with the apps than the actual meal. The wines we had were Fantastic though and we drank enough to probably color our remembrance of the meal. I don't know if I'd go back for a meal but maybe for drinks? I have to say though that the service was very good and the hostess was really accommodating when we came early.
(3)Natalie F.
On a quick trip to Baltimore, I needed to find a place that would impress my boyfriend that wasn't going to be too expensive. The reviews were spot on and Clementine surely didn't disappoint! For an app, we both shared the duck nachos. They had just enough meat, but not too much that it overpowered everything else. I could have eaten those homemade chips all night! For our entrees, I had the cider-brined pork chop and he had the bacon-wrapped meatloaf. The pork chop was very juicy and had a great salty-sweet flavor. Both meals came with the BEST mashed potatoes I have ever had...divine! There was so much food we could only eat half and took the other half to finish later. While the food overall didn't blow my mind, it was thoroughly good! I would definitely go back here if I'm in the Baltimore area for another weekend.
(4)Kelly M.
I'd been trying to make it out to Clementine for about a year. Everyone raved about it's high-end comfort food and I was really looking forward to it. It was good. But not great. I'll start with the high points: the service was wonderful. Our waitress was knowledgeable, attentive and pleasant. Now on to the Not-Bad, Just Not Spectacular: We ordered the curry crab dip appetizer which was very good. I ordered a the steak, which was cooked to order with a nice sauce and sides. JPK ordered the pork chop. His meal was more on the average side of things. It just didn't "sing" you know? Good beer and wine selection. I dunno, maybe there was too much hype but it just wasn't blowing my mind. There are plenty of other restaurants in my neighborhood that offer the same or better that I can walk to. I can't see making the effort to drive out there again.
(3)Matthew L.
I stopped at Clementine because the restaurant I wanted to go to was having a private party that night. Since I live closer to the harbor, this was a bit of drive. I'm glad I made it. The restaurant is really cute. A mix between eclectic and trendy. (Think golden west cafe meets Red Star). It actually seems like it should be in Hampden. I wish I had gone on a normal night, but ended up on Taco night, so it was a closed menu. The plate was colorful and tasty. While not authentic, the tacos were creative and fun. I would like to try the restaurant again when they have the full menu available.
(3)Jason K.
On May 16th I made a reservation for large party to celebrate a family member's birthday over Memorial Day Weekend. Today, on May 23, a full week later, I got an automated response email from OpenTable that my reservation has been cancelled. I called as they were calling me (ie they cancelled the reservation BEFORE calling). The explanation given is that they have decided to close the day of my reservation and they hadn't updated OpenTable. While I have no idea what happened there, this is completely unprofessional. Do you think Woodberry Kitchen would pull this one on their guests? Maybe this is why I could get a reservation at Clementine and not Woodberry. The staff was apologetic and offered me free desert on my next visit but that's not going to happen since I won't be coming in. Now I'm off to try to find a decent place for dinner less than a week from now for a very large group. Thanks Clementine.
(1)Stef T.
I dined here tonight and loved this place! It was so cute, the service was friendly and the meal was well paced. The food was really delicious. My only complaint is that it was a little bit of a drive for me through some less welcoming neighborhoods.
(5)Rachel F.
Ohmagawd, Baltimore. Why didn't you tell me about Clementine? Maybe it's the fact that I'm a midtown snob, but I have never ventured up into Hamilton for food - which my friends tell me makes me the worst foodie in the whole city. I would agree, because Clementine was incredible. Mostly I was hungover when I went their for brunch, so I was hooked when they brought out really strong Zeke's coffee. It hit the spot. And they were great about refills. Much appreciated. I got the breakfast scramble which was scrambley and cheesy and baconey. And their hotsauces were home made and good. I think everyone I was with was pretty content with their food. And there was a charcuterie! That's not even a word! Just noises. But very cool. In conclusion: Awesome.
(5)Judy C.
Hamilton is one of the far-north neighborhoods of Baltimore that can easily be ignored, so during my last days being a Baltimorean, I had to explore. And at Hamilton, I went to Clementine--supposedly comfort food with an ethnic twist? I don't know how much comfort there was in the food, but the food did come with a twist. I think the gazpacho had quinoa as it had a grainy texture to it. It was unusual but interesting nevertheless. I got the stuffed peppers (with brown rice and veggies), which were healthy and delicious. My friend had the mackerel with seaweed salad (there's the twist again!), and he thought the mackerel could use some sauce but was cooked nicely. Oh, there was a comfort part for me! They served diet cream soda! I loved cream soda as a child, and given my hypersensitivity to weight gain (ha! Partly joking...), I was elated to have diet cream soda with my meal! :-) Good to know that my adventure was rewarding with a nice meal!
(4)Adina K.
Taco Tuesdays! $10 for four corn tortillas, the protein of your choice (usually 3 options plus a veggie one), and homemade rice and beans. Your first beer is only $1.50. Great margaritas. The regular menu can be hit or miss. The highs are really high (charcuterie platter, mac and cheese), but the lows are a disappointment given the price point (uninspired gouda mashed potatoes with pretty much every entree, dry coconut cake). Great place to grab a drink, as the bar has some pretty unique cocktails available. I've tried a smattering of the options and all have been excellent. Everything is made in house, down to the pickles, and most of what you get is local. Looking forward to trying brunch here one weekend...I've heard good rumblings about it...
(4)john f.
Clementine is probably the kind of place that changes it's menu seasonally, so i don't know how relevant this review will be in the future, but i was so happy to find a place that still serves duck breast. It seems that somewhere along the line, duck breast became passe, and every hip place dropped it for confit, kind of along with this attitude that confit is the preferred part for the connoisseur. Well lah di da for the connoisseurs, i love me some duck breast, and I'm bummed that nowhere serves it anywhere. except that for clementine, hence the 5 star review. Everything was excellent, the place is great, etc. I just hope that this review gets read by someone who's in charge at clementine, and helps sway them to keep the duck breast dish on the menu for the long term. next time it's date night, i know where I'm going . . .
(5)Beee K.
What is up, Clementine?! I have a mixed feeling about this place. We went to have brunch on one Saturday, and the food was awesome. If I am writing this review solely on that visit, this place gets 4 and half stars. We loved Chicken Sandwich so much that my sis-in-law and I were stealing food from my hubby. It was delicious. Pumpkin muffin they had was really delicious, too. My duck hush was...alright, not lived up to my expectation, but it did not matter, the chicken salad was awesome. Could not wait to come back, so we did. Me and sis-in-law made sure to get chicken salad sandwich this time and awaited for the food to arrive. We both are hugely disappointed. Chicken had too much tarragon and was, I think cured. It was not like that before. Too salty and could not eat. We ended up returning the food and asked for the replacement. Was it because of the person making the food? Or they changed their recipe?? We were really sad. Replacement we got, which was some kind of noodle thing tasted ok, not that great. I have a hope for this place and it was really so good before.... please please please let me have that great chicken salad again! I only had 2 bites anyway! I would love to taste the whole thing!!!! Now I am little scared to go back and taste their chicken salad. I might need to give more time to be back.
(3)Lynn K.
Discovery is the name of the game. Relatives who live in the Hamilton area could not believe that such a fine restaurant was now in their area. I remember this neighborhood when there was an old run down movie theatre on this side of the street. But we convinced them by meeting them there for breakfast one Saturday. They left singing along with Davy, Peter and Mickey ...."I'm a Believer!" I love to eat breakfast out and am always looking for a great spot and we found it at Clementines. I had the apple crisp muffin and I was suppose to split it but you know how that goes. Just a piece then another......GONE! Followed it up by having a delicious broccoli cheese souffle. It was perfect. Great way to start the day. The homemade sausage got rave reviews as well as all the casserole dishes ordered. Wish they were open everyday for breakfast!. I have returned numerous times since to meet friends there for lunch and dinner. None of us have had a bad meal. The service is great and if the owner is there she will come to the table and talk to you. It has expanded since we first started going but the service and food has not changed. The menu is always different which is a good thing. The ingredients are fresh and the chef mixes items together that sound a little strange but work. Spend time reading that menu. Desserts are home made so save room. They have a little bar area where you can have a drink while you wait for your party to arrive. They have some early specials and the bartenders are friendly and helpful. Oh my darling,,,,oh my darling Clementine what took you so long to invade this neighborhood and give them something to be proud of.......Please don't be lost and gone forever. I will be dreadfully sorry ! HInt: If you go there for breakfast ask for the housemade hot sauces. Great on the grits!!
(4)Holly N.
What a great night! Started off with fabulous drinks from the bar, a beet salad and the charcuterie plate which was to die for.... homemade pate, fresh pickles and house dried meats with toast. This was an unexpected favorite of the night. I ordered fresh fish and the man ordered duck breast. Both fresh and delicious-- with interesting flavor combinations and fabulous texture. Everything was cooked to perfection. Our waitress Emily was amazing-- she was attentive yet unobtrusive, knew the menu inside and out and made wonderful recommendations. Can't wait to go back and in the meantime I'll be dreaming of the pate...
(4)Lena A.
Quaint and adorable new age restaurant with all natural, home-style meals. I LOVE this place - and I don't care that I've only been here once! My cousin, Willy, introduce me to this place and he said the Mac & Cheese was to die for. Unfortunately, when we've arrived it was after two and the kitchen was closed, so the only options available to us were the sandwiches. :( Regardless, I ordered the Grilled Chicken w/ Thick Cut Smoked Bacon, Avocado, Tomatoes & Danish Blue Cheese Mayo and it was delicious and filling. The ingredients were very fresh and the flavors were enticing. The restarant is known better as a charcuterie for their pate, so I will definitely get that next time, as well as the Fantastical Mac N Cheese! The decor and ensemble of the place reminds me of something out if Hampden. There are unique art pieces and artifacts, and the restaurant helps promote local artists by selling their artwork and photography. As for atmosphere, it is very homey and low-key (I love it!). BTW, the prices are relatively reasonable and not extremely pricey. Also, the wait staff is very friendly and nice, so please be kind and tip nicely. Lastly, parking is almost non-existent. You cna try to park in front of the restaurant (parallel parking 'cuz you in da city!) or drive around the block and park somewhere on the side streets.
(5)Kara T.
Finally made it back for drinks and Peep (she's the expert mixologist) delivered the goods - the basil lime elixir as it should be, murky green (but oh so good). My SO had one with tequila, I had one with rum (sort of herbal mojito-ish). Both were divine.
(4)Christa H.
The decor of Clementine is amazing. It felt kind of like I'd walked into the bar that Gaston sings his song in in Beauty & the Beast, with the random deer head on the wall and all the cool art. We sat in a nice wooden booth that might've had a previous life as a church pew. The environment was calming and friendly, and everyone looked like they were enjoying themselves. The food was okay. I had the mac & cheese and, while it was good, it wasn't extraordinary (or even in the top 10 best mac & cheeses I've had in my life). My friends enjoyed their food (the tuna salad sandwich and the grilled cheese), but I don't think we thought anything was exemplary. For the three of us, our meal came to a little over $20, so it was definitely affordable. Our waitress was friendly and paid attention to us. I loved everything about Clementine but the food, but maybe I'll come back and try a different dish.
(3)Bobby B.
I really want to love this place. The people are friendly and I like the decor, but after two visits there are a couple of things that bring it down. The first time I came here was shortly after it opened. We were seated right next to the kitchen, and they hadn't gotten their liquor license yet. The service was a little slow, but the food was good. On the latest visit for brunch, I was surprised and happy to see that they have expanded (appears to be more than twice in size), and they are now able to serve alcohol. However, we waited literally an hour for our food to come out after we ordered. I had the chicken and waffles, which was good but didn't make up for the time lost. I'll probably give Clementine one more shot before I vow to go elsewhere in the future.
(3)Kelly B.
My first experience with Clementine was an absolute delightful one, of drinks and an appetizer. The decor is eclectic, the drink menu lengthy, and the small amount of food I had superb. The service was quick and very friendly - though I did go in with a regular who knew some of the staff on a first name basis. It was a Friday night and rather busy when we full got in - full up. We sat on some couches near the front in the 'bar' section, and decided to stick with just appetizers and drinks rather than a full meal. From the drink menu, I stuck with beers. The first a Rogue Juniper Pale Ale, the second a Green Flash West Coast IPA. The first spiced with a slight hop, the second rather strong and really hoppy. Both were 3.75 for a bottle - not that bad of a price. They have a number of other beers in bottles, and a very, very long list of cocktail concoctions that will be tried at further visits. For an appetizer, we got the Charcuterie Big platter, consisting of Duck Liver Pate w/ Fresh Ginger & Pear Liqueur ; Duroc Pork Sausage w/ Green Onion, Black Mustard Seed & Thyme ; Luceille's Bread & Butter Pickles & Red Dragon Mustard Seed & Ale Cheddar. This was my first experience with pate, and I was honestly a little put off at first. The flavor is REALLY strong and I didn't think I liked it. Tried a couple combinations of what was on our plate. It goes really well with either a slice of the sausage or a slice of the cheese, on top of a slice of bread. The pickles are a nice side dish, but mix it with the pate and it gets a little funky. The sausage was great, best I've ever had. It paired well with everything on the plate. The cheese was like eating spicy brown mustard, but in cheese form. Incredibly strong flavor - would not recommend munching it on its own, but paired with the bread of the pate, and the strong flavor melts into the others. Will definitely be returning for a full meal and to try the Seafood Charcuterie!
(4)A B.
This is one of my favorite places. The food is always great, the atmosphere fun and cocktails are awesome. Its a bit expensive, but to me always worth it. Love you Clem!
(5)Melissa C.
Clementine is my not so little Uptown gem. On every visit (and there have been many), I can count on hardy, thoughtfully prepared American classics. Go for inventive cocktails with homemade elixirs. Go for the super-duper delicious duck nachos. Go on an empty stomach and indulge in any of their screw-the-calories entrees. Oh, and go for the homemade (in-house) desserts. The atmosphere is chill and unpretentious... an eclectic mix of odd art and taxidermy. The crowd is a mix. Hamilton locals intertwined with North end residents with dough. Last but not least, the service has always been top-notch. Attentive, but not too attentive and just darn genuine. I always leave happy.
(5)Jennifer H.
FINALLY someone in Baltimore has learned how to make biscuits and gravy. We were hesitant to order it but oh so glad we did so. We shared that dish and craved more. The Southwestern-type omelette I ordered was a bit disappointing, but my friend's Indian scramble was amazing. Everything was very fresh, and our server was outstanding.
(4)Caroline E.
A serious hit or miss kind of place. The cocktails were well-crafted and creative. Charcuterie plate was tasty, although it sorely needed more bread/crackers. The Mac and cheese was the low point of our night- it smelled and tasted like spoiled milk. Our waiter said it was a combo of tomato and sharp cheddar that gave it "bite"- Dude, no. Something was very wrong, and I felt dismissed and patronized by the server when I asked why it tasted off. My stuffed trout was excellent, however, and the roast chicken was perfect- overpriced for what you get, but it was delicious. The service was sub-par. Our server seemed over-committed and I wish we'd had more refills on water. I was brought by a friend who had had great experiences in the past and wanted to show the place off, but we were both disappointed. Looking at other reviews, it seems like this place is really slipping. Not sure if I'll be back.
(2)Trina T.
Really a Zero Rating!! The worst breakfast experience ever!!!! Sat there for almost an hour for eggs and bacon then the waitress comes out with one order when it's two of us dining. Therefore we would have to wait another hour to eat together while one meal will be cold. How unthoughtful! The owner made up for it with a future comp but breakfast was already ruined since it was part of the plans for the day. It off set our plans and we left "hungry." To make it worst... to be green and healthy we walked there therefore we walked home "hungry" after watching over 50 other patrons enjoy their breakfast. Waste of time. Did not feel welcomed at Clementines.
(1)Laura B.
Finally made it to Clementine and it was worth the effort. Starting with cocktails... very good. They had more than one bourbon based specialty cocktail which goes a long way in my book. Staff was all really nice and attentive enough. We had the mushroom pie appetizer which was really delicious with an amazingly flaky pastry crust. The pork cheek and steak tres major were both were super tender and tasty. The coconut cake for dessert was super good. The prices are high for Hamilton but really not bad for comparable quality food in the city. We'll definitely be back.
(5)Andy R.
The prix fix new years eve menu more than lived up to expectations. We've been meaning to eat here for a while now and the five course menu was delicious and the service friendly and efficient despite the usual "meat grinder" of new years eve dining. Unfortunately we didn't try The wine parings but the aperitifs recommended by the bar staff were original and very tasty. Not only was this a great dining experience, it was good value for money as well, we will definitely be returning.
(4)Jonas C.
It was supposed to be one of those organic local places whose menu shifts with local availability. Overall the food was pretty good, portions were hearty and filling. The dessert was likewise hearty and rich and everything is pretty sharable. Things were well-made, not memorable, but well-made. Ambiance was fairly nice, homey and cozy kind of feeling. Good times.
(4)Justin L.
Clementine has become my go-to spot in Baltimore for a comforting dinner experience. Both the veggies and the meats are locally sourced. The menu rotates weekly, with a few mainstays (such as the mac and cheese appetizer). They are good about updating their website with the newest version of the menu, so you can usually plan ahead. I would most accurately describe the place as "new American", featuring traditional style dishes with a contemporary twist. The aforementioned mac and cheese appetizer is usually a must whenever we visit. For five bucks you get a fairly large brick (and I do call it a brick, since the slice they give you is usually perfectly brick-shaped) which is plenty for two people to share. It is old-style, not overly cheesy but perfectly creamy with a delicious crust. Their drink menu is also extensive...we have never ordered a bad cocktail from here. The service is generally good, but frequently they have young/inexperienced wait staff that get in a little over their heads when the place is busy. The decor, while cute, is a little austere for a restaurant that's aiming for contemporary Americana look. I also would warn vegetarians that their vegetarian options are generally very limited. Usually there are only two, at most, vegetarian options on the menu. While every meat-based dish we've gotten here has been exceptional, the vegetarian entrees (while very good) are usually not of the same caliber. I would also consider the prices to be a little high (usually 20+ for a entree that contains meat) for a restaurant that advertises itself as affordable. This is really more of a 4.5-star review, but since Yelp doesn't allow half stars i'll round up because I like the place.
(5)Karen R.
I had a surprisingly bad experience at Clementine on Mother's Day. Made a reservation for 6 pm for six people. That's pretty early in the dinner rush, you'd think they'd be on their game. Many of us had tomato soup for an app, which was great. Three of us ordered the half chicken for an entree, one ordered bouillabaisse, two ordered scallops, shrimp and grits. The chicken dishes were each two legs and two thighs - not a proper half chicken. They were roasted incorrectly - rubbery to the point where we couldn't cut them, skin not at all crisped. Everything was under seasoned. Bouillabaisse had very little fish in it for the price. Scallops and shrimp each had a couple scallops and a couple shrimp - again, not much for the price. They were also out of my mother's favorite coconut cake (and actually out of all cakes, which means they didn't bother with cake for that evening). To Clementine's credit, a server noticed I wasn't eating (I couldn't eat that chicken! Neither could my mother) and summoned the manager/owner. He apologized and took all the chicken dishes off the bill, which was still more than $200 somehow (only two cocktails ordered, a couple cups of soup, three entrees paid for and three desserts). Anyway, it was super disappointing that my mom's special dinner was dreadful. I don't think I'll be able to go back! Very sad, I'd had nothing but good experiences there, but they obviously phoned in this holiday dinner in every possible way. I'm glad they handled it properly by taking the chicken off the bill (which I honestly didn't expect). But there are too many great restaurants around to risk a dinner disaster again. Weirdly, a week ago I noticed another negative Yelp review here for Mother's Day, but it's gone now.
(2)Heather S.
My favorite restaurant in Baltimore. The restaurant is enjoyable to eat at, with large wood tables and very earthy decor. They specialize in making their own meat products, and the chef's mother makes many of the desserts. Every meal is excellent - breakfast has great coffee, excellent egg scrambles at a good price. Lunch is always fun with great sandwiches, soups and salads. And my favorite is dinner and the charcuterie plate - I am a huge fan of their pate with house-made pickles. They make American style food, just a little fancier. The drinks are very good too. One note, if you go on a Tuesday, it is taco night. there are very few choices and it does not really represent how good their food is in my opinion.
(5)Murray W.
Food was fresh and good. Chicken very salty. Service inattentive- no bread, until we asked, waiter disappeared for a while, water glasses filled when brought to waiter's attention. Decor is funky- ok for a place without the pretensions of fine dining, but when the meal is 100 dollars for two- shared appetizer and dessert no less, I expect more.
(3)Alexander G.
Had the homemade italian sausage and the mac & cheese and it was delicious
(5)Leslie F. M.
I've been to Clementine a bunch of times. It's my favorite place for lunch--the place I'd take out-of-town guests, clients, family, friends. Tonight, I had dinner with my husband--a last minute decision. We got a reservation an hour before dinner (on a Saturday night--unheard of!), and it was packed. But that didn't affect anything--not the service, not the deliciousness. I had the pork chop with applesauce and bleu cheese butter, with a kale of the gods! So delicious. My husband had red snapper and asparagus. We also had the salad with the perfect Green Goddess dressing. And we finished with white cake with milk chocolate frosting and peanut butter. To die for. This was an absolutely perfect meal. I can't wait to go back. P.S. The beer was killer, too--a double IPA. I had a few, so please forgive the crappy writing.
(5)Malcolm G.
One of my absolute favorites. I don't think I've ever been disappointed. Last time I went was for Pwime Wib Wednesday and indeed the wib was pwime and lovely and marbled and thick and done just as ordered. The worst at Clemetine that I've ever had happen was that the service took a little longer than I might want when the place got busy. But it keeps me and my (omnivorous) friends happy. And that's a good thing. We have very high standards and Clementine has always met them. Good mixed drinks too.
(4)Modibo S.
OK, I have to admit that this was my first real visit to Hamilton. I haven't even been to the Hamilton Tavern, but at least I know where it is now! We went to Clementine for a belated birthday dinner (my birthday, one month late - oh the agonies of being born in December!). We had reservations, but decided to have a drink at the bar while we waited. It's a short bar, with about 8 stools, and when we sat down there were two couples eating dinner there. The bar is attractive, with a wide variety of liquors and some of Clementine's own vodka infusions lined up for patrons to see. Unusually, I was very tempted by one of the cocktails - the stonewall, which consists of pear cider, bourbon, and ginger (one of the best home-brewed concoctions I've ever made was a glorious honey-ginger apple cider, so this sounded very good in a similar way!) But I had a Chimay on draft, which they advertise as a permanent fixture. They had three other draft beers, including a New Belgium winter ale, Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA, and an Agave Wheat from Breckenridge. The bottled beer selection was alright though I have to say that they had most of their beers listed by country - without a section for Germany! How is that possible? Well, there were two large-format German wheat beers available under the "large beers" section, but no decent German pilsner, or a smoked beer from Bamberg's Schlenkerla to go along with the smoked meats? Tsk, tsk. My wife had a glass of bubbly that she enjoyed, but I can't remember where it was from. Later we ordered a bottle of Spanish wine that was phenomenal and a bargain, though it looks like the wine list has been constructed to highlight bargains for people who aren't afraid to try out-of-the way grapes. The rest of the restaurant is attractive, but don't go expecting an intimate meal. Wood predominates, but the the high ceilings make for a relatively loud atmosphere. The tables are also relatively close to one another, and have a thick, butcher block top that invokes the charcuterie on the menu. Maybe inspired by the décor and the slabs of meat and sausages hanging behind glass 20 feet away, I started with the seafood charcuterie. Crab dip, smoked mackeral spread, a pickled shrimp, and home-cured salmon were featured, accompanied by small toasts and homemade pickles. I have to say that the bread-and-butter pickles almost stole the show, though the crab dip was creamy and delicious. The other items lacked a little intensity - for instance the shrimp could have had more bite (salt? spice?), the mackeral smokier and oilier, and the salmon... well, it could also have used some more smoke or spice, I think. My wife's house salad was outstanding - one of the better salads we've encountered in Baltimore, in fact. In deciding on an entrée, I knew I was going to have the pan-seared mackeral when I spotted it. It sounded like it was accompanied with Asian sides - rice noodles, ginger, etc - but it wasn't clear from the menu that the dish is a soup. I would have liked to have that information when ordering. I know the flavors wouldn't have gone with the Spanish red anyways, but the broth just put it over the top. The flavor of the broth itself was excellent, with a distinct but subtle ginger and anise flavor. The noodles were a bit underwhelming - I think soba noodles would make a better pairing for the mackeral. The fish itself was fantastic - crispy on top and tender underneath, with a tasty chili sauce on one corner that added zing without taking over the dish. My wife had a shrimp and polenta dish that she loved; it, too, had a slightly spicy tomato-based sauce, and she thought the texture of the polenta - crispy outside, almost creamy inside - was unique. The kitchen does a good job, based on what we saw from the polenta and mackeral - of creating contrasting textures in the food, which is not always an easy thing to do. For dessert we had two mini-flourless chocolate cakes, which were almost like petit fours. Very intense, and light on the pocketbook at $3 for apair. The other desserts we saw going to other tables looked good, but quite large and at that point I didn't want to fill up anymore. The service was also good overall. Our bartender was attentive and very helpful - a great way to start our experience here. Our server could have been a bit more attentive, but we were never tapping our toes waiting impatiently for anything so I can't really complain. Finally, we thought the overall tab was pretty reasonable, though we paid the drinks at the bar before being seated, which would have added $15 to the dinner tab. Will I be back? I'd sure come back, but there may be other new places to try before we return.
(4)Anna S.
Everytime I come here, the tables are mostly full, the servers keep busy, and the wait has been relatively short and sweet. These are all good things in my book!! The atmosphere is laid back, charming and the restaurant posseses an inventive approach to food as well as cocktails.
(4)Shelly B.
We had breakfast here this morning and became instant fans. We showed up right at opening time so seating was not an issue. Service was wonderful. Our waitress was top-notch. My husband had the Egg scramble and I had sausage gravy over biscuits and we both loved our food. The coffee, a blend made just for them by Zeke's (called Oh my darlin) was so good. We love Zeke's coffee. The other special today, which I hope to have when we go back, was a corn waffle with jalapenos and they drizzle syrup over it. I love corn bread with jalapenos so that sounds awesome to me. The menu is a class act and the prices are very good. The decor is very cool too and added to the experience. Even the ladies room was attractive. I'm adding Clemantine to our "favorites" and we will be visiting them again.
(5)Jillian B.
First experience Nov 2010 - Fantastic, Delicious, Great Flavor, Great Atmosphere. 2nd experience Nov 2011 - COLD FOOD - Steak was COLD, Mash Potatoes COLD, Vegetables nearly COLD and my boyfriends meal COLD COLD COLD. Delicious taste but who wants to eat a COLD PORK CHOP - ewww.
(2)Kara W.
Good charcuterie and desserts.
(4)Bill K.
Been here several times. Pork Tenderloin is always amazing. Creative drink menu. There are always so many great choices on the menu, I want to keep coming back. Desert is so worth it.
(4)Lauren Y.
This is a great restaurant. For me, this is a breakfast and lunch place, and not a dinner place. The decor is casual. The food is excellent and should satisfy the pickiest of palates. I mean, who can argue with amazing mac and cheese for $5? The meats are excellent. The bread doesn't look like it came off an assembly line. The fruit salad actually had FRESH fruit in it (not frozen!) and was very tasty. The coffee is perfect. The cakes are good and are definitely home-made but not great. Stick with the rest because all of it is a winner. It is clean. The service is excellent. The waiter, Kristen, took the time to answer my grandmother's questions about the building (it used to be the Arundel). The store frontage blends in with the rest of the block, so I use the CVS across the street as landmark. I think all parking is on street and it's metered on Harford rd. Even though you are on Harford rd, you don't feel like you are sitting next to a major road when you are in the restaurant. It's fairly quiet. Love this place.
(5)Wade P.
A place anyone can like. It has gone to the top of my list for places to take family and friends out to dinner. The prices are right, they have a little bit of everything and some serious talent in the kitchen.
(4)Jean S.
so yummy. the menu changes, which is sometimes a little sad, since i find something and want it again. but there is almost always something that I want.
(5)Ria S.
Great food, ambiance, down-to-earth, fresh-tasting, can I please live here? Got roasted duck and chicken pot pie. Everything was amazing. Go. now.
(4)Judith Priest ..
Waking up Saturday morning, we definitely wanted to go somewhere good for breakfast, but were pretty sick of the regular places. So we decided to head over to Clementine. Simply put, it was one of the best breakfasts I've had in a long time. We were greeted in a very friendly manner, and told to sit anywhere we liked. The restaurant wasn't crowded, so we definitely had our choice of seats. Our waitress came and immediately took our drink order. We both ordered the Basil Lime Elixer and it was just perfect for the warm summer day. Very fresh and invigorating with a bit of carbonation to give it some spark. The menu was simple with bagels, muffins, and casseroles. My b/f ordered the egg bagel with their house-made bluefish and scallion cream cheese ($2.50). The cream cheese was absolutely delicious and very full of wonderful smoked fish flavor. Unfortunately, the bagel was a bit dry. It was accompanied by/garnished with a very small bowl of fruit salad, but the strawberries were overripe and it spoiled the dish. But believe me, the cream cheese made it totally worth it. They have other house-made cream cheeses and it would be worth the trip back just to taste them all. I ordered the bacon and monterey jack casserole with home fries ($5.00). It took quite a long time to get, but when it came it was apparent that it was not just a hunk sliced off from a bigger casserole, but rather individually cooked. It was wonderful, just the right amount of cheesey-bacony goodness. Even more wonderful were there home fries that came with it. Big chunks of potatoes so beautifully seasoned, that I felt guilty when my requested ketchup showed up. They certainly didn't need anything else. We also ordered a bowl of the cheese grits ($3.00, I believe) to share. They were divine, but if I had one complaint, it would be that they were too garlicky. Which is unusual for me to say, because I love overly-garlicky dishes. While the grits were nice and creamy, the large chunks of garlic added some unexpected crunchiness here and there. Texturally for me, it didn't work. But that's just me. So while all the food was delicious, it was also all room temperature and took quite some time getting to our table. I would understand if the restaurant was crowded, but it wasn't. We got our grits first, and they were room temp. Then came my b/f's bagel. And about 10 min. after that my casserole and home fries showed up. You'd think after waiting that long, they'd be piping hot. Nope, just very room temperature. So I'm not sure how that happened. Service was a bit on the slow side, but I expected it since that's what everyone has told me about the place. However, we were in no hurry and the atmosphere was cozy and warm, so we didn't mind waiting. The prices were amazingly cheap for breakfast. Our entire bill came to just under $16 and I was so shocked that I gasped out loud. If we hadn't ordered the grits and just stuck to water, we would have had a delicious breakfast for under $10. And that is really hard to find these days. We haven't been for dinner yet, but I'm really looking forward to going as soon as we can.
(4)Benjamin S.
My wife and I went to Clementine for dinner expecting some good food and got fatty braised ribs, mediocre drinks and watery soup. Now, I've heard that their brunch is what makes them special so I will give them another chance, but avoid the dinner, it's not worth it.
(2)Bear B.
I liked it so much I went back with Mr. Vegetarian, after reviewing the lunch menu to be sure there were choices for him. Regrettably, they had failed to make a veggie special that day. And the cucumber salad with red onion salad he wanted turned out to be a carrot and white onion salad when it arrived. And he asked for a simple bowl of avocado, chopped tomato, and bleu cheese but was told that all the avocado was already guacamole and all the cheese already mixed into a dressing, which means either they buy them premade or someone was not willing to be helpful. The mac-and-cheese was good, but veggie-wise this place disappointed not only in not having any choices, but in not being willing to work with us on even so much as a grilled cheese with tomato, or something. Not as great an experience this time, though my chicken and avocado sandwich with bacon was, let's face it, sublime.
(4)kristin b.
if i'm going by the description set for each star - then two stars is accurate because i have had a lot better - food and service. i've known several people who have come here and been happy so i was looking forward to checking it out with another couple. i think the main issue was with our waitress who could have made the experience better. we had a 7:30 reservation and we didn't receive our main entrees until 9:15. i don't mind waiting for food if it comes out hot and delicious. in our case, my husband's compound butter atop his steak was a big glob of unmelted mess and my pork shank was so dry and rubbery i could hardly get any meat off of it to eat. when the waitress inquired about our food, i advised about the rubbery texture but i was so hungry that i would try and muster through it. we eat out a lot - we are definite foodies... and i can say that other restaurants would either insist on getting something else quickly, removing it from the check, or offering a complimentary drink or dessert. none of things happened. i could write more about why our experience was bad but would just leave it at this... i've had better.
(2)nanci S.
Food was very good. Service was unbelievably poor. Waitress wasn't even that busy or too be found.. Forgot to bring requested items. She was very unprofessional....We weren't even offered dessert or another bottle of wine or anything else...Terrible service...I even worked in the industry for 15 years.
(3)Jim F.
Amazing homemade type food with local ingredients. Try the catfish and grits with a basil lime elixir.
(5)David M.
This place used to be one of my favorite restaurants but it has gone drastically downhill. The service is just terrible. Either they are weeded or not trained properly. The menu has become uninspiring and on busy evenings you should bring a pillow because you will wait a long time for your food.
(2)Trevin P.
The decor is nice and ambiance lively, but we found the food lacking. Chicken Florentine soup was good, but over salted. My spare ribs with veggies and grits was "ok" but unremarkable for $20. D's duck was inedible, being undercooked it was tough and could be barely cut with a steak knife. The service was rushed and inattentive. Disappointed and $60 poorer.
(2)M. V.
A group of us (party of six) went there on a Saturday night, around 5 p.m. We entered through the expanded area entrance. We could see a table of people seated, but no other diners in the area. After waiting a short time for the someone to greet us (the 40-something year-old with short hair, glasses, and strong hands), we were told that since we did not have a reservation we would not be seated before 8 or 9 p.m. We did not see a clearly printed sign stating that reservations were preferred, nor is there anything on their website which we visited prior to our trek to the establishment. And, to add further insult, we were half-heartedly offered seating at a small piece of furniture right in the front walkway, across from the front door, that looked like a bureau with chairs placed around it. The bureau was so small that it did not seem possible to have enough space for six plates and glasses, and the way it was presented to us, we did not actually feel welcome to sit there. Of course, we left. Now, I must inject here that we had been to Clementine on several previous occasions, for breakfast and lunch, and had a pleasurable experience each time, which is why we decided to go there for dinner. We went a couple of blocks down from Clementine, to Hamilton Tavern, which was much more crowded, and were seated for dinner less than 20 minutes after our arrival. We understand the value of keeping to the previously scheduled reservations; however, to turn away 6 diners without making any kind of effort to accommodate them seemed pretty pretentious. My question to the staff of Clementine is when did they get to be so self-important?! Much like Shana's review, my father felt like we were being discriminated against by this woman (there were 3 White people and 3 Black people in our group). I didn't initially pick up on that, but one can't help but wonder. I do not plan on ever going back.
(1)A. C.
Have been several times, and it's always kind of a crapshoot; love it one night, disappointed the next. Lots of appealing items on the menu (dressed-up comfort food), usually no description issues, nicely locavore focused. I think the problems lie in uneven execution on the line and a little lack of attention to detail. A fave, the Duroc pork loin chops (in varying seasonal preparations) has come out perfectly moist and juicy, and then dry and overdone. Casseroles are usually a big fall and winter hit, usually nice mixes of moist meat, starch, veg and cheese fired up hot and piping in an individual gratin. Taco Tuesday is also pretty popular. When we were there, tried the 3 meat preparations, complex in seasoning, but really needed a little basic salt and a little acid for some zip. Desserts are homestyle; the cakes generally moist and very sugary; the chocolate chip cookie plate, kind of small and ordinary. Sometimes the small details really get to you, especially when you really want to like a place: stale bread, rock-solid cold butter, unevenly heated block of southwest casserole (hot on the outside, lukewarm in the middle). We keep trying though, and always recommend to folks looking for place out this way, but usually have to give them a few caveats first. Wish we could recommend wholeheartedly, but just can't.
(3)MissEasy T.
Best meal I've had in a long time in Baltimore. Had been there for other meals of the day and evening snackage at the bar accompanied by cocktails but never for dinner. Extraordinary. A bunch of us went on impulse for dinner (though I did have enough time to make reservations). We each had a different entre and all tasted one another's dishes. ALL were so so very good. Service was a wee bit slow but we were having fun so WTH. Waitress was well informed and helpful. This place is a real gem. I hope it stays one of Baltimore's best kept secrets yet still manages to thrive. Too many awful people with money would ruin the cool and vibrant atmosphere of hip young tattooed families, working class Hamilton folk, artists and boring overeducated middle class people like ourselves. I've enjoyed many a fabulous restaurant in Baltimore only to see it made obnoxious by snarky, wealthy "foodies" slumming it in Hamilton, Hampden, and North Ave eateries. Make reservations and just go.
(5)Dave J.
Great food. Not the best of neighborhoods but the food was worth it. Decor needs some work. Had a wonderful pot pie!
(4)Matt B.
In town visiting family and checked on yelp for dinner options since I'm the family foodie. I was very happy when my bro said he got a reservation here. Outstanding service, friendly, sincere, and knowledgeable. Started with the mac and cheese-outstanding, duck nachos-even better, and seafood charcuterie-interesting. Of course I had to try a bit of everyone's entree, so I tasted the duck, rockfish, and pot pie, and my pheasant.. The pot pie and rockfish were the real winning dishes. My pheasant was tasty, but not truly confit texture. The duck was properly cooked and nicely seasoned. The guinea hen pot pie had it all going-texture and flavorwise. Same with the rockfish, although the lobster pate portion was a bit small. My only minor gripe is that everything was just a touch oversalted. If I lived in town I would be here a lot-especially on Taco night and for breakfast or lunch. When I am back in town which is a few times a year we'll be back.
(4)B B.
Chicken salad sandwich was delicious- smoked tomato soup was just ok, VERY smokey. RoaSt beef sandwich was good but nothing special. Blueberry cake with lemon buttercream frosting was superb. Bill was twenty for lunch for two. Service was fine.
(3)Doug W.
We went for breakfast after reading other reviews. Loved the atmosphere of the place. I ordered the Elvis waffle. It was supposed to be a Belgian waffle,but was no larger than the ones I make at home. It was slightly undercooked and couldn't taste the bacon that was supposed to be in it. My wife had an egg sandwich. It was good but greasy and the bacon wasn't crispy. The coffee was excellent and so was the service.
(3)Christopher W.
You will be missed!! The waiters/waitresses are super awesome here. The fact that they take the extra effort to make sure your meal is done right goes a long way. The Meal: The beef I had was cooked perfectly to Medium Rare along with all the toppings and sauces perfectly placed in separate bowls as to not "touch" the beef. I tend to be a picky eater and asked for things to be on the side, and they just took it to the next level and placed them in bowls =) The Drinks: The old fashion I had was made well. I can't say it was the best, but definitely tasty. I also had a wine, but that is hard to mess that up =) Overall, the restaurant was worth the price paid and would go back. No specific dresscode, but doubt that will matter in the future
(4)Rob N.
I still like Clementine - don't get me wrong. Their cocktail menu and bar are consistently pretty impressive. The food is, in general, rather good. Weekend brunch, in particular, is still worth the time for a visit. But I haven't really caught the wow factor that I used to get when I first came here. The menu continues to update with the seasons, and the house-cured meats are always worth trying. However, the dinner entrees especially seem to be getting a touch tired. Examples: Dishes that come with over-cooked mushy rice. No bueno. Meats with good sauces, but the meat itself underseasoned and a bit bland. And an unfortunate tendency for all the flavors on a plate to fall into a very similar range of intensity. So Clementine, if you please, a bit more contrast, a touch more salt on occasion, and give us some bright flavors for spring and summer. I know you've got it in ya.
(4)Vanessa H.
Went in for brunch on a Sunday. The host was super polite when we walked in, then hemmed and hawed that we didnt have a reservation. He "found" a 2-top for us amongst the dining room of mostly empty tables. A bus boy quickly stopped by to give us water. Then we waited forever for a waitress. Then waited some more. When she finally did arrive she was on top of us, but initially service was pretty slow to get started. But then, then the food arrived, and everything changed. We ordered the apple, raisin, caramel french toast and the biscuits and gravy. Sweet and savory. I think this was the best french toast I've ever had in my life. I expected it to be really sweet but it wasn't, at all. The caramel was not thick at all and it just worked SO WELL. The biscuits and gravy were perfect. Flavorful but not heavy like so many biscuits and gravy dishes are. Winner, winner. We will come back here again and again. I cant wait to have dinner here. I dont even care about slow service. I will GLADLY wait for Clemetine's food.
(4)Jerry C.
The wives had to go again since they heard clem. was closing shop. They love this place but for me its ehh since my initial experience. They had the bacon wrapped meatloaf and I had the 1/2 chicken entree. Chicken was cooked well but it had a knorr chicken bouillon flavor which was over powering and the skin was still a little fatty. My favorite part of the dish was the mash potatoes. As for the ladies they love their dishes and drank a bunch of mojitos. In the end, I was glad she was paying the hefty bill.
(2)Mark C.
I can't say enough good things about Clementine, the staff is awesome and the food is always wonderful. I'm very sorry to see that it's leaving. We will miss you!!
(5)Chris S.
I enjoy the look of Clementine, nice wide open space, straight forward design, which looks simple but is inviting for couples or groups. Service was good, the host and waiter were friendly and accommodating. They met all my needs. While I like the look and service the food I received was hit or miss or I can't give it a full ringing endorsements. I started with the escargot, this was my first experience with this item but I have always wanted to try it. They serve it in a sauce on top of bone marrow toast. Good but not a great flavor profile. For my entree I went with the bacon wrapped meatloaf and was sadly let down. Clementine's menu changes so I had been dreaming of the meatloaf all week and hoping it would be on the menu when I arrived and it was but it didn't meet my hopes. The meatloaf itself was just too dry for my taste which took away from my enjoyment. The accompanying mashed potatoes were overly salted. Kale was decent but shouldn't be the star of any plate. The dessert was amazing, I saw lemon meringue pie on their menu and dreamed of that all week as well, unfortunately they didn't have the pie that night but what I got instead was possibly better. I had the yellow cake with chocolate and peanut butter icing, this cake was amazing, moist and flavorful and the icing was fantastic, the peanut butter the perfect accompanying item to the chocolate. Utterly delicious. If the dessert was all I ate, Clementine just might be my new favorite restaurant but as I was a bit let down by the dessert I can't move it to the top of my must visit list.
(3)Raven T.
Came here on my last stop for Winter Restaurant Week. I ride by here all the time but never stopped in. My first impression is that its larger than it looks from the outside. Everyone was nice, but the service could have been smoother. We had to wait a bit to order (turned out to be a miscommunication) and our courses came out of order, but nothing major and a nice time was still had. I started my meal with a blood orange margarita and shrimp bisque. The drink was fruity but potent and the bisque was creamy and was laced with large fresh shrimp. The second course actually came out after our entrees. I had bacon wrapped dates that were warm and crispy. There wasn't enough contrast or balance of flavors for me though, they were too sweet. I probably wouldn't order them again but if you like a little salt with your sweet I'd recommend them. The main course was pork belly with mashed potatoes and pickled veggies. It was soooo good. The pickled radishes were the perfect combo with the salty, crisp pork. The mac n cheese was really good too; so creamy. Its exactly what one would think of when you say the phrase "comfort food." Can't wait to go back!
(4)Anush J.
We came here based on the food network recommendation. It is a very cute restaurant - with multiple wallhangings and farm tables and chairs. I really like the coffee. We ordered biscuits and gravy which were excellent. Probably the best we've had. The shrimp Benedict was also very good-it needed a touch of spice on top, probably a little paprika. We also felt that the pan seared duck hash also needed a little bit of spice. The lighting in the side room is excellent if you ever want to take pictures! Unfortunately we forgot to look at the food network dish recommendation!
(4)Karen C.
Great experience for dinner last night. I grabbed a quick dinner with one of my girlfriends, and we both ordered the holupkis (or if you are in my Polish family, galumpkis). These are basically cabbage rolls filled with beef and pork and rice, covered in a non-Italian tomato sauce. They were delicious, and the mashed potatoes on the side tasted very buttery just like my mom's. The portion size was perfect, which has been my issue in the past. I could have stuffed myself and cleaned my plate but knowing we wanted dessert, I made sure to save a roll and some potatoes to eat for lunch the next day at the office. We shared the flourless chocolate cake for dessert, and it was lovely, very dense and chocolatey. It is really rich though, so for me sharing was perfect since a little goes a long way. Our server Randy was awesome. He was friendly and informative and on top of everything from drink refills to bringing the check in a timely manner. He really helped to enhance the experience. We had a really great time and I plan to come back soon while they are running the Eastern European dishes to see what else they are creating!
(4)Stacie H.
I had the awesome pleasure of expericing the pork chop, seasoned greens and cheddar grits...can I say amazing! The food was delicious, and I really felt like this food came from my own kitchen! I am very hard to please, when it comes to food and I was very pleased!
(5)Lee G.
(Really a 4.5, but I don't have the option) Clementine and I have had an interesting journey together. I say interesting because every time I have eaten here my love for the restaurant grows. The first time I ate here a few years ago I enjoyed it, but at the time I didn't feel a strong compulsion to go out of my way to return. Today, I am a believer. The service here has always been great here. Servers are always friendly and willing to talk about what is being served as well as offer suggestions. One of the times I visited, I brought a very picky eater (my mother), who not only they put up with (Kidding love you mom) but made sure that every request she had was met. I love the food here. While everything on their brunch menu looks great, I've only ever had the Korean Hot Pot. I wish I could try something else, but its so good that I will likely never order anything else for brunch. For dinner I have had the pork belly, which was massive! It was also unbelievably good. Finally I have to give a major shout out to the charcuterie. Some of the meats on that platter, specifically the liver spread, coffee rubbed coppa, and the bresola were life changing. Even better, they make it all in-house, and you can buy most of the meats at their market down the street. Basically, Clementine is a place you should make an effort to go to, and I am looking forward to my next visit.
(4)Nga T.
I could not be more disappointed coming here. It was a Saturday evening my fiance and I decided to go out to eat in Baltimore to change things up. I remember seeing this place on DDD and suggested to come here. Not even 7pm this place was closed. There was a clear sign that said they are opened till 10pm. Yeah you guys might want to change that!
(1)Amy C.
What a wonderful dining experience. I brought my sister here to celebrate her birthday, and I'm glad we decided to come here. We had a reservation, but we were a bit early, so the host gave us menus to look at while our table was being cleaned. We each got an appetizer, and both were delicious. I got the Brussels sprouts, and though the flavor was good, they were not cooked long enough for my liking. My sister got the devils on horseback, and they were delicious. I got the flank steak roulade as my main course. It was over a bed of roasted peppers and came with sweet potatoes. This took a little while to prepare, but it was worth the wait. My sister got the pork belly. It came with gouda mashed potatoes, rhubarb salsa, and pickled radishes. While I did not try any of her meal, she said it was delicious. The waitress, Lindsey, was very polite and attentive. Though it was a bit pricey, I would definitely come here again for a special occasion or to try their brunch menu.
(5)Drew F.
Breakfast was awesome! The Grits were great as well as the breakfast sandwich.Make sure you try the coffee cake as well!!
(4)Tiffany D.
I'm a true fan of Diners, Drive-in, & Dives and saw Clementine on there and wanted to try them. Let's just saw the food wasn't as good as it looked on Triple D. My friend and I decided we would start out getting the Mac & Cheese. It was not good and we didn't eat it past tasting it bc it wasn't worth the calories. It had no seasoning and tasted like butter and cheese. It was the right consistency but did no taste like Mac and cheese should. Not a speck of seasoning. I then made my own sandwich whic consisted of turkey, Swiss cheese, honey mustard, lettuce, onion (which the forgot to put on), and tomato. It was nothing special, I have had better sandwiches. My friend got the Reuben breakfast sandwich and she said it was ok. Nothing special. Doubt I ever go back.
(3)Ahmed K.
Best high end restaurant in Baltimore that treats kids great, and as a parent i dont want to feel like my kids could be a problem in a fine dining restaurant like this but they are super friendly and even had a play area for my kids.
(5)Roger H.
We heard a lot about Clementine as we looked at HL as a neighborhood choice. Choice wines, craft beers, charcuterie, awesome soups, burgers, and entrees in a farm to table, laid back atmosphere with a lot of art on the wall. And...it's true. The food though is simply excellent...down to the touches like home made pickled vegetables. We looked at the menu and just stared. Lots of choices and unlike many places, I was interested in them all. I got the chicken and the egg, my wife got a venison sausage plate, and my boy a delicious mac n cheese. My wife and I traded...then took back...our entrees. Service was really good but a little stoic...not bad at all...just not a representation of the funky cool inviting place it is. Again...excellent... just a little formal feeling wait staff for a place that is so laid back in feel and clients. Kid friendly too. Yes...they have toys and yes they have high chairs. Mommy and daddy wine and diner or craft beer lords can bring a youngin.
(5)Becky S.
My family and I made our third trip to Clementine on February 20th. We were seated promptly upon our arrival, but were left unattended for 15 minutes before anyone came by with water. Our waitress did miraculously appear, and in a condescending tone, gave us the excuse, "We are so sorry for the wait, but you were seated too early." Not cool; sincere apologies are not followed up with an excuse. I'd rather wait to be seated than wait at my table. I ordered the beef cheeks for my main course, and they were good ... kind of like a crock pot roast beef ... that tasted like dirt. It was incredibly soupy; the accompanying broccolini and fingerling potatoes were lost in the sauce. Last time I checked, mashed potatoes were great for sopping up soupy messes. All in all, my meal turned out to be just a big, wet, sloppy mess that resembled the creature from the black lagoon. I will likely go back, but after a long cooling off period. I feel that Clementine has become a little too big for their britches, and that plain old good customer service or attention to detail is no longer important. I guess this is what happens after you are featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.
(2)Joahnna F.
First time here last night and really enjoyed the meal and service. I had the bacon wrapped meat loaf which was so moist and delicious! My husband had the Murray's chicken and he thought it was very juicy and well prepared. Our server Brittany was great and helpful making recommendations based on our food and drink preferences. I would definitely recommend this place to friends and family wanting something different from what "chain" restaurants offer.
(5)Chris S.
This is a great place. Wonderful food and the number one spot to take kids without having it become a zoo. Try the Elixer. Good breakfast too.
(5)Lance B.
Used Yelp to reserve table. My notes for gluten free menu was recognized.Nice dinner with the family. Start to finish, dinner service was great . Wait staff was spot on . Entrees were fresh. Howard,our waiter admitted my wife's burger was over cooked . They re-did the burger -perfection . Big .
(4)Don L.
I have not read all of the negative reviews that brought the average down, but I'm glad to report that Clementine deserves way better than what Yelpers are rating it. Is it fresh? Absolutely! They curate their own meat for goodness sakes! Show me another place that does that...and does it well! Is it delicious? Another absolutely! Every dish has its own uniqueness from the standard faire. And that's especially difficult to find for breakfast. For example, it's not just French Toast. It's fresh French Toast on Challah bread with just the right amount of sweetness & crispiness. It's not just a Breakfast Burrito. It's got the little something extra that pushes your standard breakfast dish into specialness. I also had the Cuban Sandwich...and again, they add their own take on it by adding a MOUNTAIN of Home-curated Ham on the light, soft & crispy bread. The mustard brings all the flavors together in the sandwich. Btw, the ham is curated just right- perfect amount of saltiness, juiciness and yummm.... To top everything off, I had the Duck Hash. Again, this is not your typical hash. Spicy? Yes. But if it's not spicy enough, try their housemade hot sauces! SO DELICIOUS!!! (& Excellent amount of heat!) On top of all of that, the restaurant's atmosphere is quaint, great for large parties, and overall friendly. I have to admit that being from California, I'm a bit spoiled on price-point to portion ratio regardless of freshness. BUT these portions are just right, especially for FRESH. I'll be back for dinner and update my review! This is #65 on my quest to eat all the Diners, Drive-ins, & Dives in America!
(5)Steve D.
This restaurant is one of the best in baltimore. Between the excellent friendly service and the fact that the chefs will walk out and actually talk to you makes this place extremely welcoming. It has an open atmosphere and of course the food is amazing. Even though it has a rotating menu I have never had something less than great. Brunch is also completely baller.
(5)Tear S.
This was my first time at Clementine. The atmosphere was superb and the staff was very accommodating. I ordered the Clementine cold cut and duck fat oven fries. It was delicious. It was a little bit of a crowd (I went on a early Sunday afternoon), but it was still comfortable. I will definitely be returning in the near future. =)
(4)Heather G.
I was excited to bring my boyfriend to Clementine after my last visit was absolutely fantastic. I made reservations for 11:30 on Sunday morning and we showed up a little early. The restaurant was crowded, but didn't seem overwhelmingly so, and we were greeted immediately and sat quickly at a small table wedged in the middle of the dining room. Not ideal, but I wasn't about to complain. Our water glasses were filled silently by a bus boy from over my shoulder and that's where things started to go south. We sat for over 30 minutes without anyone acknowledging us or refilling my water glass. Staff members looked at our table multiple times, attended to the tables around us, but we were ignored. Eventually, a waitress asked if we had been helped, and when we said we hadn't, she seemed annoyed to have to help us. There was no introduction, no genuine apology, just the hurried taking of our orders. We ordered two cocktails (boyfriend ordered one with bourbon, I ordered the Gin-ny from the block), the coffee cake, and he ordered the breakfast scramble with bacon and sausage and I ordered the duck hash. Our drinks took about 15 minutes to come out after that. My boyfriend saw them on the end of the bar and, at this point, we were just making a game out of it. The waitress eventually asked if we had received our drinks yet and we said no. Again, no apology. Our drinks were delivered and a woman, who we assume was the manager, came over to say she was going to check on our food and to save room for dessert on them. At this point, we just wanted to eat and leave. My boyfriend did not enjoy his drink, but mine was pretty good. The manager came back and stated our food would be out in 4 minutes. Took a bit longer than that! But, when our entrees came out, I did get a water refill. The food was solid. My boyfriend didn't think they included the bacon in his scramble, but we found it eventually. We enjoyed our entrees, though they did forget the coffee cake. The waitress did come over while we were eating to make sure everything was good and apologized for what she was sure was the "worst service ever" (it was). She also acknowledged that she forgot the coffee cake and we could have it packed to go, or have a dessert on the house to go, and that she had taken everything off our check except the entrees. We thought that was fair considering we had enjoyed the food. We selected the golden cake with chocolate peanut butter frosting to take home and were disappointed in the dryness. Though the frosting was good, the cake itself had no flavor. After such a subpar experience, we are uncertain if we will ever go back.
(2)G.M. B.
My husband and I visited Clementine's for Valentine's Day for the first time. It was wonderful. The atmosphere is slightly rustic/industrial and Baltimore! We had our table right next to the cool display of dried meats and canned goods. The service was great, the young lady we had was attentive, and made sure we understood the menu and specials they were having. She came back to check on us every so often which was nice because they were pretty full. Our water glasses were never empty (which is important to me because I drink a lot of water! haha) Food: For starters we had Oysters, very yummy with interesting toppings a citrus and a spicy. While I would have preferred my regular hot sauce what is the point of coming to a new place and not trying what they have? Turned out great. Mussels: so yummy! had bacon and spinach mixed in with a delicious broth!! Arugula Salad: lovely potatoes incorporated, very different salad which turned out to be very yummy. For our main course my husband had the Rib Eye which was DELICIOUS! And I had the Beef and Duck Meatloaf. I was interested in this so I decided why not? Great choice. Loved the mushroom sauce on top and the Gouda mashed potatoes were to die for! For Dessert I had the Apple & Cherry Pie/Tart, so delicious you HAVE TO TRY!! And my husband had Crème Brulee which was fantastic. All in All we had a wonderful experience at Clementine and left very full and happy and we will certainly be coming back again. Thank you!
(5)Todd D.
Went here a while ago and remembered it being great. Great staff and drink selection was very good. Everything stood out and will go back again.
(5)Justin W.
I went for a Sunday morning brunch with my girlfriend and her friend. The staff asked if we had a reservation and gave us a look when we said we didn't.... there were about 15 wide open, unused tables looking right at us. The food was good, nothing I haven't made at home before and it felt like the staff was trying to rush us out. The bussers took my unfinished plate. Our waiter was great though so they scored some points there. If I got invited to a meal there I'd go and I'd probably be somewhat pleased, however on my own I won't be going back.
(3)Erin S.
My experiences here have been great and then 'meh.' A few things that really do stand out... Cocktails This place has GREAT cocktails. This will also make your dinner bill explode...the food here isn't really expensive but the cocktails ain't cheap. Fresh/Local The food really does taste fresh here. I also like that they are a little adventurous. I'd never had rabbit before coming here and it was a fun dish try. Service Great service here. The place is always busy, but never really crowded. I've always had really attentive servers. They are also very cool about people just hanging out... I came here with a large party for brunch the other week and we definitely stayed longer than appropriate after we finished our meals, but they were VERY cool about that and said we could stay as long as we wanted. They were also great at accomodating a last minute increase to the party (party of 8 became a party of 10). Food I've had some great dishes here and then some that left me a little disappointed. My favorite dish was a brunch special...it was an eggs benedict over local ham. The ham was RIDICULOUS. It was a really delicious meal. I also had a pasta in cream sauce with rabbit. I'd never had rabbit before and it was a really unique flavor to me. I had meatloaf here one time as well and it was awesome. I recently got the duck hash off the brunch menu because people have been raving about it for as long as I've heard of Clementine. I don't get it. It felt like poached eggs over diced potatoes...there wasn't a 'hash' feel to it. The dish was missing salt and I think I was expecting the potatoes to be a little crunchy? Also, supposedly there was a habanero-fig sauce, but I could not taste it. I actively disliked this meal. I also had a crabcake/eggs benedict waffle here one time that did not impress. Brunch, as of late, is kind of a miss. Dinners and cocktails are a hit.
(3)Purvi P.
The food is passable. I had a light meal of the rabbit nachos and a couple of cocktails. The drinks were my favorite part-pretty amazing cocktail menu. However the service was just awful. We were seated fairly quickly. However our server was rude and not attentive in the least. We had to corral another staff member to get our check. I really wanted to like this place because of its commitment to local and fresh food- but it just isn't worth it.
(2)Eric N.
Clementine is a solid choice for breakfast, lunch or dinner. This neighborhood gem is kid and family friendly. It is spacious, yet homey in its environs. The dress is casual, and the waitstaff are very courteous and kid friendly as well. The food is eclectic in variety. I have had pork based dishes, vegetarian meals, and everything in between. My favorite meal here is breakfast on the weekend. There is a large variety of choices, ranging from the typical (pancakes) to the very interesting (Korean hot pot bowl with eggs and rice). We have been here at least 10 times, and have not been disappointed. The proces are reasonable, and you won't leave hungry.
(4)Larry F.
This place has great food and a great atmosphere ! Only thing I dislike and why I didn't give its 5 stars was the parking. The parking can be a nightmare!
(4)Joel L.
Eclectic & Eccentric Clementine We went for the Sunday brunch with another couple who were back in Baltimore after many years away. Clementine was a good choice to give them a taste of the changes in some of the old Baltimore neighborhood restaurant scene. We enjoyed our selections of the Breakfast Burrito, Grilled Cheese, Mexican Cheese steak and Duck fat Fries. All of the selections were served hot, full of flavor with that unique twist that is characteristic of Clementine. This place may not be for everyone, but, if you like eclectic and eccentric this place is a good fit for you. Clementine offers very good food and service with a unique twist right here in a classic old Baltimore neighborhood setting.
(4)Victor B.
I've been here many times but never ate the food. 2 weeks ago I seen this place on diner drives and dives and was thrilled to see a Baltimore restaurant on there. So here I am at Clementine. I had the Asian braised pork cheeks and to my satisfaction I loved them. Service is prompt and very friendly. Would definitely come back and would recommend to others. Definitely a great farm to table restaurant
(5)Nick B.
Do you need a bit of "Farm to Table", but don't want to sell your children to the Woodberry hydra to afford it? Clementine is snooty nü-american for the everywoman. The menu feels complete, the themed nights are always on point, the carry out wine rack is highly affordable, and the scapple is always well-prepared. Be warned, they do cater to the upper-middle-class-mid-thirties-hipster-breeder set, so expect the shrill mouth-noises of children to unsettle your meal.
(4)Allysa D.
We went here once and the service took forever. It took an hour to get our appetizer and even longer for the entree. It was awful. Even the waitress kept apologizing so not sure if that was a one time thing. The food wasn't even that good so it wasn't worth the wait either.
(1)Graham D.
This was by far the best family dining experience that my wife and I have ever had with our 4 kids. Just goes to show that you don't need to have a theme with arcade games or other types of over stimulation to cater to families. Even the Children's Chicken on the kids menu defied convention by not being breaded fried strips or nuggets, but rather small medallions of grilled and well seasoned whole chicken breast, served with broccoli and mashed potatoes, all of which my 6 year old loved -- he didn't even ask for a dipping sauce! The play area is small, and I can imagine on more crowded nights the kids overwhelming it, but it was perfect for us. Our only complaint was the background music in the speakers, which was of some kind of festival blues or rock that made my wife feel "10 years older" as she put it, but gave it the benefit of the doubt of being super meta and "borderline ironic hipster". Of course music tastes are subjective, and I expect this changes frequently. The food, drinks and dessert were all delicious and perfectly prepared with great locally sourced ingredients. It was funny, when I first walked in, I said to my wife, I bet this place has a great bread pudding -- it just looks like the kind of place that has bread pudding -- and sure enough it's the first item on the dessert menu, and of course I ordered it, and of course it was delicious. Besides the music, Clementine met or exceeded all of our expectations, and we had high expectations for the food and just prayed that the kids would enjoy it, which they did. Clementine is a parenting win-win!
(5)Jason P.
Food was plentiful, fresh, and delicious. They brought out samples of the meatloaf for everyone at the table. The waiter was very kind to the toddler dining with us -- a nice little touch.(Oh, they have a 'play area' for kids!)
(4)Allison H.
Can't say I was super impressed by my most recent visit to Clementine. I came here with my mother and after we were promptly seated, we waited more than ten minutes for our waitress to reappear to take our order. Let me paint the scene here: it's lunchtime on a weekday and there is one other couple seated, and a man sitting at the bar. Not what I would call a lunch rush. Anyway, our food eventually arrived, but not without a few misadventures in between waiting and eating. The music that was playing began to blip out mid-song, creating moments of 'did the music just go out?' and 'oh wait.. it's back again.' It did soon completely fizzle out- to a droning buzz noise. That harsh buzz wasn't addressed until we were nearly finished our meals. A young man also came by to silently fill our water glasses. Something about the vibe in this place just wasn't super attentive and service oriented. Okay, okay, so the actual meals... my mom got the shrimp salad sandwich, and I can attest to the fact there were barely any shrimp in that thing. I felt bad considering how much it cost versus how much meat was actually there. I got the oyster po'boy and it was pretty spot on. The baguette especially was really fresh and tasty. It was a two star experience, but my sandwich was pretty flavorful so I can't in good conscience completely write the place off.
(3)Supriya M.
We had heard so many good things about Clementine and were looking forward to going there. A Sunday night reservation for 5 people. We sat on a large table for 8 people which was sort of uncomfortable given how loud the restaurant was. To be fair, we were given the choice of a smaller table but that would have been too small. Anyway, we ordered drinks - the housemade basil lime elixir was just ok. My husband found some beers on the beer list he could try. For appetizers, we got beet salad and the trio lettuce salad, both of which were mediocre. The trio lettuce was slightly better. The turkey sausage soup tasted like chicken noodle while the curried zucchini soup was quite delicious ans surprisingly spicy. Dinner was a pork chop which my father in law seemed to enjoy, my MILs charcuterie plate which had interesting ingredients, my mom's sweet potato and coconut risotto which sounded better in writing, my husband's rockfish belly which was cooked well but was bland and flavorless, duck sliders with foie gras which again sounded better than they tasted, oysters which may have been the best thing we ate all night and my own NC bass which was also flavorless and bland. The chocolate ginger panna cotta was more of a chocolate mousse with a fancy name. Overall, the food was just ok. I've definitely experienced better and was not top 50 restaurant caliber. Service was extremely disjointed and spotty. The person who brought out our first salads brought them out and showed them to us without saying a word and expected us to figure out what went where. Our water was not refilled frequently. Our server seemed very busy. They forgot to put in the order for my bass, which they brought out 10 minutes after everyone else had their food. They apologized for this but a fine dining restaurant should comp the entree or make up for it somehow, which they did not. I guess maybe my expectations were high for the place and I have certainly been to many better places in Baltimore.
(2)Lindsay H.
The chicken liver pâté with tart cherries and bourbon is a 10! I've eaten here several times and have never had a bad meal. The portions are generous witch is uncommon for a farm to table restaurant. Great brunch spot. I highly recommend their Bloody Mary- lots of delicious horseradish.
(5)Laurie G.
Excellent selection of fresh food for the foodie. Waiter not friendly or paying real attention. Tip reflected service only 10% and I rarely do that.
(3)Aisha K.
There were so many options on the menu that sounded amazing so I had a little difficulty deciding. Our waitress was friendly and took the time to help with suggestions. I finally settled on the BBQ sandwich of the day and I definitely made the right decision! It and the slaw it came with were delicious. My friend and I happened to get there a bit before they closed between lunch and dinner so we ended up staying into the break period, but we never felt rushed, they never asked us to hurry up and never sent covert glares our way. They just went about their business and we got to enjoy a relaxed meal. Would definitely go back and try something else on the menu.
(5)Michelle R.
Lost what could have been two regulars who wanted a new place to bring family/friends who came to visit the city. The service was terrible. The behavior of the manager was terrible, and the food was mediocre. Being rushed in and out (though we made a reservation) was unacceptable. 1. Disorganized. When we called for a reservation they asked us if we had children. We said no, so we figured we would not be set next to children. We were, three screaming kids. It was constant and uncomfortable. No one wants to eat in that atmosphere. Might as well of been at McDonalds. The room was empty, they could have seated us anywhere. Anywhere. Even a table away, so that it wasn't too much out of the service's way, and it would have made a huge impact on our mood, and our ears. I looked at their online menu, which, on Friday, had burgers up. So I asked if they had that menu, the waitress apologized and said it was not a valid menu, that was for Wednesday. Well, should not have happened, but I looked past it and ordered the pulled pork. Because it was what I wanted. She took my order, but then 10 minutes later... they didn't have it. So they didn't have what I wanted to start, then my second choice was stricken. Said they were out (But it was the start of dinner service... and she didn't tell us when she gave us our menus...). So I was irritated. Asked me what else I wanted, looking impatient. Didn't even really give me time to think. So I picked the bbq chicken with potatoes and greens, expecting something amazing. 2. Mediocre Food. It wasn't that good. At all. My husband liked his meal, but I tasted the shrimp, it was overdone, and he agreed a bit chewy. My meal... well I could have made it all on my grill. The chicken wasn't BBQed, it was grilled and then a sweet sauce was smeared on at the last moment, the potatoes had no depth of flavor, just bacon and potatoes (it was supposed to be a complicated complex melody of tastes), and the chard I had was the only thing well prepared. If you don't have a lot of experience with local, complex food, you may like it. But if you have a sensitive palette, you will find the flavors completely lacking. 3. Horrible service and price gouging. I ordered a Basil-Lime elixir. It was good. On the menu it says 2.00. When I got the receipt it said 2.75. That menu had been out for an entire week, and I know most people probably don't look at that .75 cents and think anything of it, but they had been overcharging guests for an entire week without fixing the menu. Being that they were inaccurate on their menu, and did not have what I wanted, which was advertised at the start of service (I went at 5:30, Dinner begins at 5), I expected some sort of compensation. I have gotten entire meals taken off the receipt for less of an infraction that that, which I never expect, but at the very least, good service means a complimentary drink or a dessert, because they made the mistake on their menu. Being that I was overcharged on the drink, I asked about this, and rather than kindness, I got a very rude manager, who wanted to HAGGLE over the price of the meal. Cut the different, because chicken is so much more expensive than pork.... and because she wanted to save paper by not changing the menu (okay, then why didn't the waitress tell us at the START of our meal, before we ordered, that the pork was not an option?!). I was done. I had it. The food wasn't that exceptional, and the service was less than standard, especially for the price. 20 an entree is not expensive, but it is that mid-range where I could have spent 20 on a meal somewhere else for the two of us, and been very happy with both the service, and the food (though it would not have been local sourced, and is why I chose to go to Clementine). Not only will I not go again, I am very active on social media, as well as with my friends, and I will be warning them away.
(1)Sara E.
I am revisiting my review for this restaurant because of a second visit that was exceptional. My husband hosted a dinner here for his employees the Thursday before Easter. We also invited some family friends whose children can sometimes be borderline unruly. One of our guests was 45 minutes (!) late. We decided to eat charcuterie and cheese plates while we waited for her. The staff was wonderful. They made sure the kids in our party got their dinners and everyone's drinks were kept filled while we waited with absolutely no indication that they would like us to move along. When the kids became restless, there was a play area where they played with some other children who were dining there. Having eaten out with these friends before, we have often gotten in attentive service or felt hurried or looked down upon because we were dining with kids, but not at clementine. Everyone had a great time, felt completely at home and had a delicious meal. And I mean, a truly creative, fresh, meal in a relaxed setting. This place is a miracle, as far as I am concerned.
(5)Rob C.
We arrived at 3:45. We were told they did not serve dinner until 5:00 so we killed some time when we returned at 5:00 they said they were book up all night. So we very uncomfortably sat at the bar in an empty restaurant. We both ordered the meatloaf(which is supposedly one of there best dishes). The food was mediocre at best neither one of us was compelled to even finish half of the meal. The service was terrible and when we left the place was still empty. Overall terrible experience. They turned away an older couple who drive several hours to try it due to no seats in an empty restaurant. Very disappointing the Hamilton Tavern down the street is ten times better and much more inviting.
(1)Laura R.
This is one of my favorites in B'more. Food is above par with an eclectic menu for all tastes. Family friendly with a kids play area in the side dining room. All food is prepared by order, at busy times you will have a longer wait for your food, just be patient the wait is worth it. Bring some friends and good conversation and you won't even notice. The meats. All I can say is wow. Top notch.
(5)Lindsey H.
As a vegetarian there isn't much to choose from on the menu but the things I have eaten have been delicious. Especially the vegan tacos on Taco Tuesday! The decor is super cute and even though it's always packed, it's pretty big so the wait is never too long. Highly recommended!
(4)Leslie K.
I love Clementine's. Everything on the brunch menu is awesome. The biscuits and gravy, the Indian scramble, the migas, the breakfast sandwiches. I have not been disappointed at lunch either, the pit beef, the duck nachos, I love their house salad. Finally, dinner is both delicious, locally sourced, inventive, and reasonably priced. Their bar is also great, and cocktails are not crazy expensive like some other bars in the city. You can't go wrong.
(5)Shandana M.
We love this place. Staff are nice, drinks are amazing, food is delicious and there's a whole couch and play area for kids. Mac and cheese is amazing! The menu is always changing but I've never had anything bad
(5)Lauren S.
Meh. Went last night. Shared a cheese plate with another person in the party. The cheese plate was good; the jam that came with it was right on. For dinner I had whatever chicken they had on the menu. The carrots that came with it were delightful. The mashed potatoes were merely ok, and the chicken itself wasn't outstanding. I just wasn't impressed with any of it. My mixed drink was alright. The best thing I has was my coke and the carrots. The waiter was really good. Very accommodating and friendly. Will I be back? No. Nothing here wowed me. It's a lot like Woodberry Kitchen, which I'm not a fan of anymore either.
(3)Em D.
Fantastic! Best meal that I have had in Baltimore and one of the top on the East Coast. Had the bluefish which was heavenly from the grits to the fish to the veggies - utter perfection. Partner had the pork cheeks which he would have been more than happy with had he not had some of my fish and then got plate envy. We had cocktails which were superb and the pickle tray to start --I know, who orders the pickle tray? well we do and it was divine. Also got the apple cake - again-superb. Service was excellent and the atmosphere was casual with a nice low volume for such a big space. We will be returning very soon--
(5)Jessie C.
The ambiance is quaint and romantic but the food is nothing to write home about. I ate the Mediterranean burger. I ordered it medium but it was completely brown inside. The grilled zucchini on the burger had no real flavor to it. The entire meal was just nothing impressive. But the bottled beer was good and half price on Wednesday nights !!!!
(3)Jamie B.
Cheese, charcuterie and pickle plate .Assorted drinks from the bar as well. Charcuterie could have had more portions. I have been to several places with Hearty portions. Cheese plate was okay. Pickle plate was great. The bouillabaisse was what intrigued me and was very excited to try it. After reading the online description of the menu for the day, it said specifically crab, shrimp, mussels, and catfish. I asked the food runner if there was supposed to be crab in it and he repeated all the items and did not say crab, he told me no crab. Our server, who was honestly very awkward and just not that helpful or the least bit outgoing, was no where to be found. (He jumped on our table asap, with out explaining the menu options and expected us to order within just about 8mins) So there was no crab in the bouillabaisse and it's listed on their online menu. the potatoes were pre cooked and seemed like they were just thrown in , and the shrimp I could have gotten out of an egg roll at my local Chinese joint. All in all, including service- I was VERY underwhelmed. Disappointed to say the least- held Clementine higher as the brunch never fails-
(3)Dustin F.
Best atmosphere around and the food is outstanding. The waitress brought my girlfriend another beer when she seen it was empty and said I didn't want you to feel left out knowing we had a beer. She didn't even charge us! They use fresh local ingredients and the chefs are top notch. This resturant should be on tv shows for top American places to eat. This is a must try if you love food. The chicken with roasted brussel sprouts were amazing and I never thought my girlfriend would even eat Brussel sprouts. Can't say enough , just go there and find out yourself.
(5)Lea Ann W.
My local friend and I stopped in Clementine for a glass of wine and dessert before I headed back to NYC. What we encountered was a rare and exceptional bartender who completely understood the subtle art of service. With an attentive ear Daniel anticipated what we wanted, suggested excellent wines with a perfectly informative description and engaged in fascinating discussion with us, while still allowing for a special moment two old friends share. To finish we were poured the best drink of 2014. Yes, I know we are only a month in but this drink will stick well into spring and summer. A glass of porsecco, a sugar cube dropped in and Daniel's own concoction of lavender, sage and cedar infused bitters. Like cupids kiss of light perfume! This rhythmic bartender may seem humble, but I'm certain he has a library of mixology up those sleeves. Just to note, being a bonafied city slicker I've been seasoned in fine locales worldwide, but oddly enough no cocktail or bartenter has impressed me more than what Clementine resturant has with Daniel.
(5)Gina A.
Really great place! I ended up getting the duck hash for Sunday brunch which was delicious. I loved the fact that they had really unique cocktails, that always wins me over. Friendly staff, great food and drinks, I'd return.
(4)Doris P.
I've been here numerous times, and have generally had good experiences. The food is relatively consistent, and I've always enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and the refreshing cocktails. That said, when a restaurant charges your credit card more than what you write on the tip and total line, I take issue. Sure, mistakes happen... but I called the restaurant and left a voicemail, AND followed-up with an email, and still, no response. It wasn't a huge discrepancy, but the very fact that they didn't want to address it, is enough for me not to return - which is a shame because it is a great spot in Hamilton. Still, if they don't have the integrity to respond to a customer's issue, then they really don't deserve my business.
(1)Melissa M.
Have been to clementine twice. Food is decent but service is a joke. Will not be back.
(1)noel c.
I've heard great things about Clementine and I've been wanting to eat here for a long time. Finally, I made it for brunch and it wasn't a great experience. I ordered the @Migas... eggs and tortillas were extremely dry no flavor hardly worth $10 The bad meal might have been forgivable, but the service was so bad. It was as if I was invisible--sitting with an empty coffee cup for the whole meal.
(1)Scott S.
I had been singing Clementine's praises since I started going there a few years ago. I though the food, service and atmosphere were all excellent. However I had a terrible experience last Saturday. We had to wait a few minutes to be greeted as there was no hostess, or if there was one she was running food and setting up tables. We had a reservation but still had to wait 10 minutes before we were seated. Once we ordered it routinely took way too long for our drinks to come, and we waited at least 30 minutes for the appetizer, which was the crab dip with 6 tortilla chips that we had to ration. Drinks appeared at least 5-10 minutes after they had been ordered so I made sure to get a second drink when I still had half of my current one. I had to flag down our waiter to ask if the appetizer was still coming. He rarely stopped by to see if we needed anything after that, never once asked how the food was after it was served, and certainly didn't bother to apologize for the slow service. So how was it? Not as good as we have had in the past. My pork was dry but flavorful, but certainly not worth the price I paid. My wife had the duck but she thought it was average at best. I know one bad experience shouldn't tell the story on this place, but there are too many other places around Baltimore and DC to visit, and I don't plan to go back any time soon based on my most recent experience.
(2)Bob L.
We found out about Clementine from a co-worker of mine. She made the recommendation because her significant other happens to work in the establishment's kitchen and she felt, being the amateur foodies we are, that we'd really dig their take on American classics. Clementine, a stone's throw from the Baltimore Beltway, is located in the north-Baltimore neighborhood of Hamilton. If you don't know where to look it's pretty easy to miss. It's tucked away in a relatively non-descript storefront nestled between a jewelry store and a beauty supply mega-mart. Apparently, Clementine used to be a much smaller space (about half what it is today) with its latest incarnation including an expanded dining area and bar. We've only lived in the city for about year, so I couldn't really tell you when the change occurred. Upon entering the restaurant you run smack dab into the hostess. Standing at attention in front of a loungy looking set of leather furniture, she was very eager to get us to our table. We got there around 6:45pm on a Saturday and it was nearly empty. The first thing I noticed was how big the space was. There's a small bar to the right with standalone tables taking up most of the remaining space. The original dining area is accessed through a connecting doorway between the two spaces. We were seated at a two-top toward the back of the room. The décor is a bit of all over the place. There are paintings (some from local artists some from local Kohl's), mounted deer head and antler accessories, and oversized "antique" advertisement posters. The orange paint scheme is warm, but not warm enough to make the huge space with its 10-ft ceilings feel inviting. Our wooden table and chairs was cold and wobbly. Our server was pleasant taking our drink order within a few minutes. I've got to give them credit where it's due. They have a pretty rare beer, Rogue's Juniper Pale Ale, in bottles and if you haven't had it before I suggest you try it. It's a pretty well-rounded American Pale with just enough juniper essence to make you tilt your head like a dog upon hearing its name. You get some sliced baguette and butter to nosh on while you wait. White bread and butter will always have a place in my heart. Based on what other reviewers have said, we started with the mac and cheese. And yes, it was good. Carved into a perfect rectangle it arrived piping hot with plenty of burnt and crispy cheese goodness to satisfy. Unlike most places we've visited, Clementine knows how to season their mac and cheese. A definite must-try. My wife, not usually one to take a risk, decided to go with a stuffed quail entrée. I opted for something called the Hunter's Stew. The oven roasted quail was filled with a cornbread-based leek, bacon and crab stuffing topped with a Dijon cream sauce accompanied by smoked gouda mashed potatoes and asparagus. The bird was, as most quail are, quite small. If you're looking to get a lot of protein from a quail, you will be disappointed. The stuffing was well-seasoned and tasty with the bacon adding just the right amount of smoke and salt. The sides weren't all that memorable. The Hunter's Stew was basically a broth-based cabbage soup with cubes of various meats. I don't recall exactly what types of meat were included in the dish (they've since removed it from the menu) but I seem to recall several types of sausage. It was also seasoned well, loaded with cabbage and the toasted bread slices made great sopping tools for the tasty broth. My only criticism is that it was only warm when it arrived to our table. Hearty dishes like this should arrive steaming. For dessert we had the coconut cake and it was disappointing. With more than a couple reviewers raving about it I expected more than simple (and dry) white cake topped with rather bland white coconut frosting. Toasting the coconut would have helped elevate it slightly but I'm afraid this one needs a bit more work. Clementine, yet another trendy spot in the city touting "New American" cooking, is good but not great. The concept of sourcing local ingredients isn't a new one but it's a good one. Points for that. The service is on par with the young and relatively inexperienced staff. Points for giving newbies a place to cut their teeth. Just be prepared for some misses here and there. Since we haven't tasted everything they have to offer, we can only base our review on our singular experience. The bottom line for us, when you've had great it's easier to recognize good. For us, Clementine was good.
(3)Lee G.
Some of the food at Clementine is mindblowing. My gf and I went for a fancy dinner on a Sunday evening, and took advantage of their AMAZING "Date Night" Deal--$40 for 2 salad/soup starters, 2 entrees, and 1 dessert. I was surprised how empty the place was on a Sunday, and the service was a bit stiff and lackluster. Mixed drinks were very good. Loved the basil lime elixir with your choice of hooch (I chose bourbon). The Fall salad with kale, purple/white and golden beets, and a tangy lemony dressing was exceptional, fresh, and seasonal. The turkey chowder with corn and sweet potatoes was rich and warming. The sour cherry pie with an almond crumble was a simple and delicious dessert. The flavors of the Duck Ramen was absolutely amazing, except it came out not very hot. But my gf's entree was a total miss. She ordered the Rabbit 2 ways, which the menu stated was a seared rabbit loin and braised rabbit legs over a bean cassoulet. We should have sent it back. The rabbit loin was cooked so well done that it was leathery--certainly not "seared." And there were NO RABBIT LEGS! We were wondering where the second type of rabbit was, and figured it was mixed into the cassoulet. But I re-read the menu when I got home, and that's when I noticed there were supposed to be braised rabbit legs in there. Finally, the bean cassoulet was so salty that it was a turnoff to the rich and tasty flavors that were present. With all of the problems of the dish, I actually cannot believe they allowed that to go out of the kitchen.
(3)Duncan F.
I went to Clementine for the first time the other week. Me and my friend go out every Sunday to eat, trying to new restaurant around the area. She had been before, I had only heard reviews from friends. My first impression, clean dining area, loved seeing the charcuterie hanging in the window behind the tables, not a big fan of seeing wine racks bordering the dining area advertising wine as a liquor store might. I'll admit my bias, I work in the industry, I understand the need of local restaurants to market items to supplement the restaurant, it was just slightly too integrated into the dining experience. Onto the food and service: sat down and was greeted pleasantly, it was a decently slow Sunday, I had arrived before my reso and was still seated immediately. The menu was decent, small and concise, exactly what I expect from a local farm-to-table restaurant. However, there was nothing exceptionally creative, nothing that caught my eye and made me say "oh, I've got to try this." After perusing the menu over a beer each we settled on a charcuterie plate to start. There was a slight problem here, my friend is a cheese fanatic and I'm a charcuterie fanatic, unlike most restaurants that source artisanal cheeses and house cured meats, they didn't offer a combination board, you could have a selection of 3, 5, or 7 meats or cheeses, you got a charcuterie board or a cheese board, those were the choices. I asked my waitress if there was any way she could oblige a mix, she asked the kitchen and they consented. Good board, but not being able to choose what or how much I got (an easy fix for a place that prints their own menus I'm assuming) was slightly disappointing. Still food quality was excellent. Entrées: I got fried rabbit (the only interesting protein on the menu in my opinion), unfortunately I forget what my friend had. My rabbit was fried with some sort of breading. Not badly seasoned but slightly overlooked, a slight bit rubbery, creating a weird mouth feel. As well, I appreciate nuanced cooking and I don't need buffet portions, but for the price I paid the protein amount was a little underwhelming. The veg was fine, al dente baby carrots as well as a plate sauce, or purée I couldn't quite place ingredient wise, but was the best tasting part of the entire dish. Another a note I should mention, while we didn't wait an excruciating amount of time to get our food, for a slow Sunday night with in what seemed like a decently staffed restaurant, I would've preferred a slightly faster turn around from the time we got our app and when we got our entrees. I know it's knit-picky, I guess I just had higher standards for a restaurant that espouses my own ideals for farm-to-table dining. Chances are I'll return just to see what they do next, if they improve on their small flaws, and really own their area as a unique restaurant.
(3)Debbie F.
I have had very good experiences with food & service at Clementine in the past. This time it was an entirely different restaurant. Any restaurant is entitled to a bad night, but there were things that were unforgivable. There is a panel on the menu that lists specials by day. On Sundays, the special is a fixed menu for 2 people for $40. We asked what the chef's entree selection for the special was, and were told that the special was not being offered because it was Mother's Day. Yet there was no special Mother's Day menu. If you're not going to offer a day-of-the-week special, don't put it on your website and certainly take that leaf off your menu. Although they were not crowded at peak dinner time, they were out of chicken-- substituting duck in the same dishes -- and shrimp. How do you run out of chicken AND shrimp at 7:30pm? Of 8 entrees, 4 were affected. Under the circumstances, we had quite a few questions about the menu. The waitress, while pleasant, couldn't answer a single question without going back to the kitchen to find out. The ordering process took way too long. The only remaining item on the menu that appealed to me was the trout, but it came with beets. There are very few things I don't like, but I loathe beets. When I asked if another vegetable could be served in place of the beets I was assured that it would be not problem -- that they were just a small garnish on the plate. Moments later the guy who seated us -- the bartender? the host? -- came to the table with the waitress to tell me that, in fact, the beets were an intregal part of the plate. He asked me if I was allergic to beets, and when I hesitated, he pressed on, which put me in an awkward position. I felt somewhat like I was being interrogated. No beets: that's straightforward, right? Why was I being questioned? My husband always orders chicken, but dislikes duck. The only remaining item that appealed to him was the steak. For $34 it's reasonable to expect a very good piece of meat. This steak was tough and had a hunk of fat that was nearly 1/4 of the entree. My $23 trout was smaller than any trout I'd been served. The food was ok. Just ok. Finally, the water glasses. Water was all I was drinking, and our empty glasses went long stretches without being refilled. Were we neglected because we weren't drinking a more profitable beverage? I don't know. What's the deal? Change in ownership? Manager's night off? This single visit has turned me from a fan to someone who is unlikely to go back and give them one more chance. Sad to say, but there are too many great restaurants in Baltimore to take a chance on Clementine again.
(2)Stella O.
Pro: interior of the restaurant Con: Horrible part of town. For the surrounding area, papa johns its a star better, Parking is a B)#(! I had the meatloaf ($15). I was not impressed, double T diner does a better job and costs less. This place is an overpriced DINER!
(2)James L.
I've heard so much about this restaurant for years, and I finally went and checked it out the last week of April on a date. It was never going to live up to those expectations, but it was quite nice. The seared tuna appetizer was tasty. I had a fried catfish filet with sweet potatoes and slaw, and while the catfish was perfectly fried, the sides weren't much and the presentation was odd. Not that I'm generally a stickler for that, but it was like the chef sauced the plate with a very thin sweet potato puree and laid the golden fried deliciousness right in it to get soggy. That said, would take another date there. It's in my go-to list.
(4)Stacey G.
Wonderful dinner. Enjoyable atmosphere. Generous portions. We had the seafood charcuterie platter and I fell head over fins in love with the smoked mackerel. I threw myself a curve ball and ordered the chicken because the corn, tomato, and crab salad sounded delicious. It did not disappoint. My husband had the soft shell crabs dinner and he was in heaven. Drink menu is diverse and unique and nicely priced. I would say they could probably cut back some on the butter and salt but in the food but, truth be told, I'm only mentioning that because there's a guilty person in my head wagging her finger at me for having something so delicious. Dessert -- berry layer cake -- was ok. It sounded like a solid, plain dessert and it was just that. I probably should've ordered something more decadent sounding. Great place for 2 or a group. Service was good and friendly.
(4)Patrick H.
We ran back in to Clementine for breakfast. If I lived in the neighborhood, I would eat breakfast here every weekend! The egg casseroles are divine, the homemade muffins are everything you want in a muffin and the housemade sausage is sublime. Try the smoked salmon spread on a cheddar jalapeno bagel. Oh my.
(5)Mel M.
dry boring sandwiches. at least it was cheap. macaroni was good (however im not into that dish regardless) service is VERY slow but cordial
(2)Eric P.
Finally, another restaurant in Baltimore makes the list of great breakfast spots. The food is tasty & relatively cheap. The breakfast casseroles are $5 and are appropriately sized for breakfast.
(4)Carrie L.
As a vegetarian, I knew of Clementine's reputation for being primarily a meat place. They have a "charcuterie." I had viewed their menu online, though, and saw that they were friendly to vegetarians as well. So my partner and I gave it a go one lazy Sunday evening. The place is adorable, and extremely clean. It seems that the menu changes frequently, but you'll always find an assortment of meats, including duck. They had two vegetarian options as well: veggie pad thai and Joe-Joe's Frittata, a vegetarian frittata. It wouldn't hurt to consider pairing an appetizer with a salad, too. We shared a macaroni and cheese appetizer, which tasted very old-style. Not overly salty or cheesy. I had a frittata which came with a greens salad that included fresh cherry tomatoes and basil. The basil was a nice touch. My partner had smoked paprika catfish with cheese grits and ham greens. I'm just saying, it looked fantastic. We did not have room to try the desserts, although they looked amazing. From the sound of the other reviews, they truly are. It was the best meal we've enjoyed in quite a few weeks. We'll be back.
(5)P S.
The food was pretty amazing. Awesome food, make a reservation. The onlyh thing that would have made it better is if we hadn't continously see the waitress butt crack.
(4)Charlotte B.
Best bet is to stick to charcuterie and pate appetizers. Those are the highlights of this restaurant. Smoked then grilled pork entree was dry and unpleasant. Not all of their entrees are real winners. choose carefully and pay attention to what waitstaff says. But if you are unhappy, they will try and fix it, their service goes above and beyond the expected.
(4)Mark N.
This place tries hard and obviously has a lot going for it. It's definitely a plus when you pick up a menu and there are many, many dishes you are eager to try. The food here is inventive and unconventional and much of it is very good. We came on a busy Friday night. The main room in which we were seated was very loud. This is definitely not a place to bring a date. We basically had to shout at each other all night to be served. Virtually all of the food was excellent except my wife's dish. She ordered the whole roasted red snapper stuffed with vegetables. There was nothing wrong with it on the surface but when you tasted it, you realized that the snapper was a few days past its serving date. It had a slight off taste that made the dish disgusting. I can certainly appreciate how difficult it is for a restaurant that is not mainly a fish restaurant to keep something like whole red snapper on the menu. But still, I don't see any excuse for serving that. Better to say it's not available that evening. Otherwise all the food was wonderful. Service was slow. The waitress came to us and apologized explaining that the kitchen was backed up. The way she put it was, "It's such a zoo in there I'm afraid to go in." Not the greatest recommendation. More power to the people who love Clementine. It clearly has a lot going for it. But at these prices, I personally want a more polished restaurant experience.
(3)Alyce D.
Only been once, and it was okay. I'd try it again, but really for the price of dinner, I'd rather be somewhere downtown.
(3)Robert T.
This is yet another great kitschy find for Baltimore. We've been there twice, both times for breakfast. The meat products are all handmade in-house. The casseroles are good but a bit small. They are served with deliciously creamy cheese grits, and are pretty cheap; $5 generally. The bagels with spreads are also affordable only going for around a couple bucks. The breakfast scramble is really good; it's eggs, potatoes, house-made sausage, cheese. Everything but the kitchen sink. The Elvis Special Belgian waffle is outstanding. The waffle is cooked with bacon and pecans inside. It's topped with more pecans and a nutella whipped cream. Awesome. I got a side of the sausage on it's own, and surprisingly it was sort of dry. It was tasty, but I would stick to getting it as an ingredient mixed in with another dish. Overall great experience. Will be going back for taco Tuesdays!
(4)Jessica C.
Love it! Taco Tuesday is a great deal and the food is delicious. Service was also great. Desserts are a bit heavy, wish there were a few more lighter options. I'll go back.
(4)Caitlin R.
Visited here for the first time for a birthday and it was overall a good time. I enjoyed the area of Hamilton for the first time as well. Pros: - Great atmosphere - very relaxed, loved the vintage signs and dried/smoked meats hanging waiting to be eaten! - Ecsargot toast points - delicious - Service - delicious sides: grilled corn and veggies, broccoli - Dessert (had a raspberry shortcake...mmm) Cons: - Gouda mashed potatoes didn't taste like gouda - Asked for my beef cooked medium, and it was medium raw
(4)Jeff W.
I've been to Clementine twice and the first time I remember having had a decent experience but hardly noteworthy. The second time, however, has led me to not really want to return and think it's highly overrated. Both times were for brunch so maybe I should try a different meal. But with how disappointing just about every aspect of my most recent experience was, I really don't see me coming back. To start things off, as soon as we entered the entire place smelled like a wet towel. Maybe this is from the house curing of meats that they have, but still, I'd rather not have to whiff rotting flesh when I enter a restaurant. After being seated it took a while to have anyone come back to take our order. It wasn't really crowded at all so there was no reason to have to wait for 10 minutes. Once we placed our order it was another 30 minutes until we received the food. When the food finally came out, it was so sad looking. My house cured corned beef "hash" consisted of 3 tiny, fatty and disgusting chunks of beef which tasted more like something out of a Dinty More beef stew can than a fancy in-house meat curing operation. It was laying on top of a bed of raw cabbage. All that for $13 or so. And not surprisingly, the elf sized portion did not fill me in the slightest. My girlfriend's meal (I think it was one of the egg scrambles) was also laughable, coming out looking like a dry muffin of egg, like some sort of weirdo hot pocket brand breakfast item. It was coupled with disturbingly bland and cold potatoes. Usually I'm not one to send things back, and I usually mock my parents for needing food so hot that it scalds the skin off the roof of your mouth, but these were just gross. Once we could flag the waitress down, we asked if they could be reheated and she scoffed at the notion that they had the equipment (i.e. a microwave) that could reheat food so she would have a cook saute up a new batch of potatoes for us. Well within a minute this freshly sauteed batch emerged, maybe 2 degrees warmer. Since they were essentially just a few red potatoes cut in half, cooked ever so slightly and then put on a plate, neither of us had any interest in eating them. Not even me and my completely empty stomach after eating my elf food corned beef. At this point we were both crabby after having taken an hour and a half to have prepared and consumed 3 oz of food each so we just wanted the check and to leave. But I remembered loving the coconut cake my first time here so I figured I could get at least one redeeming thing out of Clementine. I asked if we could get a piece of coconut cake to go and she said "ooh, we're actually all sold out". Really? You're sold out of cake at 10:40am on a Sunday? That just about sealed the deal and we got up and left, extremely disappointed in every way. 2 stars for the fact that I once had a piece of coconut cake here that put me in a 5 minute state of blind euphoria, but who knows if I will ever get another piece.
(2)Chris B.
I really enjoyed my visit to Clementine with my fiancee. The service was fantastic, the menu was full of unique dishes I haven't tried before, and the food was delicious. Appetizers - steak tartar and cream of crab soup - both excellent. Dinner - pork loin and scallops. Only criticism was on the pork loin, it was over cooked for my taste but not too much, everything was delicious. The scallops were cooked perfectly and the accompanying pork belly was amazing. My fiancee got some cucumer vodka martini thing that she really enjoyed. I really liked the IPA on tap. You should go, it's good!
(5)Jason S.
Over rated. Duck came cold. Waiter made a mistake on the check. Won't go back.
(2)Rebecca L.
I liked Clementine, but I felt a little let down. Their drink menu is impressive- the home made basil lime elixir rocked! Different sodas (root beer, cherry, ginger), and an extensive wine & beer selection. Our waitress could have known the menu better. Ex: they were out of my selected wine- she didn't suggest an alternative (and it's a big wine menu to make your way through). She had to check with the kitchen if the mushrooms could have been removed from the meatball dish, and when I asked about the seafood charcuterie, I was told that the menu had a description of the items (!!!) So I ordered without knowing what a mousseline was (had an idea, but confirmation from my server would have been nice.) It was good (I love pickeled, salty things), but once was enough- I wouldn't order it again. The Mac N' Cheese WAS Fantastical- large portion for a app- BF said next time he'd order two and have as his meal. He had 1/2 Chicken w/ cherry, port BBQ sauce- chicken a little dry, but smoked gouda mashed potatoes were delicious. I had the roasted acorn squash- and after checking the online menu after our meal, I realized that the sauteed spinach didn't make it to my plate. Might have helped- it was a little blah-also a little dry. It's a creative menu, and I like that so much is local. Three deserts, all made by the owner's Mom (nice!) were offered, and my brownie tasted like a Mom brownie. :) Despite the menu hiccups, our waitress otherwise did a great job, checking back with us frequently. 3.5 stars- I liked it, but for a $100 meal (w/ tip), we should have left raving. I'll give it a second try, but for lunch instead.
(3)David Z.
Great place for going to grab some trout for breakfast while your toddler plays with some toys a few feet away early on a Sunday morning... the service is a bit sub-optimal and food is rather gourmet but menu options are not so diverse.
(4)Tim H.
Great! The value is outstanding. Go with friends for dinner relax and enjoy. It has a vibrant bistro feel to it. Read the entire cocktail menu before deciding. Many interesting choices. Try the charcuterie or the mussles as appetizers. All of the entrees impressed. Everything we had was outstanding! The best surprise was the bill. High quality food for at a very affordable price. Cost per Quality Bite (cqb) was off the chart.
(5)Nancy L.
We went on a Thursday which is half price wine night. GREAT DEALS. We got a bottle of red for $9. I would highly recommend this night for groups. The decor is cozy. We were seated in the larger room off to the left. It was empty when we first arrived, which was weird. I like a full room, but more tables started to fill up after 15 minutes or so. We started with salads (I know boring) but very good. The roasted tomato basil dressing was yummy, but I didn't get enough of it. My hubby got the Black Angus grilled strip which was great. The mashed potatoes were so creamy and the strip was great. I ordered the bacon wrapped scallops. They were good, but not the best scallops I've ever had. I didn't get that melt in your mouth texture that I have enjoyed at other restaurants when ordering scallops. Dessert was coconut cake which I absolutely loved. Service was good, but not as personable as I usually like. Others were friendly upon entering and leaving, just our waitress, while polite, wasn't really warm. I would definitely go back.
(3)Al E.
I wish it was great b/c I live right there, but sigh, we've had trouble. I guess lunch has gone over the best - shrimp salad sandwich and grilled chicken sandwich were fine. Breakfast was mixed: cold, sad muffin but good cream cheese with OK bagel. The veggie and cheese casserole was puny. The breakfast bill was ridiculously cheap but I went home and ate something b/c I was still hungry. Dinner: gf had a TERRIBLE whole fish entree. The poor guy was still wearing his scales and looked bad. Just remembering it makes me shake my head. I had a veggie stir fry that was very good. Another time tried a noodle with broth, Asian style type veggie thing - horrible. Bland and salty at the same time like the broth was drunk with soy sauce. Gf had a special pork dish - also bland. So I think we're done with trying dinner. Besides the inconsistent food, the pretense bothers me. That said, service was fine. And it's still just around the corner so maybe we'll go back if our oven blows up. Tried Clementine again b/c the 4 staff who were standing right by us at HT could not be bothered to even say Hello after we stood in front of the bar for awhile (which is where you're supposed to check in). Really tired of that crap. The good news: never trouble getting a table at Clementine. And the lemon rosemary fizz was delish. We've had some trouble with the entrees so went for small plates. House salad with green goddess dressing was fine; dressing needed salt. Gazpacho: I guess I prefer a chunky gazpacho. This was pureed. The flavors were pretty good with a little kick. Smoked trout. Really weird presentation. They fanned braised purple kale around the edges of a plate like flower leaves and then put the fish in the middle. Goat cheese and cider vinaigrette. The kale was fine but should have been de-stemmed. The fish was really tasty, not fishy. The goat cheese was unnecessary. Not at all sure why they put trout with kale and goat cheese. Mac and cheese. Supposed to be great here. It was fine. I make a mean mac and cheese and it's really simple, so I don't know why people have trouble. It was clearly re-warmed and slopped onto a plate and was not hot - just warm. Clementine's menu is annoyingly verbose and if you're trying to be fancy, please season the food and de-stem the greens. Just sayin. We made the right move b/c had we stayed at HT, we would have still been waiting for a table by the time we were walking home but C tends to disappoint. Oh Hamilton
(2)Paul O.
Wonderful atmosphere, great service and a bit of an eclectic menu, but for those who like to try new things it is a wonder. I will be heading back on my next trip to Baltimore, perhaps for lunch this time.
(4)Janet D.
We arrived with a party of 11 on a Sunday evening to celebrate birthdays. The food was fantastic (pork cheeks & oysters!). More importantly, the service was off-the hook great. Our server was knowledgeable, pleasant, accommodating and we did not lack for a single thing the entire hour plus we were there. Keeping up with a table of 11 is no easy feat, and our server (Rob??) was hands down the best I have had in a long, long time.
(5)Steve K.
OK, but not too special, place for breakfast. Cheese grits were good, home fries so-so, scrambled eggs/bacon mess was decent. Orange juice was served in the original plastic Tropicana bottle - this place wasn't big on charm. Service was a little bit lax but maybe overworked. Miss Shirley's appeared to be better at everything. Might give it a try sometime for dinner.
(3)Nod S.
This restaurant is one of my favorites. It is a little out of my way to go there, but I know that if I do go it will be easy to get a table, and the menu is guaranteed to offer something that sounds appealing that will be expertly prepared, and the staff will be friendly and attentive. I have only ever come for dinner. Never tried the breakfast and lunch offerings. The menu at Clementine rotates frequently, so even though I have been there a ton of times and always try new things, there is sure to be a tempting seasonal special to try. Plus, there are some winning dishes that are offered regularly. The charcuterie is simply unbeatable. The sausage and pate is made in house and has a wonderful texture and flavor. The mac and cheese is delicious, and a lot of food for the $4 price. I have gotten a few really great soups during the winter, but haven't been back since the weather turned warm to try the cold soup options. If you go during a cold season, the pot pie is really an impressive dish. For only maybe $11 you will get a huge, steaming, fluffy, crusty, perfectly prepared pie. When I first went, they had a rabbit pot pie, and months later I tried the chicken pot pie, and neither will disappoint. If you see any entrees offered with their mess o' greens, do it! They really are skilled in preparing the most delicious dark leafy greens. When I first started going to this restaurant, the cocktails made a big impression on me. They were creative and well executed. The menu is still creative, but I do not feel the execution is as strong as it once was when it comes to the cocktails. Nevertheless, I recommend trying a few. The basil elixir has a fresh sweetness that pairs well with a few different liquors, so you can get it how you like it best. The Stonewall is Clementine's take on the Stone Fence and is a safe bet as well with its pear cider, bourbon & fresh ginger. Taco Night is every Tuesday, and while it is a good bargain, I would rather go on a regular night to get the standard fare I love so much. If I lived in the neighborhood, I would probably take advantage of Taco Tuesday more often, and recommend it if you are near by. One warning-- steer clear of dishes that tout the use of cardamom. The only dish I have ever ordered at this restaurant that I truly hated was a pork dish seasoned with cardamom. The flavor and aroma was overwhelming, and it was impossible to steer clear of the little cardamom pods because they would hide in the sauce and under the vegetables. Trust me when I say you do not want to bite into any of those. Over all, a great place to eat a nice dinner and have a fantastic cocktail without dealing with crowds or snobbery. I like!
(4)Bella F.
I had great expectations basing on reviews, but I was disappointed. The smell that assaulted my nostrils as soon as I walked in was not of food, but of mold and a bathroom, and it cringed my appetite. Charcuterie wasn't bad, but my duck was seriously overcooked. Blueberry cake was hard crusted and tasted stale. I won't be going there again, for the price I paid for food I should at the very least sit in a cleaner restaurant without flies.
(3)Jeremy R.
A contender for Baltimore's best restaurant at prices that are hard to believe (cheap). Preparations are spot-on never excessive or jarring. They have a great wine list that consists of whatever you brought with you (BYOB) with a very reasonable corkage. If they have the Burgoo, don't pass it up. Staff is great but waits can be long. You are advised to make a reservation well in advance. Clementine Rules!
(5)Hilary H.
We were excited to finally try Clementine but were unfortunately disappointed after a great start to the meal (charcuterie platter). We waited over 40 mins for the charcuterie and were understanding despite the fact that the restaurant was not overcrowded. We assumed it was a fluke but then had the exact same experience waiting on our entrees. I had scallops with risotto, he had rabbit pot pie. Both were bland (especially the risotto and pot pie filling.) Again, we didn't put up a fuss when we waited so long, just accepted their apology (one complimentary drink on the house). The worst part was, who appeared to be the chef was out socializing with what looked to be family before dinner service was even over. If things had been running smoothly, maybe this wouldn't have seemed odd, but considering the wait time on our food, it seemed especially unprofessional.
(2)Lindsay S.
My kind of FOOD!! Fresh,homemade,local,Comfort food at its best!!! TRY there cocktails,they are amazing!
(4)J H.
Went the other day and had the tuna pate appetizer. So good. Did not disappoint in the least. That said, Clementine really needs their liquor license.
(5)Steve Y.
One of my favorites. I don't think I've ever been disappointed: except they always run out of the chocolate cake and the service is kinda slow. But the food was worth the wait.
(3)Shayna S.
I've only been to Clementine once, but I really loved it! My mom and I went for Sunday Brunch recently, and the food was so fresh and delicious and unique. The staff was really friendly and gave great recommendations. The atmosphere is really awesome, it feels like home. I also love the bar, it looks great, it's well-stocked with a variety of alcohol and the drinks are all interesting and delicious. Can't wait to go back!
(4)Caitlin S.
Loved Clementine. My sister and I weren't sure where to go, but wanted to check out a new place. After reading the positive review in City Paper, we decided that Clementine would be a nice change of pace. We also thought it wouldn't be too crowded. Boy, were we wrong! The place was a zoo, which makes sense in hindsight because it was a Friday. Luckily, the hostess was kind enough to seat us on the cushy upholstered furniture up front, where folks would typically wait for a table. The staff was very supportive of getting my sister, a vegan, a decent meal, even though the items they prepared weren't all on the menu. I had a delicious bluefish over mashed potatoes and corn slaw. The portion was perfect, the food was tasty, and it resulted in that wonderful, 'that was a healthy meal,' perfectly satiated feeling. The decor isn't very impressive, but it's comfortable. And the prices were so reasonable. I plan to head back, when I am feeling motivated to drive to the other side of town. This is definitely a good spot to take your parents, I am sure mine would take to this place like fish to water. BYOB!
(4)Ron J.
Finally, we thought, a decent restaurant in Hamilton! Clementine is the spiritual offspring from Sobo, a great "feelgood" restaurant in Federal Hill. What Clementine promised was the same great food quality, eager and helpful service and all withing a walk or driving distance in Hamilton. Unfortunately, in almost every area, Clementine dissapoints. FIrst of all, the place was packed - OK, fair enough, it's new and people are curious and want to experience the new digs. Nonetheless, the full, loud room and lack of decent waiting space was a put-off. The waitress was rushed and flustered. The service consisted of jabs of questions revolving around "what would we have", to be expected for sure, but any question we had was met with a barely-beneath-the-surface impatience. I realize you're busy, but damn, take care of the customers, OK? I also had to ask twice to get a clean knife (dirty at the start with some unidentifiable morsel of someone else's food). The waitress was made aware that we are Pescetarian, nonetheless, she was apparently too distracted to make the connection between non-meat eating (essentially) and the fact that the mac and cheese contains prosciutto. Big service ding - and why is ham in mac and cheese? Not normal in any place I've frequented. And on top of that, the "vegetarian" entree for the evening, a curry dish with vegetables, contained grits with - yep - bacon. C'mon people, don't put meat in a side for the vegetarian dish. Really. The entrees are pricy, especially considering the VERY LOUD atmosphere (never heard of acoustic treatment, owners?), the diner-like decor, and cattle-herd like seating density. Most entrees upwards of $20. Rumor has it, there's a $5 cork charge (unsubstantiated), which is not particularly accommodating. Finally, I'll end on the only good note: the catfish and curry entrees were delicious!
(2)Danielle M.
I've been here twice, and after my first visit, I knew I wanted to come back. The first time my husband and I visited, it was Taco Tuesday so it was a limited menu. But, it was a GREAT limited menu. We sat in the expanded space, which was very cold. I had to wear my winter coat inside, and even thought about wearing gloves while I ate my tacos. So, remembering the good food from that 1st visit, my husband made reservations for a Sunday Valentines Brunch for us. We were sadly a few min late for our reservation, but they still took us to a table right away. And then we sat, and sat, and sat. We sat there for 15 min, which put us right at the end of the brunch time. By the time our server came to greet us, she announced that brunch was over! I was really excited for the brunch because there wasn't much on the lunch menu I was excited about. So, then I had to rethink my order all over again! My husband felt so bad because he thought that he was taking me to one of my favorite places for some of my favorite food and then that didn't happen! So, I ordered basically a veg sandwich with the carrot side dish. Husband got the grilled chicken sandwich with the pasta salad side. I was VERY disappointed with my sandwich because everything was very wet and soggy. The flavor was great, but I think a bowl of soup isn't even as wet as the sandwich was! Now, the carrot side dish was the star of the show! I could swim in a tub of that side and ask for more. Husband was happy with his meal, but there wasn't anything really special about what he ate. We both were hoping for some more substantial lunch items, but none were to be found. So, we paid and went home disappointed. Fast forward a few hours and looking on their website, I found out that there were lunch specials that I would of enjoyed much much more! I was so sad that I didn't know about them from the server!! Please Clementine, train your staff. Your food is, for the most part, great! Hire an extra server for your busy times, because its not fair to the ones on the floor to be running around swamped and disorganized. It only hurts the diner's experience! I would of given 2.5 stars, but I'll give 3 because the space is cool and interesting, as well.
(3)Chris W.
The review is from my blog at chriswalbert.com . After eating at Clemetine, the new restaurant in Hamilton last Friday, I really wanted to get the word out about this great spot and encourage all of you to check it out. Contrary to a certain review in the Baltimore Sun, Clementine, which is located in the 5400 block of Harford Road, is in downtown Hamilton and not Lauraville. The restaurant is housed in an unassuming storefront in the vicinity of a Blockbuster, a pawn shop, and a Dunkin Donuts. But please do not allow this to lower your expectations of Clementine. Clementine is the epitome of a great neighborhood restaurant. As soon as we walked in the door my family was greeted by a cheerful, if extremely busy, woman who offered us a seat on one of their couches. Luckily we had a reservation, so we only waited a few minutes; just long enough for my father and I to walk down the street and pick up a six-pack of Blue Moon to accompany our dinner. That's because, for the time being at least, Clementine is BYOB. Upon being seated, you realize that Clementine is not a place where you should expect much privacy or a quiet conversation. The dining room holds 20-30 tables in a large open room. The table next to you is no more than 5 feet away. What it lacks in privacy, though, Clementine's dining room more than makes up for with energy and life. For my appetizer, I had a hearty bowl of Maryland Crab Soup. While the soup was very tasty, my only real complaint was that it came out less than 5 minutes before my entree. This forced me to make the tough decision as to which dish I would let get cold. Sorry Maryland Crab Soup, you lost this battle to a strip steak served with Gouda mashed potatoes and sauteed vegetables. My entire family, most of who are not extremely adventurous eaters, really enjoyed their meals. My sister and father also got the strip steak, while my mother got 2 stuffed peppers that looked and tasted fantastic. We passed on dessert, but everything that I saw being served looked really good. It's hard to say exactly what it is about Clementine that I liked so much. Hopefully it's not too cliched to say that Clementine just has a great vibe. There's something about the atmosphere and the food that makes you want to relax and have a great time. It also is much less pretentious and more inclusive than so many other restaurants. The crowd spanned from families with young kids, to young adults, to older couples enjoying an evening out. For those of us who grew up or live along the Harford Road corridor, it's great to see new shops and restaurants coming to Hamilton. There's also talk that one of the owners of Brewer's Art is opening the Hamilton Tavern in the coming months. There's no reason that within a few years this section of Harford Road should be any less popular than The Avenue in Hampden.
(5)Jeff D.
We had a great dinner there last night - it's a really hip/cool place and we will definitely be back and recommend to others. We shared the charcuterie plate as an appetizer and my dinner partner had the crab cakes (she rated them a B+). Based on Yelper reviews, I had the pork chop - also good but I'll look forward to trying other entrees in the future. There were no crying children as other reviewers referenced but our only complaints were with the service. The place was a little more than half full, yet our waters were rarely filled, I had to cut the pork chop with a standard butter knife (not easy) and the waiter pretty much gave us "drive-by" touch-and-go service. Finally, I left my reservation info on their answering machine as requested, but after not getting the confirmation call that the recorded lady promised, I called the day-of and learned that in fact the reservation had not been received or transcribed. This could have been a problem on a busy night, so consider this your warning about their shaky phone reservation system.
(4)sarah b.
scallops are cooked perfectly! mac and cheese isn't very cheesey and the desserts are dry as cardboard. beware, young parents bring their babies with them, even sit them on the bar stools when you desperatly want to sit and drink a beer in a packed restaurant.
(4)Hetty W.
4.5! What a great place for breakfast! It's a shame that they only serve breakfast Fri-Sun. I've been here a few times now for breakfast, and their egg casseroles never disappoint! Great home fries, and their house made hot sauces are excellent. And $1.50 coffee with free refills is tough to beat! Their salmon cream cheese is great, and I love that their bagels come with a little serving of fresh fruit. The atmosphere is very nice and cozy, especially in the morning when there's a bit of a crowd going. I've never had to wait for a spot though. A couple of downers: their breakfast menu is limited on Fridays and also limited after 11AM on Sat/Sun. Their baked french toast casserole is a little "different", can't say I quite enjoyed the texture. Maybe mine was overcooked, but it tasted a little burnt and was chewier than expected. All in all, definitely one of my favorite spots for breakfast. I've already been here three times, and loved it every time!
(4)Dana C.
Always a fabulous dining experience. Have been to Clementine several times and always enjoy the drinks and food. Recommend sitting on bar side for a more warm and peaceful experience. Last time had rockfish. Cooked lovely, but gouda mash were a little heavy of a pairing with the fish. The charcuterie is delish and is a meal itself with some wine. The best nights to go are on Wednesdays and Thursdays to walk in. I would suggest a reservation for a Friday or Saturday night. Sitting at the bar is great too! The bartender there is awesome!
(5)Elizabeth B.
Had a wonderful breakfast experience this weekend. Great service (friendly and very attentive), food, frequent coffee refills, and lovely ambiance.
(5)emily m.
Hi, Do you remember me? I came in on Saturday with my boyfriend for a nice 'light fare' around 4pm. NOT one single customer was there. Not One. There was the 'congenial' bartender who was put off when asked if they were open, and a table of 3 going over the evenings menu. After getting a 'uh, if you want to' response to asking if we could sit at the bar, we were directed to chose any table. The bartender was then nice enough to drop off the beer and wine menus. 10 minutes later we were still waiting. 5 more minutes we got up and left. I have never left a restaurant in my entire life. The only good thing to come of this experinence, which I will NEVER repeat, is the Los Amigos down the block - we ventured in there, again, no one was there, but they served us Excellent food, along with Excellent Service. We will go back to Los Amigos.
(1)Jeff R.
I'll continue the 4-star ratings for Clementine. I waffled between 3 and 4 stars, but I actually like the fact that they don't serve alcohol there, and the restaurant is pretty cozy. I checked out Clementine with some friends on a recent visit to Charm City. The food was pretty good, with a couple of vegetarian choices on a (supposedly) oft-changing menu. I opted for some a baked pasta concoction that hit the spot, along with a fancy root beer. My table also saw a pork chop, some mac-n-cheese, and a bottle of fizzy water. There were no complaints and everyones plates were clean, so Clementine passed that test. The mac-n-cheese was pretty amazing, actually. I'd recommend giving that a test run on your next/first visit. The service was a little uneven, but friendly for the most part. The owner (I think) greeted us as we came in, and showed us to our table. I got some strange looks for pulling out my laptop (free wi-fi, too) at the dinner table, but there were extenuating circumstances. Baltimore needs more restaurants like this (ones that don't double as bars). If I lived in the area, I'd be a Clementine regular.
(4)Darlene J.
Great atmosphere & good food. Belgian waffles are wonderful!
(4)Kevin S.
Hampden feel in a Hamilton setting. My server was as excited about the place and the menu as I was, and had intimate knowledge of all the dishes/apps. To me, this is an important part of any restaurant experience, and I appreciated this. The menu had something for everyone (we went for dinner) and I chose the braised pork shank w/ gouda mashed potatoes and bacon/kraut kale, with a cider reduction sauce. Bam, it was spot on in flavor, in fact it was probably the most flavorful dish I've had in a month. The seafood charcuterie was good but pricy for the portion size. The Duck Nachos were decent but nothing to write home about. The beer selection was fantastic, with microbrews from everywhere in bottles and even Chimay on tap. Menu also featured aged scotch of various vintages and a nice selection of wine. Some of the tables in the lower level (its a split-level two-room arrangement) were not well placed/ not cozy, and we were seated in one of them with a booming light in my eyes and directly next to the bathrooms/kitchen hallway... We asked to be moved and were promptly and courteously accommodated to the upper room which IMO was far more cozy. There was an odor of mustiness in the lower room also, which did not exist in the upper room. All in all our dinner was fantastic, menu was well done with plenty of choices for dinner, and atmosphere was energetic yet cozy.
(4)Tin A.
This restaurant is tucked in those neighborhoods that are probably rarely trodden upon if you mostly stick to downtown, fells point, Charles Village, or Mt. Vernon. It has great indoor space where you could choose from a more pub friendly ambiance to the romantic dinner section of the restaurant. The food-amazing. My boyfriend and I celebrated a late Valentine's day and it was perfect. We ordered the pork loin apple and walnut salad. He got the two way duck and I ordered another pork loin with blueberry sauce and Gouda mashed potatoes. Finger...licking....yum. The wait staff-not pretentious at all. We had a great waiter who recommended a good beer and a sweet and tart white wine. The price isn't too bad either. There are couches near the front of the entrance if you want to just sit back and have a glass of wine with some friends. Although in the cold months I wouldn't recommend it as it's right near the door and foot traffic may give you more chills than a good time. Over all, a great dining experience. I'd definitely go again!
(4)Richard G.
A little reticent about visiting Clementine based upon a couple of previous average reviews, we decided to give the restaurant a chance because of the eclectic and original nature of the menu. And we were not to be disappointed one bit. Negative comments preceding us never panned out, with the food not only superbly presented but even more delicious than anticipated. And the service was top notch with just enough time between courses to neither feel rushed nor ignored but to allow the previous course to settle and enjoy our conversation. The servings are more than adequate, and for older folks like us, could even be shared without leaving hungry. The setting is cozy, if not a wee bit noisy (which really adds to the vibrant nature of the place) and the wine list is one of the best I have seen anywhere. In fact, this brings me to the main purpose of this note. Inadvertently we were presented with a "Thursday night" wine carte which prices, we soon discovered, are 30% reduced from the usual costs (something to think about if looking for a fine meal on a Thursday!). But when this was pointed out on the bill, there was no hesitation by the waiter and the manager (Amy) to rectify the error and honor the lower price of the wines. This, if nothing else, should indicate the integrity and high standards of the restaurant. We are not locals, but when we return to Baltimore, you can be assured that Clementine will see us again.
(5)Kim R.
This place is definitely good for kids, there is an area with toys and a couch for them to play. Saturday morning was pretty quiet so we got a table right next to the play area so the kids could wander from table to play. The food was good but my scramble had a lot of al dente onion that masked a lot of the other flavors (sweet corn, sausage...). One of the girls got the cheese grits, which were very good, but really just the same cheese grits I make at home. The service was disappointing, especially given how quiet the restaurant was. My coffee was never refilled. That said, the night before we called to ask about food allergies and the person on the phone was extremely helpful. And the provided a nice dairy-free meal for the allergic kid. Another daily special was really very good with shredded beef under a few over-easy eggs and a queso fresco. Yum. The neighborhood is adorable, the food is good and I think the service is probably usually better than our experience. Check it out!
(3)Mary J.
Run, don't walk there! Well, we are picky and hard to please and generally think that Baltimore seriously does not have any good restaurants. Well, "Clementine" changed our mind. Friendly. Classy. Modern. Great food. Chef experiments quite a lot, food is so good! And also, apparently they have a superb bartender, I walked in, saw the place (did not make a reservation on Saturday night, but we were accommodated), and ordered some fancy cocktail. Sazerac, not easy to make, well, compared to some. Had it done perfectly. Food was delicious. We both had soft shell crab, two on the plate, with some great cucumber salad, very tasty. It did some magic combined with spiciness of the hot sauce on the crabs. All around people were having great time and good food. We loved it. Plan to come back! Parking, although in Baltimore, is easy to find, either on the street next to the restaurant (Gibbons) or at the CVS parking lot (apparently, restaurant patrons can park there). Hamilton rules, with all the good restaurants. "Clementine" shines. Thumbs up.
(5)Christopher F.
Went to Clementines for lunch the other day with a friend and had one of the best lunches in my life. The Asian cicken soup was soooo delicious. I can still taste the ginger. The roast beef sandwich was good. They do need to offer more desserts though.
(4)Robin S.
I went to Clementine tonight with 2 foodie friends. We were universally impressed. WOW. There were tons of gluten free options. The food was delicious. The cocktails were complex and interesting, and I'm not even a big drinker. I had the charcuterie and the duck confit, with asparagus and gouda mashed potatoes, and it was .... the flavors were amazing and balanced. We ALL loved it. The only thing I would change is I would have loved a gluten free dessert - but apparently it was just tonight they didn't have one. WOW again- best meal I have had in ages
(4)Tiffany N.
Clementine is solid. The food is almost always good! I have had one subpar meal, but that may have been bad ordering on my part. I have been there numerous times. The dinner service is occasionally slow, but it's definitely one of the better brunch spots around. One of my favorite things is their kids dining room...see, I don't have kids and (no offense) I don't want to go out to eat with yours. So, thank you Clementine, for having a dining room where I can go enjoy a night out without listening to someone else's screaming kids! Also, they have a new rewards program. It's great for those who frequent the restaurant. Oh, and their chocolate peanut butter cake is the truth.
(4)Michael Z.
Remember the scene in the Wizard of Oz when Toto pulls back the curtain? To me, that is Clementine. Maybe it's because I grew up in and live in the neighborhood that I dislike the place for trying to be something that it is not. It is a yuppy, hipster hangout. The food is organic, has strange names and over priced. For about $10 more you can go to Ruth's Chris and get a real steak meal. The whole concept of this restaurant just doesn't fit the neighborhood. You can park across the street from the jewelry store and next to a CVS that where broken into during the riots. You may choose to use the lot around the corner on Hamilton Ave. if you can find a spot that isn't being taken up by the non paying snowball stand patrons. That way you also get to be harassed by the 2-3 homeless people that work the intersection.
(2)Todd D.
We were going to go up to 3.5 stars, but it didn't quite make it. We did Sunday brunch and there's some hit and miss going on here. We were two and had the duck hash and catfish and cheese grits. Both were good, not great, with a bit too much vinegar on both - two great dish ideas, and someone that really likes vinegar. I'm not averse to it, but they were a bit heavy handed this morning. Service was great, price ($40) for two with coffee was excellent. The espresso machine was out of order, which is strange, but if it went out last night, fair enough. If you do brunch it should be fixed at any cost. Nice decor, but you can tell it will get really loud when full...we were an early seating. We'll try it again...the idea is great, and close to being better..
(3)Virginia B.
Really pretty surroundings inside. I enjoyed the atmosphere. The food I was less then impressed with. Not bad but not as refined on flavor as I was led to believe. I ordered a special that was beef, veggies, and potatoes. The whole dish was so over salted that it was hard to enjoy it. The drinks were pretty great though.
(3)Jamal P.
Clementine is by far better than Woodberry Kitchen. The food here from last week was amazing and the service was great too. My buddies and I started out with the rabbit and the meat was so tender. We had a few other apps that were marginal, but what we really enjoyed were the desserts..ah something with salted caramel. Great place and local farm raised food delivered.
(4)Chris R.
For today (I've had lots of great meals there) they missed the mark by a lot. They were out of my first three choices so I got the cold cut sandwich with duck fat fries. Fries weren't anything special, some burned parts and some barely cooked parts, oh and they weren't salted. The first half of the sandwich was just bread and meat with no sort of spread or tomato or anything else to help the sandwich. The meats were awesome and I came close to just taking the sandwich apart. The second half had some sort of vinegary spread that helped to better balance the sandwich. Shame two halves of the same sandwich were so different. Almost seems as though they are coasting to the closing date in August. It's a shame they don't try to get there on top.
(2)Josh W.
The food has been consistently good and they have a good selection of drinks (discovered Saranac ginger beer here). However, the food isn't outstanding enough to justify the cost for us to come here on a regular basis. We've done Taco Tuesday, and also we've done it when they changed to spaghetti and meatballs. I've also had some rabbit dish, which was good, and a "West African" peanut soup, which wasn't great in comparison with something authentic. I love that Clementine is in the neighborhood. Oh they do the soups for Boordy Vineyards, and those are all tasty.
(4)Kerri P.
Very disappointed with Clementine on Mother's Day. It took unusually long for our dinner to arrive. We ordered quick because we have a 3 and 1 year old. It took 30 minutes for the kids food to come out. Then another 10 minutes for our food and the appetizer came with our food. And after all that the food was just okay. Crab cakes were disappointing, bluefish was blah, deviled scallops eh. Service was pretty good though.
(2)Anne K.
It's Saturday. You take your whole family to Clementine's. Your kid gets to play with other kids in the fantastic kid friendly corner while you swill Zeke's coffee and enjoy a warm cinnamon bun as large as your head. You may even try some real food like the duck hash, Korean hot pot, or chicken pot pie if you have any room left. My husband and I come here all the time with our daughter and are never disappointed. All of our waitstaff have been consistently amazing and friendly, the food is always on point, and the atmosphere is very laid back and super kid friendly. Hell, even the other people eating there are great! Stoked to see you Sunday, friends! Thank you for your gem of a restaurant.
(5)Jocelyn O.
I would not step foot in this place again. It was not busy at all, but our waitress was less than attentive, until we paid the bill which she was able to get to right away. She only asked if we wanted a refill on our drinks (our cups were empty) when she dropped off the check. I got a bacon egg and cheese sandwich. The bread was soggy, there was 1 strip of bacon and the eggs weren't seasoned at all. I'd suggest finding another place for brunch before trying this place out.
(1)Kerri M.
I've only come here a handful of times for brunch. I usually get something different each time I visit. I have repeated the grits because they are excellent (and that compliment is coming from a southern girl). My other half always gets the Korean Hot Pot and likes it, but he never gets enough and always has to order a side. I will say the service can be real slow here and it's annoying. Also it can be really crowded, unless you get there super early.
(4)Rebekah O.
My girlfriend and I went to Clementine yesterday for brunch and it was awesome. I had the duck hash and she had the Korean hot pot. We both loved our choices (she felt that the kimchee could have been a tad bit spicier). The food menu is extremely diverse and the alcoholic options are well thought out and reasonable. I hadn't been to Clementine since it first opened due to an out of town move and I'm also glad to see how they've expanded. To finish they get many kudos for the "Becks Crabs" sign that they have on the wall. I love that they give a shotout to a Baltimore icon.
(4)Jennifer L.
My experience at Clementine was nothing short of wonderful. From the hostess, to the bartender, and ending with our waiter -- their customer service was one of the best I ever experienced. While we waited for our table, the bartender came by to check on us to see if we wanted a drink. Drinks all around! We all asked him for recommendations. While we all got different drinks, he hit our expectations right on the nail. One person in my party even spilled most of her drink on the table by accident and the bartender gave her a new one. Charcuterie -- We went with our waiter's suggestions and ordered all sorts of sausages. All had it's own flavors, some spicier than others. The paste and crackers were delicious! Both components complement the sausages well. Pappardelle -- I've been ordering pappardelle more frequently these days. Large, flat pasta noodles. I dig it. I feel like I'm consuming less carbs because there is a less amount of noodles in the dish. The smoked duck was cooked to tender perfection and not overly salted. The flavors weren't very strong but overall it tasted very light. Their menu changes VERY frequently based on season and availability so you know you're eating some quality food!
(4)Christy L.
Man friend and I came here for a $50 prix fixe Valentine's Day menu. We made reservations for 5:30 p.m., showed up at 6:00 p.m. (don't shoot me, I called to let them know we were late!), and were still greeted pleasantly by the hostess and seated right away. Once I took a glance at the menu, I made an impromptu decision to switch from the prix fixe to a la carte, mainly because they had a freaking amazing pork chop on the regular menu. It came with mashed potatoes, kale, and apple butter... I mean really -- who could turn that down?! It ended up being pretty good. Nothing that blew my mind, but it definitely held its own. I think the apple butter, which was both sweet and slightly bitter, was the best part of the dish. I could've taken a whole jar of that stuff home! For dessert, I chose a chocolate tart. It was melt-in-your-mouth delicious but a bit on the smaller side. For once, I actually made room for dessert and could've eaten triple the dessert that they gave me! Ambiance/ decor is no frills, but nice and relaxed - just how you'd want a farm-to-table restaurant to be. Not memorable... but I like it that way because I don't think good food should compete with a flashy restaurant space. They also have some pretty decent drinks. Try the sangria. 2 glasses of it and you'll be well on your way to a good buzz.
(3)Andrea J.
Clementine is a awesome local restaurant that helps support local growers! The food is always delicious and the service is great! We come here for brunch or dinner! At either time you get awesome food, great service and stiff drinks!
(5)Tunaidi A.
I checked out Clementine while they were offering their brunch menu. It's a neat restaurant and relatively spacious. There's definitely a handful of interesting items for brunch, such as the Indian scramble and the Korean hot pot. I appreciated the diversity, but couldn't resist the seared duck hash. I also got to try the french toast and the breakfast sample. The duck hash was a decent choice, while the other plates tasted as expected. I went with a relatively large group, so it took a while to be seated. However, service from there on was quicker. Other than the several scrambles that I saw, all the dishes' portions were on the smaller end of the spectrum. Clementine was a decent play and is worth another try.
(3)Mick R.
I had heard such great things about Clementine, so I took the leap and headed up for Restaurant Week. We had a reservation for 6:45, and were promptly seated. The waiter was very helpful explaining the menu and philosophy of Clementine, and gave us a few minutes to look over the options. He came back a few minutes later to take our order, but we weren't ready. Unfortunately, after that, it was a bit of a wait to actually place our order, and it seemed to be a trend that continued for the rest of the night. It seemed to us that they were a bit short staffed. Possibly on a normal Tuesday night the staffing levels were ok and they were just busier due to Restaurant Week, but it was pretty noticeable. As for the food, I would say that both of us were underwhelmed. I had the Heirloom tomato salad which was pretty good. My date had the chilled peach soup which she enjoyed. Our mains are where we were most let down. The grilled flat iron steak was served lukewarm, and the flavors did not work for either of us. The pork adobo was good, but not great, and didn't seem to have anything about it which really set it apart from any other pulled pork type dish. For desert I had the blueberry pie, which I liked, but it wasn't by any means the best pie I've ever had, while my date had the "warm" peach cobbler, which was still pretty chilled. I'd probably be willing to give Clementine a second chance, as all of the other positive reviews seem to indicate that they are doing things right, but I'm not going to be rushing to do so.
(2)Kelly H.
My boyfriend and I love making visits to Clementine. The atmosphere is very calming with tables and chairs made of wood and walls painted a relaxing shade of medium blue. The lights are just dim enough, and there's a little bit of art on the walls, but it's nothing overwhelming. The restaurant is quiet and unobtrusive enough that you can hear the person accompanying you, but not so much that you feel like everyone has full access to your conversation. Enough about the ambiance, because the food is awesome! It's both unique and seasonal, and most of the options seem somewhat healthy. The menu changes regularly, which gives my boyfriend and I an excuse to check in as much as we can. I would describe the food as being "updated homestyle," since many of the choices would be considered comfort food with Clementine's own special flair. One thing Clementine does especially well is vegetables. They have a way of making things like kale and broccoli taste pleasant--I'm not sure how they do it, but I'm much more than willing to consume vegetables I don't typically gravitate towards after walking through Clementine's doors. Vegetables aside, every dish I have tried there has been fantastic, from Chicken and Waffles to Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf, to Clams Casino Linguine to Pork Chops and Mashed Potatoes. Clementine is a foodie's paradise.
(5)Chris H.
I don't really remember much about the night I went out with my buddies..., but I do remember eating a pork dish that was REALLY good. Had leftover and it was great the next day after heating it up. I also had a ginger drink...It's not a ginger Ale...but it was also really good.. Maybe I'm not the best person to review this. But Food's delish
(5)Kerry M.
We were really looking forward to our first time at Clementine, but we were met with disappointment. The atmosphere was great, the food, really good, but the service was very disappointing. Let me start out by saying, we were eating late (8:45), so there were no other people waiting for a table, but we were also not the last table, so our server had no reason to rush us out, it was still well before kitchen closing time. We placed our order, got our drinks and then our appetizer came out. Still with a good amount left on our plate, a bus boy suggested that we "take that last smidge" so he could take our plate. I was actually waiting to ask for more toast to finish the final few bites of pate. On it's own - no big deal - we weren't that put off. But this kept happening the ENTIRE meal. not even halfway through our dinners, guys kept coming over asking to box our food or take our plates. We would be mid-bite or mid-sentence when this would happen. Normally, when people are through eating, they set down their utensils across the plates. None of the three men that were back and forth to our table had any sense of timing. After we finally finished eating, and the waiter came for our plates, he very quickly ran and grabbed a dessert menu, placed it on our table in what seemed to be a huge hurry, and left. Not at all what you expect from a place like this. There was ZERO salesmanship involved in the whole process, considering it was our first time dining. About the dessert: we ordered the German Apple Cake. I make this at home and it's delicious, so I thought surely this would even be better, especially because it was listed as having salted caramel. The server rushed it over to us, set it down, and we took a few bites. It was NOT worthy of being on a restaurant menu. The taste was fine, but it was very dry, and mediocre for the realm of what's expected on a dessert menu at a restaurant of this caliber. Before we were through, the server was pacing behind my boyfriend, eyeing our plate to grab it when we were finished. Let me say this: we dine out two times a week, always trying new places and returning to our favorites. I so wanted Clementine to be another "favorite" to add to our list. Instead of staying for a second drink, I was so put off by feeling rushed through the entire experience, that I decided to get the check and head up the road to Maggie's Farm for our next drink. The server's mistake is that if he had just slowed down, talked to us about the food, allowed us to finish our meal without feeling rushed, then our $76 check would have been rounded to $100 for a $24 tip. Instead I gave $14, which was already too high. In addition, what would have been a restaurant we'd likely visit again and again (food and atmosphere were excellent). now we will likely not return. We heard this same lament after discussing the restaurant with friends who had been, so I know it wasn't just us being sensitive. Please Clementine, shape up, because you could be great.
(3)Jenny H.
I came here for brunch on Saturday, and I thought my duck hash was good (great duck gravy and potatoes) but my two poached eggs were cooked through....one of them was a little runny but the other was completely hard. And my husband's two eggs over easy were both completely cooked through too...disappointing. Runny eggs are the standard, no, for poached and over easy eggs? The grits I thought were just OK (had better elsewhere) and the Caesar salad was deconstructed and also pretty OK. My husband's brioche French toast were two thick slabs of toast with whipped cream on top....both a bit soggy.
(3)Jaime C.
I had never heard of this place until recently. The spot itself is near by where I live. The interior was very "French kitchen" and friendly. My friend and I came for brunch and were surprised at the menu. They had a lot of interesting options and all were well priced. Our waitress was kind, but it honestly felt like she didn't know the menu well. My friend went with the Indian scramble and I choose the pan seared duck scramble. The dish was horribly bland and runny. It tasted as if the eggs were pulled right from warm water and plopped on to potatoes that weren't fully cooked. The duck was the only item in the dish that had some form of flavor. Rather sad since it looked great on the menu. Truthfully not worth $13 for it. My friends Indian scramble had no visual appeal and tasted heavily of mint. But for those that want veggies and some curry it's great. All in all a great spot to catch up, but the food was not good enough to make me come back.
(3)Ashlee K.
Absolutely wonderful. Fresh, delicious food. Prompt, attentive service. Great selection of wine, beer, and whiskey! We opted to sit at the bar, and Erin served us drinks and attended our needs. She was great!! The food was incredible. I got the chicken, hubs got the soused shrimp. To quote him: "If broccoli tasted like this all the time, I would only ever eat broccoli." That's huge, coming from a true "meat and potatoes" man. Check it out. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Lauren S.
We have gone to Clementine a bunch of times and find it to be hit or miss. This past Friday night was a definite miss. I ordered a Manhatten Blanc which is actually vodka, not whiskey which is not explicitly indicated on the menu but I should have looked up the name of the liquor to make sure it was what I wanted. Ok, not their fault. Shrimp bisque was very tasty but not served with bread. The cauliflower salad was terrible, the dressing did not go with the bacon at all and the portion was small. I paid $19 for a curry dish with no rice. Just vegetables and a very watery sauce. The flourless chocolate cake is very good. Just a very inconsistent restaurant, don't risk your money for a nice date night when you may be disappointed! Maybe ok for a casual dinner with friends but don't drop $100 here, it's not worth it.
(3)Ebony T.
So I thought I would walk up the street and treat my 9 yo to a date. We walked in and were told that they could only serve soup or salad since lunchtime was over and dinner was at 5. Perhaps that sh poo Ulster be listed with the times on the window. We left.
(1)Michael H.
Saw the feature for this restaurant on diners, drive ins and dives. I live in Philadelphia, but my girlfriend's family is stationed in Baltimore. We ate here in early February for her nephew's birthday. First off, I love that they butcher everything in house. The decor is also nice and we appreciated having the room suitable for children, so our younger member of the party felt comfortable. Now for the food - we ordered pickled vegetables and bone marrow bread pudding. Both dishes were solid but not spectacular. For entree, I ordered the bacon wrapped meatloaf. This was a very good plate. Smoked gouda mashed potatoes were excellent, although the kale was a little overseasoned for my taste. For desert I ordered the Apple crisp. I didn't like that it was served cold. Again - solid, not spectacular.
(3)Sarah S.
This place is AMAZING! The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and can make so many substitutions to accommodate any dietary restriction! Plus the atmosphere and drinks are awesome!
(5)Danielle J.
Laid back atmosphere. Love that everything is from local farms. Cocktails were great. Cheese and charcuterie boards were very tasty...wish they offered a board with both cheese and meats so we didn't have to order both separately. It was a lot of food. My husband ordered the meatloaf. It was a very heavy meal but SOOO good. We ended up sharing the meat loaf...the squash dish I ordered was light, but wasn't to my taste. Would like to go back for brunch!
(4)Virginia Y.
They catered an event at my work place. I really enjoyed their duck confit and their sausages. I love how everything was h'ordeuvres rather than heavy meals. Everything tasted great, well seasoned and all. I usually don't like beets but they had a beets salad, which turned out to be really good! Great job Clementine!
(4)Abigail R.
they make a basil lime elixir that is worth the trip - just enough sweet, just enough sour, just enough tang. Otherwise, everything is pleasant with a slight Cajun style, but nothing was standout for brunch or dinner... The most impressive things are probably the wall of antique style mirrors. Somehow they show up differently at food expos - because they were the first to change my mind into thinking that liver was worth eating...
(3)Jennifer I.
I love this place! Food is always fresh, the menu changes regularly, and the service is amazing. I love that I can get a table on a whim for either a date night or with my 2-year old. They have a great section of the restaurant for young children to play while the adults can enjoy a drink and/or dinner. Brunch is amazing as well! Cocktails are awesome and they make an outstanding dirty martini. We purposely go back to Clementine on some nights just to get a great meal and a dirty martini. I would highly recommend this place to anyone in the area who wants a good meal and relaxing atmosphere. Please check it out!
(5)Heidi F.
Came here for Restaurant Week and really enjoyed everything. The food was great had the lamb Cesar salad, lamb nachos, and Shephard's Sausage. Honestly everything was so fresh and seasoned perfectly. The service was a little slow due to the busy restaurant week. Glad I got to try it!
(4)Merr A.
Despite it's limited options for vegetarian's and food that generally just needs a little something extra to make it awesome I am a fan of Clementine's. The service is some of the best you'll find in Baltimore and there is free parking across the street. Additionally, Clementine seems to like to mix unusual flavours in their dishes, which sometimes fall flat, but it's nice to see some experimentation going instead of the standard steak and potatoes so many restaurants rely on.
(4)Kevin K.
Cavernous, rustic general-store -esque space, both rooms adorned in unpainted wood. The decor is odd--Frankenstein poster--and the bar itself an odd, near-empty part of the dining room at Wednesday dinner. A window near the back gives patrons a view into the curing room, which is unfortunately adorned in formaldehyde green paint as backdrop for the hanging meats. [Ambience: 2/5] Incredibly accommodating service; I counted at least 10+ "Sure"s and "Of course"s. Our charcuterie was served without the cheese, we went dry on drinks near the middle of dinner, and the stages of our meal overlapped too quickly--quibbling about service that was otherwise very amicable. [Service: 3/5] Cheap cocktails are the cornerstone of the drink menu; the wine list is small. We tasted: the vodka rosemary lemonade fizz, which tasted of no alcohol but needed less sugar, and the bitingly green and hot Marty Robbins, an acrid challenge to finish. [Drinks: 2/5] We started with the house charcuterie, and that's what we'll return for. All of it was knockout, but the pate was star--fantastically salty and rich atop the delectably wheaty, house-made crackers that crumble in your hand. The beet terrine was cooler than most, ample goat cheese and nice plating. My chief complaint was simplicity--maybe throw in some golden beets. The mac and cheese was rich and hearty, a nice crunch atop, but lacking tang and space. The burrito bowl was largely unforgettable outside of the salsa, which was fresh and livening. I dislike corn in my burritos and this was no different. Avoid the dry, flavorless chicken mole tacos, which went unfinished. Eat as much of the complimentary cornbread as you can--hearty and served with room-temp butter, we counted an additional piece with every new plate. [Food: 3/5]
(3)Dina T.
Parents of children that have to take turns feeding yourself- this is it! They have designated kid area with toys and sofa. Can't get any better. And all that comes with great food and service.
(5)Kristen E.
Nice decor, locally owned, generally good food. However, a recent trip (on a Sunday) was marred by a waitress so rude that my girlfriends nearly left before ordering so we could meet somewhere else for lunch. Apparently she has a reputation in the neighborhood, because someone else knew exactly who she was when one of us described our experience. We did stay and order, and the food was mostly good. I liked the fried walleye but found the cheesy grits tasteless, and the one of us with an onion allergy had to take the onions off her dish because the waitress hadn't taken care of that. We then went next door to the Hamilton Bakery, owned by the same folks, for dessert. Hamilton has quite a few good places to eat these days, so I'll probably choose to spend my money elsewhere the next time I'm back in town.
(2)Robbie R.
We came in for a nice dinner and that's exactly what we had. It was taco Tuesday as well as $5 margaritas. We decided to forego the tacos but chose the margs. The drinks were fantastic. My girlfriend got the strawberry salad with goat cheese dressing, and I ordered the duck nachos. The nachos came up without garnishes, and the manager promptly came over, removed the plate and got a new one. My soft shell entree was absolutely FANTASTIC. The price point could not be beaten. The server was kind enough to bring out a complimentary bread pudding to celebrate our anniversary. All in all, a fantastic evening.
(4)Carrie F.
I wish I could give this four stars, as I had been once before and had a great experience, but my last time was woefully average when it came to the food and extremely sub par when it came to the service. My friends and I ordered the cheese board and the charcuterie. It took over 25 minutes for these appetizers to arrive (were they slaying the animals in the back?) This is almost unforgiveable had we ordered something that needed to be COOKED but alas... And for what we paid, it wasn't a lot of food. Our waitress was lovely and offered great recommendations on the drinks, and seemed very knowledgeable but she clearly had too many tables and could not be attentive to us. There was no apology as to why it took so long to get our appetizers. Our meals did come out about 10 minutes after that. My friend's steak was RARE and she ordered medium. Again... basic stuff that they just didn't get right. Everyone seemed to enjoy their food. I did not care for what I ordered but I think that was just because my perception of what it would be was not correct, so I won't even mention what it was. I would go back again on a week night or maybe get an earlier reservation to see if the service is any better.
(3)Alex A.
I am frequently let down when I eat out. This place is the first restaurant I have been to in memory where I could have been served whatever the house chose to give me and I would be happy with it. Everything I tried was delicious and I want to try everything. I will return frequently.
(5)Greg J.
we were so so impressed. food was off the hook, I had the pheasant and it was perfect. Ted was so chill bringing great service. the whole place has a relaxed elegance that can't be bought, it comes from that entrepreneurs vibe where the details are a personal statement. we have grown kids and found it so nice to see that there is a place where young families can enjoy a fine meal . the black ale was very good too. we will be back.
(4)C P.
Went there for Sunday brunch and ordered the "Breakfast Scramble". It was delicious! The customer service was great and immediate. It's such a relaxing place.
(5)Bryce M.
Clementine. ... you have staff butchers...housemade charcuterie. ..one could say you are meat experts. Sadly not the case. Please learn your meat temps. Duck was dry very dry medium almost well. T he parsnips were woody and I got three Brussel sprouts. For 23$ tge jus was good could have been better and a little too salty. The duck skin was blackened bit im not sure that was on purpose. It took an hour and 45 min to get our entrees. The stonewall drink could have used more ginger. Desert was nothing exceptional big poorly frosted hunks of cake. Overall fine but expensive and meh
(2)Robin S.
I went to Clementine tonight with 2 foodie friends. We were universally impressed. WOW. There were tons of gluten free options. The food was delicious. The cocktails were complex and interesting, and I'm not even a big drinker. I had the charcuterie and the duck confit, with asparagus and gouda mashed potatoes, and it was .... the flavors were amazing and balanced. We ALL loved it. The only thing I would change is I would have loved a gluten free dessert - but apparently it was just tonight they didn't have one. WOW again- best meal I have had in ages
(4)Jessie C.
The ambiance is quaint and romantic but the food is nothing to write home about. I ate the Mediterranean burger. I ordered it medium but it was completely brown inside. The grilled zucchini on the burger had no real flavor to it. The entire meal was just nothing impressive. But the bottled beer was good and half price on Wednesday nights !!!!
(3)Drew T.
The ingredients are fresh, and they know how to put them together. As a matter of fact, the last time i went there might have been the best lunch i've had in years. Bacon and Asparagus sandwich with sharp cheddar and tomato chutney. I never would have thought of that one myself.
(5)Greg J.
we were so so impressed. food was off the hook, I had the pheasant and it was perfect. Ted was so chill bringing great service. the whole place has a relaxed elegance that can't be bought, it comes from that entrepreneurs vibe where the details are a personal statement. we have grown kids and found it so nice to see that there is a place where young families can enjoy a fine meal . the black ale was very good too. we will be back.
(4)C P.
Went there for Sunday brunch and ordered the "Breakfast Scramble". It was delicious! The customer service was great and immediate. It's such a relaxing place.
(5)Anush J.
We came here based on the food network recommendation. It is a very cute restaurant - with multiple wallhangings and farm tables and chairs. I really like the coffee. We ordered biscuits and gravy which were excellent. Probably the best we've had. The shrimp Benedict was also very good-it needed a touch of spice on top, probably a little paprika. We also felt that the pan seared duck hash also needed a little bit of spice. The lighting in the side room is excellent if you ever want to take pictures! Unfortunately we forgot to look at the food network dish recommendation!
(4)Heidi F.
Came here for Restaurant Week and really enjoyed everything. The food was great had the lamb Cesar salad, lamb nachos, and Shephard's Sausage. Honestly everything was so fresh and seasoned perfectly. The service was a little slow due to the busy restaurant week. Glad I got to try it!
(4)Christopher W.
You will be missed!! The waiters/waitresses are super awesome here. The fact that they take the extra effort to make sure your meal is done right goes a long way. The Meal: The beef I had was cooked perfectly to Medium Rare along with all the toppings and sauces perfectly placed in separate bowls as to not "touch" the beef. I tend to be a picky eater and asked for things to be on the side, and they just took it to the next level and placed them in bowls =) The Drinks: The old fashion I had was made well. I can't say it was the best, but definitely tasty. I also had a wine, but that is hard to mess that up =) Overall, the restaurant was worth the price paid and would go back. No specific dresscode, but doubt that will matter in the future
(4)Rob N.
I still like Clementine - don't get me wrong. Their cocktail menu and bar are consistently pretty impressive. The food is, in general, rather good. Weekend brunch, in particular, is still worth the time for a visit. But I haven't really caught the wow factor that I used to get when I first came here. The menu continues to update with the seasons, and the house-cured meats are always worth trying. However, the dinner entrees especially seem to be getting a touch tired. Examples: Dishes that come with over-cooked mushy rice. No bueno. Meats with good sauces, but the meat itself underseasoned and a bit bland. And an unfortunate tendency for all the flavors on a plate to fall into a very similar range of intensity. So Clementine, if you please, a bit more contrast, a touch more salt on occasion, and give us some bright flavors for spring and summer. I know you've got it in ya.
(4)Vanessa H.
Went in for brunch on a Sunday. The host was super polite when we walked in, then hemmed and hawed that we didnt have a reservation. He "found" a 2-top for us amongst the dining room of mostly empty tables. A bus boy quickly stopped by to give us water. Then we waited forever for a waitress. Then waited some more. When she finally did arrive she was on top of us, but initially service was pretty slow to get started. But then, then the food arrived, and everything changed. We ordered the apple, raisin, caramel french toast and the biscuits and gravy. Sweet and savory. I think this was the best french toast I've ever had in my life. I expected it to be really sweet but it wasn't, at all. The caramel was not thick at all and it just worked SO WELL. The biscuits and gravy were perfect. Flavorful but not heavy like so many biscuits and gravy dishes are. Winner, winner. We will come back here again and again. I cant wait to have dinner here. I dont even care about slow service. I will GLADLY wait for Clemetine's food.
(4)Caitlin R.
Visited here for the first time for a birthday and it was overall a good time. I enjoyed the area of Hamilton for the first time as well. Pros: - Great atmosphere - very relaxed, loved the vintage signs and dried/smoked meats hanging waiting to be eaten! - Ecsargot toast points - delicious - Service - delicious sides: grilled corn and veggies, broccoli - Dessert (had a raspberry shortcake...mmm) Cons: - Gouda mashed potatoes didn't taste like gouda - Asked for my beef cooked medium, and it was medium raw
(4)Chris S.
I enjoy the look of Clementine, nice wide open space, straight forward design, which looks simple but is inviting for couples or groups. Service was good, the host and waiter were friendly and accommodating. They met all my needs. While I like the look and service the food I received was hit or miss or I can't give it a full ringing endorsements. I started with the escargot, this was my first experience with this item but I have always wanted to try it. They serve it in a sauce on top of bone marrow toast. Good but not a great flavor profile. For my entree I went with the bacon wrapped meatloaf and was sadly let down. Clementine's menu changes so I had been dreaming of the meatloaf all week and hoping it would be on the menu when I arrived and it was but it didn't meet my hopes. The meatloaf itself was just too dry for my taste which took away from my enjoyment. The accompanying mashed potatoes were overly salted. Kale was decent but shouldn't be the star of any plate. The dessert was amazing, I saw lemon meringue pie on their menu and dreamed of that all week as well, unfortunately they didn't have the pie that night but what I got instead was possibly better. I had the yellow cake with chocolate and peanut butter icing, this cake was amazing, moist and flavorful and the icing was fantastic, the peanut butter the perfect accompanying item to the chocolate. Utterly delicious. If the dessert was all I ate, Clementine just might be my new favorite restaurant but as I was a bit let down by the dessert I can't move it to the top of my must visit list.
(3)Raven T.
Came here on my last stop for Winter Restaurant Week. I ride by here all the time but never stopped in. My first impression is that its larger than it looks from the outside. Everyone was nice, but the service could have been smoother. We had to wait a bit to order (turned out to be a miscommunication) and our courses came out of order, but nothing major and a nice time was still had. I started my meal with a blood orange margarita and shrimp bisque. The drink was fruity but potent and the bisque was creamy and was laced with large fresh shrimp. The second course actually came out after our entrees. I had bacon wrapped dates that were warm and crispy. There wasn't enough contrast or balance of flavors for me though, they were too sweet. I probably wouldn't order them again but if you like a little salt with your sweet I'd recommend them. The main course was pork belly with mashed potatoes and pickled veggies. It was soooo good. The pickled radishes were the perfect combo with the salty, crisp pork. The mac n cheese was really good too; so creamy. Its exactly what one would think of when you say the phrase "comfort food." Can't wait to go back!
(4)Jerry C.
The wives had to go again since they heard clem. was closing shop. They love this place but for me its ehh since my initial experience. They had the bacon wrapped meatloaf and I had the 1/2 chicken entree. Chicken was cooked well but it had a knorr chicken bouillon flavor which was over powering and the skin was still a little fatty. My favorite part of the dish was the mash potatoes. As for the ladies they love their dishes and drank a bunch of mojitos. In the end, I was glad she was paying the hefty bill.
(2)Mark C.
I can't say enough good things about Clementine, the staff is awesome and the food is always wonderful. I'm very sorry to see that it's leaving. We will miss you!!
(5)Karen C.
Great experience for dinner last night. I grabbed a quick dinner with one of my girlfriends, and we both ordered the holupkis (or if you are in my Polish family, galumpkis). These are basically cabbage rolls filled with beef and pork and rice, covered in a non-Italian tomato sauce. They were delicious, and the mashed potatoes on the side tasted very buttery just like my mom's. The portion size was perfect, which has been my issue in the past. I could have stuffed myself and cleaned my plate but knowing we wanted dessert, I made sure to save a roll and some potatoes to eat for lunch the next day at the office. We shared the flourless chocolate cake for dessert, and it was lovely, very dense and chocolatey. It is really rich though, so for me sharing was perfect since a little goes a long way. Our server Randy was awesome. He was friendly and informative and on top of everything from drink refills to bringing the check in a timely manner. He really helped to enhance the experience. We had a really great time and I plan to come back soon while they are running the Eastern European dishes to see what else they are creating!
(4)Stacie H.
I had the awesome pleasure of expericing the pork chop, seasoned greens and cheddar grits...can I say amazing! The food was delicious, and I really felt like this food came from my own kitchen! I am very hard to please, when it comes to food and I was very pleased!
(5)Lee G.
(Really a 4.5, but I don't have the option) Clementine and I have had an interesting journey together. I say interesting because every time I have eaten here my love for the restaurant grows. The first time I ate here a few years ago I enjoyed it, but at the time I didn't feel a strong compulsion to go out of my way to return. Today, I am a believer. The service here has always been great here. Servers are always friendly and willing to talk about what is being served as well as offer suggestions. One of the times I visited, I brought a very picky eater (my mother), who not only they put up with (Kidding love you mom) but made sure that every request she had was met. I love the food here. While everything on their brunch menu looks great, I've only ever had the Korean Hot Pot. I wish I could try something else, but its so good that I will likely never order anything else for brunch. For dinner I have had the pork belly, which was massive! It was also unbelievably good. Finally I have to give a major shout out to the charcuterie. Some of the meats on that platter, specifically the liver spread, coffee rubbed coppa, and the bresola were life changing. Even better, they make it all in-house, and you can buy most of the meats at their market down the street. Basically, Clementine is a place you should make an effort to go to, and I am looking forward to my next visit.
(4)Nga T.
I could not be more disappointed coming here. It was a Saturday evening my fiance and I decided to go out to eat in Baltimore to change things up. I remember seeing this place on DDD and suggested to come here. Not even 7pm this place was closed. There was a clear sign that said they are opened till 10pm. Yeah you guys might want to change that!
(1)Amy C.
What a wonderful dining experience. I brought my sister here to celebrate her birthday, and I'm glad we decided to come here. We had a reservation, but we were a bit early, so the host gave us menus to look at while our table was being cleaned. We each got an appetizer, and both were delicious. I got the Brussels sprouts, and though the flavor was good, they were not cooked long enough for my liking. My sister got the devils on horseback, and they were delicious. I got the flank steak roulade as my main course. It was over a bed of roasted peppers and came with sweet potatoes. This took a little while to prepare, but it was worth the wait. My sister got the pork belly. It came with gouda mashed potatoes, rhubarb salsa, and pickled radishes. While I did not try any of her meal, she said it was delicious. The waitress, Lindsey, was very polite and attentive. Though it was a bit pricey, I would definitely come here again for a special occasion or to try their brunch menu.
(5)Drew F.
Breakfast was awesome! The Grits were great as well as the breakfast sandwich.Make sure you try the coffee cake as well!!
(4)Tiffany D.
I'm a true fan of Diners, Drive-in, & Dives and saw Clementine on there and wanted to try them. Let's just saw the food wasn't as good as it looked on Triple D. My friend and I decided we would start out getting the Mac & Cheese. It was not good and we didn't eat it past tasting it bc it wasn't worth the calories. It had no seasoning and tasted like butter and cheese. It was the right consistency but did no taste like Mac and cheese should. Not a speck of seasoning. I then made my own sandwich whic consisted of turkey, Swiss cheese, honey mustard, lettuce, onion (which the forgot to put on), and tomato. It was nothing special, I have had better sandwiches. My friend got the Reuben breakfast sandwich and she said it was ok. Nothing special. Doubt I ever go back.
(3)Ahmed K.
Best high end restaurant in Baltimore that treats kids great, and as a parent i dont want to feel like my kids could be a problem in a fine dining restaurant like this but they are super friendly and even had a play area for my kids.
(5)Roger H.
We heard a lot about Clementine as we looked at HL as a neighborhood choice. Choice wines, craft beers, charcuterie, awesome soups, burgers, and entrees in a farm to table, laid back atmosphere with a lot of art on the wall. And...it's true. The food though is simply excellent...down to the touches like home made pickled vegetables. We looked at the menu and just stared. Lots of choices and unlike many places, I was interested in them all. I got the chicken and the egg, my wife got a venison sausage plate, and my boy a delicious mac n cheese. My wife and I traded...then took back...our entrees. Service was really good but a little stoic...not bad at all...just not a representation of the funky cool inviting place it is. Again...excellent... just a little formal feeling wait staff for a place that is so laid back in feel and clients. Kid friendly too. Yes...they have toys and yes they have high chairs. Mommy and daddy wine and diner or craft beer lords can bring a youngin.
(5)Becky S.
My family and I made our third trip to Clementine on February 20th. We were seated promptly upon our arrival, but were left unattended for 15 minutes before anyone came by with water. Our waitress did miraculously appear, and in a condescending tone, gave us the excuse, "We are so sorry for the wait, but you were seated too early." Not cool; sincere apologies are not followed up with an excuse. I'd rather wait to be seated than wait at my table. I ordered the beef cheeks for my main course, and they were good ... kind of like a crock pot roast beef ... that tasted like dirt. It was incredibly soupy; the accompanying broccolini and fingerling potatoes were lost in the sauce. Last time I checked, mashed potatoes were great for sopping up soupy messes. All in all, my meal turned out to be just a big, wet, sloppy mess that resembled the creature from the black lagoon. I will likely go back, but after a long cooling off period. I feel that Clementine has become a little too big for their britches, and that plain old good customer service or attention to detail is no longer important. I guess this is what happens after you are featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.
(2)Joahnna F.
First time here last night and really enjoyed the meal and service. I had the bacon wrapped meat loaf which was so moist and delicious! My husband had the Murray's chicken and he thought it was very juicy and well prepared. Our server Brittany was great and helpful making recommendations based on our food and drink preferences. I would definitely recommend this place to friends and family wanting something different from what "chain" restaurants offer.
(5)Chris S.
This is a great place. Wonderful food and the number one spot to take kids without having it become a zoo. Try the Elixer. Good breakfast too.
(5)Lance B.
Used Yelp to reserve table. My notes for gluten free menu was recognized.Nice dinner with the family. Start to finish, dinner service was great . Wait staff was spot on . Entrees were fresh. Howard,our waiter admitted my wife's burger was over cooked . They re-did the burger -perfection . Big .
(4)Tiffany N.
Clementine is solid. The food is almost always good! I have had one subpar meal, but that may have been bad ordering on my part. I have been there numerous times. The dinner service is occasionally slow, but it's definitely one of the better brunch spots around. One of my favorite things is their kids dining room...see, I don't have kids and (no offense) I don't want to go out to eat with yours. So, thank you Clementine, for having a dining room where I can go enjoy a night out without listening to someone else's screaming kids! Also, they have a new rewards program. It's great for those who frequent the restaurant. Oh, and their chocolate peanut butter cake is the truth.
(4)Don L.
I have not read all of the negative reviews that brought the average down, but I'm glad to report that Clementine deserves way better than what Yelpers are rating it. Is it fresh? Absolutely! They curate their own meat for goodness sakes! Show me another place that does that...and does it well! Is it delicious? Another absolutely! Every dish has its own uniqueness from the standard faire. And that's especially difficult to find for breakfast. For example, it's not just French Toast. It's fresh French Toast on Challah bread with just the right amount of sweetness & crispiness. It's not just a Breakfast Burrito. It's got the little something extra that pushes your standard breakfast dish into specialness. I also had the Cuban Sandwich...and again, they add their own take on it by adding a MOUNTAIN of Home-curated Ham on the light, soft & crispy bread. The mustard brings all the flavors together in the sandwich. Btw, the ham is curated just right- perfect amount of saltiness, juiciness and yummm.... To top everything off, I had the Duck Hash. Again, this is not your typical hash. Spicy? Yes. But if it's not spicy enough, try their housemade hot sauces! SO DELICIOUS!!! (& Excellent amount of heat!) On top of all of that, the restaurant's atmosphere is quaint, great for large parties, and overall friendly. I have to admit that being from California, I'm a bit spoiled on price-point to portion ratio regardless of freshness. BUT these portions are just right, especially for FRESH. I'll be back for dinner and update my review! This is #65 on my quest to eat all the Diners, Drive-ins, & Dives in America!
(5)Steve D.
This restaurant is one of the best in baltimore. Between the excellent friendly service and the fact that the chefs will walk out and actually talk to you makes this place extremely welcoming. It has an open atmosphere and of course the food is amazing. Even though it has a rotating menu I have never had something less than great. Brunch is also completely baller.
(5)Tear S.
This was my first time at Clementine. The atmosphere was superb and the staff was very accommodating. I ordered the Clementine cold cut and duck fat oven fries. It was delicious. It was a little bit of a crowd (I went on a early Sunday afternoon), but it was still comfortable. I will definitely be returning in the near future. =)
(4)Josh W.
The food has been consistently good and they have a good selection of drinks (discovered Saranac ginger beer here). However, the food isn't outstanding enough to justify the cost for us to come here on a regular basis. We've done Taco Tuesday, and also we've done it when they changed to spaghetti and meatballs. I've also had some rabbit dish, which was good, and a "West African" peanut soup, which wasn't great in comparison with something authentic. I love that Clementine is in the neighborhood. Oh they do the soups for Boordy Vineyards, and those are all tasty.
(4)Kerri P.
Very disappointed with Clementine on Mother's Day. It took unusually long for our dinner to arrive. We ordered quick because we have a 3 and 1 year old. It took 30 minutes for the kids food to come out. Then another 10 minutes for our food and the appetizer came with our food. And after all that the food was just okay. Crab cakes were disappointing, bluefish was blah, deviled scallops eh. Service was pretty good though.
(2)Heather G.
I was excited to bring my boyfriend to Clementine after my last visit was absolutely fantastic. I made reservations for 11:30 on Sunday morning and we showed up a little early. The restaurant was crowded, but didn't seem overwhelmingly so, and we were greeted immediately and sat quickly at a small table wedged in the middle of the dining room. Not ideal, but I wasn't about to complain. Our water glasses were filled silently by a bus boy from over my shoulder and that's where things started to go south. We sat for over 30 minutes without anyone acknowledging us or refilling my water glass. Staff members looked at our table multiple times, attended to the tables around us, but we were ignored. Eventually, a waitress asked if we had been helped, and when we said we hadn't, she seemed annoyed to have to help us. There was no introduction, no genuine apology, just the hurried taking of our orders. We ordered two cocktails (boyfriend ordered one with bourbon, I ordered the Gin-ny from the block), the coffee cake, and he ordered the breakfast scramble with bacon and sausage and I ordered the duck hash. Our drinks took about 15 minutes to come out after that. My boyfriend saw them on the end of the bar and, at this point, we were just making a game out of it. The waitress eventually asked if we had received our drinks yet and we said no. Again, no apology. Our drinks were delivered and a woman, who we assume was the manager, came over to say she was going to check on our food and to save room for dessert on them. At this point, we just wanted to eat and leave. My boyfriend did not enjoy his drink, but mine was pretty good. The manager came back and stated our food would be out in 4 minutes. Took a bit longer than that! But, when our entrees came out, I did get a water refill. The food was solid. My boyfriend didn't think they included the bacon in his scramble, but we found it eventually. We enjoyed our entrees, though they did forget the coffee cake. The waitress did come over while we were eating to make sure everything was good and apologized for what she was sure was the "worst service ever" (it was). She also acknowledged that she forgot the coffee cake and we could have it packed to go, or have a dessert on the house to go, and that she had taken everything off our check except the entrees. We thought that was fair considering we had enjoyed the food. We selected the golden cake with chocolate peanut butter frosting to take home and were disappointed in the dryness. Though the frosting was good, the cake itself had no flavor. After such a subpar experience, we are uncertain if we will ever go back.
(2)G.M. B.
My husband and I visited Clementine's for Valentine's Day for the first time. It was wonderful. The atmosphere is slightly rustic/industrial and Baltimore! We had our table right next to the cool display of dried meats and canned goods. The service was great, the young lady we had was attentive, and made sure we understood the menu and specials they were having. She came back to check on us every so often which was nice because they were pretty full. Our water glasses were never empty (which is important to me because I drink a lot of water! haha) Food: For starters we had Oysters, very yummy with interesting toppings a citrus and a spicy. While I would have preferred my regular hot sauce what is the point of coming to a new place and not trying what they have? Turned out great. Mussels: so yummy! had bacon and spinach mixed in with a delicious broth!! Arugula Salad: lovely potatoes incorporated, very different salad which turned out to be very yummy. For our main course my husband had the Rib Eye which was DELICIOUS! And I had the Beef and Duck Meatloaf. I was interested in this so I decided why not? Great choice. Loved the mushroom sauce on top and the Gouda mashed potatoes were to die for! For Dessert I had the Apple & Cherry Pie/Tart, so delicious you HAVE TO TRY!! And my husband had Crème Brulee which was fantastic. All in All we had a wonderful experience at Clementine and left very full and happy and we will certainly be coming back again. Thank you!
(5)Todd D.
Went here a while ago and remembered it being great. Great staff and drink selection was very good. Everything stood out and will go back again.
(5)Justin W.
I went for a Sunday morning brunch with my girlfriend and her friend. The staff asked if we had a reservation and gave us a look when we said we didn't.... there were about 15 wide open, unused tables looking right at us. The food was good, nothing I haven't made at home before and it felt like the staff was trying to rush us out. The bussers took my unfinished plate. Our waiter was great though so they scored some points there. If I got invited to a meal there I'd go and I'd probably be somewhat pleased, however on my own I won't be going back.
(3)Abigail R.
they make a basil lime elixir that is worth the trip - just enough sweet, just enough sour, just enough tang. Otherwise, everything is pleasant with a slight Cajun style, but nothing was standout for brunch or dinner... The most impressive things are probably the wall of antique style mirrors. Somehow they show up differently at food expos - because they were the first to change my mind into thinking that liver was worth eating...
(3)Jennifer I.
I love this place! Food is always fresh, the menu changes regularly, and the service is amazing. I love that I can get a table on a whim for either a date night or with my 2-year old. They have a great section of the restaurant for young children to play while the adults can enjoy a drink and/or dinner. Brunch is amazing as well! Cocktails are awesome and they make an outstanding dirty martini. We purposely go back to Clementine on some nights just to get a great meal and a dirty martini. I would highly recommend this place to anyone in the area who wants a good meal and relaxing atmosphere. Please check it out!
(5)Erin S.
My experiences here have been great and then 'meh.' A few things that really do stand out... Cocktails This place has GREAT cocktails. This will also make your dinner bill explode...the food here isn't really expensive but the cocktails ain't cheap. Fresh/Local The food really does taste fresh here. I also like that they are a little adventurous. I'd never had rabbit before coming here and it was a fun dish try. Service Great service here. The place is always busy, but never really crowded. I've always had really attentive servers. They are also very cool about people just hanging out... I came here with a large party for brunch the other week and we definitely stayed longer than appropriate after we finished our meals, but they were VERY cool about that and said we could stay as long as we wanted. They were also great at accomodating a last minute increase to the party (party of 8 became a party of 10). Food I've had some great dishes here and then some that left me a little disappointed. My favorite dish was a brunch special...it was an eggs benedict over local ham. The ham was RIDICULOUS. It was a really delicious meal. I also had a pasta in cream sauce with rabbit. I'd never had rabbit before and it was a really unique flavor to me. I had meatloaf here one time as well and it was awesome. I recently got the duck hash off the brunch menu because people have been raving about it for as long as I've heard of Clementine. I don't get it. It felt like poached eggs over diced potatoes...there wasn't a 'hash' feel to it. The dish was missing salt and I think I was expecting the potatoes to be a little crunchy? Also, supposedly there was a habanero-fig sauce, but I could not taste it. I actively disliked this meal. I also had a crabcake/eggs benedict waffle here one time that did not impress. Brunch, as of late, is kind of a miss. Dinners and cocktails are a hit.
(3)Purvi P.
The food is passable. I had a light meal of the rabbit nachos and a couple of cocktails. The drinks were my favorite part-pretty amazing cocktail menu. However the service was just awful. We were seated fairly quickly. However our server was rude and not attentive in the least. We had to corral another staff member to get our check. I really wanted to like this place because of its commitment to local and fresh food- but it just isn't worth it.
(2)Eric N.
Clementine is a solid choice for breakfast, lunch or dinner. This neighborhood gem is kid and family friendly. It is spacious, yet homey in its environs. The dress is casual, and the waitstaff are very courteous and kid friendly as well. The food is eclectic in variety. I have had pork based dishes, vegetarian meals, and everything in between. My favorite meal here is breakfast on the weekend. There is a large variety of choices, ranging from the typical (pancakes) to the very interesting (Korean hot pot bowl with eggs and rice). We have been here at least 10 times, and have not been disappointed. The proces are reasonable, and you won't leave hungry.
(4)Larry F.
This place has great food and a great atmosphere ! Only thing I dislike and why I didn't give its 5 stars was the parking. The parking can be a nightmare!
(4)Joel L.
Eclectic & Eccentric Clementine We went for the Sunday brunch with another couple who were back in Baltimore after many years away. Clementine was a good choice to give them a taste of the changes in some of the old Baltimore neighborhood restaurant scene. We enjoyed our selections of the Breakfast Burrito, Grilled Cheese, Mexican Cheese steak and Duck fat Fries. All of the selections were served hot, full of flavor with that unique twist that is characteristic of Clementine. This place may not be for everyone, but, if you like eclectic and eccentric this place is a good fit for you. Clementine offers very good food and service with a unique twist right here in a classic old Baltimore neighborhood setting.
(4)Victor B.
I've been here many times but never ate the food. 2 weeks ago I seen this place on diner drives and dives and was thrilled to see a Baltimore restaurant on there. So here I am at Clementine. I had the Asian braised pork cheeks and to my satisfaction I loved them. Service is prompt and very friendly. Would definitely come back and would recommend to others. Definitely a great farm to table restaurant
(5)Nick B.
Do you need a bit of "Farm to Table", but don't want to sell your children to the Woodberry hydra to afford it? Clementine is snooty nü-american for the everywoman. The menu feels complete, the themed nights are always on point, the carry out wine rack is highly affordable, and the scapple is always well-prepared. Be warned, they do cater to the upper-middle-class-mid-thirties-hipster-breeder set, so expect the shrill mouth-noises of children to unsettle your meal.
(4)Allysa D.
We went here once and the service took forever. It took an hour to get our appetizer and even longer for the entree. It was awful. Even the waitress kept apologizing so not sure if that was a one time thing. The food wasn't even that good so it wasn't worth the wait either.
(1)Graham D.
This was by far the best family dining experience that my wife and I have ever had with our 4 kids. Just goes to show that you don't need to have a theme with arcade games or other types of over stimulation to cater to families. Even the Children's Chicken on the kids menu defied convention by not being breaded fried strips or nuggets, but rather small medallions of grilled and well seasoned whole chicken breast, served with broccoli and mashed potatoes, all of which my 6 year old loved -- he didn't even ask for a dipping sauce! The play area is small, and I can imagine on more crowded nights the kids overwhelming it, but it was perfect for us. Our only complaint was the background music in the speakers, which was of some kind of festival blues or rock that made my wife feel "10 years older" as she put it, but gave it the benefit of the doubt of being super meta and "borderline ironic hipster". Of course music tastes are subjective, and I expect this changes frequently. The food, drinks and dessert were all delicious and perfectly prepared with great locally sourced ingredients. It was funny, when I first walked in, I said to my wife, I bet this place has a great bread pudding -- it just looks like the kind of place that has bread pudding -- and sure enough it's the first item on the dessert menu, and of course I ordered it, and of course it was delicious. Besides the music, Clementine met or exceeded all of our expectations, and we had high expectations for the food and just prayed that the kids would enjoy it, which they did. Clementine is a parenting win-win!
(5)Jason P.
Food was plentiful, fresh, and delicious. They brought out samples of the meatloaf for everyone at the table. The waiter was very kind to the toddler dining with us -- a nice little touch.(Oh, they have a 'play area' for kids!)
(4)Allison H.
Can't say I was super impressed by my most recent visit to Clementine. I came here with my mother and after we were promptly seated, we waited more than ten minutes for our waitress to reappear to take our order. Let me paint the scene here: it's lunchtime on a weekday and there is one other couple seated, and a man sitting at the bar. Not what I would call a lunch rush. Anyway, our food eventually arrived, but not without a few misadventures in between waiting and eating. The music that was playing began to blip out mid-song, creating moments of 'did the music just go out?' and 'oh wait.. it's back again.' It did soon completely fizzle out- to a droning buzz noise. That harsh buzz wasn't addressed until we were nearly finished our meals. A young man also came by to silently fill our water glasses. Something about the vibe in this place just wasn't super attentive and service oriented. Okay, okay, so the actual meals... my mom got the shrimp salad sandwich, and I can attest to the fact there were barely any shrimp in that thing. I felt bad considering how much it cost versus how much meat was actually there. I got the oyster po'boy and it was pretty spot on. The baguette especially was really fresh and tasty. It was a two star experience, but my sandwich was pretty flavorful so I can't in good conscience completely write the place off.
(3)Michael Z.
Remember the scene in the Wizard of Oz when Toto pulls back the curtain? To me, that is Clementine. Maybe it's because I grew up in and live in the neighborhood that I dislike the place for trying to be something that it is not. It is a yuppy, hipster hangout. The food is organic, has strange names and over priced. For about $10 more you can go to Ruth's Chris and get a real steak meal. The whole concept of this restaurant just doesn't fit the neighborhood. You can park across the street from the jewelry store and next to a CVS that where broken into during the riots. You may choose to use the lot around the corner on Hamilton Ave. if you can find a spot that isn't being taken up by the non paying snowball stand patrons. That way you also get to be harassed by the 2-3 homeless people that work the intersection.
(2)Todd D.
We were going to go up to 3.5 stars, but it didn't quite make it. We did Sunday brunch and there's some hit and miss going on here. We were two and had the duck hash and catfish and cheese grits. Both were good, not great, with a bit too much vinegar on both - two great dish ideas, and someone that really likes vinegar. I'm not averse to it, but they were a bit heavy handed this morning. Service was great, price ($40) for two with coffee was excellent. The espresso machine was out of order, which is strange, but if it went out last night, fair enough. If you do brunch it should be fixed at any cost. Nice decor, but you can tell it will get really loud when full...we were an early seating. We'll try it again...the idea is great, and close to being better..
(3)Virginia B.
Really pretty surroundings inside. I enjoyed the atmosphere. The food I was less then impressed with. Not bad but not as refined on flavor as I was led to believe. I ordered a special that was beef, veggies, and potatoes. The whole dish was so over salted that it was hard to enjoy it. The drinks were pretty great though.
(3)Jamal P.
Clementine is by far better than Woodberry Kitchen. The food here from last week was amazing and the service was great too. My buddies and I started out with the rabbit and the meat was so tender. We had a few other apps that were marginal, but what we really enjoyed were the desserts..ah something with salted caramel. Great place and local farm raised food delivered.
(4)Chris R.
For today (I've had lots of great meals there) they missed the mark by a lot. They were out of my first three choices so I got the cold cut sandwich with duck fat fries. Fries weren't anything special, some burned parts and some barely cooked parts, oh and they weren't salted. The first half of the sandwich was just bread and meat with no sort of spread or tomato or anything else to help the sandwich. The meats were awesome and I came close to just taking the sandwich apart. The second half had some sort of vinegary spread that helped to better balance the sandwich. Shame two halves of the same sandwich were so different. Almost seems as though they are coasting to the closing date in August. It's a shame they don't try to get there on top.
(2)Anne K.
It's Saturday. You take your whole family to Clementine's. Your kid gets to play with other kids in the fantastic kid friendly corner while you swill Zeke's coffee and enjoy a warm cinnamon bun as large as your head. You may even try some real food like the duck hash, Korean hot pot, or chicken pot pie if you have any room left. My husband and I come here all the time with our daughter and are never disappointed. All of our waitstaff have been consistently amazing and friendly, the food is always on point, and the atmosphere is very laid back and super kid friendly. Hell, even the other people eating there are great! Stoked to see you Sunday, friends! Thank you for your gem of a restaurant.
(5)Jocelyn O.
I would not step foot in this place again. It was not busy at all, but our waitress was less than attentive, until we paid the bill which she was able to get to right away. She only asked if we wanted a refill on our drinks (our cups were empty) when she dropped off the check. I got a bacon egg and cheese sandwich. The bread was soggy, there was 1 strip of bacon and the eggs weren't seasoned at all. I'd suggest finding another place for brunch before trying this place out.
(1)Kerri M.
I've only come here a handful of times for brunch. I usually get something different each time I visit. I have repeated the grits because they are excellent (and that compliment is coming from a southern girl). My other half always gets the Korean Hot Pot and likes it, but he never gets enough and always has to order a side. I will say the service can be real slow here and it's annoying. Also it can be really crowded, unless you get there super early.
(4)Rebekah O.
My girlfriend and I went to Clementine yesterday for brunch and it was awesome. I had the duck hash and she had the Korean hot pot. We both loved our choices (she felt that the kimchee could have been a tad bit spicier). The food menu is extremely diverse and the alcoholic options are well thought out and reasonable. I hadn't been to Clementine since it first opened due to an out of town move and I'm also glad to see how they've expanded. To finish they get many kudos for the "Becks Crabs" sign that they have on the wall. I love that they give a shotout to a Baltimore icon.
(4)Danielle J.
Laid back atmosphere. Love that everything is from local farms. Cocktails were great. Cheese and charcuterie boards were very tasty...wish they offered a board with both cheese and meats so we didn't have to order both separately. It was a lot of food. My husband ordered the meatloaf. It was a very heavy meal but SOOO good. We ended up sharing the meat loaf...the squash dish I ordered was light, but wasn't to my taste. Would like to go back for brunch!
(4)Virginia Y.
They catered an event at my work place. I really enjoyed their duck confit and their sausages. I love how everything was h'ordeuvres rather than heavy meals. Everything tasted great, well seasoned and all. I usually don't like beets but they had a beets salad, which turned out to be really good! Great job Clementine!
(4)Jennifer L.
My experience at Clementine was nothing short of wonderful. From the hostess, to the bartender, and ending with our waiter -- their customer service was one of the best I ever experienced. While we waited for our table, the bartender came by to check on us to see if we wanted a drink. Drinks all around! We all asked him for recommendations. While we all got different drinks, he hit our expectations right on the nail. One person in my party even spilled most of her drink on the table by accident and the bartender gave her a new one. Charcuterie -- We went with our waiter's suggestions and ordered all sorts of sausages. All had it's own flavors, some spicier than others. The paste and crackers were delicious! Both components complement the sausages well. Pappardelle -- I've been ordering pappardelle more frequently these days. Large, flat pasta noodles. I dig it. I feel like I'm consuming less carbs because there is a less amount of noodles in the dish. The smoked duck was cooked to tender perfection and not overly salted. The flavors weren't very strong but overall it tasted very light. Their menu changes VERY frequently based on season and availability so you know you're eating some quality food!
(4)Christy L.
Man friend and I came here for a $50 prix fixe Valentine's Day menu. We made reservations for 5:30 p.m., showed up at 6:00 p.m. (don't shoot me, I called to let them know we were late!), and were still greeted pleasantly by the hostess and seated right away. Once I took a glance at the menu, I made an impromptu decision to switch from the prix fixe to a la carte, mainly because they had a freaking amazing pork chop on the regular menu. It came with mashed potatoes, kale, and apple butter... I mean really -- who could turn that down?! It ended up being pretty good. Nothing that blew my mind, but it definitely held its own. I think the apple butter, which was both sweet and slightly bitter, was the best part of the dish. I could've taken a whole jar of that stuff home! For dessert, I chose a chocolate tart. It was melt-in-your-mouth delicious but a bit on the smaller side. For once, I actually made room for dessert and could've eaten triple the dessert that they gave me! Ambiance/ decor is no frills, but nice and relaxed - just how you'd want a farm-to-table restaurant to be. Not memorable... but I like it that way because I don't think good food should compete with a flashy restaurant space. They also have some pretty decent drinks. Try the sangria. 2 glasses of it and you'll be well on your way to a good buzz.
(3)Jenny H.
I came here for brunch on Saturday, and I thought my duck hash was good (great duck gravy and potatoes) but my two poached eggs were cooked through....one of them was a little runny but the other was completely hard. And my husband's two eggs over easy were both completely cooked through too...disappointing. Runny eggs are the standard, no, for poached and over easy eggs? The grits I thought were just OK (had better elsewhere) and the Caesar salad was deconstructed and also pretty OK. My husband's brioche French toast were two thick slabs of toast with whipped cream on top....both a bit soggy.
(3)Sarah S.
This place is AMAZING! The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and can make so many substitutions to accommodate any dietary restriction! Plus the atmosphere and drinks are awesome!
(5)Mick R.
I had heard such great things about Clementine, so I took the leap and headed up for Restaurant Week. We had a reservation for 6:45, and were promptly seated. The waiter was very helpful explaining the menu and philosophy of Clementine, and gave us a few minutes to look over the options. He came back a few minutes later to take our order, but we weren't ready. Unfortunately, after that, it was a bit of a wait to actually place our order, and it seemed to be a trend that continued for the rest of the night. It seemed to us that they were a bit short staffed. Possibly on a normal Tuesday night the staffing levels were ok and they were just busier due to Restaurant Week, but it was pretty noticeable. As for the food, I would say that both of us were underwhelmed. I had the Heirloom tomato salad which was pretty good. My date had the chilled peach soup which she enjoyed. Our mains are where we were most let down. The grilled flat iron steak was served lukewarm, and the flavors did not work for either of us. The pork adobo was good, but not great, and didn't seem to have anything about it which really set it apart from any other pulled pork type dish. For desert I had the blueberry pie, which I liked, but it wasn't by any means the best pie I've ever had, while my date had the "warm" peach cobbler, which was still pretty chilled. I'd probably be willing to give Clementine a second chance, as all of the other positive reviews seem to indicate that they are doing things right, but I'm not going to be rushing to do so.
(2)Kerry M.
We were really looking forward to our first time at Clementine, but we were met with disappointment. The atmosphere was great, the food, really good, but the service was very disappointing. Let me start out by saying, we were eating late (8:45), so there were no other people waiting for a table, but we were also not the last table, so our server had no reason to rush us out, it was still well before kitchen closing time. We placed our order, got our drinks and then our appetizer came out. Still with a good amount left on our plate, a bus boy suggested that we "take that last smidge" so he could take our plate. I was actually waiting to ask for more toast to finish the final few bites of pate. On it's own - no big deal - we weren't that put off. But this kept happening the ENTIRE meal. not even halfway through our dinners, guys kept coming over asking to box our food or take our plates. We would be mid-bite or mid-sentence when this would happen. Normally, when people are through eating, they set down their utensils across the plates. None of the three men that were back and forth to our table had any sense of timing. After we finally finished eating, and the waiter came for our plates, he very quickly ran and grabbed a dessert menu, placed it on our table in what seemed to be a huge hurry, and left. Not at all what you expect from a place like this. There was ZERO salesmanship involved in the whole process, considering it was our first time dining. About the dessert: we ordered the German Apple Cake. I make this at home and it's delicious, so I thought surely this would even be better, especially because it was listed as having salted caramel. The server rushed it over to us, set it down, and we took a few bites. It was NOT worthy of being on a restaurant menu. The taste was fine, but it was very dry, and mediocre for the realm of what's expected on a dessert menu at a restaurant of this caliber. Before we were through, the server was pacing behind my boyfriend, eyeing our plate to grab it when we were finished. Let me say this: we dine out two times a week, always trying new places and returning to our favorites. I so wanted Clementine to be another "favorite" to add to our list. Instead of staying for a second drink, I was so put off by feeling rushed through the entire experience, that I decided to get the check and head up the road to Maggie's Farm for our next drink. The server's mistake is that if he had just slowed down, talked to us about the food, allowed us to finish our meal without feeling rushed, then our $76 check would have been rounded to $100 for a $24 tip. Instead I gave $14, which was already too high. In addition, what would have been a restaurant we'd likely visit again and again (food and atmosphere were excellent). now we will likely not return. We heard this same lament after discussing the restaurant with friends who had been, so I know it wasn't just us being sensitive. Please Clementine, shape up, because you could be great.
(3)Kelly H.
My boyfriend and I love making visits to Clementine. The atmosphere is very calming with tables and chairs made of wood and walls painted a relaxing shade of medium blue. The lights are just dim enough, and there's a little bit of art on the walls, but it's nothing overwhelming. The restaurant is quiet and unobtrusive enough that you can hear the person accompanying you, but not so much that you feel like everyone has full access to your conversation. Enough about the ambiance, because the food is awesome! It's both unique and seasonal, and most of the options seem somewhat healthy. The menu changes regularly, which gives my boyfriend and I an excuse to check in as much as we can. I would describe the food as being "updated homestyle," since many of the choices would be considered comfort food with Clementine's own special flair. One thing Clementine does especially well is vegetables. They have a way of making things like kale and broccoli taste pleasant--I'm not sure how they do it, but I'm much more than willing to consume vegetables I don't typically gravitate towards after walking through Clementine's doors. Vegetables aside, every dish I have tried there has been fantastic, from Chicken and Waffles to Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf, to Clams Casino Linguine to Pork Chops and Mashed Potatoes. Clementine is a foodie's paradise.
(5)Chris H.
I don't really remember much about the night I went out with my buddies..., but I do remember eating a pork dish that was REALLY good. Had leftover and it was great the next day after heating it up. I also had a ginger drink...It's not a ginger Ale...but it was also really good.. Maybe I'm not the best person to review this. But Food's delish
(5)Jaime C.
I had never heard of this place until recently. The spot itself is near by where I live. The interior was very "French kitchen" and friendly. My friend and I came for brunch and were surprised at the menu. They had a lot of interesting options and all were well priced. Our waitress was kind, but it honestly felt like she didn't know the menu well. My friend went with the Indian scramble and I choose the pan seared duck scramble. The dish was horribly bland and runny. It tasted as if the eggs were pulled right from warm water and plopped on to potatoes that weren't fully cooked. The duck was the only item in the dish that had some form of flavor. Rather sad since it looked great on the menu. Truthfully not worth $13 for it. My friends Indian scramble had no visual appeal and tasted heavily of mint. But for those that want veggies and some curry it's great. All in all a great spot to catch up, but the food was not good enough to make me come back.
(3)Ashlee K.
Absolutely wonderful. Fresh, delicious food. Prompt, attentive service. Great selection of wine, beer, and whiskey! We opted to sit at the bar, and Erin served us drinks and attended our needs. She was great!! The food was incredible. I got the chicken, hubs got the soused shrimp. To quote him: "If broccoli tasted like this all the time, I would only ever eat broccoli." That's huge, coming from a true "meat and potatoes" man. Check it out. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Lauren S.
We have gone to Clementine a bunch of times and find it to be hit or miss. This past Friday night was a definite miss. I ordered a Manhatten Blanc which is actually vodka, not whiskey which is not explicitly indicated on the menu but I should have looked up the name of the liquor to make sure it was what I wanted. Ok, not their fault. Shrimp bisque was very tasty but not served with bread. The cauliflower salad was terrible, the dressing did not go with the bacon at all and the portion was small. I paid $19 for a curry dish with no rice. Just vegetables and a very watery sauce. The flourless chocolate cake is very good. Just a very inconsistent restaurant, don't risk your money for a nice date night when you may be disappointed! Maybe ok for a casual dinner with friends but don't drop $100 here, it's not worth it.
(3)Ebony T.
So I thought I would walk up the street and treat my 9 yo to a date. We walked in and were told that they could only serve soup or salad since lunchtime was over and dinner was at 5. Perhaps that sh poo Ulster be listed with the times on the window. We left.
(1)Michael H.
Saw the feature for this restaurant on diners, drive ins and dives. I live in Philadelphia, but my girlfriend's family is stationed in Baltimore. We ate here in early February for her nephew's birthday. First off, I love that they butcher everything in house. The decor is also nice and we appreciated having the room suitable for children, so our younger member of the party felt comfortable. Now for the food - we ordered pickled vegetables and bone marrow bread pudding. Both dishes were solid but not spectacular. For entree, I ordered the bacon wrapped meatloaf. This was a very good plate. Smoked gouda mashed potatoes were excellent, although the kale was a little overseasoned for my taste. For desert I ordered the Apple crisp. I didn't like that it was served cold. Again - solid, not spectacular.
(3)Andrea J.
Clementine is a awesome local restaurant that helps support local growers! The food is always delicious and the service is great! We come here for brunch or dinner! At either time you get awesome food, great service and stiff drinks!
(5)Tunaidi A.
I checked out Clementine while they were offering their brunch menu. It's a neat restaurant and relatively spacious. There's definitely a handful of interesting items for brunch, such as the Indian scramble and the Korean hot pot. I appreciated the diversity, but couldn't resist the seared duck hash. I also got to try the french toast and the breakfast sample. The duck hash was a decent choice, while the other plates tasted as expected. I went with a relatively large group, so it took a while to be seated. However, service from there on was quicker. Other than the several scrambles that I saw, all the dishes' portions were on the smaller end of the spectrum. Clementine was a decent play and is worth another try.
(3)Kevin K.
Cavernous, rustic general-store -esque space, both rooms adorned in unpainted wood. The decor is odd--Frankenstein poster--and the bar itself an odd, near-empty part of the dining room at Wednesday dinner. A window near the back gives patrons a view into the curing room, which is unfortunately adorned in formaldehyde green paint as backdrop for the hanging meats. [Ambience: 2/5] Incredibly accommodating service; I counted at least 10+ "Sure"s and "Of course"s. Our charcuterie was served without the cheese, we went dry on drinks near the middle of dinner, and the stages of our meal overlapped too quickly--quibbling about service that was otherwise very amicable. [Service: 3/5] Cheap cocktails are the cornerstone of the drink menu; the wine list is small. We tasted: the vodka rosemary lemonade fizz, which tasted of no alcohol but needed less sugar, and the bitingly green and hot Marty Robbins, an acrid challenge to finish. [Drinks: 2/5] We started with the house charcuterie, and that's what we'll return for. All of it was knockout, but the pate was star--fantastically salty and rich atop the delectably wheaty, house-made crackers that crumble in your hand. The beet terrine was cooler than most, ample goat cheese and nice plating. My chief complaint was simplicity--maybe throw in some golden beets. The mac and cheese was rich and hearty, a nice crunch atop, but lacking tang and space. The burrito bowl was largely unforgettable outside of the salsa, which was fresh and livening. I dislike corn in my burritos and this was no different. Avoid the dry, flavorless chicken mole tacos, which went unfinished. Eat as much of the complimentary cornbread as you can--hearty and served with room-temp butter, we counted an additional piece with every new plate. [Food: 3/5]
(3)Dina T.
Parents of children that have to take turns feeding yourself- this is it! They have designated kid area with toys and sofa. Can't get any better. And all that comes with great food and service.
(5)Kristen E.
Nice decor, locally owned, generally good food. However, a recent trip (on a Sunday) was marred by a waitress so rude that my girlfriends nearly left before ordering so we could meet somewhere else for lunch. Apparently she has a reputation in the neighborhood, because someone else knew exactly who she was when one of us described our experience. We did stay and order, and the food was mostly good. I liked the fried walleye but found the cheesy grits tasteless, and the one of us with an onion allergy had to take the onions off her dish because the waitress hadn't taken care of that. We then went next door to the Hamilton Bakery, owned by the same folks, for dessert. Hamilton has quite a few good places to eat these days, so I'll probably choose to spend my money elsewhere the next time I'm back in town.
(2)Kojo B.
I had the zradaka chicken with grits and kale. The grits were fantastic, and the kale was good (rarely ever would i comment on anything green). The chicken though was way too salty. Other guests on my table enjoyed their meals i guess i probably selected the wrong entree. I will try it again, but i will also order something else. In the interim it is a solid restaurant, but just basing my reviews off of the chicken.
(3)Carrie F.
I wish I could give this four stars, as I had been once before and had a great experience, but my last time was woefully average when it came to the food and extremely sub par when it came to the service. My friends and I ordered the cheese board and the charcuterie. It took over 25 minutes for these appetizers to arrive (were they slaying the animals in the back?) This is almost unforgiveable had we ordered something that needed to be COOKED but alas... And for what we paid, it wasn't a lot of food. Our waitress was lovely and offered great recommendations on the drinks, and seemed very knowledgeable but she clearly had too many tables and could not be attentive to us. There was no apology as to why it took so long to get our appetizers. Our meals did come out about 10 minutes after that. My friend's steak was RARE and she ordered medium. Again... basic stuff that they just didn't get right. Everyone seemed to enjoy their food. I did not care for what I ordered but I think that was just because my perception of what it would be was not correct, so I won't even mention what it was. I would go back again on a week night or maybe get an earlier reservation to see if the service is any better.
(3)Natalie G.
I've been to Clementine a few times for dinner, and I have always enjoyed myself! We usually do a little tasting of everything and split it so I have had quite a few of the menu options. The chicken dish (it changes all the time) is really quite wonderful and if you can find a dish with braised kale on it, GET IT. The charcuterie is worth it, though make sure you ask for more crackers. Thrusdays are a great day to go - they have awesome wine specials, and their cocktails look fantastic, though I haven't yet tried one (I usually get the wine flight when I go). Maybe next time. I think the only thing that i could pick out as a negative would be that the bread was cold. This isn't a big deal, but would be a really nice touch if Clementine was looking for something more to do. I also loved that there's a little kids play area in the corner. My daughter is a bit young, but this had such a nice family friendly atmosphere that I would definitely consider letting her roam a bit free when she gets older. I haven't seen a space like this at a restaurant in quite awhile and it really added to the family kitchen feel. I would say that this restaurant is definitely worth checking out.
(4)Elizabeth J.
Terrific and unusual drink selections and great service. I have had many delicious items such as the pot pie and the tacos are always amazing no matter which meat you choose to stuff into them. I really enjoyed all of the appetizers, but I was disappointed by the steak. I requested it medium rare and it came out medium/medium well. The kitchen immediately returned it and quickly prepared a new steak cooked perfectly, but unfortunately it had absolutely no flavor. For the price it was pretty upsetting, but everything else was and always has been delicious so I will continue to go there, but maybe just avoid the steak. I really appreciated the graciousness with which the kitchen did their best to please in this situation however.
(3)Gina S.
I've only been here once but I was very impressed by the quality of the food, I ordered a Spanish egg/chorizo dish that was full of flavor and definitely enough to feed 2 people. Prices are a little steep for certain items for what they were, but that's what you dish out for locally grown, organic food. My husband got Belgian waffles, said they were good but there was nothing outstanding about them. I wasn't a fan of the coffee, way too strong for my taste. The restaurant was very crowded and hard to get to our seats since the tables were set up so close to one another. We asked for a highchair and were given one that was so loose and wobbly that I was afraid it would break if I put my son in it. After asking for a new one and waiting nearly 10 minutes, we had to request it again and finally got one after waiting another 5 minutes. I may come back in the future to try something other than breakfast but I will opt for a time when it is less busy.
(3)Shannon S.
I really want to like Clementine. The decor is warm and comfortable, there is never a long wait (for brunch), and the menu has all kinds of things that you won't find at your normal brunch spot. But the food is just so-so. I've been for brunch 3 times now, so I'm comfortable saying that it's not just that I haven't ordered the right things. On my first visit, I decided to order a bunch and see what I really enjoyed. I had coffee, a scone (I think blueberry), waffles with nutella whipped cream, and the cheese grits. The coffee was good, the scone was just OK, the waffles were cold and not at all as decadent as I'd imagined, the nutella whipped cream was a nice touch, and the cheese grits were by and far the best thing I had, but mainly because they are super cheesy and I LOVE cheese. The server was very attentive and patient as this was the first time I, or anyone in my party, had been there for brunch. He seemed very attentive, but then I can't really explain why my waffles came out cold? It wasn't so bad that I ruled out coming back to this place... So I did come back, about 2 weeks later. This time, I had the cumin potatoes, cheese grits, and the egg and cheese breakfast sandwich. I didn't expect much, and it's a good thing. The food was luke-warm again. The potatoes didn't have much flavor and the waitress looked at me like I had 5 heads when I asked for tomato on my sandwich ("Uh, I guess we can do that"?? Really!?) The sandwich did turn out OK though. So, yesterday morning we wake up late and want to get some brunch. I know all of my favorite places will be packed after 10am, so I decide, eh, why not give this place one more try. Food was cold again!! Does this place not have warmers?? I've officially given up. If I'm desperate for cheese grits, I'd consider going back, but my expectations will be in check.
(2)Amanda I.
I loved the decoration of the place. Rustic, quiet, and inviting. Greeted by a friendly host. The food was excellent, everything seemed fresh and seasonal. Service was so-so but think maybe it was just a busy night. I'll be back here.
(4)Jen W.
Clementine was the beginning of putting Hamilton back on the map. It has that great neighborhood restaurant vibe and draws in foodies from all over the area. You might even mistake the restaurant for a retail store since the store front has maintained the original exterior. The decor is eclectic and warm with unique artwork and wood chairs and tables. The drinks are wonderful. They have a terrific selection of bottled and draft beers. Did you say you have Chimay on tap? Ask for the menu of cocktails and drinks. A favorite amongst friends is the Basil Lime Elixir - tart, sweet and herby. Great for all seasons and the way to start off the meal. The menu is seasonal with the ingredients fresh and locally sourced. They also have a strong focus on charcuterie and meats, but they always have great menu options for vegetarians. They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Dinner can be a bit pricey but the food is really great. I can't wait to go back for breakfast and Taco Tuesday.
(4)Justin K.
I have now been to Clementine's a few times for Brunch. This is located up in Hamilton, a short hop threw the ghetto. In my opinion it is definitely worth the trip. It's a solid brunch location. I have yet to partake in dinner here, I just can't get enough a one thing...the Korean Hot Pot! This is the ultimate hangover cure and is just straight delicious. It has eggs, sticky rice, sprouts, bacon, mushrooms, cabbage, carrots, hoisin, and a Korean BBQ sauce. It sounds ridiculous and it is, ridiculously good! They have fresh baked goods every morning as well, such as the cinnamon and sugar coated muffin with bacon inside. Oh man, that was tasty. I enjoyed another tasty lick last time we were here and they had house made scrapple. It was top notch. Just like back home in PA. They also have a local theme where a lot of their products are from local businesses in the area. Additionally, they cure their own freakin' meat! I love that restaurants do that now, because it is a craft that must be honed over time through trial and error. From what i have experienced they do a solid job of curing. I highly recommend you give this place a try for brunch on the weekend; it is off the beaten path but well worth the adventure.
(4)Jean E.
Really nice food, but they've gotta figure out the service: on one recent visit we were told it was a half hour wait despite 50% of the tables being empty. So that was disappointing. On a more recent visit, we had a table because we reserved beforehand, but after filling our drink order our waiter seemed to fall apart and it took 90 minutes for all of our food to be delivered. Even though there were only two other tables.
(3)Idalee D.
Clementines is always good. Often there are little misses but overall it is a good place to eat. I especially recommend any of the house smoked meats and the coconut cake!
(4)Gerry S.
This is a sweetheart of a restaurant with an upscale palate, excellent food, and a relaxed, casual vibe, in a section of the city that's more accustomed to diners and chains. There's a play-area for families with kids up near the entrance, and that sort of dichotomy between serious food and a laid-back, welcoming atmosphere really sets the tone for the place. We'll definitely visit again. First off, Clementine now seems to have their liquor license in hand, as we were offered a wine list with our menus. While wine may be a solid choice for such good eats, my advice is to first try the nonalcoholic "basil-lime elixir" on their drink menu. This was a delightful surprise - up-front with the basil taste, but with enough citrus to cut the spice, and not too sweet at all. I'd never tasted anything like it before. The food was excellent overall. The "fantastical" mac-and-cheese appetizer is every bit as good as the menu promises, studded with bits of fresh tomato, cheesy without being gloppy, and featuring plenty of brown, crusty, burnt-cheese bits. Travis's duck was perfectly rare, and came with asparagus that was so fresh he said, "you can still taste the field." Another reviewer mentioned that the mashed potatoes were too stiff for his tastes, and I'll second that sentiment. Flavored with smoked gouda, they were still awfully tasty though. While the cheese grits and braised greens that came with my catfish entree were outstanding, the fish itself was a surprising letdown. Perfectly fresh and well-cooked, the seasoning on it was so salty, I nearly sent the dish back. Everything else was so good, I chalked the fish up as a misstep. The desserts were all clearly made in house. I was eyeing the chocolate-peanut butter cake all through my meal, but when the waitress mentioned that the coconut cake came with real boiled icing, I had to try it. Travis's key lime pie was also delicious. Finally, since it's me, I have to mention that one of the owners is a long-bearded, smoking-hot bear of a man. I would probably return just for that view, but really, the food is well worth the trip.
(4)Merr A.
Despite it's limited options for vegetarian's and food that generally just needs a little something extra to make it awesome I am a fan of Clementine's. The service is some of the best you'll find in Baltimore and there is free parking across the street. Additionally, Clementine seems to like to mix unusual flavours in their dishes, which sometimes fall flat, but it's nice to see some experimentation going instead of the standard steak and potatoes so many restaurants rely on.
(4)Lindsay H.
The chicken liver pâté with tart cherries and bourbon is a 10! I've eaten here several times and have never had a bad meal. The portions are generous witch is uncommon for a farm to table restaurant. Great brunch spot. I highly recommend their Bloody Mary- lots of delicious horseradish.
(5)Laurie G.
Excellent selection of fresh food for the foodie. Waiter not friendly or paying real attention. Tip reflected service only 10% and I rarely do that.
(3)Robby B.
I came to Clementine for weekend brunch a couple years ago and just now made it back over (finally!). This time we got lunch during the week. I wasn't as impressed this time around, but I still had a very good meal. I really like the feel of Clementine. It's a good mix of hipster-cool, sophisticated, and inviting. They have a some cool paintings and a bunch of ornithology pictures. The view into the meat storage room is cool too. I wish Clementine served breakfast food throughout lunch, but alas, they do not. I ordered the pit beef sandwich ($8.50). It was good, not great. Meat was every so slightly overcooked, and also not warm enough. Felt a bit like your average roast beef sandwich. The tiger sauce was good and the bun was soft but held up nicely. The portion was not huge. My side was the Moroccan carrot salad. It was raw carrot slices covered in yellow curry. It was refreshing because the curry wasn't too salty or overpowering. A few raisins were in there too, but it needed more. My friend got the pulled pork sandwich ($8) and it was fantastic. The meat was very tender and the orange BBQ sauce was great. This sandwich was bigger than mine, so I was mighty jealous. She got a salad as her side dish. It was a simple spring mix, but her green goddess dressing was delicious. It was both creamy and clean tasting. Service was generally quick, attentive, and friendly. One small mix up: they switched our sides. Our meals were quickly re-plated even though we insisted it wasn't necessary. (Actually, that was frustrating because I was starving and waiting to eat, but I know he was just trying to be a good waiter.) Overall, good food at a decent price for lunch. This recent experience at Clementine warrants a solid 3.5, but I've really enjoyed weekend brunch in the past, so rounding up to 4 is a no brainer. I can't wait to come back for brunch and to try dinner down the road.
(4)Erica C.
This is a breakfast review. I like breakfast. I like this place. I like to go with people and split a bunch of food. Pig out at breakfast. You know? The Elvis waffle was tasty and fun. Nutella is always a winner in my book. The corned beef hash was delicious as well, nothing like the slop in a can I've grown not-so-found of. The house sausage was flavorful and went well with the other dishes. The breakfast casseroles are rubbery and bleh for the most part, avoid them....but do get the cheesy grits. Those are good. The house coffee is a nice touch. The ambiance is nice. The service is average. I like this place for breakfast, except for the weird casserole things. I could do without those.
(4)Kim A.
Best Spot in Baltimore. My only complaint is that I found this place the first month I moved to Baltimore a year ago and it ruined me for other Baltimore Restaurants forever, but that is not really their fault. Their drinks are amazing. They make in house elixir mixers like basil lemonade. I don't even like tequila, but when it's mixed in their drinks, I love it! Great infused vodkas too. They do in house charcuterie in a glass room so you can look at the delicious meats. Their pate is to die for and is part of their Thursday happy hours. The best dish they served was the anise oyster french toast. It can be a bit pricey when you order drinks, but it is fine dining in a casual atmosphere, so no dressing up needed. It's also pretty loud and not pretentious at all. The area is a bit weird to be home to such an awesome restaurant, but I think I like that because it means it won't become uber trendy. Do yourself a favor and check it out.
(5)Devonshire B.
Their breakfast is pretty darn scrumptious. If you hit it on a day where the special is biscuits and sausage gravy, don't pass it up! If you missed your chance, by all means, order the Belgian waffles with the whipped cream and strawberries. Make sure you order the syrup ON THE SIDE! If you don't, they utterly drench it. Taco Tuesday is also an amazing quirk to this restaurant. The smoked paprika catfish is out of this world when gathered up with all of the other taco ingredients. I believe they cook their refried beans with beef broth. So good! For dinner, it can be pretty pricey. I've gone only once during Baltimore's Restaurant Week, but I wasn't let down. They had a great menu and the quality was excellent. All in all, this place is worth it. If the syrup is the only negative comment I have about this place, then I'm ok with that (and so should you).
(4)John M.
I ate here for my first time during Baltimore restaurant week. I plan to come back. I had the Pork Adobo - this is one of the best meals I have ever had. The pork was perfect and the right amount of vinegar and flavoring. The wait staff was terrific and made us feel at home! I am glad I don't live close - I would be here a few times a week.
(5)D K.
Burger and beer is on on Wednesdays. Made with local beef burgers are excellent, very good texture and taste. You can't beat the half price beer. And Cristin is as always the perfect host and guide
(5)Steve C.
Clementine is ok. It came very highly recommended from a couple whose opinions we trusted, but neither our brunch nor our dinner wowed us. That being said, we weren't disgusted either. The first time we went was for brunch. I had the Migas which is some sort of scramble with eggs and corn tortillas. The ingredients were fresh, I'll give them that, but it had no flavor! Like, none. I wanted to love my meal, but I was "meh" on the experience. We also had a side of their mac & cheese to share. Ample portions size and very very good. Then we went for dinner. This meal, again, had very very little flavor. I had fried chicken with grits and a shockingly small side garden salad. No flavor. I think they're going for the low sodium thing, which I suppose is great for our heart health, but tastebud wise it's disappointing. The food is very fresh, I will give them that, but they need to figure out a way to get more flavor in their food if they're opposed to using salt. This could be a great restaurant choice if you're on a low-sodium diet or have cardiac issues, but when I want comfort food, I'm not necessarily thinking about my health.
(3)Omer B.
Been there twice now. The ambiance is ok. It felt a bit understaffed Sunday at 7pm. I walked in at 7:05. We go our cocktails at 7:35. Food was so-so. I had the charcuterie starter and the risotto. The charcuterie was good the risotto was not. My drink was the Peep (hendricks, icetea, syrup, lemon, mint). It tasted like a watered down ice tea. The waiter was ok. A bit slow because he was busy, wasn't really his fault. I am trying to like this place but I can't think of a single reason to comeback other than I saw the table next to me get their deserts, and they were huge (the deserts, not the customers).
(2)Matt W.
We had the dumplings as an app, pork chops and scallops as our entrees. Both courses were good, although not sure we expected the pork chop to be breaded as it was. It might have been an oversight on our part though. We got the creme brûlée for dessert and I was not impressed, it was incredibly syrupy about half way down the deep dish. Overall the food was fine, enough to return again, but the service was terribly slow. Luckily we made reservations and were seated upon arriving. We got drinks reasonably quick, and I'm impressed by the wait staffs knowledge of their pretty large drink menu. After that things slowed down. We ended up being there for over 2 hours, considering it is just a party of 2 I find this to be pretty excessive. The waitress was not very attentive to us, and even getting our check in a 30% full restaurant was a time consuming ordeal.
(3)Don Ryan A.
I've been here before for dinner and was completely blown away, but I wanted to see if there was more to this place than just dinner so I decided to try it for breakfast. I was more than amazed when I completed my meal. I will say it started off as a disappointment as it was relatively busy and only 3 servers working the entire place, but once our drink order was in, it was nothing less than spectacular. I got the breakfast scramble and a side of their homemade sausage and washed it down with some local Zeke's coffee. The meal was perfectly cooked and full of flavor. The hot sauces were quite delicious as well. I liked the green hot sauce as it had plenty of kick. The red hot sauce tasted too acidic for my liking. This place has become one of my favorites and next up, I'll have to go there for lunch.
(5)M F.
We had a very special dinner here, last minute and were treated so warmly and intelligently but what's more, the food and drink were delish. I had a beet and goat cheese thing for my main course, yummy, and got to try both the scallops (to die for) and the blue fish (a treat we westerners don't get.) Lots of us are from Portland, so we're used to getting to know our food on a first name basis. This was a perfect mix of classy and casual.
(5)Dan A.
Located in the Hamilton neighborhood, Clementine may be easy to miss at first glance. However, it is worth finding as it serves some really good comfort foods. The mac and cheese is amazing and definitely needs to be ordered if it is your first visit. The menu features local ingredients. While some dinner dishes can be pricey and get into the upper $20 range, you can usually find a good amount of dishes under $20 as well. Most of the food is very solid; I've never had a horrible meal here. The surrounding area is a bit sketchy so be careful not to leave valuables and such visible in your car.
(4)Jason L.
I love this place so much, I went back and tried the Grouper based on our servers avid recommendation - and I was blown away! This is definitely one of the best restaurants in Baltimore. My friend had the New York Strip which looked amazing - he loved it! I will definitely be returning here again and again and again.
(5)Collin M.
Clementine prepares ingredients that are farm-to-table, fork-to-mouth, stomach-to-intestine, toilet-to-water filtration plant, filtration plant-to-body of water, body of water-to-rain cloud, rain cloud-to-farm and farm-to-table. It's how food should be, you know? The dining room is dimly lit and the walls are festooned with local artist's artwork and other fitting pieces. The dining furniture, as far as I could tell, is all-wood and the booths appeared to be old, surprisingly comfortable church pews. All in all, the atmosphere jives with the overall theme of the restaurant. The waitstaff was friendly and attentive, no complaints there. I ordered the Caesar-ish salad with chicken and a bowl of Asian braised beef soup. The soup was fine but tasted strongly of hoisin sauce. The salad, on the other hand, was great. All of vegetables were fresh, colorful and flavorful. The free-range chicken breast was large, perfectly cooked and was only an extra $3.50. Everything was topped with the right amount of delicious bacon-anchovy vinaigrette. Overall, Clementine offers delicious and inexpensive food, all while supporting local farms. Check it out.
(4)Jen L.
Tried the catfish tacos on their Taco Tuesdays and thought it was good. Nothing special, but still pretty decent food. The Tres Leche was really good. Never had it before until here. The sangria was OK. I had the Rose one and wondered if I should have gotten the white one. The only thing that stinks is that they only serve Tacos on Tuesdays. Which is fine, but their full menu was very tempting and I couldn't order from it. Will have to come back and try it on a day other than Tuesdays. This is a great neighborhood dive restaurant. I think I would have liked it better if I had more variety for the menu other than tacos.
(3)Silvia K.
This was an interesting experience. I probably will not go again because it is not something fit to my taste. Smells like cured meat. Has that old, rustic nature to the restaurant. Had the Mac N Cheese, which was alright, but I would not eat it again because I didn't like the sharp cheddar. We got the bacon-wrapped meatloaf and the ham dinner. It was alot of food. I didn't really like it, but I ate a decent chunk. The vegetables were good. Not a big fan of any part of the pig though, so the bacon wasn't a good idea. :P If you want a different experience, try it out, but you've been warned.
(2)Megan M.
Restaurant is great, but please don't hire for catering! They told me they would cater a party and sent several informational emails. The party is tomorrow and I still haven't heard from them. Decided to go with another local restaurant that actually valued our business. Perhaps they are overcommitted, but I'd hate for other party-planners to be let down at the last minute like this. Go to the restuarant, but DON'T request catering.
(1)Francisco I.
My wife and i have been to Clementine twice, and so far everything has been very good. I really enjoyed the chicken sandwich while my spouse loved the pulled pork sandwich. We ordered the macaroni and cheese for the kids and we both agreed it was the best we had ever had. One area they could improve is the speed of service. Both times we were there for lunch which could explain the slow service but it was not so bad that I would not recommend this place to everyone.
(4)AsianZing L.
As another Yelper has already said, "I really wanted to like Clementine, but..." The quick summary: overpriced, overrated, inconsistent, and underwhelming. My friend and I went here last Friday night because she loves the place, and we wanted to have a nice, leisurely catch-up at a place we wouldn't have to scream to be heard. On that account, Clementine fit the bill. That's about it, though. We started off taking our time looking through the drink and wine list, and it became apparent quite quickly that our slower pace irritated our server. Also, despite what their website said, there is no "buy one, get the next half-off" cocktail happy hour on Friday nights. This was disappointing and really should be fixed on their website. My friend ordered a red wine that she loved; I ordered an amaretto sour that was atrocious. It was basically nothing but sour...one of the worst I've ever tasted. We then ordered the winter butternut squash dip appetizer, and that was delicious!! Definitely order that if you get the chance! Next, I ordered a glass of Riesling to go with my dinner. The Riesling they have, (it's the only one they offer), was excellent!! For our entrees, we asked the waitress what she recommended. She was not knowledgeable at all about the different meals and resorted to saying, "Umm, a lot of people like the scallops and the rabbit linguine...??" My friend and I had been looking at both of those entrees anyway, so she ordered the scallops and I got the rabbit linguine. My friend's scallops were delicious and wonderful; my rabbit linguine was absolutely boring and bland. I'm very surprised that it's one of the most popular items on the menu...it must be the novelty of eating rabbit, (which, honestly, was about as exciting as shelling lima beans...if you've done it, you know!!) Finally, for dessert, my friend wanted coffee with Baileys, but they were out of Baileys. Our waitress quickly up sold her to an $8 coffee drink, (doing her job pretty well there!) My friend said it was nothing special, and she wouldn't get the drink again. Because it seems I am a slow learner, I asked the waitress about their desserts. She, again, knew absolutely nothing about them...she had never tried ANY of them and resorted to saying, "I've sold a couple of cheesecakes and chocolate zucchini cakes tonight. Everyone has seemed to like them." Seriously, I've been a server many times over at a variety of restaurants, and as a server, a cardinal rule is that you MUST have tasted at least ONE item for every course so you can talk intelligibly about SOMETHING when a customer asks. Not impressed...do better. I decided to try the chocolate zucchini cake, and it was ho-hum at best and a bit dry. Nothing impressive, except the piece was very large...which really doesn't matter when it doesn't taste all that good. Overall, Clementine was disappointing. Definitely underwhelming and overrated. My experience was inconsistent; the highlights were the glasses of wine, appetizer and my friend's scallops. Everything else was mediocre at best. For all this, it was also way overpriced. I can think of many other places I'd rather drop $54 on a meal. Unless my friend begs me, I won't be going back. (Actually, even if she begs, I'm still going to try to convince her to go somewhere else).
(2)Brian A.
I love Clementine but this 2 star review is in response to removing Tuesday Dinner Nights. I never tried 'Talian Tuesday but understand it was popular and loved but my real beef is with removing Taco Tuesday. How can you grace the world with the presence of your wonderful Tacos and than take them from us. The Chorizo tacos were possibly the BEST tacos I have ever tasted. Weeknights for me are usually reserved for the gym, cooking dinner at home and relaxing with my girlfriend and awful smelling canine but the sweet aromas, tantalizing flavors and welcoming vibe of Clementine's Taco Tuesday often pulled me out of my Lauraville home into the neighborhood bustle of Hamilton for a delish Taco. No More! NO MAS TACO MARTES!
(2)Christopher S.
The sedition of average. The menu is very limiting and poor to choose from, beer selection is also poor at best, taste is probably the best part if there's something on the menu you like, but service is terrible. I've tried it twice to be patient but there's little hope, just stay away
(2)Sarah B.
Everything about this place deserves 5 stars. The food, the service, the atmosphere. I had the apple smoked pork chop for dinner and it was crazy good. I knew it would be after how many wonderful things I'd heard about this place, though. I shouldn't be writing this review around lunch time... I'm getting quite hungry. After dinner, we moved over to the bar where we sat and chatted to the bartender. I asked him to surprise me and he mixed up a delicious concoction which I happily slugged down. I'd tell you what it was if I knew but either way, it was great and so was he. The bar atmosphere is lovely and the couches kind of call to you to just hang around a little while longer, which we did. I'm really looking forward to coming back here for breakfast because the menu looks amazing. Geez, I'm really hungry.
(5)Zoe P.
My wife has celiac disease, which makes it a real pain to eat out. The staff at Clementine were extremely knowledgeable, helpful, and attentive. They went out of their way to make sure we had a great, worry-free meal. Great food, great drinks, great people. We will definitely be back!
(4)Jen M.
I have never had a bad meal or cocktail here. I really like the brunch, and they always have an inventive and seasonal menu (including drinks!). Everything is locally sourced and made in house. Save room for dessert if you can, they cakes are worth it. Not to be missed if you're a foodie, and it's reasonably priced. There's even a kid's play area in one of the dining rooms.
(4)Michelle B.
The ambiance is my kind of place, very chill and classy without being fussy. I would love to come here again with a bigger group of friends for a nice catch-up luncheon. The staff was attentive. It did take a while to get our food - but we were catching up, so we didn't mind. This place is very pleasant. The menu is small but ever changing. Although I didn't have any, their wine and spirits list has many options. I had a chicken salad sandwich for lunch with potato salad and fruit salad. The flavors were good, but a little flat. My friend had a breakfast sandwich with cheesy grits and was hoping for a little more cheese.
(4)JJ C.
Clementine on a Friday night. Had a round of drinks before dinner, asked for a Beefeater martini and was told all they have is Hendricks's gin. Not my first choice but we ordered two of those. The waiter brought two Blow Fly martinis instead??? Without asking or advising he was changing the order? Something amiss there! Ordered the Charcuterie plate appetizer which was quite good but the pâté came with four (4) crackers? The entree was rockfish and bacon wrapped meatloaf which was very well done to the point of being dry! The desert our table liked the best was the lemon cheesecake. I was told the deserts are made by the owners mother, if only she could make the Martinis and he meatloaf.
(2)Michelle H.
I had high hopes for breakfast - not just because it was my birthday brunch, but because their dinner food is wonderful. Alas, I found myself disappointed. I opted for the Seared Duck Hash. I mean really, how incredible does that sound? Duck, potatoes, poached egg - practically the makings of perfection. Only...not so much when not properly executed. The whole point of a poached egg (and hash, really) is a runny yolk, right? Sadly, neither of mine did. They were borderline soft boiled eggs really. When I brought this to the waiter's attention, he offered to have the chef make new ones, but said it would take a few minutes. So, he left me with my dish to sit and get cold as new eggs were poached. The other flaw of the dish was the varying shapes and sizes of everything - it made it terribly difficult to get each ingredient in one bite. The fingerling potatoes were cut into little discs, while the purple cabbage was shredded, the onions sliced and the duck in massive chunks. It just made for awkward eating. I found the cheese grits and blueberry corn muffin to be a let down as well. At first bite, the grits were decent. But I think the only cheese they added was what was sprinkled on the top. Once that layer was gone, the grits lacked flavor and seasoning. I actually took the salt shaker to it. As for the muffin, I adore all things blueberry...but I guess there's always an exception. Again, flavorless and the corn kernels were tough and chewy - it was an unpleasant surprise in the muffin. The real kicker is that the muffin was cold. As in, it was probably taken out of the refrigerator probably 10 mins prior. Perhaps I ordered the wrong things, but I think I'll stick to coming here for dinner just in case.
(3)Jennifer H.
FINALLY someone in Baltimore has learned how to make biscuits and gravy. We were hesitant to order it but oh so glad we did so. We shared that dish and craved more. The Southwestern-type omelette I ordered was a bit disappointing, but my friend's Indian scramble was amazing. Everything was very fresh, and our server was outstanding.
(4)Nick B.
Great place. Always packed. Great drink list (questionable bartender skills however, cost them a star). The charcuterie hit you in the face once you enter makes you order even if you don't want it. Well made menu cooked properly. If you can get a seat, take it.
(4)Pecan S.
I eagerly went to Clementine and will never return. The restaurant was not crowded & no one else waiting to be seated, yet our presence was never acknowledge. We sat on the black couch, read the menu for "at least" five minutes without interruption. Several staff looked directly at us but no one approached. So we stood up, placed the menus back on the front entrance table and waited..... Nothing.... I walked out, but my girlfriend stayed inside to call the restaurant by phone & inform them of our presence, but no one answered. I walked back in to get her for us to leave and was approached by a nonchalant and aloof staff member who only stated. " table for two" ? Our response - " No thank you, we're leaving. We we were waiting here and no one spoke to us." Staff shrugged her shoulders & replied, "Okay". At that point we realized that maybe Clementine does not want business from Blacks. Unfortunately, no distractions were present to avoid consideration to pull the race card on this one. We we eager to try them out, but Clementine can keep its food and we"ll surely keep our money. A yelp review may not catch the owner's attention, but hey... When people go somewhere to spend their money it has to feel right. No good feelings for Clementine.... The Waffle House has better service!
(1)Axl R.
We came here for restaurant week (2-2014). It was a near 2.5 hour experience! Some of the food was good, but not to overcome the super slow service. Our drinks were not refilled, it took 20 mins to even get offered a drink. Portions of the food were cold, some were hot. The waiter and the restaurant did not deserve a tip at all, but I gave one anyway out of guilt. He pretty much ignored us the whole night because I feel he knew how super slow and half-hearted the kitchen was running. Most of our meals were far too creamy, over salted, and heavy. I would not recommend this place at all.
(1)A P.
Although I am devastated by the loss of taco Tuesday, I have never been unhappy with a meal at Clementine. The staff has always been welcoming and has made me comfortable, but I'm easy. I don't expect a baby sitter at a restaurant, just good service and solid food. Clementine is proof that Baltimore can get it right sometimes. Great brunches!!! Try the Mac and cheese... Once I had an amazing mushroom pie... The roast beef with tomato jam(when it's in season)... And geez everything has always been delicious... And well portioned and shareable. Sit at the bar or in the loungey area if you can't get or don't want a table!
(5)Yenling C.
I like everything. It's a wonderful place and price wise is good. Just the chocolate cake is a bit dry. They even have a small area for kids to relax on couch and pl
(4)Shana W.
I really find it amusing that my boyfriends review of this racist establishment was removed. No matter how eloquently he explained our horrible visit to this restaurant, it doesn't change the fact that people of color are obviously not welcomed here. 'Our' money is just as good as the next persons....but no worries, we will rewrite our issue here again soon. It needs to be clearly documented and understood that people of color are not welcome. Word of mouth is a beautiful thing, and my corporation (A Top 10 Company in AMERICA) has issued to ban this establishment as well due to our visit. Stay tuned to our full review, yet again it will be typed. Thank you.
(1)Anna K.
There were a lot of things I liked about Clementine but the space of the restaurant was not one of them. It was oddly laid out and I always felt like I had to maneuver around other tables to get around. Now onto the good stuff: We went there with friends of ours and ate WAY too much. We started with a round of cocktails - Cherrypicker (A-, not sweet enough for my taste); Spicy Ninja (A+), Copperfox (A++, my favorite) and the cider (meh). Apps included the cheese plate which was unfortunately pedestrian, the escargot which was super delicious, the pork and duck creton (A-) and the mac n'cheese which was OK. Entrees were linguine (too much garlic), cabbage rolls (A-), pork chop (A), and acorn squash stir fry (A). I was far more impressed with the apps than the actual meal. The wines we had were Fantastic though and we drank enough to probably color our remembrance of the meal. I don't know if I'd go back for a meal but maybe for drinks? I have to say though that the service was very good and the hostess was really accommodating when we came early.
(3)Natalie F.
On a quick trip to Baltimore, I needed to find a place that would impress my boyfriend that wasn't going to be too expensive. The reviews were spot on and Clementine surely didn't disappoint! For an app, we both shared the duck nachos. They had just enough meat, but not too much that it overpowered everything else. I could have eaten those homemade chips all night! For our entrees, I had the cider-brined pork chop and he had the bacon-wrapped meatloaf. The pork chop was very juicy and had a great salty-sweet flavor. Both meals came with the BEST mashed potatoes I have ever had...divine! There was so much food we could only eat half and took the other half to finish later. While the food overall didn't blow my mind, it was thoroughly good! I would definitely go back here if I'm in the Baltimore area for another weekend.
(4)Kelly M.
I'd been trying to make it out to Clementine for about a year. Everyone raved about it's high-end comfort food and I was really looking forward to it. It was good. But not great. I'll start with the high points: the service was wonderful. Our waitress was knowledgeable, attentive and pleasant. Now on to the Not-Bad, Just Not Spectacular: We ordered the curry crab dip appetizer which was very good. I ordered a the steak, which was cooked to order with a nice sauce and sides. JPK ordered the pork chop. His meal was more on the average side of things. It just didn't "sing" you know? Good beer and wine selection. I dunno, maybe there was too much hype but it just wasn't blowing my mind. There are plenty of other restaurants in my neighborhood that offer the same or better that I can walk to. I can't see making the effort to drive out there again.
(3)Matthew L.
I stopped at Clementine because the restaurant I wanted to go to was having a private party that night. Since I live closer to the harbor, this was a bit of drive. I'm glad I made it. The restaurant is really cute. A mix between eclectic and trendy. (Think golden west cafe meets Red Star). It actually seems like it should be in Hampden. I wish I had gone on a normal night, but ended up on Taco night, so it was a closed menu. The plate was colorful and tasty. While not authentic, the tacos were creative and fun. I would like to try the restaurant again when they have the full menu available.
(3)Jason K.
On May 16th I made a reservation for large party to celebrate a family member's birthday over Memorial Day Weekend. Today, on May 23, a full week later, I got an automated response email from OpenTable that my reservation has been cancelled. I called as they were calling me (ie they cancelled the reservation BEFORE calling). The explanation given is that they have decided to close the day of my reservation and they hadn't updated OpenTable. While I have no idea what happened there, this is completely unprofessional. Do you think Woodberry Kitchen would pull this one on their guests? Maybe this is why I could get a reservation at Clementine and not Woodberry. The staff was apologetic and offered me free desert on my next visit but that's not going to happen since I won't be coming in. Now I'm off to try to find a decent place for dinner less than a week from now for a very large group. Thanks Clementine.
(1)Stef T.
I dined here tonight and loved this place! It was so cute, the service was friendly and the meal was well paced. The food was really delicious. My only complaint is that it was a little bit of a drive for me through some less welcoming neighborhoods.
(5)Rachel F.
Ohmagawd, Baltimore. Why didn't you tell me about Clementine? Maybe it's the fact that I'm a midtown snob, but I have never ventured up into Hamilton for food - which my friends tell me makes me the worst foodie in the whole city. I would agree, because Clementine was incredible. Mostly I was hungover when I went their for brunch, so I was hooked when they brought out really strong Zeke's coffee. It hit the spot. And they were great about refills. Much appreciated. I got the breakfast scramble which was scrambley and cheesy and baconey. And their hotsauces were home made and good. I think everyone I was with was pretty content with their food. And there was a charcuterie! That's not even a word! Just noises. But very cool. In conclusion: Awesome.
(5)Judy C.
Hamilton is one of the far-north neighborhoods of Baltimore that can easily be ignored, so during my last days being a Baltimorean, I had to explore. And at Hamilton, I went to Clementine--supposedly comfort food with an ethnic twist? I don't know how much comfort there was in the food, but the food did come with a twist. I think the gazpacho had quinoa as it had a grainy texture to it. It was unusual but interesting nevertheless. I got the stuffed peppers (with brown rice and veggies), which were healthy and delicious. My friend had the mackerel with seaweed salad (there's the twist again!), and he thought the mackerel could use some sauce but was cooked nicely. Oh, there was a comfort part for me! They served diet cream soda! I loved cream soda as a child, and given my hypersensitivity to weight gain (ha! Partly joking...), I was elated to have diet cream soda with my meal! :-) Good to know that my adventure was rewarding with a nice meal!
(4)Adina K.
Taco Tuesdays! $10 for four corn tortillas, the protein of your choice (usually 3 options plus a veggie one), and homemade rice and beans. Your first beer is only $1.50. Great margaritas. The regular menu can be hit or miss. The highs are really high (charcuterie platter, mac and cheese), but the lows are a disappointment given the price point (uninspired gouda mashed potatoes with pretty much every entree, dry coconut cake). Great place to grab a drink, as the bar has some pretty unique cocktails available. I've tried a smattering of the options and all have been excellent. Everything is made in house, down to the pickles, and most of what you get is local. Looking forward to trying brunch here one weekend...I've heard good rumblings about it...
(4)john f.
Clementine is probably the kind of place that changes it's menu seasonally, so i don't know how relevant this review will be in the future, but i was so happy to find a place that still serves duck breast. It seems that somewhere along the line, duck breast became passe, and every hip place dropped it for confit, kind of along with this attitude that confit is the preferred part for the connoisseur. Well lah di da for the connoisseurs, i love me some duck breast, and I'm bummed that nowhere serves it anywhere. except that for clementine, hence the 5 star review. Everything was excellent, the place is great, etc. I just hope that this review gets read by someone who's in charge at clementine, and helps sway them to keep the duck breast dish on the menu for the long term. next time it's date night, i know where I'm going . . .
(5)Beee K.
What is up, Clementine?! I have a mixed feeling about this place. We went to have brunch on one Saturday, and the food was awesome. If I am writing this review solely on that visit, this place gets 4 and half stars. We loved Chicken Sandwich so much that my sis-in-law and I were stealing food from my hubby. It was delicious. Pumpkin muffin they had was really delicious, too. My duck hush was...alright, not lived up to my expectation, but it did not matter, the chicken salad was awesome. Could not wait to come back, so we did. Me and sis-in-law made sure to get chicken salad sandwich this time and awaited for the food to arrive. We both are hugely disappointed. Chicken had too much tarragon and was, I think cured. It was not like that before. Too salty and could not eat. We ended up returning the food and asked for the replacement. Was it because of the person making the food? Or they changed their recipe?? We were really sad. Replacement we got, which was some kind of noodle thing tasted ok, not that great. I have a hope for this place and it was really so good before.... please please please let me have that great chicken salad again! I only had 2 bites anyway! I would love to taste the whole thing!!!! Now I am little scared to go back and taste their chicken salad. I might need to give more time to be back.
(3)Lynn K.
Discovery is the name of the game. Relatives who live in the Hamilton area could not believe that such a fine restaurant was now in their area. I remember this neighborhood when there was an old run down movie theatre on this side of the street. But we convinced them by meeting them there for breakfast one Saturday. They left singing along with Davy, Peter and Mickey ...."I'm a Believer!" I love to eat breakfast out and am always looking for a great spot and we found it at Clementines. I had the apple crisp muffin and I was suppose to split it but you know how that goes. Just a piece then another......GONE! Followed it up by having a delicious broccoli cheese souffle. It was perfect. Great way to start the day. The homemade sausage got rave reviews as well as all the casserole dishes ordered. Wish they were open everyday for breakfast!. I have returned numerous times since to meet friends there for lunch and dinner. None of us have had a bad meal. The service is great and if the owner is there she will come to the table and talk to you. It has expanded since we first started going but the service and food has not changed. The menu is always different which is a good thing. The ingredients are fresh and the chef mixes items together that sound a little strange but work. Spend time reading that menu. Desserts are home made so save room. They have a little bar area where you can have a drink while you wait for your party to arrive. They have some early specials and the bartenders are friendly and helpful. Oh my darling,,,,oh my darling Clementine what took you so long to invade this neighborhood and give them something to be proud of.......Please don't be lost and gone forever. I will be dreadfully sorry ! HInt: If you go there for breakfast ask for the housemade hot sauces. Great on the grits!!
(4)Holly N.
What a great night! Started off with fabulous drinks from the bar, a beet salad and the charcuterie plate which was to die for.... homemade pate, fresh pickles and house dried meats with toast. This was an unexpected favorite of the night. I ordered fresh fish and the man ordered duck breast. Both fresh and delicious-- with interesting flavor combinations and fabulous texture. Everything was cooked to perfection. Our waitress Emily was amazing-- she was attentive yet unobtrusive, knew the menu inside and out and made wonderful recommendations. Can't wait to go back and in the meantime I'll be dreaming of the pate...
(4)Jonathan G.
I stopped here for a drink with a friend after having dinner at Hamilton Tavern. Clementine was just across the street, and it was late on a Friday. Surprisingly, the place was largely empty, except for a handful of patrons at the bar. Instead of trying to hustle us out the door, the wait staff was incredibly nice, chatted with us, and made some suggestions for dessert and drinks. I had no idea that we'd arrived with a half an hour to go before closing, but I felt like an appreciated customer. That was fantastic treatment, and they get five stars for it.
(5)Lena A.
Quaint and adorable new age restaurant with all natural, home-style meals. I LOVE this place - and I don't care that I've only been here once! My cousin, Willy, introduce me to this place and he said the Mac & Cheese was to die for. Unfortunately, when we've arrived it was after two and the kitchen was closed, so the only options available to us were the sandwiches. :( Regardless, I ordered the Grilled Chicken w/ Thick Cut Smoked Bacon, Avocado, Tomatoes & Danish Blue Cheese Mayo and it was delicious and filling. The ingredients were very fresh and the flavors were enticing. The restarant is known better as a charcuterie for their pate, so I will definitely get that next time, as well as the Fantastical Mac N Cheese! The decor and ensemble of the place reminds me of something out if Hampden. There are unique art pieces and artifacts, and the restaurant helps promote local artists by selling their artwork and photography. As for atmosphere, it is very homey and low-key (I love it!). BTW, the prices are relatively reasonable and not extremely pricey. Also, the wait staff is very friendly and nice, so please be kind and tip nicely. Lastly, parking is almost non-existent. You cna try to park in front of the restaurant (parallel parking 'cuz you in da city!) or drive around the block and park somewhere on the side streets.
(5)Kara T.
Finally made it back for drinks and Peep (she's the expert mixologist) delivered the goods - the basil lime elixir as it should be, murky green (but oh so good). My SO had one with tequila, I had one with rum (sort of herbal mojito-ish). Both were divine.
(4)Christa H.
The decor of Clementine is amazing. It felt kind of like I'd walked into the bar that Gaston sings his song in in Beauty & the Beast, with the random deer head on the wall and all the cool art. We sat in a nice wooden booth that might've had a previous life as a church pew. The environment was calming and friendly, and everyone looked like they were enjoying themselves. The food was okay. I had the mac & cheese and, while it was good, it wasn't extraordinary (or even in the top 10 best mac & cheeses I've had in my life). My friends enjoyed their food (the tuna salad sandwich and the grilled cheese), but I don't think we thought anything was exemplary. For the three of us, our meal came to a little over $20, so it was definitely affordable. Our waitress was friendly and paid attention to us. I loved everything about Clementine but the food, but maybe I'll come back and try a different dish.
(3)Bobby B.
I really want to love this place. The people are friendly and I like the decor, but after two visits there are a couple of things that bring it down. The first time I came here was shortly after it opened. We were seated right next to the kitchen, and they hadn't gotten their liquor license yet. The service was a little slow, but the food was good. On the latest visit for brunch, I was surprised and happy to see that they have expanded (appears to be more than twice in size), and they are now able to serve alcohol. However, we waited literally an hour for our food to come out after we ordered. I had the chicken and waffles, which was good but didn't make up for the time lost. I'll probably give Clementine one more shot before I vow to go elsewhere in the future.
(3)Kelly B.
My first experience with Clementine was an absolute delightful one, of drinks and an appetizer. The decor is eclectic, the drink menu lengthy, and the small amount of food I had superb. The service was quick and very friendly - though I did go in with a regular who knew some of the staff on a first name basis. It was a Friday night and rather busy when we full got in - full up. We sat on some couches near the front in the 'bar' section, and decided to stick with just appetizers and drinks rather than a full meal. From the drink menu, I stuck with beers. The first a Rogue Juniper Pale Ale, the second a Green Flash West Coast IPA. The first spiced with a slight hop, the second rather strong and really hoppy. Both were 3.75 for a bottle - not that bad of a price. They have a number of other beers in bottles, and a very, very long list of cocktail concoctions that will be tried at further visits. For an appetizer, we got the Charcuterie Big platter, consisting of Duck Liver Pate w/ Fresh Ginger & Pear Liqueur ; Duroc Pork Sausage w/ Green Onion, Black Mustard Seed & Thyme ; Luceille's Bread & Butter Pickles & Red Dragon Mustard Seed & Ale Cheddar. This was my first experience with pate, and I was honestly a little put off at first. The flavor is REALLY strong and I didn't think I liked it. Tried a couple combinations of what was on our plate. It goes really well with either a slice of the sausage or a slice of the cheese, on top of a slice of bread. The pickles are a nice side dish, but mix it with the pate and it gets a little funky. The sausage was great, best I've ever had. It paired well with everything on the plate. The cheese was like eating spicy brown mustard, but in cheese form. Incredibly strong flavor - would not recommend munching it on its own, but paired with the bread of the pate, and the strong flavor melts into the others. Will definitely be returning for a full meal and to try the Seafood Charcuterie!
(4)A B.
This is one of my favorite places. The food is always great, the atmosphere fun and cocktails are awesome. Its a bit expensive, but to me always worth it. Love you Clem!
(5)Melissa C.
Clementine is my not so little Uptown gem. On every visit (and there have been many), I can count on hardy, thoughtfully prepared American classics. Go for inventive cocktails with homemade elixirs. Go for the super-duper delicious duck nachos. Go on an empty stomach and indulge in any of their screw-the-calories entrees. Oh, and go for the homemade (in-house) desserts. The atmosphere is chill and unpretentious... an eclectic mix of odd art and taxidermy. The crowd is a mix. Hamilton locals intertwined with North end residents with dough. Last but not least, the service has always been top-notch. Attentive, but not too attentive and just darn genuine. I always leave happy.
(5)Lauren S.
Meh. Went last night. Shared a cheese plate with another person in the party. The cheese plate was good; the jam that came with it was right on. For dinner I had whatever chicken they had on the menu. The carrots that came with it were delightful. The mashed potatoes were merely ok, and the chicken itself wasn't outstanding. I just wasn't impressed with any of it. My mixed drink was alright. The best thing I has was my coke and the carrots. The waiter was really good. Very accommodating and friendly. Will I be back? No. Nothing here wowed me. It's a lot like Woodberry Kitchen, which I'm not a fan of anymore either.
(3)Caroline E.
A serious hit or miss kind of place. The cocktails were well-crafted and creative. Charcuterie plate was tasty, although it sorely needed more bread/crackers. The Mac and cheese was the low point of our night- it smelled and tasted like spoiled milk. Our waiter said it was a combo of tomato and sharp cheddar that gave it "bite"- Dude, no. Something was very wrong, and I felt dismissed and patronized by the server when I asked why it tasted off. My stuffed trout was excellent, however, and the roast chicken was perfect- overpriced for what you get, but it was delicious. The service was sub-par. Our server seemed over-committed and I wish we'd had more refills on water. I was brought by a friend who had had great experiences in the past and wanted to show the place off, but we were both disappointed. Looking at other reviews, it seems like this place is really slipping. Not sure if I'll be back.
(2)Trina T.
Really a Zero Rating!! The worst breakfast experience ever!!!! Sat there for almost an hour for eggs and bacon then the waitress comes out with one order when it's two of us dining. Therefore we would have to wait another hour to eat together while one meal will be cold. How unthoughtful! The owner made up for it with a future comp but breakfast was already ruined since it was part of the plans for the day. It off set our plans and we left "hungry." To make it worst... to be green and healthy we walked there therefore we walked home "hungry" after watching over 50 other patrons enjoy their breakfast. Waste of time. Did not feel welcomed at Clementines.
(1)Laura B.
Finally made it to Clementine and it was worth the effort. Starting with cocktails... very good. They had more than one bourbon based specialty cocktail which goes a long way in my book. Staff was all really nice and attentive enough. We had the mushroom pie appetizer which was really delicious with an amazingly flaky pastry crust. The pork cheek and steak tres major were both were super tender and tasty. The coconut cake for dessert was super good. The prices are high for Hamilton but really not bad for comparable quality food in the city. We'll definitely be back.
(5)Andy R.
The prix fix new years eve menu more than lived up to expectations. We've been meaning to eat here for a while now and the five course menu was delicious and the service friendly and efficient despite the usual "meat grinder" of new years eve dining. Unfortunately we didn't try The wine parings but the aperitifs recommended by the bar staff were original and very tasty. Not only was this a great dining experience, it was good value for money as well, we will definitely be returning.
(4)Jonas C.
It was supposed to be one of those organic local places whose menu shifts with local availability. Overall the food was pretty good, portions were hearty and filling. The dessert was likewise hearty and rich and everything is pretty sharable. Things were well-made, not memorable, but well-made. Ambiance was fairly nice, homey and cozy kind of feeling. Good times.
(4)Justin L.
Clementine has become my go-to spot in Baltimore for a comforting dinner experience. Both the veggies and the meats are locally sourced. The menu rotates weekly, with a few mainstays (such as the mac and cheese appetizer). They are good about updating their website with the newest version of the menu, so you can usually plan ahead. I would most accurately describe the place as "new American", featuring traditional style dishes with a contemporary twist. The aforementioned mac and cheese appetizer is usually a must whenever we visit. For five bucks you get a fairly large brick (and I do call it a brick, since the slice they give you is usually perfectly brick-shaped) which is plenty for two people to share. It is old-style, not overly cheesy but perfectly creamy with a delicious crust. Their drink menu is also extensive...we have never ordered a bad cocktail from here. The service is generally good, but frequently they have young/inexperienced wait staff that get in a little over their heads when the place is busy. The decor, while cute, is a little austere for a restaurant that's aiming for contemporary Americana look. I also would warn vegetarians that their vegetarian options are generally very limited. Usually there are only two, at most, vegetarian options on the menu. While every meat-based dish we've gotten here has been exceptional, the vegetarian entrees (while very good) are usually not of the same caliber. I would also consider the prices to be a little high (usually 20+ for a entree that contains meat) for a restaurant that advertises itself as affordable. This is really more of a 4.5-star review, but since Yelp doesn't allow half stars i'll round up because I like the place.
(5)Karen R.
I had a surprisingly bad experience at Clementine on Mother's Day. Made a reservation for 6 pm for six people. That's pretty early in the dinner rush, you'd think they'd be on their game. Many of us had tomato soup for an app, which was great. Three of us ordered the half chicken for an entree, one ordered bouillabaisse, two ordered scallops, shrimp and grits. The chicken dishes were each two legs and two thighs - not a proper half chicken. They were roasted incorrectly - rubbery to the point where we couldn't cut them, skin not at all crisped. Everything was under seasoned. Bouillabaisse had very little fish in it for the price. Scallops and shrimp each had a couple scallops and a couple shrimp - again, not much for the price. They were also out of my mother's favorite coconut cake (and actually out of all cakes, which means they didn't bother with cake for that evening). To Clementine's credit, a server noticed I wasn't eating (I couldn't eat that chicken! Neither could my mother) and summoned the manager/owner. He apologized and took all the chicken dishes off the bill, which was still more than $200 somehow (only two cocktails ordered, a couple cups of soup, three entrees paid for and three desserts). Anyway, it was super disappointing that my mom's special dinner was dreadful. I don't think I'll be able to go back! Very sad, I'd had nothing but good experiences there, but they obviously phoned in this holiday dinner in every possible way. I'm glad they handled it properly by taking the chicken off the bill (which I honestly didn't expect). But there are too many great restaurants around to risk a dinner disaster again. Weirdly, a week ago I noticed another negative Yelp review here for Mother's Day, but it's gone now.
(2)Heather S.
My favorite restaurant in Baltimore. The restaurant is enjoyable to eat at, with large wood tables and very earthy decor. They specialize in making their own meat products, and the chef's mother makes many of the desserts. Every meal is excellent - breakfast has great coffee, excellent egg scrambles at a good price. Lunch is always fun with great sandwiches, soups and salads. And my favorite is dinner and the charcuterie plate - I am a huge fan of their pate with house-made pickles. They make American style food, just a little fancier. The drinks are very good too. One note, if you go on a Tuesday, it is taco night. there are very few choices and it does not really represent how good their food is in my opinion.
(5)Murray W.
Food was fresh and good. Chicken very salty. Service inattentive- no bread, until we asked, waiter disappeared for a while, water glasses filled when brought to waiter's attention. Decor is funky- ok for a place without the pretensions of fine dining, but when the meal is 100 dollars for two- shared appetizer and dessert no less, I expect more.
(3)Alexander G.
Had the homemade italian sausage and the mac & cheese and it was delicious
(5)Leslie F. M.
I've been to Clementine a bunch of times. It's my favorite place for lunch--the place I'd take out-of-town guests, clients, family, friends. Tonight, I had dinner with my husband--a last minute decision. We got a reservation an hour before dinner (on a Saturday night--unheard of!), and it was packed. But that didn't affect anything--not the service, not the deliciousness. I had the pork chop with applesauce and bleu cheese butter, with a kale of the gods! So delicious. My husband had red snapper and asparagus. We also had the salad with the perfect Green Goddess dressing. And we finished with white cake with milk chocolate frosting and peanut butter. To die for. This was an absolutely perfect meal. I can't wait to go back. P.S. The beer was killer, too--a double IPA. I had a few, so please forgive the crappy writing.
(5)Malcolm G.
One of my absolute favorites. I don't think I've ever been disappointed. Last time I went was for Pwime Wib Wednesday and indeed the wib was pwime and lovely and marbled and thick and done just as ordered. The worst at Clemetine that I've ever had happen was that the service took a little longer than I might want when the place got busy. But it keeps me and my (omnivorous) friends happy. And that's a good thing. We have very high standards and Clementine has always met them. Good mixed drinks too.
(4)Modibo S.
OK, I have to admit that this was my first real visit to Hamilton. I haven't even been to the Hamilton Tavern, but at least I know where it is now! We went to Clementine for a belated birthday dinner (my birthday, one month late - oh the agonies of being born in December!). We had reservations, but decided to have a drink at the bar while we waited. It's a short bar, with about 8 stools, and when we sat down there were two couples eating dinner there. The bar is attractive, with a wide variety of liquors and some of Clementine's own vodka infusions lined up for patrons to see. Unusually, I was very tempted by one of the cocktails - the stonewall, which consists of pear cider, bourbon, and ginger (one of the best home-brewed concoctions I've ever made was a glorious honey-ginger apple cider, so this sounded very good in a similar way!) But I had a Chimay on draft, which they advertise as a permanent fixture. They had three other draft beers, including a New Belgium winter ale, Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA, and an Agave Wheat from Breckenridge. The bottled beer selection was alright though I have to say that they had most of their beers listed by country - without a section for Germany! How is that possible? Well, there were two large-format German wheat beers available under the "large beers" section, but no decent German pilsner, or a smoked beer from Bamberg's Schlenkerla to go along with the smoked meats? Tsk, tsk. My wife had a glass of bubbly that she enjoyed, but I can't remember where it was from. Later we ordered a bottle of Spanish wine that was phenomenal and a bargain, though it looks like the wine list has been constructed to highlight bargains for people who aren't afraid to try out-of-the way grapes. The rest of the restaurant is attractive, but don't go expecting an intimate meal. Wood predominates, but the the high ceilings make for a relatively loud atmosphere. The tables are also relatively close to one another, and have a thick, butcher block top that invokes the charcuterie on the menu. Maybe inspired by the décor and the slabs of meat and sausages hanging behind glass 20 feet away, I started with the seafood charcuterie. Crab dip, smoked mackeral spread, a pickled shrimp, and home-cured salmon were featured, accompanied by small toasts and homemade pickles. I have to say that the bread-and-butter pickles almost stole the show, though the crab dip was creamy and delicious. The other items lacked a little intensity - for instance the shrimp could have had more bite (salt? spice?), the mackeral smokier and oilier, and the salmon... well, it could also have used some more smoke or spice, I think. My wife's house salad was outstanding - one of the better salads we've encountered in Baltimore, in fact. In deciding on an entrée, I knew I was going to have the pan-seared mackeral when I spotted it. It sounded like it was accompanied with Asian sides - rice noodles, ginger, etc - but it wasn't clear from the menu that the dish is a soup. I would have liked to have that information when ordering. I know the flavors wouldn't have gone with the Spanish red anyways, but the broth just put it over the top. The flavor of the broth itself was excellent, with a distinct but subtle ginger and anise flavor. The noodles were a bit underwhelming - I think soba noodles would make a better pairing for the mackeral. The fish itself was fantastic - crispy on top and tender underneath, with a tasty chili sauce on one corner that added zing without taking over the dish. My wife had a shrimp and polenta dish that she loved; it, too, had a slightly spicy tomato-based sauce, and she thought the texture of the polenta - crispy outside, almost creamy inside - was unique. The kitchen does a good job, based on what we saw from the polenta and mackeral - of creating contrasting textures in the food, which is not always an easy thing to do. For dessert we had two mini-flourless chocolate cakes, which were almost like petit fours. Very intense, and light on the pocketbook at $3 for apair. The other desserts we saw going to other tables looked good, but quite large and at that point I didn't want to fill up anymore. The service was also good overall. Our bartender was attentive and very helpful - a great way to start our experience here. Our server could have been a bit more attentive, but we were never tapping our toes waiting impatiently for anything so I can't really complain. Finally, we thought the overall tab was pretty reasonable, though we paid the drinks at the bar before being seated, which would have added $15 to the dinner tab. Will I be back? I'd sure come back, but there may be other new places to try before we return.
(4)Anna S.
Everytime I come here, the tables are mostly full, the servers keep busy, and the wait has been relatively short and sweet. These are all good things in my book!! The atmosphere is laid back, charming and the restaurant posseses an inventive approach to food as well as cocktails.
(4)Shelly B.
We had breakfast here this morning and became instant fans. We showed up right at opening time so seating was not an issue. Service was wonderful. Our waitress was top-notch. My husband had the Egg scramble and I had sausage gravy over biscuits and we both loved our food. The coffee, a blend made just for them by Zeke's (called Oh my darlin) was so good. We love Zeke's coffee. The other special today, which I hope to have when we go back, was a corn waffle with jalapenos and they drizzle syrup over it. I love corn bread with jalapenos so that sounds awesome to me. The menu is a class act and the prices are very good. The decor is very cool too and added to the experience. Even the ladies room was attractive. I'm adding Clemantine to our "favorites" and we will be visiting them again.
(5)Jillian B.
First experience Nov 2010 - Fantastic, Delicious, Great Flavor, Great Atmosphere. 2nd experience Nov 2011 - COLD FOOD - Steak was COLD, Mash Potatoes COLD, Vegetables nearly COLD and my boyfriends meal COLD COLD COLD. Delicious taste but who wants to eat a COLD PORK CHOP - ewww.
(2)Kara W.
Good charcuterie and desserts.
(4)Bill K.
Been here several times. Pork Tenderloin is always amazing. Creative drink menu. There are always so many great choices on the menu, I want to keep coming back. Desert is so worth it.
(4)Lauren Y.
This is a great restaurant. For me, this is a breakfast and lunch place, and not a dinner place. The decor is casual. The food is excellent and should satisfy the pickiest of palates. I mean, who can argue with amazing mac and cheese for $5? The meats are excellent. The bread doesn't look like it came off an assembly line. The fruit salad actually had FRESH fruit in it (not frozen!) and was very tasty. The coffee is perfect. The cakes are good and are definitely home-made but not great. Stick with the rest because all of it is a winner. It is clean. The service is excellent. The waiter, Kristen, took the time to answer my grandmother's questions about the building (it used to be the Arundel). The store frontage blends in with the rest of the block, so I use the CVS across the street as landmark. I think all parking is on street and it's metered on Harford rd. Even though you are on Harford rd, you don't feel like you are sitting next to a major road when you are in the restaurant. It's fairly quiet. Love this place.
(5)Wade P.
A place anyone can like. It has gone to the top of my list for places to take family and friends out to dinner. The prices are right, they have a little bit of everything and some serious talent in the kitchen.
(4)Jean S.
so yummy. the menu changes, which is sometimes a little sad, since i find something and want it again. but there is almost always something that I want.
(5)Ria S.
Great food, ambiance, down-to-earth, fresh-tasting, can I please live here? Got roasted duck and chicken pot pie. Everything was amazing. Go. now.
(4)Stacey G.
Wonderful dinner. Enjoyable atmosphere. Generous portions. We had the seafood charcuterie platter and I fell head over fins in love with the smoked mackerel. I threw myself a curve ball and ordered the chicken because the corn, tomato, and crab salad sounded delicious. It did not disappoint. My husband had the soft shell crabs dinner and he was in heaven. Drink menu is diverse and unique and nicely priced. I would say they could probably cut back some on the butter and salt but in the food but, truth be told, I'm only mentioning that because there's a guilty person in my head wagging her finger at me for having something so delicious. Dessert -- berry layer cake -- was ok. It sounded like a solid, plain dessert and it was just that. I probably should've ordered something more decadent sounding. Great place for 2 or a group. Service was good and friendly.
(4)Patrick H.
We ran back in to Clementine for breakfast. If I lived in the neighborhood, I would eat breakfast here every weekend! The egg casseroles are divine, the homemade muffins are everything you want in a muffin and the housemade sausage is sublime. Try the smoked salmon spread on a cheddar jalapeno bagel. Oh my.
(5)Mel M.
dry boring sandwiches. at least it was cheap. macaroni was good (however im not into that dish regardless) service is VERY slow but cordial
(2)Eric P.
Finally, another restaurant in Baltimore makes the list of great breakfast spots. The food is tasty & relatively cheap. The breakfast casseroles are $5 and are appropriately sized for breakfast.
(4)Carrie L.
As a vegetarian, I knew of Clementine's reputation for being primarily a meat place. They have a "charcuterie." I had viewed their menu online, though, and saw that they were friendly to vegetarians as well. So my partner and I gave it a go one lazy Sunday evening. The place is adorable, and extremely clean. It seems that the menu changes frequently, but you'll always find an assortment of meats, including duck. They had two vegetarian options as well: veggie pad thai and Joe-Joe's Frittata, a vegetarian frittata. It wouldn't hurt to consider pairing an appetizer with a salad, too. We shared a macaroni and cheese appetizer, which tasted very old-style. Not overly salty or cheesy. I had a frittata which came with a greens salad that included fresh cherry tomatoes and basil. The basil was a nice touch. My partner had smoked paprika catfish with cheese grits and ham greens. I'm just saying, it looked fantastic. We did not have room to try the desserts, although they looked amazing. From the sound of the other reviews, they truly are. It was the best meal we've enjoyed in quite a few weeks. We'll be back.
(5)P S.
The food was pretty amazing. Awesome food, make a reservation. The onlyh thing that would have made it better is if we hadn't continously see the waitress butt crack.
(4)Charlotte B.
Best bet is to stick to charcuterie and pate appetizers. Those are the highlights of this restaurant. Smoked then grilled pork entree was dry and unpleasant. Not all of their entrees are real winners. choose carefully and pay attention to what waitstaff says. But if you are unhappy, they will try and fix it, their service goes above and beyond the expected.
(4)Mark N.
This place tries hard and obviously has a lot going for it. It's definitely a plus when you pick up a menu and there are many, many dishes you are eager to try. The food here is inventive and unconventional and much of it is very good. We came on a busy Friday night. The main room in which we were seated was very loud. This is definitely not a place to bring a date. We basically had to shout at each other all night to be served. Virtually all of the food was excellent except my wife's dish. She ordered the whole roasted red snapper stuffed with vegetables. There was nothing wrong with it on the surface but when you tasted it, you realized that the snapper was a few days past its serving date. It had a slight off taste that made the dish disgusting. I can certainly appreciate how difficult it is for a restaurant that is not mainly a fish restaurant to keep something like whole red snapper on the menu. But still, I don't see any excuse for serving that. Better to say it's not available that evening. Otherwise all the food was wonderful. Service was slow. The waitress came to us and apologized explaining that the kitchen was backed up. The way she put it was, "It's such a zoo in there I'm afraid to go in." Not the greatest recommendation. More power to the people who love Clementine. It clearly has a lot going for it. But at these prices, I personally want a more polished restaurant experience.
(3)Alyce D.
Only been once, and it was okay. I'd try it again, but really for the price of dinner, I'd rather be somewhere downtown.
(3)Robert T.
This is yet another great kitschy find for Baltimore. We've been there twice, both times for breakfast. The meat products are all handmade in-house. The casseroles are good but a bit small. They are served with deliciously creamy cheese grits, and are pretty cheap; $5 generally. The bagels with spreads are also affordable only going for around a couple bucks. The breakfast scramble is really good; it's eggs, potatoes, house-made sausage, cheese. Everything but the kitchen sink. The Elvis Special Belgian waffle is outstanding. The waffle is cooked with bacon and pecans inside. It's topped with more pecans and a nutella whipped cream. Awesome. I got a side of the sausage on it's own, and surprisingly it was sort of dry. It was tasty, but I would stick to getting it as an ingredient mixed in with another dish. Overall great experience. Will be going back for taco Tuesdays!
(4)Jessica C.
Love it! Taco Tuesday is a great deal and the food is delicious. Service was also great. Desserts are a bit heavy, wish there were a few more lighter options. I'll go back.
(4)Chris B.
I really enjoyed my visit to Clementine with my fiancee. The service was fantastic, the menu was full of unique dishes I haven't tried before, and the food was delicious. Appetizers - steak tartar and cream of crab soup - both excellent. Dinner - pork loin and scallops. Only criticism was on the pork loin, it was over cooked for my taste but not too much, everything was delicious. The scallops were cooked perfectly and the accompanying pork belly was amazing. My fiancee got some cucumer vodka martini thing that she really enjoyed. I really liked the IPA on tap. You should go, it's good!
(5)Jason S.
Over rated. Duck came cold. Waiter made a mistake on the check. Won't go back.
(2)Jeff W.
I've been to Clementine twice and the first time I remember having had a decent experience but hardly noteworthy. The second time, however, has led me to not really want to return and think it's highly overrated. Both times were for brunch so maybe I should try a different meal. But with how disappointing just about every aspect of my most recent experience was, I really don't see me coming back. To start things off, as soon as we entered the entire place smelled like a wet towel. Maybe this is from the house curing of meats that they have, but still, I'd rather not have to whiff rotting flesh when I enter a restaurant. After being seated it took a while to have anyone come back to take our order. It wasn't really crowded at all so there was no reason to have to wait for 10 minutes. Once we placed our order it was another 30 minutes until we received the food. When the food finally came out, it was so sad looking. My house cured corned beef "hash" consisted of 3 tiny, fatty and disgusting chunks of beef which tasted more like something out of a Dinty More beef stew can than a fancy in-house meat curing operation. It was laying on top of a bed of raw cabbage. All that for $13 or so. And not surprisingly, the elf sized portion did not fill me in the slightest. My girlfriend's meal (I think it was one of the egg scrambles) was also laughable, coming out looking like a dry muffin of egg, like some sort of weirdo hot pocket brand breakfast item. It was coupled with disturbingly bland and cold potatoes. Usually I'm not one to send things back, and I usually mock my parents for needing food so hot that it scalds the skin off the roof of your mouth, but these were just gross. Once we could flag the waitress down, we asked if they could be reheated and she scoffed at the notion that they had the equipment (i.e. a microwave) that could reheat food so she would have a cook saute up a new batch of potatoes for us. Well within a minute this freshly sauteed batch emerged, maybe 2 degrees warmer. Since they were essentially just a few red potatoes cut in half, cooked ever so slightly and then put on a plate, neither of us had any interest in eating them. Not even me and my completely empty stomach after eating my elf food corned beef. At this point we were both crabby after having taken an hour and a half to have prepared and consumed 3 oz of food each so we just wanted the check and to leave. But I remembered loving the coconut cake my first time here so I figured I could get at least one redeeming thing out of Clementine. I asked if we could get a piece of coconut cake to go and she said "ooh, we're actually all sold out". Really? You're sold out of cake at 10:40am on a Sunday? That just about sealed the deal and we got up and left, extremely disappointed in every way. 2 stars for the fact that I once had a piece of coconut cake here that put me in a 5 minute state of blind euphoria, but who knows if I will ever get another piece.
(2)Steve K.
OK, but not too special, place for breakfast. Cheese grits were good, home fries so-so, scrambled eggs/bacon mess was decent. Orange juice was served in the original plastic Tropicana bottle - this place wasn't big on charm. Service was a little bit lax but maybe overworked. Miss Shirley's appeared to be better at everything. Might give it a try sometime for dinner.
(3)Christopher F.
Went to Clementines for lunch the other day with a friend and had one of the best lunches in my life. The Asian cicken soup was soooo delicious. I can still taste the ginger. The roast beef sandwich was good. They do need to offer more desserts though.
(4)Rebecca L.
I liked Clementine, but I felt a little let down. Their drink menu is impressive- the home made basil lime elixir rocked! Different sodas (root beer, cherry, ginger), and an extensive wine & beer selection. Our waitress could have known the menu better. Ex: they were out of my selected wine- she didn't suggest an alternative (and it's a big wine menu to make your way through). She had to check with the kitchen if the mushrooms could have been removed from the meatball dish, and when I asked about the seafood charcuterie, I was told that the menu had a description of the items (!!!) So I ordered without knowing what a mousseline was (had an idea, but confirmation from my server would have been nice.) It was good (I love pickeled, salty things), but once was enough- I wouldn't order it again. The Mac N' Cheese WAS Fantastical- large portion for a app- BF said next time he'd order two and have as his meal. He had 1/2 Chicken w/ cherry, port BBQ sauce- chicken a little dry, but smoked gouda mashed potatoes were delicious. I had the roasted acorn squash- and after checking the online menu after our meal, I realized that the sauteed spinach didn't make it to my plate. Might have helped- it was a little blah-also a little dry. It's a creative menu, and I like that so much is local. Three deserts, all made by the owner's Mom (nice!) were offered, and my brownie tasted like a Mom brownie. :) Despite the menu hiccups, our waitress otherwise did a great job, checking back with us frequently. 3.5 stars- I liked it, but for a $100 meal (w/ tip), we should have left raving. I'll give it a second try, but for lunch instead.
(3)David Z.
Great place for going to grab some trout for breakfast while your toddler plays with some toys a few feet away early on a Sunday morning... the service is a bit sub-optimal and food is rather gourmet but menu options are not so diverse.
(4)Tim H.
Great! The value is outstanding. Go with friends for dinner relax and enjoy. It has a vibrant bistro feel to it. Read the entire cocktail menu before deciding. Many interesting choices. Try the charcuterie or the mussles as appetizers. All of the entrees impressed. Everything we had was outstanding! The best surprise was the bill. High quality food for at a very affordable price. Cost per Quality Bite (cqb) was off the chart.
(5)Nancy L.
We went on a Thursday which is half price wine night. GREAT DEALS. We got a bottle of red for $9. I would highly recommend this night for groups. The decor is cozy. We were seated in the larger room off to the left. It was empty when we first arrived, which was weird. I like a full room, but more tables started to fill up after 15 minutes or so. We started with salads (I know boring) but very good. The roasted tomato basil dressing was yummy, but I didn't get enough of it. My hubby got the Black Angus grilled strip which was great. The mashed potatoes were so creamy and the strip was great. I ordered the bacon wrapped scallops. They were good, but not the best scallops I've ever had. I didn't get that melt in your mouth texture that I have enjoyed at other restaurants when ordering scallops. Dessert was coconut cake which I absolutely loved. Service was good, but not as personable as I usually like. Others were friendly upon entering and leaving, just our waitress, while polite, wasn't really warm. I would definitely go back.
(3)Al E.
I wish it was great b/c I live right there, but sigh, we've had trouble. I guess lunch has gone over the best - shrimp salad sandwich and grilled chicken sandwich were fine. Breakfast was mixed: cold, sad muffin but good cream cheese with OK bagel. The veggie and cheese casserole was puny. The breakfast bill was ridiculously cheap but I went home and ate something b/c I was still hungry. Dinner: gf had a TERRIBLE whole fish entree. The poor guy was still wearing his scales and looked bad. Just remembering it makes me shake my head. I had a veggie stir fry that was very good. Another time tried a noodle with broth, Asian style type veggie thing - horrible. Bland and salty at the same time like the broth was drunk with soy sauce. Gf had a special pork dish - also bland. So I think we're done with trying dinner. Besides the inconsistent food, the pretense bothers me. That said, service was fine. And it's still just around the corner so maybe we'll go back if our oven blows up. Tried Clementine again b/c the 4 staff who were standing right by us at HT could not be bothered to even say Hello after we stood in front of the bar for awhile (which is where you're supposed to check in). Really tired of that crap. The good news: never trouble getting a table at Clementine. And the lemon rosemary fizz was delish. We've had some trouble with the entrees so went for small plates. House salad with green goddess dressing was fine; dressing needed salt. Gazpacho: I guess I prefer a chunky gazpacho. This was pureed. The flavors were pretty good with a little kick. Smoked trout. Really weird presentation. They fanned braised purple kale around the edges of a plate like flower leaves and then put the fish in the middle. Goat cheese and cider vinaigrette. The kale was fine but should have been de-stemmed. The fish was really tasty, not fishy. The goat cheese was unnecessary. Not at all sure why they put trout with kale and goat cheese. Mac and cheese. Supposed to be great here. It was fine. I make a mean mac and cheese and it's really simple, so I don't know why people have trouble. It was clearly re-warmed and slopped onto a plate and was not hot - just warm. Clementine's menu is annoyingly verbose and if you're trying to be fancy, please season the food and de-stem the greens. Just sayin. We made the right move b/c had we stayed at HT, we would have still been waiting for a table by the time we were walking home but C tends to disappoint. Oh Hamilton
(2)Paul O.
Wonderful atmosphere, great service and a bit of an eclectic menu, but for those who like to try new things it is a wonder. I will be heading back on my next trip to Baltimore, perhaps for lunch this time.
(4)Jim F.
Amazing homemade type food with local ingredients. Try the catfish and grits with a basil lime elixir.
(5)David M.
This place used to be one of my favorite restaurants but it has gone drastically downhill. The service is just terrible. Either they are weeded or not trained properly. The menu has become uninspiring and on busy evenings you should bring a pillow because you will wait a long time for your food.
(2)Nod S.
This restaurant is one of my favorites. It is a little out of my way to go there, but I know that if I do go it will be easy to get a table, and the menu is guaranteed to offer something that sounds appealing that will be expertly prepared, and the staff will be friendly and attentive. I have only ever come for dinner. Never tried the breakfast and lunch offerings. The menu at Clementine rotates frequently, so even though I have been there a ton of times and always try new things, there is sure to be a tempting seasonal special to try. Plus, there are some winning dishes that are offered regularly. The charcuterie is simply unbeatable. The sausage and pate is made in house and has a wonderful texture and flavor. The mac and cheese is delicious, and a lot of food for the $4 price. I have gotten a few really great soups during the winter, but haven't been back since the weather turned warm to try the cold soup options. If you go during a cold season, the pot pie is really an impressive dish. For only maybe $11 you will get a huge, steaming, fluffy, crusty, perfectly prepared pie. When I first went, they had a rabbit pot pie, and months later I tried the chicken pot pie, and neither will disappoint. If you see any entrees offered with their mess o' greens, do it! They really are skilled in preparing the most delicious dark leafy greens. When I first started going to this restaurant, the cocktails made a big impression on me. They were creative and well executed. The menu is still creative, but I do not feel the execution is as strong as it once was when it comes to the cocktails. Nevertheless, I recommend trying a few. The basil elixir has a fresh sweetness that pairs well with a few different liquors, so you can get it how you like it best. The Stonewall is Clementine's take on the Stone Fence and is a safe bet as well with its pear cider, bourbon & fresh ginger. Taco Night is every Tuesday, and while it is a good bargain, I would rather go on a regular night to get the standard fare I love so much. If I lived in the neighborhood, I would probably take advantage of Taco Tuesday more often, and recommend it if you are near by. One warning-- steer clear of dishes that tout the use of cardamom. The only dish I have ever ordered at this restaurant that I truly hated was a pork dish seasoned with cardamom. The flavor and aroma was overwhelming, and it was impossible to steer clear of the little cardamom pods because they would hide in the sauce and under the vegetables. Trust me when I say you do not want to bite into any of those. Over all, a great place to eat a nice dinner and have a fantastic cocktail without dealing with crowds or snobbery. I like!
(4)Bella F.
I had great expectations basing on reviews, but I was disappointed. The smell that assaulted my nostrils as soon as I walked in was not of food, but of mold and a bathroom, and it cringed my appetite. Charcuterie wasn't bad, but my duck was seriously overcooked. Blueberry cake was hard crusted and tasted stale. I won't be going there again, for the price I paid for food I should at the very least sit in a cleaner restaurant without flies.
(3)Jeremy R.
A contender for Baltimore's best restaurant at prices that are hard to believe (cheap). Preparations are spot-on never excessive or jarring. They have a great wine list that consists of whatever you brought with you (BYOB) with a very reasonable corkage. If they have the Burgoo, don't pass it up. Staff is great but waits can be long. You are advised to make a reservation well in advance. Clementine Rules!
(5)Hilary H.
We were excited to finally try Clementine but were unfortunately disappointed after a great start to the meal (charcuterie platter). We waited over 40 mins for the charcuterie and were understanding despite the fact that the restaurant was not overcrowded. We assumed it was a fluke but then had the exact same experience waiting on our entrees. I had scallops with risotto, he had rabbit pot pie. Both were bland (especially the risotto and pot pie filling.) Again, we didn't put up a fuss when we waited so long, just accepted their apology (one complimentary drink on the house). The worst part was, who appeared to be the chef was out socializing with what looked to be family before dinner service was even over. If things had been running smoothly, maybe this wouldn't have seemed odd, but considering the wait time on our food, it seemed especially unprofessional.
(2)Lindsay S.
My kind of FOOD!! Fresh,homemade,local,Comfort food at its best!!! TRY there cocktails,they are amazing!
(4)J H.
Went the other day and had the tuna pate appetizer. So good. Did not disappoint in the least. That said, Clementine really needs their liquor license.
(5)Steve Y.
One of my favorites. I don't think I've ever been disappointed: except they always run out of the chocolate cake and the service is kinda slow. But the food was worth the wait.
(3)Shayna S.
I've only been to Clementine once, but I really loved it! My mom and I went for Sunday Brunch recently, and the food was so fresh and delicious and unique. The staff was really friendly and gave great recommendations. The atmosphere is really awesome, it feels like home. I also love the bar, it looks great, it's well-stocked with a variety of alcohol and the drinks are all interesting and delicious. Can't wait to go back!
(4)Caitlin S.
Loved Clementine. My sister and I weren't sure where to go, but wanted to check out a new place. After reading the positive review in City Paper, we decided that Clementine would be a nice change of pace. We also thought it wouldn't be too crowded. Boy, were we wrong! The place was a zoo, which makes sense in hindsight because it was a Friday. Luckily, the hostess was kind enough to seat us on the cushy upholstered furniture up front, where folks would typically wait for a table. The staff was very supportive of getting my sister, a vegan, a decent meal, even though the items they prepared weren't all on the menu. I had a delicious bluefish over mashed potatoes and corn slaw. The portion was perfect, the food was tasty, and it resulted in that wonderful, 'that was a healthy meal,' perfectly satiated feeling. The decor isn't very impressive, but it's comfortable. And the prices were so reasonable. I plan to head back, when I am feeling motivated to drive to the other side of town. This is definitely a good spot to take your parents, I am sure mine would take to this place like fish to water. BYOB!
(4)Ron J.
Finally, we thought, a decent restaurant in Hamilton! Clementine is the spiritual offspring from Sobo, a great "feelgood" restaurant in Federal Hill. What Clementine promised was the same great food quality, eager and helpful service and all withing a walk or driving distance in Hamilton. Unfortunately, in almost every area, Clementine dissapoints. FIrst of all, the place was packed - OK, fair enough, it's new and people are curious and want to experience the new digs. Nonetheless, the full, loud room and lack of decent waiting space was a put-off. The waitress was rushed and flustered. The service consisted of jabs of questions revolving around "what would we have", to be expected for sure, but any question we had was met with a barely-beneath-the-surface impatience. I realize you're busy, but damn, take care of the customers, OK? I also had to ask twice to get a clean knife (dirty at the start with some unidentifiable morsel of someone else's food). The waitress was made aware that we are Pescetarian, nonetheless, she was apparently too distracted to make the connection between non-meat eating (essentially) and the fact that the mac and cheese contains prosciutto. Big service ding - and why is ham in mac and cheese? Not normal in any place I've frequented. And on top of that, the "vegetarian" entree for the evening, a curry dish with vegetables, contained grits with - yep - bacon. C'mon people, don't put meat in a side for the vegetarian dish. Really. The entrees are pricy, especially considering the VERY LOUD atmosphere (never heard of acoustic treatment, owners?), the diner-like decor, and cattle-herd like seating density. Most entrees upwards of $20. Rumor has it, there's a $5 cork charge (unsubstantiated), which is not particularly accommodating. Finally, I'll end on the only good note: the catfish and curry entrees were delicious!
(2)Jeff D.
We had a great dinner there last night - it's a really hip/cool place and we will definitely be back and recommend to others. We shared the charcuterie plate as an appetizer and my dinner partner had the crab cakes (she rated them a B+). Based on Yelper reviews, I had the pork chop - also good but I'll look forward to trying other entrees in the future. There were no crying children as other reviewers referenced but our only complaints were with the service. The place was a little more than half full, yet our waters were rarely filled, I had to cut the pork chop with a standard butter knife (not easy) and the waiter pretty much gave us "drive-by" touch-and-go service. Finally, I left my reservation info on their answering machine as requested, but after not getting the confirmation call that the recorded lady promised, I called the day-of and learned that in fact the reservation had not been received or transcribed. This could have been a problem on a busy night, so consider this your warning about their shaky phone reservation system.
(4)sarah b.
scallops are cooked perfectly! mac and cheese isn't very cheesey and the desserts are dry as cardboard. beware, young parents bring their babies with them, even sit them on the bar stools when you desperatly want to sit and drink a beer in a packed restaurant.
(4)Danielle M.
I've been here twice, and after my first visit, I knew I wanted to come back. The first time my husband and I visited, it was Taco Tuesday so it was a limited menu. But, it was a GREAT limited menu. We sat in the expanded space, which was very cold. I had to wear my winter coat inside, and even thought about wearing gloves while I ate my tacos. So, remembering the good food from that 1st visit, my husband made reservations for a Sunday Valentines Brunch for us. We were sadly a few min late for our reservation, but they still took us to a table right away. And then we sat, and sat, and sat. We sat there for 15 min, which put us right at the end of the brunch time. By the time our server came to greet us, she announced that brunch was over! I was really excited for the brunch because there wasn't much on the lunch menu I was excited about. So, then I had to rethink my order all over again! My husband felt so bad because he thought that he was taking me to one of my favorite places for some of my favorite food and then that didn't happen! So, I ordered basically a veg sandwich with the carrot side dish. Husband got the grilled chicken sandwich with the pasta salad side. I was VERY disappointed with my sandwich because everything was very wet and soggy. The flavor was great, but I think a bowl of soup isn't even as wet as the sandwich was! Now, the carrot side dish was the star of the show! I could swim in a tub of that side and ask for more. Husband was happy with his meal, but there wasn't anything really special about what he ate. We both were hoping for some more substantial lunch items, but none were to be found. So, we paid and went home disappointed. Fast forward a few hours and looking on their website, I found out that there were lunch specials that I would of enjoyed much much more! I was so sad that I didn't know about them from the server!! Please Clementine, train your staff. Your food is, for the most part, great! Hire an extra server for your busy times, because its not fair to the ones on the floor to be running around swamped and disorganized. It only hurts the diner's experience! I would of given 2.5 stars, but I'll give 3 because the space is cool and interesting, as well.
(3)Aisha K.
There were so many options on the menu that sounded amazing so I had a little difficulty deciding. Our waitress was friendly and took the time to help with suggestions. I finally settled on the BBQ sandwich of the day and I definitely made the right decision! It and the slaw it came with were delicious. My friend and I happened to get there a bit before they closed between lunch and dinner so we ended up staying into the break period, but we never felt rushed, they never asked us to hurry up and never sent covert glares our way. They just went about their business and we got to enjoy a relaxed meal. Would definitely go back and try something else on the menu.
(5)Robbie R.
We came in for a nice dinner and that's exactly what we had. It was taco Tuesday as well as $5 margaritas. We decided to forego the tacos but chose the margs. The drinks were fantastic. My girlfriend got the strawberry salad with goat cheese dressing, and I ordered the duck nachos. The nachos came up without garnishes, and the manager promptly came over, removed the plate and got a new one. My soft shell entree was absolutely FANTASTIC. The price point could not be beaten. The server was kind enough to bring out a complimentary bread pudding to celebrate our anniversary. All in all, a fantastic evening.
(4)Chris W.
The review is from my blog at chriswalbert.com . After eating at Clemetine, the new restaurant in Hamilton last Friday, I really wanted to get the word out about this great spot and encourage all of you to check it out. Contrary to a certain review in the Baltimore Sun, Clementine, which is located in the 5400 block of Harford Road, is in downtown Hamilton and not Lauraville. The restaurant is housed in an unassuming storefront in the vicinity of a Blockbuster, a pawn shop, and a Dunkin Donuts. But please do not allow this to lower your expectations of Clementine. Clementine is the epitome of a great neighborhood restaurant. As soon as we walked in the door my family was greeted by a cheerful, if extremely busy, woman who offered us a seat on one of their couches. Luckily we had a reservation, so we only waited a few minutes; just long enough for my father and I to walk down the street and pick up a six-pack of Blue Moon to accompany our dinner. That's because, for the time being at least, Clementine is BYOB. Upon being seated, you realize that Clementine is not a place where you should expect much privacy or a quiet conversation. The dining room holds 20-30 tables in a large open room. The table next to you is no more than 5 feet away. What it lacks in privacy, though, Clementine's dining room more than makes up for with energy and life. For my appetizer, I had a hearty bowl of Maryland Crab Soup. While the soup was very tasty, my only real complaint was that it came out less than 5 minutes before my entree. This forced me to make the tough decision as to which dish I would let get cold. Sorry Maryland Crab Soup, you lost this battle to a strip steak served with Gouda mashed potatoes and sauteed vegetables. My entire family, most of who are not extremely adventurous eaters, really enjoyed their meals. My sister and father also got the strip steak, while my mother got 2 stuffed peppers that looked and tasted fantastic. We passed on dessert, but everything that I saw being served looked really good. It's hard to say exactly what it is about Clementine that I liked so much. Hopefully it's not too cliched to say that Clementine just has a great vibe. There's something about the atmosphere and the food that makes you want to relax and have a great time. It also is much less pretentious and more inclusive than so many other restaurants. The crowd spanned from families with young kids, to young adults, to older couples enjoying an evening out. For those of us who grew up or live along the Harford Road corridor, it's great to see new shops and restaurants coming to Hamilton. There's also talk that one of the owners of Brewer's Art is opening the Hamilton Tavern in the coming months. There's no reason that within a few years this section of Harford Road should be any less popular than The Avenue in Hampden.
(5)Bryce M.
Clementine. ... you have staff butchers...housemade charcuterie. ..one could say you are meat experts. Sadly not the case. Please learn your meat temps. Duck was dry very dry medium almost well. T he parsnips were woody and I got three Brussel sprouts. For 23$ tge jus was good could have been better and a little too salty. The duck skin was blackened bit im not sure that was on purpose. It took an hour and 45 min to get our entrees. The stonewall drink could have used more ginger. Desert was nothing exceptional big poorly frosted hunks of cake. Overall fine but expensive and meh
(2)Hetty W.
4.5! What a great place for breakfast! It's a shame that they only serve breakfast Fri-Sun. I've been here a few times now for breakfast, and their egg casseroles never disappoint! Great home fries, and their house made hot sauces are excellent. And $1.50 coffee with free refills is tough to beat! Their salmon cream cheese is great, and I love that their bagels come with a little serving of fresh fruit. The atmosphere is very nice and cozy, especially in the morning when there's a bit of a crowd going. I've never had to wait for a spot though. A couple of downers: their breakfast menu is limited on Fridays and also limited after 11AM on Sat/Sun. Their baked french toast casserole is a little "different", can't say I quite enjoyed the texture. Maybe mine was overcooked, but it tasted a little burnt and was chewier than expected. All in all, definitely one of my favorite spots for breakfast. I've already been here three times, and loved it every time!
(4)Dana C.
Always a fabulous dining experience. Have been to Clementine several times and always enjoy the drinks and food. Recommend sitting on bar side for a more warm and peaceful experience. Last time had rockfish. Cooked lovely, but gouda mash were a little heavy of a pairing with the fish. The charcuterie is delish and is a meal itself with some wine. The best nights to go are on Wednesdays and Thursdays to walk in. I would suggest a reservation for a Friday or Saturday night. Sitting at the bar is great too! The bartender there is awesome!
(5)Elizabeth B.
Had a wonderful breakfast experience this weekend. Great service (friendly and very attentive), food, frequent coffee refills, and lovely ambiance.
(5)emily m.
Hi, Do you remember me? I came in on Saturday with my boyfriend for a nice 'light fare' around 4pm. NOT one single customer was there. Not One. There was the 'congenial' bartender who was put off when asked if they were open, and a table of 3 going over the evenings menu. After getting a 'uh, if you want to' response to asking if we could sit at the bar, we were directed to chose any table. The bartender was then nice enough to drop off the beer and wine menus. 10 minutes later we were still waiting. 5 more minutes we got up and left. I have never left a restaurant in my entire life. The only good thing to come of this experinence, which I will NEVER repeat, is the Los Amigos down the block - we ventured in there, again, no one was there, but they served us Excellent food, along with Excellent Service. We will go back to Los Amigos.
(1)Trevin P.
The decor is nice and ambiance lively, but we found the food lacking. Chicken Florentine soup was good, but over salted. My spare ribs with veggies and grits was "ok" but unremarkable for $20. D's duck was inedible, being undercooked it was tough and could be barely cut with a steak knife. The service was rushed and inattentive. Disappointed and $60 poorer.
(2)Janet D.
We arrived with a party of 11 on a Sunday evening to celebrate birthdays. The food was fantastic (pork cheeks & oysters!). More importantly, the service was off-the hook great. Our server was knowledgeable, pleasant, accommodating and we did not lack for a single thing the entire hour plus we were there. Keeping up with a table of 11 is no easy feat, and our server (Rob??) was hands down the best I have had in a long, long time.
(5)Jeff R.
I'll continue the 4-star ratings for Clementine. I waffled between 3 and 4 stars, but I actually like the fact that they don't serve alcohol there, and the restaurant is pretty cozy. I checked out Clementine with some friends on a recent visit to Charm City. The food was pretty good, with a couple of vegetarian choices on a (supposedly) oft-changing menu. I opted for some a baked pasta concoction that hit the spot, along with a fancy root beer. My table also saw a pork chop, some mac-n-cheese, and a bottle of fizzy water. There were no complaints and everyones plates were clean, so Clementine passed that test. The mac-n-cheese was pretty amazing, actually. I'd recommend giving that a test run on your next/first visit. The service was a little uneven, but friendly for the most part. The owner (I think) greeted us as we came in, and showed us to our table. I got some strange looks for pulling out my laptop (free wi-fi, too) at the dinner table, but there were extenuating circumstances. Baltimore needs more restaurants like this (ones that don't double as bars). If I lived in the area, I'd be a Clementine regular.
(4)Darlene J.
Great atmosphere & good food. Belgian waffles are wonderful!
(4)Kevin S.
Hampden feel in a Hamilton setting. My server was as excited about the place and the menu as I was, and had intimate knowledge of all the dishes/apps. To me, this is an important part of any restaurant experience, and I appreciated this. The menu had something for everyone (we went for dinner) and I chose the braised pork shank w/ gouda mashed potatoes and bacon/kraut kale, with a cider reduction sauce. Bam, it was spot on in flavor, in fact it was probably the most flavorful dish I've had in a month. The seafood charcuterie was good but pricy for the portion size. The Duck Nachos were decent but nothing to write home about. The beer selection was fantastic, with microbrews from everywhere in bottles and even Chimay on tap. Menu also featured aged scotch of various vintages and a nice selection of wine. Some of the tables in the lower level (its a split-level two-room arrangement) were not well placed/ not cozy, and we were seated in one of them with a booming light in my eyes and directly next to the bathrooms/kitchen hallway... We asked to be moved and were promptly and courteously accommodated to the upper room which IMO was far more cozy. There was an odor of mustiness in the lower room also, which did not exist in the upper room. All in all our dinner was fantastic, menu was well done with plenty of choices for dinner, and atmosphere was energetic yet cozy.
(4)Em D.
Fantastic! Best meal that I have had in Baltimore and one of the top on the East Coast. Had the bluefish which was heavenly from the grits to the fish to the veggies - utter perfection. Partner had the pork cheeks which he would have been more than happy with had he not had some of my fish and then got plate envy. We had cocktails which were superb and the pickle tray to start --I know, who orders the pickle tray? well we do and it was divine. Also got the apple cake - again-superb. Service was excellent and the atmosphere was casual with a nice low volume for such a big space. We will be returning very soon--
(5)Tin A.
This restaurant is tucked in those neighborhoods that are probably rarely trodden upon if you mostly stick to downtown, fells point, Charles Village, or Mt. Vernon. It has great indoor space where you could choose from a more pub friendly ambiance to the romantic dinner section of the restaurant. The food-amazing. My boyfriend and I celebrated a late Valentine's day and it was perfect. We ordered the pork loin apple and walnut salad. He got the two way duck and I ordered another pork loin with blueberry sauce and Gouda mashed potatoes. Finger...licking....yum. The wait staff-not pretentious at all. We had a great waiter who recommended a good beer and a sweet and tart white wine. The price isn't too bad either. There are couches near the front of the entrance if you want to just sit back and have a glass of wine with some friends. Although in the cold months I wouldn't recommend it as it's right near the door and foot traffic may give you more chills than a good time. Over all, a great dining experience. I'd definitely go again!
(4)Richard G.
A little reticent about visiting Clementine based upon a couple of previous average reviews, we decided to give the restaurant a chance because of the eclectic and original nature of the menu. And we were not to be disappointed one bit. Negative comments preceding us never panned out, with the food not only superbly presented but even more delicious than anticipated. And the service was top notch with just enough time between courses to neither feel rushed nor ignored but to allow the previous course to settle and enjoy our conversation. The servings are more than adequate, and for older folks like us, could even be shared without leaving hungry. The setting is cozy, if not a wee bit noisy (which really adds to the vibrant nature of the place) and the wine list is one of the best I have seen anywhere. In fact, this brings me to the main purpose of this note. Inadvertently we were presented with a "Thursday night" wine carte which prices, we soon discovered, are 30% reduced from the usual costs (something to think about if looking for a fine meal on a Thursday!). But when this was pointed out on the bill, there was no hesitation by the waiter and the manager (Amy) to rectify the error and honor the lower price of the wines. This, if nothing else, should indicate the integrity and high standards of the restaurant. We are not locals, but when we return to Baltimore, you can be assured that Clementine will see us again.
(5)Kim R.
This place is definitely good for kids, there is an area with toys and a couch for them to play. Saturday morning was pretty quiet so we got a table right next to the play area so the kids could wander from table to play. The food was good but my scramble had a lot of al dente onion that masked a lot of the other flavors (sweet corn, sausage...). One of the girls got the cheese grits, which were very good, but really just the same cheese grits I make at home. The service was disappointing, especially given how quiet the restaurant was. My coffee was never refilled. That said, the night before we called to ask about food allergies and the person on the phone was extremely helpful. And the provided a nice dairy-free meal for the allergic kid. Another daily special was really very good with shredded beef under a few over-easy eggs and a queso fresco. Yum. The neighborhood is adorable, the food is good and I think the service is probably usually better than our experience. Check it out!
(3)Mary J.
Run, don't walk there! Well, we are picky and hard to please and generally think that Baltimore seriously does not have any good restaurants. Well, "Clementine" changed our mind. Friendly. Classy. Modern. Great food. Chef experiments quite a lot, food is so good! And also, apparently they have a superb bartender, I walked in, saw the place (did not make a reservation on Saturday night, but we were accommodated), and ordered some fancy cocktail. Sazerac, not easy to make, well, compared to some. Had it done perfectly. Food was delicious. We both had soft shell crab, two on the plate, with some great cucumber salad, very tasty. It did some magic combined with spiciness of the hot sauce on the crabs. All around people were having great time and good food. We loved it. Plan to come back! Parking, although in Baltimore, is easy to find, either on the street next to the restaurant (Gibbons) or at the CVS parking lot (apparently, restaurant patrons can park there). Hamilton rules, with all the good restaurants. "Clementine" shines. Thumbs up.
(5)Bear B.
I liked it so much I went back with Mr. Vegetarian, after reviewing the lunch menu to be sure there were choices for him. Regrettably, they had failed to make a veggie special that day. And the cucumber salad with red onion salad he wanted turned out to be a carrot and white onion salad when it arrived. And he asked for a simple bowl of avocado, chopped tomato, and bleu cheese but was told that all the avocado was already guacamole and all the cheese already mixed into a dressing, which means either they buy them premade or someone was not willing to be helpful. The mac-and-cheese was good, but veggie-wise this place disappointed not only in not having any choices, but in not being willing to work with us on even so much as a grilled cheese with tomato, or something. Not as great an experience this time, though my chicken and avocado sandwich with bacon was, let's face it, sublime.
(4)kristin b.
if i'm going by the description set for each star - then two stars is accurate because i have had a lot better - food and service. i've known several people who have come here and been happy so i was looking forward to checking it out with another couple. i think the main issue was with our waitress who could have made the experience better. we had a 7:30 reservation and we didn't receive our main entrees until 9:15. i don't mind waiting for food if it comes out hot and delicious. in our case, my husband's compound butter atop his steak was a big glob of unmelted mess and my pork shank was so dry and rubbery i could hardly get any meat off of it to eat. when the waitress inquired about our food, i advised about the rubbery texture but i was so hungry that i would try and muster through it. we eat out a lot - we are definite foodies... and i can say that other restaurants would either insist on getting something else quickly, removing it from the check, or offering a complimentary drink or dessert. none of things happened. i could write more about why our experience was bad but would just leave it at this... i've had better.
(2)nanci S.
Food was very good. Service was unbelievably poor. Waitress wasn't even that busy or too be found.. Forgot to bring requested items. She was very unprofessional....We weren't even offered dessert or another bottle of wine or anything else...Terrible service...I even worked in the industry for 15 years.
(3)Judith Priest ..
Waking up Saturday morning, we definitely wanted to go somewhere good for breakfast, but were pretty sick of the regular places. So we decided to head over to Clementine. Simply put, it was one of the best breakfasts I've had in a long time. We were greeted in a very friendly manner, and told to sit anywhere we liked. The restaurant wasn't crowded, so we definitely had our choice of seats. Our waitress came and immediately took our drink order. We both ordered the Basil Lime Elixer and it was just perfect for the warm summer day. Very fresh and invigorating with a bit of carbonation to give it some spark. The menu was simple with bagels, muffins, and casseroles. My b/f ordered the egg bagel with their house-made bluefish and scallion cream cheese ($2.50). The cream cheese was absolutely delicious and very full of wonderful smoked fish flavor. Unfortunately, the bagel was a bit dry. It was accompanied by/garnished with a very small bowl of fruit salad, but the strawberries were overripe and it spoiled the dish. But believe me, the cream cheese made it totally worth it. They have other house-made cream cheeses and it would be worth the trip back just to taste them all. I ordered the bacon and monterey jack casserole with home fries ($5.00). It took quite a long time to get, but when it came it was apparent that it was not just a hunk sliced off from a bigger casserole, but rather individually cooked. It was wonderful, just the right amount of cheesey-bacony goodness. Even more wonderful were there home fries that came with it. Big chunks of potatoes so beautifully seasoned, that I felt guilty when my requested ketchup showed up. They certainly didn't need anything else. We also ordered a bowl of the cheese grits ($3.00, I believe) to share. They were divine, but if I had one complaint, it would be that they were too garlicky. Which is unusual for me to say, because I love overly-garlicky dishes. While the grits were nice and creamy, the large chunks of garlic added some unexpected crunchiness here and there. Texturally for me, it didn't work. But that's just me. So while all the food was delicious, it was also all room temperature and took quite some time getting to our table. I would understand if the restaurant was crowded, but it wasn't. We got our grits first, and they were room temp. Then came my b/f's bagel. And about 10 min. after that my casserole and home fries showed up. You'd think after waiting that long, they'd be piping hot. Nope, just very room temperature. So I'm not sure how that happened. Service was a bit on the slow side, but I expected it since that's what everyone has told me about the place. However, we were in no hurry and the atmosphere was cozy and warm, so we didn't mind waiting. The prices were amazingly cheap for breakfast. Our entire bill came to just under $16 and I was so shocked that I gasped out loud. If we hadn't ordered the grits and just stuck to water, we would have had a delicious breakfast for under $10. And that is really hard to find these days. We haven't been for dinner yet, but I'm really looking forward to going as soon as we can.
(4)Benjamin S.
My wife and I went to Clementine for dinner expecting some good food and got fatty braised ribs, mediocre drinks and watery soup. Now, I've heard that their brunch is what makes them special so I will give them another chance, but avoid the dinner, it's not worth it.
(2)M. V.
A group of us (party of six) went there on a Saturday night, around 5 p.m. We entered through the expanded area entrance. We could see a table of people seated, but no other diners in the area. After waiting a short time for the someone to greet us (the 40-something year-old with short hair, glasses, and strong hands), we were told that since we did not have a reservation we would not be seated before 8 or 9 p.m. We did not see a clearly printed sign stating that reservations were preferred, nor is there anything on their website which we visited prior to our trek to the establishment. And, to add further insult, we were half-heartedly offered seating at a small piece of furniture right in the front walkway, across from the front door, that looked like a bureau with chairs placed around it. The bureau was so small that it did not seem possible to have enough space for six plates and glasses, and the way it was presented to us, we did not actually feel welcome to sit there. Of course, we left. Now, I must inject here that we had been to Clementine on several previous occasions, for breakfast and lunch, and had a pleasurable experience each time, which is why we decided to go there for dinner. We went a couple of blocks down from Clementine, to Hamilton Tavern, which was much more crowded, and were seated for dinner less than 20 minutes after our arrival. We understand the value of keeping to the previously scheduled reservations; however, to turn away 6 diners without making any kind of effort to accommodate them seemed pretty pretentious. My question to the staff of Clementine is when did they get to be so self-important?! Much like Shana's review, my father felt like we were being discriminated against by this woman (there were 3 White people and 3 Black people in our group). I didn't initially pick up on that, but one can't help but wonder. I do not plan on ever going back.
(1)A. C.
Have been several times, and it's always kind of a crapshoot; love it one night, disappointed the next. Lots of appealing items on the menu (dressed-up comfort food), usually no description issues, nicely locavore focused. I think the problems lie in uneven execution on the line and a little lack of attention to detail. A fave, the Duroc pork loin chops (in varying seasonal preparations) has come out perfectly moist and juicy, and then dry and overdone. Casseroles are usually a big fall and winter hit, usually nice mixes of moist meat, starch, veg and cheese fired up hot and piping in an individual gratin. Taco Tuesday is also pretty popular. When we were there, tried the 3 meat preparations, complex in seasoning, but really needed a little basic salt and a little acid for some zip. Desserts are homestyle; the cakes generally moist and very sugary; the chocolate chip cookie plate, kind of small and ordinary. Sometimes the small details really get to you, especially when you really want to like a place: stale bread, rock-solid cold butter, unevenly heated block of southwest casserole (hot on the outside, lukewarm in the middle). We keep trying though, and always recommend to folks looking for place out this way, but usually have to give them a few caveats first. Wish we could recommend wholeheartedly, but just can't.
(3)MissEasy T.
Best meal I've had in a long time in Baltimore. Had been there for other meals of the day and evening snackage at the bar accompanied by cocktails but never for dinner. Extraordinary. A bunch of us went on impulse for dinner (though I did have enough time to make reservations). We each had a different entre and all tasted one another's dishes. ALL were so so very good. Service was a wee bit slow but we were having fun so WTH. Waitress was well informed and helpful. This place is a real gem. I hope it stays one of Baltimore's best kept secrets yet still manages to thrive. Too many awful people with money would ruin the cool and vibrant atmosphere of hip young tattooed families, working class Hamilton folk, artists and boring overeducated middle class people like ourselves. I've enjoyed many a fabulous restaurant in Baltimore only to see it made obnoxious by snarky, wealthy "foodies" slumming it in Hamilton, Hampden, and North Ave eateries. Make reservations and just go.
(5)Dave J.
Great food. Not the best of neighborhoods but the food was worth it. Decor needs some work. Had a wonderful pot pie!
(4)Matt B.
In town visiting family and checked on yelp for dinner options since I'm the family foodie. I was very happy when my bro said he got a reservation here. Outstanding service, friendly, sincere, and knowledgeable. Started with the mac and cheese-outstanding, duck nachos-even better, and seafood charcuterie-interesting. Of course I had to try a bit of everyone's entree, so I tasted the duck, rockfish, and pot pie, and my pheasant.. The pot pie and rockfish were the real winning dishes. My pheasant was tasty, but not truly confit texture. The duck was properly cooked and nicely seasoned. The guinea hen pot pie had it all going-texture and flavorwise. Same with the rockfish, although the lobster pate portion was a bit small. My only minor gripe is that everything was just a touch oversalted. If I lived in town I would be here a lot-especially on Taco night and for breakfast or lunch. When I am back in town which is a few times a year we'll be back.
(4)B B.
Chicken salad sandwich was delicious- smoked tomato soup was just ok, VERY smokey. RoaSt beef sandwich was good but nothing special. Blueberry cake with lemon buttercream frosting was superb. Bill was twenty for lunch for two. Service was fine.
(3)Doug W.
We went for breakfast after reading other reviews. Loved the atmosphere of the place. I ordered the Elvis waffle. It was supposed to be a Belgian waffle,but was no larger than the ones I make at home. It was slightly undercooked and couldn't taste the bacon that was supposed to be in it. My wife had an egg sandwich. It was good but greasy and the bacon wasn't crispy. The coffee was excellent and so was the service.
(3)Alex A.
I am frequently let down when I eat out. This place is the first restaurant I have been to in memory where I could have been served whatever the house chose to give me and I would be happy with it. Everything I tried was delicious and I want to try everything. I will return frequently.
(5)Supriya M.
We had heard so many good things about Clementine and were looking forward to going there. A Sunday night reservation for 5 people. We sat on a large table for 8 people which was sort of uncomfortable given how loud the restaurant was. To be fair, we were given the choice of a smaller table but that would have been too small. Anyway, we ordered drinks - the housemade basil lime elixir was just ok. My husband found some beers on the beer list he could try. For appetizers, we got beet salad and the trio lettuce salad, both of which were mediocre. The trio lettuce was slightly better. The turkey sausage soup tasted like chicken noodle while the curried zucchini soup was quite delicious ans surprisingly spicy. Dinner was a pork chop which my father in law seemed to enjoy, my MILs charcuterie plate which had interesting ingredients, my mom's sweet potato and coconut risotto which sounded better in writing, my husband's rockfish belly which was cooked well but was bland and flavorless, duck sliders with foie gras which again sounded better than they tasted, oysters which may have been the best thing we ate all night and my own NC bass which was also flavorless and bland. The chocolate ginger panna cotta was more of a chocolate mousse with a fancy name. Overall, the food was just ok. I've definitely experienced better and was not top 50 restaurant caliber. Service was extremely disjointed and spotty. The person who brought out our first salads brought them out and showed them to us without saying a word and expected us to figure out what went where. Our water was not refilled frequently. Our server seemed very busy. They forgot to put in the order for my bass, which they brought out 10 minutes after everyone else had their food. They apologized for this but a fine dining restaurant should comp the entree or make up for it somehow, which they did not. I guess maybe my expectations were high for the place and I have certainly been to many better places in Baltimore.
(2)Michelle R.
Lost what could have been two regulars who wanted a new place to bring family/friends who came to visit the city. The service was terrible. The behavior of the manager was terrible, and the food was mediocre. Being rushed in and out (though we made a reservation) was unacceptable. 1. Disorganized. When we called for a reservation they asked us if we had children. We said no, so we figured we would not be set next to children. We were, three screaming kids. It was constant and uncomfortable. No one wants to eat in that atmosphere. Might as well of been at McDonalds. The room was empty, they could have seated us anywhere. Anywhere. Even a table away, so that it wasn't too much out of the service's way, and it would have made a huge impact on our mood, and our ears. I looked at their online menu, which, on Friday, had burgers up. So I asked if they had that menu, the waitress apologized and said it was not a valid menu, that was for Wednesday. Well, should not have happened, but I looked past it and ordered the pulled pork. Because it was what I wanted. She took my order, but then 10 minutes later... they didn't have it. So they didn't have what I wanted to start, then my second choice was stricken. Said they were out (But it was the start of dinner service... and she didn't tell us when she gave us our menus...). So I was irritated. Asked me what else I wanted, looking impatient. Didn't even really give me time to think. So I picked the bbq chicken with potatoes and greens, expecting something amazing. 2. Mediocre Food. It wasn't that good. At all. My husband liked his meal, but I tasted the shrimp, it was overdone, and he agreed a bit chewy. My meal... well I could have made it all on my grill. The chicken wasn't BBQed, it was grilled and then a sweet sauce was smeared on at the last moment, the potatoes had no depth of flavor, just bacon and potatoes (it was supposed to be a complicated complex melody of tastes), and the chard I had was the only thing well prepared. If you don't have a lot of experience with local, complex food, you may like it. But if you have a sensitive palette, you will find the flavors completely lacking. 3. Horrible service and price gouging. I ordered a Basil-Lime elixir. It was good. On the menu it says 2.00. When I got the receipt it said 2.75. That menu had been out for an entire week, and I know most people probably don't look at that .75 cents and think anything of it, but they had been overcharging guests for an entire week without fixing the menu. Being that they were inaccurate on their menu, and did not have what I wanted, which was advertised at the start of service (I went at 5:30, Dinner begins at 5), I expected some sort of compensation. I have gotten entire meals taken off the receipt for less of an infraction that that, which I never expect, but at the very least, good service means a complimentary drink or a dessert, because they made the mistake on their menu. Being that I was overcharged on the drink, I asked about this, and rather than kindness, I got a very rude manager, who wanted to HAGGLE over the price of the meal. Cut the different, because chicken is so much more expensive than pork.... and because she wanted to save paper by not changing the menu (okay, then why didn't the waitress tell us at the START of our meal, before we ordered, that the pork was not an option?!). I was done. I had it. The food wasn't that exceptional, and the service was less than standard, especially for the price. 20 an entree is not expensive, but it is that mid-range where I could have spent 20 on a meal somewhere else for the two of us, and been very happy with both the service, and the food (though it would not have been local sourced, and is why I chose to go to Clementine). Not only will I not go again, I am very active on social media, as well as with my friends, and I will be warning them away.
(1)Sara E.
I am revisiting my review for this restaurant because of a second visit that was exceptional. My husband hosted a dinner here for his employees the Thursday before Easter. We also invited some family friends whose children can sometimes be borderline unruly. One of our guests was 45 minutes (!) late. We decided to eat charcuterie and cheese plates while we waited for her. The staff was wonderful. They made sure the kids in our party got their dinners and everyone's drinks were kept filled while we waited with absolutely no indication that they would like us to move along. When the kids became restless, there was a play area where they played with some other children who were dining there. Having eaten out with these friends before, we have often gotten in attentive service or felt hurried or looked down upon because we were dining with kids, but not at clementine. Everyone had a great time, felt completely at home and had a delicious meal. And I mean, a truly creative, fresh, meal in a relaxed setting. This place is a miracle, as far as I am concerned.
(5)Rob C.
We arrived at 3:45. We were told they did not serve dinner until 5:00 so we killed some time when we returned at 5:00 they said they were book up all night. So we very uncomfortably sat at the bar in an empty restaurant. We both ordered the meatloaf(which is supposedly one of there best dishes). The food was mediocre at best neither one of us was compelled to even finish half of the meal. The service was terrible and when we left the place was still empty. Overall terrible experience. They turned away an older couple who drive several hours to try it due to no seats in an empty restaurant. Very disappointing the Hamilton Tavern down the street is ten times better and much more inviting.
(1)Laura R.
This is one of my favorites in B'more. Food is above par with an eclectic menu for all tastes. Family friendly with a kids play area in the side dining room. All food is prepared by order, at busy times you will have a longer wait for your food, just be patient the wait is worth it. Bring some friends and good conversation and you won't even notice. The meats. All I can say is wow. Top notch.
(5)Lindsey H.
As a vegetarian there isn't much to choose from on the menu but the things I have eaten have been delicious. Especially the vegan tacos on Taco Tuesday! The decor is super cute and even though it's always packed, it's pretty big so the wait is never too long. Highly recommended!
(4)Leslie K.
I love Clementine's. Everything on the brunch menu is awesome. The biscuits and gravy, the Indian scramble, the migas, the breakfast sandwiches. I have not been disappointed at lunch either, the pit beef, the duck nachos, I love their house salad. Finally, dinner is both delicious, locally sourced, inventive, and reasonably priced. Their bar is also great, and cocktails are not crazy expensive like some other bars in the city. You can't go wrong.
(5)Shandana M.
We love this place. Staff are nice, drinks are amazing, food is delicious and there's a whole couch and play area for kids. Mac and cheese is amazing! The menu is always changing but I've never had anything bad
(5)Jamie B.
Cheese, charcuterie and pickle plate .Assorted drinks from the bar as well. Charcuterie could have had more portions. I have been to several places with Hearty portions. Cheese plate was okay. Pickle plate was great. The bouillabaisse was what intrigued me and was very excited to try it. After reading the online description of the menu for the day, it said specifically crab, shrimp, mussels, and catfish. I asked the food runner if there was supposed to be crab in it and he repeated all the items and did not say crab, he told me no crab. Our server, who was honestly very awkward and just not that helpful or the least bit outgoing, was no where to be found. (He jumped on our table asap, with out explaining the menu options and expected us to order within just about 8mins) So there was no crab in the bouillabaisse and it's listed on their online menu. the potatoes were pre cooked and seemed like they were just thrown in , and the shrimp I could have gotten out of an egg roll at my local Chinese joint. All in all, including service- I was VERY underwhelmed. Disappointed to say the least- held Clementine higher as the brunch never fails-
(3)Dustin F.
Best atmosphere around and the food is outstanding. The waitress brought my girlfriend another beer when she seen it was empty and said I didn't want you to feel left out knowing we had a beer. She didn't even charge us! They use fresh local ingredients and the chefs are top notch. This resturant should be on tv shows for top American places to eat. This is a must try if you love food. The chicken with roasted brussel sprouts were amazing and I never thought my girlfriend would even eat Brussel sprouts. Can't say enough , just go there and find out yourself.
(5)Lea Ann W.
My local friend and I stopped in Clementine for a glass of wine and dessert before I headed back to NYC. What we encountered was a rare and exceptional bartender who completely understood the subtle art of service. With an attentive ear Daniel anticipated what we wanted, suggested excellent wines with a perfectly informative description and engaged in fascinating discussion with us, while still allowing for a special moment two old friends share. To finish we were poured the best drink of 2014. Yes, I know we are only a month in but this drink will stick well into spring and summer. A glass of porsecco, a sugar cube dropped in and Daniel's own concoction of lavender, sage and cedar infused bitters. Like cupids kiss of light perfume! This rhythmic bartender may seem humble, but I'm certain he has a library of mixology up those sleeves. Just to note, being a bonafied city slicker I've been seasoned in fine locales worldwide, but oddly enough no cocktail or bartenter has impressed me more than what Clementine resturant has with Daniel.
(5)Gina A.
Really great place! I ended up getting the duck hash for Sunday brunch which was delicious. I loved the fact that they had really unique cocktails, that always wins me over. Friendly staff, great food and drinks, I'd return.
(4)Doris P.
I've been here numerous times, and have generally had good experiences. The food is relatively consistent, and I've always enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and the refreshing cocktails. That said, when a restaurant charges your credit card more than what you write on the tip and total line, I take issue. Sure, mistakes happen... but I called the restaurant and left a voicemail, AND followed-up with an email, and still, no response. It wasn't a huge discrepancy, but the very fact that they didn't want to address it, is enough for me not to return - which is a shame because it is a great spot in Hamilton. Still, if they don't have the integrity to respond to a customer's issue, then they really don't deserve my business.
(1)Melissa M.
Have been to clementine twice. Food is decent but service is a joke. Will not be back.
(1)noel c.
I've heard great things about Clementine and I've been wanting to eat here for a long time. Finally, I made it for brunch and it wasn't a great experience. I ordered the @Migas... eggs and tortillas were extremely dry no flavor hardly worth $10 The bad meal might have been forgivable, but the service was so bad. It was as if I was invisible--sitting with an empty coffee cup for the whole meal.
(1)Scott S.
I had been singing Clementine's praises since I started going there a few years ago. I though the food, service and atmosphere were all excellent. However I had a terrible experience last Saturday. We had to wait a few minutes to be greeted as there was no hostess, or if there was one she was running food and setting up tables. We had a reservation but still had to wait 10 minutes before we were seated. Once we ordered it routinely took way too long for our drinks to come, and we waited at least 30 minutes for the appetizer, which was the crab dip with 6 tortilla chips that we had to ration. Drinks appeared at least 5-10 minutes after they had been ordered so I made sure to get a second drink when I still had half of my current one. I had to flag down our waiter to ask if the appetizer was still coming. He rarely stopped by to see if we needed anything after that, never once asked how the food was after it was served, and certainly didn't bother to apologize for the slow service. So how was it? Not as good as we have had in the past. My pork was dry but flavorful, but certainly not worth the price I paid. My wife had the duck but she thought it was average at best. I know one bad experience shouldn't tell the story on this place, but there are too many other places around Baltimore and DC to visit, and I don't plan to go back any time soon based on my most recent experience.
(2)Bob L.
We found out about Clementine from a co-worker of mine. She made the recommendation because her significant other happens to work in the establishment's kitchen and she felt, being the amateur foodies we are, that we'd really dig their take on American classics. Clementine, a stone's throw from the Baltimore Beltway, is located in the north-Baltimore neighborhood of Hamilton. If you don't know where to look it's pretty easy to miss. It's tucked away in a relatively non-descript storefront nestled between a jewelry store and a beauty supply mega-mart. Apparently, Clementine used to be a much smaller space (about half what it is today) with its latest incarnation including an expanded dining area and bar. We've only lived in the city for about year, so I couldn't really tell you when the change occurred. Upon entering the restaurant you run smack dab into the hostess. Standing at attention in front of a loungy looking set of leather furniture, she was very eager to get us to our table. We got there around 6:45pm on a Saturday and it was nearly empty. The first thing I noticed was how big the space was. There's a small bar to the right with standalone tables taking up most of the remaining space. The original dining area is accessed through a connecting doorway between the two spaces. We were seated at a two-top toward the back of the room. The décor is a bit of all over the place. There are paintings (some from local artists some from local Kohl's), mounted deer head and antler accessories, and oversized "antique" advertisement posters. The orange paint scheme is warm, but not warm enough to make the huge space with its 10-ft ceilings feel inviting. Our wooden table and chairs was cold and wobbly. Our server was pleasant taking our drink order within a few minutes. I've got to give them credit where it's due. They have a pretty rare beer, Rogue's Juniper Pale Ale, in bottles and if you haven't had it before I suggest you try it. It's a pretty well-rounded American Pale with just enough juniper essence to make you tilt your head like a dog upon hearing its name. You get some sliced baguette and butter to nosh on while you wait. White bread and butter will always have a place in my heart. Based on what other reviewers have said, we started with the mac and cheese. And yes, it was good. Carved into a perfect rectangle it arrived piping hot with plenty of burnt and crispy cheese goodness to satisfy. Unlike most places we've visited, Clementine knows how to season their mac and cheese. A definite must-try. My wife, not usually one to take a risk, decided to go with a stuffed quail entrée. I opted for something called the Hunter's Stew. The oven roasted quail was filled with a cornbread-based leek, bacon and crab stuffing topped with a Dijon cream sauce accompanied by smoked gouda mashed potatoes and asparagus. The bird was, as most quail are, quite small. If you're looking to get a lot of protein from a quail, you will be disappointed. The stuffing was well-seasoned and tasty with the bacon adding just the right amount of smoke and salt. The sides weren't all that memorable. The Hunter's Stew was basically a broth-based cabbage soup with cubes of various meats. I don't recall exactly what types of meat were included in the dish (they've since removed it from the menu) but I seem to recall several types of sausage. It was also seasoned well, loaded with cabbage and the toasted bread slices made great sopping tools for the tasty broth. My only criticism is that it was only warm when it arrived to our table. Hearty dishes like this should arrive steaming. For dessert we had the coconut cake and it was disappointing. With more than a couple reviewers raving about it I expected more than simple (and dry) white cake topped with rather bland white coconut frosting. Toasting the coconut would have helped elevate it slightly but I'm afraid this one needs a bit more work. Clementine, yet another trendy spot in the city touting "New American" cooking, is good but not great. The concept of sourcing local ingredients isn't a new one but it's a good one. Points for that. The service is on par with the young and relatively inexperienced staff. Points for giving newbies a place to cut their teeth. Just be prepared for some misses here and there. Since we haven't tasted everything they have to offer, we can only base our review on our singular experience. The bottom line for us, when you've had great it's easier to recognize good. For us, Clementine was good.
(3)Duncan F.
I went to Clementine for the first time the other week. Me and my friend go out every Sunday to eat, trying to new restaurant around the area. She had been before, I had only heard reviews from friends. My first impression, clean dining area, loved seeing the charcuterie hanging in the window behind the tables, not a big fan of seeing wine racks bordering the dining area advertising wine as a liquor store might. I'll admit my bias, I work in the industry, I understand the need of local restaurants to market items to supplement the restaurant, it was just slightly too integrated into the dining experience. Onto the food and service: sat down and was greeted pleasantly, it was a decently slow Sunday, I had arrived before my reso and was still seated immediately. The menu was decent, small and concise, exactly what I expect from a local farm-to-table restaurant. However, there was nothing exceptionally creative, nothing that caught my eye and made me say "oh, I've got to try this." After perusing the menu over a beer each we settled on a charcuterie plate to start. There was a slight problem here, my friend is a cheese fanatic and I'm a charcuterie fanatic, unlike most restaurants that source artisanal cheeses and house cured meats, they didn't offer a combination board, you could have a selection of 3, 5, or 7 meats or cheeses, you got a charcuterie board or a cheese board, those were the choices. I asked my waitress if there was any way she could oblige a mix, she asked the kitchen and they consented. Good board, but not being able to choose what or how much I got (an easy fix for a place that prints their own menus I'm assuming) was slightly disappointing. Still food quality was excellent. Entrées: I got fried rabbit (the only interesting protein on the menu in my opinion), unfortunately I forget what my friend had. My rabbit was fried with some sort of breading. Not badly seasoned but slightly overlooked, a slight bit rubbery, creating a weird mouth feel. As well, I appreciate nuanced cooking and I don't need buffet portions, but for the price I paid the protein amount was a little underwhelming. The veg was fine, al dente baby carrots as well as a plate sauce, or purée I couldn't quite place ingredient wise, but was the best tasting part of the entire dish. Another a note I should mention, while we didn't wait an excruciating amount of time to get our food, for a slow Sunday night with in what seemed like a decently staffed restaurant, I would've preferred a slightly faster turn around from the time we got our app and when we got our entrees. I know it's knit-picky, I guess I just had higher standards for a restaurant that espouses my own ideals for farm-to-table dining. Chances are I'll return just to see what they do next, if they improve on their small flaws, and really own their area as a unique restaurant.
(3)Lee G.
Some of the food at Clementine is mindblowing. My gf and I went for a fancy dinner on a Sunday evening, and took advantage of their AMAZING "Date Night" Deal--$40 for 2 salad/soup starters, 2 entrees, and 1 dessert. I was surprised how empty the place was on a Sunday, and the service was a bit stiff and lackluster. Mixed drinks were very good. Loved the basil lime elixir with your choice of hooch (I chose bourbon). The Fall salad with kale, purple/white and golden beets, and a tangy lemony dressing was exceptional, fresh, and seasonal. The turkey chowder with corn and sweet potatoes was rich and warming. The sour cherry pie with an almond crumble was a simple and delicious dessert. The flavors of the Duck Ramen was absolutely amazing, except it came out not very hot. But my gf's entree was a total miss. She ordered the Rabbit 2 ways, which the menu stated was a seared rabbit loin and braised rabbit legs over a bean cassoulet. We should have sent it back. The rabbit loin was cooked so well done that it was leathery--certainly not "seared." And there were NO RABBIT LEGS! We were wondering where the second type of rabbit was, and figured it was mixed into the cassoulet. But I re-read the menu when I got home, and that's when I noticed there were supposed to be braised rabbit legs in there. Finally, the bean cassoulet was so salty that it was a turnoff to the rich and tasty flavors that were present. With all of the problems of the dish, I actually cannot believe they allowed that to go out of the kitchen.
(3)Debbie F.
I have had very good experiences with food & service at Clementine in the past. This time it was an entirely different restaurant. Any restaurant is entitled to a bad night, but there were things that were unforgivable. There is a panel on the menu that lists specials by day. On Sundays, the special is a fixed menu for 2 people for $40. We asked what the chef's entree selection for the special was, and were told that the special was not being offered because it was Mother's Day. Yet there was no special Mother's Day menu. If you're not going to offer a day-of-the-week special, don't put it on your website and certainly take that leaf off your menu. Although they were not crowded at peak dinner time, they were out of chicken-- substituting duck in the same dishes -- and shrimp. How do you run out of chicken AND shrimp at 7:30pm? Of 8 entrees, 4 were affected. Under the circumstances, we had quite a few questions about the menu. The waitress, while pleasant, couldn't answer a single question without going back to the kitchen to find out. The ordering process took way too long. The only remaining item on the menu that appealed to me was the trout, but it came with beets. There are very few things I don't like, but I loathe beets. When I asked if another vegetable could be served in place of the beets I was assured that it would be not problem -- that they were just a small garnish on the plate. Moments later the guy who seated us -- the bartender? the host? -- came to the table with the waitress to tell me that, in fact, the beets were an intregal part of the plate. He asked me if I was allergic to beets, and when I hesitated, he pressed on, which put me in an awkward position. I felt somewhat like I was being interrogated. No beets: that's straightforward, right? Why was I being questioned? My husband always orders chicken, but dislikes duck. The only remaining item that appealed to him was the steak. For $34 it's reasonable to expect a very good piece of meat. This steak was tough and had a hunk of fat that was nearly 1/4 of the entree. My $23 trout was smaller than any trout I'd been served. The food was ok. Just ok. Finally, the water glasses. Water was all I was drinking, and our empty glasses went long stretches without being refilled. Were we neglected because we weren't drinking a more profitable beverage? I don't know. What's the deal? Change in ownership? Manager's night off? This single visit has turned me from a fan to someone who is unlikely to go back and give them one more chance. Sad to say, but there are too many great restaurants in Baltimore to take a chance on Clementine again.
(2)Stella O.
Pro: interior of the restaurant Con: Horrible part of town. For the surrounding area, papa johns its a star better, Parking is a B)#(! I had the meatloaf ($15). I was not impressed, double T diner does a better job and costs less. This place is an overpriced DINER!
(2)James L.
I've heard so much about this restaurant for years, and I finally went and checked it out the last week of April on a date. It was never going to live up to those expectations, but it was quite nice. The seared tuna appetizer was tasty. I had a fried catfish filet with sweet potatoes and slaw, and while the catfish was perfectly fried, the sides weren't much and the presentation was odd. Not that I'm generally a stickler for that, but it was like the chef sauced the plate with a very thin sweet potato puree and laid the golden fried deliciousness right in it to get soggy. That said, would take another date there. It's in my go-to list.
(4)Amanda E.
Really wanted to like this restaurant, really wanted to make this our new regular place - but we weren't even able to eat at this restaurant due to peanut problems. I understand that peanuts are awesome and amazing (seriously - when the allergy having other half goes out of town I go on peanut benders), but with allergies being on the rise I also believe that restaurants should disclose on their menus if they can't serve people with peanut/tree nut allergies. After checking their menu, calling the restaurant, and then rechecking the menu, I made reservations in advance for four people this past Sunday using opentable. I even included a note, mentioning that two members of our party had peanut and select tree nut allergies. (in doing this we've found that restaurants that pose a risk call to discuss options in advance - or help us find a similar restaurant that won't result in an ER visit) We showed up at the restaurant and were promptly greeted by very friendly staff and shown to a table in the main room. Water was brought out, wine menus were being browsed and dinner items were being discussed. Our server then came out and mentioned the peanut note I had left in the reservation, and with that dropped a bomb. While there are no peanuts currently on their restaurant menu, in fact no allergens were on the restaurant menu, they share a kitchen with their catering company and with that could not guarantee the food was safe. I'm sorry - what?!?! So I'm not sure if they reuse pots/pans without cleaning or if they are just really messy back there - but they essentially told us that we could not eat at their restaurant due to our nut issues. I have to say that this was a first for me - we have been at chain restaurants that use peanut oils who have made sure my husband wouldn't die at their hands. Yet this locally focused non-chain restaurant was unable to accommodate us - or give us the information we needed in advance to avoid them , which would have been more than. An example of how to properly do this is Johnny's, who have loudly (and proudly) noted their use of peanut oil on the front of their menu - and also make it clear when you call to verify that their restaurant is not peanut safe because of the share space. Or the new restaurant Nickel Taphouse, their menu looked peanut free but a quick talk with someone let us know that occasionally the beer nuts included peanuts and that they couldn't guarantee anything that had gone in the fryer - awesome! We checked their menu (multiple times), I called them, and then made a reservation including a note about the allergies - and yet the first (only) time we were told this restaurant would not work for us was after we had sat down to enjoy dinner.
(1)Tg F.
My wife and I come here frequently and have never been disappointed. I am from the south and love their southern inspired dishes and she is from South Africa and loves just about everything else. The service is always spot on. Yes, some entrées take longer than others to prepare but honestly I love my wife and I don't mind having a few minutes to talk to her while dinner is cooked. Seriously, if you don't like the people you're having dinner with, order the fish or scallops instead of the duck or chicken. I have never understood why people complain about how long it takes for their food to come and then mention that they ordered half a roast chicken. Have you ever roasted a chicken yourself? Don't you know how long that takes? The charcuterie and cheese plates are delicious aps, but the pickles steal the show. Desserts are prepared in house and if you have saved room, you won't be disappointed there either. The bar is very well-stocked and features seasonal and creative cocktails. We live in the neighborhood, so it takes very little effort for us to have a nice night out. Honestly, there aren't many restaurants in Baltimore that can pull us away from our own neighborhood gem.
(5)Naomi G.
Heard a lot of good things about Clementine. Was very disappointed. My first visit here: I took my boyfriend for his birthday. The service was horrendous. Basically everything you can do wrong - from not approaching us until at least 15 minutes after we were seated (this after a 30 min. wait), to being essentially inaccessible to us throughout the meal - was done. Maybe it was his first day on the job. But that alone could have ruined our dining experience. Fortunately, there were other things to make it much worse. As an appetizer, my boyfriend ordered the escargot. Inside of it, we found a melted, hard piece of plastic. We brought it to the attention of our server, once we were able to flag him down - not to chew him out, but just to let him know - he apologized but did not offer to bring us another appetizer or replace it. Ok, fine. No biggie. He didn't tell us he was telling his manager, but about 10 minutes later - the host/manager came over to essentially argue with us over the fact that we had found a piece of plastic in our food. We didn't realize that our appetizer came with a free side of attitude. It went about like this: Him: So I understand you found a piece of plastic in your food. Us: Yes, it's no big deal, we just thought we should let you know in case it might have fallen in other people's food. Him: I see. Well, there is nothing in our kitchen that looks like this. Us: Oh, really... Him: None of our food is packaged in plastic. So I don't see how you could have found this in your food. Us: Uh..ok... Him: I do apologize, but I am pretty certain that this piece of plastic did not come from our kitchen. Us: Ok... It's as if he was offended, accusing us of lying, and certainly not apologetic. I could write a lot more about this extremely disappointing birthday dinner, but I'm just going to mention the quality of the food. Excluding the escargot, some of it was decent. Some of it was not good (i.e. the desserts). One thing was absolutely terrible. My entree came with collard greens - they were soaked in some sort of vinegar, and absolutely inedible. Not amateur. Not "meh." Inedible. I would expect more from any restaurant that prides itself on its quality of food - as Clementine seems to. To top the night off, our server got our bill completely wrong, and overcharged us on 2 separate food items. For some reason, fixing this took a very long time. And we really wanted to leave at this point. Finally, my second visit (I am always giving well-reviewed restaurants a 2nd chance when I have a negative experience) -- Myself and a group of 5 friends came around 9:00 PM on a Saturday. As seen clearly through the windows, more than half their dining room was empty. Yes it was late, but a full hour before they closed. The same host/manager that had been so rude to us on our last visit - informed us that they did not have room to seat us - and that we would have to wait outside. It was summer, so that was fine with us. We waited 45 minutes to get seated - again, the dining room was more than half empty - without any follow up or explanation from the host. I went back in to the host stand to check in, and the host simply informed us that he couldn't seat us yet. Again, no explanation. I went back outside and we just left. Frankly, both experiences were not only negative - but bizarre. I will not be going back.
(2)Stella W.
Horrible and frustrating dining experience! Four of us went last night and arrived around 7:30. The first misstep was re: drinks...2 of us ordered a glass of wine and 2 cocktails. Our waiter was apparently in the weeds so gave our order to a bus girl (?) She brought over a bottle of wine...we told her that we didn't order. She came back with 3 glasses of wine which again was incorrect. All of this took about 20 min. Finally, the manager/owner/hostess (?) with a tude got involved and delivered the correct drinks. She had the audacity to call insinuate that we were being difficult (we hadn't complained at this point) and even pointed at my friend and said "listen sweetheart, we're doing the best we can"!!! What?? Our original waiter returned and we ordered a charcuterie plate...no entrees yest, just wanted to relax and nibble. He REPEATEDLY came to our table asking us if we were finished (plenty left on plate) and would we care to order. This happened probably 6 times. We found a black hair in the accompanying lard sauce which the manager said was a piece of fuzz from her grey sweater! Again..the attitude was as though we were a pain in the ass, and she did nothing to accommodate us. We ordered entrees which were very disappointing. I had the rainbow trout which was dry and salty....the fingerling potatoes were burnt hash browns. The guys ordered the flat iron steaks which were cold and tough. My friend ordered a curry dish which looked like vomit. In the end, the manager took $10 off the check...I suppose because of the hair. No one apologized or gave us a reason to come back..which we won't! Too many choices in Balto right now...won't waste our time and $. Oh my darling Clemantine...you should shut your doors forever, dreadful sorry Clemantine!
(1)Eric H.
Restaurant week portion sizes are generally small but what I experienced yesterday was kind of silly. Three courses picked were duck casear salad, stuffed mushrooms and duck confit. The biggest disappointment was the stuffed mushrooms. 4 total mushrooms dime -quarter sized. They weren't stuffed with crab or anything fancy so I'm not sure why they skimped on them. Duck Salad tiny, not really any duck! Just take the duck off an give me more salad if the duck is expensive. Duck confit more like a baked/fried duck leg. Didn't appear to be confit by any means from my experience but I may be wrong. Drinks were fine, service pretty good, we weren't offered desert however which was weird and we were seated as a couple in the kids room.
(2)Kate M.
Three family members and I went for Restaurant Week. Each course took an hour to come out and my food was only mediocre. Because of the extremely slow service, they gave us "free dessert," aka a 30 percent discount, but because it was 10:30 pm (we say down at 730 pm), we got it to go. When I got home, it was the wrong cake and my mom described her peach cheesecake dish as "nasty." Waste of time, waste of money, only thing not "nasty" was my company.
(1)JQ G.
Tasty and interesting selection. The Mac n cheese is always delicious! Would recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a nice meal in a comfortable atmosphere. Have been a few times and have meet been disappointed. Calling ahead for reservations may help with making sure you're seated quickly.
(4)Ty F.
We went to Hamilton to see "The Caretaker", a Pinter play performed at Performance Workshop Theater. (Nicely done, BTW! see it before it closes.) After the show, we saw a Clementine business card in the theater lobby. We had heard of Clementine and decided to go for dinner. We got a parking place right out front. We came in with no reservations on Mother's Day, so we took two seats at the bar for dinner. The mussel appetizer with chardonnay butter was delicious. The mussels were large and perfectly cooked. The juice was wonderful and we savored every bit of it. My seafood stew and my wife's chicken and waffle dinners were also excellent. Service was very good. The bread was very good. My wife's deaf expresso cappuccino was great. This is not a cheap place. With the above mentioned items, we were at $78, but it was worth the money. The only down side for us was the metal ceiling, similar to the one at Cafe Hon. It makes the place too loud. I'd float some acoustic clouds and soak up some of the clatter. As the place thinned out a bit, the noise level became less of a problem. We'll go back. The brunch menu looks very good.
(4)Jason C.
Came here again with friends and happy to report that the experience was still great! Bar is still excellent with lots of interesting choices and all tried were well executed. Wait staff is relaxed and friendly, lending the the laid back atmosphere. You really feel like you just want to settle in for a few hours here. The limited menu was also interesting with enough variety to please everyone. I really like this place!
(4)Amanda F.
Oh my darlin Clementine! I've been to Clementine for both lunch and dinner and never had a dish that missed. The prices are a tad higher than I would like, but the food is tasty, creative, and fresh. One bite of anything on Clementine's menu, and you know you are tasting culinary expertise. Even my chicken salad sandwich was unique and unexpected, yet very tasty and hearty. My Brother claims his BLT was the best he's ever had. We ordered another Acorn Squash Bisque because it was so good and we wanted more. The side salads are more than just iceberg lettuce and a slice of tomato. Don't miss out on the dessert! So yummy. Unfortunately AND fortunately, their menu changes often given the farm-to-table philosophy. This means I have no idea of the name of the entree I ordered over a year ago when I visited for dinner. It was a FANTASTIC Asian fish soup (with Maryland seafood) that I have never tasted elsewhere. Basically, I will happily continue to revisit Clementine's in hopes that they bring the fish soup back or I find another entree I love just as much.
(4)