Ethel’s Creole Kitchen
1615 Sulgrave Ave, Baltimore, MD, 21209
Ethel’s Creole Kitchen Menu
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Address :
1615 Sulgrave Ave
Baltimore, MD, 21209 - Phone (410) 664-2971
- Website https://www.ethelscreolekitchen.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
- Mon :Closed
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Melody T.
(This review has been sitting as an unfinished draft for months now, and I almost feel guilty completing it right now. Why? Because this was my first time trying authentic Cajun food, and I feel like an imposter in a foreign land. Truth be told, I've never been to NOLA, shelled a crawfish, or thought of Mardi Gras as anything but a fuzzy enigma in the far reaches of my brain. Please bear this in mind as I take the role of Cajun imposter and give you my amateur thoughts on this new found cuisine.) As a foodie-in-training, I've noticed that the best food around town come from some of the worst areas. While Mt. Washington does not necessarily qualify as "The Wire" territory, it still makes you hesitate as you drive through it at night. Hence, I had high expectations for the food, which this little restaurant met completely. It's a place with a distinct homey feel to it, similar to dining at a cute bed and breakfast. When you first walk in, you're greeted with mouth watering smells of food cooking in the kitchen down the hall. If something smells that intoxicating, you know you're on to something good. I learned quite a few things on this trip. First- gumbo is supposed to be cooked the Ethel and Ramone way- a thin rue with a delightfully complex interplay of flavors. Second- Jambalaya is actually really good, and nothing like the Cheesecake Factory version (yes, this is really the only other jambalaya I can remember trying). Third- holy heavens these portions are MASSIVE. Each dish could easily serve 3 grown men or 4 small Asian girls as stand along entrees. Fourth- Although the fresh bread may tempt you with its evil serpent charms, stay away. You'll need all the stomach room you can muster for the actual meal.
(4)emily m.
Great service and great food! The crab dip was amazing and the fried oysters app was fabulous! Shrimp boat was enormous and super tasty!
(4)Kim M.
We have eaten at this wonderful spot many times, but it is even more incredible since it's renovation. Our meal was once again a delectable feast for our taste buds, our eyes, and our souls. We had a Sunday brunch that my family would consider the best we've had in Baltimore. With three dishes among us, we sampled the long stack of pancakes (to die for), the biscuits and gravy (in its own category for sheer bliss), and the creole eggs with crabmeat, potatoes, and sausage ( highly recommended for its combination of flavors and deliciousness). We can't wait to go back to sample the offerings on the rest of the menu. It was a true Baltimore gem before and shines even more brightly in its new setting and charming decor.
(5)Erica C.
This place is no New Orleans, but it comes pretty close. The servings are massive. I ordered the seafood jambalaya. It was loaded with mussels, shrimp, and some kind of white fish. It was quite tasty and delightfully spicy. The grilled vegetables that came with it were super divine. The bread was hot and crusty, just the way I like it. It's tiny. It is a tiny place, so it feels like you are eating at your friend's apartment. It doesn't have that cajun feel, but it's Baltimore, so this is acceptable.The wine and beer selection kind of reminds you of that as well, except the choices are a bit classier. I dig it.
(4)Te T.
We went here for an early Sunday dinner with high hopes for a delicious cajun/creole meal. Street parking wasn't a problem. Paid the meter and off we went. Upon entering this funky little establishment, I have to admit being a little surprised even after reading other reviews. It's a converted townhouse (staircase, etc...) and the decor is definitely homemade and then some. Still, I enjoy "mama/papa" types places so I was still game. Our host/server was very cordial and charming. He sat us in a nice little window seat and quickly brought our menus. We both ordered wine (small but tasty selection) and our server placed "fresh", hot bread on the table while we perused the menu. Uh oh. This is a bad sign. Perfect squares of par-baked bread. Tasty but not made in house. Loud talking at the bar. I guess they get a happy bar crowded. Not so as we later discover that the loud bar patron was actually the chef/sous chef/or a line cook as he could be seen working in the kitchen a little later in the evening. More customers coming in now. Mostly hipsters who also probably found out about this place via Yelp or other service as numerous phones were whipped out and picture taking and furious typing ensued. I ordered the "authentic" gumbo with shrimp. My husband ordered the jambalaya with bronzed chicken. A little pleasant conversation and our food arrived. I will give the restaurant this much, the plates are large. Other than that, we both simply had overpriced food. I've dined in New Orleans numerous times, have friends who are from Louisiana who can cook a mean gumbo, and I've eaten at enough restaurants (even in Maryland) who know what gumbo is. What I was served was 6 nice large shrimp, some truly tasty slices of andouille, a tiny molded mound of Uncle Ben's rice, floury roux thickened gumbo, and a few blanched carrots and leaves of spinach without any seasoning what so ever. What flavor this dish had was one dimensional. My husband's jambalaya (same andouille) was more flavorful EXCEPT for the bronzed chicken. Bronzed chicken should be chicken that has been rubbed in flavorful spices and sauteed until golden bronze and succulent. The two boiled chicken breasts that were in his dish, while moist, had absolutely no flavor or color. Evening thankfully over, we paid the exorbitant bill and left highly disappointed. I have no problem spending good money for an amazing meal. Price alone does not make a meal. This however was high-end prices for low-end food. This may have been an off night but we won't be back.
(2)Ira K.
Dinner last night at this newly expanded and redone restaurant was superb! We started with the not-to-be-missed crab and spinach dip. Terrific!!!! Diner was the Sunshine Salad with shrimp for Lynn and Tuacca rockfish for me. Beautifully plated dished, these delights tasted as good as they looked! In short. Mt. Washington is extremely lucky to have another 5-star restaurant in its midst.
(5)Matthew R.
Best creole food in Baltimore! The gumbo is so good.
(5)Sherris M.
The pan fried oysters are plump and delicious. Definitely try them. Sorry, no pic to post. I ate them already.
(3)Karen W.
Have already eaten here twice since the re-opening and can't get enough! Food is fantastic, staff is wonderful, atmosphere perfect! Looking forward to warmer days, drinking in some sunshine while drinking on the outdoor upper deck :-)
(5)Courtney C.
I second Erica's review, but with the gumbo. If you're looking for an experience comparable to eating gumbo from a vendor in the french market, you won't get it here. If you're looking for some great cajun food, this is your place. Everything was presented beautifully and tasted delectable. The only reason I'm not giving them 5 stars is because it smelled when we first walked in. I don't know if the table we passed couldn't handle the food, but dirty bathroom smell is not appetizing. The weird thing is, the bathroom was decent. The staff was really friendly, the gumbo gets my vote for best in Baltimore. I wish they had crawfish or etouffee on the menu. Desert choices are pretty limited too. It was worth the drive, the splurge and money. I would happily come back here.
(4)Alan P.
5 stars isn't enough to describe our experience at ECK. We stated with the soft shell crab - what can I say. "Uffda" for those or norweigian decent. Finished with lamb and gumbo - earns the 5 stars.
(5)Sean C.
Excellent meal and the best Creole/Cajun food in all of Baltimore. The menu mixes it up with some Maryland favorites as well. Their gumbo is not the normal soup but a rich gravy with andoille sausage and whatever seafood you desire. Very filling and delicious dish. Jambalaya was also delicious. It is made to order and even better than what you find in NOLA. Good value for the money and portions were plentiful. Will be back soon.
(5)Sarah B.
I have been walking walking walking by this place for months, always thinking, we should stop in here sometime. Finally stopped in the other night and am SO thrilled with our experience. First off, the decor is just so cool and eclectic. It's really a good vibe. We started at a table outside but then a storm rolled in so in we went. My husband tried the gumbo at some fellow Yelper's suggestions. SO GOOD. Decently priced wine and awesome spinach crab dip. Like really really freaking good crab dip. I just... seriously can't wait to come back here. There is a little tiny bar in the front that I would love to post up at. It's a good place to chill with a few friends or a good date place. Our server was super friendly, also. Great food, decent prices, friendly service, cool atmosphere. YES YES YES. Outside seating on the adorable front porch and sidewalk for when the weather is nice. It's all here, folks. Check this place out, you won't regret it.
(5)Katy B.
Bizarre dining experience! This would have been a 2-star place except for the behavior of their chef! Ate there with 4 friends last Wednesday. Parking was terrible. I ended up parking in a space reserved for a business that was closed at that time. I came into Ethel's and asked the two people by the bar (as it turned out, the chef in question and our waitress) if it was OK to park where I was -- needed to park close due to recovery from a broken foot. Chef said I would definitely be towed. I said, jokingly, "Where is there a place to park in the godforsaken place?" No swearing, no personal insults. Moved car, (finally) found a parking place. During dinner, chef stomped up to the table and proceeded to inform me (loudly) of how insulted he was by my comment. I finally apologized and asked how I could make it better, just to get him to go away. He jabbed his chest and told me never to insult the place where he lived, then stomped off. My friends and I were shocked. None of us will ever eat there again.
(1)Doug C.
Returned with my wife for lunch, which reinforced my original review. Started with the red bean and tomato soup, which was wonderfully spicy. Bread was still incredible. My wife was able to talk her way into Jambalaya for lunch - but only because we were there early and it was not too busy yet. She was happy with it, but felt it was missing something - similar to how we felt about the gumbo from our previous visit. It is begging to be incredible, but just not quite. The shrimp stands out in the dish, whole the andouille was still not as flavorful as it could be. I had the Rockfish Po Boy which was spot on, but would probably go with the Shrimp Po Boy for our next lunch there. We finished with both the chocolate and lemon silk pies. The chocolate was blissful and addictive. Possibly the best chocolate dessert I have ever had. The lemon was more zesty than lemony, but still quite good - just not on the same level as the chocolate. Service was impeccable again. Would love to give E&R five stars, but the gumbo and jambalaya are just a notch below that.
(4)yuwi s.
Wonderful find, great food, super cute place, and really friendly waitstaff. Can't ask for more! i can't recommend this gem more highly. This is a charming little restaurant with a homey feel full of character. On a sunny spring day it was nice to sit on the porch on the metal bistro table and watch the sidewalk traffic. We both ordered the gumbo -- one with crab and one with shrimp. We were warned that there's gotta be some seafood in the gumbo -- the standard comes with andouille sausage only -- else there's no good flavor. We didn't regret it! The portions were generous but not too overwhelming. The crisp andouille sausage was perfect, and matched the seafood wonderfully. Each dish came with a pile of rice and butter-sauteed green/yellow zucchini and sliced carrots which were also really yummy. Each plate was quite filling, and we happily took home leftovers along with some out-of-this-world chocolate silk pie dessert (which is essentially a smooth, super-rich chocolate mousse/pudding on a bed of crumbled chocolate cookie bits) The place only has beer & wine, and a cute selection of each at wonderful prices. The food however, was a bit pricier than I'd expected to pay for the area. But the quality of the service was impeccable and friendly, and you can tell they loved what they made in there. You should definitely check this place out if you're ever in the area! I loved it.
(5)Cindy M.
This was definitely a diamond in the rough. It's a very kitsch artsy little hole-in-the wall restaurant, overshadowed by a more popular tavern, but don't let it's outside appearance deter you. The food is definitely worth the visit. We ordered the Maryland Pan Fried Chicken (menu item) and the T-Bone Shiitake au Poivre special. Both were absolutely delicious! Both were flavorful, tender, perfectly portioned, and melt in your mouth good. The only real down side to this place was parking. It's mostly street parking in the entire area, but thankfully it was within walking distance of where we were staying, so we just walked.
(4)Sara M.
I found Ethel & Ramone's when I was looking for somewhere interesting to get a quick lunch in Mount Washington. I did a quick search and saw a restaurant billed as "an innovative mix of New Orleans style cuisine and traditional Maryland Chesapeake fare." I spent much of my childhood in Baton Rouge and then moved to Maryland... so this blend sounds like my life, in food form. I was hoping that the menu would reflect fusion between these two cuisines, mixing Old Bay and crabcakes with Zatarain's and gumbo. Alas, they aren't doing that sort of fusion here. But the menu reflects classics from both cuisines, flavorful and well-executed. The lunch menu offers a very limited range of offerings compared to dinner - I'd probably visit at dinner next time to try their red beans and rice. The waiter also rattled off an impressive list of soups that all sounded delicious. I ordered the seafood gumbo and was very impressed. I'm no stranger to gumbo, and this had excellent flavor and texture. Lots of catfish and Andouille sausage. Mmm. My dining partner ordered a salad, which was huge and very fresh. The neighborhood is cute and there is a large parking lot where parking costs a quarter for each hour - I haven't seen paid parking that cheap in years! Lots of small shops and other restaurants to check out in Mount Washington. Ethel & Ramone's is a small storefront and seems to be a family business. Nothing ritzy, but very tasty!
(4)L. D.
Visited 2/20/13. Chicken Gumbo with rice and veggies. No complaints about the food, everything was tasty. Parking was a pain in the A$%$^. Owner was very nice and friendly.
(3)Alice W.
great local restaurant! Fried oyster was so fresh crisp and juicy inside. on menu the price was little higher than I thought but totally worth it. seafood jambalaya was good but not so excellent, cuz i had real good jambalaya in new olreans but it was good because here is not even southern. my friend had other dish can't remember was great too. looked around other tables, all of them looking so good even better than mine, wonder what's the name of the plate with big fish., and everyone looks satisfied. clean, dimmed light, somewhat romantic. service was excellent with friendly local cozy atmosphere.
(4)Adrienne R.
I visited their booth at the farmer's market downtown and the breakfast sandwiched they serve there are awesome! I live not far from Mt. Washington, so I asked my sister if she wanted to try it out. We ordered the crab and artichoke dip for the appetizer and the seafood gumbo for the entree. The ingredients were fresh, but both were very bland. A big disappointment! Especially for the price. I was expecting a lot more flavor.
(2)Anne B.
We have gone here for years and returned last night for our anniversary. The entire meal was PHENOMENAL~ Additionally, the wait staff was super. I just can't thank them for making our evening so nice.
(5)Sam K.
Spectacular! I have had crab cakes before, but the ones we had as our appetizer were out of this world. Huge chunks of delicious crab and a great sauce to put on them. Bread delivered to our table was hot out of the oven and perfect. The inside of the restaurant is what looks like an old house that was converted. Not a lot of seating, but not tiny either. Had the gumbo, which the menu claimed was 'best in Baltimore'. I am doubtful anytime something is claimed as 'the best', but this outdid my expectations. The gumbo base is cooked over 24 hrs to get a really rich stew-ish appearance. I got it with the seafood mix, and it was piled high with mussels, big shrimp, crab and topped with a steak of some sort of blackened whitefish. The vegetables on the side may have been an afterthought, but even those were some of best plain carrots and green beans I have had. It was so good I took it home and had it for breakfast. Entrées were a bit pricey, but worth every cent.
(5)Lin M.
This restaurant is in what I would describe as a culinary delight of neighborhood restaurants. It is a small restaurant with outdoor seating. As Baltimore is very humid we dined inside. We started with a cup of potato cream soup. I overheard a woman say it was "to die for" and I love potato soup so I tried it. Not so good...it was bland and too smooth. No potato til the bottom of the bowl. I guess it is one of those comfort foods that needs to be the way YOU like it. Next we shared a warm wilted field greens salad. It was good but not what expected. We thought the greens would be warm and wilted not that everything piled on top would be warm which kinda (not really) wilts the green. Next we had Pan Fried Oysters with Red Beans and Rice as one entree. The other was the classic Gumbo. This is the first Gumbo I've ever eaten and although it is tasty and I believe it might be the "Best" I don't think Gumbo is for me. The color, the lack of any hearty vegetables it just isn't "stewy" enough for me. The oysters and Red Beans and Rice were good. I would definitely return and get what I know I would like...some pan fried Chicken or Baby Back Ribs.
(4)Akande S.
Cute, cozy and good bartender. Next time I'm definitely going to try the crabcakes. I'm really picky about crabcakes (only eat jumbo lump, etc) so was hesitant to order during my visit. I had the gumbo. Well done E&R! Rich roux, strong flavor and just enough kick. I did happen to look over at another patrons crabcake, the drool was instantaneous! It looked divine. I'm putting it on my list for next visit. It is a small restaurant (like can seat 25 folks, maybe) so on a busy night there is a bit of a wait. The bartender and servers were gracious and gave us updates without having to be asked/harrassed. So they were earning a tip before they even served us. Good Experience.
(4)Rebecca G.
Updated to say that they're still fantastic - and we've got some more pictures of the food! Love these guys, they're doing jambalaya right!!
(5)B'more f.
Decent southern food.The gumbo was ok, as the fish was overcooked but it was a huge with a lot of seafood including fried oysters on the top.They serve bread fresh off the oven that is crusty on the outside but soft inside.Their silk pies are very good.The atmosphere is laid back, service great and the owner is very lively & cheerful & checks on you to see if everything is alright.
(3)Shelby O.
Every Sunday I look forward to Ethel & Ramone's Cajun Breakfast sandwich at the Farmers Market. My mouth starts watering because I know it's going to be an amazing sandwich and they have never disappointed. I want to eat at their restaurant and try their whole menu because I'm so sure that it will be just as amazing. My reason for never giving this company 5 stars is how they treat their employees. Hands down 9/10 times I'm standing in line I can bet someone is going to be yelled at about how fast or slow they are moving or placed the money incorrectly in someone's pocket. The market is a fast paced place with a line often forming so I get the need to be efficient and fast. However, as a former restaurant worker and working in customer service nothing speaks more to a place then how they treat their employees. They may have a banter that I am not aware of and that's fine but you need to treat people w/ respect and professionalism especially in front of your customers - even at the farmers market. If you can't treat your employees correctly then I'd bet your can't treat me correctly.
(3)E U.
So good and so quirky! Will defentily be making a return trip
(5)Monique D.
A hidden gem in Mt. Washington. Tonight I had the deep fried oysters. Amazing, reminds me of being in the NOLA.
(4)P P.
Had a great meal there. Oysters were fried and tasted awesome. Wife had a great shrimp jambalaya that was priced well. I had a great salad. Service was great. Only need some domestic beers to offer.
(4)Jen B.
After ordering waited over an hour to receive the salad. Food was pricy, and nothing special. My creamy pasta sauce was watery and tasteless. No desire to ever come back.
(1)Gomer K.
Everything my group ate was outstanding. We had the ribs, the crab cakes, the creole boat, the crab and spinach dip and the chocolate silk pie. All three of us agreed the food was probably the best we've ever had. We were the only people in the restaurant and we sat at the bar and watched them cook our food. The owner was there cooking and he, and all the staff were very nice. This is a great place to splurge or show someone from out of town some great Baltimore food.
(5)Michael G.
First visit to this restaurant. So the food is as delicious as everyone here says it is. We each had the seafood gumbo - It was fresh and fantastic. That was preceded by mini crabcake appetizer which was also delicious. Service was friendly, attentive and aimed to please. We enjoyed a bottle of wine with dinner. No too extensive a list, but many (both while and red) in the 25-30 dollar range. (Note: the wine glasses are small so ordering a bottle makes sense). Beer is also served. Now to the ambiance. The restaurant is located in an old house. There are some tables outside on the porch and sidewalk. Inside there was good air conditioning. If the restaurant in its current setting were transported to the French Quarter in New Orleans, it would not be out of place. To sum up then...The food is wonderful, tasty, freshly prepared, served hot by a great cook and excellent waiter. Beer and wine are fine. Ambiance needs some work, but we'd recommend a visit and we'll surely return. Oh, did I mention we had leftovers as did a previous poster. :-)
(4)MissEasy T.
I give this place 4.5 stars. Best gumbo just about anywhere. Staff well trained and attentive. I have NEVER been disappointed. Why not 5 stars? They need a real wine and beer consultant to go in there and set them up with a decent wine list and tap line up (and they need more than 1 tap). Their pre-meal bread is napalm hot but awesomely delicious and like crack to me. I dream about this bread... I've also regularly had the NOLA chicken and crab cakes too--both delish! This place one of my favs--in the the top 3.
(4)Christine T.
very chill very tasty place. Went here for lunch when I was staying up the hill for a conference. Great Gumbo with spicy sausage, fresh baked bread, good oyster po' boys, fresh berry lemonade, and tasty tasty chocolate silk pie. One of the co-owners, Jeff was actually our server and the great master of the chocolate silk pie, He was awesome as was the pie. Very friendly and cool. highly recommended I'm sad I don't' live in the area.
(5)James E.
This place is amazing and i am astounded that Baltimore folk aren't lining up at their door. This place has fantastic creole with a knowledgable weight staff, lovely outdoor seating, and its tucked away in Mt Washington. The three of us split a Spinach and Crab Dip to start, a bottle of Malbec, and alternated with 2 plates of the Seafood Combo Gumbo and Seafood Combo Jambalaya. Tons of food, plenty of leftovers, and this place is definitely a keeper.
(5)Wendy A.
Great little neighborhood, fabulous food. The crab cakes were the best I've ever eaten, as were the ribs. And the chocolate pie was out of this world! I would love to go back for the gumbo, but since I don't get to Baltimore very often, I'm sure I will order the same thing again and again. The owner and his staff were very nice and we loved the funky atmosphere. We're heading to the Baltimore Market tomorrow morning to get Ethel & Ramone's brunch!
(5)Dan W.
It's few and far between for finding cajun food in Baltimore, but this is one of the spots to go to for it. They have a decent variety on their menu, and not every single item is super spicy. I've never had authentic Lousiana food before, so I can't really put it up against it, but the jumbalaya I tried seemed like the real deal at least. Oddly enough, I stayed away from the cajun side of things for my main entrée and ordered the Maryland pan fried chicken. Their menu puts it as "Bronzed and smothered in an Old Bay pan gravy". Very tasty. Any time Old Bay is in the equation it's bound to be I suppose, but this was the first time I had it in "gravy" form. I stole a bite of tuna steak from the friend I was with, which was so-so. We went on a weeknight around 8, and it was pretty dead. 1 other couple was eating when we arrived, and we ended up closing out the place. It's small enough of a space however that it wasn't too awkward. Truth be told, the layout makes you feel like you're eating in a dinning room at a nice Victorian style home. Staff gave good suggestions and was quick, no complaints there.
(4)Nancy T.
Unfortunately I ate here the night before I moved back to California after living in Baltimore for four years. I wish I came here earlier. The food was really good. Even though the prices are a bit higher its well worth it. The portions are large and the flavors are awesome. It was the best Jambalaya I have ever had and there were tons of chunky seafood in it. It was a great place to get a taste of cajun with some flavors of Baltimore too. The place was tiny but they were still able to accommodate a party of 10.
(4)Michelle W.
Outstanding!!! Some of the best gumbo I've ever had. Wonderful little restaurant with great service. Try the chocolate pie...excellent. Will definitely go again.
(5)Patti M.
My bff is visiting from ATL and we were looking for a lunch spot in Mt. Washington after visiting Steve in Whole Foods meat Department. Steve recommended Ethel & Ramone's. We had the entire restaurant to ourselves and great service from Jeff. Jeff is co-owner and very helpful. We ordered a salad and chicken/shrimp gumbo. Both meals were delicious and fresh. Chicken was tender and delicious. The bread was warm and yummy. Would love to visit Jeff at the Market on Sundays under the JFX. Plan to try dinner at Ethel & Ramone's too. Oh...and try the fresh iced tea made w tea leaves.
(5)Joule V.
Waiter was very knowledgeable and friendly. I would recommend the wilted greens salad, the gumbo, and the red beans (nice and spicy). The orange silk pie--similar to a mousse--with Oreo crust and dark chocolate sauce was delectable. What a great experience!
(5)Ji K.
Probably the most offensive dining experience ever for me here. I assume my entree was waiting for my wife's dish because it came out cold. I complained that food was cold to the waiter and he says "I brought it out it as soon as it was ready." Hmm...are you telling me I can't tell if the food is cold or not??? What should have been done is apologize immediately and try to resolve the issue instead of questioning a customer. I immediately lost my appetite and sent the food back. Since this place has a open kitchen I could clearly see the chef getting upset that I sent the food back. I assume the waiter didn't explain that the food was actually cold? What transpired next was even better. Waiter took off my entree and brought out our check. The chef comes out and takes the bill away. This would have been fine if it was done properly but all he says is, "you can leave now" with a scowl on his face. Very classy place here indeed.
(1)Nisha G.
Everything about this place gets 5 stars! From the staff to the drinks to the food! This place can be a bit pricey but seriously worth it! The amount of food you get its incredible. I would recommend making reservations in advance that way you're good to go once you arrive! Unfortunately, I did not make reservations so my friend and I had to wait a few minutes before a table was ready. No worries though, we headed over to the small but comfortable bar area and ordered our first round of drinks (or just I ordered, being the alcoholic that I am). The drink I got was very strong (owe that to the Rye), well made and hand crafted. The bartender was informative and super quick to make the drinks. Within 15 mins our table was ready. My friend ordered the special which was a big slab of meat and I ordered the jumbo. Both were great!!! I also ordered the bartenders very own concoction of a drink which has a spice of old bay around the rim! Highly recommend! For me (1 entree, 2 drinks and a coffee) it came up to about 54 with tax. My friend was around 25 (1 entree) I would return here for a "impress your family" day or special occasion. Really enjoyed my time but my wallet can't return for a while!
(5)Janal D.
Ethel's is indeed a gem. I had the short rib special but I added collard greens and cornbread. Not a fan of the honey Chive butter but loved all of the food. So savory and rich and the meat was cooked to perfection. Everything had a flavor as it should've. And they did serve me a very nice portion. I had to take it home! And then I ordered the chocolate silk pie which I am a fan of. Served cold, something with a moouse-y texture but more fine/thick. Oreo top is just the right amount of crisp and adds a crunch balance to the pie. I will definitely be coming back to this place. Friendly staff and cute and clean atmosphere.
(4)Monique Y.
The food at Ethel's is DELICIOUS!!!! HUGE portions, we had ribs, crab cakes, red beans & rice & so on....we will DEFINITELY be back!!!
(5)Wesley F.
I just had another fantastic lunch at Ethel's Creole Kitchen. My wife and I both tried the Shrimp Marty sandwich for the first time and my sister had the Seafood Gumbo. Everything was delicious. Previously I have enjoyed their Seafood Gumbo and Jambalaya. Both were the best I have ever tasted. In addition to the great food the staff and chefs couldn't be nicer. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone in the Baltimore area. I can't wait to go back!
(5)Abigail R.
It was a cold and rainy night... Actually it was thundering and pouring, but the lovely folks at Ethel's Creole Kitchen opened the door and gave us a super warm welcome. They have a charming dining room and bar seating. While at the bar, we were able to see in the kitchen and chat with the bartender and part owner, Jeff Berkow. This place is newly re-opened and I think it is going to be a star in Mount Washington. I started with a medium bodied pinot noir from California; it warmed me right up. I was super hungry and wanted to try everything - especially when I saw the salads that came out for the neighboring couple at the bar. I had hard time deciding among the appetizers - crab cakes, crab dip, oysters, etc... We started with the Chippepa (just as fun to say as it is to eat). It's hard to tell from that picture, but its a fire-roasted red pepper covering a mound of sliced andouille sausage, creamy melted mozzarella, crisp and crunchy peppers and onions. Then the whole thing is covered with that beautiful red sauce. You could smell the perfectly balanced sweet and spicy sauce the moment the plate hit the table. My first thought was to dunk the warm, crusty bread in it. I think I spun around on my bar stool with that first bite. This was such a mix of everything good - I am thinking about it right now. These guys are creole inspired - so they have both gumbo and jambalaya on the menu. Upon the rec of the bartender, I went with the gumbo. Both come with the same sausage and choice of chicken, shrimp, or crab. My eyes were certainly bigger than my stomach because I was barely able to make a dent in the ginormous plate of rice, veggies, and meats. I am a novice to the southern inspired dishes, so I wasn't expecting the thick dark roux (even though it was clearly described as such on the menu). Nevertheless, I wasn't disappointed. The stew is made with a very slow slimmer of several different stocks, okra and that spicy andouille. I can't wait till I get to New Orleans! My mom did much better finishing her rockfish. The filet is pan-seared and then topped with a butter beurre blanc made with Tuacca. I have never liked Tuacca that much. I don't know if you can see in the picture, but they serve this meaty fish with grilled lemon slices - so the mellow, warm juice flows out and doesn't squirt anyone in the eye. The rice these guys have is outrageously - citrusy with a texture that stands up to both the fish and the gumbo. But, the moment the bartender told us the dessert of the day was house-made carrot cake, we put our forks down. IMG_2220They topped the vanilla ice cream with cinnamon and these round carrot cakes with a house-made cream cheese icing. It was sweet. It was spiced with cinnamon. Desserts are not usually my favorite part of a meal - but this came pretty darn close.
(5)Teneka C.
Had lunch with my sis here today. Lovely and quaint restaurant. Attentive service and I really enjoyed the jambalaya. I will come back for the dinner menu which has expanded options.
(5)David S.
Saw this on Yelp during my visit from CA. The food (crab cakes and seafood gumbo) was fantastic. Even though I was full after appetizer and entree, I closed out the night with chocolate silk cake, which was freshly made in-house--and it didn't disappoint. Glen, the bartender/waiter, is very personable and knows how to concoct an awesome old fashioned. The restaurant is more of an upper-casual setting, but the ambiance is quiet, quaint and laid-back. I went on a Wed night so it wasn't too busy, but parking is probably tough to find nearby on a busy night. If you're within a 30-minute drive from this place, it's worth the trip--even with traffic!
(5)Nina U.
When the weather is chilly and the wind picks up, head over to Ethel & Ramones for the fresh bread and butter to warm up your soul. I highly recommend the seafood jambalaya which seems like the best dish to me. It's very hearty and a huge serving! I think it was three meals by the time I took the rest home and ate it all. There is just the perfect amount of spice, a great deal of mussels, crab and my favorite...andouille sausage. Ethel & Ramones is in a little row home along a cute strip near the light rail stop in Mt Washington (on the back side of Whole Foods). We parked in that parking lot and walked over. There is a dining area downstairs and upstairs as well. I suggest eating downstairs because although the service was slow, we could at least flag them down when we needed something. They also make their own chocolate silk pie and another dessert they had featured that night. Totally worth checking it out- oh yeah and of course make reservations.
(4)Erin S.
This place serves an amazing meal. My boyfriend and I have come here for a few years, mostly before the big remodel when they were still "Ethel and Ramone's." The food was always great and it had a pretty cool, low key ambiance. Now with the remodel, the restaurant is absolutely BEAUTIFUL inside! It was always pretty cool, but now it really impresses when you walk in. The food is just as amazing as it was before the remodel, plus there's some new stuff on the menu. If you're the type to get appetizers, get the crab dip. Not your typical crab dip that you get in Baltimore, but it's AMAZING. And go easy on the bread they serve you so you can use it once you run out of baguettes for the dip. The shrimp creole is great and I frequently get the ribs which are top notch. My boyfriend hems and haws every time we come here about "getting something different" but he always ends up getting the jambalaya. Food always comes out piping hot. Good cocktail and wine menu. Service is very friendly. We'll keep coming back.
(5)Kristen B.
Mmm. The whole cooked sea bass was one of the best I've ever had. My partner had the jambalaya which I tasted (on several occasions) and found to be repeatedly delicious. Likewise the red beans and rise (which had a dark rich red sauce and sausage) was above ordinary. Two disappointments were the veggies and rice which both seemed bland and ho hum in contrast to the plated awesomeness that was everything else. Bonus points to down to earth and warm staff.
(4)Bill P.
Thank you, Yelp. I was staying this weekend at the Cross Keys Radisson, searched for nearby restaurants, and there it was. There were 15 things on the menu that I wanted to try, but figured I had to go with the celebrated gumbo, and it did not disappoint. The seafood gumbo was loaded with mussels, crabmeat, fish, and chorizo, with zucchini, carrot slices, and a rich, spicy brown sauce. Definitely the best gumbo I've ever had. Also had the pan-fried oysters as an appetizer, and they were delicious; big fat oysters, lightly breaded and bursting with flavor. I don't expect that I will ever go to Baltimore again without eating at this place. I hope to live long enough to try the jambalaya, rockfish, pan-fried Maryland chicken, NOLA chicken, and the many other items on the menu that had me salivating all over the table. Great. Seriously. Great.
(5)Christopher N.
Came here two nights ago with some friends for dinner. Ethel's is a pretty unassuming place on the outside, but it's clear once you step inside that it's a popular place. By 7:30pm on a Friday night, the place was packed. Luckily we had a reservation and were brought upstairs to the second floor dining room. They set two small loaves of warm, sliced bread with olive oil for dipping down on the table shortly after we were seated. We ordered the crab dip as an appetizer. The crab dip was delicious--gooey with chunks of crab, rather than thick and creamy like most crab dips I've had in the past. It came with a fan of toasted ciabatta slices... delicious. I ordered the gumbo with sausage and shrimp as my entree (pictured). My girlfriend got the fried oysters, and my friends ordered the jambalaya with shrimp and crab, jambalaya with sausage and chicken (pictured), and the seafood boat (I think that's what it was called?). Everything was really delicious. I did have a couple of complaints however. First, the service wasn't the best--although the server was friendly enough, I got the subtle impression that I was committing a social faux-pas by being the only one at the table to not order a drink other than water. He was on point for the most part--wait times weren't particularly slow, although they weren't exactly quick given how busy the restaurant was and how few the wait staff seemed to be--but it did take him what seemed like an eternity to give us our check after taking our food away to be boxed. It was probably half an hour between when he took our food away to box it to when we finally received the check. Finally, we got the check and paid and were getting ready to leave, and only at that point did our server seem to remember that he had boxed our food but never brought it back to our table. Our boxed food had been sitting on a side table close to our table, so we would have just grabbed it on our way out. It was difficult not to think that he had totally forgotten about our food, however. Second, although the food was delicious (I'd give it four out of five stars... tasty but nothing that I'd personally rave about) the portion size of my gumbo was on the smaller side of what I would have expected for the price, and my entree alone cost almost $25. Now, I know that the argument can be made that this is a somewhat "fancy" or "upscale" restaurant, or even that it is a "specialty" cuisine type of place, but I just don't feel like the entree justified a $25 price tag. In addition to myself, I paid for my girlfriend and one of my friends, and between the three of us (three entrees, two drinks, and 2/3 of the appetizer), the meal with tax and tip came out to be $120. The food was good, but not $40 good. All in all, Ethel's was okay--the food was good albeit overpriced, and the service was decent, if a bit slow--but my gastronomic future will probably be spent at the many other excellent restaurants around town rather than here.
(3)Anne-Margaret O.
It had been a while since we had been to Ethel's since they were busy working on the renovations. We were SO HAPPY to be back! The meal was incredible. I just LOVE the warm ciabata bread! My table enjoyed three different salads before our meal and we were all very happy - ceasar, field greens with apple and pecans, and a summer salad. My mom and I ordered the Lamb with black berry demi-glaze, mashed potatoes, and veggies -- Just fabulous!! The table also enjoyed Mom's crab cakes and Jambalaya. Everything was spectacular. I guess next time I should take some pictures to share with you! Once the weather gets warmer - it would be nice to sit out on one of the two balconies, sip some wine, enjoy some great food, and watch the sidewalk traffic!
(5)Amber B.
The food and staff both deserve 5 stars. The jambalaya was well worth it. It had just the right amount of spice to it. My boyfriend ordered the short rib special, which was very tender. We both had leftovers and couldn't believe how full and pleased we were.
(5)Christy D.
Ethel's is a gem. I can't believe I have lived in Baltimore for years...walked by this place....and never went in. Until tonight. Ambiance is totally on spot. Outdoor seating, bar seating that has a kitchen view, and upstairs dining. The food is exactly what it says it is...creole. Until tonight at Ethel's, outside of when I dined in New Orleans, I have never had sausage and seafood that was not overcooked. Ethel's was perfect. I ordered the gumbo. The brown sauce was to die for. Rich. Flavorful. And perfect on it's own. But coupled with the mussels, shrimp, and catfish - well, I was transported...to Naw Orlens'. The wine list was chosen to complement the rich, flavorful dishes. Unfortunately, I didn't have room for dessert. I will be back. Most likely....tomorrow! Major YUM!
(4)Chamille B.
This place is right up the street from my house and I have to fight the urge to visit everyday! The food is amazing and I have dreams about their cornbread. If you're coming for the first time I recommend the jambalaya or the NOLA chicken. As for dessert, I don't like chocolate, but I couldn't keep my spoon away from my roommates chocolate silk pie. If you have the opportunity to check out Sunday brunch I cannot say enough about the "Eggs Chesapeake Creole," they're take on eggs Benedict but with andouille sausage, lump crab, cornbread, hollandaise, and old bay. Their hollandaise was the best I've had in a while. If you're wanting to visit on a Friday or Saturday night, call ahead. The place is small and gets crowded.
(5)Melissa M.
Absolutely delicious food! Perfect date location since the area is low traffic and the establishment is tucked along the quiet street. In fact, I had passed it because it is so secluded. We dined on the cozy outdoor porch when the weather was warm and our waitress was very kind and responsive..did i mention the food was absolutely delicious?! I had the jambalaya, my friend the fish..big servings of food (enough for a late night snack) seasoned perfectly and tasted authentic Creole style. This is a place i would normally hoard to myself so it wont lose its unique characteristics but it is definitely worth yelping about!
(5)Jeanie D.
I went here for lunch. Friendly staff, great seating on the porch and prompt service. I ordered the Sunshine Salad (because of the variety of fruit on the plate.) It was a beautiful summer day. The salad was good. It was small (and I didn't realize how small it was until I remembered the price which was cheap) and the fruit did not disappoint. What really blew me away was the chicken I ordered with it. (It doesn't usually go with the salad and I wanted protein). It was some of the best cooked chicken I have ever had!!!! So flavorful and incredibly moist!! It was cooked perfectly and it was AMAZING. I will come back here for the chicken.
(5)Glenn S.
Absolutely perfect. My girlfriend and I tried to eat here back in November but they were doing reservations so we just waited it out. We were here this past Friday and we ate on the upstairs patio. Our server was awesome and the atmosphere was pretty laid back. We ordered the chipeppa for an appetizer, which I definitely recommend. It's a roasted red bell pepper stuffed with andoullie. I had the seafood gumbo and she had the seafood jambalaya. Don't let the prices scare you, the portions are HUGE. The gumbo was perfect, so much flavor going on. The jambalya was really good too, just the right amount of heat added to it. I can't wait to come back and try other things on the menu. Also, if you plan on going on a weekend parking is really hard to find, so I suggest the light rail since it's right there.
(5)Elizabeth B.
Great staff. I went here 8 months pregnant and insanely uncomfortable. Sweet bartender continued to bring me hot water with lemon ( which I asked for) frequently so that the water didn't get cold. Then at the end the gift certificate we gave them wasn't registering correctly and they took our word and honoree it. 5 star service. Food - I had the ribs. Delicious! The appetizer was a smoked fish and was so good I forgot to share. The bread is also wonderful. Husband had the jumbalaya, which was ok but not amazing. Overall, will be back. People who go out of their way to make an uncomfortable pregnant woman comfortable have a special spot in my heart!!!
(4)K J.
The food at this restaurant was incredible! My husband took me for my birthday on a week night. I ordered the lamb and he had the creole crab cakes. Everything was delicious! The restaurant is exquisitely quaint and jazz music whispers in the background. This is perfect for romantic date night or dinner with friends. I loved it and I am pretty hard to please.
(5)Secreted S.
Amazing! Loved the atmosphere, cozy and inviting. Our waiter was great, so knowledgeable and full of excellent suggestions. We started with the smoked blue fish appetizer and I can't even do it justice via written word. It was smokey and savory with a sweet glaze on top. For our mains we had the seafood and sausage jambalaya and the short rib special. Both heavenly. The jambalaya portion was gigantic with perfectly cooked seafood. The short ribs were delicious and cooked just right. We finished with the mango silk pie and it was bursting with flavor without out being overly sweet. Nice beer and wine selection and the cider hot toddy was oit of this world. We will definitely be back!
(5)Ashley V.
This restaurant was just fantastic. From the service to the food, everything was top notch. The gumbo, salads, and short ribs on special were to die for. It reminded me of a great home cooked meal. I have eaten at many restaurants in the Baltimore area and Ethel's has jumped to the top of my list. I only wish it was closer to downtown!
(5)Cherpumple F.
Sokay...have been here twice, once for lunch and once for brunch. Lunch, got the po'boy, which was more like a ciabatta sandwich with shrimp in it. Not quite po'boy-esque, but it was delicious nevertheless. Brunch, got the jambalaya, which was like a mound of rice with some stuff on top. Maybe I need to go back during dinnertime but wasn't too terribly impressed
(3)brian w.
Having grown up in New Orleans and living in Baltimore good creole restaurants are hard to find. Well not any more! Can't say enough great things about this little gem. From the start if the evening Andrea our server was exceptional. The food was in the mark all the way through till desert. Our after dinner drinks at the bar with Topper were right on as well. Check this place out you won't be disappointed!!!
(5)Eric B.
The real deal...authentic new orleans food...and i am tulane grad...awesome gumbo...you will not leave hungry...great drinks...owner very good guy and very much a partner with the community.
(5)David M.
Had Ethel's provide food for a party with 50 people. Weeks later, guests are still raving about the food. The Shrimp Gumbo was full of Shrimp and Sausage. It was unbelievable.The Chicken Po' Boys and Pulled Pork Po' Boys were heavy on meat and flavor. Rice and Beans were amazing. I'd never had Collard Greens before this, but Ethel's made me a huge fan. The Salad was simple but incredibly fresh with apple and peppers, and the Corn Bread was by far the best I've ever had. Nick was incredible throughout the process. Helped us set a menu and actually came in well below the budget I had given him. We had plenty of food with just the right amount of leftovers. When we picked the food up, every one working in the restaurant - servers, bartender, kitchen staff - all helped out to load up our car. It was a first class experience with first class food. I've since taken several people for lunch, and they all walk out feeling the same way I do - Ethel's is an amazing culinary gem of Baltimore.
(5)Jeff J.
Real deal New Orleans inspired food and drink. Down to earth staff. Amazing renovation with great outdoor space. Can't miss. Yeah you right!
(5)Wufi D.
I found this place to be very good! I went with 2 other friends. .. we ordered different entrees. .. all were extremely delicious. ... lots of flavor, NONE of it being salty.... i hate salty foods. Jumbalaya , baby back ribs, and fish special...... AWESOME! The sides of greens and corn bread were perfect too. Oh BTW.... dont forget the smoke bluefish appetitizer!!!! Incredible!!!!
(5)David F.
Last night's meal/dining experience could not have been better. They continue to get my vote for best jambalaya in Maryland (hands down) and it tasted even better last night--food may have even gotten better after the renovation if that is even possible. Cream of crab soup was awesome and my wife said she had never eaten better rockfish. Now in addition to some of the top food in Baltimore, this place has great ambiance and I give this restaurant my highest possible recommendation. Can't wait to go back there soon.
(5)Paige G.
My boyfriend and I went to Ethel's for our anniversary dinner. We very highly recommend it and will probably be returning for another special occasion since it is a little expensive for us as graduate students to go regularly. But if we could afford it, we would. Service: The service was impeccable. It was crowded and we didn't have a reservation, but the host immediately found us a table on the cute front porch. Our waiter Paul was quick, efficient, and very nice. He made one small mistake by forgetting my boyfriend's Coke, but when we asked where the drink was, he gave us Coke and refills on the house. Paul knew about everything on the menu and provided recommendations when asked. Later, the manager came to check on us and we told him we were having a great time. He also was very courteous and professional. At the end of our meal we received a surprise complimentary dessert with a candle in it because we had mentioned it was a special occasion. Paul, very busy as he was, gladly stopped to take a picture of me and my boyfriend before we blew out the candle. Food and Drink: I took Paul's recommendation and got a Sazerac. It was strong and flavorful. I ordered the jambalaya with sausage and a seafood combination. My boyfriend got the jambalaya with sausage and crab. While we waited for our food, we received piping hot delicious toasted bread and herb-infused olive oil. I'd come back for the bread and the drinks alone they were so good. Our food was tasty but my boyfriend was unprepared for jambalaya to be spicy. Still, he liked it, especially his crab which was arranged in three delicate, pretty cakes (with no filler) that he could easily split apart and mix with the andouille and rice to provide a little break from the spice. Mine came laden with mussels, jumbo shrimp, and fish. I like spicy and found it delicious. We took leftovers home. Definitely a great value for the $25 or so we spent on each entree.
(5)Jeff M.
Great find in Mt. Washington.
(5)Debbie B.
You MUST stop in and try the hot toddy- Hot apple cider, carmel butter, rum and cinnamon. Sooooo delicious, like drinking a glass of apple pie and so warming on a bitter cold winter night!!!
(5)Michael R.
Jambalaya, Gumbo and bread pudding are ridiculous. A true escape to Nawlins without getting on a plane.
(5)Logan G.
Website says they are open till 3pm for lunch on Saturdays. My boyfriend and I arrived at 2:30, we were sat by the waiter only to be told 2 minutes later that the kitchen was closed and they were not opening again till 5. Do not advertise that you are open till 3 if you are going to turn down customers. Will never return.
(1)Angela D.
Attentive and friendly service, quaint, intimate space. Andouille sausage in the gumbo was spicy but the roux was almost too thick; rice served on the side, but wish they offered bread to soak up the remaining base. The thai salad was colorful and had perfectly grilled chicken, but wasn't the most flavorful I've had. The restaurant is really small, and not impressively clean. Service was really attentive and friendly. I really wanted to love this restaurant - I heard positive comments about it for years, but it was somewhat disappointing. Might go back and try something else on the menu, seems to deserve another chance.
(3)G. S.
The food is great. The chef studied with Paul Prudhomme and you can taste it. The Gumbo is fantastic. The sandwiches and pizza for lunch are yummy. You can also visit these guys at the JFX farmers market. The staff here are really nice. This place is great for a date or taking your parents or even your kids.
(4)R M.
This is a good place, though a bit expensive. We have had decent meals here, but not quite up to 4 or 5 stars. They have a decent jambalaya as well as gumbo, so worth a shot if you really enjoy Cajun.
(3)Chris M.
best steak in baltimore... really!!! this place is truly amazing. food is always good and the staff is warm and inviting. especially nice in summer, when you can sit outside, but always worth the trip.
(5)Atiya Y.
Came here on a recommendation from staff at Ojas Wellness. I visited on a Friday around 1130am. I was nervous about how I was dressed (workout gear, hoodie, sneakers), but the women at Ojas assured me that since it was early afternoon, it was a safe bet that I'd be there alone or with just a few other patrons. WOW...I loved everything about Ethel's Creole Kitchen! I walked in and was immediately greeted by Jeff, one of the owners. He was so friendly and didn't make me feel underdressed or out of place. I sat at a table in the dining room on the first level. From my table, I had a view into the kitchen which I loved. What I ate/drank: 1. Arnold Palmer: the perfect ratio of lemonade to iced tea. Not too sweet, not to tart. 2. Cream of crab soup: I kept my expectations low as to the amount of actual crab meat that I would see. This soup had so many pieces of jumbo lump crab meat! YES! This is what I'm talking about! 3. Shrimp Marty sandwich: The shrimp were covered in cajun seasonings and cooked to perfection. The sandwich has a remoulade on it that is to DIE for! I wished that I could've bought a bottle of the stuff! It comes with a side of chips. 4. Chocolate Silk Pie: one bite of this was heaven. The pie is so smooth...has a consistency thicker than a mousse...maybe more along the lines of a flan. There's a layer of broken up chocolate cookies (maybe Oreo's) on it. The texture mash up between the crunchy and smooth worked so well together. Jeff was my server and he was on point with everything. He even noticed my Loyola sweatshirt and we had a nice conversation about him doing performances at the coffee houses on campus back in the day. He must've sensed my curiosity about the dinner service because he ended up bringing me a dinner menu...everything looks so good! I ended up taking half of my Shrimp Marty and Silk pie home. Everything was just as good the second day as it was on the first. I am excited to try the dinner here!
(5)Jessica A.
Great dining experience from start to finish! It was lovely sitting on the upstairs patio, and our server was lovely. Cornbread was best we had in a long time and the entrees were divine - the spices were perfect. I look forward to dining there again and again.
(5)Louie L.
Came here with some friends for our monthly supper club. As soon as I saw the name, I immediately thought of NOLA and had to try it out. Clearly the first thing was to order a drink. Ended up having a dark and stormy and vieux carre. Both were good, but I would recommend the vieux carre because I love whiskey. Now onto the food. As an appetizer we ended up sharing the Chipeppa - a stuffed red bell pepper with andouille sausage, cheese, peppers and onions. Absolutely amazing! For the main course I got the shrimp gumbo. I felt I was obligated to as it's their speciality, and I wasn't steered wrong! If it had been 50 degrees warmer and humid, I would have been convinced is was in NOLA! Also had a side of greens, just because. Will definitely be coming back here!
(5)Andrei K.
This restaurant is great, both with respect to its kitchen and to its cocktails. Rather pricy, but the price is totally worth it: Their gumbo is amazing, and their crab cakes are literally the best I've tasted so far.
(5)Sarah T.
Came here last week for dinner with a group of friends and I highly recommend! We made reservations for a Wednesday night at 7pm and Im not sure if it was because of the weather or what, but it was totally empty! It filled up a little but otherwise we felt like we had the entire restaurant to ourselves. It was great! Our server (Brian) was very nice. Answered all of our questions and gave us good recommendations. Two of my friends ordered the Chipeppa as an appetizer, and after one bite I wished I had ordered one. Smokey, savory goodness with a hint of heat that melted in my mouth. Will totally order that if I go again. I ordered the Jambalaya with andouille sausage and shrimp since, duh, I felt like it was a crime not to here. I was not disappointed. Delicious. And the portions were plenty, I only ate half and was stuffed. I think everyone got to take home lunch for the next day. I also ordered a dirty martini (named Dirty Delta on the menu) that came with bleu cheese olives and an old bay rim, also good. The only qualm I had was the parking situation. Im not totally familiar with the Mt. Washington area but it was a pain in the a** to find a spot. It had snowed recently and the grounds around the restaurant were not shoveled well at all. Parking was limited and it was a little frustrating finding a spot. Maybe I just didnt know the right places to go but it might be easier to park when the snow is all cleared properly. Otherwise, a great experience! Go!
(4)Kevin S.
Ordered the crab dip, shrimp gumbo crab cakes and the jambalaya. Crab dip had a different flavor with spinach in it the jambalaya was awesome as were the crab cakes. The gumbo was bitter and restaurant style not home style, I wouldn't order it again. The service was excellent and the playing was also excellent. The food was served hot and to temperature.
(4)Marjorie M.
Came here last week for dinner night out with some friends for supper club and loved it! I was surprised that the place was completely empty considering we had a reservation in the evening during the week, but I actually liked it. We picked out our table and our waiter Brian was very accomodating with us when we had to add an extra seat/table for our group. My friend and I decided to share an appetizer called the Chipeppa which was a fire roasted red bell pepper stuffed with andouille sausage, mozzarella, peppers and onions. Delicous! The pepper was so tender and it was a mini party in my mouth. Next, I decided to try the NOLA chicken and chose to substitute the mashed potatoes with a side of collard greens with bacon ends. Please take note that this substitution costed an upcharge of $2. Our waiter was very good in letting us know. The meal was worth it though! Instead of putting the collard greens on the side, they placed the greens under the chicken and red bell pepper sauce. It was delicious, but I think I would have preferred the greens to the side. Either way, I was still very pleased. The chicken was tender and everything was delicious. I ate the entire plate with no shame... although I really felt FULL afterwards. There was no point in taking home 3 bites anyway. ;-) The decor of the place really set the mood for NOLA! Loved the guitars hanging on the walls and various artworks. The place was lighted for the mood.. not too bright and not too dark. The place started to pick up and people began to sit at the tables for dinner and at the bar. The place is small. You can see into the kitchen from the bar which I thought was cool. This place is perfect for an intimate setting and really fit the bill for our group of 5. I would love to go back. The only thing to keep in mind is parking. Mount Washington parking in my experience can be a hit or miss at times and I believe the night we went, it was pretty difficult due to the snow. Keep in mind to leave with enough time for parking just in case you might be parking far or searching for a spot for a while.
(5)Blake H.
I went here on a Friday around 5:30pm with 1 other person. It wasn't crowded but that is probably because we were there pretty early in the evening. Once we left all of the tables (about 5 tables or so) were booked. Reservation may be a good idea since its a small place. Now to the food. We started with the Smoked Bluefish app which was good! I am not a lover of smoked fish but this was tasty. The portion is pretty big and I personally think it was too much for 2 people but if you love smoked fish you may disagree. My boyfriend got the Sausage and Shrimp Gumbo. He loved it! The portion was big and they definitely didn't skimp on the shrimp. I tried it and thought it was very good as well! I ordered the Creole Shrimp Boat, which comes with mussels, fish, crab, and shrimp. Again, the portion was big and they didn't skimp on the seafood. It was very tasty! I will definitely be back to Ethel's again when I am craving that creole/Cajun cuisine!!
(4)Marsha M.
Have tried to get to this restaurant for past couple of months. After reading the great reviews I thought I was in for a succulent treat. Boy was I WRONG!!!!! I had the fried oysters and the creole shrimp boat...the fried oysters were not thoroughly cleaned, not seasoned and not thoroughly cooked. When you bite into the oysters all you get is gritty floured mush. The creole shrimp boat also lacked seasoning and the shrimp were over cooked. The only item in this dish that some sense of taste was the grilled zucchini. Butter and some Old Bay seasoning would have made big difference on this dish. And the cook needs to learn how to clean and oysters before someone gets sick! The staff was very nice and it is nice quiet restaurant but the food leaves leaves much to be desired. The one star rating is only for the staff.
(1)Cici H.
I'm a huge fan of creole/Cajun cuisine as I have spent quite a bit of time in Nawlins. However, I used to eat meat during that era in my life but no longer. So, I face a challenge. I had dinner with a group of carnivores who desired to relive our days in NOLA so Ethel's was the final option. So I quickly skimmed through the menu looking for vegetarian dairy-free selections and I saw a pasta dish (don't recall the name). But I really wasn't into the idea of eating pasta. I politely inquired about alternative options for this here veggie girl. The waitress kindly indicated the chef could prepare red beans and rice for me with no meat. Eyes wide open, I was so happy. Now, upon arrival it was not what I expected but looked very delicious. The beans were more of a red sauce (typically more brown) accompanied by vegetables ( veg de jour) and a heap of white rice. I couldn't wait to dive in. It was so yummy and savory, not quite Nola style but very good. I enjoyed the nice veg medley of zucchini, yellow squash and carrots; nice and crisp. We also ordered the cornbread which was sweet and delightful. The services was a little slow and we were mad hungry but all were pleased with their meals (jambalaya and chicken with mash and veg). I would come here again.
(4)Joe J.
Without a doubt my favorite restaurant in Baltimore. The staff is extremely polite and knowledgeable. Every meal is absolutely amazing every time. I have been coming here for 15 years. The building has changed with many upgrades over the years leading to the fantastic layout they have today and the food has retained that creative magic that wows you every time. The atmosphere is relaxing with a nice romantic feel that is also well suited for children. Every dish every time, they never cease to amaze my tastebuds. This is my go to place to impress family and friends when they visit. Get this place on your radar if its not already and I promise you a meal you will talk about for a while. Trust me!
(5)Brian F.
Consistently perfect food. The special drink, STRONG, the prime rib, well the prime rib seemed to missing the fat - the meat was oh so perfectly cooked. My daughter, 19, ordered the sea ads (sorry, I should have taken a picture!) and was excited to pull the meat off the bone while simultaneously mmmm'ing and ahhhhh'ing. I could wait to write this review. We just finished eating dinner and now it's time for desert.
(5)