Grand Cru

the good: staff is friendly and smart; selection is ""grand""; setting is pleasant, with local artwork on the walls, changing monthly. if this place was in a trendier locale, say mid-town, the staff and patrons might be hard to take [read snotty], but the folks who frequent, and everyone attending are casual types who take their wine seriously. about the wine: lots of bottles, good cross-section, reasonably priced, and you always get a taste no matter how familiar you might be with the label or grape. during the summer fridays, get there and enjoy the live music on the square, with plenty of food vendors [much more food, and it'll be getting close to ""foodscape"" overload]. commercial tents [selling product, services etc] are starting to get in the way, but can be easily ignored. the bad: those damn stools, please get new ones! Pros: staff, location, selection Cons: stools more

I have been to Grand Cru a few times since shopping at the Belvedere Market and it has now become a favorite of mine. On occasion you can stumble upon a wine tasting, shop an interesting variety of imported wines that can't really be found at your local liquor store, and enjoy a cocktail from their full-service bar. The staff is extremely friendly, knowledgable, and helpful. And they always let you taste the wine before you buy the glass, which is rare at any other ordinary bar - but Grand Cru is anything but ordinary. Baltimore needed a place like this! Pros: atmosphere, staff, selection of wine more