Marchionda's is an Excellent Successor to Angelina's

Tonight, I had the opportunity to attend a "soft opening" for Marchionda's Italian Restaurant, which will occupy the former Angelina's location at 7135 Harford Road.  Marchionda's has been opened by a father and daughter team, Tonney Crews and Joann Stoffel, and is managed by my longtime friend Jennifer Lesko Quinton.   The restaurant will seat about 140 and offer Mediterranean cuisine.

Angelina's was a Baltimore landmark for many years.   I have wonderful memories of going there as a child when my father would want to treat out-of-state business associates to Baltimore crabcakes.  Sadly, it declined around 2000 and closed a few years ago.

It was great walking into Marchionda's and noticing the familiar arched brickwork, but even better was the gorgeous atmosphere and wonderful food.   My wife and I had the crab cakes, and our kids had spaghetti.   The crab cakes are an excellent successor to the renowned Angelina's dish, which were often rated among the best in Baltimore.

I'm not a food critic, but I love seafood and Italian cuisine and I think I know the qualities that make a great restaurant.   Marchionda's has the potential to be a new Baltimore classic, and you should check it out.  Best wishes to the Crews family and all those involved in launching this new enterprise, right down the road in Parkville just beyond the city line.