Enjoying The Falls

If you haven’t tried The Falls yet, you should. No matter what your taste or preference, there is likely something there for you.

There’s coffee, breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner, plus a wine list that is longer than the menu. Add that to the stellar service, and warm but funky atmosphere, and you’re pretty much guaranteed a great dining experience.

The Falls has been open for about a year and a half, at the edge of Mt. Washington Village, just across from Ojas Wellness.

The atmosphere is eclectic: a black-and-white checkered tile floor, white tables and chairs. There are black, see-through block bookshelves full of books that patrons are welcome to borrow, to read during their time there or to take home and return at their leisure—the hope, expressed on the menu, is that customers might bring some books from home to donate.

The environs have a somewhat industrial feel, and the lighting is soft, with red and orange pendant lights hanging along the perimeter. All together, it creates a sophisticated yet homey atmosphere.

The sign says sit wherever you like, so I sat between two bookshelves. Immediately a server was at my side to take my drink order and answer questions. I opted to try the crab dip appetizer. It was delicious, with big chunks of backfin crabmeat and a smooth layer of melted cheddar across the top. I took a lot of it home, to leave room for the Thurman: grilled chicken, Roma tomatoes, pesto and fresh mozzarella on Rosemary focaccia. It was very good. Like, melt-in-your-mouth good. The accompanying hand-cut fries were the perfect complement.

The service at The Falls is welcoming, attentive and perfectly paced. I have a great deal of respect (and gratitude!) for a server who fills your glass before it’s empty, and who walks that line between ignoring and hovering. My server did just that.

The menu seems to go on forever. There are the hearty appetizers (such as the pomegranate wings at $15 per dozen, and the homemade fried mozzarella at $6), along with salads, pasta, pizzas, sandwiches and entrees. The prices range anywhere from $4-$20. There’s even a kid’s menu.

In addition to the wine list that's a full page longer than the menu (quite literally—and the menu also invites your request for new selections), there are “tap tables” at the bar. Those probably match the picture that just came to mind: a round bar table, with two kegs underneath, and taps built in. My server informed me that the bar fills up pretty quickly once those two tables are occupied.

The Falls seems to be several restaurants in one: three-meal full-serve delicious food, bar, coffee house, kid-friendly joint. Try it—I don’t think you’ll regret it.

1604 Kelly Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21209        

410-367-7840
Hours: Daily, 7 a.m.-9 p.m.
website: thefallsmtwashington.com