2 Restaurants in Baltimore Area are Foodie Favorites on New OpenTable List

OWINGS MILLS, MD — Being a "foodie" — someone obsessed with culinary finds — has its perks, including discovering great meals at one-of-a-kind restaurants. It's that kind of experience that put Owings Mill's Linwoods on Open Table's new "100 Best Restaurants for Foodies in America." The other Baltimore find on the list: the city's Charleston restaurant.

"These standout restaurants are delicious destinations for the most passionate eaters — those for whom dining out is practically sport," says Caroline Potter, OpenTable Chief Dining Officer. "Using ingredients both humble and exotic and drawing culinary inspiration from around the globe, this year's honorees consistently offer thrilling experiences sure to please even the most discerning diners."

Established more than 20 years ago by Linwood and Ellen Dame, Linwoods prides itself on "fresh and creative cuisine and fine service in a warm, contemporary atmosphere," according to the website.

"Linwoods is among the very few restaurants that is perfect in every way!" wrote one reviewer last week on OpenTable. That followed this other rave review: "Fantastic food, service and experience. We sat by the grill bar and we were able to interact with the chefs. Was wonderful!"

With influences from France and the South Carolina Lowcountry, Charleston has been wowing food critics, faithful patrons and curious waterfront tourists for nearly a decade.

"The meal was pricy but worth it," one Charleston diner wrote last week at OpenTable. "The fried green tomato may be one of the best things I have EVER eaten."

Open Table came up with its 100 Best Restaurants for Foodies in America list by using overall scores from reviews in the past year for all restaurants, and then grading qualifying restaurants based on the percentage of restaurant reviews that included a "fit for foodies" designation.

Three restaurants were on the list from the crowded D.C. restaurant scene: Marcel's by Robert Wiedmaier, Plume at the Jefferson Hotel, and Rasika.