Known as a cool summer escape with attractive gardens and landscaping, Roland Park also boasts a handful of neighborhood places that serve as charming meeting spots. So, when you're in the area, take a stroll, sip some espresso, and enjoy a leisurely bite with the friendly residents. You might be surprised how affordable many of the options are in this affluent neighborhood.
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 Morning fuel: The Daily Grind offers one-stop breakfast for busy folks on their way to work. (Photo by Emily Deutschman, Special to SunSpot) |
Breakfast:
Roland Park offers more breakfast options than any other meal. Take advantage of the variety, especially on Sunday when the whole neighborhood seems to come alive with early-morning joggers, "New York Times" readers (they'll share if you're patient) and chatty, stylish groups of brunchers.
Sam's Bagels — This venerable bagel joint is as real as breakfast comes in Roland Park. You'll wait in a long, but fast-moving line, choose from 20 varieties of the round delights, select a delicious topping, wait for your name to be called, and serve yourself some piping hot coffee. You can even plop down in a window seat and watch the scene at The Daily Grind across the street.
<!– Urban Grounds — This is the antithesis to Sam's Bagels. Urban Grounds tries to be hip and happening, but with a staff consisting of ornery Loyola students, it doesn't quite make it. The servers will often stare blankly if a java request even deviates slightly from the items on the menu. So, if you want to relax in one of the booth or couch seats and eavesdrop on regulars' conversations, just go with the flow. The menu options are fairly limited. There are bagels and waffles, but nothing fancy — not even a breakfast sandwich.
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Lunch:
From vegan sandwiches to French crepes, Roland Park offers a palate-pleasing lunch selection. One World Cafe — Situated across the street from John Hopkins' Homewood field (and not officially a part of Roland Park, but close enough to walk to), one would expect this eatery (also a good breakfast spot) to be filled with students and jocks. Surprisingly, its clientele and staff are more on the arty side. This is a bit of a mixed blessing. One minute you'll be trying to order a nice healthy vegetarian or vegan sandwich and fruit smoothie, and the next minute the server is trying to talk to you about your upcoming vacation plans, completely forgetting to take your order. On the other hand, the eccentricities are entertaining and the diversity is refreshing.
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Not just burgers: Executive chef Jason Hancock shows dishes from Alonso’s menu. (Photo by Emily Deutschman, Special to SunSpot) |
Donna's — While there's not much of a difference between this Donna's and any of the other zillion locations across the city, it does offer patio seating. Of course, you'll find its standard trademark soups, salads and sandwiches.
Dinner:
Dinner spots in Roland Park are meager, especially since the closing of Morgan Millard (replaced by Petit Louis), but the few that are here are worth visiting if you want a low-hassle, parking problem-free night out.
Alonso's — This neighborhood joint has undergone a transformation in the last few years, but remains a favorite local watering hole. Once you get a taste of the famous over-sized, greasy burgers, you won't care about any of the other items on the menu.
Loco Hombre — If you've partaken in one too many juicy burgers, step next door to one of Roland Park's few ethnic eateries. Its extensive southwestern menu seems to hit the spot for Roland Park residents. In addition to chicken, steak and seafood options — in everything from enchiladas to fajitas — there are also enough vegetable dishes to keep the non-meat eaters happy. There's also a family-friendly Sunday brunch.
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Dessert:
Roland Parkers have been bemoaning the closing of their very own Baskin-Robbins for a while, but can now rejoice. Ice cream seems to be making a comeback in the neighborhood. If the cold stuff doesn't wet your whistle, all the coffee places offer treats, too. Sink your teeth into a biscotti at Donna's, a carob muffin at One World, or a Cloud Nine chocolate bar at Bun Penny.
Need Ice Cream — This is the first of the ice cream parlors to return to the neighborhood (followed by Uncle Wiggly's on Roland Avenue), and it's a welcome addition. Besides offering Lee's Homemade Ice Cream, there's also a good selection of penny candy. Stop by on a Tuesday for the $3 banana split eat-in special.
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