Eat Your Way Through Baltimore's Little Italy

If you've visited large cities in the Northeast United States, you already know that many of them have areas known as "Little Italy." Boston, New York and Philadelphia all have Italian neighborhoods with markets, shops and, of course, restaurants.

Baltimore's Little Italy ranks with the best of them. A small, rowhouse-lined neighborhood a few blocks east of the Inner Harbor, Little Italy is well worth a visit, especially if you are hungry. It's an easy walk from the National Aquarium and other Inner Harbor attractions. If you're driving straight to Little Italy, park in one of several parking lots or use the large parking garage at Central and Eastern Avenues.

Once you're in Little Italy, take a few minutes to wander around the neighborhood. It's fun to check the various restaurant menus and decide where to eat. You might be able to catch a local bocce ball match on the neighborhood courts.

One of my favorite restaurants in Little Italy is Amicci's on High Street. The restaurant, located in a 100-year-old building, has black and white floors that remind me of an old Italian palace. Brick walls, an über-modern bar and dozens of movie posters complete the look. The food is plentiful and tasty. Most pasta dishes cost about $14; seafood and meat entrées run $18 - $19. I love the house gnocchi. I'm a bit of a gnocchi snob and Amicci's serves up a huge dish of fluffy little potato dumplings with a creamy ham, spinach and pepper sauce. Amicci's' Monday - Friday lunch menu is a great value. Try the pick-a-pasta option; choose a pasta type and top it with one of nine different sauces for $7 or $8. The wait staff is attentive and the atmosphere is family-friendly.

Don't take my word for it, though; head to Amicci's and order some pasta.

My all-time favorite dessert stop in Little Italy is Vaccaro's Italian Pastry Shop on Albemarle Street. While they have locations throughout the Baltimore area, Vaccaro's flagship store is my first choice because it reminds me so much of an Italian pasticceria. On weekends, people line up 20-deep to buy a scoop or two of gelato or a scrumptious pastry. You can eat on the street or sit at one of the tiny indoor tables and order off the menu. If you're in a real hurry, grab a six-pack of unstuffed cannoli, take it home and fill the pastries with Vaccaro's delicious ricotta-based cannoli cream.

Little Italy thrives on tradition. Many restaurants - Sabatino's and Da Mimmo leap to mind - have been serving up pasta and bistecca for decades. Seasonal activities add to Little Italy's old-world customs. If you're in Baltimore on a Friday in July or August, stick around for the open-air, free movie showings. Later in the year, there's a fall "Taste of Italy" event, a Columbus Day parade (he's still a hero in Little Italy) and a neighborhood Christmas tree lighting.

Whether you plan to dine upscale or go casual, Little Italy has a restaurant for you.