Believe it or not, the best service I have ever had was at the Macaroni Grill in Columbia, courtesy of a superb waiter named Luis.

Ikaros. Just like you said about Michael's - career waitresses who know what they are doing and like their jobs. My partner can be very finicky and picky, and our waitress at Ikaros had her wrapped around her finger in 5 min.

When we went, it wasn't horribly busy, which often means bad service. Not at Ikaros. She explained menu items, made suggestions and dealt with special requests graciously and efficiently.

We have generally had very fine service at Oregon Grille.

I've only been to Kali's Court once, but was put off by the service that night. It wasn't very busy, but we didn't get much attention even though we were a party of 6 or 8.

BOOOOOORING!

regi's in federal hill has always had reliably swell service.

I have had horrible service at Michael's. The two occassions that I have been there the wait staff was rude and made us wait forever for our food even though it was not busy and our order shouldn't have taken so long. I would suggest people avoid this place

I would have to agree with the bad sevice at Michael's. Went twice for lunch. First time the waitress was not very good and loudly complained close to our table about a 15% tip. The next time we were there the same waitress wrote in a 20% tip when she returned the credit card slip for a party of 3. I will never return after that.

Prime Rib deserves top honors for service.

Can't argue with anything on the list that I've been to. Of course, some for some of them, if they had bad servce at their price points, I doubt they'd be in business long.

Now I'm going to be another obnoxious neighborhood stickler...is Oregon Grille in Cockesville or Hunt Valley?

I think you're right. Thanks. I changed it. EL

Ditto on Ikaros. One of Baltimore's gems.

I second Regi's Bistro. Took me awhile to sit down, but once I sat down, everytime, superb service. They seem to check on you often but not in a hurry-some or rude manner and not in an invading way. They also make good suggestions for wine on the half price bottle nights and have Dogfish Head on tap...

Totally agree with Tarks. High dollar place but the best service I've ever had!

I have found Petit Louis to always have exceptional service. Friendly, helpful and on several celebratory occasions a glass of champagne on the house!

Entirely disagree about Regi's. I've never had good service, not at the bar or at a table, and I've been 4-5 times, and the food has also been lackluster. I don't plan to ever go back, Jerry Seinfeld hangout or not. (He was spotted there a year or so ago.)

Morton's. Excellent service and wait staff.

We had a wonderful New Year's Eve dinner at Crush in Belvedere Square. Our waitress was quite pregnant, but despite this was wonderful and attentive. She was happy to make some substitutions for our group's order and had a great suggestion for a wine selection.

Good Restuarant service can and has occured at the local Burger King. By contrast, some of the nicer establishments have servers that do not take pride in their job. They look at the tab and calculate their tip before they even place the order and if you complain, it's a big imposition as they roll their eyes thinking "you're just complaining because you don't want to leave a nice tip" Restuarant managers are often clueless. I've never seen one manage by walking around. It was be very easy to become the patron's advocate and make mental notes about the progress of food brought out to each table. It's not that hard to walk around a few times and see if a table is still waiting for food on their third walk, it's probaly far too long and the server should be confronted and the manager should offer a pre-emptive apology.

I would put the Prime Rib's "wait staff and bussing service" at the top of the list, bar none.

However, I'd put their host/maitre d' service towards the worst of the worst. A bit too condescending IMO, and often they never seem to be able to accomadate your reservation for the timeframe in which you reserved.

I've often had reservations for a certain time, only to have been seated at least 30 minutes later...if not longer. Top that with the elitist condescending attitude, while you wait, it can get a little aggrivating. Even worse, i;ve been waiting and have seen peole with reservations AFTER us get seated right. I guess they're nt shy about favoring their "regulars."

Oh, but once you're seated I must admit it's the gold stanfdard from there. From the waitstaff, to the abolute highest qquality of food and the sizable portions, it makes you almost forget the elitism you had to go through to get from the front door to the table.

Give me a 40 oz. Porterhouse for $19 or Chateaubriand for two for $35 and you can toss it to me from across the room. I'll catch it and eat it, without complaint.

Lissa--

I jsut saw your post and couldn;t agree more about Ikaros. in fact I ghavged my mind. Ikaros has EVERYONE beat when it comes to service, period.

When you go into ikaros, you are greeted by the friendliest and most sincere folks who act as if they are literally inviting you into their own home, and only want to serve you the very best. I have never seen a host so proud of their establishment and the food that they serve. They go out of their way to make sure you get what you want, and they are always offerring up samples "on the house" to see if you'd like them.

One time after a birthday dinner, the host came to our table and absoltely insisted on sharing with us a fabulous dessert platter on the house with homemade baklava, and some other flaky dessert with custard in it. OMG it was unbelievable. Coffee and the whole 9 yards, were on the hosue because he saw that we were having a celebration.

very classy.

Peggy and her crew at Jennings and the staff at Peppermill really do a nice job. For Michael's, we should distinguish between the Eastern Avenue and York Road unrelated ones.

This is the Eastern Avenue one. EL

Some mention should be made of Fogo de Chao. The dining experience is diffenent than other restaurants, but they have about 275 waiters working the floor at any given time. All you have to do is begin to think you want something and a waiter, albeit dressed in very baggy (even for someone from south of the border) pants, shows up.

Donny B, I agree with you about Ikaros but not about Prime Rib. On my last visit I stepped on the maitre d's foot, and when I went to apologize he insisted on apologizing to me and making sure I was ok, even though it was his foot that got crunched. I didn't think he was elitist or condescending at all.

We've always had good service at Troia in Towson at lunch.

And I can't think of anything to complain about at Donna's in Cross Keys. Smooth, cheerful, no pretensions.

And, a big plus, the servers at neither place try to shake out your napkin and spread it on your lap for you. (Thanks but no thanks.)

A few shout-outs, if the kids are in fact, still calling it that these days:

1) Petit Louis -- Gracious, attentive, polite; sometimes bordering on sycophant. But then, the quality of their food deserves that extra tender loving care, mais non? Also, how exactly is one supposed to navigate that wine list without a little help?

2) Salt - I've seem comments from others that the staff can be terse, but I've never had anything but friendly and timely service there.

3) The Helmand - On weeknight. When they get slammed on the weekends, yes, things can be a little rushed. When they're not slammed though, it's quite gracious.

4) Tapas Teatro - Speaking of rushed, it can feel quite rushed if you're not trying to catch a flick next door. But if you are in a slight hurry, their downright German efficiency is a godsend.

What about Woodberry Kitchen? Very knowledgeable servers who are enthusiastic about the food and want you to have a great time.

I have found the service at Oceanaire to be exceptional as well. It's one of my favorite restaurants, for that reason.

Can't believe no one is mentioning The Capital Grille downtown. From the time you enter, until the time you leave, I've never had anything but superb service and excellent food.

From reading the other comments you can see the old adage applies. Have a so so meal and good service, you'll return again. Have a good meal and bad service, its usually, see ya later!

Hands down, the best service I've ever gotten in a restaurant was at Red Star in Fells Point. From the moment we walked in, until we left, everyone was friendly and helpful -- and of course the food was excellent.

Tarks... the only good service goes to the owners friends and the BCC crowd. These people need to grow up venture out of Baltimore and get a life!

Tarks... the only good service goes to the owners friends and the BCC crowd. These people need to grow up venture out of Baltimore and get a life!

Disagree 1000% with Kali's Court. My wife and I will never go back because the service was so horrible and the food lackluster. You could say it was an "off" night, but all of our friends have shared the same experience. Undeservingly pretentious, condescending, and horribly inattentive.

My husband and I were totally ignored in Kali's Court for 20 minutes. When we finally flagged someone down to let them know we were there for our reservations, they said it would be a two-hour wait. No apologies and they acted like that was normal. We walked out and will NEVER step foot in that restaurant.

I was thinking of Salt before I saw that someone beat me to it. I regret that I forget the name of the woman who waited on us there, because she was wonderful - good recommendations, friendly, attentive but not pushy, and made a point of telling us her name again at the end of the night and saying she'd be happy to serve us again any time. (It's been a while since I was there, but I actually did remember her name for a while, hoping to get back and ask for her table again.) And we're not the "beautiful people" who probably get good service wherever they go.

The best service I ever had was at Capital Grill on Pratt. Great good and our waiter was excellent.

Worst service recently: Gin Mill on Boston Street. Mean staff, and empty to boot!

Crepe du jour
http://www.crepedujour.com/

I've been there twice, and the service was excellent both times.

Vistit Tarks. You will not only enjoy rudeness from the staff, but get it from a certain group of obnoxious patrons. Old people trying to act cool.

I know it may be an unpopular opinion, but I have always had wonderful service by nice waitpersons at Birches in Canton. Also, the service at The Bicycle in Federal Hill makes it one of our favorite places.

I also agree about The Prime Rib...the service is very professional and pampering, but we also have waited over an hour for a reservation in a very, very crowded bar. Plus, two of our dining companions were infirmed in some way (one walks with a cane and one was on crutches with a broken leg), which made the wait even more uncomfortable. I just think that in a circumstance like that, that the management would at least buy a round of drinks or something, as it was pretty ridiculous. Once we were seated at our tiny little table that was shoved into an area that it really didn't belong, the service was stellar, with a waiter that gave great wine recommendations and was attentive without being intrusive.

And, I don't mean to turn this nice post about good service into a complaint box, but my experience at Oregon Grille was so bad (3 separate trips) that there will not be a return trip. As a matter of fact, I have yet to meet someone that has had a good experience there. I would much rather spend my Northern Baltimore County dollars at The Milton Inn. Same expense with fantastic service, superb food and the best atmosphere north of the city, IMHO.

My friends and I go to Prime Rib once a year on Christmas Eve and never have had a problem with the maitre d' or being seated at the time of our reservations. However Donny B, I will admit that I have obsvered the staff on occasion act "elitist" when gentlemen show up without wearing a dinner jacket (for those who don't know or have never been there, the Prime Rib REQUIRES a jacket). I must also mention Gertrudes at the BMA. I have always had excellent service there despite the crowds for the weekend brunch.

Morton's Steakhouse has outstanding service and I always enjoy my time there. They are eager to please.

Dawn--meet Dahlink.

EL-

Did someone pay you to put Patrick's on this list. I think it must be a typo. We were forced to eat there twice post Chef Tomas and I must say that it's the worst! Besides the bi-polar type of theme/menu/specials, I would say the staff already has their apologies scripted by now. I must say that i've never seen a Irish, Spanish, Martini - Bar, Sports Lounge, Wine Cellar restaurant last this long. RIP Chef Tomas.

second fogo de chao. honestly, i'd never go there out of choice (i've gone twice w/ gift cards) but it's obvious that the standard of service is set at the highest bar. it's quite entertaining to watch the gauchos hustle and very amazing that nothing seems to get spilled or dropped. it's so decadent i almost feel guilty after leaving... almost.

I have always had excellent and professional service at The Black Olive. And top marks for expertly filleting the fish table side with two spoons.

I agree that Fogo de Chao has excellent service. One of the gauchos saw that we were keeping an eye out for one of the meats we hadn't tried yet, he asked what we wanted to try and then he went to the kitchen and brought a hot skewer of that meat directly to our table!

As for Capital Grille, we ate there once and were VERY disappointed by the service. Our water glasses were never even refilled! We'd choose the service at Fleming's or Ruth's Chris over Capital Grille any day.

Ixia. The best wait service is when you don't notice because it is there at all of the right moments and unobtrusive. Ixia.

Is it the training or the individual? The other night, at the Outback in Canton, we had a server who was the consumate pro, who really seemed to care that we enjoyed our meal. And we did. Will we find the same top-notch level of service every time we visit an Outback? Only one way to find out -- which his smiling welcome has certainly encouraged us to do.

Wow, I can't believe no one has mentioned Ruth's Chris! I've been there many times, and have always been impressed by their service. Plus the food is great.

I have to agree with the Outback. We have been many times over the years and everyone from the hostess to the waiters could not be more accomodating.

Morton's service is AWFUL. never been treated so badly in my life.

I am mystified at the popularity of Kali's Court. We dined there one time. Each course took way too long to arrive and the food, while good, was not good enough to justify the prices.

A stellar wait staff would have softened our opinion, but neglectful service sealed the fate of Kali's Court for us.

We have never returned to give them a second chance. Life is too short for bad service.

1) Thank you for reminding me of Oceannaire! I had forgotten how knowledgeable and friendly the service was. It should stick in my memory for staff to not treat a Restaurant Week crowd like the unwashed masses.

2) If I had to venture guess about Outback, I can only conjecture that servers who don't care about hipness can make a longer-term career with larger chains, by virtue of better benefits? Any servers care to comment?

3) Kali's Court leaves me with some measure of ambivalence all-around. The food is capable, generally good -- but not great or awe-inspiring. The service is friendly and attentive (IMHE), but has never left me impressed.

I would echo the comments on Regi's American Bistro. I have been there often on weekends and cannot believe the level of service provided by Bradley Baker, their server extraordinare! Very knowledgeable and never pushy, service that is efficient with being intrusive. KUDOS to you, Bradley

Woodberry Kitchen -- The place is always busy as hell, but the service is great.

I have been disappointed with Morton's food, but the service was excellent. Capital Grille both food and service excellent. Oceanaire has the best service and the food was pretty good. Flemings has good food, acceptable service. The Prime Rib was awesome in every way. Crepe du Jour was a welcome surprise with great food and service. Micheals on Eastern avenue will never receive my money again, the food was acceptable, but the service was horrible.

does great service mean kiss the customers ass no matter what, or just provide silky smooth great table service. for example, in france the chef is the star, in italy the food is the star!
Ya know what i mean. Keep it simple.

EL -- I think Vince's 4:11 AM post is merely seeking a link to his own website, a jumble of lists that isn't especially concentrated on food. (He's from San Diego, so it's unclear whether he's ever eaten at the Sullivan's in Baltimore.) Delete this one?

Thanks. I don't mind other food and drink bloggers linking to their sites, but you're right. This is someone who has nothing to contribute. EL

I'll agree with the Prime Rib voters. We were there for my wife's birthday, and at the end of the meal our waiter squeezed around behind another table and the wall so he could surprise her with a small cake. We're not the type of people who have any special expectations from the restaurant just because we happen to be celebrating something, so sending out the cake was nice but his efforts to make sure she did not see it coming made it a truly memorable gesture.

Wow, should Kali's Court maybe be on the next list of controversial restaurants? Never eaten there, but The Boy and I ate at Mezze the Saturday after Thanksgiving last year, and I guess our service was just okay because I don't remember being particularly gratified or irritated.

Also I've never had bad service at Michael's, but that could be because my dad seemed to know everyone in East Baltimore all the way out to the county line, so I get special treatment without even knowing it...(seriously, people I've never met still routinely come up to me and say "You're DadSloth's girl aren't you?!" Creepy.)

I was at Kali's Court a couple of years ago. I felt that the server was doing us a favor to show up at our table although I was with someone who usually got sucked up to. (Really, I can talk through a pretty substantial gap in service without feeling neglected but this was really embarrassing) Perhaps Server wanted to prove that he was too cool to be impressed? Whatever, I have never been back, since there are other places to spend that much money.

kali's court? You have got to be kidding? Salt, not even close. Good service should address a guests needs whether they have been expressed or not. It is the smooth and unobtrusive server that offers good service; anticipating your needs almost before you thought them. Some examples of good service in Baltimore might include any property in the Charleston Group. Jacks Bistro,and Woodberry Kitchen,
just to name a few.

In fact, consistantly good service is such a rarity that restuatant consulting firms exist just to address this very issue.

The Capital Grille can't hold a candle to the Prime Rib. I've been seated in a miserable section twice at the Capital Grille and upsold on wine by a waiter who clearly didn't know much about juice. I'm sure the regulars at the Prime Rib get better seating, but the wait staff are pros.

I've gotta' defends Patrick's. Had lunch twice there during the past few weeks, was smitten with the massive onion rings and delighted by the grandmotherly waitress with the charming accent that I'd need Henry Higgins to identify.

Stan, I guess you have never been at Crepe du Jour to witness the owner screaming at kitchen and waitstaff. The poor waitress kept apologizing to everyone in the restaurant and she hadn't done anything wrong. He just stands in the corner- uncomfortable. Just sad.
I had a bad experience with a horrible server at Bicycle and although the food is great, I've been hesitant to return.
Agree with Woodberry, Salt, Jack's, Prime Rib (although I've heard stories of snooty treatment by hosts, guess we got lucky).
Matsuri, Corks and Cinghiale have also given us great service/dining experiences.

Dawn, I'm sorry you haven't been served well at Oregon Grille. We've been there a number of times, and every time the service, and food, are outstanding.

Scott at Ruth's Chris Water Street has to be the best waiter in the business. He is always one step ahead of your needs. The rest of the staff is great as well. Can not believe they did not get a nod.

One would think someone with their finger on the pulse on the food scene in Baltimore (and writing about it for the Sun) would have been to Prime Rib to enjoy the experience within 10 years. There's a reason it is the oldest steakhouse in Baltimore.

I would love to review it once a year. The problem with restaurants that are very expensive and maintain a high standard without changing much is that it's hard to justify going back to my bosses when there have been so many new places opening up. Now if the Prime Rib would just revamp its menu, or stop serving prime rib...:-) EL

Linda Schaffer, if you're going to be snarky at least do the arithmetic correctly. "Almost a decade" qualifies for "within 10 years".

Hal, love your use of the word snarky but I agree with Linda.

El G, you're right about many servers at places like Outback. My best friend is a career waitress and she works for a large chain because of the benefits.