As much as my family loves Friendly Farms, I don't like the bright lighting.
I think that Cracker Barrel has a great motif.

One of my favorite places, food is awesome, and you can't beat the prices: Ikaros on Eastern Avenue.

No Da Ji. If they haven't been shut down yet, which is what I heard.

The world needs more sushi buffets.

Thanks EL! I forgot about friendly farms! and it's true, Burkes and Perring Place look the same as they did when I first started in this biz, Burkes still has the best onion rings, props to Bill Beery and Mr. C at burkes for making them the same way for as long as I can remember. How about little italy? everyone has their favorite italian restaurant, but I can't remember any remodeling there in years, my fav is actually paza luna in locust point, but it needs to be toned down just a little bit (my opinion) and the tables at the top of the stairs, who wants to sit at the top of the stairs?

Pierpoint....

I don't know if it needs remodeling or just a good cleaning, but Mt. Washington Tavern is due for either. I was at a private party in the "garden room" over the weekend. That is the only place in Baltimore that has it's own ecosystem!!

Michaels on Eastern Avenue could use an update.

Another perfect meal last night at The Prime Rib - the food (OMG), the staff, and the decor. How fabulous to dine in such timeless surroundings - it could be 1930 or 1960 and I hope it looks exactly the same in 2030 and 2060 (and that maybe I'm around - teeth intact - though one could conceivably gum the beef and slurp the creamed spinach). BTW, my hubby wore a coat and tie and I am thrilled to report that he was not alone, despite the dress code dumb-down.

Second Pierpoint. My smoked crabcake was so good, but that dining room looks really dated.

FL Rob, updating Michael's might be even more wrong than updating Burke's.

Hal,
You might have a point there. I guess part of the charm of Michael's is the decor. Its truly Baltimore.

You know, I can't come up with any place I think needs an update. No, I don't like the mirrors in the Prime Rib, and there are some places that look a bit dated, but they are real.

Take that Baltimore dated, and replace it with faux whatever from some designer box, and even if the food is wonderful, it'll be a huge turn off.

Cafe Zen --- love the food but the walls need a a fresh coat of paint and the floors need some attention as well.

The Baltimoron-

Amicci's added a great new bar in the past few years (Baltimore definition of new: less than 20 years old), but otherwise don't expect much change. Little Italy -IMO-tends to revere its past.

Pasticcio Italian Kitchen Restaurant in Pikesville. Do they ever DUST in there?? Next time you sit at a booth take a peek at the wall or ledge above your table *barf*

Regarding the outdated decor adding to the charm, has anybody been to Johnny Dee's Lounge lately? I have not been for a few years (which is a shame because their food is pretty good), but their dining room had two separate areas. They had regular dining tables and chairs. But they also had an area with 1960's style sofas, chairs and tables. It added to it's old Baltimore feel.

Ethel and Ramone's in Mt Washington.

FLIRV thanks for the info! I love ammici's, there gnocci is the best i've had, but I have never noticed a bar there, I love to eat at the bar. might be another topic for you EL, I have many reasons why it is better to eat at the bar.
#1 the servers work alone
#2 servers can "hide" in the back
#3 servers can have up to 5 tables at one time in different areas of the restaurant.
#4 servers have to travel to get everything
#5 bartenders work in teams
#6 all of the bartenders working have access to your check, so they can add things to it, print it or close it for you, the team of bartenders waits on you.
#7 one bartender has to remain behind the bar at all times
#8 you can yell out to us if you need something, or if something isn't right.
#9 we usually have a "dump" check or house check for buying people a drink if we want.
#10 if we over make a drink order, or if a server messes up and orders too many, we usually give it away to a bar customer instead of throwing it away.
#11 if your with boring company you have the bartender or TV to entertain you.
#12 it's not pathetic to eat at the bar alone
#13 when you want the check (customers #1 complaint at tables, waiting for the check, or change) it is usually printed and sitting in front of you in a brandy snifter
#14 all you have to do is get your money or credit card out and we are right there before you place it with the bill, turn around and close it out.
#15 everything is within reach for us, you need hotsauce? BLAM there it is.
#16 bartenders are happy you sat in their "section" but please dont take up a seat with your pocketbook, thats what the hooks are for. the most expensive seat at the bar is an empty one.
i'll stop here, I have to go to work now, if anyone wants more reasons you get better service at the bar (at least mine anyway) let me know, and yes I realize their are alot of prima donna bartenders out their who think food service is beneath them, sorry about that, kids these days.

Because there are fewer bartenders than servers, when you go back to the same place, you're gonna see the same guy/gal behind the bar. The nice tip you left last time means you're going to get really super service.

oh, you can often get a seat at the bar, even if you don't have ressies.

The last time I ate at Friendly Farms the place needed more than a makeover. It needed to be cleaned. And the flies, there were flies everywhere. We couldn't enjoy the food because we were so busy swatting flies. They needed a can of Raid.
To be fair, this was about 20 years ago, maybe they have got things under control now.

JZ - Friendly Farms is and always has been a VERY CLEAN establishment and has a simple country motif with stunning views. I don't think this was the restaurant in Upperco that you visited.

The Tavern definitely needs a good cleaning - and new bathrooms - YUK!

Linwoods on the other hand probably has had the same interior since they opened but it's spotless and a bathroom that my mother would kvell from (beam with delight...sort of loose translation)

richard, you are so right my friend, tip me well once and I will always remember and each time you come in I will make it my mission for you to have a great experience. plus there are only 6 bartenders total at my job, and 44 servers total. 7 days a week we are on an hour wait @ 7pm sometimes 1 1/2 - 2 hours but it won't take long for a barstool to open, first come first serve, plus you can order a drink and i'll wait with you and get you the next seat that opens up!

Talara

I know, I know -- it's brand-spanking new. But the

I get it, I get it -- you're nuevo-Latino-Miami-Cubano-whatever.

If there were animatronic parrots singing at me, I'd be in the Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland.

I fear their designer has confused "energy" with "aesthetic terrorism". Or just plain "loud".

Tone it down, and edit, please.

I'd like to actually enjoy the food, drink, company, and "energy", instead of popping vicodin for the raging migraine.

el generalissimo, "popping a vicodin for the raging migrane" I laughed so hard I almost fell out of my chair! I have some customers that I wish I could serve a vicodin as an appetizer, some a valiuum. I shouldn't make drug references, sorry, but it was funny, thanks general!

Shouldn't make drug references?

This is a food blog! Dionysus would be ever so displeased.

o.

The Valley Inn!