It was a Thursday night: I was feeling a little trendy, a little cultured and a little ... speedy. For my first foodtastic foray back into Baltimore since an Intersession filled with lots of Chinese food (in China, nonetheless) and the California cuisine I live and die for, I was looking for a place with a distinctly Eastern, hipster, high-life vibe. So I climbed into a cab and scooted on over to Vespa, a trendy Italian restaurant -- gasp!, outside of Little Italy.
Vespa is located right across from nightlife hot spot Cross Street that is always replete with bar hoppers and trendy party types.
I walked into an art-lover's wonderland, nestled right in the middle of Federal Hill. Walls of metal and terra cotta floors seem to transport Vespa's diners to some odd dimension of time and space where a recycling plant sprouts up right in the middle of Renaissance Venice. I personally loved the d??cor. The bright pastel walls and wood beams in the ceiling seemed to give the restaurant an open and airy feel, although it is, in fact, usually quite crowded.
Vespa has been the recipient of numerous dining awards for its unique takes on Italian cuisine. Mixing in Mediterranean tastes and a modern perspective on old favorites, Vespa's menu leaves little to be desired -- and little out too. If you are looking for hard to find delicacies, for example, maybe a little octopus, you have come to the right place. Vespa's offerings easily combine these "unique" additions in such a tantalizing way that I was almost tempted to try their arugula and grilled octopus salad with blood orange vinaigrette, but I just couldn't bring myself to.
Vespa did, however, drive me out of my shell a little bit, despite my vow to not consume red meat. I had to try their famous beef tenderloin, one of the most critically acclaimed meats in Baltimore. It was so succulent and wonderful that this (not extremely) small piece of meat led me to question why I had given up beef.
My roommate, capitalizing on any opportunity to consume alcohol, sampled the traditional Italian shells (my favorite pasta shape in my pre-Atkins days) served with shrimp and a vodka tomato cream sauce. She licked the plate -- literally.
Speaking of vodka, this hot little dinner spot has a full bar, which is hopping on the weekends, and a massive wine list with over seventy reds and whites to choose from.
Even though the restaurant can get crammed at times, the service was quick and polite and I never had the feeling that I was getting lost in the taillights. Vespa is trendy with a capital "T," but unfortunately, not cheap with a capital "C." Don't get me wrong, the food is not gratuitously priced, but be prepared to pay anywhere from $20 to $40 for a dinner for one, not to mention drinks.
In my opinion, though, for a night of mind-bending food, eclectic and cutting edge atmosphere and a feeling of sophistication, speed over to Vespa.
