Pazo $$$

1425 Aliceanna St., 410/534-7296,
www.pazorestaurant.com [1]

HOURS: Sun.–Wed. 5–10 p.m., Thurs.–Sat. 5 p.m.–1 a.m.

COST: Most entrées more than $20

Baltimore [2] was a little unsure of what to make of Pazo when it opened in 2004—there weren’t many upscale, beautifully renovated, industrial warehouse/Spanish tapas restaurant and lounges in town, much less in generally dressed-down Fell’s Point. But this sprawling former machine shop is now one of the city’s hottest places to both eat and drink and pose and be noticed.

The city’s well-dressed young turks come here to be seen while sipping wine from stemless glasses and noshing on grilled pork tenderloin pinchos, and relaxing on circular couches beneath massive windows, iron chandeliers, and luxurious wall hangings. Less hedonistic city (and county) residents come to Pazo because of the food: There’s a full menu of traditional Spanish-influenced entrées, best eaten at one of the upstairs tables across from the humming bar, giving foodies a fine perch from which to people-watch.