The winter edition of Baltimore’s Restaurant Week kicks off tomorrow, and local foodies are all aflutter and with good reason. Many of the options this year are outstanding.

I’ve cruised the menus from participating restaurants, and I’ve compiled a list of a few of my favorites. The offerings at each restaurant are much broader, but here’s what I’d order for dinner. (Lunch offerings are also available at most restaurants.)

Aldo’s Restaurant
Italian
306 S. High Street
Little Italy

  • Truffled Cream of Asparagus Soup, Sautéed Mushrooms, Whipped Burrata
  • Delicata alla Mugnaia – Pan-seared Catfish, White Wine Sauce with a scattering of Cherry Tomatoes, Lemon Zest, and Capers
  • Rustic Apple Tart – topped with fresh butter caramel, served with Vanilla gelato

Black Olive
Greek
814 S. Bond Street
Fell’s Point/Upper Fell’s

  • Fresh Shucked Oysters – 3 local oysters with apple mignonette
  • Lamb Kleftico – Roasted in parchment paper this divine dish of tender lemony lamb with cheese is served on top of cous cous
  • Berries with Orange XO Cream

Gertrude’s
New American
10 Art Museum Drive
Charles Village

  • Virginia Oyster Stew – Traditional style with aromatic vegetables & South Mountain Creamery cream
  • Wild-Caught Gulf Shrimp, Mushroom & Parmesan Risotto
  • Black Rock Orchard Pear, Black Mission Fig & Cranberry Crisp
Petit Louis, Roland Park, Baltimore 21210

                                                    Petit Louis, Roland Park, Baltimore 21210

Petit Louis Bistro
French
4800 Roland Avenue
Roland Park

  • SALADE DE CONCOMBRES – Cucumber Salad, Red Onion, Radishes, Capers, Upland Cress, Dill Crème Fraîche
  • BOEUF BOURGUIGNON – Pommes Purée, Cipollini, Carrots, Mushrooms, Lardons, Red Wine Reduction
  • MOUSSE AU CHOCOLAT – Chocolate Mousse

The Oceanaire Seafood Room
Seafood
801 Aliceanna Street
Harbor East

  • Buttermilk Fried Calamari
  • Seafood Cioppino – Clams, Mussels, Shrimp, Scallops, Tomato Broth & Fettucini
  • Raspberry Sorbet

Tio Pepe Restaurant
Spanish
10 E. Franklin Street
Mount Vernon

  • Crema de Alubias Negras – Black Bean Soup
  • Paella a la Valenciana – The Traditional Spanish Saffron-Flavored Rice Dish, with Mussels, Shrimp, Chorizo, Veal, Chicken and Vegetables
  • Brazo de Gitano al Chocolate – chocolate roll with whipped cream filling

For general inquiries about Baltimore Restaurant Week, please call Downtown Partnership of Baltimore at 410-244-1030.

All restaurants and their menus are listed on BaltimoreRestaurantWeek.com.