Helen's Garden Inc

 

23

105

tania t.

Baltimore, MD

Good service, even at ten minutes before closing, and decent food. Wine is the reason to come here, and they have a great selection at moderate prices. Otherwise, the food was standard fare. Nothing to call home about. Great ambiance and good for groups that want to have a conversation, not a rowdy time.

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4

97

K Sera S.

Columbia, MD

I echo fellow Yelpers' comments about the ambiance. It's very pretty, very cozy and although it get quite busy, I've never found it to be overly loud.

The biggest problem I have with it is that it can be hard to choose from a seemingly endless array of cuisines/flavors. Italian? Indian? Greek? Basically, whatever you're in the mood for can be found here. If you can't see something on the menu that appeals to you, you're not hungry. Get up and let me take your table!

Thursdays: Six wines are offered at $14 a bottle

Everyday: Deep discounts on selected wines by the glass (bar only) until 8 p.m.

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5

46

Caitlin S.

Baltimore, MD

I adore Helen's Garden.  I have noted that a couple of the reviewers had a bad experience, and am empathetic, but am also guessing their reviews are based on one bad visit.  Not that I blame them, if I had such a horrible time, I wouldn't return.  I have never had an issue with the climate, being chased off a table after a certain amount of time, etc.

That being said, I have eaten at Helen's about a dozen times and each experience has been very good.  The ambiance is cozy, with exposed brick, lots of warm yellow paint, and local art adorning the walls.  The food is wonderful and may be a little overpriced, but that is cured by going on Wednesdays, when the entrees are offered for $12.95 or somewhere around there.  I have always had gracious service, and one of the regular waiters in particular is both sweet and comic.  Desserts, if you have room, come highly recommended.

In addition to heading to Helen's Garden for a meal, I have gone for the wine bar experience alone.  There are so many wine and liquor options, it really boggles the mind.  The bartenders are knowledgeable and friendly.  Happy Hour specials are great for your pocketbook.  The crowd is a bit more mature and eclectic than the other spots on the Square.  My only complaint is that it's very tight, and if you don't grab chairs, you should be prepared to be pushed by quite a bit.  To avoid this issue, sit as close as you can to the windows in the front of the bar.

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2

46

Nicole F.

Washington, DC

Not great for brunch.  Had a veggie omelet which they stated had no cheese so would I like to add....sure.  Well I have never had a veggie omelet w/cauliflower and carrots.  It really felt like they just used the leftovers from the night before.  The potatoes that accompanied it were tasty but cold.  It was very crowded so obviously a popular place - I am just not sure what all the buzz is about.

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Elite '08

92

200

Peter K.

New York, NY

This won't be your standard restaurant review since I had my wedding rehearsal dinner here for a part y of 30 in May (Friday 5/18). We were in the upstairs room; nice and secluded. I never noticed other patrons unless I was entering and leaving the restaurant. I had two waiters/waitresses attending to my needs; service was great.

They had a nice selection of wines to try. I remember drinking a lot of different wines that night, but the Big Fire Pinot Noir stood out. Food was excellent. For starters, I had Crab & Portobello with aioli (crab topped portobello mushroom with roasted red pepper aioli) - WOW, I thought I was eating meat. My Victorian salad (apples, spinach, red onion, bacon, toasted almonds) was good but I am hardly accepting as a voracious carnivore. Lastly, the grilled beef tenderloin with crab cake, mashed potatoes and vegetables (they call it "Steak & Cake") was awesome. We had other items on the menu but everyone enjoyed their meals and were shocked that they never knew about this restaurant (some were Maryland residents).

I forget the desserts but I was stuffed. I do remember a champagne toast which was very nice. Of course for a pre-fix at $55 a head, plus wine, we paid a lot of money to make this happen. It was worth it.

I worked with the owner, Ed Scherer, to discuss the customized menus, the drinks and the location. He made sure the entire night was perfect. I have never regretted the decision (my wife suggested it) of selecting Helen's Garden. Thanks again. I will return when I am in Canton.

IFHTP 2

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6

24

Lynne P.

Baltimore, MD

I finally made it to Helen's Garden for the first time a few months ago and I was back again today. I had the almond crusted tomato sandwich. Through some kitchen miracle, the tomatoes tasted like fresh fried oysters--soft and squishy on the inside, with a lightly browned buttery almond crust. One of them even squirted juice up my nose, the way a good fried oyster often will. Let's just say I was impressed.

The combinations are great and the cooking is precise. It's possible that over the years this kitchen has learned to cut a few corners, but that happens to restaurants as they age. But I far prefer it to spanking new restaurants that try too hard. We have a lot of those opening in the area, and most don't get the chance to age.

The staff does not go out of their way to make small talk with the tables, but in my experience, they are always right there when you need them. As far as the time limits on reservations, it sounds like a practical measure that makes sense in a dining room with about a dozen tables. (Ever hear of the Soho eatery called 12 Chairs because that's how many people it sat? wonder what the pressure was like in there.) If you have to book a night of reservations in a room that small, you need to know how to space them to avoid problems and/or going broke.

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0

20

Mike M.

Baltimore, MD

Best Part of Helen's, 4 words: "Baltimore's Longest Happy Hour"

From 11:30am-8pm, you can get 1/2 price glasses of wine, only at the bar (which can get packed on Thurs, Fri, Sat nights).  Another plus is NO SMOKING at this bar.  A great "launch pad" to grab a drink and debate all the dinner options in the area (the calamari appetizer is also worth getting...when they have it...while you debate!).  

I've found the food here to be good, but sometimes pricey.  Definitely go over the menu and daily specials while you have a glass of vino.  They have a dinner special on Wednesday night (select entrees for $12).

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2

9

ChaCha C.

Baltimore, MD

This place is on the Canton Square.  It is a place with unique healthy feelin good kind of food.  And there is a nonsmoking bar where you have wine or order from the menu.  

It is a very attractive place and NOT STUFFY.  The only reason it ook me as long as it did to get there is because someone on the street said, "dont go there, it is stuffy."  See what I get for listening to anyone.

I had the persian salad with mago pear & feta.  Talk about an orgasm for your mouth.

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0

1

Lee V.

Minneapolis, MN

I agree with Elizabeth M. - this place is gauche with their "time limits" on tables and credit card-required reservation policy (see their website). My party found the place icy cold, too, so thanks Elizabeth for pointing that out as well.

The service here is bad. The staff seems arrogant and inattentive. One man, (the owner?) barked orders at the staff and appeared to be drunk. He danced around, greeting table after table of "regulars," and repeating "fabulous! oh, that is so fabulous!"

The food at Helen's was salty yet bland, and a bit overcooked. They have a decent wine list, but it seems overpriced.

The decor is nice: exposed brick, muted hues and dimmed lighting, however, I will not visit this place again when I am in Baltimore. There are plenty of other great restaurants to go to in the area.

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28

125

kevin k.

Ellicott City, MD

i recently went for sat. brunch.  located at near fells' point surrounded by other dozen places to eat. cute entry to the place (an alley)a, good service, pluffy pancake w/ pear (yes pear) it was a pretty good pancake n my friend had a mexican egg (omlete with tortilla n salsa) looks not so yummy but once you overcome it, u will find it decent.  now i wonder how other foods taste like.  i wouldnot mind coming back for others on the menu.

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0

13

Elizabeth M.

Baltimore, MD

Oh my god don't get me started on Helen's Garden ...

First of all they keep the place at about sixty degrees, waaaay too cold for everyone in my party.  The waiter seemed noticably peeved when two people in the party only wanted an appetizer instead of a full entree.

And note their website, which tells you exactly how much time you are allotted to consume your meal before you must be done.  It's hilarious!  Do you think this was meant for their intranet, and got placed on their public website by mistake?  How gauche!

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