On Monday evening, I visited Mussel Bar & Grille (1350 Lancaster St, Baltimore, MD 21231) with a few friends. I frequently visited the previous tenant/restaurant Townhouse Kitchen & Bar before it closed in early 2014.  Mussel Bar & Grille has managed to keep everything the same – the furniture, the large middle bar, the large televisions around the bar, everything except the self-serve table beer taps and the menu.

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The open floor plan and exposed ceiling is the first thing you notice when walking into the restaurant.  The space features pub-style wood topped tables in all shapes and sizes with leather seating and a private room in the rear of the restaurant for  intimate parties and gatherings.

TownHouse Main Dining Area

All the action seemed to be going on at the bar located in the middle of the restaurant.  The long rectangular-shaped bar is also a focal point of the space because of the 10 large televisions that surround the bar overhead.  This makes it easy to watch any sporting event from every angle, no matter where you are sitting in the restaurant, you won’t miss any of the excitement.

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Provencal Mussels – tomatoes, garlic, parmesan, cream, capers and basil
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Oysters on the 1/2 shell

Of course with a name like “Mussel Bar,” you know the mussel options are SERIOUS. The menu features five mussel options, each with distinctly different flavors.  My best friend ordered the Provencal Mussels and they were delicious, loaded with garlic in a creamy tomato based sauce.  She also ordered oysters but I can’t tell you how they were because I don’t eat them.  I did notice a lot of people ordering them, so they must be good.

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Oven Baked Feta Cheese

We were feeling a little greedy hungry so we ordered a few additional items.  My favorite side item was the oven baked feta which was melt-in-your-mouth good!  Feta is the perfect cheese to bake in the oven because it keeps its shape and tangy taste. They drizzled the feta cheese with honey and olive oil and added eggplant, these ingredients toned down the pungent cheesy bite.

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Maine Lobster Mac & Cheese

The Maine Lobster Mac & Cheese was also a hit with chunks of lobster and lots of cheese.  They were NOT stingy on the lobster, I had a fork full of lobster with every bite I took.

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Sweet Potato Fries and House Cut Fries with three dipping sauces
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Housemade Ice Cream with Caramel Popcorn

The presentation of the food items were wonderful. I love it when my food is served in pots and cast iron skillets, it makes me feel special almost as if the items I ordered were cooked in a home kitchen specifically for me.

Have you visited Mussel Bar & Grille?  What is your favorite mussel flavor?