Wicked Sisters

Wicked Sisters occupies 3845 Falls Road at the edge of Hampden and Woodberry, in the building that was the old Hampden bar McCabe's until a fire closed it. Restaurateur Charlie Gjerde took the space over in June 2015 and reopened it in late October 2016, naming it for his business partners — his wife Lori Gjerde and Carrie Podles, who are real-life sisters. The room seats about 150 in a stark, fresh white-brick minimalism with bare wood tables, exposed ductwork and photographs of local landmarks. Baltimore Magazine's verdict on the food captured the appeal exactly: there is zero pretension here, no concerted attempt to pass for healthy — just say yes to the crab mac and cheese — and no talk of local sourcing. It opens at 11am on weekdays and 10am at weekends, running to 10pm later in the week.

The non-alcoholic drinks are split across two headings, and the second one is the interesting idea. "Non-Alcoholic Spirit-Free Cocktails" holds three built drinks: Peachy Keen ($12) combining Lyre's non-alcoholic tequila and Crodino with peach purée, lime and pineapple; Sunset Fizz ($13), the most elaborate, layering Mionetto's non-alcoholic prosecco and spirit-free aperitivo with Crodino and blood orange; and Gingerberry Snap ($11), Lyre's tequila with blueberry syrup, ginger, lime and soda. Separately, a heading called "Non-Alcoholic Spikeable Options" lists a seasonal Wicked Lemonade at $8 and a Caramel Apple Mule at $9, each of which can have vodka, rum or tequila added for $5. That is a genuinely good piece of menu design for a mixed table: everyone orders the same drink and only some of them take the spirit, so nobody has to explain themselves. Note the list rotates — several drinks that appeared on earlier menus, including a Hampden Punch, are no longer served.