Chicken poppers filled with crab meat are served next with two complimenting sauces including an orange marmalade vinaigrette and and what my companion described as a basic cocktail sauce. However, the cocktail sauce works in the classic tradition of pairing it with seafood and in an unconventional way because of the prominence of the chicken. The meat of the chicken is tender while the coating is crunchy. There are three tiers of texture working together nicely.

For our next appetizer, stuffed shrimp takes the stage filled with crab meat. The shrimp seems to be broiled. It is simple and classic in taste. Moving across the waters to Spanish Cuisine is the paella. It has a spicy flare not in a hot pepper sense but a more subtle kick. The dish is filled with chicken, sausage, shrimp, peppers, and mussels along with the classic saffron rice. Part-owner and Chef Casey Jenkins also serves a marvelous fish and grits dinner entree. The outstanding tender catfish is placed upon garlic sauteed spinach upon a bed of grits complimented with garlic butter sauce surrounding the mound

The local publication, Baltimore Magazine, named Darker than Blue among the top 50 restaurants in the city.  People come for good mac & cheese, fried chicken and the pairing of chicken and waffles too.   Run, don’t walk to this restaurant in Baltimore.   Check the website for information about jazz performances and the Sunday Brunch.

Atmosphere: Jazzy and Eclectic, white tableclothes

Price: Under $25

Location: 3034 Greenmount Ave.

Website: http://www.darkerthanbluecafe.com/InTheNews.html