Get your fill of free sweets at Aloha Tokyo.
(Credit: Mike Cook)
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Things aren't running smoothly yet for Aloha. Our food came in spurts, with various entrees arriving at different times. We're not sure if that was intentional or not, but we've heard other diners complain of similar quirks. Given time to straighten out these minor issues, Aloha could turn into a good place to get a truly foreign dinner. But is Locust Point the best place in Baltimore for such adventurous cuisine?
Food: There may not be much "aloha" on Aloha Tokyo's limited menu, but there is certainly plenty of "Tokyo." While the edamame and kimchi are great, the boiled odeng (whit fish) might be a bit bizarre for most. No comforting Americanized versions of Japanese classics appear on the menu, either, so—tasty as it might be—the food at Aloha Tokyo is not for wimps.
Drinks: If South Baltimore ever needed a place to go for sake, it has one now. From plum wine to hot sake, you can find a wide variety of drinks you've never tried. On our visit, the staff was surprisingly honest, warning against one sake and recommending a much smoother alternative instead.
Digs: With its bamboo decor and paper lanterns, Aloha looks like some Japanese shrine turned pool party bungalow. The bar stools are big, comfortable chairs, and—except for one large table in front—all of Aloha's booths are two–person affairs nestled beneath bamboo bowers. And one more thing—we're not sure if the full-wall mirror and electronic bidet in the bathroom scared or excited us.
Vibe: A few couples came in for food and drinks, but otherwise Aloha remained quiet on the Tuesday night we stopped by. Throughout the evening, weird folk music featuring an acoustic guitar and cheap keyboard effects played, but fortunately the syrupy lyrics weren't in English.
