On the trail of two cities

Lemongrass, Annapolis

Opened in June 2005 on a block of West Street that was once known for homeless shelters and dilapidated row houses, Lemongrass appeared alongside an initiative to clean up the business district on the Northwest edge of historic, downtown Annapolis. In an area now vibrant with boutique shops and restaurants, Lemongrass serves Thai food with a Maryland seafood twist.

Menu: Traditional curries ($11.95-$14.95) and pad Thais ($10.95-$13.95) dominate the menu, but a variety of interesting salads (like the roasted duck salad with chili paste and lime juice, $8.95) and soups (lemongrass soup with seafood, $5.50) are also offered. Nothing here is going to break the bank. Lunch portions at reduced prices are available during the day.

Crowd: A combination of tourists fresh off their boats docked in Ego Alley, teenagers with co-signed credit cards and edgy hipsters smoking American Spirits on the patio

Vibe: Modern décor with an Eastern edge and food with attention to artistic detail make this a treat for any aesthete.

Overall: The first to bring Thai cuisine to what is now a block populated by a vast variety of cultural food groups, Lemongrass corners a solid portion of the dining market in Annapolis. The food is delicious, the drinks interesting and affordable, and, while the venue is small, the atmosphere is chic and comfortable.