The Food Market

This is the restaurant that everyone wanted. The new Hampden hot spot from Chad Gauss, formerly of the City Cafe, established itself as a favorite in no time flat. Gauss works an accessible menu with enough playful moments to hold a diner's interest, and with partner Etan Kotz, he's given diners something else they want: a big, wide space to crowd themselves into. --Richard Gorelick

See the full list as selected by Baltimore Sun restaurant critic Richard Gorelick.