I called Prim & Proper to inquire if they could print personalized menus, and was told they could not not. I was hoping to have commemorative menus for my birthday dinner. Upon arrival, I used the valet parking ($15). You're met with a beautiful piano in the grand foyer. As you approach the reception desk, there's a bar to the left, and the main dining area to the right. The bar was busy, but the main dining area wasn't crowded. Upon request, we were allowed to dine in the private dining room that seats twelve people, even though we were a party of two. They were very accommodating. AESTHETICS: 5/5 Aesthetically, it is a beautiful space decorated with French bistro tiles. The servers were clad in striking yellow/mustard hued jackets. The artwork on the walls were interesting; lots of floating heads. The tables in the main dining room were situated very close together. Note: On the website, there is a dress code specified. However, I noticed two tables with athletic wear (i.e., hoodies and sneakers). SERVICE: 4.5/5 It took a while to put our order in. Upon inquiry, we learned there were only two servers working. We had Forest as our server. He was animated and cheerful. He was also thoughtful in ways that provided an elevated experience. When my friend stepped away to use the restroom, he nicely folded her napkin. He also brought two complimentary glasses of champagne for my birthday toast. He's a gem. THE FOOD: 4.5/5 We ordered a lot of food! First thing, they do not serve ANY bread (Hint! Hint!). That was a shocker. For appetizers we ordered two of the crab croquettes and the deviled eggs. The crab croquettes were so delicious, we ordered a second one. The deviled eggs were okay. I wouldn't reorder them, but they're worth trying. For the entrees, we had the lamb, and braised oxtails served with a side of sweet potato puree. It was quite tasty. It didn't have the gamey taste lamb often carries. The oxtails were huge! Three large, fall of the bones, perfectly seasoned oxtails. The accompanied bean paste was a bit salty and there was too much sauce/gravy since there was no starch with the entree. Perhaps consider offering a side of coconut basmati rice to sop up the sauce (Hint! Hint!) We shared the bread pudding for dessert. The portions were sizable. Everything seems to be a la carte. THE DRINKS: 3/5 I initially ordered the French Martini and didn't like it. It tasted medicinal. My friend didn't like her drink either and sent hers back. We both subsequently ordered the Lemon Drop and it was perfectly crafted. The specialty cocktails on the menu need tweaking to find the right balance of palette pleasing flavors. VERDICT: The food was excellent, the drinks needed improvement, and the service was great once we got started. I would return, but with tempered expectations as they workout operational challenges. I believe in due time, they will hit their stride.
Tyra Campbell
So this Sunday my friend celebrated her 40th birthday at Prim and Proper. It was a total experience. All we kept saying was delicious. We were lucky to be sitting at the bar while the Chef was there working on his computer. He answered our questions and gave us advice on the menu. The chef even made a grilled cheese for my friend even though it wasn't on the menu, I mean who does that.The crab croquettes were excellent and my waguu burger disappeared. I never finsh a burger. It was the best burger I've ever had. The fries fried in duck fat Chef's kiss? . I can't wait to go back and see the new menu. He changes it with the season. Also Keon (bartender) and Forest (server) were so attentive, knowledgeable, talented and entertaining. It was a pleasure to meet them.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Jumbo Shrimp with Crab Fried Black Rice
Tanisha B.
Walking into the restaurant, the piano, chandelier and photos are nice. When you get into the restaurant, it's cute, but just okay in my opinion. The price point is too expensive for what you are getting. I had a party of three- steak which came with au graten potatoes, duck confit, crab rice and prawns, Caesar salad, deviled eggs, charcuterie board, broccolini, creamed spinach and au graten potatoes as appetizer and accompaniments. The potatoes were burnt on the bottom, the duck was very salty and the charcuterie board had the worst bread I have ever had. It was extremely hard. We had three drinks that were basic. The waiters were very attentive, dressed nicely and explained the menu well. It was my birthday and they provided glasses of champagne which was very nice and appreciated. The music sounded like a recording, at one point turned up very loud, but after a few minutes , the volume was reduced to a reasonable tone. Was the experience horrible? No, it absolutely was not, however, they will need to improve on the menu and portions if they plan to continue charging exorbitant prices. Almost $500 for three people was expensive and not worth it for a basic meal. My expectation was set much higher for the cost and I was a little disappointed. I would not dare complain as nothing was egregious, just not worth the cost in my opinion.
Devona
It was a luxurious fine-dining experience ! Everyone was so welcoming. Our waitress Amber was phenomenal and provided exceptional service. She was very knowledgeable about the menu, professional and attentive. The food was very good and prepared with precision. My Husband ordered the Rib Eye tomahawk steak and it was cooked to perfection. The cocktails were good too! We loved the ambience and the interior design of the restaurant. My Husband and I enjoyed our dinning experience! We will definitely be returning back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sharhonda Jones
The lamb chops and jumbo shrimp were amazing. The customer service was top tier and the music had us grooving in our seats. We really enjoyed the experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Jumbo Shrimp with Crab Fried Black Rice
Latrese
Went with my restaurant friend. We had done Papi Cusine and Blk Swan, so we hoped a negative x negative would equal a positive.Nice decor, though it kinda smelled like salami when you walk in. Our server, Rashad, was AMAZING. He was very attentive and his suggestions didn't disappoint. I got the Un Deux Trois drink, wondered if it would be too sweet, but it was great.We got the Lobster Ravoli and Crab Croquettes, they were tasty. The croquettes definitely had a lil kick to them, but not spicy spicy.The salmon puff was good. I added the au gratin potatoes. We both agreed they could use a lil more cheese. The lamb chops and asparagus were a special. They were good.The bread pudding was a nice, shareable portion. The whipped topping was DELICIOUS.We were pleased with our visit. Do NOT go with your cheap penny pinching friends. We will be back
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bread Pudding
John Kenney
Hmm, even with the extreme wait for food I still had to give 5 stars ⭐️. The service was great, the food was tasty, and the atmosphere was chilled and relaxing.Another thing, Make sure you update the dress code to indicate what clothes to wear at your establishment
MichelleT
Overall, I enjoyed my experience. Our server was Rashad, and he was informative, attentive and knowledgeable about the food choices. The food was superb from the kale salad to the bread pudding dessert!The only issue was that we were not greeted by the manager even though he was at the door and we were the first customers of the evening. We didn't even know he was the manager. I waited for the valet to park my car because the manager quite obviously didn't care that there was a car in the middle of the road waiting while he continued to talk to him. But I would definitely go back!!!
Prim & Proper was a wonderful culinary experience in downtown Baltimore. The lobster ravioli, lamb chops, bread pudding, chocolate cake, dessert wine and cocktails were absolutely superb. Definitely recommend to anyone celebrating a major milestone,birthday to experience Prim & Proper. Last thing, service was excellent. Loved how all of the servers worked together to ensure customer success. Cannot wait to go back in the summer to see any new menu items!
Karen Monroe
I was overcharged for my drinks. The waiter didn’t specify whether not it was happy hours of regular pay on the menu stated 1/16 of six people drink, but the server did not explain nothing to us I wouldn’t recommend. It’s a shame when you try to support your people and it’s all about the
A $748 wasted meal. Never again. The WORST upscale experience.1st the positives: Amber provided excellent service and when things went left she and a few others tried to make it right but it didn’t work. EVERYTHING from the bar was ? - kudos to the bartender.The food was MEH at best. Cesar salad was good - but you can’t go wrong with lettuce and croutons. Salad dressing was not to my liking so just ok. Gnocchi looked good but it had NO flavor - more like pasta and way too much oil. Crab cakes were salty/spicy and oxtails spicy - appeared the spiciness in both covered up the lack of proper seasoning although the oxtails ever VERY tender and meaty. What the pork belly lacked in seasoning the sauce made up for in flavor so it was ok. Smoked jerk chicken was ok but when paired with the mint and peppers it was a hit - a very different flavor and pretty tasty. Jumbo shrimp w/black rice -just ok. Spicy rigatoni with lump crab was undercooked and I wish I had taken a picture of the 2oz upcharge of crab meat - you couldn’t find it. Cream spinach was good.This is when things really went bad - I told my party I had tasted enough and let’s skip dessert. But we were celebrating and so they insisted to give it a try. They didn’t have the birthday cake nor ice cream on the menu. Only bread pudding and creme brûlée. We opted for crème brûlée. The custard taste like thick butter and the caramelized SALT was horrible. ? WTH sis they feed me. They informed us the chef mistook salt for sugar. ??♀️??♀️??♀️ HOW!!! One of the chefs tastes it and she walked in the back to spot it out and we heard “God Damn”. They brought another to the table and but by then I was NOT trying another dish.As for the environment, one of the owners arrived at 10 PM, as the restaurant was closing, forcing staff to stay late and serve his party. At which point one member decided to have a hissy fit right in front of customers. We were told he always acts like that. No excuse. But also how insensitive of the owner to come in at closing and force staff to wait on he and his loud party. However, we noticed several of their plates being returned to the kitchen for additional attention. It appeared their food was also just MEH!!!I heard good things about the place but our experience was THE WORST.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 5
Redd
Classy, loved the Decor, Ambience, Coziness, Food and Great Staff, especially Jay who took excellent care of us. We never had to ask for anything. The birthday boy had great conversation with Jay, as well. We will definitely be back very soon.
Diana K.
Hats off to Prim & Proper! All I'll say is Black Excellence!!!! That's the vibe given from the ambiance, the service, and the food. Started off at the bar. They have a wide selection of specialty cocktails and wine. I often worry about specialty cocktails, because they tend not to be as special as they claim. These drinks were what I'd call specialty. Watching the bartender, you can see the attention to detail with all ingredients and the overall composition of the drink. My go-to for the night was the Champagne Side Car. Our bartender was extremely friendly and appeared to be holding down the bar all by himself that night. He didn't miss a beat. Our group moved into the dining room which is absolutely stunning. Beautifully decorated with amazing art work. Our server was at our table within minutes grabbing orders. We started off with the Snapper Ceviche and the Lobster Ravioli. Both were a win. If you're contemplating the Ceviche, think no more. It's delish!!! Couldn't stop eating it. As for the entrees, our table ordered the Branzino, Jumbo Shrimp, Jerk Chicken, and the Prim and Proper Burger. Once again, everything was amazing. I ordered the Jerk chicken which was fire. Felt like I was eating jerk chicken off the grill in Jamaica. I was intrigued when the waiter explained how it's meant to be eaten. It's an experience. Make sure to place the meat in the crepe, add one of the Fresno peppers and a piece of the mint, then dip it in the jerk sauce. It's a must. I was blown away by the flavor explosion of this combination. Well done chef!!! We ended the night engaging in conversation with the Chef while enjoying our Espresso Martinis. The Chef's vision and creative food concepts were very exciting to hear. I'm looking forward to future dining experiences at Prim & Proper!!
Alli Z.
Prim & Proper is a great new addition to the Baltimore food scene! My party got the deviled eggs, crab and avocado salad, oxtail, spicy rigatoni, shrimp and crab rice, duck fat fries, broccolini, and the bronzino. All came out hot and at a good pace! Drinks were also delicious and creative. The restaurant was beautifully decorated and the artwork was on point. I will be back!
Tiffani M.
Ok, so I wanted to try this restaurant out since it has been opened. The food was great. I had the oxtails which fell off the bone. Omg it was so good. My date had the Bronzino with capers and was excellent seasoned very well. The service was excellent. Our waiter, Forrest gave us complimentary champagne for our date night and service was excellent. All the waiting staff were wearing gold jackets and black pants. The ambiance was nice. They had some nice artwork and a who's who in black excellence photographs in the bar. We got a chance to meet one of the owners and compliment him on how much we appreciate the great atmosphere and dining. They also have valet parking for $15 tip not included. Check it out, definitely a nice vibe. FYI, a 20% gratitude is included in your bill.
I called Prim & Proper to inquire if they could print personalized menus, and was told they could not not. I was hoping to have commemorative menus for my birthday dinner. Upon arrival, I used the valet parking ($15). You're met with a beautiful piano in the grand foyer. As you approach the reception desk, there's a bar to the left, and the main dining area to the right. The bar was busy, but the main dining area wasn't crowded. Upon request, we were allowed to dine in the private dining room that seats twelve people, even though we were a party of two. They were very accommodating. AESTHETICS: 5/5 Aesthetically, it is a beautiful space decorated with French bistro tiles. The servers were clad in striking yellow/mustard hued jackets. The artwork on the walls were interesting; lots of floating heads. The tables in the main dining room were situated very close together. Note: On the website, there is a dress code specified. However, I noticed two tables with athletic wear (i.e., hoodies and sneakers). SERVICE: 4.5/5 It took a while to put our order in. Upon inquiry, we learned there were only two servers working. We had Forest as our server. He was animated and cheerful. He was also thoughtful in ways that provided an elevated experience. When my friend stepped away to use the restroom, he nicely folded her napkin. He also brought two complimentary glasses of champagne for my birthday toast. He's a gem. THE FOOD: 4.5/5 We ordered a lot of food! First thing, they do not serve ANY bread (Hint! Hint!). That was a shocker. For appetizers we ordered two of the crab croquettes and the deviled eggs. The crab croquettes were so delicious, we ordered a second one. The deviled eggs were okay. I wouldn't reorder them, but they're worth trying. For the entrees, we had the lamb, and braised oxtails served with a side of sweet potato puree. It was quite tasty. It didn't have the gamey taste lamb often carries. The oxtails were huge! Three large, fall of the bones, perfectly seasoned oxtails. The accompanied bean paste was a bit salty and there was too much sauce/gravy since there was no starch with the entree. Perhaps consider offering a side of coconut basmati rice to sop up the sauce (Hint! Hint!) We shared the bread pudding for dessert. The portions were sizable. Everything seems to be a la carte. THE DRINKS: 3/5 I initially ordered the French Martini and didn't like it. It tasted medicinal. My friend didn't like her drink either and sent hers back. We both subsequently ordered the Lemon Drop and it was perfectly crafted. The specialty cocktails on the menu need tweaking to find the right balance of palette pleasing flavors. VERDICT: The food was excellent, the drinks needed improvement, and the service was great once we got started. I would return, but with tempered expectations as they workout operational challenges. I believe in due time, they will hit their stride.
So this Sunday my friend celebrated her 40th birthday at Prim and Proper. It was a total experience. All we kept saying was delicious. We were lucky to be sitting at the bar while the Chef was there working on his computer. He answered our questions and gave us advice on the menu. The chef even made a grilled cheese for my friend even though it wasn't on the menu, I mean who does that.The crab croquettes were excellent and my waguu burger disappeared. I never finsh a burger. It was the best burger I've ever had. The fries fried in duck fat Chef's kiss? . I can't wait to go back and see the new menu. He changes it with the season. Also Keon (bartender) and Forest (server) were so attentive, knowledgeable, talented and entertaining. It was a pleasure to meet them.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Jumbo Shrimp with Crab Fried Black Rice
Walking into the restaurant, the piano, chandelier and photos are nice. When you get into the restaurant, it's cute, but just okay in my opinion. The price point is too expensive for what you are getting. I had a party of three- steak which came with au graten potatoes, duck confit, crab rice and prawns, Caesar salad, deviled eggs, charcuterie board, broccolini, creamed spinach and au graten potatoes as appetizer and accompaniments. The potatoes were burnt on the bottom, the duck was very salty and the charcuterie board had the worst bread I have ever had. It was extremely hard. We had three drinks that were basic. The waiters were very attentive, dressed nicely and explained the menu well. It was my birthday and they provided glasses of champagne which was very nice and appreciated. The music sounded like a recording, at one point turned up very loud, but after a few minutes , the volume was reduced to a reasonable tone. Was the experience horrible? No, it absolutely was not, however, they will need to improve on the menu and portions if they plan to continue charging exorbitant prices. Almost $500 for three people was expensive and not worth it for a basic meal. My expectation was set much higher for the cost and I was a little disappointed. I would not dare complain as nothing was egregious, just not worth the cost in my opinion.
It was a luxurious fine-dining experience ! Everyone was so welcoming. Our waitress Amber was phenomenal and provided exceptional service. She was very knowledgeable about the menu, professional and attentive. The food was very good and prepared with precision. My Husband ordered the Rib Eye tomahawk steak and it was cooked to perfection. The cocktails were good too! We loved the ambience and the interior design of the restaurant. My Husband and I enjoyed our dinning experience! We will definitely be returning back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The lamb chops and jumbo shrimp were amazing. The customer service was top tier and the music had us grooving in our seats. We really enjoyed the experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Jumbo Shrimp with Crab Fried Black Rice
Went with my restaurant friend. We had done Papi Cusine and Blk Swan, so we hoped a negative x negative would equal a positive.Nice decor, though it kinda smelled like salami when you walk in. Our server, Rashad, was AMAZING. He was very attentive and his suggestions didn't disappoint. I got the Un Deux Trois drink, wondered if it would be too sweet, but it was great.We got the Lobster Ravoli and Crab Croquettes, they were tasty. The croquettes definitely had a lil kick to them, but not spicy spicy.The salmon puff was good. I added the au gratin potatoes. We both agreed they could use a lil more cheese. The lamb chops and asparagus were a special. They were good.The bread pudding was a nice, shareable portion. The whipped topping was DELICIOUS.We were pleased with our visit. Do NOT go with your cheap penny pinching friends. We will be back
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bread Pudding
Hmm, even with the extreme wait for food I still had to give 5 stars ⭐️. The service was great, the food was tasty, and the atmosphere was chilled and relaxing.Another thing, Make sure you update the dress code to indicate what clothes to wear at your establishment
Overall, I enjoyed my experience. Our server was Rashad, and he was informative, attentive and knowledgeable about the food choices. The food was superb from the kale salad to the bread pudding dessert!The only issue was that we were not greeted by the manager even though he was at the door and we were the first customers of the evening. We didn't even know he was the manager. I waited for the valet to park my car because the manager quite obviously didn't care that there was a car in the middle of the road waiting while he continued to talk to him. But I would definitely go back!!!
Prim & Proper was a wonderful culinary experience in downtown Baltimore. The lobster ravioli, lamb chops, bread pudding, chocolate cake, dessert wine and cocktails were absolutely superb. Definitely recommend to anyone celebrating a major milestone,birthday to experience Prim & Proper. Last thing, service was excellent. Loved how all of the servers worked together to ensure customer success. Cannot wait to go back in the summer to see any new menu items!
I was overcharged for my drinks. The waiter didn’t specify whether not it was happy hours of regular pay on the menu stated 1/16 of six people drink, but the server did not explain nothing to us I wouldn’t recommend. It’s a shame when you try to support your people and it’s all about the
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
A $748 wasted meal. Never again. The WORST upscale experience.1st the positives: Amber provided excellent service and when things went left she and a few others tried to make it right but it didn’t work. EVERYTHING from the bar was ? - kudos to the bartender.The food was MEH at best. Cesar salad was good - but you can’t go wrong with lettuce and croutons. Salad dressing was not to my liking so just ok. Gnocchi looked good but it had NO flavor - more like pasta and way too much oil. Crab cakes were salty/spicy and oxtails spicy - appeared the spiciness in both covered up the lack of proper seasoning although the oxtails ever VERY tender and meaty. What the pork belly lacked in seasoning the sauce made up for in flavor so it was ok. Smoked jerk chicken was ok but when paired with the mint and peppers it was a hit - a very different flavor and pretty tasty. Jumbo shrimp w/black rice -just ok. Spicy rigatoni with lump crab was undercooked and I wish I had taken a picture of the 2oz upcharge of crab meat - you couldn’t find it. Cream spinach was good.This is when things really went bad - I told my party I had tasted enough and let’s skip dessert. But we were celebrating and so they insisted to give it a try. They didn’t have the birthday cake nor ice cream on the menu. Only bread pudding and creme brûlée. We opted for crème brûlée. The custard taste like thick butter and the caramelized SALT was horrible. ? WTH sis they feed me. They informed us the chef mistook salt for sugar. ??♀️??♀️??♀️ HOW!!! One of the chefs tastes it and she walked in the back to spot it out and we heard “God Damn”. They brought another to the table and but by then I was NOT trying another dish.As for the environment, one of the owners arrived at 10 PM, as the restaurant was closing, forcing staff to stay late and serve his party. At which point one member decided to have a hissy fit right in front of customers. We were told he always acts like that. No excuse. But also how insensitive of the owner to come in at closing and force staff to wait on he and his loud party. However, we noticed several of their plates being returned to the kitchen for additional attention. It appeared their food was also just MEH!!!I heard good things about the place but our experience was THE WORST.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 5
Classy, loved the Decor, Ambience, Coziness, Food and Great Staff, especially Jay who took excellent care of us. We never had to ask for anything. The birthday boy had great conversation with Jay, as well. We will definitely be back very soon.
Hats off to Prim & Proper! All I'll say is Black Excellence!!!! That's the vibe given from the ambiance, the service, and the food. Started off at the bar. They have a wide selection of specialty cocktails and wine. I often worry about specialty cocktails, because they tend not to be as special as they claim. These drinks were what I'd call specialty. Watching the bartender, you can see the attention to detail with all ingredients and the overall composition of the drink. My go-to for the night was the Champagne Side Car. Our bartender was extremely friendly and appeared to be holding down the bar all by himself that night. He didn't miss a beat. Our group moved into the dining room which is absolutely stunning. Beautifully decorated with amazing art work. Our server was at our table within minutes grabbing orders. We started off with the Snapper Ceviche and the Lobster Ravioli. Both were a win. If you're contemplating the Ceviche, think no more. It's delish!!! Couldn't stop eating it. As for the entrees, our table ordered the Branzino, Jumbo Shrimp, Jerk Chicken, and the Prim and Proper Burger. Once again, everything was amazing. I ordered the Jerk chicken which was fire. Felt like I was eating jerk chicken off the grill in Jamaica. I was intrigued when the waiter explained how it's meant to be eaten. It's an experience. Make sure to place the meat in the crepe, add one of the Fresno peppers and a piece of the mint, then dip it in the jerk sauce. It's a must. I was blown away by the flavor explosion of this combination. Well done chef!!! We ended the night engaging in conversation with the Chef while enjoying our Espresso Martinis. The Chef's vision and creative food concepts were very exciting to hear. I'm looking forward to future dining experiences at Prim & Proper!!
Prim & Proper is a great new addition to the Baltimore food scene! My party got the deviled eggs, crab and avocado salad, oxtail, spicy rigatoni, shrimp and crab rice, duck fat fries, broccolini, and the bronzino. All came out hot and at a good pace! Drinks were also delicious and creative. The restaurant was beautifully decorated and the artwork was on point. I will be back!
Ok, so I wanted to try this restaurant out since it has been opened. The food was great. I had the oxtails which fell off the bone. Omg it was so good. My date had the Bronzino with capers and was excellent seasoned very well. The service was excellent. Our waiter, Forrest gave us complimentary champagne for our date night and service was excellent. All the waiting staff were wearing gold jackets and black pants. The ambiance was nice. They had some nice artwork and a who's who in black excellence photographs in the bar. We got a chance to meet one of the owners and compliment him on how much we appreciate the great atmosphere and dining. They also have valet parking for $15 tip not included. Check it out, definitely a nice vibe. FYI, a 20% gratitude is included in your bill.