I first went to Legal Seafoods when I went out with some friends after the a conference ended. Several vendors offered to pay, and I said sure (free meals are always good). I was expecting an average lah-dee-dah seafood restaurant, but I was very impressed.

Walking into the restaurant, we were greeted by a waitress who seated us. Although the restaurant was busy, there was still more plenty of space at each table.

The ordering process took a little long (they were busy), but the order was sent away.

Although the restaurant was a little chilly (the rain which soaked most of Baltimore that weekend also got us), the atmosphere itself was very nice. There was an oyster bar, and there was also a coat room (handy for putting up wet umbrellas and coats). The restaurant was dimly lit, making for a more intimate and personal dining experience.

The food at the restaurant was great. For an appetizer we ate spinach artichoke crab dip which was amazing (came with shrimp crackers) which all fit perfectly with the entrees. There was a wide variety of seafood, almost all of which was fresh to that day. The Maryland crab cakes were excellent (the late Pope Jean Paul II, who landed at in Maryland when he visited America, actually ate at Legal Seafood before continuing to visit the President).

In addition to seafood, Legal also sells a lot of other normal fares, such as chicken, steak, and pork. Although I cannot personally testify as to how great the entrees were, all my friends who got them definitely ate their entire meal.

Legal Seafoods is definitely a great place to eat in Baltimore. The atmosphere is perfect for a nice night out, or simply to enjoy what some say is the best seafood on the East Coast!

Legal is an intimate restaurant with some of the best seafood in Baltimore. (And that's saying something!) You can expect a wait on the weekends, so cozy up to the stylish bar and sample one of the speciality martinis or a local brew while you wait. The menu is mostly standard seafood fare but is prepared and served with an artistic flair. The portions are sizeable and the desserts we sampled were excellent. The wine list was a bit disappointing, but otherwise, a great dining experience. One word of caution. Last time we dined outside on a warm spring day because the temperature inside the restaurant was frightfully warm. Outside was lovely until the sun started to go behind the trees. At that point, the wind started whipping around and the goosebumps ran rampant down my arms. If you eat outside, trust me, take a sweater! Even on a warm day the wind can be brutal.

Legal Seafood is part of a chain which originated in Boston years ago. Very simply, Legal Seafood is good at what it does - seafood. I don't consider this place to have any local color. It's a generic chrome and somewhat spartan feeling space which could be anywhere but the food is good.