By Micah Berger Sollod, Eighth Grade, Krieger Schechter Day School of Chizuk Amuno Congregation
Looking for new places to grab grub? Baltimore’s got you covered. From seafood to vegetarian, the Charm City culinary scene is massive.
One of Baltimore’s favorites is Tuscany-Canterbury’s One World Cafe, located right by Johns Hopkins University at 100 W. University Parkway. This prime location allows for One World to be a tempting prospect in the local world of food.
But when it comes to taste, service and presentation, how does this hot spot hold up?
With a 3.5/5 stars on Yelp, One World definitely is a mixed bag with online reviewers. Some cite less than stellar customer service, while others love both the staff and the food.
One World is owned by Amy Eid and operated by a cast of talented employees and chefs. Popular dishes include their famous fries, baked mac-and-cheese, and delicious vegetarian and vegan dishes such as their house salad and O.W.C wrap with guacamole, tomatoes, carrots and herbs.
It’s important to try both a classic dish and one of their specials to get a full range of what this restaurant serves, not just a dish they have mastered. The menu has a range of dishes, and their specials change daily.
During a recent visit to One World, I was welcomed into a comfortable, homey atmosphere. It really gave off a feeling like the customers were just a big group of friends. The service was a strong start to my evening of dining, as I was served quickly and constantly felt welcomed.
The cafe’s ambience made the restaurant feel like a living and breathing part of the community, with a bar where local Baltimoreans talked about sports and current events, as well as a bulletin board jam-packed with different events and classes offered around town.
One World is truly a part of Baltimore’s culture.
My appetizer was a miso soup served with two toasted pieces of white bread. The bread was toasted perfectly and was a great for soup dipping. While the scallions added a nice hint of freshness, the soup was, frankly, rather salty. The mushrooms, while tasty, felt unnecessary and, more importantly, overkill.
Chef Sue’s Day Burger was my main course of choice. This dish exceeded my expectations. Fresh, elevated and delicious, this black bean burger crushed what I thought it would be. The toppings included fresh lettuce, tomatoes and many other vegetables that made the burger a creative achievement. along with its delicious sauce. The bun was fluffy and brought the burger together perfectly. With a strong flavor, this delicious and unique burger was a highlight of my dining experience.
I also ordered two sides, fries tossed in Old Bay as well as tortilla chips that came with my burger. Baked to perfection and perfectly paired with the Old Bay spice, the fries blew me out of the water. The chips, on the other hand, were rather unremarkable.
During my dining experience, I had the chance to talk to a customer who is a One World regular. “I’m a vegetarian looking for good and cheap food, so for me the convenience of One World Cafe is really why I go so often,” the customer said. “It’s true that the convenience of this cafe is another attractive fact that can be attributed to this restaurant.”
In the end, One World Cafe offered an impressive and delicious showing of skill and love. It is clear that passion goes not only into the food but also to the ambience.
Micah Berger Sollod is an eighth grade student at the Krieger Schechter Day School of Chizuk Amuno Congregation.
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