Annabel Lee Tavern like the Edgar Allen Poe poem waxes and wanes between romantic, cozy restaurant and eerie pub. Kurt Bragunier left Mount Vernon?s The Brewer?s Art, where he worked as general manager for seven years, to open Annabel Lee, a corner bar with affordable, delicious cuisine, in early December. Chef Mark Littleton from Lulu?s Off Broadway mans the kitchen and has rightfully earned a following among Baltimore?s foodies.

» The scene: You?ll be hooked on Annabel?s ambiance with just one foot inside the door. A tiered, table-worthy mahogany bar takes up the front of the candlelit, dark-purple walled pub. Of the seven tiny tables available, couples will grab the lovers? nest in a dark alcove and the table below the mantel and a striking Poe portrait, staring at diners. A quote from the Annabel Lee poem in elegant script completes the scene. Like Poe, down-tempo big band music from bygone eras are charming and creepy.