We have been going to Pazo's since it opened and like it for its setting, food, and service. I believe the building was built as a boiler factory and the renovation has created a spectacular room framed on two sides by the bar and the kitchen. Dining and a lounge area make up the rest of the ground floor with additional dining and two private rooms upstairs open to the lower floor.
Service is generally very good though the size of the place, and seeminly high turnover, results in you rarely getting the same server. Valet parking is fast and free (less the tip). The house wine, Pazo, is a good value though they have a lot of other selections by the glass and still more by the bottle.
The food is excellent though the place opened with a strict small plate metaphor. I think this confused a lot of people as americans are used to getting heaping mounds of food and this is NOT the small plate style! Pazo's has morphed since the beginning and has now changed their menu to include a selection of full sized plates along side the selection of small plates. On our first meal with this new menu, we considered it to be a negative move. On our second visit with the new menu we decided that a half portion of the large plate is about 50% larger than the old small plates and that we could deal with it if we took the slightly larger size into account.
We have been going to Pazo's since it opened and still consider it a great meal even with the changes.
Three years later (3/10/2010) and Pazo's is still one of our favorite ""go-to"" places in Baltimore. We consistenly enjoy the place and feel like we get a good value on every visit.
Pros: Small Plate Menu, Atmosphere, Food Quality, Service
Cons: Can be Noisy
more