Top Ten Tuesday
I'm limiting myself here to desserts I've had at restaurants that are still open, so no oeufs a la neige with spun caramel from the now-closed Jeannier's. Here are my current favorite restaurant desserts in no particular order; and take note, there's not one creme brulee or death by chocolate cake on the list ...
1) The multi-layer cake of mousses and chocolate with a fragile creme anglaise at Brasserie Tatin in Roland Park.
2) The individual chocolate souffle, ordered in advance, at Cynthia's in Severna Park.
3) The pear clafouti served warm with cinnamon ice cream, also at Cynthia's. What do you expect when a restaurant is named after its pastry chef? (Thanks to Ken for reminding me of her.)
4) The cardamom ice cream with figs and mango at Tapas Teatro in the Station North Arts and Entertainment District.
5) The frozen passion fruit mousse with warm chocolate sauce at Charleston downtown.
6) The baklava at Micho's in Reisterstown, incredibly fresh, sticky sweet and utterly delicious.
7) The apple tart in phyllo with creme anglaise at Bicycle in Federal Hill (and don't plan to share).
8) The mango and sticky rice at Lemongrass in Annapolis. Not to worry if you don't want to go that far for dessert. A Lemongrass branch is opening downtown this summer.
9) The pie made with fresh key limes at the Oregon Grille in Hunt Valley.
10) The trio of tiny desserts at the Iron Bridge Wine Company in Columbia.
As I'm making up this list I'm saying to myself, "Wait a minute. I've had some great bread puddings. There's no bread pudding on this list." I just can't remember where. Any nominations for great bread puddings in the Baltimore/Annapolis area?
Also, many of these restaurants change their menus frequently, so don't blame me if one of my favorites isn't available when you go there. (But do ask for it. Maybe they'll bring it back.)
Next Top Ten Tuesday: Best places to eat outdoors.
Suggestions are welcome. Please post below. And if any restaurants have opened a new patio, sidewalk seating or whatever, I'd like to hear from them.
Comments
Hi, Elizabeth. While not a classic bread pudding; Linwood's chocolate bread pudding is one you should not forget.
Posted by: David Granek | May 8, 2007 9:22 AM
Ale Mary's in Fells Point has a great Krispy Kream Bread Pudding.
Posted by: Michael | May 8, 2007 10:35 AM
The Trolley Stop, at the mouth of Main Street in Ellicott City, each day makes at least one, and sometimes more than one, homemade bread pudding. Every one is AWESOME. Exactly what you need when you need comfort food.
Posted by: D L Robinson | May 8, 2007 10:36 AM
Just wanted to put in my thoughts on desserts...
donna's!!!
for years i've loved that brownie sundae (rich chocolate brownie and ice cream...big enough to share but i never want too!
and in the spring i can't resist the strawberry shortcake...
and the best key lime pie i've had (i have had it everywhere!)
Posted by: april | May 8, 2007 11:13 AM
The bread pudding at Cafe Hon is amazing!
Posted by: Christine Klaff | May 8, 2007 11:31 AM
I'm from new orleans get the bread pudding at Donna's @ Cross Keys for my annual mardi gras party.
Aerytime i come in with my father for dinner.
Posted by: frisky | May 8, 2007 11:48 AM
Ryan's Daughter in Belvedere Square has a Campfire Sundae (Moxley's Rocky Road Ice Cream surrounded by Cinnamon pastry) that is bar-none the best Ice Cream Sundae I've ever had.
Posted by: Miles | May 8, 2007 11:53 AM
For a wonderful, amazing bread pudding, try Martick's. Yummy!
Suzanne Bailey
Posted by: Suzanne Bailey | May 8, 2007 12:01 PM
You can't go wrong with the Heaven and Hell cake at Eggspectations (off of Rt. 108 in Columbia). It's the perfect mixture of rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter. It's definitely big enough to share, but you may want to consider eating half there and taking the rest home for a late-night snack!
Posted by: Michelle | May 8, 2007 12:10 PM
Great bread pudding at "b" in Bolton Hill.
Posted by: Kevin Cross | May 8, 2007 12:14 PM
I thiird the vote for Donna's bread pudding (although it's been years since I've had it).
Mango and sticky rice is a pretty classic Thai dessert that I've had in several restaurants. Is Lemongrass' version different?
Posted by: Kathy | May 8, 2007 12:55 PM
I know you said no more peeves but I'm in San Diego and I just read your postings and the accompanying responses of readers. My biggest peeve-only touched on by yourself and other readers- other customers that do not behave in restaurants. Is it me or does the need for a list of customer rules seem to pop up on just about every menu these days. While some are merely suggested, others are strictly enforced. Hooray! While probably not the fiirst to do it, Nacho Mama's in Canton is certaily the best and most direct. Restaurant staffs are trained(hopefully), custormers, however, are not.
Posted by: Mike | May 8, 2007 1:19 PM
Dining outside: McGregors in Harve de Grace. Great view of boats on the water, trains shuttling over the Susquehanna, ducks, and the people dining closer to the water at the Tidewater restaurant sort of below and next door. I prefer McGregor's. Better menu, service, more inviting. But I wouldn't hesitate to return to Tidewater and its view.
Posted by: John | May 8, 2007 1:47 PM
I am surprised the Pine Nut Cake at Tio Pepe didn't make the list. Outside of the Strawberry Pie at Haussners, I can not think of a more talked about dessert at a Baltimore restaurant.
I would also put a mention in for the Chocolate Mousee and the Pot de Creme at Petit Louis.
Posted by: Robert | May 8, 2007 5:00 PM
Hi Elizabeth,
At Phillips Harborplace, there is a chef by the name of Jose that makes the bread pudding from scratch. It is delish!!!! I highly recommend you try it out & hopefully it will make your top 10 list.
Thanks!
Jamie
Posted by: Jamie | May 9, 2007 10:21 AM
- Bread Pudding at b Bistro is excellent
- Moctezuma's Return at Loco Hombre
- The Mt Washington crepe at Crepe du Jour
Posted by: Cara | May 15, 2007 9:40 PM
Last night we went to Brasserie Tatin as part of our Baltimore Restaurant Week eat out all week. It was out first visit but will definitely not be our last.
I had the hazelnut multi-level cake you mentioned as #1 dessert on your top ten. The server also informed us that Baltimore Magazine had just named it as Baltimore's best cake.
All I can say is, I agree with both of you. This is worth every calorie and every carb.
Posted by: Janet Morrissey | August 1, 2007 11:53 AM