Mark Hofmann, the well-traveled chef who worked at Due and owned Rothwell's in Timonium and Henry's Bistro in Phoenix, has been a subject of this blog before.

Then mdlrvrmuncher posted this comment this morning:

My favorite comfort food is at Birches in South Patterson Park. During the winter they take entree ideas from the customers and put their spin on it. Great concept. It gives you at least one new item a week. Also since Mark Hoffman left the now defunct Due in Upper Pikesville, the risotto at Birches is just south of heaven. (Don't tell me about the speed of the meal. It is worth the wait.)

Mdlrvrmuncher didn't leave an e-mail, so I couldn't write directly, but it sounded like maybe Hofmann had landed at Birches. I called the restaurant, but no, he isn't there. Mdlrvrmuncher, what do you know that I don't?

(John Makely/Sun photographer)