Cafe Zen also has a very tasty chicken curry (ask for it extra extra spicy, if you want more zing) according to my carnivorous sig other.

Perhaps the prize for the next commenting target should be to go along with you as one of your guests... YUMMMMMMM.

Then again we'd probably give you away in an instant.

Some of these sound delicious. I'm going to have to try the chicken rico since its so close to me.

I'm curious about your Chicken Tikka Masala comment. While I am partial to Tamber's, I find it curious that you do not order it when reviewing since "because every Indian restaurant does it." Being a non-reviewer, I would have thought that would make it a good comparison dish.

That's a good point. I've certainly ordered it on occasion. But if the restaurant has dishes it considers specialties, things that set it apart from other Indian restaurants, I always get those first. And I try to vary what I order in any case so I'm not always describing the same dishes. If I can encourage people to try new things with my descriptions, that seems like a good thing.

Of course, in an ideal world I would have unlimited time and an unlimited budget, and I'd try just about everything on the menu. EL

The Carlyle Club has a chicken dish with apricots that is very succulent. They also do seafood very well, but time after time I'm drawn to the chicken and apricots.

I saw that picture and it took me back to my younger days. I'm feeling a bit nostalgic. sigh...

Graul's Chicken Salad is by far the best!!

Chicken Fesenjune at the Orchard Market Cafe. Out of this world...

Do you not drive. It seems like the majority of your "top 10" list are always in baltimore city. I live in howard Cnty and do get the sun delivered, I've seen some restaurants mentioned in your column in the Columbia & Ellicott City area but I think you cater to Baltimore restaurants a little too much. Oh and by the way does Gertrude's pay you....because you seem like you metion then a little too much.

I think Karen and I between us have covered all the Columbia and Ellicott City restaurants in reviews, but you're right. When a list like this is made up more of meals I've eaten on my own than reviews, it is skewed to Baltimore city, where I live. That's why I ALWAYS ask for suggestions. Let me refer you to the Official Disclaimer. Why don't you tell us what restaurants you'd recommend in your neighborhood? EL

I had the chicken at Gertrude's on a Tues. last fall, and it had pin feathers still on it. That surprised me.

I'm a bit amused at how Amish has become a synonym for quality, organic and non-cruel. (Not to mention that chickens don't generally have a religion, as far as I know.) Amish raised chicken isn't necessarily any of those.

Tomato Aspic! That's one GACK I forgot!

Next time you visit The Ambassador try the "Madras Chicken," it's a nice alternative to the Tikka Masala. The Madras Chicken is full of vibrant South Indian flavors, and is not weighed down by such a thick sauce... it's a great dish to enjoy in their outdoor space during the warmer months.

Chicken breast strips at Bruce Lee's Wings in Cross Street Market. Sweet and hot, with no bones.

Ryan is spot-on about Graul's. Meanwhile, Petit Louis does a consistently good roasted chicken.

Sadly, the only places left to get English's Chicken is Saulsbury and Ocean City. One week at the ocean, three visits and a bucket to take home.

Pete ... I might be mistaken but most major metropolitan newspapers tend to have their reviewers work the city beat, and I believe this is what EL does. On the other hand, the powers-that-be in the "arts" section of the Sun apparently don't feel there is enough decent theatre in Baltimore to review so they send that critic to DC (and beyond) more often than not. And when was the last time you saw a review of a Baltimore theatre production in the Post?

Not necessarily a chicken dish per se, but the Spicy Croquettes at Tapas Teatro with chicken and boursin cheese are absolutely phenomenal.

I think that counts. Good suggestion. EL

If we could turn the clock back a number of years, I'd say firied chocken at any of the old English's Restaurants on the Easters Shore. And even still, the last remaining store (which is in in OC) still serves it up good.

Today though, I'd say fried chicken at the Lexington market, or any of the area's New York Fried Chicken estamblishments.

Buffalo wings at Pickles Pub. The best in town, bar none.

My favorite way to eat chicken is in chicken salad. I have to say that the chicken salad from Eddie's on St. Paul Street is awesome. No frills...just what good chicken should be.

And if you're at Cafe Hon order the Fritz's Favorite sandwich with chicken salad--it's grilles with bacon, cheddar, and tomato.

We had gone to Rub in South Baltimore for their barbecued brisket and have gone back several times for the chicken. Its terrific. And they do combination plates, so you can have the best of both worlds.

Donny B, that reminds me, what exactly is New York Fried Chicken (which I've never seen in NYC), and how is it different from Maryland fried chicken?

I'm showing my outsider's ignorance here again...

Second the Chicken Fesenjune at the Orchard Market!!!

Had Mari Luna's haf-chicken with mole sauce the other night. It was unbelievably tender, moist, and flavorful. I hate cliches, but I did actually utter the words "melt in your mouth".

Chicken's underrated -- it's harder to get right than it seems, often too bland or dry. Appreciate the suggestions! I'll add one that's far from gourmet, but good stuff nonetheless: The grilled chicken caeser at Mother's Federal Hill Grille, but hold the caeser dressing and sub in balsamic vinaigrette. The chicken is perfect -- and hot. Yum.

To Joyce W.: "Tomato Aspic! That's one GACK I forgot!" You never had Mother's Tomato Aspic.

i might get my face torn off around here for this comment, but...............
a whole costco rotisserie chicken for $4.99 cannot be beat in price and taste. i buy 2 every other week, and i make chicken salad with one, and chicken soup with the other.

Nobody's face better get torn off on my blog. :-) EL

To Lissa--

"New York Fried Chicken" is the name of a small local chain of fried chicken restaurants/carry-outs in and around the Baltimore area.

There's one on Edmonson Ave, Liberty Rd, Baltimore St, North Avenue, Belair Rd, and I'm sure several other locations.

Why the proprieter of this specific chain decided to name the business "New York Fried Chicken" is not something I can answer. That question is best left to the owner of the business. They are listed in the Yelow poages if you are really that curious.

All I can say is that their fried chicken is some of the best around. it;s so good that they could call themselves "Alaska Fried Chicken" for all I care.

i understand that this isn't technically a dish, but it probably ranks up there if you got half of one on a plate with decent veg and starch.

I'm assuming you haven't tried this one since it's not on the list.

But the roasted lemon chicken at Samo's in Greektown is one of THE best meals in all of Baltimore. Especially when it's served with those wonderful greek style potatoes, and their wonderful Greek salad.

And a few wedges of their warm pita bread is always a must.

Andy Nelson's has the BEST chicken!!!

Friendly Farm in Upperco has the best fried chicken. Even better - you can order a side of it to go along with your crab cake and fried shrimp!

I vote for barbecued chicken from farther down Harford Road. Alabama BBQ offers chicken in a white sauce that comes from a small but wonderful corner of this world and which I think is terrific.

As a native upstate 'Yorker, nothing can compare to the Cornell barbecued chicken at the New York State Fair. Wegman's carries a pretty good State Fair marinade that comes awfully close (bottom shelf of the condiments aisle), or you can mix your own from the recipe in one of Steve Raichlen's books (Barbecue USA?).

Common to both of these is the absence of any sort of tomato in the sauce, which really helps the chicken taste like chicken.

The BBQ chicken at Kloby's Backyard Barbeque (located in the Dogwood Shopping Center on North Rolling Road) is terrific. The meat is very tender and juicy, and the mild BBQ sauce is one of the best I've ever had as it's just right. Sometimes BBQ sauces are too rich or spicy, but Kloby's mild BBQ sauce has a true BBQ flavor without going to far.

For buffalo chicken wings (which may make for a good top 10 list) I like Sonoma's iand Rocky Run which are both in Columbia. The buffalo wings at Famous Dave's BBQ taste good, but they are too small.

I have to give a shout out to the rotisserie chicken from the Dutch Market on York Road. Their wings are good too.

Best fried chicken is found at Bair Brother's Chicken in the Northeast Market next to Johns Hopkins Hospital. The fried chicken is fresh, tender, moist, and super-succulent.
Bair's rotisserie chicken is also pretty good. It's marinated and glazed with a sweet soy sauce.

We may have to do a Top Ten Fried Chicken for Fourth of July, or even Memorial Day. I'm going to start keeping a list. EL

I haven't been there recently, so I don't know if this is still on the menu, but I really like the Chicken Phoenix dish at Speakeasy on the square in Canton.

Oh, yes, please on the top 10 fried chicken. That is a dish that can be delectable or deplorable.

Then, you can all explain lake trout to me . I've also heard mention of steak fish.

(Thanks, Donny B. I was seeing them everywhere, and wondering. Sounds just like Boston coolers, which you can't get in Boston and danish, which you can't get in Denmark.)

I actually love chicken and often disappoint my dining companions when I order it out. Here are my local faves: the roasted chicken at Petit Louis absolutely cannot be beat as a classic comfort food. Eddie's of RP has great chicken salad, too - enormous chunks of white chicken - as does the Roland Park Deli.For fried chicken in a restaurant, Popeye's can't be topped. For the best fried chicken ever, I'm afraid we have to go to our grandmas' houses.

It's hard to beat the Chicken Malai Kebab at Akbar. Tender, juicy, sizzling!

EL- I think the best fried chicken I have ever had was at Downey's in Chestertown. They used Old Bay in the seasoning mix and it was wonderful. Does anyone know if it's still open? I haven't been there in years.

I LOVE the grilled chicken salad at Cafe Hon. Its not so much the chicken that's fantastic, but the dressing.. that fresh homemade dill dressing. I could drink it by itself.

And, Elizabeth, if I'm not mistaken, Baltimore City has more restaurants per square mile than our surrounding neighbor counties. Chances are 6 out of 10 places you've reviewed would be in the area where restaurants just happen to be most dense and plentiful. Its a numbers game, not a geography game, folks! I would start to worry if you went a few weeks WITHOUT mentioning any of the great food choices within our city limits. Of course then we'd know that you've been fired from their payroll for sure! ;)

Lake Trout: Whiting and Steak Fish: Hake for Lissa

I'll agree with roasted chicken at Petit Louis. Normally, I would never order something I can easily make, but while I can make a roasted chicken, I can't make a roasted chicken like Petit Louis does.

The photo that is used on the front page is actually my favorite chicken dish, but I don't see it listed on the top ten. It the roasted chicken and Darker Than Blue Cafe on Greenmount Avenue. The best tasting and heftiest portions in the city.

Thanks, Regina. I knew that lake trout was really whiting (I'm from the Great Lakes, I know lake trout), but didn't know steak fish was hake.

Still don't know where to go to try them .

I agree with the votes for roasted chicken at Petit Louie. Oh, my, it's takes me back to grandma's for Sunday dinner (back when Sunday dinner was at 1:00 p.m.)

I have been meaning to try the chicken at Darker Than Blue. I'll have to move it to the front of my mind rather than letting it stay in the back. Thanks, James, for the push.

Downey's is still very much open in Chestertown! (although I can't vouch for the chicken ... or the OldBay component...)

Eric, what makes chicken "chicken phoenix"? The mind boggles!

Dahlink -- according to Speakeasy's menu (online here), Chicken Phoenix is breast of chicken in a crisp crust, crowned with artichoke hearts and a silky honey-jalapeno sauce. I've never been there, so I can't vouch for the dish.

Dahlink said: what makes chicken "chicken phoenix"?

It's kind of like this musician's joke:

Q. How can you tell one Irish fiddle tune from another?

A. They have different names.

Chicken Chesapeake at any of the Green Turtle establishments is delicious! Also, being I live in Salisbury, I have to recommend Adam's Ribs to any buffalo wing fanatics...by far the best around.

Chicken salad is another subjective food. I hate Graul's, but LOVE it from D. Barron in Lexington Market and Atwater's, although they're very different. Barron's is just big chicken chunks, sliced celery, and just enough mayo to hold it together. Atwater's has fruit and nuts in addition to chicken chunks and is a little "wetter," but it's terrific!

Thanks hmpstd and Hal VoR--I'm relieved to know that the Chicken Phoenix has nothing to do with Greek mythology or Harry Potter. Chicken and artichoke hearts--sounds promising--but I'm not sure about that honey-jalapeno sauce.

Chicken Phoenix?
1) As dry as the desert in Arizona, or
2) A mythical bird with beautiful gold and red plumage. Builds itself a nest of cinnamon twigs that it then ignites; both nest and bird burn fiercely and are reduced to ashes, from which a new, young phoenix arises.
Either way, I'll pass.

New York Fried Chicken? That's pigeon.

Breaded chicken, artichokes and honey/jalpeno? That sounds just terrible. Stay dead this time Chicken Phoenix.

Piano Rob wrote (a long time ago): And when was the last time you saw a review of a Baltimore theatre production in the Post

The Baltimore Sun has expressly told the Greater Baltimore Theatre Community that it will not review Community Theater productions. I guess you have to be an Equity house to get reviewed.