Maybe not this week, but how about The Essentials. I always think of Turner Classic Movies and how they have a weekly program with essential movies everyone should see. You could even draw it out and announce one each Friday, then we could argue about whether the restaurant was or was not a Baltimore Essential.

I like this a lot. Although if we do one a week, it doesn't solve next week's Top Ten problem. EL

I've been away for a while -- I'll blame it on the sweltering heat. Anyway, your idea about bagels brought back a found memory of a bagel taste-off we once had at my office where we pitted the winner of the Baltimore region (Goldberg's) against winners from other States (NY, MA, CA & AZ). Good times!

I wonder if bagels are a bit too subjective. Depending on what you are used to, or grew up with, you might consider other variations as inedible. For example, I grew up in New York and prefer a bagel with a nice skin and a dense interior. Some I've had here recently (someone else in my office brought them in) seem more like soft rolls in a ring shape. I have found that the bagels at The Bagel Bin in Columbia and Café Bagel in Elkridge are good.

Of course I rarely have a plain bagel, usually opting for a Supreme bagel with a bit of everything outside (and even there, coverage varies, with some places only sprinkling the top). And plain real cream cheese.

Bagels are getting rarer I just learned that (and apparently this is old news) the bagel shop in Owings Mills New Towne is closed. My son's father was the creator of all things bagel in the Elkridge/Columbia area. I believe that they may all still evolve out of the Elkridge factory. If stores are buying dough from the same sources and baking it off, we'd actually be pitting the same dough against itself. I may be wrong; but I think there's a guy doing dough near Reisterstown Plaza, there's the Elkridge connection, there's Goldberg's, Sam's, and Gregg's. Then you get into the Panara school of bagel (dessert). The shop that closed in OM was a dough maker. So, it's a shame, because that's one less original out of the equation. So, the top 10 bagels could potentially be the same dough baked at 10 different stores. It aint like New York where there's 10 different bagel shops on 1 street! And let's not even get into bialys (sp?)

EL - glad to help! Didn't know about the rooftop deck. I've never enjoyed one - or even seen one!

Love the idea of the essentials, as well as the outdoor dining, which we don't have enough of. "Finds" would be nice too - your premise is true, I've lived here a long time, but keep stumbling upon great finds I knew about but never got around to trying.

As for bagels, something tells me it could turn into crab week redux, people in charm city love to talk about bagels. You know, bagels *seem* somewhat healthy, but you can have at least a couple donuts for the calories in a decent bagel. And donuts come with a chocolate option.

LJ, these days bagels come with a chocolate option: there are chocolate chip bagels (why? is another story).

LJ -- you are right on target. A few years ago I ballooned up and decided to give up my daily bagel for breakfast -- immediately dropped 10 pounds. I still love me a good bagel though, just not daily anymore. Sucks to get old.

Bacon goes great with bagels. My favorite sandwich for a long time was bacon, egg, and cheese on a bagel. Then I went to Pete's Grill and they suggested I try it with a "toasted" kaiser roll instead. Well, it wasn't exactly "toasted" - I think it was dipped in (mmm, real) butter and fried on the grill... but it was heavenly.

Confidential to Retired in Elkridge--as much as I love the new name, I think you might consider writing "ne Mr. Old Fart" rather than "nee" which is the feminine form, if I remember my French class correctly. And now that I think about it, I'll bet you weren't really an Old Fart at birth!

Retired nee - I can't see your new name without cracking up and thinking of this (courtesy of imdb):

[Jared has thick southern accent]

Mike Jared (Magnolia Fine Dining Society): I'm, er... recently retired...

Borat: You are a retard?

Mike Jared (Magnolia Fine Dining Society): Er... yes...

Borat: Er... physical or mental?

Bethany Weston (Magnolia Fine Dining Society): [to Jared] Retired...

Mike Jared (Magnolia Fine Dining Society): RETIRED! I don't work anymore...

Bethany Weston (Magnolia Fine Dining Society): Stopped work...

Mike Jared (Magnolia Fine Dining Society): STOPPED WORKING!

Borat: [quietly across the table] Is very good you allow retard to, er...
[mumbles politely]

A native New Yorker, I'm with Mr. Old Fart on what constitutes a real bagel. Hard on the outside, dense on the inside. Not sweet, for God's sake. What he fails to mention that a good bagel's dough must be boiled first. I've discovered that a mediocre bagel -- all I can find these days -- can be improved by splitting and toasting it in a toaster over for a couple of minutes.

Dahlink, I never learned much French. Where I cam from it was all Spanish. Besides, "ne" means "what" in Turkish.

The "born" refers to my entry into the sandbox, not the world. Don't know if it also is true for OF-dom, but I once heard a song to the effect that you don't have to be old to be a dirty old man.

Retired? Yup, that's what I took my car in for: the rubber was all worn down so I had it retired.

Oooo - I would love the Baltimore "finds" idea! As a relative newcomer to Baltimore, I don't know that I'll think of any to contribute, but I'd love to have a good list to start working on.

I also like Matt's idea about a weekly "essentials" feature.

Wait, there are real bagels in Baltimore? Where?

Lissa, at the risk of starting a war, I reccomend Courtney's Bagels in Owings Mills (OM Blvd) as being the closest I've found t the real NY experience.

I am a long-time reader and first-time commenter. I thoroughly enjoy (most of) the discussions that take place here in the Sandbox. I would like to see the "Top Ten Places You Probably Haven't Thought of to Eat LUNCH Outdoors (That Are Also Baltimore Finds)". I'm not sure if there are Ten places that fit this description, but Gertrude's at the BMA should certainly be considered. Personally, I prefer dining "alfresco" at lunch (hopefully sitting in the shade with the sun shining) rather than dinner.

Welcome, and good idea. But tricky. EL

I saw someone recommend Cafe Bagel. The bagels are fine, but the owner treats customers very poorly. Avoid and go somewhere else. Been there a number of times and treated poorly each and every time. He never smiles, says thank you, or seems at all appreciative of the fact that you spending money at his restaurant. Not worth it. Avoid and go somewhere they care about treating customers fairly.