Next Sunday's review: Taverna Corvino
Next Sunday I review the Taverna Corvino in Federal Hill, the restaurant that took over the Juniors' location.
The most surprising thing happened the night I reviewed it. Who should be standing in front of me waiting to be seated but Suzanne Loudermilk, the reviewer for Baltimore magazine. ...
I know her because we used to work together at the Sun.
It was odd because we weren't both reviewing, say, one month after the place opened -- it had what seemed like an endless soft opening under the informal name Test Kitchen while Chef Christopher Paternotte refined the menu. It was simply chance. I believe that's the first time that's happened to me in all the years I've been reviewing.
I had to laugh at the thought of the owner, chef or a server somehow recognizing both of us and our reviewing parties. What a horror for the staff: two restaurant critics in one night.
Anyway, my review appears in next Sunday's Arts & Entertainment section. You'll have to check the July issue of Baltimore magazine for Suzanne's review. Her deadlines are even earlier than mine.
(Jed Kirschbaum/Sun photographer)
Comments
I have seen the same restaurant reviewed in both of these publications a few times within the past year.
Posted by: NotableM | May 10, 2009 8:13 AM
Actually I think it happened when Cindy Wolf had Savannah's at the Admiral Fell Inn. I was in a party of 3 with Cynthia Glover, former food editor of Baltimore Magazine and you were in a party of 4 with Donna Crivello. I still to this day don't know who you were in the group other than knowing Donna.
I also believe Chef Michael Rork was there that evening. Our tables were next to each other. This goes back a long time ago. I could be wrong and stand to be corrected.
Posted by: Dara Bunjon | May 10, 2009 9:08 AM
So, did you pretend not to recognize each other?
She came over casually in the middle of the meal the way you might if you saw an old friend. EL
Posted by: Dahlink | May 10, 2009 10:54 AM
What, no comment of the week?
I haven't gotten around to reading them all yet. EL
Posted by: die zombie die | May 10, 2009 4:05 PM
Is that a picture of an octopus tentacle? I'd be interested in knowing what that was like. With only one exception every time I've eaten octopus it's been like chewing a piece of rubber.
Posted by: Joyce W. | May 10, 2009 7:00 PM
I can't wait to see the Baltimore Magazine review. I wonder if it will be good with some minor ciriticisms?
Posted by: Rev'Ed | May 10, 2009 7:20 PM
Easy Zombie. I'm sure Fearless leader is road weary.
Posted by: Owl Meat Gravy | May 10, 2009 7:22 PM
With only one exception every time I've eaten octopus it's been like chewing a piece of rubber.
Were these occasions at sushi places? I've always hated the inevevitable octupus on sushi combination platters. Then, one time in Miami Beach, I was served octopus that was actually tender! All these years I'd assumed I didn't like octopus, when in reality I merely didn't like badly prepared (or maybe just not terribly fresh) octopus.
Posted by: Hal Laurent, Pastafarian | May 10, 2009 8:35 PM
Yes that is octopus. Oh Joyce, octopus is the most wonderful thing when done right. I have never had that experience in the U.S. Octopus in Greece, Portugal and Spain is amazing. Even in Panama.
Posted by: Owl Meat Gravy | May 10, 2009 8:40 PM
Baby octopus, I think.
I love octopus, especially as sashimi. Easy to do it wrong, though.
Posted by: Lissa | May 10, 2009 10:20 PM
Might I suggest a trip to Zorba's on Eastern Ave in Greektown...try their octupus...
Posted by: Hue | May 12, 2009 9:07 AM
Hue, I was just about to say the same thing when I saw your comment. Zorba's octopus is outstanding. So was the octopus I had at the Greek festival last June. Might have been made by Zorba's cooks, who knows. Either way, I am counting the weeks until I can get it again this year.
Posted by: ET | May 12, 2009 1:34 PM
I think the food, including the octopus, served at the Greek Festival in June is prepared by the congregation of St. Nicolas Church.
Of course, it is certainly possible that the members of the church and the staff at Zorba's are one in the same.
Posted by: Robert of Cross Keys | May 12, 2009 3:02 PM
I'm skeptical of local octopus and would say that I might make a trip to Zorba's but I doubt that octopus is on my favorite Irish girl's menu. Do they have steak and potatoes there? Just kidding BG. 8>)
Posted by: Owl Meat Gravy | May 12, 2009 6:07 PM
Don't know about your favorite Irish girl, but THIS Irish girl thinks it's pretty great. ;-)
Posted by: ET | May 13, 2009 9:18 AM
I've eaten lovely stews of baby octopus, tomatoes, white beans, and a touch of basil in Italy and in San Francisco. I miss both places terribly right now.
Posted by: *◄:o)Yum~ | May 13, 2009 12:49 PM
I must be going blind, but I cannot find your review in the A&E section of Sunday's paper.
Posted by: Ron | May 17, 2009 2:27 PM