Next Sunday's review: Pairings Bistro
I've been hearing good things about a wine shop and restaurant called Pairings Bistro that opened not too long ago in Bel Air. The chef/owner, Jon Kohler, has a Belgian wife, so the food is an interesting mix of Mediterranean and Belgian cuisine. The dishes on the menu (mostly small plates but a few more substantial offerings) are paired with a suggested wine, available by the glass or bottle.
So last week we drove up to Bel Air to check it out. Like so many wine bars in the burbs, Pairings doesn't have the atmosphere one in the city would. It's in a newish shopping center, and the outdoor seating overlooks the parking lot. But don't hold that against it; Pairings is definitely worth a try.
To find out more, look for my review in next Sunday's Arts & Entertainment section.
(Photo courtesy of Pairings Web site)
Comments
I still have a hard time thinking about any place with a 21015 Zip Code as being in Bel Air. I wondered why I hadn't heard about Pairings until I looked at the directions on their website: "Located off Rt. 924 behind Festival Shopping Center, near Susquehanna Bank." I trust that EL has visited, but my GPS thinks that those directions take you to the overgrown parking lot of the Emmorton Baptist Church which was torn down 15 years ago. Maybe I'll get there for lunch this week.
Posted by: Canon in Bel Air | July 19, 2009 6:48 PM
"Pomme chips"???
Posted by: Canon in Bel Air | July 19, 2009 6:53 PM
Uh oh, new annoying/pretentious thing: their menu lists prices for $14.50 as 14.5 ,etc.
Posted by: Owl Meat Gravy | July 19, 2009 7:11 PM
What's hot in 2009: rounding to one decimal point.
Having grown up in Bel Air, I will be curious if they can make it there. Even as Bel Air has become more sophisticated, it is still the kind of place where restaurants that do not offer domestic beers do so at their own peril.
Posted by: Robert of Cross Keys | July 19, 2009 8:03 PM
I think that Pairings could make it in Bel Air (never been, and it's not really Bel Air that far south). The Open Door Cafe has managed to hang around quite a while now.
Posted by: Dave | July 19, 2009 9:37 PM
Belgian cuisine? Do they have Belgian (or Belgian-style) beers to go with them, pray tell?
Posted by: Alexander D. Mitchell IV | July 19, 2009 10:09 PM
I was thinking the same thing Alexander. In fact, the only Belgian dish that I can think of is Carbonnade, a stew of beef, onions and trappist ale.
Posted by: Robert of Cross Keys | July 19, 2009 10:21 PM
Mussels and frites. Very Belgian.
Posted by: Lissa | July 19, 2009 10:42 PM
I ams the mussel from Brussels
Posted by: JC Van Damme | July 19, 2009 10:48 PM
Canon, according to the Lonely Planet French Phrasebook (which turned up in a Google search), "pomme chips" are potato chips (or potato crisps, in British usage).
Posted by: hmpstd | July 20, 2009 4:58 AM
As the daughter of two former city residents who now rarely emerge from Harford County, I have found Pairings to be a welcome respite in the land of the chain restaurants. The warm staff certainly makes up for the shopping center locale and the food invites conversation.
Posted by: Mags | July 20, 2009 9:26 AM
Mmmmmmm... Belgian Waffles.
Posted by: RayRay | July 20, 2009 10:07 AM
What's the differenc e between waffles and Belgian waffles. Isn't that some kind fake distinction?
Posted by: Rev'Ed | July 20, 2009 10:13 AM
Belgian cuisine?
Posted by: Eve | July 20, 2009 10:22 AM
Brussel sprouts and waffles
Posted by: JCVD | July 20, 2009 10:41 AM
I've always thought that Belgian Waffles were really thick, approx 1" or so.
Posted by: RayRay | July 20, 2009 11:01 AM
The Belgian, or Brussels waffle,[3] is prepared with a yeast-leavened batter. It is generally, but not always, lighter, thicker, and crispier and has larger pockets compared to other waffle varieties. In Belgium, it is served warm by street vendors, dusted with confectioner's sugar, and sometimes topped with whipped cream or chocolate spread. In America, it is served in the same ways the American waffle is served. Belgian waffles were introduced to America by restaurateur Maurice Vermersch, who sold his Brussels waffles under the name "Bel-Gem Waffles" at New York's 1964 World's Fair.
Posted by: wiki wiki | July 20, 2009 12:33 PM
I remember those 1964-65 World's Fair waffles. Was it there or the 1967 Montreal Fair where one of the candy makers set up a miniature factory to walk through? I'm thinking Kit-Kat bars or maybe it was Bit O Honey.
Posted by: Canon | July 20, 2009 2:12 PM
Oooh ... I found it! Went to a meeting in that part of the woods this afternoon and looked left instead of right. My doctor used to have an office in that space. Water, autoclaves ... the redec probably all worked out.
Posted by: Canon | July 21, 2009 7:50 PM
Canon, my memories of the New York World's Fair and Montreal's expo67 are a bit sketchy, but a Google search disclosed that Chunky bars were made in a factory at the New York fair. That makes sense to me, since New York's fair was crassly commercial, while expo67 was more focused on its theme (Terre des Hommes/Man and His World).
Posted by: hmpstd | July 21, 2009 8:39 PM
Habitat is still wicked cool...
Posted by: Lissa | July 21, 2009 9:37 PM
ONLY ONE WORD TO SAY ABOUT PAIRINGS... GO NOW GO OFTEN AND GO GO GOG GOGOGOGOGO
WHAT A JOY FOR BELAIR MD..
FINALLY SOMEONE WHO CAN COOK AND NOT USE SOMETHING OUT OF A CAN
Posted by: sallyngredit | July 26, 2009 7:41 AM
Only one word to say about Sally...she can't count.
Posted by: Bob | July 26, 2009 7:56 AM
Capslock shill fail.
Posted by: Lissa | July 26, 2009 8:45 AM