What shall we talk about next?
Thanks to all of you who helped me out on the live chat. There were enough questions/comments posted before it started that Carla could handle the flow better (she has to read them all for, let's say appropriateness, before she posts them).
I should have waited to make up the poll until part way through the chat, though, because I would have definitely included Mama's on the Half Shell and a couple of others you mentioned.
It was lively enough that I never got a chance to quote Laura Lee's definition of "quintessential restaurant" when I announced the chat would be Monday and wasn't sure people would know what it meant: "Quintessential means the restaurant will still be in business come Monday." ...
I did notice that when Carla posted the live chat window, she named it Quintessential Baltimore Restaurants with an "s." I guess she intuitively knew we were going to come to the conclusion that there isn't just one.
Next Monday is Labor Day, and I plan not to be laboring, but I'm game to do another live chat the following Monday if you are.
I know live chats aren't for everyone, but for me it's nice to be able to respond to a particular reader in real time. I do go back and read all your comments and answer the ones that seem to need answering if hmpstd hasn't (and thank you again, hmpstd), but I never know if that reader goes back to read my answer.
Also, for those who haven't gotten into the joys of topic drift, it offers a different sort of blog experience. (I like both.)
So once again the question is, what shall we talk about next?
(Monica Lopossay/Sun photographer)
Comments
Foie gras and bacon on crab cakes, what the server/customer did wrong during the experience, and how much to tip the server.
Or perhaps that's a bit much to cover in a single chat...
Posted by: Zevonista | August 31, 2009 3:11 PM
In general, I'd like to find out what restaurants are opening/closing!
Posted by: baltimoregal | August 31, 2009 3:44 PM
I agree, baltimoregal. But for purposes of a discussion, I think we need a topic that would involve a bit more back-and-forth. Perhaps a discussion of restaurants that people have tried out for the first time this year or what restaurants could/should do "in this economy" to stay afloat or get our business.
Posted by: sean | August 31, 2009 3:53 PM
I know of all the wonderful restaurants from your posts. Is asking for best carry-outs sacrilege?
I don't necessarily have money for a big date night, but over the hump night and with a stop on the way home might be doable.
Not at all, but I would need a lot of help making it up. I don't review them. EL
Posted by: patty | August 31, 2009 4:06 PM
hmmm heard this on NPR this afternoon:
http://www.truthabouttrade.org/content/view/14716/54/lang,en/
Keep your self-righteous fingers off my processed food
a taste:
Just in time for the worst economic downturn since the Depression, here comes a new crop of social critics to inform us that we're actually spending too little for the food we eat... By demanding we all pay more to fund their agendas in these harsh economic times, foodie snobs and lefty social critics may as well tell us to eat artisanal cake.
Posted by: MrRational | August 31, 2009 5:11 PM
MrRational, maybe I'm nitpicking but as a leftist, I'm more concerned about feeding the poor than I am about paying more for the food we eat in restaurants. I suggest to you that these social critics are not coming from a leftist or socialist point of view but one of *capitalism*.
Posted by: Joyce W. | September 1, 2009 5:54 AM
Patty - I think the carry-out suggestion would create a lively chat. Lots of great ones in the Baltimore area.
Posted by: NotableM | September 1, 2009 10:34 AM
Came across an interesting issue at work that was food related! Let's see how can I expain this... A restaurant made a claim about the building that it is in that isn't true. Funny that none of the reporters attempted to verify, but another matter. SO...can we talk about restaurants that are housed in interesting locations/former lives of restaurants?
Oooh, two interesting points. a) What was the claim? b) Give me an example of the latter. Thanks. EL
Posted by: Bubbles | September 1, 2009 10:37 AM
Another chat idea might be good diners, or is that too subjective? I seem to remember a VERY lively discussion when it was a TTT a while ago.
Carry-outs are probably as subjective as diners.
This is a request: Our favorite sub shop closed recently, and I'd love to know where in the Belair-Edison/Gardenville/Lauraville area there's a good sub shop. We're bereft!
Posted by: Dottie | September 1, 2009 9:02 PM
top ten carryouts would be the bee's knees in this economy. eddie's market of CV sandwiches RULE! decent, cheap crabcakes too.
Posted by: unbelievaboh | September 1, 2009 9:10 PM
Typical carryout food really isn't EL's level of reviewing. But gourmet carryout could be. There are lots of places to get gourmet-level food as carryout, at a way better price than dining in, either because it is is a carryout-type place (like both kinds of Eddie's) or because (at a regular place that also allows carryout) you at least get to skip the cost of alcohol markup and tip. Definitely would be a good top ten given the economic times of late.
Posted by: Bacon Girl | September 1, 2009 10:00 PM
poulet, sascha's, pick a pit beef place, etc... wouldn't "gourmet" rise to the top of any worthy critic's carryout top ten list? challenge! disenfranchised readers need to know.
Posted by: unbelievaboh | September 1, 2009 10:16 PM
Chicken Rico or Pollo Latino. Discuss...
Posted by: Corey | September 1, 2009 11:03 PM
Pollo Latino? Is that the place across from Santino's? If so, Chicken Rico is much better, although Pollo Latino makes their yucca frita to order. Better choice of soda at Chicken Rico, too.
Posted by: Lissa | September 2, 2009 6:38 AM
Out of fairness to EL, it should be noted that for a long time her colleague, Rob Kasper, wrote the weekly "Takeout" feature for the Thursday Sun. That last appeared in April -- I think it disappeared when the Sun dropped the Thursday Weekend Live tabloid insert.
And Sam Sessa did it before him. EL
Posted by: hmpstd | September 2, 2009 7:53 AM
EL- sent you an offline message about the "claim" and as for b) here is one of my fav's, a little far, but a great day trip!
http://www.yellowbrickbank.com/
Posted by: Bubbles | September 2, 2009 2:07 PM
the yellow brick bank is well worth the drive.
Posted by: unbelievaboh | September 2, 2009 2:16 PM
I wish unbelievaboh would stop yelling.
Posted by: Hal Laurent | September 2, 2009 4:07 PM
Kinda reminds me of A Prayer for Owen Meany...
Posted by: sean | September 2, 2009 4:11 PM
I like it, Hal. Makes it really easy to not read any of his or her comments.
Posted by: Lissa | September 2, 2009 4:39 PM
Multiple points to Hal, sean and Lissa.
Posted by: *◄:o)╥╥~YumPorchetta | September 2, 2009 4:49 PM
Is there a way that Elizabeth Large, Richard Gorelick, Rob Kasper, and Sam Sessa can all do the Chat together? I think that would help with certain topics and it might end up like the Washington Post's Going Out Guru's Chat.
If I can talk them into it, there is. That's a big if. Sam already agreed to help me out if the subject ends up being carryouts. EL
Posted by: REBoehme | September 3, 2009 2:42 PM
I would love to know the best Greektown restaurants.
Posted by: NotableM | September 3, 2009 8:45 PM
Ikaros.
Posted by: Lissa | September 4, 2009 6:31 AM