Hungry expat needs your help
One of my cousins worked in Lyon, France, for a while, and I'm afraid the food was lost on him. He came home one Christmas and, over a bowl of cheese dip, remarked how much he'd been missing Velveeta.
That came to mind this morning when I spotted an e-mail from a Dining@Large reader named Matt. He writes:
"I have a friend who used to live here in Baltimore coming to visit, but she's been living in France for the last couple of years. I promised to take her out to a great meal at least once, and her only request is that we go somewhere she can get either solid ethnic food or great American comfort food, and nothing Middle Eastern. Apparently in Paris, there's a dearth of spicy food and any ethnicity that isn't North African or Middle Eastern.
"Anything you can recommend is great!"
Can you help Matt and his expat pal out?
It'd be a shame to send her back to France without a decent meal.
Velveeta Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Macaroni. Kraft Foods photo
Comments
You want to take her to a diner. The Towson Diner, the Double T.
If that isn't comfort food, I don't know what is.
When I was in Paris once we went to an Indian Restaurant called Chez Gandhi.
Would you name a restaurant after some guy who made his mark on society by popularizing the hunger strike?
Posted by: the wizard | March 7, 2010 5:05 PM
Great meal... American comfort food... I'd go to Charleston's... If that's too formal, you could shoot for Crush in Belvedere Square has lobster mac-n-cheese that rocks and definitely falls in the comfort food realm.
Posted by: GregBWorking | March 7, 2010 6:27 PM
brie tater tots with bacon at regi's. reasonable american comfort food.
Posted by: unbelievaboh | March 7, 2010 6:47 PM
My thoughts run along the line of sushi/hibachi, Korean, Indian, or barbecue. If you go BBQ, you surrender formality, but nothing like a good pile of ribs & chicken. Even the chains like Famous Dave's or Red Hot & Blue might do.
Posted by: Alexander D. Mitchell IV | March 7, 2010 8:25 PM
I second ADM IV's recommendation for Korean - probably the best-represented "ethnic" cuisine in Baltimore as far as quality goes. Always fond of Nam Kang and the places on 20th.
Possibly a visit to Hunan Taste? Oh, and perhaps a Taqueria (La Sirenita/Tortilleria Sinaloa/Fiesta Mexicana are solid possibilties, each have their strengths depending on what you are looking for).
Posted by: Volker | March 7, 2010 10:26 PM
What about Mustang Alley? Surprisingly good comfort food, and what's more "American" than dinner at a bar in a bowling Alley?
Also, consider "India Rasoi " on the corner of High and Eastern.
Posted by: Frequent Little Italy Restaurant Visitor | March 7, 2010 10:50 PM
Cafe Hon or Attman's!
Posted by: Deb | March 8, 2010 9:05 AM
The bacon Mac'n cheese from marie louise bistro in mt. vernon is amazing as is the mac 'n cheese from momma's on the 1/2 shell
Posted by: Chris | March 8, 2010 10:44 AM
As a JerseyGirl, I'm her ta tell ya, Wizard, The Double T is not a diner. It's a not-very-good restaurant with silver siding.
Posted by: Eve | March 8, 2010 11:07 AM
What about Woodberry? Simple american food in comfy surroundings? That gets my vote.
Posted by: Jordan | March 8, 2010 11:36 AM
Friendly Farm Restaurant in Upperco.
Posted by: NotableM | March 8, 2010 11:49 AM
A good round of Fell's Point places. Connor's for burgers, Blue Moon for breakfast, Max's for solid barfood or Peter's if you want something a bit more "grownup".
captcha: what clumsier... go for it, invite all the friends for a pubcrawl to celebrate her visit.
Posted by: Meekrat | March 8, 2010 6:16 PM
Or the Hamilton Tavern for Monday Burger Night. The Crosstown Burger is most excellent, and an upscale version of a truly American food.
Its a place I try to visit every time I'm back in Baltimore.
Posted by: PCB Rob | March 8, 2010 6:27 PM
Ever:
I haven't been to the Double T for a long time, I remember it as being OK. But a lot of Jersey Diners leave a lot to be desired. I've been to a few good ones, but many are just as you described the Double T.
Don't even ask for a crab cake in Jersey, and a soft crab is a disaster even in a fine restaurant. I can't think of one dish New Jersey is known for.
Posted by: Anonymous | March 8, 2010 8:05 PM
porkroll
Posted by: TheBeav | March 9, 2010 1:22 PM
For ethnic, give Fiesta Mexicana in Rosedale a try. Great Mexican food, very authentic. BYOB. or Ze Mean Bean for Eastern European.
American Comfort, I'd go with Hamilton Tavern, but I'd go on Thursday for Mac and Cheese night! NOM NOM NOM!
Posted by: Jinxica | March 10, 2010 12:59 PM
Go by the Wine Source to pick some wine and or beer and head to Mari Luna for Mexican.
Posted by: Elite Elephant Lover | March 10, 2010 4:14 PM