The three-alarm fire on November 21st near the corner of Boston Street and Montford Avenue did more damage to Calabrese Hair Salon than it did to the new Hollywood Burger Bistro. A week later, the salon is back open; the restaurant never closed.  

Hollywood Burger Bistro takes over the closely watched Canton space where Tangier's came and went so quickly. People fondly remember the old Weber's of Boston Street as well as the first five years of Redfish, before Ted Stelzenmuller left to open Jack's Bistro and its original owner Michael Stratigareas sold the business to spend time with his family.

Now, Stratigareas is back on Boston, as the manager and consultant for Hollywood Burger Bistro, a moderately priced restaurant inspired by Los Angeles area burger joints like Umami Burger, Father's Office, and the Counter. Stragigareas says that renovations, by Larry J. Link, Jr., have created a space that will say "L.A." and "Vegas" to patrons.  Renovations by The reticent owners of Hollywood Burger Bistro hope to make the Canton location the flagship for a locally operating Hollywood Burger Bistro group.

Signature burgers start at $12 and the basic Build-a-Burger starts at $10, with a 75-item topping list that includes both the basics and the unusual -- fried green tomatoes, melted chocolate, and white truffle oil. Hollywood is using 100% natural beef from California's Imperial Valley. Other basic options include turkey burgers and vegetarian burgers. The website is still under construction but the menu and the topping list are online at here.

Stratigareas told me he has also brought back an extensive appetizer menu, similar to the one that used to bring folks into the Redfish bar for an evening graze. Because his main goal for Hollywood is to have it be a "super affordable, five nights a week" place, he has kept the prices low and his margins slim.

Hollywood Burger Bistro is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. The kitchen is open until 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday and until midnight on other nights. The phone number is 410-563-7437. 

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 10:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (64)
        

In a post from last Friday on Adventures of a Koodie, Eli reviews Thanksgiving Dinner -- at his grandfather's house

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 9:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
        

It doesn't quite work as a Top 10 list, but I'm taken with the civility thread. I'd like to keep it going and growing at least through the holidays. I'll go back in the D@L archive to try to gather up some more chestnuts.

But I owe the universe a Top 10 list. I am going to spend the morning looking for holiday gifts for and from Baltimore area restaurant-goers and food lovers. Please send me your ideas.

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 8:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Top Ten Tuesdays
        

Tomorrow, Tuesday November 30, is the Downtown Partnership's Annual Holiday Lunch Party. From noon until 2 p.m., wander into one of six big office buildings and sample food from area restaurants*.

250 West Pratt Street

100 Light Street

PNC Bank Building (2 Hopkins Plaza)

Harboplace Tower, 111 South Calvert Street

Lockwood Place, 500 East Pratt Street

The Candler Building, 111 Market Place

Lebanese Taverna
McCormick & Schmick's
Supano Steak House

* Limited availability, first come, first served, etc. etc.

Baltimore Sun photo/Algerina Perna

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 5:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Demi opens tomorrow night on the lower level of Crush. Open Tuesday through Saturday, from 5 to 10 p.m., the 28-seat Demi will have an entirely separate identity from Crush, serving small plates priced between $8 and $15 and half bottles of wine. The executive chef for Demi is Tae Strain, who also holds that title at Crush.

Dan Chaustit, Crush's owner and chef, told me that the tasting menu is something he's been thinking about for a long time but that trying to give diners one in Crush proper, however, would have run a check into the hundreds of dollars. Demi is designed to be moderately priced.

A few sample plates -- 6-minute eggs with cauliflower, asparagus, and parmesan on toast; maple-glazed pork belly with hoisin spaetzle and brussels sprouts leaves.

Chaustit and I tried to think of other examples of roof-sharing restaurants in Baltimore, like Cafe Atlantico/minibar in Washington, DC. I mentioned the Linwoods/Due operation to Chausatt. Those were two separate full-scale restaurants, not at all the same thing, Chaustit said. And he ought to know -- he was working there at the time. 

The Demi space has not been carved out of Crush's bar area but a level below that, where the kitchen is. Eight of Demi's seats are perched at a new kitchen-side counter.

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 3:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (15)
        

Please contribute anecdotes and examples of a restaurant's having gone an extra step, either by anticipating a need or concern or by responding nimbly to one. This could be anything from the first time you were offered a large-type menu, to the nice, non-shouty way a waitress recited the specials to a hard-of-hearing guest, to the bartender who put on your favorite cd without your asking.

News of Diablita's closing sparked some talk about what effect the restaurant's nonborhood* had on business. That made me think about other obstacles to dining, real and perceived. Smoking is not the complete non-issue you might think. Baltimore restaurants have been slow to implement non-smoking outdoor seating areas -- I'm thinking they're going to have to sooner than later.

So, this week it's positive stories, and maybe next week we can rip people apart.

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 1:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (13)
Categories: Top Ten Tuesdays
        

I took the weekend off from blogging. I've been telling friends that I feel like a new parent with the blog; I've been afraid to leave it alone. But the planet is apparently still spinning on its axis this morning. So, phew.

I didn't post the customary, "so, what's everyone doing this weekend" question on Friday (by that time, I figured you were already doing what you were doing). But, I'm asking now -- what did everyone do? Who made it out for dinner, on or off Thanksgiving Day. 

I know a few of you had been planning to take your Thanksgiving Day meal in a restaurant. I'd like to hear about your experiences.

I get asked often about good brunches -- anyone have one this weekend?

I made it down for the Oyster Festival at Kooper's. This is not that lame-o oyster festival they have in the square that is really just another drinking festival. This was cool. The festival was a few tables set up in front of Kooper's. Three amazingly adroit and (under the circumstances; it was a cold day) cheerful shuckers working with an impressive variety of East and West Coast oysters. The only problem was that it was hard to keep all of the varieties straight in your head. I'm still trying to figure out which of the West Coast oysters it was that tasted  especially crazily of the sea, as though you'd wiped out while body-surfing and taken in a mouthful of ocean water. It was a Willy Wonka oyster.

Heeaaaapppppppppp!

Baltimore Sun staff/Kenneth A. Lam

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 9:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (18)
        

It looks that way. There's this message, posted Wednesday night, on the restaurant's Facebook page: “11/27/10 Last night for Diablita Cantina. Open from 4pm-2am. All daily drink specials from open to close...... $5 all Margaritas, $10 Pitchers of Sangria, $3 Drafts, 1/2 price Mexican beer and more!!!!!! While supplies last. See you Saturday."

No one answered the phone at Diablita when I called. If the news is true, though, this will be the third restaurant to close in the old Holland Manufacturing Building since late 2007, when the Annapolis imports Lemongrass and Tsunami started their truncated runs.

News of La Diablita’s closing came just days after the zoning was approved for the development of a boutique hotel just one block south on the Central Avenue corridor. 

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 2:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (56)
        

First, here's Rob Kasper's review in today's Live! section of the Inner Harbor's new Kona Grill.

Here's David Zurawik's interview with Duff Goldman, in which the Charm City Cakes owner and Food Network personality talks about his post-"Ace of Cakes" plans. Goldman reveals the basics of one of the three shows he has in development but keeps quiet about the other two. I have a huge hunch about what one of the other shows might be, but I'm keeping quiet about if for now. I've got to tell someone, though; I think I might type up my hunch and email it to myself: "King Midas has donkey's ears!!"

The second edition of the revived Sun Magazine will be included in this Sunday's paper. Here's a look at Laura Vozzella's feature on the home kitchens of a handful of area chefs -- Cindy Wolf  (Charleston, Cinghiale, Pazo and Petit Louis); "Top Chef" runner-up Bryan Voltaggio (Volt); Gayle Brier-Billebault of Bonjour French Bakery & Cafe in Mount Washington; and Thomas Rudis of Golden West Cafe in Hampden.

Baltimore Sun photo of Brier-Billebault's kitchen/Lloyd Fox 

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 9:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
        

The only thing worse than a fruitcake is an evergreen essay about fruitcakes.

But a friend of my friends' showed up at a Thanksgiving open house with a fruitcake from Collin Street Bakery in Corsicana, TX. Her mother sends her one every year. The cake, and the bakery, are institutions.

The thing about this cake -- it's good! Not just good for a fruitcake, good for any cake. Spicy, and moist -- and I'm thinking that it's the fresh papaya that makes it so tasty. 

And so begins the Dining@Large Countdown to Christmas with a request for your favorite food-related holiday gifts (and stuff to bring to parties) to give and receive.

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 9:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Christmas
        

The idea that a heritage turkey would be just plain more trouble for a turkey farmer to kill than a Broad-Breasted White is something I wouldn't have thought of. Laura Vozzella thought of it, though, and produced this terrific piece.

Baltimore Sun photo/Amy Davis

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 6:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Thanksgiving
        

Gertrude's, I told you, is running a Black Friday Brunch. I asked if any other places were running specials for exhausted shoppers or for folks finding themselves with a day off.

Morton's The Steakhouse "likes" its Facebook fans so  much that the restaurant will be giving them a complimentary Black Friday dessert, either the Key Lime Pie, Double Chocolate Mousse, and Morton’s Carrot Cake. What proof will they want of your friendship? Your say so will be good enough.

And Crush, over at Belvedere Square, is participating with Nouveau Contemporary Goods and TechLab Photo in a Moonlight Madness shopping event. Crush;s contribution includes themed martinis and 15% discounts on dining.
 

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 5:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Here's a recipe for Hominy Stew with Turkey and Chilies from Find. Eat. Drink. (I think I really like this site.)

How do you like your leftovers?

I'm on deadline for the next little while (and I spent the morning in the dentist's chair -- am I allowed to say that I love my registered dental hygienist?)

I'll be back soon -- but, just in case, Have a safe and happy holiday!

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 12:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (14)
Categories: Thanksgiving
        

Following a successful zoning appeal, the relocation of Anita Ward's Roland Park Bakery and Deli  to a renovated 1,600 square foot location at 3500 Chestnut Avenue in Hampden is a doner deal.

According to a press release, the Roland Park Bakery and Deli plans to open in January 2011. The original location is still open. (Here is Jean Marbella's September 8 story about the changes at Roland Park Shopping Center that motivated the move.)

The press release includes a quote from Benn Ray, president of the Hampden Village Merchants Association: 

“We very much look forward to Anita and her bakery/deli becoming a part of the Hampden community. It's a perfect fit (and a delicious fit, I might add), that fills a gap left by the unfortunate closing of New System Bakery earlier this year. We very much look forward to her opening and being able to eat there."

Baltimore Sun photo/Barbara Haddock Taylor

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 4:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (12)
        

I took a post-contest look at the nominated Mobbies blogs just now.

Here are a few posts that got my attention:

My favorite --  in his Rouxde Cooking School, John Houser III teaches how to make a  Treacle Tart fit for Harry Potter.

There's a recipe for Hummingbird Cake on Eat. Swim. Shop.

There's a cool photo-tour through the back of the house at Woodberry Kitchen on Stone Hill Farm

Angry Asian Creations is sending a box of apple molasses cookies to a lucky reader

Minx Eats is busy with Moroccan chili and pumpkin cornbread

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 3:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

A reader emailed me about the closing, not too long ago, of the Milano's on Waltham Woods Road in Parkville. He remembers the days when Milano's was a "neighborhood fixture," with "the best pizza and carry-out subs in the area."

There were a few other Milano's around town, the reader remembers: one on York Road and another on Smith Avenue. Our family would go there when no one felt like cooking.

The Parkville location was the last of the Milano's. I don't know for sure if they were all under the same ownership.

The closing of Milano's wasn't observed with elegies on blogs. It just closed, and the people that worked there either went looking for new jobs or have just stopped working, and the people that used to eat there are either going somewhere else (or had been for a long time) or eating something at home.

It made me think of Last Night at the Lobster 

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 2:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
        

The American Farm Bureau Federation has tracked the average cost of a classic Thanksgiving meal since 1986. The price of menu items increased about 1.3 percent overall this year, bringing the total cost of a meal that would feed 10 people (with plenty for leftovers) to $43.47. This year's estimate is actually $1.14 cheaper than what shoppers paid two years ago.

Here, in photo-gallery form, are the independent, non-governmental organization's estimates of the ingredients of the traditional Thanksgiving meal.

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 12:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Thanksgiving
        

    Mr. Gorelick, I have enjoyed your restaurant reviews and was glad you were made a permanent restaurant  reviewer - I think (emphasis mine). However, we were personally devastated that you did not include Tio Pepe in your list of the 50 Best restaurants.  Why was that?  Surely any restaurant that has been in business business for 40 years, must be serving great food and giving good servicethey would not survive.  One recent Saturday night, we went there with friends and they were packed with happy people who were obviously enjoying themselves. Although we were 8 for dinner, our service was superb. . Then we were there  this past Thursday ( a quieter evening)  and again had wonderful seafood and excellent and unobtrusive service.  The chef Emiliano Sanz came out to greet his customers as he usually does and made sure everything was okay. He even sent us a new dessert he was trying out.  How often do you see a chef come out to greet his customers. When I compare it to the horrible service we had at A__ (you can read my comments online) and the very rude service we had at P__ when the arrogant maitre d' would not let us sit at our table until the other party arrived there is  just no comparison. Coming from Columbia we were 15 minutes early but he just made us stand with a bar, even though Mike was in a foot cast. Then when our friends arrived, he seated us at a table that had been empty the whole time we were standing. And that is good service?  I am sure you were inundated with comments but I could not participate in the online chat. Please advise.  You are breaking our hearts and that of Tio Pepe.

    Dear Mr. Gorelick, I was shocked that you did not include Tio Pepe among your top 50 restaurants.  I understand that this list was based on your own personal experiences and opinions, but I'm still curious as to how you reached this decision.

    I've dined at Tio Pepe on four occasions, the most recent being my 27th birthday in late-October.  I've always found the waitstaff to be attentive and efficient and the quality of the food unsurpassed.  The sangria is the best I've had in the city and although I haven't tasted EVERY sangria in Baltimore, I've tried enough to know the good from the bad.  The suckling pig I enjoyed on my last visit was juicy and cooked to perfection.  Granted, the restaurant can become cramped, nd being seated does not go assmoothly as it could.  No place is perfect of course. Making reservations at the P___ about two months ago was an extremely frustrating ordeal - I had to spell my name three times for the host and was put on hold twice during the exchange.  The only reason I didn't slam the phone down in aggravation and take my business elsewhere is that I love the P___ experience once I arrive at the restaurant.

Richard Gorelick's list lost all credibility when he left out Tio Pepe. Is it a personal vendetta?

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 11:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (29)
Categories: 50 Best
        

This is one of those staff-point-of-view lists schooling diners in how to improve their own dining experience. The unusual thing about this particular list, from the Find. Eat. Drink. site is that it's not obnoxious, whiny, or combative. I think it's spot on.

The only tip that might generate some disagreement, I think, is: Enjoy Yourself. I'm curious what you think about what the writer, Joe Ricchio, says. (I'll say that I agree with him.)

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 8:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

I've posted yesterday about gearing up for preparing the Thanksgiving meal. And there was this story about taking the Thanksgiving meal in a restaurant.

My friend Stephen from Baltimore21201 sent over this list he compiled of stores and caterers who will assemble (and usually cook) the whole meal for you.

Ah, I meant to post this last week but forgot. So, I fear it may be too late in some cases. Clip-and-save it for next year, I guess.

Has anyone here gone this route? How did it turn out?

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 8:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Thanksgiving
        

Gordito's, the Mexican spot that opened downtown on October 18, is closed until further notice. Not sure when this sign when up in the window.

(I covered up the email address in the photo.)

I will try to find out what I can.

An update, Nov. 23, 4:09 p.m.

I received an email from Ken Diaz:

Please note that the future of Gordito's Cafe is still undetermined.

We will continue to seek locations for new sites, including express locations. Our objective is still the same in bringing a true Taqueria Experience with Fresh Homestyle Mexican Fast Food in a Casual environment. Anyone with interest or would still love to be part of our mailing list. Please forward your inquiries to ken@tantealizingtastes.com.

Thank you again for your support as we look forward to serving you again soon!

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 10:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

I found an email from the nice folks at Mari Luna Latin Grille, politely wondering why I hadn't included their $24.95 daily dining special in my round-up of weekly dining specials.

Because it's a daily special.

If you run a special every day -- all day Mondays through Thursday, and from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday through Sunday -- even if it's $24.95 for a three-course meal (choice of soup or salad, choice of entree, and choice of dessert), it might qualify as a good deal, but it's not a weekly special. Neither is the daily lunch special -- $10 for a choice of entree or wrap, salad, and a soda -- a weekly special. Although it sounds like a good deal, too. Except for the wrap; I hate wraps.

Have you figured out that I chose today to clean out my Inbox?

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 9:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (23)
        

Cute idea. Gertrude's is offering its regular weekend a la carte brunch menu this Friday, November 26, from 11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. They're calling it a Black Friday Brunch. Any other places doing it?

2005 Baltimore Sun photo/Algerina Perna

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 5:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

The gang from Kooper's Tavern sent over the list for this Saturday's 11th Annual Fells Point Oyster Festival. Oysters start at a buck a pop.

East Coast Oysters

Blue Points, NY
Charleston Cups, RI
Cape may Salts, NJ
Choptank Sweets, MD
Island Creek, MA,
James River, VA
Malpeque, PEI
Moonstone, RI
Potters Moon, RI
Rome Points, RI
Wellfleets, MA
Chincoteague, VA
Naskatucket, RI
Black Points, RI
Wiannos, MA
Salvation Cove, PEI

West Coast Oysters

Chef Creeks, BC
Emerald Cove, BC
Drunken Kiss, CA
Fanny Bay, BC

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 4:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

I talked to Chris Sikora the owner of both Sweet a bakery and the new Six Mile Coffee. He told me that when Sweet moves from Ellicott City to Baltimore, it won't be bringing the cafe operation with it. Instead Sweet will focus on its specialty cake operations. The move puts the bakery closer to most of the wedding venues used by their clients, who now be able to skip over to Sweet from their planning meetings at nearby hotels.

Six Mile Coffee opened on Frederick Road in Catonsville the day before Halloween, filling the independent cafe niche created when Junction Station Cafe closed earlier this year. The new place, which features a drive-up window, is off to a good start, Sikora tells me. The big cafe hit, so far -- the bread pizzas made from ciabatta Six Mile brings in every day from the new Atwater's Naturally Leavened Bread in Catonsville.

Six Mile Coffee will open at 3 a.m. this Friday, November 26 to serve early-morning shoppers.

photo courtesy Sweet a bakery

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 3:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

The finale of the third annual Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's Baltimore's Finest 35 under 35 fundraiser takes place on Thursday, December 9th at the Maryland Science Center. 

The participants are competing against each other with personal fundraising programs. I heard about it from Laura Alima, who is raffling off a table for eight at an upcoming Chef's Expressions wine dinner and a room at the Gramercy Mansion.

Here's more information on Lisa's 35 under 35 page.

So, why I am I featuring Lisa and not the other 34? She emailed me.

But I did click through the other participants' pages to make sure I wasn't ignoring other food-related fundraising schemes. I found one wine raffle, but I also found about a dozen participants who not only haven't arranged for an attractive donated prize but haven't raised any money yet at all. Or they haven't updated their pages. Young ones, get cracking.

From the website: "The event honors Baltimore's most outstanding young professionals for their success in business, leadership in the community, and their fund-raising commitment to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation."

Baltimore Sun photo/Jed Kirschbaum

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 2:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

So, where did everybody go?

A few of you posted last Friday about your weekend dining plans. (Even if you didn't post on Friday, we'd like to hear about your dining experiences now)

Michelle was headed to the Sakura in Hunt Valley, and Ryan97ou was hoping to get to Chameleon Cafe. Sarah G made my mouth water with her mention of the Eastern-Shore chicken at Big Bad Wolf's House of Barbecue. I remember Big Bad Wolf's Scott Smith telling me that he learned about what makes good chicken barbecue as a cook for Eastern Shore firehouses.

Courtney was headed up to Philadelphia, and she was planning on making the head-to-head comparison of Pat's vs. Geno's, the neighboring temples of the Philly cheese steak.

As anthropology, it's a worthwhile experience -- it's fun to watch people waiting and eating. As gastronomy, it's strictly from hunger. Neither cheese steak even qualifies as good bad food -- they're bad bad food. Absolutely I get why natives appreciate them, but bleccch.

Baltimore Sun photo/Patrick Smith

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 11:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (24)
        

Here's good-looking Epicurious post on gearing up for Thanksgiving -- and here's the link to last Wednesday's story about area restaurants open on Thanksgiving Day. I promised one reader that I'd look more closely for vegetarian options in restaurants among those restaurants. I'll give it a try but I don't think I'll find a perfectly satisfying restaurant option.

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 10:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Thanksgiving
        

Here is the review of Sushi Sono. I received a nice email this morning from the an associate* of the restaurant, who encouraged me to come back and visit Sushi Sono again at a quieter time. He suggested shortly after the 5 p.m., when the restaurant re-opens for dinner.

I will do that. 

If I gave the impression in the review that the frenetic pace and the hectic atmosphere were reasons not to go to Sushi Sono, then I didn't accomplish what I wanted to do. Absolutely, you should go to Sushi Sono -- but just be aware that it's grown into a popular destination.

It's the case with most restaurants but a sushi restaurant in particular that the second visit will be better than the first.  

* In the interest of full disclosure, I'll mention that the email was written by a name I recognized as belonging to a fellow alum of Campfield Elementary School. Think Skull & Bones.

Baltimore Sun photo/Amy Davis

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 9:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Monday Morning Quarterbacking
        

All of the weekly specials I know about are here. Bookmark it, or just know to enter weekly dining specials in the Find Local* search box. It's simple to sort them by day of the week -- look for the sort box just above the map.

Sunday -- enter Sunday Dining Special

Monday -- enter Monday Dining Special

Tuesday -- enter Tuesday Dining Special

Wednesday -- enter Wednesday Dining Special

Thursday -- enter Thursday Dining Special

* what is Find Local? It's the name we use for the Baltimore Sun's database for searching and venues. So, when I say here that I'm putting information in Find Local, that's what I'm referring to. You can get to the Find Local search box from almost anywhere on the Baltimore Sun website. Let me know if you have trouble finding it, though, and I'll pass your comments along.

In Phase Two, I'll be working with our Find Local maven Rebecca Hyler to build a more attractive presence for the Weekly Dining Specials. And then we'll be looking for ways to possibly incorporate the listings on the Dining@Large page.

And, of course, I'll be adding in new weekly specials as I hear about them.

And, of course, you'll be telling me about the typos and misdirects I've managed to include here. In fact, please do. 

I know that other sites include versions of this. But I really like seeing them in a simple list form, broken down by day.

Baltimore Sun photo/Barbara Haddock Taylor

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 4:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

Ellicott City's Sweet a Bakery & Cafe will close its Main Street store on December 26th and reopen a new location in Baltimore's Mt. Vernon neighborhood in early January.

The Mt. Vernon address, 237 W. Read St., until quite recently (anyone know when?) had been the home of Zachi Cafe, which sold Mediterranean food. I had friends who took to Zachi, at least at first.

Sweet will keep its current phone number.

In a press release, Sweet's owner and general manager, Chris Sikora said that "the Read Street lcoation places us to numerous reception and party venues. It's an ideal spot for us to deliver not only within Baltimore but also to sites in the metro area."

Meanwhile, Sweet's loyal customers will still be able to pick up their goods at the new Six Mile Coffee in Catonsville and arrange to pick up cake orders there. 

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 1:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

Note: This is updated version of an earlier post which included an insanely misplaced decimal point.

The fact of a restaurant property, or the restaurant itself, being listed for sale, can signify everything or not very much at all. But the property at 1000 Eastern Ave., where Milan makes its home, has been listed for sale. The asking price is $2,500,000.

The link to the posting is here.

The exclusive listing agent, for 1000 Eastern Avenue, Justin Verner with Sperry Van Ness/Real Site, tells me that it's the property that's available; the building's tenant, Milan, has four years left on a five-year lease.

Baltimore Sun photo/Karl Merton Ferron

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 2:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)
        

Richard Gorelick participated in a live chat about Baltimore's 50 best restaurants on Dining@Large.

Read the full transcript below.

> Click here to view the chat transcript from your mobile device

Posted by baltimoresun.com at 1:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (53)
Categories: 50 Best
        

Where is everyone going this weekend?

I'm going to find the nearest spa. I'm completing my eighth week here at as the Baltimore Sun's Restaurant Critic. It has been more fun then I can say. Today, the adrenaline has worn off.

Keep talking, though -- I'm listening.

Baltimore Sun photo/Elizabeteh Malby

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 12:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (17)
        

Executive chef Michael Reidt will leave the  B&O Brasserie, effective December 10. His next assignment for Kimpton Hotel & Restaurants -- Area 31 in Miami, which was named one of Esquire' magazine's best new restaurants in 2009.

Taking over as executive chef is Thomas Dunklin, currently the chef of Kimpton's Red Star Tavern House in Portland, OR. Dunklin, pictured here, is expected to start at the B&O American Brasserie in mid-December. He will release his first B&O menu in the spring of 2011.

I have started posting below photos of Baltimore chefs whom Dunklin is not related to.

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 11:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)
        

Well, here it is, the conclusion of the Top 50 photo-gallery countdown of Baltimore's Best Restaurants.

You'll see, just below the top 10 photos, a place where readers are now voting on what they think the top restaurant is. Here is the printable list.

Next Tuesday, Dining@Large will have two top 10 lists:

• The Top 10 outrages on the 50 Best Restaurants list, as determined by the vehemence of responses on and off this blog.
  
• 
  
• The Top 10 regrets (or defenses) of my own.

Absolutely, respond and discuss here. But also consider joining me in a Live Chat today at 1 p.m. (Although you can start submitting questions now). 

Brendan Cavanaugh/P3 Imaging Inc

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 10:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: 50 Best, Top Ten Tuesdays
        

Here is Rob Kasper's review of Alewife, the new restaurant in the old bank space which was formerly the home for Maggie Moore's and Lucy's Irish Pub.

Rob found a few dishes to crow about. His take was somewhat different than that of my friend, colleague, and podmate Erik Maza, whose review back in October focused on Alewife's role as a drinking destination.

Here's the ensuing tempest that brewed on Erik's Midnight Sun.

Baltimore Sun Photo/Karl Merton Ferron

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 9:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

Thursday dining specials are here -- I know there are more of them out there.

If you know of one, please send it to me richard.gorelick@baltsun.com

If you're a customer, please provide a link to a website, or some other form of, well, documentation. If you're a restaurant employee or owner, just say so.

I never got around yesterday to posting Wednesday dinner specials, but here they are.

When I'm finished with the building phase, we here will be able to make a better decision about a permanent home for these lists on the Dining@Large page.

Baltimore Sun photo/Barbara Haddock Taylor 

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 2:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Pei Wei Asian diner will select a blogger to travel and blog across five Asian countries.

Ripped straight from the press release:

The "international correspondent" will accompany Pei Wei's executive chef, Eric Justice, as he travels to Thailand, Vietnam, China, Japan and Korea in search of culinary inspiration for Pei Wei’s next dish. 

Via blogs, photo posts and video uploads, the correspondent will document the journey and share the international experience along the way. The selected blogger will eat everything from street food to five-star cuisine, trek from remote villages to world-renowned cities, and meet everyone from rural farmers to cutting-edge chefs.  

Added bonus – a $10,000 salary for the two to three week culinary tour. 

Contest details here.

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 1:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

This photo, which is bringing me close to tears, is from Jim Sexton. He says, "It's of me and my dad, taken around 1968. We were enjoying hamburgers and shakes at the Gino's near Eastern Ave and Stemmer's Run Road in Essex.  Coincidentally, I went to work for Gino's, located on Back River Neck Rd, while in high school. Gino's rocks!"

When I spoke with Tom Romano, the CEO of Gino's Burger & Chicken, Gino Marchetti happened to be there, too. Not such a fluke. That morning, Marchetti had been at the store for hours,  breading chicken. It's a new chicken recipe for the new Gino's -- in the old days, you'd get Kentucky Fried Chicken. This kind of co-branding was one of many notable Gino's innovations, both on and off the grill. Romano, who rose through the ranks of the old Gino's from manager trainee to chief operations officer, credits a corporate culture that rewarded innovation -- and that, he said, came from Marchetti.

Marchetti told Baltimore Sun sports reporter Mike Klingaman that he had been working the grill for almost two hours just a few days ago. He likes being behind the line with the "kids" -- he'll tease them as he's teaching them. They've taken to calling him "Coach," just like the old days, when Colts fans became accustomed to seeing Marchetti behind the line at their neighborhood store.

So far, the new Gino's Burgers & Chicken has exceeded, nearly doubled, all of Romano's sales goals. The only problem so far appears to be the parking lot can't handle the crowds. Marchetti told Klingaman, "Some people waited over an hour to get served....I wouldn't wait an hour for the biggest lobster tail in Maryland."

A few clarifications:

The Gino's founding date I gave in the article - 1959 -- refers to the entry of Marchetti into an already existing restaurant operation founded in 1957.

The relocation of Gino's corporate office to King of Prussia happened in 1968. 

photo courtesy Jim Sexton

please enjoy the following pentimento

Romano rose through the ranks of Gino's and he credits Romano says that the Gino's

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 9:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

The penultimate decade in the photo-gallery countdown of Baltimore's top restaurants sez me is online now. I see in this group my first coulda/shoulda -- a restaurant I re-visited just two nights ago that I would have ranked in the top 10 had I visited it before I made the list.

As a special thank you to D@Lers, here is the link to the text version. If you choose to review it instead of the photo gallery, I ask you to please bookmark it and open it up 10 times today for no good reason.

Baltimore Sun photo/Amanda Krotki

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 8:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (10)
Categories: 50 Best
        

I love this photo of Liberty Road, ca. 1979, with the Gino's sign at right.

I found it on the Gino's Burgers and Chicken Facebook page. The person who posted it there turned out to be Stacey Brown from Baltimore Sports Radio 105.7.

Stacey told me that me the photograph had been scanned from Randallstown Senior High's 1979 yearbook and that she got it from "Growing up in Randallstown in the 70's and 80's" Facebook page

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 11:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)
        

But you'll have to go to King of Prussia, PA, to get one.

The crazily popular burger chain, founded by Baltimore Colt Gino Marchetti, has been gone from the landscape for almost 30 years

Gino's Burgers and Chicken celebrated its grand opening on Sunday, November 15 in the Philadelphia suburb. Although the chain has its roots in Baltimore, the chain flourished in the Philadelphia area. 

I'm off to get the details.

The CEO of the new Gino's, Tom Romano, got his professional start at Gino's as a manager trainee.

Anyone else out there work at the old Gino's?

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 10:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (72)
        

My review this Sunday is of Sushi Sono in Columbia.

Who's been?

The great thing about having a blog is being able to dispense with a tangential concern that doesn't really belong in the review but that I always tried to shoehorn in there anyway, something I felt the universe needed to hear.

More often, than not, I'd end up reversing course and cutting it from the review. But that course-reversal would exhaust me.

So, I am not spending anytime in my review of Sushi Sono pondering this koan:

There is no place in Baltimore where the access, parking, and signage is as confusing and alienating as Wincopin Circle.

Baltimore Sun photo/Amy Davis

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 9:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (16)
Categories: Review Preview
        

Yes, in Pikesville. What, you were expecting Ruxton?

The largest U.S. kosher supermarket? Appears to be so. 

Here is Laura Vozzella's Maryland section story. She gets a great closing quote from a satisfied first-day shopper, who spoke admiringly of the new store's produce section, before concluding:

"But they're not giving me anything for nothing."

Baltimore Sun photo/Barbara Haddock Taylor

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 8:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (12)
        

The photo-gallery countdown of Baltimore's 50 best restaurants continues today with nos. 30 through 21. Any surprises? Any outrages. Comment here.

Baltimore Sun photo/Mekong Delta

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 8:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

Don't forget - we're celebrating all of The Mobbies 2010 winners tonight at Ra Sushi. The celebration, with food, cash bar and prizes, is open to nominees, winners and friends. No tickets are necessary. They're asking for RSVPs on the RA Facebook page.

Virtual Vensanity's Matt Vensel is threatening to go Kanye and grab the microphone out of my hand as I'm making my winner's speech.

So, here's what I'm thinking. Since it makes perfect sense for me to be in disguise tonight (you know, I'm supposed to be anonymous), I thought it would be really funny if someone told Vensel that some random little old lady is really me, and that I've been talking smack about him and his blog. Then, when he tackles her like Betty White, it will just be really funny.

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 4:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

Ha ha! Now you've got the old Cookies clothing store commercial stuck in your head.

But this post is not about shopping on Greenmount Avenue at the Reisterstown Road Plaza in 1973; it's to alert you to the Baltimore Sun's annual cookie recipe contest.

Here's how it works:

To participate, just submit your favorite recipe, be it a family classic or a new find. We'll test out the ones that sound the best, and those judged worthy will be featured in a future Taste section.

Shown here are chocolate-covered coconut macaroons -- I found them on this years' Mobbie-award winning Foodie blog, If You Give a Girl a Cookie.

I just made up a new rule: make these cookies for me.

And speaking of the Mobbies, the big event is just hours away! 

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 4:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

Eating Baltimore, the presenters of Baltimore's first Crock-Pot Cook-Off, are still looking for a few more amateur chefs to stuff their slow cookers. The amateur food cooking competition is scheduled for Sunday afternoon, December 5, at the Windup Space.

Wanted are anywhere from 10-15 home cooks "to strut their stuff, and prepare whatever dish you want--as long as it can be made in a standard Crock-Pot." I'm gonna go out on a limb here and assume that using other slow-cooker brands will be kosher. Constestants wil have to bring their own ingredients and own (or borrowed) slow cooker. Everyone paying a $7 admission charge will participate in the tasting and judging. Winner will be crowned.

The Cook-Off is a launch of sorts for Eating Baltimore, a partnership between S.H. "Skiz" Fernando and Michael Nguyen -- I'll tell you more about this project later. For now, email skiz@eatingbaltimore.com to sign up or for more information. Or search for Eating Baltimore on Facebook

Yes, that's Anthony Bourdain in the photo with Fernando. While on an extended stay in his family's homeland, Fernando was Bourdain's tour-guide when "No Reservations" visited Sri Lanka. It was a productive stay for Fernando, who is the author of Rice and Curry: Sri Lanka Home Cooking, maintains the sumptuous website inspired by the book, and sells his own original spice blends. Because this begins to border on the irritatingly productive, I  won't mention the record label just now.  

This feels big.

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 2:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Following its Thanksgiving Eve dinner service, Columbia's AIDA Bistro and Wine Bar will close down its current and original location owner Joe Barbera tells me. A new AIDA Bistro and Wine Bar will debut on December 1. The major attraction of the new AIDA located directly across from the current one, is the central  wine-bar, which will provide the spacious gathering and mingling space that the original location never had.

Other changes include an expanded outdoor seating area, private dining, and a corporate lunch program. Not all of the changes will be in place right away, but Barbera's enthusiasm for them is boundless -- I love hearing him talk about them.

I'm working on a bigger story about the innovative wine program Barbera is implementing at the new bistro. It's very, very exciting and could end up putting AIDA in a white-hot spotlight.

Baltimore Sun photo of Joe and Mary Barbera/Ken Losurdo

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 2:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Here is the new permanent home for Tuesday dining specials. I expect it to keep growing. This will make no sense to anyone who doesn't work here, but assembling this page just took me about 3 hours.

Bookmark it, if you like. You can also go to the Find Local search box and enter "Tuesday dining special"

There are about a dozen different ways to call up that search box -- let me know if you have any trouble with it.

Baltimore Sun photo/Barbara Haddock Taylor

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 11:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)
        

Not everyone loves the Ravens. Not everyone loves televisions in bars, lounges, and restaurants. Even with the sound off, there is always some lunatic at the bar doing that rhythmic clapping thing on a gain of three on second down.

This category was inspired by a comment from a D@L contributor named Spoons, who had grown weary of my tailgating reports. Thanks for that, Spoons, and also for providing some of the suggestions below.

So, here are my top 10 football-free zones. I was looking for places that are open on Sunday, for brunch and beyond. The Ravens aren't playing any 4 p.m. games this season (has that ever happened before?), but that doesn't mean the televisions are shut off. [RG: within an hour of this post, the Ravens December 28th home game against the Buccaneers was rescheduled from 1 to 4:15 p.m.]

For the record, I like watching football at places where everyone's watching it the same game.

Chesapeake Wine Company -- D@L contributor KB suggested this one: "a Raven-free zone that is open until 6 p.m. on Sundays, and not only can you hang out and eat delicious cheeses with your wine in-house, the CWC is the rarest of all liquor-themed Baltimore rarities: You can also buy your booze there on Sundays, when all the liquor stores are closed." Well said, KB.

Donna's of Cross Keys -- I didn't know until just a minute ago that this Donna's location had instituted a Sunday buffet brunch -- "a bountiful Mediterranean table of fruits, cheeses, breakfast pastries, salads, seafood and meats, featuring steamed shrimp, smoked salmon and prime rib." Sounds delish, and the lunch menu is available, too.

Dukem -- I love this suggestion from Spoons, who says there's the "added bonus of an authentic Ethiopian coffee ceremony at 3 p.m. A caveat: I have yet to get in sync with the service at this Mt. Vernon Ethiopian cafe.

Gertrude's at the BMA -- Sunday (and Saturday) brunch here features an expansive menu of John Shields' Chesapeake cooking -- the Tilghman Island eggs is a variation of the classic Benedict, with fried oysters.

Golden West Cafe -- Hampden is one of the city's most sports-indifferent neighborhoods. A recent  post on the cafe's Facebook page was promoting brunch specials like Mexican baked eggs with homemade chorizo and roasted red peppers and fried chicken and cheddar waffles with maple gravy.

Marie Louise Bistro -- The Mt. Vernon French bistro has been showing some legs lately. I like what I've been seeing.

Milton Inn -- The Milton Inn has been standing for more than two-and-a-half centuries before the Ravens came to town. On Sundays, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., the restaurant offers an a la carte brunch or a $34 fixed price three-course brunch. Then at 4 p.m., the dining room re-opens for  Sunday dinner. Spoons says: "makes you feel like you are in a Jane Austen novel - and the best Eggs Rockefeller I've ever tasted."

The Oregon Grille -- Another Spoons suggestion, the Baltimore County landmark serves Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and then starts serving dinner at 4 p.m. Here's what got my endorsement -- the brunch menu lists a Hangtown Fry!

Rocket to Venus -- Another good Hampden option, Rocket to Venus serves brunch from noon until 7 p.m. on Sunday. [dagnabit it. I'll check on this in a bit. If it's true that Rocket to Venus does show the Ravens games on Sundays, I'll remove this listing and look for a new tenth. Shows what you get for making assumptions]

2005 Baltimore Sun photo of patrons not watching the Ravens at Golden West Cafe/Lloyd Fox

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 7:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (13)
        

I got my DINING text alert at 7:22 a.m. telling me so. The countdown continues of what I think are Baltimore's best restaurants this morning with nos. 40-31.

Have a look-see, run it up the flagpole, and see who salutes it.

Baltimore Sun photo/Kim Hairston

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 7:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (13)
Categories: 50 Best
        

Monday dining specials are all now here. Bookmark it if you like, but finding it again isn't all that tricky:

From the Baltimore Sun homepage -- batlimoresun.com

Find the word EVENTS in that blue strip up top and click on it.

You'll see the FIND LOCAL search box at the top of the page

Type in Monday Dining Specials

Tomorrow I'll fine-tune the Monday specials and work on Tuesday night page, etc. When I'm through, you'll be able to type in Weekly Dining Specials and the see the whole list, grouped by day of the week. Unfortunately, the days of the week fall in alphabetical order -- you follow?

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 5:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

Dining@Large placed first in the category for outstanding Baltimore Sun blog.

Laura and I are going to show up unannounced at Elizabeth's house with a six-pack of National Bohemian, a bag of Royal Farm chicken, and a pack of Bergers cookies.

Because I am almost facetious, people here assume I'm being facetious when I say:

-- it's the blog that won, not me. I've been at it for less than two months

-- the support all of you give this blog is amazing

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 1:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)
        

....If You Give a Girl a Cookie, Brittany Logsdon's gorgeous cooking blog.

Congratulations!

Check out today's post on roast chicken with warm bread salad. I grabbed this finished-product photo right off her site.

Can I just tell you how awestruck and inspired I was by the quality of the nominated blogs. (The truth is I was furious by them. Good Lord!!

I know the blogroll on this site needs some attention -- I am planning an overhaul of it for a rainy-day activity.

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 1:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Top Ten Tuesdays
        

Gertrude's has announced the dates for the eighth annual Krautfest! This year's event, which includes a buffet and live polka music and dancing, will be held on the evenings of Friday, January 14th and Saturdays, January 15th.

Menu highlights include "krautinis" and seasonal beer, Charcuterie from Binkert's and Ostrowski's, sour beef and dumplings, desserts, and more sauerkraut than you can shake a stick at.

Tickets are $35 in advance and can be purchased in the restaurant or by phone.

Here's a promotional video from last year's event:

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 11:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)
        

I have been blogging about Ravens gameday gatherings, not to everyone's delight:

Well, I just hope you do Sunday posts about the secret world of dining for people who don't give a <tinker's damn> about football...  great places to go and eat to get AWAY from it all in Baltimore. 

I'll do even better. Tomorrow's Top 10 list will gather up the best places to go to get away (really away) from televised sports and their attendant  celebrations -- purple-camouflage-free zones.

The default situation is Sunday afternoon between 1 and 8 p.m. Start telling about places you know of with no televisions at all. I'll consider places where the sports are televised in a separate bar behind a curtain wall. It would be great to have a few options in neighborhoods like Fells Point and Federal Hill that are typically overrun with sports love.

The Ideal City, The Walters Art Museum

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 10:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (17)
Categories: Top Ten Tuesdays
        

I posted yesterday about The Diner, the brand new restaurant and pastry shop in Little Italy. I dropped in late yesterday afternoon and met the two awesome German women that Owl Meat Gravy met -- Christa Seiler and Claudia Phillips. Boy are they ever nice. 

The Diner represents their partnership with Walter Webb. There are two separate menus -- their German pastries and traditional dishes and Webb's all-American food. Essentially, there are two operations running under the same roof. I'm not sure new customers will be aware of tha

It sounds like Little Bit of Cub/Big Hunk of America

Thanks for the photograph, OMG.

This was my attempt. We both had the same idea, showing the crossroads of High & Eastern with the new awning. Mine was pointlessly arty.

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 9:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
        

And so, my photo-gallery countdown of Baltimore's 50 best restaurants begins today, with nos. 50 to 41.

Since you don't know where the list is headed, you can only speculate wildly about whether a restaurant is ranked above or not at all. 

But you can respond to the ranking of the first 10 -- too low?

Baltimore Sun photo

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 9:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)
Categories: 50 Best
        

Usually the first paragraph of a review kills me, but it was easier than usual to find the way in to talk about The Grille at Peerce's. A well-traveled chef has found a new home; an old favorite dining destination has been restored.

That's Peerce's owner Joe Binona in the photo with chef Mark Hofmann.

The restaurant is straightforward, and so is the review. I liked it. I think for people who live up there, the Grille at Peerce's might be just what they've been missing -- a well-run casual fare destination with reliably prepared cuisine.

What took me the longest was trying to come up with a headline that didn't play on the classical associations of restaurant's location -- Phoenix.

Baltimore Sun photo/Barbara Haddock Taylor

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 3:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Monday Morning Quarterbacking
        

On Friday, as we do every week on Dining@Large, folks posted about their weekend dining plans. I always like to hear how things turned out. 

My restaurant dining was limited to a few bites at Tapas Teatro, which I posted about yesterday and a few more bites Saturday night at the upstairs bar at Bluegrass Tavern -- a bowl of white yam soup with nutmeg streusel bacon vinaigrette and grilled oysters with maitake mushroom butter. As you know, I like it at Bluegrass. I like how under control everything is. There was a promotional dispenser of Wild Turkey American Honey liqueur at my elbow. I couldn't take my eyes off of it. When I left Bluegrass, I somehow walked the wrong way on Hanover Street, headed toward where I can't tell you. I must have had some of that stuff.  

Here's what you all said you were planning. Even if you didn't post on Friday, tell us now about your weekend dining adventures.

Ted Lingelbach was promising a trip to Red Brick Station at the Avenue at White March. I'd like to hear more about Chuck the Bartender.

Hal Laurent was having a birthday dinner at Charleston; pigtown*design was going to Woodberry Kitchen.

Meerkat was keen on tasting the gluten-free crust at Brick Oven Pizza, and Zevonista (whom I still owe a contest prize to) was planning a visit to Victoria Gastropub.

Lisah was taking a vegetarian friend out to The Dogwood for dinner.

Theminx was headed to Thai Luang in Herndon for that duck her family loves so much.

Summer was first headed to Sticky Rice Baltimore with a Living Social voucher, then was planning meals at Mi Viejo Pueblito in Brewers Hill and at Bastille in Alexandria. 

My friend Nicole had a noodle date with her daughter at Pho dhe Thanh in Towson (but by doing so missed out on some amazing apple strudel from Bonjour bakery)

Michael Gray was headed for the Epic Buffet (that's it's real name) at the Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races (that's it's real name).

Baltimore Sun photo of Baltimore Sticky Rice/Kenneth K. Lam

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 7:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (19)
        

Monday's Sunrise section includes John Lindner's review of lunch at Akbar, but you can read it here and now.

John says, "It's easy to see how Akbar's survived a quarter-century in Baltimore"

Baltimore Sun photo/Kim Hairston

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 1:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

A new German restaurant and pastry shop opened this weekend in the Little Italy restaurant space on the corner of High Street and Eastern Avenue. Most recently Tapabar was here. The Diner, as it's called, will be open seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Owl Meat Gravy dropped in and said that "two Awesome German ladies gave me some cake to take home..."

Those women are Christa Seiler and Claudia Phillips, who have been running their own catering operation named German Food Express. The owner of The Diner, according to Susan Loudermilk's In Good Taste blog, is Walter Webb.

Owl Meat Gravy found out that The Diner will be running different German lunch specials every day. Monday, for instance, is Huehner Geschnetzeltes. 

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 11:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (16)
        

This week, starting tomorrow, we will be posting a photo gallery of Baltimore's 50 best restaurants.

Tomorrow we'll reveal nos. 50 through 41. I'll link to the gallery from Dining@Large as soon it's up, or you can go hunting for it on the baltimoresun.com home page. 

[Or, if you would just sign up for Baltimore Sun Dining text alerts (• Text DINING to 70701 -- details here), you'd save yourself all the pain and worry of wondering when a new gallery is posted.] 

As for the list itself:  Who decided? Me, that's who, and it's 100% correct. if you don't like what I say, tough.

If you have a different opinion -- go ahead and post it so I can mock it.

Do I sound different today -- not the sweet and self-deprecating eternal middle-child always in need of your approval?

Well, it just so happens that yesterday, I received my Guild Card and I am a brand new member in good standing of the Communication Workers of America, AFL-CIO (TNG-CWA Local 32035).

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 10:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: 50 Best
        

I love the feeling of walking out of a movie early. It's exhilarating, a heady mixture of having been liberated from an obligation and of thinking myself the luckiest and smartest boy in the room for having done so. And all while still supporting independent and challenging foreign cinema!!

So, when Dogtooth had exhausted itself and me, after about an hour, I skipped out of there.

(Michael Sragow sums it ups so well for me. I'm glad Dogtooth is at the Charles, but last night, I really would have preferred to have seen a movie.)

But what  made it even nicer last night was being able to skip right next door to Tapas Teatro, where there was a space at the bar, just for me to sit and wait for the friends who I had left behind.

At Tapas, I ran into people I hadn't seen in years. I listened to a friend reminisce about his favorite restaurant ever;another friend walked over and fed me a sardine that she needed me to taste it was so good.

I'll post later about the lovely little appetizer I had at Tapas Teatro. I forgot to write it down and I'm sure I'll spell something wrong.

Sunday, 10:30 a.m. -- ok, so that lovely little appetizer that made me so happy featured slices of  Catalan-style dried salami named Salchichon de Vic -- listen, toss black peppercorns in some cured beef, and I'm happy. It was served with some buttery toast and pickled Guindilla peppers. 

2001 photo by Michelle Gienow/special to the Baltimore Sun

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 11:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

Sunday's review, now online, is of the Grille at Peerce's. The new restaurant marks the return of a Baltimore County landmark dining destination (this was the old Peerce's Plantation) as well as the return of a chef, Mark Hofmann.

Baltimore Sun photo/Barbara Haddock Taylor

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 11:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
        

Susan Reimer's article in Saturday's At Home section on holiday tablescapes will give you some great expert ideas for shocking and awing your holiday guests. It just went online moments ago.

There is also an accompanying photo gallery for your gazing pleasure.

For the article, Andrew Zill of Feats, Inc., created a tablescape for two of the dishes that Chef's Expressions owner Jerry Edwards makes for his traditional Christmas Eve dinner, the Feast of the Seven Fishes.

We thought you might like the recipe for Edwards' scallop appetizer. Here it is:

Boat Scallops Resting on Paper Thin Apple Slices Wrapped in a Blanket of Black Forest Ham and a Pool of Vanilla Beurre Blanc

Serves 6-8

 

20-24 Giant Scallops with attachment muscle removed- dust in flour and salt and pepper

2 pounds of Black Forest Ham sliced medium thickness

½ pound butter

1 pint Heavy Cream

1 whole Vanilla Bean

3 sliced shallots

2 Granny Smith Green Apples

Sea Salt and White Pepper

 

In a sauce pan heat cream and vanilla until steam comes from top of cream.  Remove from heat and cover.

Saute’ shallots in a tsp of butter until translucent over medium heat.  Strain cream into butter removing vanilla and reduce till thickened.  Add all the remaining butter {saving 1 tablespoon} a little at a time whisking into the sauce. 

In a separate sauce pan melt the last tablespoon of butter until very hot.  Seared Scallops until crisp on one side about 2 minutes.  Turn Scallops and finished until cooked through.  Wrap the Scallops in Ham and heat for 5 minutes in a 350 degree oven.

Pool the sauce on a hot plate top with 3-5 Scallops per person and then garnish with a slice of crisp green apple

And that's it!

Baltimore Sun photo/Amy Davis

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 4:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

We now begin our discussion of Stewart O'Nan's Last Night at the Lobster, the first entry in the Dining@Large Reader's Group.

My hope is that a few of you will grab the reins and go with this. 

I thought of this book after a comment of mine comparing a new restaurant to Red Lobster was taken as an insult.

Really, what I meant was that  Red Lobster is brilliant in how well it manages the messages it sends to consumers. The new restaurant was also shrewd about its messaging -- only the message was about  style and enjoyment instead of value.

I have friends who shudder at the mention of Red Lobster -- they've never had those cheese biscuits.

The best rule any book club I ever belonged to had was this: the first comment should be a positive one.

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 12:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)
        

What is everyone planning this weekend, food- and otherwise? The folks at 501 N. Calvert say they're committing to spend as much time outdoors as they can -- who know how long this dry, crisp weather will last?

When I leave work tonight, I am headed directly to a potluck dinner. Trouble is, I don't have pot or a dish or bowl to bring. I guess I'm bringing wine. It's an autumnal theme. Who's got a good tip?

It still feels kind of lame showing up without a dish though. I guess I'll have to be extra charming.   

photo by Marshall Astor via Flickr

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 11:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (28)
        

This is the eight and final group of those nominees - we have been looking at them five at time in alphabetical order. The other posts are here.

The bloggers themselves are welcome to dilate upon their blogging philosophy and otherwise promote themselves.

Note:

The Original Beer In Baltimore Blog -- The blogger, Anthony D. Mitchell IV, a D@L visitor, emailed me this description of his blog: "Slightly renamed here to distinguish it from a later copycat, The Original Beer in Baltimore blog is about just what it says: beer in Baltimore, and specifically good craft beer.  I try my best to make it about the beer, and not about myself (well, as much as any blogger can avoid it being self-centered).  Critique and commentary, not just cheering and taking pictures of beers consumed."

The Upstart Kitchen -- A recent post on this cooking blog described a trip to H Mart to buy duck for confit.

This Is Gonna Be Good -- The three bloggers, one of whom is based in Baltimore, proceed "in the  spirit of Tony Bourdain, food as adventure. Try everything twice in case it was made wrong the first time. Eat without fear or prejudice." A recent post described a visit to Little Spice in Hanover, MD.

World of Eats -- The blogger writes, "Food is a huge part of my life. I wanted to start a blog to share my extremely passionate feelings on eating, cooking, and everything involved with the World of Eats." Recent posts here have been on the Mt. Washington Tavern and Vegemite.

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 10:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

This is the seventh group of those nominees - we' re taking them 5 at a time, in alphabetical order. The first four posts are here.

The bloggers themselves are welcome to dilate upon their blogging philosophy and otherwise promote themselves.

Note:

Sweet Mary -- Johnson & Wales grad Mary Lynn Allen, a.k.a. Sweet Mary, says, "I blog and bake in Baltimore one of the quirkiest cities in the whole USA, which makes sense because, though grounded and practical, I tend to fit right in. Her recent posts have been on cocoa macaroons with pumpkin spice filling and homemade applesauce.

taming the tart -- The blogger, Rachel is "a native Baltimorean, stubborn only child, cusp-rising Sagittarius, and hypocritical pescetarian who likes yoga, poem, and food. And wine. Also: vokda." Her recent posts have been on whole-wheat chocolate chip cookies and herb, brown butter, and black pepper soda bread.

Taste of Baltimore -- Nakiya's blog is about "enjoying the taste of Baltimore's food, wine, and overall deliciousness." Her recent posts have been on homemade Clif Nectar Bars and Weber's Farm Home Recipe Apple Butter. 

Tasty Trix -- Trix's recent posts on here "culinary comforts" blog have been on beans and cornbread and eating her way through a Russian Orthodox Church festival.

The Beer Cruiser -- Reviews, videos, photographs and more about beer. Recent posts have reviewed Dogfish Head Red & White and Avery Brewing Co's India Pale Ale.

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 2:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)
        

Oh, the unloved upstairs dining rooms of Baltimore.

Rob Kasper's review of Canton's Yellow Dog Tavern, which appears in print in tomorrow's Live section, is on line now.

Fatefully, Rob chose to dine in Yellow Dog's upstairs dining room:

"While almost every seat was taken downstairs, we had plenty of privacy upstairs. We were the only ones there."

That ended up making a difference, particularly in the service he received.

I remember going to review Yellow Dog back in 2007, a few months after it opened, and worrying about that second-floor dining room. It is pretty, but no one seemed to want to go up there. I think the smoking ban changed everything.

Bluegrass Tavern, in South Baltimore, is one of the few restaurants I can think of that has thoughtfully addressed this problem. They put bar up on there second floor -- a full-time bar, always staffed bar by the front window. So hanging out up there doesn't feel like a punishment. The Waterfront in Fells Point is another.

Baltimore Sun photo/Gene Sweeney, Jr. 

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 10:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Review Preview
        

On the Serious Eats site,J. Kenji Lopez-Alt tells how to make Buffalo fried turkey

Serious Eats photograph/Robyn Lee

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 9:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

The Wine Market will welcome friends of the Baltimore School for the Arts to a special three-course dinner on Tuesday, November 15. Proceeds will benefit the school. Reservations are being accepted for the 6:15 and 7:30 p.m. seating.

All are welcome.

For reservations, visit www.bsfa.org or call 410-244-6166.

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 5:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Since posting this first batch of restaurants open for Thanksgiving, I've found a few more. I just discovered a wrinkle -- a wrinkle in time!!

A Thanksgiving buffet with all the trimmings at the Rusty Scupper is $39.95 and $16.95 for children. Information is here. Reservations are required. [A reader emailed me with a complaint about the 90-minute time limit the Rusty Scupper is imposing on its Thanksgiving day guests. Is that the norm -- I'll try to find out.]

Truffles at the Belvedere is serving a Thanksgiving buffet, from 1 to 5 p.m., in the Charles Ballroom featuring traditional Thanksgiving food and Chesapeake favorites like steamed shrimp with onions and potatoes. The cost is $28.95 for adults, $25.95 for military and seniors, and $14.95 for children ages 6 to 12. There is more information here.

Kali's Court in Fells Point will be offering a $49.95 fixed-price menu including both traditional Thanksgiving favorites and the restaurant's customary Mediterranean specialties. There are more details here.

The Prime Rib will be serving a turkey dinner with all the trimmings as well as its regular menu beginning at 1 p.m.

At Charleston, Cindy Wolf will present a $74 fixed-price "All-American menu" of Thanksgiving favorites, complemented by family-style sides, from 3 to 7 p.m.  

There are three Thanksgiving day options at the Inner Harbor's Hyatt Regency Baltimore -- a $39.95 per person jazz brunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., a $19.95 dinner buffet from 5 to 10 p.m., and a carry-out option for groups of four to six. For more Thanksgiving Day options at the Hyatt, call 410-528-1234, press 1, and ask for the Thanksgiving Day reservations center.

Baltimore Sun file photo/1978

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 2:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Thanksgiving
        

This is the sixth group of those nominees - we' re taking them 5 at a time, in alphabetical order. The first four posts are here.

The bloggers themselves are welcome to dilate upon their blogging philosophy and otherwise promote themselves.

Note:

For this series of posts I am only accepting positive (or neutral comments.) If there is an issue or concern you have about a particular blog you'd like to express, please email me at: richard.gorelick@baltsun.com.

Minxeats -- In the blogger's words: "I am a Baltimore-based blogger with a real passion for eating, cooking, and more eating! Ok, food in general. I love new dining experiences - whether they be from my kitchen or yours - and sharing them with my readers." Recent posts by this D@L contributor have been on "pasta, porcini, and truffle salt" and an Iron Chef update. 

My Morning Chocolate -- Jennifer Walker says she started her blog "to learn about food through cooking, reading, and traveling." Recent posts have been on peanut butter Krispy bars and sour beef and dumplings.

Rouxde Cooking School  -- Learn how to "cook without class" on Rouxde Cooking School, says the Baltimore-based blogger, photographer, cook, writer, racounteur John Houser III. Recent posts have been on making Canadian bacon and the Baltimore hot-dog craze.

Savory Simple -- The blog charts a culinary student's journey from "amateur foodie to professional chef." Recent posts have been on pumpkin ravioli and brown butter sauce and pumpkin spice butter cake."

Stone Hill Farm -- The blog's title is the nickname for Nicole Summerville's "garden" in Stone Hill, where she says, "we have three pear trees, two fig trees, one apple tree and bees from a visiting neighbor's hive. A recent post photo-documents a group dinner at b in Bolton Hill.

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 1:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

The list below now includes a week's worth of specials from Mother's Federal Hill Grille, a few from the Mt. Washington Tavern, and a Tuesday night steak special at Regi's American Bistro

I confirmed the City Cafe Monday night special myself. I took myself for a Lonely Guy dinner at the bar. The special "Steak House Mondays," lists five steaks cuts (including bison), along with fish, pork, and chicken entrees. For $16, you choose one, add a topping (butters, sauces, creams) and two sides. It's not the deal of the century, but the filet Mignon was delicious, and the bar is a nice place to sit and read a magazine.

Except, except, except -- oh, other people at the bar having lengthy, lengthy conversations on their mobile phones. As in, a whole conversation. It's the pits, and I left before I was really ready.

It's not good. I was looking for something to illustrate the idea of "a week" and ended up with this.

Sunday

Alonso's/Loco Hombre  – Sunday Supper: Prime rib dinner with a baked potato and vegetable from 4 p.m. until close

Bartenders – Pound & a Pint: a pound of shrimp and a pint of beer for $12 

Cinghiale – Sunday Suppers: informal $29 three-course dinners. 5 to 8 p.m.

Jack's Bistro -- $12 entree specials seated at the bar; $15 entree specials at tables

Swallow at the Hollow – Burger night: details needed from establishment

Monday

Alonso's/Loco Hombre -- Monster Mondays: $5 off one-pound burger and $2.50 domestic bottles

Bartenders - $6 pizza night (excluded Greco pie and Big Bill pie)

City Cafe – Steak House Mondays: $16 entrees (choice of ten, including fish and chicken), with one topping and two sides

Claddagh Pub – Prime Rib night: 14-ounce Prime rib with side salad, mashers, and vegetable of the day 

Hamilton Tavern – Burger night – details needed from establishment

Kooper's Tavern – Fajita and "Ritas": $10 for a choice of chicken, shrimp and vegetable fajitas, with $5 Cuervoritas

Mick O’Shea’s – $8 Burger and Pint night: half-pound burger, fries, and 16-ounce draft

Mother's Federal Hill Grille -- Ribs Day: all day, $11.99 for a rack of ribs, cole slaw, and fries

Mt. Washington Tavern -- For $15.95, a 1 ¼ lb lobster steamed and served with sweet corn and butter

One-Eyed Mike's  -- Pasta Night: $9.99 "Build your own" pasta dish, with side salad, and half-price wines

Pazza Luna – Family pasta night: $15 per adult ($8 for children) for family style pasta dinner

Red Brick Station – Half-price burgers

Regi's American Bistro -- $12.99 New York strip dinner with mashed potatoes and seasonal market vegetables

Turp's – 30-cent wing night (minimum of 3)

Tuesday

Alonso's/Loco Hombre – BYOB (Bring your own Bib): Fresh Maine lobster served with a baked potato and corn on the cob for $17.99 

Claddagh Pub -- Surf & Turf: 3-oz filet Mignon and 6-ounce jumbo lump crab cake, served with mashers and vegetable of the day

Clementine – Taco Tuesdays: Only tacos are on the menu -- $10 for a taco platter, selection changes weekly. Drink specials, no reservations

Corks -- Half price steak and Cabernet night

Joe Squared – Pizza special: From 4 - 7:30  p.m., a free 10-inch cheese pizza for the purchase of two bottled beers

Koco's -- $6.99 wings

Kooper's Tavern – Burger Day – discounts on all burgers, with prices starting at $3.50  

Mother's Federal Hill Grille - Burger Day: from open to close, half-price burgers, or $6 for a specialty burger (or a plain burger with two toppings) and a Miller Lite.

Mt. Washington Tavern -- For $15.95, a 16-ounce Black Angus  T-bone steak, roasted potatoes and Caesar salad

No Way Jose Cafe – Fajita special -- details needed from establishment

Patrick's of Pratt Street – Burger night – details needed from establishment

Regi's American Bistro

Turp's – Half price pizza

Wednesdsay

Alonso's/Loco Hombre – Wine Wednesday: 3-course fixed-price dinner for $19.99 and half off all bottles of wine

Claddagh Pub –  $14.95 fish & chips

Corks -- $9 pasta dishes

Geckos -- $10 entree specials and half-price wine by the glass or bottle

Koco's -- $15.99 ribs

Mick O’Shea’s -- $8 Shepherd’s Pie night

Mother's Federal Hill Grille -- Fresh Fish Day: $9.99 for the fresh catch of the day

Mt. Washington Tavern -- For $15.95, 14-ounce. slow-roasted prime rib and tavern salad

No Way Jose Cafe – Fajita special -- details needed from establishment

Pappas – Crab cake special – details needed from restaurant

Red Brick Station – Steak Night: $19.99 for steak, baked potato, salad, and 19-ounce RBS beer. 

Swallow at the Hollow – Burger special – details needed from restaurant

Turp's – Half-price burgers

Thursday

Claddagh Pub – Crab Cake Night: Two jumbo lump crab cakes, served with mashers and vegetable of the day for $18.95

Geckos -- $10 chicken or beef taco platters

Koco's – Crab cake platter for $19.95

Mother's Federal Hill Grille -- Steak Day: $10 for a New York strip of 6-ounce fillet

Red Brick Station – Fish & Chips Night: Fish & Chips and a 19-ounce beer for $13.99

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 12:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)
        

This is the fifth group of those nominees - we' re taking them 5 at a time, in alphabetical order. The first four posts are here.

The bloggers themselves are welcome to dilate upon their blogging philosophy and otherwise promote themselves.

Note:

For this series of posts I am only accepting positive (or neutral comments.) If there is an issue or concern you have about a particular blog you'd like to express, please email me at: richard.gorelick@baltsun.com.

Hot Sauce Daily -- Ocean City's Brian Meagher blog is "dedicated to all things hot and spicy," but he bogs about "anything food wise." Recent posts have been on a Rippin Red Wings sauce demo and a snack review of Texas Firecrackers.

HowChow --" A guide to food in Howard County with the best dining in Columbia, Ellicott City, Elkridge, Fulton, etc. Search for Maryland gems below by cuisine, restaurant, market or location." Recent posts have been on shopping for a Thanksgiving turkey in Howard County and the possible closing of Maruha Japanese Steakhouse.

If You Give a Girl a Cookie -- The blogger, Brittany, recently renamed her cooking and baking blog - it had been called Fleur d'Elise. Recent post have been on pumpkin donuts with buttermilk glaze and rigatoni with leeks-and-sausage sauce.

Mango and Ginger -- Kit Pollard posts about "food, culture, design, whatever." Her most recent posts have been on the pork barbecue from Adam's Ribs and a weekend dinner at Clementine.

Microcosm K  -- Abingdon's Mr. Micro posts about cooking, eating, drinking, and gaming in his proudly uncensored blog. Recent posts have been documenting Mr. Micro's first-anniversary multi-city eating tour with his wife.

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 10:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

I divided up this Top 10 list between what seemed to me like super bargains on one hand and the kind of introductory dining-specials you find during a restaurant week promotion on the other.

As I've been saying, I will be looking for a permanent home for a weekly specials list. You see, I'm a maverick, the last of the real cowboys, and I tend to go it alone. But, for something like this, a little planning and coordination is called for.

Two things worth mentioning: 1) the downside to a weekly dining special, especially a popular one, is that it tends to result in crowds and long waits 2) I think the tip should be based on the non-bargain price.

Here are my Top 10 area weekly dining offers, listed alphabetically by restaurant.

Clementine – This Tuesday Hamilton night special is unusual because only tacos are on the menu. Taco platters go for $10, and the selection changes weekly. It sounds like a good way to keep the place humming while giving some folks in the kitchen a night off. No reservations. 

Corks -- I couldn't find too many weekly specials on the higher end, but Corks in Federal Hill runs a few. On Tuesdays nights, steaks and Cabernet are offered at half the usual price.

Geckos -- This Canton mainstay has been a steady and reliable promoter, and its patrons respond with loyalty. On Wednesdays, Geckos offers $10 entree specials and half-price wine by the glass or bottle  

Jack's Bistro -- There aren't too many Sunday night specials, but on the other side of Canton, Jack's Bistro offers $15 entree specials for diners at tables ($12 for patrons on bar stools). That's sounds like a smart way to work through the week's provender.

Joe Squared –On Tuesday nights, from 4 to 7:30 p.m., customers at this Charles North favorite who buy two eight-ounce beers get a free 10-inch cheese pizza.

Koco's – The most famous crab cake in all of Lauraville is featured in this Thursday night special -- a crab cake platter for $19.95. This is a very popular one. 

Kooper’s Tavern – All day Tuesday is Burger Day in this Fells Point tavern, from the time.  All burgers are discounted, with prices starting at $3.50.

Mick O’Shea’s – I think this qualifies as the longest-running weekly special in town. Monday nights in this venerable downtown bar $8 Burger and Pint Night -- a half-pound burger, fries, and 16-ounce draft.

One-Eyed Mike's -- Over in Fells Point Wednesday is Pasta Night on Bond Street Night -- for $9.99, customers are invited to "Build your own" pasta dish, with side salad, and half-price wines.

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 5:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)
Categories: Top Ten Tuesdays
        

Granny's, Aaron and Valari Dorsey's Southern-style restaurant, has has closed on Owings Mills Blvd and will moving its chicken and waffles (and more) over to Owings Mills Mall.

Chuck Crerand, the mall's general manager, says that Granny's will open there sometime around November 17th.

Baltimore Sun photo/Patrick Smith

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 4:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

I'm still looking at ways to establish this as a permanent fixture or widget, either on or off Dining at Large. This information is scattered elsewhere, both on baltimoresun.com and certainly on other web sites. I'm not trying to reinvent the Toast-R-Oven, but I am kind of liking how these deals look in simple list form.

Tomorrow's top 10 list will simply be what I think are the most appealing among these deals. I haven't tried them all -- I'm willing to be persuaded.

Still looking for confirmation from Duda's, Ale Mary's and a few other places about their weekly specials. 

Sunday

Alonso's/Loco Hombre  – Sunday Supper: Prime rib dinner with a baked potato and vegetable from 4 p.m. until close

Bartenders – Pound & a Pint: a pound of shrimp and a pint of beer for $12 

Cinghiale – Sunday Suppers: informal $29 three-course dinners. 5 to 8 p.m.

Jack's Bistro -- $12 entree specials seated at the bar; $15 entree specials at tables

Swallow at the Hollow – Burger night: details needed from establishment

Monday

Alonso's/Loco Hombre -- Monster Mondays: $5 off one-pound burger and $2.50 domestic bottles

Bartenders - $6 pizza night (excluded Greco pie and Big Bill pie)

City Cafe – Steak House Mondays: $16 entrees (choice of ten, including fish and chicken), with one topping and two sides

Claddagh Pub – Prime Rib night: 14-ounce Prime rib with side salad, mashers, and vegetable of the day 

Hamilton Tavern – Burger night – details needed from establishment

Kooper's Tavern – Fajita and "Ritas": $10 for a choice of chicken, shrimp and vegetable fajitas, with $5 Cuervoritas

Mick O’Shea’s – $8 Burger and Pint night: half-pound burger, fries, and 16-ounce draft

Mother's Federal Hill Grille -- Ribs Day: all day, $11.99 for a rack of ribs, cole slaw, and fries.

One-Eyed Mike's  -- Pasta Night: $9.99 "Build your own" pasta dish, with side salad, and half-price wines

Pazza Luna – Family pasta night: $15 per adult ($8 for children) for family style pasta dinner

Red Brick Station – Half-price burgers

Turp's – 30-cent wing night (minimum of 3)

Tuesday

Alonso's/Loco Hombre – BYOB (Bring your own Bib): Fresh Maine lobster served with a baked potato and corn on the cob for $17.99 

Claddagh Pub -- Surf & Turf: 3-oz filet Mignon and 6-ounce jumbo lump crab cake, served with mashers and vegetable of the day

Clementine – Taco Tuesdays: Only tacos are on the menu -- $10 for a taco platter, selection changes weekly. Drink specials, no reservations

Corks -- Half price steak and Cabernet night

Joe Squared – Pizza special: From 4 - 7:30  p.m., a free 10-inch cheese pizza for the purchase of two bottled beers

Koco's -- $6.99 wings

No Way Jose Cafe – Fajita special -- details needed from establishment

Mother's Federal Hill Grille - Burger Day: from open to close, half-price burgers, or $6 for a specialty burger (or a plain burger with two toppings) and a Miller Lite.

Patrick's of Pratt Street – Burger night – details needed from establishment

Kooper’s Tavern – Burger Day – discounts on all burgers, with prices starting at $3.50 

Turp's – Half price pizza

Wednesdsay

Alonso's/Loco Hombre – Wine Wednesday: 3-course fixed-price dinner for $19.99 and half off all bottles of wine

Claddagh Pub –  $14.95 fish & chips

Corks -- $9 pasta dishes

Geckos -- $10 entree specials and half-price wine by the glass or bottle

Koco's -- $15.99 ribs

Mick O’Shea’s -- $8 Shepherd’s Pie night

Mother's Federal Hill Grille -- Fresh Fish Day: $9.99 for the fresh catch of the day

No Way Jose Cafe – Fajita special -- details needed from establishment

Pappas – Crab cake special – details needed from restaurant

Red Brick Station – Steak Night: $19.99 for steak, baked potato, salad, and 19-ounce RBS beer. 

Swallow at the Hollow – Burger special – details needed from restaurant

Turp's – Half-price burgers

Thursday

Claddagh Pub – Crab Cake Night: Two jumbo lump crab cakes, served with mashers and vegetable of the day for $18.95

Geckos -- $10 chicken or beef taco platters

Koco's – Crab cake platter for $19.95

Mother's Federal Hill Grille -- Steak Day: $10 for a New York strip of 6-ounce fillet

Red Brick Station – Fish & Chips Night: Fish & Chips and a 19-ounce beer for $13.99

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 10:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Top Ten Tuesdays
        

Here is the fourth group of those nominees - we' re taking them 5 at a time, in alphabetical order. The first three posts are here.

The bloggers themselves are welcome to dilate upon their blogging philosophy and otherwise promote themselves.

Note:

For this series of posts I am only accepting positive (or neutral comments.) If there is an issue or concern you have about a particular blog you'd like to express, please email me at: richard.gorelick@baltsun.com.

Crabs, Crabs, Crabs - "Exploring Maryland's obsession with crabs." Recent posts have featured crab-flavored toothpaste and a an essay about "crab cake bling" and Tony Danza.

Dining Dish -- The winner of the inaugural Mobbie in this category, Dining Dish  is Dara Bunjon's take on anything food both national and in her hometown of Baltimore. Recent posts have discussed holiday potluck dinners and the grape harvest in Monforte D'Alba.

Eat. Swim. Shop. -- Jen's "tales of rhinestones, repeats, and rainbow sprinkles." Recent baking posts have been on orange chocolate chip Halloween cupcakes and upside-down apple corn muffins.

Food and Wine Blog -- Michael Mohammadi "provides wine reviews, wine region overviews, and articles on topics ranging from wine and health to wine politics. Another major focus of the site is fine dining, both at home using simple recipes or in the best restaurants in Baltimore and around the world.

Grow It! Eat It!  --  A group blog sponsored by the University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, recent posts here have been on chickweed ("kill it or eat it?") and ornamental sweet potato fries.

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 9:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

That was a weird weekend, I thought. I blame the time change. It felt like everyone was taking a deep breath before the holiday-anxiety kicks in. Some of you managed to fit in a meal or two, I'm sure.

A few of you told us about your plans in advance. Even if you didn't, go ahead and tell us about your dining adventures now.

mldrvmuncher was off to the Prime Rib to celebrate his son's passing the bar on his first try.

JessaBean was headed to the Dogwood on Friday night.

MC was celebrating a friend's birthday at Charleston. 

AR was moving out of town, or at least out of Baltimore. I'll be waiting to hear about that first trip to Baldwin's Station.

A few of you were looking forward to the pastry table at the 39th Greek Annunciation Cathedral Greek Heritage Festival. Me too. In fact, I'm writing this post up on Sunday evening, and as soon as I press POST, that's where I'm headed.

Brendan Cavanaugh/P3 Imaging Inc

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 4:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (14)
        

Go join the conversation over at Consuming Interests about the etiquette of giving Groupons or LivingSocial vouchers as gifts.

If you post once over there, it counts as two posts on this blog.

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 4:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Ravens Walk, located on the walkway between Oriole Park at Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium is intended to give a tailgating experience for fans who aren't tailgating. That would be the thousands who are arriving on foot or by rail, from their homes and from the nearby hotels.

There were Dolphins fans in evidence but no one cared about them.

The corporate presence at Ravens Walk is inescapable, but no one seems to mind that either. People have grown used to it. Keeping it mostly local is a good idea, though. Giant, the official sponsor of Ravens tailgating, was sampling Premo Italian sausage. Rise and Conquer, the ravens from the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, were being introduced to fans today. The biggest line was forming at the Maryland Lottery booth.

The food vendors here included the Greene Turtle, Oregon Grille, Pickles Pub, Boardwalk Fries, Attman's, and Hightopps Backstage Grille, which operates a VIP deck overlooking the promenade.

Ravens Walk opens officially three hours before the game. The day's best deal comes early -- two-for-one drinks until 11 a.m. I liked the Bloody Mary bar at Pickles, which holds about a dozen brands each of Bloody Mary mixes and hot sauces. A marching band marched though Ravens Walk sometime around 11:15 a.m., but by noon, the promenade is jammed, and festive. On a stage, a band plays "Jenny/837-5609" -- at least once.

Bordering Ravens Walk is Lot C --a prime location. There was a tailgating scene here, but it didn't look like a millionth as much fun as the one on Lots G and H, where I visited before the Buffalo game, and where people were genuinely enjoying themselves. Lot C is where Molly Ringwald would be taken by Andrew McCarthy for the purpose of hurting her feelings.

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 2:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

I'm headed down soon to M@T Bank Stadium for my second round of blogging on the tailgating scene at M@T Bank Stadium.

I truly had a great time two weeks ago checking out the pregame gatherings on lots G and H. The Ravens ended up beating Buffalo, and I'm pretty sure it was because of me.

Today, I'll be spending my time on Ravens Walk, located on the walkway between the baseball and football stadiums.

This is the area set up for fans without access to the paid parking lots or the stamina to pull off a tailgate. I wrote in Wednesday's paper about this revelation -- you don't have to have tickets to the game to join in the Ravens Walk fun.

I'll be there from about 9 a.m. until right after the game starts. I'll be Tweeting from down there.

It's funny, I'm often mistaken for a professional football player, and last time, people kept coming up to me and saying, "Hey, shouldn't you be suiting up?"

Photo of Ravens Walk, October 24, 8 a.m., about an hour before it officially opens to fans

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 4:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)
        

Milk & Honey Market opened today in Mt. Vernon. Here's Laura Vozzella's post about it from July and a more recent story by Jacques Kelly that recalls the old pharmacy that used to be in this location. The ownership situation is a little daedal, but Laura and Jacques covered it so well that I won't bother explaining it from scratch.

The focus here is on local -- Milk & Honey sells Atwater's soups Stone Mill Bakery breads, Clementine comestibles, and products from Gunpowder Bison.

The local philosophy is not so rigid to exclude Washington State pears and imported cheeses. I was happy to see that an old acquaintance, Ethan Cook, is setting up the cheese selection here -- a Whole Foods alumnus, he was running the specialty department in a high-volume store in San Francisco. Finally, good cheese in Mt. Vernon.

The neighborhood feels ready for this place. When I was there, Vicky Schassler, the owner of the nearby Spirits of Mt. Vernon dropped by with a housewarming gift.

The cases weren't fully stocked today. But panini were being pressed and espresso was being poured. There's a lounge-like area for patrons to sit and enjoy it all.

Still to come -- fruit-based blender drinks, outdoor seating.

Milk & Honey will be open seven days a week, beginning at 7 a.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. on weekends (that's not set in stone, though). The address is 816 Cathedral St., and the phone number is 410-685-6455.

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 3:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)
        

I will open up the discussion thread for the first D@L Reading Group book -- Stewart O'Nan's Last Night at the Lobster --next Thursday, November 11.

If you haven't yet started, or even put your hands on a copy, don't worry -- it's a very quick read.

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 5:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Here is Rob Kasper's review of the Twisted Harp, an self-billed "Irish Gastro Pub" up in Nottingham. The pub felt solid to Kasper; as for the gastro...

Baltimore Sun photo/Amy Davis 

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 3:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

Here is the third group of Mobbies nominees in the "Foodie" category. We' re taking them 5 at a time, in alphabetical order. Here is the first group from Wednesday and the second batch from yesterday.

The bloggers themselves are welcome to dilate upon their blogging philosophy and otherwise promote themselves.

Note:

For this series of posts I am only accepting positive (or neutral comments.) If there is an issue or concern you have about a particular blog you'd like to express, please email me at: rgorelick@baltsun.com.

Binny Cooks -- the blogger here, who cooks in a "farm-to-table" restaurant in Baltimore, describes Binny Cooks as "a haven for amateur food lovers, whose budgets are thin, whose kitchens are teensy-tiny, and who may or may not exclusively record episodes of Barefoot Contessa (or own them on DVD)."

Biscuits and Such -- The blogger here, Elena Brent Rosemond-Hoerr, says Biscuits and Such "is a Southern food blog based out of a tiny apartment in Baltimore, MD." Recent posts was on fried turkey and braised short ribs over creamy grits.

Black Coffee and a Donut -- The bloggers on this recently revamped site say they are "two sisters who love to cook, eat, and entertain, and we thought we'd try blogging about it. We wanted to share our experiences with food, in Baltimore and beyond, with our friends and family and any strangers online who happen to love black coffee and donut."

Bon Appetit Hon -- A blog about cooking and more. The blogger says, "Welcome to my kitchen in Smalltimore. Pull up a chair, make yourself at home, and Bon Appetit Hon." Recent posts have celebrated peach ice cream and coconut macaroons.

Coconut & Lime -- Original recipes by cookbook author Rachel Rappaport. Recent posts were on fried pickle chips with zippy feta dressing and roated pork with Asian pears.

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 1:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

In Contest # 5

For everyone who played, a virtual "Whizzer" White D@L Contest Contributor of the Week Award -- display it with pride.

I really liked this one from Lorna Doon: Bisciotti - If you're fond of Harbaughydrates

...and, this one from Federal Hal: Ohereo Cookie Cheesecake - less calories if you eat from your Blind Side

The tricky part of the contest, though, was to fulfill the contest's secondary criteria -- I was actually looking for something that could end up being a bona fide tailgating staple, and maybe even an official Ravens dessert.

The winner is this entry from C.H.U.D.'s – The Place for C.H.U.D.s

NeverSmores, NeverSmores! – Blueberry marshmallow treats for mid-season drearies

Well played, you really gave 110%, you left it all out on the field, you just wanted it more

Baltimore Sun photo/Jed Kirschbaum

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 12:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

What will you be doing with this weekend's extra hour?

The elections are over, and it's not time yet to start panicking about the holidays.

Feels like a Free Parking weekend.

Who's dining where?

37 hours!!?!? Where did THAT come from. I wanted to just add one hour to the commonly understood number of weekend hours --48 sounds wrong to me.

How many hours do you say there are in a weekend? -- RG

Good lord, I mistyped the artist's name as Richard Woodhouse. I had just been talking with Unleashed blogger Jill Rosen about Barbara Woodehouse and "Walkies!"

Richard Caton Woodville, Politics in an oyster house, 1848, collection of the Walters Art Museum 

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 9:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (26)
        

We started looking at them yesterday, 5 at a time, in alphabetical order. I thought we'd take a look at them over the next 8 weekdays. Here's the second.

The bloggers themselves are welcome to dilate upon their blogging philosophy and otherwise promote themselves.

Note:

For this series of posts I am only accepting positive (or neutral comments.) If there is an issue or concern you have about a particular blog you'd like to express, please email me at: rgorelick@baltsun.com.

All Top Chef -- Frequent Dining@Large contributor theminx is a contributor to this group effort documenting the Bravo chef competition.

Amuse-bouche for Two -- A couple document their kitchen life. The most recent post was on Porchetta in New York City.

Angry Asian Creations -- A lavishly photographed cooking blog. The most recent post -- Cambodian lemongrass chicken and rice soup.

Baltimore Snacker -- In the blogger's words, "I'm just a guy from Baltimore who likes to try out old and new restaurants and recipes."

Beer in Baltimore -- Brad Kipner's blog -- "preaching good beer in and around Baltimore. Worldwide craft beer cheerleaders."

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 5:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)
        

It debuts today.

Created in partnership between J&D's Foods and the Jones Soda Co., and available right now as part of a gift pack.

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 5:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)
        

I took your suggestions for Top 10 weekly dining specials, threw in a few of mine, and sorted them by day of the week. I confirmed them all the best I could, by visiting the establishments web sites. When I found other weekly specials from the same establishment, I listed those, too. When I couldn't confirm, I said so. (Of course, send me links confirming the deals; restaurant owners and employees can confirm them simply by posting a response here)

Next step:

Confirm, correct, and add.  

And then:

We'll end up with a super, self-generated list of weekly specials. I'm talking with Margot and Timothy over in the Widgets about how to make this into a permanent feature

And then: 

You and I will collaborate on a Top 10 list for next Tuesday.

How does that sound?

Sunday

Alonso's/Loco Hombre  – Sunday Supper: Prime rib dinner with a baked potato and vegetable from 4 p.m. until close

Bartenders – Pound & a Pint: a pound of shrimp and a pint of beer for $12 

Cinghiale – Sunday dinners – details needed from establishment

Jack's Bistro -- $12 entree specials seated at the bar; $15 entree specials at tables

Swallow at the Hollow – Burger night: details needed from establishment

Monday

Alonso's/Loco Hombre -- Monster Mondays: $5 off one-pound burger and $2.50 domestic bottles

Bartenders - $6 pizza night (excluded Greco pie and Big Bill pie)

City Cafe – Steak night -- details needed from establishment

Claddagh Pub – Prime Rib night: 14-ounce Prime rib with side salad, mashers, and vegetable of the day 

Hamilton Tavern – Burger night – details needed from establishment

Kooper's Tavern – Fajita and "Ritas": $10 for a choice of chicken, shrimp and vegetable fajata, with $5 Cuervoritas

Mick O’Shea’s – $8 Burger and Pint night: half-pound burger, fries, and 16-ounce draft

Pazza Luna – Family pasta night: $15 per adult ($8 for children) for family style pasta dinner

Red Brick Station – Half-price burgers

Turp's – 30-cent wing night (minimum of 3)

Tuesday

Alonso's/Loco Hombre – BYOB (Bring your own Bib): Fresh Maine lobster served with a baked potato and corn on the cob for $17.99 

Claddagh Pub -- Surf & Turf: 3-oz filet Mignon and 6-ounce jumbo lump crab cake, served with mashers and vegetable of the day

Clementine – Taco Tuesdays: Only tacos are on the menu -- $10 for a taco platter, selection changes weekly. Drink specials, no reservations

Joe Squared – Pizza special: From 4 - 7:30  p.m., a free 10-inch cheese pizza for the purchase of two bottled beers

Koco's -- $6.99 wings

No Way Jose Cafe – Fajita special -- details needed from establishment

Patrick's of Pratt Street – Burger night – details needed from establishment

Kooper’s Tavern – Burger Day – discounts on all burgers, with prices starting at $3.50 

Turp's – Half price pizza

Wednesdsay

Alonso's/Loco Hombre – Wine Wednesday: 3-course fixed-price dinner for $19.99 and half off all bottles of wine

Claddagh Pub –  $14.95 fish & chips

Koco's -- $15.99 ribs

Mick O’Shea’s -- $8 Shepherd’s Pie night

No Way Jose Cafe – Fajita special -- details needed from establishment

Pappas – Crab cake special – details needed from restaurant

Red Brick Station – Steak Night: $19.99 for steak, baked potato, salad, and 19-ounce RBS beer. 

Swallow at the Hollow – Burger special – details needed from restaurant

Turp's – Half-price burgers

Thursday

Claddagh Pub – Crab Cake Night: Two jumbo lump crab cakes, served with mashers and vegetable of the day for $18.95

Koco's – Crab cake platter for $19.95

Red Brick Station – Fish & Chips Night: Fish & Chips and a 19-ounce beer for $13.99

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 10:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (10)
Categories: Top Ten Tuesdays
        

Jason Hall is the new chef at the Falls cafe in Mt. Washington. Hall comes to the Falls from the City Cafe. His Fall menu is up and running, and on it are a few of his signature dishes -- pomegranate wings and a sangria-glazed chicken. Take a look.

photo courtesy The Falls

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 9:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Petit Louis hasn't been reviewed in these pages since 2006. It felt like time for a formal review.

My first stab at the review's lede involved the inevitable mention of this Todur* shopping center. And that got me wondering --

Is there a single person outside of Baltimore that has ever once taken seriously any claim made for its being the first of anything in the United States?

Baltimore Sun photo/Jerry Edwards

* aarrgghh!

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 8:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (41)
Categories: Review Preview
        

Voting in the Mobbies started yesterday and runs through November 12. The competition to determine Maryland's best bloggers includes a "Foodie" category with 39 (!) nominees.

I thought we'd take a look at them over the next 8 weekdays. Here's the first alphabetical batch of 5.

The bloggers themselves are welcome to dilate upon their blogging philosophy and otherwise promote themselves.

Note:

For this series of posts I am only accepting positive (or neutral comments.) If there is an issue or concern you have about a particular blog you'd like to express, please email me at: rgorelick@baltsun.com.

(a)Musing Foodie -- In her profile, the blogger Liza says "obsession for food in a variety of forms has fueled my passion for humorous, inquisitive & genuine writing. Follow my journey as (a)Musing Foodie....

990 Square -- The blog's name refers to the bloggers' Southeast Baltimore home, a place where, they say, "we’re not scared to take on big cooking projects even if we just have a little strip of countertop and a windowsill."

Adryon's Kitchen -- The blogger's profile: "Mommy to one. Mildly insane. Slight insomniac. Widow. Introverted Extrovert. Food Obsessor. Madly in love with my daughter and hunky man. Selectively obsessive. Writer. Lover of tattoos. Beef jerky expert. Guilty pleasure: Raunchy rap music."

Adventures in Baltimore Restaurants -- In the blogger's words: "I like to write about everything restaurant-related, from finding deals for those who want to watch their money to special events. I cover the entire restaurant experience -- from food service to atmosphere."

Adventures of a Koodie -- In the blogger's words: "I am a 9 year old that LOVES to eat and try new restaurants and foods. This is a place for me to write about my restaurant and food adventures."

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 3:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeps!  -- everyone loves them, but they've known to be fragile

Sam Kochies -- other teams might be trying to share this recipe 

Here's my story in today's Taste section about the tailgating scene at M@T Bank Stadium. I was super impressed by the level of culinary arts I saw down there (not to mention the friendliness and general good spirits).

I didn't see much sweetness, though. Maybe an occasional cookie, or a stray blondie. I don't think there's even an official Ravens dessert. Can you believe it!?!!

In today's contest, you will give some dessert direction for tailgaters -- come up with the name and simple description of or claim for of a tailgating-appropriate Ravens dessert -- baked, composed, or otherwise.

Need a hand with this one -- check out the Ravens Insider blog.

Deadline is tonight at Midnight.

Baltimore Sun photo/Amy Davis

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 10:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (12)
Categories: Contest
        

...is back

share your stories

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 6:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (23)
        

The way to a man's checkbook is through his stomach -- here are a few food-focused fundraisers for you to consider:

Next Tuesday evening, November 9, at Silo Point, there's Life is Sweet Baltimore, a pastry chef showcase to benefit Best Buddies Maryland. The evening will include a silent auction, live entertainment, and a friendly competition among the chefs from Mr. Rain's Fun House, Blue Hill Tavern, Milan, Patisserie Poupon and other area restaurants.  

On the following Wedensday, November 17, participating Little Italy restaurants will be donating 10% of their day's gross sales to the Pierce's Park fund for the creation of a new family park in Baltimore's Inner Harbor. Look for strolling musicians, roasted chestnuts, and sidewalk espressos on the streets of Little Italy that evening. 

Pierce’s Park, scheduled for a 2011 opening, will be a family-scaled residential park between the Inner Harbor and Harbor East. $3 parking will be available at the city garage in Little Italy -- although, really, it should be free, shouldn't it?  I can't imagine that if someone from the city sees this, he won't agree and make parking free that night for anyone dining in a participating restaurant that evening.

Businesses are encouraged to sponsor a half strand at $500 or a whole strand for $1,000. Bulb sponsors may donate “in honor or in memory of” a loved one. Lists of donors will be published in Little Italy’s neighborhood newsweekly e-letter, on littleitalymd.com, and on temporary signs hung inside Little Italy’s organizations and establishments and at various events.

Watercolor illustration of Pierce's Park -- Mahan Rykiel Associates, Inc  

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 5:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

Hanover's Red Parrot Asian Bistro has signed on for McHenry Row, the mixed-use devopment now being constructed in the Locust Point Industrial Area. Already announced for the Shoppes at McHenry Row are an outpost of the rapidly expanding Germantown-based Green Turtle Sports Bar and Grille, and the first  Baltimore Harris Teeter, the Matthews, N.C.-based grocery chain.

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 2:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

Oh, I get it now.

Larry Carson reports on a scam attempt in Howard County involving a fake food inspector. It didn't work.

fake salad with ranch dressing