New restaurant #2 of 3 -- The Corner in Hampden
The Corner opened last week in the old Avenue Diner space, at the corner of 36th and Elm in Hampden, right next door to the Wine Source. That's pretty convenient because the Corner is BYOB.
The chef is Bernard Dehaene, the founding chef-owner of Mannequin Pis, the well regarded Belgian restaurant in Olney. The owner is Cecille Fenix.
The Corner isn't full-on Belgian -- Dehaene describes it an American restaurant -- but it's pretty Belgian.
Moules et frites are absolutely on the menu, and Dehaene is preparing them five different ways. Also on Dehaene's opening menu -- Dover sole, flambeed steak and lamb brochette. And, Dehaene says, kangaroo, ostrich and yak. I'm not kidding.
Dehaene says we could look forward to multi-course beer dinners beginning sometime this April.
The Corner is open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday, and for brunch on Saturday and Sunday. The Corner's address is 850 W. 36th St., and the phone number is 443-869-5075. There's a website, but it's not really ready for company.
Comments
I feel sad that the avenue diner closed. The food was meh but the decor was awesome and the feel was classic.
I guess I should not be surprised, given that I remained unaware that it had closed for long enough that somebody was able to build and open new restaurant there.
I will check out the new place.
Posted by: Andy | March 8, 2011 6:41 PM
it's pretty Belgian
I'm not sure how Belgian a place can be if it serves kangaroo.
the chef said that kangaroo is a stand-in for horsemeat, which is common on Belgian menus but unacceptable here
Posted by: Robert of Cross Keys | March 8, 2011 8:24 PM
I hear yak tastes like chicken.
Posted by: Kelly | March 8, 2011 11:53 PM
Is it free-range local yak?
Posted by: dude | March 9, 2011 9:39 AM
I'd better not see yak's milk on that menu.
(Very inside joke)
Posted by: baltimoregal | March 9, 2011 9:53 AM
why dont you guys exchange email- so you can joke privately, in well, PRIVATE.
I never thought I'd say this but I miss EL.
Posted by: not part of the IN crowd | March 9, 2011 4:12 PM
The Avenue! Cheap breakfasts all day, country music on the jukebox and the 'non-smoking' section was 2 tables in the back. I miss it too but it's been years since I've been there as well. It was a favorite hangover place for us and whoever woke up at our house back in our twenties. I think I miss being able to ride out hangovers all day more than I actually miss The Avenue...
Posted by: Cristin | March 9, 2011 9:19 PM
Awesome food, Great ambiance, Wonderful service, Reasonable cost...what more is there? I highly recommend The Corner Resturaunt. It's better than Mannequin Pis and that joint was damned good! The BYOB Is the best cause there's a great beer wine place next door with cold beer, fine wine and the hard stuff. We saved a bundle and had a ball. Oh yea, try the Hazel nut ice cream desert. Really fun!
Posted by: Patrick Hoover | April 2, 2011 7:13 PM
I should have known, and I thought Chef Bernard looked familiar. Good heavens. I ate at his restaurant when he was at Mannequin Pis and it was very, very good. I ate at his restaurant in Philly, Zot, and that was even better.
Now, he's back in our area, and he's outdone himself this time. Please don't go there. There is only seating for 35 people and if you go, I might not get a table when I want to go!
Seriously, this was just an awesome evening. I know Belgian food inside out, and it's very hard to find it, and done right. This is a little bit of heaven right here in Baltimore.
Posted by: lderidder | May 22, 2011 1:23 AM
The chef has a bizarre cash-only policy and very restrictive fees--per bottle, based on size, and per drinker. It's also $1 to take anything home. Food is OK, but too expensive, and for these prices the fees need to vanish pronto. It might be OK for Baltimore locals, but tolerating stuff like this is what keeps Baltimore a second-rate food town.
Posted by: TZ | May 25, 2011 8:15 AM