Baltimore Winter Restaurant Week 2014: Steakhouse

I went to Sullivan's Steakhouse for lunch during restaurant week. The space is very large with a generous bar and dinning room. The kitchen is semi-open and wall of windows make it bright. I had a reservation but probably didn't need it. 

I ordered the Maryland crab soup and NY strip. The soup was good in terms of flavor but could have used some more crab. The steak would have been perfect if I had ordered it medium-well or well done, but I didn't so it was overcooked. It reminded me of a plated dinner at a conference or wedding. A mediocre steak with pretty good potatoes and sauce. My friend has invited me to happy hour here many times and I may go but I don't think I want to try for lunch or dinner again.

Baltimore Winter Restaurant Week 2014: SoBo Café

I went to SoBo Cafe for restaurant week a few weeks back. I had a reservation but was late due to traffic. When I arrived I was informed that my table was reserved for someone else soon after mine but I could sit at the bar for a more leisurely meal. I chose the bar.

The atmosphere is extremely welcoming. I felt as if I had visited a friends home for a dinner party. My coat was taken at the door and hung on hooks near the entry. The restaurant is two renovated rowhouses so it was fitting. 

I ordered mac n cheese for an appetizer. It was pretty good; creamy and flavorful. It was a venture from the traditional southern baked mac n cheese because it had tomatoes, but I was pleasantly surprised and I'd definitely order it again. For my entree I chose the Korean chicken fried steak with kimchi collard greens. I LOVE Korean food and it was the PERFECT fusion of Asian and southern comfort food. I wish they would package up and sell the kimchi. It was amazing! Everything kimchi should be: crisp, refreshing, spicy, and sweet. Dessert was parsnip cake with a caramel sauce. I love a good root vegetable so I was pleased.

All in all great experience, so go try it! If I didn't live across town I'd be a regular for sure!

Baltimore Summer Restaurant Week 2013: Mother's Federal Hill Grille

Great restaurant week menu . . . This past Thursday was my first time at Mother's. I hear people talk about it all the time, usually burgers, beer and sports, but the food was delicious. 

I ordered calamari as a starter. It was tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. The sauce was good too. The crabcake was perfectly cooked and had the largest pieces of crab I've ever seen in a cake; I mean they barely bother with filler, I'm surprised it held together! I carb loaded with mashed potatoes topped with loaded butter and chipotle Mac n cheese. The potatoes were scratch made and the mac had a wonderful kick to it. Dessert was bread pudding; not my favorite on any day but I tried it anyway. It was just ok. City Café's is worlds better. 

Overall, surprisingly great experience and I can't wait to go back and try one of those 20 burgers and wings.

Baltimore Summer Restaurant Week 2013: Black Olive

I went to Black Olive today for lunch for restaurant week. The decor is nice and the location is quaint. I wasn't impressed with the food. I had a roasted tomato soup with feta, shrimp scorpio with orzo and feta, and baklava. Everything was just ok, middle of the road. The soup portion was huge and the entree was small. The pasta wasn't seasoned and only had two shrimp. I wouldn't recommend anyone go here, but I wouldn't discourage them form trying it either. Blah is the best description I can give.

Baltimore Winter Restaurant Week 2013: The Wine Market Bistro

The Wine Market Bistro

A friend and I went to The Wine Market Bistro last Friday for lunch. It pretty far from my house being in South Baltimore (I live in the Northeast), but was so worth the trip. It was a bustling atmosphere with friendly staff. I immediately noticed how good the food looked going out to each table. My lunch date and I both had the macaroni and aged cheddar as the starter. Topped with simple green onion the cheddar was he star of the show. The noodles were seasoned and not over cooked; very delicious and I savored every bite even after my entree came. 

I ordered the lamb burger served on wheat flatbread with cool yogurt dressing and roasted red pepper spread with tomato, alongside spicy "market" fries. Everything was stellar. While the lamb itself wasn't seasoned the accompaniments made it satisfying. 

They have a unique selection of wine as well. Plus, if you dine in the bistro you get a discount on your wine purchase, so of course I had to get a bottle or two. I will definitely be returning, probably for happy hour.

Baltimore Winter Restaurant Week 2013: The Dogwood Restaurant

Restaurant week is always a great time to try something you've never tried before. My first excursion for restaurant week: The Dogwood Restaurant in Hampden. The food is sustainable and delectable. The Dogwood strives to use locally grown organic food for their eclectic American eatery. It's a warm atmosphere with great vibes. You can feel the wonderful spirit of the place as soon as you walk in. "The Dogwood’s social mission is to transform lives one plate at a time by providing training opportunity and paid employment to individuals who are transitioning from addiction, incarceration, homelessness, and/or underemployment." 

I tried the Baltimore Crap Soup and the Mango Chicken Salad Sandwich. Both fresh and equally delicious. The sandwich was served on sunflower seed bread with mango and curry spiced chicken salad and baby spinach; an unusual, yet perfect combination. 

A place that good for stomach, good for your wallet, and good for your soul? Don't mind if I do and you should too!

     

Boston Summer Restaurant Week 2012

My sister and I went to Bacco Ristorante in the North End of Boston for restaurant week. The restaurant was situated on a little corner. The space was small but the windows were wide open and the atmosphere was inviting. Three course $33.12.

Starter

For appetizers we had calamari with peppers and parmaesan-basil polenta with sausage. The calamari was crispy and tasty but nothing special. The marinara served with it however was really delicious and I'm not sure what they added to make it different, a hint of cream maybe? The polenta was creamy and you could taste the cheese and herbs.

The Main Dish

I had the seafood scampi with linguine. The pasta was tossed in a light garlic sauce with asparagus and topped with jumbo shrimp, crab, lobster, scallops, artichoke, and sun dried tomatoes.While I could have done without the lobster, it was overcooked claw meat, the shrimp and scallops were tender and sweet. The artichoke may have been the most flavorful component of the dish. My sister had the classic chicken parm which did not disappoint.

Simple Ending

The cannolis were light, crispy, and not too sweet. Enough said!

Definitely will be returning next time I'm in Boston.

Baltimore Restaurant Week 2012: Blah

Waterstone Bar and Grille

I went here with a friend for my first Baltimore restaurant week experience in January. The service and atmosphere is great! The wine list is nice. The food was flavorful but my salmon and baklava were overcooked and the mashed potatoes were instant/powdered mix. It seems like a good date night spot but I doubt I'll go back. - Updated but previously written for OpenTable

New York Restaurant Week 2012: Dinner Before A Show

The service was first and foremost excellent! We had a 6pm reservation and were seated immediately. We informed our waitress we had a show to attend and she said she would have us well taken care and on our way in time. We came for restaurant week so we had three courses. The food was incredibly fresh, flavorful, and plentiful. Great value, great atmosphere! Ill be back next time I'm in the city. - Previously written for OpenTable

Restaurant Week 2012: Layers of Flavor

Its Baltimore Restaurant Week . . . again (its semi-annual). Each participating restaurant has has a two course lunch for $15.12 and/or three course dinner for $20.12 or $30.12. City Cafe had intriguing menu selections so I made a reservation. I ride by City Cafe all the time going downtown. I've read good reviews on Google, Yelp, and Urbanspoon but hadn't made it inside until today. Let me tell you, TOTALLY worth the wait.

I started with ceviche with shrimp, halibut, mahi mahi, avocado, and mango with home tortilla chips. It was perfectly seasoned, just the right amount salt and acidity and the mango balanced the whole dish.

For the main course I chose the wild Alaskan halibut which had layer upon layer of flavor.The halibut was a very lightly breaded in a tempura like batter sauteed and drizzled with a roasted red pepper butter sauce served atop creamy, buttery mashed fingerling potatoes along side a fresh green salad with roasted sweet white corn, mini heirloom tomatoes tossed in Old Bay vinaigrette.

The final course I had strawberry short cake. Simple, classic, delicious, and easily ruined by dry shortcake or  just trying to make it more complex then it is. NO complaint with this one though. The shortcake was moist with a hint of something possibly lemon topped with fresh strawberries and fresh whipped cream.

Hats off to Chef Jared who created the restaurant week menu!