Italian Dessert

I'm totally and utterly in love with Vaccaro's Italian Pastry Shop. The gelato (try the snickers flavor) is great and I've never had a baked good that I didn't like. The cannolis are my favorite. This was my first time at the Little Italy location, I usually go to the one in Canton and I take my goodies to go. This time I was on a date so we dined-in. (Side note: parking is atrocious so plan accordingly.) The quality and taste of the product is excellent at both locations, but the service is slow because there's only one waitress even on a busy Saturday night. 

I ordered apple strudel, which wasn't particularly sweet on its own (I didn't mind because I don't really have a sweet tooth) but was sprinkled with cinnamon, drizzled with caramel sauce, and topped with whipped cream. Yum! I also ordered my usual cookies and cannolis to-go. Perfect ending to my night!

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.

Alexander's Tavern

Alexander's Tavern is so cute and cozy. There's a lively bar on one side and a quaint dining room on the other. My date and I got a little table in the window. The waitress was very attentive and sweet.

I'll start this by saying if you don't order anything else get TOTS. As much as I love potatoes I am not a fan of tots at all. My date and I ordered the Buffalo Chicken Tots and BBQ Sweet Potato Tots; both were fantastic! I could have used a little more spice in the buffalo sauce but the flavor was great. The combination of the sweet potato with tangy BBQ sauce and savory pulled pork was to die for. I want to replicate it at home! Even though I was completely satisfied after the tots I ordered the Maryland burger. It was cooked as I requested and the crab dip on top was delicious! I can't wait to go back. They have happy hour right? Because tots and beer sounds like the perfect combo after a long day of work.

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.

Tea for Two

Teavolve is such a cute place in a great location! A friend thought I'd like it and took me for happy hour one Wednesday. You can't go wrong with any drink. Tea infused mixed drinks? Don't mind if I do! Try the sangria. I'd recommend you go at the beginning of happy hour so you have time to try a few different beverages.

I was on a vegetarian kick so I ordered a black bean burger. It left much to be desired. It was dry and mostly flavorless. I'll definitely go back but I'll be trying something else for sure!

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!

     

Herb & Soul

Groupon helped me find a wonderful little place in northeast Baltimore; Parkville to be exact. The concept is similar to the staple of Baltimore: the carry out. They're all over the place; sometimes two on one block serving Chinese, pizza, sandwiches, and the notorious chicken box. The twist is that Herb & Soul strives to bring fresh, sustainable meats and produce. If you cant beat em, join em right? They boast Maryland farmed, cage free chicken and eggs, grass fed beef, pork and lamb, and Maryland grown veggies. My wonderful little groupon included an appetizer, two entrees, and dessert for two. I was able to try a lot of items from their small but diverse menu. I had:

Appetizer: Chicken and Waffles

The chicken was seasoned perfectly. It was juicy and still crispy even though I got it delivered. The waffle had a wonderful sweet potato flavor and it's served with a homemade maple syrup that is to die for.

Entrées: Catfish and Pork Loin

The catfish was fresh, perfectly crisp, and not greasy at all but the cornmeal completely lacked seasoning. The macaroni and cheese was ooey, gooey, and delicious. I'm pretty sure it had nutmeg which is the "secret" to any great baked Mac and cheese. The Liberian collard greens were tender and well seasoned but entirely too sweet for my taste.

The pork loin was tender and juicy but again lacked seasoning. I could have eaten an entire pot of the green beans and I'm not the biggest green bean fan. The candied yams were tender but not sweet enough for me.

Dessert: Cranberry Cupcake

The flavor was good and it was topped with a tart frosting but the cake itself was very dry.

Overall: Good, fresh, local food. I'm going back to try their Indian fry bread taco! And if all else fails get the chicken and waffles!

City Café

Back to one of my favorite places in Mount Vernon. The last time I went was restaurant week. The friend I went with back then wanted to go again. Being incredibly busy people, months later we finally got together last Friday. Dinner, dessert, and hours of great conversation are always welcomed on a Friday night. 

We shared an appetizer, the MEATLESS NACHOS with Green Chili Chickpeas, Pepperjack Cheese Sauce, Fresh Salsa, Guacamole & Sour Cream. All the ingredients were fresh as opposed to canned. I'm definitely going to make nachos at home with chickpeas; who knew it would be so good?

I ordered the CHILEAN SEABASS which was Pan Seared, with Jumbo Lump Crab, Beurre Blanc, Whipped Potatoes & Asparagus I'm kind of a seafood snob and City Café never disappoints. The fish melted in my mouth. It was fresh and perfectly seared. I could eat that meal everyday . . . if only I had the metabolism of a 16 year old boy. 

My friend got the LAMB & VEAL MEATLOAF it was Prosciutto Wrapped and served with Whipped Potatoes, Local Green Beans, and Rosemary Demi Glace. It was very hearty and the gravy was scrumptious.

For dessert I had the Heathbar Crunch Bread Pudding with House Made Caramel Sauce and Fresh Whipped Cream and my friend ordered the Baileys Creme Brulee With Chocolate Curls & Fresh Whipped Cream. Both equally delectable!

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

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!

  

Brunch Delights

Miss Shirley's

First let me say I heard about this restaurant before I even moved to Baltimore. They are known for breakfast, brunch, and lunch. The first time I went was after being turned away from another restaurant (that shall remain nameless but I'm still salty about it lol). Anyway, needless to say by the end of the meal I was pleased about the outcome. A friend and I were going for Sunday brunch. When we arrived it was crowded but we were greeted right away.

We ordered breakfast. I got the Southern Slammer with bacon, fried egg, white cheddar, avocado, and fried green tomato on pumpernickel. The fried green tomato made the sandwich. It added the perfect sweetness and texture. The sandwich comes with a choice of hash browns or grits but I had to get both. I love grits (it may be a a southern thing) and their's included diced bacon and tomato, and mascarpone for extra creaminess. Excellent!

The second time I went was on Mother's Day. I ordered chicken and waffles. I'm a Cali girl so I compare every chicken and waffle dish I try to Roscoe's! Traditionally this dish comes with wings and a regular breakfast waffle topped with butter, syrup, and chicken dashed with hot sauce. Simple and delicious! Miss Shirley's switches it up with mini white cheddar-green onion Belgian waffles, chicken breast with honey mustard aioli and peppadew-jalapeno butter. More complex flavors, savory and also delicious. The waffles may have been the most fluffy I've ever had! I still don;t know what a peppadew is but its tasty lol. As good and harmonious the meal was I did long for the savory/sweet combination of traditional chicken and waffles. Overall, a unique dining experience.