Burgers: Burger Bros.

Came here for lunch a couple weeks ago based on proximity to work and other reviews. The burgers are fresh made like most places (that aren't fast food) and I've come to expect that. I am no burger connoisseur, but the burger was good. I've had better and I've had much worse. It's comparable to Five Guys, which is down the street. The burger patty itself is larger (thicker), but the toppings are just as fresh and delicious. I will say that I AM a potato connoisseur, especially french fries and these have nothing on Five Guys, Kooper's, or even GrrChe food truck. I can't say that I am a fan yet, but I will go back.

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.

Reading Terminal Market

I wish I lived in Philly just to go to Reading Terminal Market regularly! Baltimore has 6 public markets and though I've only been to 3 of them, I'm going to overgeneralize and say this one is better than them ALL (debate is welcome lol)! There's so much to taste and see you need at least a couple weeks daily visits to try it all. I love that there's ample seating to enjoy the goodies you buy.

This was my first visit! I got breakfast from the Dutch Eating Place and baked goods from the adjacent bakery. Everything was delicious from the fresh churned butter on my french toast to the thick cut turkey bacon. I took home wheat and oatmeal bagels, cinnamon rolls, sticky buns, and crumb cake for less than $10! I love the Amish!

I'm with my fellow yelpers, if you're in Philly and don't stop here you're totally missing out. I CANNOT wait to go back!

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!

Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients

1 3/4 cups Flour
1 1/2 cup Sugar
1/2 can Pumpkin

3/4 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Ground cloves
1/8 tsp Ground ginger
1/2 tsp Cinnamon
1/2 tsp Nutmeg
1 tsp Baking soda
4 oz Applesauce
1/4 cup Oil
1/3 cup Water
2 Eggs

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease one 5x9 inch loaf pans.

2. In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, water and sugar until well blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. Stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just blended. Pour into the prepared pans.

3. Bake for about 50 minutes in the preheated oven. Loaf is done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.