paulyr's Profile
Baltimore Thanksgiving Restaurants
I called The Ambassador Dining Room and they will be open, 4-8 PM iirc.
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Ambassador Dining Room
3811 Canterbury Rd, Baltimore, MD 21218
Good grub in Towson?
Soup, salad and sandwiches from Atwater's in Belvedere Square, about a half mile south of Fortunato's.
http://atwaters.biz/
Nice lunch in Baltimore, mid week
Carma's is closed this week, reopening 1.4.10.
http://www.carmascafe.com/
BEST PLACE to buy PIES in Baltimore area???
Atwater's in Belvedere Square bakes pies, but you have to call a day or two before.
And their location fits your plans. I have not had one of theirs this year, but have found them better than Eddie's (Roland Ave. location) and a better value than the overpriced DD pies, in year's past.
Cape May Area Eats
We returned from Cape May a couple of weeks ago, having used numerous Chowhound treads to guide us. This looked liked as good a place as any to post a wrap up.
Fine Dining: The Pier House vs The Blue Pig (we had great meals at both four years ago). The Pier House was a much better choice. Everyone was happy (flavors, portions, service). The Blue Pig was largely disappointing, flavor-wise. All four of our dishes just were not that great. I am sorry I am unable to go into detail. Good service and a nice patio, though.
Casual dining: George's on Beach. Small, contemporary diner. Family operated. Great taste/portion/value. Cash only.
The Seaside Cheese Shop (West Cape May), as mentioned in other threads, is _the_ place for cheese, olives, sandwiches, etc. The also have a small section of fresh bread, but get there early for it on the weekend. The bread isn't awesome but its better than the supermarket. I found their store-made (I think) mozzarella was pretty tasteless. A bad batch perhaps? The half-size muffaletta sandwich was huge and we decided to use it for an appetizer at dinner.
Our big "find" was Ellie's Bakery on Broadway around the block from Seaside Cheese. Their single serving blueberry 'pockets' were awesome. It helps that the blueberries were in season, of course, but the pastry was great, nice and light and flaky but baked enough to eat by hand _without_ them falling apart. They bake full-size pies, but only to order. We were told Ellie doesn't want the crust to dry out during the day. We ordered a peach pie and it was fantastic. I also tried one of their Triple Chocolate brownies. A low rectangle of dense chocolate topped with powdered sugar. It was a little rich for me, but I just had a blueberry pocket. Perhaps if it was a la mode. They also sell cupcakes, cinnamon rolls, and single serving cakes. Coffee, too. We did not try La Patisserie in Cape May. I don't bake and I'm ice cream guy, I admit, but Ellie's has to be _the_ place to go for baked goods in Cape May.
Finally, The Lobster House. As recommended, we got fresh fish 'to go'. Fresh salmon and scallops were very good. I know the place is well known, but it is crazy busy: raw bar, dining room, patio, take out counter (I think) and fresh fish counter, but they seemed to have the staff to handle this.
Pizza place coming to Charles Village, Baltimore
I just walked by the old 'X and O' coffee shop in Charles Village. A sign inside said, 'Coming Soon: Maxie's Pizza Pub & Grill'. Or something like that. No workers (or contractor vehicles) that I could see. FWIW.
Best of Baltimore
"Since you're coming from NYC, I think you'll find pizza in Baltimore to be a waste of time. Not because we don't have a group of places making good pies but rather because if your context. Most people who "love" NYC pizza have a built-in ambivalence about any pizza other than NYC Pizza. Pizza is about context. It's about regionality. The pizza in Baltimore is different than NYC and if you're looking for a "NYC Pizza" you're best off gorging when you visit NYC. However, if you can remain in context, then there are some quite enjoyable pizzas here in Baltimore."
Reply #1:
To tkhawes, replace "pizza" with "bagel".
Reply #2:
To ono, the OP's context is that he/she lives in Baltimore now.
Reply #3:
I only eat Italian food in Italy.
Vote for your favorite reply now!
Lyric Opera area - rec places lunch & dinner
I'd like to add b, (yes, just "b") "the Bolton Hill bistro" which is a nice walk up through one of Baltimore's nicer neighborhoods. Sundays they serve brunch and dinner. Reservations recommended. If there is nice weather, they have a few tables outside. There could be less foot traffic walking in this neighborhood which might make it a little less safe than the Charles Street suggestions. Not "fine dining", though. More like "Dress Casual", but my first choice among area restaurants.
XS might fit the casual lunch. Panini and sushi, IIRC, but it's been a couple of years... And service was slow then.
The Helmand (afghan) would likely be at the max. walking distance from the Lyric for most people, and is generally considered one of Baltimore's best. Dinner only. Reservations are a good idea. Not "fine dining", though. More like "Dress Casual".
Abacrombie or especially The Brass Elephant (another that's max. waking distance) would be fine dining.
I hate to be one of those people who just lists _everything_ in the area, but you have a number of decent choices. Search this board for better reviews.
All Things Ramps
Planet Produce in Belvedere Square had them last year. You'll have to ask for them.
Carlyle Club closed?
The City Paper says they closed on "Jan. 29th for renovations. We will reopen sometime next week." and now "no one is answering the phones."
http://www.citypaper.com/digest.asp?id=17488
We had a very nice dinner there but it could have been three years ago. I would hate to see it go. Does anyone have any other info?
Cheap, fun eats on the Balt north side?
I think Burger Brothers on Allegheny Avenue is too casual and I think there is nothing special about the Rotating Sushi Bar (sushi-wise, I did not try anything from the kitchen).
What about Bluestone (mostly seafood) in Timonium? I had a pretty good meal there, but it was 3+ years ago. It fits the geographic and dress-code criteria, but "fun" for twenty-somethings? Perhaps not, I admit. Suburban singles on dates or at the bar. It does have a "contemporary" decor IIRC.
I'm sure someone (Onocoffee?) can comment further or correct me.
Zodiac chef to open Diner in Station North, Balt.
From Baltimore Mag's food blog:
http://www.baltimoremagazine.net/ingoodtaste/index.php/2008/10/baltimores-newest-diner/
"Zodiac fans can rejoice. The restaurant’s chef Christina DiAngelo will be whipping up favorite dishes at a new, nearby restaurant in the Station North Arts district called Lost City Diner, says owner Joy Martin, who also runs Club Charles.
Zodiac (1726 N. Charles St.) closed suddenly in August when a gas line was cut to the building. The new diner is expected to open in mid-November. But don’t expect to find the typical 1950s décor. This one is taking on the ’30s with a Buck Rogers theme. Look for vintage posters, a rocket ship going through a window, and other nods to the Sci-Fi of the times. And while you’ll find burgers, vegan dishes, and mac-and-cheese, expect a futuristic twist to the preparations, Joy says."
Is the great "Milkshakes" diner store front on the corner of Charles and Lafayette more '30s than '50s?
See also:
http://citypaper.com/bob/story.asp?id=16465
Thanksgiving in Baltimore - No Buffet!
The Ambassador Dining Room was open on Thanksgiving last year. The food is good, not great. There is better tasting indian food in Baltimore (search this board for more about that). It is one of the better spaces in town and It certainly approaches elegant: waiters wear tuxedos. Your fellow dinners dress will vary. I can't comment on the martini or wine list.
Name that place: N. Charles St., Baltimore
One-named restaurant in downtown or lower Mt. Vernon.
Starts with "C"
300 block of N. Charles Street (pretty sure).
East side of the street.
Nice stone wall inside.
It doesn't get a lot of love here, but I had a pretty good lunch there once and it might fit the bill for a dinner this week.
The Stockton Inn review
The Stockton Inn, in Stockton, NJ (north of Lambertville, NJ and New Hope, PA) has one major draw for summertime dining: a large number of tables outside. It is quite a nice space with a man-made waterfall, stone walls and just-right lighting. This was our second visit there. The first was for drinks over a year ago at the outside bar. The next time we return will also be just for drinks, I'm sorry to say.
I admit I did not check out any reviews of TSI beforehand. The Hamilton Grill and No. 9, both in Lambertville are much better reviewed, but since we didn't know our arrival time we chose the place that could best accommodate us, especially outdoors.
We stopped by for dinner last week, after 8:00 PM. None of the entrees seemed exciting to us, most of them looked "heavy": Baked Sea Scallops, Chicken Cordon Bleu, Rack of Lamb etc. If I had to guess, this is a year-round menu. There was nothing that seemed "light" or "summery". There might have been one additional dinner special, a beef dish.
We split a mozzarella and tomato app. The cheese and balsamic glaze were great, but the tomato was hard and almost flavorless. There are any number of farm stands within about five or ten miles where you can get a fresh, juicy, red-all-the-way-through Jersey tomato.
The same thing happened when the dessert special of Blueberry Pie arrived. Thinking, Fresh Jersey blueberries, I was disappointed to get a dense, pasty, not very flavorful slice. I would be surprised if it was not made from canned blueberries.
I don't feel the need to describe our salads and other apps, as they did not redeem the meal.
Both our server and the hostess were friendly and helpful.
TSI doesn't hurt for business. It seems to have an older dinner crowd that must find the heavier dishes acceptable and a younger crowd that enjoys the outside bar and live music. Unless they overhaul the menu, we will not be returning for dinner.
Blue Sea & Vin to Die?
Vin got negative reviews when they opened and not enough positive ones recently.
I checked in out one night while visiting Barnes & Noble. The oppressive wall monitors turned me off. And was the wait staff using the front door to get to the patio across the alley? Even if it got glowing reviews I had no interest in being _there_. Bad feng shui (or something).
As you know, they are closing soon:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/540290
Regarding one of your other comments, yes, I think people like going to the next "hot" place, some to actually try the food, some to be able to say to their neighbors or co-workers "Woodberry Kitchen (or whatever) is wonderful. Have you been?"
I liked WK when I tried it. It is good. It _isn't_ awesome. It's over-praised, imo. The historic preservation/reclaimation-type of space is more my style (than what I saw at Vin). As it seems you dine out a lot, I'd say it's worth a try.
Midtown party of 6 recs needed
I admit this is short notice, but I am looking for a restaurant in Midtown (or easily accessible via cab) that can seat a group of five or six _this week_! I am foolishly optimistic that we'll find something since it's Fourth of July week. Am I crazy?
Our dress will be business casual, so no place fancy but no burger joints/pubs, either. I think we are flexible when it comes to ethnic cuisine except no Mexican. An interesting space would be nice. I'd love to try The Modern, but I think that's too expensive.
Also, everyone will be over forty, so no loud music please.
Thanks!
What's the deal with that place? Baltimore
Yeah, I'll pile it on.
Once, I went in for for a carry-out lunch, ordered a turkey sandwich and went across the street to Atomic Books. I returned to find out they didn't have any turkey that day. It was after 12 noon! That _might_ be excusable at 11 AM, but not after noon.
Also, Mother's Day late lunch three/four years ago... likely their first Mother's Day. One waitress (on Mother's Day!?), painfully long wait for food and then most of it arrived overcooked.
Two strikes and you're out. My wife and I guess it stays open because it gets overflow from the Golden West, Cafe Hon, Suzie's, etc.
Everyday Eating in Baltimore: Restaurants you frequent in the Baltimore area
Atwater's (by far). Some combination of soup, salad and sandwich for around $25 (or less.) Almost always very good (or better).
Ikan Sushi if we are tired of Atwater's or not interested in their choices. Two rolls, two orders of sashimi for a little more than $25.
I doesn't hurt that Belvedere Square is really close to home. "If we are too tired to cook" it is likely we are too tired to travel very far.
Roland Park carryout suggestions
Atwater's is our overwhelmingly favorite take-out place in northern Baltimore city.
The only other options for us are One World Cafe (take-out sure beats the painfully slow service and blah dining room), Ikan Sushi (also at Belv. Square), Cafe Zen and Egyptian Pizza.
Reasonably priced Baltimore Res. for nice date on a Saturday night?
The Helmand
or
b (yes, just "b" the Bolton Hill Bistro)
... are the first two to come to mind. Search this board for reviews & the web for their prices. You'll need reservations at both.
Monday night dining in Baltimore?
Woodberry Kitchen's website says they are open Mondays. Search this board for (the mostly positive) reviews. I've been once, and without posting a formal review, it was very, very good (I sampled a bunch of small plates). Service was great. You should make a reservation, even for Monday.
homemade ice cream Bmore
This _might not_ be accurate. Has the Mt. Vernon Sylvan reopened after renovations? And I was just at the Mt. Washington location a week before Christmas. Obviously, they could still close... Perhaps I'll confirm this later in the day.
Atwater's, Belvedere Square
We go to Atwater's for carry-out at least once a week. We have not purchased a can of soup at the grocery store since they opened and I have no interest in making my own with them that close by.
The Market area closes at 7 PM Mon-Sat, Sunday at 4 PM, but they're open later and have live music in the square Friday nights during the summer. Which I avoid as I do not drink alcohol or have a small child. It's very crowded those nights.
Yes, parking can be difficult.
After Atwater's, I'd choose Ikan Sushi, Cafe Zen then Eygptian Pizza, in that order. The latter two have their own hours. Go to belvederesquare.com for other choices and more info. Search this board for other reviews as well.
Meyerhoff in Baltimore
Forget Dionysus. We finally got around to trying it this past spring, an early dinner, say 6 PM. We were a table of three on a non-symphony night and the only people in the upstairs dinning room and service was painfully slow. We had a zucchini app that was horrible (imagine zucchini hockey pucks) and pizzas that were _way_ over-cheesed.
Since then we went to Neo Viccino for a pre-symphony meal and although it was crowded with other symphony-goers we were able to get a table without reservations. I'd call ahead next time. The service was quick and the food is good, not great. Search this board for reviews.
B in Bolton Hill would be an upgrade from Neo Viccino but it isn't walking distance (_for most people_) to the Meyerhoff.
Knife sharpening in Baltimore
Frank's Cutlery, 4121 White Ave Baltimore, MD (410) 426-6720. IIRC, he runs his business out of his garage and has done sharpening for restaurants all over town.
I only know this because I dropped off my reel mower, which he farms out to his brother or cousin, so I do not have first-hand knowledge of his cutlery work.
Kyodai - Rotating Sushi Bar - Towson
This is the "sushi train" that's a couple of doors down from Paolo's, correct? We tried it perhaps two years ago, give or take a few months. Sorry I can't recall specifics, but we left saying to ourselves, "Well, we tried _that_." (i.e., it satisfied our curiosity). I think Towson has two better reviewed sushi places... search this board for more on them.
The Helmand or Ambassador Dining Room?
I agree, Helmand = noisy. Not the place I'd go to catch up with friends, in that respect. You do get better food and better value at The Helmand.
