Treva's Profile
Where to find Glass Bottle Milk - Baltimore
Trickling Springs is carried by Eddie's and Wholefoods.
Baltimore area coffee houses that roast their own
Caffe Pronto in Annapolis. Zu's in Annapolis. Not at all fond of Baltimore Coffee and Tea. Where is the craft? Too many coffees, silly flavors and stored in open bins. How smart is that? Nor do I care fro Spoons, though Spoon's has a great location - there are a lot of delicious things in the neighborhood. I want to care for Spoons, but they served me two lousy espressos and a sloppy cappuccino.
St. Bart's restaurant recommendations
I am glad to hear that you love Le Vietnam. I really wanted to go there, but my companions were swayed by a local know-it-all. Do they have good pho? We enjoyed Baz Bar so much we were there three nights in a row for the live music, libation and sushi. Very tolerant bartenders.
St. Bart's restaurant recommendations
Love L'Isola! Was in St. Barth last week. My starter was a beatific Burrata, Island tomato, basil and olive oil. Next a porcini risotto, then a refreshing supple pana cotta for dessert - drizzled with fine dark chocolate. Top Notch. Good service. Surrounded by beautiful couples, we were yachties in semi-boat clothes. L'Isola was so good I wondered how I had missed media coverage. Oh yeah - it's new. I was looking for ethnic dining on St. Barth and was warned away from La Vietnam, a thai place and an African (really French place). In St. Barth L'Isola - Cucina Italiana - IS ethnic dining.
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L'Isola
Barthsgade, Aarhus, Midtjylland 8200, DK
Best cup of coffee in Baltimore
The Spro at the Towson Library
Woodberry Kitchen
Caffé Pronto in Annapolis
Whole Tiramisu for B-Day?
Hi Hue, Can you tell me which issue of the David Rosengarten newsletter contains this article? I'm not finding it. Thanks!
restaurant near Piney Orchard Ice Rink in Odenton
Keep complaining about Kaufmann's. Maybe owner James King will heed the criticism. It's a shame to see such an institution fall so far from grace. Is it safe to presume Kaufmann's remains profitable despite the decline? The neighborhood sorely needs a good restaurant. I'm going to stop buying crabs there as well. I'm with you, cb1.
restaurant near Piney Orchard Ice Rink in Odenton
Thanks cb1. Where do you buy crabs since you gave up on Kauffmann's?
restaurant near Piney Orchard Ice Rink in Odenton
For me, Kaufmann's is a major disappointment. I still go there for steamed crabs. I can't recommend anything else except some of the servers are attentive and nice. My family has been going to Kaufmann's for over 40 years, we all agree it has gone very down hill.
Grace Garden is six minutes away from the Piney Orchard rink. Grace Garden is fabulous. The fish noodles are heavenly.
Pachanga is total tex-mex. I like the chile verde.
Eastern Market- best food?
What coffee did you have at Peregrine? An Americano? Glad to hear you had a good experience at Founding Farmers. Was the grilled cheese sandwich typical or anything unusual? Thanks for the follow up report. Bacon lollipops!
Eastern Market- best food?
Do step outside of Eastern Market and walk up the street towards Pennsylvania Avenue and help yourself to the best coffee in all of DC. Peregrine may well be one of the top ten/twenty coffee shops in the country. Try one of their gorgeous cappuccinos.
Howard or Anne Arundel County: Chinese wedding banquet venues?
It's not a banquet place, but you can't do any better when it comes to fine and authentic Chinese cuisine - in the region. http://gracegardenchinese.com/ Perhaps. Chef Li would cater?
Aged meat?
If nothing suitable turns up in Baltimore, you might like My Butcher http://www.mybutcherandmore.com/ in the Crofton/Gambrills neighborhood.
Inauguration Day Breakfast Options in SE
I sent an e-mail inquiry to Peregrine. One of the owners responded that Peregrine will open during normal hours (7am - 9pm), but with additional staff to accommodate additional customers.
The BEST coffee and/or espresso inside the beltway?
Peregrine's Espresso and Cappuccinos are top notch. Most of their pour over coffees are single origin coffees roasted by the reputable and accomplished Counter Culture Coffee in Durham, NC. It's clean, bright, friendly and has a nice outdoor seating area. If only this balmy weather would hold.
Quince/Guava Paste for Cheese
I've seen Quince at Whole Foods in the Cheese Dept. also at every specialty cheese shop whenever I've looked for it. It is a traditional and delicious Spanish condiment for cheese, especially Manchego Roncal, Mahón and Campo de Montalban. It also works well any salty or blue cheese - Valdeón for example.
Guava works well with dry and salty cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano, Pecorino or aged Gouda - though I've not noticed Guava jam anywhere lately. I love guava thumbprints made with gauva paste. Cookies and cheese!
Inauguration Day Breakfast Options in SE
For sure, you MUST stop at Peregrine Espresso @ 660 Pennsylvania Avenue. It is very close to the Eastern Market station. Peregrine can boast of fine single origin coffees, gorgeous silky cappuccinos, balanced espresso, and a pastery lineup described in their blog as "including muffins, scones, croissants and a tasty egg-and-cheese breakfast brioche—comes from Buzz Bakery in Alexandria. The Rustico, Cranberry-Walnut and Kalamata Olive rolls are baked on South Capitol St. in DC by Lyon Bakery. We continue to have Cherry Glen Farms Chevre, Trickling Springs Creamery Butter, Whole Blueberry Preserves and Fig Jam to pair with these rolls."
If you've never been to Peregrine, you are in for a treat. It is the top coffee shop in DC right now. I'm a bit of a coffee aficionado and a bit silly about Peregrine.
Normally they open at 7 a.m. during the week, I imagine they would open earlier on inauguration day.
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Peregrin Espresso
660 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, DC
Local food gifts
Definitely go to Penn Quarter and Dupont Circle. Also Marvelous Market's famed Chocolate Chip Cookies. It's a pity that blue crabs and oysters are perishable. A can of Wye River Red Crab Soup. Virginia peanuts. Crabanero Hot Sauce. A copy of Beautiful Swimmers: Watermen, Crabs and the Chesapeake Bay by William Warner.
Birthday dinner in Annapolis
Harry Brown's ttp://HarryBrownes.com/about.aspx on State Circle - location of the beautiful Maryland State House which is the oldest state capitol in continuous legislative use. Check out Harry's menu online and call ahead for suggestions to make the evening special and more romantic. I like the Limoncello Mussels. Hopefully they will have on hand the 2006 cult wine MollyDooker Carnival of Love Shiraz Australia. I would get that and the Pistachio Crusted Rack of Lamb. You might want to discuss dessert ahead of time to line up something special. Encourage a good table and best server.
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Harry Brown's
Annapolis, MD, Annapolis, MD
Need Baltimore Rec for Monday night dinner
Salt Tavern on Pratt Street near Patterson Park. Easily accessible from downtown. Cozy and inviting ambience. Attentive staff. The foie gras and kobe beef sliders are unforgettably sublime. I've heard good things about the Lamb Stroganaff. The entire menu appeals.
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Salt
2127 E Pratt St Ste 1, Baltimore, MD 21231
Decaf coffee beans
As you are willing to grind your beans and make time for a proper cup of coffee, I suggest a very good natural mountain water process decaf, namely Counter Culture's Decaf 21st de Septiembre. http://tinyurl.com/decafCC In Bethesda, Dolcezza Artisanal Gelato (301-215-9226) on Bethesda Lane serves Counter Culture Coffees. It is possible they sell the beans as well. If not, perhaps Dolcezza or Counter Culture will direct you to a local source for the beans. If you go to Dolcezza - I luv their Gelatos, especially Sumatra Cinnamon and Dulce de Leche. Yum!
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Dolcezza Artisanal Gelato
7111 Bethesda Lane, Bethesda, MD
Where to buy a good chicken pot pie?
The Pennsylvania Dutch Market in Annapolis has a good pot pie as well.
Cynthia's in Severna Park has a beautiful and hefty pot pie. The crust is oh so perfect.
Visting Weekend at JHU
Fress, I enjoyed reading your report and am glad to know that you had a good culinary experience in Baltimore. Lucky you - for getting Maryland crabs at the very end of the season. The Chesapeake oyster scene is looking up http://www.oysterrecovery.org/ - so you may see some of those briny oysters on New York tables - soon.
Private chef service for two for a birthday? Any suggestions?
Ask for references. Ask for sample menus, prices and her resumé. Chat with the chef and determine whether or not you have rapport. Look for sincerity. Discuss the proposed menu in detail. Ask where she would source the foods for the particular menu. If she speaks about a particular butcher, farm source, cheesemonger, fresh markets etc. that should be an encouraging sign. If she prefers a supermarket or a single source, You might be concerned. Ask why she became a chef. What and who are her influences? This doesn't have to be a long or tedious interview process. It is possible to get through these questions quickly. The chef should be able to respond with the ease and confidence. If you are an experienced cook you will be able to tell from the Chef's responses - her level of care and level of knowledge. I am guessing you aren't or you would prepare the meal yourself (I could be mistaken as I've not read any of your other posts). I believe a chef who is committed to her culinaria should also be committed to presenting herself well and connecting with her prospective clients. Ask the chef what she most likes to prepare at this time of year and what she believes she does best. Is that something you and your boyfriend would enjoy? Here's a hint - ask about what cheeses she recommends before the dessert course. I met a personal chef recently who likes bries, only bries and she was very positive about that claim. She is afraid to serve anything adventurous - which for her meant something other than a middle-of-the road cheddar or her favorite Brie. Very limiting for a chef. It could be that her menu is fine without cheese, but I would be very skeptical. Ask about wine pairing suggestions. By the time you go through this process with the prospective chefs, your decision should be easy. Please post back and let us know how it all went.
Penn Quarter Farmers Market
I love the Penn Quarter Farmers Market! It's worth taking the Marc train/Metro in from Anne Arundel County every week. Chapel's Country Creamery (Cows' milk products) of Easton, Maryland has a heckuva Caved-Aged Cheddar. It's light and pretty rind gives it an extra bite and sharpness. Cheesemaker Holly Foster also makes a cheddar with crab spices which works very well. Everona Dairy's (Sheeps' milk products) Piedmont cheese is nice, I'm fond of their blue cheese as well. Blue Ridge Dairy has yummy yogurts, butter and more. The Bread Ovens at Quail Creek farm offer a large array of quality artisanal breads and baked goods. The macaroons are evil-good. I bought a raisin bread made of wheat flour and maize. It makes great grilled cheese sandwiches. There's a good selection of impressive vegetables, fruits, APPLES, lettuces, herbs and more. I need to get to know the produce vendors better. The crab cake guy keeps a hot skillet and a good price on his crab cakes. You can try it before you buy it. There is a table full of lovely and colorful handmade soaps. Ferial Welsh's Mushroom Stand is sooo beautiful. I get dizzy looking at her gorgeous and plentiful mushrooms. Yesterday, I succumbed to Porcini, Chanterelle, Oyster, Wood Ear, Shitaki and ummm more. It will be a big risotto w/mushrooms weekend for me. I like to hang out and watch Chef's come out from the local restaurants (in their chef garb), to shop, chat and compliment vendors on their products. It warms my heart.
Good crab cakes in the Annapolis area?
We did this topic recently. http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/553461 Though, when it comes to crab cakes, the news can change quickly. Crab cakes are a topic which requires vigilance.
Company Holiday Party Venue Recs?
Oyamel for fine tequila fun, margaritas by the pitcher and a spirited menu. Festival Navidad.
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Oyamel Cocina Mexicana
401 7th Street N.W., Washington, DC 20004
Washington DC/Baltimore Restaurant Advice.
Kaufmann's is not what it used to be. It is still possible to get good steamed crabs there, but not always. The menu is unimaginative and stuck in the past. That said - standards that were at least good and dependable for decades - are now not. I lovED their fresh crab cakes. I sent the last one back to the kitchen. Pasteurized. It was yuck. Our extended family has been going to Kaufmann's since the mid sixties. We still go there on occasion when an out-of-town friend or relative insists on trying to relive the past. We always call ahead to ask about the crabs and will order something else off the menu - hoping the kitchen has improved. It hasn't. I would rather praise a good restaurant than knock a bad one. This hurts. We are very sad about the current situation at Kaufman's. It could do with less of a bar scene and more of a culinary scene. The neighborhood aches for a good restaurant.
Baby Shower - High tea or brunch recommendations?
Brightons at Harbour Court Hotel in Baltimore offers a lovely tea service. We had Royal Tea service for my mother and twenty lady friends celebrating a milestone (unspoken) birthday. Hats and gloves. It was proper hoot. Here is the tea menu: http://www.harborcourt.com/restaurants/Menus/TEA_MENU_June_2008_.pdf
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Inter Continental-Harbor Court
550 Light Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
