pattiat600block's Profile
Where would you take Anthony Bourdain?
I know this is an older thread, but I'm reviving it because... what if Anthony Bourdain DID come to this area?! To be more specific, what if he came to Baltimore??
Turns out his show No Reservations is holding a contest to choose a city and tour-guide for an upcoming fan special. A friend of mine submitted this cheeky invite (it's on the highest rated list!): http://yourtrip.travelchannel.com/clip.aspx?key=192B4E111889C149 . Miss Katie includes favorites like Paper Moon and Brewers Art.
The only places I would add to her list are ones like Arcos, Joung Kak, and - more recently - SoHo Eatery to show off how surprisingly diverse our little city is (I also wholeheartedly second the votes for El Pollo Rico already mentioned on this thread). Even if you disagree with her picks (I know this is an opinionated bunch!), wouldn't it be great if we got more love for our Charm City?
TenPenh???
I've been there twice in the last 2 months, it's still very good though was probably better 3-4 years ago. We always get the spring roll appetizer with 3 dipping sauces, and this time I also tried the Kobe beef tartar which was excellent (more seasoned than most tartars). I have fond memories of the Chilean sea bass, but lately has been spotty; meanwhile the beef tenderloin with the Kimchee noodles has always been amazing. Scallops were disappointing. For dessert, the donuts have always been my favorite.
Best H Mart Finds
I go to the one in Cantonsville, so I don't know if all the selections are identical (I remember Wheaton's produce department being slightly smaller?). But one thing I was happy to discover one day was fresh ho fun - wide white rice noodle. It's made fresh at a popular noodle place in Philadelphia, and shipped here; located next to the tofu and soy milk. Just don't freeze it!
I also love their baby vegetables selection, located in plastic bags under the mushrooms. The baby Shanghai tips, or bokchoy are both good just sauteed with garlic and chicken broth. Baby gai lan / chinese broccoli is even better, but I've sadly only seen it there once. "Thousand-year-old" eggs are also delicious and unusual; they're duck eggs that have been preserved until they're black and translucent. Good by themselves, with a little soy sauce. I can't remember the best brand, but they're also in that tofu area.
Korean Must-haves
I think the breakthrough Korean dish in America is bulgogi (kind of like pad thai in thai food), but kalbe is probably more preferred when it comes to "authentic." The difference is that bulgogi is thinner slices of beef, without bones; and kalbe is thicker, juicier slices of short ribs, with bone. The sauce and seasoning are very similar, if not the same.
So what did you think??
Mashed Potatoes at Nam Kang
I've always wondered... do Koreans really grow up with this potato-salad-like dish?
Baltimore's Very Own Authentic Peruvian Restaurant
I'll try to go to this restaurant this weekend, but I also joined the group. Always wanted to meet the local chowhounders! Thanks for setting it up!
how to create a chowhound, Baltimore version
What about trying an ethnic tactic? Most non-foodies are afraid to venture out of hot dogs and hamburgers, and can't justify spending money on gourmet. So I recommend cheap ethnic food! When I first met my bf, I made him try the dolmades at Samos in Greektown, and now he can't get enough of them. From there, we went to Indian (lunch buffet at Akbar to be exact), etc. etc. Thai wasn't a huge hit, but you get the point! It's so much fun trying out any new place with him now, because we always get the most exciting things on the menu.
Pret a Manger Comes To DC
I love this chain! I had it almost every day for lunch, during a brief research trip to London years ago. I was ecstatic to see one recently in NYC. The food quality was the same high standards, but the selection wasn't what I remembered. I looked for some of my favorites, like Chicken and Avocado, something with curry in it... but no luck. I assume they adapt the selections somewhat to American, if not regional, tastes. Or it may have just been due to the smaller location (and smaller kitchen).
Fogo de Chao
I'm waiting till I'm sufficiently starving.
In the meantime, I watch the nice little slideshow of their FIFTEEN meats on their website: http://www.fogodechao.com/dining.htm
DC Hound just moved to Baltimore (Fed Hill) - Questions
Aussie, I completely forgot about Metropolitan! We actually had a great dinner meal there - definitely not what we expected from the coffee and cafe sandwiches billing. Huge salad, topped with more seared tuna and salmon than I could finish, with mango, pears and avocado... mmm.
where did Juice Phoria go?
I recently dove into Cross St. Market (literally, I was ejected out of the car, mid-traffic jam slash parking crisis), due solely to an apple-kiwi smoothie craving. But my favorite juicers had cleaned up shop! To make matters worse, I received only discouraging hand gestures from the Asian lady across the stand.
Is Juice Phoria still around? Or, fingers-crossed, did I just merely go at an off time?
DC Hound just moved to Baltimore (Fed Hill) - Questions
No problem, I just wish I had this site when I moved to the city. Have fun settling in!
DC Hound just moved to Baltimore (Fed Hill) - Questions
I used to live in Fed. Hill, congrats on a great place! For convenient Mexican, Blue Agave can't be beat. It's a tad more upscale than Tex-Mex, but it still has good salsa and margaritas. If you're up for traveling around the Harbor, I'll second the suggestions for Nacho Mamas. On their menu it says something like "We make our food spicy, so tell us if that's a problem" - so it's probably perfect for you.
For Korean, go to Nam Kang, or Joung Kak - they're both located around midtown.
For sushi, I personally like Edo in the Harbor. Not as good as its original location out in the 'burbs, but at least it's close by! Judging by our other big sushi thread, I think the consensus is actually Sushi Hana in Towson, about 10 min. north of the city.
Here's a few more places in your neighborhood that I wish I had discovered sooner before I moved:
Sobo Cafe (cozy, unpretentious New American)
Ten-O-Six (excellent Asian fusion)
Rub (new BBQ place, from the owners of Blue Agave)
Bicycle (pricey New American)
Beach Bums (awesome ice cream)
Regi's (good brunch, comes with mini-muffins)
Grocery Shopping in Baltimore
You beat me to the punch on H-Mart! (aka. Han Ah Reum). I live in Canton as well, and I try to make a trip every Monday, today included. The easiest way is to head north on Broadway, away from Fells Point, then make a left on Orleans St; this will turn into Rt. 40, just follow it for about 20 min. until you see a strip mall on the left with H-Mart, Wachovia and Baskin Robins. It will be right after the Walmart.
They just renovated their seafood counter, so it's very clean and welcoming. The fish are even marked Wild or Farm Raised, and they always have specials on everything from seafood to chicken broth. The fruit and produce are fresh and diverse, and the meat is good too, since they have such rapid turnover; there are ALWAYS people here, unlike more mainstream grocery stores. Don't be alarmed by the lack of Perdue, most times I prefer their chicken and salmon to even Whole Foods (blasphemous, I know).
When you're all checked out, you can drive across the street to Giant for your more Western staples, like juice and bread. Just to give you an idea of how much $$ I save, I'll typically spend an equal amount at both places - only H-Mart feeds me for 7 days, and my Giant basket only has juice, pasta, and bagels.
Avoid Safeway, they always run out of bananas and salad mix. Especially when you're trying to have breakfast, or dinner. (Oh and welcome to the neighborhood!!)
Advocates of Local/seasonal/organic ingredients
Well I know when it comes to crabs at least, the Chesapeake doesn't have enough to sustain even one restaurant when it's a big player like Phillips. Maybe out-of-towners don't know this, but would they be able to tell the difference? I imagine Baltimore's "best seafood" restaurants' appeal is in their experience and know-how, and regional preparations - where else do you find Old Bay on top of everything?
Prime Rib or Capital Grille? (Baltimore)
Even though Prime Rib wins hands down, I'll point out that Prime Rib is also much more traditional. The decor is ornate and old-fashioned, gentlemen should be wearing jackets. Capital Grille is a little more modern and relaxed; both have great food. Prime Rib is definitely an experience though, if you know what to expect, and I've rarely had better service.
Advocates of Local/seasonal/organic ingredients
When True opened in Fells Point (Baltimore), there was a big to-do about them being both organic and local. The ingredients do seem extremely fresh; too bad the execution wasn't so great when I went there recently...
Dessert in Baltimore
I'll second that! I had a fantastic key lime pie ice cream 3+ weeks ago now, at their Artscape stand, and I'm still thinking about it! I'll add Dangerously Delicious Pies to the list, but that's in Federal Hill. Really tough to think of something in N. Balt. though...
What do you look for in Authentic Chinese?
Hi Melanie - you're absolutely right, I'm talking about Cantonese dishes up there. I haven't eaten the other regions nearly as much, but do enjoy them. I think good Cantonese is hard enough to find, but the others are even harder. Would you agree?
What do you look for in Authentic Chinese?
Yep, in Towson. They're also the ones who opened the Tex-Mex place next door called Zen West. Odd, I know. They offer some authentic-sounding choices, but they do westernize the recipes quite a bit; I haven't been in a while though. I think most people look at them as a good carry-out upgrade, because the food is a lot less greasier than most.
So Rockville, huh? Maybe I'll just have to do a day trip devoted to noodles (thanks!). =)
Tapas Or Dim Sum
That's great! I was expecting much more than 2 hours. And you're right - I'll take lines any day if it means I can have full pick. Thanks Aussie!
Baltimore RW reviews
Finally made it to Bicycle last night - maybe I've read too many of these great reviews on here, but I was slightly disappointed! The Tuna Tartare was excellent, possibly the best I've had, but there was really nothing special about my Ribeye. It was cooked well (a perfect medium rare), but I wanted a better quality beef? more spices? It was just okay. I posted my thoughts on RW here: http://blog.600block.com - includes food pics from Bicycle, for anyone who didn't get a chance to go (;
What do you look for in Authentic Chinese?
Have you ever found stinky tofu, or oyster pancakes nearby? I've only heard stories, and they sound great!
I do love mapo tofu. I vaguely remember a decent one at Cafe Zen, which also had another quite authentic dish, literally translated to "Ants Crawling Up a Tree." It has stir-fried vermicelli with eggs, dried shrimp, and scallions. This was a while ago though.
Dress at Tio Pepes
The jackets aren't necessary anymore. Last time I went in a simple dress and my bf wore nice khakis and a button-up shirt. Think Kenneth Cole, or Sunday brunch with mom. We both felt comfortable, had a great night, and enjoyed wonderful service. However, if you do feel like wearing a jacket or donning pearls, you won't feel out of place. We saw a wide range in the other folks dining.
Baltimore RW reviews
I went for dinner the other night, I thought it was good! Nothing spectacular, but flavors were pretty spot on. I was impressed at the size of everything, I had an enormous prosciutto app, and entrees that felt like they weren't just skimping on RW. Some of the textures weren't perfect.. things like duck tortelli and veal reduction probably sitting in the kitchen too long... but again, you could taste every ingredient, especially in the pistachio chocolate creme brulee. Sooo much better than the sad lunch I had at George's the previous day.
I hadn't planned on it, but I did just stop into Sabatino's for lunch. It wasn't one of my picks for RW, and I was right. Don't bother going there.
I'm going to Bicycle tonight - 9:30 reservation was the only one I could snag! I'll report tomorrow.
Tapas Or Dim Sum
Aussie, how long is the drive to Oriental East, with traffic? Do you try to make it there by 11, or a lot earlier because of the lines? Thanks!!
What do you look for in Authentic Chinese?
So I was enviously reading the other thread on Authentic Chinese (it was all in VA! I live in south Baltimore), and started thinking about the dishes that qualify a place as "authentic." I scan the menu within 2 minutes of sitting down, and immediately pronounce the restaurant worthy or not - and I know I'm not the only one! Don't get me wrong, American Chinese can hit the spot too, but what do you look for when you're craving the authentic stuff? (Extra points for also naming a place closer to B'more!)
I'll start with dim sum: my criteria includes sharkfin dumplings (with sharkfin you can see, and bits of chinese mushroom), beef tripe (both kinds, though I prefer the stewed one in soy sauce with radish), shui mai with a quail egg on top, and yes, chicken feet.
How bout you?
Sushi search (Balt.)
The new Minato actually seems slightly better to me than the old location. I wonder if they got new sushi chefs? None of the staff seems to have carried over either; the location itself got a significant facelift - the decor now feels... hip and modern. Old Minato used to do tons of special rolls though, just scribbled on their blackboard; these were sorely missed from the new menu last 2 times I went. Regardless, I do agree that it's still leagues below Sushi Hana (and Edo Sushi, my other favorite).
I've heard a lot about Chiyo... I'll have to try it soon! I tend to forget about Chiu's, even though I live close. Maybe because the parking's so bad?
