jck's Profile
Orlando ...... Alafaya area?
Will be in Orlando area to play golf with 3 friends and will be staying at friend's house east of Orlando. Since cocktails are going to be in play, we would love to know what the chow-worthy choices are in that part of town for dinner. Great happy hours with really good food advice would also be most welcome.....Promise reviews when we return!T hanks. jck
I'm Meeting a friend from D.C. somewhere half-way between Delaware and D.C. - Where should we meet?
My inital thoughts for was for easy in/out was the Wine Market on Fort Ave. in Baltimore. Real easy to get to off of 95 from either direction and easy back on in either direction. They have lot's of parking and though it might be more upscale than brewpub,but it has a great bar where you could sit and great specials if you go to happy hour. It is a relaxed and casual crowd there....really good food and an option to buy your wine in their adjoining store at cost. I would say it almost exactly half way between two locales.
30th Birthday Dinner in Baltimore
I first thought of Tios when I saw the inital request. They have some really cool small fining rooms where you would all fit around one table. Couple that with some sangria and I am sure they would work on menu with you. I have celebrated with simular size crowds many times.....
Baltimore restaurants with fireplaces?
I will play....let's start with 2 very different places.....The first floor of the Diz in Remington for good bar food and beers & The Milton Inn where the food may not always get rave reviews but that room is hard to beat with the fireplace for date night.
Barritt's ginger beer
Here is what everybody needs....it is a listing of every store in MD/DC/VA that sells Barritt's from the distributor. I am a total Dark & Stormy snob....only Barritt's will do!!!
http://gandadistributing.com/barritts.htm#maryland
Butterflied Turkey - Baltimore
I would try Eddie's in Roland Park location....their butchers are good and normally up to any challenge......It will not be cheap though!
Charleston eating itinerary...comments?
We will be coming the 2nd week of November so not too sure about sitting outside for dinner unless it is warmer than expected. I think I saw a mention of a Chef's table or kitchen-side type of possibility at FIG....any insight? We are really looking forward to this short trip...been a very long time since we have been able to get away and I have already started a pre-trip diet to prepare for the expected intake of gastronomical delights and liberal libations. Thanks. JCK
Charleston eating itinerary...comments?
My wife and I are going for our first trip to Charleston and we are true Maryland foodies that LOVE our seafood. We will only be there 2 nights/3 days and we do not normally eat much of a breakfast. Arrive around Noon Wed......lunch at Amen St. since we are unsure of exact eating time. Dinner first night at FIG............lunch 2nd day at 82 Queen after boat tour (ask for courtyard seating if weather is good) and dinner that night at Cru Cafe. We must leave before Noon on 3rd day so we thought a late breakfat at Toast around 11ish. We tend towards funkier eating places that are busy and fun than eloquent formal dining rooms....and we are also famous for eating at the bar as an option in right settings. But of course the food must be good! The other place I was looking at was SNOB..........any comments or suggestions from the experienced Charlestonites? Thanks.....I promise to deliver a fork by fork account of our experiencs. JCK
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82 Queen
82 Queen Street, Charleston, SC 29401
Lorton this Saturday night.....where to go
I am visiting family in Lorton area (off Silverbrook Rd.) this weekend and wondering what is chow-worthy in the vacinity. Casual, sit-down restaurant is needed for Saturday........pretty much open for anything. I have been traveling to this area for many years but I have yet to find anything close by. Great pub/bar food would fit but please fill me in to what delights could await me if I can uncover them. Let's keep it 10-15 minutes away since beer & golf will be involved during the day...Thanks.
Chef Mac's in Lauraville?
Going with a group on Saturday to check it out.....they have music and serve a buffet or regular menu on weekends......has anyone been here lately? All reports are welcome..Thanks!
Recs for BBQ in B-more (aside from Andy Nelson's)
At Andy Nelson's....the 2 things I always order are either the pulled pork sammy or the dry ribs....depending on my mood. The sides are very, very good...especially the baked beans that have a great kick and the homemade cole slaw. Andy's does not have a liquor license but they are perfectly OK with you bringing a beer or 2 to wash the food down with. I have never had the brisket there or the pit beef......I have had chicken but prefer pork & ribs.
Valley Inn-Brooklandville
Indeed we all know his reputation......Valley Inn will become clubby, pretentious, crowded, way overpriced, and geared towards his perceived "inner circle of friends". He is smart enough to hire an experienced chef and the food will most likely be good....but not great. While I was not a big fan of the old Valley Inn and it was pretty much a foodie wasteland, my guess is my money will be best spent elsewhere. With as much as he had to pay for the property and the cost of the major renovations....I am expecting a an expensive menu, to say the least. The bar will become immediately packed on a nightly basis ........the 40-60 + singles scene...yikes!
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Valley Inn
10501 Falls Rd, Lutherville Timonium, MD 21093
Good steakhouse in Baltimore?
I will assume that you are staying downtown since you are going to game. The best steakhouse is The Prime Rib, which has more of a NYC dinner club vibe and requires jacket for dinner. It is a short cab ride from Inner Harbor. The downtown area has many steakhouses with all part of a national or smaller regional chain. My favorite of the bunch is Capitol Grill which is smack in the middle of Inner Harbor. Good food and probably a better atmosphere for a bunch of guys than the Prime Rib, which is more of a special occasion place.
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Prime Rib
1101 North Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
Visiting Baltimore for a week
While G & M crabcakes are definitely not my favorite, if I was really hungry and it was late...I would do it in an instant. Sit at the bar and enjoy. Just be sure to get one of the better varieties of cakes while you are here. My personal favorite is at the Prime Rib restaurant and is usually served naked as an appetizer. Your original list actually looks pretty good but an addition of the Prime Rib would go nicely. You can take Dangerously Delicious Pies off the list....not very good at all! One note about pit beef....you can get it many places around town and since it is always the same cut, cooked the same way, and with same sides.....you do not have to go far out of your way to get some. Just ask the locals when you arrive and from any given location, chances are you will be pointed to one less than 10 minutes away...Binkert's is really good! I love their crunchy homemade hot dogs....oh my. They have different types of meats and sausages that are hard to find elsewhere.
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Dangerously Delicious Pies
1036 Light St, Baltimore, MD
Prime Rib
2020 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006
G & M
804 N Hammonds Ferry Rd, Linthicum Heights, MD 21090
Hunt Valley area but if not....
Dude.......please stop bashing Andy Nelson's based upon your tired rant of a bad chicken sandwich that was comped for your birthday. Learn to order BBQ at a BBQ place and add value to a conversation. While Andy Nelson's may not be what they are looking for in a rehearsal dinner, it is not a avoid at all costs place at all.
Andy Nelsons - still considered the best BBQ in D.C. - Baltimore area ?
Not to be critical but...why would you order a chicken sammy at a joint known for slow cooked pork. Sort of like going to McDonald's for a salad in my book. Andy Nelson's has great pulled pork, the ribs are good, and the sides of beans and cornbread is excellent. After reading this, a half slab of dry ribs might be on lunch menu for me!
PhD Graduation Dinner
I think Tios is a wonderful fit....with 6 people, they will probably be willing to give you a semi private room and I think a celebration with sangria flying is a great choice.
Rehoboth trip report
Nice report...glad you had great dining on vacation. We just returned from a week and with a very large family did most of our eating in house but here are a few thoughts/reviews. Grotto was good as always...a bit greasy for me but my family swears by it. Dinner at Cultured Pearl was good...we has a few apps and sushi rolls....everything was very fresh and it has a great setting. Subs from Casapullas were ok...not as good as I remember but great bang for the buck. Last year I took my 82 yo father in law to Fins for Happy Hour and it was great but way too crowded. This year I took him to a new place on Rehoboth Ave called Conch island Grill for $1 Chincoteagues and half priced shrimp (Wed)....it was very, very good. Happy Hour is 3-7 and they have all kinds of specials. Highly reccomended...tell Patrick the owner that Jeff from Baltimore sent you. Found them on localsonlyblog.com ... great resource for specials in Rehoboth/Lewes/Dewey area.
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The Cultured Pearl
301 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
Dark 'n' Stormy Recommendations?
As a frequent traveler to Bermuda, this is the easiest cocktail to get right at home.....but you must have the 3 key incredients: Goslings rum, Barrett's Ginger Beer, & lotsa limes. Without any of the incredients including Barrett's (accept no substitutions!!!), it is not a proper Stormy. I buy Barrett's by the case and it is our typical Friday evening start in the Summer.
Help! I'm Afraid Of The Suburbs!!!
Agreed on Andy Nelson's for BBQ...the best and we typically bring a small cooler of beer when we visit to wash down ribs. Captain Trey's on York Rd. in Cockeysville does good steamed crabs to order....dependable but pricey. Pasta Blitz in Timonium is OK for pizza but I prefer Pasta Mista in Towson better....but too far for pick-up from Sparks. My family likes the California Pizza reataurant in HV but not my cup of tea. The Christopher Daniel Steakhouse on Padonia Rd. is good high end and is a great place for sitting at the bar for drinks and apps.....better than my hated Oregon Grill and it's attitude. Bluestone is a little more casual and easy on the purse but for me lacks the wow factor...apps seem better than entrees. Lots of good sushi in area.....San Sushi on York Rd. in Cockeysville is my favorite and once again BYOB..yeah! Check out a place nearby you called Friendly Farms..family style and reliable for things like crab cakes and real fried chicken. SOme people like it, others do not ....but I spent many a Sunday lunch there with my entire family after church. Hope this gets you started.....
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Pasta Mista
822 Dulaney Valley Rd, Towson, MD 21204
Captain Treys
10625 York Rd, Cockeysville, MD 21030
Pasta Blitz
11550 Philadelphia Rd Ste 100, White Marsh, MD 21162
Christopher Daniel
106 W. Padonia Rd., Timonium, MD 21093
Restaurants for College Graduation celebration in Baltmore next May!
If your group will be a festive group with toasts and the such, Charleston is a little quiet for that type of affair IMO. My choices would be more in line with maybe Tio Pepe where the Sangria can flow and you could arrange for a semi-private small room. Another very special dinner location would be the Prime Rib.....they have large tables and have hosted a multitude of these type of celebrations. In Fells Point, you may want to look at Mezze for a tapas fun vibe or maybe an outdoor table at Kali's Court. A good lunch choice near the Arena would be the new B & O Bistro on Charles St. or maybe a more relaxed Mama's on the Half Shell in Canton. All above other than B & O will require a short cab ride but that is true for anywhere truly desirable over near the Arena area. jck
Looking for stylish place for drinks and dinner near Towson, Lutherville, etc.
Agree with above 2 recs and maybe add Bluestone to the list in Lutherville. They are all casual dressy and can meet your goals. I am one of the Oregon Grille non-fans so.................
If you really want to dress up and do it Baltimore style.....drive the extra 15 minutes to the Prime Rib for cocktails & dinner. I have lived here 50 years and there is still no better way to do it. I also love Tio Pepe but not everyone agrees here. I am taking my wife to Chameleon Cafe this week for dinner for our anniversary
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Prime Rib
1101 North Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
Oregon Grille
1201 Shawan Road, Hunt Valley, MD 21030
ift certificate for incoming Goucher College freshman
2 suggestions:
-Gift certificate for Trader Joe's...lot's of healthy options and very close by Goucher
-Pizza Mista....my favorite pie in Baltimore and right across the street from Goucher...
Food Gift Card for Towson Univ Student?
Agree with Sushi Hana.....my top suggestion is get her a gift card from Trader Joe's which is a few blocks from campus.
Party in Annapolis, Md
Carrol's Creek on the water in Eastport used to have great Sunday brunch....I have not been in ages but the location is picture perfect and food was always top notch.
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Carrol's Creek Cafe
410 Severn Ave., Annapolis, MD 21403
JFX Farmer's Market 2010
Plenty of veggie options but my favs are: anything the mushroom lady is making and the ultimate breakfast sammy IMO is the Portobello Mushroom Breakfast Burrito that is made at the stand making the fresh carrot juice. God it is good and is huge! Top it off with the fresh made mini donuts and you will be sleeping in the car afterwards.
Baltimore places with the best crabcake sauce
God I miss the old National Premium....maybe my all time favorite brew. It had that nutty aftertaste and really was way ahead of it's time...it would now be called a "Micro brew". We loved those shotgun shell tops too!!
Pizza in Baltimore
I agree about Pasta Mista.....we actually ask for the pizza to be crispy and we are then happy with their pies. The tomato pie with fresh mozz is our favorite....I do hate the fact that they, like most Balt. pizza makers, use ground sausage instead of the real thig sliced.....but I digress. jck
Baltimore - Cross Keys area
Agreed about food but please notice my post said "non-foodie" standpoint, ie location would work. Depending on the time of the year another great suggestion would be the Ambasador...their outdoor garden area is fabulous and I have been there for a rehearsal dinner before. Indian food......good not great.
Baltimore - Cross Keys area
My first thought for such a large group is to find a connection to a member of Baltimore Country Club because you would need a sponser. Their in-town location is a windy 2 minute ride straight up hill from Cross Keys. There you will find a mansion that has always been my favorite in Baltimore for special functions. The food and service will be top notch and they may have ways to do it either casual (bowling alleys on-site) or more formal depending on your needs. The day of the week and the season will also effect the availability of restaurants close by. From a non-foodie standpoint, the Mt. Washington Tavern is nearby and if weather is good has a nice outdoor courtyard that would be excellent. Another option would be to contact Donna's in Cross Keys and see what they could set up for you somewhere within the immediate area of Cross Keys...you might be surprised. 10 minutes straight up 83....Tarks Grill. 15 minutes straight down 83,,..Tio Pepe are more suggestions.
