The Charles Theater
1711 N. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD
410-727-FILM
We've driven by this theater many times and have always said, "We should go see a movie there" but never had the chance to go. After a year of living in Baltimore, we finally made it to The Charles to see a movie. Tickets are only $8.00 during the evenings and the concessions are also reasonably priced. We got a large popcorn and 2 bottles of water for a mere $9.00! Compared to the prices at the Landmark Theater in Harbor East, this place is a deal! However, this place is cash/check only so be sure to bring money with you! The theater is in an old, renovated building that once housed cable cars and street cars. It's got great character on the inside and is a great local business, unlike most of the corporate type movie theaters around town. Our first movie was Milk, starring Sean Penn. The movie was pretty good but we got there late and had to sit in the 2nd row, not all that great. Overall, I really like this theater and hope to go see more movies here soon!
Monday, December 8, 2008
Monday, December 1, 2008
The Brewer's Art
The Brewer's Art
1106 N. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-547-6925
Mon - Sat 4:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Sun 5:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Full Dinner Service at 5:30 PM
In honor of our one year anniversary of living in Baltimore, we dined at The Brewer's Art for the first time! Located in the Mount Vernon neighborhood, this restaurant has 3 distinct sections. The lower level is dedicated to a bar while the upstairs houses a lounge and a restaurant. We decided to get our dinner from the restaurant portion and we were not disappointed! We started out with the Duck Liver Mousse on Grilled Bread with Apple Chutney ($7) and the Pumpkin Risotto ($7). Both were good but the risotto was a little undercooked and the portion was a bit large for a starter. Second course was salads for us both, the Brewer's Art Caesar for Mr_BTM ($7) and the Roasted Heirloom Apples with Candied Nuts, Cheddar Cheese Brittle and Apple Cider Vinaigrette ($7). My salad was good but the Cheddar Cheese Brittle had no place on that dish. The cheese flavor didn't blend well with the bitter greens and the sweet apple. The Mr liked his Caesar and had it with extra anchovies. For our main course the Mr went for the Steak Frites with Rosemary Garlic Fries ($26) and I had the Baked Butternut Squash Ravioli served on a bed of winter greens ($18). The Mr's steak was a little tough but was cooked well and my ravioli was good and was delighted with the addition of the winter greens. The meal was good and the service was excellent. And the menu does change from time to time so next time there will be different selections, which I like.
But enough about the food, how was the beer? We both started with a pint of the St. Festivus, a brown ale brewed for the fall. The flavor was good but lacked depth and bite. For the second round I got the Resurrection Ale and Mr_BTM got the guest tap brew, which had a nice smooth taste and a strong aftertaste. It was the best beer we had all night. However, after living in the local brew pub capital of the world (I deem that place Portland, OR) the beer selection wasn't all that great but the few we did have were good enough but not great.
1106 N. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-547-6925
Mon - Sat 4:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Sun 5:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Full Dinner Service at 5:30 PM
In honor of our one year anniversary of living in Baltimore, we dined at The Brewer's Art for the first time! Located in the Mount Vernon neighborhood, this restaurant has 3 distinct sections. The lower level is dedicated to a bar while the upstairs houses a lounge and a restaurant. We decided to get our dinner from the restaurant portion and we were not disappointed! We started out with the Duck Liver Mousse on Grilled Bread with Apple Chutney ($7) and the Pumpkin Risotto ($7). Both were good but the risotto was a little undercooked and the portion was a bit large for a starter. Second course was salads for us both, the Brewer's Art Caesar for Mr_BTM ($7) and the Roasted Heirloom Apples with Candied Nuts, Cheddar Cheese Brittle and Apple Cider Vinaigrette ($7). My salad was good but the Cheddar Cheese Brittle had no place on that dish. The cheese flavor didn't blend well with the bitter greens and the sweet apple. The Mr liked his Caesar and had it with extra anchovies. For our main course the Mr went for the Steak Frites with Rosemary Garlic Fries ($26) and I had the Baked Butternut Squash Ravioli served on a bed of winter greens ($18). The Mr's steak was a little tough but was cooked well and my ravioli was good and was delighted with the addition of the winter greens. The meal was good and the service was excellent. And the menu does change from time to time so next time there will be different selections, which I like.
But enough about the food, how was the beer? We both started with a pint of the St. Festivus, a brown ale brewed for the fall. The flavor was good but lacked depth and bite. For the second round I got the Resurrection Ale and Mr_BTM got the guest tap brew, which had a nice smooth taste and a strong aftertaste. It was the best beer we had all night. However, after living in the local brew pub capital of the world (I deem that place Portland, OR) the beer selection wasn't all that great but the few we did have were good enough but not great.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Louisiana Restaurant
1708 Alicanna Street
Neighborhood - Fells Point
http://www.louisianasrestaurant.com/index.html
410.327.2610
We've passed this restaurant a handful of times and always were curious about what it had to offer. The menu looked appetizing but we never got around to going. Louisiana has gotten a few awards, but looking into the place, it never seems busy. Well, finally last night we made the leap of faith. Actually, our first choice had an hour wait, so we decided to check Louisiana out since we figured that the place would be open. As we had suspected, they didn't have a wait and they welcomed us in. We felt a bit out of place because the group in front of us were all dressed fairly nicely and we were just in jeans and a t-shirt. Plus, we were about half the age of the other folks. Anyway, we walked through the narrow hallway into a massive ballroom dining area. There were many tables, all surrounding a large hanging chandelier. On the other side of the room was an elegant staircase leading to upstairs seating area. We were amazed with the size of the dining area and decor. All fitting the southern creole style.
The menu offers three courses with a few classic dishes scattered within it. Mrs. BTM ordered the Crab Bisque and the Catfish while I ordered the Shrimp and Grits for a starter and the Pork Chops as my main course. We also ordered a bottle of one of our favorites, the 2006 Willamette Valley Vineyard Pinot Noir. The wine came out first and to my surprise, it was corked! Blah! The waitress apologized and brought out another bottle, which tasted delicious. She confirmed that the other bottle was corked and said that was her first time having a corked bottle.
Our starters came out. The Shrimp and Grits were amazing. Nicely seasoned. Probably the best grits that I have had. Mrs. BTM's Bisque was good and savory. I think she liked my dish better than hers. So far so good. Then we waited....and waited...and waited some more. Our waitress said that our food was on its way, but it never showed. After 40 minutes, she came up and apologized. She said that there was something wrong in the kitchen and offered us desserts on the house. *Sigh* After a long wait, our main courses came out. Even with the wait, the dinner did not dissapoint. My pork chops came with an artichoke risotto and apple bourbon demiglace. It was well cooked and the dish was flavorful. The portion was huge and I had left overs. Mrs. BTM's catfish came with collard greens and mashed potatoes. The catfish had a pecan crust and was nicely done. A pretty solid version of this classic. For desserts, I had a chocolate mousse with whip cream and rasberry sauce. It was good, but a bit thick for me. Mrs. BTM had the apple beignets with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Wow. It was warm, sweet, fried...all what you could ask for in a dessert.
Overall, the meal was impressive and left us wanting to try more of the menu. Everything was nicely prepared, well seasoned, and exemplified high quality southern comfort foods. The only hiccup was time. Dinner took just over 3 hours. If we we had all four courses and drinks, then the time would have been appropriate and enjoyable, especially in the ambiance of a grand ballroom. This is probably not a place for casual dinners, but we'll definitely be back, most likely with family. We look forward to another tasty meal.
Neighborhood - Fells Point
http://www.louisianasrestaurant.com/index.html
410.327.2610
We've passed this restaurant a handful of times and always were curious about what it had to offer. The menu looked appetizing but we never got around to going. Louisiana has gotten a few awards, but looking into the place, it never seems busy. Well, finally last night we made the leap of faith. Actually, our first choice had an hour wait, so we decided to check Louisiana out since we figured that the place would be open. As we had suspected, they didn't have a wait and they welcomed us in. We felt a bit out of place because the group in front of us were all dressed fairly nicely and we were just in jeans and a t-shirt. Plus, we were about half the age of the other folks. Anyway, we walked through the narrow hallway into a massive ballroom dining area. There were many tables, all surrounding a large hanging chandelier. On the other side of the room was an elegant staircase leading to upstairs seating area. We were amazed with the size of the dining area and decor. All fitting the southern creole style.
The menu offers three courses with a few classic dishes scattered within it. Mrs. BTM ordered the Crab Bisque and the Catfish while I ordered the Shrimp and Grits for a starter and the Pork Chops as my main course. We also ordered a bottle of one of our favorites, the 2006 Willamette Valley Vineyard Pinot Noir. The wine came out first and to my surprise, it was corked! Blah! The waitress apologized and brought out another bottle, which tasted delicious. She confirmed that the other bottle was corked and said that was her first time having a corked bottle.
Our starters came out. The Shrimp and Grits were amazing. Nicely seasoned. Probably the best grits that I have had. Mrs. BTM's Bisque was good and savory. I think she liked my dish better than hers. So far so good. Then we waited....and waited...and waited some more. Our waitress said that our food was on its way, but it never showed. After 40 minutes, she came up and apologized. She said that there was something wrong in the kitchen and offered us desserts on the house. *Sigh* After a long wait, our main courses came out. Even with the wait, the dinner did not dissapoint. My pork chops came with an artichoke risotto and apple bourbon demiglace. It was well cooked and the dish was flavorful. The portion was huge and I had left overs. Mrs. BTM's catfish came with collard greens and mashed potatoes. The catfish had a pecan crust and was nicely done. A pretty solid version of this classic. For desserts, I had a chocolate mousse with whip cream and rasberry sauce. It was good, but a bit thick for me. Mrs. BTM had the apple beignets with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Wow. It was warm, sweet, fried...all what you could ask for in a dessert.
Overall, the meal was impressive and left us wanting to try more of the menu. Everything was nicely prepared, well seasoned, and exemplified high quality southern comfort foods. The only hiccup was time. Dinner took just over 3 hours. If we we had all four courses and drinks, then the time would have been appropriate and enjoyable, especially in the ambiance of a grand ballroom. This is probably not a place for casual dinners, but we'll definitely be back, most likely with family. We look forward to another tasty meal.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Ben's Chili Bowl
Ben's Chili Bowl
1213 U Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-667-0909
This past weekend we went to DC to catch a show at the 9:30 Club. We took the Metro in and found a great place to have dinner before the show. Ben's Chili Bowl is a neighborhood fixture, celebrating it's 50th Anniversary this year. You order at the front or at the counter, if you can grab a seat. We were lucky to grab a seat right at the counter. Virtually no waiting for our food! We ordered the turkey burger with cheese, the chili burger and an order of the chili and cheese fries. The burgers were both served with chips and were delicious. The chili has a distinct flavor and added a nice twist to an ordinary bowl of chili cheese fries. Our meal cost a little less than $15! So, if you skip the fries you can comfortably eat for 2 under $10.00! I'm sure next time we're in the neighborhood we're stopping at Ben's Chili Bowl to try some of their other favorites like the hot dogs!
1213 U Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-667-0909
This past weekend we went to DC to catch a show at the 9:30 Club. We took the Metro in and found a great place to have dinner before the show. Ben's Chili Bowl is a neighborhood fixture, celebrating it's 50th Anniversary this year. You order at the front or at the counter, if you can grab a seat. We were lucky to grab a seat right at the counter. Virtually no waiting for our food! We ordered the turkey burger with cheese, the chili burger and an order of the chili and cheese fries. The burgers were both served with chips and were delicious. The chili has a distinct flavor and added a nice twist to an ordinary bowl of chili cheese fries. Our meal cost a little less than $15! So, if you skip the fries you can comfortably eat for 2 under $10.00! I'm sure next time we're in the neighborhood we're stopping at Ben's Chili Bowl to try some of their other favorites like the hot dogs!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Bonapart Breads
Bonapart Breads
903 South Ann Street
Baltimore, MD 21231
410-342-4000
8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily
We've gone to this cafe/bakery on the water front in Fells Point twice now. We love the small outdoor patio where we can watch the boats on the water and avoid a lot of the foot traffic that is out in more crowded parts of Fells Point. I've sampled 2 of the hot sandwiches (turkey and ham) and enjoyed the turkey sandwich much better than the ham. The sandwich is served on their fresh baked bread with lettuce, tomato and cheese. Each sandwich is served with a small side salad and chips. It's the perfect size for a light lunch. Mr_BTM has sampled a variety of the pastries and breads along with the coffee. He's enjoyed them enough that we will most likely frequent this cafe/bakery for breakfast and lunch. At the very least, it's a great place to sit down and read a book!
903 South Ann Street
Baltimore, MD 21231
410-342-4000
8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily
We've gone to this cafe/bakery on the water front in Fells Point twice now. We love the small outdoor patio where we can watch the boats on the water and avoid a lot of the foot traffic that is out in more crowded parts of Fells Point. I've sampled 2 of the hot sandwiches (turkey and ham) and enjoyed the turkey sandwich much better than the ham. The sandwich is served on their fresh baked bread with lettuce, tomato and cheese. Each sandwich is served with a small side salad and chips. It's the perfect size for a light lunch. Mr_BTM has sampled a variety of the pastries and breads along with the coffee. He's enjoyed them enough that we will most likely frequent this cafe/bakery for breakfast and lunch. At the very least, it's a great place to sit down and read a book!
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Charleston
Charelston
1000 Lancaster Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
410-332-7373
Monday - Saturday 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Closed on Sundays
For my birthday dinner, Mr_BTM took me to Charleston where Head Chef Cindy Wolf creates daily menus for you to create your own unique dining experience. The menu is set up so you can choose how many courses you want and what you want to eat for each course. There's also a pre-determined 6 course meal called "The Season" that Chef Cindy Wolf created and is available with wine pairings ($134). Mr_BTM chose "The Season" while I created my own 6 course meal ($109). I also added wine pairings with my meal. The Courses listed below are shown in order with my meal first and Mr_BTM's "The Season" choices second.
First Course:
Roasted Local Sweet Corn, Bacon & Tasso "Chowder"
Charleston Shellfish Bisque, Lobster, Gulf Shrimp
Second Course:
Salad of Local Heirloom Tomatoes
Soft-Shell Crab
Third Course:
Pan-Roasted Wild Rockfish, Lobster Risotto, Butter Poached Fennel
Salad of Baby Arugula, Reggiano, Lemon Vinaigrette
Fourth Course:
Veal Sweetbreads, Cauliflower, Marcona Almonds, Lemon Brown Butter
Halibut dish
Fifth Course:
Cheese Trolley Selections
Sixth Course:
Peach Tart?
Creme Brulee Trio
Overall, my favorite course was the Rockfish with Lobster Risotto. This dish was simply amazing. The flavors blended together well and the fish was perfectly cooked. My lease favorite course was dessert followed closely by the Veal Sweetbreads. The Cauliflower in that dish did nothing to enhance the flavors of th dish. The dessert was so inmemorable that I can't remember what it was called but it had peach in it. I was dissapointed with the dessert offerings as they all seemed unispired compared to the rest of the dishes. They do get bonus points for having Mighty Leaf Tea available for dessert. I'd like to go back again to see how the menu changes from season to season.
1000 Lancaster Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
410-332-7373
Monday - Saturday 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Closed on Sundays
For my birthday dinner, Mr_BTM took me to Charleston where Head Chef Cindy Wolf creates daily menus for you to create your own unique dining experience. The menu is set up so you can choose how many courses you want and what you want to eat for each course. There's also a pre-determined 6 course meal called "The Season" that Chef Cindy Wolf created and is available with wine pairings ($134). Mr_BTM chose "The Season" while I created my own 6 course meal ($109). I also added wine pairings with my meal. The Courses listed below are shown in order with my meal first and Mr_BTM's "The Season" choices second.
First Course:
Roasted Local Sweet Corn, Bacon & Tasso "Chowder"
Charleston Shellfish Bisque, Lobster, Gulf Shrimp
Second Course:
Salad of Local Heirloom Tomatoes
Soft-Shell Crab
Third Course:
Pan-Roasted Wild Rockfish, Lobster Risotto, Butter Poached Fennel
Salad of Baby Arugula, Reggiano, Lemon Vinaigrette
Fourth Course:
Veal Sweetbreads, Cauliflower, Marcona Almonds, Lemon Brown Butter
Halibut dish
Fifth Course:
Cheese Trolley Selections
Sixth Course:
Peach Tart?
Creme Brulee Trio
Overall, my favorite course was the Rockfish with Lobster Risotto. This dish was simply amazing. The flavors blended together well and the fish was perfectly cooked. My lease favorite course was dessert followed closely by the Veal Sweetbreads. The Cauliflower in that dish did nothing to enhance the flavors of th dish. The dessert was so inmemorable that I can't remember what it was called but it had peach in it. I was dissapointed with the dessert offerings as they all seemed unispired compared to the rest of the dishes. They do get bonus points for having Mighty Leaf Tea available for dessert. I'd like to go back again to see how the menu changes from season to season.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
The Yabba Pot
The Yabba Pot
2431 St. Paul Street
Baltimore, MD 21218
410-662-tofu (8638)
Mon - Sat 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
The Yabba Pot is the first vegan/vegetarian restaurant we've tried in Baltimore. This place is amazingly good. You have your choice of hot or cold (raw) options from a buffet or you can order a sandwich. We chose the buffet and each picked 4 items ($12.00). I had the bar-b-que tofu, cabbage, brown rice and mixed veggies. Mr_BTM ordered the cold curry spinach, lentils, channa and brown rice. The portions were large and we struggled to finish our bowls. Every dish was seasoned well, even the rice had added seasoning! Delicious food and cute little cafe setting. I have read that the selections change daily so we're excited about going back to try different options. Who knew vegan food could taste so good?!
2431 St. Paul Street
Baltimore, MD 21218
410-662-tofu (8638)
Mon - Sat 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
The Yabba Pot is the first vegan/vegetarian restaurant we've tried in Baltimore. This place is amazingly good. You have your choice of hot or cold (raw) options from a buffet or you can order a sandwich. We chose the buffet and each picked 4 items ($12.00). I had the bar-b-que tofu, cabbage, brown rice and mixed veggies. Mr_BTM ordered the cold curry spinach, lentils, channa and brown rice. The portions were large and we struggled to finish our bowls. Every dish was seasoned well, even the rice had added seasoning! Delicious food and cute little cafe setting. I have read that the selections change daily so we're excited about going back to try different options. Who knew vegan food could taste so good?!
Monday, April 14, 2008
Cafe Hon
Cafe Hon
1002 W. 36th Street
Baltimore, MD 21211
410-243-1230
Mon - Thurs 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Fri - 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sat - 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sun - 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Located along the Avenue in Hampden is Cafe Hon, next door to Bar Hon. This cafe is eclectically styled and includes a gift shop for Bawlmore gifts. I ordered the turkey meatloaf that came with mashed potatoes and veggie of the day. It was a nice surprise to see a healthier item on the menu along with fried catfish and regular meatloaf doused in gravy. My dish was excellent. I've never has such a good slice of turkey meatloaf! Very flavorful. Others in our group didn't have much luck with their selections so it was about half n' half with those who enjoyed their meals and those that didn't. I'd probably go back to eat and will definitely check out Hon Fest this year!
1002 W. 36th Street
Baltimore, MD 21211
410-243-1230
Mon - Thurs 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Fri - 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sat - 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sun - 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Located along the Avenue in Hampden is Cafe Hon, next door to Bar Hon. This cafe is eclectically styled and includes a gift shop for Bawlmore gifts. I ordered the turkey meatloaf that came with mashed potatoes and veggie of the day. It was a nice surprise to see a healthier item on the menu along with fried catfish and regular meatloaf doused in gravy. My dish was excellent. I've never has such a good slice of turkey meatloaf! Very flavorful. Others in our group didn't have much luck with their selections so it was about half n' half with those who enjoyed their meals and those that didn't. I'd probably go back to eat and will definitely check out Hon Fest this year!
Monday, April 7, 2008
Little Havana Restaurante y Cantina
Little Havana
1325 Key Highway
Baltimore, MD 21230
Mon - Thurs 4:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Fri - Sat 11:30 AM - 2:00 AM
Sunday 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM
We've been to this place before, but only for drinks so Mr_BTM and a few other friends (7 of us total) decided to go to brunch at Little Havana. We show up a little before 11:00 AM to see a line waiting outside. Being one of the first in line we figured we would get seated right away. Not so. Apparently you have to make reservations for a party of our size. So we figured we'd wait a while until a table was available (mind you, all the big tables were available but were reserved). While we waited we were able to take advantage of their all you can drink mimosas and bloody marys ($14.95/per person and this includes a brunch entree). Our group waited almost 50 minutes until we were finally seated in one of those empty reserved tables. Why did we have to wait so long for a reservation not to show? Not sure.
I wasn't impressed with the brunch entree choices so I chose to get 3 side dishes including a short stack of pancakes, frituratas de pantano (fried plantains) and papas con chorizo (potatoes and sausage). Mr_BTM ordered the Fried Eggs Cuban Style, which includes fried eggs over rice & beans with picadillo and sofrito sauce. I liked the pancakes and the potato dish but neither were that great. Mr_BTM was equally unimpressed with his dish. I didn't really hear too many complaints from the others in our group but I guess the unlimited beverages is supposed to distract you from the fact that the food sucks. I don't know...if all I wanted to do was get drunk, I guess this is the place to go for brunch! Otherwise, there are better breakfast options in town.
1325 Key Highway
Baltimore, MD 21230
Mon - Thurs 4:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Fri - Sat 11:30 AM - 2:00 AM
Sunday 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM
We've been to this place before, but only for drinks so Mr_BTM and a few other friends (7 of us total) decided to go to brunch at Little Havana. We show up a little before 11:00 AM to see a line waiting outside. Being one of the first in line we figured we would get seated right away. Not so. Apparently you have to make reservations for a party of our size. So we figured we'd wait a while until a table was available (mind you, all the big tables were available but were reserved). While we waited we were able to take advantage of their all you can drink mimosas and bloody marys ($14.95/per person and this includes a brunch entree). Our group waited almost 50 minutes until we were finally seated in one of those empty reserved tables. Why did we have to wait so long for a reservation not to show? Not sure.
I wasn't impressed with the brunch entree choices so I chose to get 3 side dishes including a short stack of pancakes, frituratas de pantano (fried plantains) and papas con chorizo (potatoes and sausage). Mr_BTM ordered the Fried Eggs Cuban Style, which includes fried eggs over rice & beans with picadillo and sofrito sauce. I liked the pancakes and the potato dish but neither were that great. Mr_BTM was equally unimpressed with his dish. I didn't really hear too many complaints from the others in our group but I guess the unlimited beverages is supposed to distract you from the fact that the food sucks. I don't know...if all I wanted to do was get drunk, I guess this is the place to go for brunch! Otherwise, there are better breakfast options in town.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Golden West Cafe
Golden West Cafe
1105 W. 36th Street
Baltimore, MD 21211
410-889-8891
A group of us were out and about in Hampden last night and were hungry for some tasty eats. We tried to go to Holy Frijoles but the surely waitress told us it would be over an hour for a table. A quick search on the Treo found another cafe we could go to, just down the street. The Golden West Cafe had only a 15 minute wait and an excellent bar where we could wait out our stay. We were pleasantly surprised by the availability of Rogue beers and spirits. Mr_BTM and I had the gin and dark rum by Rogue and truly enjoyed our cocktail.
The menu here is fairly random with sandwiches, salads, and a few texmex entrees. I was surprised at the availability of a wide variety of vegan and vegetarian choices on the menu. We started out with tofu nuggets (fried tofu) with a chinese inspired dipping sauce. Very delicious. For dinner, most of our table ordered the black bean burgers ($8.99) with delicious garlic fries or peanut noodles (vegan). The burger was excellent and the fries fresh cut were full of awesome garlic flavor. The peanut noodles were a hit as well. Our bill was less than $50 (not including the bar tab) for 4 people. This is a great spot for some tasty eats at a cheap price!
1105 W. 36th Street
Baltimore, MD 21211
410-889-8891
A group of us were out and about in Hampden last night and were hungry for some tasty eats. We tried to go to Holy Frijoles but the surely waitress told us it would be over an hour for a table. A quick search on the Treo found another cafe we could go to, just down the street. The Golden West Cafe had only a 15 minute wait and an excellent bar where we could wait out our stay. We were pleasantly surprised by the availability of Rogue beers and spirits. Mr_BTM and I had the gin and dark rum by Rogue and truly enjoyed our cocktail.
The menu here is fairly random with sandwiches, salads, and a few texmex entrees. I was surprised at the availability of a wide variety of vegan and vegetarian choices on the menu. We started out with tofu nuggets (fried tofu) with a chinese inspired dipping sauce. Very delicious. For dinner, most of our table ordered the black bean burgers ($8.99) with delicious garlic fries or peanut noodles (vegan). The burger was excellent and the fries fresh cut were full of awesome garlic flavor. The peanut noodles were a hit as well. Our bill was less than $50 (not including the bar tab) for 4 people. This is a great spot for some tasty eats at a cheap price!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
DuClaw Brewing Company
DuClaw Brewing Company
Multiple Locations
We visited the Fells Point Location
901 S Bond Street
Baltimore, MD 21231
410-563-0575
Sun-Th 11:00 AM-10:00 PM Dining Room, 11:00 AM-2:00 AM Pub
Fri & Sat 11:00 AM-12:00 AM Dining Room, 11:00 AM -2:00 AM Pub
Coming from Portland, home to hundreds of breweries and brewpubs, we sorely miss our good beer. We were excited to see that DuClaw's had a brew pub in Fells Point, close enough that we can walk, if needs be. We went on a Friday night and noticed the restaurant wasn't all that full. Granted, it was raining pretty hard so I'm sure some folks just stayed home. But still, the place was kinda empty. We should have seen this as a warning sign! We were seated promptly and started off with the beer sampler and a pint of the "Funk", their American style wheat. Of the beers we tasted, none of them tasted all that good. The Funk beer was a fairly weak wheat and tasted more like a pilsner.
On to the food...we both ordered cheeseburgers ($7.99). Mine came way too well done (asked for medium well) and the bun was crunchy. I don't like crunchy buns or overdone beef burgers so I wasn't happy with my meal. Mr_BTM also had a burger but his was done to his liking and he still didn't like it! The food simply lacked flavor. I wasn't impressed with the menu options either. I'm not sure we'd go back here since the beer and food were quite mediocre.
Multiple Locations
We visited the Fells Point Location
901 S Bond Street
Baltimore, MD 21231
410-563-0575
Sun-Th 11:00 AM-10:00 PM Dining Room, 11:00 AM-2:00 AM Pub
Fri & Sat 11:00 AM-12:00 AM Dining Room, 11:00 AM -2:00 AM Pub
Coming from Portland, home to hundreds of breweries and brewpubs, we sorely miss our good beer. We were excited to see that DuClaw's had a brew pub in Fells Point, close enough that we can walk, if needs be. We went on a Friday night and noticed the restaurant wasn't all that full. Granted, it was raining pretty hard so I'm sure some folks just stayed home. But still, the place was kinda empty. We should have seen this as a warning sign! We were seated promptly and started off with the beer sampler and a pint of the "Funk", their American style wheat. Of the beers we tasted, none of them tasted all that good. The Funk beer was a fairly weak wheat and tasted more like a pilsner.
On to the food...we both ordered cheeseburgers ($7.99). Mine came way too well done (asked for medium well) and the bun was crunchy. I don't like crunchy buns or overdone beef burgers so I wasn't happy with my meal. Mr_BTM also had a burger but his was done to his liking and he still didn't like it! The food simply lacked flavor. I wasn't impressed with the menu options either. I'm not sure we'd go back here since the beer and food were quite mediocre.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Blue Moon Cafe
Blue Moon Cafe
1621 Aliceanna Street
Baltimore, MD 21231
410-522-3940
Mon-Sun 7PM-3PM, Fri-Sat 11PM-3PM
Mr_BTM and I had a fantastic breakfast at the Blue Moon Cafe. We had tried to eat here before around noon on a Sunday and the wait was pretty long. We decided to go early this time, around 9:30AM on a Saturday, and only had to wait about 10 minutes for a table. This is a quirky little cafe that reminded me of the breakfast places we used to eat at in Portland. Once seated, service was prompt and friendly. We started with one of their signature cinnamon rolls and devoured it! It was served hot with plenty of icing. For breakfast we ordered the veggie scramble with a biscuit and the biscuits/gravy/bacon/eggs meal (I forget what the menu called it). The portions are huge and after eating the cinnamon roll, we were unable to come close to finishing. I took home the leftovers but left them in the car so I wasn't able to enjoy it again. This place has been the best breakfast we've had so far and even Mr_BTM enjoyed the coffee!
1621 Aliceanna Street
Baltimore, MD 21231
410-522-3940
Mon-Sun 7PM-3PM, Fri-Sat 11PM-3PM
Mr_BTM and I had a fantastic breakfast at the Blue Moon Cafe. We had tried to eat here before around noon on a Sunday and the wait was pretty long. We decided to go early this time, around 9:30AM on a Saturday, and only had to wait about 10 minutes for a table. This is a quirky little cafe that reminded me of the breakfast places we used to eat at in Portland. Once seated, service was prompt and friendly. We started with one of their signature cinnamon rolls and devoured it! It was served hot with plenty of icing. For breakfast we ordered the veggie scramble with a biscuit and the biscuits/gravy/bacon/eggs meal (I forget what the menu called it). The portions are huge and after eating the cinnamon roll, we were unable to come close to finishing. I took home the leftovers but left them in the car so I wasn't able to enjoy it again. This place has been the best breakfast we've had so far and even Mr_BTM enjoyed the coffee!
Monday, February 11, 2008
Asqual Coffee Shop
Asqual Coffee Shop
1129 Maryland Ave.
Baltimore, MD
410-244-1782
We happened upon this little cafe on our walk from Bolton Hill into downtown. Nestled on a quite street in Mount Vernon, the cafe is a small operations offering coffee, tea, and chais to drink and a variety of breakfast offerings and paninis for lunch. On our first visit we had Stash tea, soy latte and a muffin that was large enough to share. We sat at one of the small tables and listed to a live guitarist play for a while. It was nice and relaxing, a great place to enjoy a warm drink and a tasty muffin. Our second visit was a quick in and out for coffee and tea. We like this little place and will probably frequent it in the future.
1129 Maryland Ave.
Baltimore, MD
410-244-1782
We happened upon this little cafe on our walk from Bolton Hill into downtown. Nestled on a quite street in Mount Vernon, the cafe is a small operations offering coffee, tea, and chais to drink and a variety of breakfast offerings and paninis for lunch. On our first visit we had Stash tea, soy latte and a muffin that was large enough to share. We sat at one of the small tables and listed to a live guitarist play for a while. It was nice and relaxing, a great place to enjoy a warm drink and a tasty muffin. Our second visit was a quick in and out for coffee and tea. We like this little place and will probably frequent it in the future.
Kumari Restaurant and Bar
Kumari Restaurant and Bar
911 N. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-547-1600
It all started with a craving for Lebanese food. Since we didn't know off had where any good places are located, we decided the next best thing would be Indian or Nepalese food. After eating at Thairish earlier in the weekend, we saw Kumari on our walk home and though we'd try this place out. Good thing we did! The food here is amazing. Upon a recommendation from a Nepalese friend of ours, we ordered the chicken momo (steamed) and enjoyed these lovely dumpling style treats with a delicious curry based sauce. I ordered the Nepali Bjojan ($15.95), a special occasion dinner that included khasi ko masu (lamb curry) with basmati rice and chutney, daal, bhaat and achar. Mr_BTM enjoyed the Kumari Thali ($19.95), a full meal of basmati rice, vegetable samosa, daal, 2 vegetable curries, tandoori chicken, raita, chutney and gulab jamun. Both meals were generous in size, came with naan, but were among the more expensive items on the menu. We would love to go back with a bigger group so we could order more dishes and share amongst the group. Overall, great food, good service and good prices. We'll definitely be back!
911 N. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-547-1600
It all started with a craving for Lebanese food. Since we didn't know off had where any good places are located, we decided the next best thing would be Indian or Nepalese food. After eating at Thairish earlier in the weekend, we saw Kumari on our walk home and though we'd try this place out. Good thing we did! The food here is amazing. Upon a recommendation from a Nepalese friend of ours, we ordered the chicken momo (steamed) and enjoyed these lovely dumpling style treats with a delicious curry based sauce. I ordered the Nepali Bjojan ($15.95), a special occasion dinner that included khasi ko masu (lamb curry) with basmati rice and chutney, daal, bhaat and achar. Mr_BTM enjoyed the Kumari Thali ($19.95), a full meal of basmati rice, vegetable samosa, daal, 2 vegetable curries, tandoori chicken, raita, chutney and gulab jamun. Both meals were generous in size, came with naan, but were among the more expensive items on the menu. We would love to go back with a bigger group so we could order more dishes and share amongst the group. Overall, great food, good service and good prices. We'll definitely be back!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
WTMD - Radio For Music People
Moving to a new city involves a lot of things but you usually don't worry about the little things like finding a good radio station. However, I was completely in love with my radio station in Portland, 94.7 FM, and was worried about finding something to replace it. I loved listening to this station! They had a no-talk morning music show (instead of the typical talk show) and played a great mix of old and new alternative music. I know with technology today I can still listen to this radio station live through their website, but it's just not the same as turning on the radio and getting your station!
In Baltimore, Mr_BTM introduced me to WTMD, 89.7 FM. This station is run out of Towson University and is a locally owned radio station. It's also an NPR affiliate as well as the home of Towson University sports radio. I know WTMD doesn't play music all day long, but they play music most of the day. They've also had these great countdowns lately. This week and for the next few weeks, they're doing a countdown of the top 897 albums of all time. You can keep track of the countdown on their blog.
Happy listening!
In Baltimore, Mr_BTM introduced me to WTMD, 89.7 FM. This station is run out of Towson University and is a locally owned radio station. It's also an NPR affiliate as well as the home of Towson University sports radio. I know WTMD doesn't play music all day long, but they play music most of the day. They've also had these great countdowns lately. This week and for the next few weeks, they're doing a countdown of the top 897 albums of all time. You can keep track of the countdown on their blog.
Happy listening!
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Buy Local Baltimore
We picked up a "Buy Local Baltimore" guidebook and discount card today for $10. Over 80 merchants in the greater Baltimore region participate, offering various discounts. A full listing of merchants and discounts are at their main website.
Spoons Coffeehouse and Roastery
24 E. Cross Street
Neighborhood - Federal Hill
(410) 539-6751
Opens at 7:00 AM daily, Varying closing times 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM
A local coffee roastery serves breakfast and lunch in the heart of Federal Hill. It's located on the north side of the Cross Street, between Charles and Light Street. Taken from a page from Portland, they recycle 95% of their waste, serve a variety of organic products, and is certified green!
Inside, the restaurant is cozy with a mix of tables and chairs, couches, and patio furniture. We arrived at the end of the breakfast rush and had to wait about 30 minutes. I enjoyed a cup of coffee, Columbian blend, while we waited and watched the various people. Some folks were squatters - people who eat and sit for a long time while reading, even when it is really busy, FOC's - fresh out of college - retelling their escapades from the night before, and urban hipsters - which I guess we fit into that category.
Once seated, service was very prompt. Breakfast items ranged from $6 to $10. Lunch items were a tad bit more. They had a separate tea menu also. We ordered the Bananas Foster French Toast and the Big Spoon Omelete. The french toast was good although it was heavily doused with a sweet syrup. Extremely tasty, but the sugar crash in the afternoon was deadly. The omelete was covered with ham, potatoes, onions, and bacon. It came with two pieces of hearty whole grain toast, which ended up as perfect dippers into the french toast syrup.
Next time we plan on going to Spoons, it'll be really early or well after the rush.
Neighborhood - Federal Hill
(410) 539-6751
Opens at 7:00 AM daily, Varying closing times 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM
A local coffee roastery serves breakfast and lunch in the heart of Federal Hill. It's located on the north side of the Cross Street, between Charles and Light Street. Taken from a page from Portland, they recycle 95% of their waste, serve a variety of organic products, and is certified green!
Inside, the restaurant is cozy with a mix of tables and chairs, couches, and patio furniture. We arrived at the end of the breakfast rush and had to wait about 30 minutes. I enjoyed a cup of coffee, Columbian blend, while we waited and watched the various people. Some folks were squatters - people who eat and sit for a long time while reading, even when it is really busy, FOC's - fresh out of college - retelling their escapades from the night before, and urban hipsters - which I guess we fit into that category.
Once seated, service was very prompt. Breakfast items ranged from $6 to $10. Lunch items were a tad bit more. They had a separate tea menu also. We ordered the Bananas Foster French Toast and the Big Spoon Omelete. The french toast was good although it was heavily doused with a sweet syrup. Extremely tasty, but the sugar crash in the afternoon was deadly. The omelete was covered with ham, potatoes, onions, and bacon. It came with two pieces of hearty whole grain toast, which ended up as perfect dippers into the french toast syrup.
Next time we plan on going to Spoons, it'll be really early or well after the rush.
Friday, January 25, 2008
RA Sushi
RA Sushi
1390 Lancaster Street
Neighborhood - Harbor East
410-522-3200
Food Service: Mon-Sun 11:00AM - 11:PM
Lunch: Served until 3:00 PM
Bar: Open until 1:00 AM
Happy Hour: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
RA Sushi is a newly opened restaurant in the Harbor East development. As you enter, you're immediately hit with the loud music, a strange variety of dance, hip hop, pop, and alternative songs. The decor is a modern asian mix set in a loft environment. The restaurant includes booths and tables and has a long sushi bar. There is also a large bar area with bar seating available. The ladies and I grabbed a seat at the bar and enjoyed the wonderful happy hour specials. Prices on the happy hour menu range from $2.50 for edamame to $4.75 for the shrimp tempura roll and the crispy spicy tuna. I enjoyed the edamame, salmon nigiri, crispy spicy tuna, tootsy maki (crab roll) and a shrimp tempura roll. The sushi was presented well and, more importantly, tasted good and fresh! The edamame was good until we reached the bottom of the bowl and the last few pieces were sitting in a pool of liquid. They should really drain their edamame better as we were unable to eat the remaining portion.
Overall, I would definitely go back for happy hour, especially since it goes all the way to 7:00 PM! The beer selection is not all that great and no beers are offered on tap, bottles only. I didn't have any of the specialty cocktails but they sounded delicious!
1390 Lancaster Street
Neighborhood - Harbor East
410-522-3200
Food Service: Mon-Sun 11:00AM - 11:PM
Lunch: Served until 3:00 PM
Bar: Open until 1:00 AM
Happy Hour: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
RA Sushi is a newly opened restaurant in the Harbor East development. As you enter, you're immediately hit with the loud music, a strange variety of dance, hip hop, pop, and alternative songs. The decor is a modern asian mix set in a loft environment. The restaurant includes booths and tables and has a long sushi bar. There is also a large bar area with bar seating available. The ladies and I grabbed a seat at the bar and enjoyed the wonderful happy hour specials. Prices on the happy hour menu range from $2.50 for edamame to $4.75 for the shrimp tempura roll and the crispy spicy tuna. I enjoyed the edamame, salmon nigiri, crispy spicy tuna, tootsy maki (crab roll) and a shrimp tempura roll. The sushi was presented well and, more importantly, tasted good and fresh! The edamame was good until we reached the bottom of the bowl and the last few pieces were sitting in a pool of liquid. They should really drain their edamame better as we were unable to eat the remaining portion.
Overall, I would definitely go back for happy hour, especially since it goes all the way to 7:00 PM! The beer selection is not all that great and no beers are offered on tap, bottles only. I didn't have any of the specialty cocktails but they sounded delicious!
Thursday, January 24, 2008
b - A Bolton Hill Bistro
1501 Bolton Street
Neighborhood - Bolton Hill
http://www.b-bistro.com/
(410) 383-8600
Tuesday to Saturday: 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Sunday brunch: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Sunday dinner: 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Tucked away in the affluent Bolton Hill neighborhood is "b". "b" is a simple restaurant as the name suggests. On a whim, we decided to visit this restaurant after a friend had recommended it to us. It's dimly lit with the kitchen exposed in the back. The place was filled with a warm aroma creating a welcoming feeling.
The menu includes $7 salads, $8 sandwiches, $12 pizzas, $17 pastas, and $20 entrees. We started our meal with salads (spinach and mixed green), then moved to our entrees, (pumpkin ravioli special and mushroom risotto), and finished it off with the "b" bread pudding. The wine list had a scattering of bottles, mostly from France and Italy, all of which were priced below $50.
The food was as simple as the restaurant name. Lightly seasoned, perfect portions, and nicely plated. The salads both had a nice touch of dressing, but they had a large pile of red onions that was a bit overpowering. The risotto and pasta were very good and consistent. Each bite had a great balance of flavors with a generous dusting of parmesan cheese along the sides of the dish. The bread pudding came in small cubes, warmed and on top of a cream custard sauce. It was a nice end to a fine meal.
b is definitely a restaurant to keep on the revisit list. I look forward to a Sunday brunch in the future.
Neighborhood - Bolton Hill
http://www.b-bistro.com/
(410) 383-8600
Tuesday to Saturday: 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Sunday brunch: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Sunday dinner: 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Tucked away in the affluent Bolton Hill neighborhood is "b". "b" is a simple restaurant as the name suggests. On a whim, we decided to visit this restaurant after a friend had recommended it to us. It's dimly lit with the kitchen exposed in the back. The place was filled with a warm aroma creating a welcoming feeling.
The menu includes $7 salads, $8 sandwiches, $12 pizzas, $17 pastas, and $20 entrees. We started our meal with salads (spinach and mixed green), then moved to our entrees, (pumpkin ravioli special and mushroom risotto), and finished it off with the "b" bread pudding. The wine list had a scattering of bottles, mostly from France and Italy, all of which were priced below $50.
The food was as simple as the restaurant name. Lightly seasoned, perfect portions, and nicely plated. The salads both had a nice touch of dressing, but they had a large pile of red onions that was a bit overpowering. The risotto and pasta were very good and consistent. Each bite had a great balance of flavors with a generous dusting of parmesan cheese along the sides of the dish. The bread pudding came in small cubes, warmed and on top of a cream custard sauce. It was a nice end to a fine meal.
b is definitely a restaurant to keep on the revisit list. I look forward to a Sunday brunch in the future.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
The First Post
This is the first post of hopefully many. The purpose of this blog is to document our adventures in a new city. Baltimore City is made up of many small neighborhoods that contain unique character and charm...hence "Charm City". We hope to visit various small stores and restaurants to experience what each neighborhood can offer. This is mainly to remember where we have been, but also to share with everyone the other side of Baltimore that is not talked about. Everyone hears about the crabs, the Inner Harbour, and the crime, but it's rare that you read about the great corner restaurant or market, or even upcoming events in the City.
Happy reading for anyone who stumbles across this blog. My wife and I will try to keep it updated as often as possible. Enjoy!
Happy reading for anyone who stumbles across this blog. My wife and I will try to keep it updated as often as possible. Enjoy!
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