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!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
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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