The Dining Dish blog is Dara Bunjon's take on anything food, both national and in her hometown of Baltimore. Warning: this food blog can be harmful to your waistline.

Friday, July 31, 2009

Come get a FREE taste

I haven’t had coffee in forty years but last week I tasted an Iced Latte Mocha Swirl from Dunkin Donuts. My first and only cup of coffee up until this past week was back in the college days. It was more a cup of cream and sugar with a hint of coffee.

Check out the complete story for locations for free samples and photo album.
Come get a FREE taste

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Thursday, July 30, 2009

Where are you dining for Baltimore Restaurant Week?

What have been your choices for restaurant week? Are you going back to the same restaurants or trying new ones? Have you had good experiences at a restaurant and gone back? What can the city do to improve upon this promotion?

My personal frustration is that the menus are not up on the website for a good number of the places, hence I just don’t go there. I find some restaurants offer you a limited selection that really doesn’t define what they normally offer that they can't be reaping the rewards.

Read the complete story:

Where are you dining for Baltimore Restaurant Week?

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Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Kudos where kudos are due – do good chefs

Nine locally renowned and celebrity chefs auctioned off a wine dinner for 24 guests to benefit Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland. This dinner alone raised $28,000 for the charity. By providing nutritious meals to people who homebound due to age or disability, Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland supports independent living and quality of life for individuals who wish to remain in their own homes. Meals on Wheels is more than a meal, they offer other programs and services to help clients maintain independence and peace of mind.

Kudos where kudos are due – do good chefs

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Tuesday, July 28, 2009

New restaurant opens in downtown Baltimore July 30th

I don’t normally do this, but I’m pasting the entire press release on the new B & O American Brasserie that is opening on Friday, July 30th. I’m in the middle of 4 projects and just don’t have time to put my own spin on this. Hopefully the news and details will placate you. Enjoy, I’m back to work at the real money earning jobs not that I don't love you all.

Read the story, get a look at the menu items and more:
New restaurant opens in downtown Baltimore July 30th

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Monday, July 27, 2009

Sweet potato thin crackers – savory goodness!

The Polka Dot Bake Shop has created a deeeelicious, thin cracker made from sweet potatoes. I like thin, thin crust pizza so it wasn’t a surprise that I really liked their crispy thin crackers . Out of the numerous food products at the Fancy Food Show, they caught my eye and my taste buds.

Check the video and complete story:
Sweet potato thin crackers – savory goodness!

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Sunday, July 26, 2009

Ra Sushi 101 - Baltimore media rolls sushi

Sushi is a painstaking art form, an edible one, yet an art form. Before the sushi craze hit, sushi chefs trained 10 years to perfect their skills. With the demand being so high, the training is only about 2 years. This past week the media was invited to Ra Sushi for a Sushi rolling class, I don’t know what 30 minutes makes us but sushi rolling fools but we had a great time.

Read story, watch video instruction and check out the snaps:
Ra Sushi 101 - Baltimore media rolls sushi

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Friday, July 24, 2009

Video interview with new chef for alizee bistro - hot off the stove!

You know me, have Flip camera will travel and such is the case with this story. I was one of 16 food professionals and journalist at an exclusive dinner prepared for us at Le Bec Fin in Philadelphia*. News had already come out in Baltimore that Chef deLutis was taking over the top toque position of alizee bistro. Since we were dining together, I was inspired to have a personal interview with him and his partners in culinary crime.

Read entire story and watch the chef's video interview
Video interview with new chef for alizee bistro - hot off the stove!

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And the winners are:


Congratulations to the five winners of the passes to the Atlantic City Food and Wine Festival’s Grand Market event next weekend. Participation was very good from contestants from up and down the East Coast. My neighbor was willing to participate in the drawing as long as I didn’t video or photograph her; hence all you see are the hands.

And the winners are:

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Restaurant chain, Denny's sued over salt

Yes, that is what I said, sued over the amount of sodium (salt) in their food. According to Restaurant News, “a New Jersey man sued Denny's Corp. Thursday in the first, sodium-related lawsuit against a restaurant chain, according to officials at the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), the consumer advocacy group that is supporting the action.”

Read the entire store:
Restaurant chain, Denny's sued over salt

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Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Win tickets to an advanced screening of Julie and Julia


Found an offer in this week’s City Paper from Wegmans and Columbia Pictures to win tickets to an advanced screening of Julie and Julia on Thursday, July 30th. You all know that I’ve been anxiously awaiting this movie as have others. So if you like to be the person-in-the-know, have bragging rights at the water cooler than you need to get your patootie to Wegmans in Hunt Valley Town Center on Monday, July 27th between 11 a.m to 2 p.m. and you may receive a complimentary pass – you know the story, “while supplies last.”

Get all the details:
Win tickets to an advanced screening of Julie and Julia

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Point and counterpoint – The Maine Lobster Claw machine

Earlier in the week I posted my story about the arcade type claw game that has the prize, if you can catch it, a live lobster. I expressed my opinion about torturing these crustaceans before eating them, a reversed waterboarding as I called it.

Check out the counterpoint video:

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Chef Mario Batali takes on the big screen

We all know the Mario Batali, celebrity chef, restaurateur, and television personality – distinctive with his red haired pony tail, shorts and orange clogs. He is taking on a movie roll that should be easy for him, playing a restaurant owner – I wouldn’t call that a stretch. Owner in Babbo, Del Posto, Lupa and other multiple restaurants, Batali should have this part down pat.

Read the complete story:
Chef Mario Batali takes on the big screen

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WIN Passes to the Atlantic City Food & Wine Festival


This is pretty straight forward, there are five passes, each good for two guests, giving you access to the Atlantic City Food & Wine Festival’s Grand Market for Saturday, August 1st or Sunday, August 2nd. The Food and Wine Festival starts Thursday, July 30th offering a myriad of special food events with food celebrities throughout Atlantic City’s leading hotels.

Get the simple details for the giveaway:
WIN Passes to the Atlantic City Food & Wine Festival - CONTEST

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Sunday, July 19, 2009

The Cake Bible author shares candid moments


Author of one of the most acclaimed baking books, The Cake Bible, Rose Levy Beranbaum stopped to chat with moi at the Fancy Food Show (captured on video below). Can you believe the 44th printing of The Cake Bible, it truly is a must have for any baking enthusiasts shelf. She has a new book coming out in September called Rose’s Heavenly Cakes. Amazon.com is accepting pre-orders at this time-click HERE.

Check out the rest of the story and the VIDEO

The Cake Bible author shares candid moments

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Saturday, July 18, 2009

The best pickle chips, Texas Sassy


In my opinion Texas Sassy has the best pickle chips. Nice and crunchy but the flavor profile is sweet, tart and then spicy. I was a frequent visitor to the Texas Sassy booth at the Fancy Food Show; I couldn’t get enough of their pickles. They served as my palate cleanser after tasting aisles and aisles of food.

Read the whole article and view the video:
The best pickle chips, Texas Sassy

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Summer dinner deal Italian style

Aldo’s Ristorante in Little Italy is kicking off their summertime stimulus pre fixe dinner that is available every night of the week including Saturday. If you haven’t been to Aldo’s yet, you should go just to see the luxurious surroundings.

Check out the menu:
Summer dinner deal Italian style

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Thursday, July 16, 2009

The Love Maine Lobster Claw game, catch your own lobster dinner

Think back to the boardwalk, your childhood and those arcade games with the claw to pick up stuffed animals, watches and other slocky toys. Got the picture? Now picture the same machine with live lobsters, using the big metal claw to capture your crustacean du jour.


Read the complete story and watch the video:
The Love Maine Lobster Claw game, catch your own lobster dinner

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Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Blue Hill Tavern, wish I lived closer

I’m not usually Johnny on the Spot about going to new restaurants but this was one of those exceptions and I’m glad I did. Last Thursday night at an event, my friend Debbie Z said she was going to check out Blue Hill Tavern, a client of hers. The man-about-town, the style maven and food connoisseur, Brian Michael Lawrence editor of Style Magazine went the same evening sending an e-mail the next day to other foodie friends “Just tried the new Blue Hill Tavern in Brewer's Hill/Canton - awesome food, most beautiful new restaurant in Baltimore.”

Read the complete review, check out the photo album and video tour:
Blue Hill Tavern, wish I lived closer

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Blue Hill Tavern on Urbanspoon

Don’t try these at home – stupid food incidents

Who in their right mind would snort wasabi powder, the green horseradish powder that is used to make the spicy hot accoutrement to sushi? At a radio station, a morning radio team I’m guessing had someone stupid enough to do this

Don’t try these at home – stupid food incidents

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Monday, July 13, 2009

Chipotle offers FREE screening to the movie Food Inc


Now here is a FREE offer you should take. The restaurant chain Chipotle is sponsoring free screening to the movie Food Inc. in cities all around the country. Luckily Baltimore is among the cities with the FREE screening being at the Charles Theater on Thursday, July 16 at 7:30 p.m. Seating is limited.

Chipotle offers FREE screening to the movie Food Inc

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Sunday, July 12, 2009

Julia Child

All I need as a title to this story is to say Julia Child. The icon of the culinary world is more to the forefront today with the upcoming movie about her culinary awakening and the young lady who prepared the 500 plus recipes from the Mastering the Art of French Cooking in a year. The movie Julie and Julia is premiering August 7th, a date not that far from the anniversary of Julia’s birthday and her death.

Read the entire story:
Julia Child

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Saturday, July 11, 2009

What are your favorite crab houses on the Eastern Shore?


The New York Times just posted a story on the Crab Houses of the Eastern Shore that makes me want to go out and retrace the writer’s, Jordan Hruska, tracks. From Rock Hall to Smith Island, Hruska enjoys the crab bounty of the Bay from soft shells to the steamed crustaceans.

Read the complete post and link to the NY Times story:
What are your favorite crab houses on the Eastern Shore?

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Friday, July 10, 2009

Mr. Charles Market, more than a country store - video

A chef’s table dinner, gourmet-to-go, fine wines, baked goods, to-go sandwiches, beverages and prepackaged food items can be found in Owings Mills at Park Heights Avenue near Walnut Avenue. Mr. Charles Market is not your typical country store and few have a chef of this caliber creating weekly multi-course dinners, a chef’s table.

Catch the entire story, photo album and video:
Mr. Charles Market, more than a country store - video

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Thursday, July 09, 2009

Suburban House Restaurant fire

What a shock it was to see that the Suburban House Restaurant on Reisterstown Road in Pikesville caught fire last night. From what I can gather there was extensive smoke damage. The restaurant says they will re-open.

Read the complete story:
Suburban House Restaurant fire

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Wednesday, July 08, 2009

Can you give up your chocolate to run your car?

In Great Britain they have built a racing car that runs on chocolate. The car is designed to be green, built with sustainable and recyclable materials. The car can’t actually race because they can’t get the speed up beyond 160 miles per hour and formula 3 cars are not allowed to use biofuels.

Check out the video and the story:
Can you give up your chocolate to run your car?

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Food and beverage humor

Tripping the light fantastic (the web) has turned up two humorous items to be shared with you. While managing my videos, I clicked on Evian’s street-wise dancing babies. Just uploaded to the web five days ago it has already hit the two million mark in views.

See the video and learn about the unique blog that recreates fast food into gourmet food
Food and beverage humor

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Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Oceanaire Seafood Room's parent company files Chapter 11

Nation’s Restaurant News reports that the parent company for Oceanaire Seafood Room restaurants has filed for Chapter 11. They have closed four of their sixteen locations in Philadelphia, Charlotte, Cincinnati and in Seattle. Our Baltimore location remains open.

For the complete story and new specials at Oceanaire:
Oceanaire Seafood Room's parent company files Chapter 11

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Dry milk recall extends to hot cocoa, cereal and popcorn toppings

USA Today reports the U.S. Department of Agriculture first detected salmonella in a milkshake powder in June. The USDA and the FDA traced the contamination back to the Plainview (Minn.) Milk Products Cooperative.
FDA investigators found salmonella in the plant, and the cooperative issued a voluntarily recall of instant non-fat dried milk, whey protein, fruit stabilizers and thickening agents produced over the past two years.

Check out the full story
Dry milk recall extends to hot cocoa, cereal and popcorn toppings

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Baltimore chef invited to speak in Bangkok on global food issues

Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon in Bangkok, Thailand is hosting an international conference focusing on global issues. Local chef, Anthony Marini, of the AMI Group, has been invited to speak at the Green-Trends in Foods, Crafts, Fashion & Textiles Conference.

Read the complete story:
Baltimore chef invited to speak in Bangkok on global food issues

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Saturday, July 04, 2009

Top Chef’s Jeff McInnis, cooks, sings and gets down with pasta

Chef Jeff McInnis is more than his boyish good looks, he can really cook. Proof of that was his cooking demonstration for the Fernando Pensato Gourmet Food line at the International Fancy Food Show this week. It isn’t easy being squished in a 10 x 12 booth, doing a live cooking demonstration when three quarters of passersbys want the free eats.

Check out the video cooking demonstration and the rest of the story:
Top Chef’s Jeff McInnis, cooks, sings and gets down with pasta

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Friday, July 03, 2009

Fourth of July dessert: gluten-free chocolate chunk cookies fuel for the fireworks

Are you looking for gluten-free dessert options with mass appeal for this 4th of July- look no further, this recipe is compliments of the Exotic Car Examiner, Kae Davis. Featuring her favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe, it might come as a surprise that these cookie treats are absolutely friendly to all tummies and taste buds equally -- and can be eaten by those with Celiac disease.

Click here for entire story and recipe::
Fourth of July dessert: gluten-free chocolate chunk cookies fuel for the fireworks

Photograph copyright Charles M. Wrenn III

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Thursday, July 02, 2009

Your virtual tour of the International Fancy Food Show - video

Here is your opportunity to take a virtual tour on the Summer International Food Show that was held the beginning of this week in New York City. Foods from around the world as well national are spotlighted, sampled and promoted. As an experienced attendee taster, I tend to stick with the savory items, not the sweets.

Read the complete story and view the video:
Your virtual tour to the International Fancy Food Show - video

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photograph by Dara Bunjon

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

A drive-by post from the Fancy Food Show

Sorry for the delay on getting you this post. I was working from the MAC Store at 5th Avenue and Central Park at 1 a.m. I wasn't up to the cut and paste. So here were some quick notes for the International Fancy Food Show.

New York and the Fancy Food Show has been amazing. Honeys, teas and gluten free are the buzz words. Saw an amazing cracker line made with sweet potato. I had a quick chat with Ina Garten. Jeff McIinnis from Top Chef 5 was a doll and let me shoot some video. He is too gorgeous for words. Rose Levy Beranbaum of the Cake Bible fame chatted on video as well. Tonight we saw Jackie Mason at dinner.

A drive-by post from the Fancy Food Show

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