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, December 31, 2010

New Year’s Day – ‘Hair of the Dog’ Brunch

What hair? Whose hair? Oh No!
The colloquial English expression, “Hair of the Dog”, refers to drinking alcohol to lessen the effects of a hangover. The phrase comes from an old way of treating a person with a rabid dog bite; they would place a hair of the dog in the person’s bite wound.

Now that the history lesson is over, let’s get down to brunch, New Year’s Day brunch. Read the full story and photo slide show.

New Year’s Day – ‘Hair of the Dog’ Brunch

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Prime Rib Restaurant in Baltimore is offering fifteen for fifteen

No printing off this deal on your computer, no coupons needed. The Prime Rib Restaurant is considered the leading restaurant in Baltimore by The Baltimore Sun Newspaper reviewer Richard Gorelick. The Prime Rib Restaurant, Zagat rated number one in food and service is offering you a dining deal.

Hot off the restaurant's e-mail notification. effective January 3rd through January 20th - Learn more about this dining deal:

Prime Rib Restaurant in Baltimore is offering fifteen for fifteen

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Cheetos absolution

Many a rant has come and gone over the six years of blogging about food. I have opened myself up to criticism, taken long introspective looks at my fixation with food and admitted to liking the non-food passing as food, Cheetos. I’ve tried the baked kind, the better for you kind – you know what I’m talking about but I always come back to the original, like a moth to a flame.

Read the full rant: Cheetos absolution

Gypsy Queen Cafe food truck rolls out with the New Year

Chef Annmarie Langton, former executive chef at Helen’s Garden and her partner, former owner of Helen’s Garden Tom Looney are taking their food to the streets of Baltimore in their Gypsy Queen Cafe Truck. Like their gypsy name, they will be roaming the streets, plying their wares – a diverse cultural menu for all to enjoy. My favorite to try will be their spin on Banh Mi, which if you ask Chef Langton will tell you I inspired.

Check out the menu:

Gypsy Queen Cafe food truck rolls out with the New Year

Monday, December 27, 2010

National and local look at Patrón's Secret Dining Society

Phew!  I got two stories up Patrón's Secret Dining Society.  One, a national look at the evening's event and the other with the local Baltimore slant.  It was a great evening, surprised dining venue, guests, chef and mixologist.

At the core is that premium tequila makes a great cocktail and pairs well with all types of food. The National Examiner story has all the cocktail recipes.

National Examiner: http://www.examiner.com/food-in-national/patr-n-s-secret-dining-society-the-pop-up-dining-experience-cocktails-recipe
Baltimore Examiner http://www.examiner.com/dining-in-baltimore/forty-lucky-guests-attended-patron-s-secret-dining-society-dinner-baltimore

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Salt’s Cure – A mother’s pride

Chef Christopher Phelps - Salt's Cure -Photo by Doug Miller
Kathy Alexander, Publicity Manager at JHU Press here in Baltimore is beaming with pride. Her son, Chef Chris Phelps, has been receiving rave reviews for his restaurant in Los Angeles called Salt’s Cure. I think this is a perfect story for Christmas; it is about a mother’s love and pride.

Read the full story and enjoy the snaps: Salt’s Cure – A mother’s pride

Friday, December 24, 2010

Suburban House Restaurant - Get your discount Chewpon today

Cloak and Dagger, Shrimp Salad, Matzo Ball Soup, Knishes all can be yours with today’s Chewpons coupon at the legendary Suburban House Restaurant. Chewpons, the latest in discount coupon arena specializes only in restaurants and has kicked off in their home base city of Baltimore.

Get the full scoop - read more:

Suburban House Restaurant - Get your discount Chewpon today

Thursday, December 23, 2010

It is time for you to vote for Baltimore Magazine’s Best Restaurants

Friend, foodie and food press Randi Rom of Baltimore Eat's just sent me the link to vote for Baltimore's best restaurants at Baltimore Magazine. Baltimore peeps, now is the time to stand up and vote for your favorites. I've done mine and like our national voting, it is a secret.

See where to vote:

It is time for you to vote for Baltimore Magazine’s Best Restaurants

Chinese Food on Christmas – Dinner and a Movie

Every Christmas we are reminded in the viewing of the Christmas Story movie that Ralphie’s family ended up at Chop Suey Palace for Chinese food for Christmas dinner. For many of us who don’t celebrate Christmas, movies and Chinese food is our alternative tradition for the holiday.

Get the full story and info:

Chinese Food on Christmas – Dinner and a Movie

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Christmas Eve- Eve 50% off all entrees – no coupons necessary

No one wants to cook prior to the holidays so why not take advantage of City Café’s Christmas Eve–Eve Special. You are out visiting with friends and family who are in for the holidays why not have some excellent food at half price. No coupon needed.
 Get the full story on the dining discount:  Christmas Eve- Eve 50% off all entrees – no coupons necessary -

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Tis the season for Baldwin’s Station - Santa’s real life train layout

In all honesty, all seasons are perfect for dining at Baldwin's Station in Sykesville but it is especially well suited to the Christmas holidays. The brick 1883 railway station designed by E. Francis Baldwin has maintained its original integrity and look. There is a warm, take-you-back-in-time country hospitality feel when you enter the building that is consistent throughout both dining rooms and the bar. An enclosed year round patio area that sits right by the active railroad tracks has been host to many a party, wedding as well as day-to-day lunch and dinner service.

At night driving through the historic town of Sykesville’s Main Street was like a Christmas card scene. The buildings decorated for the holidays, with the lights a startling contrast to the December evening’s dark, clear sky.

Read the full story and look at the slide show: 
Tis the season for Baldwin’s Station - Santa’s real life train layout - Baltimore dining | Examiner.com

Baldwin's Station on Urbanspoon

Saturday, December 18, 2010

True southern Italian fare at Taste Mediterranean Grille


 
Taste Mediterranean Grille opened in Towson a couple months ago on Alleghany Avenue in the original location of Café Troia. Taste Mediterranean Grille is a beautifully decorated place with colors reminiscent of the buildings that lined the piccolo harbor of Sorrento, Italy – pastel pink, salmon and earth tones.

Since Taste Mediterranean Grille opened I have received multiple e-mails touting the chef, his credentials from Italy and the food. When the opportunity presented itself to go in for a “media” dinner, I went in with big expectations.


Review the photo slide show and get the full review: 
True southern Italian fare at Taste Mediterranean Grille

Taste Mediterranean Grille on Urbanspoon

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

The tallies are done, AOL announces Baltimore’s 2010 BEST Winners

On October 13th the Dining Examiner reported the kick off of AOL’s Best contest. From Oct. 13 through Nov. 30, Baltimore residents cast their votes to select their favorite venues from a list of top local businesses in many various categories.
Sotto Sopra Restaurant - AOL's 2010 Baltimore's  Best Italian

AOL today also announced winners for the 2010 City’s Best program in 25 major cities:

Check out the winners - The tallies are done, AOL announces Baltimore’s 2010 BEST Winners

Friday, December 10, 2010

Taking of the Hill, Federal Hill



It was an Indian summer day in late October. If you didn’t see the leaves changing color you wouldn’t have known that it was October, it was so warm. It was a perfect day to take the hill, Federal Hill. In all my years in Baltimore, and that is many, I had never gone up to the top of Federal Hill so I took the Charm City Food Tours newest tour-Federal Hill.


When Charm City Tours started in Baltimore this past summer, I was quite impressed with the Fells Point Tour. There was a plethora of information - get the full story and look at the photo slide show: Taking of the Hill, Federal Hill

Glee at Pikesville High School – we need some food

Well the television show Glee’s popularity and creativity has hit Baltimore. Pikesville High School students coordinated a spontaneous lunch time musical called we need some food” with a flash mob approach with the high school students in the cafeteria and video taped it so all can enjoy it. They even enlisted one of the teachers.

Check out the video and help it go viral!: Glee at Pikesville High School – we need some food

Thursday, December 09, 2010

StarChefs.com comes back to Baltimore

Antoinette Bruno photographing dessert
StarChefs.com’s editor-in-chief Antoinette Bruno came back to Baltimore the beginning of November to check out a couple of restaurants she missed on her July trip. Where did she go? Well she went to Jack’s Bistro, Blue Hill Tavern, Pazza Luna and The Intercontinental Hotel – Harbor Court.  If you followed Bruno’s tweets (@antoinette_b)....Read the full story and watch the video: 

StarChefs.com comes back to Baltimore

Wednesday, December 08, 2010

Flash mob Hallelujah Chorus in a food court – pumpkin caramel cheesecake

Finally there is a flash mob video that can be shared in my food column because it was held in a food court. Marvelous voices singing the Hallelujah Chorus is an ideal way of wishing you the best of the holiday season. How appropriate, a plethora of voices and a plethora of food choices all in one location.

Read the full post, watch the video and get the recipe: Flash mob Hallelujah Chorus in a food court – pumpkin caramel cheesecake

Tis the season for the “Cherpumple”

Love it when inspired to post. Thank you to the sister for sending me this link to Charles Phoenix’s blog post on the making of the Cherpumple. Whether Charles came up with the original idea or not he can sure deliver an entertaining video on making the Cherpumple.

Okay already, what’s a cherpumple?


Watch the video and read the complete post:  Tis the season for the “Cherpumple”

Monday, December 06, 2010

It’s almost summer in Brazil – how about a Caipirinha Cooler

Brrrr, baby it’s cold outside and I can concede to that and make myself a hot toddy or I can trick myself into to thinking warmer climates with a Caipirinha Cooler. After recently trying this traditional drink of Brazil at Flemings I’ve had it on my mind and keep thinking about creating the drink at home – especially with the holidays and company - something different than the mojito.

Get the full story and recipe:
It’s almost summer in Brazil – how about a Caipirinha Cooler

Wednesday, December 01, 2010

Johnny Dee’s Lounge – worth the trip back in time

Before marrying into the Bunjon family I had never heard of Johnny Dee’s Lounge but they had been going there often for family celebrations and for gatherings after a family member passed - it was a tradition.

Hard to find if you haven’t been before, nestled in the back of a tiny strip mall on the lower level this haven of retro offers up their bar, sections with couches with low tables to regular dining tables.

Get the full story and check out the slide show: Johnny Dee’s Lounge – worth the trip back in time

Monday, November 29, 2010

Ho, ho, ho - enjoy wine, beer, food and help Santa Claus Anonymous

Ho, ho, ho – twas only four weeks before Xmas and you still haven’t planned your company holiday party – what to do, what to do? A great solution is the 19th Annual Beer and Wine Tasting put on by and benefiting Santa Claus Anonymous.
We’ve all heard of Santa Claus Anonymous, whose main goal is make sure underprivileged children receive toys.

Get the holiday scoop and poop: 
Ho, ho, ho - enjoy wine, beer, food and help Santa Claus Anonymous

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

What’s in your stuffing not what’s in your wallet?

This is a pretty simple question, what’s in your stuffing? Thanksgiving is tomorrow and stuffing/dressing for the turkey always tells me a bit about the region where people are celebrating or their family roots, where they grew up.

Read the full story: What’s in your stuffing not what’s in your wallet?

Monday, November 22, 2010

Just in time for the holidays – Gone to Smoke Cards

As a former smoker, a former heavy smoker, I’m not sure what I would do not being able to smoke when I was at a bar. But the law says you can't smoke in bars anymore. This time of year friends are in town for the holidays, everyone meeting at the bars catching up on old times. The bars are packed, at least in my single days they were! If you are a smoker, you crave that cigarette and you go outside to smoke.

Get the full story and learn where to order: Just in time for the holidays – Gone to Smoke Cards

Check out the FREE Thanksgiving E-Cookbook

Whether you are fixing the entire Thanksgiving meal or bringing a dish how can you resist not looking at ifood.tv’s FREE 4 color Thanksgiving e-cookbook.

Let them show you how to cook like a pro with easy tips and culinary tricks.

Get all the details:  Baltimore check out the FREE Thanksgiving E-Cookbook

Pikesville restaurant locations are officially gone

One of my tenets that I have is not to write about restaurant closings, it is sad, it is someone’s dream dying, it is someone’s house or child’s college education that has been wagered to create a restaurant, a place of hospitality. There are plenty who will write about these moments, it is there job – for me it would just be click-thrus on a serious hobby. Now that I have explained this, why am I writing this story?

A memorial for times past

The corner of Reisterstown Road and Sudbrook Lane housed two restaurants in the same building over the many years; first Spalding’s Cocktail Lounge and in the later years the Backfin Restaurant

Pikesville restaurant locations are officially gone

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Tradition, TRADITION! Encyclopedia of Jewish Food for Hanukkah

From Adafina, a Sephardic Sabbath stew to Zwetschgenkuchen, a cross between a cake and a tart made with Italian prune plums Gil Mark’s Encyclopedia of Jewish Food delves in to the history, culture and recipes of Jewish foods. The 636 page Encyclopedia of Jewish Food is a cookbook – reference book for anyone’s shelf.

Check out this holiday gift giving idea:

Tradition, TRADITION! Encyclopedia of Jewish Food for Hanukkah

Significant changes at Boston Markets: service and food selections upgraded


New sides
Boston Markets, to my best recollection was one of the first chains offering rotisserie chicken, before Kenny Rogers and others. They offered the rotisserie chicken and pedestrian sides like corn, potatoes – pretty plain fare that you ordered and picked up cafeteria style which was served on disposable plates with plastic flatware

Read about all the changes and get coupons:

Significant changes at Boston Markets: service and food selections upgraded

Friday, November 19, 2010

A bag of Utz potato chips and Kathy Griffin or a rant by any other name

Let me set the scene for my little pseudo rant. Yesterday was day two of a back-to-back gig working in Washington DC as a kitchen slave. It means early mornings up at 4 a.m. and out the door by 5 a.m. It isn’t glamorous, it truly is the washing of lettuce, blanching veggies and washing a lot of pots but it pays well. I learn a lot from my friend Sylvia, the chef, and lunch/leftovers are excellent. I have yet to learn to go to bed early the night before so I’m usually operating on four hours sleep. Scene 1

Read the full rant: 

A bag of Utz potato chips and Kathy Griffin or a rant by any other name

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Walmart Announces Holiday Campaign Focused on Fighting Hunger

With today’s USDA report reinforcing the ongoing issue of hunger in America, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation announced more than $18 million in monetary and in-kind donations that will help fight hunger in the U.S. this holiday season. Specifically, the company and its charitable giving arm are:
  1. Hosting its first nationwide food drive at all Walmart stores,
  2. Calling on Facebook fans to select communities that will receive $1.5 million in grants,
  3. Donating 65 refrigerator food trucks to Feeding America network food banks, and
  4. Helping The Salvation Army provide meals with a $1 million donation.
Read all the details:

Walmart Announces Holiday Campaign Focused on Fighting Hunger

Monday, November 15, 2010

$300 in restaurant coupons and a chance to win $25,000 or an Audi A3

Dine around, drive away is the name of the Restaurant Association of Maryland’s raffle and it benefits the Maryland ProStart program for high school culinary programs. You are buying restaurant coupons anyhow why not have a chance at $25,000 or Audi A3? The 2nd and 3rd prizes aren’t too shabby either – 2nd is $10,000 cash and 3rd prize is $5,000 cash.

Carver Center for Arts and Technology won the 2010 Maryland State ProStart culinary competition
Get the FULL DETAILS:   $300 in restaurant coupons and a chance to win $25,000 or an Audi A3

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Top Chef alumni spotted at a Subway on Charles Street

So chatting with a food friend when he says a car pulled in front of him on Charles Street with vanity license plate TopChef on a BMW. “Wait”, he said, “he is going into a Subway.” You know me, the hair on my arms stood up and I said can you get a picture and send it to me?

Catch the full rant: Top Chef alumni spotted at a Subway on Charles Street

Case for Corkage in Maryland gets VIP voice

Marylanders for Better Beer and Wine Laws (MBBWL) has a new voice assisting them in their battle for corkage for restaurants with liquor licenses in Maryland. The voice is the very visible Top Chef alumni; Chef Bryan Voltaggio of Volt Restaurant in Frederick. He has put his voice to paper on the pros for Maryland restaurants with liquor licenses to allow their customers to bring their own bottles of wine to their establishments. His letter is being circulated to liquor licensed restaurants to gain support and commitment to this endeavor.

Get the full story: Case for Corkage in Maryland gets VIP voice

Gourmet Holiday Cooking Class at Sotto Sopra Restaurant

Perk up you holiday table and celebrations with a festive, gourmet menu. Award-winning Chef DeLutis will be teaching an optional hands-on cooking class at Sotto Sopra Restaurant on Sunday, November 21st starting at 11 a.m.

Get all the details and check out the menu:

Gourmet Holiday Cooking Class at Sotto Sopra Restaurant

Friday, November 12, 2010

Just in time for holiday baking: Bake! by Nick Malgieri

In the years of using cookbooks and chatting up people who use cookbooks, photographs are important. It is important to have photographs of the finished product, step-by-step photos of the process – the more the snaps the better for the cook and/or baker. Recently released book, Bake! Essential techniques for perfect baking by Nick Malgieri shows in snaps and details what one should be looking for in their baking process.

Read the full story and get Nick's list of classes and appearances:
Just in time for holiday baking: Bake! by Nick Malgieri

Thursday, November 11, 2010

$35 three course dinner at The Wine Market will make many feel good

Are you heading out to dinner on Tuesday, November 16th? Do I have a suggestion for you and it is a deeeeelicious way to support the Baltimore School for the Arts. The Baltimore School for the Arts provides students with intensive pre-professional training in the arts in the context of a rigorous college preparatory curriculum.

The Wine Market, located at 921 E. Fort Avenue is offering up a three course dinner for you to enjoy - Check out the menu!!!!



$35 three course dinner at The Wine Market will make many feel good

Regional chefs come together for charity

You have to love chefs, no question. They are always there to support charities in so many ways and they answer the call giving of their time, food and dining certificates.


The next hot foodie event: Get the details:

Regional chefs come together for charity

Vote for Dining Dish November 11th & November 12th

We are coming in at the tail end of the Baltimore Sun's best of the city's blog contest and Dining Dish is #2 in the standings for the best Foodie blog. I need your help, a big push today and tomorrow with votes. If you have already voted then you are registered at the Baltimore Sun so it is easier.

Please vote, show some blog love.

The Baltimore Sun has kicked off their best blog contest for 2010 and I would like you to vote for my Dining Dish "food" Blog that I've been writing for five years.

If you would be so kind as to vote in 2 categories:

1. Best foodie blog - DINING DISH

2. Best overall blog - DINING DISH (there is a link at the bottom of the standings)

Vote once and I'm thrilled BUT if you vote once every day from now through November 12 - that would be SUPER and let me know that my writing these daily posts aren't an insane effort. So please vote.

http://data.baltimoresun.com/mobbies/2010/voting/?vote_for=6969#6969

Let me know there has been an audience out there. Feel free to forward this to your friends - I won't stop you!

Seriously, any time you put towards voting would be greatly appreciated. Oh, and it is a pain in the a** because you have to register at the site.

Best regards,

Dara

Dara (aka Dining Dish) Bunjon

Thursday, November 04, 2010

A holiday potluck dinner – recipes included


Baltimore Magazine’s Janelle Erlichman Diamond reached out to me to represent my Dining Dish blog, to be part of their holiday potluck entertaining story for the November issue. Nothing too gourmet, something everyone would enjoy. Two other food bloggers were asked to donate food for the potluck, both friends, very talented friends, Kathy Patterson (minxeats.com) and Kit Pollard (mangoandginger.blogspot.com).

Learn more about the dishes prepared and link to the recipes:

A holiday potluck dinner – recipes included

Wednesday, November 03, 2010

A grape harvest in Italy – Monforte D’Alba

Rachel O’Kaine has done what I wished I would have done when I was younger, she moved to Italy to learn about Italian cuisine from the roots up or for today, the vines down. Rachel wanted to participate in a wine harvest and got her wish. She shares her story here:

I always give credit where credit is due and my latest experience in Italy is due in part to my friend Eric. A month ago, I asked him if he knew of a winery where I could assist with a grape harvest/vendemmia. He asked a friend and his friend in turn recommended I contact Parusso winery

Read Rachel's whole story on the grape harvest: A grape harvest in Italy – Monforte D’Alba

World premiere of a new wine

On Monday Night, November 8, 2010, between the hours of 6:30 PM and 8:30 PM you will have the opportunity to witness history in the making as winemakers Ben and Jake Fetzer introduce to the world their new wine “Masút.” This East Coast introduction is making its world debut at The Vineyard Wine Bar in Havre de Grace, Maryland.

Get all the details on tasting and purchasing this limited release : World premier of a new wine

Tuesday, November 02, 2010

Election Day – get out and vote for your favorite Baltimore food blog – the Mobbies

It's Election Day – get out and vote, vote for your favorite Baltimore food blog at the Mobbies.

It seems apropos for election day that the Baltimore Sun is kicking off the voting for the best blogs in the city. The number of blogs in the food category has more than doubled from last year.  There are all types of food blogs from a nine year old who is a koodie to a blog devoted to hot sauces. Let your voice be heard.

The voting starts today, November 2nd at 8 a.m. and runs through November 12 ending at 5 p.m.  The contest is called the Mobbies and I was honored to have won the best foodie blog last year with my Dining Dish blog and came in third for the best overall blog.

You get to vote once a day in the multiple categories as well as the best overall. You will need to sign into the Baltimore Sun’s website but you can do that this year with your Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo, AOL or Google log in/password or sign up directly at the Baltimore Sun. Go here to vote http://data.baltimoresun.com/mobbies/2010/voting/


Of course I want you to vote for the DINING DISH every day but my blog might not be the only one you follow. The decision is yours but as is on every election day, it is important to get out and vote.

BE SURE TO VOTE FOR YOU BEST OVERALL BLOG – Hope you choose Dining Dish in both best food blog and best overall.

Nominated Food Blogs

The Dining Dish blog was started over five years ago, I thought you might like to journey back to the beginning.

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Colman Andrews’ Ferran Adrià biography, Ferran – The inside story on El Bulli and the man who reinvented food

Combine one of leading and award-winning food writers, Colman Andrews, with what is by most culinary authorities tout as “the chef of the decade”, Ferran Adrià, for an enlightening, engaging and entertaining must have book for the food passionate.

Colman Andrews, a name recognizable as one of the founders and the former editor in chief of Saveur. It is a name well recognizable in food writing from his many columns in Gourmet magazine to his cookbooks, Catalan Cuisine to The Country Cooking of Ireland which won the 2010 James Beard Cookbook of the Year.

Check out the video, snaps and story of Ferran at the book launch:
Colman Andrews’ Ferran Adrià biography, Ferran

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