Local Baltimore chef moves to the award winning Equinox Restaurant

The official press release came out today from Chef Todd and Ellen Gray that Baltimore’s Brandi Edinger is their new pastry chef for their Washington DC restaurant.

Chef Edinger (@pastrychk) has won local competitions. She tied for first place in the 20th Chocolate Affair and took top honor in A Night O’Chocolate competition in Washington, DC which focused on showcasing the talent of women pastry chefs in the DC area.

Read the complete story HERE

Sotto Sopra Restaurant hosts Chef Purpura of The Biltmore Four Seasons

Sotto Sopra Italian Restaurant welcomes Justin Purpura, chef at Four Seasons Resort - The Biltmore Santa Barbara and a Baltimore native, for a one-night food and wine charity event on Monday, August 6, 2012. The menu features Chef Purpura’s culinary talents along with specially paired wines.

Get the full details, menu and more HERE

An inside look at the soft opening of Hank's Oyster Bar

A couple months ago Chef Jamie Leeds of Hank’s Oyster Bars located in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington DC and Old Town Alexandria shared that she was opening a 3rd Hank’s near the nation’s capitol. The official name is Hank’s Oyster Bar but even early on Leeds referred to it as Hank’s on the Hill. What was going to be different from the two early Hank’s was she was partnering with renowned mixologist Gina Chersevani formerly of PS7 and Rasika. Mixtress, Gina’s nickname, had worked with Leeds a number of years ago at 15 Ria when both were getting their careers going.

It had been a long, long time since I had driven to any location in southeast Washington, D.C. but it seems I was better equipped than the husband and we made it on a rainy Saturday evening 30 minutes early and with the luck of the gods got the parking space right in front.

Read the FULL story and enjoy the slideshow HERE.

The Generous Pour wine event at The Capital Grille Restaurants

The national restaurant chain The Capital Grille Restaurants recently kicked off their summer wine event called the Generous Pour. George Miliotes, a Master Sommelier, is sharing nine of his personal favorites from around the world during this event and all for just $25 per person. Nine distinct wines, nine distinct profiles and you can taste all of them with your meal at The Capitol Grille now through September 2, 2012.

Read the full story and watch the slideshow HERE

Scarborough Fair Bed and Breakfast earn Certificate of Excellence

Congratulations are in order for Barry Werner and Jeff Finlay Scarborough Fair Bed and Breakfast innkeepers for garnishing TripAdvisor’s 2012 prestigious Certificate of Excellence. The award is based on Scarborough Fair Bed and Breakfast guests’ comments and rankings with over 344 reviews giving them the top rating of five stars, ranking them one of the top guest accommodations in Baltimore.

Check out the full story and slideshow HERE

Dining Dish’s story featured on BMoreMedia.com

For a long while I have had the concept of matching restaurants with The Charm City Circulator bus stops.  Over lunch one day with friend and  Julekha Dash, editor of BmoreMedia.com, I discussed the concept. I’m excited that it is the featured story this week on BmoreMedia.com.  The story and the sidebar with all the bars, pubs and restaurants that are coordinated with the new Banner Route from Inner Harbor to Fort McHenry and back. I hope you will stop by the site and check out the story.

Read the complete story and sidebar

Chomp on the Charm City Circulator Culinary Tour

 

Restaurant gossip is stirring

Is a local Fells Point Restaurant in financial difficulty? Stories are coming my way of one such restaurant is letting go the key hourly employees, the chef, the general manager and floor captain in the span of two to three weeks. The story I hear is bartenders, servers and runners have been leaving as well. Since this is not a story I can confirm, I will not mention a name.

For more on this story click HERE

No sushi at Ra Sushi

It is that time of year when Ra Sushi introduces their new menu and beverage items and this year there were no new sushi items but they have enhanced their appetizers, entrees and cocktail lines.

Ra, as close friends like to call it, is always busy, lively and pumping with energy. It is hard to find a seat in the bar at any happy hour.

Catch the slideshow and full story HERE.

Chazz celebrates A Bronx Tale's anniversary

Mark your calendars and put on your best Bronx accent. Harbor East’s Chazz: A Bronx Original is having a very special Happy Hour from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday, July 23. as members of the  original cast of the classic movie A Bronx Tale will attend. This special Happy Hour that will commemorate the upcoming anniversary of the production of the movie and to launch a new charitable fundraising campaign at the restaurant.

photo courtesy of Chazz: A Bronx Original

Read the full story HERE

August opening date for Fleet Street Kitchen

As Fleet Street Kitchen Restaurant in the Bagby Building on where else, Fleet Street nears its August completion date, one should be putting it on their “must dine” list.

Various media types, including myself, were invited to tour Cunningham Farm and enjoy a sneak peek at Fleet Street Kitchen’s cuisine prepared by Chef Chris Becker-executive chef and chief of culinary operations for the Bagby Restaurant Group, Omar Semidey-sous chef and Bettina Perry-pastry chef. Tim Riley, chief operations officer for the Bagby Group and beverage director oversaw the libations.

Read the complete story and check out the 28 picture slide show HERE

Baltimore, DC, New York, Philadelphia Restaurant Weeks and more

Welcome to your one-stop shopping for regional restaurant weeks. Tis the season for special discount meal deals from $10.12 for multi course lunch to $35 dinner for two.

Rather than just writing about Baltimore City’s Restaurant Week, I have scoured my resources at hand for regional restaurant weeks. Here is the most comprehensive listings I could find for New York City, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Howard County, Washington DC, Alexandria VA, New Jersey, Jersey Shore, Ocean City and last but not least, Philadelphia.

Get the complete regional restaurant week listing HERE

Wiley Gunter's is officially opened replacing the Sly Fox Pub

The sign is up on E. Fort Avenue, so it is official, Wiley Gunter’s Pub and Sports Bar is open for business. Former sweat equity partner, Wyatt Mackie, in the Sly Fox Pub has bought out his partners. Wiley Gunter is Mackie’s great, great grandfather who by the way is listed in the Cowboy Hall of Fame. The moniker Gunter is Mackie’s middle name.

Click HERE to read the complete story

Bastille Day in Hampden

It’s a hon kinda Bastille Day for me and where better to celebrate then in Hampden.

Catch the brunch at The Food Market on 36th Street from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and order their Salad Nicoise. Seared tuna, rare the way I like it, fresh greens, olives, string beans, roasted peppers, potatoes and a perfectly poached egg with Magdelene’s mimosa.

Now it is time to shop like you are on the Avenue des Champs-Elysées and hit all the little boutiques on 36th Street.

Read the full story HERE

The Food Market’s women who brunch deal – half off this Friday

Hampden’s new, sizzling hot restaurant, The Food Market is now doing brunch on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Restaurant brunches are usually Sundays, with an assortment of Baltimore restaurants offering it the entire weekend. Chef Chad Gauss of The Food Market advised that Friday brunch is more for the women that are home and want to go out with their friends. On weekends most women are committed to being with their families.

The Food Market only does dinner and has now added the brunch. They are not looking at this time to do lunch. With adding the Friday brunch Guass explained it lets them bring in two full time staffs. As chef explained, “part-time staffers don’t have the commitment that full time staff offers.”

For the full story and a look at The Food Market's brunch menu click HERE