Gordon Ramsay in Baltimore to launch new restaurant

It is official, the celebrity chef known throughout the world, Gordon Ramsay, is in Baltimore today to open his first East Coast Gordon Ramsay Steak. The restaurant has filled in the Jack Binion Steak House space at the Horseshoe Casino.

Read more at Dara Cooks Blog - Baltimore Post  Examiner

Culinary gifts for the foodcentrics in your life

Wondering what to get that food crazed friend, mate or family member? Here are my picks from local Baltimoreans:

Chef-for-the-Day at Sotto Sopra Restaurant

The Minx’s Food Pattern Apparel and Accessories

The Food Market (At Home) Cookbook – 150 recipes, color photographs - $30

Learn more about this unique culinary gifts at Dara Cooks Blog on Baltimore Post Examiner 

New fall menus entice at Wit & Wisdom Tavern

When one gets an invite to sample Wit & Wisdom’s Executive Chef Zach Mills’ and Lead Bartender Rob Garrison’s new fall menu items and cocktails, the response was an immediate yes. This Michael Mina tavern is the anchor restaurant for Baltimore’s Harbor East Four Seasons Hotel where each seat, whether at the bar or the dining room has a stunning view of the harbor.

With a new expanded menu of shareable plates, it was a tossup of the Anson Mills Hush Puppies with lemon crème fraîche, lobster vinaigrette and caviar or the Seared Foie Gras Waffle with blood orange marmalade with bourbon maple syrup. My choice was the hush puppies. When they arrived, they were crispy morsels, resembling little mountains topped with caviar rather than snow. Other starters for our party were the Split Pea Soup and the Pear and Endive Salad.

Read more and watch the slideshow at Dara Cooks /Baltimore Post Examiner

A Spanish obsession: Gin and Tonic

“The Spaniards are obsessive about gin and tonics” espoused Chef José Andrés in an August, 2017 article in Food and Wine Magazine. He said, “Spanish bars can have upwards to 50 gins.” These gins vary  with assorted aromatics and botanicals. 

Baltimore’s own Spanish tapas restaurant, Tapas Teatro, located in the Station North neighborhood, next to the Charles Theatre, tempts patrons with their signature gin-tonics. 

Read more at Dara Cooks at  Baltimore Post Examiner

March of Dimes - Signature Chefs Auction and Gala

So many worthy causes and how does one choose which ones to support? One of my picks is the March of Dimes of Central Maryland that helps moms have full-term pregnancies and researches the problems that threaten the health of babies.

Every year the March of Dimes of Central Maryland serves up an evening of signature chefs’ cuisine tastings and an extensive auction, both silent and live. This year, the March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction will be held Thursday,  November 16th at 6 p.m. at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel.

Read more at Dara Cooks Blog at Baltimore Post Examiner