Birroteca takes on the Devil

The Red Devils charity that advocates for patients and their families affected by breast cancer has a commitment from Baltimore’s Birroteca Restaurant for donating a portion of the restaurant’s proceeds throughout an ENTIRE YEAR.  I emphasize YEAR LONG so as not to be mistaken for a restaurant doing a one-night benefit. Birroteca is known for its rustic Italian fare and oh so many craft beers (60) in Baltimore’s Hampden neighborhood. 

Read the full story at Dara Cooks at Baltimore Post Examiner.    

Your sneak peek: Orto Restaurant opens today in Station North

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The growing arts and entertainment Station North district in Baltimore, from Maryland Institute of Art and Penn Station to North Avenue, where the Parkway Theatre, Charles Theatre, BIG (Baltimore Improve Group) and Motor House Art Hub adds the Italian inspired, locally sourced Orto Restaurant on Charles Street.

In Italian, Orto translates to vegetable garden and is reflected in their menu.  As their website states, “Our menu is built on the foundations of Italian Food, and culture – simple, fresh, flavorful cuisine served in a welcoming space.”

Read the full review and enjoy the photographs at Dara Cooks at Baltimore Post Examiner.

GDL Italian now open for Saturday and Sunday Brunch

GDL Italian by Giada in Baltimore’s Horseshoe Casino has expanded their hours to include brunch Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 am to 2 pm, tempting patrons and casino goers to indulge in their Italian fare.   Giada de Laurentiis (GDL) , Food Network star and cookbook author , combines her California take on her family’s  Italian cuisine (Kale Caesar Salad, Seasonal Frittata) with local Maryland dishes for brunch (Maryland Crab Hash, Crab Arancini).  Read the full story at Baltimore Post Examiner - Dara Cooks 

BROADWAY NIGHT IS BACK - 5 Course Italian Dinner & Live Performances

Broadway Night Encore

Hits songs from your favorite Broadway shows & 5 course Italian Dinner

Sotto Sopra Restaurant

Sunday, February 25th – 6 pm to 9 pm

Tickets:  410-625-0534

After the sellout crowd at Sotto Sopra Restaurant’s first Broadway Night we have been hearing  “encore, encore.”  In the words from the Broadway play Oliver, “Please sir, I want some more?” has been resonating.  Sotto Sopra listened and pulled together an amazing cast of performers for this unique February 25th Sunday evening of your favorite Broadway tunes from Cabaret, Miss Saigon, Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserable, and even Dear Evan Hansen. 

An ideal evening of our award winning fine Italian cuisine interspersed with live performances of the songs that continue-to-this-day lighting up the Great White Way.  Sotto Sopra is located at 405 N. Charles Street, the archway to Baltimore’s cultural district. Reservations/tickets should be placed at (410)625-0534.

Be part of the evening’s festivities; you might even be inspired to dress as your favorite Broadway character. It will be an evening of great vocal performances by these amazing talents:

Jennifer Miller: A professional vocalist and vocal educator, Jennifer has her Masters in Music from the University of Michigan. She has performed in musicals the likes of Sound of Music, South Pacific, Little Shop of Horrors, Godspell, Will Rodgers Follies and the Man of la Mancha. Jennifer was the choral music teacher at Loyola Blakefield for 14 years, and acted as musical director for all musical productions. She is now in her 15^th year of teaching music at the Children’s Chorus of Maryland. Jennifer has been guest conductor of the Maryland All-State Middle School Chorus, and clinician to music educators in Baltimore County.

George Wilkerson:  This tenor has extensive experience in opera and musical theater; most notably, performing the the roles of Beppe in I Pagliacci, Alfred in Die Fledermaus, Tamino in Die Zauberflöte, Bill in A Hand of Bridge, Donald in Gallantry, Professor Bhaer in Little Women: The Musical, Chauvelin in The Scarlet Pimpernel, and Jake in Side Show. He holds the Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education (Instrumental), the Master of Arts degree in Music (Voice) and is currently pursuing the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Voice Performance. Mr. Wilkerson thoroughly enjoys his careers as a teacher, conductor, percussionist, and saxophonist and has taught band, choir, and applied voice for over 15 years.

Patricia McKewen Amato:  Amato’s  extensive experience includes duties as conductor, coach, and accompanist at the AIMS Institute in Graz, Austria, Brevard Music Festival, Aspen Music Festival, Peabody Institute, Cumberland Valley Chamber Orchestra, and the Young Victorian Theatre.   She served as assistant music director of the Baltimore Opera Company and music director of its touring company; music director/conductor for Annapolis Opera, Maryland Lyric Opera, Brevard Music Festival, Opera Americana, Washington Savoyards, Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University, and Rep Stage; and assistant conductor/chorus master for Washington Summer Opera and Opera AACC.  She holds a BM from the Catholic University of America (magna cum laude), a MM from the University of Houston (magna cum laude), and certificates in lieder, opera, and chamber music from The American Institute of Musical Studies, in Graz, Austria.      

MENU

Cream of Potato Soup with Crispy Bacon

Mushroom Risotto with Truffle Oil

Raspberry Sorbet

Pan-Seared Salmon with Red Pepper Tapenade & Roasted Vegetables

Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Gelato

$58 per person

(live performances and 5 course dinner)

Excludes beverages, tax and gratuity

For tickets call  (410) 625 – 0534

Credit card guarantees apply

Sotto Sopra Restaurant is an award-winning Northern Italian Restaurant that has enjoyed success for over 21 years located on Baltimore’s historical byway Charles Street at the archway to the city’s cultural Mt. Vernon district.  It’s 19^th century building’s dining room boasts tall ceilings, tile floors, gilded mirrors and a contemporary mural that depicts restaurant life.  

Summer Restaurant Weeks - Baltimore City, Baltimore County & Howard County

It seems this is the week that you can pick from an enormous amount of local restaurants as Baltimore City, Howard County and Baltimore County restaurant weeks converge together.  Howard County started first, Baltimore City kicked off on Friday and this coming Friday launches Baltimore County's Resaturant Weeks. Choices, choices, choices.  

Below are the links to the Restaurant Week pages for all three municapalities and my personal picks of specific restaurants worthy of a reservation.     

HOWARD COUNTY - https://www.visithowardcounty.com/howard-county-restaurant-weeks/

July 24 to August 7

Restaurants are offering lunch and dinners

Baldwin's Station – 7618 Main Street – Sykesville

Baldwin's Station is in the heart of downtown historical Sykesville – an old train station with al fresco dining right at the railroad track. Enjoy the farm-to-table dining and then with the money you saved, meander the many quaint shops on Main Street.

Lunch- 2 or 3 courses - $14.17 or $18.17 / Dinner – 3 courses $36.17

The Turn House – 11130 Willow Bottom Drive – Columbia

The Turn House is located at the Hobbit Glen Golf Course.  The vistas overlooking the greens and Chef Tom Zippelli, a native to Howard County, has come back to roost after working at Michelin starred restaurants 11 Madison Park and the French Laundry.

Dinner – 3 Courses $38.17

 BALTIMORE CITY - http://www.baltimorerestaurantweek.com/
July 28 to August 6

Restaurants are offering lunch, brunch and dinners. 

Sotto Sopra Restaurant – 405 N. Charles Street – Baltimore

Sotto Sopra has the most extensive menus, greater selection of their award winning Italian cuisines with a Maryland accent.  The room is stunning, candle lit tables, gilded mirrors, artwork in the historical 19^th townhouse.  They have already extended both their lunch and dinner restaurant weeks through to Sunday August 13^th.

Lunch – 2 Courses $15

Dinner – 3 Courses $35

Le Bistro Du Village – 1609 Sulgrave Avenue – Baltimore

Le Bistro Du Village, formerly known as Crepe Du Jour, is  in Mt. Washington Village. Their 3 course dinner menu is enticing with all the items you want to eat at a French Bistro; escargot, lamb chops, duck confit, chicken cordon blue and desserts…oooh laaa laaa- crepe Suzette, chocolate mousse. 

Dinner – 3 Courses $35

BALTIMORE COUNTY - http://www.baltimorecountyrestaurantweek.com/
August 4 to August 19

Restaurants are offering lunch, brunch and dinners

By the Docks – 3321 Eastern Boulevard – Middle River

By the Docks is valued packed seafood, a regular winner of the best crab cake in Baltimore. Can you imagine a 4 course dinner for $35.17 that includes choices like Seafood imperial, double crab cakes or New York Strip topped with crabmeat. 

Lunch – 3 Courses $20.17

Dinner – 4 Courses $35.17

The Milton Inn – 14833 York Road – Sparks

The Milton Inn has a rich history and the food by Chef Brian Boston is worth the simple drive out Interstate 83.  Romantic, visually stunning rooms and the menus for restaurant weeks are extensive in choices.

Lunch – 3 Courses $25.17

Dinner – 3 Courses $35.17

Brunch – 3 Courses $25.17

World Renowned Jazz Pianist in Baltimore for 1 Night Only

 Peter Beets, World-Renowned Pianist

“Chopin meets the Blues”

Sotto Sopra Restaurant - 405 N. Charles Street - Baltimore, MD 21201

Wednesday, June 28th

Open Reservations: from 6 pm to 9 pm

410 625 0534

 $10 cover charge per person plus dinner reservations -ala carte menu

It is with great pleasure that Sotto Sopra announces the internationally-acclaimed jazz pianist Peter Beets will be back performing at their restaurant on Wednesday, June 28th from 6 pm to 9 pm when he returns to touring in the United States.  Beets wowed our guests back in March and so enjoyed the intimacy of playing our dining room, he has agreed to play for you once again. 

 Beets is regularly featured at major concert venues and international jazz festivals.

The Dutch-born pianist will be playing limited engagement concerts in the US, on the East Coast: New York, Philadelphia and in Baltimore at Sotto Sopra. The theme will be "Chopin meets the Blues," a take on his album, Chopin meets the Blues Live.

Sotto Sopra will be serving our regular ala carte dinner menu and offering open seating between 6 pm to 9 pm. There will be a $10 cover charge per person along plus dinner from our ala carte menu. Seating is limited to 100 guests for the evening.

Listen to Peter Beets

YouTube: https://youtu.be/58w5FeqT83M

Facebook: @PeterBeetsNL  Twitter: @PeterBeets

www.PeterBeets.com

Cost per Person:  $10 cover charge per person plus entree order from our ala carte menu

Reservations required: (410) 625-0534

Sotto Sopra Restaurant - 405 N. Charles Street - Baltimore, MD  21201

(410) 625-0534

Link to Event Web Page

https://www.sottosoprainc.com/new-events/2017/6/28/peter-beets-internationally-renowned-jazz-pianist

Broadway Night at Sotto Sopra: Join in the sounds of music

Sotto Sopra Restaurant at 405 N. Charles Street is turning Mt. Vernon into their own Great White Way with their Broadway Night on Sunday, June 4^th starting at 6 p.m.  Featured performers from the Baltimore Men’s Chorus (BMC); Cole Reilly, Nathan “Brad” Bradley, and Stephen McMahon will breathe life into popular Broadway Musical songbooks

Sotto Sopra is encouraging attendees to come dressed as anyone of their favorite Broadway show characters, so put on your lederhosen if Sound of Music is your favorite or rollers in your hair if you are a beauty school dropout from Grease. 

READ MORE: At Dara Cooks Blog at Baltimore Post Examiner

Bertucci's celebrates 35 years of brick oven pizzas and pastas

A recent opportunity allowed me to celebrate Bertucci's 35th birthday with their CEO Brian K Wright and returning corporate chef, Rosario Del Nero at their Columbia, Maryland location – one of 85 locations. Did you know that their pizza dough is fermented and rests for two days, that all their vegetables are brick oven roasted daily in small batches, that the tomatoes they use in their sauces are grown exclusively for them in California and blended to their specifications.  CEO Wright showed me his video of the California tomato farm and the tomato production. He said, “I couldn’t believe how delicious and sweet the tomatoes were, I couldn’t stop eating them.”

What was very apparent upon my visit was their ability to work with small and large groups, working with menu items as well as build your own pizza capabilities.  The restaurant was packed for holiday celebrations and family dining.  Bertucci’s has combined full service dining with fast casual options staying abreast of current trends. 

Read the full story and watch the slideshow at my Baltimore Post Examiner Dara Cooks Blog 

Gala 15th Anniversary Opera Night at Sotto Sopra Restaurant

It was 15 years ago in October when the owner and chef Riccardo Bosio of Baltimore’s leading Northern Italian Restaurant, Sotto Sopra shared part of his Italian culture as well as his cuisine with a night filled with live opera performances and a multi-course dinner.  Bosio grew up in Bergamo, no far from Milan and shared his mother’s love of opera and that was a start of what is now a monthly event that has been a huge success at this Mt. Vernon restaurant for 15 years.

On Sunday, October 16^th Sotto Sopra celebrates kicking off the 15^th season with a gala evening, bringing back former performers for a one night event of three sopranos and their tenor.  On this opera night, as a celebration of 15^th years, they are welcoming back Kathleen Stapleton, the soprano who performed the first Opera Night and many Opera Nights thereafter.  Joining Kathleen, by special arrangement is Diane Abel, whose operatic renditions of your favorite songs and duets entertained so many of you. Last, but far from least, is our current soprano, the versatile Karen Myers Rhodovi who amazes all our guests with her stratospheric high notes.

Opposing the exquisite singing of these 3 soprano stalwarts will be their long running tenor, Paul McIlvaine, whose musical tones have been heard at Sotto Sopra’s Opera Nights continually throughout all the opera nights. Hear all four voices as the evening opens with the resounding songs from La Traviata.

The incomparable accompanist, Thomas Hetrick, will “tickle the ivories” to complement the vocalizing that tells the stories of loves, lives and sacrifice.

Each guest will receive a free CD as a remembrance of the Opera Night 15^th Anniversary

They expect a sellout crowd; tickets should be purchased early to guarantee your evening of music, songs and the cuisine that reflects the deft hand that is Italian.

PERFORMERS

Kathleen Stapleton, Soprano

Diane Abel, Soprano

Karen Myers Rhodovi, Soprano

Paul McIlvaine, Tenor

Tom Hetrick, Pianist

MENU

Lobster and Prosciutto Crostini

Tomato and Basil Risotto with Roasted Scallop and Goat Cheese

Pomegranate Sorbet

Pan Seared Halibut

with sautéed spinach and avocado sour cream aioli

Lavender Panna Cotta

 with fig and caramel

$58 Per Person

Includes multi course dinner and live entertainment

(excludes beverages, tax and gratuity)

FUTURE OPERA NIGHTS – Save the Dates

Sundays: Nov 13^th & December 11^th

*Credit card guaranteed tickets are required for Opera Night. Parties cancelling their tickets 48 hours prior and no shows to Opera Night will be billed $50 per person in their party. 

Sotto Sopra Restaurant – 405 N. Charles Street – Baltimore MD 21201 – 410 625 0534

www.sottosoprainc.com Facebook Twitter @sottosopra  Instagram @sottosoprarestaurant

Street and valet parking available

Keccos Woodfire Kitchen to open in Reisterstown

Reisterstown, Maryland and Carroll County residents can look forward to a new restaurant located in Reisterstown Crossing on Westminster Pike.  The former owner of Glydon’s Mezzanotte Bistro, Tony Scotto DiFrega, is coming back to his old neighborhood with an Italian inspired restaurant featuring brick oven pizzas.  Kecco’s Woodfire Kitchen will be a full service, sit down restaurant.

Tony Scotto DiFrega named the restaurant after his son, and brings diverse experience in restaurant ownership and management to this new venture. He recently sold an Italian restaurant in the Elkridge section of Howard County to open Keccos Woodfire Kitchen.

“I live extremely close to the location and I understand the community and what they want from a restaurant experience,” explained Tony Scott DiFrega. “There are many families that look for reasonably-priced and high-quality meals, and we intend to service this audience in a comfortable and warm environment. The number of businesses in the area is also growing, so we see an opportunity for strong lunchtime traffic as well.”   

Look for the opening mid-summer. 

Keccos Woodfire Kitchen – 114 Westminster Pike – Reisterstown, MD 

Internationally renowned guitarist Flavio Sala “in concert” at Sotto Sopra Restaurant

Are you looking for that very special evening out? The one night only event at Sotto Sopra Restaurant where Italian fine dining and a consummate performer come together for a very intimate evening. 

On Sunday, November 29^th Sotto Sopra Restaurant, known for its Northern Italian cuisine in Baltimore for over 19 years, is hosting Italian-born guitarist Flavio Sala who will perform an intimate concert for the restaurant’s dining guests. Sotto Sopra Restaurant, located at the archway of Baltimore’s Cultural District at 405 N. Charles Street plays dinner host to the concert ticket holders.  Prior to the concert that starts at 8 p.m., concert ticket holders will order off the Sotto Sopra ala carte menu for the dinner portion of the evening. Open reservations for concert ticket holders’ dinner are being accepted between 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at Sotto Sopra Restaurant (410-625-0534). Guests can purchase their Flavio Sala concert tickets ($20) separately at his website www.flaviosala.com. 

Watch and listen to Flavio perform and get all the details for this special event HERE

  

Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve at Baltimore Italian restaurants

The Feast which initially was a partial fast on Christmas eve (La Vigilia) during which no meat should be served has expanded into the Feast of the Seven Fishes or more. As Mario Batali chef and expert on Italian cuisine explains, “But in true Italian style, this proscription has morphed into something very unfastlike indeed: course after course of luxurious seafood dishes, often as many as 7, 10, or even 13.” “No one's quite sure of the significance of the number," says Batali. "Some families do seven for the sacraments. Some do ten for the stations of the cross. And some even do 13 for the 12 apostles plus Jesus."

Over recent years, our local Italian restaurants have embraced the tradition of the Feast of the Seven Fishes, all offering the meal in different courses, different dishes and different pricing. Find the 5 local Italian Restaurants and their menus listed below.  Each restaurant has their own hours, menus and pricing.  The feast is Christmas eve at all locations with an added day on Tuesday, December 23^rd at AIDA Bistro. 

Get the full list of restaurants and their Feast of Seven Fishes offerings and slideshow HERE.

Expect a winter opening of Ristorante Firenze in historic Reisterstown

It has been over a year since Jesse Issa’s  Tonino’s  restaurant closed after a 25 year run located where Reisterstown Road ( route 140) veers off west to Westminister and Hanover Road begins on historic Reisterstown’s Main Street byway. Tonino’s was Mediterranean cuisine, lots of pastas and pizza – with a heavy slant to Italian American.  Two brothers,  Brian and Larry Leonardi have taken over the location and if all bodes well for them, plan to open Ristorante Firenze, an “authentic Italian” restaurant at 2 Hanover Road.

The upscale casual Ristorante Firenze will offer a diverse lunch and dinner menu based on the regional Italian cuisine of Florence.  They promise a stylish bar/lounge where one can sink into comfortable armchairs facing a fireplace and of course, wide-screen television sets, the accoutrement du jour for any bar along with craft cocktails, a premium wine list and beers both draft and bottled. 

Carrying on the Italian theme one can expect custom lighting from Murano, Italy – known for their glass work, the warm tones that reflect Tuscany along with natural materials.  The 3,000 square foot restaurant which will feature 100 seat dining is undergoing both interior and exterior renovations with interior design by Rita St. Clair Associates.  Rear parking and entrance to Ristorante Firenze are also getting the Italian facelift.

“Our research shows that the northwest Baltimore County and Carroll County regions remain underserved by restaurants that are adaptable to support diverse occasions including business meetings, casual meals and special celebrations,” said Brian Leonardi. “Ristorante Firenze has been designed to fill this niche with a family-operated Tuscan dining experience utilizing recipes handed down for generations and reflective of our Little Italy roots.”  Those roots go as far back as the brothers being bus boys, servers and cooks in their uncle’s restaurant; Velleggia’s, then their own Casa Di Pasta eateries in Belvedere Square and Columbia.

Ristorante Firenze – 2 Hanover Road – Reisterstown, MD – follow their progress as they ready for opening at www.EatFirenze.com  Twitter @EatFirenze  Facebook

Vivo Trattoria’s Italian movie and dinner nights

Vivo Trattoria located at the Hotel at Arundel Preserve has created movie themed three course dinners to match select Italian movies that they will be showing every other Thursday evenings.

The inaugural Italian movie and dinner is this coming Thursday, July 31^st when guests enjoy an amuse bouche of Italian popcorn, salad, entrée and dessert along with a wine pairing for $35.00 (excludes tax and gratuity).  The first movie The Godfather kicks off the follow schedule:

8/14 - The Big Night

8/28 - Cinema Paradiso

9/11 - Johnny Stecchino

9/25 - Godfather Part II

10/9 - 8 1/2

10/23 - Divorce Italian Style

11/6 - Godfather Part III

The movie will be shown twice during the evening, starting at 5 p.m. and then when finished somewhere around 7:30 or 8:00.  Get full details and slideshow HERE.

Italian lunch fare in Fells Point: Anastasia Italian Bistro

Anastasia Italian Bistro and Lounge is part of the Kali Restaurant Group and is located where Mele called home for a number of years.  I’m trying to think if there are any other Italian restaurants in Baltimore’s Fells Point and if there is, it escapes me. There are plenty of bars and restaurants but nothing I can remember that is Italian.   

Anastasia has been open since late 2013 redesigned with what I call Italian minimalistic touch of black, white and red.  Pictures of a motor scooter, Italian actresses and a large Barbara Wood print adorn the walls. There are bars galore in Anastasia two on the restaurant level and one in a lower level lounge. When the restaurant opened they only served dinner and made a name for themselves as a more upscale nightclub venue with dancing.  It was only recently that they have opened the doors at Anastasia for lunch between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  I was a guest of the restaurant to come in and enjoy what Anastasia offered for the midday diner.

Read the full story and watch the slideshow HERE.