250th post contest – Win a Weber Q

It just seems like yesterday that I was posting my 200^th story here at the Examiner and I turn around and this is my 250^th. I think we need to celebrate with a contest. The grand prize is a Weber Charcoal Q Grill and stand that was used in the filming of Steven Raichlen’s Primal Grill. It was used once during the series and has been sitting in my breakfast room for over a year. I will not be shipping the prize so the winner must be able to pick it up-it is partially assembled. I have an assortment of cookbooks for other winners.

Read the contest details and questions:
250th post contest – Win a Weber Q

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Where should President Obama eat when he comes to Baltimore?

A friend sent me a link to a photojournal of Barack Obama eating at various diners, hamburger franchises, pancake houses, rib shack and chili establishments. I thought it might be fun to come up with our own recommendation for the president as to where he should dine when he comes to Baltimore.

Where should President Obama eat when he comes to Baltimore?

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FREE Coffee for Dads on Father’s Day

Dad can kick off his Father’s Day, Sunday, June 21st with a FREE medium coffee at Baltimore Coffee & Tea’s three retail locations. Hot or cold, frozen or frothy, dad can choose from eight flavored coffees brewed each day.

Read more and watch video:
FREE Coffee for Dads on Father’s Day

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A different gift for Father’s Day

Mother’s Day is a big day for the restaurant industry and Father’s Day seems to be a big day for the grilling industry – two diverse trends. I believe I found the perfect gift that combines both, thinks about the younger children, thinks locavore and has entertainment included. This is a way the entire family can enjoy the special event and have fun.

Read the details:

A different gift for Father’s Day

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The tanks are full - lobsters $5.89 a pound

Popped into store on way home from DC to find the tanks full of lobsters at $5.89 a pound as well as other shellfish:
Baltimore Dining Examiner: The tanks are full - lobsters $5.89 a pound

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Baltimore Dining Examiner: Top Chef Carla Hall – up close

Before Top Chef, there was the premiere of the Food Network's Food Fight series at the French Embassy and that is where I first met Carla Hall. She had been a Washington, DC competitor and I, a Baltimore competitor. She was teamed with Chef Janis McLean and they won their competition. For the Baltimore competition, I was teamed with Chef Nona Nielsen-Parker, unfortunately we didn’t quite have the same results.

Watch the video:
Baltimore Dining Examiner: Top Chef Carla Hall – up close & personal video

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Tidbits - comings, trivia, review

Yet another week has slipped by, probably because of all the rain. Here is my weekly recap of my posts before they hit the deep, dark dungeon of archive oblivion. But before the recap, here is foodie news:
Baltimore Dining Examiner: Tidbits - comings, trivia & review

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Rockfish consumption warning: High levels of PCB’s

State of Maryland issues a warning about high levels of PCB's

Read story:
Baltimore Dining Examiner: Rockfish consumption warning: High levels of PCB’s

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FREE food giveaways addendum - healthy or not?

There seems to be controversy between the Restaurant Examiner and myself about whether the FREE food giveaways are healthy for us or not. Her response to my post was a post on a FREE chocolate dessert, Sugar Free Crownies, designed for those on a sugar free diet.

Apples to Oranges - Read more:
Baltimore Dining Examiner: FREE food giveaways addendum - healthy or not?

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FREE Food - Have you noticed none of it is healthy?

The only ones making out on these free food giveaways are the doctors with people eating these cholesterol and calorie-laden foods. Today is free donut day, we had free ice cream day, we had free root beer float day. And we have Mars weekly free chocolate candy Fridays. KFC wanted you to think the chicken giveaway was healthy but really, did you look at the sides?

Read my complete RANT:
Baltimore Dining Examiner: FREE Food - Have you noticed none of it is healthy?

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Ellicott City charm and Jordan’s Steakhouse (video)

There is much talk about staycations this year and celebrating your own locale. Let me recommend Historic Ellicott City. Because I live so close, I tend to forget that for others, out-of-state visitors, this is a vacation location-a destination worth visiting. Main Street Ellicott City has had its disasters, flooding – more than once but it bounces back – maintaining its historical charm. Main Street and side streets bustle with shops, something for everyone. When is the last time you were there?

Dining at Jordan's Steakhouse - read the review and watch the video:
Baltimore Dining Examiner: Ellicott City charm and Jordan’s Steakhouse (video)

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Baltimore Dining Examiner: Where do all the foodies meet?

I must admit, I don’t know where foodies meet all the time but I can tell you where a large number will be converging this weekend and you are invited to come. This is the 2^nd annual Food and Wine Festival at the National Harbor being held Saturday, June 6^th and Sunday, June 7^th starting at noon each day. I checked the weather forecast for DC and it will be approximately 79 degrees and sunny both days – ideal to come taste new foods, see cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs, drink some vino and commiserate with fellow foodies.

Read more for details and directions:
Baltimore Dining Examiner: Where do all the foodies meet?

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Kitchen slaving in Washington DC

How do I shorten this fairly long story to short? My friend is the chef at the Center for Hellenic Studies in Washington DC. Last December she needed help with the big gala dinner she creates for the fellows and as a friend, I offered to help. Roll the cameras forward to present day, I am still helping her out, being her kitchen slave, on average once a week so she can get a little ahead on her job demands.

Read the entire story:
Baltimore Dining Examiner: Kitchen slaving in Washington DC

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Ice creams that don't melt but turn into pudding

Can you believe an ice cream that instead of melting turns to pudding? Well Cold Stone Creamery has developed the new product. I don’t know about you but I’m curious to see the ingredients in this item, aren’t you?

Read the complete story:
Baltimore Dining Examiner: Ice creams that don't melt but turn into pudding

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Toilet Themed Restaurant Has 10 Locations

Toilet Themed Restaurant Has 10 Locations

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FREE Ice Cream Float at Sonic – Wednesday, June 3rd

I remember making ice cream floats at birthday parties as a kid. Put a dip of ice cream in a glass, add carbonated soda and watch it fizzzzzzzz. As an accoutrement, I would add some M&M’s for the pièce de résistance. These little concoctions likely would overflow on to the table and screw up the kids tummy along with all the other sugar that comes with the birthday parties.

Read the details on how to get your FREE ICE CREAM FLOAT:
Baltimore Dining Examiner: FREE Ice Cream Float at Sonic – Wednesday, June 3rd

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Celebrate Italy’s Festival of the Republic – June 2nd

The 63^rd Anniversary of the Festa della Repubblica Italiana was celebrated a little early, this past Sunday. The Consul of Italy in Baltimore, Dr. Francesco Luigi Legaluppi, hosted the 400 plus guests at Maserati of Baltimore for an afternoon of Italian song, music and of course, food and wine.

Read the entire story and enjoy the recipe links at:
Baltimore Dining Examiner: Celebrate Italy’s Festival of the Republic – June 2nd

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Lobsters at $5.89 pound

Can you believe $5.89 a pound. Check out the other bargains I got today at Lotte:
Baltimore Dining Examiner: Lobsters at $5.89 pound

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