Another view of the Restaurant Association of Maryland’s corkage survey-BYOB

Earlier this past week I posted the Restaurant Association of Maryland’s official stand on the case for corkage in Maryland Restaurants. The Marylanders for Better Beer and Wine Laws has responded that the Restaurant Association of Maryland Industry Survey supports the case for Corkage though in their press release they stated they would advise against it.

Read the full story HERE

Finding Dim Sum near Baltimore – Red Pearl Chinese Restaurant

I heart Dim Sum. Love the rolling carts of small individual steamer baskets serving a selection of Chinese dishes. Actually the translation of Dim Sum is “to touch your heart” or “little heart.” Dim Sum is traditional served as brunch/lunch food. Neighboring Northern Virginia and Maryland’s Montgomery County have a number of places for Dim Sum; the closest we have to Baltimore is Howard County.

Out to lunch

My food partner in crime, Jeff, was in from Florida and thought it a perfect excuse to go try Red Pearl Chinese Restaurant for Dim Sum. Get the full story and check out the slide show:Finding Dim Sum near Baltimore – Red Pearl Chinese Restaurant

Which restaurant chain has the worst food?

This post is inspired by The Village Voice’s post The Six Worst Chain Restaurants in New York. If you lived in New York City, land of a million independent restaurants, why would you even consider a chain other than two dine for $10 options for those less fortunate financially.

Of course, bad meals can be had at independently owned restaurants, that goes without saying.
Read the entire post and let your voice be heard: Which restaurant chain has the worst food?

Restaurant Association of Maryland stand on the current Wine Corkage (BYOB)

It was only a couple months ago a notice came out from the Marylanders for Better Beer and Wine Laws about trying to change the corkage laws in the state of Maryland. The law will allow you, the consumer, to bring your own bottle of wine to a restaurant with a Maryland Liquor License- you would be charged a corkage fee. Those restaurants without the Maryland liquor license are allowed to let customers bring wine and beer (BYOB) but they must charge a corkage fee.

Interestingly enough, it contained a situation where at Volt Restaurant in Frederick, owned by Top Cheftestant Bryan Voltaggio.....

Read the full story: Restaurant Association of Maryland stand on the current Wine Corkage (BYOB)

Three restaurants – one night: Baltimore City’s Winter Restaurant Week

It’s back! Baltmore City’s Restaurant Week. How can you miss that come this Friday, January 21st launches the sixth year Baltimore City’s restaurants are offering you dining deals – three course luncheons for $20.11 / three course dinners for $35.11. Let Baltimore City’s Restaurant Week begin!

A handful of media were invited to sample Restaurant Week offerings from restaurants in the North Charles Street corridor/Mt. Vernon last night and share our experience with you. Personally, the Mt. Vernon area is a favorite for dining and I believe it gets overshadowed by downtown’s Harbor East and downtown’s big boys but in reality it is home to the city’s finest eateries.

Join me as I take you on Dara’s edible tour of Baltimore City’s Winter Restaurant Week at City Cafe, Sascha’s and The Prime Rib. Do not read if one is hungry.

Let the fork be with you - Check out a night of 3 restaurants and what they are offering for Restaurant Week-slide show inclusive:

Three restaurants – one night: Baltimore City’s Winter Restaurant Week

Indulging in chocolate all night long provides health care for the homeless

Can someone in the background hum the theme from the television show Bonanza. Thank you! Why bonanza? Well it is time for the Chocolate Affair, Thursday, February 3rd, in fact, a milestone Chocolate Affair, 20 years and for those who attend, it is a chocolate bonanza. Over fifty restaurants, caterers and chocolatiers put out their most creative, edible chocolate creations, both sweet and savory, for attendees to enjoy and for the glory of having the best chocolate dish of the night.


Last year over 1,600 guests enjoyed the early evening cocktail bash raising $180,000 for homeless healthcare needs.

Get all the details, look at the mouthwatering snaps of chocolate offerings.:

Indulging in chocolate all night long provides health care for the homeless

Roy’s Harbor East: New cooking class – new chef

Hurray and sign up for the new cooking demonstration class to be held at Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion Restaurant in Baltimore’s Harbor East to be held Sunday, February 20th at 7 p.m. Hurray, because the last class sold out very quickly.

The class last Monday had 30 students who watched as Chef Patrick (Opie) Crooks demonstrated a four course menu: Smoked Salmon Ravioli, Crispy Lobster Potstickers with Togarashi MIso Butter, Misoyaki Glazed Butterfish in a sizzling Soy Vinaigrette and the finale, Roy’s Melting Hot Chocolate Souffle.

 



Get the full details on the upcoming class and look at the slide show:
Roy’s Harbor East: New cooking class – new chef

New culinary club for Baltimore: food, drink, history, conversation, new friends

Culinary clubs have come, some have stayed and many have gone especially now that restaurants organize their own food and wine dining events. The events are pretty typical, a set menu, a set venue – you come, you eat/drink and you leave. There is a new kid in town!

Read the full story, check out the slide show: New culinary club for Baltimore: food, drink, history, conversation, new friends - Baltimore dining | Examiner.com

Ruby Tuesday Restaurant blunder

When composing my post on free birthday gifts from restaurant chains one needed to sign up as a fan/follower at various restaurant chains’ websites. So, from time-to-time, promotional emails from these chains are in my email inbox.

On Tuesday, January 11th Ruby Tuesday sent a birthday offer, “we wrapped your present in a bun” – a free birthday burger. Generous but guess what, my birthday is in May.

Continue reading: Ruby Tuesday Restaurant blunder

Assorted Baltimore food news and gossip

Okay, so I’ve been busy and haven’t had time to post. It doesn’t mean I haven’t been hearing food news and unsubstantiated gossip. So here is the scoop for now!

Tonight, I head down to Roy’s Restaurant to take part in the cooking class being offered by their new chef and partner, Patrick (Opie) Crooks.

For the full story and news continue reading: Assorted Baltimore food news and gossip

Lunch and dinner specials $11 and happy hour drinks $1.11 on 01/11/11

Shrimp and Grits

I’ve written about them before, down in Canton about my lovely lingering lunch. Time flies and they are celebrating their one year anniversary in a big way. Well I think so!

On 01-11-11, which is next Tuesday, get yourself specially priced luncheon and dinners for just $11. Come in for happy hour from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. for drinks priced at the amazing price of $1.11. You won't go wrong, good food at a great value.

Read the full story HERE

The Dining Examiner’s 2010 top ten list

It has been an exciting year for Dining Examiner/Dining Dish. Your generous votes during the 2010 Mobbies–Best Baltimore Blogs contest through the Baltimore Sun ranked my Dining Dish blog the 2nd best foodie blog in the city and the fifth best blog in Baltimore - not too shabby considering blogs keep multiplying.

Predictions


There have been multiple list about trends for 2011, will they be right we’ll see at the end of the year.

Check out my top ten:
The Dining Examiner’s 2010 top ten list

A Groupon you don’t want to miss

A number of you have already figured out that I’m tethered to my computer 90% of my waking hours. Of course there is a down side to this but it is a New Year, so let us look to the positive. Being one with the computer allows me to catch food news that most don’t receive or have time to catch in a timely fashion.

Enter Facebook and a Facebook E-mail - get all the details:

A Groupon you don’t want to miss

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

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

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

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