The Dining Dish blog is Dara Bunjon's take on anything food, both national and in her hometown of Baltimore. Warning: this food blog can be harmful to your waistline.

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Colman Andrews’ Ferran Adrià biography, Ferran – The inside story on El Bulli and the man who reinvented food

Combine one of leading and award-winning food writers, Colman Andrews, with what is by most culinary authorities tout as “the chef of the decade”, Ferran Adrià, for an enlightening, engaging and entertaining must have book for the food passionate.

Colman Andrews, a name recognizable as one of the founders and the former editor in chief of Saveur. It is a name well recognizable in food writing from his many columns in Gourmet magazine to his cookbooks, Catalan Cuisine to The Country Cooking of Ireland which won the 2010 James Beard Cookbook of the Year.

Check out the video, snaps and story of Ferran at the book launch:
Colman Andrews’ Ferran Adrià biography, Ferran

Saturday, October 30, 2010

What is your favorite Halloween candy?

As a child candy corn was a favorite. Like Baltimore’s famous rainbow cake it would be eaten in layers, the triangular white top, then the yellow and finally the broad base of orange. The thought of eating candy corn today sends a ‘too sugary’ blast to my molars.

Read the full story - click the hyperlink: What is your favorite Halloween candy?

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Putting the twinkle back into Little Italy

You could light up the universe and have a star named after you or you could help light up Baltimore’s Little Italy.

Many of you have crossed under the Little Italy banner sign on Eastern Avenue that says Little Italy in teeny lights. Well the sign needs community support--read all the details:

Putting the twinkle back into Little Italy

The haunting at Montford and Boston – is there a new incarnation?

Just in time for Halloween is the haunting of the restaurant building on the corner of Boston Street and Montford. Is this location cursed? How many re-incarnations will this dining spot go through before there is success?

Let me see if I can remember the many lives of restaurants that were housed in the unusally shaped building.

Get the scoop:  The haunting at Montford and Boston – is there a new incarnation?

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Holiday Entertaining Uncorked – a FREE one hour webinar for the wine challenged

Entertaining or being entertained over the holidays can be stressful. Wouldn’t it be nice to get some free advice on food and wine pairings for parties/dinners, how much wine to buy for your gathering, wine and cheese combinations and what wines to buy for gifts, .... read the full story and how you can sign up for the FREE webinar Holiday Entertaining Uncorked:

Holiday Entertaining Uncorked – a FREE one hour webinar for the wine challenged

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Lobster alert - $6.99 a pound

On my Facebook Page where you put your descriptor, that little box under your photo, are the following words, "Mention foie gras and lobster and I will follow you anywhere!" This tells you I'm pretty passionate about lobster and vigilant about watching fresh lobster prices. The real treat is bringing a lobster home, cooking it and munching on it in the den while watching a movie. Like steamed crabs, I pick every little morsel out of the bright red crustacean and the husband has NO PATIENCE whatsoever

Read the full story and see who has lobsters on sale:

Lobster alert - $6.99 a pound

Monday, October 25, 2010

Doing Halloween Russian Style – Europa’s Halloween Ball

Have you picked out your costume for Halloween yet? Do I have a place where you can show it off and possibly win big prizes for the scariest or funniest? Europa, under other guises is a banquet hall but on weekend nights when the 200 plus seat facility isn’t filled with weddings or mitzvahs they have cabaret nights.

Europa is going all out for their Halloween Ball which is Saturday night, October 30th starting at 9 p.m. Check out the details, snaps and video:

Doing Halloween Russian Style – Europa’s Halloween Ball

Chef Arturo Paz of Phillips Seafood’s Freshest Catch cooking class - Nov 6th

This writer is a cooking class queen. I’ve been to more cooking classes than most people I know, especially in restaurants – in fact, for twelve years I organized them. There have been good ones, demonstration one, bad ones, great ones, partial hands-on and full tilt get-down and get dirty classes so I feel I’m a good judge.

A number of people come to the cooking class who will never ever fix the recipe but love the behind the scenes look....read the full story and check out the slide show:   
 
Chef Arturo Paz of Phillips Seafood’s Freshest Catch

The holidays are coming Baltimore - does that mean extra pounds?

The “holidays” have always related to “calories” and “bad food”…you know the bad food, we all do. Halloween just this week there will be unnecessary candy around.

Whatever the reason, many of us have to watch what we are eating from the athlete who needs carbs to the diabetic who doesn’t. Read the full story:

The holidays are coming Baltimore - does that mean extra pounds?

Saturday, October 23, 2010

It is official - there will be a third Mari Luna restaurant in Baltimore

From my lips to God’s ear and from Chef Jaime Luna’s lips to my ears there will be a third Mari Luna Restaurant. The paperwork is signed and the new Luna creation, Mari Luna Mexican Bistro, will be coming to you sometime in late winter 2011.
Chef Luna grabbed rave reviews on his first location, Mari Luna Mexican at Seven Mile Lane and Reisterstown Road and the remodeled Carvel location packs them in every night.

Get scoop, check out video and snaps:

It is official - there will be a third Mari Luna restaurant in Baltimore


photography courtesy of Michael Birchenall - Food Service Monthly

Friday, October 22, 2010

Pies top 2011 restaurant trend list – Check out Southern Pies

It isn’t too early to look at restaurant trends for 2011, didn’t they start pitching gifts on lay-away for Xmas in September.

From the restaurant and marketing company Andrew Freeman & Company of San Francisco comes their forecasting for the hottest trend for restaurants for 2011 and the word is pies: sweet and savory. You don’t have to wait to go to your favorite restaurant to get pie – no, you don’t, you can actually bake a pie, a Southern pie.
Check out Southern Pies and the almond custard pie recipe:

Pies top 2011 restaurant trend list – Check out Southern Pies


My foodie pick for the weekend – Saturday, October 23

Gosh, don’t you just LOVE this time of year? The trees are vibrant with color; people are busy, busy, busy with all the activities and events. Candy corn is starting to permeate air – adults and children alike are gearing up for Halloween. The air is crisp and fresh and a fabulous time to be outdoors which brings me to Let’s Eat - Charles Street

Let’s Eat - Charles Street - Get all the details and check out the participating restaurants:

My foodie pick for the weekend – October 23

Thursday, October 21, 2010

What is Chef Annmarie Langton’s sign?

A little 70’s I know but Chef Langton’s sign is not astrological it is the sign for her new culinary endeavor, Gypsy Queen Café. You know Chef Langton from Helen’s Garden Cafe in Canton which was recently closed by its owners Tom Looney and Ed Scherer.

Get the full story: What is Chef Annmarie Langton’s sign?

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Dine with Tom Colicchio, José Andrés as Eric Ripert prepares dinner

For my food loving friends here in Baltimore this culinary event is being held so close, Washington DC, that I had to let you know. This is an amazing opportunity for someone with dollars to spend, even a consortium of friends, to have Eric Ripert fix a four course dinner for you. Also joining you will be Chef Tom Colicchio and Chef José Andrés. This dinner auction package benefits D. C. Central Kitchen.

Get ALL the details: Dine with Tom Colicchio, José Andrés as Eric Ripert prepares dinner

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Learn how to make ravioli for free

St Leo’s Church is looking for volunteers to help make ravioli for their big Ravioli Dinner that will be held Sunday, November 7th. It is that simple. It should be fun, like the villages in Italy where everyone comes together to make a big meal.

Getting your hands on some dough - get the full story :

Learn how to make ravioli for free

Monday, October 18, 2010

Carb lunching with Monyka in Hampden – where did you have lunch today?

It was on the calendar to do lunch today with Monyka Berrocosa, a friend and former colleague from our days at Vanns Spices. We had one very strong commonality; food - the preparation and the consumption. Though a number of years have passed from the days of Vanns we still make time to luncheon together at her home, my home or out.   The decision was to meet at Monyka’s and walk over to the Avenue - read more about the lunch time escapades:

Carb lunching with Monyka in Hampden – where did you have lunch today?

Gluten free and dairy free easy recipes – Cooking for Isaiah

When the publisher offered me a review copy of Cooking for Isaiah, a mother’s journey to create easy and delicious meals for her son who is wheat and dairy intolerant this writer really wanted to see these recipes.

Not gluten intolerant and not dairy intolerant - why the interest?

Have you noticed the increasing rise in food allergies in family and friends? More and more are suffering from food allergies. It is supported by The University of Maryland School of Medicine Center for Celiac Research recently released (Sept 27) - Read MORE: Gluten free and dairy free easy recipes – Cooking for Isaiah

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Are you curious about the menu for the James Beard’s Celebrity Chefs dinner?


Not your typical food and wine dinner, the James Beard Celebrity Chefs dinner comes the Watertable Restaurant at the Renaissance Harborplace Hotel this coming Thursday, October 21st at 7 p.m. with a cadre of award-winning chefs. To the best of my recollections it is the first time that there has been a James Beard Dinner held in Baltimore, so this should prove to be an exceptional dining experience.

The party begins ....

Get all the details, menu and chef biographies:Are you curious about the menu for the James Beard’s Celebrity Chefs dinner?

Who will win the Taste of Guinness? Your taste buds count!

Eight Baltimore Irish dining and drinking establishments are going for the glory in the annual Taste of Guinness Cook-Off this Thursday, October 21st at the FOP Lodge #3 – Baltimore City. The popular Irish dry stout will be a required ingredient in this cook-off to raise money for the Irish Charities of Maryland.

There are two awards The People’s Choice - read more and join the fun: Who will win the Taste of Guinness? Your tastebuds count!

Saturday, October 16, 2010

MLA Black Box culinary challenge held in Baltimore - 2nd time in USA

MLA, Meat and Livestock Australia, created the Black Box Culinary Challenge which is a team-based culinary competition showcasing high quality Australian red meat products to chefs around the world from novice to executive chefs. Last week at the Restaurant Association of Maryland’s Expo at the convention center five regional teams took on the challenge for the glory, for the prize money and for a chance to move on in the competition.

Read the complete story: MLA Black Box culinary challenge held in Baltimore - 2nd time in USA

Hola Gordito’s Café – doors due to open October 18th

Gordito’s Café proprietor and partner, Ken Diaz,  gave me a preview of his Mexican home-style restaurant today. If everything runs smoothly this weekend with the soft opening than you can be first in line at 10:30 a.m. on Monday at this new Charles Street eatery.

There really isn’t a Mexican, traditional Mexican restaurant, on the Charles Street corridor - read the full story and check out the slide show:
Hola Gordito’s Café – doors due to open October 18th

Friday, October 15, 2010

To be or not to be a food critic? Baltimore Magazine is looking

Like the government’s We Want You poster for the Army, Baltimore Magazine has put out their own call for food critics for their Baltimore Restaurant issue.

Every year Baltimore Magazine does a yearly issue on Baltimore Restaurants, usually a look at 35 to 50 local restaurants. This year you have the opportunity of being one of the food critics --Get all the details: To be or not to be a food critic? Baltimore Magazine is looking

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Bobby Flay is coming, Bobby Flay is coming to Maryland Live! at Arundel Mills

Award winning, celebrity chef Bobby Flay is on board with The Cordish Company and their plans for its world-class gaming and entertainment facility, Maryland Live! at Arundel Mills. 

The two other nationally recognized restaurants committed to the project are....
Bobby Flay is coming, Bobby Flay is coming to Maryland Live! at Arundel Mills

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Baltimore your vote counts – AOL’s 2010 City’s Best

It has been hard to keep my mouth shut or let’s say curtail leaking this information but Baltimore has been chosen as one of 25 cities in AOL’s 2010 City’s Best Program. I’ve known the nominees in the restaurants, bars and clubs and lifestyle categories for about 3 weeks but the information was embargoed meaning it couldn’t be released. It is hard keeping secrets.

On the Baltimore list, under the lifestyle section they have a category for the best places to break up. ---learn the categories and the nominees:
Baltimore your vote counts – AOL’s 2010 City’s Best

Monday, October 11, 2010

Pazza pasta at Pazza Luna every Monday night – the price is right

Last Monday Pazza Luna in Locust Point kicked off their Monday's pazza (crazy) pasta nights (Lunedi Pazza Pasta at Pazza Luna). The recurring event is family-style, geared to the whole family with adults being only $15 and children under 12 just $8.

Each table receives three bowls of pastas with house-made sauces: vegetarian, meat and seafood and a salad bowl - very rustic, *Italian family-style. For the adults at the table who want vino...get the full story, details and photo slide show:

Pazza pasta at Pazza Luna every Monday night – the price is right


Sunday, October 10, 2010

Unique cooking class with Executive Chef Christian de Lutis at Sotto Sopra

As the air turns crisp and the leaves start to turn, one can’t help but think of autumn foods and fairs: pumpkin, caramel apples, hot cider…..yum!

On Sunday, October 17th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. award-winning executive chef Christian de Lutis will be teaching an optional hands-on cooking class - read on for more details and slide show.

Unique cooking class with Executive Chef Christian de Lutis at Sotto Sopra

Friday, October 08, 2010

My foodie pick for the weekend

Baltimore beer week kicked off last night and runs through Saturday, October 17th. There are numerous events going on at restaurants, bars and wrapping up with the first annual Beer Festival at Canton Waterfront. For those who love the hops, the Baltimore beer festival is a week of sheer potable bliss but this IS NOT MY PICK.

I don’t love beer, I don’t like beer – I confess. All-in-all, I’m not much of a drinker....find out more about my foodie choice for the weekend:

My foodie pick for the weekend

Tuesday, October 05, 2010

Soul Kitchen premieres at The Charles’ Cinema Sunday, October 10th

Berlin Film Festival selection, Tribeca Film Festival selection and Venice Film Festival Special Jury Prize winner Soul Kitchen has a showing at The Charles Theater on Sunday October 10th for their cinema Sundays. If you love food movies like Mostly Martha, Eat.Drink.Man.Woman, Woman on Top, Chocolat, Tampopo, Big Night and more this German award winner looks like sheer entertainment and great fun.

Catch the trailer and the details:

Soul Kitchen premieres at The Charles’ Cinema Sunday, October 10th

Monday, October 04, 2010

No more hard hats – Kona Grill opens Tuesday, October 5th

On September 8th you might have read my Hard Hat Lunch post on the under construction Kona Grill located at 1 E. Pratt Street. Just shy of 30 days and baby, they have come a long way. After seeing where they were on that day and being at the grand opening over the weekend, I am truly amazed.

This one of many Kona Grills to open nationwide and you can tell they know what they are doing. They spared no expense for the select group of guests invited to the grand opening celebration

Read the full story HERE

Sunday, October 03, 2010

Gooey over grilled cheese

My food mood this evening was something simple, gooey and hearty. Tonight with drizzle and dropping temps seemed the perfect night to finally try the Grilled Cheese & Co. There is just something about damp and drizzly weather that makes me think comfort food.

Read the full story and check out the photo slide show: Gooey over grilled cheese

Grilled Cheese & Co. on Urbanspoon

Fifty five cents will get you a small cheese pizza

You’ve got the change, I know you do! Just lift the cushion from you sofa, ladies check the bottom of your purses, the car cup holder or your kid’s piggy bank and head over to Ledo’s Pizza on Tuesday, October 5th for a small cheese pizza for just fifty five cents.

Get all the details: Fifty five cents will get you a small cheese pizza

Saturday, October 02, 2010

An OMG dish - a food epiphany

Everyone has had one of the Oh My God (OMG) moments at a restaurant where you ate something so wonderful, it was a culinary epiphany. You walked away from the table in an ethereal state of mind. Well if you haven’t, may one be in your future very, very soon.

Get the full story: An OMG dish - a food epiphany

Pazza Luna Trattoria Italiana on Urbanspoon

Friday, October 01, 2010

Grille at Peerce’s Landing opening

Peerce’s Plantation for many years was one of few go to places for the Lacoste, Burberry and J Crew horse set in Northern Baltimore county. A beautiful location near the Loch Raven reservoir Peerce’s thrived for many years but that changed. The site has gone through owners and re-incarnations in the past ten years. Now refurbished and renovated the restaurant is ready to open.

Read the full story:

Grille at Peerce’s Landing opening

From Mt Rushmore in cheddar to bits of Bacon, Kevin Bacon

A bust of the famous actor, singer Kevin Bacon has been created out of bacon and bacon bits. This isn’t the first time food sculpture has been used to promote a product but this time it is being auctioned off on E-Bay for charity.

E-Bay

FOR SALE - Life size bust of Kevin Bacon made entirely out of bacon with ALL PROCEEDS for charity and YES this is really real.

Get the FULL STORY:

From Mt Rushmore in cheddar to bits of Bacon, Kevin Bacon

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