Big Anniversaries in Baltimore’s food community

The food industry is notoriously tough, restaurants come and go in a blink of an eye so when a restaurant celebrates 25 years in business that is a true accomplishment. What do you say to two local grocers who are celebrating respectively 70 and 100 years in business here in Baltimore?

Today, Chef Nancy Longo’s Pierpoint Restaurant is 25 years old.  Very early on, her commitment to raise awareness of what was going on in the seafood industry, her celebrity chef fundraisers to Save the Bay set the bar for the current up-and-coming chefs to achieve.  I’m sure there will be lots of celebrating tonight at her Fells Point restaurant.

Eddie’s of Roland Park will be celebrating 70 years as the neighborhood grocer.  Join them during their anniversary week, October 12 – 18 as they celebrate this monumental anniversary with special events and in-store promotions.  These include culinary demonstrations, a meet and greet with local vendors, free birthday cake, one-day sales throughout the week, in-store surprises and more.  The 70^th anniversary celebration will be capped by an in-store food festival at the Charles Street location on Saturday, October 18.

Since 1914 DiPasquale’s has been in the heart of Baltimore, offering up Italian specialties for its legion of patrons.  On October 12, 2014 DiPasquale’s will celebrate their 100^th anniversary (anniversario) from 1 to 6 p.m. at 3700 Gough Street.  A $10 donation to benefit the Luigi DiPasquale Scholarship Fund gets you into the party with food by DiPasquale, DiPinoteca, Fired Up Pizza and beverages provided by Bacchus Imports. There will be performances by Elio Scacco and Biagio Bucaro, games and you can even win a Vespa.

Congrats to all three for your continued success, constant support of the local community and being a part of what makes Baltimore great. 

I scream for Graeter's Black Cherry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Oh my goodness, I’m in ice cream heaven and I’m not a huge ice cream fan but Graeter’s ice cream has won me over.  Graeter’s small batch, French pot Black Cherry Chocolate Chip is ADDICTIVE.

It all started when their public relations person asked if I would be interested in sampling and writing about Graeter’s newest flavor in three years, Black Cherry Chocolate Chip. Being a Ben and Jerry’s Cherry Garcia fan I was curious to see how this stacked up.  

Six pints arrive, all Black Cherry Chocolate Chip and immediately go into my freezer. Their label states “irresistible” and like the Borg in Star Trek, my resistance was futile and I grabbed a spoon and dug into a container, just for a taste. The creaminess, rich bold flavors and textures had me hooked. Before I knew it that one spoonful turned into almost half the pint and by the evening’s end, I had finished the whole container.. 

Read my review and check out the snaps HERE.