Pizza contest, which pizza won

The fifty eight year old Grotto Pizza wanted to do something different to kick off October’s National Pizza Month and launched “Create Your Own Pizza Competition.”  Out of forty submissions they received, Grotto Pizza narrowed it down to these five finalists that were judged October 29^th at their Columbia, Maryland location.

Fall’n for Brie – ham, brie, apple

Ultimate Burger – ground beef, bacon, avocado,  blue cheese

Coastal Crab – white pizza with crab and old bay

Swirl of Fire – banana peppers, sausage, spicy tomato sauce

Big Fat Greek – spinach, sliced red onion, garlic, Kalamata olives, pizza cheese, feta cheese

Find out which pizza won at Dara Cooks Blog - Baltimore Post Examiner

How could I have missed National Eclair Day?

I missed National Éclair Day

Yup, Friday, June 22^nd was National Éclair Day and I missed it. 

I love éclairs, not one of those Rich’s frozen éclairs, nope; it would need to meet all my requirements of a great éclair. What constitutes a great éclair is the crisp, full-of-air -pockets pâte à choux oblong home to the creamy, rich, custard filling; and the pièce de résistance should be dark chocolate, ganache like crowning glory.

Read the full story and watch the Seinfeld video at my Dara Cooks Blog - Baltimore Post Examiner.

How will you celebrate National Shrimp Day

It is National Shrimp Day -- if I was going to pick a favorite for me, shrimp scampi with an artichoke is my favorite preparation next to a good shrimp salad sandwich. The scampi sauce is perfect to dip the artichoke leaves - rich, unctious, full of flavor.

Personally, I haven't met a shrimp I didn't like. What is your favorite shrimp preparation? 

National Hoagie Day! What's your favorite?

Hoagies, subs - no matter what you call these gutbuster sammies, they come overloaded. Today is National #Hoagie Day and on this day I salute Atlantic City's White House Sub Shop, in business since 1946. they have  the best Italian cold cut anywhere. The rolls are especially key, French baguette crunchy on the outside but a soft center. My first White House sub was in 1966. I never miss getting my Italian cold cut on each visit to Atlantic City.  

Best place to slurp oysters on National Oyster on the Half Shell Day

Ok, there are a number of places to get your raw oysters on National Oysters on the Half Shell Day on March 31^st BUT, how about free valet parking all day long, an amazing view and portions of the proceeds benefit Believe in Tomorrow Children’s Foundation.  Oysters are only $1.50 each and if you order a dozen, enjoy a glass of Prosecco for just $6.

You ask, OK, where is this place? It is 16 on the Park (the 16^th floor), the Residence Inn Baltimore at The John Hopkins Medical Campus’ rooftop restaurant in Eager Park. Located at 800 N Wolfe Street, near Orleans Street, and again, let me stress free valet parking all day.  We might even be seeing spring that day, highs near 60 – enjoy the patio and the sunshine. 

Half price promotion on National Lasagna Day

Tuesday, July 28^th is National Lasagna Day and BRIO Tuscan Grille is offering full-sized portions of lasagna at lunch and dinner at half the menu cost. Yes, you could take the hours it takes to make the lasagna at home but doesn’t half price and a cool kitchen sound better.

Instead of $18.65 for BRIO’S Lasagna Bolognese Al Forno, on July 28^th you will only pay $9.33 for the multi-layered pasta with Bolognese meat and Alfredo sauce blended with ricotta and mozzarella cheese.

The caveats – the half price lasagna promotion does not apply to catering and children’s menus and while supplies last.

BRIO Tuscan Grille www.brioitalian.com/  Facebook Twitter @BrioItalian