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

Salt’s Cure – A mother’s pride

Chef Christopher Phelps - Salt's Cure -Photo by Doug Miller

Kathy Alexander, Publicity Manager at JHU Press here in Baltimore is beaming with pride. Her son, Chef Chris Phelps, has been receiving rave reviews for his restaurant in Los Angeles called Salt’s Cure. I think this is a perfect story for Christmas; it is about a mother’s love and pride.

Read the full story and enjoy the snaps: Salt’s Cure – A mother’s pride

Suburban House Restaurant - Get your discount Chewpon today

Cloak and Dagger, Shrimp Salad, Matzo Ball Soup, Knishes all can be yours with today’s Chewpons coupon at the legendary Suburban House Restaurant. Chewpons, the latest in discount coupon arena specializes only in restaurants and has kicked off in their home base city of Baltimore.

Get the full scoop - read more:

Suburban House Restaurant - Get your discount Chewpon today

It is time for you to vote for Baltimore Magazine’s Best Restaurants

Friend, foodie and food press Randi Rom of Baltimore Eat's just sent me the link to vote for Baltimore's best restaurants at Baltimore Magazine. Baltimore peeps, now is the time to stand up and vote for your favorites. I've done mine and like our national voting, it is a secret.

See where to vote:

It is time for you to vote for Baltimore Magazine’s Best Restaurants

Chinese Food on Christmas – Dinner and a Movie

Every Christmas we are reminded in the viewing of the Christmas Story movie that Ralphie’s family ended up at Chop Suey Palace for Chinese food for Christmas dinner. For many of us who don’t celebrate Christmas, movies and Chinese food is our alternative tradition for the holiday.

Get the full story and info:

Chinese Food on Christmas – Dinner and a Movie

Christmas Eve- Eve 50% off all entrees – no coupons necessary

No one wants to cook prior to the holidays so why not take advantage of City Café’s Christmas Eve–Eve Special. You are out visiting with friends and family who are in for the holidays why not have some excellent food at half price. No coupon needed.

 Get the full story on the dining discount:  Christmas Eve- Eve 50% off all entrees – no coupons necessary -

Tis the season for Baldwin’s Station - Santa’s real life train layout

In all honesty, all seasons are perfect for dining at Baldwin's Station in Sykesville but it is especially well suited to the Christmas holidays. The brick 1883 railway station designed by E. Francis Baldwin has maintained its original integrity and look. There is a warm, take-you-back-in-time country hospitality feel when you enter the building that is consistent throughout both dining rooms and the bar. An enclosed year round patio area that sits right by the active railroad tracks has been host to many a party, wedding as well as day-to-day lunch and dinner service.

At night driving through the historic town of Sykesville’s Main Street was like a Christmas card scene. The buildings decorated for the holidays, with the lights a startling contrast to the December evening’s dark, clear sky.

Read the full story and look at the slide show: 
Tis the season for Baldwin’s Station - Santa’s real life train layout - Baltimore dining | Examiner.com

True southern Italian fare at Taste Mediterranean Grille

 
Taste Mediterranean Grille opened in Towson a couple months ago on Alleghany Avenue in the original location of Café Troia. Taste Mediterranean Grille is a beautifully decorated place with colors reminiscent of the buildings that lined the piccolo harbor of Sorrento, Italy – pastel pink, salmon and earth tones.

Since Taste Mediterranean Grille opened I have received multiple e-mails touting the chef, his credentials from Italy and the food. When the opportunity presented itself to go in for a “media” dinner, I went in with big expectations.


Review the photo slide show and get the full review: 
True southern Italian fare at Taste Mediterranean Grille

The tallies are done, AOL announces Baltimore’s 2010 BEST Winners

On October 13th the Dining Examiner reported the kick off of AOL’s Best contest. From Oct. 13 through Nov. 30, Baltimore residents cast their votes to select their favorite venues from a list of top local businesses in many various categories.

Sotto Sopra Restaurant - AOL's 2010 Baltimore's  Best Italian

AOL today also announced winners for the 2010 City’s Best program in 25 major cities:

Check out the winners - The tallies are done, AOL announces Baltimore’s 2010 BEST Winners

Taking of the Hill, Federal Hill

It was an Indian summer day in late October. If you didn’t see the leaves changing color you wouldn’t have known that it was October, it was so warm. It was a perfect day to take the hill, Federal Hill. In all my years in Baltimore, and that is many, I had never gone up to the top of Federal Hill so I took the Charm City Food Tours newest tour-Federal Hill.


When Charm City Tours started in Baltimore this past summer, I was quite impressed with the Fells Point Tour. There was a plethora of information - get the full story and look at the photo slide show: Taking of the Hill, Federal Hill

Glee at Pikesville High School – we need some food

Well the television show Glee’s popularity and creativity has hit Baltimore. Pikesville High School students coordinated a spontaneous lunch time musical called “we need some food” with a flash mob approach with the high school students in the cafeteria and video taped it so all can enjoy it. They even enlisted one of the teachers.

Check out the video and help it go viral!: Glee at Pikesville High School – we need some food

StarChefs.com comes back to Baltimore

Antoinette Bruno photographing dessert

StarChefs.com’s editor-in-chief Antoinette Bruno came back to Baltimore the beginning of November to check out a couple of restaurants she missed on her July trip. Where did she go? Well she went to Jack’s Bistro, Blue Hill Tavern, Pazza Luna and The Intercontinental Hotel – Harbor Court.  If you followed Bruno’s tweets (@antoinette_b)....Read the full story and watch the video: 

StarChefs.com comes back to Baltimore

Flash mob Hallelujah Chorus in a food court – pumpkin caramel cheesecake

Finally there is a flash mob video that can be shared in my food column because it was held in a food court. Marvelous voices singing the Hallelujah Chorus is an ideal way of wishing you the best of the holiday season. How appropriate, a plethora of voices and a plethora of food choices all in one location.

Read the full post, watch the video and get the recipe: Flash mob Hallelujah Chorus in a food court – pumpkin caramel cheesecake

Tis the season for the “Cherpumple”

Love it when inspired to post. Thank you to the sister for sending me this link to Charles Phoenix’s blog post on the making of the Cherpumple. Whether Charles came up with the original idea or not he can sure deliver an entertaining video on making the Cherpumple.

Okay already, what’s a cherpumple?


Watch the video and read the complete post:  Tis the season for the “Cherpumple”

It’s almost summer in Brazil – how about a Caipirinha Cooler

Brrrr, baby it’s cold outside and I can concede to that and make myself a hot toddy or I can trick myself into to thinking warmer climates with a Caipirinha Cooler. After recently trying this traditional drink of Brazil at Flemings I’ve had it on my mind and keep thinking about creating the drink at home – especially with the holidays and company - something different than the mojito.

Get the full story and recipe:
It’s almost summer in Brazil – how about a Caipirinha Cooler

Johnny Dee’s Lounge – worth the trip back in time

Before marrying into the Bunjon family I had never heard of Johnny Dee’s Lounge but they had been going there often for family celebrations and for gatherings after a family member passed - it was a tradition.

Hard to find if you haven’t been before, nestled in the back of a tiny strip mall on the lower level this haven of retro offers up their bar, sections with couches with low tables to regular dining tables.

Get the full story and check out the slide show: Johnny Dee’s Lounge – worth the trip back in time