Great Grapes, Wine, Arts and Food Festival comes to Hunt Valley

Uncork the fun as the folks at Great Grapes celebrate their 10th year at Oregon Ridge Park Saturday, June 2nd and Sunday, June 3rd from noon to 6 p.m. Expanded entertainment, vintners, and food with special VIP tickets available for one or two days.  Music abounds, wines, crafts and new VIP pavilions: cheese, grilling, spice, wine aroma, and olive oil will tantalize your senses.

Read the full story HERE

Harbor East restaurants - one chef has left and a new one has arrived

Oceanaire assorted seafood appetizers

The bustling Harbor East in Baltimore is alive with new restaurants in the past months. I especially liked Chef Michael Mina’s new Japanese restaurant Pabu which opened the beginning of May. Mina’s first endeavor in the Four Seasons Hotel was Wit and Wisdom which opened just prior to Thanksgiving 2011.

Get the full news HERE.

Gluten-Free Amber designation - what you need to know

Betsy Craig, founder and CEO of Kitchens With Confidence, an organization that trains food service personnel about food allergies including celiac disease enlightened me about a recent controversy. The brouhaha began earlier this month about gluten-free amber designations and Domino’s Pizza gluten free pizza. Over breakfast Betsy went in depth as to what the gluten free amber alert means or doesn’t mean.  This has been a hot topic in the news and Betsy agreed to write this post in hopes to lend greater clarification and understanding.

For Betsy's full story click HERE

Mason Dixon Master Chef Tournament is back and seeking competitors

Last summer 32 chefs went head-to-head in a cooking competition for the title of Mason Dixon Master Chef. The culinary competition is back, slightly changed with the number of competing chefs reduced to 16, the location is in Jessup to be more centrally located to more chefs and dinner is not inclusive in the ticket price. The first night of the competition is June 25th.

For more details on the competition the full story is HERE

Discount dining at Aldo's Ristorante Italiano

An e-mail from Sergio Vitale was in my inbox late this afternoon with a heads up about a dining discount coming out Monday, May 21st on Groupon for Aldo’s Ristorante Italiano. This is the first time ever that the Little Italy restaurant is featuring a discount.  This is a perfect opportunity for those who haven’t dined at Aldo’s but had it on their dining wish list to do so and enjoy the Vitale’s hospitality.

Each room at Aldo’s has its own personality and unique feel thanks in great part to Chef Aldo’s cabinet making artistry. If you have never been or if you are a fan, watch www.Groupon.com tomorrow for the discount coupon.

Aldo’s Restaurant
306 S. High Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 727.0700
www.aldositaly.com

New restaurant openings in Baltimore

Pabu Izakaya – Star chef Michael Mina and Ken Tominaga’s first collaboration opened this month in Harbor East at 725 Aliceanna Street across from the Marriott Hotel. As a plus one the other night I got to enjoy a cross section of the Japanese small plates and some knock your socks off saki thanks to one of the county’s leading saki experts, Tiffany Soto, their beverage manager. Izakaya in Japanese is defined as a bar that serves small plates of food. Sit at the bar with a view of the harbor, at the sushi bar and watch the sushi masters create Ken’s roll or a cozy table.

Read the full story and check out the slideshow  HERE 

Please VOTE FOR DINING DISH BLOG

I’ve been writing the Dining Dish blog for over seven years now and I consider the blog one of the forerunners in Baltimore.  My stories or posts have been about food in one form or another; raves, rants, reviews, recipes and reminiscences. It is a labor of love especially when I bring a smile to your face or brighten your table.

Voting – Won’t you please take the three minutes?

Baltimore Magazine was kind enough to nominate the Dining Dish blog in the Baltimore’s Best Blog and I’m truly honored.  I have some very tough competition, The Baltimore Sun’s Baltimore Diner by Richard Gorelick and other writers from the newspaper.

Baltimore Magazine Reader’s Poll is pretty easy to navigate. Name and e-mail address requested, then the categories with drop down menus or write in your own nominee.You need to vote in 10 categories. So pick your favorites or if you don’t know the Baltimore scene just make some choices. 

To vote click HERE

May I recommend my client Sotto Sopra in the Best Italian Restaurant category– they so deserve the recognition.  You can only vote once from a computer/e-mail address.

Dining Dish is in the drop down menu under the “Best Blog” category below the food nominations. I thank you for taking the time.  Voting ends June 15^th. 

May your plate always be full.

Dara Bunjon (aka Dining Dish)

Buy a $100 gift certificate get a $50 gift certificate free at Sotto Sopra

Sotto Sopra Italian Restaurant located in Baltimore’s Mt. Vernon district is offering mothers a gift that keeps on giving. On Thursday, May 10, 2012 from 6 a.m. to midnight purchase a $100 gift certificate for Mom on line www.sottosoprainc.com/certificates and you will get a bonus $50 gift certificate for free.

Get all the details - read more HERE

The to-go updated version of "The Food Lover's Guide to Paris" is here

Way back when, in that very famous year of 1984 the first “The Food Lover’s Guide to Paris” was published. Cookbook author Patrica Wells’s “ The Food Lover’s Guide to Paris” went across the Atlantic so much so that it has racked up its own frequent flier miles.  It was the book that guided you through Paris’s world of gastronomy.

“The Food Lover’s Guide to Paris” is new, updated and ready to go on your IPhone and iPod (iOS 5) for your convenience. A tap of your finger can  take you to a Michelin rated restaurant or to a brasserie just around the corner.

Read the full story HERE

Day Tripping on the Potomac: 5th Annual National Harbor Wine and Food Festival

Queen of Southern Cooking - Nathalie Dupree

 
National Harbor’s Wine and Food Festival is back for the 5th time, Saturday May 5th and Sunday May 6th  from noon to 6 p.m. each day.  The advanced weather forecast calls for partly sunny and the temperatures in the mid 70’s – an ideal day for drink, food, fun and sun. It’s a short day trip about fifty miles from my home in Baltimore County to National Harbor located on the Potomac River. There are weekend packages available for those who really want to extend their getaway.

Chef Sara Moulton

 This year’s festival will include over 150 International wines, spirits and beers featured along with local and regional favorites.  Guests will be able to sample all of the varieties as well as purchase them by the glass and the bottle, on-site at special event only low prices. Beyond the drink tastings there are many other highlights which include: a Cinco De Mayo Pavilion featuring Hornitos tequila, Special craft beer tasting Bier Garten experience, Whiskey and Bourbon Tasting Experience in a relaxed setting - paired with hand rolled cigars, three stages of live music and smooth jazz, and so much more.  It is the largest wine festival of its kind in the Metro DC market.

Read the full story HERE

Goodbye Pazza Luna, welcome Sweet Caroline's Bistro and Tavern

The goldenrod bulletin from the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City has been posted at the closed Locust Point’s Pazza Luna restaurant.  The location has been shut down just about a year after Chef Davide Rossi and his wife Christa Bruno-Rossi shut the doors due to a dispute with the building’s owners. The couple went to work for Christa’s uncle Tony Ashe, helping him open the The Mallet Restaurant and entertainment complex in Fallston. After The Mallet got on its feet, the couple moved to Milan. 

Continue reading on Examiner.com Goodbye Pazza Luna, welcome Sweet Caroline’s Bistro and Tavern -

Who are the winners at the Restaurant Association of Maryland annual gala?

This evening the Restaurant Association of Maryland held their annual gala and restaurant award ceremony at Martin’s West. Chefs turned in their toques for tuxedos or gowns as they gathered to celebrate and mingle with others from the industry.

2012 Restaurateur of the Year - Matt Milani

The evening’s festivities began at 6 p.m. with hors d’ouevres from some of the state’s finest restaurants, a raw bar filled with oysters, crab claws and steamed shrimp was hopping as well as the rum bar

Continue reading on Examiner.com Who are the winners at the Restaurant Association of Maryland annual gala?

Swine, wine and dine 2012 - Cochon 555

Pork lovers rejoice!  Cochon 555 is back for its fourth year and guests will be treated to an pork feast of epic proportions.  There will be five heritage pigs prepared by five star chefs from Washington DC in a nose to tail competition.  Last year’s winner, Chef Scott Drewno of The Source by Wolfgamg Puck is back to keep his title of Prince of Porc. His competition is Graffiato’s and Top Chef’s competitor Mike Isabella, Wes Morton of Art and Soul, Nicholas Stefanelli of Bibiana and Ed Witt of 701 Restaurant.

One of Chef Brian Voltaggio's plates for the judges - Cochon 555 2011

As a judge of this event the past two years I can tell you the creations using of all the parts of a whole pig by these chefs will blow you away.  And, by the way, it is for a good cause…helping maintain heritage pigs and not letting the breeds die out.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Swine, wine and dine 2012 – Cochon 555

Blue Sage Café and Wine Bar to open in June

In a recent memo from the Mt Washington list serve comes news of Blue Sage Café and Wine Bar that will be opening in Mt. Washington Village. The restaurant will open where The Falls was located on Kelly Avenue.

Blue Sage

The owner, Matt Lallo explained to MWIA president that the restaurant will be eclectic, varying cuisines and a neighborhood friendly place to dine whether for breakfast opening at 7 a.m., lunch, dinner or bar menu closing at 10 p.m. Craft beers and international wines will be offered to diners and to go.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Blue Sage Café and Wine Bar to open in June -

Eco friendly carryout tote bags will get you discounts at La Scala Ristorante

April is Earth Month and it is nice to focus in on what the restaurant community is doing to be more ecologically attuned.  La Scala Ristorante in the heart of Baltimore’s Little Italy is turning being eco-friendly into future discounts for their customers.

Chef Nino and Christine Minnick, director of sales and marketing at La Scala  discussed how they could be “greener” and eventually came up with an eco-friendly, reusable tote for their growing carryout business. La Scala’s location right on Eastern Avenue makes it a quick stop to pick up Chef Nino’s culinary creations to go.

Read the full story HERE

Hobnob and rub shoulders with Maryland's top chefs and restaurateurs

The Restaurant Association of Maryland’s annual gala and awards is Monday, April 16th at Martin’s West Baltimore. A cocktail reception, dinner, awards and dancing fills the evening. Gala 2012 Pirate Siege is just that perfect night out to put on your best finery or Captain Hook outfit and eye patch.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Hobnob and rub shoulders with Maryland’s top chefs and restaurateurs

Did the dog lick the deviled eggs?

A moral question came up on Facebook, from none other than Nathalie Dupree, the queen of southern cuisine and southern charm and a forerunner to the Food Network with her PBS’s culinary series. The question drew a vast array of responses, actually 108, since yesterday from her friends. The responses ran the gamut; I was smiling reading how diverse they were.  Posted below are Nathalie’s inquiry and a selection of  her friend’s responses.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Did the dog lick the deviled eggs?

The Rusty Scupper - 30 years of memories and 1.7 million crab cakes

April kicks off The Rusty Scupper’s 30th anniversary celebration. Thirty years in the prime location with the best view of Baltimore’s Harborplace and the downtown skyline, thirty years serving iconic Maryland seafood and 30 years of memories.

Everyone is invited to enjoy the celebration throughout the month of April with a specially priced two course luncheon for $19.82 commemorating the year that the Rusty Scupper opened. The prix-fixe luncheon menu will feature items from the restaurant’s original menu.

Continue reading on Examiner.com The Rusty Scupper – 30 years of memories and 1.7 million crab cakes