Baltimore County Restaurant Week has begun

Baltimore County Tourism and participating restaurants get together for a media launch on their Summer and Winter Restaurant Weeks. With microphone and recorder in hand I set out to interview a number of the participating restaurants, some of your favorites for Baltimore Internet Radio.  Baltimore County Restaurant Week started yesterday, Friday, January 9^th and goes all the way through to Saturday, January 24^th encompassing three weekends. 

Listen to Show 4: Dining Dish chats up Baltimore county restaurants participating in the Winter Baltimore County Restaurant Week kicking off Friday, January 9th (21:15)

• The 2014 Mobbies “Best Food Blog” winner Taylor Seidel of Good Eats discusses good bars for the under 25 set
• Chef Brian Boston of the Milton Inn and Highland Inn and why I was eating dessert first
• Dave Seel with Bagby Restaurants – Cunninghams talk about snow storm promotions
• Justin Windle of Pappas Restaurant in Cranbrook Shopping Center talks about some old time favorites
• Ryleigh’s Oyster Bar Hunt Valley updates on their new location in Baltimore City
• Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz informs about the restaurant industry's economic impact
• Marjorie Hampson, Director- Baltimore County Office of Tourism and Promotion offers the official welcome to Baltimore County Restaurant Week
• Dining Dish probes as to new and old trends on the dining plate. Can you say “kale?”

Be sure to check out Dining Dish's previous podcasts . Stay tuned for interviews with Chef Bryan Voltaggio and his partner Hilda Staples, next up on the Dining Dish podcasts.  

We are seeking sponsors for the Dining Dish podcasts - Reach out to Dave Custy @ BaltimoreInternetRadio.com 

Madame BBQ food truck takes to the streets for those who love pork

Nikki McGowan, aka Madame BBQ, hit the streets of Howard County with her aluminum sided food truck in November  with her unique pork BBQ, a passion for food, and witty tête-à-tête. If you work or live in Howard County, consider yourself lucky being able to partake of McGowan’s Madame BBQ food truck edibles.

It was a rainy, dismal December day that I spent in Madame BBQ’s food truck off Coca Cola Drive, privy to the inside workings and being fed really, really, really well.  I was perched on the driver’s seat next to their mascot ‘Evil Debbie’ watching Nikki and her assistant Cynthia do their food truck ballet; maneuvering around each other, reaching high, behind and below for the necessary components for the Todd Sandwich. McGowan assembles a seared bun, deviled eggs, a splash of salt, pulled pork, bacon, Sriracha soaked pickles – voila, the Todd sandwich and as different as it might sound, they sold out. Personally, the Todd was an explosion of flavor and textures – a burst of joy in one’s mouth.  You will want a side of Madame BBQ’s Brussels sprouts with bacon and a dose of the snarky, funny conversation with Nikki herself.

 

The soup of the day was the Porter Cheddar Soup topped with popcorn. Normally, cheese soup with beer would not be something I would order but WOW, after sampling it from Madame BBQ I won’t miss an opportunity to have it again.  And on that rainy, damp day it warmed me through and through.

Check out the complete slideshow and full story HERE. 

The Mid-Atlantic Winter Restaurant Weeks - 2015

Baltimore County restaurants are the first to the table when it comes to Winter Restaurant Weeks 2015. Kicking off on Friday, January 9^th through Saturday the 24^th over 40 restaurants are offering up special, multi-course meals and special discounts. Hopefully the restaurants will have their menus up on their website now that the holidays are over.  From Artful Gourmet Bistro to Yasou Greek Bistro they have all the corners of the county covered.  Check out to see if your favorite restaurant is participating Baltimore County Restaurant Week

 

Starting Saturday, January 18^th through the Friday, January 23^rd and Sunday, January 25^th to Friday, January 30^th Center City Restaurant Week in Philadelphia puts it on the table with their three course lunch for $20 and three course dinner for $35 for Winter Restaurant Week. 

Alexandria Restaurant Week kicks off Saturday, January 23^rd through Sunday, February 1^st. You get to choose from lunch, dinner for two or prix-fixe three course menu at the vast selection of restaurants from fine dining to casual.  – Alexandria, Virginia Restaurant Week.

Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week pops on the calendar Sunday, January 19^th and runs through Sunday, January 25^th with lunches at $20.15 and dinners at $35.15. Choose from Art Smith’s Art and Soul, Todd Gray’s Equinox, Fabio Trabocchi’s Fiola Mare, José Andrés’s Jaleo locations, Mike Isabella’s Kapnos to Wolfgang Puck’s The Source with Chef Scott Drewno. Menus and details can be found at  Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week.

Howard County Restaurant Week starts the same time as Washington DC’s on Sunday, January 19^th but continues through to Monday, February 2^nd.  The website at this time is listing the restaurants participating with more information to come for each location – Howard County Restaurant Week .

Baltimore City Restaurant Week starts Sunday, February 15^th and runs through to Sunday, February 28^th. As in previous restaurant weeks, you will be offered two course lunch for $15 and multi course dinners for $20 and $30.  Their website hasn’t been updated yet from Summer Restaurant Week but keep checking for the changeover to Winter Restaurant Week – Baltimore Restaurant Week.   

New York City Restaurant Week dates are Monday, February 16^th through to Friday, March 6^th for 3 course lunch or dinner at over 300 restaurants. They have yet to update their website for Winter Restaurant Week but keep checking – New York City Restaurant Week.

 

Annapolis restaurants are the late arrivals starting Monday, February 23^rd through to Sunday, March 1^st.  The Restaurant Week promotion from the Annapolis Business Association gives one a choice of a 2 course breakfast for $12.95, two course lunch for $15.95 and a three course dinner for $32.95. Over 40 plus restaurants are lined up to participate. Check them out at Annapolis Restaurant Week.

New restaurants coming to Baltimore in 2015

As 2015 kicks off it seems we have some exciting new crop of restaurant openings to look forward to around Baltimore; diverse styles from French, Nepalese, sushi, ramen, burgers, pizza and more.  Here goes:

HAMPDEN

As reported in the Baltimore Dish it looks like we can look forward to another opening in Hampden at 3520 Chestnut Avenue called  Aromes Restaurant. Chef/owner Steve Monnier is from Reims, France and his pedigree includes a stint at Taillevant in Paris, winner of numerous Michelin stars. Eventually Chef Monnier he moved to the states, Los Angeles, and is now opening his own restaurant here in Baltimore.  The focus is said to be big flavors centered in new American and French cuisine.  The word is the restaurant is very close to opening. Baltimore Dish states they will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays evenings.

CANTON

Downtown Diane was walking by the corner restaurant at Montford and Boston Street, the old Hollywood Burger, Tangiers, Red Fish, Meridan 54,  and Weber location (obviously, the place has had many incarnations) and noticed a sign stating that Katana Sushi & Ramen was coming to this location.

After further investigation I found the owner Jimmie Chang, whose family owns a number of Katana Sushi restaurants here in Maryland, each a bit different from the other. Jimmie owns the one in Clarksville and hopes to open the Canton location on and around March 1^st. This will be the only Katana Sushi that will be offering ramen.  The ramen will be available with beef, pork and vegan broths. Chang will bring to the Canton location other dishes that are extremely popular at his Clarksville location. Whereas the Clarksville location serves Thai food it will not be offered at the Canton location.

HARBORPLACE/PRATT STREET

Bryan Voltaggio’s Family Meal will open tomorrow, Friday January 2^nd at the end of Pier 4 on Pratt Street, serving lunch and dinner. Come Monday, January 5th they will add breakfast to the mix. 

Read the complete story and watch the slideshow HERE.

Bryan Voltaggio’s Family Meal opens Friday, January 2nd

We wrote about this just before the holidays that Chef Voltaggio was close to opening his Family Meal restaurant at the Harbor at the end of Pier 4 in the old Houlihan’s space.  It seems they are ahead of schedule and opening their doors for lunch and dinner on Friday, January 2^nd. Come Monday add breakfast to their mix – they will be open 7 days a week.

As stated in their press release, “Offering re-invented classic American diner fare, the first location of the Family Meal concept opened in Frederick, MD. The 6,000 square-foot Baltimore restaurant, with additional outdoor dining space, will serve Family Meal classics such as Hoecakes with Pimento Cheese, Maple Bacon Jam, Pickle Relish; Shrimp & Grits; and Fried Chicken, as well as regionally-influenced dishes like Lobster Risotto with English Peas, Maitake Mushrooms, Parmesan; and a Soft Shell Crab Sandwich with John Cope’s Corn, Tomato, Old Bay, and Bacon.”

“This restaurant is all about family,” says Chef Voltaggio. “My wife, kids and I eat together at Family Meal in Frederick, MD all the time, and I’m thrilled to bring a concept that’s so personal to me to the families of Baltimore. Adults will love our unique approach to classics that they may have grown up with, and kids go crazy for items on our ‘Happy Campers’ section.”

Family Meal, reiterates what is important, families dining together, sharing the day-to-day joys and conquest along with a great meal.  

This is the second restaurant in Baltimore by Chef Bryan Voltaggio, the other is Aggio at 614 Water Street - around the corner from Power Plant Live.

Family Meal – 621 E. Pratt Street – Baltimore, MD  www.voltfamilymeal.com

Giada De Laurentiis and husband call it quits

The Food Network star of Giada at Home, cookbook author, chef  Giada De Laurentiis has been separated from her husband of 11 years since July.  In a statement on her Facebook page De Laurentiis commented that her husband, Todd and her have decided to end their marriage

It was approximately 16 hours ago when Ms De Laurentiis posted on her Facebook timeline.

“After an amicable separation since July, Todd and I have decided to end our marriage. Although our decision to separate comes with a great deal of sadness, our focus on the future and overwhelming desire for our family's happiness has given us the strength to move forward on separate, yet always connected paths. Todd and I share a beautiful daughter and a lifetime of great memories that we both treasure more than anything. We are so thankful for our friends and family, and really appreciate the support in this time of change”

Her most recent endeavor is her first restaurant, Giada at the Cromwell Las Vegas Boutique Hotel and Casino part of the Caesars Entertainment Corporation.  The Rome, Italy native, Giada, is the granddaughter of film producer Dino De Laurentiis and daughter of actress Veronica De Laurentiis.  Ms De Laurentiis studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris.

Duff Goldman launches new television series Duff Till Dawn

Duff Till Dawn, a new cake competition show, from the Food Network will premiere Thursday, January 29^th at 10:30easterm/9:30central. It will feature two professional cake decorators along with their assistants going for the win and bragging rights. The host of the Duff Till Dawn, none other than the Food Network’s pastry boy wonder, Duff Goldman of the successful Ace of Cakes series and owner of Charm City Cakes – Baltimore and Charm CityCakes West  – Los Angeles.  

The underground after hours competitions go to the wee hours at Duff’s bakery as competitors battle it out with their most creative, tastiest over the top decorating skills.  

"The one-of-a-kind Duff Goldman is the master of dazzling and astonishing cakes," said Bob Tuschman, General Manager and Senior Vice President Programming, Food Network. "In Duff Till Dawn, he tests the bakers on these same talents and abilities, as well as their ability to pull all-nighters."

Competitors must amaze rotating judges Haylie Duff (Real Girl's Kitchen), Elena Fox (Ace of Cakes), Carrie Keagan (Television Personality), Geof Manthorne (Ace of Cakes), Catherine McCord (Guy's Grocery Games), Alysia Reiner (Actress), Kelis Rogers (Musician and Host of Holiday Feast with Kelis), Aarti Sequeiria (Aarti Party), Kevin Smith (Writer/Director) and Sherry Yard (Cutthroat Kitchen) with the boldest, tastiest and most impressive cakes for the chance to win bragging rights and the coveted golden whisk.

The Food Network reports that this is a six-episode series, each episode is themed from dream ships, outer space, magical fairy cakes and medieval manors. 

After graduating from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, with degrees in history and philosophy, Duff Goldman went on to study at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena, California. He worked at several acclaimed culinary destinations, including French Laundry, Vail Cascade Hotel and Todd English's Olives before returning to Baltimore in 2000 to become a personal chef. In March 2002, he opened Charm City Cakes, and it soon became a household name on the hit Food Network show Ace of Cakes, which aired for 10 seasons.

Tune in for a sneak peek on Sunday, Jan. 25 at 11|10c before the series premiere on Thursday, Jan. 29 at 10:30|9:30c.

Sweepstakes, contests and bling - lures to fill restaurant seats

 

It was only a few years ago that restaurants started to reward customers for holiday Contest, sweepstakes and giveaways used to fill restaurant seats during the holiday purchases with gift certificates or gift cards. Lebanese Taverna, Germano’s  and La Tasca used this incentive of  a $20 gift card for every $100 gift card purchased online. Book a holiday party of $2500 and get a $150 gift certificate etc. Capital Grille offers a set of authentic Capital Grille steak knives, a 10% bonus gift card and no shipping charge when you purchase $500 or more gift cards.

So why should New Year’s Eve be any different.  Ten Ten American Bistro has a sweepstakes on going if you submit your email address you have an opportunity for a chance to win a table for two on December 31^st. (must be 21 or over to enter).  

Read the full story on sweepstakes, contest and bling HERE.

Dishing on the Baltimore restaurant scene: Family Meal, Bagby Pizza, Ryleigh’s Oyster and more

Verde fig and prosciutto pizza

A recent visit to Washington DC for a private party hosted by www.StarChefs.com, a precursor to their Rising Star Gala, was held at Chef Bryan Voltaggio’s Range restaurant.  Chef Voltaggio, definitely qualifies as a ‘star chef’ with his Top Chef creds, his award winning Volt Restaurant in Frederick, Range and Aggio in DC, and another Italian themed Aggio restaurant located on the land locked side of the Power Plant Live in downtown Baltimore.  Chef Bryan Voltaggio had a quiet moment to chat before all the guests arrived.

The hot topic for our discussion is his newest restaurant in Baltimore, Family Meal, and the concept is re-invented classic American diner fare with a nod to local specialties, traditional comfort food and the merging of immigrant cultural flavor profiles. This time Voltaggio has his newest restaurant on the harbor side of Power Plant Live in the former Houlihan’s space at the end of Pier 4.  One can expect to find Shrimp & Grits and Fried Chicken or a Soft Shell Crab Sandwich. Come the warmer months enjoy al fresco dining at Family Meal with a nice view of the harbor.

Family meal is close to opening, still waiting on final permits and inspection but I would guess Family Meal will be open mid-January or possibly sooner. 

The Bagby Pizza Company, the first in the restaurant concepts from the Bagby Restaurant Group that brings you Ten Ten American Bistro, Fleet Street Kitchen, Cunningham’s and Cunningham’s Café and Bakery announced back in November that they were going to be expanding their fast-casual version of its Harbor East Bagby Pizza Company restaurant. Hot off the press release, the first Bagby Pizza expansion will take place at the Festival at Woodholme Shopping Center in Pikesville moments off the the Beltway’s Reisterstown Road exit towards Owings Mills.   

Get all the complete story HERE on the restaurant happenings in Baltimore. 

What to get the wine enthusiast for a holiday gift?

Whether you are a holiday gift procrastinator, the conscientious gift giver finding the ideal gift for friend or family or blinded by all the choices – look no further for that special gift for the person who loves wines, enjoys tasting numerous selections.  It is time for the 3^rd Annual Winter Wine at the B & O Railroad Museum being sponsored by the Maryland Wineries on January 8, 2015 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.  It will feature samplings from over 30 premier wines from top Maryland wineries, including sparkling, red, white and dessert wines. Tickets are $65.00 for the “All Aboard Roundhouse Tasting” and $80.00 for the “Vintage Vidal Pre-Reception + Roundhouse Tasting” and are available by logging onto http://www.marylandwine.com or by calling 410-252-WINE.  

Winter Wine at the B&O Railroad Museum will also feature stationary and passed hors d’oeuvres and live music throughout the evening.  Attendees will enjoy meeting winery owners and winemakers who will be on hand to talk about their varietals, blends and vintages. In addition, Al Spoler, Host of WYPR’s “Cellar Notes”, will serve as Guest Curator and will help in selecting the wines for the event.

New to the event will be a Vintage Vidal Pre-Reception from 6-7pm to VIP ticketholders where they will have the opportunity to get to know Maryland’s White grape; the Vidal Blanc.  In an intimate setting, guests will have the opportunity to explore the grape’s several diverse styles including Sparkling, Dry, Off-Dry, Sweet and Ice Wine. 

“As Maryland wine continues to diversify and as the industry grows, we believe this event will surely showcase all that the state has to offer.  And, we are thrilled to team up with the historic B&O Railroad Museum, a new venue for us,  as we know it will provide a unique place where attendees can savor wine while enjoying the beautiful surroundings,” said Kevin Atticks, Executive Director for Maryland Wineries Association.

Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve at Baltimore Italian restaurants

The Feast which initially was a partial fast on Christmas eve (La Vigilia) during which no meat should be served has expanded into the Feast of the Seven Fishes or more. As Mario Batali chef and expert on Italian cuisine explains, “But in true Italian style, this proscription has morphed into something very unfastlike indeed: course after course of luxurious seafood dishes, often as many as 7, 10, or even 13.” “No one's quite sure of the significance of the number," says Batali. "Some families do seven for the sacraments. Some do ten for the stations of the cross. And some even do 13 for the 12 apostles plus Jesus."

Over recent years, our local Italian restaurants have embraced the tradition of the Feast of the Seven Fishes, all offering the meal in different courses, different dishes and different pricing. Find the 5 local Italian Restaurants and their menus listed below.  Each restaurant has their own hours, menus and pricing.  The feast is Christmas eve at all locations with an added day on Tuesday, December 23^rd at AIDA Bistro. 

Get the full list of restaurants and their Feast of Seven Fishes offerings and slideshow HERE.

The Plantbar is open in Belvedere Square Market

This is the time of year where most people throw calorie counting and a healthy lifestyle to the wind.  Cookies galore from friends and family, that extra glass of eggnog, potato latkes fried in schmaltz – oh my!  It is perfect timing that the Plantbar powered by Zia’s opened in Belvedere Square Market.  It is a place to take a break from the crazy food and drink from the holidays and days thereafter.

Plantbar specialties include made-to-order and create your own juices, superfood smoothies, wellness shots, elixirs and acai power bowls. In addition, customers can purchase wellness add-ons such as gogi powder, sprouted rice protein powder, hemp seeds and bee pollen and more. The Plantbar produce stand will provide fresh fruits and vegetables, locally sourced, whenever possible. “We are excited to continue to nourish our community with truly healthy food,” said Daniela Troia, owner.

In March 2005, Troia opened Zia’s Café and Juice Bar in Towson, which offers healthy food including options from Paleo enthusiasts to vegans, vegetarians and raw foodists. Shortly after opening their doors, local businesses took an interest in Daniela’s creations and began requesting her products in their markets. 

Since then, the Zia’s wholesale line has taken off, expanding out of Maryland, in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York. Zia’s wholesale product line includes savory and sweet raw foods that are made fresh from local organic produce and packaged the morning of delivery. That same healthy lifestyle philosophy will continue at the Plantbar.

Plantbar is more than a juice bar, it’s a wellness hub.” said Troia. Plantbar will partner with local wellness mentors including nutritionists, health coaches and holistic health counselors, to name a few, and offer wellness workshops and cooking demonstrations.  In addition, Plantbar will offer cold-pressed juice cleanse packages.

Whether detoxting from too much holiday celebrating or day-to-day healthy living the Plantbar is now open in Belvedere Square Market  Mon-Thur 8am to 8pm, Fri & Sat 8am to 10pm and Sun 10am to 5pm.

Plantbar – Belvedere Square Market – 529 E. Belvedere Avenue, Baltimore, MD  21212 443 449-7137 www.plant-bar.com  Facebook Twitter @plant_bar Instagram @plantbar_at_belvedere

Kentucky Fried Chicken’s social media promotion feeds the hungry

Kentucky Fried Chicken ( @KFC ) has partnered with Feeding America on a social media promotion that for every tweet, Instagram snap or Facebook shared will donate 50 cents to Feeding America (equals to 5 meals).  KFC will donate up to $100,000 to Feeding America.

There is no money out of your pocket, just a moment or two of your time.  How You Can Help: Supporting KFC’s #FillUpForGood Campaign is easy. All consumers need to do to help KFC reach its goal, is post or repost a picture of a KFC $5 Fill-Ups™ meal (no purchase necessary) on social media (Twitter, Instagram or Facebook) with the hashtag #FillUpForGood before January 31, 2015. 

You can do this, I’ve made it easy by doing the screen capture in this story, so save my image and be sure to post with it to social media using #fillupforgood  

Facebook: Share the KFC $5Fill Up photo above with this text:  KFC’s #FillUpForGood campaign feeds 5 hungry people thru Feeding America if you include this photo and #FillUpForGood  hashtag in each share. 

Twitter:  Attach the KFC $5Fill Up photo.  Please retweet photo & hastag #FillUpForGood will provide 5 meals through @Feeding America

Instagram: Attach the KFC $5Fill Up photo & the hastag #FillUpForGood will provide 5 meals through @Feeding America

Feeding America works directly with major manufacturers, retailers, and other partners across the country to secure safe, healthy food that would otherwise go to waste. For every 50 cents received, the Feeding America network of food banks can help provide 5 meals through food pantries and meal programs across America.

Maryland seafood for the holidays: Crab Country Gourmet

My sister and her husband are landlocked in Rancho Mirage, California where she will tell you there isn’t an ounce of decent seafood to be found.  Being a Baltimorean, she knows the bounty of the Chesapeake Bay; oysters, rockfish (striped bass) and crabs.  The best gift I can get her for the holidays is fresh seafood from our native waters and the new Crab Country Gourmet fits the bill with their fresh crab cakes, crab soup and crab dip that can be shipped overnight  to anywhere in the contiguous United States.

In an effort to get the word out about their new products, the Knorr Brothers, Tom and John, owners of the Red Roost restaurant located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore sent a selection of all three items for me to taste test.  The products come fresh, never frozen and to be consumed within 24 hours of receipt or one can freeze them but fresh is always best.  

Read the full story and check out the slideshow HERE.

Hospitality industry Holiday Bash from Horseshoe Casino interviews

This past Monday, December 6th  I had the opportunity to attend Baltimore's annual holiday bash featuring 20 food participants from restaurants to caterers. With microphone in hand I got to chat with the folks from Banditos, Brio, CityPeek, Chiparelli's, Johnny Sanchez and more.

Kick back, relax - grab a nosh and drink and enjoy the off the cuff interviews at Baltimore Internet Radio

Uber and Amazon take a piece of the restaurant meal delivery pie

Over the past decade or slightly more, there have been different configurations of businesses that use technology to create a delivery and take out program for restaurant food. As technology has progressed, new applications for the consumer to order meals delivered from their local restaurants are appearing. Bloomberg reported, “Burger King Worldwide Inc. (BKW) offers a delivery service with a $10 minimum order in some U.S. cities.” Taco Bell has embraced technology to boost sales with their Order-Ahead app.

Restaurant Hospitality reports that mega giant Amazon is testing out its restaurant delivery program in Seattle, simply called Amazon Local’s takeout and delivery program.  They have the technology and the consumer base, what they don’t do is deliver.  Amazon is a middleman, who takes orders and payments, charging the restaurateur a fee on each order placed. Amazon is not doing the delivery, the restaurant is.  Why would a restaurant tie in with Amazon? What do they put on the plate? They offer qualified, good customers who regularly spend over 80% more money online than regular Internet consumers.

Uber, the ride share company is testing out their program in Los Angeles; Beverly Hills, West Hollywood and Westside Los Angeles.  The program, uberFresh, delivers in about 10 minutes by only offering one thing daily from each of the participating restaurants with curbside delivery.  One meal option per restaurant daily, keeps preparation and quality to its optimum. 

The pie that we call restaurant meal delivery is being split into more financial pieces. Established companies like GrubHub.com or OrderUp.com could be sharing a piece of their “delivery” pie.

Baltimore restaurants open on Xmas Day

Looking for a Christmas breakfast, brunch or dinner here in Baltimore and wondering what is open on Christmas Day?  Your best bets can be hotels with dining rooms like Apropoe located in the Marriott Waterfront, Diamond Tavern in the Hilton or Wit & Wisdom in the Four Seasons Hotel that is offering up a Christmas Day Brunch Buffet from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. or their Christmas Dinner from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a prefix three course dinner. 

A great place for a meal any day of the week is Sotto Sopra Restaurant and they are open from noon to 10 p.m. Christmas Day offering up their authentic Italian cuisine with a Maryland slant. Always beautifully decorated, their window display won first place on the Charles Street window decorating contest.   

If you can grab a seat at the ever so popular Blue Moon Café for breakfast, they are open Xmas Day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.   Sweet 27 Bar and Restaurant in Charles Village caterers to those with special dietary needs gluten-free, dairy free and soy free diets and they are open from 11 p.m. through 8:30 p.m.

   

With a 365/24/7 schedule, think the Horseshoe Casino where the restaurants Johnny Sanchez, Guy Fieri’s Baltimore Kitchen and Grill, Jack Binion’s Steak along with the restaurants in their Baltimore Marketplace will be open. Check with each restaurant but most open at 11 a.m. except Jack Binion’s. 

Learn about more restaurants open for the holiday and check out the slideshow HERE.

Restaurant Association of Maryland gift certificates good at 450 restaurants

That’s right; you can buy a gift certificate for 10, 25 or 50 dollar denominations that can be redeemed at over 450 Maryland restaurants – a restaurant for everyone’s culinary fancy.  The Restaurant Association of Maryland in partnership with Columbia Bank has released its current list of participating restaurants in the Dine Out, Maryland! Gift Certificate program.  

Dine Out, Maryland! Gift Certificates can be ordered online at dineoutmaryland.com, over the phone or at the RAM office in Columbia. Single gift certificates can be mailed directly to the recipient with a customized message, while companies can purchase bundles to be delivered to their office. Shipping is FREE on all orders.

Restaurants of all shapes, sizes and cuisines are participating  the likes of Cantler’s Riverside Inn in Anne Arundel County, Gertrude’s in Baltimore City, The Milton Inn in Baltimore County, Ledo’s Pizza in Calvert County, Baldwin Station in Carroll County, Port House Grill in Cecil County, Captain John’s Crab House in Charles County, The High Spot Gastropub in Dorchester County, Brewer’s Alley in Frederick County, Liberatore’s Ristorante & Catering in Harford County, Grille 620 in Howard County, Dogfish Head Alehouse in Montgomery County, The Walrus Oyster & Ale House in Prince George’s County, Rams Head Shore House in Queen Anne’s County, Lenny’s Restaurant in St. Mary’s County,  Applebee’s in Talbot County,  Buffalo Wild Wings in Washington County, Market Street Inn in Wicomico County or de Lazy Lizard in Worchester County

“Why give your employees, friends and family members a gift certificate to one restaurant when you can give them the choice of over four hundred fifty?” said Marshall Weston, RAM President & CEO. “Dine Out, Maryland! Gift Certificates are an easy and convenient way to give a great gift while also supporting local businesses here in Maryland.”

The restaurant list is ever evolving with new additions for Dine Out, Maryland.  Buy one or buy in bulk for your holiday gift giving.

Restaurant Association of Maryland – 6301 Hillside Court – Columbia MD (410) 290-6800 www.marylandrestaurants.com Twitter @RestaurantsinMD  Facebook