Brian Lawrence Live

Sunday, May 27
For the past five years, Corks chef/owner Jerry Pellegrino has thrown a “magnum party” for pal Jack Hoffberger’s birthday. That means it’s a wine party— and only magnum size bottles are permitted. I’ve been fortunate enough to be on the guest list for the past three years, and it’s always a blast. I showed up at Jerry’s Federal Hill townhouse at 4 p.m. and the party was already in full swing. The party is a way for all the wine aficionados in the group to try and outdo each other in their selections of which wines they bring. Besides the birthday boy (wielding a camera throughout most of the party) and host, I immediately saw Michael Fishman and his fiance Diana, Jack’s dad Leroy Hoffberger, wine dealer Tom Brinkley and The Sun‘s Lisa Poland. Manning the patio grill, as always, was Steve Ward, who was back in town visiting after relocating to California. The tiny kitchen was packed with people, most sampling the treats coming in steadily off the grill— marinated flank steak, tiny clams, and grilled panninis. Outside on the patio I talked with chef Barry and Maria Fleischmann (Barry supplied the panninis) about their upcoming three-week trip to Greece, and with Jordan Faye Block about her upcoming new art gallery at Clipper Mill. Architect Patrick Sutton and Tracy Kwiatkowski arrived late, having just driven back from a two-day jaunt to the Inn at Perry Cabin. Even though a brief rain shower drove everyone inside for a few minutes at one point, the party continued long into the evening. Then Steve Ward decided it was time to start the traditional cake icing fight— and I knew it was time to head out.

Friday, May 18
This evening, we’re attending Chuck and Mary Kay Nabit‘s annual pre-Preakness bash at their home, Cedarwood, on Charles Street. We’ve been going to this party for the last six or seven years, and it gets bigger and better every year. Party-planner Anne Berman is on hand to see that everything runs smoothly (it does) and caterer Carlton always produces a classic feast of comfort foods (huge crabcakes, Maryland fried chicken, grilled tomatoes, mini chocolate cupcakes piled high with frosting). The bars are pouring at a fast pace and the party quickly fills up with invited movers and shakers. I order a bourbon and ginger and start to make the rounds. I greet PR mavens Amy Elias and Edie Brown, then chat with Sam and Carter Polakoff, and hear about Sam’s upcoming trip to Las Vegas for the shopping center convention. Next I see Maryland state secretary for tourism, film and the arts, Hannah Byron, and stop to say hi to former Polo Grill impressario Lenny Kaplan. In the next hour I talk to Ed St. John, Stu and Suzanne Amos, Mark and Linda Caplan, Dennis Castleman, Paul and Karen Winicki, Greg and Lisa Barnhill and Erwin and Stephanie Greenberg. We finally get a minute to get some chow and manage to grab a table with Duffy and Barbie Hart. By 10 o’clock, the band has the dancefloor packed, and the noise level is high. I make my exit in order to make it downtown to the Power Plant Live plaza to catch the last two sets by one of my favorite Dewey Beach bands, Mr. Greengenes. I meet up with friends Tom Brinkley, Jim Halle, DJ Lamdin, Bruce Alderman and Denis Nash on the plaza, and between sets we duck into the Clique party at Babalu Grill for a few rounds. I catch up with Jetset Mafia’s Bobby Dyer briefly, then it’s back out to the packed plaza. After the show winds down, a few of us head off to the Federal Hill Lounge for last call— can’t stay out too late— we’ve got Preakness tomorrow!

Thurday, May 17
Tonight I’m stopping by two Baltimore businesses that are introducing some new products and throwing a couple of bashes to celebrate. At a little after 6 o’clock, I arrive at Nouveau’s store at Belvedere Square. It’s actually a little hard to find a parking space and I’m reminded of just how popular this north Baltimore retail area is. The monthly Friday night concerts here are jam-packed, and the nightly scene at the Grand Cru wine bar makes it hard to get a table. This evening as I stroll past, Grand Cru is full, the market is bustling and Ceriello’s Italian market is doing a brisk business. I cross the street and step into Nouveau. The owners, Steve Appel and Lee Whitehead are throwing a party to launch their newest business: Whitehead & Appel Interior Design. Just inside the door, a bar is set up; they are offering several kinds of specialty martinis, but I opt for a pinot grigio and begin to wander through the crowded store. Interspersed among the groovy furniture and funky wall art are several more bars and food stations, and people are milling about everywhere. Steve shows me the new design service offices at the rear of the store, and I stop to catch up with City Paper publisher Don Farley and his wife Maggie, and run into City Paper advertising executrixes Jenn Marsh and Jamie Campbell. We all agree that the tapas provided by neighboring restaurant Taste are excellent— particularly the frittata.

Next, I head off across town to Mt. Washington to drop by a wine-and-cheese reception at Maribou. The clever little home and gift store is hosting a get-acquainted party for Stacey Molli, who reps Arbonne International, the high-end Swiss skin care line. I check out some samples, then I can’t resist trying an interesting-looking spread that everyone is raving about: it turns out it’s a curry-mango cheesecake. I lives up to the hype, and now I won’t have to eat dinner!

Thursday, May 10
This evening I’m a guest at the home of neurosurgeon Dr. Michael Salcman and his wife, as they host a reception for the CityLit Project. Their grand home in Homeland is a backdrop for a wonderful collection of modern art. The Salcmans gave the 15 guests a tour of the house and its artworks, offering commentary and background on many of the pieces. Sipping on a glass of prosecco, I chatted with event organizers Gregg Wilhelm and Sharon Reuter, then the group was treated to a reading by Dr. Salcman from his book of poetry, “The Clock Made of Confetti.”

Monday, May 7
There are very few true “businessman’s specials” anymore at the ballpark. These are the weekday games that start in the early afternoon that allow you to play hooky from the office and enjoy baseball the way it was intended. The weather was sunny and agreeably warm for the first such game this season, and my pal, photographer Jim “Fatman” Burger, and I took full advantage of it. Clad in sportscoats, neckties and summer straw hats, we set forth to the ballpark at noon. After knocking back a few at the Wharf Rat pub, we strolled in to the park, took our seats on the sunny side of the stands, and watched what was a fairly exciting 1-1 tie game between the O’s and the Indians. (Attendance was sparse, as I predict it will continue to be until either the team’s record improves dramatically, or its contentious ownership changes.) Then somewhere in the middle of the sixth, it all went bad. As the home pitching fell off, the game quickly degenerated into a 10-1 licking. Dejected, we slunk out and across the street for a post-game cocktail at Pickles’ Pub, then hoofed it down to Lombard & Light to good ol’ Burke’s for some old-fashioned comfort food. The score was a disappointment, but spending a beautiful Monday afternoon out of the office at Camden Yards: priceless.

Friday, May 4-Sunday, May 6
Lots going on for the weekend. Friday was a beautiful day for the 90th annual Flower Mart, held in Mt. Vernon Square. I wandered down in the early afternoon to catch the May pole dancers and do some people watching. Style had a booth at this year’s festival, located next to the main stage in the square. We had lots of people stop by to pick up free issues and sign up for subscriptions. I manned the booth for the 5-7pm shift, as things were winding down for the day, so I didn’t get to go to VIN’s ‘season opening of the Grove’ party in Towson, but I heard it was a blast. I also had to pass on some Friday night screenings at the Maryland Film Festival, since I’d promised a friend I’d be at her birthday party being held in Locust Point at Pazza Luna. We had a private dining room upstairs for 14, and chef Gianfranco created a personal, family-style feast for the group. It was amazing.

On Saturday, I did another brief stop-by Flower Mart, long enough to see the pet parade and take in the vintage car show. Then it was out to Owings Mills to see the ‘Stile d’Italia’ trunk show at J.S. Edwards. The store was mobbed, but even more fun was the Maserati tent outside with a few of the newest models— nice! On Saturday night I attended a dinner party at Corks for a friend, Terry Thorgramson, a lieutenant in the U.S. Army who will be leaving for an assignment in Afganistan in a few weeks. The group of 10 of us enjoyed a multiple-course dinner with wine-pairings created by chef Jerry Pellegrino, who personally oversaw our service. Exquisite food.

Sunday started with a breakfast meeting with friends at Mill Valley Garden Center, where Mick Kipp of Mick’s Whiskey Island Pirate sauces has a Sunday morning omlette station set up. After some Zeke’s coffee and a grilled portobello omlette, I was ready to face Sunday Funday. I met another group of friends and we commandeered a large table out on the deck at Little Havana and spent the afternoon sipping mimosas and beers, comparing notes on how we’d each spent Cinquo de Mayo.

Tuesday, May 1
This evening, I start with an art opening for my friend John Marsh‘s new show of paintings at the Idle Hour in South Baltimore. When I arrive at 8, the bar is packed with friends. I stop to say a brief hello to City Paper publisher Don Farley and Steve Appel from Nouveau and his wife Kris. Owner Brendan is behind the bar and grabs me a cold beer, and I survey the scene. My favorite pieces are an oversize canvas of Linda Carter as Wonder Woman, done in shades of blue, and a smaller vertical piece that depicts BritneySpears’ infamous self-administered head shaving. I catch up with photographers Jefferson Jackson Steele and Chris Myers, who gives me the details about a self-defense class he took last week (which, incidentally, he shot for an upcoming Style story). I spend the next hour talking to my pal Jenn Marsh, John’s sister, Jamie Campbell from City Paper and her husband Dru, and my old friend Glenn Breining from my morning haunt, The Evergreen coffee shop, in Roland Park. After saying hello to Elizabeth Evitts on my way out, I’m on to my next stop…

... which is The Wine Market, just a few blocks away. I’m joining my friends Tracy, Tiffany, Tom and one of Tom’s business partners who’s visiting from France (on his birthday, no less), Frederic Jaboulet. Frederic’s family owns the Paul Jaboulet vineyard in Rhone. Table conversation turns from the upcoming presidential elections in France to a ribald discussion about male/female relationships (the guys lost). After three superb bottles of wine (two reds, one white) and some lively conversation (to say nothing of my excellent roast chicken with pureed parsnips and sauteed Brussels sprouts) the group was headed on to Pazo . I opted to join some other friends at a regular Tuesday night stop, Mad River Grille in Federal Hill. And when Tom showed up later reporting that they’d run up a $242 bar tab at Pazo, I was just as glad that I’d bypassed that stop, at least for tonight (I’ll be there on Thursday, though, like clockwork).

Saturday, April 28
The weather for this year’s Hunt Cup was predicted to be better than it actually was. Even though the afternoon was overcast and breezy (with a scattering of sprinkles), that didn’t prevent hundreds of steeplechase regulars from converging on the hillsides along Tufton Road for this year’s race. We had a smaller group than usual this year; we generally have three car passes and anywhere from 10 to 12 in our tailgating group, this year we kept it to one car. We scaled down the menu accordingly, although it still included Pimm’s Cups and our traditional Hunt Cup cake (this is Julia Colhoun‘s sherry cake recipe that we published in Style back in 1999; it’s always a favorite). Seven horses started the race this year, but only four finished; luckily no horses suffered injury. Even though the weather was less than perfect, it’s always fun to watch the Lilly Pulitzer-and-madras-clad crowds dashing from fence to fence and up the hill for the race’s finish.

On Sunday, the weather was well-nigh perfect, and a perfect day to spend at the city’s first street festival of the year on Cross Street in Federal Hill. It’s always been my favorite of the season’s street festivals because of its relatively small size (one street, as opposed, to say, the overwhelming crowds of the Fells Point festival). Two Miller Beer trucks serviced the crowd nicely, and two stages— one at each end of the street— provided non-stop music all day long. I took the stay-in-one-spot approach, taking up a post in the street outside of the Dog Pub (that’s right, it’s not called Thirsty Dog anymore) and managed to catch friends all day long as they passed by. Before you knew it, it was 7 o’clock and the formal festivities were over. The crowds stayed though, and Cross Street remained choked with revelers until late into the (school) night.

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