Brian Lawrence Live
Wed., August 19
I joined some 200+ people in the penthouse at Silo Point for a ‘Top Chef’ premiere party hosted by cehf Jerry Pellegrino in honor of our local contestant Jesse Sandlin on this season of the popular Bravo TV series. A group including Avery Strachan, Nick Zupancic, Tom Brinkley, Victor Acosta, Denis Nash, Celeste Corsaro, and Jonathan Wilkin congregated at The Wine Market for a pre-party cocktail, then headed over to the party. There, the party occupied two floors and multiple bars and TV monitors were set up for viewing. I caught up with Chuck & Mary Kay Nabit, Tracy Kwiatkowski, Patrick Sutton, Tiffany Zappulla and lots of movers and shakers on the Baltimore restaurant scene, all of whom showed up to cheer on our local gal— go Jesse!
Then on Thurs. night, I joined a group of local foodies including Dara Bunjon, Randi Rom, Anne Boone Simanski and Celeste Corsaro for dinner at the new B&O American Brasserie. Everything I had was wonderful, including the Murray’s Farms chicken with pesto mash, the summer succotash, cumin-dusted carrots and the heirloom tomato and watermelon salad (definitely try to get in and sample that one before the summer season ends). The B&O Manhattan (which uses port and maple syrup in place of sweet vermouth) is my favorite new cocktail. I want to get back on a Wed. night to try their buttermilk fried chicken next. The place appears to be catching on— it was about 3/4 full that night.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 08/24/09 at 10:34 AM
Aug. 6-Aug. 14
Even though so many folks are out of town these days, there’s still plenty going on. I joined a large group of friends and well-wishers for the opening of Jack Hoffberger‘s new photo exhibit on Aug. 6 at the Living Classrooms building on the water in Fells Point. Then a group of us all made our way to Cinghiale for an after-party dinner. The next night a small group of us rendezvoused for dinner at Clementine, which recently expanded into the space next door and gained its own liquor license. Saturday night’s dinner at Sotto Sopra was excellent, and on Sunday, I accepted an invitation to a pool party at the home of Pat & Jeanine Turner, which was a perfect way to spend the hot afternoon. I also got to catch up with ex-Raven Michael McCrary at that one. Monday night: Rocket to Venus. Tuesday night’s dinner at Capital Grille was excellent as always, and capped off with a surprise round of Irish whiskey shots, thanks to owner/manager Jimmy Kinney. We got a gang together on Wednesday night at the Prime Rib, which was packed— interesting to observe their new “no jacket” policy in effect for the first time. More comfortable for many I’m sure, but it just doesn’t feel quite right to me. Thursday night was spent at a particularly fun party with friends in the STYLE Lounge at Silo Point. And we finished off the week with dinner at Petit Louis, where I spotted Style writer Kathy Hudson among the crowd.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 08/17/09 at 01:12 PM
Aug. 4 & 5
Spent two evenings getting acquainted with the new B&O American Brasserie in the new Kimpton Monaco Hotel in downtown Baltimore. This national chain of hotels has completely renovated the famed B&O Headquarters Building at Charles & Baltimore streets into a chic boutique hotel. On Tuesday night, I met some friends for the press preview opening of the restaurant there, which features the menu of chef Michael Reidt (a past Food & Wine magazine Best New Chef recipient). Some 200 movers and shakers enjoyed sipping and noshing in the glamorous two-level space. I had time to chat with Don Farley and Jenn Marsh from City Paper, Jackie Ruane and Sally Rich from Baltimore magazine, as well as Sloane Brown and Sascha Wohlhandler. Then it was on to Fells Point for a friend’s bash at wine bar V-NO.
The next night found me back at the Monaco again, this time for an evening of food and beverage tastings. I was joined by Jess Blumberg from B-mag and J.R. Woolsey of Clipper City Brewing, as well as Amy Burke and Bridget Forney of Profiles. Over seven courses, we sampled a pairing with each of a custom cocktail and a selected wine. On hand were chef Michael Reidt, as well as Kimpton master mixologist Jacques Bezuidenhout and master sommelier Emily Wines. Personal faves: the seasonal tomato and watermelon salad and the roasted pork shank. I’m a big Manhattan drinker, and the custom B&O Manhattan is a winner (secret ingredient: maple syrup!). The Chamomile Cup (a twist on the classic Pimm’s Cup) was a close runner up. Needless to say, after seven cocktails and seven wines, it made for a long— but fun— evening. (Full disclosure: we sampled most of the drinks, rather than draining them!)
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 08/06/09 at 01:14 PM
Sat., Aug. 1
Caterer Jerry Edwards threw a major bash on Saturday night to celebrate turning 50. Lots of Jerry’s friends (including Diane & Larry Macklin, Toni Gianforte, Celeste Corsaro, Patrick Sutton, Tracy Kwiatkowski, Stephanie Bradshaw, Michael McCrary, Carole Langrall, Pat & Jeanine Turner and Travis Wright) turned up for the al fresco event that took over the lobby level and terraces at Silo Point. Jerry’s company, Chef’s Expressions, provided lots of great items to nosh on, while a band under the big tent provided sounds that had the crowd up and dancing. Especially good: the mango/peach sangria!
Then on Sunday afternoon, chef Jerry Pellegrino and the Otterbein Swim Club gang had a pig roast at the pool— it was great way to chill after a late night on Saturday and relax with the Sunday afternoon crew at the pool.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 08/04/09 at 12:59 PM
