Brian Lawrence Live
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!)
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