Toast of the Town
I know, I know…It’s been since April since I’ve posted. I’ve been getting settled into my new position of Membership sales at the Restaurant Association of MD (RAM) and I have finally come up for air. Here are a few things worth noting around town. I’ll try not to ever wait so long to deliver the goods…as always, so proud of Baltimore and its ever changing culinary scene. Here are some good ones I found.
NEW OPENINGS:
RYE- I LOVE a good cocktail list. You know, the kind that are handcrafted with fresh ingredients all muddled in the glass…with some wonderfully flavored simple syrups, innovative concepts and a dash of love. Rye is the newest addition to the ever-growing bar/lounge scene in Fells Point—it’s definitely a new favorite of mine. Located in the space that has been The Whistling Oyster for 200 years (literally) and owned by Ryan Perlberg of Stuggy’s (right next door). In my opinion, it’s the perfect place for after dinner cocktails. You can even go for lite fare at the bar -the food is fantastic and the menu simple. With the average price about $8 a cocktail, I hope it keeps the “children” away; bars in Fells can go either way. Time will tell on that one, but in the meantime… Check it out.
C and R PUB—Yeah baby, Cowboys and Rednecks. A new “steakhouse” in the space formerly known as Corvino and before that, beloved Juniors and before that, Vespa. This space is huge! When you first walk in you find the “Redneck” bar, a beautiful wood bar that runs the length of the wall, with a tin roof from daytime manager Alan Schmidt’s farm in Monkton. (Yes, they took out that beautiful bar top that Jeff “Junior” Minderlein made when it was Juniors). Walk further back and sit down at the “Cowboy” bar and enjoy beer on tap and a nice steak, exclusively from Creekstone Farms. Each steak will be branded with the C&R logo. I’m looking forward to the opening which should be by the end of this month.
Highlandtown invades South Baltimore
BARFLY’S- what a nice surprise to step into Barfly’s in Locust Point, and find great pizza and some Highlandtown staples. This bar has some real Baltimore flair; painted formstone that lines the walls and the staff is most likely from East Baltimore. I fell in love with this place. They have a great beer and wine selection too. A must-have on the menu is the “Grated” pizza, very similar to Matthew’s and the house salad with house dressing that is ridiculously good. Don’t be intimidated, it’s NOTHING like its former incarnation, Rafter’s. I will be going back…
Down the street, at 1230 Fort Ave., is Barracuda’s… another Highlandtown transplant. Paul Cuda who you may remember as the manager at Claddagh Pub for many years, opened this bar and restaurant in the space that used to be Luca’s Café on Fort Avenue. Billy Hughes, also from Highlandtown, is the executive chef. The menu is outstanding and they always have something macerating in the huge glass jugs behind the bar. Look for Rico Barry- he always has a good concoction he’s whippin up back there.
REPUBLIC NOODLE- Who doesn’t LOVE a good noodle menu? Dave Lynch, who you may have seen working at 13.5% wine bar, has opened up this quaint BYOB on Light Street in Federal Hill. The place is small, but so tastefully done with Asian influences and Buddha manning the door. I ordered the cold sesame noodle and chicken satay with peanut sauce- Outstanding! So good I’m looking forward to trying the rest of their menu. Welcome to the ’hood!
Speaking of 13.5%, they have spread their wings and now have a sister location on the other side of town. Silo Point 5 is a wine bar in Locust Point’s Silo Point complex. Same owners, same great service and a wine list that is easy and approachable. Got the Point?
COMING SOON:
Slated to be open in November, The Four Seasons Hotel will be a welcomed addition to the Harbor East area. I am truly excited for summer 2012 only because this hotel will have an infinity edge pool and pool bar, house 4 eateries and have some of the best staff in Baltimore. A few of the restaurants include: Wit and Wisdom with Chef Michael Mina, who has several restaurants across the country, Pabu will have Japanese pub fare and a bar and lobby lounge. I know where I’ll be this summer…Bring it!
We always need more places to dine on the water and Jerry Pellegrino of Corks’ fame is giving us the goods…The Waterfront Kitchen, will open in the Frederick Douglass Meyers building on Thames Street in Fells Point sometime this month. The menu will feature wholesome seasonal ingredients grown by the children at Living Classrooms foundation; a true farm-to-table restaurant. Levi Briggs is bringing his talent to the helm in this kitchen. This place is the one I am most looking forward to frequenting. Congrats and good luck to Jerry and the whole gang.
THE MALLET- Look out Harford County, I think you will be happy. The spot on Rt. 152 and Rt. 1 that has been everything under the sun, is finally open. It’s called The Mallet. There are many venues in this space and sure to be a crowd pleaser. Mostly a seafood restaurant, they will serve everything from steaks to sushi. The upstairs is more of an upscale martini bar and white tablecloth and the downstairs will serve sushi, a raw bar, steamed crabs, flat screen TV’s and can hold up to 300. Davide Rossi formerly of Pazza Luna is consulting in the kitchen and this means GOOD FOOD. A nice addition to Harford County, the land of chain restaurants finally has an independently owned place that everyone will love to go back to.
LOCAL PRODUCTS I LOVE
There are so many people doing cupcakes these days but there are some of the most creative and tasty in the most unsuspecting places. Patty Pirate Cupcakes are served at Capt. Larry’s and 5 Points Tavern on Fort Ave. (Locust Point gets lots o’ love in this blog). If you haven’t been there to even have a drink or try their fabulous food, you’re missing out-but especially these cupcakes. Patty Balodis is the owner Ivars’ wife. She has definitely found her niche. I had the chance to sit with her and talk about her new endeavors. She is really one to watch. I love her concept and her ideas for cupcakes hit all of your senses- flavors like pink October rum cupcakes filled with strawberry preserves topped with pink vanilla frosting, pink ribbon jimmies & a strawberry malted milk ball…chocolate stout cherry filled cupcakes celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness… Kahlua orange crème…Chocolate stout bacon cupcakes filled with PB honey bacon cream topped with peanut butter frosting, bacon jam, a banana chip & drizzled with honey…salt water taffy…rum and cherry coke…Swedish fish vodka… banana cupcakes filled with dulce de leche frosted with brown butter icing topped with candied walnuts , and the lists go on and one. Hungry yet? Check her out on Facebook to see what I mean -Patty Piratecupcakes
Sloop Betty vodka. Local vodka?-that’s right; handcrafted wheat vodka made right in our back yard. Located in Stevensville, MD.,this brother team has made their mark with this super smooth vodka. The bottle’s logo is a pin-up girl in a little red dress. Look for it at your favorite bar.
TURN AND BURN
Congrats and good luck to Kenneth Petty who has moved on from the Kalis Restaurant Group and gone across the “pond” to The Wine Market. He will be missed in Fells Point, but be sure to see him for his continued warm hospitality and service in South Baltimore.
A farewell to Chef Cyrus Keefer formerly of Maisy’s Baltimore. He has moved on to do some consulting work and I hear he’s in Fells Point doing so now. I am interested to see where he lands or if consulting will be his thing. A true culinary talent. Good luck Cy!
Remember Chef Chris Paternotte of VIN in Towson? He is now the VP of business development at Baltimore Coffee and Tea Company. Congrats Chris!
BALTIMORE CELEBRATIONS
Aloha! Roy’s Baltimore Harbor East celebrating their 10th year anniversary, this month.If you haven’t been to Roy’s yet. Get your tail in there to check out their “Aloha hour” from 4:30-6:30 every evening. Try the Hawaiian martini which is pineapple soaked in Skyy vodka, Stoli vanilla and Malibu rum. With one of those, you may just end up staying for dinner.
I had the honor of being a judge at The Taste Of Guinness event at the Hamden FOP hall again this year in conjunction with the MD Irish Festival. Congratulations to Slainte Irish Pub for walking away with the Judges’s Choice award for their Maple Chipotle Guinness Braised Pork Sliders. Nice job! The Irish Festival is being held Nov 11-13 at the Md State Fairgrounds. Check out http://www.irishfestival.com for more details.
I will be gathering more info on openings, things to watch for, my favorite local products and anything else that should be a Toast…Of The Town and I won’t wait another season….
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