Martha Stewart, the comeback kid, is making the media rounds, promoting her new book, "Martha Stewart’s Encyclopedia of Crafts." Earlier this week, she was on the Today show, demonstrating how to marbleize paper. Her finished samples also included pretty, pastel marbleized eggs. Perfect for Easter, I thought.

Then, the Washington Post ran a story about the book and included directions for another decoration. It’s not exactly about food, but it involves eggs and is so easy that I’d thought I’d share it in case you didn’t see the article.

I also learned that Martha twitters. (Of course, she does. She can do everything.) Time manager that she is, she allows herself 10 minutes a day to do her tweets. Okay, I couldn’t resist. I’m now one of her more than 300,000 followers.

This weekend, I’ll be making these for my Easter table, courtesy of Martha and the Post. How will you be decorating your place?

Glittered eggs

Gather chicken eggs and, if possible, eggs of other sizes. Make a pinhole on each end of an egg, blow out contents and rinse inside thoroughly. Let dry.

Set out bowls of glitter and pour a small amount of white craft glue into another bowl. Use a small paintbrush to cover an egg with glue, then set the egg in a bowl of glitter, spooning glitter over the entire egg.

Remove the egg carefully from the bowl and dry it on a rack or waxed paper for one hour before displaying.

CBS’s "The Early Show" weighed in on baseball grub this morning for opening day, taking a look at some favorite snacks and their calorie content with the help of senior editor Matt Bean from Men’s Health magazine.

One of the biggest surprises was what to drink. Of course, water is a great option, but if you’re trying to decide between a beer or a soda, go for the brew. A 12-ounce beer is 139 calories; the cola, 155 calories (plus about 12 packets of sugar, according to Bean).

Also, 1½ cups of Cracker Jack (360 calories) is better than a large soft pretzel with cheese (593 calories). You’d have to walk up 37 flights of stairs to shed that intake, Bean said.

And you’re better off with a hot dog (280 calories) than cheese nachos (692 calories). You’d have to trek eight miles to do  penance for that indulgence.

None of these choices is exactly healthful. Bean suggested looking for alternatives, especially sushi. Given the turnover, the product should be fresh, he said.

But if I’m going to splurge on calories, I rather just head for Boog’s stand and get a great roast-beef sandwich with all the trimmings. That’s something to root for.

I stopped by Pappas restaurant in Parkville yesterday around noon and was thrilled to have my meal accompanied by tunes from keyboardist Jack Biro. He's been rippling the keys with classics for 14 years at the well-known spot.

I’m embarrassed to admit that I had never been to Pappas. But it seems like one of those throwback spots that everyone should visit at some point. And the food is definitely worth the trip—nothing fussy, just well-prepared seafood, steaks, sandwiches, and pasta dishes.

The restaurant draws an older clientele and definitely has a retro look in the main dining room: dark paneling, dim lighting, banquettes, and upholstered chairs. But it’s a comforting place, where diners greet their waitresses by name and also seem to know one another. My book and I were definitely a curiosity.

Mr. Biro plays there twice a day: from noon-1:30 p.m. and 6-7:30 p.m. Thanks, Mr. Biro. You made my day.

I get info on wine dinners all the time, but these struck me as different and sounded like a good time.

Chef Nino Germano at La Scala in Little Italy has a "Big Night" epicurean experience planned for April 7. It’s $95 and includes dinner, wine, tax, and tip. He suggests you watch the movie since the same courses will be featured at the dinner. RSVP by April 3.

It’s been a while since I watched the touching film starring Stanley Tucci and Tony Shalhoub as brothers trying to resuscitate their failing Italian restaurant. But I remember the food scenes were stunning, and the timpani dish (deep dish pie with layers of pasta, salami, provolone, meatballs, hard-cooked eggs, and tomato sauce) was a standout.

Wouldn’t you know these events would be on the same night? Ale Mary’s in Fells Point is having a wine dinner on April 7, too. Many people might associate the tavern with Belgian ales and beer pairings, but it also promotes fine wines.

Chef Mary Rivers, who owns the four-year-old restaurant with husband Tom and brother-in-law Bill, says she started the seasonal wine dinners to please her patrons. "My wine drinkers were whining," she told me recently, laughing. "I was accommodating their (taste) buds."

The six-course dinner with wines from three wineries is $60 (not including tip). Mary, who is a Baltimore International College grad, will be preparing such offerings as vanilla/thyme duck confit, herb-grilled bison tenderloin, and grilled peaches with camembert cheese. The dinners usually sell out, so reserve a space soon.

Another meal to pencil on your calendar is a June 25 foie gras dinner at the new alizée at the Colannade. Chef Josh Hill will feature foie gras in all six courses. The cost, with wine pairings, is $129 (not including tip).

Josh is also inviting chefs from other restaurants to participate. I’ll have more information soon.

Blue Grotto opened in the heart of Towson a few months ago, and I finally had a chance to visit the restaurant/lounge last night. The menu leans toward Greek and Mediterranean cuisine, though there’s a casual section with wings, poppers, and chicken tenders.

I have to say it’s one of the most interesting eating spots in Towson. The restaurant has that industrial chic vibe going on with tall ceilings, dark blue walls, and ultra mod furnishings. It’s in the spot where Sunny Surplus used to be and has come a long way from its camouflage/Army regulation roots.

You can read more about the food in our June issue. But in the meantime, I have to tell you that Blue Grotto has a great happy hour from 4-7 p.m. with $2 domestic beers, $2 off rail drinks, and $3 house wines (huge pours).

You can expect Towson University students in the mix of diners, but manager Alex Ducat said that the restaurant is going after "upscale, classier college kids. It’s not just the typical Towson bar." Check it out.

Antrim 1844 ranked in our top 10 for best restaurants. Now, Southern Living magazine has acknowledged the fine dining at the elegant inn in Taneytown, too.

In its April issue, it says, "The food remains the ultimate reason folks visit. Many diners drive from the cities simply for dinner."

The article also cites chef Michael Gettier for creating "prix fix, six course masterpieces." The price is $68.50 a person in case you’re thinking of taking a scenic, spring drive to the 19th century plantation home on 24 acres in Carroll County.

Fin Steak & Seafood in Fells Point closed on Monday, leaving a gap in our top 50 restaurants list. It was number 19. It’s always sad to see a restaurant close, especially when so much hard work went into making it a success.

In our March issue, we wrote: "Chef/owner Avi Cohen is a thoughtful and imaginative talent in the kitchen . . . Fin is simply a surpassingly pleasant venue for some of the most rewarding New American food in Baltimore."

I don’t know the details of the closure, but I received an e-mail today from Sherry Cohen, the chef’s wife who was also director of food and beverage at Admiral Fell Inn Catering, saying, "This was a decision that we agonized over and have not taken lightly. We are deeply upset about the turn of events."

Sherry also said they had no other plans at this time. She sounded sad, adding, "We are missing all aspects of Fin."

The down-the-stairs space under the Admiral Fell Inn does seem to have difficulties keeping restaurants—e.g. True and now Fin. But Cindy Wolf got her start there with Savannah, so maybe there’s hope for the future.