April, 18th 2011

Respected Philly chef coming to Bond Street Social

david ansillDavid Ansill will become the executive chef of Bond Street Social when the restaurant opens at the end of summer, according to a press release I received today. The restaurant will at 901 S. Bond St. in Fells Point, where DuClaw Brewing Co. was located.

The chef, who has an impressive bio, is currently the executive chef at Ladder 15 in Philadelphia, which is co-owned by Mike Mastellone, a partner in Bond Street Social. The press release referred to the upcoming restaurant as a "new American eatery and bar featuring refined grill cooking with an emphasis on gastropub fare."

Sounds like chef Ansill's cup of tea. At Ladder 15, the chef—who previously owned an eponymous restaurant and another one called Pif in Philadelphia—has taken bar food to another level with dishes like steak tartare with quail egg, Korean tacos (one made with pork belly), and a European barbecue.

In a recent interview with "Grub Street Philadelphia," chef Ansill said that, while he kept the idea of bar snacks, he also turns out "slow-braised squid in ink sauce ... Goat cheese and potato cigars with herb sour cream dip. Simple stuff but fun and tasty and not too scary."

I think he'll find Baltimoreans' palates will be up to his culinary creativity. 

April, 15th 2011

On Sundays: Mr. Rain's secret menu

question markAre you in the know? You need to say a certain catch phrase to the host or server to be offered this special three-course chef's tasting at Mr. Rain's Fun House on Sundays. Otherwise, the staff will be mum about the deal.

The all-in-fun subterfuge fits right into Mr. Rain's playfulness with the menu, though you can count on chef/owner Bill Buszinski to turn out seriously good dishes. His partner and beverage manager Perez Klebahn will offer a tasting flight to complement the Sunday meal.

The menu changes weekly, so you'll always be sampling different dishes.

And the magic words to say are ... "Mr. Rain's Supper Club Menu." Easy.

Maybe there will a decoder ring next.

Photograph by Ambro/FreeDigitalPhotos.net 

April, 15th 2011

New Fells Point sandwich shop

hungry andy'sHungry Andy's—a bright and cheerful spot—recently opened on Broadway. I haven't eaten there yet, but I did take a peek and pick up a menu.

It offers more than sandwiches, including pit beef, ribs, wings, and platters (fried amber cod, chicken, and fried shrimp, for instance). The eatery, with counter service and tables if you want to eat in, also has "fresh cut fries."

I'm particularly intrigued by one of the "munchies"—fried green banana chips. I'll be stopping by to take a taste soon.

Has anyone had a chance to visit? The address is 629 S. Broadway. It's in the same block as Ding How. No website yet.

Photo by me

10:50 am Comment Count Tags: what's new
April, 13th 2011

The Latest Buzz

honeybeeHow about beekeeping on the rooftop of Regi's American Bistro in Federal Hill? It's true. Alan Morstein, the restaurant's personable owner, is taking a beekeeping class and will soon be introducing Italian honeybees to his hive.

This new venture will be in addition to his skyline garden featuring heirloom tomatoes and herbs. I'll write more about Alan's inner-city farming and beekeeping in our June issue.

In the meantime, Regi's is holding a "Name Our Italian Queen Bee" contest, Alan says. The winner will receive a $100 restaurant gift card. The deadline for entries is April 21.

Photo by Tom Curtis/FreeDigitalPhotos.net 

April, 11th 2011

A Cheesy Weekend

grilled cheeseThe first Grilled Cheese Cook-Off at the Mt. Washington Tavern was a sizzling success yesterday. The event, which benefited Moveable Feast, was a sell-out and also provided a few hours of family fun.

The kids had their own craft table and were able to vote on their favorite sandwich. There was even a kid—Eli Knauer—on the official judges' panel. Eli, who is nine but will quickly tell you that he will be 10 in May, has his own food blog, Adventures of a Koodie.

Eli joined me and several other eaters: Ron Matz of WJZ, Brenda Carl of WCMB, and Sara Hisamoto, director of public relations at Visit Baltimore in the food fest. We sampled five sandwiches from professional chefs and three sandwiches from home cooks, whose recipes had been previously selected from a pool of entries.

Former Top Chef contestant Jesse Sandlin, who is doing restaurant consulting since leaving Vino Rosina, announced the winners:

Kids' Favorite—Chef/owner Matthew Milani, Rumor Mill Fusion Grille.

People's Choice—Executive chef Chad Gauss, City Café, who brought along his lovely wife and two adorable children.

Home Cook: Michelle Howell of the Parkville area.

And, drum roll, the Professional Favorite:

Kevin Miller, executive chef at Widespread Concierge Services and formerly of Ixia.

His dish, pictured, was called a Dutch Toasty and was served with a spring-pea soup topped with crispy prosciutto. Kevin said he based the sandwich on foods he had in Holland.

The grilled sandwich featured brioche bread layered with two-year-old Gouda, Jarlsberg, and goat cheese with fresh dill, topped with pickled cucumber chips. Kevin recommended that we dip the sandwich into the pea soup. It was a great flavor sensation.

Chefs Patrick "Opie" Crooks of Roy's and Darrick Granai of Baldwin's Station also participated. Their sandwiches were delicious, too. I was told the voting was very close.

Although a few judges were heard to say that it would be a while before they ate grilled cheese again, we're all hoping the organizers put on this event next year. 

Photo by me

April, 8th 2011

This Weekend: Pig Roast and Vineyard Blessing

fiori wineryFiori Winery in Pylesville will be hosting its annual blessing of the vineyards on Saturday to ensure a bountiful harvest. Father Henry Kunkel will offer the prayer, which will be followed by wine tastings and a pig-out pig roast.

I just talked to owner Rose Fiori, and she said that the gigantic pig, big enough to feed 100 people, is prepped for roasting, complete with an apple in its mouth. In addition to the pig, there will be an array of foods to go with the main course, she said.

The event starts at 1 p.m. The cost is $30 for adults and $12.50 for kids under 12. Call first to make sure tickets are still available. 

5:44 pm Comment Count Tags: events
April, 8th 2011

Tonight's CSI: Food Truck Explosion

CSIThe teaser clip says, "Let's see if murder is on the menu." Tonight's CSI:NY show at 9 on CBS focuses on a gourmet-food-truck explosion.

According to the show's website, Dr. Sheldon Hawks (Hill Harper), pictured, a member of the CSI team, goes to a food festival in SoHo and one of the food trucks blows up. Chefs claim that competing trucks stole their recipes. Oh, my.

I recently blogged about Baltimore's growing number of gourmet mobile trucks. They seem to have worked out their various cuisines and parking areas without resorting to any shenanigans.

I wonder if any of them will be watching tonight's show.

Photo courtesy of CBS. 

5:12 pm Comment Count Tags: TV
April, 4th 2011

Yesterday's Baltimore Farmers' Market

red zebra pizzaDid you go? By the time I got there at 8, the JFX Market was in full swing for its initial day of the season. The first vendors I met were the ladies from The Red Zebra pizza. They were offering free samples in the main market.

Their new stand, located in the west market, features "upscale" wood-fired pizza made in a cute mobile pizza oven. I had a chance to taste the Canadian-bacon-quail egg-and-smoked-cheddar pizza ($10), pictured.

It was delicious. Other customers were raving about the crisp crust pizza with interesting toppings, too, predicting that Red Zebra was going to draw long lines once it was discovered.

Yesterday's pizza toppings also included: tomato sauce and mozzarella ($7), lamb sausage, mint pesto, tomato sauce, and FireFly Farms goat cheese ($10), and roasted-cumin-and-smoked-paprika-dusted mushrooms, tomato sauce, farmers cheese, and mozzarella ($8).

I love the omelet guy at the market, but I think I found a new breakfast.

This early in the growing season, it was no surprise that root vegetables, a variety of lettuces, and mushrooms dominated the crop list at the market. But each week will get better and better. 

Photo by me

April, 1st 2011

This weekend: The Baltimore Farmers' Market

albright farmsIn January, I blogged about the popular Baltimore Farmers' Market and Bazaar opening a month early this year. And now, that day is finally here on Sunday. I can't wait.

I'm especially interested in checking out a new farmer at the market, KCC Natural Farms of Forest Hill. The family-owned-and-operated farm sells French Heritage chickens, pheasants, and poussins (young, small chickens).

They'll be located in the west market, according to Carole Simon, who manages the weekly market underneath the Jones Falls Expressway at Holliday and Saratoga streets.

This year, it'll be easier to visit the main market and west market with temporary street closures from 5 a.m.-2 p.m. every Sunday.

I'm looking forward to stopping by Albright Farms of Monkton, too. In addition to their regular offerings, they're going to be selling rabbit this year, Carole said. The meat is becoming a staple on many area menus.

Some people are still squeamish, though. Maybe it would be better if we adapted the French word for rabbit, lapin. Then, we wouldn't think of pet bunnies.

The market is open from 7 a.m. to noon, or sell-out. I strive to get there early and head to Zeke's coffee for fortification before making the rounds. See you on Sunday. 

Photo courtesy of Albright Farms.

April, 1st 2011

Charm City Cakes has a deal for you

charm city cakeCharm City Cakes is offering more affordable cakes and inviting customers to pick them up at the Remington bakery. Starting Monday, you'll be able to choose a custom cake from several designs, including the cute O's cake, pictured, order the cake online, and then head to the store when it's ready.

The promotion is called "Cakes for Two," but the three-layer, eight-inch cakes actually feed about 15. Each cake costs $250.

Mary Alice Yeskey, director of marketing at the bakery, told me in an e-mail, "Cakes for Two was Duff's idea, in response to the huge onslaught of requests and inquiries we've gotten in the last few years from fans of Ace of Cakes and local patrons who want a small cake for a celebration but didn't want or need an elaborate, more expensive confection."

Check out the details on the bakery's website on Monday. I've seen the cake designs. They are charming.  

 

5:16 pm Comment Count Tags: what's new
March, 30th 2011

A Food Truck Traffic Jam

souper freak logoOr, at least, it seems that way on Twitter as a new food truck comes on the scene. Each day, my account is loaded with the locations for the six mobile trucks in town.

If there are more trucks, let me know. We have enough now for a food-truck rodeo, which is done in other cities and where all the trucks locate in the same area. But for now, the trucks are scattered around town.

The latest wheeled entry is Souper Freak, logo pictured, operated by Irene Smith, which dispenses soups and sandwiches. It just started operation on March 21, so I wanted to give them some time to get organized before I visited.

Today, the red Souper Freak truck is on the Morgan University campus, according to its tweet.

The other trucks are Kooper's Chowhound Burger Wagon, Gypsy Queen Food Truck, Curbside Cafe, Creperie Breizh, and Iced Gems. There is also Tacos Jalisco, but the silver truck keeps a regular spot on Broadway between Bank and Gough streets.

I know of another popular restaurant that just purchased a food truck, but I'm sworn to secrecy for now. I'll let you know as soon as I can. 

March, 28th 2011

To do: Good food and drink at Santé

b&o museumThe second Santé: Spoil Your Appetite will features lots of nibbles from Baltimore restaurants and caterers plus craft beer, wine, and spirits. And it's all to benefit the National Kidney Foundation of Maryland.

The event will be held this Saturday from 7-10 p.m. at the B&O Railroad Museum, pictured.

Food vendors include Bistro Rx, B&O American Brasserie, 5 Points Tavern, Clementine, Talara, Charles Levine Caterers, and more. Visit Santé's website for a complete list.

There also will be interactive presentations, including "Demystifying Pairing Food and Wine," "Chef Apple: I Heart Sushi," "Successfully Pairing Craft Beer with Cheeses," and "Eggs Are Not Taboo in Cocktails."

The always fun Reagan Warfield of Mix 106.5 FM will emcee.

Tickets are $65 a person in advance, $75 at the door, and $40 for designated (no alcohol) drivers. 

4:13 pm Comment Count Tags: events
March, 25th 2011

This weekend: Free Coffee/Tea

baltimore coffee and teaToday and tomorrow, Baltimore Coffee & Tea is giving away free coffee and tea, hot or iced, in exchange for a non-perishable food item to benefit the Maryland Food Bank at a time of year when donations at the pantry often wane.

The "Can for a Cup" promotion is being held at Baltimore Coffee and Tea's retail stores in Timonium, Annapolis, and Frederick.

The food items in greatest demand include peanut butter, canned tuna, and canned fruit. Surely, you have some extras in your cupboards in exchange for a cup of really good coffee or tea, any size, or $1 off a specialty drink.

4:00 pm Comment Count Tags: promotions
March, 25th 2011

Benefit wine tasting for $5

whole foods cheeseFrom 6-8 p.m. today, Whole Foods Mt. Washington is hosting a wine tasting with hors d'oeuvres and a silent auction to benefit the Whole Planet Foundation, a nonprofit which helps alleviate poverty.

For a $5 donation, you can enjoy a wine tasting at Mt. Washington Wine Co., next to Whole Foods, and have finger foods in the grocery store's cafe.

Silent auction items include a brunch for four with cocktails, gift cards to restaurants and shops and for services, $100 worth of seafood, cheese of the month for a year, tenderloin, catering, and more.

Sounds like a worthwhile thing to do on the way home from work tonight. 

Photo of the cheese display at Whole Foods.

2:22 pm Comment Count Tags: events
March, 25th 2011

How is Duff helping Japan?

more duffAnd what are his fave hometown eats? The omnipresent Duff Goldman of Charm City Cakes revealed his five top Baltimore-area restaurant foods in the April issue of Food Network Magazine. What do you think?

1.   Pulled pork BBQ sa“m”wich at Andy Nelson’s Barbecue in Cockeysville.

2.   Cap’n Crunch French toast at Blue Moon Cafe in Fells Point.

3.   Duck fat french fries at Salt in Canton.

4.   Kaddo borwani (the pumpkin appetizer) at The Helmand in Mt. Vernon.

5.   Shrimp, andouille sausage, and grits at Charleston in Harbor East.

On a more serious note, Duff is selling a custom-made cake on eBay and donating 100 percent of the proceeds to the Red Cross to assist with relief efforts in Japan. Here’s your chance to try a Charm City Cake while helping the distressed country, too. Bidding is already well over $1,000.

More Duff stuff: In the April issue of Baltimore magazine, on newsstands today, find out about Duff and his friendship with Mary Alice Yeskey, who will be filling a new role at Charm City Cakes in Baltimore while Duff heads west to open a bakery branch in Los Angeles.

Photo courtesy of Food Network.

1:17 pm Comment Count Tags: what's new
12 issues for $18!