Last night I got a chance to check out the new Towson Tavern, an upscale bar/restaurant that opened earlier this month. The tavern is owned and operated by Scott Recher, who runs the neighboring Recher Theater and Rec Room and Patio. 

It's hard to believe the tavern occupies the space where all the Rec Room pool tables used to be. What used to have the feel of a dingy pool hall is now all dark wood, comfy booth seating, antique photos, low lighting, and jazz on the stereo. The drink and light fare menu reflects this upscale feel with $8-9 cocktails and dishes like pork lollipops and crab gratin. 

They have a decent selection of bottled and draft beer. I tried a Towson Tavern Ale (produced by Anheuser-Busch), which Recher brought over from the Rec Room and has a has smoky, coffee-like flavor. Also on the drink menu is the semi oximoronic York Road Cosmopolitan, a $9 concoction of Grey Goose, triple sec, cranberry juice, and lime. 

I grew up in the Towson area and am all too familiar with the bar scene. But Towson Tavern seems to be an oasis amongst the crowded college bars on the York Road strip. It's a Towson bar for adults, which was reflected last night in the laid back clientele who came to enjoy fine dining and quality drinks in a posher-than-usual setting. 

[Image credit: Tyler Waldman of Towson Patch]

Over the weekend, I finally got to check out Liam Flynn's Ale House, the unlikely Irish bar in Station North that opened in July. I have found that there's a pattern. These great places always open up right after my Best Bars deadline, which is truly a shame because this place is a contender.

This bar was opened by the former manager of Liam's Pint-Size Pub, an Irish bar in Mt. Vernon that closed three years ago. I got a chance to visit that pub as well, and I loved its cavernous basement feel, but the "pint size" was certainly accurate—it felt cramped with more than 20 people there.

Manager Liam Flynn's newest endeavor, though, is much more spacious. There's an L-shaped bar up front, table seating on the left, and an area for darts and more tables towards the back. The night we went, it was crowded enough to feel fun, but it was still roomy enough to get a drink.

Speaking of drinks, beer nerds will surely appreciate the selection here. The bar always has two rotating cask ales (fresh and unfiltered beer that matures in the cask), about a dozen beers on tap, and even some gluten-free options. The bottle selection is even more vast, with 12 ciders alone.

I tried one of the cask ales available, Oliver's 3 Lions Ale, which was creamy with a slight oaky lavor. My favorite beer was from the Williams Brothers, a microbrewery in Scotland. They had an alcholic ginger beer that was just fantastic. The flavor was crisp and full of ginger, with accents of lemon peel and citrus. 

The overall vibe of Liam Flynn's Ale House was lively but mellow as songs from The Cure, MGMT, and Green Day played on the juke box. There were some louder revelers in the back on the high-top tables, but mainly the bar was filled with people sharing casual conversation over outstanding beers. The ale house is a great and unique addition to the Station North landscape.

[Image: courtesy of harmcityhoops.org]

Infusions have been all the rage this year. It's hard to walk into a bar that doesn't feature large carafes of liquor that have been infused with herbs, spices, or fruits. We even gave Best Cocktail to the Strawberry Martini at Vino Rosina with vodka that was infused with rhubarb, strawberries, and basil.

So for my holiday cocktail recipe this year, I want to feature candy cane infused vodka. It's pretty simple to make and turns out delicious. (Also makes a great gift!)

1. Use a jar with a tight seal. A mason jar or old pickle jar (thoroughly cleaned) both work well.
2. Place candy canes in jar. The ones without a hook are easier to work with.
3. Pour in vodka. Use a non-flavored one or else, what's the point?
4. Close jar tightly and store in cool, dark place.
5. The times for infusions vary, obviously. But you'll get flavor in three hours. I'd recommend two days for a more intense flavor.
6. Once you're ready to serve, strain the vodka into a martini glass (garnished with chocolate chips maybe) or it would be great in hot chocolate!

Enjoy and happy holidays!

[Image: courtesy of scarymommy.com]

Money has been tight for everyone in 2011, so many companies have decided to forgo their holiday parties.

That's why Merritt Athletic Clubs is hosting "Baltimore's Biggest Holiday Office Party," a free event tonight from 7-11 p.m. at Merritt's downtown location. The club is inviting companies to bring their staff and friends to enjoy live music, food from top restaurants, gaming tables, a silent auction, free beer (yes, that's right), and a cash bar for other drinks.

The event's theme, "Spotlight on Baltimore," features a special VIP section and highlights from some of Baltimore’s favorite neighborhoods.

While the event is free, VIP tickets are available for $75 in advance or at the door. Proceeds from special VIP tickets, silent auction items, and gaming tables will benefit the GIVE (Getting Involved in Volunteers Experience) program from Business Volunteers Unlimited Maryland. The program helps to raise awareness among the next generation of civic leaders about the growing need for volunteerism. 

To RSVP to the party visit http://www.merrittclubs.com/locations/baltimores-best-holiday-party-2011.html or to purchase advance VIP tickets visit www.spotlightonbmore.eventbrite.com.