EVENTS

Hollywood Diner Food Truck Festival

categories: EVENTS

The Hollywood Diner (400 E Saratoga St) in Baltimore is getting the much-needed reboot it deserves.  The Diner became famous when it was featured in the 1982 Barry Levinson movie Diner.   This week the famous diner’s backlot was used to kick-start a fundraising campaign to make it a permanent home for the Baltimore City food truck movement.

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The Kickstarter event was held on Wednesday evening and welcomed a total of 10 food trucks. The Hollywood Diner was transformed into a bar area with indoor seating.

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Of course I went inside the diner to check out the libation selection first. I ordered the Rum Punch and the Rummy Hot Cider.  The Rummy Hot Cider was my favorite.  It’s really hard to get the consistency and taste of a smooth hot cider but the mixologist at the Hollywood Diner nailed it.

While I was inside enjoying my cocktails. I noticed a man eating a massive baked potato.  I was instantly excited because I’d heard there was a new potato truck in town, but I hadn’t tried it yet.  I immediately went outside to find the truck.  As I approached the truck I noticed a really cute kid and a friendly face gesturing for me to come over to the truck.  he friendly face turned out to be the owner and he was helpful and patient with me as I asked him questions about the different potato options.

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Craving Potato Factory offered five potatoes to choose from: The Dirty Bird, Orioles Old Bay Crab, Ravenstown Steak, Chicken Bacon Ranch and the Craving Classic & Simple.   I ordered the Chicken Bacon Ranch and my friend ordered the Orioles Old Bay Crab.

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Chicken Bacon Ranch Potato

Both potatoes were delicious and too large for us to finish (I ate the leftovers for lunch the next day).  My chicken bacon ranch was topped with bacon, grilled chicken, three cheese blend, chives and a sour cream ranch sauce. My only suggestion would have been to add more ranch sour cream, but there was an addition fee for more.

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Orioles Old Bay Crab Potato

The Orioles Old Bay Crab was topped with Crab meat and mozzarella cheese…lots of cheese as you can see from the photo above.

Make sure you visit Craving Potato Factory next time you are at a food truck festival in Baltimore or keep up with them here.  If you love food trucks in Baltimore like I do and you want to see them get a permanent home, view the video below and donate to the kickstarter campaign.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dinerbacklot/hollywood-diner-food-truck-park?ref=video

 

An Unexpected History: The Story of Hennessy and African Americans

categories: EVENTS

A few weeks ago I was invited to a movie screening at the Charles Theatre in Baltimore (1711 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21201).  The screening was a part of the Baltimore International Black Film Festival (BIBFF).  The movie was titled An Unexpected History: The Story of Hennessy and African Americans.

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The short film (59 minutes) was a documentary-style film that told the story of  African American involvement in the rise of Hennessy.  It followed the lives of two African American Brand Ambassadors and the strides they made to break the stereotype of  African Americans drinking luxury liquor brands.  It was once thought that marketing liquor to African Americans would hurt a brand because it would no longer be considered a luxury.  Influential figures such as Booker T. Washington, Josephine Baker and Marvin Gaye were among the first to endorse the liquor brand, making it more acceptable for African American consumption.  Fast forward to present day, Hennessy now has celebrity endorsements from rapper Nas and singer Erykah Badu.

The film was introduced by Former VP of Multicultural Relations Noel Hankin and following the screening guests enjoyed a panel discussion with narrative from the film’s producer Llewellyn Smith and Noel.

After the panel discussion guests were escorted to the neighboring restaurant for hor d’oeuvres and complimentary Hennessy cocktails.

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Of course I sampled them all and my favorite was The Royal Anniversaire – Hennessy, Gran Marnier, Lemon Juice and champagne.  I never thought about mixing Hennessy with champagne, but it was a great combination.

If you love history, liquor and the history of liquor… you will love this movie.

 

Ladies Night at Davidus Cigars

categories: EVENTS, Happy Hour

Smoking cigars have a history of being a masculine hobby.  Even though I love the smell of cigar smoke, I don’t fancy myself a cigar smoker.  I do have a female friend that smokes cigars and I’ve visited Davidus Cigars (1300 Bank Street) with her on more than one occasion.  We ran into the owner at another event and he invited us to their monthly “Ladies Night” Happy Hour.

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Davidus Cigars is located in Harbor East, Baltimore next to Heavy Seas Alehouse.  Davidus and Heavy Seas actually share an outdoor space that they’ve turned into an outdoor cigar lounge and beer garden.  In the outdoor space you can enjoy a cigar and order food and drink from Heavy Seas Alehouse.

Once inside, it’s very cozy. All business in the front with large cigar storage, scales and other paraphernalia.  The back area is a lounge with leather seating and two large televisions.

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There were about 20 men already there when we (myself and two other women) arrived and about four women.   During the time I was there I would say there were about 13 women total that trickled in throughout the night.  A few of them were friendly and offered to help us when we were ready to pick out a cigar.

Luckily on “Ladies Night” we eat free.  Davidus Cigars ordered  yummy appetizers from Heavy Seas Alehouse.  My friends and I ordered a growler of beer from Heavy Seas to wash the food down.

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I don’t think I’ve ever eaten from Heavy Seas Alehouse before so this was an exciting first.  The appetizers included tater tots topped with crab dip, fried pickles, sausage sliders, and wings.  The crab dip was prepared well, delicious and at the right consistency.  I’m not sure the exact flavor of the wings but they were sticky and sweet with a hint of spice.. very tasty.

Overall it was a low-key event and something ladies should check out if you are interested in cigars. Ladies Night is held every first Wednesday of the month.

What is your favorite cigar?  I would love to hear your suggestions.

 

 

Viniq Liqueur Launch

categories: EVENTS

There’s a new shimmering liqueur in town. It comes in a variety of colors but my favorite is the purple, it’s perfect for my hometown residents because it’s the official color of our beloved Baltimore Ravens.

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Viniq is a shimmering purple liqueur hybrid of vodka and wine.  It was named “Viniq” because it’s such a unique vino (wine) – a first of its kind that shimmers and sparkles when shaken.

I was invited to the first Baltimore launch hosted by 92Q radio personality Konan.  The Viniq launch was held at The Get Down (701 S. Bond St) nightclub in Fells Point, Baltimore.

I was very impressed with the purple-themed party decor. The hostesses were dressed in matching purple dresses and all the other liquor brands was removed from the bar and replaced with purple back lighting and Viniq Liqueur.

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Signature cocktails were created specifically for the launch and of course I sampled each one.  My favorite was the “Voila” made with Viniq, Peach Vodka, Cranberry and Lime.  Moscato is the wine used in making Viniq and everyone knows Moscato is a sweet desert wine and it compliments perfectly the natural fruit flavors in Viniq. 

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Guests were given a bottle of Viniq and a souvenir Viniq glass.

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This is the perfect liqueur for a game day cocktail during the Baltimore Ravens football season or a purple themed party.   These photos don’t do a very good job of showing the shimmering liqueur in action.  Check out this YouTube video  and see for yourself  Viniq Liqueur in all its glory.

Have you sampled Viniq Liqueur?  Did you enjoy it?

 

Veuve Clicquot Champagne Sip and Tasting

categories: EVENTS

The exclusive Veuve Clicquot event was the perfect start to my Spring sipping season.  On Saturday, May 3rd I attended an event hosted by Sonje Productions, GeorgeRay Agency and Moses INC. The event was a champagne tasting of Veuve Clicquot and an introduction to the newly branded Inn at The Black Olive (803 South Caroline Street). CT The Inn at The Black Olive has been in the local news recently with talk of slow business and the announcement of  Actor Woody Harrelson becoming an investor.  Before this event I’d never been in this boutique hotel, I would just admire it from afar whenever I’d park my car on Caroline Street en route to RA Sushi.  I didn’t get a chance to see the actual hotel rooms because when I walked in I was whisked onto the elevator and to the rooftop restaurant…and who knew this place had a rooftop restaurant.  The restaurant space was very open and airy.  The bar area sits in the corner of the restaurant and on the other end is the semi-open kitchen area.  The space looks as if it could fit about 10 table inside and six on the outside patio.  The patio  overlooks parts of Harbor East and wraps around the restaurant space. CT3 Guests sipped and sampled the Veuve Clicquot Demi-Sec and the Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label.  The Demi-Sec is a champagne blend made from the same grapes used to make white wine.  This blend is also considered a sparkling wine.  The Demi-Sec flavor was sweet like a white wine with the fizz of champagne.  The Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label is a high-end luxury label champagne with a dry brut flavor. The Yellow Label is often used in celebrating and special occasions. CT2 Inn at The Black Olive is now serving Sunday brunch from 10:00-3:00 pm.  Sounds like the perfect relaxing Sunday on a cool Spring day.

Maryland Bacon Festival – 2014

categories: EVENTS

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The Maryland Bacon Festival made its inaugural debut in Baltimore on Saturday, April 26th.   The all-day event (12pm-10pm) was held at Rash Field in the Inner Harbor and featured Bacon dishes from several restaurants including: Cambridge Eatery, Bandito’s, Rams Head Live, Wyndham Hotels, Ryleigh’s Oyster, and Jimmy’s Seafood. This event was created to be the quintessential bacon lover’s dream, until it turned into somewhat of a nightmare.  Imagine my excitement when I scored a VIP ticket to dreamland, only to be in for a rude awakening.  Well…it wasn’t that dramatic, but it was like Charlotte’s Web of confusion.

I arrived at the Maryland Bacon Festival around 3:00 pm and displayed my ticket at the entrance gate, the young lady at the gate directed me to another booth.  At the second booth I was given 10 sample food tickets and three drink tickets, a t-shirt, and VIP lanyard badge. I knew that VIP access would allow me entry into the exclusive tent that included a  seating area and a private bar, but when I asked about the long lines that were forming at each food vendor booth I was told the VIP badge did nothing.

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That was very disappointing  because the lines for each vendor were extremely long, I’m talking about 50 +  people in each line.  The shortest line was for Blue Grass, I didn’t know what they were serving but the sensible thing was to get in the line because it was the shortest.  When I got to the booth I was handed a sample of chicken and waffles, and it’s no wonder the line was short…no bacon.  I was told that the waffle was bacon flavored and after taking a bite I did taste hints of bacon in the waffle. Not quite ready to tackle the other long lines I went back to the VIP tent to get a drink.  While in the tent I ate half of someone else’s bacon-wrapped bacon sample.  I’m not sure which vendor offered this dish, but it was a real example of what the bacon festival is about.  It was a jalapeño rolled in soft semi-cooked bacon covered in bacon and rolled again until it created a palm sized roll topped with a dollop of barbecue sauce.

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On my second venture out onto the infield, I asked some other VIP ticket holders about the advantage of purchasing VIP tickets.  They advised me that with the VIP lanyard, I was entitled to walk to the front of the line and get my sample without the wait.  I attempted to do that and was told, “No you have to get in line.” At this point I’m frustrated and mad but my mission was bacon so I decided to stand in line.  I stood in one line for 10 minutes and the line did not move one inch 🙁  This was the moment I gave up.  My best friend suggested we go over to the area that featured four food trucks and she purchased food from one of the trucks because the lines were much shorter.  There were other food vendors on the other side of the Rash Field across from the Volley Ball area but at that point I was too frustrated to walk aaaalll the way around the other side just to stand in line again…a much shorter line, but still a line. The Maryland Bacon Festival definitely oversold tickets and was not able to accommodate the patrons that attended the event.  Around 5:00 I started hearing people say some vendors were running out of bacon.   A bacon festival with no bacon?  Better luck next year.

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