Holidays

Friendsgiving Fun with Eddie’s Gourmet-To-Go Curbside Menu

It’s November 2020 and while temperatures are dropping, COVID cases are starting to increase, yet again. It looks like we won’t be able to spend Thanksgiving with friends and family the way we want to. I miss my friends and family and I’m anticipating I’ll miss them more during the holidays, so I’ve been researching things we can do together while being apart. The top idea that came to mind was hosting a Virtual Friendsgiving. A lot of people and businesses have had to adjust during COVID and in the business of food, I’ve seen a lot of restaurants and food establishments pivot to more delivery and pickup options. I want to make it easy and convenient for everyone involved and online ordering with contactless pick-up or delivery is the way to go. To test out this theory before Friendsgiving, I recently ordered a Gourmet-To-Go Curbside Pickup meal from Eddie’s of Roland Park.

It was such an easy process from start to finish. My first step was viewing the “Quick Curbside Menu” on their website. I was surprised at how many options they have. It’s broken down into categories such as Bakery, Deli, Lunch Boxes, Gourmet-to-go and Cut Fruit. The prices are on the website along with size options and reheating instructions. Once you’ve selected your meal choices, you can call or visit the store to place an order. I called and spoke with a catering staff person and placed my order in under five minutes. They even suggested wine to go with my order and of course, I agreed. It’s recommended that you place your order at least 48 hours in advance to give them time to prepare because they do have other holiday orders coming in.

I decided to go there and pick up my order directly. I gave them my preferred pickup time and I was instructed to call when I arrive. The pickup location is directly behind the market and there are parking spaces labeled for pickup. I pulled up and gave them a call and within one minute, a staff person greeting me at my car window, mask on, socially distant with my order ready.

I’m pleased with my ordering experience and I can’t wait to tell my friends and share the online menu with them so that we can all order together and have a proper Virtual Friendsgiving.

Have you been to Eddie’s? I’d love to hear what you think? Also, let me know what you’re doing for the holidays. Comment Below.

 

A Valentine’s Weekend Round-Up: Best Events in Baltimore

It’s that time of year again – love is in the air and singles are in despair.   Do you already have plans?  What are you waiting for?  I’ve put together a list of happenings in Baltimore for the cutest couples, the sexy singles and all my girls celebrating “Galentine’s Day”. Whatever side of the spectrum you’re on, there is something for everyone in Baltimore to enjoy this Valentine’s Day.

VGraphic

Brio Tuscan Grille – $23.50 Lobster Tail or Sea Scallops, $33.95 Surf and Turf.  All options include soup or salad.

GrillFire – Thursday 2/11 – Saturday 2/13.  $85.00 Prix Fixe dinner for Two includes 2 starters, one entrée sized to share and a double chocolate mousse.

Lebanese Taverna – $45 Three-Course Dinner/$20 Wine Pairing

Jack Binion’s Steak in Horseshoe Casino – $95.00 per couple Three-Course Menu

Wine Market Bistro – $65.00 Four-Course Prix Fixe Dinner

Red Maple – $80 per couple Three-Course Dinner includes one glass of wine or champagne per person.

Linganore Wine Cellars – Days of Wine and Roses: Special Romance Package. $35 Per Couple Wines and Chocolate Pairings.  February 12-15.

Warehouse 518 – The Anti-Valentine’s Day Party on Friday, February 12.  Specialty  Cocktail List, and music  start at 9 pm. Bring your bitter heart and maybe a friend, platonic or romantic.

Baltimore Social – $10 in advance, $15.00 day of event. Valentine’s Day Bar Crawl

Johnny Sanchez in Horseshoe Casino – Valentine’s Day Speed Dating $15 Early Bird, $20 General Admission,   $25 At the Door. Mix and Mingle with a complimentary cocktail, extended happy hour specials and prize giveaways.

Baltimore Paint Party – Prices and Locations Vary

Celebrate Mardi Gras With The Best Events In Baltimore

MardiGras

If you can’t make it to the Bayou, Baltimore has plenty ‘o partying during Mardi Gras 2016.

1. Power Plant Live (34 Market Place) – Saturday,  February 6th  9pm-12am Power Plant Live is hosting their 7th annual Mardi Gras celebration with and all-inclusive package available.  Power Plant is bringing the French Quarters to Baltimore with Cirque performances, a shopping cart parade, live music and bead tossing from the second level balcony.

MardiGrasPPlant

General Admission – $35 – Access to nine (9) bars and clubs in Power Plant,  souvenir Hurricane glass, bottomless Southern Comfort Hurricanes and select domestic beers (from 9pm-12am) plus party favors. For ticket information visit www.powerplantlive.com.

2. Mardi Gras at Mount Vernon Marketplace (520 Park Ave) – Tuesday,  February 9th 7pm-11pm.  The newest multi-vendor market in Baltimore has been making a big impression with their weekly events and celebrations.   Their Fat Tuesday is the perfect reason to bring Mardi Gras to Maryland with live Jazz performances, festive cocktails, a crawfish boil, a mask contests, prizes and much more.

MVM_MARDIGRAS_2016_rev

Admission is Free, food and cocktails are priced per vendor.  Guests can expect cocktails to run $6.00 for a Negroni and $7.00 for a Sazarac.

3. Mardi Gras North in Fells Point (1700 and 1702 Thames St) – Tuesday,  February 9th 7pm-11pm. Fells Point neighbors Kooper’s Tavern, Woody’s Rum Bar and Slainte Irish Pub join forces to host their 19th annual Mardi Gras celebration.  Visit all three bars and enjoy seafood gumbo, po’ boy sandwiches, jambalaya and music from the DIG Jazz Combo.  Drink specials include $3 Miller Lites, $4 Blue Moons, $6 Sazeracs and $5 Cajun Marys (I’m assuming that’s a Bloody Mary with a cajun kick). Admission is FREE.

Laissez les bons temps rouler – Let the good times roll!

 

3 Easy Champagne Cocktails To Help You Ring In The New Year

Champ
Photo Credit: Arlisappetite.com

“I only drink champagne on two occasions. When I’m in love and when I’m not.”  – CoCo Chanel

I couldn’t have said it better myself!  I can never get enough champagne.  I drink it in the morning with my mimosa and at night just because.  Champagne is normally reserved for a celebration or special occasion, but I see it as an inexpensive, no fuss, easy cocktail. Not to mention it always give you a little buzz. Some champagnes can be expensive, but there are also good quality champagne options that are not.   If you are looking to add a little kick to your annual midnight champagne toast, here are a few of my favorite champagne recipes.

Love.Cocktail-290x290
Love Cocktail (Photo Credit: freixenetusa.com)

3/4 Glass of Champagne, Add Strawberry Liquor to fill glass, garnish with a strawberry

Arctic.Kiss_.Cocktail-290x290
V Kiss Cocktail (Photo Credit: freixenetusa.com)

2 oz Vodka (I prefer flavored, any flavor you’d like), top with 3 oz. Champagne

75a2483b10c1ff7b_Cranberry-Ginger-Cocktail-jellytoastblog.com-6-of-6
Cran Ginger Cocktail (Photo Credit: Pop Sugar.com)

2 oz Cranberry Juice, 1 oz Ginger Beer,  2 oz. Champagne

And if you want to take your champagne drinking to another level, check out these 8 Tips on How To Drink Champagne correctly.

What is your favorite champagne cocktail?

5 Easy Cocktail Ingredients That Transition Your Fall Favorites Into Winter Winners

December 22nd is the official start of Winter here in the United States.  Even though it’s been an unseasonable Fall and Winter with temperatures reaching 70 degrees, I’m still looking forward to creating traditional winter cocktails.

There are so many great traditional cocktails that come to mind when I think of Winter – Egg Nog, Hot Cider, Mulled Wine, Boozy Hot Cocoa and many more. Below are just a few of my favorites that I like to use in my cold weather cocktails.

Wintertrans

1. Chocolate – Many people know that my favorite cocktail of all time is a Chocolate Martini.  Chocolate drinks tend to be reserved for cold weather, especially a flavorful Boozy Hot Chocolate with lots of marshmallows and whipped cream. Creme De Cocoa is a sweet chocolate liqueur used to make a chocolate martini or it can be added to added to coffee or hot chocolate.  Check out the recipe below for my favorite Boozy Hot Chocolate.

1 oz. Pinnacle Marshmallow Vodka 

Add it to the Hot Chocolate

Top with CREAM Vanilla (Alcohol Infused) Whipped Cream

HCK2

2.  Mint – When I think of Christmas I think of candy canes, peppermint patties and those mint candies the old ladies would give us in church. Mint is definitely a staple of the Winter season.  It’s also a great ingredient to add to your cocktails. The Food Network has a perfect and easy to make Candy Cane Cocktail.

3.  Cinnamon – Cinnamon is a popular spice in the world of Winter Cocktails.  It’s great with cold or hot cocktails.  I like to make my own cinnamon simple syrup. It’s quick to make and easy to store and you can add it to just about anything. Below is one of my favorite cinnamon cocktails, it can be a Summer or Winter cocktail if you leave out the ice.

BlueChairRecipe

4. Cranberry – Cranberry season in the United States technically starts in November right around Thanksgiving.  That’s when we begin to see cranberry sauce and cranberries incorporated into holiday dishes.  We can continue this holiday tradition well into the Winter months.  Fresh cranberry cocktails with cranberry garnishes are all the rage, but if fresh cranberries aren’t your thing you can always add a splash of cranberry juice to your favorite cocktail. Bonappetit has a great New Years Eve Cranberry Champagne Cocktail. 

5.  Apple –  Apple how do I love thee? Let me count the ways – Apple Cider, Apple Sangria, Apple Martini and the list goes on. Apples are everywhere during the Winter months. You can always find apples at Supermarkets and Farmer’s Markets all year round. Apple is the perfect Fall/Winter fruit to include in any cold weather cocktail. One of my favorite to make is the Apple Cidecar.

3 oz Apple Cider

1  1/2 oz Brandy

1/2 oz Triple Sec or Cointreau

1/2 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice or sweet & sour mix

PaulMasson3

Those are just a few of my favorites.  What are your favorites?

Cinco ways to Celebrate Cinco De Mayo in Baltimore

It’s estimated that more Americans than Mexicans celebrate Cinco De Mayo every year.  The Mexican holiday commemorating freedom is famous for Margaritas and Tequila shots.  This year Cinco De Mayo falls on a Monday, but celebrations will begin on Friday and continue on Saturday and Sunday.  While celebrations are happening all across the United States, Baltimore has something for everyone with a variety of events to chose from.

Power Plant Live (34 Market Place) – Saturday May 3rd 9pm-12am Power Plant Live is having their annual Cinco De Mayo bash with all-inclusive packages available.

General Admission – $25 – Access to nine (9) bars and clubs in Power Plant with Open Bar from 9-12 with domestic beers, rail cocktails, and El Jimador Margaritas.

VIP Ticket – $35.00 –  Access to nine (9) bars and clubs in Power Plant  with Open Bar Premium Spirits, beers, and El Jimador Margaritas.

CDMPP

Cinco De Mayo Party at Talara (615 President Street) – Monday May 5th starting at 2:00 pm.   In addition to having their weekly Salsa Party with Free Salsa lessons from 8:00pm-1:00am, Talara is also celebrating their 5 Year Anniversary.  You can expect live performances by Mexican Folklore Dancers, $5.00 Food Specials, $3.00 Mexican Beer, $4.00 Sangria and $5.00 Margarita Specials.  This event is free.  Check out my review on Talara’s Saturday Night Happy Hour.

Federal Hill Fiesta (East Cross Street between Light and Charles) – Sunday May 4th 11am-9pm Join the Federal Hill neighborhood for their 2nd annual Mexican Festival “Sunday De Mayo”.  This outdoor festival includes a taco eating contest, four live bands, and two DJ’s providing entertainment throughout the day.  Mexican food and drink specials will also be available, $6.00 Margaritas, $6.00 Taco Pairs, $4.00 and $5.00 beers.  This festival is brought to you by Federal Hill hot spots Blue Agave, No Way Jose, and Bandito’s.  Tickets for this event are $10.00.

CDMFHF2

Nacho Mama’s (2907 O’Donnell Street) – This Canton staple has always been a popular destination for Marylanders looking to celebrate Cinco De Mayo.  I’ve been going there for the last four years on Cinco De Mayo and I have a blast every time.  This Elvis themed restaurant serves Mexican favorites such as Quesadillas, Fajitas, Tacos, and Nachos.  But it’s their most popular menu item that keeps us coming back for more – the Hubcap Margarita. These Margaritas are meant to be shared.  Served in a hubcap bowl, they are made in a variety of flavors and served with several straws. This drink is not only tasty but also strong, so strong Nacho Mama’s does not serve them after 12 midnight…you’ll need time to sober up.  Make sure you get there early because it’s always a long wait, but well worth it.

CDMNM2

Throwback Pic (2010) with friends on Cinco De Mayo at Nacho Mama’s

EBLO Cinco  De Mayo Block Party (500 Block South Broadway at Fleet and Eastern Ave) – Saturday May 3rd and Sunday May 4th 10:00am-9:00pm . EBLO (Education Based Latino Outreach) is hosting their annual  Cinco De Mayo Festival.  Admission to this outdoor festival is FREE and guests enjoy authentic Mexican food, crafts, live music, latin dancing and more.  The festival is conveniently located on the same block as Latin Palace Nightclub (509 South Broadway), so be sure to drop-in the popular Latin hangout for drink specials and giveaways on Friday and Saturday night.  Ladies FREE before 10:00pm.

cdmeblo

 

 

 

%d bloggers like this: