RESTAURANTS

You’re Invited: Santé A – Taste of Baltimore

categories: RESTAURANTS

Santé  A – Taste of Baltimore is back to bring culinary favorites and fun in support of the National Kidney Foundation.  This is my third year judging the competition and I couldn’t be more excited. Last week, I had the opportunity to visit one of the participating restaurants, GDL Italian Cuisine at Horseshoe Baltimore.  I went to have dinner and check out a few menu items.

I’ve been to GDL before so this time I decided to try a few things that I haven’t had. I went with two friends and we enjoyed ordering different menu items to share.

We started out with the two salads on the menu – Kale Caesar Salad and the Arugula Salad.  We loved them both but the Kale Caesar was different in a great way, a change from the regular romaine lettuce.  We also ordered the Italian BBQ Shrimp, which is a fairly new menu item and they were an interesting take on shrimp, I’ve never had them that way but I would suggest everyone order them.

The Meatball Trio and the Bacon Wrapped Dates I’ve had before but couldn’t help ordering again because they are a favorite. The dates have a sweet and salty flavor and paired with the gorgonzola cheese dip, it’s heaven!

I almost didn’t order the Mezzi Rigatoni because It doesn’t have any meat in it and I’m a meat and pasta kind of girl.  But my friend had it before and she said it was amazing so we ordered it and I’m glad we did.  It was a hearty pasta dish with delicious flavors and it’s very filling, perfect for Meatless Monday.  The Chicken Piccata was my personal favorite, maybe because I’ve been a fan or white pasta sauce lately.  I loved the lemon in the white wine sauce paired with capers and herbs.  The Tuscan Ribeye was cooked perfectly and drizzled in salmoriglio, we couldn’t have asked for a better steak.  And I had to order the Creamy Corn as a side because I was intrigued by the spicy sausage and it was a winner.

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And for dessert,  we ordered the Zeppole and the Cookie Duo.  The zeppola could easily become a guilty pleasure because they are so light and dense that you can lose track of how many you eat.  I can’t say enough great things about the cookie duo! The lemon ricotta is something everyone must try at least once, it’s that good.

I can’t wait to see what GDL Italian and other restaurants have prepared for Santé  A – Taste of Baltimore.  Get your tickets today.

Dinner at Maggiano’s Little Italy

categories: RESTAURANTS

I’m loving the new restaurant options at The Mall in Columbia in Howard County, MD.  Over the summer, I visited Urban Plates, The Walrus Oyster and Ale House and Seasons 52.  When I posted photos on my Instagram from the aforementioned places, a few people suggested I should also visit Maggiano’s Little Italy.

I visited on a Friday around 5:00 pm and most of the seating was occupied, even at the bar, luckily I had a reservation and my guest and I were seated within 5 minutes. I immediately ordered water and my favorite, Old Fashioned cocktail and my dinner guest ordered an espresso.

Earlier that day, I researched the menu online and already had my mind set on lasagna. I glanced over the menu and I didn’t see the online options.  My server directed me to an insert in the middle of the menu, that’s where the dinner specials were located.   I was surprised to see “Marco’s Meal for Two”.  It included… Maggiano’s ciabatta rolls, an appetizer or flatbread or two side salads, two pasta entrees, a dessert to share and an additional two pasta entrees to take home.  All of that for just $45.00

We ordered the Crispy Zucchini Fritte’ as the shared appetizer. It’s made with battered Parmesan and Romano cheese, dipped in Japanese Panko Breadcrumbs and deep fried to a crispy golden brown slice. Served with a lemon aioli, it tastes even better when you dip it.  For my main meal, I ordered the Mom’s Lasagna with crumbled meatballs and sausage, ricotta and marinara sauce.  For my take home pasta, I ordered the Rigatoni “D” made with herb-roasted chicken, mushrooms, caramelized onions and Marsala cream sauce.  The servings were so big, I had leftovers for days. The dessert choice was difficult, so many great options but we decided on GiGi’s Butter Cake… and a delicious choice it was.  This deal is perfect for lunch after shopping, a date night,  or a family dinner outing. I will definitely be back for another visit and I’ll refer them to all of my friends.

Be sure to follow my foodie and cocktail adventures on social media …  

@ArlisAppetite on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Topside Baltimore is now open for breakfast and lunch

categories: RESTAURANTS

Topside Baltimore, a popular nightlife location in the Mount Vernon, Baltimore district, is now open for breakfast and lunch.  Today, I had the opportunity to check out their new weekday breakfast menu. I’ve been to Topside for weekend brunch a few times, so I decided to order a few items that I haven’t had.  I decided on the Chorizo Breakfast Burrito, Grilled French Toast and the Stonefruit-Tomato Tartine. When the food came out to my table, I could see the food styling influence of the new Executive Chef Scott Hines.  I had brunch at B&O when he was there and the food was beautiful and delicious.  I especially liked the thick bread loaf french toast because I’ve never seen it served like this anywhere else in Baltimore. The tartine featured a perfect balance of salty ricotta cheese spread on multigrain bread topped with sweet ripe peaches, I may go back and order that with just a cup of coffee.

After breakfast, I took a peek at the lunch menu and if features a few items that caught my eye.  I can’t wait to go back for lunch.

Be sure to follow my foodie and cocktail adventures on social media …  

@ArlisAppetite on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Lunch at Soulvaki Greek Cuisine

categories: RESTAURANTS

I’m a little embarrassed to say that I discovered feta cheese late in life but once I got a taste of that, I definitely filed it in my top three cheese list.  I live by the saying “Feta makes everything betta,”  and I’m always down to visit a Greek restaurant to get a taste of the authentic crumble.  One of my favorite fast, casual lunch spots is Souvlaki Greek Cuisine in Hampden, Baltimore.  Located right on The Avenue, it’s a welcome addition to the other cuisines in the neighborhood.  It’s always clean and bright and fresh inside whenever I visit and the same cashier is always there with a smile and a suggestion on what I should order.  It’s a great spot for a lunch meeting or lunch with a friend, I’ve been there so many times so I’ve had my share of everything.  It’s also a popular Grubhub and Uber Eats location because there are always people coming in to pick up orders.  I just thought I’d list a few of my favorites for you in case you want to give them a visit.

Lamb Souvlaki Platter – Two Lamb Skewers with your choice of two sides, pita and sauce.  I ordered the Horiatiki Salad and Greek Fries. I couldn’t decide on the sauce so I order Tzatziki and Spicy Feta Cheese.

Horiatiki Salad with Grilled Chicken –  I had no idea this was the correct way to make/eat a greed salad – without lettuce.  This version of the salad is clean and fresh and icludes all the key ingrediets…who needs lettuce anyway?

Shrimp Souvlaki Wrap –  Any of the souvlaki skewers can be turned into a wrap that includes tomatoes, red onions and fries wrapped in a warm pita.

Yaourti –  One of three classic Greek desserts on the menu, the Strained Greek Yogurt is my favorite because it can be topped with honey or sour cherry syrup and as you can see, you know what my preferred topping is.

Whatever you order at Souvlaki Greek Cuisine, make sure you order the Greek Fries – you won’t regret it!

Be sure to follow my foodie and cocktail adventures on social media …  

@ArlisAppetite on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Cosi Debuts New Summer Menu

categories: RESTAURANTS

There’s a Cosi restaurant within five blocks of my apartment aaaand five blocks from my job and I’m embarrassed that I didn’t know it was there.   I’ve been to Cosi once and it was the D.C. location so I was excited when I received an invitation to check out the new summer lunch menu at Cosi in Baltimore City.

I arrived at the Downtown Baltimore location around 1:00 pm on a Tuesday.  I was surprised to find parking on Charles Street because I thought there would be a lunch crowd and I wouldn’t find parking.  This Cosi location shares a space with other offices and I think most of their customers come from the surrounding office buildings.  One glance at the menu and the first thing I noticed was the Blueberry Smash Lemonade. It’s handcrafted lemonade with muddled blueberries, fresh mint and lime slice – much needed on a hot summer day.

The other summer menu items include a Chicken Bruschetta Sandwich, Summer Spinach Salad and a Honolulu Bowl.  I decided to order the salad and sandwich combo, so that I could try them both. The salad included baby spinach topped with diced tomato, chopped red onion, hard-boiled egg, and crumbled bacon; served with sherry shallot vinaigrette. I really liked the red onions and flavor of the vinaigrette.  The sandwich is made with homemade bruschetta, slow-roasted chicken and fresh mozzarella drizzled with balsamic glaze on signature flatbread. The flatbread was amazing, the manager told me that they make it fresh in-house every morning.  The flatbread made me want to visit during breakfast and taste their fresh baked breakfast goods. I also had their signature brownie for dessert.

The summer menu is available in-store, online or catering from participating DMV (DC, Maryland and Virginia) locations.  #getcosi

Be sure to follow my foodie and cocktail adventures on social media …  

@ArlisAppetite on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Keystone Korner Jazz Club in Baltimore

categories: RESTAURANTS

Baltimore has a new jazz club in town and it’s about damn time!  If you didn’t know, Baltimore has a rich jazz history dating back to the 1960s.  Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Billie Holiday and John Coltrane are just a few jazz legends that put Baltimore on the map.  Sadly as the years passed, the jazz clubs in Baltimore started to dwindle.  There are a few restaurants in Baltimore that host specific jazz-themed nights but none that focus specifically on jazz— that all changed this weeked when Keystone Korner opened in Harbor East, Baltimore.

The restaurant is housed in the previous Mussel Bar space at 1350 Lancaster Street.  Mussel Bar closed in April 2018 for renovation and in March 2019, the owner and chef Rober Weidmaier partnered with jazz producer Todd Barkan to reopen the location as a jazz club. Barkan owned the original Keystone Korner in San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood from 1972 until 1983.   Over the weekend, I went in with a friend for their Family & Friends dinner seating and I got a chance to try some of their signature dishes.

Of course, I ordering an Old Fashioned cocktail from the bar. It was the original variation, delicious in taste. Later, I ordered a second one and that was prepared better than the first.  Not uncommon for restaurant bars to prepare cocktails differently especially when new staff is involved, nothing to complain about they both were great.

As our starter course, my friend and I ordered the Ultimate Deviled Eggs, Char-Broiled Chesapeake Oysters, Iceberg Wedge Salad and the Pan Seared Scallops.  I really enjoyed the scallops because it was on a bed of potato and bacon hash, served with a mustard sauce.  I’ve never had scallops served that way and I liked the flavor profile.

 

For our entrees, we ordered the Vegan Tacos, Baby Back Pork Ribs and the Crawford Grill Soul Chicken.   The ribs were phenomenal! Best ribs I’ve had in a while. They were juicy, tender and fall-off-the-bone good.  The entrée came with two different BBQ sauces on the side, which I liked because I like variety.  It also came with coleslaw and baked beans.  I can’t even tell you how those sides taste because I was chowing down on the ribs… my friend said the sides were good.  The roasted chicken was also tender and flavorful and they gave a large serving.  I loved how they served it with potatoes but not the traditional mashed, it was served with a Gruyère Potato Cake and Wild Mushroom Tarragon Sauce. The diners at our neighboring tables were asking about the chicken dish when it came out, it definitely caught everyone’s eye.

For dessert, I ordered the Bananas Foster and my friend ordered the Crustless Lemon Meringue.  To be fair,  I couldn’t have eaten anything on the menu but I order the Bananas Foster because I wanted to see them set it on fire and they did that tableside 🙂  What a presentation!

In addition to the wonderful food on the menu, we had a chance to listen to the sounds of smooth jazz.  Keystone Korner has already filled their performance calendar for the months of May and June with start times of 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm.  You can reserve seating and buy tickets at https://www.keystonekornerbaltimore.com/tickets.  If you’re not in the mood for jazz or live music, you can also visit the restaurant for dinner starting at 4:00 pm on weekdays and weeknights.

Be sure to follow my foodie and cocktail adventures on social media …  

@ArlisAppetite on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

 

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