Baltimore21201.Com - The Blog

Fine Wine, Fine Food. Festive Evening.

The Wine Source is hosting a wine dinner featuring the wines of Ken Forrester Vineyards on Monday, October 5th at the Explorer's Lounge in the Intercontinental Harbor Court Hotel.

Situated on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountain, in the heart of South Africa's most famous wine region Stellenbosch, Ken Forrester Vineyards are commonly referred to as the Home of Chenin Blanc and other premium award-winning wines.

This wine dinner is a big event as befits some very big wines. There are still a few reservations available and this dinner is certain to sell out. Call today and join The Wine Source on Monday evening.

5:00-6:30 - Explorer's Lounge on 2nd Floor of Hotel: Wine Tasting of all Ken Forrester Wines with cheese and crackers.

6:30-7:00 - Explorer's Lounge, Reception before dinner with passed hors d'ouevres. 

7:00-9:30- Plated Wine Dinner at Restaurant adjacent to Explorer's Lounge.

$85.00 per person including valet parking. Intercontinental Harbor Court Hotel, 550 Light Street Baltimore, MD 21202 For reservations, contact Diane Waite: 410.347.9706 or email diane.waite@ihg.com

Baltimore 21201's Hotel Monaco: A Stellar Opening Night

Jacob and I have been fans of Baltimore's grand old architecture for a long, long time. And, we've been fans of the Kimpton Hotel brand for years and years. When we first read, in the BBJ, about a possible Kimpton Hotel coming to 21201 we were thrilled.

 
When we learned that Kimpton had selected the venerable B&O Building, built in 1906, at 2 N Charles Street as the location for a new Hotel Monaco, we pondered the possibilities and the build-out and what that would mean to city-center and decided we'd stay there on opening night. We did; it was wonderful.

Our Hotel Monaco stay was a true nextdoorcation. We live just a block away.

Here's a little background on Kimpton Hotels: They are the largest operator of boutique hotels in the United States and they are truly a lifestyle brand. Their hotels are pet-friendly. You'll see a couple of doggie bowls by the hotel entrances, one constantly filled with fresh water, the other with kibbles. Both are for resident pups and the pups just passing by. Kimpton hotels are gay friendly and support the LGBT efforts in their host cities. They create hotels in stunning, architectural masterpieces that need a new life. You can read more good things about Kimpton initiatives, many more, at the their Media Buzz site.

We made reservations through Kimpton Intouch. We packed a duffel and a backpack, and headed down Charles Street on July 30th, Monaco's opening night. We left home at 5pm; we checked in around 5:15. 

We didn't dress for the stay, but lots of folks did. We wore shorts and polos and tennis shoes. And, we were treated as if were wearing our tuxes. That's the Kimpton way.

Our front desk experience was super-quick, professional, and extremely personal. So far, so good.

We were invited to the daily wine hour in the second-floor hotel living room. We headed up to our room, #1222. It was spot-on, correct. When we made the online reservation we noted that we wanted four down pillows, a king bed, a high floor with a north view, spa tub, and more.

Every single item that we asked for was provided. And we received bonuses: Iced bottled water, two plates of cookies, and a handwritten welcome note were waiting for us.

(At this point, I have to apologize for using a couple of Kimpton's stock photos. I took my Canon 20D with the L USM 16-35mm lens, newly recharged batteries, and the 580EX Speedlite. I didn't, however, put a CF card in the memory slot. Oh, swell. Just swell.) Jacob had his point and shoot camera in his backpack. It didn't serve us perfectly, but it took great photos of fish and food.

After we scoped out our room and took a look around, we called the front desk for some serious Guppy Love. Our little fish, named Charles, arrived a few minutes later, fully fed, in a pristine bowl. Check the Guppy Love link above, it's a great Kimpton program.

Our marble and granite bathroom had a neck-deep, spa tub that could easily seat two. A walk-in shower with three walls of marble. The towels were puffy and I couldn't wait to use one or two. And the faux-leather wall coverings, complete with needle-stitching emboss, were a hot touch. 

We set up our bar on the stainless steel tray provided, got ice, and had a couple of drinks. Fresh-squeezed OJ screwdrivers for Jacob. Vodka gimlets for me. Then we headed down to the newest restaurant on Charles.

The B&O American Brasserie is truly something special. A welcome addition to 21201. We didn't have reservations. And, as walk-ins, we were asked if we wanted to be on the ground floor or the mezzanine. Mezzanine, please. The perfect service continued.

A perfect Grey Goose martini arrived at our table with three olives on a bamboo skewer. Astonishingly, it arrived with a little skiff of ice on the surface. I haven't had a martini served that icy-cold since the last time Jacob and I were at the Round Robin bar in the Willard Hotel in DC. Jacob's tall, Grey Goose screwdriver arrived with a slice of orange in the glass and the true fragrance of the best Florida oranges. I didn't taste; I did sniff. Yep, very fresh, very orange.

The B&O American Brasserie has a substantial, but not extensive, menu. Our server couldn't have provided us with more perfectly-timed attention from start to finish. She knew the menu forward and backward. She recommended the Heirloom Tomato & Watermelon Salad ($10) as a starter. Jacob ordered it. I knew what I wanted. I started with Steak Tartare & Carpaccio ($12).

Both appetizers were brilliant. Presentation and complex tastes were amazing. We shared the starters and couldn't agree on which one was best.

Jacob and I know our steaks. He ordered a Petite Filet, medium rare ($28) -- it was truly petite; I ordered a Ribeye, rare ($34). Both came with duck fat fries and pickled red onion and watercress. Jacob's Filet was as tender as cake, but it was dry as dust. My Ribeye was cooked perfectly. However, it was thin and super-tough, gristle abounded. We opted not to order anything more.

B&O's beef comes from Vande Rose Farms. Perhaps it shouldn't. It was nothing special, not flavorful, and didn't live up to the special experience that Hotel Monaco and the Brasserie were providing.

In summary, our new Kimpton hotel is as wonderful as wonderful can be. You feel like royalty when you check in.

The B&O American Brasserie is still working on it's menu legs. If the Brasserie can find steaks that live up to it's appetizers -- and I'm certain that will happen -- it will be good to go.

In the whole opening process of the Baltimore Hotel Monaco, there was only one complete disappointment: Bruce Miller at Sandy Hillman Communications. I wrote to Kimpton Corporate in San Francisco and explained how pleased I was about the pending opening of the New Monaco. I asked to be informed about developments.

The next day I had an email from Bruce Miller. He promised me the world. Constant updates, etc. Despite numerous requests, the last I heard from Miller at Hillman, was on March 31st 2009. That kind of non-response is just wrong.

It's Time Again - Hide Your Face in Baltimore 21201

 

Jacob and I have a favorite fund-raising event; we attend it every year. And, we put lots of business cards in our pockets before we leave home.

If you haven't been to the annual Masquerade on Charles hosted by the Historic Charles Street Association, read on and get a pair of the few remaining tickets. It's always a joyous night. It's a business & personal networking event that only comes along once a year. Folks are friendly and they hug. It's fun. You won't go home thirsty or hungry.

Join Baltimore 21201's movers and shakers and enjoy an open bar, the very best food from Baltimore's finest restaurants, live music by Junkyard Saints, and dancing in one of Baltimore's most historic venues, the former Masonic Grand Lodge of Maryland, the Tremont Grand. There will be live and silent auctions. And, if you buy a glass of Champagne, you could go home with one of two half-carat diamonds from Nelson Coleman Jewlers.

Put on a mask - or not, be there, and rock the night away. The best part of this event: It crosses every generational line. In 2008 the Masquerade was as heavily populated by 20 & 30-year-olds as it was by those "slightly older professionals" who I heard, many times, say: "I may have something for you. Give me your business card."

Jacob and I will see you there. [BTW, I know the networking works at the Masquerade. Ask me about it.]

A New Baltimore 21201 Hotel... Almost Ready to Take Reservations. Thank You, Kimpton!

I've written about the wonderfulness of Kimpton Hotels before. And, in 2007 I wrote about the proposed opening of a Kimpton Hotel Monaco in Baltimore scheduled to open in mid-2009. It seemed too good to be true.

There are only a couple of hundred reasons why I love the Kimpton brand. Let's begin with: Stylish, fun, pet friendly, locations in many historic buildings around the country. Kimpton property employees always seem to be having a good time, they are smart, know their way around their home city, other Kimpton properties, and are full of great advice when asked.

Number 1 on my list of wonderfulness is that Kimpton is bringing their Monaco brand to Charles Street. They are building out the top floors of the fantastic 1906 B&O Railroad building on the corner of Charles & Baltimore Streets. It was built just 2 years after the great Baltimore Fire.

   

Kimpton has been busy rebuilding the lobby, stairs... all of the public places. And, keeping them in historic condition. (There was a LOT of reconditioning to do. Think $60-million in renovations, original Tiffany windows and a ship-load of replacement marble.)

 

Kimpton has created a supurb website for the Baltimore Monaco. Visit, Read, and Book a room for the May opening. We are already buffing up our cat carriers for an early stay for the four of us.

 

We'll see you in the Monaco lobby in a couple of months with a martini or manhattan in hand. No kidding, we will.

Sheraton Baltimore, City Center's Pool Sparkles Again

Yesterday I heard from the Sheraton's General Manager, Chris Phillips.

"I wish to confirm with you that everything was being done to try to treat the water with the proper chemicals. We have a company that is contracted to maintain the condition of the water. All the necessary treatments were being completed.

"On Monday morning, do to the fact that we could not be assured what caused the pool to turn green, we drained the pool and cleaned out the interior. We also changed all the filters to ensure the problem will not occur again. The pool has been refilled and looks great," Phillips wrote.

He's right. Normally it always looks great, that's what made the vibrant green color so odd and disturbing.

OK folks, pack up those trunks and towels and spend Labor Day Downtown!

Let's Go Swim in Pea Soup - At Baltimore's Sheraton City Center

Now, this is disturbing. Really disturbing.

For the past couple of days we've noticed the water in the Sheraton's swimming pool getting greener and greener. Yesterday there were over a dozen kids and parents and others swimming in this mess.

Normally, the Sheraton pool water is crystal clear and the bright blue of the new pool paint comes shining through.

Let's all call the Sheraton (410-752-1100) and ask what's going on. I did and was simply told they would check on it. 

"Visit My Baltimore" is Gaining Steam - And, in a Good Way with Videos

When Baltimore's GET IN ON IT campanign launched last year I was dubious. And on national television, so was Jay Leno (he laughed at the concept and the $500,000 paid to San Francisco-based Landor & Associates), Regis Philbin (he was so puzzled and confused by the concept he couldn't even say the phase), David Letterman was even less kind. Even Baltimore's very own William Donald Schafer, former Mayor and Maryland Govenour, rang in through his spoksperson saying, "I've seen some dumb ones in the past, but this is the dumbest." Was he thinking of an earlier attempt to brand Baltimore as: THE CITY THAT READS?

So when the GET IN ON IT people announced that they were opening up a section of their site so regular folks could upload videos about what makes Baltimore special to them, I was even more dubious. What would the citizens of Charm City post that the rest of the country could make fun of?

Apparently I shouldn't have been concerned at all. Here's just one example of the clever videos that have been posted.

Take a look at some of these little gems. Many are so delightful that they could take us back to the Charm City days.

And then, wonder along with me if all of Baltimore wouldn't have been better served by calling on locals to produce these kinds of things and offering a purse of $50,000 to each of the ten best rather than sending off half-a-million bucks to a company based out west.

I'm betting that even John Waters would have entered. And, wouldn't that have been a wonderful thing?

Oh yes, if you haven't seen this tribute to William Donald Schafer you should. Yep, it's biased in his favor just as Schafer's support and promotion of Baltimore is biased to the Nth degree in our favor.

Downtown Baltimore to Have a Bit of Monaco - The Hotel

The Baltimore Sun reported this morning that one of City Center's finest old buildings has been sold. The real estate closing was yesterday for the $20-million-dollar sale of the 1906 headquarters of B&O Railroad located on the corner of Charles and Baltimore Streets.

The historic building will reopen in 2009 with the top floors becoming a Monaco Hotel managed and operated by Kimpton. Washington DC has a fine Monaco by Kimpton. So does Chicago and San Francisco. There's a Monaco in Salt Lake City and Seattle.

It seems that it's Baltimore's turn to have a brand new (in a century-old, classic space) boutique hotel.

ARCWheeler, the Philadelphia-based developer, has marked the middle floors as office and the ground floors for retail and restaurant use. I'm liking this concept.

Kimpton's Monaco-branded hotels are smart, sassy, and requested by high profile performing artists visiting cities where Monaco Hotels are located.

ARCWheeler's website speaks highly of their purchase:

"This 225,000 SF, $55-million mixed-use development will reside in the regal Beaux-Arts style B&O Building in Baltimore which was designed by noted architect James Gamble Rogers."

They go on to say:

"The B&O building will represent the first of ARCWheeler's "10" boutique hotel brand, which will include hotel, office and retail space, and be located in buildings of grandeur in prime locations. This historic 13-story building, built in 1906 as the headquarters for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, includes marble floors and staircases, cobalt-blue stained glass windows and high vaulted ceilings."

It's also promised that the developer will return the huge marble lobby, with dual staircases, to it's origional 1906 glory.

For Now It's a Sheraham

There are a lot of changes going on in Baltimore 21201 and I'll be reporting and commenting on many of them here.

[Note: Most of the in-column images in this blog, like the two here, will be clickable thumbnails. Click for a larger view.]

This morning the Baltimore Wyndham Hotel began the street level signage change-over to the Sheraton brand. By noon both hotel websites, Wyndham and Sheraton, still claimed the property at 101 W Lafayette Street as theirs. The websites even used some of the same photos. However, the Sheraton site had an interesting photo album attached to this property.

There's a photo of the most generic and vanilla family of four (read Caucasian... husband, wife and two kids) that wasn't taken anywhere near downtown Baltimore. It's caption reads: Leisure Family. And, there's also a photo of two people with slightly darker complections, people of color, sitting and gesturing. It's caption reads: Africia/Middle East Advertising.

I hope this language & image combination is just the result of a really bad selection of stock photos and a canned photo album.

Renovations to the interior of the Sheraham have been going on for months. Let's hope that the renovations to the website aren't far behind.