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Wine Tasting at The Wine Source

It's that time again. Party time, that is! Just had an email from our favorite spirits and wine vendor, The Wine Source, about their Arrival Celebration for the 2009 Beaujolais Nouveau.

The third Thursday of November marks the release of Beaujolais Nouveau and, for some, the unofficial start of the holiday season that runs until the first of the year. Get in early, as supplies are sure to move quickly.

Trust me, "Get in early" is not an overstatement by The Wine Source. BN stock sells fast on average years. And from what I've read, the 2009 vintage (if you can use that word for a bright, young wine) BN is going to be a real contender for the best of the best.

If you've never enjoyed the Beaujolais Nouveau experience (and that's hard to imagine), I can sum it up this way: BN is a fun wine, a happy wine, a slap-your-friend-on-the-back wine, a nearly tannin free wine. BN is not a sipping wine. BN is a gulping wine. Beaujolais Nouveau is a wine to uncork and share with friends. It's a wine to create a party around.

We do just that every year.

Be there. Save the date. Thursday November 19, 5-7pm - 3601 Elm Ave Baltimore, MD 21211 410.467.7777

And a Good Time Is Being Had By All

And, you can join in the fun, the food, the drinks and the good company until 6PM today, Saturday the 7th.

I just returned from a couple of hours at Let's Eat! Charles Street. The crisp Autumn air is magical and the folks on Read Street (between Charles & Cathedral) are hungry, thirsty, friendly, and having a special Saturday afternoon playing in the street.

El Guapito is doing a land-office business. As is Mick O'Shea's and The Helmand. The smells of Mexican, Indian, American, Afghan, and a half-dozen other cuisines is filling the air along with lots of happy conversation.

I worried that Let's Eat! Charles Street. being the same weekend as the Greek Festival, not far up the street, might not be a good idea. I worried for naught. Looks like folks are making it a double header. You should, also.

Thanks to Michele Coiron, Executive Director, Historic Charles Street Association for making this happen. What a wonderful way to spend a beautiful Fall day. Go now. Play in the street!

Let's Eat! Charles Street.

My parents warned me about playing in the street, but this Saturday I'll take my chances. Why? Because... well, if an event has to do with food I'm all over it.

 

And, this Historic Charles Street Association event is ALL about food AND drink.

Saturday, November 7, noon to 6PM  Come to an outdoor celebration and spend the afternoon indulging in delicious food, revitalizing drinks, live music and belly dancing provided by establishments from our Charles Street corridor!  Enjoy getting together with friends and neighbors at this Fall block party on Read Street between Charles and Cathedral. Fun for the family, admission is free and open to all, with food and drink prices to vary.  Featured participants include:

Brewers Art Restaurant    George's   El Guapito   Howard's of Mt.Vernon   Lumbini Restaurant   Marie Louise Bistro   Mick O'Sheas   Saschas 527 Restaurant   Spirits of Mt. Vernon   The Helmand

For more information about Let's Eat! Charles Street, please contact michele@charlesstreet.net or call HCSA at 410-332-4144.

Call your friends, come on out Saturday, and let's all play in the street! Did I mention that there will be revitalizing drinks? 

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

Bad Decisions, Golden Girls, a Bacon Wallet

UPDATE, 9/18/09: THE GOLDEN GIRLS TRIVIA CONTEST HAS BEEN MOVED TO OCTOBER 13TH. PASS THE WORD.

What a combo! It all comes together next Tuesday, September 22nd at one of Fell's Point's best neighborhood bars. Bad Decisions - you've got to love the name - is a warm, friendly, corner bar at 1928 Fleet Street. Here's a great description of the place from Metromix.

Bad Decisions is also sort of famous for their Bacon and Beer Happy Hour and why wouldn't they be?

 
They're having a Golden Girls Trivia contest next Tuesday evening... which, I'm guessing, may go late into the night. The Twitter chatter has been growing. Crack teams are preparing. And, it's all good.

I may have to recuse myself from the competition tho, I knew Bea Arthur well. She loved to play trivia about her series. Especially Maude, she adored that show and could remember minutiae like no other.

I've donated a prize for the trivia contest and it's one that seems perfect for Bad Decisions. A super-duper, deluxe, NIB, Bacon Wallet.

It's going to be a fun night. Let your friends know. See you there. (I'll be thinking of you, Bea.)

Baltimore Restaurants, Need a Lift? Take a Clue from This.

With some restaurants around the Baltimore area closing and other 21201 restaurants looking for new ways to increase business during these tough economic times, I offer this...

Take a look at some of the top-tier industry leaders and learn from what those venues are doing. For example, New York's Russian Tea Room. 

Some background: The RTR was one of the first New York restaurants of Legend-and-History that I ever visited. And my first visit in 1970 made it one of my forever-favorites. I was 20 years old at the time.

The food - exceptional. The menu - exceptional. The wait-staff even better. Don't even ask about the bartender. When I first sat down at the front bar (Slightly to the Left of Carnegie Hall) and ordered a martini, he said, "Russian vodka, of course. Olives? Twist?"

I said, "Make it your way." (I'd read that phrase in the New Yorker Magazine and thought it sounded smart.)

He did make it his way. Ice cold; frozen cold. One olive. And, slightly dirty. He made me feel so special that I could never again walk down 57th Street and not go in and sit at the bar. It wasn't about the martinis - it was about the service. I could get a plain iced coffee at the bar or a cup of Russian Tea in amazing surroundings, have a wonderful time, leave a decent tip and still go home without breaking my minimal bank.

The Russian Tea Room's latest promotion is an extension of their High Tea. This time, for the younger set. For Children.

When restaurants are in that dead-time between lunch and dinner, does this menu make sense? I think so. I think this concept is worth a million bucks in PR.

---

CHILDREN'S TEA

Carousel of Tea Sandwiches and Blini

• PB&J on Blini
• Grilled Trio of Cheeses
• Little Pig-in-a-Blanket
• Miniature BLT
• Cucumber with Chive Cream Cheese
• Classic Tuna Fish
• Chopped Egg Salad

Desserts

• Traditional Warm Scone
• Crisp Apple Slices with Creamy Caramel
• Red Velvet Cupcake with Sprinkles
• Chocolate Mousse Topped with Mixed Berries 

Decaffinated Tea Selection

• Raspberry Zinger
• Raspberry with herbal hibiscus 
• Lotus Green Tea with subtle essence of lotus blossoms
• Mint Verbena
• Pure peppermint
• Ginger Tea Slightly spicy, fruity-citrus notes
• Rooibos Chai South African red bush with Indian spices
• Chamomile Delicate sweet notes or
• The Russian Tea Room's Signature Hot Chocolate Served with Whipped Cream & Marshmallows 

$25 per person

• For A True Russian Tea Room Experience: Add one blini with Paddlefish Caviar for $10

 ---
I'm telling you, it doesn't get much better than that. To bring this concept back to Baltimore, the last time that Jacob and I were at Gertrude's at BMA, we watched some of Baltimore's smartest youngsters order their food, ask questions about it, and critique the offering. Come on, Baltimore. We can do this. We can do more and get the all of the PR that goes with it.

My Prom Dinners Weren't This Affordable.

One of our favorite Baltimore restaurants has posted a price-fixed menu for 2009 prom couples. And, it's pretty darn impressive.

 

As Sabatino's - 3 courses, and soda, tea or, coffee for 25 bucks. This is from the email I received from Vince, Renato, Lisa, Phil, and Renato Jr:

"This menu will be available for smaller reservations of 2 or 4 guests as well as to larger group reservations of 20 or 30 guests. At just $25.00 per person including tax and gratuity, this 3 course meal with 11 entrée choices is sure to be a hit! Of course, our full regular dinner menu is also always available if that is what you prefer".

The menu and details are here.

This is the real deal. The $25 per person includes tax and gratuity. I'm looking for that old dinner jacket of mine...

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.]

Absinthe and Oysters. Now We're Talkin'

 

Oh yeah. And on Friday the 13th. Morton's The Steakhouse at 300 S Charles Street is hosting an absinthe tasting and they're calling it, Absinthe, The Green Hour.

Guests will be guided through the experience of meeting la fée verte (the green fairy) by a Pernod absinthe expert.

Absinthe will be paired with Morton's signature hors d'oeuvres, including Oysters Rockefeller made with absinthe, crab-stuffed mushrooms, sliced tenderloin on crostini and Morton's minature prime cheeseburgers. Sound good?

Sounds even better at just $45 per person including tax & gratuity. Friday, March 13th, 6 - 7:30PM. Reservations or more info, 410-547-8255.

Sidebar: We wound down our annual Beaujolais Nouveau party last November with some pretty heady absinthe, served in the true French louching method. In the wee hours of the morning, guests left in great spirits. Truly, GREAT spirits.

There'll Be Ice in 21201 on February 12th. Guaranteed.

There will also be ice on February 19th and 26th.

 

Large-scale ice sculpture demonstrations will be presented all three days in Downtown Baltimore's Premier Green Space, Charles Center. Fayette Street between Charles and Liberty Streets.

The fun begins a noon, all three days.

The February 12th event marks the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln and one of the sculptures will be a likeness of our 16th President.

Note: The sculpture image above is from Hot Ice, Inc. They're local and serve Baltimore, DC, and Virginia.

Safeway Grocery Delivery... Ingredients for Strife!

There are just some things I'll never understand. And I try, I really do try.

Why is it that I can order Keta Salmon Roe from Alaska, Tobiko from Iceland via Miami, smoked Prime Rib from Oklahoma, and fresh-cut orchids from god-knows-where and they all arrive at our door overnight and in perfect condition...

YET I CANNOT, FOR THE LIFE OF ME, order a dozen six-packs of seltzer and tonic water, some boxes of bread sticks, produce or meat of any kind, or even a flat of canned cat food from the local Safeway and receive anything resembling the order I placed online.

 

Order a cabbage and you should get a bright green fresh one. Safeway delivers one that looks like it fell off the truck a week ago. Order 5 pounds of frozen cocktail meatballs and Safeway delivers a pound-and-a-half. Order a couple of 8 pound bags of cat litter and Safeway delivers none at all. And on it goes... in this case for a delivery charge of $12.95 and a fuel surcharge of 48-cents.

Safeway delivery would be a great thing if it worked. Expecially when stocking up on the heavy stuff that you don't want to cart around, load and unload. The simple stuff -- cans of soda, flats of bottled water, big bags of dry pet food -- should be a no-brainer. Yet even an order that simple seems too much for the Safeway pickers to get their head's around. And, take it from me, you don't want to try to contact Safeway about a bad order by way of their customer service center 800-number. (Unless you have a couple of days and are really, really bored.)

All of a sudden our SuperFresh Store on Charles is looking more Super than Ever!

2009 - The Year of Poe, Poe... And More Poe in Baltimore

 

Just in from Nevermore2009.Com:

"January 19, 2009 marks the 200th birthday of Edgar Allan Poe and to commemorate this historic milestone, the city of Baltimore will host Nevermore 2009, a year-long celebration of the life and works of one of Baltimore's most famed residents. The year will be filled with a variety of events, including birthday celebrations, lectures, wine tastings, art exhibitions, theatrical performances, special tours and more."

OK, I'm already on board. The Poe schedule is amazing and begins with the launch in January '09. Here are just three highlights - the scope of this year-long project is facinating:

January 17 
7 p.m.
Westminster Hall
EDGAR ALLAN POE BICENTENNIAL BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
Come toast Poe’s 200th birthday while enjoying a rare exhibition of Poe artifacts along with a number of special performances. Only in Baltimore will you experience this world-famous event. The evening will include:

• An Edgar Allan Poe tributeby noted actor John Astin of “The Addams Family” fame. Mr. Astin will present a spellbinding hour of Poe’s most beloved works interspersed with comments and observations on Poe’s life.
• Theatrical performance of Hop Frog, Poe’s chilling tale of revenge,complete with special effects, life-size puppets and live actors. A feast for the eyes and the imagination.
• A musical tribute to Poeby soloist Paula McCabe from the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen. Ms. McCabe sang at the funerals of beloved sportscaster Jim McKay and football legend Johnny Unitas.
• A sparkling apple cider toastto Poe conducted by Jeff Jerome from the Poe House and Museum and John Astin will conclude the evening’s event.
• This event is sponsored by the City of Baltimore

and

March 27
Time TBA
Westminster Hall and Catacombs
CASK OF AMONTILLADO WINE TASTING AMONG THE BONES
Sample the wines mentioned in Poe's stories while enjoying the ambience of the Westminster catacombs. Witness Montressor luring Fortunado to a gruesome death in a theatrical performance of The Cask of Amontillado. Enjoy characters from Poe's stories as they mingle among the living.

and

October 10 
Two services – noon and 4:30 p.m.
Westminster Hall
POE'S FUNERAL SERVICE
A horse-drawn funeral hearse will bring Poe's body from his home on Amity Street to the Westminster Hall for burial services. A drum and fife corps will lead the procession. The funeral service will include musical selections performed by a pianist, soloist, violinist and a choir. Guest speakers will include five people who knew Poe, "legacies" such as "Alfred Hitchcock," "Sir Arthur Conan Doyle," "Charles Baudelaire" and "H. G. Wells" will present eulogies. Invited representatives from the literary, stage and movie industries will present their own eulogies for Poe. Tributes from ambassadors from many countries will also be read.

The full year schedule is amazing and will grow.

Check it out & let's find a great source for some fine Amontillado. Then, let's all meet up at Annabelle Lee Tavern... and lift a glass.

If You're Free Tomorrow - A Gleefully Casual Soiree

6:30 - 9:30P. Friday, October 10.

Cocktails, finger food, a buffet.

Steuben Glass, a magnificent quilt collection, silent films in a state-of-the-art home theatre.

25-foot ceilings, wooded wilderness, endless windows.

Grace Hartigan artworks, a planetarium ceiling, artists Anne Stone & Christy Bergland. All in a Guggenheimesque private residence near Baltimore's city line.

 

Is that a Friday evening not to be missed, or what? It's part of the Creative Alliance at the Patterson's 2008 Soirees & Festivals (Art to Dine For) calendar. Details and tickets.

Traffic Reminder: 21201 Weekend Driving Will Be Quirky at Times

Two events in two days. Saturday is the Under Armour Baltimore Marathon. Sunday is the Baltimore Columbus Day Parade.

Here's the route Map of the Marathon in PDF. The Columbus Day Parade on Sunday steps off at 1 PM but won't be going through the Inner Harbor this year. Rats.

The Downtown Partnership offers this advice:

"If you are attending the marathon, we encourage using public transportation. You can take Light Rail to either the Camden Yards or Hamburg Street stops. MTA will start Light Rail early on Saturday, running at 6 am from Hunt Valley and 5 am from Cromwell. Metro will also serve the marathon at the Lexington Market and Charles Center stations. The MTA trip planner, located at http://www.mtamaryland.com/transit/, can help plan your visit".

Take Amtrak from Baltimore to NYC - See Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade as a VIP

Be forewarned, it'll cost you. It's also for a good cause. And it's a quick trip; I haven't written much about travel... so, if you have deep pockets, here you go.

 

There are lots of Charity Auction sites on the web. Charity Buzz is my favorite and one of the most reliable and interesting. The current bid for 4 VIP viewing passes to the parade is $1600 and the next minimum bid is $1850.

From Charity Buzz: Enjoy the best seats in the house with four viewing passes for the 77th Street/Central Park West Grandstands at the 2008 Macy's Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade. These grandstands are located at the beginning at the Parade where all the action starts. These seats are generally reserved for the Macy's Family and are not available to the general public.

This auction supports the Women's Venture Fund which helps women entrepreneurs start, build and grow their own businesses.

But you know, when push comes to shove, I truly enjoy the Baltimore Thanksgiving Day Parade.

 

So, my thought is this. Let's stay home, watch our parade, eat in a local restaurant, buy something from the street vendors, and make a manageable donation to a Baltimore Charity. I like that Idea.

Even Better than Restaurant Week In Baltimore: Dining Out For Life

Jacob and I don't care much for Restaurant Week. It's a good concept and probably works well from a PR point of view, but we know most of the resaurants and their offerings. We also feel that we have to way, way over-tip the waiters because the while the menu is discounted the serve-staff has to work as hard as always. And, the Restaurant Week menus are minimal at best.

If you're a fan of Restaurant Week try this event, also. If you're not a fan, try this event instead.

DINE OUT FOR LIFE. Please do.

From the Dining Out For Life press release:

Moveable Feast is pleased to announce that John Shields, owner/chef of Gertrude’s at the BMA will act as this year’s Honorary Chair for its Dining Out for Life event being held on Thursday, September 18. John has been an avid supporter of Moveable Feast for many years and we are thrilled to have him working with us on this popular fundraising event. Now in its 15th year in the Baltimore metropolitan area, Dining Out for Life benefits our neighbors living with HIV/AIDS or breast cancer, as well as their dependent family members.

This is so much better than a discounted menu. You have access to every participating restaurant's full menu and your dinner truly makes a difference.
 

If you're not up for the dinner event or are busy that night make a donation. Just figure out what you and your party would spend for dinner and send a check. That works too.

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. 

Summer in Baltimore & Natty Boh Memories

When I first moved to Baltimore in 1988, I was introduced to Natty Boh by way of picking crabs in the dog days of summer. I wasn't a big fan of beer then - I'm even less of a beer fan now. But somehow, the National Bohemian brand sparked my interest and hooked me forever. It was icy cold, crisp, fizzy, pale, and seemed just right to cool the bite of Old Bay. Now Jacob and I live 26 floors above Baltimore 21201 and we see old MR. BOH winking at us every night. Enough said, enjoy! And, have a cold one.

Men of Honor at Baltimore's City Center Park Tomorrow - August 20th

I'd normally write, "Yippee, another Movie Night!" However, this film seems to be an iffy addition to the City Center's 2008 Summer line-up. It seems a tad divisive. But, then again, I just came back from jury duty. I may be way too sensitive. It happens.

Amazon Reviewer, Jeff Shannon says, "Men of Honor presents a great role model for younger viewers, yet it's rated R due to abundant use of the F word. With appropriate discretion, parents should allow their preteen and teenage children to see this rousing if altogether conventional biopic inspired by the life of Carl Brashear. Played with gravity and gumption by Cuba Gooding Jr., Brashear was the first African American to become a master diver in the U.S. Navy, despite the lingering effects of segregation, opposition from Navy brass, and the amputation of his left leg following a tragic on-duty accident. Robert De Niro adds marquee value and salty bluster as Billy Sunday, the drunken, redneck (and fictionalized) Master Chief who watches, with gradual admiration, as Brashear attains his ultimate goal through sheer force of will.

"This is all quite uplifting on its surface, but in attempting to hit the requisite highlights of an inspiring biography, director George Tillman Jr. (Soul Food) reduces Brashear's achievement to a succession of clichés, forcing Gooding and De Niro to battle sentiment with their noteworthy performances. As Sunday's neglected wife, Charlize Theron is completely extraneous; Hal Holbrook's diving-school commander is a ranting caricature; and newcomer Aunjanue Ellis barely registers as Brashear's wife (in part because their obligatory romance is handled with an utter lack of finesse). There's no question that Brashear's efforts are heroic and worthy of recognition, so Men of Honor serves its basic purpose. Still, one can't help but wonder if Brashear's story would be even more impressive with a more authentic treatment."

The New York Times gives a qualified Thumbs-up. Other reviews are on the low end of the scale.

According to the Downtown Partnership the event is, as always: Free. It Starts at 9 PM, Food and Beverages available for purchase. I can tell you that the screen is giant, the color & contrast is super, the sound is loud, and folks seem to have a great time.