Silver Moon II

This place came to us via the suggestion page from one of our fabulous readers and it being so close to our house, we ran right over there to check it out. Now, I will warn you right off, my emotions are interfering with my ability to properly review this place and so, we will be revisiting it at a later date when I am less emotional.

Here's some background. I'm originally from Mid-Michigan and back home we have a diner chain called Tony's (not to be confused with that brand who makes frozen pizzas and such) where the food is huge, insanely cheap, bad for you, and delicious. One of their specialties is the Hot Turkey Sandwich, which is something I must eat whenever I visit my hometown. Theirs is made with a thick slice of Italian white bread, huge pile of instant potatoes, generous portion of chunks of turkey breast, and then all smothered with yellowish poultry gravy.

Since moving away from Michigan in 2006, I've always kept an eye out for things that are "like home", like this turkey sandwich. When we first visited Baltimore when we were still living in Florida, my husband and I found a diner called TT's that has a sandwich that comes pretty close to what I'm looking for, however I think they use real potatoes which alters the flavor just enough to act as a band-aid when I get homesick, but doesn't quite satisfy the hunger.

I've been especially homesick recently having just been diagnosed with a digestive disorder which is likely to alter my eating lifestyle for the rest of my life and has caused two family members of mine to require surgery. I'm still pretty much like a little kid when I get sick, I just want to lay on my parents couch and eat this sandwich. Dave's been doing a great job taking care of me and taking me to all of my doctor's appointments but that little kid in me still wants my mom, and therefore, home.

So we headed to Silver Moon II and on their menu is a Hot Turkey Sandwich and I got really excited and hopeful. They definitely had that short order diner thing going on, and once we learned they don't use deli turkey they use real turkey I ordered it. Dave got the Blackened Chicken Sandwich and then we learned they are a cash only restaurant. Fail.

I sat down at one of the tables and Dave headed out to find an ATM. I snapped a few pictures and waited for him to come back. He finally did, we paid the bill and waited about another 10 minutes for the food to be done. I was watching them box it up and then, to my horror, helplessly watched as my Hot Turkey Sandwich, my personal Holy Grail was smothered in BROWN GRAVY. The big Styrofoam box was slid sideways into the bag and Dave's sandwich placed on top and we were set to go. Dave picked up the bag and we headed back to the car where he set the bag on my lap causing gravy and potato to explode onto me. He'd tipped it right side up, causing my box to be sitting on its side. The box not being airtight started to leak gravy and potato all over me. Devastation deepens.

It was going to be a couple hours before we could eat as we were taking the foster kittens to get their booster shots in Reisterstown. Dave let me have a bite of his sandwich and I must say, it was pretty tasty. It was a little spicy so I could only have a tiny bite, but it was quite good. Good enough to leave a sauce splatter on my face. I didn't eat my dinner.

Two days later it is lunchtime on Friday and I'm staring a bowl of brown gravy covered turkey sandwich. I had expressed my emotional reaction to the whole gravy thing to Dave, knowing how childish and petty I sound when I say it, but he understood. I'm sick, I wanted a piece of home and I didn't get it. So I had what I did get for lunch today.

I will say, despite it not being what I'd hoped for, it's still pretty good. I think it would be better if it had the right gravy on it. The turkey used is deli turkey but it's good deli turkey and not lunch meat style turkey. The bread is good ole American white sandwich bread (two slices) and the potatoes are instant, just like I like them. I did not dislike this sandwich, and Dave's sandwich was really good. The next time we go I'm going to order one of their specialties like the seafood salad or something like that so that I can give this place a proper review.

I will say the restaurant is clean, the staff is friendly and your food comes fast. You get nice, generous portions and it's really inexpensive. It's definitely worth a go. We'll be heading back there in a couple weeks, once things settle down.

Dave's 2cents:

So by now, if you've been following us, you can tell I suffer from what I've coined, Food Rage. Which is just me getting so pissed at servers, that I am no longer hungry.

I had high hopes for this place. When I entered I was greeted within moments, when I asked what was good, food selections were suggested to me, and I was happy.

Until they said cash only. I checked my cellphone to make sure it wasn't 1999, and I asked where the closest ATM was. Seeing as I am SURE this question gets asked 100x a day, I was SURE she had an answer. What I got was, "I think its like 2 blocks, somewhere that way."

I left my wife there so the food we ordered would actually get cooked, I went on a hunt. After 15 minutes searching for an ATM, I just went to one that I KNEW in Little Italy, and returned.

Now I'm a little bit angry. Food's still cooking, and I wait. Once finished I was handed a bag and we left.

Once in the car, and as you read above, the box exploded, I then found out from my wife they don't have forks!

What carryout place doesn't provide utensils!?!?

As my wife said, we're dealing with some stuff right now, the food was good enough to give them a 2nd chance. Lets hope they don't blow it this time, and I remember to have cash on me.

Ra Sushi

Ra Sushi Bar Restaurant
1390 Lancaster Street
Baltimore MD 21231
410-522-3200
Happy Hour 3-7 p.m. daily

"Best Sushi in Baltimore's Harbor Area" - CharmcityNoms

Now, we know that we said that we were going to avoid reviewing chain places, but Ra had to go on the blog because we just love it so much. This place offers a great happy hour with 1/2 off a good selection of sushi rolls, some sashimi and apps, as well as steep discounts on well drinks. This is an excellent place to go after work. We admit, the music is a little loud but the waitstaff is always accommodating when you ask for a "quiet" booth or table.

Our favorite rolls here are the Viva Las Vegas roll, Tootsy Maki, California, Spicy Tuna and the Shrimp Tempura roll. These also happen to be on the 1/2 off list for happy hour.

I'm also a huge fan of the Lobster Spring Rolls, which are crispy on the outside, gooey melty and flavorful on the inside with just a hint of sweet. Stuffed with hunks of lobster, cream cheese, red pepper and mango, the flavors all blend together so well, and the mango dipping sauce is a wonderful complement as its somehow very bland on its own but when paired with the spring rolls just brings out the best flavors of both.

The food is always so effing pretty. It comes to your table with fanfare and flourish, and at first there is a pang of guilt for disrupting the perfect harmony of the plate. It's easy to get over that, though, and then you're face deep in sushi and really, is there anything better?

The Viva Las Vegas roll has a tiny kick to it, so if you can't do spicy then stay away. The Spicy Tuna roll is the same (obvs, it has "spicy" in the title). If you're mild tummy-ed like me, stick to the California, Tootsy Maki and Shrimp Tempura, they'll be gentle. These have milder flavors to them, but a calm creaminess as well.

Here, the waitresses have always been great. Of the several times we've been we've never gotten bad service. The sushi comes out quick, and rarely all at the same time, it arrives as it's finished so if you're really polite and want to wait, it can be difficult.

As with most sushi places the kitchen and the sushi bar run independently of each other so kitchen food and sushi will not arrive simultaneously. This can bother some people but we're the laid back type.

Also for dessert you have to try their fried ice cream. It's like baby Jesus on a plate. Cinnamony sweet, creamy and crunchy and drizzled with all sorts of sugary goodness.

Just look at the pictures. How can you not want to go?

5 NOMS

Dave's 2 Cents:

yea yea, I know. No chain restaurants. But here's the thing, I couldn't tell it was a chain! I was super surprised when I found out yesterday. Well, not a typical chain (100s-1000s of stores), but it does one store per major city.

I am not going to bore you with semantics. All I will say is, if you love sushi and are in the Inner harbor area, go here. Period.

Houlinan's

We met up with our friends Jeff and his wife Marsha for dinner and drinks at Houlihan's using our Groupon. The restaurant has a casual contemporary feel to it. After a round of musical chairs in an attempt to find a comfortable and large enough table, we finally settled in the bar because of the happy hour specials.

We ordered two boozy teas, pitcher size (which was really just a bigass mug) and then ordered the regular order of spinach dip for an appetizer while we waited for our friends.

The menu here is pretty decent in size. It had a metal cover and page after page of food and drink options. The last two pages were...weird. There was a list of songs they play and hilarious horoscopes.

The appetizer came pretty quickly. It was 8 triangle slices of crispy flat bread sprinkled with cheese and seasonings and then drizzled with sour cream. Beside that was a small ramekin of steaming spinach dip. This stuff was wonderful. The dip was creamy and smooth, the toppings on the flatbread was just a hint of spicy and was complemented well with the dip.

Upon the arrival of our friends we squeaked in a couple more drink orders and then settled on some food. I ordered the stuffed chicken breast, Dave got the almond crusted tilapia, Jeff ordered the wedge salad with sirloin, and Marsha got the pan seared scallops. The food arrived beautifully. It was truly a lovely presentation...except for Dave's which was just...weird.

My dish was fantastic. It was a breaded chicken breast, butterflied and stuffed with cream cheese and herbs, then baked to perfection. It came with a side of mashed potatoes and crisp green beans. The cheesy insides ooozed out when I cut into it, which is just what you want whenever something is "stuffed" with something else. Delicious. The only complaint I have is that the green beans could have been cooked for about another minute, however they were very fresh and seasoned very well so it's a tiny complaint. The potatoes were homestyle, just enough lumps to feel homemade and slightly cheesy, garlicky and buttery. It was a perfect match. My dinner was big enough to have again the next night, which was fine by me.

Jeff's prime steak and wedge salad came with a 5 oz. top sirloin, with an iceberg wedge, smoked bacon, spicy pecans, roasted golden beets, grilled asparagus, creamy gorgonzola cheese, scallions, warm polenta croutons, buttermilk bleu cheese dressing. Jeff said that while everything certainly tasted good, the steak was super tiny, the polenta croutons were small and there were only two and the tiny slice of cheese was wonderful but just simply not enough.

Marsha's dish, the seared Georges Bank scallops, came with lemon-asparagus risotto, baby greens, and basil-infused olive oil. Her dish came with 6 medium-sized scallops which she said were cooked quite well and the risotto was very tasty. Again, as with Jeff's meal, there simply wasn't enough of it.

Dave's meal is too hilarious for me to discuss and you can find his reaction in his 2 cents section below.

Now, we were sort of nervous about our waitress at first because it didn't seem she wanted to pay attention to us, however she became increasingly better as the meal went on and by the end of it, we were very pleased with the service we received.

The drinks we ordered were really great. I got the long island iced tea, and Dave got the Tennesee tea which was peachy and tasted like juice.

Overall I'd say this place is a great place to go for apps and drinks after work, but lousy for dinner. The dinners were overpriced, possibly microwaved and just not worth it for the cost. However, we were all very pleased with the apps and drinks as well as the waitstaff. Overall I give it 2.5 noms.

Dave's 2 Cents

So, I promised myself I'd never review a chain restaurant, and after this experience, I doubt I ever will again.

I ordered the, and i quote, "ALMOND CRUSTED TILAPIA, Amaretto beurre blanc, fresh berries, grilled asparagus."

What I received was this. Microwaved fish, with a scalding hot outside and cool inside, extra almond crust, and STRAWBERRIES!

I feel sorry for the pallet of the guy/gal in the back that thought this was eatable!

I asked the waitress exactly why there were strawberries on my food, and she said, "They ran out of the berry blend, they subbed this out.

First off, restaurant 101, NEVER sub ingredients until you have spoken to the customer. Dislikes, food allergies, or just plain food taste conflict.

Common chef, if you run out of sugar for a receipt do you use conventions sugar or brown sugar instead?! hell no.

Short order chef, YOU FAIL. "86" a dish if you've run out of the ingredients.

And maybe try an oven next time and not a microwave.

Readers: This place is located in the middle of Baltimore's biggest tourist trap, Inner Harbor. They run their business of 85%or more on non-repeat business. Who CARES if they piss off travelers? They wont be back. And who cares about the locals when most of the money is coming from tourists?!

Avoid of you want a nice dinner, if you want some good appetizers and booze, try it out.

Milan

Let me start this by stating that this is an accidental review. I had no intentions of reviewing Milan until my experience there was just too hilarious not to share with the interwebs.

I'd been following the blog of the Groupawn since he started his gig a few weeks ago in hopes that he'd find his way to Baltimore. Knowing the awesomeness that is Groupon, I felt it would be just as awesome to meet someone who was literally living off of them every day for the next year. Also, he loves food, and we love food, so really how can we NOT hang out? Yeah.

So, the Groupawn had a groupon for Milan and was heading there with another couple and after a day long texting session, I decided to join them and have a dessert. The four of us were seated at the bar and the three of them had already been there for about 45 minutes by the time I arrived and were just finalizing their orders. Josh grabbed a chair for me and I sat down just in time to be completely ignored by the bartender. Seriously, he took their orders, skipped over me and then wandered away. So I waited for my next opportunity to grab a menu and a Coke, and when it finally presented itself (about 10 minutes later) my wishes were fulfilled. Sorta.

See, I got my tiny Coke but it took the guy probably another 10 minutes to find a dessert menu and then it took about another 10 minutes for me to be able to order from said menu. I got the Torte di Fromaggio which was...well, it was unbelievably delicious. A hearty slice of honey ricotta cheese cake infused with a light lemony flavor decorated with fresh cream and a sprig of mint and balsamic strawberry compote. I shared bites with the group so that they too could enjoy the cool creaminess of this cheesecake.

Josh, the Groupawn was kind enough to share a piece of his crabcake with me and I must say that it's one of the better ones I've had. It was well seasoned, presented beautifully and actually had big pieces of crabmeat in it unlike some you get where it's just like a ball of breaded nothing. The tangy orangey sauce that came with it was a very nice complement.

The four of us had such a good time talking and sharing stories that I didn't really notice that it had taken a little over an hour for an incorrect order of raw, rose shaped fish to be delivered to the other three.

I'm sure Josh will write more about the experience in his blog, since the things that happened to him and the couple were just downright hilarious they were so terrible. As we were trying to cash out and go, it seemed there was some confusion about the groupon use, whose bill was whose and then some general douchebaggery from several members of staff. I'd heard that this place was over-priced with an air of snobbery but that the food was delicious if not pretentious and I have to say it's all pretty much correct. The restaurant is gorgeous, elegantly designed and looks somewhat like you're dining in a private mansion. The food is always presented as if it's art, yet it all tasted wonderful. I'm pretty sure that several members of the waitstaff got their start working for Abercrombie and Fitch because they seemed to be pros at ignoring you and looking perfect.

Now, I will not say you should not go to this restaurant because it definitely was a unique experience. However, I will leave you with this thought: it is an Italian restaurant that serves sushi and turns into a nightclub after 10 and their motto is "Where Food Meets Fashion", but they are located about three blocks from the projects in Baltimore.

Milan, I will give you 5 noms because your food was delicious, but -3 noms because your staff is...pretentious. Grand total of 2 noms.

Farmers Markets Around Town

BALTIMORE CITY

Baltimore Farmers' Market
Downtown: Saratoga Street between Holliday and Gay Streets (under JFX Viaduct)
Sunday: 8:00 a.m. to Noon (or sell out) May 2 - December 19
Contact: Carole Simon 410-752-8632
WIC and Senior FMNP Checks Accepted 
 
Baltimore Museum of Industry (BMI) Farmers' Market
1415 Key Highway
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. June 5 - September 25
Contact: Jill Edmondson 410-727-4808
WIC and Senior FMNP Checks Accepted
 
Howard Park Community Farmers' Market
4700 Block of Liberty Heights Ave.
Saturday: 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. May 22 - December 18
Contact: Howard Park Civic Association 410-448-4257

Highlandtown Farmers' Market
3500 Block of Bank St. at the corner of Bank St. and S. Conkling St.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to Noon July 10 - October 9
Contact: Southeast CDC 410-342-3234
WIC and Senior FMNP Checks Accepted 
 
John Hopkins Hospital Farmers' Market
Jefferson Street pathway near Cancer Research Buildings
Thursday: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. May 6 - November
Contact: Roneet Mallin 410-955-9014

Mt. Washington Whole Foods Market Farmers' Market
5800 Cottonworth Avenue (Parking Lot of Aldersgate Mt. Washington United Methodist Church)
Wednesday: 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. June 9 - November 17
Contact: Molly Kushner 410-532-6700

Park Heights Community Farmers' Market
5201 Park Heights Avenue (Pimlico Race Course Parking Lot)
Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. June 2 - November 24
Contact: PHCHA 410-542-8190
WIC and Senior FMNP Checks Accepted
 
32nd Street/Waverly Farmers' Market
400 block of E. 32nd Street
Saturday: 7:00 a.m. to Noon Open All Year*
Contact: Marc Rey 410-889-6388 or 410-917-1496
Web:http://www.32ndstreetmarket.org/
WIC and Senior FMNP Checks Accepted 
 
State Center Community Farmers' Market
201 West Preston Street
Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. June 2 - October 27
Contact: Debi Celnik 410-767-5781
WIC and Senior FMNP Checks Accepted
 
University Farmers' Market (New Market)
Plaza Park, Paca Street
Tuesday: 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. May 11 - November 23
Contact: Denise Choiniere 410-328-2009
WIC and Senior FMNP Checks Accepted
 
Village of Cross Keys Farmers' Market
Parking Lot - Village of Cross Keys
5100 Falls Road
Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. June 1 - October 26
Contact: Beverly Burton 410-592-6095
WIC and Senior FMNP Checks Accepted

BALTIMORE COUNTY

Boordy Vineyards - Good Life Thursdays
12820 Long Green Pike
Thursday: 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. June 10 - September 16
Contact: Dottie Bistransin 410-592-5015
mailto:wine-info@boordy.com
WIC and Senior FMNP Checks Accepted
 
Catonsville Wednesday Farmers' Market
Bloomsbury Community Center (108 Bloomsbury Ave.)
Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. May 5 - November 24
Contact: wedcatonsvillemkt@gmail.com
WIC and Senior FMNP Checks Accepted
 
Catonsville Sunday Farmers' Market (new market)
746 Frederick Road (behind Friendly's)
Sunday: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. May 16 - November 21
Contact: Catonsville Chamber of Commerce 410-719-9609

Dundalk Village Farmers' Market
Shipping Place at Dunmanway (Park in back of Dundalk Post Office)
Saturday: 6:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. July 10 - November 20
Contact: Rev. David Erickson 410-282-2540
WIC and Senior FMNP Checks Accepted 

Eastpoint Farmers' Market
Eastpoint Mall, 7839 Eastern Avenue
Wednesday: 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. June 30 - October 27
Contact: Jerry E. Fisher 410-562-3464
WIC and Senior FMNP Checks Accepted

Farmers' Market at the Avenue
The Avenue at White Marsh
Parking lot behind Barnes and Noble
Friday: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. July 2 - October 29
Contact: Janelle Vane 410-931-0411
WIC and Senior FMNP Checks Accepted
 
Green Spring Station Farmers' Market (New Market)
Falls and Joppa Roads
Saturday: 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. May 22 - November 20
Contact: Marge Wildey 410-828-5447

Kenilworth Farmers' Market (New Market)
798 Kenilworth Drive
Tuesday: 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. May 4 - November 23
Contact: Beckie Gurley 410-472-6764 giftcal@aol.com
WIC and Senior FMNP Checks Accepted 
 
Owings Mills Farmers' Market
3506 Gwynnbrook Ave.
Sunday: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. May 30 - October 24
Contact: Ryan Couto 410-905-8030
WIC and Senior FMNP Checks Accepted

Pikesville Farmers' Market
Walker Avenue (Near Pikesville Library)
Tuesday: 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. July 6 - October 26
Contact: Nick Attias 410-484-2337
WIC and Senior FMNP Checks Accepted
 
Randallstown Farmers' Market
3525 Resource Drive
Wednesday: 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. June 2 - Sept. 29
Contact: Debbie Risper 410-887-3389

Timonium Fairgrounds Farmers' Market (new market)
2200 York Road
Wednesday: 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. June 2 - October
Contact: Maryland State Fair and Agriculture Society, Inc. 410-252-0200
WIC and Senior FMNP Checks Accepted
 
Towson Farmers' Market
Allegheny Avenue (between York Rd. and Washington Ave.)
Thursday: 10:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. June 10 - November 18
Saturday Location: Parking Lot next to 17 Allegheny Ave.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. June 12 - November 20
Contact: Nancy Hafford 410-825-1144
WIC and Senior FMNP Checks Accepted 
 
Woodlawn Farmers' Market
Woodlawn Bowling Lanes - 6410 Security Boulevard
Thursday: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. July 1 - September 30
Contact: Delores Douglas 410-409-9172 or Bill Obriecht 410-944-5239
WIC and Senior FMNP Checks Accepted

*Open All Year markets may have limited local products in winter

Go here for all other MD county Farmers Markets!