to Charm City NOMS! For quick help deciding where you want to eat, search by genre or keyword on the right side of this webpage. You can also see what places we’ve visited on our map and suggest places for us to review in the future in our ”Where to Next” comment area. Enjoy!

Friday, June 18, 2010

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.

Milan on Urbanspoon

Sunday, June 13, 2010

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

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Sorso Cafe

Sorso Cafe
500 Harborview Drive
Baltimore, MD 21230
(443) 682-8720


Today on a whim we decided to go out to lunch with our friend Sami who works at the restaurant next door to us. After handing him a pile of our Groupons and telling him to pick one, we arrived at the conclusion to hit up Sorso Cafe because it's located on the water. Today was another hot one and a casual lunch by the water was too appealing to pass up.

Sorso Cafe is located off Key Highway behind Federal Hill on the water. Parking was a little tricky to figure out but we managed to get a metered spot and then it was a short walk to the Cafe.

This place is pretty casual and inviting with a few outdoor tables and then a small amount of indoor seating. They serve gelato, paninis, wraps, wine and cheese platters. They have a breakfast menu as well. They also have some brownies and cookies wrapped up near the register. Kryptonite.

Sami ordered a Caprese and added prosciutto. Dave got the PLT (prosciutto lettuce and tomato) panini sans T. I ordered the Harborview wrap. The sandwiches came with either chips or an apple (I got chips, they got apples) and we each grabbed a bottle of soda and then I tacked on one of those alluring chocolate chip cookies.

Everyone was sitting outside and there wasn't an open table out there so we sat in the little dining room. As soon as the boys sandwiches arrived, we dug in. (theirs were grilled, mine was cold).

My wrap was delicious. It was grilled marinated chicken with crisp lettuce, pesto, diced tomato, and fresh mozzarella cheese. It was a really great mixture of flavors between the juicy tomato chunks, the mild flavor of the cheese and the sharp taste of the pesto. In mere minutes it was gone. I didn't even offer to share, then again, neither did my husband. The cookie was a bit of a disappointment, with a slight stale taste to it. However, the wrap made up for it.

Sami's had prosciutto, basil leaves, fresh mozzarella, tomato and pesto. The only complaint that he had was that the "prosciutto is a little too thick" which wasn't even really a complaint since it was so good. He said that when he bit into the basil leaf, it took him "to Heaven and back". Excellent.

Dave's was simple with prosciutto and lettuce with a drizzle of some sort of house sauce on it. I would have liked to try it, but when I took a break from mine his was gone. I can only assume he really enjoyed it.

We have another Groupon for this place and I do believe the next time we go back we'll be sampling their gelato.

As far as the non-food aspects go, the girls working the counter were really friendly and helpful. The food is inexpensive (sandwiches ranging between 6 and 8 dollars) and the atmosphere is really casual and fun. They had a few vegetarian options which is always nice to see, and the accommodated special orders without griping. This is a great place to duck into if you're out for a casual walk along the water.

We will definitely be going back. I give it 4 out of 5 noms.

Dave's 2 cents:

Other than having to park 2 blocks away (they have no customer parking, that we could find), pay a meter and walk, the experience was alright. The shop was extremely tight, I had to move out of the way about 8 times while I waited to order, but I am glad they had indoor seating.

The food was great, each dish comes with chips, apple or banana. Jenn got pissed that I didn't let her sample my P.L.T.

Sorry, the only thing in the world better than bacon, is thicker bacon.

I wouldn't put this in our Best of Baltimore (Sandwich Shop Category), but it got close.

Sorso Cafe on Urbanspoon