On Friday November 7th, 2008, I met up with two friends at Tapas Teatro. We started off the evening with red wine and sangria. Bread, oil, olives, and pickles were brought to the table. Some of our selection included: monkfish medallions wrapped in a prosciuitto topped on artichoke hearts drizzled with a spicy oil, marinara and bread, baked potatoes in a cream sauce, and Gulf Shrimp swimming in a garlic butter. Throughout the light bites we viewed pictures from my friend's fall wedding in October 2008. The wedding took place at The Belvedere in the Charles room. It was quite an exquisite affair; I was a part of the bridal party.

After light bites, we drove up to the Johns Hopkins Campus to the ROTC building off of San Martin Drive for ballroom dancing. The lesson started at 8 PM. We learned the tango, the waltz, the electric slide, and the Achy Breaky Heart line dance. As I picked up the waltz and tango (one goes T A N G O to keep count with the steps), some of my partners unveiled more complex steps. Of course our instructor named a few. I felt special as I was a part of these more complex moves, I could be led by the gentleman and share in the experience of dancing. One feels graceful and accomplished when truly dancing the dance.

Overall, I'd go again. Where else can you learn dancing for free every Friday at 8 PM and from an event that is 20 years and counting?

Panasonic Lumix

I've been tracking this for about 6-8 months now and the Four Thirds technology has finally been unveiled. The Four Thirds Technology halves the distance in the camera between the reflecting lens of the camera. Here is the Lumix featured on this blog.

and here are five more reasons why to buy the Panasonic Lumix.

I am foaming at the mouth!

Last Day for MARC Train Hearings!

Today is the last day for the MARC Train Hearing. If you are a commuter and care about your service. Here is the info for the last three meetings:

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Edgewood
Edgewood Recreation and Community Center
Multi-Purpose Room
1980 Brookside Drive
Edgewood, MD 21040
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Frederick
Winchester Hall
First Floor Hearing Room
12 East Church Street
Frederick, MD 21701
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Perryville
Perryville High School
Second Floor Media Center
1696 Perryville Road
Perryville, MD 21903
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

If you cannot come to the meeting, please submit comments.
More info is here.

The 412 Line in Harford County to be cut?

From the Baltimore Sun...

Transit riders fight bus cut
Customers willing to pay higher fares

By Mary Gail Hare
November 23, 2008

Hundreds of Harford County's mass transit riders say they are conserving energy and helping to preserve the environment without adding to congestion on Interstate 95. Riding the bus also saves them money on gas and parking in downtown Baltimore.

Now they are battling the Maryland Transit Administration's cost-savings proposals that would eliminate one of the four commuter bus lines from the county to Baltimore and cut back trips on others. A public hearing in Bel Air last week drew nearly 150 people. More than 40 of them argued that increased ridership alone is reason to keep the service.

More Here.

Thievery Corp. is coming to Baltimore -2/27

That is right! You heard it here first. Thievery Corporation is coming 2/27/2009 at the Rams Head Live at the Power Plant. Tickets are only 40 dollars.

Friday, February 27
Doors 8pm
$40
ALL AGES

Thievery Corporation make abstract, instrumental, mid-tempo dance music whose classification falls somewhere between trip-hop and acid jazz. Featuring the production skills of Rob Garza and Eric Hilton, Thievery Corporation released several warmly received singles on their own Eighteenth Street Lounge (ESL) label (named after their own Washington, D.C. bar and nightclub).

Presented by Rams Head Promotions
and 24-7 Entertainment

Buy Tix Here.

Eating 6x a Day DEBUNKED

Read more here.

A snippet:

Meal frequency and energy balance.
Br J Nutr. 1997 Apr;77 Suppl 1:S57-70.
“More importantly, studies using whole-body calorimetry and doubly-labelled water to assess total 24 h energy expenditure find no difference between nibbling and gorging. Finally, with the exception of a single study, there is no evidence that weight loss on hypoenergetic regimens is altered by meal frequency. We conclude that any effects of meal pattern on the regulation of body weight are likely to be mediated through effects on the food intake side of the energy balance equation.”

Today! Founder of Peace Corps at UMBC 7 PM

Today we have a unique opportunity to hear from one of the Peace Corps founders, Bill Josephson, author of the Towering Task (the blueprint for the original Peace Corps) and lifelong friend of Sargent Shriver. Bill will be presenting his ideas for a 21st Century Peace Corps as we transition to new national leadership in this critical historical moment. Bill is also a leading expert on the Electoral College, so it will be highly interesting to learn his thoughts on the election just days after the vote. And we'll have dessert after!

Please come: Thursday November 13th at 7pm in UMBC's Library 7th Floor. Parking for the event will be marked upon entering campus, and Directions to UMBC can be found at www.umbc.edu A dessert reception will follow...

Lobster Dinner at Sotta Sopra

I was on localwinevents.com checking out Sotta Sopra's Aperitivo Happy Hour when I happened upon the restaurant's blog. This weekend, Sotta Sopra is having a Maine Lobster Fest only for $23! That is a very good deal.

The special is also featured at a food and wine blog.

If you are interested in Charles North,

then try to leave work early. There will be a community event at 4:30 PM on Thursday, November 13, 2008 for those interested in having input into the Charles North area. More info here.

I have just been informed that the presentation will begin after 5 PM, but its still good to get there early...

The Baltimore Womens Film Festival

This is the second year that the Baltimore Women/s Film Festival occurred from Oct. 23- 26, and I volunteered at the festival! 50% of all ticket sales went to the Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center. During my shift, I got to see 'Who Does She Think She Is' about women and their pursuit of art. One of the heavy running themes was the woman's desire to pursue her art while balancing a family. Most of the women who tried to strike this balance ended up divorced. Very interesting now, isn't it?

Why does it seem like a woman has to make a decision between career and family?

Stopped this morning

Usually every morning, I greet and hug enthusiastically a newspaper distributor outside of my office building. A person stopped me and asked me why did I hug a complete stranger. I asked, why not? This greeting has become routine for me. I told the person about the older gentleman I made friends in the afternoon on my commute home. He's usually at the ticket office and I give a peck and greet him as if he were a long lost love. To start my day, I have a hug and in the evening, I have a peck. My day is a little bit better while exchanging pleasantries with new friends. Unfortunately, my older friend has not been at his ticket station. Some folks said he went back downtown, but I've been worried about him lately. I did catch him one day while leaving work. The ticket office man said that he had been 'away'.

To all others...

do you exchange pleasantries with others you see regularly to and fro from work?

Why?

Why not?

Woman

God created woman to tame man. -Voltaire, 1694-1778.

Weyerbacher Tasting Review

I love the Weyerbacher Pumpkin Spice Ale, which is fortunately served at Bel Air's Sean Bolan's...
Here is a review on a Weyerbacher tasting...

Commute Home

My commute home varies from day to day. Roughly I spend about four hours a day commuting on a car, train, and Metro. 12 hours of my day are committed to some form of work or transit...

On Monday, September 15, I stayed later at work to wrap up a couple loose ends and my boss traipsed back in from a meeting. We thought we lost the client and I stayed longer than usual to chat about the meeting. I thought with extremely good follow up, we could capture their attention again.

With time winding down, I had to run away around five pm. Unfortunately, I had to wait about 8 minutes for the Metro to arrive...

4:53 Rush out of office to catch Metro
5:00 Metro arrives
5:21 Metro arrives at Union
MARC train leaves at 5:21
I buy a small Chilean red wine
Get on 5:34 PM train to Baltimore/Penn
6:30/6:40 arrive at Penn
Ask lady for a spoon at coffee stand.
Thank goodness had dinner packed in bag.
Ate and waited for the 7:05 to Perryville.
7:30/40 Arrived in Edgewood.
7:47 Arrived at home.

At Home: Changed Fire alarm battery. Packed away lemon bars. Jogged up and down drive in dark for 20 minutes. Checked email and blogged.

10 PM Get read for bed.

This was a particularly unusual evening, as I had missed my original train home....

Atmosphere at Rams Head, Oct. 10

Friday, October 10th, I saw Atmosphere at the Rams Head Tavern! They were very good. Blueprint opened, with Abstract Dude to follow. Atmosphere had a head cold but performed really well. He even went on to do a half hour encore set wrapped up with a very good freestyle. The Exactly.net posted a music vid here.

My OTHER blog

I have been more in love with my other blog here.

Repost from Telegraph: Learning from Japan

We are in an era of globalisation, we are told, of flat, inter-connected worlds. Yet the response in the US Congress to the Treasury’s proposed $700 billion remedy for this very international financial crisis has been strikingly parochial.

Not just that: it has been delusional. How else to describe those Congressmen who opposed the first vote, accusing Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson of practising “financial socialism”, which was somehow “un-American”?

This episode bodes ill for the world economy’s stability. For, huge as it is, this $700 billion package is unlikely to be the end of the story. At some stage next year, the new administration, whether led by Barack Obama or John McCain, will most likely need to offer another strong dose of “socialism” – a big bag of money, this time used to help recapitalise the banks directly. Given the public anger displayed in the past week about an undeserved lifeline for the greedy bankers of Wall Street, the politics of that next package are likely to be just as poisonous.

More Here

This Saturday

This weekend, What's to Eat Baltimore? may be at the Darlington Festival on Saturday, 10/4, 10-5PM.

Instead...I will be at Horst & McCann Indoor Gun Range in Bel Air, MD from 8:30 to 11:30 learning how to shoot a gun and then off to a solar energy tour. This is a free seminar offered to teach folks firearm safety and handgun safety.

More info on the solar tour can be found here and ASES National Tour About page.

Repost: Wine Festival-Sunday

Adventures in Baltimore Restaurants has made a post about a lovely wine festival in Mt. Washington this Sunday.

Metromix has address information here.

There will be wine, local jazz, and cheese. Its free and from 11-6 PM this weekend! I love wine festivals. Plus there will be activities for the little kiddies, including face painting. I am already very busy this weekend so I may not be able to attend. I am going out tonight and for a girl's evening tomorrow!

And even more info here!

Theater For Rent: 4 Short Comedies

Some friends are having their last performance of comedies this weekend! My sister said it was great. Check out the information below...

So Tender and True,
Four Short Original Comedies

Though unrelated in subject matter, these four comedies capture Theater for Rent's performance style with a healthy mix of scripted and improvisational content. Each of the plays follows its characters as events move farther and farther away from reality and into the realm of the absurd.

The plays being presented in So Tender and True (in performance order) are as follows:

The National Investigator, Phineas Gage, The Bigfoot, and

Key Party

Ticket Prices

Student: $10

General: $15

Showtimes

September 19th - 21st

• Friday, Sept. 19
  8:00pm
• Saturday, Sept. 20
  8:00pm
• Sunday, Sept. 21
  3:00pm

September 26th - 28th

• Friday, Sept. 26
  8:00pm
• Saturday, Sept. 27
  8:00pm
• Sunday, Sept. 28
  3:00pm

My Wine Purchases

A food and wine blog tipped me off to a GREAT wine tasting in Laurel, MD on Wednesday evening sponsored by KidsPeace.org:

What: KidsPeace 3rd Annual Wine Tasting
When: September 17th from 6 to 9 p.m.
Where: Corridor Fine Wines, 3321 Corridor Marketplace, Laurel, MD 20724
Phone: (301) 617-8507

At the entrance, I picked up a 'passport' and carried it from table to table to receive a stamp. The tables had inexpensive to expensive whites and reds. Different areas of the world were featured. 30% of my purchases went towards the fundraiser. We had 'hor douvres' which mounted to cheese, crackers, fried chicken, fruit, and meatballs. Cookies and cupcakes were interspersed throughout the aisles. First 100 guests received a gift bag.

Below is my list of purchases:

Villa Lanata Barolo Lo Zoccolaio 2000 $39.99

Wine Spectator – 90 points

Barolo, Piedmont, Italy- “Loads of plum, coffee and light tart on the nose. Full-bodied, with soft and round tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Very nicely balanced. This is consistently outstanding.”

Brampton Cabernet Sauvignon $15.99

South Africa- Intense flavors of sweet dark cherries, plums and cassis are interwoven with firm tannins and subtle oak aromas of vanilla and toffee. Crafted from 100% hand harvested Cabernet of select vineyards this wine sees 15 months of oak aging. Pair with red meats or hearty pasta.

Terra Buena Malbec $12.99

Mendoza, Argentina- This medium-bodied Malbec is fresh and vibrant showing dark violet hues with a spicy nose and complex palate filled with black fruits and blueberries ending in a simple yet tasty finish. This Argentine classic is a perfect pair for grilled meats, pastas and pizza.

and a Nebbiolo wine.

Free Wine Tasting Tomorrow!

Marylanders Wake up!

What: KidsPeace 3rd Annual Wine Tasting

When: September 17th from 6 to 9 p.m.

Where: Corridor Fine Wines, 3321 Corridor Marketplace, Laurel, MD 20724 Directions: (301) 617-8507

Click on the link above to see the wine list.

Art Crimes in the City

Read more here about the golden chain link fence in Mt. Vernon and Man/Woman in front of Penn Station!

Quite an enjoyable read.

Market Shaken, Not Stirred

Merrill Lynch sells itself to Bank of America for $50 billion.

Lehman Brothers files for bankruptcy.

American International Group seeks financial help.

More can be read here.

What is the Stench of your Digital Exhaust?

No More Secrets an article explores the loss of privacy

What are your buying habits, online vs. non-online, credit vs. cash?

Where do you go and do you care if others know?

Do you watch what you say and do?

My Daily Morning Commute

For the past two years I have been commuting in from Edgewood to DC on a daily basis. Its a long, tiring commute. Yet thousands of people from Delaware, Philadelphia, Cecil County and Harford County commute from their homes to DC or around the DC area to support their families, go to school, and advance their careers. I am one of these commuters. I wanted to taste what DC was like as a city.

Monday night, 10 to 10:30: make lunch, check tickets, have all things packed to go. shower.
Monday night in bed by 11:15 PM.


6:00 AM: wake up
6:16 AM: out the door and on the road to the Edgewood MARC station
6:47/8 AM: pull into lot and run down steps and up steps to catch train as one of its last boarders
Around 8 AM, the MARC pulls into Union station.
8:02 AM: I am on the platform walking to the Red Line Metro to my destination.
8:09 AM: Just having bought The Economist, I continue on to the Metro stop.
A train arrives as I am going down the escalator and I jog to board.
8:27 AM: Red Line arrives and I get off at my station on the outskirts of DC.
8:35 AM: In the office, after having stopped off at Starbucks.

This is the extent of my morning commute. Let's see how the evening pans out...

Dining for Life

Thanks to Baltimore Snacker!

Dining out for Life will be on Thursday, September 18th. Some restaurants have elected to donate up to 50% of profits to local HIV/AIDS charities.

Brewer's Art and Chameleon Cafe are on the top of my list for now.

Any other suggestions?

Harford Friends School Wine Tasting

Quaker education is one of the best there is out there. I am a proud product of one such institution. I have connections to this one though...

Harford Friends School

A Taste of Excellence

Sunday November 9, 2008 from 2 to 4:30 PM, there will be a wine tasting at the Bel Air Armory in Bel Air, MD.

Food will be provided by Laurrapin Grille. (SCORE! They serve amazing food in Havre de Grace.)

Tickets are $35 in advance.

This should be a rather nice event...

New Earth Blog

I've started a new blog here...

Martick's is closed!

Martick's has closed!

I am so glad to have visited this restaurant finally in April 2008 with family and friends to celebrate my promotion.

Dining@Large wants us to unite in helping to protect this Baltimore Institution. Update: The Dining@Large blog was posted before the restaurant closed. (Thanks MinxEats!)

Small known facts: Martick's used to be a speakeasy in the 20s, owned by his parents. He is really from Paris, and he has one of the oldest espresso machines in the U.S.

Elvis Death Anniversary - August 16, 1977

Driving this morning, I heard on the radio that Elvis' death anniversary was on Saturday, August 16. Born in Tupelo, Mississippi, Elvis brought many music genres together in his rise to stardom. He also helped to loosen up the American population musically. This Halloween I plan on being him, the young version. Tomorrow, I begin practicing Elvis' songs at karaoke, then its on to shopping for an outfit.

IMDB Elvis Presley

Elvis Homepage

Elvis Presley Bio

Olympus/Panasonic Collaborate on NextGen Camera Technology

I've been doing my research on digital cameras and liked the best the Sony Cybershot, Panasonic Lumix, and Canon Powershot. Out of the three, Panasonic came in first. However it appears that there is a new technology to hit the market without any announcement date. Panasonic and Olympus are to collaborate on new Micro Four Thirds which will allow for smaller and more slimmer models. Without a date committed for these cameras to hit the market...should one wait?

Panasonic Press Release here.

Info from DPReview.

Georges in Mt. Vernon

On Thursday evening, July 31st, I enjoyed a quiet night at George's in Mt. Vernon. The restaurant is at the corner of Monument and Cathedral. I was able to get street parking less than two blocks away.

The walls of the restaurant were a deep mahogany color, while the floors of the hotel were an old aged marble. The dinner tables were made of marble, and most people sat outside enjoying their dinner.

Unlike Aldo's, the pairing of textures and flavors were more interesting. The ambiance was a simple sophisticated relaxed-ness. Good and innovative American food was the main draw. The service was much more attentive.

First appetizer: Smoky flavored black bean soup with lime and cilantro
Main Course: Espresso, chile, cocoa powder rubbed sirloin (rare) with a blackberry sauce on rice and summer vegetables
Dessert: Godiva flourless thinly sliced chocolate cake

Accompaniment: House Cabernet Savignon

Sometimes an unpretentious air adds so much more to the dining experience. The wine was also reasonably priced, portions sizable, and flavors interesting.

Sonar-Virgin Fest After Party-August 9th

Saturday night, August 9th, I went clubbing with some friends at Sonar in Baltimore. Two years ago I'd be all over the club scene; dancing, meeting people, trying new bars, etc. Now my interests have expanded to include: going to events, concerts, operas, and being active in groups. I was lucky to find a DJ that lived up to the reason why I go out dancing now and that IS the music, primarily. Dave Nada, a resident DJ of the TAXLO party, spinned at Sonar Saturday night. To sample some of his music you can download a mix here.

You can also enjoy the mix at Bmore Original Records and even download it there. Mark Nada is a featured artist on the website. Mark Nada will return to TAXLO August 22nd. Baltimore has a unique dance mix culture known as Baltimore Club House. Mark spinned this flavor of house Saturday night and got the crowd going all night long. I approached the security guard to ask where Dave spinned and the guard said, why don't you go up on stage and ask. I was astounded. I couldn't believe that I was invited to go on stage like it was easy as getting a water at the bar; in fact easier! So up I went and danced on stage until I could find an opportunity to talk to Mark. A girlfriend joined me on stage dancing.

92.3Q would play Baltimore Club House late at night in the early nineties. Enraptured, I'd lean over the edge of my bed staring into my stereo feeling the music. It is said that K-Swift started spinning in her teens. I think 92Q let Khia on the decks so she could practice her amazing talent as a pre-teen. The frenetic beats, the repetition, all of it was hypnotizing. I couldn't get enough of it.

The Summer of the Great Artists Passing

I am so sad to hear that Isaac Hayes has passed away.

The artists' community has experienced some greats leaving us this summer:

Bo Diddley, June 2, 2008
K-Swift, July 21, 2008
Bernie Mac, August 9, 2008
and
Isaac Hayes, August 10, 2008

Coverage on K-Swift's last set...

The Zodiac is Closing Tonight!

I have just learned via the Baltimore Snacker that the Zodiac is closing tonight.

After twelve years, the owner has decided its time to close the restaurant. Glad I heard about this!

Zombie Harmony

Created by Mingle2.com (Dating for non-zombies)

Best of Baltimore Reader's Poll

That is right, the Citypaper is conducting its Best of Baltimore (BOB) Poll for 2008. So please enter in the contest and vote!

Final Film Thursday at BMA

Every so often, I like to visit the Citypaper website to see what new events and free stuff they are offering for Wednesday. This week I entered the contest for two free tickets to the Citypaper's Best of Baltimore party at the Waterfront Hotel in Fells Point. I clicked on some of the blogs and learned that the Baltimore Art Museum is having its last film series this Thursday, August 7, 2008. The movie, entitled "Together" is a Swedish indy film about communes. Never heard of it. Something that obscure, is it worth the gas? For those in town, screening starts at 8 PM. Films will keep being played at the BMA, however they will be picked by the staff.

Plantains and Impromptu Sauce!

I love to get creative with food, especially with all that I have available at home. Good Eats with Alton Brown on the Food Network heartily promotes creativity in the kitchen. I watched Wanton Ways with Alton when I couldn't sleep last night. Between that and The Plague with James Van Der Beek, Good Eats was much more captivating. All recipes on Good Eats are available on the web.

We had plantains leftover from a previous party and I decided to fry some up last night in coconut oil. Plantains require no sugar when properly ripened, so wait for them to be almost black before unpeeling. I fried them in coconut oil and drained the plantain slices on paper towels. Afterwards, I made a sauce for dipping with about 1 cup kefir, pomegranate balsamic vinegar, and cinnamon. It was pretty yummy!

Egg in a Tomato

Sometimes on the weekends, I love to get creative with my cooking. Cooking is fun and great for stress relief.

This Sunday, I decided to make egg baked tomatoes from Lisa's Kitchen.

Instead of parmesan cheese, I used up the rest of our Italian mixed cheese, although I will recommend a more strongly flavored cheese. I did push up to Broil twice to make the top a bit more crispy. I think it'd taste good with bacon draped over top the egg/cheese opening whilst in the oven next time. Also, I'll add more veggies (like onion to the egg batter).

Other unique combos for omelets:

Avocado, tomato, and sour cream
Asparagus and cream cheese
Pesto, feta, and spinach

Extended Restaurant Week

Apparently, numerous fine Baltimore Restaurants are extending their fix price menus beyond Baltimore Restaurant Week which ended on August 3rd, 2008. Please click here to read more.

I've also heard that The Oceanaire Seafood Room was continuing with the fix price menu likewise. This is a good time to note that many of these fine dining restaurants already have weekly fix price menus and specials on wines to draw in a crowd during the week. Roy's has a fix price menu for 30 dollars either on Tuesday or Wednesday. Helen's Garden of Canton and many other restaurants follow suit. Of course call to confirm the information!

Howard County HAD a Restaurant Week.

DC Restaurant Week August 11-17, 2008 here.

Aldo's in Little Italy

On Wednesday, July 30, I enjoyed an exquisite dinner with friends at Aldo's Ristorante Italiano in Little Italy in Baltimore, MD. Aldo's is one of the highest rated Zagat restaurants in Maryland. The website boasts beautiful pictures and I've always heard good things about the restaurant.

Baltimorerestweek.com posted Aldo's menu for the fix price dinner and Aldo's offered up stuffed Amish chicken with mashed potatoes, penne pasta with eggplant, seared beef tenderloin, and line caught pomfret with summer vegetables and couscous. Two desserts; a strawberry shortcake and a vanilla custard with peach sauce were offered. I decided upon the beef tenderloin on arugula encrusted in sea salt, with the ahi tuna loin as appetizer and vanilla custard for dessert. To enhance the flavors, I ordered a Cabernet for the beef. My two friends got the Amish Chicken with mashed potatoes and Chardonnay and the penne pasta with tomato sauce, roasted eggplant, softly spreadable ricotta and a Pino Grigio.

The words to describe the dinner were sublime. Aldo's considers the diner's experience to be paramount and great attention was placed on pairing flavors of vegetables, meats, seasonings, and even down to the texture of the food. The food came in slow succession, however the server made up for it with a complimentary restaurant mixed drink of limoncello with cream. The after dinner cordial was very tart and pleasing to the senses.

However the words to describe the ambiance was interesting...the dining hall was beautiful and serene with low lighting. The seating was plush. A table sitting next to us used sailor like language all evening culminating in one lady's shocked gasp. It appeared that many drinks were enjoyed. Rising from the table the loudest gentleman knocked his chair upon the ground and into his neighbor's table. As he apologized, he recognized the unfortunate diner who was victim to his flying chair.

All in all, the overall experience was pleasant and memorable.

Sky Lounge-Saturday 7/26

In a sea of t-shirts, tanks, jeans, and flip flops on a Saturday night, yes, indeed there is a lounge in Federal Hill where one may want to leave the flip flops in the car and wear nice heels. The lounge is known as Sky Lounge on 1041 Marshall Street.

Originally, we, girls, were thinking about going to Mosaic at PowerPlant, but instead we opted for Sky Lounge in Federal Hill. We arrived at Sky Lounge around 10:30 PM and stayed the whole night until close. The martini's were great, although the Oatmeal Cookie has gotten a little more spicy. Jagermeister was added to the Oatmeal Cookie martini. (Shorty's in Canton makes a great Oatmeal Cookie). The South Beach was fruity and refreshing without being too sweet or syrupy. The DJ started off with some hip hop and then ended the night with Daft Punk from late 90s. We danced a bit and it got more crowded around 11:30 or 12 midnight, but certainly more interesting. We were the most dressed up there. Flip flops, jeans and tanks somehow made it through the door.

We had a good night!

Sunday = rest.

Top 3 for Restaurant Week

Baltimore Restaurant Week is finally here, starting this fine Saturday evening and running until August 3rd. Most assuredly, the restaurants will be brimming full of diners on this twice a year treat (Restaurant Week is in the winter too). From the website, I've whittled my top 3 down to this:

George's in Mt. Vernon

Petit Louis Bistro on Roland Avenue

and Aldo's in Little Italy

George's by far had the most innovative menu from my brief research, and I've always wanted to try Aldo's and Petit Louis Bistro. I must say that I am sad to not see Kali's Court participating this year. Still the participation is good and hopefully many satisfied diners will leave truly satiated and stuffed.

Great Picture Blog

Great Picture Blog HERE

Green goes well Bigger Green

It appears that Going Green as a company will be one of the next big booms for our economy. Venture Capitalists are funding more green companies and even the Department of Energy is funding Green Entrepreneurs.

Chinese Restaurants that Serve Sushi

Over the years, I've always thought it a novelty that a Chinese restaurant would serve both Chinese cuisine and sushi. I've indulged in ordering sushi from Chinese restaurants if I needed a quick fix. In the two years, my experience has been less savory therefore I do not endorse or recommend getting sushi from a Chinese restaurant. I think the soft shell crab roll clumsily rolled in a small Perry Hall restaurant was the last straw. If you go to eat sushi...why not eat good quality sushi at a Japanese restaurant? And if you're a Chinese restaurant owner, instead of trying to gain a larger audience, why not make your dishes more innovative and healthier, or perhaps (GASP!) try serving some traditional and authentic Chinese cuisine? We live in a consumer based capitalistic society that is currently experiencing an economic downturn...therefore its up to the business owner to be even more innovative and savvy in drawing current customers back and attract new customers. And its up to the customer to choose wisely and to know one's cuisine...

My first Blogroll Add!

I've been added to a Blogroll! I feel so special and honored. Thanks guys over at Food, Wine, and Baltimore.

Check out the site. Its a great way to get to know wine and Baltimore at the same time.

K-Swift Passes Away

Wow, I just read the Aural States Blog on K-Swift passing away and I am truly stunned. I grew up listening to K-Swift on 92Q. Her bio says that she started Djing at the age of 11; I think I heard her a couple times on the station as a young preteen. I always thought she was older than me by ten years, but only learned today that she and I are close in age. And I've always meant to go to one of her sets at a club but I am unable to because of her accident (however I did go to a small party where she dj'ed). Click here to go to her tribute page.

This is truly a loss to Baltimore's music industry...

Wings Wishlist

Last week, a friend and I visited Don't Know Tavern in Baltimore to give their wings a try. It was Monday night so it was a half price cheese steak night. Don't Know Tavern, the sister bar to No Idea Tavern, is located in Federal Hill across from the Bicycle. Each night on Monday through Friday there are drink and/or food specials at either bar. Some nights feature discounted wine for the ladies. Don't Know Tavern is low lit with hard wood floors, wooden booths and calm lighting. One will find quiet elements of a sports bar; tvs quietly showing sports, men in baseball caps, a pool table and an air hockey table.

All of the usual suspects are found on the menu. I love wings and how could one not have wings with a beer? We got the Maryland and Orange Chipotle BBQ grilled over an open flame. The wings are a good quality meat and I could taste the butter on the Maryland flame. The bartender claimed that they were better fried. I loved the charred flavor that is achieved with an open flame. So if you're craving some wings and don't know where to go, head on over to Don't Know Tavern in Federal Hill!

Don't Know Tavern-Federal Hill

Jumbo Wings

Fried or grilled over an open flame, tossed in your choice of: golden buffalo, chipotle orange bbq, maryland, key west, teriyaki or honey coriander

http://dontknowtavern.com/pdfs/summer-menu.pdf

Other good places to get wings:

Mick O'Sheas-on Charles Street south of Mt. Vernon

Wings with a Pepper Buffalo Wing Sauce. About 3 bucks M-F during 4-7. Half off appetizers

Joe Squared-Near MICA

Unusual wing specials and a few good old standbys. No discounts to be known.

Mt. Washington Tavern-Mt. Washington

20 cent wings on Mondays and free wings on Tuesdays.

Name Change

Ok! So I have been pondering a makeover for my blog! My current dilemma is what should be my blog name??? I've thought to go with my namesake (some of you know what it is!! psssttttt, hint one-my AOL name) or to keep The Baltimore Babe title. Could I keep the Baltimore Babe if I indeed move out of the city? That is what I am wrestling with....

Any input???

7 weeks of Yoga for 55 Bucks

That is right, you read correctly. Starting tonight, 7/8/2008, my friend Christy is starting a seven week session of yoga for only 55 dollars in an outside setting in Fells Point. Below is more info:

YOGA CLASSES FOR EVERYONE!!!

Tuesdays, 7:30-9:30pm
7 SESSIONS: 7/8, 7/15, 7/22, 7/29, 8/5, 8/12, 8/19

OUTDOOR (HOPEFULLY) SUMMER SUNSET YOGA
in scenic Fells Point, along the waterfront. Includes social time with classmates and walking meditation. God/goddess willing, we will practice out along the gorgeous waterfront with the ducks and the sky and the billion-dollar views.
Classes will be held in our Studio if outdoors is not available on any given week.

5-7 CLASS SESSION FOR $55
WHEN YOU PRE-REGISTER OR PAY CASH BY THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS
This session is priced low with the expectation that many of you will have vacations during July and August. Classes are not sequential so your trip will not interrupt your learning with us. There is no minimum to how many sessions you can take, and if you can come to all 7, great (and only $8/class!) Jai!!

Rhythm and Blues

Wall Street Journal has promoted Roots & Rhythm in the October 20, 2003 Consumer Guide.

For rare music and blues online.

General Consensus

General Consensus says that Flip Cup is more fun than Beer Pong.

Green Happy Hour Via Common Waters

Green Happy Hour on Monday Night! via: Common Waters

Connect the Sea Dots

Some friends have been bringing to my attention the environmental impact we humans are having on our various bodies of water. This growing awareness came to a critical point on Monday night because the conversation revealed some truly daunting and scary facts I had never considered before.

A girlfriend and I had just wrapped up dinner in Canton at the Speakeasy. Dinner was very good by the way and we engaged in a conversation with a gentleman who works at Majestic Motors. We started off the conversation good-naturedly about his 14 year old son and I voiced my interest in the Green IT industry. He then shared some information that I will be sharing below:

The Pacific Garbage Patch

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch Blog

Out of Sight, Out of Mind

From the Institute For Figuring on the Garbage Patch

Ocean Conservancy Picking up Trash

Mindfully.org

Carbon Dioxide as a Solution?

Fighting Acidification

The Come Up by AZ

I got inspired while driving home Friday night listening to Strictly Hip Hop on WEAA at Morgan State University. I heard AZ mentioned and found the vid above while surfing.

I grew up listening to hip hop. At night I'd dangle over my bed and stare into space listening to 92Q as the radio station played the late night house. I am not talking about techno house. This is a different house unique to this area and one can still hear it on the weekends only on Baltimore stations. In middle school we had primarily RnB, Hip Hop and Rap dances complete with the dance trains. I'd love to watch In Living Color, especially the dance and music segments. One thing I love about the net is that I can explore and grow my knowledge of this music form. And I especially love the blogs that post tracks on occasion...

Baltimore Restaurant Week

Via Adventures in Baltimore Restaurants, I learned that Baltimore Restaurant Week is coming to Baltimore from July 26th to August 3rd!

Baltimore Restaurant Week occurs twice a year, once in July and and once in January as a way to encourage dining out at local establishments. For a reasonable price, you can try out a new restaurant. Its always best to reserve as early as you can and call the restaurant to confirm the menu.

The participation list of restaurants is already posted on the website. And below is my wish list. I'll make final cuts as menus are posted.

Georges on Mt. Vernon Square
VIN
The Black Olive
The Brass Elephant
Brasserie Tatin
Kali's Court Restaurant
Roy's Hawaiian Fusion
The Wine Market

Free MP3 of the Day

CNET.com has a Free MP3 of the day feature. Check it out!

Less Than Jake, Debbie Harry, among others are listed as giving some freebies. Its also a great way to check out new genres or experiment with new artists. Be prepared to spend some time on the site.

Battle of the MP3 Players

Read about the Battle here.

Appears that the Apple iPod has a worthy opponent...



Archos 605 WiFi VS. Apple iPod Touch

Free Music

I came across a list on Free Downloadable Music while searching through some blogs on Tumblr.

The Golden West

Rest assured, I always have an interesting time any time I decide to go to the Golden West Cafe nestled on the Avenue in Hampden. I first visited Golden West back in 2002 when it was at its original location on the fringes of the Avenue (closer to Breathe Books and Ma Petit Shoe). I had brunch there and was thoroughly impressed. In 2007/08, I've since returned to the Golden West in its much larger and noticeable location closer to Falls Road. Upon first entering, there are all sorts of knick knacks adorning the walls and shelves, and in the bathroom, record covers wallpaper the wall and personal messages are etched into the bathroom walls and doors.

Occasionally one will find a bartender who only 'fills in' and serves beer. Sometimes an odd server will check his Gmail Account on the left side of the bar. The perfect margarita is served on Tuesdays nights by a co-owner of The True Vine. On the night of the perfect margarita (which was 2 bucks, btw), I knocked over a couple figurines behind a wall across from the bar. I am reasonably sure that no one will notice for the next five to ten years. A knitter sat too enjoying her beer.

Last Friday I found myself staring into a wall that had three to five versions of the Last Supper. And if I peered up above me to the right, there were tins, boxes, paintings that had 'Golden West' somewhere on the item. I enjoyed a seasonal dish of white bean hummus with quite a spicy kick on top of shredded carrots and romaine. I was able to save half for lunch the next day. A ghost taste of garlic remained in my mouth for the next day despite brushing. I am always leery of a restaurant that prints up a page of rules in the first page of its menu, but somehow I find myself returning again and again.

Country

The breeze hastens patches of honeysuckle to my nose.
Bass and baritone of frog, bullfrog, and toad arise.
Thunder rumbles away the lightning.






The half moon is no more a sliver.

Blue Moon Cafe

On a scorching Saturday morning, we visited Blue Moon Cafe in Fells Pt. Normally, The A/C was not on inside, but the door was open to the street and an occasional breeze wafted through. Two cats roamed the floor winding their way through chairs and tangling themselves in human legs. Swimming in humidity, we approached the restaurant and waited for our table. We got there at 8:30 AM and only found a 10 minute wait. The wait usually jumps higher after 9 AM. Parking is free until 10 AM in Fells.

After we were seated, we got great strong coffee and water. The water was always refilled without any requests for more. Our order rounded out to being the Blue Moon which came with French Toast, choice of meat and 2 eggs, the Mexican egg scramble with a huge biscuit, fruit instead of home fries, and the vegetarian omelet with cheese, one pancake, and home fries.

Overall the meal was delish and the service reasonably good. I definitely would like to go back again!

Here is the info on Blue Moon Cafe:

Blue Moon Cafe
1621 Aliceanna St
Baltimore, MD 21231
(410) 522-3940

Baltimore Breakfast

I just absolutely love breakfast. It is one of the best times of day to eat and to eat splendidly of meat, bread, eggs and potatoes. Here is my list:

Tried and True:

Ashland Cafe
10810 York Rd
Cockeysville, MD 21030
410-666-3838

• Can play keno
• Great homemade biscuits and corned beef hash
• Great omelettes
• Cheap food most 9 bucks and under.
• Train on tracks that goes around ceiling
• Fast service

Morning Edition Cafe
153 N Patterson Park Ave
Baltimore, MD 21231-1667
Phone: (410) 732-5133

• Quirky homestyle setting
• Food takes long to come out
• Good omelettes
• 10 page menu
• Good prices
• Quiet

Pete's Grill
3130 Greenmount Ave
Baltimore, MD 21218
410-467-7698

• Cheap Great breakfast
• Fantastic homefries
• Great Grits-homeade
• RAPA Scrapple
• Half Hour wait, sit at bar/barstools only, no tables

Places I'd like to try:

Blue Moon Cafe
1621 Aliceanna St
Baltimore, MD 21231
(410) 522-3940

• Eclectic
• Good food
• Hour wait
• Get there before 8 AM
  

Happy Day Diner
8302 Pulaski Highway
Baltimore, MD 21237
http://www.happydaydiner.com/

• Cream Chipped Beef Omelette
• Omelette's 6-8 bucks
• Quintessential 50s Diner

Shirley's Cafe
513 W Cold Spring Lane
Baltimore, MD 21210
(410) 889-5272
http://www.missshirleys.com

• Long wait
• Gourmet Breakfast
• Breakfast prices 10-17 bucks

Orange Aviators

Someone I know from Europe has recently read some books by Hunter S. Thompson. So I have been tasked with the search and location of 'orange aviators.' Google orange aviators and Hunter S. Thompson and you'll know why.

True Americana extends beyond drug hazes and psychedelic partying, however here are some of my results in my glorious search for one small ingredient to the American pie.








Orange Aviators from Bluefly.com









A strange result from 'orange aviators'







Aviator Shooting Glasses









The Winning Result?

Mr. Crowley

On the way home from Western MD, I heard "Mr. Crowley" by Ozzy Osbourne. Originally, from just the opener alone, I thought the song was a track from in the movie, "Clockwork Orange." However I was corrected on the song's origin.

Aleister Crowley is an interesting dude who had something to do with the 'Golden Dawn.' I don't know much about him except he is a controversial figure within the new age/pagan spiritual circles and that he created a version of the Tarot known as the Thoth Deck. Crowley also consumed many drugs and kept meticulous records on his drug use. More about Crowley here.

Personally I think the main pic they use of Crowley reveals alot about how he acted and how others may/may not perceive him.

The city's on Fire!

Check this out!

A friend of mine is giving a reading this Saturday downtown....

Update: A Murmured Tale

A Murmured Tale
"Tails" from the Sea

Music/Arts - Performance
Time and Place Start Time:
Friday, May 16, 2008 at 8:00pm
Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 8:00pm

1511 Guilford Ave. (Copycat) B-500
Baltimore, MD


Fellow denizens of Charm City,

You are cordially invited to see A Murmured Tale, a musical based on Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid. It began as a pet project years ago by three talented girls from California's Bay Area and is now a full-fledged MICA senior thesis project, complete with amazing costumes, effects and the musical prowesses of brilliant cast mates (two members of Baltimore's Wham City http://www.whamcity.com/ , MICA students, Baltimore School of Art students, etc). This marks my return back to "the stage" since high school, so I would love for you all to be there. But most importantly, the girls behind it have worked their asses off and it should be a splendidly delightful time with glitter explosions, tantalizing numbers and a parade.

Two nights: May 16 & May 17 @ 8 PM

Baltimore Ink: Patterns on Bodies-Saturday, May 31st

Exhibitions
Special Event

* Baltimore Ink: Patterns on Bodies
* Tattoo Design Contest

Baltimore Ink: Patterns on Bodies

Saturday, May 31

Talk, Tattoo Runway Show & After-Party
$10 BMA Members
$20 non-Members
$15 Students with valid I.D., in person at the BMA Box Office

Tattoo Runway Show & After-Party Only
FREE to Members, by calling the BMA Box Office
$10 for non-Members

Tickets are also available at the BMA Box Office by calling 443-573-1701.

Meet nationally acclaimed tattoo artists in the flesh! This special ticketed event, presented in conjunction with the exhibition Meditations on African Art: Pattern begins with a brief introduction by the exhibition curator Karen Milbourne, linking the tradition of body art in Africa with the current fascination with tattoos. This will be followed with a talk about the state of tattoo art at 7 p.m., and a runway show and after-party featuring some of Baltimore’s most innovative ink. The evening also includes a book signing with Kip Fuller and Mitch O'Connell as well as gallery tours of the African exhibition.

Talk
7 p.m., Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Join Bob Baxter, Editor-in-Chief of Skin & Ink magazine, for a discussion on the popularity of tattoos in mainstream culture. Baxter is joined by some of the most renowned names in the tattoo world: Kip Fulbeck (Santa Barbara), Jacci Gresham (New Orleans), Mitch O’Connell (Chicago), Lyle Tuttle (San Francisco), and Zulu (Los Angeles).

Tattoo Runway Show & After-Party
8:30 p.m.
Meet Baltimore tattoo artists Jacki Randall (Charm City Tattoo), Tom and Mick Beasley (Dragon Moon Tattoo), Vinnie Myers (Little Vinnie’s Tattoos), Jim Judeikis (Saints & Sinners), Gale Watkins & Scott Clayton (Tattoo Charlie’s), and Johnny Love (Tattooed Heart). Ask the experts questions that you were always afraid to ask, show off your tattoos, or get a semi-permanent one of your own! Also attend a book signing by Kip Fulbeck and “flashmaster general” Mitch O’Connell. After-party includes a DJ and cash bar.

Anticipated sell-out! Please order your tickets early to guarantee availability.

One - Apocalyptica

Apocalyptica at the 9:30 Club

Wednesday evening, May 7th, we went to the 9:30 Club in DC NW to see Apocalyptica, a Finnish heavy metal band that jams out, rocks out, and thrashes away on four cellos and a drum. We were among the last to arrive with the music starting. I could tell it'd be a good show by watching the lead cellists play. This was my first time seeing Apocalyptica. I originally found them on Myspace. Most assuredly it was a great show! It is hard to find the right words to describe how amazing it was!

Another Google Blogger has blogged about his experience here.

NO2R2V, Gold West, and Extended $2 Margaritas

On Tuesday night, we decided to go out for a quick appetizer and drink. 'R2V' as the hipsters/scenesters say was the first choice. Upon our arrival, we were dismayed that there were only two separate seats open at the bar and there was a half hour wait for unreserved parties. Five reserved tables sat mournfully empty. Can a restaurant/bar be able to afford the luxury of holding tables and turn away paying customers?

Yes was the answer; away we scurried to Golden West Cafe on the Avenue in Hampden. We opted for the more ambient bar and learned to our surprise that it was $2 Margarita night. The owner of the True Vine (also on the Avenue) worked there Tuesday nights, providing the 70s Funk/Rock/Bo Diddley soundtrack and tasteful drinks. I proclaimed that the drinks were the best Margaritas ever! Our happy hour extended beyond the customary 8 PM. Jason's secret lay in orange juice, triple sec, lime juice, and tequila. Even the glass was rimmed with lime juice to make the salt stick. The result was a less sour drink, easier on the stomach and hid the acridness of the rail tequila. With that we ordered the Caprini Crostini, which came with a bed of mixed greens drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette, olive oil/sea salt toasted points, soft oily roasted garlic cloves, sundried tomato paste and goat cheese. Boy was it delicious!

Other than that we heard crazy stories about 60s go go dancers in Australia, the Isle of Lesbos style adventures, and possessed ex Tasmanian lesbian brunettes. I am not sure one will find that elsewhere in good ole Charm City...

A Murmured Tale: The Little Mermaid as a Musical

From a friend of mine...

Fellow denizens of Charm City,

You are cordially invited to see A Murmured Tale, a musical based on Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid (not the happy Disney version). It began as a pet project years ago by three talented girls from California's Bay Area and is now a full-fledged MICA senior thesis project, complete with amazing costumes, effects and the musical prowesses of talented cast mates (two members of Baltimore's Wham City, MICA students, Baltimore School of Art students, etc). This marks my return back to "the stage" since high school, so I would love for you all to be there. But most importantly, the girls behind it have worked their asses off and it should be a splendidly delightful time with glitter explosions, tantalizing numbers and a parade.

Save the date: May 16 and May 17

Time and location is still a bit ambiguous. It will be taking place one hour before sunset at a parking lot, so I will send out another email or facebook invites to clarify. You are welcome to invite other friends and I know I've missed some people, so feel free to spread the good word.

More Details to come...

First Time Bloggin'

This is my first official post! I tried to review two restaurants in my Local Advisor Application on Facebook, but the program wouldn't allow me to make changes. Zagat wasn't much help either so I've decided to start a blog about Baltimore! I enjoy getting out in the city and sharing inside information on Baltimore. I know the trends, underground scene, you name it....