BIC Food Enthusiast Classes - Last Minute Gift!

Still looking for a gift?  How about a gift certificate towards a Cooking Class!!!

Remember I told you about Baltimore International College's new Food Enthusiast cooking classes?  Well, they have their Spring Catalog up for all those interested in some more fabulous sessions!

Some awesome classes to consider:


Cooking Classes

• Valentine's Day Dinner for Two/Aphrodisiac Foods $80
• Ooh la la!  Get one for you AND your sweetie to make a fun date!
• Prepare Greek Favorites $80
• Learn to prepare foods such as Souvlakia!!!! baklava!!!!! cheese pie triangles!!!!!!!!
• Easter Brunch/Easter Baskets $60
• Prepare treats to fill your Easter basket, and also learn a great meal for your Easter brunch!

Cooking Demonstrations

• Cheese Tasting $60
• You try cheese AND drink wine.  YES. PLEASE.  IMMEDIATELY.
• Food and Beer Pairing $60
• Same a variety of food and beer combos!  Nice!!

Information

All classes are located at:
Culinary Arts Center
210 S. Central Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21202
 
Cost:
Most classes are $60, but some are $80.  Check the Course Catalog.
 
Register Online:
Click the Catalog tab and browse through until you find a class you would like.
Select the class and click "Purchase".
If you are finished shopping, proceed to "Checkout".
Enter your contact information and continue to the next step.
Finally, enter your payment information.

Register by Mail or Fax:
Download the PDF of the Food Enthusiast Classes.
Download the Registration Form.
Choose the class or classes you would like to take.
Fill out the registration form and either mail it to:
Baltimore International College, Department of Continuing Education
17 Commerce Street
Baltimore, MD 21202-3230

OR Fax it to:
410-752-4876

CHEWPONS Deals

Here are a couple of Baltimore County food deals that I've seen on Chewpons - a new coupon website in town.  I haven't been to either place, have you?

• $6 for $12 at Martha and Mary's in Reisterstown
• Martha and Mary's
  75 Main St, Reisterstown, MD 21136
  410-833-3336
• From the looks of their menu, this place is all about reasonably priced comfort food - pancakes, burgers, subs etc.
• Fine details: Limit 1 per visit and 5pp for purchase

• $8 for $16 at Lil' Tony's in Cockeysville
• Lil Tony's
  10540 York Road, Ste 104-105, Cockeysville, MD 21030
  410-666-8669
• Their menu is surprisingly large - wow!  All sorts of Italian food listed.
• This is a BYOB restaurant with no corking fee
• Fine details: Limit 1 per visit and 6pp for purchase
  

Friday Morning Haiku AND HOT CHOCOLATE RECIPE!

All I want to do

Is sit and watch the snow fall

With some hot cocoa

I mean, seriously, does anyone want to do anything else?

This year I decided that I wanted to learn how to make the best hot chocolate at home.  Last year, my quest was to find which restaurant/cafe made the best hot chocolate (see here), but anytime it snowed I stayed inside my house, which was a bit problematic for my quest.

 I decided to first try the recipe on the box of my Hershey's cocoa powder, and I really like it, though I did tweak it a bit for my taste.  My ideal hot chocolate is made with milk and isn't too sweet. 

Hershey's Hot Cocoa

Adapted from here

Ingredients:

1 tbl sugar

2 tbl of cocoa powder

dash salt

1 cup milk

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

mini marshmallows (optional)

Directions:

Add cocoa powder, salt and sugar to your mug.  In another container, heat milk in the microwave (I do it for about 2 mins).  Add a little bit of the hot milk to your cocoa concoction to form a smooth liquid and get out all the lumps, then add the rest of the milk and give it a good stir.  Add the vanilla extract.  At this point, if you have a milk frother, these are fun to use for some added creaminess/foaminess!  Add a handful of mini marshmallows on top and start sipping away!

Clementine Cake = Fail

I love baking.  I love the way the house smells when something's in the oven.  I love mixing the bowl.  I love using my spatula (I LOOOOVE spatulas!).  

I hate when things I bake and spend SO much time on = bitter and GROSS and inedible!

And that's what happened with Nigella Lawson's (Gluten-free) Clementine Cake.  I had sooo many clementines left over, so I was excited to use them all.  Literally.  The entire clementine goes into the cake, pith and all.  Unfortunately, the clementines I used were overripe to say the leaset and so my cake turned out extremely bitter.  It just goes to show, you get what you put into something.

Oh well, perhaps I'll make it another time with better clementines.

Has anyone ever made this cake?  It seems to be pretty popular on the blogosphere.  Do you have any awful baking FAIL stories?  Please make me feel better! :)



Image by Kasey Albano

Groupon: $15 for $30 at Cazbar

I had to grab the Groupon for Cazbar so that I could re-live the deliciousness of the gyro and fries all over again.  Soooooooooooo good!

Fine details: Expires June 15, 2011.  Limit 3 coupons per person.  Limit 1 per table. Dine-in only.

Get cozy with a discounted coffee!

It is BRUTALLY cold outside!

Warm yourself up with any medium hot drink for just $2 at Caribou Coffee.  Go here for the coupon and either print it out or show it on your mobile phone.  You can also use the coupon to get a large drink for $3.

Friday Morning Haiku

It's been a while, folks

Sorry I've been so quiet

I've been relaxing!

Goodmorning, all!

Well, I've had a great couple of weeks - I had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and then Dan and I jetted off to San Diego for a wonderful vacation!  The picture above is from Torrey Pines, a gorgeous state reserve park where we hiked around one day (though I cannot take credit for that lovely photo).  

I've missed you all, but I did need some time away for a bit, but now I should be back in action!  Look out for a banana bread and peppermint bark recipe to help you with all your holiday baking!

Hope everyone is well!!!!!!!!!!!

Yay!

I passed my exam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I am beyond excited, and inside I am jumping for joy!  In reality though, I really just want to sleep for a good two days and then catch up on my magazine reading.  Oh Thanksgiving break is going to be soooooo glorious :)

Oh yes, and I made my cornbread stuffing for this past weekend, but I never took a picture because I was in a HUGE RUSH.  This is the recipe I base it on, but as you can see, the directions aren't actually too helpful.  Last year, when I made this for Christmas, I made a box of Trader Joe's cornbread to use as the base and I ended up needing to triple the amount of liquid.
It.  Was. Amazing.
This time I went to the grocery store and bought pre-made corn muffins, but even then I needed to add more liquid.  Either way, I need to write down some sort of recipe to use, because I love the combination.  I think using cornbread vs. corn muffins is a good idea because it's a little less sweet.

As for my homemade cranberry sauce, I use this recipe, which is the easiest recipe of all time!  It might be a nice with a bit of orange zest in there?

Anyway, have a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving - and enjoy your day(s) off!

- Nakiya

Friday Morning Haiku

Finished your menu
Created your tablescape*
Come on Thanksgiving!!

So what is everyone's plan for Thanksgiving?  Are you hosting?  Are you making your special dish, and if so - what is it?  

My friends and I are having our own Thanksgiving this Sunday and I am making cornbread and caramelized onion stuffing and some homemade cranberry sauce.  I will post the recipes this weekend after I make them.

Thankfully, I am not hosting actual Thanksgiving, otherwise I would have gone officially insane.  I am taking a big exam** on Tuesday (which is why I've hardly been posting - I've been studying!) so I really REALLY can't wait to just RELAX.  I am planning on watching all of the earlier Harry Potter movies and then going to see the new one (!).  I am also going to decorate my house (YAYAYAYA!) and maybe paint?  Or perhaps I will just play Lego Harry Potter on XBOX instead.  Either way, it's going to be a glorious break! :)

I hope everyone has a wonderful break and a lovely Thanksgiving - safe travels!



*My small ode to Sandra Lee, first crazy lady of New York and cookbooks

** A professional licensing exam that I actually should have taken right after I received my Master's Degree 4 YEARS AGO.  Needless to say I've had to re-learn and re-memorize concepts I haven't even thought about in 4 years.  It's been rough. 

Thanks, Martha!

Or, should I say Sirius?

Sirius and Martha Stewart are offering a FREE download of her 2010 Martha Living Thanksgiving Recipes.  It's a 63 page pdf with gorgeous photography and yummy recipes for your Thanksgiving meal!

Inside you will find recipes for:
Soups and Starters
Turkey/Entrees
Sides and Salads
Desserts
Cocktails

You should check it out!

I annoy myself sometimes

I have a really annoying habit.  I am trying to control it, and every once in a while I do, but then for weeks on end I go back to it.

My habit? I buy my morning coffee.  

What is wrong with me?  I have a perfectly awesome coffee machine at my house....and yet I still manage to find myself in line at Dunkin Donuts.  They know me so well now that they hand me my order as soon as I walk up to the counter.  This has just GOT TO STOP.  Sure, it's less than $2 a day, but compared to what it costs when I buy my own coffee beans...that is RIDICULOUS.

Maybe by declaring my habit to the world, it will be the impetus I need to stop  :)

And since we're (well, I'm) getting it all out there, I am also really annoyed that I kept hitting snooze for about an hour this morning and didn't wake up to work out because I felt "too tired."  Of course I was too tired!  It's the morning!  I am tired whether it's 5am or 8am and whether I get 5 hours of sleep or 10 hours!  BLAH.

Do you have any annoying habits that you wish you could break?  Spill the (coffee) beans!

NON FOOD RELATED, BUT HARRY POTTER RELATED

OMG

SHORT OF GOING TO UNIVERSAL STUDIOS, THIS SOUNDS LIKE THE BEST WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY.

I JUST GOT THIS PRESS RELEASE, I AM TOO EXCITED TO EDIT IT, SO YOU WILL GET IT ALL IN FULL.

MARYLAND SCIENCE CENTER, I WILL LOVE YOU NOW AND FOREVER.


The Maryland Science Center's Harry Potter Day celebration is this Saturday, November 20th as we kick off the opening weekend of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in the IMAX Theater.

Join the fun from Noon until 4pm as you explore a day in the life at Hogwarts. Attend potions and herbology classes, explore the night sky over Hogwarts in the Davis Planetarium, take your turn at the sorting hat to see which house you'll be joining and make your own crest to take with you.  Follow the marauder's map on a hunt throughout the Science Center to find horcruxes hidden around the building.

Of course, the day isn't complete without seeing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in the IMAX Theater.  Show times are at 11am, 2pm, 5pm and 8pm on Saturday—advance sales available online and at the box office.

So grab your wand and your cloak and get to Platform 9 3/4 for a trip to the Maryland Science Center's Harry Potter Day this Saturday.

All activities free with paid admission—free for members.  IMAX Theater admission requires and additional ticket.

Yum, I loooove Pie!

Today's Groupon almost made me perk up without my morning coffee on this gray day.  Half off a pie from Puffs and Pastries ($15 for $30)?  Where do I sign up.

Don't you just love the name of that place?  Puffs and Pastries.  Love it.

Important Details: Expires May 17, 2011.  Limit 1 per person, but may buy 2 additional; as gifts.  Must order your pie by phone at least 24-hours in advance.

I am already imagining the rush of people flocking to pick up a pie for Thanksgiving or Christmas, it's just one less thing to worry about :)

Friday Morning Haiku

Today is the last day

To vote for the Sun's Mobbies

Thanks for your support!

Well, we are finally at the last day of voting.  I thought the voting process was WAY too drawn out and long, which is why I hardly asked you to vote for me (unless you were my friend, and then I bugged you every day hahahaha).  Even so, if you did vote - thank you so much, I really appreciate it.  I am honored that people read my blog about all my random food chatter, and I don't need to win an award to feel that way.  

I know I've haven't been so active lately, but I've got a lot of stuff going on right now that should be finished before Thanksgiving. Until then, I may be a little scatterbrained/non-existent.  

Thanks for your patience!

Recipe: Homemade Clif Nectar Bar

Back when I used to think Clif Bars were delicious treats rather than exercise fuel, I loved the one and only Dark Chocolate and Walnut Nectar Bar. 

But then all of a sudden I couldn't find them ANYWHERE, so I became super sad :( Then one day I found a recipe for it and FINALLY made it!!!!!

Homemade Clif Nectar Bar
Adapted from here
20 dates (any kind), pitted
1/2 cup walnuts
2oz semi sweet chocolate chips
2.5tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions
1. Put walnuts in food processor and pulverize into small pieces.
2. Add the dates with the walnuts in the food processor, and combine until there are tiny pieces (remember, you don't want a paste, just crumbles)
3. Melt the chocolate in the microwave (or double boiler if you want to get fancy)
4. Add melted chocolate, cocoa and vanilla to the processor and blend
5. At this point, the mixture should be crumbly, but should stick together in a smooth ball
6. Put mixture into 8x8 brownie pan (no need to grease) and use your hands to press it down. 
7. Dust with cocoa powder to make it less sticky
8. Bake at 300 degrees for about 12 minutes
9.  Cool them in the pan and then cut them into pieces.

Very crumbly, and yes, it was very hard to take a pretty picture of this hahaha

Overall, it's reallllllllllllly yummy.  If you melted a Fruit and Nut Chocolate Bar and then crumbled it into pieces, it would taste like this. 

Debriefing:
I think they tasted much better the morning after, especially after working out. (Yes, that's right I am actually waking up early to work out, go me!) But this recipe definitely needs to be amended to avoid the crumbles.  I am assuming they would come out better if they were baked in a much smaller pan, so that it isn't such a thin layer.  Or perhaps they would be better if I rolled them into little balls?  Or perhaps the ingredients need to be adjusted.  The original recipe called for 20 dates, but all dates are not created equal - mine were especially small....so that could be another reason. 

Either way, these may not be pretty, but they are DARN tasty if you want a healthy (and super quick) treat, so I don't mind testing and re-testing :)  And even though this is somewhat of an imperfect recipe (the taste is great, the presentation not so much), I still wanted to share it because I thought maybe some of you expert Chefs out there can help me tweak it to achieve the perfect result!

Friday Morning Haiku

Remember to set

Your clocks back before bedtime

Yay for morning light!

Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend a lecture by Tony Foreman, restaurateur extraordinaire in Baltimore, along with his wife, Chef Cindy Wolf.  They own Pazo, Charleston, Cinghiale, Petit Louis, Bin 604 and Bin 201.  That is A LOT of stuff to take care of, but he seems to thrive on being busy.  It was so interesting to hear him talk about his early life and the business of owning a restaurant.  

One thing that really stood out to me was his emphasis on treating customers well.  He is aware that his restaurants, most notably, Charleston, are expensive, so he believes that the staff should treat the guests like they are pleased they are there.  I actually agree that when Dan and I went to Petit Louis, our waiter did exactly that. 

Anyway, now I am VERY intrigued about going to Charleston, but we'll have to save up for a couple of months for that treat.  Has anyone been there - what do you think about it?  Any comments about Foreman and Wolf's other restaurants?

APPLE BUTTER IS SO GOOD

I have good intentions, I really do!  I was planning on spending a whole weekend making apple butter from scratch and smelling those amazing aromas waft through my house.

But when I went to Weber's Farm to get the apples and cider, I came across their own homemade Apple Butter for $2.99.  I immediately put back my 10 apples (which were $1.99/lb) and my $3.29 1/2 gallon jug of apple cider and went on my merry way, after paying of course :)

Oh, and that apple butter is GOOD! 

I've added a big heaping spoonful (or two) to cottage cheese
I've had it on toast
I've used it to make apple butter whole wheat bread
I've even spread it on my apple butter whole wheat bread!!!!

Suffice it to say, that was $3 well spent.

Have you voted yet?

.......for me in the Mobbies 2010 under Best Food Blog?

ahahaha, see what I did there?

No, but seriously - I hope you voted or are planning to vote in the real election, and if you are so inclined, perhaps you could be so kind as to vote for me in the Baltimore Sun's 2010 Mobbies (Maryland's Outstanding Blogs).  

I was nominated (THANK YOU!) in the Foodie category with 39 other blogs!  WOW!  I am so excited we have so many food blogs!  I better start adding them to my blogroll!

Voting is open from today until November 12th at 5pm and you can vote once per day. Here is the link to vote!

Thanks again!!!!! :)

Friday Morning Haiku

Buckets of candy...

For you, or trick or treaters?

Happy Halloween!!!!

So what's the plan for Halloween this weekend?  Doing anything fun? Wearing any fun costumes? I am not creative at ALL when it comes to Halloween costumes, and this year is no exception.  I am going to a friend's party tonight and I am going as "Couch to 5K"  AKA I will be wearing sweatpants and then a running shirt and sneakers.  AHAHAHAHAHA.  Basically I am going to be the most comfortable person EVER in the history of parties. 

Oh well, to be honest, I don't care too much about Halloween, I merely like it because it represents the start of THE MOST AWESOME TIME OF THE YEAR - WINTER FESTIVITIES.  Thanksgiving!  Christmas cookies and parties and presents and treats and decorations and trees and ornaments and snow and snowmen and more cookies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK.  I am getting carried away. 

Graul's Cafe, Timonium

 California Tuna Sandwich

If you're a 9-5er like me, it's a weird feeling to be off during the week, isn't it?  I had an appointment in the morning so I decided to take off half a day and do some errands before going back to work.  I was expecting everywhere to be really quiet, but so many people were wandering around Target and the bank and Home Depot (these were very important errands!) with me.  Anyway, I started daydreaming about the places I would eat if I worked from home - Andy Nelson's?  Wegman's?  A weekly splurge at Bluestone? Or maybe I would just grab a quick bite at somewhere convenient like the newly remodeled Graul's Cafe. 

I had been in before and tried the Low Fat Breakfast Special ($3.99) - Scrambled egg whites, hot fresh turkey breast, low-fat swiss cheese melted on either a bagel or English Muffin.  I chose the English Muffin.  For being a low fat breakfast, this was surprisingly good and filling.  I would definitely order it again.

This time I was going for lunch, so I debated between a burger made with Roseda beef or some tuna.  Tuna won.  Tuna ALWAYS wins in my world.  I chose the California Tuna Sandwich ($6.99) - All white tuna (and dolphin safe!) with guacamole, bean sprouts, sun-dried tomatoes and sunflower seeds on health bread.  OK, so the sun-dried tomatoes were actually a paste and the bean sprouts were actually alfalfa sprouts and the sunflower seeds were part of the health bread.  Now that we've cleared that up, it's also important to note that this IS a mayo-based tuna salad, which at first I wasn't sure of when I read the description.  It's a good sandwich, nothing too exciting, which is a shame because I thought it would have been.  The guacamole was hardly noticeable, unfortunately.  The bread was hearty and a bit tough, which was good because it help up to the creamy filling.  The homemade chips and pickle was nice as well. 

I am sure I will go again considering this place is so close to me, besides, their sandwich selection beckons me.  Next time I'll go with my first instinct and get a burger - either a Roseda burger or a Gunpowder bison burger.  Or I'll try their chicken salad sandwich, which they call Baltimore's Best Chicken Salad Sandwich.  Now that is quite a statement right there.  I should have taken them up on that challenge. 

Friday Morning Haiku

 

You know I love food,

And love trying new places

But I hate judging

So, I'm not sure if you noticed or not, but I had a pretty rudimentary way of labeling the restaurants I've reviewed:  
Not Worth it
OK
Good
Delicious

Yesterday I decided to do away with the first 3 labels.  I didn't feel right judging a place based on usually one visit; it didn't seem fair.  Sure, I may have a bad experience and I will write that in my review, but I don't like the idea of labeling a restaurant as bad just because of that.  I don't have enough food or restaurant knowledge to say whether some place isn't worth it or not. 

I still kept the Delicious label though, because I like that it's more positive.  But either way, I just like to review places - I want to give my opinion and hear yours!


So anyway, I'm going to try and find another way to list the places I've been to.  I'll probably create a page that lists all the restaurants alphabetically based on either the location or cuisine.  Which one would be better/most useful?

 

Joe Squared, Station North (Baltimore City)

 

 Chicken, Corn and "Apple" Pizza

After all the hoopla I’ve heard about Joe Squared, I expected my life to change upon the first bite of the coal-fired pizza.  It didn’t happen.  I’m not sure it could have since my pizza was so lacking in…..flavor and deliciousness :o/

I decided to go for something fun and chose the Chicken, Corn and Apple Pizza (10 inch for $15) but instead I received some forgettable chicken, some corn, cheese, a very spicy tomato sauce, SO MANY onions and, oh yea, a few tiny diced pieces of granny smith apples in one corner of the pizza.  No, this is not what I was expecting, Joe Squared, when you told me there would be apple on my pizza.  I am in FALL mode now – I want apples everywhere and in everything, so don’t insult me with tiny diced pieces (in one corner, no less!) when I dream of big ol’ slices of apple all over my pizza. 

Other Observations:

- The 10inch pizza was definitely a good size for one person.  

- They have a HUGE risotto selection, which is something you don't see very often.  I had a taste of the bacon and apple risotto and all I tasted was salt and (surprise, surprise) no apple. But it was still very comforting, and if you're not a fan of pizza, I would suggest getting a small risotto and a small salad.

- This isn't a very pretty place, definitely a bar type feel to it, but a surprising number of the patrons on a weekday evening were older. I am assuming the young crowd comes later at night.

- They have a huge bar list, and a TON of rum.

- Their desserts are from Puffs and Pastries

So in conclusion, perhaps I ordered wrong, or perhaps my pizza would have been flavorful had they actually served what I wanted, but nevertheless what I was served was boring.  If someone wanted to meet me there for some food, I would say yes and definitely choose another type of pizza from the menu, but I probably won’t suggest it myself.  For that type of money and for the amount of praise Joe Squared has received, I expected a little more.

Are My Dreams Coming True?

Remember I told you that I loved the Chocolatea Cafe and Tea Room because it combined my two favorite things, Chocolate and Tea?

Well...I may have found something even more amazing.

THIS:

(Organic) Chocolate bars infused with tea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here are the different kinds:

White Chocolate with Chamomile and Honey - Not a white chocolate OR chamomile fan, but I could imagine this would be appealing to others
Milk Chocolate with Bedouin's Mint - Chocolate and mint, always a good combo

Milk Chocolate with Honeybush Caramel - This would be interesting...although I wonder if I would miss the actual caramel
Milk Chocolate with Jasmine Tea and Tangerine Orange - I would totally try this just because I am intrigued.
Milk Chocolate with Black Masala Chai - I would DESTROY these.  I kinda wish it was dark chocolate though.
Dark Chocolate with Mate and Cacao Nibs - Mmmmm I love cacao nibs. I bet this would be really smoky because of the Mate.
Dark Chocolate with Raspberry Rooibos - Eh...not as excited for this one.

Dark Chocolate with Green Earl Grey Tea - I don't know how I feel about green tea + chocolate, but why not.

You can buy them here for $3.85 per bar.  That seems a little high considering you will have to pay for shipping...I'll probably hold out and see if I can find them at Wegman's or some other specialty grocery store.

What do you think?  Do these appeal to you at all, or am I an anomaly?

Thanks to The Kitchn for the tip!

Weekly Events Post

 Here it is - the weekly events post!

Living Social

$15 for $30 at Sticky Rice

• Based on their menu, I can tell this place doesn't take itself too seriously, which for some reason is really appealing to me.  Besides the regular sushi/sashimi items, I would love to try many other things from the menu.  They also have a large amount of vegetarian selections.
• Expires on 04/21/11. Limit 2 per person, additional as gifts. Limit 1 per table per visit. Dine-in only.

Groupon

$10 for $20 at Fazzini's Italian Kitchen

•  I've never been here, but I've heard their lasagna is fantastic!
• Expires in 1 year. Limit 3 per person. Limit 1 per table, per visit. Not valid for delivery. 

Fleming's

Women and Wine Dinner

• WHAT: To honor National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Fleming's is hosting a special wine dinner. 
• WHEN: This Friday, October 22nd
• HOW MUCH: $95per person, excluding tax and gratuity
• WHERE: Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, 720 Aliceanna Street, Baltimore
  
• MENU:
• Passed Hors d'oeuvres
  Swiss Cheese Puffs
  House Cured Salmon, Citrus Crème Fraîche, Crispy Wonton
  CORISON, Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, 2000
• Appetizer
  Butternut Squash Bisque with Danish Blue Cheese Fondue
  Bacon Herb Bruschetta
  HONIG, Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, 2006/2007
• Entrée
  Rosemary-Scented Lamb Chops, Parmesan Risotto, Maple Roasted Parsnips, Red Wine Demi-Glace
  FRANCISCAN, Magnificat Napa Valley, 2005/2006
• Dessert
  Caramel Pudding with English Toffee, Shortbread Cookies
  Coffee and Tea

Potbelly, Inner Harbor

There’s something comforting about consistent food, which is why I probably eat so often at Chipotle - because I know what I’m going to get. So even though I know there are plenty of local places around me that has chicken salad sandwiches, I was still in the mood for a Potbelly sandwich.  It’s good, it’s consistent, it has chunks of chicken, the bread is warm, and I like it.  Do I need another reason to go there?   

Well, their chocolate chip oatmeal cookies are hard to resist. And when you pair that with some of their ice cream for a gigantic chocolate chip ice cream sandwich - well, it may be hard to go back to work/class. Just warning you :)

Kathmandu Kitchen, Towson

Lamb Momo

Recently I went to Kathmandu Kitchen in Towson for some Indian/Nepalese food, and I was not disappointed!  Not only is this place a BYOB establishment, but it has fantastic service and just wonderful food.  If you've never tried Nepalese food before - definitely give this place a try!  If you like Indian food - you'll love this too!

For an appetizer, we chose the Lamb Momo ($9.95) - Minced lamb with onion, garlic and Himalayan spices wrapped in dough and steamed. Yes, it’s basically a lamb dumpling and it’s YUMMY.  I didn’t really think it tasted anything different from what you find in an Asian restaurant, but I still loved it all the same and glad we ordered it to try.

Shirmp Biryani

Dan excitedly ordered the Shrimp Biryani ($14.50) – Basmati rice cooked with pieces of shrimp, nuts and Nepalese spices.  The Biryani was AWESOME. Probably the best I’ve tried at a restaurant (not the best in the world, that would be my grandmother’s/mother’s version).  This was spiced really well, and I loved the sweetness that came through with the raisins.  I really can’t say anything bad about this dish – if you are new to Indian/Nepalese cooking and you love rice, this is a great first dish to try!  I would suggest, however, to actually order the Raja Biryani ($14.50) instead, because for the same price you get Chicken AND Shrimp, and I think Lamb as well. 

Khasi Ko Masu

I ordered the Khasi Ko Masu ($13.95) – Goat meat cooked with tomatoes, green onion, cilantro, ginger and garlic, a House Speciality.  This reminded me of Rogan Josh a LOT….so I am curious as to try their version of that.  It was a mild tomato sauce (I asked for it that way), with yummy chunks of goat meat.

Just for fun, our table ordered some Chicken Vindaloo ($12.55) and we asked the waitress to make it “as hot as possible.”  It was actually VERY tasty, but definitely not as hot as they could have made it.  Now I can say that I’ve tried it!

What a lovely dinner I had with great food, good friends and some yummy wine as well!!!!  I would absolutely come back again.  They have a lunch buffet on the weekdays ($7.95) and the weekends ($8.95) that would be fun to come to, but I would definitely come back for a laid back dinner as well.  This place is great, I am so glad we went!!!!

Groupon Mania

I just went Groupon crazy this morning!!!!

Bo Brooks
Right now at Groupon, the deal is $25 for $50 at Bo Brooks. Bo Brooks, a seafood restaurant in Canton, is one of Dan's favorite restaurants, so of course I had to pick one up immediately.  He usually loves getting the crabs from there, but I am excited about eating something else. The Seafood Pot Pie ($15) - Shrimp, calamari, oysters, mussels and crabmeat tossed in a light creamy vegetable sauce, topped with an airy, puffed-pastry shell  is really calling out to me - it's sounds like a great dish for the Fall/Winter.
Fine print: It expires 04/18/2011, limit 1 per table and it's not valid for happy hour.



Cleopatra!!!!!!!
Additionally, I snagged Dan and I two $16 tickets to the Cleopatra Exhibit at the Franklin Institute in Philly. Not only does the ticket get you into the Franklin Institute and allow you to see the awesome Cleopatra related artifacts, but you can also go to the Planetarium!!!!!!!!!!!  I LLLLLOOOOOOOVE Planetariums, and I am also a little overly obsessed with Cleopatra.  Also, let's be honest, Dan knows that a trip to Philly = cheesesteak, so he's excited :)
Fine print: Expires 12/23/2010.  Redeemable starting 10/18. Valid only Mon-Wed 9:30am-3:30pm, Thurs-Sun 9:30am-4:30pm. Not valid 11/26-28, or 12/23. Fels Planetarium admission included.

Friday Morning Haiku

You have trained for months

Race day is finally here

Good luck, you'll do great!

The Baltimore Running Festival is finally here!  I am so sad that I didn't sign up for anything, as it's really becoming a big deal here in Baltimore, which is great!

So are you running?  I know that Beth is running the 5K and Jen is running the Marathon!  Good luck to you both!!!!!!!!!!!

And, because this is a food blog - what are your pre-race dinners?  Are you making pasta at home or going out for your carbo-loading?  The last time I did a half marathon I ate chipotle for lunch and then went out and had a huge spaghetti and meatball dinner AHAHAHAHA.  I may have overdone it a bit :)

GOOD LUCK TO ALL YOU RUNNERS!!!!!!!!!! 

Monday Pasta Nights at Pazza Luna Trattoria

 

Did you hear about Pasta Night at Pazza Luna Trattoria?  Well, every Monday evening from 5:30pm and on, they are offering each table 3 bowls of pastas with house made sauces (vegetarian, meat and seafood) and a salad bowl.  This is just $15 for adults and $8 for children (12 years or younger).  They also offer a good selection of wines for $20/bottle.  Oh and the best part?  Free refills on the pasta and salad :) But of course, if you want something extra, they are offering an appetizer menu to choose a la carte.

YUM!

Have you ever been to Pazza Luna?  I’ve heard really yummy things about their food.  I have to make it down sometime!

Pazza Luna Trattoria Italiano

1401 E. Clement Street

Baltimore, MD 21230

410.962.1212 – reservations are suggested