We've Hit the Jackpot, Ladies and Gents

We now, collectively, have the recipe to Kaddo Borwani, or the Baked Pumpkin I loved so much when I went to The Helmand last month. 

Kaddo Borwani - the deliciousness in the foreground

Check out the recipe on Dining@Large!

Baltimore Beer Week, Oct 7-17th

There are some major events going on for Baltimore Beer Week, in fact, over 300!  They are taking place at local bars, restaurants and breweries - check out the website for more details!!!!http://www.bbweek.com/  and follow some of these blogs too !
http://beerinbaltimore.com/
http://beerinbaltimore.blogspot.com/

Baltimore Events and Information

It's a large post cause SO much stuff is going on in Baltimore!  Isn't that exciting :)


Sugar Loaf Crafts Festival - This weekend!

• This weekend is the Sugarloaf Crafts Festival (Oct1-3rd) at the Maryland State Fairgrounds. 250 Artisans will be there to show off their craft! You will be able to find pottery, sculpture, glass, jewelry, clothes, furniture, home accessories, and photography! But of course, lots of specialty foods sellers will be there as well!
• Admission is valid all 3 days and is $7 online or $9 for adults. Children under 12 are free. For more information, visit http://www.sugarloafcrafts.com/ or call (800) 210-9900.

Morton's Steakhouse - Morton's & Mondavi Wine Dinner, Oct 7th

• Morton’s The Steakhouse and the Mondavi families are gathering for the first time to celebrate the Mondavi family’s more than 90 years in growing and crafting wine, which will be broadcast simultaneously at Morton’s Baltimore restaurant (located at 300 S. Charles Street) and other locations throughout the United States on Thursday, October 7 at 8 p.m. (EST). Wines from the Charles Krug Winery, Continuum Estate, and Folio Wine Partners, will be paired with four courses of Morton’s cuisine, including some new menu items.
• In addition, guests at this special event have the opportunity to bid on the first-ever red wine produced by the extended Mondavi family. Called The Legendary Primat, it is a unique blend of Napa Valley grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, produced and blended by the second and third generations of the Mondavi family. All proceeds from the auction benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
• Tickets to this charity fundraiser are $175 per person, inclusive of tax and gratuity, and can be purchased by calling Morton’s at 410-547-8255 or online at www.mortons.com.

The Culinary Institute of America - Admissions Reception, Oct 20th

• The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) will be holding an Admissions reception in Baltimore on Wednesday, October 20th at 6PM. Aspiring students will have the chance to meet CIA reps and learn about the various programs offered at the school. On top of that, our very own Duff Goldman will be there to share his story about being a student!
• To learn more, contact The Culinary Institute of America at 1-800-CULINARY (285-4627) or visit www.ciachef.edu. The reception will be held at Charles Commons on the campus of The Johns Hopkins University, 3301 North Charles St.,

Baltimore Coffee and Tea

• Have you ever heard of “pour-over coffee?” Well, it’s a new product that has just been launched by Baltimore Coffee and Tea -“Any Coffee Any Time.” The product itself is pour-over coffee. Pour-over coffee is a method of brewing coffee and making it easier for patrons. The technique of pour-over coffee is an economical way to offer great tasting coffee without the hassle, since brewers do not require a plumbing connection, just plug it in, fill it with water and coffee grounds, and brew! Baltimore Coffee and Tea offers up to 120 different types of coffee! 

Phillips Seafood Restaurant - Seafood Cooking Classes

• Phillips Seafood Restaurant is offering cooking classes with Chef Arturo Paz! “Cook, Crack & Eat” are a series of seasonal seafood cooking classes that include a demonstration, some wine and a meal with the chef! Classes are $50 each, and it includes the demo, wine, lunch and a goody bag! Classes begin at 11:30, and space is limited so register early!
• Clam Bake for Two, Saturday, October 16, 2010.
• Learn how to shop for fresh seafood, select it and whip up an easy one-pot meal. Then they’ll show you how to combine it all to create a clam bake that includes a whole Maine lobster, snow crab legs, shrimp, clams, mussels, potatoes and corn on the cob.
• The Freshest Catch, Saturday, November 6, 2010.
• Salmon. Barramundi. Flounder. Mahi-mahi. It’s all so good. But how do you select it, clean it, grill it, or stuff it with crab? Enjoy lunch, wine, and discuss all the intricacies of a great meal with the chef.
• Call the restaurant to register at 410.685.6600 or visit their website.

NATIONAL COFFEE DAY

Today is National Coffee Day!!!!!!!

Why didn't I know this?  I feel like this is a day I should have marked on my calendar!
If I knew about this day I would have made myself a cup of drip coffee in the morning, a cup of French press coffee when I got to work (which I did) and a delightful frappuccino concoction for the afternoon slump.  Then I would have got home and prepared a roast with a coffee rub and then had coffee cake for dessert.

OK fine, I wouldn't have done that. 

I am still bummed that I wasn't fully prepared to celebrate the day of one of my greatest loves.

Miss Shirley's, Roland Park Part Two

Miss Shirley's is seriously THE place for breakfast or brunch in Baltimore.  It really is - you can tell by the wait and the crowd in that restaurant every.single.weekend.  The thing is, it's really really incredibly deserved.  Their menu literally has something for everyone, I know that is terribly cliche - but it's true! 

The last time I had gone to Miss Shirley's was about 2 years ago, which is NOT RIGHT.  Here is my post about that time. 

I expected to go to the restaurant and immediately order the coconut-cream stuffed french toast again, but I surprised myself and wanted something savory instead.  I settled on the Southern Slammer Sandwich ($8.99) - Fried Green Tomato, Applewood-Smoked Bacon, avocado, cheddar cheese and egg on pumpernickel. Now, for some reason I was expecting this to be healthier than it turned out to be.  Don't ask me why - it clearly said all those ingredients on the menu I read...but still, it was a bit of a surprise.  Overall the flavors were fabulous, and it was SUCH a filling sandwich, but I didn't think the pumpernickel bread really worked - it was too crispy and therefore made it feel even more fried and unhealthy.  It was tasty, but I probably wouldn't order it again.

Dan went all out and ordered The Shore Thing Omelette ($17.99) - Smoked Ham, jumbo lump crab, shrimp and swiss, dusted with old bay.  He said it was amazing, and loved the biscuit.  I still feel that $18 is a crazy amount to spend on breakfast, but understandably it's priced that way because of all the seafood. At least it was delicious!

My friends at the table also ordered their Funky Monkey Bread ($9.99) - Cinnamon-y bread/dough, with bananas, chocolate and pecans.  This looks like something I would be into, but I am really not a fan of heavily cinnamon flavored things.  However, I am in the minority, because everybody was practically writing odes to the monkey bread the entire time it was on the table.  Do you like cinnamon rolls and bananas and chocolate?  You will love this.  Trust me.  Or actually, trust my friends.

This Weekend: Baltimore Book Festival

Are you going to the Baltimore Book Festival?

The fun has already started, and will continue until Sunday!  Check out their website for more information!

There are a ton of Food Related events, so check out the Food for Thought stage to find out who will be there!!!!

When:
SEPTEMBER 24-26, 2010

FRIDAY, 12-8PM
SATURDAY, 12-8PM
SUNDAY, 12-7PM


Where:
MOUNT VERNON PLACE
600 BLOCK NORTH CHARLES STREET
BALTIMORE, MD 21201

Friday Morning Haiku

Dear Weather Makers

Please remember it is Fall

And turn off the heat

 

Seriously.  What is happening here?  It is officially Fall and I am ready to start making briskets and stews, and I don't feel right doing that when I still have short sleeves on.  This is ridiculous and needs to stop.

 

In other news, this is my 400th post ahahahahaha what a shame it had to be wasted on some lame Weather Haiku and not on something awesome (like something Harry Potter related).  Oh well, such is life my friends, such is life.

 

Actually, NO, I will not let this post be lame.  Here, please check out the new Harry Potter trailer

 

NOW THIS POST IS BEYOND AWESOMENESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

Image by Jesse Therrien

Dining Out for Life for Moveable Feast - TODAY

 

 
Today, September 23rd, go out to eat at participating restaurants and a portion of the proceeds will go to Moveable Feast, a non-profit that delivers food to homebound people living with AIDS in the Greater Baltimore area.
 
I unfortunately can't go tonight because I am singing lalalalalalala, but I hope a bunch of you have the chance to go!!

There are restaurants that are also participating for Lunch AND Dinner!

Today's Food Deals

Groupon

• $10 for $20 at MangoGrove, a Vegetarian Indian Restaurant
• Expires 12/23/10. Limit 2 per person, but 1 per visit and 1 per table.  Food purchase only.
• Holy Crap.  Sign me up for some Dosa.  Any kind.  Dosa are like huge crepes and they are filled with delicious lentils or potatoes or onions OMG they are SO GOODDDDDDDD
• $10 for $25 at Darker than Blue Cafe, for Modern Southern Cuisine
• Expires in a year.  Limit 8 per person, 1 per visit and 1 per table.  Dine-in only.
• Let's be honest.  I would walk into this restaurant, sit down at the table and immediately order my meal - I don't even need to look at the menu anymore.  All I need is the Fried Chicken Southern Platter ($18.95) - Half a chicken, fried, served with baked macaroni and cheese, candied yams and sauteed baby spinach. Done.

Eversave

• $6 for $12 at Burger Brothers, Towson
• Expires 8/31/11.  May buy multiple, but use 1 per person, per visit.
• I can't believe I've never been here, this is a TRAVESTY.  Sounds like I should pick up one of these and call it a night.  A burger-y and fries-y kind of night.

Restaurant.com

• Get $25 gift certificates for $2 when you use the Promo Code "Autumn" at the Checkout.  Promo code expires 9/26/10

Roy's

• 3 course Prix Fixe Fall menu for $35.95pp
• If you love Restaurant Week prices, you may love this Prix Fixe price offered by Roy's.  I'd start with the Kabocha Salad, followed by Beef Short Ribs (of course, man I am so predictable) and then the Pumpkin and Ginger cheesecake for a real taste of Fall flavors.

2010 Maryland's Governor's Cup Competition

To go along with my Morning Haiku, another reason to check out the Wine Festival this weekend is to try some wineries that got top honors at the Maryland Governor's Cup Competition on August 15th. 

Also, as an aside.....I can't be the only one who thinks of Harry Potter everytime I read the word Basilisk, right?  I am deathly afraid of snakes, but for some reason I want to go to Serpent Ridge Vineyard for the SOLE reason of trying the Basilisk BECAUSE it reminds me of HP. 

That makes me officially nutty, doesn't it? 

I should open my very own Harry Potter Themed Vineyard.  OMG that would be AWESOME.  I could call it Gryffindor's Grapes or something like that. Let's think of some awesome names for Harry Potter wines. 

Ron's Red?  That's lame. 

Voldemort's Viognier?  Noooooo, blah!  I am not being creative enough!

Oh yea, back to the Governor's Cup........ :)

Here are the big winners:

Governor’s Cup Award Winner–Best in Show!
Fiore Winery • Sangiovese 2007

Best of Class Awards
Best Red: Fiore Winery • Sangiovese 2007
Best Rosé: Knob Hall Winery • Rosé Reserve
Best Red Blend: Serpent Ridge Vineyard • Basilisk 2008  (!!!!!)
Best Off-Dry: St. Michaels White • 2009
Best Fruit: Fiore Winery • Apple-luscious

Gold Medalists
Black Ankle Vineyards • Crumbling Rock 2008
Black Ankle Vineyards • Rolling Hills 2008
Cygnus Wine Cellars • Blanc de Blanc 2008
Dove Valley Winery • Gold 2008
Fiore Winery • Apple-lucious
Fiore Winery • Sangiovese 2007
Knob Hall Winery • Chambourcin 2009
Knob Hall Winery • Rosé Reserve 2009
Knob Hall Winery • Semi-dry Rosé 2009
Little Ashby Vineyards • Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Little Ashby Vineyards • Super Talbot 2007
Serpent Ridge Vineyard • Basilisk 2008
St. Michaels Winery • "Martha" Chambourcin 2008
St. Michaels Winery • St. Michaels White 2009
Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • EVOE! 2007