Dishin' With Downtown Diane
Hard to believe it's June already!
SO many new restaurants have opened or are opening.
We dined at the new PABU at Four Seasons Harbor East last week. It was excellent and very innovative. I loved the Sake selection; they even have their own Sake Sommelier. There are many imaginative cocktails, as well. Be sure to ask for suggestions, we did and were pleasantly surprised at how amazing they all were.
The atmosphere is lovely and the bar is beautiful. The Japanese-izakaya style of dining allows for easy sharing of plates, and there are so many options you will want to do so. I loved the Maryland Crab Okonomiyaki, topped with a fried egg. I could devour this daily. Happy Spoon will not only making you happy eating it, it's presentation was very inviting. Fire-Roasted Edamame is the perfect accompaniment to your meal.
The Chicken Meatballs were great to share and the appetizer Izakaya was as well. Be sure to share some of the fresh Sushi & Sashimi, although you may want it all to yourself. Do not miss the house made Sesame Ice Cream for dessert... heavenly. Service was to perfection and the creative food was so memorable. We can not wait to return to this new gem in the heart of Harbor East. http://michaelmina.net/restaurants/locations/pabu.php
Bravo's Top Chef Mike Isabella Opens New Bandolero in Georgetown
(Pictured w/ Next Food Network contestant Malcolm Mitchell & Top Chefs Mike Isabella & Jen Carroll)
I was invited to my friend TOP CHEF Mike Isabella's VIP opening this week. Spotted some other Bravo Top Chefs in attendance & Next Food Network Star from this season Malcolm Mitchell.
Bandolero serves some delizioso Mexican fare from the housemade guacamole to the taquitos and tacos, including mahi mahi, octopus, lobster & suckling pig.
Creative cocktails include tasty margaritas and libations such as City of Gold and Jesus Malverde.
Check out the menu and next time you are in D.C. Treat yourself to this newest addition...Ole'! http://bandolerodc.com/
Enjoyed Lunch w/ Monster Truck Drivers
MONSTER JAM THIS SATURDAY M&T Stadium
A fun group of us enjoyed a visit and lunch with some of the Monster Truck drivers at City Cafe last week. We chatted with drivers of Grinder, Spider-Man, Mohawk Warrior & Iron Man. They will be in town this Saturday Baltimore. Here's all the details! http://www.monsterjam.com/Events/2012/06/02/Baltimore,_MD/
Gordon Ramsay Back at Cafe Hon
Ramsay returned for a follow-up visit at Cafe Hon this week. I snapped him filming outside the restaurant.
WHAT'S HOT?
Great Grapes! Wine Fest
June 2 & 3 Noon-6 p.m.
Oregon Ridge Hunt Valley
Sample Maryland wines* Enjoy demos*Live music* Arts vendors* Food *Specialty pavilions
Visit www.UncorkTheFun.com for tickets and schedule of events.
Lardarius Webb Charity Softball Game
June 3
Ripken Stadium
Here's your chance to play ball with some of your favorite Ravens!
Open to all ages.
Fun benefit for The Lardarius Webb Foundation. Visit http://www.lardariuswebb21.com/ for info on attending, playing or sponsoring.
Maryland Wine Week
June 8-17
Restaurants & Wine shops will host a variety of Maryland wine theme events. Check out all the dish http://www.marylandwine.org/ww-2012/
Rappel For Kidney Health
Saturday, June 9
Down the Marriott Waterfront
Do you want to make an impact on kidney disease in an extraordinary way? Join the National Kidney Foundation of Maryland for their third annual RAPPEL for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rappel down the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront.
Visit http://www.kidneymd.org/news/rappelforkidneyhealth.html to register or for further info.
Ocean City Air Show
June 9 & 10
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will return to headline the OC Air Show! The OC Air Show will feature two jet demonstration teams with the Black Diamond Jet Team, the premier civilian team in the nation, also performing.
The OC Air Show can be viewed free from the beach. Premium viewing in the Drop Zone, Clubhouse Chalet and in the rooftop VIP Penthouse on the 10th floor of the Quality Inn are available. All Premium Viewing includes reserved parking for 2012. Visit http://www.ocairshow.com/ or schedule of events and more details.
Ocean City Shark Tournament
June 13-17
Check out full details at www.ocsharktournament.com.
National Harbor Beer, Bourbon BBQ Fest
June 15 & 16
Whole Hog Friday Night Pig Pickin' - June 15 6 p.m.- 10 p.m.
VIP Bacon Session - June 16 Noon - 6 p.m.
Regular Session - June 16 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Your admission buys you a sampling glass so you can enjoy an ALL-YOU-CARE –TO-TASTE sampling of beer and bourbon. Some of the best barbeque vendors are on-site if you get hungry all while enjoying seminars in the tasting theater and LIVE music all day. Visit http://www.beerandbourbon.com/national-harbor/show-info for all the details.
Solstice!
Saturday, June 23 8 p.m. - Midnight
Maryland Science Center
Dance the night away and celebrate the education and outreach programs of the Maryland Science Center.
Enjoy fabulous food stations, live music and signature cocktails. Click http://www.mdsci.org/eventscalendar/events/solstice.html for all the details.
The Mason Dixon Master Chef Tournament
Begins June 25 for multi-weeks
Enjoy a unique dining and culinary experience!
This multi-week event is a single-elimination tournament designed to showcase some of the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area's finest executive chefs and restaurants, while providing the audience a unique evening of entertainment. At the end of this tournament only one of the 16 competing chefs will emerge as THE Mason Dixon Master Chef!
Visit http://masondixonmasterchef.com/ for full details and tickets to the tournament.
Baltimore Inner Harbor
JULY 4!
Enjoy live entertainment at the Inner Harbor Amphitheater, located at Pratt and Light Streets. The celebratory night concludes with a spectacular fireworks display at 9:30 p.m.
The holiday fireworks can be viewed from several locations in downtown and beyond, including Federal Hill, Fells Point and Rash Field. http://www.bop.org/index.cfm?page=events&id=42
Ocean City Fourth of July Celebration
Wednesday, July 4 8 p.m. - 10 p.m
Enjoy a free concert at 8 p.m., followed by fireworks at 9:30 p.m. downtown on the beach at North Division Street and simultaneously, uptown at 127th Street at Northside Park. For more information visit http://ococean.com/events.
VISIONARY PETS ON PARADE
American Visionary Art Museum
July 4 10 a.m. (9:30 a.m. Pet Registration) • FREE
Dress your pet & strut your stuff. Trophies awarded for Best Costume, Most Patriotic, Most Visionary Pet, Owner & Pet Look-A-Likes, Least Likely To Succeed As A Pet, Visionary Pet Tricks and more. All pets welcome. Followed by the Pet Talent (Or Not) Show. Stay for pet musical chairs. Pets must be leashed or carried. H20 and baggies provided.
REGISTRATION: Pet registration begins at 9:30 a.m., Parade kicks off at 10 a.m. This event is FREE & OPEN to the public, no advanced registration required.
Ocean City FREE SUMMER Concerts on the Beach
Enjoy Free Concerts on The Beach Wednesday Nights
July 11-Aug. 29
Full schedule of concerts http://oceancitymd.gov/Recreation_and_Parks/free-concerts.html.
Free Summer Flicks from The Hill
Federal Hill
Thursdays July 12 -Aug. 23
American Visionary Art Museum
Films start at 9 p.m..Museum OPEN & FREE 5 p.m.– 9 p.m. before the flick.
http://avam.org/news-and-events/events/flicks-from-the-hill.shtml
Craberet
Thursday, July 12 6:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Gertrude's at the Baltimore Museum of Art
This sensational summer event benefits the House of Ruth Maryland.
Enjoy sultry crab dishes by chef extraordinaire, John Shields, cocktails from The Wine Source and Heavy Seas, and a smorgasbord of salsa, cha-cha and percussion compliments of Mambo Combo live in the BMA's Sculpture Garden, as well as wonderful auction items. Visit http://www.hruth.org/crabaret.asp for further details and tickets.
Artscape
July 20-22
America's largest free arts festival is here in Baltimore! With more than 150+ fine artists, visual art exhibits, live concerts on the outdoor stages, performing arts, family events, street theater, delectable food and beverages + SO much more. Visit www.Artscape.org for entire schedule of events and full details.
Summer Restaurant Week Returns!
July 27-Aug. 5
Enjoy 2-course lunch at participating restaurants for $15.12 & 3-course dinners for $20.12 OR $30.12. Check for frequent updates and menus of those participating www.baltimorerestaurantweek.com.
Downtown Diane is a Baltimore area food, travel & entertainment reporter, appearing Fridays on 105.7 The Fan Norris & Davis Show with her entertainment report. Follow her for Daily Dish on Twitter @DowntownDiane & check out upcoming events at www.DowntownDiane.net.
