Dishin' With Downtown Diane
Food Lovers Guide to Baltimore
The Best Restaurants, Markets & Local Culinary Offerings
Kathy & Neal Patterson share their scoop on Baltimore's culinary scene in this new book. Enjoy recipes from some of your favorite restaurants, information on specialty markets, food trucks, culinary events, brew pubs, wineries and the writers favorite area restaurants.
"Keeping Up with Food News," is a section of the book, and I was honored to see www.DowntownDiane.net listed as a top Baltimore resource.
The authors write the local blog, Minx Eats. More information on the book is available there & you can purchase it on Amazon.
The Prime Rib Opens At Maryland Live! Casino
Arundel Mills
www.MarylandLiveCasino.com
Before heading into the casino, my husband and I enjoyed a visit to the new Prime Rib at Maryland Live! We sat in the elegant bar area and enjoyed a few cocktails and appetizers, including their famous Greenberg potato skins. A piano player was the perfect touch and a quick tour of the restaurant revealed a gorgeous outdoor terrace. The terrace will be wonderful in warmer weather with comfy seating and a retractable roof, a nice stop for happy hour before enjoying Maryland Live! table games, which are coming soon.
The wine selection is impressive and the menu features The Prime Rib specialties, including prime steaks and seafood. There is a lovely private dining area with seating for 14 impressively surrounded by more than 800 bottles of wine.
Reservations 443-445-2970 or online www.MarylandLiveCasino.com.
Birroteca: Escape To Italy In Charm City
New menu items added!
1520 Clipper Road
443-708-1934
www.facebook.com/Birroteca
Have you been to Birroteca yet? Whether you sit in the bustling bar area or either of the restaurant areas, you are guaranteed a memorable dining experience. The menu is always changing , making each visit unique.
Begin with arancini, mushrooms, Tallagio cheese in a tomato sauce that's as fresh as it gets. The crispy polenta was an excellent starter, as well. Order the bruschetta, there's several to choose from. There are many selections of pizza. My favorite is the locavore with fresh market veggies.
The house made pasta selections include a spaghetti carbonara and ricotta gnocchi. Be sure to order sides to share, including roasted cauliflower and crispy brussels sprouts.
Family style dinners change nightly, and they serve two or more. On Mondays enjoy lamb milanese, Tuesday Vegas strip steak, Wednesday veal osso buco, Thursday crispy whole duck, Friday fresh whole roasted fish, Saturday pork shank and Sunday spaghetti & meatballs, with Italian gravy, of course.
The craft beer list is very impressive, and their craft cocktails have become some of my favorites in Charm City. Order a brown derby, the perfect Winter cocktail, Bourbon, grapefruit and honey. It's delicious.
If you want an escape to Italy without the airfare, head to Birroteca. There's a special Valentine's menu Thursday, as well. Click here to view it.
Valentine's Day is Thursday. Are You Ready?
Still haven't made reservations for Valentine's night? Chefs Expressions wine dinner is sold out; however, save the date March 13 for their Creative Cocktail Creations event.
Here are some Valentine's Suggestions:
Havana Road
Towson
www.HavanaRoad.com
Havana Road is offering a special menu from Feb. 14-16. Click here for details.
Valentine's Gift Packages
Explore About Faces Day Spa gift packages. You can't go wrong with a massage, mani & pedi. Free gloss with any package.Click here for details.
Bagbys Ten Ten
Harbor East
Click here to view the special Valentine's menu with wine pairing option.
Fleet Street Kitchen
Click here to view the special Valentine's menu with wine pairing option.
Waterstone Bar & Grille
Mount Vernon
Enjoy the option of two or four courses with champagne & wine pairing available.
Click here for more info.
Ruth's Chris
www.SeriousSteaks.com
Baltimore & Annapolis locations
Click here to view the special Valentine's menu, which includes a prix-fixe.
Kalis Restaurant Group
Mezze, Tapas Adela, Kalis Court, Admirals Cup
http://www.kalisrestaurantgroup.com
http://www.theadmiralscup.com
Fells Point
They'll be a wide variety of options for Valentine's Day, and Admiral's Cup begins food service this week.
Birroteca
Lady & The Tramp Valentine's Dinner
https://www.facebook.com/events/529034100460577
Explorers
Royal Sonesta Harbor Court
Prix-Fixe w/ Your Choice of Two Options for All Courses & a beautiful view of Inner Harbor.
Click here for more information.
Roy's Hawaiian
Harbor East
The wonderful Chef Patrick "Opie" Crooks designed a special four-course dinner with bold Asian spices & flavors of Pacific Rim. Bryson Keens, managing partner, always makes sure every guest has an amazing experience.
Click here for more information.
Iron Horse Cuvee
Celebrating at home? Pick up a bottle of Iron Horse Cuvee to pair with dinner. It's delectable & perfect for a romantic evening. http://www.ironhorsevineyards.com/wines/sparkling/wedding-cuvee.html
Get A FREE Signature Facial
The MedSpa
Towson
Say Downtown Diane sent you & receive a FREE facial when you spend $150. Great deal for Valentine's Day. Microderm & facial. Request Marsha. I love her! Click here for more information.
Beer Lover in Your Life?
http://www.hsbeer.com
Book a brewery tour & tasting at Heavy Seas Beer. Lots of fun & only $5 gets you a souvenir glass, tour and sampling.
Upcoming Events:
Flashdance! The Musical
Tuesday-Sunday
Hippodrome Theatre
Includes Academy Award-winning title song "Flashdance – What a Feeling," "Maniac," "Gloria," "Manhunt," "I Love Rock & Roll." In addition to these hits, 16 brand new original songs have been written for the stage.
Click here for more information.
American Craft Council
Baltimore Convention Center
Feb. 22-24
Hundreds of the country's best contemporary jewelry, clothing, furniture, and home décor artists gather in one spot to present a spectacular season of fine quality craft.
Click here for more information.
Maryland Home & Garden Show
March 2-3 & 8-10
Maryland State Fairgrounds Timonium
Movies and gardens fascinate us with their ability to inspire. This year's theme "Films in Flowers" will showcase the creative talents of our landscapers as they create blockbuster gardens. Don't miss this opportunity to make your garden the featured attraction.
Click here for full schedule of events & $2 off tickets purchased online.
8th Annual Tour de Tanks Event
Saturdays and Sundays
March 2-30, noon-5 p.m.
Experts open their cellar doors and take you behind the scenes for exclusive tank and barrel tastings along with special tours and food samples. Sip, savor and explore the art of wine making along the Mason-Dixon Wine Trail.
Click here for full details.
Lord of the Dance
Lyric Opera House
March 5 8 p.m.
Michael Flatley, creator and director of this award-winning international dance phenomenon, proved his vision that hearts and minds, united through music and dance, cross all traditional boundaries. His Lord of the Dance continues to shatter box office records all over the world, leaving audiences breathless and clamoring for more.
Click here for more information.
HAIR
Lyric Opera House
March 8 & 9
Tony-Winning production of HAIR is an electric celebration on stage! This exuberant musical about a group of young Americans searching for peace and love in a turbulent time has struck a resonant chord with audiences young and old. HAIR features an extraordinary cast and unforgettable songs, including "Aquarius," "Let the Sun Shine In," "Good Morning, Starshine" and "Easy To Be Hard."
Click here for more information.
UNCORKED! Baltimore Rocks
March 18 5:30-11 p.m.
Baltimore Country Club
Eleven teams of chefs from Baltimore's top caterers & restaurants along with designers and event professionals will present unique food, drink, decor and entertainment to represent each neighborhood's special culture and ethnic flavors. They will compete for awards in a design competition scored by celebrity judges. There's also a silent auction & the evening's grand finale will be an exciting "The Block"-themed after-party with dessert, additional entertainment and the awards presentation.
UNCORKED! is the signature annual fundraiser hosted by the Baltimore Chapter of the National Association of Catering and Events (NACE). It will benefit Moveable Feast and fund scholarships, grants and educational programs through NACE Baltimore and the Foundation of NACE.
Click here for more information.
Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Fest
March 22 & 23
Timonium Fairgrounds Cow Palace
All Indoors! Two Big Days
60 Beers.40 Bourbons+ Lots of BBQ!
March 22- Whole Hog Friday Night Pig Pickin': 6– 10 p.m.
March 23rd- VIP Session: noon - 6 p.m.; Regular Session: 2-6 p.m.
For more information, click here.
Mad About Casey Cares 12th Annual Gala
March 23
B & O Railroad Museum
A night of late 50s/early 60s retro glam to support
Casey Cares programs for critically ill children.
Click here for more information.
That's Amore
The Love of Learning Gala
Benefits South Baltimore Learning Center (SBLC)
Saturday, March 23, 7-11:30 p.m.
Montgomery Park Business Center (1800 Washington Blvd.)
Enjoy flavorful dishes, wine, beer and cocktails provided by Baltimore's best restaurants and caterers.
Guests can dance to Jazz, rock, R&B, funk, reggae, top 40, swing, soul and pop sounds.
Bid on silent & live auctions.
Click here for more information.
March Wine Madness: For Women
Linganore Winery
March 24, 1 p.m.
Includes wine tasting & souvenir glass, music and shopping to benefit the American Red Cross. Guests also receive a gift bag full of goodies. Tickets are only $15.
Click here for more information.
Brunch in Baltimore
Ryleighs Oyster
Federal Hill
Weekend Brunch
http://www.ryleighs.com
If you are a Bloody Mary fan you will love weekend brunch at Ryleigh's Oyster. Not only do they offer an amazing menu, but the "Make Your Own Bloody Bar," is the perfect accompaniment.
Click here for more information.
James Joyce
Harbor East
Weekend Brunch
http://thejamesjoycepub.com
Irish Eggs Benedict is my go to brunch dish at James Joyce. Give it a try, you will be back.
Bagbys Ten Ten
Harbor East
Sunday Brunch
With options like shrimp & grits & brioche French toast, you will find something to please everyone. Click here to view the menu.
Meet Designer Danielle Nicole
Nordstrom Towson
Friday, Feb. 15
Danielle will be introducing her spring/summer bag collection. Get a FREE Davina Cross Body (The hot bag of the season!) with any handbag purchase while supplies last. Click here for more information.
See you there!
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
