Dishin' With Downtown Diane

In Need of Spring? Yes!
I think we are all in need of some spring after this freezing winter. Luckily, The Maryland Home & Garden Show is in town this weekend.

There are plenty of other wonderful events coming up and an abundance of restaurant dish. Enjoy and hope to see you around town!

Maryland Home and Garden Show This Weekend
Timonium
Enjoy vibrant gardens and blossoming flowers, relaxing patios, dramatic water features and cozy fire pits. Also seminars, shopping for plants and flowers, crafts & more.
Click here for more details.

The Book of Mormon Through March 9
The Hippodrome Theatre
The Book of Mormon is definitely memorable, awe-inspiring, a load of indecent fun and runs through March 9. Parental Advisory: Explicit language is noted on the ticket order page.

Coming Up At The Hippodrome: "Sing-a-long-a Grease"  begins March 29  and "Ghost The Musical" begins April 8.
Click here for the schedule.

West County Restaurant Week
March 3- 9
Have you been to Vivo Italian Kitchen? Now is the perfect time to try this Italian gem and also the amazing Grillfire at The Hotel at Arundel Preserve as its Restaurant Week in West County.
Click here to check out the menus.

Cirque du Learning
Saturday, March 8,  6:30-11:30 p.m.
Montgomery Park Business Center
There will be cirque-style entertainment, auctions, live music, fab food and drinks to benefit the South Baltimore Learning Center.
For tickets and more info, click here.

Penfolds Bin Release 5-Course Wine Dinner
Ruth's Chris Water Street location
Thursday, March 13, 6:30 p.m.
Enjoy a delectable dinner with wine pairings.
Click here to view the menu.

Man of La Mancha
March 14 & 15 Modell Lyric Theatre
Dream The Impossible Dream!
Fore show times and tickets, click here.
Pi Day at The Maryland Science Center
March 14, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Leave it to the Maryland Science Center to take 3.14 Pi (Pie) Day and turn it into a fun-filled day including a Dangerously Delicious Pie Eating contest.
For details, click here.

Baltimore Arena Upcoming Events include Michael Jackson Cirque The Immortal World Tour
Also The Ringling Bros Circus comes to town and WWE returns.
For the full upcoming schedule, click here.

Ed Block Courage Awards
Martin's West
March 17
One player from every NFL team will be in Baltimore to accept their award.
Fore more details, click here.

Here Are A Few Places To Have Some St. Patrick's Fun:
Ryleigh's Oyster
Hunt Valley
March 15-17
https://www.facebook.com/RyleighsOysterHuntValley/events

James Joyce Pub Harbor East
Enjoy a week of Irish Ffn.
https://www.facebook.com/JamesJoycePubMD/events

The Admirals Cup
Fells Point
March 17
http://www.theadmiralscup.com

Rock & Soul All Stars
Hear The Wine..Taste The Music (Yes, that's right!)
With Social Expressions & HeidnSeek Entertainment
March 20  6-9:30 p.m.
Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
Enjoy this epic evening of talented musicians, wine, food and fun.
For more details and tickets, click here.

Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Fest
Timonium Fairgrounds
March 21-22
Sample unlimited beer, bourbon and barbecue and enjoy music, contests and vendors.
For details and tickets, click here.

Cirque du Casey Cares
March 22,  6-11 p.m.
B&O Railroad Museum
Enjoy dinner, open bar, live music, entertainers & more with a vintage carnival theme.
For more info and tickets, click here.

Black Tie & Tails
March 29  Grand Lodge Hunt Valley
A black tie gala for dogs? Yes, for well behaved dogs and their well-behaved owners too. The event benefits the Baltimore Humane Society.
Click here to read all about it.

Pre-Purchase Savings:
Decanter-A Weekend of Racing & Maryland Wine
Pimlico Race Course, April 12-13
Enjoy a day at the races with souvenir glass, wine sampling, food, live music and craft vendors.
Save $8 per VIP with ticket code "DDWine" until 4/1.
Click here for more details and tickets.

Coming Up . . .

The Magic of Life:
Jackson Browne to Benefit Lifebridge Health
One Night Only! April 5  Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
Click here for more information.

Runners! Sign Up Brigance Brigade 5.7K Race in Canton
April 5
Benefits Brigance Brigade, providing access to services & equipment for those with ALS
For details, click here.

Heavy Seas Beer..Burgers & Brews
April 5
Unlimited beer sampling  and burgers? Yes, this will sell out.
For details, click here.
National Cherry Blossom Festival in DC
March 20-April 13
http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org

Heading to DC to view the gorgeous Cherry Blossoms? Why not turn it into a short getaway? I highly recommend the fabulous boutique hotel Capella Georgetown.  It's located along the lovely C&O Canal, and you can easily walk to shops, restaurants and attractions. Enjoy flexible check in and check out times, personal assistants to offer their advice and a memorable experience.  The rooms are spacious, beds extra-comfy and you will love the personal touches Capella adds to your stay.

Dinner at The Grill Room is a must. Scenic view, delectable fare and wonderful wine selection. We loved their seafood options, the orange rye whiskey cured salmon appetizer was as pretty as it was tasty. Save room for dessert. The baked Alaska was pure heaven. Stop in  The Rye Bar after dinner. Known for its Rye Whiskey, you will enjoy the perfect  hand crafted cocktail.

Check out the lovely cherry blossoms and stop for brunch or lunch at City Tap House.  There's a wide variety of beer on tap and a menu sure to please everyone. Share the sweet corn and crab hushpuppies and the mezze plate to start. The Korean short rib tacos are delicious and the flatbreads and roasted chicken were huge hits. Brunch includes specialties like lemon ricotta pancakes, chicken and waffles and spiced apple french toast.

The Tavern Room Opens At Fleet Street Kitchen
1012 Fleet St. www.fleetstreetkitchen.com
"A new menu of elevated ingredients in a relaxed atmosphere"--that's The Tavern Room at Fleet Street Kitchen. Happy hour is Monday through Friday, 5-7 p.m. with half off small plates & tastes, beer, cocktail & wine specials too. https://www.facebook.com/FleetStreetKitchen

Havana Road Cuban Cafe in Towson..BYOB & Warm Up
8 W. Pennsylvania Ave
Its Cuban sandwich was voted Best in Baltimore by Baltimore Magazine. Pair with a bowl of garbanzo stew, and it will warm you right up! Check out daily specials here. Also, BYOB to go with lunch or dinner.

Myth & Moonshine: Classic Comfort Fare Southern Style-Canton
Not only can you enjoy delectable dinner and Moonshine drinks at Myth & Moonshine in Canton, its brunch offerings are mouth watering. From strawberry stuffed french toast to chicken and waffles, there's something to please everyone. Check out the menu here.

The Prime Rib at Maryland Live Casino
After a fun afternoon of roulette and craps, my husband and I took a break and headed to The Prime Rib in the casino. We hadn't been since the opening and wanted to give it a try for dinner. A craving for their famous Greenberg potato skins was fixed immediately as we ordered them as an appetizer; they were perfectly prepared. What a wine selection! We chose a lovely red and ordered a few selections for dinner, including a delectable veal chop and fresh ahi tuna. I was ecstatic over the roasted artichoke hearts and would return just for them. Service was wonderful, food & wine first class. We can't wait to check out dining on the lovely patio in warmer weather.

Headed to NYC This Spring?
Roommate Grace Boutique Hotel
I discovered this boutique inn just off of the main Times Square action surrounded by Broadway productions. It's the perfect location. Reasonably priced, very hip rooms and an indoor lit up swimming  pool with a swim up bar, score! It's close to Rockefeller Center, Radio City and Museum of Modern Art to name a few, there's free wifi, continental breakfast offered until noon, sauna, steam room & fitness center. Check it out next time you are headed to the Big Apple.

Vote for Your Favorite Nominated Maryland Restaurants!
The winners will be announced at The Restaurant Association of Maryland Gala on April 6. Vote here.

Growlers To Go at Birroteca And Nickel Taphouse
Enjoy dinner at either restaurant and take home your favorite unique draft beer via Growlers to Go.  https://www.facebook.com/Birroteca

Semi-Annual Service Series Sale Going On Until March 31
About Faces Day Spa
Purchase five of any one service and receive 15 percent off now through March 31.

Cunningham's Towson Happy Hour, New Half-Priced Wine Night & Neighborhood Night Sundays
Cunningham's opened to rave reviews. Have you been?  I highly recommend checking it out for their amazing food, wine and craft cocktails. Happy hour features beer, wine  and food specials Monday through Friday 5 to 7 p.m. Enjoy half off bottles of wine Tuesdays and Neighborhood Night Sundays with 20 percent off specials.

Plenty of Linganore Winery Events for March
There are food & wine pairings, Ladies Day and much more.
Check out the schedule here.

Half Off Wine Night Every Monday: Oyster Tuesdays And Yummy Fried Chicken Wednesdays
Bagby's Ten Ten
1010 Fleet Stree
I love the wine list at Ten Ten, and every Monday you can enjoy half off any bottle of wine. Pair with a delectable entree and dessert and extend your weekend an extra day! Click here for other daily specials and happy hour dishes.

As you can see there's lots going on and I have plenty more to add..so I will be back with more events and additional dish very soon!

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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 and Instagram @DowntownDiane & check out upcoming events at www.DowntownDiane.net