Dark roasts come back to Baltimore!! When I think of Baltimore coffee I think of dark, rich, bold and black! When Zeke's first came on the scene I think they were part of the "under-roasted, taste the nuances of the bean" brigade...I am beyond happy they found their way to the dark and bold roasts that make me think of the early days (90's) of the Baltimore coffee scene! I am a devoted follower and happy to see them popping up in unexpected restaurants! … [Read more...]
Feast - All things related to feasting.
Ryan’s Daughter Goes Down Perfect
By on November 10, 2008 with
This past Friday, we went with three other couples to Ryan's Daughter, in Towson, Maryland, to celebrate my friend's birthday. We had been through a huge list of restaurants, trying to find the perfect atmosphere for the special evening...not too stuffy, can wear jeans, good food and good beer. We made a good pick! The night was fun! The fish and chips were a hit! And my black and tan went down smooth! … [Read more...]
Love Bombing
By on November 2, 2008 with
The air was clean and clear and the sun shining ever so happily. We arrived at the parking lot with our caravan. Just past the chain link fence there was a scene unfolding that reminded me of the movie the Lost Boys. There were boys everywhere! There were nine year olds and young men obviously skating off some college study stress. We had arrived at a world created and protected by these boys. We had come to Ridge. We were a bit trepidatious. Would they allow us on their turf? In their world? We began to unload our … [Read more...]
Sexy Apple Pie and High Test Chocolate Cake
By on October 23, 2008 with
It was delicious!! So good, the plates were being licked clean! My husband declared the apple pie to be the sexiest pie he had ever seen! I have to say Ina Garten's recipe, from the Amateur Gourmet's challenge, produced a chocolate cake that was moist and incredible...I admit, I substituted ground espresso for instant coffee...always a purest! This will be added to my (recipe) black book! (Yes, I have a little black book, for my favorite recipes...I'll share more about that another time!) The apple pie was "gone in 60 … [Read more...]
Minnesota Mama Pumpkin Muffin Recipe
By on October 21, 2008 with
I admit, some days I pull out frozen pizzas for dinner. And, once I even sent my children and Kristin's son into a gas station for breakfast. But, today was a different day. I went to bed with visions of anise pumpkin muffins in my head, and woke up inspired. I have this ongoing fantasy that my children come home to baked bread or chocolate cookie smells--but usually not. However, this morning was cold, sunny and cold, the kind of fall day in Minnesota that tricks you into thinking you can wear just one layer and then … [Read more...]
Kali’s Mezze
By on October 20, 2008 with
We stumbled on to Mezze one night in Fells Point! It was an unexpected surprise! The tapas were brilliant. The flavor combinations were not pretentious or overdone. The prices were reasonable and the atmosphere conducive to lingering, laughing moments with good friends! A visit to Kali's a few weeks later, on the other hand, left me with quite another opinion. … [Read more...]
Dad is Great! Gives Us Chocolate Cake!!
By on October 19, 2008 with
Ok...really, mom is great! So, get this...today is our friends Derek and Albert's birthday. They are coming over with a bunch of friends. We get together to share a love feast every Sunday night. So, this week I decided to make their favorite desserts as a gift! Albert loves apple pie and Derek, chocolate cake. I began to make my tried and true sour cream chocolate cake and realized I was out of unsweetened chocolate. I sent my husband Devon to the store. While I was waiting, Chris Ann called. "Did you see the Amateur … [Read more...]
Kali’s Court Not So Hot
By on October 16, 2008 with
For years I have heard amazing, wonderful things about Kali's Court. My husband and I finally made the time to visit. It was a special evening...we left our 5 kids with my mom...we anticipated an evening of wonderful food and impeccable service! My husband sent his food back. The fish was over cooked. Over cooked fish, should not be in the vocabulary of a restaurant who prides themselves on the freshest of food! Our service was mediocre and the price for this evening, overrated! I don't mind paying high dollar for a … [Read more...]
Is Dinner Ready Yet?
By on October 15, 2008 with
In my home that is a common question. And, usually the answer is not quite. You see actual cooking is really not my thing. I am rather in the garden pulling out something by its roots, sitting on my porch feet up on my hot pink wicker ottoman sipping tea, or running up and down my stairs with buckets of laundry. And, what is interesting about the fact that I really don't like to cook, is that I love everything about food. I love spices, I love the shine of an apple, I love dishes, modern and old chipped china, I love … [Read more...]
B’More Crab Cakes
By on October 7, 2008 with
So, I was busy cleaning my house and getting the kids ready to hop in the car and my neighbor Meisha knocked on the door. She handed me a baggie. A baggie? "What's in this Meisha?" She answered, "A treat just for you!" I opened the warm bag...unwrapped the napkin and was pleasantly surprised by two homemade, Baltimore style, crab cakes! That's the best baggie surprise I ever did have! … [Read more...]
