I have unapologetically been a slacker with my blog. I had the great luck and opportunity this past year to both start a new job and move into a new place. It’s been both fabulous and fast paced and sadly my blogging has been lacking! It’s time to get back on track and what better way to do so than by featuring The Food Market in Hampden?! 

I recently went over Easter weekend during their Brunch. It was shared with me that brunch is the opportune time to go to Food Market as their dinner hours tend to house poor acoustics and become uncomfortably loud. Brunch is a bit scaled back with sound but still packs their amazing punch with every item on the menu!

With their paneled walls and shared booths with other diners, it’s both cozy and charming. Within moments of seating, we were warmly greeted and poured water. The customer service and warmth of the wait staff channels the Charm City quirk that is Hampden.

Behold: their house infused jalapeno vodka bloody mary. Clears the sinuses and is completely addicting. Behind is their fresh squeezed mimosa daintily rimmed with crystal sugar. The colors are so vibrant and match their both strong and sweet flavors, respectively. 

Warm donut holes are brought to the table that are sweet and savory. The light crunch of the breading melted in your mouth as the sweet doughy center was a great way to kick off Sunday brunch.

We ordered their Warm Lobster Roll. With poached claws and knuckles, aerated mayo, baby celery all on a warm griddled bun, it is heavenly. The perfect amount of sweet and tang of mayo with the delicate lobster, it is actually the the bun that makes this roll! 

To add to the savory platter, a tiny bag of house made fries accompany. The fries that are cooked to perfection make for a perfect salty compliment to the sweet lobster. This roll is one I would highly advise for first time goers as it embodies all there is to love about the restaurant. 

I opted for their Morning Cobb Salad. To put it bluntly, I am a sucker for a killer salad. Mexican, taco, Greek, Chopped, Wedge, and especially Cobb. However, this was no regular cobb. Complete with bacon, eggs, potatoes, roasted pepper, ranch and grated

cheese it is hearty. Healthy while being a little indulgent, the salad is genius. Cleaning my plate was simple as the egg paired with the ranch and bacon was everything one would want on a Sunday morning. The freshness of all the ingredients is something Food Market specializes in.

A traditional Sunday staple, pancakes, is also on the menu.  Buttermilk pancakes served with a proprietary cranberry jam blend, butter, and bacon, are decadent and a wonderful way to start the morning. 

You had me at individual jar of maple syrup.

Bacon! Crispy with a hint of sweet and salty, the bacon made for a wonderful side to the pancakes. 

The Food Market offers a brunch that offers what most places are lacking on Sunday morning: lunch-y items! From grilled chicken sandwiches with candied bacon, pork belly, and a crab cake sandwich to french toast, crab benedict, and ground turkey sausage tacos, there are many options to tickle your fancy. The wonderful service, the home made and hearty menu options, and the fun and fancy Hampden make for a great place to swing by on a Sunday for a happening brunch or venture to on a week night for dinner. I hear the cocktails (check out their Stumbling Palmer) are as delightful as the cuisine! 

If you’re well versed on the Baltimore food scene, then the name Sergio Vitale means something to you. Have you picked up the latest Baltimore Magazine? This man is the face behind two of my favorite Italian staples downtown-Aldo’s Italian Ristorante and the always busy and always fabulous, Chazz: A Bronx Original.  Since I’ve already covered Chazz’s (Bronx in Baltimore), I’m going to focus on the classy and upscale ambiance that is Aldo’s.

Raising the bar in Little Italy with classic Italian and a touch of glamour, Aldo’s is a must-go for special occasions, when you want an excuse to dine Italian right, or just because.

Despite the plethora of wines that their book holds, I opted for the timeless and tasty dirty martini to start my meal.

Icy cold deliciousness in Ketel One form.

Their crispy bread is brought out along side their house oil blend. We of course opted for the herbs and cheese option which a server comes around with to the table.

Who can resist extra cheese in anything?

On a hot summer night, we thought trying the Colossal Lump Crab Cocktail would be nice.

Hearty chunks of crab atop a bed of lettuce served with a lemon and cocktail sauce makes the appetizer a great option to start the meal. The truly jumbo lump crab is fresh and would make any Baltimore native a happy camper. This is something I’d order again in a heart beat.

For the main entree, I opted for what I felt would be a “lighter” option-their Jumbo Shrimp Scampi in a garlic butter sherry sauce served with their Seafood Risotto.

The shrimp were bursting with flavor and the buttery garlic sauce was outstanding! The dish was light enough where I didn’t feel like I had the inevitable carb coma but the risotto made it a bit fuller and flavorful. The colors, the freshness, and the delicious shrimp made this dish a standout star on their menu.

My date opted for their Pollo Al Mattone-24 hour Brined FreeRange-Oven-Roasted Double Airline Breast of Amish Chicken Crispy Fingerling Potatoes, Carrots and Broccoli Rabe. Sadly, my camera photo got a little blurry. 

Aldo’s really does a great way of incorporating various herbs into their dishes and this was a prime example. The generous portions and gourmet flair to our dinner entrees paved the way to our obligatory decision of getting dessert.

Even their traditional vanilla ice cream had flair and flavor!

However, it’s the Italian staple-tiramisu-that I couldn’t resist.

Truly a decadent dessert and not lacking on any level, the tiramisu made for the ultimate ending for this dinner. A light, fluffy, concoction and an icy cold treat complimented our meals and perfectly.

From the white table cloths to the impeccable service and the delicious 5-star quality food, Aldo’s is a place you must put on your go-to list for the next birthday, anniversary, just-because, or Saturday night out. Sergio is a staple in the Little Italy restaurant world and I’m always counting down until I return to one of his hotspots next.

I think I have found a new top runner for favorite restaurant overlooking the water in this city-Waterfront Kitchen in Fells Point! 

Labeled as a “seed to plate” restaurant, it’s partnered with Living Classrooms Foundation and its BUGS (Baltimore Urban Gardening with Students) so that a portion of the profits support the program but also many of the produce actually are products of the garden and greenhouse! 

And then…there’s the view. Overlooking the water, outside dining patio, boats passing by and cool summer breezes. I think I could easily select this as my new favorite special occasion dining spot in Baltimore (they have a mean wine list) between the ambience, caliber of the food, and friendly, attentive service that comes with the absolutely stellar spot.

What’s fantastic is that they offer brunch, lunch, and dinner-a hard thing to come by downtown! One crisp, spring Sunday we opted to head over for brunch!

Their kitchen bloody is spicy and fresh and comes with some fun accoutrements to jump start your brunch. Who wouldn’t want to start their brunch without one?

I love a place that has a decent selection of starters during the brunch hours! We opted for their Oyster Stew as well as Mixed Baby Greens & Greenhouse Herbs salad. You can really see the vivid colors of the Heirloom apples, Chapel’s Country Creamery Cheddar, and mustard seed vinaigrette. 

Their brunch menu boasts a great selection of savory, sweet, healthy, hearty, and wholesome! I figured I’d up my protein intake for the week and went for their Steak and Eggs-easily, the best brunch entree I’ve had in, well, forever.

The steak was wonderfully tender and had actually been marinaded in a coffee mix while the eggs were fluffy and the potato wedges were piping hot and full of flavor! The entree had sweet, salty, and a very hearty finish that left me full for days!

Their Kitchen Burger is another great option using fresh Angus beef, lettuce, tomato, grilled onion and, my favorite type of bread, Brioche.

Unfortunately, the burger is a bit blurry but I think the golden crispness of the bun really shows just how juicy and savory it was! Served with their potato wedges and fresh ketchup, it makes for a great mid-day meal!

One component that I truly love about Waterfront Kitchen is their love and usage of local products! I consider myself a true ice cream lover (although my diet would probably benefit otherwise) and they carry my favorite local Baltimore brand-Taharka Brothers. Three words. Salty Caramel Ice Cream (ok, 4). 

Words can not give this ice cream justice. It has just the right amount of sweet caramel with the tang of salt to balance it, all while being perfectly blended to a creamy consistency. Are any of the Taharka Brothers single because a woman could live on ice cream alone. Seriously.

Between the exquisite food offerings, the great and extensive wine and cocktail options, and what is really the game changer-the location. Waterfront Kitchen is perfect for an after work cocktail on the patio, a special brunch out, or a nice seated dinner with family overlooking the calm waters of Baltimore.

I already am looking forward to going for dinner and can’t wait to see and hear more of Waterfront’s creative culinary endeavors and watch it grow to become a mainstay in Fells.

If you live, visited, or just popped in for a day to Baltimore, it would be unfortunate and remiss not to stop by Woodberry Kitchen in Clipper Mill. While the volumes of rave reviews, litany of happy customers, and a staff so informed and well educated on the making, creation, and presentation of the cuisine, it’s an experience like nothing else in this city.

Whether you go for their five-star dinner and their stellar cocktail list or their delectable Sunday brunch, they manage to pull off the most fantastic farm to table restaurant this city has to offer.

Since I’m a brunch girl to the core, let’s focus on that, huh?

Their beverage offering is as extensive at Sunday brunch as it is at dinner (Ok, well, their dinner has  a wee bit more on the cocktail and wine side-as in a lot). 

From a freshly squeezed blood orange juice..

to an iced maple latte-hearty in size,sweet, refreshing, and an ideal Sunday summer time drink-their morning offerings lack nothing. If you’re a coffee fan, you simply must try their Counter Culture coffee, complete with a French press delivered to your table and a wooden timer to let you know when it’s ready!

No brunch would be complete with out a bread basket. And while we could easily order these individually, isn’t it much better and easier to order an entire basket?

From a home-made cinnamon “toaster tart”, to my favorite the blueberry quark danish, an apple confection, and a croissant, the bread basket has sweet, savory, and a whole lot of home-made freshness.

Also, I love the touch of the cloth napkins that have a true farm table feel, from a checkered pattern to a paisley, everything is one of a kind.

After hearing many, many recommendations for the Morning Flatbread, I felt obligated (ok, I wasn’t exactly having my arm twisted) to order it.

The crust is soft with a crispness on the edge and a sweetness to it that compliments the salt in the sausage and the egg smack in the middle. A whisper of cheddar and potato accentuate the potato and sausage and make it one meal that is what everyone only hopes for when they arise. I gladly took half home and enjoyed it later.

Similarly, Woodberry takes another what would be lunch staple and puts a brunch spin to it-the Breakfast Burger.

An english muffin houses house-ground chuck, a fried egg, bacon, cheddar, and generously sized potatoes (and let’s not discount the home-made ketchup and pickles). I think the picture speaks for itself alone with the vast array of colors and hybrid of breakfast meeting lunch.

For a more lunch feel, the Fried Marvesta Shrimp Roll is bright, loaded with deliciously fresh shrimp, a chile mayo, and potato salad. It’s akin to a shrimp po-boy but that would only be insulting it.

Sadly, I failed at my mission of being hungry enough for dessert. Which is yet another course WK masters (I’ll be back for their C.M.P.-look it up on their site)!

Opting for a lighter side, their homemade gelato and ice cream is sinfully good.

Tangerine, chocolate, sweet cream, etc., their flavors are bright and bold and melt in your mouth!

Woodberry Kitchen is simply one of my favorite restaurants in all the land (and I’m not alone). I can only strongly encourage you to go for dinner, brunch, a special occasion, just because, after work, with friends-you get the idea.  It’s one true place where I can say you won’t be disappointed in anything you order and the service you receive. WK is a gem in Baltimore and every time is a new experience with the farm to table change overs!

As you may tell, anything avocado driven is my livelihood. When it comes to Mexican, I can never get enough and would gladly love to spend a weekend (nay, week) in Mexico sampling some authentic cuisine.

In the meantime, Miguel’s Cocina & Cantina in Silo Point will fit the bill just fine! 

Resting on the bottom floor of Silo Point with a killer water view and glimpse of the Natty Boh tower just across from it, Miguel’s is a slice of Mexican as close as Baltimore can get in my opinion!

As soon as you walk in, the Dia de los Muertes theme is bright, colorful, and skeletons are scattered throughout (including the painted windows high above the bar) and chips and salsa are served promptly.

The chips are warm and clearly freshly baked-a great touch for a basket that’s served complimentary! The salsa verde and salsa both have a slight kick to them but nothing too overpowering for the average taste buds. It’s hard not to finish the entire basket without remembering the large portions that are offered here!

Of course, no good chips and dip are complete with the margarita to go with. And this is where Miguel’s excels.

Their bar menu is extensive and hosts a litany of tequilas, margaritas, fruity drinks, beers, drafts, and even wines! However, I prefer to stick to one of my favorite cocktails-the margarita.

I opted for their margarita de casa-which is gold tequila, trip sec and Miguel’s secret mix. Refreshing,frothy, icy cold, brimming with salt, and the perfect balance of sweet and tangy, this marg could easily be finished…or maybe two. I’m looking forward to going back and being adventurous with their flavored concoctions!

Another Mexican staple to order in my opinion is guacamole. There are only a million renditions and preferences but Miguel’s has a rich, creamy, and undeniably fresh recipe to be tried.

As if I needed more chips, the guac comes with more freshly baked, warm tortilla chips. You actually have the option to add tomato and garlic to their guac (and for me, the more garlic the better) so it was an easy answer to load that bad boy up! You can really see the bright green avocado and fresh specks of chopped tomatoes in the mojete. Yum!

One of the things I love about Miguel’s is their portions. Prices are extremely decent for what you get, as in tomorrow night’s dinner! 

I was torn between their fresh specials of the day and some of their taco options. However, I wound up going with one of my favorites: Baja Fish Tacos.

Two tacos chock full of griddle seared tilapia (which you can really taste the griddle touch), pickled cabbage, tomatillo salsa and their Baja sauce take over the plate. I opted for a double side of their arroz verde which tastes like an amazing risotto and served warm.

The colors on all of Miguel’s dishes are exceedingly bright and fresh and you really feel like you’re eating at a truly authentic Mexican restaurant-one of the few in the city!

Aside from the tacos, we also got one of their specials of the day. Essentially, a seafood panini that had shrimp, avocado, and some really fresh cabbage and sauce.

Yes, that’s sweet potato fries next to the panini. At a Mexican place? Why not. They were delicious, crispy, and sweet, of course!

I have come to think of Miguel’s as a hidden gem or secret in Baltimore. While most may flock to the Mexican likes in Federal Hill or Canton, I prefer this little number.

From the fun decorations and festive ambiance, to the full bar and delicious drinks, down the authentic fare and yummy food-Miguel’s has the full package with a gorgeous view and great service! With the fresh change of spring, I think margarita season has officially kicked off, making it prime time to venture to this semi-new hot spot! 

Bagby’s has the market cornered these days in Baltimore. With a hot spot for pizza and now the arrival of Ten Ten (and Fleet Street Kitchen in the works for this year), it’s safe to say Bagby’s has a good thing going right now in Harbor East.

While I don’t need to sing the praises for Bagby Pizza (check out my post from a few months earlier), I’m now a big believer of Ten Ten and looking forward to many repeat visits!

A tucked away restaurant on the side street next to BP, Ten Ten offers a warm, open spot with a southern flare and a menu that will delight even the pickiest eater. Going during Baltimore Restaurant Week this past January, it was the perfect opportunity to check out this new much talked about spot!

The name comes from the address and the logo, I must admit, is very chic and works for the scene. 

Right away we were brought sweet corn bread with a touch of a chili pepper-which is a nice metaphor for the restaurant: comforting and warm with a bit of jazz that adds great flair. 

A fun and creative cocktail list (as well as a stellar wine list), I wanted to try the Bagby Back Nine. House made sweet tea vodka mixed with lemonade. Beyond refreshing and not overly sweet, it pared nicely with the corn bread! 

Mid-dinner we got the good fortune of having the chef come over. He shared with us that virtually everything at Ten Ten is house made-everything just short of the ketchup (I mean, how can you perfect Heinz). Such a great concept and you can truly taste the freshness and home made aspect in every dish!

I wanted to ensure I was full for my entree so I went for their Caesar Salad. A great mix of red and green arugula, anchovy (just a whisper to taste), delicious herb croutons, and shaved Grana Padano. The salad was fresh and ice cold and the herbs in the croutons gave it a wonderful after taste. 

The other first course offered was their crab soup-which has a nice spiciness to it. I believe the photo speaks for itself-it was a bounty of vegetables and the color was just so rich and hearty. An ideal winter starter. I’m looking forward to going back for their charcuterie plate and perhaps a few other appetizers.

The main course was beyond impressive. A deliciously tender and flavorful steak topped with a tomato herb butter and sitting upon garlic mashed potatoes. The portions are generous and the taste far greater than its size. The tomato butter was a wonderful thought to the steak and it pained me not to be able to finish it-but I believe that’s a good thing! 

While this is not a staple on their day to day menu, I can only dream. The good thing is that it will simply force me to order something different next time. (and the rosemary chicken fusilli and/or bacon wrapped filet of beef is calling my name). 

As if Ten Ten didn’t excel enough, their pastry chef is a genius and one to watch at the moment. Their dessert offerings are something I simply want to say “one of each, please.” 

A wonderfully seasonal apple cider panna cota was presented and just beckoning for a crisp fall day to go with it. Absolutely delicious and a great ending!

I opted for their salted caramel ice cream served with ginger bread cookie dough on the side. The child inside of me devoured it in one bite!

Ten Ten is a hip, chic, southernly warm place to check out be it a date, an after work get together with the girls, or a family Sunday brunch. Their homemade treats and delectable entrees are worth a trip and the bar is a perfect spot to grab a quick charcuterie plate and glass of wine after the 8-5. Pick a day and head over to Harbor East to see the latest creation the Bagby group has cooking! 

And boy am I excited! Baltimore Restaurant Week (January 20-29) is here again and as always, serves as an opportunity to either experiment at new places or check out ones that are out of the budget otherwise.

This year I think I’ll opting for the former and going somewhere new and exciting to Charm City! One serious frontrunner is a new, charmingly elegant and quirky spot in Hampden, hon. Alchemy offers a wide array of gourmet cuisine that has an innate sense of comfort food cooked into the dish. 

Right on the Avenue of Hampden, Alchemy offers a great option for those looking for a bit more upscale than Cafe Hon and not quite as white table cloth as some. It’s effortlessly sophisticated environment is as welcoming as it is warm-think animal print chairs for dining (it would be remiss to exclude that in Hampden).

For starters, their crab bisque is one to try. Always a connoisseur of the crab, it was loaded with chunks of meat, a tiny touch of sherry, and fresh thyme decorating the dish. 

For a cold January day or night, this is a great starter to showcase Alchemy’s ability to take something that can be interpreted dozens of ways but done perfectly here. 

With a great selection of starters and lite fare, their flatbread choices mix together only the freshest and most creative combos that make for a fun way to kick off the meal.

Their flatbread chock full of Farmers Chevre, filled with caramelized onion, avocado, basil, and aged balsamic glaze was a healthy and tasty beginning. Only having a square (I at least made an attempt to save room for the main meal), the bread was crispy, the avocado perfectly ripe, and the onion a nice, sweet touch to a well rounded appetizer.

How fun is the presentation? Colorful and a nice balance of summer and winter in my opinion, it really resonated how Alchemy can take great food and combine them to make the perfect creation of the season. 

As for main meals, I had been told that one of the best burgers was found here. The bar was high and expectations were above and beyond exceeded. 

The Alchemy Burger has ground sirloin, tobacco onions (which I requested to hold), baby arugula, tomato, roasted garlic and red pepper aioli, all on a toasted Brioche with my choice of cheese (cheddar). 

I don’t know if it was the bun, the fresh sirloin, the sharp Cheddar, or the delicate flavors of the aioli that made this burger hit a home run in my book. I can’t tell you how challenging it is to decide what to get at Alchemy (from beautiful sounding salads, to fresh chicken and pork dishes to crab cakes)-but one can never go wrong with the Alchemy Burger.

As for dishes had by others, their Crab Mac & Cheese is the most delicate, subtle and delicious side dish one can have!

Rich flavors of baked mascarpone, jumbo ( I believe Colossal is the word they use) crab meat, and white cheddar mornay make it a great little dish to be split. I don’t think this could be a better comfort food to have in the cold winter months. Everything in it works well against each other and the crab takes what would otherwise be a rich and hearty mac & cheese and turns it into a delicacy.

Another dish ordered was their Scallops Provencal on Olive Toasty. While this is an appetizer, it easily makes for a filling lunch. Sea scallops, vine ripe tomatoes, olive relish, capers, cream and sweet vermouth make this dish.

Finally, another great Alchemy touch is the home made potato chips that accompany the burger.

Normally, I would just push aside any potato chips that come with my lunch in efforts to save calories. However, these were amazingly fresh and tasty and light enough that a few could never hurt!

Alchemy is a hidden Hampden gem with a fun menu, a dining room that is filled with charm and class, and prices that are extremely on par with the exceptional dishes coming out of the kitchen.

Run, do not walk, to Alchemy for Restaurant Week and try something new and different on for size! The menu has something for everyone and a standard price of $30 for 3 courses which serves as the ideal opportunity to come in for crab soup, a delicious burger or prime rib, and let’s not even begin to discuss their dessert options on the table. Alchemy is making all kinds of magic on the Avenue-and I’m fairly certain it’s the good kind!

This post may be a few months late but Baltimore has a 5-star blockbuster on its hands with Chazz Palminteri’s Chazz’s: A Bronx Original in Harbor East. Whether you best know him as Shorty from “Modern Family” or Dave from “The Usual Suspects,” Chazz has brought his New York style to this Charm City, a city that’s taken to the new restaurant/bar with high praise.

Walking into the subway inspired decor of Chazz’s, you’re greeted with some good tunes in the background (think classic rock) and an immediate desire to pony up to the bar and watch the masters at work as pizzas are being thrown into the coal fire oven, meats enduring the aging process, and cocktails being poured. Everything is upbeat, New York loud, and wafting aromas of cheese and garlic.

Without having to ask, bread is brought to the table complete with a garlic olive-oil for dipping. 

Hot, crusty bread accompanied with very chic water pitchers set the stage for the fine dining ahead. The modern take of classic Italian is easily seen in presentation and taste. 

Always a fan of my charcuteries and antipasti, I ordered from their mozzarella bar. Out of an assortment of meat and cheese options, I settled on their buffalo mozzarella and their parma prosciutto. Everything was cold and freshly cut-as seen by all these cheese and meats that welcome you upon entering.

I should have stopped here. The cheese plate was delectable, sweet, salty, and chock full of fresh oil. I’m looking forward to going back and exploring all the other cheese and accompaniment choices!

 Another great starter from Chazz’s is their grilled ceaser salad. A hearty abundance of green served ice cold with yummy garlic crouton and freshly grated cheese.

Of course the main event is only one option. Pizza. Their pizza options are provided on an entirely separate menu and range from a classic margherita to a creative potato pizza. 

After being torn amongst three different pizzas, I decided to go for the broccoli rabe pizza. Bursting with flavorful garlic, tangy Italian sausage, pecorino cheese, and of course-the broccoli rabe.

The pizza captures the perfect combination of a crispy crust and a soft pizza. As an avid fan of garlic, the flavor played a wonderful returning character in every bite!

As a result-this was all that was left sadly.

Another great entree selection is their shrimp parmigiana Americano made with shrimp and their delectable house made mozzarella. 

With hearty portions and a rich, delicious pasta dish on the side, Chazz’s serves up outstanding cuisine and even more outstanding prices.

As for the grand finale, Chazz’s has created a strong dessert menu. The signature house dessert, Nutella Pizza, simply sounds too good to be in existence. As much as I adore Nutella, I decided to go with the classic Italian dessert-affogato. 

Refreshing is only the start on how to describe this dessert. A small serving of a rich, creamy vanilla gelato is served with a sprig of mint and a side of piping hot mint flavored espresso. Pouring the espresso over the the ice cream just to give it a whisper of warmth makes for the ideal after-dinner dessert. Just sweet enough and light enough to end the meal on a beautiful note!

Chazz’s has found a great home in Baltimore and we’re truly lucky such a fantastic actor selected this city for his namesake restaurant. Whether you go before dinner for drinks or choose Chazz’s as the main event, it’s a winning combination. 

I’m still keeping my fingers crossed to have a chance run-in with the man next time I go to visit!

There are certainly several hot spots in Baltimore where you go both to see and be seen (Sloane Brown knows a thing or two about this). When these local joints actually have food and cocktails that are completely top notch and have chefs who are something of a magician in the kitchen-sign me up.

Tucked away on a Canton corner, with a pretty fun view of the Natty Boh Tower, you’ll find Blue Hill Tavern. A modest building that holds one of the city’s culinary treasures, and the most beautiful and well dressed people in the 410, this tavern is more of a funky, upscale restaurant meets bar. Two floors with two bars, swanky drapery, rich decor, and corners perfect for private dining and cocktail chatter, this spot is the place to go for a dressed up date night or a low-key girls night out.

The cocktail list is not for the faint of heart. An avid dirty martini sipping girl (you can refer back to previous posts for some other finds in the city that make a mean one), I had to go with their Clearly Dirty Martini. Olive infused vodka. Say no more. 

Better yet, they offer several different types of olives. Blue cheese stuffed for me, natch. The martini certainly kicked off the dinner with an uber glam touch that also gave a wink to Blue Hill’s creative side-essentially what this place excels at mixing.

What’s unique about Blue Hill is that they rotate their menu according to season. Catching this dinner on the cusp of summer, I made the choice to get their watermelon feta appetizer. Had to get my last chance at this juicy summer fruit!

The colors in this dish speak for itself. A juicy and fresh watermelon round served as a base for rich feta cheese and bright greens garnishing the plate. To say that it was ripe is an understatement. Everything complimented each other perfectly and I’m fairly certain that watermelon was just picked off the vine. 

Of course I must pay tribute to their bread bowl. A nice array of doughs and a plate of oil and fresh whipped butter came out around cocktail time-amazingly fresh and warm! 

As for dinner, I opted for one of their many salads. 

A thinly sliced array of mixed greens is heavily decked out with sun dried tomatoes, feta, cucumbers, a kalamata olives that really resonate in the salad. Topped off with a crispy garlic crouton and a red wine vinaigrette, the salad was flavorful and beautifully presented!

Always a sucker for mac & cheese, I simply had to order theirs to split. This macaroni and cheese just shot up on my list of Top 3 Mac & Cheeses in the city (Blue Grass, Langermanns, and now-here). 

This photo does not do justice. Rich, creamy, velvety cheddar, is the star in this baked wonder. It was impossible to finish but I easily took it home. The caliber of this side dish is not to be discounted. I would dare to say this alone would make for a wonderful, hearty winter meal paired with one of their many wine selections and accompanied with a light salad. I think I may have just decided what I’m getting next time I go!

My date ordered their Tavern Burger. Another great winter dinner that is juicy, fresh, and chock full of aged cheddar, a fried onion, spicy ketchup, bacon, and kobe beef. The brioche bun is what sets this burger apart from most places.

What was my rookie mistake when going to Blue Hill was my lack of appetite for dessert. Their pastry and dessert menu reads like a delectable sensory experience. From local ice creams to “the candy bar” to brioche bread pudding served with apples and vanilla ice cream, their pastry chef is one of the tops in Baltimore. Upon my return trip here, I may just go simply to indulge in dessert. Life’s short no?

Whether you pop into Blue Hill for a post-work happy hour or a Saturday night on the town, their menu is rich in flavors and creativity.

Throw on your skinny jeans and heels this weekend and head over to what may be my new fave restaurant in Canton-head upstairs and let the amazing experience that is Blue Hill begin!

I am fairly certain I have stumbled into the Woodberry Kitchen of Brooklyn this past weekend when visiting friends. Any good whirlwind weekend filled with NYC shopping, dining, cocktails, and good friends warrants a much needed relaxing, hearty brunch. Rose Water offers indoor or outdoor seating tucked away in Park Slope and organic, fresh, farm to table inspired dishes that give reason for the 30 minute wait we incurred. 

The cozy, small room in the back hosting merely 5-8 tables is warm and inviting with surrounding cookbooks and coffee table books in shelves along the proximity. 

Deciding to get their fresh squeezed orange juice as my beverage (they also have rose water lemonade and hibiscus iced tea), I loved the bright orange color of the juice-definitely not something you see in Tropicana or Simply Orange. This is the real deal, folks.

Despite getting their $14 prix fixe beverage and entree, their bread basket sounded like the most ideal basket of autumn goodies.

Apple coffee cake, lightly buttered challah, and corn bread overflowed and each one was gone within 5 minutes. Light, sweet, and served with a side of fresh butter and applesauce for spreading, the breads were irresistible! 

As for entrees, selections were diverse and each sounded flavorful and incorporating a distinct component of the season.

I opted for their 3 eggs that comes with potatoes and bacon. I highly enjoyed the light, fluffy eggs sprinkled with sharp cheddar cheese. The potatoes were perfectly cooked as was the the bacon. 

Of course it wouldn’t be a true seasonally changing menu if it didn’t offer at least one apple inspired entree for the fall. And boy did it.

Macoun apple pancakes accompanied with spiced butter and toasted walnuts. 

I think the juicy apples popping out of the pancakes speak for themselves. The pancakes were hearty and not one was able to finish the entire serving.

One of the things I always enjoy when visiting NY is discovering new food finds, trying creative pairings, and channeling my inner ‘foodie’ for places that are undeniably outstanding. This is one of them.

For all you Woodberry Kitchen lovers of Baltimore, a stop to Rose Water is a must when in Brooklyn! Sure the farm to table trend is here to stay but places like these have simply mastered the concept.

Grab a Bolt Bus and make your way here for brunch, dinner, or dessert-then swing by BluePrint for an after-dinner drink to cap off the night!