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! 

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!

Pizza is about as rampant in the city as sushi. In every pocket of Baltimore, you can find a fantastic pizza place-no questions asked. This summer, however, I was on the hunt for a pizza place with outside seating, great drink options, and close to where I’d be going out later-Fells Point.

The winner? Bagby Pizza in Harbor East! Tucked in the Bagby building of Harbor East, across from Whole Foods, the MAC, and Talara, you can find a slice of tranquility in Bagby’s.

Walking inside, you’re greeted by a warm brick facade, high bar stool tables and seating, a super warm staff, and paintings scattered around the room from local artists. 

Going during their happy hour from 4-7, I took advantage of the $3.25 Stella (let it be known, I am no beer drinker. Stella is my only exception) as soon as we ordered.

My advice is to peruse the menu online before going in-store in the chance that it’s busy. As soon as you walk in, you go up to the counter to grab a menu and order there and then seat yourself to have your food delivered. 

I had heard some rave reviews on their salads and homemade dressings and decided to try the Bagby Chopped Salad.

Let’s put it this way-I barely remembered to take a photo of the salad before consuming it as fast as I could. The salad was super fresh, filled with veggies and paired perfectly with their house dressing! Such an ideal summer salad and it curbed my appetite so I wouldn’t then indulge in the entire pizza.

With a zillion pizza options to chose from, all sounding great to me (I WILL be back for that fresh basil chicken pesto pizza), my date and I opted for their BBQ chicken pizza.

The pizza came out at the perfect time post salad and looked amazingly fresh! 

Sweet with a tangy kick, the creaminess of the cheese complimented the bbq chicken perfectly! I easily ate 2 slices and didn’t feel the usual pizza heaviness afterwards.

For a higher price pizza ($16), it was worth it. We wound up leaving with enough leftovers for the perfect Friday night late night snack and the pizza itself was gourmet and so fresh out of the oven that it put all other $10 pizzas to shame.

The exciting news is that Bagby’s is expanding! With outside seating already provided (and more coming) and a menu that surpasses pizza with sandwich options that sound tempting, I really look forward to my next Bagby’s visit!

Given my penchant for Harbor East ( the Whole Foods and South Moon Under beckon my wallet every time), this will be a great post-shop stop or pre-going out pizza place to bring the friends and relax over a few slices and some great beer!

Bagby’s takes the traditional pizza and beer night to a whole new level, offering a gourmet dash of class to every dish! 

This past weekend was ArtScape in Baltimore. I could write a post simply about that incredible event with ease (my boyfriend actually had a piece of art featured in GameScape this year)but that’s not why you’re reading this blog. It’s amazing, huge, creative, funky, and truly an all day event. After walking around for almost (possibly over) 4 hours on a 90-some degree day, my boyfriend and I were both starving, had feet that became barking dogs, possibly dehydrated, and ready for a relaxing meal after a long day. 

Dreaming of cozy seats, unwinding with cold drinks, and eating a light, summertime dinner we immediately agreed upon Teavolve in Harbor East. A true gem for both brunch and happy hour (but sh! I like to keep it on the dl so don’t tell)! 

A neighborhood cafe tucked on the corner of Harbor East (near PAZO), it’s warm, inviting, laid-back with the most amazingly fresh food options and ice cold teas, sangrias, cocktails.

While most spots in the area are completely packed and bumping, Teavolve offers an alternative to grab a seat on a couch, break open the laptop, listen to smooth sounds of live music, and indulge in rich, buttery croissants and crepes or quick bites of salads and paninis.

The happy hour menu called my name. Featuring all cocktails half price from 4-7 as well as an extensive list of bites that run merely $5, you can’t go wrong.

I opted for the mango margarita while my boyfriend went for his staple he always gets-their acai blueberry smoothie (they have killer smoothies too!)

My drink could not have been any fresher-with bits of mango in it and the right mixture of tequila and liquor it was the best summer cocktail I could have asked for! The smoothie goes down too easily being not too sweet but just right. How much do these two drinks scream summer?! Next time, I’ll venture to try one of their tea infused sangrias!

For dinner, I opted for their ‘adult grilled cheese’ panini paired with Sun Chips. A cheese lover, it was beyond all that is good. Featuring feta, goat cheese, mozzarella and EVOO on a hot panini, I allowed myself half. Not too heavy, not at all greasy, but extremely creamy and sweet! I’ll be looking forward to that other half in the form of leftovers! 

My date went for a lighter option after that heatstroke sorta day with their chef salad-they manage to take a staple and turn it into a beautiful summertime salad creation! 

Another sandwich Teavolve excels at is their croissant sandwiches! Flaky, croissants filled with cold salads paired with side salads make for a delicious option! Their chicken salad is my weakness. Filled with cranberries (in my opinion, all chicken salads demand fruit!), almonds, and lettuce, it’s almost impossible for me not to finish it all! 

Another great staple sandwich they add their signature flare to? Turkey! Fresh turkey accompanied with red peppers, caramelizing onions, goat cheese and a dijon mayo create a sandwich that is both filling and fancy! 

Saturday or Sunday brunch is a must. French toast with strawberries, red velvet pancakes, or salmon omelettes, their menu is one to read. 

I can already see this spot being a go-to for girls’ catch up lunches, showers for dear friends, or low-key date nights. Comfy chairs, relaxing sounds of Ingrid Michaelson playing, to kill for (and great priced) happy hour cocktails, and light and fresh bites (they also have a pretty tempting bakery case) make TeaVolve a new favorite for me!

Tea fiends, take note and head get yourself here pronto! Grab a book or a friend and spend a few hours taking in the relaxing environment of Teavolve this summer!

Harbor East serves as one of my favorite dining locations in the city. Nothing compares to eating harbor side on some very fine dining. Now throw in Lebanese Taverna as an option for where to eat and you have one very elegant evening of food!

Also found in D.C., Lebanese has a fabulous restaurant tucked away waterfront in Harbor East that is lavish, open and airy, and smells like the amazing chikpea wonders that I adore!

Once seated in their cozy cushiony couches, I couldn’t help but dive right into their warm, light and fluffy bread. 

Being super early due to a performance that same night at The Hippodrome I was seeing, white bread wasn’t yet out of the oven. However, this darker wheaty bread served us just fine with the oil they provide for dipping. 

First up, my date and I split their cheese plate. The top cheese had a salty, mozzarella after taste to it while the cheese beneath was creamy and richer. Either way, it was fresh and paired nicely with my Ksara chardonnay from Lebanon.

Already loaded up with cheese, oil, and bread, my hummus arrived! Being the eager beaver that I am, I was intrigued by the trio of hummus. However, our very informative and knowledgeable about the cuisine waiter subtly suggested that it was intended for a bigger party. In hindsight, I’m very glad I listened.

I opted for just their garlic hummus with a chicken schwarma topping. Unbelievable. My love for garlic, chicken, and hummus has found its outlet. I can not make another reservation quickly enough to relive that experience. Using their bread provided on the table, I did copious amounts of dipping. And dipping. And more dipping. Sweet, salty, and garlicy, the hummus delivered. I’m looking forward to trying different flavors and toppings as I revisit!

Of course we did not stop there. Having to try the true Lebanese staple, I went for the falafel. A middle eastern dish I am truly a fan of, I love my falafels in pitas with a yogurt dip. This met that expectation and then some!

My date, on the other hand, went for a nice selection of some of the finest schwama options on the menu-the Carved Rotisserie Mix. Chicken, lamb, and beef are all freshly prepared along side tahini sauce and a very strong and potent garlic sauce. If garlic is your love, this sauce will fill the craving then probably linger for a while after!

Overall, Lebanese has great options for many palettes. Don’t be intimidated by the exotic cuisine when in reality, if you’re a vegetarian options are copious, if you’re looking for a hearty meal you can dive into meats, flatbreads, fish dishes, or even just a variety of mezza (small dishes)! 

The waterfront dining option makes for a great Saturday evening dining option to enjoy the sunset, sip a glass of international wine, indulge in some hummus, and cap off with some savory falafels. Lebanese Taverna has found a fantastic home in Baltimore and offers a nice selection for those date nights where you want to be wined and dined or girls’ nights where you’d rather pony up to the bar for a few drinks and apps.