Until Friday night, Ethel and Ramone's was the place that served Jambalaya and Red Beans and Rice at the Farmers Market under 83 on Sundays. The guy who runs the restaurant in Mt. Washington kept telling me I really needed to come up to the restaurant but I kept putting it off. Fortunately I decided I wanted to revisit my trip to New Orleans and that's exactly what I got.
I had something called the shrimp boat which essentially a seafood medley with a dirty rice. I thought it was pretty damn delicious. Stacie had the Old Bay fried chicken. No that's not very Creole or Cajun but it was damn delicious. We finished that off with a homemade Key Lime silk pie as an end to a perfect meal.
I can see Ethel and Ramones once or twice a year for sure. Just a nice little spot for really good food and a change of scenery from the Baltimore concrete jungle.
Natty Broh!
Monday, May 21, 2012
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
All I want, Bang Bang Bang
Bang Bang Mongolian Grill is relatively new in the Canton scene. I think it opened late in 2011 and I really didn't care for the idea of a Mongolian Grill even though I didn't know what the hell that was. Nothing changes my motivations more than a GroupOn and Meat! Tonight we decided to give it a shot and I was immediately impressed.
So you pay like $9 and they gjve you a bowl to put as much uncooked food into that bowl in any combination you'd like. You choose from a bunch of different meats, veggies, and seafood along with any spices you might want to include. Then you get a smaller cup to put in the sauce(s) you'd like to include. Once complete, you hand you concoction to a gentlemen who places your food cocktail onto this big circular stove where he cooks it and then places it in a larger bowl with a choice of rice or noodle. Delish, simple, and relatively healthy if choose the right food selections.
This is a no-brainer that I intend to frequent. Done deal!
So you pay like $9 and they gjve you a bowl to put as much uncooked food into that bowl in any combination you'd like. You choose from a bunch of different meats, veggies, and seafood along with any spices you might want to include. Then you get a smaller cup to put in the sauce(s) you'd like to include. Once complete, you hand you concoction to a gentlemen who places your food cocktail onto this big circular stove where he cooks it and then places it in a larger bowl with a choice of rice or noodle. Delish, simple, and relatively healthy if choose the right food selections.
This is a no-brainer that I intend to frequent. Done deal!
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Crack Chicken - Que Rico
It took me until I worked in Curtis Bay to find out about Peruvian Chicken, or Crack Chicken as it was affectionately deemed by Mr. Micole Cheatham. Micole and I worked together for the Coast Guard and he was a veteran of the South Baltimore Bermuda Triangle (Curtis Bay, Brooklyn, and the People's Republic of Glen Bernie). You'd be surprised how many good food spots there were in that triangle.
I think Micole would agree that Perchi's was the best of the triangle and it stayed that way for along time until I stumbled upon Chicken Rico on Eastern Avenue in Highlandtown (Brewers Hill for the aristocrats). This place takes it up a notch because not only do they have that great Peruvian rotisserie chicken, but their sides are damn good to. The rice is awesomeand they had red beans which, if made correctly, are way better than black beans.
I think I really need to give the influx of Latino restaurants on Eastern Ave and Broadway a better look. There are a ton of dive restaurants that most people would give the time of day. Those places are usually the best. If you've been to the Southwest or SoCal, you know.
I think Micole would agree that Perchi's was the best of the triangle and it stayed that way for along time until I stumbled upon Chicken Rico on Eastern Avenue in Highlandtown (Brewers Hill for the aristocrats). This place takes it up a notch because not only do they have that great Peruvian rotisserie chicken, but their sides are damn good to. The rice is awesomeand they had red beans which, if made correctly, are way better than black beans.
I think I really need to give the influx of Latino restaurants on Eastern Ave and Broadway a better look. There are a ton of dive restaurants that most people would give the time of day. Those places are usually the best. If you've been to the Southwest or SoCal, you know.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Boordy Mothers Day Event
Boordy Wine is definitely the most popular Maryland wine in the Baltimore area. Please don't confuse popular with good. Frankly, most of the wine made in the Maryland area is cooking wine at best. Still, going up to Boordy Vineyards for Mothers Day was thoroughly relaxing and I can see where there's potential to make a visit to Boordy. I realize Boordy doesn't have to change its formula because the lemmings come in droves, but here's how I would do it.
BYOB. This the universal party acronym that will make a restaurant or boring event a success. You see Boordy only lets you drink their fermented grapes. If I go next year, I'm sneaking in whatever booze I want. It's really not that hard because most of the people there really don't give a damn.
Then I would get a better band. That shouldn't be too hard given the product they put out this year. No disrespect to the 60's and 70's, but this band managed to pick out all the music I really don't need to hear. Thankfully we were on the opposite side of the property so I couldn't make out some of the songs through the throngs of gimps in search of a tree to hug. This band did manage to change it up just in time its go to selection of Jimmy Buffet jams. My fins don't go left or right and in my paradise, there are no cheeseburgers.
The next logical step would be to 86 the kids. This is a no-brainer. One day I will have kids, I realize that. But I don't so I will prolong the hate as long as possible. Really, I don't hate kids though. I hate parents who have absolutely no control over their spoiled and undisciplined kids. And to the guy who thought throwing a softball with his girl in the middle of that sea of humanity, make sure of these two things. Teach your girl how to throw and learn how to catch.
Still the event was a success. Everyone in our tribe had a really good time and the grub was correct. BTW, I now put Redner's fried chicken right up there with Royal Farms.
BYOB. This the universal party acronym that will make a restaurant or boring event a success. You see Boordy only lets you drink their fermented grapes. If I go next year, I'm sneaking in whatever booze I want. It's really not that hard because most of the people there really don't give a damn.
Then I would get a better band. That shouldn't be too hard given the product they put out this year. No disrespect to the 60's and 70's, but this band managed to pick out all the music I really don't need to hear. Thankfully we were on the opposite side of the property so I couldn't make out some of the songs through the throngs of gimps in search of a tree to hug. This band did manage to change it up just in time its go to selection of Jimmy Buffet jams. My fins don't go left or right and in my paradise, there are no cheeseburgers.
The next logical step would be to 86 the kids. This is a no-brainer. One day I will have kids, I realize that. But I don't so I will prolong the hate as long as possible. Really, I don't hate kids though. I hate parents who have absolutely no control over their spoiled and undisciplined kids. And to the guy who thought throwing a softball with his girl in the middle of that sea of humanity, make sure of these two things. Teach your girl how to throw and learn how to catch.
Still the event was a success. Everyone in our tribe had a really good time and the grub was correct. BTW, I now put Redner's fried chicken right up there with Royal Farms.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
JJ's is not (CLAP!) Dynomite!
Potbelly’s is my favorite sandwich shop in the city when speed and quality are an absolute must. The Italian sandwich is not as good as an Italian deli but it’s the best in a pinch because it’s damn tasty and you get a solid amount of meat in your sandwich. Plus the price is reasonable for the quality and consistent.
A couple of weeks back after an O’s game, I decided to check out Jimmy John’s (JJ’s) to see how it stood up to Potbelly’s. Honestly I never would have stopped in but it was the only quick snack I could get at 9:45. After eating JJ’s, I can tell you that the late hours and delivery are the only redeeming quality.
If you like your sandwich to resemble more of a salad then JJ’s is for you. They take their bread and put about 3 slices of meat, ala Subway, and then proceed to top it with a pound of lettuce, tomatoes and onion. I’m serious; it looked like a pile of paper after it was shredded was just dumped onto 3 slivers of meat. I should have taken the sandwich and thrown it at the guy who was making it. I guess that’s what I get when I go to a newly opened store 15 minutes before close because they obviously don’t give a damn. I know people that swear by JJ’s and I swear they need to check their heads. This place is just a step above Subway at best.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
What up HomeSlyce
Friday night we had a chance to check out Home Slyce, the new pizza spot at 1741 Light Street in Federal Hill. I found out about the place thanks to my cousin Tasia who just happens to wait tables there.
We got outside seats around 6:30pm so we could take our dog with us. Baltimore just doesn't have enough restaurants that are dog friendly but the owner of Home Slyce was happy to take care of Apollo.
For apps, we got the lamb and beef meatballs. They were a little overcooked and could have used some more sauce but they were damn tasty and had a nice kick as well.
The pizza was the real highlight of the meal. I had the Strongman Meat Classic "Slyce" pizza and the 1741 Reci-pie "Slyce" pizza. We both really enjoyed the "Slyce" style pies which were basically boat shaped pizzas with thick crust on the end and various toppings. The crust was awesome.
Since Home Slyce is only 3 weeks old, it did not have all its taps up and running. There were only three taps and a generic beer selection. If I was the owner, I would focus on tightening up the beer selection with a more sophisticated selection. Yes I am a beer snob but only 3 drafts won't cut it. At least they had Fat Tire on tab.
I intend to go back soon but I see myself doing delivery as well in the future. I'm looking forward to getting back soon. Thanks Tasia for introducing us to a cool new spot. We really enjoyed ourselves.
We got outside seats around 6:30pm so we could take our dog with us. Baltimore just doesn't have enough restaurants that are dog friendly but the owner of Home Slyce was happy to take care of Apollo.
For apps, we got the lamb and beef meatballs. They were a little overcooked and could have used some more sauce but they were damn tasty and had a nice kick as well.
The pizza was the real highlight of the meal. I had the Strongman Meat Classic "Slyce" pizza and the 1741 Reci-pie "Slyce" pizza. We both really enjoyed the "Slyce" style pies which were basically boat shaped pizzas with thick crust on the end and various toppings. The crust was awesome.
Since Home Slyce is only 3 weeks old, it did not have all its taps up and running. There were only three taps and a generic beer selection. If I was the owner, I would focus on tightening up the beer selection with a more sophisticated selection. Yes I am a beer snob but only 3 drafts won't cut it. At least they had Fat Tire on tab.
I intend to go back soon but I see myself doing delivery as well in the future. I'm looking forward to getting back soon. Thanks Tasia for introducing us to a cool new spot. We really enjoyed ourselves.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Towson Town Festival
This weekend marks the beginning of the festival season in the Baltimore area. Sure we've had a few beer festivals and the Pirate Festival in Fells Point, but the first weekend of May always marks one of the better festivals in the Baltimore area. The Towson Town Festival has long been one of my favorites because it normally coincides with warmer weather and the Kentucky Derby.
This year there is some added excitement for those Towson area vets as the Charles Village Pub (CVP) has reopened after a fire basically shut down the joint for a few months. Honestly I'm not sure how long its been since CVP reopened but I would bet it's been in the past couple of weeks. My sister Kerrie loves CVP and she went up there this past Monday night to check it out. To be honest, the old CVP was a dump but they had a nice back patio that was always a welcome spot. This is also the bar that will probably have the highest rate of college kids getting hammered. The bar might be cool to check out for a drink at most.
The best part of the festival is the beer garden by the Courthouse. They have lots of different beer selections from which you can choose while listening what's usually a decent music selection . There is a larger beer garden that's been sponsored by 98 Rock in the past. You will get a steady diet of rock from some of the more popular local bands. Actually I just looked at the band lineups and, with the exception of the Amish Outlaws on Sunday, I can safely say the music lineup is garbage.
If you go with your family, there are a ton of things to do with plenty of vendors and areas to do things with your kids. I don't have kids and I don't shop. You will probably find me at Souris because I think it's the best bar in Towson and one of the only bars that has good food. The only problem in Souris during the Towson Festival is that patrons squeeze into the place like recovering addicts squeeze into a methadone clinic. Unfortunately Towson bars do their best to appeal to the underdeveloped appetites of poor college kids.
Sometime around 6pm the Kentucky Derby will go off and everyone will pack into already packed bars for 15 minutes to watch the race for whatever reason. Normally we find a group of people and everyone will randomly pick a horse. Someone wins a quick 50 bucks and that ends my festival. I hope the weather cooperates.
This year there is some added excitement for those Towson area vets as the Charles Village Pub (CVP) has reopened after a fire basically shut down the joint for a few months. Honestly I'm not sure how long its been since CVP reopened but I would bet it's been in the past couple of weeks. My sister Kerrie loves CVP and she went up there this past Monday night to check it out. To be honest, the old CVP was a dump but they had a nice back patio that was always a welcome spot. This is also the bar that will probably have the highest rate of college kids getting hammered. The bar might be cool to check out for a drink at most.
The best part of the festival is the beer garden by the Courthouse. They have lots of different beer selections from which you can choose while listening what's usually a decent music selection . There is a larger beer garden that's been sponsored by 98 Rock in the past. You will get a steady diet of rock from some of the more popular local bands. Actually I just looked at the band lineups and, with the exception of the Amish Outlaws on Sunday, I can safely say the music lineup is garbage.
If you go with your family, there are a ton of things to do with plenty of vendors and areas to do things with your kids. I don't have kids and I don't shop. You will probably find me at Souris because I think it's the best bar in Towson and one of the only bars that has good food. The only problem in Souris during the Towson Festival is that patrons squeeze into the place like recovering addicts squeeze into a methadone clinic. Unfortunately Towson bars do their best to appeal to the underdeveloped appetites of poor college kids.
Sometime around 6pm the Kentucky Derby will go off and everyone will pack into already packed bars for 15 minutes to watch the race for whatever reason. Normally we find a group of people and everyone will randomly pick a horse. Someone wins a quick 50 bucks and that ends my festival. I hope the weather cooperates.
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