July 27th, 2011
I was looking forward to again visiting The Black Olive. It has been a couple of years since my sister in law, Susie, introduced me to this Mediterranean restaurant, whose specialty is fresh fish. The Black Olive is also organic using the best ingredients found in the area.
The Black Olive is located at 814 South Bond St., Fells Point, MD 21231. Tel. 410-276-7141. Website? www.theblackolive.com. It is also located in the Historic neighborhood of Fells Point.
Walking out and about in Fells Point is such a treat; the cobblestones adding to the charm of this neighborhood that dates back to 1726 and famous for its maritime port. The streets are narrow; the row houses are so quaint and the aroma emanating from restaurants and bakeries is intoxicating. You can get to Fells Point by car, water taxi from the Inner Harbor, freeway and several bus lines.
We were going to be early birds. Hot early birds since we had been sightseeing Charm City and summer in the city was, well, suffocating.
It was, actually, a good time to arrive at The Black Olive because since it was only 6 p.m., the restaurant was not crowded by any means. I could take pictures.
The Black Olive is as quaint outside as it is inside. It is divided in smaller dining areas which is conducive to intimate dinners. I noticed that a new patio, also for dining, has been added since the last time I was there.
It was funny because I knew what I was going to have for dinner the moment I was en route to The Black Olive. If they had Bronzini, that was going to be my choice. This is a Mediterranean Seabass that is also known as Lavraki, or Loup de Mare. It feeds on shrimp, which comes through in its taste. It is also a little flaky, but firm in texture. You see? I had it all planned out. The rest of my dinner would be just an enhancement to my main dish.
Susie and I were the first people seated in a light and open room in the back of the restaurant.
Immeditely, an order of black olive bread, black olives and olive oil for dipping arrived at our table. We were hungry and the bread was thick and crusty; the rest? Delicious.
They asked us if we wanted to tour the fish of the day display. You can tour the display and ask questions. We knew what we wanted so we just stayed at our table checking out the rest of the menu.
We first started with fresh sardines wrapped in grape leaves and brushed with olive oil; perfectly grilled. I had never had this combination and certainly would have it again. Delicously salty they were.
I have my husband, kids and some friends trained on waiting for me to take pictures of the various dishes. Susie was talking longer to train.
Then, we both chose the soup of the day; cold cream of cucumber soup. It was thick, and very refreshing; ice cubes topped the soup.
Susie decided to also have a mixed green salad with a lot of arugula and goat cheese. It had just a touch of aged balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
She chose the Rockfish dusted with corn meal and pan sauteed. It was a good size piece of fish; the crust was nice and crispy and the fish was moist and perfectly seasoned. The main entree came with the vegetable of the day which was Swiss Chard, braised and sauteed with garlic and olive oil.
My entree, which you already know, was the Bronzini. The fish was cooked whole and I chose for it to be filleted tableside. I have had Bronzini several times lately; hands down, this one has been the best. Flaky, firm and moist.
We also chose to have both fish entrees drizzled with their sauce of a simple black olive fish sauce.
As the evening progressed, the restaurant was getting more crowded and some of the fellow diners congratulated Susie when they saw her dessert arrive. It was her birthday; compliments of the house. She got a treat of homemade ice cream with berries and a candle. Thank God, no singing or any other celebratory displays.
We were not finished yet. I saw on the menu that they had a homemade Blaklava Ice Cream, which they have patented. How could I leave The Black Olive without trying my downfall? We ordered a tiny scoop for both of us.
The Blaklava Ice Cream was full of the blaklava chips, creamy, but not overly sweet.
I almost forgot to tell you that the service was very good. Prompt, attentive but discreet. The waitress knowing her menu well.
We had to take a walk and ended at one of the many piers, just down the street from the restaurant. A nice evening indeed. You charmed me, Baltimore.
 Cleaning the Harbor
Next?…checking the Inn at the Black Olive and The Olive Room….yes, they are related to The Black Olive…all in Fells Point…
July 25th, 2011
Construction started in 1806. It would become a symbol of religious freedom and a treasure for Americans of all faiths.
Baltimore, Maryland, is a city of many firsts, and this is an important one. During its 200 years the Basilica has been visited by dignataries and historical figures from around the world.
George Weigel, who is the biographer for Pope John Paul II said “No other Catholic edifice in America can claim to have seen so much history made inside its walls.”
At least 15 saints or potential saints have prayed at the Basilica. Visit the website for a complete list of the many historic events that have occurred within its walls.
The Basilica is located at Cathedral & Mulberry Streets. Tel. 410-727-3565. Website? www.baltimorebasilica.org. There is a tour schedule which is as follows: Mondays – Fridays at 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Saturdays? Call to check availability. Sundays the tour will be at 12:00 p.m. If you happen to have a group of 10 or more then, please call for a reservation. No group tours will be scheduled on Sundays.
There is also a Gift Shop and, of course, the most important part which is the celebration of Mass. There is a daily Mass Mondays through Fridays at 7:30 a.m. and at 12:10 p.m. Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. and Sundays at 8:00 a.m., 10:45 a.m. with the choir, and 4:30 p.m.
You know how hot it was this past Saturday. Susie and I headed to the Basilica to continue our sightseeing. We were determined. It was so hot that the streets in Baltimore were deserted.
 The Altar
You cannot believe how gorgeous this Basilica is. It is also huge. The moment I went in I was in total peace and serenity. It does not matter what religious affiliation you are, this is a place for prayer and respect. The Basilica is known as the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
I immediately went to the area on the left hand side where the statue of Pope John Paul is located. I lit candles and prayed for the well being of my family. Just around the corner from the Basilica, at the corner of North Charles and Franklin Sts. you will find the Pope John Paul II Prayer Garden which was opened in 2008. It is a quiet oasis for reflection and relaxation.
This Basilica began in 2004 an extensive renovation. It again opened its doors in 2006 to commemorate its 200th anniversary.
The Basilica had 24 skylights. They had been closed or removed over time. Now, replaced and illuminating the Basilica, they are a “living symbol of the light of religious freedom”, which was how they were intended to be.
Another highlight of the renovation was the ability to be able to access the crypt from the inside the Basilica. The crypt holds the tombs of Archbishop John Carroll, the first Bishop of the United States of America, Archbishop Martin John Spalding, and James Cardinal Gibbons.
Note: Just across from the Basilica is the The Enoch Pratt Library. It is the First Public Library System with Branches in the United States. Another first for Charm City.
Dear Baltimore: Stand proud. You are a beautiful city. To understand and respect your past will take you into the future.
Another note: Some information for this post was taken from the brochure America’s First Cathedral.
If you are the type of person that would like to have tours customized for you then, check the website www.zippytours.com. If you want to learn why they came to America, why they chose Baltimore and how they got there, then give Zippy a call.
July 25th, 2011
I lived in Charm City from 1976 until 1981. Worked at First National Bank of Maryland and took the #61 Bus downtown. Enjoyed the Inner Harbor and everything this city had to offer. So, I asked myself, What’s Going On, Baltimore?
In the headlines; detrimental news about this city. When I think that cities throughout would kill for the resources Baltimore has to offer. The harbor, the downtown adjacent to water, sports, ethnic neighborhoods with amazing foods, major hospitals and universities, financial houses, an international airport, and all in very close proximity. Baltimore is small and that’s what I liked when I first moved there.
What got me going to Baltimore on the hottest week-end of the summer, when everyone was driving to the Beach, was first to visit my sister in law, and then, because I heard a conversation on t.v. about the new bullet tax that is being proposed for Baltimore. The commentator said something; well, why are we even talking about this, who really goes to Baltimore? An ignorant statement to say the least.
And, guess what? I am alive and did not even have to dodge any bullets. I agree, some areas are, definitely, more charming than others. Just like everywhere else. The sad part is when we take those areas for granted; oh, well they are part of what Baltimore is. Just like New York was cleaned up, Baltimore can achieve that, as well.
I found a lot of the streets to be very clean with no trash. A drive through Pig Town showed the sad state of that neighborhood.
Baltimore is a city of important Firsts in this country from 1743 to 1995. A few are:
1743 – First professional sports organization in the U.S.; The Maryland Jockey Club
1774 – First Post Office System in the U.S.
1796 – First Sunday newspaper in America – Monitor
1796 – First sugar refinery in the U.S.
1797 – First U.S. war ship to capture an enemy vessel – Constellation
1798 – First fort built by the U.S. government – Fort McHenry
1800 – First investment banking house in America – founded by Alex Brown
1803 – First electric refrigerator, invented by Thomas Moore
1814 – Birth of the Star Spangled Banner
1816 – First city to illuminate streets with hydrogen gas
1831 – First national nominating convention for President of the United States
1840 – First dental college in the world; Baltimore College of Dental Surgery
1854 – First Jewish Community Center in the U.S. – Young Men’s Hebrew Association
1901 – First Woman Professor in a U.S medical school – Dr. Florence Rena Sabin
1946 – First photograph from space produced at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab.
1966 – First baseball player to be named MVP in both leagues, Frank Robinson
1995 – First American city to win championship in the Canadian Football League – Baltimore Stallions
For a complete list, please visit http://baltimore.org/about-baltimore/baltimore-firsts
And, Baltimore, you can’t clean the city after all those accomplishments?
So, there I was, in hotter than…in Baltimore to do a little sightseeing, a little eating and a little catching up.
It was Noon and Susie and I were hungry. Just something small; early dinner later on.
We went to Haute Dog. Street food; I am totally into it. Haute Dog is located at 6070 Falls Rd., Baltimore, MD 21209. Website? http://www.hautedogcarte.com
Haute Dog is right next to Bonjour Bakery so I am not sure if the name “Haute” came because they had to step it up a notch.
It is street side. It opens at 11 until 2:30 p.m. They will keep on serving their customers past that time. There is usually a line.
There was a menu attached to the pole. This is probably one of the best hot dogs you will have. Grilled, which is what I like and very messy.
They have available, vegan dogs, and chicken dogs, as well.
The hot dog roll is pre-heated and it is thick.
We decided to split a Haute Dog Signature dog – It was a 1/4 lb. Black Angus dog finished with tomato and onion jam, bacon and onion marmalade and Dijon. The picture? That’s the best I could do under the circumstances; heat, hunger, camera, and bag on hand.
The combination of those flavors was perfect; the marmalade, the Dijon. The warm bun was great. It was definitely not a boring dog.
We found out that customers make special trips to Haute Dog; they are not just the neighbors.
Check it out…let me know how you like it…Talk to you in a bit…
June 12th, 2011
Names like German Chocolate, Chocolate Peppermit, Cookies & Cream, Chocolate Caramel, Vanilla Birthday Cake…and Vegan Chocolate Capuccino, Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter…These were only in the dreams of some that need to follow a gluten free diet, among other diets.
My first visit to Sweet Sin Cafe was on January 5, 2010. I wrote a post on that day and you can see it by just clicking on the left hand side of this blog on the month of January, 2010 and scrolling down to the 5th. I bought all kinds of breads, cookies and cupcakes on that visit.
Sweet Sin Cafe is located in the Charles Village/Remington neighborhoods of Baltimore. The exact address is 123 West 27th St., Baltimore, MD. The tel. is 410-464-7211. The website? www.sweetsinbakery.com. The owners are Richard and Renee D’Souza. E-mail is richard@glutenfreedesserts.com.
It is a very simple cafe in a row house. A casual place, bring your laptop, have just a coffee and a baked good, a full breakfast or lunch like we did. There is a board showing the daily temptations.
Since my visit they have opened the sister restaurant to Sweet Sin Cafe. Right next door. Meet 27, American Bistro. It is Charm’s City’s newest, full-fledge gluten free restaurant. That address is 127 West 27th Street, Baltimore, MD 21218. Tel. 410-585-8121. It is open Mondays through Thursdays from 5 until 10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 5 until 11 p.m. and Sundays from 5 until 10 p.m.
Visiting the Cafe with Susie and now with John, the one with celiac, I can tell you that it was music to my ears to hear them say “Our menu can accommodate gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, and soy-free diets”.
All natural ingredients; some dairy free, soy free, casein free. Soups like Cream of Mushroom, Spinach Mulligatuny, Chicken and Rice, Vegetarian Chili, Shrimp Chowder, Clam Chowder, Thai Chicken and Vegetable Soup are dairy free.
The day I visited was for lunch, therefore, I have not tried Meet 27 yet. I believe that Meet 27’s liquour license is in the works. Meet 27 has appetizers, salads, entrees like Chili Paneer, Catch of the Day, New York Strip Steak, Peppercorn Beef, Vindaloo Pork, Lamb Chops, Veggie Platter and different burger options all made with local and organic dry-aged beef. Their desserts are all house made and some of those options were: Chocolate Mousse with orange sauce and fresh berries (vegan and gluten free), Coconut Lime Parfait on a meringue cookie with coconut creme anglaise (dairy and gluten free) and Black Forest Cake with cherry sauce (gluten free).
We were starving and this is what we had:
The Chicken Tacos – a generous portion and Susie said they were delicious.
Goat Curry – John loves goat. Hey, he likes it. Actually, I do too. Maybe my PR roots of “cabrito”. He accompanied the goat curry with cabbage with peas and carrots and basmati rice with vegetables. Enjoyed it!!
Penang Chicken with Chana Masala, which were chickpeas in Masala sauce. Added plantains and black beans with salsa and yogurt and what a lunch I had!! The portion was huge for lunch, but it was so good; the right amount of spice. The color and aroma were to die for.
I like to try different things and I had an Organic Raw Kombucha as my drink. It was good but I had to take a few sips before I acquired the taste for it. You would have to decide. You are either going to like it or hate it.
Even with all that food we ordered cupcakes. Sweet Sin is also a complete bakery. You can find their offerings at stores like Wegman’s, Whole Foods and Roots Market. Have a Special Occasion? Visit the above mentioned website for more info.
We ordered a Key Lime Cupcake, and a Carrot Cake Cupcake. Both were good but we all decided we liked the carrot cake better.
I love that the flavors are not compromised. Whether you have an allergy or not the food is delicious. I think Richard and his wife Renee, who has to eat gluten free, are doing a great job. I hope they keep it that way.
Sweet Sin Cafe has ready to go baked goods and foods. All you have to do is stop by.
I will talk to you later….have a great day!!
October 4th, 2010
One of the things I like to do when I visit Baltimore, Maryland, is to try one of its many ethnic restaurants. I lived many years ago in Baltimore and have very good memories; working downtown and watching the Inner Harbor come alive.
I was spending the night in Baltimore last week and Susie, Pam and I decided to go to The Carlyle. This was the location of a Lebanese restaurant but it is now an Indian restaurant. It is located at 500 West University Parkway, Baltimore, MD 21210. Tel. 410-243-5424. It is on the first floor of an apartment building by the same name, a few blocks from John’s Hopkins University.
I thought the restaurant looked pretty; a little formal, we were properly dressed, promptly seated and I could not wait.
Indian Cuisine is about 5,000 years old. Cultural and geographical boundaries have changed, but its original identity has not been lost, it actually has become richer.
As you know, I live in Rehoboth Beach and we do have excellent restaurants but we are lacking an Indian one. So, any time I can go to one, it is great.
We started with an appetizer of Vegetable Cuddy. A cuddy is a widespread dressing in North India. Spicy but soft enough thanks to yogurt and flour. Can be used for salads and vegetables.
The cuddy is also considered an ancient ceremonial dish, served in temples throughout India. Vegetables fritters in a turmeric yogurt sauce.
I cannot even tell how good this appetizer was. I could just go and have this one as my meal.
The next appetizer was a Vegetable Samosa. A samosa is a stuffed pastry. It is usually a fried or baked triangular semi-lunar pastry shell with a filling consisting of either vegetables, ground beef or chicken. It is served with a chutney or curd.
My particular samosa was stuffed with potatoes and peas. It was good but I liked the cuddy better.
My choice for an entree was the Tamil Lamb Curry. The Tamil cuisine is from the South of India. Its distinct flavor and aroma is a combination of spices like, curry leaves, tamarind, coriander, fennel, and coconut, among others. It is one of the spiciest, oiliest and most aromatic cuisines in India.
Mine was a fiery lamb curry cooked with fennel, tomatoes, poppy seeds, lime, and a touch of coconut milk. I really liked it; the lamb was so tender.
Susie had the Shrimp Madrasi. Madras is a fairly hot curry sauce, red in color. It originated in the South of India; getting its name from the city of Madras. It goes well with all foods, and can be used in any stage of cooking; marinade, grill or finish. Easy to prepare, as well.
This dish had jumbo shrimp sauteed with garlic, ginger, chili, lime and fresh coriander.
Pam decided on the Bengan Bhartha. From Northern India, this is a vegetarian dish; roasted eggplants mashed and cooked with coriander, cumin, onions and tomatoes. Light and perfectly seasoned.
We decided to skip dessert. Can’t have it all.
All three dinners were served with rice and the side order is spinach. I tasted all the entrees and they had very distinct flavors.
I like the restaurant and would certainly go again.
Have a great day…..too much rain….talk to you later.
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