True Chesapeake Oyster Co. Restaurant opens in Whitehall Mill

There is so much good to say about the True Chesapeake Oyster Co.: their location, décor, partnerships, drinks, food and dare I say oysters! 

Oysters are at the crux and heart of this restaurant; they are at the center of this friendship/partnership of oyster farmer Patrick Hudson of True Chesapeake Oyster Co. from St. Jerome Creek in Southern Maryland, award-winning Executive Chef Zack Mills, and Nick Schauman – founder of The Local Oyster.  True Chesapeake Oyster Co. is the first Maryland oyster farm to open a restaurant. Bring in another award-winner, Chelsea Gregoire, the general manager and beverage director to round out an already outstanding hospitality team.  Everyone mentioned above is a story unto themselves and deserves more than this mere mention.  

Read the full story at Dara Cooks at Baltimore Post Examiner

How will you celebrate National Shrimp Day

It is National Shrimp Day -- if I was going to pick a favorite for me, shrimp scampi with an artichoke is my favorite preparation next to a good shrimp salad sandwich. The scampi sauce is perfect to dip the artichoke leaves - rich, unctious, full of flavor.

Personally, I haven't met a shrimp I didn't like. What is your favorite shrimp preparation? 

Seafood bonanza: By the Docks

By the Docks, a Middle River restaurant, a prominent fixture on Eastern Boulevard, has been recognized and awarded numerous accolades for Baltimore’s Best Crab Cake.  Is it the best, many will agree that the large, lump  Blue Swimming crabmeat cake, broiled to golden brown perfection reigns supreme.  By the Docks’ crab cakes are so popular that you can now have them shipped to anywhere in the contiguous United States. 

Read more and watch the slideshow at my Dara Cooks Blog on Baltimore Post Examiner. 

New bar bites and crafted cocktails at Bonefish Grill

Bonefish Grill calls it their Hand-Crafted Happy Hour because they feature their $5 Hand-Crafted Martini and Cocktails the likes of the Raspberry Vodka Collins with Tito’s vodka, Blueberry Lemon Drop with Absolut Citron, Tropical Tiki Martini with Captain Morgan rum, and Fresh Margarita with Dimeca Altos Tequila.  There are other libation specials: $1 off draft beers, $4 House Wines and select spirits $5. The Raspberry Collins was a bit strong for my companion, but the Tropical Tiki Martini was enjoyed by both of us. The Tropical Tiki Martini was a refreshing blend of island flavors and not to overly sweet.

Watch the slideshow and read more at Dara Cooks at Baltimore Post Examiner

Spring has sprung on new menu: B & O American Brasserie

TIS the season where menus change featuring what the farmers, the waterways and ranchers are featuring.  Always a joy to go back to the B & O American Brasserie and see and taste their new menu offerings by Executive Chef Scott Hines and his culinary crew.  Chef Hines explained the menu has been trimmed down as he did with the fall/winter menu, but with dishes we all know, with his updated embellishment.  Take his Wedge Salad, it looks somewhat traditional with blue cheese, then again, add the guanciale, tomato salt and white balsamic ranch and it is taken a level above the traditional Wedge Salad or the Meatballs in Sunday Gravy – these are mortadella and foie gras meatballs.

Read the full story on my Dara Cooks blog on Baltimore Post Examiner

Mama’s on the Half Shell will be open Christmas Day

Mea culpa in my list of restaurants open Christmas Day I forgot put down that Mama’s on the Half Shell in Canton which will be open from 11 am and operating regular hours.  The kitchen will be open from Noon-8pm and offering out their regular menu.

Perfect if you want to carry over the Italian tradition of 7 fishes on Christmas eve through to Christmas day.  It is a great way to get your seafood on for the holidays; a nice bouillabaisse, crab imperial or a solid crab cake platter.    

Mama’s on the Half Shell – 2901 O’Donnell Street- Baltimore, MD 21224 Reservations (410) 276-3160 https://www.mamasmd.com/MamasSite/ Facebook and Instagram: @mamasonthehalfshell Twitter: @mamashalfshell

Check out the other restaurants that are open on Christmas Day at my column at Baltimore Post Examiner 

Sunday Funday at the Rusty Scupper

With the best view of Baltimore’s Harbor, the Rusty Scupper invites you to their top deck to take in the view, nosh a nosh, have a cold one and enjoy the tunes.  Every Sunday, is Funday on the upper deck of this well established restaurant. 

·         Nosh a nosh:  From oysters to a juicy bacon burger – there is something for everyone’s hunger level.

·         Have a cold one:  Adults chill with a draught or bottle beer, specialty cocktails and wine and the kiddies can kick back with an Arnold Palmer, soda or a non-alcoholic version of the specialty cocktails.

·         Enjoy the tunes:  Enjoy the breeze on the upper deck while The Jimmy Buffet cover band plays some mellow tunes.  Added bonus, the musicians playing at Pier 6 streams into the evening air.

From 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., every Sunday hopefully throughout to early fall – grab a seat, a plate and a drink and soak in the best view of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.

For more information or to make a reservation, visit www.rusty-scupper.com or call (410) 727-3678.

The Rusty Scupper

402 Key Highway

Baltimore, MD  21230

410 727 3678

www.rusty-scupper.com

Facebook: RustyScupper  Instagram & Twitter @RustyScupper1

The biggest, best Bloody Mary east of the Rockies: Phillips Crab Feast Bloody Mary

Come the weekends with brunches in full swing, Instagram is saturated with snaps of the latest and greatest Bloody Mary’s topped with bacon, burgers, ribs, chicken almost every concoction of food toppings but nothing like Phillips Seafood’s Crab Feast Bloody Mary Meal. A pitcher of Bloody Marys bedecked with skewered Maryland steamed crabs, jumbo shrimp, chicken wings, corn and baked potatoes all draped with fishermen’s netting and lemon slices presented with plastic cups rimmed with their seafood seasoning and a ladle to fill those cups with local favorite, George’s Bloody Mary Mix, and jalapeño-infused vodka – you should be full just reading this!

The Crab Feast Bloody Mary won’t be around long, it is a limited engagement available only on Saturdays and Sundays at Phillips Crab Deck where you can enjoy a nice breeze, great view, people watching and when we were there, live music. 

Phillips Bloody Mary Crab Feast brought oohs and aaahs and it was placed on our paper-covered table and diners lined up to take photographs. The real fun began digging in, what first a steamed crab, no shrimp; no, let’s have a taste of the chicken wings.  My gal pal and I put a serious hurting on this gargantuan Bloody Mary Meal – I think there was only a potato left when we cried uncle. 

What's new for spring at Bonefish Grill

It is always a treat to be asked back to Bonefish Grill, to taste and talk about their new menu offerings or special promotions. Not new to the menu, but always a treat, is the bang bang shrimp, stacked in a pyramid these spicy (not too spicy) shrimp have your mouth watering before you even unwrap the chopsticks. If you happen to be at a Bonefish Grill on any given Wednesday, enjoy the bang bang shrimp for just $6.

The Bonefish Grill’s spring menu is featuring simple preparations of these fresh wood-grilled fish as well as more creative offerings:

Read the full story and watch the slideshow at Examiner.com / dining

  

Fire and Ice 3 course pre-fixe dinners at Bonefish Grill

Just last night the local Bonefish Grill was jamming with families, from grandpa in his walker to the women carrying a 4 month old.  I know Bonefish always does a good, thriving business, but it seemed families were together, in town, gathering for the upcoming holidays. If you are a person who holds true to only eating fish on Good Friday you definitely have a broad selection at Bonefish Grill.      

My neighbor and I specifically went to Bonefish Grill to taste their new limited time Fire +Ice Pre-Fixe menu selections, their taste of spring.  The folks representing Bonefish Grill sent me a gift card for $50 – enough to take a guest. In the end, all we added was $10 for a tip.. The main course choices:

 •       Cold Water Lobster Tail — Steamed and seasoned, served with warm drawn butter, crispy smashed Yukon Gold potatoes and spring sugar Snap peas. 19.90

•       Shrimp + Scallop Firepot — Jumbo shrimps and scallops finished firepot style, served with rustic cut vegetables and Yukon gold potatoes. Finished with spring sugar snap peas. $23.50

•       Grilled Lamb Chops — Seasoned and lightly caramelized, served with crispy Yukon gold potatoes. $24.90

•       Oscar Turbot — From the land of fire and ice, Greenland Turbot is sautéed Piccata-style and topped with jumbo lump crab meat and asparagus. Served with mushroom ravioli, spring peas and roasted pepper. $27.90

Check out the full story and slideshow HERE

Baltimore's Phillips Seafood Restaurant: Lunch, Dinner, or Crab Deck

It was back in November, 2011 that Phillips Seafood Baltimore restaurant moved after 30 years from the Inner Harbor a bit east on Pratt Street to the Power Plant in a prestigious corner location which can’t be missed with its 17 foot tall Phillips sign.  The new location  has a richer feel with well-polished wood, mosaic tile floors, and a plush anteroom, piano bar, oversized models of Baltimore’s historic ships the Constellation and Pride of Baltimore II, and numerous photographs reflecting the history of the Phillips family that  adorn the walls.

Phillips Seafood in 2014 celebrated 100 years from their early start on Hoopers Island, where A. E. Phillips & Son was a processing plant for wild oysters, crabs and fish from the Chesapeake Bay and local waterways.  It was the surplus catches that were the inspiration for the first Phillips Seafood Restaurant and now Phillips has grown with numerous seafood processing plants, restaurants along with their seafood for the food service industry and retail line for grocery stores.  

It was back in February when I was invited to come in as Phillips Seafood’s guest for a meal. With a turn of events with my husband in the hospital, our lunch was delayed.  Phillips Seafood was most accommodating with the husband’s new dietary restrictions, low sodium and limited dark greens. Staffing was very communicative and adaptations were easy; a special salad with iceberg lettuce and low sodium dressing and the Simple Fish – Catch of the Day/ Swordfish with the lemon chive butter and steamed vegetables filled the husband’s tummy.

 

 Check out the full story and slideshow HERE.

All in dining at Baltimore’s Horseshoe Casino

The Russell Street cathedral to gambling, Horseshoe Casino, now open close to four months offers up new dining choices for locals and visitors alike.  Choices range from their Baltimore Marketplace food court with local vendors from marshmallow treats from The Mallow Bar, corn beef sandwiches from Lenny’s Deli, crab cakes from Tarks at the ‘Shoe, Heavy Seas burgers and Italian, Piezetta.  My recent trip to Baltimore’s Horseshoe Casino was focused on the restaurants and doing a dine-around, a course and cocktail at each restaurant. 

As part of a small group of food writers, we made three stops; Johnny Sanchez, a high end Taqueria, the first in what will be a series of Johnny Sánchez restaurants reflective of the celebrity chefs Aarón Sánchez and John Besh, Guy Fieri’s Baltimore Kitchen & Bar and Jack Binion’s Steak, named after the founder of the original Horseshoe Casino. 

Read the full restaurant reviews and view the extensive slideshow HERE.

Bonefish Grill: Open for brunch on Black Friday

If you are out your door early a.m. on Black Friday for holiday gift saving deals you will need sustenance just about late morning. Bonefish Grill is open for brunch on Black Friday, November 28^th as well as Saturday and Sunday starting at 10 a.m. through to 3 p.m. or 4 p.m. depending on the location.  Whether Black Friday or not, Bonefish Grill serves brunch on Sundays making it an ideal stop off point during your holiday shopping or special family celebration get together.

With a gift card in hand, the husband and I set off to partake of the brunch offerings at Bonefish Grill.  The brunch menu in general has a lot of your favorite Bonefish Grill appetizers and desserts from Bang Bang Shrimp to house made Key Lime Pie.  The real brunch items are featured under the categories of omelets, brunch favorites, eggs Benedict and brunch cocktails and libations.  If you enjoy your mimosas, Bellinis and sangrias you can order the endless bubbles brunch for 19.90 with entrée  or your favorite brunch cocktails per glass. 

Read the full story and enjoy the slideshow HERE.

Britain’s Saucy Fish Co. lays anchor at Giant Foods

Are you the type that order fish when you go out to eat but rarely cook it at home? A great number of folks are hesitant on home preparation of fish; concerned if their fish is the freshest it can be, where the fish was sourced and a general lack of knowledge of how to prepare fish.  Britain’s Saucy Fish Co., based in Grimsby the UK’s fishing capital has very cleverly combined fish fillets and chef driven sauces for a flavorful, easy to prepare fish entrée.

The Saucy Fish Co is a founding member of the Sustainable Seafood Coalition which brings together retailers and brands to agree common responsible fish buying and labeling approach.  They are very clear about where their fish is sourced - for example their salmon is from Norway or Scotland. The Saucy Fish Co.’s web page explains that all their farmed fish is sourced from farms that have been certified to an independent standard and checked by our own rigorous criteria.

The Saucy Fish Co. sent me samples of the four items that Giant Foods based out of Landover, Maryland has on their shelves - check out the slideshow and full story HERE.

Bonefish Grill: Tuesday Tales of Lobster

Or should we say Bonefish Grill: Tuesday Tails of Lobster?  National seafood chain Bonefish Grill announced in an email to their VIP email clientele list their new promotion – Tuesday Tales of Lobster. Every Tuesday evening, for dinner, guests choose from a selection of dishes featuring lobster. Bonefish Grill brings a taste of New England to you.  The menu is as follows:

LOBSTER ROLL SLIDERS + FRIES $8.9
lobster chunks on a mini authentic New England roll

 COLD WATER LOBSTER TAIL $9.9
steamed + served with butter for dipping

 NEW!­ LOBSTER BLT $13.9
succulent lobster, crispy Applewood bacon, lettuce + tomato on brioche bread

 COLD WATER LOBSTER TAIL DINNER $14.9
steamed + served with your choice of a Bonefish house or Caesar salad + fresh side

STEAK TOPPED WITH LOBSTER THERMIDOR $17.9
6 oz. wood-grilled sirloin, sweet lobster, lump crab, a velvety sauce with a hint of sherry + garlic whipped potatoes (make it a filet $6)

One can enjoy a lite fare dinner with the new Bonefish Grill Lobster BLT or indulge in their steak topped with the Lobster Thermidor – either way, we’re talking lobster.

There is even a blackberry sangria press for $9.50 being featured that evening for your drinking pleasure. It is a signature sangria press which infuses fresh orange, lemon, lime and blackberries to create a perfect blend – it serves 1-2 guests and is always available by the glass for $5.50.

There are stipulations: Available for dine-in on Tuesdays only. Available after 4 pm. Not available during lunch. Menu subject to change based on availability. Prices and product availability may vary. Not available at all locations. Not available in Rhode Island. Must be 21 or older to consume alcoholic beverages.  Check your local Bonefish Grill for availability.

Bonefish Grill Tuesday Tales of Lobster Share the hashtag #TuesdayTales

Find your closest Bonefish Grill location and hours – Bonefish hours of operation vary at each location. 

What does the “O” stand for at The Valley Inn’s “O” Bar

With our Baltimore Orioles so close to the World Series after 27 years one might think that is what the “O” in The Valley Inn’s “O” Bar represents - it doesn't.  The Valley Inn “O” Bar is a great place to watch the Baltimore Orioles (the O’s) efforts to win the World Series: the atmosphere is clubby, intimate and offers delicacies of local, regional and national waterways.  

In reality the “O” stands for oysters in the recently renovated Valley Inn’s original bar space.  The circa 1922 Valley Inn locale was taken over by restaurant entrepreneur Ted Bauer in 2013, renovated and opened earlier this year.  It has been just the past month that the “O” Bar was opened to the public.

The late Ann Wilder, co-founder of Vanns Spices and former employer, loved coming to The Valley Inn for fried oysters, one of the restaurant’s specialties. When taking over The Valley Inn, Bauer, the original owner of the Mt. Washington Tavern and owner of The Oregon Grill, the restaurateur that he is, recognized that oysters should still have a featured place in The Valley Inn’s story.

Check out the slideshow and read the full story HERE.

Inaugural Baltimore Seafood Fest: Win a pair of tickets

Before we say adios to summer, when the weather is just starting to be kissed by autumn’s cool breezes bring the family to Canton Waterfront Park for the Inaugural Baltimore Seafood Fest Saturday, September 20 from 12 pm to 6 pm.  Live music, cooking demonstrations, oyster and crab eating contests, family area, crab feast tent and signature seafood dishes by your favorite Baltimore restaurants. 

I don’t know about you but I’m all in for the oyster eating contest, where do I sign up. Seriously, Baltimore’s Seafood Fest is a great way to enjoy a Saturday afternoon at the waterfront munching Baltimore chefs' culinary interpretations of the Chesapeake Bay’s bounty and sipping refreshing libations.

Experience Baltimore’s best seafood at the Baltimore Seafood Festival with offerings from: Aggio, Bond Street Social, Barcocina, Langermanns, Café Gia, Farmstead Grill, Heavy Seas Alehouse, Ryleigh’s Oyster, Captain James Landing, Jimmy’s Famous Seafood, Blue Agave, Stuggy’s, Lebanese Taverna, Roy’s, Atwater’s, The Nickel Taphouse, Dooby’s, Dylan’s Oyster Cellar, Pitango, and Flavor Cupcakery. 

Baltimore Seafood Festival guests will enjoy live music by Strykers’ Posse and Super Bueno, Smirnoff Crush Bar, Peligroso Tequila Bar, Wine Bar, the Groupon Cooking Tent featuring cooking demos by Baltimore’s top chefs, local artists, and a family zone with kid-friendly attractions. The event will also feature a VIP area as well as a Domino Sugar Crab Feast Tent, featuring private tables for groups with bushel of crabs, private bars and cocktail servers. 

The Groupon Cooking Tent lineup includes: Scott Hines (Heavy Seas Alehouse), Bryan Voltaggio (Volt & Aggio), Joseph Cotton (National Aquarium), Jerry Pellegrino (Waterfront Kitchen), Tim Dyson (Dooby’s), Jessica Formicola  (food blogger, recipe developer and food critic for Savory Experiments and Baltimore Foodie), and Gianfranco Fracassetti (Café Gia). Guests will enjoy complimentary cooking demos from Bryan Voltaggio’s Squid Ink Pasta dish with blue crab, jalapeno, and Old Bay to the history of Eastern Shore cuisine with Tim Dyson. 

A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance, a local non-profit whose mission is to make downtown Baltimore a place where families can thrive.

For more information, please visit www.baltimoreseafoodfest.com

How to be entered to win a pair of tickets to Baltimore Seafood Fest is simple. Share this story on Facebook and/or Twitter with the hashtag #BmoreCfoodFest. The winner will be chosen this Friday September 12^th.  It’s that simple.   

Tickets packages start at $29 per person – kids 10 and under are Free. 

Baltimore Seafood Festival- Food and Drink Package - $29 in advance ($35 at the door if available): Includes general admission, a souvenir glass, swag bag, two drink tickets for beer, wine, cocktails or non-alcoholic beverages, and 10 tickets to use towards food items (items will be priced between $1 and $7 depending on the restaurant and item). Additional tickets for food and beverages may be purchased at the event $1=1 ticket. Kids 10 and under are FREE with a paying adult.  Purchase now!

B'more Crabby Ticket - $59 (will not be available at the door):  Includes general admission, a souvenir glass, swag bag, a half dozen premium male crabs, three drink tickets for beer, wine, cocktails or non-alcoholic beverages, 10 tickets to be used towards food items (items will be priced between $1 and $7 depending on the restaurant and item), and community seating in the Crab Cove area. Kids 10 and under are FREE and may enter with an adult as long as the adult has a B'more Crabby ticket, but chairs are designated for paying adults. Purchase now!

Private Crab Table - $750 (will not be available at the door): Includes general admission for up to 10 people, 10 souvenir glasses, 10 swag bags, one private table in the Crab Fest tent with a private bar and cocktail server, unlimited drinks including beer, wine, cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages, a bushel of crabs and sides, and 100 tickets to use towards food items (items will be priced between $1 and $7 depending on the restaurant and item). Please note that kids 10 and under are free, but space is limited and only 10 chairs per table. Purchase now! 

VIP Ticket - $75 (will not be available at the door): Includes general admission, a souvenir glass, swag bag, entrance to the VIP tent with a private bar, unlimited drinks, light fare, and 15 tickets to be used towards food items (items will be priced between $1 and $7 depending on the restaurant and item). Purchase now!

Kids Meal & Activity Package - $11 (will not be available at the door): Includes a catered boxed lunch (choice of PB&J or Turkey & Cheese, Chips, Fruit and a juice box), a "kiddie swag bag" with fish bubbles and a beach ball + an activity pass which will includes a sand art station, bracelet making station, temporary tattoo station, and crab hat station. Kids 10 and under are FREE to enter the event. This package is just an option for families.  Tickets must be purchased by 9/17/14. Purchase now!