Randi Rom is a Baltimore special events planner,
marketing and public relations maven, freelance writer and head of R.J. Rom
& Associates. Randi has been writing her insider news on the Baltimore food scene since Foodservice Monthly hit the marketplace in February 2002.
Have a hot scoop? Contact Randi via e-mail at
randirom@comcast.net or by phone 410-367-6525.
Enjoy the August and September issues below. Would you like a print copy of Randi's column ... get information on a subscription to FSM: editor@foodservicemonthly.com
WHINING DINING 0909
Party in the Park Set
to Rock B-More
On October 10th from 11
a.m. – 5 p.m., check out the first annual Baltimore Party in the Park. The event takes place at Padonia Park in Cockeysville. Games, crafts and great music for
adults and kids including the nationally recognized children’s band
“Milkshake”;“ Baltimore’s own - Tall in the Saddle” and Cruise classy” rock.
Tasty treats will be presented by Hightopps Backstage Grille-who-by the way-are the premiere backstage catering company for national
recording artists. They just catered for Paul McCartney and are going on tour
with Toby Keith. The non-profit Nikki Perlow Foundation was formed to celebrate the life of a beautiful
young woman who struggled with the disease of addiction. She entered five
different rehab programs and was sober for 15 months and her family thought she
had won the battle. But, July 9, 2007, one month shy of her 22nd birthday,
Nikki died of an accidental overdose. Her parents, brother, family and friends
have joined forces to honor her memory by forming this foundation that aids
young adults struggling with addiction disease. The foundation offers
financial, logistical and emotional support to those young adults, like
Nikki. Go to
baltimorepartyinthepark.com
NEW BIZ: Welcome back! Family owned Patrick’s of
Cockeysville is rockin’ again after
their recent reopening after a fire destroyed the property. Besides being one
of the best places in town for crab cakes, they’re also keeping with the times
by offering a Green Plate Special for $15.99 … an easy on your green all-inclusive casual menu that includes drink and
dessert - Sunday thru Thursday. And on those five days, kids eat for
only $2.99. They have a Spanish Weekend every two months and--- I am
eagerly awaiting the return of their Lobsterfest -all lobster specials, all
weekend. The crab cakes are literally flying out of Patrick's all over the US
with their new “Patrick’s With Wings.” program - overnight expressed colossal lump cakes & crab balls.
FYI- my new BFF chef Carol Brosso
notes that one of their recent deliveries was to Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica
Parker. The 280-seat capacity property has three dining areas - fine dining,
casual pub and a martini bar/lounge area and is open seven days/week for lunch,
dinner, daily happy hour and Sunday Brunch. Go to patricksrestaurant.com.
Chef E. Michael Reidt, named one of the country’s “Best New Chefs” in
2001 by Food & Wine magazine is now the executive chef at the new B&O
American Brasserie. The restaurant
is adjacent to Kimpton’s Hotel Monaco Baltimore - at 2 North Charles Street in
the heart of Baltimore’s business district and housed in the historic former
Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Headquarters. More info in the next FSM—after I check out the food.
Rejoice gluten sensitive
peeps—Pizzazz is here! Pizzazz Tuscan Grille opened at 711 Eastern Avenue in downtown B-more.
This place is a wonderland for those with gluten allergies as well as other
sensitivities. Everything at pizzazz is made fresh with no preservatives and
they have a large selection of superfood smoothies including one with organic
kale, coconut water, cucumbers, green apples, and pineapple, agave and flax
seeds as well as a raw chocolate smoothie with coconut and almond milk – to
name a few. They get their gluten-free desserts from Silver Goddess Gourmet including carrot cupcakes, brownies, cheesecakes
and they use De Boles
gluten-free pasta and Julians
gluten-free pizza dough. AND—they have an in-house holistic nutritionist. This
is a serious big deal—I can’t wait to check it out.
Executive chef Christian
deLutis has taken the helm in the
kitchen and banquet facilities of Alizee at the Inn and Spa at the Colonnade on University Parkway. A graduate of the
Pennsylvania Culinary Institute, Christian began his Baltimore career under the
tutelage of Galen Sampson at the
Harbor Court Hotel and became
the chef du cuisine for Hamptons.
Most recently he was at the Dogwood Café in Hampden.
Potbelly Sandwich Works opened at 519 West Pratt Street. Potbelly started
as a small antique store on Chicago’s north side and has grown from one to more
than 200 company-owned and -operated stores. They offer hot sandwiches,
hand-dipped shakes, made to order salads and live local music. For more info go
to potbelly.com.
CONGRATS: Congrats to the never shy and adorable Denisa
Protani with the Baltimore Sun
Reader Rewards program for hosting
a way fun advance screening of Julie and Julia at the Rotunda Theatre. Linganore
Winecellars and everyone’s fave
chef about town Jerry Edwards
served up sips and tasty gourmet chocolate treats. (And congrats Jerry on your
special b-day.) For all Baltimore Sun subscribers, this free program offers
complimentary movie screening, concert and theatre tickets. Very cool. Check it
out at readerewards.baltimoresun.
The Prime Rib has one of the city’s most extensive drink menus
and people are taking notice. In the most recent issues of Baltimore and Wine
Spectator magazines, the Jewel of Russia martini and the restaurant’s wine list
earned distinctions as the best in not only Baltimore city, but also the entire
country.
The Prime Rib’s wine list
received an “Award of Excellence” from the Wine Spectator. Major kudos.
Haute Cocoa is THE place
for artisan chocolate treats. And it’s the talk of the town. Founded in
Baltimore by mother-daughter team, Nancy Vennare and Staci Summers - their
mission is to create fine handcrafted chocolate presented with drama and
artistry. Nancy (the chocolatier) brings 20 years of experience –no machines,
no chemicals. Staci (the designer) arranges in-home/in-business chocolate
tastings. Must see the chocolate bar with hundreds of hand-crafted pieces-great
presentation
Hautecocoa.net or call
443-927-7779.
WHINING DINING 0809
Blue Hill Tavern Opening Creates Baltimore Buzz
The Blue Hill Tavern opened at 938 South Conkling Street. The menu is described as contemporary American cuisine created by Culinary Institute of America graduate chef Brett Lockerd. Lot’s ‘o talk abut the parmesan garlic donuts.
The Hamilton-Lauraville neighborhood – one of the hottest hoods for foodies is now hosting a farmer's market every Tuesday from 4 - 8 p.m. – across from the Safeway on Harford Road. Fresh veggies, fruits and baked goods – then choose one of the many excellent restaurants for dinner. Love it!
Gifford’s Ice Cream & Candy Company celebrated the opening of its first franchise store in Pikesville. The Pikesville store is located at 1433 Reisterstown Rd. in the former Starbucks location next to the famous Edmart Deli. And for those coffee lovers who lost their beloved Starbucks, the new Gifford’s offers coffee drinks through its partnership with Mayorga Coffee Roasters. The store serves an upscale assortment of coffees, pastries, and tortes. “This marks a tremendous accomplishment for Gifford’s Ice Cream & Candy Co,” said Gifford’s Franchising president Marcelo Ramagem. “It is a clear validation of our continued vigorous growth and we know that this is just the beginning.” Gifford’s has six other retail stores in metropolitan Washington.
Pizzazz Tuscan Grille opened at the Pier 5 Hotel at the Inner Harbor, in the spot previously occupied by My Panini. They’ve been getting rave reviews for their organic pizza and pasta, small plates and organic wines. Congrats to owners Deanna Cook and Pietro Priola.
WHAT’S THE BUZZ? The Wine Jester – Sandy Navarro, wowed the guests at the Radisson Crossroads Restaurant in the Village of Cross Keys in Mount Washington. In the fall of 2007 she created a company called Wine Tastings 4 Fun, which spurred the birth of The Wine Jester. Sandy entertains people by creating interactive experience … pairing wines with food in a comfortable atmosphere. (SO not your typical wine tasting.) Navarro said, “I do speak about the wine but it is more about how creative I can be with pairing it to a theme. We offer customized wine tastings for corporate events and private parties.”
FYI: Wine Jester events are also a great way for restaurants to build business. Kudos to manager Amanda Morand for coordinating and hosting the event-and to chef Don Crowther for some seriously tasty treats. My faves from the evening included duck confit with smoked mozzarella and truffle soaked tenderloin with boursin cheese. BUT—I’ve been having dreams about the TDF lobster and crab salad. Go to winetastings4fun.com.
Aldo’s Ristorante Italiano in Little Italy is offering a new $39, three-course Summer Stimulus menu. And, it’s available every night of the week including Saturdays through the end of August. Chef Aldo's menu features local, in-season produce; a daily selection of wines by the bottle will also be discounted. During Baltimore restaurant week from August 7-16, a 3-course meal will cost $30.09 in lieu of the Summer Stimulus menu. For more info go to www.aldositaly.com.
CONGRATS: The Restaurant Association of Maryland announced the three local restaurants in Maryland that are competing for the national Restaurant Neighbor Award. This NRA program recognizes restaurants that exemplify the industry’s philanthropic spirit. The Maryland winners are: Café 611 in Frederick; The Rose Group, operators of 14 Applebee’s statewide; and Judi DiGioia of Morton’s The Steakhouse Baltimore. RAM president and CEO Paul Hartgen said “Restaurants have a presence on every Main Street in America and they interact with their customers on a daily basis; their businesses are an essential component of what makes towns and cities actual communities for those that call them home.”
Located at 4 West University Parkway in the heart of historic Tuscany Canterbury (just north of the Johns Hopkins campus), Alizee boutique bistro and wine bar is now offering al fresco dining. Go to alizeebaltimore.com
RA Sushi Bar Restaurant’s fifth annual “Nicky’s Week” fundraiser raised $156,334 for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. All 22 RA Sushi restaurants nationwide participated in the fundraiser. They donated 100 percent of the proceeds from the sale of Edamame, Shrimp Shumai, Tootsy Maki, FIJI Water, Red Bull, and The Republic of Tea to benefit St. Jude. RA Sushi has raised more than half a million dollars for the children’s hospital since initiating Nicky’s Week in 2005. The fundraiser was developed in memory of longtime St. Jude patient Nicholas Mailliard who lost his battle with brain cancer in 2005. Nicky was the nephew of RA Sushi Co-Founder Rich Howland.
Julie and Paolo Romeo, owners of the Artful Gourmet Bistro (rated one of the top ten restaurants in Baltimore by Open Table), are opening a new spot this month. The Upper Crust Pizza & Grille in the Owings Mills Valley Village shopping center will feature gourmet pizza and cheese steak subs with carved sirloin on a baguette. The Romeos have partnered with Angelo DiBiasi who will manage daily operations.
