Summer tomato
I’m not much of gardener but I planted a tomato plant in my front flower bed this year and it has been fruitful. There is just something about the summer’s first picked tomato, warm from the sun, eating it over the kitchen sink with its juice running down my face - truly a zen moment. How good was it, ask the rabbits who have discovered the plant and feast as I sleep. Maybe they are the rabbits that haunted my father's gardern, he called them son-of-a-b*tch and g*d-damn-b*stard.
Homage to restaurants
The restaurant scene is changing on a daily basis here in the Baltimore with restaurants closings, new ones taking the challenge and opening their doors as well as others struggling through the tough economic times. Many of these restaurateurs are the ones who support or supported the charities and their communities. I am saddened over our recent restaurant closings and remind you to remember those in your community who helped when you asked. It is at times like this we should come together no drift apart.
On the drawing board
The newly redecorated City Café is touting a new chef and new menu. Don’t let the café front confuse you, check out the bar and dining room. Heads up, not only is it a place to meet friends it is great to grab a really nice meal. Story, snaps and video to come. I almost set myself on fire that evening - at least I would have gone in a blaze of glory.
I, like many of the media, was invited to B & O Brasserie for dinner. It is a wonderful space, good food – I really enjoyed the pizza/flatbread. Story and snaps to come.
A trip to Philadelphia to dine at that city’s famous restaurant, Le Bec Fin. It was an evening of breaking bread with numerous chefs, a tour of the kitchen and quality time with the famed Chef George Perrier. Story, snaps and video.
Other food adventures:
Lobster feast with Chef Guy Fieri in Atlantic City was packed, bountiful and Baltimore-based Phillips catered the food. The Radisson at Cross Keys threw a gathering in their courtyard to taste a selection of new wines added to their list. Chef prepared bites to pair with the wines that were very good and made me rethink their Crossroads Restaurant as a place to dine.
Summer Grilling
I have not grilled the entire summer. Not on charcoal briquette, nada – I’m probably the only person in the whole universe who didn’t light up their grill.
Reminder
Meet actor and entrepreneur, Dan Aykroyd on September 11th at Cranbrook Liquors. Read the story and details HERE.
Women Chefs and Restaurateurs Conference in Washington DC
For any women in the food industry front of house or back of house you might want to pencil this conference in on your calendar, November 1 through November 3rd. This is a great arena to network, get informed, eat really, really, really well and network some more. The annual awards dinner takes place on Sunday, November 1st and there are some tickets available to the public. Top women chefs from across the country will be preparing this meal. Check it out at www.womenchefs.org
Comments
I not only grill in the summer, but I shovel my way from the sliding glass door to the frozen outdoor appliance sitting on my deck to grill my dinner in the winter. I can grill by the light of the moon or just turn on the light attachment that helps me see if the food is cooked to my liking.
I found a neat way around the fire codes for Apts. I grill over electric now. I prefer a "keyhole" fire pit and barring that, a charcoal fire but the electric grill (the kind with fire bricks) does an acceptable job.
It was good meeting you, we will have to do something together sometime. Do keep in touch. jvnexaminer@gmail.com
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