Yup, I just picked up dining certificates for The Bicycle Restaurant, The Milton Inn and Three for ½ price at Baltimore Dining Deals.  It seems every Friday morning they put the gift certificates on sale at 9 a.m. Obviously not too many people know about this site or some of the certificates wouldn’t be left over today. I’m thrilled to have gotten certificates for these restaurants: great chefs and great food at all three locations.

 

There is a $3.00 surcharge for mailing the certificates but still - $50 certificate for $28.00, what a deal. Certificates are good for 6 months and have few restrictions. 

 

While I’m posting, don’t miss out on Baltimore’s Restaurant Week starting Saturday, July 26^th and ending Sunday, August 3^rd. Great deals at the city’s finest restaurants offering a 3 course luncheon for $20.08 and dinner for $30.08 (the eight cents represents the year i.e. 2008).

 

Start dining early at the first ever Howard County Restaurant Week starting Monday, July 21^st and ending Sunday, August 3^rd. Don’t miss restaurants like Aida Bistro, Jordan’s Steakhouse, Iron Bridge Wine Company, Café de Paris, Tersiguel’s French Country Restaurant, Alexandra’s and many more. 

 

If you hear of any other dining bargains please share.

In Edible Enlightenment Part 1, I delivered to you my story of Pho, a Vietnamese soup, and its flavor profile, history, and how with the addition of the traditional accoutrements you can season to your palate.

 

In today’s Edible Enlightenment Part 2, I will review a selection of local Pho restaurants. These Pho restaurants are on the west side of town with one exception on York Road. I apologize to any Pho restaurant I might have overlooked – please leave a comment if I missed any other locations.

 

Baltimore Pho

 

I’ve been in a number of Pho restaurants and I must say that Baltimore Pho is the fine dining of Pho and Vietnamese food in the city. Across from the Hollins Street Market, in the old Mencken’s Cultured Pearl location, Baltimore Pho is carving a niche for itself as upscale Vietnamese dining. It embraces Baltimore’s seafood connection - hence the name Baltimore Pho. 

It was mid May when I tried Baltimore Pho Restaurant and Bar. My dinner reservations were early enough to enjoy their happy hour drink specials and Vietnamese noshes at the exposed brick bar. I had a yummy Lychee Mojito for $6.00 – a great combination of the sweet, tart flavors that I love.

 

A good deal of thought was put into the look and feel of the place: bamboo mats, upscale red chopsticks, and logo-emblazoned triangle shaped dishes.  My companion and I kicked off the meal with the Vietnamese Rice Paper Rolls with 2 dipping sauces and Green Papaya Salad. I have been spoiled by my friends’, the Hoangs, rendition of rice paper rolls (they called them summer rolls) which is my gauge for all others. The Hoang’s version was lighter on the fresh herbs.

 

Now down to the nitty-gritty, the Pho. Baltimore Pho has a more American pleasing palate selection of well done beef, rare beef, beef meat ball, combination of meats, Baltimore seafood, and a vegetarian version with tofu. The flank tendon or tripe renditions available at the more traditional Pho restaurants were not available.  I got the well-done beef version, the broth was subtle and a tinge sweeter than I’m used to but it was a tasty bowl of soup. I was surprised to see culantro (no not cilantro) on the condiment plate. The pricing is significantly higher than the traditional Pho restaurants which are usually around $6 a bowl. If memory serves me, Tuesday night is Neighborhood Night at Baltimore Pho, offering a heavy Pho discount. You will need to show your license to prove you live in the neighborhood.

 

One might assume the number one after this restaurant name is implying that it is the best Pho you can consume, does that make Pho #75 in Virginia the seventy fifth. In researching my Pho article I discovered that many of these restaurants add the number of the year that they opened ( i.e. 1975 or 2001). 

 

Not as high end as Baltimore Pho, Pho # 1 is still a step above the cafeteria-feel Pho restaurants like An Loi in Columbia. The menu offers a large selection of Vietnamese dishes and fresh fruit drinks. 

 

You have a large selection of meats and combination of meats to go in your Pho. The small bowl is sufficient for any grown adult to fill themselves. The broth is bolder and more assertive and it is a flavor I like. They aren’t as fancy with the accoutrements, and each table has assorted hot sauces and hoisin set up like we American’s have ketchup and mustard on the tables.

 

I’ve had other dishes other than the Pho and they were okay, it is truly the Pho that I go back for time-and-again. 

 

An Loi and Pho Dat Thanh

The few things I can write about An Loi is that it is in an out-of-the-way strip mall that took me forever to find and it is as basic as it comes. I haven’t eaten there in years and I heard owners have changed so I can’t give you a review. I remember the Pho being tasty.

 

Pho Dat Thanh is also in Columbia, more upscale in ambience, a tad above Pho#1 but not as fancy as Baltimore Pho. I have eaten there a number of times and find the soups to be where they shine. Try the Pho and I highly recommend the duck noodle soup. 

 

I have discovered some new places while researching this story and will make sojourns to taste their Pho and will update you periodically.

I’m going to list as many of the Pho restaurants that I can find, if I have missed one let me know. May I suggest you call the restaurants for their days of operation and hours. 

Dining Dish has discovered a new dining special worthy of note to add to my list of the top 10 inflation busting specials.

 

In celebration of 20 years in business, Liberatore’s Ristorante has a three course dinner for $24.95*, Sunday to Thursdays through August 28^th at all of 7 of their locations. 

 

MENU

 

Fried Calamari

Bruschetta

Mozzarella Caprese

House Salad

Caesar Salad

 

 

Shrimp Scampi

Chicken Giovanni

Shrimp Fra Diavolo

Linguini with White Clam Sauce

Chicken Parmigiano

Broiled Salmon

 

 

Housemade Chocolate Oreo Cake

Coconut Cake

 

*Excludes Tax and Gratuity

 

Reach out to Dining Dish at diningdish@hotmail.com with any great dining specials and I will get them posted. 

In my Dining Examiner feeds you will now find recipes as well as Food and Wine events in Baltimore that changes on a daily basis.

Mangia and Ciao (I'm feeling a little Italian at the moment, oops ---thats my husband.)

Check out my Top 10 (really 11) restaurant ‘inflation busting” dining specials for every night of the week. You can go out to eat and eat well, cost effectively. Here is my list, if you know of other restaurant specials worthy of being up here, please share with all of us and post the restaurant and their special.

 

A number of these restaurants run additional specials during the week so do check out each of their websites.

 

410.878.6542

 http://www.jacksbistro.net/

 

$12.00 Entrees at the bar

5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

 

822 Lancaster Street

Baltimore, MD 21202

410 547 8282

 

Sunday Supper at Cinghiale

$29 Per Person

 

Cinghiale will host Sunday evening suppers featuring a 3-course menu that will change weekly. There is only one seating time and one menu.

 

Cinghiale will open at 5:30 pm with a variety of antipasti presented at 6:00 pm. At 6:30, pasta will be served and a dessert or cheese course will follow.

 

The supper is casual and social. Come alone, or with your family and friends.  

 

 

921 East Fort Avenue

Baltimore, MD 21230

410.244.6166

 

20% off all dinner entrees

 

102 Chartley Dr.
Reisterstown, MD 21136
410-526-6200

http://www.billbateman.com/directions_banquet_meeting_rooms_reisterstown_maryland_md.php

 

 

6 oz Strip Steak, Baked Potato and Salad Bar- $2.99 at the bar with the purchase of a beverage from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

 

10 Art Museum Drive

Baltimore, Maryland 21218

410.889.3399

 

Tuesdays with Gertie

$10 entrees – 9 choices

$12 entrees – 3 choices

5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

2908 Odonnell St
Baltimore, MD 21224
(410) 276-2233

 

A three course wine dinner is available for only $29 which includes 3 tasting glasses of wine.

 

1401 E. Clement Street

Baltimore, Maryland 21230

410.962.1212

 

$15.00 Seafood Entrees starting at 5:30 p.m.

 

 

405 N. Charles Street

Baltimore, MD 21201

410 625 0534

 

Chefs 3 Course Tasting Menu - $30 per person

The menu with multiple selections changes monthly letting you sample the regular seasonal items on the dinner menu.

 

For the Early Bird from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.- get a seat at their bar Monday through Thursday for their $10 pastas.

 

 

Don’t Know Tavern
1453 Light Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
410-539-0231

 

Steak Night - $12.95 for 12oz NY Strip w/ 2 sides

 

Mother's Federal Hill Grille
1113 S. Charles Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21230
410-244-8686

 

$10 on selected entrees from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Starting in June they will have Lobster Night on Wednesdays – pricing hasn’t been determined as yet but I bet it is a great deal well under $20. Stay in touch with them at Mother’s

 

1822 Aliceanna Street

Baltimore, Md 21231    

410.675. 2080   

When you call Pierpoint Restaurant for a reservation mention you want the ‘19^th anniversary promotion’ which is 19% off your dinner bill. Now remember, you need to mention it at the time of your reservation. Chef Longo wants to help offset your gas or BG & E bill. The promotion has been extended to the end of September.

Restaurateurs, if I missed mentioning your restaurant specials, I apologize, please email me the details and I will do post an additional list – send to diningdish@hotmail.com. 

Today, Thursday, May 15^th , must be the optimum marketing day for the food franchises – check out the freebies at McDonalds and Dunkin Donuts – for today only.  Remember, your Dining Examiner is always looking out for you.   

 

Mc Donalds if offering a free Southern Style Chicken Biscuit until 11 a.m. and Southern Style Chicken Sandwich starting after their breakfast hour until 7 p.m. at all McDonald Restaurants with the purchase of a medium or large drink.  I called a McDonald’s to confirm and they said it is up to the operator of the McDonalds if they will participate.  (local McDonald’s Locations and Phone Numbers)

 

 

Get a free iced coffee at Dunkin Donuts today only. (local Dunkin Donuts Locations and Phone Numbers). 

Have a great, fulfilling day.

 

I would be remiss if I didn’t say that this blogger is feeling the financial pinch being felt by many others but that has not kept me from dining out. Case in point, Sotto Sopra’s 3-Course Chef’s Tasting Menu that is offered every Wednesday evening for $30. Each month the executive chef, Bill Crouse chooses items off their seasonal based menu to highlight. The choices offered are crafted that everyone can dine from vegetarian to carnivore.  

 

The husband, as I will refer to him in this column, and good friend, Patti, joined me last Wednesday for this excursion to Sotto Sopra Restaurant, a restaurant known for their contemporary Italian food. I just love their venue which is housed in a turn-of-the century, Mt. Vernon town house that is home to fabulous artwork, large gilded-framed mirrors and drapes that emphasize the stylish décor.  I’ve always found the energy at Sotto Sopra invigorating and this Wednesday evening was no different. There was a party going on in the back section around the bar, all the tables filled as we dined and guests were engaged in lively conversation. 

 

Our waiter, Isaac, brought our grissini and focaccia to the table along with a plate of drizzled extra virgin olive oil topped with Reggiano Parmesan cheese and fresh ground black pepper. We all opted for the Insalata di Rucola for our appetizer and went different paths for the entrees. Everything was delicious, the portions generous considering the low prices and we left not a single morsel on our plates. Service was timely, pleasant, and informative. Below is the menu for our evening with photographs of our choices. Please remember I’m not Ansel Adams and don’t claim to be – hopefully my photographs do justice to the wonderful dishes we enjoyed that evening. 

 

Here is the menu for April and you can CLICK HERE for upcoming menus.

 

Sotto Sopra Restaurant

3-Course Chef's Tasting Menu

Wednesday Nights
April’s Menu

(choice of Appetizer)
Zuppa del Giorno 
Soup of the Day

Insalata di Rucola
Baby arugula, crispy apple-wood smoked bacon, crumbled goat cheese, dried cherries and stone ground mustard vinaigrette

 

Piccatine di Vitello
Sautéed veal scaloppini, parsnip puree, roasted asparagus and tarragon butter
 

  Pesci del Giorno
Fish of the day
(which was salmon with fingerling potatoes and spinach with pine nuts)

(choice of Dessert)
Tiramisu
Ladyfingers dipped in espresso coffee with mascarpone & cocoa
 

 

Vanilla Crème Brulee
Custard topped with caramelized sugar
crème brulee

 

$30 per person
Does not include beverages, tax, or gratuity and other promotions and discounts are not applicable. 

Reservations Suggested

 

For even greater savings you might want to arrive early and enjoy the restaurant’s Aperitivo Hour drink and food specials at the bar from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Also their flier said that on Friday night’s the drink specials are all night long at the bar. 

 

Food for thought: You might want to sign up for Sotto Sopra’s E-Newsletter or subscribe to their blog for updates on special unadvertised events (dinners, cooking classes etc), recipes, and videos. (CLICK HERE)

 

Have you found any dining bargains? – Let me know.

 

Dining Dish says get out of the house, beat the inflations woes and enjoy a wonderful 3 course dinner for just $30. I strongly suggest reservations.

 

Sotto Sopra Restaurant

405 N. Charles Street

Baltimore, MD 21201

410 625 0534

 

open 7 days a week

Lunch: Monday through Saturdays

Dinner: served daily

Street parking and valet parking at night.