Dining Dish (a.k.a, Dara Bunjon) is founder of Dara Does It, which caters to the food industry everything from PR to food styling to cooking instructions, and more. Enjoy her rants, raves, recipes and food adventures, and let her know yours!

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One World Cafe takes the 'Eat In Season' challenge

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To go boldly where no turkey has gone before

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Average Dinner in Baltimore Cost $34.23*

3 comments

July 23, 7:25 AM

by Dining Dish, Baltimore Dining Examiner

The 2009 Zagat Restaurant Survey for Baltimore and Washington DC makes its grand entrance today. The Zagat Survey is celebrating its 29^th year reporting on the shared dining experiences of consumers like you. What started in 1979 as a hobby involving 200 of the Tim and Nina Zagat’s friends and associates has come a long way. Today they have over 325,000 surveyors worldwide.

You’ve seen the burgundy and white Zagat Rating signs displayed in restaurant windows or walls that let you know how they were rated for their food, décor and service. The Zagat Ratings aren’t limited to just restaurants; their surveys cover airlines, bars, club, entertaining, golf, hotels, lounges, movies, music, resorts, shopping, spas, theaters and tourist attractions.

Average Price of Dinner

In correlating the surveys for cities nationwide, the Zagats are able to come up with a national average for dinner. Based on their surveys, the national average for dinner* is $33.86 with Washington DC being $35.13 and Baltimore $34.23.

*The survey asks you to estimate the cost of a dinner with one drink (if you had one) and tip per person. It is broad stroked and leaves me with the question what constitutes a dinner: an appetizer and/or salad, entrée, and dessert or just an entrée and a drink ~ that requirement is not clearly defined.

Before dining at any restaurant may I recommend checking the restaurant’s website to check out their menu and pricing. Keep in mind that on many restaurant''s sites the menus aren’t updated often; however, it is a good overview.

Dining Examiner Survey

This is the Dining Examiner Survey, though I doubt that Tim and Nina Zagat have anything to worry about, let’s see what you say. So, in conclusion, what constitutes a dinner out for you? Is it one course, two courses or three? Do you dine out with a budget in mind? Have your dining habits changed in the past 6 months? Speak up!

For more info: Zagat - www.zagat.com

Topics: Inquiring Minds

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One World Cafe takes the 'Eat In Season' challenge

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December 1, 11:58 AM

Baltimore’s best all-vegetarian dining spot, One World Café, will take Slow Food Baltimore’s Eat in Season Challenge this month from December 8-15. Chef Sue Novak and co-owner Cindy Novak, have created a special locally-sourced, seasonal... Read More
Topics: Restaurant , Buy Local - Eat Local

1st Come. Seconds Served

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November 30, 8:48 AM

The Rolls Royce of cookware, All Clad Ltd is having a seconds sale Friday, Saturday and Sunday: December 5, 6, & 7. You can save 40% to 70% and new stock is offered daily.If you have dreamed of this cookware then it is worth the drive. Make... Read More
Topics: Discount Purchasing

To go boldly where no turkey has gone before

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November 29, 12:15 PM

Let me transport you and your Thanksgiving leftovers (if there still any left) where no turkey has gone before.Click HERE for recipes using your leftovers.... Read More
Topics: Recipes , Fun Video

Stimulate your cooking desires!

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November 28, 11:49 AM

Do you love to cook but there are few people around you that share your passion, who understand why you sit by the TV waiting for the next Top Chef episode and they can’t comprehend why reading a cookbook to you is like reading a great novel? If... Read More
Topics: Recipes , Asian Food , Dara's Fabulous Adventures , Dining Event , Inquiring Minds

Gather the family by the fireplace

1 comment

November 25, 11:41 AM

During Thanksgiving some people watch football, some watch parades and some sit around the fireplace sharing family stories. I would like to think that this is what you will do pre and post your Turkey dinner. If you don't have a fireplace... Read More
Topics: Rant , Fun Video

What we eat for Thanksgiving

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November 24, 10:24 PM

When the welcoming Wampanoags Indians brought turkey to our forefathers and started the Thanksgiving tradition could they possibly perceive the tradition of bringing family and friends together to share the bounty of the land and its economic stimulus.What... Read More
Topics: Drink , Holiday Food

Is there a name for the night before Thanksgiving?

7 comments

November 24, 7:18 AM

There is Thanksgiving and then Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, but what is the night before Thanksgiving called? In my single days (back in the Stone Age), it was a night to hit the hotspots, see friends who were back in town... Read More
Topics: Reminiscences , Asian Food , Dining Bargains , Drink , Inquiring Minds , Discount Purchasing

Inaugural Fever - for just $200,900

1 comment

November 22, 9:09 AM

I just read in Nycci Nellis’s TheListAreYouOnIt – Buzz Section about a hotel package at the Mandarin Oriental in Washington DC that is a mere $200,900 (excludes taxes and gratuities) for January 17th through to the... Read More
Topics: Dining Bargains , Inquiring Minds , Discount Purchasing

What is behind the burner?

11 comments

November 19, 9:26 PM

Yes, another food community has started: one featuring leading chefs, mixologist, nutritionist, and teaologist with videos, biographies, buying discounts and more…and let us not forget a plethora of recipes. The site is www.behindtheburner.com... Read More
Topics: Recipes , Inquiring Minds , Video , Discount Purchasing