[Baltimore – Where to eat]

Hi there,

I was wondering if anyone was aware of any tasting menus and/or chef's tables offered in the Baltimore area?  The only one I am familiar with is the tasting menu being offered at Charleston.

Thanks,

~LARS~

←

Check out Cork's in Federal Hill. They have a "third Thursday" wine and food pairing where the Chef eats with the guests and he explains his thoughts on how he concluded which food and wine to present. I attended my first one last week, and the wine flowed freely and the food was magnificent. It was really a great time. We sat at a long table, and the Chef explained each course, as well as asking our impressions on the wines. Everyone was very friendly. I'll definately be attending another when my schedule allows it. Check out their website:

http://www.corksrestaurant.com/

Here's the menu from the one I attended:

Third Thursday Winter Reds 20 January 2005

Reception: Deep Creek Cellars "American" Zinfandel 2001

1st Course: Zinfandels

Cline "Ancient Vines" California Zin 2003

Hendry Winery "Block 7" Napa Valley Zin 2002

Rosenblum "Rockpile Road Vineyard" Dry Creek Valley Zin 2002

Country Pate with Black Truffle and Mixed Fruit Jam

2nd Course: Syrahs

Turnbull "Oakville" Napa Valley Estate Syrah 2003

Rosenblum "England-Shaw Vineyard" Solano County Syrah 2002

L'Ecole No. 41 "Seven Hills Vineyard" Walla Walla Valley Syrah 2002

Cassoulet with Crispy Leg of Duck Confit

3rd Course: Petite Syrah

Bogle Vineyards "California" Petite Sirah 2002

David Brude "Central Coast" Petite Sirah 2003

Consilience "Santa Barbara County" Petite Sirah 2001

American Artisanal Cheese Fondue

4th Course: Dessert

Chocolate Creme Brulee with Hazelnut Biscotti

Jerry Pellegrino, Chef/Owner

Chris Coker, Sommelier

[2003 George Gales...]

Uncorking one right now. Share your impressions on their other efforts?

[Trader Joe's Products (2002–2011)]

Had to chime in on this topic. I've been going to TJ's for years now, in different cities around the country. My experience is that it's not a place to do all of your grocery shopping, however there are things that I go there specifically for, rather than walking the two blocks to the local (and overpriced) whole foods market. Just to put it into perspective, I won't buy produce at whole foods unless I absolutely have to. Rather, I opt to drive fifteen minutes to the Han Ah Rheum Korean market where the produce is half the price and twice as fresh. TJ's has utility in certain areas like cereal, coffee, mineral water, dried fruit and nuts, energy bars, cottage cheese and yogurt, and frozen seafood, chicken and vegetables. There are definately places to get unfrozen seafood in my town, however my schedule is such that I can't always stop by the store to get a piece of fish or some shrimp that doesn't smell "suspect". TJ's frozen salmon has never done me wrong, and as long as you pick a vaccuum pack that doesn't seem compromised, you can make just about anything with it successfully. I also buy some ecclectic things there like olive oil and canola oil spray, truffle oil, 70% dark chocolate, tortilla chips with flax seeds, and pitas that have just as much soy protein as a small serving of edamame. Bottom line is the store is great for some things, but it's produce selection is generally small and overpriced, and it has no fresh carne to speak of. Also, I live in a state that does not support alcohol sales in regular grocery stores, but my experience with TJ's wine sales in the other states I've lived in is such that you can get inexpensive and acceptable wines, ports and sherries there, but they're not the ones you're going to want to serve if you've got Bourdain coming over for dinner.

[Italian Hoagie]

Apicellas makes an awesome italian with real prosciutto di parma and a homeade dressing that rocks. It's located in Little Italy in Baltimore, and has won the "best sandwich" award by the Baltimore City Paper.

[Best Restaurant Meals of 2004]

Welcome to eGullet and Happy New Year to you, Tkrup! That Morimoto meal sounds awesome. What is Alchemich tofu appetizer?

←

Morimoto does a tofu appetizer that is prepared at your table. The waiter pours high protein soy milk and salt water into a warmed tagine-like crock, and covers it. Twelve minutes later, the waiter comes back and lifts the lid to reveal silken tofu, which is served with two sauces. It's pretty good, but the presentation is what makes it worthwhile.

[Best Restaurant Meals of 2004]

2004 was a very good year for me. The city I live in had a number of great places open, and there are always a few standbys that I can go to for oysters or other local favorites. There was one weekend, however that stands out on both ends of the "spectrum". A few weeks ago, I helped my sister-in-law move from Northern-Virginia to St. Joe's U in Philly. After having run a 5 mile race in the morning, then moving her stuff up to Philly, we were famished. We went to a place called Larry's Cheesesteaks for lunch, and I had a my-way, which is a mishmash of pepperoni, cheeses, steak, peppers, onions, and other stuff. After burning so many calories that morning, it was heaven.

Later that evening, we had late reservations for Morimotos. Morimotos. Morimotos. After the cocktails, my friend and I ordered one of the more "pricey" tasting menus. Alchemich tofu appetizer, pan seared scallops, caviar, truffles, Kobe beef, foie grais, oysters, sushi and sashimi, and dessert, loaded with plenty of Sake. We even got to meet the man, and I've got a picture to prove it. It was a great night, but I'll be saving up for a few mor months before we can do it again. Next time I'm in Philly, I'll have to settle for the cheesesteak for a while!

Happy new year from a new eGullet member.

Krup

[Cotechino]

I know it's after the holidays and this is a little late, but try these markets for the bacalhau. My inlaws buy it in Newark, and it's definately the kind you're looking for, not the sad stuff they sell in those little wooden boxes in regular supermarkets. Hope this helps, maybe one of them can ship some for you.

Seabra's Fish Market

119 Ferry St

Newark, NJ 07105

Main Phone: 973-589-5186

A & J SEABRA'S SUPERMARKET

1132 LIBERTY AVE.

HILLSIDE, NJ

Phone: (908) 351-5252

A & J SEABRA'S SUPERMARKET

260 LAFAYETTE ST.

NEWARK,NJ

Phone: (973) 589-8606

A CARAVELA

4946 NORTH 5TH ST.

PHILADELPHIA, PA

Phone: (215) 457-1481

A MINHOTINHA FOOD MARKET

204 JEFFERSON ST.

NEWARK, NJ

Phone: (973) 589-5913

A TRANSMONTANA

121 W. SIDNEY AVE.

MT. VERNON, NY

Phone: (914) 699-8188

A.J. SEABRA’S SUPERMARKET

64 PACIFIC ST.

NEWARK, NJ

Phone: (973) 589-8977

ABRANTES FOOD MARKET

521 HARRISON AVE.

HARRISON, NJ

Phone: (973) 483-7122

ADRIAN’S MARKET

157 QUINN ST.

NAUGATUCK, CT

Phone: (203) 729-6898

ALINA FOOD MARKET

1323 ALINA ST.

ELIZABETH, NJ

Phone: (908) 354-0120

ALVES HOME MARKET

444 RUBBER AVE

NAUGATUCK, CT