curiouskitkatt

17 minutes ago, Ericandblueboy said:

Never heard of the term "catfishing" food.  Is this a term used in restaurants?  I thought it only relates to online dating.

That is not what I had thought catfishing meant in dining. I thought @deangold was referring to the over hyped editing and outrageous food photography used on social media to lure and or entice diners to visits a restaurant. You learn something new everyday.

On 2/26/2020 at 4:03 PM, ktmoomau said:

Friends and I have talked about doing this, but have never actually managed it- let us know how you all do it, and how it turns out.

I will follow up with updates for sure!

One thing I found rather surprising, and kinda excited about, is that a local business was very excited to host my cooking club. Not sure if any of you are familiar with Ploughman Cider, but they recently opened a taproom in downtown Gettysburg. They have cider on tap, and also offer sale of bottles, and weekly host musicians. There is no food service at the taproom, so Im not sure how the rules of having a potluck at a taproom will work out, but Im willing to see how it all plays out.  I have no idea what is in store, but I know these outings will be fun, and convivial, and that is what my goal is.  

On 2/26/2020 at 9:29 AM, Ericandblueboy said:

It would be better if each person picks a dish and bring the ingredients.  Everyone then cook and eat at the meeting.  Maybe not feasible depending on Kitchen size and dishes. 

This could be an option, if participants are open to hosting and don't mind a bunch of strangers in their kitchen. 

I will pitch this out to my group of participants. Thanks for the suggestion. I think a "chopped" theme would be fun, or just come together to learn a recipe would be great as well. 

On 2/26/2020 at 8:33 AM, curls said:

Sorry, no experience with this kind of bookclub but it sounds interesting. How are you structuring yours? Does everyone cook one recipe from the book and bring it to bookclub?

I have attended couple that were hosted by a library in Philly, and that is exactly how it works. There was a sign up sheet, and participants listed what they would be preparing from a book that was selected. Its was a great deal of fun, and created traffic for the library. 

The vision I have for the book club I will be hosting will be a bit less structured. The local libraries in York do not have multiple copies of popular cookbooks, so I may set a theme for the cookbook party that may end up up being a general cooking club with inspirations from cookbooks. 

Luca made the short list as well. 

Taylor Mason, Luca 

Best Chef , Mid -Atlantic.

Today I am jumping for joy. 

The Horse Inn made the short list for Bar Program for James Beard Awards.

These luscious orbs of fried dough come in several varieties. Glazed, sugared, plain, & powdered were available at my local spot. If I were to describe how this taste, it was heavenly. One bite into it produced shear joy. Pillowy not too sweet fried dough, filled with cream that made my knees a bit weak. 

I am hosting my first cookbook cooking club. Has anyone attended one of these, and do you have any advice on the do's and don'ts? Thank you for your help.

2 minutes ago, FranklinDubya said:

And I had definitely picked out Ekiben as a must-try lunch spot when I'm there, regardless of whether they're at the festival or not 👍

Must try the neighborhood bird and tempura broccoli!

1 hour ago, FranklinDubya said:

I'm gonna be in Baltimore for a weekend in May for a music festival and am looking for some food recs.

Mainly would like to hear about good dinner spots (although lunch suggestions are still welcome) - Nothing too fancy or formal, although I don't mind if it's moderately expensive. Preferably close-ish to Inner Harbor, but don't mind a short car ride.

*I've been to Alma Cocina, Woodberry Kitchen, and Charleston before.

I may suggest taking a short ride to Fells Point.

Thames St Oyster House 

Peter's Inn

Bar Vasquez (Tony Foreman & Cindy Wolf )

Jong Kak for late night Korean 

Comptoir du Vin 

If you are interested in roaming through a food hall, I may suggest Broadway Market as well.

I most definitely suggest Ekiben for lunch, but they may be doing a pop up at the Music Fest, cause they run several throughout the summer. 

On 12/3/2019 at 3:45 PM, Bart said:

I don't know if this is the answer, but in Tom's chat last week, someone (maybe you!  😉 asked why he doesn't mention Corduroy much/ever in his chats anymore.  His answer was that the menu has been unchanged for years, and the place/decor could use a refresher.

Q: Corduroy

Hi Tom — You haven’t mentioned Corduroy in ages, and it’s one of my dependable favorites. Have you checked it out lately, and if so, what do you think?

A: Tom Sietsema

I visit every 16 months or so. Tom Power is a very good chef, but for awhile at least, I felt as if  he was serving the same menu he started with. (A diner can only eat lobster carpaccio so many times, you know?)  A quick glance online just now suggests he's doing some new dishes, however. I guess I need to pay Corduroy a visit.

— FEB 12, 2020 11:45 AM

For the record, lobster carpaccio is not currently on the menu.

It’s About Tock Time™ , medium.com , Nick Kokonas 2-11-2020

Sneak Peek at Ekiben’s Second Location in Hampden! baltimoremagazine.com 2-4-2020

FWIW, the chicken sandwich at Ekiben is in a league all its own. Not like Nashville Hot, or Popeye's, it has a distinct spice and finished off with the mix of fresh herbs and filled in a pillowy boa bun. It ranks high on my radar for chicken sandwiches. 

On 1/19/2019 at 12:52 AM, curiouskitkatt said:

Add Koda to places that you must not miss while in Harrisburg. 

This was visit #2 , and I see this place entering my regular rotation. 

Mid State,

kat

sad to report that Koda has closed.

I really enjoyed the food here, as well as the seating at the bar where I was able to view a show that consisted of watching the cooks prepare the meals.

On 6/20/2019 at 10:14 PM, curiouskitkatt said:

Coelum restaurant, bar and market to replace Gitan Bistro Cru in Canton , Baltimore Business Journal 

Canton restaurant Coelum closes after 7 months,  Baltimoresun.com, 1-26-2020

33 minutes ago, DanielK said:

I used to volunteer, and about 5 years ago they said I couldn't volunteer anymore, because I didn't have recent fine dining employment. Unless they've relaxed the volunteer screening, most of us aren't eligible.

Let me look into it, and report back. 

2 hours ago, DanielK said:

I used to volunteer for this, but there were apparently a few incidents with inexperienced volunteers. They are now enforcing the "must have recent fine dining employment" clause of the volunteer request form.

I think I may have heard about this occurring at previous dinners, where  the service staff (volunteers) took social liberties to an unacceptable level, and hence adding the formal application. There is a level of service to be expected at these dinners I assume as well, but I think as long as you are respectful and know the basics, that should be sufficient. That's my opinion. 

Its that time if year again. One of my favorite ways to give back is to volunteer  for the annual Sips & Suppers event held to benefit Martha’s Table. If you are available, I highly encourage you to sign up. It's great time & you get a chance to meet the finest culinary figures of the DMV. Depending which dinner you volunteer at you get to go home with a bunch of goodies to boot! The dinners will be held through out the DMV on 1/26/20. The all star list of chefs is impressive and includes DC’s fave, Frank Ruta.

2020 Philly Chef Conference , March 1-2

The line up has been published, and I am certain from now til then additions will be made. I will be attending this year, and hope to be able to participate in both days. I predict that the topics or theme of the conference will be to address food waste, cultural inclusion, and veganism.

On 10/28/2019 at 12:13 PM, curiouskitkatt said:

Amish & Refugee Meal Experience to take place this Saturday, 11/2.

A few months ago I highlighted a bit about Lokal  Tour company. They are on course to change the landscape of what to expect for tours in Lancaster County.  Unless you have been hiding under a rock, everyone is well aware of the state of immigration in this country currently is. This event may provide an opportunity to learn first hand what challenges immigrants face, and to hear their stories. I am gonna try to make this one, and report back what my take away is.

Amish share meal with refugees, bridging gap between cultures, Jason Nark for the inquirer.com

On 8/12/2019 at 2:02 PM, curiouskitkatt said:

My favorite from the comments, 

"All those White House tourists will descend upon it like locusts. It'll print money."

This is a fact. 

Update on the opening of Cheesecake Factory, popville.com

There are very polarizing opinions in the comments section.  I admit CF does not fall in my wheel house of choices to have a meal while in DC, but for some it is. The backlash it is receiving I think is comical. 

17 hours ago, Bob Wells said:

Being of a certain age, when I saw this thread title I thought it would be a guide to eateries on East Baltimore St in Baltimore, where the go-to used to be Polock Johnny's.😂

I am certain that the developers that are behind this second location of their original in VA did not do their homework on naming the new spot, and wonder if perhaps the locals may have a chuckle as well on the title of the food hall. 

15 hours ago, Ericandblueboy said:

Along with crack and ‘hos?

Hoes gotta eat too. 

Its not an area I frequent often, if all lately, but Attmans Deli is close by ,  and Ida B’s is not in the best of area as well. 

26 minutes ago, Bob Wells said:

Being of a certain age, when I saw this thread title I thought it would be a guide to eateries on East Baltimore St in Baltimore, where the go-to used to be Polock Johnny's.😂

Best fried chicken in Bmore is found on the Block. Just sayin.... 

The old Block that is 😉

23 minutes ago, dracisk said:

And that doesn't include any champagne!

Frankly I was a bit disappointed they weren't peddling a vending machine filled with Veuve or Dom. I mean c'mon, it's Nieman Marcus. lol.