Charm City Cook
Food is good
So many new (and fantastic) Italian spots in the City My friends and I were texting saying, “Wait, are all of the new restaurants in Baltimore Italian?” And, yes, lately, it seems like that. And for me — someone who’s never really sought out Italian food at restaurants — I am now truly converted. My …
In the space formerly occupied by longtime local darling Salt Tavern, which closed in 2018, Marta opened this week. With simple and classically adorned tables, custom tile work, tons of natural light, the restaurant is lovely. I stopped in and sat at the bar for a cocktail – negroni, no spagliato – and enjoyed a …
Over the last few years, I’ve fallen for Virginia. Here are a few reasons: It’s not very far from Baltimore. I can drive country roads on my way there. The people I’ve encountered have been friendly and down to earth. I don’t have to cross the Bay Bridge to get there. Did I mention country …
Changes, fresh starts, do overs. Even small tweaks can be very helpful. Over the last few years, I’ve been looking at my life and slowly addressed things that were not working for me. Everything from what I eat, how I dress, where and how I live are all things that I have the ability to …
It’s rough out there for restaurants. COVID surges, staffing challenges, unpredictable food costs and shortages and it’s now officialIy winter. But there are ways to help . . . I am in the process of creating a list of restaurants from my dining guide that are offering outdoor dining or will soon. I will share …
As I have been telling you (and my brain), I have changed the way I eat over the last year or so. I am very sensitive to eggs (I know, that really stinks) and cow’s milk. So, I’ve been trying lots of non-dairy versions of some of my favorite things like milk, cheeses, etc. Similarly, …
Everyone has tools that they use all the time and we’d be lost without. I taught a cooking class at a friend’s house a while back and left my favorite spatula behind – you would have thought I left my arm there – I missed it so much! Yes, it’s probably weird that I have …
Years ago, I interviewed Chef Chris Scanga on a Tuesday morning in an empty dining room at Petit Louis. Sitting amidst stacks of chairs felt so weird and special at the same time. As I sat there, I thought, wow — who gets to do this? (Be cool, Ame, be cool.) That was 2015. We …
It was November 2020. I really wanted to get away, I was depressed and tired in need of a change of scenery. We were months into confinement and no end was in sight. But I wondered if going away was a good idea, even driving and traveling solo. Was it safe? Was it inconsiderate of …
