Yummy in My Tummy
Abbondanza!: Five of Our Favorite Area Pizzas
August 18, 2009
Are you lucky enough to have a kid who, if you'd let her, would eat pizza at every meal? Because I have a kid like that, and, as much as I enjoy the pizza, I rather wish she'd expand her culinary horizons a little. You know? Anyway, as I said, I'm pretty fond of pizza, and I do like-on occasion-to go out for the cheesy, doughy stuff. So, where do we go when we're craving some pizza? Well, here are five of our favorite spots:
If you have a good memory, you may recall that I've written about Matthew's before, not long after we, much to our palates' content, discovered it. Matthew's is the real deal, without the fancy-schmancy toppings; if you're looking for what, in my humble opinion, is the best pie in town, this is where you're going to find it.
With, like, about 7,000 varieties of pizza on the menu, Egyptian Pizza has a pie for everyone. And if you're hankering for something other than pizza, no problem, because Egyptian Pizza has plenty of other stuff, including some excellent Middle Eastern specialties, too.
Hidden away in a strip mall in suburban Cockeysville, Fazzini's serves up some of the crustiest, most delicious pizza that you'll find anywhere in town. For something a little different, try the homemade focaccia, which is made with Romano and sharp cheddar cheeses. Yummy.
There's something about BOP's hustle and bustle that keeps us going back for more. I can't say that the pizza is exactly outstanding, but the Fells Point location and friendly service make it more than worth the trip. Plus, the lunch specials are pretty reasonable.
Fortunato Brothers Pizza - 6374 York Road, Baltimore, 410-377-7300
Another suburban pizza joint that offers far-better-than-average pies. And it's cheap! Try the tomato bread, which is sort of like Fazzini's focaccia, for a twist on the pizza theme. One suggestion: The place is rather light on ambience; plan on taking your pizza to go.
Know of a fantastic pizza place that I've forgotten? I'd love to hear about your favorite!
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The Baltimore Farmers' Market
August 17, 2009
'Tis the season for fresh, yummy, locally grown produce, and while I could buy my peaches, corn and melons from the grocery store, why would I, when I can hit the Baltimore Farmers' Market to pick up my produce from the farmers themselves.
I love the Baltimore Farmers' Market, and not only because I can get the freshest, most delicious produce, usually for less than I'd pay at the supermarket. Sure, the produce is reason enough, but other enticements, like the hot, cheesy omelets from Humpty Dumpty; the spicy samosas from Rustic Gourmet; and the sweet, soft powder-your-own doughnuts from Migae's, also keep my family and me coming back for more. Oh, and don't get me started on the amazing cheeses (and soft-serve ice cream!) on offer from South Mountain Creamery. Each of South Mountain's cheeses is special, and if you need proof, simply stop by their well appointed sample station. Unless you're lactose intolerant, you'll be very glad that you did. Don't like omelets, samosas, doughnuts, cheeses or produce? Don't worry; there's something at the market for everyone. Stop by Zeke's for a cup of freshly brewed coffee, or by Baltimore Dog Bakery for a few biscuits for Fido. No matter your cravings, you'll find plenty of wonderful temptations.
You know what else I love about the Farmers' Market? The people-watching! With so many hungry shoppers combing the place for deliciousness and bargains, the market is overflowing with people-watching opportunities. There aren't a lot of places to sit, unless you grab one ofHumpty Dumpty's plastic chairs while you eat an omelet, but there's no reason why you can't do your people-watching while standing or sitting on one of the many curbs. Folks from all over town--and beyond--flock to the market every Sunday morning; if you enjoy people-watching, you'll be in paradise.
There's also a wide selection of one-of-a-kind crafts, including jewelry, clothing and housewares.
The market is open every Sunday, rain or shine, from 8 a.m.-12 noon (or until sell-out), from now through December 20. Get there early for maximum selection; get there late for maximum breathing room (the crowd generally reaches maximum density at about 10:00).
The Baltimore Farmers' Market
Beneath the Jones Falls Expressway, at Holliday and Saratoga streets
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Around the World in 8,000 Calories
July 07, 2009
You know what I'd do if I suddenly fell into a big, heaping pile of money? Why, I'd embark upon a worldwide tour tomorrow, so that I could share the planet's many amazing sights and cultures with my husband and children. But . . . as I have this sinking suspicion that no pile of money is awaiting my clumsy tumble, and as the economy is, you know, what it is right now, I'm thinking that our worldwide tour--which still sounds pretty awesome--may need to be embarked upon in a non-traditional, slightly less expensive fashion. And how better to sample a few of the world's cultures, without leaving the Baltimore area, than by visiting five of our area's excellent restaurants? I can think of few more perfect solutions, and frankly, I'm salivating at the thought of beginning our journey. Yum!
Now let's start our tour by exploring some cultures that me might find in countries that are relatively close to home.
Arcos Restaurante
Mexican culture, which has, in the last 15 years or so, really begun flourish in the Baltimore area, has left its mark on many great restaurants, including Arcos Restaurante. If you're looking for real, honest-to-goodness Mexican food, not to mention a beautiful Mexican-reminiscent interior and occasional mariachi bands, then this is the place for you. Savor all kinds of Mexican specialties, from nopales rellenos to tacos al pastor, and bask in the restaurant's warm, happy ambiance.
El Salvador - 207 S. Broadway, Baltimore, 410-522-3250
Also on Broadway is El Salvador, a traditional Salvadoran restaurant that serves up delicious tamales, papusas and plantains, among other succulent offerings. You won't find a more authentic Salvadoran joint in Baltimore, or almost anywhere, and El Salvador is a perfect second stop on our hometown world tour.
And now, despite full bellies, we will travel on, next to more-distant Ethopia.
Dukem Restaurant
Oh, how excited the children will be, because we get to eat with our hands! If your kids can handle a little spice, get things started with some tasty sambusas, which are pastry shells filled with onions, jalapenos and your choice of veggies or ground meat. Then move on to one of Dukem's numerous entrees, including plenty of vegetarian and meat options. Chances are that you'll be treated to some Ethiopian music, but don't count on any Ethiopian desserts; sample offerings are Napoleons and Baklava.
Ready for Afghanistan?
The Helmand
Not every city is lucky enough to boast a fantastic Afghan restaurant, but it just so happens that we are pretty darn lucky. If you've never been to The Helmand, the superb restaurant owned by Qayum Karzai, the brother of the current president of Afghanistan, then you are in for a major treat. Absolutely everything, from the creamy, melt-in-your-mouth kaddo borawni (pan-fried baby pumpkin) to the savory leak-filled aushak (Afghan ravioli), is nothing short of amazing.
And now, for the last stop on our dizzying, scale-tipping, worldwide tour, let's visit The People's Republic of China.
Szechaun House- 1427 York Road, Lutherville, 410-825-8181
Don't let the suburban address deter you: Szechuan House is home to some of the most authentic Chinese food this side of the Yangtze. Skip the shrimp toast and the pork-fried rice and go straight for the more "real-deal" entrees, including--if you really want the straight-outta-China Chinese experience--specialties from the "Country Side Taste" menu. Here, you'll find beef tendon, yuba (made from soy), sauteed snail and countless other delicacies (even intestines!) that you won't find on just any Chinese menu. Totally worth the trip to the suburbs.
Whew! Aren't you stuffed? And exhausted? Don't you feel, in some way, as if you actually have just traveled the world?
As always, I welcome your input: What other stops should we add to our worldwide, without-leaving-Baltimore tour?
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Delicious Diners: Five of Our Local Favorites
June 02, 2009
Here's the Scoop: Five of Our Favorite Local Ice Cream Joints
May 12, 2009
Ice cream. There is no compound word in the English language that quite compares to ice cream. Say these words--"Hey, do you wanna go for ice cream?"--to your preschooler and see if you can count to one before the bouncing and squealing and cheering start. My kids, who get excited about lots of things, including leopards and diesel engines and bubbles and Ferris wheels, will lose it to an almost startling degree at the mere mention of ice cream. The thing is, given our family's history of heart disease, I don't treat them to the creamy, yummy, squeal-inducing stuff very often, and when I do, I'm pretty selective, because I can't justify wasting our once-in-a-while ice cream indulgence on a mediocre product. Following are five of our favorite local ice cream establishments. Please, by all means, chime in with your own favorites.
(check Moxley's Web site for a list of locations) and in its hand-dipped glory at other places, including Bon Bons. Not quite as awesome, maybe, as getting it straight from Moxley's, but mighty tasty just the same.
Beyond PBJ: Inspired Ideas for Packed Lunches
April 20, 2009
Some time ago, I got sick to death of peanut butter and jelly on whole wheat bread. I got sick of eating it, sick of making it and sick of wiping it from tables and sticky, stained faces. And that's when I decided, by goodness, to expand my lunchtime repertoire, to include foods that, while still wholesome and palatable, were different and maybe didn't originate in jars. So following is a list of recent lunchtime favorites, perfect for lunchboxes, for picnics or for just eating 'round the house.
Go Organic!
April 13, 2009
While I love the deliciousness and wholesomeness of the many organic foods that I buy, I don't especially love how much more I must pay for organic than for non-organically grown. I don't blame the organic farmers--it's not their fault that responsible stewardship of the land is so much more costly than the alternative--but sometimes, particularly in this economy, it's hard for me to pay organic prices. Anyway, the bottom line is that I buy organic whenever I can, because I really do believe that organic farming is better for the earth and better for my children. Plus, in my opinion, organic tastes better. (Seriously, compare an organically grown tomato to one grown on a big corporate farm or in a hothouse. Which one is sweeter? And more juicy?) Read more...
The Sweet Taste of Rheb's
April 06, 2009
This post is for you, chocolate lovers, because if you live in Baltimore and don't know Rheb's, you're really missing out. When I was a child, my father used to stuff my Easter basket with Rheb's solid chocolate bunnies and buttercream eggs, and despite the fact that both treats were rich and enormous and sweet enough to blow out my pancreas forever, they were always gone long before the marshmallow chicks and jelly beans that--though loved when not so overshadowed--got lost in the grass at the bottom of my basket. Even now, the thought of a Rheb's buttercream egg--so much better than any other cream-filled egg that I've tasted--makes me want to drive, zombie-like, to Wilkens Avenue, to Rheb's only remaining location. For Easter candy, seriously, there is no comparison, though, of course, you need not celebrate Easter to indulge in Rheb's deliciousness. Visit Rheb's for a vast assortment of creams, truffles, nuts, chews and crisps, all of which, I can assure you, are tasty. And if you are in the market for an egg or a bunny, hurry up, because supplies are going fast. When my husband and I dropped by a few days ago, small bunnies were pretty hard to come by, and the lines were starting to get rather long. Around Easter or any other candy-heavy holiday, you can expect to wait a little while for your selections, but trust me . . . whatever you get will be worth the wait. And anyway, I want to have to wait at Rheb's, because waiting means that other people love Rheb's chocolates, and if other people love them, perhaps they'll stay around forever. I hope so, because I want to be able to humble the other candy in my children's Easter baskets for many years to come.
Weekend Highlights, 3/6-3/8
March 05, 2009
The weekend is almost here, the weather is supposed to be warm and beautiful, and there are, in all seriousness, about a million fun things happening over the course of the next several days. Following is a list of some of the weekend's most awesome highlights. Enjoy!
Family Date Night: The Golden West Cafe
February 02, 2009
The Golden West Cafe , now in its second and far roomier location, has been serving up delicious food for about the last 10 years. And while its quirky interior and Hampden address make it very appealing to the young, hip and childless, these same features, coupled with the yummy, eclectic menu, attract people with children, too. It's true that the place can get quite Read more...
Clementine
January 12, 2009
I love Clementine, the spectacularly good restaurant that opened, to much acclaim, on Harford Road in Hamilton last year. I love it, first and foremost, for the food (everything I've tasted, from the creamy macaroni and cheese to the zippy basil-lime elixir--plus a bunch of yummy treats in between--has been exceptional), but I also really enjoy the atmosphere, which is inviting to singles and Read more...
Family Date Night: Amer's Cafe
December 01, 2008
Had it up to your gizzard with turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes? Then why not head over to Amer's Cafe in Fullerton, where you can get some hummus, a kabob, a salad or a pizza, without blowing through your whole wad of holiday cash? And best of all? Amer's is ridiculously family-friendly, to the point that, after dinner, you might have to drag the kids out. Think I'm kidding? Let me Read more...
More of Our Favorite Activities and Things to Do in baltimore
Creatures & Critters:
Our Urban Jungle
Do, Re, Mi! Places to Hear, Sing & Play a Tune
Artistic Endeavors:
Our Favorite Art Venues
Room to Run:
Run, Jump & Wiggle Outdoors
Rainy & Quiet Days:
Cozy & Crazy Indoor Fun
A Sense of History:
Our City's Stories
Tot's Science Fair:
Science & Nature Sites
The Most Fun in Life Is Free!
The Best of... Our Top Can't-Live-Without Spots
The Voice of Being Savvy baltimore:
Laura Stallard Petza
Read more Being Savvy for:
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Favorite baltimore Lists
- The Weather Outside Is Frightful, and My Toddler's Being Spiteful (Volume Two): Five (More) Things to Do in Baltimore on a Less-Than-Perfect Day
- The Weather Outside Is Frightful, and My Toddler's Being Spiteful: Five Things to Do in Baltimore on a Less-Than-Perfect Day
- Room to Run: Where to Take the Kids to Run 'em Ragged
- Top Ten Things That I've Been Meaning to Do (But Never Seem to Get to Because We're Always at the Zoo)
- Five Great Day Trips from Charm City
- When the Sun Comes Out: A Top Five List
- Princess for a Day (And, If You're Lucky, Not for an Eternity)
- Booked Solid: Five (More) Fantastic Places to Grab Your Next Read
- Your Baltimore Reflection
- In Baltimore Time
- 99 Things to Do with Your Young Children (Big-n-Meaty Part Two)
- Just-Because Gifts
- Earthly Delights: Five Gardens to Visit with the Family
- Go Fly a Kite!
- Classes They'll Flip For: Five Great Places to Take Gymnastics
- Act Naturally
- Play's the Thing: Five More Playgrounds
- Mothering Mother Earth
- Eating Out: Five Great Baltimore Picnic Spots
- Here's the Scoop: Five of Our Favorite Local Ice Cream Joints
- Baltimore Free-Wheelin': Five Great Spots to Take a Bike Ride
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