The Speakeasy Saloon - Shhh! Let's Keep it a Secret!

The Bob Ganoosh team received a tip Friday night, from Shawn's lovely mother (who going forward will be referred to as Mama Ganoosh), that the food at the Speakeasy Saloon in Canton was "fabulous." So of course, we had to check it out for ourselves. Despite what turned out to be a torrential downpour, team Bob Ganoosh initiated its investigation, so you wouldn't have to.

We arrived at the restaurant around 7:30 on Friday night, when the bar crowd was starting to show up and the dinner crowd remained strong. We were greeted immediately by a very attentive lady - the owner, we suspect - and seated at a table outside (per our request).

A review of the menu revealed a Mediterranean theme, including a variety of tapas plates and familiar Italian-themed dishes; however, one could also choose from an eclectic mix of seafood and steak selections. Shortly later our server arrived and presented the evening's specials, at which point the menu seemed to double: there were about 3 appetizer specials and 5 entree specials, which were made up of various combinations of seafood and steak. All sounded wonderful, and were priced at around $25 (which for a Filet stuffed with crab meat, for example, is very reasonable).

Shawn ordered one of the special appetizers - the Caprese Salad ($8) - which consisted of generous slices of homemade mozzarella cheese served atop ripe tomato slices and topped with a balsamic vinegar glaze. The mozzarella was very creamy and melted in your mouth as you ate it. I think Shawn and I were both in agreement that this Caprese was only second to the stuff served at DiPasquale's. Meanwhile, I started my meal with a cup of French Onion Soup ($4.95) - as the self-proclaimed expert on French Onion Soup, I had to it out! The soup was served as French Onion typically is, with a slice of baguette concealed in the soup by a blanket of melted cheese (in this case, it seemed to be provolone). The soup was very good, but tasted more strongly of onion and less of beef base, which differs from some with have a more flavorful broth. So, make sure you really like onion if you order the soup.

Onward to our entrees: Shawn sampled one of their classic Italian dishes - Chicken Parmesan served atop Penne Pasta ($11.95), while I sampled one of their more unique dishes - Chicken Phoenix ($11.95). The Chicken Parmesan, consisting of a sweetly-breaded chicken breast topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella, was moist and flavorful, a superb rendition of a dish that many order merely because "you can't go wrong." And, the penne was abundant. The Chicken Phoenix yielded one of the most unique flavors either of us had ever tasted on a chicken. This dish consisted of the sweetly-breaded chicken breast, and was topped with a "silky honey-jalapeno sauce" (as the menu describes it). Now, I was going on a whim when I ordered this, and I had no idea how spicy it would be, nor did I have any idea what honey and jalapeno tasted like together. Well, this sauce has to be one of the most unique flavors we have tasted - it was not spicy at all, but rather had a sweet creamy flavor that complimented the sweet chicken breast perfectly. The dish had me talking about it all night.

As for the service, it was spot-on. Even during the ensuing chaos that occurred when the rain arrived and the outdoor-diners began to panic, the servers managed to relocate people inside promptly and open up a retractable awning to maintain some of the outdoor seating. All in all, Team Ganoosh was abundantly impressed with the entire experience!

As for the restaurants ability to handle a large group, it's tough to say. Though there were ample tables available, none of them looked large enough to handle a large crowd, although we were not privy to seeing the size of the upstairs dining area. So if you have a party greater than 4-6, I would recommend calling ahead.

So, like a speakeasy from the Prohibition days, we should probably keep this wonderful spot a secret... but then again, that's definitely not the Bob Ganoosh way!

The Speakeasy Saloon
2480 O'Donnell Street (Canton Square)
Baltimore, MD 21224
410-276-2977
http://www.speakeasysaloon.com/

Note from the Editor-in-Chief

My apologies for the typoes in my most recent post - the post was made on a time constraint, and as a result I forgot to run a spell-check. The typoes should now be corrected.

The Brewer's Art - A Review Long Overdue!

This week is Baltimore Restaurant Week, and the Bob Ganoosh team decided to partake by conducting a review that no legitimate restaurant review blog could be without - The Brewer's Art!

Located in eclectic and trendy Mt. Vernon/Midtown, The Brewer's Art is just as eclectic as the community in which it resides. The upstairs dining room is somewhat formal and quaint, the type of venue to which you'd take the folks out; while the basement bar has the dark grungy-yet-trendy ambiance you'd expect in Baltimore. We started our evening off downstairs, because despite being the middle of the week, we could not get a reservation until 8:30 (I guess it is Restaurant Week!).

For those who don't know, The Brewer's Art is a brew house that serves a selection of its own Microbrews right out of the basement bar. Their regular beer selection consists of about 8 (I'm guestimating) brews, and pretty much covers all ends of the beer spectrum. The most popular is their Resurrection Ale, which is a favorite around time and I believe has won a "Best of Baltimore" award.

Prior to last night, many of us had tried their beers, or at least the Resurrection (it is served at at least one other bar in Baltimore), but we were all virgins to their food. Now, they serve pretty decent pub grub downstairs, but we learned quickly that the real good stuff is served in the upstairs dining room. Taking advantage of the Restaurant Week menu, we all went with the Steak Frites - some medium and some medium rare - and either the Caesar Salad or the Tortilla Soup. The soup was a tomato-based soup with adequate spice, but not too much to make it unenjoyable; the salads were large, generously dressed, and topped with some spicy cheese wafer that we were not able to identify.

But lets get to the most important part - the steaks! The steaks, New York Strips that I'm guessing were about 12 oz, were cooked to the perfect temperature and topped with a sweet demi-glace sauce. It was served upon a bed of flavorful garlic fries, and with a side of a sweet buttery sauce for dipping. Being a bit of a steak snob, I must say that for an establishment not known as a steakhouse per se, these were some of the best steaks I have ever encountered. They were large, juicy, and cooked perfectly to our specifications.

After we conquered our wonderful steaks, we were provided (as part of the Restaurant Week special) with a small dessert, consisting of a rich chocolate tart and a small cheesecake tart topped with blackberries. Can't really go wrong there.

Being Restaurant Week, all of this came out to $30.09. This was particularly a good deal because their regular menu prices, for an entree, are not much less than that. Though I wouldn't put this in the "fine dining" price range, it is definitely pricier than just a casual dinner out (at least for someone as frugal as myself). The prices for the entrees range from $19 to about $30, and the appetizers were around $8. If everything they serve is as good as the Steak Frites, well worth it!

So, here's the Bob Ganoosh summary:

Is The Brewer's Art worth all of the hype it gets? 5 full stomachs and 10 thumbs up say YES!

Is is a good place for a large party? Sure, but definitely make a reservation! This is not the place to go spontaneously, if you plan of having dinner.

Is this a good place to take a date? Most definitely! This is definitely a great place to take a beautiful date or a guest from out of town (interesting side note - they are walking distance from Penn Station).

So take a trip out to Mt. Vernon, get yourself a great steak, and check out the sisters of the Resurrection!

The Brewer's Art

1106 N. Charles Street

Baltimore, MD

410-547-6925

http://www.thebrewersart.com/

13.5% Wine Bar - If You Build It, They Will Come!

Note: Please see our update to this review.

Finally, the post you've all been waiting for: Bob Ganoosh's review of the newest addition to the Baltimore eats & drinks scene - 13.5% Wine Bar on the Avenune (W. 36th St.) in Hampden!  The new wine bar opened its doors on Friday the 10th, and we were there to check it out.

The bar opened at 6pm, and by the time we got there at 7pm the place was packed. The owner Wayne greeted us at the door, saying "we're packed but go wherever you can find space!" There was about a 30 minute or so wait for tables, which we suspect will be on a seat-yourself policy on less busy nights. While we nursed glasses of blush from our first bottles of wine, awaiting our table, we admired the ambiance, which was very hip and modern, but managed to also incorporate the rustic aspects classic of Hampden (such as the stone wall, which was new, but still a very nice touch). One of the members of the group, and regular blog commenter "Barget", became particularly excited when they turned on the orange glowing lights that illuminated the whole bar.

Our party fluctuated between 6 and 7 people, which made seating a little challenging on this opening night, but we managed to get a table with little drama (just a bit of patience). Our server Megan was very nice, and despite it being the establishment's first day in business, she was very knowledgeable of the menu (both food and beverage). Whatever she didnt know, she referred to the resident wine expert, who was running around answering questions and keeping things in-check.

The menu consisted of a list of paninis, all priced at less than $9, and a selection of mediterranian tapas dishes. Everyone ordered a panini with the exception of Barget, who ordered the antipasta plate. Each of the paninis was different, offering various combinations of italian meats, cheeses, veggies, and spices. Everyone enjoyed the paninis thoroughly, and it was the general consensus that the portion was well worth the modest price. They are generally served with potatoes, but they were totally out by the time we ordered, so we'll get back to you on those. They were also nice enough to give Bob Ganoosh a very nice salad with Italian Bacon, in lieu of the potatoes. As for the antipasta plate, Barget finished every bite. I tried a small piece of one of the imported cheeses, which at least seemed of much higher quality than one usually gets on an antipasta plate. Overall, the food was excellent.

As for the wine, we were generally pleased with this aspect as well. They have a decent list of wines sold by the glass, and a huge variety of wines available by the bottle. The bottles can be bought for carry-out (like your local wine store), or opened to drink in-house (subject to an $8 corkage fee, regardless of the price of the bottle). We ordered several bottles, including 2 different blushes, a very smooth red, and a sweet Moscato for dessert. The staff was very prompt with refilling our glasses (they kept the lighter wines chilled and refilled them for you).

We were also given a free sample of their desserts, due to an error in the kitchen. They were offering 2 desserts that night, which to our understanding were not their regular menu items, but were prepared for opening night by the owner of the Puff's & Pastries Bakery in Hampden. Our sample included a cream puff filled with fresh peaches, which was delicious; and smoked applewood bacon covered in chocolate, which was... interesting (I wouldn't say it was my "cup of tea," but definitely worth trying!). The quality was superb; however, we are interested to see what their regular menu desserts will be like.

Due to the large amount of merriment and drinking we did that night, I did not do a good job keeping track of the price of each bottle we drank. But I will say that for 6 people eating and drinking, our bill came out to less than $150 ($25/person). Not bad, given the amount of wine we drank. The only disappointment as far as price is concerned, is the $8 corkage fee, which I found to be a little more than "nominal" (as the website described it). The establishment claims to focus on more budget-friendly wines that are as tasty as more expensive wines - although there are bottles available in excess of $100, everything we drank was under $20. Given that, the $8 fee represented a pretty significant mark-up on each of our bottles. We suggest, perhaps, a percentage corkage fee, maybe with a "not-to-exceed" amount for the pricier bottles. But regardless, overall we found the evening to be pretty reasonably priced given the amount we consumed.

We feel 13.5% would be a very fun place for a large group; however, given the size of the place, a group larger than 6 would probably have trouble finding a place to sit at peak times. So, large groups would probably have more luck on a Wednesday night than a Friday night. And the staff will definitely be as accomodating as possible, based on our experiences.

So, Team Bob Ganoosh happily gives Hampden's newest addition its Seal of Approval, and recommends to anyone who hasn't checked them out yet, to give them a visit.

And, after seeing how busy they were on Friday, and how people basically flooded the gates as soon as the doors opened: I think it is safe to say that for high-end establishments in Hampden - IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME!

I love being right!

13.5% Wine Bar

1117 West 36th Street

Baltimore, MD 21211

410-889-1064

http://www.13.5winebar.com/

Editor's Note: Please see our update to this review written December 29, 2010.

Update - 13.5% Wine Bar

Due to my cut-throat investigative journalism (an in-passing conversation with my roommate), I have found out that the tentative date of 13.5%'s opening is slated for July 10 (this Friday)! Team Bob Ganoosh intends to be there, and encourages all else to go and give us their input!

http://www.13.5winebar.com

Review should be posted by Monday!

Coming Soon to a Hampden Near You - 13.5% Wine Bar

For those who don't know, a new wine bar is scheduled to open on "The Avenue" in Hampden, any day now. To be called the 13.5% Wine Bar, is owned by the former owner of the Wine Underground in Medfield, and will sell bottles both by the glass and by the bottle. They will also serve tapas-style food.

This is an exciting addition to the Hampden business community, and finally acknowledges that Hampden is growing up a little and becoming a bit more sophisticated. People have argued with me time and time again that there is no demand for a "yuppie" establishment in Hampden, and I always argued that the client-base is here, and if you build it, they will come. I hope this experiment proves me correct.

In any case, if anyone hears any developments on this wine bar, please keep me posted, and I will do the same for you. When it opens, I'm there.

Kali's Mezze Restaurant - A Milestone for Bob Ganoosh

Bob Ganoosh experimented with some quasi-cannibalism last night. You guessed it, he tried Baba Ghanoush, the classic Mediterranean eggplant dish from which his nickname - and thus this blog - was originated. We had been contemplating trying this namesake disk for a few weeks, when we met a group of people while playing pool at the Waterfront Hotel. When Shawn introduced himself as Bob Ganoosh, one of the gentlemen indicated that he worked for a restaurant that served Baba Ghanoush. And he referred us to Kali's Mezze Restaurant.

Located in Fell's Point walking distance from the water, Mezze is a small trendy joint squeezed-in next door to its sister restaurant Kali's Court. They offer a tapas style menu with a Mediterranean influence. At the time we got there (around 8pm) most of the dining room and all of the sidewalk seating was full; however, they managed to seat our party of 3 moderately quickly.

Being the Bob Ganoosh team's first tapas experience, we were pretty entertained by the idea of ordering a bunch of small cheap plates in lieu of a large expensive dish. For those unfamiliar with tapas-style restaurants, dishes are served in appetizer-esque portions, for prices usually less than that for a large dish at a traditional restaurant. Typically, if you're hungry you'll order several plates, or if you're just sipping down some drink you may just order a few plates at a time for the table to share.

When we reviewed the menu, we came to realize that the prices were a little bit higher than I had anticipated, with some plates costing in excess of $10 (for a small plate). Granted, these plates usually contained lamb or steak. And they did have cheaper plates as well, such as tapanade (a spread made of olives, among other things), which was under $4. The Baba Ghanoush was about $6. Given the trendy cosmopolitan theme and the quality of the dishes, we didn't find the prices unreasonable.

As for the food, we did not order a single thing we didn't like. We all found the Baba Ghanoush to be surprisingly pleasant, especially when eaten with the wonderful complimentary pita bread they provide. In addition to his namesake dish, Shawn got a dish with Haloumi cheese (very similar to mozzarella) on top of portabello mushrooms, and drizzled with balsamic vinegar. This dish was very flavorful, with the balsamic perfectly accenting the cheese and portabello. He also tried the baby lamb chops, which were generously seasoned with thyme and basil. I am not a big fan of lamb in general, but Shawn found it to be very tasty.

We also tried:

• Stuffed peppers, which consisted of 3 small green peppers stuffed with cheese, rice and spices. Don't be fooled by the peppers, this is a very mild dish
• Steamed Mussels, which gave Bertha's a run for its money (no disrespect to Bertha's, which is one of my favorite Fell's Point establishments). The mussels were fresh, the portion was generous, and the seasoned butter sauce drizzled on top sealed the deal.
• Cheese Pie - several cheeses baked into a phylo dough crust. Can't really go wrong there!

The Bob Ganoosh team would also like to give Mezze kudos for its plate presentation. Each dish was carefully and attractively garnished with Mediterranean-themed items (olives, etc.). And Shawn enjoyed the fact that all of the garnishes were not only edible, but delicious!

The only major downside was it's unlikely ability to handle a large party, especially without a reservation. This is merely a result of the small space in which they operate.

So, Bob Ganoosh's first tapas experience (and first taste of Baba Ghanoush) was a huge success! We plan to visit again with some more (but not too many) friends.

Kali's Mezze Restaurant
1606 Thames Street
Baltimore, MD 21231
410-563-7600
www.kalismezze.com

Loco Hombres/Alonzo's - We hombres are loco for their nachos!

Another review that is long overdue, is of the sister restaurants Loco Hombres and Alonso's. Located in old Roland Park a short walk from Loyola College, the two restaurants share an entrance, hostess stand, and bar. Loco Hombres has a tex-mex theme, while Alonso's goes for more of a sports-bar/pizza theme (although the 2 menus are overall very similar). The tex-mex ambiance is experienced before you even walk in the door, with the old Spanish-style tiles on the roof of this old corner business (which is incidental, as this is a common style found on rowhomes made in the "daylight" period, which is a whole-nother blog!). The Alonso's side also sells beer and wine for about couple hours later than most of the nearby liquor stores.

Anyway, we had visited on Wednesday night, having been there many times before, expected greatness. We have been there in both large groups and small, and tried items across the menu. One previous visit worth noting, was on the opening night of the 2008 Hampden Christmas Lights - while all the "Avenue" restaurants were on a 2 hour wait, Loco's accommodated a party of 12 in a matter of minutes. And everyone left satisfied.

This week we were in a beer and pub-grub kind of mood, and we remember being intensely impressed by the nachos they served - so we each ordered an order of nachos. I got ground beef on mine, the others got chicken. As we remembered, the portions were huge and looked delicious. Each plate of nachos was smothered with cheese, olives, peppers, guac, etc.; and you never had to worry about getting a nacho with nothing on it. The ground beef was good, the more mild of the choices, but of course was a little greasier. The chicken had a slight bite to it - which we all found to be delicious - and was generously rationed throughout the plate.

The nachos with meat were $13, and were large enough for 2 meals. If you're in a vegetarian mood or want to save money, they're available without meat for $10.

Most of the dishes offered are between $10 and $20 - some other Bob Ganoosh recommendations include the fajitas, the huge burgers (1.5lbs!), and the pizzas on the Alonso's side. They also have a nice drink menu, with a decent beer selection and some fun cocktails. I got a bottle of Newcastle, served with a frosted glass, that was very cold and refreshing on such a warm evening.

So, of course, we give our strong endorsement to these fun restaurants for almost any occasion - large group or small, dinner or just pub-grub during the game.

And, they get bonus points, since our waitress had a Natty Boh tattoo!

Hogs Really Do Taste Better BBQ'ed! - Andy Nelson's BBQ

Shawn and I made a visit to this quaint little BBQ house in Old Cockeysville, already having a pretty good idea of what our review was going to say. We have both been here many times, and it happens to be the venue of choice for company-wide lunches provided by my employer. So this particular visit was more or less a technicality, spawned by a strong craving for some great barbecue (plus, I owed Shawn some money).

The restaurant consists of a small old house on York Road, which you probably wouldn't even see if it wasn't for the large pig on the roof. There is also a large shed-like building that they converted into an additional seating area, which would help in a large-party situation. This is not a fast-food restaurant per se, but all ordering is done at the counter and there is no table service. A cosy casual environment. We looked at the various pieces of paraphernalia on the wall while waiting for our food, and learned that Andy Nelson (the restaurant's founder) was once a member of the Baltimore Colts.

The menu is simple but offers everything you would want from such a restaurant: pulled pork, pulled turkey, pit beef, and beef barbecue. And of course the usual sides: corn bread, potato salad, collard greens, etc. You can get just a sandwich for somewhere around $7, or a platter with 2 sides for under $10. We both went for the platters: I got the pulled pork with corn bread and potato salad; Shawn got pulled turkey with cornbread and greens.

I'll just cut to the chase and say, as we expected, we loved everything. Both the pork and the turkey were unbelievably moist. The turkey was well-seasoned, the pork was more mildly seasoned, but most likely under the presumption that it will be topped with one of their signature sauces. Shawn enjoyed his greens, and we both loved the cornbread (they were generous with the portion, too). I loved the potato salad - I'm not really capable of resisting it - but I will warn that it is strongly spiced. It is possibly the most unique potato salad I have ever eaten.

We got there about a half hour before they closed, and ended up closing the place down. As such, there was plenty of seating. I have never actually been in the restaurant at lunchtime, but I would suspect that lunchtime on a Friday would be a bit busier, so I suspect that a large party would have a little more challenge then. I would make a similar prediction for dinner, but adding that their not-s0-late closing time (8pm during the week and maybe 9pm on the weekends) would make it difficult for a dinner-night with a big group.

So overall, the Bob Ganoosh team gives Andy Nelson's (aka "Pigman") our golden seal of approval! However, we would recommend them as more of a casual lunch or a quasi-quick dinner, than a big group get-together. If I worked in Hunt Valley, I'd eat there every day (and generally, I don't even like pork)!

Andy Nelson's Barbecue

11007 York Road

Cockeysville, MD 21030

410-527-1226

http://www.andynelsonsbbq.com/

Bob Ganoosh's First Bad Review - Double T Diner

Friday night the Bob Ganoosh team decided to get out and enjoy the nice weather by hanging out at Shawn's parents' community beach in Severna Park, with some wine and stogies. Sometime between midnight and 1AM we decided we needed a late night snack, so off we went to Double T Diner in Pasadena. Now let's remember, almost everyone (all except the designated driver) had been drinking, so our standards were not very high. All we needed was some cheap food in the middle of the night. And that is pretty much Double T's purpose in life. That, and being a venue for Sheila Dixon's business meetings.** So we knew what to expect.

However, this visit to Double T, as usual, did not even meet our already-diminished standards for late-night dining. To start on a positive note, the service was fine - better than average for a diner, I would say. My glass never reached the bottom before being offered a refill. That is a power move by any server, in my opinion. However, as soon as food arrived at the table, it all went south!

A few of our entrees came with a cup of soup to start with. Shawn got the New England Clam Chowder (which was actually Manhattan Clam Chowder). The other 2 ordered Cream of something, but the restaurant was fresh out of that so they were given Chicken Noodle. The chicken noodle was basically chicken broth, a little bit of chicken, and tons of macaroni... but whatever, Chicken Noodle can only be so bad. The Clam Chowder, however, is a different story. I'm not sure what was in it or specifically how it tasted, but to quote Shawn: "this tastes like shit!" He specifically asked that I quote him on that.

The entrees were mediocre. I got some kind of breakfast platter which I found to be pretty good (can't really go wrong with eggs and pancakes), but I was not a fan of the hashbrowns. All of the sandwiches ordered were acceptable, but nothing particularly special, even for the price (which is not all that low for a diner).

So our verdict - if you're hungry in the middle of the night, go to Denny's! Last time I was there with my parents (a few months ago) we were surprisingly pleased with everything, and it was a lot cheaper! The service we received Friday night was better than one would ever received at a Denny's, but then again I think it was better than what is usually offered at Double T. All in all, the only reason to eat at Double T is for straight-up convenience.

There are several locations, but I will not waste my time looking up the addresses of somewhere I do NOT recommend.

** The Bob Ganoosh team has no opinion, and does not intend to imply any opinion, as to the innocence or guilt of any persons as it relates to any pending indictments. So Sheila, please don't sue us!

WTF??? This Food is Good!

NOTE: Please see the update to this article published 8/1/2011.

Today's post is long overdue, as it is of one of our favorite eateries and watering holes in Fell's Point - The Waterfront Hotel. Represented throughout the area by its ovular "WTF" stickers, the Waterfront is a restaurant/bar located in an historic rowhouse on Thames Street, right across from the old recreational pier. The building, built in the 1770's as a hotel for sailors and such (hence the restaurant's name), is one of the oldest buildings in Baltimore.

We originally started hanging out at their bar back in college (like 3 years ago or so). It was a little bit different back then - they have been making the place a little higher-scale over the past few years, although it was a pretty decent place to begin with. You may recognize the first-floor bar - it was where the bar scenes in Homicide: Life on the Streets were filmed. Their "pub grub" was always a little on the pricy side, since their menu is a little higher-scale, so we never really tried much of that. Although, the bucket of Old Bay Fries (if they still have it) is to die for.

For the dinner scene, the Waterfront has a quaint little 2nd-floor dining room, with windows that look out on the goings-on of Thames Street. The dining room is not large, and thus not promising for large party accomodations; however, usually when we go there (during the week) the dining room is mostly empty. The ambiance is calm and quiet, and a nice place to go for a relaxing meal.

All of the food we have had there is enjoyable. Admittedly though, the prices are toward the higher end of what we like to pay for a casual meal ($15-25). So, we would recommend going during the week, during most of which they offer dinner specials from 6-10PM. These include the "12 for 12" Tuesdays - 12 items (normal priced around $20) are discounted to $12; and the Wednesday Steak Night, where they offer a nice steak, dressed one of several different ways with mashed potatoes and veggies, for $15.

Last night, we took advantage of the "12 for 12" special. Shawn tried the Lobseter Ravioli and I had the Fettucine dinner. The Lobster Ravioli was served under some kind of red sauce, which had a little bit of a tangy kick to it (not too much though). I believe there were peppers in the sauce too. Shawn loved it. The Fettucine included breaded chicken, stuffed with prociutto ham, laid across a plate of fettucine tossed in a mustardy cream sauce. The mustard sauce was different - not what I had expected - but overall it was tasty and very unique (as well as filling).

Shawn and I each got a salad too, which we thought was included but apparently was not. But the salad was very nice, wish a wide assortment of crisp leaves and such. If you like lots of dressing though, you might want to ask for extra on the side.

In short, the Bob Ganoosh team would like to officially give its seal of approval to an establishment that we have been fans of throughout the last few years. We deem this to be a great place for a nice quiet dinner, as long as you're not looking for dirt cheap. And if you're trying to avoid crowds, don't go on a Friday or Saturday night, as the bar crowd tends to be heavy at those times (obviously).

WTF - our only major suggestion: BRING BACK THE BUFFALO CHICKEN WRAP!!! It was our favorite!

The Waterfront Hotel

1710 Thames Street

Baltimore, MD 21231

410-537-5055

http://www.waterfronthotel.us/

MORE REVIEWS COMING SOON

Loyal Bob Ganoosh Readers:

We apologize for the lack of postings lately - the Bob Ganoosh team has been involved with a lot of different stuff lately. In any case, we have some ideas for some new exciting posts, which you can expect to see in the next week or so. So, please stay tuned!

DiPasquale's Deli - Mama Mia that's a huge sub!

The Bob Ganoosh team would like to apologize for the lack of recent posts. The current writer (me, Gary) has been spending a lot of time being involved with his Community Association... perhaps Bob Ganoosh needs to expand its operations! As such, we took the lazy route and visited somewhere at the suggestion of the Food Network's Diners, Dives, and Drive-thrus... or whatever the show is called. A couple of weeks ago, it seemed like every time I turned on the Food Network I saw them visiting somewhere from Baltimore But something specific caught our eye - this delicious looking "rice ball" topped with marinara sauce. So we decided, we must visit wherever it is that they sell these.

DiPasquale's Gourmet Deli, the home of this unique dish, has been in business since the early 20th century (I want to say, it was 1914). The shop is a little corner rowhouse right smack dab in the middle of Highlandtown, and offers pretty much everything Italian, from fresh baked bread to imported aged cheese to rabbit & octopus meat. It is reminiscent of a little corner deli you'd find in NYC - a rare find in Baltimore - and represents one of the reasons I'd take a neighborhood like Highlandtown over one like Federal Hill any day.

So, Shawn and I drove over there one night (I believe it was Mardi Gras, actually) for dinner, and well we weren't impressed. Of course, that's because we couldn't get in the door - they close at 6PM Monday - Saturday (and are closed on Sunday). If we were really as lazy as I implied above, the article would have ended here. But, as the saying goes, if you don't succeed, try try again. So we planned to go back on a Saturday for lunch.

So this past weekend, we (accompanied by our friend Mark) took a drive down to "Hollantown" for lunch, right before the Maryland game. It was a few hours after lunch time when we got there, but the place was packed regardless. They have a decent sized menu, which includes various subs & salads, as well as classics like homemade lasagna. And of course, the Rice Ball! I ordered a meatball sub; Shawn got a cold cut sub and some mozzarella salad. I can't remember what Mark got off hand. And of course, Shawn and I eat got a rice ball.

Now we started out with our rice balls. These basically consisted of some seasoned beef and mozzarella cheese, battered with a thick layer of some rice mixture, and fried. It comes out a little bigger than a softball. They cut it in half and drizzle some marinara sauce over top. Let me tell you, it was great! Honestly, the flavor was more mild than I expected, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. And it pretty much filled me up, for about $5.

I barely had any room for the meatball sub, of which I took the majority home with me. This unbelievable sandwich consisted of plump homemade meatballs and marinara sauce, stuffed inside of a half loaf of their homemade break. A HALF LOAF! The bread really sealed the deal, but everything about the sandwich was outstanding. At this gigantic extremely filling (I barely finished it in the 2nd attempt) sub was only $7.95.

Shawn's sub was not as huge as mine, but still respectably sized. After the rice ball, he too had little room for his hoagie and took most of it home. Plus, he had some mozzarella salad (which he shared a bit with me). The Mozzarella was unbelievable - it was so creamy that you could eat it without teeth if you so desired. It was top-notch.

If you need, they also sell wine and liquor to take with you - I imagine this would be a good place to buy Lemocello!

So, in short, we had a great meal (well 2 meals) with what we got at DiPasquale's. We ended up spending a a little more than average, for a deli, but it was worth every penny. The portions are great and the quality is outstanding. The joint has been owned by the same family since it opened, and it is obvious from our experience that they take everything they make very seriously. If I lived in that neighborhood, I'd be a regular to this establishment.

Hmm... maybe I should move to Highlandtown. I wonder if the rowhouse across the street with the purple-painted formstone, is for sale!

DiPasqale's Gourmet Deli
3700 Gough Street
Baltimore, MD 21224
410-276-6787
http://www.dipasquales.com/

JD's Smokehouse - The "Andy Nelson's" of Canton Bars

---UPDATE:  This restaurant has permanently closed ---

Shawn and I decided to venture out into Baltimore's lame-ass Mardi Gras scene the other night, and the best part of the evening ended up having nothing to do with masks or beads. The highlight of our evening was our dinner!

This dinner was at JD's Smokehouse on the Canton Square. We wandered into this corner rowhouse bar pretty randomly, having never been there and not knowing what to expect (we may have been in there once, for about 30 seconds on a Friday night). There was a decent crowd in there, but we managed to find a table immediately. We learned (and were not surprised, based on the name) that the menu focused had a southern "smoke-house" theme, anchored by Brisket and Pulled Pork Sandwhiches. The menu also hosted some traditional items, such as burgers and quesadilas (the latter of which was on special that night, and is every Tuesday, for $5 - but we forgot to order one).

The Brisket and Pork Sandwhiches are available in many variations, from plain and traditional to containing various fixin's and cheeses. I got the "Texas Dip" which was an emulation of a traditional french dip sandwich - containing shaved beef, carmelized onions, mushrooms, and swiss cheese. I don't remember the name of Shawn's - might have been the Brisket Panini - but it consisted of shaved beef, onions (he requested carmelized onions), mushrooms, cheddar and BBQ sauce. Both came with a huge portion of seasoned fries (similar to the seasoning on curly fries), cole slaw, 2 hush puppies, and a pickle - all for $8.95.

Well, needless to say, Shawn and I both loved our meals! They bring the sandwhiches out with 6 different sauces, including sweet BBQ, Tiger (Horsey), and peach vidalia onion (which was very interesting) - all holstered in a Natty Boh 6-pack case. The meat was flavorful and juicy, the sandwhiches were decent sized, and the portion of sides they came with were astounding for the price. We both filled up and could barely fit any beer in us afterwards. The hush puppies were a little on the dry and crunchy side, but that was the least of our concerns.

The service was also great. It seemed to be all seat-yourself bar-style seating, but the server (Katie) arrived quickly after our arrival. She was very attentive and was quick to refil our beers. The wait for the food was reasonable.

So, all in all, Shawn and I left there giving the place two "thumbs up." We plan to visit again - perhaps on Monday night, when they offer a Brisket Sandwhich and a pint of beer for $10. We also want to try the quesadilas. If anyone has tried either, please feel free to leave your comments!

JD's Smokehouse

3000 O'Donnell Street (Canton Square)

Baltimore, MD 21224

410-675-4029

http://www.jdssmokehouse.com/

Thursday Night at MaGerk's - If you don't feel like (or can't afford) driving to Philly

---UPDATE!  April 2016: The Thursday Special price as of this date is $4.50 from 6-10PM ---

Ok, so I know we ha/ve recently tackled the subject of Philly cheesesteaks, so perhaps you can treat this post as a "follow-up." For our follow-up investigation we visited MaGerk's, one of the better-known Federal Hill bars, and pretty much the closest thing to Philly that ol' Balto has to offer. In fact, the bar is an "Eagles Bar" that imports their break from Philly (or so I was told by a waiter in Fells Point).

We visited on Thursday night, after finding out that they offered $4 cheesesteaks after 6:30, and $1 domestic bottles after 9:00. "Not a bad deal," we thought, and apparently we weren't the only ones. We had actually gone a week prior, only to find barely enough room to even enter the bar, let alone find a seat. This week was less busy, since it was quite cold out, but still seats were limited. We managed to find one in the back.

The service left something to be desired. In their defense, it is more of a bar than a restaurant, with all self-service seating, so one can't really expect quick and thorough service. We waited for quite a long time before anyone came over though, and she did not come by very often. You could tell she was really busy.

Once we ordered, though, the cheesesteaks came out right away. For $4, you got a hoagie close to a foot long (maybe 10 inches) with a decent amount of meat and lots of grease, the way a cheesesteak should be. Plus, you got a bag of chips and a pickle. Not a gourmet meal by any stretch of the imagination, but about the best bar food you can get for $4. And it actually filled us all up!

We each had a beer with our meal. So, we each got dinner, which filled us up, for $5! Very good news in this economy!

So overall, Bob Ganoosh gives a big thumbs up to MaGerk's $4 cheesesteak night. Just be prepared to wait for a place to sit (and then for service), and dont even bother if you have a big group (unless you can eat standing up). We also thought about the idea of getting there at 6:30 sharp, when perhaps they are less busy - plus, there'd be a half hour of Happy Hour left! I would guess that Thursday Happy Hour is less busy than Thursday Night (known by some as "College Night"). If anyone has been there at this time, please feel free to leave your feedback!

MaGerk's

S. Charles Street at E. Cross Street

Baltimore, MD 21230

410-576-9230

http://www.magerks.com/

Best Sunday Brunch in B'more - Rocket To Venus

This weekend, a large group of us had the pleasure of getting together for Sunday brunch at Rocket to Venus. And by the time we were done drinking, we felt like we were on a rocket to Venus!

Named in honor of an old Hampden urban legend, Rocket to Venus is a relatively new bar/restaurant located in Hampden, adjacent to the block responsible for the famous Christmas light display. It is a trendy looking establishment with retro look that is a popular spot for the local "Hipster" crowd, although we generally see a pretty eclectic mix of people when we visit. The opening of this restaurant several years ago was seen by many as one of the first visible signs of Hampden's gentrification, and is a lot less "rough around the edges" than some of other neighborhood joints.

R2V offers a short yet unique menu, with a price-range of about $8-15 per plate, and the food is usually quite good. However, the best deal on the menu is only offered on Sunday, and is the topic of today's post. Of course, I am referring to their Sunday Brunch (or as they call it, the Blitz).

The first great benefit of their brunch is that you can sleep in and still make it - it's from 2PM to 5PM each Sunday. Here's the deal: a handful of items on the menu are asterisked, items such as French Toast, Breakfast Burrito, Burger, and even Green Eggs and Ham. These are the items on special, and for $12.95 you get one of these dishes, with ALL YOU CAN DRINK Bloody Marys, Mimosas, and Sangria. That's right - ALL YOU CAN DRINK. How could we pass that up???

We couldn't! So, here's our review:

Unfortunately, the experience didn't start out as well as we were hoping. We had a large party - about 10 of us - and they were unusually busy due to the holiday weekend. So, we were told we would have a 1 hour wait (usually when we go, half the restaurant is empty, so we didn't think to make reservations). That was understandable; however, we were hungry. So, we told the hostess that we would gladly split up into 2 smaller parties and take the first 2 tables that become available. She didn't acknowledge our request, and when the first table (a booth) became available, she gave it to a party of 2. TWO!!! We could have fit at least half of us there. This was disappointing.

However, everything after that just kept getting better! When we were finally seated, we were given a nice large table that allowed us to socialize effectively. Our waitress (I forget her name, as I was a bit tipsy when I asked her - but she is there every Sunday) was very nice and accommodating. She started out by bringing us several pitchers of the drinks, so that we didn't have to wait on the bar as much. We realized very quickly that despite the "all you can drink" special, they were not skimpy on the alcohol.

We ordered a variety of food - Bob Ganoosh and I got the Breakfast Burrito, but there were a few French Toasts and some Apple Pancakes ordered too. Overall, everyone LOVED the food. The portions were decent - they were not huge, but were reasonable. It looks like the most filling was the pancakes, which were the size of the plate. Bob Ganoosh also found the garnishing "interesting" - the plates are garnished with just a couple pieces of fruit.

As far as the drinks are concerned, everyone loved them as well! The Mimosas were great, as was the Sangria, which is different each week. The Bloody Marys are good but very spicy (tons of Old Bay!), so if you're not an experienced Bloody Mary drinker, I wouldn't bother.

So overall, the experience earned a "thumbs up" from the Bob Ganoosh team. We'll say, 4 out of 5 stars, for a Sunday Brunch. We just recommend that, if you have a large party, call ahead! And speak slowly and clearly to the host(ess). Otherwise, you are guaranteed to have a great time and get a lot of bang for your buck!

Rocket to Venus

Chestnut Avenue at 34th Street

Baltimore, MD 21211

410-235-7887

http://www.rockettovenus.com/

Pat's vs. Jim's: Superbowl of the Philly Cheesesteaks!

Courtesy: http://www.patskingofsteaks.com

VS

Courtesy: http://www.jimssteaks.com

Ok, so this Saturday a group of 8 of us took a pre-Super Bowl road trip to Philly, to get ourselves some cheesesteaks and wander South Street. Since there were a few Philly Cheesesteak virgins in the crowd, we decided to make it interesting: we decided we'd hit Pat's first, clear our palate by having a few drinks, and then hit Jim's on South Street. So, here's a little review on each, and our thoughts as to who the winner is!

First, Pat's King of Steaks: Pat's, located at its current location in South Philly for like 70-something years, is one of the 2 most well-known in the city (the other being Geno's, which is right across the street). What make's Pat's unique is the experience. For starters, you have to order your cheesesteak the "Philly way," which consists of barking 3 words or so at them, depending on what you want. They do not want to hear "umm, let me see..... I guess I'll get the..." They will send you right to the back of the line. You tell them "wit" or "witout" (to specify whether or not you want onions) and the type of cheese. If you don't specify the cheese they default to the standard Cheese Whiz. So if you want a regular cheesesteak without onions, you just yell "1 witout;" if you want one with onions and provalone you say "1 provy wit." And, make sure you have your money ready because they do not like watching you fumble through your wallet. Their not-so-friendliness makes you feel just like a South Philadelphian.

As for the cheesesteak, its about 6-8 inches, decently stuffed, and deliciously greasy. The locals tend to think they are more generous with the Whiz than their competition. Everyone enjoyed theirs for the most part. However we pretty much scarfed them down, as Pat's only has outdoor seating and it was in the low 30's in Philly. If they are busy, you will have trouble finding somewhere to sit, but they were surprisingly slow when we got there. Probably because of the cold. Parking is also a pain. However, while you're parked you can walk up to the famous 9th Street Market.

Now, for Jim's Steaks: From my observation and conversations with people, this seems to be regarded as the #3 place in town (with Pat's and Geno's fighting for #1). However, we tend to rate them a bit higher. Originally opened in the 1930's in North Philly, their most popular location is probably the one on South Street, which is where we went. Though the line doesnt move as fast as Pat's, it is well worth the wait. The cheesesteaks are longer - about 8-10 inches - and they have more fixin's if you so desire. They are also a little bit friendlier, although if you're like me, you'll get picked on for ordering the Yoohoo in a can ("you a big man, ain't you").

Everyone loved their steaks here. They are a little less greasy than Pat's, but do not lack in flavor. And again, they are a bit bigger. If you like the fried onions, they are generous with those as well. It was well worth the long wait (and subsequent parking tickets).

It is an indoor shop, although the line often goes out the door and around to 4th Street, so you wont be in the cold as long. They have indoor eating upstairs, but it is usually packed. But if you wait seats will usually open up. Beats eating in the cold. Parking is a little bit easier on South Street, but the "parking enforcement officials" are insane. If you've ever seen Parking Wars, you'll understand. The shop is also located on the eclectic and unique South Street, so after your cheesesteak you can walk the various shops and/or bars of South St/Society Hill.

So, if you haven't figured out already, our choice as the winner: JIM'S. It was the unanimous opinion that Jim's was just a much better cheasesteak. And you didn't have to eat it in the cold! Don't get me wrong though, we loved both of them; but we just thought Jim's had the edge in every aspect. Many of the locals disagree, but I think they're just afraid that if they don't say Pat's is the best, they're lose credibility as Philadelphians.  But that's just our opinion - we encourage you to take the trip to South Philly, try them all, and decide for yourself!

Also, we'd like to give an honorable mention to Happy Day's Bar on 2nd Street (or was it 3rd?). Former known as Kildare's, we have no idea if they have a cheesesteak or not, but the people who worked there were pretty cool, and it wasn't overpriced like some of those bars in the area!

Pat's King of Steaks:
Passyunk Avenue and Wharton Street
Phila, PA

Jim's Steaks:
South and 4th Streets
Phila, PA

Mt. Washington Tavern - Best Hump-Day Happy Hour

Mt. Washington Tavern on 11/5/2011, after its recent fire.

UPDATE:  This restaurant was completed renovated after a significant fire.  With this renovation came some "sprucing up" of th menu.  So please take this review with a grain of salt, many of the notes may be outdated.

So for my second post, I thought I would review a long-time north Baltimore establishment - and one of my frequent Happy Hour water holes - Mt. Washington Tavern. Located in a large house-like structure right smack in the middle of the quaint Mt. Washington Village, this large establishment offers 3 bars (and a 4th rooftop bar in the summertime), and several levels of restaurant seating. This is an acceptable venue for both hanging out at the bar or a nice dinner with the family, although I think the bar(s) is its strength. However, I will write about both.

First, the Bar: Mt. Washington Tavern has earned a reputation in the area for having the best Happy Hours in Baltimore, and I believe has been included in the CityPaper's Best of Baltimore several times for this very reason. Every weekday from 4pm-7pm, decent drink specials are offerred, and on most days around 5pm some form of free food is provided. Our favorite is free quesadilas on Wednesday. Now although they are not huge fancy quesadilas, they are about the best FREE bar food you will find. Usually you have a choice between chicken and steak, and a small selection of toppings. The lady who makes them, Beth, is very nice and will keep making them until she runs out. The beer special that day is $2.50 drafts and $2.50 margaritas. The margaritas are surprisingly strong for being on special, and although the drafts aren't full pints, they're well worth $2.50 (I think Yuengling is the most "normal" beer on tap, the rest are specialties like Hoegarden and DogFish Head).

Other days' beer and food specials (respectively) are:
Tuesday = free wings, $2.50 drafts, $3.00 select wines
Thursday = free Blue Point oysters, $2.50 martinis, $2.50 drafts
Friday = free steamed shrimp, $2.50 cosmos, $2.50 drafts

Also, Monday night after 8pm, the bar offers half price burgers (around $4) and 25 cent wings. The burgers are good; the wings... I could take them or leave them.

Now, the restaurant: The restaurant is a little bit over-rated, in my opinion. The food is decent, but its a bit pricier than it's probably worth (about $15-25 per plate). The decor is decent but again, nothing to write home about. We were talking to Beth yesterday at Happy Hour and she was telling us that the meatloaf is to die for. Monday night the whole place (restaurant and bar) has a deal on the Meatloaf as well: $12.95 for meatloaf, potatoes and veggies. I haven't tried it so I can't offer my opinion, but it sounded good the way she described it. They apparently cut up a fresh sirloin for the meatloaf, it's not just whatever's left over. So someone ought to try it and report your findings to us.

The one benefit about the restaurant is that, as long as it's not crazy busy, they should be able to fit a large party somewhere in that big building. I suspect they take reservations as well.

There is a parking lot that wraps around the building, although parking can be tough on a busy night. Usually though, one can find additional parking at the Mt. Washington municipal lot walking distance away (which is metered, so bring a few quarters). Also, the Mt. Washington Light Rail stop is directly across the street, making it very convenient by Light Rail (also good if you drink too much). Risk takers can try parking in the Light Rail lot as well (no meters), but BobGanoosh and his affiliates do not take any responsibility for any tickets given by the MTA Police.

So, in summary, I HIGHLY recommend the bar on Monday night or Wednesday Happy Hour (Friday Happy Hour too, although it's busier). The restaurant isn't bad but I wouldn't put it on the top of my "to-do list".

Location:
Mt. Washington Tavern
5700 Newberry Street
Baltimore, MD 21209
410-367-6903

Holy Frijoles - Good Simple Cheap Mexican

For my first post, I will talk about a place my roommates and I know all too well. That place is Holy Frijoles!

Located on "The Avenue" (W. 36th Street) in Hampden, this restaurant is one of the busiest and most well-known restaurants on this self-proclaimed "kitschy" stretch of local businesses. Being walking distance from my house, I have been there several times with several different crowds, sometimes looking for a big meal and sometimes looking for a good Margarita. Interestingly enough, Shawn and I have differing opinions of this establishment, so I'll give you both perspectives.

First my opinion: I love the place. Hence why I go there all the time. Now let's make one thing clear: if you are looking for quality, authentic, high-end Mexican fare, this is not the restaurant for you. What Holy Frijoles serves are simple versions of simple Mexican dishes. The menu could fit in your pocket - it basically consists of nachos, burritos, enchilladas, chimichangas, and fajitas. There are several prices for each, depending on if you want only beans, beef, or the works. Most prices are somewhere between $7-10.

Now, at first you may think, 8 bucks for a stinkin burrito, that's crazy. That is, until you see the size of the burrito. You know those huge burritos they sell at Chipotle... well picture 2-3 of those. The ingredients are simple but very well flavored. It is pretty much guaranteed that for under $10, you can leave there with your taste buds stimulated and your stomach full. I personally recommend the chimichangas (fried burritos) or the Drunken Sweeney nachos, which are a little more expensive but HUMUNGOUS. Also, the salsa there is uniquely delicious.

Now, if you like Margaritas, you're in luck as well. The house Margarita is decent - not necessarily the best in the world, but worth the money. And on Monday nights, they have half priced house margaritas.

Now Shawn's opinion: The first few times we went he liked the place. However, one time we went and he was sick the next day. I think it was a stomach virus but he thinks its Holy Frijoles. So, if your stomach is feeling a little funny in the first place, you may want to save Holy Frijoles for another day.

As for the atmosphere, it's everything you'd expect in Hampden. Vibrant colors, art on the walls, and lights made of Patron bottles. It's a trendy rough-around-the-edges joint that has a pretty eclectic clientele. The service is not super quick, but not horrible either. However, being a busy yet small joint, it doesnt work well for large parties, especially on busy nights.

Long story short - as long as you dont have a weak stomach, HolyFrijoles is a great place to just chill with a few friends, a margarita, and a huge burrito.

Location:
908 W 36th St
Baltimore, MD 21211
(410) 235-2326

Welcome to Bob Ganoosh's Blog

Welcome to our blog. Our group of friends started having a traditional "Friday Night Dinner" together every week, in order to keep in touch after college. We'd usually hit a different restaurant each time - some were great, some were terrible. And then we thought, if we're going to restaurants all the time, why not rate them so that other people like us can always find a good place to eat. And after alot of pondering and procrastination, Bob Ganoosh's Blogspot was born.

The Team includes Shawn Eccleston (aka Bob Ganoosh), Gary Sever, and a handful of their friends, depending on who goes out with them that particular night. Nowadays the night(s) we go out vary from week to week, so we should be able to get a more well rounded sample.

Please bear with us as we put the site together - right now it is brand spankin' new! Check back periodically for new posts!

-Gary