Update - 13.5% Wine Bar

We would like to give a Stephen Colbert-style "wag of the finger" to the relatively-new 13.5% Wine Bar in Hampden.  At the time of our initial review, shortly after the restaurants grand opening in July 2009, we had nothing but praise for both the food and drink.  However, while the wine selection continues to impress, the food menu has taken a turn for the worse.

I certainly would not say that the food there is bad.  Not at all.  Rather, the latest round of menu items just do not really seem to arouse our interest.  Since the restaurant's recruitment of a new chef, the menu has been inconsistent, with the eventual removal of many of our favorites, including the Mac & Cheese and all of the Paninis.

During the overly-referenced "Snowmageddon" in February, we Hampdenites passed the time and kept warm by lounging on their couches with a nice glass of wine and a grilled panini.  If we get another big storm this winter, I don't know what we'll do!  At least McCabe's will be open this year...

13.5, we plead to you, bring back the old menu!  Or at least as much of it as you can!

Cadillac Ranch – Definitely Not the Cadillac of Steakhouses

On the day before Christmas Eve, we were drawn to our old stomping ground of Annapolis, MD

to meet up with some old friends from our high school and college years, who had recently made the venture home to celebrate the holidays.  In particular, our long-time friend John had made the hike all the way from Darwin, Australia; and our long-time friend (and regular Bob Ganoosh commenter) Adam “Barget” made the trans-continental flight from Los Angeles.  Such an important reunion required a special venue: someplace with excellent food and drinks; someplace lively but not too loud, so that we can talk and catch-up; and of course, someplace that wouldn’t break our budget.  Sadly, we chose Cadillac Ranch, which failed all of these criteria.

As we walked into the dark restaurant we were immediately struck with the question: “what is the theme of this restaurant, anyway?”  The restaurant is dimly lit, accented by neon lights and pictures of rock bands.  Hundreds of old license plates line the ceiling, and a mechanical bull is situated in the back corner.  Music was playing, but was drowned out by audio of the Pittsburgh Steelers beating up on the Carolina Panthers. Is this a Texas steakhouse?  Is this a rock-and-roll bar?  Our server didn’t know and neither did we.

As we waited for the rest of our party to arrive, we ordered two plates of Texas Wings ($9.95) – Buffalo and Barbeque style – and an order of Loaded Fries ($7.95).  The kitchen tested our patience as we waited about 30 minutes for these to arrive, but once the appetizers finally graced us with their presence, they did not disappoint.  The wings were decent, offering nothing to write home about but also nothing to complain about.  The Loaded Fries were phenomenal, covered generously with cheddar cheese and chunks of bacon – by far the best item we ordered that evening.  With the prices of these appetizers being quite reasonable given the quantity and quality, this course was undoubtedly the apex of our dining experience.

As the rest of our party started trickling into the restaurant, my end of the table nursed soft drinks while the other end tried out a few cocktails.  With steep drink prices even by Annapolis standards (Natty Boh’s were $4.50 and signature cocktails were $10.00), alcohol drinking didn’t last long.  Our server’s attention to drink refills was respectable, although her attention to her friends sitting at the nearby booth was greater.

For dinner our group ordered a variety of entrees, including several of their various burgers ($8.95-9.95), the Smokehouse Chicken sandwich ($9.95), and the Philly Cheesesteak ($10.95).  Nobody ordered a steak because, frankly, we already had a feeling that the food would not be worth the price (steaks are $19.95-28.95).  The burgers were somewhat boring, and more well-done than ordered – Shawn had to send his back (see Editor’s Note below).  The Smokehouse Chicken had minimal flavor and was quite dry.  And the Philly Cheesesteak was also surprisingly bland and dry.  At the end of this course, we each had to come to terms with the fact that we would soon be parting with ten bucks that could have been much more wisely spent.

We initially planned to coerce girls into riding the mechanical bull.  But given the mediocre dinner, confusing atmosphere, and the lack of affordable adult beverages provided by Cadillac Ranch, our game plan was modified as follows: pay the bill and move down the street to Gordon Biersch Brewery, ASAP!  However, our plan was delayed.  Obtaining our server’s attention in order to procure the bill took about 15 minutes, and then waiting to give it back to her took another ten.  It seemed as if the server knew that she no longer needed to earn her commission, having already charged our large party of 13 an 18% gratuity on the bill.

As we ventured down the street, fighting off the cold winds and contemplating the Australian exchange rate, we were just happy to be moving on.  Gladly, like our favorite holiday stories told this time of year, this story too has a happy ending.  We ended the night by drinking several delicious microbrews and cocktails – at Gordon Biersch!

Editor’s Note:  This visit was Shawn’s 2^nd visit to this Cadillac Ranch location, and the 2^nd time that he had to send his burger back for being more well-done than her ordered.  It should also be noted that the host was reasonably accommodating when we called-ahead for a table one-hour early; however, they would not accept reservations.

Cadillac Ranch

Various Locations including:

1906 Towne Centre Blvd.

Annapolis, MD 21401

410-224-0263

http://cadillacranchgroup.com/

5-Star Rating

Food: *1/2

Service: **1/2

Ambiance: **

Price: $$ - $$$ ($9-30)

Hamilton Tavern - Small Bar, Big Burgers

I plan to do a full write up in the near future, but not yet as I haven't sampled enough of the menu to give a fair write up.  However, I will let everyone know that Megan and I went to the Hamilton Tavern yesterday evening to grab a quick burger, and we unanimously agreed that it was among the best burgers we have ever consumed. 

Very thick, perfect doneness, and topped with horseraddish chedder, they left our palates and our stomachs satisfied.  And to top it off, last night (Monday) was their burger night - a buger, (heavily seasoned) homemade fries, and a draft (microbrew) beer for about $13.  Great deal!

The space is tight though, so finding a table can sometimes be tough.

But I encourage you to check it out, and keep your eye out for the official review, coming soon.

The Hamilton Tavern

5517 Harford Road
Baltimore, MD 21214
(410) 426-1930

http://www.hamiltontavern.com/

The Woodberry Kitchen - Farm-to-Table meets Fine Dining

Located in the heart of north Baltimore’s hot new Clipper Mill community in a stylishly renovated former mill building, the Woodberry Kitchen has maintains itself as one of Baltimore’s hottest (relatively) new restaurants. Sadly I can’t remember exactly when this swanky farm-to-table restaurant originally opened – I feel like it’s been there about two years – but I will not forget each of the delicious meals I’ve enjoyed there.

If you’re in my income bracket, the Woodberry Kitchen might serve best as a special occasion venue, with its prices in the $25-$50 per plate range; but I have also known many to make a weekly trip to their bar for a burger and a beer. The place is a perfect date restaurant, with its charming and intimate dining room that accentuates the historic character of the historical structure. And your date will also be impressed by your progressive and eco-friendly dining decision – the Kitchen’s farm-to-table concept ensures that all of its products were naturally and locally grown or raised.

Admittedly, the entire Bob Ganoosh team has not made an official trip out to Woodberry Kitchen, so I cannot write about a specific visit; but I have been there enough times that I believe I have a pretty well-rounded impression of the place. My first visit to the Kitchen involved grabbing a quick burger with some folks from my community. After all, their burger is relatively inexpensive ($13), and one usually can’t go wrong with such a decision. Little did I know that I was ordering one of the best burgers I would consume in my 26 years as a food fanatic. The beef was top quality, filled with flavor, and incomparably juicy. And they give you about a half-pound of it, too! And even though the burger alone could fill me up, it is generously accompanied by the Kitchen’s homemade fries – which are as good as any other homemade fries, but I certainly had no complaints.

Later visits allowed me to try a sample of their menu items and specials (both of which change regularly based on what’s in season). One of my favorites involved a rib eye steak (which was a special of that evening and I believe was about $30), accompanied by sides of cheddar potatoes gratin and roasted zucchini and squash. The fresh cut potatoes were dressed in delicious homemade-tasting cheddar cheese, and the zucchini and squash were roasted and seasoned to perfection, with the seasoning complementing the flavorful veggies, not overpowering them.

In addition to its unique top-notch dinner entrees, the Kitchen also has a nice variety of snacks, cheeses, and small plates including popcorn grown in Lancaster County, PA. It is also important to note that no fountain sodas are served here, but rather, they serve bottled sodas made with natural sugar cane. And let me tell you, Pepsi Throwback has nothing on this stuff!

One last thing to note is that when you do decide to check it out for yourself – plan ahead! It is very difficult to get a table without a reservation. Even when we (2 of us) visited on a Tuesday night this past spring, the only table available was in the bar section. It worked for us, but was a little cramped for a special occasion dinner.

The Woodberry Kitchen is located in the new Clipper Mill development in the Woodberry neighborhood, down the hill from Hampden and walking distance from the Woodberry Light Rail stop. Check it out, and let us know what you think!

The Woodberry Kitchen
2010 Clipper Park Road, # 126
Baltimore, MD 21211
410-464-8000
http://www.woodberrykitchen.com/

5-Star Rating

Food: ****1/2

Service: ***1/2

Ambiance: ****

Price: $$$$ ($35-$50)

La Palapa Grill - Best Mexican Food in Howard County

Wait – am I reading this right? Bog Ganoosh’s Baltimore Restaurant Reviews is giving props to Howard County establishment? What gives!? Well, we here at Bob Ganoosh like to give credit where credit is due, and this time the credit is due far beyond the city limits.

From downtown, one can take the scenic Frederick Road – once the only road from Baltimore to the West –on a narrow winding path through Baltimore County and into the quaint village of downtown Ellicott City. Ellicott City’s downtown is a hilly historical mill town, with a level of charm and character that is pleasantly uncharacteristic of Howard County, known mostly for its strip malls and cul-de-sacs. And Main Street has everything you would expect of an old mill village – antique shops, boutiques, and an awesome Mexican joint.

Ok, so maybe the Mexican restaurant doesn’t exactly fit into the theme of the town, but it is said restaurant that we at Bob Ganoosh are so excited about! And that restaurant is La Palapa Grill.

La Palapa is well known amongst the college crowd for its heavy-handed bar staff (the area does not have a particularly hopping night life, but is the only area with decent bars that is accessible from UMBC via taxi). But Shawn and I learned this past Friday that the joint serves up some respectable entrees as well. While sitting on their outdoor deck being serenaded by a guitar-yielding duo, we each debated fiercely between their unique dinner entrees and their renditions of the classics; we both chose the latter. Shawn chose the California burrito, a large burrito generously stuffed with beef, chicken, and a conglomerate of other flavorful ingredients. Not only was the burrito huge, but it was packed with flavor. For those familiar with the famous El Andariego near Olney, the best way we could describe this dish is to take the “Twins Burritos” from El Andariego and stuff them into one burrito. A power move, indeed.

I was swayed by the Texas Chimi, a beef and chicken burrito, fried and covered in a chili con queso sauce. And as long as you like cheese, I can promise you will love this dish. The con queso was plentiful, and the meat was well seasoned – the chimi had just the right amount of kick. Both dishes were adorned plentifully with refried beans and rice. I also threw in an a la carte beef taco in a soft shell, which was pretty much what I expected. But it was stuff so full that I had trouble keeping it all in one piece.

Our only disappointment was the lack of “corn cakes” in the kitchen – you know, that scoop of corn stuff that they used to give you at ChiChi’s. And I think they still give it out at Chevy’s. Shawn and I could live on that stuff. Also, the parking situation is rough – the city has a free municipal lot but even that was completely full – but that is a bit outside of the scope of their control.

Overall though, there is no way we could give this place anything less than 4 stars. Along with their excellent food and heavily-poured drinks (we confirmed this to be accurate), the service was prompt, and the drinks were unusually quick for table service. We never went thirsty.

So if you’re looking for some quality Mexican food and one hell of a margarita, just take a drive down old Frederick Road.

La Palapa Grill
8307 Main Street
Ellicott City, MD 21043
410-465-0070
http://www.lapalapagrill.com

5-Star Rating
Food: ****
Service: ***
Ambiance: ***1/2
Price: $$$ ($20-35)

Finally - Ledo's Pizza in the City!

As we speak, a heated debate is occurring the Charles Village area regarding a developer’s plans to build a large shopping center, including a Wal-Mart and a Lowes, on a soon-to-be-vacant parcel of land. Opponents site that these “big box retailers” could put the small folks out of business, while proponents argue that the area could finally get some of the services that suburbanites take for granted, and that urbanites have to travel to the County to get.

Well I am, willing to bet that, while caught up in this heated debate, many of the proponents of bringing some “suburban amenities” into town may have overlooked what I consider a major victory of their cause – the opening of a Ledo’s Pizza in Charles Village!

Anyone that grew up with me down in Severna Park has eaten plenty of this unique square-shaped, thin-crusted, and provolone-adorned pizza. If hand-tossed and greasy describes New York style pizza, and flaky deep-dish crust describes Chicago style, then Ledo’s could arguably be called “Maryland Style” (I’m not saying its covered in crab and Old Bay, but I mean, it’s from here…).

The Charles Village location is the newest of a handful of Ledo’s locations to open in the city as of late. Its opening has allowed me to more regularly enjoy a food item that I took for granted before I moved up here. I won’t waste my time writing a review, because pretty much all of us have had Ledo’s at some point in time. And if you haven’t, there’s no time like the present.

So, it is still unclear whether or not, in a few years, I will have to drive all the way to hoity-toity Timonium every time I need some grass seed or a hammer; but at I know I won’t have to drive that far for good pizza...

Update - Holy Frijoles!

A Public Service Announcement from Bob Ganoosh

We are very disappointed to report that Holy Frijoles – our long-time Tuesday night venue thanks to their fantastic half-priced quesadillas – has committed a culinary sin. That’s right, it has done away with its unlimited complimentary chips and salsa! As such, Team Bob Ganoosh would like to take a moment to denounce this horrid business practice.

Don’t get me wrong – their chips and salsa are good enough that some people will pay for refills (including us, last night). The chips are fried on site, and the salsa is freshly made and boldly spiced. But come on, it’s basically a slap in the face to the loyal patrons who go their week after week despite a poor economy and a wide array of Tuesday night specials throughout the city. And, they are boldly charging $2.50 for each refill! Ouch!

Holy Frjoles: we understand that times are very tough right now for small local restaurants, and that giving away anything gets more and more fiscally challenging each day. But there has to be a way to squeeze some extra revenue out of your patrons, without seeming so… CHEAP! Raise the entrée prices $1 or the drink prices 50 cents. If anyone noticed, they certainly wouldn’t care that much, and it appear a lot less stingy than charging for a small basket of chips and salsa!

So, to Holy Frijoles: please stop charging for chips! To our readers: please let Holy Frijoles staff know that you support this cause.

Best Place to Take an Out-of-Town Visitor: Mama's on the Half Shell

After a winter of unprecedented snowfall and blistering temperatures, it goes without saying that Baltimoreans – known for their complete intolerance of winter weather – couldn’t be happier that summer is finally upon us. Finally, it’s time to pull the grill out of the shed, put on your flip-flops, and crack open a bottle of Natty Boh. And of course, its time to eat some good seafood! And whether you’re looking to shuck oysters or savor a fine filet of Rockfish, Mama’s on the Half Shell is the place to go.

Mama’s on the Half Shell, located on the Canton Square next to sister Mexican joint Nacho Mama’s (stay tuned for “Battle of the Mexican Specials”, featuring Nacho Mamas) does a superb job of pairing a rustic-yet-upscale atmosphere with a range of seafood dishes that varies in style and price, but not in quality. Mama’s serves as a perfect venue to which to take out of town guests, or just to have a nice dinner out. However, reservations are recommended, as the space is small and the fan base is large.

On the particular Tuesday evening that we visited (just a pair of us), we did not have a reservation, and thus were subject to a reasonably short wait (in the ball park of 15 minutes). So we wandered over to the snug bar area, nursed glasses of cold beer, and watched the Orioles lose on the several flat-screens behind the bar. The service at the bar was not particularly quick, but since the bar area was filled to capacity, we weren’t particularly surprised. With that said, the bar area is a bit cramped and has minimal standing area, making it not ideal for hanging out with a group of people.

About 15 minutes later we were escorted to our table in the second floor dining room, a dark cozy room adorned with southern nautical nick-knacks on the walls. We found the ambiance of the dining room to be quite pleasant, a combination of intimate and casual.

We started our meal with an appetizer of their legendary crab dip – a must do – which is served in a bread bowl with a generous serving of bread, crackers, and vegetable sticks for dipping. The dip itself was loaded with lump crabmeat, and is perfectly complemented by artichoke and a blend of cheeses. In short, this is the best crab dip we have tasted, ever.

The dinner menu offers a wide array of fare, from fish & chips to filet mignon (available several ways). There are also consistently a fair number of specials, which tend to reach the higher end of the restaurant’s price range (often in excess of $30), but are worth every penny. Off of the regular menu, we ordered the scallops – pan seared. The scallops were generously portioned, plump and tender, and pan-seared perfectly. As someone who is not considerably fond of scallops, I found this to be absolutely delightful. As with all regular-menu entrée items, the scallops were served with 2 sides of our choosing; we requested the whipped potatoes and the vegetable of the day, both of which were cooked perfectly with just the right amount of seasoning.

From the Specials list, we ordered a broiled salmon dish served over leeks with a mushroom demi-glace. I believe that it is pretty hard to mess up salmon; still, this dish was exceptional: the salmon was very fresh and was complimented perfectly by the leeks and mushroom sauce. The mushrooms were fresh and perfectly tender from being cooked in the sauce. And the portion was generous – more generous that it initially appeared.

In short, when it comes to Mama’s on the Half Shell, we don’t have much to complain about. The food is exceptional, the service was good, and the ambiance is pleasantly unique. The bar area could be a bit bigger, but that can be done in the corner rowhouse which houses the establishment. So, next time you have an out of town guest, take them to Mama’s and get them the best crab dip Baltimore has to offer!

Mama’s on the Half Shell
2901 O’Donnell Street
(on the Canton Square)
Baltimore, MD 21224
410-273-3160

5-Star Rating
Food: ****
Service: ** ½
Ambiance: ***
Price: $$$ ($20-35)

Bob Ganoosh is Back!

To all former Bob Ganoosh fans,

The absentee CEO of Bob Ganoosh Enterprises has expressed that he would like the infamous blog to be resurrected, this time being even better (hopefully) than before! As such, Team Ganoosh asks that a) you please keep an eye out for new posts in the next week or so; and b) that you please post your ideas, as a comment to this post, of places to review or general feedback about the site.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Gary L. Sever
Chief Financial Officer and
Editor-in-Chief