Dishin' With Downtown Diane
Spring Weather Perfect for Outdoor Drinks and Dining
I am loving the warmer weather and enjoying dining al fresco in Charm City.
Here are some dining options for you:
*Kali's Restaurants- Located in Fells Point, all of the Kali's Restaurants offer outdoor seating, including Kali's Court, Mezze, Tapas Adela and the newest, The Admiral's Cup. They also offer Happy Hours and Admiral's has live music most nights. Be sure to check out the gorgeous hidden courtyard at Tapas Adela. www.kalisrestaurantgroup.com
*Ryleigh's Oyster-Located in Federal Hill, Ryleigh's offers happy hours, lunch, weekend brunch & dinner daily. Give their fresh orange crush a try and their grilled calamari. Tuesday is Shore Night on the Hill with drink specials, $1 oysters and more. Also, $2 crabs will return for the season. www.ryleighs.com
*James Joyce Pub- Located in Harbor East, James Joyce is open for lunch, weekend brunch and dinner daily. They have a lovely side porch area and offer daily specials and frequent live music. They also offer Tuesday Night Trivia. www.thejamesjoycepub.com
*Birroteca- One of the hottest new restaurants, Birroteca's outside dining area is now open. Birroteca, was recently voted Best Pizza by an online poll; I find Birroteca's Italian fare the closest I've come to dining in Florence, Italy. The new spring menu was just released and includes The Double D. My delectable pizza creation was so popular they added it to the menu! Also be sure to enjoy the craft cocktails and beer. Delizioso!
www.facebook.com/Birroteca/app_337670556303383?ref=ts
*Ruth's Chris (Pier 5 & Pikesville)- Both locations offer outdoor seating and all area locations will have special Mother's Day hours and menus. Also, enjoy Sizzle, Swizzle Swirl Happy Hour M-F 4-6:30 p.m.in The Bar Areas. http://serioussteaks.com
*Bagby's Ten Ten- Enjoy daily specials, happy hour and delectable fare in Harbor East at Bagby's Ten Ten. Outdoor dining is now available. www.bagbys1010.com
Its sister restaurant next door, Fleet Street Kitchen, also offers specials and an excellent wine menu by IPAD. Both feature fresh from the farm ingredients from their Cunningham Farms. All Bagby Group Restaurants in Harbor East will have outdoor seating by May.
*Havana Road-Located in Towson, its Cuban fare was voted a Top Cheap Eats in Baltimore Magazine and the El Cubano sandwich a Best in Baltimore. They have several outdoor tables. It's BYOB. I suggest bringing Rum or Vodka and adding it to Chef Marta's housemade Nali tea for a refreshing spring cocktail. http://havanaroad.com
What's New . . .
Caudalie Launch: Area About Faces Day Spas are now carrying the line of Caudalie and are offering new facials featuring the Caudalie line. A kickoff event was held at the Canton location with the co-founder of Caudalie, Bertrand, welcoming everyone. Check out the line next time you visit. I love their serums. http://aboutfacesdayspa.com/media-room/category/featured-products
Visit Heavy Seas Brewery: Heavy Seas offers tours of its brewery for $5. Receive a tour, samplings and a souvenir pint glass. It's a fun for a birthday gathering! New tour dates have been added. http://www.hsbeer.com/events
Charm City Cakes Spring/Summer Launch: It was great to see Duff Goldman and the entire Charm City Cakes gang at their latest cake preview party. Guests enjoyed sampling the delectable creations and "oooing & ahhing" over the masterpieces.
Upcoming Events:
Maryland Wineries Association Presents A Celebration of Maryland Wine & Racing
April 20-2, noon- 6 p.m. at Pimlico Race Course
Enjoy a unique view of live horse races, samples of fine Maryland wine, browse wine & equine focused arts & crafts. www.marylandwine.com/festivals/festivalsid/986
Barry Manilow-One Night
April 20 at 1st Mariner Arena
He writes the Songs, and he's bringing them to Charm City this Saturday night.
www.baltimorearena.com
9th Annual Fells Point Privateer Festival
April 19-21 in Fells Point
A weekend full of family-friendly activities from Thames Street Park and Ann Street Pier to Broadway Square, Broadway Pier! Entry is FREE! www.fellspointmainstreet.org
Highlandtown Homemade Wine Fest
April 21, 1-6 p.m.
https://www.facebook.com/events/519015304826115/?ref=25
Right To Shoes
April 25 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Four Seasons Hotel Harbor East
VIP Reception 6:30-9:30P Main Event
Planned Parenthood of Maryland celebrates its 8th Annual Right to Shoes. Enjoy A VIP reception and gourmet hors d'oeuvres and desserts, open bar, wonderful silent and live auctions and gorgeous view of the Inner Harbor. http://www.plannedparenthood.org/maryland/events-28627.htm
FashionEASTa In Harbor East
April 27, 1-6 p.m.
Enjoy a day of fashion, food & style with in-store specials and style events, live entertainment, cocktails and light fare from Harbor East restaurants and enjoy the best of spring. The FashionEasta Fashion Show! www.harboreast.com/events/fashioneasta/.
Meals on Wheels Culinary Extravaganza
April 29, 6-9 p.m. at Grand Lodge - Hunt Valley
The event features 20 of the area's top chefs and restaurants with fine cuisine, delicious wines, regional brews, decadent desserts, live and silent auction and live music. http://www.mealsonwheelsmd.org/culinary
Taste of Pikesville
May 2, 6-8:30 p.m. at DoubleTree by Hilton
Sample food and drink from Pikesville area restaurants. http://tasteofpikesville.com/
SPRINGFEST!
May 2-5 in Ocean City
Enjoy four days of delicious food, live entertainment and unique arts and crafts under four huge big top tents located in the Inlet Lot at the south end of Ocean City's famous Boardwalk. There will be continuous variety of musical performances on two stages. Admission is free. All entertainment is free with the exception of the headline acts.
- May 2, 8 p.m. BEATLEMANIA AGAIN - The Ultimate Beatles Experience - reserved seating - $10 & $5.
- May 3, 8 p.m. JUSTIN MOORE - Country - reserved seating - $20 - $45
- May 4, 8 p.m. FOREIGNER -SOLD OUT
http://ococean.com/events/springfest
Fiesta 5K
May 4 at Power Plant Live!
In addition to focusing attention on the importance of research in the fight against ALS, the Fiesta 5K has become the largest ALS event in the Baltimore area. http://support.alscenter.org/site/TR?fr_id=1110&pg=entry
Tour de Cure
May 4
The Tour de Cure is more than just a cycling event. It's a life-changing ride and a day full of fun and excitement where riders of all skill levels join forces in the fight to Stop Diabetes and raise critical funds for diabetes research, education and advocacy in support of the American Diabetes Association. Click here for details.
National Harbor Wine & Food Fest
May 4 & 5 at National Harbor on the Waterfront
Noon – 6 p.m. VIP Admission
1– 6 p.m. General Admission
There will be over 150 different wines, beers and spirits in an all-you-care-to-taste event. It will feature world-renowned chefs, artisanal craftsmen and seminars. http://wineandfoodnh.com
**Make It An Overnight Getaway with a stay at the Gorgeous Gaylord National
www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/wasgn-gaylord-national-resort-and-convention-center
Fashion Fever
All Proceeds Benefit Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital
May 5, 11:30 p.m.- 3 p.m. at Grand Lodge in Hunt Valley
This fabulous event will feature fashions provided by A Style Studio, Fells Point Surf Co. and Wee Chic. The day will include shopping opportunities from many unique vendors, a fashion show featuring runway modeling with local celebrities, a silent auction and an array of delicious food.
www.mwph.org/events/fashion-fever.htm
Meet designer Danielle Nicole at her spring handbag kick-off on May 9 at About Faces Kenilworth. http://danielle-nicole.com/downtowndiane.html
JA JAMS Presents CHICAGO
May 15 at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
Don't miss this exciting evening featuring the Grammy-Award Winning Group Chicago!
Proceeds benefit Junior Achievement Programs. www.JAJams.org.
Preakness Day is Saturday, May 18! There are many events leading up to the big day, including Black Eyed Susan Day on Friday, May 17. Pitbull, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis headline the InfieldFest this year!
www.preakness.com
Home Is Where The HeART is: Art With A Heart Fundraiser
May 18 7-10:30 p.m. at Castle at Keswick
Enjoy comfort food and cocktails, an interactive art activity, auctions & honorary guest Wes Moore. There will also be plenty of one-of-a-kind artwork. www.artwithaheart.net/events.html
Get Your Skin Summer Ready
The MedSpa Towson
Spend $150 on services & receive a FREE signature facial. I love Microderm with Marsha for skin that glows. www.drcohenplasticsurgery.com/medspa
Red Zone Adventures-Timonium
Red Zone offers laser tag, laser maze, glow mini-golf and more and offer a variety of packages for birthdays, specials events and fundraisers for your school or charity. www.redzoneadventures.com
Find Of The Month: Victoria Gourmet Spices
A friend gifted me with a few spices and I had to try more. This boutique spice company offers up amazing seasoning blends and its web site features recipes by spice or food categories. They are easy to follow and so delicious. Gift sets make the perfect present for the chef in your life. www.vgourmet.com
Downtown Diane is a Baltimore area food, travel & entertainment reporter, appearing Fridays on 105.7 The Fan Norris & Davis Show with her entertainment report. Follow her for Daily Dish on Twitter @DowntownDiane & check out upcoming events at www.DowntownDiane.net
