Dishin' With Downtown Diane
HOT New Products...Ocean City Restaurant Show
I attend the OC Restaurant Trade Expo every year and I am always looking to report on the next "big" product of the year. Here are a few of my favorites from this year's show which I attended Sunday:
*Misty Stix -Dry Ice Stir Stix, these "cool stix" create a misty fog when added to a drink as a stirrer. I can see these in high-end bars & restaurants. http://www.mistystix.com/
*Neuro Drinks- Celebrities have already discovered these drinks with names such as Neuro-Gasm, Neuro-Sleep and Neuro-Trim. Neuro's slogan, "The Operating System for Life," is all about the drinks which contain vitamins and amino acids that supposedly work to promote passion, mental performance, sleep, happiness and a lean you. Read all about it here http://drinkneuro.com/.
Death's Door Spirits
I spoke with the founder of Death's Door Spirits, Craft Distiller Brian Ellison, about his handcrafted gin, white whiskey & vodka. Death's Doors name is inspired by a passageway between Washington Island and Door County Peninsula and is based in Madison, Wis. A new distillery will open in April in Middleton, Wis. with tours and tastings to show Ellison's "craft consistency."
His white whiskey is double distilled & finished in oak barrels. People "really love this whiskey," says Ellison. He suggests mixing it with root beer or cream soda for an extraordinary drink. His vodka is very unique tasting. It's triple distilled and has a subtle vanilla note. His popular gin has been called, "A Triumph," by Edible Chicago.
Check out all the dish on Death's Door at http://deathsdoorspirits.com/ and look for it at your favorite spirits store.
Herrs- New lattice cut chips, tangy BBQ low fat chips, Buffalo blue cheese & jalapeno popper chips
Chick Beer- 97 Calories. Low Carb and pink packaging, attractive & tasty!
There were many more items that I loved at this annual show, just wanted to share a few for you to look for in 2012.
The Addams Family Opens Tuesday, March 6
This musical comedy runs through March 18 at the Hippodrome. I will be checking it out Wednesday night and will have my review on air Friday morning on the Norris & Davis Show.
Tickets at www.BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com
My Mother's Jewish..My Father's Italian & I'm in Therapy
March 7-11 Gordon Center for Performing Arts
Steve Solomon's hilarious one-man show comes to Baltimore. I have read the reviews and cannot wait to see this production! Inspired by his own family, Solomon calls this show "One part lasagna, one part kreplach & two parts Prozac." Visit http://www.gordoncenter.com/ for tickets and show times.
Into The Woods Opens At Center Stage
March 7-April 15
Music & Lyrics by Sondheim
What happens after the happily ever after? Discover what happens in this retelling of Grimms' classics. Visit web site for show times and tickets.
Free Duclaw Beer Tasting
Stop by Quarry Wine, Greenspring Avenue in Shoppes at The Quarry, for a free tasting of handcrafted DuClaw beer Friday from 4-7 p.m. And on Saturday enjoy sampling their 6 special wines for $60. Each month Quarry Wine selects 6 favorites to sample and sells them at this special cost. 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. http://www.quarryws.com/Events.html
Wine & Beer Tasting in Hampden
Enjoy a free Madeira wine tasting Thursday 5-7 p.m. & organic beer tasting Friday 4:30--7 p.m. at The Wine Source in Hampden. www.the-wine-source.com.
Canton Block Party
Saturday by Smalltimore Events 1-6 p.m.
Live Entertainment http://www.smalltimoreevents.com/upcomingongoing-events.html
St Patrick's Baltimore Parade
Sunday is the annual St Patty Parade which runs through Downtown Baltimore. You can get the full details and map of the parade route www.IrishParade.net. There's also a 5K Shamrock Run taking place that day http://irishparade.net/shamrock-run/.
After the parade, head to James Joyce in Harbor East for an evening of family fun, music & dancing. Check out their full schedule of upcoming events for the week leading up to the big day on March 17. Corned beef & cabbage anyone? http://thejamesjoycepub.com/events.asp
Power Plant Live...
Friday Night Special Presentation Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives featuring Joe Squared
Live music on Live! stage 8-10 p.m. featuring Manly Deeds and Oil Pan Boy followed by Joe's episode on the big screen at 10 p.m. Food sampling and giveaways.
Bull Roast & Auction for a FAB Cause
Nicole Van Horn Trust Fund
Friday, March 9 Martin's East 7-11 p.m.
Food..Music..Gambling..Auction. 100% of donations go to helping terminally sick children at Johns Hopkins Oncology Center.
http://nvhfund.org/Annual_Fundraiser.html
What's Happening Federal Hill? LOTS!
Fed Hill Irish Stroll Saturday, March 10 Features a strolling bagpiper, green beads, and $2 Miller specials at many bars in Federal Hill including Mothers Grille, Stalking Horse, Mad River, Abbey Burger and Ryleigh's Oyster. http://www.lindypromo.com/fliers/120310_fedhill.jpg
St Patrick's Day Saturday March 17 Neighborhood-wide drink specials throughout Federal Hill include $5 Jameson, $3 Blue Moons, $4 Guinness, $2 Millers and other drink specials
Federal Hill Fridays –"Come Early, Stay Late" --- features 5 great drink specials at EVERY bar in Federal Hill between 7-11 p.m. ( bar only) – Starts THIS Friday!
The Wine Market Declares March Eclectic Wine Month with 1/2 off specials
Monday through Thursday during March, The Wine Market will offer a list of delicious, but lesser known wines by the glass at half price. Wine director Lucien Walsh has been tasting wines all February to find the best examples of each of these unusual varieties. Wine educated servers are ready to guide guests in tasting some great, but lesser known wines. 410-244-6166 for reservations or online www.the-wine-market.com.
Havana Road Towson
Nominated as one of Maryland's Top New Restaurants, Havana Road is my go-to restaurant when I am craving comfort food. I love their ropa vieja and arroz con pollo. Many of my friends love their cuban sandwich, named Baltimore's Best by Baltimore Magazine. LIKE them on FB for 15% off coupon; escape to Cuba by simply heading to Towson. Chef Marta Ines Quintana and her mother, Marta will have you coming back again and again for their homestyle Cuban fare. It's BYOB, Baltimore.
Chef Arturo Paz Making a Move
Ocean City's Bombora Restaurant will now become an Italian restaurant and Chef Arturo Paz will move to 45th Street Village to a new seafood restaurant currently under construction. There are several bars and restaurants now under construction at the village, with the gorgeous bayfront view there, I can't wait to see the finale this summer!
NFL Coming to Charm City for Ed Block Awards
Reception & Dinner Martin's West
March 13
The Ed Block Courage Awards take place Tuesday, March 13. One player from every NFL team, selected by their teammates, will be in Baltimore to accept their Courage Award. The selected players exemplify the principles of sportsmanship and courage.
The Ed Block Courage Award Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of abused, neglected and at-risk children and ending the cycle of abuse. For tickets and further info visit www.edblock.org.
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.
