Quick tips for ordering wine in a restaurant

Baltimore’s Summer 2008 Restaurant Week is in full force and among the many restaurants participating this year there are endless types of cuisine and culinary treats to be devoured. But with a variety of restaurants, comes a variety of wine lists. For the casual diner who doesn’t want to go broke on a (bad) bottle of wine, here are some tips to ensure your next journey through a restaurant wine list ends with happy palates and a bank accounts. Read more

Sushi Sono: Best Sushi in the Baltimore area - by Greg B.

Author: Greg B

Everyone is picky about their sushi restaurants and we all have our favorites. And why not? We are, after all, eating raw seafood. It’s only natural for an organism to return to the same feeding places where they have successfully eaten and not gotten sick… or worse. After dating a girl in college who took me out to sushi one Friday afternoon (lunch special at Sushi Hana in Towson = excellent), my life changed. Fridays became known as “sushi Fridays”, and it drew a crowd of people from across campus. Once it started, it kept going. Sushi Friday continued even after friends of ours and even we, graduated. Sushi Hana was an excellent place to learn about sushi, and while it is still one of my favorite sushi places to eat at in Baltimore, it has been surpassed.

The first time I ate at Sushi Sono was when my boss took the entire lab out in celebration for getting a very large grant. I cant be sure exactly how much sushi was there, but saying over 200 pieces would certainly not be an overstatement. However since then I just don’t drive very often, and it is extremely rare to see my down in the Columbia, MD area. But this Saturday my roommate and I just so happened to be down there, and with 3 hours to kill around lunchtime. The scene was set for some delicious sushi.

We walked into the restaurant and were immediately greeted by a very polite older woman. Asking if we wanted to sit at a table or the bar, we chose the bar. I like to sit there and watch the sushi be assembled and the fish get sliced and arranged, it’s very interesting work. Once we sat down, a very pleasant young woman dressed in traditional Japanese kimono asked for our drink orders. My roommate got the usual (Asahi) beer, and I decided to get cold sake instead of warm (perhaps the 90 degree temp had something to do with it?). I ordered a bottle of OzekiYam Nishi for $22, thinking I would have plenty of time to drink the bottle before it would be time to go. However, this lunch was governed by extreme efficiency, and just after I drank my first glass, we ordered.

I ordered the vegetarian box A from the lunch special ($10.95) which came with vegetable tempura, rice, a spinach roll and a shittake mushroom with asparagus sushi roll. I also ordered two pieces of Massago (smelt roe, for $4) and two pieces of White Tune ($4.50) since I had never had either of these. My roommates ordered a lunch special Chicken Tempura box ($9.95) with chicken tempura, tempura veggies and rice, along with a Spicy Tuna roll ($5.50). Within minutes, the Miso arrived.

In all honesty, Miso soup is miso soup. It is very rare I get Miso soup I don’t like, and most places taste almost exactly the same. Except again, the waitress was extremely polite and friendly. Halfway through the Miso, one of the men behind the bar placed a wooden tray with my Massago and Tuna over the fridge compartment and onto the bar. It was then that I knew I probably had to drink up with the sake! I finished my Miso and a few more drinks of the sake when our pleasant waitress returned with my meal and my roommate’s spicy tuna roll.

Sake goes great with Japanese food. There is no other way to say it. Drinking sake for it’s own sake (I couldn’t resist) is not something I do unless it is wintertime and the sake is warm. This particular sake brand was not one I had consumed before, and it was very mellow, which went well for a summer afternoon. The vegetable tempura was excellent, along with the little bit of spiced radish we got to place into our digging sauce. I had never had the spinach roll or shittake mushroom roll before, and the spinach roll was pretty good. It was served cold, with a slight touch of rice vinegar. The shittake roll was very good also, as the texture of the mushrooms and the asparagus nicely opposed each other for an interesting bite. The smelt roe was good, but not too surprising, however the white Tuna was not something I had eaten before and was excited to try. It was like butter, soft, cool and delicious. You did not even have to bite to eat it, it was so soft. Definitely a new favorite sushi dish of mine.

As my roommate got a call from the Sears guy saying he didn’t have the 4 tires in stock he thought he had, and we could get the car back anytime, I hurried up my sake consumption. The waitress returned, and took the rest of our plates (they had been floating around during the meal, and as soon as any piece of plateware or lid or anything was finished, they would remove them from the table almost instantly. Definitely made me feel like I was at a fancier establishment than my tee shirt and shorts I was wearing indicated). We paid our bill and received our Japanese fruit flavored gum in a box, you all know the kind. We walked out and I made a mental note to return more often. Hopefully, this is one restaurant I will keep good on my promise.

Restaurant Review: Mannequin Pis Restaurant (Olney, MD) -A night of Belgian respect with Chris and Dana

Outstanding Belgian food, bier and hospitality! Read more

Montalcino Restaurant Review: Osteria Al Giardino (Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy) - Upscale and pricey, but worth it. Highly Recommended!

Osteria Al Giardino:

Ambiance: Elegant,
Food: Upscale and traditional Montalcino/Tuscan cuisine
Service: Outstanding: attentive, great wine service.
Wine List: Good overall. Fair pricing with a good number of bottles with some age to them.
Pricing: $$$$ - Expensive, but worth it for a special occasion. Expect around 60 Euros per person, plus wine (our total was aorund 230 Euros)
Attire: Upscale, but comfortable/business casual seems appropriate.
Overall Rating: Great. Highly recommended for special occasions but be prepared to spend some money. The food was exceptional across the board and the service was very good. Chef Giovanni Luca di Pirro shows great passion in his food and keeping you well fed!
Piazza Garibaldi 10
Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
Bookings and Fax: 0577 849076. e-mail: osteriaalgiardino@virgilio.it
Closed Wednesday.

Il Girdino: This was our favorite “upscale” dining in Montalcino. The service was attentive and very helpful, the food was outstanding, and the setting was elegant and warm. Situated near the middle of town on the top of a hill where the main streets merge, Il Girdino was all around a great meal. The wine list represented some of the best wines in Montalcino and prices were on par with other restaurants and enotecas. Our meal began with a beef carpaccio of neck meat that was sliced so thin and delicate that it melted on the palate. Our other primi course was a poached egg served with a decadent white winter truffle sauce that was very simple but quite delicious. We paired these with wines by the glass from a well thought out list.

For a first course we split two dishes: white winter truffle linguine and a potato ravioli with artichokes and parmageano reggiano cheese. The homemade pasta dish featured a rich truffle sauce and a large plate of linguine covered with fresh shaved white truffles. This was a hit- the simplicity again let the truffle shine but prevented it from overpowering the palate. The potato ravioli was a bit of a let down. It was well spiced but the flavors and texture just weren’t that great. Overall, we were happy with this course.

Our main course featured both beef and cinghale (wild boar): a well seasoned steak cooked medium rare and a tender and flavorful cinghale stew. This course was paired with a 1999 Poggio al Vento (Col d’Orcia Riserva) that was served in beautiful stemware and went perfect with both dishes and which I rated 95 pts.

For dessert, we decided on a hazelnut Creme Brulee that featured lovely flavors and texture in the creme sauce hiding beneath a perfectly crisp top layer. This topped off one of the best meals I’ve ever eaten- all compliments to Chef Giovanni Luca di Pirro, who came to our table at the end of the evening to talk with us about our meal. You could see his passion for preparing world class meals in the way he spoke about the meal. A passion that was even more evident in the food itself.

Overall this was our favorite upscale meal in Montalcino. The setting is more elegant than most of the other restaurants, the food a little more upscale and complex, and as you’d expect, the prices a little bit higher. The meal with wine cost us around 220 Euros, or roughly $350 USD. Expensive? Yes, but worth it for one special night out in one of the most amazing towns in Italy.

Weeknight Dining: Eating Great In Baltimore - 16 Restaurants across town suitable for any budget!

With gasoline at $4.00 a gallon (or more), it seems that everyone is trying to cut back on spending. For many this includes eating out less and cooking meals at home. While cooking at home is always a great, healthy and cheaper way to eat, sometimes it’s just nice to not have to cook and do dishes. But does eating out have to cost significantly more than eating in? Or are there delicious options in town that will not break even the most sensitive budget?

Below is a list of some of the best restaurants in town that provide great food (and wine) for the price. A few of these aren’t necessarily cheap, but they are the most “bang for your buck” restaurants offering a great meal on any and all budgets. The list is arranged by neighborhood and provides summaries of each restaurant as well as what you can expect to spend per person. Chain restaurants were not considered for this list. Special thanks to Dae Chang who offered his expert analysis on a few places on this list! For another great list, check out the Dining Dish Blog’s Ten Inflation Busting Specials!

To nominate a restaurant to be on this list, e-mail me (michael@foodandwineblog.com) or leave a comment and I’ll check it out!  And don’t forget to check out these great wines that are budget friendly! Read more

Kazakhstan Restaurant Review: Boudoir Restaurant- A must-try when dining in Kazakhstan!

The following review was contributed by a good friend and fellow wine enthusiast Chris Hawley. He travels quite a bit and has generously offered to share this unique dining experience with us. The review is very well written, exciting, and makes me wish I could go to Kazakhstan this weekend for some great food. Thanks Chris!

Boudoir Restaurant

Ambiance: Classy, fusion bar style, surrounded by Fashion TV
Food: Continental global cuisine, fusion, Australian and Thai mix
Service: Spectacular for English speakers
Wine List: Good, nice selection of French, Spanish and Italian wines.
Pricing: $$$ Good value for the meal
Attire: none specified but casual and business attire was noted, club wear more appropriate later in the evening.
Overall Rating: Very good – highly recommended: Food was very well done, and there were a number of outstanding choices. Wait staff was very attentive and the chef made several table-side visits. The table-side desert using liquid nitrogen is well worth the visit.
Location/Contact Info: www.boudoir.kz (only in Russian)
134 Bogenbai Batyr, Almaty, Kazakhstan 050000 (below KazPost)
Phone +7727 272 5555

Read more

Restaurant Review: The Helmand (Baltimore- Mt. Vernon): Upscale traditional Afghan cuisine, good prices, highly recommended

Overview

Ambiance: Classy, upscale dining area, tight seating, Middle-Eastern decor
Food: Traditional Afghan cuisine, many vegetarian options
Service: Friendly and quick, good overall.
Wine List: Just OK- a few good finds- prices are fair. No corkage available.
Pricing: $$ (Appetizers: $6-$10, Entrees $12-$22- very good pricing for the quality of food)
Attire: No specific dress code but most patrons follow business casual to business attire.
Overall rating: Very Good-highly recommended: Food was well spiced, overall the service is great and for a nice dinner out the prices can’t be beat. Wine list is nothing to write home about but there are a few great options.
Location/Contact Info: http://www.helmand.com
806 N Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: 401-752-0311

Review: This upscale Afghan restaurant is located on Charles Street North Just blocks from the Washington Monument, as it has been for over 25 years. For a restaurant to survive 25 years is quite an accomplishment, for a restaurant to be packed night in and night out after 25 years is just incredible. I guess when you serve delicious, exotic cuisine at more than fair prices, provide a menu filled with both meat and vegetarian options, and provide good service, you have a good chance of succeeding in the restaurant business!

Entering the Helmand, we were not greeted by a hostess. Instead, you make your way to the rear of the restaurant where someone behind the bar will check you in (reservations recommended) and get you situated. Our wait for a table, even on a Saturday night, wasn’t too long (less than 5 minutes). Once seated, we were pretty close to the adjacent tables, and overall it was a bit noisy in the dining area, but it was a good noisy. The noise and clutter may have played a role into why it took the server a while to head in our direction, though once we were noticed, the service was very good.

The wine list isn’t very extravagant, but there are some deals to be had. We started with a few whites by the glass. My Pinot Gris ($7) was not very good, but I forced it down. Kim enjoyed a nice Fume Blanc from Washington State that I’d give around 87 points, and for $6 was a great find. With our meal we enjoyed a Marques de Mersallie (2000) which was a bargain at $28 and was well matched for our lamb entrees. They also have a few moderately priced beers available if that’s your fancy. Overall the wine list will please most people as there are a few options in each category to pair well with any main course. That said, wine enthusiasts will most likely be disappointed and are recommended to not have high expectations of the list or stemware.

Our journey into Afghan cuisine began with a large bowl of pita bread with a sweet butter. The pita bread was warm and with the sweet butter was a great way to hold over our appetite until our appetizers began coming out. A must try starter is Kaddo Borwani, which is a fried then baked pumpkin dish that is sweet yet balanced with the yogurt garlic sauce. Our small pita bread was warm and great for soaking up the sauce from the Aushak, which is a ravioli with beef filling. The ravioli was cooked al dente which was nice, stuffed with leeks and vegetables, and served with a spicy beef sauce. This dish was a huge success, providing both good textures and great seasoning. Another highly recommended appetizer is the Bowlawni- pastry shells filled with leeks, potatoes, and onions and served with a garlic sauce. The portions on the appetizers are modest, so one per person is recommended.

The main plates at the Helmand provide good sized portions of very elegant and traditional Afghan cuisine. The Chopan ($15) features a marinated half rack of lamb served with tomato and onion salad. The lamb was both tender and flavorful. The Rack of Lamb chops featured 3 well seasoned chops which, although two of them were overcooked (ordered medium rare), were very juicy. Another great lamb dish is the Seekh Kabob. This char-broiled marinated lamb tenderloin was perfectly seasoned, although its accompanying spinach side dish was a pass. The rice is of course perfectly prepared and is especially good with the accompanying cilantro sauce.

Other menu options include traditional chicken Kabobs, spinach Sabzy and both lamb and chicken Lawand (boneless chicken/lamb served with mushrooms, tomatoes, herbs and a yogurt sauce). There are a dozen or more vegetarian options as well which range from stuffed peppers to baby eggplant filled with spinach. It’s likely that the menu will please even the most picky eater in your party.

Our dessert consisted of an assortment of Afghan pastries with both a crème and raspberry sauce. The pastries were similar to baklava having philo dough, crushed nuts/honey filling and were great with the sauces. There are many classic dessert options available as well that should satisfy even the sweetest tooth.

The Helmand provides a warm, intimate atmosphere, great food and is overall highly recommended. The prices are more than fair making this a great place to celebrate any occasion with a large group without breaking anyone’s budget.