Tuesday, June 10, 2008

XS (sushi)

http://www.xsbaltimore.com/#
(410) 468-000
21307 N Charles St
Baltimore, MD


In ShortLocated in a three-story brownstone with cathedral ceilings, large storefront windows, exposed brick and ductwork,

This ultra hip urbanite place really knows how to cater to a number of palates. In fact their variety of food includes breakfast until 2am, sushi, desserts, paninis, wraps, sandwiches, omelets, sashimi and tempura. This place kinda morphs from a little cafe type place during the day and lunch hours to shiiiiik little hang out spots for the sexy sushi loving people. In fact a DJ on weekends spins deep and sexy music on the upper loft level, where you can also enjoy great people watching.

Drinks and sushi are always deliciously and delicately made. The alcoholic drinks are a tad over priced for the location and ambiance but I must say they will knock you out if that is what you aspire.

The clientele is young and primarily locals.

Most people walk it from their nearby crib. Some (like I) either get the luck of the Irish and find street parking or like everyone else should head to the nearby garage on Cathedral Street then walk the block. Ps: They also offer free valet parking on certain nights (check the website)

Definitively a fun hangout place to go with your enterauge before hitting the local club scene. This will put ya in the mood to relax, be sexy and dance a few moves.
My overall rating 7.0

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Bertha's mussels

Bertha's is one of my favorite spots during summer time at Fells Point.

When I realized that Bertha's was smoke free (this is before the city wide ban in Baltimore) this establishment soon became my close by watering hole.
I would consider this to be a bar/ restaurant with a little bit of flare. The interior is eclecticly decorated from red pepper shaped lights to old irish boats on the ceilings. Not the four season where you would take your grammy for mother's day, more a place to take your beer drinking pals to have a great old happy time. This is a happening place during the live music evenings.
Jazzy nights are always the busiest, I have noticed.
The menu is a bit eclectic, focusing primarily on bar/ Irish (well even Spanish Paella) grubb.
I must say I have pretty much tried everything from the menu, including the escargots and I conclude that the food is fresh and tasty.
My favorites are definitively the mussles, their voluminous salads and during winter time their amazingly moist filet mignon (the filet mignon is a steal for the money.) The bacon wrapped shrimps are delicious too.
In fact, everything is reasonably priced, including the drinks. Cannot beat that and the bartender ladies are the most friendly bar chicks in town.
So one of this hot summer evenings, I will be heading down to Berthas and order a nice cold bottle of Sauvignon Blanc and some nice steamed mussles. Relax a tad while listening to some live Jazzy music.
I think is time for you to take a break too.
If you are in for a non pretencious relaxed atmosphere with good food this is a 10 for you!

Dukem

Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant # 2 1100 Maryland Avenue Baltimore, MD 21201 Tel: 410-385-0318

http://www.dukemrestaurant.com/

If you like to experience great food, Dukem is the place for you!!
I love food, all food, and I have taken plenty of friends to Dukem, from vegetarians to meat lovers and they all have agreed Dukem is a hit. In fact even the most particular eaters have fallen in love with ethiopian food after trying out Dukem.
I will make this as easy as it comes.
Depening on what you like, if you like Spicy food, you are in the right place, they aim to please, as for super hot and you got it.
Also, clean your hands, you eat without utensils so...cleanliness if imperative.
They offer lovely appetizers like sambusa, either vegetarian or with meat. Veggies is filled with lentils and with meat .....with meat....(uh)
You have choices of cold Ethiopian beers, that I must say I have never tried, but I have been told they are a baseball bat to the head (if you know what I mean) or you could order some deliciuos tej, honey wine. The latest tends to soothe your sore tongue if you ordered spicy food.
Now to the food....everything is good...
If you like meat, like myself I order the AWAZE TIBS, wich is pretty much their version of bbq meat.
The spices are to die for, and if you order extra hot, they do not joke around with their jalapeno either.
My partner orders the GORED GORED TIBS, non too spicy.
The girls there are so very nice, they can totally tell if you can handle the heat.
They know my mouth is made of fire, so they give me some tear jerking heat, that nobody at the table can usually take except me.
Everything is usally served with a few veggie accompaniaments here and there. Little salad with totatoes helps with soothing the heat by the way.
Your tool of scooping is called injira, wich is a tortilla (in the one and only sence that is round) yet soft like bread made from some wheat or not....that you cut in a scoop, place it in your fingers and scoop the food with it sorta deal.
Sounds primitive but it works, and the injira gives it a nice flavour. People are usually spooked by the injira until they try it with the food.
The service is always great, I have gotten to know the girls, that usually teach me a word or two of ethipian.
So to you my friend try it and "Letenachi" (wich is cheers, but its meaning is to your health) The ethiopians have it figure out, drinking is good for you, with great food of course.
My overall rating 8.5 - casual and yum yum!