Food Highlights: Baltimore, MD

Allllll last week, I was in Baltimore for industry annual meetings. First there was my organization's meeting, followed by another that we exhibited at. It was a long, long week full of late bed times, early wake-ups, intolerably freezing air-conditioned rooms, hotel meals, hand shakes, meeting people I've already forgotten...and I actually got some exercise in. BIG NEWS! I ran 6 miles, non-stop with no pain during or after! I think I'm turning a corner! I ran twice during my stay in Baltimore, mainly around the Inner Harbor and into the Fells Point area. It was a great way to explore with limited free time and running in the early morning ensured I got in some solid alone time to recharge my introvert battery.

But what's really important is I got to EAT (outside the hotel) while in Baltimore. Not a lot of free time = being choosy, and I think my coworkers and I did a good job doing it on the fly.

On Tuesday night, we went to Fleet Street Kitchen for dinner. It's a farm-to-table sort of place with a really unique and fun mood to it. You're encouraged to order a 4-course meal tasting menu for $65, but no one was comfortable being that glutinous upfront. We ordered a few vegetables to share, then most of us had the seared halibut with lemony glazed carrots and a hazelnut-carrot butter for an entree. The hazelnuts were unexpected but did a fascinating job pulling the dish together. We also got a sampling of desserts including: a fresh mint and cacao nib semifreddo, pavlova with grapefruit ice cream and a salted caramel tart.

My coworker and I went to Captain James' Landing for our final dinner because I wanted crab legs and we had every reason to celebrate. Our week was officially over! This place has two dining options: a crab deck along the water and a restaurant shaped like a ship(!) across the street. We went the classier ship route and miraculously were offered a seat upon arrival (even though we were told, without a reservation, the wait would be over an hour). We split a pound of crab legs and both got filet mignons with roasted cauliflower mashed potatoes and broccoli as sides. It was great, of course.

And and if that wasn't enough, we took a walk into Little Italy and stopped by Vaccaro's Bakery some gelato. (They had too many baked goods for me to choose!) I opted for a scoop of chocolate and Italian cookies & cream. The latter was 100000x awesome. The cookies in the gelato were crumbly and almondy / hazelnutty. I don't know how I had room to finish...but I did ;)

We walked to Blue Moon Cafe for breakfast on our final morning in Baltimore. Way back in my early Food Network watching days (college?), I saw this place on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives and made a mental note to go one day. YEARS later, here I am. And it was just as quaint and delicious as I expected it to be. Their claim to DDD fame is Captain Crunch encrusted French toast...which we both ordered with breakfast meat and eggs. Great texture, not too sweet, loved the fruit and the bacon was also some of the best I've had in a while---super crunch and salty.

As far as accommodations: Our meetings were both held at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront, which turned out to be an overall great location. We were on the Inner Harbor, a minute's walk to the aquarium and also in walking distance to a number of great restaurants. There was a Whole Foods only two blocks away, which I went to twice for breakfast and snacks. It was a great, healthy (and maybe slightly cheaper) alternative to eating at restaurants 24/7.

On my way home on the train, I stopped by D.C. to see one of my sisters for the day. It included an afternoon trip to Baked and Wired for homemade ice cream sandwiches. I got the limited edition one: oatmeal cookies with strawberry-rhubarb swirl ice cream.

Always end on a sweet note, folks!