Come sample J. Paul's Inner Harbor new seasonal menu

On Thursday, May 30th you are cordially invited to J Paul’s to celebrate summer, sip on cocktails and enjoy their harborside bar and restaurant’s patio. The husband and I were lucky enough to sample the new summer seasonal items and were not disappointed. The quality of the food far exceeds big “chain” restaurants that populate Harborplace. The new outdoor bar is perfect for happy hour sipping and people and boat watching.

For just $25 enjoy the patio party on May 30th. You get to enjoy heavy appetizers, house wines, Natty Boh cans and rail drinks. See what all the talk about J Paul’s is about. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the scholars of Boys Hope Girls Hope of Baltimore.

Read the full story and watch the slideshow HERE

Dishcrawl - local, social dining in over 130 cities

In over 130 cities throughout the United States and Canada people gather for Dishcrawl’s local dining events. Baltimore is the most recent dining outpost for the young company started by Tracy Lee back in 2010.

Recently I had the pleasure of “dishcrawlin” as their guest through one of Baltimore’s downtown neighborhoods. Some might recognize the concept as a progressive dinner. Couples, young and old, singles, mothers and daughters were all afoot, as we walked to and from 4 restaurants to dine on one of their house specialties.

Watch the slideshow and read the full story HERE

Charm City Cakes offers up cake decorating class

Nationally recognized from the Food Network’s Ace of Cakes, Charm City Cakes is offering a cake decorating class this Sunday, May 19th at 1:30 p.m. This is for the baker who wants go way beyond the Wilton Cake Decorating classes.

Get class details and cost HERE

Gluten-free cooking in and dining out

You've heard the term gluten-free and the growth of those with celiac disease, gluten intolerance and those who want to just eliminate gluten in their diet has grown at an amazing rate in a very short period of time. And as the numbers multiply so do cookbooks focused to the gluten-free life. One of the forerunners in gluten-free blogging is Shauna James Ahern with her husband and chef Daniel Ahern of Gluten-Free-Girl and The Chef. Shauna was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2005 and her first cookbook

 was Gluten-Free Girl and the chef: A Love Story with 100 Tempting Recipes. Just released is their second cookbook Gluten-Free Girl Everyday tempting recipes for the gluten-free home cook.

When you cook for a celiac or gluten intolerant you should be aware that not only does your kitchen have to be cleaned thoroughly but there is equipment you should not be using or should be replaced that are porous or have scratches. Learn more about one restaurants food and wine dining event and the complete story HERE

Top 5 1/2 Pho restaurants in Baltimore

Pho, properly spelled is really phở but since most of us won’t write it or search for it with the Vietnamese accents it shall be written pho. Properly pronounced one would say “fuh.” Pho is a Vietnamese broth highlighted with cinnamon, clove and star anise, served with rice noodles, thin cuts of meat, herbs, bean sprouts, lime and optional hot sauces and hoisin sauce.

 Which are the top pho restaurants in Baltimore? These are my top five choices listed in alphabetical order. Know that I have eaten beef pho at each and every one of these restaurants, so the listing is based on my preferences with a look to Yelp and Urbanspoon for the public’s rankings. At the bottom of my listing is my honorable mention – the ½ star in my ranking of the top 5 ½ bowls of pho in Baltimore. Read the full story HERE