The Milton Inn continues to impress

It all adds up! Take a historic 1740 fieldstone building, an inn for travelers for 100 years, one that was a school for boys for 50 years, a private residence and then in 1947, a restaurant, The Milton Inn.

People plan vacations around where they dine and The Milton Inn, which is located in Maryland’s Hunt Country, is just one of those unique establishments where everything from the award winning wines, the local Maryland edibles from the Chesapeake tributaries to rolling lush hills of county farms, rich décor and service make gatherings there so memorable.

On a recent visit to the Milton Inn, a media dinner for the press, we tasted dishes from their C. 1740 Lounge Small Plates menu (starting at $12 per plate) available in the C. 1740 lounge, mingled at a small cocktail reception and toured the restaurant taking in all the recent renovations.  The Milton Inn and Chef Boston’s vision of décor and cuisine always impresses. Being November the Milton Inn, refreshed from the extensive exterior and interior renovations was decked out to ring in the holiday season with panache.

Meatballs, Mustaches and Movember, Oh My!

November, designated Movember, is when men grow mustaches to heighten awareness of men’s health issues.  With that in mind, my charity pick and fun evening choice for this coming week is Eatmore (Meat) Balls for Movember. 

Mark your calendar, one of Baltimore’s leading Instagrammers @EatmoreBaltimore and Fell’s Point restaurant 8Ball Meatball  have combined forces to raise awareness of men’s health issues, supporting the Movember Foundation .

There will be no ta-ta’s talk during this evening, it’s about challenging men to be cognizant of their physical and mental health: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and suicide prevention plus a lot of balls (meatballs).  

Participants will enjoy a selection of appetizers, their choice of a complimentary draft beer or specialty cocktail, and Movember swag for a mere $20 donation.

• When: Wednesday, November 30^th from 5:30 to 8:30pm.
• Where: 8 Ball Meatball – 814 S Broadway – Baltimore MD 21231
• Purchase Tickets: http://bpt.me/2712611 $20 per person donation  

Prizes will be awarded for the best Movember mustaches! 

Gourmet holiday gift item picks

It was only a couple months ago that I attending Natural Products Expo East and fell in love with a number of unique, natural products that will make ideal gift giving for the that person in your life who just goes crazy for new flavors, tastes and textures.

Everyone has that friend or family member whose life centers around food and what their next bite might be. They eat, they drink and they Instagram every morsel that goes in their mouth.  It is with that in mind this curated list of new edible choices from the Natural Products Expo East has been created for holiday gifting, entertaining or if you are the gourmand, epicure who wants a superlative taste treat, for you as well.

Check out the complete story, my picks  and slideshow at Baltimore Post Examiner

Grand Opening of Fells Point Tavern Benefits the Living Classroom Foundation

Everyone is invited to the “official” grand opening of Fells Point Tavern on Friday, November 18^th which is split in two parts. A buffet and drink pre-event from 6 to 9 pm – purchase your ticket for $30 or come later, from 9 pm to 2 am, where one can sway, hum, or tap their toes to the live music, drink a cold brew or classic cocktail and peruse local vendors promoting their wares to benefit the Living Classroom Foundation.

Dining Dish's Facebook Live Interview with Chef John Shields - mark your calendar

LIVE VIDEOS SAVED - PART 1 AND PART 2 - We had some technical difficulties, henceforth, two videos.  Great time with an amazing chef.  Enjoy the videos.


Tomorrow, Thursday, November 3rd at approximate 12:15 pm Dining Dish will be streaming a live Facebook video interview with Chef, Cookbook Author and Television Personality John Shields from his restaurant Gertrudes and the Baltimore Museum of Art. No technical difficulties withstanding, it should be fun and informative.If you have specific questions you would like John to answer, please send them my way diningdish @ hotmail.com.

Be sure to go to the DiningDish Facebook Page www.facebook.com/DiningDish/ to catch the live interview, with your questions and say hello.  While you are at the DiningDish Facebook page, give it a "LIKE."

John Shields has been an ambassador not only for Chesapeake Bay seafood but all coastal seafood and an early, early supporter of sustainable, farm-to-table. Those of you in Baltimore see him regularly at the local farmers markets and enjoy the bounty at Gertrudes Restaurant whether lunch, brunch, dinner or your very special event.

John Shields's Chesapeake Bay Cooking 25th anniversary edition celebrates a year since being published - be sure to grab a copy for your cookbook library.