A modern twist on Greek cuisine: Cava Mezze

One of my favorite restaurants here in Baltimore, Cava Mezze, puts a modern day spin on our Greek favorites.  Their menu items are traditional in the sense of Greek cuisine but their presentations are more upscale.  Just look at the Dolmades photograph:  stuffed grape leaves, roasted eggplant, za’atar rice, presented on a celery root puree, caper chimichurri, with micro cilantro.

Mezze in Greek translates to appetizer, but it often makes up an entire meal, combining an assortment of dishes: hot and cold, vegetables and meat - the assortment at Cava Mezze doesn’t disappoint.  Along with their popular array of small and medium plates they have just introduced fourteen new dishes to their Baltimore location and coming soon to their other four locations in the DMV.  

READ MORE: Baltimore Post Examiner Dara Cooks Blog

Holiday themed dinner and live holiday music

Last year I had the joy of attending Sotto Sopra Restaurant’s evening of holiday songs. They created an ensemble of their Broadway Night singers for an evening of the holiday season’s most beloved songs.   The live performances in this stunning venue really set the tone for 2017’s holiday season.  Lucky you, they are doing an Evening of Holiday Songs and a Four Course Dinner, Sunday, December 2, 2018 starting at 6 pm.

READ MORE at Baltimore Post Examiner - Dara Cooks 

Got the late night "hangries?" Taco Noche!

Northern Mexico inspired tacos, chips and dips, burritos and more are now available at Taco Noche at the Rotunda patio.  Their kiosk is open from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. every day. Patrons can go to the walk-up window for carryout or use delivery services, UberEats and Grub Hub. Taco Noche is a perfect little spot if you have been out late and want a bite of authentic Mexican food - the perfect “street food.”  

Taco Noche ‘s Chef Audiel  Vera also holds the title of executive chef at The Avenue Kitchen and Bar in Hampden.  Chef Vera reminisces, “It was not until I moved to Houston, Texas, where I first discovered the northern flavors of Mexico. Flour tortillas, shredded lettuce, fresh Pico de Gallo, cream on tacos, queso fundido, all that great food. It was a game changer in my opinion.  All these flavors really caught my attention and opened my pallet to different Mexican flavors that I never knew before.  A lot of people may think this is Tex Mex but it's not. These are flavors that were always there in Monterrey, Guadalajara, and Tijuana. 

For you chili heads, their salsas run the gamut on the Scoville chart from Tomatillo with fire roasted Serrano chiles, tomatillos, roasted garlic, onions, cilantro and lime to Scorpion Sting with fire-roasted Habanero chilies blended with vinegar, spices and tomatoes.

Taco Noche

The Rotunda Patio

711 West 40^th Street

Baltimore MD 21211

Facebook: @taconocherotunda

Instagram: @taconoche

GDL Italian now open for Saturday and Sunday Brunch

GDL Italian by Giada in Baltimore’s Horseshoe Casino has expanded their hours to include brunch Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 am to 2 pm, tempting patrons and casino goers to indulge in their Italian fare.   Giada de Laurentiis (GDL) , Food Network star and cookbook author , combines her California take on her family’s  Italian cuisine (Kale Caesar Salad, Seasonal Frittata) with local Maryland dishes for brunch (Maryland Crab Hash, Crab Arancini).  Read the full story at Baltimore Post Examiner - Dara Cooks 

Pizza contest, which pizza won

The fifty eight year old Grotto Pizza wanted to do something different to kick off October’s National Pizza Month and launched “Create Your Own Pizza Competition.”  Out of forty submissions they received, Grotto Pizza narrowed it down to these five finalists that were judged October 29^th at their Columbia, Maryland location.

Fall’n for Brie – ham, brie, apple

Ultimate Burger – ground beef, bacon, avocado,  blue cheese

Coastal Crab – white pizza with crab and old bay

Swirl of Fire – banana peppers, sausage, spicy tomato sauce

Big Fat Greek – spinach, sliced red onion, garlic, Kalamata olives, pizza cheese, feta cheese

Find out which pizza won at Dara Cooks Blog - Baltimore Post Examiner