The Dining Dish blog is Dara Bunjon's take on anything food, both national and in her hometown of Baltimore. Warning: this food blog can be harmful to your waistline.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Lunch at Sauté

Today I journeyed to Canton for lunch to meet with restaurant marketer, Merritt Dworkin of Chameleon Consulting (410 258 9658 – merritt.chameleonconsulting@gmail.com). I met Merritt about 6 years ago when I worked at Hoang’s restaurant in Canton. Some of you might know her name from the Hard Rock Café and Red Star Restaurant.

Merritt offered up a choice of restaurants for luncheon, one being the new Sauté and I thought it would be great to check it out for lunch. Also it helps with a list of recommended restaurants in Baltimore I am compiling for Sally’s Place (which get 6 million hits a year) Sauté is managed by Tony Guarino.

The place is lovely but my little point and shoot doesn’t do it justice. Along the bar side and in the dining room are these beautifully mullioned windows that fold open in good weather for a real European feel. Tony advised they will be offering al fresco dining once the weather permits. I’m not usually impressed with ladies rooms but they didn’t cut cost here where some might – it was very nice.


The original chef has come and gone and now Chef Mark Suliga, formerly of Brewers Hill Pub takes the top toque position. The lunch menu has the same lite fare, salads, and pizza offerings as the dinner menu. We kicked off our munch with a spicy Thai Shrimp, which were quite large accompanied with a chopped selection of hearts of palm and shrimp, add the avocado, blood orange and fried, yummy little toast and this plate is a hit.


I opted for the Serrano Ham Pizza with sun-dried tomato pesto, arugula and sherry vinaigrette. It had great flavor but the outer edges of the Serrano ham slices were a bit tough. The crust was thin and crispy the way I like it. Merritt ordered the Winter Panzanella Salad with butternut squash, pear, Asiago cheese, pumpernickel with a balsamic dressing. She added rare tuna to the salad.

Merritt and I discussed our careers and businesses and how we can help each other but in general it was a great excuse to have a nice afternoon out.

The dinner menu is pretty straight forward: Pan Roasted Delmonico, Tuna, Grilled Trout, Meatloaf, Seafood Bouillabaisse, Crab Cakes, Slow Roasted Pork Loin, Smoked Duck Breast and Duck Leg Confit, Pan Roasted Chicken, Porcini Encrusted Diver Scallops and Filet Mignon – something for everyone. They are running happy hour specials from 4 to 7 p.m.

Our lovely and very charming waitress informed us they have been pretty packed every night so definitely call for a reservation. They are offering valet parking on Friday and Saturday nights.

Dining Dish says: Check this place out!

Sauté
2844 Hudson Street
Baltimore, MD 21224
410.32.saute
Saute in Baltimore

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I just had dinner at Saute last night and with the caveat that I am easily impressed, I was really impressed. I had the scallop entree and while the risotto was a little too peppery, every other element of the dish was perfect. I hate asparagus, and I ate every speck of it on the plate.

The waitress did a really good job of suggesting the wine, a Pinot/Chardonnay combo that knocked my socks off. If only the name would stick in my head.

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