Looks like the weather is going break just in time for Boordy’s Autumn Winefest tomorrow from 1pm-5pm. The vineyard is celebrating its 66th vintage with wine tasting, live music, activities, Halloween prizes and a costume parade. Fun for the whole family or great for a Sunday evening date.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Laugh out Loud
Comedy clubs can be hit or miss but this week’s line up at Magooby’s Jokes House looks promising. Steve White headlines at Magooby's tonight through Saturday. You may remember him from "Coming to America", "Harlem Night", and "Def Comedy Jam". Tonight's show starts at 8pm, tickets are $8.00-$15.00 and there is a two item minimum purchase. FYI the old bay wings are off the chain.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Upgrade Your Palate
For my aspiring wine connoisseur, Bin 604 Wine Sellers can help you upgrade your palate with weekly tastings and classes. It’s a good look if you’re trying to move beyond Moscato and Riesling, network, and/or meet people outside of your circle. Tasting and classes range from $19- $45.
http://www.bin604.com/
Saturday, August 6, 2011
I need to start going out more, trying different things!! Help me!!
Got a request for help from a friend on Facebook looking for something different to get into this weekend. Hope the conversation below gives you guys a better understanding of what I do.
Her: I need to start going out more, trying different things!! Help me lol
Me: lol no problem
what kinda budget you wroking with and what things have you always wanted to do but didn't think you could find in the DMV
Her: Well my budget isnt that big lol.. I just wanna try something different I usuallly just go to bars and lounges! Im ready to meet new people step out to different areas. I havent been to alot of places in baltimore and I been here for years lol..
Me: Ok I feel you. You dont need a big budget, a lot of the stuff I find is free. Give me a range i.e. 0-$50, $50-$100 etc. so I can narrow my search and find something that fits your personallity and wallet
Her: Okay like 65
Me: Ok cool you looking for something this weekend or just in general?
Her: Something for Saturday, its a friend of mines bday.
Me: To do List:
Boordy Vineyards has a summer concert series every Saturday from 5:45-9:30 tickets are $17 and include wine tasting. Even if you don't love the band the vineyard and energy of the place is awesome plus you can back a picnic if you like, take a tour of the vineyard, or buy one of their bottles get wasted. http://www.boordy.com/events/events-at-boordy
Illusions Magic Bar is a cool out of the box thing to do. The bar has the best mixed drinks I've had in a long time. They have a magic/comedy which cost $10 and a mandatory 2 drink minimum. The German Pear Martini is a MUST HAVE. The comedian/magician is no Kevin Heart or Chris Angel but he is funny.
Boordy Vineyards has a summer concert series every Saturday from 5:45-9:30 tickets are $17 and include wine tasting. Even if you don't love the band the vineyard and energy of the place is awesome plus you can back a picnic if you like, take a tour of the vineyard, or buy one of their bottles get wasted. http://www.boordy.com/events/events-at-boordy
Illusions Magic Bar is a cool out of the box thing to do. The bar has the best mixed drinks I've had in a long time. They have a magic/comedy which cost $10 and a mandatory 2 drink minimum. The German Pear Martini is a MUST HAVE. The comedian/magician is no Kevin Heart or Chris Angel but he is funny.
He finishes his act by escaping from a straight jacket while hanging upsidedown. The clientele and owner are super friendly. After the show you guys could bar hop, the clubs in the area don't charge a cover. If you want to go to the magic show I suggest you make reservation.Warning parking can be a headache http://illusionsmagicbar.com/
Edens Lounge has a wine tasting from 7-9pm. Not sure what the cover is but I can’t imagine it being more then $10 plus the have 2 for 1 drinks until 9. If you wanted to stay there and party Quick Silva Djs tonight and he always shuts ish down. Warning its a nice place but kinda small and gets packed, especially when Quick is DJing, and parking can be a headache. http://www.edenslounge.com/
Comedy Factory I had a good time down there last night and think you would like it too. The price of tickets varies based on the comedian but it’s normally never more then $20 they also have a 2 drink minimum (non alcoholic drinks count) and you can party in the power plant after the show if you like. http://www.baltimorecomedy.com/
Magooby's Joke House is another comedy venue with the same rules as the other two as far a drinks and the price of admission http://magoobys.com/
The Urban Pirate Cruise is another wacky thing you can do. I've never been but I have a home boy that always goes and has a great time.Tickets are $25 http://urbanpirates.com/web/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3&Itemid=3
Edens Lounge has a wine tasting from 7-9pm. Not sure what the cover is but I can’t imagine it being more then $10 plus the have 2 for 1 drinks until 9. If you wanted to stay there and party Quick Silva Djs tonight and he always shuts ish down. Warning its a nice place but kinda small and gets packed, especially when Quick is DJing, and parking can be a headache. http://www.edenslounge.com/
Comedy Factory I had a good time down there last night and think you would like it too. The price of tickets varies based on the comedian but it’s normally never more then $20 they also have a 2 drink minimum (non alcoholic drinks count) and you can party in the power plant after the show if you like. http://www.baltimorecomedy.com/
Magooby's Joke House is another comedy venue with the same rules as the other two as far a drinks and the price of admission http://magoobys.com/
The Urban Pirate Cruise is another wacky thing you can do. I've never been but I have a home boy that always goes and has a great time.Tickets are $25 http://urbanpirates.com/web/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3&Itemid=3
Hope this helps dear
Let me know what you pick and how it was.
Let me know what you pick and how it was.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Baltimore Restaurant Week
Joy to the city, Restaurant Week has come! The next nine days are a foodie's Christmas. In case you’ve been living under a rock and have no clue what Restaurant Week is, let me educate you my friend. This is the magical time of year were you can indulge in three courses of four-star restaurant cuisine at a two star price. Here are some tips and restaurant suggestions to help you fully take advantage of the week.
§ Try Something New – This is your opportunity to upgrade your taste buds, discover new restaurants, and eclectic cuisine.
§ Make Reservations- The high-end restaurants book quickly.
§ Check the Menu- Most places have a separate menu for Restaurant Week that you must order from to take advantage of three-course price. Look over the menu online before you pick a restaurant to make piques your interest and is in line with any dietary restrictions you may have.
§ Restaurant Recommendations- Alchemy, b-Bistro, Blue Hill Tavern, Della Notte Ristorante, Kali’s Court, Louisiana Restaurant, Talara
You can get a fully list of participating restaurants and their menus at www.baltimorerestaurantweek.com. Bon appétit!
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Hump Day Happenings
Happy Hump Day Folks! Hope everyone is having a stress free workweek. Here are a few Hump Day activities to prep you for the weekend or brighten up your week ;-)
- Takers premiers tonight at Films on the Pier. Bring your lawn chairs, picnic baskets, and favorite frosty beverage to the Broadway Pier for a movie night under the stars. Admission is FREE99, show starts at 8:45pm http://www.fellspointmainstreet.org/
- Free jazz concert at the Maryland Hall for Creative Arts starts at 6pm www.mdhallarts.org
- Belly dancing class’s at the Homewood Friends Meeting House from 7:30-8:30pm. Beginners welcome classes are $10 www.homewoodfriends.org
- Larry Lancaster hits the stage of Club 347 at 8pm. This dude is ridiculously funny!!! $5 cover. www.club347.com
- The vegan/vegetarian community in the DMV is growing by leaps and bounds. So much so that there is a vegan happy hour at Sticky Rice tonight. Happy hour starts at 8pm. www.bmoresticky.com
- Warm Wednesdays at The 5 Seasons is always a good idea. It’s the longest running open mic in Baltimore and attracts the best spoken word artists in the DMV. $5 cover ladies free before 8:30 show starts at 9pm. the5seasons.com
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Milan
Milan
1000 Eastern Ave
Baltimore, MD 21202
http://www.onemilan.com/
I decided to check out Milan for “Milan Mondays” to see exactly what “Food meets Fashion” entails. The contemporary upscale urban chic décor and extremely stylish clientele proved that they have the fashion part down to a tee. However, the food and service are sub-par at best. There are simply too many rules involved with dining at Milan. When I arrived at 8pm the place was half-full but very lively and for a brief second I thought I had lucked up and would get a seat on the patio. WRONG! The very friendly hostess informed me that reservations are required for patio and indoor seating with the exception of the sushi dinning area (second level was not offered). She went on to tell me that if I decided to sit in the sushi area I could only order dinner. Seeing as how I came to partake in the happy hour specials and environment, I decided to wait for something to become available at the bar. After about a 10min wait, I was seated at a table adjacent to the bar only to be informed by my waiter that I could only take advantage of the specials if I sat at the bar. Sooooo I took a couple of deep breaths, did a silent ten count, and asked for the drink menu ASAP!
My Strawberry Mojito, which only added insult to injury, tasted more like a gin and tonic with a splash of grenadine for color. I decided to have the Risotto Capasanta (Scallop and wild mushroom Risotto) for my entrée. The presentation was very nice and the scallops and risotto were well cooked however, the entire dish was under seasoned and the wild mushrooms gave the meal some kind of funky zesty after taste. After an extremely disappointing meal, I lost my usual social butterfly spirit and decided to call it a night. “Everything that glitters aint gold”, and while Milan might be the new place to be seen among the urban chic, it’s definitely not where the party’s at.
Star Rating: 2½
Parking: Limited Street and Valet ($10)
Price Range: $15-$35
Biggest Disappointment: Use of space and the food
Good for: Small groups (3 or less), imitate dinners, drinks with the girls or guys, and networking
Bad for: Large groups (4 or more), birthday parties ($25 cake cutting fee), and walk in dinning
Randomness: The prices on the menu are in Euros and Dollars. I’m not sure if this is to solidify the whole “upscale” experience but it seemed kind of pointless since they only accept American currency. What I like to call a “Who the hell cares” feature.
Suggestions for Management: Since the space is large enough to be upscale but still small enough to be intimate/personal, you may want to consider engaging your guests. I mean if the manager at TGI Friday’s can greet his/her customers then it would stand to reason that an upscale establishment can offer the same level of customer interaction.
1000 Eastern Ave
Baltimore, MD 21202
http://www.onemilan.com/
I decided to check out Milan for “Milan Mondays” to see exactly what “Food meets Fashion” entails. The contemporary upscale urban chic décor and extremely stylish clientele proved that they have the fashion part down to a tee. However, the food and service are sub-par at best. There are simply too many rules involved with dining at Milan. When I arrived at 8pm the place was half-full but very lively and for a brief second I thought I had lucked up and would get a seat on the patio. WRONG! The very friendly hostess informed me that reservations are required for patio and indoor seating with the exception of the sushi dinning area (second level was not offered). She went on to tell me that if I decided to sit in the sushi area I could only order dinner. Seeing as how I came to partake in the happy hour specials and environment, I decided to wait for something to become available at the bar. After about a 10min wait, I was seated at a table adjacent to the bar only to be informed by my waiter that I could only take advantage of the specials if I sat at the bar. Sooooo I took a couple of deep breaths, did a silent ten count, and asked for the drink menu ASAP!
My Strawberry Mojito, which only added insult to injury, tasted more like a gin and tonic with a splash of grenadine for color. I decided to have the Risotto Capasanta (Scallop and wild mushroom Risotto) for my entrée. The presentation was very nice and the scallops and risotto were well cooked however, the entire dish was under seasoned and the wild mushrooms gave the meal some kind of funky zesty after taste. After an extremely disappointing meal, I lost my usual social butterfly spirit and decided to call it a night. “Everything that glitters aint gold”, and while Milan might be the new place to be seen among the urban chic, it’s definitely not where the party’s at.
Star Rating: 2½
Parking: Limited Street and Valet ($10)
Price Range: $15-$35
Biggest Disappointment: Use of space and the food
Good for: Small groups (3 or less), imitate dinners, drinks with the girls or guys, and networking
Bad for: Large groups (4 or more), birthday parties ($25 cake cutting fee), and walk in dinning
Randomness: The prices on the menu are in Euros and Dollars. I’m not sure if this is to solidify the whole “upscale” experience but it seemed kind of pointless since they only accept American currency. What I like to call a “Who the hell cares” feature.
Suggestions for Management: Since the space is large enough to be upscale but still small enough to be intimate/personal, you may want to consider engaging your guests. I mean if the manager at TGI Friday’s can greet his/her customers then it would stand to reason that an upscale establishment can offer the same level of customer interaction.
GBLA's Annual Masquerade Ball
Attending charity events is absolutely one of my favorite things to do. Each November I look forward to the Greater Baltimore Leadership Association’s (GBLA) Annual Masquerade Ball. In addition to a tax right off, open bar, lush buffet and great music, you also get to support a noble cause. The GBLA’s mission is to “Improve the quality of life for African-Americans and other minorities in Baltimore City and its surrounding counties.” The associations states, “it uses a five-pronged approach comprised of real world education, financial empowerment, political empowerment, public health, and professional development to assist minorities with developing the skills necessary to secure a successful future.” While the GBLA takes its mission very seriously, trust me when I say these folks sho know how to throw a party!!
This year’s ball will be held at the Hippodrome Theater on November 13th and the dress code takes grown and sexy to the next level. No Nike boots or dress jeans for this party Boo Boo. This is a black tie event that gives ladies a chance to play dress up and gentlemen a reason to break out their tailored suits and tuxedos. Between you and me, ladies there are very few things sexier then a Black man in an expensive suit. For those of you who like to mix a little business with your partying, this event is full of influential individuals. There is normally a cash prize for the best mask and the party goes till 2am. So if your looking for an upscale affair were folks still know how to have a good time then this is where the party’s at.
Cost: Early Bird Tickets $65; $100 once special ends
Good for: Networking, Date Night, Dancing, Break from the normal party scene
Bad for: Drama of any sort!!!
Tips for a great night: Take full advantage of the buffet and open bar, bring plenty of business cards, an upbeat attitude and a smile!
GBUL and GBLA website: http://www.bul.org/ or http://www.gblaevents.com/main/aboutus.aspx
This year’s ball will be held at the Hippodrome Theater on November 13th and the dress code takes grown and sexy to the next level. No Nike boots or dress jeans for this party Boo Boo. This is a black tie event that gives ladies a chance to play dress up and gentlemen a reason to break out their tailored suits and tuxedos. Between you and me, ladies there are very few things sexier then a Black man in an expensive suit. For those of you who like to mix a little business with your partying, this event is full of influential individuals. There is normally a cash prize for the best mask and the party goes till 2am. So if your looking for an upscale affair were folks still know how to have a good time then this is where the party’s at.
Cost: Early Bird Tickets $65; $100 once special ends
Good for: Networking, Date Night, Dancing, Break from the normal party scene
Bad for: Drama of any sort!!!
Tips for a great night: Take full advantage of the buffet and open bar, bring plenty of business cards, an upbeat attitude and a smile!
GBUL and GBLA website: http://www.bul.org/ or http://www.gblaevents.com/main/aboutus.aspx
Luminous Restaurant & Bar
Luminous Restaurant & Bar
1110 Old Elkridge Landing Rd
Linthicum, MD 21090
http://www.luminousbaltimore.com/
If you’re looking for a change of venue that’s still close to home I suggest you check out Luminous Restaurant & Bar at the BWI Westin Hotel. Westin Hotels are known for their lush accommodations and first class customer service, which is evident at Luminous. The fully stocked bar/lounge has a contemporary décor and is usually manned by the DMVs “Best French Martini Maker” b.k.a. Trevor Ifill. If Martinis and cocktail aren’t your thing, Trevor will suggest and/or create a drink that will give you that warm and fuzzy feeling you’ve been searching for. Happy hour is Monday – Thursday from 5:30pm – 7:30pm and provides the perfect atmosphere for your networking skills to shine and make some great national, as well as international connections. In additional to fabulous cocktails and a sociable environment, the food is pretty damn good. The sautéed muscles were excellent and the complementary freshly baked bread was just what the doctor ordered to fully appreciate the flavorful lemon garlic broth. Just beyond the bar/lounge is the formal dinning area where architectural features such as high ceilings and bent-glass-windows give the room an open and inviting feeling. There is also an outdoor seating area equipped with a fire pit and Tiki bar so that guest can take full advantage of days with good weather. Luminous certainly has the right amenities, service and atmosphere to be where the party’s at.
Star Rating: 3½
Parking: Free
Price Range: $12 - $25
Biggest Disappointment: Portion size
Good for: Drinks, networking, dinner, change of scenery, private parties (birthday, engagement, charity benefits etc.)
Bad for: Dancing
Randomness: None
Suggestions for Management: None
1110 Old Elkridge Landing Rd
Linthicum, MD 21090
http://www.luminousbaltimore.com/
If you’re looking for a change of venue that’s still close to home I suggest you check out Luminous Restaurant & Bar at the BWI Westin Hotel. Westin Hotels are known for their lush accommodations and first class customer service, which is evident at Luminous. The fully stocked bar/lounge has a contemporary décor and is usually manned by the DMVs “Best French Martini Maker” b.k.a. Trevor Ifill. If Martinis and cocktail aren’t your thing, Trevor will suggest and/or create a drink that will give you that warm and fuzzy feeling you’ve been searching for. Happy hour is Monday – Thursday from 5:30pm – 7:30pm and provides the perfect atmosphere for your networking skills to shine and make some great national, as well as international connections. In additional to fabulous cocktails and a sociable environment, the food is pretty damn good. The sautéed muscles were excellent and the complementary freshly baked bread was just what the doctor ordered to fully appreciate the flavorful lemon garlic broth. Just beyond the bar/lounge is the formal dinning area where architectural features such as high ceilings and bent-glass-windows give the room an open and inviting feeling. There is also an outdoor seating area equipped with a fire pit and Tiki bar so that guest can take full advantage of days with good weather. Luminous certainly has the right amenities, service and atmosphere to be where the party’s at.
Star Rating: 3½
Parking: Free
Price Range: $12 - $25
Biggest Disappointment: Portion size
Good for: Drinks, networking, dinner, change of scenery, private parties (birthday, engagement, charity benefits etc.)
Bad for: Dancing
Randomness: None
Suggestions for Management: None
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