Baltimore, MD

On the last night of Restaurant Week (although I’ve heard that many restaurants continue the special menu throughout August) my fiance and I visited Spice Restaurant. We were welcomed by cheerful staff and seated in a romantic corner of the restaurant. The room was filled with candle light and soft, warm lighting from chandeliers. Large, cushioned booths line the room and there is a luxurious lounge in the center of the bar and restaurant.

The meal started with warm breads. For the appetizer, I had the House Salad with Shallot Vinaigrette and Toasted Almonds and my fiance had Crab Lauren with Colossal Blue Crab, Beets, Avocado in a Citrus Vinaigrette (he is much more adventurous than me). As an entree, I had the Roasted Eggplant, Tomato, Artichoke, Mushroom and Edamame with Quinoa Salad and my other half had New York Strip Steak and Gorgonzola- Rosemary Potatoes. We were both fully satisfied with our meals and my fiance even had room to finish off the last few bites of my meal. Finally, for dessert I enjoyed the chocolate cake (with mousse-filled layers and rich and dense frosting). My fiance relished the cheese cake, his all time favorite dessert. This is the perfect spot for anyone looking for a romantic spot for dinner or a place to have a comfortable and classy dinner with friends and family.

4 W. University Parkway
Inn at the Collonades
Baltimore, MD 21218
(410) 235-8200

dinner, food, The Spice Company, restaurant, Mt. Vernon, Restaurant Week, Baltimore, MD

On 95 degree days like today, a smoothie is especially needed, but you can always stop by Dogwood Deli if you are looking for a healthy, refreshing, and delicious treat. Although the smoothies are a little pricey, Dogwood doesn’t cut any corners and their smoothies are so filling they could be a meal. Although its a small place, the brightly colored tiles and tasty smells from the kitchen below make the deli an inviting and enjoyable place to visit. Dogwood also offers coffee, tea, ice cream, salads, sandwiches, and breakfast sandwiches and omelettes.

Here is a list of the smoothies:
Green Pit Bull
a highly nutritious meal in a glass with tons of parsley, one
banana, pineapple juice, almonds, sunflower seeds, sesame
seeds, flaxseed, soy milk, vanilla, and protein powder : $5.50
Chai-huahua
house-made, refreshing chai smoothie with soy milk, bananas,
honey, and the following fresh ground spices: cinnamon,
cardamom, coriander, cloves, and black pepper : $5.00
Dingo
a delicious carob peanut butter shake with soy milk,
bananas, peanut butter, carob powder, and vitamin c
powder : $5.00
Blue Lacy
an elegant, healthy blueberry shake with fresh blueberries
unsweetened organic applesauce, soy milk, no-fat blueberry
yogurt, and pumpkin seeds : $5.50
Canary Dog
a tropical delight made with pineapple juice, mango,
gingerroot, and banana : $5.00

Address:
911 W. 36th St.
Hampden
Baltimore, MD

Phone:
(410) 889-0952

smoothie, Hampden, Dogwood Deli, organic, all-natural, Baltimore, MD

Patterson Perk is the perfect place to stop before a stroll through Patterson Park across the street. Patterson Perk’s myspace page lists their coffee, tea, pastries, sandwiches and specialty drinks. An except from their myspace page illustrates their philosophy:

We are big supporters of the arts, and feature a monthly rotation of local art on our walls. Our coffee is organic, fair-trade, shade-grown and is roasted for us locally. If you would like to purchase a pound or two, please just ask! We don’t pre-bag because we want your coffee to be fresh. We make all our drinks and sandwiches to order- if there’s something you like or don’t like, please, tell us! Sit down, relax, read a book, and enjoy life & your coffee. We love ya, and really appreciate your business!

After you’ve picked up a coffee, venture across the street to walk around the pond and up the path to the Pagoda. If you’ve never seen the pagoda, you’ll be surprised and mystified by the size and unique beauty of this unexpected landmark. The view from the top of the pagoda is fantastic!

coffee, Patterson Park, Patterson Perk, myspace, fair-trade, organic, pastries, Pagoda

This Friday, August 3rd and the following Friday, August 10th, Baltimore Yoga Village is hosting Classical Sitar Player, Hasu Patel. The concerts begin at 7pm both Fridays at Baltimore Yoga Village (BYV). BYV describes the event below:

Hasu Patel plays with mastery of technique and with great soul and improvisation, as taught by her guru, the legend Sri Ustad Villayat Khan Saheb of India. She has played and composed all over the country at such venues as Woodstock, The Sivananda Ashrams, and coming soon the Symphony of Michigan. This is a once and a life time opportunity to hear her play in such an intimate setting. Cost $20. $15 for children and partipants of the Music of North India Course.

After attending Jan Seiden’s Native American Flute concert at BYV this past Friday, I will jump at every chance to attend future concerts at BYV’s close-knit, peaceful, and beautiful studio. Jan Seiden may be coming back to BYV in the Fall, so keep checking their website for Jan and other talented and unique musicians coming soon to BYV.

Baltimore Yoga Village
3000 Chestnut Ave., Suite 15
Baltimore, MD 21211
410-662-8626
yoga@baltimoreyogavillage.com

Hasu Patel, Sitar, Baltimore Yoga Village, concert, music, wellness, Jan Seiden

I just returned from yet another satisfying meal at Joe Squared. Of course, I ordered pizza. Joe Squared serves a thin crust, square pizza with fresh and unique toppings. The signature pizzas are innovative, but if you want to create your own pizza, you can be as traditional or creative as you like. Bottom line: fantastic pizza. Joe Squared also has appetizers (including alligator fritters), subs, salads, and numerous unique risottos. You can browse the menu here.

In addition to great food, Joe Square hosts art installations, various musical artists, and DJs. If you like to dance, there is a dance floor waiting for you. Check out the events here.

Hours: Everyday 4pm-2am
Address: 133 W. North Ave. (corner of Howard and North Ave)
Phone: 410-545-0444 (they deliver!)

pizza, Joe Squared, DJ, live music, art exhibits, Baltimore, MD

Red Emma’s describes itself as, “a worker-owned and collectively-managed bookstore and coffeehouse”. It is located at 800 St. Paul St. Walking into Red Emma’s is like no other bookstore and coffeehouse experience. The mission of the place is clear: read, explore, and act; and Red Emma’s provides the tools to do just that.

The first thing you see as you descend the stairs and push through the front door, are a line of internet-surfing patrons. Both times I’ve visited Red Emma’s there have been a few people at the counter ready to help with anything from a cup of coffee to finding a book. The menu is vegetarian and vegan friendly, and the coffee and espresso are fair trade and organic.

Red Emma’s also hosts events supporting groups such as the United Workers Association, the Underground Literacy Alliance, independent films, and many, many more social, literary, and arts organizations. This is a bookstore and coffeehouse that is much more than it seems at a glance. Red Emma’s is making a strong, positive impact on our community. Here are their plans for the future (from the Red Emma’s website):

As you may have heard, Red Emma’s is seriously considering moving to a new location, where we hope to be able to offer a much larger space for events as well as a greatly expanded menu with a vastly expanded amount of places to sit (not to mention the radical children’s activity corner, the expanded free computer lab, the cooperative produce purchasing pick up location, the activist conference room, the outdoor tables, and most importantly accessible entrances!)

But in order to make this dream a reality, we need your help. In order to take on a project of this magnitude, we need to raise about $50,000. If you can help us by making a donation(we’re happy to announce that it is now possible to make a tax-deductible contribution to the Red Emma’s project) or a long-term no-interest loan, or know of potential sources for funding for a project of this sort, please drop us a line at info@redemmas.org.

The next time you’re looking for a book, a cup of coffee, or a delicious meal, check out Red Emma’s. You’ll be fully satisfied and you’ll be supporting a place that is working to build a healthier Baltimore everyday. You can even check Red Emma’s inventory online by clicking here. Let us know what you think of your visit or past experiences by commenting here.

Address: 800 St. Paul St.Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: (410) 230-0450
Email: info@redemmas.org
Hours: Monday through Saturday from 10AM-10PM, and Sunday from 10AM-6PM
Weekly collective meetings: Sunday at 7PM (open to anyone interested in the project)

books, worker cooperative, Red Emma’s, Mt. Vernon, coffee, vegetarian, vegan, Baltimore, MD

Sherry Campbell has created a shop in a Hampden rowhouse that offers enchanting sounds, sights, and smells from around the world. Inspired Serenity is on The Avenue just across Chestnut St., at 720 W. 36th Street. The first time I walked into Inspired Serenity, Sherry offered me the choice of iced or hot, freshly brewed tea. She sells a variety of loose leaf and pyramid filter teas that I keep going back for. I especially enjoy the Lemon Chiffon Roiboos tea, but there are many more to choose from. I also enjoy sitting outside in the Zen Garden. Sherry has created a peaceful rock garden with a cool, shaded sitting area for capturing a peaceful moment during the day.

Inside the shop you’ll find: “home altars from India and Santa Fe; hand block-printed textiles for table and bed from a women’s cooperative in India; hand-painted furniture from Nepal, India and China; Japanese-style batik cotton robes from Bali; and hand-crafted jewelry from Lucy Finelli and Judy Hart”. I purchased one of Sherry’s elegant orchids as a unique gift paired with one of the beautiful hand-painted greeting cards from Bali. I also enjoy the hand-crafted Artimisia Blue Organic Lavender facial cream and Green Tea Toner every morning. There are many other Artimisia Blue Organics products at Inspired Serenity that will soothe your skin and your mind.

Upstairs, there are two massage therapists specializing in aromatherapy, deep-tissue, Swedish and Swe-Thai massage. The services and goods at Inspired Serenity will bring calm and joy to your life, even if you just stop in for a cup of tea and a few moments of peace in the Zen Garden.

Hours:

Tuesday through Thursday: 11 am to 6 pm
Friday and Saturday: 11 am to 7 pm
Sunday: 12 pm to 4 pm
Monday: Closed

Location:720 w. 36th st., Baltimore, MD 21211
Phone: 410-366-2636
Email: inspiredserenity@verizon.net

Inspired Serenity, massage, wellness, Hampden, Baltimore, MD, The Avenue, tea, furniture, textiles, orchids, hand-crafted, Zen Garden, shrines

Soups On is my favorite spot for lunch for many reasons, which include: its simple yet creative cuisine; the friendliest service in Baltimore; its convenient location on The Avenue in Hampden; and its continuously changing menu. After some rough calculations, I determined that I’ve probably eaten at Soups On about 200 times (and I’ve only lived in Baltimore for a little over a year)!

Cynthia Shea offers three soups and three salads everyday. Recently, she added “The Ultimate” Tuna Sandwich. My fiance is a die-hard tuna sandwich eater and he agrees that it is the world’s best. Usually, one salad and one soup are bumped out of rotation each day and thats why I keep going back for more! I usually go for the soup and salad combo, which is always accompanied by a piping hot, thick slice of a Bonaparte baguette. Plus, Cynthia, owner and chef, and Melissa always put a smile on my face. When they ask how I’m doing, they actually want to know!

As if all of that wasn’t enough, Cynthia has to-die-for cookies, brownie, lemon and lime squares, and other sweet treats from Rose’s Cookies. Iced coffee during Baltimore summers is a must, but we all know that ice cubes can turn a great cup of joe into a wattery dissapointment. Not Cynthia’s, though! She fills your cup with coffee ice cubes to make sure you enjoy your cool mid-day jolt to the last drop. There is also homemade iced tea, lemonade, and other juices to quench your thirst.

soup, hampden, Soups On, soup, salad, The Avenue, lunch, Baltimore, MD, restaurants, food

Friday, July 27 at 7:00 pm, Jan Seiden will be performing at Baltimore Yoga Village. Come with friends, family, or on your own to relax and enjoy the soothing and meditative sounds of the Native American flute.

Jan reflects on her work by writing: “The flute transcended age, cultural and religious boundaries. People were connecting with their own hearts and their deepest dreams. People were coming home to themselves.” The Baltimore Yoga Village is the perfect place to gather with your community and unwind this Friday. Hope to see you there!

You can learn more about Jan Seiden and listen to her music by clicking here.

Hampden, Baltimore Yoga Village, Jan Seiden, Native American Flute, Healing Sounds, music, Baltimore, MD

The Book Thing started in the back seat of Russell Wattenberg’s van. He was a bartender at the time and after hearing school teachers complaining about the book shortage in schools, he began buying books with his tip money. The idea caught on and soon the back seat of his van was filled with book donations. He was a travelling free book fair. In 1999, Wattenberg formed a nonprofit and housed his growing collection of free books in the basement of 3001 Vineyard Lane, near Johns Hopkins University.

Today, people walk out of “The Book Thing” with around 10,000 free books a week! If you have any books around the house or office that are dusty and lonely, think about giving them a new home through the Book Thing. Maybe you could use a gently used book or you know someone that would love more books, but can’t afford a trip to Barnes and Noble. The Book Thing is waiting to share its thousands of free books! It is open on the weekends from 9am-6pm, but donations are welcome 24 hours a day, every day. There are lots of volunteer opportunities too! Let us know what you take home from The Book Thing on your next (or first) visit.

books, The Book Thing, Baltimore, MD, donations, nonprofit, free, Charles Village, reading

John Waters is one of Baltimore’s most famous residents. He brought our city to the big screen in movies such as: Hairspray, Cry Baby, Pecker, Pink Flamingos, Serial Mom and many more. I watched the original Hairspray in my home in Hampden last night. Although Hairspray was first filmed twenty years ago, the kitch of Hampden and Baltimore pride still runs rampant. Unfortunately, the scenes filmed on North Avenue and the segregation in Baltimore are prevelant today as well.

Tomorrow night, John Waters, Amanda Bynes, Brittany Snow, Zac Efron, Elijah Kelley, Nikki Blonsky, director Adam Shankman, producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, are schedule to appear at the premiere of Hairspray at The Charles Theater. Following the premiere, The Tremont Grand will be hosting a Gala. The proceeds from the premiere and gala event will go to “AIDS Action Baltimore, Inc. (AAB) and the Downtown Partnership Foundation, non-profit organizations that provide services to people with HIV/AIDS and homeless people in the Baltimore area.”

I hope you’ll comment here and let us know what you think of Hairspray 2007.

Baltimore, Hampden, movies, Hairspray, John Waters, The Charles, Tremont Grand, gala, AIDS Action Baltimore Inc, Downtown Partnership Foundation

Have you always wanted to try out a restaurant in Baltimore, but haven’t wanted to cough up the change? Baltimore Restaurant Week is the perfect time to try out many of Baltimore’s best restaurants at an affordable price! Visit the website and you will find a list of participating restaurants and their fixed menus. Here are a few of the eighty restaurants involved:

b, Bolton Hill Bistro
Babalu Grill
Bicycle
Black Olive
Brass Elephant
Brewer’s Art
Café Promenade
Eden’s Lounge
George’s on
Mount Vernon Square
Grille 700
PAZO
Petit Louis Bistro
Prime Rib
Taste
Wine Market

I recommend making reservations. Restaurant week is July 30th-August 5. Enjoy!

Baltimore Restaurant Week, Baltimore, Maryland, food, restaurants

I’ve been practicing yoga at Baltimore Yoga Village for a few months and the studio is my home away from home. Yoga (on many levels) occupies every inch of the old converted mill, which is off of Chestnut Street, in Hampden. The ceilings are high, the studio is painted a warm yellow, and the hardwood floors are a blank canvas to fill with your hatha practice.

There are classes for beginners, intermediate, and advanced students of all ages. Yoga classes that are offered regularly include: Sivananda, Vinyasa, Ahimsa, Phoenix Rising, Tantra, Kundalini, Prenatal, and Itsy-Bitsy yoga. All of the classes have something different to offer and I recommend trying as many as possible. Not only does Baltimore Yoga Village have outstanding teachers, there are always new and exciting events happening.

One of the specials events in August includes:
Drum Talk with Moziah
Saturday, August 18th
Class Time: 1-3 pm

Moziah Saleem
A drumming workshop for all ages ~ children and adults learn the therapeutic quality of the drum. Moziah Saleem, African Percussionist, performs regularly in a reggae band, and brings his non-profit program, Drum Talk, to schools in the area. We are thrilled to offer this invigorating and educational workshop to Baltimore Yoga Village. Only $10 for adults/ $15 for adult with child.

Baltimore Yoga Village also offers bodywork, private yoga sessions, and many other services. I’ll be writing about different special events happening at Baltimore Yoga Village as they come closer, but you can always check for yourself!

Baltimore Yoga Village
3000 Chestnut Ave. Suite 15
Baltimore, MD 21211
410-662-8626
yoga@baltimoreyogavillage.com

yoga, Baltimore Yoga Village, wellness, Sivananda, Vinyasa, Ahimsa, Phoenix Rising, Tantra, Kundalini, Prenatal yoga, Itsy-Bitsy yoga, Moziah Saleem, events, services

While strolling down St. Paul St. the other day, my fiance and I noticed an ice cream shop on the first floor of an apartment building. The sign outside Dominion Ice Cream read, “Eat Your Vegetables Ice Cream”. In addition to being coffee lovers, we are also ice cream lovers, so we decided to venture inside.

The owner of the shop was behind the counter and she gave us samples of many different flavors, including: Yam, Green Tea, Carrot, Tomato, and Spinach! They were all creamy and sweet. The owner had worked on the recipe for a year and finally created vegetable ice creams that were delicious and retained all of their nutritional value.

After much debate, I chose a scoop of Yam and a scoop of Green Tea. My fiance chose a peanut butter shake. Both choices were fantastic. Plus, many of the flavors (all of the vegetable ones) are homemade! There are also a variety of traditional flavors and toppings. Stop in soon for a taste!

Hours: Monday - Saturday 12:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Closed Sundays

Winter Hours: Nov. 1 through April 30 - 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Closed Sundays

3120 St. Paul Street - Baltimore, MD 21218 in Charles Village

ice cream, charles village, vegetables, St. Paul St., food, health

There is so much that I have discovered about Baltimore since moving to the city. I will do my best to cover the countless tasty restaurants, special events, unique neighborhoods, and enriching wellness stores and centers. The event that I am highlighting today is Artscape, which takes place on the weekend of July 20th. You won’t want to miss one of Baltimore’s largest events of the year, plus its free!

Here are the logistical details: On Friday and Saturday the festival runs from noon-10pm and on Sunday from noon-8pm. I highly recommend taking the light rail if possible. Parking is tight and the University of Baltimore/Mt. Royal stop is in the middle of the festival, which is the 1200 block of Mount Royal Avenue, in the Bolton Hill neighborhood.

There is something for everyone at Artscape. Performances include everything from opera, to fashion shows, to dance, and everything in between. Families will enjoy the hands-on art activities, musical experiences, and animal education and projects. Every kind of art you could imagine is exhibited at the festival and there are gallery shows around every corner. I highly recommend visiting the Artscape website here to find what you would enjoy most. Not to mention, it is a chance to mingle with your community and eat some great food. Enjoy!

Baltimore, art, artscape