#16 - Fleet Street Kitchen and #15 Corner BYOB

In November we checked off #16, Fleet Street Kitchen.  It was a repeat visit for most of the group, but not for me!

The atmosphere was great, and the food delicious, however the portions small, and the prices high.

A blurb from the restaurant ... "The menu is an ever changing collection of seasonally inspired selections with a strong emphasis on locally sourced, ethically raised, sustainable ingredients. Many of these - including produce, eggs, pork, lamb, and beef - are grown nearby on Cunningham Farms, which is owned by the restaurant."

Here's what we got:

In December we tried #15 Corner BYOB from our list, now called, Corner Charcuterie Bar, in Hampden.

The atmosphere was funky and relaxed, yet classy, and the service was great.

We went a little early for Happy Hour and stayed for dinner (followed by a walk down 34th street to see the Christmas lights).

Unfortunately a handful of the items we were interested in ordering from the menu were not available, but all in all, everyone was very happy with what they did get, here's a glimpse:

   

#14 on our list is The Helmand, and #13 is Ouzo Bay, both of which we have been to before (see previous posts), so we'll be starting off the New Year with #12, Salt Tavern, in Upper Fells Point, and should complete the top 50 list before 2017 comes to an end! 

#17 Thames Street Oyster House

Our September Restaurant was #17 Thames Street Oyster House, located in Fells Point.  Sun Magazine claims that "Before Thames Street Oyster House came along in 2011, there was no place to send someone for decent seafood and a reliable raw bar near the waterfront in Fells Point.  Thames Street filled that niche, and went further by not pandering to notions of what a Baltimore seafood restaurant should be."

Our group agreed that the dishes were unique.  For the most part, what we ordered was delicious, but a couple of the dishes, while good, were not overly impressive.  Here's what we got:

While I would definitely go back for the food, and for the atmosphere, a few notes about reservations and service ...

This was the second or third time that I have tried to make reservations, and was again, unsuccessful.  The restaurant is on the smaller side, and they seem to book up well in advance.  The host I spoke to on the phone suggested we come anyway, and try out luck getting spots at the bar, or separating at two of their tables they don't reserve, so that's what we did.  Upon arrival, the hostesses were not very willing to work with us.  In the end we ended up splitting the group, three of us sitting at a table, and two of us sitting at the bar, which was not ideal, and while I understand every request cannot be catered to, pulling an extra chair up to a four person table seemed like an easy enough solution, but we were refused.  The bartenders and our waitress seemed more than willing to help, but were also held back by the hostesses.  Anyway, not the best impression, but to be fair, no accomodations were promised.

Next on our list is #16 Fleet Street Kitchen, stay tuned!

#18 Birroteca & #5 Jack's Bistro + Encantada

July was a month full of dining bliss!

We started off the month at #18, Birroteca, located off the beaten path in Hampden, right between Roosevelt and Druid Hill Parks.  Off the beaten path in Baltimore = parking lot, which is always a plus in my book!  I will also note that they have a location in Bel Air.

The building/atmosphere was casual, yet, sophisticated!  They have a bar area with high-top tables, a more formal dining area, and outdoor seating.

We started off with some delicious cocktails, beer, and wine from their lengthy list of offerings.

We also indulged in some tasty appetizers; shared and sampled by all!

Some were more adventurous with their dinner selections, and some could not resist the Artisan Pizza that Birroteca is known for.

No complaints!  Would definitely recommend this one!

In addition to our July Monday Meal, Restaurant week also kicked off in July, starting on the 22nd, and now actually extended through August 7th.

Our first restaurant week stop was brunch at Encantada for a friend's birthday.  Encantada is not on our list, but we had heard lots about it leading up to our brunch, so thought it was worth a review.  Encantada is located w/in the Visionary Arts museum, so while the atmosphere and the company was great, I am sorry to say, this was not one of our favorites.

Firstly, we were bummed to find out that either the whole table had to participate in the restaurant week offerings, or no one could.  Secondly, they offer a bottomless bloody mary/mimosa deal, but you have to stick with one or the other, you can not switch between the two ... odd, since the bottomless price for either is the same.  Thirdly, we were charged $25 for the restaurant week deal as opposed to the $20 advertised.

The food was interesting, and definitely different than typical brunch offerings, but while some in our group thoroughly enjoyed their meals, others were not overly impressed.

First course:

Everyone who ordered the Greek Yogurt Bowl received a different selection of fruit (this could be viewed as a + or - depending on the fruit you received).

Nashville Cauliflower, for brunch.

Brussels Sprouts for brunch.

Second Course:

Tofu Benedict

Chicken 'n' Toast.

Egg White Omelette

Third Course:

Raw Chocolate Cake

Chia Seed Pudding

Raw Carrot Cake

Service was extremely slow and unorganized.  Splitting the check was complicated.  Unfortunately would not recommend.

The second restaurant we tried for restaurant week was #5, Jack's Bistro ... as always, we try to knock out some of the highest-rated restaurants when there is a deal!

On first impression, Jack's bistro was small, and cramped, and hectic, and uncomfortably warm, however, the food blew us away, and on that note, I would highly recommend!  Jack's is located in Canton, but not right in the heart!  I don't think they usually take reservations, which can make getting in complicated, but they did accept reservations for restaurant week ... WIN!  Plus, since it was restaurant week, we got the most bang for our buck and got to try quite a selection of their offerings.

I think the pictures speak for themselves, so I'll leave you with that!

Course 1:

Hickory Smoked Tater Tots

Spicy Somboon Style New Zealand Green Lip Mussels

MAC + CHEESE + CHOCOLATE

Course 2:

Bohdi Dal

Malaysian Laksa

Lamb Pasta

Bistro Crab Cake

Course 3:

Apple + Cinnamon Bread Pudding

Apple + Cinnamon Cheesecake

Fried S'more

I think we'll take a break for the month of August, but will return to the list in September, most likely with #17 Thames Street Oyster House.