Dining Out

by Lynn Williams
maindish@baltimoreguide.com

Zen West Roadside Cantina, The Texas ex-pat in me likes to imagine that Zen West gets its name from the fact that a perfectly-made tamale can send the Tex-Mex lover straight to Nirvana.

The reality is more prosaic: the restaurant shares ownership with Café Zen, an Asian restaurant on the same block near Belvedere Square. But who could blame us for seeking a little inner peace, especially if it comes with a side of guacamole?

Gourmet food fast
by Celeste H. Breitenbach
news@timesheraldnews.com

What could be better to take the chill off a brisk autumn day than a bowl of good hot soup? Don’t have the time nor inclination to cook up a steaming potful on your own stove?

A variety of good as – or even better than – homemade in your own kitchen soups can be found right in our own neighborhood at Soup’s On, 9533 Belair Rd. A gal pal

New owner, but same style
by Celeste H. Breitenbach
news@timesheraldnews.com

Had to be there when my friend Eddie Applefeld invited us to celebrate the 70th birthday of Velleggia’s in Little Italy.

Although the venerable Italian restaurant at 829 E. Pratt St. has a new facade, it still offers the quality cuisine that Baltimore has been enjoying consistantly over the years.

Who of a certain age doesn’t remember prom nights or special dances and dates celebrated by going to

by Celeste H. Breitenbach
news@timesheraldnews.com

It’s nothing fancy, but if it’s just plain ol’ good cooking you’re after then Fullerton Pub at 8027 Belair Rd. just south of Putty Hill Avenue is the place to go.

Rosedale residents Buzz and Tina Bussard took over the kitchen in March and are turning out dishes just like your grandma did. And that means we found good food and plenty of it when we ate in the downstairs dining room this past

by Celeste H. Breitenbach

China Delight at 9613 Harford Rd. in the Carney Village Shopping Center actually is a delightful place to enjoy a meal. Set close by the Mars food store, the little restaurant’s interior is brightened by the attractive chairs in the room’s center. Booths line the far perimeter. The walls are undecorated.
Almost immediately, our pleasant server Wah Wah, who efficiently attended us throughout our stay, had a bowl of noodles and plates of accompanying sauces

by Celeste H. Breitenbach
news@timesheraldnews.com

Parkville American Legion has resumed
its monthly chicken dinners at the Post
Home, 2301 Putty Hill Ave. between Old
Harford Road and Perring Parkway.
Get together with your friends or go
alone and share a table. You’ll probably
find someone you know from church, the
neighborhood or even your distant past.
You never know who you’ll see there. It’s

by Celeste H. Breitenbach
news@timesheraldnews.com

We almost thought we’d mistakingly gone to Grand Central Station the evening we ate at Pasta Mista, at 822 Dulaney Valley Road across from the Towson Mall. The crowd just kept coming and going.

I’d been told that the food is really good and not to be turned off because the place really is a carryout with a few tables. We were fortunate enough to secure one of those highly-sought-after tables that emptied just

by Celeste H. Breitenbach
by Celeste H. Breitenbach
news@timesheraldnews.com

From the outside, JJ’s Everyday Café at 2141 York Rd. (across from the Timonium Fairgrounds next to the former Ames store) looks like an everyday carryout. But don’t let looks deceive you.

Inside is a charming two-room cafe with tasteful prints on the walls and tables covered with attractive oilcloths. There’s even a cute gift shop. Fellow diners the night we were there could best be described as preppy.

by Celeste H. Breitenbach
news@timesheraldnews.com

Heard good things about the steak and lobster specials, so drove over to Neptune’s Bar and Grille, located at 1528 Old Eastern Ave. on what old-time Baltimoreans know as Josenhan’s Corner in Essex.

However, we picked the wrong night. The $11.95 specials on 18-20 oz. Prime Rib or 5 oz. Lobster Tail stuffed with Crab Imperial are offered on Tuesdays. We went on Wednesday.

Good news – the night for steak lovers is

by Celeste H. Breitenbach
news@timesheraldnews.com

On a visit to Patrick’s of Cockeysville in the Cranbrook Shopping Center (550 Cranbrook Rd.) to check out how the longtime favorite restaurant is doing since it came under new ownership, we discovered a place to which we’ll gladly return.

Patrick’s retains its three-room configuration of pub, casual and up-scale dining areas. We chose the casual and found that many diners arrived dressed in bermuda shorts.

The up-scale menu also is offered in this

by Celeste H. Breitenbach
news@timesheraldnews.com

Ladies who lunch love Gertrude’s at the Baltimore Museum of Art for the triple treat it offers. In fact, it isn’t just the ladies who enjoy the popular elegantly casual restaurant.

My friend and I lunched there last week as a prelude to taking in the Rodin exhibit and other art offered at the BMA.

The triple treat included a superb lunch and the opportunity to walk off all the calories while viewing

by Celeste H. Breitenbach
news@timesheraldnews.com

Although Bonefish Grill in the newly rehabbed old Harford Mall at 696 J. Belair Rd. in Bel Air had been open only four days, when we arrived last Thursday evening nearly every seat was occupied.

As an intro by the Florida chain into our area, we’d been invited to a media preview.
Members of the press were segregated to a set-aside section at community tables in the bar area.

KT introduced herself and

by Celeste H. Breitenbach
news@timesheraldnews.com

Ocean Pride at 153 York Rd. in Lutherville was crowded when we entered last Thursday. In fact, we pulled into the last slot on the parking lot. Almost everyone obviously was enjoying the mounds of steamed crabs heaped on the tables.

But we were there to write a restaurant review and that means bypassing Maryland’s favorite crustacean for the menu listings. Offered are: Soup & Salad, Appetizers, Steam & Raw Bar, Over Stuffed

by Celeste H. Breitenbach
news@timesheraldnews.com

For a meal deal that’s a real steal, drive out to the IOOF (International Order of Odd Fellows) Bethany Lodge at 12210 Long Green Pike, Glen Arm on the 2nd Saturday of every month for their Spaghetti Dinner from 5 to 7:30 p.m. and on the last Sunday of every month from 9 to noon for Breakfast.

Since 1994, IOOF members have personally prepared both meals. Cost is $8 for All-You-Can-Eat.

For the 2nd

by Celeste H. Breitenbach
news@timesheraldnews.com

Owned and operated by an Italian Family since 1979, Mamma Lucia Italian Ristorante in Perring Plaza at 1991 E. Joppa Rd. is a neighborhood place that gives a feeling of enjoying “la dolce vita” while dining in “bella Italia.”
Cordially greeted by host/owner Fausto at the recently installed bar just inside the front door, we ordered a glass of Merlot ($4) for me and a Bud Draft ($2.50) for my friend before pondering

by Celeste H. Breitenbach
news@timesheraldnews.com

Seeking a spot on the shore on a sweltering summer’s eve, we sauntered down to Dock of the Bay at 9025 Cuckhold Point Rd. on Miller’s Island.

We went early to be assured of a seat on the deck. However, just as we arrived so did a rain cloud, which ruined those plans. Our early arrival did, however, let us claim a choice window seat with a view of the Craighill Light just beyond

by Celeste H. Breitenbach
news@timesheraldnews.com

Hmm, what are Aromatic Spareribs, my friend wondered aloud as we entered Szechuan House at 1427 York Rd. and saw them listed as the Special of the Day at $12.95.

We were barely seated in a comfortable booth with menus in hand when a pot of hot tea and a plate of noodles with two bowls of dipping sauces were set before us.

When he asked Nancy, our very pleasant Asian server, about the

by Celeste H. Breitenbach
news@timesheraldnews.com

For ambiance, it doesn’t get much better on a summer evening than to catch the scant breeze on a deck overlooking the water. River Watch Restaurant and Marina, at 207 Nanticoke Rd. in Middle River, supplies just such a scenario and that’s where we found ourselves on a recent sweltering Wednesday.
While sipping cooling Gin and Tonics ($7.50 for 2), we enjoyed watching the mallards swimming just off the dock as we looked

by Celeste H. Breitenbach
news@timesheraldnews.com

Basically a crab house, Kahler’s Seafood Restaurant at 8036 Philadelphia Rd. in Rosedale also offers a variety of platters, sandwiches, soup and salads.

When we had supper there last week, we were the only patrons in the crowded dining room without a pile of Maryland’s favorite crustacean on our table. The outside deck also was filled with crab aficionados along with their individual coolers of bottled brew (Kahler’s is BYOB).

CRABS are the focus

by Celeste H. Breitenbach
news@timesheraldnews.com

Everything about Christopher-Daniel Restaurant combines to serve up a relaxing and special dining experience. Located at 106 W. Padonia Rd. in Timonium, it offers subdued lighting and flickering candles with a background of soft jazz and Golden Oldies.
As soon as we were settled into a comfortable booth, our pleasant and efficient server Holly had a serving of bread sticks and slices set before us to dip into a mildly flavored oil.