Local Pie (8 W. Pennsylvania Ave.)

All of you avid bar-goers may have seen this restaurant just a few buildings down from B Lounge and Charles Village Pub and wondered what it is. Well, I’m here to end the mystery. The Local Pie, Towson’s new artisan pizza restaurant, is the real deal and here to stay.

The restaurant, located at 8 W. Pennsylvania Ave. took the place of the former Cuban restaurant, Havana Road. With an eye for locally sourced products, their menu is constantly changing depending on what’s in season. When I went last week, there were about a dozen different pizza choices and a couple of salad choices, all of which were as interesting and playful as the next.

The restaurant’s décor is clean and refined with white walls and framed pictures placed carefully around the room. Once inside, the menu and cashier are waiting to greet you and take your order. After a long deliberation, I decided I had to try two different pies. I went with the smashed meatball ($14) and the squash and tomato ($13). The smashed meatball pizza featured bison meatballs with house made mozzarella, tomato sauce and hot peppers and was definitely the highlight of the meal.

The Smashed Meatball Pizza. Photo taken by Taylor Seidel/TU Student.

The squash and tomato pizza, which was also good, had delicious oven dried tomatoes and a basil pesto sauce. We were also recommended the duck egg pizza ($13) with a fried egg on top, and a boar and bleu ($14) with braised boar bacon and an onion jam. These pizzas aren’t deep dishes or dough filled. They are thin and crispy 12-inch masterpieces.

The Local Pie is BYOB, so make sure to pick up a bottle of wine before dinner. Lisa Heckman and Peter Wood, former owners of Mt. Vernon’s Iggies, struck gold with this local artisan pizzeria.

Hope you all enjoy, as this new addition to the Towson community has satisfied the cravings of pizza lovers.

Until next time. I wish you GoodEats!

 

 

Edited by Jared Kurlander.

Pizza, Pizza and More Pizza

For this week’s edition of GoodEats, I’m going to do something a little different. Everyone is always asking me about pizza. Where do I find the best slice? What’s the best place In Towson? What toppings are the best? So, for this week I’m going to rattle off some of my favorite pizza joints in Towson.

I have to start off talking about Pasta Mista (822 Dulaney Valley Rd.) located right across from the Towson Town Center in the Dulaney Plaza Shopping Center. This Towson University staple is one of my favorite joints. With over 10 different specialty pizzas and the option to make your own (available by the slice or the whole pizza), Pasta Mista is a go-to for a quick slice. My favorites are: the chicken parmesan, white veggie with fresh veggies and a blend of mozzarella and parmesan cheese, and lastly the spaghetti slice stuffed with pasta, tomato sauce and cheese. If you aren’t in the mood for pizza, Pasta Mista has other options including salads, subs, pasta dishes and calzones.

Chicken Parm Pizza. Photo taken by Taylor Seidel/TU Student.

Next is a restaurant I wrote about not too long ago regarding their Cajun flare. Tooloulou (529 E. Belvedere Ave.) located in Belvedere Square takes a different spin on their pizzas. Pizzas with interesting toppings, pairings and flavor combinations are what you’ll find at Tooloulou. Try the Tooloulou ($14) with a white sauce, crab, Andouille sausage, banana peppers, mozzarella and Old Bay. Another interesting specialty is the smoked duck ($15) with a house smoked duck, caramelized onion, sweet peppers, goat cheese and a balsamic reduction. Pizzas are only sold whole (12 inches). The menu includes specialty pizzas, a daily special and the option to create your own pizza from their fresh ingredients. Tooloulou also features sandwiches, po’boys and salads.

Tooloulou’s Market Pizza. Photo taken from Tooloulou Instagram.

Earth, Wood and Fire (1407 Clarkview Road) is my last suggestion. Earth, Wood and Fire cook all of their pizzas in a wood oven, giving the pizza a distinct charred taste. The wood fire also makes way for some crunchy crust. Give the white pizza ($14) a try, with four different types of cheese, garlic and olive oil. Another one of their specialties is the scampi ($15), which has shrimp, a blend of three different cheeses, garlic and olive oil. Earth, Wood and Fire also features sandwiches, salads and small plates (you have to try the wings as well).

White Pizza from Earth Wood & Fire. Photo taken by Taylor Seidel/TU Student.

Other honorable mentions include Fortunado Brothers Pizza (6374 York Road) and Italian Gardens (814 Kenilworth Drive).

 

Hopefully next time you’re looking for a great slice in the area this list can come in handy. Until next time, I wish you GoodEats!

 

 

Edited by Jared Kurlander.

Harvest of Hope Gala

On Nov. 8, Court Appointed Special Advocates of Baltimore County hosted their 11^th annual Harvest of Hope Gala at the Sheraton Baltimore North Hotel in Towson.

CASA trains and deploys volunteer advocates who serve one-on-one with children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect and are involved in court proceedings. CASA’s vision is to provide trained supported volunteers for every child involved in abuse and neglect proceedings in need of an advocate.

The Gala was held in the main ballroom at the Sheraton. Once inside the ballroom and checked in, I was amazed by the beauty of the set up. There was very elegant table settings set up throughout the ballroom with items being auctioned off around the back walls. The focal point was around a massive stage situated in the front with a projector to one side and a three-piece band to the other.

Front stage and display. Photo by Taylor Seidel/TU Student.

The silent auction items included everything from sports memorabilia, wineries, jewelry and everything in between. The items were broken down into four different tables, almost categorizing them. Featured was jewelry from Smyth Jewelers, Family Fun Day (Including tickets to dinner, a show and dessert), and one-day passes to Disney World, and tons of sporting tickets and memorabilia. Additionally, the event featured a live auction. All proceeds benefitted the organization directly.

Some of the items available through the silent auction. Photo by Taylor Seidel/TU Student.

One of the Gala’s guests bidding on an auction item. Photo by Taylor Seidel/TU Student.

Todd Simon and his ensemble was the entertainment of the night. Simon, a keyboardist native to the Baltimore area, was a part of the United States Naval Academy Band. The band was perfect and gave the perfect backdrop to the event.

Todd Simon and his 3 piece ensemble. Photo by Taylor Seidel/TU Student.

Associate Judge Paul J. Hanley was the event’s keynote speaker. Judge Hanley, a Baltimore County 3^rd Judicial Circuit Court judge, has heard hundreds of CASA cases. He has always given the children a sense of dignity and privacy during their court hearings (quote taken from Harvest of Hope Gala Program). His personal experiences and testimonial set the mood for the event.

The menu for the sit-down dinner was exquisite. Guests started off with a garden salad. The main course included chicken breast stuffed with crabmeat and a smoked tomato beurre blanc (emulsified butter based sauce) served with seasonal vegetables and potatoes. Dinners ended with a chocolate mousse cake.

The formal table setting. Photo by Taylor Seidel/TU Student.

In all, the event was a spectacle in itself. CASA is a great organization raising money for a truly amazing cause. If you were unable to make the event please look into making a donation.

Harvest of Hope Gala Program. Photo by Taylor Seidel/TU Student.

Until next time. I wish you GoodEats!

Edited by Jared Kurlander.

Cunningham’s (1 Olympic Place)

This past Thursday, a few friends and I decided to try a nicer restaurant for one of our friend’s birthday. The choice was easy: Cunningham’s. Cunningham’s is relatively new to the Towson area and adds a more upscale feel to the community.

Located right off of York Road accessible from the roundabout, the restaurant is easily spotted from the street. The restaurant is beautiful, with a huge dining room and an open kitchen giving the diner a sneak peak at the magic. Cunningham’s menu is full of farm favorites, featuring menu items picked at the peak of their flavor, freshness and nutritional content.

The menu is broken down into four different main sections: table, appetizers, entrees and sides. Our waiter suggested the housemade charcuterie ($15), which features fresh cured meats and cheeses served to share. The Steak Tartare ($12) was unanimously decided by the table. The dish featured a tartare with chimichuri, quail egg and burgundy truffle, served with a few kettle chips to bring it all together. It was exquisite. Our table also tried the Pork Belly and Shrimp Dumplings (light dumplings with a salsa verde dipping sauce) ($9). These were by far the best starter. I also highly recommend taking a look at the flatbreads, they are huge and plenty to share. We went with a Housemade Chorizo ($12), featuring pickled shallots, grilled scallions and mozzarella.

Choosing a main course at a fancier restaurant is always tough. Cunningham’s entrée menu was refined and all looked delicious. The big decision was meat or fish. I personally like to try something a little different so the decision was between the Pan Roasted Halibut ($27) and Pan Seared Rockfish ($27). With some help from our server I went with the rockfish, which had a tomato, zucchini and squash puree served beneath it. The fish was tender, yet still had a perfectly crispy and seared skin. One of my friends treated himself to the 16oz Creekstone Farm Strip Steak ($42). It was a masterpiece, with huge strips of perfectly juicy meat fanned across a plate. Going a different route, my other friend tried the 14 oz. Pork Chop ($28) and was pleasantly surprised by the flavorful meat.

Pan Seared Rockfish. Photo by Taylor Seidel/ TU Student.

Cunningham’s also features a café/bakery around back, which serves breakfast sandwiches and breads, along with lunches. They also feature a full assortment of coffee and espresso drinks. The café is only open until 5 p.m. on weekdays and 3 p.m. on weekends.

Cunningham’s also features a Sunday brunch prix fixe menu for $30 a person. Additionally, they feature a weekly happy hour from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, a half-price wine night on Tuesdays and Neighborhood Night on Sundays that has 20 percent off entrees and bottles of wine.

Whatever your reason for visiting Cunningham’s it’s sure to include some incredible food and fantastic service.

Until next time. I wish you GoodEats!

My friends and I enjoying Cunningham’s. Photo by Taylor Seidel/ TU Student.

 

 

—Edited by Jared Kurlander.

Taste of Towson

This past Thursday, September 21, I had the pleasure of being invited to the 4^th annual, Taste of Towson. The event was put on by the Towson Commerce and at SECU Arena in Towson University. I didn’t know what to really expect except that there would be dozens of local restaurants featuring their specialty dishes. Little to my knowledge, it was a lot more than that.

As I walked into the beautiful new arena, the sights and smells flooding my senses were delicious. I checked in and received my press pass and the only thing I could think of was which booth to go to first.

I started my Taste of Towson at McFaul’s Ironhorse Tavern (2260 Cromwell Bridge Road). I was greeted by a warm smell and sensational flavors. They featured a creamy risotto topped with a seared scallop and micro-greens. It was delicious. I then proceeded on to Towson Tavern (516 York Road), a favorite of mine. Towson Tavern featured a juicy pork slider with an interesting creamy sauce. Now, two plates into the restaurant crawl I had to change it up and get something sweet. La Cakerie (11 W. Allegheny Ave.) had a stunning display of arranged cupcakes. As my friends know, I’m quite the chocolate fiend. I had to go with the chocolate on chocolate cupcake. It was heavenly.

The cupcake tower presented by La Cakerie. Photo by: Taylor Seidel/TU student.

Seared scallop. Photo by: Taylor Seidel/TU student.

After a few deep breaths, I ventured onwards. The next stop had to be Cunningham’s (1 Olympic Place). Lucky for me, they were featuring dessert, too. On the menu were a succulent meatball and a salted caramel chocolate dessert, which was unbelievable. This was my favorite bite of the night, by far.

The pasty chef and chef of Cunninghams. Photo by: Taylor Seidel/TU student.

Some other honorable mentions have to be the meatball slider from Charles Village Pub (19 W Pennsylvania Ave.), the bruschetta from Seven West (7 W. Chesapeake Ave.), and the tacos from El Cuervo Taqueria (W. Chesapeake Ave.).

Bruschetta platter from 7West. Photo by: Taylor Seidel/TU student

A few of Towson’s favorites were also featured at the event: Greene Turtle, Hooters, Bahama Breeze, Seasons Pizza and Jake’s New York Deli. All of the restaurants featured their respective specialties.

Surprisingly, Bright Side Manor, a local retirement community, had a delectable menu and an interesting take. Similarly, the Sheraton Hotel in Towson also had a surprisingly delicious choice of food. The Sheraton featured a cold gazpacho soup and a spicy crab and avocado salad.

Towson Commerce put on a spectacular event. There were more than 300 people and 27 local vendors. Events like these are great because they open the communities’ eyes to great restaurants right around the area. The event was a huge success in my eyes and I’m so happy to have been able to cover it.

 

I hope you all try one of these restaurants! Enjoy!

 

Please follow me on Instagram at GoodEatsMD!

 

Until next time. I wish you GoodEats.

 

 

 

Edited by Jared Kurlander.

Michael’s Cafe (2119 York Road)

Being a newly turned 21-year-old college student, happy hour is something to look forward to. The problem is, Towson University doesn’t have a close-by bar that has great food and great drink specials. Well ladies and gentleman, I am pleased to announce that Michael’s Café is your answer. Having enjoyed this restaurant three separate times, it is safe to say it deserves a spot on my list of GoodEats.

A short 10-minute drive down York Road from campus is what separates you from delicious house prepared menu items. As said before, I am a big fan of happy hour (3 p.m. to 7 p.m.); a restaurant puts together a great menu for discounted prices, what’s not to like about that? Michael’s is no different. They strategically break up their happy hour menu into three different price ranges ($6, $7, and $8). Not only are they cheap, but they also are filling and just plain good.

The happy hour menu includes all different types of food selections. I highly recommend the crab nachos ($8), topped with huge lumps of crabmeat and melted cheese. Also, the Jalapeno Shrimp Ceviche ($8), a perfect blend of acidic and spicy notes. Lastly, I have to highlight the Pulled Pork Tacos ($7), which are just as big in size as they are in flavor.

Now, here is the kicker: Michael’s also has unbelievable lunch and dinner entrees, and brunch (you have to try it once). A few of my now all-time favorites are the Shrimp, Tomato, and Feta Salad ($13.50). The chef stacks the three ingredients, topping it all with light vinaigrette, which is extremely light and refreshing. The Chicken Marsala ($16) is fantastic, sautéed with mushrooms and a tangy marsala sauce. Lastly, being a raw bar, you have to give some credit to the delicious oysters on a half shell ($2 each). The seafood is native to the areas around Maryland and they are deliciously fresh.

If the happy hour and regular menu don’t get you running to your cars to come to Michael’s, then the near-perfect ambiance of a beautiful dining room or enclosed patio/bar should. The food and décor combine for a pleasant dining experience. Please also check out their daily specials. They are amazing!

Hope you all enjoy!

Until next time. I wish you GoodEats!

This has been an amazing 7 months, thanks for all the support!

Shrimp, Tomato and Feta Salad

Crab Nachos

Edited by Jared Kurlander.

Burger Bros (14 Allegheny Ave)

With school rapidly approaching, I thought it was only right to write about one of my absolute Towson favorites. This next installment of GoodEats features a real deal burger spot cranking sandwiches out by the boatload. This restaurant is Burger Bros, located off of Allegheny Avenue, situated right next to the breakfast haven Towson Hot Bagels that us Towson students religiously eat on the weekends. The restaurant may be tiny in size, but the food is for real.

The restaurant’s layout includes a few tables and a counter with a dual job: to help the customer order a burger masterpiece and to house the kitchen responsible for that masterpiece. The menu is surprisingly extensive for a burger joint, including everything from sandwiches, to salads, to side dishes, to specialty drinks.

The amazing thing about a made-to-order burger restaurant is that you have all the power to create and customize what you want. They give you the base and you can add on whatever toppings and sauces to build the best burger.

I would have to recommend starting off with one of their classic 6-ounce hand-patted burgers, or if you are trying to be a little healthier, go with the turkey burger (it is juicy and flavorful, plus you won’t feel as bad about the nutrition). Now, if you really want to try something a little different, go with the crispy buffalo chicken sandwich customized to your liking.

In my mind, nothing goes better with burgers than a side of fries, or in Burger Bros case, “spuds”. These beauties are hand cut and prepared fresh daily. They are the perfect type of fries, which are both crispy and perfectly salty.

The kicker, when it comes to Burger Bros, is that they offer half-off a sandwich and drink every Sunday (from open until 4, I believe) for Towson students when school is in session. You can’t beat that!

So, next time you’re craving a juicy, flavorful burger try Burger Bros.

The average sandwich (burger or chicken) costs between $5-$7. Fries and onion rings will run you $2-$6 for their different sizes, and up to $12 for the monster buckets.

Until next time. I wish you GoodEats!

Can’t get enough of GoodEats? Follow me on Instagram @GoodEatsMD.

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Earth, Wood & Fire (1407 Clarkview Road)

The next restaurant I had the pleasure of enjoying was Earth, Wood & Fire. Located on a side street right off of Falls Road in Towson, it’s hard to miss it. Just look for the Princeton Sports Store and you’ll find the restaurant across the street.

The décor is extremely chic, filled with high ceilings and wooden tables throughout the space, with a open kitchen in front. The restaurant is perfumed with the rustic smell of wood burning from the open flame in the kitchen.

The menu is pretty extensive for a pizza shop, but everything is exceptional. Try the wings, a buffalo-esque dry rubbed order cooked in the open fire. They were suggested to me by my waitress and were delicious. The burgers, hand-packed and cooked to perfection, were surprisingly good as well.

But let’s cut to the main deal though: the pizza. You start with your choice of crust, either whole wheat or plain. The hard part comes when selecting toppings. Their specialty and suggested pizzas all sound amazing. I had to go with one of my personal favorites, the infamous white pizza. A traditional olive oil and garlic base, topped with mozzarella, provolone cheese and dollops of ricotta. It was scrumptious, all starting with the crispy thin crust and accented by a smoky coal-fired cooking process. The Pesto pizza was also scarfed down, featuring pesto sauce, garlic chicken and fresh mozzarella cheese.

Earth, Wood & Fire was delicious and a true GoodEat. I hope you all enjoy.

Pizza prices were between $11 and $18 depending on topics and size (10’’ or 14,’’ respecitvely)

Sandwiches and Burgers were no more than $15.

If you love Goodeats, please follow my Twitter and Instagram accounts at GoodEatsMD.

Until next time. I wish you GoodEats!

White Pizza

Edited by Jared Kurlander.

Spice & Dice (1220 E. Joppa Rd)

The next GoodEats spot is a restaurant I stumbled upon via the Zagat website. For all you who don’t know, Zagat is a rating system for restaurants in the Baltimore area and others, that highlights the best attributes. This restaurant I had the pleasure of indulging in scored exceptionally high in all areas (décor, food, service, etc.). So, without further adieu, the restaurant you all are hopefully as interested in as I was: Spice & Dice. This powerhouse is located in a strip mall right off of East Joppa Road.

The restaurant’s décor is just as playful and interesting as the food. Colorful tables and chairs fill the entirety of the dining room. Once seated, you’re greeted by a staff member as eager and excited for you to enjoy this cuisine as you are. A few recommendations and suggestions later, I felt like I had an understanding of the menu.

Spice & Dice prides itself on serving authentic and home cooked Thai meals from family recipes. I’m pleased to say I wasn’t disappointed.

For an appetizer, a friend and I chose to split the Chicken Satay: warm pieces of grilled chicken served on a skewer with a delightful peanut dipping sauce. The waitress also suggested the calamari and the lemongrass soup.

The hard part was choosing a main course from all of the selections. After another suggestion from my waitress, I went with the Cashew Chicken with Pineapple. Let me tell you, it was unbelievable. Think of a delicious lightly fried piece of chicken with a tangy sauce and chunks of pineapples, and cashews to round it out. Out of this world! My friend decided to go with the traditional Pad Thai, which are rice noodles fried in a wok with eggs, scallions, bean sprouts and topped with peanuts. The dish was a true taste of Thai food with a nice Spice & Dice twist.

The food and service were exceptional, and topping it all off was how reasonable the prices were for the huge portions. The main courses ranged from $11 to $18 depending on your choice of meat.

I would go out of my way to enjoy this restaurant. Lucky enough for all of my friends here at Towson University, it is just a short five-minute drive from the campus. Please enjoy everyone!

Until next time. I wish you GoodEats!

 

Cashew Chicken with Pineapple

Chicken Satay served with a peanut sauce and cucumber salad

 

 

Edited by Jared Kurlander.

Bread and Circuses Bistro (401 Delaware Avenue)

Among the list of GoodEats, comes the quaint bistro tucked away in uptown Towson.  Bread and Circuses Bistro is located off of Delaware Avenue easily accessible from York Road.  Known for their contemporary American cuisine and 1920s-esque décor, this is a restaurant to definitely try.

This quirkily designed restaurant has a full-service bar accompanied by a slender table filled dining room.  Each table is placed close together with white tablecloths and a candle to light the dim dining room.  Plastered on the walls are modern and historic paintings highlighting Baltimore, illuminated by the array of Christmas lights dangling from the ceiling.

The menu is extensive and constantly changes throughout the day.  Bread and Circuses offers three different menus for brunch, lunch and dinner.  In addition, to the regular menu be sure to check out the daily specials whipped up daily by the head chef.

I highly recommend one of the salads all made with fresh ingredients and topped with your choice of protein.  Any of the sandwiches are beautifully crafted and create a perfect balance for you to indulge in.  Ultimately, whatever your fancy, you are more than likely going to love your choice.

The décor, food and extremely pleasant staff is a recipe for success.  Bread and Circuses was definitely a GoodEat.

Until next time.  I wish you GoodEats!

A warm dip featuring: crab, shrimp, scallops, tomato, corn and cheese. Accompanied by warm pita and veggies.

Steamed mussels in a garlic and white wine sauce.

Edited by Jared Kurlander.