Melliedee's Baltimore Trip Report

melliedee · 11-01-2007

Howdy, peeps. Just a short report of my four night trip to Baltimore. I had a lot of fun exploring the city on my own. It was my second time there, but I saw many new sites.

First meal: Crab cakes, naturally. I’m not a huge seafood fan, but these were quite tasty. Round these parts crab cakes are mostly breading, in MD they are ALL crab. I ate at an outside table, great weather, at a little place on Pratt street called Luna del Sea Bistro.

The conference center was really close to the inner harbor area:

Cute little police carts.

I didn’t get a shot of it, but there were also all these life preserver stations encased in glass. I guess if someone jumped or fell in, you can pull the lever and throw them a life preserver? Cool. Such a novelty to us landlocked Ohioans.

Day two I went to The American Visionary Art Museum, which is a museum for self-taught artists with no formal art training. Wild and wonderful exhibits, and probably one of the coolest art museum gift shops I’ve ever been in. The statue of Divine didn’t come out (it was too dark and you were not supposed to take pics in the gallery, but the guard said I could!) Here are some pieces from the exterior buildings:

They had a special exhibit going on called “All Faiths Beautiful.” The whole museum was covered with postcards sent in by people all over the world with their thoughts, musings, and confessions about God. They ranged from the laugh out loud funny, to heartbreakingly sad to angry and shocking (some might say blasphemous). I was really glad I checked out this museum.

Okay, I’m gonna post this to see if I remembered how to upload photobucket the right way!

Kricket · 11-01-2007

Thanks Mel! I was wondering how your trip went.

Brent & Kim · 11-01-2007

No olives with the Peroni?

kayt707 · 11-01-2007

Great report! Those police carts are funny.

4wheeled · 11-01-2007

thumbs up! carry on.

love crab cakes too, but never know if it is real crab or not. hope the sauce with was spicy.

melliedee · 11-01-2007

Took a water taxi to Fell’s Point. Just a gorgeous area: brick lined streets, unusual shops, restaurants/bars galore and wonderful little alleyways and apartments.

I stopped in a brewpub called The Wharf Rat (just like a rathskellar!) They had a beer “sampler” for four bucks, so I ordered my choices. I used to work in a brewery and samplers are always small, maybe a few ounce glasses. Apparently, they are half pints at this joint! No complaints here…

Had a coconut shrimp appetizer at a roof top place. Very good, just not Playa Maya good. Sorry no pic. It is a laugh taking pictures of your food when traveling with friends, but when you are alone it makes you look like a bit of a freak! I could play it off as some food critic, except I don’t think they carry crappy throw away cameras…

Next day at the harbor and I came across one of my favorite treats, Italian ice. This one’s for you, Zoomba. I call it “Still Life with Raven’s Logo and Italian Ice.”

I was in the mood for a good old burger. “Five Guys” had a sign claiming “best burgers in Baltimore” so I gave it a shot. VERY good. Grilled edges, soft bun, and hand cut fries…

The last day I went in search of Edgar Allen Poe’s grave. Not a far walk from my hotel. The first shot is at the front of the church and is more of a monument. His actual grave is the smaller one at the back of the cemetery.

I love old cemeteries.

Last night in town I went in search of The Helmand restaurant, which serves authentic food from Afghanistan. Thank you, thank you, James for this recommendation. This was hands down the best meal I had. I love to try new ethnic foods and this place was just wonderful.

I opted to walk from the harbor against the advice from the hospitality folks at the conference who said it was too far. So glad I did, because Charles Street had lots of interesting sites along the way. I don’t get taking cabs everywhere? It was daylight when I set out, I never got a scary vibe from the city and walked almost everywhere.

On the way…

For an appetizer I ordered Vegetarian Aush Soup and this great flatbread. The soup was topped with fresh yogurt and mint.

I did not have a reservation and the place was packed, so I sat at the bar. The couple next to me (former teachers at the Peabody Institute!) told me some history of the restaurant and how all the locals loved it and the family. I ordered “Sabzy Challow” as an entrée. Really tender beef with sautéed spinach in “afghan spices.” So incredibly wonderful. This is meat Stew would have gone off about! It was so delicately and perfectly cooked with a side of cilantro sauce for the rice. YUM. (junky camera ran out, no pic!)

All in all, a great trip. Very nice folks in Baltimore and so much to see. Thanks to everyone who responded to my thread with your suggestions!

Sol · 11-01-2007

Mel,
Great start to your TR. I like the pictures of the birds. I hope that you had a good time on your trip.

EDIT: I posted my reply and then noticed the additional pictures. I really like old cemetaries too. I think tombstones in these are works of art. The food looks yummy!!

melliedee · 11-01-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brent & Kim

No olives with the Peroni?

I just discovered this beer. I love it! Are you supposed to drink it with olives?

Brent & Kim · 11-01-2007

Im not sure if your suppose to, but I do. Its great beer with a couple olives in the glass.

woodman · 11-01-2007

My niece just took a teaching job in baltimore(it's her first year teaching)we've been talking about going up,i believe we should.

redhairgirl1 · 11-01-2007

Great report mel

But what the hell is this? Looks like a huge bee's nest

**SunKneeMarie** · 11-01-2007

Is that why they're the Ravens? The Poe thing never dawned on me...

redhairgirl1 · 11-01-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by redhairgirl1

Great report mel

But what the hell is this? Looks like a huge bee's nest

I guess it would help if i posted the pic

jamesblonde · 11-01-2007

Great pics Mel..........did you meet up with Monica and Zoom???

ami · 11-01-2007

So did you like it? Isn't that where Johns Hopkins is? My husband was offered a residency there and I thought it'd be way too cold....a little dismal to live there. What'd you think?

11-01-2007	#1 (permalink)
melliedee añejo Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 26,620	Melliedee's Baltimore Trip Report Howdy, peeps. Just a short report of my four night trip to Baltimore. I had a lot of fun exploring the city on my own. It was my second time there, but I saw many new sites. First meal: Crab cakes, naturally. I’m not a huge seafood fan, but these were quite tasty. Round these parts crab cakes are mostly breading, in MD they are ALL crab. I ate at an outside table, great weather, at a little place on Pratt street called Luna del Sea Bistro. The conference center was really close to the inner harbor area: Cute little police carts. I didn’t get a shot of it, but there were also all these life preserver stations encased in glass. I guess if someone jumped or fell in, you can pull the lever and throw them a life preserver? Cool. Such a novelty to us landlocked Ohioans. Day two I went to The American Visionary Art Museum, which is a museum for self-taught artists with no formal art training. Wild and wonderful exhibits, and probably one of the coolest art museum gift shops I’ve ever been in. The statue of Divine didn’t come out (it was too dark and you were not supposed to take pics in the gallery, but the guard said I could!) Here are some pieces from the exterior buildings: They had a special exhibit going on called “All Faiths Beautiful.” The whole museum was covered with postcards sent in by people all over the world with their thoughts, musings, and confessions about God. They ranged from the laugh out loud funny, to heartbreakingly sad to angry and shocking (some might say blasphemous). I was really glad I checked out this museum. Okay, I’m gonna post this to see if I remembered how to upload photobucket the right way!

11-01-2007	#7 (permalink)
Sol añejo Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Gem State Posts: 16,176	Mel, Great start to your TR. I like the pictures of the birds. I hope that you had a good time on your trip. EDIT: I posted my reply and then noticed the additional pictures. I really like old cemetaries too. I think tombstones in these are works of art. The food looks yummy!! Last edited by Sol; 11-01-2007 at 09:45 PM..

11-01-2007	#10 (permalink)
woodman añejo Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: knockem stiff ohio Posts: 4,031	My niece just took a teaching job in baltimore(it's her first year teaching)we've been talking about going up,i believe we should. Last edited by woodman; 11-01-2007 at 10:28 PM..

11-01-2007	#2 (permalink)
Kricket añejo Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 3,785	Thanks Mel! I was wondering how your trip went.

11-01-2007	#3 (permalink)
Brent & Kim añejo Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Rockford, IL Posts: 10,336	No olives with the Peroni?

11-01-2007	#4 (permalink)
kayt707 añejo Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Alta Loma, Ca Posts: 6,404	Great report! Those police carts are funny.

11-01-2007	#5 (permalink)
4wheeled reposado Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,147	thumbs up! carry on. love crab cakes too, but never know if it is real crab or not. hope the sauce with was spicy.

11-01-2007	#6 (permalink)
melliedee añejo Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 26,620	Took a water taxi to Fell’s Point. Just a gorgeous area: brick lined streets, unusual shops, restaurants/bars galore and wonderful little alleyways and apartments. I stopped in a brewpub called The Wharf Rat (just like a rathskellar!) They had a beer “sampler” for four bucks, so I ordered my choices. I used to work in a brewery and samplers are always small, maybe a few ounce glasses. Apparently, they are half pints at this joint! No complaints here… Had a coconut shrimp appetizer at a roof top place. Very good, just not Playa Maya good. Sorry no pic. It is a laugh taking pictures of your food when traveling with friends, but when you are alone it makes you look like a bit of a freak! I could play it off as some food critic, except I don’t think they carry crappy throw away cameras… Next day at the harbor and I came across one of my favorite treats, Italian ice. This one’s for you, Zoomba. I call it “Still Life with Raven’s Logo and Italian Ice.” I was in the mood for a good old burger. “Five Guys” had a sign claiming “best burgers in Baltimore” so I gave it a shot. VERY good. Grilled edges, soft bun, and hand cut fries… The last day I went in search of Edgar Allen Poe’s grave. Not a far walk from my hotel. The first shot is at the front of the church and is more of a monument. His actual grave is the smaller one at the back of the cemetery. I love old cemeteries. Last night in town I went in search of The Helmand restaurant, which serves authentic food from Afghanistan. Thank you, thank you, James for this recommendation. This was hands down the best meal I had. I love to try new ethnic foods and this place was just wonderful. I opted to walk from the harbor against the advice from the hospitality folks at the conference who said it was too far. So glad I did, because Charles Street had lots of interesting sites along the way. I don’t get taking cabs everywhere? It was daylight when I set out, I never got a scary vibe from the city and walked almost everywhere. On the way… For an appetizer I ordered Vegetarian Aush Soup and this great flatbread. The soup was topped with fresh yogurt and mint. I did not have a reservation and the place was packed, so I sat at the bar. The couple next to me (former teachers at the Peabody Institute!) told me some history of the restaurant and how all the locals loved it and the family. I ordered “Sabzy Challow” as an entrée. Really tender beef with sautéed spinach in “afghan spices.” So incredibly wonderful. This is meat Stew would have gone off about! It was so delicately and perfectly cooked with a side of cilantro sauce for the rice. YUM. (junky camera ran out, no pic!) All in all, a great trip. Very nice folks in Baltimore and so much to see. Thanks to everyone who responded to my thread with your suggestions!

11-01-2007	#9 (permalink)
Brent & Kim añejo Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Rockford, IL Posts: 10,336	Im not sure if your suppose to, but I do. Its great beer with a couple olives in the glass.

11-01-2007	#11 (permalink)
redhairgirl1 añejo Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Grand Lake, Co Posts: 8,978	Great report mel But what the hell is this? Looks like a huge bee's nest

11-01-2007	#12 (permalink)
SunKneeMarie character encapsulator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 32,808	Is that why they're the Ravens? The Poe thing never dawned on me...

11-01-2007	#14 (permalink)
jamesblonde añejo Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: South of Seattle Posts: 8,253	Great pics Mel..........did you meet up with Monica and Zoom???

11-01-2007	#15 (permalink)
ami añejo Join Date: May 2003 Location: Houston Posts: 6,676	So did you like it? Isn't that where Johns Hopkins is? My husband was offered a residency there and I thought it'd be way too cold....a little dismal to live there. What'd you think?

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