Page 10 - Baltimore LGBTQ 2018 Visitors Guide

DELICIOUS BALTIMORE

BAR VASQUEZ
BALTIMORE WELCOMES CULTURES FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE with its expanding culinary scene. Take your palate on an international journey with this guide to worldly dining in Baltimore. Think of the travel time you’ll save!
Italy (miles saved: 4,452): Baltimoreans have enjoyed a long love affair with the city’s Italian restaurants. With its cozy, real- neighborhood feel, historic Little Italy is the destination for a wide range
of Italian fare. Beyond Little Italy, there are exceptional Italian dining experiences at the modern Italian mecca Cinghiale in Harbor East and at Cosima, which serves Sicilian and Southern Italian fare in a breathtaking setting along the Jones Falls.
France/Basque (miles saved: 3,858): Traditional French bistro
fare is elevated
to perfection at
Petit Louis Bistro
in Roland Park, while
French Kitchen in the
Inner Harbor takes a more contemporary approach to this classic cuisine. Located in historic Woodberry, La Cuchara pays culinary tribute to the Basque region, which spans the borders of France and Spain, inspiring diners with dishes like Parisian gnocchi or charred octopus with chorizo.
Greece (miles saved: 4,963): Greektown remains the home
for old-school Greek cuisine. But contemporary Greek restaurants have surfaced on the shores of the Inner Harbor. With bronzino from Patras and a kalitsounia recipe from Crete, each authentic dish at Ouzo
Bay in Harbor East is served with nostalgia, along with one of the most extensive Ouzo selections on the East Coast. At Twist in Fell’s Point, executive chef Jose Molina brings personal to the plate as he marries his Hispanic and American influences to his time spent in Greece and the eastern Mediterranean.
Latin America (miles saved: 2,222): Points South Latin Kitchen serves handcrafted cocktails with fresh herbs and Latin American cuisine that’s earned top ratings in Fell’s Point.
Plus the restaurant’s weekly drag queen brunch and drag queen bingo are local favorites. Stroll along the cobblestone to Papi’s Tacos, inspired by the antojitos of Mexican street food trucks, carts and markets. Or enjoy Mexican-inspired dishes along the water at Barcocina, served to share. Take a trip to an Argentinian table at Bar Vasquez, where Chef Mario Cano Catalán embraces meat, fire and seasonal ingredients, plus a wide variety of whiskeys for a perfect pairing with any dish. Alma Cocina Latina, in Canton, has blossomed into a contemporary arepa bar renowned for its fascinating Venezuelan street- food flavors and a wide variety
of gluten-free, vegetarian and beautifully-presented plates.
Korea (miles saved: 7,009): Bring your kimchi cravings to
Dooby’s in Mount Vernon for breakfast, lunch or
dinner. Noodles, buns and barbeque get an Asian twist and make for one of the best bowls you can get
in Baltimore.
Japan (miles saved: 6,764): Harbor East is home to Azumi,
which translates to “safe harbor.” The brainchild of Tokyo native and executive chef Eiji Takase, Azumi wows with expert plates that highlight masterfully prepared ingredients.
For the most savory bowl of ramen you’ll ever have, stop by Ejji Ramen. This small but mighty shop uses the freshest ingredients made from scratch every day.
Afghanistan (miles saved: 6,882): The Helmand is a Mount Vernon landmark, heralded as a must-taste just blocks from the Inner Harbor and Penn Station. Established more than 20 years ago, The Helmand brings Afghan spices and exquisite dishes to Baltimore diners.
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Baltimore LGBTQ Visitors Guide 2018-19