Best of Baltimore 2010

Sing it with us…”It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” Okay,
at least that’s how we feel about the Best of Baltimore issue. It’s our
opportunity to shout from the rooftops about the people, businesses,
and happenings that make Baltimore such a great place to live. Indeed,
we like assembling our Best of Baltimore issue so much, we’ve done it 35
times. This year, a fun new wrinkle: Throwdowns! We were inspired by
Bobby Flay’s recent trip to Baltimore, where the Food Network star took
on pie guy Rodney Henry in a quiche-off. Sadly, Rodney lost . . . but
things just may turn around for him in a few pages. (Foreshadowing!)
Here’s how our Throwdowns work: We take two titans (think Cal vs.
Phelps; G & M vs. Faidley’s) and have them go head-to-head to
determine the ultimate Best of Baltimore champion. Yes, it was sometimes
hard to choose. Yes, things got a little heated around the office. (We
had to take some Throwdown timeouts.) But this is a town that inspires
that kind of passion—–and that’s why we all love it.

ARTS

Edited by John Lewis

Anthology CityLit Project
has blossomed into a local treasure on a variety of fronts—especially
its public programming and workshops—and it recently added a publishing
imprint to its list of minor miracles. For its debut release, CityLit
Press smartly put together City Sages, a wide-ranging anthology of
Baltimore writers, past and present. It includes the usual suspects such
as Mencken, Poe, and Tyler, but it also highlights excellent work from
contemporary scribes like Michael Kimball, Lia Purpura, Rosalia Scalia,
and Jessica Anya Blau. As a result, it dovetails nicely with CityLit’s
mission of “nurturing the culture of literature in Baltimore.”

Artist Five years ago, we were thrilled to peek through the keyhole of the BMA’s Latrobe Spring House and spy Richard Cleaver’s
altar-like installation of intricate ceramic figures practically
glowing in the shadows. This year, we were glad to see his work
prominently exhibited in the museum’s Contemporary Wing, as part of the
Baker Artist Awards show. Cleaver fully exploits ceramics’ stiff,
doll-like qualities to evoke a posed, sepia-tinged past. But he gives
that nostalgic vibe a wicked spin by incorporating hidden compartments
and elaborate layers of handmade ceramics into the work, all of which
convey a sense of mystery and secrecy and hint at complex inner lives
behind the stoic faces. This definitely isn’t your Aunt Ida’s ceramics.

Autobiography (Plus One) In The Other Wes Moore,
the author tells the stories of two Wes Moores who grew up in
Baltimore. As youngsters, their bios more or less parallel one another,
but, as young men, they diverge sharply and dramatically—the author
becomes a decorated vet, Rhodes Scholar, White House Fellow, and
business exec, while “the other Wes Moore” becomes an accessory to the
murder of a cop and gets sentenced to life in prison. Moore tells the
stories with sensitivity and clarity, examining what went wrong and what
went right, and crafts an uplifting memoir and cautionary tale rolled
into one. And now, Moore can add another entry to his impressive
resume—best-selling author. The Other Wes Moore made The New York Times
best-seller list for nonfiction. (Read our interview with Moore here.)

THROWDOWN: WRITERS

H.L. Mencken vs. Edgar Allan Poe

The Lowdown
The mighty journalist, eminent critic, and lifelong Baltimorean versus the mysterious icon of American literature.

Tale of the Tape
The influence of Mencken’s
work is enormous, though not always obvious; the cult of Poe is so
pervasive that he inspired the naming of an NFL franchise.

The Decision
Mencken was certainly a titan in his day, but Poe continues to capture the imagination. Poe lives!

THROWDOWN: BANDS

Animal Collective vs. Beach House

The Lowdown
As darlings of indie rock, both bands have garnered national and international followings.

Tale of the Tape
The members of Animal
Collective have developed their own musical language, become global
citizens, and positioned themselves as sonic innovators; Beach House
crafts moody and melodic dream pop that figures to age well.

The Decision
Animal Collective! The 21st-century’s most inventive group doesn’t seem to have peaked yet.

Cabaret Tucked away in an upstairs dining room of an erstwhile Little Italy eatery, The Cabaret at Germano’s,
300 S. High Street, 410-752-4515, gets maximum returns from its small
performance space and baby grand piano. From world-class
entertainers—the likes of Tracie Thoms and cast members from Fiddler on
the Roof have appeared here—to spirited youngsters honing their
skills—School for the Arts students are regularly on the bill—its roster
of acts balances polished professionalism with Glee-like
infectiousness. The performers are talented, the atmosphere is intimate,
and the food is excellent—it’s the perfect recipe for cabaret.

Documentary Michael Lawrence’s Bach & Friends
is no Bach bio. Rather, it’s an extended meditation on the composer’s
ongoing relevance and widespread influence. Lawrence, a local filmmaker
whose credits include a documentary on guitarist Manual Barrueco, filmed
a “who’s who” of contemporary musicians—including Philip Glass, Simone
Dinnerstein, Joshua Bell, Bobby McFerrin, Béla Fleck, Hilary Hahn, and
Barrueco—riffing about Bach’s significance and backing up their
statements with jaw-dropping performances. A few talking heads add
some critical perspective, but Lawrence pretty much lets the music do
the talking. The DVD includes a bonus disc of unedited performances, and
they help reinforce Lawrence’s premise that Bach rocks.

Filmmaker The films of Matt Porterfield
exude a poetic realism and ambient drama gleaned from the periphery of
urban life. Utilizing a cast comprised mostly of non-actors improvising
much of the dialogue, Porterfield mixes documentary and narrative film
elements with startling clarity. His most recent effort, Putty Hill, is a
modest, thoughtfully composed gem that will see theatrical release
soon. And don’t be surprised if Porterfield eventually joins Waters and
Levinson on the A-list of Baltimore filmmakers.

Forum Like Stoop Storytelling, Ignite Baltimore
has taken a simple concept and turned it into an entertaining and
essential cultural event. Now held at the Walters—after it quickly
outgrew its previous venue, The Windup Space—each program features 16
artists/thinkers speaking for five minutes on the topic of their choice,
with an eye toward “sparking new conversations and collaborations
across cultures and disciplines.” So you might get someone discussing
what you don’t know about the Bible followed by talks about sustainable
seafood or saving opera. It’s wide-ranging, freewheeling, heavy mental
fun.

Hip-Hop Ambassador Shodekeh,
the fearless local beatboxer with a mighty mouth and a penchant for
collaboration, turns up everywhere these days. At The Creative
Alliance’s Hip-Hop on the Mountain cross-cultural hoedown in May, he not
only accompanied the folky Shapenote Sisters, he also performed with a
pair of cloggers from Footworks dance company. This summer, he’s slated
to perform with Marin Alsop and the BSO, and he’ll also appear at the
Conference on World Affairs at the University of Colorado and the
American Dance Festival in North Carolina. Shodekeh’s adventurous spirit
makes hip-hop innovators The Roots look timid.

Local Historian Deborah Rudacille
writes with grit and grace, a perfect combination for chronicling
Bethlehem Steel from the inside. But Rudacille doesn’t tell it from the
inside of a boardroom; she sets her book, Roots of Steel, inside the
tight-knit Dundalk community where she was raised. As a result, she’s
able to personalize the effects of boardroom decisions and frame them
with historical perspective that highlights key aspects of the labor
movement and the struggle to improve safety and pay. Her family’s
Dundalk is a blue-collar nirvana that slowly goes to hell as the fires
of Sparrows Point are snuffed. Through Rudacille, we understand its
significance and mourn the loss.

Set Design At the beginning of the 2009-2010 season,
CenterStage announced that, due to financial constraints, it was
scaling back set designs for its upcoming shows. In the case of The Importance of Being Earnest,
necessity was the mother of invention, as Ricardo Hernández designed a
stunning set for the season opener. Comprised primarily of rotating,
10-foot-high letters spelling out E-A-R-N-E-S-T, it proved to be
architecturally impressive and artfully stunning. It nodded to the
significance of language, while perfectly complementing Irene Lewis’s
lively production.

Storyteller Did you think David Simon
could top The Wire? Well, if you followed the arc of his television
career from Homicide and The Corner through The Wire and Generation
Kill, you knew he had a shot. But Treme exceeded all the lofty
expectations and catapulted Simon past the likes of David Milch (creator
of NYPD Blue and Deadwood) to a new level of TV storytelling and
critical acclaim. And the fact that he did it after trading his comfort
zone on the streets of Baltimore for post-Katrina New Orleans makes it
all the more impressive.

Theater Everyman Theatre
keeps connecting deeply with audiences, thanks to plays like Rabbit
Hole, the show that kicked off this past season. A stark and gripping
portrayal of a couple struggling with the loss of a child, it demanded
engagement on a cerebral and emotional level. The rest of the season
followed suit, with the similarly compelling Blackbird, the madcap The
Mystery of Irma Vep, and the classic Our Town being particularly
noteworthy. At this point, Everyman seems perfectly placed for a
Westside move that figures to up its profile, reinforce its considerable
strengths, and expand upon its enormous potential.

The MVPs5 art world heroes who make us cheer.

Ambassador BMA Director Doreen Bolger
gets high marks for not only making the museum accessible and keeping
it viable during tough times, but also for venturing out and exploring
lesser known aspects of the city’s arts scene. It’s refreshing to see
her turn up at events like The Transmodern Festival.

Explorer As both musician (playing sax) and curator (booking the Contemporary’s excellent Mobtown Modern Music Series), Brian Sacawa
has helped raise the profile of new music in Baltimore. And folks are
still buzzing about Rite of Swing, Mobtown’s jazzy take on Stravinsky’s
Rite, which closed out its season in May.

Pioneer Twentysomething J. Buck Jabaily
moved to town from Boulder, CO, cofounded Single Carrot Theatre on
North Avenue, and established it as one of the city’s most innovative
arts outlets. Now, Jabaily brings his youthful energy and pioneering
spirit to the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance, where he’s been
executive director since January.

Preservationists With an appreciation for the past and an eye toward the future, Elaine Eff and Cliff Murphy,
co-directors of Maryland Traditions, do an extraordinary job preserving
and sustaining traditional arts—from boat building to letterpress
poster printing—throughout the state.

FOOD

Edited by Suzanne Loudermilk

Butcher The days of the independent butcher may be waning, but you can count on the meat department at Eddie’s of Roland Park,
two locations, including 6213 N. Charles Street, 410-377-8040, to
showcase beautiful, hand-cut slabs of beef, chicken, and pork as well as
market-made sausages. We especially like the knowledgeable staff behind
the counter, who share advice on various cuts, cooking times, and the
number of servings you’ll get from that porterhouse steak or prime rib.

Bar With Great Food One thing we really like about our city is the number of row-house bars serving up terrific fare. Annabel Lee Tavern,
601 S. Clinton Street, 410-522-2929, is the best of the bunch. Sure,
the tavern is a comfortable spot for Resurrection Ales and camaraderie.
But chef Mark Littleton gives you every reason to want to eat there,
too. Brussels sprouts as an appetizer? That’s a seasonal favorite. The
halved orbs are coated with a tangy balsamic vinegar and sautéed with
marinated tomatoes and feta. Entrees we’ve tried include a luscious
seafood Edgar with shrimp and crab in a rich truffle cream with risotto.
It’s an inspired creation, sort of like Edgar Allan Poe’s poem “Annabel
Lee,” after which the pub is named.

THROWDOWN: COFFEE

Baltimore Coffee & Tea Co. vs. Zeke’s Coffee

The Lowdown
They both take pride in roasting their own beans and delivering fresh brews.

Tale of the Tape
Baltimore Coffee—a family
business since 1895—provides provocative blends here and abroad.
Zeke’s—a newer purveyor—is as mellow as its coffee with a laid-back
style and creative roasts. It now has a retail outlet (4607 Harford
Road, 410-254-0122).

The Decision
All hail Zeke’s!
We love Baltimore Coffee’s Black Raven blend among others, but Zeke’s
still wows us with such brews as Hippie Blend and Mexican Chiapas.

THROWDOWN: COOKIES

Berger vs. Otterbein’s

The Lowdown
Both bakeries have been producing sweet temptations locally since the 19th century.

Tale of the Tape
Berger may be the more
recognizable cookie with its thick chocolate topping, but the
Otterbein’s sugar cookie is often a family tradition.

The Decision
An upset: Otterbein’s! We can anticipate the hate mail coming from Berger devotees, but Otterbein’s thin, delicate cookies are our all-time treat.

THROWDOWN: SANDWICHES

Attman’s vs. Lenny’s

The Lowdown
These Lombard Street institutions are neighbors and competitors.

Tale of the Tape
Attman’s packs 4.5 ounces of
sliced corned beef on its soft caraway rye for $6.29; Lenny’s piles 5
ounces of shaved corned beef on similar bread for $5.99.

The Decision
It’s Lenny’s! The inch-thick sandwich wins extra points for its melt-in-your-mouth beef and easy-on-your-wallet price.

THROWDOWN: PIZZA

Joe Squared vs. Matthew’s Pizzeria

The Lowdown
The loyalties are fierce between
these two city favorites: relative newcomer Joe on North Avenue and
longtime Matthew’s in Highlandtown.

Tale of the Tape
Matthew’s cooks up wonderful,
old-fashioned comfort pizza with a thick, doughy crust and chunky
toppings; Joe is all modern with a square shape, fancy combos, and
coal-fired oven.

The Decision
Close call, but we pick Joe Squared
for the fresh flavors, thin crust (with a pleasant bit of a char), and
friendly service. When we ordered carryout, the waiter even included
complimentary plates and napkins.

THROWDOWN: CRAB CAKES

Faidley Seafood vs. G & M Restaurant

The Lowdown
Faidley in Lexington Market has been
owned and operated since 1886. G & M in Linthicum Heights is
celebrating its 16th anniversary.

Tale of the Tape
G & M’s legendary patty is
all jumbo lump with little filler or seasoning. Faidley’s mound is full
of lump, too, but there’s subtle seasoning and some filler.

The Decision
Can’t beat Faidley for its Maryland-roots flavor and authenticity.

Brunch Rather than conforming to a rigid three-squares mandate, brunch is synonymous with a carefree embrace of the weekend. Mr. Rain’s Fun House,
800 Key Highway, American Visionary Art Museum, 443-524-7379, is the
perfect embodiment of this not-so-serious approach to mealtime, with its
mixed menu of classic American breakfasts—French toast with sausage;
steak and eggs—and surprising flavors that awaken even the drowsiest of
taste buds, like roasted garlic and radish soup, curried vegetable
crêpes, or a wild boar sausage with kimchi and bean paste. In keeping
with the tone, you can start with a Bloody Mary or a Michelada cocktail
of Pabst Blue Ribbon, Worcestershire, Mexican hot sauce, and lime.

Cooking Classes There are some fine instructors around town, but we think Galen Sampson,
chef/owner of The Dogwood, 911 W. 36th St., 410-889-0952, raises the
bar when it comes to cooking classes—well, you do get to sip vino
afterward. The affable chef leads monthly, interactive classes at his
Hampden restaurant with his wife Bridget, a self-taught baker. He
focuses on foods from some of his favorite places, like mushrooms from
Kennett Square, PA. Students receive menu packets—and leave full of more
than knowledge. They finish the afternoon with lunch, paired with that
wine. Yum.

Dessert You might get sidetracked by the delicious all-beef dogs at Stuggy’s Old-Fashioned Hot Dogs and Sausages,
809 S. Broadway, 410-327-0228, but make sure you get fried Oreos for
dessert. It’s fun to watch the staff making the decadent treats: first,
dipping Oreo cookies into homemade funnel-cake batter, then dropping the
coated sandwich cookies, one by one, into a deep fryer to crisp before
giving them a generous sprinkle of powdered sugar. Bite into one of the
crunchy rounds, and you’ll be rewarded with a soft, chocolate interior
and a warm creamy filling. You get five cookies for $2.29. You won’t
want to share. We didn’t.

Frozen Yogurt The soft frozen yogurt at Mr. Yogato,
723-A South Broadway, 443-955-6681, is more than a mere ice cream
facsimile. Its bare-bones flavor offerings—”tangy,” “creamy,” and
monthly specials like caramel and blackberry—can be dressed up with
toppings like Fruity Pebbles, ground Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, fresh
blueberries, and even balsamic vinegar. And if Mr. Yogato were indeed a
real person, he’d offer you free access to his Wi-Fi, set up a play area
for the kids, and entertain you with goofy trivia quizzes to earn
discounts on his treats. Oh, wait; he does all that.

Ice Cream When was the last time an ice cream cone satisfied not only your lust for cold treats, but your ravenous social conscience? Taharka Bros. Ice Cream,
1405 Forge Avenue, 410-433-6800, has an irresistible ice-cream menu
that includes cake batter, pomegranate chip, and salty caramel, even as
it offers the chance for urban youth to get a foothold in the workplace
through its management training program. The Mt. Washington storefront
is the headquarters for cones, sundaes, and shakes, but the cold creamy
stuff, made in a Hampden factory, is also available at places like Bon
Bon’s in Belvedere Square and The Nut Farm in Green Spring Station.

Latin American To fully appreciate the range of
offerings that constitute Latin American food, you can book a
months-long trek of the various regions—or you can visit Pikesville’s Mari Luna Latin Grille,
1010 Reisterstown Road, 410-653-5151, where Chef Jaime Luna does a darn
good job presenting a south-of-the-border gastronomic tour for
north-of-the-border sensibilities. His culinary offerings even embrace
the Caribbean with jerk chicken and conch chowder. We love the mojitos
and caipirinhas almost as much as we love the popovers and mango-papaya
butter that come with every meal.

Lunch (Casual) There were a few skeptical eyebrows when Max’s Empanadas,
313 S. High Street, 410-547-7900, brought Argentine fare into Little
Italy. What could this upstart be thinking, coming into the land of
pasta and spaghetti sauce? But the risk has paid off. The storefront
offers the South American country’s traditional savory turnovers,
paninis, salads, and native desserts in a tiny, bright space with
several tables and chairs in the back. It’s a bargain, too. Empanadas
stuffed with yummy ingredients like spicy chorizo, ham and cheese with
green olives, and spinach with mozzarella are $3.15 each. Pair one with a
primavera salad for $5.99.

Lunch (Fancy) There’s no lack of places to get a
good midday meal in downtown Baltimore. But there aren’t too many
high-end restaurants serving special-occasion menus in the noon hour.
Restaurateurs Tony Foreman and Cindy Wolf saw a need and began serving
three- and five-course, prix-fixe lunches at Charleston,
1000 Lancaster Street, 410-332-7373, in February. The quiet, luxe
locale is a refined setting for a power lunch or to celebrate a birthday
or other milestone. Chef Wolf prepares such delights as cornmeal fried
oysters for a first course, grilled lamb tenderloin as a main dish, and
chilled tangerine consommé for dessert, all for $44. (If you’ve got a
Mad Men expense account, you can pair the food with wine for $69.) The
only drawback is having to go back to work afterward.

Mobile Wagon We love when the food comes to us. Kooper’s Chowhound Burger Wagon—owned
by Bill Irvin and Patrick Russell, who also run Kooper’s Tavern,
Sláinte Irish Pub and Restaurant, and Woody’s Rum Bar in Fells
Point—specializes in fat Angus hamburgers in a variety of styles.
Hungry? Grab the one-pound Charlie Brown ($10.95). Looking for your
inner burger? Build your own for $8. Start with a patty of beef, turkey,
veggie, or bison, and keep going with choices like Maytag blue, sautéed
mushrooms, Baja slaw, and jalapeño ranch dressing. Don’t forget the
Fifty-Fifty fries (half regular and half sweet potato). (For locations,
check Twitter updates @BRGRwagon, or go to kooperschowhound.com.)

Mother/Daughter Team Leave it to a mother/daughter
duo to create a genuinely warm atmosphere in Little Italy. Giovanna
Blatterman, long a doyenne of the salon world (she owns Salon Giovanna
in Mt. Washington) pitches in to help daughter Gia run her eponymous
cafe, Café Gia,
410 S. High Street, 410-685-6727. The two can be found there daily, Gia
waiting tables and pouring drinks, Giovanna greeting dinner guests and
monitoring the dining room, with its brightly painted tables and murals,
to make sure everyone is satisfied. The comforting menu of
Sicilian-inspired specialties has direct roots to Giovanna’s birthplace.

New Chef We love the playfulness­—and culinary skill—that executive chef Chad Gauss
brings to City Cafe, 1001 Cathedral Street, 410-539-4252, in Mt.
Vernon. After the restaurant went though a substantial renovation a year
ago, Gauss came onboard to revamp the kitchen’s offerings, too. He
changes the menu often to reflect the seasons, but we still happily
recall the meal we had there several months ago—a “TV Dinner” (Kobe
beef, creamy mashed potatoes, a vegetable medley with edamame, and a
thick brownie) and “Three Little Pigs” (a grilled pork loin topped with
pulled pork and crowned by strips of crisp bacon).

New Restaurant The American cuisine by chef E. Michael Reidt at B&O American Brasserie,
2 N. Charles Street, 443-692-6172, is seasonal and adventuresome—just
what you’d expect from a Culinary Institute of America grad and one of
Food & Wine magazine’s “Best New Chefs.” We were smitten with the
free-range chicken with pesto mashed potatoes and steak frites with
duck-fat (oh, yes!) fries. We also like the environs in refurbished digs
that once housed the stately B&O railroad headquarters: The
first-floor setting is just right for fancy cocktails, flatbreads (try
the confit duck), or smoked pork belly; the upstairs is a sophisticated
dining room with plush banquettes and romantic lighting. We like the
whole package.

Pastry Chef Bettina Clair
has been dazzling Baltimore sweet tooths since 2003 when she
arrived here from the West Coast. She eventually bought a house in
Patterson Park and plans to stick around for a while—which is good news
for us. These days, you’ll find Clair at Blue Hill Tavern, 938 S.
Conkling St., 443-388-9363, where she turns out show-stopping desserts
like chocolate silken pie with chocolate-covered Cocoa Puffs and, for
summer, baked Alaska—a mound of raspberry ice cream swathed in
orange-blossom Italian meringue. “I pretty much like making all
desserts,” Clair says. “They all give me a chance to plan different
flavor creations.” We can’t wait to see what’s coming out of the oven
next.

Pies Pies become dangerous when they are so
devastatingly tasty that you risk squandering your hard-earned paycheck
and all those hours at the gym to indulge. We guess that’s what Rodney
Henry had in mind with Dangerously Delicious Pies,
1036 Light Street, 410-522-PIES (7437). There’s no guarantee you won’t
overdo it—especially once you’ve nibbled on his “Mobtown Brown Pie,” a
pecan pie laced with caramel and chocolate, or the Key Bridge lime, made
from the juice of real limes. You can do pie 24/7 with Henry’s savory
offerings: steak chili, pork BBQ, and “Hot Rod” potato (with or without
bacon, ham, or crab). We recommend moderation, lest things get truly
dangerous.

Restaurant Bread Sometimes, a restaurant’s bread
does more than satisfy the initial pangs of hunger. It makes you take
notice, as is the case with the cornbread at Darker Than Blue, 3034
Greenmount Avenue, 443-872-4468. Cornbread can be grainy and dry, but
chef/owner Casey Jenkins captures just the right blend of cornmeal and
liquid to produce a moist, sweet, hot-from-the-oven loaf that is
guaranteed to disappear quickly from the table. The accompanying
whipped, sweet-potato butter simply puts it over the top.

Sandwich It’s no wonder the salmon club at Miss Shirley’s,
two locations including 750 E. Pratt Street, 410-528-5373, has been a
menu mainstay since its first restaurant opened in Roland Park five
years ago. The soothing smoke of creamy salmon, salty bacon, and fresh
veggies, bound with rémoulade, complement each other without throwing
your taste buds into confusion. The sandwich is a bit unwieldy, but if
you can manage to get a bit of everything in each bite, you won’t be
disappointed. Choose one of the nominally healthy sides—fruit salad,
coleslaw with toasted almonds, or mixed greens, or forget about your
waistline and go for a cone of the addictive sweet-potato fries.

Outdoor Dining5 picks for when the fresh air beckons.

Comfort Food One thing has remained virtually unchanged at Sander’s Corner,
2260 Cromwell Bridge Road, Towson, 410-825-5187, over the years: its
pristine setting. A table on the porch means a pastoral view that slopes
to the Loch Raven reservoir, along with a homey meal.

Greek A serene oasis from the clatter of Fells Point’s cobblestone streets, the brick-walled patio at Kali’s Court,
1606 Thames Street, 410-276-4700, is a great place to savor Greek
specialties, both classic and updated, like grilled calamari and whole
bronzini.

Mediterranean You can’t get any closer to the harbor than a table on the dock at Tabrizi’s,
500 Harborview Drive, 410-727-3663, where you can take in Baltimore’s
best panoramic views while enjoying a 360-degree tour of Mediterranean
cuisine.

New American The enclosed garden at Feast@4 East,
4 E. Madison Street, 410-332-0880, is a favorite spot for weddings and
graduation parties. We recommend bringing a bottle of wine and creating
your own celebration with chef Sandy Lawler’s farm-to-table cuisine.

Seafood There’s no better way to enjoy chef John Shields’s artful Chesapeake-inspired dishes than in the lovely sculpture garden at Gertrude’s at the BMA, 10 Art Museum Drive, 410-889-3399.

Scene When we have a hankering to get spiffied up and join the glam set, we head to Little Italy’s Milan,
1000 Eastern Avenue, 410-685-6111. Ever since this palace of opulence
opened in January, it has attracted a dressed-for-success crowd. The
12,000-square-foot, multilevel space is stunning. The lounge level—in
stark white, crimson, and espresso shades—features low couches and
tables scattered around a gray marble fireplace. Up the red-carpeted
stairs, there’s a striking dining room, with chandeliers and beaded
partitions. Frankly, we’re glad that Milan has a dress code. It’s nice
to have a chic place to hang out.

Seafood Restaurant When it comes to seafood, The Black Olive,
814 S. Bond Street, 410-276-7141, reels us in with its impeccable
freshness and stellar selection. We like the fish show-and-tell at this
family-owned restaurant, where your server invites you to a cold case
filled with your possible dinner—rockfish, red snapper, sea bass, and
more. You learn each specimen’s origin and how it will be prepared. (We
always appreciate it grilled and simply dressed with a lemon-olive oil
sauce.) Starters, like mussels in ouzo and grilled calamari stuffed with
manouri and feta cheeses, also capitalize on quality seafood. It really
doesn’t get any better than this on dry land.

Side Dish We pretty much like all kinds of spuds, but we always find ourselves going back to A.J’s tater tots at Regi’s American Bistro,
1002 Light Street, 410-539-7344. The hash-brown nuggets are in a class
by themselves with rich, oozy Brie cheese and chunks of applewood bacon.
Alan Morstein, Regi’s owner, lays claim to updating the ’50s Ore-Ida
kid favorite for Baltimore diners when he added the tots to his menu
eight years ago. “I’m the man who put tater tots on the map,” he proudly
asserts. Thank you, Alan.

Small Plates We wondered if Baltimore really needed
another tapas place. Short answer: Yes, we do. With dishes like calamari
meatballs, grilled asparagus with quail egg, paella loaded with meat
and seafood, and delicate sea scallops dusted with ground pistachios,
executive chef Rashad Edwards at Tapas Adela, 814 S. Broadway, 410-534-6262, can cook for us anytime.

Sweet Snack We’re happy to report that the sticky,
crunchy rice-cereal treat of our youth has gotten a gourmet update for
kids and grownups alike, courtesy of White Marsh resident
and entrepreneur Nikki Lewis. Her Mallow Munchies, mallowmunchies.com,
are super-sized squares made with Lewis’s homemade marshmallow,
handmade caramel, and fine Belgian chocolate among other ingredients,
including, of course, rice cereal. The five varieties—featuring the
cherubic face of Lewis’s four-year-old son Nigel on the package—are
available online and at local venues, including the Baltimore Farmers’
Market under the JFX. Believe us, these aren’t granny’s dessert bars.
(No offense, Grandma.)

Wine Bar When 13.5% Wine Bar
1117 W. 36th Street, 410-889-1064, arrived in Hampden last summer, the
storefront wasted no time proclaiming itself, “Hip in Hampden.” It was
an immediate success, packing in yuppies, oldsters, and an arty crowd
with its 40 wines by the glass (starting at $5), 200 wines by the bottle
(with an $8 corkage fee), and an ever-changing menu of snacks, paninis,
pizzas, and small plates. Sip your vino with a charcuterie plate of
cured meats, duck rillette, whole-grain mustard, and cornichons, or a
ciabatta layered with portobellos, roasted peppers, arugula, and
balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Or come on Sundays, when chef Sarah
Acconcia does a divine prix-fixe menu based on goodies she found at the
Farmers’ Market.

Wine List While Italy can’t claim to have invented
wine—though the ancient Romans produced and drank their fair share—the
boot-shaped country can certainly pat itself on the ankle for helping to
popularize the stuff. The wine list at Cinghiale,
822 Lancaster Street, 410-547-8282—more than 600 labels in all—should
further enhance the reputation of the fermented grape elixir. Wine
director Tony Foreman has carefully selected wines from the growing
regions and vineyards he’s personally visited, and bottle prices range
from the cost of a ride across the harbor on the water taxi to a
round-trip visit to Tuscany. On Tuesdays, Cinghiale’s “cellar raid”
means half-priced bottles in the Enoteca (bar side), always a plus.

Date Night5 restaurants destined to ignite romance

Eclectic You can let loose with your sweetie at Jack’s Bistro, 3123 Elliott Street, 410-878-6542, a casual restaurant with a chef who turns out captivating (and sometimes whacky) fare.

Urban Gourmet You won’t be at a loss for words at Peter’s Inn,
504 S. Ann Street, 410-675-7313, even on a first date. The restaurant
has kitschy knickknacks worthy of discussion and stellar food to keep
the dialogue going.

Continental There’s nothing like a 1740s restored country manor with period dining rooms to woo a special friend. The Milton Inn, 14833 York Road, Sparks, 410-771-4366, capitalizes on its historic surroundings with refined service and innovative cuisine.

Indian Whether you sit in the elegant indoor space at the Ambassador Dining Room,
3811 Canterbury Road, 410-366-1484, or outside on the pretty terrace,
the royal Indian cuisine will transport you and your partner to a more
refined, romantic era.

Upscale American Antrim 1844,
30 Trevanion Road, Taneytown, 410-756-6812, will definitely impress
your guest with its amazing six-course, prix-fixe dinner, set in a grand
manor home.

FUN

Edited by Jess Blumberg and Amy Mulvihill

Beach Sometimes we’re in the mood for the beach, but
don’t want to deal with traffic, tolls, or the monotonous landscape of
Route 50. That’s why we love Sandy Point State Park,
1100 East College Parkway, Annapolis, 410-974-2149—because it’s a beach
on our side of the bay. The 786-acre state park is located on the
northwestern shore of the Chesapeake Bay and offers miles of beaches and
scenic water views. Plus, you can swim, picnic, fish, crab, boat, or
hike to your heart’s content. One of our favorite ways to spend time
there is to bring a late-afternoon picnic, swim in the warmed-up
brackish water, and watch the sunset behind the Bay Bridge.

Adventure Are you man (or woman) enough for shark tagging, 410-727-FISH, aqua.org?
Yup, it’s exactly what it sounds like. For $250, anyone age 13 and up
can go to the coast of Ocean City and help Captain Mark Sampson affix a
tracking device to a shark. The data collected will provide the folks at
the National Aquarium of Baltimore with vital information on sharks and
you with heroic stories to impress your friends.

THROWDOWN: GYM

Maryland Athletic Club (MAC) vs. Merritt Athletic Club

The Lowdown
These local chains are the marquee names in Baltimore fitness.

Tale of the Tape
MAC’s three locations (Harbor
East, Hunt Valley, and Timonium) offer stellar, spa-like facilities
including lap pools, whirlpools, squash courts, and cardio equipment
plus numerous fitness classes covering everything from Pilates to
spinning. Merritt has nine locations (two of them 24-hour) in the
greater Baltimore area with a tenth (in Hanover) scheduled to open this
fall with comparable amenities and classes at most locations.

The Decision
We’re going with MAC.
Though Merritt definitely has the edge when it comes to convenience
and sheer volume of gyms, some of its locations can feel a little
dated. MAC’s luxe touches, like individual TVs on all cardio machines
and soothing décor, keep us coming back for more and make working out
feel like less of a chore.

THROWDOWN: SPORTS LEGENDS

Cal Ripken Jr. vs. Michael Phelps

The Lowdown
They have both broken impressive world records, but who will remain Baltimore’s lasting legend?

Tale of the Tape
Ripken is a Hall-of-Fame
baseball player, who played a whopping 2,632 consecutive games; Phelps
is a prodigious swimmer, who has won 14 gold medals, the most by any
Olympian in history.

The Decision
Close call, but our hearts belong to Ripken.
Many sports writers have said that Ripken’s streak is what got America
back into baseball after the 1994 strike. Plus, he was able to handle
the limelight basically free of scandal (alas, more than we can say for
Phelps). Ripken reminds us
all of the O’s glory days—making him a lasting legend in Baltimore.

Bar Bathroom Generally speaking, we don’t give much thought to the bathrooms in our favorite bars. But Hamilton Tavern,
5517 Harford Road, 410-426-1930, has bathrooms that are worth noticing.
The men’s and women’s loos are ferreted away at the back of the tavern,
down a hallway lined with portraits of famed scribes. Inside, the walls
are papered with pages from the greats—Toni Morrison, Jane Austen, and
the Brontës in the ladies room; Shakespeare, Hemingway, and Bukowski in
the men’s room. The creative décor is a frequent conversation piece at
the tavern and gives new meaning to the phrase “bathroom reading.”

Burbs Bar When you think of nightlife, Joppa Road doesn’t spring to mind, but business at Casey’s Bar and Restaurant,
1742 East Joppa Road, Parkville, 410-668-1616, is always booming. The
family-friendly spot delivers delicious Italian and American food during
lunch and dinner (dare to tackle the mammoth chicken pot pie). But
after diners leave, latenight drink specials kick in and the crowd packs
in for whatever local sports game is on. Casey’s website declares “the
fun never ends,” and with specials like spin-the-wheel drink discounts,
buckets of beer during sports games, and DJ sets on Tuesdays and
weekends, we have to agree.

Cocktail The locavore and organic movement doesn’t
stop at food—drinks have people thinking more mindfully, too. Nowhere is
this more evident than at Woodberry Kitchen,
2010 Clipper Park Road, 410-464-8000, where the farm-to-table attitude
has moved to the bar, and tenders use organic liquors and make their own
ginger beer on-site. Our favorite cocktail on its menu is the Gov’t
Mule, made with Prairie organic vodka, house-made ginger beer,
lime-ginger syrup, and served in a copper mug. Not only is it
one-of-a-kind and extremely refreshing, but the mug keeps the drink nice
and cold, while also making us feel transported to a speakeasy in the
1920s.

Day Trip It’s no wonder that so many people from the Baltimore area have weekend houses on Solomons Island, solomonsmaryland.com—it’s
downright gorgeous. Everywhere you look, there are breathtaking water
views, stately sailboats, historic lighthouses, and it has its own
boardwalk to boot. But the beauty doesn’t stop with the water. Solomons
is home to The Annmarie Garden, a Smithsonian-affiliated sculpture park
that has many pieces on loan from the National Gallery and the
Hirshhorn. Plus, you can enjoy straight-off-the-boat seafood and the
annual opening party of the island’s famous Tiki Bar—all within a
two-hour drive of the city.

Happy Hour More than drink specials and good food,
what we’re really looking for in a happy hour is an atmosphere that lets
us leave the stresses of the workday behind. Particularly in summer, no
place fits that bill better than Little Havana,
1325 Key Highway, 410-837-9903. Between its waterfront deck and arcade
games, it always feels like vacation there. Add daily specials, like $10
pitchers of margaritas on Thursdays and $3 Coronas on Wednesdays, and
the place practically guarantees that work will recede like a fading bad
dream.

Hidden History Before it drifted into the mists of time, London Town
was a bustling, 100-acre port on the South River in Anne Arundel County
boasting residences, streets, docks, taverns, and even the county
government’s offices (until that pesky Annapolis came around in 1694).
Historic London Town and Gardens, 839 Londontown Road, Edgewater,
410-222-1919, is a 23-acre park on the site of the former tobacco trade
hub where archeological remnants of the lost town can be found along
with rebuilt Colonial structures and the landmark circa 1764 William
Brown House. The grounds also include ornamental, woodland, and native
plant gardens and are open year-round, meaning this trip through time is
always just a car ride away.

New Bar We realize that 2009 wasn’t the best year for new businesses, so we wanted to reward Talara,
615 President Street, 410-528-9883, which managed to not just open but
thrive during the recession. Maybe it’s because of its obvious South
Beach flare, setting it apart from other Harbor East spots. Or maybe
it’s Talara’s generous happy hour, with $5 tapas, $5 cocktails, $4
glasses of wine, and $3 South American beer. Or it might be the
extensive menu of creative mojitos. Better still, it could be its free
Monday night salsa lessons. Whatever the case, Harbor East revelers are
buying what Talara is selling—and so are we.

Not-Quite-A-Dive Bar Grey Goose Bar & Grille,
1601 Union Avenue, 410-366-1566, defies easy categorization. First of
all, we’re not really sure what neighborhood it’s in: Hampden?
Woodberry? Clipper Mill? Secondly, it’s a peculiar mix of mega bar (two
floors, two outside decks, pool tables, big-screen TV) and humble, local
watering hole with friendly barkeeps, low prices, and a classic menu
featuring crab pretzels, funnel cake, and Polock Johnny’s brats. We’re
tempted to classify it as a dive bar but, frankly, it’s nicer than that.
We finally gave up trying to figure it out and focused on enjoying it,
which is what we suggest you do, too.

Oriole After Brian Roberts went on the disabled list in April, the Orioles needed a leader. Enter Nick Markakis,
who signed a massive six-year deal with the team early last year. Not
only will Markakis remain in an Orioles uniform for seasons to come, but
his on-base percentage (.402 at press time) has been remarkable amidst
an otherwise dismal lineup this season. Even more notable, he gave a
very candid, uncharacteristic interview with The Sun, in which he aired
his frustrations with this Orioles season. We admire his honesty and
passion, and want to thank him for, quite literally, stepping up to the
plate.

Raven If Ray Rice
was on Sesame Street, he’d be sponsored by the letter “R.” Besides
his obvious initials, he plays running back, attended Rutgers, was
drafted by the Ravens, and has been nicknamed “road runner.” But the
“R”-word we might use to describe him? Remarkable. Rice finished the
2009 regular season with 254 carries for 1,339 yards and seven
touchdowns and was responsible for one of the Ravens’ greatest moments
to date: On January 10, against the Patriots, Rice scored an 83-yard
touchdown on the first offensive play, the longest Ravens play in 2009,
and the second longest rush in NFL postseason history. Plus, how can you
not love his positive attitude, adorable smile, and little-brother-like
relationship with Ray Lewis?

Spectator Sport Even after viewing several matches,
we’re still a little fuzzy on the rules of women’s flat track roller
derby. What we can tell you is that ignorance of the rules is no
impediment to your enjoyment of the sport. We defy anyone to attend a Charm City Roller Girls derby
(home games are at Du Burns Arena in Canton) and leave without a smile
on your face. The bouts are part competition/part spectacle, with roller
girls adopting campy alter egos (Joy Collision! Flux Incapacitator!)
and sporting ripped fishnets and dramatic war paint. But there’s also
real athleticism and brute force on display to balance the showmanship.
Best of all, there is a ragtag congeniality to the proceedings, which
makes even losing games fun to watch.

Sports Bar For the past two months, the sound of
those annoying vuvuzela horns and announcers shouting “gooooal!” filled
sports bars everywhere. But there is one place that took the World Cup
to a new level. Sláinte Irish Pub and Restaurant,
1700 Thames Street, 410-563-6600, has always been a staple for soccer
fans, but people forget that it’s also a haven for other
under-appreciated sports in America, like rugby and hockey. Sláinte
broadcasts the games in full high definition on its many flat screens,
hosts fantasy leagues online, offers drink specials during all of the
games, and gets premier sports channels (like NHL Center Ice, Fox
Soccer, and GoalTV) that most sports bars just don’t have.

Urban Hiking Spot We’re not sure about you, but one of our favorite parts of hiking is the cooldown. That’s why we love the Patapsco Valley State Park,
8020 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City, 410-461-5005, a lush oasis
just southwest of the city. The park boasts 170 miles of trails of
varying grades that all meander around a central point: the Patapsco
River itself. So, no matter where you’re hiking, there’s usually a point
of entry to the river so you can chill out by a rapid, pool, or
waterfall. The best part? Every day in the summer, the “Patapsco
Peddler,” a mobile concession stand, is wandering around the park
offering patrons cold drinks, snacks, ice cream, and maps.

Into the Wild5 parks with something special to offer

Beginner Park Not everyone is a natural naturalist, so when we’re dealing with neophytes, we make it a point to take them to Robert E. Lee Park.
Located just off Falls Road in Baltimore County, its mostly flat,
well-groomed trails are appropriate for all fitness levels.

Bike Park Thanks to new bike lanes in some sections of town, Baltimore is becoming ever more bike-friendly, but Lake Montebello
has long been the destination of choice for serious cyclists. On any
given day, you can see spandex-clad riders whizzing around the lake in
its designated bike lane.

Dog Park One by one, Baltimore parks are going to the dogs—and that’s a good thing! Last fall the Locust Point Dog Park
opened in the southeast corner of Latrobe Park boasting Astroturf, rock
outcroppings, and a water slide for adventurous canines.

Evolving Park Ever since the Olmsted Brothers recommended its creation in 1904, the 15-mile Gwynns Falls Trail,
which links West Baltimore parks to the Inner Harbor, has been a work
in progress. Recent improvements include new signage, an audio tour, and
bike racks.

Pool in a Park From the early morning adult lap swims to its group lessons and occasional water ballets, pool season at Patterson Park makes us savor the summer.

Liquor Locales5 bars that excel in a specific type of elixir

Scotch If you’re in the mood for Scotch, there’s no better place than Birds of a Feather, 1712 Aliceanna Street, 410-675-8466, which offers 120 single-malt varieties.

Tequila At Blue Agave Restaurante y Tequileria, 1032 Light Street, 410-576-3938, you can sample one of the more than 125 tequila selections. Olé!

Rum The drink menu at Joe Squared,
133 W. North Avenue, 410-545-0444, features more than 50 varieties of
rum from around the world and they make the best Dark and Stormy (a rum
and ginger beer concotion) we’ve ever had.

Grand Marnier Those who love this orange liqueur join the Grand Marnier Club at One-Eyed Mike’s, 708 S. Bond Street, 410-327-0445. Members pay a fee and have their own personal GM bottle stored at the bar.

Vodka The dance-friendly bar Stalking Horse,
26 E. Cross Street, 410-244-6722, boasts more than 40 types of vodka,
as well as frozen vodka slushies, with flavors like sweet tea, Red Bull,
and raven. (Yup, that’s grape.)

INDULGE

Edited by Jane Marion

Color Artists A good colorist is equal parts artist
and chemist. In the beauty biz for more than 29 years, and an educator
for more than a decade, Laurie Schroeder of Salon Laurie,
5910 Falls Road, 410-464-1500, takes all the worry out of color work.
With a single knowing glance, Schroeder, whose clients run the gamut
from Roland Park moms to fiery-haired artists, works wonders whether she
is toning down brassiness or taking the chill off a surfeit of cool
tones.

Classic Stylist Trends come and go, but quality is never out of style. That’s why we stick with Dean Krapf of Lluminaire Salon,
15 W. Allegheny Avenue, Towson, 410-583-1500. He is adept with every
type of follicle, from ultra curly to stick straight (Case in point: his
portfolio of A-listers includes Molly Sims, Nicole Kidman, and Daniel
Craig), and his precision-perfect, timeless designs stay fresh forever.

THROWDOWN: DAY SPAS

Renaissance Salon and Spa vs. About Faces Day Spa and Salon

The Lowdown
These beauty behemoths dominate the suburban salon and spa scene.

Tale of the Tape
Renaissance has about 23,000
square feet with two locations and an epic spa menu with an emphasis on
high-tech, anti-aging treatments (non-surgical facelift anyone?); in
business for 40 years, About Faces has more than 52,000 square feet
across six locations (the paint is still drying at the newest location
in Annapolis), with an equally exhaustive list of services and an
impressive retail area featuring Giella custom-blend cosmetics.

The Decision
In this clash of the salon titans, About Faces
wins for size and unparalleled longevity. (About Faces celebrates its
40th anniversary this year.) Not an easy feat in the fickle business of
beauty.

THROWDOWN: HAIR REMOVAL

Waxing vs. Threading

The Lowdown
Vesna Stojanovic is Mt. Washington
Salon and Spa’s high priestess of waxing while Usha Gupta of Towson’s
Usha Salon & Day Spa is known around town as the go-to-girl for
threading.

Tale of the Tape
Vesna’s waxing is like a
sleight-of-hand trick, as she waxes on and waxes off in a matter of
minutes. (Her Brazilians have been clocked at under 10 minutes.) Usha
brought the ancient art form of threading (in which groups of hair are
plucked by a thread) to Baltimore 35 years ago and is known for
achieving strong arches and clean lip lines.

The Decision
Waxing with Vesna
for her lightening quick speed, her homemade mix of beeswax, tea tree
oil, fresh lemon juice, and lanolin, and her sheer versatility with her
medium.

THROWDOWN: ONE-NAME WONDERS

Corbin (Grinage) vs. Uno (Tuluoglu)

The Lowdown
Local hair gurus with loyal fan base of clients who could easily hightail it to New York for highlights.

Tale of the Tape
Corbin has been trimming
tresses ($95 a clip) for more than 30 years and has loyal upper-crust
clients who swear that his cuts are peerless; Uno has been taming manes
($100 a head) for more than 30 years, and Greenspring Valley types,
plus former First Lady of Turkey Semra Ozal and former First Lady of
Maryland Kendel Ehrlich, are on his hair resume.

The Decision
Uno,
by a hair. Though both Uno and Corbin have earned their stripes, Uno
never takes himself too seriously, where coy Corbin, who doesn’t like
to reveal his last name, has been known for his share of out-of-salon
antics. Frankly, we’d rather reserve the drama for our hair.

Cost-Conscious Cut No need to go broke for beauty at You Salon,
4785 Dorsey Hall Drive, Ellicott City, 443-367-0200. We love You’s
graduated pricing system (i.e., priced according to the stylist’s
experience) on everything from cuts ($70 for a master stylist; $37 for
new talent) to perms, foil services, and even updos. The best part?
Expert designers supervise protégés so clients are actually getting two
stylists for the price of one. The caring, knowledgeable staff
emphasizes education—they even maintain a lively blog that offers free
beauty tips (yousalonthisandthat.com).

Day Spa If a genie could grant us a wish for one day, we’d choose to spend it luxuriating at La Papillon,
9642 Deereco Road, Timonium, 410-252-1400. Given its small size, this
boutique spa has an outstanding selection of services, from massages and
airbrush makeup application to ear candling. We can’t stop OMGing over
the heavenly facials (oxygen infusion therapy, pumpkin enzyme) by
esthetician Chris Matthews or the transformative brow waxes and makeup
work by M-A-C-trained owner Madeleine Homes. This is also a one-stop
shop for retail therapy for exclusive makeup brands (Paul & Joe,
True Cosmetics) not sold anywhere else in the state.

Event Salon You’ve got jitters before your big day.
But with its intimate, soothing atmosphere (warm woods, gold accents)
and super-friendly staff, Scene 217,
217 Albemarle Street, 410-244-0647, is the perfect place to relax while
you get gorgeous. Offering everything from sculptural updos to glam
mineral makeup application, owner Debbie Ingrao and company will make
sure that all eyes are on you on this special occasion. (P.S. If you
don’t want to make the drive downtown to Little Italy, Team Scene is
happy to make house calls.)

Exotic Beauty Treatment The Red Clover and Seaweed Body Masque at Spa in the Valley,
118 Shawan Road, Hunt Valley, 410-771-0200, is the closest thing we’ve
found to heaven on earth. Picture this: While lying in a Vichy capsule,
an aromatic clover and seaweed scrub is painted onto the skin. As the
scrub sets, a massage therapist delivers a soothing head and face
massage, and light therapy helps you relax. Finally, a Vichy shower with
22 jets of water washes away the scrub and the stress and a cinnamon
and paprika moisturizer is applied to seal in the moisture. This
treatment is said to exfoliate, hydrate, and detoxify, but frankly, it’s
so enjoyable, we don’t care what it does.

Face Time5 ways to get good face

Classic Facial The newly opened Facelogic,
8890 Centre Park Drive, Columbia, 443-367-0303, offers a divine,
deep-cleansing signature facial and a makeup artist who touches you up
for free on your way out the door!

Specialty Facial There aren’t enough superlatives for the facials (including ginseng and pearl) at The Skin Care Institute, 10705 Charter Drive, Columbia, 410-740-0007, which manage to be both relaxing and effective.

Makeup Artist A Chanel counter veteran, Karen Weiner of Studio of Make-up,
9143 Reisterstown Road, Owings Mills, 410-902-7422, brings out the
beauty in everyone, from Miss USA contestants to broadcasters and
brides.

Makeup Counter We are wowed by the selection of specialty, hard-to-find brands of makeup, including Natura Bisse and Alexandra de Markoff, at Fields of Pikesville, 1401 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, 410-486-3300.

Beauty Supplies Sally Beauty,
several locations including 1819 York Road, Lutherville, 410-252-6603,
has it all—from boar bristle brushes to green-tea-mint massage
oil—without blowing your beauty budget.

Green Salon If you crave color and an aromatherapy facial, but also want to be kind to Mother Earth, Bee Beautiful,
11341 York Road, Hunt Valley, 410-527-4630, is the place for you.
Baltimore County’s first full-service green salon really practices what
it preaches, from the décor (VOC-free paint, grass furniture, low-energy
lighting) to the products (by Mineralogie and Surface) to its policy of
recycling every piece of hair that hits the bamboo floor. (On a recent
visit, hair—which can be used to absorb toxins in the environment—was
being gathered to aid in Gulf oil spill efforts.)

Holistic Salon/Spa Hard to say what we love most about Varuna Salon Spa,
1 Park Place, Annapolis, 410-268-2828. Is it the complete commitment
to using products with pure flower and plant essences? The unique
services such as chakra balancing massage and botanical skin
resurfacing? The great green design with crushed sunflower countertops?
Or the simple fact that employees are required to do monthly community
service? Suffice it to say, this place has its head and its heart in the
right place. No surprise that actor and environmental activist Ed
Begley Jr. stops by whenever he’s in town.

Makeover Maven So let’s just say that after thumbing
through the latest issue of Vogue, you realize that your frosted
lipstick, baby blue shadow, and stonewashed jeans are way past their
expiration date. Who you gonna call for the overhaul? Impossibly stylish
Lauren Rutkovitz of A Style Studio,
25 Hooks Lane, Pikesville, 410-484-1115, will save you from yourself
with a head-to-toe makeover. Her newly opened store is part makeup
boutique (her own private line of mineral makeup flatters all skin
types) and part clothing shop (think totally “now” tanks, tees, and
accessories) and is the go-to spot for an instant style statement.
WBAL-TV’s Deborah Weiner is a fan.

Massage We have a hard time believing that the massage therapists of Apothecary Wellness,
1301 Light Street, 443-540-4022, have only two hands as they knead the
knots out, deliver to-die-for scalp massages, and tend to our trouble
spots with a gentle application of lavender, peppermint, and rosemary
body scrub. Bonus! The spa will soon double in size.

Men’s Stylist Lulu Carter of FX Studios,
11270 Pepper Road, Hunt Valley, 410-771-1500, understands that guy
grooming is best practiced with a modicum of fuss and a pair of Rusk
scissors. Don’t look for fancy mousses or heavily scented styling sprays
here. Carter, a former bartender at McCafferty’s, serves her cuts
straight up—from trendy faux hawks to conservative clipper cuts, though
every service comes complete with a bliss-inducing hot towel and scalp
massage.

Nail Techs Nail enthusiasts know that the best
treatments have nothing to do with the paint job—it’s really all about
the prep work. We’ve had mani-pedis throughout greater Baltimore and
simply haven’t found more highly skilled soakers, buffers, cuticle
cutters, massagers, or polishers than the lovely ladies of La Clinica, 1624 York Road, Lutherville, 410-828-7464. You’ll truly get waited on hand and foot here.

New Salon and Spa With its Swarovski crystal
wallpaper, sheer descent waterfalls, and endlessly swank service menu
(Chardonnay grape seed scrub, anyone?), the new Chas Spa Salon at the Ritz Carlton Residence,
801 Key Highway, 410-625-2427, could well be the eighth wonder of the
world. Veteran stylist Chas Kuhn and his wife Peggy Painter took over
the struggling Pearl Spa space and have transformed it into a luxe
locale where no (hot) stone is unturned—be it a four-handed massage, a
self-serve mud and scrub bar, or the latest in Keratin Therapy hair
treatment. There’s even free valet parking!

Let’s Get Physical4 spots to stay fit and be well

New Wellness Center Workout trends come and go, but at the newly opened Arenal Fitness,
2638 Quarry Lake Drive, 410-653-7878, the emphasis is on “functional
fitness”— strengthening exercises that aid you in your day-to-day tasks,
from carrying kids to groceries.

Newfangled Workout Over the circuit-training
routine? Try gravity-defying aerial training on a hoop, hammock, or
fabric with former Las Vegas acrobat Robin Miller at Meadow Mill, 3600 Clipper Mill Road, 410-235-7000. It’s like running away to the circus and getting fit at the same time!

Personal Trainer Black belt Reese Ashe of Federal Hill Fitness,
39 E. Cross Street, 410-752-3004, is a rare combination of demanding
and doting and trains everyone from former First Daughter Jenna Bush
Hager to Cork’s Jerry Pelligrino and the Ravens cheerleaders.

Yoga Studio If you take yoga seriously and want to
study with the area’s most rigorously trained teachers (owner Suzy
Pennington studied in India with living guru B.K.S. Iyengar), strike a
pose at Susquehanna Yoga & Meditation, 12-A W. Aylesbury Road, Timonium, 410-308-9950.

Pet Grooming We love our dogs even when they look like they’ve just gone through the weed whacker, but there’s nothing like a visit to Pampered Paws,
203 Old Padonia Road, Cockeysville, 410-628-7055, to spruce up our
furry friends. Owner Donna Weiner and groomer Kelly Ingman are experts
at clipping, cleaning, hand drying, and even tooth cleaning (!), though
their real specialty is giving total TLC to every client who walks on
four legs through the door.

Trendy Stylist Some stylists follow trends. Longtime Rusk educator Marcus Caillet of Bren-Dia’s,
10 Crossroads Drive, Owings Mills, 410-902-7222, sets the trends as he
travels all over the world and brings new looks back to Baltimore.
Caillet, whose mother Brenda co-owns the salon, has worked hair for some
of the biggest style shows of the season, from the Sundance Film
Festival to Miami Fashion Week. And while Caillet has trimmed the
tresses of Denise Richards and Shar Jackson, mere mortals also get the
red-carpet treatment in this friendly, low-key salon.

MEDIA

Edited by Evan Serpick

Anchor Rarely do journalistic gravitas and reporting tenacity come in such a telegenic package as WBAL-TV’s Donna Hamilton.
And maybe that’s why she has played anchors in movies, like
Philadelphia and In the Line of Fire, while also hosting shows for The
Discovery Channel and The Learning Channel and producing an
award-winning documentary about the Israeli peace movement, The
Peacemakers. Lucky for us, the Birmingham, AL, native has called
Baltimore home through all that, dating back to Evening Magazine, which
she launched in 1981, right up to her series this year on Lyme disease
(which she contracted in 2009) and her pitch-perfect, wire-to-wire
coverage of Preakness 2010.

Blizzard Coverage When we were all collectively snowed in during the Snowpocalypse—or was it Snowmaggedon?—intrepid WBAL-TV reporter Rob Roblin
brought heavy doses of his folksy humor and try-anything attitude to
lighten the mood under all that snow. Whether he was sitting on a lawn
chair in the middle of an Eldersburg street—snow up to his chest—taking
off with some snowmobilers in Carroll County, or just chatting with his
coworkers (at one point, he told the two female anchors back in the
studio, “old and cold, that’s what I am this morning, baby girls”),
Roblin captured the wide-eyed wonder we were all feeling during our
historic lost week.

THROWDOWN: WEATHERMAN

Bob Turk vs. Tom Tasselmyer

The Lowdown
WJZ’s Turk, the 37-year veteran and
local institution faces off against relative rookie (with just 21
years in town), WBAL’s Tasselmyer.

Tale of the Tape
Tasselmyer has a more academic,
erudite flow, instilling confidence in his forecasts, but Turk has an
unmistakable instinct for the way the jet stream works in these parts,
plus he’s appeared live from every crab feast, county fair, and
farmers’ market under the clear blue skies.

The Decision
Bob Turk. Like his old jingle once said, he’s got “sunshine on a cloudy day.” What more can you ask of a weatherman?

THROWDOWN: BALTIMORE SIGNS

Natty Boh vs. Domino Sugar

The Lowdown
They’re both iconic Baltimore
graphics—Natty Boh is the face of National Bohemian Beer and peers out
over Natty Boh Towers in Brewers Hill, while the Domino Sugar sign
presides over Locust Point and shines brightly over the Inner Harbor.

Tale of the Tape
Natty Boh is Charm City’s
unofficial one-eyed, handlebar-mustachioed mascot; the 1950s red neon
Domino Sugar sign brightens the cityscape from atop the sugar plant and
harkens back to Baltimore’s days as a key industrial center.

The Decision
Call it the Domino
effect. Only