Baker's Dozen

I first had Chef Tae Strain’s cooking back in 2010. You may have enjoyed it, too. It was at Demi, Tae’s pop-up downstairs inside Crush restaurant at Belvedere Square. My friend Susan and I went and sat at the chef’s counter so we could watch them work. It was just Tae and his sous, Bailey …

Sunshine in human form. That’s how I describe Jaime Windon of Windon Distilling to people who don’t yet know her. She truly is that person who lights up a room, the person who makes the party more fun, the person you can count on, too. Whenever I’ve asked Jaime for help or advice or a …

I can’t remember when I first met Lori Yanke, or rather, heard about her via social media and the Baltimore restaurant world. Sometimes those two things don’t equal each other. I mean, isn’t it true that sometimes you follow someone’s work (and social media account…) you feel as if you know them? That happens in …

I first met Kris Fulton at LAMILL Coffee at the Four Seasons in Harbor East. God, I loved that place. I think it was 2012 or so and I was very excited to attend my first cupping class. Kris was running it on a live video screen, virtually from California, where he was based at …

Bonjour! That is how you are likely to be greeted by Maître d’Hôtel Patrick Del Valle as you cross the threshold of the very lovely Roland Park restaurant, Petit Louis Bistro. Patrick makes you feel so welcome and his warmth is absolutely genuine. And, yes, his accent is real – he’s from Lyon, France. (The …

When I grab a seat at the bar at Dylan’s Oyster Cellar, I’m so happy when I see Toni Lopes. She not only shucks oysters perfectly, she’s also warm and welcoming and we always have a good catch up. I’ve known her a good little while now and I’m pretty sure that I first met …

The first drink Dre Barnhill made for me was a Whiskey Smash – I think it was about nine years ago. I remember that night being a good one, out with really good friends sitting outside on a warm summer night. I also remember Dre as being friendly and knowledgeable and making all of the …