Birroteca: Don't Miss It!

The Jones Falls Valley, which connects communities such as Woodberry, Hampden, and Remington, has an abundance of historic mill buildings and industrial space and has attracted the attention of a number of quality developers, artisans, and restauranteurs.  Birroteca joined the ranks of the culinary hot spots of Baltimore last year.

As it says on the wall, Birroteca specializes in craft draft beers, as well as artisan pizza, four kinds of bruschetta, and family-style specials that vary based on the day of the week.

The upscale yet cozy and friendly atmosphere, coupled with delicious food and a great beer and wine selection, keeps people coming back in droves.  Call ahead to make a reservation, because this place is always busy.

Cool Shops in Hot Hampden

Hampden rocks the indie boutiques like nobody's business, and it boasts a stellar collection of dining and drinking establishments (covered in a later post).  If you are intrigued by a commercial district where hip wine bars and long-time watering holes co-exist, and where you can buy cotton diapers, mid-century modern antiques, timeless menswear, fashion forward ladies' attire, handcrafted jewelry, and alternative books and comics all within one short walk, you will love Hampden, and you must visit the Hampden Village Merchants Association's website ASAP, because I cannot possibly give all of the merchants their due right here, right now.

Ma Petite Shoe, pictured here and in the above photograph, sells both shoes and chocolate.  Does it get any better?  The welcoming shop features shoes from the newest designers (including Vegan-friendly footwear), children's slippers, accessories, and artisan chocolate from across the globe.

Locally-made Mouth Party caramels occupy a prime spot in the midst of Ma Petite Shoe's mouth-watering collection of chocolates.

Cloud 9 Clothing offers contemporary, trendy clothing and accessories for women and features brands such as Fidelity Jeans, Free People, Seychelles shoes, and Baked Beads. 

In addition to Hampden, Cloud 9 also has shops in Canton, The Shops at Kenilworth, and Rockville.

Speaking of "rocking," Hampden's own Soft and Cozy Baby sells Rockabye Baby CDs, so if you consider it a top priority to school your newborn in Red Hot Chili Peppers or Green Day, pop in!

Soft and Cozy Baby offers much more than lullaby versions of rock music.  This store serves Eco-conscious parents-to-be, with its collection of cloth diapers and wipes, organic mattresses, and glass water bottles.  When I stopped in to pick up a gift, I learned that they also sell products for new parents, from nursing covers to attractive diaper "messenger" bags, and older siblings, such as toys and lunch bags.

You do not have to be eco-conscious to appreciate the range or quality of products available at Soft & Cozy Baby, or to appreciate the expertise.  During my visit, I stumbled upon a class in cloth diapering!

Studio C Jewelry and Gifts offers stunning handcrafted jewelry and hand bags, as well as scarves, shoes, clothing, and accessories.  Currently, the store is in the running for the City Paper's People's Choice award for Baltimore's Best Jewelry Store, and you have until September 6 to vote.

My amateur photographs do not do justice to the work displayed here, so I encourage you to visit in person or on-line, where you can link to the owner's Etsy shop.

Trohv boasts one of Baltimore's most eclectic selections of gifts, but I like this store most for its well-built, unique furniture and home goods.

For some reason, everyone always seems happy in Trohv.  Maybe it is the smart and slightly irreverent sense of humor that sneaks its way into some of the gifts and greeting cards.  Clearly, people love Trohv - note the numerous Best of Baltimore awards displayed behind the counter.

Inside the Rebuilt Mt. Washington Tavern

The outdoor, upstairs deck at the rebuilt Mt. Washington Tavern looks like a fine place to watch a football game (note the large television and comfy seats in the background).

With his restaurant heavily damaged by fire in 2011, the owner of the Mt. Washington Tavern took the opportunity redesign much of the interior.  This lovely second floor room boasts a perfect set-up for private parties.

The next three photos capture some of the design details, which clearly made an impact on me during a recent visit.

Maryland's rich history in horse racing on display.

Nice touch for when you need to hang your hat.

The Mt. Washington Tavern is located in the village of Mt. Washington and a stone's throw from a light rail stop.  The food is reliably tasty and the bar cozy - a good bet for meeting friends who live north of the City!

Proudly Independent Hampden

Well-known as a shopping and dining destination due to its eclectic shops and extensive restaurant options, Hampden - located in central Baltimore and wedged between I-83 and and Johns Hopkins University - has an equally diverse mix of housing types, including these single family, porch-front homes.

These row homes are located two blocks south of The Avenue, Hampden's main shopping street. 

This photograph shows yet another type of housing in Hampden, though I am not sure what the proper terminology is.

The once-ubiquitous Baltimore facade covering, Formstone, still exists in many neighborhoods, including Hampden.  In this picture, Formstone covers the house on the far left, though the owners of neighboring homes have chosen to re-expose the brick.

Ranked among the top hipster neighborhoods in the U.S. by Forbes magazine, Hampden's abundance of independent retailers includes coffee shops, organic salons, a shoe store where you can buy vegan-friendly footwear, a hole-in-the-wall pasta bar, and a bookstore dedicated to nourishing mind, body, and soul.  Check back soon for more posts on specific businesses in Hampden!  

On a recent weekend afternoon, customers browsed through the goods displayed outside at one of Hampden's many vintage shops.

Lovely & Hilly Arcadia

Nestled among the hills of northeast Baltimore, Arcadia is a charming neighborhood that boasts narrow, tree-lined streets, a mix of bungalows, cottages, farm houses, and "Four Squares," and walkable access to the shops and restaurants of the Hamilton/Lauraville Main Street.

Many residents of Arcadia are vocal environmentalists who practice what they preach.  The owners of this home have incorporated a bioretention facility into their landscaping plan, which basically means that the plants, in addition to adding curb appeal, also help to absorb stormwater runoff.

Arcadia boasts several "Little Free Libraries," where residents can leave books for others to read, or borrow books to read themselves.  Little Free Libraries grace neighborhoods throughout the City of Baltimore.

If you like wide wrap-around porches, you will like Arcadia.

Whimsical elements - such as these dragonfly (?) lights - adorn fences, yards, and homes throughout Arcadia, testimony to the residents' creative flair.

When I lived near Arcadia, this was always one of my favorite homes ...

... As was this one.  As you can see, I am partial to bungalows!

This shot shows the Walther Avenue bike lane, which skirts the edge of Arcadia.  I guarantee you that if you run, walk, or bike the hills of Arcadia, you will have very strong legs!

Another benefit of living in Arcadia: the new trail head that leads to Herring Run Park and ultimately to Lake Montebello.

One last closing photo of the homes in Arcadia.

Dinner and a Glass of Wine, Please!

The Wine Market Bistro is located in the Foundry on Fort in Locust Point, next to my gym.  The food is fantastic and you can select your own bottle of wine from the attached specialty wine store.  Sometimes I find it hard to pass this restaurant by on my way to the gym.

The Wine Market also boasts a very nice happy hour at their sophisticated yet friendly bar.

Fleet Street Kitchen, a relatively new addition to Harbor East/Little Italy's already stellar collection of restaurants, has a great farm-to-table menu and wonderful selection of wines.

Fleet Street Kitchen is one of three, soon to be four, restaurants in the Bagby Restaurant Group family, which also includes the Bagby Pizza Co. and Ten Ten.  Baltimore Magazine recently bestowed the "Best Pizza" award on Bagby's Pizza, which you can see here next to Fleet Street Kitchen.  Bagby's Pizza has broad appeal and is a good bet for people both with and without children.

Station North's Tapas Teatro boasts a cozy bar, urbane atmosphere, delicious small plates, and a movie theater next door, not to mention a lively outdoor dining scene on Charles Street. 

 

 

 

South Baltimore's Tabrizi's easily claims one of the most scenic spots for outdoor dining on the water, and their Mediterranean menu offers tasty and healthy fare.  The setting is so spectacular, a lot of couples choose to get married here, so regulars know to check their website before heading over.

This view of the bar captures the Harborview neighborhood, in which Tabrizi's is located.

Clearly, not ALL Tabrizi's diners are going to be drinking wine!

To many devotees of the Brewer's Art's award-winning beers, drinking wine at this Mount Vernon establishment is a sacrilege.  Something about the atmosphere in the main floor of the Brewer's Art, though, just makes people (and not just me) order a glass.  Perhaps it is the high ceilings and architectural detail that lends an air of sophistication to the atmosphere.

The Resurrection is the Brewer's Art's most famous beer, and their garlic rosemary fries their most famous snack.  The Brewer's Art has a front bar (pictured here), a cozy middle room with comfortable seating,

and a sophisticated dining room in the rear of the building.  The dark and intimate basement bar has a much different - but equally special - vibe.  There are a lot of little nooks and crannies, so patrons can have their own little space to sit and discuss the meaning of life.  Baltimore's bicycle messengers have long claimed the basement at the Brewer's Art as a home base, so it is not unusual to see all manner of bikes attached to the railing leading to the basement.

A New Era for Central Avenue

Developer Larry Silverstein is almost finished transforming the Fallsway Spring building on Central Avenue.  into offices for Groove Commerce, a website design, production, and maintenance company, and a restaurant space.  Central Avenue runs north from Harbor East behind Little Italy and has only recently become a development hot spot. 

By Degrees Cafe will open in the Fallsway Spring building in September 2013, showcasing the culinary talents of Omar Semidey, a chef whose resume includes The Wine Market and Fleet Street Kitchen.  By Degrees sounds like it will be a little bit more casual than these two fantastic restaurants, but no less tasty.

I lived in Little Italy when the the Canal Street Malt House condos opened, so the renovation and expansion of the Canal Street Malt House building occurred before 2005.  I used to sit on my roof and look at the building, thinking about what a good redevelopment opportunity it presented ... thank goodness that someone with the means and talent felt the same way!  The Canal Street Malt House is located at the corner of Exeter and Central.  Residents have ready access to the charm of Little Italy and the sophistication of Harbor East, while Fells Point, the Inner Harbor, and Downtown are just a short walk away.