Road Trippin’ To Baltimore & Easter Weekend

The Mrs. and I were really in need of much deserved break from our jobs and the house so we decided we should take a little road trip. We wanted to go far enough so that we felt like we were away yet close enough so that we wouldn’t have to get on an airplane. We decided to hit Baltimore as it met all the criteria plus Erin’s friend Lindsay had moved there a few years ago and it would give them a chance to catch up. We decided to take off Thursday and Friday from work, drive down Thursday morning and drive back on Friday afternoon. This way we would not miss any time with my daughter on the weekend.

We got up early on Friday morning, dropped the dogs off at the boarder, and were on our way to Charm City. The traffic wasn’t too bad on the way down aside from the usual snafu that comes with travelling through NJ to anywhere. We were starting to get extremely hungry but were holding out for something good when like a beacon from heavens I spotted a road sign from one of our most favorite southern franchises CRACKER BARREL (http://www.crackerbarrel.com/ )! We both had the Old Timer’s Breakfast which consists of Two Eggs (we both had scrambled) with Grits, Sawmill Gravy, Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits, Fried Apples or Hashbrown Casserole (we both had the Hashbrown Casserole which is AMAZING), and choice of Smoked Sausage Patties, Turkey Sausage Patties or Thick-Sliced Bacon (I went with the bacon and Erin had the sausage).

After filling up on a delicious breakfast we proceeded on to B-More. We made it to the hotel without issue and relaxed for a bit as we planned our next move. Erin wanted to try and walk as much as possible as we would be eating a lot on this journey. Prior to leaving a Google mapped all the places we wanted to hit with both walking and driving directions.

We decided to hit Di Pasquale's (http://www.dipasquales.com/ ) first for some “Real Deal” Italian food. When I saw the episode of Triple D that featured this place, I had to keep myself from drooling. In this little Italian Deli they make their own pasta, their own mozzarella, their sauce, and their own meats! And when Guy Fieri says something is the real deal, I believe him! Looking over the map Erin decided that a three mile walk wouldn’t be that bad and we headed off on our way. Let’s just say we realized a bit too late that a three mile walk was quite the trek! Especially when it is warm out and quite a section of the journey is uphill! Nevertheless we soldiered on and made it there in one piece!

I ordered the lasagna and Erin ordered the Arancine (rice ball) as they were the dishes featured on the show. The lasagna was absolutely amazing, the second best I have ever had and the best I have ever had at a restaurant. Yes, only second best, my Mom’s is still the best I have ever had. The reason is simple my Mom uses ground beef and ground sausage. And I love Italian sausage. For someone who isn’t into sausage, they would probably enjoy Di Pasquale’s more. Oh and the service was fantastic, the owner was very sweet! I definitely recommend the place if you are in the Baltimore area.


Erin had missed a call from Lindsay and then Lindsay missed a call from Erin but after the game of phone tag had been completed Lindsay insisted on rescuing us from a three mile walk back to the hotel. She drove us around the Baltimore area showing us some of the sites and letting us know what she and her husband have been up to. We hit up Dangerously Delicious Pies (http://www.dangerouspies.com/) which you may remember me discussing in my last blog (http://huntingforjoy.blogspot.com/2010/03/tale-of-two-pies.html). Erin and I had the Key Lime Pie while Lindsay had the Strawberry Rhubarb, they were very tasty indeed. We were a little disappointed that they didn’t have many of the pies on their menu available to try. It was kind of disheartening that they only had a few ready to go. The girl behind the counter, who was indeed very cool, told me that they would have some more pies out in a little over an hour. So we took our time eating and talking and when the additional pies came out of the oven, she gave me a holler. The three of us split a slice of the infamous Baltimore Bomb and the Chocolate Peanut Butter Chess. Erin came to the conclusion that she liked my version of the Baltimore Bomb better as I had used more cookies. I really loved the Chocolate Peanut Butter Chess but she wasn’t a fan. I definitely recommend the pies there for sure, however be prepared that they might not have the one you are looking for ready on hand. But the décor and atmosphere there is really cool.

Lindsay gave us a ride to our chosen dinner spot, Obrycki’s (http://www.obryckis.com/), which is known for their soft shell crabs. Unfortunately, there were no soft shell crabs left. We decided to stick around as we figured the rest of the menu must be good as well. The interior of the restaurant was very drab but the service was very good, the food just wasn’t anything special. We’ve eaten much better seafood on Long Island and in Boston. This place is definitely a miss for me.

After dinner we returned to our hotel and bedded down for the night. We knew that we didn’t want to get too late a start the next day and we had some awesomeness in mind for breakfast! Plus, it being Good Friday, we feared that we might be in store for less than hospitable traffic on our way back to Queens.

Our chosen spot for breakfast the next was another Triple D featured establishment, the Blue Moon Café. They don’t have a website, facebook, or twitter page but you can find them at 1621 Aliceanna St Baltimore, MD 21231 (410) 522-3940. We headed on over there and were greeted with a quaint little café with a few tables and a counter with stools. We were told that it be between an hour and an hour wait. We decided that it was indeed worth it and camped out outside the front door. When our name was called we were asked if we minded sitting at the counter and we let them know that it was not a problem in the least. Now, the only knock I had read in reviews of this place was on the service, let me tell you, these people could not have been nicer. Yes, they were young and tattooed (So am I, well, I’m tattooed, I don’t know about the young part anymore!), but they were friendly and courteous and not the slightest bit rude at all.

I had the Cap’n Crunch French Toast that I had read rave reviews of and Erin had an omelet. I had been a bit skeptical about the French toast as I was worried it might be overly sweet but damn were my fears unfounded! It was absolutely amazing! The best French toast that I have ever had, bar none! It was absolutely delicious, nice and crunch on the outside, soft, warm, and chewy on the inside, and topped with homemade whipped cream, fresh berries, and bananas! Let me tell you, no butter or syrup needed whatsoever! Erin enjoyed her omelet as well and upon tasting a bite of my French toast concurred with my opinion and stated that Blue Moon was the best eatery we hit on the trip and well worth the drive. I have to say, I am very inclined to agree!

By the time we were done gorging ourselves on our respective breakfasts we realized it was now Noon and we made our way back to the Civic and were ready to head on home. The traffic was a very different story on the way back; we hit several problem spots as soon as we left the city. However, all was not bleak as we made a late lunch stop at one of other favorite southern restaurant chains, Chick-fil-A (http://www.chick-fil-a.com/#home)! If you have never experienced Chick-fil-A you really need to, best fast food chicken sandwich you will ever eat, so delicious!

The ride home ended up taking us seven and a half hours! Hell, it only takes us fourteen hours to get to Atlanta! Seven and a half hours is a long time to be in my little Civic Coupe but we made it our alive! The next day was a busy affair for me as I had my no gi Jiu-Jitsu class in the afternoon, followed by picking up and dropping off at the dry cleaners, food shopping, grilling dinner (steak and pork loin) with my brother Frank, and pie making!

I had previously asked Erin and my brother what they would like me to make for dessert for Easter Sunday and they both wanted pie, blueberry for Erin and Key Lime with Cool Whip topping for Frank. I had never made either but I was ready to give it a shot. The blueberry was a bit of a process between cooking down the berries with maple syrup, then mixing all the ingredients with more blueberries, then chilling it for a half hour, and then baking it. I think I perhaps should have simmered it down longer. The Key Lime pie was a breeze though, no hassle at all.

Being me I decided to do a little research for a special treat for Easter Brunch. I was so in love with the Cap’n Crunch French Toast that I could not possibly wait until the next time I hit Charm City to taste it again! Plus my Mother and brother were in doubt of its deliciousness! It turns out the recipe was in one of Guy’s Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives cooks books and a fan was kind enough to post it online! I knew I had to give it a shot and hoped I would do it justice! Well, everyone loved it! I don’t think it was quite as good as Blue Moon’s but Erin thought I did a good interpretation.

My Mom made the Freda Family Sauce along with ravioli, meatballs, Italian sausage, and of course an antipasto course with mozzarella, mozzarella and prosciutto pinwheels, salami, pepperoni, provolone, peppers, and anchovies for Easter dinner. Everything was absolutely delicious as always! My brother loved the Key Lime pie and said that it was spot on. Erin enjoyed the blueberry but agreed with me that it should have been simmered down a bit more to reduce some of the juice.

So there you have it, a face stuffing, and road tripping adventure followed by an Italian Feast with a little southern flare for dessert! I hope you enjoyed my latest lengthy blog and I hope to have some new pictures up on http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=154376&id=745503906&l=402c1e0710 this weekend. Until next time, keep your head up!