One Eyed Mike's ~ Baltimore, Maryland

Latest visit: May 2018

First visit: Jan 2017

Admit it, this has the coolest name a Baltimore bar could possibly ever have. It’s your typical Fells Point type of place, with a sliver of a bar in the front, with a bigger room that opens up in the back. So if you like the boisterous crowds with loud chatter and laughter, stay up front. If you’d like to have a quiet conversation, head back. One-Eyed Mike’s is famous for their Bottle Club. Basically you can buy a bottle of Grand Marnier, and they place it safely within the bar. Anytime you come back in, simply ask for your bottle, and you’re ready to roll! Once again, it must be mentioned, this is not only a drinking establishment, and the food is quite accomplished. They have quite a selection of options, ranging from usual pub food appetizers, to Italian and American standards, onto fine dining cuisine. The beer list is solid on crafts, though they only rotate one, which is kind of a bummer. All in all, though, way worth visiting if in town. You will feel like a local instantly. Bring your pegleg and eye patch.

1/18/17; 5/16/18; 8/14/18 (new entry)

Nando’s Peri-Peri ~ regional chain : Baltimore, Maryland

Latest visit: Feb 2018 (Harbor East)

First visit: Dec 2016 (Harbor East)

Nando's (in America) are mostly in the DC / Baltimore area or Chicago.

Have you ever thought about what Portuguese chicken tastes like? Well of course you have. But you never had that answer… until now. Nando’s is a chain based in Johannesburg, South Africa (?!) that specializes in marinated and slow roasted chicken. And it’s just as mouthwatering as it sounds. We come here often for lunch (next to Cava Mezze, so close to our digs), and usually get a quarter chicken (white, dark, or mixed).  The rice is fantastic as are their dressings for the salads. You order up at the counter, and they bring you the food. Or you can take it to-go. They also have one of those fancy 5 billion combination soda machines if interested. One of the few excellent “fast” options we have in this part of Baltimore.

12/2/16; 6/3/17; 2/28/18; 8/14/18 (new entry)

Sweetgreen ~ national chain : Baltimore, Maryland

Latest visit: Feb 2018 (Harbor East)

First visit: Nov 2016 (Harbor East)

Now what says the Regular Joe’s Guide like a salad place, eh? Huh??? Yea yea, I know, but the Sweetgreen chain is different.  The RJG has always frowned on places like Sweet Tomatoes, where it’s one big salad bar, and most people end up eating 10 times the calories than they would have had they just indulged in a double cheeseburger with fries. It just sounds healthy, but by the time they’re done loading it up with ranch dressing, tons of cheese, bacon, and whatever else they can find that isn’t good for you – then you still need to be wheeled out of there. We Americans can’t help it. All-you-can-eat buffets are a magnet for our appetites, and we all feel an obligation to “break even” with the restaurant, and load up as many times as possible. Sweetgreen is none of that. In fact, it’s basically a Chipotle for salads. That is to say, it’s assembly line styled. Pick your lettuce, then protein, then “other stuff”, and finally dressing. Done. Want a “lemon flavored water” to go with that? The RJG isn’t much for a “loaded” salad, but I can certainly do a pile of romaine lettuce, grilled chicken, lots of freshly grated parm cheese, black pepper, and a yummy balsamic vinaigrette. And you know what? It’s actually very filling, and darn tasty too! While I might not wander over there on my own, I find it a good option when with coworkers who are vegetarian, or closely watching their diet. And that’s exactly why I visited here the last 2 times, in that order. Honestly, Sweetgreen has a license to print money. If there was ever a restaurant concept to invest in, this would be it. Think about it. Most folks want to eat healthy – and there aren’t that many lunch options for that. Where I work, most folks a) bring their lunch b) go to Whole Foods or c) go to Sweetgreen. Not to stereotype, but this place is outrageously popular with the local female population. There is a line out the door that reminds me of a San Francisco Starbucks at 8:00 in the morning. For the RJG, I desperately need carbs because of the daily run, but not everyone has the ability – or time – to do that every morning. I can’t imagine this concept failing in any major city that has a large office presence. OK, now you know. Please send royalty checks to the RJG at…

11/14/16; 2/26/18; 8/14/18 (new entry)

Amicci's ~ Baltimore, Maryland

Latest visit: Jan 2018

First visit: Sep 2017

The RJG works and stays right around the corner from Baltimore’s Little Italy. Talk about a kid in the candy store right? Well surprisingly no. I haven’t dined much here, even though in past trips to Baltimore I made a beeline here, usually to Chiapperelli’s (mid 2000s mainly). Many years ago, when the RJG had a steady gig in New York City (summer of 1998), I also stayed right around the corner from Little Italy. What I discovered in trying many of the restaurants there over the course of 4 months was a “lot of the same”. There were exceptions of course. That, and the fact that Italian food can be heavy, I just didn’t want to start rebuilding my gut that I spent years chiseling off through exercise.

All of this to say – I worry too much. Amicci’s is exactly what I was looking for. Reasonable portions, reasonable prices, and superb food! As is the RJG custom when dining alone, I grab a spot at the bar, order a drink (in this case a glass of red), and begin to peruse the menu. Doesn’t take long to zoom in on a penne with homemade meatballs and a house salad. Delicious as to be expected. I mean really - what else do you need to know? This place is good.

9/5/17; 1/31/18; 8/14/18 (new entry)