COSTA'S INN, Maryland

Today I took my "twin mothers", Vete and Rete, to my favorite place that serves steamed crabs. Costa's is located on the east side of Baltimore off the beatin' path, but it attracts folks from all over the state. It's one of the few restaurants that accepts reservations for in-house crab dining, not to mention year round. There is a full menu, but steamed crab lovers rarely utilize it. If you've never tasted steamed blue crabs, this restaurant is the perfect place to treat yourself to this experience. If you're already a fan, it's still the perfect place!

Costa's Inn Restaurant

4100 N. Point Blvd.

Baltimore, MD 21222

P: 410-477-1975

RUTH'S CHRIS, Maryland

I normally don't write about chain or franchise restaurants, but my experience in the bar at Ruth's Chris Steak House in Pikesville was too good to be excluded. It's a great place to sit at the bar or in a booth in the bar with friends after work to unwind with a drink and a bite. The restaurant is upscale with a dress code, but the bar area is relaxed and bustling (yes, it can be both). Last night I went there with my friends Christy, Zoa, and Amy. We sat at the bar and had a wonderful time together. Christy got Oysters Rockefeller, Zoa got a sushi grade tuna salad, Amy got the filet trio, and I got my old standby - a caesar salad with steak (who wants chicken in a steak house)? Our food was delicious and we had a good time telling stories and laughing (don't worry Zoa, your story is safe). Several of Amy's friends came in, not a surprise since this is a popular neighborhood meeting place. Who knows, maybe one day someone I know will walk in the door! Could I be the next Norm of "Cheers"?

Ruth's Chris Steak House

1777 Reisterstown Road

Pikesville, Maryland 21208

P: 410-837-0033

COOKSHOP, New York

My friends, Georgia and Vicki, and I arrived at the Cookshop a little before 11am, our reservation time. We had just survived a crazy cab ride and deserved a rewarding brunch. Located on Tenth Avenue in Chelsea, it looked very promising with lots of folks waiting for the doors to open. We were seated by the window which was perfect because it gave us a peek at the High Line right across the street. We chose to forego bloody marys and mimosas since we partied hearty in the Village the previous night. Our brunch selections were wonderful, but for me the breads were the highlight. My skittle eggs wouldn't have been the same without the semolina-raisin toast. Georgia loved the coffee, and not being a coffee drinker, that's good enough for me. All in all, we enjoyed our brunch experience and appreciated the opportunity to once again share good food with good company.

Cookshop

156 Tenth Avenue (at 20th St)

New York, NY 10011

P: 212-924-4440

BAZZINI, New York

Stumbled onto this place this afternoon strolling through Tribeca. From the outside, I thought it was a restaurant, but once inside, I realized it was a market place with an eating area. Bazzini is most known for its nuts, but has expanded and offers lots of gourmet culinary options. You can browse through what seemed like a zillion bottled drinks, order your salad custom made, buy food prepared or ready to prepare, choose from barrels of coffees, and spend countless minutes trying to decide which of their nut offerings suits your craving. If you wanted, you could buy your lunch and walk a block or so and picnic on the Hudson River. How amazing is that??

Bazzini
339 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10013
P: 212-334-1280

ELMO, New York

I always love my visits at the elmo restaurant in Chelsea. Sometimes for lunch, sometimes for dinner, doesn't matter - it's always fun! The food is so good I don't limit myself to a favorite. My brother Steve and I ate lunch outside today. We started with the gulf shrimp "popcorn style" with cornmeal batter and chipotle aioli. (see photo). Note: This is an especially good option for folks with celiac sprue diets since most restaurants serve shrimp in floured batters. There are many entree choices; today I ordered the grilled atlantic salmon blt on toasted multigrain bread. The best!! Don't let the photo trick you into thinking this is a calm environment. There is a lot of energy bursting outside from those open windows and entrance way. Inside is a thunderous environment equal to any South Beach club/restaurant. The music is blaring and the later it gets, the louder the audience. Very hip and groovy with lots of people watching opportunities.

elmo
156 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY 10011
P: 212-337-8000

THE HARRISON, New York

I couldn't get to New York fast enough to meet my two friends, Vicki and Georgia, for dinner at the Harrison restaurant in Tribeca. We had 9pm reservations and I just about rolled out of my cab as it approached the corner of Greenwich and Harrison streets. Found my friends so pleased at the bar we decided to sit there for dinner. My favorite appetizer was the house made ricotta gnocchi with sugar snap peas and asparagus butter. They were exactly like our bartender described them - "pillows". We loved our salmon and snapper entrees and savored our dinner together occasionally toasting with a great wine. Yum. The best part for me was knowing that I would be eating in Jimmy Bradley's other great restaurant the following night. Stay tuned for my Red Cat experience.

the Harrison
355 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10013
p: 212-274-9310