AMBASSADOR, Maryland

Chicken tika masala anyone?? That's what you can hear me say everytime I visit the Ambassador Dining Room in Guilford. I love this restaurant which I describe as "upscale Indian", but I especially love eating there in December when it is so beautifully decorated. The garden-view room was the perfect spot today for me, Steve, and Devin to toast the upcoming new year. We each had champagne from the brunch offering and we sat at the table next to one of the corner fireplaces. It was the ideal way to wrap-up this year and make plans for the next one!

Ambassador
3811 Canterbury Road
Baltimore, MD 21218
P: 410-366-1484

MARI LUNA, Maryland

I love my friends and I love Mexican food and tonight I was able to enjoy them together. Zoa, Kathi, Eileen, Joe, Collette, Christy, Emily, Amy, and Mark sat around the table with me at Mari Luna in Pikesville. This is a BYOB restaurant so we took our wine and shared appetizers before digging into our fairly large portions of delicious food. What a fun time!


Mari Luna
102 Reisterstown Road
Pikesville, MD 21218
P: 410-486-9910

VICTORIA'S, Delaware

My cousin Lynn and I periodically visit my Uncle Ed (her Dad) in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. This past weekend he treated us and several others (Sylvia, Yo, Gil, Bob, and Mary Beth) to one fabulous brunch! We went to Victoria's, tucked inside the Boardwalk Plaza Hotel, facing the Atlantic Ocean. We were engulfed by Victorian charm and thoroughly enjoyed delicious food while listening to a piano combo. Because there were eight of us, we managed to sample just about everything the buffet offered, even though it took several trips. I started with a mimosa, smoked salmon, fresh berries and cheese, a mini-waffle, and bacon (didn't partake the omelet station). Then it was time for lunch - beef vegetable stew, steamed shrimp, and an array of other lunch options, (including raw oysters if you like that sort of thing). And, don't even get me started about dessert, even though we all know I chose something chocolate. It was truly a special place to enjoy a Sunday afternoon and I hope to be doing it again soon. They also offer an Afternoon Tea during the week that looked interesting, making me envy the locals. A definite "must do" restaurant for everyone.

Victoria's Restaurant
Boardwalk Plaza Hotel
Olive Avenue & the Boardwalk
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
P: 302-227-7169

THE WINE MARKET, Maryland

When I want to meet one of my Federal Hill friends for a bite and a great glass of wine, this is my old standby. It's located in The Foundry off Fort Avenue in Baltimore City. My latest visit included my brother Steve and my friend Vicki. We sat at the bar for dinner and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. My choice here is always the same because I love their steak salad. The wine selections are great, maybe because there is a full wine store in the entranceway to the restaurant. Whether drinking in or carrying a bottle out, this establishment lives up to its name!

The Wine Market
921 E. Fort Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21230
P: 410-244-6166