#43 - Eat roasted veggies at Donna's wearing black

December 2

After the always fun Washington Monument lighting, Julie, Heather and Sara headed to Donna's for some roasted veggies. Of course, only Julie and Heather were wearing black.

Had to start with a bottle of cava, why not! We deserved it after standing out in the cold watching the fireworks and the lighting (pretty weak this year). The veggies were divine, dressed perfectly atop a bed of mixed greens. Actually, the mac & cheese was even more divine! And, some grilled artichokes that were presented prettily, sort of in a tower. Bubbly, veggies and good company, can't beat that!

(Sad note, less than a week later, part of Donna's cafe burned in a 5 alarm fire. There are still three other Donna's, but this was the original.)

#52 - Fried Chicken Livers at Lexington Market

December 11

A fun and exciting return trip to Lexington Market, following a quick (ok, not so quick) jaunt to Trinacria (see last post), we browsed around like tourists. Didn't know if it was bad form to bring in "outside" food to Lexington Market, but we felt we earned the right in the quest to finish the "holy list". Besides, that place is so busy, who would notice? Navigated our way to Tim's favorite fried chicken place, where he expertly ordered a combo of fried chicken livers and gizzards. Yup, he actually chose to order the gizzards. We grabbed a beer, because of course Coors Lite and Bud Ice are the best things to wash down your fried organ meat.

Sara was off the hook for the livers, because she doesn't eat poultry. Heather was hoping to pull that off, but, in the name of the list, held true to its purpose. After inspecting the entire container of fried "bits" she selected a small morsel of fried chicken liver. Confirming with Tim that it wasn't gizzard, which he described as "a little chewy". To her amazement, it wasn't nearly as bad as she expected. Of course, it was doused with hot sauce. But, one piece was plenty. Tim kept munching on the rest, until he too had to give it up when his jaw became tired. Apparently gizzards will do that to you!

Then another repeat trip to Faidleys (see #1) because one cannot go to Lexington Market without a trip for their crabcake. Tim added some oysters for good measure.

#47 - Trinacria - but no calling ahead - we need to wait in line

December 11

While on the topic of Pastores, it did remind us of the amazing trip to Trinacria. And, as previously mentioned, we have been too busy eating to post blogs so are now playing catch up. Kind of bad to compare Trinacria to Pastores, but I'm sure its been done before!

Trinacria was like walking into an amazing store filled with Italian goodies. And, loads of people standing around wanting to order. We finally figured out how to get a number (when we weren't distracted by all the goodies on the shelves!). Of course, ordering was not easy because we really wanted one of everything! Mozzarella sandwich for Heather and Sara. All the meat behind the counter for Tim (along with fresh mozzarella - put the mozzarella Sara got at Whole Foods to shame). Really good olives. No place to eat there so we took it to Lexington Market to have with the chicken livers!

This place is definitely worth going back to! Of course, it's not much to speak of from the outside. In fact, it's a few blocks from Lexington Market, in the wrong direction. But, great Italian groceries, cheap Italian wine, fun cookies. Oh and a 5 pound bag of pasta for the holiday party. And an espresso bar at the deli counter and super nice staff!

PS - just today, Tim referenced wanting to go to Trinacria in an email. We are so proud to be expanding all of our horizons!

PPS - Fun trivia, Trinacria is Italian for triangle.

#77 Pastore's Delly

Dec. 28 - Towson for Pastore's

Heather was so wonderful to pick Sara up from the airport - of course, there's an ulterior motive for both - its called #77 and it is Pastore's Italian Delly and Grocery in Towson (not a typo - they really do spell it with two l's and a y!)

Such a cute little grocery store with loads of italian goodies. Reminded us of a smaller Trinacria and more emphasis on the sweet. We felt at home when we walked in when we saw the 100 foodie things posted on the wall - actually seeing that more and more often these days! While the Italian sub was the one on the list, we of course, tried a substitute.

Got a mozzarella sandwich, and, we split, shocker. The nice man behind the counter even wrapped up both halves in two pieces of paper! Sandwich, eh, so so. Came with tomato, oil & vinegar and basil. (Not sure we could see/taste the basil!) Got some olives as well. Decent, not necessarily worth a "big" trip to Towson. (sorry Ryan!) Especially when our new favorite Trinacria is so much closer. But, we tried it, crossed off #77/count #97 and then off to Hampden, hon. Good thing wasn't a huge sub, then wouldn't have had room for Golden West/Rocket to Venus.

Getting closer to finishing. Now that the end is in sight and so manageable, it is getting kind of exciting. But odd. What will we do next year without the foodie challenge. Suggestions?

#98 - Mary Sue Easter Eggs

I know what you are thinking - who has Mary Sue Easter Eggs in December? The kind that miss them at Easter! Fortunately for us, Mary Sue sells them year round so we ordered three different kinds for the party. Sara's favorite is the peanut butter chocolate. Any other favorites?

#70 Chicken Salad from Grauls Market

The main course for the day is three types of mac and cheese (yum - for everyone but Ryan which is why he had pasta and marinara!). But, we couldn't resist the opportunity to try the chicken salad from Grauls. (again, thank you Julie for picking it up! - and for getting the shrimp salad for those of us who don't eat chicken!) Great salads all around.

#7 - Split Maryland Beaten Biscuits with ham on them

This should really be Julie's post. But, I'm going to draft and hope she comments because it is all due to her that we were able to cross this one off the list. I guess the story starts with looking up the recipe way back in January and deciding that it was too much work. So, the year goes by and we are looking for the biscuits. Can't find them anywhere (even Lexington Market! If they are that much of a staple in Baltimore, where can you find them?) So, one night we were all sitting around and realizing that we needed to have them at the holiday party. Julie suggested picking them up from Grauls (or the closest equivalent) and we all readily agreed. (another place where the veggie and "real" ham were put into the menu).

But, she thought better of it. In her words, we had come this far and she felt strongly that she wanted to make these to contribute to the quest (in addition to the great company and sport she had been for so many other items!)

From what we understood, she literally beat the dough for 40 minutes! I guess its supposed to make them light and airy but really they are hard and not that tasteful. But, in this case, it is the thought that counts and makes it really special! Thank you Julie!!

(top photo caption: 12 minutes into the beating!)

(photo - Julie making her biscuits)

#71 - Maryland Stuffed Ham

If we can think of something less appealing that raw beef and onion, it may very well be Maryland stuffed ham. After looking for it already cooked everywhere, we decided that if we were going to eat it, we would have to make it ourselves (another appetizer for the white elephant gift exchange!) Sara pored over recipes to find the most appealing. It was tough. But, one of the benefits of cooking it ourselves is that we could make some with veggie ham. Not any more tasty (and actually probably less) but it works for the challenge!

First - the stuffing - mainly kale (that may be the first problem with the dish). Add some onions, we should have added watercress if we could find it, and some salt and pepper. Instead we threw in some parsley (probably added more taste!) and a little spinach. Cooked it all together for a while. Then we rolled it in both veggie ham and real ham and then cooked it. Actually not bad. (Kate said she loved it - though may have been the only one to feel that strongly about it!) Not as terrible as it probably should have been. But, really not great, and top 100? Maybe not.

#73 - Raw beef and raw onion on pumpernickel or rye

OK - as previously mentioned it has been a month for eating and not blogging. Here is the first of many posts designed to "catch us up" on recording the memories of this challenge.

As the first of its kind, let's talk about the holiday gift exchange - started a few years ago by a few of us and Heather and Sara keep it going every year. We make fun food, and everyone brings a white elephant gift - always a fun night of laughing and eating. This year, of course, it was going to be all about the foodie challenge and the food we need to "cap off" the year. First, one item that we never thought we could even remotely stomach - raw beef and raw onion sandwich on pumpernickel or rye with a little salt and pepper. Well, that does not sound the least bit appetizing. And, for the non-meat eaters among us, it sounds particularly awful. But, we decided to break down what they were really asking for us to eat to see if we could make it more palatable.

How about steak tartare and tuna tartare for the non red meat eaters? Brilliant, huh? With the help of Tim, this dish reached a reality - and a great one at that! Thank you Tim!!! One of the perfect appetizers for the occasion!

#25 German Sausage from Binkert's

Dec 18 - #25 - Binkert's

Heather headed up to Rosedale to hit Binkert's because the end is near. It wasn't ideal, sending a non-meat eater to a German deli to select German sausage, but she was up to the task. She had no clue what to get so texted Tim (meat-eater) to ask his preferences. Accidentally hit send after "what kind of sausage do you like?" Was supposed to be followed by, "going to Binkert's German place for sausage." Would have been funnier if Heather actually meant it. Anyway, he provided a bit of advice.

Heather stood at the counter while the woman in front of her had an extended conversation with her husband in what I think was German and then asked the lady at the slicer if they had some complex sounding thing that she got the last time she was there but that they no longer have. The lady at Binkert's suggested the "ginger ring" which is a Christmas tradition. So, had to get one of those. Oh and they only take cash or checks, and with about $12 in cash, Heather had to be careful to make sure she didn't overspend. How does a non-meat eater know how much sausage costs? So, after selecting a quarter pound of salami (Tim likes that), a Ginger sausage ring, some Nuernberger sausages (someone else likes those) and hot/spicy mustard, Heather was out of there. The purchases from Binkert's were all in the car later on in the day along with the Tyrone's fried edibles - made for an interesting auto aroma!

(The mustard was good on fries and the lake trout! Julie & Tim enjoyed the salami. Not sure about the other sausages.)

#10 - Maybe the chicken box should be from Tyrones?

Thank you Tim for opening up your home for Harry Potter-a-thon 2010. Watching Harry Potter 6 and then to go out for HP7. And, for inviting your fun friends Jim and Kristin to join us! Of course, brunch ran long (its always about the food!) so by the time Sara and Heather were ready to pick up foodie related items for the movies, it was already a bit late. Fortunately, Julie texted while we were about 3 minutes from her house mentioning that she wanted to join. Let the adventures begin!!

Poor Julie was recovering from a long shift at Mercy and not feeling that well (which makes her even more of a trouper for this journey!) After picking her up, we headed towards Tyrones on North Avenue. Having no idea what to expect but bracing ourselves for the worst! On the way, we passed Joe Squared, and while we had crossed off Iggies pizza, we hadn't done the "sister pizza" to that one and same number so kind of thought, why not grab a pie to go? We ordered from the car and headed into Tyrones.

Tyrones was an easy stop. Well, only difficult because of the hunger factor - mostly Julie - a long shift and no food will do that to you! Got the chicken box. Well, actually two. Then a shrimp box for Sara to substitute. Then lake trout for Julie to cross that one off. Then the grape soda that came with the chicken boxes. Yum. Or so we thought. The smell not so much (Heather probably is still smelling it in her car!!)

The chicken box was disappointing to all. There's really nothing wrong with fried shrimp so that was good. The lake trout was very scary. Best part was probably the grape soda (mixed with vodka - yum!!)

The Joe Squared pizza was incredible. Cold by the time we ate it but very good and definitely gave Iggies a run for its money.

Hope Tim's cat Macy enjoyed the leftovers. Thought Tim did mention that the lake trout was better the second day.

Got to just mention the movies. HP6 - great as always. Wizard of Oz - almost too much on Tim's tv. Color was very, very bright. Still a great movie but just a bit more odd.

Now, off to HP7 and Sofis Crepes!

#74 - Buy a crepe at Sofis and enjoy it during a movie at the Charles Movie Theatre

After a wonderful foodie day, there's always room for one more - particularly when you are having a sweet crepe and about to enjoy the amazing Harry Potter (book seven, part one). Since we were very early for the movie, we tried to get extra credit with going to Tapas Teatro for drinks before the movie. (ok - we really don't need extra credit at this point but who is going to turn down great sangria?) Tim's friend's Jim and Kristin who had joined us for the foodie apps were along for the ride and fun movie (and, of course, movie popcorn).

So, there are too many crepes to choose from but we chose stellar ones - basically the one that tastes like apple pie (what's not to like about that?) and nutella and peanut butter (nothing wrong with that one either!) The apple pie one was much easier to eat during the movie, but the other was delicious too. Hard to pick between them for favorites.

Oh, and the movie was great.

#42 - Discuss a bottle of wine with Tony Foreman at Cinghale

OK - have we mentioned here before how many times we have ventured to Cinghiale to try to find Tony Foreman to check this one off the list? Probably not because blogging has been not as stellar these days (timing - we are too busy eating and drinking!!) After many tries, we wandered into Cinghiale fully prepared to stalk Tony Foreman until we could meet him and check this one off the list. Fortunately, Sara was early and had a better idea when she opened up the menu. Since Tony had left for the night, and apparently is headed out on vacation soon, what about asking the Sommelier for a suggestion? Almost as good as talking to Tony himself we reasoned.

So, because of the aforementioned times spent at the bar at Cinghiale, we enlisted our favorite bartender Clark to see if we could speak to Lindsay Willey, Cinghiale's Sommelier. Fortunately for us, we felt like we hit the jackpot. Heather wanted a wine from the Piedmonte region (and Sara was far too indecisive) so Lindsay laid out our best options. And, she helped us pick a great one. A Barbera d'Alba Conterno. So smooth. So delicious.

In picking the wine, she wanted to know all about the foodie quest. Now that we are up to 95, we are starting to feel that it is an accomplishment. And, its getting even more fun to talk about. We told her that she was filling in for Tony and we were prepared to cross it off the list (totally justified because we felt we had a good wine conversation - i.e. no idea what she was talking about!) But, she thought Tony would be interested in coming back to speak with us.

Since we know my blog posts are far too long, I'll cut to the chase. He did come back to the restaurant. Had a great conversation about wine (where Sara realized that she knows nothing about sparkling wine because she likes cava but Heather knows a ton because she has been to the Champagne region!) He was impressed by our wine selection (for which of course we credited Lindsay). When he found that out, he wasn't surprised at all - after all - he trained her! Really great conversation. Very good #96 on the list.

PS - While we had ordered some antipasti, he mentioned to the bartender that we really needed pasta with the wine. Little did we guess that in a few moments, the bartender would arrive with some of the most delectable pasta! And very worthy of the foodie list!! Pasta stuffed with mushrooms with shallots and spinach in an amazing sauce. Perfectly complimented the wine. What was already a spectacular night just got even better!! Thank you Tony, Lindsay and Clark!

Now I guess we have to catch up on other blog posts - but how do you top this?

#55 - Tamales from the truck on Broadway

Sara and Heather decided to duck out at lunch and head over to the tamale truck on Broadway in Fells. Not a lot of vegetarian options and no veggie tamales, so, went for the veggie tortillas. Nopales (cactus paddles) for Sara and beans for Heather. Mighty tasty! Since it was pretty cold out, they were quickly consumed in the car. Worth a return trip - perhaps in the spring!

#74 - Crepes at Sofis while at a movie at the Charles

Dec. 18 - Crepes & Movies

Heading down to the wire, but we think we're going to make it, or get awfully close!

Sara, Heather & Tim (and two special guests) trekked up to Mt Vernon/Station North arts district on a Saturday night to grab some crepes & see a movie. Well, we did a quick detour to Tapas Teatro for Sangria in a to-go cup and then off to Sofis. Sara and Heather went for the Apple Cinnamon and Nutella/Peanut Butter crepes, to split, of course. Kinda messy to eat during the movie while it's dark, but we managed with a lot of napkins. (Oh and for those that care, the movie was Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows, Part 1.)

#32 Red Canoe for Savory Muffins

Dec 4 - Red Canoe in Lauraville, Savory Muffins

Sara and Heather drove up to Lauraville (12/4 was a busy day) to check out Red Canoe. Definitely worth a return trip. Cute little bookshop and coffee shop. Great muffins - spinach cheddar (amazing!!!!), too bad we only got one. There was a bacon quiche muffin we brought back for Tim & Kent for sustenance before the big trek out to Smokey's. Also had a pumpkin spice, blackberry cobbler and apple/mango, with just enough "muffin" to hold it all together. They were all as good as they sound. Fabulous coffee, too - great lattes and they have their own Red Canoe blend. It also happens to be right around the corner from Zeke's coffee (they weren't open when we were there). Muffins were huge, so we had plenty to bring to Cathy's so there was some food other than 20 dozen cookies to be baked. (So, indirectly, Cathy, Julie, Lauren, Janna, Shelly and Donya were a part of this one.)

A super enjoyable day. And, getting down to the wire of the list, we just might make it. The holiday party is going to be an interesting catch all of list leftovers. Stay tuned!

#50 Cream of Crab at Smokey's BBQ in Carroll County

Dec 4 - Smokey's in Carroll County

Sara, Kent, Tim & Heather drove all the way out to Carroll County to Smokey's on Liberty Road. It's a BBQ joint with some pretty good soup, they only serve their famous cream of crab soup on Fridays & Saturdays. We arrived around 1pm on Saturday, about the same time some folks were done with the morning hunting. Yup, it was us city folk and a few groups of men in camouflage (one had white sunglasses, didn't quite go with the hunting gear, but to each his own). Saw some blaze orange, too. The bbq was pretty good - the junior sandwich was on ok size, but Tim insisted on the extra large, with his bowl of soup. Good, not sure if worth the trip, but was a fun diversion on a crisp, sunny Saturday. Something different.

(photo soon)

#41 All You Can Eat @Vaccaro's

Dec 6, Vaccaro's on a Monday

Sara, Gautam & Heather braved the cold to head to Vaccaro's for all you can eat dessert on a Monday night. We should have known we'd be in trouble when the waitress warned us that the most "successful" people order smaller desserts first and then see what else they want. She said they generally bring the next dessert after finishing one "round." Well, we ordered tiramisu (asked to bring a smaller than usual piece), apple streudel and cream puffs stuffed w/chocolate hazelnut gelato (baci ball). Doesn't sound like too much, right? Um, actually, this was WAY over the top. The streudel was loaded with vanilla ice cream and a plate's worth of whipped cream. The cream puff was just as big - 3 cream puffs with like 10 scoops of gelato. Needless to say, we ate all we could, but that didn't include multiple desserts for each of us! We did find a smidgen of room to try the mini cannolis (basically any other bakery's normal cannoli!). Heather liked the filling, Sara prefers the shell. Those were barely touched. Vaccaro's 1, Gautam/Sara/Heather 0. Not sure if this is a repeatable outing. Definitely worth returning for dessert, but not on a Monday! And, not all you can eat - just too much! [The waitress took pity on us and didn't charge us the full price for the all you can eat, just the individual desserts.]