What else to talk about on turkey day, but food? Good thing a new crop of eateries has just sprung up around B-more.
Spotlights heralded the grand opening last Friday night of Canton's newest hotspot, Canton's Portside Tavern. Located on O'Donnell Street a block from Canton Square, this restaurant/pub is hoping to attract the same crowd that hangs summers at the Starboard in Dewey Beach, Del. In fact, the guys who own the Starboard and several D.C. taverns have partnered with Annapolis native Steve Roop in the Portside. Steve says he's carried the nautical feel into the new place with hardwood floors and dark wood touches -- like many of the pubs in his hometown.
It's a pub-style menu, as well. Appetizers include crab dip ($10), calamari ($9) and Buffalo wings ($7). There are burgers ($8), salads ($5-$7), and such entrees as blackened tiger shrimp ($9), crab fusilli ($19), sesame-crusted tuna ($16) and sirloin stuffed with wild mushrooms, gorgonzola and sauteed onions ($19). The Portside also features "Catch of the Day ... Cooked Your Way." You choose tuna, salmon, swordfish, rockfish, scallops or shrimp. Then you have it grilled, blackened, broiled or pan seared with side dishes and sauce. Prices are $16-$21.
Canton's Portside Tavern, 410-522-7678, is at 2128 O'Donnell St. Hours are 4:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Steve Roop says the Portside will also offer brunch 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, with the Starboard's fix-it-yourself Bloody Mary bar.
Thai on Aliceanna
The family that owns the Thai Restaurant on Greenmount Avenue has just opened a new place in Fells Point. The Talay Thai Grill takes the spot on Aliceanna Street most recently occupied by Le Due Isole Ristorante. Nat Mettawiparee, whose parents run the Thai, is in charge of things at the new restaurant. His uncle, Joe Chinwattanotai, is the chef.
Nat says they didn't do much to change the interior of the restaurant from its previous incarnation, except to change the murals of Italian scenes on the walls to those of Thailand. He describes the menu as "eclectic." The Thai choices are not as extensive as those at the Greenmount location, but all the favorites are there.
There are several curries and stir-fried dishes like pad Thai, stir-fried rice sticks with shrimp, bean sprouts, eggs and Thai spices ($12.95); basil and green peas with scallops ($16.95); and beef, tomato, ginger, mushrooms, scallions in chili sauce ($13.95). Nat says his uncle also has drawn from his years of experience working as a chef at non-Thai restaurants to add some Mediterranean, French and Italian dishes, too.
Some examples include bouillabaisse ($24.95), roast rack of lamb ($28.95), and comfit of Moulard duck with lingonberry sauce and mashed sweet potatoes ($23.95).
You'll find Talay Thai Grill, 410-563-9292, at 1911 Aliceanna St. Its lunch hours are 11:30 a.m-3 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Dinner is served 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 4:30 p.m.-10 p.m. Sunday.
