Sous Chef Eric Blass (left) meets Ted Stelzenmuller, chef of… (Karl Merton Ferron, Baltimore…)
May 29, 2012|By Kate Parham | Special to The Baltimore Sun
Looking for some new places for your eating-out repertoire? We caught up with some of chefs in town to find out where they go when they're not dishing out fare at their own spots.
Note: All restaurants are in Baltimore unless otherwise indicated.
Ted Stelzenmuller, Jack's Bistro
Favorite ethnic spot: "Without a doubt, my favorite is Joung Kak. There is no better place to go with a group of like-minded chefs. Eating great Korean barbecue and washing it all down with soju." 18 W. 20th St., 410-837-5231..
For a special occasion: "I love Cinghiale. Simply put, they have amazing food prepared with unmatched precision in Baltimore. The service staff is among the best, as well." 822 Lancaster St., 410-547-8282, cgeno.com.
Favorite quick, cheap bite: "You will find me at Chicken Rico. Their traditional Peruvian rotisserie chicken is absolutely amazing." 3728 Eastern Ave., 410-522-2950, chickenricobaltimore.com.
It's brunch time: "Miss Shirley's Cafe is amazing!" Multiple locations, missshirleys.com.
Worth the drive: "Head to D.C. and you will find Zaytinya, the best Mediterranean food around. Chef Michael Costa is the most talented and passionate chef I have ever had the pleasure to know." 701 Ninth St. N.W., Washington, 202-638-0800, zaytinya.com
Michael Mina, Wit & Wisdom, LAMILL and PABU
Favorite ethnic spot: "The Black Olive is fantastic. Simply prepared Greek food in charming Fells Point with fresh fish and great wine." 814 S. Bond St., 410-276-7141, theblackolive.com.
For a special occasion: "Woodberry Kitchen is my favorite; however, you can go there every other day if you want." 2010 Clipper Park Road #126, 410-464-8000, woodberrykitchen.com.
Favorite quick, cheap bite: " LP Steamers — Maryland crab and beer … perfect!" 1100 E. Fort Ave., 410-576-9294, lpsteamers.com.
It's brunch time: "Thames Street Oyster House has great Bloody Marys and oysters!" 1728 Thames St., 443-449-7726, thamesstreetoysterhouse.com.
Worth the drive: "I absolutely love Rasika in D.C. When we opened Bourbon Steak, we ate there all the time." 633 D St. N.W., Washington, 202-637-1222, rasikarestaurant.com.
Mark Davis, TEN TEN
Favorite Ethnic Spot: Sushi Hana — the dragon roll, Baltimore roll, spider roll, and spicy tuna roll are all outstanding. They are the freshest of fresh and absolutely delicious. The restaurant is beautiful, too, and I like the booths with screens." 6080 Falls Road #11, 410-377-4228, sushihanabaltimore.com.
Favorite quick, cheap bite: "Pepe's in Mount Washington has great breakfast food any time of the day." 6081 Falls Road, 410-377-3287, pepes6081.com.
Worth the drive: "I recently visited Charleston, S.C., and enjoyed so many amazing restaurants, like Cypress." 167 East Bay St., Charleston, S.C., 843-727-0111, http://www.magnolias-blossom-cypress.com.
Hidden Gem: "Fork and Wrench. It's so new, so I'm not sure if it's fair to call it a secret, but they have a very talented chef and the space is really distinctive." 2322 Boston St., 443-759-9360.
Spike Gjerde, Woodberry Kitchen
Favorite ethnic spot: "Charlie at Thai Landing is one of the best servers in the city and has never steered me wrong; [it's just] consistently great flavors." 1207 N. Charles St., 410-727-1234, thailandingmd.com
Favorite quick, cheap bite: "A taco at Tortilleria Sinaloa; either the barbacoa or carnitas on their own freshly made corn tortilla." 1716 Eastern Ave., 410-276-3741, tortilleria-sinaloa.com
It's brunch time: "[I love] taking in the scene from a sidewalk table at Alexander's Tavern in Fells Point. Start with their fried pickles and go get gelato down the street at Pitango afterward." Alexander's Tavern, 710 South Broadway, 410-522-0000, alexanderstavern.com; Pitango, 802 South Broadway, 410-236-0741.
(Editor's note: Gjerde's brother owns the Tavern.)
Worth the drive: "Rogue 24 in D.C. completely reimagines the fine-dining experience with verve and brilliant execution. Make a reservation at the Columbia Room for a perfect cocktail afterward." Rogue 24, 922 N St. N.W., Washington, 202-408-9724, rogue24.com; Columbia Room; 1021 Seventh St. N.W., Washington, , 202-393-0220, passengerdc.com/columbia.
Julian Marucci, Cinghiale
Favorite ethnic spot: "Sushi Sono. Last time I was there, I had young ... snapper three ways: sashimi, sushi, and they used the fish bones to make a beautiful soup." 10215 Wincopin Circle, Columbia, 410-997-6131, sushisonomd.com.
For a special occasion: "Charleston. Best chef in the city. Where else would you go for black truffles and a nice bottle of Burgundy in January?" 1000 Lancaster St., 410-332-7373, charlestonrestaurant.com.
Favorite quick, cheap bite: "Kooper's Tavern. When I'm in Fells Point, I always stop in for a burger; it makes for a quick and easy lunch." 1702 Thames St., 410-563-5423, koopers.com.
