Brunch

I've done a Top 10 list of brunch places you might not think of, but I was surprised to realize I've never done a Top 10 list of the brunch places I recommend when people ask (which is frequently). Readers suggested several others, that I hadn't thought of, but definitely should be on my list: the Wine Market in Locust Point and the Milton Inn in Sparks. Here's my list from last Tuesday's entry on baltimoresun.com/diningatlarge in alphabetical order: 1 Abacrombie in Mount Vernon. A short but sweet menu of dishes like crepes with homemade applesauce and a grilled ribeye with scrambled eggs and hollandaise.

SUNDAY 1814 BATTLE OF NORTH POINT DEFENDERS' DAY: From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., enjoy battle re-enactments, living history and family-friendly activities at Fort Howard Park, 7400 North Point Road. Go to battlenorthpoint.org. PAJAMA BRUNCH: Mother's Federal Hill Grille, 1113 S. Charles St., provides sleepyheads with a dream brunch - one that you can just roll out of bed and go to. Put on your comfy PJs (not lingerie or sweats, mind you) and enjoy 50 percent off food and drinks from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 410-244-8686.

Last week at baltimoresun.com/diningatlarge we had a guest Top 10 Tuesday by a local bartender who goes by Baltimoron. Here's his list of food and drink (excluding wine) pairings: 1 Zen Press with a summer dinner salad. A Zen Press is muddled seedless cucumber with lemongrass, Hendrick's gin and either soda water or Sprite, garnished with fresh mint. It goes great with any dinner salad. 2 Mojito with Southwestern/Mexican food. What could be better on a hot day than flautas and a mojito?

Sheila Tates is clipping coupons for the first time in her life. The Baltimore resident, a mother and grandmother, also is endeavoring to save money by canceling her home phone and premium cable television channels. But recession or no, she says, Mother's Day is no occasion to skimp. So she and 18 family members, representing four generations, spent about $75 apiece to board a Spirit Cruises ship at the Inner Harbor for a two-hour sail that featured a buffet and dancing. "As a family, we're not in a recession; we're in reverse and have been cutting back every day," Tates said.

This is the second coming of Teavolve, Sunni Gilliam and Del Powell's soothing alternative to the neighborhood caffeine house. The original edition was a snazzy-looking but cozy teahouse on Eastern Avenue, just east of Broadway in Fells Point. The new Teavolve is only about six blocks away, but it feels like you're in a different world. Teavolve occupies a large and looming ground-floor space in a recently constructed waterfront apartment building. The space is a big winner. The new Teavolve is meant to work from early morning, when breakfast is served, until past midnight, when there are live performances, readings and specialty cocktails.

On November 12, 2008, Christina "Tina" Appel A Celebration of Life brunch will be held for friends at noon on Sunday, November 23 at the Mt. Washington Tavern. Donations may be made in her memory to Animal Rescue, PO Box 35, Maryland Line, Md. 21105, or Hopewell Cancer Support, PO Box 755, Brooklandville, Md. 21022.

I've been seeing a lot of national stories lately that the economy is finally affecting restaurants across the board and not just the big chains that went bankrupt earlier this year. But the stories usually focus on New York or Los Angeles and not what's happening in the Baltimore area. I'm not ready to write the definitive story on the subject. (And, really, does it need to be written? Of course, restaurants are being affected.) I am interested in what local places are doing to survive, so I picked up the phone and called a few randomly.

For a Mother's Day celebration, imagine a leisurely spring brunch. As the centerpiece, make a stack of Leek Pancakes designed for wrapping around a roasted asparagus spear or, if you wish, prosciutto. Gravlax - Scandinavian-style cured salmon - is a perfect complement. Basil, mint and lemon grass steep in a pitcher to make a fragrant tisane for sipping. For dessert: Chocolate-Orange Scones laced with oat flour, still warm from the oven. The brunch is a breeze, not only because it is served buffet-style, but because much of it can be done ahead of time.

Event Broadway brunch -- Learn to make brunch dishes with Broadway themes at 11:30 a.m. March 30 at For the Love of Food, 20 Clarks Lane, Reisterstown. $75. Call 443-865-0630 or visit fortheloveoffood.com. Spring tasting --Taste spiral-cut ham, quiche and coconut cake from noon-3 p.m. Saturday at Whole Foods Market, 2504 Solomons Island Road, Annapolis. Free. Call 410-573-1800. recipetips.com This site has an extensive selection of recipes and tips that may help with your spring holiday cooking, including a guide on how to dye Easter eggs with natural ingredients.

Volunteers are needed to help with the Penguin Pace 5K, to be held at 7:45 a.m. Feb. 3 at the Bain Center, 5470 Ruth KeetonWay, Columbia. Volunteers are needed to act as marshals, help atwater-stops, at the finish line and inside, with registration, packet pickup and brunch. The race raises funds for senior programming in Howard County. More than 400 runners have braved the cold to participate. Volunteers receive a Penguin Pace hat and brunch. Regina Jenkins, 410-313-1417.