CANTON : MAMA'S ON THE HALF SHELL

This weekend I had the lovely pleasure of hanging out with my lovely friend Eleni! After a debacle of where to take our starving stomachs, she realized I have never been to Mama's on the Half Shell before, and insisted that we go! It was a lovely day so we headed for Canton!

When we got there, we were fortunate that the wait was only 15 minutes, but we were able to get seated much sooner, and even outside! It was wonderful to be able to sit back and relax and people-watch (one of my favorite past-times).

So in-between our very necessary catching-up, we ordered drinks. Eleni opted for their famous Grapefruit Crush (I've had it before, it is truly refreshing, and goes down a LOT faster than it should ;) ) and I a standard lemonade. This was not my choice, but unfortunately I have recently had my wisdom teeth pulled and I am on antibiotics. I know. Survey Says : It sucks! However, the lemonade was pretty good and light! Yes, Eleni, it was lemonade. Not water :P

Let me say that everything on their menu sounds amazing! And they have a wide range, from salads, to appetizers, to sandwiches, to entrees. It was hard to pick, but then I saw the Seafood Melt and I was sold! Shrimp, scallop and crab salad, with tomato and melted cheese on top (open-faced) on a toasted English muffin! My friend chose the equally appealing Salmon BLT.

Our waitress was very friendly and the food was served in a timely manner, and she continued to check in to make sure all was well! The food looked amazing even before I ate it! It was served with a huge serving of shoestring french fries which were so so... I didn't prefer the after-taste that came from the oil, but its OK because my sandwich was wonderful! Unfortunately, due to my handicaped chewing (due to the teeth removal) I had to cut it up into little pieces, as opposed to my preferred method of nomadic eating with my hands. But it was still great! The seafood was good (and real, thankfully). The cheese was perfectly melted and the tomato slice was thick but it soften with the cooking with allowed it to melt together with the cheese. I wasn't able to enjoy the muffin, however on any other occasion, I would have loved the contrasting crunchiness next to the salad and cheese. Yum-o! I also had a chance to sample the salmon and bacon from Eleni's dish. The bacon was amazing... pretty sure it was applewood? and the salmon was buttery and juicy!

Haha, warning though... apparently we were enjoying the view and seats too long after we paid, and were awkwardly asked to leave since there was a long wait. I guess all is well until after they have your money? Left a bitter thought in my mind about the place, but overall I understood. I would tots go again! I love discovering new places!

http://www.mamasmd.com/MamasSite/ 

Delightfully,
Your Tasty Bud

GREEKTOWN : SAMOS RESTAURANT

I can't I have visited Samos Restaurant recently. However, I do have fond childhood memories of coming here weekly while I was a child, after we finished our Greek school lessons at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. The last couple attempts I have made to eat here have normally been on Friday nights, when my plans were cut short with a sign on the door that stated something to the extent of "No more seating available for the rest of the evening". It's obvious that this place has a place in Baltimore's heart.

When I was younger, it was mainly a carry-out place, the size of a regular townhouse main floor. The same people were always behind the counter and were always very nice. Today, Samos is a completely different place, due to renovations that extended and redecorated the entire restaurant. However, I can't say that the people working there have changed! The same familiar faces!

Being a chunky little Greek child, I always used to go for their chicken or pork souvlakia with a side of fries. It never failed. They were the closest things we had to the traditional Greek fast-food. In addition, they were the only Greek restaurant that made a shrimp souvlakia, which helped my family in times of a need for 'fast-food' while we were fasting meat. With tzatiki and tomatoes, they always hit the spot! As I grew up, my palette evolved as did my food selections. Their kalamari was always good, as well as their dolmades (which happen to be my favorite Greek food). They also make saganaki, however in a different way than Ikaros. Can't say I prefer it. I haven't tried much else on the menu, but thankfully, what I have tried has always been made the same way and never disappoints.

http://www.samosrestaurant.com/

Memories never die. Create some!
Your Tasty Bud

GREEKTOWN : ZORBA'S BAR & GRILL

As mentioned in my previous blog, each place in Greektown (except for Acropolis, not really sure what they are good for?) has a specialty. Zorba's specialty (other than awkward, creepy Greek men during their late night hours) has to be meat. However, I also (very much) enjoy their Zorba fries. These fries are cut in round slices, and therefore give you a more wholesome potato flavor. Not to mentioned, they are freshly cut, no frozen fries! Sooo good with tzatziki and ketchup. (Yes... you have to try this tzatziki and ketchup combo! It's tried and true! Just ask any other Greek!)

In regards to their meat, their lamb chops are so delicious! Cooked perfectly, they are soft and perfectly seasoned. Sprinkled with lemon and dipped in tzatziki, their are simply mouthwatering! Not only that, but their lamb gyros are also very good, obviously with a side of Zorba fries. They used to be my favorite, but unfortunately for Zorba's, Greektown Grill had won that place in my heart.

I can't say I have tried much else; their side dishes are all typically good. One more mention though. Their grilled octopus is a universal favorite as well. It is cooked differently than the one at Ikaros, therefore the two don't compare. However, with lemon, the grilled taste of this tender octopus is excellent!

I definitely suggest you try Zorba's, however, I personally recommend you request seating upstairs ... to avoid the creepy old men at the bar.

To my friend Eleni, this blog is dedicated to you, in memory of your flat tire experience the last time we dined here. Not to mention your many interesting moments at the bar. #SupportAmericanTruckers , #GreekDanceOffs!

Zestfully,
Your Tasty Bud