Let's do this the Tasty Bud Way! BELVEDERE SQUARE: RYAN'S DAUGHTER

So, after re-reading my post from yesterday about the weekend, I decided to re-visit my dinner from yesterday in the traditional Tasty Bud way, the original purpose for this blog! With dilated pupils from my opthamologist appointment this morning, here we go :)

When my brother asks my sister and I to hang out, we have to drop all we do to jump on the occasion to see him (and give him his HUGE stack of mail), for he is a busy entrepreneur that is passionately committed to his work and seldom stops by our house. So Sunday night, we kept dinner hours free in order to see him. However, being exhausted from the emotionally draining weekend, Irene and I didn't want to drive downtown, so I suggested a place in either Towson or Belvedere Square. Delightfully, Yanni suggested Ryan's Daughter since he has never been, and we gladly accepted!

Prelude: Irene and I had been there before with our friend Eleni on a whim. I had always heard about it from the 'of age' co-workers at the Sheraton Baltimore North where I worked in high school so we went. The restaurant is adorned with charming accents of antiques and old books, blended into the wooden walls and flooring, giving it the quintessential pub feel. You walk in and are warmly greeted by a roasting fireplace to warm you on the cold winter days. The restaurant looks like a grand living room which would be an excellent space for Bilbo Baggins to host on of his excellent birthday parties :) When we first went there, we sat in their lovely outdoor seating in the summer weather.

The menu include a variety of appetizers, sandwiches, soups, salads, entrees, and Irish classics. Their beer menu is even longer than their food menu (expected, no?). And even if you don't know which beer to try, tell them what you like and they will set you up with the perfect mate (read: glass) for the evening! For apps, we chose the Dubliner Cheese dip, with is a creamy pot of this Irish cheese, cream cheese, artichokes, and spinach, served with celery, carrots, crackers, and bread. Delicious and warming, it pairs perfectly with any beer! For my main entree, the jolly atmosphere encompassed my taste buds, so I orders the Irish classic, Cottage Pie. With pulled chicken, veloute sauce, mixed veggies, topped with champ and cheese, this little puff pastry pie makes you want to be Ricky Bobby and roll up in it to stay warm. Haha... But seriously, it was deliciously creamy, warm, and comforting!

So Sunday, I was stoked to go again. My sister and I arrived, and once we entered, were greeted by a band of Irish musicians playing in the 'entrance'! Again, I was transported to Bildo Baggin's living room (for those who don't know, he is from the Lord of the Rings and hosts some crazy parties!). It was truly a warm welcome that lifted our smiles! My brother arrived and we were seated. Immediately, my sister and I said to order the Dubliner cheese! After taking 5 minutes to read the beer menu, I chose the Magner's Pear Cider. It sounded fruity and un-beer-like, so I tried it. It was a great match! It reminded me of a pear champagne with a kick of beer at the end. I will definitely be buying it for home! For my entree, I stuck with the Dubliner burger. After 4 days of pasta and seafood for dinner, I needed a good meaty meal. And let me tell you, 12 oz of meat with Dubliner cheese, pickles, lettuce, tomato, mushrooms, AND bacon did the job! Their french fries were thick cut and definitely not frozen. Although I asked for medium-well and then outside of the burger was way overdone, I still enjoyed the 1/3 of the burger I ate (3 oz is my ideal serving lol)! I would most definitely order it again, just maybe medium next time.

My sister order the Chicken and Spinach Boxty which is grilled chicken, fresh spinach and feta cheese sautéed with onions and tomato wrapped in Irish potato pancake, served with mixed vegetables. This was very fresh and resembled a savory crepe. My brother also went for an Irish classic and ordered the Corned Beef and Cabbage. It is house-brined corned beef with redskin potatoes, parsley and cider mustard sauce. The portion was huge and thank goodness Yanni likes his salt because it was truly salty. The meat was tender and Yanni ate the whole plate (which is very uncharacteristic of him!).

So good food, great portions and good prices, coupled with Irish beer and music kept us there for three hours! It was a lovely evening with siblings and great conversations. Ryan's Daughter so far is my favorite Irish pub. Check it out! http://www.rdirishpub.com/menu-irish-specialties.php

FYI: THEY HAVE AN "ELECTION NIGHT SPECIAL On November the 6th we will be having an election night special that you will not want to miss. The special items include 10% off your check if you wear your voting sticker. We also will be offering Ales of the revolution by Yards brewery which include, George Washington Porter, Thomas Jefferson Tavern Ale, and Ben Franklin Spruce Ale. On top of that we also have our usual Tuesday night specials which include various foods and drink after happy hour ends. The event will begin at 6PM, so come join us for a fun and historic evening!"

Sláinte chugat (Good health to you),
Your Tasty Bud

Sum it Up!

It has been a few since my last post! Only because I had a SUPER busy weekend celebrating the marriage of my friends Dimitra and Panagiotis! I was a wonderfully relaxing wedding (in Greek terms haha...) where everything was beautiful (including the lovely bridesmaids ;) ), the food was yummy, and the music was just perfect (ask the blisters on my feet!)! One of the best ones I have been to yet! And actually... the first one I have EVER been a part of! Thankfully, the lovely newlyweds were able to quickly travel away from the area before the Hurricane came, and are enjoying themselves now! Can't wait to hear about their cruise!

Picture of the Bride and her Maids (including me!) and little ones outside of the
Bride's house before our PARTY BUS came! :)

The next day, I rushed in the morning to dance practice, and then to my little cousin's SPOOKY birthday party! Pizza and birthday cake were enjoyed while being surrounding by loving family and friends! We all had a lovely time (especially the little Vampire birthday boy!).

Unfortunately, Hurricane Sandy was creeping towards us as we were all having a good time... so schools and our work were closed Monday and Tuesday.  After making delicious pancakes then cleaning my room, our power went out at 5pm Monday. So... we were stuck in the dark! So, what else do you do?!?! We went to bed early! Haha :) Next morning, no power! So, after eating cold leftovers, we all grabbed extra blankets and our book and cuddled on the couch and read. It was relaxing but it was getting cold! Thankfully it came back on at 4pm that day... so we were able to defrost. After that, I got rid of my boredom by carving my pumpkin so that it was ready for Halloween today. It turned out great!!! I am so proud of it... even if I cut my finger in the process!

Spooky Haunted House - Carved Pumpkin

Tonight, my boyfriend and I need to finish our costumes! Can't wait to show you! And, if I have time between giving candy to the kiddies and enjoying the festivities, I hope to cook some of these pumpkin seeds!

Overall, I and feel blessed to have been able to enjoy this 'long weekend' and that my family and loved ones made it through the hurricane safely and with little damage. My prayers go out to the people who got the brunt of the storm.

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