Aspiring Food Critic

So, to go along with the scattered randomness of my brain, i've decided to start critiquing restaurants.

Tarallucci e Vino (http://www.taralluccievino.net) - Upper West Side, NYC (January 14 2011)

FANTASTIC! They food and the service were absolutely wonderful. The interiors were current, but not trendy, trying or embarrassing.

I can't find what i ordered on the menu on their website, but i know it was steak and i know it was amazing.

Chameleon Cafe (http://thechameleoncafe.com) - Baltimore, MD (February 2011)

Lily and i went on a Tuesday night and chose the Price Fix. Four courses for $35! SO worth it! You must go.

Everything I ate was impeccable:

-PUMPKIN LEEK Soup -Market pumpkin, leeks and potatoes simmered in chicken stock, pureed and finished with Madeira

-OYSTERS

Cornmeal encrusted fried Chesapeake Bay oysters with rémoulade sauce, sautéed spinach, lardons, garlic and Herbstaint

-STEAK

Grilled terres major with Brooms Bloom cheddar potato cake and Chateaubriand sauce

The interiors are very clean, though very small-town "arty" and the entrance will forever annoy me - I don't think a paying customer should have to walk trhough the back-of-house to get to the table. It's a very awkward arrangement - and that's one thing - at least neaten up. It was a very tidy place - aside from the weird walk-through.

i would recommend it and i will definitely go again!

Petit Louis (http://www.petitlouis.com) - Baltimore, MD (January 13, 2011)

Fantastic service! Fantastic food! Lovely interiors! Its a wonderful French bistro in Roland Park.

Well, i did send back the French Onion Soup. It was beyond, beyond salty. I was disappointed in that. Though in exchange i did get a butternut squash soup with Rosemary and paremesean - just delightful. My main course was the Steak Bordelaise - divine. The steak at Chameleon was sincerely one of the best steaks i have EVER had in my life - and i'm a steak girl, but this one was very, very good. And the apertif (!) Pavot Rose - Cranberry juice, cointreau and champagne - divine.