Baltimore is #2... (houses, places to eat, reviews)

[UserName14289]

Originally Posted by designer_genes

I like cheesesteaks, but they are incredibly overrated.

Being from the NYC metro area and being someone who is fluent in Italian and has traveled to Italy, I find the Italian cuisine in both Baltimore and Philly to be subpar. Italian food is by far my favorite, so I guess my bar is really high. It's the one thing about the food scene in Baltimore that I don't like, basically. Which is unfortunate. But, I get my fix when I visit my parents in New Jersey and when I travel to NYC.

I guess Philly does do Italian a bit better than Baltimore does, but I don't find the difference to be that substantial.

So you're not Italian, but are a big fan?

My ex of 8 years was Italian, born in Italy. His mother immigrated here and spoke all of ten English words, so I can safely say that I got authentic Italian food (complete with only homemade noodles) and I still don't like Italian food, for the most part. So I'm not a good gauge on that one.

[designer_genes]

Originally Posted by UserName14289

So you're not Italian, but are a big fan?

My ex of 8 years was Italian, born in Italy. His mother immigrated here and spoke all of ten English words, so I can safely say that I got authentic Italian food (complete with only homemade noodles) and I still don't like Italian food, for the most part. So I'm not a good gauge on that one.

Correct. The town where I grew up was at least 75% comprised of Italian-Americans and so Italian is offered as a language from a very young age and I took it along with all of the other kids because it was the "cool" thing to do. And then I fell in love withe language, the culture, and the food and just never stopped studying it, lol.

[UserName14289]

Originally Posted by designer_genes

Correct. The town where I grew up was at least 75% comprised of Italian-Americans and so Italian is offered as a language from a very young age and I took it along with all of the other kids because it was the "cool" thing to do. And then I fell in love withe language, the culture, and the food and just never stopped studying it, lol.

That sounds like more Italian food than I could tolerate. lol What is your favorite dish? I keep trying to like Italian food, but so far have found nothing I like (aside from one restaurant in San Diego that specializes in cuisine from Northern Italy).

I wish I liked it, since it seems to be everywhere, but I'm just not feeling it. I think the reason is it's often heavy on pasta and meats, and I don't care for either. The Northern Italian dishes are vegetable and seafood based and make more use of polenta and risotto over pasta so I liked those better (probably because, aside from their use of butter versus olive oil, they are closer to Greek food than what most think of as traditional Italian food), but Northern Italian food isn't as easy to find.

[Infinite_heights77]

For someone who loves Italian cuisine, both Northern and Southern Italian, I can attest that Baltimore's Italian restaurants are nowhere as good as the places in Jersey and Philly (not talking Maggiano's either). New York is in a league by themselves in this regard.

[Infinite_heights77]

What town? Don't say Jersey City, Hoboken or West New York...cause I will laugh at you!

Originally Posted by designer_genes

Correct. The town where I grew up was at least 75% comprised of Italian-Americans and so Italian is offered as a language from a very young age and I took it along with all of the other kids because it was the "cool" thing to do. And then I fell in love withe language, the culture, and the food and just never stopped studying it, lol.

[UserName14289]

Originally Posted by Infinite_heights77

For someone who loves Italian cuisine, both Northern and Southern Italian, I can attest that Baltimore's Italian restaurants are nowhere as good as the places in Jersey and Philly (not talking Maggiano's either). New York is in a league by themselves in this regard.

New York is in a league of their own when it comes to most food.

I agree that Philly does Italian better than Baltimore, but they have a lot more Italians (almost four times more) so they better or it would be shameful.

I would love for you Italian food lovers to give me names of restaurants and dishes to try that could change my mind on Italian food.

[Infinite_heights77]

New Jersey has some good Italian restaurants as well! I guess when you're mentioning NY (the tri-state), you're encompassing NJ as well? Of course, Philly's population is much larger than Baltimore, so there you have it.


Look, Baltimore has some great restaurants and eateries for a city its size. In my opinion, there's not a plethora of them in conjunction with much larger cities, but it does ok for itself. I'd like to see more of an international (diaspora) flavor and a few African American fine-dining establishments added to the city's restaurant décor. I shouldn't have to travel to NY and DC to excellent foods and dining experiences!!!!

Originally Posted by UserName14289

New York is in a league of their own when it comes to most food.

I agree that Philly does Italian better than Baltimore, but they have a lot more Italians (almost four times more) so they better or it would be shameful.

I would love for you Italian food lovers to give me names of restaurants and dishes to try that could change my mind on Italian food.

[UserName14289]

Originally Posted by Infinite_heights77

New Jersey has some good Italian restaurants as well! I guess when you're mentioning NY (the tri-state), you're encompassing NJ as well? Of course, Philly's population is much larger than Baltimore, so there you have it.

Look, Baltimore has some great restaurants and eateries for a city its size. In my opinion, there's not a plethora of them in conjunction with much larger cities, but it does ok for itself. I'd like to see more of an international (diaspora) flavor and a few African American fine-dining establishments added to the city's restaurant décor. I shouldn't have to travel to NY and DC to excellent foods and dining experiences!!!!

You don't have to. That's why we're #2 in the entire country, or did you miss the first post of the thread (which says a lot for our tiny size). Yay us! I'd argue that for our size we're #1 and that only larger cities rank higher, IMO (but they should since they are bigger or they should just go home).

So no recommendations on restaurants or dishes? Just as well.

[designer_genes]

Originally Posted by UserName14289

That sounds like more Italian food than I could tolerate. lol What is your favorite dish? I keep trying to like Italian food, but so far have found nothing I like (aside from one restaurant in San Diego that specializes in cuisine from Northern Italy).

I wish I liked it, since it seems to be everywhere, but I'm just not feeling it. I think the reason is it's often heavy on pasta and meats, and I don't care for either. The Northern Italian dishes are vegetable and seafood based and make more use of polenta and risotto over pasta so I liked those better (probably because, aside from their use of butter versus olive oil, they are closer to Greek food than what most think of as traditional Italian food), but Northern Italian food isn't as easy to find.

Oh man, if only I could pick one favorite, lol. I love carbonara. I also love anything with a pink sauce, preferably ravioli filled with some sort of delicious seafood. I also love pizza. Pizza napoletana. Real pizza. Verde is the only restaurant in Baltimore that even gets close in that department.

Originally Posted by Infinite_heights77

What town? Don't say Jersey City, Hoboken or West New York...cause I will laugh at you!

Haha, no, none of those towns.

[UserName14289]

Originally Posted by designer_genes

Oh man, if only I could pick one favorite, lol. I love carbonara. I also love anything with a pink sauce, preferably ravioli filled with some sort of delicious seafood. I also love pizza. Pizza napoletana. Real pizza. Verde is the only restaurant in Baltimore that even gets close in that department.

Haha, no, none of those towns.

I don't think I've been to Verde. I'll give it a try. Thank you. I love trying new things, especially when they come with a good recommendation.