Holy Frijoles

Location: Hampden
Price: Cheap
How to get there: Car, taxi
Service: Good

              Everyone loves a good mexican restaurant and Holy Frijoles in Hampden is a great option!  Whether it is for happy hour or your in the mood for some good food, we definitely recommend it.  For drinks, the margarita is great as well as their selection of local beers.  Their happy hour is extensive with signature drinks and beers half price from 4-7pm on weekdays.  We recommend the cucumber margarita (sounds weird) which has flavors that you wouldn't expect would work that amazingly do.

 Chicken Fajitas

               Free endless chips and salsa always start off a meal on the right foot.  They even make their own tortilla chips in house.  For dinner, the fish tacos and chicken fajitas are excellent, and a generous portion which ensures leftovers for later.  They always have fresh guacamole and this traditional Mexican food is a welcomed break from chipotle and qdoba (not that we don't love them too!).  Although it sounds intimidating, the chimichanga was also delectable - not too fried like we thought it was going to turn out.

Chimichanga

             The service at Holy Frijoles is welcoming but very simple and to the point. The good food and fun atmosphere makes this a perfect place to go with a group of friends for dinner.  It is casual and laid back looking over the cute town of Hampden.  If you haven't gone to Hampden yet consider going before Christmas Break - they have some of the most famous Christmas lights in the country which light up all the houses and businesses on 34th street.  If you love classic Mexican make sure you check out Holy Frijoles!

13.5% Wine Bar

Location: Hampden

Cost: moderate

How to get there: car, taxi, walk (if you’re really motivated)

Service: good

          While we love our food, we love a good glass of wine now and then too. Recently, we checked out 13.5% Wine Bar in Hampden. Filled with leather chairs, dark woods, and a wall full of wine bottles, this wine bar has really cool and modern atmosphere.

Although we didn’t eat at 13.5%, they do have a selection of snacks, salads, pizzas, dinners, and desserts. If you’re going with someone who isn’t a fan of wine, they also have an assortment of beers and other cocktails.
On our visit to 13.5%, we weren’t quite sure what to order to drink. Both being 21, we are not connoisseurs of wine quite yet. Because we couldn’t make up our minds, what seemed to be the most logical decision at the time was for us each to get a flight of wine. One of us ordered a flight of white wines and another ordered a flight of sparkling wines. Therefore, we each got three 3 oz. glasses. If you're wondering, a normal glass of wine is 6 oz, so a flight equaled about one and half glasses. The waitress was very kind and explained each of the wines to us. We really enjoyed being able to sit outside and sample each of the wines we ordered. It was a very relaxing way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Just a warning if you end up getting a flight there as well: although you only get 3 oz. in each glass, they put the wine in normal sized wine glasses. Because we sat outside, countless people came over and questioned why we had 6 glasses for the 2 of us. That was slightly embarrassing. Still, getting to sample a few of the wines was totally worth the judgment.

Definitely check 13.5% Wine Bar out!

            

Charm City Cupcakes

Location: Mt. Washington (same shopping center as Whole Foods)
Price: Cheap
How to get there: car, taxi
Service: quick and knowledgable!

          Got a sweet tooth?  Have we got the place for you!  Now we know cupcakes is the big thing right now, but we really do swear by this place.  Charm City Cupcakes has some of the best of these little cakes around.  If you know us at all you would know we love to bake, so its fair to say we would be good judges of a good cupcake.
         If you are on your way to Whole Foods or just driving past Mt. Washington (literally right on falls road about 2 miles away) make sure you don't blink or you'll miss this hidden cupcake heaven.  Charm City cupcakes is a small - well very small - retail location which has other stores.  Each day they have new flavors and icings in delightful combinations.  My personal favorite was the raspberry cream chocolate truffle cupcake.

raspberry cream chocolate truffle cupcake - YUM

         Cupcakes cost around $2.50 each and are well worth it.  Go early though, they usually sell out and close kind of early.  Definitely check it out!

Woodberry Kitchen

Location: Clipper Mill

Price: Expensive

How to get there: Car, Taxi

Service: Very good

Crab Dip

            Need a place to take your parents?  Woodberry Kitchen is perfect.  Over the four years we have been going out to dinner around Baltimore, Woodberry Kitchen is definitely rated number one.  The menu features only organic and locally grown farmers, with absolutely nothing that is processed or not naturally found in Maryland.  Woodberry Kitchen relies on these growers and has created a partnership with them to keep local businesses thriving.  This means the menu reflects the seasons and are prepared fresh daily.  Offering brunch, lunch, and dinner, this scenic restaurant is a must.  Woodberry Kitchen is located in Clipper Mill, an old brick mill with beautiful historic buildings. 

Chocolate Bonbon 

Blueberry Cocktail

            We have eaten there for both brunch and dinner and could not find one aspect to complain about.  The servers are trained so well they know every detail of the menu (which can be hard to understand at times) and are very attentive.  Woodberry Kitchen is a little on the pricey side (entrees are typically between 20 and 35 dollars) but it is worth the splurge.  Parents will love the home cooking and atmosphere.  During our visits we have ordered the flat breads and pastrami hash for brunch, local rockfish and slow roasted braised beef for dinner.  The server even gave us a sample of bell peppers they can in house since it was our first time dining there.  Our favorite meals were for dinner but all around anything you order is bound to be delectable.  Also – they make their own ice cream!  Save room for dessert!

Late Summer Sundae

            Reservations are a MUST and we recommend making one at least 2 weeks in advance, because it is a very popular restaurant and usually booked.  Try going on a weekday or for an early dinner for better availability.  One of our parents even said it was the best restaurant they have ever been to.  Take advantage of this gem that’s right here in Baltimore!

2 Hungry Hounds

Matthew's Pizza

Location: 3131 Eastern Ave., Baltimore, MD, 21224

Price: Cheap

How to get there: car (it would be an expensive cab ride)

Service: very good

            Just as Matthew’s website states, Matthew’s Pizza is truly Baltimore’s best pizza! If you haven’t been to Matthew’s yet, you are truly missing out. Just writing about their pizza makes our mouths water! There are not many restaurants that we dream about when we are back in our hometowns, but this is one of them!

If you plan on going to Matthew’s, your best bet is to go on a weekday night. On the weekends, Matthew’s is packed with locals. If there is a wait on the weekends, you can wait in a bar they have set up in the basement of the restaurant.

            When we go to Matthew’s (which is frequently), we typically split a house salad and a large 3-cheese pizza with meatballs. When we’re really getting crazy, we order bruschetta as well. We know what you’re thinking-that sounds like quite a lot of food for two people. However, it really isn’t that much. A large pizza at Matthew’s is 10 inches. Although it’s small in size, it’s a very thick, filling pizza. The 3-cheese pizza is topped with a mouthwatering combination of mozzarella, ricotta, and reggianito.  The meatballs are homemade with angus beef. The 3-cheese with meatballs is a must at Matthew’s!

            As for the house salad, it is simple, yet delicious. A combination of iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, olives, and pepperocinis is topped with cheese and their house dressing. The salad is classic, but it’s another must at Matthew’s.

Crab Pie

            Another tasty dish at Matthew’s is the crab pie. We hesitated ordering it many times based on that fact that its price was listed as “market price”. However, one day when we were feeling adventurous, we ordered it. It was awesome! Plus, it ended up only costing around $15! The crab pie is a white pizza topped with mozzarella, reggianito, crab, caramelized onions, and old bay seasoning. If you like crab, it was definitely worth trying!

            Although we have yet to try them, other items that look good on their menu include Anna’s stuffed pie, bruschetta with crab, spinach salad, and a selection of gelato. So if you’re looking for a tasty bite, Matthew’s is your place! Let us know what you thought of Matthew’s!

2 Hungry Hounds