Baltimore Restaurant Week

This week, I ventured up to Baltimore, Maryland to participate in Baltimore Restaurant Week.  It had been a few weeks since I last saw my fellow blogger friend, Ashley (@incouragefoods) and a fun girls’ day out was high on both of our to-do list.  Ashley decided on the venue, Gunther & Co., and I excitingly obliged.

Gunther & Co. is an “Airy bi-level venue with a patio serving globally inspired New American dishes & craft cocktails” located in the Brewers Hill community of Baltimore, which is approximately 30-45 minutes north of Washington, D. C. (depending on traffic).  So it didn’t take long for me to get there.

To say that the venue was packed is an understatement.  We were quickly taken to our table and the ambiance and energy in the restaurant was amazing.  Conversation, laughter, clinking glasses and service stand whisking to and from the kitchen.  It was busy and packed, but so comfortable and inviting.

To start off the culinary experience, I selected the “Shrimp & Pork Steamed Dumplings” served along with a sweet and savory “ponzu sauce.”  Can we say mouthwatering?  It was marvelous!

For my main course, I indulged in Gunther & Co.’s take on “shrimp and grits” with the popular “Shrimp & Andouille Sausage” selection comprised of smoked tomato broth, shaved fennel, and their “VA. grits.”

For dessert, I had the “Frozen Key Lime Tart” which consists of a brown butter graham cracker crumble, toasted meringue and a kaffir lime crème anglaise.

The service throughout was fair but it was apparent that our server was a bit flustered by the amount of traffic in the restaurant that night, as she rushed to take our orders and move on to the next table(s).  But the food was absolutely amazing and the manager (who too was back and forth pacing the floor to check on patrons) was such a delight to talk to.  Our bellies were full and we were content.

Compliments to the chef!

By the time we finished our last course, the crowd paired down significantly and it seemed like we were two of maybe twenty patrons in main dining area.  The restaurant was super low-key at this point and it was the perfect opportunity to just take in the beauty of this establishment.

We continued with our conversation and catching up, as we sipped on our wines and just took a moment to relax and take it all in.

Another perspective for my fellow flower lovers. Who doesn’t love sunflowers?  And to think that I almost missed them at first.  They were such a cute touch leading into a separate dining space.

We then made our way up to the second level and along the path, to the right was a full-on living greenery wall adorned with a vintage clock. It felt somewhat magical.

At the top of the staircase, an end-to-end wine rack wall immediately caught my attention.  There was also more seating in what I would consider a posh lounge area, as well as an adjacent glass-encased space that seemed perfect for private dinners, a small party or meetings.

But the best part of the second level was the view of the entire restaurant from above.  It was astounding! The exposed brick, overhead beams, steel features, accent lighting and industrial details offer a clever and cozy mix of rustic yet upscale vibes.

Checkout this view …

More views.  *cue Rihanna*

“All of the lights!”

We headed back down to the main level and just as we were, a waiter walked by. It was close to 10PM at this point but we couldn’t leave without catching a cute pic together … plus some final shots of the space (sans the restaurant week crowd).

And just like that, our dining experience had come to an end.

On the way out, I couldn’t help but to stop and stare at this art installation of green bottles located just at the entry to the main dining area.  It glowed immensely and so beautifully throughout the corridor leading to the restaurant’s foyer and bar area.  And all I could think about was the quote by Kenneth Hildebrand:  “the most glowing successes are but a reflection of an inner fire.”

This wall spoke to me on another level ha! … or could it be that I was just giddy with contentment after a great three-course meal and good vibes?

Nah.  It was totally a spiritual vibe.

While not the norm for me, venturing out of my city on a weekday to explore new tastes in a new city was the such an awesome experience and I couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity to catch up with another like-minded woman entrepreneur.  It was impromptu yet right on time! Sometimes the best moments happen that way.  Right?  Yes, indeed they do.

Get out try something new today or go somewhere you hadn’t planned to go.  Take it all in and just enjoy the moment(s).

A dose of style and inspiration for living!™

With love,

Rú

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