Spring Break
Baltimore Restaurant Week brings dining deals, but are they worth it?
Issue date: 2/14/08
Welcome to the world of Restaurant Week. From Jan. 28 to Feb. 3, certain city restaurants only charge $30 for a three-course meal. Sounds like a great deal, right?
The truth of the matter is, among the 80-plus restaurants that participated in this winter's culinary affair, there were only a handful of notable contestants.
Before you fall into the trap of thinking that dining out for under $40, especially at one of Baltimore's most highly visited restaurant destinations, is an opportunity not to be missed, think about what really makes going out to eat worthwhile for you.
Whether you are an obsessive gourmand or an insatiable glutton, each customer's personal hierarchy of dining priorities should determine if Restaurant Week is the right fit for you.
Either way, make sure to research the establishments that you are interested in trying, and you'll not only save money, but your taste buds too from a potentially disappointing dinner.
McCORMICK & SCHMICK'S
A respected seafood chain known for their country club décor and extensive variety of fresh fish, McCormick & Schmick's offered a predictable prix fixe menu of refined dining standards.
For $30, one could chose between Maryland crab soup or a house salad with bleu cheese crumbles and glazed walnuts, followed by an entrée of either pan seared ribeye, hoisin marinated striped bass or the ultimate indecisive diner's dish - a seafood platter.
These were certainly not the most interesting items from their complete list of options, which includes more creative combinations such as pepper parmesan crusted scarlet snapper with passion fruit vinaigrette or Atlantic salmon stuffed with blue crab, bay shrimp and brie cheese.
But hey, you'll get a "free" dessert at the end of your two bland courses which is certainly appealing to foodies who need a sugar fix.
Although I love a multi-course meal, I steered away from the unimpressive set menu and focused on one of the more creatively prepared dishes, striving for a more exciting meal.
The truth of the matter is, among the 80-plus restaurants that participated in this winter's culinary affair, there were only a handful of notable contestants.
Before you fall into the trap of thinking that dining out for under $40, especially at one of Baltimore's most highly visited restaurant destinations, is an opportunity not to be missed, think about what really makes going out to eat worthwhile for you.
Whether you are an obsessive gourmand or an insatiable glutton, each customer's personal hierarchy of dining priorities should determine if Restaurant Week is the right fit for you.
Either way, make sure to research the establishments that you are interested in trying, and you'll not only save money, but your taste buds too from a potentially disappointing dinner.
McCORMICK & SCHMICK'S
A respected seafood chain known for their country club décor and extensive variety of fresh fish, McCormick & Schmick's offered a predictable prix fixe menu of refined dining standards.
For $30, one could chose between Maryland crab soup or a house salad with bleu cheese crumbles and glazed walnuts, followed by an entrée of either pan seared ribeye, hoisin marinated striped bass or the ultimate indecisive diner's dish - a seafood platter.
These were certainly not the most interesting items from their complete list of options, which includes more creative combinations such as pepper parmesan crusted scarlet snapper with passion fruit vinaigrette or Atlantic salmon stuffed with blue crab, bay shrimp and brie cheese.
But hey, you'll get a "free" dessert at the end of your two bland courses which is certainly appealing to foodies who need a sugar fix.
Although I love a multi-course meal, I steered away from the unimpressive set menu and focused on one of the more creatively prepared dishes, striving for a more exciting meal.
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