Thekitchn.com, a Web site devoted to the joys of cooking at home, has published a Food-Lover's Guide to Baltimore to help cooks and foodies find the best markets, artisans, and shops in town. In addition to flagging culinary hot spots, the guide lists foods every gourmand should try, including snoballs, Smith Island Cake, Berger Cookies, and Smearcase.
Excerpts from the guide:
Food Halls
• Lexington Market -- The world's largest, continually-running market makes for stellar people watching, as well as good shopping. Come on Saturdays for the live music, or anytime for Faidley's Seafood and Mary Mervis sandwiches.
• Cross Street Market -- Look for Utz chips in paper (not plastic) bags � that means they were baked that same day.
Specialty Shops of Note
• Trinacria -- Beloved Italian grocery shop with cut-rate wine, homemade olive oil and droolworthy sandwiches
• DiPasquale's -- Another popular Italian deli/market
• OK Natural -- Health food store with bulk grains, vegan staples, prepared foods
• H-Mart -- It's a bit of a drive to this Asian supermarket, but we always come home with tons of surprising things.
Independent Food Artisans
• Puffs & Pastries -- Amazing new bakery, emphasizes use of local ingredients
• Sweet Sin Bakery - Gluten-free desserts
• Bonaparte Bread
• Bluebird Coffee -- Sustainable, organic, artisanal coffee
Find the entire guide
here.