Patrick's of Cockeysville--Overlooked!?

[FoiGras]

Hubby and I dined once again last week at Patrick's. When we lived in the Towson/Ruxton area, we used to dine there somewhat frequently. Now, we live in the City and choose to venture closer to home.

Back last Fall we had an excellent dinner at Patrick's. Wonderful fried tomatoes with Crab Imperial topping--HUGE portion. Lovely, fresh salads, coleslaw and pasta salad. Good, warm sourdough-type dinner rolls.

We enjoyed another evening there. It's basically a neighborhood restaurant. Nothing cutting edge (thank goodness, for a change of pace). My softshell crab was very large and perfectly sauteed/fried. My husband's crabcake was full of lumps. (Don't harp that it probably isn't Maryland bluecrab). Once a crabcake is made, I challenge anyone to really tell the difference in the origin of the crabmeat. The seasonings and cooking methods overshadow the heritage of the crabmeat. It is different with steamed crabs or plain lump crab meat, eaten without any other process.

Once again, perfect service--better then that which is offered at the highest end restaurants in the Baltimore and surrounding areas. Lovely white linens, candlelight and comfortable ambiance.

The delightful Chef, Caroline, came out to meet us. What a lovely surprise and gesture. So, all in all, a very favorable experience.

Hoping more Chowhounds will venture into this lovely restaurant and find it quite as pleasant as we have done so.

My birthday is coming up and hubby has queried me as to where I want to celebrate. We will dine out for five nights. Two, very high end and two moderate, one very casual. Suggestions please. Thanks in advance. FoiGras

[stephanieg]

5 nights of dining out... lucky you! If it were my birthday, I'd probably pick Charleston and the Prime Rib for "high end," Dogwood and the Wine Market for "moderate," and Donna's at Cross Keys for casual. Although I also adore celebrating at Tios with plenty of sangria and their luscious pine nut cake! Enojy your special day!

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Wine Market
921 East Fort Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21230

Prime Rib
2020 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006

[FoiGras]

Sounds like a good plan for me. I do want to try Woodberry Kitchen for the mid-range dinner. Definitely Charleston for the dressy-up Saturday night dinner.

Went to the Wine Market last year. A sweet establishment, but for some forgettable reason, it wasn't a place my hubby was enthused over. BUT, it is my birthday and my choices. Yet, I always consider my Sweet Man's desires as he always puts me first above his considerations. So, we take consideration for each other's desires.

I still really like Tio's despite the contrary opinions of some of the Chowhounds. Although dined there about a year or so ago on a Sunday, early evening, the suckling pig was a bit dry. I wasn't as intrigued as with previous visits. Same with the Prime Rib.

We had a waiter with an attitude problem and were seated at a tiny table in "Siberia." The Greenberg skins weren't up to their usual standard. The prime rib, as always, was succulent, but my memory has failed me on the remainder of our meal. I can't even recall what I ordered--so I must have been unimpressed. That's not to say that I won't go back for another chance==same with Tio's.

Yes, Mr "JonParker," our service was exceptional at Patrick's. I won't say that the food is as exquisite as that of Charleston or Prime Rib. But, I'm not comparing apples and oranges. The aforementioned restaurants are on the upper scale of dining out Baltimore style. But, for a casual, much lesser expensive restaurant, then Patrick's provides a nice meal. Not cutting edge or trendy (thank goodness--I get enough of that when traveling). Just basic, good food.

So, I just have to research as to when Restaurant Week is in effect so that I can avoid my birthday dinners. I prefer to dine at the restaurants where I can be selective based on the regular price-point menus.

Anyhow, thanks to all of my fellow Chowhounder's--even with regards to my inquiry regarding the best lambchops. I may consider one of the recommendations for one of my birthday dinners---yum, succulent lambchops==grilled sounds perfect to me, so it may be that Zorbas is the place. I appreciate the recommendations in the D.C. area, but don't have the desire, at this time, to travel an hour or so, (probably more so if it is rush hour traffic), to dine. But, will file away the info for future reference. I know I can count on all for the best-of-the=best. My dining Heros!!! FoiGras

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Zorba's
4710 Eastern Ave, Baltimore, MD 21224

Woodberry Kitchen
2010 Clipper Park Rd # 126, Baltimore, MD

Wine Market
921 East Fort Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21230

Prime Rib
1101 North Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

[JonParker]

I'm not trying to be argumentative here, really. I'm just trying to understand what you mean. In your first post you said "perfect service--better then that which is offered at the highest end restaurants in the Baltimore and surrounding areas," which seems pretty straightforward to me.

And when I asked you really thought it was better than specific places, you started talking about not comparing the food, which of course we weren't. I just don't think from a service perspective that Patrick's even comes close to the higher end, and find it sort of interesting that anyone would.

Oh, and no need for the quotation marks around my name. It's my real name. :)

[FoiGras]

The reason I use quotations around a given name or moniker, is simply to highlight my response to that particular person. Never meant to offend you or anyone. I thought that I was being polite.

Perhaps my dining experience vis-a-vis, the service, at Patrick's was a luck of the draw. Actually, our server was quite superior and probably should be working at one of the high-end restaurants.

The last time I dined at the Prime Rib, our server was quite surly. In addition, we were seated at a tiny corner table making it difficult to even get up to utilize the restrooms. Also, the Caesar salad was not remarkable--I've had better at many lesser places. The prime rib was not as ordered, making our waiter even more indignant. The Greenberg potato skins were okay. The Sunset Restaurant in the Glen Burnie area has better potato skins. My crab imperial was quite good, but have had just as tasty at other restaurants for considerably less with regards to the price. Don't get me wrong, I still think Prime Rib is a very good restaurant, not trendy by any means. But, trendy isn't always what I am chowing down for when dining out.

Same goes for Tio Pepe's-- last time the Roasted Suckling Pig was dry. NO WAY--all of that fat on the skin should have prevented a dry pork.

But, I haven't been to Charleston's in far too long. Am hoping to celebrate one of my birthday nights there. I am looking forward to a very positive experience. I had hoped to actually dine there nearest my birthday, but it falls during Restaurant Week, so I don't want to celebrate my special night having to order three courses of food that I don't particularly want to order. I would prefer two or three appetizers, two entrees and one shared dessert (to take home) with my hubby. That is way too much food, which we never order on such a large scale, but hey, it is a celebration!!!

So, rest assured, I am not defending my opinion with regards to Patrick's. It was just a nice experience that I wanted to share. Hopefully, when I get back to the lifestyle I used to be able to indulge in, I will be able to dine at all of the New York City, Chicago, Vegas, Miami, L.A., San Diego, San Francisco and the wine country top restaurants.

Anyhow, thanks for your comments. They keep me "on my toes." Best regards, FoiGras

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Prime Rib
2020 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006

[maddogg280]

FoiGras- Thank you for sharing your experience. I will get up there as travels permit, despite other's opinions. My birthday week is also coming up and I'll take your suggestion and dine out all week long!
FYI- We dined at the much-recently-discussed Iggie's pizzaria and enjoyed every delicious bite. A surprisingly lovely night to be outdoors in Baltimore added to our dining experience (with little doggy in attendance) and I encourage you to return to Iggie's as your schedule permits. Bring your own bottle!
Happy birthday to you! And best regards to your hubby!

[FoiGras]

Can't wait to dive into the pizza at Iggie's. Wish I'd gone last night as it was such a beautiful, balmy evening, quite conducive to outdoor dining. Wish our little pooch was still with us. She shared her life with us for 15 fabulous years. She was truly a little Chowhound--loved "people food" especially. WE used to take her to tea at the Plaza Hotel in NYC. Some of the dogs that attended were better behaved then the people and were "dressed" in little coats and sweaters. What a hoot.

Happy birthday to you also. Let us know all about your dining experiences for your birthday week.

For one night I definitely want to get some steamed crabs, but haven't quite decided where to go. Actually, I would prefer to eat them at home with some heirloom tomatoes sliced with sweet onions and corn on the cob dripping in butter. (I think that I will delay having my physical for a few more months after all of the intended indulging). FoiGras

[JonParker]

Charleston no longer has appetizers/entrees/dessert in the same way you'd see it at most places. They have courses -- you order 3, 4, 5 or 6 for a set price. The waiter told us they were "slightly larger than tapas" which was a good description. Dessert is included with all meals. Also, they are not listed as participating in Restaurant Week, so it shouldn't affect your decision to dine there. It really is a great restaurant. Be sure to order the sweetbreads and the (of course) foie gras.

[FoiGras]

I am glad to hear that I am not the only one who loves sweetbreads. They are one of my favorites, along with foie gras (of course).

Thanks for the update on Charleston with regards to Restaurant Week. I am very much looking forward to a celebratory dinner there, especially since I haven't dined there in quite some time. FoiGras

[gregb]

At one point, didn't Charleston do their own version of a restaurant week menu for their own set price ($50 maybe)? Or did I make that up?

[tartuffe]

FoiGras i go to the Prime Rib a couple of times a year for food/family reasons. I always am asssigned the same waiter, who is competent and nice but also condescending and a bit smarmy. Alas, the food and atmoshere is terric (for some, anyway), and i do not regret going back. I have dined at Patrick's several times and found it to be in the B+ range in all respects.

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Prime Rib
2020 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006

[FoiGras]

tartuffe--Glad to know that hubby and I aren't the only couple who have encountered a less then pleasant waiter at the Prime Rib. Generally speaking, though, it is an excellent restaurant despite the few times we were somewhat disappointed in items we ordered. But, we are not deterred in our desire to return.

I agree that Patrick's is not at the level of Prime Rib, Charleston, etc. It's just that our dinner there, along with the service, was quite impressive for a neighborhood, casual restaurant.

Many times we just want basic food and save the "wow" factor dining out experience for more special occasions or Saturday evenings.

I can't tell you how many times we used to dine at the Rainbow Room in New York City. We were never impressed with the food as much as the atmosphere.

Also, New Year's Eve 1999 we dined at Prime in the Bellaggio Hotel (where we were staying) in Las Vegas. I don't recall that we felt the food was noteworthy, especially considering the $750 per person tab. But, what a night and fantastic celebration. The night prior, we dined at Le Cirque and had a much better experience. Also, on New Year's night the dinner we shared at Picaso's was exceptional.

I believe that with the inception of the Food Network and people's ability to travel and dine out, our expectations are much higher--and rightfully so.

Baltimore, itself, could use a few more "Charleston-type" establishments.

BTW--am interested to hear more with regards to Alizee and B&O Brasserie. FoiGras

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Prime Rib
1101 North Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

Las Vegas Restaurant
7091 Security Blvd Ste 102, Windsor Mill, MD 21244

[tartuffe]

B-more needs more Charleston-type restos, especially places open for lunch. I am mystified by the lack of fine dining here. This is a recession-proof city with lots of docs with lots of $$$. maybe the docs dont like to spend

[FoiGras]

tartuffe--yes, I am glad that you agree. I also forgot to mention Linwood's which doesn't seem to be highlighted. But, we do need to embrace some exquisite restaurants. Perhaps the Baltimoreans haven't supported very many of the high-end establishments, which makes a newcomer restauranteur (spelling?) gun-shy.

The doctor friends that revolve in my little world are more then happy to dine and spend the dollars if the restaurant warrants the outlay of cash. Then again, the doctor friends that I know are so busy working, they rarely have time to truly relax and DINE.

A suggestion (bordering on being facetious)--we Chowhounders should bond and open up a restaurant. Can you imagine.......? FoiGras

[tartuffe]

FoiGras. i agree with you on Linwood's. Maybe i should stop picking on docs, altho it sounds like you know a different set than I do. Maybe it's the absence of major business HQ with corresponding expense accounts. Altho Omaha and Cincinnatti have major corporate HQ and an even worse food scene. Maybe it's just that we're too close to DC and NY. maybe it's the absence of a locl press--the Sun for over forty yrs ahs paid scant attention to local dining--other than the too soft reviews that it does publish. Alas, Charleston remains the only place that I can call top level. Not that there arent other places that I love, like WK and Linwood's.

[JonParker]

So seriously, the service at Patrick's is better than at Charleston, better than the Prime Rib? Really? That's not my experience at all. It's adequate, like the food.

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Prime Rib
2020 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006

[Hts2804]

I have found them to be just okay in the past. Not spectacular by any means. Much like the Peppermill on York Road, when I go in there, I feel I am the youngest by at least 20 years and I am 41. I will say that they have an annual Spanish week that is quite good, but overall they just don't do much for me.

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Peppermill Restaurant
1301 York Rd Ste G5, Lutherville Timonium, MD 21093

[Hal Laurent]

> My husband's crabcake was full of lumps. (Don't harp that it probably isn't Maryland bluecrab). Once a crabcake is made, I challenge anyone to really tell the difference in the origin of the crabmeat. The seasonings and cooking methods overshadow the heritage of the crabmeat.

If the seasonings and cooking methods are overshadowing the crabmeat, then it's a lousy crabcake. The big white lumps of the pasteurixzed Asian crabmeat are pretty, but require over-seasoning since the crab meat doesn't have much flavor of it's own.

A good Maryland-style crabcake doesn't necessarily require Maryland crab meat, but it does require the correct species of blue crab, from Maryland, Virginia, Lousiana, Texas, etc.

[JonParker]

I don't think it's overlooked, I think it's mediocre at best. I've been to this place plenty of times for work functions, and it's just not that good. I haven't had one memorable meal there.