Brian Lawrence

Mid-May events

2012-05-15T18:49:44+00:00

May 9-12
On Wed, May 9, Style Magazine partnered with the new LOFT store in the Festival at Woodholme to host an Opening Party & Shopping Night. Style staffers, including publisher Kristen Cooper and I, mingled with the shoppers, who enjoyed cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, an in-store DJ and 25% discounts throughout the store. The turnout was huge and the atmosphere was festive, even for a rainy night. The next evening, I was at the Heavy Seas Alehouse for a book party to celebrate the release of “Baltimore Beer,” the new book on the history of beer brewing in Charm City. Author Rob Kasper was on hand to greet people and sign books. A large contingent of his colleagues from The Sun (past and present) were there to wish him well. The crowd included writer (and Style columnist) Chris Corbett, “Turkey Joe” Trabert, writer Neil Grauer, Linnell Smith & Tom Hall, and Bmag food scribe Suzanne Loudermilk. On Saturday, I attended the 3rd annual Foodie Experience at the Hippodrome. The afternoon tasting portion of the program included an outdoor portion this year, where the block of Eutaw Street in front of the theatre was blocked off and featured food trucks and tents. I enjoyed talking with foodies Dara & Tom Bunjon, Celeste Corsaro, Allison & Jim Abromitis, Reagan & Sara Warfield, and actor Vincent DePaul, who was in town for a shoot. The evening featured an entertaining talk by Travel Channel host Andrew Zimmern and, judging by the massive crowds that turned out for the event, looked to be a huge success.

Late spring parties

2012-05-09T16:32:36+00:00

Apr. 25-May 8
On Thursday evening, Apr. 25, I stopped by the St. Jude’s Hospital benefit, being held at AVAM— a fun cocktail hour crowd including John & Shannon Ware, David & Missy Berger, Ned Walton, Filippo Lapides from Voga wines and some wonderful food from local restaurants, including Lebanese Taverna. Saturday, Apr. 28 made for a cloudy and chilly Hunt Cup, but he next day dawned bright, sunny and warm, so I met up with a few friends at Camden Yards for the O’s game. After grabbing burgers at the new Gino’s stand, we trekked upstairs to the new rooftop deck bar, plopped onto lounge sofas, and watched the game from there— sweet! On Tues., May 1, I caught the tail-end of a new spring drinks sampler at B&O American Brasserie, where head bartender Brendan Dorr has concocted some dynamite elixirs. On Thursday, I joined a few other food media folks for an excellent multi-course dinner at the new 1542 Gastropub in Federal Hill. Manager Erich Stumpe made us quite comfortable, and chef Cyrus Keefer amazed us with a slew of off-the-menu specialties. Friday evening found me driving out to Ladew Gardens for their annual Rare Plants & Garden Ornaments Sale. A beautiful evening in a gorgeous setting— and fun to catch up with Chuck & Amy Newhall, Suzi Cordish, Stiles Colwill, Dudley Mason and many more, who strolled the grounds with cocktails in hand while perusing the merchandise. On Saturday, I spent the afternoon at Joe Alvarina‘s annual Kentucky Derby party in Federal Hill, before heading across town to the CenterStage gala, in full swing when I arrived. Ended up at a fun table with Susan Garabedian, Becky Swanston, Ray Michener, Brian Comes, Tiffany Zappulla, Steve Sobelman & Sloane Brown— and chatted with many others. And on Monday, May 7, I attended the annual Meals On Wheels Culinary Extravaganza at the Grand Lodge in Hunt Valley. Making my way around the room, came across Downtown Diane, Rhea Feiken, Rita St. Clair, Andy Buerger, Jan & Sue Guben, Jane-Marie Morrison, Laura Alima, as well as some of my favorite chefs, such as Jerry Pellegrino (Waterfront Kitchen), Barry Fleischmann (Innovative Gourmet), Winston Blick (Clementine), Jerry Edwards (Chef’s Expressions) and Nancy Longo (Pierpoint).

Kettle Hill/Family Tree

2012-04-23T16:22:21+00:00

April 19-23
On April 19, I was invited to the opening party for the new Kettle Hill restaurant at Power Plant Live downtown. Guests included swimmer Michael Phelps, baseball great Rick Demsey (a partner in the venture), David & Suzi Cordish, John Ware, Tom & Brianne Brinkley, Celeste Corsaro and lots more, all enjoying nibbles and custom cocktails from the bar menu. I took time to congratulate local architect Brian Swanson on the design job he did on the attractive, rustic space (formerly Babalu Grille).

Then on Monday, April 23, it was off to the Grand Lodge in Hunt Valley for this year’s Family Tree dinner, featuring 40 custom-designed tables done by local designers— always an eye-catching and fun event. During the cocktail hour, I managed to catch up with Leelee Durkee, Suzi Cordish, Kathleen Jensen, Katherine Crosby, Ross & Sandra Flax, Willis Magill, Rita St. Clair & Joe Sheppard, chef Linwood Dame, and The Sun‘s Sloane Brown, who was interviewing folks for her column. It was a chilly evening, to be sure, as sometimes it can be 80 degrees at this event, but the dinner was a sell-out, and the crowd was more than pleased with the dinner concocted by guest chef Michael Schwartz of Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink in Miami.

Early April

2012-04-16T18:58:31+00:00

So much to catch up on here, I won’t even go into details about the Opening Day at Pimlico (March 30), the AVAM Gala (March 31), or Orioles’ Opening Day at Camden Yards (Apr 6), but suffice it to say, all were fun. After work on April 12, I stopped by the Rusty Scupper, where they were celebrating their 30th anniversary here in Baltimore. A big crowd turned out to sip rum cocktails and taste petite crabcakes and roast beef. I enjoyed chatting with Kathy Sher from the National Aquarium, as well as Sara Hisamoto from Visit Baltimore and Christian Johansson from the state office for Economic Development. The next evening was Maryland Art Place‘s annual Out of Order party, which is always a fun mix of fashionably attired folks and cool artwork. This year was no different, but the party stretched later into the evening than it normally does, given that dancing broke out on the late side and people didn’t want to leave (a tribute to the excellent DJs). And bonus: I scored two excellent pieces of art in the auction! And the following evening, I hit two galas downtown: first the Everyman Theatre gala, then the Memory Ball. Everyman started with a cocktail hour and tour of the company’s new home (still under renovation) in the old Town Theatre, then guests walked across the street to the Hippodrome for dinner and dancing. Enjoying the party were Brooks & Susan Amiot, Edie & Stan Brown, Evan Serpic from Baltimore magazine, Jerry & Betty Maizlish, Chuck & Mary Kay Nabit, David & Laura Alima and lots of others. Then I headed across town to the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront hotel to join the 600 people in the main ballroom for the ‘Dancing Stars’ event, and got to catch up with Caryn Sagal, the Governor and Katie O’Malley, and Betsy Wendell of Octavia, before watching restaurateur Tony Foreman win the judge’s prize as well as the top fundraising prize, to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association. Congrats, Tony!

Early spring events

2012-03-13T20:03:28+00:00

March 6-10
On March 6, I stopped by the Sobo Cafe in Federal Hill — the new owners had invited a group of friends, family and media to sample the revised menu and see what they’ve done to spruce up the place. I ran into spirits purveyor Rocco DiPietro, and a few denizens of the neighborhood, who all seemed to be having a nice time. The next night, I made my way over to Bond Street Social for the Harbor East ‘Sip, Savor & Stroll’ event, a progressive tour that also included stops at Bin 604, Talara, Wit & Wisdom and Lebanese Taverna. Lots of fun folks turned out for it, with the groups traversing the neighborhood all evening, sampling food and drink at all locations. The next night included three stops. First up, the Jr. League of Baltimore’s annual Boutique Warehouse Sale in Harbor East. Style helped sponsor the event, and I got there for the opening VIP cocktail/preview hour, and saw many of the city’s chicest boutiques represented. I also got to chat with Mary Helfrich, Eleanor Landauer, Parker Mount & Laura Calhoun, Cindy Plackmeyer, Sloane Brown and Sascha Wohlhandler, as well as purveyors Lisa Schatz (Cupcake) and Daniel Wylie (16 Tons). From there, it was a quick stop at the City Paper‘s Cosmic Cocktail bash at AVAM, then on to Little Havana, which was celebrating its 15th anniversary. I enjoyed hanging out with Chris Whisted & Melissa Lembo, Kristen Keener, Tim Whisted, Richard von Lange, Ron Solomon & Debbie Cameron. And on Saturday morning, I attended the Baltimore premiere screening of HBO’s ‘Game Change,’ which filmed here in town last year. Before and after the screening, I caught up with Md. film honcho Jack Gerbes, set decorator Tiffany Zappulla, Scooter Holt, Jed Dietz, Hannah Byron, Pat Moran, and a multitude of others, all there to support film production in Maryland.

Rye Competition

2012-03-06T18:36:53+00:00

Feb 26-March 5
On Sunday, Feb 26, I was honored to be one of 5 judges (also including ‘Wine Coach’ Laurie Forster and ‘Master of Whiskey’ Ewan Morgan from DC’s Diageo) for the ‘Ryes Up Against Cystic Fibrosis’ bartender competition. The evening was organized by Brendan Dorr of the Baltimore Bartenders Guild and chief mixologist at B&O American Brasserie, where the competition was held. Some 150 rye drinkers converged on the restaurant, where bartenders from 10 local bar/restaurants vied for top honors. I particularly enjoyed the presentations by the competitors and socializing with lots of folks from the local food & beverage scene, such as Tom Brinkley, Chris Stutz, Bill Crouse, and Kevin Miller & Jennifer Devos of Copper Kitchen.

On March 2, I swung by the Garden Preview Party at the Md. Home & Garden Show at the Timonium Fairgrounds, and on March 5 enjoyed this year’s performances at the ‘Expressions’ show at the Baltimore School for the Arts; lots of familiar faces: Sam & Carter Polikoff, Tracy Kwiatkowski, Terry Squires, Morgan & Jennifer Gilligan, Ben Polikoff, Avery Strachan, Jon Kaplan & Joel Pearson, Amy Burke Friedman, and Larry & Leslie Polikoff.

February Events

2012-02-25T14:55:55+00:00

Feb. 2-23
Started off the month with a stop-by at this year’s Chocolate Affair, held at the Marriott Waterfront. I stayed through the cocktail hour, but left before the sit-down dinner for 700 followed by a lengthy presentation and auction. (If anyone were asking me, I’d have to say I preferred the former format, which was more of a fun, casual cocktail party, rather than a formal sit-down dinner. Just sayin’.) On Tuesday, Feb. 9, I was emcee for the ‘Turn Up the Heat’ fashion show held at Towson BMW. Sponsored by the Cosmetic Surgery Center of Maryland and benefitting Cystic Fibrosis, the fun show and party attracted some 200 fashionistas. STYLE’s own ‘Glamour Girl’ blogger, Lisa Simeone, provided witty, colorful commentary for the looks on the runway. On Feb. 15, I joined many of the city’s food writers for a wonderful lunch at the new Heavy Seas Alehouse, courtesy of chef Matt Seeber. Look for a full report on this new Central Ave. venture from Hugh Sisson and Patrick Dahlgren in the ‘Epicure’ pages of the May issue of STYLE. On Tues. Feb. 21, I did double duty, stopping first at a reception at the Center Club, then heading over to Roy’s in Harbor East or a cocktail party highlighting their reception and party offerings (along with a tasty Hawaiian martini). And on Thurs. Feb. 23, I headed up to the Crowne Plaza Hotel for the opening night reception for this year’s Hunt Valley Antiques Show, which was packed with people. In the course of an hour and a half I ran across Greg & Lisa Barnhill, Chuck Nabit, Stuart Amos, Heather Harlan & John Warnack, Stiles Colwill, Amy Newhall, Jay Jenkins and John & Shannon Ware. I was also introduced to Des Reilly and Kristopher Karr, recent transplants from NYC who’ll be opening the new Kettle Hill restaurant at Power Plant Live in April (in the old Babalu Grille spot). We’re eager to see what they’ve done with the place, along with architect Brian Swanson. Once it’s open, you’ll read about that in STYLE, as well.

New Year

2012-01-31T18:09:42+00:00

Jan, 2012
Just a few things to mention as the new year gets underway and the social scene takes a bit of a breather before coming back to full-steam. On Jan 10, I squeezed into the bar at Hampden’s Cafe Hon for the party to celebrate the ‘Show Your Soft Side’ campaign. Some 170 folks were there to toast the campaign (which was launched by the Mayor’s Anti-Animal Abuse Commission) and benefit BARCS. In the crowd: martial arts fighter John Rallo, retired Ravens player Qadry Ismail, State’s Attorney for Baltimore City Gregg Bernstein, chair of the mayor’s commission Caroline Griffin, founder of the “Soft Side” campaign Sande Riesett, Nokio of Dru Hill, city councilman Carl Stokes, Ravens Super Fan Capt. Dee-Fense, and 98 Rock’s Sarah Fleischer. Look for pix of the event in the March issue.
On Tues, Jan 17, I was in the packed audience at the Meyerhoff for the talk by food writer Michael Pollan, and on Sat, Jan 21, I stopped by the Forgotten Cocktail Club held in the lower level barroom at Maisey‘s on Charles Street. Bartender Brendan Dorr mixed me up a Capone Classic and I chatted with photographer Joe Giordano, Celeste Corsaro and brothers Chris and Jon Cook of Sloop Betty Vodka.
Then on Sat, Jan 28, I joined the 500+ guests at the sold-out Pratt Contemporaries’ Black & White Ball at the Pratt Library. Always a fun party, and so many familiar faces: Suzy Prucka, Sloane Brown, Jon Kaplan, Joel Pearson, Denise Koch, Rosemary Parker, Lisa Schatz, Steve Leary, Tanzi Craig, Justin Batoff, Lou Licata, Colette Went and lots more. Truly one of Baltimore’s best cold-weather season events.

Holiday buzz

2011-12-20T18:10:27+00:00

Dec. 2011
Kicked off this round with a wonderful dinner for media folks on Dec. 5 at the beautiful new TenTen restaurant in the Bagby Building, hosted by David & Jane Smith. Great food, moderately priced, in a beautiful, intimate space (you’ll see it in the ‘Epicure’ pages of the new January issue of STYLE). Tuesday morning included a stop at the Baltimore School for the Arts ‘Good News’ breakfast and performance, and chats with Sam Polakoff, Terry Reed and Tracy Kwiatkowski. On Sat., Dec. 10, we attended the 30th anniversary screening of ‘Diner’ at JHU’s Shriver Hall, followed by a panel with director Barry Levinson and several actors from the film. I managed to chat with local boy Josh Charles after the screening, whom I hadn’t seen in a number of years— he’s a big fan of the film, and recalled watching them film parts of it here when he was 12 years old. On Tues., Dec. 13, I joined several area food writers for a sampling dinner at B&O American Brasserie— the short rib roast and the butternut squash doughnuts were clear standouts on chef Thomas Dunklin‘s new seasonal menu— definitely order those the next time you’re there for dinner (BTW, the bar there is one of my local favorites, particularly in the colder months, and barmeister Brendan Dorr always has a new drink up his sleeve— just ask him to recommend something). Thursday night, I joined Carolyn O’Keefe (who’s also featured in the Dec. issue with her jewelry line, American Estate), Stiles Colwill (see the layout in the Dec. issue on his Christmas decor at his Green Spring Valley farm), and lots of others for a delightful black-tie holiday dinner at the Mt. Vernon Club. After that, I stopped by the Metro Gallery to see the new photography show, “Big Girls,” and stayed to talk with Joe Giordano, Jill Andrews, Dean Alexander, Lindsay Hite and lots more who were there for the show. Friday night was the annual Tour de Dundalk to benefit BARCS, and Saturday night included stops at Anne Boone Simanski‘s annual Ugly Sweater party and Willis Macgill‘s annual Christmas bash. Then on Monday, Dec. 19, it was back to TenTen for a media happy hour hosted by Dot Fuchs and Lisa Shenkle, where I caught up with Gregg Wilhelm, Cindy & Kerry Plackmeyer, Randi Rom, Merritt Dworkin and a slew of others before heading home. Tonight? You’ll find me at the bar at The Peppermill with freelance writer/photographer Jim Burger toasting the season (and the Peppermill’s mention in his story as one of Baltimore’s best classic martinis in the Dec. issue of STYLE).

Easing into the holiday season

2011-12-05T14:37:13+00:00

Nov.-Dec. 2011
The holiday season is in full-swing, and I’ve been making the rounds. Zelig & Linda Robinson held a cocktail party honoring state comptroller Peter Franchot at their home in Guilford on Nov. 17, so I stopped by and got to chat with him, as well as fellow guests Jamie Snead and Lori Glaser. Then on Nov. 16, we attended ‘Couture at the Club,’ a fashion show and party at The Center Club that STYLE helped sponsor. Sloane Brown did a great job of MC-ing the runway portion of the evening, and we also caught up with guests Edie Brown, Helga Suratt, Steve Sobelman, Christian Johansson and models Lacey Morley and Monyca Berrocosa. Of course, it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving week without Sascha Wohlhandler‘s annual Tuesday-night bash at her home in Fells Point— always a blast and a fun night of catching up with folks. On Tues., Nov. 29, restaurateur Jerry Pellegrino hosted a reception at Corks in Federal Hill for Laurie Forster, ‘The Wine Coach,’ to launch her new weekly radio show on WBAL radio. Local foodies such as Celeste Corsaro, Dara Bunjon, Lisa Shenkle and Lars Rusins made the scene for that, as well. On Wed., Nov. 30, STYLE hosted a readers’ cocktail party at new Fells Point hot spot Bond Street Social, and 150 or so festive souls sold that one out and filled the rooms for several hours of sipping and socializing. Thursday night was the annual monument lighting, and we hit the Walters Museum cocktail reception beforehand in the elegant Walters mansion and mingled with the mayor, museum director Gary Vikon and deputy city health commissioner Olivia Farrow before enjoying the fireworks and then heading around the corner to Diane Rohrer‘s annual bash where Dr. Kim Hammond, Jim Burger, Lisa Barnhill, Ron Smith & Julia Felscher and lots more partied the evening away. On Friday night, we stopped by the Railway Building for Casewerks’ opening reception of a curated photography show featuring works by Dean Alexander, Sean Scheidt, Joe Giordano and others— chatted with those guys as well as Urbanite publisher Tracy Ward before hitting Woodberry Kitchen for dinner. Then Sunday night was the annual Guilford Christmas Party, this year held at the home of Dr. Paul Fowler & Frank McNeil, Jr.,— lots of folks to greet here, including Peter & Eleanor Landauer, Bill McFaul and Linda & Zelig Robinson. Lots more to get to this week— I’ll have an update soon!