Baltimore Mama » Eating Out

Fundraiser for the Stadium Place Playground

Gretchen — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 12:04:36 +0000

from The Baltimore Sun

You are invited to join families from all across Baltimore City for a
Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser to benefit the Playground at Stadium
Place.

Friday, March 13th at 5:30pm at New Waverly Methodist Church.
644 East 33rd Street across from the entrance to the Giant.
$5 for Adults
$3 for children under 12
Includes children activities and entertainment.

We will rise from the ashes! As many of you know, Our Playground at
Stadium Place was destroyed by an arsonist in September.
Unfortunately, the arsonist has not been caught; police and fire
detectives are still actively investigating.

The Y of Central Maryland and Friends of Our Playground are mutually
focused on improving the lives of the children and youth by providing
safe and enriching opportunities for play and recreation. These
organizations have joined together to rebuild Our Playground at
Stadium Place after the tragic fire in September of 2008. We invite,
and thank you for, your participation and support.

www.StadiumPlayground.org
FriendsOfOurPlayground@gmail.com
443.756.6198

A Seat of One’s Own

jenn — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:39:00 +0000

Are you a babywearing mama (or papa) who’s secretly jealous when you see parents with strollers at the coffee shop? Do you cringe at the prospect of your child putting her mouth all over the high chair that’s been used by a dozen other kids and has the food stains to prove it? Have you contemplated never eating again after dining at a friend’s table with a squirmy little one on your lap? If you answered yes to any of these questions, My Little Seat might be the product you’ve been waiting for.

Invented by a crafty parent, this sling-style travel high chair is both ingenious and incredibly simple. Those of you familiar with the Ergo or similar carriers will recognize the straps and buckles that create a snug pouch and attach your child safely to most square-backed chairs (as long as it isn’t too tall). Â The set-up is quick and easy, and the quality of the fabrics and construction lets you breathe easy between sips of your latte. My daughter, who isn’t a fan of most types of restraint, was comfortable and happy in the seat; she had the freedom of movement that she craves while still being secured tightly to the chair. Â Extremely portable, My Little Seat folds into a tiny matching pouch that you can throw into your diaper bag or even the pocket of your Ergo. It’s made of 100% poly-cotton, so it’s a breeze to wash and dry, and there are several cute prints to choose from. This is the product I wish I had invented: so intuitive and so useful. We take ours everywhere, and we often use it at home too!

My Little Seat is appropriate for babies who can sit unassisted and children up to 35 pounds. Â As with all baby products, it’s important to read all directions and warnings before use. You can purchase yours at their website for $39.99, which, when you consider how much stress you’re saving yourself and how long you can use this product, doesn’t seem too expensive at all.

QualityÂ Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
AppealÂ Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
ValueÂ Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
FunctionalityÂ Rating: 5 out of 5 starsÂ
StyleÂ Rating: 5 out of 5 starsÂ

Overall Rating: 100% A

Grind On, Urban Baby, Grind On

jenn — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 21:13:46 +0000

If you haven’t visited the Harford Road corridor in awhile, now is a great time to check it out. Â There are so many new businesses popping up in the Lauraville/Hamilton area, including Grind On CafeÂ (4607 Harford Road, at the corner of Grindon Avenue). Grind On had a soft opening a few weeks ago and has been feeding the masses ever since, and they’ll celebrate with a grand opening this weekend. Â The bright and spacious cafe features paintings by local artists and serves local favorite Zeke’s CoffeeÂ as well as baked goods, ice cream, bagels, and reasonably priced organic sandwiches. Â The cafe is open seven days a week, 6 am – 9 pm. Â And there’s free wi-fi (maybe more useful when you’re sans bebe, since we all know how easy it is to use your computer while drinking a hot beverage and holding a small child….)

Grind On Cafe has teamed up with another local business, Urban Baby Runway, to create a comfy kids’ corner at the coffeehouse, complete with a child-size couch. Â Urban Baby Runway has donated a variety of toys and books to keep the little ones occupied while you get your caffeine fix. Â They can entertain themselves with blocks from Maple Landmark, Lilly Bean felt play food, and tea sets from Green Toys (made from 100% recycled materials). Â More studious babies can check out titles like Urban Babies Wear Black, Counting with Wayne Thiebaud, and Mrs. Mustard’s Baby Faces. Â Urban Baby Runway offers toys for sale at the cafe, and you can also shop for these and other items at theirÂ online store.

Dining with Kids in the City

Gretchen — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:54:00 +0000

Every week we are going to feature a restaurant or two where you can get a lovely, nutritious meal and bring your children along. If you have any suggestions, leave a comment here or email baltimoremama@gmail.com

Read on for a sneak peak of what’s to come, with Liz’s review of a Highlandtown favorite!

DiPasquale’s Italian Market

Gretchen — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:43:00 +0000

Depending on where you grew up in Baltimore, you’ll have associations to a specific Italian deli. If you patronize Trinacria, then that’s where you’ll keep going. If your family grew up with Mastellone’s, that’s where you go. Even if you have to drive across town. Even if the DiPasquale’s now own it. It’s a very interesting phenomenon. There are some good delis in town – don’t get me wrong. But depending on who you talk to… the allegiance can be… impassioned.

So for those of you in SE Baltimore, Di Pasquale’s is a no-brainer. It’s close, it’s the neighborhood deli, even if it is a gourmet deli: great eats and brick oven pizza. For those of you not from the area – it’s worth a stop. in my not-so-humble opinion.

It’s family-friendly. Not in the Chuck-E-Cheese vein, but in the we’re-Italian-and-family-is-everything way. It’s a family-run business, and after school hours or on weekends, you might see one of the kids stocking shelves, working behind the deli counter, working the register, or you might see their youngest playing at a table with one of his sisters. I remember eating there once (before i had my son) when one of the kids brought me a book and asked me to read it to her while i ate lunch. i loved it.

My husband and son have a standing Saturday date for a brick oven pizza at Di Pasquale’s. The pizza they usually order is now on the menu as the “Costantino” – my son’s name in Italian. It was a way for me to get more iron (probably, the perception of more iron) into his diet – the addition of spinach and chicken to the typico tomato and cheese pizza made me feel better when i couldn’t otherwise get him to eat the rusty stuff. Yes, i know that calcium inhibits the absorption of iron, but a change of pace and not having to think about one meal a week is a real treat for me, and at least worth a shot. They used to order and hang out, but since my kid’s reached toddlerhood and he derives great entertainment from hiding behind the counter and disrobing, they call ahead so that the pizza’s ready when they get there.

Don’t forget when you order a cappuccino to ask for some steamed milk for the kid – mine likes his in an espresso cup and calls it his coffee.

Di Pasquale’s Italian Marketplace
3700 Gough Street in the heart of Highlandtown
Phone: 410.276.6787
FAX: 410.276.0161

Hours:
Monday thru Friday: 9 am – 6 pm
Saturday: 9 am – 6 pm