600block

Stats, Charts and Happy New Year!

Tom — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 01:13:03 +0000

As we wave farewell to 2008, it seemed fitting to briefly look at how far we’ve come in six short months. Since launching publicly with a (literal) bang on July 4, 2008, 600block visitors have grown to 10,000 strong. So many amazing members sharing helpful reviews, great specials and helping to spread the word.

Thanks to you, we expanded our food and drink specials database to the largest in the city and grew traffic at a staggering 35% per month. Needless to say, this new year’s we’ll be raising a glass of bubbly to you. Because without you, 600block wouldn’t be possible.

Here’s some fun year-end 600block stats:

655 number of restaurants, bars, shops and other places listed
570 reviews written by our members
3,000+ favorite places saved by our members
550+ Baltimore food and drink specials listed

One thing’s clear — 600block members love to eat and drink! Luckily, we have you covered into the new year and beyond! Thanks to everyone for making 2008 such an amazing year. We look forward to even bigger things in 2009. Happy new year!

Save Food & Drink Specials to Enjoy Later

Tom — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:29:38 +0000

We thought it would be helpful to highlight some great 600block features that you may not know about. As part one of a series, let’s look at a nifty way to create your very own list of favorite Baltimore food and drink specials.

Let’s say you spot a great 1/2 price wine special on Wednesdays. Just click Save this Special and it will be added to your My Specials page. It’s that easy to collect your favorite deals…now you’ll always remember who has the best specials every day of the week!

You’ll definitely want to save this great special at Mick O’Sheas.

Chef Patti - Video and Photos

Tom — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 21:13:02 +0000

Patti’s chef debut at Sotto Sopra was a big success! The rabbit tortellini easily was the crowd favorite with Patti hand-making over 250 tortellinis. At the end of the night, Patti told diners she was “tired and exhilarated and would do it again in a heartbeat.” Thanks to everyone who came out!

600block’s Patti is Sotto Sopra’s Chef for the Day

Tom — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 11:26:14 +0000

Watch out Bravo, there’s a new chef in town! Patti Chan - 600block’s very own co-founder and uber-foodie - will be taking over Sotto Sopra as Chef for the Day on Tuesday, October 21. Patti will be preparing and cooking dinner for the entire restaurant!

She worked with Chef Bill Crouse to create a tasty four-course menu composed of items like rabbit tortellini, monkfish osso bucco and star anise ice cream (full menu below).

Come out and support her chef debut, enjoy amazing food, and meet other 600block members! This event is open to everyone so please bring your friends (you can reserve on OpenTable)! If you have a sec, leave a comment below so we know you’re coming!

Chef Patti’s Tastetastic Menu

1st course
Eggplant panzanella salad with olive bread and a red wine vinaigrette

2nd course
Rabbit tortellini with braised vegetables and rabbit consomme

3rd course
Provencal monkfish osso bucco with white corn polenta

4th course
Port poached pears with roasted walnuts and star anise ice cream

Where: Sotto Sopra in Mount Vernon
When: Tuesday, October 21, 2008 (seatings from 5:30pm to 9:30pm)
Cost: $38 for an amazing 4 courses!
Please reserve your table so we know how many to expect!
Reserve with OpenTable or 410-625-0534
NOTE: Be sure to mention you want the “Chef for the Day” menu. Normal dinner menu will also be available for guests.

Puffs & Pastries Brings Sweetness to Hampden

Tom — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 04:22:05 +0000

600block stopped by the pre-opening party at Hampden’s new Puffs & Pastries to sample some sweet and savory treats. The creation of pastry chef & owner Anisha Jagtap, Puffs (see what I did there?) serves up a mind boggling selection of taste bud delights. We loved the peach cobbler and dark chocolate brownies. And watch out Rodney, the savory items are superb. The grand opening is September 13 during Hampden Fest. Stop by and spoil yourself.

Puffs & Pastries - 830 W 36th St

View all the photos on Flickr

Hey City Paper, we got your Best of Baltimore

Tom — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 01:30:22 +0000

With City Paper’s Best of Baltimore 2008 coming out soon, we thought it would be fun to see how our members’ favorites match up to some of their award categories. Also, while we’re on the subject of awards, we need your help to win Best Baltimore-Related Website! Show your 600block love by nominating us in the City Paper Reader’s Poll. We’ll love you forever!

Vote for 600block as Best Baltimore-related website

If 600block members were picking, the winners would be…

Best Neighborhood - Fells Point
From Waterfront Hotel to Pitango and more, 600block members sure love Fells!
Best Cheap Restaurant - Chicken Rico
The “crack chicken” had Joel B. “reenacting the Meg Ryan orgasm scene in When Harry Met Sally.”
Best Local Beer - Brewer’s Art
Travis T. raves about their “awesome self-brewed beer in the Belgian style, which means high octane, knock-you-on-your-ass-when-you’re-not-looking tasty brews.”
Best Park - Patterson Park
Corey P. sums it up nicely with “my dog enjoys pooping here very much!”
Best Movie Theater - Senator Theatre
Joseph M. can’t get enough of its “wonderful, enormous screen, fantastic sound equipment, and brilliant architecture.”
Best Local Furniture Store - Su Casa
Brent H. recommends it “when you’re ready to furnish your real house with real furniture…the value and style are both great.”

Tell us your Best of Baltimore picks in the comments. And don’t forget to nominate 600block for Best Baltimore-Related Website!

Baltimore Restaurant Week ‘08 - Top 5 Summer Picks

Tom — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:00:25 +0000

Ah, summer is in the air. Oppressive humidity, swarming tourists and the O’s. Need a culinary escape? Follow your taste buds to foodie bliss. That’s right, it’s time once again for Baltimore Restaurant Week. Enjoy a 3-course dinner for $30.08 from a staggering list of more than 100 restaurants.

Having trouble deciding? We’re here to help! Last time, our strategy was to hit the places with the most high-end menu items. Our results were lukewarm at best. This year, we’re aiming to try some expensive places we’ve never been (able to afford). Here are our summer picks:

Abacrombie - Reopened late last year with new chef. Menu standouts: house mac & cheese, pork confit with peach butter and tasty desserts.
Bicycle - One of our best restaurant week experiences last time. The menu doesn’t appear until the last minute, but it won’t disappoint.
Tabrizi’s - Fairly new waterfront Mediterranean dining next to the Ritz. Menu standouts: grilled house-made lamb grape leaves, sauteed baby octopus and calamari, and lamb kabobs with veal reduction.
Louisiana - One of those places we always want to try, but could never justify the French sticker shock. Menu standouts: Louisiana shrimp and seafood gumbo, grilled lamb chops and bread pudding.
Fin Steak & Seafood - New upscale spot in the lower level of the Admiral Fell Inn. Menu standouts: little neck clams and summer seafood linguine.

Our honorable mentions are Cinghiale (finally!), Corks and b Bistro. Unfortunately, some favorites are still absent from the list (we’re looking at you Woodberry Kitchen, Salt and Charleston). But don’t worry, there should be plenty of gastronomic delight awaiting you this go round. If only we could figure out why Ding How keeps coming back for more or the reason for that extra 8 cents ($30.08 price tag).

Where are you heading for restaurant week? Tell us in the comments!

600block is now open to the public!

Tom — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 20:42:55 +0000

Hey Baltimore, happy 4th of July! Here at 600block HQ, we’ve been busy making some final tweaks to the site and now we’re ready to open our doors to all of Baltimore! If you haven’t already, check out 600block.com and start discovering great Baltimore places, specials and deals. There’s already a lot to check out…like our collection of more than 200 food and drink specials from around the city.

So what are you waiting for? Check it out and tell your friends! Big thanks to all the beta members who have been reviewing local places, creating their scenes, and giving feedback. We’re excited to find out what you love about Baltimore. Happy grilling this weekend and we’ll see you on the site!

And the winners are…

Tom — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 20:42:30 +0000

Congrats to the winners of our $150 Giveaway Contest! For their prize, we’re sending them a $50 gift certificate to a restaurant of their choice. Nice picks, guys!

Hillary Bartlett in Canton chose Ra Sushi
Todd Harvey in Lake Walker chose Dogwood
Erica Fromherz in Canton chose Annabel Lee Tavern

Bawlmer gits kitschy at Honfest 08

Tom — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 23:09:12 +0000

Hampden was the place to be this weekend, hon! Bigger and better than ever, Honfest 2008 was packed with beehives, leopard print and grammar that would make any English teacher blush. Check out the photos, including a hairy hon, the Lil Miss Hon winner, and other odd delights.

View all the photos on Flickr