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A story worth telling: Apropoe’s

Dara Bunjon

The Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel Apropoe’s restaurant and bar, plays tribute to the city’s most renowned author, Edgar Allen Poe.  Poe wrote mysteries, even a food-related short story, The Duc de L’Omelette , who ate an ortolan (a rare tiny bird, eaten whole in one bite) and then damned to hell’s fire.  Apropoe’s story is different, if you partake of their comestibles, you will be heaven bound.

A recent luncheon with Executive Chef Carlos Gomez and Executive Sous Chef Kiran Putnam proved to me that hotel dining can be a delightful culinary adventure. Putnam, who recently beat Bobby Flay on the television show named aptly, Beat Bobby Flay, is the key to Apropoe’s zestful Maryland offerings.

The new spring lunch and dinner menus have just been introduced featuring the tried and true dishes that patrons crave, i.e. crab cakes and burgers along with the following seasonal choices:   Afternoon lunch goers new options are the vegan, gluten-free cilantro-lime quinoa salad, robust in flavor and loaded with spinach, roasted edaname, avocado, cherry tomatoes, and extra crunch with jicama. The Chesapeake Bay scallops, also gluten-free, appeared with that perfect exterior sear atop creamed corn grits, with sea beans for crunch, pickled Vidalia onions to brighten the palette and a citrus herb vinaigrette finish.

For those who like brunch 7 days a week, indulge in their Maryland lump crab scramble: creamy scramble eggs with a generous portion of lump crab resting upon house-made biscuits partnered with Parmesan topped Old Bay fries – the portion was huge and definitely shareable.

The dinner menu’s new starter of green apple gazpacho marries crisp apple, rich avocado, and fresh cucumber flavors that tease the appetite.  Then when you think you’ve finished, indulge in the lady Baltimore, a sweet ending of white chocolate mousse, almond financier, orange curd filling, fig jelly and candied almonds.

Mother’s Day has just passed, but you should mark your calendar for Father’s Day when Apropoe’s pulls out the smokers for a Whiskey Brunch featuring what sounds like awesome ribs.

Apropoe’s

Baltimore Marriott Waterfront

700 Aliceanna Street

Baltimore, MD  21202

410 895 1879

Apropoe’s Webpage

Valet parking is validated for $8.00 when you dine in the restaurant for up to 3 hours (must have valet stamped by host). After 3 hours, there is a flat rate fee of $45.00. Or, if you don’t mind a couple blocks walk, there is a new self parking lot in Little Italy at the corner of Eastern and President Street for $5.