Daytripping: Sushi Hana, 7 West Chesapeake, Mt. Washington and Fort McHenry

It’s spring and a young man’s fancy of course turns to thoughts of food, or something like that. For this piece, we’ll go with food. As usual, we’ll be making three restaurant stops and visiting a place I’m going to assume Marylanders take for granted. That probably includes me since my last visit was about five years ago.

We’ll begin at Sushi Hana, 6 East Pennsylvania Avenue, Towson. This may be the first time I’m writing about a sushi-type restaurant though the full name of the restaurant is Sushi Hana Japanese Restaurant. Open seven days, seating about 100 (I was surprised how big it was), have won several Best of Towson Awards, and a Zagat, offering dine-in, carry-out, and delivery, online and you can order carry-out from a kiosk in the small lobby.

Lunch is served until 3, lunch items come with miso soup, green salad, and rice. There’s also a U Pick Two $11.00 lunch and lunch combinations. For lunch, I liked the salmon teriyaki. For the U Pick Two, I tried the California roll. The menu also includes Sashimi, Ramen Noodles, Nabe Mono, Hibachi, Appetizers, Teriyaki, Yaki Udon, soup, and salad. Reach them at 410-823-0372.

Let’s stay in Towson, just 2 blocks away, as we arrive at 7 West Chesapeake. Let me begin by saying you have to try either the crab cake or lamb chop (no law against trying both). Open seven days, with an active bar with TVs, private room, late-night Happy Hour (9 til closing), brunch Saturday and Sunday (11-3), daily specials, family-owned, Happy hour 11-7 Monday-Friday and Saturday 11-5.

Reservations are accepted and probably a good idea on weekends. The main dining is spacious so tables are not on top of each other. And how about this, parking is free if you get the ticket validated. Now that’s a real perk in crowded Towson. Reach them at 410-337-9378.

Okay goodbye, Towson, and hello to the quaint village of Mt Washington. And here we are at Abbey Burger, 1604 Kelly Avenue. If you like burgers this is your place. As you can imagine by the name, there are lots of them available. Some of the new ones include Spicy Piggyback and Chimichurri Lamb. But good old afraid to vary me, I had the veggie burger.

Open seven days, plenty of street parking and a nearby open, inexpensive lot, Game Night on Thursdays, Trivia on Wednesdays, and a pool table,

Reservations accepted, Monday through Wednesday dinner only, Lunch added Thursday through Sunday, late night menu Friday and Saturday 10 to midnight, catering on/off-premise, locally owned (Margo and Russ), private parties, 32 draft beers, Abbey Hour Monday-Friday (2-6), bar with TVs and very casual.

I’m not a betting man, but if I were, I’d say most of you have not been to this major local attraction in years, many years. Myself included by the way.

It’s Fort McHenry located at the end of Fort Avenue in Locust Point. Built in 1798 it was continuously used by the armed Forces through World War ll. It was designated a National Park in 1925 and in 1939 was re-designated as a U.S. National Monument. And in 1966 it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. And it’s in our backyard.

The flag that flew over the fort during the battle was 17 x 25 but on the morning of Sept 14, 1814 it was replaced by a bigger flag, 30 x 42. The reason, it depicted an American victory over that pesky British Navy. Francis Scott Key was at the time of the bombardment aboard a British ship about a mile from the fort to negotiate the release of Dr. William Bean, a prisoner of war.

If you’re wondering how the fort got its name, wonder no more. It was named after American statesman James McHenry, (1753-1816), a delegate to the Continental Congress from Maryland, a signer of the Constitution, and Secretary of War.

What Key wrote was a poem named Defence (correct spelling) of Fort McHenry. It was later set to music to Anacreon in Heaven.’ The original flag was sewn by Mary Pickersgill for $405.90. It is now housed in the National Museum of American History in Washington. It is torn and displayed (on a limited basis) in dim light. Today a replica of the 15 star-15 stripe flag flies over the fort.

The fort is open daily from 9 to 4, but summer hours are 9 to 5. A Standard Pass is $15. This includes the historic tour. You can purchase an annual pass for $45. Keep in mind most of the 43 acres is free. You get great views of the harbor and city. The only thing missing is the Key Bridge. Children under 15 are free. Allow about 90 minutes for the tour. There’s also a historic film in the Visitors Center. At the end, a curtain opens and there’s the flag as the National Anthem is played.

There are six days when the fort is totally free. Check website. The biggest celebration is Defenders Day in September. For more information 410-962-4290.

Eddie Applefeld

Eddie Applefeld is a Baltimore native and a graduate of Towson University. He has been in the broadcasting profession for over 30 years. Currently he is the Promotions Director of WCBM radio. Before that, he was part of the Rouse & Company show on WQSR, host of a cable TV show called Dining Out and adjunct instructor at Towson.
His past accomplishments include being named a finalist in Baltimore Tourism’s Employee of the Year Program and winner of Toastmaster’s Speaker of the Year contest. He was also twice a heartthrob for the American Heart Association’s gala fund raiser.