Friday

Black Bean Cheeseburger Panini with salsa

Gazpacho (vegan) and African Peanut Soup (vegetarian)

Don't forget it Maryland Sheep and Wool weekend! The best free, family-friendly fun to be had. Seriously folks, even if you're not a knitter/crocheter/weaver go enjoy the food, music and animals at the Howard County Fairground this weekend.

Thursday Specials

For soup to day be have Gazpacho (vegetarian), African Peanut Soup (vegetarian) and 16 Bean Soup (vegan). We also have the Rowhouse Sandwich - sun-dried tomato basil cream cheese, sprouts, cucumbers, red onions, and havarti served on our health toast.

Wednesday Specials

Today's soups are Curried Cauliflower Pistachio (vegetarian) and Hearty Lentil (vegan). We also have the Rowhouse Sandwich - sun-dried tomato basil cream cheese, sprouts, cucumbers, red onions, and havarti served on our health toast.

Tuesday

Today's soups are Thai Chicken Soup, Hearty Lentil (vegan) and Curried Cauliflower Pistachio (vegetarian). We also have the Pesto Caprese Panini and some lovely Cheddar Scones.

Monday Specials

Soups today are Thai Chicken Soup and Hearty Lentil Soup (vegan). We also have the Pesto Caprese Panini.

Saturday?!

We have Wild Rice Porridge with toasted pecans and dried cranberries, blueberries and cherries. We also have Hearty Lentil Soup (vegan) and Creamy Tomato Basil (vegetarian). The sandwich special is The King Eggplant Panini with grilled eggplant, caramelized onions, feta and greens.

I'd like to apologize to all of you who check the blog for our daily specials and soups. A combination of computer issues and moving to a new home have made life a bit hectic and posting to the blog has become a casualty.

So far I've refrained from publicly airing moving antics on the blog, but in the days and weeks to come I'm sure to need a virtual sympathetic ear. The boxes (and boxes) of cookbooks, the postage stamp size kitchen, wanting to make curtains and fun do-dads for the new place when packing should clearly be the priority.... all of this and more will will be pulled out to regale you (and as a legitimate excuse for avoiding the unpacking).

Wednesday Specials

Soups today are a traditional Potato Leek Soup (chicken stock based) and the Moroccan Tomato Chickpea Soup (vegan).

For sandwich specials we have the Rowhouse Panini - sundried-tomato-basil cream cheese, crunchy sprouts, cucumbers, sliced red onion, swiss cheese all on a toasty ciabatta sub roll and Curried Parmesan Tuna Salad Sandwiches.

Monday Specials

Tuna Melt

Gazpacho
Cuban Black Bean Soup (vegan)

Saturday Specials

The Torpedo - Italian sausages and pepperonata stuffed into a hollowed ciabatta sub roll

Soups today are Italian Wedding Soup and Cuban Black Bean (vegan).

We also have a Wild Rice Porridge with blueberries, cherries and pecans, as well as Carrot Nut Scones.

By the way, have you signed up for your CSA yet? Shares are limited and on a first come basis. I know Cromwell Valley CSA still had shares left a day or two ago.

Thursday Specials

The Torpedo - Italian sausages and pepperonata stuffed into a hollowed ciabatta sub roll

Soups today are Italian Wedding Soup and Jalapeno Corn Chowder (vegetarian).

Spinach Salad with dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, reed onion, feta & creamy herb dressing.

Tuesday Specials

Today we have an Avocado and Spinach Salad Wrap and the Turkey Guacamole Sandwich. Soups are Split Pea (vegan) and Creamy Tomato Basil (vegetarian).

Friday Specials

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup, vegetarian
Tuscan Bean and Sausage Soup

Roasted Portabello with Soy Ginger Glaze Panini, Feta & Greens

Thursday Specials

Soups today are GAZPACHO! and Tuscan Sausage & Bean Soup.

And two wrap specials - Mango Salsa, Turkey & Greens and Mango Salsa, Spicy Black Beans & Wild Rice.

Tuesday Specials

Celery Garden, vegan
Beef Chili (cheese optional)

Maple Pork Loin with Apple Slaw on a soft wheat roll.

Have you signed up for a CSA share yet? There is a comprehensive list published by the University of Maryland that includes farms across the state. While you're at it check out Maryland's Best, which includes locally produced wine, meat, plant nurseries, farm stands and pick-your-own sites.

Last year we had a share from One Straw Farm and picked up our produce in Towson on Tuesdays (OSF is also at the Waverly Farmers' Market on Saturdays). This year in addition to the OSF share we are adding a share from Cromwell Valley CSA (which is also an organic farm). The second share gives us access to additional vegetables, fruit and flowers.

Monday Specials

Beef Chili (cheese optional)
Italian Vegetable

Celery Garden (available this afternoon), vegan

The Rowhouse - sundried-tomato-basil cream cheese, crunchy sprouts, cucumbers, sliced red onion, swiss cheese all on a toasty ciabatta sub roll.

Spicy Jack - roast turkey, caramelized red onions, habanero chesse, and zebra sauce

Spinach Salad with dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, reed onion, feta & creamy herb dressing.

Saturday Specials

Beef Chili with cheese (optional)
Potato Leek Soup, vegetarian
Italian Vegetable Soup, vegan

The Rowhouse Panini - sundried-tomato-basil cream cheese, crunchy sprouts, cucumbers, sliced red onion, swiss cheese all on a toasty ciabatta sub roll.

Seems spring lept right past us and hellooooo summer! No doubt rainy days and cool evenings are still ahead, but I feel a bit like a crocus - daring the frost not to miss the sun. This time of year we see a dramatic increase in business, weddings and graduations to cater, as well as the Charles Village Festival this year.

And if all that weren't exciting enough, I'm moving. Back to Charles Village! When the fraternity bought our fabulous apartment building, not long after the cafe opened, I "temporarily" moved in with a friend. It's been four years of living a half-unpacked life and feeling a bit like a sofa-surfer. As is often the case, when I acknowledged the need a wonderful opportunity presented itself.

For the past few weeks I've been merrily picking out lighting fixtures, bathroom fixtures, flooring, etc. as the handy men work at giving this gorgeous Victorian a much overdue face lift. From repairing/replastering walls to refinishing the parquet floors not a corner has been left untouched.

But there's a catch.

The world's smallest kitchen. Put a refrigerator, sink and an oven in a small walk-in closet and you've got an idea what I'm talking about. So rather than bemoaning the situation (after all New Yorkers and Parisiennes manage) it's my latest challenge. A change in environment is a great time to make a change in habits and patterns. Other than creative use of space, one of the things I hope to do it take greater advantage of the local markets. Buying smaller amounts more often and menu planning with an eye toward what's in season.

....to be continued.

Friday Specials

Potato Leek Soup, vegetarian
Italian Vegetable Soup, vegan

The Rowhouse Panini - sundried-tomato-basil cream cheese, crunchy sprouts, cucumbers, sliced red onion, swiss cheese all on a toasty ciabatta sub roll.

WOW! Have you seen the sun?! The terrace is hopping (get it? an Easter Bunny reference) and it looks like the weekend will be fabulous. Stop by and enjoy the first iced latte of the season.

Thursday Specials

Frogger Wrap, spinach, bleu cheese, honey mustard, red onion and dried cranberries
Tuna Salad Sandwich or Tuna Melt

Potato Leek Soup
Tomato Basil Soup