Welcome to Baltimore, Hon!

Joy Joy Joy!!! Oh to be in Baltimore again! The approach to downtown is like a picture postcard. The best view of the city is from I-95 where you can see the sprawling metropolis - the stadiums, the factories, the office buildings, the high-rise condos and of course the Waterfront hotel of a certain name where I had the privilege and pleasure to serve for 4 great years.

First stop, drinks and apps with Abby F. at my favorite Italian eatery in 'Lil It'ly.


We had a delicious appetizer of eggplant, thinly sliced, layered with prosciutto and mozzarella, rolled and served over the freshest tomato sauce.



...and the famous Grilled Caesar which doesn't photograph anywhere NEAR as good as it tastes!



I was astounded at all the development that has changed the face of Harbor East since I left in '04. I could not get over all the new buildings, new restaurants, shops and hotels that have transformed this once strictly blue-collar area of town where the faint of heart didn't dare tread, into a chic (but still edgy) bustling urban oasis.

This was taken from Aliceanna at Central, facing south towards the BMW:



Not that I ever experienced it like that first hand. When I first visited Baltimore in the mid-90's I recall the area was mostly deserted. A concrete wasteland really. The changes since then to the time I worked at the Waterfront where vast, but the changes since then to now are simply staggering. I scribbled down names of apartment buildings and high-rise condos just so when I got home I could look them up to see how much they're going for.

This is the status of the Four Seasons going up across the street from the BMW. And blocking the view in a BIG WAY:



Here's the R-C Residences across the harbor from the BMW. I am not going to give ANY kind of endorsement to the R-C Hotel Co. I'm still bitter and jaded right now. Jerks.



Lastly, I snapped this from the car sitting at the light at Light & Pratt. This really captures the spirit of Baltimore for me! (Keeping in mind it was Jan 9)



What a great town! I've missed it!!!!!