Daytripping at the National LaCrosse Museum, and feasting at Gertrude’s Chesapeake Kitchen and Chessie’s Food Works
Gertrudes (Photo by Eddie AppleFeld)
So here I am again with another exciting trip to restaurants and a brief visit to a national museum located in Baltimore County. But first, due to no demand at all, here is my list of five things on my mind, or what’s left of it.
1) 8.1 million more Americans went hiking in 2020 than in 2019. The reason of course is obvious.
2) Cherry Springs State Park in Pennsylvania is the 2nd international Dark Sky Park in the country and the only one on the east coast. This means the park is famous for the show it puts on in the night sky.
3) Jennifer Lopez and A-Rod are done. Shocked, aren’t you?
4) Not to worry, Trey Mancini will be back on track soon.
5) Macauley Culkin, that blond little kid from Home Alone, is a dad. He is now 40. Time waits for no one.
With that out of the way, let’s eat. And there’s hardly a better place than Gertrude’s Chesapeake Kitchen, Art Museum Drive, in the Baltimore Museum of Art. As of this writing, they’re open Wednesday through Sunday, but
I hear Tuesdays may be added soon. There is also a brunch Saturday and Sunday (with jazz).
You can dine inside (capacity about 40) or outside (about 60). If the weather is good definitely select outside.
Part of the outside is under a tent. And now I have to mention the about 20 sculptures scattered about, all owned by the BMA. You must walk by each of them. It’s one of the attractions that sets Gertrude’s apart from most restaurants.
This is a popular restaurant so reservations are a very good idea. You can park on the adjacent museum lot or on the street. In May the grounds will hold the Snow Cone Sisters Café which will serve food and drink.
It’s named after Baltimore’s own Cone Sisters, world travelers, art collectors, and socialites during the early part of the 20th century. They have their own wing in the BMA.
Recommended dishes would include Gertie’s crab cakes, Tilghman Island platter, salmon alla bella and shrimp salad. They offer vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free. There are also cocktails, wine, champagne, beer, and cider. And let’s not forget the desserts like the lemon meringue tart, strawberry shortcake, ice cream sundae, and the German chocolate cake ‘bread’ pudding. Wednesday nights all wines are 50% off (conditions apply).
Reach them at 410-889-3399 or go to gertrudesbaltimore.com.
Okay, let’s take a food break and head to Sparks and the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame, 2 Loveton Circle.
Prior to this location, it was located on the Johns Hopkins campus. The museum showcases the game back to its native American origin. The first members were inducted in 1957.
The museum is filled with photography, vintage equipment, art, trophies, uniforms and more. Hall of Fame voting is done in March; in April candidates are submitted to the U.S. Lacrosse Executive Committee; in May inductees are announced and in September or October it’s the actual induction ceremony.
People are nominated in four categories – players, coaches, contributors, and officials. In 1992 Rosabelle Sinclair became the first woman inducted. In 2020 there are eight inductees. In total Johns Hopkins has had 66 inductees, University of Maryland 32 and the Naval Academy 14.
Be advised, currently, the museum is closed. But it won’t be long until it opens. Admission is free…410-235-6882, uslacrosse.org
Let’s now turn our attention to a restaurant/café that just opened on April 1, Chessie’s Food Works of Stevenson, 10423 Stevenson Road, Stevenson/Pikesville. Open Monday-Friday 8 to 6 with varying hours Saturday (but that will change soon).
Locally owned by Trae and Laura.
You can dine inside (one long table that could seat 6) or outside, the better choice in nice weather. There is an upstairs area if needed for a party. By the way, the name comes from the word Chesapeake.
Their lobster roll is a big hit. But I still need to recommend some of the other sandwiches – shrimp, tuna, and crab cake.
Other menu categories include quick snacks (house-baked muffins), breakfast (skinny breakfast wrap), salads (Mediterranean), flatbreads (butcher’s block), smashes (lobster), specialties (grilled chicken hummus wrap), soups (Maryland crab), healthy choices (powerhouse wrap), dinner entrees (salmon filet), desserts (key lime cheesecake).
Reach them at 410-441-3540…website under construction
Gee that was fun, let’s do it again soon.
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.
Can’t wait to visit this place!