Mark's Kitchen

Lately I have been on a quest for restaurants in the Washington DC, Maryland area that suit special diets. That would include vegetarian, vegan, macrobiotic, low sugar and just generally healthier. The idea is to be able to go to a place and have a lovely time and not to have to drink a gallon of water later because there was so much salt in the meal. In addition, it is nice to have waiters who do not look at you strangely when you ask them to steam something with no oil, no salt and no sugar.

I found such an elusive place in Takoma Park, Md. Mark's Kitchen, at 7006 Carroll Avenue, serves a variety of dishes which include both vegan and vegetarian options as well as meat for our friends. A patron can order delicious miso soup and a vegetarian vegetable soup. The mung bean pancakes, composed of spring onions, cabbage and mung beans formed into a delicate pancake and served with soy sauce, are quite tasty. There is a vegetarian appetizer sampler that has these pancakes plus edamame, and tofu/veggie skewers. After you have whetted your appetite on these, you can sample the bento box comprised of tofu with soybeans, seaweed salad, marinated shitake mushrooms, brown rice and a mung bean pancake. Instead of tofu, chicken or fish can be substituted. The bibimbap is shredded veggies marinated in sesame oil and served over brown rice. A delectable choice might be the stuffed acorn squash with barley and mushrooms, a salad and a side of green beans. As you can see, Mark's provides fresh vegetables and , in contrast to other places, they have diversified away from the baked potatoes and fries offered elsewhere. Another nice feature of this find is that pickled items, steamed vegetables, seaweed and brown rice can be ordered as an inexpensive side dish. This is a great improvement over having to pay extra to get brown rice and only have spinach or french fries or salad as options.
For the non vegetarian eater there is a delicious and ample bulgogi (according to my husband), grilled flounder, crab cakes and enormous triple decker sandwiches. For dessert, they supply Sweet and Natural Vegan treats and some of the choices were carrot cake and peanut butter cake. For the others, a bulletin board boasts the treats of the day which might include gingerbread, brownies and various pies.

The atmosphere at Mark's Kitchen is cafe cozy and the service is swift and friendly. These waiters aim to please and if they can not answer a question about specific ingredients, the owner is brought over to clarify things for you. They are more than willing to steam veggies without oil or salt. The management wants you to be happy and this translates into a patron friendly menu where vegetarian items are marked with a V.

Takoma Park is a nice area to visit for the afternoon. In the spring and summer, the main street is closed off and a busy farmers market takes over the area. There are boutiques and shops and a nice food coop nearby. There is a small town feeling even though it is so close to downtown DC.

If you are looking for a great casual restaurant in a cute town that will allow you to stay healthy while having a very pleasant dining experience, be sure to try Mark's Kitchen.

Gramercy Mansion Baltimore

On a wintry January day, we set out for the beautiful Gramercy Mansion in the rolling hills outside Baltimore. The snow was falling rapidly and the winding roads were becoming impassable. We careened down the treacherous slides of the landscape and rolled, thankfully, up the bending drive to the Mansion. Inside, a roaring fireplace awaited us and the welcome greetings of the innkeepers. We had prepared our dinner and brought it with us and planned to not venture out again on that treacherous night.

The Gramercy Mansion is the perfect place to hibernate in the winter. Built in 1902 by Alexander Cassatt, brother of the painter Mary Cassatt, the mansion was a wedding gift for his daughter. Alas, she never had the pleasure of living there. Surrounded by 45 acres in the Greenspring Valley, there is a pool, tennis courts and woodland trails to discover. The rooms come with fireplaces, whirlpool baths, refrigerators and microwaves. The public rooms have fireplaces as well and there is a library with DVDs to share. High ceilings, antiques, oriental carpets, and chandeliers complete the picture.

Complimentary to the guests is an endless supply of teas, chocolates and snacks. In addition, the breakfast is totally scrumptious. You fill out a menu with choices and leave it on your door at night. To my delight, vegan and macrobiotic food were among my choices! The inn caters to different diets, including gluten free. In the morning, guests sit in the lovely candlelit dining room and gaze out on the serene scene. Our view was of a winter wonderland after the night's snow. Choices of fare included banana, apple, apple, blueberry or oatmeal pancakes, rice, miso soup, oatmeal, vegan bacon and sausage, traditional bacon and sausage, eggs benedict, omelets, coffeecake, teas and coffee.

The inn boasts a location only ten minutes from Baltimore. Excursions might include the charming Fells Point are with its quaint shops and restaurants, Hampton Town, scene of the John Waters movies, the Aquarium, the Maryland Science Center, Little Italy, the Jewish Museum on Lloyd Street, the Inner Harbor, Lexington Market, the huge outdoor Farmers Market in the summer, a trip on the ferry which takes you to several stops in downtown, the Fort McHenry National Monument, the American Visionary Art Museum, or a game at Camden Yards. Contact me for even more ideas for fun!

The Gramercy Mansion is a perfect place for a birthday or Valentine weekend if you want to really treat yourself or your significant other. I really enjoyed my special birthday getaway with the added bonus of being able to keep to my healthy diet, except for a few of those chocolates!