THE DUCHESS

Whilst in Baltimore this weekend we made a quick pitstop on the way back home to say hi to some boys I know who own a delicious home accents shop, which hit the wallet hard I might add, and we dined at a stop I enjoy, The Duchess. You may be thinking it's Duchess Deedles's house. I wish! But she is on the other coastline! But every time I see this place I think of our Duchess Deedles and think the place is named in her honor. The Duchess is a corner pub, but don't expect shepherd's pie or Yorkshire pudding here. Rather than serve traditional pub grub, the Duchesss  is the ultimate hangout in Hampden brought to life by owner Tony Foreman and Chef KiKo Fejarang, with a sometime weekly rotating menu I hear. With a vibe inspired by the friendly spirit of a English pub, it's a place where great food and good time come together for sure. The food and even drinks infuse the Chef's vibrant Chamorro heritage and rich with culinary roots from Western Pacific, Guam. She has a melting pot of taste on the menu from Filipino, Japanese, Korean and even some Spanish cuisine. It's definitely a friendly place, with welcoming staff and attentiveness...the place is a true original fitting right into this quirky town of Hampden. I have always loved the vibe of the place. By time we left from an early dinner, the place was packed and we caught just enough of a live performance from a singer on stage, which I hear is a new weekly addition. And we made pigs of ourselves!

I already can't wait to go back!

I came across this video from a year ago of the place for more info. I just adore Chef. And yes, she does a lot with Spam! And it was delish!

IN WATERMELON SUGAR

 

Yes....who doesn't love more shopping? Why yes it was another shop in the same outer Baltimore neighborhood of Hampden. This was my second time in. Leslie who is the fine owner of this store is the doyenne of this shop. The shops name came as a suggestion from a friend of hers who is a fan of Richard Brautigan's novel , In Watermelon Sugar, a novel based on a post-apocalyptic story set in the aftermath of a fallen civilization. The name sounded colorful to her and vague, so it's stuck with her. Now watermelon sugar has now been around for 25 years and specializing in a wide array of items but specializing in bath & body products, room sprays, candles, gourmet foods and delights, homemade woven bags and accessories, Artisan made home accessories ,textiles, jewelry and handmade gift wrappings. The store sort of reminds me of the old Crabtree and Evelyn stores that used to be around. I always love it's friendly atmosphere when we're in and you can't help but come out of the store feeling happy. And every purchase is put in her signature In Watermelon Sugar bag with pink tissue and sticker.

My favorite new line of body and face care. Not sure yet but it may even replace my Chanel skincare I've been using for years. It's a line called McEvoy Ranch, and contains vitamin E , rosemary, clary sage and olive oils. The body cream is amazing, and I mean I use it everywhere, right down to ...yes, even there.

Loved these glass jellyfish.

I loved these! How cool would the four larger birds on the four corners, make for very whimsical towel racks for a bathroom???

OINK OINK!!!

A GOOD MERCHANTILE

If there are two kinds of shops to distract me and get me in the door, they are a good home accents shop and home decor, or a good bath and body toiletries shop. This was a home accents and gift shop called Balston Mercantile, a few weeks ago while in Hampden and it did not disappoint. Do you ever walk into a shop and want to buy everything, literally? Yep, this one is just like that. It's a perfectly curated space with gems, and beauties and curiosities for your home, whether you're looking for something for a housewarming gift or yourself. The shop offers a bit of everything right down to fun and novelty stationary, remember that? Also, a fun offering of fun and cheeky coffee table books. I was immediately sucked into to some of the best smelling candles. Hey, I can't help it, I'm a huge candle whore, but some of the best smelling candles I've smelled since my favorite candle from Henri Bendel...but alas they are closed now. It was fun exploring the place with little doo dads tucked in everywhere.  The best part? Locally owned and better still, by a gay couple, Andrew and Jonathan who were a delight to talk too. The name of the shop is a play on Boston and Balitmore, the place they used to live and now their new home of Balitmore. I'm to the point of now only shopping small and local. It's a great addition to the street of shopping and I wish them well. It was a great shopping experience and attention given at every step of my visit. I did indeed come out with several things...3 candles, a cast iron fox paper weight, and two stationery boxed cards. Not to mention there were a few very hot daddies in their shopping. I bumped into one accidentally. If I had broken it, I wonder if I would have had to pay for it and then brought it home??? Don't worry boys...I'll be back to shop!!! 

More Gay Pride!

THE BLUEBIRD

 The Bluebird Cocktail Room that is!

When coming home from Rehoboth we had an overnight stay to visit a friend outside Balitmore, near Hampden. So we went that night to a favorite haunt, the Bluebird Cocktail Room. What better time to post this then the start of the weekend. The place is a favorite...it's brought sophisticated cachet while still having an approachable vibe. The former gallery space was transformed into a stylist joint done mostly in a moody navy blue, with gold accents, communal tables, corner lounges and a fireplace, with natural light coming in during the day and candlelight at night. But kids, its cocktail program does a lot right. The menu reads like an eight-page book, which is appropriate for this literary themed bar, (the owner likes to read, and the place has books to read all over the place) the place is also named after a Charles Bukowski poem. Cocktails are divided into four chapters. Simple, more complex, long sippers, and after dinners. The Dame had a lovely Hemingway daiquiri. The food is also very delicious, but the cocktails are the star. The bartenders top notch and old school, and they even take the ice seriously. I tried three different drinks, all gin related, and we ended the meal with absinthe and flaming cube of sugar.

Shrimp crochets.

Brussel sprout and kale salad

After the gin drinks and an absinthe ending, cards on the table, I barley recall leaving the joint. Now on to the weekend. The Harrisburg clan and one friend from NYC is coming for the Harrisburg Pride festivities tomorrow, in addition us queens have to get ready and host for Crystal Envy and Sam Star who will be delighting us with their talents. If Sam gets drunks tomorrow night, I told her I have some delights for her.