Post #287623 by midnite on Fri, Feb 23, 2007 1:38 AM

It's 2007, where does the time fly?

I have no idea about time, but I fly...and too much. Still, it has been almost two full months since I've been any-where. Let's pack up the less than 3oz toiletries and get going. This time, it's Charm City, Hon. That's right, some Baltimore loving, mid-winter style.

One side, the respectable one, of the midnite lineage goes way back in Maryland. I mean way way back, Mr. Peabody. To the beginning, Republic of Maryland-wise. So, in essence, it is yet another venture for me to the fatherland. This was a serious trip, notes taken, questions asked: is this midnite territory, could one Bay Area be exchanged for another, what's the prosecutorial tempermant here regarding white-collar crime? Stay tuned.

Now, the trip as not all real estate analysis and cost of living matrices. Heck no, we got out and about and dug the scene, Hon. Well, as much as one likes to get out when it's 22 degrees with occasional snow flurries. Umm, is this white stuff on the ground a normal thing? 'Cause if it is, that's gonna be a problem.

We took in some sights: Camden Yards (a little quiet this time of year), the Inner Harbor, and my personal favorite, Fell's Point. It's a fine city, and in many ways similar to good ole San Fran. A nice waterfront, great food, good culture and fine architecture. Frisco's neato but Baltimore's got charm...or so they try and tell you every fifteen minutes. Hey, I do like it here...but this icy sidewalk, is that typical. And the slush, truly all together necessary?

If you have ever considered a visit to Baltimore, by all means do come. There's lots to offer. However, I would also counsel to forget the city almost entirely and show up for just one thing: the crab cakes at Faidley's. Mercy, these little mounds of sweet succulent lump meat are like....the best f%$!&# thing ever. Now, before anyone goes off and tries to get me blackballed from the CSASA (Club Sandwich Appreciation Society of America) I still live or the little triple-decker treats. However, midnite cannot live on clubs alone, I tried, and these cakes at Faidley's are so good I walked around slapping every Mother I could find.

Speaking of clubs...well, what else do I do? It's Baltimore, it's Fell's Point, it's a diner, it's a club sandwich at Jimmy's. Solid, American, traditional. Beautiful. Makes me wanna stand up, recite the Pledge of Allegiance and send Barry Levinson a bottle of single malt.

I know, I know. Cut the low-rent travelogue cack and get to the tiki. Sorry, no can do in a Baltimore state of mind. While the former number two city of the nation once had a vibrant tiki scene, the landscape is presently barren. So, what's a traveling tikiphile to do in a city without Polynesian treats of the alcoholic kind? One, cry. Two, seriously reconsider any relocation plans. I mean Forbidden Island is far, but the trek from Baltimore to Alameda is really far. I know.

So let's be like Miles and improvise. Considering I touched down in OAK not fifteen hours before the start of Don the Beachcomber's Centennial celebration at FI I figured I would "combine" the night's festivities into the Baltimore visit. Heck, I was wearing some of the clothes I packed for the trip! It was a low key evening at FI, with some familiar faces attending the festivities. A finely decorated Polynesian/Tiki lounge, some excellent cocktails, and good company. I think Ole Don would have approved.

Dr. Martin went all out preparing some of the ingredients for the evenings special Donn Beach cocktails. The pimento liquer was quite interesting. It was part of the very fine Nui Nui. The other drink special was a Plantation Punch, an equally impressive recipe. Vanilla, cinnamon, pineapple, lime, these were some fine libations. One experienced veteran FI'er proclaimed the Nui Nui the best drink ever at FI. Heady accolades indeed. Kudos to El Martin Abu Forbidden Island as he is quite competently maintaining the standards started by Don so long ago.

The evening was Fez optional, but really there's no option, ya dig? I brought my own out for the night. Forbidden Island and Fez go together like rum and simple syrup. Just look at these FI regulars, as if you needed proof.

Hon, did someone say Fez?
midnite