They may have 15 years in the business, but Brio Tuscan Grille is the new kid on the block in Baltimore. Their new Inner Harbor venture is just two months in and business is good—in fact, it's very good. On my Wednesday evening visit the restaurant lived up to its name which means "lively" or "full of life." Brio was bustling and packed from the outside flowing in. Maybe it was because Wednesday is Martini night or maybe because there was a "Mom's Night Out!" pre-Mother's day event in progress, or maybe because Wednesday night is as good a night as any to have some good old-fashioned authentic Italian food. Whatever the reason—business was very good. 

Two Boots is a New York City pizzeria that was created in 1987 by two Indie filmmakers with an affinity for pizza, beer, and New Orleans. The name "Two Boots," well that comes from the boot like shape of both Italy and Louisiana. Leave it to two indie filmmakers for that linking logic. The pizzeria, which has seven locations in New York, one in Conneticut and another in Los Angeles, now makes its home in the Mount Royal area of Baltimore.

Situated by the University of Baltimore and the Patricia and Arthur Modell Performing Arts Center at The Lyric, Two Boots proves to be a perfect place for a mish-mash of pizza lovers to get a slice. The vibe on the inside is funky, eclectic, artsy and urban, and with all that atmosphere you really hope the pizza is good because its seems like the kind of  place that you'd want to return.

With spring breaks and Easter family vacations coming up, the options are numerous, but if you are thinking about something different, divine, and unforgettable, a trip to Atlanta may be just the ticket. Atlanta is a great city, but that's not the reason for the endorsement. So why Atlanta? Because, that's where you will find Passages,  a traveling exhibit celebrating the Bible and the 400th aniversary of the King James Bible.  Passages uncovers the sometimes blood-stained and indisputably courageous journey it took to transcribe and preserve early versions of the Bible, considered one of the most important tools of the Christian faith.

The Houston Festival Foundation Inc. is presenting IFest, (also called the Houston International Festival) on the weekends of April 21-22 and April 28-29 with the festival's opening ceremonies on April 20th from 11am-2pm. The opening ceremony, which is hosted by representatives from many of the festival's major media partners, will include a children's parade provided by the Sister Cities of Houston, remarks from the mayor of Houston, and a performance celebrating the culture of the 2012 honored country, Argentina.

 IFest celebrates diversity and encourages the promotion of different cultures to make the future generation global citizens. That's a hefty goal, but at least you get to eat lots of international food and enjoy some music and art along the way.

Feeling for something different? Hmmh that sounds good, but what? What could you try?  Well, MCCN has a suggestion for you that is sweet, different, and oh so good! Mallow Munchies (now called Mallow Crunchies) is just the ticket.

Mallow what? Mallow Crunchies* are a delightful spin on rice crispy treats. I discovered these delicious little savories when I went to the Health Care for the Homeless Chocolate Affair in 2010 and boy-oh-boy was I surprised at how delicious it was. Mallow Crunchies owner, Nikki Lewis, and her husband were working together handing out the snacks, and let's just say my "sampling" was downright embarassing, yet I had no shame. Apparently, I wasn't the only one who thought Nikki Lewis' treat  was on the money; they were voted "Baltimore's Best Sweet Snack" in 2010, by Baltimore Magazine.

Sweets for your sweetie, this Valentine's Day? You could go with the traditional heart with an assortment of chocolates or you could go with a little something different. What's the "something different," you ask? Mallow Munchies! 

Mallow  what? Mallow Munchies* are a delightful spin on rice crispy treats. I discovered these delicious little savories when I went to the Health Care for the Homeless Chocolate Affair in 2010 and boy oh boy was I surprised at how delicious it was. Mallow Munchies owner Nikki Lewis and her husband were working together handing out the snacks, and let's just say my "sampling" was downright embarassing, yet I had no shame. Apparently, I wasn't the only one who thought the Mallow Munchies were on the money; they were voted "Baltimore's Best Sweet Snack" in 2010, by Baltimore Magazine.

There are many ways to serve pig's feet, including: boiled, pickled, jellied, or barbequed. MCCN is presenting you with two ways to pig-out with pig feet. First see the recipe for southern style pig's feet  to satisfy the spicy soul food yearning. It's a staple in many a southerner or African-American's New Year's Day dinner celebration. Secondly, we have an Irish recipe commonly called Crubeens. It's a braised pig's feet (trotters) dish generally eaten by our Irish friends right out of the hand. It's usually consumed after coming from a night at the pub.

Do yourself a favor and investigate the places you travel, that way you are prepared for the customs, the culture and the food. I didn't do that when I went to Nassau, Bahamas many many years ago, so I thought I would be getting curry chicken and jerk chicken. Uh...duh! (Cue my Jamaican friends shaking their heads.)

Here's the thing...not that I'd recommend it, but my unpreparedness did not lead to a bad revelation. In this case I got a real education about the culture of the Bahamas and learned about a food that is served throughout the West Indies and particularly in the Bahamas—Conch. It's so popular that I found conch on the menu at fast food restaurant Sbarros in Nassau. I had it over pasta. This giant sea snail is eaten raw, steamed, stir-fried, in soups (Callaloo),  fritters and numerous other ways. 

Let's just say I was sort of conch-ed out by the time I left the Bahamas. Nonetheless, the trip gave me a real appreciation for its people, the culture and, of course, the unforgettable conch.  

There are some places that are destinations and some that are just neighborhoods where people live, work, and enjoy life. One such neighborhood is in Baltimore County on Liberty Road. As a person who frequents the area, I  was excited to see Salvadorian eating establishment Pupuseria Y Panaderia Vanessa  pop up. It's not fancy, but it's a family-run operation that has a laidback neighborhood feel.