Cheers to MALBEC MEMORIES-CITYPEEK recently was invited to a VIP wine lunch With TRAPICHE winemakers @THE WINE MARKET. TRAPICHE is the largest produceer of Malbec wine in Argentina. It was a real treat to meet and dine next to Daniel Pi ('p') TRAPICHE Winemaker. We espcially loved the old vine malbec which we sipped & swirled paired with a kona beef fillet & grouper (a choice)with new friends Charlotte and Rob Haggman of WINE STYLES in Chantilly Virginia. Thank you to Frederick Wildman & Sons and Frederick Winner Distributors-a great time had by all! Pictured  Wine Markeet owner, Chris Spann, CITYPEEK Patti and Brandon Skall, Frederick Wildman

MR RAIN's FUN House Restaurant in American Visionary Arts Museum opens Nov 11--we will be attending a special preview dinner very soon! Pictured Left owners Maria & Chef Bill Busineski, CITYPEEK Patti www.citypeek.com/baltimore/dining

Did you see where you can follow our TWITTER Tweets Real-Time on CITYPEEK.com???--check out the box to the right and see what we are up to and where--please follow and tweet back and of course, FaceBook us-CITYPEEK Group Fan CITYPEEK Patti see bottom.

FALL back---brrr it got cold quickly--It got cold last week and I went by Princeton Sports to check out a new winter jacket. I could not believe the selection of jackets they already have in plus they have the cutest clothes for kids that I have ever seen. They were just unpacking Uggs-you know-the great warm, furry boots- too, I can never find them when I need them. So to make a long story short, they had a great selection of last year’s jackets at 40% off. I love that store www.princetonsports.com

HOTEL PEEK: Thank you to Lisa Shenkle of VERB! who stayed at the hotel courtesy of its lead public relations guru, Dorothy Fuchs-Purple Dot PR and sends a review--

But 1st, we are thrilled to report that Baltimore has its newest dog-friendly hotel in one of Baltimore's oldest and most elegant buildings--the HOTEL MONCAO-a Kimpton Hotel in Baltimore! Seen  pictured: Dugan (Scottie) Barclay (Westie). The new hotel, located in the former headquarters of the B&O Railroad, was originally constructed in 1906.  Marble staircases and appointments throughout the building, combined with original stained glass are true compliment to bold, contemporary design elements and colors of the main lobby (referred to by the hotel staff as  the ‘living room’) and the 202 guest rooms.  The hotel theme, Grand Adventure, is echoed throughout the hotel and even with each hospitality employee – with their next ‘grand adventure’ – or dream trip -- emblazoned on their nameplates...Bedside tables that resemble streamer trunks, antique-style mirrors with scalloped edges and drawer knobs with a screen print of the B&O railroad map punctuate the room with a sense of old-world railroad history...designed to depict 1920’s glamour.
The true test of a great hotel is how comfortable one feels.  The staff at the Hotel Monaco are collectively warm, friendly and helpful but not intrusive.  They exhibited the true meaning of ‘hospitality’ and made us, and our dogs, feel at home.  No one balked when I requested an extra warm chocolate chip cookie and at 5:30, we comfortably enjoyed the wine happy hour in the ‘living room’ lobby, along with our terriers.  With white sangria and merlot in hand, we relaxed by the fire and met fellow guests.

That evening we dined at the new restaurant, B&O Brasserie and I highly recommend the ricotta gnocchi.  Having stayed at the Hotel Monaco in Old Town Alexandria..this boutique hotel chain is consistent in its graciousness...So, from the animal print robes and designer sheets to doggie treats, Dugan and Barclay give the Hotel Monaco, Baltimore, a five dog bone rating. As for me, 20 minutes away or not, I’m ready for another Grand Adventure at the Hotel Monaco, Baltimore.  Choo-choo!

Did you know that the HarborEast Wine Shop Bin 604 just opened a new shop in Annapolis? BIN 201 WINE SELLERS TO OPEN AT ANNAPOLIS TOWNE CENTRE! A wine store with service in mind will offer 800+ labels and wine tasting events will specialize in little known bargain wines, collectible wines and low yield vintners. The wines are organized by varietals rather than regions, which allows the customers to pick wines with the qualities they enjoy. The over 800 labels being offered will be hand-selected by Tony Foreman and Jennifer Burger; two respected Maryland wine consultants. The store will hold wine tasting classes and events in a specially designed wine tasting room. BIN 201 will also offer an incentive program for repeat customers-join an exclusive wine club for women titled Girls on Grapes, with a percentage of proceeds benefiting The Caroline Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping unemployed and underemployed women find work in a career. www.bin201.com
Annapolis Towne Centre is anchored by one of the largest Whole Foods Markets in the country. Other retailers include Arhaus, Anthropologie, Brooks Brothers, Eastern Mountain Sports, Sur La Table, Talbots, Smyth Jewelers and restaurants Gordon Biersch, and PF Chang’s.