Nallie '08: Rehearsal dinner tryouts

Monday, April 7, 2008

Rehearsal dinner tryouts

Went to Red Star in Fells Point on Saturday evening as a potential rehearsal dinner site, and it fared pretty well with reviewers Allie, Mark and Becca.

Nate also liked his dish, sugar cane-skewed pork tenderloin with mango habanera salsa, but thought he should have gotten a larger portion.

Nonetheless, how many former brothel sites do you know that get overall high marks for their food? Red Star also has an isolated space upstairs that should accommodate our group of approximately 40. It also has free parking across the street, which is a definite bonus in Fells Point. There are also tons of bars for some nightlife in the area, for those interested in hanging out after dinner.

However, there are some potential pitfalls. One is that it is almost 2 miles from the hotel — still a short drive but too long for most people to walk. Secondly, as part of our impromptu visit, they didn't have anything on the menu that evening that is part of their group buffet offering. They can probably give us a sample before we decided to go with them.

Here's a look at their buffet options.

1) House salad with grapes and grape tomatoes with 2 dressings
Chicken breast marsala
Penne pasta with ricotta and marinara
Roasted flounder roulade with lemon butter
Chefs choice of fresh vegetable
Red and sweet potato hash with caramelized onions

2) Choice of house salad or Caesar salad station
Chicken and shrimp jambalaya with sausage and rice
Cheese or vegetable lasagna
Grilled London broil in rich mushroom sauce
Chef's choice of fresh vegetable
Roasted red potatoes with garlic and rosemary

3) Choice of house salad, Caesar, or spinach salad with strawberries and raspberry dressing
Herb roasted salmon with dill butter
Sautéed shrimp and mussel penne with asparagus and fresh tomatoes
Sesame chicken breast with orange ginger sauce
Sautéed tenderloin tips with wild mushrooms and port wine
Mini baked potatoes with traditional accompaniments
Chef's choice of fresh vegetables

#2 is probably out because Grilled London Broil is one of the options at the reception dinner (although Mark doesn't see this as an issue.)

Will probably try to hit a few of the last spots this weekend and then will make a decision.

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Useful Information Department

Where we are registered:
We are registered at Target, Macy's and Crate and Barrel. We have also registered for DVDs at Wal-Mart. Gift cards from all those stores are appreciated, as well as from Home Depot.

How to get to the Baltimore metro area and hotel:
Hopefully you have booked your flight by now. If you haven't and need some tips, shoot Nate or Allie an e-mail or call.

The closest airport to our home/the wedding is Baltimore-Washington International (BWI). However, I know some people are flying into Reagan National (DCA) (Dems can just call it National and everyone will know what you are talking about). I don't think anyone is coming into Dulles International (IAD), but if you are get ahold of us and we will provide travel trips.

I'm assuming the first place everyone is going is the hotel of choice, the Tremont Grand Plaza.

If you are flying into BWI, it is likely no problem to arrange for either Allie, Nate or someone else to pick you up. However, if you would like to take public transportation the best option is the MTA Light Rail, click here for details.

You can find most of the info you need on the Light Rail Web site by clicking above, but here is the basics. Follow signs in the airport to MTA Light Rail. Once there, you insert $1.60 and buy a one-way fare from a Light Rail machine. Hold onto the ticket, although you will probably never be required to show it.

Take the train northbound. The trains should either say Hunt Valley or Penn Station, either way you can get to the hotel. Here is a link to a system overview map. Take the train to the Lexington Market stop. Walk three (long) blocks west, including through a court yard, to St. Paul Place. Turn the left and the hotel is on your left.

You can also catch a cab, which hotel staff estimates at about $35 to and from the airport.

If you do drive to the hotel, valet parking is available for $25/day and you are free to go in and out as much as you like.

You can also self-park at a garage across the street for $13/day; however, you are limited to one time in and out.

If you are flying into Reagan, then you want to use the Washington Metro and the MARC.

Here is a Metro system map. You will get on at Reagan Airport, which you can find on the south end of the map.

At the airport, follow signs to the Metro Station. At the station, find a map of the system. Below the map you will find a list of all the stops. Find Union Station, and it will give you a cost to get there. It will probably be $2.15.

Insert money into a Metro Card machine. It will print out a card, which you will swipe to get entry to the track. Once you get to the track, you will want to take the Yellow Line toward Georgia Ave.

You will be on the train for about 20 minutes before you reach the Gallery Place-Chinatown stop. Exit here and follow signs to the Red Line toward Glenmont. Get on that red line train and take it to Union Station. Exit the train, and follow the signs to Amtrak/MARC trains. Before leaving, you will insert the card you swiped earlier into a machine. If you put in exchange, the machine will keep the card.

Continue following the signs to Amtrak. Once there, either find the MARC counter or one of the machines that sell MARC tickets. It should cost you $7 for a ticket.

Take the train to the Penn Station stop in Baltimore. Here is a system map. You will be on the Penn Line, show in Purple. Once you arrive at Penn Station, after about an hour, you will be able to find a taxi out front to take you to the hotel.

I think everyone has reservations at the hotel, but if you don't you can get a discounted room by calling 1-800-TREMONT, or 800-773-6668, and referencing the "Sandstrom-McLeod wedding rooms."

You can also book a room online. Go to the Web site (same as above link), click on reservations, then click on the link that says "for group rates at Tremont Plaza, enter your password here." When prompted for the password, enter nallie08. Follow directions to finish booking.

All rooms have microwave, sink, fridge etc. and wireless Web if you need it.

Any questions/problems, call Nate or Allie -- 443-874-4000.

How to get around town:
If you want to rent a car you while you are here, most major car rental companies offer service out of BWI. Once you get to the airport, you will take a shuttle bus to the car rental lot. Some people can park in my neighborhood, not far from the hotel, for free, depending on what time they get in. Parking in downtown Baltimore can be expensive.

If you want to save money by skipping the car rental and parking charges, trains and taxis should be able to get you around most places.

Once you are downtown, you are less than a mile walk from several local attractions. Nothing should be further than a $10 cab ride.

How to get to the ceremony:
If you need a map of how to get there, click here. The building is across Preston Street from a Greek Orthodox church. We have rented the parking lot across the street on Maryland Ave. to provide free parking during the ceremony and reception. If you need a place to park afterward, there are several street parking options, although it can be competitive on Saturday nights.

If you don't have a car, you should be able to catch a cab for fairly cheap. You can probably also catch a ride from someone else staying in the hotel with a car. Talk to Nate if you need arrangements. We have also arranged for cabs to be ready following the ceremony to take people back to the hotel, if necessary.

Wedding event agenda

Wednesday, July 30
7 p.m.
Phillies at Nationals
@Nationals Park
1500 South Capitol St.
Washington, DC 20003

Contact Nate if you are interested in going; he will secure tickets

Get directions to the stadium here

Thursday, July 31
7:30 p.m.-?

Dinner and drinks

Mick O'Shea's

328 North Charles Street

Baltimore, MD 21201

Walkable (three long blocks) from hotel (North to Saratoga, turn left, right at Charles, Mick O'Shea's is on the right)

Get driving directions here

Friday, August 1
3 p.m. — 4 p.m.
Wedding rehearsal (wedding party only)

@Preston Hall/Wickey's Caterers
25 W. Preston St.
Baltimore, MD

Get directions here
Parking at meters off-street on Preston Street and Maryland Ave.

6 p.m. — 9 p.m.
Wedding rehearsal dinner (wedding party, family)

@Red Star Bar & Grill

906 S. Wolfe St.

Baltimore, MD

Get directions here
Parking at lot across the street

9 p.m.-11 p.m.
Post-rehearsal dinner drinks (open to all)

same address as above

Saturday, August 2
3:45 p.m.-5 p.m. (pending weather)

Outdoor wedding photography (wedding party only)

Washington Monument

Charles & Monument

Baltimore, MD 21202

6 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
Wedding ceremony

@Preston Hall/Wickey's Caterers
25 W. Preston St.
Baltimore, MD
Get directions here
Free parking across the street at garage with guard (garage is on the left side of Maryland Ave.; the hall is on the right side)

6:30-11 p.m.

Cocktail hour/Reception dinner/dancing
same location

Sunday, August 3
10 a.m.-1 p.m (approx.)

Brunch/Gift opening

@Nate and Allie's home

122 W. Fort Ave.

Baltimore, MD 21230

Get directions here

Parking off-street

4 p.m.-7 p.m. (approx.)
Informal dinner party

@ Allie's parents, Robert and Karen

4921 Snowy Reach

Columbia, MD 21044

Get directions here

Parking off-street

What to see in Baltimore-Washington

Things to see while you're here:
There is also a bevy of things to do in Baltimore that cover all interests. Here is Baltimore Tourism's pitch. Here's from Maryland Tourism.

Baltimore is probably most know for it's Inner Harbor, a short walk from the hotel. There is a visitor center (large glass building) where you get more coupons, brochures and info than you could ever need. Here's a condensed version of the top attractions:

• One of my favorite places is the National Aquarium, although you should expect heavy crowds on a summer weekend (Phil, who interned here, can tell you all about it). They have a big shark exhibit and a dolphin show.

• The Maryland Science Center is also located in the Harbor. Right now they have a very famous exhibit called Body Worlds 2. I have not seen because I don't like to think about how my body works. The science center also has an IMax theater.

• Camden Yards is also a noted feature just to the west of the Harbor. In a correction to information I had on here earlier, there are tours Mon. thru Sat. 11 - 12 - 1 - 2 and on Sun. at 12:30 - 1 - 3 The tours last an hour and a half and tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for seniors and children. Phone # 410-547-6234.

• Next to Camden Yards are the Babe Ruth and Sports Legends museums. I've only been there once, and was in a dispute about the admission (it is $14 for both, I though I had a pass to get in free), but if you are into Babe Ruth or Baltimore sports it is supposed to be pretty cool.

• The Harbor is full of dining options. Many provide great harbor view, although the prices are often a little inflated. I will suggest anyone who has never had a Rita's Italian ice to stop there. It is next to the visitors center.

• There is also plenty of shopping at Harborplace and the Gallery. Head east a few more blocks and you are at Harbor East, Baltimore's newest upscale neighborhood.

• While you're over at Harbor East, you can get a dose of history at the Flag House, where the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner" was made.

South Baltimore (Federal Hill and Locust Point):

This is my neighborhood, directly south of the Harbor. One of the main features is historic Federal Hill Park. It provides a really cool view of the Harbor.

It is full of bars and restaurants that provide many different types of food at varying prices. Allie and Mark are both big fans of Ropewalk. The owner loves Ronald Reagan so you will see plenty of Reagan stuff on the walls. You may also run into Jenna Bush, who lives on that block.

I am a bigger fan of Mother's. Sit in the newly added back bar if you go. Our favorite watering hole is Muggsy's Mug House. Yes, the beer comes in mugs.

The Cross Street Market is also fun, if you want to see where we shop. There are also several boutiques and art galleries along Charles Street, but I don't know how many people coming to the wedding are into that.

The American Visionary Arts Museum is also in the neighborhood for people interested in work by self-taught artists.

At the very end of the South Baltimore peninsula is Fort McHenry, which was the location of the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812.

Little Italy:
Little Italy is just east of the Harbor. The main thing to do here is eat, and there is no shortage of restaurants. Most display their menus outside if you want to browse; however, Allie and I usually go with Amicci's for its great food and sensible prices. You can dress casual, and, if you go, order the Pane Rotundo. You can split it among 2-3 people and it is worth it.

Fells Point:
This is the area east of Little Italy; parts of which still retain the old cobblestone streets. It is one of Baltimore's most famous neighborhoods.

Lots of waterfront bars, restaurants (if you want Oysters, come down here) and local shops. Max's is probably my favorite bar, with its offerings of dozens of beers.

Here is a pretty good map of Fells Point with points of interest.

Mount Vernon:
Mount Vernon is the neighborhood we are getting married in and is just north of the hotel.

The wedding is actually just a few blocks from the first apartment that Allie and I shared.

Mount Vernon is known as Baltimore's arts district and also home to much of Baltimore's gay scene. (Just so you're not surprised both Grand Central and the Hippo are gay bars.) There are also a ton of bars and restaurants here, one of my favorite reasonably-priced menus is at Mount Vernon Stable, although they are often understaffed. For great southern BBQ, you must go to Milton's.

If you are willing to spend a little more, Sotto Sopra is very highly rated.

If you want a great beer, stop at Brewers Art and get a Resurrection Ale. Don't drink too many though, it has about twice the alcohol content of the typical domestic lagers.

This group (scroll down after link) offers free walking tours of the neighborhood daily if you are interested. You should visit Mount Vernon Place/Washington Monument, it is a pretty cool public outdoor space. The Walters Art Museum is also across the street from the monument.

Washington, D.C.:
I'm assuming that no one has more than a day to spend in Washington so I'm just going to tell you how I would do if I had one day.

First, how to get there from Baltimore. Take a short cab ride to Penn Station.

If it is a weekday, take the MARC train to Union Station. Just go to the counter on the right and tell them you want a one-way MARC ticket. It is $7 dollars. Go around the corner and you will see a board that tells you what track the train to Washington is on. Here is the link to the MARC Web page.

If it is a weekend the MARC doesn't run and you will have to buy a regular Amtrak ticket, which costs between $14-$25, depending on which train you are taking. Find fares and schedules at the Amtrak site.

If you have a car, I would suggest driving to the New Carrollton station and then taking the Metro Orange Line to the Smithsonian stop.

If you're arriving at Union Station, it is about an 8-block walk to The National Mall. Use this map to get an idea of where things are. Just walk toward the capital and you will get there. There are signs everywhere.

On the Mall you can see the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial and Jefferson Memorial. There is also the Smithsonian Institute, home to more than a dozen free museums of art, history, technology and more. Most are open at 10 a.m. and are open until at least 5:30 p.m. Here is a good map of the mall.

If you want to see the White House, head north. Depending on what end of the mall you are on, either go up 14th or 17th Street. Then turn on Pennsylvania Ave. toward 1600.

The two paragraphs can take all day, but if you still want to see more, two nearby neighborhoods are Foggy Bottom and DuPont Circle.

If you're interested in trying a new beer, you'll want to check out the Brickskeller, just off the Circle, which has more than 1,000 different beers. You can get some decent food as well.

If you're a baseball fan, the Nationals are at home in their new ballpark the week of the wedding. They play the Phillies Tuesday through Thursday then host the Reds from Friday to Sunday. All games start at 7, except for Sunday, when first pitch is at 1:35.

You will be able to walk-up and get tickets. Take the Metro if you are going, here's how.

Other regional attractions
The Baltimore Ravens' training camp is open to the public most days. It's open to the public most days at McDaniel College in Westminster and is about a 45-minute drive from the hotel. The Washington Redskins' training camp in Ashburn, Va., is closed to the public after Monday, July 28. (Very Belichick-y).

Do you like gigantic shopping mills? If you said yes, I have to ask you, why? Then I would tell you to go to Arundel Mills. It is about a 25-minute drive from downtown. You can also take the light rail from downtown to the airport, and then take the #17 bus, but I would guess that is at least an hour trip on public transportation.

Annapolis makes for a nice day trip. You can see Maryland's government buildings, the Naval Academy, take a stroll by the water and get great seafood. It is about a 35-minute drive from downtown Baltimore.

If you want to see the true open-water ocean, it is about a three-hour drive to Ocean City and the beach life.

If there is anything you have questions about, feel free to call us.

Nallie '08

Monday, April 7, 2008

Rehearsal dinner tryouts

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