A Chocolate Affair pleases any sweet tooth! Review of CRUSH RESTAURANT in Belvedere Square

With recent news that the 2 biggest foodie benefits in Baltimore, Zoomerang and SPLASH at Aquarium, A Chocolate Affair is a luscious diamond on the Baltimore foodie benefit scene. So many have asked for reviews so here is one sent in and some pictures and picks from CITYPEEK as well as a couple restaurant reviews:

Dear CITYPEEK:

I thought that this year's Chocolate Affair, which is the 18th annual one, was even bigger and better than ever.M&T looked fabulous, and the food was so scrumptious.  Some of my favorites were Chef Expressions' cheesecake lollipops, The Fudgery's cookies and cream fudge, Bonefish's shrimp, Linwood's banana cream and white chocolate tart, Kali's Mezze's barbecued salmon, and Taharka Brothers Ice Cream's chocolate ice creams  -- though I loved everything I tasted.  Yum! Yum!  I'm getting hungry again just thinking of all the fabulous food!  I could start all over again!  CareFirst BlueCross Blue Shield was a terrific title sponsor and helped Health Care for the Homeless raise significantly more sponsorship money than ever before.  In these hard economic times, it is fabulous that the Baltimore community stepped up to raise more money at the Chocolate Affair so that Health Care for the Homeless can provide health care and supportive services for the most vulnerable people in our society.

Thanks so much to you for being a Celebrity Judge and for making the event such a smashing success.

Best,
Pam Malester

CITYPEEK adds our additional hot picks--banana-white chocolate flan-FIN by Chef Avi Cohen & Team.

Coldstone Creamery Canton-ice cream

PITANGELO GELATO-in Fells hazelnut gelato

Hanging with Top Chef Nominee Jill Snyder-

CHILI from Dogwood in Hamden

Chef's Expressions Truffles

Oh Said Rose -not homemade, but peanut butter filled choc with rock salt!

Oh, Linwoods and Charles Levine treats delighted too!

Thanks to Karen Baitch Rosenberg for her review of CRUSH in Belvedere Square:

Enjoyed a pleasant evening with friends Saturday night at Crush, 510 E. Belvedere Square in Baltimore.  Reviews at our table were mixed, but overall, everyone enjoyed  a nice meal.
The atmosphere was quite lively.  The décor has not changed since its days as Taste – contemporary and good-looking; bright and airy. On this particular evening the temperature was cold. We noticed other women wearing their coats (as was I) throughout their meals.

The diverse menu offers a unique variety of choices and portion sizes to fit all appetites. We skipped the appetizers, and headed straight to an interesting mix of dinners. All were pleased, but only a few of us raved. The grilled salmon BLT arrived with L and T, requiring the waitress to search for the missing “B.” A scallop dish ordered sans mushrooms arrived with them, and our friend enjoying the crab cakes commented that they were crunchy, due to bits of shell which made it into the recipe. My husband raved about his beef, and thoroughly enjoyed his spinach salad made with blueberries, pecans and goat cheese. My scallops were seared perfectly; the asparagus was delicate and lovely. The lamb chops entrée was made perfect to order.  All of the dishes were warm, fresh, and beautifully presented.

Our waitress was delightful and very helpful in her recommendations (especially the “Sex on the Square” signature martini made with champagne!); however, the service was as slow as we could tolerate at 2 ½ hours from our being seated to paying the check. Several dishes for other tables were mistakenly brought to our table more than a few times, which made our wait seem that much longer. We skipped dessert due to time constraints, but have heard that Crush is known for some pretty unique ones.

We had a nice night, and are glad to have checked it out.  Although not in a hurry to go back soon, we’re glad we can now cross it off of our “must try” list.

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