Review: R. House - Baltimore's Newest Food Hall

R. House (301 W 29th St, Baltimore, MD 21211), the second food hall to open in Baltimore recently, is a former auto body shop that has been totally renovated into a modern, industrial space. There are eight (8) food stalls, each serving a different type of cuisine.

Ambiance

The vibe in R. House was that of a gourmet cafeteria. That may sound a little drab, but it's everything but. Whether you're on a date, out with family (including small children) or friends, R. House literally has something for everyone. Because it's such an open space, don't go expecting a quiet romantic evening for two, but a fun, lively atmosphere.

Cocktails

What I loved most about R. House was that there was a 40-seat bar at the far end serving handcrafted cocktails. (A great way to remind you that it wasn't your school's cafeteria.) I absolutely adored their cocktail menu. It's an "unofficial and mostly useless but hopefully somewhat entertaining guide to finding your next libation." You can go through a series of choices and depending on what you're in the mood for, you'll end up with a signature cocktail, beer or wine. It's genius! 

I ended up trying the Lady Remington and Hearts + Daggers, both of which were well-made and potent. Cocktails were reasonably priced ranging from $10-$15.

Food

Here's the rundown of R. House's food options:

• Coffee and breakfast (Ground & Griddled)
• Traditional tacos (Amano Taco)
• Fried chicken sandwiches (BRD)
• Handmade arepas (White Envelope)
• Vegetarian fare (Stall 11)
• Mediterranean street food (ARBA)
• Korean BBQ (BeBim),
• Poke bowls (Hilo)

I had the (pork) tacos ($3 a pop) and they were delicious. My friend had food from BeBim and she also enjoyed her nice-sized portioned meal. Next time, I want to try BeBim or the handmade arepas!

Things to Note:

• Parking was a bit limited. There's a small parking lot next to R. House and street parking is also available. Just be sure to read the street signs before parking first.
• I went on a Friday night and it was very crowded. Be prepared to stand until a table becomes available.
• Seriously, stalk tables until you find one.

I absolutely adored R. House and look forward to going again!

Cocktail of the Month: Bourbon Smash

There's nothing like a good bourbon cocktail during these cold winter months. Similar to an Old-Fashioned, the Bourbon Smash is super easy to make!

Photo Credit: Food Network

Ingredients:

• 3/4 ounce simple syrup
• 8 fresh mint leaves, plus 1 sprig, for garnish
• 3 lemon wedges
• 2 ounces bourbon

Instructions:

1. Put the simple syrup, mint leaves and lemon wedges into a cocktail shaker and muddle them until the lemons are broken down.
2. Add the bourbon and fill the shaker with ice. Stir vigorously until very cold.
3. Fill a rocks glass with ice and use a fine strainer to strain the drink into the glass.
4. Garnish the drink with the sprig and serve.

Enjoy!