100% agreed.

Love Le Comptoir and I’m so happy they survived Covid. I was very worried.

Clavel didn’t used to be meh.

It’s kind of painful how much they’ve fallen from when I would have actually said they were the best in the city (and brought out of towners to all the time) to now.

Meh is even a little too good. Such a massive heartbreak.

Also, OP, not to sound paranoid, but one of the best things I ever did working late night in the city and feeling unsafe was to make a point of stopping into a convenience store relatively frequently along my walk.

It took a little longer, but I ended up becoming friendly with people at the counter and they looked out for me.

It also helps in case you ever do feel unsafe along your walk to have a spot to duck into. :)

Baltimore is the best bet here for sure. I used Saratoga because that was my terminus street and I was exhausted and lazy most nights. But it’s not necessarily the safest way.

From Howard until you hit Lexington - three blocks, at least - you’re completely alone with a lot of boarded up shops. It’s very sketch, especially with all those random blind alleyways - portways? - stuck between the buildings. It can be alarming and worrying.

Stick to busier streets, OP, but even that don’t let it make you let down your guard.

Thank you.

I got a lot of flack from coworkers who are lifelong city residents that warned me all the time what I was doing was dangerous.

They’re right, of course. But if you have to do something - like find the safest route to walk at night because you can’t afford a car - it’s better to be informed.

It’s risky, OP. I don’t know if I’d still be doing it if I had to. That walk is the entire reason I learned to drive and bought a car, paid for insurance, and a parking spot in my building. It’s not a trek to plan lightly!

I did this walk.

It was sometimes scary, frequently boring. Depending on the time of night, you’ll find it’s boring more often than not.

But what it is is empty. Very empty. On Howard, there are apartment buildings but they are totally noise-isolated so you’re basically alone on that stretch.

I used to take the last light rail from Hanover to Lexington Market and walk down Saratoga to Clay. It would be past 11pm. I’m a woman. I worried about it quite a bit but after I did it for awhile, it felt routine and I never encountered an issue.

That isn’t to say I couldn’t have. It’s frequently surprising to me that I never had a moment where I felt really afraid. Mostly just jumpy and nervous.

Don’t take Cathedral. It’s more likely you’ll run into trouble going that way. Take Charles all the way down. There are convenience stores and restaurants along the way. It’ll be the least lonely part of your walk.

Better yet, get really comfortable with those scooters! It’ll be your best bet to zip right through without running into a problem.

But tl;dr - I did this walk. I never had a problem, but it always felt like I could. Be careful. Be aware. Don’t wear noise canceling headphones. Don’t carry anything super valuable.

With the access areas, was there a place to “swipe” your parking pass?

There’s a garage off Baltimore that used this method of entry. You’re supposed to keep your ticket on you and then swipe or tap it to get back inside.

I’m not 100% sure about this one, but that took me a bit to figure out before, so I empathize.

This appears to be the resident entry side, but looks like swipe access. Could be how to get in!

Oh! Wait! Maybe Bluebird?

Am I wrong in thinking they have a tiki night?

Yes! A tiki themed drink menu on Thursdays. More than likely have one in a coconut…?

Just the price + fees - it’s a couples ticket so it ends up being $52.

Sold out now but I have a couples’ ticket to sell if anyone’s looking. :)

I have two tickets I need to offload if you want them. We can’t make it. 😞

Call BARCS. They’re more likely to get involved peacefully and try to make a better life for the dog.

They’re not always able to - a small organization - but they do their absolute best to respond to complaints of abandoned or abused animals and will take them in to be cared for.

It’s too cold for pets to have to go through this. 😔

Call 311. Report an abandoned animal and where you think the sound is coming from.

Call BARCS directly. Report an abandoned animal.

Call animal control. Report an abandoned animal.

Worst that happens is that they blow you off, but with the cold the way it is, it’s more likely someone will come to attempt to locate the dog.

I hope they help you; and I hope this dog gets inside. :/

I figured that may be the case, which is a bummer.

As far as delicious “adult” brunches are concerned, I’ve never had an espresso martini at Water for Chocolate, but I can 100% vouch for their incredible dope juice and the food is top notch.

Check to be sure they’re open - they have weird, limited hours, sometimes!

If La Cuchara is doing brunch on the weekends again (BIG IF), they’re the place to go.

A.) Best espresso martini I’ve had in the city. B.) Great food

C.) Cool atmosphere

:)

This is the answer, but there’s a far easier number to memorize.

“#77”

That number, on any “State-owned primary roadways in Maryland” will contact an MDOT dispatcher who will send out help to your location.

They’re absolutely lovely, and made my tire getting destroyed by a pothole not the worst. :)

edited to add: for free. The attempt to reinflate my tire and put on a spare was 100% free.

Stanford Grill is the answer.

Atmosphere is lovely. Food is excellent. Service is high marks. A friend and I went there as a “treat yourself” dinner on a random weekday night. It was lovely. They had live piano, it’s so quiet and feels fancy without being stuffy.

And obviously the steaks were very good. :)

Codetta Bake Shop in Federal Hill is 100% the answer. They’re currently only showing classic flavor and cookies and crème as “on demand”, but accept custom orders.

The earlier, the better! You won’t regret it, the baked goods are to die for. 🤤

This would be the much better option.

It could have cooled down since the show, but when I first moved here my mom asked Charm City Cakes about a small birthday cake and they totally blew her off. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Cake by Jason does good cakes!

I’d also recommend reaching out to Flavor Cupcakery in Bel Air. (They closed the Cockeysville one!)

The best happy hour in the city used to be La Cuchara. Covid effectively killed that.

But the best now I would say is Dutch Courage.

You’ll find a great cocktail there, a very chill vibe where you won’t get constantly bothered, and very cheap drinks during their usual HH. The bartenders make a daily cocktail that is $7, and there’s a daily G&T special for $7, as well.

Great spot!

Edited to add: also consider 29th Street Tavern for a great spot with good beer selection and a chill place to read a book! Their HH special is a $7.50 burger and fries on Monday. :)

Neither of these are Hampden - Remington, but close.

I also highly recommend Paul’s Place.

They do a Christmas shop, and are always open to women’s (and especially men’s!) clothing. :)

Here!

Wise Penny. They’re run by the Junior League of Baltimore.

They have two daily rotating specials, too! Sometimes they’re really amazing.

I think last weekend the one I remember is cookie butter French toast. 🤤

In Ellicott City, White Oak Tavern has some good brunch, and is pretty in line with regular brunch spots.

In Columbia, Eggspectations is too expensive but will satisfy you, plus has a pretty extensive menu.

It’s not “on the way”, but my husband and I have spent quite a few dollars at Willy’s Kitchen in Ferndale, and happily tell anyone who asks about breakfast about them. Very small, family owned, incredible food and makes you feel like you’ve always been going there. :)

Hampden is absolutely lovely.

To be honest, if you feel drawn to Hampden save the $$$ and go to Remington.

You’ll be close enough to Hampden to enjoy all it has, but far enough away that you’ll actually be able to park your car near your house and won’t have to deal with the Christmas tourists on 34th St. :)