It's almost too easy to start my official posting with City Cafe. I have been a fan of City Cafe pretty much since I moved to Baltimore, going on five years ago. Back then it was very different to what it is now, based on the interior design and menu and, honestly, pricing. However, the main idea of City Cafe is still the same: A lovely neighborhood cafe that happens to serve delicious food during the day and is also a fantastic restaurant and bar at night.
I remember running to City with a friend minutes before the cafe closed to get a home made frozen cappucino, the perfect treat on a hot day. I remember falling in love with mushroom ravioli my freshman year. I remember going to City every day first semester last year to write papers and do homework. Hell, I probably wrote most of certain fictional stories while in City, the draw of coffee and calm always too good to pass up.
Certain changes make me miss the old City. Gone is the checkerboard floor. Gone is half the cafe space. Gone is the option of food served all day. And I'm not going to lie, it sort of stings to have to pay for internet now. However, I understand why that decision, among others, was made. Every time I went to City for internet, I at least bought a cup of coffee and, most likely, a muffin. Sometimes I'd be there for so long I would break down and buy a sandwich or something bigger, not just because I needed internet but because the food has always been so good. Other people seemed less concerned with caffeine and baked goods and more concerned with planting there for hours, not buying anything and just using the internet. Every day.
Times are tough. The choice to make you buy something to log in ($5 for one hour, $10 for two) is understandable, though I will miss the sight of strung out people fighting for an outlet. Or when a prankster decided to draw an outlet on paper and tape it to the wall. One disgruntled cafe patron was none too happy to find the paper outlet was a, well, paper outlet. Good times.
Anyway, I went to City with a friend Friday night for dinner and drinks. There was a new item I had not seen before on the normally impressive menu: Linguini with crab 'meatballs.' Being a lover of pasta and all things crab, I had to order it.
For eighteen dollars I received a humongous portion of pasta with five delicious crab 'meatballs,' dressed in a rich, creamy sauce with fresh tomatoes, corn, and mushrooms. It did not disappoint. City Cafe has always been more than generous with crab cakes. Their crab cake sandwich featured a crab cake the size of my fist, as opposed to the normal golf ball sized crab cake. The crab meatballs were tender, well seasoned, and had a perfectly brown seared crust.
The crab meat was almost shown up, surprisingly, by the addition of corn to the dish. I found myself seeking out each kernel; the mix of sweet and crunchy a perfect contrast to what could have been a heavy cream dish. The mushrooms were sort of mushy and muddled in the sauce. I never really noticed I was eating a mushroom until I had chewed for a bit, then realized, 'Oh. That's a mushroom. Cool.' The tomatoes were equally delicious, but the corn stole the show.
The pasta was well cooked and, as I said, a huge portion. The sauce was good, though seemed to be a bit heavy on pepper. It had a spicy kick I was not expecting, but the kick was a good thing. Again, it helped in keeping the dish from becoming just a bowl of cream and pasta.
I can't emphasize how much I liked this dish and also how much of a steal it is. The amount of crab alone is worth $18. I also had an Arnie Palmer, which was refreshing and well balanced. A delicious drink to start with.
The waitstaff is always very friendly, upbeat and knowledgeable. The restaurant looks great after all of the renovations.
Whether you're looking for a decadent meal, a variety of coffees, or a quick sandwich, City Cafe is always an excellent choice.
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