In the last post, I suggested that spas should have a frequent flyer card. This idea mostly came out of greed; I was so relaxed from my massage and wanted more without paying a fortune. But the more I think about it, a frequent flyer card is never a bad idea. But to expand on that, what if there was a frequent flyer card of sorts for all of Federal Hill? Kind of like a club card for the entire neighborhood.

Is this sort of thing possible? Hear me out. Fed Hill is such a close knit neighborhood, what if there was a community card, where participating businesses could join together to offer deals to members? So a person could pay a monthly fee for membership to the alliance, and whenever you go to a participating business, you could show your card to receive discounts. I think this community card would foster business in the area by giving incentive for people to utilize the membership they pay for. I know that if I owned a card like this, I would always be using it! Even better, from an economical perspective, Federal Hill could charge businesses to be a part of the community card, which could earn lots of money for the community. In any case, it's definitely a win- win for all! Businesses get attention and have a chance to give people more incentive to visit their establishments. Customers get discounts at their favorite places, and it could even be set up that the more times they use the card (either at a single establishment or all together), they will gain more rewards or discounts. And finally, Federal Hill could charge the businesses to be a part of the community card, thus gaining more funds for the city. 

So what kind of rewards should be put on the card, you ask? Well, I think that for starters, there should definitely be some massage discounts on there :). Like maybe, 15% off a massage? Or a free one after you pay for 5? But in all seriousness, I think that any kind of business could have a place in this community card. Restaurants, bars, clubs, stores, health services, you name it, it can benefit from the community card. Federal Hill people, if you are reading this, please consider my idea! I think it would benefit everyone involved, and I would certainly like to see it followed through so I can get discounts from my favorite places! If you did this, you would make a lot of people so happy. Fed Hill is a small and close enough area that the community boundaries would be clear, so it would be easy to establish what businesses could and could not be part of the community card. This would certainly bring the area even closer together and foster a sense of unity and re- establishment in an area that is so historically rich, but may sometimes struggle bringing in new clientele. 

I had my first massage today. Normally I don't like people touching me, which is why I've never thought to get a massage before. But it had been one of those days. I couldn't really explain why I felt that way, but that I was feeling a little out of my element. It might have been the weather, but nonetheless, I knew I needed a personal day. When I had decided on my massage, it was just a matter of where I should go to get it. Federal Hill has quite a few spas, so I knew I had a bunch of sites to choose from. Walking through Federal Hill, I've seen quite a few day spas and salons. I knew there was Kim's Day Spa, Apothecary Wellness and the Healing Path. But for my particular needs, I was deciding between Apothecary Wellness and Healing Path. Both are similar in that they offer alternative ways of healing and medicine, so it was difficult to decide which site I wanted to choose. 

Apothecary Wellness calls itself a Holistic Wellness Spa and Boutique, focusing on massage therapy and organic skin care treatments. They offer a series of massages, such as prenatal and hot stone in addition to the ordinary deep tissue, stretching, and acupuncture. In addition to massages, Apothecary Wellness also has holistic treatments. I wasn't sure what that was, so I looked on their website to see if I could find out what that was. And what I found was pretty interesting. The idea behind holistic treatments is that in order to fix a problem, you must look at the issue holistically as opposed to its parts. So in this case, holistic treatments work to relieve stress on the whole body, even if they do focus on particular pressure points. Apothecary Wellness has Thai Yoga Massage, Reiki, Reflexology Treatment, and Cupping Treatment, each for around $100 for over an hour. When I was looking through the website, these therapies certainly looked promising! 

The Healing Path, which was my other option, also offers a lot of massages that look appealing and incredibly relaxing. Their signature massage starts off with hot compresses and oils, and runs around $85 for an hour. In addition to their regular massages, the Healing Path also has a Thai Massage, Stone and Deep Tissue, along with sports and oncology massages for athletes and people going through cancer treatment. 

After some basic research on both companies, I decided to go with Apothecary Wellness because I liked their idea of holistic treatment. I went with the hot stone massage, and I have to say, it was one of the best decisions I've made all month. Upon entering the space, I felt immediately calm by the interior design and faint, calming smell of mint and lavender. The hardwood floors and cool white furniture set the upmost standard of cleanliness and relaxation, and I knew that coming here was a good decision. 

When my masseuse called my name to begin my massage, I remember a faint wave of nervousness washing over me. Would I like it? What if it hurt? How much was I paying for this again? I questioned whether this hour-long invitation for a stranger to rub my back and put hot stones on me was really necessary. But I have to say that as soon as the stone touched my skin, I became so incredibly relaxed that I couldn't believe it. What did they put in those stones? And why was it having this effect on my skin? The masseuse put about 6 or 7 stones on my back, first in a line down my spine, then in various other positions. She let the stones stay on my skin for a little while, then she removed them and continued with a deep tissue massage. As I felt the tension leave my body, I was stunned by how relaxed I felt. 

As I left Apothecary Wellness, I was as relaxed as ever. My limbs felt like goo, but the good kind. More than happy with my decision, I left feeling like a whole new person. However, the one thing I wasn't ecstatic about was the price I paid. For 75 minutes, I paid $115. Which is fine for one time, but I had a feeling these massages might become a regular thing. But if I were to pay for these things regularly, I would break the bank on massages alone. 

So I propose that Apothecary Wellness, or any other massage place in Federal Hill, you should develop a frequent flyer card. Where if I go in for a certain number of massages, I should get discounts on my nth number of massages. So Apothecary, what do you propose? Frequent Flyer card please? 

Can I just tell you how excited I am about this Block Party? I found out about this event via a co-worker a couple days ago, and I am stunned that I didn't know about it sooner. I've been here in Federal Hill for a few months now, and in case you can't tell by my previous blog posts, I ABSOLUTELY love it. I've met some of the nicest, most genuine people here. And there's so much to do! A night out on the town in Fed Hill is always a good one. I'm an introvert, but I think that the quaint-ness of the area is perfect for me. Not too crowded, not too bizarre or insane- just a nice, historic, culturally rich area where I can meet fun, interesting people without feeling overwhelmed. I think another thing I like so much about Federal Hill is the air of community I feel here. I know many of the shop-owners by name, I'd like to think it's because of the tight-knit community as opposed to the idea that I simply might frequent the grilled cheese place too often, but regardless, I feel at home here.

So speaking of community, let me tell you about the Block Party. Mark your calendars, people. It's on Sunday, April 7th from 11am - 7pm. There's gonna be on Cross St., between Charles and Light Streets. All you have to do is pay $5 admission, and prepare yourself for hours of fun! There's going to be music, food, and tons of fun! 

Since I just moved here, I haven't been to any block parties here. But I can say from experience that they are tons of fun. I grew up in Frederick, and I used to go to block parties in downtown Frederick all the time. I remember there was a really big one, called In the Streets, which spanned a couple streets in downtown. A lot of the restaurants and bars would set up tents and sell food. There would also be live music from local bands as well as music blaring over loudspeakers from local radio stations that came out. There would also be face painting, artists selling their art, and vendors selling antique trinkets. These block parties showcased the best that the city had to offer, making sure to pay attention to the history and culture of the place. 

I can't say what exactly will be in store for Fed Hill's Block Party, but I hope that the experience will be similar to the ones in Frederick. Fed Hill's bars are amazing, and so if they come out and take part in the Block Party, I will be a happy camper. I know that a lot of Block Parties have arts and crafts for the children, as well as live music playing all day. 

This will be one of the most community-strengthening events to happen in a while, so I encourage everyone who can to come out and enjoy the festival. You will meet so many interesting people, taste tons of amazing food from the local restaurants, and have tons of fun listening to the live music that will be playing all day.

If you come out, please leave a comment about your experience! Hope to see you there!

I think now that you've gotten a taste (excuse the pun) of my favorite places to eat, now you should know where I like to go to get my drink on. There's tons of pubs and bars in the Federal Hill area, and my friends and I have definitely put them to use. After a long week at work, meeting up at the bars on a Friday night is the best way to relax. There are countless bars, like Brewer's Cask, Magerks Pub, Stalking Horse, Pub Dog, and Ropewalk Tavern. All of these bars and pubs each offer a different atmosphere, and depending on my party's mood, there is always a perfect one for the night. For example, Magerk's Pub is a great place to watch a game, where Stalking Horse is wonderful when you're in the mood to dance. When I first moved here, I was so surprised that such a historic area could have such a rich nightlife, but now, I am so thankful that it does. The people in Fed Hill are friendly, and there are so many people passing through the area that it's always a new experience every time you go out. Most of the bars have a huge selection of craft beers, which is nice because you can always try something new and experiment with brands and flavors. 

There's also a few music venues in the area, namely 8X10. It's a small, intimate music venue where you will literally be right there next to the band when they play. Seeing shows here is such a different experience than seeing a concert in a large venue because the artists actually feel like real people. Because of the proximity, you feel so incredibly close to the performers and every time I've gone there, I've been treated to such honest, intimate performances. I highly recommend 8X10 if you appreciate music!

In addition to regular bars and pubs, there's tons of other things you can do at night in Federal Hill. Illusions Bar and Theater is one of the best-kept secrets in the area, and for good reason. There's something about knowing that you know something others don't. But now, I'm sharing this novelty with you. Because Illusions deserves to be known. Going to Illusions is always an experience. For $12, you get the show of a lifetime. In case the name of the establishment has not tipped you off already, Illusions is a magician lounge. They do illusions and magic tricks, and you won't have this much fun for so little a price anywhere else. Definitely stop by Illusions if you're in the mood for something slightly different!

As you can see, Federal Hill has one of the most unique nightlife scenes in the area. It's different from a large city's nightlife because the small area allows for a more intimate and homey experience, but there are so many sites to visit that you will never get bored. What I love about the area is that you get the best of both worlds. During the day, you can visit all of the historic sites, but at night, the area transforms into a culture hub filled with bars, music lounges, and other wonderful places to spend time with the people you love. Personally, I love living in the area. There is so much to do, and thus far, every night out on the town has been a great one. 

I want to preface this post by saying that I love food. I'm a foodie through and through. I love cooking it, watching it being cooked, and most importantly, eating it. I think that food and comfort are so intertwined. Growing up, I used to watch my grandmother cook and bake traditional vietnamese food when I got home from school. I would sit on the couch and peek over the counter, and I think that's where I developed such an appreciation for food. The aromas mixing with the calming feeling I felt when talking with my grandmother easily made these afternoon hours the best part of my day. When I became old enough to help out, my grandmother taught me how to make my favorite dishes with her. Then I began branching out and finding recipes to make on my own, and now, here we are. I cook whenever I can, trying out new recipes and using the dishes I get at restaurants for inspiration. My roommates make fun of me for my appreciation for food, even though they are all too happy when I make them dinner. 

Though I love to cook, my roommates and I also love to eat out. We have tons of favorites in Federal Hill, so let me tell you a little about them. 

Crazy Lil's is one of the best pubs around. It's slogan is "the other side of sanity," and I couldn't agree more. They have some of the best curly fries around. Seriously. They're crispy and perfectly seasoned and my insides jump with happiness every time I order them. ALso, if you're ever in the market for mac and cheese, you NEED to go to Crazy Lil's. They have about 8 or 9 kinds of mac and cheese, such as veggie mac, chipotle chicken mac, and the ever famous Chesapeake mac, which you will definitely need to try if you're not from Maryland (because you know, when you go to Maryland you MUST gorge yourself on anything with the name Chesapeake in it, it's ritual). Basically, this place is comfort food personified. It has everything from burgers, salads, soups, pasta and sandwiches. Every time I've gone here I haven't been disappointed. 

Another one of my favorite places is Grilled Cheese & Co. Like the name sounds, they specialize in grilled cheese and man, are they good at what they do. I drool just looking at the menu. They have this BCT (bacon, cheddar, tomatoes) grilled cheese that is to die for. And if you're not a bacon fan, believe me, you have tons of other options. Other great ones are the Smashed Meatball, Crabby Melt, or if you're a vegetarian, the Veggie Delight is a great sandwich as well. AND THE BEST PART is that for dessert, you can get the Sweetest Thing, which is exactly what you probably think it is. It's brie, raspberry mascarpone spread, and chocolate chips. Can you even imagine. I couldn't until I tried it and I was stunned at how good it was. 

So I hope that you'll try these places out, and please, leave your comments below if you do! I really want to know what you think! Happy Eating :)

Hopefully now that we have entered March, we can only hope that the weather will be warmer from here on out. And warmer days means more family outings and day dates. Museums and galleries are excellent  places to escape for a few hours, and Federal Hill has plenty to choose from. There are 5 museums and galleries technically in the Fed Hill area, and each one offers a different experience, ranging from landscapes to nesting dolls. 

The American Visionary Art Museum allows emerging artists to showcase their work. Because you don't need formal training to have your work in the museum, the exhibits are the result of innate personal vision that sometimes may not even be considered art by the creator (American Visionary Art Museum). If you're in the mood to look at some of the most beautifully intricate furniture, you should head to Artesanos Don Bosco, a furniture gallery featuring detailed furniture made from wood and stained glass. The Crystal Moll Gallery is also located in the Federal Hill district, and it features beautiful light-filled urban landscapes of Baltimore. The gallery has prints, paintings and tiles by Crystal Moll, and also showcases other local artists. Another personal gallery in the area is the Mark Cottman Gallery, which houses a vivid collection of paintings that takes the viewer in as a participant and brings the viewer into Cottman's world of imagination. Finally, the last gallery I want to showcase in the Fed Hill district is the Tradestone Gallery, which houses collections of art by Russian artists, where you can find beautiful lacquer boxes, paintings, and nesting dolls. 

You should note that the Crystal Moll Gallery, Mark Cottman Gallery, and the Tradestone Gallery are all participants of First Thursdays, which means that the first thursday of every month stores, restaurants, and bars that are a part of First Thursdays will have specials on the first thursdays of the month. In the past, First Thursdays have boasted special exhibits and live music. 

You can visit one gallery/ museum, or visit them all. With the locations in such close proximity to each other, you can either spend hours going through the American Visionary Art Museum, or you can divide your time strolling through all of the galleries and maybe even pick up something for your home. The art you will find in Fed Hill will be vastly different from anything else you might find in a Smithsonian museum. The galleries are personable and quaint, nestled in a historic area that is rich in culture. Federal Hill is an area that boasts it's personality and intimacy. Many of the artists and shop-owners live only blocks from where they work, which is something you don't find in many cities. The point is, Federal Hill offers so many opportunities for art lovers. And if you're not an artsy person, maybe Federal Hill will inspire you. 

Though I am originally from the DC Metro area, no, I don't mean Capitol Hill when I say Hill. I'm talking about a much smaller, more quaint area. Federal Hill is the area just south of Baltimore's Inner Harbor, a place where the locals and tourists mix and mingle to form the perfect community rich with culture and history. In a way, it reminds me of Downtown Frederick, where I grew up. The architecture is brick, and people live above the coffee shops, cafes, and second-hand stores. The only difference is that Federal Hill is 5 minutes from Baltimore, whereas the closest major city from Frederick is still an hour away. The convenience of Federal Hill's location means that you can stop by on your way in or out of Baltimore. You can check in for a quick bite to eat at one of FedHill's many wonderful pubs, restaurants, bars or bakeries, or you can make a day out of it and go shopping and visit the art galleries. Whatever amount of time you spend in the neighborhood, you won't be disappointed. Growing up 10 minutes from historic Downtown Frederick has given me a great appreciation for rustic architecture and eclectic businesses. I remember being able to find the quirkiest gifts in Frederick, and even today I still come back there if I have a friend's birthday coming up and I don't know what to get them. In Federal Hill, there are a ton of eccentric little shops that you can peruse. Funky Beehive, on S. Charles St. offers the most unique shirts, kitchen supplies, and accessories for the favorite people in your life. Phina's for the Home and Le Petit Cochon are also great options if you want to look for home decor. I don't mean to sit here and advertise for Federal Hill, but I must say that the businesses that take residence in the area remind me of home. And perhaps, that is the most comforting thing about the area for me. Moving here to Baltimore after college was one of the most terrifying experiences for me at first. I landed this great job at a top PR firm, and so I just pretty much picked up my life without hesitation and moved to Baltimore without having visited here more than a handful of times. Seeing the brick buildings, multicolored awnings and windows full of trinkets brought back a rush of home for me, and for that, I have formed an emotional connection with this place that I did not think could happen so quickly. Now, it has been half a year since I've moved to Baltimore, and Federal Hill is still my favorite neighborhood in the area. I feel at home here, and I'm so glad I was able to experience the area so soon after I got here. A co-worker took me to lunch my first week at Byblos, a delicious mediterranean restaurant on Light Street. I instantly fell in love with both the food and the scenery, and since then, I've really enjoyed every visit to FedHill. So, I know I've been sounding like a tour guide this entire time, but I reeeeally encourage anyone and everyone who can get to Baltimore easily to visit this little neighborhood. You really do get the best of both worlds here. 

The Federal Hill area is a quaint, historic neighborhood nestled in the heart of Baltimore, south of the Inner Harbor. It is a vibrant, eclectic area that is rich with culture and history. The buildings are all from the late 18th, 19th, or early 20th century, offering a charming atmosphere for the bars, restaurants, shops, and art galleries. Federal Hill technically spans three streets; Charles, Cross, and Light. Inside these streets house an exciting array of well- known establishments such as Ropewalk Tavern and SoBo Cafe, but also delicatessens and shops that are more popular among the locals. Federal Hill is able to provide tourists entertainment with its galleries and shopping attractions, but also offer a calming diversion from the busy Inner Harbor with its specialty businesses and old-timey atmosphere. The location really is the best of both worlds- its minutes from the Baltimore Convention Center and other large attractions like the Orioles and Ravens stadiums. It is easily accessible from all major transportation routes-Interstate 95, the Baltimore Washington Parkway, and Interstate 83. Additionally, getting to Federal Hill by public transportation is easy as well. There are plenty of commuter and MTA rails that can get you right to the neighborhood. But on the other hand, Federal Hill offers something that the other neighborhoods in Baltimore may not- it allows for a sense of intimacy and familiarity. Because Federal Hill has many unique shops, it attracts a certain niche of people who are passionate about what Fed Hill. For example, Fed Hill offers everything from second-hand antique stores to comic book shops that delight tourists and locals all the same. I hope that by now, you have a good overarching view about what the Federal Hill area is, and why you should visit. If you haven't yet, I strongly encourage you to make the trip out there, you won't be disappointed. Hopefully, the weather will be warming up soon so you can grab a buddy or loved one and get out there to enjoy all that Federal Hill has to offer!  My goal of this blog will be to focus on restaurants, bars, and other establishments in Fed Hill, and offer the most honest, candid reviews of the places that I can. I hope that by following this blog, you will learn more about the businesses in the area, because I think that Fed Hill is a severely underrated area. There is something for everyone in this neighborhood, and I am determined that if it were only promoted correctly, more tourists would find a great time visiting Federal Hill. You can come here to eat, drink, shop, enrich yourself in the art galleries and museums, or simply enjoy the beautiful scenery. With each post, I will try to focus on a different area of interest so that you will get a well-rounded overview of the neighborhood. So with that, I say goodbye for now! If you have any comments and/or suggestions about what you would like me to focus on, please don't hesitate to write in the comments box. I look forward to starting this project, and I hope you are as excited reading these posts as I am writing them!