08/05/09

MY FAVORITE RESTURANT

by BERNDVORAK

Tio Pepe Restaurante

Baltimore MD.

(410) 539-4675

Mediterranean $$$

Reservations Recommended:

This restaurant is Spanish Mediterranean, NOT MEXICAN, serving European cuisine in a civilized manner! You will descend into a dimly lit world of stucco-sculptured walls and wrought iron appointments. It’s as if you were entering the ‘Caves of Drach’ on the Spanish island of Mallorca. Attentive waiters address your every need. Interested in ‘before dinner’ drinks? A pitcher of White, Red, or Champaign Sangria is a must. Order dry or sweet, custom blended to suit your taste.

For me, a great beginning is the shrimp in garlic sauce, Sopa de Pescado y Mariscos (Mediterranean seafood soup) or the Champaign Oysters, the flavor of which explodes on your palette like nothing before. Mention ‘puff potatoes’ (not on menu) and you will be treated to the complementary creation of head chief Emiliano Sanz. Prepare for “Emilio” to visit your table sometime during the evening, as is his custom.

Entrees are too numerous to mention. If you desire meat, the ‘Three Amigo’s’ will satisfy the most robust appetite. Order medium rare for this generous portion of lamb chop, petite filet mignon, and veal chop. The sauté veggies and sauce are rich and complementary. Each day one suckling pig (and only one) is roasted. Order this when you make your reservation or you may be left out. For the seafarer, three succulent soft crabs are “to die for”! I prefer hot lemon butter to the almond sauce. The sole with banana is both rich and rewarding. Like many of the entrees, this one is a never to be forgotten experience.

Linger over Tio’s generous deserts. Fresh raspberries in Sabayon Sauce, are delightful. However, a single order of half pine nut, half walnut cake is perfect. Share with your companion and neither of you will be disappointed.

APETITO BUENO !

Bernie Dvorak

Towson MD.

PS: Overheard at BWI:

“TIO PEPE?…. NO ONE GOES THERE ANYMORE……IT’S TOO CROWDED!”

• Pros: GREAT FOOD / EXCEPTIONALSERVICE / ROMANTIC AMBIANCE
• Cons: CROWDED / LONG WAIT TO BE SEATED / NOISY

04/01/09

Best Paella

by Mike20500

Great place for a romantic dinner of paella and sangria. As a former resident of Spain and a lover of paella, I can say this is among the best paella in the USA and similar to the finest paellas of Spain. The delicious sangria is at the best price that I have ever seen for a massive pitcher.

• Pros: Spanish Paella and Sangria in charming setting
• Cons: What are the drawbacks?

03/30/09

Tio Pepe, Its a shame what it has become....

by Sanzjr

I am going to try and be nice about this. I am from Spain and I was good friends with the man who started Tio Pepe's. He was one of the greatest Chefs in all of Europe (even cooked for Spanish royalty), and his two brothers that helped him start the Restaurant were just as good. The three of them together were nothing short of Gods of the kitchen. A family of true Master Chefs...(The Sanz Brothers) Its a shame that Tio Pepe's has turned into nothing more than a cash cow for the owners that truly should not even be the owners (Miguel Angel and you know who). They have been riding the Sanz brothers wave for a long time and I think its about time it hits the rocks. There is only one man that should be the owner at this time and his name is Chef. Angel Sanz, the last of the Sanz brothers, and the man who helped make Tio Pepe's restaurant world famous. Oh, and by the way that famous Garlic Shrimp that everyone loves so much, that recipe was created by Chef. Angel Sanz and no one else. Being Spanish and Spanish food have allot in common. The food should explode with all the great flavors of Spain. The food should visually be beautiful and draw you in, and most importantly you should not have to sell your house to pay for your tapas and a glass of sangria. Its a real shame that Tio Pepe's has faded into a mist that was once one of the greatest Chefs in all of Europe's dream. The owners of Tio Pepe's should release ownership of the restaurant and return ownership to its last surviving true founder, Chef. Angel Sanz who still resides in Baltimore, MD. As a Spaniard I feel that Tio Pepe's does not represent Spain in its true glory. I just though that everyone should know the truth about the restaurant. First, the people working there are not Spanish, which means they are not from Spain. That is for those of you who do not know the difference between Spanish and Hispanics, they are rude and not so friendly, in Spain that would not be allowed. The Food is ok at best. The Paella, the true main Spanish dish is a 3 on a scale of 1-10. Garlic Shrimp is great, thanks to Chef Angel Sanz. Drinks are crazy high in price, Sangria is $45 a pitcher and they use cheap wine. If you want real Sangria please feel free to come by my house. The Pine Nut Cake and the Flan, well you should try Chef Angel Sanz, that is all I have to say on that. And if you just so happen to know the current owners, do not expect them to give you any kind of deal or special treatment while you are there, they will just treat you as badly as they do everyone else. Now that is what I call not being Spanish at all. Very soon a new truly authentic Spanish restaurant will be opening, and none other than Chef Angel Sanz will be at the helm. Are main focus, well I guess you know who.. Tio Pepe's, get ready......

• Pros: Garlic Shrimp
• Cons: Out of control prices, not truly Spanish Anymore