grab a cup of mom-fort at LAMill coffee

Although parenthood doesn't always lend itself to this, I like to eat like a grown-up every once in a while. At a table. With real dishware. And I don't always want to pay a sitter so I can get my civilized society fix.

Which is why I am grateful for European-inspired coffee houses. Most recently LAMill, which opened at the Four Seasons in Harbor East this past fall.

A little bit of mom-fort (or parent-comfort for that matter) in a what can be a kid-crazy world.

Think European-inspired baked goods with an American-twist meet fabulous coffees and teas with a side of soups, salads and melty-sandwiches. Are you swooning yet? You'll find a concise (yet delicious) breakfast and lunch menu that designed for on-the-go or eat-in. I can't speak for lunch as I was there for breakfast, but this review in Grub Street references a lobster pop pie. Hello, deliciousness -- and my next downtown lunch adventure.

monday's five things: baltimore restaurant week cravings

It's that time of year again - - Baltimore's Summer Restaurant Week. For a foodie family like ours, it's like Christmas in August. The event brings together the coolest local spots and the hottest culinary creations August 5-14, 2011. Participating restaurants will offer special prix-fixe dinner menus for $35.11 and some will have lunch menus for $20.11. Here are 5 things we're craving:

1. Out for lunch with the kids? Try Mr. Rain's Fun House at the American Visionary Art Museum. Mr. Rain's Fun House is a blast, and there are enough options on their regular lunch menu to satisfy the most discerning of palettes (and yes, I'm talking about your two year old) while the adults can select something more adventurous. What our family is craving: Lumpia - chicken spring roll with sweet chili sauce. It's an app on the pre-fixe lunch menu. My fav cocktail? The blanco sangria. You won't regret ordering it.

2. Need a crab fix? Head to Costas Inn Restaurant. Costas Inn Restaurant is south of downtown, and hands down one of our favorite local places to score a crab cake. Their restaurant week dinner menu offers several ways to get your crustacean fix: whole main lobster stuffed with crab, salmon topped with crab and of course -- their famous crab cake.

3. Date night fusion: Alchemy. We tried out Alchemy in Hampden for the first time last night to celebrate my parents' 30th wedding anniversary. Definitely an 'adults outing' or date night spot, as I'm not sure a stroller would fit through the door and there is a whole lotta stemware on the table when you first sit down. Everyone we were out to dinner with raved about their entrees from Alchemy's Dinner Restaurant Week Menu. Our top picks? The Panko-Crusted Red Snapper and the Ancho Chile Chicken. But don't get too full on apps and entrees. What we're really craving (and will be heading back soon for) is their Bailey's Brownie a la mode.

4. Italian with a chance of opera at Sotto Sopra. Sotto Sopra on North Charles is one of our fav Italian restaurants in the city. If we head out for an early dinner with the Bug this week, this may be our choice. Mostly to give her a taste of their Four Cheese Tortellini off of their restaurant week dinner menu. It comes in a Rutabaga-pear sauce. Sneaky way to get a veggie in.

5. Fun alfresco dining with kids at Mt. Washington Tavern: We love Mt. Washington Tavern for it's family-friendliness and retractable roof -- which means your kids can dine al fresco in a confined space (rather than a sidewalk table which inevitably challenges our two-year-old to become an escape artist). We're craving the pesto scallops and shrimp on their restaurant week lunch menu... we're pretty sure the Bug will be ordering off of their every day artisan grilled cheese menu. Her favorite? Three cheese and tomato. Personally, I'm partial to their veggie melt.

What are you craving this restaurant week?

Gooey Pizza Delight in Downtown Mt. Airy

Early Sunday afternoon,we were near Mt. Airy on a trek back from Frederick. All three of us were starving and the little voice from the back seat was starting to escalate. So we took the nearest exit, drove down Main Street in Mt. Airy and found a variety of great options that looked Lila-friendly. We ended up at a chic looking pizza joint, Laurienzo Brick Oven Cafe. Thin-crust pizza, the All-American friendly toddler food, seemed to be a good bargaining option: we had a prayer of getting some veggies into the Bug and she could experiment with tomato sauce as finger paints.

The service was beyond friendly and there was a fairly good-sized "family" crowd. We were immediately seated with a restaurant-grade high chair (perfect for slipping under the table so the bug felt like she was eating 'with us'). We ordered a 12-inch tomato and basil pizza, two drinks and settled into a game of "who wants a cheerio?" while we waited for lunch.

The pizza was a gooey delight. Super thin crust, lots of cheese and a sauce that rivaled some of the best either of us had while studying in Italy a few years ago. The Bug ate it without complaint, a pretty great sign. The pies only come in one size, but 12" was plenty for the three of us. We even brought three slices home.

Lila started getting antsy after the meal, so we opted out of dessert (although the menu was pretty tempting!). Has anyone else tried the food at Laurienzo's? What did you think?

Although the food was delicious and the service was great, there were a few downsides to dining at Laurienzo. The first issue? Acoustics. Despite a pretty good-sized lunch crowd, Lila's screeches (she only has one volume right now - - LOUD!) echoed in the cavernous space. That intimidated us a bit and made us more likely to leave sooner; we didn't want a few squawks to interrupt other diners.

Another issue? No changing table in the bathroom. Now, each bathroom was a single room and handicapped accessible, so in a pinch you have plenty of space to throw down a changing pad on the floor. I wouldn't describe myself as a raging germaphobe, but we still opted to change Lila in the car. (I had seen an ABC news story about the bathroom floor being more germy than a toilet...).

On the plus side, a stroller could easily fit through the aisles in the restaurant. Easy exit route if your little one is having an off-day. They also have an al fresco dining option (which we always prefer - - but it was of course, raining).

So if you're shopping on Main Street or in the Mt. Airy area, we would definitely suggest grabing a drink and a meal at Laurienzo. They boasted having some of the best Bloody Marylands, Mojitos and White Sangria around. I must admit, my mojito was delicious.

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