Feb 01 2008
The $9 Beer Comes to Baltimore
So the other day my wife and I stopped into Nasu Blanca – the Japanese/Spanish restaurant and bar around the corner from our house in Locust Point. We had been there before for dinner and pretty much decided I wouldn’t go back anytime soon. To me it’s overpriced and the food is just a bit to “fancy” for my tastes. My seared tuna appetizer was served with foie gras – gross. But it made Baltimore Magazine’s top 50 restaurants, so other’s apparently like it. But that’s all beside the point, back to the present. We had stopped back into Nasu Blanca because The Wine Market was closed for a private party and we wanted to grab a couple drinks and appetizers for happy hour. The good news, they have a happy hour menu with reduced drink and food prices. The bad news, the bartender recommended a beer on tap which apparently wasn’t part of the special. When the check came I was surprised to see the price of the beer – $9!
$9 for a normal pint-sized beer. It didn’t come with a bowl of chili, nachos, or even two free songs on the jukebox [they don't have one]. To me there’s no place in this country for a $9 beer, especially not in “blue-collar” Baltimore, and double especially [that sounds strange...] not in “working class” Locust Point.
6 Comments to “The $9 Beer Comes to Baltimore”
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so, what kind of beer was this, anyway?
I wish I remembered, it would have made for a better story. But it was some import I have never heard of, I would guess a Spanish beer. Someone should stop in and order “the $9 beer” and let me know what brand it was.
Nasu Blanca, I don’t see what all the fuss is about. Cramped noisy restaurant, mediocre food coupled with extremely high prices. Ate there once, never again.
I had an awesome meal when I went there for the first time a few months ago. However, I agree that it was one of the priciest placest I’ve been to in a long time. They must be doing something right, because despite the prices, it was packed when I was there! I’d like to go back, but I’m waiting for my bank account to grow a bit so I can afford it.
There goes the neighborhood
Nothing wrong with a few over priced overrated restaurants in the neighborhood..is there? Don’t need to go…I myself don’t mind fancy food now and then, but it is true that it has to be worth the money. Nothing worse than paying to leave hungry!!
As for $9 bucks a beer, I’m sure there are still cheaper choices. It’s all about the pairing: cheap beer with nachos and football, maybe a fancy sip just for kicks. Ultimately we still own our wallets, and there are still plenty of dives that serve rock bottom beer…if you like that.
I can only hope Baltimore grows out of it’s self imposed image as “blue collar”. Lets embrace a more diverse image. It is quirky enough so that it will never become a DC or such….:-)
cheers