Cunningham's

The other day, Mr Minx and I attended a soft opening/friends and family preview at Cunningham's, the Bagby Group's newest restaurant. Located in Towson City Center (that building tucked into the wedge of land between York and Dulaney Valley Roads, just north of the traffic circle), Cunningham's brings a much-needed elegance to the area dining scene.

The decor is both dressed-up and relaxed, with pale walls, marble-topped room separators, and an open kitchen with nearby bar seating. I love the ceiling lighting, which resembles flowers, or in the case of the single large fixture at the back of the main room, a particularly fancy bundt cake. The bar area, too, is very attractive, with its back-lit marble bar top and near panoramic view of...well, Towson. But still, it's a fine place to have a drink and something to eat.

Pork belly and shrimp dumplings, salsa verde coulis, pickled radish

Pretzel-encrusted fried oysters, mustard fruits, cabbage, sauerkraut chowder

Hudson Valley duck breast, gold rice, squash and turnip salad, huckleberries, horseradish

Seared rockfish, autumn vegetable succotash, parsley root puree, Cunningham's
bacon, wax pepper coulis

Roasted Brussels sprouts, Caesar dressing

Roasted turnips, quince vinegar, thyme

The menu at Cunningham's, under the direction of Executive Chef Chris Allen and Bagby's corporate Executive Chef Chris Becker, features seasonal dishes, with much of the fresh produce, eggs, and pork provided by the Bagby Group's own Cunningham Farms.

Pumpkin cream cake: pumpkin chiffon, cheesecake, green apple sorbet

Almond cake, cranberry apple compote, mascarpone-fig swirl ice cream, almond nougatine

We sampled appetizers, entrees, side dishes, and desserts, and were excited by both the freshness and the creativity of every item. Pastry Chef Angie Lee's desserts were particularly enticing, and baker John Aversa's breads were simply outstanding. We look forward to being able to visit Cunningham's Café and Bakery (downstairs) to pick up a loaf or two to take home.

The restaurant opens Friday, November 22nd, and we're sure it will be a hit.

Cunningham's
1 Olympic Pl
Towson, MD 21204
http://cunninghamstowson.com/





Posted on Minxeats.com.