Annual 'Taste' reveals diverse flavor of Towson's restaurant scene

By Jon Meoli, jmeoli@tribune.com

A crowd that numbered well above 200 Towson residents, business owners and community leaders arrived hungry at the Towson American Legion Post No. 22 on Thursday evening, Sept. 20, for the second annual Taste of Towson event, and it's safe to say every one left satisfied.

"Everybody is over the top this year," said Nancy Hafford, executive director of the Towson Chamber of Commerce, of the participating restaurants. "They all went above and beyond for this, and it just shows how much pride they have in the community."

The Taste of Towson, an event the Towson Chamber of Commerce put on to showcase more than 25 restaurants in the Towson community, took on a renewed importance this year after the chamber lost county grant money that went toward some of its downtown maintenance.

Hafford said around 230 people attended the event, with all of the profits going back into the community in the form of programming such as the Winterfest and street-scaping.

The chamber's costs to stage the event were significantly reduced when the American Legion donated use of the hall for the event.

Restaurants such as Souris', Towson Tavern, Miya Sushi, and Charles Village Pub served up an array of finger foods, exhibiting what their chefs are capable of to a crowd that may not have been as familiar with their work.

Hafford said the reason for the event was not only to bring the community together, but to showcase the restaurants in advance of what's always a busy holiday season in Towson.

Restaurant participating in this year's event were slated to include the following:

7 West

Arlon's

Bahama Breeze

Black & Gold Catering

Buddy Maratta's

Charles Village Pub

Corner Bakery Café

El Rodeo Cantina

Food by Fire

Gino's

Havana Road

Jake's NY Deli

Kathmandu Kitchen

Maui Wowi

McFaul's Iron Horse

Michael's Café

Miya Sushi

Panache Fine Catering

S&J Crab Ranch

Sam's Club

Season's Pizza

Sheraton Baltimore North

Souris' Saloon

Stoney River

Strapazza

Towson Tavern

TU Marriott