IF THE NORTH CLUB LEVEL LOUNGE AT M&T; Bank Stadium is jammed with folks, and it's not football season, it must be for something else Baltimoreans are passionate about -- chocolate.
That's what the Health Care for the Homeless fundraiser, the 17th Annual Chocolate Affair, was all about. Trying chocolate. Trying it in every form imaginable, courtesy of almost 60 restaurants, caterers and food purveyors. Each had set up a food station where folks lined up to sample the goods. And, if they really liked something, they could circle back for more.
You had the standard, such as candy, cakes and classic desserts.
"I had some Jack Daniels chocolate ice cream. That was smokin'!" raved one of the evening's judges, WJZ reporter Ron Matz.
And then for the more adventurous, there were offerings like chocolate risotto (The Brass Elephant), absinthe-infused chocolate truffles (Chef's Expressions) and cocoa and nacho pepper rubbed tenderloin with southwest slaw and white chocolate guacamole (The Hotel Hershey).
"This is the biggest and best Chocolate Affair ever, with over 1,600 attendees," said Caryn Sagal, not at all biased despite the fact that she was co-chairing the event with Sharon Bunch.
The best thing for Sagal, however? The fact that this year the party raised $140,000 for Health Care for the Homeless Inc.
"And counting," she proudly added.
A DRINK WITH VIRGINIA BYRNES
Baltimore native Virginia Byrnes, 53, has had a fascinating professional life. She created a greeting card company in the early 1980s. Then she spent 20 years working in the film business doing props, sets and art direction. Two years ago, she and Scott Stanton opened a Canton hotspot that quickly went to the dogs. Perhaps that's because Dogma sells pet supplies.
Byrnes lives in Towson with her husband, Norris Byrnes, a retired Baltimore County Circuit Court judge, and their two canines, Gladys and Oscar.
What has surprised you most about your new business?
How many big dogs wear coats. I had no idea. I was buying all these little coats. And people were coming in and asking, "Do you have a size 30?"
What's your favorite quote or words you live by?
Carpe diem. Seize the day. And be nice.
Any pet -- pardon the expression -- peeves?
How much paper do you have left [in your notepad]? People with no sense of humor. Angry right-wing talk-show hosts. People who don't clean up their dog poop. All litter: chewing gum, cigarette butts, etc., makes me crazy.
Anything other things you want to do in life?
I'd like to go to Ireland and Italy with my husband. I'm pretty happy [with my life].
ONLINE Read more of the conversation with Virginia Byrnes at baltimoresun.com / drink
ONLINE Sloane Brown takes you to the party with a calendar of coming events and video reports at baltimoresun.com / scene