Ciao Bella Restaurant Review: Hey, good lookin’! Ciao Bella (translation: “Hi, beautiful”) does indeed have a white-tablecloth prettiness suitable for first dates and other momentous occasions. But, at heart, it is a true Little Italian, turning out the kind of hearty, mama’s-kitchen dishes that a generation or two ago would have been served on red-and-white-checked tablecloths. Just take a whiff when you walk in the door: if the garlicky aroma doesn’t make you hungry, you’re just not in the mood for Italian food. Tony Gambino’s menu is classic rather than innovative; a warm, napkin-wrapped loaf of bread and a dish of seasoned olive oil set the stage for such usual suspects as clams casino and fried calamari, Caesar and caprese salads, chicken piccata and linguine with white clam sauce. Not-so-Italian-ordinary choices like crab toast or escargot are also offered. Portions are more than generous, and the waiter will leave the Parmesan right on the table, rather than doling out a mere sprinkle.

Add a glass of Pinot Noir and maybe a cannoli, and you have a meal that’s the stuff of happy memories, if not gastronomic greatness.

Don’t know if you know this, but Maria Bella, “Baltimore’s Sicilian Princess” and founder of Gilded Lily Burlesque, is one of our favorite people on the planet. (Of course, you are our favoritest person. Don’t get jealous, I don’t want this to turn into a thing.) She’s pretty much a superhero-nurse by day (she SAVES LIVES while I’m, I dunno, shooting rubber bands over the top of my cubicle), burlesque dynamo by night.

Quite arguably, Baltimore’s best team ever! Welcome to Lew Gambino’s, a Ray Lewis / Gambino family restaurant in the heart of Baltimore’s Little Italy. Lew Gambino’s continues to serve traditional old world, authentic Italian cuisine of its revered predecessor, Ciao Bella, along with some fresh twists including new entrees, plant-based offerings, an expanded wine list and signature drinks.

Actually, she does both of them at night, so I’m not really sure what she does during the day.That’s not the point.The point is she’s cool—cooler than us mere mortals anyway. Oh, and she can hold her liquor. I’ve never really been much of a drinker cough, but on that rare occasion I’m feeling a pint, she can be counted on not to let an old soldier stand alone.Last session was a little hectic—our photographer Jeff had an emergency that Monday night and wasn’t able to make it—so Alexis and I pretty much ran around like mad and did our best with what we had. We aren’t professionals—well, actually, Alexis is pretty good; I, though, am not. Unfortunately I’ve been coasting through life on my good looks and never bothered to figure out which end of the camera is which, so if you see a crappy photo or two, I took those and Alexis took all the good ones.To be honest, I haven’t even looked at the photos yet. Let’s take a look together, starting with the 1- and 2-minute poses.We took a break so folks could get a drink, smoke, whatever (I don’t pay attention, as far as I know they were fighting with bottles out back), and then it was time for the 5-minute poses, the first of which is the opposite hand contest where, if you’re right-handed you draw with your left hand, and if you’re left-handed you draw with your right, and if you’re ambidextrous you get heckled by Alexis on stage, you freak.The two winners received mysterious concoctions from Russell behind the bar. Nope, I have no idea what was in them.

Probably something nasty.Next up were the 10-minute poses, the first of which was, to go with Maria’s fabulous black widow costume (made by Marla Meringue!), the best incorporation of Maria eating her lover’s head. The winners received sketchbooks and calligraphy pens from Artist & Craftsman Supply which is just down the street on North & Howard. (By the way, this was the last session A&C was going to sponsor—they’re a great shop and we wish them well.

'. Baraniuk, Carol (2015). 520 'To the southern Nationalist the north was chiefly known as the home of the most rabid religious and political intolerance perhaps in the whole Christian world; it was designated by the comprehensive title of the ' Black North.' Black af.

🙂 )Hallsi KillianMarjan Al HameedThe 20-minute poses were next up on the docket, the first of which was the best incorporation of something J.J. Abrams-related since it was apparently his birthday. The winner received a gift card from Atomic Books on Falls Rd. Just off the Avenue in Hampden. If you haven’t been there, you’re being silly. It’s pretty much a geek Mecca.The last 20-minute pose of the evening was an “I Dream of Jeannie” incorporation, with bonus points for the inclusion of Peter Falk or Columbo.

1) 18 and over. $12 at the door, $10 if you purchase your ticket online by midnight the night before (advance sales are final).2) Applaud the model. Imagine standing perfectly still for three hours in front of a crowd of silent, staring, and seemingly unappreciative strangers. Now, imagine doing that in a g-string.3) Tip the model.

Again, their job is waaay harder than it looks.4) Don't take pictures of the model's crotch and post them on Flickr. That's just creepy (see #6, below). In fact, only Dr. Sketchy's staff are allowed to take pictures or video at all. Press folks are exempt from this rule, but should contact us AT LEAST 24 hours beforehand. The model is agreeing to pose for folks drawing, not a photo shoot, so if we are going to make an exception, we at least need time to get his or her permission.5) If the official photographer is standing in front of you, please be patient-s/he'll move shortly.6) Don't be creepy.7) NO OUTSIDE DRINKS!

The ONLY reason it is worth WindUp's time to host us is to sell drinks:) Want to contact us?.Our March 18 session with @ has been cancelled. We’re really bummed about this and miss seeing all of yo.We’re almost a week away from our session with the beautiful @!

Join us at @ on Wednesday.We’re excited to have the brilliant @ as our March model! Join us at @ on Wednesday the 1.Thanks to taliasingerart for sharing her beautiful sketches of jacquelineboxx from last month’s session! ICYMI, we.We unfortunately must cancel this event due to unforeseen circumstances. If you’ve bought a ticket, Creative Allian.