Rocket to Venus - Baltimore, MD

I'm not sure where I first heard about Rocket to Venus; a hipster fun restaurant in the Hamden area of Baltimore City, but I do know that as soon as I saw the menu about a year ago, I knew that Kim and I had to try it. We decided to try it on a Monday evening as her birthday was over the previous weekend and her dad was nice enough to take us out. I was delighted to see a nice buzz in the modest dining room and bar, even on what is usually an off night for eateries. From what I have read over the past year online, the menu at Rocket to Venus seems to rotate every few months or so. This means you can go several times over the course of the year and try new foods all the time!

Starting off the meal I decided to have a cocktail. After browsing the menu, how could I possibly turn down a Jalapeno Mojito? Originally thinking it just had to be some sort of clever novelty, the drink was actually surprisingly refreshing with just the right kick of spice.


There are a number of appetizers at Rocket to Venus that I plan on returning to try. One that I HAD to try on this visit was Kimchee Pierogies - Five pan fried pierogies stuffed with housemade kimchee, potato and asiago, served with lime tartar sauce. ($6) You must understand that I live for Kimchee. I keep various types in my fridge throughout the year and eat it with a variety of meals. With cheese and lime though? I am happy to report that the delivered dish was a revelation. The slight spice of the kimchee actually worked very well with the asiago and the lime tartar was the perfect accompaniment.

As our main choices, we decided on Banh Mi - Vietnamese sandwich of country pate, pickled daikon and carrot, jalapeno, lettuce, cilantro, cucumber and mint aoilion baguette. (Also available with grilled chicken, blackened catfish, beef bulgogi,or kimchee and tofu,) ($11) and
Beef Bulgogi - Korean style marinated beef with fried sushi rice ball and assorted sides. ($13) There were plenty of other interesting dishes on the menu, but I am a total sucker for Asian food as is clearly evident in my appetizer selection. I opted to have my sandwich with bulgogi, hoping that the traditional pate would still be included, but alas it was replaced. That isn't to say that It was in anyway bad. The baguette was perfectly crisp on the outside and soft in the middle (something that is painfully missing from supermarket baguettes.) The meat was well marinated and everyone at the table agreed on its deliciousness. The fries that came with my sandwich were spiced nicely, but I was sad that they were a little on the soggy side.

Then we have dessert. As I have said many times before in this blog, it takes a great effort for a dessert to really speak to me. The kind folks at Rocket to Venus have tapped directly in to the pleasure centers of my brain and reconnected me with my fondest childhood memories. All in a deliciously evil way. Fried Peanut Butter & Jelly ($7) is battered in pancake batter and deep fried, then topped with ice cream and drizzled with caramel sauce. If you plan on ordering this dessert, make sure you have a few people to share it with, this confection, is rich and huge. Melted peanut butter with warm crispy batter may be a new flavor and texture combination that I will be chasing for a good time to come. Clearly this isn't something that anyone should eat on a regular basis, but you definitely have to try it at least once!

Rocket To Venus
3360 Chestnut Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21211

410-235-7887
No Reservations via E-Mail

Chef: David Carleton
Sous-Chef : Kenny Sanders