Leo in Baltimore

 Brunch vs. Brunch:  Towson Diner vs. The Sassy Skillet By Leo Arcelay-Christiano Old-School vs. Local Cool Towson's brunch scene might not get as much attention as it's nightlife, but for students looking for a weekend treat or a break from Boulder pizza, I'd have two recommend two different, yet scrumptious, brunch spots uptown: Towson Diner v.s The Sassy Skillet. Both are about equally priced ($-$$) for your whole meal, which is typical knowing Brunch prices. Both are satisfying and filling while maintaining a cozy hometown ambience yet one is more restaraunt style and one is more self-serving.  Towson Diner: A Classic Staple As a Loyola student with a frequent need for escape from my dorm, I've had my fair share of late breakfasts and early brunches at the Towson Diner. It is one of those places you spawn automatically after a previous late night. It's menu is the length of a small novel and there is plush vibrant seating that coats the interior. The exterior is...

  Getting around Baltimore as a Loyola Student: Costs, Challenges and the Missing Transit Pass By Leo Arcelay-Christiano         https://ggwash.org/view/63391/the-map-for-baltimores-new-bus-system-is-positively-radiant The Reality of Student Transportation As a full time senior at Loyola University Maryland, I've been surprised by how often students go out every weekend. Whether that be to Towson, Fells Point, or other local bars. The cost of transportation alone (without a car) is enough to make most people stop and think, but it raises a bigger question: how are students getting around in Baltimore in the first place? Freshman year, I relied heavily on Uber and Lyft, Paying anywhere from $9 to 30$ per ride depending on the destination. With no allowance or weekly stipend from my parents, I was fully responsible for these costs as well as any extras like food or social activities. And because of this my wallet emptied itself quickly... Some friends split r...

 Post-Show Celebration at NYC’s Stardust Diner By Leo Arcelay-Christiano The Night of Broadway  After introducing my 8-year-olds sister to HadesTown on Broadway for the first time, my family an I went to Ellen's stardust diner. It is a 7 minute walk from times square and a 5 minute walk from the Walter Kerr Theater. It is loud, crowded, and we had to wait about 30 minutes to get inside (and we had the ticking clock of our Amtrak heading home). The whole place felt like one big performance. The servers are all aspiring broadway actors (allegedly) and they walk around with a big ol' tip bucket to help with "singing and acting classes." I wasn't so sure if I believed that necessarily but it did not ruin the overall experience.   Dinner With a Show  I have been to many low-key diners on the east coast, but none like this. The walls are covered in posters from old musicals, and everyone is so excited to be experiencing the same thing. One second I was asking my ...

 Bringing a Taste of Japan: Why Kajiken Is My Favorite Spot in Baltimore By: Leo Arcelay-Christiano Discovering Mazesoba If you've never visited the Johns Hopkins area, put it on your bucket list before you graduate. Tucked into the hub of the Johns Hopkins area, near other popular food spots such as Honeygrow and &Pizza, lies Kajiken. Kajiken during dinnertime often has somewhat of a wait (5-15 minutes), yet I still consider it one of Baltimores underrated Gems. I stumbled across it during a very stressful time in my college career, and since then it has become my go-to comfort spot. It is small and relaxed on the inside, and the  employees greet you with a "irasshaimase! (いらっしゃいませ),  meaning "welcome" or "please come in!"  What makes Kajiken stand out is its focus on mazesoba, a style of ramen served without broth. The noodles are covered in a flavorful sauce and topped with pork, scallions, seaweed, garlic and egg. The servers encourage you to MIX WE...

 Why the Hippodrome Makes Theater Worth It, Even When the Musical Doesn’t By Leo Arcelay-Christiano Falling in Love with the Hippodrome I've seen a lot of shows at the Hippodrome (Hippdrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center). Until a few years ago I had never stepped into a theater so grand and charming. There is a special feeling you get when walking through the doors- the warm lighting and the chandeliers build up the excitement. Even when the show isn't all that great, the experience of just being there makes it all worth it. Ranking my hippodrome experiences If I had to rank all the shows I've seen so far, it would look like this: 1. HadesTown (I have no words for how amazing this show was, and YES I will be seeing it again when it                                 returns March 2026) 2. Jagged Little Pill (Emotional and intense in a way I didnt expect, 10/10) 3. Hami...