Food and culture abound in Highlandtown

You would think that Highlandtown is pronounced HIGH-landtown.

But you would be wrong.

According to true Baltimore dialect, it is Hollantown. Call it anything else and you will be laughed at.

Highlandtown, just east of Patterson Park, is one of Baltimore's most unusual and dynamic neighborhoods, practically bubbling over with quirkiness. Supposedly, it was the inspirational setting for the musical Hairspray.

It has the traditional Baltimore look down, filled with formstone rowhouses and marble stoops. But don't let that confuse you; it is far from standard. Highlandtown is home to everything from the Baltimore Science Fiction society to "bridal row," the infamous block on Eastern Avenue with Stella's Bridal and Tuxedo Zone.

It was originally a haven for Greek Americans, but over the years, it has also developed a large Polish, Italian, Irish and Latino community. The cultural mishmash gives the entire neighborhood an eclectic feel, from the range of food to the astounding number of different churches you can find over just a few blocks.

But through and through, Highlandtown is a working class neighborhood full of old-school Baltimore charm.

While Eastern Avenue is developing into a main shopping district, most of Highlandtown's stores and restaurants have been ther for years. Their owners are unbelievably dedicated to the neighborhood and make it by far one of the friendliest places in this entire city.

Case and point: Hoehn's Bakery, a family-run business which began in 1927.

Going to Hoehn's is almost like going to your grandmother's house— the owners are just as nice, and the food just as good. Plus, Hoehne's has been known to throw in a free treat every now and then.

They still use a traditional brick hearth oven, and everything they bake is done personally from scratch. Not to mention that their peach cake, a recipe passed down for generations, is probably the most delicious thing you will ever try.

The best thing about Hoehn's, though, is the prices. 70 cents for a donut? $1.75 for an éclair? $2.50 for strawberry shortcake? Yes please. Hoehn's was clearly made for college kids.

However, Hoenh's is not alone in its hospitality. The workers at Patterson Perk, the coziest coffee shop known to Baltimore, make it a point to get to know each customer and their go-to drink.

Matthew's Pizzeria, another family business, has the perfect combination of flavor, quality, and charm. With murals lining the restaurant, bright yellow walls and all the people bustling about, it has a casual, old-school feel you will not find anywhere else.

Forget Iggie's in Mount Vernon. Anyone who knows Baltimore knows that Matthew's is this city's finest.

Highlandtown is also a gathering ground for Baltimore creativity.

Creative Alliance, one of Baltimore's best-known and most successful community organizations, is located in the old Patterson Theater on Eastern Avenue.

They host art workshops both for kids and community members, film screenings, music performances, exhibitions and soirees.  They also are a major promoter of Baltimore art. If you have ever seen the LOVE murals around Baltimore, those are the work of Creative Alliance resident artist Michael Owen.

So rest assured, as long as Creative Alliance is around, there will always be something to do in Highlandtown.

This Friday, for instance, they are hosting "The Streets of Baltimore: Songs of Our City," an event bringing together some of Maryland's best singer-songwriters. While you are there, you should also drop by Schiavone Fine Art on South Highland Avenue. The 2011 Highlandtown Arts District Exhibition, a collection of local artwork, is on display until the 15th.

More than anything, Highlandtown is an illustration of Baltimore's astounding creativity.

But if art is not your thing, there is always Patterson Park. Every now and then, city-living can get us down. Patterson Park is Baltimore's perfect nature escape.

There are ice rinks and swimming pools, community gardening, a boat pond and a whole host of community events, including evening movie screenings in the park and the annual Ukrainian Festival. One must-see is the Pagoda, probably the park's most beautiful building.

So next time you have a bit of time to kill, you can be certain: there is something amazing going on in Highlandtown.