Spend Time with Friends at Eateries in Pikesville, Towson

There’s nothing like finding new hidden treasures, whether they're tearooms, cafés, restaurants or mini getaways.

Spring temperatures are finally arriving this week, bringing new sights, possibilities and the blossoming of nature's best: flowers, trees, seasonal vegetables and more.

And speaking of new discoveries, I stumbled upon a dairy-kosher restaurant at the edge of Pikesville and a new bar and bistro in the heart of Towson. It’s so wonderful when the restaurant or café is just barely under the radar so there's always a place to work or just hang out. 

Let's start with Cocoaccinos Coffee & Café, located at 2831 Smith Ave. in the Greenspring Shopping Center. That's the same strip as .

Cocoaccinos is a dairy-kosher cafe, and it recently celebrated its third birthday. It serves an eclectic menu of kosher sushi; grilled sandwiches, such as the Bombay curry veggie burger with lettuce and tomato atop a whole wheat bun; or meals, including the spinach lasagna served with a breadstick and small Caesar salad.

If you’re looking for off-the-menu items at Cocoaccinos, check out its latest lunch special:

“We’re promoting a lunch pizza special. You have a choice of plain, grilled veggie, margherita or a Mexican pizza, served with two Caesar side-salads and two canned sodas for $12.95,” said Manager Ami Klein. 

Choose a smoothie, iced latte or iced tea to go along with your order.

Klein also said the café will introduce new items after Passover. Passover begins this year at sundown, Monday, April 18, and ends at sundown on Tuesday, April 26.

There’s definitely something for everyone at Cocoaccinos.

However, if you’re looking to chill with the girls for dinner and to listen to some live music, then head over to Towson to the Bread and Circuses Bar and Bistro (formerly The French Press Café). Isn’t the name just the coolest?

Bread and Circuses is located at 27 E. Chesapeake Ave.

The menu is filled with palate pleasers, from French red onion soup and Tuscan bruschetta with goat cheese to wild mushroom ravioli topped with a Claude salad of fresh berries and nuts.

The bistro also hosts live music events.

“We have live Open Mic Night every second Tuesday of the month. And every Friday and Saturday there’s always live music (singer/songwriters and jazz bands),” said Maggie Todd, manager.

The Bistro offers its spring coupon special: $5 off the total cost for lunch, and $10 off for dinner. Also, happy hour is from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, when all drinks are half-price. 

So, if the girls’ time out has been moved to the evening, Bread and Circuses offers a selection of delicious entrees, appetizers, salads and more. Enjoy the music by the artist of the night, or unleash your own inner artist and belt out an Alanis Morissette tune.

With the discovery of these jewels, I think the girls may stay out all day, or well into the evening.

For more information about events, new menu items and special promotions, visit www.cocoaccinos.com or www.bandcbistro.com/menu.