Project Name: Caves Park
Architect: Place Architecture: Design
Interior Design: Redhead Design
Contractor: Owings Brothers Contracting
Landscaping: New World Gardens

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED
The firm had two major project challenges. First, they had to create an approach to the house that provided access from the driveway— one story below—to the front door with an exterior makeover that would enhance the ranch. And secondly, to produce a “full interior renovation of the first floor incorporating thoughtful design elements to ensure beauty, comfort, and functionality,” says Laurie JB Stubb, principal of Place Architecture: Design, a women-owned custom residential architectural firm.

HOUSE ON A SLOPE
This house was originally built in the early 1970s on a sloping site. “The client wanted a facelift to the interior and exterior to create a home that was light-filled, fresh, and inviting,” says Stubb. Throughout the home, large windows were installed to flood the interior with natural light, creating an airy, open environment. “The foyer is a focal point, utilizing bold printed grasscloth wallpaper, and it’s where we hung the client’s beloved Keith Haring art,” says Stubb. “That, paired with the custom metal stair railing, completes the introduction to the home.”

A WORK OF ART
The clean, timeless design formed the backdrop for the homeowner’s extensive artwork and sculpture collection. “Each piece was not only a decorative element but a source of inspiration for the color palette,” says Stubb. “We featured the painting ‘Jaguar in the Moonlight’ over the living room sofa and were able to bring in rich colors and textures with velvet, leather, and linen.”

On this week’s episode, we talk about why Baltimore loves a side of ranch. Plus, an Abbey Burger spinoff opens in Mt. Washington, chef Andrew Weinzirl transitions from The Brewer’s Art to The Choptank, and our best bites of the week.

Hosts: Lauren Cohen and Jane Marion
Producer: Evan Greenberg
Music: William Lederer
Podcast Art: Emily Odend’hal

Though upscale salad toppings such as ginger-miso dressing and Dijon vinaigrette are popular at area eateries, the enduring ranch dressing—a rich blend of buttermilk, sour cream, mayonnaise, herbs, and spices—somehow remains both classic and trendy.

Lovers of the creamy dressing owe it all to a cowboy named Steve Henson. While working as a contract plumber in Alaska in the early ’50s, Henson started serving ranch dressing to his crew. In 1954, he and his wife, Gayle, opened the Hidden Valley dude ranch near Santa Barbara, where they began selling the sauce. By the end of the ’60s, orders were being shipped to all 50 states—and around the world.

On a local level, Essex-based dressing company Tessemae’s continues Henson’s legacy with a healthy twist. Tessemae’s ranch dressings are organic and dairy-free and come in a variety of one-of-a-kind flavor profiles, from spicy habañero to the citrusy cilantro lime—and even everything bagel.

“We typically develop flavors based on what’s inspiring us, what we want to eat, and what we want to feed our families at home,” says Kristen Dittami, Tessemae’s executive chef and executive vice president of research and development. And while their fastest- growing flavor is avocado ranch, their most popular flavor, by far, is their classic, creamy version.

“Everyone grew up with some kind of ranch dressing,” Dittami says. “With our ranch dressing, we’re able to provide that same a flavor profile people love, but with organic, better-for-you ingredients.”

Head to these local hotspots to sample the delectable dressing on wings and other things:

BRD: Located inside R. House and in Federal Hill, this snack shop serves all things chicken, including tasty Alabama White and Sweet Thai Chili wings. 301 W. 29th St.

Ale Mary’s: Ale Mary’s offers a pound of grilled wings with your choice of ranch or blue cheese on the side. For something smaller, try the cheesy tots, which are also served with ranch dressing. 1939 Fleet St.

Joe Squared: This popular Station North eatery offers everything from sweet pineapple jerk wings to “extremely hot” 18 pepper wings. 33 W. North St.

Kislings Tavern: For a dizzying selection of wing flavors, including mango habañero, buffalo Thai peanut, and chipotle BBQ, stop into this Canton favorite. 2100 Fleet St.

The Local Fry: This Hampden restaurant serves international eats and a variety of flavors of wings, like Kansas City BBQ and Carribbean Citrus, as well as ranch-topped chicken bacon fries. 711 W. 40th St.

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In other ranch news: Last March, about 8,000 bottles of ranch dressing spilled from a truck after it crashed near Hagerstown. The product fell into the Little Conococheague Creek, where it floated downstream. At one point, workers cleaned up about 3,000 bottles of the creamy sauce that were pooled in a single area along the creek.