In Good Taste

Open & Shut: Bistro Rx; The Land of Kush; Modern Market

The latest restaurant openings, closings, and recent news.

CH-CH CHANGES

Bistro Rx: Patterson Park locals have come to love this corner staple, which has been offering al fresco drinks, rotating dinner dishes, and weekend brunch fare since it opened in 2010. Last week, owner Wayne Mahaffey—who also owns Mahaffey’s Pub in Canton—took to Facebook to announce some major changes in the works at his spot on the corner of East Baltimore and South Luzerne streets. For now, the pub’s last night of service will be Friday, February 16. It will be open for weekend brunch until the spring, when new owners are expected to resume regular hours daily. “It’s a transition,” Mahaffey writes. “I am confident that the new owners will bring the same kind of neighborhood revitalization force that it has been my pleasure to provide for you over the last seven years.”  2901 E. Baltimore St., 410-276-0820

The Land of Kush: This vegan mainstay on North Eutaw Street near the University of Maryland Midtown campus has had a lot going on recently. In the midst of headlining initiatives like Vegan Restaurant Week and the month-long Black Restaurant Challenge, husband-and-wife owners Gregory Brown and Naijha Wright-Brown are preparing to open a second location. Slated to debut next fall, the new spot on the corner of Madison and Chester Streets in East Baltimore will be significantly larger than the current digs. The owners are looking forward to becoming ingrained in the community, and serving neighbors their signature non-dairy dishes including lentil burgers, gluten free “chickun” salad, and the weekends-only vegan crab cakes seasoned with Old Bay. 801 N. Chester St.

COMING SOON

Cake by Jason: A grand opening date for Jason Hisley’s new Baltimore County bakeshop is slated for April. Back in October, the former La Cakerie owner and executive chef announced that he would be parting ways with his business partners to start a bakery of his own. “My vision for La Cakerie was to introduce a small, cozy shop where our community could enter in one mood, and leave happier when they entered,” Hisley wrote on Facebook. “As the brand became more recognized by a national audience, it became less recognizable as the vision I had when the journey began.” Though the Timonium shop, Cake by Jason Hisley, will have a new look and feel (fresh signage is already hung at the store in the Padonia Village Shopping Center), its menu will feature the chef’s classic cupcakes, donuts, pastries, coffee, and custom cakes. 47 E. Padonia Road

The Regal Beagle: Three’s Company fans most likely recognize the name of this new Canton cocktail bar, which is expected to open in the former home of Jack’s Bistro in April. According to reports by The Sun, former Jack’s owner Ted Stelzenmuller—who recently closed the restaurant to open new concept Blair’s on Hudson around the corner—will oversee the menu, while veteran bartender Ryan Sparks will head up the beverage program with cocktails inspired by the ’70s and ’80s when Three’s Company aired. Stay tuned for more details. 3123 Elliott St.

OPEN

Modern Market: Columbia diners welcomed this new all-day eatery with open arms earlier this week. The Colorado-based chain offers a menu of light fare, including avocado toast and oatmeal for breakfast, a variety of salads and grain bowls, brick-oven pizzas, and proteins ranging from lemongrass pulled pork to sesame tofu. The lean-and-green concept takes inspiration from renowned food and environmental author Michael Pollan, who advises a plant-fueled diet mixed with healthy fats. 6181 Old Dobbin Lane, Columbia, 443-583-3337

EPICUREAN EVENTS

2/16: Asian Pop-Up at The Corner Pantry
In celebration of the Chinese New Year, chef Neill Howell is offering a one-day-only menu of Asian-inspired eats at this Mt. Washington favorite. (The upcoming Year of the Dog serves as a fitting nod to the The Corner Pantry’s mascot, which just so happens to be the owners’ English Bulldog, Bessie.) Expect special dishes including kimchi pancakes, charcoal-grilled Korean short ribs, soba noodle salad, steamed buns, shrimp toast, Peking duck, and egg custard tartlets. 6080 Falls Road, 667-308-2331

2/18: Stranger Things Brunch & Trivia
If you haven’t binged Stranger Things since the second season dropped on Netflix in the fall, it’s time to brush up on your knowledge of the Upside Down. Jimmy’s Famous Seafood in Dundalk is embracing the sci-fi series by hosting an ’80s-themed trivia brunch this weekend. Dress in your finest vintage get-up to chow down on brunch fare including benedicts and bagels (and possibly Eggos?) while answering questions about Mike, Hopper, Eleven, and the rest of the gang from 2-4 p.m. There will be plenty of prizes for the teams that know Hawkins best. 6526 Holabird Ave., Dundalk, 410-633-4040, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.