Rocco’s Old School Italian & Wine Bar: A new sit-down spot has entered a radius of mostly fast-casual eateries off of Joppa Road in Towson. The massive menu at the dimly lit bistro leans heavy into American-Italian classics, with loaded pastas including Lasagna Mama Mia, fettuccine Bolognese, stuffed shells, and linguine in clam sauce. There’s also an entire section dedicated to parms in the form of chicken, veal, eggplant, or shrimp. Lunch specials and a generous happy hour from 3-6 p.m. (boasting $4-off cocktails, $3-off wine, and half-priced apps) make this a place to try for professionals working in the area, too. 

Ekiben: Frederick, this is not a drill. Today marks the opening of Ekiben’s first non-Baltimore City location at 500 N. Market Street in Downtown Frederick, bringing the total tally for the beloved Asian-fusion eatery to four brick-and-mortars. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m., and to celebrate—in their classic community-appreciation style—the team is offering one free menu item per person to diners who show up for opening day. 

Founded in 2014 as a hot dog cart at the Fells Point Farmers Market, Ekiben—known for its signature steamed buns, rice bowls, and fan-favorite tempura broccoli— has grown into one of the city’s most nationally recognized restaurants. It landed on Yelp’s Top 100 U.S. Restaurants list three years running and nabbed a James Beard semifinalist nom for chef/co-owner Steve Chu in 2023.

EPICUREAN EVENTS

4/30: The Avenue Kitchen & Bar Benefit for Owner Patrick Dahlgren
If your calendar is clear tonight, head to The Avenue Kitchen & Bar in Hampden to support a great cause. Two, in fact, with donations aiding Avenue Kitchen owner Patrick Dahlgren in his ongoing battle with colorectal cancer and research efforts at Johns Hopkins’ Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center. For a $40 donation, sip beer, wine, and specialty cocktails while enjoying appetizers, music, and raffles from 3-7 p.m. Can’t make it? A GoFundMe is live for those who are able to contribute.

5/7-5/31: The Wine Village in Baltimore
A surefire sign of spring, the Wine Village is making its return to the Inner Harbor for the majority of May. Pick a day to wander around the grounds sipping an array of European options, Maryland-made blends, bubbly, and seasonal spritzes. New this year, look for an expanded food and drink lineup with additions such as a gourmet cheese booth, churros, truffle fries, smoked turkey legs, chocolate-covered strawberries, and soft-serve. For the non-vino drinker, look for two Baltimore-made seltzers, new slushie flavors, and an exclusive beer from M8 Brewing. There’s also a new outdoor movie lineup planned on Thursdays. Hours are Wednesday and Thursday from 3 to 9 p.m., as well as Friday through Sunday from 1 to 9 p.m.

5/9: Asia North Kamayan Feast
As part of the annual Asia North festival—which honors Station North’s AAPI history and ever-evolving identities as a Koreatown and creative community—the annual Kamayan Feast is a traditional communal meal where those gathered around the table eat with their hands. (Kamay means “hand” in Tagalog.) Snag a spot at one of the long banquet tables lined with banana leaves to enjoy traditional Filipino dishes from Frisco Baltimore and Barkada Breads. Eats on deck include pork barbecue skewers, lumpia, pancit, pickled atchara, roasted lechon baboy, ube flan, and more. Tickets for the feast at the SNF Parkway Theatre are $65.

SHUT (SOON)

Greyhound Tavern: After six years, Mary and David Spelce’s Fleet Street standby will be closing in Fells Point by the end of May. “The building we rent in has been for sale for a while and our landlord feels it will be easier to finally sell without us in it,” reads a GoFundMe page set up to support the owners as they pay off their remaining small business loan and navigate their next chapter. “We were worried about this happening when we were first notified that the building was for sale, but kept rolling with the punches and tried to remain optimistic. Our liquor license is tied into our lease with the location, so we are unable to move locations and reopen without acquiring another—which we cannot afford at this time.”

While their future is still up in the air, the owners are encouraging neighbors to visit (a dance party this weekend will feature beats spun by neighbor Jack Moore of El Suprimo Records) before they’re officially out at the end of the month. Throughout its run, the bar—named after the owners’ late rescued racing greyhound Mister Macaroni—was best known for its thrifted knick-knacks, original art, receipt doodles, and a bathroom stall buried in bumper stickers.

Molina Pizza: One of R. House’s OGs is set to shutter on May 26. The brick-oven pizza stall has been a staple at the Remington food hall since 2017, but changed hands almost three years ago. Current owner Andrew Fechko took to social media recently to announce “with great sadness” that the team will serve its final slices this month, with discounted pizza specials during its final week. Stay tuned for more details on what will fill the void in the coming weeks. 

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Carpet Cafe by Good Neighbor: Last weekend, hundreds flocked to Station North for the opening of Carpet Company’s new brick-and-mortar complex in the former bank space at the corner on North Avenue and St. Paul. As early as 3 a.m., skaters, sneakerheads, and streetwear stans formed lines around the block (and waited hours) to get a first look at the new home of Baltimore’s coolest fashion brand, which has gained national notoriety. 

Aside from retail—and, eventually, events and art galleries—the 10,000-square-foot Carpet headquarters also houses its own cafe in collaboration with Hampden’s Good Neighbor. Open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday to Monday, the cafe in the back mimics Good Neighbor’s design-forward aesthetic, with the Capet logo embossed on coffee cups and hidden in other interior touches.

The menu offers the shop’s well-known drinks like lattes, house drip coffee, and Japanese-style iced coffee. Food here differs from the Hampden location slightly, incorporating nods to the Egyptian heritage of Carpet’s owners Ayman and Osama Abdeldayem. Case in point: the paranthas (a flatbread most common in India, but popular across the Middle East) filled with egg and cheese, or other sweet and savory ingredients.

Crunch Kulture: Located on the upper level of Lexington Market, Crunch Kulture is now open and slinging salads and wraps six days a week. The new concept from husband-and-wife duo Charles Miller and Kristian Knight-Miller—known for the breakfast platters and crab dip croissants at their other market stall Sunny Side Cafe—offers chef-driven bowls like a steak-topped Protein Power salad or a Caesar Crunch Supreme with roasted chickpeas. The signature Soul Bowl tops a bed of kale with barbecue chicken, cornbread croutons, black-eyed peas, and a smoky honey mustard vinaigrette. 

MARKET MOVES
While details are still in flux, two new market concepts are headed our way in the coming months. One from Woodberry chef Spike Gjerde (also behind the new La Jetée and Bar Dalí), who is transforming the former Whitehall Market in Hampden into an Italian-inspired market and kitchen called Ecco Market.

The other was recently announced by Jason and Nicole Daniloski, the owners of Silver Queen Cafe in Hamilton. This summer, they plan to debut The Market at Hamilton at 5500 Harford Road (the building’s longtime tenant, Emma’s Tea Spot, recently moved to a new space five minutes down the street), featuring a deli and sandwich counter with specialty goods like cheese, tinned fish, cured meats, and coffee. Stay tuned for more details. 

COMING SOON

Truong Tien: An outpost of Northern Virginia’s Vietnamese favorite Truong Tien—ranked No. 94 on Washingtonian’s 100 Very Best Restaurants list—is landing a bit closer to us next month. Opening inside Live Casino in Hanover, the ode to owner Hue Truong’s Vietnamese heritage specializes in dishes such as BunBo Hue lemongrass noodle soup and banh khoai pancakes. The new spot will also offer additions like banh mi and fried bananas for dessert. 

Vesper at Pike & Main: The Wine Bin owner Dave Carney is expanding his Ellicott City footprint with this new restaurant opening in the former Pure Wine Cafe on Main Street. Expected to cut the ribbon this summer, Vesper will be led by Howard County native chef Rachel Bindel—who has worked at several Michelin-starred spots including Tail Up Goat (now transitioning to a new concept called Rye Bunny) in Washington, D.C.

Combining a strong wine program (fueled by The Wine Bin, of course) and Bindel’s seasonal approach, the menu will highlight dishes such as Maryland crab toast, a spring pea salad, summer squash tagliatelle, and Wagyu skirt steak with caramelized sunchokes.

SHUT

Foraged: This one came as a bit of a shock for diners, but the closure of Foraged in Station North—which served its final service on Sunday—marks a new chapter that chef/owner Chris Amendola has been plotting out west. Earlier this year, he purchased The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm on a 40-acre property in Lovettsville, Virginia, just over an hour outside of Baltimore. He posted on social media this week to announce that he’s shifting his focus to the farm full-time, which is unsurprising given the James Beard Award semifinalist’s expertise in foraging and hyper-local ingredients.  

His video message thanks the community for their support throughout the restaurant’s eight-year journey—in which it went from a baby-sized spot in Hampden to a larger operation in Station North—and invites diners to visit the farm for signatures like roasted oysters and lion’s mane mushroom “crab cakes.”

One-Eyed Mike’s: Another heartbreaker this week—Fells Point institution One-Eyed Mike’s is slated to close by month’s end. Best known for its bottle club with about 3,500 bottles of Grand Marnier on display, the cozy neighborhood bar with a reliable food menu was founded by the late Mike Maraziti in 2003. It was purchased by owner/chef Akbar Vaiya in 2016, and then unsuccessfully put up for auction in 2023.

The bar’s social media broke the news of the closure earlier this week. “If you’ve been meaning to come in, now’s the time,” the post reads. “Come have dinner, grab a drink, bring friends, and help us make these last few weeks a busy and memorable sendoff.”

The Rockwell: The hits keep on comin’ for Fells Point. South Broadway rock bar The Rockwell—which was once co-owned by All Time Low guitarist Jack Barakat—will shutter on June 6. Co-owner Bryan Burkert—also behind The Sound Garden and new dance spot Wonderland on Aliceanna—posted a video to announce the news, promising that celebrations in the next two months will properly honor the bar’s 15-year legacy.

During that period, it’s become beloved for its dance parties featuring live performers (from DJs to drummers) against the backdrop of its signature artistic projection screens. Watch this space for more details on the reasons behind the closure and Burkert’s next chapter with Wonderland. 

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Bar Dalí: This neighborhood tapas bar from chef Spike Gjerde has made its official debut in the former Mount Vernon Stable & Saloon on North Charles Street. The concept channels the communal spirit of the subterranean space with Spanish-inspired plates meant for sharing. Incorporating Gjerde’s commitment to local sourcing, menu highlights include pan con tomate, salt cod and potato croquetas, grilled glazed spare ribs, and eggs diablo—a play on deviled eggs with Spanish pickled vegetables and pimentón. At the bar, a deep Spanish wine list leans organic and biodynamic, Mahou Cinco Estrellas are on draft next to Natty Boh, and gin and tonics are made with Maryland’s own McClintock Forager gin. 

The Barn & Lodge at The Rotunda: After more than two years of permitting delays, Blackwall Barn & Lodge has made it to Baltimore City. Anne Arundel County’s Titan Hospitality Group debuted their latest location at the Rotunda in Hampden on March 24, bringing the concept’s rustic-chic vibe to an 11,000-square-foot space in the mixed-use development. The steak and seafood-focused spot also features a “Gathering Hour” Monday through Friday from 3–6 p.m. with half-priced pizzas and $9 cocktails. 

Ms. Elderberry Cafe: Kéllei Burrus—a familiar face at farmers markets and in the local wellness world since 2019—now has a home base to peddle her scratch-made syrups. She started handcrafting elderberry syrup as an affordable alternative to commercial brands, using pure ingredients like organic elderberries, local raw wildflower honey, spring water, and key limes. Now, you can find them for sale at Burrus’ new cafe in Old Goucher, which also features plant-forward products like house tea blends, pastries, and rotating soups. 

Seppia: In case you missed it, the family behind La Cuchara is launching dinner service at their new Italian-inspired restaurant on the Avenue in Hampden tonight. The redesigned G.C. Murphy Five and Dime building is now a spot for diners to enjoy chef Ben Lefenfeld’s dishes inspired by his travels—from the Ligurian shore to Bologna to the Amalfi coast.

Aside from hand-pulled pastas, look out for offerings likes crispy artichoke lasagna, mafaldine with squid ink, and tuna crudo with fermented chiles and tangerines. For more on the new spot—and an update on La Cuchara, which has been closed since it suffered a fire in January—read our interview, here. 

Tribe Social Cafe: With input from local artists, owner Leron Levi—a recipient of the city’s BOOST program, which provides grant funding and support to Black-owned businesses downtown—has transformed the space at 235 E. Redwood St. to be equal parts café and cultural hub. Food, coffee, and art share the spotlight, with local works lining the walls and a menu that runs morning to evening.

Breakfast includes a crab croissant with house sauce, a grilled salmon wrap with egg and avocado, and a blueberry chia granola bowl. Evenings bring coco lamb on coco bread, sea bites with cod and crab, and a Caribbean club sandwich. 

Wanna Smash Bar & Grill: After rescheduling its ribbon-cutting earlier this year, this Los Angeles-based smash burger concept—known for its innuendo-heavy menu with items like The Quickie, The Cowgirl, and The Hot & Heavy—has finally opened on O’Donnell Street in Canton. From franchise owner Melvin Daniels, who is also behind Mug Shots in Federal Hill, expect extra thin Wagyu patties topped with everything from American cheese and pickles to onion rings and a signature Yum Yum sauce. 

CH CH CHANGES

The Essen Room: Pikesville’s nine-year-old Jewish deli—known for its overstuffed sandwiches, matzo ball soup, and serve-yourself pickle bar—is now under new ownership. Harley and Aaron Magden, the brothers behind Mikey & Mel’s deli in Fulton and Washington, D.C., quietly took over a few weeks ago.

For now, nothing has changed with regard to the menu and staff (“If you walked in today, you wouldn’t even be able to tell that ownership has changed,” Harley says), but the brothers plan to implement expanded hours, breakfast service, and third-party delivery. A more official rebrand—with Mikey and Mel’s signature celebrity-named sandwiches and a pickle bar double the size—will come this summer, when the space expands into the 900-square-foot storefront next door. 

EPICUREAN EVENTS

4/2: We Love You Baltimore Day at Mera Kitchen Collective
Worker-cooperative restaurant Mera Kitchen Collective—which started as a series of community pop-ups in 2018—is celebrating four years in its Mt. Vernon home and nearly a decade of feeding Baltimore with an all-day customer appreciation celebration. Stop in for food specials, music by DJ Atlas from 6–7 p.m., a flower pop-up, and gift card giveaways on the hour.

4/4-4/5: Asia in a Bite Fest
Sample bites and beverages from more than 40 vendors at this returning Baltimore Peninsula fest—which will highlight Asian street food including boba, skewers, and noodles, as well as live music and performances.

4/17: The Great Baltimore Seafood Feast at Boordy Vineyards
Join The Local Oyster chef Nick Schauman for an all-out feast with wine pairings at Boordy Vineyards, featuring oysters, shrimp, clams, mussels, and all the fixins’. Tickets are limited and cost $95 per person.

4/23: The Food Market Spring Wine Dinner
Speaking of wine pairings, mark your calendar for this special prix-fixe prepared by The Food Market chef Chad Gauss and guest chef Nick Pasco. The seven-course menu will accompany seasonal pours with dishes such as seared scallops with lime caviar, lobster Wellington, soft shell crab-stuffed squash blossoms, Irodori Wagyu steak with bone marrow and bleu cheese ravioli, and a “Not Dubai Chocolate” panna cotta with manuka honey. Tickets are $175 and RSVPs are required .

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Fukado Kissaten: A taste of Japan’s cafe culture has arrived in Catonsville. The cozy setting (study-friendly for nearby UMBC and CCBC students) serves sought-after treats including fluffy souffle pancakes in flavors like strawberry and matcha-kiwi, the cult favorite tamago sando (egg with furikake seasoning), and senbei—pressed rice crackers with shrimp or bacon. If you’re in the mood for sweets, the pastry case shows off options including cookie-topped cream puffs, strawberry tarts, and a delicate dacquoise. To wash it all down, look out for specialty drinks like lattes and fruity blooms, which are tea blends with boba and other sweet fillings like panna cotta and grape jelly. 

Smokin Chick: A new customizable bowl concept has landed in Mt. Vernon. Smokin Chick, the brick-and-mortar sibling to the Flew the Coop food truck, is now open at 800 St. Paul St., taking over the former home of San Pablo Street Tacos, which shuttered last summer. The “easygoing neighborhood hangout built around Baltimore energy” allows diners to start with a base of rice before adding proteins like smoked hickory barbecue chicken, apple bourbon pork, chimichurri lamb, or roasted oxtail. Then, they move on to toppings like veggies, kimchi, and slaw. The restaurant also offers sandwiches, desserts, and beer and wine, with a 10 percent discount for uniformed military and first responders. 

Toasty Corner: After the closure of neighborhood favorite Afters Cafe, a new eatery now occupies the corner of South Charles and East Hamburg streets in Federal Hill. Owner Hasan Ilhan recently debuted his grilled cheese and panini shop, aptly named Toasty Corner, which is open six days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The menu features a diverse lineup of melty smashed sandwiches, ranging from a smoky ham and Swiss to a Philly-style cheesesteak to a Carolina pulled pork. There are also salads, garlic knots, and a plethora of dessert options—including a New York-style cheesecake. 

COMING SOON

Cherry Street Diner: On the heels of her Hell’s Kitchen appearance last fall, gregarious, community-focused chef Catina Smith—lovingly known as Chef Cat, one half of the duo behind culinary share space Our Time Kitchen—has announced plans to open a brick and mortar. While she’s still securing a location, she recently began launching pop-ups to test the menu and concept for Cherry Street Diner. “This is my love letter to diner culture, reimagined through Black traditions, bold flavors, and mid-Atlantic influence,” Smith wrote of her vision on Instagram.

At Stem & Vine during the Black Owned Restaurant Tour last week, she debuted dishes like her fish and chips, French onion flatbread, honey Old Bay wings, and peach upside-down cake sundaes. Next up is a sold-out, five-course collab dinner with The Urban Oyster chef-owner Jasmine Norton on March 17, meant to be a culinary journey celebrating the women in the chefs’ lives. Follow Cherry Street on Instagram for future pop-ups as the space comes to fruition. 

Little T’s New York Deli: Native Baltimorean and longtime New Yorker Daniel Rumanos is bringing a little bit of Big Apple deli culture back to Charm City. The Baltimore Business Journal reports that Little T’s—a classic Jewish-inspired diner and delicatessen—is expected to open in the storied Abacrombie Inn building across the street from the BSO in Midtown-Belvedere in the coming months. The Greektown native hopes to bring his diner experience from living in New York for more than a decade, with dishes like matzo ball and split pea soup, as well as the requisite overstuffed pastrami and corned beef sandwiches. 

Seppia: Hampdenites—the wait is almost over. The trio behind La Cuchara—brothers Ben and Jacob Lefenfeld, and Ben’s wife, Amy Lefenfeld—took to social media this week to announce the April opening of their long awaited concept in the former Five and Dime Ale House on the Avenue in Hampden. The Lefenfelds bought the building in April 2024, and Seppia is set to officially open “just in time for rosé season” next month.  

The approximately 180-seat restaurant will serve a seasonal, seafood-forward menu, evoking southern Italy during the summer and the north of the country in the winter, but with a Maryland twist. Expect house-made pastas, craft cocktails, and a large wine list. Of course, staying true to its name (Seppia means cuttlefish in Italian), the restaurant will also feature a signature preparation of the marine mollusks.

As exciting as it is that Seppia is nearly over the finish line, La Cuchara sadly remains closed after suffering a devastating vent fire earlier this year. (Luckily no one was hurt.) Stay tuned for updates on both restaurants in the coming weeks. 

EPICUREAN EVENTS:

3/6-8 & 3/13-15: St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations at Guinness Open Gate Brewery
Unsurprisingly, and per tradition, Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Halethorpe is ramping up for St. Patrick’s Day with two jam-packed weekends of limited-edition beers, Irish-inspired foods (like a Reuben burger and corned beef and cabbage), live music, and an Irish Village lawn takeover with an array of vendors and activities. General admission is free, but there are also ticketed events like guided beer tastings, which you can check out, here. 

3/6-15: MD Vegan Restaurant Week
Making its big return this weekend through March 15, MD Vegan Restaurant Week puts plant-based dining in the spotlight. Organized by Maryland Vegan Eats, the semiannual event invites local restaurants to create their own meat and dairy-free specials (rather than offering prix-fixe menus like other restaurant weeks), encouraging chefs to experiment while keeping meals accessible for diners.

Now marking its 18th run, the culinary celebration includes participating spots such as Golden West Cafe, The Land of Kush, Miss Shirley’s, Harmony Bakery, Red Emma’s, Nepenthe Brewing Co., and Little Havana, among others. 

3/16: Vaccaro’s Turns 70
A Little Italy staple is marking a major milestone this month. Vaccaro’s Italian Pastry Shop (which also operates locations in Canton and Hunt Valley) will celebrate its 70th anniversary on March 16 with a sweet throwback deal—a large cannoli for only 70 cents, available for carryout only at all locations.

Founded in 1956 by Gioacchino “Mr. Jimmy” Vaccaro, the bakery began on Albemarle Street in Little Italy before expanding to its current café at 222 Albemarle Street in 1986 under the leadership of his son, Nick Vaccaro. An open house and meet-and-greet with the Vaccaro family will also take place at the Little Italy café from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 16. So stop by for lunch, and, as the family motto says, “life is short, eat dessert first!”

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John Brown General and Butchery: Good news for Harford County. This Cockeysville favorite known for its prime cuts of meat—as well as its coffees, pastries, sandwiches, and a must-try cheeseburger—is opening a new location on Main Street in Bel Air this summer. The store will take over the 3,000-square-foot former home of Boyd & Fulford Drugs, which operated for 127 years until closing in 2019.

“Growing up in Harford County, Main Street was always part of my life,” owner Robert Voss recently wrote on Instagram. “When we started looking for a space for a new butchery, Boyd and Fulford was my first choice, but felt like a reach. Getting to know the Streett family [the longtime owners of Boyd & Fulford] has been an honor and we couldn’t be more excited to get to work. This is exactly the kind of community we look to operate in and we can’t wait to earn your trust.”

Similar to the Falls Road flagship, John Brown in Bel Air will offer whole-animal butchery of grass-fed beef, as well as pasture-raised pork, lamb, and poultry. City dwellers may be familiar with the butchery from its meat shop/pizza concept JGBG’s, which operated in Remington for a few years in the space now inhabited by La Maison by Cafe Dear Leon. 

H3irloom Food Group’s Afukaiseki Pop-Up: A new monthly tasting menu rooted in the seasonal discipline of Japanese kaiseki (a traditional multi-course dinner) and fused with the culinary legacy of the African diaspora is coming this spring from chef couple David and Tonya Thomas—the founders of H3irloom Food Group who have long been known for their culinary experiences that tell ancestral stories. For their new service, named Afukaiseki, the duo hopes to gather no more than 15 people in a “Michelin star type of experience with visuals and aesthetics.” The intimate dinners will be offered monthly, featuring 10 courses starting with small bites that progress to larger plates. Keep an eye on the H3irloom social pages for menu details and ticket links in the coming weeks. 

Tipsy Scoop: As part of a big expansion to cities across the U.S., this Brooklyn-born boozy ice cream chain is opening a location on Key Highway in Federal Hill this year. Known for its fun flavors (everything from Cake Batter Vodka Martini to Chocolate Whiskey Salted Caramel), the franchise will embrace the city with locally inspired offerings like the “Orange Crush-sicle,” which uses Sagamore rye. The ice cream has ABV content, so it’s strictly for adults only. 

Wanna Smash Burger: A grand opening for this burger bar from Los Angeles, known for its innuendo-heavy branding, was previously postponed. But it’s expected to cut the ribbon in Canton—taking over the former home of Shipyard Pub on the corner of O’Donnell and Baylis streets—later this month. Wanna Smash began as a hibachi concept in the San Fernando Valley before pivoting after one item—the “Happy Ending” burger—went viral, helping reframe the business around smashed patties topped with house-made sauces with cheeky names (think: The Quickie, The Cowgirl, and The Hot & Heavy). Wanna Smash follows another new Canton burger option, NYC-born 7th Street Burger, which landed on Boston Street last year. 

OPEN

L&L Hawaiian: The arrival of this fast-casual Hawaiian chain—founded on O’ahu in 1952—brings a little luau to Towson. The new spot on Chesapeake Avenue showcases a popular Hawaiian plate lunch, which comes with your choice of meat (like chicken katsu, beef short ribs, Loco Moco, or Kalua pork with cabbage) paired with scoops of rice and macaroni salad. In keeping with the city’s growing love for SPAM, L&L is also now a great local option for when SPAM Musubi cravings hit.

NEWS

The Temperance Flight at Burnt Hill: Last year, the siblings behind Old Westminster Winery in Carroll County debuted Burnt Hill, a regenerative farm, farm-to-table restaurant, and visionary organic winery located on their 100-plus acres in Clarksburg, about an hour outside of Baltimore. Aside from offering reservation-only curated wine experiences against the beautiful backdrop of the Appalachian Mountains, the team recently launched The Temperance Flight, which is catered to those who choose not to imbibe.

Featuring a water kefir similar to kombucha, a vinegar-based house shrub sweetened with honey from the farm’s apiary, and a rotating fresh-pressed grape juice (the team is currently highlighting their unfermented Cabernet Sauvignon), the NA flight is now available in lieu of or in addition to the Estate Wine Tasting pairings that are already on offer. 

“Everyone needs that moment of tasting unfermented grape juice,” co-owner Ashli Johnson explains, adding that the idea to offer their grape juices, which later become wine, came when executive chef Tae Strain and co-owner Lisa Hinton first tasted unfermented Albariño.

“I think of these beverages as parallels to wine. They reflect the same commitment to stewardship, care, and sense of place that defines everything we do at Burnt Hill,” wrote co-owner Drew Baker in a recent online journal entry announcing the program. “The Temperance Flight simply opens that experience to more people, in more ways, without asking anyone to compromise how they show up at the table…If Burnt Hill is truly a place of exploration, then every guest should be able to engage fully with it without sacrificing any part of the experience.”

EPICUREAN EVENTS

2/6: Carnevale at Cinghiale 
If you need last-minute weekend plans (or are feeling the masquerade ball vibes after watching the new episodes of Bridgerton), this black-tie soiree in Harbor East will feature cocktails, passed bites, and bubbly before moving into a four-course Venetian feast with intimate live music performances (the BSO, led by concertmaster Jonathan Carney, will be on hand to perform Vivaldi’s Four Seasons) in between each dish.

2/9: The Smoking Swine at Woodberry Kitchen All Stars
Aptly dubbed Woodberry Kitchen All Stars, Woodberry Tavern’s new rotating pop-up series shines a spotlight on the side projects of its own staff. The second installment will feature Linton Fionn Pumphrey, son of the late Smoking Swine chef L. Drew Pumphrey, who sadly passed away of a heart attack one year ago. Fionn, who has been with Woodberry for about 10 months, is paying tribute to his dad’s beloved recipes with brisket, pork shoulder, chicken sandwiches, burnt end ragout, and mushroom patty melts, as well as an Old Fashioned drink collaboration with Baltimore Spirits Company. If you can’t make it to The Smoking Swine revival on Monday, WKAL pop-ups on deck include Cominda de Guerrero on Feb. 16 and and La Tias Locas Salvadorian cuisine on Feb. 23. No reservations needed.

2/20: The Long Table Supper Club with Stem & Vine
If you’re itching to taste David and Tonya Thomas’ food before their aforementioned kaiseki service drops this spring, snag tickets for their Long Table Supper Club—a new monthly pop-up series at downtown greenery and wine shop Stem & Vine. This month’s theme is Blackwater, an exploration of the waterways that were essential in Black history. The family-style meal will feature lots of seafood, as well as Maryland-grown Silver Queen corn. Tickets are $175 excluding taxes. 

SHUT

The Brewer’s Art: Headlines and Reddit threads were shared far and wide Monday, when news broke that 30-year-old brewpub The Brewer’s Art had suddenly shuttered. As confirmed by The Baltimore Banner, “owner Volker Stewart informed employees by text message Monday that he was closing effective immediately due to financial problems.” “The financial strain of the last few months has worsened in recent weeks and made it impossible to continue,” he wrote in the text. “We have run out of money. I cannot pay you, please do not come in.”

In the days since, regulars have taken to social media to mourn the loss (“First Catherine O’Hara, now this sad news!!!,” one patron wrote) of the Mt. Vernon mainstay, an early pioneer in the local brewery scene that became a fast favorite for its beers (Resurrection and Beazly), burger, and cavernous basement bar. But beyond that, the community has shown an outpouring of support for staff, who were laid off without notice and without a final paycheck. Crowdfunding campaigns have been set up to support, and the Baltimore Bartenders Guild has offered to help workers find new homes in the local hospitality scene.  

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Four Local Spots Clinch James Beard Award Semifinalist Noms: Move over Oscars and Golden Globes—our show is on. The award season for the national culinary scene officially kicked off yesterday when the James Beard Foundation dropped its annual list of semifinalists in several superlative categories. While the foundation has previously recognized local torchbearers like Charleston (a winner last year!) and Clavel, this year, Baltimore’s food and beverage scene has been recognized with four nominations—all awarded to newcomers.

Among them are cult favorite Café Dear Leon—which started in Canton in 2020 and expanded with a Remington sister-location, La Maison, last fall—for Outstanding Bakery; chef Matthew Oetting of Marta Fine Food and Spirits—who spent a long time in New York City with famed groups like Danny Meyer’s Union Hospitality before moving to Baltimore to open Loch Bar in 2015 and starting his own Butchers Hill restaurant, Marta, in the fall of 2022—for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic; Doug Atwell of Southpaw—one of Baltimore’s most well-known veteran bartenders who cut his teeth at spots like Rye, Blue Pit BBQ, and Dylan’s Oyster Cellar before opening his Fells Point favorite in 2022—for Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service; and Pink Flamingo—from Dutch Courage owners Brendan Dorr and Eric Fooy, who opened the tiki concept in the former Dizz space last spring—for Best New Bar. 

Excitement has quickly spread across the scene, but for the nominees, it’s clear that it might take some more time for the honor to fully sink in.

“I don’t know what to say really,” Nick Pikounis, bar manager at Pink Flamingo reacted to the news. “I’m shocked and honored. We all have worked hard, and to have this makes it worth the struggle and stress.” 

As Café Dear Leon co-owner Min Kim shared with us, “It’s surreal. We were flying back from a coffee farm in Brazil, so we got the news a little late.”

For Marta’s part, Oetting says he’s “shocked, blessed, and humbled.” “We’re hoping to make it to the finals, but also just honored to be able to bring the spotlight to the Baltimore dining scene as a whole. I think we are often overlooked, and this is a great opportunity for all of us in the Baltimore hospitality community.”

From here, finalists will be announced on March 31, and winners will be honored on June 15 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

COMING SOON

Marta Fine Food and Spirits: It’s been a big week—and a killer start to the year—for Marta. Just before the Beard noms dropped this week, it was announced that Oetting would be expanding his Italian-inspired gem with a new location at Harbor Point this summer. Named Marta al Mare (al mare means “by the sea” in Italian) the waterfront location will highlight tons of outdoor seating overlooking Point Park against the backdrop of the Inner Harbor. In keeping with the theme, the menu is slated to take a seasonal, seafood-forward approach.

“I’ve been looking for the right opportunity to introduce a new twist on Marta that highlights fresh seafood for some time now,” Oetting said in a press release, “and the waterfront location at Harbor Point is the perfect opportunity.”

Aside from its hand-made pastas and dishes like Lobster Saltimbocca and toro arancini, the new location will offer brunch six days a week. The team teases options like croissant waffles, a “fork and knife” burger, and a posh caviar and martini cart.

The new restaurant is the first announced tenant inside Harbor Point’s new global headquarters for T. Rowe Price, joining the development’s growing dining scene that also recently welcomed Josefina and La Jetee, from fellow James Beard honorees David Zamudio and Spike Gjerde, respectively. 

OPEN

Amadeo’s: In the latest addition to the Little Italy dining scene, the longtime Osteria da Amadeo on South Exeter Street has been reopened by couple Brenna and Daniel Lewis as Amadeo’s—a modern Italian spot with a rotating menu of supper and snacks. The couple took some time off last month to address minor renovations, but reopened on Jan. 21 for regular dinner service Wednesday through Saturday. Read more about the New York City veterans’ journey to taking over a tavern in one of Baltimore’s most tight-knit neighborhoods, here. 

EPICUREAN EVENTS

1/23-2/1: Baltimore Restaurant Week
It’s been 20 years since this dining promotion became a bi-annual tradition in Baltimore, and organizers with Downtown Partnership and Visit Baltimore are doing it up for the anniversary. More than 75 spots are on board to offer prix-fixe meal deals ranging from $10-65. Browse the full list of participating eateries, here, and consult our list of tips and tricks to plan your dining adventures accordingly, here. 

2/4: Jason Hisley Appearing on  Is It Cake?
Valentine’s Day will get a little sweeter—and a lot more deceptive—when Baltimore’s own pastry chef Jason Hisley returns to compete on national television next month. The owner of Cake by Jason Hisley in Timonium has built an impressive competition repertoire across Holiday Wars, Cupcake Wars, and Cutthroat Kitchen, and will next compete alongside his partner, Tyler, on Netflix’s special Valentine’s Day edition of Is It Cake? As its name signifies, the show pits top bakers against one another to see who can create the most ultra-realistic, edible works of art. The episode premieres Feb. 4 on Netflix.

SHUT

Don’t Know Tavern: It’s the end of an era for this reliable haunt on the corner of Light Street and East Fort Avenue in Federal Hill, which will close in February after 14 years of beers, burgers, wings, and WVU football parties. In an Instagram statement, owner John Leonard cited longstanding, unresolved building and structural issues with the landlord. However, the building’s owner, David Makarovich, recently told the Baltimore Banner that Don’t Know “was in serious financial distress, was unable to pay rent, and would be ceasing all operations.”

While the bar’s future evokes its name, Leonard stated that Don’t Know may live on if the right space and circumstances present themselves. For now, the team is inviting the community to raise one last glass before the lights dim next month.

Ouzo Bay: Interestingly, another 14-year-old establishment is also shuttering in February. In Harbor East, Ouzo Bay will serve its final guests after its Valentine’s Day service on Feb. 15. The neighborhood fixture, which opened in 2012 as an homage to CEO Alex Smith’s grandfather, was established before Atlas Restaurant Group became its own entity. In a press release, Smith said the decision to close was spark by building issues, stating “the restaurant requires significant infrastructure upgrades, including major systems that are due for replacement.”

Atlas plans to reopen the property as a new concept sometime next year, but no details are available just yet. However, Ouzo Beach, the restaurant’s outdoor sister-bar just across Lancaster Street, will continue to operate seasonally from May through September.

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Hana Hampden: A new sushi spot is taking over the longtime home of Souvlaki on The Avenue in Hampden. Hana Sushi from owner Tina Chen—who operates Yama Sushi in Ellicott City, unrelated to the popular place of the same name in Hampden’s Greenspring Tower Square shopping center—is opening this Saturday Jan. 10 by reservation only for the first 30 days. 

General manager Andrew Liang describes the vibe as “[Washington, D.C.’s sleek] Nobu and Nakazawa meets a local Hampden corner sushi bar,” featuring high-quality fish without the formality. Hana will source whole fish only, and break down everything in-house. Highlights to look out for on the menu—helmed by executive chefs Changjoo Kim and Juan Galvan—include traditional yakitori cooked over a robata grill, house udon and ramen, and fusion “sushi tacos” filled with sashimi or tartare. 

The bar is being helmed by Jake Tarr, who was part of the opening team at Bunny’s Buckets & Bubbles and most recently the bar manager at The Duchess across the street from Hana. With Tarr’s expertise, Liang says the beverage program will be “robust,” leaning into traditional Japanese spirits like sake and whisky. 

Hana is slated to operate 11 a.m.-10 p.m., seven days a week, staying open through what Liang calls the typical “3-5 p.m. lull” in Hampden. As for price point, Liang estimates most diners will land around $75 per person for “a good evening out”—with plenty of room to go higher for a splurge or lower for a more casual meal.  

The team also acknowledged the history of the space, noting Souvlaki’s eviction after crowdfunding efforts last fall. “This is a piece of the community,” Liang said. “We really want our guests to be able to feel like this is their home away from home.” 

CH-CH CHANGES

The Point in Towson: After some speculation about its future, management of this Towson hub—a spinoff of the fan-favorite Point in Fells—took to Instagram this week to confirm they’re here to stay. Not only that, they’re launching a new pop-up concept that will bring a fun theme to the side bar every month. Inspired by the Elf Bar takeover that drew in droves throughout the holidays, The Point will offer immersive themed menus, decor, photo ops, and activities in the designated space, which is separate from its traditional dining rooms for brunch and dinner service.

Starting 2026 off strong will be a Golden Girls takeover throughout January (gear up for food and drink specials like Shady Pine Punch, “Golden Hour” happy hours, a ticketed “Thank You for Being a Drag” brunch, and lots of cheesecake) followed by an “Apres AF” Winter Games theme in February, and an It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia-style Paddy’s Pub pop-up just in time for St. Patrick’s Day in March.

OPEN 

Equitea: Quentin Vinnie’s long-awaited Equitea matcha brick-and-mortar is officially open for business in Remington. Set inside a cozy mid-century modern space with family-friendly seating and a vinyl music section, the cafe is currently in soft-opening mode (open Wednesday-Sunday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.), offering specials like a seasonal gingerbread matcha latte and honey butter toast.

Founded in 2022 by Vinnie and his wife, Erin, the brand established itself in Baltimore as a pop-up last year (in the Howard Street space that is now La Maison by Cafe Dear Leon), before signing a lease for a more permanent spot a few blocks away. While Vinnie worked on renovations and curating the space to match his vision, he conducted pop-ups throughout the city and the East Coast to bring his iconic, hand-whisked lattes to the masses. For more on Vinnie’s journey, be on the lookout for a full profile in our upcoming February issue.  

Josefina: Speaking of long-awaited openings, modern Spanish restaurant Josefina is celebrating its debut dinner service this Friday, Jan. 9, in Harbor Point. The spot from owner/executive chef David Zamudio has been a labor of love for almost two years, as the first-time restaurateur (formerly of Alma Cocina Latina) has worked through construction and permits. Get a sneak peek of the end result—plus the full scoop on menu and the inspiration behind the concept—with our full preview, here. 

THB Bel Air: Baltimore’s ever-expanding bagel chain is rolling out yet another new location, this time in Harford County. The eighth Towson Hot Bagels—named, of course, after its flagship that opened on Allegheny Avenue in Towson in 1999—will bring the brand’s hot-out-of-the oven bagels, sandwiches, and all day breakfast-and-lunch offerings to Bel Air near Harford Mall this winter. Stay tuned on Instagram for an official grand opening date. 

NEWS

La Cuchara Suffers Fire: Beloved Basque restaurant La Cuchara, an anchor in North Baltimore’s Clipper Mill area for more than a decade, announced an immediate and indefinite closure following a tragic fire that broke out on Sunday afternoon.

“We’re just happy that nobody was hurt,” chef and co-owner Ben Lefenfeld—who owns the restaurant with his wife, Amy, and brother, Jake—told Baltimore Fishbowl this week.

According to the Baltimore City Fire Department, the blaze was discovered in the building’s venting system. While the restaurant appeared structurally intact from the exterior earlier this week, the full extent of the damage remains unclear. In the meantime, the Lefenfelds say their priority is supporting their roughly 60 employees, even as the fire introduces uncertainty around their forthcoming restaurant, Seppia, set to open in the former Five and Dime Ale House space on the Avenue in Hampden. 

In the days since the fire, customers have flooded social media with messages of support and heartbreak, sharing memories of anniversary dinners, just-last-week meals, and what the restaurant has meant to the community—underscoring La Cuchara’s role as a fixture in Baltimore’s dining scene.

EPICUREAN EVENTS 

1/8-1/11: The Empanada Lady Re-Re-Re Grand Opening
The Empanada Lady is heading into 2026 with a four-day, culture-forward, free-to-the-public “Re-Re-Re Grand Opening” event from Jan. 8-11. Following a brief closure for bar renovations supported by a Downtown Partnership of Baltimore grant, the Puerto Rican favorite will host karaoke, DJs, a “Bodega Baddie” brunch, a ’90s party, and a signature cocktail tasting to celebrate the new chapter.

1/29: Little Donna’s at Dear Martha’s
Upper Fells gem Little Donna’s is headed south for a special pop-up in D.C. this month. If you’re down for a drive, reserve a spot for the one-night-only collab between chef Robbie Tutlewski and Demetri Mecheli of Greek-inspired pizza shop Dear Martha’s—whose restaurants both happen to be named after their respective grandmothers. Expect pierogis, pizza, and special fusion dishes on the a la carte menu. Reservations open Thursday, Jan. 15 at 10 a.m.

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Bar Dalí: On the heels of opening La Jetée on the first floor of Harbor Point’s Canopy Hotel in October, James Beard Award-winning chef Spike Gjerde recently announced a partnership with another hotelier, Ash, which owns Hotel Ulysses in Mount Vernon. 

A new concept called Bar Dalí—an ode to Spanish surrealist artist Salvador Dalí in the form of a subterranean neighborhood tapas bar—is slated to open early 2026 at 909 Charles St., taking over the hotel’s neighboring property that was formerly Mount Vernon Stable & Saloon. 

The project will embrace the community legacy of “the Stable,” which shuttered in 2022, while bringing Gjerde’s signature local-first sourcing to a globally inspired menu. The partnership between Gjerde and Ash will also include overseeing the food and beverage program for Swann House, Ash’s upstairs event space at the new bar. More details to come. 

Nora Blu & Hush Lounge: Speaking of Mt. Vernon, and Gjerde, another bar and restaurant is set to move into the former Spike & Charlie’s at 1125 Cathedral St., which housed Gjede’s first venture that he operated with his brother, Charlie, from 1991 to 2004. In the years since its closure, other establishments like Ryleigh’s Oyster, Anonymous Restaurant & Lounge, and Red Emma’s (before its move to Waverly) have called the building home.

Now, owner trio Dezmon Parker, Tariq Ibrahim, and Mohammad Elmanyari are preparing to debut an upstairs Mediterranean restaurant, Nora Blu, and a basement speakeasy called Hush Lounge, in the space. With the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall across the street, the owners hope to host live entertainment, as well as become a hub for pre- and post-show audiences. 

“We want to tie in to the local community, knowing that the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall is across the street,” Parker recently told the Baltimore Business Journal. Their target opening is slated for late December or January, with dinner service nightly and extended weekend hours.

NEWS

The Duchess Dish Lauded by the New York Times: As The Duchess, Tony Foreman’s latest venture with co-owner chef Kiko Fejarang, celebrated its one year anniversary in Hampden, the team got a gift from The New York Times. The publication’s editorial team listed the restaurant’s Chamorro shrimp and corn patties as one of the top 23 dishes they ate across America in 2025. 

Eric Asimov, the Times’ chief wine critic, described The Duchess as one of the “more unusual restaurants” he’d visited, citing the mix of the British pub-influenced interior with Fejarang’s Pacific Rim recipes. (Read our review, here.) The $13 dish is a Chamorro classic, a beloved fried snack from Guam, which Asimov described as “the platonic essence of their ingredients [shrimp and corn], a beautiful balance of textures and flavors.” 

After hearing the news, Fejarang told the Banner, “I’m glad I can be able to represent not only Guam but Baltimore.”

After the announcement of The Wren as one of the top 25 restaurants by the Times earlier this year, the win for The Duchess further solidifies what we’ve always known—Baltimore’s food scene is top tier. 

EPICUREAN EVENTS 

12/18: Gunther & Co’s Annual Hanukkah Dinner 
Bundle up and head toward Brewers Hill to ring in the fifth night of Hanukkah with Gunther’s annual feast. In addition to the regular dinner menu, the restaurant will be offering holiday specials including braised beef brisket, pan-roasted salmon, noodle kugel, and chopped chicken liver on rye bread. Must-haves include an order of house latkes (with requisite apple sauce and sour cream) and a steamy bowl of matzo ball soup. If you have room for dessert, sweets like cinnamon sugar-dusted babka and raspberry-drizzled brioche donuts will offered all night.

12/18: Fells Point Main Street Cookie Crawl 
The shops surrounding Broadway in Fells Point make the holidays even sweeter with this neighborhood tradition. From 4-7 p.m., roam around the area (Su Casa on South Bond Street is the official check-in point, where you can pick up a bag and a map) to visit your favorite retail and restaurant owners and collect a complimentary cookie at every stop. See the full list of places participating, here.

12/19: Brewers Haven Holiday Party
Throw on your ugliest sweater for this Highlandtown holiday soiree. Hosted by Brewers Haven—the joint home of Monument City Brewing and Key Brewing on North Haven Street—the festivities will highlight flowing pints, live music, discounted merch, giveaways, and food by their next-door neighbors at Motte.

12/21: National Coquito Day & Club Sonora’s Tuki Tuki Event
We love unofficial food and drink holidays, no matter how arbitrary they might seem. On Sunday, Dec. 21, thanks to Don Q rum, the day is devoted to coquito—the creamy, rum-spiced “little coconut” cocktail rooted in Puerto Rican culture. Check out our guide for places to sip coquito all over town, including The Empanada Lady downtown, The Undefeated in Fells Point, and Mama Koko’s in Old Goucher. Golden West Cafe in Hampden, Pink Flamingo in Remington, and Sacre Sucre in Fells Point also have their own versions that will get you into the spirit. 

If bar competitions are more your vibe, swing by Club Sonora’s Tuki Tuki event from 4-8 p.m. at Stem & Vine downtown, which will feature its own coquito contest, along with a holiday market, tamales by Rosalyn Vera of Cocina Luchadoras, and live salsa. As Bad Bunny lamented in his 2025 album Debí Tirar Más Fotos, take the picture and get your boricua on. 

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Bar Santa: With its unmistakable, kitschy Baltimore holiday energy, Hampden is the place to be in December. Adding to the neighborhood establishments spreading festive cheer is the new Bar Santa, a limited-time pop-up activating the former home of Paulie Gee’s on Chestnut Avenue—which is conveniently just over a block away from the famous Miracle on 34th Street lights. The project is a collaboration between buddies Craig Falk—the chef/owner behind the Big Softy pizza and sandwich pop-up—and The Charmery owner David Alima, whose flagship ice cream shop sits just across the street. 

“There is magic in Hampden [during] the holidays,” Alima says. “We just wanted to be a part of peoples’ Christmas.”

Now open Thursdays to Sundays from 5-10 p.m. through New Year’s Eve (for those attending the annual Baby New Year ball drop on 34th Street), the Father Christmas-named bar will offer a cheery menu of cocktails, mocktails, and dirty sodas dreamed up by local hospitality legend Amie Ward, whom Alima calls the “head elf in charge.” Notably, the menu also lists the famous Charmery hot chocolate, which can be boozed up with a bourbon marshmallow and the addition of Chartreuse. 

As far as eats go—while the Paulie Gee’s brick oven won’t fire up, Falk will be slinging his signature Detroit-style pizzas cooked in a deck oven. Service will be fast-casual, with ordering done at the counter and a seat-yourself model. 

“We’re not here for a long time,” Alima sums up, “but we’re here for a really fun time.”

Dimples Bar & Grill: Thanks to owner Mary Miles—who opened this cheesesteak shop on East Clement Street last month as a tribute to her late mother, also the shop’s namesake—a little slice of Philly has landed in Locust Point. Miles, a Philadelphia native, brings serious hometown credentials, including the use of real Amoroso’s rolls, which she and her husband, Armand, drive to Delaware for every morning so they can serve them same-day.

The menu reads like a love letter to classic Philly corner spots, listing cheesesteaks, hoagies, wings, and smashburgers. Soon, a full weekend brunch will serve pancakes, grits, home fries, bagels, muffins, and yes, cheesesteak-and-eggs. For now, the eatery is BYOB, but the space carries a liquor license that the couple plans to activate so that they can fulfill Dimples’ favorite pairing: a cheesesteak and an ice-cold beer. 

Spice Kitchen West African Grill: After growing from a ghost kitchen to a full-blown brick-and-mortar, Spice Kitchen has brought its signature West African cooking to Canton. The fast-casual concept founded in 2020 by first-generation Nigerian-American Olumide Shokubi opened over Thanksgiving weekend in the previous home of RegionAle at the Canton Can Company complex. 

Shokubi, raised in Prince George’s County, built Spice Kitchen to make West African cuisine accessible and customizable. His suya—a West African street food consisting of grilled, skewered meats marinated in a spicy, peanut-based seasoning blend—anchors the menu. Diners can expect plates piled high with fried plantains, white or jollof rice, and even goat-stuffed egg rolls. Save room for puff puffs, the famed sweet fried dough balls coated with powdered sugar.

COMING GOON 

Bar Alice Anne: The team behind The Local Fry is heading into the bar business with Bar Alice Anne, a new neighborhood tavern slated to open this spring. Husband-and-wife duo Kevin and Elizabeth Irish, along with longtime creative agency partner Chris Richards, are taking over the former home of Lobo on Aliceanna Street (hence the name), where the three were regulars.

Beloved for its Old Fashioneds and comforting sandwiches and snacks, Lobo closed in 2020, much to the dismay of locals. The new concept will stay food-forward, with a menu of international small plates like banchan—Korean side dishes, similar to those served at Kevin and Elizabeth’s former Toki Tako in Hampden—plus an approachable list of beer, wine, and cocktails. The owners teased the concept on Instagram, “We’ve got a little sprucing up to do, but look forward to filling these seats soon.” Stay tuned for updates. 

NEWS

Culinary Architecture: After a decade of being a neighborhood go-to in Pigtown, Culinary Architecture is preparing for a new chapter. The gourmet market and café will relocate to 236 S. High St. in Little Italy in January 2026, where a larger footprint will allow the team to level up nearly every part of the business. The new space will bring expanded kitchen and bakery operations, indoor seating (a first for the shop), and more room to experiment with catering, classes, and community events. It will also allow chef/owner Sylva Lin to hire additional staff and open on Sundays and Mondays—something longtime shoppers have been asking for.

Lin recently told The Banner that she spent the last two years quietly looking for the right home, knowing the business had outgrown its Pigtown footprint. For now, the Pigtown shop remains open as Culinary Architecture begins its transition.

EPICUREAN EVENTS 

12/8: Bar La Caleta
Beat the Monday blues with this special bar takeover at Alma Cocina Latina in Station North. Cookhouse bar director Gabe Valladares will collaborate with the Alma team to pair one-night-only cocktails with small bites crafted by Chef Fernando Bertelsen. No reservations needed. 

12/23: Feast of the Seven Fishes at Forno
Forno, the DiPasquale family’s speakeasy set in their former Highlandtown market, is hosting a classic Italian seafood feast on Dec. 23 with two seatings at 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. The seven-course menu is carefully curated by the Forno chef team, and includes a glass of Prosecco to kick off the evening, with additional bottles of wine available for purchase during the event. Tickets are on sale for $100 via their website. 

12/23: Feast of the Seven Fishes at Little Donna’s
Little Donna’s—the cozy Upper Fells gem that feels part chef-driven neighborhood hangout and part grandma’s sitting room—will host its annual take on the Italian-American feast on Dec. 23, with two seatings at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Chef Robbie Tutlewski’s Chicago culinary roots and the Yugoslavian recipes of his grandmother “Little Donna,” will inspire special dishes like Parker House rolls with buttered radishes and bagna cauda; halibut tartare brightened with Meyer lemon, apple, and fennel; a Dungeness crab strudel; mussels with baby potatoes in a warm mustard-dill sauce; scallops aglio with crispy spaetzle; and New Jersey tuna with heirloom beans, grilled radicchio, and mostarda.

12/24: Feast of the Seven Fishes at Love, Pomelo
If you still need Christmas Eve plans, the Roman-inspired Cafe Dear Leon sister-restaurant in Canton is offering a seven-course feast from chef Ermal Mirtag. Reservations, $150 with an optional Italian wine pairings for $45, are required. 

SHUT

Hue Apothecary & Café: After four years of serving as a wellness-centered gathering place, Hue has closed its headquarters in Owings Mills. Founded by couple Ejami and Aaron McNeil, the vegetarian/vegan café and apothecary grew from small pop-ups and farmers markets into a full tea bar and community hub during the pandemic. In a heartfelt message to their “Hue Tribe,” the owners shared via Instagram that the closure isn’t an ending, but “a clearing” to make room for future offerings and expansion.

Hue leaves behind a loyal following that embraced its herbal teas, plant-based nourishment, and mission-driven approach to culture, wellness, and community care. Chef A and Mama Hue (as the owners were fondly known) say their devotion to that mission remains unchanged, with a new chapter already on the horizon.

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Call Your Mother: The love for this Washington, D.C.-born bagel chain has spread far and wide since its first location opened on Georgia Avenue in 2018. Since then, husband-and-wife owners Andrew Dana and Daniela Moreira have expanded to more than 20 shops throughout the D.C. area and in Colorado, with more expected to come. There’s no word on a Baltimore location, but last week, we got our closest one yet with the debut of a brightly colored shop in Annapolis—aptly decorated with crab murals on the wall, of course.

Described as a “Jew-ish deli” (hence the name), Call Your Mother is best known for its hybrid bagels that fuse the Montreal-style sweetness with the fluffy texture of a New York classic. Their most popular sandwiches include the “Thunderbird”—a sausage, egg, and cheese on a maple salt and pepper bagel—as well as the “Royal Palm,” the deli’s version of a smoked salmon on lox piled high with cucumber, tomato, red onion, and capers on an everything bagel. Regulars round out their order with a drink from the expansive coffee and espresso menu, plus a sweet treat like a chocolate babka muffin or a classic Black & White cookie. 

COMING SOON 

Cafe Fili: The sunny Mt. Vernon café, beloved for its beautifully plated Mediterranean fare, is widening its footprint in the city. Owner Ziad Maalouf recently announced that a new location will take over the former home of Amber inside Anthem House in Locust Point. Slated to open this spring, the South Baltimore spot will offer the cafe’s signature shawarma bowls, salads, pastries, and espresso during the day, while also debuting an evening mezze program. The elevated dinner menu will highlight shareable small plates, a boutique wine list, and craft cocktails that lean into regional flavors. Stay tuned for more, as Maalouf has further plans for expansion in the Baltimore area in 2027.  

Rosewater: If you’re into exclusive experiences, Atlas Restaurant Group is bringing a members-only social club to Harbor East this summer. Located inside the historic E.J. Codd Co. building on Aliceanna Street (which will also house the group’s forthcoming Japanese izayaka, Kannon), the club will span 7,500 square feet and feature two bars, full-service dining, co-working and lounge areas, a billiards room, and even a high-end golf simulator.

Named as a nod to a tradition in the family business—Atlas founder Alex Smith’s grandfather, the late H&S Bakery chief John Paterakis Sr., would add a few drops of rosewater to freshly baked loaves for a signature aromatic finish—the club’s vibe will be Parisian nouveau, blending “the romance of French colonial heritage with contemporary elegance.” Membership includes an upfront initiation fee and a continued monthly payment. 

NEWS

Maggie’s Farm Hosts Free Community Meal on Nov. 24: In the spirit of true kindness and hospitality, Maggie’s Farm in Hamilton-Lauraville is giving away more than 600 free meals to neighbors in need in advance of Thanksgiving this Monday, Nov. 24. Owners Dana and Abdul Saeed have long believed in taking care of the community that has taken care of them for the past eight years. So they put out a call for locals to register for a hot meal—no questions asked—via social media last week, and the response was overwhelming. Though registration is technically now closed, “We’re rolling with it,” the couple wrote in a recent post. “If the community needs over 600 meals, then over 600 meals is exactly what we’re going to cook.”

This effort isn’t tied to a promotion or charity campaign—it’s simply, as Dana told us via email, “neighbors feeding neighbors.” While the owners dish out the plates on the patio, the restaurant will be offering drinks and treats inside for purchase, if you’re hoping to stop by to show support.  

Speaking of Thanksgiving, if you’re still prepping your plans, you can check out our list of restaurants open, here, and eateries offering takeout, here. If you’re on dessert duty, but don’t want to bake—trust us, we get it—you can pre-order pies from the bakeries listed, here.   

Le Comptoir du Vin Offers Wine Club: Oenophiles will be happy to hear that this nationally acclaimed bistro in Station North is reviving its monthly wine club. Curated by their resident “Wine Guy” Ann Marie in collaboration with Zack Genin of Baltimore-based distributor Genin Selections, the club will offer two thoughtfully paired bottles—one from Genin’s portfolio and a complementary pick from another standout importer—with three tiers to choose from.

Based on your preferences, you can choose from packages including Chicklette ($50), easy-drinking, everyday bottles; Silkies ($80), mid-tier wines suited for the cellar or a special occasion; and Mother Hen ($125), higher-end selections. Members will also receive a $5-off corkage fee when dining in at Le Comptoir du Vin, as well as free tastings at pickup. The first pickup is slated for this Sunday, Nov. 23. To join, email: comptoirwineguy@gmail.com.

Guilford Hall Launches Beer Inspired by Inviting Light: In collaboration with Central Baltimore Partnership, Guilford Hall Brewery has released the Inviting Light Baltimore Pilsner, a limited-edition brew inspired by Station North’s ongoing Inviting Light public art initiative. The can, designed to reflect the project’s themes of creativity, inclusion, and community, first dropped last week during the unveiling of “Soft Gym,” the series’ newest installation by artist duo Wickerham & Lomax. 

Brewed in the heart of Station North, the 5.1 percent ABV Czech-style pilsner blends subtle malt with German and Czech hop character, aligning the “art of brewing” with the neighborhood’s growing public-art landscape. A portion of all sales—available at select bars and venues citywide, including Station North spots like Metro Baltimore, The Club Car, and Foraged—will support future Station North arts programming.

EPICUREAN EVENTS 

11/20: Bin 604 Free Beaujolais Nouveau Tasting
Those in the wine world know that the third Thursday of November marks Beaujolais Nouveau day. Made from the Gamay grape and bottled weeks after harvest, the wine is a playful red with bright cherry and berry tasting notes. Head to Bin 604 in Harbor East for a free tasting of the limited-release Beaujolais Nouveau, which just landed from France. At sister-spot Petit Louis Bistro in Roland Park, sommelier Marc Dettori will also be uncorking the bottles and pairing them with specialty dishes all evening long. 

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Bank St. Deli: This revamped corner store at Bank and South Spring streets in Little Italy is set to cut the ribbon on Saturday, Nov. 8. At the counter, you can grab corner store essentials and order off of the drool-worthy deli menu—which lists stacked classics like a reuben, chicken cutlet hero, tomato caprese, and classic Italian (remember, you’re in Little Italy, after all). But if you venture further—perhaps behind a hidden door disguised as a vending machine—you’ll find Highball, the deli’s dimly lit speakeasy that pours classic cocktails and offers its own food menu in the back. Get a sneak peek from Eat More Baltimore’s Chris Franzoni, here.

Geno’s Steaks: The most popular “best cheesesteak” debate in Philadelphia comes down to the rivalry between Pat’s King of Steaks versus Geno’s Steak. The latter, an institution that opened in 1966 in South Philly, will fire up its flattops for the first time in Maryland with a new location at Power Plant Live in early 2026.

Helmed by second-generation owner Geno Vento, the brand will fry up its signature formula of thinly sliced rib-eye, caramelized onions, and four cheese options and pile it all on a proprietary hoagie roll. Unlike the Philly location, this one won’t be 24/7, but the owner teased in an interview with The Baltimore Sun that Charm City might be the place to play around with new items. 

OPEN

Vivian’s: Especially after hearing about Pie Time’s intention to shutter, neighbors on the northeast end of Patterson Park could use a win. And they got one earlier this week with the unveiling of this anticipated new concept from Kitsch owner Jackie Mearman—who runs a flagship cafe for her popular breakfast sandwiches in Tuscany-Canterbury and a stall at R. House.

Set in the home of the former Rize + Rest, Vivian’s is officially open for daytime service, offering craft coffee, pastries, and breakfast sandos from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on weekends. 

Named after Mearman’s grandmother, the corner neighborhood spot—whose vintage decor is meant to give off a cozy “grandma’s sunroom” vibe—will soon expand into full-service hours, complete with an evening bar program, menu of small plates (think: pickled deviled eggs, pumpkin ale mac and cheese, and baked brie with mango chutney and pistachios), and “choose-your-own-adventure” charcuterie boards.

High Grounds Coffee & Tea Holiday Pop-Up at The Shops at Kenilworth: The Highlandtown coffee shop operated by husband-and-wife duo Josh and Mickie Pulley (do yourself a favor and set aside a few minutes for this WMAR segment about their love story) is headed to Towson for a new seasonal pop-up at The Shops at Kenilworth. Running through January, the 475-square-foot coffee bar—located on the mall’s lower level next to Italian Gardens—will be a game-changer for patrons looking to fuel up for their holiday shopping.

The menu will feature the roastery’s signature hot and cold brews, plus chai lattes, frappes, matcha, smoothies, and Italian sodas. Snacks on offer will include breakfast sandwiches (like their Crabby Bagel), as well as caramel-drizzled desserts like the cookies and cream affogato and velvet espresso tiramisu.

EPICUREAN EVENTS

11/7-9: Peabody Heights Brewery Anniversary Party Weekend
The beloved Abell brewery is celebrating its 13th trip around the sun with a three-day bash this weekend—packed with live music, food, and plenty of pints. Friday through Sunday, catch a rotating lineup of local acts including Spring Silver, Crying Laughing, Arboretum, Micah E. Wood, Eat the Cake Band, Hot Blood, Ray Winder, Landis Harry Larry, and Super City. In between sets, raise a glass to Peabody’s legacy—both business-wise (it was the first production brewery to open within Baltimore City limits in more than 35 years) and as a hub for diverse community programming.  

11/16: Baltimore Spirits Co. 10th Anniversary & Thanksgiving Extravaganza
Speaking of local booze birthdays, the team at Baltimore Spirits Co. is marking a decade of distilling with a Thanksgiving-themed celebration at its Hampden homebase inside Union Collective. Founded by Max Lents, Ian Newton, and Eli Breitburg-Smith, the distillery was born from the trio’s desire to return Maryland rye whiskey to its rightful home. Now, the BSC lineup includes award-winning whiskeys (fun fact: they also blend Ja Rule’s Ambar & Opal) and industry favorite amaros. 

A big bash on Sunday, Nov. 16 from 3-8 p.m. will feature festive cocktails crafted by Baltimore bartending legend Amie Ward, alongside special whiskey releases—including a cask-strength “Green is Gold”—and the debut of a six-year cask-strength Epoch Rye. You can also expect live DJ sets and Thanksgiving-inspired pizzas from Big Softy. 

CH-CH-CHANGES

Werner’s Diner & Pub: Best known for its retro interior and reliable grub, this 75-year-old downtown diner—which had cameos in The Wire and House of Cards—recently changed hands once again. (Previous owners have included the team from Pete’s Grille in Waverly and the owners of Proper Cuisine across the street.) Now, William Sterling, the owner of Saturday Morning Cafe in Little Italy, has officially taken over operations. 

The space, which briefly closed in May, has reopened with a refreshed menu blending classics from both concepts: crab eggs Benedict and breakfast burritos alongside omelets and fluffy pancakes. “Basically, Werner’s and Saturday Morning Cafe got married,” Sterling recently told the Baltimore Business Journal.

Under his care, Sterling says the focus is “getting back to the basics,” while keeping the name and nostalgia intact. Werner’s is currently open daily from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., with plans to extend hours and host a grand reopening celebration later this year.

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Laverne’s: The former Trip’s Place on North Charles in Station North will soon reopen as Laverne’s, a lounge and entertainment venue that honors the storied building’s nightlife legacy. The project comes from a collective of artists and engineers—Catherine Borg, Megan Elcrat, Amrita “Ami” Kaur Dang, and Christopher Franz—who purchased the interconnected Trip’s Place and Gatsby’s buildings at auction last year for more than $600,000, according to Baltimore Fishbowl.

“What really drew us to the project was this rich cultural heritage,” Elcrat explained in a recent video interview with Baltimore Heritage.

Per the local history nonprofit’s findings, the southernmost building started as the Ardmore Apartments in 1907, while its neighboring structure once housed Noxzema’s headquarters before becoming Gatsby’s in the mid-1970s, which was co-founded by Laura Gardner (one of the first Black women hired as a systems engineer by IBM in Baltimore). It featured a disco lounge on the first floor and a jazz room upstairs designed by renowned Baltimore designer Rita St. Clair. By the 1990s, the buildings became Club Choices and Trip’s Place under Anthony Triplin’s ownership, operating as an all-night entertainment complex until going dark around the pandemic—staying open after Triplin’s death in 2014.

Now, the plan is for Laverne’s to occupy the first two floors of the former Trip’s building, preserving its dramatic mezzanine with Corinthian columns overlooking a soaring open space. The adjacent Gatsby’s building will house a casual daytime restaurant, gallery, and flexible creative studios for artists working in movement and music. The project comes amid a wave of Station North redevelopment and innovation, including the neighborhood’s Inviting Light initiative, which unveiled Tony Shore’s illuminated Aurora mural that now adorns the Gatsby building’s façade.

Grain and Berry: Harbor Point seems to be a nexus for new eateries lately. This week, developers announced health-focused addition Grain and Berry, a Florida-based superfood cafe set to open early 2026. The 1,675-square-foot space on the ground floor of the Allied Harbor Point building will mark the first of several Maryland outposts planned. 

“Our mission has always been to make healthy eating both delicious and accessible, and we can’t wait for guests here to experience our [menu],” said brand manager Olivia Bordelon, in a statement. 

The offerings cater to diverse dietary needs with made-to-order acai bowls, smoothies, juices, and specialty toasts, as well as plant-based flatbreads and quesadillas. Beyond the grab-and-go vibe, the cafe will feature a cozy second-floor dining room overlooking the development’s Central Plaza, perfect for meetings or getting a change of scenery on your lunch break. 

NEWS

Ekiben Offering Free Food to Furloughed Workers: Just when you thought it wasn’t humanly possible to love Ekiben any more—owners Steve Chu and Ephrem Abebe dropped an Instagram video earlier this week sharing that they’re giving away free meals to furloughed workers in-store with proper government ID until the government shutdown ends. No questions asked. (We shouldn’t be surprised, these are the same guys who drove six hours to serve a woman with a terminal diagnosis their famous tempura broccoli—her favorite dish—after all.)

As the shutdown continues and thousands of Marylanders continue to go unpaid—causing local food banks to prepare for a surge in demand—this is a way that Ekiben is, once-again, showcasing its commitment to the community. See more resources, here.

EERIE EPICUREAN EVENTS 

10/24: The Masquerade at the Mansion House
The organizers behind the city’s longtime-favorite Bourbon & Bowties fundraiser are debuting a brand-new black-tie Halloween gala at the Maryland Zoo’s Mansion House. Guests can expect an evening of fine food and spooky fun, with signature bites and drinks from spots like Benny’s in Little Italy, The Beaumont in Catonsville, Pink Flamingo in Remington, Faidley’s in Lexington Market, and pop-up shuckers The Local Oyster. Don your masks for a night of music, mingling, and fundraising to benefit four worthy Maryland charities: Oyster Recovery Partnership, Semper Fi & America’s Fund, Hope Ignites Baltimore, and Cool Kids Campaign. 

10/25: Viking Fest at R. House 
If you missed the Renaissance Festival this year—or simply want to keep the medieval vibes going, R. House is hosting a free viking-themed afternoon featuring live music, kid-friendly activities (like DIY shield-making), and specialty Reyka vodka cocktails. Don your best Norse attire for the occasion (think: furs, shields, and braids) to receive a special treat. The first 50 attendees will get a free turkey leg. 

10/31: Clavel Goes Taco Bell
Halloween is not traditionally a holiday that Clavel celebrates. While the staff stays true to the establishment’s Mexican roots and puts up ofrendas (colorful altars to honor deceased loved ones) for Día de Los Muertos, in its 10 years, they have never done anything to ring in All Hallow’s Eve. Until now. 

Inspired by chef/co-owner Carlos Raba’s eternal love of the holiday—and for Taco Bell—the spot will offer a one-time-only, late-night menu of Tex-Mex, fast-food chain classics. On Friday, Oct. 31, dig into Clavel’s versions of the Crunch Wrap Supreme and American tacos, which will incorporate shredduce, sour cream, flour tortillas, hard shells, and an abundance of cheese. 

“I’m going to have ingredients that I don’t [typically] have,” Raba says, “I never have sour cream. [This] is the only time when people can be like, ‘Can I get some sour cream?’ I’m like, hell yeah, put all the sour cream.” 

It might feel a little sacrilegious in a place as authentic as Clavel (if you’re a purist, never fear, you will still be able to order from the regular menu), but if you want to dress up, stay late, and enjoy a crunchy taco, Raba is all about it. 

“What I’m doing is embracing Tex-Mex,” Raba explains. “That’s a genre of cooking. It’s not making fun of Mexican. Let’s have fun and have a night that we remember.”

10/31: Greedy Reads & Doppio Pasticceria Halloween Party
With Halloween falling on a Friday, the city will be aglow with activity. If you’re looking for a more chill place to show off your costume, head to Doppio Pasticceria’s courtyard in Remington for s’mores, cocktails, and spooky books curated by next-door neighbor Greedy Reads. Check out these fun flyers designed by Greedy Reads’ own Santiago Nocera—one names the event “S’morestrilio,” a nod to the the 2023 horror novel Monstrilio—for more details. 

SHUT 

Afters Cafe: This Federal Hill sweet spot has closed after 14 years. The cozy cafe known for its self-serve frozen yogurt, Illy coffee, bubble tea, macarons, and kimchi buns was a neighborhood fixture for after-school treats and late-night dessert runs. Owner Andrew Hahn first opened Afters with his brother after trying Pinkberry froyo for the first time, and they slowly expanded into offering bubble tea in 2014. Hahn believed dessert was a key component to showcase his Korean background. 

Hahn, who is currently seeking a new tenant for the building, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the neighbors who supported Afters throughout its run. For regulars who claimed their favorite corner tables, the closure marks the end of a sweet, community-centered era on South Charles Street.

Tersiguel’s: What can be said when a multi-generational staple closes its doors after half a century? Though saying goodbye to Tersiguel’s—which survived two floods and a fire since opening in 1975—is a huge loss for Ellicott City, husband-and-wife owners Michel and Angie Tersiguel feel content.  

“We knew it was time to let go of this chapter of our lives,” they tell us. “To do so on our terms, going out on a high note, it’s rare in this industry. To say we are thrilled would be an understatement.”

Known for its ever-changing prix-fixe menus with optional wine pairings, the intimate, 20-seat restaurant became synonymous with fine French dining in Howard County. Chef Michel’s parents, Fernand and Odette Tersiguel, first debuted the spot as Chez Fernand after moving to Baltimore from Brittany, France. Throughout the years—and as Fernand and Odette passed the torch to chef Michel—regulars praised its farm-to-table favorites including the duck confit, filet mignon, and venison with charred cabbage. Regulars also took to the staff, including head waiter, Charlie, who some guests describe as “a gem of a human being”.

To that end, the Main Street space will remain in trusted hands. Nathan Sowers—who first entered the Tersiguel’s kitchen as a chef in 2004, with his toddler in tow—and his partner Kimberly Kepnes are taking over the historic building. Details are under wraps for now, but the next chapter will be a new concept. For those wanting to say goodbye, Tersiguel’s last service will be on Dec. 20. giving longtime patrons a chance to raise one last glass to five decades of French country hospitality. 

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La Maison by Café Dear Leon: With the change of the seasons comes the long-awaited debut of the homey La Maison by Café Dear Leon in Remington. The sister-concept to the wildly successful Café Dear Leon in Canton—known for attracting early risers that form lines around the block for morning buns, pastries, coffees, and viral items like the tamago sando and crab dip bagel—is hosting a soft opening weekend Oct. 10-12 from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Set in the restaurant at 2600 N. Howard St—most recently home to the Equitea pop-up, but formerly JBGB’s and Parts & Labor—the Korean-American operated French boulangerie will have 5,000 square feet of breathing room. At more than four times the size of the Canton cafe, where there’s a six-customer indoor limit and a tent for outdoor dining, the new spot seats 155 inside and 68 on its patio, allowing patrons to enjoy their treats in a true cafe setting. The team has also invested in new glassware and dishes to add to the sit-down experience.

In the back of the house, the pastry pros will utilize the large walk-in fridge, previously used for the butchery, as a room for lamination—the technique of folding and rolling layers of dough separated by butter to create a light flaky baked goods, like croissants. 

Bigger is obviously the theme here, and that will also apply to the menu. A massive pastry case (three times as large as Canton) will be accompanied by a concierge for diners to ask questions before ordering. Plans for lunch service are also percolating, with hopes to use the custom-built JBGB pizza oven. (OG CDL fans will recall the summer of 2021, when the team exclusively offered foccacia-style pies.) Final hours are still being determined, but the owners are envisioning a day-to-night restaurant.

Taco Love Grill: Locust Point is getting another Mexican concept. After the opening of Don Tigre last year, family-owned Taco Love Grill—known for its sizzling fajitas, scratch-made margaritas, and crowd-pleasing street tacos at Cross Street Market in Federal Hill and in White Marsh—has announced plans to open a third location at McHenry Row. No word yet on an official ribbon-cutting date, but locals can expect the same lively mix of Mexican staples and Taco Tuesday deals that have earned the restaurant its loyal following north of the harbor.

OPEN

Animal Boy: Lauraville’s latest hangout is serving punk rock energy with a side of sandwiches on Harford Road. Chris and Kate Tsonos—alums of Golden West, The Royal Blue, Woodberry Kitchen, and Sandlot—have opened Animal Boy, a family-friendly sandwich shop and bar inside the SoHa Union building, taking over the former Café Campli space. The name nods to both The Ramones’ 1986 album and to the couple’s two-year-old son, Georgie, affectionately nicknamed “Animal Boy.”

Expect bright orange and blue walls plastered with rock posters, a working 45-RPM jukebox, and plenty of kids’ toys tucked between tables. The menu mixes classic hot and cold sandwiches (including a Philly-style roast pork and The Benny, a beef number honoring Morgan State’s bear mascot) with vegan and vegetarian options like seitan cheesesteak and pastrami seitan with dill-horseradish sauce. Animal Boy offers a full bar, where the drinks are straightforward, affordable, and unpretentious—just like the vibe.

“It’s a cool hangout spot for everyone,” Tsonos recently told Baltimore Fishbowl. “Not pretentious by any means.”

Subplicity: Speaking of unpretentious, and perhaps a sign of the times (sandwiches remain reliable and accesible despite inflation), Federal Hill has a new spot for hoagie lovers. Subplicity, first launched in Breezewood, Pennsylvania, was founded by husband-and-wife-team Joseph and Sujitra Park. While the Breezewood location has been sold, the duo is bringing their diner-meets-delicatessen feel to 1501 Light Street, complete with bar seating, red-checkered tablecloths, and Pfefferkorn’s coffee. Joseph Park, a Baltimore native and Culinary Institute of America grad, took over the space from his uncle, who ran Garden American Eatery before deciding to retire.

Subplicity offers a lineup of hot and cold subs made on either Liscio’s seeded rolls or Costanzo’s soft rolls, plus signature options like the P.C.S. (prosciutto with chicken salad and spicy cheddar), thin-sliced “angel hair” lettuce, and Cooper Sharp cheese sourced straight from Pennsylvania, the birthplace of the hoagie. Rounding things out are breakfast sandwiches on bagels or croissants, fries, tater tots, and a kids’ menu with PB&J’s and Nathan’s hot dogs. 

La Jetée: James Beard Award–winning chef Spike Gjerde is back on the waterfront with his newest restaurant, La Jetée, which opened last week in the former Cindy Lou’s Fish House at The Canopy by Hilton. Harbor Point is familiar territory for Gjerde, whose now-closed seasonal beach bar, Sandlot, operated at the mixed-use development for years. 

La Jetée draws inspiration from the seafood-rich cuisine of Provence, France—think roasted leg of lamb, chicken paillard, panisse with garlic aioli, and a raw bar stacked with Chesapeake oysters and clams. Gjerde recently described the project as a “next chapter,” pairing the joie de vivre of the French Mediterranean with Mid-Atlantic shellfish and seasonal produce. “We won’t be flying fish from the Mediterranean,” he told us in an exclusive interview, “but we’ll be using the same approach and recipes.”

The redesign promises a softer, coastal look with floor-to-ceiling harbor views, lighter woods, and linen accents. Longtime collaborator Matthew Audette will stay on as executive chef, with Virginia Allen (formerly of Alma and Woodberry Kitchen) managing the front of house. Expect crepes in the morning, baguette sandwiches at lunch, Provençal classics at dinner, and plenty of rosé to go around. 

Zoa K-BBQ: Belvedere Square’s corner property—which was most recently Koba Korean Charcoal Grill, but longtime locals might also remember as The Starlite Diner, Shoo-Fly Diner, and Crush—is firing up once again, this time under new ownership and the name Zoa K-BBQ. The owners are taking a “culinary journey to Baltimore,” offering their spin to the beloved Korean ritual of tableside grilling. Details are still under wraps as to whether there will be karaoke in the basement, but if early signs are any indication, North Baltimore can expect another crowd-pleaser for groups, date nights, and anyone who believes dinner is better when cooked over an open flame.

NEWS

Bloomberg Student Center Food Hall: The new Bloomberg Student Center at 3290 N. Charles Street is gearing up to be a serious food hub for Blue Jays. While the full rollout will be phased, according to the Johns Hopkins University site, six local dining options are slated to open this fall. Among the names is Urban Kitchen, helmed by Baltimore native and 2025 James Beard semifinalist chef Jasmine Norton, which will offer items like a smoked brisket banh mi, oyster-mushroom fritters, and riffs on Baltimore classics.

There will also be Mo’s Place, named for Hopkins alum and philanthropist Morris Offit, operated by Hopkins alum Tim Ma. The fast-casual Chinese-American stall will be the only restaurant on campus licensed to serve alcohol. Koshary, from Iman Moussa of R. House’s Koshary Corner, will also set up shop, offering vegan and halal takes on Egypt’s national dish. Last, but certainly not least, will be Connie’s, by brothers Shawn and Khari Parker, who are opening a third location for their cult-favorite chicken-and-waffle sandwiches, tenders, wings, and breakfast items. 

EPICUREAN EVENTS

Old Westminster Winery’s 10th Anniversary Celebration: On the heels of a big few years for Old Westminster—we detail recent expansion plans, here—is the 10-year anniversary of the Baker siblings transforming their family juniper farm in Carroll County into one of Maryland’s most celebrated wine destinations. To mark the milestone, the team is hosting a one-night-only 10th Anniversary Celebration on Friday, Nov. 7, featuring an all-star lineup of local culinary talent.

In-house chef Tae Strain will join forces with Lane Harlan and Carlos Raba (Clavel), George Dailey and Gabe Valladares (Cookhouse), and Chris Amendola (Foraged) for a collaborative four-course feast paired with wines from Old Westminster’s cellar. Guests will be welcomed with Champagne, canapés, and cocktails on the porch before settling into the newly redesigned greenhouses for a communal dinner celebrating Maryland terroir and Baltimore’s culinary creativity. Tickets (~$190) are still available via Tock, with two seatings at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. 

SHUT (SOON) 

Pie Time: After a decade of slicing up sweet and savory pies, Pie Time is going out of business. Owner Max Reim announced the news on Instagram, reflecting candidly on the “hard, rewarding, and wild” ride of running a small bakery. While there’s no official final day set, the shop will continue pared-down coffee service until a new tenant takes over its corner space at 3101 E. Baltimore Street. 

Reim launched Pie Time in 2015 with a $5,000 investment and a pickup truck at farmers markets before opening the Patterson Park cafe in 2020—his dream project built from the ground up throughout a two-year renovation. Known for flaky, seasonal pies including a famed crab pie, and espresso drinks, Pie Time carved out a loyal following before facing mounting challenges, including pandemic delays, rising competition, and, according to Reim, a saturated breakfast and pastry scene. “We were growing until late ’23, and then we stopped,” Reim said via email, “while we did get back about 20 weekday customers after Rize and Rest closed [across the street].”

This is in fact the end of pies for Reim, who said he’s embarking on a new career at the age of 40 and will no longer be a vendor at farmer markets. “[I’m] really going to miss that,” he said.  

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Little Hungarian Bake Shoppe: This new addition to Fleet Street near Patterson Park is exactly what it sounds like—a cozy spot to get a taste of Budapest by way of Baltimore. Stop by to enjoy Hungarian treats such as sweet-and-savory crepes (rolled, not folded) and kürtőskalács, or chimney cakes—the shop’s signature hand-rolled, hollow pastries made from sweet yeast dough. To get their shape, the cakes are baked on a rotating spit. Then, they’re either coated in sweets like cinnamon sugar and chocolate, or stuffed with savory meats and cheeses. The team also experiments with seasonal specials, like this week’s pumpkin cheesecake spread for dipping and pairing with coffee.

According to reporting by the Baltimore Business Journal, owner David Korrie, who lived in Budapest for a period, also uses the bakeshop as a way to give back. He partnered with Church World Services’ Neighbor Network to offer the bakery building’s back apartment to a Ukrainian refugee family displaced from the ongoing war with Russia, who will also be offered employment at the shop. “It’s for a cause,” he told the BBJ. “That has driven me to keep throwing my retirement savings into this.”

COMING SOON

The Chicken Lab: Harbor Point—the development boasting retail, offices, and greenspace in between Harbor East and Fells Point—is welcoming yet another restaurant next week. Joining neighbors like Honeygrow, Attman’s, and Ceremony Coffee, The Chicken Lab will begin offering its sweet-and-spicy crispy fried chicken to the area on Monday, Sept. 29. 

“We’re thrilled to open the doors to our new location and share the bold, flavorful dishes of South Korea with this new community,” Na Yi, co-owner of The Chicken Lab and Charm City Poke & Mochi (which also operates in Harbor Point’s Constellation building) said in a release.

Diners might be familiar with the two other Chicken Lab locations in Towson and Cross Street Market. The menu on the waterfront will be similar, featuring the spot’s famed double-fried, Korean-style chicken doused in its signature sauce, alongside rice bowls, sandwiches, and grab-and-go options. 

NEWS

Chef Cat on Hell’s Kitchen: If you haven’t already, read through our exclusive interview with Chef Catina Smith about her time competing on the new season of Hell’s Kitchen, which premieres tonight on FOX. Smith, the co-founder of community incubator Our Time Kitchen in Old Goucher, has long been a champion for the Charm City food scene. Fun fact: In a way, she manifested that she’d make it onto the show, made famous by its fiery host Gordon Ramsey: “What’s crazy is that I literally wrote a culinary bucket list a few years ago,” Smith tells us, “and being on Hell’s Kitchen was on that list.” Read more, here, and head to The Empanada Lady downtown tonight to cheer on Chef Cat at the official premiere watch party.

CH-CH CHANGES 

New Season, New Flavors at Dutch Courage: As the seasons change, it’s customary for restaurants to roll out new menus. But the new food offerings at this Old Goucher gin bar are really elevating its profile. “People think of us as a cocktail bar, but we have definitely transformed into a fine bar and restaurant,” says co-owner Brendan Dorr. 

Chef Pete Davis is leading the charge from behind the line, where new dishes include The Bird—a seared duck breast entree with smoked parsnip purée, poached cipollini onions, and a honey balsamic glaze—as well as the Fig, Prosciutto & Pomegranate small plate topped with whipped goat cheese and rosemary maple drizzle.

Of course, there’s also a fresh fleet of cocktails to pair with the new menu, like bartender Rich Desire’s Cybertruck Destroyer (a smoky, tomato-forward drink—tomato cocktails are trending!—made with two gins, finocchietto, and roasted garlic honey syrup, balanced with lime and a hatch-fennel-tomato tincture) and general manager Chris Woods’ fruity and spicy Purple Rain.

EPICUREAN EVENTS 

Negroni Week 2025: This weekend marks the tail end of Negroni Week, an international event in which bars and restaurants spotlight the bittersweet Italian spirit. More than 50 local spots are signed on to shake and stir their takes on the iconic gin-Campari cocktail, with proceeds benefiting global and local charities. The aforementioned Dutch Courage is one of them, as well as Little Italy’s Sisu Bar & Bottles—which is going big with a Negroni tower in collaboration with Hayman’s Gin. From sleek cocktail dens (Blooms and RYE) to neighborhood faves (Southpaw), you’ll find more Negroni specials across the city through Sept. 28. See the full list, here. 

The Wine Source Celebrates One Year Co-Op Anniversary: If your weekly stop into The Wine Source in Hampden feels a little extra festive in the next few days, here’s why: The beloved spirits shop is celebrating one year since becoming a worker-owned cooperative. In the spirit of community, the shop’s worker-owners have organized for other local brands to pop-up with daily tastings and giveaways Sept. 30-Oct. 4. Look out for visitors such as Sophomore Coffee, Baltimore Spirits Co., The Wine Collective, Hex Ferments, Neopol Smokery, and others throughout the week.

SHUT

Morning Mugs in Locust Point: Just one year after opening in the neighborhood, Morning Mugs Coffee served its last cups of joe on Beason Street in Locust Point on Saturday, Sept. 13. Known for creative lattes like French toast and strawberry-coconut—as well as breakfast burritos and pastries—the cafe (whose Federal Hill flagship is still going strong) has also gained a following for its playful “guess the mug color” promotion that rewards winners with a 10 percent off coupon.

Owner Tyler DellaRatta shared the news on Instagram, calling the closure “unfortunate news, and not what we planned.” DellaRatta shared that the Beason Street location operated under a licensing agreement, and the decision was mutual among business partners. Again, the closure won’t affect Morning Mugs in Fed Hill, where “the coffee, the color-guessing game, and the good vibes are all waiting for you,” DellaRatta wrote. 

As for the Locust Point shop, SouthBmore.com recently reported that it’s being taken over by neighborhood resident and former Morning Mugs manager Morgan Rosser and her father, restaurateur Steve Rosser. Slated to open early next month, the shop, dubbed Cool Beans, will offer Locust Point’s Pfefferkorn’s Coffee, as well as breakfast and lunch items.

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Mr. Bingsoo: This popular Korean shaved ice shop is back in business after a year-long closure. Known for its namesake creations piled high with fruit and condensed milk, Mr. Bingsoo has revamped its Fells Point shop just in time for late summer. In Korea, there’s a saying, “fight cold with cold, and heat with heat,” which means that an icy bingsoo can be just as enjoyable in the winter as it is on a sweltering summer day.

Now under new management—operators also own nearby Kippo Ramen and Ramen Utsuke in the Inner Harbor—the spot quietly reopened on Aug. 22 at 522 S. Broadway. While many of the original menu staples—including the fruit-topped bingsoo, taiyaki (Japanese fish-shaped cakes), and Japanese-style fruit sandwiches—remain, there are plans to add more treats like crepes and bakery items soon. Former owner Daniel Kim has stayed on as a consultant during the transition, and longtime fans have already begun flocking back. 

Liv’s Tavern: Speaking of the flock, a new era has begun for Ravens fans in Federal Hill. Carrying the torch lit by Mother’s—a game-day institution for nearly 30 years—Liv’s Tavern is now open and taking reservations at 1113 S. Charles Street, just in time for the birds home opener against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. An official grand opening is set for Friday, Sept. 26.

The refreshed concept comes from White Oak Hospitality—the team behind Wayward next door and Banditos, which operated across the street for 14 years. It’s named after co-owner Sean White’s daughter, Liv, whose resilience while battling leukemia inspired the spot. The reimagined tavern is meant to carry her joyful spirit forward, with a refreshed look and an upgraded Purple Patio that promises to remain the heartbeat of game-day celebrations.

No Land Beyond: ICYMI, the city’s first board game bar has officially debuted its new Station North home—inside an old funeral parlor connected to Graffiti Alley—and it’s ready to show it off. No Land Beyond will host a grand opening Oct. 3–5, inviting gamers to explore the expanded space filled with hundreds of titles, ample seating, and a refreshed cocktail list. In the interim, you can still visit while the team is in soft opening mode. A $5 table fee grants access to the bar’s massive game library. Plus, you can order from the full bar and kitchen menu curated by chef Casey Jarvis of Glizzys Wagyu Dogs. Post-grand opening, the owners plan to offer lunch service and waive the $5 cover during midday hours. 

NEWS

The Wren Tops The New York Times Best New Restaurant List: Shoutout to The New York Times for amplifying to the country what we already know: Baltimore has some of the best restaurants out there. This week, The Wren in Fells Point (read our full review, here) was named by the publication’s dining critics as one of the 50 Best Restaurants in America. “A perfect pub requires excellent draft beers, exquisite cocktails, great whiskeys, a few well-chosen wines, and food prepared with superb ingredients and meticulous care,” wrote The Times’ Eric Asimov. “The Wren must have been taking notes.” The writeup goes on to praise chef Will Mester’s rotating seasonal creations like duck rillettes, beef-and-ale pie, and a spring onion omelet.

CH-CH-CHANGES

Artifact Coffee: There’s a new chapter brewing at Artifact in Hampden. Opened in 2012 by then husband-and-wife duo Spike and Amy Gjerde, the café is now solely owned by Amy, following the couple’s separation in both marriage and business. Recent legal proceedings prompted the shift, with Spike retaining Woodberry Tavern while Amy takes full ownership of Artifact. Known for its Counter Culture coffee program and locally sourced menu, the Union Avenue spot isn’t changing overnight—but Amy says she’s eager to bring her own touch to the shop, from new furniture to additional events. While Spike’s Greenhouse sandwich may be phased out, the ethos of thoughtful food and hospitality remains. “It’s only going to get better,” Amy recently told The Banner.

Papillons Cocoon: Downtown’s Papillons Café, now called Papillons Cocoon, has moved one block from St. Paul Street to a new home at 10 North Calvert Street. The restaurant has embraced a moodier, speakeasy-inspired vibe in its relocation and rebrand, while keeping its signature French flair. Owners Monica and Larry Lee say the larger space—formerly Panther Bar—offers more foot traffic and room for events like brunch, karaoke, and open mic nights. They’re also offering a new membership program that highlights perks like VIP lounge access and exclusive event invites. On the menu, lighter bites like truffle fries and crab dip join mains including shrimp and grits, steak bites, and lamb chops.

EPICUREAN EVENTS 

10/9: True Chesapeake x Old Westminster Brine Launch Party
Old Westminster Winery has debuted Brine, a crisp Vinho Verde–style blend created in tribute to the Chesapeake and its oysters. And what better pairing for a wine that honors oysters than the actual bivalves themselves? To celebrate, Old Westminster is teaming up with True Chesapeake Oyster Co. for a launch party at the Hampden restaurant on Thursday, Oct. 9.

A $70 ticket includes bottomless pours and oysters, plus heavy hors d’oeuvres from chef Zack Mills of True Chesapeake and chef Tae Strain—Old Westminster’s executive chef partner who is also helming the menu at its newly opened sister farm, Burnt Hill, in Montgomery County. A dollar from every bottle of Brine—a mission-driven blend adhering to the sustainable ethos of both Old Westminster and True Chesapeake—sold will support the Oyster Recovery Partnership, which leads major restoration efforts across the Bay. 

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Teavolve Cafe: After nearly two decades, Teavolve Cafe will pour its final coffees and teas in Harbor East on Sept. 19. Owners Sunni Gilliam and Mondel “Del” Powell opened the concept in Fells Point in 2005 before relocating to Aliceanna Street in 2008, where the cafe pre-dated the many other dining destinations that now surround it in Harbor East and Harbor Point. Throughout the years, Teavolve was known not only as a reliable coffee and food spot for a meal or meeting, but also for its lively open mics and music showcases.

The pandemic shifted the business into a scaled-back café model, but it remained a beloved fixture through neighborhood change, recessions, and construction. The owners announced the closure in a heartfelt message posted to Instagram, which thanked customers. “While this journey is coming to an end, the bonds we’ve forged will endure,” the post reads. “We are so grateful for every warm smile, every shared story, and the privilege of being a part of your dining experience.” 

MOD Pizza: This build-your-own pizza chain has closed its doors after nearly a decade at The Rotunda in Hampden. The Seattle-based brand—one of the pioneers of the fast-casual, DIY pizza model—quietly shuttered in August, joining more than two dozen closures nationwide over the past year. With no other Baltimore City locations remaining, fans of MOD’s customizable pies will have to take a ride to Towson or Owings Mills. There’s no word yet on what will fill the void in the Rotunda’s restaurant lineup. 

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À Demain Cafe: This cozy, 800-square-foot cafe with a brunch-forward menu is the latest to join the eateries on the Avenue in Hampden. Now open Tuesday-Saturday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., the French-inspired spot (its name translates to “see you tomorrow”) comes from Korean-American owner Christian Yoo, who was prompted to check out the available space (formerly Jerk Taco) through a friend. After taking a first look, he thought, “I can work with this.” 

“I didn’t see a cafe like this in the area,” Yoo states, explaining his raison d’être. 

While the menu skews more European—highlighting coffees and teas; colorful toasts; pastries (croissant waffle and cookie hybrids with sweet toppings); and classics like a Croque Monsieur and Quiche Lorraine—Yoo’s heritage is incorporated into unique items like the Bulgogi Melt on sourdough.

Yoo says the name À Demain solidifies his vision of creating a welcoming and comfortable place, like visiting a friend and hoping you will see each other again tomorrow. The interior also furthers the vibe, with an antique French cottage feel. 

CH-CH CHANGES 

Water Song Yunnan Kitchen: The five-year-old Fed Hill spot has become known throughout the years for its dishes (faves include chili wontons, lemongrass ribs, and comforting rice noodle bowls at varying spice levels) inspired by owner Colin Liang’s family roots in the Yunnan province of Southwestern China, bordering Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam. 

This month, Liang is switching things up a bit, as market conditions change and tariffs raise prices for certain Chinese ingredients. He recently launched a Chinese-Mexican fusion menu, which is featured in a new $25 all-you-can-eat lunch special available Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., with a 90-minute time limit. Offerings include bulgogi tacos, seafood-filled flautas, wings, and rice dishes.

Chinese-Mexican fusion originated in Mexicali, Mexico, where a large Chinese population influenced the local food and created a celebrated culinary tradition. The support for the menu also comes from Dayana Gaméz, Water Song’s manager who hails from Honduras and has been with Liang since day one. A perfect example of their shared influences is the fried branzino, a new take on the OG grilled version with a Yunnan dipping sauce. The fried fish is topped with a salsa verde-inspired potato and mirin sauce with fresh cilantro, lime, and chopped red chilis.

NEWS

Bark Social is Back: Canton’s beloved dog park–meets–beer garden has returned with a new leash on life. After the former owners filed for bankruptcy last year—and subsequently left members and their pups heartbroken—local entrepreneur and Canton resident Brad Notaro swooped in to save the spot and it officially reopened last week.

The new “chief dog officer,” who has two Goldendoodles, Ollie and Luna, has revamped the hangout with a new menu of healthy bites, dog-themed drinks, and even new dog suites for day camp. Local beer events also seem to be a trend, with Mystique Barrel Brewing and Diamondback Beer having taken over taps in the first week back. Membership fees ticked up a bit, but entry for humans remains free. The Columbia location is slated to return this fall.

EPICUREAN EVENTS

8/24: Cloudy Donuts Pop-Up 
Though the Baltimore-born donut shop no longer has a permanent space here (the team moved operations to New York City last spring), founder Derrick Faulcon has made it clear that his hometown is always on his mind. As such, he’s making a sweet comeback this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Cloudy Donuts’ old home on Harford Rd.

Expect a mix of Cloudy classics and new indulgences, including Basil Olive Oil, Chocolate Cherry Espresso, and Raspberry Rosé donuts, plus lemon-pistachio cinnamon rolls and lemon-blueberry pound cakes. You can get a little taste of everything with a “Favorite Things” box, filled with one cinnamon roll, a pound cake, and two donuts for $20. Walk-ins are welcome, but preorders are the surest way to score. Call 347-463-9628 to reserve. 4311 Harford Rd. 

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Mount Vernon Marketplace: Before Baltimore had R. House, The Mill on North, or the now-renovated Cross Street, Lexington, Broadway, and Hollins public markets, we had Mount Vernon Marketplace. Though Baltimore Public Markets had been a staple for decades (some even centuries), when it first opened in October 2015—anchored by early tenants like The Local Oyster and Pinch Dumplings—the mixed-use space reinvigorated diners’ curiosity about sampling multiple cuisines under one roof. 

Now, after years of dwindling stalls, pandemic pressures, and the 2023 death of original operator Michael Klein, the 15,000-square-foot hub is set to close on August 31. The owners with Mt. Vernon-based investment firm Washington Place Equities call it a “pause” with no new plans yet. But they shared on Instagram this week that they’re brainstorming new ways to activate the space for the community in the future.

For many, the closure marks the end of an era. Vendors like Yuzu Ramen, Brown Rice, and Poke 2 U are searching for new homes, while alumni (like Nick Schauman of The Local Oyster, Tim “Chyno” Chin of Pinch Dumplings, Andrew Cole of Cultured, and Ferhat Yalçin of Fishnet) remember the marketplace as a significant part of their food journeys. Once buzzing with possibility, the hall is now a quiet reminder of how quickly dining trends—and neighborhoods—can change.

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Raffy’s on 36th: A new chapter for pizza lovers seeking out slices on the Avenue in Hampden has officially begun. Raffy’s on 36th opens this Friday, August 8, taking over the longtime home of former pie palace, The Arthouse. Led by local hospitality veterans Christopher Paternotte, Josh Mente, and Jesse Vann (also behind the Hampden Yards beer garden across the street), Raffy’s collabs with Ovenbird Bakery for its signature sourdough crust, elevating wood-fired pies like the Spicy Blueberry & Brie (an ode to Arthouse) or the Primavera with Lion’s Mane mushrooms. The menu also offers shareable plates like crispy Parmigiano potatoes on beetroot puree, smashed artichokes with ricotta, and elevated Italian sandwiches. To wash it all down, Baltimore bartender Shaun Stewart has curated a beverage program featuring cocktails, beers, and special pizza pairings by The Wine Collective. 

Wonder: A new type of food hall is taking root in Canton this fall. We’ve become accustomed to our local public markets that spotlight budding food businesses. But this one, dubbed Wonder, will unite celebrity chef’s concepts under one roof. Founded by March Lore, an entrepreneur and former CEO at Walmart, the rapidly growing, delivery-focused food hall chain has 50 locations across New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. It’s readying to open in the former UNO Pizzeria & Grill on Boston Street, where it will house 20 different options by celebrity chefs like Bobby Flay and José Andrés. 

NEWS

Downtown Partnership Provides Financial Support to Restaurants: Downtown Partnership of Baltimore (DPOB) recently dropped $1 million in new grants to 22 local food businesses through its Baltimore Culinary Exchange program, part of the Mayor’s Downtown RISE initiative. The funding—grants ranging from $8K to $160K—backs both operating costs and property upgrades, giving a serious boost to selected restaurants across the 106-block Downtown Management Authority district.

Fourteen of the awardees are existing businesses, while eight are new concepts. The recipients also include 18 minority-owned and nine woman-owned businesses, with several moving into long-vacant spaces primed for revival. Among the grantees are Joyhound Beer Co., Refocused Vegan, Toki Underground, The Empanada Lady, and Blue Island Malaysian Cuisine. 

EPICUREAN EVENTS

TO 8/9: Po Boys Pop-up at The Wren
The Wren pub in Fells Point is adding a special pop-up menu to its handwritten chalkboard list of European country cooking this month. Continuing through Saturday, bar manager Adam Estes is trading in his jiggers for an apron, cooking up a Creole Southern-inspired menu featuring three different po boys, including roast beef au jus and Andouille sausage. Also be on the lookout for deviled eggs, barbecue shrimp, and mud pie to round it all out. 

8/16: Natty Boh Lookalike Contest at R. House
Natty Boh is a bohemian beer, yes, but it’s also a lifestyle. To celebrate 140 years of this Baltimore staple, Natty Boh, along with Chesapeake Beverage Co. and R. House, are throwing a Mr. Boh Lookalike Competition at the Remington food hall on Aug. 16 at 2 p.m. The best Boh-influenced costumes (‘staches encouraged) will win you a basket of specialty 140th-anniversary items from Route One Apparel. 

SHUT 

Crust by Mack: In a heartfelt video announcement posted to Instagram this week, baker, business owner, and all-around Charm City champion Amanda Mack tearfully shared that she’s stepping away from the business she has built with love, flour, and family for the past seven years. As she supports her grandmother—heavily credited as the inspiration for her business—through health struggles, Mack announced that her Harborplace retail shop will close for good after service this Saturday, August 9. (Catering and events will continue through 2026 with Mack’s business partner at the helm.)

Crust began in 2018 as a pop-up, inspired by Mack’s grandmother’s pie recipe, and grew into a celebrated bakery with lines out the door for its crab pies and handmade pastries. Along the way, Mack has always emphasized her love for Baltimore, from fundraising for local causes to supporting the community through partnerships like CHUCG-Black Yield. As she put it in her video message: “There’s beauty in endings, because they always lead to new beginnings.”

Papi Cuisine: Papi Cuisine, known for its crab cake egg rolls and Afro-Latin fusion dishes, has shuttered its doors in South Baltimore. Chef and co-owner Alex Perez announced the closure via an Instagram reel, redirecting patrons to Proper Cuisine on Redwood Street downtown, which is operated by his business partner Berry Clark. While the two restaurants aren’t formally connected, they share similar vibes and menu DNA, and the pair remain on good terms. There’s no word yet on what will become of the restaurant space on E. Wells Street, which has also been home to spots like Minnow and The Hot Dry. 

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Pusser’s Landing Lighthouse Point Marina: This 30-year Annapolis mainstay closed at its longtime home along Ego Alley last year after failed lease negotiations, but this week, it officially started its second act at a new home in Canton. Filling the waterfront dining gap left by Bo Brooks in 2022, Pusser’s experienced a few delays from the liquor board, but it’s now open and ready to serve its Maryland-inspired fare (think: crab cakes, pit beef sandwiches, and steamed shrimp) paired with its famous fruity rum Painkillers and Orange Crushes. The indoor-outdoor space—with seating for 500 including a floating dock bar—highlights the spot’s history with touches like its hand-carved bar imported from Wales that had been a centerpiece of Pusser’s in Annapolis since it opened in 1994. 

Bellini’s Harborview: It goes without saying that Baltimore loves a waterfront cocktail bar. This was the raison d’être for Bellini’s Harborview, a new spot for spritzes and snacks with prime views off of Key Highway. And thanks to a partnership with its neighbor Di Pasquale’s, you can take your taste buds on a trip to Italy without leaving the Inner Harbor. Pair antipasti and focaccia sandwiches with Aperol spritzes, sparkling wines, and the namesake bellinis. Saluti! 

Sisu Bar & Bottles: Speaking of worldly watering holes, Little Italy recently welcomed this wine and sprits shop in the longtime home of Joe Benny’s on South High Street. Opened earlier this summer, the concept comes from couple Chris Peters and Kate Huffton (with two investors), who moved from Philadelphia to live in the building next door in pursuit of their dreams of operating a bar with rotating biodynamic wines.

“It’s a farm bar,” says Peters, whose dedication is clear. (He can tell you about the maker or distributor of every single bottle in stock.) When asked why the couple choose a rotating menu format—understandably much more work than standing offerings—Peters responded jovially, “because it’s fun.” 

Sisu has already become an industry hangout and a go-to for neighbors, pouring wine and bubbles by the glass, beers, house cocktails, espresso, NA drinks, and even DIY gin and tonics—which allow patrons to choose from a list of more than 10 gin varieties. Another highlight is the charcuterie boards with accouterments sourced from local farmers markets. Keeping it in the family, Peters’ son, Axl—a gourmand of gelato—is in charge of dessert, curating rotating Italian flavors to match the bar’s theme. 

Nine Tailed Fox: There’s been so much new life breathed into the Village of Cross Keys recently, the latest addition being this new Asian-inspired eatery from Atlas Restaurant Group. Inspired by regional Chinese specialties, chef of Asian Cuisine Timur Fazilov and executive chef Jeffrey Mei present dishes such as Peking duck, cumin lamb, salt and pepper prawns, crispy eggplant, and Singapore-style vermicelli noodles. There’s also some Maryland fusion, in options such as the crab and sweet corn soup and Szechuan-style whole rockfish. The concept was sparked from its namesake fox, a powerful mythological creature that symbolizes transformation, wisdom, and longevity. The restaurant is open for lunch, and unlike other Atlas locations, it offers takeout.

Ovenbird Bakery: A week ago, Keiller Kyle and his wife Nadire Duru debuted their long awaited third bakeshop at the Rotunda in Hampden. The 1,400-square-foot space is a combination of their OG spot in Little Italy and their central production hub in Highlandtown, where they bake their signature sourdough sourced to local restaurants. The team says most of the preparations (favorites include the sourdough loaves, plus baguettes, ciabatta, danishes, croissants, cookies, and cakes) will be done at the Highlandtown location, with some items fresh baked daily in Hampden. Similar to Highlandtown, the decor at the new cafe is an homage to Duru’s Turkish heritage, with a textile mural and an Ottoman ceiling chandelier. 

COMING SOON: 

The Birdhouse: There’s been some back-and-forth about the fate of the former Bullpen, sandwiched between Pickle’s and Section 771 on the famed stretch of sports bars that sit directly across the street from Camden Yards. But The Birdhouse is slated to officially take over on August 1, just in time for the Savannah Bananas (the viral exhibition team known for their flashy banana-yellow uniforms and choreographed dances) to take over Birdland for a weekend. Helmed by owner Jesse Vann, a lifelong Orioles and Ravens fan, the bar will be a new pre- and post-game perch with plenty of requisite Boh and daily specials. 

Vivian’s: Recently, we let you know that Rize + Rest owner Randall Matthews had shuttered his eatery in Patterson Park, and a new concept was forthcoming. Now, it’s been revealed that Kitsch owner Jackie Mearman—who oversees her two cafes in Tuscany-Canterbury and at R. House—will open a new concept called Vivian’s in the space. Named after Mearman’s grandmother, the vintage charm-inspired eatery will serve batch-roasted coffee and brunch during the day, and transform with small bites and charcuterie boards evoking “grandma’s sunroom” at night. A grand opening is slated for September. 

EPICUREAN EVENTS

7/25-8/3: Baltimore Restaurant Week
It’s that time of year again. The summer iteration of Baltimore Restaurant week is back with more than 65 dining establishments offering all types of cuisines. If you’ve never participated, here’s how it works: expect to see prix-fixe menus ranging from $25-55, which feature both special dishes and classics that the restaurants are known for. Newcomers to Restaurant Week this year include Luna Oaxaca Cocina Moderna (which opened a few months ago in the Village of Cross Keys) and Midlina, the global fusion restaurant that debuted on Boston Street earlier this year. 

7/29-8/3: Guinness Turns 7
To mark its lucky seven-year anniversary next week, the team at Guinness in Halethorpe is going all out with a ticketed beer dinner, Guinness-themed trivia, an outdoor movie on the lawn, and a weekend of carnival games (dunk-a-brewer, anyone?) and live music. And, of course, no Guinness birthday would be complete without special releases. All week long, sip on the limited 7th Anniversary mule-inspired ale with notes of spicy ginger and lime, as well as the Homegrown lager brewed with ingredients from local growers like Apex honey, Wight Tea, and Bear Branch barley. Proceeds from the latter will benefit Back River Restoration Committee, a nonprofit that works to restore the health of the Baltimore County tidal estuary that flows into the Chesapeake.

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RegionAle: Alas, the Ellicott City-founded chain—known for its stacked sandwiches and self-serve beer wall—closed its location at the Canton Can Company this week. For five years, the shop offered its takes on signature sandos from different cities (everything from Cubanos to lobster rolls) and operated as a ghost kitchen for Ginger’s Hot Chicken. Luckily, the OG storefront in Ellicott City and the Annapolis cafe are still going strong. 

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Milloh!: Maybe it’s a twin thing, maybe it’s inherently the road you take when your family is in the restaurant business. Elmer Rodgriguez, the younger twin brother to Marvin by seven minutes, grew up making pupusas and other Salvadoran specialties at his parents’ El Paraiso in Reisterstown. Recently, the restaurant sold to new owners, but the menu will remain largely the same, with the Rodriguez’s helping to facilitate the transition.

Meanwhile, as their parents ready for retirement, Elmer and his siblings are branching out, but remaining true to their culinary passion. As twins, Elmer and Marvin—the chef behind Aru Aru’s modern Latin American street food at the Fells Point Farmers Market—have worked closely since they were little, but instead of “co-mingling our ideas together,” the duo now operate separate stalls in two separate farmers markets. Their oldest brother, Edgar, is a pastry chef. 

For Elmer’s part, after he and his wife, Salvadorian native Alejandra Marroquin, got married in October, they took a trip to Argentina and Chile that inspired them to open Milloh!—an Argentine-based fusion concept with gourmet drinks using single-source matcha from Japan. A play on the Spanish word for honeymoon (luna de miel), the couple took the word and added the expression of excitement (“oh!”) to solidify their new brand.

Now up and running at the Reisterstown Farmers Market (Sundays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.), Milloh! offers a menu with a brunch feel, including a Brazilian take on avocado toast and a pork sausage topped with kewpie and pickled red onion. There are also Argentine items like jarred chimichurri and alfajores cookies. On the drink side, in addition to their oat milk matcha topped with cold foam, the duo also pours horchata, a classic rice-based cinnamon drink from the family restaurant—which can be mixed with the Japanese matcha for their unique Matchata.

You can catch Milloh! at the Franklin Middle School farmers market until the season ends on September 28. Beyond that, the owners are hoping to take Milloh! mobile.

Bodega & Vino: Taking over the former Serenity Wine Cafe on Hull Street in Locust Point (remember those self-serve taps?), husband-and-wife owners Rob and Angela Wainwright officially opened Bodega & Vino over the holiday weekend. Paying homage to her Puerto Rican upbringing, the shop is an ode to the New York City bodegas that Angela frequented growing up in the Bronx.

Here, the store will be stocked with pre-made sandwiches and salads; grocery staples like produce and eggs; and local offerings like fresh bread from Kneads and Taharka Brothers ice cream. Of course, there’s also wine, beer, and sangria. You can grab a bottle to-go, or stick around to enjoy a glass (or a coffee) while sampling the Puerto Rican-focused hot food menu, including picadillo, empanadas, and plantains. The spot is open daily except for Sundays.

The Concession Stand: After hosting countless visiting food pop-ups throughout the years, Peabody Heights has finally launched a food truck of its own. The team (who shared the news in a satirical social post that seemed to throw a little shade at their former food truck partner Fuzzies—iykyk) named the truck The Concession Stand, as a nod to Peabody’s location on the site of Old Oriole Park. Helmed by veteran chef Anthony Lanasa, the Korean-inspired menu highlights bibimbap, kimchi dumplings, japchae, pork belly in a gochujang glaze, and Korean fried chicken sandwiches, plus meatless and gluten-free options. Hours are 4-9 p.m. Wednesday to Friday; 12-9 p.m. on Saturdays; and 12-8 p.m. on Sundays. 

EPICUREAN EVENTS 

7/11: The Cocktail Coach
The Club Car might be named after the luxe form of train travel, but this week, the queer-owned bar and arts venue in Station North is taking patrons on a bar crawl by bus. Purchase a $10 wristband and climb aboard the private coach to enjoy 20 percent off drinks at Spirits of Mount Vernon, The Brewers Art, The Club Car, No Land Beyond, and Leon’s. (“First Class Passports” may be purchased for $75, which includes one free drink at each stop.) The event is a great way to support a handful of local LGBTQ+-friendly spots in one night, all for less than the cost of a one-way rideshare.  

7/14: Origins 3.0: What is a Restaurant For? 
Chef Spike Gjerde’s longstanding speaker series—which is now also a recorded podcast—returns with another intimate conversation about food, community, and local sourcing at Woodberry Tavern. This month, Gjerde will be joined by fellow chef-restaurateurs Damian Mosley of Blacksauce Kitchen and Will Mester of Le Comptoir du Vin and The Wren. Together, they will discuss the changing landscape of the industry and why it’s so important for them to stay in the game as it gets harder and harder for local restaurants to thrive. 

In keeping with tradition, the evening will feature a communal meal inspired by the evening’s speakers. Included in the ticket price are sparkling wine, beer, and NA beverages; welcome snacks; and a buffet featuring Mosley’s brisket, Mester’s Bollito misto (comforting boiled meats with accompanying sauces), and Gjerde’s seasonal veggies.

7/19: Woodberry Fête de Vélo 
Speaking of Woodberry, the team is back with another European cycling watch party in honor of the Tour de France. This free entry, three-hour event starts at 2 p.m. with vendors like local bicycle company Cutlass Velo and Diamondback Brewing Company pouring their French saison. Other on-theme eats and drinks will include French wines, baguette sandwiches, rosemary-garlic frites, and crepes for purchase, as well as frosé blended from a pedal-powdered bike. 

7/20-7/27: Christmas in July at The Undefeated
Helmed by bar manager Zakaria El-Dahabi, the cocktails at this Key West-themed watering hole in Fells Point are balanced with a hint of science from El-Dahabi’s former career in biochemistry. This month, from July 20-27, the drink menu will give Christmas with options like a classic coffee-forward Carajillo made with Licor 43 (which just might de-throne the espresso martini this summer); the Snowbird, a horchata-based piña colada; and Papa Hemingway, a nod to the theme of the bar and Father Christmas.

7/24: Sicilian Wine Dinner at Hersh’s
Marsala is often seen as a cooking wine, but local importer and distributor Russ Lorber of Wide Roots is trying to change that perception. Lorber is currently importing Florio Marsala, the Marsala wine originally made by Vincenzo Florio almost 200 years ago—whose history dates back to Napoleonic times when imports of Sherry and Madeira were closed off in Italy. At Hersh’s on July 24, join Lorber for a four-course dinner ($130) aimed at introducing diners to the versatility of Marsala, as well as other Sicilian wines. Traditional dishes will feature seafood, eggplant, almond, pistachios, capers, and arancini, all with expert vino pairings from Mt. Washington Wine & Spirits.

7/31: Camp Small Beer Closing Celebration Happy Hour
Throughout July, you can drink a beer and clean up debris without lifting a finger. Hampden’s Union Craft Brewing has partnered with neighboring Camp Small—a zero-waste sorting and reclamation facility for tree debris managed by the forestry division of Recreation and Parks—to launch Camp Small Beer, a 2.8 percent ABV, slightly hazy pale ale for the summer days ahead. (The name is a play on a “Small Beer,” which is typically a lager or ale containing a lower ABV.) In the taproom this month, be sure to round up your bar tab to donate to Camp Small’s mission. Mark your calendar for a closing party on July 31 at 4 p.m. to celebrate friends, trees, good beer, and community sustainability.  

8/23-8/24: Maryland Vegan Eats Summer Fest
As Maryland Vegan Restaurant Month comes back around in August, eateries all over town are cooking up ideas for the dairy-free dishes that will be on special throughout the month. New this year, the organizers with Maryland Vegan Eats are also introducing a two-day festival at Power Plant Live. There, diners can sample bites from more than 30 vegan vendors, sit in on cooking demos, listen to expert speakers, and groove to live music. Tickets range from $16-50 and are on sale now. 

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Sacré Sucré Introduces Dinner Service: Owners Manuel Sanchez and Dane Thibodeaux are expanding their Fells Point bakery’s menu and hours this week to include casual dinner service, centered around sourdough pizzas, Thursday through Sunday from 6-10 p.m.

“It will be personal pizzas that resemble more of a Neapolitan pizza, but we are not calling it classic Neapolitan,” says Sanchez. “We were going to go for more Detroit-style or deep dish, but we wanted to use the ovens that we have for the bakery.”

The new dinner offerings will feature five pizzas—including a French pizza with anchovies, olives, and caramelized onions—in addition to a roster of Spanish, Italian, and French appetizers. Think: charcuterie, patatas bravas, Gildas (thin green peppers, olives, and anchovies threaded on a skewer), and burrata and pesto. Desserts will include the pastry shop’s signature macarons and soft serve.

The inspiration behind serving pizza came, in part, from the fact that the basement of the building had a disassembled pizza oven from a previous owner. “This building was Lucky Buns before we took over,” says Sanchez. “But before Lucky Buns, it was fully built out to be a pizza place—and then COVID hit. When we moved in and purchased the building, we got all the equipment and had a pizza oven sitting on our floor.”

After obtaining a liquor license in February, Sanchez and Thibodeaux knew they needed to provide food to go with their menu of natural wines and beers.

“I was like, ‘We have this oven,’ and I started thinking about getting it working,” says Sanchez. Eventually, the couple contacted the manufacturer to get the oven back in working order. “We figured we had all these parts, so we were either going to try to sell them or they were just going to stay here forever taking up space.”

Tacos Matahambre Pops Up for Breakfast at Toki Underground: Typically, the Greenmount Avenue ramen restaurant doesn’t open its doors until dinner service. But a new breakfast pop-up will begin activating the space on weekends from 8-11:30 a.m. beginning this Saturday, June 28. Dubbed Tacos Matahambre, the morning concept will offer $4 tortillas filled with combos of beans, smoked bacon, braised shiitake, eggs, potatoes, and cheese. Add-ons will include sides of beans and pico, plus iced coffees, frescas, and Micheladas. 

NEWS

Cocina Luchadoras Rolls Up to Waverly Brewing: Since the shuttering of her brick and mortar taco shop in Upper Fells Point due to rental costs, owner Rosalyn Vera has been figuring out what’s next for the city’s beloved Cocina Luchadores. After a short residency with newly minted Meander, which took over the former Bar 1801 in Upper Fells, Vera has more permanent operations on the horizon—this time in a vintage Volkswagen bus. 

“I was born in the ’70s and keep trying to bring [the era] back,” Vera says. “The Volkswagen just brings so many memories, and we have the OG.” 

After five years of owning her VW bus, it was after a fateful dream that Vera decided to fix it up and operate her taqueria once more in a mobile format. After debuting last Friday at Waverly Brewing Company, Vera will now serve up tacos at the Hampden brewery every Friday throughout July from 5-9 p.m. 

Vera has also been doing pop-ups with Club Sonora, a Latinx mobile music club, at Mt. Vernon’s Stem and Vine in the last few weeks. She’s added tamales and paletas (locals might remember Vera’s Corazon Helado) to her menu, and has hopes for a breakfast service collab with other Hampden businesses like Good Neighbor. With the help of community funding, Vera is working to wrap the bus to showcase her iconic Luchadores brand, with pops of vibrant colors that will “come to a barrio near you.”

“I went through a low after the closing of the store,” Vera says. “It’s hard to see the place, but I have to keep on going and keep giving to Baltimore.”

Ekiben Drops Night Market Vendors: Now that the vendor list is out, this is your sign to buy your ticket for Ekiben’s Night Market on August 23—ASAP. The returning food fest, which will be held in Fells Point this year, will offer artists, makers, and a roster of more than 40 restaurants curated by the Ekiben owners—who obviously know good food. Among the local spots  participating are Clavel, Rooted Rotisserie, Café Dear Leon, Arepi, Ejji, Heady Juice Co., Mexican on the Run, La Cuchara, The Urban Oyster, Soul Smoked Hospitality, Barkada Breads, and Beye Beignets. But ticketholders will also be able to get their hands on treats from visiting spots like Reverie and Rose Avenue Bakery in D.C.

Charleston Finally Brings Home the Beard: ICYMI: Harbor East’s Charleston, the famed restaurant that Julia Child once dined at on a visit to Charm City, has finally won a James Beard Award. After 26 nods in a variety of categories dating back to 2006—including Chef Cindy Wolf for Best Chef: Mid Atlantic a total of 13 times—the restaurant was presented with the medal for Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program at the acclaimed ceremony in Chicago last week. 

Boasting 1,300 global wines, Charleston stands out with its versatile and flexible prix-fixe wine pairings, offering 25 menu items with 25 pairings every single day. Fittingly, celebrations for Charleston’s wine director Lindsay Willey were held at Petit Louis and Fadensonnen over the weekend. Read our Q&A with Willey, here. 

COMING SOON

Café Dear Leon: Good news for anyone who has ever braved the wait times at Café Dear Leon—the beloved Canton bakery that sees lines around the block most days of the week. The French-inspired patisserie recently announced that it’s expanding to take over the former JBGB’s in Remington, with an expected opening in the fall.

Founded by Korean Americans Cheolsoo Lee, Sungae Lee, and Min Kim, Café Dear Leon has a cult following, which spread even further when its crab dip bagel went viral. (Read more about the rich, savory treat that has attracted the interests of SZA and some big-deal content creators in our July crab cover story, on newsstands now.)

“The opportunity to open a location in Remington has been on our radar for a number of years—and when we saw this space, we felt it was perfect to expand our operations in a thriving community,” said Cheolsoo Lee, in a statement. 

Clocking in at close to 5,000-square-feet, the Howard Street eatery will still follow a similar “drop” schedule (with menu items baked from scratch daily), but finally allow for the team to offer a true cafe seating experience. Since the closing of JBGB’s in January 2024, the space has been a rotating door, of sorts, temporarily hosting Doppio Pasticceria (now on the corner of W. 29th and Remington Avenue) and currently Equitea, a hand-crafted matcha spot, which will relocate to 311 W. 28th Street in the neighborhood in the coming months.

The Daily Grind and Eggspectation Debuting at Baltimore Peninsula: The revitalization of the Baltimore Peninsula, the former Port Covington in South Baltimore, is still seeing massive investment. This Friday, June 27, Fells Point-born coffee institution The Daily Grind will cut the ribbon at its new 2,000-square-foot cafe in the area—marking its ninth in Baltimore. News also recently broke that global brunch brand, Eggspectation, is set to open at the ROOST hotel in 2026, joining the likes of Pinky Cole’s Slutty Vegan and Bar Vegan, Rye Street Tavern, and Baltimore’s first Ben & Jerry’s in the development. 

EPICUREAN EVENTS 

7/2-3: “Let’s Drain the Bar” at Cafe Campli
In April, owners Paul and Sam Mincarelli announced that their Abruzzo-focused homey Italian spot in Hamilton-Lauraville would be closing in preparation for an upcoming move to Italy, though they didn’t know exactly when last call would be. Now patrons can “say goodbye for real,” with a final “cin cin” at the bar on July 2 and 3 from 4-7 p.m., as the team tries to move final inventory items after officially closing on Sunday, June 29. 

7/4-7/5: Fourth of July Hot Dog-Eating Contests
Per Jennifer Coolidge, nothing screams the Fourth of July like a hot dog. With the famed Joey Chestnut returning to Coney Island this year, it seems hot dog eating competitions are a part of the zeitgeist again. If you’ve always wanted to see how many you can house, Baltimore has its own iterations of the Nathan’s tradition. Locally, Cross Street Market is hosting its annual Fourth of July bash, with $1,000 in it for the contest winner this year. At Huck’s in Canton on July 5, contestants will try to eat 10 hot dogs in 10 minutes. (Last year’s winner ate seven and a half in the allotted time.) 

7/6: Reggae Derrière at Le Comptoir du Vin
Sometimes the back bar of the nationally acclaimed Le Comptoir du Vin in Station North transforms into one of the coolest music venues in the city. On Sunday, July 6 from 2-7 p.m., DJs Brady Rall, Black Grealish, and Nosho will be serving up “daytime sonic explorations through lovers of rock, reggae, dub, and dancehall music.” This is a free event, but space is limited. Expect a unique bar menu and be ready to beat the heat with cool tunes. 

SHUT

San Pablo Tacos: The Mount Vernon street taco spot, which opened in 2020 and survived the pandemic, is no more—much to the frenzied laments of patrons on social media. The spot was perhaps best known for its massive burritos and Capri Sun-esque juice pouches filled with margaritas. No news yet on whether the team plans to open anything else anytime soon. 

Rize + Rest: Despite the “business and liquor license sale signs,” in March, chef-owner Randall Matthews assured regulars that Patterson Park’s Rize + Rest wasn’t going anywhere. Sadly, since then, the brick-and-mortar has closed, though Matthews says he will be back “serving deliciousness in no time.” So, what’s going into the old location on East Baltimore Street? While the new establishment isn’t quite ready for a public reveal, Matthews teases, “it’s another cafe…that has a few locations already, and they’re launching a new concept here.” Stay tuned as we follow this transition. 

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Paris Baguette: The K-Wave in Towson—which boasts Korean-inspired hotspots including Bonchon, KPot, and Chicken Lab—isn’t stopping anytime soon, with Paris Baguette set to open its first Baltimore location in the Towson Row development on June 14. For those familiar with Korean bakeries, Paris Baguette is a rival to Tous Le Jours, which currently operates stores in Ellicott City and throughout the DMV. The 3,500-square-foot cafe will offer French-style Korean baked goods, including egg salad sandos, mochi donuts, cream breads, fruit tarts, and the airy mousse cakes that have gone viral on social. 

BaoDi Restaurant & Bar: The Highlandtown community has been aflutter with the announcement of a new Chinese-American restaurant set to debut on Eastern Avenue in the coming weeks. Named BaoDi, the family-owned spot comes from Baltimore transplant Lucy Wang and her father, who was formerly a chef in Kentucky, where the family immigrated after Wang’s birth in Shenyang, China.

Diversifying the city’s Chinese cuisine—NiHao in Canton and Peter Chang in Upper Fells both serve Sichuan recipes—BaoDi will focus on dishes from Northern China, where noodles and carbs reign to fend off cold climates. But diners should also expect some fusion. (“Chinese Comfort Cuisine x American Chinese Classics,” reads Bao Di’s Instagram bio.) Stay tuned for updates. 

ICYMI

Empa511: From chef Jose Victorio Alarcon of downtown’s Peruvian prix-fixe restaurant, Puerto 511, comes this new empanada spinoff in Fells Point. Taking over the former Sofi’s Crepes on Thames Street, the fast-casual concept is now operating in full force, serving seven classic empanada fillings baked with a dough recipe passed down from Alarcon’s grandmother. (Among favorites is the Lomo Saltado, a take on a popular Peruvian and Asian-fusion beef stir fry dish, as well as the Tradicional—filled with meat, caramelized onions, olives, and raisins.)

There are also Peruvian drinks, like a housemade chica morada (a corn-based sip that’s light and refreshing) and the national soda of Peru, the Inca Kola. Read more about Alarcon’s journey to opening the spot, and his mission to keep the operation as sustainable as possible, here. 

Arepas Are Back at Alma Cocina Latina: Just in time for major neighborhood events this weekend—including Baltimore Pride, the Charles Street Promenade, and the Inviting Light opening—Station North’s Alma Cocina Latina will unveil a new takeout window specializing in arepas, the stuffed corn pockets of co-owner Irena Stein’s native Venezuela. The to-go service is a temporary way to hold over diners—who have long been asking for arepas to return to Alma’s menu—until the official opening of Candela, a standalone arepa spot adjacent to the restaurant, which is slated to open “very soon.” Get the full story, here.

NEWS:

Good Karma Creamery: A self-proclaimed “passion project from a mid-life crisis” by founder John Williams, Good Karma Creamery currently operates using a pick-up and delivery business model, releasing hand-made pints every two weeks. Now, the small-batch business is expanding its output with a new production facility in Columbia. Per a recent Instagram post, Williams is moving from 300 square feet to a 2,000-square-foot production space off of Red Branch Road, which means one thing: way more ice cream. If you aren’t familiar, some of Good Karma’s recent releases include: Full Court Pretz (pretzel ice cream with pretzel gravel, crunchy cookie, M&Ms, and salted caramel) and Sublime Key Lime Pie (vanilla bean ice cream with a Key Lime swirl and honey graham gravel). 

EPICUREAN EVENTS:

6/16: Spilled with Zev Rovine at Clavel
On the heels of celebrating 10 years of elite Sinaloan tacos and a nationally recognized Mezcal program, Clavel, along with Baltimore-based wine distributor Genin Selections, is hosting a book launch, Q&A, and a wine tasting event on Monday at 6 p.m. The book, Spilled: Stories & Recipes from Natural Winemakers, is a look into the lives of 25 influential natural winemakers in France and Italy, co-authored by Stephanie Mercier Voyer, chef David McMillan, wine importer Zev Rovine, and photographer Xavier Tera.

Rovine—who started Zev Rovine Selections in 2007, shaping the way the U.S. imports natural wine—will be in Baltimore for the event, which will include a discussion moderated by Mickie Meinhardt, who owns The Buzzed Word bar and bookstore in Ocean City. Tickets are $28 and can be found on Eventbrite. 

6/25: Di Pasquale’s Chicken Cutlet Showdown
At Di Pasquale’s new speakeasy, Forno, in Highlandtown (their original location since the ’80s), the team’s chefs are going head-to-head to find out whose cutlets reign supreme. For the $50 price of admission, locals can sample five different chicken cutlet sandwiches—plus apps and two beers or glasses of wine—from 6-9 p.m. “It’s a fun way to refresh the menu and have our customers involved,” says owner Domenico Santino Di Pasquale. Be sure to tell it like it is when you cast your vote—the best cutlet will become a permanent item on the Brewer’s Hill menu.

6/25: Bourdain Day at Sally O’s
In the wake of Anthony Bourdain’s passing in 2018, celebrity chefs Éric Ripert and José Andrés officially declared June 25—the birthday of late chef and famed world traveler—as a day to commemorate the legacy that their friend left behind. Chef/owner Jesse Sandlin and her team at Sally O’s in Highlandtown are honoring Bourdain’s legacy with “food specials, culinary delights, booze, and good times” throughout dinner service on Bourdain Day. A $25 ticket will get you complimentary bubbly and oysters shucked by The Local Oyster.

SHUT

3 Bean by Vagrant Coffee: After rebranding Key Highway’s 3 Bean, which originally opened its doors in 2015, six years ago, local roaster Vagrant Coffee has decided to shutter the shop. In fact, no more brick and mortar stores are in the future. According to a statement from CEO Josh Drew, the team is going back to its roots as a mobile operation. “This is the end of the cafe—but not the end of the vision,” the veteran and Black-owned business posted on its Instagram. Their mobile espresso bars are available for booking.

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Fittingly named Empa511, (511 is the area code to call Peru) the spinoff highlights seven flavors of his handmade Peruvian empanadas, including a family dough recipe and three classic dipping sauces, like the rocotito—a Peruvian pepper in the aji family with garlic, oil, salt, and pepper. 

Most South American countries have an empanada, and for the average American, the Argentine version is the most well known, usually with a beef or chicken filling. The Peruvian dough differs in that it has flour, butter, and just a little bit of sugar. 

After soft launching over Memorial Day weekend, Empa511 is now operating in full force, open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The opening empanada menu contains classic Peruvian fillings like Lomo Saltado, a popular Peruvian and Asian-fusion beef stir fry dish that’s tomato and onion heavy, seasoned with soy sauce, and served on a bed of  fries.

There’s also an ode to Anticuchera, a grilled skewer traditionally made with beef or chicken hearts. Instead of organ meat, the empanada version is filled with hand cut chicken thigh pieces in an anticucho sauce—a vinegar spice blend that includes cumin, aji, and garlic.

Empanadas—the handheld pockets stuffed with meats, cheeses, and spices—are deeply personal to Alarcon, who grew up in an independent seaside port city within Lima city limits (hence Puerto 511’s name.) He’s eaten them his entire life and vividly remembers making dough with his grandmother and mother, whose recipe lives on in Empa511, and eating them on Sundays as a child.

“There’s these tricycle carts with empanada vendors [that you frequent] from grade school to college,” Alarcon explains, “it’s a staple.” 

Locals might remember Andina, a similar, now-closed empanada concept that Alarcon opened near Lexington Market with his ex-wife in 2019. In their separation, she kept Andina, while he continued to operate Puerto 511. But he never stopped dreaming about the street food staple.  

“It really hurt to see Andina close,” Alarcon laments. “I kept talking about empanadas for at least three years, and how I would once again open another empanada venture.”

Opportunity knocked again last summer, when Alarcon was walking along the Fells Point promenade with his partner, general manager Patricia Madrid, and happened upon a for-rent sign at the former Sofi’s Crepes off of Thames. Upon seeing the space (with a big, pet-friendly outdoor seating area) he was determined. When phone calls went unreturned, he showed up to the real estate agent’s office.

“Opening Empa511 was a rematch of sorts,” he says. “When you fall, you say you lost this time, but life gave me another chance to get up and keep going.”

This time around, Alarcon is also fulfilling a desire to provide portable food with an eco-friendly mission. He sources biodegradable dishware and paper products, there are no plastic water bottles (there’s a free water station for patrons), and the sodas for sale are all aluminum, including the national soda of Peru, the Inca Kola. 

“The theme of reducing plastic and respecting the environment was a driving force,” he says.

Upon entry, you’ll notice a sign above the self-ordering kiosk with a recycling logo embedded into an empanada shell outline, which reads: “we try to reduce up to 90 percent of the use of plastic in our entire restaurant from preparation to the final product, welcome to the hand food revolution.”

Alarcon says Empa’s other main differentiation is in the taste and ingredients. His team painstakingly makes their own dough and grounds their own meats, using his grandmother’s recipe. They’re also choosing to bake their empanadas, making them a bit healthier but also reducing oil waste. 

“Our philosophy is that the exterior is very important, but you can’t hide the beauty of the interior,” he says. 

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Back in 1987 when Mayor Kurt Schmoke dubbed us “The City that Reads,” the slogan was aspirational. But in the decades since, our community has become known for its rich literary scene—cultivating best-selling authors, innovative ways to make reading accessible to all (we’re looking at you, The Book Thing and Saint Rita), and an array of locally owned bookshops. 

One of the pillars of the independent bookstore community is Greedy Reads, opened by owner Julia Fleischaker in Fells Point in 2018. A second location came to Remington in late 2019, highlighting an event space for the book community to gather. It was perfect for hosting the shop’s inaugural Lost Weekend Festival, which was dreamed up by Fleischaker and her team in 2022 out of a desire for connection, in the wake of Baltimore Book Festival and other event cancellations during the pandemic. 

After taking a hiatus last year, The Lost Weekend is returning to Greedy Reads in Remington May 30-June 1. In the event’s third year, Fleischaker, general manager Santiago Nocera, and former Remington manager Emily Miller are hosting their biggest lineup of authors and conversations yet.

“Our group text is just, annoyingly enthusiastic,” Fleischaker says. “When we confirm someone, when something comes together, when we figure out a perfect conversation partner, it’s all fun for us. It’s a lot of work, but it’s the kind of work that you love to do.”

This year’s free festival will kick off on Friday, May 30 with an evening of community poetry featuring Rosa Castellano and Erica Dawson (a Baltimore local), which will offer an open mic portion encouraging attendees to share a 3-5 minute piece. “We consider Lost Weekend a community festival,” Fleischaker says, “so this felt like a really perfect way to kick it off.”

The fun continues on Saturday and Sunday with on-the-hour programming—from romance and young adult panels to comic workshops and drag story hour—from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Lost Weekend will serve as a forum for authors to feature their new works, with 70 percent of the authors on the lineup having new books this year, a slightly higher percentage than in years past. 

This year, there’s no sign up, and seating is first come, first served. There will be a smaller portion of the store set up outside for patrons to browse new reads, as well as tote bags and tees for sale with official festival designs by local artist Nguyên Khôi Nguyễn. Fleischaker also hopes attendees check out Gready Reads’ new neighbor, Doppio Pasticceria, to fuel up with pizzas and pastries throughout the weekend.

“We want you to get lost in the weekend,” Fleischaker hopes, “lost in the books and lost in the conversations.”

The guiding theme for organizers is “Baltimore Love.” “We love to exist in tandem with the Baltimore Book Festival and the City Lit Festival,” Fleischaker says. “The fact that the city can support all of these is a real testament to how much support books, bookstores, culture, and community gets here.”

Having trouble narrowing down which of the 17 Lost Weekend events you want to catch? Here are a few highlights: 

5/31: Yrsa Daley-Ward with Bry Reed
While there are “no duds on the schedule” per Fleischaker, it’s a huge deal for the city that poet Yrsa Daley-Ward will be coming to discuss her fictional debut novel, The Catch, a kaleidoscopic multiverse story of sisters, mothers, and daughters. Bry Reed is a local writer who also emceed Lost Weekend in 2023. The Catch will be available for sale before it officially hits stores. 4 p.m.

5/31: Jean Grae with Aaron Dante
Baltimore artist, humorist, and former rapper Jean Grae will celebrate the release of her darkly humorous, intensely personal essay collection In My Remaining Years. Grae will be in conversation with local personality Aaron Dante, for a live recording of his No Pix After Dark podcast. 5 p.m. 

6/1: Tochi Onyebuchi & Stacy Nathaniel Jackson
Fantasy and science fiction fans are invited to celebrate the release of Tochi Onyebuchi’s Harmattan Season, a hard-boiled fantasy noir in postcolonial West Africa. Tochi will be in conversation with Stacy Nathaniel Jackson, a trans poet, playwright, visual artist, and author of The Ephemera Collector. 1 p.m. 

6/1: Susan Choi & Rachel Khong with Andrew Limbong
Close out the weekend with famed authors Susan Choi and Rachel Khong. This talk will celebrate the release of Choi’s highly anticipated new decade-spanning novel Flashlight, as well as the paperback release of Khong’s family saga Real Americans, which made major book club lists last year including The Today Show’s Read with Jenna. The conversation will be moderated by NPR Arts Desk reporter Andrew Limbong. 5 p.m. 

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