Rockstroh opened the pub two and half years ago in the small rowhouse that previously housed The Corner Bistro. Since then, he’s turned it into a hidden gem treasured by Ridgely’s Delight residents and favored by out-of-town baseball fans looking for a genuine Baltimore neighborhood bar experience.

“It’s a place where a bunch of locals can congregate and talk to their neighbors,” says Rockstroh, who previously worked in the home improvement industry. “It creates a good environment of local people and out-of-towners getting to know each other.”

No matter where you’re from, there’s a beer on the menu that you’ll like. Rockstroh’s rotating list of bottles and cans (there are no taps) can top 400. It’s heavily focused on local breweries, and when we visited in March, beers from Oliver, Monument, Raven, Union, Elevation, Peabody Heights, Big Truck, Heavy Seas, Key, and others were available.

Although there’s no liquor, there are so many brews (IPAs, sours, stouts, porters) ciders, shandies, canned cocktails, seltzers, and wines that Rockstroh hands out three books of menus to customers when they sit down. He’s also started a challenge (free to join) that awards 15 percent off the entire bill for life to those who drink 365 different beers. He started it last year, and although no one has summitted the mountain yet, several are close, he says. Not boozin’? Pick from one of the more than 20 nonalcoholic beers or 25 soda options.

Prices here are noticeably low. Natty Boh cans are $3. You may pay six or seven bucks for a double IPA. Rockstroh wants to encourage customers to try new things while not feeling like they’re breaking the bank. That value extends to the food menu, which features bar-type appetizers like wings and nachos, sandwiches and subs, and pizza.

There’s no fryer, so everything is baked—by Rockstroh—and comes out of the oven piping hot. The pizzas are particularly tasty. Even though Rockstroh makes the dough himself, a small cheese is only $6.50. Want toppings? You’ll have to fork over another 95 cents for each.

The intimacy of The Starting Lineup, capacity is 35, makes striking up a conversation easy, but it’s also a great spot to watch a game—or play one. There’s a shelf of board games in the back, decks of cards on the seven-stool bar, and Wii bowling.

Anytime you stop in, Rockstroh will be there. He hasn’t taken a day off since he bought the joint. It’s important to him that if someone needs a place to go on Thanksgiving, Christmas—whenever—they know that they’re welcome at The Starting Lineup.

“You want a place that people can rely on, that’s consistent, where everyone can feel included. That’s the point,” he says. “I get to hang out, talk to people. It’s almost like having people over to your house. So as hard as it is, it never feels like work.”

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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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But is that good advice? The restaurant and bar, nestled in the shadow of the Baltimore Convention Center—in comfortable walking distance from Oriole Park at Camden Yards, M&T Bank Stadium, and CFG Bank Arena—has been a pre-event gathering spot since the ‘90s, when it was the Wharf Rat. We’ve always been fans, but, we have to admit, it’s been too long since we stopped in.

When we did this winter, we found exactly what we remembered: friendly bartenders, reliable food, solid cocktails, and an eclectic gathering of patrons who all seemed to be having a good time. There’s nothing outwardly remarkable about the place, but the combination of downtown workers, hotel guests visiting the city, and the occasional local seems to work.

Pratt Street Ale House began its life in 1993 as the home of Oliver Brewing, one of the city’s first microbreweries. While the beer is no longer made there, the 206 Restaurant Group still owns both entities, so the label is featured prominently on tap. When we visited, the company’s hazy IPA, easy drinking Social Lager, sour, and even a nitro breakfast stout were among the Oliver varieties available.

There’s also cider, other local breweries’ beers (including Evolution and Raven), and room for some of the bigger microbrews, like Dogfish Head, Sierra Nevada, and Troegs. Craving an old standby? Miller Lite, Yuengling, Bud Light, and Michelob were on tap, as well. Truly something for everyone.

At its core, Pratt Street Ale House is certainly a beer bar (it’s in the name, after all), but there’s also a full beverage menu of mixed drinks, wine, whiskies and bourbons. The Escalade margarita is one of five signature cocktails. A combination of Corazon blanco and reposado, Gran Gala liqueur, lime juice, and agave nectar, it was made with care despite the lone bartender dealing with a crowded house. Spicier than a standard margarita, it warmed our bones on this cold winter night. There’s also a section of the drink menu dedicated to mules and crushes, including the Dole—whipped cream vodka, pineapple juice, and lemon lime soda—which is as sweet at it sounds.

The kitchen churns out bar food that sometimes exceeds expectations, like in the case of the fish and chips. Haddock is dipped in beer and fried delicately, resulting in flaky, crispy bites. The Old Bay wings, which were too lightly seasoned, didn’t stand out. Smashburgers seem to be a favorite here, and there’s a pulled pork sandwich, Bmore hot chicken sandwich, and Philly cheesesteak, too.

Pratt Street Ale House is not a gourmet restaurant, nor is it a flashy cocktail bar. It’s not trying to be either. It’s been known—rightfully—as a solid spot to stop by before or after an evening out. But it’s also a good call if it is your evening out.

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That’s a lovely sentiment, so here are a few more: Since opening in 2024, this understatedly stylish hotel bar has been a noted addition to a college-centric stretch of a neighborhood that needed a shot of maturity.  

With its soaring ceiling and relatively open floor plan, Dear Charles is not exactly cozy, but it is welcoming. Muted lighting, round wooden tables and chairs, and eclectic artwork help establish a pub-like feel.

The drink menu finishes the job. Six signature cocktails and six classic ones are available, and everything we tried delivered. The mezcal-based Ginger Peach Smash provides a burst of smokiness that is complemented by the acidity of lime juice and sweetness of peach and agave. An Autumn Spark, with vodka, pear, cinnamon simple syrup, lemon, and prosecco warmed the bones on the cold, rainy November night we were there.  

Apparently, lots of other people had the same idea we did that evening. There was a nice-sized crowd, which  appeared to be a mixture of hotel guests, students, and folks from the neighborhood.

Many were certainly drawn by the bar’s extraordinarily long happy hour, which runs from 3 to 7 p.m. and features discounts on draft beers (a British pale ale and German lager made by Baltimore’s Guilford Hall Brewery were available when we visited, along with a perfect-for-the-season Southern Tier Pumking), selected house wines, and cocktails. Without question, some were lured by the Tuesday night bottomless steamed mussels special; the place smelled invitingly garlicy.  

Dear Charles’ food menu focuses on small plates. Short rib sliders, roasted oysters, shrimp tacos, and even a crab cake are made for sharing. We opted for a plate of olives and pickled vegetables, which included cauliflower, carrots, beets, and an egg. It was a colorful, crunchy way to start a meal.

Entrees include a burger, filet, grilled salmon, and seafood linguini, all of which sounded intriguing. But fish and chips felt right for this London-feeling night, and the battered cod with hot, crisp fries hit the spot. 

The Study at Johns Hopkins is one of four hotels in a chain that includes locations near Yale, the University of Chicago, and Penn and Drexel in Philadelphia. Dear Charles fits the upper–echelon academic feel. 

On its website, the bar professes to serve “as a fixture where the community can come together to share conversations, celebrate with friends, or relax alone.” We found people there happily doing all three.

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Food & Drink

Archives: Thanksgiving Pie Recipes and Tips

Our ode to the holiday dessert, complete with recipes from Tony Foreman + Co. and Dangerously Delicious Pies.

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It’s a day to honor those we’ve lost with marigolds, food, calaveras (sugar skulls), candles, and shrines or altars called ofrendas. Unlike Halloween, Día de los Muertos ghosts don’t haunt so much as visit, briefly returning to a living world of incense and bread, chocolate, flowers, and tacos.

This year is a poignant one for me, as it’s both the first anniversary of my father’s death and the 20th of my mother’s, so I’ve had a heightened interest in the ways Baltimore salutes the holiday.

One place that does it up right is Bmore Taquería in Fells Point, where chef-owner Valentino Sandoval has constructed an impressive ofrenda in the entryway, which is pictured above. He has photographs of his late relatives, plenty of marigolds, and beautiful veladoras—the tall votive candles decorated specifically for the holiday. That plate of al pastor tacos, it should be noted, is not normally there—though food is usually part of the ofrenda.

Sandoval’s tacos are marvelous—with pork shaved from the trompo, presented on just-made tortillas, and thatched with perfectly julienned radishes and pours of house-made sauces. Sandoval also makes his own mole, from a family recipe, which is wonderful any time, but has added significance on this holiday, as it is one of the foods often placed on altars.

Another very traditional food for this event is pan de muerto, or bread of the dead, a pan-dulce bun formed into a shape meant to resemble a skull and crossbones, which is also a favorite ofrenda dish.

At Sacré Sucré, chef and co-owner Manny Sanchez, who is from Puerto Rico, honors the tradition with a spectacular iteration of the bread, only available for the next few days. His are ethereally light, infused with orange blossom, and topped with either pale sugar or, in a further creative tribute, sugar colored charcoal to resemble ashes.

Sandoval, though trained as a pastry chef, does not make pan de muerto (“It’s not hard, but it’s a lot of work”), so he says he gets his from Cinco de Mayo or Vargas Bakery. Given how much work he puts into his mole, and the fact that he’s often the one manning the trompo, this seems a logical trade-off.

Worth noting as well are the Día de los Muertos specials, running Friday through Sunday, at nearby La Calle, the upscale Mexican restaurant owned by Sandoval’s brothers. The family is from Puebla, a vibrant food city known for its mole poblano, so, unsurprisingly, La Calle’s mole is pretty spectacular.

And for a truly gorgeous ofrenda, head to Alma Cocina Latina in Station North, where co-owner Irena Stein has installed one near her bar that is both altar and art installation.

“It’s not Venezuelan at all,” says Stein, whose restaurant is inspired by her Venezuelan heritage, “but it is the best way to celebrate death.”

Lit up at night under colorful paper flags, when the restaurant is bustling with dinner service, there’s a tableau of lit candles; tiny ceramic vases of marigolds; small bowls filled with tomatillos, fresh chiles, chocolate pastilles, sugar skulls, and figurines; and framed photographs of lost pets, relatives, and dear friends.

It is a lovely artscape to appreciate alongside your plates of fried yucca with hot-sauce aioli and repeating caipirinas. It is also a marvelous tribute to tradition and culture, foodways and memory, and a public toast to all the living and the dead.

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It’s working wonderfully. Peters and Hufton live above the bar in the rowhouse that once housed the wildly popular Joe Benny’s, and their aim was to make people feel like they’re hanging out in the proprietors’ living room.

Peacock trim for the shelving was made from wooden picture frame molding purchased at Second Chance. The draft system was built by Peters using World War II-era footlocker. Most of the plateware is old China from Peters’s mom and Hufton’s grandmother. Photos of their families hang on the wall, alongside a Pennsylvania artist’s colorful and playful rendering of the Three Stooges.

When we visited in July, Larry, Curly, and Moe also made an appearance on the cocktail menu, which like the offerings of native yeast wines, craft beers, and thoughtfully sourced meats, cheeses, and tinned fish, is ever changing. Moe’s Rosita Negroni is made with tequila and Larry’s white version with gin, but the most popular variety is Curly’s, a combination of Hayman’s gin, blanc vermouth, and strawberry-infused Campari.

There’s also a mix-and-match-your-favorite-gin-with-a-fancy-tonic section of the menu, along with the house’s favorites. We enjoyed the Rosemary Magdalene, a sophisticated blending of gin, rosemary simple syrup, lemon juice and Fee Foam, a non-alcoholic, egg-free alternative that adds a foamy head to drinks. The sip’s complex taste matched its stylish appearance.

When it comes to cocktails, the couple, who worked in the industry for 20 years in Pennsylvania before falling in love with Little Italy, have a simple philosophy: “You put good stuff into people’s drinks and they’re going to be happy with it,” Peters says.

The same principle is true of their mouths. Popcorn (always appreciated) appeared when we took our seats at the long wooden bar, and everything that followed was better than what came before it.

A mix of house marinated (rosemary, garlic, and pepper flakes are among the ingredients) Castelvetrano and green cerignole olives, with some oil-cured black beldi olives sprinkled in, was transformed into a bowl of pits in no time. The constantly rotating charcuterie options included heavyweights like Spanish Iberico ham and cheeses from France and California. But there also was Sequatchie Cover Shakerag, a Tennessee-made blue “wrapped in fig leaves soaked with Chattanooga whiskey.” Its flavor was as layered as the description suggested, although after a sip of our uber-strong Old Fashioned, everything tasted a bit intense.

Throughout the evening some people popped in for a quick drink, while others lingered and laughed (making for a rather loud atmosphere).

“We are kind of neutral territory for everybody because we don’t have a food program that’s massive,” Hufton says. “Some of the local restaurants that don’t have bars will send people to Sisu if they have a wait. The locals here are just fantastic. They try to support everybody.”

Our one regret is that we left without ordering gelato. The selections are influenced by Peters’s 10-year-old son, Axl, whose photo is among those on the wall. In it, he’s staring at barrels in a cellar at Villa Oeira, which produces fortified wine in the Carcavelos region of Portugal. His back is to the camera, so you can’t see his face, yet his aura is such that there’s no doubt he understands the concept of Sisu perfectly.

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Union Hill has filled the void nicely. The space is broken into distinct sections. There’s a large bar featuring a waterfall installation behind it and a smattering of high-top tables around it. On nice days the windows open, providing an indoor-outdoor feel. There’s a dining room downstairs, lounge upstairs, and plenty of tables on the second-story’s outdoor balcony.

Owner Matt Largent tapped chef Ryan Worthington and bar director Nico McElhone to create menus that combine classic offerings with contemporary elements.

“We want to be a neighborhood restaurant,” Largent told us in January. “We don’t want to pigeonhole ourselves into being just fine dining. We want to be elevated, but approachable.”

They’ve largely succeeded. Among the intriguing cocktails we tried during two recent visits was The Diplomat, a combination of Diplomatico aged rum and spiced walnut. Served in the style of an Old-Fashioned, it’s rich and evokes notes of chocolate. While it works as a pre-dinner beverage, it would be even better after the meal.

The El Jefe has a pepper printed next to its name on the menu, and one sip in we knew why. But if you like it mild, the spice level can be changed. Mi Campo reposado tequila is mixed with sweet hibiscus to produce a complex and slightly spicy drink. The Honey and Thorn, made with Ketel One Citron and Luxardo Triplum with a handcrafted shrub and crowned by a sprig of rosemary, is as floral and fragrant as it sounds. The Strawberry Serenade, which the menu describes as a “symphony” of gin, strawberry and citrus laced with bitters, was refreshing if not overly flavorful. There are also an impressive number of wines by the glass and plenty of local beers on tap.

With small plates like crispy short rib bites, yellowfin tuna tartare, and seared octopus, it’s immediately apparent that Union Hill is aiming for a different kind of dining experience. The Gooey Haloumi, served with crushed pine nuts, burnt honey, crispy garlic, and house pita, is kicked up a notch with added merguez sausage, and lives up to its name. We also ordered a Kapnos pizza as an appetizer for the table. You don’t often find smoked Gouda, roasted peppers onions and garlic, and tomato chipotle sauce on a pizza, but the combo worked.

The highlight of the main courses was the whole crispy branzino, served head-on with tangy green rice. A burger got the job done, and a local green salad with added grilled chicken was pleasingly hearty.

Union Hill was bustling during our visits, and we’re betting it will become even busier during the warmer months because of its stellar outdoor seating options and the recent addition of vegan dishes and a weekend brunch. It might make for a hill of a story.

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Mother’s in Federal Hill to Become Liv’s Tavern: We now officially know the fate of Mother’s in Federal Hill. At the end of 2024, owner Dave Rather announced that the neighborhood fixture—famous for its pub grub and Purple Patio ragers during Ravens home games—had been sold to a new owner who would take the reins in 2025. That new owner is White Oak Hospitality, the restaurant group behind surrounding South Charles Street concepts Wayward and Ditos (more on that later).

This summer, the group will transform Mother’s into Liv’s Tavern, named after White Oak co-owner Sean White’s daughter, who has been battling a rare form of leukemia since she was 15 months old.

“Through treatments, pain, and uncertainty, she dances, she smiles, and she reminds everyone around her that life is meant to be lived,” the group shared on social media. “It is her spirit that will be the foundation of this tavern—a place where community comes together, where resilience is celebrated, and joy will always be found.”

Renderings of the new space highlight major renovations including an upgraded Purple Patio—a beloved tradition the new owners plan to preserve. 

“For the community [Mother’s] was more than just a bar, it was a second home,” the post reads. “The traditions built in this building will carry on in the years ahead…”

Clavel to Begin Booking Private Events: Looking for a new space to host a birthday gathering or rehearsal dinner? Mexican eatery and mezcal bar Clavel is now booking private events on Sundays only. “You will have access to our meticulously curated list of vendors to make your event festive and ethereal,” the restaurant shared on social media. Those interested can email clavelmezcal@gmail.com.

CH-CH-CHANGES

Rize + Rest Announces New Hours, Talks Expansion: This should hopefully clear up some confusion. Last month, neighbors in the Patterson Park area expressed concern for modern cafe concept Rize + Rest. Observant patrons noticed the business and liquor license were up for sale. But, fear not, this doesn’t spell the end for the buzzy newbie.

Chef/owner Randall Matthews recently provided some clarity in a video shared to Instagram: “We’ve outgrown this establishment and this location,” he said. “We will begin conversations of expansion—not relocating, but expanding this brand.”

Matthews added that when conversations first began about expanding, he didn’t realize the impact the concept has already had in the neighborhood since it opened in late 2023. So that means, “Rize + Rest isn’t going anywhere,” he confirmed.

Instead, expect new hours. The eatery will only be open Friday 8 a.m.-3 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. for brunch. Matthews said to stay tuned for a forthcoming cocktail experience on Friday and Saturday evenings. 

The Wine Source Unveils New Parking Lot: Good news for those who love a quick pop-in to this one-stop-shop on The Avenue. The Wine Source in Hampden has unveiled a new 10-space parking lot, a project years in the making that has sparked plenty of debate. The diagonal spaces for customers are located behind the building at 3618-3620 Elm Ave., according to Baltimore Fishbowl, and join the half a dozen that the shop offers out front. Just last year, the local wine, liquor, and specialty food store announced it would become a worker-owned cooperative, after former owner David Wells put the business up for sale. 

COMING SOON

The Bullpen: Opening Day is just around the corner (March 31), and good news is in store for O’s fans. The famed stretch of Washington Boulevard sports bars across from Camden Yards in Ridgley’s Delight—home to Pickles Pub and Section 771—will welcome back a familiar face this season. According to reporting by SouthBmore.com, The Bullpen will reopen March 31 after taking a year off to undergo extensive renovations. The watering hole is now owned by Tony Arce and will be run by his son, Danny Arce, who is behind another nearby, new spot…

OPEN

El Bar: Danny Arce also recently opened El Bar in Pigtown. Set in the former home of Friends Grille at 737 Carroll St., which closed in 2023, the new sports bar offers chicken wings, tacos, nachos, quesadillas, and a cheeseburger. Wine and beer are on hand, of course, as are classic game-day cocktails like mules and Crushes, plus margs and a Long Island iced tea. 

EPICUREAN EVENTS

3/17: Ekiben x Alma Cocina Latina Dumpling Pop-Up
The Ekiben team is heading into the kitchen at Alma Cocina Latina yet again for another collaborative pop-up in Station North. A $115 ticket includes a welcome cocktail and a multi-course, family-style meal that will feature dumplings. Cocktails, wine, and beer will also be available for purchase at happy hour pricing. One of the most fun parts (we think, at least, after attending the first collab) is the seating: Parties will be placed together at communal tables, making it easy to connect with fellow Charm City foodies and neighbors. 

SHUT

Charm City Chocolate: The Avenue in Hampden lost a touch of sweetness earlier this week, when owners Todd Zimmerman and Michelle Deal-Zimmerman announced that they would be closing the Charm City Chocolate storefront, with plans to transition to a smaller production space. The candy shop was a go-to for classics like truffles, caramels, and barks, as well as specialties like crab-shaped confections and the viral Dubai chocolate bar.

The owners told The Baltimore Banner that rising cacao costs, plus rent and packaging prices, contributed to the tough decision. “It was our joy to have been the sweetest spot on The Avenue since 2016,” Todd and Michelle posted to Instagram, adding that they will continue to offer online sales, “and we thank each and every one of you for including us in your family celebrations, holidays and sweet tooth cravings!”

Ditos Fed Hill: You know the old adage. “When one door opens…” In conjunction with the official announcement of Liv’s Tavern, White Oak Hospitality shared that Ditos—OGs know it as Banditos—will close up shop in Fed Hill after service this Sunday, March 16. Open since 2012, the tacos-and-tequila bar spawned six other DMV-area locations that now operate everywhere from Columbia to White Marsh. Regulars will remember the Taco Tuesdays, bottomless brunches, monster margaritas, and weekend DJ dance parties. “We are beyond grateful and forever indebted to everyone who has crossed through our doors and become a part of our Banditos family,” White Oak shared on Instagram.

But the building won’t sit vacant for long. GameOn bar+arcade’s Federal Hill location will move into the old Ditos space on March 29, after its last day at its current home down the street on March 22. The barcade will carry on Ditos’ legacy as a South Charles Street social spot with its retro games, array of bar food, and adult Capri Suns. 

The Grill at Harryman House: It’s the end of an era for Reisterstown and Glyndon regulars who have long frequented this Main Street spot. After 39 years, Harryman House has closed. Proprietor John Worthington—who dodged a prison sentence after being charged with tax evasion in 2023—told The Baltimore Banner that he simply couldn’t keep the business afloat any longer. Built around a bona fide log cabin dating back to 1791, the historic space was once a grocery store, a saddlery, and a drug store. Centuries later, it opened as a restaurant in 1987. In 2008, it tacked on The Grill to its name to attract a more casual crowd. 

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Baltimore Spots Named James Beard Award Semifinalists: Just like that, it’s award season again for the national culinary scene. The nominees are in for the 2025 James Beard Awards, and, as in previous years, Baltimore industry pros have been named as semifinalists for the the so-called “Oscars of the food world.” Among them is veteran honoree, Charleston, in the category of Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program. Additionally, Clavel was once again honored, but in a new category this year, Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service, which named bar director Dre Levon. Finally, Charm City is proud to have yet another chef represented in the Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic category this year, which has awarded chef Jasmine Norton of The Urban Oyster her first nomination.

“We are deeply honored to celebrate our 25th nomination in 2025!” the Charleston team, whose chef Cindy Wolf has been nominated for Best Chef countless times but has never brought home the trophy, wrote on Instagram. “Thank you to the @beardfoundation for this incredible recognition. To our cherished patrons who journey from near and far to dine with us, and to our extraordinary team whose passion and dedication continue to elevate Charleston, we extend our heartfelt gratitude.”

The finalists will be announced on April 2, with winners awarded at the annual ceremony in Chicago on June 16.

Kitsch Cafe Expands Hours at R. House: Fans of Kitsch (especially those who aren’t the early-rising kind) will be pumped to hear that the community-forward egg sammy spot, which originated in Tuscany-Canterbury, has announced that its newish stall inside Remington food hall R. House will expand its hours—complete with new menu items. The R. House location is now open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week, rolling out new lunch and dinner bites like soup, salads, taco dip, deviled eggs, and mini corn dogs.

COMING SOON 

Union Hill Kitchen & Craft Bar: A new neighborhood concept is taking over the former home of Blue Hill Tavern, which closed last spring after 15 years in Brewers Hill. Union Hill Kitchen & Craft Bar will soft-open next week at 938 S. Conkling St., serving up small plates, flatbreads, and other modern American dishes. Owner and Montgomery County native Matt Largent has tapped chef Donnie Mygan to lead the kitchen, where he’ll put Peruvian and Spanish spins on some of the items. 

“We want to be a neighborhood restaurant,” Largent says. “We don’t want to pigeonhole ourselves into being just fine dining. We want to be elevated, but approachable.”

Expect an expansive list of small plates such as crispy short ribs and octopus with pimentón aioli, plus flatbreads, a charcuterie program, a pretzel-bun burger, steak frites, and a few vegan options. On the beverage side, bar manager Nico McElhone will serve up craft cocktails (with zero-proof options) made with fresh juices and some scratch-made syrups. An espresso machine will adorn the bar for coffee drinks and espresso martinis. Patrons can also expect a wine list and 12 draft beers.

Although Largent is from Montgomery County, he says he was familiar with Baltimore and fell in love with the Canton/Brewers Hill neighborhoods. He knew of Blue Hill and was excited to get the space up and running again, especially with its location next to the (also up and running again) Mr. Boh sign. He looks forward to utilizing the restaurant’s second floor, outfitted as more of a lounge, for extra space and for private events. Parking is an added bonus, as well. Largent says he’s paying for a lot behind the Canton Self Storage building for patrons, not even a half a block away.

“We’re super excited,” Largent says, adding: “We just look forward to everybody coming in and giving it a shot.”

There will also be a brunch menu on the weekends (served all day on Sunday, along with dinner items after 3 p.m.) and some late-night bites after 9 p.m. The restaurant will be open until 11 p.m. during the week and midnight on the weekends.

Blü Cā: The dining options continue to grow at the Baltimore Peninsula—which welcomed the city’s very-first Ben & Jerry’s last week. This month, developers announced Blü Cā (pronounced blue kay) is set to open in 2026. The restaurant is a new Jamaican concept from One Love Restaurant Group, which is behind Island Spice in Harford County and KŌNŌKŌ in Baltimore County. Diners can expect an “immersive island experience” with, of course, a focus on Jamaican cuisine, plus vibrant designs and live music. The eatery aims to celebrate Jamaican heritage through “reggae fusion” small plates.

OPEN

Lao Sze Chuan: A new spot for Chinese cuisine and dim sum is now open in Charles Village. Lao Sze Chuan debuted this month at 3224 St. Paul St., the former home of Busboys and Poets, specializing in Szechuan dishes like dan dan noodles and mapo tofu. Expect a large, moderately designed dining room with pendant lights, tufted booths, and plenty of natural light. Online orders for carryout and delivery are available, as well. Along with bold and spicy items (what Szechuan cuisine is known for), the menu also comprises familiar favorites like pork soup dumplings, chicken wonton soup, and braised pork belly. 

EPICUREN EVENTS

1/24-2/2: Baltimore Restaurant Week
Baltimore Restaurant Week is back for its winter run, hoping to get diners out and about (despite the frigid temps) for deals at some of Charm City’s best eateries. For $35, $45, or $55, get a prix-fixe dinner at spots like BLK Swan, Bunny’s, Costiera, Foraged, Mera Kitchen Collective, Miss Shirley’s Cafe, The Urban Oyster, and Verde. Some Atlas Restaurant concepts are participating, as well, and, through Jan. 26, they are donating a portion of proceeds to TasteWise Kids, a Baltimore-based nonprofit that works with local children to teach them about food and developing healthy eating habits.

2/4: The Duchess Benefit for Women’s Law Center of Maryland
New Hampden restaurant The Duchess will host a special happy hour on Tuesday, Feb. 4 from 5-7 p.m. to benefit the work of the Women’s Law Center of Maryland, which provides free legal services and advocates for legislative remedies to ensure the physical safety, economic security, and autonomy of women throughout the state. The happy hour will feature specialties of chef/co-owner Kiko Fejarang and music by local singer/songwriter Katie Callaha.

2/19-3/1: Alma Cocina’s Black Heritage Month Menu
Alma Cocina Latina in Station North is launching an exciting partnership for the month of February. Chef Héctor Romero is collaborating with Catina Smith, aka Chef Cat, of Our Time Kitchen on a special Black Heritage Month menu titled, Africa in the Americas: Diasporas at the Table. “This innovative pairing of Black and Latinx chefs celebrates the shared ethos of food, flavor, and history that these communities each cultivate and cherish,” the restaurant shared on social media. Reservations are recommended to try out the menu, which will run Feb. 19 through March 1.

SHUT

Bondhouse Kitchen: Much to the community’s surprise, this buzzy Fells Point restaurant officially closed on Jan. 13. Bondhouse Kitchen, which recently opened its adjacent speakeasy GoatBar, announced the news abruptly the day of its closure on social media, and did not reveal any details behind the decision. The spot—which was named among our 50 Best Restaurants in 2023—opened in 2020 and was known for its comfort-food favorites and a killer happy hour, which featured the popular Bartender’s Choice bar program. In its closure announcement, Bondhouse said that GoatBar “will remain open for a few more weeks” and to follow its Instagram account (@goatbarfellspoint) for updates. The Aliceanna Room, the owners’ dance venue and private events space, also shuttered on Jan. 13. 

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Hampden Restaurant to Host Fundraiser for Keswick Road Fire Victims: Earlier this week, North Baltimore was rocked by a five-alarm fire that claimed two lives and damaged at least eight rowhomes. Unsurprisingly, the Hampden restaurant community is stepping up to help neighbors in need. Blue Pit BBQ & Whiskey Bar will host a fundraiser on Sunday, Oct. 20 from 3-9 p.m., donating 100 percent of sales to the victims. The event will also include a silent auction with gift cards and gift baskets donated by Hampden Merchants and other small businesses throughout the city. 

Additionally, a handful of neighborhood eateries—including The Local Fry, The Charmery, Chuck’s Trading Post, Golden West Cafe, The Urban Oyster, and Catalog Coffee—will be donating a portion of sales on Saturday, Oct. 19 to the fire fund. See the full list of participating small businesses, here. 

If you aren’t in the area this weekend but are looking to send support, the Hampden Community Council is accepting donations via Venmo and dividing them amongst all neighbors affected. 

OPEN

Aveley Farms + Diamondback Brewing Co.: Locust Point’s Diamondback Brewing Co. and Towson’s Aveley Farms Coffee Roasters have unveiled their anticipated “all day and all night” concept off of Deereco Road in Timonium. Here, the craft beverage businesses combine coffee, beer, and pizza in a space that spans 4,800 square feet. 

“Getting this location open is a big deal for both of our businesses as we expand our manufacturing and retail footprints,” Aveley Farms owner Corey Voelkel said in a statement. “We’re excited to serve many new and repeat Baltimore County customers here on Deereco.”

Expect a coffee bar; wrap-around beer bar with a 10-tap system; and booth, table, and high-top seating indoors. Aveley operates all of its roasting and green coffee operations out of this space, while Diamondback will add a 3.5-barrel brew system for lagers and experimental beers that will only be available at the Baltimore County location. With architecture by AEC Concepts, the new digs also feature a large outdoor patio that’s connected to the interior by roll-up garage doors.

In the mornings, the menu features pastries, breakfast burritos, and Aveley coffee, while the evening offerings transition to Diamondback draft beer and seasonally rotating Neapolitan-style pizzas. Look out for classics like a margherita, as well as a vegan pie with vegan mozzarella, fresh basil, and olive oil.

Bark Social Columbia: Dog bar concept Bark Social opened its fifth location on Merriweather Row in Columbia earlier this month. The indoor/outdoor venue features 14,000 square feet of yard space and an additional 2,500 square feet of patio space that includes an off-leash dog park, beer garden, full bar, coffee bar, cafe, and a retail store. The food and beverage lineup includes breakfast burritos and coffee in the morning, then beer and shareables like Italian meatballs, pretzel bites, tacos, and flatbreads in the evening. This is the third Bark Social location in Maryland, joining existing outposts in Bethesda and Canton, with the latter opening in 2022. 

COMING SOON

Nine Tailed Fox: It’s been over a year since Atlas Restaurant Group announced plans to open a Chinese concept at The Village of Cross Keys, and as the opening gets closer, new details have emerged. Slated to debut spring 2025, the kitchen at Nine Tailed Fox will be helmed by executive chef Jeffrey Mei, who has nearly three decades of restaurant experience at places like Benny Chows and ONE Dim Sum in Houston, Texas, as well as the Sheraton Hotel in Flushing, New York.

Although details are mum on the menu, diners can expect a 200-seat space designed by longtime Atlas collaborator Patrick Sutton, featuring traditional Chinese design elements and a rooftop terrace that wraps around a second-floor bar. The name is inspired by a powerful figure in Chinese mythology. Also called huli jing, the nine tailed fox is often portrayed as a fox with the ability to grow additional tails as it ages. Stay tuned for a grand opening date in 2025. 

Root City Kava Bar & Lounge: A new bar in Mt. Vernon is getting ready to open its doors this month—and it’ll specialize in a nonalcoholic beverage that you may have never heard of. The menu will emphasize kava, a spirit-free drink popular in the South Pacific Islands. The roots of kava plants are rich with compounds known as kavalactones, which are known to have calming effects. The drink has been consumed for thousands of years for social, ceremonial, and ritualistic purposes.

The Baltimore Business Journal reports that founder Nicholas Patrick plans to open the concept at 917 Cathedral St. and feature three stories—a cafe, a bar and lounge, and a retro arcade and gaming area. “We’ll have football, we’ll have an open mic night, we’ll have poetry night,” he told the paper. “All the different things you would expect from a really good bar.” 

Tatte Bakery & Café: Annapolis Town Center will soon welcome the area’s first Tatte Bakery & Café, a Washington, D.C. go-to that has more than 40 locations. Taking over the space last occupied by Brio Tuscan Grille, Tatte will serve up its artisanal pastries, breads, and a scratch-driven menu of breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. Diners can expect salads, sandwiches, shakshuka, and other seasonal offerings, alongside a selection of craft coffee, tea, and sodas. 

EPICUREAN EVENTS

10/28-11/2: Bunny’s Turned Upside Down
Stranger Things fans, this one’s for you. Bunny’s in Fells Point will take a trip through the “Upside Down” (the mysterious alternate dimension from the popular Netflix show) for a series of back-to-back Halloween collabs. The week will feature pop-ups from other Baltimore restaurants and chefs including Nana/Clavel, Toki Underground, Ggoma Supper Club, Old Westminster Winery, Peabody Heights, chef Jonah Kim, and more. Follow Bunny’s on Instagram for updates and menu details.

(SOON TO BE) SHUT

The Arthouse: At the end of the month, this pizza bar and gallery in Hampden will close its doors after 11 years in business. Owner Joan Dolina added food and drink to an existing art gallery in 2013, and the result was “a welcoming, slightly funky bar that’s neither as fancy as some of its newer neighbors nor as divey as some of its older ones,” we wrote in a review from 2019.

The Arthouse wrote on social media that the closure was due to lease negotiations that fell through. “We have been unable to come up with a long term win-win solution for both us and the landlord,” the post reads. “We are now required to vacate the building by the end of October. We’d like to thank all the great patrons, amazing staff members, talented artists, musicians, and comedians that made The Arthouse a very special place.” The bar will host a “Going Out of Business” party on Oct. 26.

England Eatery: Soul food restaurant England Eatery, known for its hearty platters and crabby biscuits, will also close its doors at the end of the month. Its last day will be Oct. 27. Owner Aisha England told the BBJ that high food costs, city roadwork, and avoiding debt were all factors in deciding to close. “We are a small business,” she said. “Every penny literally counts.” While this chapter for the restaurant coming to a close, England assured followers on social media that it’s “not goodbye, it’s see you later.” Luckily, the restaurant will still have a presence at Melba’s Place on Greenmount Avenue. 

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A Prince George’s County native, Matthews says opening his own spot in Baltimore was not only appealing for its tight-knit community feel (that Smaltimore-ness, if you will), but it was also a more affordable place to purchase a building for a restaurant. Matthews has spent two years fully gutting the former small grocery store at 3100 E. Baltimore St. to bring to life his vision for a neighborhood gathering spot—equipped with light woods, a white marble bar, and lots of lush greenery.

“In the mornings, Rize is the cafe coffee shop—very modern and comfortable,” he says. “And then 5 p.m. is Rest, where there’s full service, candles on the table, and the playlist changes.”

Expect a morning menu of massive biscuit sandwiches in varieties like egg and bacon, egg and Parmesan, or fried chicken, plus pastries and coffee drinks. In the evenings, the offerings switch over to dishes like smoky burrata with balsamic, black truffle and lobster spaghetti, and sea diver scallops over brown butter cauliflower puree. Cocktails include a clarified milk punch cheekily named “Baltimore Tap Water” and a take on an espresso martini with rum and coconut milk.

Matthews says he takes culinary inspiration from his past experiences—understanding what the market wants today—as well as from family recipes. “Growing up, in my family, there were no chefs, but there were a lot of people who knew how to cook,” he says with a laugh. One recipe that made it on the menu? His mother’s focaccia, which he serves with apple jam and smoked herb butter. 

Rize + Rest is open Tuesday through Saturday. Keep an eye out for the debut of the brunch menu in the new year.

“The biggest thing for us is providing strong hospitality, but also memorable experiences,” Matthews says. “We want to focus on the community, know their names, understand what they like and don’t like. We’ve seen some of the same people eight or nine times already, and we’ve only been open four weeks. That’s something we really take pride in.”

Mama’s on the Half Shell: This Canton staple has officially debuted its long-awaited second location in Owings Mills. Located in the Foundry Row development off of Reisterstown Road, the new outpost offers everything city dwellers have come to love about the original seafood spot, including an impressive raw bar, crab cakes, jumbo wings, and those famous fresh-squeezed Crushes. Expect more space, too, as the Owings Mills location offers more than 200 seats. 

Medium Rare: Steak and frites chain Medium Rare has arrived at The Rotunda in Hampden. The new Baltimore location (previously, the closest were in Bethesda and Washington, D.C.) takes over 3,000 square feet of what was once CineBistro, including the movie theater’s former kitchen space. While Medium Rare only offers prix-fixe service, it’s a steal. For $28.95, diners can get a three-course meal of salad, bread, and a Coulotte steak with hand-cut fries. (There’s also a vegan version that swaps grilled portobellos in for the steak.) Weekend brunch ($31.95) offers diners a choice of eggs Benedict, French toast and sausage, steak and eggs, or egg frites and sausage to pair with bottomless mimosas, screwdrivers, Bloody Marys, soda, coffee, or juice.

Zander’s: Pre-pandemic, diners briefly got to experience the historic Alex. Brown & Sons investment bank building downtown. Boasting original marble walls and columns, historic portraits, and its dazzling domed skylight, the renovated circa-1901 building housed the Alexander Brown Restaurant for just over a year before it closed due to the struggles of COVID restrictions. Now, the team behind Allora in Mt. Vernon has revived the building yet again, with a new concept that focuses on classic cocktails, starters, pastas, and prime cuts of meat (think: a porterhouse, bone-in 10-oz. filet, and boneless ribeye) in the gem of a space. Open Thursday through Saturday for lunch and dinner service, partners Brendon Hudson and David Monteagudo are starting out with dishes like shrimp cocktail, scallop crudo, cacio e pepe, and a burger with gruyere and caramelized onions.

NEWS

Cafe Dear Leon Owners to Open Italian Restaurant: Aside from Mama’s on the Half Shell, another Canton favorite is expanding—sort of. The owners of Cafe Dear Leon, the cozy coffee and pastry shop on O’Donnell Square—where patrons are regularly waiting in lines out the door—recently announced they will debut a new Italian concept. According to the Baltimore Business Journal, co-owner Min Kim will open the sit-down dinner spot in the former Shiso Tavern space at 2933 O’Donnell St., just three doors down from the cafe. Details are still at a minimum, but Kim told the paper to expect fresh pastas and other Italian dishes. 

Suspended Brewing to Relocate: It’s the end of an era for this Pigtown brewery, which will serve its last pint in the neighborhood on New Year’s Eve. Suspended announced last month on Instagram that it plans to relocate to a smaller space in North Baltimore. “Like many other small businesses, we have struggled to find steady footing ever since [the pandemic] and, lately, having such a large taproom has presented its own challenges,” ownership wrote, adding: “The move is more than an address change: it’s an opportunity to reinvent ourselves. There is a lot of work ahead, so we don’t have a timeline yet, but will share the journey along the way.” Looking to say goodbye to the Washington Boulevard taproom? Stop by this Sunday, Dec. 17, for a special closing event in collaboration with local art business Okay Everything. Expect a new beer release, all of the taproom’s art for sale, and special Suspended and Okay Everything merch. 

SHUT

Joe Squared: This staple in the Station North food, beverage, and arts scene—an anchor in the neighborhood for the past two decades—is sadly closing its doors. Last month, the worker-owners behind the bar (Joe Squared was revived after a nine-month hiatus in the wake of COVID-19 after a switch to a co-op model) took to social media to announce that it will close at the end of December. “The restaurant landscape has changed drastically since COVID, and facing lower turnout, higher expenses, and a lack of resources, we have likely reached the end of our journey,” the statement reads.

The beloved dive has long been known for its signature square pizza, risottos, rum drinks, and live music lineup in its “Downsquares” performance space. A two-day farewell bash is planned for Dec. 29 and 30, when more than 20 local bands—including Super City, Glorian, and Manners Manners—are set to take the stage to celebrate all of the good times. “We love you all very much, and we can’t thank you enough for all the years of memories,” the owners summed up in their message. 

Charmington’s: After 13 years in business, this Remington coffee shop will serve its last cup of joe on Dec. 23. “Though our chapter here may be ending, the memories and connections we’ve made will always hold a special place in our hearts,” the shop wrote on Instagram. “We’re immensely grateful for the support, trust, and loyalty you’ve given over the years.” Charmington’s made headlines in 2015 when President Barack Obama stopped by, and the eatery has been known as a welcoming spot that puts a focus on creating a healthy environment for its workers. “You can help us end things as we started, by supporting the staff and being considerate as we finish our time here,” the post continued. The coffee shop’s remaining hours will be Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-2 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

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With a design inspired by the clubs and bars of 1980s-era Manila, the cozy space seats 35 inside and features an outdoor patio. The bar, which is not a part of the hotel (it’s leasing the space to Harlan and Pierce and has its own entrance) was formerly a construction office for Ulysses, and Harlan, Pierce, and a team of artisans refurbished it from scratch. Design details executed in partnership with Joy Strom of Strom Interiors include green velvet banquettes, a hand-painted checkered floor, a black walnut bar, and amber stained glass. 

So where does the unique name come from? A piece of music that Pierce wrote based on an experience he had snorkeling in the Caribbean with Harlan. A school of squid stopped in front of her, and her long hair was floating around her, almost like a coral wig. 

Osteria Pirata: Chef Ashish Alfred is on a roll. After unveiling his ghost kitchen, Good Ducking Burger, in March and opening up Anchor Bar in late 2022, he’s back with the second of three concepts he signed on to launch inside the Admiral Fell Inn (located next door to his Fells Point brasserie Duck Duck Goose). Joining Anchor Bar, Osteria Pirata, which translates to “Pirate Cafe,” is now open next to the inn, in the space formerly home to Points South Latin Kitchen. 

Pirata bills itself as a neighborhood Italian eatery serving up classics with elevated twists. With a prime location along the hustle and bustle of Thames Street, the new concept’s menu features Italian pastas, wines, and meats. Surefire items include the arancini, chicken parmigiano, linguini with clams, blue crab panzanella, and the decadent, 24-layer chocolate cake. 

The Butcher and The ‘Wich: After taking a few weeks to transition its front retail space, JBGB’s in Remington is now home to a new daytime concept. Now open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Butcher and The ‘Wich offers spins on classics like a ham and cheese with housemade pickles and aioli; an Italian beef sandwich with cured beef chuck, provolone, garlic parmesan aioli, and giardiniera; and the highly requested double smashburger that is a favorite at JBGB’s sister-spot in Cockeysville. Patrons can also expect rotating specials and hot and cold salads. To (literally) top it off? The menu will also feature housemade vanilla and chocolate soft-serve ice cream. 

Rest assured, this doesn’t mean anything will change in the rest of JBGB’s operations. The whole animal butchery counter will remain, of course, and JBGB’s restaurant and bar will continue to focus on wood-fired pizzas, locally sourced entrees, and handcrafted desserts and cocktails. 

“It’s been two incredible, and at times challenging, years in Remington, and this next evolution of our concept is about continuing to serve the neighborhood and entire city through expanding our popular lunch program,” said Tyler Johnson, executive chef at JBGB’s, in a press release. “The support for our butchered items, pizza, and bar program have been incredible, and we can’t wait to give folks another reason to love JBGB’s.”

CH-CH-CHANGES

Whitehall Market: Change appears to be afoot at Whitehall Mill, the historic property turned communal food hall located along the Jones Falls in Hampden that debuted in 2020. Many vendors inside have closed their stalls, with most recent closures including Wight Tea Co. and Heritage Kitchen. The food market shared on its own social media that it’s “had a great run with our talented vendors, and we’re excited for their next chapter.” Baltimore has reached out to the mill for comment, but last month, developer David Tufaro told the Baltimore Banner that the closures are turnover from the vendors’ three-year leases expiring, and that it’s still searching for its next tenants. Stay tuned for more. 

EPICUREAN EVENTS

6/3: Charles Street Promenade
This pedestrian takeover, created during the pandemic, returns with street-front activations, musical performances, and more—all in an effort to shine a light on Charles Street’s small businesses. The thoroughfare will be closed to vehicular traffic from Saratoga Street to North Avenue, where visitors can expect plenty of outdoor shopping, dining, and live music. Participating businesses include Brewer’s Art, Tree House Juicery (a brand-new, Black-owned juice bar), B.Willow, Cane Collective, and more. Performers include a harpist at the John Paul II Prayer Garden from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and bass trombonist Christian Hizon at An die Musik from 2-4 p.m. There will also be a plethora of walking tours and kids’ activities. Check the Charles Street Promenade website for the full schedule.

6/14: Rosé & Softshells at The Tilted Row
It’s the season of the softshell. If you’re craving one, consider this three-course dinner event at The Titled Row. The Bolton Hill gastropub, located inside The Jordan apartment building, will pair each course with a tasting of a special rosé selected by bar director Bryan Ranere. (Expect to be greeted with a rosé cocktail to boot.) Courses include a shaved scallop ceviche, baharat and cornmeal-dusted soft-shell crab, and a pistachio rose pavlova. The dinner runs $75, plus tax and gratuity. Book here.

SHUT

Friends Grille: After three and a half years, this Pigtown bar closed on Carroll Street following Memorial Day weekend. “In short, we had a contract to purchase the property, but we were unable to secure the financing necessary to close the deal,” the bar wrote on Instagram. “Subsequently, the date on our contract expired, and we were unable to reach a short-term deal to continue at our current location.” But the owners remain optimistic: “We will have an announcement in the very near future regarding our next steps,” the post continues. The inviting spot—with a very fitting name—was best known for its community events, pub grub, and bell behind the bar—which staff would ring whenever patrons came in to share good news or big life events. 

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Banditos Tacos & Tequila: The fifth location of this Federal Hill-born chain is now open in Maple Lawn at 8160 Westside Blvd. Offering up its signature Mexican street food and infused margaritas, the new iteration of the so-called “Taco Temple” spans 5,500 square feet and features a covered patio that can seat 75. First-timers can’t go wrong with the Bang Bang Shrimp tacos paired with Banditos’ classic “Dito Rita,” made with fresh-squeezed lime juice, organic agave, and Blanco Espolon Tequila. “Every attention to detail goes into Banditos, from our restaurant design and aesthetics to the ingredients used in our cocktails and kitchens,” said Sean White, founder and CEO of restaurant group White Oak Hospitality, in a press release. “We are super excited to complement the many other wonderful offerings in Maple Lawn.” Soon enough, the restaurant’s Howard County footprint will expand again with another forthcoming location planned to debut at the Merriweather District later in 2023. 

Shake Shack: Those famous Shake Shack smashburgers and crinkle-cut fries are now conceivably more accessible to Baltimoreans than ever before—thanks to the new Canton location that is equipped with a state-of-the-art drive-thru. (Think: a digital menu board, two-lane ordering system, and separate pickup window.) Earlier this week, the fast-food chain opened the doors to its newest Baltimore location—the first in Maryland with a drive-thru—at The Shops at Canton Crossing. Of course, if you want to stay a while, there’s also  “in-Shack dining” and an outdoor patio for enjoying classics like the Shackburger, Chicken Shack crispy chicken sandwich, and an array of hand-spun milkshakes. (For a limited time, Shake Shack is also collaborating with hit YouTube show Hot Ones to bring spicy takes on menu items like the Hot Ones Burger and spicy cheese fries.) The Shake Shack in Canton is now open daily from 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

COMING SOON

Slutty Vegan: Baltimore native and Slutty Vegan CEO Aisha “Pinky” Cole has announced her homecoming—sort of. According to reporting by The Baltimore Banner, Cole teased a Baltimore location of her popular vegan burger chain during a recent interview with radio station 92Q. “I gotta come back home…I am who I am because of my city,” Cole said, according to the Banner. Cole also confirmed the news to The Baltimore Sun earlier this month.

Slutty Vegan got its start in Atlanta in 2018, when Cole began selling her signature made-to-order burgers via Instagram. Then came a food truck and the first brick-and-mortar location. Now, several outposts throughout Georgia—as well as in Birmingham, Ala, and Brooklyn, N.Y.—offer all kinds of plant-based, 100 percent vegan items, including a bratwurst, chicken tenders, and chili. Cole even headlined a fall tour this year for her “Pinky Cole Experience,” where she promoted her recently released cookbook, Eat Plants, B*tch. The final stop was Dec. 2 at Baltimore Soundstage. Stay tuned for updates.

Culture Cup Cafe: That prime space on Eastern Avenue once home to Patterson Perk will be in use again soon. Culture Cup Cafe will take over 2501 Eastern Ave., serving up loose leaf tea, coffee, and other breakfast items. According to the Baltimore Business Journal, the owner of the concept is Renee Harris, who also owns Marie’s Cafe LLC, a pop-up business that often operates around Maryland and in Washington, D.C. Curious to get a taste? Culture Cup will host a sneak peek this Saturday, Dec. 17 at the cafe from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The limited menu on offer will include free small coffees or vanilla chai tea samples, plus rum cake, all while supplies last. 

Raising Cane’s: This one’s for all of the FoodTok fans who have drooled over videos of Cane’s crispy chicken tenders dunked in a cup of its signature spicy sauce. The Baltimore region’s first location of this chicken tender chain is set to open its doors on Jan. 10. Raising Cane’s will debut at 4 W. Towsontown Blvd. as part of mixed-use Towson Row development. The 3,900-square-foot restaurant is located on the corner of York Rd. beneath The York apartments and adjacent to Whole Foods. 

EPICUREAN EVENTS

12/17: Baltimore Spirits Co.’s Christmas in the Caribbean
This Saturday, the Union Collective distillery is bringing back its annual holiday soiree featuring “all the debauchery of an ‘80s holiday party without the copy machine,” according to an event description. Revelers can expect a playlist chock full of Jimmy Buffet, boat drinks, food from Hampden neighbor Chuck’s Trading Post, and a even a full roast pig. The agenda also includes giveaways. Anyone who arrives before 7 p.m. will get a free raffle ticket for a variety of prizes that will be given away at the end of the night. The event runs 6-10 p.m.

(SOON TO BE) SHUT

STEM Kitchen/Molina Pizza: Get that falafel and made-to-order personal pizza while you can. Remington food hall R. House announced that two of its original vendors, sister-spots STEM Kitchen and Molina Pizza, “will be closing out their time with us in 2023,” according to Instagram. R. House is currently taking applications for new vendors to replace those stalls, and lease terms and commitment time could start as early as spring 2023.

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As puzzling as it might seem to folks who grew up out of town, a helping of sauerkraut is part of a complete Thanksgiving dinner plate in these parts. But how did it become a local Turkey Day tradition?

The ritual took hold around the latter 19th century as European immigrants continued to pass through the Port of Baltimore, which rivaled New York City’s Ellis Island as a gateway to prosperity. Not long after Thanksgiving was declared a U.S. holiday in 1863, we learned that roughly 25 percent of Baltimoreans had come from Germany.

Despite common misconception, that’s not where sauerkraut was first conceived (it actually started off in ancient China), but German people began curing and fermenting their own cabbage sometime in the 1600s, after which, it would endure there as affordable cuisine. Inevitably, sauerkraut would follow Eastern European families to home kitchens in Charm City, where it would serve as a Thanksgiving reminder of traditions from back home. 

Before too long, kraut “spilled over to everyone,” says chef John Shields, cookbook author and owner of Gertrude’s Chesapeake Kitchen at the Baltimore Museum of Art. He references a quote from Baltimore-born journalist and writer H.L. Mencken: “No self-respecting Baltimore household would be caught dead without kraut brewing in the basement. There was no leeway around it.”

So, what is it about the staple side dish that makes it so beloved? For Shields, it’s just a no-brainer: “It’s a tradition,” he says. “It is a pretty uniquely Maryland thing.”  A sauerkraut enthusiast himself, Shields, who came of age in Baltimore surrounded by Italians, remembers the fermented stuff served next to ravioli and roast turkey on Thanksgiving. 

“Some people pile their plate up, but everybody feels like they have to put at least a tablespoon on their plate for Thanksgiving,” he says. “Otherwise, it could be terrible, bad luck—probably forever.” 

If Shields’ family sentiment is true, it’s safe to say that Baltimore is shrouded in good fortune, as the fermented substance is served everywhere from Johnny Dee’s in Parkville to Vikki’s Fells Point Deli in Broadway Market to Snake Hill in Highlandtown—where the signature sausages are made with rabbit, rattlesnake, and duck. 

“If you have sausages, you have kraut. That’s about it,” Snake Hill owner Randy Coffren says, admitting that he isn’t very keen on sauerkraut’s tangy taste, which calls to the eatery’s older patrons. “It seems like a boomer topping, if I’m being honest.”

Be that as it may, for people like Meaghan Carpenter of HEX Ferments, sauerkraut never went out of style. In fact, it’s trending. While it’s true that time-honored recipes for kraut—including shank bones, simmered apples, and braised pork chops—have been loved for generations, those are far cries from the modern variations found at HEX, a longtime local innovator in the world of sauerkraut and kimchi (a Korean cousin to kraut that is typically fermented with additional spices). Varieties like HEX’s Glow Kraut, made with ayurvedic spices, and a mineral-rich Sea Kraut, are reminders of the dish’s status as a superfood. They also make for tasty snacks, according to Shields, who says he likes to keep a jar of HEX kraut handy throughout the day. 

“Personally, I think the American diet has removed the sour flavor profile from our cuisine for so long, that a lot of people may be afraid of this process that’s as old as mankind,” Carpenter says. 

It might sound unconventional, but Carpenter, who recently launched HEX Superette—a tasting room and marketplace in Govans—with her husband, Shane, prefers kraut as a topping to enhance her homemade sandwiches. 

“Growing up, my mom used to make peanut butter and banana sandwiches,” says Carpenter, who isn’t big on sweets. “So I was like, ‘Oh…what about a peanut butter kraut sandwich?’ Instead of adding jelly, I’ll just add some Orchard Kraut. It sounds bizarre, but if you’ve got some fat, and you add sauerkraut to it, it’s going to taste good.”

Shields says it even tastes good in martinis—and in double chocolate cake. “That’s really good,” he says. “Basically, the sauerkraut gives moisture to the cake, kind of like oil or butter would. And there’s a very slight tang to it. It works well with the chocolate, and the sauerkraut dissolves, so it’s not like you’re eating hunks of it.” 

Soon, Shields and his team will be encasing and fermenting several hundred pounds of sauerkraut for fans—but not for Turkey Day. In January, lovers of the funky food will flock to Gertrudes’ annual Krautfest event to sample it in everything from Spaetzle casserole to quite-realistic vegan bratwursts.

“It’s a trip and a half—and it sells out in a day.” 

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Representing: The Back Yard and Mulberry’s Bar in Hollins Market
Fun fact: I sing karaoke up to three times a week.
My mixology style in one word: Contemplative.
If I were a cocktail: In the mornings I’d be an Old Fashioned, because I’m all muddled. At night I’d be a Whiskey Sour because I’m bright and cheery.
Hints on Rye’s Up cocktail entry: My cocktail is inspired by one of my favorite songs.
Most excited about: The fact that the event is supporting such an incredible cause is exciting enough. And getting to compete against my peers and get to know my fellow Baltimore bartenders better is an added bonus.
Advice for tasters: Cleanse your palates and keep an open mind.

Representing: The Sagamore Pendry
Fun fact: While I am a food and beverage manager at The Pendry, I also teach in the acting department at the Baltimore School For The Arts.
My mixology style in one word: K.I.S.S (Keep It Simple Stupid).
If I were a cocktail: I would be a Boulevardier with rye. Simple, classic, bittersweet, and well-balanced.
Hints on Rye’s Up cocktail entry: My idea for this year’s Ryes Up cocktail was an Old Fashioned…but new.
Most excited about: Bartending with friends, giving back to the CFF, and being in a new space for this competition.
Advice for tasters: Take your time and pace yourself. There will be 15 cocktails to taste this year. Don’t burn out your taste buds too early.

Representing: B-Side Cocktail Lounge at Hotel Revival
Fun fact: Along with being a bartender, I’m also a vegan chef and caterer.
My mixology style in one word: Culinary.
If I were a cocktail: Maybe a rye Manhattan? I’m both assertive (like rye whiskey) and friendly and sweet (like the vermouth).
Hints on Rye’s Up cocktail entry: The name of my cocktail is Black Cat.
Most excited about: To see how people react to my cocktail and to hear constructive feedback from the judges.
Advice for tasters: Drink water in between samples both to cleanse your palate and to stay hydrated. There are a lot of cocktails to taste.

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Pratt Street Market Returns: Exciting news for those who live, work, and play in the downtown district—this pop-up lunch market is officially back every Thursday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. through September 29. Grab friends or co-workers and head to 10 E. Pratt Plaza (on the corner of Light and Pratt streets) to explore a rotating lineup of local vendors including Craving Potato Factory, Dear Globe Coffee, Delmarva Popcorn, Lattimore’s Funnel Cakes, SoBeachy Haitian Cuisine, Wonderbooks, and Vegan Soul Bakery. Though the purveyors will change from week to week, you can count on a regular roster of baked goods, specialty foods, and artisan products. 

“In years past, the Pratt Street Market has served as a fun way to break up the traditional work day for those who live and work in the Central Business District, and we’re thrilled to announce it’s officially back,” Downtown Partnership of Baltimore president Shelonda Stokes said in a statement. “As Downtown Baltimore continues to welcome its businesses back in the offices, we’re excited to bring this initiative back—to promote community and foot traffic in the heart of our city.”

OPEN

Current Space Launches Outdoor Bar: Thanks to a newly granted liquor license, you can now enjoy a beer, glass of wine, or refreshing cocktail outside at Current Space in the Bromo Arts District. Starting tonight, the bar—which will help subsidize and expand programming at the artist-run gallery and studio—will be open in Current Space’s greenery-filled courtyard Wednesday through Saturday from 5-11 p.m. Special festivities planned to celebrate the grand opening include performances by trumpeter Brandon Woody, DJ Brooks Long, and DJ Ned Ryerson. 

“This license is a big deal for us,” Current Space co-director Michael Benevento said in a press release. “It can provide financial sustainability and resilience for the art space operations, employment opportunities, funding for the arts, and more regularly scheduled programming. We will be open additional evenings so you [can] also just meet up with friends for a drink in the courtyard and check out the exhibition.”

Open seasonally from April through October, the bar will offer a menu of local craft beers, natural wines, and seasonal cocktails like the Full Bloom—a hibiscus-rose creation with Oaxacan rum and fresh mint. 

“Our menu is inspired by our travels and road trips,” co-director Julianna Hamilton said. “We’ve been recipe testing for months…We wanted to offer things that feel relaxed and summery—like you’re hanging out in a friend’s backyard.”

COMING SOON

Papi Cuisine: Baltimore County locals went nuts when co-owners Alex Perez and Berry Clark recently dropped the news on Instagram that they would be expanding their Afro-Caribbean, Latin-influenced restaurant to Owings Mills in the coming months. According to reporting by the Baltimore Business Journal, the second Papi Cuisine location—the restaurant currently operates out of South Baltimore in Riverside—will take over the former Don Pablo’s space on Restaurant Park Drive. Not only does this mean that the vacant space will boast a new tenant, but it will bring some local flavor to an area historically dominated by chain restaurants. Though grand opening details haven’t yet been confirmed, we can expect the restaurant will feature fan-favorites like its crab cake eggrolls, mac and cheese, and honey-jerk lamb chops. 

EPICUREAN EVENTS

8/5-8/28: Maryland Vegan Restaurant Month
Baltimore Restaurant Week may have just come to an end, but another dining-out promotion is just getting started. Maryland Vegan Restaurant Month returns for its tenth semi-annual campaign, in which a slew of Baltimore- and D.C.-area eateries will offer plant-based dishes for vegan and omnivore diners alike. Unlike a traditional restaurant week that provides a prix-fixe menu, participating spots are encouraged to create a selection of plant-based items to offer specifically throughout the vegan weeks.

“We’re just excited to promote plant-based eating however we can,” said organizers Samantha Claassen of Golden West Café and Naijha Wright-Brown of The Land of Kush in a joint statement. “We started it because we wanted a way to highlight all of the veg-friendly restaurants in our area, and it’s since grown to incorporate omni restaurants who are now seeing that there’s a huge demand for plant-based dishes.”

So far, participating restaurants include Golden West Cafe, The Land of Kush, Miss Shirley’s, Gangster Vegan, Cafe Fili, Treehouse Café and Juice Bar, Harmony Bakery, Roland Park Bagels, WOW Vegan Treats, Underground Pizza, The Verandah, Liora, Double Zero, and Johnny Rads. Visit mdveganeats.com for more info.

8/4-8/7: Guinness Open Gate Brewery’s Four-Year Anniversary Party
The party celebrating four years of the Guinness Open Gate Brewery—which kicked off with its first round of celebrations at the end of July—continues this weekend with a full lineup of events. A four-year anniversary is often thought of as the “fruits or flowers” anniversary, and Guinness is taking that theme to heart with the release of a Fruits & Flowers line of experimental beers. Among them are a Lemon Lavender brewed with dried lavender, lemon puree, and black tea; and a Passionfruit Jalapeno beer inspired by a mixer of the same name from CAnE Collective. 

All weekend long, patrons can enjoy these sips, live music, custom anniversary beer-inspired chocolate truffles by Charm City Chocolate, and exclusive anniversary merch at the retail shop. Plus, stop in Sunday for a beer-themed dinner. Admission is free, but entry to tours and the beer dinner must be purchased in advance.

8/6: Summer Luau with Chuck’s Trading Post and Baltimore Spirits Co.
Hampden restaurant and bodega Chuck’s Trading Post will team up with neighboring distillery Baltimore Spirits Co. this Saturday to host a summer luau. Expect a suckling pig and a small menu of fun cocktails to match. The event takes place 4-8 p.m. at Union Collective, where the distillery resides.

8/13: The Charmery’s Ninth Anniversary Menu
Happy birthday to The Charmery! The beloved Baltimore ice cream company celebrates nine years this summer. And specifically for the occasion, the team is rolling out a special menu of limited-edition flavors—some supporting local community causes—that are all a nod to the number nine. On Saturday, August 13, the fun menu will include The GOATstachio #9, created in collaboration with Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, featuring pistachio, raspberry, and white chocolate (10 percent of the proceeds will go to Baltimore School for the Arts). You’ll also find the new Head Like a Mole, made in collaboration with Clavel chef-owner Carlos Raba. With a name that’s a play on the Nine Inch Nails track “Head Like a Hole,” the flavor features chocolate mole ice cream with canelitas cinnamon cookie pieces. (Ten percent of the proceeds will go to Guardian Gym, Raba’s community jiu-jitsu nonprofit).

“We just want to do our part in supporting this amazing community,” The Charmery owner David Alima said in a statement. “If that’s through our ice cream or supporting local nonprofits through special flavors, it’s all part of our love for Baltimore.”

Patrons who visit any Charmery location on August 13 will not only get to try these limited-time flavors, they’ll also get a free baby scoop with a purchase, as well as free ice cream-themed temporary tattoos. 

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The Classic Catering People: The Owings Mills caterer offers a Passover traditional dinner that includes charoset, matzoh balls and chicken broth, and breast of capon. The cost of $150 serves up to five, and $275 serves up to 10. A vegan option includes spaghetti squash casserole. Choose from a variety of individual starters, entrees, sauces, and desserts to add to your dinner table. Orders must be placed by April 8 by calling 410-356-1666. Food will be available for pickup and delivery between April 14 and 23.

Duck Duck Goose: Join Duck Duck Goose in Fells Point for a standard brunch service on Easter. Dishes will include avocado and crab toast, eggs Benedict, chicken sandwiches, and a smoked salmon tower. Reservations can be made here.

Eddie’s of Roland Park: Easter: The Roland Park caterer offers meals for small or large groups, available April 14-16 and 18. Easter In-a-Box serves up to six people, and includes smoked ham, soup, macaroni and cheese, and more. Individual plates come with ham, roasted asparagus, and more; sides and desserts are also available. Passover: Passover specials from Eddie’s are available April 14-16 and 18-23. Passover In-a-Box serves up to 6 and includes brisket, matzoh balls and soup, potato kugel, and more. Individual plates are also available. Plates come with brisket with gravy or matzoh-stuffed chicken breast and sides. Eddie’s also has a deluxe Seder-for-six, including chicken Marbella, salmon, eggplant salad, and more. Orders need to be placed 72 hours in advance in person or by calling 410-323-3656 for the Roland Avenue location, and 410-377-8040 for the N. Charles Street location.

Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore: The hotel is offering Easter brunch and live music on April 17 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Brunch includes over 50 dishes, such as mushroom risotto, crab eggs Benedict, a shellfish station, desserts and more. There will be a themed arts and crafts table and photos with the Easter Bunny for the kids. Prices start at $115 per person, $125 per person includes Champagne. Kids 12 and under are $55, and 5 and under are free. Reservations can be made here.

The Gourmet Girls: The Owings Mills caterer and marketplace offers a customizable Seder in a Box, which serves four people, or individual appetizers, entrees, and desserts, including stuffed chicken breast, salmon, roasted vegetables, and cheesecake. Place orders by calling 410-581-4914 by April 10.

Gunther & Co.: The Brewers Hill restaurant hosts Easter Sunday brunch on April 17. Appetizers include tuna poke, beef tartare, and lobster bisque; main course dishes are short rib tostada, Maryland crab, leg of lamb, and more. Brunch is $36 per person. Make a reservation online here.

Jimmy’s Famous Seafood: Celebrate Easter early at Jimmy’s Famous Seafood with the Easter Brunch Eggstravaganza on April 9 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This family-friendly brunch includes photos with the Easter Bunny, dyeing eggs, crafts and cookie-decorating. The restaurant’s most popular springtime brunch dishes will be served, including waffles, omelets, and crab hash. Kids can join the fun for $28, adults for $35. Though reservations aren’t required, they can be made here.

Lenny’s Deli: The Owings Mills deli is offering a traditional Passover dinner, at $17.99 per person, including homemade chopped liver, matzo ball soup, brisket, or chicken and vegetables. An option is the roasted chicken dinner, at $13.99 per person, or the brisket dinner, for $15.99 per person. Orders can be placed by calling 410-363-3353.

NiHao Baltimore: Can’t make it to brunch on Easter Sunday? NiHao Baltimore will be hosting Easter Dim Sum Brunch on Saturday, April 16 and Sunday, April 17 from noon to 2:30 p.m. Enjoy Chinese dishes such as black sesame flan, Shanghai noodles, Peking duck, or shrimp dumplings. The Canton restaurant will also be serving desserts such as chocolate cake bites. Brunch for two is $98 and can be enjoyed while dining in or by carryout. To make a reservation or pre-order carryout, call 443-835-2036, or make a reservation online here.

No Way Rosé: The French-inspired restaurant in Federal Hill is hosting a standard brunch on Easter Sunday. Menu items include roasted beets, blue crab omelet, guacamole à la maison and steak frites. The restaurant does not take reservations, and guests will be seated on a first-come, first-serve basis. The restaurant can be reached at 443-363-6780.

Rusty Scupper: The harbor restaurant is hosting their annual all-you-can-eat brunch buffet on April 17. For starters, choose from a smoked seafood platter, caprese salad, fried potatoes and more. The restaurant is also offering prime rib of beef, ham, Cajun crawfish and Old Bay roasted chicken. Drinks are included, including Champagne and mimosas. Reservations are required, by calling 410-727-3678. Brunch is $66 for adults and $33 for kids 10 and under. (Guests will have 1 hour and 30 minutes to dine.)

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse: Celebrate Easter at the steakhouse with Easter Sunday brunch on April 17, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Brunch specials include Atlantic salmon, Ruth’s chicken and biscuits, and steak and eggs. The steakhouse’s full dinner and cocktail menu will also be available all day. Make a reservation online here.

Santoni’s Marketplace and Catering: Santoni’s offers a traditional Easter dinner that serves 5 for $79 and comes with ham, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, dinner rolls and more. Meals serving 10 are available for $155. Santoni’s takes orders until April 13 by calling 410-833-6610 ext. 1, or emailing catering@santonis.com.

Sweet 27 Cafe and Bakery: The multicultural gluten-free cafe and restaurant invites you for Easter brunch on April 17, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The buffet will include French toast, scrambled tofu, potato latkes, Penang chicken, goat curry, Chana masala and more. Adults can dine for $25 per person and children under 10 for $18. Make reservations by calling 410-464-7211 or email sweet27@sweet27.com.

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Royal Sauce: A new food truck is gaining traction in Baltimore. Royal Sauce, from local chef Malik Robertson and his business partner April Bebel, serves American comfort food we all likely know and love—smashburgers, patty melts, grilled cheese, plus a chicken and pineapple quesadilla—but with a bevy of dynamic sauces to choose from to keep patrons on their toes. “It’s all nostalgic stuff that you can reach for with your eyes closed,” says Robertson, who has classic French culinary training and whose C.V. includes stops at The Chasseur, The Smoking Swine, and Dizzy Cow Pizzeria.

The focus on sauces, he says, provides a twist. “It can really change the entire dynamic of the dish,” he explains. “The food itself is good on its own, but I don’t want to be the burger guy, the pizza guy, the quesadilla guy, I want to be the sauce guy.”

The sauces run the gamut of flavor profiles. Expect varieties like a roasted garlic aioli, a blackberry chipotle (“sweet with a little bit of heat”), and the savory, umami-forward, namesake, mayonnaise-based Royal Sauce that includes inventive ingredients like mushroom powder and soy sauce.

The cache of different sauces also allows customers to put their own little DIY spin on the menu, as Robertson puts it. “People love to hack menus you know, like ‘I got the burger, and I did it this way and put Mango Tango on it,’” he explains. “It makes them feel empowered. They want to take a picture of it. That was the whole thought process behind the menu.”

Royal Sauce recently held a soft opening inside The Hanover in southern Baltimore. The truck’s upcoming schedule in the area is still being finalized. Curious sauce lovers can stay updated by following the truck’s Instagram page, @royalsaucemd.

NEWS

Friends and Family Suspends Service: Fells Point bar and restaurant Friends and Family, which specializes in plant-based comfort food, announced this week that it has suspended service. “We, like 177,000 other restaurants and bars across the country, did not receive the assistance promised by the Restaurant Revitalization Fund,” the establishment wrote on Instagram. “We will remain in hibernation until the fund is replenished and we are able to attain the assistance to continue operations.”

Owner Ginny Lawhorn—who opened Friends and Family, at the corner of Aliceanna and Broadway in late 2020 after rebranding the space from Sticky Rice—tells us that, like many independent restaurants across the country during the pandemic, Friends and Family has had to deal with rising costs, a smaller workforce, and a recent hit in business due to the Omicron variant.

During the Omicron surge, Lawhorn evaluated her payroll to determine how much longer the restaurant could operate, then helped find other positions for all her employees. “Then I just started suspending accounts, so that we didn’t owe anyone any money,” she explains, “which was my most important decision. There are restaurants all over the country that are still operating because they cannot afford to close. And that is going to look like waves of personal bankruptcies across the country in the months to come. I wasn’t going to gamble on the hope of a return to possibly pre-COVID sales levels this summer, which is what the industry is hoping for. I wasn’t going to gamble on that and the potential of needing to leave vendors in arrears or personally guaranteed money that wasn’t there. It’s just not the right thing to do if you’re able to make a different decision.”

Closures of Main Street businesses like Friends and Family can diminish a neighborhood’s culture and character, Lawhorn says. She expresses gratitude to Maryland Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen for being “the loudest cheerleaders” when it comes to advocating for replenishing the Restaurant Revitalization Fund but continues to be frustrated by the mixed messaging from federal agencies.

For Baltimoreans who want to help, Lawhorn has simple advice: “Go a little bit out of your way to support an independent operator.”

Atlas to Take Over James Joyce: Atlas Restaurant Group announced on Instagram last week that it will reopen the James Joyce Irish Pub & Restaurant, located at 616 President St. in the Harbor East neighborhood, “as the same name and concept,” the restaurant group posted. The pub, which closed in 2020 as a result of the pandemic, debuted in 2002 and was known for its tradition Irish fare and live music every night.

“Irish pubs are known for being places that the community can gather to enjoy food, drinks, and friendly conversation,” said Alex Smith, Atlas president and CEO, in a statement. “While James Joyce remained shuttered, the neighborhood and city were missing an important and unique concept that was successful as a result of their neighborly hospitality, which we look forward to continuing.”

Atlas says it expects James Joyce to open in late summer with an improved food menu and updated décor.

Magdalena Offering Cherry Blossom Cocktail: The Ivy Hotel’s signature restaurant, Magdalena, is celebrating the annual bloom of the cherry blossoms with an inspired new cocktail. Now through the end of spring, guests to the bistro can enjoy the 1912 Clarified Cherry Blossom Punch for $17. The cocktail is a blend of Japanese whiskey, yuzu, cherry blossom tea, wildflower simple syrup, and orange blossom liqueur. The name 1912 is a nod to the year when D.C.’s 3,000 iconic blossoms were donated to the nation’s capital from Japan.

EPICUREAN EVENTS

4/7: New Beers Day at True Chesapeake Oyster Co.
Celebrate National Beer Day on April 7 at True Chesapeake Oyster Co. The Prohibition-themed event encourages attendees to don their best 1930s attire while enjoying live music and keg takeovers from Union Craft Brewing, Waverly Brewing Company, and Checkerspot Brewing Company. Everyone’s first beer is only $1. 7-10 p.m.

4/10: Café Los Sueños Anniversary Celebration
Remington java joint Café Los Sueños will celebrate its one-year anniversary on April 10 “with a day of food, art, and fun.” The event will feature a special menu and pop-up shops from some of the cafe’s favorite Baltimore businesses, including Cocina Luchadoras, Charm City Threads, Café Tío Conejo, Mexi Art by Ale, artist Magan Ruthke, and Face Paint by Marina. 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

SHUT

Bond Street Social: A few weeks ago, the Baltimore Business Journal reported that the interior of popular Fells Point restaurant and bar Bond Street Social had been “stripped of its furniture,” with sources confirming to the paper that it was closed for good. To our knowledge there has not been an official statement on the closure or its cause, but when we walked by the space this past weekend, a sign from Harbor East Management Group was posted on the door saying, “this location is closed for business.”

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From Jan. 28- Feb. 6, an array of local eateries will feature prix-fixe offerings, including brunch, lunch, and dinner priced between $25-45.

Shelonda Stokes, President of Downtown Partnership, feels that the timing of the local celebration is just right.

“January is a slow time for restaurants,” she says. “Then you add in the impact of COVID, and they need our support more than ever. [Baltimore Restaurant Week is] an ode to the community’s ability to come together, savor, and enjoy after such a tumultuous time. It’s a social and cultural moment that we know many out-of-towners and locals anticipate.”

From vegan fare at Liora to Italian fine-dining at Cinghiale, there are dozens of restaurants participating. Here are a few to help you narrow down the choices: 

Allora: This newly opened Charles Street bistro beckons visitors to join them on a Roman holiday with an indulgent, three-course feast. Highlights include focaccia, creamy Cacio e Pepe, and a pappardelle dried pasta in ragu.

Blackwall Hitch: The surf-inspired Inner Harbor eatery is here to help us satisfy much more than seafood cravings. In addition to a cheddar crab dip and “Calamari Fritz,” find grilled pear-topped salads and fire-roasted flatbreads like the “Truffled Mushroom,” topped with decadent garlic mornay sauce.

Black Olive: Best known for Mediterranean cuisine, this brick-paved eatery in Old Fells Point is just the place to go if you’ve been searching for souvlaki, spanikopita or sea bass. Other bites to look out for include Maine lobster pasta in a tarragon white cream sauce.

The Chicken or the Egg: Fans of a tender thigh or drumstick: look no further. This Mt. Vernon spot has all the tasty goods to tide you over. Try the fluffy, Belgian “Waffle Master,” topped with jumbo chicken wings and drenched in maple syrup. Or indulge in comfort when you order the fried chicken platter served alongside western fries, coleslaw, and a choice of corn bread or a biscuit. 

The Food Market: This hotspot on The Avenue is pulling out the big guns with a three-course meal, complete with several off-the-cuff desserts. Get your sugar fix with everything from cookie dough cannoli to a crispy rice cake sandwich.

Forno: This pre-show standby (perfect for a snack and a glass of wine before an evening at the nearby Hippodrome or Everyman Theatre) is a destination that should be on your list regardless of whether you have tickets to an upcoming performance. During Restaurant Week, Forno is offering scrumptious three-course menu with optional wine pairings. Get started with short rib meatballs or delicata squash fritters before moving on to options such as spaghetti Bolognese, crispy rainbow trout, or a burrata pizza.

Guilford Hall Brewery: It wouldn’t be a visit to this European-style spot without a giant pretzel (and, of course, their famous bier cheese for dunking.) But you can also customize your three-course meal with bites including smoky chicken and lamb sliders.

Liora: True to form, this Inner Harbor vegan haunt is serving up some healthy, hearty classics (think flavorful grilled Portobello mushrooms and a veggie soup with cashew creme and cheddar chive drop biscuits.)

Lisa’s on Preston: Those with an urge to trade in winter temps for island sun won’t want to miss a chance to hit up this Mt. Vernon eatery. Score a special on two large jerk or brown stew chicken entrees (each plate comes piled high with rice, peas, cabbage, and plantains) and two bottled drinks. 

Lumbini: This Himalayan eatery is perfect if a voyage overseas (by way of Charles Street) strikes your fancy. Ditch the passport and sit down to savor favorites such as saag paneer, tandoori chicken, vegetable chow mein, and garlic naan.

Marie Louise: With everything from salads and charcuterie to duck confit and a crispy Croque Madame, this Mt. Vernon eatery boasts all the tastes of Europe. Pair your chosen bites with cocktails like the “410,” marked with warming undertones of lemon, Paris tea, and honey.

The Manor: Pull up a chair at this swanky Mt. Vernon lounge to graze on everything from pork shank to oven-roasted wings. Or keep things simple with “The Manor Crab Cake,” served with micro salad, grilled asparagus, and fried potato straws.

Sakoon Indian Fusion: Head to this St. Paul Street standby for all-you-can-eat dinner spread, complete with Indian comfort foods such as chicken vindaloo, lamb chops, and pineapple fried rice. Be sure to check out Sakoon’s vegan plates and buzz-free sips (think fresh-squeezed mango juice and lassi.)

XS: This Mt. Vernon bar and sushi spot is serving up a three-course spread of spicy Asian staples. Start with small plates like duck spring rolls and crab wontons, followed by your choice of bites like beef bulgogi, miso salmon, and “Xsive” fried rice loaded with shrimp and steak.

Browse the full list of specials, here.

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Eat Pizza Together: Carroll County’s Old Westminster Winery became Maryland’s first-ever vineyard to have its own outdoor restaurant last week when it officially unveiled this new pizza concept. In keeping with the team’s sustainable approach, Eat Pizza Together offers a wood-fired menu that uses ingredients—everything from cheeses and cured meats to honey and sunflower oil—sourced from within 100 miles of the property. Among the options are a classic margherita, the “Oh Kale Yeah!” (tomato, kale, sausage, and chili flakes), and the “Ramp It Up” with pickled ramps and ricotta. You can also build your own snack board with items like Atwater’s cheeses and jams and chickpea hummus from The Food Chick. Make a reservation in advance to enjoy the eats, paired with OWW’s bottled (or canned) blends, while taking in the bucolic views.  

Miss Shirley’s: Ever have a hankering for stuffed French toast before an early-morning flight? This hometown hotspot now has you covered. The cafe chain recently expanded to include a new location in the Southwest Airlines Concourse A expansion of BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport. Swing by between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. (hours are sometimes extended based on flight schedules) to enjoy the familiar breakfast and lunch staples before heading out of town. 

Sports & Social Maryland: Just in time for baseball season, Live Casino and Hotel has debuted this sports fan headquarters that features 40 screens, a 100-foot media wall, and social games like bowling and foosball. The menu stays on theme with offerings such as sweet and spicy wings, Buffalo chicken quesadillas, classic nachos, an All-American cheeseburger, and an extensive beer list. 

COMING SOON

Fresh Express by Rosina Gourmet: Students and workers on the Johns Hopkins Medical Campus will be happy to hear that this local cafe—with existing outposts in Canton and Fells Point—is opening an express location on the ground floor of the School of Nursing at 525 N. Wolfe Street. Slated to cut the ribbon this spring, Fresh Express by Rosina Gourmet will fuel students with an array of breakfast sandwiches, as well as salads, deli sandwiches (turkey, pesto, and brie on a French baguette, anyone?), and a selection of grab-and-go options. 

NEWS

Red Emma’s: After a 17-year run that has taken Red Emma’s from Mt. Vernon to Station North and back to Mt. Vernon again, the worker-owned cooperative recently announced that it has found a permanent home in Waverly. With the help of many community partners, the beloved bookstore-cafe and community hub has purchased the building at 415 E. 32nd Street, as well as the storefront at 3128 Greenmount Avenue. The plan is to renovate both spaces to create one “multi-level community coffeehouse, bookstore, and social center,” according to an announcement. 

“Many of us live in Waverly/Abell, and we are so excited to join the diverse community of businesses that are already here, like Urban Reads, Normals, Peabody Heights, My Mama’s Vegan, Pete’s Grille, and Local Color Flowers,” the message posted to Red Emma’s website reads, “and to work together to reimagine a Greenmount Avenue commercial district that is community-focused and meeting the needs of the neighborhoods that border it.” The current Red Emma’s space on Cathedral Street will remain open while the construction process gets underway. Stay tuned for updates. 

Friends and Family Unveils “Pick-Me-Up” Window: In other uplifting news, in honor of Global Pay It Forward Day earlier this week, Friends and Family in Fells Point revealed a new walk-up window that offers free coffee and a baked good to anyone in need—no questions asked. “The concept of this initiative is simple and we believe it is needed now more than ever,” co-owner Ginny Lawhorn said in a statement. “This is our way of saying, ‘If you need a pick-me-up, we’re here for you.’” 

The aptly named “Pick-Me-Up” window continues the plant-based eatery’s commitment to service, as well as the building’s history of hospitality. (The 17th-century spot on the corner of Aliceanna and South Broadway once operated as a bar and boarding house with rooms for rent upstairs.) The window’s hours will reflect operational hours at the restaurant—which also opened its outdoor patio this week—and the team has no plans to end the program anytime soon. “As long as Baltimore needs us, we will be here,” Lawhorn said. 

EPICUREAN EVENTS

5/3: Mera Kitchen Collective x Our Time Kitchen Dinner Pop-Up
The teams behind these community-minded kitchens are coming together for a special pop-up at Mera’s shared space in Station North on Monday, May 3. Submit your pre-order now to enjoy dishes such as traditional musakhan (roasted eggplant or chicken rolled into a thin flatbread), mezze platters with falafel (choose from Our Time chef Kiah Gibian’s version or Mera chef Iman Alshehab’s recipe), jerk chicken with rice and mango salad, and banana pudding for dessert. The best part? Proceeds from the collaborative menu will support the renovation of Our Time’s newly purchased building in Old Goucher—which will provide prep space for womxn-owned food startups with an accessible, by-the-hour rental program. 

5/6: Busboys and Poets Community Preview
As the new location of this Washington, D.C.-based bookstore-cafe gears up for a grand opening in Charles Village next month, the team is hoping to get to know neighbors with this preview event on May 6 from 4-7 p.m. Mask up for the outdoor gathering, which will feature free food samples, a mini pop-up bookstore, self-guided tours of the interior, and performances by the city’s own slam poetry champions Slammageddon Baltimore.

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