COMING SOON
Aru Aru: Elmer and Marvin Rodriguez, the twins who grew up making pupusas and Salvadoran specialties in the kitchen of El Paraiso in Reisterstown, have been pursuing their own culinary aspirations ever since their parents retired and sold the restaurant last year. Elmer and his wife Alejandra now pop up around town serving smashburgers and Argentine-fusion fare from their food truck Milloh!, and Marvin is opening his first brick and mortar on Eastern Avenue in Fells Point on Aug. 21, pending final inspections.
Aru Aru is named after the word for “tasty” from the Wayuu, a language from a Central American tribe, directly translating into “double tasty.” The modern Latin street food concept—which locals might be familiar with from its regular presence at the Fells Point Farmers Market—will serve the Rodriguez family’s famous crab pupusas, as well as Colombian-inspired empanadas from Marvin’s friend Sebastian Sanchez, who operates Oso’s Bites in New Jersey. The opening menu will also feature vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options, though the farmers market-favorite agua frescas will be put on pause temporarily, as the team finds its footing with seven-days-a-week food service.
Marvin will lease the space from his mentor, Ekiben co-founder Steve Chu, who also happened to get his start at the Fells Point Farmers Market. Naturally, Aru Aru is on the lineup at the Ekiben Night Market happening in Fells Point Aug. 29-30.
Pepper House: Not to be confused with Red Pepper Sichuan Bistro on the Towson Circle, this gem of a strip mall spot is located off of Route 40 in Ellicott City. (Read our full review, here.) City dwellers will be excited to hear that it’s expanding with an outpost in Remington this fall.
Earlier this week, husband-and-wife owners Yuan Shen, who runs the front of the house, and chef Frank Liang announced that they will take over the R. House stall most recently occupied by Tio G’s starting Oct. 1. Focusing on the flavors of Liang’s native Chongquing, the English and Chinese menu lists dishes such as noodles, dumplings, and malatang—the fiery street food stew with lotus root and an assortment of veggies.
OPEN
Tony’s of NY: Speaking of the Ellicott City dining scene, it welcomed a new addition when this Italian joint cut the ribbon last month. A sister-spot to Limoncello in Locust Point, Tony’s serves New York-style slices (everything from Grandma pies to margheritas), plus loaded subs and old-school pastas.
NEWS
Heritage Smokehouse: Thankfully, this Govans pit palace—which recently closed its York Road location after five years—will live on. Owners George and Jen Marsh are partnering with Robert Voss of John Brown General & Butchery to open a new spot in the Jacksonville area of Northern Baltimore County. “We will be working together to continue creating the kind of food and gathering place that brings people around the table,” the team recently posted to Instagram. Stay tuned for menu details (we expect smoked meats will remain front and center), which will be solidified closer to the slated grand opening in September.
EPICUREAN EVENTS
8/14: Flour & Wood at La Maison
Dinner service—using the inherited pizza oven from its former inhabitant JBGB’s—has always been part of the plan for La Maison by Cafe Dear Leon in Remington. And the team is finally rolling out the dough for the first time on Friday. Since it’s a first taste, the 12-inch, wood-fired pies (one per customer) will be first come, first-served and available for takeout only. If possible, bring dining companions so you can all share options like an eggplant topped “A La Norma,” pepperoni, cacio e pepe, and funghi pie. Another tip: go early, as lines have become synonymous with the James Beard-nominated bakeshop.
8/14: Light Up Little Italy
Little Italy’s annual food-filled Feast of St. Gabriel Festival is back this weekend. This year, the fest will kick off with a collaborative wine dinner prepared by Gianfranco Fracassetti of Cafe Gia, Nino Germano of La Scala, Mark Orendorff of The Sons of Little Italy Lodge, Joseph Gardella of Benny’s, and Bryan Chiapparelli of Chiapparelli’s. Each chef will oversee one course (think: antipasto, lobster pasta, Braciole, meatballs, and panna cotta) and pair everything with bread from the neighborhood’s Ovenbird Bakery. Tickets ($160) are available via Eventbrite.
TO 8/30: Chefs of the Streets at Chill Snowballs
Sibling food truck operators Shamara and David Watson have pulled up for a residency at Chill Snowballs on Main Street in Reisterstown. “There’s not a lot of food options in the Reisterstown area,” says Michael Giben, who owns the staple snowball stand and wanted to introduce local dinner offerings for customers. He found the sibling duo, who first started their soul food concept in Washington, D.C., through a food truck Facebook page.
Open Thursday through Sunday at least until the end of August, the truck offers wings, fried fish platters, cheesesteaks, burgers, and rice bowls. Place an order, picnic on Chill’s outdoor tables, and stick around for dessert in the form of a classic egg custard or soft-serve cone.
SHUT
The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar: In Ellicott City, this franchised shop known for its over-the-top (literally) milkshakes served in a mason jar, as the name suggests, is closing at the end of the month. First opened in 2022 by Robert and Erin Studer, the storefront became known for milkshakes with overflowing toppings like syrups and cake slices. Baltimore Fishbowl reports that the lease will be taken over by The Corner, a nonprofit community arts venue run by Jeni Porter of Little Market Cafe on Hamilton Street.