OPEN
Carroll & Son Fine Foods: This fan-favorite caterer and pop-up vendor has found a new home inside Union Craft Brewing’s taproom. Taking over the former Well Crafted Kitchen space, the eatery serves up its comforting sandwiches, sides, and specials Wednesday through Sunday. As previously reported by The Baltimore Banner this week, owners and industry veterans Jon Carroll and Eric Bainbridge, along with their team, put their own spins on Baltimore delicacies—case in point: The Pulaski, a stacked pit beef sandwich topped with shaved sweet onion and a requisite helping of Tiger sauce—while also featuring unique recipes for more universal dishes like a smashburger, vegan cheesesteak, smoked wings, collards, and a hearty meatloaf.
Ekiben: The wait is over, SoBo. The third location of Steve Chu and Ephrem Abebe’s hit Asian-fusion spot is now open at 801 E. Fort Ave. in Locust Point—which means South Baltimore residents no longer need to trek to Fells Point or Hampden to get their hands on those famous tofu nugs, curry-fried chicken steamed buns. or orders of tempura broccoli. Ekiben 3, as it’s been lovingly called on social media, soft opened on Dec. 29 with a free menu item up for grabs to celebrate its loyal customer base. Unsurprisingly, lines stretched blocks down Fort Avenue on opening day.
Añejo Rose Cantina & Tequila Bar: There’s a new spot to quell cravings for tacos and tequila in Hanover. This concept—a new one from New York-based George Martin Restaurant Group—focuses on guacamoles, fundidos, ceviche, skillet tacos, and quesadillas, as well as house specialties like tortilla-crusted salmon and Chimichurri skirt steak. Of course, there’s a tequila bar, too, featuring blanco, reposado, and anejo tequilas, plus mezcals and other agave-based spirits. So, suffice it to say, diners can expect a large selection of signature margaritas and Mexican cocktails. The restaurant, which debuted in December, is located within The Hotel at Arundel Preserve.
COMING SOON
Honeygrow Owings Mills: This Philadelphia-based salad and stir-fry chain is expanding its DMV-area footprint with a location at Mill Station in Owings Mills in the coming months. It will be the brand’s fifth in the Baltimore area, joining others in Charles Village, Harbor Point, Bel Air, and Rockville. “Mill Station is a vibrant new shopping center and is a natural next step for Honeygrow,” founder and CEO Justin Rosenberg said in a press release. “Our goal is to continue to provide wholesome, craveable, and memorable meals across all communities that we have an opportunity to be a part of.”
Mexican on the Run: Beloved as one of the area’s best purveyors of quesabirria, Mexican on the Run has teased some exciting news. Its popular food truck will soon expand into a stall at the Pennsylvania Dutch Market in Cockeysville. Owner Jimmy Longoria says the stall at the market—which is open three days a week and isn’t far from his home—was a more ideal way to expand than with a second truck. “I wanted to show what Mexican on the Run can offer outside of a food truck,” he says. “The food truck can limit us as far as how many different items we can have.”
At the stall, expect the return of fan favorites like breakfast burritos and chilaquiles, plus tortas that are prepared in a style inspired by Longoria’s travels to his native LA. (Not to worry, regulars, you’ll still be able to find Mexican on the Run operating outside of its commissary kitchen in Towson (6318 Sherwood Road), as well. Follow the truck on Instagram for the most up to date hours.) In even more Mexican on the Run news, Longoria is hosting a pop-up with James Beard Award winner Cristina Martinez of South Philly Barbacoa on Friday, January 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. You can place pre-orders for the famous barbacoa and pancita tacos and tamales, here.
Prima Dopo Cucina & Cocktail House: A new Fells Point eatery from the owner of Raw & Refined and El Bufalo recently launched in soft-opening mode on Thames Street. Prima Dopo is self-described as a contemporary take on classic Italian, offering up toasts, pastas (think squid ink bucatini and spaghetti carbonara), pizzas, and shareables like fried calamari and charcuterie. Stay tuned for more details on the grand opening.
NEWS
Amanda Mack Is a Guest Chef This Month at True Chesapeake Oyster Co.: Obsessed with those drool-worthy Instagram posts from Crust by Mack? (We are too.) You can get a taste of chef Amanda Mack’s award-winning bakes and pastries at True Chesapeake Oyster Co. this month. Mack will be a guest pastry chef at the restaurant through January, while her new Midtown-Belvedere bakery nears completion. Highlights from her menu there include an apple and cheddar pie and the decadent Trunchbull chocolate cake. (Insert Matilda meme, here.)
EPICUREAN EVENTS
1/15: National Bagel Day at THB Bagelry & Deli
It’s that time of year again. To commemorate National Bagel Day, THB is bringing back its most popular offer. On Jan. 15, users who have downloaded the myTHB app will receive a free bagel and cream cheese with any purchase. The deal is available at all six THB locations in Canton, Charles Villages, Columbia, Owings Mills, Towson, and Timonium, but, to be eligible, customers must have downloaded the app at least one day prior to Jan. 15. Free bagels won’t be available for orders placed in store, on the website, or through third-party delivery services like GrubHub and DoorDash. A portion of all sales from National Bagel Day will be donated to the Maryland chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
1/21-22: The Charmey’s Full Sensory Movie Experience: Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets
They’re back! The Charmery’s series of sensory movie screenings make their grand return this month after a three-year hiatus—and they’re picking up right where they left off with the second film in the Harry Potter series. The experience includes a screening of the movie at The Charmery’s ice cream factory at Union Collective paired with themed drinks and snacks that correlate to scenes in the movie, plus a popcorn buffet and other surprises. Showtimes are Saturday, Jan. 21 at 12:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 22 at 12:30 p.m. Admission is $30.
SHUT
La Calle: Downtown restaurant La Calle, located near City Hall, closed its doors on Dec. 31. From local chef Valentino Sandoval, the eatery was a globally influenced cantina that debuted in 2018 and was known for its ceviches, salads, tostadas, and chef-driven entrees. “We’ve built a wonderful community, survived the pandemic, and today we’re ready to take the next step in our La Calle journey,” the restaurant wrote on Instagram. But this might not be the last time we see La Calle. “Don’t worry! La Calle’s story in Baltimore is not ending…stay tuned for exciting news to come!” they added.