OPEN
Nest: It’s been a couple of months, but this new speakeasy (elegantly tucked behind a bookshelf) is now cooking with gas in the heart of downtown—offering a solid pre-show option for regulars of the theater district or an elevated spot for anyone looking for a chic night out. A native of Cameroon, chef/owner Loic Sany cut his teeth at Michelin-starred restaurants in Washington, D.C. and California before making the decision to build something of his own.
In a sleek space that features portraits of prominent Baltimoreans, he serves his guests cocktails paired with French-American cuisine that infuses the flavors of Cameroon and the Caribbean. Look out for dishes such as butter-poached curry cod, lobster croquettes, mango salad, glazed mojo chicken, steak frites, and a classic millefeuille for dessert.
Nora Blú: Speaking of pre-show hangouts, the team at this coastal Mediterranean eatery has officially cut the ribbon on Cathedral Street in Mt. Vernon—just across from the Meyerhoff and a stone’s throw from The Lyric. Snag a reservation to sample dishes from executive chef Malcolm Sizer (formerly of Marta), including dry-aged beef kabobs, grilled pompano with romesco, saffron risotto, and Charm City-inspired jumbo lump crab and falafel bites.
Taking inspiration from its name (“Nora” means light and radiance in Arabic), the interior design features Mediterranean-influenced tilework, blue tones, and a showpiece chandelier. Frequent live jazz will also be a highlight during service.
Slicen Dyson Smoked Meats: If you’ve spotted lines across the parking lot on the corner of Joppa Road and Perring Parkway in Parkville on weekends lately, this is why. Local smoker Dyson Adams—who started barbecuing to help himself heal from a neck injury six years ago—now sells his signature ribs, brisket, pulled pork, pit beef, chicken thighs, and more meats from a new takeout stand next to Jerry’s Chevrolet.
Platters, sandwiches, and requisite sides (like mac and cheese and birria collard greens) are available from noon until sellout on Saturdays and Sundays. And not for nothing, Slicen Dyson neighbors the new Snoasis location—if you also want to grab a snowball before the season passes us by.
Sunday Social: At this new South Baltimore spot, Sunday brunch is served every day of the week. Whether you come to clink glasses with a crew on weekends or sit down for a plate to fuel your work day, you can expect offerings like chicken and waffles, blueberry-vanilla pancakes, salmon hash, and Creole shrimp and grits. The all-day concept from chef Sammy Davis Jr. (formerly of Yeiboh Kitchen) and D.C.-based Miskiri Hospitality Group takes over the street-level restaurant in the 2 E. Wells building, which was most recently Papi Cuisine, but also home to Minnow and The Hot Dry back in the day.
Taste 410: Chef Eleni Markatos—who has been slinging her famed smashburgers and banana pudding from a food truck for the past four years—has found a brick-and-mortar home in Pigtown. With an official grand opening set for Saturday, Sept. 12, Taste takes over a former corner barber shop on Washington Boulevard, highlighting salmon Caesar wraps, jerk chicken tacos, seasoned fries, and, of course, the loaded burgers and classic Chessmen cookie-topped dessert.
EPICUREAN EVENTS
Holy Môlï at R. House: In more food truck-to-stationary kitchen news, this bold concept from chef Saon Brice and Vashon Smith—which focuses on flatbreads and handhelds—will be posted up at R. House in Remington until Sept. 22. Swing by the food hall’s rotating pop-up stall to feast on seafood egg rolls, a fried whiting sandwich, a roasted herb chicken panini, or a citrus-brined roasted turkey BLT. Burgers come in classic beef, ground turkey, or lamb varieties, and a smattering of scratch-made sauces (think: Yuzu Thai chili and green chermoula) can be added to any order.
COMING SOON
Don’t Know Tavern at Cross Street Market: Earlier this year, regulars (and particularly WVU football fans) were heartbroken to see this neighborhood bar close after 14 years on the corner of Light Street and East Fort Avenue—off the beaten path from the hustle and bustle of Cross Street in Federal Hill. Now, the team is teasing a revival in the heart of the district.
Social media posts indicate that Don’t Know will open a new bar and lounge inside Cross Street Market this month. It’s only fitting that the comeback coincide with the arrival of football season, and we can expect that the massive drafts, and requisite shots of Rumple Minze, will be at the ready on opening day.
The Neighborhood Cafe by Neighborhood Runners: Anthony Williams, the founder of Neighborhood Runners—an inclusive exercise group that meets on Tuesday evenings in Johnston Square—recently took to Instagram to announce that the club has secured a new headquarters. The former home of Charm City Meadworks at 400 E. Biddle Street will soon offer a cafe for locals to grab coffee, teas, matcha, and fresh-pressed juices, while also acting as an events space for the community club. If you’re interested in supporting the transformation—and the motivating mission of the org as a whole—check out its upcoming crab feast fundraiser on Sept. 26.
SHUT
Midlina: Though this Canton restaurant has officially closed, owner Karim Kiriakos is sharing the “it’s not a goodbye, it’s a see you later” sentiment. On Instagram, he cited the restaurant’s location as the reason for the closure. “As many of you know, Boston Street is a hard and over-priced location,” he wrote. “We tried to make it work, we unfortunately couldn’t.” But he also teased a possible move, so stay tuned. The cozy spot—which featured an upstairs speakeasy, Poe’s Tower—was known for its playful, worldly dishes ranging from Moroccan-spiced vegetable tagine to escargot tacos.