NAPTOWN NEWS
Rumhouse: Annapolis will soon be home to this new Caribbean restaurant with—as its name signifies—an extensive rum collection. Rumhouse opens Feb. 19 in the Eastport neighborhood on Sixth Street. The concept comes from owners Coryse Brathwaite Zebovitz and Edward Zebowitz, Anne Arundel County residents who have appointed their son, Jonathan Dean, as director of hospitality and Natasha de Bourg (of Bravo’s Below Deck fame) as executive chef.
De Bourg plans to bring her native Trinidadian palate to a menu of small plates and entrees including oxtail-stuffed pasta, jerk lamb, ceviche, gumbo, and lump crab dumplings. Island-inspired cocktails will be on offer, as well, including a variety of mojitos and classics like a daiquiri and a caipirinha. “We aim to be a destination hub, a place to feel the spirit of the Caribbean,” de Bourg said in a press release.
Patrons can also expect a $150, six-course tasting menu from de Bourg, which will change weekly and be available by reservation only during Friday and Saturday service. She’ll also soon debut an afternoon tea experience on Saturdays, where she’ll pair sweet and savory Caribbean-inspired dishes with specialty teas.
The Admiral’s Cup: Atlas Restaurant Group is bringing The Admiral’s Cup to Annapolis this summer inside the historic Stevens Hardware building in downtown’s City Dock. This will be the storied Fells Point tavern’s second location. “We believe The Admiral’s Cup will fit in perfectly with the surrounding bars in downtown Annapolis,” said Atlas founder and president Alex Smith, in a press release. “With its waterfront location, live music, and vibrant energy, it will be a great addition to City Dock and a place where both locals and visitors can come together to enjoy great entertainment and food.”
OPEN
Forno: No, this (sadly) isn’t the resurrection of the late Forno in the theater district downtown. It’s actually a new Italian speakeasy located in the former home of Di Pasquale’s in Highlandtown. The Di Pasquale family is behind the concept, which serves up pizza, wine, beer, small plates like meatballs with herb-whipped ricotta, and cocktails like espresso martinis. The speakeasy comes four years after the Di Pasquales moved their famous, longstanding Italian market to a larger space in Brewers Hill. (The market also has a second location in Harborview.) Forno is currently open Thursday to Sunday from 4-11 p.m.
Nostalgia Diner: The owners of H3irloom Food Group are testing a new concept at Harborplace. A new pop-up from David and Tonya Thomas, Nostalgia Diner is now open in the old home of Johnny Rockets at the Light Street Pavilion on Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. until it debuts there permanently in the near future. The small menu—also available for delivery via DoorDash—will change each week, including items like pit lamb sandwiches, spicy turkey sausage, a curry chicken biscuit pot-pie, and sliced pound cake.
“A lot of people don’t realize there are things going on down here in the harbor,” Tonya said in a video posted to Instagram, citing other businesses like Vinyl and Pages and vegan restaurant Oleum. “If you’re looking for the food of H3irloom, the food of chef David and myself, we’re down here at the Light Street Pavilion.”
The Wren: Fells Point is now home to a new pub from the team behind Le Comptoir du Vin. The Wren quietly opened this month inside the longtime home of Birds of a Feather on Aliceanna Street. (We reported last year that the scotch bar’s owner, Alicia Horn Merritt, retired and sold the bar to Le Comptoir owners Will Mester and Rosemary Liss.) Expect a rotating chalkboard menu of dishes including cassoulet; a cabbage, bacon, and potato soup; and farmhouse cheeses, as well as beer, wine, and, of course, scotch. More details in our preview, here.
COMING SOON
Doppio Pasticceria: Mark your calendars for Feb. 18. That’s when Doppio Pasticceria will finally debut inside its permanent home in Remington—the former Cahoots Brothers building adjacent to Greedy Reads on W. 29th Street. Most recently, it had been operating out of the former home of JBGB’s on North Howard Street, and inside R. House before that. Thanks to its pizza, pastries, and housemade grocery items, the Sicilian-style bakery has grown a solid fan base in the neighborhood. Suffice it to say, locals are glad it’s staying close by.
“We started this project in January 2023,” the shop wrote on social media. “The amount of work that has gone into dragging this project to the finish line is immense and far reaching from many different parties. We can’t wait to share it with you.”
CH-CH-CHANGES
New Owner at SoBo Café: This Federal Hill fixture made a big announcement this month—a new owner will soon be at the helm. “After an extensive search, we will be transitioning to a new owner (and chef) who plans to continue operations with the same care and love of food, service, and community,” SoBo Café shared on social media. “More details to come soon on the transition timeline. In the meantime, we will continue normal operations, offering dine-in, carry out, and catering.”
This is the latest change in SoBo’s long history. The restaurant originally opened in the ‘90s. While many of its cohorts are long gone, it survived due to the dedication of its most recent owner, Anna Leventis, who bought the place in 2011 and sparked a genuine revival of the neighborhood mainstay.
Charm City Meadworks Moves to Peabody Heights: Change is also afoot on the other side of the harbor. Charm City Meadworks’ Mt. Vernon taproom is now closed. But fear not—the meadery, which has operated out of its location on E. Biddle Street for eight years, announced it is moving to Peabody Heights Brewery in Waverly. “This partnership has been in the works for some time, and we’re so excited,” the team wrote on social media. “Once up and running, our products will be available on tap and to-go at [Peabody] and will continue to be available at your local liquor store and watering hole.”
EPICUREAN EVENTS
2/14: Valentine’s Day Recs
Still in need of Valentine’s Day plans? Baltimore has you covered. We recently rounded up local restaurant recommendations that will fill both your stomach and your soul—whether you’re planning to celebrate the holiday with your partner, BFF, family members, or a group (be sure to check out our Galentine’s guide, here).
SHUT
Lost Ark Distilling: Last call is approaching for this rum-focused Howard County distillery after eight years. Lost Ark announced on social media that its final day of service will be Feb. 15. “It is with heavy hearts that we have to announce the closure of Lost Ark Distilling as we know it,” the owners wrote. “Our mission has always been to strive to provide the best products and service—and even more importantly be a positive influence in the community…We believe that we accomplished that and oh so much more.” Lost Ark shared space inside a Columbia office park with Hysteria Brewing, which also seems to have closed, (but without an official announcement).
Eat.Drink.Relax: This Mt. Vernon eatery, also known as EDR, quietly closed up shop on its corner of Eager and Cathedral streets, according to the Baltimore Business Journal. EDR debuted in 2021 after taking over what was once the home of City Cafe for more than 25 years. The restaurant, from the team behind The Civil (which closed in 2023), served up craft cocktails, oysters, lobster tails, and eye-catching desserts.