Food & Drink

Food Stuffs

Warmer weather lures Charm City cooks and chefs to open-air festivals.

Food festivals are kind of like Coachella and Bonnaroo for foodies: a chance to sample a lot of what you’re passionate about in one place, while surrounded by like-minded people. Whether it’s wine tasting or sampling some of the city’s best eats, Baltimore has several great lineups to choose from this month.


>>The Emporiyum 

Apr. 26-27. Thames Street Wharf, 1300 Thames St., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. $15-20. theemporiyum.com

Billed as a “playground for the taste buds,” Emporiyum’s delectable lineup boasts more than 20 of the Mid-Atlantic’s finest eateries including city natives Woodberry Kitchen, Fleet Street Kitchen, and Pabu. Welcome imports include: Milk Bar, the bakery from New York City’s Momofuku restaurant group; Old Town Frederick’s Bryan Voltaggio-run Volt; and Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, an Ohio gem. Local breweries Flying Dog and Heavy Seas will provide beer to wash down each indulgence.

>>Taste of Pikesville

Apr. 3. DoubleTree by Hilton, 1726 Reistertown Rd., Pikesville. 6-8:30 p.m. $35-40. 410-484-2337. tasteofpikesville.com

Pikesville favorites, including Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Mari Luna Latin Grille, and Silk Road Bistro, will assemble under one roof for small plates of various fare and an evening of fun, raffles, delicious food, and sweets. Beer and wine will be offered from local Maryland breweries and vineyards. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Meals on Wheels, the country’s oldest and largest senior nutrition program, with more than two million volunteers delivering healthy nourishment to seniors nationwide.

>>WineFest at St. Michaels

Apr. 26-27. Talbot Street, St. Michaels. 12-5 p.m. $20-135. 410-745-5554. winefestatstmicheals.com

Hundreds of bottles of wine will be poured among 15 venues throughout St. Michaels at WineFest, a premiere bacchanal featuring both international and domestic vinos. Award-winning sommelier and comedian Laurie Forster will make an appearance at the Kemp House to perform her interactive comedy show Something to Wine About. Shuttle buses will be provided to safely transport attendees between venues, though designated drivers (who will be granted complimentary admission) are strongly encouraged, as well.

>>Vino Festa 

Apr. 5. Everyman Theatre, 315 W. Fayette St. 6:30 p.m. $100-$125. 443-615-7055. everymantheatre.org/vinofesta

Everyman Theatre and Tony Foreman of Foreman Wolf restaurant group will partner to transform the theater into an Italian-themed extravaganza celebrating wine, food, and drama. The evening will feature a selection of various traditional Italian dishes, with complimentary wine pairings and delicious pastries. Pop-up performances, including one by hep-cat musician Bosley Brown, will occur intermittently throughout the night. All proceeds, including those from the evening’s live and silent auctions, will support Everyman’s mission to engage, inspire, and transform.


Return Engagement

For food-smart locals, farm-to-table chefs, and lovers of all things handmade, Sundays mean one thing: The Baltimore Farmers’ Market & Bazaar.

Opening for its 37th season on April 6, the marketplace will feature its usual bountiful selection of locally sourced, natural ingredients, including freshly harvested fruits and vegetables, seafood, meats, herbs, baked goods, dairy, and eggs. Maryland’s largest producers-only market also features prepared cuisine such as wood-fired pizzas, quiches, and dumplings, plus a bazaar with unique, handmade goods including accessories, clothing, rugs, and pottery. Sundays through Dec. 21. Underneath the Jones Falls Expressway, Holliday & Saratoga Streets. 7 a.m.-12 p.m. promotionandarts.com.