We all know Baltimore Restaurant Week as a summer treat for industry professionals and residents alike. But this year, with the coronavirus causing temporary shutdowns of all non-essential businesses in the spring, most of the city’s restaurants are in a precarious position. While trying to adjust to new business models, they are also working to keep their employees and customers safe and, ultimately, keep their doors open.

“When the shutdown hit in March, we had a lot of questions about whether we could move forward with the promotion,” says Michael Evitts, Senior Vice President of Communications & Brand Strategy at Downtown Partnership, which co-organizes the event with Visit Baltimore.

Yet another curveball came this week when Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young made the decision to close all restaurants for indoor dining for two weeks effective Friday, July 24—the day that Restaurant Week was slated to begin—due to a spike in COVID-19 cases in the city.

Although the 10-day promotion, running through August 2, will undoubtedly look a bit different this year, more than 60 spots are on board to offer dining discounts for carryout, delivery, and outdoor service.

Keeping the event going meant long conversations with chefs and restaurant owners about what Restaurant Week would look like. Every spot faces their own set of unique challenges, ranging from low staff to limited sidewalk space for outside dining. (Luckily, the implementation of parklets—converted parking spaces-turned-al fresco dining areas—have helped to facilitate outside seating for many restaurants that may not have originally had the space.)

Taking feedback from these conversations, organizers decided that this year, restaurants can create their own specials as opposed to requiring the typical $35 three-course meal. By loosening the guidelines for participating spots—and reducing registration costs from $175 to $25—this summer’s event will include many eateries that don’t typically partake, embrace participation from coffee shops and fast-casual eateries, and place an emphasis on supporting Black-owned businesses.

“People are understanding now that when you support Black entrepreneurship, you’re helping to keep Black workers employed,” says Keyia Yalcin, owner of Fishnet inside Mount Vernon Marketplace. “So it’s really part of feeding an ecosystem and being thoughtful and intentional with your dollar.”

With so much to offer, it may be hard to choose. So, here’s a taste of some local favorites, Black-owned restaurants, internationally inspired cuisine, and coffee shops included in this year’s Restaurant Week lineup.

Charleston
For fine dining, guests can visit Charleston in Harbor East, where award-winning chef Cindy Wolf works her magic on cuisine inspired by a blend of regional and international techniques. For its very special Restaurant Week debut, Charleston will offer guests a five-course dinner served with crab soup, local heirloom tomato salad, pan-roasted sea scallops, grilled wild rockfish, and raspberry choux au craquelin for dessert. $75

Southeastern Roastery Coffee Lab
Those in the mood for a pick-me-up can find daily deals at Southeastern Roastery on Fort Avenue. The four-year-old spot with roots in Virginia and Washington, D.C. is a café dedicated to mindfulness and community outreach. Customers can enjoy curbside pickup and carryout options from a calendar of unique specials every day of the week, including the debut of new coffee and tea spritzers, bagel options, and recipe demos on Instagram live.

Orto
This Italian spot in Station North has some stellar carryout offerings. During Restaurant Week, the team is throwing in a free bottle of wine with purchases of $70 or more. Enjoy a special three-course prix-fixe menu that features options such as chilled corn soup, chicken leg confit with lemon herb couscous, and a brioche doughnut filled with passionfruit curd.

Miss Carter’s Kitchen
Known for its delicious soul food and fresh seafood, Miss Carter’s Kitchen is offering a range of meal options including homemade alfredo, crab cakes, and baked mac and cheese. With locations on both Liberty Street and Edmondson Avenue, there’s more than one place for customers to indulge with carryout or by requesting a delivery.

Wight Tea Company
Whether you’re looking to start your day with a warm cup of tea or seeking some light refreshments later in the afternoon, this favorite inside Hampden’s new Whitehall Market has many options for tea-enthusiasts. The sibling-run shop sells handcrafted blends in flavors such as Sage Rose White Tea, Blueberry Basil Rooibos, and Fireside Fig. (Another can’t-miss is the color-changing Butterfly Glitter Lemonade.) Walk in or call ahead to inquire about Restaurant Week deals.

Fishnet
While its Mt. Vernon location has only been around for a year, this seafood spot has been running locations in Maryland for nearly nine years. Since the pandemic, Fishnet has had to shift to delivery and carryout only, but owner Keyia Yalcin says she is finally getting the hang of it. This week’s promotions will be offered on their website. Guests who spend $15 or more can apply the promo code #fishnet to their order for $5 off. $15+

La Calle Restaurant
Craving Mexican-inspired cuisine? This downtown destination fuses Mexican traditions with modern flavors. Guests may choose to reserve an outdoor table or carry out to enjoy a customizable three-course lunch that features dishes like pozole de pollo, empanadas de hongos, carne asada, and dessert. The promotion also includes a three-course dinner option that comes with a complementary margarita. $20-$35

Jazz+Soju
For dishes such as Korean fried chicken and bulgogi, look no further than this restaurant in Locust Point. Specials include a two-course lunch that allows customers to pair appetizers like sake butter shrooms or Brussels sprouts with yuzu meatballs, wings and fries, or fire beef. For those seeking dinner options, Jazz + Soju will offer a combination of an appetizer, two courses, and dessert. $15-$35

Rusty Scupper
This Inner Harbor classic offers meals from brunch to dinner. Guests can enjoy the waterfront views with weekday deals like the three-course supper, which comes with a choice of a salad or crab soup appetizer, an entrée, and dessert. $35

So you’ve decided that you’re going to take advantage of Baltimore Restaurant Week—the city’s annual dining-out event that offers prix-fixe menus ranging from $25-45 from January 10-19. But soon after comes the inevitable question: “Where should we go?”

With so many options to choose from, we’ve found it’s easiest to start your search based on what you’re in the mood to eat. Whether you’ve been craving a colossal crab cake, oven-fired pizza, or a winter vegetable dish, the restaurant scene has plenty to offer. Here, we break down eats to consider based on what sounds good to you.

Ahi tuna: Bookmakers Cocktail Club

Federal Hill’s cozy cocktail club is offering a three-course menu that highlights a dish of seared Yuzu Kosho tuna accompanied by rice, Szechuan green beans, and wasabi cream. Round out the meal with a requisite drink, like the gin-based “Sweater Weather” or the “Over-Under” made with Bookmakers’ single-barrel Elijah Craig bourbon.

Bibimbap: Jazz + Soju

Restaurant Week is a great excuse to get to this Korean restaurant and live music venue in Locust Point if you haven’t already. In addition to spicy edamame and a Bulgogi burger, the special menu includes Bibimbap—the Korean delicacy that tops rice with fried egg, mixed veggies, and spicy gochujang sauce. Diners can customize the bowl with beef, chicken, or tofu.

Blondie: The Food Market

Known for its upscale spins on classic comfort foods, this hotspot on the Avenue in Hampden always goes all out for Restaurant Week. After savoring cornmeal-crusted pork schnitzel and “unstuffed” shells with lobster and shrimp, end on a sweet note with the restaurant’s “Half-Baked Blondie”—which arrives topped with torched marshmallow and vanilla ice cream.

Bread pudding: Wicked Sisters

Sweet tooth fiends should look no further than this Hampden hangout, which will be serving a bread pudding with almond clusters, caramelized bananas, and bourbon crème anglaise as one of its dessert choices. After the polenta fries and sous vide country short ribs, be sure to save room.

Burger: Blue Hill Tavern
Sometimes it’s best to go back to basics with a classic burger. Blue Hill’s version stacks a Wagyu beef patty between a brioche bun with cheddar cheese, fried onions, bacon, and spiced ketchup. The Canton mainstay will also highlight tavern favorites including loaded baked potato soup and wild mushroom pasta.

Ceviche: Alma Cocina Latina

Start your Venezuelan dining adventure off with the Asian-Latin ceviche at this Canton favorite. The appetizer combines octopus, shrimp, yellow corn, sweet potato puree, and spicy lychee-miso leche de tigre (tiger’s milk) that’s meant to be savored atop spicy tortilla chips. Alma’s special spread also features roasted duck and crispy polenta with confit beets and grilled fennel.

Chicken parmesan: GDL Italian by Giada

Leave it to Giada de Laurentiis to warm our souls with Boot Country classics. The celebrity chef’s local outpost inside Horseshoe Casino will offer a chicken parm over spaghetti with mozzarella, arugula, shaved fennel, and crispy bread crumbs. For a more localized version of her family recipes, try the crab arancini with Old Bay aioli.

Coq au vin: Le Bistro du Village

Take your tastebuds on a trip to Paris at this Mt. Washington haunt. The restaurant’s coq au vin is the perfect winter warmer, flavored with red wine sauce and served alongside a helping of mashed potatoes. For even more French flair, save room for the mousse au chocolat.

Crab cakes: Annabel Lee Tavern
The crab cakes at this Edgar Allan Poe-themed corner bar in Canton are a must-try—along with the duck-fat fries and honey-drizzled Brussels sprouts, of course. Order a platter of two served alongside sautéed kale and mashed potatoes.

Cream of crab soup: Charmed Kitchen

Speaking of crab, if you like your lump meat to come in the form of soup, enjoy this creamy iteration at Charmed Kitchen in Butcher’s Hill. Customize your second course with dishes including linguini and clams, lasagna, and Norwegian salmon with roasted potatoes.

Filet mignon: The Prime Rib

What would a meal at this decades-old Mt. Vernon steakhouse be without a fresh cut of meat? Follow the leopard-printed carpet to your table and dig into filet mignon or a special cut of prime rib served with all the fixins’, including creamed spinach and mashed potatoes.

French toast: Gunther & Co.

Don’t forget that, in addition to lunch and dinner, many restaurants are offering two-course brunch menus as part of Restaurant Week. At Gunther & Co., enjoy the lemon ricotta doughnuts and cheesy grits before getting into the house-made brioche French toast. The thick hunks of grilled bread are topped with sautéed bananas, spiced rum-maple syrup, brown sugar, and orange butter.

Maryland Rockfish: Gertrude’s Chesapeake Kitchen
Experience chef/owner John Shields’ dedication to Chesapeake cuisine at this 20-year-old gem inside the Baltimore Museum of Art. The rockfish filet wrapped housemade bacon is served alongside rainbow chard and celery root and potato puree—made with produce that Shields gathers himself weekly at the 32nd Street Farmers’ Market.

Mac and cheese: Sobo Cafe

As far as nostalgic meals go, mac and cheese is about as comforting as it gets. Embrace your inner child with the version at this Federal Hill standby, which tops its noodles with cheddar, chopped tomatoes, and toasted bread crumbs. Other fare to look out for includes veggie burgers, chicken pot pie, and spinach pie with crispy phyllo.

Oyster stew: True Chesapeake Oyster Co.

Retreat from the winter winds at this newbie inside Hampden’s Whitehall Mill. Chef Zack Mills presents his soul-satisfying oyster stew with bacon, potatoes, and tarragon. Course two highlights seared rockfish or roasted squash with chive cream.

Pizza: Verde

Settle in with a glass of wine and a plate of burrata before digging into the wood-fired pies at this Canton pizzeria. From pistachio pesto and truffle cream to caramelized onions and zucchini, there are tons of options to choose from. Order a few for the table to mix and match.

Salad: Noona’s

This Bolton Hill restaurant might be known for its pizza and pastas, but it also offers some enticing greens to pair with all of the carbs. The first-course menu offers a fall salad mixed with walnuts, plum jam, sage, and a caramelized apple vinaigrette. If you’re more of a purist, go for the caesar with pecorino and herbed bread crumbs.

Salmon: The Tilted Row
One of the hottest openings of the year, this Bolton Hill restaurant offers global dishes and a sizable bourbon collection. Among chef Andy Thomas’ creations on the special menu is a fig-glazed salmon with wild mushrooms, tomatoes, and a crispy polenta cake.

Spaghetti: Cinghiale
Treat yourself to a trip to Italy by way of Harbor East at this veteran osteria. The squid ink spaghetti with calamari, shrimp, mussels, lemon, fresno chili, and oregano is a surefire bet to quell seafood cravings. Other featured entrees will include a ricotta cavatelli, pan-roasted Icelandic cod, and braised veal with broccoli rabe.

Tacos: The Urban Oyster
If you’re really looking to get more bang for your buck, this Locust Point seafood spot is offering a two-course lunch deal for $20. Among the choices are oyster or shrimp tacos with honey-cilantro slaw in warm flour tortillas. On the $35 dinner menu, chef Jasmine Norton is highlighting surf and turf tacos filled with grilled shrimp, steak, pico de gallo, and chipotle aioli.

EAT

Jan. 10-18: Baltimore Restaurant Week

Locations & times vary. $15-45.

To understand just how much locals love the city’s Restaurant Week, please direct your attention to the clock on the event’s website that counts down how many days, hours, minutes, and seconds are left until the deals begin. Through next Saturday, more than 90 local eateries will serve up fixed menus at a sweet price: two-course brunch or lunch for $15 to $20 and three-course dinner for $25 to $45. Map out a game plan, make your reservations, and prepare to indulge in a week of special selections from newcomers like Orto and True Chesapeake Oyster Co. and city staples like Tio Pepe Restaurant and The Prime Rib.

DRINK

Jan. 11: Baltimore Ravens vs. Tennessee Titans

Locations, times, & prices vary.

There’s no doubt about it: Baltimore is ready to paint the town purple and watch Lamar Jackson lead the Ravens into the playoffs. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the number of options for where and how to cheer on the 14-2 giants, no worries, we rounded up the best pre-games, parties, and Ravens Flock festivities for you. Check out our picks for the best spots to throw on a jersey, crack a beer, and celebrate the Ravens’ stellar season, including stand-out favorites like the Purple Patio at Mother’s Grille and Charles Village Pub in Towson.

SEE

Jan. 11: Harbor Point Ice Festival

Harbor Point, 1310 Point St. 12 p.m.-6 p.m. Free.

It’s that time of year when Baltimoreans typically stay inside to avoid the blustering wind and bitter cold, but the Harbor Point Ice Festival gives locals and visitors alike the chance to wrap up and come together in this magical winter wonderland. Visit Harbor Point during this one-day affair to marvel at handmade ice sculptures, enjoy live music, explore eats from area food vendors, and participate in tons of family-friendly activities.

HEAR

Jan. 10: Music Under the Dome: Ziggy Stardust

Maryland Science Center, 601 Light St. 9-10 p.m. $15.

Even if you’re the biggest David Bowie fan out there, you’ve (probably) never experienced his cult-favorite album, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, quite like this. Head to the Maryland Science Center on Friday night to experience the museum’s popular Music Under the Dome series, where the 360-degree sights and sounds of this out-of-this-world album will fill the planetarium dome. Since the first showing is already sold out, snag tickets to the 9 p.m. seating and then prepare to fly through galaxies and constellations during this alien-rock show.

DO

Jan. 11: Girls Rule! Dance Party

Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard St. 11 p.m-2 a.m. Free.

The first full work week of the new year has been long, to say the least. If you’re in need of a serious pick-me-up, end your Saturday night on the Ottobar’s dance floor, belting out the lyrics to “Truth Hurts” and “Call Your Girlfriend.” DJ Pancakes will be spinning the latest and greatest hits from all female artists until closing time, so dance off the week’s stress with three hours of tunes by the likes of Madonna, Missy Elliott, and more.

COMING SOON

Tire Shop Pop-Ups at Parts & Labor: We’ve been keeping tabs on this former car-and tire-repair-shop-turned-Remington restaurant since Parts & Labor served its last cuts of meat in the space last summer. A new pop-up series is preparing to reactivate the space with public food events featuring local purveyors. The first of many such events is scheduled for August 10 from 12-5 p.m., when the barbecue buffs with Bark BBQ will serve up their Texas-style smoked meats with signature sides like pickled cucumbers and corn on the cob. Joining them for the inaugural celebration will be Locust Point’s Diamondback Brewing and R. House’s R. Bar. Hopefully we’ll see a more permanent revival soon, but, for now, it will be nice to see (and smell) meats being smoked in the space again.

Koba BBQ: It’s been quite some time since we’ve seen a restaurant operate inside the standalone building at Belvedere Square—which has become notorious for its turnaround rate throughout the years. North Baltimore locals might remember as far back as 2004, when it operated as Taste. Concepts that followed included Crush, Demi, Spike Gjerde’s Shoo-Fly, and, most recently, Starlite Diner. Now, the space is straying from its previous life as a cocktail bar and diner with an entirely new on-trend theme. Koba BBQ, a locally owned Korean barbecue concept is slated to open in the space by the end of this year. The spot adds to the development’s diverse lineup of food offerings, which include Ejji Ramen, Atwater’s, Grand Cru, and Neopol Smokery.

Brazil Gourmet Marketplace, Cafe, and Coffee Bar: Baltimore’s Brazilian food offerings will expand in the coming weeks with the arrival of this multi-use concept on Eastern Avenue. The Fells Point shop will be home to a market featuring authentic Brazilian grocery items like coffee, yucca and tapioca flours, smoked and dried meats, and mango and guava fruit juices. After stocking up on the comestibles, patrons are invited to stay for a meal in the cafe, which will highlight delicacies like classic empanadas, açai bowls, cachaça-infused caipirinha cocktails, and Pão de Queijo (Brazilian cheese bread).

EPICUREAN EVENTS

TO 8/11: Baltimore Restaurant Week
The city’s annual dining-out promotion is officially in full swing with an array of participating places to choose from. Treat yourself to two-course lunch and brunch menus ranging from $12-20, or a three-course dinner for $20-35. Newbies including Blackwall Hitch, Noona’s, The Tilted Row, and Orto are all participating for the first time this year if you’re hoping to try something new. But it’s also a great opportunity to revisit old standbys like Tio Pepe’s or Annabel Lee Tavern. (You can find our globally inspired suggestions here.)

8/3: Vegan SoulFest

This plant-based party returns to Clifton Park for its sixth year with a jam-packed lineup of speakers, cooking demonstrations, live DJ entertainment, shopping, and, of course, plenty of vegan eats to go around. Local vendors to look out for include L’Eau de Vie Organic Brasserie, The Greener Kitchen, Refocused, and The Land of Kush—whose co-owner Naijha Wright-Brown organizes the event each year.

SHUT

TigerStyle: Earlier this week, diners devoured the last of the steamed buns and stir-frys at Chad Gauss’ wok-inspired outpost in Hampden. The chef and Food Market owner recently confirmed to us that the restaurant has closed for good. Gauss says the closing is not for lack of business. The space was simply sold to another buyer who expressed interest in taking over the former commissary kitchen. “It was a fun place and exactly what we wanted it to be,” he tells us. “We have a few bigger projects coming our way, and it just made sense to let this one go since we had someone that was interested in the location.” There’s no word yet on who, exactly, will be taking over the carryout—which Gauss opened only six months ago and named after the lyrics of a popular Wu Tang Clan song.

Maryland Renaissance Festival: Leave it to Hamlet
Aug. 24-Oct. 20. 10 a.m.-7 p.m.. Crownsville Rd., Crownsville. Price varies. When Steve Wannall first performed with Shakespeare’s Skum, a local comedy troupe, at the 1997 Maryland Renaissance Festival, he was blown away by the number of dedicated fans waiting to see the four-person team act out hilarious riffs on the Bard’s famous works. After 23 years of playing everything from the lead in “Henry the Vee” to the goofy ghost of Hamlet’s father, Wannall, left, says he still loves seeing Ren Fest audience members connect with the centuries-old stories, especially when the cast adds Star Trek or Game of Thrones references into the dialogue. “It helps that we work with some of the best-written material in history,” he says with a laugh. “We’ve become the funny CliffsNotes of Shakespeare.”

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Maryland State Fair
Aug. 22-Sept. 2. 9 a.m.-10 p.m.. 2200 York Rd., Lutherville-Timonium. $10. For the past 137 years, the Maryland State Fair has been summer’s last hurrah before the leaves begin to change. While fairgoers can look forward to classic festivities such as the thoroughbred races, Midway rides, and livestock shows, be sure to check out some of the festival’s brand-new additions, including axe-throwing, a cowboy circus, and a market square packed with local artisan vendors.

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Baltimore Improv Festival
To Aug. 4. $10-75. Time and Location vary. The biggest laughs in Charm City are reserved for the Baltimore Improv Festival, where local and nationally known comedians (including The Cast at Magnet Theater, pictured) take over stages across town to cut their teeth with seven nights of stand-up sets, workshops, and events. Whether you want to test out your comedic timing on stage or just need a night of lighthearted laughs, this 13th annual celebration of all things improv, run by our very own Baltimore Improv Group, is just the ticket.

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BronyCon
Aug. 1-4. Baltimore Convention Center. $30-150. Time varies. It’s that time of year again, when die-hard fans of My Little Pony take over the downtown streets and transform the Baltimore Convention Center into a magical cosplay utopia. Join thousands of “bronies” for this four-day extravaganza that honors the series and its cult following with a star-studded panel, screenings, costume contests, and gaming. Be sure to snag your tickets before July 25 to join in on the equine fun.

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Baltimore Restaurant Week
Aug. 2-11. $12-35. Time and Location vary. It’s been a whirlwind summer of openings and closings in the city’s restaurant scene, so the timing of this biannual tradition couldn’t have worked out better. More than 100 local spots are on board for this 10-day deal, which offers prix-fixe menus priced between $12-20 for brunch and lunch and $20-35 for dinner. Strategize your meals, and take advantage of all this delicious city has to offer, such as this grilled octopus appetizer from Birroteca.

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Maryland Latino Festival
Aug. 4. 10 a.m.-9 p.m.. 2200 York Rd., Lutherville-Timonium. Free-$600. Celebrate the Old Line State’s Hispanic and Latino communities during this annual family-friendly fiesta at the Timonium Fairgrounds. For its eighth year, this all-day festival is pulling out all the stops, including authentic Mexican and Salvadoran eats, kids’ activities, and performances by Dominican singer Luis Vargas and popular group Impacto Latino. True to tradition, this event also highlights the importance of fostering goodwill and civic participation by providing voter registration resources as well as information on community outreach programs.

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Hootie & the Blowfish
Aug. 8. 7:30 p.m.. Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia. $35-129.50. Since this Grammy Award-winning group was formed back at the University of South Carolina in the late 1980s, its unique blend of roots rock, pop, jangle, and folk music has inspired fans across the world and sold more than 25 million records. This month, the band will make a one-show stop at Merriweather Post Pavilion on their first full-scale tour in more than a decade, with the rich vocals of Darius Rucker and harmonies of guitarist Mark Bryan, bassist Dean Felber, and drummer Jim “Soni” Sonefeld. Don’t miss the chance to belt out the lyrics to “Hold My Hand” and “Let Her Cry” alongside thousands of other Hootie heads.

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AFRAM Festival
Aug. 10-11. 12 p.m. Druid Hill Park. Free. As one of the largest African-American festivals on the East Coast, this two-day extravaganza is known for drawing big-name artists as well as thousands of fans to Druid Hill Park for a weekend of local eats and unbeatable entertainment. This year, the fan-favorite festival is using its popular Instagram page to highlight Baltimore-based movers and shakers (such as The Voice contestant Davon Fleming and Le Monade owner Carleen Goodridge) in an effort to promote local minority-run businesses and creators. During this jam-packed weekend, shop at the open-air marketplace, participate in exercise pop-ups, and hear acclaimed rapper Rick Ross along with sets by singer Sevyn Streeter, pictured, and Charm City’s own Dru Hill.

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Hot August Music Festival
Aug. 17. Oregon Ridge Park, 13401 Beaver Dam Rd., Cockeysville. Free-$199. Time varies. As its name promises, the hot summer sun is sure to shine on Cockeysville’s Oregon Ridge Park for this 27th annual blues and roots festival. Although festival-goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for a full day of performances by local and national acts, this year’s lineup, featuring Baltimore’s psychedelic Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, pictured, bluegrass guitarist Billy Strings, and folk band The Lil Smokies, will bring spectators to their feet. To keep the summer night rolling, attendees can rendezvous at The Greene Turtle in Hunt Valley for an afterjam with live music and drink specials.

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Baltimore Art, Antique, and Jewelry Show
Aug. 29-Sept. 1. Baltimore Convention Center. $20. Time varies. Art and antique enthusiasts will revel in the diverse and hard-to-come-by collections on display at the Baltimore Convention Center during this four-day creative show. Now in its 39th year, this Charm City classic offers unique finds such as furniture, American and European silver, porcelain, antique and estate jewelry, glass, and textiles. Be sure to check out the Antiquarian Book Fair and the Baltimore Fine Craft Show, which will also be present at the exhibit to share new and ancient treasures.

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Showcasing everything from French and Italian eats to Afghani and Senagalese fare, Baltimore is a hub for authentic foreign cuisines. This year’s Summer Restaurant Week gives you the chance to try something new for a bargain, in your own backyard.

The around-the-world theme has invaded the food and drink scene (even inspiring local bar crawls with drinks inspired by different countries), and now, you can feel well-traveled even if you’ve never left Maryland.

“Restaurant Week gives ethnic restaurants an avenue to show the cuisine of the motherland in front of an audience that may be reluctant to try something unfamiliar,” says Miguel Angel Sanz, co-owner of longtime Spanish fixture Tio Pepe’s. “They may find out that what they thought was strange is not particularly so, and that such a restaurant may be perfectly appropriate for a birthday or an anniversary.”

For this summer’s annual dining-out promotion—returning August 2-11—diners are invited to enjoy two-course brunch and lunch menus ranging from $12-20, and three-course dinner menus ranging from $20-$35. If you’re hoping to get a taste of international cuisine while saving money on plane tickets, here are a few highlights worth exploring.

Italian: Sotto Sopra Restaurant
This Mt. Vernon mainstay is an ideal place to experience Italian cuisine like you are in the heart of Rome. Housed in a 19th-century building on North Charles Street since 1996, the spot will offer a two-course lunch for $15 or a three-course dinner for $35 with valet parking available for an additional $10. Your choices seem almost limitless, with snail ragout, pappardelle with smoked mozzarella, a watermelon caprese salad, and frutti di mare headlining the menu. Top your dinner off with one of six dessert options to complete your journey to Italy. $15-35

American: The Alexander Brown Restaurant
Pursuing the American dream, Alexander Brown emigrated from Ireland to Baltimore in the late 1700s. His family established themselves in the city and even funded the Baltimore-Ohio Railroad, as well as Baltimore’s first public water system. Become a part of their legacy by indulging in a fine dining experience, within a breathtaking Baltimore landmark. For Restaurant Week, it offers a two-course lunch featuring crab beignets and fried chicken sandwich. $20

French: Chez Hugo Bistro
This addition to the restaurant scene has held a special place in our hearts since opening around Valentine’s Day in 2018. Guests can expect a casual French bistro atmosphere, perfect for enjoying a pleasant meal with great company. For Restaurant Week, you’ll find an authentic, three-course French dinner with options such as niçoise salade, grilled monkfish, and banane et chocolat. $35

Japanese: Matsuri Japanese Restaurant
Get a taste of Japan with Matsuri’s three-course lunch or dinner. Open in Federal Hill since 1996, the restaurant is owner Bill Tien’s homage to Japanese cuisine in Baltimore. The award-winning spot will serve traditional dishes like miso soup, spicy tuna rolls, and Japanese mochi ice cream. $15-30

Afgani: The Helmand
The Helmand has not only helped introduce Afghani cuisine to Baltimore, but also nationwide. The restaurant was named after the owner’s first born son, as well as the famed Helmand River that runs through the predominantly dry country of Afghanistan. First established in 1989, it is celebrating 20 years by featuring Restaurant Week dishes such as kabobs, simmered lamb, and naan. $35

Greek: The Black Olive
The fine-dining fish tavern in Fells Point transports you to Northern Greece. Make no mistake, the prices are low, but the atmosphere is elevated. Take part in a fancy date and enjoy either a three-course lunch or dinner for $20-35. The menu offers a variety of Greek classics such as Mediterranean sea bass, heirloom tomato salad, and grilled sardines in grape leaves. $20-35

Spanish: Tio Pepe’s
With a complete menu of fine Spanish cuisine and an extensive wine list, Tio Pepe’s is a great option for date night or family celebrations. If you’ve never had Spanish or Mediterranean food, you’re in for a treat with a two-course lunch or three-course dinner. Try traditional dishes such as paella a la valenciana, gazpacho a la andaluza, and flan al caramelo. $15-35

Mexican: La Calle
La Calle, which translates to “the street” in Spanish, mixes deep-rooted Mexican traditions with modern culinary fundamentals. The masa, as well as the sauces that use local Maryland and indigenous Mexican ingredients, are all made in an open-style Baltimore kitchen. Choose between a $15 three-course lunch or a $35 three-course dinner that comes with a complimentary margarita. Some of the options featured include tacos, torta de pollo, and a Pipian Verde dish of pork loin and rice. $15-35

Lunar New Year Festival
Jan. 29. The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. 410-547-9000. While the Gregorian calendar’s New Year might have come and gone, the Chinese Lunar New Year is once again upon us. At The Walters Art Museum, celebrate the Year of the Rooster with a special focus on traditional Chinese and Korean dance. Several groups will perform, including the Baltimore Chinese School, Johns Hopkins’ Yong Han Lion Dance Troupe, and the Korean Sang Hee Ju Traditional Dance Company. With fun for the whole family, partake in arts and crafts and take group selfies in the Pixilated photo booth to ring in the new year.

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Mamma Mia!
Jan. 13-15. Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St. Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 2 & 8 p.m., Sun. 1 & 6:30 p.m. $48-142. 410-837-7400. For one weekend only, this smash-hit Broadway musical is making its way to Baltimore. The Tony-nominated crowd pleaser follows a mother and daughter through love, laughter, and family drama in a comedic coming-of-age story set in the Greek islands. Best of all, it features Swedish pop supergroup ABBA’s greatest hits.

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Baltimore Restaurant Week
Jan. 13-22. Locations vary. $20-35. Charm City might be best known for crab cakes and Berger cookies, but it’s so much more than that. For nine days this month, fulfill your foodie-on-a-budget dream, and choose from more than 100 of Baltimore’s best restaurants offering discounted meals for dinner and lunch—including the newly rebranded Bar Vasquez, classic Prime Rib, and more casual Rowhouse Grille.

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Orioles FanFest
Jan. 28. Baltimore Convention Center, 1 W. Pratt St. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. $6-12. 888-848-BIRD. Bring friends or the whole family to this daylong celebration of Orioles baseball, where you can shake hands and rub elbows with players, coaches, and super fans. Catch the hilarious kids’ press conference, snap a selfie with the Bird, and grab an autograph from Buck Showalter. Sorry guys, no Adam Jones pie-throwing this year.

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Dancing With The Stars: Live!
Jan. 15. Modell Performing Arts Center at the Lyric, 140 W. Mount Royal Ave. 8 p.m. $34-595.50. 410-900-1150. As a part of a 43-city North American tour, the ABC hit series Dancing With the Stars is making its way out of the television and into a theater near you. During this live performance, get a front row seat to all the glitter and glamor of the show, with top-notch dance numbers and celebrity contestants, including recent DWTS and Olympic champion Laurie Hernandez and her partner, Val Chmerkovskiy.

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Ina Garten
Jan. 17. Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St. Fri. 7:30 p.m. $69-97. 410-837-7400.
Over the years, Ina Garten has encouraged countless people to cook with her bestselling books, and has garnered a huge fan following thanks to her Barefoot Contessa show on the Food Network. But it’s her husband, Jeffrey (also a Johns Hopkins alum), who has been her greatest admirer, inspiring her 10th and latest tome, Cooking For Jeffrey, which she’ll be talking about this month. “It’s a little bit of a love letter to my husband, who has been unbelievably supportive,” says Garten. “Jeffrey always told me, ‘If you love something, you’ll be good at it’—and that was really good advice.”—Jane Marion

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LaxCon
Jan. 20-22. Baltimore Convention Center, 1 W. Pratt St. Fri. 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat. 7 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. $10-160. 410-235-6882. In the midst of football season, celebrate Maryland’s state team sport at the US Lacrosse Convention. Back in Baltimore with hopes to be bigger and better than ever, the convention will feature all lax everything, with dozens of speakers, educational clinics, on-field demonstrations, gear, swag, and the nation’s best coaches and athletes. Grab autographs from Team USA players and catch keynote speaker John O’Sullivan, founder and CEO of the Changing the Game Project.

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Kareem Abdul-Jabaar
Jan. 26. Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St., Frederick. 7:30 p.m. $50-65. 301-600-2828. Don’t miss all-time leading NBA scorer and recent Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as he brings his life lessons to Frederick. Both on the court and off, the U.S. cultural ambassador, black activist, and CML Leukemia survivor has served as an inspiration. For one night, he shares personal experiences and his new book, Writings on the Wall.

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Polar Bear Plunge
Jan. 26-28. Sandy Point State Park, 1100 E. College Pkwy., Annapolis. $75. Take a dunk in the Chesapeake Bay this month as the Polar Bear Plunge celebrates 21 years of freezing our tails off for a good cause. With a pledge of $75 or more and a frigid few seconds in our ice-cold state estuary, you can help support the 7,311 athletes of Special Olympics Maryland.

This month’s Baltimore Restaurant Week is going to be a bit different for chef Donna Crivello, who shuttered her 19-year-old neighborhood outpost Donna’s Cafe in the Village of Cross Keys last month. Instead of overseeing two kitchens during the annual dining-out promotion, she is now solely focused on her work at rustic Italian spot Cosima inside Woodberry’s Mill No. 1.

“I have so many mixed emotions about closing Donna’s,” Crivello says. “It was the end of an era for us. But moving forward, it’s nice that I have a lot more time to spend at Cosima.”

Though Donna’s was one of last year’s record-high restaurant closures—among others including Aggio, Parts & Labor, and Wit & Wisdom—the industry is ready to wipe the slate clean. And Baltimore Restaurant Week, which returns January 11-20, will kick off the year on a high note.

“I always like to look at the glass half full,” says chef Robbin Haas, who closed The Nickel Taphouse in Mt. Washington due to financial struggles last October. “Even though there may have been some setbacks, you still have to keep moving ahead. And Restaurant Week is a way to really bring some energy into the restaurants.”

Haas remains a partner at Birroteca in Hampden and Encantada at the American Visionary Art Museum in Federal Hill. Both spots will be participating in Restaurant Week, which offers multi-course lunch and dinner menus at fixed price points ranging from $12-35. The idea behind the winter promotion is to generate business during a season that is notoriously slower for the dining scene.

“You have this natural doldrum after the holidays where people are not going out because they’re watching their weight or their credit card bill,” says Steven Rivelis, co-owner of The Elephant in Mt. Vernon. “It’s a great opportunity to reset things and start them in a positive way.”

Though the dining deal makes it easy to explore restaurants in unfamiliar neighborhoods, Rivelis also stresses the importance of supporting the spots in your own backyard.

“Businesses need our neighbors,” he says. “And neighbors need the businesses, or else you don’t have a thriving community. It’s a reciprocal responsibility, and I think Restaurant Week provides an opportunity for folks to get out and spend money in their own city.”

Crivello agrees, mentioning that Cosima typically sees a spike in reservations throughout the event: “It’s a real boost for January sales,” she says. “If you can get 11 really good days, it makes a huge difference.”

While some might be quick to pass on Restaurant Week because of the increased crowds or limited menu, Crivello assures that most teams anticipate the high demand and plan ahead.

“I think that’s part of the fun of Restaurant Week—that’s it’s always busy and energetic,” she says. “Most of us who run restaurants streamline things so that you’re not going to have to wait a long time.”

From a chef’s perspective, Haas says that the week gives him a chance showcase highlights on the regular menu. Birroteca will feature the signature mushroom bolognese cavatelli and burrata bruschetta, while Encantada will offer dishes like crispy Brussels sprouts and steak frites with onion butter.

“Sometimes some of our dishes get lost in translation a little bit,” he says. “So the Restaurant Week menu is something that we have a lot of fun with.”

Rivelis is looking forward to debuting a few new items, including a lemon-caper chicken with house-made fettuccine and herb butter sauce, which will remain on The Elephant’s worldly menu even after Restaurant Week ends.

As for Crivello, her special prix-fixe features ricotta meatballs, butternut squash soup, roasted pork belly, and the signature spit-roasted chicken with roasted vegetables and saffron couscous. Overall, she hopes that the upcoming event ignites diners to support the industry as a whole.

“When Donna’s closed, I had a lot of people say to me, ‘Well I guess I didn’t come often enough,’” recalls Crivello. “You don’t want people to feel bad, but it’s true. You have to get out and support the places that you like, and visit the places that you haven’t been yet. Our city needs that energy.”

Polar Bear Plunge
Jan. 26. Sandy Point State Park, 1100 E College Pkwy, Annapolis. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Prices vary. Ever since Stephan Timchula adopted his “Major Offense” superfan persona 10 years ago to honor the Baltimore Ravens’ (sometimes) strong offense, it has become his way of reminding fans that sports go beyond wins and losses. A longtime member of the Ravens Roost 115 and the Pro Football’s Ultimate Fan Association, Timchula shares the Special Olympics Maryland’s creed—that sports create new opportunities for people with disabilities—and he’s supported the nonprofit by proudly wading into the chilly waters at Sandy Point State Park for the past five Polar Bear Plunges. “Most importantly, it’s a day dedicated to the Special Olympic athletes, and watching them have fun rubs off on everyone else,” says Timchula, who will take the plunge again on January 26. “It makes jumping into the icy-cold water worth it.”

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Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Jan. 21. 830 E Pratt St. Times vary. $5. In honor of what would’ve been Martin Luther King Jr.’s 90th birthday, commemorate the life and legacy of one of the most influential civil rights activists in American history at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum’s annual remembrance. Bring the whole family to the downtown museum to celebrate King’s powerful vision of freedom and peace through music and dance performances by local acts, readings by Baltimore-based author Kevin Shird and Baltimore Center Stage actors, and kid-friendly activities.

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Between Spirits and Sisters
To Feb. 2. 2224 N Charles St. This month at Galerie Myrtis, view works by mixed-media artist Delita Martin that explores womanhood and the power of narrative impulse. Inspired by oral traditions and vintage photographs, this Texas-based artist uses printmaking, drawing, sewing, collaging, and painting techniques to bring portraits of African-American women to life.

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Black & White Party
Jan. 19. The Assembly Room, 316 Guilford Ave. 8 p.m.-midnight. Since the Pratt Contemporaries’ first Black & White Party a decade ago, this all-night affair has become one of the city’s most anticipated see-and-be-seen parties of the year. This year’s theme of Studio 54 will transport guests back to the disco days of the iconic ’70s nightclub with live music, festive eats, and themed cocktails flowing all night long. Pro tip: Mark your calendar for January 4—the day tickets go on sale—as general tickets typically sell out within minutes.

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Baltimore Restaurant Week
Jan. 11-20. Prices vary. After a whirlwind year of openings and closings in the area dining scene, the city’s winter restaurant week is the perfect time to try out new spots, revisit neighborhood standbys, and get your foodie fix without breaking the bank. Nearly 60 local spots will be on board for this 10-day deal, which offers prix-fixe menus priced between $12-20 for brunch and lunch and $20-35 for three-course dinners. Map out your must-try meals, make your reservations early, and take advantage of this annual culinary celebration.

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Super City
Jan. 26. 2549 N Howard St. 9 p.m. $12. After playing their latest album, Sanctuary, to audiences in every corner of the country, this Baltimore-based “freak wave” band is back home and ready to remind us what we were missing. Pack the Ottobar to hear this rising indie-pop group play showstopping hits such as “Artificial Sin” and “Find You,” and get there early to catch sets by homegrown acts including songwriting duo Chaunter and hip-hop collective Soul Cannon.

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BSO Pulse: Dan Deacon
Jan. 17. Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. 8:30 p.m. $25-55. The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra has collaborated with acts ranging from big-name indie artists to up-and-coming groups for its BSO Pulse series, but this month’s joint performance with local legend Dan Deacon is a can’t-miss marriage between two iconic figures in the city’s music scene. Hear this genre-defying artist debut several new joint compositions with the BSO during this electronic-acoustic performance.

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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade
Jan. 21. Locations vary. 12 – 2 p.m. Free. For the past 18 years, the city of Baltimore has commemorated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy with an all-out parade that starts on King’s namesake boulevard and winds down to Baltimore Street. Find a spot along the parade route to wave to local community bands, color guards, dance squads, and other civic organizations as they pass by.

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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Jan. 22-27. 12 North Eutaw Street. $72-199. Times vary. Gather your everlasting gobstoppers, Oompa Loompas, and golden tickets for the sweetest production of the season. For six days, the Hippodrome Theatre will transform into Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory for this family-favorite musical that brings new life to songs from the original film such as “The Candy Man” and “Pure Imagination.”

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Baltimore Orioles FanFest
Jan. 26. 1 W Pratt St. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. $12. As the saying goes, there is no offseason in baseball. Put last year’s abysmal season in the past and kick off the Orioles’ 2019 season with a day-long celebration at the Baltimore Convention Center. Orioles FanFest offers games and press conferences for kids, one-of-a-kind memorabilia for purchase, and autographs and Q&A sessions with select players from the team.

Five things to eat, drink, see, hear, and do with your Charm City weekend.

EAT

July 27-Aug. 5: Baltimore Restaurant Week

Locations and times vary. Brunch and lunch $12-20, dinner $20-35.

On Friday, Baltimore Restaurant Week returns to showcase the very best of Charm City’s booming culinary scene for both locals and visitors alike. Whether you’re visiting a beloved go-to or a new spot you’ve been dying to try, taste the city’s edible acumen for a fixed-menu price at more than 100 participating restaurants, including rustic Italian stalwart Cinghiale, Middle Eastern sister spot Helmand Kabobi, and French showstopper Chez Hugo. Ditch the kitchen, grab a friend or two, and revel in this 13th annual citywide celebration of Baltimore eats.

DRINK

July 27: The Bmore Creatives Three-Year Anniversary Party

Swim Club, 2760 Lighthouse Point E. 8-11 p.m. Free.

Third year’s a charm for The Bmore Creatives, a local organization dedicated to celebrating and connecting some of Baltimore’s best makers, movers, and shakers. Stop by Canton’s newly-opened Swim Club to ring in three years of creativity and community at this evening soiree, featuring signature cocktails, eats by the club’s companion restaurant Button, and scenic views at the edge of the Baltimore harbor. Luckily, it might not actually rain.

SEE

July 27-Aug. 5: Alfred Hitchcock Presents: The Water Ballet

Druid Hill Park Pool, 800 Wyman Park Dr. Sat.-Sun. 5-6 p.m., 7-8 p.m. $5-10.

This weekend, head to Druid Hill Park to see two types of suspense: gravity-defying water acrobatics and an homage to the master of thrills himself, Alfred Hitchcock. Performance arts group Fluid Movement will honor the iconic director through a synchronized water ballet that combines elegant strokes with references to Hitchcock’s gripping themes. If you can’t make this weekend’s set of shows, don’t worry—the avant-garde troupe will perform it again at the Patterson Park Pool next weekend.

HEAR

July 28: David Byrne

Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia. 6:30-9 p.m. $60-130.

Talking Heads frontman David Byrne is bringing his experimental techniques and synth-driven sound to Columbia during this weekend’s stop on his nine-month worldwide tour. Hear familiar favorites from his ’80s days (we know we’re all rooting for “This Must Be The Place”) as well as new hits from his revered new solo album, American Utopia. And if you know anything about this energetic performer, you know he and his 12-piece accompanying band will have you dancing in and out of your seats, turning the Merriweather Post Pavilion into its own sort of American utopia.

DO

July 27: Baltimore’s Birthday Bash

The Assembly Room, 316 Guilford Ave. 7-10 p.m. $45-250.

Some things just get better with age, and our beloved 289-year-old city is at the top of that list. On Friday night, celebrate Charm City’s storied history and bright future with an all-out birthday bash, including an open bar with local libations from Union Craft Brewing, Charm City Meadworks, and The Brewer’s Art, as well as themed treats like decadent macarons from Balti’marons, buttery hand pies from Crust by Mack, and fresh goodies from Diablo Donuts. You’ve never looked better, Baltimore.

Five things to eat, drink, see, hear, and do with your Charm City weekend.

 EAT

Jan. 12-21: Baltimore Restaurant Week

Locations & times vary. $20-35. 410-244-1030. 

As Baltimore’s food scene continues to boom, it’s hard to keep up with the ever-growing array of dining options around town. This month, make it your resolution to sample the best bites of the city with the help of Baltimore Restaurant Week. For 10 days, eat your way through discounted brunch, lunch, and dinner at more than 100 old favorites (Aldo’s, The Brewer’s Art, Gertrude’s, Miss Shirley’s, Petit Louis) and trendy newbies (Alma Cocina Latina, Bar Vasquez, Gunther & Co., Ida B’s Table, Minnow, Paulie Gee’s). With pre-fixe, mid-day meals as low as $12, and suppers as simple as $20, there’s no better time or easier way to become a Baltimore foodie.

 DRINK

Jan. 20: Game Day at Mount Vernon Marketplace

Mount Vernon Marketplace, 520 Park Ave. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Free.

With baseball and football seasons essentially beyond us (really, Ravens?), it’s time to focus on a different kind of game day—board games, that is. Mount Vernon Marketplace has quickly become a go-to spot for special activity nights in the city, be it their annual Mardi Gras celebration, standup comedy, or themed karaoke, and this weekend will be no different. This Saturday, head to the beloved food hall for a full day of fun and games. Each stall will be featuring their own special activity plus food and drink specials throughout the afternoon. At Taps Fill Station, indulge in specialty spiced mulled wine with Scrabble. At The Local Oyster, sip on hot  buttered rum while playing Giant Jenga and even Twister. Culture will feature spiked hot cocoa with backgammon, while Juniper Apothecary will offer soul-soothing spiced cider with Cards Against Humanity. 

 SEE

Jan. 19-21: LaxCon

Baltimore Convention Center, 1 W. Pratt St. Fri. 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat. 7 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. $10-200.

It’s no secret that Maryland’s favorite sport is lacrosse, with grown-ups still rocking their high-school pinnies and local universities coming out on top in the NCAAs. This weekend, whether you’re an active athlete or retired benchsitter, join thousands of fellow laxers for the all-lax-everything event that is LaxCon. For three days, you can grab some gear, network with players, watch an indoor game, or hone your own skills at one of the weekend’s many workshops and clinics.

 HEAR

Jan. 19: Honoring Poe’s 209th Birthday

Westminster Hall & Burying Ground, W. Fayette St. near N. Green St. 6-6:30 p.m. Free.

January traditions usually involve new gym memberships and a month off from drinking, but in Baltimore, that post-holiday haze is interrupted by another festive ritual: the birthday of Edgar Allan Poe. The macabre poet spent many years in Baltimore, and in the end, he was laid to rest near downtown in an area that is now helmed by the University of Maryland. This weekend at Westminster Hall and Burying Ground, hundreds of Poe fans will unite for an annual graveyard toast, featuring apple cider, readings, and the anticipation of the mysterious Poe Toaster who arrives every year on the anniversary of the poet’s birth to lay a bottle of cognac and three roses on his grave. Join in this beloved Baltimore tradition and wish a happy 209th birthday to Edgar. 

 DO

Jan. 20: Women’s March Baltimore

War Memorial Plaza, E. Fayette St. at N. Gay St. Rally, 11 a.m.; March, 12:30 p.m. Free. 

One year ago this weekend, the world stood in awe as hundreds of thousands of people gathered across the planet to march in support of women. On the heels of some incredulous statements by and accusations against President Donald Trump, females, friends, and families congregated in and walked across Washington, D.C., but also New York City, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Baltimore. At least 400 marches were reported on all seven continents, creating an unforgettable moment that would unknowingly lead into a remarkable year for women, propelled forward most notably by the #MeToo movement. This Saturday, celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Women’s March and continue to stand up for women’s rights during Baltimore’s own rally, featuring notable local speakers, and a march toward McKeldin Square.

Nearly 100 dining destinations scattered across the city are perfecting their menus for Baltimore City Winter Restaurant Week, which returns in its 13th year January 12-21. With featured spots offering everything from burgers to bronzini—plus more vegan and vegetarian options than ever before—the annual prix-fixe promotion certainly boasts plenty to choose from.

“I thought originally that it was only for fancy places,” says Annabel Lee Tavern owner Kurt X. Bragunier, who is participating in Restaurant Week for the first time this season. “But I’ve learned over time that little places like mine are good candidates, too. So I figured I’d give it a shot.”

Bragunier’s ode to Edgar Allan Poe on the corner of South Clinton Street closed briefly last summer due to financial struggles. Luckily, two local investors swooped in to save the bar soon after. Now that the tavern is back on its feet, Bragunier says that he’s looking forward to really showing the community what it has to offer.

“We wanted to gear the menu toward people who haven’t been here,” he says, mentioning the restaurant’s “tried and true” dishes including its crab cakes, crispy Brussels sprouts, and duck-fat fries. “I feel really strongly about our food—it’s just all about getting people in here to try it.”

Annabel Lee is among many of the must-try spots that are participating in the 10-day deal, which offers fixed menus priced between $12-25 for a two-course lunch, and $20-35 for a three-course dinner. In an effort to help break down all of the options, we’ve put together list of recommendations for the best spots to visit—whether you’re interested in a luxurious lunch, vegetarian dishes, beer pairings, or dining near a cozy fireplace.

Best bargain: The Prime Rib
With its white linen tablecloths, leather chairs, and famous leopard-print carpet, this Midtown supper club is bursting with old-school charm. And while its entrees could typically set you back anywhere from $26-69, the swanky steakhouse is offering a three-course prix-fixe menu including all of the classics for $35 during Restaurant Week. Choose from a house salad or warm bowl of tomato soup to start, followed by main courses like filet mignon, chopped sirloin, a center-cut pork chop, imperial crab, or the namesake special cut of prime rib. End the evening on a sweet note with traditional crème brûlee, key lime pie, or chocolate mousse. 1101 N. Calvert St., $35, 410-539-1804

Beer pairings: Heavy Seas Alehouse
There are plenty of spots to sip worldly wines, but if you’re more of a beer person, Heavy Seas Alehouse has got you covered. Each of the menu’s three courses will be accompanied by 10-oz. pours of Heavy Seas favorites including the Vienna-style Cutlass lager, Peg Leg imperial stout, and the brand new Americannon pale ale. Fittingly, the menu also features beer-infused specials including beer-battered crab dip, an alehouse burger marinated in Heavy Seas’ Powder Monkey pale ale, Golden Ale mousse, and a Tropicannon bread pudding with beer-infused cream sauce. 1300 Bank St., $35, 410-522-0850

Brunch spot: Minnow
This South Baltimore spot, which has been generating buzz with its smoked cocktails and trendy black-bun burgers, is going all out for Restaurant Week. In addition to the prix-fixe dinner menu (think dishes like crispy tofu, braised beef short ribs, and a chocolate-almond tart), the spot is also offering a three-course brunch. Dig in to dishes like French toast with spiced apple compote, crispy fried chicken on a blue corn waffle, sautéed shrimp omelets, and a Snow White cake with a  vanilla-swiss buttercream. 2 E. Wells St., $22-35, 443-759-6537

Luxurious lunch: Johnny’s
Ditch the sad desk lunch and head to this Roland Park favorite for a three-course meal that starts off with either butternut squash soup with sage brown butter, or a classic Caesar salad. Then choose from options like a beer-braised short rib sandwich, chicken BLT hoagie, or a grilled shrimp kale salad with beets, goat cheese, and Marcona almonds. You can’t go wrong with ginger molasses, mocha chocolate chip, or gluten-free peanut butter cookies for dessert. 4800 Roland Ave., $20-35, 410-773-0777

Newbie: Rye Street Tavern
If you have been meaning to swing by chef Andrew Carmellini’s new tavern next to the Sagamore Spirit Distillery campus in Port Covington, Restaurant Week is an ideal opportunity. Take in the waterfront views while indulging in options like black bean soup with lime crema, cornmeal-crusted catfish with Carolina gold rice, the chef’s famous fried chicken with buttermilk biscuits and whiskey pickles, and banana pudding for dessert. 225 E. Cromwell St., $20-35, 443-662-8000, weekends excluded.

Most romantic: Annabel Lee Tavern
Nothing says amour like the melancholic-romantic style of Edgar Allan Poe. This beloved corner destination devoted to the master of macabre is an ideal date-night spot, with its dim lighting, merlot-colored walls, sculpted ravens, and vintage paintings. Glance over the handwritten menu to find dishes like chicken tortilla soup, a charred romaine and tomato salad, and comfort-food entrees like meatloaf with Applewood-bacon gravy and a mango vegetable curry served over couscous. Plus, you can make it a cheap date, since the prix-fixe menu only costs $28. 601 S. Clinton St., $28, 410-522-2929, weekends excluded.

Vegetarian offerings: Myth & Moonshine
Sip Moonshine cocktails out of a Mason jar while enjoying the farmers’ market-inspired fare at this Canton hangout. Chef Kevin Cauthorne’s three-course dinner menu features many meatless options including French onion soup, a fried goat cheese medallion in a crimson tomato sauce, and white wine-marinated eggplant fried in Cajun flour with a side of sautéed spinach and zucchini. The dessert menu also bolsters the ultra-local focus, featuring Dangerously Delicious Berger cookie pie and cheesecake from Sasscer’s Bakery in Canton. 2300 Boston St., $25-35, 410-777-5502

Best fireplace: Regi’s Bistro
Retreat from the frigid temperatures by snagging a table near the antique marble fireplace at this Federal Hill mainstay. The seasonal specialties on Regi’s Restaurant Week menu only add to the cozy vibe—with lunch options like a Bangkok chicken noodle bowl or steak quesadilla, or dinner dishes including Chilean sea bass, veal osso bucco, New York strip steak, and flourless chocolate cake. 1002 Light St., $15-34, 410-539-7344

Black & White Party
Jan. 27. The Assembly Room, 316-318 Guilford Ave. 8 p.m. $150. 410-396-5430. The Pratt Contemporaries’ annual Black and White Party always falls in the dead of winter, but this year, enjoy a brief reprieve from the cold weather with a night in Old Havana. With a fresh Cuban theme and a nod to the 1950s paradise heralded by Ernest Hemingway, this library benefit will feature live music, local eats, and a hefty dose of handmade cocktails (daiquiri, anyone?). Tickets go fast, as this do-good party has become a can’t-miss event of the year.

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Cyrus Chestnut Meets Warren Wolf
Jan. 12-13. An Die Musik, 409 N. Charles St., 8 p.m., 9:30 p.m. $10-27. 410-385-2638. Baltimore sons Cyrus Chestnut and Warren Wolf have not let the light fade on the city’s rich jazz scene. The pianist and vibraphonist, respectively, have brought their homegrown talents into the national spotlight, with the former being dubbed “the best jazz pianist of his generation” by Time magazine, and the latter touring and recording with the likes of New York City’s Wynton Marsalis. The two musicians will team up and return home, bringing their swinging sound to the intimate, 90-seat venue of An die Musik. At one or all four shows in Mt. Vernon, fall under the spell of Chestnut’s blues-tinged keys and Wolf’s swift, skilled vibes. 

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Lexington Market Catacombs
Jan. 13. Lexington Market, 400 W. Lexington St. 10:30 a.m. Free. 410-332-9992. They say Baltimore is a city built on tunnels, both heavily used and long-abandoned. The latter gets a little less mysterious this January with Baltimore Heritage’s guided tour of Lexington Market. Swing through the centuries-old marketplace and stop by its famous vendors, such as crab cake king Faidley’s Seafood and sweet-treat titan Berger Cookies, before journeying beneath the bustle for one of the city’s best-kept secrets. With the help of local historians, prepare to be awed by the city’s age-old catacombs, rumored to even have housed Prohibition-era distilleries.

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Martin Luther King Day Celebration
Jan. 15. Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 E. Pratt St. 12 p.m. $5. 443-263-1800. Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 89th birthday with live performances, community talks, and arts and crafts at the African-American history and culture museum, including a step salute and freedom-square quilting party.

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LaxCon 
Jan. 19-21. Baltimore Convention Center, 1 W. Pratt St. Fri. 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat. 7 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. $10-200. It’s no secret that Maryland’s favorite sport is lacrosse, with grown-ups still rocking their high-school pinnies and local universities coming out on top in the NCAAs. For the fourth consecutive year, whether you’re an active athlete or retired benchsitter, join your fellow laxers for this all-lax-everything event, where you can grab some gear, network with players, or hone your skills at one of the weekend’s many workshops.

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Baltimore Restaurant Week
Jan. 12-21. Locations & times vary. $20-35. 410-244-1030. As Baltimore’s food scene continues to boom, it’s hard to keep up with the ever-growing array of dining options around town. This month, make it your resolution to sample your way through the city, with more than 100 old favorites (Gertrude’s) and trendy newbies (Gunther & Co., pictured) offering discounted brunch, lunch, and dinner for 10 days.

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Polar Bear Plunge
Jan. 25-27. Sandy Point State Park, 1100 E. College Pkwy., Annapolis. Thu. 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Fri. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. $75. 410-242-1515. At the end of each January, thousands of shivering souls brave the Chesapeake Bay’s frigid waters to benefit the Special Olympics of Maryland. Muster the courage to dip your toes in the icy waves, and warm your heart thinking about the 7,549 local athletes that your chilly dunk will benefit. 

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Shen Yun
Jan. 26-28. Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St. Fri. 7:30 p.m., Sat. 2 & 7:30 p.m., Sun. 1 p.m. $91-194. 410-837-7400. For one weekend, the hallowed Hippodrome stage will transform into Ancient China, also known as the Land of the Divine, as Shen Yun brings some 5,000 years of Chinese culture to life in modern-day Baltimore. Be sure to see this world-famous performance troupe, whose ancient dances, bright costumes, and mesmerizing movements have grown into a global phenomenon.

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Orioles FanFest
Jan. 27. Baltimore Convention Center, 1 W. Pratt St. Times & prices vary. 410-649-7008. mlb.com. Baseball has always been America’s great uniter—even in crazy and turbulent times—and this year proves no different. Thousands of fans will crowd the convention center for the annual Orioles FanFest. Bring the kids to chat with players, snag coveted signatures, and play games for prizes. It might be a few months until we’re back in Camden Yards, but this beloved event should hold you over until the spring. 

As if we needed even more reasons to love summer in the city, Baltimore Restaurant Week is returning July 28-August 6—allowing locals to get their foodie fix at a handful of different dining destinations without breaking the bank. Nearly 90 spots are on board for the 10-day deal, which offers special prix-fixe menus priced between $12-20 for lunch and $20-35 for dinner. 

Chefs and restaurateurs have already begun taking inventory of ingredients, testing dishes, and perfecting their menus in preparation for the annual event, which is celebrating its 12th run this summer. Although Foreman Wolf Restaurant Group co-owner Tony Foreman has been participating since the beginning, he says that it isn’t difficult for his team to keep things fresh.

“We work so seasonally that, whenever restaurant week comes, every menu is naturally different,” says Foreman, who operates city mainstays Charleston, Cinghiale, Petit Louis Bistro, and Johnny’s, as well as the recently rebranded Bar Vasquez. “It might be very early for tomatoes one year, or a spectacular year for zucchini another. Whatever’s good, we cook it.”

Above all, Foreman says that the most beneficial part of partaking in the promotion is bringing in new faces, with the hope that diners will make his restaurants a year-round destination. 

“It gives them a good snapshot of how we do things,” he says. “There’s such a great energy that comes from attracting new people.”

In an effort to help break down all of the options, we’ve come up with a few suggestions for which spots to hit this year—whether you’re searching for drink deals, brunch bites, al fresco dining, or, simply, more bang for your buck.

New kid on the block: Bar Vasquez
Foreman Wolf launched this beef-centric Argentinian hotspot in the former Pazo space last fall, rebranding the interior to include elements like Brazilian tiger wood furniture, golden stenciling, and lush greenery meant to mimic the landscape of Argentina. To celebrate its first-ever summer restaurant week, chef Mario Cano Cataláan has prepared a special three-course dinner menu featuring house-made spaghetti with roasted cherry tomato sauce, hanger steak with chimichurri for two, Chicken a la Plancha with white beans and kale, and a roasted pineapple almond tart for dessert. 1425 Aliceanna St., $35, 410-534-7296

Best outdoor dining: The Oregon Grille
Be sure to have your camera ready for an al fresco meal at this Hunt Valley haunt. Located in the heart of Maryland’s horse country, the restaurant has become a gathering spot for the  local Hunt Cup crowd and destination diners alike. The spacious outdoor courtyard, with its thriving greenery and picturesque garden fountains, makes for a particularly elegant evening. Throughout Restaurant Week, snag one of the coveted seats under the stars to enjoy a $35, three-course dinner showcasing classics like clams casino, crab cakes, bacon-wrapped salmon, braised beef short ribs, and baked apple pie. 1201 Shawan Road, Hunt Valley, $20-35, 410-771-0505

Beverage pairings: Sobo Café
Last summer, restaurant week organizers made it a priority to encourage eateries to add alcohol pairings to their menus, and Sobo Cafe has willingly obliged. This year, the Federal Hill bistro will offer a $25, three-course dinner menu paired with a la carte beer and wine flights ($11-13), and a seasonal watermelon Crush mixed with muddled watermelon, lime juice, mint, simple syrup, and pinot grigio for $8. Sample the drinks while taking your pick from dishes including cold honeydew soup, spinach pie, seared salmon with quinoa, Korean chicken-fried steak, and a s’mores-flavored frozen fudge pop. 6 W. Cross St., $25, 410-752-1518

Vegetarian-friendly options: Encantada
It’s finally time to cross this whimsical wonderland on the top floor of the American Visionary Art Museum off of your local restaurant bucket list. Marvel in the colorful décor while indulging in the restaurant’s locally sourced plates. In keeping with its wholesome philosophy, Encantada has added a selection of meatless meals to its lunch, brunch, and dinner menus to be featured throughout the week. Start things off with an order of Buffalo cauliflower before moving on to a black bean burger, veggie grilled cheese with eggplant, or mushroom taco sprinkled with pomegranate seeds and cilantro. 800 Key Highway, $20, 410-752-1000

Brunch bites: Gunther & Co.
The praise keeps on coming for this Brewers Hill beauty, which is celebrating its second summer restaurant week this year. This time around, the modern spot is offering a two-course weekend brunch menu for $20. Whether you’re nursing a hangover, or simply in need of some mid-morning fuel, request a table with a good view of the living green wall to enjoy dishes like citrus-poppyseed pound cake, jalapeño corn fritters, banana brioche French toast, and a pulled pork flatbread topped with fried eggs and salsa verde. 3650 Toone St., 443-869-6874

Best bargain: The Elephant

If you’re feeling fancy, head to Mt. Vernon to settle at a table inside this famed 19th-century mansion—which boasts dangling crystal chandeliers, original teak woodwork, classic Lockwood de Forest wood carvings, and a menu of globally-inspired cuisine. An entrée at The Elephant could easily cost upward of $30 on a regular night, but its restaurant week menu offers a sampling of three courses for $35. Dishes to look forward to include summer shrimp noodles, Maryland crab dip, ricotta gnocchi, braised lamb tacos, peppers stuffed with beef and saffron rice, and a bourbon-nectarine sundae. 924 N. Charles St., 443-447-7878