Art Space is a recurring element in the UpFront section of our print publication that spotlights a local artist or project making an impact in the city at large. Here’s what’s going on this month:

In case you’ve ever wondered what the chef who made your Blacksauce breakfast sandwich wears to work, the Remington biscuit business’ ongoing Instagram series, “Work Shoes,” allows for shoe-gazing. Featuring footwear that highlights the wear and tear of the restaurant industry, the series shares images of well-worn and well-loved sneakers, clogs, and boots—often showing evidence of kitchen debris such as flour, grease, or donut glaze—with each featuring descriptions from the employee about the brand, lifespan, and story behind their use. Follow along @blacksaucekitchen.

COMING SOON

Plant Food + Wine and Double Zero Pizzeria: Best known for his seasonal vegan philosophy, Los Angeles-based celebrity chef Matthew Kenney is making his mark on Charm City by bringing two of his plant-based restaurants to the ground floor of the 414 Light Street building downtown. The first will be Plant Food + Wine, a sit-down spot featuring artful vegan dishes like aromatic squash with roasted fennel and kelp noodle cacio e pepe. Double Zero Pizza will neighbor the restaurant, serving up vegan pies topped with cashew mozzarella, eggplant bacon, and farro-fennel sausage. Both concepts, which will join Ramen Utsuke from the owner of Kippo Ramen in the building, will be designed by local firm SM+P Architects and are slated to open this summer.

Stephen Gorn, president and CEO of developer Questar Properties, says that the restaurants are meant to be on brand with what 414 Light Street offers its tenants. “The restaurant component really dovetails into the theme of our building,” Gorn told us last year. “We have a health and wellness program, and a quality concierge that will cater to the living experience of our residents. And food is a big part of that experience.” 414 Light St.

Motzi Bread: Be on the lookout for this upcoming bakery from Charles Village locals Maya Muñoz, a Baltimore City school teacher, and Russell Trimmer, a former Woodberry Kitchen baker and farmer at Next Step Produce in Charles County. The owners, who live above their street-level storefront on the corner of Guilford Avenue and East 28th Street, will focus on locally sourced loaves that use freshly milled flour and grains including corn and buckwheat from Migrash Farm in Randallstown. Although the shop isn’t expected to open until the fall, Motzi, which gets its name from the Hebrew blessing over bread, launched a weekly subscription service earlier this week. Featured loaves include a sprouted five-grain, focaccia topped with sunflower oil, and a caraway beer bread made with suds from neighboring brewery Peabody Heights. 2801 Guilford Ave.

Baltimore Seafood: Crab purists might have a tough time grasping this new concept that is on its way to Canton. Taking inspiration from The Shaking Crab, an East Coast chain with locations spanning from Boston to Brooklyn, the restaurant serves crab and other crustaceans in a plastic bag that diners shake up with signature spices and sauces. (Think crawfish with cajun seasonings and mussels with sweet chili miso.) Set to open in the former La Tolteca space on Boston Street this May, the spot will offer a wide range of oceanic offerings, as well as seafood-boil sides like steamed corn and red potatoes. 2324 Boston St.

OPEN

Pillion Tea: Local tea houses seem to be on the up and up. Emma’s Tea Spot opened to rave reviews in Hamilton last year, Twisted Teahouse is expected to debut in Hampden this spring, and now, Midtown-Belvedere locals have this new shop to turn to when they’re in need of a strong brew. Pillion Tea opened its doors earlier this month, offering local Wight Tea Co. varieties, craft sodas, and sweet pastries like cherry scones and lemon-strawberry pound cake. Spring specials include a vanilla-mint matcha latte, Ceylon black iced tea with lemon, berry Sencha green tea lemonade, and a house chamomile-strawberry soda. 42 W. Biddle St. 443-759-5430

Green House Juice Cafe: Regulars were ecstatic when this Charles Village staple, formerly Grind House Juice Bar, reopened earlier this week. The fuel-up fixture closed for “rejuvenations” in December, but is now back up and running with an updated name and new partner Flourish Baltimore—a holistic lifestyle brand that features organic herbal teas, essential oils, soy candles, and other wares that are handmade by Maryland merchants. Swing by to check out the updated digs, while also grabbing a few self-care products, a blended smoothie, or vegan snacks like the fan-favorite goddess kale salad. 2433 St. Paul St. 410-366-2441

NEWS

The Elephant: The past week has been an emotional rollercoaster for fans of this storied spot in Mt. Vernon. After announcing that they were forced to close the restaurant due to ongoing financial struggles, the owners recently decided that they will be able to open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays throughout the entire month of April. Not ready to give up hope, the team has also launched a GoFundMe campaign to save the building—a posh, 19th-century mansion complete with Tiffany stained glass, intricate teak woodwork, dangling Waterford crystal, and golden chandeliers. “Today, The Elephant is in jeopardy of closing,” reads a post to the fundraising page. “And the historic architectural elements may soon be ripped out and sold piece-by-piece due to a hostile takeover by one of our initial investors.” In only one day, the page raised $4,500 of its $600,000 goal. 924 N. Charles St.

James Beard Finalists Announced: Earlier this week, the James Beard Foundation narrowed down its list of semifinalists to determine which national names would be honored as nominees at the esteemed awards gala in Chicago on May 6. For the eighth time, chef Cindy Wolf of Charleston in Harbor East has been named a finalist in the Best Chef Mid-Atlantic category. Although the bar team from Clavel in Remington was named a semifinalist for Outstanding Bar Program this year, they unfortunately didn’t make the cut for the final round. After 12 nominations total (eight being finalists nods), chef Wolf has yet to bring home the medal. As always, we’re crossing our fingers that this is her year.

“I am so honored, happy, and excited to be nominated again,” Wolf said in a statement. “There is so much inspiration in this world of ours. I just want to keep absorbing it, to keep learning and moving forward. But in the end, the best food is made with love and care.”

Sagamore Whiskey Wins Best Rye: Speaking of national acclaim, Sagamore Spirit’s Port Finish whiskey recently won the Double Gold medal and the distinction of Best Rye Whiskey at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The award is a huge win for the local distilling community, especially after Sagamore’s Cask Strength Rye won a Double Gold in 2017 and Baltimore Spirits Company’s Epoch Rye took home the prize last year. All of the acclaim goes to show that Baltimore is officially back on the map as a whiskey-distilling powerhouse.

EPICUREAN EVENTS

3/29: Anatomy of a Chicken Box Part Two
Two years ago, crowds formed lines around the block for part one of this epic mashup between Ekiben and Blacksauce Kitchen at the old Union Craft Brewing space. Now, in celebration of Ekiben’s third birthday, the crews are teaming up to do it all over again. For part two, everything is expected to be bigger and better. Head to Union’s massive Medfield digs to enjoy live music, cold beers, and, of course, a next-level menu from Ekiben and Blacksauce. Although details are typically under wraps until the day of, it’s safe to say that the drool-worthy dishes will pay homage to the iconic Baltimore chicken box. 1700 W. 41st St. 4-10 p.m.

3/29-30: Beer, Bourbon & Barbecue Festival
For the 13th year, this all-out smoke show is returning to the Maryland State Fairgrounds with—you guessed it—more than 60 beers, 40 bourbons, and lots of fingerlickin’ fare. While strolling around the festival, keep your eyes peeled for local brands including Monument City Brewing, Raven Beer, Sagamore Spirit, HarborQue, and Char’d Barbecue. Throughout the weekend, there will also be special events such as bourbon bingo, distilling seminars, and a jam-packed live music lineup. 2200 York Rd. $40-125

EAT

Nov. 16: Intercostal Breakdown

Monument City Brewing Company, 1 N. Haven St. 5-10 p.m. Free.

A dip in the temperature and a bit of snow on the ground is all the convincing we need to spend Friday night digging into a pile of smoked ribs with an imperial stout in hand. Head toMonument City Brewing for this one-night-only barbecue pop-up by chef Damian Mosley of Blacksauce Kitchen and chef Patrick Morrow of South Point, featuring fall-off-the-bone ribs cooked on custom grills and cages. In between sampling some of Baltimore’s best ’cue, sip on five-dollar pours and listen to Annapolis-based folk rock band Ampersand Stringband.

DRINK

Nov. 16: The Baltimore Transgender Alliance Fundraiser

Locations vary. 12-10 p.m. Free.

This weekend, The Baltimore Transgender Alliance is hosting a variety of workshops, community discussions, and fundraisers to celebrate our city’s transgender communities. Show your support and raise funds for this local coalition by tagging along on this four-stop bar crawl to favorite haunts including The Back Yard, Peabody Heights Brewery, Charm City Meadworks, and R. Bar. With signature cocktails and a performance by locally renowned DJ Trillnatured along the way, this is a perfect way to meet new people and try new drinks.

SEE

Nov. 16-18: Fiddler on the Roof

Hippodrome Theatre at France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St. Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 2 & 8 p.m., Sun. 1 & 6:30 p.m. $70-199.

Set in the tiny village of Anatevka in 1905, this time-honored musical about a poor milkman finding suitors for his five daughters in their Jewish community has become a Broadway classic. During its final leg at the Hippodrome Theatre, experience the charming story that has won the hearts of audiences for decades with themes of change, tradition, and growth, featuring new movement from Israeli choreographer Hofesh Sheather.

HEAR

Nov. 16: Wume

Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard St. 9 p.m. $12.

In a few short years, this experimental duo has carved out theirown space in the local music scene for their mesmerizing sound and masterful use of polyrhythmic percussion. This Friday, hear drummer and vocalist April Camlin and keyboardist Albert Schatz debut their third full-length album, Towards the Shadow, on the Ottobar stage and hypnotically bob along to new songs by this rising pair.

DO

Nov. 17: Baltimore Vintage Expo

The Ideal Arts Space, 905 W. 36th St. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free-$12.

Get ahead of the post-Thanksgiving frenzy and start your holiday shopping at this Best of Baltimore-winning market full of one-of-a-kind finds. This Saturday, spend the afternoon browsing through tons of high-end vintage clothing, accessories, furniture, and décor from area retailers. Pro tip: Don’t forget to look up from the racks of Milk & Ice threads and tables of Out of Office home goods to appreciate this Hampden venue’s original Art Deco architecture and design.

COMING SOON

Broadway Market: Earlier this week, Mayor Catherine Pugh announced six stalls that will be setting up shop inside the renovated Broadway Market in Fells Point this winter. Slated to debut in February, the north shed of the redesigned public market will house local icon Connie’s Chicken & Waffles, farmers’ market favorite Thai Street, social justice-driven ice cream purveyor Taharka Bros., Hampden-based Indian eatery The Verandah, and Old Boy—an authentic Korean concept from Phil Han of Dooby’s. Han will also operate the market’s centerpiece bar, which will feature an elevated coffee program and brunch menu during the day, and draft beer and cocktails in the evening.

Returning to the revamped space will be longtime vendors Sal’s Seafood, Vikki’s Fells Point Deli, and Sophia’s Place, the European cafe and bakery that first opened in the market in 1986. There is still one stall that has yet to be leased. Once the north shed reopens, construction will begin on the south shed, which will house collaborative seafood spot The Choptank from Atlas Restaurant Group and Captain James Landing. 1640 Aliceanna St.

Lyfe Cafe: Be on the lookout for this new dining destination at The Shops at Kenilworth while checking out the mall’s beloved holiday train garden this season. Expected to open in early 2019 (just in time to get started on those New Year’s resolutions), the healthful spot from local owner Penny Seabolt will feature an all-day menu prepared with ingredients that promote physical and mental wellness (think protein pancakes and waffles, a kale detox salad with lemon-tahini dressing, smoothie bowls, and wellness shots). The eatery is designed to accommodate every major diet—including low-calorie, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and vegetarian—and will also offer meal prep services. The 1,788-square-foot cafe will be located next to Wilkes & Riley on the ground level of the recently-renovated Towson shopping plaza. 800 Kenilworth Drive, Towson

OPEN

The Common Kitchen: The food hall trend—which has taken off in Baltimore with spots like R. House, Mount Vernon Marketplace, and the upcoming Whitehall Mill—has now spread to Clarksville with this new communal space that will house 11 artisan makers. A grand opening celebration is scheduled for this Saturday, November 10, where local schools will perform live music and vendors like Scoop & Paddle ice cream and Indian street food shop Namaste Foodie will offer opening day specials. Located near Food Plenty inside the environmentally sustainable Clarksville Commons, the gathering space will mark the first food hall in all of Howard County. Other stalls to look out for include Egyptian eatery Koshary by Misteka, bubble tea purveyor Royaltea, barbecue joint Smokin’ on the Bayou, and Trifecto—a coffee and juice bar specializing in Ceremony Coffee drinks and colorful acai bowls. 12240 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville. 301-854-2090

Pat’s Select Pizza and Asian Garden: These new BYOB restaurants are opening next door to one another at the Crestridge Center in Cockeysville this month. The eateries are expected to be popular lunch destinations in the development, which features two office buildings and one retail property. Pat’s, a fast-casual pizza chain that is now open, features its signature brick-oven pies alongside flatbreads, burgers, salads, and a lengthy list of pasta dishes. Slated to debut next week, Asian Garden will highlight Chinese, Japanese, and Thai staples ranging from sushi to bowls of lo mein and pad thai. 10151-10155 York Road, Cockeysville

EPICUREAN EVENTS

11/12: Sweat: Our World, Your Stage
Everyman Theatre is known for bridging the gap between the food and theater world. The downtown showhouse is continuing that creativity with a Veteran’s Day event at Checkerspot Brewing that ties into the themes of Everyman’s current production, Sweat—a slice-of-life drama about steel mill workers facing a plant shutdown who routinely gather at their neighborhood bar. Make your way to the South Baltimore brewery to sip craft beers while watching scenes from the play, and listening in on a conversation comparing the themes in the script to the current hardships facing our own neighbors. Ten percent of all ticket proceeds will benefit South Baltimore-based nonprofit The Baltimore Station, which works to support homeless veterans and reintegrate them into the workforce. 1399 S. Sharp St. 6-8:30 p.m. $15

11/16: Intercostal Breakdown
Fittingly named after the anatomical term that means “situated between the ribs,” this one-night-only barbecue pop-up, hosted by food writer Amy Langrehr of Charm City Cook, will feature smoked ribs cooked on custom-built cages and grills. Head to Monument City Brewing in Highlandtown to sample meats prepared by chef Patrick Morrow of South Point and chef Damian Mosley of Blacksauce Kitchen. The evening will also feature $5 Monument City beers all night, and Annapolis-based folk rockers Ampersand Stringband playing live from 7:30-9:30 p.m. 1 N. Haven St. Free. 5-10 p.m.

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

 EAT

May 12: Blacksauce Kitchen + Ekiben Collaboration

Union Craft Brewing, 1700 Union Ave. 6-10 p.m. Free.

In a collaboration that pairs two of Baltimore’s paramount food purveyors, farmers’ market-famous biscuit bosses Blacksauce Kitchen and Asian street food bun brothers Ekiben will come together for an epicurean experience we didn’t know we needed until now. In fact, the former inspired the latter to get into the business all those years ago in Fells Point. This weekend, at the time of the event, the two eateries unveil their mouthwatering menu that pays homage to the iconic Baltimore chicken box. And, of course, we’re always in for an ice-cold Duckpin.

 DRINK

May 13: Maryland Craft Beer Festival 

Carroll Creek Linear Park, 44 South Market St., Frederick. 12-5 p.m. $Free-50.

For one day only, all of our favorite Maryland brewers (and even some who are not yet known to the public) will gather together for a Saturday festival in Frederick that features more than 180 local craft beers. Rain or shine, you can expect staples like The Brewer’s Art, Evolution Brewing, Flying Dog, and Heavy Seas, with sneak previews from soon-to-open newcomers like Barnwerk Farm Brewery and Frederick’s own Midnight Run Brewing. There will also be live music, crafts, and grub from local eateries to go along with all those suds. 

 SEE

May 13: Ali Wong

Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St. 7 p.m. $58.

Ali Wong never takes a break from comedy and even filmed her first standup special while almost eight months pregnant (now available on Netflix). But the young comic is no newbie, having performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and Chelsea Lately. Catch her hilariously inappropriate humor at the Hippodrome with an arsenal of rants about sex, motherhood, and racism. 

 HEAR

May 13: Ryan Adams

Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. 7:30 p.m. $40-55. 

Ryan Adams may have won us over in decades past with albums like Heartbreaker and Love Is Hell, but if last year’s 1989 Taylor Swift cover album is any indication, the alt-rocker has still got it. Catch his heartfelt, angst-riddled sound this weekend at Merriweather with new songs from his latest, Prisoner, hopefully a few oldies (like “Hallelujah” and “New York, New York”), and opening act Jenny Lewis.

 DO

May 13: Pile of Craft

St. John’s United Methodist Church, 2640 St. Paul St., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 

If you still haven’t found a gift for Mom (seriously, no judgment), head to the annual Pile of Craft show this Saturday where more than 50 local vendors will be hawking their handcrafted goods. If you’re too old to give mom an I-O-U breakfast in bed or construction paper chore coupon, be creative with presents, home goods, or even treat-yourself tidbits from Annie Howe Papercuts, Row House 14 card company, the ever-spicy Huckle’s Sauce, and the always-appreciated Pure Chocolate by Jinji, to name a few.