OPEN

The Civil: From its gold interior accents to its gold-encrusted “24K wings,” the touches at this new Mt. Vernon spot exude elegance. The restaurant premiered last weekend in the building at 518 North Charles Street, which formerly operated as the famed Louie’s Bookstore Cafe before transitioning into Ware House 518 and G.A.Y. Lounge. Now, The Civil offers New American brunch and dinner dishes, live DJ entertainment, and a private VIP dining section on its mezzanine level. Menu highlights include lemon-pepper cauliflower bites, drunken chicken and waffles, banana pudding-flavored French toast, and Cajun fettuccine alfredo with shrimp and smoked sausage. A craft cocktail list includes sweet sips like strawberry mules and Southern peach sangria by the pitcher. 518 N. Charles St. 443-682-8792

Plantbar: It’s no secret that plant-based options are on the rise, and this week, Belvedere Square’s one-stop-shop for vegan, paleo, and gluten-free snacks expanded to yet another new neighborhood. On the heels of opening at Harbor Point last year, Plantbar debuted a third eatery on the ground floor of The Porter apartment building in Brewers Hill earlier this week. Tenants and locals alike will be able to indulge in the shop’s array of wellness elixirs, fresh-pressed juices, bottled liquids, smoothies, and acai bowls. Among the fan-favorites is the X Factor smoothie, which incorporates almond butter, cacao, avocado, and medicinal mushrooms. 3700 Toone St. 410-646-8196

Mobtown Brewing: Plantbar isn’t the only big opening happening in Brewers Hill this week. This new brewery is also celebrating its official debut in the neighborhood on Friday, April 26. Fittingly named after one of Baltimore’s many monikers, Mobtown takes inspiration from the area’s brewing culture (the neighborhood was formerly home to the National Brewing Company) and also makes use of locally sourced ingredients. The 6,000-square-foot facility and taproom will produce signature releases including the Silver Dollar saison, Calvera American IPA, and the 41 Year Lapse—an American pale ale that Mobtown has deemed the first beer to come out of Brewers Hill in the 41 years since Natty Boh operations moved out of state. Sample the beers, tour the space, and enjoy eats from Wild Thyme Baltimore at the kid-and-dog-friendly grand opening party on Friday. 4015 Foster Ave. Ste. 400, 667-309-3653

COMING SOON

Bodhi Corner: Good news for Thai fans in South Baltimore. The owners of Khun Nine Thai in Mt. Vernon and Bodhi Corner in Hampden are bringing their authentic delicacies to Light Street this summer. According to SouthBMore.com, Bodhi is planning to open in the former home of Liv2Eat and In Bloom—the adjoining concepts formerly run by husband-and-wife team Kevin Perry and Cecilia Benalcazar—and offer a menu similar to its sister restaurants. Be on the lookout for favorite dishes including steamed dumplings, “drunken” noodles, spicy curries, baked duck, and vegetarian mock meats. While the Bodhi Corner in Hampden is BYOB, the new spinoff plans to serve beer and wine. 1444 Light St.

New Tenants Headed to Cross Street Market: Another week, another Cross Street Market update. As the first three tenants get ready to open in the renovated property next month, developers at the Federal Hill market have announced even more local concepts rounding out its roster. Navy veteran-turned-food truck champion Joey Vanoni will sling his footlong “Monster Slices” and at brick-oven pizza stall Pizza di Joey, which will be equipped with its own takeout window for late-night slices. In addition, Pennsylvania-based chain Gangster Vegan Organics will offer plant-based smoothies, juices, wellness shots, salads and its popular “Swizz Beets” burgers with cashew nacho cheese on dehydrated bread.

Another great addition: The team from Old Line Spirits in Highlandtown has collaborated with the market to debut a cocktail and wine bar in the space. The 30-seat bar will be a go-to for sipping cocktails made with Old Line’s award-winning whiskies and rums (think everything from classic to frozen cocktails and Crushes), while also exploring a lineup of local beer and wine. “It seemed like a really natural fit for us to collaborate with the market,” Old Line co-founder Arch Watkins tells us. “We’re big fans of the Maryland beer, wine, and spirits industries, and this is going to be a great way to showcase all of that.” 1065 S. Charles St.

EPICUREAN EVENTS

4/28: Guinness Beer Dinner Supporting Maryland Food Bank
Halethorpe neighbors Guinness Open Gate Brewery and the Maryland Food Bank (MFB) are teaming up to host this five-course beer dinner at the brewery, which will benefit the nonprofit’s culinary training program. Enjoy passed appetizers during a welcoming “beer hour” before settling on the tented patio for dinner. Prepared by executive chefs Kevin McCarthy of Guinness and Manny Robinson of MFB, the spring-inspired menu will feature charcuterie paired with Guinness Blonde, petite tender roasted filet served alongside Guinness milk stout, and strawberry cheesecake paired with Guinness’ Foreign Extra Stout. 5001 Washington Blvd., Halethorpe. 6:30 p.m. $75

4/28: April in Paris
Head to Roland Park for the return of this annual springtime festival at Petit Louis Bistro, where guests can expect plenty of French flair like bright balloons and staff outfitted in Parisian berets. Admission to the all-ages festival includes two drinks and a buffet spread showcasing charcuterie, grilled meats, and classic pastries for dessert. 4800 Roland Ave. 410-366-9393. 12-3 p.m. $29-49

SHUT

Della Rose’s Local Tavern: The Bel Air community is reeling from the loss of this neighborhood staple—and Washington Capitals hub—owned by husband-and-wife team Tony and Linda Della Rose. The owners posted a heartfelt message to Facebook earlier this week announcing the closure of their two-year-old spot. “We took a bad deal out of emotions,” the message reads. “This is the only reason we are closing the doors.” Tony goes on to share some of his favorite memories of the tavern’s run, including charity nights for schools and youth leagues, live music performances, tailgates, and, of course, watching the Caps raise the Stanley Cup. “We just ask whenever you think of Della Rose’s, just put a smile on your face,” he writes. “It was a great two years.” Della Rose’s Avenue Tavern in White Marsh, operated by Tony’s brother Joe, is still going strong.

In Buddhism, the Bodhi tree is associated with the path to enlightenment, making it the perfect symbol for a wonderful new Thai restaurant in Hampden that offers a gateway to the treasures of the country’s cuisine.

Opened before Thanksgiving by the team that runs the bustling, tiny Mount Vernon eatery Khun Nine Thai, Bodhi Corner focuses on Northeast Thai cooking. Many of the wooden tables in the small, dimly lit dining room were filled when we visited recently, but the restaurant still exuded a calm, peaceful feeling. The menu is large and flexible, allowing for tofu, vegetables, chicken, pork, beef, or shrimp to be added to most dishes.

Among the appetizers we tried, the Kanom Jeeb stood out. The steamed dumplings, stuffed with shrimp, minced pork, water chestnuts, and shiitake mushrooms, come in an egg noodle wrapper and look like pieces of sushi. It’s a fun visual take on a classic Asian dish. The Thai sausage, unfortunately, was far too dry, and an order of four skinny fried shrimp rolls were decidedly unremarkable.

Where Bodhi Corner truly excels is in the complexity of its entrees, both the Thai staples that many Americans are familiar with and other dishes that many may not have encountered. Two of the standards, drunken noodles (which we ordered with large, tail-on shrimp) and basil fried rice (packed with chicken), outshined the run-of-the-mill varieties at most other spots around town, both in depth of flavor and precision of preparation. Although with three peppers printed next to them on the menu, we were fearing/hoping for even more heat. Still, each left us with a satisfyingly runny nose.

The highlight of our meals was the Khao Soi curry, a large bowl of egg noodles, pickled cabbage, and scallions topped with crispy noodles and red onions. A medium-bodied curry with the consistency of soup, it was rich without being filling, spicy without obscuring its layers of flavor. The duck Kra Prow was also a revelation. Several pieces of the baked bird are served with steamed broccoli and crispy basil in a reddish chili basil sauce that’s equal parts sweet and savory. Again, here the melding of taste sensations worked well.

After leaving, we resolved to soon try one of the seven vegan dishes, which include a version of crab fried rice and duck curry. Next time, we’ll also know to bring a bottle of wine or a few beers—Bodhi Corner is BYOB. (We yearned to sip a cold Singha, particularly with some of the spicier dishes.) We’ll return more enlightened.

---

BODHI CORNER 3500 Chestnut Ave., 443-438-4068. HOURS: Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 4:30-10 p.m.; Fri. 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 4:30-10:30 p.m.; Sat. 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. PRICES: Appetizers: $5-10; Entrees: $13-30; Desserts: $7-11. AMBIANCE: Relaxed.

COMING SOON

RegionAle: Ellicott City locals have fallen for this elevated soup and sandwich spot that pairs its menu with regional beers from the likes of Union, Monument City, Jailbreak, and Oliver Brewing. Beginning this summer, Baltimore dwellers will no longer have to make the drive west to get their fix. On the heels of its second birthday, RegionAle is expanding with a new location inside the Canton Can Company. The eatery highlights odes to classic American sandwiches, from a melty Wisconsin grilled cheese to a pressed Florida Cubano. (Of course, the spot also celebrates its local roots with a Maryland crab cake with Old Bay remoulade.) Within the next few months, be on the lookout for the changeover in the former home of Pasticcio’s—which closed its doors in the Can Company last year. 2400 Boston St. Ste. 120

Full Tilt Brewing: This homegrown brewery scored a win this week when the Baltimore City Liquor Board approved a Class B license for its new facility on the ground floor of the Accelerator Building in Govans. With liquor board approval, the team is hoping to tie up loose ends and debut to the public on December 14. The permanent space has been a long time coming for Full Tilt, which has been contract brewing out of Peabody Heights for the past five years. “We’re excited for people to finally see what we had in mind,” says co-owner Nick Fertig.

Aside from the signature brews (think the Hops the Cat IPA and Berger Cookie chocolate stout), the taproom will feature a small menu of its own, as well as pop-ups from the vendors that operate out of B-More Kitchen inside the Accelerator Building. The spot will also feature 10 flat screens, custom-made furniture, a colorful wall mural by graffiti artists Brad Turner and Derrick Noel, and old-school arcade games such as Skee Ball and NBA Jam. “It’s going to be a unique experience,” Fertig says. “People will be able to find their own vibe in any corner of the space.” 5604 York Rd.

OPEN

Bodhi Corner: With the recent arrivals of Foraged and Prime Corner, Chestnut Avenue in Hampden has a whole new vibe. The owners of Khun Nine Thai in Mt. Vernon added to the fresh feel earlier this month when they debuted this new Thai destination in the former home of Cafe Cito. Bodhi Corner is now open, offering a menu of salads, noodle bowls, curries, and signature plates such as Pad Thai and baked duck in a chili-mango sauce. The cozy restaurant is also vegan-friendly, highlighting a variety of dairy-free dishes including mock crab fried rice and tofu rama with steamed vegetables and peanut sauce. 3500 Chestnut Ave. 443-438-4068

Get It Inn Island Cuisine & Bar: Since opening in Locust Point last year, this island oasis has become a go-to for Jamaican delicacies, reggae music, and strong rum drinks. This weekend, the eatery is expanding across the harbor with a second location in Canton. Set in the former home of Fredericks on Fleet and Lucy Bar, the spot will serve up authentic dishes such as jerk wings, curry shrimp, braised oxtail, and fried plantains. The official grand opening on November 30 will feature food and drink specials until close and live music spun by DJ Sean Nice. 2112 Fleet St. 410-814-0585

EPICUREAN EVENTS

12/1: Hygge Mood
A handful of local food favorites are coming together to kick off the holiday season in style at Prime Corner—the new bodega conveniently located just across from the Miracle on 34th Street lights in Hampden. Head over to the store to indulge in Filipino comfort food from Calasag Pop-Up, cozy cocktails from R. Bar, and samples of Small Wave Brewing’s Winter Chai Stout made in collaboration with our own Wight Tea Co. Plus, peruse holiday products from local purveyors including Wild Kombucha, Baltimore Spirits Company, Vent Coffee Roasters, The Charmery, Jinji Chocolate, Sacré Sucré, B. Willow, The Ivy Bookshop, Le Monade, Taharka Brothers, and more. 3400 Chestnut Ave. 8 p.m.

12/4 & 12/9: The Charmery Goes Wonka: A Full Sensory Movie Experience
It’s no secret that The Charmery’s master creamer, David Alima, is a Willy Wonka fan. Hosting a sensory screening of the original Gene Wilder film has been a dream of his for a while, and now that the shop’s new factory is up and running inside Union Collective, the event is finally within reach. Join David and Laura Alima as they transform the space into a magical movie-watching experience. There will be special Wonka-inspired flavors served throughout the film (think snozzberry sorbet), along with plenty of other whimsical moments that engage all five senses. The two-night screening will be the first of the shop’s new immersion film series, which will continue with other movies in 2019. “In this fast-paced world, we often don’t take the time to stop and really experience the moment,” David says. “We hope this series will awaken the senses for an experience of 100-percent joy.” 1700 W. 41st St. Ste. 400. Times vary. $30