Creole Soul: Ever since R. House said goodbye to Arba Mediterranean last month, regulars have been wondering what would fill the void in the Remington food hall. This week, it was announced that local pop-up Creole Soul—which emphasizes, you guessed it, New Orleans-style soul food—will settle in the space later this month. (Get a first taste this weekend when chef Que Neal and her fiancé, co-founder Dedric Richardson, take over R. House’s pop-up stall one last time before becoming a permanent vendor.) A grand opening event on December 20 will feature on-theme touches including Mardi Gras-inspired face painting, a King Cake, and live music by Rufus Roundtree. As for the menu, chef Neal will offer classics such as shrimp and grits, seafood gumbo, oyster po-boys, beignets, and “Mee Maw’s Famous” banana pudding.

In other R. House news, the communal spot will celebrate its third birthday with drink specials and festivities this weekend, and plans for the Little Baby’s Ice Cream stall—which closed last week after the Philadelphia-based company announced that it was shutting down all of its locations—will be announced next week. Stay tuned for more details.

Maximón: Atlas Restaurant Group is just about ready to reveal yet another concept in Harbor East. A swanky bash on New Year’s Eve will be the first night for diners to experience Maximón—the group’s Latin American-inspired restaurant set in the former home of Wit & Wisdom inside the Four Seasons Baltimore. After that, regular dinner service will begin on January 2. Chef Colin King, previously of New York restaurant group Empellon, will present a menu of ceviches, salads, and entrees including portobello fajitas and whole roasted bass with yucca and black mint. A selection of taco fillings range from Chesapeake catfish with Baja crema to oxtail with salsa verde. The bar program will also have a South American focus, offering an exclusive blend of tequila produced at the Patrón headquarters in Jalisco, Mexico.

Döner Brös: Back in 2015, Alex Politsch and Steven Banks went to Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany and fell in love with authentic döner meat—which is traditionally cooked on a vertical rotisserie. The duo brought the delicacy back to Baltimore and roamed around on their Döner Brös food truck for a year before debuting a brick-and-mortar location in Charles Village in 2018. Their salads, bowls, wraps, and sandwiches filled with the flavorful proteins have caught on so much, in fact, that the founders are preparing to debut another shop in Harbor Point this summer. In addition to the signature meats, fries, falafel, and Turkish nachos (fries layered with döner meat and nacho cheese), the new spot will also offer beer and wine. Plus, to accommodate business professionals in the area, it will highlight a special shareable menu for small groups that can be eaten on the go.

OPEN

Andina: Fans of Peruvian gem Puerto 511 have kept their eyes peeled for this spinoff empanada shop from husband-and-wife owners José Victorio Alarcon and Connie Vásquez. After four months of work, the restaurant has officially opened at 101 W. Lexington Street downtown. While Puerto focuses on refined dishes such as cassava fritters stuffed with ribeye and lomo saltado (stir-fried beef with fried potatoes and white rice), Andina offers more casual fare, including rice dishes and an expansive empanada menu. But, at both locations, the owners’ love for their culture shines through. “We can again say thanks to our dear Baltimore, a city that grows with people’s dreams,” the owners wrote in a post to Facebook. “Total thanks.”

Plantbar: On the heels of Red Pepper Sichuan Bistro’s debut on Allegheny Avenue in Towson, the block has also welcomed a new location of this homegrown juice bar and cafe—which has other spots scattered everywhere from Belvedere Square to Brewer’s Hill. Snag a seat in the space decorated with dark woods and interior greenery, to enjoy made-to-order juices, superfood smoothies, açai bowls, coffees, and wellness shots.

EPICUREAN EVENTS

12/5: Origins: A Speaker Series

In the latest installment of this sustainable speaker series at Artifact Coffee, listen in as Seeva and Vivek Malik of New Jersey-based Bhumi Growers explain the ins and outs of growing exotic citrus in the mid-Atlantic. Following the conversation, stick around for a family-style feast featuring some of the speakers’ prized produce. 6:30 p.m. $60

12/6: Noisy Burger at The Charmery Ice Cream Factory
Remember when students from Baltimore City’s Mergenthaler Vocational Technical High School first debuted their own burger pop-up at R. House in 2017? The young chefs are back in action and ready to host another community event with The Charmery this weekend. From 6-10 p.m., enjoy Noisy Burger’s turkey and beef patties topped with locally sourced ingredients alongside orders of fries. Of course, no burger is complete without a shake. And naturally, the team from the Charmery will be on hand to mix up signature flavors to pair with all of the eats.

SHUT

Jack and Zach’s: After eight years on North Charles Street in Mt. Vernon, this small-but-mighty diner closed its doors for good on November 27. “The J&Z red counter has been home to so many incredible customers and conversations over the years,” owners Jack Neill and Zachary Schoettler wrote in a message announcing the closure. “We’re grateful for all of you helping this little farm-to-table 12-seater become the community that we dreamed of.” Although diners will no longer be able to enjoy the duo’s hearty breakfast sandwiches and omelets in the space, this certainly isn’t the last we’ll see of Jack and Zach’s. In fact, the owners have teamed up with Larder in Old Goucher to host a brunch pop-up this Sunday, December 8 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Stop by to get your fix of locally sourced omelets, grits, bacon, and, of course, coffee blends from Larder’s trusty neighbor Sophomore Coffee.

OPEN

Milk & Honey Market: It’s been two years since Milk & Honey Market closed its original location in Mt. Vernon, and now, the spot has finally made a comeback in Station North. Located on the ground floor of the artsy Nelson Kohl apartment building near Penn Station, the cafe offers a menu of warm and cold coffee drinks, smoothies, sandwiches, salads, and pastries. The new space is bright and inviting, with white walls, modern light fixtures, comfy couches, and lots of interior greenery. On the heels of the Station North opening, owners Ernst and Dana Valery are also planning to expand with a second location in Pigtown. The forthcoming cafe will be housed in the new Bath House Square project in development on Washington Boulevard. 20 E. Lanvale St. 667-309-3506

Farm to Face: Regulars of the Baltimore Farmers’ Market & Bazaar no longer have to wait around until Sunday mornings to get their hands on a seasonal falafel wrap from this longtime vendor. Farm to Face owner Miranda Betts recently moved into her own brick-and-mortar space on Harford Road in Hamilton. The former home of Zeke’s Coffee, which relocated to larger digs up the street last year, is now a permanent shop for Betts to serve her organic falafel in wraps. The crispy chickpea balls are topped with seasonal fruits and veggies (think everything from beets and strawberries to apples and arugula) and signature sauces before being tucked into traditional or leafy lettuce wraps. 4607 Harford Rd. 443-438-5559

Haven Street Ballroom: The owners of the modern-industrial event venue Main Street Ballroom in Ellicott City have launched a second space on North Haven Street in Highlandtown. Sandwiched between Urban Axes and Monument City Brewing Company, the airy space features white walls and high ceilings on the inside, and a bright exterior mural with pops of pink and yellow—which was designed by frequent Monument City collaborator White Coffee Lettering—on the outside. The venue is now booking events being held after May 1, 2019. 1 N. Haven St.

COMING SOON

Döner Brös: After spending a year roaming around on their Oktoberfest-inspired food truck, Döner Brös owners Alex Politsch and Steven Banks are putting the finishing touches on their brick-and-mortar eatery in Charles Village this week. The spot will open to the public on Monday, December 17, serving salads, wraps, and fries topped with authentic döner kebab meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie. Döner Brös neighbors THB Bagels & Deli, Bird in Hand, and Red Star Bar & Grille in the Nine East 33rd development near the Johns Hopkins University campus. “Hopkins was always a home run for the food truck so it was only natural for us to open our first store here,” Banks said in a statement. “We are excited to add another unique cultural option to the already eclectic and dynamic neighborhood.” 9 E. 33rd St. 844-366-7277

NEWS

Wayward Smokehouse Expanding to White Marsh: Federal Hill locals should prepare to see familiar signage while spending time around The Avenue at White Marsh in 2019. The team behind Wayward Smokehouse on South Charles Street has announced plans to take over the former Don Pablo’s space off of Honeygo Boulevard. The plan is for the restaurant to combine Wayward’s Texas barbecue vibe with The Curious Oyster, a new concept that focuses on sustainable seafood. 8161 Honeygo Blvd. White Marsh

Guinness Partners with Sierra Nevada for Fire Relief: In the wake of the deadly wildfires that recently spread throughout Northern California, Sierra Nevada recently established the Camp Fire Relief Fund to help rebuild communities affected. Doing what they do best, the brewing behemoth also created the Resilience Butte County Proud IPA, with proceeds directly benefiting the fund. Our own Guinness Open Gate Brewery & Barrel House is one of 1,200 breweries nationwide that has vowed to brew and sell the beer in hopes of providing more relief.

“I grew up in California and even though I’m now on the East Coast, the wildfire tragedies still feel close to home,” Open Gate brewmaster Peter Wiens said in a statement “Ken Grossman and the rest of the Sierra Nevada family are industry icons, and I’m honored to join their effort to help rebuild the lives of those devastated by the Camp Fire.” The IPA will be available in the Guinness taproom and upstairs 1817 restaurant starting December 13. One hundred percent of all proceeds will benefit the rebuilding efforts. 5001 Washington Blvd., Halethorpe. 800-909-2645

EPICUREAN EVENTS

12/13: 3rd Annual Christmas in Mexico at The Charmery
The Charmery co-owner David Alima and Clavel chef Carlos Raba have been hard at work preparing for their third-annual Christmas in Mexico celebration this week. The duo will be getting into the holiday spirit with fried ice cream treats that resemble adornos de navidad (Christmas ornaments). A portion of all proceeds will benefit Guardian Gym—a California-based boxing and jiu jitsu nonprofit that Raba supports. 801 W. 36th St. 6:30-8:30 p.m.

12/16: Prima Pop-Up at Le Comptoir du Vin
New Station North restaurant Le Comptoir du Vin is teaming up with yet-to-open Old Goucher spot Sophomore Coffee to host a special breakfast pop-up this weekend. Mix up your regular Sunday brunch routine with a traditional Turkish breakfast (think boiled eggs, veggies, cheese, and flatbread) paired with warm drinks provided by Sophomore. The team will be pouring Toby’s Estate coffees, as well as local Sparrowtail Tea blends. 1729 Maryland Ave. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $12

COMING SOON

Döner Brös: Less than a year after launching this Oktoberfest-inspired food truck, owners Alex Politsch and Steven Banks are taking the concept to the next level by opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Charles Village this September. Known for its salads, fries, and wraps made with seasoned meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie, Döner Brös will join THB Bagels & Deli, Bird in Hand, and the recently debuted Red Star Bar & Grill in the Nine East 33rd development near the Johns Hopkins University campus. “Johns Hopkins University was always a home run for the food truck so it was only natural for us to open our first store here,” Banks said in a statement. “We are excited to add another unique cultural option to the already eclectic and dynamic neighborhood.” 9 E. 33rd St.

Bodhi Corner: Adding to the revival efforts on Chestnut Avenue in Hampden (a corner grocery store is expected to open in the former Play Cafe space in September) is this new Thai restaurant from the owners of Khun Nine Thai in Mt. Vernon. Expected to open in the former home of Café Cito later this summer, the spot will feature Thai staples including rice dishes, noodles, curries, and rotating vegan and vegetarian options made with beans, tofu, and seasonal vegetables. 3500 Chestnut Ave.

OPEN

Garden Party: Now, moms and dads have even more reason to love the splash fountain in the center of The Rotunda in Hampden. While watching their little ones run through the water, they can sip wine and enjoy snacks, sandwiches, and salads from this new outdoor dining concept operated by the owners of Avenue Kitchen & Bar. Open in the freestanding shack next to the fountain, Garden Party offers a food menu including tahini hummus, edamame guacamole, meat and cheese boards, mini Cubano sandwiches, and a Mediterranean chopped salad. The wine list features sparkling, red, white, and rosé blends from Europe that are available by the glass or bottle. 711 W. 40th St.

NEWS

101 Deli Bar: There is new blood in the kitchen at 101 Deli Bar in Federal Hill. Chef Brian Mahon, formerly of Wine Market Bistro and The Nickel Taphouse, has revamped the menu to include entrees such as Cajun shrimp and biscuits, PEI mussels, crab cakes with corn salsa, meatballs with ricotta and toast points, and a refreshing watermelon poke bowl topped with a yuzu glaze. Though Mahon has made a few additions, the menu still offers the spot’s mix-and-match charcuterie boards, signature cocktails, wines on tap, and boozy milkshakes. 1118 S. Charles St., 443-682-9480

Argosy Cafe: After three years at its current home inside the Munsey Building downtown, this popular breakfast and lunch spot will move into new digs later this month—but it isn’t going far. Argosy’s last day on North Calvert Street will be Sunday, July 15, and it is slated to reopen in the former home of New America Diner on North Eutaw Street at the end of August. Throughout its short-but-sweet run, New America became a go-to for greasy spoon favorites, community events, and local music showcases. Owner Fiona Sergeant recently told The Sun that running the restaurant took up more time and energy than she expected. Though the diner has now closed, she is working with the Argosy team to help keep the spirit of New America alive. “It’s been beautiful,” Sergeant posted to Facebook. “You have all been lovely.” 429 N. Eutaw St.

EPICUREAN EVENTS

7/6: Champagne & Fried Chicken Night at Chez Hugo

Though it might not seem like the ideal combo, champagne and fried chicken go hand-in-hand in the summer. As Southern Living puts it: “The effervescent acidity works as the ultimate grease cutter, keeping your palate crisp and clean as you chow through the salty deliciousness.” Chez Hugo Bistro is playing up the pairing this Friday night with an a la carte menu of fried chicken and sides, as well as discounted bottles of bubbly all evening long. 206 E. Redwood St. 5-9 p.m. 443-438-3002

ONGOING: Crabs and Crushes at Wit On The Water
Earlier this week, Wit & Wisdom inside the Four Seasons Baltimore brought back its annual crab feast menu featuring summer staples like steamed blue crabs, peel-and-eat shrimp, Old Bay fries, and mac and cheese. Offered daily from noon to 10 p.m. on the restaurant’s outdoor patio, the menu also highlights buckets of beer, wines by the glass or bottle, and the signature Wit & Wisdom Crush (Tito’s vodka, grapefruit or orange juice, Campari, maple syrup, and club soda) to help wash down all of the eats. 200 International Drive. 410-576-5800

SHUT

BAMF Cafe: The Station North community is already feeling the loss of this quirky cafe, which will operate through Artscape weekend and close its doors for good on July 23. “We want to thank the Station North community for its support and friendship,” owner Nicholas Springham wrote in a Facebook announcement earlier this week. “It has been a unique experience that we will cherish forever. With heartfelt gratitude, we wish our customers, neighbors, and employees the best in the future.” Throughout its three-year run, the sci-fi-themed hangout was known for its comic book club meetings, vegan and vegetarian dishes, and drinks named after popular superheroes. There’s no word yet on what will become of the North Charles Street space. 1821 N. Charles St., 667-930-3371