The Tastemakers: Steve Chu & Ephrem Abebe

As the pounding beat from a hip-hop heavy playlist fills the room, the Ekiben team gets to work: Chicken gets dropped in the deep fryer, broccoli is battered, and the kitchen staff hustles at the line, piling pork shoulder and mango-papaya slaw into cardboard containers scrawled with a handdrawn heart and the words, “Thank you! Ekiben Fam.” The pulsing music sets the tone, and the air is electric with energy, as the mostly young staff steadily works to fill orders for steamed bun sandwiches and rice bowls brimming with Thai chicken meatballs or tofu in spicy peanut sauce.

By nightfall, beneath the black-and-white awning at the Hampden eatery’s entrance, the line continues to grow, and not just because COVID-19 has forced the spot to allow only one customer inside at a time. Beginning at 11 a.m., when the lunch shift starts, the joint is jumping. And by night’s end, some hundreds of Neighborhood Bird sandwiches—that is, Ekiben’s legendary Taiwanese curried chicken on a steamed bun—will fly past the vestibule plastered with manga and out the double glass doors. Of course, an equivalent scene is also unfolding at the Ekiben in Fells Point, the first brick-and-mortar location of this Asian-fusion street food spot that opened on Eastern Avenue in 2016.

This second location of Ekiben opened in February 2020, on a scrappy, off-the-beaten-path alley in Hampden just weeks before the pandemic hit, though that hasn’t stopped patrons from finding it. And while the past year has led to a major loss of revenue from their sizeable events business—some 172 catering gigs were canceled in 2020 alone—the nightly takeout grind at both locations has largely stayed steady, in part because Ekiben was already geared toward grab-and-go.

“It took eight months to build in Hampden what took us five years to build in Fells Point,” says Steve Chu, who co-owns Ekiben with his college friend Ephrem Abebe. “It’s kind of crazy.”

Since the opening of the original space, the restaurant has earned praise from Travel & Leisure, Vogue, and Eater, in addition to landing a spot on Yelp’s coveted list of top 100 restaurants in the United States and being named a Rising Star by StarChefs D.C.-Chesapeake. And while Chu says the national recognition is great, it’s the locals who keep the place going. “I’ve come here once a week since it opened,” says Hampden resident Jeff Crumb. “Every time we get it, the food is consistently great.”

“This all comes from the support of the city and the people who live here,” says Abebe, 31, who oversees operations, while Chu serves as chef/CFO/marketing maven—“basically, everything else,” says Chu. “Baltimore is a true blue-collar city and likes seeing the success of small-time businesses and people growing and grinding it out. We get tourists coming in, but it’s the people two doors down who are sustaining us. The community has allowed us to get to this point.”

Case in point: Baltimore resident Tony Trapp was a customer long before he started working at the Ekiben in Fells Point three years ago. “I loved the food,” says Trapp, who is now a manager at the Hampden location. “But I also love working here—everyone here is like family.”

In fact, the culturally diverse staff, hailing from all over the world—the Philippines, Mexico, Honduras, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, China, Korea, Taiwan—refers to Chu and Abebe as “mom” and “dad,” respectively. “I guess I’m dad because my jokes are like dad jokes,” says Abebe, who is a dad to a toddler boy. “And Steve is super nurturing and helpful. He’s always there for you and gives good advice.”

Chu’s own dad, who immigrated from Taiwan in the ’70s and opened Pikesville’s Jumbo Seafood in 1993, practically raised his only son in the Chinese food restaurant, though, Chu, whose parents were divorced by the time he was 2, hated hanging out there.

“When you’re an immigrant running a restaurant, you definitely can’t afford childcare,” says Chu, whose uncle also owns a restaurant, Sonny Lee’s in Reisterstown. “I hated going to the restaurant because I didn’t have anything to do. I would roll glasses off the table until a busser told me to stop or my dad would stick me in his office, which is smaller than Harry Potter’s closet. During dinner service, my dad would tell me to lay down and go to sleep and I’d have a tablecloth as blankets, which were starched and very cold. And, once in a while, he’d open the door and all of this light would come rushing in and he’d drop this big plate of food that no 4-year-old could ever finish, and I’d eat in the dark because I couldn’t reach the light switch.”

But reading Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential at the ripe old age of 13 gave him a new perspective. “I was like, ‘I think I can do this, minus the hard drugs,’” cracks the 30-year-old Chu. “That book convinced me that it was going to be a fun ride.”

“RUNNING A RESTAURANT IS LIKE PUTTING ON A SHOW FOR YOUR CLIENTELE,” SAYS STEVE CHU.

In the meantime, Chu’s dad put his growing son to work at Jumbo Seafood, running paper ticket orders to the kitchen, working the register, and answering the phones throughout his teen years.  “At 14, I was awkward and chubby, and shy,” says Chu. “I didn’t want to be talking to people. I hated it, because I wasn’t learning anything. I was like, ‘I don’t f**king want to be here.’ It was awful.”

When Chu reminisces about his past, it’s clear that those years spent at Jumbo were formative. And though he tells it with a sense of humor, and peppers his stories with expletives, the pain is still palpable, as he recounts facing an age-old issue—the tug between putting family first versus the desire to chase one’s own dreams.

By the time he attended University of Maryland Baltimore County in 2008, he was majoring in economics and contemplating a career in law or teaching economics. Instead, he had an epiphany. “I realized that I loved restaurants,” he says. “I love going to them. That’s kind of like my theater. Running a restaurant is like putting on a show for your clientele. This business is so labor-intensive, I figured I’d do it while I still had the energy.”

It was also at UMBC where he met Abebe and Nick Yesupriya, a third Ekiben founder who has since left the business, while working for Habitat for Humanity. The trio shared a dream about opening a restaurant together, though it was Chu who really put himself on the path to pursue a career in hospitality.

“It pissed my family off so much,” says Chu, who landed a job as a line cook at Chipotle Mexican Grill his junior year. “The whole idea behind going to college is you are learning skills to take you to a higher-paying job. In our family, if you’re studying economics, you’d better go into banking or doing something white collar, not graduating with college debt and making nine dollars an hour at Chipotle, which is what I did—they were so mad.”

While still at UMBC, he became obsessed with not only working at Chipotle, but reflecting on why it was such a success story. “It was just all the flavor profiles. The rice was delicious, the smokiness of the chicken, how the sour cream balances out all the heaviness but still adds fat to it, having that romaine lettuce in there instead of iceberg—all the things they did there was pretty life-changing,” says Chu. “What Chipotle showed me was that Americans are ready for this food culture revolution. I don’t have to go get prime rib if I want a good meal.”

By his senior year, Chu had landed a job at ShopHouse, a Southeast Asian spinoff concept by Chipotle founder Steve Ells. At ShopHouse, he worked alongside luminary chefs such as the Michelin-starred Kyle Connaughton and James Beard Award-winning Nate Appleman. “I was head toilet-scrubber and mop lord,” he says with a laugh. “Eventually, they brought me up to management.” But the killer commute from his dad’s home in Reisterstown to D.C. led him to quit after a year.

In 2013, Chu was working as a server at Petit Louis, which he says was one of the most formative restaurant experiences he’s ever had. From the maître d’ Patrick Del Valle, he learned “intense attention to detail and taking care of every guest who walks in the door,” he says. “Patrick and [then] sommelier John Kelley also taught me how to taste.”

At Louis, Chu also learned that not every chef communicated by screaming. “Every chef I ever worked for prior to going to Louis was fire and brimstone,” he says. “My dad was fiery—if the delivery guys were late, he’d shout obscene things. But Ben Lefenfeld [the chef at the time, who is now the owner of La Cuchara] was the calmest chef I’ve ever met. I never saw him yell at anyone, and if he got really mad, he’d get really quiet and you could see it on his face. I had a lot of respect for that.”

After only a few months, Chu reluctantly quit when his father’s manager fell ill and he was needed back at Jumbo. Once the crisis was resolved, he applied for restaurant jobs in New York and got a coveted gig as a line cook at Kin Shop, a Greenwich Village restaurant owned by Harold Dieterle, a Top Chef winner from season one. It was his dream job, but once again, family duty beckoned when his grandparents both got sick and he came back to Maryland to help his father with the business. When things settled down, he had the itch to pursue his own dreams.

“I wanted to have a creative outlet, but Jumbo wasn’t the right place for that.” He reached out to Abebe and Yesupriya to see if they were still interested in opening a restaurant. “I was like, ‘I know that we talk about this all the time. Are you guys in?’ And they were like, ‘Let’s do it.’”

Abebe, an Ethiopian immigrant who had studied IT at UMBC, was eager to join forces with his friend whose early lessons of watching his father work at Jumbo served him well. “Steve is a hard worker,” says Abebe. “He will outwork anyone, and I appreciate that in people. Going into business with him was a no-brainer for me.”

Initially, they set out to get a food truck. “But a food truck is like $80,000,” says Chu. “I did some research and found a hot-dog cart. That was $3,000 and we didn’t have the money. Still, we had to work and save up for it and asked our friends for micro loans. We’d be like, ‘Can we borrow 50 bucks?’ and they’re like, ‘What the f**k? Just take it.’”

The concept for steamed buns came about organically because Chu says he’s always loved steamed bun sandwiches. “The buns themselves are a staple of my childhood,” he says. “My grandparents ate them every morning. I just felt like they were underutilized in America. You have a lot of really bad steamed bun sandwiches here. I thought that it was a disservice to our culture. I was like, ‘I’m going to make this a lot better.’”

“YOU HAVE A LOT OF REALLY BAD STEAMED BUNS IN AMERICA—THIS IS A DISSERVICE TO OUR CULTURE.”

In the early days at the Fells Point Farmers Market, using the kitchen at Jumbo Seafood to test recipes during off hours and a hot-dog cart they ended up building themselves, business got off to a slow start.

“Day one was awful,” recalls Chu, who continued to work at Jumbo six days a week while running the cart on the weekends. “On paper, we had the best spot right by the Inner Harbor water taxis where 16,000 tourists a day would walk by. And we were like, ‘Hey, would you like some of our Asian steamed bun sandwiches filled with chicken meatballs, mango-papaya slaw, and roasted garlic aromatics?’ And they’d be like, ‘Do you have crabcakes?’”

But over time, thanks to exposure at local events like Artscape and the Emporiyum, word traveled locally that their buns were a must-try.

By March 2016, close to a year after the Baltimore Uprising, they opened Ekiben in Fells Point, a speck of a spot with a counter, a closet-sized kitchen, and a bunch of barstools on the site of a former Mexican restaurant.

“We realized that the city was super divided at that time,” says Chu. “But when you travel a lot, you realize that people are just people. We all want the same thing. We all want to be happy. We all want to be taken care of and be heard. In America, you can have a very divided culture, and if you just sat down and talked to someone for five minutes, you’d realize we are not very different. We built this space around the idea that everyone listens to the same music and everyone eats the same food.”

One look at the community board in Hampden plastered with photos, picture everything from catering gigs for the Ravens to photos of Ekiben staff members feeding the health care heroes at area hospitals, and it’s clear that the eatery has, in fact, been a unifier.

“It’s been amazing to see the growth,” says Ekiben Hampden’s general manager, Mary Ann Delano, who is also a friend from the UMBC days. “I remember when this was just an idea. I was an environmental science major in college, and I wasn’t sure I was going to stick with this, but they’ve put so much trust in me and we’re like family here in our own little world.”

“Steve is just one of the most genuine people I’ve ever worked with,” says Lefenfeld. “He’s always trying to bring the people up around him, which is really important in this industry and at this time. He’s a great representation of the cooking scene in Baltimore.”

Though he’s finally broken out on his own, for Chu, who still works the dinner shift at Jumbo Seafood on Christmas—the restaurant’s busiest day of the year—all roads lead back to family.

“As a kid, riding around in the backseat of my dad’s car, one of the first lessons he ever taught me was ‘whatever you do, you have to be the best,’” recounts Chu. “At the time, I was like, ‘Okay, whatever, I’m like 3 years old.’”

Decades later, the throngs outside the restaurant’s doors are living proof that he’s done just that.

When Ekiben co-owner Steve Chu got a call from a friend asking to donate a few of his signature steamed buns to local hospital workers in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, he was more than happy to help. 

“We can’t do anything to help them except try to keep their spirits up,” Chu says. 

At the time, hospitals were overflowing with patients and the shutdown had hit local businesses especially hard. In fact, Chu says at one point, Ekiben almost went out of business.

Then, an opportunity presented itself inspired by his friend’s request: “We wanted to do something to help us to help them,” Chu says. 

This was the inspiration behind Ekiben’s “Buy a Hero a Bun” program, in which customers can spend anywhere from $10-100 to send sandwiches to feed healthcare workers at 17 hospitals across the city.

Ekiben continued to donate sandwiches as the weeks went on, but the team wanted to do more. With assistance from The Power of 10 Initiative, a nonprofit that supports neighborhood restaurants, as well as Baltimore City Councilman Zeke Cohen, they set up shop in community centers all over the city, distributing around 2,000 steamed buns per session.

“It was great to have the means to just go outside and work again,” says Chu, whose team often worked farmers markets and community festivals pre-COVID. “Everyone really missed it.”  

When natural disasters strike, communities often turn to restaurants and local businesses for help. A pandemic, says Cohen, is no different.

“They understand their role as business owners, but also as community members,” says Cohen, who represents Baltimore City’s first district that includes Ekiben’s flagship store on Eastern Avenue in Fells Point, “and that if people are suffering, they have an obligation.” 

In March, as local restaurants were forced to grapple with the immense challenges of shuttering their dining rooms, laying off staff, and pivoting to carryout and delivery service, many managed to still find ways to give back to those in need.

Days after stay-home orders came down, dedicated workers from Mera Kitchen Collective, Alma Cocina Latina, Wilde Thyme Baltimore, True Chesapeake Oyster Co., and many others got to work preparing meals for local donation drives.

“We knew that, because of the inequities in the city, there were going to be massive gaps,” Mera Kitchen Collective co-founder Emily Lerman told us in June about her team’s ongoing efforts to distribute meals to underserved communities. “We thought, ‘If we can do this, it’s a win on every level.’”

Others, like Ekiben, Cocina Luchadoras, and Motzi Bread, implemented pay-it-forward models that allow customers to add extra items to their orders to be donated later.

Sotto Sopra, an Italian fixture in Mt. Vernon, recently introduced its own buy-one, give-one special running through the month of August. Customers can purchase a meal (everything from fettuccine bolognese to pork ossobuco) and have the same dish delivered to a friend, neighbor, frontline worker, or someone experiencing homelessness free of charge.

“I thought it was a great way to put a positive spin on this pandemic,” says owner Riccardo Bosio.  

So far, the restaurant has delivered 30 free meals as a part of the special. Bosio even recalls one woman who called from New York to purchase two meals, one of which was for her daughter.   

Many bars and restaurants have also donated food, latex gloves, and masks to hospitals, according to Darin Mislan, owner of The Admiral’s Cup Restaurant & Bar in Fells Point.

“Our industry responds well to these types of crises,” says Mislan, who is also president of Fell’s Point Main Street. “We’re always the go-to when there’s a hurricane or something. So the first week we were closed we were like ‘Okay anything that is perishable we’re going to try to donate.’”

Cohen points out that Admiral’s Cup has demonstrated leadership throughout the pandemic, often rallying for safer practices in all local restaurants. On August 7, Mayor C. Bernard “Jack” Young announced that restaurants could reopen at 25 percent capacity. But Mislan and his staff felt uneasy about operating inside with coronavirus cases still on the rise. So, he opted to continue outside-dining only until further notice and 40 other establishments in the area followed suit. Mislan says it was important to him that the decision was unanimous.  

“When I weigh those things, I don’t think the risk is worth it for any reward at this point,” he says.

As Cohen sums up, the restaurant industry continues to set an example of unity and hospitality even under the most challenging circumstances. 

“For me, the pandemic has heightened the profound disparities within our city and our community,” he says, “but it has also demonstrated a level of leadership and compassion among our small businesses and community restaurants.” 

Dining devotee Chris Brown wants to get revenue flowing to save local restaurants as they struggle to stay afloat during the COVID crisis.

Inspired by the digital sales hub SavePhillyEats in Philadelphia, Brown—president of Rosedale’s Geiger Pump and Equipment—launched SaveCharmCityEats in Baltimore this week to help hard-hit restaurants recover.

Restaurants, bars, breweries, and grocers can opt in to SaveCharmCityEats.com by offering special experiences, deals, and incentives that customers can redeem after the pandemic subsides.

For the restaurant owners, this means an immediate infusion of capital, with 100 percent of the proceeds going directly to their spots and no hidden fees for the businesses or customers. For the patrons, it means something to look forward to once restaurants reopen and chefs are able to get back to work.

“There are so many great places here in Baltimore, the idea is to reconnect with that joy,” says Brown. “As a consumer, it’s fun to look at these offers. The other side of that coin is that the restaurants and chefs feel the joy that there are people who want their stuff. This is a way to give restaurants some vehicle, some hope so that when we do come back out the other side that little place down the street is open and we can get a great kabob, a great steak, or a great cocktail.”

Experiences (many one-of-a-kind) and incentives include a private Champagne brunch with Chef Cindy Wolf at Charleston, a cooking class with Cosima’s creative director Donna Crivello, a tempura omakase experience at Ekiben, a private whiskey tasting and barbecue dinner at Blue Pit BBQ, and an at-home experience with La Cuchara’s Ben Lefenfeld, who will prepare a seasonal, three-course meal.

The website, up and running for less than a day, currently has some 30 restaurants participating—from Tagliata in Harbor East to Le Comptoir du Vin in Station North. New spots will continue to join in the weeks to come.

“We are trying to be all-inclusive,” Brown says, “and give as much exposure to the little guys as the big ones.”

For his part, Brown says, “I have no financial interest. I’m not in the restaurant business. I’m not in marketing—I’m a mechanical engineer. I don’t want to come out the other side of this with a PR business. It has nothing to do with me other than wanting to help.”

As someone who loves dining out, Brown sees supporting our local restaurants as “culturally required.”

“We have a very unique food story to tell from South Baltimore to Highlandtown, Canton and Harbor East, Remington and Hampden,” he says. “And like many cities, but particularly in Baltimore, it’s a story that’s told really well from the small neighborhood spots to the big spots. What we are really hoping is that people value that as part of the culture just as you would value the Ravens or the Orioles or the BSO. It’s part of what makes living here so great.”

Save the Eats is being replicated in other cities, and also launches this week in Washington, D.C. Similar campaigns in New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles will go live in the weeks to come.

Ekiben owners Steve Chu and Ephrem Abebe tried to remove their famous “Neighborhood Bird” sandwich from the menu once. As fans might expect, it didn’t go over well.

“People came in and they were like, ‘Come on, I drove from Delaware,’” Chu remembers. “We were like, ‘Oh they’re definitely going to burn this place down.’”

Rest assured, the change only lasted as long as a special event. And when the new Ekiben location in Hampden debuts in soft-opening mode on Monday, February 10—a grand opening will follow the next day—all of the Asian-fusion staples that diners have come to rely on at the Fells Point flagship will transfer over. (That, of course, means dishes like the Taiwanese fried chicken-topped “Neighborhood Bird” bun or rice bowl, as well as the spicy peanut-flavored “Tofu Brah” nuggets and the addictive tempura broccoli.)

In fact, thanks to an expanded kitchen with additional equipment and prep space, Chu says there’s room for more dishes to become a part of the regular roster: “We’re definitely going to expand the menu a little bit,” he says. “Our whole team is really excited.”

Since taking over the former home of TigerStyle in the alleyway behind Avenue Kitchen & Bar last summer, the owners have gutted the interior to make way for updated plumbing, electricity, and equipment including woks and convection ovens. In true Ekiben fashion, they have also added their signature white subway tile and covered the walls in local art. A mural hand-painted by Baltimore artist The Groovy Vandal will welcome visitors into the intimate space, which features Ekiben’s counter-service model and 12 barstool seats.

Though the dining experience will be similar to the Fells Point location, the open kitchen and separate prep room will allow the team much more room to breathe during service in Hampden. It’s the staff, after all, to whom the owners are quick to attribute their success.

“They make the experience,” Abebe says. “Food is something you can get anywhere, but it’s about the way somebody makes you feel when they serve it to you. Our staff is like, ‘I love being here, so I’m going to make every person that walks in love being here, as well.’ People like that—I like that. That’s what I want when I walk into a restaurant.”

When they first learned about the available space, Chu and Abebe were excited by the thought of joining the Hampden food scene—specifically mentioning friends at La Cuchara and Union Collective.

“Hampden has a lot of energy,” Abebe says. “It has a good heartbeat, and it’s always really exciting every time we come here to do events.”

Another plus was the idea of a space that was a bit removed from the hustle of the Avenue: “It’s really off the beaten path, just like where we are in Fells is off the beaten path,” Chu says. “Everyone wants that dream alleyway restaurant.”

Since the UMBC grads first launched their steamed bun startup at the Fells Point Farmers’ Market in 2014, collaborating with other chefs has been a main part of their mission. Their signature mashup events, which have recently brought in the likes of Washington, D.C. chefs Johnny Spero and Jerome Grant, will continue in the new space.

The duo says they especially enjoy hosting the visiting chefs because it gives them the opportunity to highlight what the city, and its food scene, have to offer. “At the end of the day that’s what we care about,” Abebe says. “This is the city that raised us, and we want to show it off.”

Details about the grand opening celebration will be announced on Ekiben’s Instagram in the coming days, but, in the meantime, the owners are looking forward to tying up loose ends and finally getting their customers in the door.

“We try to keep it simple,” Chu says. “There aren’t too many frills in Ekiben, just good people. That’s kind of like the charm of Baltimore, right? If you stay here long enough you’ll understand why it’s called Charm City. It’s good people who really care about what they’re doing, and that’s what Ekiben is.”

COMING SOON

Ministry of Brewing: Over the summer, we gave you a sneak peek at this new beer destination that has taken shape inside St. Michael’s Church in Upper Fells Point. Though locals were keeping their fingers crossed that the brewery would officially open last weekend, final inspections were still underway. But, to give antsy beer lovers a first taste at their signature brews, Ministry has taken over three taps at Canton’s Hudson Street Stackhouse with its “Wispy” hazy pale ale, “The Point” Czech pilsner, and “Old Maude” English brown ale. As for the actual space, the team is eager to open as soon as all the loose ends are tied up—which could be any day now.

Ekiben: The rumors are true. This week, Ekiben owners Steve Chu and Ephrem Abebe gave fans of their famous steamed bun sandwiches an early holiday present by confirming what the local food scene has been speculating for weeks now. Come early 2020, the Fells Point favorite will open a second eatery on the Avenue in Hampden. In a video posted to Instagram, the owners officially announced the new location that is reportedly taking over the former TigerStyle space in the alley behind Avenue Kitchen and Bar. The beloved Asian-fusion concept, which got its start at the Fells Point farmers’ market in 2014, has made a name for itself in the local dining scene—and beyond—for its staples like the Thai chicken meatballs, Taiwanese curry fried chicken, tofu nuggets in spicy peanut sauce, and tempura broccoli. Here’s hoping all of the signature dishes, and Ekiben’s frequent food collaborations, will carry over in the new space.

Neo Pizza: Signage recently spotted above the former AJ’s Deli stall at Mount Vernon Marketplace indicates that this Maryland pizza chain—which has locations in Bel Air and Annapolis—will be opening in the space in the coming months. Neo Pizza specializes in wood-fired pies, craft beer, and worldly wines. Its current locations also offer smaller plates like meatballs and fried calamari, as well as salads, burgers, and club sandwiches. The communal market, which highlights everything from dumplings and charcuterie to Indian bowls and Greek fare, hasn’t seen a pizza spot since Cocina Al Volo closed earlier this year.

CH-CH CHANGES

Sorrento of Arbutus: For more than 50 years, this neighborhood haunt has been the place to go for a quality slice in Arbutus. Owner Ella Kostinsky recently took to Facebook to announce that, although the restaurant will be sticking around for generations to come, she is planning to retire and pass the torch. “Change is inevitable and important in order to grow, and bring innovation within our community,” Kostinsky wrote. “I am excited to begin the next chapter in my life, and just as excited for the next chapter of Sorrentos.” In her message, she thanks longtime customers for their support, and assures that the new owner—who has more than 40 years of experience in the food business—will be preserving the spot’s name and secret pizza recipe. “I feel confident the new owner will grow the restaurant,” she said. “and that it will become even bigger and better.”

EPICUREAN EVENTS

12/28: Battle of the Birdland Wing Festival

Back in its fourth year, this celebration of all things wings is taking over Delia Foley’s in Federal Hill this weekend. The price of admission includes two drink tickets, a bottomless wing buffet, live music, and cash bar specials from 12-4 p.m. But the main events are the wing-eating contests—the first of which will be a race to see who can demolish 30 wings in the shortest span of time. The following “Hellhound Challenge,” which unsurprisingly requires a waiver, will crown the first eater who finishes 10 flaming-hot wings in a sauce that clocks in at a base of 9 million Scolvill units—which are used to measure pungency.

2/23-25: The Charmery Presents Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

We know, we know—February feels like a lifetime away. But The Charmery’s full-sensory movie showings tend to sell out quickly, so this is one to have on your radar early. The ice cream factory at Union Collective has previously hosted screenings of films including The Princess Bride and Elf with accompanying themed treats, and now it’s transforming into a Hogwarts-themed wonderland. See the first movie in the Harry Potter franchise like you’ve never experienced it before with a self-served popcorn bar, special punch, and other treats that correlate with scenes in the movie. $30

OPEN

Taharka Bros. Ice Cream: Tonight, the team from this homegrown sweet shop will celebrate the grand opening of their new R. House location with a lineup of guest scoopers—including 92Q radio personality Pork Chop, rapper and “Secretary of Shade” commentator DDm, and our own New York Times best-selling author D. Watkins. Taharka, which also operates a stall at Broadway Market in Fells Point, will take over the Remington food hall space that formerly housed Little Baby’s Ice Cream, which closed all of its shops last month. “We could not be more excited about this new location, especially given that we make the ice cream at our factory in Hampden so close by,” founder Sean Smeeton said in a statement. “R. House offers a unique venue and a chance for us to host events that help promote a positive image for Baltimore.”

Though Taharka has become known for its scrumptious scoops (Honey Graham, Key Lime Pie, and Coffee Oreo are among its standout flavors), the local business is equally celebrated for its socially conscious philosophy. Since rolling out its hot pink “Change Maker Mobile” in 2015, Taharka has used its ice cream as a vehicle for change—employing Baltimore City youth, hosting events to raise awareness for social justice issues, and creating innovative flavors that pay homage to community leaders.

Sizka: The old firehouse at the intersection of O’Donnell Street and South Linwood Avenue in Canton has a whole new look. The property that was most recently Firehouse Coffee Co. has transformed into this new Japanese fusion restaurant. Now in soft-opening mode, the refreshed space features a black-and-white aesthetic, wooden floors, and a long sushi bar. The menu—from team behind Niwana Restaurant in Charles Village—offers tons of colorful sushi rolls, omakase (chef’s choice) meals, and entrees including salmon teriyaki and barbecue-marinated short ribs.

NEWS

Acropolis Restaurant: Dinner service on Christmas Eve will be the last to savor the stuffed grape leaves, whole branzino, and lamb souvlaki platters at this 33-year-old Greektown staple. Owner George Avgerinos—who inherited the business from his father, the late Dimitrios “Jimmy” Avgerinos—announced last week that the family had sold the restaurant and would be closing for good after the holiday. “This type of business becomes your life,” he wrote in a message posted to Facebook. “And Acropolis and all of you have been such a huge part of ours. We take this step, not to lose a legacy, but to continue it with our loved ones and families.” In keeping with that sentiment, Averinos added that the family is continuing its catering services and he hinted at a possible new location in the future. (Read more about the family business in our upcoming February issue.)

EPICUREAN EVENTS

12/19: Christmas in Mexico
Don’t be surprised if you see a line snaked around the block at The Charmery’s flagship location in Hampden tonight. Master creamer David Alima has once again collaborated with his pal Carlos Raba of Clavel to serve festive fried ice cream to the masses. This year’s treat, “Adornos Navideños,” will top fried scoops of The Charmery’s Pure Vanilla flavor with raspberry sauce and a leche drizzle to resemble an edible ornament. A portion of all the evening’s proceeds will be donated to Guardian Baltimore—Raba’s yet-to-open jiu-jitsu youth center in Remington.

12/23: Navidad en Baltimore
In yet another holiday-themed collaboration, the teams from Fells Point favorites Ekiben and Cocina Luchadoras are coming together to host this epic pop-up next week. Swing by Ekiben on your lunch break to start the holiday feast early with Chinese red-braised short rib tamales, soups, and other Chinese-Mexican fusion fare—which, judging by previous collabs, we can only expect will sell out quickly.

Bottoms Up Bagels: New Jersey natives Michelle Bond and Joan Kanner, who have both lived in Charm City for more than a decade, certainly know a thing or two about a good bagel and schmear. Since 2016, they have been serving their hand-rolled, boiled beauties—in varieties like sesame, poppyseed, salt, pumpernickel and Old Bay—at local farmers’ markets and pop-up events. Now, the duo is getting ready to start a new chapter with a brick and mortar coming to the Greenmount corridor in 2020.

“We’ve always believed that there was interest in a simple, quality made bagel experience,” Bond tells us. “Over the last few years we’ve been able to test that, getting feedback along the way and constantly tweaking. We’ve tried to be strategic and bring folks along with us as we’ve grown, and this includes setting up on Greenmount Avenue and being at the forefront of the good things happening there.”

Though details about the space haven’t been announced yet, it will act as both a production kitchen and a retail shop for locals to get their fix of fresh bagels topped with house-cured gravlax, as well as spreads like veggie, sesame-Sriracha, sugar butter, and house-smoked jalapeño cream cheese.

BAR BULLETIN

Bluebird Cocktail Room Releases Fall/Winter Menu: It should come as no surprise that this literary-inspired Hampden hangout is taking inspiration from Grimms’ Fairy Tales for its new seasonal menu. The roster includes 18 clever drinks that are each derived from a different tale. Among them are the “Briar Rose” (housemade grapefruit kombucha infused with tequila and borage flowers), “Rapunzel” (Distillery Lane Ciderworks’ rum-finished Celebration Cider), and “Rumplestilskin,” which incorporates Ricard pastis and chocolate from Pure Chocolate by Jinji at Belvedere Square. To pair with the drinks, the bar is also releasing new noshes like fried Brussel sprouts with fermented garlic honey and a cheeseburger topped with caramelized onions.

Baltimore Spirits Company Unveils Skeleton Spirit Gin: This Union Collective-based distillery is celebrating the spooky holiday next week by debuting its new Shot Tower Skeleton Spirit Gin—the teams’ first expansion of the popular Shot Tower gin line since they began distilling in 2015. At a 45-percent ABV, Baltimore Spirits Company’s (BSC) second-ever botanical gin is made with ingredients like juniper, eucalyptus, and aloe vera. “We wouldn’t have considered releasing a new gin unless we were sure we had something really special on our hands,” BSC co-founder and CEO Max Lents said in a statement. “We wouldn’t want to compete with Shot Tower Gin, so it had to be something remarkable and different on the gin spectrum.” A dance party at Union on November 1 will celebrate the release, as well as BSC’s fourth anniversary. The celebration will feature a full cocktail bar by Sugarvale, eats by Dooby’s, a costume contest, and live music spun by DJ Cian Noteman.

Idle Hour Featured by Eater: One of the city’s most beloved corner bars—best known for its vinyl nights and walls lined with Chartreuse bottles—received national attention this week when Eater published an excerpt from author Brad Thomas Parsons’ book, Last Call, in which the author interviews bartenders across the country about what they would choose as their last drink. Of course, Idle Hour co-owner Brendan Finnerty chose Chartreuse. “Chartreuse slows you down and warms and loosens you up,” he told Parsons. “If you spend an entire evening sipping on the Green, you find yourself a little bit lighter and a little bit brighter. You tend to float.” Read our review of the South Baltimore staple, here.

EPICUREAN EVENTS

10/24: Chicken and Champagne at Chez Hugo
It might be tough to think about Champagne and fried chicken as one of the world’s greatest food combos, but Chez Hugo’s annual celebration of the two might just change your mind. Settle in at the French bistro to enjoy a special selection of bubbles by the glass or bottle alongside a feast of fried chicken drizzled with Espelette honey or house hot sauce. There will also be fitting sides such as buttermilk biscuits, twice baked potatoes, collard greens, cole slaw, and caviar if you’re feeling bougie.

10/31: Baolloween at Ekiben
Don’t be surprised to see a line of colorfully dressed patrons wrapped around the 1600 block of Eastern Avenue on Halloween next week. Ekiben’s cleverly named “Baolloween” tradition of serving discounted steamed buns and rice bowls to costumed customers will continue starting at 4:30 p.m. on October 31. Diners who show up in costume will receive $1 buns or $4 rice bowls throughout the afternoon, and the rest of the menu will be available at regular price. The tradition is one of many initiatives that Ekiben has launched to engage with the community, the most recent being a recurring pop-up series featuring visiting chefs like Carlos Raba of Clavel and Johnny Spero of Reverie in Washington, D.C.

OPEN

Cazbar Columbia: Howard County diners can now experience the same authentic Turkish cuisine—and weekend belly-dancing shows—that Charm City locals have enjoyed in Mt. Vernon for years. The North Charles Street staple has expanded with a second location in Columbia, which officially opened its doors late last month. Decorated with textured wallpaper, comfy lounge chairs, and glowing lanterns, the spinoff highlights Cazbar’s signature mezzes and kebabs. Standout entrees include Turkish beef dumplings with garlic butter, eggplant stuffed with caramelized onions and pine nuts, and flaky baklava topped with toasted pistachios.

Love at First Bite Cafe: The Locust Point shop that was formerly Hoof Cafe on Fort Avenue is now home to this all-day kitchen from husband-and-wife duo Antonio and JosLynn Jones. The owners, who previously operated a soul food restaurant in Northeast Baltimore, specialize in comfort foods like crab pretzels, shrimp and broccoli pasta, and smothered pulled turkey over rice. The cafe is also a go-to for sweet tooth lovers, who can indulge in loaded ice cream sundaes topped with everything from Oreo crumbles to a whole Nutty Buddy ice cream cone.

COMING SOON

Bambao: Come October, diners will be able to sip bubble tea while learning origami in Harbor East. The long-vacant home of Manchurian Rice Co. on the corner of Aliceanna Street and Central Avenue will soon be transformed into this Asian-fusion concept that aims to offer diners a “sense and taste of zen.” Highlights at Bambao will include an array of bubble teas, rice and buddha bowls, and steamed bun sandwiches. In keeping with the wellness mantra, the spot will also feature family-friendly origami classes and collaborate with local yoga studios to host community events.

Char’d City: A grand opening date for this long-awaited addition to the Hamilton dining scene is set for this Friday, September 6. Husband-and-wife owners Yassine Rmadhnia and Sindee Gibson have turned the former home of Clementine on Harford Road into a cozy BYOB spot featuring warm woods, rustic decor, and a custom wood-fired oven that churns out the duo’s take on a classic Neapolitan pizzas. Char’d City will also serve colorful salads, vegan entrees, and seafood dishes that make use of Maryland crab. The menu is meant to fuse Southern Italian recipes with North African flavors inspired by Rhamdhnia’s roots in Tunisia.

EPICUREAN EVENTS

Sept. 18, 20, 23, 26: Ekiben’s End of Summer BBQ Pop-Up Series
The summer temperatures might be starting to drop, but things are definitely heating up in the Ekiben kitchen. On the heels of launching a recurring Taiwanese noodle bar pop-up, owners Steve Chu and Ephrem Abebe are collaborating with a group of stellar chefs to host four can’t-miss lunch pop-ups at their Fells Point restaurant throughout September. The end of summer barbecue-themed series will kick off with visiting chef Johnny Spero of Reverie in Washington, D.C. on September 18, and continue with the team from farmers’ market favorite Blacksauce Kitchen on September 20, James Beard Award nominee Jerome Grant of Sweet Home Cafe inside the National Museum of African American History and Culture on September 23, and our own Carlos Raba of Clavel on September 26. Menu details haven’t been released as of yet, but judging by Ekiben’s track record of creative collaborations, we can only anticipate that the dishes will be epic.

SHUT

The Dizz: Remington locals were heartbroken to hear that this decades-old neighborhood fixture had suddenly closed its doors earlier this week. “We would like to thank all our wonderful customers for your support over the years,” co-owner Thomas L. Basta Jr. wrote in a Facebook message announcing the closure Wednesday. Last fall, the Basta family put their restaurant on the market, but ultimately decided against selling. “This place has been here forever,” longtime general manager Elaine Stevens told us in May. “I think [the owners] were ready to just get out of the business, but then they saw how much it means to everybody and that made them say, ‘You know what, we’re not giving up. We’re going to hang in there.’” Unfortunately, the owners have once again decided it’s time to move on. Throughout the years, the 85-year-old staple gained a reputation for its famous burgers, crab soup, and one of the best BLTs in the city.

OPEN

Fishnet: Summer temperatures always tend to put us in the mood for seafood, and this new destination inside Mount Vernon Marketplace has everything you need to quell your cravings. The College Park staple recently debuted its second location inside the food hall, and its hosting an official grand opening party on July 12 from 4-7 p.m. to celebrate. The menu offers locally caught fish dishes including fried salmon croquettes, tempura-battered catfish and chips, and Baja fish wraps with citrus slaw and garlic sour cream. There are also nods to chef/owner Ferhat Yalçin’s upbringing in Istanbul, where fisherman grill their catch and make it into a sandwich within minutes of pulling it from the sea. Yalçin’s versions of the delicacy—called “Balik Ekmek” in Turkish—include a Faroe Island-grilled salmon sandwich and a local catfish version topped with baby greens and tomatoes.

COMING SOON

Walker’s Tap & Table: Downtown diners (and Hippodrome theatregoers) may remember chef Chad Wells’ innovative dishes at Alewife. During his six-year stint at the now-closed beer bar, Wells became known for his wild boar sliders and pork belly mac-and- cheese fries—which were featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. He later moved on to work with the Columbia-based Victoria Restaurant Group, and now, Wells is attached to a new project in his native Howard County. He’s set to head up the kitchen at Walker’s Tap & Table, a seasonal spot slated to open this fall. The menu will feature farm-to-fork fare and scratch-made pizzas fired in the restaurant’s own brick oven. The eatery joins newer concepts including The Turn House and The Brewer’s Art Tavern in the Howard County dining scene.

NEWS

Ekiben Gives Back: We’d be remiss without giving a shout out to the food scene’s favorite steamed bun superheroes this week. Ekiben owners Steve Chu and Ephrem Abebe recently set up shop at the abandoned Old Town Mall in East Baltimore to serve free Neighborhood Bird sandwiches (Taiwanese curry fried chicken thigh topped with spicy sambal mayo, pickles, and fresh herbs) to those in need, as well as passersby. The goodwill initiative is one of many that the Korean fusion restaurant has organized to bolster its mission of giving back to the community. One recent effort has included running a pop-up with Cocina Luchadoras’ Rosalyn Vera after she was the victim of a hate crime.

Sundays Makes its Return: Two years ago, fans of Dooby’s in Mt. Vernon were delighted to learn that owner Phil Han would be opening a doughnut spinoff inside Cross Street Market in Federal Hill. Though the pop-up stall was short lived (it closed after the renovation efforts at the market began), it made its marks with chocolate-topped Berger Cookie and New York bagel-flavored doughnuts. This weekend, Sundays is making its return with a one-day pop-up at Han’s Fat Tiger bar in Broadway Market. Starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 13, the team will serve Boston Cream, Coconut Espresso, and Blueberry Ginger Meringue doughnuts until sell out. Pair the fried favorites with Fat Tiger’s signature coffee drinks and egg sandwiches for a fulfilling—and filling—mid-morning meal.

EPICUREAN EVENTS

7/14: Bastille Day at Petit Louis Bistro

There’s no better place to celebrate France’s Fourth of July than this Roland Park French bistro. At Petit Louis’ annual bash, enjoy wine, cheese, live music, commemorative t-shirts, and plenty of berets and mustaches to go around. Tickets are $49 and include the special menu, as well as two drinks.

7/14: No-Fun Brunch

Don’t let the name deter you. This booze-free, plant-based brunch is designed for families to enjoy something a little more holistic on their Sunday off. Head to Vent Coffee Roasters to enjoy CBD-infused coffee and health-focused drinks from Baltimore’s own “health-tender” Amie Ward. Of course, there will also be a full-blown brunch menu to pair with the drinks. Chefs from Tom Cat’s Kitchen will prepare vegan dishes such as jackfruit-and-potato hash, Wisconsin grits with crispy onions, watermelon salad with marinated tofu, and maple plantains.

TO 7/31: Crustacean Invasion at Mt. Washington Tavern
To commemorate Maryland’s signature summer dish, this Mt. Washington haunt has created an entire crab-inspired menu running through July. The à la carte list includes a crab and avocado stack, a crabmeat grilled cheese, classic Chicken Chesapeake, crab imperial, and a crab and parmesan-crusted rockfish filet. Grab a drink and head up to the top-level bar to get the full summer experience.

OPEN

Raw & Refined: It’s going to be a great summer for dockside dining in Canton. On the heels of the news that the team behind Barcocina and Bond Street Social have taken over the Boathouse Canton, there’s also been a revival in the former home of Button adjacent to Swim Club. Officially opening this weekend, the nautical-themed seafood spot highlights a gallery of local artwork and floor-to-ceiling windows that look out onto the waterfront patio. The worldly menu was inspired by Chef Patrick Morrow and owner Dominic Lascola, who wanted the food to have Latin American and Caribbean influences.

“Everyone labels Baltimore as a seafood town, but everything is overtly crab-centric,” Lascola said in a statement. “We saw this as an opportunity to elevate what Baltimore is known for but feature new and creative flavors within the genre.” Dishes will include wood-fired mahi mahi, tuna tartare cannoli with ancho chili sauce, an open-faced Cubano, elote-inspired grilled oysters infused with chili lime butter and cotija, and a play on a Uruguayan chivito sandwich with steak, ham, egg, and olives. Of course, the spot will also be a go-to for summer sips like fruity Crushes and rum Old Fashioneds. 2723 Lighthouse Point.

Taco Bravo: We’ve seen a number of Tex-Mex spots sprout up in Baltimore County throughout the past few months, but the latest taqueria in the Padonia Village Shopping Center has a more authentic slant. The new Timonium hangout from the owners of Taco Daddy Cantina in Frederick and Gaithersburg opened earlier this week, highlighting white fish ceviche, corn tortillas filled with carnitas and lamb barbacoa, Estrella Jalisco Mexican beer, and smoky mezcal margaritas. Interior touches like hung greenery and bull-riding decor cement the theme. 31 E. Padonia Rd. Ste E. 443-689-7979

NEWS

Ekiben Vending at Smorgasburg in Washington, D.C.: Fells Point’s own steamed bun superheroes are spreading the love to the District this summer. Ekiben is one of 30 food vendors that will set up shop at the recurring Smorgasburg market at the Tingey Plaza in Navy Yard. The outdoor food extravaganza has gained tons of traction since it launched in New York and Los Angeles, and it’s starting its first season in D.C. off right with regional purveyors peddling everything from bao buns and boba to skewers and spiral-cut hot dogs. The market kicks off on June 15 and will continue every Saturday until October.

First Two Stalls Open at Cross Street Market: The day that South Baltimore locals have been waiting months for is finally here. Veteran vendors Fenwick’s Choice Meats and Steve’s Lunch have both officially reopened inside the renovated Cross Street Market. Twenty additional concepts—including a newly announced Royal Farms fried chicken stall—are expected to roll out through the summer. For now, diners can stroll through the revitalized space to check out the upgrades while grabbing some classic diner fare at Steve’s Lunch, or picking up specialty cuts from Fenwick’s. 1065 S. Charles St.

Chef Carlos Raba Featured in Men’s Journal: Don’t be surprised to see a familiar face while flipping through the June issue of this national lifestyle publication. Chef Carlos Raba of Clavel was featured in a piece that discusses some of his favorite things, which include hibiscus flowers, Frosted Flakes, and—unsurprisingly—ceviche and mezcal. “Grateful for my culture and to be able to represent my family, my interests, and my life with everyone,” the Sinaloan-born chef wrote on Instagram. Cheers to Raba on the grrrreat recognition.

EPICUREAN EVENTS

5/30: Evening of Traditional Beverages
Homewood Museum’s annual event delving into the history of local spirits is back for its 23rd year—this time with a focus on Maryland rum. Gather inside Mudd Hall’s atrium on the Johns Hopkins University campus to sample rums from distilleries including Blackwater, Lost Ark, Lyon, Old Line, and Tobacco Barn in Southern Maryland—which ages its barrels on the hull of the U.S.S. Constellation. Plus, there will be light bites from Woodberry Kitchen, live calypso music, and a talk about the trajectory and impact of Maryland rum by historian Kyle Dalton. 3400 N. Charles St. 6-8 p.m. $40-50. 410-516-5589

SHUT

Tiki Barge: Memorial Day Weekend marks the official return of many harborside bars around town, but this outdoor drinking destination won’t be one of them. Owner Dan Naor recently confirmed to The Sun that the Inner Harbor barge, which includes its own bar and swimming pool, is not reopening this summer. Since its debut in 2010, the floating marina bar became known as an oasis to sip tiki drinks while taking in panoramic views of the city. However, soon after opening, it was met with complaints from HarborView residents about noise, illegal parking, and other disruptive behavior. There’s no word yet on whether Tiki Barge will make a comeback in the future, but the property is listed for sale at a price of $1 million and we’ve heard rumors of a possible local buyer. 500 Harborview Drive

Baltimore neighborhoods are constantly evolving and it’s safe to say that Remington has officially experienced a renaissance.

“I was born and raised in this neighborhood, so I’ve seen it go through quite a few changes,” says The Dizz general manager Elaine Stevens, who has worked at the restaurant for 27 years. “But I wouldn’t live anywhere else. I love the people here. It’s just a great place.”

To commemorate Remington’s history and bright future ahead, locals came together last spring to host the first-annual Remfest—a street festival that coincided with the centennial of some of the area’s most celebrated properties.

“We think we have something pretty special here,” says Dan Scott, a partner at Charmington’s on Howard street. “We really wanted to show that off to people, and the festival totally exceeded our expectations.”

This Saturday, May 11, food vendors, musicians, makers, and neighbors will pack the streets once again for the second-annual gathering along Remington Avenue from 12-9 p.m. Aside from an impressive vendor lineup, family-friendly programming, and live music by Baltimore favorites (think Brooks Long, Bobbi Rush, Soul Cannon, Super City, and Outcalls), there will be plenty of local eats and drinks to choose from.

“To me, it’s fantastic that we are doing something to bring more foot traffic and give Remington the recognition that it needed a long time ago,” says Sweet 27 owner Suraj Bhatt, who is one of the returning food vendors this year.

Stevens, too, is looking forward to returning to the event with The Dizz, especially on the heels of such a pivotal year for the neighborhood fixture. The owners put their corner hangout on the market last fall, but ultimately decided against selling after seeing the outpouring of support from the community.

“This place has been here forever,” she says. “I think [the owners] were ready to just get out of the business, but then they saw how much it means to everybody and that made them say, ‘You know what, we’re not giving up. We’re going to hang in there.’”

Stevens says that the street fair is a great way to strengthen the community bond that she sees firsthand every day at the beloved burger bar.

“That’s one good thing about The Dizz being here, we get to meet everybody who moves into the neighborhood,” she says. “It’s kind of like a little meet-and-greet all the time. And it’s the same at Remfest—it’s just a chance for everybody to come together.”

The Remington eateries, along with a few visiting vendors, will serve everything from burgers and steamed buns to cookies and crab cakes this Saturday. Here’s a preview of what’s on the menu:

Shrimp salad and Old Bay sausages from The Dizz: Visit Stevens and her team to chow down on portable festival fare including curly fries, bleu cheese sliders, fried pickles with ranch, chicken tenders, and grilled Polish hot dogs. The Dizz will also be welcoming Charm City cookout weather with summer staples like shrimp salad and plump Old Bay sausages.

Ginger Immunitea and cookies from Charmington’s: In anticipation of the warm temperatures, Scott and his staff at Charmington’s are preparing batches of their iced Ginger Immunitea—a refreshing sip is steeped with raw ginger, lemon, and honey. The shop will also be pouring iced coffees and selling its fresh-baked cookies in flavors ranging from vegan banana-walnut to classic chocolate chip.

Bombay chicken and chana masala from Sweet 27: Best known for its multicultural cuisine and gluten-free sweets, this Remington mainstay will offer a sampling of dishes off of its regular menu. Look out for bombay, penang, and Jamaican jerk chicken served with a choice of one side. Vegan options include veggie fritters, garlic kale, chana masala, basmati rice, and garlic mashed potatoes.

Smoked salmon tacos from Neopol Smokery: Follow your nose to this popular smoked meat stall from Belvedere Square. Owner Dorian Brown will be preparing smoked salmon tacos with pico de gallo and chipotle cream, applewood-smoked pulled pork sandwiches, smoked mussels on the half shell, and portobello wraps with feta and field greens.

Crab cake sandwiches and ice-cold oysters from The Local Oyster: Head to the red-and-white pop-up tent to slurp oysters and indulge in colossal crab cake sandwiches served alongside Utz chips. Another highlight will be the team’s signature shrimp grilled with butter and Old Bay.

Steamed buns from Ekiben: Get your hands on a pillowy steamed bun from this Fells Point favorite known for its innovative Asian-fusion dishes. Look out for signature buns and bowls like the “Neighborhood Bird” (Taiwanese curry fried chicken topped with coleslaw and fresh herbs) and the vegan “Tofu Brah” topped with spicy peanut sauce.

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

OPEN

Clean Juice: Located just a stone’s throw from CrossFit, REV Cycle Studio, and the Under Armour Performance Center, this new Locust Point juice bar has already become a favorite for post-workout fuel. Now open at McHenry Row, the first Maryland location of the North Carolina-based chain was brought to the neighborhood by former NFL safety (and Under Armour intern) Anthony Walters. He and his wife, Kaitlyn, offer a variety of juices, smoothies, açaí bowls, and signature toasts topped with everything from avocado to almond butter. Taking a Friends approach, the organic menu lists smoothie options like “The So Basic One” (almond milk, banana, maple syrup, and strawberries) and “The Coffee One,” mixing cold brew coffee with banana, dates, and almond milk. 1702 Whetstone Way.

Michael’s Cafe White Marsh: This decades-old Timonium staple known for its crab cakes, Crushes, live music, and spacious outdoor patio recently widened its footprint to White Marsh. The second location officially opened inside the Greenleigh at Crossroads development off White Marsh Boulevard last month. At about half the size of its flagship, the new space offers a slightly scaled back menu, but diners can still expect the same crab soup, colorful salads, raw oysters, prime cuts of meat, and jumbo lump crab cakes that have been passed down in owner Michael Dellis’ family for four generations. Similar to the original, the new Michael’s is also equipped with a fully stocked bar (everything from local beer and cocktails to an extensive list of rye and Irish whiskies) and plenty of flat screens for game-watching. 720 Concourse Circle, Middle River. 410-335-5370

COMING SOON

The Civil: An elegant dining destination is taking shape in the former home of Warehouse 518 in Mt. Vernon, which briefly operated as G.A.Y. Lounge until the fall of 2017 when co-owners Robert Gay and Joshua Persing closed amid landlord disputes. Come spring, the building at 518 North Charles Street will debut as The Civil, a renovated concept featuring craft cocktails, New American brunch and dinner dishes, live DJ sets, and private VIP spaces on its mezzanine level. The renovation yields stylish upgrades such as refinished original wood floors, glass chandeliers, sleek black furniture, and pops of gold throughout. 518 N. Charles St.

Bentley’s: On the heels of Dear Globe Coffee opening on Antique Row in Mt. Vernon last summer, this new jazz club is also readying for a debut on the 800 block of North Howard Street. The former home of Cooker’s Music Bistro is being revamped by cousins Glenda Laws, Mark Bynum, and Glenn Bydume, along with their family friend Maurice Stokes. According to Baltimore Fishbowl, the vision is for the spot to be a modernized version of their family’s neighborhood bar from “back in the day.” Opening this spring, the full bar and restaurant will focus on fare with Southern, Asian, and Latino influences downstairs, and a lounge and bar for live music performances upstairs. 885-889 N. Howard St.

Refocused: Since New America closed its doors last year, its former diner aesthetic (regulars remember the checkered floors, counter seating, and local artwork) has been replaced with repurposed woods, earthy gray tones, and ring-shaped light fixtures. The cafe space on North Eutaw Street is being converted into Refocused, a plant-based palace from local owner Jerel Jefferies. Although the restaurant isn’t expected to open its doors until March, it will host a preview night on February 16 to coincide with the the this year’s Vegan Restaurant Week. Jefferies, who won the inaugural Vegan Mac-and-Cheese Smackdown in 2016, plans to serve vegan sandwiches, wraps, salads, burgers, and, of course, his dairy-free spin on the classic oven-baked mac and cheese. 429 N. Eutaw St.

EPICUREAN EVENTS

3/1: Mardi Gras Masquerade
Mark your calendar for this festive Mardi Gras celebration benefiting the Living Classrooms Foundation’s BUGS Program—an after-school initiative which teaches students a combination of cooking, gardening, STEM, and creative arts. The New Orleans-inspired fundraiser at Ampersea in Fells Point will highlight creole cuisine, boozy hurricanes, raffles, live music by DJ Impulse and Black Dandelion, and desserts crafted by the restaurant’s executive chef Casey Williams. 1417 Thames St. 7-11 p.m. $70

3/4: Cocina con Amor Pop-Up at Ekiben
In a heartfelt message posted to social media earlier this week, the owners of Ekiben expressed their support for Fells Point neighbor Cocina Luchadoras—whose owner Rosalyn Vera received arson and personal death threats last week because of a political poster hanging inside her restaurant. “The Ekiben family wants to put this out there: Threats of violence against businesses who choose to express themselves genuinely and honestly will not fly here,” the post reads. “Not in Baltimore; not in our neighborhood.” To celebrate the diversity of the community, Vera and Ekiben chef Steve Chu are teaming up to host a one-time-only lunch pop-up that fuses the flavors of both restaurants. The event at Ekiben will run from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on March 4. “Ekiben is honest and quirky and creative in a way that we believe is uniquely Baltimorean,” the post reads. “This is because Baltimoreans recognize realness and authenticity over everything. And because Baltimoreans recognize the value in our differences.” 1622 Eastern Ave.

COMING SOON

Orto Baltimore: After Bottega owner Adrien Aeschliman recently moved out of state, former Food Market partner Elan Kotz stepped in to take over the Station North restaurant earlier this month. In a quick turnaround, Kotz has transformed the space into Orto—an Italian concept whose name translates to “vegetable garden.” The team also includes executive chef Stefano Porcile and pastry chef Jaime Hacker, who both worked in the space when it previously housed Aeschliman’s French concept Colette. “We were really fortunate to take on a couple of people who love the space and have a passion for it,” Kotz says. “It’s great that they’re able to bring that same energy.”

Orto officially opens this Saturday (it will be closed on Super Bowl Sunday) and will offer dinner service daily. Consisting of everything from small snacks to larger entrees, the locally sourced menu will feature house-marinated olives with fennel, a bibb salad with hazelnuts and radish, sweet onion and burrata flatbread, winter root vegetable polenta, and a whole grilled branzino with charred broccoli and mint salad. Hacker will serve sweets like a blood orange tart and tiramisu creme brûlée.

The Italian slant is also reflected in the interior renovation, which yields classic marmorino plaster treatment, large mirrors, marble accents throughout, and a new bar that has been lowered from standing height. Overall, Kotz is looking forward to being a part of the neighborhood, offering dining options for theater- and cinema-goers and commuters traveling to and from Penn Station. “I’ve always loved this neighborhood,” he says. “I want to make it a place where you can come in for a glass of wine on a Monday and then come back over the weekend on a date or with family.” 1709 N. Charles St.

TigerStyle: Next week, chef/owner Chad Gauss of The Food Market in Hampden is launching yet another spinoff project. In addition to the Mexican-influenced La Food Marketa in Pikesville, Gauss now operates TigerStyle—a wok-influenced carryout located around the back alley behind Avenue Kitchen & Bar on West 36th Street. Named after the popular Wu Tang Clan song, the spot will offer Asian-inspired appetizers (think spring rolls and Korean fried chicken wings) as well as DIY stir-fry dishes with customizable bases ranging from quinoa and salad greens to cauliflower rice and classic lo mein noodles.

Though he’s excited to get creative with the Asian ingredients, Gauss says that the eatery will also feature more local flavors like Maryland corn and crab meat in the summertime. “We’re not trying to be the next Momofuku,” he says. “We just want to have fun, please people, and not take it too seriously.” Expected to open on February 9, the casual spot decorated with old-school, hip-hop posters will offer 16 seats, but mostly focus on delivery service using apps like GrubHub and UberEats.

The project is a partnership between Gauss, The Food Market’s executive chef Nick Pasco, former Food Market general manager Patrick Rainey, and La Food Marketa’s executive chef Johntay Bedingfield—who was recently crowned a Chopped champion on an episode of the Food Network show that aired earlier this week. “He started as a grill cook and worked his way up to being a Chopped winner,” Gauss says. “These guys have all been with me for a long time, and this is a great outlet for everyone to get a little creative.” 911-913 W. 36th St.

Rise Biscuits Doughnuts: Columbia diners will soon get a taste of this chain eatery that has had Towson locals raving since it opened in the 1620 York Road shopping center last year. Coming this March, the new spot will debut on McGaw Road across from the Wegmans in Columbia. Open until 2 p.m. daily, Rise offers its namesake biscuits filled with savory ingredients like country sausage, fried green tomatoes, and buttermilk fried chicken. To satisfy sweet tooth cravings, the shop also features apple fritters, cinnamon rolls, and its famous maple-bacon doughnuts. 8872 McGaw Rd., Columbia.

CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS

The Corner Pantry: For the second year in a row, this Mt. Washington favorite is celebrating the Chinese New Year in style with a full-fledged Asian pop-up on February 5. Stop in to sample authentic dishes including duck spring rolls, kanpachi tartare, lemongrass pork sausage, miso black cod, and a “pig plate” with pork belly and barbecued char siu. Desserts will include Instagram-worthy bubble waffles and lychee-glazed doughnuts. The event overlaps with a big birthday for the restaurant, which turns 5 on February 14. 6080 Falls Rd. 667-308-2331

Ekiben x Clavel: Take a long lunch for this New Year’s pop-up at Ekiben from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on February 5. Chef Steve Chu (more on him later) is teaming up with Carlos Raba of Clavel to serve up his signature Asian-fusion dishes for the occasion. Though the menu hasn’t been finalized, we can only imagine there will be plenty of pork plates on deck in celebration of the Year of the Pig. 1622 Eastern Ave. 410-558-1914

NEWS

Steve Chu Wins Guy’s Grocery Games: Speaking of Ekiben, co-owner/chef Chu is feeling the love this week after he took home $16,000 on a Super Bowl-themed episode of Guy’s Grocery Games that aired on Food Network Wednesday night. Chu raced around the aisles of Fieri’s makeshift grocery store and won over judges with his tailgate-inspired dishes including a tempura vegetable basket with nacho cheese vinaigrette. After winning, Chu even whipped out a business card for Fieri, which he displayed on-air. (Talk about great promotion for the city.)

EPICUREAN EVENTS

2/2-3: Groundhog Day Sale at Bin 604
Regardless of whether Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow this Saturday, Bin 604 in Harbor East is making the official prediction that we’re all going to need six more weeks of wine. To help locals stock up, the shop is throwing a massive Groundhog Day cellar raid. Hundreds of wines around the store will be available for $1 over wholesale cost all weekend long. Plus, the tasting bar will offer samples of some of the best discounted bottles. The two-day sale runs from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. 604 S. Exeter St. 410-576-0444

SHUT

Ristorante Firenze: Reisterstown diners were saddened when the Leonardi family announced that their Main Street staple closed for good. “It has been our pleasure to serve the Reisterstown community for the last four years, and we are grateful for the support of our loyal customers,” the staff wrote in an announcement posted to its website. “Many thanks to our fantastic staff for their hard work and dedication.” In addition to its cozy bar with flickering fireplaces, the Italian spot in the former home of Tonino’s was best known for its Boot Country pizzas and pastas. 2 Hanover Rd. Reisterstown

Courtney’s Bagel Cafe & Deli: Breakfast runs in Owings Mills won’t be the same after the closing of this institution across from the Stevenson University campus. Owner Susan Leeming recently told The Jewish Times that, after running the business for 20 years, she decided not to renew the building’s lease in hopes of giving herself some downtime. But we haven’t seen the last of Leeming: “I might end up with a Courtney’s tuna truck, you never know!” she told the JT. “It’s in my blood. I don’t think I’m finished.” As for the shop, the lease has been turned over to the team behind Quarry Bagel & Cafe in Pikesville, and is expected to reopen under new management in March. 11000 Owings Mills Blvd., Owings Mills

COMING SOON

Twisted Teahouse: From sushi and sweets to burgers and bubble tea, the Avenue in Hampden boasts plenty of variety. And now, West 36th Street will welcome a traditional tea room from local baker Angela Vogel. Expected to debut this spring, Twisted Teahouse will offer private tea parties, as well as fair-trade teas, organic coffees, and custom cakes for sale. The menu will also feature light fare including blueberry muffins, classic shortbread, and protein-packed, sous-vide egg bites. The Hampden spot is a food-focused spinoff of the original Twisted Teahouse, a quasi-tea parlor and consignment shop that Vogel previously operated inside the historic Savage Mill complex in Howard County. 813 W. 36th St.

Felipe’s Mexican Taqueria: This New Orleans-based chain focuses on classic burritos, tacos, quesadillas, and chimichangas. And, next year, the fast-casual cantina is expanding up north with a location at The Shops at Kenilworth in Towson inside a freestanding building that is being constructed on the lower level of the mall. Aside from the street-food favorites filled with toppings like tinga chicken, chorizo, carnitas, and grilled shrimp, the restaurant also offers a craft cocktail bar focusing on margaritas made with hand-squeezed Key limes. Though Felipe’s isn’t expected to debut until 2020, The Shops at Kenilworth’s newest tenant Lyfe Cafe will open on January 22. Be on the lookout for açaí bowls, protein pancakes, green detox salads, sugar-free desserts, and more from the health-conscious spot. 800 Kenilworth Drive, Towson

NEWS

Baltimore Spots Named Among Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat: Each year, Yelp combs through thousands of restaurant reviews—taking into account ratings and volume—to generate its Top 100 Places to Eat in the United States. This time around, two Charm City eateries snagged well-deserved spots on the annual list. Fells Point favorite Ekiben came in at No. 89, while Hampden sweet shop Waffie also made the cut at No. 97. Both took to social media to express their gratitude to the communities that have kept them going. “We’ve been on the national stage a couple times now, but to be one of two Baltimore restaurants on [this list] is unreal—like beyond words crazy,” reads a post to Ekiben’s Instagram. “Thanks for all of the love and support, Baltimore. We owe this all to you.” As Waffie summed up: “Hampden, you rock. So, so thankful.”

EPICUREAN EVENTS

1/17: Mera Kitchen Collective x Cajou Cream Pop-Up
The chefs behind Mera Kitchen Collective—a worker-owned co-op spotlighting the culinary heritage of immigrants and refugees—are teaming up with local vegan creamery Cajou Cream to host this special pop-up at LB Tavern inside the Lord Baltimore Hotel. Highlighting the bold flavors of Sudan, Egypt, and the Caribbean, the event will offer Mera’s desserts paired with Cajou’s dairy-free cashew ice cream. Among the sweet treats available for purchase will be a Sudanese-style beignet with dairy-free coconut cardamom ice cream, pistachios, and a balsamic reduction. 20 W. Baltimore St. Free. 5-7 p.m.

SHUT

The Local Fry Federal Hill: Kevin and Elizabeth Irish, the husband-and-wife duo that opened this fan-favorite fry shop in Federal Hill four years ago, have decided to close the flagship in order to focus on their second location at the Rotunda in Hampden. “We want to thank all of our customers who have supported us through the years,” the couple posted to Instagram. “We’ve learned a lot, and we will use the knowledge and experience gained from our time in Federal Hill as we pursue other business projects and expand our brand.” Luckily, South Baltimore regulars can find the same flavorful wings, banh-mi sandwiches, rice bowls, and loaded French fry baskets just a few neighborhoods north in Hampden. If you’re not up for the trek, The Local Fry is also available via meal delivery services including DoorDash and Uber Eats. 711 W. 40th St. Ste. 152. 667-210-2633

Pasta Mista Timonium: Known for its overstuffed subs and pasta-topped pies, this Italian outpost has been feeding the masses in Timonium for a decade. But, last week, Pasta Mista announced that had sold its location in the Timonium Square Shopping Center to another local chain, Pizza Sauce, which will be replacing it in the coming weeks. Though there are talks of a new Pasta Mista venture in the works, for now, regulars can find the signature pizzas, pastas, salads, and stromboli at the shop’s other two locations in Towson and Canton. Multiple locations including 822 Dulaney Valley Rd., Towson. 410-321-8855

Last year, Stephanie Hsu was assisting the Ekiben team with a pop-up at R. House in Remington when they realized that they needed bubble tea to test in their recipes. Normally, Hsu would make the trip to her favorite Asian market in the county to buy the ingredient, but she was short on time.

She remembered hearing about Po Tung, an ethnic grocery store on the 300 block of Park Avenue downtown, which is situated in the heart of Baltimore’s historic Chinatown.

“That was the first time I had ever been on Park Avenue,” remembers Hsu, the former marketing and events director for R. House. “When I was walking up and down the street, I had this realization of generations that had been there before. There is a history there that is not widely shared and not widely known.”

Feeling inspired, Hsu dug deep into the archives of the Enoch Pratt Free Library and the Maryland Historical Society to learn more about the history of Asian-American immigrants in Baltimore. After months of research, she and other local descendants have formed The Chinatown Collective—a group that works to celebrate the contributions of Asian-Americans and their deep-rooted heritage in the city.

“We want to acknowledge the stories of the immigrants and their families that have come before us,” Hsu says. “But at the same time, it’s about the entire community coming together and saying, ‘This is who we are now.’”

That mission is exactly what the collective is hoping to highlight with the first-ever Charm City Night Market on September 22 from 4-11 p.m. The outdoor block party will extend from the green space at 200 Park Avenue down to Lexington Market—a footprint which overlaps with what was once a bustling hub for Asian-American arts, food, and commerce from the late 1800s to the 1940s.

Coinciding with Asia’s traditional Lunar Mid-Autumn Festival, the free event will feature an illuminated lantern walk along Lexington Street where visitors can peruse visual art, crafts, and jewelry from the likes of Priya Means Love and Filipino-American sister duo Timpla.

Attendees can expect to sample eats from local Asian-fusion vendors including Ekiben, Thai Street, Mera Kitchen Collective, and Mochichi—a new Korean shaved ice concept from Steve Cho who owns Sausage Master inside Lexington Market.

The drink offerings, helmed by Phil Han of Dooby’s and Sugarvale, will spotlight beer and spirits such as sake and soju.

“We want to showcase how Asian ingredients can be incorporated into a drink that’s fun and easy to enjoy,” Han says. “Some of the sakes can add this nice, subtle creaminess to a drink that you might not expect.”

From a food standpoint, Han says that the event is in line with the increased awareness of Asian cuisine in Baltimore.

“Five years ago, the word ‘Korean’ being on a menu was so sparse,” he says. “Now we’re seeing more dishes with Chinese, Korean, and Thai ingredients appearing on New American menus across town. That kind of exposure makes it more encouraging for Asian restaurants to keep growing.”

The festival will also feature live performances from Korean drumming troupe Samulnori and the Baltimore Dance Crews Project, which was founded by two Filipino-American hip-hop dancers who work with local students to choreograph pieces inspired by their feelings on social justice issues.

Hsu credits the inspiration for the event to Kitty Chin, a 90-year-old Asian-American immigrant who vividly remembers the once-bustling Chinatown. After the community eventually faded away, Chin and her late-husband, Calvin, hoped to revive the district to be inclusive of all of the different Asian cultures that had converged in Baltimore by the late ’70s.

“They wanted to bring people back to that area,” Hsu says. “Not as a Chinatown specifically, but as a pan-Asian hub that would then incorporate a lot of the other Asian immigrant communities that were moving into the city at that time. Now we’re taking their vision and expanding on it to reflect what the city looks like now.”

Aside from raising awareness about the venue and its origins, Hsu says that she hopes Asian-Americans of all ages come to the event and feel connected to the rich immigrant culture in the city.

“We hope it expands on the idea that Asian food isn’t just Chinese food,” she says. “There are a lot of different cuisines and nuances, and maybe people will find a new favorite. At the end of the day, I think we’ll be pretty happy if people have a good conversation with someone about their own culture or experience a different culture in a deeper way.”

OPEN

Fornicolli’s: There’s a new spot to grab late-night slices after last call on weekends in Federal Hill. The team behind Das Bier Haus on Light Street has transformed the space next door into a traditional Italian eatery and carry-out. Helmed by chef Mark Dunaway—formerly of now-closed Regi’s American Bistro up the street—the menu features staples like pizza, a classic Caesar salad, chicken parmesan, baked ziti, and an Italian cold cut sub, as well as snacks like Buffalo cauliflower and fried cheese steak eggrolls. The shop is open for dinner service weekly and extends its hours until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. 1538 Light St., 443-439-5137

Checkerspot Brewing: Husband-and-wife brewers Rob and Judy Neff (who has her Ph.D in microbiology), and their business partner Steve Marsh—who founded the cask program at Heavy Seas Beer a decade ago—will finally open their South Baltimore taproom to the public on Saturday, June 30 at 12 p.m. Complete with driftwood, hanging plants, and old farm pulleys, the brewery aims to bring the outside in. “We really wanted to celebrate where beer ingredients come from,” Neff says. “We’re trying to bring nature and the city together all in one place.” Checkerspot’s beers make use of ingredients from local farms like Baugher’s in Reisterstown. There’s also a cask-conditioned Keeper’s Stout, which is fortified with crab shells from J.M. Clayton Seafood Company. Other drafts to look out for throughout opening weekend include the Juniperus juniper IPA, Southside pale ale, and Saison de Fleur. 1399 S. Sharp St.

18-8 Sushi: On the heels of The Local Fry’s grand opening, The Rotunda in Hampden also welcomed this new sushi spot last week. Diversifying the dining options in the mixed-use development, 18-8 offers bento boxes, various protein entrees, and a lengthy list of colorful rolls ranging from a classic California to a “Red Diamond” with crab, salmon, tuna, and avocado in a pink soy wrapper with mango sauce. 727 W. 40th St, Ste. 138. 410-889-1888

Button: Scott Plank’s luxe pool bar opened to the public earlier this summer, and now, the team is unveiling the pool’s accompanying restaurant. Opening on July 2, the neighborhood cafe and bar on the waterfront will feature a menu from chef Allysa Storms with salads and grain bowls, wood-fired pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, and heartier entrees like Cajun Chesapeake rockfish. The laid-back spot highlights harborside seating, as well as an elevated dining deck overlooking the marina at Lighthouse Point. 2760 Lighthouse Point, 410-675-8888

The Charmery: The new Union Collective makerspace in Medfield has been gradually introduced to the public over the past few weeks. Earth Treks’ bouldering gym opened in early June and Union’s taproom debuted soon after. Now, The Charmery is ready to unveil its third retail location in the space—which also houses an expanded production kitchen that will make ice cream for all three of the shop’s locations. Officially opening on Monday, July 2, the new space is as whimsical as The Charmery’s ice cream flavors (think egg custard and the cereal-infused “Saturday Morning Cartoons”), boasting a coin-activated ice cream cone ride, giant Rube Goldberg crank-operated machine, and ice cream truck seating booth—all created by local artists and designers. 1700 W. 41st St.

The Pizza Trust: Belvedere Square Market’s newest pizza purveyor opened to rave reviews from neighborhood locals last week. The stall owned by James Clark—who also operates Clark Burger inside the Senator Theatre up the street—offers wings, fries, salads, and quick-fired pizzas in signature varieties like the “Double Double” (red sauce, double cheese and pepperoni), “Dirty Bird” (white sauce, herbed chicken, bacon bits, and bleu cheese), and the “Funcle,” topped with truffled white sauce, wild mushrooms, caramelized shallots, and shaved parmesan. 529 E. Belvedere Ave., 443-961-8111

COMING SOON

Nori: Hampden locals might have noticed a new sign towering over the former Corner Charcuterie Bar while strolling on The Avenue recently. The space will soon debut as Nori Sushi Bar, a spinoff from the former owners of Ruby 8 Noodles and Sushi at McHenry Row in Locust Point. According to reports by Baltimore Fishbowl, the spot is aiming for a grand opening next month, complete with sushi, rice dishes, noodles, and traditional Korean rice bowls. 850 W. 36th St.

Patterson Public House: The Patterson Park community was at a loss when longtime neighborhood spot BistroRx closed its doors in the spring. But now, locals Tanya Gralto and Scott Lanphear are reopening the space as Patterson Public House—a tavern serving bar classics and locally sourced seasonal fare. Though the spot isn’t expected to debut until mid-July, the team is hosting a pop-up at R. House in Remington this week to give locals a sneak peek of what’s to come. Swing by the stall from now until July 8 to taste burgers, fries, and classic half-smokes from the restaurant’s new chefs Scott Bacon—formerly of the Brewer’s Art—and Cai Lindeman, who cut his chops at The Dabney in Washington, D.C. 301 W. 29th St.

NEWS

Gather Baltimore: This local organization that distributes its signature blue bags of surplus produce to city residents in need has officially moved from its original location on Sisson Street in Remington to 4800 Harford Road—which is also the site of Hamilton-Lauraville’s Tuesday-evening farmers’ market. Gather Baltimore founder Arthur Morgan encourages locals to follow the organization’s Facebook page for information about when to retrieve the bags, which contain everything from asparagus and potatoes to peppers and pineapple this summer. 4800 Harford Rd.

Ekiben Fried Chicken Gets Nod from Southern Living: The national praise keeps on coming for Ekiben in Fells Point, whose signature steamed buns and rice bowls have recently been lauded by the likes of The Food Network and Eater. The acclaim continued earlier this week when the Korean-fusion shop was named on Southern Living’s list of the best fried chicken in every state. “If Southern Living says we have the best fried chicken in Maryland, we know we’ve got something special,” the owners posted to Instagram. “Thanks for the love y’all.” 1622 Eastern Ave., 410-558-1914

EPICUREAN EVENTS

7/1: Crustacean Invasion at Mt. Washington Tavern
Mt. Washington’s neighborhood haunt is welcoming the summer in style by introducing a special menu of crab-inspired dishes that will run throughout the month of July. Be on the lookout for crab puffs, soft shell crab sandwiches, crab quiche, jumbo lump crab and parmesan rockfish filet, and a classic chicken Chesapeake. The menu will also be offered at the restaurant’s top-floor Skybar. 5700 Newbury St., 410-367-6903.

7/5: Tiki Thursdays at The Bluebird Cocktail Room
On Thursday evenings throughout the summer, this literary-themed cocktail bar in Hampden will be completely transformed into an island oasis. In addition, Bluebird’s regular offerings—its new summer menu features everything from a frozen absinthe frappe to a Midori sour over cotton candy—patrons can expect a special menu of tiki drinks, island music, and possibly a few Hawaiian shirts thrown in in for good measure. 3600 Hickory Ave., 667-303-3263

7/6: Sardegna Wine Dinner at Cinghiale
The team at this Northern Italian outpost in Harbor East is celebrating the island of Sardegna with a four-course wine dinner next week. Menu highlights will include grilled marinated mussels with capers and fennel, baked eggplant with ricotta and tomato, and traditional ricotta cake with honey pignoli gelato. Each course will be accompanied by a different pour inspired by the evening’s theme. 822 Lancaster St., 410-547-8282. 7 p.m. $89

We can think of no better food to carry around a festival than a steamed bun stuffed with curry fried chicken, spicy slaw, and flavor-packed sauces. This weekend at Firefly Music Festival, our very own Asian fusion spot Ekiben will give music lovers just that.

Ekiben is delivering a bite of Baltimore to the Delaware festival, as they head the food lineup for the first time. After serving at big events like Artscape and Moonrise, this might be their biggest break.

Since its start in 2014, the Fells Point joint has been serving up specialty buns and bowls unique to the area. At Firefly, their stand will be all their signature sandwiches, so that festival go-ers will get to taste their most popular items.

“It’s a great honor, and we’re super happy that we’re able to put Baltimore in a more positive spotlight,” co-founder Steve Chu said. “We’re all about loving Baltimore.”

Catering is well inside Ekiben’s comfort zone. Customers will be able to get fan favorites including the Neighborhood Bird, iced Vietnamese coffee, and Tofu Brah (for the vegetarians!).

With just one location in Baltimore, the company expands its brand through its food trucks and catering business. When they started out, their low funds had them serving out of a hot dog cart, Chu said, and then they had a spot at the Fells Point Farmers’ Market before opening a brick and mortar location.

“The city really supported us in our endeavor,” he said. “We have so much gratitude, we don’t take it for granted.”

And just like that, four years later, Ekiben was “hit up” by Firefly, according to Chu.

“One day I woke up, I looked at my phone, and they had tagged us in a post,” he said. “And I was like, ‘Wow, we’re headlining this?’”

Their food stands will be alongside some other “really great talent,” Chu said. Beloved burger chain Shake Shack and Eminem’s pop-up Mom’s Spaghetti are up top with Ekiben, as must-have meals.

Partnering with Chu are managers and chefs Ephrem Abebe and Nikhil Yesupriya, making a young, fun trio of co-owners. It’s easy to tell the guys are doing what they love, with so much enthusiasm. Across their various social media accounts, they stick to caps-locked messages, like they’re shouting out everything out with joy.

“YO EKIBEN IS HEADLINING FIREFLY FESTIVAL ALONGSIDE KENDRICK LAMAR, EMINEM, AND THE ARCTIC MONKEYS,” they wrote on Instagram. And their post was met with similarly excited comments.

For the early eaters, Chu is giving out a limited amount of Ekiben-branded EDM masks to wear around the festival. They will be located in the food tent cluster a stone’s throw away from the main stage.

Wherever they land, they’ll be the place to be for snack breaks in between bands. And remember them when you get back to Baltimore, because they will be around no matter what.

“We never asked for any of this,” Chu said happily. “We just make sandwiches.”

OPEN

OneDo Coffee Roasters: The Canton neighborhood lost one java destination when Firehouse Coffee closed last December. But caffeine-addicts can now get their fix at OneDo Coffee Roasters, which is having a soft opening today through Saturday. Throughout the weekend, the shop will be offering free coffee and tea while supplies last, as well as a 20 percent discount off entire purchases. Menu offerings include lattes, mochas, pour over, affogato, and Japanese iced coffee. 913 S. Lakewood Avenue, 410-736-9084

Shoyou Sushi: Since opening in 2012, owner Bruce Lee—more fondly known as Sushi Bruce—has gained a significant following with his colorful rolls and overstuffed sushi burritos at this Federal Hill favorite. Recently, Lee ditched his baby-sized digs and moved the restaurant to a larger space across the street that has seating for 40. Lee recently told SouthBmore.com that the larger kitchen at 1450 Light Street will provide him with more space to serve his signature rolls, as well as new ramen offerings. 1450 Light St., 410-685-2989

NEWS

The Orient: When this York Road staple shuttered its doors two years ago, Towson locals were forced to search elsewhere for quality orders of shrimp fried rice and General Tso’s chicken. But, as it turns out, owner David Huang chose not to renew his lease at the decades-old restaurant to focus on renovating a new space that he had purchased a few blocks up. And now, Huang is finally ready to reopen the celebrated Chinese food destination at 416 York Road—a storefront sandwiched between The Melting Pot and The Real Thing near Towson Circle. According to reports by The Sun, the 99-seat space will serve all of The Orient’s signature sushi rolls and family-style platters. Look out for classics like lo mein, Szechuan-style meats and vegetables, and massive eggrolls when the spot opens its doors later this month. 416 York Road.

Baltimore Whiskey Company: This Remington distillery is celebrating a huge milestone this month. The brand is preparing to launch its oak-barreled Epoch Rye—which not only serves as its inaugural line of whiskey, but also marks the first rye whiskey distilled in Baltimore in nearly 75 years. The 100-proof spirit, which has been in the making since Baltimore Whiskey Company (BWC) debuted in 2015, combines a ratio of 70-percent rye grains to 30-percent rye malt, and has classic notes of cinnamon, clove, vanilla, and honey.  Epoch Rye officially launches at the Remington facility on March 17, and will be available at area bars and liquor stores soon after. The release comes at a transformative time for BWC, which is preparing to move its operations to the new Union Collective space in Medfield this spring. Says BWC co-founder Max Lents: “It’s appropriate that our Epoch Rye being released right before we make such big steps forward.”  2800 Sisson St., 443-687-9099

Bluegrass Tavern: A rebrand is on the horizon for this South Baltimore corner bar, which has long been a destination for whiskey cocktails paired with Southern comfort fare. (So long for now to the hot fried chicken and bacon mac and cheese.) Last week, management took to Facebook to announce that the restaurant is switching things up come spring. “Moving forward, we will have a new dining concept to serve our community better,” the message reads. “Over the years we have made excellent memories and awesome friends. We look forward to the transition and continuing the opportunity to serve new dishes, innovative cocktails, and local craft beers.” 1500 S. Hanover St., 410-244-5101

EPICUREAN EVENTS

3/13-18: Ekiben Turns Two
College buddies-turned-food entrepreneurs Steve Chu, Nikhil Yesupriya, and Ephrem Abebe changed the game two years ago when they found a permanent home in Fells Point for their Korean-fusion pop-up. Since then, they’ve not only been blessing the masses with their signature steamed buns and rice bowls, but they’ve also collaborated to create some epic food mashups with the likes of Clavel, Wet City, and The Local Fry. Next week, Ekiben is celebrating its big birthday in style with a weeklong pop-up series. Catch the guys at their shop to experience culinary collaborations with Tagliata, Blacksauce Kitchen, La Cuchara, Jumbo Seafood, and The Local Oyster throughout the week. The series will culminate with a special Filipino Kamayan (eat-with-your-hands-style) dinner prepared by Chu and chef Ben Lefenfeld at La Cuchara, featuring sticky rice, crispy suckling pig, grilled short ribs, and spring rolls. 1622 Eastern Ave., 410-558-1914

3/15: Bartenders vs. Baristas Cocktail Competition
Ceremony Coffee Roasters is getting in on the Coffee Fest fun by hosting this java-fueled cocktail competition next week. A handful of local bartenders and baristas will go head-to-head to create unique cocktails that combine Ceremony brews with any alcohol of their choice. The winning drink will be featured on the shop’s spring menu and, to sweeten the deal, a portion of the proceeds from the drink will be donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation throughout the season. Ceremony Coffee Roasters Harbor Point, 1312 Point St., 6:30-9:30 p.m., $10, 410-601-3561.

SHUT

Bruce Lee Wings: As Cross Street Market continues to trek forward with its restoration plans, this longtime vendor is on its way out. Owner Bruce Lee (unrelated to the aforementioned Sushi Bruce) took to Facebook last week to announce that his stall—a longtime destination for crispy wings and loaded burgers—would officially be closing on March 31 after a 27-year run in the market. But this might not be the last we see of Lee, as neighbors have launched a Kickstarter campaign to help him find a new spot to reopen. “I don’t believe anyone is sadder about this than he is,” longtime customer Megan Lafferty writes on the page. “The market has been his home for almost 30 years. This will be a hard chapter for Bruce to close.” 1065 S. Charles St., 410-837-6081

The Bun Shop: The downtown location of this homegrown coffee shop has closed its doors. The artsy eatery and late-night study spot at 30 Light Street opened in 2016, and became a go-to for worldly eats and drinks like Hong Kong-style coffee and Paraguayan empanadas. Luckily, The Bun Shop’s flagship in Mt. Vernon is still going strong, and an additional location in Towson is on track to open in the coming weeks.  30 Light St.

Play Cafe: After nearly three years, co-owners Ryan Sterner and Kathy Schott have made the decision to close their kid-friendly haven in Hampden on Friday, March 23. “It has been an agonizing decision to come to, both because we love what we do and feel the love from all of you,” the duo posted to Facebook last week. “But, as many of you with young families can relate, other opportunities have arisen that are better suited for us at this stage of life.” The business has been for sale since the fall, when Sterner announced that he would be moving overseas with his family. The owners hope that a new buyer will maintain the original concept, which has offered family-friendly food, games, and activities to the community throughout its run. 3400 Chestnut Ave., 410-469-9784

Wine Market Bistro: The days are also numbered for this Locust Point mainstay, which has paired its fancy fare with worldly wines for the past 13 years. “The bistro side was not hitting the necessary numbers,” owner Chris Spann tells us. “I’m proud of the unique history that the Wine Market has in the hospitality industry in Baltimore, and I’m blessed to have worked with a who’s who of talented chefs.” Although the spot’s front bar and wine shop will remain open, the dining room will close on Saturday, March 17. To commemorate the restaurant’s history, Spann will be offering $13 off select bottles from now until the last night of service. 921 E. Fort Ave., 410-244-6166

NEWS

B. Doughnut: The local doughnut scene has taken diners on a bit of a rollercoaster ride lately. A number of beloved bakeshops have opened, closed, popped-up, and switched locations more times than we can count. And when this Hampden favorite—famous for its signature everything bagel-doughnut hybrid—moved to Leesburg, Virginia in 2016, foodies certainly felt the loss. But now, owners Brian and Pin Chanthapanya are bringing back their fan-favorite flavors for a recurring weekend pop-up inside Mount Vernon Marketplace. Pinch Dumplings will offer the doughnuts every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. until sellout. Aside from the savory bagel varieties, be on the lookout for sweet flavors including vanilla bean, lemon curd, coconut-glazed, and the “Homer”—named after the famous cartoon patriarch and dipped in pink glaze with rainbow sprinkles. Pinch Dumplings, 520 Park Ave., 667-309-3445.

Häagen Dazs: This week’s abnormal spike in temperatures had everyone jonesin’ for an ice cream cone. But, for now, Harbor East diners will have to look elsewhere, as this token dessert destination in the neighborhood is currently closed for renovations. Atlas Restaurant Group is overseeing a complete redesign of the shop, whose original decor is more than a decade old. The management team plans for the revamp to reflect the advancements of the Harbor East community, and expects the store to reopen in mid-April—just in time for more warm weather. 685 S. President St, 410-605-2950

OPEN

Three New Dining Concepts Land at BWI: Baltimore Washington Thurgood-Marshall International Airport has seriously upped its food game lately. And this month, three new eateries have joined the many local spinoffs and enticing chains that the airport has to offer. Travelers can now chow down on Mexican street cuisine at La Carnita on Concourse D, soft-serve ice cream and sweet breakfast treats at Sweet Jesus on Concourse C, and classic burgers and shakes at Urban Burger at the Main Terminal.  410-859-7111.

COMING SOON

Noona’s: Husband-and-wife duo Phil and Jennifer Han—who own Dooby’s and Sugarvale in Mt. Vernon and Sundays in Federal Hill—have plans to expand their Charm City footprint with a pizzeria in Midtown near the University of Baltimore campus later this year. According to liquor board documents, the spot inside The Fitzgerald Building is expected to serve an array of pizzas, sandwiches, and small plates accompanied by cocktails and local beer. Stay tuned for more details. 1203 W. Mt. Royal Ave.

Suspended Brewing: After a successful liquor board hearing last week, this highly anticipated Pigtown brewery has finally set a grand opening date for Saturday, March 3. The brand’s sustainable mindset will shine through with elements like repurposed furniture and ecologically conscious brewing equipment. Head to the taproom on opening day to sample unique releases including the New England-style Dirty Washes IPA, and Sour Persian conditioned with Iranian barberries. 912 Washington Blvd.

EPICUREAN EVENTS

2/22: Holy Frijoles Grand Reopening
Hampden locals were devastated when this Tex-Mex mainstay suffered an electrical fire in 2016. Luckily, owner Geoffrey Danek was able to bounce back and reopen the restaurant a few months ago—but he never really got a chance to celebrate. Now, the team is officially toasting the redesigned space with an all-day bash featuring $3 Mexican drafts, hourly food and drink deals, a tequila wheel of speicals, live music by The Busted Boots and DJ Pancakes, and, of course, plenty of Pinball machines. The party just so happens to coincide with National Margarita Day, which means there will also be $2 margs poured at the bar all day long. 908 W. 36th St., 11 a.m., 410-235-2326

2/22: The Txoko Experience Screening and Tasting
La Cuchara and The Parkway Theatre are teaming up to present this special evening celebrating Basque culture. Partake in a screening of The Txoko Experience—a documentary about the gastronomic societies that feature cuisine from the Basque region—and a Q&A with the screenwriter and director before enjoying a reception with passed bites from La Cuchara. The Parkway Theatre, 3 W. North Ave., 7 p.m., $35.

2/26: A Winter’s Night in Hungary
You might know Craig Falk as the chef behind The Lunchbox Lady’s signature sandwiches and salads. But next week, he is switching things up to host a Hungarian pop-up at Wet City inspired by his heritage. (Falk’s Hungarian grandmother is even flying in from Michigan to help him prepare.) Warm up with traditional dishes including Liptauer cheese spread on toasted marble rye, stuffed cabbage topped with tomato sauce, classic chicken paprikash, and a seven-layer chocolate crepe cake with caramel sauce. Wet City, 223 W. Chase St., 5 p.m., 443-873-6699

2/27: Ekiben x Clavel Mexican + Asian Steamed Bun Pop-Up

This Tuesday, ditch the brown bag and head to Ekiben in Fells Point for this epic Asian and Mexican collaboration. The team from Clavel in Remington will be stopping by to whip up a one-day-only lunch menu of soft steamed buns that fuse both restaurants’ signature flavors. Ekiben, 1622 Eastern Ave., 11 a.m.- 3:30 p.m., 410-558-1914

Everyman Theatre is all about getting creative to elevate the experience of its productions. Now, in addition to launching collaborative screenings at the Parkway Theatre this season, the 27-year-old arts venue is partnering with the local food community to bring back its annual Taste of Everyman series.

“This is an opportunity to frame the theatre-going experience in a way that everyone can relate,” says Everyman’s director of marketing Michele Alexander, who was instrumental in launching the series. “When it comes to the shows, I like to find every way in.”

Now in its third year, the pre-show program offers theatre-goers local bites, beers, and cocktails that are all designed to complement the theme of each performance. This time around, the series will not only incorporate restaurants, but also area farms, markets, breweries, and bartenders.

“Localism is really engrained here,” Alexander says. “We like to spread our arms around the whole city when we can.”

The series kicks off on Thursday, September 14, with a tasting preceding the 7:30 p.m. main stage performance of David Henry Hwang’s M. Butterfly. As a nod to its title, the play’s pairings will focus on edible insects, with crispy critters (think  cricket-flour protein snacks and Chiridos) from MOM’s Organic Market, insect-infused cocktails from Clavel, and a talk with Eric Kelly of Charm City Farms about the benefits of eating and breeding bugs.

During the second installment on Thursday, October 26, the food pairings will mimic the motifs in Lynn Nottage’s Intimate Apparel—the story of an African-American seamstress living in New York City at the turn of the century, which premiered at Center Stage in 2003.

“The main character becomes a confidante for some of the other characters who are sharing some of their most intimate secrets and desires,” Alexander explains. “So we thought it would be great to highlight some of the top local foods that people really crave.”

To achieve this, Everyman consulted Baltimore blogger and resident food expert Amy Langrehr about some of her favorite dishes around the city.

“It actually took me a long time to think about,” Langrehr says. “But, ultimately, I just picked the top dishes that I would be really sad about if they went away. They’re the kind of things that I order over and over again. When I first ate them, I sat there, closed my eyes, and thought, ‘This is amazing.’”

Among the eats that Langrehr will feature during the “Classified Cravings” installment will include the tempura broccoli from Ekiben in Fells Point, the clam chowder from Dylan’s Oyster Cellar in Hampden, and the tuna tartare from Lobo in Fells Point. To sweeten the deal, the samplings will be paired with some of Langrehr’s favorite local beers from Union, Monument City, and The Brewer’s Art.

Closing out the year on Thursday, December 14, will be a special holiday-themed beverage competition inspired by Lauren Gunderson’s The Revolutionists, a comedy about four women living during the French Revolution. To pay homage to the play, the last segment of the year will pit female bartenders Chelsea Gregoire of Ida B’s Table, Pam Haner of W.C. Harlan, and Amie Ward of R. Bar against one another and also feature Marie Antoinette-style cakes sliced by the guillotine.

Taste of Everyman tickets cost $60, and include admission to each of the evening’s accompanying performances. Aside from sampling all of the quirky food tie-ins, Alexander says that she is looking forward to seeing the collaboration between the local food and arts communities.

“People are looking for something that’s unique,” she says. “It’s a win-win for those who are interested in the experience of food, which engages all of your senses, and people who are interested in theatre, which is meant to hit your head and your heart.”

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.