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Grano Pasta Bar: This Hampden eatery, known for its DIY pastas and vegetarian varieties, opened a long-awaited spinoff in Federal Hill last week. The restaurant, which was recently featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives (DDD), allows diners to mix and match their favorite noodles with sauces like classic vodka, pomodoro, and pesto with pecorino and walnuts. The new location, previously a Gyro Express, features both bar and window seating. 1043 S. Charles St., 443-869-3429

COMING SOON:

Between 2 Buns: Chef Andrew Cole of Hampden’s Corner Charcuterie Bar has already gained a loyal following with Cultured, his meat and cheese concept located in the center of Mt. Vernon Marketplace. Next month, Cole is expanding his presence in the market with the debut of this new artisanal burger stall. Between 2 Buns will focus on burgers made with local beef and gluten-free buns, house-made sausages, boozy milkshakes, and worldly takes on poutine—a traditional Canadian dish topping French fries with gravy and cheese curds. The new stall, which will sit behind Edible Favors and Fresh Mondays in the communal market, is slated to open by the end of April. 520 Park Ave., 443-804-3933

Chaps Pit Beef: Back in July, we told you about how this Pulaski Highway pit palace (another DDD alum) had high hopes of branching out. Now, those plans are finally coming to fruition as owners Bob and Donna Creager announced last week that they signed a lease to open a new location in Aberdeen. The new eatery, formerly Gino’s Burgers & Chicken, will serve Chaps’ signature charcoal-smoked pit beef sandwiches along with other barbecue bites like ribs, chicken, burgers, and hot dogs. Slated to open in May, the owners hope that the new location will pave the way for franchising opportunities in the future. 1013 Beards Hill Road, Aberdeen, 410-273-7777

DiPasquale’s: This
Highlandtown staple has been around for more than 100 years, serving up
hearty Italian eats like brick-oven pizzas, house-made pastas, and
overstuffed sandwiches. Earlier this week, owner Joe DiPasquale
announced plans to open a new location on the first floor of the
HarborView condominium complex in Federal Hill. Although the
2,000-square-foot space is a bit smaller than the flagship, diners can
still look forward to Dipasquale’s signature Old World dishes and
gourmet grub to go when the new digs debut in June.
100 Harborview Drive.

Harbor Market: Waterfront Partnership’s recess for grownups-inspired pop-up market is returning to McKeldin Square for the season on April 4. Every Friday through September from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., professionals working in the Inner Harbor area are invited to spend their lunch breaks chowing down on food truck fare and challenging co-workers to pick-up games of corn hole or ladder golf. Throughout the season, diners can look forward to featured eats from the likes of Brick N’ Fire Pizza, Gypsy Queen Cafe, Lunchbox Lady, Greek on the Street, and Neopol Smokery. Opening day highlights will include steamed buns from Dooby’s, pulled pork from The Smoking Swine, and Cream Cruiser’s signature ice cream sandwiches. 101 E. Pratt St.

Home Maid: This
Towson brunch spot shuttered its doors in November, but will soon
re-open in a new home in Federal Hill. Owned by brothers Derrick and
Justin Falcoun, the rustic restaurant features biscuit sandwiches, crab
cake benedicts, chicken and waffles, and signature juices like
cucumber-watermelon lemonade. The 50-seat space will feature both
communal and
al fresco seating, and is slated to debut in June. 1400 Key Highway

MOM’S Organic Market: A
grand opening date for a Hampden location of this Rockville-based
grocery chain has been set for April 1. The 17,000-square-foot store
will debut in The Rotunda, offering organic produce, local meats, and
gourmet cheeses. Shoppers are invited to partake in a grand opening
celebration April 1-3, featuring tastings, free giveaways, and treats
like organic cotton candy. The new store marks the brand’s third in the
area, with locations already in Jessup and Timonium.
711 W. 40th St.

Pop Tacos: This Mexican and Korean-style taco bar, currently stationed inside Cross Street Market, will soon relocate to a brick-and-mortar space around the corner. With a bigger kitchen, owners hope to add new offerings to the menu—like ramen and DIY rice bowls. The new spot, which is adjacent to The Local Fry, is slated to open in June. 17 E. Cross St.

Ruby 8 Noodles and Sushi: Fusing flavors from China, Vietnam, and Korea, this international dining destination will soon join the likes of Samos Greek Island Grill, World of Beer, and Piaza Fresh in the mixed-use McHenry Row development in Locust Point. Ruby 8, which currently operates inside Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, will open its second location in the 130-seat space that previously housed Umi Sake in May. The restaurant highlights a wide array of sushi and ramen, as well as larger entrees like roast duck and crispy salt and pepper shrimp. 1702 Whetstone Way

CH-CH CHANGES:

Cunningham’s: The Bagby Restaurant Group recently welcomed chef Jay Rohlfing, who has been hired as executive chef at this Towson farm-to-table spot. A graduate of the Pennsylvania Institute of Culinary Arts, Rohlfing climbed the ranks at various hotels and resorts along the East Coast, and most recently worked under acclaimed chef Linwood Dame at Linwoods in Owings Mills. Cunninghams’ former executive chef Jason Lear will remain with the company, overseeing operations of its Bagby Pizza locations. 1 Olympic Place, Towson, 410-339-7730

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Argosy Cafe: This cozy coffee corner from father-and-son duo Jay and James Shaffer transforms into a modern happy hour hangout once the clock strikes five. The cafe made its debut in the Munsey building at the corner of Fayette and Calvert streets earlier this month, providing a new culinary option for professionals in downtown’s central business district. Breakfast and lunch offerings include house-roasted coffee, pastries, soups, and the restaurant’s signature “twirls,” (toasty sandwiches on challah bread with an onion swirl,) while made-for-sharing bites like crispy parsley potato cakes with blistered cherry tomatoes are featured during dinner service. 7 N. Calvert St., 443-869-2942

Bagby Pizza Company: Baltimore County dwellers no longer have to make the trek into the city for a slice of gourmet goodness from Bagby Pizza Company. The Bagby Group revealed the eatery’s second location in Pikesville’s Festival at Woodholme shopping center last week, giving diners the opportunity to customize their own pies and salads with a variety of DIY toppings. 1809 Reisterstown Rd., Pikesville, 443-379-0566

COMING SOON:

Daniela Pasta & Pastries: Come October, you’ll no longer have to fight for a table at this quaint Sardinian spot on The Avenue. Owner and executive chef Daniela Useli intends to move her restaurant to 822 W. 36^th St.—a bigger space that will accommodate 80 guests at a time. Although the Hampden haunt is settling in a new home, Useli’s made-from-scratch pastas, paninis, salads, and pastries will still remain at the forefront of the menu. 900 W. 36^th St., 443-759-9320

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que: Local barbecue buffs have been gearing up for the opening of this Syracuse-based chain restaurant in Fells Point since plans were announced last summer. Although the debut has a taken a bit longer than anticipated, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que is slated to open its doors in early September, serving up classics like ribs, brisket, and wings slathered in specialty sauces. 1401 Fleet Street

Wicked Sisters: Charlie Gjerde—the restaurateur behind Alexander’s Tavern in Fells Point and Huck’s American Craft in Brewers Hill—recently shared details about his team’s plans to revamp the former McCabe’s space in Hampden, which suffered a single-alarm fire in December. Wicked Sisters is slated to open in January 2016, and will offer seasonal outdoor dining, shuffleboard courts, and upscale tavern fare. 3845 Falls Rd.

MARKET MOVES:

Cross Street Market: Pending an agreement between the Baltimore Public Markets Corporation and interested developers like Under Armour’s Kevin Plank, this Federal Hill mainstay could see major changes in the coming months. Remodeling plans for the 64-year-old market include new signage, a rooftop dining area, a second story pop-up space, glass ceilings, and al fresco dining options. Although a definitive timeframe for renovations is still up in the air, the space will remain open during construction for locals to browse products from the likes of Nick’s Inner Harbor Seafood, Pop’s Tacos, Mr. Sausage, and The Pretzel Twist. 1065 S. Charles St., 410-685-6169

Harbor Market: Thanks to this new weekly pop-up hosted by Waterfront Partnership, local professionals are invited to ditch their brown bags and have a little fun in McKeldin Square during lunch breaks. In a recess-for-grownups setting, this makeshift market features eats from local vendors, as well as outdoor games every Wednesday and Friday through October. The food lineup rotates from week to week, but be on the lookout for favorites like Dooby’s, The Charmery, and The Smoking Swine. Corner of Pratt and Light Sts.

Mt. Vernon Marketplace: Keep your eyes peeled for the reveal of this 15,000-square foot marketplace that is set to open on the first floor of the 520 Park apartment building in Mt. Vernon this October. While stalls are still currently available for rent, a handful of local vendors like The Local Oyster, Pinch Gourmet Dumplings, The Big Bean Theory, and Mina’s Crepes are already on board. If you can’t wait until October to get a sneak peek, City Dining Cards is hosting a launch party for its brand new mobile app at the marketplace in September, featuring eats and drinks from some of the featured vendors. 520 Park Ave.

SHUT:

La Tasca: Known for its Spanish-inspired small plates and frequent sangria specials, this tapas restaurant has been an Inner Harbor staple for nearly a decade. But due to the loss of business in the wake of the city-wide curfews earlier this year, La Tasca will be closing its doors at the end of September. There’s no word yet on what will become of the harbor front space, which neighbors restaurants like The Cheesecake Factory, M&S Grille, and Tir Na Nog. 201 E. Pratt St., 410-209-2563

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Starting on Friday August 7, Waterfront Partnership is giving local professionals an opportunity to retreat from the daily grind and have some fun during lunch breaks.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays through October, the organization will host Harbor Market in McKeldin Square, an ongoing pop-up featuring a full lineup of local food trucks and plenty of outdoor games.

“You can go out and grab a sandwich anywhere and take it back to your desk or eat outside,” says Sarah St. Clair, director of marketing for Waterfront Partnership. “This is a great opportunity to really take a break and forget the stress.”

Although the food truck offerings will vary from week to week, pizza from BricknFire Pizza Co., mouthwatering barbecue from the Smoking Swine, refreshing libations from Gundalow Juice, ice cream from The Charmery, and Korean rice bowls from Dooby’s, will all be available opening day.

St. Clair credits the stellar lunch lineup to Waterfront Partnership’s union with Dooby’s owner Phil Han.

“We’ve worked with Phil for our Summer Socials so when we started brainstorming we decided to run the idea by him because he’s so well-connected in the foodie market,” she says. “He’s been a great asset in connecting us with local vendors.”

In addition to all of the eats, guests are invited to make the most of their mid-day break by challenging co-workers to a game of corn hole, Bearpong (classic pong sans beer in giant red buckets), ladder-golf, foursquare, Kan Jam (think frisbee meets horseshoes,) or Uno.

St. Clair says that McKeldin Square’s proximity to the downtown business district and Inner Harbor makes it an ideal space for the pop-up.

“We think it’s necessary to give downtown employees a place to come together to engage, network, and have a little fun,” she says. “We really want locals to be able to enjoy our crown jewel.”

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