COMING SOON

Lost City Diner: For years, Station North revelers stumbling out of Club Charles after last call have made this corner spot a late-night destination for greasy fries and thick milkshakes. Understandably, they were at a loss when the sci-fi-themed diner shuttered its doors last year. But recently, local restaurateur Adrien Aeschliman—who owns Bottega across the street—announced plans to reopen Lost City later this month. Though Aeschliman hopes to maintain the outer space-inspired concept, which was originally conceived by Club Charles owner Joy Martin, he recently told the Baltimore Business Journal that he is working on a revamped menu featuring all-day breakfast, classic diner fare, and rotating specials. 1730 N. Charles St. 410-547-5678

Donut Alliance: Come spring, this vegan donut purveyor will relocate from Govans food incubator B-More Kitchen to its own brick-and-mortar shop in Hamilton-Lauraville. With regular wholesale clients including Red Emma’s in Station North, Golden West Cafe in Hampden, and The Land of Kush downtown, Donut Alliance features dairy-free, yeast-raised varieties that complement the city’s ever-growing vegan dining scene. Previously the home of eateries Tooloulou and Tanner’s Pickles, the new digs will offer specialty flavors including Boston Cream, cookies and cream, pink lemonade, cinnamon crunch, and classic chocolate sprinkle, as well as coffee and kombucha. 4311 Harford Road,

Bravo Restaurant: The silverware is being polished at this yet-to-open spot in Pikesville, which is already beginning to accept reservations for catering and banquets. Slated to debut in March, the restaurant will focus on scratch-made Eastern European plates sourced with local ingredients. Dishes to look out for will include grilled chicken kebabs, Sicilian-style tuna carpaccio, and a “Next Level” skirt steak flavored with onion, olive oil, butter, and red wine vinegar. 1430 Reisterstown Road, 443-522-0303

Elmwood Social Club: The Other Corner Charcuterie Bar—the smaller space adjacent to Corner Charcuterie Bar on the Avenue in Hampden—is in for a makeover in the coming weeks. Owner Bernard Dehaene will be transforming the space into a members-only cigar and martini club that he hopes to open later this month. The bar will offer signature gin and vodka-infusion cocktails, as well as a menu of small plates. But, there’s one catch—no excessive cell phone use. “No picture taking or social media allowed. No reviewing or tagging online,” reads a post on the club’s website. Prospective members can apply here. 860 W. 36th St., 443-857-3219

OPEN

Waffie: Hampden’s Liege-style dessert waffle shop is officially open for business. The eatery from owners Minje Suh and Tommy Choe fills its namesake waffles with customizable toppings including buttercream, jam, and cookie butter. To honor the upcoming Hallmark holiday, the shop is offering a special “Heartbroken Waffle” with cheesecake filling and topped with red velvet Oreos and strawberry drizzles. 839 W. 36th St.

EPICUREAN EVENTS

2/9: THB Celebrates National Bagel Day
Not surprisingly, beloved breakfast and lunch chain THB Bagels & Deli is going all out to celebrate National Bagel Day this Friday. All locations—scattered everywhere from Towson and Timonium to Canton and Charles Village—will be donating $1 from every dozen bagels sold to Back on My Feet Baltimore, which uses running as a tool to end homelessness throughout the city. In addition, THB is throwing a special bagel bash at its newest location in Charles Village this Friday featuring free giveaways, prizes, and plenty of selfie opportunities with the Johns Hopkins mascot. Multiple locations including 3208 St. Paul St., 410-624-7152    

2/11: It’s a Match: Wine and Chocolate
Get your Valentine’s Day plans started early with this special pairing experience at Bin 604 in Harbor East, where expert staff will pair sweet treats with the shop’s exclusive bottles. 604 S. Exeter St., 5 p.m., $30, 410-576-0444

2/11: Brunch House
The long-awaited launch of brunch at R. House in Remington is finally within reach. This Sunday, come hungry for the official kickoff of weekend brunch service, where each of the market’s stalls will be serving mid-morning dishes from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Aside from bottomless sangria and mimosas at R. Bar, there will be featured dishes including French toast with bacon at Ground & Griddled, breakfast tacos at Amano Taco, smoothie bowls and tofu scrambles at Stall 11, and maple butter fried chicken sandwiches at BRD. 301 W. 29th St., 443-347-3570

2/15: Chinese New Year Pop-Up
We expect that this collaboration between Wet City, The Local Fry, and Ekiben will be nothing short of amazing. The trendy eateries will combine their expertise to dream up a one-night-only menu of Korean Chinese fusion dishes in celebration of the Chinese New Year. Head to Wet City to ring in the Year of the Dog with specialty plates (menu details are still being fleshed out) and plenty of craft beers to go around. 223 W. Chase St., 7 p.m., 443-873-6699

“Historically, food and music have gone hand in hand,” says Dr. Serap Bastepe-Gray, a faculty research associate at the Peabody Conservatory of The Johns Hopkins University, who studies, in part, how music relates to brain functioning.

“It started as a way to give privacy to patrons in their conversations and to cover up kitchen noise.” In more recent decades, musical backdrops have evolved. “It’s about atmosphere and ambiance,” says John Rutoskey, owner of Station North’s Lost City Diner, where the harmonies of 1950s girl groups serenade patrons from a retro jukebox as they chow down on milkshakes and cheese fries. “Good music improves business, and keeps people happy.”

In honor of the February 15 telecast of the Grammys, we’ve tracked down the hot spots with the best tunes—from a fancy steakhouse to a chic coffee shop.

Catch the tickling ivories of a jazz piano seven nights a week at this elegant Mt. Vernon staple. And on Saturdays, a bass and guitar joins in on Duke Ellington and Count Basie classics. After 50 years, this tradition isn’t going anywhere.

Indie-rock music that’s heavy on the eclectic rhythms of the Talking Heads—featuring Maryland Institute College of Art’s own David Byrne—blends well with the whimsical fare and décor at this new veggie-centric eatery.

At this sleek coffee shop, the new-wave beats of The Cure and Echo & the Bunnymen pair perfectly with poached egg-avocado toast, luscious lattes, and other bean-based drinks.

A communal decision by the staff determines the soundtracks at this wine-and-charcuterie bar. Expect to hear the velvety voice of Neko Case or the rock and soul of Hall & Oates. Whatever’s on strikes the balance between unobtrusive and enjoyable.

Come here to eat cheeseburgers and pick classic titles (The Supremes, anyone?) off a jukebox with bubbling neon lights. But offerings aren’t limited to doo-wop. Artists such as Hank Williams and Whitney Houston also are available for your listening pleasure.