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

Charmed: There’s a new kid on the 800 block of North Calvert Street in Mt. Vernon. This neighborhood cafe that sits just across the street from Brew House No. 16 is expected to make its debut in March. The breakfast and lunch spot from former Riptide by the Bay manager Danae Schrock will offer an array of omelets, sandwiches, burgers, salads, and house-baked muffins and scones. Schrock will also be using her family’s classic soup, Sloppy Joe, and chocolate chip cookie recipes. “For years I’ve dreamed of opening my own little spot in the city,” she says. “I’m excited to be in Mt. Vernon and really make connections in the neighborhood.” 824 N. Calvert St.

29th Street Tavern: Fans of Swallow at the Hollow in Belvedere Square will be happy to hear that owner Aaron Reinhart is spearheading a new project in Remington. Reinhart recently took over the old Long John’s Pub space on the corner of 29th Street and Miles Avenue, and has transformed it into an updated watering hole that still maintains the building’s history and dive bar feel. Expected to open next week, 29th Street Tavern will offer Natty Boh and Monument City 51 Rye on tap, and eats including burgers, cheesesteaks, wraps, and wings. 398 W. 29th St.

The Red Star Charles Village: Big things are on the horizon this year for the team behind The Red Star Bar & Grill in Fells Point. Aside from rehabbing the old Dead End Saloon space down the block, the owners are also planning to open a second Red Star location in Charles Village this spring. The spinoff will join the likes of Honeygrow, THB Bagels & Deli, and Bird in Hand in the new Nine East 33rd student housing development near the Johns Hopkins campus. The Red Star menu is expected to mirror its flagship, featuring a variety of wraps, salads, burgers, and pizzas. 9 E. 33rd St.  

Rise Biscuits Donuts: Timonium locals are anxiously awaiting the debut of this biscuit and donut destination, which will host a grand opening fundraiser benefiting the Timonium Elementary PTA on January 13. Lauded by the likes of Food & Wine magazine, the North Carolina-based chain offers biscuit sandwiches topped with everything from sausage and eggs to fried green tomatoes. The donuts are also a highlight, with flavors including maple-bacon, red velvet, chocolate cake, cinnamon twist, and classic glazed with sprinkles. 1620 York Road, Lutherville, 410-372-3171

OPEN

Food Plenty: The family behind Victoria Gastro Pub and Manor Hill Brewing premiered this long-awaited comfort food spot in Clarksville last week. Now operating in soft-opening mode for dinner service, the restaurant serves dishes including pan-roasted rockfish, bison burgers, fried chicken, and macaroni and cheese—with many ingredients sourced from the family’s 54-acre working farm located 10 minutes away in Ellicott City. Food Plenty—which is named after a Windsor Mill farm that owners Randy and Mary Marriner raised their daughters near—joins other local businesses You Pizza and Kupcakes & Co. in the new Clarksville Commons development. 12250 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville, 410-531-0411

Roll Ice Cream & Coffee: Last week, owners Jason Werner and Jessica Reyes unveiled this trendy concept that offers rolled ice cream—a dessert with roots in Asia that presses the cream flat on a cold slab, mixes it with toppings, and scrapes it in rolls into a cup. The Highlandtown shop also features local Vent coffees and pastries by Batch Bake Shop in Hamilton. 3222 Eastern Ave., 443-595-7655

EPICUREAN EVENTS

TO 1/31: Soup Month at Atwater’s
Given this week’s frigid temperatures, Atwater’s soup month couldn’t have come at a better time. The fan-favorite cafe with locations scattered everywhere from Canton to Catonsville is spotlighting its soups throughout the entire month of January, with running specials including Chili Fridays and Noodle Tuesdays. The month-long promotion will also donate 10 percent of all quarts sold to Paul’s Place, a local organization that works to provide wellness services and support programs for residents of Southwest Baltimore. To close out the month, all Atwater’s locations will offer a free cup of soup to all dine-in customers on Tuesday,  January 23. Multiple locations including 3601 Boston St., 667-309-7146

NEWS

Bmore Licks: Though we happen to think that it’s never too cold for ice cream, this new Highlandtown hangout is closing up shop for the season. After a stellar first summer, management has decided to take the next few months to oversee interior renovations and test new flavors. The corner spot, which specializes in soft-serve, snowballs, and its famous ice cream nachos, is expected to reopen its doors in March. 2437 Eastern Ave.

Peter’s Inn: This cozy Fells Point dining destination suffered a tragic fire last week. The Baltimore Fire Department concluded that the blaze was ignited by a small trash fire. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but the restaurant’s interior was severely damaged. Husband-and-wife owners Karin and Bud Tiffany, who bought the space in 1995, tell us that they are in talks with their insurance company and hope for a speedy remodel in the coming weeks. 504 S. Ann St.

Chef Kiran Patnam Competing on Beat Bobby Flay: It’s always nice when the Food Network gives love to one of our own. Next week, chef Kiran Patnam of Apropoe’s inside the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront hotel will throw his hat into the ring on an episode of Beat Bobby Flay. The tournament-style competition will pit Patnam against fellow contestant Jonathan Wu to see which chef will eventually go head-to-head with Bobby Flay. Tune in on Thursday, January 11 at 10 p.m. to see if Patnam—a Culinary Academy of India grad who specializes in Indian, French, and American cuisine—can hold his own against the show’s namesake celebrity chef.