CH-CH CHANGES

STEM: It’s going to be a big year for Urban Pastoral—the local development firm that specializes in high-tech urban farming. In the coming months, founders J.J. Reidy and Christian De Paco are planning to unveil 3,000 square feet of hydroponic greenhouse space inside a new learning center at Green Street Academy in West Baltimore. Once it’s up and running, the project will not only serve as an educational tool for students, but it will also provide an estimated 25,000 pounds of leafy greens per year to local restaurants. The produce will certainly come in handy for STEM, the newly rebranded iteration of Reidy and De Paco’s Stall 11 inside R. House in Remington.

Beginning this Sunday, January 12, the plant-based eatery will feature a redesigned counter experience, DIY bowls and salads, and a rotating roster of seasonal items. Although there will be many new options, Stall 11 regulars will be happy to hear that favorites including the Korean barbecue cauliflower, vegan mac and cheese, and avocado BLT will remain on the menu. “R. House was created as a launchpad for food entrepreneurs, and this is the evolution of our business and vision,” Reidy said in a statement. “After three amazing years with Stall 11 at R. House, it was time for a change in concept. . .We can’t wait for Baltimore to meet STEM and to share more of the delicious plant-based dishes that we know will become new favorites.”

Friends and Family: Speaking of rebrands—and vegan and vegetarian options—Fells Point mainstay Sticky Rice is closing its doors on Tuesday, January 21 with plans to reopen as Friends and Family in March. Known for its sushi, tater tots, and wide array of plant-based options, the restaurant will soon transition into a breakfast-all-day concept that maintains its emphasis on vegan and vegetarian dishes. “As we settled into our tenth year of business, we have determined it is time to retire the current concept and expand on our core principles,” managing partner Ginny Lawhorn, who will remain at the helm of the bar program, said in a statement.

Slated construction plans include renovated bathrooms, the removal of the large sushi bar to make way for more communal seating, and Lawhorn’s curated installation of artwork by—you guessed it—friends and family of the business. The new name was also inspired by the building’s former inhabitant, Friends—which Lawhorn and her husband, owner Ronnie Pasztor, describe as a cozy neighborhood dive bar. “Friends was a local favorite driven by comradery,” Lawhorn says. “Sticky Rice built on that comradery with an inclusive menu and welcoming team. We are looking forward to expanding on these pillars and cultivating our place in the community.”

Cunningham’s: Yet another dining destination starting the decade with a refresh is this Towson hotspot, which closed its doors earlier this week. The farm-to-table restaurant will reopen this spring after a major redesign by Patrick Sutton and the expansion of its downstairs cafe. Executive chef Jay Rohlfing tells us that the decision was influenced, in part, by all of the retail and residential development happening in Towson. “We figured it was time to be part of that renaissance,” he says. Though details about the new concept are still in the works, Rohlfing confirms that the locally sourced menu will emphasize American classics and the dining space will be downsized to include more bar seating. Read more here.

OPEN

Rooster & Hen: Just when we thought Cross Street Market had everything we could ever want (from pizza and beer to pho and Haitian cuisine), the newly renovated Federal Hill staple now boasts its own mini grocery store. Located just off of the Light Street entrance, the new “market within the market” offers a selection of produce, flowers, dairy, snacks, baked goods, and prepared foods for diners to grab on the go. Husband-and-wife owners Joe McRedmond and Allison Smith, who started Rooster & Hen in Catonsville in 2016, will also use their new space to continue Lucky Pantry—the store’s home meal kit program that now offers pick-up at the market every Monday. The new space also features a full kitchen for the owners to host food pop-ups, cooking classes, and other programs that contribute to their community-focused mantra.

The Veranda at The Milton Inn: Executive chef Brian Boston has launched an extension of this fine-dining den in Sparks. What was previously the outdoor patio is now The Veranda, an enclosed lounge highlighting a stone fireplace and retractable roof for the warmer months. It will also be a venue for live jazz and feature its own menu of drinks and small plates including crabmeat cocktail, charcuterie samples, and deconstructed s’mores that diners can roast at their tables.

NEWS

Rooster & Hen Moving to Cross Street Market: Just when we thought Cross Street Market couldn’t get any more enticing, the newly renovated food hub recently announced that Catonsville grocery Rooster & Hen will be opening a “market within the market” this fall. Owners Joseph McRedmond and Allison Smith will close their Frederick Road favorite in September and head to Federal Hill to get the new 1,800-square-foot stall up and running. Since 2016, the owners have peddled local produce, featured items from small-batch makers, hosted area pop-ups, and even opened the store up for community events. That mission will continue in the new space—which will offer flowers, pantry staples, frozen comestibles, prepared foods, fresh fruits and veggies, meal prep kits, and a full kitchen for hosting pop-ups and cooking classes. “The Federal Hill community holds a special place in our hearts and has been the setting for some of our fondest memories,” the owners said in a statement. “Becoming a part of the historic legacy is an honor.”

Maximón Releases Patio Renderings: It seems like the wheels never stop turning for Atlas Restaurant Group—the team behind Harbor East hotspots Ouzo Bay, Loch Bar, Azumi, and Bygone. Next up is Latin American-inspired restaurant Maximón, which is expected to open this fall in the former home of Wit & Wisdom inside the Four Seasons Baltimore. Atlas recently unveiled renderings for the restaurant’s Spanish-style courtyard executed by local designer Patrick Sutton. The plans for the promenade include glowing purple lighting, lush greenery, lounge furniture, and an oval-shaped bar overlooking the harbor. Stay tuned for more details.

Roggenart Closes Temporarily: Many Mt. Washington locals have made stopping into this European pastry palace a part of their morning routine for the past two years. But recently, the cafe—which was nearing the end of its lease—closed temporarily while the team prepares to open a new location at the yet-to-open Whitehall Food Market in Hampden this fall. Though a reopening date hasn’t been solidified as of yet, here’s hoping it’s only a matter of weeks before the Mt. Washington shop starts cranking out its famous croissants and pain aux chocolat once again.

Wet City Lauded by Bon Appétit: Last week, we were pleased to see a local name featured in Bon Appétit magazine’s recurring column “Highly Recommend,” in which editors’ share their favorite things. The piece was dedicated to the “Spaghett” cocktail at Wet City in Mt. Vernon. “This cocktail has become my official drink of the summer,” editor Alex Delany wrote about the $5 happy hour drink that combines Miller High Life, Aperol, and lemon juice. “This is on deck for the rest of August and most of September for me. Long live Baltimore. Long live summer. And long live the Spaghett.” We couldn’t agree more.

EPICUREAN EVENTS

8/16: Jade Pop-Up at Fadensonnen
Johns Hopkins biomedical engineering student Jesse Wu, who started his own pop-up inside his dorm room last year, is bringing his Chinese-American cuisine to Fadensonnen in Old Goucher. Grab an order of Wu’s signature Hunan rice noodles, and stick around to sip Fadensonnen’s natural wines, beers, and sake throughout the night.

8/16-9/1: Maryland Vegan Restaurant Week
As Baltimore Restaurant Week comes to a close (many participants have extended their menus through Sunday, August 18) another dining-out promotion is just ramping up. Spots all over the state are rolling out dairy-free dishes in honor of Maryland Vegan Restaurant Week. Of course, staple vegan eateries including Golden West Cafe, L’Eau de Vie Organic Brasserie, Great Sage, and Stall 11 will be putting out their best plates. But you can also enjoy specialty dishes at restaurants like Wicked Sisters, La Scala, Little Havana, and Sobo Cafe. An array of special events throughout the week will kick off with a vegan baked goodspop-up at The Land of Kush on August 19.

SHUT

Bill Bateman’s Bistro Reisterstown: Baltimore County locals are still reeling from the loss of the Bill Bateman’s location on the Towson University campus, which closed for good last year. Now, yet another one of the homegrown pub’s outposts is shutting its doors. After 21 years, the Reisterstown mainstay in the Chartley Shopping Center will close for good on Sunday, August 18. “It has truly been a pleasure being a part of this ever-growing and always-friendly neighborhood,” management wrote in a post to Facebook announcing the closure. This weekend, regulars will gather for one last pint, crab pretzel, and order of wings around the bar at the community hangout. The Severna Park, Parkville, and Rosedale iterations of the local sports bar are still going strong.