COMING SOON

Tiki Bar at Hotel Revival: No matter the season, tiki cocktails are all the rage. And it only seems fitting that the greenery-filled Garden Room on the top floor of Mt. Vernon’s Hotel Revival would get in on the trend. Beginning November 8, the space that was formerly used solely for private parties will be open Thursday-Saturday as a destination to take in the panoramic views while sipping herbaceous drinks crafted by bartender Bryan Reinhold. Among the options include the “Mojo’s Jojo” (Monkey Shoulder scotch and apricot liqueur), the “Firebird” (Vida mezcal and Blackwell rum), and the “Suffering Willow,” which fuses apple brandy with Bluecoat gin. Overseeing the Garden Room program will be Revival’s new lead bartender Ian Clark—a local industry veteran who has nearly 20 years of experience managing spots such as Peter’s Inn, Penny Black, Nacho Mama’s, and Modern Cook Shop.

THB Bagels & Deli Expanding to Owings Mills: On the heels of announcing a forthcoming location in Columbia last month, the owners of THB Neighborhood Bagelry + Deli are expanding their footprint yet again. A sixth location of the beloved breakfast-and-lunch spot will open at Mill Station, the site of the former Owings Mills Mall, this summer. But the growth isn’t stopping there—the family-owned business plans to open two additional locations annually through 2025. For now, Owings Mills and Columbia locals can get excited to have the signature New York-style bagels and sandwiches right in their backyard.

OPEN

Uptown Abbey: This cleverly named Abbey Burger Bistro spinoff is now officially up and running in Mt. Washington. After years of operating locations in Federal Hill, Ocean City, and Fells Point, husband-and-wife owners Russ and Marigot Miller—along with business partner Jason Zink of Smaltimore—have expanded yet again, bringing their outside-of-the-box burgers, greasy tots, spiked milkshakes, and pages-long beer list to the former home of The Nickel Taphouse. Featuring fresh bar tops, new flooring, and roll-up style garage doors, the revived corner spot offers the classic Abbey sports-bar vibe along with a few new additions to the menu. Aside from the signature burgers (this month’s featured meats include wild boar, camel, and New Zealand red deer), be on the lookout for steamed seafood offerings like Gulf shrimp with Old Bay, PEI mussels in garlic sauce, and little neck clams with butter.

Bambao: Earlier this week, the former Manchurian Rice Co. space in Harbor East made its debut as this Asian-fusion destination for bao buns and bubble tea. Created with feedback from Johns Hopkins Carey Business School students, the mindful concept highlights dishes including Sambal honey fried chicken, bulgogi short rib buns with pickled Asian pear, pork and crab fried rice, and Buddha bowls topped with pearled barley and edamame. Bambao will also offer origami as an activity for diners to enjoy in the zen space—which features dark woods, neutral tones, interior greenery, and a mural by Kelly Walker of ArtStar Paintworks.

Old Line Cocktail and Wine Bar: As this Highlandtown distillery gets ready to release its eight-year-old American single malt whiskey this weekend, the team is also celebrating the launch of its new satellite bar inside Cross Street Market in Federal Hill. Co-founders Arch Watkins and Mark McLaughlin have collaborated with the team at the newly renovated market to dream up the concept for the bar—which will pour local beer and wine, and, of course, focus on cocktails made with Old Line’s award-winning whiskies and rums. Just in time for the chilly temperatures, the bar has introduced warming happy hour deals such as $5 rum apple ciders and $1-off wine and beer.

SHUT

The Laughing Pint: Sadly, this year’s annual “Misfit Thanksgiving” potluck at The Laughing Pint will be the last. After 13 years, owner Shannon Cassidy is passing the torch to new owners who will introduce another concept, but she says she’s leaving the beloved Highlandtown hangout in “wonderful hands.” A closing party will be held on Saturday, November 23, followed by the potluck and official last day on Thanksgiving. “I am so thankful for the love and support we have received over the past 13 years,” Cassidy announced via Facebook.

Sam’s Canterbury Cafe: Last weekend, this Tuscany-Canterbury community spot shuttered its doors for good. “With mixed emotions and heavy hearts, we have made the difficult decision to close the cafe,” husband-and-wife owners Michael and Jennifer Myers announced via Facebook. “We thank each and every one of you for supporting the mission as well as making a lifetime of memories at the cafe.” The two opened the spot nearly three years ago as a place to provide meaningful employment for their son, Sam, as well as other adults living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Not only was the inviting hangout known for its baked goods, coffee drinks, and breakfast sandwiches, but it was also praised for its thoughtful design (minimal patterns and earthy tones) and programming catered toward those living with ASD. Here’s hoping we’ll see Sam’s smiling face elsewhere sometime soon.

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Zeke’s Coffee: Baltimore County dwellers can now fuel up with homegrown Zeke’s Coffee while strolling the aisles of the brand new Green Valley Marketplace in Timonium. The Hamilton-based roastery now operates its own cafe inside the grocery store, offering its signature blends alongside bagels, muffins, pastries, and breakfast sandwiches. In addition to Zeke’s, the locally owned grocery chain also offers kombucha on tap, a sushi bar, a full bakery department, and Maryland blue crabs steamed in-store. 15 E. Padonia Rd., Timonium. 410-628-1700

CH-CH CHANGES

Sam’s Canterbury Cafe: You might notice a few changes the next time you stop in to see the namesake Sam at this community-focused cafe, whose mission includes providing meaningful employment for individuals with autism. After closing briefly for renovations last month, the inviting spot now features a new kitchen with pass-through access to the dining area, making service more efficient. Additionally, the menu has been refreshed with house made pastries, as well as sandwiches made with breads and bagels from Stone Mill Bakery. Be on the lookout for other new items including a curried chicken salad wrap, folded flatbread with mozzarella and burrata, and avocado toast with arugula and cherry tomatoes. 3811 Canterbury Rd. 443-438-4545

WINTER BREAKS

Bmore Licks: This Patterson Park dessert spot is taking its annual winter hiatus starting Sunday, December 23. Until then, be sure to get your fix of festive flavors including Christmas cookie (sweet sugar cookie base with Christmas sprinkles) and candy cane Oreo, a mixture of peppermint stick ice cream with candy cane pieces and Oreo crumbles. The shop is expected to make its return just in time for the rising temperatures this spring, with plenty of snowballs, donuts, dessert tacos, and drippy double-scoop cones to go around. 2437 Eastern Ave. 410-732-5425

Baltimore Farmers’ Market & Bazaar: This weekend will be the last for farmers’ market fiends to score local goods beneath the Jones Falls Expressway. The 41st season of the Baltimore Farmers’ Market & Bazaar official ends Sunday, but all of the fan-favorite crafters and food purveyors will be back again come April. To celebrate another great season, organizers are giving away free tote bags to the first 50 visitors who stop by the Welcome Tent near Hillen Street. Another plus: the final market offers tons of holiday essentials for last-minute shoppers. Highlights will include wreaths and decorative greenery, craft mead by Charm City Meadworks, and locally sourced meats from Albright Farms. Beneath the Jones Falls Expressway at Holliday and Saratoga streets. 7 a.m.-12 p.m.

SHUT

The Hoof Cafe: Just six months after opening in Locust Point, this neighborhood coffee corner has sadly closed its doors. In a message posted to Facebook earlier this month, co-owner Rebecca Friedman announced that she made the tough decision to close the cafe due to a family emergency. The post goes on to thank all of the neighbors who supported the eatery throughout its short-but-sweet run. “We do believe a coffee shop is needed in Locust Point,” it reads. The owners are currently searching for a new team to take over the shop, which became known for its warm lattes, cozy furniture, filling egg sandwiches, and local ice cream scoops sourced from South Mountain Creamery. 1648 E. Fort Ave.

Remington Wine Co.: Remington locals have taken to social media to lament the loss of this go-to wine and spirits shop on West 29th Street, which sold its last bottles earlier this month. In a message posted to Instagram, husband-and-wife owners Mitchell Pressman and Debbie Jones announced that financial circumstances both “beyond our control and of our own making have made it impossible to continue operating.”

Two years ago, the owners debuted the store as a continuation of Chesapeake Wine Co. in the Canton Can Company—which they operated for 17 years before deciding to downsize. “Remington is a neighborhood in the midst of big changes, and it has been our pleasure to meet and get to know both old and new members of the community,” the post reads. “The support you have given us, as well as the continued support of customers we brought to Remington from our 17 years in Canton, has been terrific.” 329 W. 29th St.

When husband-and-wife owners Michael and Jennifer Myers first took their 25-year-old son, Sam, to visit their new cafe in the Tuscany-Canterbury neighborhood, he was hesitant about embracing the family’s new venture.   

“He refused to walk in the door,” Jennifer recalls. “But now, we’ve gone from that very reluctant young adult to someone who enjoys every job that he is given, from rolling silverware to stocking shelves. He takes full ownership of it.”

Adds Michael: “He loves the people. He likes to greet the guests and say, ‘I’m Sam, welcome to my cafe.’”

Last spring, the couple debuted Sam’s Canterbury Cafe as an outlet for Sam, who is on the autism spectrum, to express his interest in the hospitality industry. In the year since, the eatery has not only established itself as an inviting hub for locals to stop in for lunch or a cup of coffee, but also as a business that provides meaningful employment for other adults living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

“By far, the best and most rewarding part has been seeing Sam and other adults on the spectrum learn,” Michael says. “It’s so great to see them become more willing to try new things, and more confident and happy in their friendships.”

Though Michael and Jennifer—a family investment manager and preschool teacher, respectively—had never worked in the restaurant realm before, they saw the cafe as a place for Sam to thrive professionally. With the help of local employment provider Itineris, Sam had previously tried his hand at working with computers on the Towson University campus, but he and his parents sensed that the environment wasn’t the right fit.

“Even though he liked computers, he didn’t like the routine nature of being in the computer lab,” Jennifer says. “He also didn’t like the lack of social interaction. But he did love the cafeteria.”

With that interest in mind, the couple began looking for a space to launch their own eatery in 2016. After a nine-month search, they eventually came across the former home of Chocolatea on Canterbury Road, which Michael says was an ideal residential area.

“We saw some great locations from a business perspective,” he says. “But we really wanted a real neighborhood kind of place that was going to have lots of regulars. That was going to be the environment that would be great for Sam, and also for the community.”

The owners, along with opening general manager Elli Straus, transformed the space into an inviting cafe serving all-day breakfast sandwiches, seasonal salads and soups, deli wraps, and savory flatbreads, as well as a full barista menu. Straus was mindful about designing the interior, which boasts local artwork, minimal patterns, and earthy tones that are specifically soothing for those with ASD.

To officially celebrate the one-year milestone, which happens to overlap with National Autism Awareness Month in April, the Myers family is offering a slew of specials promoting the cafe’s mission. The entire staff will be wearing blue (the official color of autism awareness) throughout the month, as well as offering blueberry bagels, muffins, pancakes, waffles, and a special bleu cheese salad to support the cause. A percentage of proceeds throughout April will be donated to the Baltimore-based Itineris Foundation.  

The owners are also hosting a customer-appreciation open house on Saturday, April 28 from 3-6 p.m., featuring complimentary beverages, light fare, and a tasting of Zeke’s Coffee.

Reflecting back on their first year, the owners say that the positive feedback from the community is what has meant the most to them.

“I keep thinking to myself, ‘Did we really open a cafe?’” Jennifer says with a laugh. “It’s a labor of love, for Sam and other adults on the spectrum, and also our love of Baltimore.”