EAT

March 6: Sweetgreen Impact Day

Sweetgreen, 1306 Fleet St. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. 410-537-5006

Still trying to convince your kids to eat their vegetables? Then this event is for you. On Sunday, personal trainer Jason Williams (and 2016 Top Single!) teams up with Harbor East salad haven Sweetgreen for the launch of his new children’s wellness book, The Adventures of Frankie Fitness, Introducing Ginger. Starting at 11:30 a.m., parents and children are invited to attend a nutrition workshop followed by a book signing. With 50 percent of book and salad sales being donated to the Living Classrooms Foundation, the event is an opportunity to support children in Baltimore and to eat something green with your family.

DRINK

March 6: Rye’s Up

B&O American Brasserie, 2 N. Charles St. 6-9 p.m. $75. 443-692-6172

It’s going to be downright frigid these next couple of days, which is why the brown-liquor celebration that is Rye’s Up can’t come soon enough. In its fifth year, this annual tribute to rye whiskey will feature the finest crafters from 21 bars competing for the best Bulleit Rye or George Dickel cocktail in both the judges and people’s choice category. If, for some crazy reason, rye isn’t your thing, there will also be bars featuring Union Craft beer, Green Hat gin, Charm City Meadworks offerings, and wine. To soak it all up, there will be food from chefs at B&O, Bookmakers, Aggio, Sugarvale, La Cuchara, Local Fry, and many more. A huge silent auction table will feature more than 70 items to bid on, including (fittingly) whiskey-making kits and local restaurant gift cards. The entire event, put on every year by the Baltimore Bartenders’ Guild, will benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Maryland.

SEE

March 4: D. Watkins with Poet Tariq Touré

Impact Hub Baltimore, 10 E. North Ave. 6-8 p.m. $5 suggested donation. 443-871-7482

From his columns in Salon, essays in The New York Times, and new book about growing up in East Baltimore, D. Watkins has become a household name in the writers’ world and right here at home. (In fact, we gave him a “Best Original Voice” nod in 2014 and featured him in our “Conversation Issue” this past fall.) The author and college professor is known for his frank, first-person perspective on being black in contemporary urban America and his debut memoir, The Cook Up, will be out in May. As the first “Rise Resident” at Impact Hub, a new work and community space in the Center Theatre, Watkins’ goal is to introduce up-and-coming talent to a wider audience, which is just what he’ll do on Friday night when he hosts a conversation with Muslim essayist, poet, and Baltimore native Tariq Touré. As the vice president for Male Enterprise Network (MEN), Touré mentors at-risk African-American males and uses his writing to tackle issues of social justice, racial inequality, and black culture. All the while, work from freelance photographer Shannon Wallace will be on display in the Impact Hub’s east wing.

HEAR

March 4: Leon Bridges

Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St. 8 p.m. $48-58. 410-837-7400

Man, Leon Bridges. The 26-year-old Southern soul singer did a number on our hearts last spring when he dropped his swoon-worthy single, “Coming Home.” By summer, he was a radio sensation, reminding us of such seminal songwriters as Otis Redding and Sam Cooke, and by winter, he had become a likely contender for “Best R&B Album” at the 2016 Grammy Awards. Quick shot to stardom or not, he’s one of the best young voices out there, and his retro sound is here to stay.

DO

March 6: Springtime Succulent Building

Dooby’s, 802 N. Charles St. 3 p.m. $45. 410-609-3162

Succulents are having a moment. From bridal bouquets to mini restaurant centerpieces, their dramatic, ombre leaves are popping up everywhere we look. And this Sunday, you’ll be able to make your very own desert-inspired designs with instruction from local florists at B. Willow. Spend your afternoon at Mt. Vernon one-stop-shop Dooby’s picking out your own plants and unique containers, plus learning the best tips and tricks to keep your succulent beautiful and healthy. For starters, you’ll want to keep your succulents somewhere with plenty of bright light. For an additional boost of creativity, the ticket includes one glass of wine or beer.

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The Sweetlife Festival announced its May 14 lineup today, and it’s got a host of up-and-coming artists from a range of genres, plus ‘80s favorite Blondie.

So far, you can expect to see pop headliners The 1975 and Halsey, electronica queen Grimes, Drake protégé PartyNextDoor and Eagles of Death Metal, whose Paris concert at the Bataclan last November became the site of a horrific terrorist attack.

Though last year’s festival stretched to two days, this Sweetlife will return to just one, with tickets costing $100 for general admission and $150 for VIP. Plus, since the festival is the creation of Sweetgreen, the DIY salad sensation, there will be great eats from the likes of our James Beard-award-winning Spike Gjerde and Maketto’s Erik Bruner-Yang.

Tickets for the festival at Merriweather Post Pavilion go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday through Ticketfly, and presale starts on Wednesday, also at 10 a.m. (Tip: Follow Sweetgreen on Twitter for an access code.)

Now, we’re dreaming of shedding our sweaters and boots, and feeling the grass on our toes.

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Bottega: After a six-month hiatus, this cozy BYOB is back up and running in Station North. Last spring, owner Adrien Aeschliman announced plans to move his 20-seat restaurant to a bigger space with a liquor license in Hampden, but due to unforeseen financial issues he ultimately decided to stay put. Bottega re-opened earlier this month, serving its rotating menu of Tuscan-inspired crostinis, pastas, entrees, and desserts. 1729 Maryland Ave., 443-708-5709

OPEN:

Pie Five: It seems like customizable pizza shops are cropping up left and right, and the newest one made its way onto the scene in Ellicott City earlier this month. This fast-casual eatery allows diners to choose from a variety of crusts (whole grain, artisan thin, gluten-free, and classic pan), sauces, cheeses, meats, and veggies, and—as its name indicates—ensures that each pie is baked in less than five minutes. 9525 Baltimore National Pike, Suite 100, Ellicott City, 443-420-7700

Primanti Bros.: Thanks to a new location that opened in Hagerstown last week, foodies no longer need to trek to Pittsburgh to satisfy cravings for an overstuffed Primanti Bros. sandwich. The Steelers fan favorite hoagies topped with French fries and hearty meats appear on the expansive menu alongside game-day fare like pizza, wings, chili, and nachos.17301 Valley Mall, Hagerstown, 301- 228-0933

Sweetgreen: This D.C.-based salad shop got off to a good start in Harbor East yesterday by donating 100 percent of its opening day proceeds to the Living Classrooms Foundation. Sweetgreen’s menu offers DIY options as well as signature salad combinations like curry cauliflower with quinoa and roasted turkey with Brussels sprouts. The chain also specializes in refreshing teas and seasonal soups. 1306 Fleet St, 410-537-5006

COMING SOON:

Cosima: Be on the lookout for this new spot from local restaurateur Donna Crivello opening in Mill No. 1. Slated for a January debut, the Donna’s Café sister-restaurant will highlight rustic décor and focus on authentic Sicilian dishes such as rice fritters, fried fish, stuffed calamari, and Italian donuts. 3000 Falls Road, 443-708-7352

Das Bier Haus: The former home of Langermann’s on Light has sat vacant since September 2014, but will soon be transformed into this authentic German pub. Owners Scott Bauer and Nathan McKinney plan to serve classics like bratwurst, kielbasa, soft pretzels, and brisket along with German and local craft beers by the stein. Expected to open in Federal Hill the second week in December, the space will feature a revamped look and tons of communal seating. 1542 Light St.

CH-CH CHANGES:

The Bun Shop: This artsy Mt. Vernon cafe, known for its wide array of sweet and savory pastries, is expected to launch its second location at the end of November. The new Inner Harbor spot will feature an expanded kitchen and offer The Bun Shop’s signature tarts, puffs, empanadas, donuts, coffees, and teas.32 Light St.

Nacho Mama’s: Not only will Nacho Mama’s be staying in its Canton digs, but the restaurant is also expanding to Towson in 2016. Shortly after reaching a consensus in a drawn-out lease dispute with their landlord, owners Jackie McCusker and Phil Gelso announced plans to open a second Nacho Mama’s location on the corner of York Road and Pennsylvania Avenue. Pending liquor board approval, the 6,700-square-foot spinoff will debut in the spring, highlighting the haunt’s signature Tex-Mex classics and Elvis-themed décor. 2 W Pennsylvania Ave., Towson

SHUT:

Poncabird Pub: Located at the intersection of Ponca Avenue and Holabird Street, this Dundalk pub has been a destination for burgers and beer for more than 30 years. In a message posted to Facebook last week, owners announced that Poncabird Pub would be closing its doors on November 15. No word yet on the reasons for the closure or what will become of the space in the months ahead. 1719 Poncabird Pass, 410-631-7530

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This will be the fast-casual eateries 34th location in the United States.

With the opening of the 32-seat store (and an additional outdoor seating area in season), fans can count on Sweetgreen’s signature farm-fresh ingredients, from seasonal salads (curry cauliflower with quinoa, chicken, and tahini has our name on it) to kale casears to design your-own creations (spicy sunflower seeds and roasted sweet potatoes with organic arugula, please).

Whenever possible, ingredients like goat cheese and kale are sourced from area farms such as Firefly Farms in Western Maryland and Richardson Farms in White Marsh.

With shiplap board, barn-inspired walls, white wood banquets, and 17-foot ceilings, the 2,100-square-foot space will also carry through the farm feel. “All of our stores are built in a way that fits into the community,” says founder Nicolas Jammet, “and we make sure that our stores feel inviting and engaging.”

The first Sweetgreen opened in Georgetown in 2007, after health-conscious Jammet, Nathaniel Ru, and Jonathan Newman—then still seniors at Georgetown University—were seeking alternatives to typical college fare beyond burgers and pizza.

At the time, Washington, D.C. was something of a culinary desert.

“The three of us quickly became friends,” recalls Jammet, “and we realized that we had two things in common—we all grew up in entrepreneurial families, and we also had this issue of not having anywhere to eat around campus. We couldn’t find a place that fit our values, and we couldn’t understand why we couldn’t get healthy food that was both enjoyable and engaging.”

The trio came up with the idea of doing a salad-themed spot with locally sourced ingredients, which, at the time, was a novel idea.

Says Jammet, “It was simple idea with lots of possibilities that allowed us to create great flavors and put them all together in a bowl.”

After opening their first spot—a 500-square-foot space on M Street—the idea grew grander.

“At first, we were building this for ourselves,” explains Jammet, “but after we opened the first one, we realized that this was not only a problem for us and our friends, it was a problem for everyone and the country. We wanted to create something where people could feel good about their food and how it was sourced and how it was being cooked.”

While Sweetgreen has expanded throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Massachusetts, New York, and even California, Jammet and his fellow founders are thrilled to be bringing the brand to Charm City.

“Baltimore has been on our radar for many years, and we’ve always understood that Baltimore is not part of D.C.,” says Jammet. “We’re exited about what a food town Baltimore is and how much people here love and respect their food.”

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Brewhouse No. 16: Mt. Vernon locals have been awaiting the arrival of this brewpub since plans were announced over a year ago, and last week it finally made its debut. The unique spot is housed in a former Baltimore City firehouse and contains remnants such as brass sliding poles, high ceilings, and elaborate subway tile. Menu items from owner/brewmaster Ian Hummel and executive chef Adam Snyder emphasize locally sourced ingredients, with offerings ranging from small-batch beers made on site with foraged fruit to burgers topped with preserved seasonal tomatoes. 831 N. Calvert St. 410-659-4084

Hollywood Diner Backlot Food Truck Park: The iconic Hollywood Diner, which originated as a set built for Barry Levinson’s 1982 film Diner, has sat vacant on the corner of Holliday and Saratoga streets for years now, but organizers from The Gathering Project have recently taken over the property to create Baltimore’s first food truck park. Using the diner as its centerpiece, the park started serving lunch earlier this week and is expected to begin hosting special community events in the coming months. Guests are invited to peruse the eats from local food truck vendors and enjoy their meals inside the diner, which still boasts original ’50s-inspired booths and a soda fountain counter. 400 E. Saratoga St.

COMING SOON:

The Elephant: Under new ownership, the elegant special occasion restaurant once known as The Brass Elephant will now operate simply as The Elephant. New owners Steve and Linda Rivelis, who were married in the space in the ’80s, bought the Mt. Vernon landmark earlier this year, and have been working to restore it back to its former glory ever since. While the famed spot is doing away with its nattily dressed waiters and brass railings, it’s slated to reopen with additions like a new color scheme and a revamped oyster bar in early 2016. Stay tuned for more updates as the reimagined look progresses. 924 N. Charles St.

Iron Rooster: Known for its homemade pop tarts, chicken and waffles, and free (yes, we said free) bacon, this Annapolis favorite is expanding into Charm City with a second location in the former Farmstead Grill space at Canton Crossing. Slated for a mid-November debut, the spot will serve its claim-to-fame breakfast all day and highlight boozy brunch cocktails including its signature “Bacon Bloody Mary.” 3721 Boston St., 410-990-1600

Sweetgreen: With a focus on seasonal soups, salads, and bowls, this DIY spot is all the rage in D.C. and soon the trendy eatery will join the likes of Cava Mezze, Nando’s Peri-Peri, and Jimmy Johns on the bottom floor of the Hyatt Place Baltimore Hotel in Harbor East. Be sure to mark your calendar for the grand opening on November 12, because Sweetgreen is donating 100 percent of the proceeds from opening day to the Living Classrooms Foundation. 1306 Fleet St.

CH-CH CHANGES:

Joe Squared: Upon realizing that its longtime Station North home was too difficult to maintain, owner Joe Edwardsen made the decision to move this neighborhood pizza joint to a more modern space one block east. While Joe Squared will continue to serve the fixture’s signature square pies, its new home allows for twice as many seats and features a downstairs performance venue for frequent live music showcases. The new location—which was partially funded by a Kickstarter campaign that raked in upwards of $400,000—is expected to open any day now. 33 W. North Ave

SHUT:

Lenny’s: With recent closures including La Tasca, Phillip’s, and Edo Sushi, it seems like the eateries in Harborplace are dropping like flies. The once-booming restaurant and retail destination saw yet another closing last month when Lenny’s delicatessen shut its doors. A variety of factors—such as the rise of Harbor East, the new Shake Shack across the street, and Harborplace’s loss of foot traffic—contributed to the closure. There’s no word yet on what will become of the space, but if a craving for a loaded corned beef sandwich strikes, the deli’s three other locations in the area are still going strong.

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OPEN:

Harmony Bakery: Owners Don and Renee Gorman opened the doors to this charming 10-seat shop in Hampden late last month. Highlights of the entirely gluten-free menu include sweet and savory bites like apple crisp, donuts, madeleine cookies, pizza, and chickpea tarts. 3446 Chestnut Ave., 410-235-2870.

La Cuchara: Partake in the of-the-moment sip-and-bite trend with the Basque-inspired bites at this new spot in Woodberry’s Meadow Mill Complex. The focus is on pinxtos (two-bite tasting dishes) and made-for-sharing tapas plates. 3600 Clipper Mill Road, 443-708-3838.

Nando’s Peri-Peri: Get a taste of South Africa by way of Harbor East at this chain that opened next door to Hyatt Place hotel in Harbor East last week. Fittingly, the restaurant got its start in Johannesburg, and has since expanded with multiple locations throughout Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia. Some of the South African-Portuguese fusion fare includes flame-grilled chicken, stuffed pita sandwiches, and grilled corn and butternut squash. 1300 Fleet St., 443-681-5181.

Smashburger: Fast-casual burger joints seem to be making their mark on Charm City, and the newest one celebrated its debut in Fells Point last week. In addition to its signature seared-to-perfection burgers, the Denver-based chain also offers chicken sandwiches, salads, haystack onion rings, and handspun milkshakes. 616 S. Broadway, 443-992-4919.

COMING SOON:

Alchemy Elements: Fans of Alchemy, located on the Avenue in Hampden, will be happy to hear that owners Debi and Michael Matessa are planning to open an expanded spinoff at the Bel Air Town Center. Slated to make its debut in September, Alchemy Elements will showcase the same New American flair as its sister-restaurant, while adding amenities like al fresco dining and a full bar. Baltimore Pike, Bel Air, 410-494-4860.

Cosima: Donna’s co-owners Alan Hirsch and Donna Crivello recently announced that they have broken ground on this new Southern-Italian-inspired project in Hampden’s Mill No. 1 development. The owners estimate that the new spot should be up and running this fall. 3000 Falls Road.

CuVino: Be on the lookout for this doctor’s office-turned-trattoria that will soon be getting the ball rolling in Timonium. Slated to open later this month, the menu will feature glasses of vino, pizza, classic Italian dishes, and gelato. 61 E. Padonia Road, Timonium.

Dinosaur BBQ: Our mouths have been watering in anticipation of this barbecue joint’s arrival for a while now, and it looks like all of the finger-licking eats will finally be available in Fells Point starting this summer. The New York-based chain highlights classics like sliced brisket, smoked chicken, and house-made sausage. 1401 Fleet Street.

Sweetgreen: This D-I-Y salad bar is all the rage in Washington, D.C., and—having snagged the last of the Hyatt Place hotel’s 13,000 ft. retail space—it’s officially headed our way. No word yet on when the trendy eatery will open, but for a taste of what’s to come, be sure to grab some sustainable snacks while jamming to headliners Kendrick Lamar and Calvin Harris at Sweetgreen’s Sweetlife Festival May 30-31. 1300 Fleet Street.

CH-CH-CHANGES:

Bottega: Other than its elegant Tuscan fare, the defining trait of this 20-seat space in Station North is its coziness. But come Memorial Day, Bottega will be moving to a larger home in Hampden with more room to breathe. Although the address of the new space has yet to be confirmed, sources tell us that it will accommodate 70 guests, and a portion of the restaurant will remain BYOB. 443-708-5709

Waterstone Bar & Grille: Under new ownership, changes are underway for this Mediterranean spot in Mt. Vernon. In addition to serving breakfast and lunch and making its own in-house roasted coffee, owner Shawn Singh is planning on changing the restaurant’s name to Bistro 311 later this month. The menu will also see changes, transforming from Mediterranean fare to South Asian-inspired small plates. 311 W. Madison St., 410-225-7475.

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