In the Baltimore area, independent ice cream shops flourish everywhere from Downtown to Reisterstown—and we’ve come a long way since basic chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry were our only options. These days, innovative flavors abound, from French poached pear at Cajou Creamery to red velvet cake at The Cow.

But our ice cream scene wouldn’t be what it is without Baltimore milkman Jacob Fussell, who often had a surplus of cream and decided to freeze his unsold product. In 1851, he opened America’s first commercial ice cream factory in Seven Valleys, PA, and, lucky for us, brought ice cream as we know it to the masses. No matter your preference—waffle or cake cone, rainbow or chocolate sprinkles, malted milk balls or crushed Utz chips—there’s something about this sweet treat that spikes serotonin.

“Ice cream puts you in a good mood,” says Kim Maloni, co-owner of Bmore Licks, which operates locations in Patterson Park and Federal Hill. “It’s something people often use to celebrate.”

To ring in the dog days of summer, we visited a few of our favorite ice cream shops in town to help you get your fix.

→ Baltimore in a Box Ice Cream 

HAMPDEN

After four years of selling his namesake gift boxes full of Charm City goodies—and curating a collection of other local items and apparel at his Maryland flag-painted storefront on the Avenue in Hampden—Baltimore in a Box founder Ross Nochumowitz says transitioning to frozen sweets seemed like “a natural fit.”

Inspired by homegrown treats like Goetze’s Caramel Creams and Berger cookies—which frequently appear in his boxes—last year, Nochumowitz launched a walk-up window on the other side of the Avenue to sell batches of Baltimore-themed flavors. True to the brand, the scoops are served in Chinese takeout-style boxes.

“Summer in Charm City is our top seller,” he says. “It’s like an egg custard snowball with marshmallows swirled in. Some people don’t expect that, but it works well in terms of texture and taste.”

Other favorite flavors—also available at area food markets like Geresbeck’s and Graul’s—include Cal’s Streak (an orange creamsicle ode to Cal Ripken Jr. with chocolate chips) and the I’m So Crabby, which blends Utz crab chips into a vanilla base.

“Ice cream is still so new to us,” says Nochumowitz, who hopes that his scoop venture draws in some new faces this summer. “A lot of people still don’t know we’re out there, but we’re here to stay.”

→ Bmore Licks

PATTERSON PARK AND FEDERAL HILL

Sun drenches the corner outside Bmore Licks in Patterson Park, where customers (and their dogs) mull over chalk-scribbled flavors of hard and soft ice cream.

Married couple Kim and Barbara Maloni, whose family owns two ice cream shops in New England, had been pining for more dessert options near their Patterson Park home, so they decided to open their own along Eastern Avenue in 2017.

Three years, a second location in Federal Hill, and scores of flavors later—there are 100 soft-serve flavors, as well as over 30 flavors of hard ice cream—they’re still finding excuses to “keep eating ice cream,” says Kim.

Sure, you could get a classic vanilla or chocolate in a cone or cup. But Bmore Licks is a great spot to get adventurous, with signature flavors such as the blue Cookie Monster, Zeke’s Coffee Toffee, strawberry Oreo, and orange creamsicle O’s and Bros with brownie chunks.

So, what’s the owners’ secret to concocting their quirky best sellers?

“So much of it is just about experimenting,” Kim says. Naturally, the couple’s 5-year-old son, Rhett, and 2-year-old daughter, Blake, like to assist. “Rhett has a good sense of flavor,” Kim adds. “He’s like a little ice cream connoisseur in his own right.”

Above all, the family sees the dairy dessert as a vehicle for serving their community. “Ice cream is just such a fun product,” Kim says. “But to meet so many people, form connections, and have a place that brings people together has been a great experience. We’ve gotten so much from it.”

→ Cajou Creamery

DOWNTOWN

Decorated with woven lamps, cascading potted plants, and Buddha statues, this bright-yellow-painted Howard Street storefront—inspired by the owners’ travels “all over the world”—offers tranquil respite from the midday heat. Once inside, you’ll notice the silver vats of ice cream, some of which are covered with pistachio bits or drizzled with thick syrup.

Cajou is the DMV’s first Black-owned plant-based creamery. Soon, it wants to function as a worker-owned cooperative, where co-founder Nicole Foster plans to hire formerly incarcerated citizens.

“I suppose the business started with my mothering,” Foster says. When she and partner Dwight Campbell (he’s from Jamaica; her family is from Guyana) first realized that their two young children, Niko and Nathaniel, were lactose intolerant, they searched the market for dairy-free ice cream replacements, to no avail.

“Everything we found was weird and chunky or had crazy ingredients,” says Foster, formerly a criminal defense attorney. After earning a raw vegan chef certification, the concerned mom started crafting her own plant milks. She came up with a cashew ice cream blend so similar to dairy that it didn’t need an artificial thickener. “Our friends and family were demanding it,” says Foster. “They’d say, ‘You don’t have to come. Just bring the ice cream!’”

Today, that same product, which sits on the shelves at area markets, comes in global flavors such as mango lassi, Mexican cacao, and Caribbean-inspired flavors such as passion fruit and tamarind.

“We still make everything by hand, from scratch,” Foster says. “Our customers can taste that.”

→ The Charmery

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS INCLUDING HAMPDEN AND TOWSON

Nine years ago, a former corner pharmacy on The Avenue in Hampden transformed into a frosty dream come true. Today, The Charmery’s flagship—adorned with retro pinstripes and a giant metal scoop above the door—has evolved into an ice cream empire, with five area locations scattered from Columbia to Towson.

Run by husband-and-wife duo David and Laura Alima, the shop has become known for its “always” flavors that often feature nods to Baltimore (think: caramel with Old Bay and Maryland Mud). But customers also line up around the block for David’s funky—and sometimes daring—limited releases, such as cantaloupe prosciutto and spicy peanut brittle made with fried garlic peanuts sourced from former Hampden neighbor Heritage Kitchen.

Aside from the cutting-edge ice cream, the scoop shop’s almost decade-long success lies in its staff, according to Laura.

“When we look to bring people onto our team, it’s not about them being able to scoop ice cream,” she says. “You can teach that. When we meet a scooper for the first time, we want to know, do they bring smiles to our faces? Those are the people that we feel are going to best represent the whole experience.”

As The Charmery continues to expand, they hope the experience remains joyful. “The best thing is seeing little kids come with their families and babies come to us to have their first taste of ice cream,” Laura says. “To be a part of people’s lives like that is pretty great.”

→ The Cow

REISTERSTOWN AND WESTMINSTER

Just before the sun sets on a spring evening, the parking lot outside of this Main Street institution fills up with cars and families. Two school-aged children hurry toward the window.

“It’s a cow!” the little boy exclaims. “I want to ride the cow!”

“I want to milk the cow!” the girl chimes in. She’s sitting beneath the spotted statue that co-owner Mike Reiner bought 22 years ago for $2,000 when he launched the Reisterstown shop, which he initially named Dairy Fresh.

Thanks to the striking statue facing traffic on Reisterstown Road, that name didn’t stick with customers for long.

“Everyone was calling us ‘The Cow,’” Reiner says. “It was like a slang name for the store.” By popular demand, and with a nod to Reiner’s boyhood memories of eating ice cream cones at Cloverland Dairy, The Cow adopted its new moniker in 2005.

Since then, the dairy depot (with a second location in Westminster), has gained a massive following with its locally sourced custard and creamy Italian ice, which comes in 60 flavors. Clever iterations of the latter include pear, red velvet cake, rocky road, peanut butter, and mint chocolate chip.

When it comes to the custard, though, there’s one resounding favorite. “It’s vanilla. That’s our key to making better products,” Reiner says, adding that it’s also the base for such creations as cake batter and black raspberry.

Thanks to The Cow’s catering truck, personalized treats have made the rounds at children’s birthday parties, weddings, nursing homes, hospice facilities, and funerals, too.

“We had a hearse show up once,” Reiner recalls. “A dying man apparently requested that his loved ones all be taken to The Cow. A woman tried to pay, and I just said, ‘Last one’s on me.’ The last one is always on me.”

→ Pitango Gelato

FELLS POINT

Inside the minty green South Broadway home of Pitango Gelato, store owner Noah Dan doles out small servings of bacio (gianduja gelato with chocolate chips and hazelnuts), raspberry sorbet, lemon sorbet, vanilla, and fior di latte. The latter, which translates to “flower of milk” in Italian, serves as the rich base for flavors like stracciatella.

A native of Israel, Dan, who spent childhood summers in Trieste, Italy, grew up on what he calls “honest gelato,” and has seen the confection—which utilizes less fat and air during the churning process than traditional American ice cream—evolve from its simplest form to a commonly pre-made “industrial product.”

In 2007, Dan opened Pitango in Fells Point, with hopes of using quality ingredients to emulate the authentic gelato of his youth.

“To keep our product stable, we have to make and sell it in a very short time, so we don’t use any chemicals or coloring,” says Dan, pointing to his use of local fruits (think sour cherries sourced from Pennsylvania) instead of concentrate, and single-origin chocolate by Domori, imported from Italy. It’s not always easy, due to pricing and supply flow, but Dan says customers can taste the difference.

“I think Baltimore loves us now, but it took a long time for them to recognize us,” he says. “People aren’t just going to [spring for] gelato when they know they can find some cheaper ice cream down the street. There are other places with a line around the block, but the presence that we have now brings me lots of satisfaction.”

→ Prigel Family Creamery 

GLEN ARM

On a 92-degree afternoon, customers at Prigel Family Creamery at Bellevale Farm in Glen Arm’s Long Green Valley are hovered over picnic-style benches in the grass, enjoying drippy cups and cones. Pat Phillips of Parkville waits in line outside the farmhouse-style market.

“I like the mint chocolate chip, but today, I’m getting the cookies and cream and the caramel pretzel,” Phillips says, motioning toward her husband. “He loves the black cherry.”

Though Prigel is more than just an ice cream shop (it also offers sandwiches, smoked sausages, and house-made empanadas), the ice cream helped Bellevale Farm expand into the retail business, explains Mandy Castillo, who grew up on the farm and started working at the shop that her father, Bobby, launched 12 years ago. (A retail offshoot is located at Belvedere Square.)

“He would take ground coffee and sprinkle it over chocolate ice cream.” That turned into Bobby’s Black Mud, made with Zeke’s Coffee cold brew, which is definitely a favorite, says Castillo. From there, Prigel’s flavors kept evolving. Other options, which Castillo says contain no-frills ingredients and are generous in terms of butterfat (a whopping 17 percent helps to ensure each base is creamy), have ranged from bacon jam to Key lime pie.

“Honestly, we’ve done it all. We’ve even made a three-tier wedding cake out of pure ice cream. That was crazy,” she says, adding that one couple had their first date and rehearsal dinner at the family farm. “We’ll probably have their baby shower, too.”

Castillo says that watching local families grow and change has been “a blessing” through the years.

“There are kids I served 12 years ago, who’ve come here their entire lives, and grow up and get jobs with us,” she adds. “We get to meet their families. It’s been really cool becoming part of the community and having it become a part of us.”

→ Taharka Brothers

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS INCLUDING REMINGTON AND FELLS POINT

In 2013, Detric McCoy was playing basketball when he got a call from his grandmother. She told him, “I’m coming to get you right now. I want you to meet someone important to me.” This is how McCoy, who was still a teenager at the time, first connected with Sean Smeeton, the president of Sylvan Beach Cafe—a Baltimore-based ice cream company that would employ returning citizens.

Coincidentally, when Smeeton had been a basketball coach several years earlier, one of his mentees had been McCoy’s father, Taharka Lee McCoy, who was murdered 20 years ago while breaking up a fight in East Baltimore.

Unbeknownst to his survivors, in 2010—eight years after the elder McCoy’s death—Sylvan Beach became Taharka Brothers ice cream. Back then, it was for sale in local supermarkets—which is how McCoy’s grandmother first found out about the company. “Sean and I were instantly connected,” says McCoy, who now directs Taharka’s marketing and sales.

The worker-owned cooperative—whose presence is felt throughout the city with a roving truck; stalls at Broadway Market, R. House, and Cross Street Market; and flavors featured on many local restaurant menus—has become known for concocting innovative scoops that contribute to its social justice mission. A share of proceeds from each pint of the blackberry crumble-infused Keep Ya Head Up (named after our own Tupac Shakur’s 1993 hit), for example, supports the late rapper’s mental health foundation.

Other thoughtful flavors include coffee Oreo, caramel crunch, and non-dairy golden milk. But as McCoy confirms, Taharka’s honey graham, which dazzles with a thick graham cracker swirl, is a favorite.

“I like honey graham because it’s simple and sweet,” he says. “It’s something that we’ve never had to change. One time, as an April Fool’s joke, I went on social media and said that it was out of stock, and our customers went crazy. There were thousands of replies. But it was awesome to see how much people loved us. The people are the best part.”

Happy Trails

Make a day trip out of tasting all the creameries on Maryland’s iconic Ice Cream Trail.

How much does the Old Line State love ice cream? Enough to go the extra mile for it.

Ten years ago, the Maryland Department of Agriculture launched the Maryland Ice Cream Trail, with dairy-driven destinations everywhere from Bel Air to Caroline County. The Maryland Ice Cream Trail drew inspiration from similar—albeit less chilly—wine trails (think Antietam Highlands, Gunpowder, and Piedmont) to help further awareness of our dairy farms and lure visitors throughout the state. Broom’s Bloom Dairy and Prigel Family Creamery are two beloved stops found in our neck of the woods.

“It’s great to be a part of that community and heritage of dairy [farms] in Maryland,” says Mandy Castillo, who is fifth generation on her family farm. “It’s a joy to see how dedicated and excited people are to be completing the whole trail.” Sounds like a challenge to us!

Check out our list of spots on the trail to help you sate your sweet tooth.

Deliteful Dairy
16230 Long Delite Ln. Williamsport

Misty Meadow Farm Creamery
14325 Misty Meadow Rd. Smithsburg

South Mountain Creamery
8305 Bolivar Rd. Middletown

Rocky Point Creamery
4323 Tuscarora Rd. Tuscarora

Woodbourne Creamery
at Rock Hill Orchard 28600 Ridge Rd. Mt. Airy

Prigel Family Creamery
4852 Long Green Rd. Glen Arm

Broom’s Bloom Dairy
1700 S. Fountain Green Rd. (MD 543) Bel Air

Keyes Creamery
349 Hopewell Rd. Havre de Grace

Kilby Cream
129 Strohmaier Ln. Rising Sun

Chesapeake Bay Farms
8905 Logtown Rd. Berlin

It’s no secret that the chemicals in chocolate are known to boost your mood, and there’s nothing quite like a mug full of piping hot cocoa to help forget all of those winter woes. This season, plenty of area eateries are getting creative by putting their own unique spins on the classic cold-weather treat.

“It’s something everyone has a connection to,” says pastry chef Sarah Malphrus, who has worked at local spots including Rye Street Tavern and The Ivy Hotel. She remembers making batches of hot chocolate and spiced cider with her family as a child. “You can never have just one cup.”

Plenty of spots around town are highlighting decadent hot chocolate recipes this season. Here, we’ve compiled a list of some of the top steamy sips:

The Charmery: Especially this time of year, when crowds flock to see the 34th Street Lights in Hampden, a visit to this neighborhood creamery is in order. If you’re one of the naysayers who thinks it’s too cold for ice cream, indulge in a cup of The Charmery’s thick, creamy hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and a hunk of house-made marshmallow. Multiple locations including 801 W. 36th St. 410-814-0493

The Bun Shop: This late-night coffee corner is a favorite of neighborhood locals and college students alike, with a menu full of worldly beverages, signature buns, and tasty European pastries. Not only does The Bun Shop have a killer classic hot cocoa, but it’s been known to also feature a “spicy” hot chocolate amped up with cinnamon and chili spices. Multiple locations including 239 W. Read St., 410-989-2033

Dooby’s: Warm up with a 12 or 16-oz. cup of hot chocolate at this Mt. Vernon mainstay. While you’re at it, grab one of the shop’s signature cookies, muffins, scones, or cake slices to start the day off right. 802 N. Charles St., 410-609-3162

Miss Shirley’s Café: Just in time for the dropping temperatures, Miss Shirley’s is warming diners up with it’s piping hot chocolate topped with a swirl of house-made whipped cream. Don’t miss other seasonal specials including the peppermint hot cocoa pancakes— garnished with a dollop of peppermint-infused whipped cream and a mini candy cane for good measure. Multiple locations including 750 E. Pratt St., 410-528-5273

Pitango Gelato: Take your taste buds on a journey to the Italian Alps by way of Fells Point at this neighborhood gelato spot that offers an entire menu full of European hot chocolate drinks during the colder months. Head to the mint green awning to enjoy specialties such as Hot Italian Sipping Chocolate (premium cocoa brewed with milk and sugar), Marrochino (equal parts sipping chocolate and espresso) and Chocolate Affogato—a scoop of any flavor gelato drowning in Pitango’s signature sipping chocolate. 802 S. Broadway, 410-236-0741

Pure Chocolate by Jinji: Gourmet chocolate purveyor Jinji Fraser highlights a sophisticated sipping chocolate during the holiday season. Swing by her stall in Belvedere Square Market to sip small pours of the dairy and gluten-free drink, which features raw Ecuadorean chocolate. 529 E. Belvedere Ave., 410-394-9901

Stone Mill Bakery: Alongside the plethora of pastries and scones on the morning menu at this Green Spring Station stalwart is a variety of warm beverages including mocha, Americano, and café au lait coffees. The list also showcases a rich hot chocolate using Valrhona cocoa powder sourced from the village of Tain L’Hermitage in the south of France. 10751 Falls Road, Lutherville, 410-821-1358

Teavolve: While checking things off of your holiday shopping list in Harbor East, be sure to swing by this staple cafe for the “Chocoholics Choice.” The rich drink will warm your soul with Belgian-style semi-sweet cocoa powder and a requisite dollop of whipped cream. 1401 Aliceanna St. 

While we’re excited the O’s are finally taking the field, it’s hard not to lament the traditions of a typical Opening Day—like seas of fans decked out in orange flocking down Pratt Street to Camden Yards, vendors hawking the requisite peanuts and Natty Bohs, and the scent of greasy ballpark fare wafting throughout the stadium. Though the away opener against the Red Sox on July 24—and the first home game against the Miami Marlins on July 29—will seem surreal with no fans in attendance, local restaurants have us covered with festive food and drink specials to enjoy while watching at home. Here are a few ways to get into the spirit:

The Charmery: It should come as no surprise that master creamer David Alima has dreamed up an orange-inspired ice cream flavor to honor the return of the birds. All Charmery locations in Hampden, Towson, and Federal Hill are now scooping “Squeeze Play,” made with fresh-squeezed orange juice, orange zest, and orang bun(d)t cake.

THB Bagelry & Deli: To celebrate the home opener on Wednesday, July 29, all four THB locations will fill their bins with orange-and-black bagels. Enjoy the one-day-only offering with a classic schmere or your favorite sandwich fillings.

Zeke’s Coffee: Starting with the away opener on July 24, this neighborhood staple on Harford Road will be featuring a special menu of $5 ballpark fare while supplies last. Get your fill of classics like jumbo hot dogs, Pollock Johnny’s, soft pretzels with Zeke’s coffee porter mustard and cheese sauce, and stadium-style nachos with salsa and jalapeños. Round out your pregame platter with $2 Bohs and $3 Brewer’s Art Birdhouse cans.

The Sporty Dog: Nothing says baseball like hotdogs. And this fan-favorite purveyor is ringing in the season by dropping a new menu item. The aptly named “O Dog” is topped with crab meat and mac and cheese made with O-shaped pasta. Order for curbside pickup for the away opener and throughout the weekend.

The Classic Catering People: This Owings Mills-based catering company has crafted an “O”pening Day menu of carryout fare that is meant to make your feel like you’re watching the condiment races and the crab shuffle from the stands. Boxed meal options include fried chicken with macaroni salad and watermelon, crab cakes with coleslaw and Old Bay chips, and a pit beef sandwich pack that feeds four.

Nottingham’s: If you’re backing the birds from Howard County, consider snagging a seat on the patio at this Columbia spot—where the game will be on all screens with sound. Specials for the away opener include $3 draft beers, $6 hot dogs, and $10 burgers served with chips and a Miller Lite or Yuengling.

EAT

April 17: The Charmery “Chef’s Signature Flavor” Collaboration with Clavel

Multiple locations including 801 W. 36th St. $11.

If you’re looking for a surefire way to spark a little joy during quarantine, ice cream is the answer. Not only is The Charmery offering its whimsical flavors for delivery and curbside pickup at its Hampden and Towson locations, but husband-and-wife owners David and Laura Alima are continuing to dream up fun ways to give love to their fellow hospitality workers during this time of need. Beginning this Friday, the duo will launch a new series called “Chef’s Signature Flavor,” in which they whip up a limited number of pints of a local chef’s favorite variety. The Alimas’ buddy Carlos Raba of Clavel is up first, collaborating on a Rosac Con Su Mezcal flavor that highlights strawberry, hibiscus, lime, and mezcal. Each pint costs $11 with $1 of all sales benefitting The Charmery’s scooper fund, and another dollar donated to the Clavel employee fund. If you can’t grab a mezcal pint before sellout, stay tuned for the next collaboration with Chef Opie Crooks of A Rake’s Progress.

DRINK

April 17: Union Tour and Taste Live!

Facebook Live. 4-5 p.m. Free.

Switch up your virtual happy hour plans this Friday and join Union Craft Brewing co-founder Jon Zerivitz on Instagram Live for a behind-the-scenes tour of the brewery. Crack open a cold can of Duckpin and follow along as Zerivitz talks through the style, aroma, and tasting notes of fan-favorite brews like the Duckpin Pale Ale and Steady Eddie IPA. Stock up on six packs before the happy hour with delivery, dockside pickup, or by grabbing from your favorite local liquor store.

SEE

April 17-18: MICA MFA Thesis Film Virtual Showcase 2020

7 p.m. http://micafilmmaking.org. Free.

Though MICA’s MFA filmmaking class of 2020 won’t be able to screen their thesis films in front of a live audience for the time being, students remain excited to get the projects they’ve worked long and hard on out into the world. In collaboration with the SNF Parkway Theatre, the films will be screened on three different platforms, including the MICA film program website and the Parkway’s Facebook page, beginning with the first half on Friday, April 17 at 7 p.m. The second half will premiere on Saturday, April 18 at 7 p.m. Kick back and enjoy five documentaries, three dramas, and three horror films, and be sure to stick around for live Q&A sessions with the filmmakers after the broadcast.

HEAR

April 18: Qlub Q Dance Party With DJ Rob Macy

9-11 p.m. Zoom. Free.

We might not be able to go out, but that won’t stop stir-crazy Baltimoreans from attending a DIY dance party. Break out your laptop to break it down at the virtual Club Quarantine with DJ Rob Macy of the famous Save Your Soul Dance Party. After you shimmy, shake, and dance the night away, throw a few dollars in the virtual tip jar and check back each week to see which Charm City DJ is spinning next.

DO

April 17: Earth Treks Virtual Rendezvous

6-10 p.m. Facebook Live and Zoom. Free.

Unfortunately there’s no virtual alternative to bouldering with your buddies at this Hampden climbing gym, but the Earth Treks team has put together a jam-packed evening of online activities that evoke the gym’s communal spirit. After pre-registering, hop on Facebook Live for a HIIT class with instructor Jenna Scott before a dance party with beats spun by Union beertender and DJ dagm, a group trivia game, and a collective watch party of the sci-fi classic Tremors, with commentary encouraged in the Zoom chat box.

PI DAY PARTIES

Union Craft Brewing: Enjoy both savory and sweet flavors at Union Collective this Saturday, March 14, when Well Crafted Kitchen and Bramble Baking Co. will be serving slices of pizza and pie from 12-3 p.m. Purchase a slice from Well Crafted and enjoy $1-off at Bramble, and vice versa. Slices and handpies will be available from Bramble, with flavors including Salted Honey Lavender and the Maple Bourbon Pecan. 1700 W 41st St.

Dangerously Delicious Pies: This Baltimore favorite is celebrating Pi Day—and an early St. Patrick’s Day—at its Canton location on Saturday. The shop is turning BYOB from 3-6 p.m., with live music by Irish Relative Anonymous. Enjoy your brew and indulge in a slice of the famous Baltimore Bomb pie, a fun take on the city’s iconic Berger Cookies. Drink more than 3.14 beers and expect special prices in return. 2839 O’Donnell St.

Other eateries around town are also offering aptly priced specials to celebrate the holiday’s famous date. Blaze Pizza in Towson will offer $3.14 pizzas from 3:14 p.m. to close, Oliver Brewing Company will pour $3.14 pints of Sound Check beer from 12-6 p.m., Verde in Canton will pair its Neapolitan pies with $3.14 Limoncello shots, and Molina Pizza at R. House will feature a buy-one, get-one for $3.14 deal on all of its pizzas throughout the day.

(RE)OPEN

The Verandah: After a nine-month hiatus, this Indian restaurant on the Avenue in Hampden is celebrating its grand reopening during dinner service Thursday. Owner Radhika Sule—who also operates a location inside Broadway Market in Fells Point—took the time off to reimagine a new small plates concept for the Hampden cafe, which she says will give diners the opportunity to “try out several unique dishes instead of one big meal.” Among the new dishes on the tapas-style menu are shrimp masala, Vada Paav (Indian-style vegetarian sliders), apricot-glazed chicken wings, salmon with mango chutney, and a pistachio-crusted roulade with lemon cream for dessert. Debuting along with the revamped menu is a completely renovated space featuring warm woods, a mix of bar and traditional table seating, and a transition from counter service to full table service in the dining room. The spot is BYOB—without a corkage fee—and also offers nonalcoholic drinks including mango lassi and ginger-mint lemonade.

COMING SOON

The Food Market and The Charmery Expanding to Columbia: Speaking of The Avenue in Hampden, two of The Verandah’s most popular neighbors are widening their footprint to Howard County later this year. The Howard Hughes Corporation, which is overseeing the mixed-use development of Downtown Columbia, announced earlier this week that chef Chad Gauss will be bringing his fun spins on classic comfort foods to the new Central District near The Mall in Columbia in late 2020. In addition to the beloved lunch, brunch, and dinner menus, the new Food Market will also provide a custom coffee program for workers in nearby office buildings. City-defining ice cream shop The Charmery will also expand this summer with a new shop in Columbia’s Merriweather District, which is anchored by Merriweather Post Pavilion. Customers can look out for signatures like Old Bay Caramel and Maryland Mud, but given owners David and Laura Alima’s commitment to creativity, we wouldn’t be surprised to see a few flavors inspired by Merriweather’s music lineup, as well.

SHUT

Shiso Tavern: This Canton eatery has been a go-to for top-notch sushi and cocktails for more than seven years. But earlier this week, a post to the tavern’s Facebook page announced that the restaurant will close for good on Sunday, March 15. “We take with us many memories and hope you will join us this weekend reminiscing on the good times and celebrating new adventures,” reads the message from management and staff. There’s no word yet on what will become of the space on O’Donnell Square, which was known for its colorful rolls, wok dishes, and daily drink specials.

EAT

Feb. 1: Ice Cream for Breakfast at The Charmery

The Charmery, Towson, Medfield, and Hampden locations. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free.

Instead of starting your Saturday with cereal and milk or burnt toast with butter and jam, make your way to The Charmery to try ice cream inspired by those breakfast favorites instead. Keep your jammies on for this annual sugar-crazed morning—taking place at all three of the ice cream shop’s locations around Charm City—and sample outside-of-the-box flavors like cold pizza, vegan açaí bowl, and whole bean coffee infused with Vent Coffee. If you really want to indulge your sweet tooth, order the Cereal Bowl, featuring five baby scoops, or the “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” milkshake, made with cold brew coffee and croissant flakes.

DRINK

Feb. 2: Super Bowl Sunday

Locations, times, and prices vary.

Yes, we’re all still heartbroken over the Ravens’ early exit from this year’s playoff run, but no, that won’t keep us from celebrating football’s biggest night with plenty of booze, wings, and more booze. We rounded up the best places to watch Sunday’s Super Bowl matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs—featuring beer specials and all-you-can-drink packages at local bars—where you are almost guaranteed to find crestfallen Ravens fans still mourning the Super Bowl game that got away.

SEE

Feb. 2: Groundhog Day on Groundhog Day

The SNF Parkway Theatre, 5 W. North Avenue. 1-3 p.m. $8-11.

This Sunday, the world will watch with bated breath to see whether Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow on Groundhog Day. Whether the all-knowing groundhog declares six more weeks of winter or spring, celebrate this zany tradition by taking a matinee showing of Harold Ramis’ 1993 comedy of the same name at the historic Parkway Theatre. Whether it’s your first or thousandth time seeing the classic Bill Murray flick, don’t miss the chance to watch him relive Groundhog Day again and again on the big screen.

HEAR

Jan. 31: The Honey Dewdrops

Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. 8-11 p.m. $15-18.

Since this Baltimore-based Americana duo released their fifth record, Anyone Can See, last spring, we haven’t been able to get tunes like “More Than You Should Say” or “Ecola” out of our heads. This Friday, snag a seat at Creative Alliance to hear Laura Wortman and Kagey Parrish perform a collection of their harmony-soaked songs for an intimate audience. Be sure to pay close attention to the lyrics of songs like “Welcome to the Club” and “Going Rate”, which reflect the storytelling duo’s thoughts on the changing neighborhood of Hampden and the Baltimore Uprising.

DO

Jan. 31: Art After Hours

The Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr. 8-11 p.m. $20-25.

Art lovers, rejoice! The Baltimore Museum of Art’s late-night affair is back with a celebration of radical self-expression through art and fashion, thanks to inspiration from current exhibits Ellen Lesperance: Velvet Fist and Mickalene Thomas: A Moment’s Pleasure. As always, this night of revelry is packed with things to see and do: An anarchist sweater workshop with artist Ellen Lesperance, a retro brooch-making tutorial with artist René Treviño, and live performances by local R&B songstress Joy Postell and the Baltimore Boom Bap Society. Don’t forget to take advantage of the after-hours access to the galleries, where visitors can take in the exhibitions that influenced the event.

COMING SOON

Ministry of Brewing: Over the summer, we gave you a sneak peek at this new beer destination that has taken shape inside St. Michael’s Church in Upper Fells Point. Though locals were keeping their fingers crossed that the brewery would officially open last weekend, final inspections were still underway. But, to give antsy beer lovers a first taste at their signature brews, Ministry has taken over three taps at Canton’s Hudson Street Stackhouse with its “Wispy” hazy pale ale, “The Point” Czech pilsner, and “Old Maude” English brown ale. As for the actual space, the team is eager to open as soon as all the loose ends are tied up—which could be any day now.

Ekiben: The rumors are true. This week, Ekiben owners Steve Chu and Ephrem Abebe gave fans of their famous steamed bun sandwiches an early holiday present by confirming what the local food scene has been speculating for weeks now. Come early 2020, the Fells Point favorite will open a second eatery on the Avenue in Hampden. In a video posted to Instagram, the owners officially announced the new location that is reportedly taking over the former TigerStyle space in the alley behind Avenue Kitchen and Bar. The beloved Asian-fusion concept, which got its start at the Fells Point farmers’ market in 2014, has made a name for itself in the local dining scene—and beyond—for its staples like the Thai chicken meatballs, Taiwanese curry fried chicken, tofu nuggets in spicy peanut sauce, and tempura broccoli. Here’s hoping all of the signature dishes, and Ekiben’s frequent food collaborations, will carry over in the new space.

Neo Pizza: Signage recently spotted above the former AJ’s Deli stall at Mount Vernon Marketplace indicates that this Maryland pizza chain—which has locations in Bel Air and Annapolis—will be opening in the space in the coming months. Neo Pizza specializes in wood-fired pies, craft beer, and worldly wines. Its current locations also offer smaller plates like meatballs and fried calamari, as well as salads, burgers, and club sandwiches. The communal market, which highlights everything from dumplings and charcuterie to Indian bowls and Greek fare, hasn’t seen a pizza spot since Cocina Al Volo closed earlier this year.

CH-CH CHANGES

Sorrento of Arbutus: For more than 50 years, this neighborhood haunt has been the place to go for a quality slice in Arbutus. Owner Ella Kostinsky recently took to Facebook to announce that, although the restaurant will be sticking around for generations to come, she is planning to retire and pass the torch. “Change is inevitable and important in order to grow, and bring innovation within our community,” Kostinsky wrote. “I am excited to begin the next chapter in my life, and just as excited for the next chapter of Sorrentos.” In her message, she thanks longtime customers for their support, and assures that the new owner—who has more than 40 years of experience in the food business—will be preserving the spot’s name and secret pizza recipe. “I feel confident the new owner will grow the restaurant,” she said. “and that it will become even bigger and better.”

EPICUREAN EVENTS

12/28: Battle of the Birdland Wing Festival

Back in its fourth year, this celebration of all things wings is taking over Delia Foley’s in Federal Hill this weekend. The price of admission includes two drink tickets, a bottomless wing buffet, live music, and cash bar specials from 12-4 p.m. But the main events are the wing-eating contests—the first of which will be a race to see who can demolish 30 wings in the shortest span of time. The following “Hellhound Challenge,” which unsurprisingly requires a waiver, will crown the first eater who finishes 10 flaming-hot wings in a sauce that clocks in at a base of 9 million Scolvill units—which are used to measure pungency.

2/23-25: The Charmery Presents Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

We know, we know—February feels like a lifetime away. But The Charmery’s full-sensory movie showings tend to sell out quickly, so this is one to have on your radar early. The ice cream factory at Union Collective has previously hosted screenings of films including The Princess Bride and Elf with accompanying themed treats, and now it’s transforming into a Hogwarts-themed wonderland. See the first movie in the Harry Potter franchise like you’ve never experienced it before with a self-served popcorn bar, special punch, and other treats that correlate with scenes in the movie. $30

OPEN

Taharka Bros. Ice Cream: Tonight, the team from this homegrown sweet shop will celebrate the grand opening of their new R. House location with a lineup of guest scoopers—including 92Q radio personality Pork Chop, rapper and “Secretary of Shade” commentator DDm, and our own New York Times best-selling author D. Watkins. Taharka, which also operates a stall at Broadway Market in Fells Point, will take over the Remington food hall space that formerly housed Little Baby’s Ice Cream, which closed all of its shops last month. “We could not be more excited about this new location, especially given that we make the ice cream at our factory in Hampden so close by,” founder Sean Smeeton said in a statement. “R. House offers a unique venue and a chance for us to host events that help promote a positive image for Baltimore.”

Though Taharka has become known for its scrumptious scoops (Honey Graham, Key Lime Pie, and Coffee Oreo are among its standout flavors), the local business is equally celebrated for its socially conscious philosophy. Since rolling out its hot pink “Change Maker Mobile” in 2015, Taharka has used its ice cream as a vehicle for change—employing Baltimore City youth, hosting events to raise awareness for social justice issues, and creating innovative flavors that pay homage to community leaders.

Sizka: The old firehouse at the intersection of O’Donnell Street and South Linwood Avenue in Canton has a whole new look. The property that was most recently Firehouse Coffee Co. has transformed into this new Japanese fusion restaurant. Now in soft-opening mode, the refreshed space features a black-and-white aesthetic, wooden floors, and a long sushi bar. The menu—from team behind Niwana Restaurant in Charles Village—offers tons of colorful sushi rolls, omakase (chef’s choice) meals, and entrees including salmon teriyaki and barbecue-marinated short ribs.

NEWS

Acropolis Restaurant: Dinner service on Christmas Eve will be the last to savor the stuffed grape leaves, whole branzino, and lamb souvlaki platters at this 33-year-old Greektown staple. Owner George Avgerinos—who inherited the business from his father, the late Dimitrios “Jimmy” Avgerinos—announced last week that the family had sold the restaurant and would be closing for good after the holiday. “This type of business becomes your life,” he wrote in a message posted to Facebook. “And Acropolis and all of you have been such a huge part of ours. We take this step, not to lose a legacy, but to continue it with our loved ones and families.” In keeping with that sentiment, Averinos added that the family is continuing its catering services and he hinted at a possible new location in the future. (Read more about the family business in our upcoming February issue.)

EPICUREAN EVENTS

12/19: Christmas in Mexico
Don’t be surprised if you see a line snaked around the block at The Charmery’s flagship location in Hampden tonight. Master creamer David Alima has once again collaborated with his pal Carlos Raba of Clavel to serve festive fried ice cream to the masses. This year’s treat, “Adornos Navideños,” will top fried scoops of The Charmery’s Pure Vanilla flavor with raspberry sauce and a leche drizzle to resemble an edible ornament. A portion of all the evening’s proceeds will be donated to Guardian Baltimore—Raba’s yet-to-open jiu-jitsu youth center in Remington.

12/23: Navidad en Baltimore
In yet another holiday-themed collaboration, the teams from Fells Point favorites Ekiben and Cocina Luchadoras are coming together to host this epic pop-up next week. Swing by Ekiben on your lunch break to start the holiday feast early with Chinese red-braised short rib tamales, soups, and other Chinese-Mexican fusion fare—which, judging by previous collabs, we can only expect will sell out quickly.

It’s no secret that Baltimore is to thank for many of the inventions that have influenced the modern world. Here, we round up four of the coolest creations that the city takes credit for—and some of the local businesses keeping the tradition alive today.

LINOTYPE

In 1884, German-born inventor and Baltimorean Ottmar Mergenthaler invented the linotype, a machine that quickly set complete lines of type and revolutionized printing forever. In the first decade of its use, American news- paper readership shot from 3.6 million to more than 33 million.

→ BRICKHOUSE BOOKS
Though we’re well past the days of the linotype, Maryland’s oldest continuously operating small press (since 1970) embraces modern technology to print batches of poetry, fiction, drama, and artistic nonfiction from a wide range of voices.

→ BLACK CLASSIC PRESS
In 1978, W. Paul Coates started a press company in his basement, and it remains as one of the oldest independently owned black publishers in the United States. The legacy printer publishes and reissues works from African-American thinkers such as Walter Mosley and W.E.B. Du Bois.

BIKES

Baltimore became the birthplace of the American bicycle in 1818, when a local piano maker named James Stewart created his own take on the European velocipede. Bicycles, which originally had pedals on the front wheel, have evolved from the velocipede to the high-wheel bikes of the 19th century to the modern version seen on city streets today.

→ BALTIMORE BICYCLE WORKS
This dedicated worker-owned bicycle shop in Station North offers attentive customer service, repairs, and a selection of reliable bikes and parts, hop- ing to bring the joy of biking back to its birthplace.

→ JOE’S BIKE SHOP
Joe Traill, owner of Joe’s Bike Shop, fell in love with bikes at a young age and worked as both a bike messenger and a repairman before becoming the owner of one of Baltimore’s favorite bike repair shops.

RYE WHISKEY

In the early 19th century, Baltimore earned national recognition for the inven- tion and distillation of this tasty liquor. The rye whiskey industry boomed until Prohibition brought production to a halt, but, luckily for local rye lovers, it has enjoyed a full-blown renaissance in the Old Line State thanks to area distilleries.

→ SAGAMORE SPIRIT
In 2017, Sagamore Spirit, co-founded by Under Armour mogul Kevin Plank, helped resurrect Maryland’s rye whiskey industry with its signature sipper proofed with limestone water from an area horse farm. The distillery’s headquarters in Port Covington hosts tours, workshops, and events dedicated to teaching visitors about the local history of the spirit as well as the practice of whiskey production.

→ BALTIMORE SPIRITS CO.
Housed in Medfield’s Union Collective and founded by three Baltimore natives in 2015, the Baltimore Spirits Company uses modern distillation techniques to create their own version of the old-world spirit. While the popular spot also distills liquors such as gin and brandy, the Epoch Rye has remained its calling card.

ICE CREAM FACTORY

In 1851, Baltimore milk dealer Jacob Fussell took over a dairy business that sold a frozen blend of milk, eggs, and sugar, and not long after, he opened the nation’s first ice cream factory. Fussell’s mass production of the sweet treat made making ice cream affordable and turned it into the phenomenon the world knows and loves.

→ THE CHARMERY
Since the Charmery opened its flagship store in Hampden in 2013, this beloved creamery has expanded to two addition- al locations and has its own factory in Union Collective. Known for out-of-the box flavors such as Old Bay Caramel and Cheese and Crackers, this fan-favorite brand is definitely keeping Baltimore’s ice cream legacy alive.

→ TAHARKA BROTHERS ICE CREAM

This socially conscious ice cream business uses its delicious flavors, now served out of Broadway Market, as well as tons of local restaurants and grocery stores, as a vehicle to bring people together to discuss social change in the city and beyond.

Creole Soul: Ever since R. House said goodbye to Arba Mediterranean last month, regulars have been wondering what would fill the void in the Remington food hall. This week, it was announced that local pop-up Creole Soul—which emphasizes, you guessed it, New Orleans-style soul food—will settle in the space later this month. (Get a first taste this weekend when chef Que Neal and her fiancé, co-founder Dedric Richardson, take over R. House’s pop-up stall one last time before becoming a permanent vendor.) A grand opening event on December 20 will feature on-theme touches including Mardi Gras-inspired face painting, a King Cake, and live music by Rufus Roundtree. As for the menu, chef Neal will offer classics such as shrimp and grits, seafood gumbo, oyster po-boys, beignets, and “Mee Maw’s Famous” banana pudding.

In other R. House news, the communal spot will celebrate its third birthday with drink specials and festivities this weekend, and plans for the Little Baby’s Ice Cream stall—which closed last week after the Philadelphia-based company announced that it was shutting down all of its locations—will be announced next week. Stay tuned for more details.

Maximón: Atlas Restaurant Group is just about ready to reveal yet another concept in Harbor East. A swanky bash on New Year’s Eve will be the first night for diners to experience Maximón—the group’s Latin American-inspired restaurant set in the former home of Wit & Wisdom inside the Four Seasons Baltimore. After that, regular dinner service will begin on January 2. Chef Colin King, previously of New York restaurant group Empellon, will present a menu of ceviches, salads, and entrees including portobello fajitas and whole roasted bass with yucca and black mint. A selection of taco fillings range from Chesapeake catfish with Baja crema to oxtail with salsa verde. The bar program will also have a South American focus, offering an exclusive blend of tequila produced at the Patrón headquarters in Jalisco, Mexico.

Döner Brös: Back in 2015, Alex Politsch and Steven Banks went to Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany and fell in love with authentic döner meat—which is traditionally cooked on a vertical rotisserie. The duo brought the delicacy back to Baltimore and roamed around on their Döner Brös food truck for a year before debuting a brick-and-mortar location in Charles Village in 2018. Their salads, bowls, wraps, and sandwiches filled with the flavorful proteins have caught on so much, in fact, that the founders are preparing to debut another shop in Harbor Point this summer. In addition to the signature meats, fries, falafel, and Turkish nachos (fries layered with döner meat and nacho cheese), the new spot will also offer beer and wine. Plus, to accommodate business professionals in the area, it will highlight a special shareable menu for small groups that can be eaten on the go.

OPEN

Andina: Fans of Peruvian gem Puerto 511 have kept their eyes peeled for this spinoff empanada shop from husband-and-wife owners José Victorio Alarcon and Connie Vásquez. After four months of work, the restaurant has officially opened at 101 W. Lexington Street downtown. While Puerto focuses on refined dishes such as cassava fritters stuffed with ribeye and lomo saltado (stir-fried beef with fried potatoes and white rice), Andina offers more casual fare, including rice dishes and an expansive empanada menu. But, at both locations, the owners’ love for their culture shines through. “We can again say thanks to our dear Baltimore, a city that grows with people’s dreams,” the owners wrote in a post to Facebook. “Total thanks.”

Plantbar: On the heels of Red Pepper Sichuan Bistro’s debut on Allegheny Avenue in Towson, the block has also welcomed a new location of this homegrown juice bar and cafe—which has other spots scattered everywhere from Belvedere Square to Brewer’s Hill. Snag a seat in the space decorated with dark woods and interior greenery, to enjoy made-to-order juices, superfood smoothies, açai bowls, coffees, and wellness shots.

EPICUREAN EVENTS

12/5: Origins: A Speaker Series

In the latest installment of this sustainable speaker series at Artifact Coffee, listen in as Seeva and Vivek Malik of New Jersey-based Bhumi Growers explain the ins and outs of growing exotic citrus in the mid-Atlantic. Following the conversation, stick around for a family-style feast featuring some of the speakers’ prized produce. 6:30 p.m. $60

12/6: Noisy Burger at The Charmery Ice Cream Factory
Remember when students from Baltimore City’s Mergenthaler Vocational Technical High School first debuted their own burger pop-up at R. House in 2017? The young chefs are back in action and ready to host another community event with The Charmery this weekend. From 6-10 p.m., enjoy Noisy Burger’s turkey and beef patties topped with locally sourced ingredients alongside orders of fries. Of course, no burger is complete without a shake. And naturally, the team from the Charmery will be on hand to mix up signature flavors to pair with all of the eats.

SHUT

Jack and Zach’s: After eight years on North Charles Street in Mt. Vernon, this small-but-mighty diner closed its doors for good on November 27. “The J&Z red counter has been home to so many incredible customers and conversations over the years,” owners Jack Neill and Zachary Schoettler wrote in a message announcing the closure. “We’re grateful for all of you helping this little farm-to-table 12-seater become the community that we dreamed of.” Although diners will no longer be able to enjoy the duo’s hearty breakfast sandwiches and omelets in the space, this certainly isn’t the last we’ll see of Jack and Zach’s. In fact, the owners have teamed up with Larder in Old Goucher to host a brunch pop-up this Sunday, December 8 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Stop by to get your fix of locally sourced omelets, grits, bacon, and, of course, coffee blends from Larder’s trusty neighbor Sophomore Coffee.

EAT

Oct. 27: The Charmery Goes Ghostbusters

The Charmery, 1700 W. 41st St. 3-5:30 p.m. $30.

Who ya gonna call for ice cream and a movie? Kick off the second season of the Charmery’s full-sensory movie experience this Halloweekend with a showing of Ghostbusters, the family-friendly film about a team of scientists that team up to battle supernatural spirits. This Sunday, head to the ice cream factory to enjoy treats like a self-serve popcorn bar, a spook-tastic specialty punch, and snacks to fit a few special scenes while taking in this 1980s classic. And remember: Never. Cross. Streams.

DRINK

Oct. 26:Monument City Fall Festival

Monument City Brewing Company, 1 N. Haven St. 12-7 p.m. Free.

There are plenty of fall festivals happening around town this weekend, but this one-day beer fest stands out among the pack with its top-notch eats, entertainment, and specialty cask lineup. Stop by the Highlandtown brewery on Saturday to carve a pumpkin, play carnival games, nosh on lunch by Snake Hill and the From the Heart food truck, and, of course, sip on seasonal brews all afternoon long. The best part? The proceeds from this fall extravaganza will support Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s efforts to build a bike route behind the brewery.

SEE

Oct. 26: The Great Halloween Lantern Parade & Festival

Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. 7:30 & 10:30 p.m. $12-15.

We’re already shivering with antici…pation for this interactive screening of the weird and wild cult classic at Creative Alliance. Tighten your garters for a night filled with the traditional movie callbacks and costume contests, as well as special burlesque, drag, and tap performances by beloved local drag queens Betty O’Hellno, Venus Fastrada, and Baby. Come up to the Highlandtown lab and see what’s on the slab during this Halloween tradition that’s sure to leave you wanting more, more, more.

HEAR

Oct. 26: Hon-O-Ween

Cafe Hon, 1000 W. 36th St. 8 p.m.-12 a.m. Free.

One of the city’s most beloved fall traditions turns 20 this year, and to celebrate, there will be even more parade floats, glowing sculptures, and dance parties than ever before. After spending the afternoon in Patterson Park for the annual Lantern Festival, join thousands of onlookers and watch people of all ages parade through the park holding glowing lanterns and marching alongside community bands.

DO

Oct. 25: Bike Party: Halloween Ride

Paca & Camden Sts. 8 a.m. $60-280.

Every year, hundreds of novice and avid cyclists don their Halloween costume a few days early and take a glow-in-the-dark ride through the streets of Baltimore. This annual bike ride starts at St. Mary’s Park, winds through Charles Village and Belair, and ends at Monument City Brewing with a big she-bang of an after-party. Reward yourself with some extra calories from Dizzy Cow Pizzeria, Farm to Charm food truck, and plenty of brews before heading home for the night.

Do you ever love a restaurant so much you want to take a piece of it home with you? And no, we’re not talking about petty theft of salt and pepper shakers or a short-lived box of leftovers.

Many beloved local restaurants sell swag, so you can flaunt your adoration for them anytime. Our own collection includes a navy blue long-sleeve from McFaul’s IronHorse Tavern of Parkville, a coffee mug dotted with strawberries from Ocean City’s Bayside Skillet, and a bumper sticker from the ever-quirky Papermoon Diner.

And while you might get a new addition to your closet, the restaurant also gets a boost in the name of free advertising.

Restaurant consultant Arlene Spiegel of Arlene Spiegel & Associates in New York City notes that restaurant merchandising is a way to make sure that a given brand stays with a guest.

“Whether it’s a T-shirt, an umbrella, or a jar of barbecue sauce,” Spiegel says, “the whole idea is that the brand is extended beyond the brick and mortar of the restaurant itself.”

If you want to show support for your favorite spot, check out some of these nifty merch options.

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The Charmery Engraved Ice-Cream Scoop ($20)

Why stop at simply taking home a pint of one of the Charmery’s eccentric flavors? Recreate the experience by treating yourself to an ice-cream scoop engraved with the shop’s logo.

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Baby’s on Fire Mug (10)

Show off your love for records and your dedication to caffeine by grabbing a cute white mug with the logo of Mt. Vernon’s finest. Better still, stop in for
a cup of coffee and buy a mug for whomever you call ‘baby.’

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Sticky Rice Star Wars Shirt ($16)

Whether you’re a sci-fi buff or a connoisseur of high-quality tater tots, Sticky Rice has something for everyone. Meld the two passions together by checking out this T-shirt, and we can (almost) guarantee that you’ll be the only person in the room wearing tater-shooting-spaceship chic.

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Duck Duck Goose Baseball Hat ($30)

There aren’t many things in this world cuter than baby ducks, which is why we adore the embroidered ducks on the back of the hats from this Fells Point eatery. For a fashion-forward look, wear it backwards to display the ducks to the world.

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EAT

Aug. 3: The Charmery Turns Six

The Charmery in Hampden, Towson, & Ice Cream Factory. Hampden & Towson 12-11 p.m., Ice Cream Factory, 12-10p.m. Free.

One of Baltimore’s favorite sweet shops is celebrating its sixth anniversary the only way it knows how—by hosting a nostalgic-themed party with new ice cream flavors inspired by old-school sitcoms. Stop by any of The Charmery’s locations to sample TV show-inspired flavors such as Golden Girls cheesecake with Golden Grahams, a Cheers beer nuts flavor made with Union Craft Brewing Skipjack Caramel, and a Giligan’s Island take on a vegan coconut cream pie. To really treat your sweet tooth, visit all three locations on Saturday to win a limited-edition Charmery mug and enjoy a free baby scoop with every purchase.

 

DRINK

Aug. 3: Guinness Open Gate Brewery Anniversary Party

Guinness Open Gate Brewery, 5001 Washington Blvd, Halethorpe. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Free-$75

Somehow, it’s already been a year since the only Guinness brewery in America opened in Halethorpe, and local fans of the iconic Irish stout are more than ready to toast the brewery’s big birthday. On Saturday, start the day off with beer-inspired treats by Charm City Cakes (think tart hibiscus wheat and tangerine cream ale flavors), down some signature brews, and then party all night with a performance by country music superstar Frankie Ballard. And don’t miss the tapping of the new, small-batch anniversary brew called Grand Cru—a bourbon barrel aged stout blended with a rum barrel-aged golden ale.

 

SEE

Aug. 3: Solange Knowles’ When I Get Home

Lexington Market, 400 W Lexington St. 11-11:45 a.m. & 12-12:45 p.m. Free.

If you haven’t stopped by the Baltimore Museum of Art’s Lexington Market branch yet, this exclusive, free screening of singer-songwriter Solange Knowles’ art film is the perfect opportunity. The 41-minute piece is an accompaniment to Knowles’ latest album “When I Get Home.” It features futurist rodeo nods to the singer’s Houston lineage, and explores the concepts of origin and evolution. Catch one of the two screenings on Saturday afternoon to see new scenes and hear musical arrangements in this exclusive director’s-cut showing.

 

HEAR

Aug. 3: Micah E. Wood

Ottobar, 2549 N Howard St. 9p.m. $10.

Baltimore producer, photographer, and recording artist Micah E. Wood is bringing his unapologetically heartfelt sound to Remington this weekend. Hear this singer-songwriter gets into his feelings with tunes like “The Truth” before getting the crowd going with “Summertime,” and don’t miss out on performances by other rising local acts including Romantic States, DYYO, Eyas, and Station North Sadboi. If that isn’t convincing enough, there will also be ice pops by CM POPS for sale during this can’t-miss show.

 

DO

Aug. 1-4: BronyCon

Baltimore Convention Center, 1 W Pratt St. Thurs. 9a.m. – Sun. 5p.m. Free-$2,000.

Friendship will turn into magic at this weekend-long extravaganza that brings more than 9,000 My Little Pony fans together from every corner of the globe. Since this weekend’s convention marks BronyCon’s swan song, don’t miss the final chance to experience screenings, a talent show, more than 20 musical acts (including HollowPoint, Eurobeat Brony, and StrachAttack) and tons of special guests during the four-day cosplay utopia

COMING SOON

The Charmery: Baltimore’s own quirky ice cream shop has already made its mark on the Northern Baltimore neighborhoods—serving scoops at its Hampden flagship, Towson storefront, and massive Medfield production factory inside Union Collective. And now, it’s spreading the love south. The Baltimore Business Journal broke the news this week that husband-and-wife owners David and Laura Alima plan to open a fourth location at 46 E. Cross Street in Federal Hill in the coming months. “The factory only works if it has something to feed,” David said of The Charmery’s expansion, in our profile of the couple last year. Unlike the other shops, the small storefront across from Cross Street Market will feature a walk-up window concept. Signature flavors will include locally inspired favorites like Old Bay Caramel, Maryland Mud, Lemon Stick, and Tell Tale Chocolate.

OPEN

Coelum Cafe, Bar, and Market: This new dining destination in Canton—whose name translates to “sky” or “heaven” in Latin—is fittingly decorated with feather details and lots of lush greenery. Industry veterans Corey Laub and Ryan Thacker opened the restaurant earlier this week in the former home of Gitan Bistro Cru in Canton. The menu pairs batched cocktails and natural wines with seasonal dishes like summer squash risotto, fried green tomatoes, and duck confit. Coelum (pronounced coy-loom) will also offer a retail market stocked with local products like Open Seas Coffee and cupcakes from Slam Bakes.

Ono Poke: Nothing beats a refreshing poke bowl during the dog days of summer. Ono Poke officially opened inside the newly renovated Cross Street Market in Federal Hill last week, offering the authentic Hawaiian delicacy of raw fish topped with sweet and spicy sauces and vegetables. If you still haven’t gotten a chance to check out the upgrades at the market, stop in to try one of Ono’s signature bowls including the “Smooth N Spicy” (ahi tuna, creamy spicy aioli, avocado, cucumber, jalapeno, habanero masago) or the “Lomi Lomi” with salmon and citrus shoyu vinaigrette. Other vendors on deck to open in July include Annoula’s Kitchen, Sobeachy Haitian Cuisine, and a stall slinging Royal Farms chicken.

NEWS

The Bluebird Cocktail Room Turns Two: It’s been two years since Hampden’s literary-themed cocktail haven officially joined the scene. On Sunday, July 7, the bar is celebrating its big birthday accordingly with raffles, discounted drinks, and new menu items. Starting at 12 p.m., Bluebird’s downstairs pub will be offering happy hour specials and half-off its signature Old Fashioneds during brunch. Make your way upstairs when the Cocktail Room opens at 5 p.m. to sample summer sips (new drinks include the watermelon molasses-infused “Waxen Fruit Impends” and vodka-based “Goddess Strikes #2”) and enter into a raffle to win a private cocktail class. Throughout the day, the team will be donating $1 from every cocktail purchased to the nearby Hampden Family Center.

Citron Wins Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator: The wine program at this Pikesville fine-dining den got some national recognition this week when it was listed among the winners of Wine Spectator’s annual Restaurant Awards. Citron was given the Award of Excellence for its well-curated wine list, which features more than 1,700 regional bottles. The restaurant joins the ranks of other previous Baltimore winners including Magdalena, Tagliata, and The Prime Rib.

EPICUREAN EVENTS

TO 7/6: South American Showdown at Bar Vasquez
Speaking of wine, Bar Vasquez in Harbor East is hosting a head-to-head showdown menu as a way to introduce diners to some of South America’s most impressive varieties. The $55 four-course menu features six wine pairings (two for each savory course) ranging from a Mendoza malbec to a classic cabernet franc. Dishes to look out for will include crispy zucchini with caper herb aioli, lobster and corn cakes, wood-grilled Hudson Valley duck breast, and a traditional tres leches cake.

7/6: Independence Weekend Block Party at Fat Tiger
The Fourth of July fireworks will likely all have fizzled out by this weekend, but the bar team behind Fat Tiger and El Tigre at Broadway Market is keeping the party going with this block party from 1-10 p.m. on Saturday. Head to the market’s patio to enjoy an all-American menu of pulled pork, chorizo, beer-can chicken, baked beans, mac and cheese, and jalapeño cornbread paired with icy cocktails made with Baltimore Spirits’ Company gin and amaro.

7/6: Fried Chicken and Champagne at Chez Hugo
It might seem odd, but fried chicken and champagne remains one of the most underrated culinary combinations. For the second year in a row, Chez Hugo is celebrating National Fried Chicken Day by frying up breasts, thighs, drumsticks, and wings and drizzling them in espelette honey. A la carte sides will include buttermilk biscuits, charred kale, barbecue baked beans, and caviar. Specifically for the occasion, bar manager Maximo Guerra has hand-selected four champagne options by the glass, as well as many specialty bubbles by the bottle.

EAT

May 17: Masarap Pop-up at Suspended Brewing Company

Suspended Brewing Company, 912 Washington Blvd. 5-9 p.m. Free.

If you didn’t get the chance to try local chef Rey Eugenio’s top-notch Filipino eats during his pop-up concept’s stint at Fadensonnen or Greener Fest, head to Pigtown this Friday to sample everything on this entirely plant-based menu. From Masarap staples like charred Brussels sprouts and Filipino-style stir-fry noodles to roasted corn and oyster dumplings, this vegan lineup pairs perfectly with a few of the South Baltimore brewery’s signature pours. And, since one dollar from each pint supports the next Charm City Night Market, there’s no shame in snacking and boozing all night long.

DRINK

May 17: Maryland Craft Beer Fest

Max’s Taphouse, 737 S. Broadway. 11-2 a.m. Free.

Outdoor beer festivals may be all the rage, but there’s something about walking into Max’s Taphouse and seeing 90 taps (yes, you read that correctly) full of Maryland beer that can’t be beat. This Friday, start early and work your way through beers by more than 40 local breweries, including Charm City favorites like Heavy Seas and Diamondback as well as newcomers like Nepenthe and Mobtown Brewing. Whether you spend the day sampling new brews or sticking to your go-to guarantees, we recommend ordering some nachos or tater tots every few rounds to soak up the suds.

SEE

May 15-Dec.1: Hitching Their Dreams to Untamed Stars

The Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr. Wed.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free.

If you do nothing else this spring, visit the Baltimore Museum of Art to experience this awe-inspiring exhibition that celebrates the profound work of MacArthur-award winning local artist Joyce J. Scott and her mother, Elizabeth Talford Scott. The curated collection features Talford Scott’s experimental textile pieces, including a quilt that depicts the North Star as a matriarchal beacon of freedom, along with examples of Scott’s art that responds to her mother’s textile tradition. The exhibition’s seven-month run encourages visitors to view the pair’s thought-provoking bodies of work again and again.

HEAR

May 17: Micah E. Wood Album Release

The Charmery Ice Cream Factory, 1700 W. 41st St., Suite 400. 8-11:45 p.m. $10.

We agree with Micah E. Wood: If having your own ice cream flavor at your self-titled album release party isn’t the ultimate flex, we don’t know what is. Pack The Charmery Ice Cream Factory on Friday night to hear this beloved local musician and photographer perform bare-it-all songs from his third record, as well as sets by indie-pop quintet Super City, pop-opera duo Outcalls, rapper Al Rogers Jr., and DJ Loc Spice. Grab a complimentary scoop of the singer-songwriter’s signature flavor (ginger-lemon-coconut) and bop along to brand-new tracks dedicated to introspection, self-care, and—of course—his dog, Ansel.

DO

May 18: Preakness Stakes

Pimlico Race Course, 5201 Park Heights Ave. 9 a.m. $99-720.

After months of debates and hearings about the future of the iconic Preakness Stakes, this weekend’s events will be the first time in a while that the focus will be on the actual horse race, not the political one surrounding its potential move to Laurel Park. On Saturday, start the festivities early at the ever-raucous InfieldFest, featuring the likes of EDM star Kygo, popular rapper Logic, and DJ/producer Diplo, before heading to the track for the main event. Above all else, revel in the chance to cheer on the middle jewel of the Triple Crown for what could be one of the final times at Pimlico Race Course.

In a world of bravado and swagger, Micah E. Wood’s unapologetically heart-on-his-sleeve music is a breath of fresh air. But where the local troubadour once sang about new relationships, unrequited romance, and the trials and tribulations of dating in modern times, his new self-titled record is a love letter to himself. It’s relatable for any listener, with each song acting as a sort of mantra on reflection, introspection, and self-care. Before his release show at The Charmery Ice Cream Factory on Friday May 17, we sat down with the artist to talk about owning your feelings, fending off imposter syndrome, and the love of his life—his dog, Ansel.

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Okay, here we are, let’s find out the ins and outs of Micah E. Wood.

Is Micah E. Wood nice?

Read on to find out.

I want a clickbait-y title to this interview, for sure. I’m still trying to come up with a better term for myself now that I’ve decided that I hate the term “sad boy.” I’m not sad anymore. Any time a man uses emotions, he’s deemed a sad boy. Men should be able to just use emotions.

If you’re not sad anymore, what are you now?

I’m just self-reflective. Or trying to be. There are plenty of things to be sad about, and there are some sad songs on the record, but in general, I’m just processing emotions.

On some of the songs, you seem to get pissed, in a cathartic way.

Uh-huh. And not necessarily pissed at people. Like on “I Don’t Need Your Love,” I’m not mad at anyone, I’m just screaming into the void.

How did you shift from sadness to introspection?

Two years ago, I was still figuring out what it was like to be single and how to date and I wrote pop music because it made me feel better. This new record is still pop music—it’s just not as bright and synth-heavy. These aren’t humble brags, but in the last two years, I decided to get healthier, I lost like 55 pounds, I got to perform in France, I wanted to lean into my voice, so I started taking vocals lessons, and on top of all that, I bought a house and in that house is my grandfather’s grand piano. I wrote all of these songs on that piano.

It was also the first time that I really tried not to date and just be with myself. I was trying to figure out what I needed on my own, so I could be a full-functioning person for someone else. It’s me accepting that I’m an adult and in turn taking these songs more seriously. With my last record, See Me, I’d write a song and call it done. This record is a good mix of songs that came organically and songs that I knew could be better. I’ve never done that before—really tear things apart to figure out what wasn’t working.

Do you think you were able to do that because you took that time to yourself?
I think so. I think it’s also hard to accept needing help from others. And it’s hard to accept that some things need editing. A lot of us like to think if we can’t just organically do something, then we’re not talented. I’ve been trying really hard to say “fuck off” to imposter syndrome, but it’s so hard. I still feel it every day. I’ll have two weeks like, “There’s no point . . .” And then I’ll have two weeks like, “This is minorly good.” That’s my peak excitement. “This is slightly enjoyable! I might get four new fans! My mom will like this!”

I love that she’s your number one fan.

She has not heard any of this.

What do you think she’s going to think of “Take It Slow”?

Listen, I told her that this record is PG-13. There’s no cursing, but there are suggestive themes. The funny thing is, in 2019, she won’t be at all bothered by the fact that I said weed, but she’ll definitely be uncomfortable by that song. I said to Corynne [Ostermann], my work wife, who plays bass on the entire record [and in local punk band Natural Velvet], “This is the sexiest song I ever wrote.” She was like, “Yeah, it’s really good, but it’s not thatsexy, it’s more loving.” I mean, this is all I’ve got, but it makes me feel better than she said it’s not peak sexy, it’s romantic sexy, and I think my mom can appreciate that. The song is actually about that feeling of finally being comfortable with someone. A lot of people don’t talk about how uncomfortable things like sex can be. There’s your title, “Micah talks about sex.”

There’s a much bigger sound on this record that seems to draw inspiration from previous decades.

I figured, if I was going to make a record about myself, it couldn’t just be one sound. You know the typical dating profile, like, “I listen to everything, except for country!” Well, I actually listen to everything, and still do love country. I just skipped the kind that everyone in Virginia listens to where the guy’s first name and last names are both first names. But I grew up listening to a lot of psychedelic, dream-pop Beatles and Beach Boys. At the same time, I decided that I was going to use less humor, and when I did use it, I wanted to use it so seriously that people knew it was not a joke.

My personal favorite is “Summertime.”

That song is meant to capture the experience of your first crush. The first time you really feel your heart move is the first time you have some dumb crush for someone when you’re 6, 7, 8, or 9, or you’re at Jewish summer camp—very specific, I know. You meet someone and are like, “I loveyou” and that’s the first time you truly know what’s happening, even though you don’t know why it’s happening yet. And then when it doesn’t work out, it’s the first time you feel yourself sink to the floor. When they don’t like you back because . . .

You live like three states away.

Yeah, you’re like, “It won’t work!” And they’re like, “That’s just an excuse!” But really, that song had to be the intro, because it walked you in from where the last record left off. I really tapped into how I feel about love now.

How do you feel about love now?

I feel good about it. I’m not in love, but I feel less pressure about it. And definitely some relief. I met someone who lived across the country and it didn’t end up working out, but my barber said to me, sometimes experiencing that type of emotion for a person when you haven’t felt a strong connection for a long time, it just reminds you that it does exist, and it is possible even if it isn’t that person. It’s kind of just exciting to know that I now have a point to strive for.

You know what you want.

On “Tell Me,” I’m not singing to any one person, but like in a movie when a person sits down their partner and is like, “Listen, I’m getting older. I don’t have to get married right now, I don’t want to have kids right now, but I want you to know, I do eventually want these things.” It’s a disclaimer. I write the type of songs where a girl might see me on stage and think I’m cute but then hears my lyrics and is like, “Ooooh, that’s a lot more than I’m willing to take on right now . . .” I wanted to write that song for years, but I never had the confidence to just be like, “Yeah, I want kids some day!” That’s a bold thing to say, especially in a song, especially in 2019, when everyone’s like, “Don’t you know the world’s falling apart?” I’m like, “Yeah, I do know that, but that’s their problem!” No, I’m just kidding.

Speaking of children, you have a song dedicated to your dog, Ansel.

He’s scared of almost everything in the world, but he’s always liked music. I attribute it to raising him on [Kanye West’s] Yeezus. And I put his dog bed behind my piano seat and when I play piano, no matter what he’s doing or how anxious he is, he runs over and curls up behind me and goes to sleep. He loves the piano, and I never knew. I was writing a song that could easily be a love song, but I wasn’t dating anyone at the time and felt like I can’t write what I don’t know. But then I realized, I love Ansel more than anything. He deserves his own love song.

It’s just me imagining him running in a field. I’ve sung it so many times, just looking at him dramatically, that now I just hit that first chord and he lays down, like, “Okay, sing to me, this is my jam.”

What comes next?

That’s a bold question.

Maybe it’s a nap.

I have the release show coming up and I’ve pulled together a full band for it. I’ve never been a frontman in a band and I’m sure it’s going to go right to my head.

And you’re going to have your own ice cream flavor at The Charmery, where the album is being released this Friday?

Ginger-lemon-coconut. They came up with the idea of calling it “Self-Titled.” It’s my ultimate flex. Tickets come with a single scoop. I just hope people hear it and relate to something on it. I joked the other day that I can’t be famous, because I would be just such a disappointment. Like, “Micah is at Clavel, again. Eating the same thing. He just went home at 7 p.m. to hang out with his dog, again.”

This record seemed less self-deprecating, but I’m glad to know that it’s still alive and well.

Oh yeah, don’t worry! But I did make a conscious decision to try to make music that was self-reflective but less burdening. I don’t want a pity party. I want to be like, “Here’s how I processed things, maybe you can, too.”

In Westeros, the night is dark and full of terror. In Baltimore, the night is full of dark ales and terrifyingly good drink specials. Game of Thrones, the HBO show about frowning and dragons, begins its final season on April 14 and establishments around the city are ready for the premiere. Here are the best places to go before your watch has ended.

Baltimore Improv Group: Improv gets a bad wrap. Some might think of it as a bunch of goobers repeatedly shouting bawdy innuendos, but when done by skilled performers, it is uproariously hilarious. For the next six Thursdays, the Baltimore Improv Group at the BIG theater will host a Game of Thrones-inspired variety show. Come watch Baltimore’s funniest turn incest into high comedy. 1727 N. Charles St.

Camden Yards: On May 21, the Baltimore Orioles will force the Minnesota Twins to bend the knee during Game of Thrones night. Ticket packages are available and include access to an exclusive pregame party and a Game of Thrones bobblehead. Adding to the cross-promotional synergy, the only thing colder than a White Walker is Chris Davis’ bat. 333 W. Camden St. 410-685-9800

The Charles: Spring may have sprung, but winter is undoubtedly coming to The Charles. Starting on April 14, this Federal Hill watering hole will host watch parties on its massive screens throughout the GoT season, celebrating the show’s return with a bevy of drink specials and bar snacks. 1110 S. Charles St. 410-727-2333

The Charmery: We’re just putting this out there, but our favorite raft of angsty Westerosi characters would probably be a lot more laid back if they had ice cream—especially if they could gather around this Hampden creamery’s “Game of Cones” pints. Pledge your allegiance to “House Lannister” (a pinot noir caramel base flecked with golden white chocolate bits), “House Targaryen” (a dragonfruit base with Atomic Fireball swirl), or “House Stark” (a wintergreen and spearmint base with peppermint chips). The pints will be available for pre-order only and can be picked up from The Charmery’s ice cream factory inside Union Collective from April 13-21. 1700 W. 41st St.

Donut Stop Believin’: On April 20, chef Doug Wetzel’s donut pop-up will return to the 32nd Street Farmers Market serving the “You Know Nothing Jon Sno-nut.” The chocolate cake doughnut, topped with vanilla sea salt glaze and charcoal Oreo frosting, is the kind of outside-the-box—or, more fittingly, beyond-the-wall—thinking that has made Wetzel one of Baltimore’s most acclaimed chefs. 400 E. 32nd St.

Live! Casino & Hotel: Here is your chance to prove that you drink and you know things. At this Game of Thrones trivia brunch on premiere day, channel your inner Tyrion Lannister for the chance at winning a seven-day trip to Croatia and visiting the real life King’s Landing. There will also be a special menu of GoT-inspired dishes including Littlefinger-ling potatoes, Wolfswood free-range turkey, Robert’s Rebellion bacon, and Ramsay’s crispy breakfast taters. Tickets are $50 in advance and $60 at the door. 7002 Arundel Mills Circle.

Order & Chaos: No, “Order & Chaos” is not the name of the next entry in the original book series that you will never read. Rather, this South Baltimore coffee shop is offering a cornucopia of Game of Thrones’ eats and drinks. Stop by for the “Valar Morghulis” mocha (espresso, mocha syrup, and milk, topped with dragon art) and try not to think about the fact that all men must die. There will also be fittingly named cupcake flavors including the red velvet “Dragon Egg,” vanilla “Winter is Coming”, and chocolate “Dragon” with buttercream icing. 1410 Key Highway. 410-244-1111

The Outpost American Tavern: Here’s your chance to sit on the Iron Throne. Well, sort of. This Federal Hill restaurant will be outfitted with Game of Thrones decor—such as the sigils of major houses that are vying for the throne—and will serve a specialty brunch menu of GoT grub on April 14. 1032 Riverside Ave. 443-388-9113

CH CH CHANGES

Ouzo Beach: Once the warmer temperatures roll in this spring, Ouzo Bay in Harbor East will debut its own 120-seat waterfront venue across Lancaster Street. Aptly named Ouzo Beach, the expansion will further the restaurant’s Mediterranean mission with touches like villa-inspired lounge seating, palm trees, blue stone, and a 75-foot long wooden trellis. The outdoor hangout will also have its own bar and serve the same menu as the restaurant, which highlights whole grilled fish, lamb dishes, and other authentic Greek specialties.

As planning continues, the interior of Ouzo Bay is also getting a refresh this month. The restaurant will be closed through January 9 for upgrades including new flooring, a DJ booth, and basket-woven light fixtures made in Greece. All of the changes coincide with the hiring of new general manager Rita Lymperopoulos, a local hospitality veteran who was a former operating partner of now-closed Della Notte in Little Italy. “We are excited to welcome Rita into the Atlas Restaurant Group family,” said CEO Alex Smith in a statement. “In addition to being an expert on Greek cuisine and culture, she also has a wonderful reputation as a first-class restaurant operator and is familiar with the local community.” 1000 Lancaster St. 443-708-5818

NEWS

Mexican on the Run: Big things are already happening for this fan-favorite taco truck in 2019. Owner Jimmy Longoria recently scored a 2008 Chevy, which will act as a sibling truck for his current kitchen-on-wheels that dates back to 1985. “Basically we have an OG and a millennial on our hands now,” Longoria quipped on Instagram. The plan is for the new truck to focus on Mexican seafood dishes inspired by Longoria’s upbringing in Los Angeles. “I grew up eating seafood as much as tacos,” he tells us. By offering eats like ceviche, shrimp cocktail, and octopus tostadas, Longoria hopes to highlight the similarities between Baltimore’s seafood staples and the Mexican iterations.

In addition to landing the new truck, Mexican on the Run is also planning to move into its own commissary kitchen in Towson later this month. The prep space will allow the team to not only expand the menu, but also accept more catering and farmers market gigs in the coming year. “I’m actually taking a solo trip back home to LA later this month,” Longoria says. He plans to visit 12 of the city’s top Mexican pop-ups, food trucks, and stalls ranked by Los Angeles magazine to help inspire the new menu. 443-800-3275

Imbibe Names Hollie Stephenson Beer Person of the Year: Heading up brewing operations for the new 62-acre Guinness facility in Halethorpe—the first on American soil in more than 60 years—is no easy feat. But head brewer Hollie Stephenson has hit the ground running, brewing batches of Guinness Blonde Ale, as well as outside-of-the-box styles like an apricot pale ale and Bulleit bourbon barrel-aged stout. Stephenson received some well-deserved praise this week when she was named Beer Person of the Year by Imbibe magazine, which reports that she is “making the venerable Guinness brand feel right at home in its new U.S. digs.”

We feel lucky to have the former D.C. resident, who worked for Highland Brewery in Asheville and Stone Brewing in San Diego before moving back to the area for the Guinness job. “Coming back and seeing this vibrant brewery community has been really exciting,” Stephenson told us in 2017. “Everyone has been super welcoming.”

The Charmery Collabs With Baltimore in a Box: In perhaps the most Baltimore collaboration ever, ice cream institution The Charmery has teamed up with its Hampden neighbor, Baltimore in a Box, to create a flavor inspired by all things Charm City. The new scoop combines a sweet cream base with Otterbein’s chocolate chip cookies, Utz potato chips, and a Goetze’s Cow Tale for good measure. Sample the scoop at The Charmery’s flagship on the Avenue, as well as its other shops in Towson and Union Collective. Multiple locations including 801 W. 36th St. 410-814-0493

EPICUREAN EVENTS

Atwater’s Soup Month: Atwater’s is kicking off its 20th anniversary year in style with this annual soup spectacular. Throughout January, diners who post photos of their soup (bowls range from split pea and roasted vegetable to white chicken chili and sweet potato bisque) using the hashtag #AtwatersSoup will be able to redeem points toward free items via the cafe’s mobile app. The team is also donating 10 percent of each quart sold to local charities, giving away free bowls for dine-in customers on January 23, and featuring “Customer Favorite Fridays” which let diners choose the varieties they would like to see on the menu at the end of the workweek. Multiple locations including 3601 Boston St. 667-309-7146

1/10: Origins: A Speaker Series
This sustainability-focused speaker series is kicking off 2019 with a discussion about Maryland’s evolving medical marijuana industry. Chef Spike Gjerde will moderate the talk with panelists from Evermore Cannabis Company—Baltimore City’s only licensed medical cannabis cultivator and processor. As with every Origins event, there will also be drinks, snacks, and a post-discussion dinner that encourages guests to engage with the speakers. Artifact Coffee. 1500 Union Ave. 6:30 p.m. $60

New Year’s Eve is historically a night to class it up, toast champagne, and hopefully snag a kiss at midnight. And, while there’s certainly no shortage of adults-only events in this town, kids always love to get in on the festive fun, too.

This year, you can do it all because there’s tons of daytime action happening that your littles will gladly toot their noise-makers for. So, save the sparkly dresses and hors d’oeuvre for later and check out one of these kid-friendly events on NYE.

Midnight Noon at Maryland Science Center
At this annual New Year’s Eve celebration at the Maryland Science Center, kids can watch the ball drop long before bedtime. The ball drops at 12 noon, but there’s tons of celebrations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., like a live concert by the kid’s band Milkshake and tons of science-based play to be had. Plus, all the NYE activities are completely free with your admission, too, so you don’t have to worry about spending a ton to ring the new year in with the kids.

Kiddie Scoop Ball Drop at The Charmery

It’s a Baltimore holiday tradition to celebrate New Year’s at The Charmery. This year, the festivities take place at the ice cream factory’s newest location at Union Collective. The ball drops at 8 p.m. and it wouldn’t be complete without ice cream, shakes, beers, and the tunes of Bon Jovi by cover band Heart n Dagger. Doors open at 6:30, so come, eat, drink, and dance. But most importantly? Get those kids to bed before 2019.

Noontime New Year’s Eve at Port Discovery
The kid-fun is always endless at Port Discovery and New Year’s Eve is no different. Come December 31, there will be tons of celebrating happening all over the museum. With cool crafts, special performances, juggling, live animals, and more, it’s the perfect way for children to ring in the new year. Play and explore all day, but don’t miss the confetti-filled ball drop at noon, complete with a special snack of juice and cookies. It’s also a chance for kids to say goodbye to the KidWorks climbing structures that will soon be replaced in 2019.

Day of Family Bowling at Bowlero

If you’re looking for a little friendly competition, purchase a family bowling package at Bowlero. With two hours of unlimited bowling, champagne for the adults and cider for the kids, knocking down pins is the perfect way to spend a day together—not to mention, it’s both active and affordable. Try to stay out of the gutter and enjoy some quality time together both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day (packages are available for both).

Skate Late at Pandora Ice Rink
While it’s not on the early side, older kids and parents alike will love to have a late skate at the Inner Harbor rink, which is open until 12:30 a.m. Aside from the skating fun at the gorgeous ice rink, the totally amazing view of the downtown fireworks display is a site to be seen and a pretty good reason to rent some skates (even if you hug the wall the entire time). If you’ve yet to practice your crossovers at the Inner Harbor, the NYE late skate is the perfect opportunity.

Read Your Way Into 2019 at Baltimore County Public Libraries
On New Year’s Eve, little bookworms can visit any one of the Baltimore County Public Library locations to ring in the new year at noon. Count down with some friends and check out some great titles. Because, really, what better way is there to head into a new year than with a whole bag of new books, aka, new adventures?

OPEN

Milk & Honey Market: It’s been two years since Milk & Honey Market closed its original location in Mt. Vernon, and now, the spot has finally made a comeback in Station North. Located on the ground floor of the artsy Nelson Kohl apartment building near Penn Station, the cafe offers a menu of warm and cold coffee drinks, smoothies, sandwiches, salads, and pastries. The new space is bright and inviting, with white walls, modern light fixtures, comfy couches, and lots of interior greenery. On the heels of the Station North opening, owners Ernst and Dana Valery are also planning to expand with a second location in Pigtown. The forthcoming cafe will be housed in the new Bath House Square project in development on Washington Boulevard. 20 E. Lanvale St. 667-309-3506

Farm to Face: Regulars of the Baltimore Farmers’ Market & Bazaar no longer have to wait around until Sunday mornings to get their hands on a seasonal falafel wrap from this longtime vendor. Farm to Face owner Miranda Betts recently moved into her own brick-and-mortar space on Harford Road in Hamilton. The former home of Zeke’s Coffee, which relocated to larger digs up the street last year, is now a permanent shop for Betts to serve her organic falafel in wraps. The crispy chickpea balls are topped with seasonal fruits and veggies (think everything from beets and strawberries to apples and arugula) and signature sauces before being tucked into traditional or leafy lettuce wraps. 4607 Harford Rd. 443-438-5559

Haven Street Ballroom: The owners of the modern-industrial event venue Main Street Ballroom in Ellicott City have launched a second space on North Haven Street in Highlandtown. Sandwiched between Urban Axes and Monument City Brewing Company, the airy space features white walls and high ceilings on the inside, and a bright exterior mural with pops of pink and yellow—which was designed by frequent Monument City collaborator White Coffee Lettering—on the outside. The venue is now booking events being held after May 1, 2019. 1 N. Haven St.

COMING SOON

Döner Brös: After spending a year roaming around on their Oktoberfest-inspired food truck, Döner Brös owners Alex Politsch and Steven Banks are putting the finishing touches on their brick-and-mortar eatery in Charles Village this week. The spot will open to the public on Monday, December 17, serving salads, wraps, and fries topped with authentic döner kebab meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie. Döner Brös neighbors THB Bagels & Deli, Bird in Hand, and Red Star Bar & Grille in the Nine East 33rd development near the Johns Hopkins University campus. “Hopkins was always a home run for the food truck so it was only natural for us to open our first store here,” Banks said in a statement. “We are excited to add another unique cultural option to the already eclectic and dynamic neighborhood.” 9 E. 33rd St. 844-366-7277

NEWS

Wayward Smokehouse Expanding to White Marsh: Federal Hill locals should prepare to see familiar signage while spending time around The Avenue at White Marsh in 2019. The team behind Wayward Smokehouse on South Charles Street has announced plans to take over the former Don Pablo’s space off of Honeygo Boulevard. The plan is for the restaurant to combine Wayward’s Texas barbecue vibe with The Curious Oyster, a new concept that focuses on sustainable seafood. 8161 Honeygo Blvd. White Marsh

Guinness Partners with Sierra Nevada for Fire Relief: In the wake of the deadly wildfires that recently spread throughout Northern California, Sierra Nevada recently established the Camp Fire Relief Fund to help rebuild communities affected. Doing what they do best, the brewing behemoth also created the Resilience Butte County Proud IPA, with proceeds directly benefiting the fund. Our own Guinness Open Gate Brewery & Barrel House is one of 1,200 breweries nationwide that has vowed to brew and sell the beer in hopes of providing more relief.

“I grew up in California and even though I’m now on the East Coast, the wildfire tragedies still feel close to home,” Open Gate brewmaster Peter Wiens said in a statement “Ken Grossman and the rest of the Sierra Nevada family are industry icons, and I’m honored to join their effort to help rebuild the lives of those devastated by the Camp Fire.” The IPA will be available in the Guinness taproom and upstairs 1817 restaurant starting December 13. One hundred percent of all proceeds will benefit the rebuilding efforts. 5001 Washington Blvd., Halethorpe. 800-909-2645

EPICUREAN EVENTS

12/13: 3rd Annual Christmas in Mexico at The Charmery
The Charmery co-owner David Alima and Clavel chef Carlos Raba have been hard at work preparing for their third-annual Christmas in Mexico celebration this week. The duo will be getting into the holiday spirit with fried ice cream treats that resemble adornos de navidad (Christmas ornaments). A portion of all proceeds will benefit Guardian Gym—a California-based boxing and jiu jitsu nonprofit that Raba supports. 801 W. 36th St. 6:30-8:30 p.m.

12/16: Prima Pop-Up at Le Comptoir du Vin
New Station North restaurant Le Comptoir du Vin is teaming up with yet-to-open Old Goucher spot Sophomore Coffee to host a special breakfast pop-up this weekend. Mix up your regular Sunday brunch routine with a traditional Turkish breakfast (think boiled eggs, veggies, cheese, and flatbread) paired with warm drinks provided by Sophomore. The team will be pouring Toby’s Estate coffees, as well as local Sparrowtail Tea blends. 1729 Maryland Ave. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $12

COMING SOON

RegionAle: Ellicott City locals have fallen for this elevated soup and sandwich spot that pairs its menu with regional beers from the likes of Union, Monument City, Jailbreak, and Oliver Brewing. Beginning this summer, Baltimore dwellers will no longer have to make the drive west to get their fix. On the heels of its second birthday, RegionAle is expanding with a new location inside the Canton Can Company. The eatery highlights odes to classic American sandwiches, from a melty Wisconsin grilled cheese to a pressed Florida Cubano. (Of course, the spot also celebrates its local roots with a Maryland crab cake with Old Bay remoulade.) Within the next few months, be on the lookout for the changeover in the former home of Pasticcio’s—which closed its doors in the Can Company last year. 2400 Boston St. Ste. 120

Full Tilt Brewing: This homegrown brewery scored a win this week when the Baltimore City Liquor Board approved a Class B license for its new facility on the ground floor of the Accelerator Building in Govans. With liquor board approval, the team is hoping to tie up loose ends and debut to the public on December 14. The permanent space has been a long time coming for Full Tilt, which has been contract brewing out of Peabody Heights for the past five years. “We’re excited for people to finally see what we had in mind,” says co-owner Nick Fertig.

Aside from the signature brews (think the Hops the Cat IPA and Berger Cookie chocolate stout), the taproom will feature a small menu of its own, as well as pop-ups from the vendors that operate out of B-More Kitchen inside the Accelerator Building. The spot will also feature 10 flat screens, custom-made furniture, a colorful wall mural by graffiti artists Brad Turner and Derrick Noel, and old-school arcade games such as Skee Ball and NBA Jam. “It’s going to be a unique experience,” Fertig says. “People will be able to find their own vibe in any corner of the space.” 5604 York Rd.

OPEN

Bodhi Corner: With the recent arrivals of Foraged and Prime Corner, Chestnut Avenue in Hampden has a whole new vibe. The owners of Khun Nine Thai in Mt. Vernon added to the fresh feel earlier this month when they debuted this new Thai destination in the former home of Cafe Cito. Bodhi Corner is now open, offering a menu of salads, noodle bowls, curries, and signature plates such as Pad Thai and baked duck in a chili-mango sauce. The cozy restaurant is also vegan-friendly, highlighting a variety of dairy-free dishes including mock crab fried rice and tofu rama with steamed vegetables and peanut sauce. 3500 Chestnut Ave. 443-438-4068

Get It Inn Island Cuisine & Bar: Since opening in Locust Point last year, this island oasis has become a go-to for Jamaican delicacies, reggae music, and strong rum drinks. This weekend, the eatery is expanding across the harbor with a second location in Canton. Set in the former home of Fredericks on Fleet and Lucy Bar, the spot will serve up authentic dishes such as jerk wings, curry shrimp, braised oxtail, and fried plantains. The official grand opening on November 30 will feature food and drink specials until close and live music spun by DJ Sean Nice. 2112 Fleet St. 410-814-0585

EPICUREAN EVENTS

12/1: Hygge Mood
A handful of local food favorites are coming together to kick off the holiday season in style at Prime Corner—the new bodega conveniently located just across from the Miracle on 34th Street lights in Hampden. Head over to the store to indulge in Filipino comfort food from Calasag Pop-Up, cozy cocktails from R. Bar, and samples of Small Wave Brewing’s Winter Chai Stout made in collaboration with our own Wight Tea Co. Plus, peruse holiday products from local purveyors including Wild Kombucha, Baltimore Spirits Company, Vent Coffee Roasters, The Charmery, Jinji Chocolate, Sacré Sucré, B. Willow, The Ivy Bookshop, Le Monade, Taharka Brothers, and more. 3400 Chestnut Ave. 8 p.m.

12/4 & 12/9: The Charmery Goes Wonka: A Full Sensory Movie Experience
It’s no secret that The Charmery’s master creamer, David Alima, is a Willy Wonka fan. Hosting a sensory screening of the original Gene Wilder film has been a dream of his for a while, and now that the shop’s new factory is up and running inside Union Collective, the event is finally within reach. Join David and Laura Alima as they transform the space into a magical movie-watching experience. There will be special Wonka-inspired flavors served throughout the film (think snozzberry sorbet), along with plenty of other whimsical moments that engage all five senses. The two-night screening will be the first of the shop’s new immersion film series, which will continue with other movies in 2019. “In this fast-paced world, we often don’t take the time to stop and really experience the moment,” David says. “We hope this series will awaken the senses for an experience of 100-percent joy.” 1700 W. 41st St. Ste. 400. Times vary. $30

OPEN

C&R Pub: We thought we’d seen the last of this Southern saloon, which used to be a go-to for honky-tonk tunes, life-sized Jenga, and Thursday “flip-night” drink discounts before it closed in Federal Hill two years ago. But old regulars will be happy to hear that the country concept has officially been revived—this time in Towson. The new iteration of Cowboys & Rednecks sits on the first floor of the mixed-use Towson Commons development along York Road. Featuring dark woods, plenty of flat screens, and a huge bar with more than 20 seats, the pub offers a barbecue-inspired menu listing everything from light bites to larger entrees. Specialty plates include the Rattlesnake Burger with jalapeño bacon, “Mountain Mama” steak salad, and signature “See Ya Later Gator” bites served with a zesty dipping sauce. 1 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Towson

Poulet: A second location of this popular spot off of Falls Road celebrated its grand opening in Timonium this week. Situated just across from the Maryland State Fairgrounds, the new eatery will offer the restaurant’s cafeteria-style entrees, sides, and hand-dipped ice cream in a much larger space that can seat more than 200. It will also feature an elevated bar program with a collection of small-batch whiskeys, wine on tap, and local craft beer from the likes of RAR and Union Craft. In keeping with its name, Poulet highlights rotisserie chicken and other proteins like sliced turkey, pulled pork, and grilled salmon. There’s also a lengthy sandwich menu, DIY burrito bar, and featured sides like scalloped potatoes and grilled cauliflower. 2235 York Rd., Timonium. 410-842-2270

COMING SOON

Lee’s Pint & Shell: Since rebranding from its former concept, Saute, two years ago, Lee’s Pint & Shell has become a favorite for Canton locals to crack open discounted beers and slurp down 50-cent oysters during happy hour. Now, the corner spot is rapidly expanding throughout the state. In addition to their dockbar Lee’s Landing in Cecil County, owners Bud Craven and David Carey are also planning to open a sister-spot in Sparrows Point this year. And, earlier this week, they announced that they recently settled on a fourth location on the Susquehanna River in Perryville. The old Perryville Yacht Club—which sits on four acres and has 80 boat slips—will soon be transformed into a Lee’s spinoff, with plenty of oysters, Orange Crushes, and seafood specialties to go around. 31 River Rd., Perryville.

The Urban Oyster: Chef Jasmine Norton’s beloved oyster bar will host one final pop-up at R. House next month before moving into a brick-and-mortar space of its own in 2019. The Urban Oyster plans to set up shop inside the former home of Ruby 8 Noodles & Sushi at McHenry Row in Locust Point early next year. Norton recently told The Baltimore Sun that the new eatery will provide kitchen space for her to prepare for farmers’ markets and festivals, while also acting as a permanent outpost for diners to find her oyster-inspired eats any time. Menu favorites include chargrilled oysters with parmesan and lemon-garlic butter, fried oyster tacos, a classic crab cake sandwich, and, of course, raw oysters on the half shell. 1702 Whetstone Way

NEWS

John Brown Butchery Adds Antique Shop: As the temperatures continue to drop and the holiday season approaches, it’s the perfect time to pay a visit to this hybrid-butchery, cafe, general store, and coffee shop in Cockeysville. Not only is the destination offering a wide selection Thanksgiving turkeys and holiday meats this season, but it has also added a new antiques shop, Hedgerow, for shoppers looking for unique gifts and decorations. Stop by the butchery to chow down on a cold cut sandwich or meatball sub before browsing the one-of-a-kind artwork, china, and table centerpieces at the new antique store. 13501 Falls Rd., Cockeysville. 410-891-8549

Hotel Monaco Wins Northstar Meetings Group Award: Congratulations are in order for downtown’s Kimpton Hotel Monaco, which recently received the 2018 Stella Award for Best Boutique Property in the Northeast region. Northstar Meetings Group presented the award to honor the hotel’s excellence in the meetings industry—considering its food and beverage program, staff professionalism, technological amenities, and more. The hotel, which houses celebrated bar and restaurant B&O American Brasserie, was one of 532 global properties nominated in 18 categories. 2 N. Charles St. 443-692-6170

EPICUREAN EVENTS

11/17: Oyfest 5
The teams behind Union Craft Brewing, The Local Oyster, and True Chesapeake Oyster Company are coming together to host this fifth-annual festival at Union Collective this weekend. Grab a crew and enjoy endless shucks, draft beers, pizza from Well Crafted, and live tunes by the Ursula Ricks Project. If you’re really feeling festive, throw your hat in the ring during the annual oyster-eating contest. The $50 entrance fee, and a portion of all other proceeds, will be donated directly to the Friends of the Jones Falls Valley to keep our urban waterway clean and beautiful. 1700 W. 41st St. 12-5 p.m. $15-50

11/18: Put a Scoop on It Pancake Pop-Up with Big Softy
Detroit native Craig Falk, owner and executive chef of The Lunchbox Lady, is celebrating his love for pancakes this weekend by hosting an afternoon event with The Charmery owners David and Laura Alima at their shop in Towson. Falk’s Big Softy pop-up will be dishing out plain and malty chip pancakes topped with either blueberry or apple fruit topping. Each treat will be finished off with a scoop of any Charmery flavor, drizzle of Michigan maple syrup, and sprinkle of powdered sugar. 6807 York Rd., Towson. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 443-275-2859

SHUT

Ludlow Market: It was a short-lived run for this concept that took over the former Wine Market Bistro space in Locust Point last summer. In June, longtime owner Chris Spann reopened the 14-year-old restaurant as Ludlow Market, featuring a new menu by chef Christopher Audia, updated interior, and enhanced outdoor patio. But, sadly, the changes weren’t enough to keep the restaurant afloat. “I think ultimately we didn’t allocate enough marketing dollars to give the concept a chance to take hold with people,” Spann says. “That’s where we came up short. But I find a lot of solace in the interactions I had with guests who were so enthusiastic, and often giddy about some of the signature dishes we had put on the menu.” While the restaurant has closed for good, its adjoining bottle shop will be offering discounts on its remaining stock throughout the weekend. 921 E. Fort Ave.

Laura Alima takes inventory of metal ice cream scoopers in the bright kitchen of her new Towson shop. A former minimart on York Road, it’s now the second iteration of The Charmery, which Laura and her husband, David, opened in Hampden in 2013. It’s one day before the new location is set to officially debut, and the Alimas have gotten a last-minute request to scoop for the cast and crew on the set of House of Cards.

Even with opening day quickly approaching (she still has to make sure the phone works, oversee exterior work, and tidy up the space behind the counter), Laura makes time to pack up equipment for one of the coolest catering gigs her team has had yet. “We’ve wanted to do this forever,” she says. “It’s just one of those moments where you can’t say no.”

The request from the execs at House of Cards—who will enjoy the shop’s Pure Vanilla, Maryland Mud, and Salty Caramel ice cream later that day while shooting the show’s final season—is just another cherry on top for The Charmery as it continues to expand.

A few miles south in Medfield, David runs test batches at the new Union Collective—a 138,000-square-foot makerspace that houses a number of local businesses, including a third Charmery location. Attached to the retail shop is the Alimas’ new ice cream factory, which is three times the size of their cramped production kitchen in Hampden.

By day’s end, David and his team will have churned out nearly 300 gallons of Salty Caramel and Vegan Coconut Cookies-and-Cream ice cream—two of the many creative varieties that The Charmery has become known for. Other funky flavors in the rotation have included Mango Sticky Rice, Butter Popcorn Pecan, and Mezcal-Lime Strawberry.

David, who began making ice cream as a hobby after graduating from college, finds the inspiration for his sweet and savory concoctions in everything—from pop culture (he once made a champagne-poppy seed flavor inspired by Drake’s Instagram handle) to local luminaries such as musicians Dan Deacon and TT The Artist, as well as the unofficial mayor of Hampden, Lou Catelli.

“The creativity that he puts behind the flavors is amazing,” says David’s close friend Carlos Raba, co-owner and executive chef of Clavel in Remington. “I remember the first time my wife and I went to The Charmery, and we saw his cheese-and-crackers flavor [a combination of sharp cheddar and Ritz cracker dust]. I was like, ‘What is that?’ I would never think to put cheese and crackers in ice cream, but I tried it and I was hooked.”

To make their popular Salty Caramel, the team mixes handcrafted caramel flavoring with a dairy base (heavy cream, whole milk, and natural stabilizers), adds vanilla and salt, and then places it into an ice cream machine to give it a soft-serve consistency. Later, it goes into a blast freezer, where it hardens overnight.

“This feels like an empire,” David says. “But we didn’t go into it with the goal of opening multiple shops. Our goal was always, ‘Let’s open this one shop and make it an institution that is an important part of people’s lives.’”

Laura’s business sense paired with David’s creativity is the recipe for success at The Charmery—a community staple that has become a requisite stop on The Avenue. “It has its own vibe,” says Matt Stegman, president of the Hampden Community Council. “There are shops all over that have good ice cream, but the fun of The Charmery is that every time you go, you’re going to see five or six new options. Not just flavors that you’ve never seen there before—things that you’ve never seen anywhere.”

Featuring a whimsical soda-fountain feel (and an aquatic-themed bathroom that was named runner-up in Cintas’ America’s Best Restroom Contest in 2016), the colorful and quirky shop, which serves as many as 1,000 customers per day during the busy summer months, is a reflection of the owners’ personalities. Unlike many sweet shops that see a dip in business or close during the colder months, this place is packed year-round.

“There’s something nostalgic about ice cream that touches people on an emotional level, whether they’re aware of it or not,” Laura says. “When we first envisioned The Charmery, we thought a lot about how the shop could touch people in a way that triggers their first ice cream memory. People remember those things more so than where they had their first hamburger.”

Sitting in the inviting living room of their Govans home—which boasts bins of vinyl and a wildly painted taxidermy deer bust—the two laugh as they reminisce about the 20-year journey together. When they talk, Laura, who has wavy blond hair that is pinned back to reveal her warm smile, and David, who sports a signature goatee and baseball cap, are so in sync that they finish each other’s sentences, though they have individual interests, too. While she likes wine and admires culinary superstar Danny Meyer, he is inspired by reggae music and the zaniness of Willy Wonka.

Growing up in Columbia, Laura dreamed of operating her own peanut butter factory (“It was going to be called Like it or Nut Peanut Butter,” she chuckles), which later gave way to aspirations of owning a classic American diner. “I remember my mom had given me this book about diners, and I was obsessed with them,” she recalls. “Mine was going to employ every member of my family.”

David, who was raised in Pikesville, had a similar entrepreneurial spirit. His grandparents and mother owned a pharmacy in the county (serendipitously, Laura’s grandfather was also a pharmacist, and The Charmery in Hampden is housed in an old pharmacy building) and his Israeli-born father ran a healthcare supply company. As a student at Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School, David—an avid music lover—excelled in courses that challenged his artistic side.

The couple eventually met in the summer of 1998 while working as counselors at Camp Moshava, a Jewish sleepaway camp just outside of Bel Air. Laura was preparing for her freshman year studying hotel and restaurant management at Cornell University in Ithaca, and David was a rising sophomore at the University of Maryland, College Park. They hit it off during a staff outing at Denny’s, one of the only restaurants remotely close to camp. “I ate an entire pie to impress her,” David says with a laugh. “And it worked.”

The couple continued the long-distance relationship for a semester, then David transferred to Ithaca College to study marketing, communications, and creative writing. “Ithaca had these beautiful mountains,” says David. “And Laura was there.”

After college, the duo lived in Washington D.C., before heading out West. “We didn’t want to end up here our whole lives having never left,” David says. Laura wanted to learn more about wine, so Northern California seemed like a natural fit. “We looked at the map, and Santa Rosa was the largest dot between Sonoma and Napa,” she says.

The relaxed atmosphere in Santa Rosa—where David did marketing for a reggae band and Laura did marketing for high-end food and wine events—proved to be formative. “It struck me that there were 45-year-old people working at a winery, but they didn’t want to take over the winery,” David says. “They didn’t want to use the winery as a jumping board to their next step. They just wanted to be and live a happy life.”

Laura’s business sense paired with David’s creativity is the recipe for success.

Even so, after five years on the West Coast, David and Laura had a brood of nieces and nephews back in Baltimore and family beckoned them home. They continued their marketing careers in Baltimore, where Laura worked with Chef’s Expressions and David headed up efforts for Everyman Theatre.

“I remember sitting at my desk there and being like, ‘Okay, in this path that I’m going on, what would be the best job that I could imagine?’” he remembers. “I just couldn’t see it being at the place where I was. So I came home to Laura and told her, ‘I don’t know what to do, I don’t see where my path leads to happiness.’”

As it turns out, that path was paved with ice cream. After drafting a number of business plans—including one to revamp Lost City Diner in Station North—the duo decided to execute their vision of opening an ice cream shop similar to the city-defining parlors they had visited throughout their travels. “Every time we traveled, we would always seek out ice cream,” David says. “That’s how we found these iconic shops that would put the cities on their shoulders.” They drew inspiration from places such as Molly Moon’s in Seattle, The Creole Creamery in New Orleans, Screamin’ Mimi’s near Santa Rosa, and, of course, Purity Ice Cream in Ithaca.

“Everyone who we talked to about this was like, ‘You have to serve sandwiches—you won’t survive the winter,’” David recalls. “But we had seen these shops and what they could do. We had such complete faith in the concept.”

And they were right. The community believed in The Charmery’s mission from its very first night of business on July 20, 2013. “I very viscerally remember that feeling of taking the paper off of the door and seeing a line of people outside on opening night,” Laura says. And lines have continued to flood out the door—and snake around the block—ever since.

The Alimas took their time establishing the Hampden location and starting their family—they have a 4-year-old daughter, Maggie, and 1-year-old son, Max—before taking the plunge. When they were approached by the Union Craft Brewing team in 2016, they decided it was the right time to grow their footprint. “We knew opening at the Collective meant that we needed another space to open almost simultaneously,” Laura says. Adds David: “The factory only works if it has something to feed.”

Even in the midst of major growth, taking time to breathe, a skill that the Alimas learned in Santa Rosa, is something that they remain committed to, whether they’re checking out new restaurants in town or relaxing with their children in their playroom at home. David finds clarity in his routine of morning coffee dates with Raba and other local business owners including Dave Sherman of Ground & Griddled and former Food Market partner Elan Kotz. They all support one another. “Baltimore loves Baltimore,” David says. “You just have to find your people and your space. Once you do that, the city just kind of opens itself to you.”

Back at Union Collective, David’s new office sits behind an orange barn door with a hand-painted quote inspired by Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory sprawled across it. “Don’t forget what happened to the man who suddenly got everything he ever wanted,” it reads. “He lived happily ever after.”

“I don’t want to forget,” David says. “I mean, look at this place. How did I do this? Six years ago, I had no idea what my adulthood would look like. To go from that to being here is amazing. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted.”

COMING SOON

The Charmery Towson: Anneslie locals might have noticed the new, custom-made ice cream cone sculpture that towers over the building at 6807 York Road. The storefront is now home to the newest location of The Charmery, the beloved ice cream shop whose flagship sits on the Avenue in Hampden. Owners David and Laura Alima are putting the finishing touches on the larger shop in preparation for its grand opening this Saturday, May 26. Decorated with custom wallpaper, interior greenery, and vintage VHS tapes that pay homage to the building’s history as an old video store, the shop features a 16-flavor lineup including old favorites like Old Bay Caramel, and a new Rocky York Road flavor (chocolate, ice cream, peanuts, and marshmallow sauce) inspired by its new address. 6807 York Rd.

Cinnaholic: Making decadent cinnamon rolls without eggs or dairy might seem like a daunting task, but this vegan bakery has perfected its recipe. The California-based franchise, which was featured on Shark Tank, will officially cut the ribbon at its newest location at the Rotunda in Hampden on Friday, June 8. To celebrate the debut of its first Baltimore eatery, Cinnaholic will be giving out $1 cinnamon rolls from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on opening day. Diners can customize the treats with a variety of frosting flavors and toppings like berries, nuts, marshmallows, and chocolate chips. 727 West 40th St.

NEWS:

Food Network Gives Love to Baltimore: We’re always happy to see our dining scene get some well-deserved national acclaim. Earlier this week, the Food Network published its picks for the best places to eat in the Baltimore—describing us a “way-underrated food town with accessible traditions, strong chefs, and a palpable sense of slightly off-kilter pride.” Among the many spots that received shout-outs include local gems like Ale Mary’s, Matthew’s Pizza, The Chasseur, DiPasquales, Red Emma’s, Clavel, Ekiben, Idle Hour, Wet City, Blacksauce Kitchen, and the aforementioned Charmery.

Andrew Zimmern Gets a Taste of Baltimore: Speaking of national television praise, The Travel Channel star Andrew Zimmern stopped by a handful of local spots on an episode of his show “The Zimmern Project” that aired earlier this week. Zimmern’s first visit was to Lexington Market for a classic turkey dinner at Krause’s and classic crab cakes at Faidley’s. His Baltimore food tour also included sandwiches at DiPasquale’s in Highlandtown, crabs at LP Steamers in Locust Point, tailgating outside of M&T Bank Stadium, and a meal at Rye Street Tavern in Port Covington.

Zack Mills Moving on from Wit & Wisdom: It’s the end of an era for Wit & Wisdom inside the Four Seasons Baltimore. Executive chef Zack Mills took to Instagram earlier this week to announce that he would be moving on from the Chesapeake-inspired restaurant after heading up its kitchen for the past five years. His last night of service will be Saturday, June 2. “It means so much that I got the opportunity to help run a restaurant in my home state for the same restaurant group family that taught me everything,” Mills wrote, referring to his longtime mentor and Wit & Wisdom operator Michael Mina. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who has supported this restaurant over the years.” Mills is looking forward to taking time off before making his next move.

EPICUREAN EVENTS

5/26: Baltimore Herb Fest
Now back for its 31st year, the Baltimore Herb Festival transforms Leakin Park into a plant paradise with more than 50 outdoor vendors, live music, free rides on miniature steam trains, and a lineup of lectures from local gardening professionals. Plus, there will be plenty of food trucks on site for attendees to grab lunch while taking in all of the greenery. Leakin Park, 1920 Eagle Drive, $7, 9:30 a.m.- 3 p.m.

5/28: Red, White, and Blue Crab Feast at Minnow
Nothing says Memorial Day Weekend like picking crabs and cracking beers. This Monday, Minnow in South Baltimore is doing just that with a special holiday brunch featuring all-you-can-eat crabs, frites with smoked red pepper aioli, roasted corn with lime crema, red beans with ham hocks, and Napa slaw. Wash down all of the eats with $12 Bottomless Bloody Marys and mimosas, $2 RAR Brewing Country Ride pale ales, and boozy snowballs. Minnow, 2 E. Wells St., $39, 11 a.m.- 8 p.m., 443-759-6537

5/28: Memorial Day Block Party at Parts & Labor
Spend your day off at this Remington hangout, which will be hosting one of its signature outdoor block parties with eats, drinks, and plenty of group games like Ping Pong and cornhole. Specials of note for the holiday soiree include $2 beers and $6 burgers all day long. 2600 N. Howard St., 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. 443-873-8887.

SHUT

Chick P City: The days are numbered for this Middle Eastern outpost in Mt. Vernon. Last week, owners Majeed and Dina Tamerjan announced on Facebook that their last day in business would be Thursday, May 31. “Thank you so much for all of the love you showed us,” the post reads. “We won’t forget it.” The Read Street spot was best known for its falafel, pita wraps, and traditional spreads. As a thank you to all of its customers, Chick P City will be offering 10 percent off all platters until its last night. 202 W. Read St. 410-244-7009

Community has always been a key ingredient in the success of The Charmery—the celebrated ice cream shop that husband-and-wife owners David and Laura Alima opened on the Avenue in Hampden five years ago.

“Our dream with The Charmery has always been: ‘How do we make Baltimore a better place through ice cream?’” David recently told us. “It’s become a celebration spot for people who come to see us from all over the city and the state. To be able to expand that into another community is really amazing.”

This summer, the owners are widening their footprint to the Towson area with a new shop opening at 6807 York Road. In keeping with their local focus, the team is hosting a special “Community Scoop” event outside of the new storefront on Wednesday, April 18 from 5-7 p.m. (A rain date is scheduled for Tuesday, April 24.)

During the event, staffers will be serving free baby scoops to the public in an effort to get to know patrons in the surrounding area, and give the neighborhood a taste of what the shop will offer when it cuts the ribbon in the coming weeks.

“We’re really looking forward to meeting all of our neighbors,” David said. “One of the things I love most about our shop in Hampden is that it’s this neighborhood unifier. We want to be what the neighborhood wants us to be.”

Set in the former home of a convenience store, the renovated shop’s interior will mirror the whimsical aesthetic of its flagship, and offer David’s creative ice cream flavors including Old Bay Caramel, Maryland Mud, Mint Mountain, and Malty Vanilla Chip. The 2,057-square-foot digs will boast significantly more seating—both indoor and outdoor—than the Hampden shop.

“When we left the first walkthrough, it was just this visceral moment where it felt right,” Laura said. “It was just like, ‘That’s it. That’s the next Charmery.”

The Towson opening comes in the midst of a major expansion for the owners, who are currently in the process of moving all ice cream production to the new Union Collective warehouse in Medfield. Slated to open later this month, the ice cream factory will feature its own a retail space, as well as a large kitchen with dry storage, an oven for baked goods and sundae toppings, and a freezer that is about three times the size of the unit in Hampden.

“The real beauty of this space is that it allows us to think about our future in a way we really haven’t before,” David said during a hard-hat tour of Union Collective last month. “We have been making ice cream for the past five years in what amounts to a walk-in closet space. This is going to be our central hub, and it’s going to enable us to create enough ice cream for all three locations. It’s our dream come true.” 

Anyone who has driven on 83 these past several months has seen a giant black-and-white sign sprawled across the former Sears Roebuck warehouse that reads “Future Home of Union Craft Brewing and the Union Collective.” Now that future is looking much more present.
 

With beer tanks in, climbing walls erected, and nearly all eight vendors confirmed, the 138,000-square-foot makerspace and brewery home of Union Craft is becoming a reality.  

“It’s been amazing to see the level of hard work, passion, and creativity it has taken from all involved to get to this point,” says Union co-owner Adam Benesch. “We are excited to see the impact the project is going to make on our community and businesses that make up the collective.”

The collective is made up of Union Craft Brewing and eight other local vendors, some using the space as their main headquarters, others as a manufacturing location, and almost all as a storefront. There are still two open slots left and owners are excited to complete the roster. 

“We continue to search for the best and brightest growing Baltimore-based businesses,” Benesch says. “We look forward to finding the perfect fit for the last of the available space.”
 

Until then, though, these confirmed vendors have plenty in store for tenants as they gradually begin to open throughout the spring and summer.
 

Well-Crafted Pizza: The mobile pizza business, which was started by two couples, is known for its kitchen built on the back of a 1949 Dodge truck. Coinciding with the brewery’s opening this summer, Well Crafted will have a new 920-square-foot kitchen in the taproom itself serving its signature wood-fired pizzas, as well as kabobs, sausages, stuffed potatoes, and soft pretzels.  

Earth Treks: Most likely the first to open in the space, this rock-climbing mecca will be the first of its kind in the city include an exclusive space for bouldering, and also have a yoga studio for patrons.
 

The Charmery: This beloved Hampden corner ice cream spot (with a location in Anneslie on the way) will have its 5,500-square-foot factory headquartered inside Union Collective. The additional room will allow for more production, as well as themed events and famous “guest scoopers.”
 

Baltimore Whiskey Company: On the heels of releasing its 100-proof Epoch rye whiskey, which has been aging in oak barrels for three years, the BWC will be moving into Union Collective this spring. The facility will use a sustainable, geothermal system to cool its pipes using ground water, the first of its kind in the region.  

Huckle’s: Also opening this spring will be a test kitchen and storefront for beloved local hot sauce company Huckle’s. Besides making its signature spicy sauces like Fire-Roasted Habanero and Original Honion, the company will be co-packaging with other small-batch businesses in town.  

Vent Coffee Roasters: With her first brick and mortar location opening at Union Collective in early spring, longtime barista Sarah Walker is eager to have a permanent home. Vent will feature a small-batch roaster and espresso bar with seating for up to 45 people to enjoy espresso drinks, nitro cold brew on tap, coffee mocktails, and options for Aeropress and Chemax. Look out for homemade pastries and other drinks from local Wight Tea Co.  
 

Union Craft Brewing: Of course, the pièce de résistance of the collective will be Union Craft Brewing, which is looking to triple the capacity of its current Woodberry home. There will also be a 7,500-square-foot taproom with a stage for live music, a private event space, and a glass wall that looks through to the brewing equipment. There will also be an outdoor beer garden with a living wall, modular walls to reconfigure the space, and games like bocce.  
 
 
 

Five things to eat, drink, see, hear, and do with your Charm City weekend.

 EAT

Feb. 3: Fifth Annual Chili Cook-Off

The Wharf Rat, 801 S. Ann St. 1-4 p.m. $5-10. 410-276–8304

When the weather dips below 40 degrees, there is really only one remedy: a fireside bowl of chili at a neighborhood pub. Enter The Wharf Rat, which has been asking its patrons to make their favorite chili recipe to see who can be crowned cook-off king or queen. Whether you prefer yours mild or hot, with beans or not, vegetarian or full of meat, head down to Fells Point this Saturday to sample all that these local cooks have to offer. In addition to the English-style ales on tap and in the cask, Wharf Rat will be pouring beer by Bell’s Brewery, so you can have a couple Two Hearted IPAs to wash your chili down. The best part is the event benefits BARCS and its mission to care for homeless and unwanted animals in Baltimore City.

 DRINK

To Feb. 3: CiderCon

Locations, times & prices vary.  

Move over craft beer and local cocktails—cider is having a moment in the sun. In fact, the crisp apple beverage has been on the rise for years now, and this week, CiderCon is in town to unite enthusiasts, makers, and curious crowds over this age-old concoction. This weekend, participate in activities throughout the city—from tastings of more than 75 ciders at the B&O Railroad Museum to a cider social at Charm City Meadworks. Just don’t miss out on the cider parties at Wet City, where you can try Graft Cider’s latest release of Cloud City and enjoy a food pairing led by Vermont’s Shacksbury Cider. 

 SEE

Feb. 2: Groundhog Day

The SNF Parkway, 5 W. North Ave. 7:30-9:10 p.m. $8-10. 443-438-6144.  

There’s no better way to celebrate Groundhog Day than watching Harold Ramis’s 1993 comedy of the same name. After 25 years, Groundhog Day still a crowd favorite with the lovely Andie MacDowell and the inimitable Bill Murray at his very best. On Friday evening, a few hours after Punxsutawney Phil dictates our future forecast, either celebrate or abate your sorrow with a screening of this cinematic treat inside the historic Parkway Theatre, hoping that spring comes early and Saturday starts anew. 

 HEAR

Feb. 3: SZA

Rams Head Live, 20 Market Pl. 8-11:30 p.m. $25-30. 410-244-1131.  

At only 27 years old, R&B singer-songwriter Solána Imani Rowe, aka SZA, has quickly become a name to know. Her most recent album, Ctrl, hit number one on the charts and helped her become the most-nominated woman at the 2018 Grammys, though unfortunately, she didn’t take any accolades home. That being said, we’re fairly certain we’ll see her back there next year, and until then, hear the Jersey artist’s hits for yourself during her Saturday performance at Rams Head. 

 DO

Feb. 2: Groundhog Day Party and Fundraiser

Congress Hotel, The Marble Bar, 306 W. Franklin St. 5:30-10 p.m. $30-100. 410-625-2585. 

Before there was the Ottobar, Baltimore had the Marble Bar. In the late ’70s and mid-’80s, this underground club in the old Congress hotel was the place to be for punk and new wave music, even attracting then little known acts such as the Psychedelic Furs, Talking Heads, and Iggy Pop. The iconic venue has been collecting dust for years, but now the Baltimore Architecture Foundation is giving it new life for their annual Groundhog Day celebration. For one night, experience a legendary part of Baltimore’s music history with eats by La Cuchara, drinks by WC Harlan, records spun by Baby’s on Fire, and live music by Baltimore’s own rising indie-pop-rock band Super City, all to support the BAF’s goal of upholding the city’s architectural legacy. 

Flowers and jewelry are all well and good, but the old adage rings true—the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach.

David and Laura Alima, husband and wife owners of The Charmery on the Avenue in Hampden, can attest to the saying. Each year on Valentine’s Day, the duo serves dozens of amorous patrons who are looking to get their fix of the shop’s witty ice cream flavors like “Pure Love” (chocolate, strawberry, and champagne sorbet) and “Broken Hearts,” made with mashed up conversation heart candies.

“David has this amazingly creative mind,” Laura says. “He will come up with ideas and just run with them.”

New this year will be a special concoction called “Swipe Right,” which David says will taste like “optimism and Fireball whiskey, and leave you with a finish of regret.”

Despite them naming a flavor after an online dating app, the couple met long before the days of Tinder—when they were both counselors at a sleepaway camp in Bel Air during the summer of 1998. After attending college in upstate New York (David went to Ithaca, Laura went to Cornell), they traveled around the world and later landed on the West Coast—but ultimately couldn’t resist the pull of their hometown in Baltimore.

Inspired by all of the city-defining ice cream shops that they visited throughout their travels, they debuted The Charmery in 2013. Though opening a store together had its challenges, it didn’t take long for the couple to get the hang of it.

“Running a business with your spouse is kind of a terrifying prospect,” David says. “But I found out really quickly that Laura is just so good at this. Every day, people get to see her kick ass for our business. It’s definitely drawn us closer.”

Laura says that her management background combined with David’s creativity strikes an ideal balance.    

“Even if we’re going through tougher moments, we’ve been a team for so long that the only option is to move forward and figure things out,” she says. “If we’re not agreeing on something, we can take a step back and look to see who is the expert in that moment in time, and defer to that person. Or we just play rock, paper, scissors.”

In addition to the scrumptious scoops at The Charmery, there are plenty of other local places to win over your date for the upcoming Hallmark holiday. Whether you’re headed out with a group of friends or a special someone, here are our picks for the best eateries to indulge in a memorable meal.

New and Noteworthy

Ampersea: Take in the harbor-side views at this recently rebranded spot in the former home of Waterfront Kitchen in Fells Point, which is opening just in time for Valentine’s Day. Chef Nelson Morton will be featuring a few amorous specials on the seasonal menu, which include dishes like oxtail stew with jalapeño cornbread and lump crab cake with a lemon aioli drizzle. 1417 Thames St., 443-681-5310

Bygone: Make it an evening to remember by heading up to the rooftop of the Four Seasons Baltimore. This new speakeasy-style spot with panoramic views of the city will be offering a special five-course menu for the occasion, highlighting regal dishes such as prime rib au jus, Dover sole, and a 16-oz. Delmonico steak. End on a sweet note with a chocolate torte or Cherries Jubilee sundae. 400 International Drive, $175, 443-343-8200

Foraged: Indulge in a three-course menu at this new spot from chef—and master forager—Chris Amendola. Be on the lookout for locally sourced specials including pastrami pork belly with a coriander glaze, grains risotto with seasonal vegetables, and braised lamb neck with glazed carrots. 3520 Chestnut Ave, $55, 410-235-0035

Rye Street Tavern: This new tavern next to the Sagamore Spirit Distillery in Port Covington is celebrating its first Valentine’s Day with a three-course menu featuring its signature fried green tomatoes, wood-grilled Maryland rockfish, and dry-aged duck breast, as well as desserts like Carolina rice pudding and warm beignets with paw paw cream. 225 E. Cromwell St., $95, 443-662-8000

Fancy Fare

Charleston: Nothing says love like a meal at chef Cindy Wolf’s Lowcountry restaurant in Harbor East. Make the most of your date night with porcini mushroom bisque, a toasted walnut salad with arugula and escarole, pan-roasted black bass, grilled elk tenderloin, and pan-roasted magret of duck with carrot puree and brandied cherries. End the evening with picture-perfect pastries like a Meyer lemon tart with toasted meringue. 1000 Lancaster St., $169, 410-332-7373

Citron: Delight your sweetheart with this Pikesville spot’s special four-course Valentine’s menu, featuring truffled cauliflower bisque, skillet prawns with Meyer lemon, beet salad with goat cheese, Hudson Valley duck, and lamb shank with black currant demi-glace. 2605 Quarry Lake Drive, Pikesville, $75, 410-363-0900

The Corner Pantry: If you’re hoping to host a romantic dinner at home, this Mt. Washington staple—which celebrates its fourth anniversary this Valentine’s Day—has got you covered. A special holiday catering menu boasts dishes like chocolate and espresso-rubbed short ribs, butter-poached lobster ravioli, cauliflower steak, and a pistachio and rosewater love cake with a citrus glaze.  6080 Falls Road, 667-308-2331

Gunther & Co: This beloved Brewers Hill spot is celebrating accordingly with a four-course Valentine’s Day menu highlighting chef Jerry Trice’s worldly dishes including soy-glazed quail, seared War Shore scallops, burrata with shaved fennel, crispy porchetta, and ice cream-filled profiteroles. 3650 Toone St., $85, 443-869-6874

Donna’s: Chef Donna Crivello’s Cross Keys café is getting in the spirit with a four-course menu offering pickled local oysters, black bean and mushroom empanadas, cream of celery and crab soup, slow-cooked duck in a chocolate mole, Jerusalem lamb shawarma, and mushroom ravioli in a brown butter sauce. 5100 Falls Road, $55, 410-532-7611

Minnow: Oceanic offerings take center stage at this South Baltimore spot. On Valentine’s Day, enjoy a four-course meal with oysters Florentine, calamari with anchovy oil, Parisian gnocchi with English peas, and grilled rockfish with charred broccoli and black garlic turnip puree. 2 E. Wells St., $79, 443-759-6537

Hotel Hotspots

B&O American Brasserie: Snag a table at this modern dining destination inside the Hotel Monaco downtown to enjoy three courses from executive chef Scott Hines. Options will include roasted oysters with Thai basil and coconut milk, soft-boiled caviar eggs, spiced duck breast with a sweet potato puree, winter harvest paella, and a chocolate and chili soufflé with toasted almonds and a berry compote. 2 N. Charles St., $75, 443-692-6172

The French Kitchen: Love is in the air at the historic Lord Baltimore hotel downtown, whose restaurant The French Kitchen will be offering a four-course menu for the holiday. The hearty options will include classic French onion soup, crab fondue, filet mignon, beef bourguignon with Parisian mushrooms, and a roasted half chicken with Jasmine rice. Conclude the meal with sweets from the hotel’s beloved LB Bakery (think truffles, Linzer cookies, and heart-shaped macarons). 20 W. Baltimore St., 410-539-8400

Magdalena: With its pretty plating and colorful artwork, this fine-dining den inside The Ivy Hotel in Mt. Vernon exudes elegance. Treat your date to a three-course dinner by executive chef Mark Levy, who is best known for his sophisticated dishes including butternut squash tortellini, smoked butter sautéed filet of stone bass, and Thai style sweet pork belly. 205 E. Biddle St., $75, 410-514-0303

Wit & Wisdom: Reserve a table near the warm fireplaces and glowing lanterns at this spot inside the Four Seasons Baltimore. Chef Zack Mills is whipping up a romantic four-course menu including dressed Chesapeake oysters on the half shell, split pea soup, butter-poached prime beef filet, Maine lobster with creamy polenta, and duck confit macaroni and cheese. 200 International Drive, $95, 410-576-5800

International Love

Alma Cocina Latina: Enjoy the interior greenery and colorful entrees at this Venezuelan-inspired spot, which is offering a three-course menu that starts off with an amuse bouche of potato and leek soup with vanilla apples. Other don’t-miss dishes will include red beet salad with mussels and strawberries, Alaskan salmon with roasted lettuce, and a vegetarian potato cylinder with sofrito sauce and onion ash. 2400 Boston St., $65, 667-212-4273

Azumi: Take your taste buds on a trip to Japan at this hotspot on the waterfront in Harbor East. The chef’s five-course menu highlights seared tuna and avocado, wagyu carpaccio, barbecue spare ribs, miso black cod, and a variety of special sushi rolls. 725 Aliceanna St., $95-235, 443-220-0477

Bar Vasquez: Executive chef Mario Cano-Catalan has dreamed up a three-course menu inspired by the flavors of Argentina. Snack on crispy oysters and tartare of Uruguayan filet mignon before enjoying entrees such as wood grilled lamb chops, pan seared duck, and octopus a la plancha. 1425 Aliceanna St., $85, 410-534-7296

Birroteca: This Hampden hangout is spreading the love for an entire week, offering a la carte Valentine’s Day specials from February 14-21. Dig in to Italian dishes including smoked beet carpaccio, ricotta gnudi (a cousin to gnocchi stuffed with ricotta instead of potato), and scallops for two with fennel, endive, and roasted sunchokes. 1520 Clipper Mill Road, 443-708-1934

The Elephant: Spend the holiday at this elegant Mt. Vernon mansion owned by Steven and Linda Rivelis—who were married at the restaurant in the ’80s. Executive chef Orlando Amaro is showcasing the spot’s worldly focus with a four-course menu featuring roasted beets and coconut milk soup, blood orange glazed duck breast, grilled polenta with black truffle broth, wild mushroom and quail paella for two, and a chocolate truffle box for dessert. 924 N. Charles St., $85-115, 443-447-7878

La Cuchara: Travel to the Basque region by way of Clipper Mill at this fan-favorite. The romantic menu will spotlight plates including tuna crudo, forest mushrooms with duck egg yolk, charred radicchio with scallions, lamb shoulder, Roseda Farms strip steak, and grilled bronzino with roasted fennel and tomatoes. 3600 Clipper Mill Road, $89, 443-708-3838

Petit Louis: Cozy up next to the flickering fireplace at this Roland Park haunt, which offer a four-course menu to honor the occasion. French dishes to look out for include fois gras terrine, smoked salmon on a pumpernickel crouton, duck leg confit, grilled ribeye, and a grilled vegetable plate with couscous and green herb sauce. Don’t forget to order the chocolate tart for dessert. 4800 Roland Ave., $79-119, 410-366-9393

With temperatures starting to dip, it’s officially time to dust off the slow cooker that has been hibernating at the bottom of your pantry. Whether you like its versatility—or are in it for the sheer convenience—there’s no denying that the trusty appliance is a home cook’s best friend this time of year.

If you’re looking to stray from your go-to soups and stews, we’ve got you covered. Here, four local foodies share scrumptious slow cooker recipes that will be sure to warm you up this season.

Adam May’s Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Former WBAL anchor Adam May is a Crock Pot connoisseur. He says that, given his hectic work schedule, slow cooker recipes are ideal time-savers: “It’s the best invention ever,” he says. “It’s like having a magic elf at home in your kitchen doing all of the work for you.” To enhance the recipe, May suggests throwing in a package of sliced mushrooms and half a cup of frozen peas during the final hour of cooking.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound diced chicken breast
• 2 cans chicken broth
• 1 can cream chicken soup
• 1 ½ cups uncooked wild rice
• ½ cup diced onion
• cup diced carrots
• 1 cup diced celery
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• Ground black pepper to taste

Cook in slow cooker 7-8 hours and serve with warm, toasted baguette.

David and Laura Alima’s Curry Turkey Stew

Though husband-and-wife duo David and Laura Alima are best known for churning out sweet treats at their ice cream shop, The Charmery, they play up their savory side at home. Laura describes this turkey stew as her go-to winter recipe, explaining that it’s best served alongside fresh-baked cornbread. (She says any mix will do, but recommends her favorite from Trader Joe’s.) “I usually drizzle honey on it and bake it in a cast-iron skillet that was passed on to us by David’s grandmother,” she says. “Crumbling the cornbread on top of your bowl creates the perfect combo of spicy and sweet.”

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 2 (10.75-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15-ounce) cans kidney beans
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans
• 1 (15-ounce) can of chickpeas
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 tablespoons curry powder
• ½ tablespoon garlic powder
• ½ tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 pinch ground white pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic salt
• 1 pinch of kosher salt

Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Place turkey in the skillet, and cook until evenly brown. Coat the inside of a slow cooker with cooking spray, and mix in turkey, tomatoes, kidney beans, black beans, chickpeas and onion. Season with chili powder, curry powder, garlic powder, cumin, white pepper, garlic salt, and salt. Cover, and cook 8 hours on low, or 4 hours on high.

Bridget Quinn Stickline’s Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef

As a mom and the owner of Wee Chic boutique in Lutherville, Bridget Quinn Stickline is often on the go. “I joke that I have two kids—my 10-year-old daughter and Wee Chic,” she says. “My husband and I really enjoy cooking, but, most nights, efficiency wins out over creativity in the kitchen.” Stickline says that her Mongolian beef recipe is always a crowd-pleaser. She suggests tossing in steamed veggies and serving the beef over rice after cooking.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ pounds flank steak
• ¼ cups cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ teaspoons minced garlic
• ¾ cups soy sauce
• ¾ cups water
• ¾ cups brown sugar
• 1 cup grated carrots
• Red pepper flakes to taste
• Green onions and sesame seeds, for garnish

Cut the steak into thin strips and coat in cornstarch. Add the olive oil, brown sugar, carrots, garlic, soy, pepper flakes, and water to slow cooker and stir. Cook on low four-five hours until cooked through and tender. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.

Reagan Warfield’s Vegetarian Chili

Mix 106.5’s Reagan Warfield likes the versatility of this wholesome chili recipe. “You can skip out on just about any of the ingredients besides the tomatoes, and it will still work,” he says. And although some might be skeptical about the outcome of a meatless chili, Warfield assures that his recipe doesn’t disappoint. “Some people might say vegetarian chili is an oxymoron,” he adds. “But this one has a lot of depth and flavor.” Warfield suggests sautéing the onions beforehand to make the dish more complex. “Of course, you can skip this step for time and ease,” he says. “But I think the reward pays off.”

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 tablespoons dried oregano
• 2 28-ounce can tomatoes (diced, crushed or whole tomatoes that you tear apart yourself)
• 1 15-ounce can black beans, drained
• 1 15-ounce can garbanzo beans, drained
• 1 15-ounce can red kidney beans, drained
• 1 cup frozen lima beans and/or corn
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 to 2 teaspoons hot sauce
• 1 cup couscous (can also substitute quinoa)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Heat the olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Stir in the onion, and season with cumin, oregano, and salt. Cook and stir until onion is tender, about 6 to 8 minutes. Add onion and remaining ingredients, except the couscous, salt, and pepper, to slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. About 15 minutes before serving, add couscous. Cover and cook until the couscous is tender. Season to taste with salt and pepper or hot sauce. Top each serving with shredded cheese, sour cream and/or cilantro.