COMING SOON

Limoncello: Prepare to get a taste of the Amalfi Coast by way of Locust Point when this long-awaited Italian spot officially opens on October 26. Joining Amber and Jazz + Soju on the bottom floor of the Anthem House apartment complex, Limoncello—which operates a flagship in St. Michaels—will offer its menu of Italian seafood dishes and prime cuts of meat paired with extensive cocktail and wine lists. Chef/owners Gennaro DiBenedetto and Francesco Schiano di Cola will also whip up signature pastas such as the Linguine al Nero di Seppia (squid ink pasta, red wine-braised octopus, and arugula), Paccheri Medusa (lump crab meat, sea urchin, cherry tomatoes, and spicy bread crumbs), and the Bucatini alla Amatriciana—which tops hollow noodles with tomato ragù, guanciale, onions, and pecorino romano cheese. The 120-seat spot features a large bar, banquette seating, and a seasonal outdoor patio perfect for sipping the restaurant’s namesake limoncello.

The Rathskeller: The Howard County dining scene continues its expansion with the addition of this German-inspired basement bar opening on Main Street in Elkridge on October 19. Set in a former quilt shop that dates back to the 18th-century, The Rathskeller will live up to its name by providing a lively community gathering place for locals to enjoy eats and drinks from consulting chef Brian Cieslak (the chef de cuisine at Preserve in Annapolis) and bartender Rob Vogel, formerly of The Elk Room in Harbor East. Their menu puts its own spin on German classics with options spiced chicken schnitzel, sausages with sauerkraut and curry ketchup, rainbow trout with dressed greens, and a ham steak with warm bacon onion dressing. Vogel will pour local drafts from the likes of Diamondback and Burley Oak Brewing, and also offer signature cocktails like the “Golden Pear,” which mixes tequila with Goldschläger, pear nectar, honey, and lemon.

Renovated by owner John O’Connor—a structural engineer whose wife will run a coffee shop called Screamin’ Agnes on the first floor—the 44-seat space will feature repurposed materials from the historic building. Touches include a barrel-vaulted ceiling, stained glass windows, and banquettes made by a local carpenter. Adding to the historic charm, there will be a 30-seat outdoor patio overlooking a small building that is rumored to have been used by a local judge as the town’s “drunk tank” jail on weekends.

The Curious Oyster: The team behind Federal Hill hotspots Wayward Smokehouse, Banditos Bar + Kitchen, and 101 Baltimore is getting ready to reveal its latest concept on The Avenue in White Marsh later this month. (Private soft-opening events are planned for this weekend, and a grand opening celebration is expected to be announced soon after.) As its name signifies, the destination will focus on regionally farmed oysters alongside seafood dishes like colossal crab cakes and shrimp toast “sandos.” Meat lovers will be happy to hear that the owners are also opening a second Wayward Smokehouse location just next door to the new shucking spot.

Cava: Speaking of White Marsh, the area will soon welcome a new location of this Greek-inspired fast-casual eatery—which is slated to open in the Nottingham Commons shopping center later this year. The DIY spot allows diners to customize their salads and grain bowls with add-ons such as falafel, harissa honey chicken, grilled meatballs, pickled onions, cabbage slaw, and the brand’s spicy Crazy Feta spread.

OPEN

Chatime: For city dwellers, authentic bubble tea can be hard to come by. (QQ Boba recently closed on the Avenue in Hampden, and Bambao isn’t slated to open in Harbor East until later this month.) But this global tea franchise has a proven track record with more than 1,000 shops operating everywhere from Taiwan to Australia. The second Chatime location in Maryland has officially opened its doors in the space between Lucky Fortune and Knockout Fitness on Light Street in Federal Hill. Of course, the shop’s focus is boba—the trendy Taiwanese milk tea enhanced with flavored jellies and chewy tapioca balls—but it also offers fruit smoothies, fresh-brewed coffees, and lattes topped with a savory mousse. Current specials include a pumpkin-spice tea and a pink strawberry yogurt smoothie honoring Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

SHUT (FOR THE SEASON)

Raw & Refined: After its inaugural summer season at the Lighthouse Point Marina in Canton (read a full review in our October issue on newsstands now), this seafood-centric spot will be open for private events only until the warm weather resumes in April 2020. “We are thrilled with the success R&R enjoyed this summer and want to be really intentional about how we not only maintain our momentum, but build upon it,” said owner and operator Dominic Lascola, in a press release. “We’re diving into planning and preparing for our next outdoor season while remaining the coolest little event space in the city until we ramp back up in the spring.” For now, the R&R culinary team will be headquartered at sister property El Bufalo Tequila Bar & Kitchen on Canton Square, where they will be customizing menus for private parties at R&R throughout the fall and winter.

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