In honor of our “Kitchen Classics” cover story in our May issue (on newsstands now)—which revisits time-honored regional recipes and lets you know how to make them at home—we polled our staff to ask about classic Baltimore restaurants they wish they could revive. Here’s what they had to say:

Christopher Myers, Contributing Photographer

The Cultured Pearl which was in Sowebo. It was an eclectic, bohemian place to hang. Great Mexican food.

Christianna McCausland, Special Editions Editor

The Country Fare Inn in Owings Mills. To this day I wish I had the recipe for their September 7th cake.

Jane Marion, Food and Dining Editor

I miss Martick’s. On my last visit, my snakeskin handbag matched the wallpaper.

Jon Timian, Production Manager

Brian Badger’s gumbo stand that used to be in the Broadway Market. I miss that gumbo.

Justin Tsucalas, Contributing Photographer

The Dizz. Last place I ate before I got married. Also ate there about 50 times before that.

Lauren Cohen, Digital Senior Editor

Lobo! The cocktails, the toasty sandwiches, the onion dip with ripple chips, the staff! It was the perfect spot to unwind after a long day. RIP.

Lydia Woolever, Senior Editor

Martick’s. What I would give for a martini at that bar. Preferably with Jane Marion.

Marty LeGrand, Senior Contributing Editor

Maison Marconi. Its menu was as staid as its tuxedoed waiters, but that was its charm. My hazy memories: chopped salads, a shambling waiter, decadent chocolate sauce.

Max Weiss, Editor-in-Chief

I’m going to cheat and go with the entire artsy, bohemian Sowebo dining corridor: Cultured Pearl for grilled burritos, Tell-Tale Hearth for wood-fired pizza (ahead of its time), and the Gypsy’s Café, which had Baltimore’s most charming deck.

Megan McGaha, Digital Advertising Operations Specialist

Stewart’s Root Beer. The classic, vintage vibe is still so dreamy.

Michael Teitelbaum, President

Sid Mandell’s deli (Woodmoor) for special family meals when I was a kid. Famous for the Four by Four.

Michael Tranquillo, Senior Graphic Designer

I took for granted that Thairish would just always be around. It was a neighborhood staple for years. I’m not an expert in pad Thai, but nowhere else has come close since. The owner/chef had so much joy, and would greet you with a smile every time you walked in. Just a one-of-a-kind place.

Suzanne Loudermilk, Senior Contributing Editor

I’d like another chance to crack crabs coated with that wonderful black-pepper seasoning at Obrycki’s on Pratt Street. There’s a location at BWI now, but it doesn’t serve hard shells.

Vicki Dodson, Advertising Design Director

I’d choose Gampy’s or Louie’s, circa 1980s, or Donna’s (all in Mt. Vernon). But I’d enjoy them best in a time machine. That’s paramount.

On March 16, when Orto owner Elan Kotz learned that bars and restaurants would be closing with the exception of carryout and delivery, he was on-site working at his new project to bring back The Dizz in Remington.

“When we got the news, we immediately had to pivot into, ‘What were we going to do at Orto?’” says Kotz. “That Monday, I got with the team and my brand new executive chef, Chris Audia, and I just decided, ‘Let’s do this thing.’ He and I ran the phones and he cooked and packaged every meal for our first carryout—and it was a great night. It was a very humbling and beautiful experience. It was really hard work, but it was satisfying to know that we were still able to feed our guests.”

Kotz is confident that diners will be ever eager to eat out once restaurants reopen. “Whether your restaurant is big, medium-sized, or small, every restaurant has a soul and a heart,” he says, “and guests who have become family will come back to support them.”

How are you?
I’m doing well. Every day is a new adventure. Each day presents its own challenges, but at the same time, I am super grateful that we are able to feed our guests and provide work for a portion of our team.

It seems like you’ve mastered the carryout format—I’ve had it myself and it’s excellent. You’ve told me that you even have “carryout regulars.” Why do you think you’ve been so successful?
I really attribute a lot of the success of this to our team. Chris Audia, our sous chef Kris Calivo, and our pastry chef Theresa Louis—Chris Audia’s wife. My GM and I focused on the front-of-the-house logistics and packaging. For us, the most important part was sticking to our guns and cooking the food that we’ve always cooked. We offer a chicken parm family meal to make people feel comforted and warm them up, but we’re also still offering the dishes we love to provide to our guests. We are just cooking what we know, and the response has been incredible.

“Orto is a very small, intimate space that feels really cozy, but are people going to want to sit close to each other? When are we going to be able to do that? What does the timeline look like? Those question marks are why it’s been really hard to make any sort of a real plan.” —Elan Kotz

Tell me more about your new chef.
Chris was our opening sous chef and he went to Chez Hugo for a little while. He and Theresa, who was also at Chez Hugo, started back with us on March 4. We had one week of solid time working together, and then they were confronted with the challenge of the global pandemic—they’ve handled it beautifully.

How are your revenues?
Our revenue is down about 50 percent now from where we were because we’ve moved to a five-day week. The weekdays have been inconsistent, but weekends are holding us up. We reduced our labor and are mindful about purchasing. We’ve been able to make it work—some weeks we were able to break even. In the beginning there were some hard weeks, but we’ve really hit a good rhythm.

What has it been like to be in the space without most of your staff and no guests?
Every day is different. March 17th was one of the hardest days of my life and career. I had to lay off a large portion of our staff and that was a really, really tough day for me.

It took us a while to readjust all lights, which are on automatic settings and dim throughout the evening. The first time the lights dimmed on that Tuesday, March 17th at 10 of five, letting us know that we were five minutes out from opening, it was an incredibly emotional thing for all of us. And then, that first Saturday night being in that space, the same space that we’ve served so many incredible people and made memories and had this beautiful food on the table, it was 8:15 p.m. and we had pushed out all of our catering. We didn’t have any more orders—I looked at everyone and was like, ‘This would be our biggest push right now.’

“The first time the lights dimmed on that Tuesday, March 17th at 10 of five, letting us know that we were five minutes out from opening, it was an incredibly emotional thing for all of us.” —Elan Kotz

What do you recommend for first timers taking out?
The chicken Parm dinner has been a hit for tons of guests. It’s served over house-made rigatoni with garlic buns that Theresa makes, a Caesar salad, and a revolving dessert. For two people, it’s $40. We are trying to deliver value, as well as comfort. Also, we have revolving batch cocktails. My go-to is a black Manhattan that we do with an Averna Amaro instead of the vermouth. We also just added little after-dinner drinks—three ounce pours of house-made limoncello orangecello, and grapefruit pompicello—which have always been part of our experience here. We’re also adding a cheese and salumi plate and a grilled swordfish loin with fregola and mussels.

How does your chef stay inspired?
We did have to turn into a carryout model overnight. We are joking internally that when we get through this thing, we are going to wear matching track suits and get patches that say, ‘1,000 chicken Parms served!’ It’s delicious, but it’s not the most technical thing to make. Chef is still inspired to cook seasonally, seeing the ingredients that have been available and getting inspired from there. Last week we rolled out a new lamb sugo pasta dish.

What’s happening with your project to bring The Dizz back in Remington?
In this current climate, I did just put it on hold. I started the project 11 days before the coronavirus hit. For now, I am slowly picking it up, but I don’t have a sense of a timeline yet. In the first 11 days of working there, we got everything off the walls and started cleaning.

What will the culinary landscape look like when the pandemic is over?

I don’t think any of us know what this looks like on the other side. Every restaurant is unique. Orto is a very small space and it’s intimate and feels really cozy, but are people going to want to sit close to each other? When are we going to be able to do that? What does the timeline look like? What does the rollout look like? Those question marks are why it’s been really hard to make any sort of a real plan. We’re taking it day by day, week by week.

I don’t think it’s going to go right back to what it was at all for a while, and I do think restaurants will have to continue to do carryout as part of their regular offerings just to ensure that they are making it work and making ends meet. I want to do a hybrid restaurant once we are able to.

“We cannot wait to serve people back at a restaurant table—that will be one of the very best days.” —Elan Kotz

What changes do you think will happen as a result of the pandemic?
I know there will be changes as it pertains to how people want to be served. There will be touchless bathrooms and a forever focus on everything cleanliness, which we’ve always done, but now it has to be even more visible and transparent for the comfort level of our guests. I believe we will still have restaurants to eat out in, although things might change a bit—they will have to for a while. But can we tell what the future holds? Absolutely not. Is there a chance that we have to pivot again? Maybe. Some iconic restaurants may never reopen.

There’s also a massive cost associated with a restaurant reopening. You have to restock everything. A lot of it will come down to the diner and their comfort level and ability. There’s also an economic implication. People need to have the money to eat out. I’m hopeful. I’m an eternal optimist. I know this will be just fine and we will get to the other side and be stronger for it. And hopefully a lot more grateful.

Why do restaurants matter?
Restaurants matter for multiple reasons. They’re a place where people who love to give and nourish can work, whether they’re a bartender, a cook, or a dishwasher. There’s this built-in feeling of giving to people when they come in and dine here. It’s a social gathering—people love to connect over food. Food memories are made in restaurants over birthdays and special occasions, but eating out is also a thing to do when you’ve had a hard day at work and don’t want to go home and cook something. Also, for me, we employ so many incredible human beings who’ve built their careers and spent their lives in restaurants, and they matter because we have to make sure that all these people have somewhere to go on the other side of this thing. We cannot wait to serve people back at a restaurant table—that will be one of the very best days.

OPEN

Cazbar Columbia: Howard County diners can now experience the same authentic Turkish cuisine—and weekend belly-dancing shows—that Charm City locals have enjoyed in Mt. Vernon for years. The North Charles Street staple has expanded with a second location in Columbia, which officially opened its doors late last month. Decorated with textured wallpaper, comfy lounge chairs, and glowing lanterns, the spinoff highlights Cazbar’s signature mezzes and kebabs. Standout entrees include Turkish beef dumplings with garlic butter, eggplant stuffed with caramelized onions and pine nuts, and flaky baklava topped with toasted pistachios.

Love at First Bite Cafe: The Locust Point shop that was formerly Hoof Cafe on Fort Avenue is now home to this all-day kitchen from husband-and-wife duo Antonio and JosLynn Jones. The owners, who previously operated a soul food restaurant in Northeast Baltimore, specialize in comfort foods like crab pretzels, shrimp and broccoli pasta, and smothered pulled turkey over rice. The cafe is also a go-to for sweet tooth lovers, who can indulge in loaded ice cream sundaes topped with everything from Oreo crumbles to a whole Nutty Buddy ice cream cone.

COMING SOON

Bambao: Come October, diners will be able to sip bubble tea while learning origami in Harbor East. The long-vacant home of Manchurian Rice Co. on the corner of Aliceanna Street and Central Avenue will soon be transformed into this Asian-fusion concept that aims to offer diners a “sense and taste of zen.” Highlights at Bambao will include an array of bubble teas, rice and buddha bowls, and steamed bun sandwiches. In keeping with the wellness mantra, the spot will also feature family-friendly origami classes and collaborate with local yoga studios to host community events.

Char’d City: A grand opening date for this long-awaited addition to the Hamilton dining scene is set for this Friday, September 6. Husband-and-wife owners Yassine Rmadhnia and Sindee Gibson have turned the former home of Clementine on Harford Road into a cozy BYOB spot featuring warm woods, rustic decor, and a custom wood-fired oven that churns out the duo’s take on a classic Neapolitan pizzas. Char’d City will also serve colorful salads, vegan entrees, and seafood dishes that make use of Maryland crab. The menu is meant to fuse Southern Italian recipes with North African flavors inspired by Rhamdhnia’s roots in Tunisia.

EPICUREAN EVENTS

Sept. 18, 20, 23, 26: Ekiben’s End of Summer BBQ Pop-Up Series
The summer temperatures might be starting to drop, but things are definitely heating up in the Ekiben kitchen. On the heels of launching a recurring Taiwanese noodle bar pop-up, owners Steve Chu and Ephrem Abebe are collaborating with a group of stellar chefs to host four can’t-miss lunch pop-ups at their Fells Point restaurant throughout September. The end of summer barbecue-themed series will kick off with visiting chef Johnny Spero of Reverie in Washington, D.C. on September 18, and continue with the team from farmers’ market favorite Blacksauce Kitchen on September 20, James Beard Award nominee Jerome Grant of Sweet Home Cafe inside the National Museum of African American History and Culture on September 23, and our own Carlos Raba of Clavel on September 26. Menu details haven’t been released as of yet, but judging by Ekiben’s track record of creative collaborations, we can only anticipate that the dishes will be epic.

SHUT

The Dizz: Remington locals were heartbroken to hear that this decades-old neighborhood fixture had suddenly closed its doors earlier this week. “We would like to thank all our wonderful customers for your support over the years,” co-owner Thomas L. Basta Jr. wrote in a Facebook message announcing the closure Wednesday. Last fall, the Basta family put their restaurant on the market, but ultimately decided against selling. “This place has been here forever,” longtime general manager Elaine Stevens told us in May. “I think [the owners] were ready to just get out of the business, but then they saw how much it means to everybody and that made them say, ‘You know what, we’re not giving up. We’re going to hang in there.’” Unfortunately, the owners have once again decided it’s time to move on. Throughout the years, the 85-year-old staple gained a reputation for its famous burgers, crab soup, and one of the best BLTs in the city.

Baltimore neighborhoods are constantly evolving and it’s safe to say that Remington has officially experienced a renaissance.

“I was born and raised in this neighborhood, so I’ve seen it go through quite a few changes,” says The Dizz general manager Elaine Stevens, who has worked at the restaurant for 27 years. “But I wouldn’t live anywhere else. I love the people here. It’s just a great place.”

To commemorate Remington’s history and bright future ahead, locals came together last spring to host the first-annual Remfest—a street festival that coincided with the centennial of some of the area’s most celebrated properties.

“We think we have something pretty special here,” says Dan Scott, a partner at Charmington’s on Howard street. “We really wanted to show that off to people, and the festival totally exceeded our expectations.”

This Saturday, May 11, food vendors, musicians, makers, and neighbors will pack the streets once again for the second-annual gathering along Remington Avenue from 12-9 p.m. Aside from an impressive vendor lineup, family-friendly programming, and live music by Baltimore favorites (think Brooks Long, Bobbi Rush, Soul Cannon, Super City, and Outcalls), there will be plenty of local eats and drinks to choose from.

“To me, it’s fantastic that we are doing something to bring more foot traffic and give Remington the recognition that it needed a long time ago,” says Sweet 27 owner Suraj Bhatt, who is one of the returning food vendors this year.

Stevens, too, is looking forward to returning to the event with The Dizz, especially on the heels of such a pivotal year for the neighborhood fixture. The owners put their corner hangout on the market last fall, but ultimately decided against selling after seeing the outpouring of support from the community.

“This place has been here forever,” she says. “I think [the owners] were ready to just get out of the business, but then they saw how much it means to everybody and that made them say, ‘You know what, we’re not giving up. We’re going to hang in there.’”

Stevens says that the street fair is a great way to strengthen the community bond that she sees firsthand every day at the beloved burger bar.

“That’s one good thing about The Dizz being here, we get to meet everybody who moves into the neighborhood,” she says. “It’s kind of like a little meet-and-greet all the time. And it’s the same at Remfest—it’s just a chance for everybody to come together.”

The Remington eateries, along with a few visiting vendors, will serve everything from burgers and steamed buns to cookies and crab cakes this Saturday. Here’s a preview of what’s on the menu:

Shrimp salad and Old Bay sausages from The Dizz: Visit Stevens and her team to chow down on portable festival fare including curly fries, bleu cheese sliders, fried pickles with ranch, chicken tenders, and grilled Polish hot dogs. The Dizz will also be welcoming Charm City cookout weather with summer staples like shrimp salad and plump Old Bay sausages.

Ginger Immunitea and cookies from Charmington’s: In anticipation of the warm temperatures, Scott and his staff at Charmington’s are preparing batches of their iced Ginger Immunitea—a refreshing sip is steeped with raw ginger, lemon, and honey. The shop will also be pouring iced coffees and selling its fresh-baked cookies in flavors ranging from vegan banana-walnut to classic chocolate chip.

Bombay chicken and chana masala from Sweet 27: Best known for its multicultural cuisine and gluten-free sweets, this Remington mainstay will offer a sampling of dishes off of its regular menu. Look out for bombay, penang, and Jamaican jerk chicken served with a choice of one side. Vegan options include veggie fritters, garlic kale, chana masala, basmati rice, and garlic mashed potatoes.

Smoked salmon tacos from Neopol Smokery: Follow your nose to this popular smoked meat stall from Belvedere Square. Owner Dorian Brown will be preparing smoked salmon tacos with pico de gallo and chipotle cream, applewood-smoked pulled pork sandwiches, smoked mussels on the half shell, and portobello wraps with feta and field greens.

Crab cake sandwiches and ice-cold oysters from The Local Oyster: Head to the red-and-white pop-up tent to slurp oysters and indulge in colossal crab cake sandwiches served alongside Utz chips. Another highlight will be the team’s signature shrimp grilled with butter and Old Bay.

Steamed buns from Ekiben: Get your hands on a pillowy steamed bun from this Fells Point favorite known for its innovative Asian-fusion dishes. Look out for signature buns and bowls like the “Neighborhood Bird” (Taiwanese curry fried chicken topped with coleslaw and fresh herbs) and the vegan “Tofu Brah” topped with spicy peanut sauce.

OPEN

L’Eau de Vie: Plant-based diners will be happy to hear that this vegan brasserie is now officially open for business in Fells Point. Set in the first floor space that previously housed Agora Bar & Grill at the Inn at The Black Olive, the restaurant boasts pops of teal, strung lights, and a marble-top bar where guests can order colorful cocktails like apple sangria or the “Island Russian” with rum and coconut cream. L’Eau de Vie—which translates to “water of life” in French—offers meatless dishes including frites with garlic aioli, grilled tofu over quinoa, a seitan sausage reuben, and cashew cheese gougeres. 803 S. Caroline St. 443-759-8758

NEWS

The Dizz: It’s the end of an era for this iconic corner bar in Remington, which has gone through multiple iterations since 1934. (Regulars fondly remember it operating as Dizzy Issie’s through the early 2000s.) Now, current owners Darlene and Thomas Basta are retiring and putting the bar on the market. According to an online listing, the 98-seat building, including its fixtures, equipment, and seven-day liquor license, are for sale for $875,000. The two-floor bar is best known for its classic diner fare, handwritten menus, and vintage decor. 300 W. 30th St. 443-869-5864

BEER BULLETIN

Wet City: During Artscape in 2016, brothers PJ and Josh Sullivan introduced the community to Wet City—their Mt. Vernon craft beer bar that has since become known for its signature Scandinavian-inspired wall murals, next-level pub fare, and taps full of experimental brews. Though the owners always wanted to brew their own beer, it took a few years for that dream to come to fruition. Now, the microbrewery is finally functioning and Wet City is releasing its debut beer, Hello, to the public. The flaked hazy IPA, which has a 6.3-percent ABV and features Kveik yeast from Norway, is brewed with a blend of Mosaic, El Dorado, Denali, and Citra hops that give it a tropical flavor. Hello is being brewed exclusively at Wet City and will be available for tap and growler fills at the bar starting Thursday, September 27. 223 W. Chase St. 443-873-6699

Monument City Brewing: Beer lovers should be on the lookout for a new release from Monument City in Highlandtown this weekend. The purple-hued Chrysalis was brewed in collaboration with veteran organic food producer Hex Ferments. Inspired by Hex’s butterfly-lime kombucha, the 3.5-percent gose is brewed with lime and butterfly pea flower, which gives the beer its purple color and tart, refreshing flavor. Cans will be released at Monument City’s taproom this Saturday, September 29 from 12-5 p.m. 1 N. Haven St. 443-529-8131

EPICUREAN EVENTS

9/28: 32nd Annual Maritime Magic
More than 80 restaurants will gather at the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Maritime Park in Fells Point for The Living Classrooms’ annual fundraiser to benefit its education and job-training programs for city youth. Sample eats and drinks from Copper Kitchen, Ouzo Bay, The Brewer’s Art, Sobo Cafe, Vida Taco Bar, Rye Street Tavern, Duck Duck Goose, Old Line Spirits, Key Brewing, Belle Isle Spirits, and more while jamming to 10-piece funk band Aztec Sun and reggae legends The Wailers. 1417 Thames St. 7-11 p.m. $120-130

9/29: Parktoberfest
Now in its third year, this street fest on the 500 block of Park Avenue in Mt. Vernon will feature eats from the stalls inside the Mount Vernon Marketplace (including Cultured, The Local Oyster, Cholitas Tacos, and Mi & Yu Noodle Bar), as well as live music and a lengthy list of local craft vendors. Grab a group to enjoy live music by singer-songwriter Shelby Blondell, gypsy-jazz band Ultrafaux, and rockers Yo No Say while perusing the handmade wares of nearly 30 local crafters. 520 Park Ave. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Free.

9/29: National Coffee Day at Order & Chaos
Get your weekend caffeine fix at this South Baltimore spot, which is offering a selection of specials in honor of National Coffee Day. Take advantage of a free drip coffee with any purchase all day long, as well as complimentary food tastings and samples of the new fall menu—which includes a turmeric pumpkin latte and an espresso enhanced with caramel corn syrup and marshmallow fluff. Additionally, the party will launch the shop’s Creative Cup contest, which asks guests to decorate a blank to-go cup with their own design. The winner will have their artwork featured on the cups for a limited time and receive free drip coffee for a year. 1410 Key Highway. 10-12 p.m.

SHUT (FOR NOW)

Button: The restaurant accompanying Scott Plank’s luxe Swim Club in Canton has officially closed for the season. A post to Button’s social media pages indicates that the spot will be undergoing renovations for the remainder of 2018, and reopen sometime next year. In its short run this past summer, the dockside destination served up grain bowls, wood-fired pizzas, burgers, and seafood entrees crafted by executive chef Allysa Storms, who recently moved on to oversee the kitchen at yet-to-open AJ’s on Hanover in Federal Hill. 2723 Lighthouse Point. 410-387-4377

OPEN

Little Bird Coffee Bar: There is now even more to love about The Bluebird Cocktail Room in Hampden, which debuted a sister concept in the subterranean space downstairs earlier this week. The Italian-inspired cafe offers an array of coffee and espresso drinks, as well as Campari, Negroni, and amaro cocktails. The European flair is also showcased in the food offerings, which include house-made pastries, charcuterie, a French hot dog on a petit baguette, pasta, and a marinara sauce recipe passed down from co-owner Caroline Benkert’s great aunt Holly from Sicily. The 60-seat cafe will be open from 7 a.m.-9 p.m. on weekdays, and stay open until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. 3600 Hickory Ave. 667-303-3263

Poke Fish Sushi: Take a trip to Hawaii by way of Owings Mills at this new poke spot that recently opened its doors in the Valley Village Shopping Center off of Reisterstown Road. The fast-casual eatery offers ramen noodles, specialty sushi rolls and burritos, and Hibachi-style chicken and tofu. But the stars of the show are the DIY poke bowls that diners can customize with rice, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and a variety of sauces. The restaurant joins Stanford Kitchen, Suya Spot, and Palio on the list of dining destinations that recently debuted in the Owings Mills area. 9163 Reisterstown Rd, Owings Mills. 410-902-8889

COMING SOON

Man vs. Pho: Patterson Park locals will be happy to hear that a new pho destination is making its way into the neighborhood in plenty of time for soup season. Catonsville favorite Pho Saigon—which was featured on an episode of Travel Channel’s Man vs. Food last month—is opening a spinoff on Eastern Avenue next to Matthew’s Pizza next week. Named after its signature “Man vs. Pho” challenge (diners are dared to slurp down four pounds of meat and noodles in 30 minutes), the Vietnamese spot will feature its DIY pho bowls with add-ins including steak, chicken, crabmeat, and fried tofu. The new location will debut in soft-opening mode on Monday, August 13, and a grand opening is scheduled for Wednesday, August 22. 3133 Eastern Ave. 410-314-8345

NEWS

Salt Tavern: After 12 years, mother-and-son duo Jane and Jason Ambrose have decided that it’s time to take their Butchers Hill tavern—best known for its duck fat fries and goat cheese doughnuts—in a new direction. The owners announced earlier this week that the last evening of traditional dinner service at Salt will be on Saturday, August 11. But they won’t be abandoning the space. Starting in October, the restaurant will be used for special pop-ups and guest chef dinners, as well as private dining events. “As we begin this transition, we want to say thank you to all of our customers, foodie supporters, food critics, suppliers, neighbors, friends, and family,” the duo said in a statement. “We appreciate what you have done for us and hope that you will continue to support us in our new venture.” 2127 E. Pratt St. 410-276-5480

The Dizz: Rest assured, Remington. The Dizz is officially reopening on Friday, August 10. After a routine health inspection late last month, the fan-favorite hangout was closed due to “unexpected mechanical failures in the kitchen,” according to a post on its Facebook page. Since then, the restaurant has taken a short hiatus to replace the equipment and refinish the floors. The spot will be back up and running starting at 10 a.m. on Friday, with plenty of beer, wings, and burgers to go around. 300 W. 30th St. 443-869-5864

EPICUREAN EVENTS

ONGOING: August Happy Hour at Bar Vasquez
With the beginning of a new month comes a fresh batch of $5 drinks and appetizers during happy hour at Bar Vasquez in Harbor East. In honor of the summer harvest, the bar is showcasing a refreshing “La Merienda” cocktail with George Dickel rye, peach and ginger syrup, fresh brewed iced tea, and lemon juice for $5 on weekdays from 5-7 p.m. The happy hour menu features plenty of snacks to pair with the cocktail, including crispy local zucchini, empanadas de queso, and shrimp ceviche. 1425 Aliceanna St. 410-534-7296

8/12: Mercado “No Se” at Clavel
Throughout brunch service this Sunday, Clavel will be hosting a special makers market featuring wares crafted by staff members and other local artists. Sip Sophomore Coffee—which will soon open a shop attached to Clavel’s new beer garden in Old Goucher—while perusing art, ceramics, mixtapes, plants, vintage clothing, zines, and more. To add to the fun, Daniel Reza Barrientos of Mexico’s La Rifa Chocolateria will be hosting an intimate chocolate tasting at 2 p.m. Learn more about the origins of chocolate while sampling truffles, cacao seeds, and a pre-Hispanic cold cacao drink. Admission to the market is free, and tickets to the tasting are $20. 225 W 23rd St. 443-900-8983. 12-4 p.m.

8/23: Battle of the Brands
Mark your calendar for this friendly food competition hosted by B-More Kitchen—the Govans incubator where dozens of culinary startups prepare their scratch-made goods. Stroll around the space to sip Full Tilt Brewing beers while sampling eats from the likes of Woot Granola, Wholesome Nibbles, Hiatus Cheesecake, Gundalow Gourmet, A Friendly Bread, Syriana Cafe, Tablefield Catering, and more. Winners will be crowned with bragging rights and prizes in sweet, savory, overall, and People’s Choice categories. 5609 Hess Ave. 6:30-9 p.m. $5.