Years ago, Liz Irish dreamed of opening a Korean restaurant to honor the foods of her heritage and help demystify the cuisine.

“On and around Charles Street, there’s a cluster of old-school Korean restaurants, says Liz, “and, whenever I would talk to friends, that was their only introduction or knowledge of Korean food—we wanted to do something that was a little more modern.”

Welcome to the adorably named Toki Tako at the Rotunda in Hampden, just a few hundred feet away from The Local Fry, the other spot Liz and her husband, Kevin, own and operate.

Back in 2019, the couple signed a lease, hoping to open Toki Tako in the spring of 2020—then COVID struck. In January 2021, at long last, they opened their (rounded) pink and white doors, which are shaped like bunny ears, their sly wink to the word “toki,” which means rabbit in Korean.

“We chose that name because my parents sent me to Korean school when I was a kid,” says Liz, who was born in Baltimore and raised in Ellicott City. “They didn’t want me to lose touch with my heritage. In the school, we were taught that the Korean peninsula, with North and South Korea together, is the shape of a rabbit, so it’s cool to bring that idea back to the name.”

Despite the sound of the name, Toki Tako is not a South-of-the-Border/Korean mash-up, though the original concept was to open a Korean-Mexican fusion concept.

“As we were developing the recipes and the concept, I was like, ‘I’m not proficient in Mexican cuisine or culture, so I don’t want to cook something and pretend that I do know it,’” recalls Liz.

“I wanted the restaurant to be 100 percent Korean. “There’s no Mexican side at all here,” adds Kevin. “People come in here and they think that some things will be Mexian, but we are like, ‘This is literally straight Korean, but you can get it in a tortilla.’”

While the menu features many of the delectable dishes you’d get in a Korean barbecue joint—the spicy pork belly, the pickled radishes, the kimchi—Liz and Kevin came up with the idea of using tortillas as a vehicle to make the fare less intimidating to patrons.

 

DESPITE THE SOUND OF THE NAME, TOKI TAKO IS NOT A SOUTH-OF-THE-BORDER/ KOREAN MASH-UP.

 

“We wanted to serve the Korean food in an approachable, familiar vessel,” says Liz. Another option for holding the fillings: lettuce wraps or “ssams,” (which is Korean for wrapped).

“When people think of lettuce wraps, they think of P.F. Chang’s or something very Americanized,” says Liz. “It’s not intimidating to have the meat and pickled vegetables inside the lettuce wrap.”

In addition to the tortillas and ssams, there’s also doshi boxes, as well as elements of Korean street food such as tteokbokki (stir-fried rice cakes in fish sauce) and corn cheese (similar to creamed corn), a popular bar snack in Korea.

“I also want people to know that Korean cuisine is vast,” says Liz. “Korean food is not just rice and Korean fried chicken and kimchi. It’s very vegetable-heavy, so when you go to a Korean restaurant, typically, the meal is served with a bunch of side dishes at the table.”

“We are trying to educate people about the common items, and the ones that are not common, as well,” adds Kevin. “The majority of items on our menu, you can’t get anywhere else.”

While The Local Fry, with its spud-centric fare, honors Kevin’s Irish traditions, Toki Tako harkens back to Liz’s childhood. “I grew up eating Korean food,” she says, “but it was the adults who would make the food and the kids would just rush into the room to eat it. Other than mandu, which we sat around and made together on holidays, we were really never taught to make stuff.”

Eventually, she did learn, while living abroad in Italy, where she studied fashion for five years. “When I was living there, I missed Korean food,” says Liz wistfully. “I was always asking my mom for recipes and asking her how it was made.”

Toki Tako is considered a fast-casual concept, though it’s anything but fast food. Everything, from the hand-sliced garlic to the giant bowls of kimchi, is made with complete consideration and care.

“We use as our business model fast-casual food, because people can come in and out and get their food quickly,” explains Liz, “but on the kitchen side of it, we’ve always focused on making everything super-fresh and super-hot—and we don’t do anything frozen. We make things to order.”

In addition to educating patrons all about Korean cuisine, Liz is also keeping continuity with her culture. The latitude and longitude of Seoul are prominently displayed on a wall near the cash register, and the dishes on the pegboard menu are spelled phonetically with their Korean names.

“I am American, and my parents were immigrants,” says Liz, whose father passed away in 2001. “But even after my mom goes, and our connection to Korea is gone, I want to be able to still hold on to it.”

TOKI TAKO: 711 W. 40th St.; 443-708-4993. HOURS: Tues.-Sat. 5-8 p.m. PRICES: Ban chan and sides: $3-8; tako and ssam: $4.50 each; (or $13-14 for three); DIY meal kits: $25-28. AMBIANCE: Think pink.

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EAT

July 10-26: Maryland Food Truck Week

Locations vary. 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Maryland’s annual two-week-long celebration of our local kitchens on wheels kicks off this weekend with a special focus on the trucks that have been serving frontline workers throughout the pandemic. More than 75 trucks will be out and about on a daily basis, ready to serve up everything from classic American dishes to international fare. On opening day, Wolo Eats will be bringing hand-breaded fried chicken, crabby creations, and grilled burgers to Harbor Market. Presented by the Maryland Mobile Food Vending Association, the event benefits Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland—which delivers meals to state residents who are unable to leave their homes.

DRINK

July 10: Pints in the Park

Center Plaza. 120 W Fayette St. 5-8 p.m. Free.

Downtown Partnership’s beloved outdoor happy hour has returned—with proper social distancing measures, of course. Fill up the cooler with your favorite beer or wine and spend the evening taking in the sights and sounds at Center Plaza. Local vendors will also be on site offering ice-cold libations in case your cooler needs to be restocked. Folk rockers Polar Opposites will kick off the live music for the ongoing summer series, which continues on the second Friday of the month in August and September.

SEE

July 11-12: Bubble Days

Maryland Science Center. 601 Light St. 12-4 p.m. Prices vary.

The team at the Maryland Science Center has missed their favorite scientists, so what better way to celebrate their reopening than with a bubble party? You and your youngsters will have the chance to create bubbles out of dry ice and engineer a way to drive bubbles through air. World-renowned bubble artist Casey Carle will also pop in to put on his show Bubble-Ology 101: The Secret Science of Soap. Head to the Inner Harbor museum on Saturday or Sunday for the sudsy celebration. If you’d prefer to tune in virtually, visit the Science Center’s Facebook page to celebrate Bubble Day online.

HEAR

July 10-12: Cyrus Chestnut at Keystone Korner

1350 Lancaster St. Times and prices vary.

Legendary pianist Cyrus Chestnut will take the stage at Harbor East jazz club Keystone Korner this weekend, performing two shows of his remarkable rhythm and riffs each day. The Fells Point venue knows one way to relax during these challenging times is by listening to jazz, so they’ve put in the work to ensure visitors can escape from the chaos while remaining socially distant and safe. Plus, livestream passes are available for those who would like to enjoy the smooth sounds from the comfort of their own homes.

DO

July 10: Rotunda Garden Party

Rotunda. 711 W 40th St. 1-9 p.m. Free.

It’s hard to beat a Friday spent outside with fresh air, cocktails, food, and live music—which is why The Rotunda’s Garden Party classifies itself as Hampden’s best socially distant outdoor event. Spend your afternoon on the green while enjoying poke bowls, barbecue, and cupbap provided by Poke Max. As the sun sets, listen to the soulful sounds of Washington, D.C.-based Brent & Co. Just don’t forget to bring the lawn chairs and picnic blankets to secure a comfortable seat six feet apart.

There are so many places you could start a story about Yahu Blackwell.

He’s 33 years old, and has already lived a life worthy of novel. He’s a former police officer, who was also arrested as a teenager. He’s a professional boxer, and his next fight is Saturday at a hotel in Rosarita Beach, Mexico. He’s a businessman, too. For the last year, he’s been preparing to open Baltimore’s newest Rita’s Italian Ice location in the Rotunda courtyard in Hampden. “A new sink is going in today,” he recently told us by phone.

Of Nigerian descent and Jewish faith, Blackwell’s first name, Yahu, appropriately means “everything” in Hebrew. He is busy. One look at his Instagram account can give you a great glimpse of it. There are videos of the 5-foot-10, 200-pound-ish fighter at work, and the bio at the top of his page reads: “King From the Akan People | Hebrew Blooded | Pro Boxer.”

And everything this local hero living in Owings Mills has worked for until this point seems to be aligning as planned right now. “I know that sounds cliché, but I tell kids all the time, ‘If you put your mind to it, you can really do it,’” he says. “I’m proof.”

Blackwell didn’t go to college and has no formal business education. But, as he told Forbes a few years ago, his goal is “to become the richest athlete from Baltimore.” And after going 156-28 as an amateur boxer, becoming the World Boxing Union novice world champion, and starting 15-0 as a pro cruiserweight in the International Boxing League over the last decade—he still plans to fight for at least another five years—Blackwell’s out-of-ring pursuits are just getting going. The Rita’s grand opening, a few years in the making, is approaching, and he has eyes on real estate projects in the area where he grew up.

That’s really where his story begins. He’s a product of the relatively low-income Lansdowne and Edmondson neighborhoods in south and west Baltimore, and the son of the late Sandra Blackwell, a doting mom and hospital worker, and father, Dwayne, who’s been out of the picture for most of his life. “A typical Baltimore story,” Blackwell says of his dad. “Got caught up selling drugs, ended up getting hooked on drugs, and he’s been fighting those demons his whole life.”

Another male influence, a neighbor and Baltimore County police officer, Rodney Kenion, introduced Blackwell to boxing. He secretly trained at Mack Lewis Boxing Gym in East Baltimore without his mother’s knowledge until he came home with a tournament-winning trophy as a teenager. Mom tried to dissuade him from the violent pursuit, at one point even telling his coaches to give him an extra beating one day at the gym. They did. It didn’t work. “She picked me up in the car afterward and said, ‘See, you don’t want to do that?” Blackwell recalls. “I was like, ‘No, I want to go back.” It was an outlet.

Almost five years later, while riding in a car with friends who were carrying guns, an 18-year-old Blackwell was face down and handcuffed in the street, he says, with another officer holding a gun to his head.

“I was just sitting in the backseat, and we get stopped, and they take us out the car, make us sit on the sidewalk, you know how that goes,” he says. “That was the wake-up call for me. It was such a bad experience. I remember I was laying in my cell, and I told God, ‘If you get me out of this. I’ll be the person that you want me to be.’”

A prescient Baltimore County judge, Ruth Jakubowski, let Blackwell go and expunged his record after hearing his lawyer’s arguments about him being a good kid in a bad neighborhood. “I believe you’re going to make your mark in the world,” he recalls her saying. “But don’t make a fool out of me and come back here.” He did go back, but not how the judge expected.

After Blackwell was arrested, he followed Kenion’s path again, at his mom’s suggestion. Blackwell became a cop himself, putting him on both sides of the renewed, ongoing national debate about policing in America.

“The police needs to be a part of the community,” he says. “And not a thing that’s feared by the community. When I was arrested, I thought they were going to kill me.”

Two years into his police career, Blackwell—who was boxing as an amateur while trying to get signed by an agent—had another chance encounter. This time it was with a local businessman, Josh Dreiband, the vice president of the Northwest BMW car dealer. He had seen Blackwell sparring at the Ferocity MMA gym in Northwest Baltimore where they both worked out. One morning, Dreiband had accidently left money out in the open in the locker room. Blackwell saw it, but didn’t take it. Instead, he struck up a relationship with Dreiband, who eventually offered him a $250,000 signing bonus and the promise of representation.

For a lot of people, that would be that. But around that time, Blackwell read a Sports Illustrated article that estimated 60 percent of former NBA players are broke within five years of retirement, and later he was watching a documentary that focused on the high percentage of professional athletes that blow all their money.

“I was like, ‘these are guys making $30-, $40-, $50-million contracts, what do you mean they’re broke?’” he says. “It was because they didn’t make any investments. They were living off their talent, but eventually that comes to an end. I knew that I need to also be skilled in this area as well if I want longevity.”

As he started to make between $30,000 and $50,000 per fight along with about $20,000 annually in endorsements, Blackwell started saving money with eyes on starting his own business. He was reading about successful pro athletes-turned-entrepreneurs, like Shaquille O’Neal and his dozens of Five Guys burger joints and Krispy Kreme donut shops. Family and friends suggested Blackwell start a trucking business.

“I was just saving, saving, saving. I would pay my bills, put a little money to the side, my fun money, go out to eat, go to movies, then I would just save everything,” he says. “Then I was just trying to figure out how I was going to invest my money.”

Three years ago he got his answer in unfortunate circumstances. His mother got pneumonia and Blackwell says doctors in a local emergency room performed a surgical procedure on her lung that they shouldn’t have, leaving her struggling to breathe and eventually with heart failure (and a malpractice suit pending). As his mom became weaker and weaker, she asked for one her favorite foods, a chilled Italian ice. She passed away on July 5, 2015 at the age of 50. “When the situation happened with my mom,” Blackwell says, “that’s what solidified Rita’s.”

For about the last month, Blackwell has been maneuvering through the social-distancing era and putting the finishing touches on the Rita’s kiosk at the Rotunda that will open soon. (The signage just went up this week.) And he’s also been training for his next fight, as usual. The day typically starts with a two-mile run in the morning if the weather is good, 10 trips up a 300-flight concrete outdoor staircase in Timonium, followed by a mile run and boxing at a private gym.

“It hasn’t really bothered me much,” he says of the pandemic and stay-at-home rules, “because I’m always trying to find something productive to do anyway.”

It’s not hyperbole: Yahu is everything, and then some.

OPEN

The Reister’s Daughter: The 200 block of Main Street in Reisterstown has long been a destination for frozen custard and Italian ice at The Cow. And now, there’s even more to love in the area with the opening of this new coffee shop just across the street. Set in the historic Beckley House property that formerly operated as The Ski Shoppe, the cozy spot offers grinds sourced from Gracefully Coffee Roasters in Windsor Mill. Look out for nitro and cold brew on tap, espresso, and specialty drinks like matcha lattes and a soothing London Fog. The pastry program is also sourced locally, featuring sweets from Diablo Donuts in Federal Hill and JeannieBird Baking Company in Westminster.

Dutch Courage: Veteran bartenders Brendan Dorr and Eric Fooy have started 2020 off right with the opening of their highly anticipated gin bar in Old Goucher. Filled with vintage interior touches—try to spot treasures like the silver cash register or red velvet sofa—the bar offers a menu of innovative gin drinks alongside a seasonal list of cocktails showcasing other spirits. To get the full experience, enjoy gin-forward options including the “Jefferson Sour” (sage-infused gin with lemon and honey) and the “Lady Mercy,” which mixes genever with mezcal and orange bitters. Pair all of the libations with bites from the food menu, which lists charcuterie, deviled eggs, pickled veggies, and warm sandwiches.

COMING SOON

Rita’s at The Rotunda: The first day of spring is still a couple months away, but when March 19 crops up, so will this new kiosk at The Rotunda in Hampden. Stationed just off of the family-friendly playspace in the center of the retail-and-residential district, the dessert chain will offer its wide range of Italian ice flavors (everything from mango and cherry to blue raspberry and Swedish Fish) and swirls of frozen custard.

NEWS

The Phoenix Emporium: As we reported back in 2018, this neighborhood staple on Main Street in Ellicott City is among the 10 properties slated for demolition in accordance with Howard County’s “Safe and Sound” flood mitigation plan developed by County Executive Calvin Ball. The Phoenix Emporium owner Mark Hemmis recently took to Facebook to confirm that he has entered into an agreement with the county to sell his interest in the property effective April 1. Though this means The Phoenix will close at the end of March, there is a silver lining to Hemmis’ plan. As chef/owner Richard Winter of Ellicott Mills Brewing Company (located just up the street from The Phoenix) prepares to retire, Hemmis plans to purchase the brewpub—where he once worked and met his wife more than 20 years ago.

Hemmis, along with the existing management team at Ellicott Mills, are working together to merge the spirits of the two establishments under one roof. “Ellicott Mills Brewing Company will operate as normal as we figure out our next steps together,” he wrote. “The floods of 2016 and 2018 have taken a financial, physical, and emotional toll on my family, our staff, and all of our families, friends, and community that we continue to process to this every day. But we do not stop. We are eternally grateful for the support of our community and are overjoyed with the opportunity to remain a part of Ellicott City’s resurgence.”

SHUT

Edmart Deli: Baltimore lost yet another one of its Jewish deli institutions earlier this week. Edmart, which has been a go-to for classics like chopped liver, corned beef, and hand-sliced lox since 1958, closed its doors in Pikesville on New Year’s Eve. Owner Shelley Lev Wiseman, who inherited the business from her father, made the decision to shutter the store in an effort to spend more time with family. “I haven’t seen my grandchildren,” she told The Sun. “And they just grow up so fast.” Regulars have long frequented Edmart for its holiday trays, desserts, and array of deli meats. (Duff Goldman even gave the brisket a shout-out on an episode of Food Network’s “The Best Thing I Ever Ate.”) Though Wiseman has expressed interest in selling Edmart, the future of the deli is still up in the air.

Vaccaro’s Italian Pastry Shop Bel Air: Sadly, New Year’s Eve was the last day for Bel Air locals to grab a cannoli at Vaccaro’s in Harford Mall. According to a message posted to the shop’s Facebook page last week, the decision was made quickly. “We did not want to close, however we cannot afford to keep the location running and the mall has signed a new lease for our space,” the Vaccaro family wrote. “We are very sad to close this chapter. Thank you to all of our loyal customers.” Luckily, the beloved sweet shop’s other locations in Little Italy, Canton, and Hunt Valley remain open with plenty of almond macaroons, gelato, and pignoli cookies to go around.

When chef Audiel Vera developed the opening menu for Avenue Kitchen & Bar in Hampden last summer, he knew he wanted to create a special section dedicated to authentic Mexican tacos.

“They ended up being really popular,” says Vera, whose family hails from Puebla near Mexico City. “Now we want to expand on that concept a little bit more.”

Next week, the team from Avenue Kitchen & Bar will unveil a spinoff called Taco Noche—a freestanding kiosk in The Rotunda development in Hampden that will serve up tacos, salads, guacamole, and other snacks from lunchtime until 3 a.m.

The late-night stand, which will debut with a Taco Tuesday bash on September 11, is somewhat of a passion project for Vera—who moved from New York City to Houston when he was 14. While living there, he became familiar with the Northern Mexican-style of cooking.

“Hanging out in Houston was a big culture shock for me,” Vera says. “I was always used to the classic Southern Mexican dishes like corn tortillas, moles, and tacos with just onion and cilantro. And then all of the sudden I went to Texas and the food was very different than what I had been exposed to.”

The menu at Taco Noche will play up the Tex-Mex vibe, featuring flour tortillas stuffed with smoked beef brisket, barbacoa, pork carnitas, and jerk chicken. Other highlights will include traditional street corn, nachos topped with sour cream and cheese sauce, a classic burrito with refried beans and lettuce, and a “Kitchen Sink” salad—which tops arugula, with avocado, pico de gallo, cotija cheese, pickled peppers, and lemon vinaigrette.

“It’s just something different,” says Vera, who previously headed up Bmore Cocina in Upper Fells Point. (His sister, Rosalyn, now runs Cocina Luchadoras in the space.) “Everybody is doing corn tortillas now, which I’m very familiar with because those are the flavors that I grew up with. But no one is really exploring that real Northern Mexican vibe.”

Avenue Kitchen co-founder Bill Irvin says that he hopes Taco Noche will introduce more variety for late-night diners in Hampden and Charles Village, who are used to either grabbing Korean barbecue at Jong Kak or fried chicken at Royal Farms after last call.

“Years and years ago, there was late-night dining,” Irvin says. “You could go to Sabatino’s at 2 or 3 a.m., but now that’s all stopped. The marketplace for late-night now is basically convenience because it’s difficult to keep a kitchen open that late.”

Taco Noche will mark Irvin’s third freestanding concept in the center of the mixed-use development. He also runs the Rotunda’s Tiny Wine Shoppe and Garden Party—a European-influenced bar featuring charcuterie boards, sandwiches, and salads for diners to enjoy al fresco.

Irvin says he is looking forward to hosting fun pop-up events at the kiosks throughout the year, mentioning snowball fights with hot cocoa in the winter and a holiday celebration with wine pairings in December. Once the taco spot opens next week, its dishes will be available for carry-out or delivery using apps like Grubhub and Ubereats.

When it comes to Taco Noche, the team is most excited to introduce their unique spin on classic Mexican flavors.

“We want it to be approachable and not too extreme,” Vera says. “It will be fun to take people on a little more of a journey around Mexico that isn’t just cheese and meat.”

COMING SOON

Döner Brös: Less than a year after launching this Oktoberfest-inspired food truck, owners Alex Politsch and Steven Banks are taking the concept to the next level by opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Charles Village this September. Known for its salads, fries, and wraps made with seasoned meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie, Döner Brös will join THB Bagels & Deli, Bird in Hand, and the recently debuted Red Star Bar & Grill in the Nine East 33rd development near the Johns Hopkins University campus. “Johns Hopkins University 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.

Bodhi Corner: Adding to the revival efforts on Chestnut Avenue in Hampden (a corner grocery store is expected to open in the former Play Cafe space in September) is this new Thai restaurant from the owners of Khun Nine Thai in Mt. Vernon. Expected to open in the former home of Café Cito later this summer, the spot will feature Thai staples including rice dishes, noodles, curries, and rotating vegan and vegetarian options made with beans, tofu, and seasonal vegetables. 3500 Chestnut Ave.

OPEN

Garden Party: Now, moms and dads have even more reason to love the splash fountain in the center of The Rotunda in Hampden. While watching their little ones run through the water, they can sip wine and enjoy snacks, sandwiches, and salads from this new outdoor dining concept operated by the owners of Avenue Kitchen & Bar. Open in the freestanding shack next to the fountain, Garden Party offers a food menu including tahini hummus, edamame guacamole, meat and cheese boards, mini Cubano sandwiches, and a Mediterranean chopped salad. The wine list features sparkling, red, white, and rosé blends from Europe that are available by the glass or bottle. 711 W. 40th St.

NEWS

101 Deli Bar: There is new blood in the kitchen at 101 Deli Bar in Federal Hill. Chef Brian Mahon, formerly of Wine Market Bistro and The Nickel Taphouse, has revamped the menu to include entrees such as Cajun shrimp and biscuits, PEI mussels, crab cakes with corn salsa, meatballs with ricotta and toast points, and a refreshing watermelon poke bowl topped with a yuzu glaze. Though Mahon has made a few additions, the menu still offers the spot’s mix-and-match charcuterie boards, signature cocktails, wines on tap, and boozy milkshakes. 1118 S. Charles St., 443-682-9480

Argosy Cafe: After three years at its current home inside the Munsey Building downtown, this popular breakfast and lunch spot will move into new digs later this month—but it isn’t going far. Argosy’s last day on North Calvert Street will be Sunday, July 15, and it is slated to reopen in the former home of New America Diner on North Eutaw Street at the end of August. Throughout its short-but-sweet run, New America became a go-to for greasy spoon favorites, community events, and local music showcases. Owner Fiona Sergeant recently told The Sun that running the restaurant took up more time and energy than she expected. Though the diner has now closed, she is working with the Argosy team to help keep the spirit of New America alive. “It’s been beautiful,” Sergeant posted to Facebook. “You have all been lovely.” 429 N. Eutaw St.

EPICUREAN EVENTS

7/6: Champagne & Fried Chicken Night at Chez Hugo

Though it might not seem like the ideal combo, champagne and fried chicken go hand-in-hand in the summer. As Southern Living puts it: “The effervescent acidity works as the ultimate grease cutter, keeping your palate crisp and clean as you chow through the salty deliciousness.” Chez Hugo Bistro is playing up the pairing this Friday night with an a la carte menu of fried chicken and sides, as well as discounted bottles of bubbly all evening long. 206 E. Redwood St. 5-9 p.m. 443-438-3002

ONGOING: Crabs and Crushes at Wit On The Water
Earlier this week, Wit & Wisdom inside the Four Seasons Baltimore brought back its annual crab feast menu featuring summer staples like steamed blue crabs, peel-and-eat shrimp, Old Bay fries, and mac and cheese. Offered daily from noon to 10 p.m. on the restaurant’s outdoor patio, the menu also highlights buckets of beer, wines by the glass or bottle, and the signature Wit & Wisdom Crush (Tito’s vodka, grapefruit or orange juice, Campari, maple syrup, and club soda) to help wash down all of the eats. 200 International Drive. 410-576-5800

SHUT

BAMF Cafe: The Station North community is already feeling the loss of this quirky cafe, which will operate through Artscape weekend and close its doors for good on July 23. “We want to thank the Station North community for its support and friendship,” owner Nicholas Springham wrote in a Facebook announcement earlier this week. “It has been a unique experience that we will cherish forever. With heartfelt gratitude, we wish our customers, neighbors, and employees the best in the future.” Throughout its three-year run, the sci-fi-themed hangout was known for its comic book club meetings, vegan and vegetarian dishes, and drinks named after popular superheroes. There’s no word yet on what will become of the North Charles Street space. 1821 N. Charles St., 667-930-3371

BREWERY BULLETIN

Full Tilt Brewing: After nearly six years of contract brewing out of Peabody Heights, Full Tilt owners (and cousins) Nick Fertig and Dan Baumiller are moving out on their own. Back in 2016, the duo announced that they would be opening a brewpub in an old police station in Towson. Those plans eventually fell through, but now, the owners have managed to secure a space just a few miles away. This fall, Full Tilt will debut a standalone brewery and taproom as part of the B-More Kitchen project in Govans. The new space will give the team the opportunity to experiment with new releases, while also allowing them to bring back some of the brewery’s most popular seasonals including the Patterson Pumpkin ale and Berger Cookie chocolate stout. Equipped with garage roll-up doors, an outdoor patio, and a clear view of the 15-barrel brewing system, the taproom will include both bar and table seating for nearly 110 guests. It will also boast arcade games, shuffleboard, corn hole, and a designated space for live entertainment. 5609 Hess Ave.

Growler USA: Featuring everything from a MOM’s Organic Market to a hybrid restaurant-and-movie theatre, The Rotunda in Hampden is full of foodie attractions. And just when we thought the mixed-use development had it all—The Local Fry, MOD Pizza, and Cinnaholic are all on their way this spring—the shopping center is welcoming its own craft beer bar. Growler USA is expected to debut in the 2800-square-foot space sandwiched between MOD Pizza and CinéBistro in the coming months. The chain’s first Maryland location will highlight 100 American-made craft beers on tap (with many local options, of course), as well as a food menu featuring burgers, sandwiches, and wings. 711 W. 40th St.

Peabody Heights Creating Second Trash Wheel Beer: In other beer news, Peabody Heights and Waterfront Partnership are teaming up yet again to release a new beer in honor of the Inner Harbor’s second trash collector, Professor Trash Wheel. The two organizations partnered to debut the Lost Python Ale in celebration of Mr. Trash Wheel last year, and now, they’re launching a new beer called “Professor Trash Wheel Blinded Me Wit Science”—a Belgian witbier brewed with citrus and Cascade hops. The brew’s name was inspired by musician (and Hopkins professor) Thomas Dolby’s 1982 hit “She Blinded Me With Science.” “As a lover of science and Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, it’s a privilege to lend the name of my song to this cause,” Dolby said in a statement. The brew will officially launch to the public at a special Earth Day event at Peabody Heights on Saturday, April 21 from 7-10:30 p.m. A portion of its taproom and liquor store sales will be donated to Waterfront Partnership’s Healthy Harbor campaign.

COMING SOON

Tooth N Nail Cafe: We expect this new Mt. Vernon cafe to evoke some serious Central Perk vibes. Owner Adam Wilder says that the spot will serve as a tribute to the old coffee houses of the ’90s. “It will function not just as a place to fuel up, but also as a focal point for the community of artists, students, residents, and visitors to the Mt. Vernon area,” Wilder recently posted to Facebook. “We’re going to feature local talent while providing a cozy atmosphere to study, lose yourself in a book, or chat with friends.” In keeping with the local theme, the 30-seat cafe will serve Zeke’s coffee, as well as a selection of juices and pastries when it cuts the ribbon next month. 7 W. Preston St.

IHOP: Come fall, locals and tourists alike will be able to fill up on fluffy flapjacks and generously portioned breakfast samplers in the Inner Harbor. A new International House of Pancakes (IHOP) restaurant is preparing to make its debut at 600 East Pratt St., the 5,000-square-foot space that previously housed Panera Bread for nearly a decade. Though IHOP operates a handful of locations in surrounding counties, this will mark the chain’s first Baltimore City eatery. 600 E. Pratt St.

EPICUREAN EVENTS

3/26: Brewer’s Dinner Series Kickoff at Rye Street Tavern

Rye Street Tavern in Port Covington is launching a beer-fueled dinner series next week. The inaugural installment will be held in one of the restaurant’s private loft spaces, and feature four courses paired with Monument City beers including the popular 51 Rye and Woodstove Imperial Stout. The special menu will highlight dishes like sweet tea-brined porchetta, country ham with spring peas, and diver sea scallop crudo with green chili and pomegranate. 13 Rye St., 443-662-8000, 7 p.m. $65

3/27: Counter Culture Tuesdays at Gunther & Co.
Chef Jerry Trice recently launched this weekly tasting experience at his spot Gunther & Co. in Brewers Hill. Every Tuesday, 16 guests will be seated at the restaurant’s counter facing the open kitchen—giving them the opportunity to interact with the chef while their five-course meals are being prepared. “Counter Culture will stay true to our values yet allow me to have a little more fun with our guests,” said Trice, in a statement. “We want guests to come in, ride the ride—no seat belts—and have a truly awesome night.” 3650 Toone St., $75, 5-9:30 p.m., 443-869-6874

TO 3/28: Bottoms Up Bagels Pop-Up in Highlandtown
This beloved bagel pop-up is currently stationed in Highlandtown. Stop by the storefront on Eastern Avenue next to Matthew’s Pizza on Sundays and Wednesdays through March 28 to load up on hand-rolled bagels schmeared with signature spreads and topped with house-cured lox. 3133 Eastern Ave.

SHUT

Aggio: Chef Bryan Voltaggio’s modern Italian concept in Power Plant Live has closed its doors for good. Voltaggio, a former Top Chef alum, opened the spot four years ago, and it has since become a destination for colorful pastas and forward-thinking takes on classic Boot Country dishes. Aggio was the last remaining Baltimore concept for the Frederick-born chef (he closed his comfort food spot Family Meal on Pier 5 in 2016), who operates other eateries in Frederick, Washington, D.C., and Ashburn, Virginia. 614 Water St.