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.

COMING SOON

Rituals: Since it was announced that the Windup Space was closing last month, the arts community has been taking its time to mourn the loss of the inclusive haven in Station North. But the tears were wiped away this week with the news that veteran bartender Émile Joseph Weeks has stepped in to take over the venue. Though its name will change to Rituals, the bar will remain a DIY performance space designed to bring the community together.

In a recent interview with Baltimore Fishbowl, Weeks—whose resume includes stints behind the bar at Pen & Quill, Parts & Labor, and Ida B’s Table—mentioned interior upgrades and a refreshed cocktail program featuring classic Manhattans, Old Fashioneds, martinis, and boilermakers. Other than that, the ethos of the space will carry on the legacy that former proprietor Russell De Ocampo established throughout the past decade. “I am honored and humbled to be able to continue creating more memories and serving the local DIY and arts community,” Weeks posted to Facebook. He is planning to give locals a sneak peek of Rituals during Pride weekend and Artscape, and expects to be open full time in September. 12 W. North Ave.

Burgerim: Rounding out the roster of retail tenants at Anthem House in Locust Point will be this gourmet burger chain. Setting up shop in the vacant space on the corner of Lawrence Street and Fort Avenue, the eatery will specialize in worldly options like Spanish beef, Hawaiian salmon, Greek lamb, and Mediterranean falafel burgers. The menu also lists milkshakes, onion rings, crispy chicken strips, and signature scalloped fries. When it debuts in early 2020, Burgerim will join Amber, Jazz + Soju, and yet-to open tenants Pure Raw Juice and Limoncello in the mixed-use development. 900 E. Fort Ave.

OPEN

Panda BBQ: In only about a month since opening on the corner of Preston and Morton streets in Mt. Vernon, this Chinese barbecue restaurant has already gained a reputation for its specialty skewers, sizzling hot pots, and massive orders of spicy Ma La crawfish—one of China’s most popular summer dishes. The restaurant also features traditional dumplings, scallion pancakes, and fried rice—but the skewers (in varieties ranging from beef and lamb to goat kidney and king mushrooms) seem to be the stars of the show. If you can’t make it to Mt. Vernon, the spot also offers delivery via GrubHub. 7 W. Preston St. 310-894-3736

Hanover & Hughes Collective: A new coffee shop joined the scene in South Baltimore this week. Located behind the Vision coworking complex in Federal Hill, Hanover & Hughes doubles as a private events venue and shares its space with an attached barber shop. Step inside the garage-style doors to check out the modern design featuring a thriving green wall, stark pops of white, stained wood, and lounge seating. The drink menu uses Ceremony Coffee for its espresso, Americano, lattes, cold brews, and pour-overs. 12 W. Montgomery St. 301-442-7800

The Verandah: The staggered openings continue to roll out at Broadway Market in Fells Point, and the latest addition is this stall highlighting Indian street food. The satellite location of the Hampden-based restaurant is now officially open, serving up classics like tikka masala, chicken curry tacos, and portobello mushroom wraps. Opening just in time for summer, The Verandah also offers refreshing sips like mango lassi and ginger-mint lemonade. 1640 Aliceanna St.

EPICUREAN EVENTS

TO 6/16: Big Softy at R. House
The rotating pop-up stall at R. House has been hosting some popular purveyors lately. On the heels of a weeklong residency from college chef Jesse Wu of Jade last month, the space has now transformed into a temporary home for Big Softy—the soft-shell sandwich shop from Craig Falk of The Lunchbox Lady. Falk says this time he’s “pushing the envelope” with new soft-shell varieties (think Buffalo and Nashville hot flavors), po-boys, shrimp salad sandwiches, and uni and crab toast on brioche with radish flowers. Fans of The Lunchbox Lady can also be on the lookout for the catering company’s signature citrus chicken salad. 301 W. 29th St.

6/8: Crawltimore Donut Bike Crawl
There’s no better way to celebrate National Doughnut Day (even if it’s technically one day late) than with this annual bike crawl. The eight-mile glide through the city starts off bright and early at Roosevelt Park, and stops at multiple different shops along the way. Riders will sample sweets at places like Full Circle Artisan Palace in Hampden, Diablo Doughnuts in Federal Hill, and Terra Cafe in Charles Village—which sells Blondie’s Doughnuts. A portion of proceeds from the $25 registration fee will be donated to research at Johns Hopkins’ Wilmer Eye Institute. Roosevelt Park, 1221 W. 36th St. 8:30 a.m. $25

Since opening his Korean-inspired cafe Dooby’s in Mt. Vernon in 2014, Phil Han has witnessed the city’s food scene expand with globally diverse concepts that take diners everywhere from the islands of Thailand to the mountains of Senegal.

“When Dooby’s opened, we played a very fine balancing act of introducing some Korean ingredients, but at the same time making a menu that was a little more approachable for the broader audience,” says Han, who also owns cocktail bar Sugarvale and forthcoming pizza spot Noona’s. “Where we are food-wise as a city has certainly progressed and caught its bearings since then.”

Han made it a priority to reflect that evolution when he was asked to assist with the vendor selection process for the newly renovated Broadway Market in Fells Point. It was announced today that the revamped north shed of the 232-year-old property—between Fleet and Aliceanna streets—will house 10 stalls, both old and new, when it reopens in early 2019.

Aside from new locations for Connie’s Chicken & Waffles, Taharka Bros. Ice Cream, Thai Street, and The Verandah, veteran vendors Sal’s Seafood, Sophia’s Place, and Vikki’s Fells Point Deli will make up the market. Han himself also plans to introduce two new concepts, an all-day centerpiece bar and an authentic Korean eatery called Old Boy.

The Dooby’s spinoff will feature bar seating that allows diners to engage with their servers and learn more about the authentic dishes that Han grew up with. He mentions homestyle options like tonkatsu, a deep-fried pork cutlet, and dakbokkeumtang, spicy chicken braised with vegetables and spices.

“You’ll certainly see modern interpretations throughout the menu,” he says. “But it’s still built so that if my parents were to come in with their friends they would very much feel at home with the dishes that were presented.”

While partially inspired by a classic Korean action film, Old Boy’s name also pays homage to the idea that, as Han has grown older, has has developed a deeper appreciation for the classic dishes that he grew up eating with his family.

“I used to be that kid who would bring a Happy Meal into Korean restaurants,” he recalls. “Now I realize that the food my mom cooked when I was younger is the food that I’m craving more often. This is what I want to eat, and it’s a return of a deeper appreciation and representation of where I came from.”

Not far from Old Boy’s stall will be Han’s yet-to-be-named bar, which will offer an array of cappuccinos and lattes in the morning, as well as house made pastries and its own New American-style brunch menu. Situated under a gleaming skylight, the bar will also serve a menu of beer, wine, and cocktails during the evening hours.

Though they’re only a few hundred square feet, the goal is for both concepts to have distinct and inviting styles—which will be executed by a hyper-local design team that includes PI.KL Studio, Goodwood Design, and Sandtown Millworks.

“With Old Boy, you’ll see a little bit of homage to that old-school Korean look, which generally lends itself to a lot of natural wood tones,” Han says. “We just really want to create this warm space where it feels inviting to come over and sit down.”

The redesigned north shed, which has sat vacant for more than a decade, is expected to debut in February. Following in the summer of 2019 will be the premiere of The Choptank, a collaborative seafood concept from Atlas Restaurant Group and Captain James Landing, which will open in the neighboring south shed.

Aside from reactivating the Fells Point space, Han is enthusiastic about what a concept like this means for the future of the Baltimore food scene.

“I think sometimes people get a little bit too fixated on what’s closing,” he says. “But there’s definitely some positivity and growth happening in Baltimore. It’s an exciting time to see some of these younger food guys getting a shot at a bigger game.”

COMING SOON

Sacré Sucré: It’s no secret that macarons are having a moment, and soon, locals will be able to sample the sweet confections at this new shop in Fells Point. Slated to open later this month, Sacré Sucré (which translates to “sacred sugar” in French) will offer delicate pastries including fluffy eclairs, hand-decorated bonbons, and an array of colorful macarons. Set in the Fleet Street shop that previously housed Baltimore Cakery, the pastry studio will boast a modern design with neon signs, custom wallpaper, and an open kitchen behind a glass display case. 2001 Fleet St, 443-873-0020

The Sweet Greek Grill: This migrating Greek food stand has become known for serving its Old World staples at fairs and festivals throughout the state. And now, The Sweet Greek Grill is settling in to permanent digs in Fallston. The new eatery will be a destination for authentic gyros, spanakopita, loukoumades, and housemade baklava when it cuts the ribbon in the coming weeks. 2735 Fallston Road, Fallston, 443-567-1628

NEWS

Cosima Launches Sunday Brunch: Earlier this month, chef Donna Crivello started serving Sunday brunch at Cosima in Clipper Mill. Just in time for al fresco dining season (the restaurant boasts a picturesque patio overlooking the Jones Falls), the rustic Italian spot is now open for brunch every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Menu highlights include brioche French toast with apple compote and candied bacon, corn pancakes with whipped lemon mascarpone, roasted pork belly with pickled pears, and a Sicilian salad with arugula, oranges, and fennel. Beverage manager Kristen Starks has also dreamed up a bevy of brunch cocktails to help wash down all of the eats. 3000 Falls Road, 443-708-7352

The Emporiyum Takes a Break: Local foodies have made attending this culinary cloud nine—a gathering of regional purveyors selling everything from doughnuts and dumplings to craft beer and bubble tea—a spring tradition since it launched three years ago. But the Emporiyum is going on hiatus this year while co-founder Sue-Jean Chun is on maternity leave. Chun assures that the festival will be back in 2019, and is currently in the process of scouting new locations. “The food talent in Baltimore is endless and we look forward to producing next spring’s event to be the best yet,” she tells us. “We can’t wait to start putting together an amazing roster with new artisans, new products, and standby favorites, too.” 

Cross Street Market Update: As Federal Hill’s Cross Street Market continues to trek forward with its major revitalization plans, vendors are deciding whether to close, relocate, or stay put during construction. Dooby’s sister-spot Sundays Bakehouse will close in the market after this weekend, but hopes to make a return once renovations wrap up in 2019. Soup purveyor Prescription Chicken and Gertie’s Yummy Yogurt Bowls have temporarily moved to the Mount Vernon Marketplace until construction is complete. Head to the Mt. Vernon food hall to sample signature broths including matzo ball and meatless veggie, as well as colorful yogurt bowls topped with fruit, nuts, and granola. Barbecue hotspot Smoke—along with Nick’s Oyster Bar, The Sweet Shoppe, Pretzel Twist, Nunnally Bros. Choice Meats, and Cheese Galore & More—will all remain open at Cross Street throughout the construction process. 1065 S. Charles St. 

Wild Kombucha Debuts New Flavor: Homegrown beverage startup Wild Kombucha has been hard at work on a new flavor that is launching just in time for the warmer temperatures. On Wednesday, April 18, the brand’s new Tart Cherry Ginger kombucha will land in more than 300 retail stores throughout the region, including local Whole Foods and MOM’s Organic Market locations. The new release—made with a fermented green tea base, organic cherries, and ginger juice—comes at a transformative time for the company, which started as a small operation in 2015 and is now expanding distribution to five states from a 4,000-square-foot brewery in Timonium. 

EPICUREAN EVENTS

4/18: Eating From the Foodshed Roundtable at Bird in Hand
If you’re thinking about joining a local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program this season, Bird in Hand is hosting a roundtable discussion to explore the benefits of eating local. Listen in as Tamara Todd of Monkton’s Wild Peace Farm, local health and fitness blogger Jess Schreibstein, and Briana White of Woodberry Kitchen discuss the ins and outs of becoming a CSA member. Guests attending the BYOB event will also be able to sign up for the Wild Peace CSA, which will use Bird in Hand as one of its pickup locations this season. 11 E. 33rd, Free, 6 p.m., 410-814-0373

4/9-15: The Verandah Pop-Up at R. House
Head to R. House this week to chow down on Indian street foods from Hampden hotspot The Verandah. The eatery returns to the rotating pop-up space for the second time at the market,  featuring dishes like chicken biryani, samosa chaat, and a classic murgh makhani (butter chicken) platter. 301 W. 29th St. 

SHUT

In Bloom: Once again, changes are on the horizon at this cozy Federal Hill restaurant. Just last summer, husband-and-wife owners Kevin Perry and Cecilia Benalcazar rebranded the spot from Liv2Eat to In Bloom—a concept launched in conjunction with local chef Cyrus Keefer. Keefer backed out of the project last fall, and now, the owners have announced that they are closing the restaurant. “Like with the other ‘non-bar’ establishments, there was just not enough business,” Benalcazar recently told SouthBmore.com. “We are looking to sell.” Although the In Bloom space is on the market, the owners’ next-door cafe Blooming Deli remains open for business. 1444 Light St.