EAT

Jan. 18: Waffie’s Brunch for Dessert

Waffie, 839 W. 36th St. 5-10 p.m. Free.

Last week, Yelp confirmed what Baltimoreans have known since Waffie opened last January: the waffle-crazed dessert shop is one of the top 100 places to eat in the U.S. This Friday, the Hampden staple known for its creative confections will serve up a dessert edition of its signature French toast waffles topped with locally-made Taharka Brothers Ice Cream and homemade whipped cream. Start your weekend off with a sugar buzz and raise your waffle to one of the city’s not-so-hidden gems.

DRINK

Jan. 20: Zay Day

Union Craft Brewing, 1700 W. 41st St. 12-6 p.m. Free.

Henry “Zadie” Benesch, who has been a Union Craft Brewing volunteer employee since his grandson, Adam, opened the popular spot in 2012, may very well be the world’s oldest brewery worker. In honor of his landmark 99th birthday, Union is throwing an all-out bash featuring a few of Zadie’s favorite things for only 99 cents—Blackwing Lager, coffee from Vent Coffee Roasters, and ice cream scoops from The Charmery. Stop by to wish him a cigar-filled birthday and honor his likeness by creating a Zadie mask and participating in a box-folding competition.

SEE

Jan. 17-March 10: Beyond Beautiful: One Thousand Love Letters

Maryland Art Place, 218 W. Saratoga St. Tues.-Sat. 12-4 p.m. Free.

After his daughter, Elisif, died of a heroin overdose five years ago, Baltimore artist Peter Brunn felt compelled to explore his new understanding of love and the countless ways to express it. The resulting project, Beyond Beautiful: One Thousand Love Letters, is composed of hundreds of drawings by Brunn inspired by actual love letters that embody all of the messiness and mystery of love. In conjunction with the exhibition, four programs at Maryland Art Place featuring poetry, music, and storytelling performances will take place over the next two months.

HEAR

Jan. 18: Youth Grand Slam

Impact Hub, 10 E. North Ave. 6-10 p.m. Free.

Throughout the past few years, Baltimore’s spoken word poetry teams have proven that they’re a force to be reckoned with. As defending champions of The Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Slam Festival, DewMore Baltimore is seeking out the best poetic talent to lead the team to victory again this summer. On Friday, pack Station North’s Impact Hub to cheer on 12 local youth poets as they perform original spoken word poetry to compete for one of the six spots on this year’s lineup and the chance to represent Charm City on the national stage.

DO

Jan. 19: Baltimore Women’s March

War Memorial Plaza, 100 Holliday St. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free.

A lot has changed since the initial Women’s March in 2017, which drew hundreds of thousands of people to the streets to protest the inauguration of President Donald Trump. But the Baltimore Women’s March stays true to its purpose of harnessing the power of local women to create transformative social change. This Saturday, craft an inspirational sign and head to the War Memorial Plaza downtown to peacefully protest nationwide issues like reproductive freedoms and equal pay, as well as topics like how to help women and families living in poverty.

COMING SOON

Twisted Teahouse: From sushi and sweets to burgers and bubble tea, the Avenue in Hampden boasts plenty of variety. And now, West 36th Street will welcome a traditional tea room from local baker Angela Vogel. Expected to debut this spring, Twisted Teahouse will offer private tea parties, as well as fair-trade teas, organic coffees, and custom cakes for sale. The menu will also feature light fare including blueberry muffins, classic shortbread, and protein-packed, sous-vide egg bites. The Hampden spot is a food-focused spinoff of the original Twisted Teahouse, a quasi-tea parlor and consignment shop that Vogel previously operated inside the historic Savage Mill complex in Howard County. 813 W. 36th St.

Felipe’s Mexican Taqueria: This New Orleans-based chain focuses on classic burritos, tacos, quesadillas, and chimichangas. And, next year, the fast-casual cantina is expanding up north with a location at The Shops at Kenilworth in Towson inside a freestanding building that is being constructed on the lower level of the mall. Aside from the street-food favorites filled with toppings like tinga chicken, chorizo, carnitas, and grilled shrimp, the restaurant also offers a craft cocktail bar focusing on margaritas made with hand-squeezed Key limes. Though Felipe’s isn’t expected to debut until 2020, The Shops at Kenilworth’s newest tenant Lyfe Cafe will open on January 22. Be on the lookout for açaí bowls, protein pancakes, green detox salads, sugar-free desserts, and more from the health-conscious spot. 800 Kenilworth Drive, Towson

NEWS

Baltimore Spots Named Among Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat: Each year, Yelp combs through thousands of restaurant reviews—taking into account ratings and volume—to generate its Top 100 Places to Eat in the United States. This time around, two Charm City eateries snagged well-deserved spots on the annual list. Fells Point favorite Ekiben came in at No. 89, while Hampden sweet shop Waffie also made the cut at No. 97. Both took to social media to express their gratitude to the communities that have kept them going. “We’ve been on the national stage a couple times now, but to be one of two Baltimore restaurants on [this list] is unreal—like beyond words crazy,” reads a post to Ekiben’s Instagram. “Thanks for all of the love and support, Baltimore. We owe this all to you.” As Waffie summed up: “Hampden, you rock. So, so thankful.”

EPICUREAN EVENTS

1/17: Mera Kitchen Collective x Cajou Cream Pop-Up
The chefs behind Mera Kitchen Collective—a worker-owned co-op spotlighting the culinary heritage of immigrants and refugees—are teaming up with local vegan creamery Cajou Cream to host this special pop-up at LB Tavern inside the Lord Baltimore Hotel. Highlighting the bold flavors of Sudan, Egypt, and the Caribbean, the event will offer Mera’s desserts paired with Cajou’s dairy-free cashew ice cream. Among the sweet treats available for purchase will be a Sudanese-style beignet with dairy-free coconut cardamom ice cream, pistachios, and a balsamic reduction. 20 W. Baltimore St. Free. 5-7 p.m.

SHUT

The Local Fry Federal Hill: Kevin and Elizabeth Irish, the husband-and-wife duo that opened this fan-favorite fry shop in Federal Hill four years ago, have decided to close the flagship in order to focus on their second location at the Rotunda in Hampden. “We want to thank all of our customers who have supported us through the years,” the couple posted to Instagram. “We’ve learned a lot, and we will use the knowledge and experience gained from our time in Federal Hill as we pursue other business projects and expand our brand.” Luckily, South Baltimore regulars can find the same flavorful wings, banh-mi sandwiches, rice bowls, and loaded French fry baskets just a few neighborhoods north in Hampden. If you’re not up for the trek, The Local Fry is also available via meal delivery services including DoorDash and Uber Eats. 711 W. 40th St. Ste. 152. 667-210-2633

Pasta Mista Timonium: Known for its overstuffed subs and pasta-topped pies, this Italian outpost has been feeding the masses in Timonium for a decade. But, last week, Pasta Mista announced that had sold its location in the Timonium Square Shopping Center to another local chain, Pizza Sauce, which will be replacing it in the coming weeks. Though there are talks of a new Pasta Mista venture in the works, for now, regulars can find the signature pizzas, pastas, salads, and stromboli at the shop’s other two locations in Towson and Canton. Multiple locations including 822 Dulaney Valley Rd., Towson. 410-321-8855

COMING SOON

Limoncello: The swanky Anthem House apartment and retail complex in Locust Point recently announced yet another restaurant tenant. Joining the likes of craft beer and coffee spot Amber and Korean fried chicken destination Jazz + Soju will be Limoncello, a casual Italian trattoria and wine bar whose flagship is in St. Michaels. Slated to open in summer 2018, the 120-seat restaurant will feature fresh seafood, an array of pastas (everything from gorgonzola gnocchi to penne caprese), and classic Neapolitan pizzas inspired by the Amalfi Coast. 900 E. Fort Ave.

Chez Hugo: It’s been a few weeks since French-born chef Steve Monnier turned over the former Arômes space in Hampden to chef Chris Amendola. (Amendola’s green-themed spot Foraged debuted in the space on Chestnut Avenue last week.) Since the transition, Monnier has been hard at work setting up his new 4,000-square-foot restaurant, Chez Hugo, which will open downtown at the corner of Calvert and Redwood streets next month. Featuring an open kitchen with its own hearth oven, the bistro will be divided into a 60-seat dining room, eight-seat tasting room, and 15-seat bar—which will be helmed by beverage director Adam Litchfield and serve French beers and cocktails. The space will have a belle époque vibe, and highlight Monnier’s rotating menu of French classics like duck a l’orange and aged prime rib with pomme soufflé. Chez Hugo will open with a special tasting menu for dinner service on Valentine’s Day. Stay tuned for more details. 206 E. Redwood St.

Waffie: Just when we thought Hampden had everything (from pizza and pasta to tacos and bubble tea), The Avenue will soon boast its own dessert waffle spot. Slated to debut later this month, the new shop from owners Minje Suh and Tommy Choe will feature handheld Liege-style waffles that diners can customize with toppings like buttercream, jam, and cookie butter. To wash down the eats, Waffie will also offer an array of coffees and hot chocolate. 839 W. 36th St.

CH-CH CHANGES

Ampersea: Best known for its sustainable focus and partnership with The Living Classrooms Foundation, Waterfront Kitchen in Fells Point has long been a destination for a seasonal harborside meal. But now, a major facelift is in the works at the property. Owner Chuck Nabit has enlisted the help of Fells Point designers PI.KL Studios and Seth Barkman of MiY Home to transform the space into Ampersea—a play on the word “ampersand” inspired by the restaurant’s community-focused vision. The new concept will be headed by chef Nelson Morton, most recently of Bookmaker’s, whose menu will offer Maryland classics such as Suckling Pig with pickled apples, and lump crab cakes with homemade tater tots and greenhouse greens. Although the theme will change, the restaurant will maintain its hyper-local spirit—with murals by local artist Kelly Walker—and preserve its ties to Living Classrooms’ urban farming programs. In fact, Ampersea also plans to open an accompanying outdoor cafe in the courtyard of Living Classrooms’ Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park in the summer of 2018. 1417 Thames St., 443-681-5310

EPICUREAN EVENTS

1/15: Noodle and Dumpling Night at Wet City
Next week, The Local Fry owners Kevin and Elizabeth Irish are taking over Wet City for an evening of ramen and dumplings. Retreat from the cold temperatures and warm your soul by slurping down miso (yuksu bone broth, shiro miso, thick wavy noodles and sesame pork belly) or budae jigae (hot dog, thick noodles, spam, bean sprouts, and soft egg) ramen. There will also be plenty of pork, vegetarian, and shrimp dumplings to go around. Wet City, 223 W. Chase St., 6-10 p.m.

1/15: Haenyo Pop-Up at Dylan’s Oyster Cellar
This Korean-fusion pop-up is back at it, this time putting its own spin on the Mid-Atlantic dishes at Dylan’s Oyster Cellar in Hampden. Make your way over to the corner spot to feast on locally sourced offerings such as Korean spicy crab soup, clam pajeon, shrimp dumplings, and warm seaweed salad. All dishes will range between $8-20. Dylan’s Oyster Cellar, 3601 Chestnut Ave., 5-10 p.m. 

1/18: Origins: A Speaker Series
Spike Gjerde’s sustainable speaker series returns next week with special guest Michael Twitty, a culinary historian whose book The Cooking Gene delves into the true roots of Southern cooking. Listen to Twitty share stories of his research and travels before sitting down for a family-style meal in Artifact’s private dining room. Artifact Coffee, 1500 Union Ave., 6:30 p.m., $60. 

SHUT

Ryan’s Daughter: St. Patrick’s Day won’t be the same this year without this Belvedere Square pub, which will pour its final pints on January 21. For the past 14 years, the bar has been a gathering place for Irish eats, pints of beer, and game-day watch parties. Management took to Facebook to announce the closure earlier today, hinting that a new venture is on the horizon. “We see it as a chance to start something else, and we might see you sooner than you think in another location,” the post reads. “From day one, we wanted the pub to serve as a place where friends and neighbors would feel at home—we feel that was accomplished.” 600 E. Belvedere Ave.