The muggy days of midsummer have arrived in Baltimore, but the restaurant scene is still as vibrant as ever. Here’s a look at what local restaurants have planned, and have announced, this week:
Announcements & News
Fork & Wrench has a new executive chef: Corey Laub, a restaurant veteran and Columbia native. Chef Laub is putting his own spin on the menu, which he plans to change monthly to reflect seasonal ingredients.
Clavel, the perpetually amazing, perpetually crowded Remington restaurant, is expanding, taking over the garage next door to its existing space. Good news for everyone who loves their excellent Mexican food!
There’s been a lot of buzz this summer about the new ventures from Atlas Restaurant Group, the owners of Azumi, Ouzo Bay and Loch Bar in Harbor East. Tagliata, the group’s new Italian restaurant, is slated to open at the end of July in the former home of Fleet Street Kitchen, and this week, some details emerged about The Elk Room, a speakeasy-style spot that will operate out of 1010 Fleet Street, adjacent to Tagliata.
In less upbeat news this week, Mare Nostrum, the Turkish restaurant in Fells Point, announced it was closing.
Several local restaurants have been operating with limited hours over the past few days. If you’re going out to eat, check with the restaurant before you head out, just to be safe.
At Silver Queen Café, modified hours extend through this weekend. The restaurant is closed tonight and tomorrow night; it will be open for brunch on Saturday and Sunday. Regular hours resume on Monday. 1157 bar + kitchen reopens on July 10. Grano Emporio reopens on July 8.
American Prose
New America, the charming restaurant that opened downtown earlier this year, is hosting an essay contest (with a cash prize!). The topic is a big one: “What does America mean to you and what do you hope it can become?”
Essays are due by Aug. 15 and the winner will be announced in early September.
Wine & Dine in Owings Mills
Tomorrow afternoon, Owings Mills Metro Centre Plaza will transform into a wine and food hotspot when The Gathering – the organization behind many local food truck meet-ups – hosts The Owings Mills Wine Fest Gathering. The party includes over 100 wines, food trucks and live music and lasts from noon until 5 p.m.
Haenyo Is Popping Up All Over
Haenyo, a recently formed group that pops up all over the city cooking Korean food, has a busy week coming up. On Monday, July 10, the group will take over the kitchen at Café Andamiro (located at 241 W. Chase Street), where they will serve dishes like chilled Korean soups, gimbap and bossam.
Next week, haenyo takes up residence in the R. House pop-up space, again featuring Korean street food items made largely with ingredients from Karma Farm.
Bastille Day Fetes
This past week, we celebrated America and Canada. Next week, France gets its turn. Friday, July 14 is Bastille Day and a couple local spots are whipping up specials in its honor.
The French Kitchen in the Lord Baltimore Hotel will host a “Let Us Eat Cake” celebration including a three-course meal in the main dining room, a special room rate at the hotel ($178.90) and a cake and champagne toast special (for $17.89) at the hotel’s rooftop spot LB Skybar. In addition to the five-tiered cake offered to guests, an artistic cake will be displayed in the lobby throughout the week.
At Petit Louis in Roland Park, an outdoor happy hour will take place from 4 to 6 p.m., including aperitifs, champagne and complimentary hors d’oeuvres. During dinner, there will be live music, free berets for guests and special shirts available for $5.
The shirts and berets will also be available at the restaurant’s Columbia location, which will host a happy hour from 4 to 8 p.m. and offer a special three-course dinner.
Benefits at Gertrude’s
Gertrude’s in the BMA has an exceptionally busy week with not one, but two fundraising events planned.
Tonight, the restaurant will host If Glitter Be the Food of Life, Swim On. During dinner this evening, a percentage of the evening’s proceeds will support Fluid Movement’s Shakespearean water ballet.
On July 13, the restaurant will host its 15th annual Crabaret celebration, raising funds for House of Ruth Maryland. The event takes place in the museum’s Sculpture Garden and features all sorts of crab dishes, in addition to wine, craft beers and live music.
Planning Ahead
Here are a few events to look forward to over the next few weeks:
July 18: Devils Backbone Beer Dinner Adventure at Birroteca
July 28: Baltimore Restaurant Week
July 29: Trifecta Food Festival
