It’s hot outside, which is a great reason to skip cooking and make some reservations. This week, local restaurants are focusing on summery drinks and fun collabs. Here’s a look at what’s coming up:
Openings & announcements
Doppio Pasticceria has moved out of R. House to open its shop in a new space: the Remington building that formerly housed Parts & Labor and JBGB’s. The move was a quick one – it all happened over the course of a couple days – so the operators are, smartly, taking things slow, starting with a small menu that will expand over time.
R. House already has a new tenant lined up for the Doppio space. Kitsch Café, the small spot near Hopkins, will open a second location in R. House in July. When it opens, Kitsch will operate from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, offering breakfast and lunch items, coffee drinks, smoothies and lemonades. The menu and hours will expand to include happy hour and dinner in the fall.
There are changes in store at The Tilted Row, as Chef Amy Hessel steps down from the head chef position. No word (yet) on what’s next for the restaurant or Chef Hessel – though hopefully both have big and promising plans.
Alma Cocina Latina has new all-night cocktail hour deals starting at 5 p.m. every Monday.
Speaking of good deals, Café Campli will now offer 20% off select wines on Thursday evenings.
National recognition
Several Baltimore restaurants have recently received honors on the national level.
Little Donna’s has been named one of the best pizza places in the country by the New York Times. Of course, locals know that the Upper Fells restaurant is way more than a pizzeria – but it’s still nice to see people outside of the mid-Atlantic take notice.
Magdalena was just awarded the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for the eighth year in a row.
Friday Nights Live
Starting Friday, June 28, Center Plaza will become a big party on the fourth Friday of each month in the summer. The event features live music, a rotating food lineup from spots like Vegan Juiceology and Charm City Crabs, drinks from Chase It Bartenders and complimentary beers from Guilford Hall Brewery (for those 21+, while supplies last).
Mac & Cheese Festival
On Saturday and Sunday, Power Plant Live! gets cheesy with the return of the Maryland Mac & Cheese Festival. The ticketed party includes live music, samples of beer, wine and whisky, and over 30 kinds of mac and cheese to try.
Nana x Ekiben
On Sunday, Ekiben will pop up at Nana for a fun summertime collab. The menu will draw on both restaurants’ cuisines and will include treats like a smashburger quesadilla. The pop-up starts at 2 p.m.
Hot dogs at Cross Street
Cross Street Market is bringing back its annual 4th of July Hot Dog Eating Contest again this year. The event, which is open to the public and free, starts at 10:30 a.m. There will be live music, giveaways, drinks vendors and an appearance by the Orioles’ Street Team.
Potential entrants can still sign up, too – and the winner earns a $1,000 prize.
Seasonal drinks
One of the most fun things about summer is the introduction of creative seasonal cocktails at spots around town.
Johnny’s welcomed the season with two new drinks: the Campari and pineapple-based Summer Camp, and Summer Dreams, made with Barr Hill Gin, lemon juice, rosemary syrup, egg white and ginger beer.
Loch Bar has a lineup of boozy slushies available this season, including a classic strawberry-tinged Frosé and a whiskey, lemonade, basil and blackberry drink.
Gunther & Co. is making the most of June mint with its new “Fight for Your Right to Bacardi” cocktail, which is described as a “clarified milk punch mojito.”
Summer drinks also don’t have to be alcoholic. Gertrude’s offers house made sodas, including a grapefruit and ginger variety, and Catalog Coffee has iced treats like basil lemonade, also made in-house.
Bastille Day prep
Bastille Day is right around the corner – July 14.
If you’re planning to celebrate at Petit Louis, where the holiday is always a special night, now is the time to make reservations!
Chef’s Expressions is starting the celebration a little early, with a Bastille Day-themed wine dinner at the Gramercy Mansion on Thursday, July 11. Tickets are available now.
Planning for the future
Mark your calendars for:
July 11: Family Affair Wine Event at Tagliata
July 17: Crabaret at Gertrude’s
Aug. 17: Etiquette Class at Miss Shirley’s
