Happy almost-Independence Day, Baltimore! With the holiday on the horizon and many vacations scheduled, some local restaurants are laying low this week. But not all of them! Here’s a look at what’s happening in the restaurant world over the next few days:
Openings & Announcements
Baltimore made national restaurant news this week when The BoatHouse in Canton published an open letter announcing that following a request for employment files from the Immigration Division of Homeland Security, about 30 employees – one-quarter of the staff – would be leaving the restaurant.
The letter further stated that the restaurant has created the Heart of House Fund to help the families of the employees who have left. They also announced they would be offering an abbreviated summer menu, as a smaller (and newer) staff gets up to speed.
That wasn’t the only news out of Baltimore this week, though. On Wednesday, Baltimore Whiskey Company announced that it will join Union Collective when it opens next year in Medfield. The company, well-known for its Shot Tower Gin (among other things), is currently based in Remington.
Union Collective, anchored by Union Craft Brewing, is growing quickly: just last week, The Charmery announced plans to expand and move production to the new space.
The Four Seasons will open in the winter a rooftop restaurant in the winter named Bygone. The Atlas Restaurant Group, which owns and operates Harbor East restaurants Azumi, Ouzo Bay, and Loch Bar, will run Bygone. The new restaurant will feature American grill cuisine, a whiskey library, and three outdoor terraces.
Mt. Washington Tavern has a new app with benefits like free food and drinks for regular users – it’s sure to make every trip to the Tavern a little more fun.
The Corner Pantry’s new summer menu hit earlier this week. It’s filled with interesting, seasonally-driven dishes like lobster fritters with mint, sumac, garlic and red onion and sous vide pork shoulder with fennel and garlic scape salad.
Ouzo Bay rolled out a new summer dessert menu late last week: as always, the choices are gorgeous.
A couple of local restaurants will be taking short breaks next week. Café Troia is closed July 2 to July 5 and Grano Emporio in Hampden will be closed from July 1 through July 7.
Celebrate America!
There are fun activities and parties all over town. Here’s a look at just a few of them:
The Sandlot, the popular new Harbor Point gathering spot, will host a kid-friendly party from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. the evening of July 4. The party has a $10 cover for adults and $5 for kids up to age 12, though infants and strollers are free and pets are welcome, too. The full Sandlot menu will be available from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and brats and hot dogs will continue to be served until 10:30 p.m.
Wine Market Bistro will offer a three-course menu with picnic-inspired items like short rib empanadas with piquillo pepper sauce and pineapple and absinthe snow cones.
Wit & Wisdom will host a family-friendly party with a snowball machine, face painting and classic American/Chesapeake cuisine.
Rusty Scupper hosts a 4th of July crab feast in the evening, with a DJ, crabs, and plenty of sides.
If you’re looking for something to grab and go, Modern Cook Shop has you covered, with BBQ to Go packages for four people.
Those who want to try something new should consider heading to The Garden House in Hampden, which will open its garden for the first time this season on July 4. The party will be a collaborative effort between B. Willow and events organization Church & Company.
The public is invited to come picnic outside The Garden House (there will even be a grill available for use). During the party, there will be a raffle, and donations will be accepted, to raise funds for The Garden House’s small-scale flower farm and future events.
But First, Tacos
Even before the 4th rolls around, the city will be in celebration mode.
On July 3, La Food Marketa will host Tacopalooza, benefitting local nonprofit ShareBaby. The party includes tons of tacos, drinks, music and all sorts of grilled meats and fishes. It’ll take place outside the restaurant, on Quarry Lake, and tickets are $50 in advance or $75 at the door (you must be 21 to enter).
Planning Ahead
Here are a few events to look forward to over the next few weeks:
July 13: Crabaret at Gertrude’s
July 28: Baltimore Restaurant Week
July 29: Trifecta Food Festival
We LOVE reading all that you write and LOVE sharing fun things to do with friends, neighbors and visitors! If you can somehow, sometimes, some way give us a shout out, it would be BEYOND appreciated! This new location is a bit of a challenge as we strive to maintain visibility for our fabulous market vendors and farmers!! Many thanks!
Merritt
Fell’s Point Farmers Market manager
410-258-9658