Baltimore is full of good cheer this week, as food lovers all over Charm City celebrate Christmas and Hannukah and get ready to ring in 2025. It’s a busy time of year – and local restaurants are at the center of the fun. Here’s a look at what’s on tap:
Openings & announcements
Scittino’s new Falls Road location is now open – just in time for holiday shopping. The market/restaurant has an impressive menu for casual dining in and a ton of products to take home, including steaks, housemade pastas, and food items imported from Italy.
Baltimore native Pinky Cole-Hayes, proprietor of the Slutty Vegan concept, will pop up at Baltimore Peninsula on Saturday, Dec. 21.
This is Perennial’s last week in business – the restaurant will close Dec. 28. But until then, all bottles of wine are 50% off.
Pre-holiday celebrations
The last few days before the holidays are always a whirlwind – but a few local spots are providing special reasons to slow down and enjoy the moment.
Hersh’s is open for one of its rare and popular brunches on Sunday, Dec. 22.
Silver Queen Café isn’t usually open on Monday evenings but this week, the Hamilton restaurant will keep the doors open for a casual and fun night of drinks and small plates – with happy hour pricing all night.
Last minute gifts & dishes
Not finished with Christmas or Hanukkah shopping and menu planning? Several local restaurants have you covered, even this late in the game.
If you need a gorgeous dessert, check out Sotto Sopra, which is selling full trays of tiramisu.
For gifts, Clavel’s shop has all kinds of interesting choices. Or you can go the boozy route, with one of Café Gia’s ‘cello options (more than just limoncello!).
For more gift and takeaway options, check out last week’s column.
Feasts of the Seven Fishes
Local restaurants are embracing the Italian American Feast of the Seven Fishes. The meal, which showcases seven different types of seafood, is a longstanding Christmas Eve tradition within the Italian American community – but over the past few years, its prominence has risen here in Baltimore, with special Seven Fishes menus popping up throughout the week before Christmas.
Little Donna’s hosts its third annual Christmas Dinner – a traditional feast of the seven fishes – on Saturday, Dec. 21. The restaurant will not have regular dinner service that night but the special menu is sure to be excellent.
Café Campli’s Feast will be served on Sunday, Dec. 22. The menu, dubbed “Adriatic Meets Chesapeake” celebrates local seafood with an Italian twist.
Sally O’s Feast of the Seven Fishes menu is prix fixe and available on Sunday, Dec. 22 and Monday, Dec. 23. The menu starts with cream of crab soup, ends with dessert and amaro, and is stacked with interesting dishes in between.
Costiera will offer a special Feast of the Seven Fishes menu on Dec. 22, 23 and 24. The menu looks terrific, with dishes like monkfish liver crostini and squid ink spaghetti alla chittara.
Cosima’s Feast of the Seven Fishes is on Christmas Eve itself. The prix fixe menu includes multiple choices, from limoncello-cured salmon and caviar to a shellfish-heavy, saffron-tinged risotto.
Limoncello’s Feast of the Seven Fishes is also on Christmas Eve. The restaurant will have a strong lineup of seafood-heavy dishes available a la carte for the occasion.
Hanukkah treats
Gunther & Co. will celebrate Hanukkah on its second night, Dec. 26, with special menu items, like latkes and brisket.
Start thinking about 2025
New Year’s Eve and Day are right around the corner – so even though we’re still in the throes of Christmas and Hannukah prep, it’s time to think about plans for ringing in the new.
H3irloom Food Group is offering a takeaway fish fry for New Year’s Eve. The menu includes fried catfish and whiting, plus smoked fried chicken and sides. Orders must be placed by Dec. 27 at noon.
Gertrude’s will celebrate the New Year on Dublin time, with doors opening at 5 p.m. and a ball drop at 7 p.m. EST. The menu includes a buffet of Irish-themed dishes and entertainment includes live Irish music.
Guiness Open Gate Brewery will also be celebrating Ireland-style, with live music, Irish food, and the release of a “mystery beer” – with a complimentary toast of the new beer during a countdown to midnight in Dublin.
The Tilted Row’s New Year’s Eve menu is three-courses with options like wild salmon croustillant with capers, chives and salmon roe, and dry-aged roasted duck with truffle gravy and dirty rice.
Woodberry Kitchen reservations for New Year’s Eve are now open. The menu will include the regular Tavern dishes plus some “festive touches.”
At True Chesapeake Oyster Company, the New Year’s Eve menu is the regular dinner menu – lots of choices – and the restaurant is offering 25% off all bottles of bubbles. True Chesapeake is also open for a kid-friendly all you can eat buffet brunch on New Year’s Day.
Atlas Restaurant Group has a couple New Year’s Eve options in the works this year, including its famous Atlas Quarter party, which includes an open bar, buffets and entertainment at Tagliata, The Elk Room, Italian Disco and Monarque. The Bygone is also hosting its annual New Year’s Eve party, which includes an open bar, passed hors d’oeuvres and a buffet, a DJ, and a spectacular view of the fireworks.
La Cuchara has New Year’s Eve reservations available from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and will serve a four-course prix fixe (with options).
Petit Louis’ New Year’s Eve menu includes luxe French classics like foie gras with spiced pear, and escargots in puff pastry.
Tickets for Cookhouse’s New Year’s Eve cocktail party are available until Dec. 26.
Café Campli’s New Year’s Eve prix fixe includes four courses, with options like shrimp in garlic butter to start and whole branzino topped with crabmeat as a main course.
Planning for the future
Mark your calendars for:
Jan. 16: One Swift Wine Dinner at Magdalena
Jan. 25: Harbor Point Winter Festival
