Love is in the air in Baltimore this week – it’s as palpable as the scent of cumin on taco seasoning day at McCormick. Here’s a look at how local restaurants are celebrating Valentine’s Day and more this week:
Openings & announcements
The Wren, the new pub from the owners of Le Comptoir du Vin, is now open in the Aliceanna St. space that formerly housed Birds of a Feather.
One of the Fuzzies Burgers trucks made a big trip this week, when it was lifted by crane into the patio behind The Undefeated in Fells Point. That truck isn’t open for business quite yet but will be soon.
Happy anniversary to Nepenthe Brewing Co., which will celebrate six years in business with a party on Saturday, Feb. 15.
As of this past week, The Duchess will have happy hour deals and a snack menu every day, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Brunch at Sally O’s is officially a go, starting this Sunday.
Speaking of brunch, starting on Saturday, Nana will have breakfast available on weekends.
Valentine’s Day
This weekend is sure to be full of love, with Valentine’s Day on Friday night. Many Baltimore restaurants have specials and fun events planned for Friday and through the weekend, including Topside and B-Side in Hotel Revival, which are both offering a cheeky lineup of V-Day cocktails like a pink espresso martini flavored with strawberry syrup.
The Food Market released their Valentine’s specials earlier this week, including a salad topped with gold flakes and a massive dinner pairing a 32-ounce tomahawk steak with a one-pound crab cake, crab dip scalloped potatoes, lobster mac and cheese and truffle parmesan broccolini.
Café Gia’s menu includes luxe dishes like lobster-topped pasta – along with an option to enjoy a flight of the restaurant’s seven (!) different ‘cello options.
Valentine’s Day specials at La Calle include Cena Para Dos, which includes a steak, chickn breast, chorizo and shrimp alongside sweet potato fries and beans.
Ekiben, which might have the strongest social media game in the city, has created a handful of online valentines that are perfect for any fans of the Neighborhood Bird.
In addition to its regular menu, Costiera has a handful of Valentine’s Day specials (available Friday and Saturday), like grilled lamb chops with sweet potato caponata, sumac yogurt and rosemary jus.
The Love, Pomelo Valentine’s menu includes everything from caviar to whole grilled branzino.
For more Valentine’s Day ideas, check out last week’s column.
Clavel collabs
Clavel has partnered with Old Westminster Winery to create “More, Deeper,” a red wine tha tis now available to drink at Clavel – or to purchase to take home.
The Remington restaurant is on a collaboration tear, having also just recently announced a coffee partnership with Sophomore Coffee.
Nacho Mama’s auction
The Nacho Mama’s memorabilia auction, which was supposed to happen last Saturday but was postponed due to the weather, will now be this Saturday, Feb. 15, starting at 11 a.m. It takes place at the Nacho Mama’s Towson location.
Busy week at HEX Superette
HEX Superette host a pair of fun events this week, starting on Sunday with a kitchen takeover by Anna Kent of Tom Cat’s Kitchen, followed by Revival of Rye: From Grain to Glass, a rye-focused workshop run by Corey Nethen of Baltimore Spirits Co., taking place Thursday evening.
Diasporas at the Table
Starting Monday, Feb. 17 and running through March 1, Alma Cocina Latina will offer an intriguing menu exploring the flavors and story of the African diaspora, called Africa in the Americas: Diasporas at the Table. The menu has been created via a partnership between Alma chef and Venezuelan native Héctor Romero and Baltimore chef Catina Smith.
Winderlea dinner at The Milton Inn
On Thursday, The Milton Inn hosts a dinner showcasing the wines of Winderlea in the Willamette Valley. The menu includes courses like pork and duck pate in pastry with dried cherries and stone ground mustard paired with a Winderlea Pinot Noir from 2022.
Nostalgia Diner pop-up
H3irloom Food Group brings back its Nostalgia Diner concept on Feb. 21 and 22. The diner, which is located in the old Johnny Rockets space in the Light Street Pavilion in Harborplace, will become a permanent fixture sometime soon – and until then, it will pop up occasionally.
Wine Explorers at Citron
On Friday, Feb. 21, Citron hosts Giulia Monteleone, founder of Sicily’s Monteleone Winery, for an installment of its Wine Explorers series. During the event, Monteleone will discuss her wines and guests can enjoy wines by the glass along with selections from the a la carte menu, or paired with a special chef’s menu designed to showcase the wines.
Planning for the future
Mark your calendars for:
Feb. 22: 80’s Party at Joe Benny’s
Feb. 27: The Corner Pantry x The French Paradox Wine Dinner
April 12: Feastival
