The Charm City Cook shares her go-to carry-out restaurants 

Since March, like most people, I have been hunkering down at home. A lot. Very thankfully, I like where I live, and as luck would have it, I rescued a wonderful senior dog in January. My girl Magnolia is an 11-year-old terrier mix, spry for her age, a little nutty, and definitely attached to me now that we’ve been together almost all the time for about nine months. She has been great company for me during confinement. What lucky timing, huh?

I’ve dined inside four times since March. Once was at Petit Louis in June, True Chesapeake in July, Dylan’s in September and Ananda in October. All of these experiences felt very, very safe, but I would have preferred to be outside now that I think about it. Hindsight, yeah. Petit Louis has done an incredible job with their outdoor set up. I will try to go there for as long as I possibly can. I just ordered hats and gloves on Etsy, and as I walked my dog last night, I thought…wow, it’s already cold. November 24.

I’ve ordered takeout from about 15 places with varying degrees of success. Since I live in Hampden, most of these are close to home. Here are a few favorites:

I’ve been trying to wrap my head around this whole quarantine thing. Trying to write something meaningful or helpful. But I just keep writing sappy notes about the places and people I miss. So, I’m going with that.

I miss Old Fashioneds at Lobo and Manhattans at Peter’s Inn. Negronis at Sugarvale and Orto. Martinis at La Cuchara and The Prime Rib.

I miss driving by Dylan’s and scoping out a parking spot and miraculously snagging the last seat at the bar. Then, a cocktail, kale salad and whatever else sounds good that night.

Chef Brigitte Bledsoe of Miss Shirley’s Cafe was supposed to be in school.

But, no. She was busy working at Ocean Pride in Lutherville. And that’s where it all started. Born and raised in Towson, Bledsoe attended Dulaney High School and Essex Community College (now known as CCBC) and then, she got bitten by the chef bug.

I’ve realized in the last few years of writing about food, I’m only really truly snobby about two things: beer and pizza. And, Baltimore has plenty of excellent options for both. Soon, we’ll have one more in my ever-expanding smorgasbord of a neighborhood, Hampden. God, I love my hood.

A few of my friends are involved with a new craft brewery opening soon in the Hampden/Woodberry area this fall. Waverly Brewing Company is led by Brewmaster Roy Fisher, a longtime beer brewer here in Baltimore. His team gave me a little sneak peek tour of the space, which includes a tasting room, gallery-lounge space and, of course, brewing room. It is located near the corner of Union Avenue and Clipper Mill Road, just a stone’s throw from the also amazing Union Craft Brewing.

For food options, Waverly will be working with a small number of caterers (folks they know personally) who will set up shop outside. Not food trucks per se, but creative casual fare to go with the beers on tap inside.