Has the Baltimore restaurant scene woken up from a nap? After a few sluggish years, with more news of closings than openings, the scene is showing signs of life, with high-profile debuts and new, creative menus on the way.
Coelum, which opened last July in the Canton space formerly occupied by Gitan Bistro Cru, is part of that wave. If the next few restaurants that open in Baltimore are even half as good as Coelum, we are in for quite a ride this season.
I’ve known Patrick Hudson of True Chesapeake Oyster Company for a while now. When we sat down for this interview, Patrick reminded me that I was the first person to write about True Chesapeake six years ago when he launched the oyster business. I vividly remember the first time I tasted True Chesapeake’s Skinny Dipper oysters, Patrick suggested that I try them on their own without mignonette or cocktail sauce. They were plump and had a subtle saltiness and tasted very crisp and clean – they really didn’t need a thing. Not more salt, not sauce, nothing. I loved them right away.
Fast forward to now, I’m living at historic Whitehall Mill, the same place where Patrick and partners Nick Schaumann, Zack Mills (former executive chef at Wit & Wisdom) and Chelsea Gregoire (who will serve as general manager and lead the bar program) are about to open the first True Chesapeake Oyster Company restaurant. They’ve kept the historic space true to its roots – with the tall windows and exposed old brick and plaster. And, the old industrial smokestack – which you can see from the JFX – is right in the oyster bar. It’s a beautiful space with tons of natural light.
I sat down with Patrick to learn more about opening a new restaurant, what we can expect once it opens next week and how he became an oyster farmer in the first place.
The Women’s Board of The Johns Hopkins Hospital invite you to check out their collection of bridal lines, clothes and accessories at their Best Dressed Sale & Boutique. Browse dressy, corporate and casual fashions from featured designers including Ralph Lauren, Tahari, Michael Kors, Prada, Lily Pulitzer and many other. Brides, take advantage of the bridal lines that will be available – ALL $500! Beautiful evenings gowns, perfect for the mother-of-the-bride, starting at $35. Preview party will be held on Thursday, October 24. Tickets can be purchased here. The Sale will continue from Friday, October 25 – Sunday, October 27. Shop for less and all for a good cause.
With autumn officially underway and the temperatures (maybe) starting to drop, the Baltimore food community is coming out strong to celebrate harvest season. This week brings lots of fun events, from beer fests to bake sales. Here’s a look at what’s coming up:
On Friday, September 27, and Saturday, September 28, join Halcyon House for a Trunk Show for Blazers by Design by Karen Bene. These beautiful jackets, designed for both women and men, are inspired by traditional European sporting styles. Handmade in Germany, they feature fabrics, colors and details that can be customized to fit your style. Blazers are always a fashion-do throughout fall so make plans to stop by the Halcyon House.
A robber broke into Peabody Heights Brewery in Abell early this morning and made off with iPad registers, a laptop and petty cash, the brewery posted on Facebook.
The thief smashed a safe to get the cash and broke the windows on a company van to take a GPS unit, the brewery said.
Eddie’s of Mount Vernon, the grocery store threatened with displacement by a 10-story apartment building, has found a new home one block away.
Developer Dennis Richter and Eddie’s owner Dennis Zorn announced yesterday that the grocery store will move next year from 7 W. Eager St., its home since 1988, to the lower level of the Belvedere condominiums at N. Charles and E. Chase streets.
Festivals, coffee drinks, chocolate, pickles–this week, Baltimore’s food scene is both busy and far-reaching, with events catering to lovers of all sorts of cuisine.
Here’s a look at what to expect:
Enjoy a fall weekend with friends in historic Westminster at The Maryland Wine Festival, slated for Saturday, 9/21 and Sunday, 9/22. Samples wines, browse through the Maryland Cheese Pavilion and Juried Crafts, munch on fabulous food and sway to live entertainment. The Maryland Wine Festival will be an unforgettable weekend. To purchase tickets, click here.
