Who says you can’t have dessert first? The order of grand openings at the Village of Cross Keys encourages just that.
On May 25, Always Ice Cream held its grand opening for their Cross Keys location, just in time for the heat of a Baltimore summer. Always Ice Cream Company was voted Best of Annapolis and Central Maryland for Ice Cream, Frozen Treats, Dessert, Place to Take Out-of-Towners, and Place to Take Your Kids in “What’s Up? Magazine.”
When Caves Valley Partners secured the partnership bringing the premium ice cream brand to Cross Keys, Arsh Mirmiran of Caves Valley said, “Landing a top notch, creative ice cream concept has been one of the goals for Cross Keys since we undertook the redevelopment effort.”
But what’s for dinner?
Starting on June 13, Cece’s Roland Park will have you covered. That night is the grand opening of the restaurant’s Cross Keys location, led by Michelin-Starred Executive Chef Nick Sharpe. The menu will be continental European with coastal influences, and the cocktail menu will feature Cece’s Signature Martini along with an extensive wine selection and plenty of tequila choices.
Since we’re working backwards, gastronomically, if you’re craving bread, Kneads Bakeshop is set to open in Fall 2024. This will be their second location and Kneads owner Kira Paterakis thinks the location at Cross Keys will be ideal.
“It’s the perfect place to grab coffee, a pastry, or glass of wine. Our positioning at the front of the property will make it easy for people to dine-in or take on-the-go,” Paterakis said. “[Cross Keys] is a true gem, and we’re excited to see how it evolves over the next year. We can’t wait to showcase our Kneads product and add a ‘much-Kneaded’ amenity to the area.”
New lunch offerings will be available soon courtesy of ZaVino Italian Marketplace, too. The Cross Keys website says the Italian delicatessen and grocery will arrive this spring, and have a brick oven pizzeria along with a liquor store. Hungry shoppers can grab Italian subs, sandwiches, paninis, and pizza to go, or dine in choosing from a menu with those items and more.
And breakfast?
Easy Like Sunday offers brunch and comfort all-American breakfasts in addition to gourmet coffees in an atmosphere filled with art, culture, and style.
Apart from this dining tour in reverse, you’ll want to gird yourself for shopping, of course.
Don’t miss legendary Betty Cooke’s jewelry and designs at The Store LTD, where shoppers can adorn themselves and loved ones in her unique designs, worthy of museum retrospectives. The beloved Baltimore jewelry artist just celebrated her 100th birthday in May.
For the utmost in fine skincare, Cross Keys expects Bluemercury to open late summer 2024. They offer highly personalized skin and beauty products focusing on each individual client. “Bluemercury helps people discover their unique self by shining a light on what makes them wonderfully distinctive,” reads the Cross Keys website. “As Bluemercury continues to evolve, it remains committed to its original intent to serve people and embrace its purpose to be the ultimate specialist in the beauty of every individual.”
Once you have selected your perfect skincare and beauty products, it will definitely be time for – what else? Ice cream! Which brings us back to the sweet, sweet beginning…
