A new restaurant is expected to move into the building at 1000 W. 36th St. in Hampden, which housed the former Cafe Hon for 30 years before it closed its doors in 2022. Photo by Ed Gunts.
A new restaurant is expected to move into the building at 1000 W. 36th St. in Hampden, which housed the former Cafe Hon for 30 years before it closed its doors in 2022. Photo by Ed Gunts.

Hungry for Blistered Shishito Peppers ($12)? Spam Musubi ($12)? Ahi Tuna Poke ($25)?

How about some Grilled Chicken Don Buri ($26)? Fish ‘n Chips ($38)?  Pork Tomahawk Katsu ($50)?

Then top it off with Nutella Turon for dessert ($11), Chocolate Namalaka ($14), Boba Panna Cotta ($11) or Shisho Lime Shaved Ice ($14).

Those are a few of the menu items that diners are likely to find in the Asian-themed restaurant coming soon to the space vacated in 2022 by the comfort food-themed Café Hon in Hampden.

Sample Menu for Proposed Restaurant at 1000 W. 36th St.Download

Baltimore’s liquor board will hold a hearing at City Hall on July 25 to consider an application from John Anthony Foreman, who’s planning the new restaurant at 1000 W. 36th Street. The hearing starts at 10:30 a.m. in Room 215 of City Hall, the chamber with all the mayoral portraits on the wall.

Foreman is a partner in the Foreman Wolf restaurant group, known for popular dining spots such as Petit Louis Bistro; Johnny’s; Cinghiale; Charleston Restaurant; Cindy Lou’s Fish House and The Milton Inn.

Foreman didn’t respond to a request for information about his new venture, but his application on file with the liquor board provides a wealth of information about what diners can expect.

According to his application, the new restaurant will have a main dining area with about 50 seats and a separate bar with booth seating. Foreman has asked for permission to provide outdoor table service and live entertainment.

An application from John Anthony Foreman for a new restaurant at 1000 W. 36th St. includes this seating map.
An application from John Anthony Foreman for a new restaurant at 1000 W. 36th St. includes this seating map.

The liquor board requires a minimum capital investment of $500,000 in restaurant “fixtures and facilities” and a seating capacity for a minimum of 125 people for the type of license he’s seeking, a Class “B” Beer, Wine and Liquor license. There’s no name on file, but Foreman’s company is called PubCo LLC, which may be a hint. The liquor board has received no letters of opposition to the application.

Foreman’s application also includes a “sample menu” that indicates the sort of fare he plans to serve. It breaks down into several categories including: Cold Snacks; Hot Snacks; More than a Snack; Sweet Treats; Late Snacks and Sides. There’s a separate category called Brunch ‘n Stuff, with items such as Haupia French Toast, Mochi Waffles, Mochi Muffins and Strawberry Guava Pop Tarts.

The menu has a strong Asian theme, with ingredients such as soy, sesame and ginger. The Grilled BBQ Beef Shortrib Sandwich ($28) includes soy-gochujang shortribs, kewpie mayo, kimchi, cucumbers and side fries. The Grilled Skirt Steak & Frites ($44) comes with miso butter and soy pickled shitake mushrooms. There are some vegan items.

Prices range from $11 for “Street” Corn and several of the desserts to $50 for the Pork Tomahawk Katsu (crispy panko breaded pork chop; katsu sauce; lemon; pickled daikon; shredded cabbage and scallions).

Ed Gunts is a local freelance writer and the former architecture critic for The Baltimore Sun.

One reply on “From blistered shishito peppers to pork tomahawk katsu, here’s a preview of the Asian-themed ‘sample menu’ planned for the restaurant that will replace Café Hon in Hampden”

  1. If they’re going to do outdoor dining, they should also go for a permit to convert a few parking spaces to a table deck, as some other restaurants in Baltimore have done. Consistently, when communities have run the numbers, they’ve found that this type of amenity brings more dollars to a business neighborhood than a couple extra parking spots. That’s especially true in an area like Hampden, which is within an easy walk of a light rail station.

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