From Lunar New Year celebrations to Valentine’s Day specials, the Baltimore restaurant scene is filled with exciting news and opportunities this week. Here’s a look at what’s coming up:
Openings and announcements
Limoncello Pizzeria has an opening date. The Locust Point spot is slated to open on Feb. 20 – which is great news for south Baltimore pizza lovers.
Roggenart has announced plans to open a new Baltimore City location in Mt. Vernon, in the City House Charles building.
Several local news outlets reported this week that Fells Point Tavern is now closed and the business’s owner is involved in bankruptcy proceedings.
Lunar New Year
In addition to Red Pepper Bistro, NiHao and Peter Chang Baltimore, which have all been offering special Lunar New Year options for a few weeks, a few more New Year celebrations have popped up for the weekend.
EKIBEN will be partnering with Guinness Open Gate Brewery on Friday, Feb. 9. Starting at 4 p.m., EKIBEN will serve food during Guinness’s release party for its new “Luck of the Dragon” ale.
The Corner Pantry’s annual menu celebrating of the holiday is back this weekend. The Lake Falls restaurant has options like soy-brined and tea-smoked chicken available for carry-out or for dining in at lunchtime.
On Saturday, Peabody Heights Brewery and the Baltimore chapter of the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP Baltimore) are teaming up for a Year of the Dragon party featuring lion dancing, a special beer release, and a money tree.
Magdalena is keeping the Lunar New Year party going all week, with a Feb. 15 event, co-hosted by Rémy Martin.
False Spring Fling in Canton
In anticipation of the gorgeous weekend weather, a handful of Canton bars are hosting an “impromptu day-drinking event” on Saturday. Wristbands will be available to purchase between noon and 3 p.m. at The Worthington – they’ll get you deals there and at El Bufalo and Cowboy Row. There are also prizes for being early – and for attending at all.
Valentine’s Day
Some of the biggest news this week is, of course, Valentine’s Day – which falls right smack in the middle of the week. Local restaurants have all sorts of events and special menus planned for the holiday.
Gertrude’s has a three-course “aphrodisiac” dinner available, with optional wine pairings. Courses include dishes like oysters on the half shell with champagne-tarragon mignonette, and pistachio-encrusted lamb lollipops in maple-fig demi-glace.
Silver Queen Café’s Valentine’s menu is a la carte and includes lots of extravagant options, including oysters and filet mignon au poivre, along with special cocktails for the occasion.
The celebration at Of Love & Regret starts on Saturday, with a fun Galentine’s brunch. On Valentine’s Day proper, the restaurant will feature a “love-themed menu.”
Guinness Open Gate Brewing will offer a four-course menu of Valentine’s Day-inspired dishes paired with specially selected beers. The brewery is also bringing back its limited-release Ruby Sun beer for the occasion.
At The Milton Inn, the four-course, prix-fixe menu includes options like fresh artichoke soup with brioche croutons, and grilled Charolais veal flank steak with mushroom fricassee, horseradish potatoes and winter black truffle butter.
The Tilted Row’s Valentine’s pre-fixe includes dishes like lobster ravioli and pancetta-wrapped Chilean sea bass.
Maggie’s Farm’s Valentine’s Day menu includes luxe options like fried lobster tail and oysters Rockefeller.
At Cookhouse, a three-course Valentine’s Day pre-fixe, including dishes like lobster croquettes and veal stew, is available from Wednesday through Feb. 18.
Tagliata has special menus for both lunch and dinner on Valentine’s Day. The menus include dishes like tortellini stuffed with prosciutto and mortadella and tossed with speck, melted Parmigiano, candied walnuts and balsamic.
The Bluebird Cocktail Room is starting the celebrations early. The Hampden spot has a prix-fixe menu and special drinks available starting on Feb. 9 and lasting all week.
Chef’s Expressions is hosting a Valentine’s Day wine supper at the Gramercy Mansion. Meal options include dishes like duck confit with cherry mirepoix and quinoa paired with Moshin Russian River Pinot Noir. The event also has a charitable angle; it benefits Mid-Atlantic Horse Rescue.
The Corner Pantry’s special coffee for the month of February is Valentine’s-inspired. The Black Forest latte is made with cherry mocha almond syrup and can include a dollop of whipped cream.
La Calle’s V-Day menu includes starters like ceviche of Hawaiian Kampachi, blood orange, serranos, red onion, cucumber and mango in a passion fruit sauce and entrees like whole bronzino in habanero pepper citrus sauce or a classic New York strip.
Mama’s on the Half Shell’s Valentine’s Day menu includes an impressive meal for two, including lobster tails, filet mignon and crab cakes.
Bondhouse’s V-Day menu for two includes a starter to share, salads, entrees and wine all for $75 a couple.
At Allora, in addition to a three-course tasting menu, guests will receive a complimentary glass of champagne.
Love & Cornbread party
If a romantic dinner isn’t your style, but you still want to do something fun for the holiday, Love & Cornbread has you covered. The organization, which aims to end food inequity in Baltimore, is hosting a Valentine’s Day benefit at the Accelerator Space in Govans.
The party features live music, an art auction, a “diamond hunt” and food from a bunch of local companies, including Chef Rock, Taharka Ice Cream, Cane de Sucre, Taste This Cake, Minis and More, Mr. Roast Beast, Butter & Crumb Pies, Plant Baked by Sarah, Yeamon Coffee, Wight Tea, and Fit Prep Cuisine.
Plus, there will be soup and cornbread from the Love & Cornbread crews themselves.
Belgian Beer Fest #20
On Friday, Feb. 16, Max’s Taphouse kicks off its 20th annual Belgian Beer Fest. The event, which starts at noon on Friday and runs through Monday, will feature over 100 Belgian beers on tap – some of which are rarely available in the U.S. There will be about 30 additional kegs available, as well, in case you need a break from the Belgians.
Planning for the future
Mark your calendars for:
Feb. 19: Ggoma Supper Club + The Vineyards at Dodon Lunar New Year Dinner at Foraged
Feb. 22: Rasa Vineyards Tasting & Dinner at the Tavern at Woodberry Kitchen
Feb. 24: Swallow at the Hollow Chili Cookoff
