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:
Openings and announcements
BRD, the R. House chicken sandwich stall with tons of fans, has set an opening date for its new Federal Hill location. The South Baltimore spot will be open on Oct. 7 and the sandwiches will be available both at the storefront, located at the intersection of Cross and Charles streets, and via delivery apps.
There’s a new food hall in the works for Walbrook Mill, an under-development apartment complex near Coppin State University. The food hall will be anchored by local favorite Connie’s Chicken & Waffles. Other stalls will offer burgers and fries, rice bowls, gyros and Caribbean food–and there’s more to come.
Baltimore Spirits Company’s new releases are always hotly anticipated, and fans have a new one to look forward to tomorrow, when the company releases its second batch of Post Epoch Rye whiskey. It’ll debut at a 4 p.m. event at BSC in Union Collective.
Fall menus
The seasons are changing, and that means new menus around town.
At Silver Queen Café, check out new dishes like dayboat scallops with butternut squash puree and roasted carrots.
Dylan’s Oyster Cellar has new seasonal sides, including favorites like glazed sweet potatoes and crab claw macaroni salad.
At Orto, the late summer/early fall season’s produce comes into play in dishes like duck leg confit salad served over bitter greens with romano beans, shaved pickled vegetables and the last of the peaches.
Patterson Park BrewFest
This Saturday, the Patterson Park BrewFest returns for the third year in a row. The party features beers from lots of excellent local breweries, including Union Craft, Mobtown, Peabody Heights, Monument City, Oliver, Heavy Seas and Key.
There will also be live music, wine and cocktails and food from favorites like Bertha’s, Kommie Pig and Balti’Marons.
Oktoberfest season
Late September and early October always mean one thing, whether you’re in Berlin or Baltimore: it’s Oktoberfest season.
Starting now and lasting all of next month, Fadensonnen will celebrate the season with special events and musical guests.
On Saturday, Das Best Oktoberfest takes over M&T Bank Stadium. The party runs through the afternoon and includes all-you-care-to-taste beer sampling, live entertainment and a souvenir tasting glass.
VIP tickets have already sold out and general admission tickets are almost gone, so snag one quickly if you want to go.
On Thursday, Rye Street Tavern will celebrate with an Oktoberfest Brewer’s Dinner in the barrel room. The meal is a collaboration with Ommegang; each of the four courses–all traditional German dishes with a twist–will be paired with a beer from the Cooperstown brewery, which specializes in Belgian-style ales.
Courses will include dishes like cold-smoked trout paired with rosé apple cider, and cider-braised ham hocks with spaetzle and braised mustard greens paired with Abbey Ale.
Union Craft Brewing is also honoring the monthlong German party this Thursday, when it pairs up with Baltimore Clayworks for a stein-making night. Hand-make and glaze your own 12-ounce stein during the class–and enjoy a Union Craft beer, too.
Havana Nights at Prigel
On Saturday evening, Ejji Ramen and Prigel Family Creamery team up for another in their series of collaborative dinners held at the Prigel farm.
This week’s dinner is dubbed Havana Nights and features Cuban food, made with pork from the Prigel Farm, plus Cuban-inspired drinks and dancing.
Clay Pots annual dinner party
Also on Saturday night, Clay Pots Baltimore hosts its annual dinner party raising money to support its programs. The evening includes a “libation garden,” hors d’oeuvres and dessert, plus live music.
Bee’s Knees Week
Sept. 24-30 is Bee’s Knees Week, a time to celebrate the classic gin, lemon and honey cocktail while raising money for the bees. The week is a national effort tied to The Bees Cause Project, a group that helps raise awareness of why bees are an important part of our ecosystem and works for repopulation.
In Baltimore, Topside has a twist on The Bee’s Knees, called The Cat’s Meow, on its menu and is donating $1 from each drink sold to the organization.
Other local venues participating in the week include Grand Cru, The Food Market, Woodberry Kitchen, R. Bar, The Tilted Row, Bookmaker’s Cocktail Club, 1157 Bar & Kitchen, Gunther & Co., Rye, Snake Hill, Broadway Market and Thames Street Oyster House.
Bake Sale at Fat Tiger
The crew from Bramble Baking Co. will host a bake sale at Fat Tiger starting at 9 a.m. on Sunday. The menu will include sweet and savory treats like potato and leek hand pies, morning buns and coffee cardamom shortbread.
This is the first in an anticipated series of bake sales for the Broadway Market restaurant. They plan to host local bakers–often ones without storefronts of their own–for pop-up events including coffee, tea and, of course, baked goods.
National Coffee Day
Sunday is also National Coffee Day, and local spots are celebrating. At Order & Chaos, for example, guests can spin a big wheel for a chance to win prizes, like discounts for a day and free coffee for a month.
Final forage
Also on Sunday, the crew from Foraged Eatery hosts its final foraging excursion of the season, called the Great Hen Hunt (that’s mushrooms, of course, not chickens).
Toast the Ravens
B&O American Brasserie has the new happy hour game in town. Starting this Sunday, the downtown restaurant, which has a gorgeous bar, will host a post-game afternoon happy hour each week.
OMGFOOD
Thursday evening, The League for People with Disabilities brings together a handful of the city’s best chefs, including from Ekiben, Gunther & Co., La Cuchara and Tagliata, for a fun evening of good food and fundraising hosted at La Cuchara.
Planning Ahead
Here are a few events to look forward to over the next few weeks:
October 12: Ryleigh’s Oysterfest 13
October 19: Harvest at the Hill at Manor Hill Brewing
November 2: Baltimore Craft Beer Festival
