With one week of summer left (unofficially, anyway) and unexpectedly gorgeous weather on the horizon, it’s a great time to avoid the kitchen and go out to eat. Here’s a look at how you can do that this week:
Openings & Announcements
Food truck aficionados Nikki Marks (Madame BBQ, MindGrub Café) and Brian Mathias (Bistro Lunch Box) have teamed up to open Share Kitchen, a large commercial kitchen space in McHenry Row. The spot is open for use by local food businesses in search of commercial space and will host private events and cooking classes taught by Marks.
It will also be used to prepare food for its neighbor, Diamondback Brewing Company, which will now serve food in the evenings.
The Hopkins crowd received some sad news this week, with the announcement that the iconic PJ’s Pub is closing its doors. HomeSlyce Pizza Bar, which has several other city locations, including one on Charles Street in Mt. Vernon, is interested in taking over the space, though the deal is not yet finalized.
Bubbles & Bites
Tomorrow evening, the Lord Baltimore Hotel will invite guests to go back in time as it hosts an evening of ‘30’s and ‘40’s-style dining and dancing. The event will take place in the hotel’s Calvert Ballroom which, for the evening, will transform into a “Bubble Room,” complete with a 10-piece band, an old-fashioned cocktail lounge and a menu harkening back to another era (think lobster thermidor and baked Alaska).
All Things Vegan
Baltimore Vegan Restaurant Week continues this weekend, with offerings at restaurants around town.
The weeklong celebration of all things vegan comes to a head on Saturday, Aug. 26, with Vegan SoulFest, an event featuring speakers, DJs and other performing artists, cooking demonstrations and, of course, plenty of vegan food.
Vegan SoulFest takes place from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Baltimore City Community College.
Pups at Birroteca
On Sunday, Birroteca will host its second annual Dog Days of Summer event, featuring live music, tons of food, beers from four local breweries and custom cocktails. Dogs are invited and are the stars of the show: there’s a best-dressed dog contest, a photo booth and doggie pools. Plus, you can purchase some special treats for your pup at pop-up shops from Howl, Barks & Bloom and The Dog Chef.
The party will benefit BARCS and The Buddy Foundation of Maryland.
Expert Butchery
George Marsh, the head butcher at Parts & Labor, has a reputation as one of the best butchers around town. On Sunday afternoon, he will host a workshop and demonstration as he breaks down a 300-pound hog. Marsh will share techniques, recipes and sourcing practices with attendees, who will also be well-fed — the event includes house-cured meats and local beers and wines.
Brunch Spots Branch Out
A pair of local restaurants best known for their breakfast and brunch offerings are expanding service into occasional dinners.
On Sunday, New America Café will host a Sunday Supper event with guest chef Robb McCord. The menu includes dishes like tomato basil bisque and clam pesto pasta, and the restaurant’s bar will be open, serving house cocktails.
Starting in September, Truffle Butta Bistro will offer dinner service two evenings a month. On the second and third Thursdays of each month, the new Woodlawn eatery will host Three Course Thursdays. The dinners will require advance ticket purchase – only 24 tickets will be sold for each meal.
And Brunch for Dinner
While New America and Truffle Butta are brunch spots now doing dinner, Modern Cook Shop is taking an alternate approach: brunch for dinner.
On Wednesday, the Fells Point restaurant will serve a prix fixe meal featuring the best of its brunch dishes, plus one craft cognac cocktail and unlimited mimosas.
Get to Know the Farm
Have an interest in farming and want to learn more about what happens behind the scenes of a small local operation?
On Monday evening, Roberts Roost Farm in Monkton will open for a farm tour hosted by Chesapeake Farm to Table and Future Harvest. The event will be an opportunity to meet chefs, farmers and consumers who support locally grown food. It will be capped by a potluck meal, so bring a dish to share after the tour.
Troegs Beer Pairing Dinner
On Tuesday, Butchers Hill Society will host a beer pairing dinner featuring the brews of Pennsylvania beer maker Troegs. The meal includes four courses, each paired with a Troegs brew. A fifth beer will be featured during the welcome reception.
Wine at Gnocco
Gnocco, the highly acclaimed Mediterranean spot, will host a Siciliy Wine Dinner featuring the wines of Alcesti and Intorcia on Wednesday evening. The menu includes six courses, each paired with wines, including dishes like swordfish bresaola, stuffed calamari and tortellini pie.
Date Nights at Alma
Alma Cocina Latina has a fun new weeknight promotion: come in for a weeknight date (Monday through Thursday) and you’ll receive a complimentary glass of red wine, white wine or sangria. Seems like a good excuse for a midweek dinner!
Taste of Everyman
Everyman Theatre has a fun new project in the works for its third season of plays. This season, Everyman will host tasting events, with small bite menus designed to pair with the plays put on by the theater.
The first event will be held on Thursday, Sept. 14. The the theater’s performance of M. Butterfly (Sept. 6-Oct. 8) will be celebrated with an Edible Insects tasting featuring a talk by Charm City Farms’ Eric Kelly and bites provided by MOM’s Organic Market, as well as drinks from Clavel.
Planning Ahead
Here are a few events to look forward to over the next few weeks:
September 3: La Cuchara’s Tomatina Batttle & Food Festival
September 15: Picnic in the Park
October 2: Farm to Chef Maryland
