From lemon sticks to margaritas, this week promises to be one of the most flavorful and fun times we’ve had in Baltimore for a while. Here’s a look at the many things coming up in Charm City’s culinary world:
Openings & Announcements
Sandlot in Harbor Point will reopen for the season over Memorial Day weekend. The food and beverage service will now be run by Bar Movement and will feature food trucks and guest chefs.
Mr. Tepaches, a new Mexican spot, has opened in the Fells Point corner space that formerly housed the much-loved Lobo.
Baltimore magazine reports that longtime Hampden staple Cafe Hon will close after its final service on April 29 – after 30 years in business. But its space won’t go unused: Baltimore’s own Foreman Wolf restaurant group is taking over the lease and will open something new in its place.
New looks
Silver Queen Café has gotten a facelift, both inside and out. The Hamilton restaurant is now a bright, fun blue outside – you can’t miss it.
Lib’s Grill in Perry Hall has added a covered outdoor patio that looks fantastic and provides a great space to dine outside no matter what the weather.
Lexington Market news
Lexington Market’s redevelopment has been big news for a while now and the venerable market continues to add vendors to its reopening lineup.
Most recently, the market announced that Kokee Tea will open a spot selling bubble tea, Korean noodles, macarons and candies. Plus, Total Health Center – a vendor at the old market – will return with its teas, tonics and vitamins, and Tossed Together, a fast casual salad, sandwich and snack spot, will open.
Flower Mart fun
Flower Mart is back in Mount Vernon this weekend – a sure sign that spring is here. The festival, which is free and open to the public, will feature tons of local flower and plant companies, plus tons of food vendors and, of course, one of the city’s most iconic treats: lemon sticks.
The Charmery has created a special Lemon Stick ice cream to commemorate the event. It is made with lemon-peppermint ice cream and has peppermint stick pieces throughout. Yum!
Festival season
Flower Mart isn’t the only event happening this weekend: it’s a big one for festivals.
On Saturday, hit Harbor Point for Tacos ‘n Taps, a ticketed event featuring tons of beers, mezcals, tequilas and margaritas (among other drinks), live music, a hot pepper eating contest, and a bunch of food trucks and taquerias.
Also on Saturday, the Canton Spring Festival takes over Patterson Park near the Pulaski Monument. The festival includes food trucks, local bands and over 100 different vendors.
And also on Saturday, at the Howard County Fairgrounds, the Indian Cultural Association hosts its Great Indian Food & Fashion Festival, including music, dance performances, tons of food and a golgappa-eating contest. Golgappa is an Indian street food: small balls stuffed with masala and soaked with spicy mint water.
Saturday and Sunday, Towson comes alive with the 53rd annual Towsontown Spring Festival, which will include live music, vendors, tons of food and even rides.
Sagamore Spirit turns five
Sagamore Spirit Distillery is celebrating its fifth birthday with a weekend full of festivities, starting with craft cocktail-making classes on Friday and a make your own rocks glass event on Sunday.
The big party is Saturday party, when the distillery will have live music and a “vendor village” including tons of local favorites, like Ekiben, CAnE Collective, Bmore Greek Grill, Brookside Market, Suspended Brewing, Sapwood Cellars and Black Acres Coffee Roasters.
Congratulations to the Sagamore team!
Fire Hero Chili Cook Off at Of Love & Regret
On Sunday, Of Love & Regret hosts a chili cookoff supporting the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. This is the restaurant’s second annual event chili cookoff for the cause and it is sure to be a good time.
Grateful Brunch
Also on Sunday, True Chesapeake Oyster Co. brings back its first Sunday Grateful Brunch event featuring pancakes, cocktails and music from Caleb Stine.
Charcuterie for a cause
On Wednesday, the Tyanna Foundation Baltimore will host a virtual charcuterie board making class (with non-virtual wine!) with proceeds benefiting the Hoffberger Breast Center at Mercy Medical Baltimore.
Cinco de Mayo
Thursday is Cinco de Mayo and local spots have big plans in place to celebrate.
La Calle’s party starts at 4 p.m. with drink and food specials for the holiday.
Little Havana is throwing a party with food and drink specials, giveaways and a live mariachi band. Plus, the restaurant’s patio has a better view of the water than ever before: the fence that has blocked its view of the harbor for decades was just removed.
Papi’s Tacos is always a fun stop on Cinco de Mayo and this year will be especially celebratory for the Fells Point crew, since that original location has just reopened after the building was renovated.
Mt. Washington Tavern is hosting Tucks ‘n Tacos, a special Cinco de Mayo drag show, on May 5. The holiday also happens to fall on half-price wine night, and the Tavern staff, along with the performers, will be supporting The Trevor Project.
On Thursday, Vida Taco locations will offer discounts on shots and featured cocktails including several spirits, plus DJs to keep the festive atmosphere going.
Mother’s Day preview
Mother’s Day is early this year – Sunday, May 8 – and it’s always one of the biggest restaurant brunch days of the year. So if you don’t want to be caught without reservations, now is the time to make some plans for mom.
If you’re looking for gifts, good neighbor has some great options. The Hampden shop has put together a variety of “gift trays” featuring great products. The trays each have a certain vibe (think “serene” or “morning”) and feature products like coffee, chocolates and other food items (among other things).
Manor Tavern is hosting its traditional Mother’s Day buffet brunch, including an omelet bar, carving stations and all sorts of desserts.
Silver Queen Café is now taking reservations for Mother’s Day brunch; they always have a good one.
Johnny’s is open for brunch and dinner on Mother’s Day; the special brunch menu includes options like crab-stuffed fluke and an omelet station in the café.
Johnny’s sister restaurant, Petit Louis, is also open for brunch and dinner for the holiday.
Towson Tavern’s Mother’s Day brunch buffet includes everything from a waffle station to shrimp cocktail and crab balls.
Charleston will be open from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. offering a special three-course tasting menu with optional wine pairings.
Cinghiale is open for Mother’s Day dinner. Its a la carte menu will be available, along with specials like Maine lobster with roasted yellow cherry tomatoes, fennel pollen, basil and spaghetoni.
Hersh’s will be open for brunch on Mother’s Day, serving both its excellent food and cocktails.
The Milton Inn is open from noon to 8 p.m. on Mother’s Day, serving both lunch and dinner, including the a la carte menu and specials.
Planning for the future
Mark your calendars for:
May 28: Brew at the Zoo
June 11: Chesapeake Seafood Festival
June 18: Solstice Festival at Old Westminster Winery
