Between Opening Day, Light City and a (mostly) gorgeous stretch of weather, Baltimore has been the place to be this past week.
Local restaurants are keeping the magic going next week, too, with new menu additions and events. They’re also looking ahead to the following weekend, with big plans for Easter brunches. Here’s a look at what’s happening next week and Easter weekend:
Openings & Announcements
After quietly opening its doors a couple months ago, Center Cut Doughnuts is officially opening its new Hampden shop this Saturday morning.
In addition to great doughnuts, the shop has some fun activities and giveaways planned for Saturday. The first 25 people in line will receive prizes and a few new menu items will be unveiled, including The Dognut – a doughnut-wrapped hot dog.
In Federal Hill, a new Turkish spot, Otto Turkish Cuisine, opened in the spot formerly occupied by Grano Pasta Bar.
Fans of Two Boots pizza, in the Fitzgerald apartment building near UB and MICA, got some sad news this week: the shop closed last Saturday. The restaurant had been open since 2011.
Spring on the Menu
It is officially springtime at RegionAle in Ellicott City: wine slushies are on the menu! The restaurant is serving a refreshing slushy blend of Pinot Grigio, lemons and strawberries…which means that spring must be here to stay.
At Silver Queen Café, April 1 and the launch of crab season mean the return of Maryland crab meat – and crabby fries on the menu.
There’s a brand new menu at Fork & Wrench, incorporating springtime flavors and gorgeous produce.
Up Close & Personal at Sagamore
Sagamore Distillery, which opens April 21, is now officially taking reservations for distillery tours. By all accounts, the brand new facility is a beautiful one; seeing it up close and personal just after it opens is a one time only opportunity.
Big Birthdays
Mt. Vernon mainstay Sotto Sopra turns 21 this week – a real accomplishment for any restaurant. The popular Italian spot will celebrate its big day with a Sunday night party, including jazz music from Hot Club of Baltimore. Every guest who, like Sotto Sopra, is 21 or older, will receive a complimentary glass of prosecco and be entered into a raffle for gifts that will be given throughout the evening.
In Little Italy, wine bar Pane e Vino turns two today. As befitting any two-year old’s party, there will be cupcakes to celebrate.
Maize y Cacao at Clavel
On Sunday, April 9, Remington restaurant Clavel will partner with chocolatier Jinji Fraser and baker Jorge Sobral Martins for a seven-course meal showcasing nixtamalized heirloom corn and raw cacao. In addition to thoughtful cuisine, the meal will also include natural wine and mezcal pairings.
Truffles in Towson
Truffle lovers should make their way to the Towson branch of the Baltimore County Public Library on Sunday, when Ian Purkayastha, exotic food importer and author of Truffle Boy, will join Gertrude’s chef Doug Wetzel to discuss the food world – including his wild adventures as a truffle hunter and seller.
Plates 4 Parkinson’s at Gertrude’s
Speaking of Gertrude’s…this month, the restaurant is participating in Plates 4 Parkinson’s, a fundraiser associated with Pacing 4 Parkinson’s. For every order of the Back Creek Inn Crab Quiche during April, which is National Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month, Gertrude’s will donate to the organization.
Beer & Oyster Benefit
On Thursday, April 13, Union Craft Brewing and The Local Oyster will host a benefit for the Living Classrooms Foundation. The party takes place at Union, which will donate $1 of every sold beer to Living Classrooms. There will also be live music and tons of great raffle prizes.
Easter Plans
Easter is right around the corner, and restaurants all over the region are hosting special brunches and dinners to mark the occasion.
At La Cuchara, celebrate the holiday Basque-style with a prix fixe brunch including dishes like crispy oyster bocadillo and bacaloa scrambled eggs with uni butter.
Aldo’s will host a jazz brunch featuring both brunch classics and the restaurant’s standard Italian menu, starting at 11 a.m.
Wit & Wisdom will be open bright and early for an a la carte Easter breakfast starting at 7 a.m. The restaurant’s brunch buffet will start at 9 a.m. and will include live music, multiple stations and a spot where kids can decorate their own Easter eggs.
Though Hersh’s does not serve brunch most Sundays, the restaurant is making an exception for Easter (and Mother’s Day), when it will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., serving dishes like Calabrian double-fried chicken.
At Cinnamon Tree in Hunt Valley, an Easter Champagne Brunch will include classic dishes like crab claws on ice, herb-roasted prime rib and special Easter cookies.
In Columbia, The Turn House will offer an Easter buffet starting at 10 a.m., featuring traditional Easter brunch dishes like ham, lamb and waffles.
Woodberry Kitchen will extend its normal brunch hours for Easter weekend, opening early at 9:30 a.m. and staying open until 3 p.m. In addition to the regular menu, the restaurant will have a pastry and coffee table outside by the firepit and crafts for kids inside.
At Petit Louis, the regular a la carte menu will be available for both brunch and dinner, plus springtime Easter specials.
Johnny’s will serve Easter brunch starting at 9 a.m.; the menu includes dishes like French toast topped with apple compote and omelet and braised beef brisket stations.
Cinghiale will host an Easter brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., including a serve-yourself antipasti, a choice of three entrees and a choice of dessert.
Butchers Hill Society kicks off brunch service this Easter morning, with a brand new menu that will continue to be available in the weeks following Easter.
The Mt. Washington Tavern will celebrate Easter in style with a special holiday Brunch on Sunday, April 16, 2017. Beginning at 10:00 am, the Tavern will offer a special buffet brunch menu served in the Pimlico Room and Sky Bar.
A regular menu will be served in the front bar and the Chesapeake Room. Please specify where you would like to sit when making a reservation. For more information and to place a reservation, visit www.mtwashingtontavern.com.
Cosima will offer a special brunch menu for Easter – and special Easter cocktails!
The Milton Inn’s prix fixe brunch includes dishes like smoked salmon and eggs benedict.
In Towson, Café Troia will offer brunch classics as well as springtime Italian dishes, like asparagus and ricotta ravioli in a light creamy parmigiano sauce.
Greek Easter falls on the same day as Easter this year, which means Ouzo Bay is celebrating big with a full brunch menu, specials and bottomless mimosas, bloody marys and sangria.
Loch Bar has a special Easter happy hour in the works, as well as live music during the early afternoon brunch.
Apropoe’s in the Marriott in Harbor East will host an Easter brunch buffet,as well as an Easter egg hunt for the kids.
The Oceanaire Seafood Room will blend some of their standard a la carte options with additional brunch items for a custom Easter morning menu. Brunch starts at 9 a.m.
Easter brunch at Roy’s will start at 9 a.m., featuring a special menu.
At Fleming’s, brunch will include a three-course prix fixe menu and after 3 p.m., a prime rib special will be available.
At Rusty Scupper, the buffet brunch, including a wide variety of dishes and a raw bar, will have three seatings.
B&O American Brasserie’s Easter morning will include an early buffet available until 10 a.m. and a more extensive brunch buffet, including dishes like gruyere popovers and crab deviled eggs, after 10 a.m. Head bartender Brendan Dorr has also created a couple Easter cocktails that will be available (in addition to the full bar and bottomless bloody marys and mimosas).
At The Elephant, Easter brunch includes classics like omelets and crepes, plus more exotic fare, like an Egyptian spiced lamb flatbread.
If you’d rather dine at home (but not cook), restaurants have you covered there, too.
Parts& Labor is offering four different “Easter baskets,” including takeaway dishes like rack of lamb and smoked ham. If you’re planning to go this route, make your move: orders are due today.
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que is offering two Easter-friendly catering packages, including lamb and ham options.
Modern Cook Shop has created neat little packages for two or six to eight people, including a main course, sides and dessert.
Planning Ahead
Here are a few events to look forward to over the next few weeks:
May 6: Heavy Seas Taco Festival
May 6: Charm City Wine Run
