Baltimore’s restaurant scene is closing out February with a fun week filled with bubbles, whiskey and Filipino food. Here’s a look at what’s coming up:
Openings and announcements
BRD, the popular fried chicken sandwich spot in R. House, is expanding to Federal Hill. The new location will be open later this year, and will be located across from Cross Street Market on the ground floor of the new Wheelhouse apartment complex.
The Baltimore Business Journal shared this week that the newly renovated north half of Broadway Market–home to Vickki’s Fells Point Deli, Sal’s Seafood and Sophie’s Place European Deli—will open at the end of February.
Roy’s has debuted a new global tasting menu, a three-course prix fixe menu with dishes focused on the flavors of Japan. The menu is available now through April 30.
Big Softy at R. House
Big Softy is popping up–at the last minute!–at Ground & Griddled in R. House on Friday morning. Head over for a killer breakfast of pancakes, crab quiche and brioche rolls with raspberry jam.
Bringing it back at B&O
In honor of this week’s crazy weather, B&O American Brasserie’s head bartender Brendan Dorr has brought back one of his big seasonal hits: the Yellow Snow cocktail. The drink, which will be available all weekend, includes gin, crème de menthe, yellow chartreuse, cream and ginger.
Bubbles!
From now through May, every Friday and Saturday in the late afternoon and early evening, a Veuve Cliquot Bubble Up Bar will pop up in the lobby of the Four Seasons Hotel. You’ll find the bar in the lobby from 3-6 p.m. on Fridays and 4-7 p.m. on Saturdays.
On Saturday, The Chasseur‘s annual Ladies Only Champagne Brunch is back. The brunch includes five courses paired with champagnes, plus fun door prizes and raffles.
Filipino pop-ups
Like Filipino food? This week brings a pair of pop-ups featuring the cuisine of the southeastern Asian islands.
Saturday and Sunday evenings, Filipino food makers Masarap will pop up at Fadensonnen.
And on Sunday evening, Calasag will pop up at Prime Corner in Hampden, serving its trademark Filipino fare, along with mocktails and music. The event is called Soup & Suman.
Brewer’s Dinner at Rye Street Tavern
On Monday, Rye Street Tavern teams up with Flying Dog Brewery for the fourth in the restaurant’s series of Brewer’s Dinners held in the Barrel Room.
The meal includes four courses, each paired with a Flying Dog beer. It includes options like chicken liver mousse with elderflower gelee and country bread matched with Brewhouse Rarities Strawberry Rhubarb Gose.
John Shields at the Smithsonian
John Shields, owner of Gertrude’s and expert in all things Chesapeake, will speak at the Smithsonian on Monday evening.
Shields’ topic of conversation is “Chesapeake Cuisine: Nourishing a Healthier Bay,” a topic in which he is well-versed. Shields is a master storyteller; this is sure to be a terrific event.
Cocktails at Charleston
On the next two Tuesdays, head to Charleston in Harbor East for a winter cocktail hour featuring complimentary hors d’oeuvres and specialty cocktails.
On Feb. 26, the featured cocktail will be “The Last Tear” and on March 5, the drink will be “An Americano in Jerez.” Both evenings, the event will last from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Tequila!
Charmed Kitchen is hosting a tequila and mezcal tasting dinner on Tuesday evening. The four-course meal will include one tequila and three mezcal pairings and dishes like seafood ceviche and carne asada, as well as discussion about agave plants and the heritage of the spirits.
Diaspora at Ida B’s
Also on Tuesday, Ida B’s Table hosts its latest dinner in its series Diaspora: A Conversation on Modern Soul Food.
The evening includes a five-course dinner from Chef David Thomas with wine pairings provided by The Wine Source, plus a discussion of the meal and how it evokes the journey through the African diaspora.
Chili at the Tavern
Thursday, Feb. 28, is National Chili Day, and the Mt. Washington Tavern is celebrating with the addition of three chili specials to the menu. Choices include a three-beef option, a vegetarian quinoa chili and a white chicken chili.
Santé at the AVAM
Thursday night, the National Kidney Foundation hosts Santé, its annual benefit, at the American Visionary Arts Museum. The evening includes drinks and food from 20 local restaurants, caterers and chefs. There will also be celebrity judges chiming in on the food selections and a People’s Choice competition.
Whiskey at Magdalena
On March 1, Magdalena hosts its third annual Winter Whiskey Dinner, including multiple courses paired with a variety of Scottish whiskies.
If you’d like, you can make a weekend, of it, too; the Ivy Hotel, where Magdalena is located, offers a complete Winter Whiskey Weekend package.
St. Pat’s prep
Friday is March 1, which means it’s officially St. Patrick’s Day season. At Guinness Open Gate Brewery, celebrations for the holiday will be major and will start early.
In the lead-up to the day itself, the brewery will be decked out in green and starting March 7, it will feature an “Irish Beer Tap Takeover” with legacy Irish beers (think Smithwick’s, Harp and Kilkenny) plus several new St. Paddy’s-themed experimental beers.
Get ready for the Cosmic Cocktail Party
The 20th annual Cosmic Cocktail Party takes place next week, March 7, at the American Visionary Arts Museum. Tickets are on sale now for this event, which includes drinks and food from tons of local favorite restaurants and music from DJ James Nasty.
Planning Ahead
Here are a few events to look forward to over the next few weeks:
March 3: 8th Annual Ryes Up Against Cystic Fibrosis Gala
March 21: Pizza Cooking Class at Cosima
March 30: Wockenfuss Factory Tour
