Baltimore is bustling with festive energy right now, as Christmas is almost upon us. This week, local restaurants and food businesses have a lot to offer, from gingerbread to eggnog. Plus, now is the time to make those plans for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dining.
Here’s a look at what’s happening this week:
Openings & announcements
Happy anniversary to Dylan’s Oyster Cellar, which celebrated five years in business this week!
South Baltimore residents have something to cheer about right now: Ekiben will open in the former Bar Licorice spot on E. Fort Ave.
This week also brought good news for Pigtown: Zeke’s Coffee will open a shop in an empty space on Washington Blvd.
Gifts & goodies
Saturday, head to The Wine Collective at Union Collective for a holiday market with a bunch of local vendors – plus lots of wine to sip.
This is so fun: The Charmery has put together a “concession box” packed with fun goodies designed to consume while watching the movie “Elf.” The box includes popcorn, a sticker and four Elf-themed treats, plus a guide to let you know when to enjoy each during the movie, to maximize your Santa-loving experience.
There’s still time to grab a Tio Pepe sangria pitcher as a last-minute holiday gift – perfect for anyone who loves the restaurant’s iconic (and delicious) sangria.
Silver Queen Café has a few gifts on its menu, including bottled versions of housemade hot sauce and ketchup, and Zeke’s Coffee’s Silver Queen house blend.
The crew at Gunther & Co. has created its very own gin, Sir Gunther Gin, which is now available for purchase (and gifting) at the restaurant.
When you buy a $50 gift certificate for Wicked Sisters, Papi’s, Huck’s American Craft or Alexander’s Tavern, you’ll receive a free bottle of the restaurant group’s Lady Boss red blend or Colutta Pinot Grigio. The gift cards can be used at any of the group’s spots, so they make especially nice gifts.
Holiday cheer
On Saturday, Prigel Family Creamery hosts Christmas at the Creamery, a family-friendly day featuring holiday ice cream flavors, hot chocolate and gingerbread house decorating.
Sunday night, dinner at the Manor Tavern will be accompanied by festive holiday tunes in the Tent Room.
Good neighbor’s month-long holiday festivities continue this week with a fun event on Tuesday featuring holiday toasts, hosted by Chef Durian.
Also on Tuesday, Ryleigh’s Oyster hosts its 10th annual Nog Night, when the restaurant serves eggnog made using George Washington’s original recipe, spiked with Sagamore Rye. The eggnog will be available to drink at Ryleigh’s or to take home in a bottle.
Groundwork graduates
Groundwork Kitchen, the new culinary training program associated with Paul’s Place in Pigtown, will hold its first-ever graduation ceremony on Dec. 21. These first graduates have completed Groundwork’s 12-week program, learning about front and back-of-house restaurant work, and now will go on to get jobs in the industry – great news for both the graduates and for Baltimore’s restaurant scene. Congratulations to all!
Christmas Eve & Christmas Day options
Whether you’re dining at home or out for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day brunch or dinner, now is the time to organize your plans. Local spots have you covered.
Dining out
Johnny’s is all decked out for the holiday and has a fun Christmas bar menu available now through New Year’s Eve. The Roland Park restaurant also has a special three-course menu for Christmas Eve and a Boxing Day brunch on tap for the day after Christmas.
Cosima’s Christmas Eve prix fixe includes three courses of Italian specialties, with dishes like steamed clams with leeks, garlic and fennel, and spit-roasted chicken with potatoes and onion agrodolce.
At The Tilted Row, the three-course Christmas Eve dinner starts with options like coddies or lobster bisque and ends with a choice of a yule log cake or berry cheesecake.
Cinghiale will offer a traditional Feast of the Seven Fishes meal on Christmas Eve, including dishes like squid ink spaghetti with Maine lobster and a salad of gulf shrimp and calamari, dressed in tarragon vinaigrette.
Four Seasons Hotel will offer a fun brunch in the waterfront Cobalt Ballroom. The buffet brunch includes a raw bar, carving stations, made to order omelets and more.
NiHao’s holiday menu (which can be enjoyed at the restaurant or taken home) includes the restaurant’s famous Cantonese duck and sides like shrimp dumplings and duck and pear tart. The menu is available from Christmas Eve through the day after Christmas.
Water Song Yunnan Kitchen will be open for regular hours during the holidays and is taking reservations now.
Take it home
Pierpoint is offering a Christmas dinner box complete with prime rib, crab cakes, an antipasto platter, sides and dessert. The Fells Point restaurant also has a cheese basket for sale, including a selection of cheeses, crackers and onion jam, packed in a cute basket with a serving board and knife – it would make a great gift. Orders for both must be placed by Dec. 20.
The Heritage Smokehouse holiday menu includes all kinds of cool items, from whole smoked duck or ham to smoked trout spread to a cheese, mushroom and bacon-stuffed pumpkin – a shareable dish that is both unique and incredibly tasty.
Assigned Christmas Eve or Christmas dinner dessert? You can’t go wrong with a Bûche de Noël, or another pastry, from Patisserie Poupon. The venerable bakery will take online orders until Dec. 19 and will be open for pickup (and purchase of smaller items) on Dec. 23 and 24.
The Corner Pantry’s takehome holiday menu is broad and sounds lovely, including mains, sides, numerous sweets, several breakfast options, and even bouquets for your table. Orders are due by 3 p.m. on Dec. 17.
The deadline for pre-orders at JBGB’s in Remington is Dec. 17. The restaurant / butcher shop has a wide variety of items available for order, including less commonly available game birds, like pheasant, capon and quail.
Gertrude’s Christmas Curbside menu was a huge hit last year and is back again, with options like crab cakes, smoked porterhouse pork chops, and curried roasted butternut squash bisque. Orders are due Dec. 17 for Christmas Eve pickup.
Lebanese Taverna’s take-home options include leg of lamb with spiced rice and a three-herb sauce, and a wide array of flavorful side dishes.
Woodberry Kitchen is not open for dining in right now but the restaurant is offering a takeaway holiday menu including dishes like leek and romesco-stuffed rockfish and a two-pound braised beef brisket. You can also order holiday centerpieces from Woodberry – and with every $100 gift card purchase, you’ll receive a free bottle of Snake Oil hot sauce.
When you order your holiday meal from The Manor, you’ll have the opportunity to help the Mt. Vernon restaurant with a seasonal effort to support Baltimoreans in need – donation of meals to Helping Up Mission.
Limoncello’s party platter menu includes everything from antipasti to paninis to entrees.
Planning for the future
Mark your calendars for:
Jan. 1: Grateful Brunch at True Chesapeake Oyster Co.
Jan. 14: Krautfest at Gertrude’s
Feb. 12: How Does It Feel Dinner with H3irloom Food Group
Note: Hot Plate will be on hiatus next Friday (Christmas Eve). But look for a special Tuesday edition the following week, on Dec. 28.
