The local food scene took a bit of a breather last week, settling into summer with just a few events. This week restaurants are back in full force, hosting wine dinners, brunches and other events, and other organizations are getting in on the action, too, with everything from a doughnut bike crawl to one of the city’s most popular international festivals.
Here’s a look at what’s happening in and around town this week:
Openings & Closings
Local restaurant lovers were dealt some tough news this week, with the announcements that French favorite Colette is closing its doors (though it will reopen soon as Bottega) and that Canton mainstay Langermann’s is closing.
In happier news, this weekend brings the launch of a brand new farmer’s market: the Greenmount West Community Market, or Grow Market. The market will take place on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., starting this Sunday, June 4, and will run through mid-November. The market is organized by Two Moons Food Group and Open Works, a studio where local artists and makers can use tools and space to create. Market vendors will sell a variety of ingredients and prepared foods, as well as goods from other makers, including artisans working out of Open Works.
Fans of the now-shuttered Herb & Soul in Parkville have something new to cheer about, too: Herb & Soul Chef David Thomas will open Ida B’s Table on Holliday Street next month. The menu will be locally sourced, with dishes like eggs topped with house-made pimento cheese on croissants. The beverage program has been developed by local drinks phenom Chelsea Gregoire.
National Doughnut Day
Today is National Doughnut Day and local shops are getting in on the action, with deals and pop-ups all over town.
Because Baltimore loves doughnuts, the city will continue to celebrate even after today is over. Tomorrow, the National Donut Day Bike Crawl will kick off at 10 a.m. in Roosevelt Park. The ride will cover seven miles, hitting five bakeries throughout the city. Tickets for the crawl are $25, with proceeds benefiting pediatric ophthalmology research via the Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute.
Wine Tonight
Tonight, Pen & Quill is hosting a wine dinner featuring the wines of Populis and Les Lunes Wine of California. The co-founder of both brands, Diego Roig, will be on hand to discuss the wines and answer questions, as diners enjoy the wines paired with summery dishes from Chef Patrick Myers.
Tea at the Marketplace
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. tomorrow, head to Mt. Vernon Marketplace for a spot of tea and some flowers. Everyday Rose Events will be on hand, helping attendees create fresh floral headbands, and Juniper Culinary Apothecary will provide small bites and tea from Wight Tea.
Meet the Brewers
Tomorrow, starting at 12 p.m., Parts & Labor will host a Meet the Brewer event featuring the team from Baltimore-based Diamondback Brewing Co. The Diamondback crew will be on hand to chat and answer questions all afternoon, and will debut a new beer made just for the event: Kvass, made with day-old rye and spelt bread and conditioned on raisins and strawberries.
Brunch at Cinghiale
Cinghiale launches a new brunch this weekend. For $29 per person, guests have a choice of entrée (with options like a market fish and crispy confit chicken leg, in addition to more traditional brunch fare) and choice of dessert, plus permission to graze an impressive antipasta spread.
Drinks & Dining for a Cause
This week offers several opportunities to do good while enjoying some of the city’s best restaurants.
Tonight, Modern Cook Shop is hosting a happy hour to benefit the Maryland Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Twenty percent of proceeds from the event will go directly to CFF.
Later this month, locals will have another opportunity to bolster CFF when Feastival returns for the second year on June 17. Like last year, the event will take place in front of the Four Seasons on Harbor East’s waterfront promenade. The event features food and drinks from some of the city’s best restaurants, including Azumi, Blue Pit BBQ, Cask & Grain, Clavel, Colette, Gnocco, Gunther & Co., Loch Bar and Wit & Wisdom.
Tomorrow night, Café Troia in Towson will host an Italian wine dinner benefiting Free to Breathe, an organization that funds lung cancer research. The four-course meal includes dishes like fried green tomatoes with goat cheese over mixed greens and Italian-style roast beef.
On June 4, The Wine Market Bistro will host a wine dinner raising money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The dinner includes four courses, plus wine pairings, with dishes like braised short ribs with corn risotto and a crispy zucchini cake appetizer.
Tacos and Tequila
Tacos aren’t just for Tuesdays this week. On Thursday, June 8, Points South Latin Kitchen will host Tacos and Tequila, a fun evening including a taco bar, margaritas and extended happy hour prices.
Talking Seafood
On Thursday evening, Laura Henderson will lead a presentation and discussion about local seafood at the Enoch Pratt Free Library on Light Street. The topics will range from history to sustainability. When it comes to Chesapeake watershed seafood, there’s a lot to discuss.
Going Greek
The St. Nicholas Greek Folk Festival – one of the city’s most popular and food-centric international festivals – kicks off Thursday, June 8, and lasts all weekend long. The festival celebrates a wide range of Greek culture, including music, dance and faith – plus, of course, food. From souvlaki to baklava, there will be all sorts of fabulous food, including, even, a vegetarian Greek kitchen for those who love the flavors, but don’t eat meat.
Planning Ahead
Here are a few events to look forward to over the next few weeks:
June 24: Chesapeake Crab & Beer Festival
June 24: Farm Fest at Manor Hill Tavern
July 28: Baltimore Restaurant Week
