With rain in the forecast, Baltimoreans might not need to break out the sunscreen this weekend. But there’s still a lot to celebrate now that summer is – unofficially, at least – on the horizon.
Here’s a look at what local restaurants have planned for Memorial Day weekend and the rest of the week:
Crabbiness
Kick off the weekend with something crabby. Starting at 5 p.m. today, The Big Softy – the crabby pop-up recently at R. House – will be at Union Craft Brewing, along with the folks from The Charmery. Together, they’ll be presenting C.R.E.A.M. (aka Crabs Rule Everything Around Me).
Big Softy will have its excellent soft shells, Union will provide the beer and The Charmery will be scooping their Old Bay Caramel ice cream as well as a special Wu-Tang-inspired flavor designed to pair with the ‘90s hip hop classic tunes being spun by DJ Ryan Impulse.
Openings & Closings
The Sandlot, the newest initiative from Spike Gjerde and crew, is slated to open this weekend in Harbor Point. Unlike Gjerde’s other restaurants and coffee shops, which fit a somewhat traditional mold. The Sandlot is a large, open-air space situated on the harbor; it’s designed for outdoor dining, performances and fun.
There is, of course, a food element to the project, with casual (but locally-sourced) items like nachos, sandwiches and rotisserie meats.
In sadder news, Annabel Lee Tavern in Canton announced via Facebook that Sunday will be its last day.
Farmers, Sustainability & Brunch at Cardinal Tavern
On Sunday, Cardinal Tavern will host its monthly “last Saturday” brunch event. This month’s brunch will focus on farmers and food sustainability and will feature the food of Ida B’s Table, a soul food restaurant coming soon to the downtown area. The brunch will include ingredients from Calvert’s Gift Farm, drinks from Diamondback Beer and a talk from Heather Hulsey of Chesapeake Farm to Table.
Korean Monday
On Monday evening, head to Holy Crepe Café in Canton for Haenyo, a one-night-only celebration of Korean food. The menu includes dishes like haemulpageon (shrimp, squid, kewpie, pickled cucumber and nor flake) and Korean lettuce wraps with braised beef, kimchi, hot soybean paste and local lettuce.
Wine All Week
On Tuesday, May 30 – and on the last Tuesday of every month — The Oregon Grille hosts Tasting Tuesday, an informal evening of wine discussion and tasting. The event is held in the lounge, where a wine industry representative will moderate discussion and complimentary hors d’oeuvres are served along with wine samples.
On Wednesday, get to know white wines from around the world while cruising the harbor during Waterfront Kitchen’s monthly wine cruise. The evening, which supports Living Classroom’s Shipboard Education Program, includes a three-course wine dinner and a private cruise aboard the Sigsbee. During the cruise, guests will enjoy wine and cheese. Once the boat returns to harbor, the dinner will take place on the Waterfront Kitchen Promenade.
Thursday, Wit & Wisdom chef Zack Mills will decamp to his native Anne Arundel County. That evening, Chef Mills will cook a four-course dinner for the attendees of The Vineyards at Dodon’s wine club dinner and heritage discussion.
The evening features a talk from food and environment scientist Dr. Marcia DeLonge. The menu, which includes dishes like slow-cooked Catoctin Mountain Farm pork shoulder served with Anson Mills grits and butter-poached radishes, will be paired with wines from the vineyard.
Planning Ahead
Here are a few events to look forward to over the next few weeks:
June 3: Baltimore Donut Bike Crawl
June 17: Feastival
June 24: Farm Fest at Manor Hill Tavern
