From openings to wine dinners to prepping for Thanksgiving, this week is a busy one in the Baltimore food world. Here’s a look at what’s happening:
Openings & announcements
Dimples Bar and Grill, a new spot in Locust Point, is officially open. The owners are a husband and wife team from Philadelphia, so among other things, their Philly cheesesteak is sure to be a menu highlight.
Café Fili will open an outpost in Anthem House in the spring of 2026. The team behind the café also has plans to offer a line of olive oils, balsamic vinegars, and Mediterranean spices that will be available around the time the new spot opens.
Atlas Restaurant Group is opening a members-only supper club in Harbor East. Applications for early membership to the club, called Rosewater, are open now.
The Tillery at Metro Centre in Owings Mills has a new chef: Matthew Zafrir, an alum of Woodberry Kitchen and minibar in Washington, D.C.
Inviting Light x Guilford Hall
The Inviting Light public art program unveiled its newest installation last week, in the Ynot Lot in Station North. During the event, Guilford Hall Brewery debuted a new beer, the Inviting Light Baltimore Pilsner, that will be available on a limited basis at multiple locations, including Metro Art Gallery, Club Car, and Foraged Eatery.
Le Comptoir du Vin wine club
Le Comptoir du Vin’s wine club, which offers its members monthly selections of wines that are good for daily drinking and/or special occasions, is back and open for subscriptions. The first pickup is scheduled for Nov. 23 – but members can join the club anytime (and discontinue or pause anytime, as well).
Holiday wine sale at Iron Bridge
On Saturday, Nov. 15, Iron Bridge Wine Company hosts a wine tasting event featuring 16 wines ideal for holiday dining – all of which will be available for purchase.
Mezze Madness
On Monday, Nov. 17, Cypriana brings back its Mezze Madness Monday for one night only. For $45, guests can enjoy unlimited small plates all night.
Woodberry x Black Ankle
On Wednesday, Nov. 19, Woodberry Kitchen welcomes Black Ankle Vineyards for a five-course meal putting the spotlight on seven of the Mt. Airy winery’s selections, alongside Chesapeake-region flavors and ingredients.
Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivée
On Thursday, Nov. 20, Petit Louis celebrates the annual arrival of Le Beaujolais Nouveau, the young wine that is launched on the third Thursday of each November. The bistro will offer a special three-course prix fixe menu designed to showcase the charms of the wine.
Iron Bridge Wine Company is also marking the occasion with a four-course lunch featuring six different Beaujolais.
Giving back
As the season of giving is upon us, local restaurants are doing their part to give back to the community.
From now through December, The Food Market is collecting shelf-stable food for Baltimore Hunger Project. The collection box is located by the host stand at the restaurant’s Hampden location.
Maggie’s Farm will provide 400 free meals to members of the community, available for pickup on Monday, Nov. 24 (limit two per household). The Hamilton-Lauraville restaurant is partnering with Fells Point Wholesale Meats, Capital Seaboard, and Chefs Warehouse on the initiative.
Thanksgiving plans
Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away, which means now is the time to make plans for dining out or supplementing your at-home feast with goodies from local restaurants.
Dining out options include:
Mama’s on the Half Shell opens at noon, serving a classic Thanksgiving menu. The restaurant also has pre-orders open for take home dishes – and the option to ship items like crab cakes and soups.
The Rusty Scupper is open on Thanksgiving, offering an extensive buffet with four seatings, starting at 11 a.m.
Cinghiale is opening its doors for the holiday for the first time ever this year, offering a four-course menu inspired by Italian American Thanksgiving.
Sotto Sopra is open on Thanksgiving, serving its regular menu along with traditional Thanksgiving dishes.
Blue Moon Café and Blue Moon Too are both open on Thanksgiving – making breakfast plans a lot easier.
If you’ll be dining in but want help filling the table, restaurants also have you covered.
The Corner Pantry’s Thanksgiving catering menu covers all the bases, from flowers to turkey to dessert – and their pickup operation runs like a well-oiled machine.
H3irloom Food Group has an incredible menu of southern-inspired Thanksgiving dishes, from a whole spatchcocked turkey (available with choices of flavorings) to potlikker cornbread stuffing. Orders must be placed by Nov. 19.
The Charmery’s holiday ice cream pies are available to order, with options like spiced pumpkin, butter pecan, and coffee cake.
Silver Queen Café has a handful of appetizers, sides, and desserts available to take home for Thanksgiving dinner – including their delicious chicken liver paté.
Heritage Smokehouse’s Thanksgiving catering menu includes everything from sausages to mac and cheese to green bean casserole.
The Thanksgiving carryout menu at Sally O’s focuses on pies and sides, including classics like pumpkin pie and oyster stuffing.
Cece’s has a package deal for multiple sizes and dessert, all to-go – four servings for $95. The menu includes mashed potatoes, truffle stuffing, green bean casserole, Parker House rolls, and sweet potato pie.
Planning for the future
Mark your calendars for:
December 17: Best of the Best Wine Dinner
December 24: Feast of the Seven Fishes at Costiera
Blacksauce Kitchen also has a carry-out Thanksgiving menu (that sounds really good!).
Thanks for the comment – and I’ll add that to next week’s column!