Summer officially gets underway this weekend and Baltimore restaurants are celebrating in all sorts of ways. Here’s a look at what’s coming up:
Openings and announcements
This week is a hot one in terms of openings and reopenings.
Dovecote Café will reopen – after a very long hiatus – on Saturday, with a Juneteenth celebration featuring music, yoga, kids’ activities and more.
Baltimore Spirits Company’s Cocktail Gallery opened for tastings earlier this week. It looks gorgeous.
Cross Street Market has a new vendor: Southrn Spice, a soul food operation that started as a catering business and food truck.
The new Towson spot, Perennial, has an official opening date. The restaurant, which will occupy the former Cunningham’s space, will open its doors July 19.
La Cuchara has briefly closed for a well-deserved early summer vacation. It will reopen on June 21.
Mount Vernon has a couple new openings on the horizon. The old Bentley’s space on Howard St. will become Central, a nightclub named for its central location and as a nod to famed club Grand Central (though the new spot is not technically affiliated with the old). Later this summer, the neighborhood will welcome Allora, a bistro and coffeehouse by day and Roman restaurant by night.
Hungry Harvest in Timonium
On Friday morning at 10 a.m., Hungry Harvest, a produce and grocery delivery service, will take its Produce to the People Road Trip to Padonia International Elementary, to drop off 500 emergency food boxes designed to support underserved communities.
On Thursday, the organization will be at Union Craft Brewing, starting at 5 p.m., for a fundraising event raising funds for Baltimore Hunger Project, Hungry Harvest’s partner in this venture. The party at Union will include games, giveaways, family-friendly fun and, of course, food.
El Jangueo at The Sandlot
On Friday, June 18, head to The Sandlot for El Jangueo, featuring live music and a DJ, birria tacos from Cocina Luchadoras, salsas from Mandy Q’s and Mexican masks and jewelry for sale.
Peter Pan Literary Tea at Elkridge Furnace Inn
On Saturday, gather the kids and head to the Elkridge Furnace Inn for a four-course tea featuring readings from Peter Pan. In addition to stories and tea, there will also be a prize for best fairy costume.
Juneteenth celebrations
Saturday is Juneteenth and many local businesses have plans to celebrate the holiday, which honors the 1865 day when news of the Emancipation Proclamation finally reached the people of Galveston, Texas.
This year, in Baltimore, many restaurants and food organizations have celebratory plans in the works.
In addition to Dovecote’s reopening, the Take Out Get Down is back for a special Juneteenth event, spotlighting numerous local businesses, including Fishnet, Cuples Tea House, So Beachy, Land of Kush, Crust by Mack, and more. Participating businesses will have fun specials and opportunities planned June 18 and 19.
Other local Juneteenth celebrations include a brunch and day party pop-up at Dream Mega Lounge; a brunch conversation among local leaders, moderated by White House correspondent April Ryan, at Blk Swan; and a celebration featuring food, drinks and music at Topside Outside, hosted by Breaking Bread and Black-owned whiskey brand Uncle Nearest.
Celebrating Dad
Father’s Day is Sunday, so now is the time to finalize plans.
Mt. Washington Tavern’s Father’s Day specials include sautéed soft shells, steak Diane and a rack of slow-smoked baby back ribs. Dads also have the opportunity to enter to win a round of golf for four at Greystone.
The Tilted Row’s Father’s Day Sunday supper is a mixed grill, with beef and chicken kabobs, skirt steak and smoked kielbasa.
The Dutch Courage Father’s Day menu includes several steak options (and a cauliflower entrée), a bunch of whiskies by the ounce, and some desserts that sound terrific.
If you’ll be grilling at home, consider a drive to John Brown General and Butchery to stock up on meat. The shop has something special available this weekend: 100-day aged tomahawk ribeyes.
Speaking of things you can take home: Ryleigh’s has a “bring the raw bar home” deal including oysters, sauces and lemon, and a shucking knife and glove, and Dylan’s Oyster Cellar also has a shuck-at-home oyster tasting package, as well as cooler bags (which are terrific), hats and knives available.
For more Father’s Day options from Of Love and Regret, Topside, Eddies, The Charmery and Magdalena, check out last week’s column.
“Pizza” and wine at Manor Tavern
On Thursday, the Chef’s Expressions team gets creative at Manor Tavern, with a wine dinner “based on the concept of pizza.” Each course will feature a creative take on pizza – like a Country French version including cornbread pain du pays topped with lamb and cucumber crema, paired with a Syrah Grenache blend from France.
Butter & cheese chat
On Thursday evening, Prince George’s Parks history team presents a virtual talk exploring butter and cheese making in 17th to 19th century Maryland. The talk will feature architectural artifacts from Riversdale House Museum and sounds like a great opportunity to delve into the state’s culinary history.
Sicily wine dinner at Café Troia
Also on Thursday, Café Troia hosts the next in its series of wine dinners featuring the dishes created on Stanley Tucci’s show. This week’s installment focuses on the food and wine of Sicily, with dishes like arancini, stuffed sardines, and penne alla Norma.
BBQ and Brew
Plan ahead for Sunday, June 27 and a fun opportunity to raise money for Weekend Backpacks. The organization is hosting a virtual BBQ and Brew party, including grilling and beer pairing guidance from the Linwoods team.
Planning for the future
Mark your calendars for:
July 9: Maryland Food Truck Week
July 11: Make Your Own Rocks Glass at Sagamore
August 7: Crabs, Wine & Beer Festival
