From openings to festivals to Thanksgiving plans, this week is a busy one on the Baltimore food scene. Here’s a look at what’s coming up:
Openings & announcements
Marta, the new Butcher’s Hill restaurant in the former Salt Tavern space, is officially open. Early reports are good, like this one from Charm City Cook.
No Way Rosé, which took a brief pause to reorganize, reopens Friday, Nov. 4 with a fresh, more casual approach to Federal Hill dining.
Have you been to Copper Shark yet? The Locust Point restaurant opened a few months back and has recently expanded its menu, added new food and drinks for fall, and added brunch hours featuring fun items like a cinnamon roll donut, duck confit omelet frites, prosciutto benedict, and crispy fried burrata.
Fells Point Fun Festival
Rain dashed the plans for the Fells Point Fun Festival earlier this fall but the always-fun event was rescheduled for this weekend – and the weather is planning to cooperate. The party, which takes over Fells Point, starts on Friday and lasts through Sunday.
Throughout the weekend, festival-goers can enjoy live music, drinks and shop vendors – and eat. Not only will there be food vendors, local restaurants are also open for business, so this is a great opportunity to patronize some of your Fells favorites.
Union OyFest
Union Craft Brewing’s Oyfest is back on Saturday for the ninth time. During the uber-popular event, the crew from Union teams up with The Local Oyster and True Chesapeake Oyster Co. for a day celebrating all things oyster. The event includes an oyster eating contest, live music, and all kinds of oyster and seafood preparations. Plus, a portion of proceeds goes to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
Feastival
One of the most fun philanthropic food events is back this weekend: Feastival, supporting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Maryland. The party takes place on Saturday afternoon at Rash Field, and features food and drinks from tons of local favorites, including Dutch Courage, Loch Bar, True Chesapeake Oyster Co., The Capital Grille, Groundwork Kitchen, Duck Duck Goose, Golden West Café, Copper Shark, Italian Disco, Watershed, La Cuchara, BLK Swan, Baltimore Spirits Co., Cane Collective, So Beachy, and more.
Stars, Stripes and Chow
Saturday is a great day for foodie fundraising. Another great option that afternoon is Stars, Stripes and Chow: Chili Edition, the 8th annual chili cookoff supporting The Baltimore Station. The event, which takes place at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, will pit numerous local companies against one another, to see who makes the best chili. Prizes will include chilis that win for best theme, best chili and people’s choice – and the entire event benefits a terrific organization that supports veterans and others grappling with homelessness and substance abuse disorder.
Pit beef pop-up at Wells
On Saturday, Wells Wine will host a pop up appearance from Chef George Allen of BG Culinary Creations. Chef Allen will offer a menu for purchase, including pit beef sandwiches and crab soup – and Wells will offer tastings from a variety of wines chosen to pair with the menu.
Baltimore Craft Beer Festival
On Saturday, Canton Waterfront Park will be sudsy in a different way, was the Baltimore Craft Beer Festival takes over the waterfront. The festival includes dozens of local breweries, a live judging event to determine the festival’s best beer, music, food trucks and more.
Final Baltimore by Baltimore
Saturday marks the final Baltimore by Baltimore event this season. The monthly event in the Inner Harbor, which showcases some of the city’s best creative talent, has also put a spotlight on some of the great food the city has to offer. This month’s event, which also includes a preview opportunity to skate at the Inner Harbor Ice Rink, includes soul food, sweets and drinks from Taste This, Funnel King and Bar Movement.
Baltimore Taco Festival
All weekend long, Power Plant Live! will be all about the taco. The ticketed event, which takes place on Saturday and Sunday, will feature over 65 different types of tacos, plus margaritas, Mariachi music, and lots of other Mexican food to enjoy.
Steampunk Tea at Elkridge Furnace Inn
On Sunday, Elkridge Furnace Inn hosts its first ever steampunk-themed tea. The four-course tea will embrace the steampunk aesthetic; guests are invited to dress in theme and bring cool items of their own for “show and tell” with the group.
Oysters, Oysters Everywhere
The newest episode of Chesapeake Farm & Bay to Table drops on Wednesday. In this episode, Gertrude’s chef/owner John Shields takes the audience to the 56th Annual U.S. Oyster Festival. Shields spends the day with guest host Gwyn Novak of No Thyme to Cook, exploring the festival and discussing oysters, shucking, and more.
Tenth at the Tavern
Next Saturday, Nov. 12, the Mt. Washington Tavern celebrates the 10th anniversary of its reopening following the devastating fire that occurred at the iconic restaurant and bar.
To honor the occasion, the Tavern is hosting a block party with live music, a Crush bar and a bar featuring cocktails from Cane Collective, tons of oysters, both raw and grilled, and a boot collection raising funds for the Baltimore City and County Firefighter’s Widow and Orphan Fund.
Thanksgiving preview
Whether you’re hosting, contributing to, or planning to dine out for Thanksgiving this year, now is the time to start planning menus and making reservations.
Local restaurants have started announcing their plans for the holiday:
Pierpoint’s Thanksgiving box includes all the fixings to feed six people a traditional meal of turkey, stuffing and more.
Gertrude’s is once again offering its curbside pickup options for the holiday. Orders for the restaurant’s heat and serve meals are due by Nov. 17.
Charleston’s menu (for dining in) includes turkey alongside other options, like pan-roasted wild rockfish with lemon beurre blanc and mushroom fricassee.
Thanksgiving dinner at The Milton Inn includes options like an appetizer of lentils with duck confit and frisée.
SoBo Café’s Thanksgiving catering menu is live now – it includes everything from turkey to pie.
The Corner Pantry’s Thanksgiving orders are also now open. The menu includes loads of options, from butternut squash grits to a new pumpkin cheesecake.
Over the next week, look for many more restaurants announcing their plans and options for the holiday.
Planning for the future
Mark your calendars for:
Nov. 12: 5th Annual Patterson Park Brewfest
Nov. 26: Winter Wonderland Opens at Ampersea
