Summer is winding down here in Baltimore. In addition to cooler weather and pumpkin everything, autumn also means tons of food festivals and events. This week, local restaurants kick off the season with some fun dinners and fundraisers.
Here’s a look at what’s coming up:
Openings and announcements
Milk & Honey, the café and market formerly located in Mount Vernon, has plans in the works to open two new locations: one in Station North and one in Pigtown.
Pigtown will also be home to a new vegan business later this year, when The Greener Kitchen, a group of local businesses that make vegan food for Baltimore restaurants, opens a shop and deli in the neighborhood.
According to local restaurant aficionado Richard Gorelick, Indian restaurant Indigma has plans to open in the former Tavern on the Hill space in Mount Vernon.
Kooper’s Tavern’s Mays Chapel location is closed, but just temporarily while the restaurant undergoes a renovation. UPDATE: The restaurant’s bar expansion has been completed and it has reopened.
Happy birthday to Sam
Sam, of Sam’s Canterbury Café, turns another year older on Friday, Aug. 31. Stop in to the café on Friday to say hi and happy birthday and you’ll be treated to a free cake pop.
Toasting the end of summer
Though summer doesn’t officially end until later in September, this weekend marks the unofficial end of the season, offering a reason to raise a glass to say goodbye to warm weather and lazy days.
On Saturday, Union Craft Brewing hosts its annual Fiesta Del Sol. This year’s party, happening in the brewery’s new digs, will include food from Clavel and ice cream from The Charmery. There will be music, specialty beers and baby pools and sprinklers, so bring your suit.
On Thursday, Sept. 6, Chef’s Expressions has its sixth annual Summer Soiree. This year’s party is at the Baltimore Museum of Industry and features music, cocktails and lots of food. A portion of proceeds will be donated to the museum’s Save the Crane campaign.
Goats!
Love goats? If so, don’t miss the Waverly Farmer’s Market this Saturday morning. Shoppers will have the opportunity to say hi to some baby goats, thanks to the crew from Charlottetown Farm, which makes some of the best goat cheese around (and an amazing goat cheese cheesecake).
La Tomatina Tomato Fight at La Cuchara
Tomato season is drawing to a close right now, and La Cuchara is recognizing the occasion with its second annual Tomato Fight and Festival. La Tomatina, as it’s called, features Bloody Marys and other cocktails, pinxtos, plus tomato and hot pepper eating contests and a big tomato fight.
The party takes place at La Cuchara on Sunday, Sept. 2.
Rye Street Tavern beer dinner
On Tuesday, Sept. 4, Rye Street Tavern will partner with Delaware’s Dogfish Head for a brewer’s dinner featuring dishes like smoked ricotta cappelletti and stout-braised short ribs.
Sushi 101 at Azumi
Azumi will host another installment of its popular sushi class on Sept. 4. The classes offer a look at what makes the Harbor East restaurant so good at what it does. This is a great opportunity to learn a tough skill from some of the best in the city.
Theater season
The Elephant celebrates the start of theater season at Center Stage this Wednesday, Sept. 5, with the kickoff of Culture + Cuisine. All season long, the restaurant will offer four-course menus inspired by Center Stage productions.
On Wednesday, the meal will be linked to the theater’s first play, “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.” Members of the cast will also be on hand to say hello.
Fundraising at Clavel
Also on Wednesday, Clavel is getting into the philanthropic spirit with a Taco or Beer Challenge. That day, the restaurant will donate 50 percent of sales from full-price items to the Baltimore Abortion Fund.
Bacon Jam at Power Plant Live!
On Saturday, Sept. 8, Power Plant Live! gets salty with a big bacon party. Bacon Jam is billed as a festival of bacon, bourbon and music. In addition to local jam bands, the party will include bacon-themed games, bacon dishes and bacon-inspired cocktails, plus bourbon sampling.
Menu planning
Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are nearly upon us. Classic Catering has developed menus for both holidays, so you can host without the fuss of cooking yourself. Now is the time to plan and place orders for both holidays.
Planning Ahead
Here are a few events to look forward to over the next few weeks:
September 15: Brunchfest
September 22: Charm City Night Market
September 30: Mermaid’s Kiss OysterFest
