Crabs, oysters, mac and cheese: This week, the Baltimore food scene has a little something for everyone, including tons of ways to raise money for good causes while eating and drinking. Here’s a look at what’s coming up:
Announcements
First, the good news: Suspended Brewing turns two this week and has tons of fun stuff planned for the weekend, so the celebration will last for days.
Unfortunately, this week also brought some sad news in the local restaurant world. Much to the local community’s disappointment, Miller’s Deli in Pikesville announced it will close on March 31.
Gordon Biersch brewpub in Harbor East closed earlier this week Sseveral other locations of the chain have also recently closed, though the Annapolis location remains open.
Ellicott City in the spotlight
Chef Gordon Ramsay was spotted all over town in late February, when he was in the Baltimore area filming his show “24 Hours to Hell and Back.” Ramsay teamed up with designer Nate Berkus to overhaul several Ellicott City establishments, including Little Market Café, Jaxon Edwin and Ellicott Mills Brewing Company/Phoenix Emporium.
The special two-hour episode of the show will air on Fox on May 12.
Civility & Champagne at Petit Louis
During the month of March, Petit Louis’ three-course Civilized Brunch also features the option of half-priced bottles of Louis Roederer Champagne, including some large format bottles.
SERCE at Salt
Friday and Saturday, get to know the modern Polish cooking of Chef Antoni Szachowicz, during SERCE, his two-night pop-up event in the old Salt space in Butcher’s Hill. The menu will include eight or nine small plates, plus cocktails, beer and wine.
Mera Kitchen Collective at Wet City
Start Sunday off right with brunch at Wet City, where Mera Kitchen Collective will be popping up for the day. MKC’s Chef Iman will offer a prix-fixe menu featuring some of her favorite Syrian brunch dishes served family style.
Foraged + True Chesapeake
Celebrated chefs–and buddies–Chris Amendola of Foraged Eatery and Zack Mills of True Chesapeake Oyster Co. will join forces for a collaborative, oyster-centric dinner on Sunday evening. The collab will happen at Foraged, which is a smaller space, so be sure to nab a reservation before heading there.
International Women’s Day at Topside
Sunday is International Women’s Day and Topside is marking the occasion with a day-long fundraising effort supporting My Sister’s Place Women’s Center. Throughout the day, a portion of all food and drink purchases at Topside will be donated to the organization and there will be additional ways to give. Plus, leading up to Sunday, Topside will donate $2 each time a guest purchases the “Persistent Grace” cocktail.
Mac & Cheese Cook-Off
Sunday is also Moveable Feast’s seventh annual Mac & Cheese Cook-Off fundraising event. The party happens Sunday evening at Peabody Heights Brewery. Buy a ticket for a chance to taste tons of mac and cheese and help decide who makes the best. Winners will be declared in a variety of categories, from most creative to best spicy to best table décor.
Ryes Up against Cystic Fibrosis
Another excellent Sunday Funday option: Baltimore’s top bartenders will come together to raise money to combat Cystic Fibrosis.
The event, which is organized by Baltimore Bartenders’ Guild, is now in its ninth year and it is always a hit. This year’s party takes place at Hotel Monaco and features small bites from local restaurants and amazing cocktails created by the BBG members, plus a whiskey seminar and tasting for VIP ticket holders.
Papi’s is 6!
On Monday, Papi’s Tacos in Fells Point celebrates its sixth year in business with all kinds of specials, including $6 margaritas and lots of food and drink specials between $3 and $6. Happy birthday to the whole Papi’s crew!
National Crabmeat Day
Monday is National Crabmeat Day, a food holiday that Marylanders can surely embrace.
Locally, you can get a jump on the celebration early at Pierpoint in Fells, where crab cakes will be 50 percent off for dine-in customer all weekend long. (Pierpoint is closed on Mondays.)
Stags’ Leap Winery dinner at The Milton Inn
Wednesday night, The Milton Inn showcases the wines of California’s famous Stags’ Leap Winery, during a five-course wine dinner followed by a reception. The meal sounds wonderful, with luxe dishes like foie gras torchon with cranberry-ginger compote, paired with the winery’s Viognier, and a crab imperial dish paired with the Stags’ Leap Chardonnay.
Handmade pasta making at Cosima
Cosima has just added a Wednesday night pasta making class to its schedule of popular cooking classes with Executive Chef Donna Crivello. This class will focus on handmade pastas and sauces and dishes will all be matched with wines to enjoy.
Old Line Plate at the library
On Thursday evening, Kara Mae Harris, the blogger behind the Maryland culinary history blog, Old Line Plate, will speak at the Roland Park branch of the library. OLP is a terrific blog and Harris knows her stuff; the talk should be an interesting one.
Santé at AVAM
Thursday is World Kidney Day, making it an excellent time for Santé, the annual fundraiser benefiting the National Kidney Foundation Serving Maryland and Delaware.
The event, held this year at the American Visionary Arts Museum, has a fun food and beverage focus. Many local favorites will be on hand, offering food tastings paired with drinks.
Gearing up for the green
St. Patrick’s Day is rapidly approaching and many local bars and restaurants are getting ready to celebrate including, of course, Guinness Open Gate Brewery.
This year’s St. Patrick’s party at Guinness will take place March 14 and 15 and will be open to all ages. For the weekend, the brewery’s lawn will transform into an Irish village with more than 30 booths offering beers, food and entertainment. There will be special releases of beers you won’t be able to try anywhere but the Baltimore brewery. And to encourage safety, Guinness will offer a code for a $15 discount on Lyft rides on March 14, 15 and 17, and will run free shuttles to and from the nearby train station.
Planning Ahead
Here are a few events to look forward to over the next few weeks:
March 19: Roaring ‘20s Wine Dinner at Towson Tavern
March 19: Taste and Tour at The Walters
March 25: Wild Game & Wine Dinner at Manor Tavern
