With Valentine’s Day, one of the busiest restaurant nights of the year, behind us, local restaurateurs could be taking a much-deserved break. But they’re not! This week brings a handful of fun events benefitting great causes, plus a few opportunities to check out interesting wines, beers and bourbons.
Here’s a look at what’s happening:
News from the Four Seasons
The restaurant taking over the Four Seasons Hotel space that formerly housed Wit & Wisdom has a name: Maximón. The Latin-American restaurant, owned by Atlas Restaurant Group (the team behind other Harbor East spots like Ouzo Bay, Azumi and Loch Bar) is slated to open late this summer.
Vegan Restaurant Week…still on
Baltimore Vegan Restaurant Week keeps on trucking through this weekend. Check out participating restaurants for vegan specials lasting through Sunday.
Still sweet
Valentine’s Day might be over, but a handful of spots around town are keeping the celebration open with events this weekend and into next week.
At Ampersea, celebrate Saturday morning with a Love & Doughnuts brunch featuring Diablo Doughnuts and music from Steve Herrara. Ampersea’s festivities extend into next week, too; on Friday, Feb. 22, the restaurant will host its Cupcakes and Champagne happy hour.
On Saturday, Winecream in Southwest Baltimore will open its doors for a tour and tasting. In case you haven’t had it yet: Winecream is a boozy ice cream made with fruit wines. It’s terrific and the family behind it is a smart and interesting crew.
Small Foods Party at the AVAM
The American Visionary Arts Museum hosts its annual Small Foods Party on Saturday, starting at 7 p.m.
The event, now in its 14th year, is a fundraiser for Moveable Feast, and as the name suggests, it’s all about the tiny food. You can enter a food to compete or simply attend as a non-competitor (and judge). The whole crowd votes on the foods, awarding creativity whether it works or not (one of the voting categories is “bad idea”).
Teacher appreciation at Lee’s
Valentine’s week is a long one for teachers; Lee’s Pint & Shell understands that. But Monday is a holiday! To say thank you to hardworking teachers who have handled weeklong sugar buzzes, Lee’s is hosting Teacher Appreciation Day on Sunday.
All drinks for teachers will be half-price; just be sure to bring your teacher ID.
Broadway Market pop ups at Red Star
Construction is well underway at Broadway Market, and the soon-to-be-open vendors are busy getting ready to share their food with the city. To help them prep, Red Star in Fells Point is hosting a series of pop-ups all month long.
The Verandah and Thai Street have both already taken their turn, and Connie’s Chicken and Waffles is next in line to pop up on Wednesday, Feb. 20.
Dinner pairings
Thursday night is a good one if you like to drink (with) your dinner.
At Café Troia, learn about and enjoy the wines and foods of Umbria during a special multi-course wine dinner. The meal will include dishes native to the central Italian region, like lasagna di Spoleto paired with a Cantina Tudernum sangiovese, and grilled boar with salsa di Montefalco paired with a Montefalco Rosso.
The same night, Vida Taco Bar teams up with Jailbreak Brewing Company for a five-course meal pairing creative dishes with Jailbreak brews. Courses include treats like seared baby octopus and braised pork belly with ginger mango chutney and vinegar dust chicharrones paired with a beer from Jailbreak called Put the Index Down.
This is the first in a series of dinners in which Vida will partner with Baltimore-area beer makers to highlight interesting food and local brews.
Smoky sips
Also on Thursday, the Mt. Washington Tavern hosts its fifth annual Kentucky Nights bourbon tasting in support of Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital.
The event will include tastings from more than 10 distilleries, plus food pairings. It’s a blast–and for a very good cause.
Rebels’ Keg Party at Gertrude’s
On Friday, Feb. 22, head to Gertrude’s to support the Rebels with a Cause, a biking team that participates in Ride for the Feast to raise money for Moveable Feast.
Friday night’s keg party will feature food from multiple local restaurants, including Rye Street Tavern, Vida Taco Bar, Wicked Sisters and the Rowhouse Grille, plus brews from Union Craft, Monument City, Waverly and Charm City Meadworks.
Planning Ahead
Here are a few events to look forward to over the next few weeks:
March 3: 8th Annual Ryes Up Against Cystic Fibrosis Gala
March 21: Pizza Cooking Class at Cosima
March 30: Wockenfuss Factory Tour
