Memorial Day weekend is upon us and with it, local restaurants and bars are planning fun events that celebrate the sunshine. Here’s a look at what’s happening around town this weekend and all week long.
Openings and announcements
The owners of Old Line Spirits in Highlandtown announced this week that they will open Ready Room, a full-service bar, inside the distillery on June 8.
Zack Mills, longtime executive chef at Wit & Wisdom Tavern, announced in a Facebook post this week that his last day at the restaurant will be Saturday, June 2. He has not announced his next step yet; hopefully he’ll be bringing his refined approach to regional food to another local establishment.
War Horse Cities, Scott Plank’s local development company, will open Swim Club, an “urban-resort experience” at Lighthouse Point in Canton. Swim Club will be a members-only pool by day and an outdoor bar after 7 p.m. War Horse Cities also plans to open a restaurant in the same location this July.
Checking out the new guys
A couple new and not-quite-open places are showing off their goods this weekend.
On Friday, May 25, Ludlow Market, Bar & Bottle Shop, the new incarnation of Wine Market Bistro, will host a Rosé Extravaganza featuring over two dozen rosés paired with hors d’oeuvres from the restaurant’s new chef, Christopher Audia.
On Saturday, May 26, Sophomore Coffee will pop up at Hunting Ground in Hampden. Stop by to check them out–they’ll be opening a spot of their own soon.
Summertime kick-offs
With the unofficial start of summer upon us, local restaurants are getting into the warm weather spirit with a variety of events designed to celebrate in the outdoors.
Sandlot has a busy weekend planned, starting with a Friday night dance party hosted in honor of Old Westminster Winery’s new canned wines (they’re terrific and will disabuse you of any notions that canned wine can’t be good). On Saturday, Sandlot teams up with Monument City Brewing to host a sandcastle contest and on Sunday, a release party will celebrate “Soak Up the Sun!”, a beer created by the Sandlot team in collaboration with Brewer’s Art.
On Monday, Parts & Labor will host a block party with games and beer and food specials outside.
Also on Monday, Minnow hosts a Red, White and Blue all-you-can-eat crab feast with sides, boozy snow balls, bottomless breakfast drinks and beers from RAR Brewing.
Boordy Vineyards’ Good Life Feastival takes place on Saturday and Sunday, rain or shine. It features new wines, local food and live music, plus fun hayrides through the vineyards.
Baltimore on the tube
If you’re near a TV this week, you’ll have the opportunity to catch Baltimore-area native Steven Raichlen on his new show on Maryland Public Television. The show, “Steven Raichlen’s Project Fire,” premiers on Saturday, May 26, at 1 p.m. and will air again on May 30, at 7 p.m.
Sunday Fundays
A couple local restaurants will be making a big deal of Sundays this summer.
At Rusty Scupper, between this weekend and Sept. 2, a special Sunday Funday menu will be available on the restaurant’s topside deck. Each week will also include live music from a Jimmy Buffett cover band.
The Mt. Washington Tavern is inviting people to win a Sunday Funday party for 10 in the restaurant’s SkyBar, including oysters, appetizers, Flying Dog beers and swag and a gift card to the Tavern. To enter, follow the Tavern on Instagram and tag them in photos of your friends, while using the hashtag #mwtsundayfunday. The contest winner will be announced July 4.
Boozy Thursday
Thursday is a good evening to be a tippler in Baltimore.
That evening, Ouzo Bay is showing off their new summer cocktail menu with a four-course cocktail dinner.
The meal includes courses like octopus carpaccio paired with the Family Heirloom, a combination of gin, tomato water, black peppercorn, Thai basil and Tabasco pearls, and braised lamb ragout paired with a rhubarb, cognac and rye drink.
Around the corner in Little Italy, Pane e Vino and Devils Backbone are joining forces for a four course meal with dishes like smoked pork belly over polenta, paired with 16 Point Imperial IPA.
And in Mt. Washington, The Nickel Taphouse is partnering with Flying Dog Brewery for a four-course beer dinner with dishes like Rappahannock oysters on the half shell topped with chipotle lime mignonette paired with Flying Dog’s Pearl Necklace Chesapeake Stout.
Celebrate Campania! At Cinghiale
Starting Friday, June 1, and lasting all month long, Cinghiale will offer a menu exploring the food and wine of Campania.
The prix fixe menu, which includes four courses and features five different wines, represents the first part of Cinghiale’s Italian Summer Vacation Series. In July, the kitchen will shift its focus to Sardegna and in August, it will honor Sicilia.
Planning Ahead
Here are a few events to look forward to over the next few weeks:
June 3: Tacopalooza at La Food Marketa
June 9: Feastival benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at The Sandlot
