This week is chock full of fun happenings in the Baltimore restaurant world, from a hot collaboration to sweet cannoli deals. Here’s a look at what’s coming up:
Openings and announcements
Full Moon Pub & Grill in Reisterstown has a brand new chef: Brigitte Bledsoe of Food Network (and Miss Shirley’s) fame. Chef Bledsoe is working her magic with the menu, introducing fun, southern-inspired dishes like blackened shrimp and pimento fondue, served with veggies and pretzel sticks, and fried green tomatoes with chow chow.
Good Neighbor turns one this weekend and is celebrating the anniversary with pop-ups and activities from many local vendors and special food and drink options. Congratulations to the Good Neighbor crew!
Congratulations to Baby’s On Fire, which celebrated five years in business on Thursday.
Happy anniversary to Otterbein’s Cookies! The Baltimore staple turns 140 (!) this month – and has been using just about the same classic sugar cookie recipe since day one.
Sally O’s has reopened for indoor dining and introduced new, expanded hours, including food until midnight (though the menu is limited after 10 p.m.).
The Hanover + EKIBEN
On Friday, June 11, EKIBEN will pop up at The Hanover, the new spot in Brooklyn from The Smoking Swine and Diablo Doughnuts crews. EKIBEN will dish up its Neighborhood Bird and Tofu Brah sammies (which are also available bowl-style).
Shop & snack
This weekend, local businesses are going all out with fun shopping experience – and encouraging shoppers to patronize local restaurants as they browse.
In Mount Washington, Baltimore Clayworks is hosting a “seconds sale” on Saturday and Sunday, complete with kids’ activities and music from Nelly’s Echo, and they are encouraging shoppers to stop by a neighboring restaurant to pick up takeout to enjoy, picnic-style, on the lawn during the sale. Nearby spots include the Mt. Washington Tavern, Woodrow’s, Ethel’s Creole Kitchen, Abbey Burger Bistro and Chiyo Sushi – all excellent options.
On Saturday at Whitehall Mill, a Bits and Bobs pop-up featuring vendor like Hon’s Honey and Rooted Plant Supply, provide an extra incentive to stop by some of the market’s terrific food vendors, like The Urban Burger Bar and Heritage Kitchen.
Baltimore Street Food Festival
On Saturday, Power Plant Live! hosts Baltimore Street Food Festival, a meet-up of local food trucks. The event features a beer garden, eating challenges, seltzer sampling and more.
National Cannoli Day
Wednesday is National Cannoli Day – one of the sweeter holidays to hit each year. Vaccaro’s is honoring the day with deals on their regular, chocolate-dipped and fill-at-home cannoli shells (and their cream).
Art is Brewing in Bel Air
On Thursday, head to Bel Air for an “Art is Brewing” beer tasting dinner at MaGerk’s Pub. The meal includes five courses, each paired with a different craft beer, with match-ups like duck confit and waffles alongside RAR Brewing’s Nanticoke Ale.
The event benefits the Maryland Center for the Arts and tickets are available for purchase through Monday.
Pride at The Manor
Baltimore Pride Weekend starts Thursday, June 17. The parade itself has been canceled but local businesses will be celebrating in lots of different way. At The Manor, which recently reopened in Mount Vernon, the weekend will kick off with a party featuring DJs, drag queen and drink specials and. Throughout the weekend, the venue will host a series of events featuring local and national celebs – including cast members from RuPaul’s Drag Race and The Real Housewives of New York City.
Father’s Day prep
Father’s Day is Sunday, June 20 and several local spots already have great plans in the works.
Of Love and Regret is hosting a whiskey dinner for dads, including a three-course meal paired with a flight of whiskey – and insights and discussion lead by a whiskey connoisseur.
Guinness Open Gate Brewery will offer Father’s Day specials like a half rack of ribs with Guinness BBQ sauce, beans and cornbread, and a 12-ounce ribeye with corn on the cob.
Topside, at Hotel Revival, has introduced a special Father’s Day drink, aptly named “Papa Don’t Peach.” The peach and birch beer concoction is available with or without spirits.
Eddie’s has a special Father’s Day ready-to-grill surf-and-turf menu for the holiday, as well as a bunch of fully-cooked options. For dessert, the Eddie’ bakery has a line of cicada-themed cupcakes that are, thankfully, not actually made of cicadas.
The Charmery has a special Father’s Day flavor – pistachio toffee – in honor of the owner’s own dad. Speaking of The Charmery – and Eddie’s – the businesses have teamed up on a limited edition ice cream flavor, “B-More Pride,” that is available at Eddie’s now.
Magdalena and The Ivy Hotel are partnering with Hillendale Country Club on a golf getaway package, including a room at The Ivy, tee time at Hillendale and $150 towards drinks and food at Magdalena.
Planning for the future
Mark your calendars for:
June 19: Peter Pan Literary Tea at Elkridge Furnace Inn
July 9: Maryland Food Truck Week
August 7: Crabs, Wine & Beer Festival
