With a freshly-lifted mask mandate in Baltimore City and a long holiday weekend ahead, it is prime time to go out to eat. Here’s a look at what local restaurants have on tap for this week:
Openings and announcements
After a year-long COVID closure, Hamilton Tavern has reopened its doors – so if you’ve been craving one of their terrific burgers, your wait is finally over.
One of Baltimore’s best bartenders, Doug Atwell, is opening a place of his own. Atwell, who has been behind the bar at spots like Dylan’s Oyster Cellar and Blue Pit BBQ, will open Southpaw in Fells Point.
Maggie’s Farm is closed – but only briefly, for vacation. The Harford Road spot will reopen July 7.
In case you missed it
On July 1, Maryland’s state of emergency was lifted and, with it, Baltimore’s mask mandate and remaining restrictions were also eliminated. However, a few establishments are still requesting that patrons wear masks, so keep an eye on rules and regulations at individual spots.
Unfortunately, with the lifting of the SOE, to-go cocktails are no longer allowed. For now, that is. While the city’s liquor board said to-go cocktails are out, Baltimore County’s board will meet on July 12 to consider allowing to-go drinks once again. County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. is on board with the extension.
Chaat Hour is back
This weekend, Good Neighbor reintroduces chaat hour. On Friday and Saturday evenings, Chef Durian Neal will prepare chaat – including mini naan with cheese sauce and toppings, and braised oxtail on brioche – for snacking while sipping beer, wine or cocktails.
The menu will change each week and seating is open.
NiHao turns one
NiHao celebrates its first birthday this summer – a big accomplishment for any restaurant (and especially for a restaurant that opened mid-pandemic). The team is celebrating with a pair of fun events.
First, on July 4, NiHo will team up with Sally O’s and Mr. Nice Guy Cocktails for a (ticketed) dim sum and cocktail happy hour featuring passed appetizers and signature drinks.
And mark your calendar for July 22 when NiHao will host a family banquet dinner featuring seven courses of NiHao specialties.
Tickets for both are available now on Tock.
Thigh High Boot dinner at Elkridge Furnace Inn
On Thursday, get to know the wine and cuisine of Northern Italy at a dinner focused on the food of the top of the Italian “boot.” The multicourse meal will include wine pairings, too.
Picnicking across Maryland with John Shields
Also on Thursday, Gertrude’s chef, Chesapeake expert and master storyteller John Shields partners with the Harford County Public Library for a virtual trip to food businesses across Maryland. The talk with explore all sorts of picnic foods created, grown and caught in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Maryland Food Truck Week
Maryland Food Truck Week – which like all food-related “weeks,” is really two weeks – is back, staring July 9. Every night during that stretch, there will be a gathering of six to ten food trucks in multiple spots around the region.
In all, over 75 food trucks will participate, including favorites like Pasta La Vista, Baby, Miss Twist, and Heavenly Hot Dog. The event also raises funds for Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland, so every bite helps a little.
Rum time
Rum is a fun warm weather spirit and now is a great time to check in with local companies distilling it.
In Old Line Spirits’ cocktail bar, The Ready Room, the distillery is serving up several cocktails made with rums from Old Line’s lineup, including the Last Corsair, which pairs Old Line Aged Caribbean Rum with dry curacao, lime juice and blackberry simple syrup.
And just down Route 1, Lost Ark Distilling Company has recently been named Bartender Spirit Awards’ Rum Producer of the Year for its Terra Mariae Spiced Rum.
Planning for the future
Mark your calendars for:
July 11: Make Your Own Rocks Glass at Sagamore
July 14: Bastille Day Wine Supper at Manor Tavern
August 7: Crabs, Wine & Beer Festival
