Spring is slowly coming to Baltimore, with new menu rollouts and, of course, the return of baseball (and baseball food) to Camden Yards. Here’s a look at the culinary happenings around town this week:
Openings & announcements
Café Campli will be closed on April 1 but back open – with a new spring menu – on April 2.
Speaking of spring menus, Bunny’s has launched theirs – and is now offering brunch on Friday (in addition to Saturday and Sunday).
In case you missed it: Everybody Loves Brunch, a juice bar and café, is open and thriving in Charles Village.
Mourning Costas Triantafilos
The Baltimore restaurant world – and the city as a whole – received terrible news earlier this week, with the announcement that Costas N. Triantafilos died from apparent carbon monoxide poisoning. His wife, Mary, was also harmed by the gas but is recovering.
Triantafilos was the proprietor of Costas Inn, one of Baltimore’s most famous and beloved crab house / restaurants. The restaurant will be closed on Monday for a viewing and funeral service. His presence will surely be missed, both at Costas and beyond.
Block party reschedule
Due to last week’s iffy weather, the Yo Soy Fiesta block party outside Nana has been rescheduled for Saturday, March 29, starting at 1 p.m. The lineup still includes food from Nana, Chef Bobby D’s, The Local Oyster and The Charmery.
Chai over Chat at The Verandah Kitchen
The Verandah Kitchen has a new program in the works: afternoon tea service. The service, which includes a four-course menu of sweet and savory tea foods along with pots of Chai tea, will initially be offered on select Sundays. Reservations are required and can be made online. The next available event is on April 6.
Back at OPACY
The Orioles have started their season off (with a bang) and Opening Day here in Baltimore is on Monday. The season already looks like a fun one – and pretty tasty, too. Camden Yards has a terrific lineup of food offerings this year, including local favorites like Attman’s sandwiches, Boog’s BBQ pit beef, pizzas from Squires, pupusas from Maria’s, Stuggy’s hot dogs, tacos from Vida, Fuzzies burgers, wings and fries from The Local Fry, and Ekiben sandwiches.
Even if you can’t make it to the ballpark, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the O’s on Opening Day– like sipping on one of Rusty Scupper’s Orioles-themed cocktails.
Oysters abound
It’s still National Oyster Week, which means many local restaurants are adding additional oyster dishes to their menus and finding ways to contribute to Oyster Recovery Partnership efforts to plant oysters in the Chesapeake Bay.
That list includes Thames Street Oyster House, which has Eastern Shore oyster pot pies on the menu through Monday and is making a donation to ORP for each pie sold.
Slay the Menu at The Food Market
Thursday evening, The Food Market brings its special Slay the Menu experience to the entire dining room. This five course meal features selections from more than half of the Food Market menu. Dishes will be served family-style for sharing.
Bluefin at Azume
On Thursday, Azumi presents A Bluefin Tuna Experience – a carving and preparation of a whole bluefin tuna. Guests will have the opportunity to watch the Azumi team carve the tuna and prepare it a variety of ways for their enjoyment.
Easter & Passover
It’s time to start thinking about dining options for Easter and Passover. Many local spots will have special Easter brunches and catering is already available to order from places like The Corner Pantry.
Planning for the future
Mark your calendars for:
April 8: No Kid Hungry Fundraiser at Gunther & Co.
April 12: Feastival
May 4: Fiesta de Clavel
