Oysters, wine, chili, whiskey – this week, the Baltimore food scene is full of festivities. Here’s a look at what’s coming up:
Openings & announcements
OPP (Oysters Pizza and Pasta) is now open on Light Street.
Hidden Waters Café at Hidden Waters Farm in Pikesville officially opens this weekend.
Im-PRESSED, a panini shop, is now open in Hampden.
Raffy’s on 36th has added a new private event space, The Elbow Room, in its upstairs space.
Newcomer Nest is temporarily closed while it moves operations to the old Supano’s space on Water Street.
Sadly, two longtime Baltimore restaurants recently closed their doors.
Terra Café announced its closure, after 19 years in business, on Oct. 27.
Marie Louise Bistro, a Mount Vernon mainstay for 18 years, closed this week.
Big anniversaries
A pair of popular local spots are celebrating 15 years in business this week.
Peabody Heights Brewery will mark the milestone with a pair of parties on Nov. 13 and 14, plus the release of four new beers.
Hersh’s is celebrating by bringing back some old favorites on the menu, including the Five-Year Anniversary pie featuring smoked mozzarella, roast pork, pickled chilies, Castelvetrano olives, and garlic.
On Nov. 6, Vivian’s hits its first birthday and is honoring one year in business with birthday cake lattes.
Happy anniversary and congratulations to all!
Oyfest
Oyfest is back at Union Craft Brewing on Saturday, Nov. 7. The annual event kicks off at noon and features all kinds of oysters from a variety of local farms, an oyster eating contest, and Sprint for Spat – a “5K-ish” race.
Chili for The Baltimore Station
The Baltimore Station’s annual Chili Cookoff fundraiser takes place on Saturday, Nov. 7 at Camden Yards. The party includes tons of food and drinks, plus activities for kids and live entertainment – all for a great cause.
Wine dinner at Charleston
On Tuesday, Nov. 10, Charleston welcomes Jean-Paul Daumen, the fifth-generation owner of Domaine de la Vieille Julienne in the southern Rhone region of France, for a multi-course wine dinner. The menu includes pairings like braised lamb neck with fresh pomegranate, walnuts, onion, and saffron basmati rice accompanied by two Chateaueuf-du-Pape selections.
Oyster SHELLebration at True Chesapeake
True Chesapeake is teaming up with the Oyster Recovery Partnership for a benefit dinner on Wednesday, Nov. 11. The evening, which supports ORP’s oyster restoration efforts, includes lots of oysters, wine pairings, and a welcome cocktail.
All American Wine Supper
On Thursday, Nov. 12, Chef’s Expressions hosts an All American Wine Supper at the Gramercy Mansion. The meal starts with passed appetizers and is followed by a multi-course meal, including dishes like cinnamon-rubbed duck.
Maryland Irish Festival
The 52nd Maryland Irish Festival pops up at the State Fairgrounds starting on Friday, Nov. 13 and lasting through the weekend. The party includes music and entertainment along with tasty events like whiskey tasting sessions and a traditional Irish breakfast.
Thanksgiving thoughts
With Halloween behind us, it’s time to turn our thoughts to Thanksgiving – and to start making menus, especially if you’re planning to order take-home items from any local spots.
If you’re interested in making your own sauerkraut this year, HEX Ferments has you covered with a series of sauerkraut-making workshops. The first, which is on Nov. 7, is already sold out but there are additional classes planned for Nov. 14 and 21.
The Food Market has a Thanksgiving cupcake on the menu now – and it’s also available to pre-order to pick up and take home for Thanksgiving.
The Corner Pantry’s Thanksgiving sandwich is back on the menu for the holiday and the restaurant’s excellent Thanksgiving pick-up menu is live. Orders must be placed by Friday, Nov. 20 and pickups are on Wednesday, Nov. 25.
You can order pies and sides from Sally O’s now and pick them up on Nov. 25.
Kneads Bakeshop’s Thanksgiving take-home menu covers all the pie bases, from pecan to pumpkin, plus dinner rolls.
Ethel’s Creole Kitchen’s holiday party trays are now available for pre-order. Options include all kinds of sides, from cornbread to mac and cheese to jambalaya.
John Brown General and Butchery has both meat orders and orders for sides open now.
Planning for the future
Mark your calendars for:
November 15: Origins with Amy Sherald at Woodberry Kitchen
November 19: Beaujolais Nouveau Release at Petit Louis
November 21: Oyster Fest at Ryleigh’s
