From Earth Day eats to oysters all over, this week is a fun one in the Baltimore restaurant community. Here’s a look at what’s coming up:
Openings & announcements
Joseph Gardella, the owner of Joe Benny’s, the Little Italy spot that closed last May, is back with a new concept. The restaurant, Benny’s, will be located in the former Germano’s Piattini and Cabaret space, and will bring back some Joe Benny’s favorites along with other options.
Zander’s, the restaurant that opened in the old Alexander Brown space at the end of last year, has now closed. The restaurant’s owners still operate Allora.
Last Friday, the owners of Pariah Brewing announced that the brewery had closed for business.
Weekend events at Union Collective
This weekend is a big one at Union Collective.
On Saturday, Baltimore Spirits Co. is launching two new spirits and will have free tastings at the Cocktail Gallery all day – plus a slate of cocktails designed to be enjoyed alongside Smoke Show, a Union Craft Brewing beer also debuting on Saturday.
The drinks will be paired with smoked foods from Carroll and Son Fine Foods, The Local Fry, La Cuchara and The Local Oyster.
On Sunday, Galatea Oysters will pop up in the Cocktail Gallery with oysters, while the crew behind the bar mixes up Spring Spritzes to match.
Spring foraging
Saturday is also a great day to get out in the woods and learn how to forage. One of Baltimore’s preeminent experts on the matter, Foraged Chef Chris Amendola, will take a class out foraging this weekend to learn the art and science of the activity.
Anniversary party at Monument City
On Saturday, Monument City Brewing will celebrate its birthday with a big, all ages, pet-friendly party. There will be live music, vendors, lots of beers (of course), and a bunch of food, including from local favorite Big Softy.
Lock House Craft Beer & Wine Festival
Also on Saturday, Lock House will host its 6th annual Craft Beer & Wine Festival. The venue, the lawns at the Susquehanna Museum at the Lock House in Havre de Grace, is beautiful, and the festival features tons of local beers, wines and food.
Earth Day Supper Seies at Black Ankle
This weekend, Black Ankle Vineyard celebrates Earth Day with a pair of very special chef-driven wine suppers.
On Saturday, David and Tonya Thomas of H3irloom Food Group bring their thoughtful and excellent approach to cooking to the vineyard.
On Sunday, Chef Scott Bacon teams up with Ggoma Supper Club’s Chef Tae Strain for an Earth Day meal at Black Ankle Vineyards. The pairing of chefs is another big one – they are two of the region’s most creative and best.
Oysterfest Week at Manor Tavern
Manor Tavern’s epic Oysterfest weekend, which culminates in a big celebration on Sunday, April 28, kicks off with a dinner featuring oysters and wines on Thursday, April 25. Argyle Wines winemaker Nate Klostermann will be on hand to discuss his wines, which will be paired with five oyster-heavy courses.
Sicilian wines at Cosima
Also on Tuesday, Cosima celebrates the wines of Sicily with a multi-course wine dinner. The meal includes courses like bucatini with swordfish, olives, capers and mint paired with a white from Terrazze Dell’Etna – and that’s just the second of four savory courses.
Spring flavors
Now that we are more than halfway into April, seasonal flavors are in full swing on menus all over town.
At Johnny’s, spring means tons of vegetables in new dishes like a garden bowl with oyster mushrooms, kale, green onion, garlic and soy.
At La Cuchara, everything is seasonal, including, like razor clams, which are served a la plantxa with peppers, fennel pollen, lemon aioli and capers.
It’s now or never time with ramps, which have a famously short season. For now, they’re popping up on pizza at Silver Queen Café – but will soon be swapped out for different seasonal veggies.
Gunther & Co. has a new, gorgeously green, spring pasta on the menu.
A spring salad at Dylan’s Oyster Cellar pairs lettuce, rapini, cabbage and cucumber with a beet-pickled egg, pickled red onion and lemon dill vinaigrette.
Planning for the future
Mark your calendars for:
April 28: Aperol Spritz Garden Party at Perennial
April 28: Highlandtown Wine Festival
May 8: Campania Wine Dinner at Limoncello
