The unofficial start of summer is upon us and the Baltimore restaurant scene is in celebration mode this week, with tons of al fresco dining options, a handful of fun new openings and several strong incentives to raise a glass. Here’s a look at what’s happening:
Openings and announcements
Raw & Refined opened this week in the old BoatHouse spot on the water in Canton.
Liberatore’s in Timonium has added a new outdoor patio space that looks gorgeous. Great timing for summer!
The Alexander Brown Restaurant has just introduced a major happy hour: every day, the bar will offer happy hour deals from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. That’s a lot of opportunity to enjoy the restaurant’s gorgeous space (and terrific bar program).
A new cigar deck has opened at the Sagamore Pendry. The deck, which overlooks the harbor, offers a menu of cigar and liquor pairings.
Royal Farms is branching out. Later this summer, RoFo will open a fried chicken stand in Cross Street Market.
Later on this year, look for CookHouse to open in the old B. Bistro space in Bolton Hill.
Market at Montebello
On Saturday, head to Lake Montebello for the inaugural Market at Montebello, a market featuring a fun lineup of vendors, from Mera Kitchen Collective to Zeke’s Coffee, plus a DJ and activities like outdoor yoga.
Tae <3s Baltimore
On Sunday evening, Sandlot is hosting an event that is sure to be killer. Tae Strain, of Momofuku CCDC (and formerly of Demi, which was one of the best restaurants in Baltimore during its all-too-short existence), is returning to Charm City for a big, fun outdoor grilling party.
Chef Strain is teaming up with local culinary celebs from a variety of terrific spots, including Woodberry Kitchen, Ekiben, Ida B’s Table, Clavel, Pure Chocolate by Jinji and The Charmery. There’s no cover, dishes will be $8, and there will be live music throughout the party.
Plus, proceeds will go to benefit the Maryland Farmers Market Association.
Rosé all day…and week
From now through June 8–also known as National Rosé Day–a trio of Harbor East restaurants are celebrating all things pink with a fun rosé passport activity.
Visit Bar Vasquez, Cinghiale and Charleston during that time to get a “passport” and have it stamped every time you drink a glass of rosé. Once you’ve collected stamps from all three restaurants, take your passport to Bin 604 Wine Sellers and you’ll receive 10 percent off any single bottle of rosé or 20 percent off a build-your-own six-pack of the wine.
Memorial Day at Guinness
Guinness Open Gate Brewery will be open normal hours over the course of the three-day weekend and will have a food truck and lawn games. Plus, the brewery has a new promotion underway: now through June 30, sign up for its email list and you’ll receive an engraved glass with any purchase at the brewery.
An Evening of Traditional Beverages
On Thursday, May 30, Johns Hopkins University’s Homewood Museum hosts its annual fundraiser, An Evening of Traditional Beverages. The event focuses on a particular spirit ever year. For 2019, it’s all about Maryland rum.
The evening will include snacks from Woodberry Kitchen, rum tastings from five Maryland distilleries, live music and a discussion from historian Kyle Dalton.
Clavel at Union
Clavel will pop up at Union Craft Brewing on Friday, May 31. The Oaxacan restaurant will have tacos and ceviches on hand to pair with Union beers.
Gear up for Books in Bloom
Next weekend, on June 2, the third annual Books in Bloom festival will come to Merriweather Post Pavilion. This year’s festival will be of special interest to food lovers, as celebrated chef José Andrés will headline the (free) event.
Planning ahead
Here are a few events to look forward to over the next few weeks:
June 8: Feastival
July 3: Tacopalooza at La Food Marketa
August 10: Flower Farm Dinner at Two Boots Farm
