The end of summer is always a wistful time, but with everyone heading back to school and a little chill in the air, it’s also a time of excitement and new beginnings – and great food.
If you’re sticking around Baltimore this weekend, there are plenty of activities to keep you busy and well-fed, with a drink (or two) in hand. Here’s a look at what local restaurants have in store for Labor Day weekend and beyond:
Openings & Announcements
Holy Frijoles is back! Just over a year ago, Hampden’s Holy Frijoles was hit with a crippling kitchen fire, leaving the restaurant in need of major repairs. After a long slog, all those repairs have been finished and the Mexican spot has reopened.
The menu appears brief for right now, but for anyone looking for a quick taco/quesadilla/nachos fix, or a Mexican-inspired cocktail, it will hit the spot. Plus, it’s always nice to see a local place reopen after such a big setback.
Harford County pizza lovers have something new to cheer: Earth, Wood & Fire, the popular Falls Road restaurant, has opened a Fallston outpost.
Food Fun for Labor Day Weekend
Get started with the weekend celebrations tonight, when Charlottetown Farm visits Union Craft Brewing. Charlottetown is the farm responsible for some of the best goat cheese in the area. This evening, they’ll be serving their incomparable cheesecake (one of the best desserts in Baltimore) on a stick! The cheesecake will be paired with several toppings, including one made with Union’s Blackwing Lager.
Tomorrow, visit BIN 604 Wine Sellers in Harbor East for Binology 101, an introductory class covering all the basics of wine tasting.
Also tomorrow, Barcocina will host Picnic on the Pier, a festival of music, food and drinks held on Broadway Pier in Fells Point.
On Sunday, La Cuchara is getting messy, with its first ever Baltimore Tomatina and Food Festival. The event, which will take place outside the restaurant, features food and drinks from multiple local favorites – Blue Pit BBQ, Ekiben, The Charmery, Union Craft Brewing, The Local Oyster and more – plus an oyster shucking competition and an actual tomato fight. It’s inspired by the tomato festival held in a Valencian town in Spain, and it is sure to be a great time.
On Sunday (and again on Tuesday), Birroteca will morph into a crime scene with murder mystery parties. Reservations are required for this interactive murder mystery game…which comes along with a three-course, family-style meal and happy hour drink specials.
On Monday, Wit & Wisdom’s outdoor patio, Wit on the Water, will host a Labor Day pig roast, starting at 2 p.m. The party includes a cookout style buffet, live entertainment and a complimentary welcome cocktail.
Back to School Bonus
It’s back to school season, and Johnny’s has a consolation prize for teachers who are heading back after a relaxing summer. Bring in a valid teacher’s ID and receive 10 percent off your check.
Hurricane Harvey Relief
Several local restaurants have organized fundraisers designed to provide funds and relief to the victim’s of Hurricane Harvey.
La Food Marketa will donate half of all proceeds from brunch tomorrow, September 3, to Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief Help.
The Charmery will donate all proceeds from their Nivens McTwisp flavor (plus a portion of their overall sales from this weekend) to the community surrounding Houston ice cream shop Chocolate Wasted Ice Cream Co.
On Sunday and Monday during happy hour at The Brewer’s Art (4 p.m. to close), guests can choose to pay full price for happy hour beers, with the difference — $2.29 per beer – being donated directly to a Hurricane Harvey charity. (The staff is still figuring out which one will be the beneficiary.) The restaurant will also be matching the donation in some way (again, details TBD).
On September 19, Avenue Kitchen & Bar will host Sauvignon Blanc for Texas & Red Cross, a tasting event benefiting the Red Cross.
Planning Ahead
Here are a few events to look forward to over the next few weeks:
September 15: Picnic in the Park
October 2: Farm to Chef Maryland
October 12: Moet Oyster Ball at Ryleigh’s
