The Baltimore restaurant community is doing its best to motivate locals to bundle up and head out on the town this week. From restaurant week events to Lunar New Year celebrations, this week offers a bunch of good reasons to put on that hat and scarf.
Here’s a look at what’s coming up:
Announcements
Good news for homebodies: Foraged Eatery is now offering an array of menu options for take-home dining. Pickup dishes, which include everything from bread to mains, can be ordered online and picked up at the Station North restaurant.
James Beard Award Semifinalists
The James Beard Award semifinalist list was announced this week and, as usual, Baltimore restaurants and bar programs are well-represented.
Semifinalists from the region include the oft-nominated Charleston, which gets a nod for Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages program, Clavel mainstay Dre Levon, who is named for Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service, and The Urban Oyster’s Jasmine Norton, who is a Best Chef Mid-Atlantic semifinalist.
All are very worthy nominees – congratulations to all and their teams.
Restaurant Weeks
Local restaurant weeks, including Baltimore County, Howard County, Harford County, and Baltimore City (which also covers some of the surrounding areas), are going strong. Baltimore City’s week starts on Jan. 24 and ends Feb. 2, Baltimore and Harford counties promotions last through the weekend, and Howard County’s runs through Feb. 2.
Krautfest
On Jan. 25, Gertrude’s celebrates its 21st annual Krautfest – a party featuring all things kraut.
The menu includes an array of German-inspired foods procured from Baltimore-area businesses, like Ostrowski’s Kielbasa, Binkert’s Bavarian Bratwurst, and HEX Ferments sauerkraut. The evening also features live polka music, dancing and themed cocktails.
Harbor Point Ice Festival
On Saturday, Central Plaza in Harbor Point will be a little more sparkly than usual, when it hosts the annual Harbor Point Ice Festival. The festival includes ice sculpture carving, music, and more.
Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year, ushering in the Year of the Snake, begins on Wednesday, Jan. 29.
Here in Baltimore, Guiness Open Gate Brewery kicks off the celebrations with the release of a new black rice lager, Midnight Harmony ,on Jan. 24.
On Jan. 25 and 26, Harbor Point hosts Asia in a Bite for a two-day Lunar New Year party, featuring music, lion dance performances, and food from over thirty vendors representing a variety of Asian cuisines.
Other spots celebrating the New Year include Ekiben, which is collaborating with Café Dear Leon on Lunar New Year specials on Jan. 28, The Corner Pantry, which embraces the holiday every year, will have Year of the Snake-inspired specials from Jan. 29 though Feb. 1, Pierpoint Restaurant which hosts a pair of Year of the Snake dinners on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.
Après Ski Wine Supper
On Friday, Jan. 31, Chefs Expressions pops up at the Gramercy Mansion for a seasonally-appropriate wine dinner. The meal, which has an Après Ski theme, starts wit fondue and other appetizers before moving onto seated courses inspired by famous ski resorts, from Vermont to Chili to France to Colorado.
Each course is paired with a French wine and the evening ends with, among other things, smores chocolate tarts and hot wassail or cocoa.
Planning for the future
Mark your calendars for:
Feb. 5: Omakase Dinner at Azumi
Feb. 13: Galantine’s at Sally O’s
Feb. 22: 80’s Party at Joe Benny’s
