From pop-up BBQ to strawberry desserts, this week, Baltimore restaurants are making the most of the season. Here’s a look at what’s coming up around town:
Openings & announcements
Former Alma Cocina Latina chef David Zamudio announced plans this week to open a spot of his own, Josefina, at Harbor Point this coming fall. The restaurant will focus on the food of southern Spain, served family-style.
Cece’s Roland Park, the new restaurant in Cross Keys, will open on Thursday.
Happy anniversary to Clavel, which celebrated nine years in business this past week. Congrats to the team at Clavel – and thank you for so many years of queso fundido, ceviche, and excellent mezcal drinks.
Saying goodbye to Qayum Karzai
Qayum Karzai, owner of several popular restaurants, died last Thursday. Karzai has been a major force on the Baltimore restaurant scene since opening The Helmand in Mount Vernon 35 years ago; since then, he and his family have owned several restaurants, including Tapas Teatro in Station North and Helmand Kabobi near Johns Hopkins Hospital.
In addition to his accomplished career as an influential restaurateur in Baltimore, Karzai was an important political player in Afghanistan and was the older brother of the country’s former president, Hamid Karzai.
St. Nicholas Greek Folk Festival
The St. Nicholas Greek Folk Festival, which started on Thursday, lasts all weekend long. The party features music, dancing, performances, and tons of Greek food and drinks, from gyros to baklava.
Pride in Baltimore
In honor of Pride Month, local restaurants have specials and promotions, including Guinness Open Gate Brewery, which released a new pineapple passionfruit Kolsch-style ale called Safe Space. The beer is brewed here in Baltimore, at Guinness’s 10-barrell innovation brewery, and includes passionfruit and pineapple purees.
In addition to the launch of the beer, Guinness is making a donation to Baltimore Safe Haven – one of the organizations that inspired the name for the brew.
At Of Love and Regret, a rainbow-themed “Queer Cake” is on the menu – and with every purchase of a cake, the restaurant will make a donation to The Trevor Project.
Kneads Tea Party
On Saturday afternoon, Kneads in Harbor East is hosting a fun Royal Tea party event, featuring all the trappings of a class British tea. Tickets, which can be bought as singles or in pairs, include a pot of tea and a tiered food tower.
Union Craft Brewing turns 12
Saturday evening, Union Craft Brewing marks its 12th anniversary with another round of its epic annual birthday celebration. This year, the event includes live music, over 30 beers, including new releases and old favorites – plus some surprises – and food from a bevy of local providers, including Carroll and Son Fine Foods, Nana’s, Pizza di Joey and The Local Oyster. Tickets are on sale now.
Smoke at The Point
Also on Saturday, Chef Josh White, of Smoke fame, is popping up at The Point in Towson. Starting at noon, the Smoke crew will be posted up on the patio, serving dishes like the Eye of the Tiger – a fried chicken thigh with bacon, Alabama tiger sauce and pickles.
The pop-up has a custom bar menu, too, including drinks like Walter’s Watermelon Margarita, made with minty watermelon puree and your choice of tequila or mezcal.
Charles Street Promenade
The Charles Street Promenade is back this Saturday, starting at 11 a.m. The thoroughfare will be closed to car traffic – and open as a pedestrian walkway – from Saratoga St. to North Ave.
During that time, businesses along that stretch will trickle out into the street – and restaurants along the way will have fun specials and ways to enjoy the outdoors. The stretch includes favorites like Alma Cocina Latina, Foraged Eatery, Darker than Blue Grille, Marie Louise Bistro, Sotto Sopra, and EDR Eat.Drink.Relax.
Belmont Stakes at True Chesapeake
The last leg of the Triple Crown is upon this weekend – and True Chesapeake Oyster Co. is hosting a watch party. The race will be on both inside and outside on the patio and the bar will be serving up Belmont Jewel cocktails to celebrate.
Costeria Grand Opening
Technically, Costeria has been open for a little while now – but the still-new restaurant is celebrating its recent debut with a grand opening party on Monday, June 10. The party is from 6:30 to 7:30 pm and is open to all. Guests will have the opportunity taste small bites of different menu items – and get a free glass of wine.
Italian Immigrants Wine Experience
On Thursday, Tagliata hosts another installment of its Wine Experience series – this one featuring several classic wines of Italy alongside their expat counterparts. Reservations for this tasting event, which includes small bites and charcuterie along with the wine and discussion, are available online.
Provence & Rhone Wine Dinner
If the wines of France are more your speed, Elkridge Furnace Inn has you covered, also on Thursday evening. The meal features multiple courses of southern French cuisine paired with the region’s wines.
Fruity stuff
With warm weather upon us and late spring produce in full swing, local restaurants are making the most of what’s in season.
At Johnny’s, the new summer cocktail menu includes drinks like the Huckleberry Ferry, which pairs huckleberry vodka with muddled blackberries, lemon juice and simple syrup.
Fruit is also in the glass at The Tilted Row, with cocktails like the Endless Summer, which pairs gin with cold-pressed watermelon juice, lemon and black lava salt.
The Food Market is serving sweet local strawberries from Richfield Farms on their own with powdered sugar and chocolate sauce.
La Cuchara’s strawberries garnish a pistachio ice cream sandwich made with a Basque butter bun.
At Dylan’s Oyster Cellar, the strawberries are from Moon Valley Farm and they show up in a tart with lemon cream cheese mousse.
Marta shines a sweet light on the most unlikely of fruits – the tomato – in a basil panna cotta dessert pairing tomato jam with a hazelnut crumble, mascarpone mousse and meringue.
Planning for the future
Mark your calendars for:
June 23: Crab Feast at Choptank
June 24: Art of Pasta at Café Campli
June 25: Cosima Wine Dinner
