Fall is in the air – and on the plate – all over Baltimore. This week is shaping up to be a great one on the local food scene. Here’s a look at what’s coming up:
Openings & announcements
Beloved local chocolate maker Kirchmayr, which closed in April 2020, is coming back! Two longtime employees of the company are taking over the business (with the former owner, Albert Kirchmayr, involved as a consultant). The Baltimore Business Journal reports that the new spot will be on York Road in Timonium and will be open before the holidays.
Unfortunately, this week also brings sad news. Hamilton Tavern has announced that, due to the negative impacts of the pandemic, they will close on Oct. 24. The closing will, hopefully, be a temporary one.
And finally, a quick PSA: if you’re considering heading to a restaurant without a reservation, check their social media first. Closures for private events seem more common than in the past – so do a quick check before heading out, to avoid potential disappointment.
Sunday Funday options
Sunday brunch is back at Red Star in Fells Point, where the terrific chef Cyrus Keefer is still heading up the kitchen.
La Cuchara is now once again open on Sundays – good news for anyone who wants to close out the weekend with a bit of Basque fare.
Fall flavors
The Tilted Row has launched its new fall menu and it looks excellent, filled with warm seasonal flavors and beautiful produce.
Speaking of fall flavors – Heritage Smokehouse has been working on a lot more than meats lately. This week, the Heritage team has a smoked maitake mushroom and black lentil stew in the works, and it looks incredible.
Drink your produce
Produce and grocery staple delivery service Hungry Harvest is partnering with local beer makers Diamondback and Peabody Heights Brewery for a Drink Your Produce competition.
The competition pits Diamondback and Peabody Heights against several other breweries from Richmond, Charlotte and Raleigh. Each brewery has created special drinks made with produce rescued from local farms – and they’re being released Friday, Oct. 22.
The contest part of the equation involves patrons. Head to the breweries to try the drinks and post them on social media. The brewery with the most social engagement between now and Nov. 8 will win fresh produce from Hungry Harvest through December.
Learn to taste at Fadensonnen
On Saturday, Fadensonnen is hosting a wine and sake tasting in its courtyard. The ticketed event is modeled after the way Fadensonnen employees are trained, so attendees will get a glimpse inside how the staff learns their stuff.
Spooky Date Night at Charming Elephant
Local Lao spot Charming Elephant is celebrating its one-year anniversary on Saturday with a “spooky date night” dinner. The event includes three different menus to choose from, with options like Tom Yum soup and shrimp rolls, laap souy with sticky rice, or a meat sampler including fried meatballs, jerky and Lao sausage.
Harbor Harvest Fall Children’s Festival
On Sunday, the Harbor Harvest Fall Children’s Festival returns to the Inner Harbor on Sunday. The festival, which will take place next to Rash Field, features kid-friendly live music, a pumpkin patch, a hay maze, a petting zoo and food vendors including The Queen food truck (formerly known as Gypsy Queen).
Hogwarts Express – and more – at Johnny’s
Johnny’s is reprising its super popular Harry Potter Halloween vibe. Starting on Monday, the Roland Park restaurant will transform into Hogwarts. Check it out for the décor and for special desserts and drinks and a live magician at 5:30 on Tuesday, Friday and next Saturday.
That’s not the only trick Johnny’s has up its sleeve this week. On Thursday, the restaurant hosts a Joel Peterson wine dinner featuring a flight of Peterson’s 2019 California reds paired with a three-course meal stacked with autumnal flavors (think pork with a local cherry barbecue sauce and roasted pumpkin).
Visit the Johnny’s website for more information and reservations.
Maple Leaf Farms duck dinner at NiHao
On Thursday, NiHao teams up with Maple Leaf Farms for a six-course dinner featuring numerous creative ways to prepare duck using Chinese flavors. NiHao’s special events are always a treat – and this one sounds terrific.
HalloQUEEN at MWT
On Thursday, Mount Washington Tavern hosts its first ever drag show. Local superstar Brooklyn Heights will host the event, which includes dinner and the show; tickets benefit The Trevor Project. Plus, it’s the Tavern’s half-price bottles of wine night, so it should be a good one.
Beer, Bourbon & BBQ
A weekend full of Beer, Bourbon & BBQ at the Fairgrounds kicks off on Friday, Oct. 29. The two-day festival features over 60 beers, 40 bourbons and lots and lots of BBQ – plus music, cigars and more.
Oyster tin time
It might only be October but it’s never too early to think about holiday gifts – especially when some of the most interesting gifts might sell out.
One of those usual sell-outs is the Hoopers Island Oyster Co. heritage oyster tin. This year’s tin is especially sweet, featuring a lab, and a portion of sales supports Baywater Animal Rescue.
Planning for the future
Mark your calendars for:
October 30: Spookfest at Das Bierhalle
November 6: Baltimore Craft Beer Festival
November 13: Oyfest 8 at Union Craft Brewing
