Thursday is St. Patrick’s Day but this week, the Baltimore food scene has more to offer than green beer. From a high profile new opening in Federal Hill to a Biggie Smalls brunch in Mount Vernon, there’s a little something for everyone. Plus, of course, plenty of beer.
Here’s a look at what’s on tap:
No Way Rosé opens
No Way Rosé, a new venture from Duck Duck Goose chef/owner Ashish Alfred, has opened in Federal Hill. The restaurant will have a raw bar and serve French bistro classics and, during the weekends, is styling itself as a brunch and late-night destination, with music, burlesque and other performing artists.
Chef Guy + Dole
Dole Sunshine Company, in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Baltimore, has launched an initiative designed to address issues around food inequities. The program includes kids’ cooking classes taught by Baltimore’s own Chef Jasmine Norton*, proprietor of The Urban Oyster and The Urban Burger Bar.
The Great Penguin Bake Off
The Maryland Zoo has a fun and unusual event happening right now – a local bakery bake-off for some seriously high stakes. The winner gets to name one of the Zoo’s endangered African penguin chicks.
From now through March 21, the public can visit the Zoo’s website to vote for their favorite penguin-themed concoction from a Baltimore area bakery. Participating companies include Codetta Bake Shop, Cake by Jason, Diablo Doughnuts, Goetze’s Candy Company, Mouth Party Caramel and Waffie.
New menu season
As spring approaches, local spots are updating their menus with new options for the season.
At Alma Cocina Latina, a new line of cocktails includes a cool, smoky rum drink.
Thames Street Oyster House is leaning into seasonal berries for its new spring desserts.
La Cuchara’s menu is constantly changing; recent nods to spring include a white asparagus dish with arugula, hazelnuts, Manchego and preserved truffle aioli.
Biggie brunch at Darker than Blue
On Sunday, newly reopened Darker than Blue hosts a brunch honoring the life and music of the Notorious BIG, in honor of the 25th anniversary of his death (March 9, 1997). The brunch will include dishes created with a “Biggie twist” and Biggie’s music over the speakers.
Cheesemaking with Charlottetown
Also on Sunday, Charlottetown Farm will pop up at Maryland Homebrew to host a cheesemaking class, providing instruction on making several goat cheeses, including chevre, cave-aged crottin, and ricotta.
Rombauer wine dinner at Liberatore’s
Tuesday, Liberatore’s in Timonium hosts a six-course dinner featuring the excellent wines of Rombauer. Courses include luxe dishes like burrata with prosciutto paired with a 2019 Zinfandel, and braised short ribs with a 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon.
Fish n Chip Fridays at The Corner Pantry
The Corner Pantry’s beloved special – fish ‘n chip Fridays – is back for the season. The team serves the British classic with mushy peas, house-cut fries, tartar sauce and malt vinegar.
Maryland Vegan Restaurant Week continues
Vegan Week is going strong here in Maryland, with local restaurants getting creative and featuring more vegan dishes than usual on their menus. Plus, this Wednesday, Refocused Vegan is hosting a grand opening event, including a few special guests – vegan vendors of food, drinks and body products.
St. Patrick’s Day is back
St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Thursday this year but the celebrations last all week long. In Canton, the annual bash will take place on Saturday and Thursday, and on Sunday, the parade – and all of its accompanying revelry – returns after a two-year pandemic hiatus. There’s more to the holiday than green beer and even corned beef and cabbage specials (though you’ll see many of those). Local spots are going all in with Irish menus and new brew options in honor of the Irish saint.
This time of year is Guinness Open Gate Brewery’s time to truly shine. The Halethorpe brewery and destination started the party earlier this month and will continue throughout March. This week, there are tons of Irish items on the food menu, plus the brewery’s outdoor Irish Village is up and running. During your visit, you can take tours and stop by the village’s stalls for food and other fun experiences.
Guinness will also have live music on Saturday and a ticketed beer dinner on Sunday. Plus, the team will release a new porter brewed with a base of Irish barley malt grown in Dundalk, Ireland – a fun nod to one of the many connections between the brewery’s Irish roots and its American home here in Baltimore.
Slainte is several days into its annual 17 days of St. Patrick’s Day festivities. Each day features something fun, from drink specials to bottomless Irish nachos.
Ryleigh’s kicks off the holiday on Wednesday, with a St. Paddy’s Eve celebration including a beer dinner, Guinness pint glass engraving, and a lesson in building the perfect Guinness.
On Thursday, Chef’s Expressions celebrates with a seated St. Pat’s dinner at the Gramercy Mansion featuring updated Irish classics, like Irish river salmon crusted with potatoes, and beer, wine, whiskey and mocktail pairings.
For the holiday, DuClaw has released The PastryArchy Irish Cream Stout, a dessert stout inspired by Irish cream’s combination of vanilla, chocolate and caramel.
Planning for the future
Mark your calendars for:
March 20: Whiskey, Wine & Fire at Manor Tavern
March 23: Kentucky Nights at Mt. Washington Tavern
May 28: Brew at the Zoo
*An earlier version of this article included an error in Chef Jasmine Norton’s name.
