Are you hungry and thirsty, Baltimore? From ice cream for breakfast on Saturday to a Tuesday night filled with fun events, this week is a big one. Here’s a look at what’s happening in and around town this week:
Openings & Announcements
The big news this week was all about Guinness, which announced that it will open its first U.S. brewery in 63 years, right in southern Baltimore County.
The facility, which will include a brewery and taproom and will be open for tours, will be located in the old Calvert Distilling building, which has been owned by Guinness’ parent company, Diageo, since 2000. The building will be used to brew Guinness Blonde and as a place to develop new beers for the U.S. market.
This is big news both for beer lovers and for Baltimore lovers; the opening will bring jobs and will likely be a serious tourist attraction.
Hampdenites have something new to cheer with this week’s announcement that popular noodle spot Mi & Yu Noodle Bar will open a location at the Rotunda later this fall. Mi & Yu also has locations in Federal Hill and in Mount Vernon Marketplace – and they have fans all over the city.
During the month of February, a new organization, Black Restaurant Challenge, is encouraging Baltimoreans to dine at African-American-owned restaurants. Check out its Facebook page for suggestions; the Baltimore area has many excellent African-American-owned restaurants.
Tacos aren’t just for Tuesdays anymore. Clementine has brought back its popular taco night – but now it’s two nights: Wednesday and Thursday. This week’s options included pulled duck, catfish, and chicharrones. All terrific!
Citron’s new private event space, The Cove, is now open to the public. The space has lakefront views and can accommodate groups of up to 150 for seated events and 200 for cocktail receptions.
Clavel and Jinji (of chocolate fame) have joined together to raise money for Syrian refugees. If this is a cause that is of interest to you, you can see their message and donate here.
What’s Happening Today
There’s still time to make new plans for lunch – and it’s Food Truck Friday at McHenry Row. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Bistro Lunch Box will be at the Row.
No plans yet for tonight? Nothing to worry about.
Downtown, Delights by Mina will host a three-course First Friday dinner, including Chef Mina’s excellent African cooking, set to the beat of musicians Clarence Ward and Dat Feel Good, plus Rufus Roundtree.
Ice Cream for Breakfast!
Saturday, Feb. 4 is a holiday of sorts – for kids, at least. It’s Ice Cream for Breakfast Day and local ice cream purveyors are getting in on the action.
At The Charmery in Hampden, join others in their PJs for a special breakfast themed lineup of flavors, including the ever-popular Saturday Morning Cartoons and more grown-up options like Whole Bean Coffee.
Further north, Prigel Family Creamery will also celebrate the holiday with waffle sundaes, yogurt parfaits and a lot of coffee.
Drinks & Oysters for Lunch
In the middle of the day on Saturday, recover from all that ice cream with a few drinks and bivalves.
At noon, Birroteca will host Mixology 101, a hands-on cocktail class featuring several classic cocktails.
And from noon to 4 p.m., Heavy Seas in Halethorpe will host its 11th annual Heavy Seas Beer & Oyster Festival. Sadly, the festival is sold out – but if you have tickets, enjoy! And if you missed out on tickets, put a note on your calendar for next year. This event always sells out, so get them early.
Chocolate for Dinner
Close out Feb. 4 with a little chocolate. That evening, Healthcare for the Homeless will host its fundraiser, dubbed Chocolate Affair, at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront. The night includes dancing, charitable giving and a whole lot of delicious chocolate.
“Big Game” Sunday
Even without the Ravens making an appearance on the field this Sunday, there are plenty of parties and fun happenings around town.
Fuel up for the game in the morning at Johnny’s, where Super Bowl Sunday Brunch specials include a short stack of bacon pancakes, pimento cheese dip and a chorizo and onion-stuffed burger.
A couple good game parties include the Sky Bar buffet at Mt. Washington Tavern, Ryleigh’s (all the locations), where there will be free oysters at halftime, and a Jameson-themed pregame tailgate at R. House, where the stalls will feature gameday specials.
If football is not your thing, Handlebar Café has you covered; they’ve created a Football-Free Zone for the night.
Major Tuesday
Though it’s not generally known as the most exciting day of the week, this coming Tuesday, Feb. 7, has a whole lot to recommend.
If Super Bowl eating has you rethinking your approach to food, Wild Radish can help. On Tuesday evening, the Wild Radish crew will host an introductory session in a series called “How to Vegan.” The session will cover the basics, including some of the practical aspects of going vegan (like where to buy food). It will take place at Zeke’s Coffee on Harford Road.
But if it’s caffeine you need, head south to Federal Hill. At 6 p.m. Order&Chaos, the new coffee shop attached to Planit Advertising, will host the second installment of its Guest Roaster series. This week, guests will have the opportunity to try coffees from HalfWit Coffee Roasters in Chicago.
Get to know the history and cuisine of Ireland at an Irish History Dinner at Galway Bay in Annapolis. Discussion will be led by Professor Arthur Drea, a noted scholar of Irish history. This Tuesday’s meal will focus on the modern era in Irish history, from the “troubles” in the North through today.
On the heels of a super successful potluck dinner last Monday night, Sotto Sopra is hosting a five-course guest chef event on Tuesday, starting at 7 p.m. The meal will feature the food of Chef Jason Cohen, the chef de partie at Wit & Wisdom. Chef Cohen spent time in Tel Aviv, Israel, where he learned to cook the food of the Middle East; those skills will be on display during the Tuesday dinner.
Baltimore continues its takeover of the Food Network’s “Chopped” this Tuesday, when Gertrude’s Executive Chef Doug Wetzel appears on the show. To watch the show with the chef and friends, head to The Dizz at 9 p.m. that evening.
Also on Tuesday, The Chausseur brings back its monthly Bites & Brews event, featuring five beers from a particular craft brewery plus five paired small plates. This month’s brewer is Dogfish Head and the beers range from the India Brown dark IPA to Flesh & Blood, a blood orange IPA.
And finally, Tuesday marks two years in business for Aromes, the tiny Hampden BYOB with wildly inventive (and delicious) dishes. The restaurant has plans to move into a new downtown location this fall and the owner is considering either selling the original spot or opening a new concept in the space. Until then, though, the Hampden location is open and ready for guests.
Valentine’s Day Prep
Restaurants all over the region are making big plans for next week, but if you’re planning to dine in, The Pigheaded Butcher has you covered. On Wednesday, February 8, the Timonium butcher shop is hosting “Cooking for the One You Love,” a class designed to help home cooks figure out what to cook, how to cook it, what to drink with it and what sort of chocolates to serve at the end of the meal. Who wouldn’t love that?
Also on Wednesday, Wit & Wisdom is getting in on the sweet week action with a pastry-themed installment of their Kitchen Table Series. This week’s dinner is called “Can I have S’More? Campfire Desserts.”
Secret Supper
Also on Wednesday evening, the Baltimore Sun’s next Secret Supper event will take place starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are still available…and the location is still a secret.
Planning Ahead
Here are a few events to look forward to over the next few weeks:
February 23: Kentucky Nights Bourbon Tasting at the Mt. Washington Tavern, benefiting the Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital
February 25: Small Foods at the American Visionary Arts Museum
March 25: WTMD Chili Cook-off
