This week, Baltimore’s restaurant scene offers a mishmash of news and events celebrating the last days of summer while gearing up for fall. Here’s a look at what’s on tap:
Openings & announcements
Ellicott City’s iconic French restaurant Tersiguel’s has been closed since the start of COVID but will reopen this week. The official reopening is Wednesday.
The Gourmet at Kenilworth, an offshoot of the beloved Catonsville Gourmet, is now open in The Shops at Kenilworth in Towson. Early reports about the space and food are terrific.
Red Pepper Sichuan Bistro celebrated its second anniversary on Wednesday. Congratulations to the team that has brought excellent Chinese food and interesting entertainment to Towson.
Lola & Mimi’s at Normal’s
On Saturday, head to Normal’s Books and Records in Waverly for a pop-up from ice cream aficionados Lola & Mimi’s. The scooping – which includes both dairy and plant-based flavors – starts at noon.
CRUSH COVID Festival
Also on Saturday, The Back Yard, near the B&O Museum, hosts a crush-centric afternoon party, with food vendors and live music, benefiting Show Your Soft Side/BARCS and The Baltimore Restaurant Relief Fund.
Maryland Mac & Cheese Festival
Love mac and cheese? Then head to Power Plant Live! on Saturday and Sunday for a massive mac festival featuring cheesy pasta from 15 regional restaurants, kids’ activities, live entertainment, contests, awards and more.
Modern Soul Food Mondays
H3irloom Food Group has started a new pop-up series, Modern Soul Food Mondays. Check out the online menu to pre-order (or order the day of); meals are available to pick up and carry out from H3irloom’s spot in The Sinclair.
Party at Sally O’s
Sally O’s is throwing itself a birthday bash on Tuesday night. The Highlandtown restaurant has ben in business for a year and is celebrating with free snacks, pries and a Victory Brewing Prima Pilsner can release.
Plus, a portion of the evening’s bar proceeds will be donated to the Baltimore chapter of the Back on My Feet Foundation.
Pawpaw season
It’s almost time for everyone’s favorite semi-tropical, banana-esque fruit to begin dropping from trees throughout the Chesapeake watershed. Pawpaws are back.
Pawpaws are native to the region but challenging to cultivate, so they don’t pop up in every grocery store in town. But if you’re a fan of the fruit, you can find it in a few places, including the Two Boots Farm stand at the Johnny’s Sunday market and via the Moon Valley Farm, OK Spring Farm and Good Dog Farm CSAs (they have partnered with Two Boots).
Plus, Foraged Eatery plans to have pawpaw dishes on the menu this week or shortly thereafter. Keep an eye out for creative uses of the fruit.
Bagels for fall
As the calendar turns and the season (unofficially) changes, THB is gearing up for its new fall menu.
Starting Sept. 1, the bagelry will offer purple and teal bagels every Wednesday; a portion of their sales – and all coffee sales during September – will benefit National Suicide Prevention Month.
Plus, starting Sept. 10, purple bagel Fridays are officially back – through the end of the Ravens’ football season.
While pumpkin spice might have already popped up in some coffee shops, THB is showing some restraint. Their trio of pumpkin goodies – bagels, cream cheese and a latte – will be available Sept. 15 (through November).
Finally, though autumn brings all these new beginnings, it’s also the time for summer flavor to make their graceful exit. This summer’s bagel, the Asiago Old Bay, will no longer be available after Sept. 6. At that point, a portion of total sales of the bagels will be donated to the Maryland Food Bank; the donation will be matched by Old Bay maker McCormick & Co.
High Holiday planning
The Jewish High Holidays are early this year – Rosh Hashanah is just after Labor Day – so now is time to plan.
Eddie’s has an extensive menu of options including a prix fixe Rosh Hashanah dinner for four or eight, a new kale salad kit, and a locally-baked challah for Yom Kippur.
For Rosh Hashana, The Charmery will be scooping Apples & Honey, a flavor designed “with the hopes for a sweet new year.” The ice cream is available by the scoop, pint or in a pie.
Planning for the future
Mark your calendars for:
September 12: Ocean Pride’s 50th Birthday Party
September 23: Dining Out for Life benefiting Moveable Feast
September 25: Susquehanna Wine & Seafood Festival
