Spring has sprung and even though the temperatures haven’t fully caught up with the season, Baltimore restaurants offer plenty of reasons to head out to brunch or dinner this week. Take a look at what’s on tap:
Openings and announcements
Broadway Market is slowly but surely coming back to life following a major renovation. This past week, two stalls opened in the updated north shed. The first, Vikki’s Fells Point Deli, opened on Tuesday with a limited menu, but the full menu will likely be available later this week. Another, Sophia’s Place European Deli, opens back up today. Both were longtime market tenants before it closed for construction.
A pair of local bakers, including the former head of the bread team at Woodberry Kitchen, has started a weekly bread subscription service, with pickups taking place in Charles Village starting Tuesday. The company, called Motzi Bread, has plans to open a storefront bakery, also in Charles Village, next fall.
In sad news, Saturday will be The Elephant’s last night open to the public. The restaurant, which has been open since 2016, will continue to operate as a private event space. The owners will also continue to run the catering company Sascha’s and the Center Stage café Sascha’s & The Elephant.
Spring things
Now that the season is officially upon us, fun new spring cocktails are popping up on bar menus all over.
At Dylan’s Oyster Cellar, one of the new options is a rum, chamomile, coconut, grapefruit and sherry concoction called Holly Beach.
Bluebird Cocktail Room’s new menu includes options like Vain Desires, a mix of vodka, cucumber, grapefruit and elderflower, that will be on tap for springtime.
March Madness at Red Star
March Madness parties are raging all over the city, including at Red Star in Charles Village, where the crew is pitting local brews against one another in a tournament to take home the honor of most popular Baltimore beer.
During March Madness games, the featured beers are only $5 per pint.
Jewish vegan cooking demo
On Saturday evening, Marcia Schveibinz will conduct a vegan cooking demo at Corner Community Center in Roland Park. The session will include ideas for vegan Passover dishes and guests will receive a copy of “Vegan Passover Recipes.”
Baltimore Wing Festival
On Saturday and Sunday, Power Plant Live! gets spicy with the Baltimore Wing Festival. The two-day event includes wings and other snacks from over 20 restaurants and food trucks, plus a ton of fun activities, from a ranch-chugging contest (?!) to axe throwing.
Porky weekend
On Saturday, Ryleigh’s Oyster Hunt Valley hosts its second annual Swig and Pig, a party featuring a whole hog roast plus signature Sagamore Spirit cocktails (plus beer and wine).
Foraged Eatery’s popular Pig Parts & Pancakes brunch is back on Sunday morning, starting at 11 a.m. It’s walk-in only and the kitchen promises great things, including maple and black walnut syrup made over the course of several weeks.
The Dude at The Charmery
After brunch at Foraged in Hampden, head over to The Charmery’s Ice Cream Factory in Union Collective for a full sensory screening of “The Big Lebowski.” The movie will be shown at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., and the experience includes a popcorn bar, thematically appropriate punch and more, including bites that match what’s happening on screen.
Note: Unlike some of The Charmery’s full-sensory movies, this one is rated R and is not recommended for children.
Fat Nomads at Mayuree
Washington D.C. wandering chefs the Fat Nomads will pop up at Mayuree Thai Tavern on Sunday evening. The meal, dubbed BAAN-BAAN Dinner, features home-style Thai comfort food. No walk-ins accepted, so make your reservation ahead of time.
Monument City + The Food Market
On Monday, Monument City Brewing partners with The Food Market for–what else–a beer dinner.
The meal will include four courses (plus welcome snacks), each paired with a Monument City brew. Courses include Food Market faves like pretzels with beer cheese and buffalo pickles as well as some surprises, like pit beef and frites.
All things Brit
On Tuesday, the folks behind BritFest will host a British Night at Gypsy’s Truckstaurant. The event, which does not require tickets or reservations, will include trivia, classic Brit rock, a shop with fun items provided by All Things UK, The Queen’s Grocer and Emma’s Tea Spot, and British food and cocktail specials.
Whiskey Tuesday
This Tuesday is a good one for whiskey lovers.
That evening, Charmed Kitchen teams up with Old Line Spirits for a three-course meal paired with Old Line whiskey cocktails. The Old Line crew will also be on hand to talk about the distilling process and the history of the spirit, so you can learn while you sip.
Also on Tuesday, Lee’s Pint & Shell hosts a Woodford Reserve tasting featuring cocktails, whiskey-inspired food and tastes of the whiskey itself. Every attendee will also receive a complimentary 375 ml bottle of Woodford Reserve to take home.
Celebrating with Cosima
Cosima turns three this week and will go all out with a Tuesday night celebration. The Italian restaurant’s third anniversary menu is all about the number three–three courses with three options each, and with three wine pairings.
Courses include options like grilled swordfish with caponata, saffron risotto and salmoriglio sauce, and slow-cooked pork ribs with sausage, pancetta, tomato sauce and polenta.
Origins at Artifact
This month’s installment of the Origins series at Artifact Coffee focuses on what’s happening locally in Baltimore and D.C. to help families gain access to fresh food.
The conversation, which takes place on Thursday, March 28, includes Baltimore City’s food policy director Holly Freishtat, Oasis Community Partners executive director Philip Sambol and Rev. Dr. Heber M. Brown, III, the founder of Black Church Food and a pastor at Pleasant Hope Baptist Church.
Anatomy of a Chicken Box
On Friday, March 29, Ekiben, blacksauce kitchen and Union Craft Brewing team up for a reprisal of their enormously popular event Anatomy of a Chicken Box. The party takes place at Union. It’s one you won’t want to miss.
Asia North Festival
The area around Motor House in Station North will tap into the energy of nearby Koreatown for a three-day festival celebrating Asian traditions.
The Asia North Festival will start Friday, March 29, and last all weekend long. It includes music, art, performances, and food and drink representing a range of Asian cultures. Food offerings include options from Daikaya (a popular ramen spot in D.C.), rice balls from Lei Musubi, Japanese dishes from Otabe and a preview of fare from Old Boy, which will open in Broadway Market later this year.
On Sunday, March 31, festival-goers can partake in a Taste of Koreatown food tour to learn about the excellent Korean food being made right in the middle of Baltimore.
Planning Ahead
Here are a few events to look forward to over the next few weeks:
March 30: Wockenfuss Factory Tour
April 13: Duclaw Brewing Company Sour Me Ale Festival
April 14: Manor Tavern Oyster Festival
