This week, we say goodbye to Christmas cookies and hello to champagne toasts, here in Baltimore and around the world. Locally, there are tons of ways to enjoy the final week of 2021 and welcome 2022. Here’s a look at what’s happening:
Openings & announcements
The Tillery, the restaurant in the newly opened Marriott Owings Mills Metro Centre hotel, is now officially open.
Last week, Atlas Restaurant Group announced its acquisition of Valley Inn and the Oregon Grille in Baltimore County.
The original Phillips Crab House, which opened in Ocean City in 1956, has closed and will not reopen for the 2022 season. After 65 years in business, the owners have decided not to reopen that location, and to sell the building. However, other Phillips locations, including in downtown Baltimore, remain open.
Holiday breaks
Gertrude’s is closed for a few days, for a post-holiday break. The restaurant will reopen on Dec. 30.
Nancy by SNAC is also taking a holiday vacation and will reopen in 2022.
Alma Cocina Latina is also closed for the holidays and will reopen Jan. 3.
Charleston will take a brief New Year hiatus; the Harbor East restaurant will be closed from Jan. 2 to Jan. 10.
COVID news
With the recent rise in COVID cases, some restaurants’ hours and offerings are in flux. Before heading out, check in with your destination to make sure the restaurant is open.
For example, Silver Queen Café* is carryout only through at least New Year’s Day following a staff member testing positive for COVID (the staff member is asymptomatic); the Hamilton restaurant will still have New Year’s specials, including discounts on to-go champagne and sparkling wine. Several other spots, like Brewer’s Art and Bluebird Café, have also briefly closed, here and there, following positive tests.
Dylan’s Oyster Cellar has temporarily suspended dine-in service due to the rise in cases. The Hampden restaurant hopes to reopen inside in January – and until then, carryout is available.
*This has been updated to reflect Silver Queen Cafe’s plans as of Dec. 28.
Ringing in the new year
Whether you’re looking for a quiet dinner out, a meal to carryout and enjoy at home, a luxe dinner or a fun party, local restaurants have your New Year’s Eve plans covered.
The Milton Inn’s four-course New Year’s Eve menu is enticing, with options like foie gras and black truffle terrine and red wine-braised venison with pureed potatoes, mushrooms and carrots.
At Bondhouse, a dressy ticketed event includes all you can drink cocktails, beer and wine, plus hors d’oeuvres.
Of Love & Regret has dubbed their New Year’s Eve experience INSPIRE. The restaurant is hosting a three-course dinner, accompanied by an art exhibit from Kelly Walker.
Topside will offer a three-course meal, accompanied by jazz music courtesy of Marcus Johnson.
Guilford Hall Brewery is hosting a party in its Crown Room, including hors d’oeuvres, drinks and music.
NiHao will offer a special a la carte menu on New Year’s Eve, including the restaurant’s signature Cantonese ducks, and some reprised dishes from menus past, including duck spring rolls and Grand Marnier shrimp.
Lebanese Taverna has a mezza party, including everything from food to belly dancing, at the restaurant, and a carryout package available featuring the restaurant’s most popular mezza items, a bottle of bubbly and party favors.
Sally O’s New Year’s Eve three-course menu includes a variety of options, from Oysters Rockefeller to carnitas tacos.
Petit Louis’ New Year’s Eve menu includes options like cauliflower velouté with roasted scallops and black truffle oils, and duck breast in a Marsala reduction sauce.
At The Manor, the New Year’s Eve festivities start at 6 p.m. and include an open bar, complimentary food and an appearance from songwriter and producer Cazwell and RuPaul’s Drag Race season 3 winner Raja.
At the Four Seasons Hotel, the rooftop Winter Village experience will be open for daytime New Year’s Eve festivities. The experience opens at 11 a.m. and will close at 4 p.m., with the last skate session starting at 2:30 p.m.
Magdalena’s three-course New Year’s Eve menu includes options like beef tartare with juniper aioli and quail egg, and hand-cut tagliatelle topped with mushroom ragout and truffle butter.
Woodberry Kitchen will be offering take-home catering items, available for pickup on Thursday or Friday.
The Bygone’s swank New Year’s Eve party is on this year, with a premium open bar, passed hors d’oeuvres and a buffet, and a DJ.
Charleston will offer a four-course meal plus desserts, with wine pairings available, for New Year’s Eve.
Maggie’s Farm will offer a three-course prix fixe menu with optional wine pairings.
The excellent Greek spot Cypriana has a festive party in the works for New Year’s Eve.
Watershed’s New Year’s Eve party features and open bar and buffet, and a ski lodge theme.
SoBo Café is taking a laid back and casual approach to New Year’s Eve, with a low key dinner service.
At Elkridge Furnace Inn, there will be drinks, dancing and a buffet with savory stations and a dessert bar.
Cosima’s New Year’s Eve prix fixe includes options like Peroni-steamed mussels with housemade sausage and seared tuna over squid ink gnocchi.
Tagliata, The Elk Room, Italian Disco and Monarque have teamed up for a single New Year’s Eve party this year; tickets provide entry to all four venues, each of which will have its own vibe.
The Capital Grille will be open for dinner on New Year’s Eve. The steakhouse’s menu is also still available to take home, so you can also enjoy it during a celebration at home.
New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day is Saturday, which offers extra reasons to keep the party going.
True Chesapeake Oyster Co. is kicking off the new year with a ticketed Grateful Dead brunch, with live music from Caleb Stine and New Years Dead, and a special food and drinks menu including treats like tie-dyed pancakes with cranberry jam, sweet potato butter and bourbon maple syrup.
Sally O’s will be open for New Year’s Day brunch from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., serving sweet and savory breakfast and lunch dishes, including a bunch of benedict options.
NiHao will be open on New Year’s Day, offering the same special a la carte menu available on New Year’s Eve – a mix of signature dishes and past favorites.
Towson Tavern is open for brunch, starting at 10 a.m., on New Year’s Day.
In addition to its regular menu, Johnny’s will offer a few New Year’s Day specials, like a bison burger and a loaded Bloody Mary.
Maggie’s Farm will open for brunch at 11 a.m. on New Year’s Day, offering its regular brunch menu plus drink specials, like a homemade Bloody Mary and mimosas.
Planning for the future
Mark your calendars for:
Jan. 14: Krautfest at Gertrude’s
Feb. 12: How Does It Feel Dinner with H3irloom Food Group
Note: This is the last Hot Plate of 2021 – there will be no column on Friday, Dec. 31 but we’ll be back on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. Happy New Year and thank you for reading!
