This week includes Saturday festivals, lots of specials for Sunday brunch with mom and events celebrating wine, beer and entertaining. Here’s what’s coming up:
Openings and announcements
A new Vietnamese spot opened last week in Canton. Pho Bac, formerly located in the Golden Bridge Asian Supermarket, has taken over the space that once housed Saigon Today.
To the dismay of Mediterranean food lovers all over the city, Gnocco announced late last week that its doors will close after service on Saturday. The restaurant’s owner, Brian Lavin, has built a strong fan base in Baltimore, but it’s time for him to move on. He’s planning a move to California.
Another sad pending closure was also announced this week. Prime Corner in Hampden will close at the end of the month.
In happier news, Topside and Square Meal, the restaurants in the Hotel Revival, have both just launched new menus courtesy of brand new executive chef Scott Hines. They sound terrific and include tons of options for everyone from carnivores to vegans.
Fells Point Farmers’ Market is back
The Fells Point Farmers’ Market began its season last Saturday. From here on out, the market will be on, near the water in Fells, every Saturday morning.
This week, the market is followed by the Jazz Festival, so there’s extra cause to head down to Fells on Saturday morning.
Festival season
Speaking of festivals, it’s not just jazz this weekend. If you like to eat and drink outside, this weekend brings lots of options for you.
On Saturday, RemFest returns for its second year. The celebration of all things Remington will include music, fun and food from a handful of terrific local makers, including The Dizz, Sweet 27, Charmington’s, The Local Oyster, Ekiben and Neopol.
Also on Saturday, Drink.Eat.Relax’s Wine & Food Festival takes over Harbor Point. The festival, now in its fourth year, will feature over 150 wines, beers and spirits.
The Witches High Tea at Nancy by SNAC
On Saturday, get witchy at Nancy by SNAC, when local witches host a high tea. The event includes a Bruja tea tasting, treats made by local sorceresses and other fun activities.
Mr. Trash Wheel turns five
Everyone’s favorite anthropomorphic trash wheel is turning five and will celebrate with a big party at Peabody Heights Brewery. The bash on Saturday is a ticketed event and you must be 21 to attend. Guests will take part in fun games and get to taste Peabody’s new Mr. Trash Wheel’s Solar Power Sour.
There will be also food from the Dizzy Cow Pizzeria and Farm to Charm food trucks.
DiPasquale’s Harborview turns two
It must be birthday season by the water: not only does Mr. Trash Wheel celebrate his creation this weekend, but DiPasquale’s Harborview location will celebrate its second anniversary on Saturday. The Italian market will host a party with live music, happy hour prices and a free prosecco toast at 6:30 p.m.
Mommy & Me baking at the Four Seasons
Get a jump on Mother’s Day with a Saturday mom-and-me baking class taught by the pastry team at the Four Seasons Hotel. The class will take place in the hotel’s kitchen and include hands-on instruction on making a sweet galette.
It’s appropriate for even brand new bakers and sounds like a great way to spend time with the kids.
Celebrating Mom
Sunday is Mother’s Day, so if you haven’t made any plans, now is definitely the time to make that happen. Restaurants all over the area are hosting special brunches to celebrate mothers. Make a reservation now–you don’t want to disappoint your mom, do you?
Orto is launching brunch service just in time for Mother’s Day. The Station North restaurant will offer dishes like charred sourdough avocado toast with soft shell crab and Nduja butter, and a classic Italian breakfast of prosciutto, cheese, honey and almonds. Plus, of course, lots of daytime cocktails.
Bar Vasquez will offer complimentary valet parking and have live music during Mother’s Day brunch on Sunday. The Argentinian restaurant also has a new special cocktail for May–a mezcal and strawberry concoction that sounds great.
B&O American Brasserie will have a special Mother’s Day brunch buffet, including all the classics, plus drink and cocktail specials. Moms will also receive a special gift.
Sotto Sopra will offer its à la carte Italian menu for Mother’s Day dinner, with entertainment from Peabody Conservatory performers from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Petit Louis’ Mother’s Day menu will celebrate the season with a local asparagus soup and a Maryland crab and asparagus omelette.
Johnny’s will have a buffet brunch and its regular evening menu for dinner.
At Cinghiale, brunch will include the regular menu plus seasonal specials.
For those who prefer to celebrate at home (but not cook), Classic Catering has you covered with a menu tailored to the day, including a “breakfast in bed” option.
Charleston will offer a luxe four-course meal for Mother’s Day–think lobster risotto.
Chez Hugo’s Mother’s Day menu is a multi-course prix fixe, with options like spring vegetable quiche with ramps and spinach, and a spring pea tartine with herb butter and grilled toast.
Gunther & Co.’s menu will include two courses, with choices like fried Chesapeake oyster lettuce wraps and Gulf shrimp and cheddar grits.
Cosima’s Mother’s Day brunch menu includes many options, from pizzas to traditional brunch fare with an Italian twist, liked baked egg omelettes.
Blue Moon Café and Blue Moon Too are–as ever–open for brunch and will have fun specials and lots of energy.
The Elephant will offer brunch all day, including dishes like crab cake Benedict and a gorgeous seafood tower.
Roy’s has a three-course brunch on Mother’s Day with Hawaiian faves like kalua pork Benedict.
Il Palio will offer a brunch buffet on Mother’s Day, plus its regular menu in the evening.
The Manor Tavern will have two seatings for its buffet brunch and will serve dinner à la carte starting at 5 p.m.
Brunch at The Milton Inn includes a three-course prix fixe with dishes like beef tenderloin tartare and Southern-style chicken and waffles.
At the Mt. Washington Tavern, brunching moms will receive a special gift: a lavender scrub.
The buffet menu at Alizee includes tons of options, including prime rib and a Belgian waffle bar.
Café Troia will be open for brunch and dinner, with dishes like goat cheese ravioli with orange reduction and fennel powder.
Old Westminster Winery has fun plans for Mother’s Day, including live music, food from Cream Cruiser and Bottoms Up Bagels, flowers from Tierra Blooms and, of course, wine.
Papi’s will host a fun brunch on Sunday and all moms will receive a complimentary mimosa and flower.
Cypriana will open early at 1 p.m. on Mother’s Day. The restaurant’s patio and herb garden are also open now for outdoor seating.
Star Bright Farm will host a country brunch for the day, with food by Kevin Miller of Copper Kitchen and the opportunity to shop at the Barn Market.
Emma’s Tea Spot’s Mother’s Day high tea menu includes numerous choices and is available all weekend. You can also add on local flowers or elderberry mimosas as a special surprise.
Magdalena’s Mother’s Day lunch will be a three-course meal with dishes like burrata salad with basil pesto and grilled vegetables and lump crab bucatini “carbonara.”
Mission BBQ celebrates Armed Forces Week
Next week is Armed Services Week, recognizing those who serve our country. All week long, Mission BBQ will offer free sandwiches to active service members and veterans. Each day, a different brand of the service is honored (so that’s when you can grab your sandwich). Monday is for the Army, Tuesday the Marines, Wednesday the Navy, Thursday the Air Force and Friday the Coast Guard. On Saturday, members of all branches of the service are welcome to come in for a free sandwich between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Mahalo Monday
Head to Dylan’s Oyster Cellar this week for Mahalo Monday. There won’t be any food or oysters, but the restaurant will transform into a super fun “tropical wonderland” filled with tiki drinks.
Early summer entertaining at Cosima
Cosima’s monthly cooking class is on Wednesday of next week. The topic–it’s timely–is early summer entertaining. Guests will learn how to make bruschetta, a light gnocchi with asparagus and other dishes perfect for having people over in warmer weather.
Wine dinner at Café Troia
Café Troia’s monthly Italian wine dinner takes place on Thursday, May 16. The dinner features wine and dishes from the northern region of Friuli. Wines will include a sparkling rosé and a Cabernet Franc.
Maryland Craft Beer Fest
Maryland Craft Beer Festival kicks off at Max’s Taphouse on Friday, May 17. The festival will feature over 90 draft beers from more than 40 Maryland breweries. It’s a solid lineup.
Planning Ahead
Here are a few events to look forward to over the next few weeks:
June 8: Hampden Craft Brew Walk
June 8: Feastival
August 10: Flower Farm Dinner at Two Boots Farm
