After a soggy week here in Baltimore, the sun is finally shining and it’s prime time to get out and enjoy the fruits of the culinary scene. Here’s a look at what’s coming up this week, from fall festivals to fun collaborations:
Openings & announcements
Happy anniversary to Pierpoint Restaurant, which celebrated its 34th year in business this past Wednesday. Thirty-four years in business is an enormous accomplishment, so hats off to Chef Nancy Longo and her team.
Miss Shirley’s Café has launched a new fall menu featuring seasonal flavors, like chicken pot pie soup and a savory gumbo, alongside the restaurant’s classic dishes. The new menu is now available at all Miss Shirley’s locations.
Restaurant social media guru Randy Lerman spotted new signage in Towson this week: KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot is poised to open in the former Thai One On space and Silks Sports Bar will take over the space formerly occupied by EATalian (and, before that, Strapazza).
The World Is Your Oyster Festival
On Saturday, head to the B&O Railroad Museum for the World Is Your Oyster Festival, a celebration of everyone’s favorite bivalve. The festival, which benefits Oyster Recovery Partnership, includes tons of great food (not just oysters), along with the opportunity to talk with Chesapeake Bay oyster farmers, learn to shuck with lessons from Rifko Meier of OystersXO, and watch the pros compete in a shucking contest.
Harvest Fest at Sagamore Farm
Also on Saturday, Sagamore Farm is opening its gates for a daylong Harvest Fest. The event includes tons of kid-friendly activities, from hayrides to face and pumpkin painting, plus food and Sagamore Spirit cocktails available for purchase.
Hops & Harvest
Another Saturday afternoon option: the Hops & Harvest Festival at Merriweather Park in Columbia. This year’s Hops & Harvest includes DJs and live music, a kids’ area, games, and tastings of over 100 Maryland wines, beers and spirits.
Italian Heritage Festival
On Sunday afternoon, Little Italy will be hopping with the return of the annual Italian Heritage Festival. The outdoor festival takes place on Stiles and Exeter streets and features music, a bocce tournament, a Roma Sausage-eating contest, and tons of food, wine and other drinks from neighborhood restaurants.
Clavel + BBQ
On Wednesday, Clavel will welcome a guest to Remington: Chef Fernando González of 2fifty Texas BBQ. Chef Fernando González will team up with Clavel’s own Carlos Raba to smoke brisket for tacos, tortas and more.
Back in the kitchen with Chef John Shields
John Shields of Gertrude’s is back with another virtual event. On Wednesday, Chef Shields will team up with Harford County Public Library CEO Mary Hastler and Hilary Harp Falk, CEO of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, to talk sustainable farming practices and prepare local foods.
Tiki party for a cross-Bridge collab
The city’s own Baltimore Spirits Co. is reaching across the Bay for its newest collaboration, a rum created with Windon Distilling Co. – the St. Michael’s company responsible for locally beloved Lyon Rum. The beverage, which combines Windon’s recipe with BSC’s pot still, is called Tête-à-Tête Rum and will be launched on Sunday, during an Island Tiki Party at BSC.
Old Fashioned Week
Friday, Oct. 14 marks the start of Old Fashioned Week, sponsored by Elijah Craig. During the week, bars throughout Baltimore (and around the country) will put the showcase on the Old Fashioned cocktail and, in doing so, raise money for the Southern Smoke Foundation, an organization that supports people in the food and beverage industry who are experiencing crises.
Local participants include Blue Pit BBQ, Clock Restoration Bar & Kitchen, Barcocina, Blue Hill Tavern, Southern Provisions, Ruth’s Chris, Little Havana, Barfly’s, Mount Royal Tavern and BLK Swan.
Planning for the future
Mark your calendars for:
Oct. 19: Tesseron Cognac Dinner at The Milton Inn
Nov. 2: Día de los Muertos at Maxímon
Nov. 5: Oyfest at Union Craft Brewing
