This week is full of good news on the Baltimore restaurant scene, from oyster festivals to wine dinners to news of big crowds at old favorites. Here’s a look at what’s happening:
Feeling good about local dining
Just a few weeks ago, Heritage Smokehouse sounded the alarm about their business’s dry spell. In response, the community showed up, dined in, and helped the restaurant stay afloat.
Last week, the owners of Silver Queen Café shared similar struggles on social media, admitting that if business didn’t improve, its doors might close.
Again, Baltimore food lovers rallied. In response to the news, the Hamilton restaurant was packed over the weekend – and hopefully will be again this week.
Wine dinner at Citron
On Friday, Sept. 20, Citron welcomes Anne Cannan from Clos Figueras winery in Priorat, Spain. Cannan will be sharing her story with guests at the restaurant, who can choose from Citron’s regular a la carte menu or opt for a Catalonian menu designed to pair with Clos Figueras wines.
The dinner is not a ticketed event – though reservations are a good idea.
4th Annual Susquehanna Wine & Seafood Festival
Havre de Grace is the place to be on Saturday afternoon, when the 4th Annual Susquehanna Wine & Seafood Festival takes place at the Concord Point Lighthouse.
The festival is a huge celebration of local food and drinks, featuring cooking demos, live music, steamed crabs and more.
Nana x HEX
On Saturday, Nana’s Carlos Raba will take over the kitchen at HEX Superette for a day-long pop-up event. The a la carte menu includes fun dishes like chicken enchiladas covered in mole poblano made with HEX black garlic, and pozole rojo made with HEX kraut-chi.
The Big Dill pickle party
On Saturday, The Big Dill returns to Power Plant Live! for a fun day celebrating all things pickle The event sold out – but the organizers released an additional 300 tickets earlier this week, so there’s still an opportunity to get there.
Alma x Ekiben – and more
On Monday, the Ekiben crew will pop up at Alma Cocina Latina to collaborate on a family-style meal celebrating the cuisines of both restaurants – with a Baltimore twist.
Alma will keep the party going into the week, too. On Wednesday, the Venezuelan restaurant hosts Nesti Bajda, the winemaker from Catena, for a special four-course meal showcasing flavors that pair well with Catena wines.
Magdalena wine dinner
On Thursday, Magdalena showcases the wines of M. Chapoutier with a six-course meal featuring pairings from the winery. Courses include a starter of oysters, caviar, lime crema and fennel pollen paired with La Combe Pilate Viogner, and a dish of foie gras and Rohan duck ravioli in mushroom broth with fig chutney paired with La Bernardine Rouge.
Speaking of Magdalena, congratulations to its home, The Ivy Hotel, which has been awarded the Two Keys distinction by The Michelin Guide.
The World Is Your Oyster Fest
On Thursday, The World Is Your Oyster Fest returns to the B&O Railroad Museum for an evening of oysters, wine, education and fun.
The event, which benefits Oyster Recovery Partnership, includes oysters from a dozen regional oyster purveyors and farmers, and food from a bunch of local restaurants and food businesses, including The Atlantic Food & Spirits, The Beaumont, The Capital Grille, Chef’s Expressions, Faidley’s, Federal House, Graul’s, La Food Marketa, The Local Oyster, Mama’s on the Half Shell, Mt. Washington Tavern, Nick’s Fish House, One Eleven Main, Phillips, Prigel Family Creamery, Rye Street Tavern, State Fare and Thames Street Oyster House.
There will also be a shucking competition, a live oyster reef demo, an opportunity to have a caricature drawn by Frederick artist Goodloe Byron, and a paint and sip class taught by Annapolis artist Kim Hovell.
Galbani Maryland Italian Festival
Starting on Friday, Sept. 27, the Galbani Maryland Italian Festival – the state’s largest Italian festival – will take place at the Harford County Equestrian Center.
The event’s headline sponsor is Galbani Cheese – and there will be a lot of that to taste. The festival also features rides, live entertainment, cooking and wine demos, and tons of food and drink to enjoy.
Fig Picnic pre-orders open
Pre-orders are now open for Juniper Farm’s Fig Picnic, which takes place on Sept. 28-29. The chef The Tradition Begins will be on hand creating grazing boards and a Fig Sweets Box. Pre-orders are required, so the farm can manage inventory; when you pick up your order at the designated time, you can find a spot on the grass or at the farm’s community tables to settle in for your picnic.
Pawpaw season
Pawpaws are back in season again and a few restaurants are making the most of the brief season.
At Dylan’s Oyster Cellar, pawpaw pudding, made with recently-foraged fruit, is topped with vanilla whipped cream and homemade nilla wafers.
At Foraged, they’re all over the menu – including in drinks like the Meemaw’s Cordial, a mix of pisco, rye, lemon, honey and pawpaw puree.
Baltimore Fishbowl’s own Oyster Shellebration
On Oct. 23, Baltimore Fishbowl is teaming up with True Chesapeake Oyster Co. for a fun celebration of all things oyster. Tickets for the event are on sale now – with early bird pricing through Sept. 30. Each ticket comes with two drinks, all you can eat oysters, plus more of True Chesapeake’s excellent food.
Planning for the future
Mark your calendars for:
Oct. 12: Seafood Saturday at 32nd St. Farmers Market
Oct. 16: Southern Italian Cooking Class at Cosima
Oct. 21: Flavors of Maryland
