This week, Baltimore restaurants are all about wine, oysters, and new developments. Here’s a look at what’s coming up:
Openings & announcements
The Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore and Baltimore Development Corporation announced this week that Canton favorite OneDo Coffee Roasters will open a Rash Field outpost in the park’s BGE Pavilion. The café, which is slated to open in the spring of 2025, will offer coffees and teas as well as sandwiches and salads.
The group behind Blackwall Hitch has opened a new restaurant in Gambrills. The Farmhouse has a “rustic” vibe and works with local farmers and fishermen to build its menu.
Big things are happening at The Corner Pantry. The restaurant and coffee spot has begun a three-phase construction process to expand into the space next door, which formerly housed clothing store Mason Mayes.
Bunny’s announced a handful of changes to its schedule that will go into effect on Monday, including Monday happy hour deals lasting all night long, 30% off of wines and bubbles over $100 on Wednesdays, and opening at 5 p.m. (instead of 4 p.m.) Monday through Thursday.
Restaurant Weeks
While restaurant week promotions have died down around most of the area, Maryland Vegan Restaurant Month is still going strong. Plus, one locality – Howard County – saves its Restaurant Week for the end of summer.
Howard’s event, which is officially a combo of Restaurant Week and Craft Beverages Week, kicks off on Monday, Aug. 12. The lineup of participating restaurants includes dozens of spots all over the county.
Plate It! Baltimore is back
Baltimore-based cooking show “Plate It! Baltimore” is back for its second season next week. The show, which is hosted by Chyno The Baltimore Foodie, features local chefs and businesses competing against one another in challenges. They’re judged by Chyno, along with The Local Oyster proprietor Nick Schauman and cookbook author Jessica Formicola.
This season will include appearances from chefs representing tons of local businesses, including Codetta Bake Shop, The Tre’von Clark Experience, Bmore Big Softy, Café Campli, Mexican on the Run, Taste Food Truck, Table at Home, Fox’s Den, Soul Smoked BBQ, Rooted Rotisserie, Ejji Ramen and Jimmy’s Famous Seafood.
The show can be viewed on the Very Local App, which is available here.
National Oyster Week
National Oyster Day was last week but Thames Street Oyster House is celebrating the bivalve all week long. Throughout the weekend, the Fells Point restaurant is offering a special plate of grilled Chesapeake oysters that helps support the Oyster Recovery Partnership.
Gertrude’s is also in on the action, with $2 off all half-dozen orders of oysters on the half shell and a $1 donation to ORP from every oyster appetizer and entrée sold.
Gunther & Co. is recycling the oyster shells from all of its oyster dishes and is offering a couple oyster deals this week, including $1 War on Hunger oysters on the half shell and the addition of four cornmeal-crusted fried oysters to any dish for $12.
The Cookout
On Saturday afternoon, Center Plaza in downtown will be the place to be during the second annual iteration of The Cookout. The free event, which is organized by Sumayyah Bilal, owner of Codetta Bake Shop, brings together a variety of Black-owned small businesses, including artisans, home goods purveyors, and chefs.
Food options include goodies from Codetta as well as items from Emmanuella’s Haitian Cuisine, Soul Smoked BBQ, The Cookie Chemist and more.
Fennec at HEX Superette
On Sunday starting at 11 a.m., Chef Scott Bacon brings his operation, Fennec, to the HEX Superette space for a kitchen takeover. During the event, Chef Bacon will work with HEX’s fermented offerings to create a fun menu available a la carte.
Black Ankle x Foraged
On Wednesday, Foraged Eatery teams up with Black Ankle Vineyards for a multicourse wine dinner showcasing selections from the excellent Maryland winery. The menu includes pairings like cantaloupe, cherry, jalapeno and goat cheese salad with Black Ankle’s 2023 Bedlam, and a peach cobbler dessert paired with Terra Dolce IX fortified dessert wine.
Wine happy hour at Magdalena
On Thursday, Magdalena sommelier Guy Freshwater will host a happy hour tasting and discussion centered around three selections from the Magdalena cellar.
Italian heritage wine supper
On Thursday, Chefs Expressions pops up at the Gramercy Mansion for a wine dinner celebrating the cuisine and wines of Italy. Courses include dishes like fresh fish with tortellini in lemon basil brood paired with Cantina Colterenzio Pinot Grigio, and roasted herb chicken with a salad of summer tomatoes and mint paired with Podere Poggio Scalette Chianti.
Planning for the future
Mark your calendars for:
Aug. 17: Etiquette Class at Miss Shirley’s
Aug. 24: Ekiben Night Market
Sept. 13: Fells Point Oyster Fest
