From crab cakes and fall cocktails to spooky squid ink and Spanish cheese, this week is full of fun and unexpected ways to enjoy the Baltimore culinary scene. Here’s a look at what’s happening:
Openings & announcements
Mick O’Shea’s, which has been under construction since the underground fire that took place on N. Charles St. in late September, finally reopened on Wednesday.
Vessel, a new bar and lounge, has opened at the ROOST Baltimore hotel and apartment building. Vessel has both indoor and outdoor spaces and a cocktail menu with plenty of nods to port-city drinks.
Congratulations to Walker’s Tap & Table, which celebrated five years in business this week.
Speaking of anniversaries, Woodberry Kitchen marked 17 years in business this week. Congrats to the Woodberry team for its longevity and the impact its had on Baltimore’s dining scene.
In fast food news, Towsonites are getting a new Chick-fil-A this week. The restaurant, which is in the old Bob Evans spot, opens on Tuesday. To celebrate, the company is running a sweepstakes: people who live in nearby zip codes can enter to win free Chic-fil-A entrees for a year.
Café Campli has some lunchtime changes in the works. Starting Nov. 11, the Hamilton restaurant will begin opening at noon on Sundays, adding lunch to the lineup. However, starting Nov. 1, they will no longer serve Friday or Saturday lunch.
Sadly, Pavan Foods, the Indian restaurant and grocery in Parkville, closed this past Wednesday, after 24 years in business.
Happy 100th to Grandma Beall
Grandma Beall, the matriarch of the Ledo Pizza empire, celebrated her 100th birthday this past week. In honor of her birthday, Ledo’s is offering $1 fountain drinks through Sunday.
Oyster champs
Congrats to Dylan’s Oyster Cellar shucker Sydney Moran for taking home first place in the 2024 Women’s National Shucking Championship at the US Oyster Festival last weekend. Moran not only shucks at Dylan’s – she’s also the pastry chef.
New menus
Cosima has launched a new menu featuring more pizzas and comfort food as well as Sicilian street food-inspired dishes.
Magdalena’s updated fall cocktail list draws on local history, with drinks like the Homecoming Cocktail – a mix of Uncle Nearest Whiskey, apple spice and lemon olio, and a full Jazz Menu with drinks dedicated to legendary Baltimore jazz artists like Blanche Calloway and Ethel Ennis. These drinks will be available through November – so now is the time to go to try them.
Fried Chicken Thursdays are back at The Tilted Row. Every Thursday, the restaurant’s popular fried chicken dinner makes an appearance on the menu.
Maryland Crab Cake Festival
On Saturday, the Maryland Crab Cake Festival takes over the Carroll County Farm Museum. The kid-friendly event features live music, crab cakes from a bunch of great local restaurants, food trucks (it’s not all crab!), beer, wine, and fun vendors.
Ekiben at Black Ankle
The Ekiben crew is heading to Mt. Airy for a Saturday afternoon pop-up at Black Ankle Vineyards. The menu includes Neighborhood Birds, Tofu Brahs and more.
Ryes Up
On Sunday, the Baltimore Bartender Guild’s annual Ryes Up fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Maryland takes place at The Winslow. The party is always a hit, with excellent drinks and food from local restaurants and bars – all benefiting a worthy cause.
Bunny’s turns Upside Down
Starting on Monday, Bunny’s becomes the Upside Down, with a spooky week of pop-ups planned. From Monday through Saturday, Bunny’s will welcome a killer lineup of chefs, winemakers, brewers and more – including Carlos Raba of Clavel and Nana, Tae Strain of Ggoma Supperclub, Jonah Kim (formerly of Pabu), and the crews from Toki Underground, Old Westminster Winery, and Peabody Heights – plus some additional surprises that have yet to be announced.
Taco Tuesday at Heritage
On Tuesday, the crew at Heritage Smokehouse has plans for a whole hog BBQ and an evening of pork (or vegetarian) tacos with all the fixings. The theme will kick off during a taco lunch featuring barbacoa, chicken and chorizo options, and continue through dessert – churros.
Pumpkins at Swallow
Also on Tuesday, Swallow at the Hollow hosts its 9th annual pumpkin painting contest. Paint a pumpkin (for free), win prizes and enjoy food and drink specials while you get in the Halloween spirit.
A Wicked Affair at True Chesapeake
On Wednesday night, True Chesapeake Oyster Co. brings back its Wicked Affair Dinner, just in time for Halloween. The four-course meal includes dishes like squid ink spaghetti with sea urchin sauce, along with wine pairings and “eerie” cocktails.
Halloween happenings
On Halloween itself, there’s plenty to do, even beyond trick-or-treating.
The Brewer’s Art has a lot going on for Halloween, including a Clue-inspired mystery game on the main floor, a Nightmare Before Christmas theme downstairs, and a generally spooky vibe.
Monarque is teaming up with Sweet Gwendoline Gin for a three-course dinner and themed Halloween show.
Spanish cheese at Pierpoint
Pierpoint in Fells is always doing something cool – and that’s especially true this week. On Friday, Chef Nancy Longo will lead a lesson on Spanish cheeses, including a tasting of a variety of different cheeses along with dishes made from each cheese. The courses will be paired with tastes of Spanish wines and sangria.
Planning for the future
Mark your calendars for:
Nov. 2: Clavel x Alma Cocina Latina Día de Muertos Collaboration
Nov. 3: Día de los Muertos at La Calle
Nov. 16: Chili Cookoff at Waverly Brewing
