Early autumn in Baltimore means cuisine that spans from steamed crabs to grilled bratwurst and this week, local spots have plenty of both. Here’s a look at what’s coming up:
Openings & announcements
About a year and a half after it closed due to the pandemic, cocktail bar WC Harlan has finally reopened its doors.
Café Troia served its last meal this past week, but there is some good news on the Towson dining horizon. Bandito’s is slated to take over the Troia space.
The Wico Street Beer Co., a new brewery, is slated to open in Pigtown next spring. The brewery plans to draw people in with arcade games – and, of course, beers.
Look for upcoming changes at CookHouse, where grab-and-go options will be no longer, but the dining room will soon be open again for dinner.
In Federal Hill, the former home of Ryleigh’s Oyster will become Nola, a New Orleans-inspired spot. The restaurant will open this fall.
Unfortunately, Station North’s Italian outpost, Orto, has closed. The restaurant has been sold to new owners who will announce their plans this fall.
Papi’s building
Papi’s Tacos has had a tumultuous couple weeks. Its new Towson location opened, which is great news. But in the not-so-great column, the Fells Point location had a wall collapse.
Thankfully, no one was hurt but repairing the structural damage will take some time, so the restaurant is closed indefinitely. However, employees are being shifted to other locations and Papi’s Fells Point sister bar, Alexander’s Tavern, will host some Papi’s pop-ups. Plus, the Papi’s crew will be at the Fells Point Fun Festival the first weekend in October – so look for them there.
Congratulations to Eddie’s!
A few weeks ago, Eddie’s announced it was in the running for several National Grocers Association awards – and up against major national brands. The hometown favorite took home the title of Outstanding Marketer for its holiday 2020 campaign, as well as a couple other awards. Congrats to the team!
Maryland Restaurant Week
Maryland Restaurant Week lasts through this weekend, so keep an eye out for participating restaurants, which are offering lots of different special menus and discounts. There are tons of spots included and they’re located all over the state.
Charles Street Promenade
The Charles Street Promenade is back on Sept. 25. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Charles will be closed to cars between Saratoga Street and Mount Royal Avenue and businesses in that stretch will expand their reach onto the sidewalk. That includes restaurants like Baby’s on Fire, Brewer’s Art, Dooby’s, Mick O’Shea’s and Marie Louise Bistro.
Oktoberfest at Guilford Hall
Guilford Hall Brewery officially opens Sept. 25 and is celebrating with an all-day Oktoberfest party. The new brewery will tap special gravity casks, will have live music from the Bavarian band Alte Kumpel and will offer German fare.
Oktoberfest at Guinness
Guinness Open Gate Brewery’s third annual Oktoberfest is underway. The party lasts through this Sunday and picks up again next Thursday, running through Oct. 3.
During the event, Guinness will offer five Oktoberfest-themed beers to drink out of special beer steins and pair with traditional German fare, like pretzels, bratwurst, pork schnitzel and more.
Homage to Haussner’s at Off the Rox
Speaking of German-inspired festivities, Off the Rox has teamed up with Monument City Brewing and Blacksauce Kitchen to create Rox & Friends, a German smoked lager created as a nod to the iconic Baltimore restaurant Haussner’s, which used to sit on the site where Off the Rox is today.
The beer will be launched on Saturday afternoon at Off the Rox; it will also be available for purchase during the event and guests can pre-order Blacksauce food to go along with it.
Trifecta Food Truck & Music Festival is back!
After a COVID hiatus, the Trifecta Food Truck & Music Festival is back on Saturday, Sept. 25. The festival is on the infield at the Timonium Fairgrounds and will feature 30+ local food trucks and food businesses, including The Queen, Dangerously Delicious Pies, The Local Oyster and the Kooper’s Chowhound truck, plus tons of live music.
Susquehanna Wine & Seafood Festival
On both Saturday and Sunday, Havre de Grace will be rocking with the Susquehanna Wine & Seafood Festival. The festival is a big one, with tons of kids’ activities, cooking demos, live music, and of course, drinks, crabs and other seafood.
Work at Whitehall
Restaurants – along with many businesses – are facing many staffing challenges right now and, as a result, are getting creative when it comes to hiring.
Whitehall Market food vendors are banding together for a multi-day career fair, starting on Sept. 27 and 28. The fair is hosted by the GM of Urban Burger Bar and interviewers also include Crust by Mack, Gundalow, Heritage, Firefly Farms and True Chesapeake. Attendees are asked to bring a resume and cover letter.
Bee’s Knees Week
Bee’s Knees Week is in full swing from now through Oct. 3. To participate, simply drink a Bee’s Knees cocktail made with Barr Hill Gin at a participating local bar (or even at home) and post a photo to social media, tagging @barrhillgin. Barr Hill will then fund the planting of 10 square feet of pollinator habitat for every photo posted.
There are lots of local spots participating, including places like Dutch Courage, JBGB’s and Bondhouse in Fells Point, where the gin is mixed with lavender-infused honey syrup and lemon.
Fall fun at Cosima
Cosima is hosting a wine dinner on Tuesday, Sept. 28, exploring the wines of southern Italy. The Italian restaurant’s fun cooking classes are also back for the season, starting on Oct. 17, when Chef Donna Crivello gets back to the basics with her pasta-making class.
National Coffee Day
Wednesday, Sept. 29 is National Coffee Day – a day that’s close to the hearts of many here in Baltimore.
At Hotel Revival, coffee lover DJ Impulse will be brewing his own limited edition coffee, Awakening from Baltimore’s Black Acres Roastery, and offering samples at the hotel.
Planning for the future
Mark your calendars for:
October 7: Taste of Hampden
October 10: Feastival benefiting Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
October 18: Ekiben Collaboration with Emily & Emmy Squared
Kit Waskom Pollard is a Baltimore Fishbowl contributing writer.She writes Hot Plate every Friday in the Baltimore Fishbowl.
