As autumn settles in with a cool breeze and Halloween festivities approaching, this week brings an exciting selection of events and openings within the Baltimore dining scene. Here’s what you need to know:
Openings & Announcements
Viale has officially opened its doors in Hampden. To celebrate this new pizza destination, the restaurant is throwing a karaoke launch party on October 24.
Pappas Seafood Co. made headlines this week as it was announced that the beloved Baltimore establishment has been sold to the fintech company Teamshares. The plan is for Teamshares to transition ownership to the staff at Pappas over time.
Congratulations to Animal Boy, which marks its first anniversary this weekend. The Hamilton restaurant will host a celebratory event on the road at Peabody Heights Brewery on Saturday, featuring festivities throughout the afternoon and evening.
Beginning Tuesday, October 27, Gertrude’s will be launching a new Morning Café that will operate from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., Tuesday through Friday. Guests can enjoy a selection of coffee, tea, and pastries from the café, conveniently accessed through the tented patio adjacent to the Sculpture Garden. https://www.instagram.com/p/DeqAPEjJsU9/
Silver Queen Café has updated its hours. The restaurant in Hamilton will now serve dinner from Wednesday to Friday and will offer brunch exclusively on Saturdays and Sundays, with no dinner service available on Saturday nights.
Wanderland
On Saturday, October 24, numerous local brewers, winemakers, cidermakers, and distillers will convene at Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods for Wanderland, an engaging afternoon festival celebrating Maryland’s vibrant beverage industry.
Attendees will also enjoy artisan crafts, live music, juggling acts, stilt walkers, and additional entertainment options.
Bordeaux at Petit Louis
On Monday, October 26, Petit Louis will present a five-course dinner spotlighting wines from Bordeaux’s esteemed Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande and Chateau de Pez. Diners can look forward to dishes such as braised lamb neck accompanied by spiced squash puree, paired expertly with three different wines, concluding with a tarte tatin for dessert.
Water Taxi Wednesdays & More
With the changing season, now is the perfect time to enjoy Baltimore’s waterfront with a refreshing drink and a delicious meal. The Water Taxi is facilitating this experience with several events this week, such as a Sunday Brunch Cruise and a sunset happy hour on Wednesday.
Spooky Slay the Menu
The Food Market’s Slay the Menu event is getting a Halloween twist this week. Scheduled for Wednesday evening, this dinner features five eerie courses paired with wine selections, and guests are encouraged to come dressed in costume.
Witch-tober Continues
Sally O’s is keeping the Halloween spirit alive this week as part of their Halloween festivities, which include tarot readings and half-priced bottles of wine on Wednesday. Then, on Friday, they will host a Disco Witch Cocktail Dinner featuring themed cocktails and more.
Virginia Wines at Woodberry Kitchen
This Wednesday evening, the Tavern at Woodberry Kitchen welcomes the winemaker from Southwest Mountains Vineyard for a five-course meal paired with selections from the winery. The menu showcases dishes such as poached Chesapeake butterfish, served alongside autumn roots, fermented fennel, and beurre blanc, perfectly matched with SMV’s Reserve Chardonnay.
Early Halloween Celebrations & More
This Halloween weekend promises to be unforgettable, with festivities beginning earlier in the week.
La Calle’s Dia de los Muertos dinner is set for Thursday, October 29, and tickets are required, so make sure to reserve your spot.
At Clavel, the Halloween celebration kicks off on Friday and continues into Saturday, featuring two nights of Yo Quiero Clavel, where the restaurant will transform its menu into a Taco Ball-inspired selection, featuring items like the Crunchwrap Supreme.
On Saturday, Cece’s will host a family-friendly movie night. Guests can enjoy two screenings of “Casper,” along with cookie decorating and themed drinks.
Autumn Flavors
As the harvest season unfolds, many restaurants are revising their menus to highlight seasonal flavors.
Seppia’s offers a delightful seasonal dessert featuring an aromatic apple crostada, complemented by olive oil gelato and caramel with pepita brittle. https://www.instagram.com/p/Der9Bn1vJSc/
At Café Gia, they have introduced exciting new menu items, such as pumpkin ricotta ravioli and roasted butternut squash risotto.
Hello Trouble is featuring five seasonal drinks on its updated menu, including apple-spiced chai tea and warm hot chocolate.
At Tark’s, both the menu and décor have been refreshed for the fall, with festive decorations showcasing autumn plants and vegetables enhancing the courtyard’s appeal.
Johnny’s continues to impress with its selection of soups, including warm seasonal options like parsnip apple and roasted butternut squash.
A standout dish from The Corner Pantry is a salad made with roasted brussels sprouts, togarashi ham, and a citrus apple glaze.
For its new fall cocktail menu, Magdalena draws inspiration from the old Baltimore moniker “A Nest of Pirates.” Highlights include drinks such as Oyster Wars, which creatively combines rye and sherry with whipped honey vanilla syrup, lemon, and saline.
New items on the fall menu at The Manor Tavern include roasted quail stuffed with apple, sage, and cranberry, along with Alpine crepes stuffed with ham, asparagus, and Swiss cheese.
True Chesapeake has launched an inventive new fall cocktail menu, which includes a signature drink that starts with a dramatic flame.
For a limited time, Little Donna’s is serving green chili pot pie, available only for the next few weeks — don’t miss your chance to try it.
Costiera is celebrating the traditional oyster season with a delectable dish featuring semolina-crusted oysters served with tzatziki, pickled shallots, and upland cress.
At The Duchess, the new drinks menu showcases offerings like Ceylong Song, which features a delightful mix of Korean cinnamon and ginger tea punch layered with mulled wine.
Bar Alice Anne has also introduced a fresh fall cocktail menu, perfect for the season.
Planning for the Future
Save these important dates:
November 7: Oyfest
November 7: The Baltimore Station Chili Cookoff Fundraiser
November 11: Oyster SHELLabration at True Chesapeake
