OPEN:
Ceremony Coffee Roasters: Move over Starbucks, this Annapolis-based coffeehouse is making its mark on Charm City with a new location that launched in Mt. Vernon last week. Although the spot marks Ceremony’s first venture into Baltimore, local coffee lovers might already be familiar with the brand’s brews, which are sold in cafes and grocery stores nationwide. Along with its rare international blends from as far as East Africa, the new spot will feature weekly coffee tastings and latte art tutorials in an adjacent workshop space. Ceremony is hosting a grand opening party on Saturday, September 19 with deals on beans and brews, free food and drink samples, and all-day events, to celebrate the launch. 520 Park Ave., 443-835-1659
Mi & Yu Noodle Bar: Federal Hill welcomed this new ramen and pho shop from Chef Edward Kim—formerly of Soigne in Riverside—earlier this week. The 27-seat space boasts a fast-casual menu full of udon and pho soup bowls, steam buns, dumplings, banh mi sandwiches and, of course, ramen. Given the limited seating, Mi & Yu is slated to offer online pickup and delivery services via ChowNow and OrderUp starting next week. 1016 S. Charles St., 443-388-9295
Penny Black: Fans of longtime Fells Point watering hole John Steven’s will be happy to hear that the bar’s original owner Chuck Doering and his children, John and Eliza, have recently revamped and re-opened the Thames Street corner spot. Now operating as Penny Black, the neighborhood bar puts an emphasis on fare such as burgers, crab cakes, and steamed shrimp, while also highlighting beers on tap and handcrafted cocktails. (We recommend the refreshing Melon Mule with cantaloupe.) 1800 Thames St., 410-617-0580
World of Beer: This international beer bar officially made its debut in Towson Square last week, unveiling its massive menu of next-level brews on tap. From local to international, (think Flying Dog, Hofbrau Oktoberfest, and everything in between) the pub offers a rotating selection of 550 beers, along with pub grub such as German pretzels, flatbreads, and beer-battered onion rings. 125 E. Joppa Road, Towson, 410-825-0020
COMING SOON:
Teriyaki Madness: Slated to open in early 2016, this fast-casual Japanese eatery will join the likes of Lenny’s Deli, Cosi, and Sofi’s Crepes in the Valley Village Shopping Center in Owings Mills. The nationwide franchise is known for its DIY menu combinations using dishes like teriyaki chicken, Yakisoba noodles, fried rice, and stir-fry vegetables. 9101 Reisterstown Road, Owings Mills
Publick Library: Be on the lookout for this new gastro pub, from Alewife owner Bryan Palombo, expected to join Highlandtown’s thriving retail and restaurant scene by the end of 2015. Palombo says that the interior will seat 85, and feature his own signature woodwork. Mirroring its sister-restaurant, Publick Library will highlight an extensive beer list and upscale bar fare. 3323 Eastern Ave..
CH-CH-CHANGES:
L.P. Steamers: Expansions are underway at this longtime Locust Point crab house, which currently sees weekend wait times reaching two to three hours. In efforts to seat diners more quickly, owners Kim and Andrew Gordon have recently gotten the ball rolling with their plans to build a larger kitchen in a next-door row home. The kitchen, expected to be complete in November, will also allow for new dishes on the menu. The family-run seafood business has been around for nearly 20 years, highlighting steamed crabs, an expansive raw bar, stuffed seafood sandwiches, and a rooftop deck with a killer view.1100 E. Fort Ave., 410-976-9294
OrderUp: This Baltimore-based food delivery app expanded its services to Hampden, Charles Village, and Roland Park this week, giving North Baltimore foodies (and Johns Hopkins, Loyola, and Notre Dame students) the luxury of getting their favorite dishes delivered to their door. In addition to serving the new neighborhoods, OrderUp has also added eateries like Café Hon, Le Garage, Alonso’s, and Carma’s Café to its list of more than 200 participating restaurants.
SHUT:
SIP Kitchen & Wine Bar: After opening less than a year ago, this swanky tapas spot inside the Ritz Carlton Residences has closed its doors due to budget and loan issues. Although service has been halted since last week, a recent post to SIP’s Facebook page suggests a possible re-launch in the coming months, which will honor any pre-loaded wine cards for the bar’s self-service taps. 807 Key Highway, 667-239-3105