With plenty of restaurant expansions, openings, and chef changes to go around, it’s been a busy few weeks in Charm City. Here’s the scoop to bring you up to date.
COMING SOON:
Corfu: Keep your eyes peeled for this Greek-inspired tapas restaurant making its debut in the former home of longtime Federal Hill bar Crazy Lil’s this spring. The new spot will be open for lunch and dinner, and its Mediterranean offerings will include dishes like lobster crostini and mussels swimming in ouzo. 27 E. Cross St.
Food Plenty: Fans of the European-inspired eats served at Victoria Gastro Pub in Howard County will be happy to hear that the restaurant’s owners will soon break ground on a new spot called Food Plenty. Slated to open in 2016, the restaurant will occupy the second floor of a building in Columbia — owned by local real-estate developers George and Holly Stone—and offer farm-to-table comfort food. Since the owners recently got the ball rolling with their new farm brewery Manor Hill Brewing, we can only expect that the new spot will have a wide selection of craft beers on tap to pair with the fare.
The Greene Turtle Sports Bar & Grille: After a previous location in the area closed in 2009, this family-friendly chain is making a return to the heart of Bel Air in May. Opening at Harford Mall, the 8,300-square foot space will feature the restaurant’s signature tavern fare, plenty of craft brews on tap, and even year-round outdoor seating complete with heated floors and a fireplace. 696 Bel Air Road, Bel Air
La Cuchara: Coming soon to Woodberry’s Meadow Mill Complex, this Basque country-inspired spot will continue the of-the-moment sip and bite trend by highlighting small plates and seasonal cocktails. The space, slated to open next month, will feature an 80-seat bar and an extensive wine list to accompany the French and Spanish-fusion cuisine. 3600 Clipper Mill Road, 410-889-7902
Mayuree Thai Tavern: Canton has put itself on the map when it comes to diverse dining, but when a sudden craving for Pad Thai strikes, it’s slim pickins’ for the locals. Luckily, D.C.-based restaurateur Pensiri Rungrujiphaisal will soon be bringing the Thai trends of her hometown to Charm City with the opening of a new spot next month. Slated for a late April debut, the eatery will open in the former home of Geckos and Fleet Street Tavern pending liquor board approval. 2318 Fleet St.
HORSESHOE HUSTLE:
Guy’s Bar-B-Que Joint: The recently vacated former home of The Mallow Bar in Horseshoe’s Baltimore Marketplace has quickly transformed into the casino’s second project spearheaded by Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives star Guy Fieri. Horseshoe already houses Guy Fieri’s Baltimore Kitchen + Bar, which offers casual comfort foods like burgers topped with mac and cheese and Old Bay wings. But with classic offerings like 12-hour brisket, Natty Boh bratwurst, baked beans, and collard greens for under $10, Fieri’s new spot is a must-try if you’re in the mood for some on-the-go deals on finger-licking barbecue. 1525 Russell St., 443-931-4264
Piezzetta: Create-your-own pizza is all the rage these days, and Horseshoe Casino’s Piezzetta is planning to continue the trend by opening new shops both locally and nationwide. The owners hope to open 12 new shops by the end of 2016, and two of them may be coming our way as early as summer. No details on specific locations have been revealed as of yet, but for now enjoy the D-I-Y pie offerings at Piezzetta in the casino’s food court-style Baltimore Marketplace. 1525 Russell St., 443-931-4265.
SHUT:
Josef’s Country Inn: An abrupt announcement posted last week via Facebook revealed that this Fallston mainstay closed due to the retirement of owner Josef Gohring. Josef’s was a go-to fine-dining spot in Harford County for 30 years, serving German-inspired specialties in its elegant dining rooms.
La Famiglia: Be sure to get your fix of Northern Italian fare at this quaint Tuscany-Canterbury spot while you still can. Come April 6, the restaurant will close its doors for good. No word yet on what will become of the Broadview Apartment building space. Stay tuned. 105 W. 39th St., 443-449-5555