In Charm City, restaurants open and close faster than it takes a soufflé to fall. Herewith our new monthly roundup of the restaurant changes you need to know about.
RYLEIGH’S OYSTER: On Tuesday, the beloved Ryleigh’s Oyster is opening its third location across from the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in the space last occupied by Mari Luna Bistro. Though the space has had many iterations through the years (including Spike & Charlie’s, Robert Oliver Seafood, and 23rd Degree Restaurant and Wine Bar), we have high hopes that Ryleigh’s—with its slurp-able sweeties and crabby pretzels—is here to stay. A prix-fixe menu will be on hand for the theater crowd. 1225 Cathedral St., 410-539-2093.
LOCAL PIE: Local Pie is the new pizzeria from former Iggies owners Lisa Heckman and Peter Wood. The 30-seat pie palace takes over the Havana Road space in Towson. The chalkboard menu of seasonal pies and salads will change frequently. Inventive pizzas currently on offer include smashed bison meatball iteration, apple pizza with salt and caramel, and a potato, bacon, scallion stunner with house-smoked mozzarella and duck egg. 8 West Pennsylvania Ave., Towson, 410-583-0008
BLAZE FAST FIRE’D PIZZA: In other pizza news, Blaze Fast Fire’d Pizza, a national build-your-own pizza chain hits Laurel’s new Town Centre on Friday, Dec. 19. This will be the chain’s third location in Maryland, with a fourth location planned in the Annapolis Mall in late 2015. The restaurant will feature an assembly line that allows guests to customize one of the menu’s signature pies or create their own—all for under $8. If you’re reading this, now’s your chance for some free food—anyone who “likes” or follows Blaze on social media qualifies for a free whole pie of your choice. 14708 Baltimore Ave., Laurel. For more information e-mail: [email protected]
DANGEROUSLY DELICIOUS PIES: And speaking of pie, Dangerously Delicious Pies opens its second location in Hampden inside the historic home formerly occupied by Breathe Bookstore. (Talk about good karma.) Expect the same delicious pies as you find at the Canton location, with the addition of a coffee bar, more vegan options, and soups. The pie shop is slated to open on Feb. 1. 810 W. 36th St.
ENCANTADA: Ever since the closing of Mr. Rain’s Fun House at the American Visionary Art Museum last June, we’ve been eagerly awaiting news of what will occupy the third-floor space. Birroteca and The Nickel Taphouse fans rejoice! Owner Robin Haas will take over the space with Encantada at AVAM. Encantada, while not specifically vegetarian, will feature a menu in which veggies play a leading role. The restaurant is set to open in the first quarter of 2015. 800 Key Highway, 410-244-1900 (for the museum).