COMING SOON
Sacré Sucré: It’s no secret that macarons are having a moment, and soon, locals will be able to sample the sweet confections at this new shop in Fells Point. Slated to open later this month, Sacré Sucré (which translates to “sacred sugar” in French) will offer delicate pastries including fluffy eclairs, hand-decorated bonbons, and an array of colorful macarons. Set in the Fleet Street shop that previously housed Baltimore Cakery, the pastry studio will boast a modern design with neon signs, custom wallpaper, and an open kitchen behind a glass display case. 2001 Fleet St, 443-873-0020
The Sweet Greek Grill: This migrating Greek food stand has become known for serving its Old World staples at fairs and festivals throughout the state. And now, The Sweet Greek Grill is settling in to permanent digs in Fallston. The new eatery will be a destination for authentic gyros, spanakopita, loukoumades, and housemade baklava when it cuts the ribbon in the coming weeks. 2735 Fallston Road, Fallston, 443-567-1628
NEWS
Cosima Launches Sunday Brunch: Earlier this month, chef Donna Crivello started serving Sunday brunch at Cosima in Clipper Mill. Just in time for al fresco dining season (the restaurant boasts a picturesque patio overlooking the Jones Falls), the rustic Italian spot is now open for brunch every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Menu highlights include brioche French toast with apple compote and candied bacon, corn pancakes with whipped lemon mascarpone, roasted pork belly with pickled pears, and a Sicilian salad with arugula, oranges, and fennel. Beverage manager Kristen Starks has also dreamed up a bevy of brunch cocktails to help wash down all of the eats. 3000 Falls Road, 443-708-7352
The Emporiyum Takes a Break: Local foodies have made attending this culinary cloud nine—a gathering of regional purveyors selling everything from doughnuts and dumplings to craft beer and bubble tea—a spring tradition since it launched three years ago. But the Emporiyum is going on hiatus this year while co-founder Sue-Jean Chun is on maternity leave. Chun assures that the festival will be back in 2019, and is currently in the process of scouting new locations. “The food talent in Baltimore is endless and we look forward to producing next spring’s event to be the best yet,” she tells us. “We can’t wait to start putting together an amazing roster with new artisans, new products, and standby favorites, too.”
Cross Street Market Update: As Federal Hill’s Cross Street Market continues to trek forward with its major revitalization plans, vendors are deciding whether to close, relocate, or stay put during construction. Dooby’s sister-spot Sundays Bakehouse will close in the market after this weekend, but hopes to make a return once renovations wrap up in 2019. Soup purveyor Prescription Chicken and Gertie’s Yummy Yogurt Bowls have temporarily moved to the Mount Vernon Marketplace until construction is complete. Head to the Mt. Vernon food hall to sample signature broths including matzo ball and meatless veggie, as well as colorful yogurt bowls topped with fruit, nuts, and granola. Barbecue hotspot Smoke—along with Nick’s Oyster Bar, The Sweet Shoppe, Pretzel Twist, Nunnally Bros. Choice Meats, and Cheese Galore & More—will all remain open at Cross Street throughout the construction process. 1065 S. Charles St.
Wild Kombucha Debuts New Flavor: Homegrown beverage startup Wild Kombucha has been hard at work on a new flavor that is launching just in time for the warmer temperatures. On Wednesday, April 18, the brand’s new Tart Cherry Ginger kombucha will land in more than 300 retail stores throughout the region, including local Whole Foods and MOM’s Organic Market locations. The new release—made with a fermented green tea base, organic cherries, and ginger juice—comes at a transformative time for the company, which started as a small operation in 2015 and is now expanding distribution to five states from a 4,000-square-foot brewery in Timonium.
EPICUREAN EVENTS
4/18: Eating From the Foodshed Roundtable at Bird in Hand
If you’re thinking about joining a local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program this season, Bird in Hand is hosting a roundtable discussion to explore the benefits of eating local. Listen in as Tamara Todd of Monkton’s Wild Peace Farm, local health and fitness blogger Jess Schreibstein, and Briana White of Woodberry Kitchen discuss the ins and outs of becoming a CSA member. Guests attending the BYOB event will also be able to sign up for the Wild Peace CSA, which will use Bird in Hand as one of its pickup locations this season. 11 E. 33rd, Free, 6 p.m., 410-814-0373
4/9-15: The Verandah Pop-Up at R. House
Head to R. House this week to chow down on Indian street foods from Hampden hotspot The Verandah. The eatery returns to the rotating pop-up space for the second time at the market, featuring dishes like chicken biryani, samosa chaat, and a classic murgh makhani (butter chicken) platter. 301 W. 29th St.
SHUT
In Bloom: Once again, changes are on the horizon at this cozy Federal Hill restaurant. Just last summer, husband-and-wife owners Kevin Perry and Cecilia Benalcazar rebranded the spot from Liv2Eat to In Bloom—a concept launched in conjunction with local chef Cyrus Keefer. Keefer backed out of the project last fall, and now, the owners have announced that they are closing the restaurant. “Like with the other ‘non-bar’ establishments, there was just not enough business,” Benalcazar recently told SouthBmore.com. “We are looking to sell.” Although the In Bloom space is on the market, the owners’ next-door cafe Blooming Deli remains open for business. 1444 Light St.