Pinch Dumplings
We’re always happy to sink our teeth into these steaming-hot snacks. These traditional Chinese dumplings burst with flavor, filled our bellies, and left us planning a trip to the Mount Vernon Marketplace. Bonus points for their affordable ($4 for three) and local sourcing from the likes of Liberty Farms in Reisterstown.
Where to find them: Mount Vernon Marketplace.
Droolworthy Drink
Charm City Meadworks
Move over rosé—the world’s oldest alcohol is our new sip of summer. Charm City Meadworks’ honey-based beverages are unique and refreshing (not to mention gluten-free), with options like strawberry ginger, basil lemongrass, wildflower, and elderberry meads. The still varieties were dry and crisp, like wine, while, the draft meads were fruity and fizzy, somewhat similar to beer.
Where to find them: Charm City Meadworks, Remington Wine Company, Canton Crossing, The Wine Source.
Hex Ferments
While sauerkraut was a popular theme at the festival this year, we would be remiss not to highlight our favorite fermenting friends. Hex Ferments was hawking its killer krauts and kimchis, but we were most moved by the company’s signature kombucha. The Belvedere Square-based shop is sure to see us in search of the butterfly lime varietal, a brilliant purple elixir that bubbled just right.
Where to find them: Belvedere Square Market, Whole Foods, Atwater’s, JFX Farmers’ Market, MOM’s Organic Market.
Spicy Fix
Huckles
With everything from jalaverde to lemon pepper to fire-roasted habanero, this local hot sauce company had our mouths yelling for more (and for water). These pepper-perfectionists not only brew and bottle their hot sauces in Charm City but grow their own organic peppers on urban farms in Baltimore and local farms in Baltimore County. We can’t wait to put the Late Harvest Habanero on our next omelette or frittata.
Where to find them: Red Canoe, Trohv, Rooster + Hen.
La Cuchara
As suckers for a good tapas menu, we weren’t surprised that this Woodberry “Best Restaurant” made the top of the list. The restaurant’s impressive menu of pintxos, or small bites, include delicate bocadillos. The festival featured varieties like veal tongue with charred cabbage and piementon aioli, as well as pastrami cured sweetbreads with carrot slaw and pickled apple. Needless to say, we were transported from Baltimore to the Basque region in just a few bites.
Where to find them: La Cuchara.
Dessert Destinations
Saison Wafels
We’re going to be dreaming of the deliciousness of this bedazzled D.C. waffle bar for a long time to come. Using waffle irons imported from Belgium and tasty combinations, Saison Wafel Bar owner Jan Van Haute (the former executive chef to the Belgian Ambassador) finds the sweet spot between puffy insides and crispy outsides in his tantalizing treats. His harmonious union of maple and bacon uses D.C.-made maple syrup that’s barrel-aged and smoked, fluffy cream cheese, and roasted local bacon that’s just enough salty and sweet. Lucky for us, they opened their first Baltimore location this weekend, at the Mount Vernon Marketplace.
Where to find them: Mount Vernon Marketplace.
Picnic Pops
We ended our day of gluttony with an Elderflower Pear Mint popsicle from Catonsville-based Picnic Pops. The refreshing pop was made with organic elderflower lemonade, and inside, fresh pear slice and spicy mint had us longing for spring. Other standout sticks? Watermelon basil and key lime pie made with greek yogurt and a gingersnap crunch.
Where to find them: Catonsville Farmers’ Market, Frederick Road Fridays, etc.
The Velvet Chocolatier
The Stevenson chocolatier did not disappoint with rich disks, creamy caramel cups, and our favorite: the dark chocolate covered potato chips, with the salty waffled ridges giving us the perfect crunch in every bite. These cocoa confections even got a shout out in Oprah’s O Magazine, and we can see why. Buy them for your Easter baskets, or just because.
Where to find them: The Velvet Chocolatier and The Wine Source.