OPEN
Pusser’s Landing Lighthouse Point Marina: This 30-year Annapolis mainstay closed at its longtime home along Ego Alley last year after failed lease negotiations, but this week, it officially started its second act at a new home in Canton. Filling the waterfront dining gap left by Bo Brooks in 2022, Pusser’s experienced a few delays from the liquor board, but it’s now open and ready to serve its Maryland-inspired fare (think: crab cakes, pit beef sandwiches, and steamed shrimp) paired with its famous fruity rum Painkillers and Orange Crushes. The indoor-outdoor space—with seating for 500 including a floating dock bar—highlights the spot’s history with touches like its hand-carved bar imported from Wales that had been a centerpiece of Pusser’s in Annapolis since it opened in 1994.
Bellini’s Harborview: It goes without saying that Baltimore loves a waterfront cocktail bar. This was the raison d’être for Bellini’s Harborview, a new spot for spritzes and snacks with prime views off of Key Highway. And thanks to a partnership with its neighbor Di Pasquale’s, you can take your taste buds on a trip to Italy without leaving the Inner Harbor. Pair antipasti and focaccia sandwiches with Aperol spritzes, sparkling wines, and the namesake bellinis. Saluti!
Sisu Bar & Bottles: Speaking of worldly watering holes, Little Italy recently welcomed this wine and sprits shop in the longtime home of Joe Benny’s on South High Street. Opened earlier this summer, the concept comes from couple Chris Peters and Kate Huffton (with two investors), who moved from Philadelphia to live in the building next door in pursuit of their dreams of operating a bar with rotating biodynamic wines.
“It’s a farm bar,” says Peters, whose dedication is clear. (He can tell you about the maker or distributor of every single bottle in stock.) When asked why the couple choose a rotating menu format—understandably much more work than standing offerings—Peters responded jovially, “because it’s fun.”
Sisu has already become an industry hangout and a go-to for neighbors, pouring wine and bubbles by the glass, beers, house cocktails, espresso, NA drinks, and even DIY gin and tonics—which allow patrons to choose from a list of more than 10 gin varieties. Another highlight is the charcuterie boards with accouterments sourced from local farmers markets. Keeping it in the family, Peters’ son, Axl—a gourmand of gelato—is in charge of dessert, curating rotating Italian flavors to match the bar’s theme.
Nine Tailed Fox: There’s been so much new life breathed into the Village of Cross Keys recently, the latest addition being this new Asian-inspired eatery from Atlas Restaurant Group. Inspired by regional Chinese specialties, chef of Asian Cuisine Timur Fazilov and executive chef Jeffrey Mei present dishes such as Peking duck, cumin lamb, salt and pepper prawns, crispy eggplant, and Singapore-style vermicelli noodles. There’s also some Maryland fusion, in options such as the crab and sweet corn soup and Szechuan-style whole rockfish. The concept was sparked from its namesake fox, a powerful mythological creature that symbolizes transformation, wisdom, and longevity. The restaurant is open for lunch, and unlike other Atlas locations, it offers takeout.
Ovenbird Bakery: A week ago, Keiller Kyle and his wife Nadire Duru debuted their long awaited third bakeshop at the Rotunda in Hampden. The 1,400-square-foot space is a combination of their OG spot in Little Italy and their central production hub in Highlandtown, where they bake their signature sourdough sourced to local restaurants. The team says most of the preparations (favorites include the sourdough loaves, plus baguettes, ciabatta, danishes, croissants, cookies, and cakes) will be done at the Highlandtown location, with some items fresh baked daily in Hampden. Similar to Highlandtown, the decor at the new cafe is an homage to Duru’s Turkish heritage, with a textile mural and an Ottoman ceiling chandelier.
COMING SOON:
The Birdhouse: There’s been some back-and-forth about the fate of the former Bullpen, sandwiched between Pickle’s and Section 771 on the famed stretch of sports bars that sit directly across the street from Camden Yards. But The Birdhouse is slated to officially take over on August 1, just in time for the Savannah Bananas (the viral exhibition team known for their flashy banana-yellow uniforms and choreographed dances) to take over Birdland for a weekend. Helmed by owner Jesse Vann, a lifelong Orioles and Ravens fan, the bar will be a new pre- and post-game perch with plenty of requisite Boh and daily specials.
Vivian’s: Recently, we let you know that Rize + Rest owner Randall Matthews had shuttered his eatery in Patterson Park, and a new concept was forthcoming. Now, it’s been revealed that Kitsch owner Jackie Mearman—who oversees her two cafes in Tuscany-Canterbury and at R. House—will open a new concept called Vivian’s in the space. Named after Mearman’s grandmother, the vintage charm-inspired eatery will serve batch-roasted coffee and brunch during the day, and transform with small bites and charcuterie boards evoking “grandma’s sunroom” at night. A grand opening is slated for September.
EPICUREAN EVENTS
7/25-8/3: Baltimore Restaurant Week
It’s that time of year again. The summer iteration of Baltimore Restaurant week is back with more than 65 dining establishments offering all types of cuisines. If you’ve never participated, here’s how it works: expect to see prix-fixe menus ranging from $25-55, which feature both special dishes and classics that the restaurants are known for. Newcomers to Restaurant Week this year include Luna Oaxaca Cocina Moderna (which opened a few months ago in the Village of Cross Keys) and Midlina, the global fusion restaurant that debuted on Boston Street earlier this year.
7/29-8/3: Guinness Turns 7
To mark its lucky seven-year anniversary next week, the team at Guinness in Halethorpe is going all out with a ticketed beer dinner, Guinness-themed trivia, an outdoor movie on the lawn, and a weekend of carnival games (dunk-a-brewer, anyone?) and live music. And, of course, no Guinness birthday would be complete without special releases. All week long, sip on the limited 7th Anniversary mule-inspired ale with notes of spicy ginger and lime, as well as the Homegrown lager brewed with ingredients from local growers like Apex honey, Wight Tea, and Bear Branch barley. Proceeds from the latter will benefit Back River Restoration Committee, a nonprofit that works to restore the health of the Baltimore County tidal estuary that flows into the Chesapeake.
SHUT
RegionAle: Alas, the Ellicott City-founded chain—known for its stacked sandwiches and self-serve beer wall—closed its location at the Canton Can Company this week. For five years, the shop offered its takes on signature sandos from different cities (everything from Cubanos to lobster rolls) and operated as a ghost kitchen for Ginger’s Hot Chicken. Luckily, the OG storefront in Ellicott City and the Annapolis cafe are still going strong.