Hot Plate: Azumi turns 10, Sunday Gravy with Costiera and Good Boy Bagels, offmenu Mondays at Cece’s and more
Nov 22, 2024
Turkey and stuffing might be the stars of the culinary show this week, but Baltimore restaurants have plans beyond the Thanksgiving table. Here’s a look at what’s coming up:Openings & announcementsCece’s in Roland Park is now doing “off-menu Mondays” – trying out new potential menu items on Monday evenings, which is fun for adventurous diners. Clavel’s Nixtamalería shop is a great place to consider when shopping for gifts (or for your own kitchen and bar). The shop’s selection is expanding and includes everything from salts to bar ingredients, to pantry goods. Mamma Lucia’s in Parkville is closing after 26 years in business. Baltimore Christmas Village opensThe holiday spirit comes alive in Baltimore this weekend, with the opening of the Baltimore Christmas Village in the Inner Harbor As in years past, the Christmas Village will be packed with unique vendors and great German-inspired food and drink options, from raclette to pretzels to mulled wine. Azumi turns 10On Saturday night, Azumi celebrates a decade in business with a big party. The evening will feature a Japanese spirit station and open bar, favorite dishes from throughout Azumi’s tenure, a live carving of a 645-pound bluefin tuna, and Kagami Biraki – a Japanese tradition in which a wooden sake cask lid is broken and the sake is poured into Japanese wood sake cups.Sunday Gravy at Good Boy BagelsOn Sunday, Costiera Chef Brian Lavin will team up with Chef Ben Sawyer from Good Boy Bagels for a three-course, family-style Italian meal. The meal starts with bread, salad and fresh mozzarella, followed by a hearty course of Italian meats, pasta, polenta, rapini and – of course – red sauce (the gravy). Thanksgiving plansThanksgiving is this Thursday. Many local restaurants are offering takeaway options and reservations, including Johnny’s, which has a buffet starting at 11 a.m. To see more options for Thanksgiving, check out last week’s column.Post-Thanksgiving funFriday, Nov. 29 is a big day around town, as Thanksgiving weekend celebrations continue and the holiday season officially begins.Baltimore Spirits Co. is celebrating nine years in business this month, with the release of its BSC Anniversary Bottle – a five-year old single barrel rye whiskey. On Friday afternoon, The Valley Inn hosts its annual fundraiser for the One Love Foundation. From 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., there will be live music, a silent auction, and oyster and beer specials. Throughout November, Valley has been donating $1 from each Atlas Salt oyster sold to the One Love Foundation.Guinness Open Gate Brewery kicks off its holiday season a little early, with the release of its vanilla and spice Winter Warmer on Wednesday. Starting on Friday, the brewery will host a holiday market on the weekends, along with events and deals throughout December.Planning for the futureMark your calendars for:Dec. 4: The Duchess Grand Opening Dec. 4: Small Grower Champagne Tasting at The Black Olive Dec. 15: Holiday Market at True Chesapeake Oyster Co.