The Baltimore restaurant world had a terrific 2024 – and 2025 promises to bring more of the same good food and good cheer. This week is a little quieter than usual in the culinary scene, as restaurants recover from the busy holiday season. But there are still a lot of reasons to head out to eat!Here’s a look at what’s coming up:Openings & announcementsKeep an eye out this month for the opening of Midlina, a restaurant, and the speakeasy Poe’s Tower, both on Boston St. Chef Cyrus Keefer is involved in the opening of the restaurant – which means the menu is going to be a good one. One of Baltimore’s most discerning food lovers, Richard Gorelick, scoped out a couple newly opened Charles Village spots last week, including Blueprint Café, which opened in the former home of Carma Café, and Lao Sze Chuan, which took over the old Busboys & Poets space. (And another thank you to Hot Plate reader Phil, who emailed after spotting a “now hiring” sign just before Lao Sze Chuan opened.)Post-holiday breaksMany restaurants are returning to menu basics this week, focusing on their standard a la carte menus after a holiday season filled with numerous specials and fun events. A couple are taking the break a step further, closing their doors for a brief respite before reopening later in the month, including Dylan’s Oyster Cellar, which will be closed through Jan. 6, Charleston, which is closed until the 7th, and Cookhouse, which is closing through Jan. 14.Five years of Dutch CourageHappy anniversary to Dutch Courage, which turned five at the end of December. The Old Goucher gin bar has a lot of plans in the works for 2025, including partnering with Fadensonnen on a spirit-free cocktail competition on January 19. The event, which is in honor of Dry January, will be held at both spots. Tickets are on sale now.Damn Near Bear Fest at True ChesapeakeSpeaking of Dry January, True Chesapeake Oyster Co. is getting in the action this weekend, with a non-alcoholic beer festival on Jan. 5. The event includes over 30 non-alcoholic beers for tasting – and is free to enter.Boordy businessBoordy Vineyards will be hopping this weekend, with a full lineup of music and food trucks. On Saturday, Pasta La Vista and Wanna Pizza This will pop up at the vineyard and on Sunday, the Jimmy’s Famous Seafood truck will be onsite.Boordy is celebrating 80 years in business this year – so all year long, expect a lot of fun plans.Book the classTickets are on sale now for Cosima’s next cooking class with Chef Donna Crivello. The class will focus on bread and soup – perfect for its Jan. 15 date.Schola’s class lineup this week is also focused on cold weather foods, from soups to winter pastas. Planning for the futureMark your calendars for:Jan. 16: One Swift Wine Dinner at Magdalena Jan. 24: Baltimore Restaurant Week Begins Jan. 25: Harbor Point Winter Festival