The sun is out, soft shells are returning, and the Baltimore food scene is waking up for spring. This week is a busy one – here’s a look at what’s coming up: Openings announcements The Silver Queen Café crew has a new venture in the works. The team is taking over the Harford Road space most recently occupied by Emma’s Tea Spot, and has plans to open The Market at Hamilton, which will be a deli also carrying specialty food items like cheeses. Happy 30th anniversary to Sotto Sopra, which celebrated three decades in business on April 9. Truong Tien, a Vietnamese restaurant in northern Virginia, is opening its second location at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland. The new spot is slated to open in late May. As of earlier this week, Burnt Hill Farm is taking reservations for its Chef’s Counter, for seatings starting May 1. The reservations are available to Burnt Hill email list members via a Tock link – and are likely to fill up quickly as they are released, as the restaurant only seats twelve. But Chef Tae Strain’s cooking is worth the effort. Starting April 18, HEX Superette will offer a breakfast menu with options like shakshuka, breakfast burritos, and fresh pastries. The menu will also include a full coffee and espresso program, all starting at 8 a.m. and available on Saturdays and Sundays.  Change for BSC Baltimore Spirits Company has decided to end its wholesale distribution operation. Starting May 1, its products will no longer be available in retail outlets, though they will still be available for purchase at the distillery’s tasting room and the Cocktail Gallery at Union Collective. Spring Fling at Old Line Spirits On Saturday, Old Line Spirits celebrates nine years in business with its annual springtime party, held in collaboration with Monument City Brewing Co. The event includes cocktails, tastings, Smashdads Burgers, Unhinged Desserts, and live music. Lost Restaurants of Little Italy dinner On Saturday evening, Pierpoint Restaurant goes back in time with an evening remembering and re-tasting the food of bygone favorites in Little Italy. Tea at The Duchess On Sunday, The Duchess is hosting a special (and ticketed) afternoon tea inspired by the show Bridgerton. Greek Easter at Cypriana Also on Sunday, Cypriana is offering a special menu in honor of Orthodox Easter, with seatings starting at noon (and vegan and gluten-free options available). Disaronno Godfather Week pop-up On Tuesday, April 14, Rye Baltimore is going all in on the classic Disaronno cocktail the Godfather, as part of a global Godfather Week event. Chef’s Cycle fundraiser at Gunther Co. Also on Tuesday, Gunther Co. is hosting a cocktail party fundraiser in honor of the 200-mile bike ride Jerry and Nancy Trice are about to embark upon to raise money for No Kid Hungry. The evening includes a raffle and silent auction, plus bites and drinks from a bunch of excellent local businesses, including Huck’s American Craft, Old Line Spirits, Alma Cocina Latina, The Capital Grille, Dutch Courage, Bunny’s Buckets Bubbles, Knotty Pine, The Dive, The Corner Pantry, Of Love Regret, True Chesapeake, The Food Market, and Sally O’s. Spring cooking at Cosima On Wednesday, Cosima hosts a fun dinner and interactive cooking class with Chef Donna Crivello and drinks expert John Brown. The menu includes baked stuffed artichokes, lamb, and ricotta cheesecake. Wine dinner Wednesday On April 15, there are a couple great options for wine lovers. In Roland Park, Johnny’s welcomes the winemaker from Honig Winery in Napa Valley for a three-course meal with pairings and discussion. Also on Wednesday, The Black Olive in Fells Point will showcase wines but from a different continent: the Nemea region of Greece. Ekiben x The Urban Oyster Also on Wednesday,Ekiben teams up with The Urban Oyster for a short-term collaboration – tickets are live and the meals will be available for pickup at Ekiben’s Hampden location. Tequila Thursday On Thursday, The Corner Pantry and Spirit Shop team up for a five course dinner with pairings representing “an exploration of tequila.” Courses include dishes like lobster ceviche and coffee and smoked salt-rubbed beef. Books cruises at Hersh’s Also on Thursday, Hersh’s partners with The Ivy Bookshop for a dinner celebrating Jung Yun’s All the World Can Hold. The buffet menu is cruise-themed – to fit with the book – and includes items like shrimp cocktail and prime rib. Spring flavors Springtime ingredients are back in season, which means ramps are just about back on the menu at Foraged, where their brief season receives a huge amount of love. Manor Tavern’s spring food and drinks menus, including options like the Manor Garden Southside, is available starting Friday night – just in time for The Manor Races on Saturday. Magdalena’s spring menu is just about to drop – and like at Foraged, ramps will get a spotlight. One sure sign of spring: soft shell crabs are popping up on menus around town, including at The Food Market, Thames Street Oyster House, and The Milton Inn. Planning for the future Mark your calendars for: April 18-19: Spring Welcome Picnic at Juniper Farm April 22: Dinner with Brian Lavin at Boordy April 29: Spring in Positano Wine Dinner at Limoncello ...read more read less