Before I walk you, dear reader, through some of this week’s bite-sized pieces of food and dining news in the Baltimore area, I’d love to introduce myself.
My name is Jane Godiner, and I’m the new food reporter for The Baltimore Sun.
I’m originally from New York City, where I kindled my love of food over hand-pulled Xi’an-style noodles in Chinatown and cheesy Venezuelan cachapas on Brooklyn’s Pitkin Avenue. Before joining The Sun, I reported on food news, trends and features in a few different places — including Washingtonian Magazine in D.C.; The Post and Courier in Columbia, South Carolina; and Spoon University at Bowdoin in Brunswick, Maine — as well as for national outlets such as TASTE and Chowhound.
I’m thrilled to now be eating my way through Baltimore, a place rich in history, culture and, yes, plenty of delicious food. In my short but full first two weeks on the job, I’ve covered a Little Italy bottle shop opening to the secrets of business longevity from Baltimore’s remaining doughnut shops — and I know I’ve only just begun unearthing food stories in this city.
As we get to know each other better, I hope you’ll think of me when you hear whisperings about new openings, have hot takes about your favorite (and least favorite) restaurants in Baltimore, and know a chef or business that is making news. I encourage you to connect with me via jgodiner@baltsun.com or my Instagram account, @jane.craves.
Keep reading for the latest newsworthy bits and bites in the Baltimore-area food scene.
Puzzling at The Brewer’s Art
During a given day at longtime brewery The Brewer’s Art in Mid-Town Belvedere, customers are bound to have a glass of craft beer in one hand — but don’t be surprised if they have a crossword in the other.
According to posts on The Brewer’s Art Instagram page, collaborative crossword puzzling is a common sight at the Mid-Town Belvedere spot. Bar regular Curtis Thaniel said “crosswords of choice” include those from The Sun, The New York Times and The Washington Post.
“Since there are no TVs there, you have to create your own distractions between conversations with people,” he wrote in an email to The Sun. “You can see complete strangers sharing crosswords and asking for assistance.”
Thaniel added that bartenders will often join in on the fun when there’s downtime and that they’re happy to supply patrons with crosswords who don’t bring their own. “If anyone comes in the bar they can ask for crossword and the bartender won’t be mad about it. They will gladly give you one,” he wrote.
On Sunday evenings, The Brewer’s Art hosts a “BYOB” (Bring Your Own Book) club, where The Sun’s crosswords also make frequent appearances.
“It truly is a sight to see,” wrote Thaniel. “Or puzzle to be solved.”
Food Not Bombs collaborates with TinyBrickOven
For over 15 years, the Baltimore chapter of all-volunteer organization Food Not Bombs has been providing free, vegan meals to Baltimoreans in need — and on June 8, the group accomplished its weekly meal service with the support of a new collaborator.
Volunteers received produce donations from Federal Hill pizzeria TinyBrickOven, which just last year received a $60,000 donation from Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy. Outside the shop, Food Not Bombs served 100 portions of seasoned black beans, curried sweet potatoes and brown rice, as well as a water bottle with every meal, according to a Facebook post by the organization.
“On Sunday, we accomplished something remarkable,” wrote the organization in the June 11 post. The team added that the event was successful in “demonstrating the impact of compassion and teamwork.”
Sink your teeth into recent food news
In case you missed them, here’s a roundup of some of The Sun’s recent food stories:
In an exclusive to The Sun, Washington-based restaurateur Punnathorn Chaiphongrattana shared that she is opening a Thai restaurant in The Shops at Quarry Lake. The concept, Chat Thai, at 2592 Quarry Lake Drive, will feature “welcoming” garden-inspired decor and “authentic Thai food,” Chaiphongrattana said.
Down the road, two more restaurants are in the works this summer: Chihuahua Brothers, a vegan taqueria relocating from Abell to Mid-Town Belvedere’s 58 W. Biddle St., and Bao Di, an eatery that will fuse “Chinese comfort cuisine” with “American Chinese classics” at Southeast Baltimore’s 3215 Eastern Ave.
While we wait, True Standard Distilling Co., located at 10 N. Carroll St. in Frederick, had its ribbon-cutting ceremony June 5 after two years of construction. Expect a lineup of on-tap and crafted cocktails, featuring the distillery’s proprietary spirit line.
Finally, National Doughnut Day on June 6 led me to uncover some interesting news: Blondie’s Doughnuts will soon open a handful of doughnut kiosks around the city. While more details are forthcoming, owner Michelle Diggs said that these quasi-ATMs will allow fans to pick up doughnuts and other sweet treats any time of day — or night — with 24/7 service.
Have a news tip? Contact Jane Godiner at jgodiner@baltsun.com or on Instagram as @JaneCraves.