To heck with the economy: New restaurants are still opening
Lately I feel as if I've only been reporting gloomy news about restaurants' closing. Then suddenly I have a slew of openings that all deserve to be the lead item in my Wednesday Table Talk column with photo. That means you'll be reading details about them spread over the next few weeks, but I do feel like they are important enough to deserve a timely mention here.
For instance, the downtown branch of the popular breakfast and lunch spot Miss Shirley's is now open. ...
The Parkside Fine Food & Spirits has just opened in Lauraville. This is another one of those restaurants that is peripherally connected to the Brewer's Art folks. (I can't remember exactly how, if anyone wants to jog my memory.)
Mari Luna Latin Grille in Pikesville has opened, and will be featured in this Wednesday's Table Talk. It's had to take the other Mari Luna's liquor license, unfortunately (or fortunately if you like to BYO). The owner has applied for a second license.
I had a long talk last night with Joy Martin, whose new Lost City Diner is scheduled to open at 1730 N. Charles St. the last week in November. At least she has all the permits she needs from the city, so that might actually happen.
I also talked to her chef, Christina DiAngelo. Apparently they have what they call a "gastropub" going at the Club Charles at the moment. When workers severed a gas line to Martin's Zodiac restaurant in the same block, it had to close. That meant vegans had one fewer option for eating out, as DiAngelo says she considers herself "a vegan chef."
Martin said she heard from so many folks about how disappointed they were when Zodiac closed, she decided to start serving a limited menu at Club Charles.
I don't, for once, have any closings to report. If you do, please post below.
(Photo courtesy of Miss Shirley's Web site)
Comments
Our Unique Culinary Adventures site may have been the first to report on the Brewer's Art connection in our May 24, 2008 post: http://uniqueculinaryadventures.blogspot.com/2008_05_01_uniqueculinaryadventures_archive.html#The-Parkside-Fine-Food-and-Spirits
Posted by: Jake Slagle | November 2, 2008 2:05 PM
Great to see all the new places opening in Greater Lauraville. The only problem is if you want to get carryout or dine out on a Sunday or Monday, you're pretty much out of luck.
Eating out on Sunday or Monday in this area is problematic - Koco's, Alabama BBQ, Big Bad Wolf BBQ, Chameleon Cafe, Clementine's and now Parkside all seem to be closed on one if not both of those days. Not sure about Hamilton Tavern because they don't seem to have a website with the hours and days.
Other city neighborhoods like Canton or Federal Hill or Hampden or Fells Point don't have most (if not all) places closed down for 1-2 days - they're open 7 days a week.
If even one of these local places opened on a Sunday nnd/or Monday they should do well because there is nothing else open except the gross McDonalds.
Posted by: LJ | November 2, 2008 8:03 PM
Now that Mari Luna's upscale sibling is open the original location has reverted back to BYOB.
Posted by: Elite Elephant Lover | November 2, 2008 8:03 PM
I often find myself wanting BBQ on Sunday, which makes Big Bad Wolf's decision not to open on that day a problem.
I can't get no Chik-Fil-A on Sunday, and I can't get no BBQ either.
Posted by: Robert of Cross Keys | November 2, 2008 10:16 PM
can't get no satisfaction...
Posted by: Rosebud | November 3, 2008 7:22 AM
I wonder how late they'll be serving the limited menu at Club Charles ... we'll have to time our movie choices wisely.
Posted by: Liz Kay | November 3, 2008 8:41 AM
Too bad Mari Luna's new place opened so late. I really wanted to check out the rooftop dining. I think there must be a very small window of opportunity for sitting on a roof due to weather. I also wonder how the service is going to be up there? As for the other one going back to byob, I think that's good. We are actually now seeking out byob places in our area.
Posted by: Joyce W. | November 3, 2008 8:49 AM
Joyce, I think it is good too. However, Sunday night I got caught not knowing the policy change and had to eat a meal without wine.
Posted by: Elite Elephant Lover | November 3, 2008 11:41 AM
The downtown Miss Shirley's is only open M-F right now. We walked by this weekend and wondered if it had something to do with the entrance being inside of the office building (there didn't seem to be a door directly to the outside) and the security hours for the building? Or maybe they don't think it could support weekend business? Maybe you can get the scoop on why weekdays only and when they might consider weekends?
Posted by: Michelle | November 3, 2008 1:04 PM
Yes, EEL, I see your dilemma. Not a good feeling to be caught in a recent policy change without advance knowledge!
Rosebud, you know what else Mick would say, right? "You can't always get what you want"!
Posted by: Joyce W. | November 3, 2008 1:37 PM
Michelle -- according to the Miss Shirley's website, downtown will be open weekends in April 2009.
Posted by: hmpstd | November 3, 2008 1:45 PM
I've heard Miss Shirley's (downtown) will open for weekend breakfast and lunch beginning in April. Just a rumor though.
Posted by: Andy | November 3, 2008 1:59 PM
The Hamilton Tavern is open on both Sunday and Monday, closed Tuesday.
Posted by: John McIntyre | November 4, 2008 9:06 AM
I was in Sam's on Cold Spring Lane yesterday for their last day. This morning, it was already being ripped apart for a new restaurant, and the signs on the windows recommended going to one of the Dopkin restaurants on the block. Is he taking over the old Sam's space, too?
It's no longer going to be Alonzo-ville, but Dopkin land.
Posted by: Pigtown | November 4, 2008 12:00 PM
One closing to report, although not city related. Trapeze in the Maple Lawn area of Howard County closed their doors this past weekend. Definitely a loss for the area considering that there is one less non-chain restaurant to frequent.
Posted by: L Good | November 5, 2008 3:15 PM
Any news on the Lost City Diner opening date?
Posted by: flying nanando | December 2, 2008 10:15 AM