Do you believe in ghosts?
Recently, Fuku, a fried chicken spot and “ghost kitchen” restaurant from New York celebrity chef David Chang, opened at the Inner Harbor.
So what’s a “ghost kitchen”? It’s a fairly new concept where a restaurant is delivery-only and sometimes referred to as a “virtual kitchen.” Timely, right?
Fuku started as an off-menu sandwich at Chang’s Momofuku Noodle Bar in the Big Apple. Now, Baltimore’s Fuku offers waffle fries, spicy chicken fingers and burgers with Asian and American influences that can be ordered via DoorDash, Uber Eats, Postmates and Grubhub. eatfuku.com
(Side Note: Baltimore City recently approved a cap on fees charged by third-party food delivery apps. Typically, these apps (Grubhub, DoorDash, Uber Eats and Postmates) would charge restaurants a 30 percent cut, which has now been capped at 15 percent. But for most locally owned eateries, it’s better to order directly from them. Baltimore and Anne Arundel counties previously put caps in place.)
Got a hankerin’ for shepherd’s pie or bangers and mash? The Canton Local, a gastropub serving traditional Irish fare with a twist, opened recently at 801 S. Decker Ave. in the heart of the historic East Baltimore waterfront neighborhood. It’s a welcome addition to the Bmore dining scene, especially since we’ve recently lost James Joyce, Ryan’s Daughter and the Life of Reilly. Look for dishes including fish and chips or the McGregor smash burger. thecantonlocal.com
Coming Soon!
Attention Fellow Bravo-holics. Bar One, a Miami-based restaurant featured on “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” and owned by Peter Thomas (Cynthia Bailey’s ex), is set to open a new location in Harbor East in the former Gordon Biersch spot. The menu will feature Afro-Caribbean and Southern-inspired cuisine.
In April, D.C.’s bookstore-cafe chain Busboys and Poets is set to open a Baltimore location in the 9 E. 33rd St. development in Charles Village, in the former Red Star Charles Village space. An additional location in the Merriweather District in Howard County will open later this year.
The seven D.C. metro locations serve as community gathering spots and cultural hubs for artists and writers. The name Busboys and Poets refers to American poet Langston Hughes, who worked as a busboy at the Wardman Park Hotel in the 1920s before gaining recognition as a writer and social activist.
In addition to sandwiches (blackened catfish and crabcakes), paninis (Cubano and Portobello), burgers (lamb sliders), entrees (shrimp and grits and blackened salmon) and pizza, BB&P has gluten- free, vegan and vegetarian options, a kids menu, and open mic nights featuring poetry, music and comedy.
They’ll also bring in performers for kids under 5 for special “Rise & Rhyme” breakfast programs on Monday mornings at 9. busboysandpoets.com
What’s happening?!
A vermouth comeback? Get your drink game on!
A beverage steeped in social tradition and history, the renaissance of consuming vermouth has been rising for the past few years.
Now, Baltimore-based winemakers The Wine Collective has launched Vermú Rosé, a small-batch vermouth (an aperitif wine) made with Maryland- grown grapes and no artificial ingredients.
“Vermú is an old drink for a new generation,” says Enrique Pallares, The Wine Collective’s managing partner and general director. You can order online (winecollective.vin/products/vermu-rose) or direct from the winery inside midtown Baltimore’s Union Collective on West 41st Street.
BTW, if you haven’t been to Union Collective, it’s a cool grouping of independently owned, Baltimore-based businesses under one roof (in a 155,000-square-foot former Sears warehouse), and anchored by Union Craft Brewing. Other vendors include The Charmery, Baltimore Spirits Company, Vent Coffee Roasters and Well Crafted Kitchen. And-they have a huge outdoor area. unioncollective.com
Aw, Shucks!
The Hoopers Island Oyster Co. recently began a nationwide delivery service with FedEx. Founded by watermen on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, the company also offers gift packages, shucking gear and really cool heron heritage oyster tins.
Remember to #shoplocal. It’s not just restaurants that need our support, it’s all food-related businesses. hoopersisland.com/shop
Randi Rom is president of RJ Rom & Associates. She is a freelance columnist and writer who represents some of the region’s top restaurants and food-related events. Contact her at randirom@comcast.net.
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