Amanda Mack is the creator of Crust by Mack, where Bmore Crust Crabpie is a customer favorite. (Photos provided)

It goes without saying that Amanda Mack has a lot of crust. And it’s gotten Mack — named “2021 Chef of the Year” by Southern Living magazine — pretty far in her culinary career.

“What began as a search for a commercial kitchen became an opportunity to expand our business,” says Mack, owner of the popular Crust by Mack in the historic Whitehall Mill. The Hampden-Woodberry location will close on March 20 and a new, larger spot is slated to open on July 4 in the Midtown-Belvedere neighborhood.

Among the most popular menu items at Crust by Mack is the #Bmorecrust crab pie, which has regularly generated long lines at the hot spot. And being on the cover of Cherry Bombe Magazine, and featured on “Good Morning America” have only enhanced the reputation of the family-owned business. (crustbymack.com/)

Dandelion Bakery, a small-batch, family-owned business in downtown Sykesville, opened a restaurant next door on Main Street. The combined businesses are now known as Dandelion & 7556 Cafe.

The cafe offers American fare including hot sandwiches (cinnamon toast panini with turkey), entrees (meatloaf and mashed potatoes), pizzas (spicy Thai pork) and snacks (bourbon-glazed meatballs). The bakery features fresh doughnuts, pastries, bagels and gluten-free options. (sykesvilledandelionbakery.com)

Meanwhile, Common Ground Bakery Café — a go-to Hampden gathering spot for more than 25 years — recently reopened in a new, larger location at 3543 Chestnut Ave., just around the corner from its former home on “The Avenue.” They offer espresso, drip and cold brew coffee from local roasters.

Common Ground’s made-from-scratch menu includes hot and cold sammies, quiche and fresh-baked goods, including vegan and gluten-free options. Also, check out their chocolate babka buns, monkey bread and buttermilk biscuits. (commongroundhampden.com/)

Veg Out!

This year’s Maryland Vegan Restaurant Week is set for March 4-27. The event was created to promote the benefits and accessibility of a plant-based diet through a fun, innovative and community-based experience.

Some of the participating restaurants include Miss Shirley’s Cafe (Roland Park and Pratt Street), The Devil Wears Parsley bakery in Columbia, Hampden’s Golden West Cafe, The Verandah, Harmony Bakery, and Friends and Family (Fells Point). (mdveganeats.com/)

Harmony Bakery’s Lisa, Don and Renee Gorman
Harmony Bakery’s Lisa, Don and Renee Gorman (Photo by Harry Bosk)

Coming Soon

A Baltimore fixture since 1908, the Italian market Trinacria at 406 N. Paca St. announced it will join the new group of vendors at Lexington Market when the renovated and reconstructed historic market opens later this year. (trinacriabaltimore.com)

They’ll join Ovenbird Bakery, Dancing Potato, Deddle’s Donuts, Connie’s Chicken and Waffles and a host of other unique purveyors. (transformlexington.com/confirmed-vendors/)

Family-owned since 1943, H&S Bakery is opening a new retail concept on Central Avenue in Harbor East in the spring or summer. Kneads, an artisan bake shop and café, will specialize in handcrafted breads and baked goods, as well as a café menu offering gourmet sandwiches and pastries. As you might recall, H&S are the folks that opened up their truck to feed hungry and exhausted people stuck in their cars during the recent I-95 debacle. (harboreast.com/businesses/kneads-bakeshop/)

A fast-casual chicken tender chain, Raising Cane’s will open its first local location at Towson Row, a $350 million mixed-use development in downtown Towson. Their concept is simple — they offer high-quality chicken fingers, with special sauces. They have crinkle-cut fries, too! It’s located on the corner of York Road, adjacent to the new Whole Foods. (raisingcanes.com/)

Smokin’ Hot!

On April 8-9, the Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival celebrates two great days of beer sippin’ (more than 60 choices), bourbon tastin’ (40-plus options), music listenin’ (bluegrass), cigar smokin’ and barbecue eatin’ at the Timonium Fairgrounds. By all means, check it out. (timonium.beerandbourbon.com/

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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