Geno’s Steaks — the iconic Philadelphia cheesesteak shop that serves signature thinly sliced ribeye cheesesteaks (Cheez Whiz, provolone or American cheese) and Italian hoagies — recently opened in downtown Baltimore at Power Plant Live!
Hankering for a classic taste of the City of Brotherly Love? Pick-up or delivery, guests can enjoy quick window service, kiosk ordering and bar seating. (genosteaks.com)
Meanwhile, Boardwalk Fries Burgers Shakes is set to open a new location in Middle River. Brothers Dave and Fran DiFerdinando opened the first Boardwalk Fries unit in White Marsh Mall in 1981, and by 1987 they had franchises from coast to coast.
Check out their Owings Mills location at Mill Run Circle as well.
BTW, Dave DiFerdinando’s daughter, Danielle Nicole, who has worked on marketing endeavors for the Boardwalk brand, is an entrepreneur in her own rite as founder of DiFerdinando’s, a handbag and accessories business touted by Oprah. Danielle was recently named in Forbes’ “30 under 30.” Hometown girl makes good! (boardwalkfries.com)
Powering Up
Titan Hospitality, the mid-Atlantic restaurant group headquartered in Anne Arundel County, recently opened Blackwall Barn & Lodge (also known as The Barn & Lodge) at 711 West 40th Street at The Rotunda in Hampden. The new dining spot is housed inside the historic Power House, a structure that once fueled the original Maryland Casualty Co. campus built in 1921.
If Titan’s name rings a bell, it may be because their portfolio includes Blackwall Hitch, Smashing Grapes, The Lodge and The Farmhouse.
“This project is incredibly meaningful to us,” said Titan CEO James King. “The Rotunda has such a rich history, and being able to bring new life into the Power House while preserving its character was central to our vision. We wanted to create a space that honors where it came from while giving the community something new to gather around.”
The Blackwell Barn & Lodge at The Rotunda has an 11,000-square-foot interior and outdoor patio. Its menu showcases locally sourced ingredients, comfort classics and seasonal offerings, with a beverage program of curated wines, spirits and handcrafted cocktails.
The menu offers hand-helds (hot honey fried chicken, mahi mahi tacos, and a “Lodge Burger”), entrees (lemon chicken linguini, Chesapeake pasta, braised lamb shank, “Chef’s Famous Chicken Pot Pie”), and desserts (Smith Island Cake, raspberry-white chocolate cheesecake, and mixed berry cobbler).
Vegan and gluten-free options are also available, as is a kids’ menu and artisan pizzas. FYI, Titan’s corporate chef is none other than the seriously talented Neal Langermann, previously the owner of Langermann’s in Canton. (barnandlodge.com/rotunda)
The Sky’s The Limit
LB Skybar, the historic Lord Baltimore Hotel’s 19th-floor, open-air rooftop lounge, reopened for the 2026 season, presenting cocktails, light bites and gorgeous, sweeping views of the Baltimore skyline.
Best time to go? Definitely sunset.
Light bites at the Skybar include chips and salsa, cheeseburger sliders and crab rolls. (lordbaltimorehotel.com)
Nu, Noshing?
Pikesville’s The Essen Room was recently sold and is now Mikey & Mel’s Deli. For new owners Aaron and Harley Magden, this is the third location for their six-year-old deli chain, with other locations thriving in Howard County’s Fulton community and downtown D.C.
Mikey & Mel’s is renovating and expanding the 25 Hooks Lane location, in the Hooks Village shopping center, into a vacant 900-square-foot space next door for additional sit-down dining seating. (mikeyandmelsdeli.com)
Batter Up!
The Orioles recently announced that the Birdland Kosher concession stand, certified by the Northwest Baltimore-based Star-K kashrut supervisory organization, is back for the 2026 season.
The stand’s menu includes pastrami sandwiches on rye, hot dogs and potato knishes. The stand is located near Section 83, main concourse between gates E and F. (mlb.com/orioles/ballpark/food)
If you’re looking for a fun and tasty summer treat, check out Tipsy Scoop, a new boozy ice cream shop that recently opened at 209 Key Highway in Federal Hill.
Their liquor-infused ice cream flavors are inspired by classic and contemporary cocktails made with local and seasonal ingredients.
Menu items include “Cake Batter Vodka Martini” (ice cream with cake vodka, amaretto and white chocolate liqueur), “Vanilla Bean Bourbon” (vanilla ice cream with bourbon) and “Blood Orange Creamsicle” (infused with Sagamore Spirit Rye Whiskey).
Non-alcoholic, non-dairy and vegan options are available, too! (tipsyscoop.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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