Do you have a knead to know? Well, then you’ll definitely want to know that Kneads Bakeshop & Café, located at 506 S. Central Ave. in East Baltimore, recently signed a lease to open a boutique grab-and-go-style bakery and coffee shop in the Village of Cross Keys.
Expected to open next fall, Kneads will join a growing list of culinary choices including the Always Ice Cream Company and a new Asian restaurant being opened by the Atlas Restaurant Group, along with the Cordish Company’s Cece’s Roland Park and Easy Like Sunday. (Knead’s recently announced it will also open a pop-up cafe in May at 838 East Fort Avenue in Locust Point’s Anthem House development.)
“As we began our search for satellite locations, it became clear that Cross Keys’ beautiful and intimate outdoor shopping district was a no-brainer,” said Kneads co-owner Kira Paterakis. “It’s the perfect place to grab coffee, a pastry or glass of wine. Our positioning at the front of the property will make it easy for people to dine in or take on-the-go. …
“The neighborhood is a true gem, and we’re excited to see how it evolves over the next year,” said Paterakis, granddaughter of the late H&S Bakery magnate John Paterakis Sr. “We can’t wait to showcase our Kneads product and add a ‘much-kneaded’ amenity to the area.”
Kneads Cross Keys will feature a menu tailored to the community where guests will be able to enjoy a wide selection of Kneads’ favorite breakfast, lunch and freshly baked items, along with a curated selection of artisan coffee by Aveley Farms in Towson and tea by Baltimore’s Wight Tea Company.
Select beer, wine, and cocktails will also be available. Additional offerings will include healthy options, a kids’ menu tailored to families, and catering services. (For information, visit kneadsbakeshop.com.)
Rye Not?
The Washington, D.C.-based Clyde’s Restaurant Group is slated to open the Rye Street Tavern at the Baltimore Peninsula in early 2024. Housed in a two-story restaurant building, it will showcase an outdoor dining area with waterfront views of the Patapsco River and offer Sagamore Spirit Rye, which is produced in their distillery adjacent to the restaurant.
Rye Street Tavern will be the first Baltimore location for the popular restaurant group, which currently has a dozen other properties in Maryland, D.C. and Virginia. Look for a full cocktail and dining menu highlighting local beers and locally sourced ingredients.
Formerly known as Port Covington, Baltimore Peninsula is a 235-acre redevelopment project located on the city’s prime waterfront. As one of the largest urban revitalization efforts in the nation, Baltimore Peninsula at its completion will include up to 14 million square feet of new, mixed-use development, 2.5 miles of restored waterfront, and 40 acres of parks and green space. (For information, visit ryestreettavern.com.)
Meanwhile, Fogo de Chão, the upscale Brazilian steakhouse chain, is slated to open later this year in Towson Town Center, replacing the corner spot at Dulaney Valley Road and Fairmount Avenue once occupied by P.F. Chang’s.
Fogo features the centuries-old cooking technique of churrasco (the art of roasting high-quality cuts of meat over an open flame), a cultural dining experience of discovery.
In addition to its Market Table and Feijoada Bar — which includes seasonal salads and soup, fresh vegetables and imported charcuterie — guests are served simply seasoned meats that are butchered, fire-roasted and carved tableside by gaucho chefs. The name Fogo de Chão means “ground fire” and refers to the traditional gaucho method of roasting meats over an open fire.
This will be Fogo’s second location in Charm City, the original located on Pratt Street at the Inner Harbor. (For information, visit fogo.com.)
What’s Brewing?
What’s new on “The Avenue”? A new cafe, Catalog Coffee, recently opened at 914 W. 36th Street in Hampden.
Owner Dave Sherman previously owned Cafe Cito and Ground & Griddled (located in R. House). Check out Catalog’s breakfast and lunch sandwiches featuring locally sourced ingredients, salads, vegan options and fine-ground coffee. They have tea too! (For information, visit instagram.com/catalogcoffeebmore.)
Over in Waverly, Peabody Heights Brewery recently launched a new feature — an arcade (or bar-acade!) It’s a callback to the arcades of days gone by.
Located within the brewery at 401 East 30th Street, “The Dugout” will showcase 45 games and pinball machines ranging from dance and rhythm games, classic stand-up arcade games, racers and shooters.
Guests can enjoy craft beers in “The Tasting Room” and offerings from Elektra by Fuzzies Burgers food truck. (For information, visit peabodyheightsbrewery.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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