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Hope you enjoy this issue's favorite photo. While I do sometimes get tired of being known as the "crab" city, steamed crabs are my very favorite thing to eat. Not just because they are delicious, but because eating them is such a pleasure. Whether I'm at home at my dining room table, out at a crab house (this photo is from LP Steamers, my favorite place to eat crabs) or in a backyard with people I love, crabs remind me of home, childhood and the people I love. And, how lucky we are to live near the Chesapeake Bay.
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BAKER'S DOZEN Dylan and Irene Salmon of Dylan's Oyster Cellar
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I hope you enjoy my latest Baker's Dozen feature on Dylan and Irene, this was a fun one! Not just because they own one of my very favorite places, but also because this is my first time featuring a duo. I hope to interview a few more business partners, couples, siblings and more. By the way, my favorite Baker's Dozen answer thus far:What's your idea of happiness? "Clean sheets and a cat." Photos by Dylan's
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GET YOUR GARDEN GOING Visit Cylburn Arboretum's Market Day
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A friend of mine is a volunteer at Cylburn Arboretum and he emailed me the other day to remind me about their annual Market Day event. He also let me know about Party on the Porch, which is a ticketed event ($50) the night (Friday) before Market Day with food, drinks and early shopping and it sounds like fun. I went to Market Day a few years ago and will definitely be visiting this year – it's this Saturday, May 11 from 8:00am – 12:00pm. This coming weekend is the perfect time to buy all of your herbs, veggies, shrubs and more. My mom says Mother's Day weekend is THE time to finally buy your plants, since there is little chance of frost now. (She is pretty much always right, like a true Mom.) This is a great sale, you will find tons of native plants, a tree giveaway, coffee, food, local makers and more. HERE is the list of plant vendors, too.
More info on both Market Day and Party on the Porch on Cylburn's website HERE.
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GRAND VIEW FARM'S EXCITING NEW PROJECT Stay Overnight on a Beautiful Working Farm
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I love a little getaway. A night or two away is sometimes just what you need for a reset and now you can just drive up to Harford County and stay at Grand View Farm. GVF is a regenerative family-run farm raising beef, pork and chicken in Forest Hill (near Fallston) and they are now hosting overnight guests in their restored 1800s barn. Book it on airbnb – more info HERE. I've bought chicken and steaks from Nick and his family in the past, such nice people!More getaway ideas HERE.
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NEW RESTAURANT COMING TO THE AVENUE La Cuchara Taking Over "Five & Dime's" Space
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Via Baltimore Magazine:
Ben Lefenfeld, co-owner/executive chef of Meadow Mill’s La Cuchara, announced this week that he and his business partners—wife, Amy, and brother, Jake—purchased the Five and Dime Ale House property on the Avenue in Hampden a few weeks back. Built in 1926, the three-level, 11,4000-square-foot corner spot—historically the site of G.C. Murphy’s five-and-dime store—will get a gut renovation from SMP Architects. Though there’s no word yet on the concept, the team’s new restaurant—which sits just about a mile away from La Cuchara—is projected to open in April 2025.
“The goal for any business owner is to own a building,” Lefenfeld says. “It provides advantages in the marketplace and long-term security. It’s very expensive to rent. Though we don’t plan on leaving La Cuchara, this was just a great opportunity and we can drive back and forth between the properties in about five minutes.”Congratulations, Ben, Amy and Jake – I'm so happy YOU are doing this. I lived in Hampden for 23 years and even though I'm just a little bit north now, I will be enjoying your wonderful hospitality there for sure. I know you will create something special.
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ROGGENART NOW OPEN IN MT. VERNON Bakery Takes Over Grand Central Location
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HAMPDEN HIGHLIGHTS FESTIVAL New Locally-Focused Event to be Held June 1
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A new 21211-focused festival is coming to Hampden. The Hampden Highlights festival will bring local vendors, nonprofits and others to the Avenue on Saturday, June 1. The co-organizers, Sam Classen of Golden West Cafe and Susannah Siger of Ma Petite Shoe, are recruiting participants now. If you know of someone who's Hampden-based and would like to be involved, reach out to the organizers via their event's Instagram: Hampden Highlights Festival.
Side note: Susannah was the first person to sell my salted caramel brownies back in the day and Sam returns with an enthusiastic "yes" every time I ask her to support an event or project I'm working on. (Thank you, ladies.)
There will be an Ekiben bao eating contest and the infamous Toilet Bowl Races are BACK.
Sounds like a good time!
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32ND STREET FARMERS MARKET
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I'm volunteering to help my friends at the 32nd Street Farmers Market come up with ideas for potential vendors at the market this summer and fall. The hope is to find ways to allow smaller farmers, makers and others to come to the market on a rotating basis (or even just as one-time guest vendors) who might offer products that consumers want.
Like, maybe a local farmer who grows something rare or unique to them. Or someone who makes a food-related item that is different from what is already offered at the 32nd Street (aka Waverly) Market. What I want to ask is, is there something you would love to purchase at the Waverly Market that's not currently there and could be produced/grown in our general geographic area?
Ideas I've received so far (and we have producers in mind for a few these!) milled flours and grains beans / legumes drink shrubs peanut butter more prepared Asian food roasted nuts more gluten-free breads
One very important detail to reiterate: Beginning in June, Waverly is a producer-only market (you must make or grow what you sell), except for the few longtime vendors who've been grandfathered in. And, remember, we do not want to duplicate something that is already available for purchase at the 32nd Street market. Ideas? Send me an email or a message via Instagram. I will pass them along to the market's board.
I'm also going to be helping the 32nd Street Market folks by writing a quarterly newsletter with them. When it comes out later this spring/summer,I will share it here!
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Please consider sharing this newsletter with your friends and family with an old school forward! I also post all of the newsletters on my website: Charm City Cook.
xo -
Amy
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