7 DC Restaurants That Have Opened in Baltimore
Baltimore’s rivalry with DC is legendary. Nats vs. the Os. Redskins vs. Ravens. The infamous battle got especially heated two years ago after this Thrillist story came out. But when it comes to the restaurant biz, we know that DC business owners love their neighbor to the North. We’ve highlighted seven DC area restaurants that have opened or will open soon in Baltimore. The list includes everything from Sweetgreen, the healthful fast-casual eatery that just signed a lease in Baltimore, to the decade-old Dukem in Mount Vernon.
1. Sweetgreen
The popular DC-based fast-casual eatery is opening its first store in Baltimore this fall at the Hyatt Place Hotel, according to developer WorkShop Development Inc. The 2,127 SF restaurant will join the hotel’s other retailers, Nando’s Peri Peri, which opened last month, Jimmy John’s, Floyd’s Barbershop and Cava Mezze. Founded in 2007 by three Georgetown University graduates, Sweetgreen has 30 locations. It sells made-to-order salads with locally sourced ingredients. It’s also taking over the concessions at the Sweetlife Festival at Merriweather Post Pavilion, May 30-31, which will feature renowned chefs Erik Bruner-Yang, Spike Gjerde and Jose Andres, and music from Kendrick Lamar and Calvin Harris.
2. Cava Mezze
The DC-area Greek restaurant is opening its first Baltimore location at the Hyatt Place in Harbor East. Co-founder Ted Xenohristos says the 3,800 SF Cava Mezze is now eyeing a June opening. He’s pictured (right) with fellow co-founders, chef Dimitri Moshovitis (middle) and Ike Grigoropoulos, The 150-seat restaurant will feature a Woodstone oven and a Greek cheese board. It will also house a 22-seat casual luncheonette called Brusco, a first for the restaurant group. Brusco will be located inside the full-service restaurant, with a takeout window where patrons can order quick bites for under $10. It will stay open late, after the restaurant closes.
3. Mussel Bar and Grille
RW Restaurant Group opened the 8k SF Mussel Bar and Grille in Harbor East in March, its first Baltimore restaurant. It replaced the shuttered Townhouse Kitchen + Bar. Headed by Robert Wiedmaier, the restaurant group operates two other Mussel Bars, Marcel’s, Wildwood Kitchen, Brasserie Beck and Brabo Restaurant.
4. Aggio and 5. Family Meal
Celeb chef Bryan Voltaggio and business partner Hilda Staples opened two restaurants in downtown Baltimore within the past year. Aggio, a fine dining Italian restaurant at Power Plant Live, is coming up on its one-year anniversary this June while Family Meal opened in the former Houlihan's spot at Power Plant late last year. Bryan is pictured here with wife Jennifer and kids Thatcher, Piper and Ever. The Top Chef finalist says he frequented Baltimore as a kid and always wanted to do something in the city. The spot for Family Meal, which serves family-style upscale comfort foods, was perfect since it’s close to the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Bryan says.
Earlier this year, the chef opened two other Family Meal restaurants in Ashburn, VA, and Richmond, VA. Last month, Bryan debuted his cookbook, Home: Recipes to Cook with Family and Friends.
6. Ware House 518
Formerly known as Crème Restaurant and Lounge, Ware House 518 reopened with a new name, menu and design in October. The restaurant serves Southern-inspired fare and sports an early 20th century industrial look. Co-owner Ezra Tilaye is also co-owner of Crème Restaurant and Bar in DC’s Columbia Heights.
7. Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant
Open for about a decade now, Dukem’s doro wat and beef tibs are popular among University of Baltimore students and Mount Vernon residents. DC’s Dukem is located on U Street.
