CITYPEEK Scoop of the Week- [1]GOING GOING --SOLD for a STEAL!- Moments ago, TAPS Bar of FEDERAL HILL was sold on site at auction. Orchestrated by pro auctioneers Joe Cooper and Jon Levinson of Alex Cooper Auctioneers.
In attendance were the owners of a who's who of bar and restaurants in the Fed Hill-Locust Point neighborhood: McFaul's, Nichiban, Abbey, Burger Bistro, Mother's Bar & Grill, Stalking Horse, Ropewalk Tavern, Don't Know, Magerk's Pub & Grill, No Idea, Idle Hour, Nobles Bar and CITYpeek [2]. [2]
The The auction includes the real estate, the BWL License, all bar equipment, commercial kitchen equipment, sound equipment, LCD TV's and furniture.
The vacant building is of 4,464 sq. ft. of above grade area. It is situated on a 05 +/- acre lot, is zoned R-8, but has a Commercial (Bar/Tavern) Use.
Bidding ended outside at $440,000 but after some private negotiations involving both a 1st and 2nd mortgage and the bankers, it ended at $472,500. The buyers are, to our best knowledge, Mark McFaul of Stalking Horse & Ropewalk Tavern and Chris Reda, a local real estate broker.They are seasoned professionals in both the hospitality industry and the neighborhood. We get good vibes!
[1]Wine of the week: In toasting the success of our dear friends at VASARRI Boutique, we took a chilled bottle of bubbly of a crisp, smooth, refreshing Mionetto Prosecco [3]. Commonly referred to as the brand which “built” the Prosecco category in the USA capturing 30% of market sales, Mionetto tells us that new large- format magnums (1.5 liters) of Prosecco Brut DOC will be available late October in time for this holiday season.The suggested retail price for the 1.5s will be $24. Ask your local wine shop-cheers!
Helen's Garden [1]is open til most likely mid-September. Recently stopped in and made a fantastic meal out of tapas menu: scallops sauteed in a brown sugar butter, Korean beef which was perfectly prepared, a house salad with a sweet soy vinaigrette and house made nuts infused with rosemary and seared tuna steak. I cannot say enough about Chef Annmarie's talent. Hopefully you saw her and Chef/owner Tom Looney on the recent Food Network's CHEF & CITY episode which highlighted strawberry farm and crab picking, BERTHA's MUSSELS [4] cleaning, CINGHIALE [5]pasta making and Charles Village's DOMINION ICE CREAM scooping! We enjoyed the celeb at La Scala [6]but definitely look forward to a taped version!
Soon, after permit changes, we learned the spot will be changed in concept to a fresh seafood and oyster bar called PLUG UGLY's. Weird name? Well, Plug Ugly named after a bad gang of ruffians turned good from the Canton neighborhood and other areas on the East Coast back in the 1850's.
Hopefully Annmarie will stay around to open the new joint which is the team of Mark Bogosh, Brittany Branamen & Thomas Welsch, Jr. of Plug Ugly’s Oyster House, 2908 O’Donnell Street. Either way, we are assured that Chefs Annmarie and Tom Looney will stay in the area!
Spots filling up in LOCUST POINT-Once the spot of Lando Orsino's LUCA's Cafe in Locust Point (the area South of Federal Hill), the neighborhood hangout is now changing in concept to become Barracudas-a Locust Point Tavern. Owned by Chefs Paul Cuda (formally at Claddaugh's Pub in Canton & corporte Hyatt Hotel Chef) & Billy Hughes, this is going to be an exciting addition to the neighborhood. We learned there will be fresh carved meats, flat bread pizzas, whole fresh fish, burgers and a great atmosphere. Still in the frustrating renovation period, the new Tavern is planed to open mid-September.
Permit process has started on the former Rita St Clair decorated NASU BLANCO to change hands and also for outside seating. The new owners applying are Iron Works' Harry & Frances Pope. Details to follow.
TIP: Not able to make it to the Sunday Farmers Market? We recommend the seasonal farmers' market menu at 13.5% [7] Wine Bar on Sundays. Chef Sarah shops at the Baltimore Farmer's Market on Sunday mornings and then prepares a seasonal feast for diners. 3 courses $20 on the night we went. We sampled a PEACHY menu starting with grilled peaches on micro greens served with a poblano bail sauce for dipping-delicious! We also tried a flight of pinot noir travelling from France to Sonoma, CA to Oregon. A real treat for $22. Try and visit the 13.5% Wine Bar site [7]here.
Bonefish Grill [8], What a great experience! Recently, Guest Bloggers, Sam & Elaine Blitzstein went to Bonefish Grill [8]in Owings Mills, MD to take the Bonefish Challenge--to taste its consistent fresh approach to healthy eating. Everyday there are many choices of fish from Wild Grouper, Alaskan Halibut and Chilean Sea Bass to Snake River Rainbow Trout and Norwegian Salmon, our market-fresh fish is cooked to perfection over a wood-burning grill and then topped with your choice of one of Bonefish Grill [8]'s complementary Signature Sauces.
Peek of the Week-BACK to SCHOOL Back to School Special Effective today through August 30th – based on availability Discounted room rate of $129 – guest must ask for the "Back To School"special Room rate is a value of 30% off our corporate rate Complimentary internet, pool & fitness room access as well as we have a full service restaurant on property-ALIZEE And, don't forget your fresh baked chocolate chip cookie upon check-in!
All on our fabulous calendar of events- [9]-with much more to do in the region!
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[10]Cheers for now!
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