Wash. DC/Baltimore Retail and Restaurant Development

[StevenW]

Isn't Baltimore now known for it's "slow-food" restaurants?
I remember seeing a special on the Food Network over a year ago talking about that. One especially in the Mt. Vernon area. I forget the name.

[PeterSmith]

I'll be eating here, I'm sure...

http://baltimore.bizjournals.com/bal...612800^1670546

Friday, July 18, 2008
Little Italy says benvenuto to tapas eatery
Baltimore Business Journal - by Julekha Dash Staff

Nicholas Griner | Staff

Carolina Llaguno, a Venezuela native, will open a 130-seat restaurant in a building that had been vacant for three years. Llaguno will open Tapabar within a month at 413 High St., in a spot once occupied by Cafe di Roma.

The restaurant operator is investing $80,000 of her money to open the eatery, which will serve small plates from Spain, Peru, Mexico and Argentina ranging from $3.95 to $10. The restaurant will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The opening is a step in the right direction for a neighborhood that has been plagued with vacancies, Gia Blattermann Fugate said. Fugate owns Café Gia, located across the street from Llaguno's new restaurant.

"I'm excited that the building will not be vacant," Fugate said.

People who walk by a vacant building are usually turned off and bypass other nearby eateries, she said.

Llaguno said she was inspired to serve food from various corners of the globe after traveling around the world. This includes backpacking in Argentina's Patagonia region and in Mexico.

"I know how people like to eat," Llaguno said. "That's why I opened my own restaurant."

The fact that Tapabar will serve a different type of cuisine doesn't bother Fugate.

"It's not Italian food, but it's Mediterranean nonetheless," she said.

Another vacant spot in Little Italy could get new tenants. Washington, D.C., developer Paul Himmelfarb is talking to prospective restaurant owners, retailers and office employers about opening at the former Mama Cellina's restaurant at the corner of Fawn and Albemarle streets.

Himmelfarb, who paid $1.1 million to buy the Mama Cellina's building in 2005 from Orioles Owner Peter Angelos, said he is still working on the property and has not signed any tenants yet.

But other vacancies remain in Little Italy. They include an Eastern Avenue building that housed Petalo's Restaurant and, previously, Luigi Petti. Luigi Petti was sold at auction in 2006.

Another spot on Trinity Street that once housed Panino's has been vacant for more than two decades. Vince Culotta, an owner of Sabatino's restaurant, who owns the property, could not be reached for comment.

[Exrexnotex]

Interesting. I have tried all 4 cuisines and they are all delicious. The article does not mention when the restaurant is set to open though , that's means I'll have to keep an eye and ear out.

[pepperjack]

If anyone is a fan of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives on Food Network, Guy Fieri was in town a few months back and the places he visited are starting to show up in the shows.

So far i've seen Chaps Pit Beef out on Pulaski Hwy (with Duff from Ace of Cakes) and Broadway Diner out Eastern Ave by 95. He splits up each show into 3 different places, so we still have Coney Hot Dogs on Eastern Ave in Highlandtown and BOP in Fells that are going to show up in episodes soon.

I saw him at Coney when he was filming there, and I passed his car outside BOP.

[Exrexnotex]

How good is Broadway diner ?

[pepperjack]

I've never actually been there. I heard it was average from a bunch of folks so I avoided it. But it was on the 'diners you sent me to' epsiode so there are people with the complete opposite opinion of the place.

They made a seafood dish with scallops, mussels, and even a bit of lobster that looked amazing. So i'm going to stop by there at some point.

[rockin'.baltimorean]

food from $3.95 to 10.00? sounds great and affordable!!!

[Exrexnotex]

Originally Posted by PeterSmith

I'll be eating here, I'm sure...

http://baltimore.bizjournals.com/bal...612800^1670546

Friday, July 18, 2008
Little Italy says benvenuto to tapas eatery
Baltimore Business Journal - by Julekha Dash Staff

Nicholas Griner | Staff

Carolina Llaguno, a Venezuela native, will open a 130-seat restaurant in a building that had been vacant for three years. Llaguno will open Tapabar within a month at 413 High St., in a spot once occupied by Cafe di Roma.

The restaurant operator is investing $80,000 of her money to open the eatery, which will serve small plates from Spain, Peru, Mexico and Argentina ranging from $3.95 to $10. The restaurant will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The opening is a step in the right direction for a neighborhood that has been plagued with vacancies, Gia Blattermann Fugate said. Fugate owns Café Gia, located across the street from Llaguno's new restaurant.

"I'm excited that the building will not be vacant," Fugate said.

People who walk by a vacant building are usually turned off and bypass other nearby eateries, she said.

Llaguno said she was inspired to serve food from various corners of the globe after traveling around the world. This includes backpacking in Argentina's Patagonia region and in Mexico.

"I know how people like to eat," Llaguno said. "That's why I opened my own restaurant."

The fact that Tapabar will serve a different type of cuisine doesn't bother Fugate.

"It's not Italian food, but it's Mediterranean nonetheless," she said.

Another vacant spot in Little Italy could get new tenants. Washington, D.C., developer Paul Himmelfarb is talking to prospective restaurant owners, retailers and office employers about opening at the former Mama Cellina's restaurant at the corner of Fawn and Albemarle streets.

Himmelfarb, who paid $1.1 million to buy the Mama Cellina's building in 2005 from Orioles Owner Peter Angelos, said he is still working on the property and has not signed any tenants yet.

But other vacancies remain in Little Italy. They include an Eastern Avenue building that housed Petalo's Restaurant and, previously, Luigi Petti. Luigi Petti was sold at auction in 2006.

Another spot on Trinity Street that once housed Panino's has been vacant for more than two decades. Vince Culotta, an owner of Sabatino's restaurant, who owns the property, could not be reached for comment.

This place is now open , just in case anyone want to try it. I'm going there Wednesday before the O's game.

[rockin'.baltimorean]

cool! give us an update on whether the food's worth it!!

[Darryl]

Originally Posted by rockin'.baltimorean

food from $3.95 to 10.00? sounds great and affordable!!!

Yeah, but they're tapas, so they are like appetizers. You usually have to get 5 or 6 for 2 people. Still not bad though.

[PeterSmith]

Sad news I just heard. Martick's has closed. I don't know how long it was open, but it was at least pushing a century. I had the experience of eating there for the first time about a year ago. It was without doubt the most unique and enchanting restaurant in Baltimore, and, with the possible exception of Els Quatres Gats in Barcelona where Picasso frequented, the best dining experience of my young life. Nevertheless, Martick was 86 years old, and as far as I know, has no close family. It wouldn't have been the same under new ownership. Too bad for Baltimore.

[Exrexnotex]

For all of you familiar with Dogwood cafe, it is going to open a location at the Women industrial exchange. Their first location Downtown is set to open November 1st.

I love their smoothies and salads !

[NorthaBmore]

Anyone been to Pitango Gelato on broadway in Fells Point right near Bertha's?

best gelato ever in my opinion

[Exrexnotex]

It is to die for ...

Mojito flavored gelato

[Ty Doggie]

Originally Posted by rockin'.baltimorean

food from $3.95 to 10.00? sounds great and affordable!!!

How bout that?

[Exrexnotex]

Baltimore Business Journal - by Julekha Dash Staff

The grandson of real estate and bakery mogul John Paterakis Sr. will open several organic burger restaurants in Greater Baltimore.

The first Elevation Burger will open in November in Harbor East, in a 2,000-square-foot spot next to the Courtyard by Marriott. Alex Smith, a franchisee for the Arlington, Va., chain, is scouting real estate in Towson, Pikesville and Owings Mills for additional stores. Smith said he would like to open a total of three stores within five years.

The company currently has one location in Falls Church, Va. It is also expanding in Texas, New Jersey, Virginia and Pennsylvania.

The expansion comes at a time when many restaurant owners are struggling with higher food and energy costs and a weak economy. But Smith said he believes that a lower-priced eatery would appeal to cost-conscious consumers. Burgers start at $3.99, while a burger, fries and drink cost about $8.

“There are few places in the city where you can get a meal for under $10,” Smith said.

The restaurant’s menu items include a “vertigo” burger, which includes multiple burger patties piled high, and a vegan burger. The burgers are made with organic meat from free-range, grass-fed cows. Founded by husband-and-wife entrepreneurs Hans and April Hess in 2002, the owners began franchising the concept this year.

Elevation Burger restaurants are between 1,500 and 2,000 square feet and seat between 25 and 90 guests.

Smith said his grandfather, Paterakis, owner of H&S Bakery, has been a mentor.

“He’s the one who inspired me to be more of an entrepreneur” rather than work in an office, Smith said. “I pick his brain as much as possible.”

[pepperjack]

One of the empty spots in Brewers Hill is going to be a Panera according to the banners. It's now a nice little restaurant row with Pasta Mista, Duncan Donuts, Five Guys, and Panera coming soon.

[MarkR01]

Originally Posted by PeterSmith

Sad news I just heard. Martick's has closed. I don't know how long it was open, but it was at least pushing a century. I had the experience of eating there for the first time about a year ago. It was without doubt the most unique and enchanting restaurant in Baltimore, and, with the possible exception of Els Quatres Gats in Barcelona where Picasso frequented, the best dining experience of my young life. Nevertheless, Martick was 86 years old, and as far as I know, has no close family. It wouldn't have been the same under new ownership. Too bad for Baltimore.

Martick has a sister, she worked there when it was open. Both of them were extremely nice. Quite a loss

[Tricia_Lvs_Baltimore]

So much retail development! I will definitely be a frequent visitor to that Elevation Burger place. I love organic stuff!

[PeterSmith]

Originally Posted by MarkR01

Martick has a sister, she worked there when it was open. Both of them were extremely nice. Quite a loss

Yeah. It's sad. Ever since I first went there, every time someone told me they were going to Baltimore and asked me what to do, I always told them Martick's. Nobody ever went, but they were at least impressed that such a relic could survive. Part of Martick's charm was that it was in a completely rundown area, but I would have liked to have seen it in a revitalized Westside. I think it would have been just as charming in those circumstances.