hospitality : Development News

Winter may be just around the corner, but the owner of Little Italy’s Amicci’s restaurant is already thinking of spring.

The restaurant will add 20 outdoor seats to the 300-seat venue, Roland Keh says.

Amicci’s is one of several Baltimore City restaurants that have requested permission from the liquor board to hold outdoor service. Others include Greektown’s Acropolis restaurant, the Grand Cru wine bar and Phillips Seafood Restaurant, which will soon open a location at the Power Plant.

Keh says he got the idea after applying for a one-day outdoor seating license during the Baltimore Grand Prix. He didn’t get quite the boost in business he was expecting since the restaurant is several blocks away from where the action was taking place.

But having outdoor seats gave the restaurant a festival atmosphere that he wants to continue during the warmer months.
“It was reminiscent of a European café atmosphere,” Keh says. “We want to capture that essence again on a regular basis.”

Writer: Julekha Dash
Sources: Roland Keh, Amicci's; Baltimore City liquor board

A million-dollar, Caribbean-themed seafood restaurant, lounge, and tiki bar has opened in Harford County.

Owner Anthony Ashe hopes Fallston’s Mallet Restaurant and Crabhouse will stand out from the county’s chain restaurants.

He also hopes the location, at the busy intersection of Route 1 and Maryland Route 152, would attract plenty of drive-by traffic. Though the economy has not been kind to some restaurants, Ashe is hoping the county’s new residents from the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) will bring in business.

The 13,000-square-foot restaurant, which opened last month, features a martini lounge serving sushi, a raw oyster bar, steamed crabs, and a patio decked out with palm trees. It seats 650.

“We have multiple environments in one destination,” Ashe says.

Prior to opening the restaurant, Ashe was an executive for Canadian airline technology firm GuestLogix Inc. He also had a career as an investment banker.


Writer: Julekha Dash
Source: Anthony Ashe, Mallet Restaurant and Crabhouse

Annapolis residents who have an appetite for red velvet pancakes, fried-green tomatoes, and sweet potato fries will soon get their fill of the comfort food.

Miss Shirley’s will open its third location at Park Place, a residential, office, and dining complex in the downtown state capital whose tenants include a Westin hotel and Fado Irish Pub.

Owner Eddie Dopkin says he spent $2 million to open the 155-seat restaurant. Much of that money was spent gutting four spaces that once held shops, including a former Starbucks and a jewelry store.

But Dopkin says he thinks the dough will pay off: Many of his Roland Park restaurant customers make the trek from their homes in Anne Arundel County. The other Miss Shirley’s is located in downtown Baltimore.

The menu at Park Place will be the same as the others, but with a more contemporary design. It will also be the first Miss Shirley’s to house a standalone bar, where diners can order mimosas to go with their brunch or a glass of wine at lunch.

Meanwhile, Dopkin says he expects to begin construction on the expansion of the Roland Park Miss Shirley’s Feb. 1. Adding 50 seats, more restrooms, and a larger waiting area will take about two months. The restaurant is taking over the School of Rock Baltimore space.

Dopkin has also applied for a liquor license to serve beer and wine for S’ghetti Eddie’s, his Roland Park pizza and wings joint.


Writer:Julekha Dash
Source: Eddie Dopkin

City design officials could give the green light for a proposed Ripley’s Believe It Or Not museum to open at Harborplace within the next month.

Ripley’s staff put forth a new proposal that reduces the size of their signage and puts the sea creature Chessie on the mall’s second-floor porch. The original plan was to put the 3-D Chessie on the roof, which met with resistance from the city’s Urban Design and Review Panel (UDARP) because it was not in keeping with the look of the downtown shopping center.

“They came in with a scheme that is more doable,” says Robert Quilter of Ripley’s. “It’s definitely on the right track. It’s much more respectful of Harborplace architecture. They’re definitely going to have a presence there," says Quilter, an architect in the city's planning department.

Ripley’s told BmoreMedia that it hopes to open the museum by summer to take advantage of the tourist season.

Known for displaying oddities like the world’s largest sushi roll, the world’s smallest car, and an engraved human skull, Ripley’s operates 31 museums in 18 North American cities. The locations include Atlantic City, San Francisco, San Antonio, and Ocean City, Maryland.


Writer: Julekha Dash
Source: Bob Quilter, Baltimore City

The Howard County Tourism Office is getting more space to tout its attractions.

A welcome center on the second floor of its downtown Ellicott City office will open in the next month, featuring information on the county's restaurants, art galleries, bike trails and shopping, says Howard County Tourism Executive Director Rachelina Bonacci. The 3,000-square-foot space will also showcase Howard County history, including its Native American heritage and its role in the Civil and Revolutionary Wars.

The county, which purchased the building in 2007, is spending about $525,000 to spruce up with space with new paint, HVAC and other renovations, says Jim Irvin, director of public works.

“We’ll finally have a welcome center that reflects the community,” Bonacci says. “We serve an educated, affluent community and we’ll have a space that can show off what the county has to offer.”

Last year Money magazine named Howard County’s Columbia and Ellicott City one of the best small towns in America.


Writer: Julekha Dash
Sources: Rachelina Bonacci, Howard County Tourism; Jim Irvin, Howard County

A new hotel near Arundel Mills could begin a $25 million expansion in a couple of years to meet the demand for rooms the owners expect once a slots casino opens.

The 150-room Hotel at Arundel Preserve could add another 100 rooms, says hotel General Manager Jeff Makhlouf. Construction would not begin until 2012.

The expansion would occur in a lot next to the boutique hotel.

Makhlouf describes the property as a “unique” product in an area that holds largely chain brands. The rooms are about two-thirds full now, but Makhlouf expects occupancy to hit 85 percent once the Cordish Co. builds its casino and entertainment complex next year.

If it doesn’t expand the hotel, developer Southern Management will build a Class A office building instead, Makhlouf says. It depends on whether it can get an anchor tenant to occupy the first few floors of the building.

The Vienna, Va., company is now conducting a feasibility study to determine the best use.

The Hotel at Arundel Preserve is part of a $150 million development that includes 242 apartments and several restaurants. The 156-seat Grillfire restaurant opened in July. Indian restaurant Rangoli will open in the next couple of months.


Writer: Julekha Dash
Source: Jeff Makhlouf, Hotel at Arundel Preserve

A Baltimore City design panel has asked the planners of a proposed Ripley’s Believe It or Not museum to scale back their plans for the proposed attraction at Harborplace.

The Urban Design & Architectural Review Panel has deemed the layout for the proposed attraction “too aggressive,” says Robert Quilter, an architect with the city’s planning department.

The controversy stems from Ripley’s plan to affix the sea creature Chessie on the façade of the Light Street pavilion at Harborplace. If it were going in a standalone building, Chessie wouldn’t be a problem, Quilter says. But since it’s part of a larger complex, the design panel doesn’t want Ripley’s to upstage other tenants.

Ripley’s -- a museum known for displaying oddities like the world’s largest sushi roll, the world’s smallest car, and an engraved human skull -- has had its eye on Baltimore for years, spokesman Tim O’Brien says.

“Baltimore is a location we’d love to be in,” O’Brien says. “The attractions and vibrancy are just awesome.”

Ripley’s should know in the next month or so if it will open at Harborplace by summer.

“We’re working our way toward a happy ending,” O’Brien says. “At this point it’s not there yet. It’s not a done deal.”


Writer: Julekha Dash
Sources: Robert Quilter, UDARP; Tim O'Brien, Ripley's

Baltimore City’s liquor board has granted Baltimore’s long-awaited five star Four Seasons Hotel a liquor license for its two restaurants, room service, and a rooftop pool bar.

The 256-room hotel is expected to open next month at 701 Aliceanna St. in Baltimore’s swanky Harbor East neighborhood. The restaurants will include outdoor seating and live entertainment, according to the license application.

Wit and Wisdom, a Tavern by Michael Mina, will be its signature eatery, serving comfort food and featuring a live-fire grill and rotisseries. The 156-seat eatery will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The 136-seat Japanese restaurant Pabu will open February 2012. Pabu will feature sushi, small plates, 100 types of sake, bamboo ceilings, and solid wood tabletops.

The pool bar will seat 45 on a terrace overlooking the Inner Harbor. The Four Seasons will also feature a coffee shop called Lamill Coffee.

The hotel applied for what is known as a “Class B” hotel license for properties with at least 100 rooms and a $500,000 investment.


Writer: Julekha Dash
Source: Four Seasons

A running store, sub shop, and dentist are latest tenants to sign up for McHenry Row, an office, residential, and retail complex debuting this year in Locust Point.

Charm City Run and Horizon Dental will open in January, says developer Mark Sapperstein. Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches is expected to open by the end of the year.

It will be the local running store’s fifth location. The others are located in Bel Air, Timonium, Annapolis, and Clarksville. McHenry Row’s anchor tenant, Harris Teeter, will open Dec. 7.

The retail portion of the development is now 90 percent leased, Sapperstein says. Two spots totaling 7,200 square feet remain.

The Green Turtle Sports Bar & Grille, Yogi Castle, Red Parrot Asian Bistro, pet store Dogma, and Massage Envy are among the other shops opening this year.


Writer: Julekha Dash
Source: Mark Sapperstein

Fans of Belvedere Square’s Grand Cru wine bar will soon get to sip their favorite chardonnay while biting into an Atwater’s sandwich — or gazing at local art.

Baltimore City’s liquor board recently approved the bar’s expansion to include the 6,400-square-foot Belvedere Square market. Within a week or two, patrons will be able to take wine and beer from the Grand Cru and drink it inside the market or while eating lunch at one of the outdoor tables.

Owner Nelson Carey has also received approval to allow patrons to bring alcohol to his new pop up art gallery and party room called Plywood. It's located at a few doors down from the wine bar. While Grand Cru has long featured local artists, Carey wanted a standalone space where he could showcase higher caliber photography, painting, and sculpture.

For now, the gallery is open only on Saturdays and by appointment. Carey says he hopes to book some holiday parties and other events at Plywood. He says he often has to turn away party requests for the Grand Cru because there isn’t enough space at the 1,600-square-foot bar to accommodate events in addition to his regular customers.

“With the gallery party space, we’ll be able to offer a cool, hip modern location,” Carey says.


Writer: Julekha Dash
Source: Nelson Carey

A renovation and expansion are in the works for Belvedere Square market as existing stores expand and new ones join the mix next year.

Among the new tenants is Wurst, a shop selling German and Austrian-style hot dogs and sausages. Nelson Carey, owner of Belvedere Square’s Grand Cru wine bar, is spearheading the new venture to open by venture to open in March. Carey says he has scoured the nation to bring Belvedere Square patrons the best dogs from New York, Chicago, and other areas.

Why hot dogs? "Everyone loves hot dogs," Carey says.

Wurst is one of four new tenants coming to the market, says Bill Struever, managing director of Belvedere Square property manager Cross Street Partners. Struever declined to name the other three vendors as leases haven’t been signed.

In the coming months, several existing tenants will expand. They include sushi eatery Ikan, Atwater’s, and Neopol Savory Smokery. The market will close for a period next year to make way for the expansion and new tenants. The market hours will also be extended by an hour or two, closing at 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. at night, Struever says. Cross Street plans to also extend the sidewalk to double the outdoor seating capacity.

Elsewhere at Belvedere Square, Sofi’s Crepes will open next month in the former Starbucks spot on York Road. The creperie is moving its shop from downtown Baltimore's Women's Industrial Exchange to the North Baltimore shopping center. Its flagship store next to the Charles Theater will remain open.


Writer: Julekha Dash
Sources: Nelson Carey, Grand Cru; Bill Struever, Cross Street Partners

A former Under Armour executive has found a new mission by selling Texas-style brisket, pulled pork sandwiches, and ribs rubbed with old bay seasoning.

William Kraus, former senior vice president of marketing at Under Armour, and former Outback Steakhouse executive Steve Newton opened Mission BBQ this month at 7748 Ritchie Hwy. in Glen Burnie. The business partners traveled the country in search of the nation’s best barbecue before opening their 100-seat restaurant.

The restaurant does have a mission besides serving up smoked meats. The décor honors military men and women, firefighters, and police. The business also donates some of its revenue to wounded soldiers and the USO.

“It’s given us a purpose to say the least,” Kraus says of the restaurant. “There’s nothing more American than barbeque.”

The owners hope to open another barbeque restaurant in Howard County — where the owners live — and other areas of Maryland and around the country.


Writer: Julekha Dash
Source: William Kraus, Mission BBQ

A new stars-and-stripes-themed restaurant has opened in Canton, featuring chicken wings, fried mac and cheese, and New York strip steak.

Alex van Breukelen and wife Jennifer opened the Americana earlier this summer at 900 Kenwood Ave., just off Canton Square. The spot once held Tiburzi's Italian Grill and Caf�.

With 13 years in the U.S. Marine Corps under his belt, van Breukelen says he naturally felt drawn to a d�cor that consists of American flags, military memorabilia, and a copy of the Constitution hanging on the walls. Van Breukelen says he saw an opportunity to open a "community-friendly" bar and restaurant that could stand out among club-like venues in the area.

The 2,000-square-foot restaurant seats 120, including the patio, and features eight flat-screen televisions. It's open for lunch and dinner.

Other menu items include fried green tomato, fennel and duck, spicy salmon jalapeno poppers, and maple mustard pork tenderloin.


Writer: Julekha Dash
Source: Alex van Breukelen

Fans of Phillips Seafood can expect to hear musicians strumming a guitar or hitting the piano keys when its new location opens at Cordish Cos.' Power Plant development.

The 17,000-square-foot restaurant will replace the shuttered ESPNZone and marks a major move for the iconic Maryland restaurant that has anchored Harborplace for 31 years.

The Power Plant location will open late October, says Phillips' Senior Vice President John Knorr.

A crab deck open from April to October will feature live acoustic guitar while the lobby will feature a piano bar. Restaurant executives hope that live music will keep guests longer, Knorr says. Music played on the floating barge will also hopefully draw attention to the restaurant.

Shifting east on the Inner Harbor will put Phillips closer to the National Aquarium in Baltimore, the area's top tourist attraction. Both Phillips and the aquarium get a lot of business from families.  

Phillips will hire up to 250 to staff the restaurant, with peak employment in the summer. The location will seat 500, with about 200 outdoors.
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. will replace Phillips' Harborplace location, set to close at the end of September.


Writer: Julekha Dash
Source: John Knorr, Phillips

Three local businessman, including a physician, plan to open six create-your-own stir-fry restaurants, the first of which will open in the Can Company this fall.

The partners will invest $350,000 to $550,000 to open each BangBang Mongolian Grill location, says Dr. Shawn Dhillon, who practices internal medicine at Union Memorial Hospital. That makes for a total investment of $2.1 million to $3.3 million for the new businesses.

BangBang Mongolian Grill will replace the former Austin Grill, which closed nearly a year ago at The Can Company. The 4,000-square-foot restaurant will seat 140. Lunch will cost $10 and dinner around $15.

The second Mongolian grill will open at 15752 Annapolis Rd. in the fall. Dhillon expects the remaining four spots to open by the end of next summer. Dhillon and his partners, John Stautzenbach and Bob Bernotas, are scouting locations in Baltimore and Harford Counties, including Hunt Valley, Timonium, and Bel Air. The partners are eyeing strip malls anchored by a grocery store and open-air malls.

Dhillon says his professional focus on managing cardiovascular disease drew him to what he believes is a healthy dining option. Diners at BangBang Mongolian Grill get to choose how much beef, poultry, seafood, vegetables, or noodles are in their dish to suit their dietary needs. Dessert options will include a frozen yogurt bar.

Baltimore's BangBang Mongolian Grill is an affiliate of a restaurant in Iowa.
 

Writer: Julekha Dash
Source: Dr. Shawn Dillon, BangBang Mongolian Grill