Visitor Guide Spring/Summer 2021 | Page 52

OPENING

NEW DOORS

Baltimore’ s restaurant industry showed a lot of grit and resiliency this past year, with an impressive number of new concepts opening their doors in the middle of a pandemic— and thriving despite the unstable conditions.

No one would argue that a global pandemic offers the perfect conditions for debuting a new restaurant. It’ s been a tough time for the industry worldwide— and, here in Baltimore, many beloved restaurants have closed for good, including Pen & Quill, Chez Hugo and Alexander Brown, which closed last May after just one year in business. But even amidst this incredibly challenging environment, some chefs and owners remain undeterred. Actually, with reduced rents and other landlord-provided incentives suddenly on the table, some found it to be the perfect time to test a new concept. According to one count by the Baltimore Business Journal, more than 45 restaurants have launched in the city since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some of the spots that have opened in recent months.

Pie Time, in Patterson Park, offers sweet and savory pies.
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