NIHAO
CANTON
CRUST BY MACK
HAMPDEN
Amanda Mack ’ s first permanent space for her pie-focused bakery Crust by Mack was set to open in Whitehall Market , a new food hall in Hampden . But the spring opening was delayed again and again . So , she pivoted to offer quarantine-friendly packages of cookie dough and boxes of treats . Now , her stall has opened in the new market , serving up delicious hand-crafted goodies like Old Bay-infused chocolate chip cookies , oven-fried chicken biscuits , crab pies and yeasty doughnuts .
Much excitement surrounded the pending opening of NiHao , a new Canton Szechuan spot from Lydia Chang — the daughter of Peter Chang , who has built an empire of lauded restaurants in the Washington region — and pastry chef Pichet Ong . When the March launch slipped away , they pivoted to offer elevated takeout options like a Peking duck kit ( complete with all the makings , from buns and housemade noodles to the ingredients for broth — duck carcass included ) and ready-to-bake cookie doughs ( Ovaltine snickerdoodles , anyone ?).
CAFE DEAR LEON
CANTON
This Canton cafe opened quietly in August and almost instantly garnered a major following . The small shop ’ s menu of interesting pastries and sandwiches debuts by the hour — and sells out nearly as quick . Owned by a trio of chefs whose resumes include time at Le Coucou and Le Bernardin , the cafe offers a constantly changing menu . Samples from one recent list : Honeynut squash galette with bacon ; hazelnut babka ; a Japanese egg sandwich called a “ tamago sando .”
MOON CHOII
BALTIMORE . ORG 27