RIB TICKLER
The promise of renovations to Federal Hill’s Cross Street Market has attracted new businesses, including Cockeysville’s beloved BBQ joint, Smoke, which brought its hickory-smoked pork sandwiches, ribs and savory finger goods to the county in 2015. For owner Josh White, maintaining only one store was never an option. “This is the prototype of things to come,” White says, envisioning his Notorious P.I.G. sandwich at airports, on food trucks or in shopping mall food courts. The stall at Cross Street will be a major shrink-down for Smoke’s kitchen crew, so the city menu will read more like a “greatest hits” version of the full Cockeysville menu. The Notorious P.I.G. and the bacon-loaded Boss Dawg made the cut. Plus, there are the new Korean BBQ-slathered Sticky Ribs. If pork is not your thing, try the smoked chicken, beef or smoked tofu. With the highest priced sandwich at $14, this stall will satisfy and not leave you broke. The stand mimics the graffiti and sticker-filled punk rock club vibe of their Cockeysville store. For White, this is a reverse migration: He lived in Federal Hill nearly 20 years ago and is enjoying the nostalgia of this return trip. 1065 S. Charles Street, hickorysmokedgoodness.com —CONNOR GRAHAM
CITY SALUTE
The newly opened 16 on the Park elevates the food experience, to say the least. Perched on the rooftop of Marriott’s Residence Inn at the Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, 16 on the Park provides diners with sweeping vistas of the city while serving a locally sourced menu of delights. Take the stunning raw bar where oysters, lump crab, shrimp and lobster await, the perfect welcome in our seafood-loving city. There are also small-offerings like deviled eggs topped with lobster, traditional Maryland crab cakes and avocado toast. Larger appetites can satiate themselves on chopped salads, grilled salmon, wagyu steak, seared chicken or one of several vegetarian options like a quinoa bowl or Fells Point flat bread. Save room for dessert — Smith Island cake and hand-crafted ice cream from The Charmery. Stay local and wash down your meal with an Armoured Rebellion, a cocktail mixed with Sagamore Rye, blackberry and thyme, an obvious nod to one of the city’s largest employers. 800 N. Wolfe St., pyramidrestaurantgroup.com —PATTI NEUMANN
LOWBROW FUN
Federal Hill has a new eating club — and membership is free. Located in the former No Way José café, across from Cross Street Market, One Star Country Club is an effort to bring back simple dining, good service and a low-key, pinkies-down atmosphere. The concept behind the name is to shake off the current foodie culture exemplified by online rating systems like Yelp, OpenTable and Facebook. In other words, who says a one-star venue can’t be great? The menu is simple American pub-grub, including the One Star burger on a brioche bun for $7 or the Hungry Man Breakfast Sub with three eggs scrambled or fried, bacon or pork roll, American cheese, chips and your choice of juice or coffee for $8. Want to further simplify your fare? Why not order a mug of mac ‘n’ cheese or wings called “That Thing That All Bars Have.” Enjoy the putting strip and club memorabilia on the walls, such as classic tennis rackets, croquet mallets and vintage pool signs. Licking your fingers and drinking straight from the can are both encouraged. 38 East Cross Street, onestarcountryclub.com —PATTI NEUMANN
SPOT ON
Thanks to the opening of Emma’s Tea Spot in Hamilton’s former Green Onion Market, Baltimore now has an authentic British tea parlor to call its own. Emma Canoles, who owns the tea parlor with her husband, Benjamin, is a former farm-to-table restaurant owner, current Master Gardener and a holistic practitioner who wants people to connect to their environment through locally sourced food. That includes breads, vegetables, cheese, honey, eggs, fruits, homemade dressings, scratch recipes taken from past generations and authentic British products like Colman’s mustard and Branston pickles. All ingredients are sold to go, from house-made meats to scones, fruits and vegetables. Brush up on your British food lingo and order items like Banger Butty, a home-cooked-style pork and sage breakfast banger, served warm in a buttered roll that is made here in the Baltimore area. Or try the completely decadent Queen BE Tea, which includes soup, followed by a choice of tea and sarnie (sandwich), served with a choice of scone (lots of choices!) and a selection of British biscuits, sweets and seasonal fruit. 5500 Harford Road, emmasteaspot.com —PATTI NEUMANN
