Savor the Chesapeake

Restaurant news and culinary trends throughout the Chesapeake Bay region

By Megan Kotelchuck

The weather is beautiful and there are so many great ways to get out and enjoy it, and many involve food and drink! There are new eateries, plus culinary events like Pint 4 Paws for the SPCA! Here’s a sampling of what to enjoy this month.

On the Dining Scene...

The fifth Maryland location of bb.q Chicken eatery has opened in Ellicott City, joining the fleet of restaurants, which includes those in Greenbelt, Catonsville, Silver Spring, and Rockville. Now located at 8801 Baltimore National Pike Suite K, bb.q Chicken offers specially seasoned wings, boneless bites, and more, with an Asian American twist and Korean flavors. Also, try the kimchi fried rice, spicy bowls, fried dumplings, pickled radishes, and more. So, so good. Be sure to stop in to enjoy the taste of Korean chicken! Check them out at bbqchicken.com. 

Just last year, GameOn, a bar and arcade for adults, opened on West Street in Annapolis. Now, GameOn Bar + Arcade is opening their third location, in downtown Columbia. GameOn, as well as The Angry Jerk, a Caribbean-Southern fusion restaurant, will open later this year across from Color Burst Park. The 4,000-square-foot space will include retro and new arcade games, graffiti wall art, craft cocktails and beers, and special menu items. Check out the Annapolis or Fed Hill locations of GameOn while we anxiously await Columbia’s location! Visit gameonbararcade.com.

Something Brewing...

The 7th Annual Pints 4 Paws Home Brewing and Craft Beer Festival will be held at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium on June 10th. The day will include more than 50 home brews from local craft breweries as well as a commemorative glass, all to benefit the SPCA of Anne Arundel County. The day will also have food and entertainment by Goliath Soundworks, Baptist and Bootleggers, and Old Eastern, as well as other vendors, silent auctions, raffles, and more! Get your tickets at annapolishomebrewclub.com.

Drink Up...

June calls for a light, crisp, and delicious cocktail! P.S. Something fruity always tastes better in the sunshine!

June Bug

INGREDIENTS

3/4 ounce melon liqueur

3/4 ounce peach schnapps

3/4 ounce crème de banana

Fill to top of equal parts cranberry juice and pineapple juice

Instructions

Pour all ingredients as listed, in order, into a pint glass, stir, and enjoy.

BlueberryLemonadeBasil

INGREDIENTS

1.5 ounces vodka or gin

1/4 ounce limoncello

1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice

3 basil leaves

1 ounce simple syrup

10 blueberries

3 ounces club soda or sparkling water

Instructions

Muddle the blueberries, basil leaves, and simple syrup together in a shaker. Add lemon juice, gin, limoncello and some ice. Shake to mix. Strain and pour over ice in a rocks glass or highball. Add club soda or sparkling water. Garnish with extra blueberries, basil leaves or a lemon slice.