Signs of the Times

The Remington neighborhood in north Baltimore is hot! In fact, many are now referring to it as the “next Hampden.” One of the newest draws is R House, a new 10-stall food hall at 301 W. 29th Street. Housed in the completely renovated shell of the old Anderson Auto Body Shop, the design of the place is stunning. Big, bright windows, polished concrete floors, and some the city’s best chef-driven food and drink concepts (my faves: BRD, specializing in chicken sandwiches, and Amano Tacos). The layout intersperses the food vendors with plenty communal tables and comfy seating for eating, working and socializing. Props to Seawall Development for the vision to create this stunning space.

Fashionistas should head up to The Avenue in Hampden for a holiday pop-up boutique dubbed CoLab. The brainchild of local fashion merchants Lisa Schatz (formerly of Cupcake) and Christopher Schafer, known for his eponymous custom men’s clothing line. The chic boutique houses the women’s fashion up front…

…and men’s apparel in the rear.

You’ll also find custom jewelry by local designer Gina Tackett. She fashions rings, bracelets, necklaces and earring from spent bullet casings—talk about unique! Pop in at 825 W. 36th Street.

Those looking for one of the more stylish bars around town should seek out the new Speakeasy Bar at the Lord Baltimore Hotel. The intimate, circular bar now anchors one end of the The French Kitchen dining room.

The ‘Mad Men’ vibe is a great backdrop for a perfect martini. (And in my next report, I’ll show you the secret Prohibition-era room that gives the Speakeasy Bar its name.)

Coming from a graphic design background, interesting, beautiful signage and graphics always catch my eye. Strolling through Cross Street Market the other day, I aimed my camera up at some of the classic, old-school neon signage in the rafters of this soon-to-be-renovated public market in Federal Hill.

Fenwick Meats

Nunnally Bros.
I certainly hope these historic signs find their way into the new design for the market.

Local musician Drew Rieger and his partner, graphic designer Wesley Stuckey, invited a few friends into their beautifully restored Mount Vernon Place mansion for an open house to view the Monument Lighting last week. Drew is a collector of antiques, and has exquisite taste, reflected in the way these guys have designed and decorated their living spaces.

Parlor after parlor, gallery after gallery, the home is replete with grand entertaining spaces as well as intimate nooks, all equally gorgeous.

And of course, as you might expect, their Christmas tree is beautifully decorated as well.