Christina Tkacik
food reporter
Christina Tkacik is a food reporter for The Baltimore Banner. She joined the staff of The Banner in August of 2022 to cover all things food. Prior to that, she spent more than six years at The Baltimore Sun, including three years as the newspaper’s dining reporter and restaurant critic. After all this time in Charm City, she can pick a crab but still can’t shuck an oyster.
The latest from Christina
It’s getting too expensive to run a full-service restaurant. Just ask the owners of Silver Queen Cafe.
Silver Queen Cafe will close as its owners focus on running The Market at Hamilton across the street. The sandwich shop and gourmet store is a better fit for the current economic climate, they say.
Baltimore loses one of its longest-running Black-owned restaurants
The shutdown of Terra Cafe struck a chord with friends and peers in the hospitality industry, who similarly said they are feeling the pain of rising operating costs coupled with a downturn in business.
The Dish: Pat Karzai hung on to The Helmand — and helped it thrive
Pat Karzai may seem an unlikely figure to lead Baltimore’s esteemed Afghan restaurant and one of its most enduring culinary landmarks. But 37 years in, she’s determined to carry on her husband’s legacy.
Owners of downtown staple David and Dad’s to launch coffee shop
Perk It Up, from the co-owners of David and Dad’s, will open in late January or early February 2027 at 10 Light St.
Tropical restaurant and lounge coming to former Sangria in Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon will get a new destination for tropical cocktails and Caribbean fare in Echelon Restaurant and Lounge when it opens later this year.
Liquor board dismisses violations against 6 Hampden businesses cited after festival
Baltimore’s liquor board dismissed charges against six businesses cited for selling alcohol during the Hampden Highlights festival.
The Dish: Why is it so hard to find lunch in this town?
At full-service Baltimore bars and restaurants, the weekday lunch has become an endangered species.
Crab cake institution Pappas sells to financial technology firm
One of Baltimore’s biggest names in crab cakes has a new owner.
The Inner Harbor is getting a new Chinese restaurant but no noodles
Baltimore’s Chinese food scene will expand with the arrival of a Sichuan restaurant from College Park. But don’t expect to see noodles on the menu.
Baltimore Peninsula’s splashy new Jamaican-Chinese fusion spot is (almost) here
Blü Cā is the first Baltimore outpost for the One Love Restaurant Group, which also owns the flight-themed KŌNŌKŌ in White Marsh and Island Spice Grille & Lounge in Harford County.
The Dish: Baltimore’s most exciting pizza is at these pop-ups
Customers are clamoring for the pie at pop-ups like Pizza Mazone at Motzi Bread and Woodberry alum August Braatz’s Porto Pizza.
Black Flag Brewing Co. faces uncertain future in Columbia
Columbia’s Black Flag Brewing Co. will close next month if a sale falls through.
Blue Moon Too brunch spot leaving Federal Hill, reopening in Hampden
Blue Moon Too is leaving the Federal Hill neighborhood after 11 years and relocating to Hampden, said owner Sarah Simington.
Can this chef open a Hampden sandwich shop in 30 days?
Over the past week, chef Anthony Lanasa has teased details about his new concept on Instagram as he’s brought viewers along on his quest, even documenting his trip to city permit offices.
The Dish: Why your free chips and salsa now costs $7
Restaurant owners feel caught between their own rising costs and a dining public already stretched thin.
Columbia coffee trailer opens its first brick-and-mortar in Baltimore
Highlandtown has a new destination for cardamom lattes and croissant-waffle hybrids with Qaffee House.
Guinness came to Baltimore County with big hopes. It leaves with unanswered questions.
Guinness’ departure leaves behind a brewing landscape that it helped reshape — along with unanswered questions about what will come next for the Maryland site and the beer brewed there.
Guinness Open Gate Brewery is shutting down
Guinness is shutting down its Maryland brewery, parent company Diageo North America Inc. announced Thursday.
Oleum owner to take over former Simply Marie’s space in Canton for new restaurant
Oleum owner Alisha Adibe is opening the restaurant Dahlia Cocinita in the former Simply Marie's space.
The Dish: This Fells Point café’s AI-powered robot can make a latte with your face on it
At Caffè Futuro in Fells Point, the robotic barista can handle all your coffee preferences. But do you have to tip?
