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Christina Tkacik

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 Tkacik

Le Comptoir du Vin enters its ‘bistro, baby’ era

Le Comptoir du Vin, one of Baltimore’s favorite restaurants, embarks on a new chapter under co-owner Rosemary Liss.

Updated Feb 17, 2026

Le Comptoir du Vin’s chefs discuss menu combinations and ingredients ahead of a dinner service last week.

This lava cheesecake is my newest food obsession

At Edo Cafe in Harbor East, customers can sample cheesecake that is inspired by Japan and Spain.

Feb 6, 2026

JANUARY 13, 2026 - Customers can sample Edo Cafe's Basque lava cheesecake at the former Chiu’s Sushi at 608 S. Exeter Street in Harbor East. Cakes can be purchased whole or by the slice, and come in different varieties like crème brûlée.

Harford County is getting 2 new places for steak

New steakhouse Butcher on the Bay is coming to Havre de Grace, while a branch of John Brown General & Butchery will open in downtown Bel Air.

Jan 30, 2026

Hands holding fork and knife and eating delicious juicy steak on a wooden plate.

The Dish: Boatyard’s sale to Atlas became the ‘drama du jour’ in Annapolis

The sale of Boatyard Bar & Grill in Annapolis inspired an existential crisis in Maryland's capital.

Jan 28, 2026

Dick Franyo announced in January that he was selling the Boatyard, his Annapolis-meets-Key-West watering hole, to the Atlas Restaurant Group, which has been fast expanding its presence in Maryland's capital. Regulars worry the sale will alter the quirky character of the longtime Eastport haunt. The restroom at Boatyard, like its dining room, is full of vintage photos and sailing memorabilia.

4 James Beard semifinalists are from Baltimore

Canton’s Café Dear Leon is a semifinalist in the category of outstanding bakery, Marta chef and owner Matthew Oetting was recognized in the category of best chef in the mid-Atlantic region, Doug Atwell of Southpaw is a semifinalist in the outstanding professional in cocktail service category, and Remington’s Pink Flamingo was named in the best new bar category.

Updated Jan 21, 2026

Marta chef and owner Matthew Oetting, pictured in February 2023, is opening a new restaurant in Harbor Point.

The Dish: How Hampden’s ‘unusual’ Duchess came to be

After a career working for other big-name restaurateurs, chef Kiko Fejarang is cooking Chamorro food on her own terms.

Jan 21, 2026

Chef Kiko Fejarang at restaurant The Duchess on 36th Street in Baltimore’s Hampden neighborhood.

Atlas is rebranding Ouzo Bay, one of its oldest restaurants

Ouzo Bay will end operations next month after 14 years in business.

Jan 20, 2026

Ouzo Bay in Harbor East, which announced Tuesday it would be closing.

Marta is coming to Harbor Point ... with a caviar and martini cart

Matthew Oetting is bringing a seafood-focused branch of Marta Fine Food and Spirits to Harbor Point, complete with lots of caviar.

Jan 20, 2026

Building off the success of Marta Fine Food and Spirits in Butchers Hill, chef Matthew Oetting is opening Marta al Mare in Harbor Point.

Don’t Know Tavern to shut down; owner alleges dispute with landlord

The Don’t Know Tavern, which first opened on Light Street in 2007, is set to close next month.

Jan 16, 2026

Don't Know Tavern at 1453 Light Street in Baltimore.

A massive Inner Harbor hotel — and its restaurant — have closed

The Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel and its ground floor restaurant, Morton’s The Steakhouse, have both closed their doors in Baltimore.

Jan 14, 2026

The Sheraton Inner Harbor at 300 South Charles St. has closed, as has its ground floor restaurant, Morton’s The Steakhouse.

The Dish: Move over, Starbucks, Yemeni coffee is taking over Maryland

The Yemeni coffee trend has come to Perry Hall.

Jan 14, 2026

Haraz Coffee House’s new location in Perry Hall marks the Michigan-based chains first foray into Maryland. On the menu are a variety of coffee and espresso drinks as well as pastries like the Dubai chocolate-inspired mosaic cake.

Ledo Pizza cofounder Thelma Beall ate pizza once a week, even at 101

Thelma Beall, the matriarch of Ledo Pizza, died New Year’s Eve.

Jan 8, 2026

Ledo Pizza cofounder Thelma Beall sampled the fare at her nearby Ledo branch once a week.

The Dish: The ghost kitchen serving Indian food you won’t find in most restaurants

Unavu, a new ghost kitchen in Charles Village, aims to introduce its delicious, lesser-known Southern Indian cuisine to customers.

Jan 7, 2026

Chef Prakash Raj displays a prepared Dosa dish at Unavu, an authentic Indian homestyle cooking restaurant in Baltimore.

Restaurant La Cuchara closed for foreseeable future after fire

A fire in La Cuchara’s hood system Sunday night led to water damage at the Hampden-area restaurant.

Jan 5, 2026

Hampden-area restaurant La Cuchara is closed after a hood fire.

Eat this, not that: Choose these Baltimore restaurants instead of chains

The Banner's food reporters suggest local spots to spend your money in the new year.

Jan 5, 2026

Birria tacos at Tacos El Guero Food Truck off Merritt Boulevard come with herbs worth savoring.

These restaurants were supposed to open in 2025. We’re still waiting.

The Fishmonger's Daughter, Candela and Armada are just a few of the restaurants we hope to see open in 2026.

Jan 1, 2026

The future home of The Fishmongers Daughter in Catonsville. The restaurant was originally set to open in 2025 but is still in progress.

The Dish: The 10 best things I ate this year

These are the best meals I ate while covering Baltimore's dining scene, from a cheesesteak at Frank's Pizza and Pasta to The Duchess' pancit bihon hollai.

Dec 24, 2025