Robin Godwin: Highlandtown’s DiPasquale’s Opening Second Location at HarborView in Federal Hill

Friday, April 1, 2016

Highlandtown’s DiPasquale’s Opening Second Location at HarborView in Federal Hill

Federal Hill will be getting its third new restaurant that has been featured on the Food Network’s Diner’s, Drive-Ins and Dives (joining Blue Moon Café and Grano Pasta Bar) as Highlandtown-staple DiPasquale’s is opening an Italian marketplace and restaurant at 500 HarborView Dr. in the HarborView community. DiPasquale’s new 2,000 sq. ft. location will be in the former spaces of Sorso Café and the Baltimore Marine Center office, which relocated to a barge on HarborView’s pier. Restaurant and wedding venue Tabrizi’s also has a space in the building.

DiPasquale’s has been open for over 100 years in Highlandtown and this will be its second time opening a location in Federal Hill. The former location was at 6 W. Cross St., the current home of SoBo Café, in the mid-1990s. The family-owned business is excited to now come back to South Baltimore.

“I’ve been looking at different concepts in different areas for years,” said owner Joe DiPasquale. “A resident of HarborView let us know about this opportunity and eventually we decided to take the jump. I’ve always loved walking around HarborView – it’s a great area and a place I love to be on a beautiful day.”

DiPasquale plans on adding large windows and outdoor seating to take advantage of the location’s water views.

The HarborView marketplace and restaurant will be a bit smaller than the 3,000 sq. ft. Highlandtown location. It will carry less Italian groceries, but it will include a full deli counter; brick oven for pizzas; bakery with breads, cookies, and desserts; and, dining area like the original. It will also have a full espresso bar and will offer breakfast in the morning.

DiPasquale’s makes many items in-house including sausage, fresh mozzarella, pasta sauce, lasagna, porketta, cannoli cream, arancini, bread, focaccia, pizza dough, and more.

The HarborView location will have a full liquor license allowing for on- and off-site sales. Alcohol, as well as its full menu, will be available for delivery.

DiPasquale’s will seat about 40 inside, plus have outdoor seating and a bar that seats about eight.

The new DiPasquale’s will open in the June timeframe and its initial hours will be from 8am to 7pm, however it is looking to stay open later in the future. DiPasquale’s will have dedicated parking at HarborView for its customers.

DiPasquale plans on hiring 20 to 30 employees.

DiPasquale noted that he can’t duplicate the Highlandtown location, but he’s hoping this smaller store might be a prototype for new stores in the future.

Along with two appearances on Diner’s, Drive-ins and Dives, DiPasquale’s has been featured on the TV shows Lidia’s Italy in America and Best of Baltimore. It has e a 4.5-star rating on Yelp and a 4.7-star rating on Facebook. It has also won Best of Baltimore awards with City Paper and Baltimore Magazine.