MindGrub Cafe Opening on Fort Avenue in May

MindGrub President and CEO Todd Marks and wife Nikki Marks, who owns MindGrub Cafe and ShareKitchen, purchased the three-story, 3,792 sq. ft. building at 554 E. Fort Ave. in Riverside in November 2019. The duo had intended on using the building, which has been many restaurants over the years including most recently Rachel New American Cuisine, for additional workspace for MindGrub, as well as for a pub-style co-working space. However, with all the changes in the past year that has led to expanded virtual work, they will now open a cafe on the first floor of the building.

The building is known as MindPub and, along with MindGrub Cafe on the first floor, it has workspace and a commercial kitchen on the second floor for additional food businesses. These businesses include Lilihana Luxury Catering and Codetta Bakery, which takes online orders for individual items as well as offers custom baked goods.

MindGrub Cafe will be open on Wednesday to Sunday from 7am to 2pm for breakfast and lunch. Nikki Marks hopes to partner with some of her partners at MindPub and ShareKitchen to offer dinner in the future, as well as offer some of the members’ products at MindGrub Cafe.

Nikki Marks’ business partner at ShareKitchen is Brian Matthias of Bistro Lunch Box. Other members of ShareKitchen include Top Secret Salsa, Delectable Indulgences, juice company Radiant Rai Raw, and vegan taco business Mez.

MindGrub Cafe will serve drip coffee, cappuccinos, and espressos using beans from Locust Point’s Pfefferkorn’s Coffee, in addition to sodas and juices. Breakfast will include bagels and breakfast sandwiches using Bottom’s Up Bagels, quiches, bags of biscuits served with honey butter, and acai bowls.

Lunch items will include salads and sandwiches. Salads, which can have chicken added, include a blueberry spinach salad, a spicy roasted carrot salad, and a Caesar salad with roasted brussels sprouts.

The sandwiches include a Cuban sandwich, a grilled chicken sandwich with Funyons and chipotle aioli, a roasted veggie panini, a curried chicken salad sandwich, and a chickpea salad sandwich.

Nikki Marks said she will likely bring on two popular, but labor-intensive, sandwiches from her previous food truck as specials. These include a coconut black bean burger and the Todd Sandwich with pulled pork, deviled eggs, Sriracha pickles, and bacon.

MindGrub Cafe will initially start with a pick-up window along Jackson St. It will also have outdoor seating on a deck the Marks are adding to the building.

When the COVID-19 pandemic fades, MindGrub Cafe will invite guests inside to sit at the bar and in the first-floor lounge. The Marks will also look to get a liquor license for the building.

The Marks’ have spent the past year doing repairs and cosmetic updates to the building.

The Marks are a blended family with seven kids, ranging from ages 13 to 20, who will help with the restaurant. Nikki Marks said she will use this experience to bond with her family and teach her kids about the restaurant business.

Photo courtesy of Nikki and Todd Marks 

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Bookmakers Cocktail Club Closed, Listed for Sale

Bookmakers Cocktail Club, which has been closed since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down restaurants in March 2020, has been listed for sale with Restaurant Brokers and Developers, Inc. Baltimore Business Journal is reporting that it will likely not reopen.

The two-story, 3,968 sq. ft. building, liquor license, and business at 31 E. Cross St. is listed for $1,500,000.

Bookmakers Cocktail Club opened in 2014 and won SouthBMore’s Best Drink Selection all three years of the competition. The team at Bookmakers also ran Boiler Room in Federal Hill for the two years it was open.

From the listing:

• Located in the heart of Federal Hill. The property is a 2 story, with basement, 3,968 sq ft masonry building. This bar and restaurant, formerly “Bookmakers Cocktail Club”, featured the LARGEST Whiskey/Bourbon menu in the entire state of Maryland when it was in operation!!!• The main floor of the restaurant has laminate hardwood floors and a gorgeous marble top bar which seats 25 patrons and had 6 beers on tap. There is one large TV at the bar, large lit barback & ornate chandeliers in the dining area. There is a manager’s office on the main floor with liquor storage and security monitors in place. Ceiling vents are displayed for a rustic old Baltimore feeling. Back staircase serves the restaurant from the upstairs kitchen.• The upstairs portion of the restaurant features a beautiful marble bar, which seats 7 patrons and hardwood flooring throughout. This second floor includes a private and comfortable lounge area with “bottle service” style seating involving velvet sofas and chairs. Pendant lights and & cathedral arches in the abundant woodwork. Plenty of natural sunlight upstairs with views of city life.• The kitchen is fully equipped and located on the 2nd floor. It contains a 28’ hood, three stoves with ovens, a 2 ft. charbroil grill, 2-basket fryer, 3 stand-up freezers, and 5 stand-up fridges, large dish room.• There are 4 restrooms in this restaurant- 2 upstairs and 2 on main floor. Full Sprinkler and security system in place. 4 TOAST P.O.S. stations located throughout this establishment. • All Furnishings, fixtures & equipment convey in “as-is” condition. Capacity is 98 on the first level and 50 on the second level.• Class BWL liquor license is included. Virtual video available. Contact us to have it sent to you.

This was first reported by Baltimore Business Journal. 

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Royal Farms Permanently Closes Its Stall at Cross Street Market

Royal Farms Chicken, the first-of-its-kind chicken stall for the popular Baltimore-based convenience store and gas station, permanently closed at Cross Street Market in Federal Hill in recent months. It first opened in July of 2019. Royal Farms has removed all of its equipment and branding from the 590 sq. ft. stall, which also has a carryout window facing E. Cross St. The space is now available for lease.

Royal Farms still has a gas station and convenience store in Locust Point.

Arsh Mirmiran, partner at Caves Valley Partners which redeveloped Cross Street Market, said in an email: “Royal Farms looked at their operations during the heart of the pandemic and Cross Street Market was a total strategic outlier, so they asked us if we could make an arrangement for them to close and we agreed.”

Mirmiran said they are looking to backfill the space, as well as the two remaining vacant stalls in the new Cross Street Market, “as things start to warm back up and people get vaccinated and begin to get out more.”

He said the pandemic has been difficult for the team at Cross Street Market. “We have gone above and beyond to keep the existing tenant base during the pandemic and I think any of them would tell you that,” he said. “We are looking forward to a recovery as it has been an incredibly challenging 12-plus months.”

Photos below courtesy of Royal Farms 

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SipAhoy CycleBoats Launching Cruises Out of Harborview This Spring

SipAhoy CycleBoats, a cycle boat that will cruise through the Inner Harbor, is launching this spring from a slip at Harborview Marina in Federal Hill. Severna Park native Dillon Wain is launching the business with private investment and a group of longtime friends and captains who will be his crew members.

Cycle boats, much like peddle bars on land, are powered by passengers moving bike pedals with their feet. SipAhoy’s boat does have a motor in case the passengers need help getting back to shore. A captain and mate will be on board at all times to assist and watch over the cruise.

Wain came up with the idea for SipAhoy after seeing the peddle bars riding though the streets of Denver. He thought it would be cool if this was done on the water.

Wain grew up boating on the Chesapeake Bay and sailed for six months on a catamaran from Annapolis to Abaco Islands as an adult. Wain is in the process of upgrading to a USCG 25 Ton Near Coastal Master License.

He liked the idea of starting SipAhoy because he could work outside on the water with his friends and listen to music, but also travel to warmer locations or the slopes of Colorado in the winter. He loved the idea of teaming with his boating friends on a new business.

His crew includes Shawn Owen, an Annapolis native with a USCG 50 Ton Near Coastal Master License, along with Annapolis natives Duncan Lange, Steve “Rudy” Rudolph, and Phillip Conti. Each are in the process of upgrading to a USCG 25 Ton Near Coastal Master License.

SipAhoy will start offering cruises in late April and run until around Halloween. The boat holds 20 passengers along with the two crew members. There are 10 seats with pedals surrounding a bar with built in coolers to power the boat. Most cruises are booked by the group, but there will be opportunities to buy individual tickets. Cruises taking place on Monday to Thursday can be as small as 6 people, however Friday to Sunday cruises must have at least 8 passengers.

Cruises can be booked on SipAhoy’s website.

The cruises, which are about 90 minutes, are bring-your-own food and drink. Beer and wine is allowed on board for patrons above the age of 21. There are Bluetooth speakers so passengers can play their own music. The boat has a bathroom, party lights, and misters to help keep you cool during hot days.

The boat is COVID-19-friendly with hand sanitizer and crew in masks. The boat will also be deep cleaned in between each cruise.

SipAhoy cruises will run every two hours starting at 9am with the last cruise leaving Harborview at 9pm. Cruises will stay in the harbor riding along Fells Point, Harbor East, and Harborplace.

The paddle wheel on SipAhoy can be lowered to make peddling more challenging or raised to make it easier.

Wain said SipAhoy is a great way to celebrate a bachelorette/bachelor birthday party, corporate team building, or simply a night out with a group of friends.

SipAhoy is partnering with Senior Dog Rescue from Severn, MD as passengers can add a donation to the organization with their purchase.

SipAhoy is starting with one boat, but Wain said they could add a second boat by the summer if sales take off.

SipAhoy CycleBoats’ logo 

 

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Four South Baltimore Restaurants Receive Support from Route One Apparel

Route One Apparel, a Towson-based company selling Maryland-themed clothing and accessories, recently purchased $10,000 in gift cards to Baltimore-area restaurants impacted by COVID-19 restrictions.

Since January, Route One Apparel purchased $1,000 in gift cards from 10 local restaurants whose operations have been negatively affected by Baltimore City and/or State restrictions during the pandemic. The gift cards, purchased in $25 increments, were then given away to Route One Apparel’s social media followers to encourage their continued patronage of Baltimore’s local restaurant community. Route One Apparel also invited other local businesses to sponsor gift card purchases at their favorite restaurants.

South Baltimore restaurants Hull Street Blues Café, Don’t Know Tavern, Barracudas Locust Point Tavern, and Pickles Pub were among the restaurants selected by Route One Apparel. Other restaurants included Aldo’s Italian Restaurant (sponsored by F45 Training Timonium), Pinch Dumplings, Pierpoint Restaurant, Mama’s on the Half Shell, Mt. Washington Tavern, and Attman’s Deli (sponsored by Second Chance Addiction Care).

“We know the pandemic has been devastating to Baltimore City’s restaurants, and like everyone else who has resources to offer, we want to make sure we’re doing our part to support their survival until restrictions ease,” said Ali von Paris, CEO and founder of Route One Apparel, in a press release. “We asked our social media followers to nominate their favorite local restaurants and we received an overwhelming response, which shows just how much these small businesses mean to the community. We hope by purchasing and giving away these gift cards, we’ll encourage more people to support their local restaurants as much as possible.”

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Rosa’s Bar and Grill Opens in Federal Hill

Guest feature from Federal Hill resident Zachary Blanchard

Rosa’s Bar and Grill opened last month in Federal Hill at 1002 Light St. at the former home of Boaz Bistro. Rosa’s is owned by Marquel Averette, and Chef Davon McCoy leads kitchen.

Despite the pandemic, Rosa’s Bar and Grill has built momentum quickly and it is struggling to hire staff to meet the demand. It has been able to avoid third-party delivery apps like Grubhub and Uber Eats, which charge a commission on orders.

McCoy is very familiar with the location. He attended Federal Hill Preparatory School and has worked at two of 1002 Light St.’s predecessors, Boaz Bistro and Regi’s Bistro. Comparing the three, Davon admitted, “Boaz Bistro…was not prepared to be in the restaurant business. Regi’s was cool and old-school, but Rosa’s is completely exceeding my expectations.”

McCoy said Rosa’s is working hard to shed its relation to Boaz Bistro, which was shut down on several occasions last year for violating City social distancing requirements. When asked for one thing McCoy wanted the neighborhood to know about Rosa’s, he bluntly replied, “I want the neighborhood to realize Rosa’s is not Boaz. First, everyone is welcome at Rosa’s. Second, the food, drinks, and service are consistent A1-quality, I can promise you that.”

While Rosa’s rapidly redesigned the first floor, it is also planning to open a renovated second floor by mid-April. Plans are also underway for an outdoor seating area. 

Rosa’s is open Tuesday to Friday from 5pm to 12am, Saturday from 11am to 12am, and Sunday from 11am to 11pm.

Rosa’s serves contemporary southern food with a Jamaican twist and has a brunch menu on the weekends. Rosa’s menu features appetizers, entrees, wings, sandwiches, and sides. The jerk lamb cheesesteak has been one of its best sellers. “I started doing one case of lamb every three weeks, and we’re up to two cases a week,” said McCoy. 

Davon McCoy and Marquel Averette (photo courtesy of Rosa’s Bar and Grill)

SouthBMore.com photo

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South Baltimore Crime Updates

According to the Baltimore Police Department (BPD)  Crime Map, the following crimes were reported in the last 30 days.

Ridgely’s Delight

BURGLARY, 600 PORTLAND ST, TUESDAY, 2/8/2021, 14:00

ROBBERY – CARJACKING, 200 S FREEMONT ST, TUESDAY, 2/15/2021, 20:00

Stadium Area

NONE

Barre Circle

NONE

Otterbein

LARCENY, 400 LIGHT ST, SUNDAY, 2/6/2021, 4:00

LARCENY FROM AUTO, 500 LIGHT ST, 2/9/2021, 22:00

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, 600 S HANOVER ST, 2/17/2021, 3:00

LARCENY FROM AUTO, 0 ANDREW PL, THURSDAY, 2/24/2021, 19:00

LARCENY FROM AUTO, 500 S CHARLES ST, 2/24/2021, 21:00

Sharp-Leadenhall

AUTO THEFT, 100 W HAMBURG ST, THURSDAY, 2/17/2021, 19:00

LARCENY FROM AUTO, 900 LEADENHALL ST, 2/24/2021, 18:00

LARCENY FROM AUTO, RACE ST & W OSTEND ST, THURSDAY, 2/24/2021, 20:00

Federal Hill

LARCENY FROM AUTO, 0 W CROSS ST, 2/5/2021, 19:00

AUTO THEFT, 0 E OSTEND ST, THURSDAY, 2/10/2021, 18:00

ROBBERY ST, 0 E MONTGOMERY ST, SUNDAY, 2/20/2021, 1:00

LARCENY, 0 E MONTGOMERY ST, SATURDAY, 2/26/2021, 6:00

LARCENY FROM AUTO, 1000 WILLIAM ST, SATURDAY, 2/26/2021

Federal Hill South/Riverside

LARCENY FROM AUTO, 900 E FORT AVE, WEDNESDAY, 2/9/2021, 18:00

LARCENY, 1200 RIVERSIDE AVE, TUESDAY, 2/15/2021, 12:00

LARCENY, 1400 KEY HWY, FRIDAY, 2/25/2021, 3:00

LARCENY, 1400 KEY HWY, FRIDAY, 2/25/2021, 20:00

South Baltimore Neighborhood

ROBBERY – STREET, 1700 S CHARLES ST, TUESDAY, 2/22/2021, 11:00

AUTO THEFT, 1400 LIGHT ST, WEDNESDAY, 2/23/2021, 20:00

Key Highway/HarborView

NONE

Inner Harbor

LARCENY, 400 E PRATT ST, WEDNESDAY, 2/2/2021, 13:00

LARCENY FROM AUTO, 100 S PRATT ST, SATURDAY, 2/5/2021, 16:00

ROBBERY – COMMERCIAL, 400 E PRATT ST, FRIDAY, 2/11/2021

LARCENY, 400 E PRATT ST, WEDNESDAY, 2/16/2021, 10:00

LARCENY, 400 E PRATT ST, SUNDAY, 2/20/2021, 13:00

LARCENY, 200 KEY HWY, SUNDAY, 2/20/2021, 15:00

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, 400 LIGHT ST, SUNDAY 2/20/2021, 22:00

LARCENY, 400 E PRATT ST, SATURDAY, 2/26/2021, 9:00

Port Covington

NONE

Locust Point

LARCENY, 1300 HULL ST, FRIDAY, 2/22/2021, 11:00

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, 900 E FORT AVE, SUNDAY, 2/27/2021, 20:00

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, 900 E FORT AVE, SUNDAY, 2/27/2021, 20:00

Pigtown

LARCENY, 1100 WASHINGTON BLVD, SUNDAY, 2/6/2021, 22:00

ROBBERY – CARJACKING, 1200 W CROSS ST, TUESDAY, 2/8/2021, 22:00

ROBBERY – STREET, 1200 WASHINGTON BLVD, THURSDAY, 2/10/2021, 6:00

LARCENY, 1200 W CROSS ST, THURSDAY, 2/10/2021, 18:00

AUTO THEFT, 800 WASHINGTON BLVD, FRIDAY, 2/22/2021, 10:00

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, 1200 SARGEANT ST, SUNDAY, 2/13/2021, 14:00

LARCENY, 1400 S CAREY ST, TUESDAY, 2/15/2021, 0:00

LARCENY, 1100 WASHINGTON BLVD, TUESDAY, 2/15/2021, 10:00

LARCENY, 400 SCOTT ST, WEDNESDAY, 2/16/2021, 15:00

BURGLARY, 1100 WICOMICO ST, WEDNESDAY, 2/23/2021, 21:00

AUTO THEFT, 1100 S CAREY ST, THURSDAY, 2/24/2021, 23:00

Carroll – Camden Industrial Area

LARCENY, 1500 RUSSELL ST, SATURDAY, 2/5/2021, 1:00

AUTO THEFT, 1700 RUSSELL ST, WEDNESDAY, 2/9/2021, 15:00

AUTO THEFT, 1700 WASHINGTON BLVD, WEDNESDAY, 2/9/2021, 18:00

LARCENY, 1500 RUSSELL ST, WEDNESDAY, 2/16/2021, 23:00

ROBBERY – CARJACKING, THURSDAY, 2/17/2021, 2:00

LARCENY, 1500 RUSSEL ST, MONDAY, 2/21/2021, 17:00

LARCENY, 1500 RIDGELY ST, WEDNESDAY, 2/23/2021, 17:00

ROBBERY – STREET, 1500 RUSSELL ST, THURSDAY, 2/24/2021, 1:00

AUTO THEFT, 1800 WASHINGTON BLVD, FRIDAY, 2/25/2021, 14:00

Hollins Market

LARCENY, 100 S ARLINGTON AVE, THURSDAY, 2/3/2021, 16:00

Union Square

AUTO THEFT, 100 S MOUNT ST, MONDAY, 2/14/2021, 15:00

LARCENY, 1300 W LOMBARD ST, MONDAY, 2/14/2021, 23:00

ROBBERY – STREET, 1500 W PRATT ST, THURSDAY 2/17/2021, 23:00

LARCENY, 1400 W LOMBARD ST, WEDNESDAY, 2/23/2021, 10:00

BURGLARY, HOLLINS ST, & S CAREY ST, FRIDAY, 2/25/2021, 17:00

Offense definitions from the FBI

South Baltimore Peninsula Neighborhoods Map

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Artist-Painted Skateboards to be Auctioned at Fundraiser for Jake’s Skatepark at Rash Field

From Waterfront Partnership: 

Jake’s Skate Park Spring Fundraiser

Help Build Jake’s Skate Park at Rash Field Park!

The online auction will go live at 9am EST on Thursday, April 8, 2021 and be available all day ending at 9pm EST.

Our Spring Fundraiser features over 50 hand painted skateboard decks all available for auction. Professional, student, and volunteer artists have generously donated their time to create spectacular pieces of skateboard art that you can bid on! All proceeds from the sales of the skateboard decks will go towards Jake’s Skate Park. (Boards will be uploaded to this site very soon! Follow @WaterfrontPartnership on Facebook and Instagram for event updates).

OUR INSPIRATION:
In 2011, Jake Owen was a happy five-year old child playing with his new Super Mario Brothers game he just got for Christmas, when a cell phone distracted driver struck his family car from behind at 62 MPH. His last words were, “Mom, I have 43 lives!”

In his short life, Jake became an avid skateboarder and sports enthusiast. He would take to the streets to show his friends and parents his new skateboarding tricks, or help his friends pick up the sport. To honor Jake’s life and infectious attitude, we’re building a skatepark at the new Rash Field Park and dedicating the park in his name.

Jake’s Skate Park is being designed by Grindline, one of the top concrete skatepark and design companies in the country. The park will feature a large bowl, mini ramps, rails, ledges, and transfers providing a dedicated space that will be accessible for skaters of all ages and abilities.

From the Facebook Event: 

Access the silent auction at https://www.biddingowl.com/Auction/home.cfm?auctionID=26075&fbclid=IwAR0ShWlgMdifA5QylWXx8Ep7sk61WhuzyOgu7etokSl1fSTsI0oweq6cvvk

When phase one of Rash Field Park is completed in late 2021, Jake’s Skatepark will serve as a dedicated space for the growing skateboard community in Baltimore – accessible to all ages and abilities.

About Rash Field Park: Rash Field Park is being transformed into a 7-acre thriving park and welcoming community hub, supporting education and ecology, health and wellness, recreation and play, and programming and entertainment. Follow the progress and learn more at www.rashfield.org.

Rendering from Waterfront Partnership and Grindline

Photo of Jake Owen

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Pratt Library Buildings to Reopen on Monday

The Pratt Library buildings, which include locations in Federal Hill, Pigtown, Brooklyn, and Cherry Hill, will reopen to the public on Monday, March 8th. All locations will be open at 25 percent capacity for limited services, including browsing and computer use. From the Pratt Library website:

THE FOLLOWING LIMITED SERVICES WILL BE AVAILABLE IN LIBRARY BUILDINGS:

• Browse and borrow items from the collection
• Public computer use, limited to two (2) hours
• Copier and fax use (where available)

All Pratt locations will be open, first come, first served, during the following hours. Once the building reaches 25% capacity, security will limit entry. Please note, the Hampden Branch remains closed for renovations.

Monday	10 am – 5 pm
Tuesday	12 pm – 7 pm
Wednesday	10 am – 5 pm
Thursday	12 pm – 7 pm
Friday	10 am – 5 pm
Saturday	10 am – 5 pm

TO ENTER THE BUILDING, WE ASK THAT YOU:

• Wear a mask or face covering for the duration of your visit
• Get your temperature checked
• Undergo a health screening
• Provide your name and contact information for COVID-19 contact tracing
• Maintain social distancing

Details of customer requirements are provided in our COVID-19 safety guidelines.

Safety Procedures

To keep our customers and staff safe, COVID-19 safety guidelines are in place. The Pratt Library is following best practice provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Please observe the following policies during your visit to the Pratt:

• All customers and staff are required to wear face coverings

• The Pratt is regularly consulting with the City Health Department

• Seating areas inside the buildings are closed

• High-touch surfaces are regularly cleaned throughout the day

• Social distancing protocols are in place

• All locations are regularly disinfected

• Any items handled by customers are placed in quarantine

• Customers and staff are asked to stay home if they are feeling ill

Photo of the Light Street location from Pratt Library 

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Thai Restaurant ‘Be More Thai’ Opens in Federal Hill

Thai Restaurant Be More Thai recently opened at 1006 Light St. in Federal Hill. It fills a space vacated by Thai Yum, which closed in 2019.

Be More Thai is owned by Chonlawit Boontawee and Titiporn Sangma. Boontawee grew up in Bangkok, but has been living in Northern Virginia since college. He spent 18 years working in IT and also managing restaurants, before looking to open his own Thai restaurant. He was looking to open his restaurant in the Washington, D.C. area, but started looking in Baltimore f0r a more affordable option. He was familiar with Baltimore from visiting a friend who owns a Thai restaurant in the city.

Boontawee and Sangma found the opportunity to buy the business from Thai Yum and loved the Federal Hill area. Boontawee said he especially likes how close it is to the Inner Harbor and stadiums. He also believes the younger demographic in Federal Hill will be “more adventurous” eaters.

Boontawee and Sangma began renovating the 1,800 sq. ft. building in 2019, running into some delays due to contractors and the COVID-19 pandemic, and finally opened its doors on January 31st. The building was completely redone with new floors, renovated walls and ceilings, and a lot of artwork. The first floor, which has the kitchen and a dining room, was designed to give an underwater feel with fish artwork. The second floor, which has a dining room and bar, was designed to give the feel of being up in the trees with artwork of birds, plants, and trees. Most of the artwork was done by Thai artist Katig.

The tables at Be More Thai are made from wood from Thailand. This spring Be More Thai will also have outdoor seating out front.

Be More Thai serves “traditional” Thai food, not fusion food, according to Boontawee. Menu items include appetizers, soups, salads, curry dishes, rice and noodle dishes, entrees, specials, and desserts. With many dishes at Be More Thai, customers can choose a protein including chicken, pork, tofu and veggie, beef, shrimp, and seafood. Customers can also adjust the spiciness of their orders as Be More Thai uses fresh chilies to up the heat.

Boontawee said some of his favorite dishes are the Crabmeat Fried Rice and the Ka Pow Fried Rice, and noted that the Pad Thai is always popular in Thai restaurants.

Be More Thai is open 1130am to 9pm on Sunday to Thursday and 1130am to 10pm on Friday and Saturday. Boontawee said they may look to add a weekend brunch in the future with more soups and congee.

Be More Thai will soon have its beer and wine license activated. It also serves Thai Iced Tea, Thai Iced Coffee, juices and teas, and herbal drinks such as chrysanthemum juice, roselle, and longan.

Be More Thai is currently open for dine-in at 25 percent capacity because of City regulations, but also offers carryout, its own delivery service in a two-mile radius, and delivery through GrubHub, DoorDash and UberEats.

Chonlawit Boontawee

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Eclectic Federal Hill Listing Makes Popular ‘Zillow Gone Wild’ Instagram Account

An eclectic house located at 1242 Battery Ave. in Federal Hill is getting its share of internet attention as it has been featured on the popular Instagram account Zillow Gone Wild. The house is currently listed for $269,900 and has been under contract twice already, according to listing agent Derek Blazer of Cummings and Co.

The unique two-bedroom home features a pink and turquoise kitchen, a jacuzzi tub with a disco ball, and a half bathroom with a toilet that Blazer called the “throne” as it sits on a three-stair platform. It also has a spiral staircase, two fireplaces, exposed brick and beams, a second-floor bonus living room, and a front brick courtyard. Blazer said it is the most unique listing he has ever seen and called it “The John Waters House.” He said if you “pick it up and plop it in Hampden, it would sell in a day.”

The 1242 Battery Ave. post on Zillow Gone Wild has generated more than 40,000 likes.

Blazer said the attention has led to a lot of traffic as it had 13 showings on Saturday and six on Sunday, which is the highest traffic he has seen for a listing. He is expecting at least one more offer to come in today.

The current owner bought the house in close to its current condition, but has made some improvements. It is currently being used as an Airbnb.

Photos from the MLS

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