Random Food (& Drink!) News Round-Up

Argh! Hawker is behind on updating. Blame it on an out-of-town job over the weekend.

So, let's talk food as a way of apology, shall we?

1. Soup's On has wireless.

2. New System Bakery is now open on Sunday's from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Their doughnuts are still made with crack, and they still serve breakfast sandwiches all day long.

3. The Wine Source now carries Dangerously Delicious Pies--both sweet and savory! Only problem is that the case designed to hold them (and to keep the pies cold) is having all kinds of issues, so: no pies today. However, help is on the way, and I was assured that the plan is to fix the case ASAP and to have pies everyday. Oh, and you can try FREE pie and meet DDP's founder and owner Rodney "The Pie Man" Henry at The Wine Source's winter beer tasting this weekend: Friday January 25, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday January 26, 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.

4. El Rancho Grande (Hampden's newest coffee shop located on Falls Road right at 36th Street) is apparently open! It seems to be open 2-9 p.m. on Sundays and 2 or 3 p.m.-2 a.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Hawker promises a visit and report soon!

5. Ground Control (Hampden's 2nd newest coffee shop located in the Rotunda) is open, and they're hiring. There's wireless and pastries from local bakeries. They're open Monday through Friday 7 a.m.–5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Check out Ground Control before a matinee at the Rotunda!

6. Even with all of Hampden's ever-expanding beverage options, some people still can't get a decent chai. Someone, help her!

Today in Hampden Foodie News

The Wine Source is one of Hampden's gems, and it just gets better all the time. (Except: When--OH GOD!--is that rumored wine bar a-comin'?) Their regular free wine tastings are a hipster/college student/Roland Park lawyer mixing bowl. (You can also sample TWS favorites at Baltimore Shakespeare Festival opening nights, FYI.) TWS's continuing expansion into food is more than welcome, and now. . .

The Wine Source is now making fresh mozzarella! (Thanks to Hampden's favorite foodie for alerting me!) The cheese cave admits that it's still on a learning curve, but fresh-made cheese is an amazing addition to their already well-selected, mighty selection of cheeses for sale.

According to TWS employee I just spoke to, the mozzarella is generally only made on weekends and is ready by early afternoon, but it goes fast!

There also is word that there may be some changes in staffing at the cheese cave coming soon, but that TWS is committed to making the cheese and will resume it ASAP if there are staffing changes.

Get some while tomatoes and basil are still in season! Summer is fading fast, people!