Water for Chocolate chef/owner Sean Guy said he hopes to reopen his Upper Fells Point restaurant within six weeks.
The Lombard Street restaurant suffered water damage resulting from a March 20 fire that caused more extensive damage to the building's upper floors, where Guy lives.
Neither Guy nor his children, who live with him part time, were in the apartment when the fire started. But Guy's 3-year-old pug, Dirty Rice, died in the fire, which was caused when a dryer exploded.
Some Upper Fells Point residents and fans of Guy's restaurant have come to the support of Water for Chocolate.
Within hours of the fire, a "Water for Chocolate Fire Relief" page was created on GoFundMe, a do-it-yourself fundraising website. As of Friday afternoon , the page had raised more than twice its original goal of $5,000.
The fundraising page was started by Upper Fells Point resident Scott Schopman.
"Water for Chocolate is a such a gem of a restaurant," Schopman said. "When the news started rolling in over various Facebook pages, I was trying to think of something to do. Actually, my girlfriend had the idea of a GoFundMe [campaign], and I just ran with it and set it up. It really wasn't hard to set up a GoFundMe."
Neighboring businesses also scheduled additional fundraisers in support of Guy. The first of them was held last Thursday at Hot Tomatoes II, a pizza restaurant in Upper Fells Point. The second will be hosted Thursday at the Fells Point bar Bad Decisions. Proceeds from sales at both venues will be donated to Guy, who will be cooking some of his signature Southern-inspired comfort food.
Guy said he was looking forward to the Bad Decisions event, where he'll be able to show guests his appreciation.
"I want to thank them for showing the extent of love they did when this happened and to let them know what's happening with the future of the restaurant," Guy said.
Bad Decisions owner John Reusing said helping Guy was an easy decision.
"I've worked with Sean in the past. He's a nice guy, and [Water for Chocolate] a really nice business," Reusing said.
Guy said his insurance is covering the repairs to the building and the first-floor restaurant space. He will be using the raised funds, he said, to offset the losses from having his business closed.
The Bad Decisions fundraiser is 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday at 1928 Fleet St. in Fells Point. For information call 410-979-5161 or go to makeabaddecision.com.
In brief
Grand Cru, which was closed most of March for renovations, has reopened in Belvedere Square with a new owner and a new management team.
Founded by the late Nelson Carey, the wine bar was sold by his widow, Christina Carey, in early March to J.C. Unitas III, the grandson of Baltimore Colts legend Johnny Unitas.
Unitas has enlisted a few big-time names to help him manage his first project: Spike Gjerde and Corey Polyoka of the Hampden-headquartered Foodshed restaurant group, which includes Parts & Labor, Artifact Coffee and Shoo-Fly, a family diner in Belvedere Square.
"I am partnering with Corey and Spike because their approach aligns with my vision," said Unitas.
Grand Cru is at 527 E. Belvedere Ave. For more information call 410-464-1944 or go to grand-cru-baltimore.blogspot.com.
Keep up to date on local dining news at baltimoresun.com/diner.