Tark's Grill (Green Spring Station in Lutherville, 410-583-8275) is now open in the space where Longo's and a number of restaurants have been. Just the fact that it opened after extensive renovations exactly on schedule gives me hope for its success. It doesn't hurt that the general manager is Mark Hofmann, something of a celebrity restaurateur around here, and he'll be working closely with the kitchen.
The renovated space, operating partner Bill Shriver says, is a blend of traditional and contemporary, done in black, deep red and white. Historical photos of Baltimore decorate the walls. The dining room has 140 seats; there are 50 more in the lounge. And when the weather warms up, the interior courtyard will open.
The menu is classic American grill cuisine, with entree salads and light fare thrown into the mix. The specialties are homey foods like meatloaf, braised short ribs and chicken potpie. There are crab cakes, of course, and a signature 20-ounce grilled T-bone. Entrees run from $15 to $32. The executive chef is Russell Gamewell.
As for the wine list, it's "deep in domestic wines," says Hofmann. "There are boutique or esoteric wines priced to be user-friendly, plus ones with name recognition." A higher-priced cellar list for oenophiles is on its way.
Tark's is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. An a la carte brunch is scheduled to start March 1.
More best pizza --When Pasticcio Italian Kitchen's pizza was named best in a recent Sun story, you may have felt Canton was too far to go for pizza if you live north of the city. Fret not. A second full-service Pasticcio (1330 Reisterstown Road, 410-484-4781) has just opened in Pikesville. (The Pasticcio Italian Kitchen in Glen Arm is a carryout.)
Like the Canton location, it's more restaurant than pizzeria, with pasta dishes and entrees. Unlike the Canton location, the Pikesville Pasticcio is BYOB. Manager Rosanna Coppola says the restaurant is hoping to get a liquor license.
The restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Two to tango --Dustin Hammersmith, who has worked in the kitchens of both Red Maple and Brewer's Art, is the new executive chef at Tango Tapas in Federal Hill. He and sous-chef Salvador Caceres have revamped the menu of Sky Lounge's restaurant so it's more traditionally Spanish and very seasonal.
The sliders are gone, for instance; and you'll find more Spanish hams, cheeses and olives available. The martini list also has been redone. Only the sangria remains the same, says LG Concannon, Sky Lounge's new managing partner.
Send restaurant news, trends, questions of general interest or observations to me at elizabeth.large@baltsun.com or fax me at 410-783-2519. Snail mail works, too: Elizabeth Large, The Sun, Box 1377, Baltimore 21278.