Whether you’re a fan of Woodberry Kitchen, Artefact, La Jétee, or Spike Gjerde’s previous restaurant projects like the Joy America Cafe, Atlantic, or Spike & Charlies, it’s a given that the chef has made an indelible mark on Baltimore’s food scene. Functioning like an artist who aspires to create beautiful spaces as well as inspired dining, Spike’s devotion to Baltimore and a farm-to-table ethos has earned him a national reputation, with a James Beard Award in 2015.
For the past three decades, Spike and a variety of collaborative partners have explored what it means to consume and enjoy quality food and drink, sourcing locally and thoughtfully supporting the growers and makers who share a passion for the local food ecosystem. His ventures have put delicious food at the forefront, while expanding our notions of sustainability and ethics at a local scale.
With his newest space opening this weekend (fingers crossed), Bar Dali will offer Spanish-style tapas and drinks, inspired loosely by the surrealist Spanish artist Salvadore Dali. The bar and restaurant is located in Mount Vernon, Baltimore’s cultural district, and this is no accident. In the final countdown before opening, the chef took a few minutes to chat about his creative impulses, the inspiration he takes from art and artists, travel, and Baltimore, with a sneak peek into a new menu that marries traditional Spanish cuisine with Maryland’s local offerings of seafood and produce.
