Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896
November 21, 2024

Leisure

Leisure is the section where we highlight the intriguing, exciting and all-around fun events and activities happening in Baltimore over the weekend.



COURTESY OF MICHELLE LIMPE
Allora’s Restaurant Week deal offers a three-course meal for $20. 

Allora! Make a visit to Baltimore’s new Roman bistro

Tucked away among the row of restaurants in Mount Vernon, Allora is a relatively new bistro which opened in September 2021 that exudes the perfect balance of exquisite Roman charm and comfort. In Italian, “Allora” acts as a filler word, similar to the “likes” and “ums” of English, but it can also be used to draw attention to a particular thing such as a new restaurant. 


COURTESY OF GRETA MARAS 
According to Maras, the wings at Jazz+Soju are not to be missed. 

Must-try restaurants this month!

Have you gotten a chance to try some new food since returning to campus for the semester? If you were looking for a telltale sign to venture off campus or order some delicious new food for delivery, the events happening in Baltimore this week should have no trouble convincing you to do so! 



COURTESY OF ELLIE ROSE MATTOON
Mattoon recommends different cookies recipes to get students through finals period. 

What Christmas cookie to bake based on your major

If I had it my way, the Christmas season would never overlap with final exams, but there is one advantage to having the busiest time of the year with the most wonderful time of the year: stress-baking. Whether as a study break or a post-exam celebration, the sound of my hand mixer beating butter into creamy peaks is always a cathartic experience. 


COURTESY OF BATYA WIENER

Alma Cocina Latina is a unique restaurant worth trying

It sounds cliche, but walking into Alma Cocina Latina is like taking a breath of fresh air. The restaurant is in the center of Station North and very easy to get to — within Blue Jay Shuttle distance and next to the Charles St. and North Ave. JHMI stop. 


ED SCHIPUL / CC BY-SA 2.0
A TikTok-inspired presentation night proved to be a funny memory on a night-in that had Park reeling with laughter and a good time. 

A presentation night is the most fun activity to do on a night in

As I get older, I find myself searching for more productive and wholesome yet educational activities to do with friends to pass the time. While going off campus and visiting new sites is also a fun and new experience, it can really eat up a lot of time and money that many college students can’t afford to sacrifice. So, what’s there to do on a Friday night that’s economical, fun, low effort and easily accessible for everybody?


COURTESY OF LEELA GEBO
Spend one more weekend enjoying Baltimore with friends before people head out for Thanksgiving!

Events this weekend (Nov. 12 — Nov. 14)

We’ve made it to the final stretch before break! While next week might be spent in Brody getting ahead on assignments before Thanksgiving, take some time this weekend to explore Baltimore and enjoy the beautiful fall weather with friends. 


PUBLIC DOMAIN
Pumpkin ale, cute fall photoshoots and a good time — that's a solid weekend plan. 

Events this weekend (Nov. 5— Nov. 6)

The weather is getting colder, and the semester is getting harder. It’s time to take care of your mental health and step out of the Hopkins bubble this weekend, even if just briefly. Take advantage of this weekend’s events before it gets too cold outside!


COURTESY OF MICHELLE LIMPE
Limpe and her closest friends were able to enjoy a refreshing day out at Weber's Cider Mill Farm. 

Pumpkins, pies and hayrides: Fall for Weber’s Cider Mill Farm

Lately, as the air grows chillier, I’ve been immensely enjoying the fall weather during my brief trips to campus for either my weekly COVID-19 test or one in-person class; I love watching the trees’ hues gradually shift from shades of green to warm tones of browns, yellows and oranges. 


HENRICKSON / CC BY-SA 3.0
This weekend, students get a chance to dress up as whatever they want and enjoy a good, spooky time. 

Events this weekend (Oct. 29 — Oct. 31)

Congratulations on completing the first midterm season of the fall semester! Now that Halloween is around the corner, it’s time to embrace this Halloweekend. Get out there and enjoy the spooky fall vibes with your (vaccinated) friends — and, of course, be safe. 


COURTESY OF CLAIRE GOUDREAU
Get ready to sit down and watch Goudreau's top-5 recommended horror films this weekend.

Horror movies for people who don't like horror

Every October, I commit myself to watching as many horror movies as I can. I check out suspicious DVDs from the library and scour streaming platforms for hidden gems. I’ve even bought a VHS tape off of eBay to secure a particularly tricky find — anything to get into the Halloween spirit.




COURTESY OF ARANTZA GARCIA
The Blue Jay’s Perch is the perfect weekly excursion for gardeners and plant lovers. 

The Blue Jay's Perch is a perfect opportunity to garden every week

A lot of people have gardens back home, whether it be an elaborate collection of herbs in your backyard or a single, impossible-to-kill cactus sitting on a windowsill. For me, I had to leave a full balcony of succulents behind when I came to Hopkins. Sure, they were slightly overgrown, a little bit unruly and full of spiders, but they were mine, and I had watched all of them grow from seedlings. 


COURTESY OF SHIRLENE JOHN
There's nothing better than testing out homemade pasta recipes with your roommates during exam season.

Recipe: Gigi Hadid’s TikTok-famous penne alla vodka

After eating the same grilled chicken and rice for over a week, I knew it was time for a change of pace. So, in spite of two impending midterms, I dragged my roommate and a couple of friends into the AMR III Building B basement to make Gigi Hadid’s famous spicy penne alla vodka recipe (minus the vodka). 


COURTESY OF TEDDY WADSTEN
The Abell Street Fair was another success; visitors have yet to be disappointed.

The Abell Street Fair is a celebration of the local community

Last Sunday, I rounded up my brother and my boyfriend to check out the Abell Street Fair. The annual event took place just a short walk from my apartment on Guilford Avenue and within a couple blocks of Peabody Heights Brewery and The Book Thing of Baltimore. I was particularly excited for this year’s festivities, as the last time I attended the fair was back in 2019. 



COURTESY OF LAURA WADSTEN
Editor-in-Chief Laura Wadsten and her boyfriend Alex offer suggestions for Baltimore-based date nights. 

Charm your date in Charm City

It’s the second week of in-person classes, and I’m sure at least some of you are looking to finally have a love life that doesn’t consist solely of movie nights on Zoom and swiping right. Whether you’re meeting someone for the first time or in a long-term relationship, spending quality time together is a pillar of a healthy relationship. This is where we come in...


COURTESY OF EUNICE PARK
Local cafe good neighbor is a serene workspace, perfect for studying or enjoying morning brunch.

Good neighbor, a hidden gem of a café

I’m a self-proclaimed coffee addict as well as a coffee connoisseur. At this point in my life, only the finest and most refined of coffee beans can achieve the Eunice Park stamp of approval.