With kids back at school and football returning to the airwaves, local restaurants are gearing up for fall with expansions, events, and more. Here’s a look at what’s on tap: Openings announcements Good news for Timonium pizza lovers: Vito’s Pizza, the beloved York Road pizza shop n ear the city-county line, has opened a second location in the Yorkridge Shopping Center. There are happenings afoot at the Lord Baltimore Hotel, where Chef Frank White has returned to take over the executive chef spot. Most recently, Chef White was the head chef for SSA Group at the National Aquarium. The new pop-up at R. House is the crew from the Holy Moli food truck. The team is serving food truck favorites, including the lamb smashburger, through Sept. 22. Sadly, Fruition at 135th in the Alex Brown Sons building has closed after five months in business. The Local Fry on the move The Local Fry is in expansion mode. The popular spot, which originally started in Federal Hill and has migrated to Hampden, is in national franchise expansion mode. New franchises will open this year in Maryland (Urbana) and Texas, and additional locations in New Jersey, Illinois, and Colorado are in the planning phase. Old Bay expansion Old Bay has a new cousin: Old Bay Blackbird Seasoning. This expansion of the classic Old Bay brand adds a lemony take on the original and comes in a Ravens-themed tin. It is available starting this week at the Ravens Flock Shop, as well as local Weis, Safeway, Wegmans, and Giant stores. Fiesta de Clavel On Sunday, Clavel is throwing an all-day outdoor fiesta featuring music by Mariachi Garibaldi along with food from The Local Oyster, The Lunchbox Lady, Mexico on the Run, Hijos del Maiz and, of course, Clavel itself. Tickets are on sale now. Expanded Wine Wednesday at True Chesapeake On Wednesday, Sept. 9, True Chesapeake’s regular Wine Wednesday promotion gets a twist: free tastings and discounted bottles from Washington state’s Long Shadows. Burnt Hill turns one Burnt Hill Farm is celebrating its first anniversary with a pig, lamb, and oyster roast on Thursday, Sept. 10. The evening includes food from Chef Tae Strain along with an all-star line-up of guest chefs like H3irloom’s David and Tonya Thomas, True Chesapeake’s Zack Mills, and Woodberry Kitchen’s Spike Gjerde. Dine United Several local restaurants are supporting the United Way of Central Maryland this fall, during October’s Dine United campaign and with one-off offerings available for purchase. For example: The Food Market’s John Bedingfield is a co-chair of the campaign and is also offering dining experiences in the restaurant’s private kitchen. Planning for the future Mark your calendars for: September 26-27: Fig Picnic at Juniper Farm October 21: Chef Carlos Raba at Boordy Vineyards October 24: Culinary Walking Tour of Greenmount Cemetery  ...read more read less