I've been here many times over the last few years and have…read morenever had a meal that I didn't thoroughly enjoy. The staff is knowledgeable, professional, and friendly. We even stayed at the hotel twice which was a special treat. We had tea, napped, and then came down for dinner. I am a local so it was a lovely mini-staycation.

Magdalena offers a dining experience that feels refined and comforting. It's a challenging balance…read moreto strike and one I am keenly attuned to. Set within The Ivy Hotel, the space carries a quiet elegance that immediately sets the tone. Rich textures, warm lighting, and a sense of history create an atmosphere that feels intimate and composed. What stands out first is the hospitality. The service is gracious, attentive, and welcoming. The menu reflects a similar sensibility: seasonal, sustainable, and thoughtfully sourced, with a clear emphasis on freshness and organic ingredients. Each dish feels grounded and intentional, with flavors that are satisfying and not pretentious. There's a clear awareness of how the experience engages all five senses, from presentation to aroma to texture, which elevates the meal beyond just taste. The cocktail program mirrors this approach. The list is seasonal and frequently evolving, offering creative, ingredient-driven drinks that feel just as considered as the food. I had the Aspen Fir which was distinctive, refreshing, and unlike anything I've had before. It was a perfect example of how thoughtfully they approach even the smallest details. There's a steadiness to Magdalena that's easy to appreciate. It doesn't chase trends or try to impress through excess yet instead, it delivers a consistently beautiful experience rooted in quality, warmth, and attention to detail. It's the kind of place you leave feeling both well taken care of and quietly impressed.

After seeing many reviews of this restaurant and it's Fried Chicken dish, I had to go see for…read moremyself what the fuss was about. As a self proclaimed Fried Chicken connoisseur, I have to check all claims. First...let's talk about City of Baltimore and dining. Parking can be an issue. But not here! Can't tell you how pleasantly surprised I was to see that they have their own parking lot with plenty of spaces. I went on a Friday night, after 8pm, and was expecting a wait. Nope - came in, was greeted & seated immediately. I'm loving this place already. After being seated, I was greater by my Server, Bella. For me, the Server can make, or break a dinning experience. Well...Bella was awesome. Since I was dining there for the 1st time, I had questions. Plenty of them. She didn't get impatient, and engaged with me, making me feel welcome and that I wasn't a bother. Bella is super dope. Now let's get to the food - I came for the Fried Chicken and it was good. Fried to crispy delicious status. Now, let me be clear - it's a Cornish Hen. However, it was still very well prepared. Fries are served with it and they were done well too. It's accompanied with Pickled Radish. I've never had this & didn't know what it was (thanks Bella for the pickled radish help!) and it was really good. I do not venture out & try new foods but this was something I'm glad I tried. I tried dessert to top off a good evening, going with their Banana Bread Pudding. I'd like for them to take another look into this dessert...I think it could be Better. Overall, an awesome City of Baltimore dining experience & I'd definitely go back.

I recently visited Motte Restaurant & Bar, and it was such a great introduction to Korean-American…read morefusion cuisine. The restaurant has a modern, inviting atmosphere that works well for a date night, dinner with friends, or even celebrating a special occasion. We started with the Honey Garlic Wings, which were perfectly crispy and coated in a flavorful sweet and savory glaze. The Crispy Fried Shrimp Balls were another standout--crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and paired with a spicy mayo that complemented them really well. One of the biggest surprises of the night was the Hot 'N' Sweet Shrimp Pizza. I wasn't sure what to expect, but the combination of breaded shrimp, sweet chili, mozzarella, and scallions worked surprisingly well together. For our entrées, we ordered the Bulgogi, which was tender, well-seasoned, and served with rice, pickled radish, and white kimchi. We also tried the Motte Fried Chicken, a whole fried Cornish hen served with fries and pickled radish. The chicken was incredibly crispy while staying juicy inside, making it one of my favorite dishes of the meal. To finish, we shared the crème brûlée. It had a perfectly crisp caramelized sugar topping with a smooth, creamy custard underneath--the perfect way to end dinner. Overall, I really enjoyed my experience at Motte. The food was flavorful, portions were generous, and the menu offered a fun mix of familiar comfort foods with Korean-inspired flavors. I'll definitely be back to try more of the menu.

the service here is amazing!! everyone is so sweet and attentive. i'm vegetarian and my server…read morehelped me choose what to get. i wanted the tteokbokki with a creamy gochujang sauce which wasn't on the menu anymore and they went as far as to check with the chef and make it for me!! so so sweet of them! my food was sooo delicious!! it's also a beautiful restaurant and the seating especially in the booths is so thoughtfully designed. so pretty and romantic.

What an experience. I really wish this restaurant was in Gaithersburg. But maybe if it was it…read morewouldn't be as special. Sunday was my first time trying this restaurant and it was great. My friends suggested that we dine here for restaurant week which was a sweet idea. As soon as we walked in we were greeted by the friendly hostess who took us to our seats. Then our waiter explained the menu and gave us some time to decided what menu we wanted to order from (Restaurant week brunch menu or regular menu). We chose the brunch menu. For the brunch menu we were able to choose a appetizer, entree, and a dessert for $35.00. Not too bad. For drinks I ordered PIRATE PRINCESS which was Ron del Barrilito 2 Star Puerto Rican rum, passionfruit, miso honey, lime, and togarash. It was a perfect balance of sweetness and a little bitterness. For food we ordered the shrimp and corn patties, and the pan roasted salmon. The shrimp and corn patties were delicious. It was packed with multiple flavors and it was seasoned really well. The pan roasted salmon was cooked to perfection. It was flaky, and seasoned very well. It came with Ramen noodles that I thought were going to be temperature hot however, they came room temperature which was fine. They were seasoned very well. The ambiance was very nice. It gave like 1950's/ 1970's vibe. Old marble tables, antique pictures on the walls. It seemed like the building use to be a house prior to it becoming a restaurant. It was a great time. If you are in the Hampden area I recommend giving this restaurant a try. I am looking forward to visiting again for dinner. Cheers!!

Surprised to see the overall low-ish rating; I had not just a great meal but an ideal dining…read moreexperience at Peter's Inn last night. My main dish was perfect. I was warmly greeted at the entrance by Bud. Atmosphere was fun, bustling, lively, enjoyable. Because I was seated at the bar, I ended up in pleasant conversation with neighbors on both sides. A special thanks to Noah, server/bartender/human extraordinaire, who maintained composure - and excellent conversation - despite nonstop orders. A few caveats... Yes, it's a small space. As other reviewers have noted, it's not the ideal spot for a large group. Is it cramped? People do need to squeeze past each other to get around. But it was never uncomfortable at all. Other reviewers have complained about the reservation system. OK, it's slightly old school. Not quite seamless. But I also appreciate that a restaurant not owned or managed by a soulless corporate group needs to allocate resources carefully. To me, emailing for a reservation was such a negligible inconvenience for the pleasure of my meal at Peter's Inn. In exchange, I found a warm and welcoming environment that is not duplicated elsewhere. I can't wait to go back and try something new on the menu.

This is a must try if you are in Baltimore! It's a very authentic menu that is handwritten and…read morechanges every week. The steak and whipped mashed potatoes was amazing, and their garlic bread is the best spread that I've had. The restaurant is quite small in the service is good. They only take the reservations by email, and they do walk-ins but it's usually at least a 30 minute wait.

Is it my favorite tapas place in Baltimore? No, but the vibe is nice and service is great. I'd…read moreprobably give the food more of a 3.5 stars but the ambiance of the bar is nice enough to where I wouldn't mind returning for a drink or two. This time around, I ordered the papas bravas, deviled eggs, and the picada banderillas. My favorite was the picada banderillas which came with two toothpicks stacked with chorizo, yummy cheese, and sweet and sour pickles. This is a pretty simple and easy dish and would be pretty hard to screw up so I'm glad it didn't disappoint. The potatoes were not my favorite though. I wished they were more crispy. The red sauce felt thin and lacked flavor. The aioli was sloppily squirted into a pool on the side of the dish. I've had much better at other tapas spots nearby. The deviled eggs were also just okay. They came with chopped pickles underneath the bed of egg/mayo mixture. Again, I've had better and I'd venture to guess that most people's Moms or Aunts could make a better version at home. I love the selection of vermouth and the complimentary olives though. Super nice touch. I would return for casual drinks at the bar!

We were heading to Stavvy's show at the Lyric and needed a quick but filling meal before heading to…read morethe venue. We met friends at Bar Dali and had a great time. We did just so happen to come during the World Cup Final, so everyone in the bar was focused on the tension on screen. Despite how full it was, the service was still solid and our server came to check on us multiple times. We tried many drinks on the menu, my favorite was the espresso martini and the cocktail of the day. All the cocktails were light, delicious, and added a little pep to your step. We selected our tapas and food in a rapid fire fashion with no time to second guess, and boy did we choose right. The tapas were light but filling and had enough to share between four people. The patatas bravas and the ham croquets were my favorite, and we also loved the banderilla de quesita, which were little skewers of cheese, olives, and pickles. I can't wait to come back for a full meal and to try their red wine!

Beautiful spot for an afternoon patio hangout and appetizers. Came here around 3:45 on a Thursday…read moreand realized they have new hours: closed between 3-5pm! Luckily, there were still staff inside, and they were kind enough to let us relax on the patio while we waited for service to start again. The garden area on the patio is so beautiful, I can't get enough of it. The hanging lights, well kept foliage, flowers, and tiled walkways will keep you there for hours. This time, I finally tried their food! We grabbed a smoked salmon dip recommended to us by the waiter, and it was well worth it. Smokey, creamy dip topped with fresh dill, pickled onion, and capers served with a variety of buttery crackers. YUM. We also grabbed the Libyan meatballs, which were a spicier twist on a classic marinara meatball. My friend and I shared a couple drinks, but I don't recall the names as the craft cocktail menu changes frequently. One was a boozy tropical sipper topped with a lime, another was a beautiful spicy mango drink topped with mint, and finally we tried a pistachio infused sparkling drink with a side of pistachios. Out of the three, the spicy mango one was my favorite, but they were all very unique and delicious. Love this spot as always and I can't wait to come back!

I took my best friend out to celebrate her birthday and we had an amazing night!…read moreThere are so many different ways to experience Mama Koko's; try the lounge area, dining room, bar, or even the patio. They all have a cozy, soulful vibe. We had a reservation in the dining room and it felt like a New York night in a Brooklyn brownstone (very chic). Our server was also our bartender, Ari, and he took excellent care of us. The sound system cocktail is his creation and it was reportedly a 10/10. I'm not a big drinker so he recommended the house made ginger beer--divine! They were out of snapper this night but we were able to substitute the fish in our dishes for branzino. My friend really enjoyed her fish dinner and raved about the slaw. My peri peri sandwich was sooooo good--I do think the snapper would have elevated the flavor but no complaints. I also substituted my fries for collard greens. They were delicious, a little sweet but tasty nonetheless. For dessert, we ordered the bread pudding. I really enjoyed it but if you're not a fan of nuts I may recommend another item. It's rare, but it's so special when you find a place that makes you feel like your family is in the kitchen. I highly recommend spending an evening here and I will for sure be back.

Clock Kitchen & Bar was such a fun Baltimore find! I stumbled upon this hidden speakeasy and loved…read morethe whole experience. There's even a cigar lounge on another floor, which adds to the vibe. The bartender was friendly and welcoming, and I ordered a burger and fries that were absolutely delicious. You can tell the chef genuinely aims to please, so I don't think you'll be disappointed with the food. Part of the fun is actually finding your way in. I won't give away the secret, but let's just say the elevator requires a special code to get you upstairs. That little touch makes it feel like a true speakeasy experience. Definitely a cool hidden gem in Baltimore and a spot I'd visit again!

A little difficult to locate & find parking Orange crushes…read morewere truly Maryland !! Old fashioned was okay, my husband thinks maybe another bourbon would've made it taste better Smash burgers perfect 12" chicken sub excellent and enough for 2 people Waiter got lost after we ordered another round of drinks but did comp us due to the long wait. Free pool table & shuffle board table were fun to play while waiting for our food We'd go back if in the area again

Fantastic experience at Barcocina. Service was amazing. Server was attentive, provided suggestions…read moreand made sure everything was great throughout the meal. We started with the Salsa Roja and it was really good. The chips were also very fresh and crunchy. We had the Shrimp and Crab Omelette and the Breakfast Burrito. Both were also very tasty. Both well cooked and good portions. Also had a strawberry mojito which was well made and delicious. Stop into Barcocina. It's a great experience.

Great time at the Barcocina. Came on a Saturday during NBA Play-Off and the place was jumping…read more Great location, wait staff is awesome and the food was really good. Nice summertime spot off the water. Highly recommend.