Magdalena, A Maryland Bistro

From the moment we walked up to the hotel entrance, the attentiveness and friendliness of the staff was obvious, and it just continued throughout the night. I've been wanting to check this place out for years, and I'm so glad I finally did! The clever cocktail list was well-thought out, and I loved my CBGB cocktail (pictured). We got the special appetizer, the crab cake, and while delicious and beautifully presented (pictured), aside from the buerre blanc sauce it didn't "wow" us more than any other crabcake. The beet salad was amazing (pictured-dairy intolerance had us order the ricotta on the side, not pictured). While I wouldn't order the pork belly again, I would absolutely come back for the scallops! The halibut was also delectable. Can't say enough about the professionalism and friendliness of all the staff-it was on par with service at the Charleston, but much more down to earth which I fully enjoyed. Chatting with our server Michael and the sommelier about the history of booze in Baltimore was memorable. Can't wait to come back and dine on the patio in cooler weather!

I went there for a celebration and was excited to try the different dishes! A lot of them fell short flavor-wise, but the risotto was great. I got Chilean wine from the Maipo region and was a tad disappointed, considering I had the same wine in Chile, and it tasted differently. HOWEVER, I give major points for seeing such a large wine list! Overall, I would give this place a second try, even though the prices led me to expect more originally.

Amazing place for a fine dining experience. We began the night greeted by an amazing and friendly hostess and Valet service. Our server Max was absolutely fantastic and knowledgeable! The food was delectable and next level!

The drinks and appetizers (scallops and duck leg) were really good, our favorite part of the entire meal. Our entrees were a huge letdown. The burger was ordered medium and came out to be more well done than medium. The rockfish was also well done and very dry. Our baby wanted bread and that was an extra $8 for 4 small pieces of bread. This place used to be my favorite restaurant in Baltimore, definitely not anymore after our experience on 3/22.

One of my favorite restaurants in Baltimore. The seasonal menu is always a treat. The atmosphere is fantastic for a relaxed calming evening. Always looking forward to going back!

Came here for date night and was not disappointed. It was a wonderful experience. The food was phenomenal, our server was attentive and fun to talk to, and the atmosphere was intimate but comfortable. Will definitely be coming back again. If you're thinking about trying this place out don't think just do it.

The entire experience invokes happiness and pleases all of my senses. The free valet parking, charming host, and ambiance throughout the venue are lovely. My favorite space is the courtyard, where the wall is adorned with ivy. The entire staff is knowledgeable about the menu and where every item is sourced. Thus far, my favorite meal is the catfish, but Chef Scott is always preparing something new with our tastebuds and ecosystem in mind.

My husband and I had dinner here for our 10 year anniversary and we were underwhelmed. It was such an average experience that I do not plan on coming back. The octopus was dry. The brussle sprouts were so burnt I couldn't eat them, and instead of anyone wondering why it was untouched they just took it away. My husband's foie gras was so rich, the toasted bread it sat on was also buttered, all in all too heavy, nothing to break it up. Atmosphere was nice, restaurant was clean.

If you're looking for an upscale evening full of amazing service and impeccable food, look no further. Magdalena located inside the luxury, #blackowned ivy hotel has it all and then a little more. The staff exudes excellence. And the seasonal menu has a little something for everyone. What I tried: House made focaccia w/ green curry butter: if you go for no other reason, go for this. The flakey salt on top was *chef's kiss* Potato soup and Beet & Citrus salad: both great apps. The potato soup was lighter than expected with a nice flavor. The salad had a great balance Wild Rockfish: perfectly cooked, melt in your mouth rockfish complemented by an awesome sunchoke puree and baby leeks Roasted cauliflower w/ fried chickpeas and buttermilk dressing: most unassuming win of the night! Incredible flavor. Almond cake with upside down pears: called an upside down pear almond cake, but the two things were separate. They could've come on different plates for all I care, because it was DELICIOUS! Port pears, port ice cream, date-port syrup. In full disclosure, there was an initial dessert that we didn't care for, but of course the staff promptly replaced it without asking. I chalked it up to different palettes. Need further confirmation - when the bathrooms have Charmin, you know you're in the lap of luxury‼

Ordered the Crispy Berkshire Pork Belly (Black radish, mokum carrots, bang bang sauce, mustard glazed chinese cabbage) . The pork belly was delicious. The flavors of the bang bang sauce paired well with the pork belly and vegetables. For my drink, I went with the Tepache Mode (Pineapple and ugly pepper tepach, yogurt and allspice syrup, lime juice, orange spice shrub) . The mocktail was refreshing and tasty. Since the pork belly and mocktail was a hit, although I did not need it, I decided to order dessert. I went with the Upside Down Pear almond cake (port pears, port ice cream, spiced almonds, date - port syrup). Sounds delicious right? Nope. I was highly disappointed with it. I should've stuck with my first decision, which was to opt out of dessert. All in all, I would return as I would like to try other dishes from the menu.

Came here to surprise a friend on her recent engagement (which was a complete success). We weren't sure what to order so we ended up getting the shared plates. BeT idea. Food was cooked so well. Highlights: initial bread for the table could've been the meal and I would've been satisfied. So scrumptious!! Also peach mojito was probably the best I've ever had. Not sweet and definitely boozy. Valet parking made arrival and leaving effortless. Of course I have to mention the beautiful scenery and tons of options for an excellent photo-op. Will I be back? For sure!!

My favorite high end restaurant in Baltimore (I know it's sacrilege but I think it is far better than Charleston IMHO). Take advantage of the free valet parking because street parking is hard to find nearby. It's in the Ivy Hotel. Seating is limited in cold weather (they have a courtyard area in the summer) so make reservations ahead of time. Cool bar and great cocktails. Most recently had the 16 oz ribeye, grilled forest mushrooms, mushroom tartine and pumpkin spiced cheesecake. All were excellent

What can I say. Whenever I'm here the staff never disappoints. I came for the Juneteenth even. It was a beautiful experience. I normally come at night but the everyone was in the still Evening which was great because I finally got to see the courtyard. The ambiance is so nice. They had love entertainment as well. For the minute I pulled up until I left the parking lot it was nonstop great service. The featured chefs did a great job with the food and cocktails. I ate soo much lol. I hope they host this event again next year

Magdalena is a beautiful restaurant for special occasions that had lots of incredibly flavorful dishes and great cocktails. They have free valet parking which for the neighborhood is exceptionally useful. So I will make note of the astronomical cost in this review, but I do think some of that cost absorbs the parking! My fiancé and I went with another couple for a birthday and we had a great time, although the service was slow. I am unsure if this intentional to get you to get more drinks? But it was a bit suspicious as it's not a large restaurant. Just something to keep in mind. We started off with the bread service which they do charge for. The bread was delicious but, I feel that's a bit bizarre personally. It comes with a great spread that was some sort of homemade/mixed butter. We split the BBQ carrots, they were a nice appetizer. We each got 1 drink. The drinks were great but took a very long time to arrive. At any restaurant, this is annoying but for a $22 cocktail, they should figure out how to make them a bit quicker. My fiancé got the 52 Years at War and it had a little liqueur bottle on the side - it was incredible! I'd recommend this. I got the Grandi Flora which was light, floral, and sparkling. A great start to spring! Everyone liked their drinks. For entrees, we got the burger and the scallops/pork belly. As others have mentioned it is $50 for 2 scallops. Despite the price, the pork belly was probably my favorite part of the meal! The burger was good but not insane. For Wagyu, it was a tad dry. I think the burger at Manor hill in Ellicott City is still the best! We split a few different things for dessert and they put a little "happy birthday" chocolate in our friends. The server did forgot our friend's soda. Not a huge deal, but at this price point, if you can't remember - write it down. Overall, everything was very good but not insanely amazing. The menu is small so I would return when it's changed, which I assume is seasonal. I think this is a great special occasion spot but could use a few tweaks to their service!

Food - amazing. Caviar is amazing. Roasted beet appetizer is a must have as is the mushroom appetizer. The filet is well prepared and cooked correctly to temperature. The bar is amazing and provides fantastic mixed drinks. The wine list is robust and suits the meals well. Entrance, when facing the building, is to the right.

Appetizers are excellent. The mushroom tartine especially is decadent in taste, large for an appetizer, and the elements go well together. The scallop entree comes with "instagram worthy" accompaniments but I don't think they all go together. The NY strip steak has a nice sauce but it's just ok. Maybe the seasoning is a bit plain. The broccoli that comes with it however is superb. Still water is their "no charge" water. Nice dining room. Nice individual bathrooms.

Came here to surprise a friend on her recent engagement (which was a complete success). We weren't sure what to order so we ended up getting the shared plates. BeT idea. Food was cooked so well. Highlights: initial bread for the table could've been the meal and I would've been satisfied. So scrumptious!! Also peach mojito was probably the best I've ever had. Not sweet and definitely boozy. Valet parking made arrival and leaving effortless. Of course I have to mention the beautiful scenery and tons of options for an excellent photo-op. Will I be back? For sure!!

Pork cop dinner - Scrumptious! Cooked to perfection!! Looking forward to visiting again.

Had the most delightful meal. Food is excellent, ambiance is refined, yet cozy, and the service is attentive without being stuffy. The vibe of this place is very cool. This will definitely be in the regular rotation of dinner options

My son lives in Baltimore and I visit from out of state, regularly. Looking for a restaurant in his area that we never tried, I found Magdelena online. The restaurant is phenomenal. Food, atmosphere and service is top notch, truly a five star experience. The staff is attentive, personable and professional. A special shout out to our server, Andrew. Our first time here but certainly will not be the last, looking forward to my next visit!

This was a great hidden gem! The food was really tasty and the drinks were great. The service and staff was very attentive. The ambience is perfect for a romantic date night.

Finally came to Magdalena because we Brought two friends here and was it well worth it! My husband says it's the best meal he's had in a long time and we've tasted at two 3 star Michelin restaurants in the past year. The atmosphere was great-classy, comfortable, you could talk without raising your voice and hear one another. The service was measured and leisurely--which was great for us because we wanted to savor our company. And the food--so delicious. Interesting, thoughtful, everything was delicious and a treat. With 3 apps, bread for 2 ( perfect for 4) and 4 entrees, we were too stuffed to try dessert. We will be back!

Had an absolutely lovely birthday dinner here. Every single aspect of dinner was phenomenal. Our server Jayda was warm and personable. Cocktails were superb. The bread service was so delicious we almost ordered another. The pickled beets for our appetizer were nuanced and nicely balanced against slivers of apple. The NY strip was decadent with a mushroom sauce and roasted broccoli and the waygu burger with truffle fries were *chef's kiss*. The pumpkin custard was a nice sweet bite. They have free valet parking included with dinner. A lovely spot for a special night!

From the moment I walked in, I was taken aback by the décor and ambiance. According to their site "Magdalena features thoughtfully created bistro fare inspired by the classic dishes of France, the comforts of England and the vast spirit of Baltimore" . The lights were dimmed, giving it a super sexy and intimate vibe. I was here for a birthday dinner so we had a slightly secluded are to dine. Beware that this is an upscale restaurant and there is no complimentary starters. So we got a few baskets of their Bread for 2 ($7). The butter spread was delicious! Melted in our mouths. I started with their Smoked Local Catfish Croquettes, Bitter Greens, Ramp Aioli | $1 9 - 8/10 I would of preferred it be a bit more flakey or have a slight outer crunch. For my entrée though I got the 10 oz NY Strip well done Served with Truffle Pavé, Balsamic Roasted Onions, Bordelaise Sauce | $45 - 10/10 very flavorful and filling. The potatoes were also beautifully presented and delicious. As for drinks I had their Passion Fruit Fizz w/ vodka | $17 - & their Rum Sidecar | $17. Both delicious but the rum sidecar had more of a kick. The overall service was just alright though. Our waitress was covering a few tables so she was spread pretty thin + the wait for our food and drinks was slightly extended. We had a party of 9 but still felt a bit long. All in all though, I would return to Magdalena. Find me on Instagram for more destination inspiration @wherezmay

We had the best time here for dinner- the patio is so cute and the perfect ambiance for a nice dinner. I have a gluten allergy and our waiter was fantastic about making sure I could eat everything I ordered- I really feel like he went above and beyond for us and definitely added to our experience. The fries and the dessert were my favorite part of the meal and my husband loved the cocktails- they were doing a tiki week theme which was really fun! They also offer complimentary valet parking which made it super easy and not stressful to eat here. We will definitely be back!

My husband and I went to Magdalena to celebrate his birthday. The restaurant is beautiful and the service is excellent! We started with two delicious drinks and the seafood platter. The tail of dreams cocktail was the best thing we tasted all night! We also really appreciated that they serve half bottles of wine. As far as entrees go, the burger was good, but the elk osso bucco was over cooked and very dry. For dessert, we got the fig sticky toffee pudding, which was just okay. If we return, we'll sit at the bar for drinks and enjoy the ambiance.

This restaurant is a hidden gem in it is located on the ground floor of a hotel. You are welcomed by a doorman who opens the door for you and nice reception that takes you to your seat. This is a great spot to have a dinner for a special occasion and is one of my favorite restaurants that I've tried in Baltimore. The 1912 clarified cherry blossom punch was the most surprising drink of the night. The drink literally just tastes like water, and we thought that the bartender had forgotten to put in the alcohol. It's a fascinating drink to have because there is no trace of alcoholic flavor. As for the food, all but one of the dishes were impressive and beautifully plated. My favorite dish was the Brussels sprouts because they were priced reasonably, came with a generous helping, and were probably the best Brussel sprouts I've had in Baltimore. I also enjoyed the salad as a light starter for the rest of the meal. It was beautifully plated and very refreshing. We also tried the Foie Gras for the first time, and it was everything we hoped it would be: it melted in your mouth and tasted very luxurious. The duck breast was also well done and came with a generous portion of meat. The one dish that I disliked was the tilefish. The portion of tilefish that I got was certainly not worth the price of the dish. in addition, the tilefish was dry, under seasoned, and overcooked. I strongly suggest that you order something else. All in all, this is a fantastic dining experience, and I would love to come back again in the future.

The place is beautiful! The reception at the door was gracious and left me optimistic. The food when we got it, was beautiful and delicious! Kudos for nice mocktails! But the service was a painful disaster. Unlike many restaurants, this place had oodles of staff but they were spinning in the wind like a pinwheel. There were no less than three different servers that kept our water full, but getting anything else was impossible. Thank you for the round of free drinks for the wait but we came to dine and that was unfortunately an excruciating experience.

Really enjoyed my visit to Magdalena Was my first time here. All of the staff were friendly and helpful. Definitely a great place to celebrate special occasions. Had the Brussels sprouts, which were some of my favs at a restaurant. Tried the salmon and scallops. Scallops and salmon were seared perfectly. Ordered carrots and salad as well, which I enjoyed The only negative about this restaurant is the menu changes occasionally so if you really enjoy a dish, it may not be on the menu if you return.

Went for dinner today with friends. Although portions were small, the food was great and my friends and I had a lovely evening together. Our experience though, was almost ruined by a server with a terrible attitude. She acted like she was doing US a favor the whole evening. It took forever to get anything - drinks, appetizers, and by the time the dinner came out, it was almost 10pm and we were past the point of hunger. When we pointed out the delay, she pretty much blamed us for holding on to the menus for too long. Rude. The manager was nice though, and brought us a bottle of champagne to apologize. Probably will not return.

we had drinks and dinner there last week, drinks were ok but we were either double charged or mislead on the charges, then the food was ok, I ordered the pork belly which was horrendous, dry over fried and I told the waiter that and he agreed and did nothing so that made it even worse. overall a bad experience we will never be back.

My wife and I stopped in to grab a drink on our way to a dinner reservation. The bar was pretty full so we were told that we could sit at one of the booths behind the bar. After 10 minutes of being ignored I walked up to ask for a drink menu. After another 5-10 minutes of being ignored I walked up to order drinks only to be told that we had to wait for a waiter. We ordered a beer and a mixed drink when someone finally came over. Those two simple drinks took 20 minutes. We walked into the restaurant at 6:45 and didn't actually receive our drinks until 7:20. Given our reservation was for 7:30 we asked for our check which took another 5 minutes. Rather than wait for someone to come over I took it up to the bar to pay, when no one brought it back after 5 minutes we walked up to get our card and leave however they still had not closed our bill and the hostess were unsure how to even do it. I rarely leave reviews and typically give benefit of the doubt in these situations but this experience was absolutely terrible considering the price you're paying.

Had been waiting to try out Magdalena! Got to the restaurant valet parking staff was wonderful, the hostess was very nice, the waitress was amazing, the manager who helped us in the end was outstanding! So, why did I give Magdalena Bistro a 1 star??? FOOD (Absolutely flavorless! Very Salty!) PORTION SIZE (Way too small for the price) PRICE (Overpriced for the portion size) We started with an appetizer - Foccacia bread w/honey pimento butter Too much salt is baked on top of the Foccacia bread. Pimento butter had some hot pepper flakes thrown in it and a little honey dollops around it for presentation, but not flavorful at all - Disappointing. My daughter ordered the duck and I ordered the catfish. We were so shocked at how small the portion size was for both dishes considering the price of $46 for the catfish and $50 for the duck. Would compare the size to toddler-sized meals. The flavor of her duck was "irony and salty" with no other flavor notes at all. The catfish was only flavored with salt and nothing else. These two dishes were huge disappointments, especially for the price! My daughter was taking me out for a Belated Mother's Day dinner and spent $120 on the two disappointing dishes! I uploaded pics detailing the portion size. I only have pics for the catfish but both of our dishes came in the same size box. You do the math...Doesn't add up for the price.

This was a special occasion visit. The restaurant is located within Ivy Hotel (they have valet parking). The service is fantastic from the moment you enter. The restaurant has indoor and outdoor dining. We sat inside in a cozy nook. Everything - from the crab salad appetiser, to the lamb loin and wagyu beef was amazing. Portions are small (as you would expect) but we were stuffed by the end of the night, despite sharing an appetizer and dessert. They offered us some champagne too! Overall, a lovely night and a place that I would highly recommend for a special occasion or for just a night of fine dining.

Magadelena, really comes down to what you are looking for. If you want a charming atmosphere in quaint setting surrounded by people who don't mind paying for separation from the everyday, it's your place. If you want food and service that is commensurate with the price, go elsewhere. It's very expensive for unremarkable food and drinks. The menu is limited, but the wine list may be the best in Baltimore. Service is a little slow, but these types of places aren't designed to move people in and out. I doubt that I'll return if I'm looking for a meal. If I want to impress someone, perhaps I would. I don't get the senser that you are really paying for the food.

Exceptional dinner venue in Baltimore. Amazing and frequently varied seasonal menu. Exquisite decor and service. Overall 5 Star experience

I have eaten at Magdalena previously but this review is solely about the take away divining experience. For my birthday I wanted to have a nice restaurant meal without dining in the restaurant. My partner is vegetarian so I was looking for an exciting vegetarian dish as well. We decided on Magdalena in part because I REALLY wanted to eat a gold cookie (). We ordered: Scallops with pork belly and kimchi Smoked mushroom tortellini with parsnip puree Mac and cheese The charm city cookie The tortellini was our favorite. The smoked mushrooms added a level of complexity to the dish that is often lost when people add a pasta to a menu to satisfy vegetarians. It was clear that thought was put into what textures and flavors are needed in a delicious vegetarian option. The scallop and kimchi combination was stellar! What a brilliant contrast and flavors and textures. Unfortunately, travel time resulted in this dish being a little less than ideal temp, but still delicious. I found the pork belly to be a little over cooked for me. But all in all delicious. Mac and cheese. Butter. Buttery crumb. Buttery cheese. Decadent butter. The golden cookie, if you're like me, take some lactaid before you embark on this half and half cocktail and cookie combo. The drink reminded me of a yahoo in all the best ways and paired nicely with our golden Berger cookies. I had a lot of fun dunking my cookie in my drink. The touch of sending us home with ice to shake our drinK was noted and appreciated (especially since our ice maker has been on the fritz).

Beautiful restaurant. The staff was great. The food was excellent, so delicious. Would definitely come back.

Came for a private dinner and was blown away! I had heard amazing things about this place, and I totally agree. Had the mushroom tartine for an appetizer which had an abundance of delicious mushrooms with a creamy, cheesy sauce on perfectly fluffy yet toasted bread. My main was the crispy skin bass which indeed has very crispy skin (which I love!). The fish was perfectly cooked and paired wonderfully with the squash and root vegetables. For dessert, the chocolate tart was a lovely combination of not too sweet chocolate, with little hints of bitterness. Service was excellent and attentive; restaurant decor was beautiful. Highly recommend!

I had a wonderful experience at Magdalena's! Our waitress, Jayna, was knowledgeable, friendly and amazing! We enjoyed everything from the appetizers to the entrée. I would highly recommend this restaurant! My NY Strip was cooked to perfection and the duck was to die for! Everything was delicious!

Amazing service, food, and vibes Would fully recommend to anyone on a special occasion!

I really enjoyed this place. It's a very historic restaurant located in The Ivy Hotel and it's Black Owned! The ambiance was very exquisite. They have a great selection of Whiskey, the music was old school RnB! It was a whole vibe. I tried to be adventurous and try the duck medium well and I couldn't stomach the taste so I sent It back to have It cooked well. While the duck wasn't bad, it's not for me. The Brussels were really good and the mussels(not pictured) were good as well. The whiskey flights were nice! Very strong selections. Overall I loved this place and I will be returning to try something else off the menu.

Really cute restaurant with complimentary valet parking which is awesome in a city. The restaurant is small but very fancy inside. We had reservations for 3 and were seated right away. Staff are friendly and helpful. We ordered bread for the table and and I ordered the soft shell crab as my meal. Unfortunately it came with the entrees, but it happens. My mother in law got a salad to start and enjoyed it. The bread was also warm and miso butter was good. My soft shell crab was delicious but definitely appetizer size. Unfortunately, so were the entrees. The lamb came with 2 little sausage sections and 2 little cuts of lamb. The rabbit was also very small. However, everything was delicious and I want to go back to try the other items. The drink I got was a little strong but it was recommended as sweet. The olive oil came was a little dry. This is definitely a special occasion kind of place!

Incredible food and incredible service. Dottie was a fantastic waitress and accommodated multiple family members who had food allergies and particular drink requests. Make sure to save room for dessert!

Nice restaurant and welcoming staff. Long wait for food including desserts. 30 min wait at least each time we order. Entrees came out barely warm. Quite a shame for the experience that's supposed to be great.

-food We ordered Foie Gras, steamed mussels, duck breast, crispy skin bass and almond cake with ice cream. Foie Gras was soooo good! It was rich and buffered its flavor with the maybe hash browns? comes with it. Nothing too special with the steamed mussels, I think some of the mussels are not super fresh. We got medium cooked duck breast, it was tender and juicy. The potato gravy goes well with the duck. It also comes with celery root which is really refreshing. I ordered crispy skin Bass and the skin was super cripy as it described haha love the toasted squash and the smoked ham cream with the fish. Its my first time eating goat cheese ice cream and I liked it! Not too strong, just right amount of flavor and the cake is so delicious! definitely gonna come back and try some drinks here! also the menu is seasonal, looking forward to see their food in spirng, summer and fall! -service the service was so friendly and well explained each course -interior This place is super fancy and elegant! The interior is mainly warm color, couch in cameral. I love the music they played for the dinning room, really relaxing and fits the vibe. I wish to sit in the garden when the weather becomes warmer! -parking I think the hotel has valet parking but I just parked on the street, took me like 5 min to find an avaliable spot and it was not too far from the restaurant. Overall I love this restaurant! I think so far its my favorite restaurant in baltimore!

Chef Scott Bacon achieves a Michelin star worthy experience inside the Ivy Hotel at Magdalena Bistro. Upon arrival, you're welcome by the valet, then the doorman, Maitre D. The hostess escorts you to your table. The dining room is cozy, upscale, welcoming and modern. The soundtrack is warm and lively. The staff is incredibly attentive. We've dined twice now and have appreciated how thoughtful and creative the menu is. Every dish has many components, intentional decisions, making each bite a joy for the palate not only in terms of flavor but also texture. The housemade bread is always a highlight and a wonderful start to the meal; fresh and tasty with unique butter pairings. The cocktail menu is also a delight, elevated takes on classics and some innovative options for the more adventurous. We've been especially thrilled with the protein offerings each visit - most recently the duck for two. What an indulgence! Highly recommend, so much food and you won't be bored! I would categorize a meal at Magdalena as a special occasion worthy dining experience. Whether you're inside or in the courtyard you'll feel transported and forget you're in Baltimore for a few hours.

A perfect dining experience from start to finish. To be candid, the interior feels more like Washington, DC than Baltimore. Free valet parking. Enough said. Reservations recommended but they have a small bar that readily accommodates walk ins. Service is warm and attentive. Atmosphere is a restrained casual elegance. At a minimum I think collared shirt and pants are appropriate although tonight I wore a turtleneck sweater with a suit and calf leather Chelsea boots. My cocktail was a contrivance of ginger beer and Elijah Craig. Definitely a winner. The bisque was a satisfying portion. Dinner was a pork tenderloin with a seared pork belly and I couldn't have been happier. That is until I tasted my wife's steak filet. Oh well. I couldn't make up my mind on dessert so I reached a diplomatic compromise and had two. Unfortunately, I'm pressed for time and can't be more descriptive but I hope you will make your way to this hidden gem in Baltimore. By the way, this is a fairly expensive place but well worth it.

Came here on a weekday evening after snagging a reservation. They have both indoor and outdoor seating available. Outdoor seating is in a lovely looking garden area with a nice ambience. We were offered sparkling versus still water at the beginning. One thing that I did wish is that they would offer some bread at the beginning of the meal, as it did take quite a bit of time for our table's food to arrive. Menu is seasonal with a couple of staples. I tried milk bread, seared foie gras appetizer, beef tartare, steak frites, and risotto. Milk bread - 5/5. Light, flufffy, delicious butter that accompanied it Seared foie gras - 4/5. Well seared, but foie gras appetizers were variable within the table (one piece looked to be about double the size of the other, which at a place like this, really does stand out). The waffle underneath also did quickly get soggy with the oils Beef tartare - 4/5. Well executed, no complaints but also no wow factor Steak frites - 2/5. Extremely disappointed in this dish; as the pricier entree, I was expecting something good. However, there was very little (to no) flavor of the steak itself and it was much tougher than I expected. Even a little bit of black pepper rubbed on top would have helped this steak go a long way, but I felt as if it was a tasteless piece of meat. The truffle fries were somewhat redeeming though and did save the dish. Risotto - 5/5. Delicious! This vegetarian dish was hearty, rich and tasty. The ramps and mushrooms were very fresh and was a lovely spring dish Overall, a very nice place to go to for the ambience and a special occasion. I would just stay away from the steak next time.

I just, don't walk to Magdalena! I always am looking for a fine finding experience for those special occasion dinners and this is the place! Starting from the complimentary valet and the kind hostesses, i knew this would be an experience. Located in the Ivy Hotel in Mt Vernon this place is a hidden gem! Valet was definitely necessary as there's not a lot of parking around here We tried three apps - the burrata, the duck and foie gras pate and the beef tartare. All were outstanding and served with fresh crusty bread! The bread was sliced thinly enough so that you could actually taste the toppings and not just a mouthful of bread. I loved the burrata and the tartare. The tartare came with a ramp mayonnaise sauce that was in incredible! I'm not the biggest pate fan, but even this one was pretty delicious. I think the best part was all the little sauces and small touches like the pickled grapes on the burrata. So delicious. For my main dish i ordered the ahi tuna and shrimp dish. It came with some delicious cabbage underneath and roasted tomatoes. Everything was seasoned beautifully and i would have licked my plate.... But Magdalena is a little too fancy for that :) My dining companions got the lamb and duck dishes, which they all loved. For sides we got the roasted carrots with rosemary (wow!), the truffle fries (best I've ever had, even when the cooled down ) snd the kimchi cabbage. All were incredible! The chef even made us some ramps that weren't on the menu because we wanted to try them (there was a ramp risotto on the menu). We couldn't resist dessert snd a few of us ordered the apple and rhubarb crisp with buttermilk ice cream. It was served in a cute Staub cast iron ramekin. So delicious and tasted like my grandmother made it! Will definitely be back, what a special dinner!

We came here for a birthday celebration and overall it was lovely. To start, we ordered the soft shell crab appetizer with shaved asparagus and bacon. I would say the size of the crab was a small medium. It was very tasty and good for a little pre-dinner nibble. For my entree I ordered the 10 oz NY strip, which was AMAZING. Tender with an excellent glaze of balsamic onions. Maybe the best steak I've ever had. It came with a block of layered truffle potatoes which were unique and very flavorful. My partner ordered the rabbit, which was moist and tender with a smoky flavor. It came with roasted carrots and a good sauce. For dessert we got the olive oil cake, which had a whole orange slice on top of the cake. It must have been soaked in a sweet citrus sauce because it was very tender and the rind gave it a nice sharp kick. The cranberry crumbles were also a nice tart accent to the not overly-sweet cake. Service was great and very warm, though at times it was a little slow. It was understandable since there was a larger group in our dining area, so no big deal. My main disappointment was the ambiance. We were seated in a small side room that was cozy and cream colored, a mix of modern and rustic. It was nice, but I would have preferred a different space that was bigger and a bit more hip. It just wasn't very unique and the room was pretty small. It felt like close quarters with the other diners and I prefer a bit more privacy. This is the type of restaurant I would only come to for special occasions, but the food and warm service were memorable-- so next time I'll just see if they have a different area to dine in with a better atmosphere.

The food and cocktails here are some of the best I have ever had. The menu is always seasonal with a few permanent classics. I love sitting at the bar for a cocktail before dinner because the bartenders are so knowledgeable. One of the best domestic wine lists I have ever seen. When the weather is nice nothing beats sitting outside in the garden. It's a very European dining experience and will be an hours long meal.

Food was excellent and the service was good. Complimentary parking is a plus. Will definitely be back

I was not blown away. Let's start with the good. The ambiance is lovely, with clean calming decor, perfect dim lighting and chill music at a volume loud enough to enjoy but low enough to have a conversation. Good place for a romantic date. The server was excellent, friendly and well spoken. She clearly loves food and was enthused about various dishes on the menu. Unfortunately, the dishes were not as delicious as their descriptions. The venison was crusted in pepper which dominated the flavor profile, and the meat itself was rather tough and chewy. The scallops were delicious, but there only two. And they were not big! And this cost $50. Yes, they were accompanied by three pieces of fairly good home made sausage. But most people do not pay 50 for sausage. The mushroom tarte was pretty good, with a nice selection of meaty mushrooms, but the cheese plate was average. The presentation of all dishes was beautiful but the flavors and preparation was fairly average. And all very expensive. There are cheaper more refined and more delicious eats in Baltimore. Glad to have tried; probably won't return.

Yesterday my husband and I came to Magdalena's to celebrate my birthday. This was my second time coming here and I was not disappointed. We were able to sit outside which was just perfect on a lovely sunny day. The staff was all very friendly, gracious, and timely. I tend to be a little on the picky side as far as my cocktails and food... And with that being said I was very pleased here. Everything was cooked well, brought out promptly, the presentation was lovely. We are looking to return again soon just to celebrate life. I highly recommend this lovely Bistro.

We came here for a work dinner, and had a prefixed menu. For first course, we got to choose between a warm mushroom salad or or raw oysters with a celery and jalapeño vinaigrette. I had the raw oysters and they were nice and fresh, the sauce was a nice touch and it came with a cute little tobacco sauce bottle. For second course, it was either sword fish or duck. I had the duck, the skin was crispy, and the meat was flavorful. The glazed carrots were perfectly cooked and the rice was nicely flavored as well. The swordfish looked nice, but I saw that it was only about 2 ounces. Their desserts are very pretty. I had the pistachio mouse, it came with a small dollop of yogurt which was nice and refreshing and some crunchy candy. The other option was chocolate and peanut flourless cake. Because we had a group of about 20 people, we enjoyed our dinner in a private room. It was nicely set up for our dinner and work meeting. The staff were very friendly and attentive. It is also wonderful that they have free valet parking. This is a pretty restaurant, nice service and good food.

We came here for our anniversary dinner! We sat inside for the first time in years. Everyone was masked appropriately and seats were spaced out. We ordered almost all the appetizers and sides and shared an entree. My favorites were the beef tartare and parsnip soup along with the Brussel sprouts and roasted root vegetables!! The bass was really good also and was on a bed of sautéed beans!! Everyone was Devine!! I love this place and always try to come for special occasions. It's a hidden gem that few know about!! I took tons of pics but my husband deleted them

I visited Magdalena for the first time to celebrate a birthday, and overall had a solid experience. 3.5 stars for the food, rounded up for the stellar, knowledgable service. I personally tried: 1. House Ceviche ($18): Cilantro & Recado Spice -- Generously sized portion for a reasonable price. Three types of fish, which were surprisingly not the star of the dish. Rather, I was pleasantly surprised at the extreme variety in fruit that they had in the bowl - kept each bite very interesting. Biggest drawback was that the white fish was extremely (almost intolerably) salty. Overall enjoyed - fresh, light, and a great way to start the meal. 4.5 stars. 2. Truffle Veal Tartare ($25): Burrata, Peach, Fennel Pollen & Pickled Shallot -- Only tried a bite of this, but it was pretty good. Not particularly interesting, but if you're a fan of tartare then it's a reasonable choice. 3.5 stars. 3. Seared Atlantic Cape Scallops ($45): Tartar Vinaigrette, Preserved Citrus, Grilled Zucchini & King Crab -- Overall good, but not sure if it's worth the price tag. I love seafood, so by default enjoyed the scallops and crab, but can't say that it's the best (or even particularly memorable) I've had. 3.5 stars. 4. Chocolate Espresso Tart ($15): Salted Caramel Espuma, Honey Hazelnuts & Chocolate Ice Cream -- Good but supremely rich, even for my tastes (and I love sweet). Not particularly memorable. 3 stars. 5. Key Lime Cloud Cake ($15): Honey Graham, White Chocolate & Coconut Sorbet -- Not a huge fan of key lime pie at baseline, but I thought this was a respectable rendition of a classic. The cake itself was delightfully fluffy and light, and was well balanced by the coconut sorbet. 4 stars. 6. Blueberry Upside-down Cake ($15): Corn Cake, Candied Jalapeno, Kettle Corn & Sweet Corn Ice Cream -- Interesting mix of sweet and spicy. My favorite was definitely the sweet corn ice cream. Corn cake itself is a little coarse but thought it was still good. 4 stars. 7. Sparkling Punch ($11): White Cranberry, Organic Apple Juice, Fruit Puree & Soda -- Typically served virgin, but I added vodka. Unfortunately, the most disappointing aspect of my meal. It tasted (literally) like cheap fruit punch, and I was not impressed. Did not finish. 1 star. As I said in the beginning, service was knowledgable, friendly without being overbearing, and attentive. The food was brought out at a reasonable pace as well. Overall bill came out to ~$450 for 4 people, with each person ordering 1 appetizer, 1 entree, 1-2 drinks, and sharing 3 desserts. Definitely pricey but not unreasonable. Not sure if the food alone was good alone to merit a return trip (especially since it's not cheap), but I'd be willing to come back for their brunch sometime.