Living in Central Pennsylvania has perks, including quick getaway trips. Recently, my husband and I decided to take advantage of this by going on a weekend trip to Charm City, Baltimore.
I discovered that one of Baltimore’s nicknames is Charm City. I wasn’t familiar with Baltimore’s claim as a charming city. Nonetheless, we all heard about Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse four months ago, which brought the city national attention.
Other claims to fame for Baltimore include The Wire, a cop drama television series filmed in the inner city from 2002 to 2008. John Hopkin, of course, is home to the Baltimore Orioles and the Ravens.
Why Baltimore Charm City?
Apparently, before the Inner Harbor days, Baltimore’s downtown waterfront area experienced a blight with abandoned warehouses. According to online sources, Charm City came from a 1975 meeting of advertisers seeking to improve the city’s reputation. I remember Rouse as the inner city developer for the Inner Harbor and Columbia, Maryland.
Fast forward to decades later, the Hargrove family made frequent trips to Baltimore to visit:
The Maryland Science Center, 1976
Harborplace, 1980
The National Aquarium, 1981
Baltimore Orioles moved from Memorial Park to Camden Yards in 1992
We visited Charm City to celebrate my husband’s birthday. Last year, we discovered our new favorite dining place when we attended the Hip Hop exhibit at the Baltimore Museum of Art. We dined at Magdalena’s at the Ivy Hotel inside instead of in the ivy-walled courtyard.
The Ivy Hotel
The historic 19th-century mansion became a boutique hotel in 2015, owned by Baltimore philanthropists Sylvia and Eddie Brown. The upscale Magdalena’s restaurant is located within the Black-owned Ivy Hotel. Mount Vernon, a cultural district of Baltimore, was once home to the city’s wealthiest and most fashionable families. The Ivy Hotel is a Relais & Châteaux luxury hotel brand member.
Magdalena’s
To my delight, there was no wedding this year, so we dined outside in the ivy-walled courtyard. It was another perfect day, like our July day at New Hope alfresco dining at Odette’s Riverhouse on the Delaware River.
The same intimate atmosphere with Magdalena’s new Executive Chef, Ülfet Ralph, for the seasonally-inspired restaurant. There is a new menu, libation selections, and the always-inclusive seafood cuisine halibut, whole branzino, scallops, and octopus entrees.
Need to Know If You Go:
The exclusive restaurant is open Tuesday through Thursday from 5 to 9 PM and Friday and Saturday from 5 to 10 PM.
Sunday and Sunday – closed
No reservations are necessary for the bar.
Complimentary valet parking
The stay at the Hilton Inner Harbor was a color wheel of orange, black, and gray. The staff at the Hilton wears the Orioles colors when there is a game. The hotel was convenient, next to Camden Yards. And just a seven-mile Uber ride to Magdalena’s since we didn’t want to maneuver the parking garage with Orioles fans upon our return from dinner.
Once a hidden treasure, Baltimore transformed itself into Charm City.
Thank you for stopping by The Age of Grace; I appreciate you.
