Baltimore’s dining scene has grown tremendously over the years, and one place that always feels special to visit is Magdalena, tucked inside the beautiful Ivy Hotel in Mount Vernon.

Walking into the restaurant feels a little like stepping into a private home. Each dining room has its own design and personality, and if you ever have the chance, ask for a quick tour of the space. Every room is different and just as stunning as the last.

Chef Mark Levy and the team at Magdalena recently launched their fall menu, and I couldn’t resist stopping in to see what the kitchen had been working on.

Magdalena

A Warm Welcome

My friend Taylor from Stylishly Taylored joined me for dinner, and before we even had the chance to order, Chef sent out a plate of fried oysters to start.

They were crispy on the outside with a tender, juicy center and served over a creamy aioli. It was the kind of bite that instantly sets the tone for the rest of the evening.

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Fried Oysters

Belgian Endive Salad

To begin the meal, we ordered the Salad of Belgian Endive and Midnight Moon Goat Cheese.

With beets, blackberries, and candied pistachios, the dish had a subtle sweetness that worked beautifully with the tangy goat cheese. The textures and flavors felt balanced and seasonal, which made it a great way to start dinner.

Salad of Belgian Endive & Midnight Moon Goat Cheese

Mushroom Toast

If there’s a mushroom dish on a menu, there’s a very good chance I’m ordering it.

The Mushroom Toast was served on a buttery slice of toast topped with roasted mushrooms, spinach, cheese, and a perfectly cooked quail egg. Every bite was rich and earthy, and it was one of those dishes that makes you pause for a moment after the first bite.

If you enjoy mushrooms at all, this is absolutely worth ordering.

Mushroom Toast

Crispy Confit Chicken with Truffle

The night we visited, Magdalena was also offering a white truffle tasting menu in addition to the regular menu.

You could order the full tasting experience or select dishes individually, and one dish in particular caught our attention: Crispy Confit Chicken.

The dish was essentially a perfectly crisp piece of chicken topped with foie gras and freshly shaved truffles. It felt indulgent in the best possible way, and it’s the kind of dish you remember long after the meal ends.

Crispy Confit Chicken

Butter Poached Maine Lobster

Our server mentioned that the Butter Poached Maine Lobster Tail was one of his favorite dishes on the menu, so we decided to trust the recommendation.

The lobster was incredibly tender and served over a buttery heirloom carrot tart. The sweetness of the carrots paired beautifully with the richness of the lobster.

Butter Poached Maine Lobster Tail

Venison Loin au Poivre

One of my favorite dishes of the evening was the Venison Loin au Poivre.

The venison was cooked perfectly and served with sage and chestnut arancini, squash purée, spinach, and huckleberry au jus. The slight sweetness of the sauce complemented the earthy flavors of the venison and squash.

It felt like the kind of dish that captures everything comforting about fall.

Venison Loin au Poivre

Valrhona Chocolate Ganache Tart

Of course, leaving dinner without dessert would be unthinkable.

We shared the Valrhona Chocolate Ganache Tart, which was rich and decadent in all the ways a chocolate dessert should be. But the real surprise was the passion fruit and yogurt sorbet served alongside it.

The tart citrus flavor balanced the richness of the chocolate and kept the dessert feeling light.

Valrhona Chocolate Ganache Tart

Planning a Visit

If you’re interested in experiencing Magdalena’s fall menu, there’s a small bonus waiting for you.

Anyone who makes a phone reservation before November 31st and mentions “TeaEats” will receive a special complimentary treat during their meal.

Magdalena is located at 205 E Biddle St, in Mount Vernon.

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While this meal was paid for by Magdalena, all views stated here are my own.

Chef Mark Levy

Beautiful Custom Oven