It’s no secret that the chemicals in chocolate are known to boost your mood, and there’s nothing quite like a mug full of piping hot cocoa to help forget all of those winter woes. This season, plenty of area eateries are getting creative by putting their own unique spins on the classic cold-weather treat.

“It’s something everyone has a connection to,” says pastry chef Sarah Malphrus, who has worked at local spots including Rye Street Tavern and The Ivy Hotel. She remembers making batches of hot chocolate and spiced cider with her family as a child. “You can never have just one cup.”

Plenty of spots around town are highlighting decadent hot chocolate recipes this season. Here, we’ve compiled a list of some of the top steamy sips:

The Charmery: Especially this time of year, when crowds flock to see the 34th Street Lights in Hampden, a visit to this neighborhood creamery is in order. If you’re one of the naysayers who thinks it’s too cold for ice cream, indulge in a cup of The Charmery’s thick, creamy hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and a hunk of house-made marshmallow. Multiple locations including 801 W. 36th St. 410-814-0493

The Bun Shop: This late-night coffee corner is a favorite of neighborhood locals and college students alike, with a menu full of worldly beverages, signature buns, and tasty European pastries. Not only does The Bun Shop have a killer classic hot cocoa, but it’s been known to also feature a “spicy” hot chocolate amped up with cinnamon and chili spices. Multiple locations including 239 W. Read St., 410-989-2033

Dooby’s: Warm up with a 12 or 16-oz. cup of hot chocolate at this Mt. Vernon mainstay. While you’re at it, grab one of the shop’s signature cookies, muffins, scones, or cake slices to start the day off right. 802 N. Charles St., 410-609-3162

Miss Shirley’s Café: Just in time for the dropping temperatures, Miss Shirley’s is warming diners up with it’s piping hot chocolate topped with a swirl of house-made whipped cream. Don’t miss other seasonal specials including the peppermint hot cocoa pancakes— garnished with a dollop of peppermint-infused whipped cream and a mini candy cane for good measure. Multiple locations including 750 E. Pratt St., 410-528-5273

Pitango Gelato: Take your taste buds on a journey to the Italian Alps by way of Fells Point at this neighborhood gelato spot that offers an entire menu full of European hot chocolate drinks during the colder months. Head to the mint green awning to enjoy specialties such as Hot Italian Sipping Chocolate (premium cocoa brewed with milk and sugar), Marrochino (equal parts sipping chocolate and espresso) and Chocolate Affogato—a scoop of any flavor gelato drowning in Pitango’s signature sipping chocolate. 802 S. Broadway, 410-236-0741

Pure Chocolate by Jinji: Gourmet chocolate purveyor Jinji Fraser highlights a sophisticated sipping chocolate during the holiday season. Swing by her stall in Belvedere Square Market to sip small pours of the dairy and gluten-free drink, which features raw Ecuadorean chocolate. 529 E. Belvedere Ave., 410-394-9901

Stone Mill Bakery: Alongside the plethora of pastries and scones on the morning menu at this Green Spring Station stalwart is a variety of warm beverages including mocha, Americano, and café au lait coffees. The list also showcases a rich hot chocolate using Valrhona cocoa powder sourced from the village of Tain L’Hermitage in the south of France. 10751 Falls Road, Lutherville, 410-821-1358

Teavolve: While checking things off of your holiday shopping list in Harbor East, be sure to swing by this staple cafe for the “Chocoholics Choice.” The rich drink will warm your soul with Belgian-style semi-sweet cocoa powder and a requisite dollop of whipped cream. 1401 Aliceanna St. 

It’s that time of year again: When airlines entice you to head west, toward snow-powdered mountains in Tahoe or Telluride. When temperatures lure you south, to snap bikini-clad Instagrams on some sandy beach near Tulum. We can’t deny the transformative power of a vacation, but here in Baltimore, thanks to a growing number of hip and haute hotels (many centered in Mt. Vernon), there are also now plenty of reasons to simply stay put. Staycations are an easy way to rediscover your city and revel in its own attractions, and the perks of doing so are piling up like room service trays in a hotel hallway. And the competition is getting fierce. Stunning views? Check. First-class spas? Check, check. Heavenly pillows, mattresses, and sheet sets? You can bet your lower back (and best of all, you don’t have to make the bed). So forget jet lag and the TSA this winter and treat yourself to a getaway without ever leaving home.

Four Seasons

200 International Dr., 410-576-5800, rooms start at $369.

Walk into this grand dame of local lodging in Harbor East and you’ll likely hear your inner voice vying for “Serenity now!” That voice, of course, has expensive taste, with every inch of this Baltimore branch of the Four Seasons empire exuding its trademark lavishness. From sweeping waterfront views, top-tier restaurants, and the hotel’s signature scent of teakwood and cardamom mingling with a weekly tower of fresh flowers in the front lobby, you’ll be swaddled in the lap of luxury before you even hit the five-star spa. But this plush pad, located in the city’s deluxe shopping district, isn’t just for socialites and celebrities ready to relish the private pool. It’s also surprisingly family friendly, with in-room babysitting services and glamping for kids—toy teepee and all.

Sweet Dreams: Each room is simple and sophisticated, featuring an earthy color palette, luxe linens, and a prime vantage point overlooking the city skyline. For that, splurge on a balcony, like those of the aptly named Serene Suites, which also include a built-in fireplace and a full kitchen with Wolf appliances. Room Service: The Atlas Restaurant Group is taking over the hotel’s (and neighborhood’s) dining scene, with three on-site restaurants—the splashy Azumi sushi bar, the buzzy Loch Bar seafood spot, and the sceney, rooftop Bygone—as well as another upcoming concept opening in the former Wit & Wisdom space later this year. (For what it’s worth, the shrimp and grits at chef Cindy Wolf’s nearby Charleston would be part of our last supper.) Concierge Cue: The hotel spa is reason enough to visit, be it for a stellar massage or a stint in the spacious sauna, and Baltimore residents make up the majority of appointments throughout the year. Just don’t miss the warm stone seats in the “heat experience.”

Hotel Indigo

24 W. Franklin St., 410-625-6200, rooms start at $89.

It’s easy to feel inspired after an overnight at this fresh-faced Mt. Vernon hotel, located in a 1908 landmark building that once housed the city’s first YMCA. Just around the corner from the Enoch Pratt Free Library’s central branch, the Baltimore location of this national boutique hotel chain is designed with the city’s literary legacy in mind. Murals depicting pencil-drawn book shelves float above the beds. Physical books for your perusal linger in the lobby library, where live jazz is performed on Thursday nights. Manhattan cocktails are made-to-order at the marble bar of Poets, the hotel’s aptly named restaurant with high ceilings and giant windows looking out onto the city streets. (And, of course, the gilded George Peabody Library is just a short scramble up Charles.) Soon enough, you, too, will be drinking the Kool-Aid (aka the spa water next to the concierge), as the entire space is sleek, modern, and fittingly funky without being overly cool. We especially love the rotating art exhibit, curated by local gallery Maryland Art Place and featuring works by Baltimore artists.

Sweet Dreams: Colorful furnishings and fixtures add a pop of energy to every room, while Aveda bath products and solid shower pressure inspire you to relax. We left wishing that more hotels had hardwood floors. And pups are also welcome for a one-time fee of $25, which is far less than the other guys. Room Service: Since you’re only one block away, be sure to scoot over to the venerable Tio Pepe for sangria pitchers and paella platters. For breakfast, make the four-minute walk to Jack and Zach’s for bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches on homemade English muffins. Concierge Cue: Sleep in without nightmares of Baltimore City meter maids thanks to the Penn Parking garage directly across Franklin Street, which costs only $5 a day.

The Ivy Hotel

205 E. Biddle St., 410-514-6500, rooms start at $595.

Prepare to be pampered like Baltimore royalty at this almost-all-inclusive former mansion in Mt. Vernon. Entering the stately home-turned-boutique hotel, you’re greeted with a glass of gratis champagne and then given free rein to the sprawling grounds, from the leafy conservatory, where you can try your hand at the grand piano, to the handsome library, where you can grab any book off the self, to even the Hemingway-worthy game room, where you can play a round of eight-ball on an antique pool table. That’s not to mention the afternoon tea time or access to the verdant courtyard, which quickly makes The Ivy feel like your new home away from home. Take our advice and stay awhile.

Sweet Dreams: With in-room fireplaces, heated bathroom floors, oodles of natural light, and a complimentary minibar—yes, you read that last part right—your bedchamber gives you little reason to leave it. The two-story Suite 18 is especially lovely, with vaulted ceilings, a spacious interior, and après-ski-chic design. Did we mention the heated bathroom floors? Room Service: A regular on our annual “Best Restaurants” list, Magdalena is an experience in and of itself, where chef Mark Levy turns out some of the most inspired fine dining in town. For morning meals, the restaurant also offers what Food & Wine has rightfully hailed “the best hotel breakfast you can’t have”—that is, unless you’re a lucky guest. Concierge Cue: There are a few fringe benefits for an additional fee, such as bringing Fido, with dog beds, crates, and walking services available upon request, or indulging in a tailored massage at the tranquil guests-only spa. We recommend the in-room treatments, which are followed by an aromatherapy soak in your very own bathtub.

Hotel Revival

101 W. Monument St., 410-727-7101, rooms start at $139.

From vintage furnishings and whimsical wallpaper to a whole rooftop room of succulents supplied by Remington plant shop B. Willow, this chic boutique hotel follows the nationwide trend of providing a respite for younger travelers who crave unique experiences over the big, beige, cookie-cutter options of yesteryear. But the hip new space, opened last April to much applause by the San Francisco-based Joie de Vivre hospitality group and situated on the western edge of Mount Vernon Place amidst the neighborhood’s historic brownstones, is more than just millennial fodder (though we won’t judge you for Instagramming your toes on the incredible tiled floors). As the name implies, the hotel draws on its local roots, past and present, with small odes to former resident Mary Garrett, whose father founded the B&O Railroad, and modern homages to the local arts, as the walls are decorated with works by contemporary creatives like collage artist Beth Hoeckel and Baltimore Print Studios. The lobby’s small gift shop also showcases regionally made goods, like candles by Knits Soy & Metal and bags by Treason Toting Company.

Sweet Dreams: Snag an east-facing room for a front-row seat to the Washington Monument. Swoon over the old-fashioned doorbell on your way inside, and spend some time finding redecorating inspiration in the eclectic aesthetic. Extra points for the in-room fabric steamer. Room Service: While the sub-level Square Meal is worth a cup of Ceremony Coffee, the main event is up the elevators on the 15th floor. At Topside, the rooftop bar and restaurant, the cocktails are current (think house-made shrubs and decorative garnishes), the tap list touts the hotel’s own beer (Thirstay, made by Peabody Heights Brewery), and the views (once again) are epic. Concierge Cue: Forget fitness centers and fresh-pressed laundry—our new favorite hotel amenities are the private B-Side Karaoke rooms. Book a solo session or bring a group of friends, with liquid courage available throughout the night.

Sagamore Pendry

1715 Thames St., 443-552-1400, rooms start at $350.

When it was announced that the iconic Recreation Pier in Fells Point, circa 1914, would be converted into a glitzy new hotel backed by Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank, you could almost hear the community’s collective grumbling: “There goes the neighborhood.” But nearly two years after opening its doors, the Pendry has become a welcome addition—in part for having the hands-down coolest pool in town. Sure, it’s hard to connect such modern amenities (and a $60 million renovation) with the former 1990s TV set of Homicide: Life on the Street, but outside, the original façade remains intact against the sparkling waterfront, and inside, local interior design guru Patrick Sutton has created a tony tribute to Baltimore’s heritage. Both the industrial décor and the curated art collection tip their hats to the city’s maritime, manufacturing, and historical heydays (with plenty of nods to the county’s horse country and Plank’s own thoroughbred farm). Go just to marvel at the colorful, complex, Maryland-centric mural by local street artist Gaia in the lobby lounge.

Sweet Dreams: Fancy yourself a stylish sea captain in these natty, nautically inclined rooms, featuring rich leathers, warm fabrics, and dark wood throughout. Whatever the season, a west-facing Harbor Suite offers exceptional sunsets behind the Domino Sugars sign, especially during the city’s festive fireworks on New Year’s Eve and the Fourth of July. Room Service: While the revered Rec Pier Chop House by celebrity chef Andrew Carmellini might be only a few feet from your bedroom door, we suggest the few extra steps across the street for the whole-belly clam rolls at Thames Street Oyster House, followed by a little late-night boogie next door at Cat’s Eye Pub. Also beware the time-sensitive “honor bar” (aka the trendy term for minibar) that charges you 60 seconds after you’ve lifted that Sagamore Spirit bottle from its perch. Concierge Cue: Leave your car at home—the hotel features a fleet of Cadillacs that you can personally cruise around town for up to four hours.

Imagine walking on the same heated bathroom floor that Oprah once stepped on. Or sleeping in same bed as rapper Drake. The Ivy Hotel and the Four Seasons Baltimore are known to house high-profile visitors, but other high-end hotels around the world have secret rooms that most guests don’t even know about. These types of unlisted rooms are starting to get revealed, and Maryland has a few of its own.

After doing a bit of digging (and having many pangs of envy), we’ve found some of the most luxurious hotel suites in Maryland that are exclusive to VIPs with hefty purses and high-class tastes.

Kimpton Hotel Monaco
Located right Downtown and housed in the former B&O Railroad headquarters, this boutique hotel combines contemporary style with historic architecture. Each suite features color schemes of warm golds, vibrant blues, brilliant red lacquer, and touches of royal purple and green with beds dressed in lavish linens. But there is one suite that locals won’t be able to book without knowing who to contact.

For $600 a night, the 1,400-square-foot Majestic Suite is complete with a separate living and dining room and connects to a King Premier room and Monte Carlo Queen room. It boasts 8-foot windows and 12-foot ceilings that showcase sweeping skyline views. It comfortably sleeps eight people and can accommodate a party of up to 20 people.

Lord Baltimore Hotel
This 23-story, 440-room hotel has four penthouses on its top floors. They range from 2,100-square-feet one-bedrooms to 2,600-square-foot two-bedrooms. Each unit features a full kitchen, living room, dining space, and two full baths. Guests who opt to splurge on the two-bedroom penthouse can enjoy specialty room with a Jacuzzi in the suite. Penthouses are available for monthly rental for $3,600 and can be reserved nightly for as low as $750.

Inn at Perry Cabin
If you want to take your stay to the next level, head to St. Michael’s for a “secret room” on a 55-foot Talaria Flybridge yacht. Guests may spend the night in the swanky captain’s quarters, boarding from the inn’s private dock on the Miles River. Cap the evening with sunset cocktails and wake up to a full breakfast on the yacht’s roof deck.

Gaylord National Resort
This luxury resort and conference center is unique in several ways—it features an indoor rainforest, boutiques, and a spa. But guests won’t be able to find the hotel’s Presidential or Concept suites online—unless of course you’re a VIP.

“For travelers looking to stay in a room unlike any other in the world, we have developed eight suites that are themed by color,” said Rachel Dinbowkowitz, communications manager for the hotel. “In addition to the color, each room evokes a unique design style from exotic to elegant to contemporary and nature-inspiring.”

For a 1,700 square-foot Presidential suite, be prepared to spend a minimum of $2,500 per night to enjoy breathtaking views, ornate furnishings, and marble or hardwood-floor foyers.

It’s not every day that an American marries into the royal family. The world will be watching this Saturday as Prince Harry exchanges vows with Los Angeles-born actress and philanthropist Meghan Markle—who joins Baltimore’s Wallis Simpson and Elizabeth Bonaparte on the list of yankees who have married a royal.

Locally, there are plenty of businesses getting in on the hype, including Eleven Courses Catering & Event Co. headquartered in Owings Mills. Husband-and-wife owners Melissa and Jim Benson are so inspired by the upcoming nuptials, that they have come up with a list of menu predictions for the entire affair.

“We thought, if they were our clients, how would we guide them and give them suggestions?” Melissa says. “We took a look at what each of their food styles and preferences are. We planned it so it took some favorites of theirs, but still did it in an elegant and refined way.”

Though a lot of their decisions were based on research of the bride and groom’s tastes, Melissa says that she also drew inspiration from a culinary trip that she and Jim took to England a few years back. She says that her first time tasting authentic coronation chicken—a British delicacy similar to a curried chicken salad—was a clear highlight of the trip.

“A lot of people don’t really think of curry as a British thing, but it’s actually quite popular,” she says. “I researched a little more about it, and apparently curries and other comfort foods are some of Prince Harry’s favorite dishes.”

The caterers’ list of predictions includes canapes such as mini egg and avocado toast points, Tuscan white bean puree crostini, asparagus mousse and cucumber tarts, and a roasted chicken and local root vegetable dish served on a teardrop spoon to pay homage to the couple’s intimate engagement dinner.

For the seated portion, Melissa and Jim predict three courses including lump crab-stuffed roasted red peppers, Windsor Estate filet of beef, and a lemon elderflower cake with buttercream icing—one prediction that has already been confirmed. (The cake will be made by famed bakeshop Violet Cakes London.)

“I actually didn’t know this at first, but the Queen has to approve every item on the menu,” Melissa says. “So it has to be something elegant, but still fun and a little bit different that shows their personalities well.”

The Bensons predicted everything down to the late-night snacks, which Melissa says were inspired by Markle’s California roots. Their mock menu features angus beef sliders, blackened fish tacos, and a French fry station with sriracha ketchup, malt vinegar, and garlic rosemary aioli.

“With Megan being American and coming into the royal family, it definitely seemed like she would pull from that heritage,” Melissa says. “She also used to have a lifestyle blog called The Tig, so I know that she’s really into food and cooking.”

Though they will be busy catering local weddings this Saturday, the owners are looking forward to catching recaps of the royal wedding festivities to see how their predictions play out.

“We’re excited to take a look as soon as that information comes in,” Melissa says. “I’m interested to see what parallels, and if there are any surprises in there.”

For everyone else looking to tune into the spectacle on the telly this Saturday, there are plenty of local bars and restaurants getting in on the fun with posh viewing parties and regal food and drink deals. Put your pinkies up at these area spots:

B&O American Brasserie: The team at this bar inside the Hotel Monaco is always down to get creative with its cocktails. In honor of the world event, the spot will be offering “The Royal Fizz,” which combines Jensen’s London dry gin, Royal Combier liqueur, lemon, egg white, and brut champagne. 2 N. Charles St., 443-692-6172

The Corner Pantry: British-born chef Neill Howell has dreamed up a special brunch menu to celebrate the big day. Stop by his Mt. Washington restaurant to enjoy high tea (think scones, tea sandwiches, clotted cream, petit fours, and the works) and a Prince Harry-themed bacon and white pudding butty sandwich topped with the United Kingdom’s famous HP sauce (a vinegary ketchup named after the House of Parliament). Howell is also offering a special Royal Wedding Tea Latte featuring Harney and Sons Royal Wedding Tea with rosebuds, as well as a special elderflower and lemon wedding donut inspired by the couple’s cake flavor. 6080 Falls Road, 667-308-2331

Emma’s Tea Spot: Throw on a bowler hat and head to this Hamilton tea room owned by Emma Canoles, a native of Surrey, England. The authentic spot, which even features its own replica of a British telephone booth, is opening bright and early at 6 a.m. for locals hoping to tune in to the wedding at 7 a.m. The viewing party will also double as a launch for Emmas’ new menu of breakfast sandwiches. The party will be BYOB with a $5 corking fee per party. 5500 Harford Road, 410-444-1718.

The Ivy Hotel: Fun fact: long before this 19th-century mansion became a boutique hotel, it was a private hangout for socialites like Wallis Simpson, a Mt. Vernon local who went on to become the Duchess of Windsor. To celebrate the property’s roots—and its British-born chef Mark Levy—The Ivy is offering a special “Rest Like a Royal” package throughout the month including one night in a luxe suite, welcome champagne, a 24-carat gold spa mask, afternoon English cream tea, and a full gourmet breakfast. 205 E. Biddle St. 410-514-6500 

With their abilities to bake, broil, and roast, most stoves are the worker bees of the kitchen—far less sexy than, say, that dual-zone wine fridge or your built-in red espresso machine.

That is, unless your kitchen has a Molteni, aka the Rolls-Royce of the oven world. If ever a range deserved to be called hot stuff, the black enameled, brass-fitted, European-style “cooking suite” installed in the kitchen at The Ivy Hotel’s elegant Magdalena is the one.

Outfitted with a built-in, gas-fired grill, a fryer, two deck ovens, two planchas, a salamander broiler, and a water boiler, the range—made by artisans in a small workshop in Saint-Uze, France—was handmade to the specifications of Magdalena chef Mark Levy. In business since 1923, Molteni makes, on average, between 100 and 120 ranges annually, and no two are alike.

“The Molteni is designed with whatever the chef wants,” says Angelo Grillas, director of marketing for Electrolux Professional, which makes the Molteni. “It’s completely customizable.”

And though Levy doesn’t cook and tell, the ranges have been known to go up to $500,000 and have been installed everywhere from five-star hotels to Beverly Hills manses.

“We had to put in something as decadent as the hotel,” says Levy. “This is the focal point of the restaurant. It’s an honor and a once-in-lifetime privilege to work on this. It might sound silly to say about a stove, but it’s going to be hard to walk away from one day.”

We’ve grown accustomed to seeing Baltimore touted on outlets like Food Network and Travel Channel. But last week, the oh-so-chic publication of Vogue published a travel piece lauding some of our best off-the-beaten-path sights, restaurants, and accommodations.

Penned by lifestyle editor Virginia Van Zanten, the article praises the city as an ideal weekend destination, mentioning that Penn Station is only a quick Amtrak ride away from most major boroughs along the northern East Coast.

“One of the great things about Baltimore is that there isn’t an overwhelming amount to do and see,” the piece reads. “There is more than enough to keep you busy, to be sure, but there isn’t the ‘must see and do it all’ pressure that comes with, say, a weekend in New York City.”

Van Zanten suggests booking a room at Mt. Vernon’s luxe Ivy Hotel, and goes on to list standout sights in neighborhoods like Hampden, Fells Point, and Federal Hill.

While a few of our time-honored treasures were thrown in (any Baltimore travel article would be remiss without mentioning the National Aquarium, the Walters Art Museum, and Camden Yards), the writer also gave shout-outs to not-so-touristy destinations including local businesses Bottle of Bread in Mt. Vernon and The Wine Source in Hampden.

A spotlight was also placed on the city’s thriving culinary scene, with nods to trendy food hall Mt. Vernon Marketplace, cozy coffee corner The Bun Shop, French fine-dining destination Arômes, and Korean-inspired eateries Dooby’s and Ekiben—whose “Tofu Brah” steamed buns and baskets of tempura broccoli were described as “unreal.” Van Zanten even gives kudos to the local kombucha stocked in the mini-fridge at the Ivy.

Noticeably absent was any mention of crab houses or the burgeoning oyster bar scene in Baltimore. In classic Vogue style, Van Zanten stuck with the more bourgeois side of the city and avoided getting her hands dirty. In fact, one Reddit user pointed out something similar, writing “I know it’s Vogue, but that’s literally the most expensive weekend one could spend in Baltimore.”

Still, local businesses were understandably thrilled with the national attention. The owners of Ekiben wrote on Instagram: “What do Beyoncé , the new Gilmore Girls series, Obama’s mom jeans, and Ekiben all have in common? They were all featured in this month’s Vogue.”

Regardless of the magazine’s choices, we’re excited that the local scene is getting some well-deserved recognition. Vogue sums it up best by saying that Charm City “may not be the first place that comes to mind when pondering a relaxing weekend getaway; but it should be.”

Although Baltimore has seen a spate of swanky restaurants open in the past few years, true fine-dining dens have been eclipsed by eateries adopting a more casual ethos. (Sayonara, silver. Later, linens.) Enter Magdalena, a sumptuous spot inside Mt. Vernon’s luxe Ivy Hotel. While Magdalena puts the fine in fine dining, it’s formal without the fuss, an of-the-moment fine-dining destination where woven plastic Chilewich placemats keep company with refined black Bernardaud porcelain plates.

From the food and drink (in a word, spectacular) to the décor (staggeringly beautiful) and the service (impeccable), we looked for flaws and couldn’t find any, though we wouldn’t advise giving up that gym membership any time soon; when devising his dishes, classically trained English chef Mark Levy (formerly of the luxury five-star Adirondack Mountain resort The Point) takes a devil-may-care approach to calorie counting. But this is no time for weight watching. With Levy at the helm, Magdalena, which opened in June and is named for co-owner Eddie Brown’s grandmother, is not only the best new fine-dining bistro in Baltimore, but one of the best restaurants around—period.

Spanning land, garden, and sea, the menu shows off the range of Levy’s considerable talents, which are grounded in classic French cuisine along with touches of Italy, Korea, Vietnam, and Japan, depending on seasonal availability. On any given night, you might find Nova Scotia salmon sashimi with cucamelons (bite-sized watermelons) and Asian pears or pub-influenced fare from Levy’s native England (where he won Gastro Pub Chef of the Year in 2007). And while Levy was schooled in the culinary classics at Colchester Institute back in the mother country, his real muse has been eating his way through more than 150 Michelin-starred restaurants, not to mention working in one of them himself (namely the famed Michel Rostang in Paris).

From the food and drink to the décor and the service, we looked for flaws and couldn’t find any.

Over the course of two visits, we were dazzled by Levy’s ever-changing and inspired fare, including a corn velouté appetizer with robust maitake mushrooms and pork belly; a house-made ruffled ravioli stuffed with sweet, sizable chunks of Maine lobster sitting in a pool of lobster and lemongrass bisque; and a chanterelles starter of tiny, golden Saskatchewan mushrooms topped with a dainty morsel of buttery brioche toast smeared with endive marmalade and capped by an teensy sunny-side-up quail egg. (This dish exemplified earthy and sweet and was a play on the traditional pub dish mushrooms à la crème.)

Other comestibles coming out of Levy’s custom-configured Molteni oven included a wild rockfish entree paired with crabs, capers, watercress, and candied eggplant, and a Korean-style wagyu flank steak served with chili jam and also accompanied by a cooling counterpoint—French bean and enoki mushroom sushi-style summer rolls. And while those dishes were divine, the vegetarian offering (at most places, more often a humdrum concession than a menu marvel)—a risotto with shaved truffles, fresh peas, and a fried poached egg—formed the perfect marriage of field and farm. The egg was both crisp and meltingly marvelous, the risotto was slick with truffle oil, and the peas added a hint of sweetness to ground the truffle.

After fare this rich, dessert might feel like an impossible dream, but press on—or miss out. In the course of our visits, we sampled a decadent raspberry and Valrhona chocolate torte toned down by a refreshing house-made almond ice cream. We also enjoyed a lemon cream with pistachio, slow-cooked pineapple, and yogurt sorbet—so pretty we didn’t know whether to frame it or eat it. (We chose the latter.)

The ambiance here is as sophisticated as the food—whether you sit in the airy Garden Room among potted herbs and Matisse-like murals painted by a Maryland Institute College of Art professor and her protégés, or nestle in The Tasting Room, a pillowy paradise with brightly colored Ethiopian hats hanging dramatically against stark white walls.

The service is equally stellar. Our waiter, Nezam, who tended to us on both visits, couldn’t have been more doting—even proffering pashminas to ward off the air-conditioned chill. And while both of our trips to Magdalena were memorable, our second stay was particularly pleasurable. Sensing our appreciation for the lavishness of the space, Nezam offered an unexpected extra—a chance to tour the hotel. A fresh-faced Ivy staffer, a former history teacher and lover of time travel, he whisked us away across inlaid floors to the Gilded Age, sharing stories about the former private 1889 mansion belonging to banker John Gilman.

It was the perfect nightcap to one of the nicest nights we can recall in our 16 years of living in Baltimore.

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MAGDALENA 205 E. Biddle St., 410-514-6500.
HOURS Tues.-Thurs. 5:30-9:30 p.m., Fri. 5:30-10 p.m., Sat. 5-10 p.m.
PRICE Starters: $18-25; entrees: $34-49; desserts: $13-17.
ATMOSPHERE Elegant eclecticism.

When complete, hopefully in early 2015, the Mt. Vernon hotel formerly known as The Inn at Government House will open as The Ivy Hotel, a boutique hotel with service, amenities, and ambiance unparalleled in the city. With just 18 rooms, each with its own fireplace, The Ivy will be an intimate setting, promising a sumptuous experience even The Four Seasons can’t match. The restaurant will be open to the public, but the spa and outdoor garden will be exclusively for guests. And the average room rate? Seven-hundred dollars a night. But the brains behind the project is not a name as recognizable as Marriott or Hilton.

The minority co-owner, developer, and general contractor of the $18-million project is Azola Companies, a family-run, local business with four decades of experience in adaptive reuse—re-engineering old buildings for new purposes while retaining their historic personalities. Over the years, Martin “Marty” Azola, an engineer in a past life, has stayed largely under the radar, quietly leaving his mark on some of Baltimore’s most notable preservation projects: Rockland Grist Mill and historic village, the Bromo Seltzer Tower, and the building that currently houses The Oregon Grille restaurant, to mention a few. 

Of Azola’s many projects, perhaps the most fortuitous was the 1998 renovation of the corporate headquarters of Brown Capital Management at 1201 N. Calvert St., a massive brownstone that, a century ago, was an elegant home in what was then a fashionable neighborhood.

“Of all the goofy zigs and zags in my jaded history, that particular phone call may have been a turning point in my life,” says Azola, who lives in Roland Park in a DIY, 1885 converted dairy barn that was featured in two local shelter magazines. 

“People who come into 1201 N. Calvert are just blown away by the attention to historic detail that was maintained,” says Eddie Brown, chairman, CEO, and founder of Brown Capital Management. Brown’s firm has about $7 billion in investments—mostly pension funds—under management, but he may be best known for the tens of millions of dollars he and his wife, Sylvia, have donated to arts and education programs and nonprofits. Brown recalls how the Azola family wanted to ensure that necessary upgrades, like modern HVAC, didn’t damage the integrity of the building, and how they spent months planning the restoration at his century-old townhouse-turned-headquarters before anyone picked up a hammer. “Their work is painstaking,” says Brown.

The Brown family and Azola have now worked together on six projects including The Ivy, which is located across the street from Brown’s office. That long history is due in part to Marty Azola’s extensive knowledge of not only construction, but also historic tax credits, which saves hundreds of thousands of dollars on a project. “With them, we have it all: expertise, integrity and terrific people,” Brown says of the Azola family, all of whom work for the business, including 39-year-old son, Anthony “Tony” Azola, who’s being groomed to take over the company; daughter Kirsten, who does design work; and wife Lone, who left a career in real estate to help run the company’s operations. 

A young-looking, fit, 67-year-old with a thick head of gray hair, Azola is an affable character who loves a good joke and a glass or two of good wine. (For years, he made his own Chateaux Azola in the stone pump house in his backyard, grew his own grapes behind the barn, and was winner of the 2010 Highlandtown Wine Festival.) He’s also gifted at weaving a tale, like the one about how, during his stint as vice president of the Maryland Jockey Club, he personally built the Pimlico finish line marker in his own backyard. He’s willing to laugh at his foibles, even in business. He jokes that wife Lone “refuses to let me near the checkbook, and that’s probably for the best.” 

There are other peculiarities of an all-family business, of course, including occasional differences of opinion on workplace solutions. “It has its moments, good and bad,” says Azola. “But despite the pressure and the occasional disagreement, everyone in the family has fallen into loving what we do, and we do this as well or better than anyone I know. It’s not primarily about the money—it’s about what I call ‘a glow from within’ when a project is done, a sense of self-satisfaction.”

So why is he preparing to hand over the reins of the business to son Tony? One impetus was a tragic turn of events three years ago that prompted Azola to rethink his life and work. That was when Azola’s younger son, Mat, 34, who had 15 years of experience in historic preservation under his father’s tutelage, died suddenly in California from complications caused by a bite from a black widow spider. 

“I had no idea how the sadness would play out over the years,” says Azola. “I asked around with people who had lost a child, and they told me it’s like the movie Groundhog Day. They said it does not get better. They were never really happy again. And sure enough, it’s true.”

“Of course, we have many blessings with Kirsten working with us and Tony doing really well, and we have a grandchild now thanks to Tony and our daughter-in-law Alba. And it’s good, maybe, that the stresses of the job have kept me so busy, because I can’t think about Mat until I come home and see his picture at night. But it took the wind out of our sails.

“Tony gets it, likes the work, and will do just fine taking over completely after The Ivy is done,” Azola says. And Mat’s loss makes the gradual transition of the business to Tony a more obvious solution. “I guess it would have been more complicated with two brothers—the sadness made it easier,” he says.

As Azola plots his semi-retirement after The Ivy is up and running smoothly, Tony promises to bring a fresh perspective to a company that has specialized in historic preservation.

The changing of the guard comes at a time when adaptive reuse itself is getting a makeover. Attitudes are changing about historic structures, and the definition of an “old” building is getting younger. That’s because many of the glamorous projects have been renovated and now the mid-century structures are the ones in need of TLC. 

“Adaptive reuse is the buzz word now,” says Tony, who earned a master’s in environmental science from Virginia Tech and dabbled in everything from professional cycle racing in Europe to software sales before joining his dad’s business. “But the buildings don’t need to be old mansions. An old building now is from the 1960s, even the ’70s.” 

When it opens, The Ivy Hotel will be adaptive reuse for a new generation. On the first floor, the high-ceilinged rooms have been preserved with original hand-carved paneling, stained-glass windows, and elegant fireplaces, and will be used for a breakfast room, music room, tea room, and library. Afternoon tea and evening cocktails will be served daily.

With an assist from Ziger/Snead Architects, the five-story structure will have nine rooms and nine suites, none of which will adhere slavishly to period décor. Though the experience will be like staying in the magnificent family home this once was, the interior designer, Joszi Meskan, reportedly said the mandate for The Ivy was that it “could not look like Grandma’s house” when it was complete. Built in the late 1800s, the bones of the building will provide a historic backdrop from which a modern, luxury hotel experience will be drawn. 

Garrett Hotel Consultants (GHC), specialists in boutique luxury properties, have been brought in to provide expertise. GHC is known for its other impressive destinations like Lake Placid Lodge and The Point in the Adirondacks, which are both consistently ranked among the best hotels in America by Vogue, Forbes, and others. They boast over-the-top touches like a complimentary $150 bottle of wine in the room, no tipping, Kiehl’s soaps and lotions in the bathrooms, and even a camera at the front desk that photographs new guests and lists their first names so staffers, from waiters to bellhops, address you personally in the first minute of your visit. 

To be competitive, David Garrett, GHC’s chairman and CEO, says the team knew they needed to create something extraordinary at The Ivy—and charge a premium for it. “We’re shooting for what’s known as Forbes five-star level,” says Garrett. “That’s the highest level of service, cuisine, and ambiance. We’re also shooting for membership in Relais & Châteaux,” one of the most prestigious designations a hotel can earn.

Garrett has already imported part of his winning equation to Baltimore: British-born chef Mark Levy, formerly of The Point, has been tapped as executive chef for The Ivy’s restaurant, Magdalena. And no expense is being spared to make chef Levy’s domain one-of-a-kind: The state-of-the-art kitchen is being constructed around a massive, custom-built Moltoni stove from France. 

But hold your horses, there: What makes Azola and Brown think humble Baltimore can sustain such a pricey boutique hotel? The answer, says Azola, lies in Charm City’s historic inferiority complex.

“The truth is, we’re not the little Baltimore that we natives think,” he says. “Marketing people we’re working with from New York and San Diego, the interior designer from San Francisco, the accountant from Texas, and the new hotel manager from Massachusetts all think we have a sleeper here, a town with a lot of unmet potential. As far as the price and testing that potential, the folks at Four Seasons really set the stage, and they’ve been successful, and our price points are very similar. Not everyone prefers a big hotel, so we believe there’s a need for a boutique hotel of equal or better caliber.” 

Even with a highly visible project that could win Azola overdue attention, his company will likely maintain its low profile, even as Tony takes on more responsibility. While both Azolas will remain active in the business, says Marty, “It’s passing the baton while we’re both running full speed.” 

“Cities are always changing, but we need to make sure we don’t erase the past, as it is a road map to the future,” adds Tony. “This turnover ensures that our style of construction and saving buildings will move forward into the future.”

Of course, Dad is quick to chime in that rumors of him immediately vanishing from the company scene  are exaggerated. “I’m not going anywhere right away,” says Marty Azola. “Eddie’s got three more projects for us.”

Making Their Mark
The Azola Companies’ projects can be seen all over town

The Mercantile Bank Building (1969): Rehabbed on Hopkins Plaza	Railway Express Lofts (2008): Converted old post office to apartments and office space
Rockland Grist Mill & Village (1979-1980): Now offices and homes	Old Towson Jail (2010): Now Bosley Hall offices
Devon Hill (1984): Historic mansion and condos	Bromo Seltzer Tower (2007): Interior restoration
Oregon General Store (1985): Now The Oregon Grille	Maryland Building at the Zoo (2010): Complete restoration
Mt. Vernon row house (1999): Now Brown Capital Mgt. offices	Steel fabrication warehouse (2014): Converted to Volunteers of America Residential