June 24th, 2009
More on Ixia
Here's an e-mail sent by Ixia's Brendan Dorr, who we picked as one of Baltimore's best bartenders in our March issue. There's a happy ending.
Dear Friends,
Today is a sad day. Ixia Restaurant Lounge and Bar will be closing its doors permanently. I truly think it is a loss to Baltimore. Un Kim, the owner of Ixia, has decided that she no longer wishes to run Ixia and has chosen to close after this Friday, June 26. I know most of you are thinking why; the only reason is that she just doesn't desire to keep it going. 8 years of constant inspiration and devotion is a lot to keep up. She doesn't wish for someone to take over and lose/change her vision.
So this week will be your last chance to come view, eat and drink at Ixia. I will be there all week long. Tuesday I manage, Wednesday I am behind the bar, Thursday I am serving on the floor, and Friday I will be behind the bar. Please come in and say hello and good bye. Forgive me if I am out of your favorite drink (it might happen).
I realize I am leaving out Saturday. That's because we are hosting an invite only closing party.
The next chapter for me. I have already secured a new job as the head bartender at the new hotel coming to town. It is a Kimpton Monaco Hotel. It is ultra boutique and they receive amazing accolades and awards for their hotels and restaurants, so hopefully we can have just as much fun at a new place. The name of the spot I will be working in is in their restaurant called the B&O (American) Brasserie. It is located in the old B&O Headquarters Building on the NW corner at the intersection of Charles and Baltimore Streets. We open at the end of July and the place looks beautiful. We will be doing exciting, boutique cocktails, hopefully/eventually some of my creations to start or down the road. Please come in and visit me there. I will miss seeing all my regulars and friends.
Anyway, thank you all for the many years of joy and fun you have given me. I hope a lot of you come in for one last visit to Ixia before it is gone and I look forward to seeing you all stop in my new spot some time in August. Take care and thank you all once again.
Sincerely,
Brendan Dorr
Soon to be Ex-Beverage Director of Ixia
8:05 am
Categories: restaurants, what's new
Expect to see me there every day this week. I hope to see the restaurant packed each day I'm there. I have a lot of fond memories at Ixia, as my sister's wedding reception was there, and I used to work there. It was hard for me to leave, even though I knew I was always welcomed to visit. It saddens me that I won't be able to come back after Saturday.
Ixia was truly a great restaurant. The food is fantastic, thanks to Executive Chef Kevin Miller, and sous chef George Marsh. Brendan is a fabulous bartender, a wonderful manager, and a great guy. B&O is lucky to have him. All of the employees - the managers, the servers, the runners, the chefs and the dishwashers - are amazing people. I wish the best of luck to them.
There has never been a restaurant like this in Baltimore. From my very first meal four and a half years ago I can still remember exactly what I had and made it a regular celebratory location for great libations and exquisite culinary treats.
Chef Kevin Miller's menu extended from Foie Gras ,Piranha ribs, Hangar Steak with yucca fries, in house chorizo, the always popular Mac and Cheese and many other delicious appetizers, entrees and desserts that my friends and family were able to enjoy.
Being a resident of Mount Vernon it is hands down the best restaurant in the neighborhood and in the city. The back of the house has come up with a plethora of outstanding dishes, events and cocktails and I would like to give them my sincerest gratitude for what they brought to Baltimore.
I will now have to travel to Manhattan, Philadelphia or Washington DC to get an eclectic dish as outstanding as what Ixia created.
I wish them all the best of luck with their future endeavors and thank you for the wonderful culinary journey of tastes over the years.