Ixia is, I dare say Baltimore's most creatively and exquisitely decorated restaurant. I would go back just to sit and admire the artistic passion and thought that must have gone into developing the design concept for the spacious, high-ceilinged restaurant. Ixia is plastered in a calming blue paint and is flared with gold accents on many of the restaurants historical moldings. The overwhelming, calm, blue tones are complemented by the soft white chairs and tables and the polished wood flooring. Modern art that challenges the restaurant's color scheme seems to fit in seamlessly with the restaurant's classical architectural notes.
As if the restaurant's decor weren't enough, the food at Ixia is creative and inventive as well. The restaurant's signature appetizer is its crab and lobster macaroni and cheese. Although sometimes inventive, macaroni and cheese dishes can miss the mark; this dish however hit the target right on. It was truly delicious and unexpected. The elbow-shaped pasta was creamy, full of delicious crab, and expertly broiled; the macaroni and cheese is one of the best I've had anywhere. I ordered the skate for dinner. Although the dish was a little cold when it arrived, it was previously well-cooked for such a slender fish and rested beneath the perfect amount of creamy citrus sauce. Delicious and well cooked potatoes complemented the fish perfectly. I recommend the dish, although others in my party ordered some fabulous looking entrees that I would easily try on my next visit.
Ixia also has a well developed cocktail list. Some of the cocktails are on the sweet side, but they are relatively well-balanced and from what I understand, at least one is internationally acclaimed.
On the upside, the artistically designed atmosphere and food are refreshing; on the downside, it can be difficult to focus with the restaurant's eclectic eccentricities.
