I'll miss Ixia
When news came last week that Ixia had closed, I can't say I was that surprised.
I went there a few times, and never saw that many people in the place. But their mixed drinks were out of this world. Expensive, yes, but also out of this world.
I remember back in the fall of 2007, when "molecular mixologist" Tom Cusack started working with liquid nitrogen and edible ingredients such as calcium lactate.
Using elements of molecular gastronomy and chemistry, he developed a high-end cocktail list and set up a nitro bar.
You could order a Banana Foster Dippin' Dots, an alcoholic version of the BB-shaped ice cream; shots encased in edible pouches instead of glasses; a sorbet frozen on the spot with liquid nitrogen; and a few other specialty drinks.
When I wrote a nightlife column about it, I called it "one of the wildest, most innovative things I've ever seen in a bar."
Almost two years later, that still rings true ...
Ixia could empty your wallet pretty quickly. But if you wanted to dress to impress and go out for drinks in a fancy (and somewhat eccentric) setting, Ixia was the place to do it.
I even took my mom there a year or two ago when she came to visit. She was wowed by the nitro bar.
Even though it wasn't hard to see why Ixia closed, I'll miss it.
(Sun photo by Karl Merton Ferron)
Erik Maza is a features reporter at the Baltimore Sun. He writes for several sections of the Sun paper and contributes weekly columns on music and nightlife. He also writes and edits the Midnight Sun blog. He often covers entertainment, business, and the business of entertainment. Occasionally, he writes about Four Loko, The Block, the liquor board, and those who practice "
Comments
WOW. this is really too bad. Although I like the placed that was there before Ixia (Can't remember the name of it), I loved the look in there. I had only been there 4 or 5 times over the years, with only one time for dinner. Happy Hour, sexy drinks, and feeling the hotness was right on time in Ixia. Wow that's really too bad.
Posted by: Tammy | June 27, 2009 2:33 PM
IXIA will be missed. Last night's closing party was fun. Nice to see some of the regulars from when it first opened.
Posted by: Mark Twain | June 28, 2009 12:23 PM
Tom Cusak has the kind of skillset I envy. I think he would do very well in a larger venue city, hell even someplace international like London... best of luck good sir.
Posted by: Evan | June 28, 2009 5:47 PM
I'll miss IXIA. That place was unique and they really had it together.
Posted by: johnnycat | June 29, 2009 12:50 PM
Ixia used to be Louie's Bookstore Cafe. I miss Louie's. I won't miss Ixia so much. Never caught "the vibe" the place was supposed to present.
Posted by: JackInEC | July 1, 2009 12:23 PM