Fresh off the launch of new seasonal menus, the village tavern offers a nod to classic comfort dishes and a beautifully rehabbed gathering place in historic Charles Village
Dear Charles, located inside The Study at Johns Hopkins, breaks the mold on campus hangouts with an elevated dining room and a fresh, local take on American-style tavern fare.
Inspired by the relaxed, communal atmosphere of traditional taverns, the full-service restaurant and bar offers a variety of classic comfort foods including roasted chicken, burgers, and pasta; however, guests can also expect fresh salads, sides, and shellfish highlighting the rich flavors of the Mid-Atlantic region. Just launched, the new menus stay true to the concept while highlighting seasonal produce. Highlights from the dinner menu include mussels in an apple cider, cherry peppers, and maple sausage broth; potato gnocchi with butternut squash, caramelized onion, and baby kale; and a bistro filet served with cheesy scalloped potatoes, wild mushrooms, and balsamic sauce.
“We’re passionate about creating simple, delicious dishes created with fresh, well-sourced ingredients,” said Michael Reynolds, Executive Chef, Dear Charles. “My greatest hope is that our food creates a memorable dining experience that brings guests – locals and visitors alike – together for quality time around the table.”
Reynolds, a Charles Village resident, brings more than three decades of talent and experience to Dear Charles’ culinary program, having worked in restaurants nationwide including Baltimore, Seattle, and Chicago. With Maryland roots and an enthusiasm for music and film, Reynolds brings creativity and sophistication to the kitchen that helps shape and tell the story of Dear Charles.
The restaurant is open daily from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM for breakfast, lunch, dinner, weekday happy hour, and weekend brunch. Dear Charles’ warm ambiance and versatile menus make it equally suitable for families, colleagues, dates, and large groups, as well as the go-to spot for business meetups, the Saturday and Sunday brunch crowd, Baltimore Museum of Art patrons, and post-wedding celebrations.
As one of only a handful of Charles Village establishments with a full bar, the tavern also invites guests to gather for happy hour or pull up a stool to enjoy a quiet drink with a friend. The beverage program features a line of original handcrafted cocktails inspired by classics. The Blue Jay, Dear Charles’ take on a Moscow Mule, is a nod to the restaurant’s proximity to Johns Hopkins University. Guests can also enjoy a glass from Dear Charles’ vast wine selection or pick a pint from the rotating selection of beers from local and regional craft breweries.
Located at the corner of 33rd and North Charles Street, The Study at Johns Hopkins is the first and only hotel on the university’s Homewood Campus and an adaptive reuse of the century-old Blackstone Apartments building. The hotel opened to guests in October 2023, followed by the restaurant in February 2024. Constructed in the footprint of what was previously a cramped basement venue, the dramatically refurbished space seats 85 with a walk-up patio, a light-filled bar with towering 22-foot ceilings, and a moody, wallpapered dining nook under the ornamental staircase that connects the restaurant and hotel living room.
“The whole property is unrecognizable in the best way possible,” says Kathleen Dombrowski, Hotel General Manager and a lifelong Baltimorean. “Neighbors and Hopkins alums pop in to check out the changes, and many have become Dear Charles regulars. We look forward to growing those relationships and to introducing hotel guests to this new era on campus. Our team is especially proud of how the tavern has become a place for us all to connect as a community and enjoy a meal and a drink together.”
About Dear Charles
Dear Charles is a village tavern located inside The Study at Johns Hopkins in the heart of the historic Charles Village neighborhood. Influenced by the regional bounty of the Mid-Atlantic and the vibrance of an established village tavern, the menu offers elevated yet familiar menu items, complemented by a beverage program that focuses on cleverly reimagined classics. The restaurant can seat up to 85 guests and is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and brunch. To learn more about Dear Charles, please visit www.dearcharles.com.
www.dearcharles.com | facebook.com/dearcharlesbaltimore | instagram.com/dearcharlesbaltimore/
About The Study at Johns Hopkins
The Study at Johns Hopkins boasts 115 guest rooms and suites, equipped with leather reading chairs, writing desks, comfortable bedding, and large windows that open with views of Charles Street and the Johns Hopkins University campus and beyond. The hotel is the fourth in a collection of university hotels from New York-based developer Hospitality 3. The first three hotels are The Study at Yale in New Haven, Connecticut; The Study at University City in Philadelphia; and The Study at University of Chicago. To learn more about The Study at Johns Hopkins, please visit www.thestudyatjohnshopkins.com.
www.thestudyatjohnshopkins.com | facebook.com/thestudyatjohnshopkins | instagram.com/thestudyatjohnshopkins
