Alchemy Elements Closes In Bel Air

BEL AIR, MD — A Bel Air restaurant has closed its doors for the final time. Alchemy Elements is no longer in business.

The eatery at Bel Air Town Center shuttered Wednesday, according to the business owners, who shared a farewell message on Facebook. They did not cite a reason for the closure.

Alchemy Elements opened in November 2015 at the shopping center on Baltimore Pike.

It was recently named one of the most romantic restaurants in Bel Air by Bel Air Patch readers.

Previously, owners sommelier/pastry artist Debi Bell-Matassa and chef Michael Matassa founded Alchemy, a Hampden restaurant that reportedly closed in 2016 so the couple could focus on their new restaurant in Bel Air; and the couple used to own Fusion Grille in Fallston, which they started in 1998 and closed after 9/11 for economic and health reasons, they told I95 Business.

Here is what they posted Wednesday night on the Alchemy Elements/Eastern Shore Crab Cakes Facebook page:

Alchemy Elements restaurant is grateful to the Harford County community for its tremendous support. We brought something innovative and welcoming to Bel Air. We are truly grateful for all our friends, family, and guests that have supported us these past 5 years. Unfortunately, we had to close the doors today.

We have had the best staff in the world and we tried to keep going for as long as we could for them and their uncompromising commitment to quality and hospitality. We are grateful and thankful for their loyalty, creativity, and support.

Nothing will ever bring us such joy and heart ache that Elements has brought us.

Debi & Michael

Related:

• Alchemy Restaurant Cooks Up Plan for Bel Air
• Most Romantic Restaurants In Bel Air: What You Said
• Bel Air Town Center to Welcome Two New Restaurants

A post on the Alchemy Elements Facebook page dated Feb. 10 encouraged diners to start making their Easter reservations, stating: "Valentine’s Day is almost all booked up, so we are thinking into the future! We are now accepting reservations for Easter brunch and Easter dinner!"

Days before that, restaurant officials said they were hiring.

The owners did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the closure.

Michael Matassa was named the 2015 chef of the year by the Restaurant Association of Maryland, which awards the honor to one who "demonstrates consistent standards of excellence, serves as an inspiration to other food service professionals, displays dedication to the artistry of food and exhibits ongoing commitment to the community."