Last updated on September 1, 2015 by Liza Hawkins
| 101 N. Market St Downtown Frederick |
Monday night a couple of my friends were in town, so we decided to go to dinner. Downtown historic Frederick has a lot of really great restaurants (ahem – Volt, to name one), and tonight we dined at one of the best: The Tasting Room. With a modest menu, The Tasting Room offers a selection of seasonal choices that will suit just about anyone. In fact, I’ve eaten there probably five different times, and I don’t think the menu has been the same twice, aside from the few “classics” that have been there for years.
The wait staff is a notch above the rest too. With few words, they make the experience more…what’s the right word? Fancy? Special? Well, kind of. They all know the ever-changing menu by heart, and they memorize your order without the aide of pen and paper (I’d forget the order about two steps from the table, but I guess that’s why I’ve never been a server). AND, they use one of those metal table scraper things, you know, a “crumber.” Fancy-schmancy! Yet, you can show up dressed casually – not like a bum – but in clothes a little more relaxed than business casual, although you will see folks in suits and dresses too.
One of the classic dishes on the dinner menu is their Roasted Colorado Lamb Rack, served with asparagus and gorgonzola potatoes. Oh. My. Goodness. YUM! Believe it or not, I’ve never tried lamb before last night. Something about baby animals has always kept me from trying that AND veal. But tonight I made a concession because I was in the mood to try something new and different, and I’m very glad I did. The lamb was tender and juicy, and it tasted almost like filet mignon. I’m not sure what I was expecting lamb to taste like, but it certainly wasn’t beef.
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| Roasted Lamb with Gorgonzola Potatoes and Asparagus |
The dessert menu is equally as tempting, with everything from vanilla crème brulée to bread pudding with strawberries and whipped cream. We devoured it all, stopping short of licking our plates.
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| Vanilla Crème Brulée |
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| Bread Pudding with Strawberries and Whipped Cream |
If you enjoy wine and martinis, The Tasting Room has an extensive list of delicious possibilities. I’ve tried several of their sauvignon blancs and pinot grigios, and they have all been crisp and refreshing.
Call for a reservation and enjoy an evening with good company at The Tasting Room – you won’t be disappointed! The Zagat reviewers weren’t; The Tasting Room ranked number six out of 12-hundred in the Top Food Category for 2011.
Sounds good! If I get up there, I’ll look for it. Do they have vegetarian/vegan options? (Some of my friends roll that way.)
See here’s something I can leave a comment about without resorting to tax policy! Great pictures!
Hm. I’m thinking through the menu, and I don’t remember any true vegetarian dinner options, but there were appetizers and salads. ALTHOUGH, it’s the type of restaurant where the chef would probably make something to order. So, I’d still give it a go – maybe call first as part your reservation.