Baltimore Sun Critic likes Frederick Restaurants
I found this blog written by Baltimore Sun blogger and restaurant critic Elizabeth Large while looking for more information on the Black Hog BBQ and Bar. Apparently Ms. Large has become quite enamored with restaurants in our city, entitling her July 23rd blog post, Frederick: The new dining capital of the universe?
Well, maybe not really. But it does seem like Frederick has more than its share of excellent restaurants for a sleepy little Maryland town. Which, of course, it isn’t anymore. Frederick’s notable restaurants include but are not limited to Acacia Fusion (Asian fusion), Cacique (Mexican and Spanish), Cafe Nola (American), Isabella’s (Spanish), Monocacy Crossing (American), Orchard (emphasis on healthy), the Tasting Room (American) and more, but I’m getting bored with linking to them.
Now Volt is opening this Friday. Talk about cutting edge; just take a look at the Web site. And I’m about to call Michael Tauraso to find out about his new barbecue place and grill, Black Hog, which is supposed to open in mid-August.
So, at least we have some idea of when the Black Hog is supposed to open if what she wrote is correct. What I don’t get is why she is so surprised that there are good restaurants in Frederick.
Why Frederick? Probably because it’s become a bedroom community for DC, at least that’s my best guess.
Apart from Cafe Nola ( her link didn’t seem to work for me, this link is for their MySpace page.) which opened most recently, all the other restaurants she mentioned have been open for several years.
“Why Frederick? Probably because it’s become a bedroom community for DC, at least that’s my best guess.”
Where has she been? Frederick has not “become” but has been a bedroom community for years.
A bit-city food reviewer needs to do better than reprise the role of Christopher Columbus “discovering” the new world. And her writing is rather awkward:
1) “Frederick: The new dining capital of the universe?”
2) “Well, maybe not really. ”
3) “But it does seem like Frederick has more than its share of excellent restaurants for a sleepy little Maryland town…”
4) “Which, of course, it isn’t anymore.”
And this is insight?
Does Black Hog have a website? I want to know more… I live on All Saints!
Cariegrls, that’s what I was looking for when I found the blog mentioned in this post. I haven’t been able to find a website yet for Black Hog.
I want to know what leads her to believe Frederick is a “Bedroom” community? There are PLENTY of people who both live and WORK here and don’t make the treck down 270.
Well regardless of whether some consider Frederick a bedroom community or not it is an honor and a cpmpliment just the same.
Hey Mimi’s Cafe is coming to Westview Village on Rte 85. check it out:
http://www.saulcenters.com/properties-metro/md/westview/lease.htm
http://www.mimiscafe.com/
Learn more about Mimi’s Cafe.
The closest locations are in Columbia and at Dulles Town Center along the loop road.
I drove by the Black Hog last night – looks great. Hope someone here will fill us in when it opens. Is it sit-down service?
Has anybody been to a Mimi’s Cafe? Based on a real quick glance over their menu, looks like a close cousin to a Bob Evans, with a smidgeon of updating and maybe a slightly larger range of offerings.
Looks like the Black Hog is open as of tonight!
Really? Cool! Thanks for the tip, Annette!
Last night was a soft open – invite only affair. According to our waitress at TR last night, the hard open is Monday.
FrederickFan-
I actually have been to a Mimi’s Cafe in Colorado. Your description is pretty spot on. It’s like a “fancier” Bob Evans with maybe higher quality food.
Darrell Russ- Since you seem to be on top of upcoming restaurants in Frederick, have you heard anything about Red Robin lately? I could really go for one of their burgers.
Try this link for Nola:
http://www.cafe-nola.com/Home.html
The Black Hog opens today 8/11/08..this is noted on a piece of paper on their window.
My husband and I celebrated our anniversary at Volt over the weekend, and both agreed it was one of the best restaurants we’ve ever been to. We’re big foodies, and we were loving every course that came to our table. The staff was kind and attentive, and included lots of special “extras” during the meal (homemade breads, soups, chocolates, treats for breakfast, and even an anniversary cake with candle at the end!).
Highly recommended.
And definitely make sure you visit the bathrooms. LOL!
Cirssie-
Were you in the regular dining room or at the chef’s tasting table?
For the rest of us who can’t afford “the chef’s tasting table,” how much did you folks lay down for dinner at Volt?
I heard dinner for 2 at Volt costs about the same as a car payment.
Joe, what kind of car? lol.
VOLT menu and prices are listed on their website.
go to http://www.voltrestaurant.com/menusdinner.htm
Volt has a fabulous menu and certainly features excellent wines, but the owners will need to work has to survive over the long term. The national economy is limping along, and managers everywhere are clamping down on expense accounts. Traditionally, economic output and the Dow Jones dip after an election, all of which adds up to much uncertainty.
Consider this: The SEVEN-Course Meal at Volt’s chef’s tasting table is priced for one person at $89, plus another $45 for wine pairings. For two diners, that works out to $223.00. Add tax and tip (say $50 for the latter), and your tab will be about $287, give or take a nickel. Add parking and transportation—and a Weinberg show—and you’re looking at a $400 evening. Yikes!
For Volt’s FIVE-course chef’s tasting table dinner, the cost is $69 and $35, respectively, which totals $173, plus tax and tip (say $40 for the latter), which works out to a $223 economy dinner.
While we all recognize the beauty, finesse and, yes, value of exceptional cooking, few people locally can afford to drop $223 on a meal on a regular basis.
Volt Seven-Course Menu:
English Pea Soup
blue crab, maroon carrot ravioli, pea shoot tempura
Valminor, Albarino, Rias Baixas, Spain 2006
Foie Gras
marcona almonds, rainier cherries, arugula
Weingut Stephen Ehlen, Erdener Treppchen, Riesling, Auslese Mosel 2003
American Red Snapper
ruby quinoa, cauliflower, petite red ribbon sorrel
Ken Forrester, Chenin Blanc “Petit” Stellenbosch, S. Africa, 2007
Sweet Breads
lemon, caper powder, golden raisins
Domaine de Regusse, Pinot Noir, VDP Alpes de Haute Provence, France 2007
Dry Aged Angus Beef Cipollini
onion, red crescent potatoes, glazed turnips, chive blossoms
Yakima Cellars, Syrah Elephant Mountain Vineyard, Yakima Valley, WA 2004
Vermont Butter and Cheese Co. Bijou petite strawberries, port glaze, raw cocoa
Brooklyn Brown Ale, Brooklyn, NY
Chocolate and Hazelnut
“pave” chocolate caramel, praline anglaise, frozen hazelnut custard
Talihancich, White Solero, Swan Valley Australia 10yr
Seven Course Menu 89 | Beverage Pairing 45
__________
Chef Bryan Voltaggio
and Staff
Whoops. Scratch those figures. I forgot to factor in beverage pairings for TWO people.
Estimated cost for SEVEN-Course Meal: $330
Estimated cost for FIVE-Course Meal: $250
Wonder if Frederick Magazine will feature a 90 % off coupon???
Matthew, why don’t you try going in for the a la carte menu, you can have a glass of wine, entree and a dessert and get out of there for under $40/person. This way you can watch your wallet while supporting local business. Happy eating!
Hey…Matthew- that’s my car payment! I heard right.
Crissie — My wife and I are also going there for our anniversary on 8/30. Did you dine at the Chef’s Table or the main dinning room? We are planning on doing the 7 course tasting. Any recommendations?
We are really looking forward to it.
thanks
We ate in the regular dining room because the chef’s dining area was booked when we made reservations.
We enjoyed a 4-course meal in the dining room and my husband had one drink with dinner. I’m pregnant, so the 7-course drink pairings wasn’t an option. LOL!
I highly recommend the clam bisque, sweet breads, angus beef, braised skate, and hazelnut chocolate dessert.
Our bill was $140, pre-tip. While we didn’t perhaps, get the “full Volt experience”, we certainly enjoyed a wonderful meal and outstanding service.
The food is superb. The chef’s dining area is great and quite an experience in itself. More details of my experience on my blog.
Fred
http://www.fredfoodie.com
Re Volt, I have done both the dining room and the Chef’s Table. Outstanding experiences on both occasions. I am really excited now that they are open for lunch and brunch.
I went in for a drink/meeting yesterday and tried the new bar menu. The Hanger Steak and Frites is terrific. Beautiful seared steak and hand made potato frites for $12. Beers are $4-5, and wines by the glass from $6-15. Serious list by the glass. Bartenders are cool guys who know there subject. I hope they do a regular Happy Hour during the week.
Wow! I cannot wait to try Volt.
Well we had our VOLT experience and I must say “disappointing” We did the 7 course chef table tasting and it was like a inverted roller coaster ride, we started off high at the top and by the time the protein arrived we thought the ride was over. No going into too much details but let’s say they are not reading these blogs, ‘very inconsistent’.
I haven’t been yet. Maybe for a special occassion. But the string didn’t start about Volt and it shouldn’t end there. Volt, at least for locals, is a special occassion. My mom, bless her soul, lives in Washington, VA. Less then 2 blocks from “The Inn.” You think locals eat there? I think not. But people with names like Gore and Greenspan and such show up all the time. And they don’t complain about the price. Me? Well, the food at the Turtle has gotten better since it openned. The food at Bentz Street has been under rated since it changed hands. I love a Five Guys burger but I still go to Wag’s at times to get a Fat Jack. Brewers has great pizza, but so does Ledo and Uno if I want to drive for a change. Now here’s a secret, besides the Tasting Room and….shhhh…..Firestones’ (never had a bad meal at Firestones)…….the Canal has a great Filet when it’s on the menu. Good soups too. Again…..shhhhh. I like Isabellas, but the portions just seem a little small, even for tapas. Rather head to Brewers. And I admit I haven’t eaten at Acacia since it changed from La Province. To many other choices I guess. La Paz has big portions but I kinda prefer Cacique…..I just love those thin chips they have. How do they do that? And even Olde Towne deserves mention for their (great) burgers which are only $2.50 on Tuesdays and $.10 shrimp on Mondays, right? Hmmm….What am I forgetting? Griff’s food hasn’t been the best lately. But I love the bar nonetheless. And Bushwallers has good food too, but the menu is so limited. Haven’t been to the Orchard lately, but the menu always looks good. And there’s that attic place on market, talk about a good looking menu. Just haven’t gotten there. Patrick’s has been fun, but I haven’t eaten there. Nola has great breakfasts. And there’s always Beans and Bagels, I’m not a coffee drinker but I hear they have the best, or Market Street Bagels. I’ve always like Crabapples for lunch. Yum. Again, shhhh. Black Hog? Haven’t tried it yet. I’m a stickler for good bbq though. I used to love Mountaindale and miss that guy so much. Not what it used to be. Blues BBQ off 85 is the next best. Chubby’s isn’t bad either. Then there’s the Ethopian place. I like it when they have their buffett, so you can try this and that. Same with Bombay. And while we are at it, the Clay Oven isn’t bad either. Haven’t tried Monocacy Crossing since it changed. And I’ve always wanted to try Gabriel”s, is it still open? I’ve always wanted to go. Hagen’s Tavern is a favorite, especially for that historic feel. So is South Mountain Inn……mmmmm…..good! Mealy’s too. So where do I go from here? May’s maybe, Libertytown…..but who can complain about all you can eat crabs??? Il Porto maybe? I haven’t been to this one but used to go to the one in Old Town Alexandria. It was great. Are the two related? Sushi? Haven’t been to Hinode yet. I hear that Roppongi is the place to beat, and I do like both House of Kobe and Myako for hibachi. House of Kobe seems a little more personal to me though. I’m sure I’m missing something, oh yeah, Nidos. Another shhhh. Although I do miss Letterios. They had the best fresh pasta, and the best stuffed mushrooms. Oh well, gone but not forgotten. Chinese? China Garden or China Doll. Thai, there’s that place on Opossumtown Pike, My Thai. Haven’t been but someone (famous) who lived in Thailand for a while told me it was the real deal. German up there too, Hennings. I think the owner is from Germany, although you’d think there’d be more German places in town. There’s always the Bavarian Inn too. After that we start into the chains……Houlihans, Hard Times, Famous Daves, Outback, Barley and Hops? Oh yeah, I forgot Red Horse. Used to be one of my faves! I get reports that it is hit or miss these days but last time I was there it was great. And out that way is Dutches Daughter too. The best Sunday brunch in town…..bar none. Service is great too. So my point? Don’t get to worked up about Volt. I’m sure it’s great. I hear the bar is pretty good, but not cheap. Perhaps they have an appetizer menu. But otherwise, like the Inn at Little Washington, it’s a special place for special occassions….or special people. I hope the succeed and I hope I one day have an occassion to go there. But I won’t sweat it till then. I have lots of other choices in this sleepy (shhhh) little town. If you like beef, there’s Olde Towne, Five Guys or Wag’s. Like chicken? Chick-fil-a. Yum! I know, I know, I’m reaching now. But the point is that you don’t need to spend $80 for a decent meal, so let’s not all get hung up on it. Check out lobster night at Brewers. They still have that? Best deal in town. Shhhh……
Hey, Steve. Shhhh!
Man, Steve, you must eat out alot. Well, it is fun to do. I love to eat out!!!
Steve, I’m with you–the Volts and “Little Inns” of the world are for only the most special of occasions. Instead of tying up so much money in a single meal out, I’d generally rather put my dining-out dollar to work reasonably often at less pricey establishments. I’m very satisfied to pay less for food I like as much (or more) than what I’d get at a “name” dining destination. And, yes, good service and fine ambiance are important to the dining experience…but it’s possible to find both at any number of less pretentious (and less expensive) venues.
Just my own opinion; I understand and appreciate why others see it differently.