Frederick Maryland Online

The article Lizfrog recently mentioned about area food bloggers was published in today’s FNP Food section. Here is a snippet …

The Frederick Maryland Online blog covers many local restaurants, but is not a food-specific blog. Schmidt started the blog initially “because I was nosy” about happenings around town. Jim and Liz Hardy started contributing to the blog after it was established. “Guy tried to get others to write for the blog, and we’re the ones who responded,” said Jim.

Favorite restaurants in Frederick were an immediate and favorite topic of conversation among these local culinary cognoscenti. Van Bloem said, “Frederick has a much more sophisticated palate than we give it credit for.” Irani mentioned Clay Oven as a favorite, while Van Bloem expounded on length about her adoration of Lucky Corner. Jim Hardy agreed and suggested Viet Aroma as another favorite. Liz Hardy discussed Isabella’s and Cacique as among her pet restaurants.

All of these bloggers mentioned how much they love “scooping” news stories related to food around Frederick. Van Bloem wrote about the bakery Proof closing recently: “I had talked to two of the bakers about ordering a lemon cake for one of my staff, and they said they couldn’t because they didn’t know if they were going to be open tomorrow. I asked, ‘What do you mean, you don’t know if you’re going to be open tomorrow?’ and they explained that the bakery was going to be sold shortly.” She subsequently posted about the closure on her blog.

Meanwhile, the Hardys and Guy Schmidt rely on published stories, reader tips and their inquisitive eyes to publicize restaurant news. The Hardys recently wrote about walking by Venuti’s and discovering it has closed, while Guy posted about a new wine store that he learned of from a reader’s tip.

Really cool! Thanks to Rochelle Myers for bringing us all together. It was great meeting some other Frederick bloggers and food lovers. Also, just in case you haven’t done so already go visit the site’s of the other bloggers who were at the discussion …

~Guy~

Foster’s Grille in Urbana has made a generous offer to Frederick Maryland Online readers in the comments of another post.

Foster’s Grille is located at 8925 Fingerboard Road at the intersection of routes 80 & 355 (across the street from the Cracked Claw Restaurant).

To all readers, Mention Lizfrog’s screen name and or this blog and receive 10% off on any adult entree - Discounts will be offered until end of June, 2008!

Thanks, Foster’s Grille of Urbana!
240-699-0194

Thanks to Foster’s Grille!  Hopefully you’ll get lots of people taking you up on this offer!

Lizfrog

Next Saturday, May 31st is the Maryland Brewer’s Springfest at Harry Grove Stadium. This event runs from 12 noon until 8PM . Tickets for adults ate $17 in advance, $20 at the door, $10 for youths age 13-20 and designated drivers. 12 and under are admitted free of charge.

Brewers include Barley and Hops, Brewer’s Alley, Flying Dog, Clipper City and DuClaw Brewing. There will be over 60 beers on site to try.

There will be live music with three bands. From 1:00-2:00 is 21 the Difference. From 3:00-5:00 is the Freddie Long Band and from 6:00-7:30 is The Reagan Years.

The event website promises “great food and unique shopping” but they don’t elaborate so I have no clue what is so great about the food or how unique the shopping is! But if you are a beer fan, especially of beers brewed here in Maryland, this may be just the thing for you.

Lizfrog

My wife mentioned that she thinks she saw a sign for a new BBQ joint opening downtown. It’s located on Market street where the old Wing place used to be. She thinks it may have been called The [something] Pig.

Can anyone out there confirm this?

Update: As Peter mentioned in the comments it is called The Black Hog BBQ and Bar, and I confirmed tonight it’s in the place where the wings place used to be down the street from La Paz.

~Guy~

Mark your calenders on Tuesday, June 17th for the next Progressive Dinner to raise funds for the Downtown Frederick Partnership. Tickets are $100 with about $40 of it tax deductible. The theme for this dinner is Al Fresco Style and there are four seatings: 5:30, 6:00, 6:30 and 7:00. Four restaurants are participating and diners walk to each destination for each course. Here’s the menu:

Appetizer Course: The Greene Turtle

Crab Dip served with Crunchy Toasted Bread

Drink: Wine - Pinot Grigio or Beer - Fordham Copperhead Ale

Salad Course: Firestone’s Restaurant

Mango-Avocado and Lobster Melange

Drink: Red Wine - Toad Hollw, 2006 Sonoma County Dry Pinot Noir Rose

OR White Wine - Jewel, Unoaked Chardonnay

Entree: Brewer’s Alley Patio

Dorsey’s All Natural Baby Back Ribs - Smoked, Roasted and Grilled Half Rack Ribs with Hickory Barbeque Sauce, Creamy Coleslaw and Shoestring Fries

OR

Wasabi Salmon - Kolsch and Wasabit Marinated Alantic Salmon with Vegetable Basmit Rice and Grilled Pineapple-Roasted Red Pepper Salsa

OR

Rosemary Peach Chicken - Grilled Chicken Breast with Garlic-Rosemary Peach Cream Sauce, Roasted Red Bliss Potatoes, Baby Spinach and Toasted Pecans

Drink: Brewer’s Alley House Beers or House Red & White Wines

Dessert Course: La Dolce Vita Patio

Mile High Chocolate Layer Cake and a small gift.

Drink: Espresso Latte or Cappuccino

Lizfrog

On Tuesday evening, the three of us were invited to take a tour of VOLT Restaurant, 228 N. Market St, to see how the renovations of the old mansion are coming along. We were met there by Executive Chef and General Manager Bryan Voltaggio and Hilda Staples who, once open will be in charge of marketing and external relations, and their sommelier Aaron Schifferle. It’s easy to see how excited they all are about this project, a massive undertaking as they’ve had to completely gut the first floor of the building and start over (there’s a separate business on the upper floor).

The space itself is divided into four distinct areas. The front left side of the building (if you are facing the building from outside) will be the more formal dining area, which will seat 38 guests. Continuing back on that same side will be a chef’s kitchen dining room that will seat about 16 people, who will be able to see all that’s going on in the kitchen just beyond that area.

Opposite the chef’s kitchen is a private room for a large group of twelve or so. This area, the conservatory, will be spectacular, as it is surrounded by a curved wall of windows overlooking the garden. Finally, in the front right will be a bar and lounge area. The bar area will be L-shaped with 14 bar stools and a beverage ledge on the opposite wall. The lounge area will be furnished and more informal with tables and chairs and seating for approximately 20.

As for the food, I can say with 100% certainty that VOLT will not be a steak house. Their menu will stress seasonal, local and/or organic fare. Bryan has found some great seafood resources and it’s very important for him to find ones that stress farm raised, sustainable fish that can be shipped one day and prepared the next. They’ve also found some great local resources for coffee, beef and dairy. The formal dining room menu will be a la carte, the chef’s kitchen menu will have a 5 or 7 course menu and the lounge area will have a more cocktail-type menu. The wine list sounds like it will be accessible for all price points, with a wide variety to choose from. Aaron definitely knew what he was talking about!

Valet parking will be available after 5:00PM and they are hoping to open in July. We wish them all the best and hope that they are finished with their renovations in time. It’s going to be a unique restaurant in Frederick, that’s for sure. The attention to detail is quite thorough. But, rest assured, they are not looking to be only a special occasion restaurant. With all the menu and dining options they will have to offer, and the really great people they are who want to create a special place in Frederick, we are sure they will do well here. Thanks for the invite guys! We had a lot of fun.

Watch out for the pictures from our tour on Flickr in the right sidebar.

Update: Here are pictures from the tour taken by Lizfrog.

Lizfrog

Guy

This Sunday, May 11th is Mother’s Day.  Here’s a few things I’ve been able to find:

Mother’s Day High Tea and Wine Tasting at Elk Run Vineyards.

May 10-11, 12-4PM  (two seating’s) 12-1:30 or 2:30-4:00
Mother’s Day High Tea and Wine Tasting

$15.00 per adult Children 4 and over $8.00 (tickets required)

Seated under our spacious outdoor tent, spend an afternoon looking over the vineyard in early bloom. We present crumpets, scones, devanger cream and fine teas along with three Elk Run wines. Additional wines may be purchased.

Mother’s Day brunch at Linganore Winecellars: (According to their website, this event is sold out, although it’s unclear if both days are sold out or just Sunday.)

Join us for an elegant brunch, either Saturday or Sunday, to celebrate Mom’s special day at Linganore Winecellars.
Relax to soft  music in our Abisso banquet room while you enjoy a gourmet brunch buffet of delectable dishes including carved turkey breast, quiche, pasta, fruit, chocolate cup mousse, and much more, along with 1 glass of Linganore wines and 1 Linganore Mimosas (21 and over) with a keepsake wineglass. Have a professional family portrait taken while everyone is together and dressed up! No sitting fee, just pay for the portraits. Along with presenting every mother a flower for her special day, Linganore will present each table with a surprise gift. Tickets are $47 (ages 21+) $40 (under 21) $25 (under 12). Space is limited so reservations are required.For reservations please call (301) 831-5889 or email events@Linganorewines.com or simply stop by the tasting room to purchase tickets.

I would imagine that most of these places are having a special brunch although their websites don’t mention anything specifically.  I was at Brewer’s Alley a few weeks ago and they had a Mother’s Day menu printed out but there’s no news on their website.

What are your Mother’s Day plans?  If you know of any special things going on and can share them, please leave a comment.

Lizfrog

I discovered today that Volt has a blog. From the most recent post (May 3rd):

We are well under way with construction at this point. It is very exciting to see Charlie, our architect, and our vision taking shape. Our kitchen view dining room, dubed the chef’s dining room, ceiling and framing are almost complete. Our lounge and main dining room are also framed to the point where the walls and ceilings look a bit like a large skeleton of the restaurant. This week our hood will arrive and the install will be early in the week. That in it’s self is an exciting milestone, as we all know what is stationed underneath will be close behind. Plumbers, electricians, masons, and steelworkers are all taking position and working simultaneously to bring the space to life.

You can also sign up for email updates on the opening at Volt’s website here.

Also, don’t forget about the Frederick Forum. There are lots of new questions over there!

Lizfrog

I received an anonymous tip from an FMO reader about Luke’s Pizza Company …

I just discovered that Luke’s Pizza Company on Crestwood Blvd. is now closed for two to four weeks for “emergency renovations.”  I wonder if this means the Health Department nailed it, or if the store has changed hands once again?

No word on the Luke’s next to Jug Bridge. I haven’t eaten at Luke’s in awhile, but I used to frequent the place quite often. Hopefully they bounce back, whatever the cause of the closure.

~Guy~

Restaurant posts are kind of hard to write because most restaurants don’t seem to post new information for each new event on their websites. That being said, I decided it’s easier for me to just post a list of Mexican restaurants that may be holding specials for Cinco de Mayo (I’m running into the same problem with a search for Mother’s Day brunches. Just when I think I’ve found a place with a great menu, I find it’s from 2007 or earlier.) Anyways, here’s a list of places to go to on Cinco de Mayo (May 5th) and if you can add to this list please do so in the comments. There are certain restaurants that seem to bring out the most vocal critics. All I can ask is that you please keep the comments civil.

(Warning: There is music playing on the sites for Mexicali Cantina, Cacique and Mariachi.  Thanks, Jim!)

Casa Rico

Mexicali Cantina

La Paz

Cacique

Mariachi

Also, El Paso at 5732 Buckeystown Pike (in the plaza with Gold’s Gym and Common Market).

Another I just heard about in Mt Airy called Siempre de Fiesta in the Twin Arch Shopping Center.

Los Potrillos is on the Golden Mile in Westridge Square.

Fajita Grande (Thanks Storage Lady!), is on Willowdale Ave., just off the Golden Mile.

What have I forgotten?

Lizfrog