A Taste of Frederick — Brunch at The Tasting Room!
This is part I of an explorative blog post series looking into Frederick, Maryland’s buzzing downtown food scene.
Oh, Frederick, a historic city and county located in western Maryland known for its quaint but lively downtown area, wineries with breathtaking mountain views, longstanding breweries (including Maryland's largest craft brewery, Flying Dog), and scenic hiking and outdoor trails.
I have the pleasure of frequenting this gem a few times a month and plan to explore all Frederick has to offer, but with an emphasis on the food scene.
Downtown there are several food establishments to dine, and brunch is a common activity. When you are done eating, there is a plethora of craft, mom-and-pop, and specialty stores, art displays, museums (including the National Museum of Civil War Medicine), and bars to see. All this to say, even if you reside in Washington DC or Baltimore and make this a day trip, you will not get bored. Many of these activities can thankfully be grouped into tours, neatly organizing your fun time.
When it comes to food recommendations, I am going to start with The Tasting Room! I had my eyes on it for a while as they have are highly rated and usually quite busy. Only when you go yourself can you make a real assessment, but my goal is to help you along
Live action glimpse of my time in Frederick! Watch out for my vlog series as I continue to explore the historic downtown area and delicious #food. I stopped at the Tasting Room! A mainstay which serves New American cuisine and has been open for close to 20 years strong!
(Click to view a short video of my visit!)
The New American restaurant is a classy mainstay in downtown Frederick that has been serving 5-star plates for nearly two decades. The Tasting Room also has a robust wine menu and tasty range of both cocktails and mocktails.
Island Fizz
Speaking of mocktails, give the Island Fizz a try. It will probably remind you of lemonade, carrying the notes of the main ingredients - pineapple, lime, orange blossom, ginger, and grapefruit soda. If you did want it laced, I would suggest a vodka or rum!
Leo’s Sticky Buns
Warm, house-baked cinnamon rolls with pecans and a brown sugar glaze. YES, this should be a mandatory start to every morning and any brunch. The freshly baked, soft rolls topped with crunchy, slightly salted pecans, and a rich, buttery sweetness from the brown sugar are everything you can dream of in one. You will probably not require a dessert if you get this. I was sold the minute I laid my eyes on these buns!
Steak and Eggs (with Fois Gras Potatoes and truffle hollandaise)
Steak and eggs are a brunch classic, one of five I order without fail (the others are chicken and waffles, french toast, pancakes, and shrimp and grits—who is with me?).
The Tasting Room’s steak sits on a bed of airy foie gras potatoes and creamy truffle hollandaise. It also comes with a poached egg and asparagus, but you can customize this if you so wish. My "sometimes foodie partner in crime" opted for spinach as his greens, and eggs scrambled rather than poached. Either way, the star of the plate (the steak) is subtly smoky and delicious.
Spicy Chicken and Waffles
Certainly my favorite part of my visit and my #1 recommendation on the brunch menu. The cayenne chicken breast and habanero-orange butter pair so well with the cinnamon maple syrup on top of the waffles. The chicken tenders are flavorful with the right amount of heat. The finishing strawberries provide a cooling effect from the heat, so it as well balanced a brunch dish as you can get.
Overall, besides the food, the service is good. - friendly and accommodating. The ambiance is pretty relaxing since the restaurant attracts a classy crowd who just want a nice bite to eat in peace. The design of the space allows for a lot of natural light - who doesn’t want that?
If you are looking to get a taste of Frederick, Maryland, The Tasting Room is certainly one of the top choices.
