The Tasting Room

The Tasting Room
101 N Market St,
Frederick, MD 21701
(240) 379-7772
Map

http://www.tastetr.com/


The Tasting Room stands out in down town Frederick. The restaurant occupies the corner of Church and Market streets with an imposing glass and metal facade that contrasts to the otherwise hisoric feel of the downtown area. The restaurant sits close to 100 (my best guess) at close set tables and at a large, albeit cramped, curved poured concrete bar. The dining room has an industrial decore, with high ceilings and exposed ductwork. The overall effect is upscale casual but the feels a bit sterile and the acoustics make the space quite loud.


The menu has changed since I ate there so I won't dwell on specific menu items. I have eaten dinner there several time, lunch once. Dinner was a much better experience. The lunch menu was clumsy and poorly represented by the server. Questions on the lunch menu were answered incorrectly leading to an overall poor experience. Dinner was quite a bit better (prices running from $19 to $36) and the service was fine. There were really no suprises here, which was disappointing. My biggest issue with the Tasting Room is that the place seems more focused on the ambience rather than the food or service. My impression is that it is a "see and be seen" destinatin, lacking soul. In contrast to many of the other restaurants in Frederick which are warm and inviting, with staff and clientel welcoming to travelers, the Tasting Room seems aloof and haughty. It may be a perfect location for a business lunch or a first date, the lack of warmth and charm was off putting to the lone traveler.