Downtown Frederick, Maryland - Restaurants and Bars - Isabella's, Brewer's Alley, and Acacia

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Slideshow  |  Lightbox (101) Tags: food   frederick   maryland   restaurants   usa Posted: Aug. 16, 2009 by Val

On this page I present three of several popular restaurants in Downtown Frederick: Isabella's Taverna & Tapas Bar, Brewer's Alley Restaurant & Brewery and Acacia Fusion Bistro. These three represent different types of restaurants in what they offer to customers in terms of food and environment. But there are also things in common. For example, all of them are located in the heart of downtown, North Market Street, and very close to each other. I also heard that they are own by the same person; although, this may be not accurate since I never tried to verify this information. However, regardless of ownership, the main thing they have in common is that they are not the best of what restaurant industry can offer.

This does not mean that they are bad, and I am trying to discourage you from going there. After all, these restaurants are part of Frederick culture, and your actual experience can be quite positive. However, if your expectations are close to reality, I believe, chances are higher that you will not regret the food, service and environment. So, read my brief notes, look at pictures, go and try!

Isabella's Taverna & Tapas Bar

Address: 44 N Market St, Frederick, MD 21701
Isabella's Taverna & Tapas Bar on map
Web site: http://www.isabellas-tavern.com/

It's a decent restaurant - not amazing, but good. It is located in a historic building and quite popular among locals and visitors. Restaurant markets itself as a Spanish tapas (tapas means appetizer) restaurant which is nice for trying a variety of foods. However, to say that its cuisine is really Spanish is a stretch. As often the case in the US, it's an American and, in particular, Frederick version of Spanish cuisine. In addition to "tapas" size, you can order regular entrée or formal meal size dishes. Its long bar (see pictures below) is well stocked.  

Service is usually good. Isabella's can be crowded and very low at weekend dinner time (which also means that a reservation is recommended). At lunch time it's quiet and usually semi-empty. There are few seatings outside right on the Market Street - if the weather is right that may be fun experience. This is not an expensive restaurant: the prices are very reasonable for the food offered.

Once known as Hendrickson's store, this building on North Market Street in Frederick, MD, is now the site of Isabella's restaurant.

Isabella's Taverna & Tapas Bar - view from the street

Isabella's Taverna & Tapas Bar - if you do not know, Tapas is the name of a wide variety of appetizers in Spanish cuisine

Isabella's Taverna & Tapas Bar - entering the restaurant

Isabella's Taverna & Tapas Bar - view in the central area of Taverna

Isabella's - bar. You can entrance and "wait to be seated&qout; spot on the left

Isabella's - on this picture, entrance is no the right. Next to it (center and left) is a cozy area with windows and several tables.

Isabella's - the bar goes deep into the restaurant. In the background another seating area.

Isabella's Taverna & Tapas Bar - a glimpse of restaurant decor

Isabella's Taverna & Tapas Bar - the restaurant is located in the so-called located in the Hendrickson Building, the former home of Hendrickson's store.

Isabella's Taverna & Tapas Bar - restroom

Isabella's Taverna & Tapas Bar - this photo shows the restaurant from inside towards its entrance.

Isabella's Taverna & Tapas Bar - this is a rather small area in the restaurant not immediately visible; it is behind the bar.

Brewer's Alley Restaurant & Brewery

Address: 124 N Market St, Frederick, MD 21701
Brewer's Alley Restaurant & Brewery on map
Web site: http://www.brewers-alley.com/

Brewer's Alley is a fun place - informal and simple, nice to hang around. They brew their own beer (and also sell it locally). So, trying the "sampler" (see photo below) with six of their beers can be a good idea. The restaurant has four sitting areas - bar area, outdoor area, front dining room and back dining room. Beware of the back dining room (no windows). Your reaction to this area may depend on your expectations and ideas about what is good and bad. But remember, if you do not have a reservation, that back room is where you most likely will end up. Actually, if you are planning your visit on weekend at dinner time, I anyway recommend to make a phone call in advance and reserve a place. Brewer's Alley is very popular.

Their beer" it's nice if you like what they brew and bad if you do not like it. Its taste is certainly in the eye of the beholder. The food is average and mediocre. Nice thing about Brewer's Alley is that they have wood stove to bake good pizza which can be a good option should you have any doubts about other dishes. In terms of prices, Brewer's Alley is a very affordable place.

Brewer's Alley Restaurant & Brewery: general view

Brewer's Alley Restaurant & Brewery: Entrance

Brewer's Alley Restaurant & Brewery: reception area

Inside Brewer's Alley - bar area; brewing facilities in the background

Brewer's Alley Restaurant & Brewery: bar

Brewer's Alley - close-up on fermenters

Brewer's Alley Restaurant & one of the two dining areas. This one has windows and as a result more light.

Brewer's Alley Restaurant & Brewery: the second dining area - it is rather dark and crowded.

Brewer's Alley Sampler Rack with six beers: Kolsch, India Pale Ale, Nut Brown Ale, Weizen, Mailbock (available late spring) and Pils (available summer time).

Brewer's Alley - yes, they have wood oven for pizza.

Brewer's Alley Restaurant & Brewery: restrooms

  

Acacia Fusion Bistro

Address: 129 N Market St, Frederick, MD 21701
Acacia Fusion Bistro on map
Web site: http://www.acacia129.com/

Of all three this is the most problematic restaurant for me to talk about. The reason is that owners and management clearly try to market this restaurant as an upscale place. And indeed, in many respects the difference is visible. Higher prices are one of indicators. To be fair, I want to add that the environment including white table linen as well as somewhat formal decor contribute to an image an upscale place. Even at busy times, Acacia is not as loud as most other restaurants in Frederick. Partially this is a result of separating the main dining room from the bar area which is small and close to entrance. Acacia has rather large outdoor dining area located in back yard (and not on Market Street). I should also say that the service is good, and there is an honest attempt to deliver on promise associated with the marketing pitch and image.

Unfortunately, one of the most serious problems with Acacia is the food it offers. And ultimately this is what makes restaurant a good one (or not). Let me quote how Acacia describes its cuisine: "An exciting fusion of exotic specialties enhanced with the best of the West. Relax in warm California style surroundings and indulge in our fine cuisine, blending the exotic flavors of the East.". Perhaps, this explains the word fusion in the full name of the restaurant - Acacia Fusion Bistro (though I do not get what the word bistro has to do with this place). Unfortunately, this "fusion" does not happen in real life. The food offered is certainly eatable. But it does not come close to any reasonable expectations for a fine food restaurant. This has to do with taste, food preparation and even sub-quality ingredients.

Acacia Fusion Bistro - it positions itself as a "New America cuisine restaurant with exciting fusion of exotic specialties" (whatever it means).

Acacia Fusion Bistro - Bar area is what you see upon entering the restaurant

Acacia Fusion Bistro - this area is in the middle of the restaurant. There are no windows.

Acacia Fusion Bistro - main dining area

Acacia Fusion Bistro - environment inside is simple and supposed to be classy to match the marketing pitch of an upscale restaurant.

Acacia Fusion Bistro - outdoor dining area

Acacia Fusion Bistro - white tablecloths, candlelights and the rest of table arrangements look nice. I wish the food could match all that.

  
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