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We continue our review of restaurants in Downtown Frederick, Maryland. This time, we'll talk about The Tasting Room, Firestone's Restaurant & Bar and Black Hog BBQ. As often the case, there is a reason why for this part of the article, I selected those three. On one hand, The Tasting Room, Firestone's Restaurant & Bar are located very close to each other (in fact, they are in neighboring buildings on N. Market Street). So, it would be interesting to see how they stack up against each other. Black Hog BBQ is a bit different from both; in fact, it's different from anything you can find in Frederick. Still there is one thing Black Hog and Tasting Room share - and that will be their owner.

The Tasting Room

The Tasting Room is one
of the best dining options
in Frederick, MD.

The Tasting Room
is small restaurant.
But if you need a
private room,
there is one for 8 -
10 guests.

Address: 44 N Market St, Frederick, MD 21701
The Tasting Room on map
Web site: http://www.tastetr.com/

While writing reviews, I very often want to know what owners and management think about their places. Well, according to the restaurant's Web site, "The Tasting Room combines the essence of Historic Frederick and the modern styles of New York City." I think there is something in this statement. But what you may want to keep in mind that in cities like New York there are many more places like this. In Frederick, it is the only place like this, and that should give you a perspective.

So, what makes it unique in Frederick? First, it's a classy place with a contemporary look. The restaurant is small, somewhat cramped with tables but clean and tidy. It does not seem to me that at any given moment in time it can accept more than 40 guests (there is also a small private room for 8 - 10 people). Service is usually very good - fast and friendly. The bar, even when crowded, somehow is quieter and more organized than, for example, in the next door Firestone's.

The food is good. I especially recommend stake - perhaps the best meat in Frederick. Is this because with taking care of Black Hog BBQ, the owner and management know where to get the best available ingredients? Anyway, crab dip and salmon are good as well. For dessert - how about an excellent cheesecake - it's not that easy to find cheesecake in Frederick restaurants. Another secret to reveal - there is a good bakery/pastry store in Frederick. It is also under the same ownership as Tasting Room.

There is some refinement in dishes and their presentation which is difficult to find in Frederick. The only other place where I've seen this in Frederick has been Volt Restaurant. But the latter is a ball game - it's big and substantial whereas Tasting Room is more like a little bistro somewhere in Paris. By the way, prices in Tasting Room are higher than in many other places in Frederick, but fortunately with higher prices comes good value.

What else I can tell you about Tasting Room? Well, it has good wine list - again something that you may have problems to find in Frederick. For example, I was surprise to see Gavi, Marchesi di Barolo on their list. The bar is stocked nicely and provides customers with plenty of creative martinis. And, if you like grappa, Tasting Room is the place to get in Frederick (I do not think you will find it any other place).

The Tasting Room: general view	The Tasting Room: view from the window on murals (windows are actually painted)	The Tasting Room: entrance	The Tasting Room: bar. Selection is good. The restaurant perhaps is the only place in Frederick where you can find grappa.
Indeed, The Tasting Room combines the essence of Historic Frederick and the modern styles of New York City as claimed on its Web site	The Tasting Room: I think these mirrors are actually windows to watch on visitors.	The Tasting Room: there are blackboards with all current specialties - very American way. Yet, you can feel some Italian influence. I think it comes from the restaurant owner and executive Chef Michael Tauraso	We were happy to find Gavi, Marchesi di Barolo, "Le Lune", 2005 - wine from Italy (Piedmont). The price was $38 (for the record, it retails at about $16).

Firestone's Restaurant & Bar

Firestone's: plenty of space
on the second floor

Address: 105 N Market St, Frederick, MD 21701
Firestone's Restaurant & Bar on map
Web site: http://www.firestonesrestaurant.com/

Well, if you ask me what is the essence of Firestone's, my answer will probably be that it is the opposite in many respects of what The Tasting Room is (located 20 yards from Firestone's) is. I would say that whether you like (or will like) Firestone's or not will depend on your expectations. I can tell you that by Frederick local standards Firestone's Restaurant & Bar is considered to be an upscale place, popular among locals and visitors from surrounding areas. If you planning to visit Firestone's during a weekend, a reservation can be a good idea.

The restaurant is rather big with the first floor dedicated mostly to bar visitors and regular dining area on what they call mezzanine with a number of tables overlooking Market Street. The restaurant is in a 1921 building used to house Shipley's Department Store, and have a look typical for some Frederick establishments, for example, Isabella's Taverna & Tapas Bar which is not far across the street.

The bar I mentioned above has a good selection of beers (and you can get the full meal at the bar as well), and serves as a magnet for people looking for an opportunity to hang around on Friday and Saturday nights. It can be very noisy at times like this, and the neighboring Tasting Room can offer a slight relief in this respect.

The restaurant offers traditional American style dishes (do not be fooled by several French names that you may find in its menu). Anyway, I would never suggest to look for some real culinary delights in Firestone's. Nevertheless, the food is decent, solid, reliable and worth trying. An entrée price can be in the range of $25 - $35 (prices 2009), an appetizer - around $10. Their wine list is rather long by Frederick standards; many of those wines come from California. French and Italian wines are not represented well.

Firestone's Restaurant & Bar: Entrance.	Firestone's: you can see here some cozy corners very popular evening times especially on Saturdays when crowds of people are inside.	Firestone's: there is a place for live music	Firestone's: view on bar. Nice selection of beer. Despite long wine list, most of it is not impressive.
Firestone's: view from the second floor. Restaurant is in a building built in 1921 to house Shipley's Department Store	Firestone's: view from the second floor. Restaurant was opened in 1999. Dining menu is rather expensive.	Firestone's: there are two floors with the gallery surrounding the restaurant on the second. You can see the staircase in the foreground.	Firestone's: restrooms are clean

Black Hog BBQ & Bar

Address: 118 South Market St, Frederick, MD 21701
Black Hog BBQ & Bar on map
Web site: http://www.blackhogbbq.com/

This is not an upscale or glamorous place by any stretch of imagination. Nevertheless, places like this are often called the best kept secret. I know that Frederick, Maryland is not a BBQ capital of the United States, but I applaud any attempt of anybody to become one.

Indeed, there are many signs that Black Hog BBQ & Bar has these higher aspirations, and I do not think the restaurant is trying to hide them. For example, there is even a road sign on one of the walls showing distance to places like Lockhart, TX, Kansas City, MO, Memphis, TN and Lexington, NC - all of them being on the American barbecue trail.

But it's not only about making claims or doing some subliminal marketing with signs like this. It's about trying to actually become a part of this trail by delivering excellent smoke-cooked meat. And I have to say Black Hog has succeeded in doing so. This place is a simple one - not pretentious like some other restaurants in Frederick Downtown. But where Black Hog fails with decor and white tablecloth, it makes up with premiere beef brisket and pork shoulder barbeques.

Fast and friendly service, excellent food - so, if you are not shocked when served with an open bottle of beer without a glass (can't you just drink from bottle?!) and thrilled with yummy corn bread and juicy BBQ meal on a piece of paper with plastic fork and knife, then know that Black Hog BBQ & Bar is the place to visit. The restaurant has full bar. The prices are low for a downtown location, and there is free parking behind the restaurant.

Is there something you may not like? I bet there is always something someone would not like about Black Hog BBQ - for example, their simplistic decor, and the sun hitting huge windows without blinds (no air conditioner will help you on a sunny summer day if you are sitting at one of those tables near the window). And you know what? You do not like its decor or sun - do a service to yourself and use Black Hog carry-out menu.

Black Hog BBQ & Bar is a restaurant in Frederick, MD that specializes in Barbeque cuisine and quality service.	Black Hog BBQ & Bar - the main and only dining room	Black Hog BBQ & Bar - decor is simple, mostly done with diagrams of meat cuts.	Black Hog BBQ & Bar - there is a bar
Black Hog BBQ & Bar - neons inside add to atmosphere	Black Hog BBQ & Bar - today's specials, pig cuts, and distances to all American BBQ capitals.	Black Hog BBQ & Bar - the food is excellent.