If you’re searching for the most upscale restaurant in Frederick, Maryland, The Tasting Room is likely at the top of your list. This fine dining establishment is located in the heart of downtown Frederick, MD, and is popular among both locals and visitors.
Nicole and I have dined there many times, experiencing the venue in various ways: enjoying drinks at the bar, celebrating special occasions in the dining room, and dining outdoors during the summer, which I highly recommend.
In this article, we will share our opinions about The Tasting Room, particularly in comparison to similar downtown Frederick restaurants. Also, our recommendations on how to best experience this restaurant.
The Tasting Room - Frederick, Maryland
Frederick's Most Upscale Restaurant
If you simply go by price points on the menu, this is Frederick’s most upscale restaurant. The newly opened Wye Oak Tavern at the Visitation Hotel (a few blocks away) would probably be the only comparable, elevated restaurant in Frederick.
For the most part, The Tasting Room delivers. The main dining room is sleek and beautiful, making it a date-night worthy spot. The food menu has top chef characteristics, and the wine menu is one of the best in Frederick.
We also love the bar at The Tasting Room, intimate but upscale.
The Tasting Room: Basics
The Tasting Room has sat prominently at the corner of North Market Street and Church Street since 2000. It is literally in the heart of downtown Frederick.
- Address: 101 N Market St, Frederick, MD 21701
- Web: trrestaurant.com
- Price Range: $$$$
- TripAdvisor: Rating Link
- Facebook: facebook.com/TRRestaurant
- Phone: +1.240.379.7772
- Reservations: OpenTable
- The Tasting Room Menu: Menu Link
A Prime Spot in Downtown Frederick
One of the many things to love about this restaurant is the location. If you are downtown for any reason, you really can’t miss seeing the prominent signage above the door on the corner.
For those like Nicole and me who enjoy a night out, The Tasting Room is conveniently located within walking distance to other bars and Carroll Creek Park
We’ve also had dinner there before heading to The Weinberg Theatre.
The Tasting Room Bar and Wine List
As mentioned above, The Tasting Room has one of the best bars in Frederick. We highly recommend stopping in just for a cocktail (it’s a cozy bar, so feel lucky if you can grab seats).
I’m a bit surprised that they don’t offer any local Frederick beers on the beverage menu, but the wine list is exquisite.
The Tasting Room’s wine list is just the right length, featuring a wide selection from various regions, including both the US and Europe. Personally, I really enjoy the selections from France; they are interesting without being too overwhelming.
During our last visit, we enjoyed a Bordeaux white, something we don’t drink often but fun to try.
The Vibe at The Tasting Room, and Where to Sit
Like many restaurants in downtown Frederick, The Tasting Room is not large. However, there are several seating options available for dining. If you plan to enjoy a meal at this price point, it’s essential to ensure you’re seated in a good spot.
You have the option to sit at a few high-top tables in the bar area. Nicole and I have dined here before, and while it’s fine, you might find it distracting due to the bar patrons and the TVs. I would recommend avoiding those tables if possible.
The main dining room is lovely, with many tables positioned by the windows. These are the BEST tables, and I suggest requesting one if you can.
However, be aware that there are a few tables in the dining area that I consider less desirable—specifically, those very close to the front door and near the kitchen in the back.
My top recommendation, if the weather is warm and pleasant, is to dine outside at The Tasting Room. There are several groups of tables available on N Market and Church Street, with Church Street being slightly quieter.
This has been our best dining experience here and truly gives you a sense of being in downtown Frederick.
The Tasting Room Menu
There’s no doubt, The Tasting Room menu offers one of the best gastronomic experiences in Frederick.
There aren’t many other places in and around Frederick that have similar quality dishes, you’d typically have to head towards Washington D.C. or Baltimore suburbs for something comparable.
Similar to the wine menu, the dinner menu is well laid out, not too long, with plenty of variety without being overwhelming.
Starters include Nicole’s favorite, Spanish octopus, various salads, and crab served in multiple ways (dip, toast, and Halloumi).
For entrees, you can go several directions, from crab cakes to duck to filet mignon. Many dishes pair well with wine. I’ve also had the scallops, which were terrific.
The Real Question We Have About This Venue
So, if you’ve read this far into our review of The Tasting Room, obviously, we have mostly very good things to say about the establishment. It’s clearly a top restaurant in Frederick.
What must be pointed out, and the real question we have about the place, is the price points. In our opinion, they are pretty expensive.
The entrées at The Tasting Room are mostly $40-$50 and can be as high as $65. Overall, with a bottle of wine, it’s hard for a couple to dine here for less than $250.
Is the dining experience at The Tasting Room worth those price points relative to the other restaurants in Frederick?
In our opinion, it’s a borderline. You can probably get the same experience for less at other Frederick restaurants, such as Up on Market, The Wine Kitchen on the Creek, or The Ordinary Hen
What Else to Know About The Tasting Room and More
- You will definitely want to make a reservation at The Tasting Room (OpenTable)
You can read more about dining in Frederick on our site:
The Best Restaurants in Frederick, MD Right Now
The Best Place for a Steak in Frederick, MD
The Best Italian Restaurants in Frederick, MD
The Best Burger in Frederick, MD
Enjoy!
