Thacher and Rye is my favorite restaurant in Frederick. Let me go ahead and state that bias before you read the rest of this article on the full experience of eating there.
Its not uncommon for Frederick area residents to occasionally head to Washington D.C. or Baltimore for upscale dining. For me, there is one restaurant in Frederick where you can get this same ‘big city’ dining experience without leaving town, and it is Thacher and Rye.
The Vibe at Thacher and Rye in Frederick
Thacher and Rye does a lot of things right, and has a lot of impressive elements that come together to make it special. It’s the creation of Bryan Voltaggio, a chef who’s famous for TV series like Top Chef and has also created other restaurants like Showroom.
Thacher and Rye was formerly a place called ‘Volt’ and is right in downtown Frederick. It occupies a historic building that clearly was not always a restaurant. The food is modern and elegant. There are multiple dining areas, and eating in each is an entirely different experience.
This is a place you want to go for a special night out. When you are finally tired of burgers, pizza, and sandwiches. When you wife, girlfriend, or significant other wants to get dressed up and feel like you are taking her special.
In fact, Thacher and Rye is the kind of restaurant that out-of-towners (even those in the DC or Baltimore area) will actually travel to Frederick just to see what the place is all about.
Why We Love the Bar at Thacher and Rye
If you read posts from Nicole and me regularly, you know that a special restaurant starts with a great bar, and Thacher and Rye has one. In fact, during our last visit, as we sipped cocktails at the T&R bar, we actually asked ourselves why we didn’t visit more often just for drinks, because it’s one of the best bars in Frederick.
It’s not a huge bar, but a sleek one with bartenders who are pros. The whiskey shelf is top-notch and includes lots of small-batch bourbons, locals, and crafts, and they turn this and more into unique cocktails. In fact, it’s the kind of bar where you will get enthralled just watching the bartender in front of you make drinks for others.
There is an option to eat at one of the high tops in the bar, which we have done several times. It makes for a slightly more casual and busy experience, but very cool as the bar has a great vibe and the same enticing menu.
Historic Building and Trendy Dining Rooms
When you approach T&R, you do not feel like you are entering a restaurant. In fact, it’s easy to miss. It’s housed in what looks like a classic downtown Frederick residence.
The hostess/check-in stand is basically in the foyer, but the most significant impact of the house-made restaurant location is the various dining room vibes.
If you aren’t eating in the bar, you’ll likely end up sitting in the main dining room. Here, the ‘big city’ restaurant characteristics of T&R are full on. Sleek lighting, art gallery-worthy wall decor, and professional servers who make you feel special.
For a completely different dining experience and my personal recommendation, ask for a table in the room that fronts the kitchen. I don’t know what they call this room or section, but the four tables in direct view of the chefs and sous-chefs is the highlight of the place in my opinion.
The Food is the Star of the Show at Thacher and Rye
The decor, art, and servers are all great, but the food shines at Thacher and Rye.
The menu is a pseudo-Italian structure, with a first course / second course (pasta) / main course arrangement but also delectable ‘for the table’ items. Your server is going to ask for your complete order upfront because the meal is meant to be a combined experience, not a tapas or tasting meal.
There is even a burger option, and while I wouldn’t come to T&R for a burger and fries meal, I’m always amazed at how many other diners are.
They are big on local, and this goes for the wines as well. Old Westminster wines were on the menu on our last visit.
But most impressive of all is the upscale creative nature of the dishes. Salads are beautiful plates of food like you would expect at a high end steak house. Pastas items change regularly, but you’ll likely be trying something new and unique like orecchiette or ravioli with pumpkin pesto.
Main dishes are high end and curated: fish, short rib, steak, and the chicken dish is always something amazing (highly recommend).
The Shed at Thacher and Rye to Get Outdoors
The Shed has its own menu with gourmet snacks (like oysters and old bay fries), signature cocktails, and drinks, which you can enjoy sitting in white Adirondacks.
The Shed is different in that you’re more likely to drop in on a whim while walking by on a busy day in downtown Frederick. But it’s another significant part of this restaurant.
What Else You Need to Know about Thacher and Rye
Traveling to D.C. or Baltimore for a big city night out in one our countries great cities is fabulous, and yet another great thing about living in Frederick. But as described above you can get this experience right in our back yard at Thacher and Rye.
A few other things to consider:
- Web: www.thacherandrye.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/thacherandrye
- Parking: T&R has its own lot!
- Reservations: recommended either by phone (240.332.3186) or OpenTable
- We have not tried it, but T&R does Brunch
- Great place for Private Events (very cool private dining room)
