Making Do In Frederick, Maryland

There is enough in Frederick, MD, to entertain most people for a day. For those who like to shop, boutiques and antique stores are on the rise in the downtown area. It seems like new restaurants open every day, providing surprising gastronomic delights for a town of this size. The Frederick Keys provide an all-American ballpark experience for the sports enthusiast, and bookish types can get lost in the rambling stacks of Wonder Book & Video or the gleaming shelves of the new library.

Quick Tips:

Bring change for the parking meters downtown and be prepared for one-way streets. You will also need to bring patience, as Frederick is rapidly outgrowing its infrastructure. There is no good time of day to drive in Frederick.

Best Way To Get Around:

In general, you will need to drive around Frederick. The traffic is unpleasant, but not unbearable quite yet. If you plan to go downtown, do park somewhere and walk. If you are lucky enough to get a parking space you will want to keep it! Public transportation is available, but you can spend a long time transferring.

This is one of my favorite places to eat in Frederick. Rappongi has just opened during the time I have lived in Frederick, so it is not well-established yet. That is one of the things I LOVE about this place. Rappongi is a sort of quiet oasis for me off of the busy "Golden Mile", only blocks from where I live. This section of US 40, also called West Patrick Street, is a wall-to-wall row of shopping centers, restaurants, and gas stations. While driving along one day, my curiosity was finally aroused by a styrofoam cooler lid painted with a single word: "Sushi". Being the sushi nut that I am, I had to investigate. What I found was wonderful. The restaurant is lovely, despite being located in a shopping center. The atmosphere is soothing, with softened light, japanese art, and quiet Asian music. The sushi is delicious, and of excellent quality. It also comes to the table quickly, unlike at the better known establishments. The people there are so friendly and smiling, and there is never a crowd. I always want to go back. Now, I'm telling you - but let's keep it our secret. :-)

Brewer's Alley is one of the first places I ate with friends in Frederick. Known mostly for its microbrews, this restaurant also serves brick-oven pizza, pasta, salads, sandwiches, seafood favorites, chops, steaks, and ribs. This is a great place to go with a group, as the menu is diverse enough to satisfy most people's tastes. The atmosphere is very nice, and this is where I usually bring my guests from out of town. The building itself used to be an opera house, and some of the decor pays homage to that glitzy past. The bar area especially is painted in faux finishes to bring out some of the old theater feel.

The microbrews at Brewer's Alley are all well worth trying, and interested guests can order a sampler of multiple brews in small servings. My favorite is the Oatmeal Stout, available year round. The Trinity Stout is great when you can get it, but it is one of several seasonal brews. I would suggest starting out at the large, polished bar and sampling some of the beers. You can also get a table in the bar area if you like.

Once you've had a few and it's time to counter the effects, you can fill your tummy with one of their delicious pizzas. You can get things on your pizza at Brewer's Alley that just aren't choices at your local pizza parlor. I would encourage you to be adventurous and try one of their unique combinations.

Plan to bring change for the parking meter if you visit during the day. Parking is usually scarce on Market Street, but you will probably have much better luck if you venture onto a side street. Just keep your wits about you when going to and from your vehicle after dark. Frederick is not without its own seedy element.

Come on up, over, or down to Frederick and enjoy the brewpub that the Washington Post called "Most Worth a Drive" in 2001!

Hagan's Tavern is the BEST place in the Frederick area for romantic dining. This is a must if you visit Frederick on a date. The tavern has been around since the late 1700's and has always had a reputation for great food. Several famous people have visited here, including George Washington, and stories of the pub's colorful past abound. Though originally established as a pub, the atmosphere in the tavern feels much different today. The dining space is broken up into multiple rooms, and the cozy tables are lit by candlelight or sunlight from a thick glass window. The servers dress in period-style clothing and the walls are decorated with lovely colonial artwork. The food is excellent - absolutely outstanding - and prepared with a gourmet flair. You will never order just "steak". You'll order something like "Wood-Smoked Duck on Field Greens with Apple and Dried Cherry Chutney". Mmm! Whatever you order, they also have a wine to go with it. I highly recommend Hagan's Tavern for Sunday brunch. This is a perfect place to take special guests, parents, or that certain special someone for a nice meal after church. The salmon omelette I had was to die for!

Because Hagan's is just so good, it's also very popular. I highly recommend reservations if you want to avoid a long wait. Smoking is not allowed inside the restaurant, but if you must puff, there is a deck where it is permissible. Be sure to dress nicely, as it is that kind of place. You don't have to get too snazzy, but jeans and shorts will usually make you stick out like a sore thumb.

China Garden was my first sushi discovery in Frederick. Winner of the Frederick's Best award for quite a few years running, this restaurant gets good marks for flavor. This is mainly a Chinese restaurant, but if I go there it is usually for the sushi. You can sit at the sushi bar itself or at a table. This is a popular place, so it can be crowded and a little noisy, especially when parents bring in their little-league teams. It is a good place to go if you plan on dining with a large group of friends, as they have the ability to slide a bunch of tables together in the middle for large parties. Just be sure to call ahead in that case. I still like to go to China Garden when I am dining with companions who do not like sushi because they can order from the Chinese menu. I had a great birthday celebration there, flaming volcano drink included! It was great fun. Since I had become something of a regular, the sushi chef also sent over a special "boatload" of treats that were not on the menu. Mmm. My special meal was topped off with green tea ice cream at no extra charge. I had a really nice time, and the food is always delicious.

A summer day in Frederick is a great opportunity for the sports fan. Frederick Keys baseball is more than just a sporting event; it is an afternoon or evening of all-American fun for the entire family. Harry Grove Stadium is a small ballpark with no bad seats. Everyone is up close and personal with the action. You can grab a hot dog, crab cake, beer, or soda and watch Frederick's own Class-A Carolina League team battle local rivals from Wilmington to Myrtle Beach. The players on this Baltimore Orioles affilated team are happy to sign autographs and pose for pictures with the kids, and the team mascot, Keyote, gets everyone revved up with his souvenir freebies and crazy antics. There are special promotional nights where fans receive something special at the gate, and fireworks nights that send the team out in a blaze of glory after the game. There is a special fun section for kids including a merry-go-round and other activities. They even do birthday parties. This is one of my favorite things to do in Frederick. Get out there, root for the home team, and have yourself a grand old time. It doesn't get much more American than this.

Wonder Book and Video is a bookworm's dream come true! If you truly love books, stop in at the West Patrick Street location (US 40/Golden Mile). What you will find is a treasure trove of rambling stacks, covering every possible genre and topic. This is the biggest used book selection I have ever seen! It is so big, in fact, that they have maps posted on the ends of the shelves. If you're looking for something specific, you're gonna need one. They have everything! Books of every size and description stretch in endless stacks across the store, and there are little surprises hiding in the nooks and crannies. More than just books, the Wonder Book inventory includes art, sheet music, magazines, craft sheets, CD's, videos, and more. Searching through the boxes of "art prints", I have found old letters, manuscripts, and advertisements. You just never know what you're going to find. The folks working there are very knowledgable and can help you find what you're looking for. They also buy books, so you can earn a little money to spend in the store if you are so inclined. I highly recommend this place to anyone who loves the smell of old books and enjoys digging until they find something special. A trip to Wonder Book & Video is always full of surprises for me.

Bushwaller's is billed as an American-Irish pub. The owner is of Irish descent, but does not believe that he can in good conscience call it an "Irish Pub", as he and his parents were born in America. The pub does, however, have a distinct Irish flavor. Very pleasing to this lover of all things Guinness as well. Bushwaller's is the largest seller of Guinness on tap in the state of Maryland, and for good reason. Bartenders here build a great pint, and the Guinness-designed tap system delivers just the right temperature, taste, and texture. My first experience here was on a Wednesday night, when Irish music and $2 pints of Guinness give patrons a great time out for very little cash. There wasn't even a cover charge. I found the clientele to be very friendly, and thoroughly enjoyed the performance. Everyone seemed to have a good time. The atmosphere is warm, dim, and cozy, and seating was surprisingly adequate on a Wednesday night. Didn't have to wait too long for a bar stool or table. In addition to serving up great music and a great pint, Bushwaller's also offers a menu of traditional pub fare. You can put down the foundation for a good night of drinking with a serving of Shepherd's Pie or Bangers and Mash. That's sure to put you off to a solid start. If you come on a Wednesday or Sunday night, be sure to brush up on your Irish drinking songs and clapping first. Audience participation is what makes the whole evening fun. Well . . . that and the Guinness!

Confession: Though I'm usually a salty snack kind of gal, sometimes I cannot get enough of dessert!

Dental problems are the pits, but if your problem is a sudden attack of the sweet tooth, I've got you covered. Join me for a moment as I take you on a tour of the sweet side of Frederick. Calorie-counters beware!

Here are my awards for the best desserts, and there's nothing fair about the selection process. Sorry!

Best chocolate malt: Snow White Grill. 7 East Patrick Street. 301-662-9709. Also serving teensy-sized hamburgers, fries, and more. Get a malt to go so you can walk around town.

Biggest desserts: Mountain View Diner. 1300 W. Patrick. 301-668-8562. Good googly-moogly! Those things are huge! That's more or less what everyone says when they peer into the dessert case for the first time. Big and tasty pies and cakes will tempt you shamelessly. Choose at your peril, though, because something that size might do you in! Also a good place to get Greek food. Surprise! If you've got a picky eater, try here, because they've got darned near everything on the menu.

We all scream for ice cream!: Depending on your mood, you've got some choices. My personal favorites are Baskin Robbins at 1023 West Patrick Street, Cheeseburgers N Paradise at 1201 East Patrick Street, and the Frederick Ice Cream Factory at 45 Waverley Drive. Baskin Robbins, of course, has their famous 31 flavors, and the Frederick Ice Cream Company serves Hershey's Ice Cream and Via Veneto Italian Ice. Cheeseburgers 'N Paradise is soft-serve heaven with tons of flavors on the menu.

Gourment treat: John Hagan's Tavern. 5018 Old National Pike, Braddock Heights, Maryland 21714. 301-371-9189. Always a romantic dining experience, Hagan's is a great place to mix sweets with sweet nothings. You might have trouble deciding which dessert to try.

Okay, you've got the info. Now get out there and get snacking! Don't worry -- I won't tell your dietician or your dentist.