Fred Foodie- Eating And Drinking In And Around Frederick, Maryland » Restaurant- misc.

Family Meal

Fred — Wed, 30 May 2012 12:09:15 +0000

I saw that Bryan Voltaggio’s Family Meal restaurant has been interviewing two days last week for help. That must mean they are getting close. I drive by the location on East Street several times a week and it still looks to me like they have a ways to go with the construction. Last week when I drove by Chef Bryan was outside gesticulating wildly at some workers. I would also note that the website now says opening Summer 2012. I’ll pass on more information as soon as I have some.

Here is a picture of the construction going on inside that Chef Bryan posted on his twitter feed. The look is definitely not what I expected in a diner, but I doubt this will be your usual diner.

Family Meal

Fred — Fri, 04 May 2012 13:05:45 +0000

The Frederick News Post reports that Bryan Voltaggio’s (and Hilda Staples’- don’t forget the other half of the team. The media, including this article, always seems to forget her) new restaurant will be named Family Meal. A first or second week of June opening is slated.

Six Rules For Dining Out

Fred — Wed, 02 May 2012 11:49:43 +0000

I came across a great article in the May 2012 Atlantic Magazine by Tyler Cowen. Its called Six Rules for Dining Out and I found it fascinating. Amongst the rules are: in the fanciest restaurants, order what sounds least appetizing. Sound nonsensical? Read the article and see his logical explanation. I also loved his take on Thai food. It reinforces my concerns about Thai food that I’ve expressed here previously- do I really know what authentic Thai food tastes like? Give it a read. I also saw at the end of the article that this was adapted from his forthcoming book. FCPL has it on order and I’m third in the holds line, so number one and two read quickly!

East Street Diner Update

fredfood — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 12:08:31 +0000

Just noticed that the Volt blog was updated with some information and pictures on the new diner project that they are working on. Interesting transition from car dealership to diner. Blog entry here.

Delicious Asian

fredfood — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 12:18:08 +0000

Just wanted to say that I’ve been on an Asian kick lately. In the space of a week I have eaten at both Lucky Corner and Sumittra. I’ve reviewed Sumittra before and found it to be excellent. I been back at least half a dozen times since that review and it has never disappointed. It has become our go to Thai place in Frederick (Sorry Thai Rice!). However, this was the first time that I had been to Lucky Corner and I had to wonder what took me so long. I sampled the chicken Pho, mango chicken, veggie egg noodles and veggie hot pot. I don’t have time to do a full review, but the food was uniformly delicious, the menu was filled with dozens of things I would have been happy to try, and the service was perfect. I’m curious as to how it stacks up to the other two Vietnamese restaurants in Frederick? Comments anyone?

Lunchbox

fredfood — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 22:48:17 +0000

Word is that Lunchbox opens tomorrow. I will stop by next week and let you know. Anyone care to post any of their impressions in the comments?

Lunchbox- A New Restaurant From the Makers of Volt

fredfood — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 18:32:13 +0000

Word is that the team of Voltaggio and Staples are opening a new restaurant in early December on Carroll Creek. From the description its going to have to be on one side or another of the Wine Kitchen. It will serve sandwiches, soups, salads and desserts in a casual setting. Here is the website. Not much to see right now.

UPDATE: Hadn’t seen this when I wrote the above entry, but Tom Sietsema of the Washington Post has a more in-depth article here. BV is going to be busy next year! He also reports on some major changes at Volt:

Come January, Voltaggio plans to introduce some significant changes at his flagship restaurant. Volt will dispense with its a la carte menu and offer instead a four-course list for $80 that will completely change at the start of each month. Lunch service will be cut back to Saturday and Sunday, a move that will help Voltaggio and his team “push Volt to the next level” — finetune dishes, prepare additional canapés, re-write those menus — since the kitchen space will be free weekdays.

Danielles Closed

fredfood — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 12:10:35 +0000

Just saw that Danielle’s restaurant at Shab Row shut its doors for good. There was some indication they were going to try something different but apparently now they are just plain closed. I remember when the space was occupied by Tauraso’s. It seems to me that local restaurants who are serving higher end ”American” cuisine are having a harder time of it than some other more specialized restaurants. What do you think?

UPDATE 10/26/11: The Frederick News Post is reporting that the restaurant owed more than $353,000 in sales and witholding taxes. Ouch!

VOLT ink party

fredfood — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 12:24:35 +0000

Got an email from VOLT. They’re having a party at Harry Grove stadium next Tuesday the 18th:

Please join the Voltaggio Brothers for an action packed night at the Harry Grove Stadium
- Home of the Frederick Keys Baseball Team - Tuesday, October 18, 2011 6 -10 p.m.Two of America’s best chefs have joined together in the creation of VOLT ink, a new cookbook by Bryan and Michael Voltaggio… and we are throwing a party to celebrate!

Concession food courtesy of the Voltaggios take on ballpark food. Beverages by Flying Dog Brewery and Brewers Alley. FACKA Double Header (Frederick Adult Co-ed Kickball Association) featuring one regular game and a second All Star Game with the brothers playing on the East
Coast vs the West Coast team. Concert provided by the Regal Beagles Yacht Club Band and the Blatant 80′s. Kids Fun Zone for oodles of fun for the kids.

Entry tickets $8 for adults and free for children 12 and under. Children will need a ticket for entry.

Early release of the book will be on sale for $40 and the brothers will be on hand for signatures.

I’m going to keep an eye on the forecast for Tuesday, but right now it looks decent. You can get tickets by calling 301-815-9939 or clicking here.

Nilgiris Gone

fredfood — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 12:51:40 +0000

It has been a little over three years since I first reviewed Nilgiris Indian Sizzler. Well their website may still be up for now but the restaurant is gone. Yesterday I drove by and noticed it was closed. Sad to see that since it was my favorite lunch buffet. With the demise of the Bombay Grill a year or so ago that leaves only the Clay Oven on the Golden Mile as your source for Indian dining in the Frederick Area.

UPDATE: There is a sign in the window that says Delhis will be opening soon.

Coal Fire Pizza- Frederick

fredfood — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 13:39:36 +0000

The other day I stopped by the new Frederick Wine House location at the Wegman’s shopping center. I’ll do a full review of that later, but while I was there I noticed the Coal Fire Pizza restaurant located just a few doors down. I’ve been talking about this place since December 2009 and alas they are still not open. They have a hiring and opening soon sign out front but it is still clear that construction is going on. I will definitely review this place once it opens. Perhaps it will give Il Forno a run for its money as the best pizza joint in Frederick? We will see.

Voltaggio, Flying Dog & New Restaurant?

fredfood — Wed, 11 May 2011 14:07:38 +0000

Excellent front page article in today’s Frederick News Post. Talks about Bryan Voltaggio’s collaboration on a new brew with Flying Dog Brewery: Backyard Ale. The beer is designed to go with “smoked and barbecued foods.” Downside is that FNP says it goes for $5 for a 12 ounce bottle. Ouch- seems pricey for a regularly brewed beer.

Also in a sidebar the article talks about Voltaggio’s new TV show that he’s working on that might air on PBS in the fall. Equally interesting is the tidbit that he is now considering the old Carmack Jay’s property for his new second restaurant.

Brewer’s Alley Amber Fields Best Bitter

fredfood — Wed, 04 May 2011 11:58:40 +0000

A neat article in today’s Frederick News Post about Brewer’s Alley’s Amber Fields Best Bitter. This new British-style bitter is a result of a ten year (!) project between their brewmaster and a local farmer to brew the first commercially produced beer from locally grown barley. Pretty cool. I’m going to go down and have a pint. Well maybe not right now since its only 7:55 in the morning as I write this.

Full article can be read here.

Flying Dog Beer Dinner

fredfood — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 18:02:14 +0000

Apparently the Flying Dog Brewery is co-hosting a beer dinner at the Red Horse Inn tonight. How did I miss this? Flying dog beers are frequently reviewed here but somehow this event flew under my radar. Well the dinner is sold out. Just to torment you (me!) here is the menu:

Reception with Doggie Style Classic Pale Ale paired with tomato and mozzarella bruschetta. Then:

First Course

Blackened Scallops and Mango salsa
Paired with our Snake Dog IPA

Second Course

Grilled Romaine salad sprinkled with fresh mozzarella, diced tomatoes, bacon blank, and a drizzle of Balsamic Vinaigrette
Paired with our In-Heat Wheat Hefeweizen

Third Course

Croatian-style char-broiled oysters
Paired with our Raging Bitch Belgian-Style IPA

Fourth Course

Steak Au Poivre: Peppered steak with cognac cream sauce
Paired with our Gonzo Imperial Stout

Fifth Course

Chocolate bread pudding served with bourbon pecan sauce
Paired with our limited-edition Coffee Stout

Sumittra Thai Cuisine

fredfood — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 14:18:17 +0000

First of all I really had no intention of doing this review. A full review on a brand new restaurant isn’t fair to anyone. However last Thursday we were walking downtown, hungry and decided to see if the new Thai restaurant that has been slowly assembling over the past couple of months was open. Lo and behold it was, so we stopped on inside. At that time we had no idea that this was their first day open. The place was fairly empty when we first arrived but soon it was packed. About ten minutes after we were seated it became apparent that the staff (looked like one waitress for all 72 seats) was in the weeds. It took an hour and a half for us to get two appetizers and two lunches, for which the waitress apologized profusely. At one point people were giving up waiting to be seated and were leaving.

On the plus side we both felt the food was very good. I had the drunken noodles which were pleasantly spicy with lots of perfectly done vegetables. The fried tofu was light and crispy. The spring roll was delicate, airy and full of crunch. The only complaint I had was I felt that the noodles in the drunken noodles dish were a little overcooked and mushy. Anyway I’m going to give them some time to get their rhythm and then I’ll be back.

Sumittra Thai Cuisine located at 12 East Patrick Street.

UPDATE: Added full review on May 16th.