Beyond the call of duty
DESCRIPTION: I've always liked Baldwin Station. But on New Year's eve they outdid themselves. We went out with our children and unexpectedly were unable to get into another restaurant. I suggested we call Baldwin Station while enroute. They agreed to take us right away even though they were booked for the special evening. Once there we were treated like royalty even though we had our two teenagers with us. They had a great special menu. I thought the Kangaroo was outstanding. The service was great and the ambience perfect. Thank you Baldwin Stati
DATE: 2001-01-02
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Filet and Kangaroo

What a wonderful evening ...
DESCRIPTION: We heard that Chef Spence runs a great kitchen and the whatever is delivered to the tables to be enjoyed is top-shelf. We had to find out for ourselves! There were nine of us. We all ordered salad and entrees. I ordered a complete meal, topped off with a cappicino. The Wild Game Sausage was excellent appetizer, spicy-warm, but certainly did not overwhelm the palate. The raspberry vinaigrette dressing on the fresh salad greens was great choice - many of the other guests where also impressed with the fresh greens and how well all the flavors of the greens and dressing blended so well. Also ordered was the chilled crab soup, which was a tomato base with cream added. A subtle flavor of crab with nice chunks of lump crab meat. My wife ordered the Warehou (I think that is right spelling) fish - from Australia, and all who ordered it was most delighted with their entree. My wife told me that it was prepared with coconut and encrusted with pecans or almonds - she [said] it [was] so delicious. I ordered the Paella with grilled shrimp and luscious scallops. The shrimp and scallops were fresh, and the wild rice was nice compliement to the mildly spicy dish. Dessert is what I was looking for and was not disappointed. My wife ordered a New York style cheesecake with sliced peaches on top and if my memory serves me correctly, a strawberry reduction sauce that just set this dessert to culinary heights. I ordered the Puff Pastry, served ravioli style, stuffed with fresh blueberries and pastry cream, topped with a dip of vanilla bean ice cream. The cappicino was excellent - very smooth and creamy. One of the best! A person at our table ordered the fried chicken breasts that apparently were marinated; another ordered the shrimp scampi served over pasta - Everything was superb.. All nine dinner guest were very much pleased with the decor; Matt, our server who most knowledgeable of the dishes and his recommendations; and of course, Chef Spence, who insured that all was well at our table. We will place this restuarant at the top of the places that we will visit more often. Incidentally, there was a concert that was held adjacent to us. We all love good music and by the applause we heard when the door to our room was opened - the entertainment was top notch. However, we were never distracted from our meal by the music. Next time we must enjoy the entertainment. And yes, we did see the train! It came with the dessert. What a treat!
DATE: 2002-07-18
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Wild Game Sausage; Paella; Cheesecake

Here's a place to avoid
DESCRIPTION: Home of the utterly clueless employee. Order tea and get a shot of expresso! Don't like coffee? They don't care! They put a shot of expresso in everything! Fine if you want coffee, not so fine if you like tea. And they kept my $2.50, too.
DATE: 2001-04-15
FOODRATING : 2
SERVICERATING : 2
AMBIANCERATING : 4
OVERALLRATING : 2

Incredible!
DESCRIPTION: I have 10 year old memories of the cream filling in their enormously generous eclairs. We drove 30 minutes each way from campus to get one of those babies. I'm still trying to recreate the recipe.
DATE: 2002-06-20
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 6
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Eclairs and house specialty chocolate cannolis

DESCRIPTION: POWER BAGELS ARE EXCELLENT!!! WHERE ARE THE NEAREST LOCATIONS IN THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY???
DATE: 2003-07-02
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8

A family atmosphere
DESCRIPTION: Cafe Bagel is the type of place to stop in for a cup of gourmet coffees or teas and a bagel, relax, and possibly see one of your neighbors rushing in for an order to go. A breakfast/luncheon place where families can bring their children and seniors can read their newspapers. There are a variety of hot egg and bagel sandwiches every day but in the fall months, they have Pumpkin Bagels that go great with the walnut raisin cream cheese! In addition, they have wonderful lunch sandwiches.
DATE: 2004-01-26
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8

100% Great
DESCRIPTION: The first time I went there, I had to drag my wife in because she didn't like Indian food. Now, she wants to go every week. This place is so much better than the other Indian places in the Maryland. I don't know why the others are still open. We have eat at both of the other Indian restaurants that the Washingtonion voted one and two. They are good but the Taste of India Palace bar and tandoor wins. Much better prices and you get way more food, and it's just better. We have tasted about everything they have and have always been happy. What I order is Chicken Aap Ki Pasand $13.95 and the wife orders the chicken Tikka Masala it's great to and just $13.95 There are many places where you can spend 2-3 times more and get less, but if you want the best taste, the India Palace Bar and Tandoor is for
DATE: 2006-02-21
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Chicken Tikka masala /Chicken Aap ki Pasand

Simply the Best !!!!
DESCRIPTION: Our friends were talking great about the food and ambience of India palace Bar and Tandoor. We wanted to test it out. Our experience was, our friends were right. We had a great time. Enjoyed the Mixed Grill sizler. We had tried in some Chinese restaurants. It is far far superior. It is so mouth watering. Even other curries like Chicken Tikka Masala, Saag Paneer, Palace Kulcha, Biryani rice were very authentic and tasty. We will go back regularly for our curry nights. We will recomend to all our friends. Our compliments to the ch
DATE: 2006-03-04
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Lamb Korma Kashmir, Mixed Grill

BEST INDIAN FOOD IN TOWN
DESCRIPTION: Me and my family had a superb dinner last week. The food was excelent and the staff was very friendly. The restaurant was almost full with other families, we highly recommend this restaurant.
DATE: 2006-04-02
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : TANDOORI CHICKEN

So good, you'll go back the next day
DESCRIPTION: The day after I first went to India Palace Bar and Tandoori, I couldn't stop thinking about it's delicious Tandori Chicken. So I went back that night, and took a friend. It was so good, he went back the next day for lunch. This place rocks.
DATE: 2006-04-16
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : tandoori chicken

GREAT FOOD :)
DESCRIPTION: Great food at good prices! The portions were excellent and the dishes made to order (spicewise). I have been there a few times with my husband and the service is good too.
DATE: 2006-04-20
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : MALAI KOFTA

many choices, great value
DESCRIPTION: A group from my office had lunch buffet April 12th and, as usual, every dish was divine. I always expect the food to be extraordinarily delicious and have not been disappointed yet.
DATE: 2006-04-20
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : butter chicken

DESCRIPTION: It was a thrill to find a restaurant around this area with good food. our experience there was excellent. Great views, with wonderful and helpful service. The food was like something we would get on vacation. The seafood penne, which came with yummy surprises was wonderful.
DATE: 2003-01-19
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : seafood penne, filet milano

DESCRIPTION: Total surprise. The food was so good and fresh. Service was delightful and helpful. The waterview and fire place was very romantic.
DATE: 2003-02-12
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : seafood penne, filet milano

Oyster Stew is the BEST
DESCRIPTION: I have not gone to Deep Creek in about 3 months but am trying to get reservations for this weekend. I noticed all these anonymous ratings and thought I would throw in a rating with a name. We have been to Deep Creek several times and always enjoyed the food and service. It rates highly with us and we are experienced diners (my best dining experience was Louie's Backyard in Key West). My Deep Creek favorite is their oysters and more oysters dinner (seasonal). The oyster stew was the best I had ever had. Give them a try. I rate them outstanding but, to be honest, there are changes I would like but, hey, it is a package. If I changed something, it might throw the reason I go back out of kilter
DATE: 2004-05-07
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Oyster Stew

DESCRIPTION: I ordered the seafood penne, whch was very good. My husband got the chicken penne. I couldn't figure out why he pushed all of the chicken aside until I tasted it-it was too tough to chew! The peanut butter/chocolate cake was delicious! Also, I am sensitive to smoke; when you enter the restaurant, you have to go past the bar. We were seated at a window and were quite comfortable for a while. By the end of the meal, the smoke had filtered over and it became a problem.
DATE: 2005-11-30
FOODRATING : 4
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 6
RECOMMENDED DISHES : seafood penne

Westside
DESCRIPTION: Somewhat pricy for the location, but repeat business is guaranteed. If you like steamed crabs, this is the place to go. Their special includes one dozen steamed crabs, one pound of shrimp and a pitcher of cold beer. Crabs are hot and spicy.
DATE: 1999-12-02
FOODRATING : 2
SERVICERATING : 2
AMBIANCERATING : 2
OVERALLRATING : 2
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Steamed Crabs

Westside
DESCRIPTION: Great steamed crabs. This is a place that doesn't need to beg for business.
DATE: 1999-12-02
FOODRATING : 2
SERVICERATING : 2
AMBIANCERATING : 2
OVERALLRATING : 2
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Steamed crabs

Be sure to stop by~
DESCRIPTION: Very good all around! Four thumbs up!~
DATE: 2002-02-13
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 8

DESCRIPTION: We brought my husband's mother for dinner last night and we were sorely disappointed. The service was excellent BUT the food was terrible. I ordered a Prime Rib. It was ordered medium rare. I truly believe it was prepared at some point in the microwave...For $30.00 I would have expected it to be grilled or served au jus. It was served with gravy!!!!! Who wants that? It wasn't even mentioned on the menu which only confirms my opinion it was prepared in a microwave, then covered up. My mother-in-law ordered Soft Shell Crabs which she said WEREN'T!!!! They were Paper Shell crabs. My husband had the special Calamari Salad. It was soggy calamari, probably purchased frozen, already breaded and heated in the microwave (again) or so it tasted like so. I have to say for the prices charged, it was embarassing when the bill came and my mother-in-law insisted on paying. I would be embarassed to prepare food and serve what we had last night. I couldn't recommend your establishment to anyone right now. Jimmy Dean's or Denny's would have been better. At least we wouldn't have emptied our wallets for the garbage served us last night. You really should be ashamed. I know you'll read this and shrug your shoulders BUT we will let EVERYONE we know NOT to eat at the Oregon Grille again. Thank yo
DATE: 2003-05-03
FOODRATING : 2
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 2

Wonderful Food Excellent Atmosphere
DESCRIPTION: We had an excellent meal with a total of ten guests. The food was excellent in a charming atmosphere, fantastic wine selection and attentive servers. Thank you for a wonderful evening !!!
DATE: 2003-07-19
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10

A Great Dining Experience
DESCRIPTION: I went to The Oregon Grille with my family and we had a wonderful time. The food was excellent, and the service was wonderful. For an appetizer, I enjoyed the clams casino. They were full of flavor and I really enjoyed them. For an entree, I had the pan fried trout with capers, artichoke hearts, mushrooms and beurre blanc. The fish was cooked perfectly and the vegetables were sauteed to perfection. My overall experience at the grill was spectacular! I would recomend this restaraunt to annyone. Chef Mark Henry and his kitchen crew are amazin
DATE: 2003-11-09
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Clams Casino, Pan Fried Trout, Double Chocolate Cake

Beyond all Tipping Points
DESCRIPTION: My wife and I had what we expected to be the pleasure of dining at the Oregon Grille on Saturday, Oct.4, 2003, from 8:15-10:30 PM. We left, not utterly discontent, but wondering at how the cumulative effects of lacking attention to detail can erode all positive aspects of the overall dining experience. It is not my habit to complain. So please regard the following as just a few observations I made. 1. Reservation: I made the reservation for the dinner the preceding Monday. I was put on hold for about five minutes. This in itself could serve as a velvet rope and be used in a targeted fashion to enhance the impression of exclusivity. It wasn t. It just sounded disorganized. 2. Parking, Greeting, Reception, and Speed of Seating: Very satisfactory. 3. Music: There was a piano and a bass ensemble consisting of two senior citizens. Being seated right across the aisle to them, the volume was so loud, it conversation across a table for two nearly impossible. 4. After-cocktail wait to place dinner order: too long. Our menus were down for a good ten minutes before the Waiter approached. (A personal note: You know the wait has been too long if my wife is able to decide on an entree before being asked by the waiter ) 5. The Waiter. Oh. my. A case of "I was a brain surgeon back in my country?" While being polite and appearing competent, we noticed he was avoiding eye contact throughout the (rushed) recitation of the specials. No personal opinion as to preferences or recommendations was offered. No attempt at upsale was undertaken. (In fact, he talked us out of getting a second serving of mashed potatoes without redirecting to an alternate dish.) Good for us, bad for the Oregon Grille. 6. Wine: The wine list includes a 1989 Chateau Simmard. The only year available was a 1990. Your waiter broke that news as he brought the vintage 1990 bottle to the table. (He should have approached us without it, expressing his regrets, handing us the wine list again to give us another choice, maybe even alternate wine suggestions.) A classy establishment would have comped the wine in a case like this. Not the Oregon Grille... 7. Food: The food was set up on a serving table in the aisle right behind us and sat there for a good ten minutes, as busboys, waiters and other guests walked past it. I expected having to pick other people's pocket lint off my steak by the time it was served. Our waiter finally appeared from somewhere, hastily serving it with the words Careful, the plate is hot, when it was lukewarm at best. In serving, he pushed a fork off the table. No apology was offered, neither was warming up the broccoli. 8. Food, too: While overall very enjoyable, the medium rare filet mignon my wife had ordered turned out to be rare, whereas my rare pepper steak was medium rare to medium. (My wife does NOT like raw meat her loss was my gain.) When the mix-up was pointed out to the waiter at the end of the meal, he offered a polite sound of surprise, but no apology, and no offer of redress. 9. Desert: Not their strong side. Again, the wait between being handed the desert menus and placing the order exceeded 10 minutes. The cr me brul was like old vanilla pudding, the caramelized top layer like rock candy. (If something ever was brul -ing, it happened a long time before: They should have their chef check with Patisserie Poupon on a better recipe!) 10. The waiter, again: Our impression of your waiter s attention to his guests was of a man making hurried rounds as the cards are being shuffled and dealt for a poker game with the Maitre D and the busboy in the pantry. 11. I wrote a letter to the retaurant's management on Oct. 6, 2003. To date, i.e., 10 months later, I have yet to receive an acknowledgment. Again, my intent is not malicious, and I do not wish to get individuals in trouble. Being in a customer-oriented business myself, however, I am very aware of certain Tipping Points that make or break a business if not attended to in time. Based on our Saturday experience, I would consider the Oregon Grille an establishment that in regard to service and attention to detail is far outranked by the service levels of The Charleston or Ruth s Chris. And in all honesty, we ve had better waiters at Bob Evans or the Macaroni Grill. If you want to impress your date or your guests, the Oregon Grille may not be the plac
DATE: 2004-08-23
FOODRATING : 6
SERVICERATING : 4
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 2

Ambience AWOL
DESCRIPTION: Made a reservation for a very special event and a first time visit to the recommended establishment. We got there on a cool summer evening, a rarity in Maryland. Asked to sit outdoors and got a set of rolling eyes from the bothered Maitre D'??? We were escorted (myself and 2 guests) to our table a total of 2 tables sitting outdoors including ours. Our Maitre D' pointed to the table and walked away. No chair pulled for the lady, no "enjoy your meal" or anything. VERY RUDE! Our waiter appeared shortly thereafter, one of my guests,a smoker, placed his cigarettes on the table with matches (dining symbol for ashtray needed). After smoking his first cigarette after our drink order was taken the guest had to put the cigarette out with his own means then putting into a paper napkin. He had to ask for a ashtray 20 minutes into the visit! SERVICE? Another set of guests appeared, the male wearing shorts and a short sleeve shirt? Dress Code (Jacket For Men Very Specific). Was escorted to the table from the same Maitre D', had his female guests chair pulled out and then said "Enjoy your meal." And, an ashtray was rushed to his table just before he lit up his cigarette. SERVICE? Our waiter never looked any of us in the eye and with the foreign dialect made us feel almost nervous that he was almost suspicous in nature. We ordered our food and our dinner was good. Although the full ashtray never dumped from the minute it was finally brought out was pathetic at best in the dining world. SERVICE? The ambiance was further ruined by the permiable smell of the dumpster from the parking lot! One table of 5 guests left due to the horrid smell. The combination of the ashtray and the dumpster was a lovely combination for the outdoor dining ambiance experience. To make the outdoor experience more rich, over half of the outdoor night/landscape lights were out! Making the outdoor dining area a haunting feel with the sound of cars passing by on Shawan. As we ordered our coffee/desserts, it was getting dark. Our waiter rushed by and placed a candle on the couples table receiving all the fine dining experience. We, however, sat in the dark all thru the coffee/dessert and finally after realizing we were not on the candle list, called the waiter in the dark for the check. He brought the check and left in a hurry. Perhaps he had to dump the other tables ashtray, we never knew why he was so rushed with 2 tables!? After trying to read the menu in almost pitch black, we asked for a candle to see the bill. The waiter brought the candle and said "he hated the candles because they were hard to light!" We lit the candle with one match. After getting over the shock in prices and bill, we paid our bill, held our noses and moved to our car in the parking lot. SERVICE? This being mine and my friends first dining experience at Oregon Grill will be a lasting memory in what NOT to do in the restaurant business. The food is only 1/4 of a dining experience. Horrible service and atmosphere are the bigger 3/4 of any establishment. A letter was written to the management about the experience. Hopefully, someone there reads and responds to mails unlike other diners and reviewers experiences listed. Sparks Reside
DATE: 2005-07-29
FOODRATING : 6
SERVICERATING : 2
AMBIANCERATING : 2
OVERALLRATING : 2

A Must-Go-To at the Beach
DESCRIPTION: I have gone to Phillip's by the Sea for eight years in a row for my anniversary. It is very romantic, the food is wonderful, and the prices are good, too.
DATE: 2003-07-15
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Sea Scallops

Acceptable cheap burger at theme restaurant
DESCRIPTION: This is a California chain that serves cheap burgers in a 50's style diner setting. Nothing special, but the price is right and the atmosphere is cute (once anyway).
DATE: 2000-06-09
FOODRATING : 4
SERVICERATING : 6
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 4
RECOMMENDED DISHES : burgers, I guess

Fine Dining in a Coutnry Setting
DESCRIPTION: This restaurant is on the outskirts of the tiny and commercially-restricted town of Brookeville, which is a federal historic site having very briefly been the Capital of the USA when the British occupied Washington DC during the War of 1812. The building itself is a converted country farmhouse on what remains of a farm that used to occupy this site. Most of the dining areas are small rooms in the original farmhouse, but towards the rear a large area suitable for groups and special events has been added. <P>It is the most elegant and expensive restaurant for miles around, with very elaborate menu choices on a varied but somewhat limited menu that changes daily. The food quality is generally excellent, with the exception of the breads which might better be obtained from Safeway. I count this as a major flaw in a restaurant this expensive. One the other hand, even simple desserts can be spectacularly good. <P>They do have pre-theater (Olney Theater) specials, but these are cut-down dinners that do not measure up to the quality of the main menu. <P>The atmosphere will vary considerably, depending on which room you are seated in, and can be cold in winter next to a drafty window. They have yet to make any use of outdoor seating in summer, which I think is a unfortunate given the setting. <P>Because of the price, I am somewhat harsh with my evaluation. The restaurant strives to be a first class dining facility, but the inconsistencies prevent me from rating it as truly outstanding.
DATE: 2006-05-18
FOODRATING : 6
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 6
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Home made ice creams

Run!
DESCRIPTION: Don't go here if you're hungry! The food is horrible, the service is the worst I've ever seen. Luckily, the beer is good!
DATE: 2003-01-06
FOODRATING : 2
SERVICERATING : 4
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 2
RECOMMENDED DISHES : NONE!!!

Friendly service & good food
DESCRIPTION: We came midafternoon on a weekday when it wasn't busy. We sat near the bar & were waited on by the bartender. We had questions about the different beers so he brought us several samples. The service was a little sluggish, but the food was very good. We chose this restaurant over others because they serve Jaegerschnitzel, but many other items on the menu sounded tempting.
DATE: 2004-08-15
SERVICERATING : 6
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 6
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Jaegerschnitzel.

Clean, Wide selection of Beer and Alcohol
DESCRIPTION: While the outside appearance is a typical Hagerstown bar, you will be pleasantly suppressed at the inside of the establishment! With 10 draught beer selections, over 80 bottled beers, and countless bottles of liquor. Merlin s has a great selection of alcoholic products to meet any taste! The food was very tasty, and modestly priced. I had their double cheese burger lunch special for $3.50, and let me tell you they really surprised me with a huge burger. This thing was 2/3 lb sirloin ground beef! It was very juicy and tasty! They must also be known for their wings, as I saw several people order them, looking at the menu I saw that they had 10 different flavors of wings! I will definitely have to come back to try them. Their menu prices were way undervalued for the quality of their food from what I could see. They have a Dace floor, free music, a billiards table, NTN Trivia network, and Darts. The bathrooms were very clean, and the staff and patron were friendly. I definitely think I found my favorite new hangout!
DATE: 2004-03-27
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Burgers, Wings, Crab Cakes