bluegrass tavern

$300 later - we left hungry. i had previously heardgreatthings about this place so when it was our turn to treat we took some friends out for dinner there thinking it was a classy place. first of all we were seated in an area where there was a team of people cheering on a horse race very loudly, so loudly that my friends and i could not hear each other across the table until they stopped. it was hot, there was no a/c and there we flies everywhere. the server, though extremely helpful was dressed quite casually and you could tell by the residual on his shirt that he had been helping in the kitchen.

we ordered our meals and when they arrived they looked like overcooked, thrown together appetizers from chopped. i have been to upscale restaurants and understand that the portions are generally smaller but what you do get is cooked to perfection and that is what makes them worth it. we ordered the local pheasant, which was not just tiny, but skinny and what was there, was dried out to jerky. there was truly nothing on it too eat. this is obviously a place who is trying too hard to upscale by making their portions smaller and gouging their customers wallets. well it failed. we may have paid $300 for basically drinks and desert this time – but you can guarantee that we wont be back and neither will our friends whom said they had been going there for years and it had never been like that before.

charcuterie reigns supreme!. we had agreatexperience at the bar with kelly with our charcuterie platter... the place has agreatvibe, valet parking and an enthusiastic wait staff. we enjoyed everything we ate. fried chicken and waffles and quail! cheesecake made with goat cheese was a big hit with my husband... the owner is around and is a charming aussie. we will definitely frequent this place.

very disappointed.... i had been looking forward to trying out bluegrass for months, and we finally went last week. i had heardgreatthings. we started by ordering the cornbread, which was very dry and similar to what i can make at home (that's not saying a lot!). i ordered the steak, which was by far the worst steak i have ever had. it was so tough my steak knife could only get through with aggressive sawing! the steak was so chewy it was laughable. it is the only 6 oz steak i haven't been able to get through! even if the prices weren't so high, i will never go back.

on a more positive note, the staff was very friendly and helpful!

quality dining and outstanding service. i've been to bluegrass tavern about half a dozen times. it's become my favorite and my mouth starts watering when we decide to make the trip from southern maryland to b'more for a change of scenery. the ever-changing menu is agreatenticement. we were there opening night and arrived a little early. the owner gave us the grand tour, yes - even to the basement kitchen! a bourbon tasting is well worth the time, especially if you have a waiter who is familiar with the brands. truly a wonderful experience.

are you kidding? this place was not at all what i expected. it's pretentious, why? went there with a large party and no one really cared for it. i had a steal that was $29. sorry, i can get a better steak at outback for a lot less. very disappointing! it won't last in that neighborhood! service wasn'tgreateither, especially for the tip that was included.

just a quick comment. we tried bluegrass tavern last weekend for appetizers and drinks and had agreattime. it was really nice to find a restaurant in federal hill that didn't cater to the "can't seem to leave college and my coors light" 20- and 30- something crowd.

there were three of us, we each had two or three glasses of wine and a cheese platter with an order of the bacon jam on bread. a nice group of people were seated near us and conversation was easy. lovely decor and the food and service were both great.

i hope to come back to blue grass soon for dinner.

refreshing!. it's so nice to find a reliable restaurant that's different without trying too hard. bluegrass' menu has an obvious theme but it doesn't go overboard, so as not to intimidate the average restaurant-goer. our server/bartender (who loves food and wine as much as her guests - always makes a huge difference!) hadgreatsuggestions and told us about how the menu changes weekly. that's fresh. the tomato salad/terrine was juicy and balanced (sometimes tomato salads can be boring but not this one!), the elk was tender and delicious (i had never had it before) and came with bleu cheese grits that were perfect with it although my husband thought they overpowered the elk's natural flavor. he had the 14 oz ny strip with asparagus. it wasgreatexcept we both thought it could have used a starch. every good strip deserves a potato accompaniment. we took dessert home - blueberry shortcake with ice cream. i used to be roommates with a four seasons pastry chef so i have high standards when it comes to house-made dessert. i am so glad i ate this later (and by later i mean the next day for breakfast) when i was actually hungry because it deserved it'[s own place in my belly. it was amazing. i don't think i've had dessert that good in years! we'll be back for sure.

excellent from beginning to end.. after the preakness, we dined at bluegrass tavern.greatmenu- clever, well-executed, well-presented entrees. we had crostini with bacon jam which was excellent. the hanger steak and antelope loin were perfectly cooked and seasoned, and the quail chop salad was also very good. service was friendly and competent. it is an attractive setting, including outdoor seating- i especially like the photographs for sale on the walls.

only suggestion is that the menu needs to be clarified. for example, the antelope loin was actually a loin chop and the chop salad was not chopped, but whole friend quail and veg. dessert was a decontructed peanut butter and jelly sandwich, which included freeze dried penaut butter. more surprising is that this place is quite new. other than the chop/not chop issue, this was as flawless a dining experience one could have. i hope to return. well done.