Kim's guide to Frederick

Alright, I’ve lived in Frederick…..hmm…..way too damn long, and despite a lot of complaining, it’s my hometown. It doesn’t make me an expert, but I have got a lot of more-or-less educated opinions.

WHERE TO EAT AND WHAT TO EAT THERE:

Nido’s –
Can’t go wrong with simple, delicious, low-priced Italian food, in a restaurant with clouds painted on the ceiling. I’ve had semi-romantic dinners here, but also friendly gatherings with a carafe of wine, complete with stories that start “I laughed so hard I …” The waiters know me, and everyone else there by the looks of it. Order baked ziti or anything with the red sauce.

The Orchard –
Let the chic urban hippies that frequent this place order the wholesome, organic entrees – you go right for desert. Everything in them is the real deal, and nothing is oversweet, and your plate isn’t piled with a giant cake and a bunch of random stuff drizzled and powdered all over the place to make it look gourmet – it just tastes good and ultra-fresh.

LaPaz –
Best salsa I’ve ever had, and the prices are good. Avoid Friday and Saturday nights, if you’re claustrophobic. They’re opening a new, larger location soon.

Cacique –
This Spanish/Mexican restaurant is the best place to go for a unique brunch.

Brewer’s Alley –
For the love of god, don’t order anything except the pizza. The food combinations are probably supposed to be “creative” but they err on the side of “bizarre”. (Goat cheese and arugula salad with capers and walnuts, anyone?) That said, the pizza’s good. For some reason, there’s always tons of people in the bar. It ain’t the in-house beer that’s packin’ em in, that’s for sure.

Kyoko Café
Sushi and Thai food in a stylish little location overlooking Patrick street.

Lotus -
Fun Chinese restaurant, with the best fried tofu I've ever had. They seem to recognize me there too.

FUN (CHEAP) STUFF TO DO:

Gallery Walk –
First Saturdays, fall through spring, downtown. Stores and galleries downtown stay open late, and you can wander through, while eating and drinking the free goodies. They have special themes, depending on season, as well. (there were ice sculptures and a weird cupid guy in one of the stores, for Valentine’s Day) It’s free, unless you buy as well as look.

Arts Festival (you may be noticing a theme) –
This festival features works of local and regional artisans. It’s juried, which I think means that someone “wins”. Nothing museum-quality, but nothing too crafty or cutesy either. I always find something fascinating, and the live music is fun too. There is an admission charge.

Duck Pin Bowling at Village Lanes –
For kids and the seriously bowling impaired. The balls are super tiny. If you get it right, they literally skip out of the gutter. A Baltimore/Maryland oddity. You can also go to Rock-n-Bowl at Terrace Lanes, for some memories of being 14.

http://somdfrederick.org/bowlingDuckPin.htm

Frederick Coffee Company –
Everyone hangs out here but nobody is quite sure why. It’s open 24 hours, and has live music several days a week. That could be part of it. They roast/burn the beans on site. It’s getting a strange, beatnik-nightspot feel due to the hours change, and the coffee is usually terrible, but it’s an authentic neighborhood coffee house, and that’s rare in suburban sprawl-ville.

Cunningham Falls –
Near Thurmont, 15 min away. You can make the falls a 15-minute stop (shh – park in the handicapped lot for quick access), a several hour hike (take the “difficult” hike, it’s much more interesting and vigorous), or an all-day event (canoe on the lake or hike the surrounding area, too), depending on what you want. Go in the fall, to avoid crowds and admire the colors.

Old Movies at the Weinberg –
It’s a concert venue now, but it started its life as a movie theater. For the silent ones, an organ comes out of the floor while the guy is playing it. No, really.