Madrones — Restaurant in Frederick

A Truly Exceptional Experience with Lee – A Five-Star Waiter

From the moment we walked into the restaurant, it was clear that our dining experience was going to be something special, and that was largely due to the exceptional service provided by our waiter, Lee. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, but it was Lee’s attention to detail, professionalism, and genuine personality that truly made the evening unforgettable.

Warm and Welcoming from the Start

As soon as we sat down, Lee greeted us with a bright smile and immediately made us feel comfortable. There was no rush to take our order, but he was attentive without hovering, giving us just enough time to settle in and look at the menu. His approach was perfectly balanced—friendly, yet professional. Lee asked if we had any dietary restrictions or preferences, showing that he truly cared about making the experience tailored to us. It wasn’t just a formality; his genuine interest in ensuring we had the best experience possible was immediately apparent.

Knowledgeable and Helpful with Menu Recommendations

When it came time to choose our dishes, Lee displayed an impressive knowledge of the menu. He didn’t just list off options; he took the time to explain the special ingredients in each dish and even suggested pairings based on our preferences. He asked us a few thoughtful questions about the type of meal we were in the mood for, and his recommendations were spot-on. The way he described the dishes made us excited to try them—his enthusiasm was contagious!

Attentive Without Being Overbearing

Throughout the meal, Lee maintained a perfect balance between being present and giving us space to enjoy our meal. He checked in just the right amount—ensuring our drinks were topped off, asking if we were enjoying our food, but never interrupting our conversation. When we had a question about one of the dishes, Lee was quick to answer with confidence and enthusiasm. It felt as if we were being attended to by someone who genuinely wanted to make our experience better, not just someone going through the motions of serving food.

Impeccable Timing and Service

One of the standout aspects of Lee’s service was his impeccable timing. He managed to bring out each course at just the right moment. Nothing was rushed, and nothing was delayed. Each dish arrived at the perfect temperature, and the flow of the meal felt seamless. When we ordered dessert, Lee made sure to ask if we had room for it and, without rushing us, gave us just the right amount of time to decide. He then made excellent suggestions, which turned out to be the perfect end to a delicious meal.

A Personal Touch that Made All the Difference

What truly set Lee apart, though, was his genuine warmth and personal touch. As the evening went on, he engaged in small conversations with us, sharing anecdotes about the restaurant and its history, as well as some of the behind-the-scenes details about the dishes. It wasn’t scripted; it was clear that Lee had a real passion for his work and for the place he worked at. His charisma and positivity made the entire experience feel more like a dinner with a friend than a typical dining interaction. By the end of the evening, it was clear that Lee wasn’t just a waiter; he was an ambassador for the restaurant, and his service reflected that pride.

Final Thoughts: Lee is a True Gem

When the check arrived, Lee took a moment to thank us for dining with them, and we left with the sense that we’d just experienced something rare—exceptional service that truly elevated the entire meal. The food was great, of course, but it was Lee’s presence and attentiveness that turned a good meal into an unforgettable experience. It’s rare to find someone who blends professionalism with personal warmth so effortlessly, and Lee is a true gem in the hospitality world.

I can say without a doubt that we’ll be back, and it will be because of the amazing experience Lee provided. If you’re lucky enough to have him as your waiter, know that you’re in for a treat. Highly...

Remove Kaitlyn from the bar immediately if you want to keep customers, female customers anyway. She was 100% happier and more friendly with her co-workers than customers. If I had time to approach management and the restaurant was less busy I would have. Let me explain.

My companion and I came in on December 15, 2018 at 730pm. We approached the bar and saw two empty seats but there was leftover food still sitting there. Three women behind the bar were talking and I did interrupt them to ask if the people were still in the restaurant or if the seats would be available. Kaitlyn, red hair in a bun, looked at me and just said, "yes". I had to ask again because i didn't know if the people were still at the restaurant or the seats were available.

After we sat down she cleared the plates and put food menus down in front of us. My companion asked if she could wipe down the counter and in a loud voice she said, "Why? Is it sticky?" Then she inspected the counter before grabbing a cloth to we it down. Sticky, wet, full of crumbs, who cares, just wipe down the counter and don't ask why. You just cleared off plates from someone else, duh. She asked to take our drink orders so we asked what was on tap. She huffed away and brought back the drink menu for the bar. Shouldn't that be the first menu to hand someone sitting at the bar?

Well, she apparently didn't like that we asked to have the counter wiped down and to know what was on tap because she refused to continue to help us and asked her co-worker to take our orders. We did absolutely nothing to her. We were not rude, we did not look at her funny, we didn't ask for anything out of her job scope nor out of the ordinary.

The new girl helping us was the complete opposite. She was super friendly, very helpful, very accommodating. So Kaitlyn did us a favor by replacing herself with this gem, whose name was Adrianna. I held a position client facing for one Fortune 500 company and one Fortune 100 company. For the last 20+ years I did some form of customer service and would never have treated a customer/client the way she did in the short 5 minutes that we dealt with her. I watched her the entire time we were there, over an hour, and while she worked hard by stocking the bar, running around, and servicing other patrons, she was a stick in the mud to most of them. There was only a few chosen sets of people she was actually nice to. She was super happy looking at Holiday cards with her co-workers so she wasn't having a bad night.

So sad that this review is mostly about our interaction with one employee of about 5 minutes instead of great things about the food, atmosphere, and the positive experience with Adrianna. This will show you how a negative experience, no matter how short, leaves a lasting impression shared with many.

Adrianna, again, was a delight and always smiled when talking to us. She deserves a holiday bonus, a raise, something, because without her we would have walked out.

The food was tasty but I have been nauseated ever since finishing my dinner and that was 3 hours ago. I had not eaten yet today so the only thing that would have made me ill would have been dinner at Madrones. A restaurant that I had sent many executives to with clients for business lunches and after hours cocktails and dinners.

I am very disappointed. All three stars go...

The food and service were good. I was concerned that there was no handsoap in the bathrooms. They had neutrogena shower gel instead for guests and employees in the public restrooms. I truly wonder how clean the employees hands are. The manager tried to tell us they wash them in the back kitchen. I am doubtful. Get rid of the shower gel and put handsosp back in the restrooms.

Response: Would you want a surgeon to use shower gel instead of hand soap to sterilize their hands before operating?

That’s the question that immediately came to mind during my recent visit to Madrones, a restaurant that otherwise presents itself as a lovely, casual dining spot with a warm, inviting atmosphere and attentive service. Unfortunately, a deeply concerning issue overshadowed the entire experience — their choice of Neutrogena Rainbath shower gel in place of proper hand soap in the restroom.

Let me be clear: this is not a matter of personal preference. It's a basic public health concern. Shower gel, even one as nice-smelling and gentle as Neutrogena Rainbath, is not designed to remove or kill bacteria and viruses the way antimicrobial hand soaps are. Handwashing in a restaurant is not just a nicety — it’s a frontline defense in food safety. Every guest, every employee, every cook relies on effective hand hygiene to prevent the spread of illness, especially in a post-pandemic world.

I flagged this to the staff, hoping it was a mistake. It wasn’t. Whether intentional or due to oversight, the substitution of a cosmetic body wash for soap specifically formulated to cleanse hands properly sends a troubling message about Madrones’ priorities. A restaurant that pays so much attention to its ambiance and menu (and to be fair, the food was well-executed) should hold itself to higher standards of hygiene.

A beautiful dining room and pleasant service mean little if the fundamentals of health and safety are neglected. As much as I enjoyed the salmon and chocolate cake, I couldn’t shake the worry about what was happening behind the scenes in the kitchen if something as basic as proper soap in the public restroom was overlooked.

Until Madrones corrects this, I can’t in good conscience recommend it. Diners deserve delicious food and the peace of mind that it’s being prepared and served with proper sanitary standards in place.

Get approval from the Maryland Department of Health Food Protection for approval of shower gel instead...