Monocacy Crossing Restaurant — Restaurant in Maryland

My wife and I had driven by Monocacy Crossing Restaurant a number of times, and each time we would remark to each other that we "really should visit here for dinner." So when a special occasion for us (our 17th anniversary, thank you very much) arrived, we decided that this would be the place to celebrate. It was to be on a Sunday night, reservation for a table for two, and I had purposely not mentioned the occasion.

The service was pleasant, if a tad amateur: drinks spilled when served, having to repeat the wine order and point it out on the wine list, and the bread service was a mystery, because despite having bread plates and every other table around us with bread baskets, we never received any. Also, had no clue where the silverware should go when it was replaced...blahblahblah...you get the idea. That said, however, this was one of those occasions where these missteps were charming, rather than enraging, because the attitude of the server was extraordinarily nice. I mean, really nice. And it was also apparent that he was still being trained. But the trainer was no where to be seen...

I did not expect a Michelin starred experience, but one must have some standards...

Our first course, the pork shanks, came out like lightening (making me immediately suspicious as to their freshness) looking very unappetizing: two dark logs, resting on a meager portion of a "kimchi" salad that so acid-heavy so you could barely taste anything else. The meat was warm and slightly dry, but the sauce balanced well with the dark notes of the pork. However, this happy union would be immediately spoiled if one took a bite of the "salad." My wife loved it...

The second course, seared scallops sitting in a pool, repeat, pool of bacon fat. I literally spooned the fat off the plate and on to my share plate. Now, I love bacon fat as much as the next person (maybe more, just ask my doctor), but this was a little over the line. Once the fat was drained away, we enjoyed those wee devils, and the bacon-apple vinegar saute that they were served with.

The missus (Bless her) had the filet "Mifnon" (as it is spelled on the menu) and I had the NY. We both ordered our steaks med rare. Hers was served cooked barely above blue. When the waiter returned to check on us, we asked for the steak to be cooked to temp, please. He took her plate, leaving mine on the table, to stare at, untouched for ten minutes while hers was being cooked. When it was returned, he apologized and told her that "we tend to under cook our steaks." Really? Well, firstly, maybe that should have been mentioned when we ordered. And, I didn't tell you this my good man, but my supposedly "under cooked" steak was over cooked. However, the flavors of both of our steaks were excellent!

Despite these negative points, we were charmed by the environment, the graciousness of the staff (host, bartender, waiter, even the server who opened our wine) made us feel immediately welcome. AND despite my comments about the food, we ate every bite because we wanted to overlook the flaws and focus on the things we did enjoy.

The wine list has several extremely well-priced and delightful finds. The room has a very "homey" atmosphere, and you wouldn't feel out of place going there for a casual meal or a more formal dinner.

I used to tell people that no matter how good the food is, if the service is terrible, one is likely to never return to a restaurant. But if the service is friendly, personable and (hopefully) professional, most people can over look any flaws on the food and go back again and again. Monocacy Crossing Restaurant is, in my opinion, one of those restaurants. And we...

My wife and I were seated promptly, and our waitress took our drink order. We never saw her again the rest of the night. After about 30 minutes, another waitress saw that we still had our menus and she came and took our drink order and said she would find our waitress and send her right over. 2nd waitress came back with our drinks a few minutes later. After another 15 minutes, 2nd waitress came back and ask if our waitress had taken our order. She apologized again and took our dinner order. 30 minutes later, 2nd waitress passed our table and told us someone from the kitchen was supposed to bring our food out, and said she would check on it. 5 minutes later someone brought our food to the table and turned and hurried away. We had our meal, finally, but no silverware or napkins. 5 minutes later 2nd waitress saw that we were not eating, and stopped at our table. She came back quickly with silverware and napkins. I had asked for my steak cooked medium. When I cut into it, it was between raw and rare, like the chef had seared both sides and then plated it. My wife's steak, which she had asked for well done was medium-well, and she was okay with that. 2nd waitress took mine back to the kitchen. When my steak never came back from the kitchen, 2nd waitress went to find out where it was and brought it to me. By this time, the 2nd waitress was as angry as my wife and I were. My steak was okay, nothing special. I've had better steak at Red Lobster at half the price. 2nd waitress offered us free desert, which we declined because we had been there hours and just wanted to leave. No other concession was offered. Check was full price. My wife and I have been eating here since it opened (right after the owners bought The Blue Fox) and it used to be awesome on every visit. The last three times we've been in we have been disappointed. This last visit was the worst of all and we won't...

We have never been here before but my fiancé heard great things so he booked my birthday dinner here just him and I. Our table had a sweet happy birthday sign. Our server greeted us fairly quickly. We ordered our drinks and then she came back and asked if we were ready. I knew they had specials because I heard her telling the table next to us them.

I asked if they had specials and she went oh yeah and then told us them.

She brought out our mussels and cleared them when we were done but that was literally the last time we saw her. A manager brought over our food, I had to ask for water it was empty for awhile. I watched her check on every table around us but ours. We had been done eating and nobody checked on us during the entire entree period. We sat and waited and she was still no where to be found so I went and asked who I think was the manager that brought our food for the check.

The server then came over to tell us the birthday desserts no apology or anything so I said no thank you just the check please. She came and dropped the check without even a thank you or anything! I’m sure she was mad I asked someone for the check but at least say sorry or thank you when dropping the check. I normally give servers the benefit of the doubt when they are busy but not when they act like this lady did. I will say we were probably just unlucky because the server next to us was great with her tables. My fiancé felt horrible because it was my birthday. At least the food was amazing. I don’t think we will be back after...