Up on Market Bistro & Inn

My mate and I have been driving an hour plus from Bethesda/Kensington area since 2021to Frederick a few times a year to seek out a special Frederick dining experience, Most of those times we find ourselves gravitating to Up on Market. We’ve dined at many of the fine restaurants all over the DMV, but find that few highly rated or hyped dining establishments in DC/MD/VA region measure up in quality, attentiveness, or exceptional standards of Up on Market. Every visit over these 5 years has never disappointed since we first stumbled upon Up on Market in 2022. Every time we’ve stopped by (never with a reservation as we come in usually 4:30-5:00pm after an afternoon drive or hike and take the same seats at the bar), we are blown away by the high standard and attentiveness to service, quality ingredients, presentation, preparation, and all points of detail that make this a truly exceptional dining experience. Francis and Michele have invested much into this place and continue to work the floor and atrend to the customers personally. We feel like regulars even though we’ve come maybe 5 or so times in 5 years. If you are looking for a very special top flight dining experience for a special occasion and can spend what you’d spend in a hyped highly rated DC area restaurant, make your way to this special French bistro on Markst Street where you’ll feel welcome and at home. Enjoy!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The food, service and atmosphere are very good here, I'll be going backl

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We went there with friends to get appetizers and drinks to start our new years and had the worst experience. The bartender was rude, I ordered my friend a drink and tags said “well we don’t make it that way”. Then watched us sip our drinks and came over immediately and said “don’t you like your drinks” then started reciting the recipe she used. For the price the 6 drinks and 3 appetizers cost for a group is absurd to encounter this type of horrid hospitality. It is unfortunate because it is a nice space but with that type of attitude you are paying a lot of money for, it is unacceptable. I will never go back nor would recommend it. She ruined our experience.

Fine selection of wines by the glass, just had a French onion soup at a late lunch. It was a classic. Going to head back for dinner soon. Service was nice, owners are present and attentive, check it out if you’re in town.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: French Onion Soup

Came here for dinner with my wife. The restaurant is beautiful and welcoming. The music selection was perfect and not overwhelming. I had a perfectly cooked steak, and my wife had the chicken alfredo, which was also delicious. The empanades and frites were delicious. This is now our favorite restaurant and only reason to ever go into downtown Frederick. You can't go wrong with whatever you select. Fine dining at its best!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The food is not over seasoned and is in perfect balance. You can taste the quality of ingredients and the seasoning/spices used. Top notch food.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Chicken Paillard, Bacon-Wrapped Scallops, French Onion Soup, Flash Fried Asparagus

Went for late lunch, food took 40 minutes to show up. We informed the older blonde server that the food took too long which is a valid critique, but she dismissively replied with "40 minutes is not that long in the restaurant industry" and walked away. No apology or further dialogue. All we needed was a simple heads up that the food would take a long time BEFORE we ordered. Or just apologize and check up on us about the wait instead of being passive aggressive about it. We'll never come back and let everyone we know not to go there. Also the food is way overpriced.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

The food and the experience was excellent. The history of the building is also very interesting. The owner was very nice and engaging.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Almond Cake, French Onion Soup

I would say the food was very nice, the atmosphere was nice as well. But we weren't prepared to wait about 1 hour for the order. I would probably have thought twice before if we would.
Our child's food was served faster, and it saved us ( thank you) but we were sitting there for another 40-50 minutes. When we said about that to the owner Francis, simply said that it isn't that kind of restaurant.… it wasn't necessary to be that rude, there were plenty of very good restaurants where the food came to the table much faster. Maybe to hire more people in the kitchen and then it wouldnt be that hard on you. We spent $ 150 total for 3 main meals. No special children options, and we were never asked if we wanted to add asparagus for another $8. I wouldn't go there again just because it is time-consuming and there are plenty of good restraints in Frederick.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 3

Recommended dishes: Chicken Paillard

Great end to s lovely day

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Lots of history here. Their story is very neat! Service was very professional, and also very paced (this is not a place to grab a "quick" bite)! Margaret, the server was very sweet and not intrusive (we were celebrating an anniversary). One of the owners came out to greet us, too. "Empanades" and flash fried asparagus were good. The empanadas (unsure why they spell it with an 'e') were small, but made up for it with large asparagus! The Chicken Paillard was deliciously seasons with greens and potatoes on the side. Very tender, great presentation. The swordfish was just fine (according to my S.O.). For dessert, the chocolate cake with ganache and berries was delicious. The seashell custard was lacking the custard part, but the pastry part was good. It turns out I chose all the right dishes, and my S.O. wants to come back and try some different dishes next time. A healthy wine selection, too! A nice, quaint place (with a story) to celebrate any special occasion!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Chocolate Lava Cake

Expensive and disappointing. Food not great. Was hoping for a special occasion restaurant but we will not be back.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 2

Dietary restrictions: Gluten free bread

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Chicken Salad Sandwich

We are often in Frederick and happened on the restaurant. We spoke with one of the owners. Extensive menu. Historic building and decor. Delicious meal. Truly amazing cuisine. Reasonable prices. Love the ambiance. Superior service. Highly recommend.

First time diners. We were warned about slow drink service but we were not prepared for a “schooling” on a proper martini. We ordered two dirty martinis but we were served regular martinis. When we asked about the wrong drinks, the owner proceeded to tell us that we were given proper martinis. And that if you drink a dirty martini, you’re just tasting olive juice. We asked our server for some olive juice and he brought some.

We shared the flash fried oysters. All we tasted was the fried coating. No oyster.

We ordered the special, which was coq au vin, the duck, and the beef bourguignon. None of us were impressed. I had the chicken. The sauce was good but the chicken was dry.

We liked that they have a very full menu but maybe they need to trim the menu and focus on quality.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 2

Service: 2