I took my parents here for the first time on Mother's Day. My family had come up from Virginia and I wanted to take Mom someplace nice and different. The atmosphere is great and the menu is amazing. The prime rib I had for dinner looked like it came from the side of a dinosaur! Our waiter made a great wine recommendation and was very attentive the entire time. Great time, perfect for a special event.
(4)
Sally N.
Excellent food. superb service. I love the Ceasar Salad, NY strip steak and creme brulee. A good place to go for a special occasion. Very consistent and a great bar too.
(5)
Sara E.
I was prepared not to be impressed. I had read the reviews as well as the menu, which struck me as pretty boring. However, I decided to give it a try for my husband's birthday, because a) it's near ho our house and b) he's a fan of the Mad Men era steak and lobster type places. So, I was a little wary when I walked up the path to the restaurant that was adorned by...lawn jockeys? At least a dozen. However, once we were inside, I was pretty happy. As a party of two, we are usually seated at a tiny table crammed in between to other tiny tables. Not here. We got our own booth that was quiet and felt like a more intimate experience. Waiting for us on the table were seafood mousse, black olive tapenade, and seeded crackers. Warning: the portions to come will be huge, but don't skip this. It's delicious. We ordered the seafood tower for two, which came with a generous portion of lump crab, a split lobster tail, 6 oysters, and shrimp. I've eaten many a shrimp in my life, but these....I had to ask the waitress why they were so good. I mean, I've never had a shrimp that tasted so good. The accompaniments were a Yuzu mignonette, some kind of aoili, drawn butter, and cocktail. By the time dinner arrived, we could only take bites, we were so full. I had soft shells in a mustard sauce. They were wonderful, though I prefer less batter. My husband had the surf and turf: imperial stuffed lobster with a steak. The steak was really tender and cooked as requested, I'm sure the "surf" will be delicious when we eat it, but we were too stuffed to even try it. Our server, Carrie, was great. She was there when you needed her to be but never intrusive. Though the glasses were small, they were never empty. When she brought our check, I told her I was paying as a birthday treat for my husband. She brought out a delicious sorbet with a candle. The ambience is quiet and dark and really relaxing. I highly recommend for a romantic dinner or special occasion.
(5)
Dick G.
At 18 miles north of down town Baltimore, its worth the time to visit this fantastic rustic restaurant in horse country. As you approach it looks like a beautiful old building from the late 1700's in an area of old money! Its very formal as you enter and the crowd is older boomer. Our group of 4 was welcomed and shown to an anteroom which was very private and gave us the feel of a very exclusive restaurant not like the ritzy steak houses were used to. We had called to reserve 2 of their 5 lb lobsters to insure availability. For appys we had a couple of Seafood Towers, full of fresh delicious Oysters, lobster, fresh crab and Jumbo shrimp. Really whetted our appetites. Two of our party got really well prepared Filet Mignon and of course the other two got the 5 lb steamed behemoths of the sea(see photos). Everything served was beyond expectation. The steak was served as ordered and the lobsters were cooked to perfection in their new steamer. Dotty our server was warm and a pleasure to deal with. We ordered a really nice Stags Leap Cabernet that complimented the food ordered. We were so full that we couldnt even consider dessert. One thing for sure, next time in Baltimore this restaurant will be on our short list for a return visit.
(5)
Kelli W.
I had a wonderful time. Great ambiance. The food was good. The service was good. I shall return.
(4)
Tricia F.
The hubster and I decided to enjoy a cozy anniversary brunch on Sunday, Aug. 24 (our actual anniversary date is 8/16) right here in the heart of horse country. The Oregon Grille is a beautiful restaurant ~ both their inside and outside garden seating areas. If you're in the mood for an elegant brunch experience ~ you won't be disappointed! The staff were wonderful. We started the morning off with Mimosas followed by coffee and warm rolls with butter. We ask for a sampling of their boisin cheese. Can I tell you how delicious this cheese was on the warm butter roll ~ YUM! This sampling sealed my decision and I ordered the Crab and Asparagus Omelette with Boursin cheese and home fries. We don't eat crab so I requested it be replaced with fresh spinach. My husband ordered the Cheddar and Chive Omelette w/home fries. We both really enjoyed our dishes!! The cheese was soft and warm and the omelette was cooked perfectly. The home fries delish! Mid brunch the grand piano opened and we enjoyed listened to the ebony and ivory keys being played as we sipped our mimosas; followed by coffee as we shared a slice of Apple Cake that was featured on the menu for Restaurant Week. Perfect.
(5)
Darryl S.
Absolutely my favorite restaurant near home (grew up in Hereford). "The usual" meeting spot for family and brunch. Service is always super friendly. Reminds me of home and food is amazing. Bon Appetite!
(5)
Natalie H.
Not a good restaurant week deal... My roll had mold, they did not care or discount anything. The desserts was a a pile of whip cream with one strawberry thinly slices. $15 I'll never go back it was discussing.
(1)
Darlene C.
We had our small wedding (23 guests) at The Oregon Grille on July 9, 2015. I worked with a their lovely event planner, Genni, to plan our special evening. She was most accommodating and made it a very nice experience, with good suggestions and ideas. While we had planned an outdoor event, mother nature had us move it indoors, and they were able to move our party to the second floor, and it set up beautifully. Our servers, Carrie, Jack and Gio were top notch. They couldn't do enough for us and saw to it that everyone got their drinks and food as requested. The food was wonderful. We offered a limited menu of five entrees and a selection of appetizer or salad. Many people ordered the 8 oz. filet and I was amazed how perfectly cooked to order it was for each person, and the food was all served HOT! We will return to The Oregon Grille for dinner, of course, and I would highly recommend it for your next special event or gathering.
(5)
Candi G.
Upscale dining kind of off the beaten path. I came here for lunch and the service was excellent. Everybody enjoyed their food. I will say although the food is good it's not worth the price. I had the pan fried rainbow trout with artichoke, capers, and mushrooms in a lemon butter sauce. The fish itself was bland but when eaten with the vegetables it was much better. Definitely didn't knock my socks off but my colleagues enjoyed their food. Is it worth trying?...yea but I probably wouldn't go back
(3)
nancy w.
Best steak Excellent service Lovely patio A great spot for lunch or dinner Our favorite for sure
(5)
Ann B.
Standards. Have. Fallen. Bur prices remain high. Very disappointed in our dinner--hadn't been to Oregon Grill in years and went for a special occasion celebration. Meal: everything too salty, in fact greens/sides so salty as to be borderline inedible; fingerling potatotes undercooked, almost crunchy/raw. The garlic mashed potatotes were delicious--but salty. Prime rib was wonderful, pork chop boring/no flavor; steak was salty. Service: pleasant but so slow. And when the food is this salty you need water. The final insult: being served coffee and waiting 5-10 minutes for cream, by which time the coffee is cold. Such a disappointment---Oregon Grill was always that "special fancy place" in the County for "occasion meals." But we will not go back again.
(2)
Shawn C.
Thanks to a pharmaceutical rep dinner program I was able to sample The Oregon Grill without having to spend my own money. The food wasn't bad, and actually pretty darn good, but to me it's not worth the high prices they charge. Something to be wary about is that if you're thinking about having dinner here be sure to wear a dress coat and tie otherwise you're not getting in. I'm glad I went for the experience but I'll probably never eat there again.
(3)
Tricia S.
Hubby and I wanted an intimate anniversary brunch so we both agreed on the Oregon Grille (8/21). We made reservations although when we got there, it was empty and we didn't have to. As a woman, I automatically noticed the purses the older women were carrying as they came in...so, I'm glad I had my authentic Gucci bag too...I fit right in! Now, back to my story we ordered an appetizer that for the size wasn't worth the $18, but hey it's the Oregon Grille right?! So we ordered what ever we wanted courtesy of hubby. I enjoyed my Rainbow trout, the bread, I ordered a side of garlic mash (which was $8...but heck, all sides were $8), a crab cake, (which was jumbo lump, but not that big compared to other places), and Key Lime pie to go. Hubby went more breakfast style, he ordered an omelet, sausage, potatoes, a salad, and a skewer of grilled shrimp. All in all we liked our over-priced food and want to come back for dinner.
(4)
Danielle B.
Rubbery chicken, reheated scallops, salad in a pool of olive oil, bad presentation, I'd be better off at Applebee's.
(1)
Mark M.
Went Thanksgiving eve with family, and we got lucky and were seated in the small room with the working fireplace. Only 2 other tables in there. Places like this, besides good food, you are paying for good service. For example, the waiter spilled one of the champagnes to the side of the table. It wasn't hurting anyone, he didn't say a word, got another, acted like nothing happened and didn't clean the one up in the corner. Classically classic. Had the rib eye but think I'll get the filet next time. It was a too large for me. One of the group had the burger and fries which were excellent, and one of our vegetarians had the truffle macaroni and cheese, which looked perfect. Timeless, classic, I recommend again.
(4)
Nancy S.
My husband and I used to eat at Oregon Grille a few times a year and initially loved dining here. Our most recent visit however was horrible. We called and made a reservation and were seated immediately. Our waiter, however, did not come over to us for about 15-20 min. He kept walking past just staring at us. When he finally came over, no introduction or apologies just "what would you like to order?" I ordered wine which wasn't brought to the table until after my appetizer. So I sat for over 40 min without a drink. I have never had such horrible service. Food is not as good as it used to be, and I feel they skimp on portion size and quality during restaurant week. If you want a nice meal, drive the extra 15 min and go to the Milton Inn.
(2)
Christopher W.
One of the worst meals I've had in a while unfortunately. It's a lovely setting; given that the dining room requires a jacket we opted to sit outside. It's though kind of awkward to walk inside to see the host when what you really want to do is sit outside.... Service was pretty solid but the good itself for the most part ranged from mediocre to downright awful; save for one dish. We started with the lobster bisque and crab and avocado wontons. The lobster bisque wasn't hot enough and had congealed a bit. I like my lobster bisque with a hit of sherry in it and this wasn't offered unfortunately. My wife had the crab and avocado wontons which were mostly avocado.. The one bright spot was my wife's soft shells crab specials which she said were excellent (unfortunately I'm allergic and couldn't partake). I ordered the cowboy steak; which is bar none one of my favorite cuts of meat. I ordered it medium rare and what arrived was a well done steak. I did send it back and the next steak was rare; which I also sent back after trying to make do. After some additional heat time, it came back close enough but sadly it was for the most part a tough, flavorless, completely unmemorable steak. Unfortunately, there was zero attempt by the restaurant to rectify the situation. I was brought the bill, which I promptly paid and left. I thought of asking for a manager but I didn't want to spend 1 more minute there... In addition, I feel if a meal gets sent back twice one shouldn't have to ask for the manager. The manager should show up and make attempts at a service recovery. I'll definitely avoid the Oregon Grille in the future.
(1)
Lucy E.
My mother and recently decided to stop here for a quick lunch and take advantage of their 7 for 7 deal (each day of the week has a $7 lunch special). We called ahead and were told we could enjoy this deal on their patio. Once we arrived we were told otherwise, that it had to be purchased at the bar. Fine. We sat in the bar lounge to order our chicken caesar salads. The bread comes hot, but is not very good. The salad themselves were TERRIBLE. The dressing was extremely bland with no flavor and there was nothing stand out about the salad. I'd rather have a caesar salad at Graul's. We wanted to try the grille for lunch to see if it was worth going to for dinner, but I will never go back.
(2)
B L.
Good food...prices are upscale usual...best thing is they have Chimay beer at the bar...after a few of Chimays its all good....
Pricey, but great service and nice atmosphere. The appetizer cheese plate is amazing. Portions are large, so come hungry. Jackets are required for men, do dress appropriately. They are known for their steaks, but their fish is also very good.
(4)
Pharmartist E.
My husband and I dined the day after Valentine's day. The ambience was great but the food was not so great. For the price of that food, we could have dined at a better restaurant. Overall, I'm not impressed. If it helps anyone, I ordered the shrimp cocktail for appetizer. It was good. The surf and turf was my entree. The dish was blah at best. My husband also ordered steak for main course. He also said it was okay at best. For dessert, we ordered the strawberry cheesecake. Omg it was so bad. I was very disappointed with the food.
(3)
Brian J.
Love Oregon Grille - The free sushi happy hour has some of the best sushi around, its all about the vinegared rice! Unfortunately they stopped the sushi happy hour for the month of August, 2014. We'll still go back for special occasions and to chat with the amazing bartenders and staff at the bar! Excellent place for us locals.
(5)
Richard B.
This restaurant is beyond anything in a five mile radius, perhaps ten. An excellent restaurant with a superb and varied menu and expert service. It felt professional in every respect. On the downside, it is expensive and probably more so than most in the same radius - nevertheless I would personally recommend it without hesitation as the place of choice to eat well in a refined but not stuffy atmosphere.
(5)
Kati K.
My family and I have gone to the Oregon Grille regularly for Thanksgiving dinner, and after the disaster we experienced this year, we won't be back. Creativity and innovation are sorely lacking, and the customer service and hospitality are virtually nonexistent. There is no excuse for a restaurant of the Oregon Grille's caliber--not to mention price point--to treat diners with so little regard. The background: two members (including me) of our party of five are vegetarians, and in several past years, we'd appreciated that Oregon Grille served a traditional turkey dinner that appealed to the non-vegetarians, as well as a vegetarian entree that's offered as a part of the regular menu. The Vegetarian Dinner that was currently listed on the menu consisted of an assortment of tasty-sounding small items, including a bulgur wheat burger, grilled green tomatoes, red pepper stuffed with kale, an edamame succotash (which, as I'm writing this, is still what's posted on their menu online, as it was listed in the print menus we received at Thanksgiving). Several years ago, my family had another Thanksgiving dinner experience where the restaurant substituted something different for the vegetarian dinner (a bland, greasy plate of vegetable tempura...they also ran out of dark meat for the turkey dinner, but that's a whole other story!)--so when my mother made this year's reservations, she emphasized that the party included two vegetarians (who were coming from out of town) and that she wanted to make 100% sure prior to making a reservation that the Vegetarian Dinner on the menu would in fact be what Oregon Grille would be serving on Thanksgiving. The hostess (who was very nice, and this fiasco is totally not her fault) assured my mother up and down that the current Vegetarian Dinner would be available for order, and that there would be no unexpected substitutions. Unfortunately, the dinner already got off to an awkward start when we were seated at our table and realized the tablecloth was wet...very odd, and didn't seem like it could have been attributed to a small spill because literally the ENTIRE table linen was wet. I don't know how the person setting the table wouldn't have noticed, but in any case, after a short wait, we got moved to another table. Then we ordered our food, and to give credit where it's due, I will say that their butternut squash soup is delicious. Entree time, the turkey dinners for three of our party come out, and then out come the two vegetarian dinners, which turn out to be a bowl of noodles heaped with mushrooms...yes, TOTALLY different that what was on the menu. (Also, I happen to hate mushrooms, which I would have mentioned if I'd been told in advance that I'd be served pasta with mushrooms instead of the wheat burger, grilled green tomatoes, etc.) There was no explanation offered for the change, so when I expressed confusion, the waiter said "oh, this is the new vegetarian dinner." When I said that we would like the "old" vegetarian dinner as was listed on the menu, he went to check with the kitchen and then said that the bulgur wheat didn't come in, nor did the edamame, so the kitchen made the pasta with mushrooms instead. There was no mention of the green tomatoes or the stuffed red pepper, no offer to whip up something even vaguely similar to the entree listed on the menu...only to re-make the pasta with some different vegetables other than mushrooms, which they did. So we basically ended up with a bowl of noodles (no sauce other than a little butter, and so woefully under-seasoned that I had to attack the dish with the pepper shaker and even the salt, and I almost never need to add salt to things), topped with some sauteeed vegetables, which also had virtually no seasoning. The principle made me way more upset than the crappy food. What restaurant--especially one that charges what Oregon Grille does, and holds itself out to be a sophisticated fine-dining venue--thinks that it's acceptable to plunk down any old dish in front of a diner that is COMPLETELY different from what the customer ordered, with absolutely NO advance communication at the time of ordering, like "I'm sorry, we're out of the Vegetarian Dinner that's listed on the menu...is the substitution of X, Y, or Z all right?" (Our server was very nice and it seemed as though the kitchen hadn't told the waitstaff about the change.) I don't know if it's just a vegetarian thing or what (if a customer ordered Filet Mignon, would the kitchen say "meh, we're out of Filet Mignon, but just take them out a plate of chicken instead!") but regardless, it's extremely disrespectful. It was equally disappointing that at NO point did a manager come out to apologize or address the situation. The following week, my mother called the restaurant, where the manager apologized, and made some vague excuse about how they were changing over the menu (maybe that would be a nice thing to let your customers know, hm?)
(1)
Lauran S.
It is what it is...typical fair for a restaurant known for its pretentious clientele and neighborhood. I've lived in Hunt Valley for 15 years and typically went here for prom as a teenager, business dinners with colleagues and casual celebrations with friends. All around nice place. Not your everyday jaunt. I find the tables to be very tight and the place overpriced as a whole. There are many other places in the area to get the same, if not better food, sans the pretentious attitude in the HV area. This has turned into a landmark restaurant. Like a Peerce's or Milton Inn.
(3)
Megan C.
Came here for my sons birthday. Being 16 he immediately went for the steak and crab cakes, while I had the soft shelled crabs with gazpacho to start. Our meals were delicious but what made it a great night was our server Paul. The place is stuffy but he has a great sense of humor to lighten the atmosphere and his wine suggestions were spot on. Pricey but a special night.
(4)
Leland C.
Well, what can you say...it was not for anyone younger than baby boomers. We had a company dinner there and were seated in the bar. They had a cheese bar, which had more flies eating it than people. Few were interested in the wine samples. The crowd was on average 50+, and the mood was boring. The freaky jokey lights in front did not help. Now the key: the food was okay. I had barley/beef soup, and the recipe tasted of 1918. Take that for what it is worth, but not much flavor. I had the pork chop, and it was wonderful. Cooked perfectly, and had a nice indoor BBQ flavor. Overall, there has be to something better for your money nearby. It was a wonderful history lesson though.
(2)
Christie D.
My husband and I had dinner here during restaurant week. We sat outside in their garden area which was really beautiful. The food was great. I had the crab cake entree and my husband got a steak. Both of us really enjoyed the meal. The only reason for a 4 star rating is the prices are on the high side. Just an fyi - If you are eating inside the restaurant - guys must wear a sports coat on Fri/Sat evenings.
(4)
Lauren Z.
Expensive but everything is always delicious. And the staff is very attentive and friendly
(4)
Vincent C.
Best Restaurant in Baltimore County. Great Ambience, Great Service, Great Food & a Great Bar. Expansive menu with great selection. Seating is Comfy. Great date night.
(5)
Larry C.
Our family came here for Bunch with great expectation, but leave with a bit disappointment. Soup de jour, the Maryland crab soup was very salty. Tenderloin Steaks were over cooked. Oregon Salad had much leaves so as my seafood salad. However I gave them credit for Scallop appetizer, fried Oyster and the Onion rings were really good.
The wine at the restaurant was good, but that is about the only nice thing I can say about my experience. I recently went to the Oregon Grille with a very large group. I ordered a Cesar salad and a chicken dinner. First, the Cesar salad was not good. For the price and for how fancy this restaurant is, I expected a dignified take on this classic dish. Instead I got a salad that I could find at any diner in America at twice the price. Second, the chicken. Keep in mind that I am Jewish and I do not eat pork products, so I ordered the chicken because there was nothing on the menu to indicate that it was wrapped in bacon. When I received my meal, I did not immediately notice the problem and so I took a few bites. I was dismayed to find that I had eaten bacon against my religious convictions. I was very upset. The wait staff offered to give me a new plate but I was not interested because I was upset about already haven eaten something I did not want. The day after, when I was in a better mood, I double checked the restaurant's website to make sure that the mistake was not mine. Nope, there was nothing to indicate on the menu that the chicken was wrapped in bacon. I wrote an email to the restaurant explaining the problem. I was polite, but explained that I was upset and I advised that in the future the menu should note any pork products included in their dishes. I thought I might receive an apology from the restaurant, but they totally failed to respond. Because the food was ridiculously over priced, because it was not very good and especially because I was given poor customer service, I am giving them a one star review.
(1)
Brian D.
The best in Baltimore County. My family and I have gone there multiple times and it ALWAYS lives up to the expectation. The ambience is great - I asked for my future father-in laws blessing to marry his daughter while dining at The Oregon Grille. The rolls are amazing, the rockfish is fantastic, and the desserts are top notch.
(5)
L S.
went here to have a nice family brunch after baltimore magazine recommended the brunch on the patio. service was super slow - 45 minutes after we sat down to take our order and another 45 till it was served. and it was NOT busy. we were 5 diners - 3 salads, i burger, 1 oregon grille breakfast. NO ONE liked the food. burger was mediocre, salads were wilted, chicken was so bland and heavily crusted and pan fried - very heavy. the home fries were even dark brown and dry. i took a pic of my salad - had brown spots on leaves and SO MANY WILTY leaves. i have had way better at panera. my brother in law was so amazed at the poor quality - he paid the bill n tip in full, and THEN went to complain - so that they would know how serious he was about the quality being so sub par. it was really bad. would never go back b/c 5 out of 5 meals were disappointing.
(2)
Henry J.
I brought two friends to dinner last Thursday, October2. Not my first time at Oregon Grille, always a great dining experience. Oregon Grille's greatest achievement is the creation of a fine, elegant dining experience in a relaxed, non-stuffy atmosphere. Such a beautiful place, inside and outside. Relaxed, fun bar where I waited for my guests to arrive; the dining room that the word "ambiance" can't do justice to: so beautiful. I never had other than excellent service here, and Dottie was superlative. The menu selections, reflecting the seasons are fine, and pure magic comes out of the kitchen. I've had steak au poivre all over the world, theirs is the best. I don't know another restaurant in Maryland that comes close.
(5)
Gene G.
My family and I went here during Baltimore County restaurant week, when there was a three-course fixed price menu for $36. I was a bit skeptical after reading all of the reviews mentioning the stuffy atmosphere and unexceptional food, but I was pleasantly surprised! The menu was varied and everything was quite tasty. I don't love gazpacho, but my grandfather enjoyed his, while my bistro salad was delicious, with a huge chunk of gorgonzola rounding out the fresh cherry tomatoes. The prime rib and the pork chop were particularly good, though the roast lamb was not quite as tender and flavorful as I like it. Desert - the moose was good, but the strawberry tart with ice cream was amazing. The service was friendly, conscientious, and unassuming, though I'l admit that our server and busboy were both a bit on the green side. The jacket requirement never got in the way of my enjoyment, and the atmosphere was warm, rather than haughty and off-putting. Certainly this place is expensive, but the quality of the food and service, as well as the atmosphere, could make it a worthwhile outing, especially on a special occasion.
(4)
Carter N.
Expensive, gotta wear a jacket to dinner. I've only been for lunch, and I always get something relatively cheap. That's the nice thing about the Oregon Grille, you can go for lunch and get a sandwich or burger or salad, and those are somewhere between $10 and $20, and you get the classy wait staff and the beautiful scenery. I've eaten out on the patio, which is gorgeous but catches a lot of sun, and inside where the piano music is a nice touch and the interior feels like a spiffy historic inn. The building was the old company store for the quarry and foundry town. Definitely check out the nearby Oregon Ridge Park (great nature center, fun outdoor displays, interesting history and explanations of the foundry process). The fish and chips were excellent, light and crispy, and the burger is great. They'll treat you nice
(4)
E M.
For my first trip to Oregon Grille, I wasn't sure what to expect after reading several not-so-great reviews on here, but I have to say my experience last night was fantastic! My boyfriend and I are in our late 20s/early 30s, and don't eat out at 'classy' restaurants on the regular, so this was a special occasion for us. We had a 5:30pm reservation, and we had more casual plans after, so we wore nice jeans to dinner so as not to have to run home and change after. We were a little earlier than the dinner crowd, so we didn't feel tooo underdressed, but as more people came in the men were wearing suits and the women dresses, so you might want to go that route. They do require men to wear sports coats after 5pm, but they have some loaners and we did not feel that anyone looked down on us for being younger, wearing jeans, or needing the loaner sports coat. (Side note: they *did* seat us upstairs, which may have been to hide us as 'undesirables', as one reviewer claimed happened to them, but again we never felt looked down on, and actually enjoyed that about half of our meal was quieter and more private before the dinner crowd came in.) Now, on to the food and service.. We had a lovely server who was very friendly and attentive, we never had to try to flag her down, and all of the food came out in a reasonable amount of time (maybe owed to our early meal time?). Yes, the meal will be pricey, but you know that going in, and have to go in prepared to spend a pretty penny, and I do have to say it was worth it! At the table when we arrived was a plate of crackers with a sundried-tomato spread and a cheese spread... delicious, especially with the spreads combined! We ordered a beer and a peach sangria, and had the lobster bisque and paella risotto cakes (with lobster and shrimp pieces in it) for appetizers, both of which came out fresh and warm and amazingly tasty. The server also brought out some bread and butter before the meal, and I can't even explain but it was so good it felt like eating a fluffy cloud from heaven haha (the roll was slightly bigger than our hands, the outside was thin but crispy yet chewy, and the inside was warm, light and fluffy, and delicious). For meals we had the strip steak with onion straws and the lamb chops with roquefort mashed potatoes and micro-greens in a wine sauce of some kind, and the black truffle mac & cheese side. The steak was good, not really seasoned but a substantial piece of meat. The onion straws weren't very flavorful, and didn't add enough to be eaten with the steak, so we mostly left them alone. The lamb chops were a decent amount of meat, however slightly undercooked compared to my medium request. I tried them anyway and found that it wasn't too undercooked for my taste, so I kept eating! However, when the server came to check on us, without my prompting she also noticed the meat looked a little underdone and asked if I wanted her to take it back, which I declined (but she said to let her know if I changed my mind). The black truffle mac & cheese was also good, no complaints there besides being halfway into a food coma! Lastly, after thinking we were too full for dessert, we listened to the dessert options, and ended up just having to try the pumpkin cheesecake. It looked a little small, but ended up being very thick and substantial, not to mention delicious! Overall, we had a great time, and would return for another special occasion (dressing a little nicer though). The food was great, the service was great, and the live piano/cello(?) music playing on the first floor was very nice. Yes, it's pricey, but worth a splurge every now and again :).
(5)
John S.
Jackets required for dinner, if you don't have one they have em. Professional service with staff dressed much nicer than patrons others than a few elegant mature ladies in evening gowns and tuxedoed gents. Wine list is extraordinary and wine choices by glass were excellent, $12-20 glass, too many choices to list, but they got us inebriated on free tasters of of all the reds by the glass, a Napa cab-meritage Xtant by O'neil Vosti vineyards 2006 was quite nice and recommended though unknown to some seasoned Napa fans who tried it. I will check out their wine club, good wine. Soups, oysters bread all excellent filling lead-ins to entrees. House specials tonight a little over the top- "Pink Snapper" (what species is that?) or marinated Pork loin center served in strips only served medium well. I decided on prime rib which was highly recommended beef dish, 24oz bone in for a hefty $48, served with great horseradish served well 3 ways. Rib was excellent on outside, tough on inside, almost sent it back but full on outside meat and appetizers. Sides of mushrooms excellent, served with fried onion "strings" which should be avoided at all costs in my opinion. Brussel sprouts chopped with bacon excellent. Chicken, lamb dishes beautifully served too. Service we have read in other reviews is a bit "snooty", yes to some extent but Carrie was so professional and had several other equally demanding tables, not snooty, but professional and matter of fact when we asked for more of the excellent fresh bread, it did come fairly quickly! Piano and bass player made environment so pleasant. It's nice to dress for dinner in this day and age, food mostly very good to excellent and the way you want it or quickly changed to another item more to your liking. Service all in all very professional with wait staff but dishes "slowly cleared". Need more staff per table, Carrie did her best but too many tables and busing very slow for such an elegant establishment, why is Carrie bussing her tables herself? Asked Carrie why no bus staff and she stated, waiters here clear the plates, that's too much for this price point. No real complaints, but I do not looking at dirty plates with fat cut away from meat with the disgusting fried onion "strings" in mass for five minutes when they should have been cleared. Dessert of Apple crisp and vanilla ice cream was OK and different with granola crust. Get bus staff for servers, this is a really fine restaurant and I hate to complain, but waitress is overwhelmed tonight and still good experience but should be excellent experience at $150 per head with wine and tip, but Carrie is 5-star server and I'll be back.
(3)
Leah H.
Long ago planned, and much anticipated, our evening at Oregon Grille was delicious and delightful. Jenny provided attentive and knowledgable service and just our luck, we were at the Grille for restaurant week. First we chose from the standard menu and enjoyed the crab & shrimp bruschetta. The restaurant week menu listed the much recommended prime rib, which was perfectly prepared, and the grilled salmon was light and flavorful. Salads before our entree and desserts after were perfect accompaniments. All were enjoyed with a nice Barbera. We look forward to returning in the future!!
(5)
Debra C.
Sorry, not my kind of place. I enjoy wonderful food and have eaten in some very exclusive places that made you feel welcome whether you were dressed to the nines or dressed like a hobo. This place was chock full of the snobby country club set....the "jackets required after 5 pm" sign was the first clue. An entire bar full of trust funders looking everyone up and down was our second. So on goes the jacket for my co-worker. We were 5 minutes early for our 7:45 reservation and in a restaurant half full we cooled our heels in the bar for about 15 minutes waiting to be seated. (Third clue) We were finally seated and we mentally prepared for our long drawn out soon to be two hour dinner. We sat staring at each other for a full five minutes before the waiter deigned to grace us with his presence. He actually was a very nice man....we were both just dying to scream "bring the friggin menus and get on with it already". Sensing we were in for the long haul we ordered all at once ...wine, appetizer, meals, dessert you name it we threw it at him. All I can say of the food is Meh- it was good but nothing wowed me enough to say I've GOT to come back here. The Grille salad was mediocre....charred romaine leaves with cranberries and walnuts....nothing to write home about. Prices are outrageously expensive for what I would deem to be mediocre food. Crab cakes were....good. Again, crab didn't have great flavor, and served with plain ole tartar sauce for $38 bucks (nice remoulade maybe?) Dessert was .....interesting. They had a special dessert.....pumpkin bread pudding. And being the connoisseur of bread pudding that I am.....I had to get that. Well, the chef needs to go back to culinary school to understand the difference between bread pudding and pumpkin bread. What arrived was two slices of pumpkin bread artfully arranged on a plate , drizzled with caramel and whipped cream. That pretty much did me in......we got the check, paid the overinflated $130 bill and got the heck out of dodge. The place could be great if they'd just lose the "Hoity Toity" ness. And make it a little more pleasant place to be in. Oh, and hire someone who actually knows how to make bread pudding.
(2)
Dave M.
We had 12 people at our table. The filet mignon was brisket-like. Very odd. Tender but just seemed like an odd cut of meat. The New York strip was acceptable. Nothing outstanding. The entrees and baked potato were served tepid. Why can't restaurants serve hot food? The maple cheesecake was lousy. (Barely anyone ate theirs.) And the restaurant has no clue what bread pudding is. It's NOT sliced, hard, flavored bread (which is what was served to us). I've no reason to return to Oregon Grille.
(2)
Tatiana M.
Went here for lunch one weekday with my colleagues. We are a very casually dressed crowd (most wear jeans and Tshirts on any given day), and it seemed like the host immediately marked us as "undesirables" in his book and seated us in a remote booth (remote from other customers but in direct proximity to the kitchen door, which meant all servers had to pass our table every time they go to and from). The wait for food was VERY long, 40 min at least ,and that's with mostly empty restaurant and 5 servers, the food was OK with the exception of oversalted mashed potatoes. Very stuffy place, like they were never informed it is 21st century. One of my colleagues put is simply :"I feel like I do not own enough horses to eat at this place". Sums it up.
(2)
Amanda S.
We went here today for lunch on a Saturday. It was not too crowded and we got seated right away without a reservation. This place is classy- feels like you are in an exclusive country club. White tablecloths, plenty of seating, yet it all feels very intimate and cozy. We shared the Grilled Oysters for an appetizer. They brought us these big hot sourdough rolls that felt like they were fresh out of the oven with chilled butter. They were sooo good! The waiter was great about bringing us refills before we even had to ask. He also asked if we wanted more rolls to sop up the lemon-butter juice from the oysters. Very nice waiter. We both got the spinach salad which I liked a lot. Minimal ingredients, but tasted so fresh and delicious. Thick bacon, minimal dressing, rich green textured spinach leaves, sunflower seeds. The bowls they served it in were even unique. For entree I got lamb chops med-well. it was cooked perfectly and served with a squash medley in a sweet pear sauce with cherries and some other delicious things in the sauce. I had to take it home because there was so much food, but it was delicious. I love when chefs can do med-well right the first time. My mom got a burger and a side of juliene fries. She seemed very happy with her meal and we finished with hot tea and coffee. Upon leaving, we grabbed some candy going out the door which were candy sticks dipped in chocolate. Even the candy was upscale. We will definitely visit again.
(5)
Valerie C.
This year, my family decided to eat out for Thanksgiving dinner rather than go to the fuss of hosting. While there were several restaurants open, the Oregon Grille was one of the few open out in the county rather than downtown. Not only did we luck out with location but it was a lovely experience. The building itself was very cozy - and equestrian themed. There is a small plaque on the front door saying jackets required after 5:30PM. So this is definitely a traditional place - as evidenced by some of the classic dishes on the menu - Oysters Rockefeller, Steak au poivre etc. There was definitely a sense of Old World sensibility about the place. I didn't realize the restaurant was multi storied and that some of the seating was on the 2nd floor. Unfortunately one of our guests could not climb steps. Despite it being a packed house and what was apparently one of their busiest nights, the staff were able to find us a new table and seat us comfortably in front of a real fireplace that only added to the holiday atmosphere of the evening. The service was slightly slow but was very attentive (the place was completely packed!). The food was really good - my father's steak was more than generous and their set Thanksgiving menu was everything I could have asked for. There was a pretty decent wine selection. When my family said they wanted to eat out this Thanksgiving, I said only if the food was as good as my cooking or better. Our Thanksgiving at the Oregon Grille certainly met that stipulation. I definitely plan to go back another time and try the rest of their menu.
(4)
Paul S.
I will admit there were a few things in prior reviews that were on the money. Such as the clientele. As I looked across the place I saw nothing but older people, I mean real old. The only young people were the kids being dragged along by their parents. Like private school kids. So the fact that this is a formal restaurant pretty much shouts it. I took off my jacket for about 5 seconds because it was getting so warm, and the waiter comes by and says "the manager has informed me you must put your coat back on." Excuse me? I'm warm, and what if I cant cut my steak in a coat? Its not like i didn't come in or didn't leave with the attire that is asked of me. Kind of rude. The waiter was constantly breathing hard on me, you could feel his hot breath on your face! the Caesar salad tasted really good, the cheese had a very nice sharpness to it. Most steaks are Market Price so you don't even know what you paying until the check comes. I'll admit it was a huge steak, but there was little to no sauce, and you purchase sides individually to be shared. Something about the creamed spinach tasted really off. I was sick that night and the day after so something might have been wrong with it. The size of the fish dish was really small though and what came with it mostly was to paint a picture not to be eaten, but thats what you get at 5 star places like this I suppose. For all the fuss it just seem to impress me overall. This place is for the older crowd who enjoy presentation and big spending rather than the food itself. Bigger, Fancier, and Big dollar signs don't always mean better.
(2)
Andrew R.
Eh. You can probably get a sense of this place from the other reviewers. It is old school money, where everything is marked up because the wealthy would rather spend more on average food/drinks in exchange for a stuffy restaurant/bar. Also, to the reviewer who didn't like bugs at her outside table: derp. I've only had lunch and after work drinks here, but I get the sense that if you aren't wearing a jacket, they'll look askance at you.
(3)
Michelle H.
Frankly, our dining experience here was lack luster and borderline offensive. I am surprised this restaurant has the kind of reputation that it does. My husband and I dined here for our our anniversary a little while back. While we are a young couple - the youngest by decades compared to the rest of the diners when we were there - we should by no means be treated differently because of it. From the start, our waiter had a condescending tone and manner. He actually scoffed at my husband's beer order (he doesn't drink wine.) But the icing on the cake, that still gets me fired up thinking about it, is when he brought out our knives for our entrees and had the nerve to say "I'm watching you two - I don't want to see any sword fighting with these." No lie. Needless to say, that was an exceptionally memorable anniversary for all the wrong reasons and as a result, we'll never go back to Oregon Grille. I'd speak more about the food here if I could, but really it wasn't that memorable. As for the atmosphere - I've heard the outside dining area is gorgeous during the warmer months - but we dined indoors since it was cooler. The decor is the typical country club feel - nothing exciting. Frankly, I get that it's a Baltimore landmark or something, but it's one that can be overlooked, in my humble opinion.
(1)
Jillian B.
My parents love the Oregon Grille, so I've had my fair share of brunches and lunches here. This restaurant is upscale and has an equestrian theme, complete with cute little jockey statues guiding you to the entrance. You'll be greeted by a host, and if you are a man and it's dinner time, you better be wearing a jacket... My most recent trip to the Oregon Grille was for brunch. I was craving something with seafood, and there's plenty of options here in this category. The Warm Lobster Salad sounded very appealing, so I decided to go for it. It far exceeded my expectations! I was expecting small chunks of lobster, but got what seemed like a pound of lobster meat! The flavors of the thinly sliced vegetables, watercress, and the buttery, lemony vinaigrette went perfectly together. I was too full for dessert but my mom swears the 'blueberry slump' is the best dessert on the menu. Moms are usually right. Other meals I've had here have been good, but not terribly memorable. The service is a bit hit or miss... I do enjoy the live piano music, especially since the pianist is my former music teacher! All in all, I would recommend Oregon Grille if you are looking for a place to have a nice meal with the family out in horse country. It's a Baltimore County staple.
(4)
Asam S.
This is one of the best dining experiences I have had in Baltimore. Yes, this restaurant may cater to an older clientele. Yes, this restaurant has very 'old world' decor. And, yes, one may feel slighly out of place if they are not dressed appropriately. And maybe coming here during restaurant week was not a good idea... Having said that--the food is delicious. We have tried appetizers, salads, main courses and desserts, and I honestly think the food was superb all around. We were a party of 6 and given a booth upstairs. It was cozy and private. The service is great and the staff is extremely welcoming... We have been here for a Sunday brunch and a dinner (more formal). No one made us feel like we 'didn't belong'. (I have a feeling that, in our way-too-casual-society, anyone who remotely looks 'establishment' is going to be treated with some level of suspicion.) I would definetely come back.
(5)
Gracie A.
We were disappointed in Sunday brunch. Really slow service left us plenty of time to contemplate how run down the surroundings were. Face plates for air returns on ceiling completely rusted, carpet was old worn and filthy, ceramic tile grout and cracks in bathroom literally black with filth. I don't think they were ever cleaned. Empty tissue boxes paper towels bits on floor in ladies. Watched two tables seated after our party of 4 be served and leave. And we ordered eggs and waffles! Asparagus in my omelette raw. Husband's eggs under done. Just really odd for a restaurant in this price category. Dau adds no maple syrup for her waffle.
(3)
Rahsaan L.
We attended Oregon Grille for Mother's Day dinner around 6pm and I left there thinking, "Really?" The server was excellent ,but the food was very average. The Prime Rib had too much marbling and by the time I pulled away the fat I had a petite filet. The side dishes were luke warm. The only thing exceptional about the experience was the price tag. For your money, you can find a better quality of food for a similar price at the actual Prime Rib restaurant in Baltimore City.
(2)
Allison L.
We came here for restaurant week lunch and it was generally a good experience. The restaurant is in a really nice, beautiful setting off Shawan Road and the outside is really nice (if it hadn't been a gross, cold, raining day, the patio would have been excellent at lunch time). It would've been better if the lunch menu included more "regular" food, and not so many sandwiches, but everything was still good. The rolls they start you off with at soooo good and huge, we were almost full at that point. We all either got the caesar salad or the gazpacho, and while the caesar salad was good, the gazpacho was served on essentially a plate the bowl was so shallow, which made it awkward to eat. Between the 5 of us, we got the steak, polo club, and seared tuna sandwich, and we ended up getting all the different dessert options. No one had any complaints about anything and everything looked really good. It was much more casual at lunch time, which was good since we already felt somewhat awkward being a bunch of 20 somethings at a restaurant that seemed geared towards people much older than us. Another Yelper remarked that the staff wasn't young but I found it to be a good mix; the host was older and a few of the waiters were as well, but our waiter and several others were close to our ages. Regardless, service was pretty perfect. I might come back at some point, but probably not at dinner because any restaurant that requires men to wear jackets seems like it could be a little too stuffy and not really my scene. Overall though, great food, great service, great experience.
(4)
Andre M.
We decided to go here on Thanksgiving instead of cooking/eating at home this year. I knew in advance that there was a jacket requirement because it is listed where I made reservations and on their website. It didn't bother me. We ordered off the regular menu instead of the prix fixe meal. Everything was top notch. The grilled oysters were plum and tasty. The heirloom salad was good but I don't think they understand what heirloom means. Entrees were outstanding. The ribeye was cooked perfectly, the rockfish was great and the veggie platter was on point. Coffee was blah and the maple cheesecake was blah as well but the espresso chocolate cake was very good. Service was flawless. It is pricey. Not a place I would go to for a regular Thursday night but it was a very good dining experience.
(4)
Jennifer K.
I went here this past Valentine's Day. Overall, an enjoyable, "A-OK" experience: Service was adequate, food was tasty and cooked to temperature, desserts satisfactory. Everything was good but not memorable. I am grateful that we had such a pleasant experience on such a busy evening. But for this price point, I would probably choose Woodberry Ktichen or Wit and Wisdom.
(3)
Gaz H.
This restaurant understands that "formal" doesn't necessarily equal stuffy. Our waiter & the bartender were both cool cats with a sense of humor. Great and creative grape martini cocktail for the wife. The soup special (leek and potato) was great. Entrees (special maho mahi and duck off the menu) were good but not great. Chef needs to season (salt) his risotto and his couscous. Facility was very nice. Good all- around package and looks like "someplace special" if your goal is to impress, but there are better meals to be had in baltimore.
(4)
Sandy S.
My initial impression was good, but once we experienced the whole thing, we determined that this place is lackluster, the food is bland and not great, and the service was AWFUL! We were hoping for something akin to The Prime Rib in Baltimore, but this place can't be compared to the class that you find at The Prime Rib. The live piano music was nice. We were led to our table by a very nice gentleman. That's where my good opinion ended. Our server came over and handed us the menus and proceeded to tell us about the special, before even taking our drink order. She asked if we would like a wine list (duh)....maybe they don't have enough wine lists to go around, I mean c'mon, even Pizzeria Uno gives you a wine list without asking for it! We eventually placed our orders and got settled. The appetizers were pretty good. We had grilled oysters (nice and plump), and beef carpaccio which was tasty. Some of the things I expect from a restaurant that requires a jacket for the men: 1. the server should be vigilant about refilling wine glasses. 2. a very attentive dining room staff. 3. steak (and all menu items) should be prepared as ordered. 4. when food is not prepared properly and requires a redo, the manager should come over and offer apologies. 5. patrons shouldn't have to wait for serving utensils 6. Servers should not reach across someones food to fill another person's wine glass. 7. Server shouldn't forget what the patron ordered to drink - especially when there are only two drinks to remember. This restaurant violated all of the above. The dining room staff was NOT attentive at all. When they served the dinner rolls (which were very good by the way), they somehow miscalculated and only brought 3 rolls to a table of 4. Is counting that difficult? My husband had to wait for his roll, and then when they brought it to him, they put it on the dish he was eating off of....they should have placed it on a different dish off to the side - not a big deal, just unclassy. I ordered my ribeye steak medium RARE. When I cut into it I knew it wrong when I had to really saw my way into it with the steak knife. I looked at the meat and it was brown all the way through. Maybe a little bit of pink - barely. I pointed it out to the server. She said "oh, is it not right? Would you like them to make you a different one?" Well, since I was paying $40 for a piece of steak, heck yeah I wanted it done right! Everyone else at the table ordered filet mignon and it was done right. After a few minutes the server brought a plate for me to at least eat some of the shared side dishes at the table. She did apologize, but I was a bit annoyed that the manager didn't bother to come over and offer at least an apology or something. We had to ask someone for serving utensils for our side dishes. Our sides were Truffle Mac & Cheese and Creamed Spinach. The former was delicious - I love the taste of truffle oil. The latter was good, but there must have been mint in the recipe because there was a minty sensation that lingered on the palate for awhile...not bad, but also not wonderful. Some time later, the server brought my steak and she said "you're probably full by now after eating the sides". That was a ridiculous thing to say. Should I have laughed at the fact that the chef can't cook a steak right? Should I have laughed that I expected to eat my entree along with the rest of my party but instead got to eat side dishes? How stupid. She should have sincerely apologized and offered the appetizers on the house or something. Finally, the meal was concluded and rather than bring the dessert menu, the server just simply asked if anyone would like dessert or coffee. Again, maybe they're short on menus, but a classy place would simply bring the dessert menus regardless. Bottom line....this place lacks class and luster. The service is poor, and the food is ok, but not great (if its cooked right the first time). I would say the prices are too steep for the overall experience. Save your money and go to Outback next time.
(2)
Jan T.
Having never been to this restaurant, but having heard a lot of good things from, admittedly, older clientele with money, we decided to seize the opportunity of Baltimore County Restaurant Week to try the place on for size. First off, I had read my Yelp reviews and noted the jacket requirement. This only applies at dinner time, apparently, as the lunch crowd shuffled in in either regular street clothes (for those under 70), or Alfred Dunner for "the regulars" as it appeared from the way they were greeted. Not a good sign. The decor is old-fashioned. Our both was a little tight, even for us skinny folk, and the wall had specks of dried-on food on it, very out of compliance with the cost of the average menu items. But, back to the decor. The restaurant is kept in a jockey theme, with statues and pictures of the equine persuasion all around. Overall it gives you a staid feeling, as if the place needed an upgrade. The service was impersonal to the point of being rude. The online menu had indicated that there would be a wine pairing with the RW menu but when asked the waiter just rudely suggested that they do not do wine tastings but he could suggest something. A further inquiry about draft beer also yielded a rude "none", even though they have a well-stocked looking bar. Disappointing. The food, however, took the cake. We started with a salmon tartare, which generally is small, cold chunks of salmon. Here, for some ungodly reason, they chose to do it asian but somehow screwed it up. The salmon itself was sushi-style (think spicy salmon roll) mushy tuna on overcooked rice with seaweed salad. It has also been chilled for a while, since the rice was hard to cut. The mains were forgettable. My dining companion had a shrimp and chicken salad platter, both of which were bland. On top of that, the chicken was overcooked and old, tasting rather tough. My shrimp fra diavolo featured overcooked shrimp and I was not given a spoon for the linguine, so that could have been messy. Dessert was similarly forgettable. I had a chocolate mousse that tasted like chocolate pudding. Somehow had apparently forgotten to fluff it, or perhaps it was just Jello, everything else tasting rather pre-made. Overall this restaurant was diappointing. I understand a special menu may not be to your liking, but there is no need to act snooty about it. Furthermore, since this can be used to generate new business and your regulars are not long for this world, perhaps giving a good show would be in your interest. We will not be returning.
(2)
Mike F.
Sunday brunch withe the family. Elegant dining experience. Not as formal for brunch as it is for dinner. Food is creative and delicious. Service was friendly and pleasant. Only drawback is the price... a tad bit high, but not out of this world pricey.
(4)
Rima H.
Went here for a late lunch with friends (4 adults and a kid altogether) on a lazy hot + humid Sunday afternoon. We sat outside which is nice but a bit warm, in retrospect. Still, the service was good -- the waiter was very attentive. The food: I loved the gazpacho and the seafood cobb. Other dishes consumed by my companions also looked good. High quality ingredients... The wine list was impressive. I'd have loved to drink red but, due to the heat, we opted for an Italian white (Banfi). Worked like a charm! Would come back to this place.
(4)
Jesse K.
First off, I feel the need to admit the following; I am not a part of the northern Baltimore County "Horsey Set", I am not loaded with old money, and my wife and I are under 40. Contrary to what some other reviewers have said, none of these factors diminish at all our consistent enjoyment of Oregon Grille. I also could add that we are not "Regulars" (couldn't afford to be, unfortunately), and we seriously enjoy good food (i.e. we are not swayed by stuffy service, nice furniture, or mood lighting to think that mediocre food is actually noteworthy). Having said all of this, Oregon Grille is one of our favorite special occasion destinations and it has been for years due to the consistent service, classy atmosphere, and impeccable quality of food. A recent anniversary dinner proved no exception as we were graciously seated immediately (without a reservation) and then treated to an awesome meal. Any oyster lover who goes to the Grille needs to order the grilled oysters in lemon butter with chives. They are incredible, easily the finest fresh oyster dish I've ever had, with succulent flavors melding into a memorable start to the meal. The beet salad special with carpaccio-style rainbow beets was also fresh and inventive; a great way to use fresh seasonal vegetables that would not be out of place at Woodberry Kitchen, another of our favorite places. Heirloom tomato salad with balsamic also clearly included freshly made mozzarella, and was delicious. For my entree, although I am usually a steak guy (their steaks are uniformly fabulous) I went with the rockfish. Served piping hot on a bed of crab "Delmarva" hash, it was expertly prepared to allow the delicate flavor of the fish be the center of attention. My wife ordered the lobster cardinale and, likewise, the preparation somehow managed to be extravagantly rich while also making the fresh lobster meat sing. Chocolate cake for dessert (made in house) was decadent and a perfect complement to my Balvenie Double Wood scotch digestif. As a scotch whisky enthusiast, I can heartily endorse the Oregon Grille scotch selection, and the detailed descriptions of the character of scotches hailing from the different regions of Scotland is a nice touch on the dessert menu. The wine list also is excellent. I can certainly understand that Oregon Grille is not everyone's cup of tea. Yes, it does cater to an older clientele, but never have we felt out of place or looked down upon due to our age or appearance. Personally, I very much enjoy dressing in a more sophisticated manner for dinner; my wife and I dress to the 9's and feel like we are totally killing it when we walk into the place. It's a great feeling that anyone who actually looks for the opportunity to dress up instead of dress down will be sure to appreciate. In closing, Oregon Grille is old school dining the way it should be; elegant, attentive, gracious, and indulgent. But most of all, it is the food that shines and that is as it should be. I can only counter some of the relatively negative reviews posted here by saying I have never found Oregon Grille to be stuffy, the service never has been rude, the food never has tasted pre-prepared, the walls and tables have always been clean, and our experiences there always have been delightful. It is too expensive to dine there regularly but we look forward to many more celebrations at Oregon Grille and I eagerly anticipate my kids being old enough to begin making their own memories at this fantastic Baltimore County landmark.
(5)
Don D.
I went here for a business lunch. It's a nice place, food was good, lunches were about $20 an entree. The waiter, Tom, was very friendly, and I would go back, but probably wouldn't go out of my way to get here.
(3)
Iby M.
We came here for Valentine's Day this past year. It was supposed to be a romantic, nice date at a classy place we haven't gone to before (we generally stay in the county). As it was a holiday, the clientele was probably a bit younger than usual; there were some younger couples there for the same reasons that we chose the restaurant. However, given the stuffy overall appearance and the must-wear-jacket rule, I'm guessing that the crowd is usually much older on average. We had 8pm reservations, and were told that it would be a 45 minute wait... with our reservations. No apologies, no offers for an appetizer or drink while we waited, nothing. As it is, we didn't get sat until almost 10pm. It took over 1.5 hours WITH OUR RESERVATIONS to get a seat for just one table for two. At a place that is comparable in price (Woodberry Kitchen), I've had to wait for a reservation with a larger group of people (8-10 people), and it was only a 15 minute wait, and we were sent a round of champagne and given some free appetizers as an apology. Once we were FINALLY seated, our server was friendly and pleasant. The food was good, although not outstanding. The menu options were very traditional -- and not in a good way. It was all things that we had seen before. The steak was cooked to my liking, and my fiance and I enjoyed our appetizers (most memorably, the oysters rockefeller), but the price tag was way too expensive for the quality of food and overall experience. I would not come back here. Given the horrendous service by the management (who did not acknowledge the long wait or even offer to make our experience more enjoyable by a dessert on the house or a free drink), we will spend our money at a place like Woodberry Kitchen the next time we want to go out for a special celebratory meal.
(2)
T M.
We went here for Baltimore Restaurant Week. For a jacket required restaurant, it really met all the points in terms of customer service. We had the dinner menu. My boyfriend ordered the beef carpaccio, filet mignon, and chocolate chip cook and ice cream. I ordered salmon tartare, MD crab cake, and chocolate mousse. The appetizer was OK at best. The sushi rice that the salmon tartare was placed over was mushy and not done right. The salmon was not sweet and when I think of salmon tartare, I rather have it "poke" style. Like Ahi Tuna tartare or Ahi Tuna Poke. Anyway, the beef carpaccio was OK at best. The main dish however made up for this. The filet mignon was tender but we could really do without the onion crisps. The crab cake was done right and I really had no criticism there. The dessert was below par. The chocolate chip cookie with ice cream could have been done at home by me. And the chocolate mousse was bland. With that being said, the service was excellent. They were attentive. Our food came out in rhymthic timing. The water was never below the half way mark. The butter and bread was excellent and the server was always around for us to ask for more. We ordered 1 bottle of wine, which made it all worth while. Anyway, it was a very nice experience and would recommend to anyone. We're a young couple and we really didn't feel out of place.
(4)
John K.
The two most important things about a staff, to me, is that they be knowledgeable and be un-intrusive. Good food, of course, is important, but I've had good food in a lot of places. What separates fine dining is the service. Their command of the menu (i.e., preparation methods), command of the wine list (there's is quite impressive), and un-intrusive service (they do not stop and force conversation, or put their elbows in your face) all point to a polished, well planned and flawlessly executed experience. All of the food I had was delightful; the julienne fries, the creamed spinach, the lobster bisque...all wonderful. The bourbon glazed pork was marvelous as well. The wine list is outstanding. I was there for lunch, and my fiance and I split a glass of rose sparkling wine (Schramsburg Mirabelle Rose) for our bisque, and a half bottle of Shafer Merlot for our entrees. We weren't making an evening of this, we just wanted a few pleasant treats for the afternoon. As such, a half bottle was the supreme choice. Any list that has half bottles is already making friends with me, but their selections were useful and intelligent. Nothing terribly nerdy, and quite flexible with food. The full bottles did get a little nerdy, which made me envious of people that would be their for dinner...luckily, I can always go back. This really is what a forward-looking steakhouse should be. It is not entrenched; it is capable of change. It is not only a steakhouse. In fact, the term "steakhouse" does not do it justice. The cuisine is distinctly American, but so much more than another Morton's/Ruth's Chris/Shula's/Flemings. It is focused on wine; it is not an afterthought. The service is professional, informed and not young. As a younger member of the food service profession, I feel I can comfortably say that a restaurant full of young people is often a sign of an amateur operation. That, I can honestly say, was not the case. This is one of the best efforts in the Baltimore area, by far. If looking for a memorable meal, consider a classic Maryland horse-country experience, rather than another urban clone.
(5)
Ollie G.
I would say it is a far cry from a 4-5 star review that it seems to get on yelp. I took my dad for his birthday here tonight as this is considered one of the best restaurants in Baltimore. The restaurant required a jacket for gentlemen, and so I expected the service to compliment the apparent dress code. From the time we arrived, we waited probably about 5 minutes before the the gentlemen ( with a one size fits all suit) greeted us and walked us to our table. Greeted meaning, ''may I help you '' not , ''I am sorry have you been waiting long''. This restaurant obviously has a regular clientele that keeps them in business, and don't really care to have new comers. It caters very much to '' older money''. So the first impression ( for what is suppose to be) was a 2 out of 5. Once we were seated, we did have a waiter who was polite, somewhat interesting but in a rehearsed kind of way. We ordered, and aside from him bringing the plates he was no where to be seen, I had to ask other waiters walking by for things we needed etc. So the waiter 2 out of 5. The Sommelier was excellent, once i explained what we were looking for, he recommended a fantastic bottle of wine. I would say a solid 4.5 out of 5 for the sommelier. The salads were excellent 4.5 out of 5. No elaboration on this point, just great! Two of us had a fish both were completely bland. My dad who is 70 years old, and watches his salt intake found it unpalatable. I understand you can always add salt, but come on this is not a high grade hospital food on medical restrictions diet ( though i understand their concern considering the primarily geriatric clientele). Main dish had HUGE potential as everything else about the dish was done perfectly, but complete lack of salt brings it down to 3 out of 5. A chef should not have let that dish out of the kitchen, never mind sending TWO completely under seasoned dishes out of the kitchen. Now, for the price and supposed reputation I give it a solid low 3 out of 5. Had it been half the price and dress code with a properly dressed chef de salle ( he looked ridiculous in his cheap suit) then it would have been a different story.. Would I go back, maybe as I haven't tried their steaks, but if they make me put on a blazer I would laugh in their face and tell them to look in the mirror. PS .. I wore a jacket tonight, I am not sore about the dress code, I actually like and appreciate it. I just think its ridiculous to enforce one when they don't pay attention to their own.
(3)
Gordy B.
This place is very expensive, but the Steak Au Poive (medium rare) is my death-row meal. The couvoiser cream sauce and the onion straws... orgasmic is the only word that suits this steak meal. If you don't get the Steak Au Poive, you've wasted your time.
(4)
Ashley Z.
my sister had her wedding reception here for a group of about 30. we were seated in the third floor at one very long table and i was impressed. the building is awesome - old stone, cool pictures and artwork, reminds you of an old country estate. all of the wait staff were friendly and did a great job. for appetizers we had the choice of lobster bisque or caesar salad. the lobster bisque was lick the bowl out good...i used the awesome fresh bread that they served to clean my bowl. husband had the salad and he thought it was really good. for dinner we had a choice of crab cake with fresh fruit salsa, organic chicken with mashed potatoes and broccoli, or steak tenderloin with fries and coleslaw. i had the chicken and it was great. moist, flavorful, and the broccoli looked like it was just steamed but was so flavorful. hubs loved his steak and my dad thought the crab cake was awesome. this place is definitely expensive but everything we had would seem to suggest that the price is justified for the quality of food served, the atmosphere, and service.
(5)
Rachel C.
This place is great for a sophisticated, older crowd. It's old-fashioned and horse-race-themed. The food was excellent and so was the service. I recommend it for a special occasion dinner with parents or grandparents. (And try the Beer, Cheese, and Broccoli Soup!)
(4)
Margot T.
We visited this restaurant during Baltimore county's current restaurant week. We had heard a lot about it and wanted to try it to see if it could be an alternative to our usual fine dining establishment in the area. Sadly this place is not up to snuf. We were greated out side by a row of faded jockey figurines and the decorating theme continued inside with hunting and jockey prints , highlighted by dried up food on the wall .Interesting enough the caked up food was all at head hight of a seated guest. Makes you wonder if his is bad cleaning , bad management or food fights in the restaurant. We further noticed that the over seventies crowd was much better received then the youger people though we made it a point to dress respectably for the occasion. Now to the service and the food. The restaurants advertises wine pairing on the website and that seems to be the only place where it takes place , not in real life. Upon my questions if they had any beer on draught I received a disgusted 'none' from the waiter. A restaurant in this price range should carry some superior european and local brews on tap. Our starter was salmon tatar or rather a sorry excuse of it. Tatar should be soft with identifiable pieces in it and not the kind of salmon you place in a Sushi roll. The rice underneath was overcooked and it was not fresh. My main course was chicen and shrimp salad with devil eggs which featureda total absence of flavour and taste and looked like two spoonfulls of something coming out of a bucket at a whole sale food store. Desert was strawbery crips with ice bream and the ice cream was nice. However the crips resembled the dry food I place into my cats bowl As to the service : I do not mind to be addressed as 'folks' in a rustic pub but I find in appropriate in a restaurant that wants to be of a certain class. Sadly this place has none
(1)
Keith R.
This place gets 3 stars from me not because of the food or the ambiance, but the atmosphere. By far the stuffiest "I am so special" restaurant in MD. The restaurant is in a large house covered in steeple chase memorabilia and clearly caters to the blue blood old time staple chase crowd. A jacket is required and if you do not have one then one will be provided. Proper dress code is strictly enforced. The appetizers are delicious, but if you are looking for something outside of the box here from a flavor standpoint then forget it. Truffle mac'n'cheese is a must have, one of my all time favorite side dishes. Brunch is OK, not as good as NYC brunch spots, Miss Shirley's or Woodberry Kitchen. Steaks are good at Oregon Grille. Parking is close and free. Food is very expensive. Wine list is good and the house cab (Treasure Hunter) is the best house red I have ever tasted. There is outdoor seating which is nice if you are there in the summer or spring during the day. I am pretty sure the outdoor seating is closed during the night. At night they tend to have a pianist. Happy hour features free food (sushi and other small tapas like items), but I heard it gets pretty crowded in the bar area. Service is excellent.
(3)
Nicholette P.
I came here on a beautiful day for lunch with my mom. We shared an appetizer and each had our own meals. It was very good and a nice presentation! The patio was so lovely and definitely worth going to on a nice day. It is a bit pricey but was doable for lunch! Would love to go back for sunset dinner on the patio!!!!
(4)
Maria A.
Been here twice and honestly I am really dissapointed. Every time I am looking forward a phenomenal experience and everytime that bubble gets popped. For starters the place is immaculate, set at the foot steps of Oregon Park in Hunt Valley, the place is gourgeous with lucious gardens, outside decks and fireplace. The inside is dimly lit and almost with a foggy feeling. The services always bends over backwards to please, but often time I find them lacking of knowledge of their offerings and referring back to the chef multiple times. The food is yet another story! I am a tru believer that a restaurant should put their best foot forward during restaurant week to lurenew customer in to become regulars. My first course, the crab bisque was an insipid pale broth bearing a count of three pieces of crab. Absurd!! Nobody should call such thing bisque! The oysters were served with an original Japanese fruit of some sort, so I was informed, when it was obviously marinated in Mandarin. I must say innovative, but there is really no way one can destroy oysters, really?! (Unless they are rotten). My steak was tender and over cooked for my request for rare. The steak per se had no salt no pepper or any other spices whatsoever. Just a blunt piece of meat on a plate that had been pooly cooked. I do believe that anyone can cut a piece of steak and put it on a grill for a few minutes without any care for it. What I find absurd is doing so for a whopping $24 dollars for a 6 oz cut. I must admit that my friend steak au poivre had a quite peppery sauce (hence Poivre) this one was their "signature dish" so we were told, but at a over $30 list price. The mango sorbet with fruits, definitively store bought eventhough with fresh cut fruit. I am convinced this place is overly pretencious with substandard immagination for culinary arts. Dissapointing to say the least, especially when they potray themselves as this big culinary fantasy land. PLEASE! This will be my last time visiting. Do yourself a favor, if you want great steak, Mortons is your best bet.
(1)
Aron F.
We usually go to Prime Rib or Ruth's Chris for steak houses but I had never been to Oregon Grille and really wanted to try it out. We went to dinner on a Saturday evening at 8pm. The restaurant was full but did not seem overly busy. The waiter did not provide poor service but did not provide excellent service either. We had to ask for everything including the wine menu! The bread was not served until our entrees came out. The poor rating is mainly about the food. The service was mediocre. For the price we paid it definitely did not suite the quality of food. My husband had the spinach salad. Nothing special. I had the salmon tartar appetizer. Perhaps I was expecting a different preparation, but it was basically like chopped up flavorless salmon on top of sushi rice. I don't recommend this dish. My husband wanted prime rib however they were apparently out of prime rib so he had the bone in ribeye and asked for it medium rare. He also ordered bernaise sauce. It came rare which he was okay with (he doesn't like to send food back in fear of what else might come back on the plate...) but the piece of meat he got was not tender and very chewy with lots of gristle. He said the bernaise tasted like it was out of a package. I knew better than to not order steak at a steak house but that particular evening I was in a seafood mood. I ordered the Lobster Fra Diavolo. Epic fail! The lobster was overcooked and chewy; I ate it but it really wasn't good. The pasta was completely mushy and bland, I didn't eat any of the pasta. I actually filled up on the bread! The rolls were good. We decided to skip dessert after our lack luster dinner. I was expecting a great meal as I heard from many people that this was a great place, unfortunately not this time. I've had better meals at Outback Steakhouse. We definitely will not return!
(2)
Shane F.
The food is fantastic - staff always top notch. Great building and location. If you visit early in the day you can get away with dressing more casually. The wine list is serviceable. Also, makes a good spot for Sunday brunch.
(4)
T S.
A friend from the area brought us to the Oregon Grill for lunch. It was awesome! It was a lovely, relaxed atmosphere with friendly staff and a delicious menu. My daughter had a cheeseburger which was excellent, according to her, and she is picky. I shared a salad and an avocado crab dish. Both were excellent. The avocado crab dish was superb. Definitely give this place a try.
(5)
Pappa D.
If you are looking for high end atmosphere and average food ,this is it..Very expensive . Service is excellent and drinks are generous.
(3)
kanling k.
I was very impressed. I don't usually dine at the fanciest restaurants because I usually come out feeling like I wasted my money. Not here. The food is even fancier than the ambiance. And for the quality of the food and service, I felt the price was very reasonable. I was there on a Saturday mid afternoon, so there were only a few customers at the time. I was dressed pretty casually and they didn't make an issue of it. But, next time I go I will probably be a bit neater. I felt kind of odd in a fancy place wearing only jeans and a T-shirt.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Formal (Jacket Required) Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Steve G.
I took my parents here for the first time on Mother's Day. My family had come up from Virginia and I wanted to take Mom someplace nice and different. The atmosphere is great and the menu is amazing. The prime rib I had for dinner looked like it came from the side of a dinosaur! Our waiter made a great wine recommendation and was very attentive the entire time. Great time, perfect for a special event.
(4)Sally N.
Excellent food. superb service. I love the Ceasar Salad, NY strip steak and creme brulee. A good place to go for a special occasion. Very consistent and a great bar too.
(5)Sara E.
I was prepared not to be impressed. I had read the reviews as well as the menu, which struck me as pretty boring. However, I decided to give it a try for my husband's birthday, because a) it's near ho our house and b) he's a fan of the Mad Men era steak and lobster type places. So, I was a little wary when I walked up the path to the restaurant that was adorned by...lawn jockeys? At least a dozen. However, once we were inside, I was pretty happy. As a party of two, we are usually seated at a tiny table crammed in between to other tiny tables. Not here. We got our own booth that was quiet and felt like a more intimate experience. Waiting for us on the table were seafood mousse, black olive tapenade, and seeded crackers. Warning: the portions to come will be huge, but don't skip this. It's delicious. We ordered the seafood tower for two, which came with a generous portion of lump crab, a split lobster tail, 6 oysters, and shrimp. I've eaten many a shrimp in my life, but these....I had to ask the waitress why they were so good. I mean, I've never had a shrimp that tasted so good. The accompaniments were a Yuzu mignonette, some kind of aoili, drawn butter, and cocktail. By the time dinner arrived, we could only take bites, we were so full. I had soft shells in a mustard sauce. They were wonderful, though I prefer less batter. My husband had the surf and turf: imperial stuffed lobster with a steak. The steak was really tender and cooked as requested, I'm sure the "surf" will be delicious when we eat it, but we were too stuffed to even try it. Our server, Carrie, was great. She was there when you needed her to be but never intrusive. Though the glasses were small, they were never empty. When she brought our check, I told her I was paying as a birthday treat for my husband. She brought out a delicious sorbet with a candle. The ambience is quiet and dark and really relaxing. I highly recommend for a romantic dinner or special occasion.
(5)Dick G.
At 18 miles north of down town Baltimore, its worth the time to visit this fantastic rustic restaurant in horse country. As you approach it looks like a beautiful old building from the late 1700's in an area of old money! Its very formal as you enter and the crowd is older boomer. Our group of 4 was welcomed and shown to an anteroom which was very private and gave us the feel of a very exclusive restaurant not like the ritzy steak houses were used to. We had called to reserve 2 of their 5 lb lobsters to insure availability. For appys we had a couple of Seafood Towers, full of fresh delicious Oysters, lobster, fresh crab and Jumbo shrimp. Really whetted our appetites. Two of our party got really well prepared Filet Mignon and of course the other two got the 5 lb steamed behemoths of the sea(see photos). Everything served was beyond expectation. The steak was served as ordered and the lobsters were cooked to perfection in their new steamer. Dotty our server was warm and a pleasure to deal with. We ordered a really nice Stags Leap Cabernet that complimented the food ordered. We were so full that we couldnt even consider dessert. One thing for sure, next time in Baltimore this restaurant will be on our short list for a return visit.
(5)Kelli W.
I had a wonderful time. Great ambiance. The food was good. The service was good. I shall return.
(4)Tricia F.
The hubster and I decided to enjoy a cozy anniversary brunch on Sunday, Aug. 24 (our actual anniversary date is 8/16) right here in the heart of horse country. The Oregon Grille is a beautiful restaurant ~ both their inside and outside garden seating areas. If you're in the mood for an elegant brunch experience ~ you won't be disappointed! The staff were wonderful. We started the morning off with Mimosas followed by coffee and warm rolls with butter. We ask for a sampling of their boisin cheese. Can I tell you how delicious this cheese was on the warm butter roll ~ YUM! This sampling sealed my decision and I ordered the Crab and Asparagus Omelette with Boursin cheese and home fries. We don't eat crab so I requested it be replaced with fresh spinach. My husband ordered the Cheddar and Chive Omelette w/home fries. We both really enjoyed our dishes!! The cheese was soft and warm and the omelette was cooked perfectly. The home fries delish! Mid brunch the grand piano opened and we enjoyed listened to the ebony and ivory keys being played as we sipped our mimosas; followed by coffee as we shared a slice of Apple Cake that was featured on the menu for Restaurant Week. Perfect.
(5)Darryl S.
Absolutely my favorite restaurant near home (grew up in Hereford). "The usual" meeting spot for family and brunch. Service is always super friendly. Reminds me of home and food is amazing. Bon Appetite!
(5)Natalie H.
Not a good restaurant week deal... My roll had mold, they did not care or discount anything. The desserts was a a pile of whip cream with one strawberry thinly slices. $15 I'll never go back it was discussing.
(1)Darlene C.
We had our small wedding (23 guests) at The Oregon Grille on July 9, 2015. I worked with a their lovely event planner, Genni, to plan our special evening. She was most accommodating and made it a very nice experience, with good suggestions and ideas. While we had planned an outdoor event, mother nature had us move it indoors, and they were able to move our party to the second floor, and it set up beautifully. Our servers, Carrie, Jack and Gio were top notch. They couldn't do enough for us and saw to it that everyone got their drinks and food as requested. The food was wonderful. We offered a limited menu of five entrees and a selection of appetizer or salad. Many people ordered the 8 oz. filet and I was amazed how perfectly cooked to order it was for each person, and the food was all served HOT! We will return to The Oregon Grille for dinner, of course, and I would highly recommend it for your next special event or gathering.
(5)Candi G.
Upscale dining kind of off the beaten path. I came here for lunch and the service was excellent. Everybody enjoyed their food. I will say although the food is good it's not worth the price. I had the pan fried rainbow trout with artichoke, capers, and mushrooms in a lemon butter sauce. The fish itself was bland but when eaten with the vegetables it was much better. Definitely didn't knock my socks off but my colleagues enjoyed their food. Is it worth trying?...yea but I probably wouldn't go back
(3)nancy w.
Best steak Excellent service Lovely patio A great spot for lunch or dinner Our favorite for sure
(5)Ann B.
Standards. Have. Fallen. Bur prices remain high. Very disappointed in our dinner--hadn't been to Oregon Grill in years and went for a special occasion celebration. Meal: everything too salty, in fact greens/sides so salty as to be borderline inedible; fingerling potatotes undercooked, almost crunchy/raw. The garlic mashed potatotes were delicious--but salty. Prime rib was wonderful, pork chop boring/no flavor; steak was salty. Service: pleasant but so slow. And when the food is this salty you need water. The final insult: being served coffee and waiting 5-10 minutes for cream, by which time the coffee is cold. Such a disappointment---Oregon Grill was always that "special fancy place" in the County for "occasion meals." But we will not go back again.
(2)Shawn C.
Thanks to a pharmaceutical rep dinner program I was able to sample The Oregon Grill without having to spend my own money. The food wasn't bad, and actually pretty darn good, but to me it's not worth the high prices they charge. Something to be wary about is that if you're thinking about having dinner here be sure to wear a dress coat and tie otherwise you're not getting in. I'm glad I went for the experience but I'll probably never eat there again.
(3)Tricia S.
Hubby and I wanted an intimate anniversary brunch so we both agreed on the Oregon Grille (8/21). We made reservations although when we got there, it was empty and we didn't have to. As a woman, I automatically noticed the purses the older women were carrying as they came in...so, I'm glad I had my authentic Gucci bag too...I fit right in! Now, back to my story we ordered an appetizer that for the size wasn't worth the $18, but hey it's the Oregon Grille right?! So we ordered what ever we wanted courtesy of hubby. I enjoyed my Rainbow trout, the bread, I ordered a side of garlic mash (which was $8...but heck, all sides were $8), a crab cake, (which was jumbo lump, but not that big compared to other places), and Key Lime pie to go. Hubby went more breakfast style, he ordered an omelet, sausage, potatoes, a salad, and a skewer of grilled shrimp. All in all we liked our over-priced food and want to come back for dinner.
(4)Danielle B.
Rubbery chicken, reheated scallops, salad in a pool of olive oil, bad presentation, I'd be better off at Applebee's.
(1)Mark M.
Went Thanksgiving eve with family, and we got lucky and were seated in the small room with the working fireplace. Only 2 other tables in there. Places like this, besides good food, you are paying for good service. For example, the waiter spilled one of the champagnes to the side of the table. It wasn't hurting anyone, he didn't say a word, got another, acted like nothing happened and didn't clean the one up in the corner. Classically classic. Had the rib eye but think I'll get the filet next time. It was a too large for me. One of the group had the burger and fries which were excellent, and one of our vegetarians had the truffle macaroni and cheese, which looked perfect. Timeless, classic, I recommend again.
(4)Nancy S.
My husband and I used to eat at Oregon Grille a few times a year and initially loved dining here. Our most recent visit however was horrible. We called and made a reservation and were seated immediately. Our waiter, however, did not come over to us for about 15-20 min. He kept walking past just staring at us. When he finally came over, no introduction or apologies just "what would you like to order?" I ordered wine which wasn't brought to the table until after my appetizer. So I sat for over 40 min without a drink. I have never had such horrible service. Food is not as good as it used to be, and I feel they skimp on portion size and quality during restaurant week. If you want a nice meal, drive the extra 15 min and go to the Milton Inn.
(2)Christopher W.
One of the worst meals I've had in a while unfortunately. It's a lovely setting; given that the dining room requires a jacket we opted to sit outside. It's though kind of awkward to walk inside to see the host when what you really want to do is sit outside.... Service was pretty solid but the good itself for the most part ranged from mediocre to downright awful; save for one dish. We started with the lobster bisque and crab and avocado wontons. The lobster bisque wasn't hot enough and had congealed a bit. I like my lobster bisque with a hit of sherry in it and this wasn't offered unfortunately. My wife had the crab and avocado wontons which were mostly avocado.. The one bright spot was my wife's soft shells crab specials which she said were excellent (unfortunately I'm allergic and couldn't partake). I ordered the cowboy steak; which is bar none one of my favorite cuts of meat. I ordered it medium rare and what arrived was a well done steak. I did send it back and the next steak was rare; which I also sent back after trying to make do. After some additional heat time, it came back close enough but sadly it was for the most part a tough, flavorless, completely unmemorable steak. Unfortunately, there was zero attempt by the restaurant to rectify the situation. I was brought the bill, which I promptly paid and left. I thought of asking for a manager but I didn't want to spend 1 more minute there... In addition, I feel if a meal gets sent back twice one shouldn't have to ask for the manager. The manager should show up and make attempts at a service recovery. I'll definitely avoid the Oregon Grille in the future.
(1)Lucy E.
My mother and recently decided to stop here for a quick lunch and take advantage of their 7 for 7 deal (each day of the week has a $7 lunch special). We called ahead and were told we could enjoy this deal on their patio. Once we arrived we were told otherwise, that it had to be purchased at the bar. Fine. We sat in the bar lounge to order our chicken caesar salads. The bread comes hot, but is not very good. The salad themselves were TERRIBLE. The dressing was extremely bland with no flavor and there was nothing stand out about the salad. I'd rather have a caesar salad at Graul's. We wanted to try the grille for lunch to see if it was worth going to for dinner, but I will never go back.
(2)B L.
Good food...prices are upscale usual...best thing is they have Chimay beer at the bar...after a few of Chimays its all good....
(3)Gabrielle N.
The restaurant and grounds are lovely. Staff is well educated and when they aren't sure about something they don't make it up, they go get the right info. My husband and I went with another couple. We shared lobster bisque and caesar salad as appetizers. He had the surf and turf (filet & lobster tail) and I had the lamb chops. The lamb chops were out of this world. Delicious, cooked perfectly. The sides of asparagus and brussel sprouts (I didn't want the mashed potatoes) were so/so. Specifically the brussel sprouts were boiled and pretty flavorless. Asparagus was ok. The filet was surprisingly unremarkable. Good, tender, but not knock your socks off. Lobster tail was great. Wine list was very extensive and our server helped us find a reasonably priced selection. Shared upside down apple cake and salted caramel crème brulée for dessert. Both delicious in their own right. We ate and talked over a long period of time. Never once did the staff rush us or make us feel like we needed to go. The water and service continued well beyond our meal being done. Bathrooms were "underwhelming" to say the least. For such a lovely restaurant, you'd think that they would go the extra mile to make sure the facilities are spotless and updated. Renovating the bathrooms and keeping them clean would make a huge impact on this location. Overall great place to eat. A bit pricey for sides being so run of the mill. Otherwise though service and quality of food well worth a trip.
(4)Altonio J.
I went here for a restaurant week and i'm not going to ramble about every detail of it. FOOD SUCKED.
(1)Carol L.
Nice equestrian restaurant. Beautiful scenery driving in. Great service. Nice wine list. The seafood tower appetizer was amazing. Lots of huge shrimp and lobster on top. 6 large oysters below alongside the biggest pile of lump crab I ever saw. Fresh too. Salad was a bit disappointing. Great sounding ingredients but it didn't come together. Scallops were perfectly braised. Veggies amazing. Crab cakes excellent too. And don't miss the creme brûlée for dessert.
(4)Christina P.
Pricey, but great service and nice atmosphere. The appetizer cheese plate is amazing. Portions are large, so come hungry. Jackets are required for men, do dress appropriately. They are known for their steaks, but their fish is also very good.
(4)Pharmartist E.
My husband and I dined the day after Valentine's day. The ambience was great but the food was not so great. For the price of that food, we could have dined at a better restaurant. Overall, I'm not impressed. If it helps anyone, I ordered the shrimp cocktail for appetizer. It was good. The surf and turf was my entree. The dish was blah at best. My husband also ordered steak for main course. He also said it was okay at best. For dessert, we ordered the strawberry cheesecake. Omg it was so bad. I was very disappointed with the food.
(3)Brian J.
Love Oregon Grille - The free sushi happy hour has some of the best sushi around, its all about the vinegared rice! Unfortunately they stopped the sushi happy hour for the month of August, 2014. We'll still go back for special occasions and to chat with the amazing bartenders and staff at the bar! Excellent place for us locals.
(5)Richard B.
This restaurant is beyond anything in a five mile radius, perhaps ten. An excellent restaurant with a superb and varied menu and expert service. It felt professional in every respect. On the downside, it is expensive and probably more so than most in the same radius - nevertheless I would personally recommend it without hesitation as the place of choice to eat well in a refined but not stuffy atmosphere.
(5)Kati K.
My family and I have gone to the Oregon Grille regularly for Thanksgiving dinner, and after the disaster we experienced this year, we won't be back. Creativity and innovation are sorely lacking, and the customer service and hospitality are virtually nonexistent. There is no excuse for a restaurant of the Oregon Grille's caliber--not to mention price point--to treat diners with so little regard. The background: two members (including me) of our party of five are vegetarians, and in several past years, we'd appreciated that Oregon Grille served a traditional turkey dinner that appealed to the non-vegetarians, as well as a vegetarian entree that's offered as a part of the regular menu. The Vegetarian Dinner that was currently listed on the menu consisted of an assortment of tasty-sounding small items, including a bulgur wheat burger, grilled green tomatoes, red pepper stuffed with kale, an edamame succotash (which, as I'm writing this, is still what's posted on their menu online, as it was listed in the print menus we received at Thanksgiving). Several years ago, my family had another Thanksgiving dinner experience where the restaurant substituted something different for the vegetarian dinner (a bland, greasy plate of vegetable tempura...they also ran out of dark meat for the turkey dinner, but that's a whole other story!)--so when my mother made this year's reservations, she emphasized that the party included two vegetarians (who were coming from out of town) and that she wanted to make 100% sure prior to making a reservation that the Vegetarian Dinner on the menu would in fact be what Oregon Grille would be serving on Thanksgiving. The hostess (who was very nice, and this fiasco is totally not her fault) assured my mother up and down that the current Vegetarian Dinner would be available for order, and that there would be no unexpected substitutions. Unfortunately, the dinner already got off to an awkward start when we were seated at our table and realized the tablecloth was wet...very odd, and didn't seem like it could have been attributed to a small spill because literally the ENTIRE table linen was wet. I don't know how the person setting the table wouldn't have noticed, but in any case, after a short wait, we got moved to another table. Then we ordered our food, and to give credit where it's due, I will say that their butternut squash soup is delicious. Entree time, the turkey dinners for three of our party come out, and then out come the two vegetarian dinners, which turn out to be a bowl of noodles heaped with mushrooms...yes, TOTALLY different that what was on the menu. (Also, I happen to hate mushrooms, which I would have mentioned if I'd been told in advance that I'd be served pasta with mushrooms instead of the wheat burger, grilled green tomatoes, etc.) There was no explanation offered for the change, so when I expressed confusion, the waiter said "oh, this is the new vegetarian dinner." When I said that we would like the "old" vegetarian dinner as was listed on the menu, he went to check with the kitchen and then said that the bulgur wheat didn't come in, nor did the edamame, so the kitchen made the pasta with mushrooms instead. There was no mention of the green tomatoes or the stuffed red pepper, no offer to whip up something even vaguely similar to the entree listed on the menu...only to re-make the pasta with some different vegetables other than mushrooms, which they did. So we basically ended up with a bowl of noodles (no sauce other than a little butter, and so woefully under-seasoned that I had to attack the dish with the pepper shaker and even the salt, and I almost never need to add salt to things), topped with some sauteeed vegetables, which also had virtually no seasoning. The principle made me way more upset than the crappy food. What restaurant--especially one that charges what Oregon Grille does, and holds itself out to be a sophisticated fine-dining venue--thinks that it's acceptable to plunk down any old dish in front of a diner that is COMPLETELY different from what the customer ordered, with absolutely NO advance communication at the time of ordering, like "I'm sorry, we're out of the Vegetarian Dinner that's listed on the menu...is the substitution of X, Y, or Z all right?" (Our server was very nice and it seemed as though the kitchen hadn't told the waitstaff about the change.) I don't know if it's just a vegetarian thing or what (if a customer ordered Filet Mignon, would the kitchen say "meh, we're out of Filet Mignon, but just take them out a plate of chicken instead!") but regardless, it's extremely disrespectful. It was equally disappointing that at NO point did a manager come out to apologize or address the situation. The following week, my mother called the restaurant, where the manager apologized, and made some vague excuse about how they were changing over the menu (maybe that would be a nice thing to let your customers know, hm?)
(1)Lauran S.
It is what it is...typical fair for a restaurant known for its pretentious clientele and neighborhood. I've lived in Hunt Valley for 15 years and typically went here for prom as a teenager, business dinners with colleagues and casual celebrations with friends. All around nice place. Not your everyday jaunt. I find the tables to be very tight and the place overpriced as a whole. There are many other places in the area to get the same, if not better food, sans the pretentious attitude in the HV area. This has turned into a landmark restaurant. Like a Peerce's or Milton Inn.
(3)Megan C.
Came here for my sons birthday. Being 16 he immediately went for the steak and crab cakes, while I had the soft shelled crabs with gazpacho to start. Our meals were delicious but what made it a great night was our server Paul. The place is stuffy but he has a great sense of humor to lighten the atmosphere and his wine suggestions were spot on. Pricey but a special night.
(4)Leland C.
Well, what can you say...it was not for anyone younger than baby boomers. We had a company dinner there and were seated in the bar. They had a cheese bar, which had more flies eating it than people. Few were interested in the wine samples. The crowd was on average 50+, and the mood was boring. The freaky jokey lights in front did not help. Now the key: the food was okay. I had barley/beef soup, and the recipe tasted of 1918. Take that for what it is worth, but not much flavor. I had the pork chop, and it was wonderful. Cooked perfectly, and had a nice indoor BBQ flavor. Overall, there has be to something better for your money nearby. It was a wonderful history lesson though.
(2)Christie D.
My husband and I had dinner here during restaurant week. We sat outside in their garden area which was really beautiful. The food was great. I had the crab cake entree and my husband got a steak. Both of us really enjoyed the meal. The only reason for a 4 star rating is the prices are on the high side. Just an fyi - If you are eating inside the restaurant - guys must wear a sports coat on Fri/Sat evenings.
(4)Lauren Z.
Expensive but everything is always delicious. And the staff is very attentive and friendly
(4)Vincent C.
Best Restaurant in Baltimore County. Great Ambience, Great Service, Great Food & a Great Bar. Expansive menu with great selection. Seating is Comfy. Great date night.
(5)Larry C.
Our family came here for Bunch with great expectation, but leave with a bit disappointment. Soup de jour, the Maryland crab soup was very salty. Tenderloin Steaks were over cooked. Oregon Salad had much leaves so as my seafood salad. However I gave them credit for Scallop appetizer, fried Oyster and the Onion rings were really good.
(3)Niran A.
Oregon Grille, located in Northern Baltimore County, has become one of Baltimore's more renowned establishments. The combination of old world tradition with quality steak and an intimate dining ambience seem to be a winning formula. I recently dined at Oregon Grille during Baltimore's restaurant week. I will premise this review by saying that perhaps restaurant week menus are not a fair representation of a restaurant nonetheless here is my review. Baltimore restaurant week is the best and the worst thing to ever happen to the Baltimore dining scene. It's great because it gives diners an opportunity to try new restaurants; however, many restaurants treat it as an excuse to dumb down items on their menu in order to reap the profits from their patrons. Oregon Grille's restaurant week menu sounded more appetizing than a lot of others, and seemed to offer a better value - especially considering the usual exorbitant prices at the restaurant. I started off with the Salmon tartar, which featured fresh salmon chopped into a ring mold and served over rice and seaweed salad. The salmon by itself was nice but I would have liked to see a more creative use of supporting cast, i.e. not seaweed salad that can be found at sushi bars for $3. The presentation of the dish was nice though. I also had to opt for the grilled oysters, an Oregon Grille classic. While not on the restaurant week menu, I must say that the $17 price tag was almost worth it. You do get six rather large oysters that have a nice perfume from the grill, topped with buttery lemon sauce on top. The oysters don't get lost amongst the rich sauce and actually pair very nicely - easily the best item of the night for me. Since I was in a "splurging" mood I decided to spend the additional $5 to get the petit filet off the restaurant week menu. The steak was actually a bit bigger than I thought it would be and had a nice grilled flavor with perfect grill marks. The filet was tender as advertised, and even had a more intense beef flavor, not commonly found in filet mignon. I will say the steak was a bit dry for filet, but the béarnaise sauce that was served on the side helped combat that (béarnaise was excellent by the way). The steak was accompanied by broccoli and fried onions and seemed to be merely there by default; regardless the broccoli was still nice. We also decided to order the black truffle macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes off the regular menu. The mac'n'cheese was to die for. It had a multitude of cheese as well as a nice creamy base sauce with baked breadcrumbs on top. The mashed potatoes were a bit stodgy and lacked that velvety texture that most steak restaurants are known for. All in all, it was a good meal but quite short of amazing. I think a part of the problem was the restaurant week menu, and the other was that the chef's weren't inspired to cook the food offered on the restaurant week pre-fixe menu. Additionally, this restaurant really needs to lighten up with the "stuffiness". When you dine here I will advise you to pretend you are talking to the president, because that's how it feels at times. Men are required to wear jackets in the dining room, which will be enforced - I found this out the hard way by our waitress telling me to put my jacket back on. This is definitely not the kind of restaurant where you can come to relax because you constantly have to worry about being overly proper. Many restaurants, including the legendary Prime Rib have even eased up on this policy, and I think its time Oregon Grille does too.
(2)Dayna M.
The wine at the restaurant was good, but that is about the only nice thing I can say about my experience. I recently went to the Oregon Grille with a very large group. I ordered a Cesar salad and a chicken dinner. First, the Cesar salad was not good. For the price and for how fancy this restaurant is, I expected a dignified take on this classic dish. Instead I got a salad that I could find at any diner in America at twice the price. Second, the chicken. Keep in mind that I am Jewish and I do not eat pork products, so I ordered the chicken because there was nothing on the menu to indicate that it was wrapped in bacon. When I received my meal, I did not immediately notice the problem and so I took a few bites. I was dismayed to find that I had eaten bacon against my religious convictions. I was very upset. The wait staff offered to give me a new plate but I was not interested because I was upset about already haven eaten something I did not want. The day after, when I was in a better mood, I double checked the restaurant's website to make sure that the mistake was not mine. Nope, there was nothing to indicate on the menu that the chicken was wrapped in bacon. I wrote an email to the restaurant explaining the problem. I was polite, but explained that I was upset and I advised that in the future the menu should note any pork products included in their dishes. I thought I might receive an apology from the restaurant, but they totally failed to respond. Because the food was ridiculously over priced, because it was not very good and especially because I was given poor customer service, I am giving them a one star review.
(1)Brian D.
The best in Baltimore County. My family and I have gone there multiple times and it ALWAYS lives up to the expectation. The ambience is great - I asked for my future father-in laws blessing to marry his daughter while dining at The Oregon Grille. The rolls are amazing, the rockfish is fantastic, and the desserts are top notch.
(5)L S.
went here to have a nice family brunch after baltimore magazine recommended the brunch on the patio. service was super slow - 45 minutes after we sat down to take our order and another 45 till it was served. and it was NOT busy. we were 5 diners - 3 salads, i burger, 1 oregon grille breakfast. NO ONE liked the food. burger was mediocre, salads were wilted, chicken was so bland and heavily crusted and pan fried - very heavy. the home fries were even dark brown and dry. i took a pic of my salad - had brown spots on leaves and SO MANY WILTY leaves. i have had way better at panera. my brother in law was so amazed at the poor quality - he paid the bill n tip in full, and THEN went to complain - so that they would know how serious he was about the quality being so sub par. it was really bad. would never go back b/c 5 out of 5 meals were disappointing.
(2)Henry J.
I brought two friends to dinner last Thursday, October2. Not my first time at Oregon Grille, always a great dining experience. Oregon Grille's greatest achievement is the creation of a fine, elegant dining experience in a relaxed, non-stuffy atmosphere. Such a beautiful place, inside and outside. Relaxed, fun bar where I waited for my guests to arrive; the dining room that the word "ambiance" can't do justice to: so beautiful. I never had other than excellent service here, and Dottie was superlative. The menu selections, reflecting the seasons are fine, and pure magic comes out of the kitchen. I've had steak au poivre all over the world, theirs is the best. I don't know another restaurant in Maryland that comes close.
(5)Gene G.
My family and I went here during Baltimore County restaurant week, when there was a three-course fixed price menu for $36. I was a bit skeptical after reading all of the reviews mentioning the stuffy atmosphere and unexceptional food, but I was pleasantly surprised! The menu was varied and everything was quite tasty. I don't love gazpacho, but my grandfather enjoyed his, while my bistro salad was delicious, with a huge chunk of gorgonzola rounding out the fresh cherry tomatoes. The prime rib and the pork chop were particularly good, though the roast lamb was not quite as tender and flavorful as I like it. Desert - the moose was good, but the strawberry tart with ice cream was amazing. The service was friendly, conscientious, and unassuming, though I'l admit that our server and busboy were both a bit on the green side. The jacket requirement never got in the way of my enjoyment, and the atmosphere was warm, rather than haughty and off-putting. Certainly this place is expensive, but the quality of the food and service, as well as the atmosphere, could make it a worthwhile outing, especially on a special occasion.
(4)Carter N.
Expensive, gotta wear a jacket to dinner. I've only been for lunch, and I always get something relatively cheap. That's the nice thing about the Oregon Grille, you can go for lunch and get a sandwich or burger or salad, and those are somewhere between $10 and $20, and you get the classy wait staff and the beautiful scenery. I've eaten out on the patio, which is gorgeous but catches a lot of sun, and inside where the piano music is a nice touch and the interior feels like a spiffy historic inn. The building was the old company store for the quarry and foundry town. Definitely check out the nearby Oregon Ridge Park (great nature center, fun outdoor displays, interesting history and explanations of the foundry process). The fish and chips were excellent, light and crispy, and the burger is great. They'll treat you nice
(4)E M.
For my first trip to Oregon Grille, I wasn't sure what to expect after reading several not-so-great reviews on here, but I have to say my experience last night was fantastic! My boyfriend and I are in our late 20s/early 30s, and don't eat out at 'classy' restaurants on the regular, so this was a special occasion for us. We had a 5:30pm reservation, and we had more casual plans after, so we wore nice jeans to dinner so as not to have to run home and change after. We were a little earlier than the dinner crowd, so we didn't feel tooo underdressed, but as more people came in the men were wearing suits and the women dresses, so you might want to go that route. They do require men to wear sports coats after 5pm, but they have some loaners and we did not feel that anyone looked down on us for being younger, wearing jeans, or needing the loaner sports coat. (Side note: they *did* seat us upstairs, which may have been to hide us as 'undesirables', as one reviewer claimed happened to them, but again we never felt looked down on, and actually enjoyed that about half of our meal was quieter and more private before the dinner crowd came in.) Now, on to the food and service.. We had a lovely server who was very friendly and attentive, we never had to try to flag her down, and all of the food came out in a reasonable amount of time (maybe owed to our early meal time?). Yes, the meal will be pricey, but you know that going in, and have to go in prepared to spend a pretty penny, and I do have to say it was worth it! At the table when we arrived was a plate of crackers with a sundried-tomato spread and a cheese spread... delicious, especially with the spreads combined! We ordered a beer and a peach sangria, and had the lobster bisque and paella risotto cakes (with lobster and shrimp pieces in it) for appetizers, both of which came out fresh and warm and amazingly tasty. The server also brought out some bread and butter before the meal, and I can't even explain but it was so good it felt like eating a fluffy cloud from heaven haha (the roll was slightly bigger than our hands, the outside was thin but crispy yet chewy, and the inside was warm, light and fluffy, and delicious). For meals we had the strip steak with onion straws and the lamb chops with roquefort mashed potatoes and micro-greens in a wine sauce of some kind, and the black truffle mac & cheese side. The steak was good, not really seasoned but a substantial piece of meat. The onion straws weren't very flavorful, and didn't add enough to be eaten with the steak, so we mostly left them alone. The lamb chops were a decent amount of meat, however slightly undercooked compared to my medium request. I tried them anyway and found that it wasn't too undercooked for my taste, so I kept eating! However, when the server came to check on us, without my prompting she also noticed the meat looked a little underdone and asked if I wanted her to take it back, which I declined (but she said to let her know if I changed my mind). The black truffle mac & cheese was also good, no complaints there besides being halfway into a food coma! Lastly, after thinking we were too full for dessert, we listened to the dessert options, and ended up just having to try the pumpkin cheesecake. It looked a little small, but ended up being very thick and substantial, not to mention delicious! Overall, we had a great time, and would return for another special occasion (dressing a little nicer though). The food was great, the service was great, and the live piano/cello(?) music playing on the first floor was very nice. Yes, it's pricey, but worth a splurge every now and again :).
(5)John S.
Jackets required for dinner, if you don't have one they have em. Professional service with staff dressed much nicer than patrons others than a few elegant mature ladies in evening gowns and tuxedoed gents. Wine list is extraordinary and wine choices by glass were excellent, $12-20 glass, too many choices to list, but they got us inebriated on free tasters of of all the reds by the glass, a Napa cab-meritage Xtant by O'neil Vosti vineyards 2006 was quite nice and recommended though unknown to some seasoned Napa fans who tried it. I will check out their wine club, good wine. Soups, oysters bread all excellent filling lead-ins to entrees. House specials tonight a little over the top- "Pink Snapper" (what species is that?) or marinated Pork loin center served in strips only served medium well. I decided on prime rib which was highly recommended beef dish, 24oz bone in for a hefty $48, served with great horseradish served well 3 ways. Rib was excellent on outside, tough on inside, almost sent it back but full on outside meat and appetizers. Sides of mushrooms excellent, served with fried onion "strings" which should be avoided at all costs in my opinion. Brussel sprouts chopped with bacon excellent. Chicken, lamb dishes beautifully served too. Service we have read in other reviews is a bit "snooty", yes to some extent but Carrie was so professional and had several other equally demanding tables, not snooty, but professional and matter of fact when we asked for more of the excellent fresh bread, it did come fairly quickly! Piano and bass player made environment so pleasant. It's nice to dress for dinner in this day and age, food mostly very good to excellent and the way you want it or quickly changed to another item more to your liking. Service all in all very professional with wait staff but dishes "slowly cleared". Need more staff per table, Carrie did her best but too many tables and busing very slow for such an elegant establishment, why is Carrie bussing her tables herself? Asked Carrie why no bus staff and she stated, waiters here clear the plates, that's too much for this price point. No real complaints, but I do not looking at dirty plates with fat cut away from meat with the disgusting fried onion "strings" in mass for five minutes when they should have been cleared. Dessert of Apple crisp and vanilla ice cream was OK and different with granola crust. Get bus staff for servers, this is a really fine restaurant and I hate to complain, but waitress is overwhelmed tonight and still good experience but should be excellent experience at $150 per head with wine and tip, but Carrie is 5-star server and I'll be back.
(3)Leah H.
Long ago planned, and much anticipated, our evening at Oregon Grille was delicious and delightful. Jenny provided attentive and knowledgable service and just our luck, we were at the Grille for restaurant week. First we chose from the standard menu and enjoyed the crab & shrimp bruschetta. The restaurant week menu listed the much recommended prime rib, which was perfectly prepared, and the grilled salmon was light and flavorful. Salads before our entree and desserts after were perfect accompaniments. All were enjoyed with a nice Barbera. We look forward to returning in the future!!
(5)Debra C.
Sorry, not my kind of place. I enjoy wonderful food and have eaten in some very exclusive places that made you feel welcome whether you were dressed to the nines or dressed like a hobo. This place was chock full of the snobby country club set....the "jackets required after 5 pm" sign was the first clue. An entire bar full of trust funders looking everyone up and down was our second. So on goes the jacket for my co-worker. We were 5 minutes early for our 7:45 reservation and in a restaurant half full we cooled our heels in the bar for about 15 minutes waiting to be seated. (Third clue) We were finally seated and we mentally prepared for our long drawn out soon to be two hour dinner. We sat staring at each other for a full five minutes before the waiter deigned to grace us with his presence. He actually was a very nice man....we were both just dying to scream "bring the friggin menus and get on with it already". Sensing we were in for the long haul we ordered all at once ...wine, appetizer, meals, dessert you name it we threw it at him. All I can say of the food is Meh- it was good but nothing wowed me enough to say I've GOT to come back here. The Grille salad was mediocre....charred romaine leaves with cranberries and walnuts....nothing to write home about. Prices are outrageously expensive for what I would deem to be mediocre food. Crab cakes were....good. Again, crab didn't have great flavor, and served with plain ole tartar sauce for $38 bucks (nice remoulade maybe?) Dessert was .....interesting. They had a special dessert.....pumpkin bread pudding. And being the connoisseur of bread pudding that I am.....I had to get that. Well, the chef needs to go back to culinary school to understand the difference between bread pudding and pumpkin bread. What arrived was two slices of pumpkin bread artfully arranged on a plate , drizzled with caramel and whipped cream. That pretty much did me in......we got the check, paid the overinflated $130 bill and got the heck out of dodge. The place could be great if they'd just lose the "Hoity Toity" ness. And make it a little more pleasant place to be in. Oh, and hire someone who actually knows how to make bread pudding.
(2)Dave M.
We had 12 people at our table. The filet mignon was brisket-like. Very odd. Tender but just seemed like an odd cut of meat. The New York strip was acceptable. Nothing outstanding. The entrees and baked potato were served tepid. Why can't restaurants serve hot food? The maple cheesecake was lousy. (Barely anyone ate theirs.) And the restaurant has no clue what bread pudding is. It's NOT sliced, hard, flavored bread (which is what was served to us). I've no reason to return to Oregon Grille.
(2)Tatiana M.
Went here for lunch one weekday with my colleagues. We are a very casually dressed crowd (most wear jeans and Tshirts on any given day), and it seemed like the host immediately marked us as "undesirables" in his book and seated us in a remote booth (remote from other customers but in direct proximity to the kitchen door, which meant all servers had to pass our table every time they go to and from). The wait for food was VERY long, 40 min at least ,and that's with mostly empty restaurant and 5 servers, the food was OK with the exception of oversalted mashed potatoes. Very stuffy place, like they were never informed it is 21st century. One of my colleagues put is simply :"I feel like I do not own enough horses to eat at this place". Sums it up.
(2)Amanda S.
We went here today for lunch on a Saturday. It was not too crowded and we got seated right away without a reservation. This place is classy- feels like you are in an exclusive country club. White tablecloths, plenty of seating, yet it all feels very intimate and cozy. We shared the Grilled Oysters for an appetizer. They brought us these big hot sourdough rolls that felt like they were fresh out of the oven with chilled butter. They were sooo good! The waiter was great about bringing us refills before we even had to ask. He also asked if we wanted more rolls to sop up the lemon-butter juice from the oysters. Very nice waiter. We both got the spinach salad which I liked a lot. Minimal ingredients, but tasted so fresh and delicious. Thick bacon, minimal dressing, rich green textured spinach leaves, sunflower seeds. The bowls they served it in were even unique. For entree I got lamb chops med-well. it was cooked perfectly and served with a squash medley in a sweet pear sauce with cherries and some other delicious things in the sauce. I had to take it home because there was so much food, but it was delicious. I love when chefs can do med-well right the first time. My mom got a burger and a side of juliene fries. She seemed very happy with her meal and we finished with hot tea and coffee. Upon leaving, we grabbed some candy going out the door which were candy sticks dipped in chocolate. Even the candy was upscale. We will definitely visit again.
(5)Valerie C.
This year, my family decided to eat out for Thanksgiving dinner rather than go to the fuss of hosting. While there were several restaurants open, the Oregon Grille was one of the few open out in the county rather than downtown. Not only did we luck out with location but it was a lovely experience. The building itself was very cozy - and equestrian themed. There is a small plaque on the front door saying jackets required after 5:30PM. So this is definitely a traditional place - as evidenced by some of the classic dishes on the menu - Oysters Rockefeller, Steak au poivre etc. There was definitely a sense of Old World sensibility about the place. I didn't realize the restaurant was multi storied and that some of the seating was on the 2nd floor. Unfortunately one of our guests could not climb steps. Despite it being a packed house and what was apparently one of their busiest nights, the staff were able to find us a new table and seat us comfortably in front of a real fireplace that only added to the holiday atmosphere of the evening. The service was slightly slow but was very attentive (the place was completely packed!). The food was really good - my father's steak was more than generous and their set Thanksgiving menu was everything I could have asked for. There was a pretty decent wine selection. When my family said they wanted to eat out this Thanksgiving, I said only if the food was as good as my cooking or better. Our Thanksgiving at the Oregon Grille certainly met that stipulation. I definitely plan to go back another time and try the rest of their menu.
(4)Paul S.
I will admit there were a few things in prior reviews that were on the money. Such as the clientele. As I looked across the place I saw nothing but older people, I mean real old. The only young people were the kids being dragged along by their parents. Like private school kids. So the fact that this is a formal restaurant pretty much shouts it. I took off my jacket for about 5 seconds because it was getting so warm, and the waiter comes by and says "the manager has informed me you must put your coat back on." Excuse me? I'm warm, and what if I cant cut my steak in a coat? Its not like i didn't come in or didn't leave with the attire that is asked of me. Kind of rude. The waiter was constantly breathing hard on me, you could feel his hot breath on your face! the Caesar salad tasted really good, the cheese had a very nice sharpness to it. Most steaks are Market Price so you don't even know what you paying until the check comes. I'll admit it was a huge steak, but there was little to no sauce, and you purchase sides individually to be shared. Something about the creamed spinach tasted really off. I was sick that night and the day after so something might have been wrong with it. The size of the fish dish was really small though and what came with it mostly was to paint a picture not to be eaten, but thats what you get at 5 star places like this I suppose. For all the fuss it just seem to impress me overall. This place is for the older crowd who enjoy presentation and big spending rather than the food itself. Bigger, Fancier, and Big dollar signs don't always mean better.
(2)Andrew R.
Eh. You can probably get a sense of this place from the other reviewers. It is old school money, where everything is marked up because the wealthy would rather spend more on average food/drinks in exchange for a stuffy restaurant/bar. Also, to the reviewer who didn't like bugs at her outside table: derp. I've only had lunch and after work drinks here, but I get the sense that if you aren't wearing a jacket, they'll look askance at you.
(3)Michelle H.
Frankly, our dining experience here was lack luster and borderline offensive. I am surprised this restaurant has the kind of reputation that it does. My husband and I dined here for our our anniversary a little while back. While we are a young couple - the youngest by decades compared to the rest of the diners when we were there - we should by no means be treated differently because of it. From the start, our waiter had a condescending tone and manner. He actually scoffed at my husband's beer order (he doesn't drink wine.) But the icing on the cake, that still gets me fired up thinking about it, is when he brought out our knives for our entrees and had the nerve to say "I'm watching you two - I don't want to see any sword fighting with these." No lie. Needless to say, that was an exceptionally memorable anniversary for all the wrong reasons and as a result, we'll never go back to Oregon Grille. I'd speak more about the food here if I could, but really it wasn't that memorable. As for the atmosphere - I've heard the outside dining area is gorgeous during the warmer months - but we dined indoors since it was cooler. The decor is the typical country club feel - nothing exciting. Frankly, I get that it's a Baltimore landmark or something, but it's one that can be overlooked, in my humble opinion.
(1)Jillian B.
My parents love the Oregon Grille, so I've had my fair share of brunches and lunches here. This restaurant is upscale and has an equestrian theme, complete with cute little jockey statues guiding you to the entrance. You'll be greeted by a host, and if you are a man and it's dinner time, you better be wearing a jacket... My most recent trip to the Oregon Grille was for brunch. I was craving something with seafood, and there's plenty of options here in this category. The Warm Lobster Salad sounded very appealing, so I decided to go for it. It far exceeded my expectations! I was expecting small chunks of lobster, but got what seemed like a pound of lobster meat! The flavors of the thinly sliced vegetables, watercress, and the buttery, lemony vinaigrette went perfectly together. I was too full for dessert but my mom swears the 'blueberry slump' is the best dessert on the menu. Moms are usually right. Other meals I've had here have been good, but not terribly memorable. The service is a bit hit or miss... I do enjoy the live piano music, especially since the pianist is my former music teacher! All in all, I would recommend Oregon Grille if you are looking for a place to have a nice meal with the family out in horse country. It's a Baltimore County staple.
(4)Asam S.
This is one of the best dining experiences I have had in Baltimore. Yes, this restaurant may cater to an older clientele. Yes, this restaurant has very 'old world' decor. And, yes, one may feel slighly out of place if they are not dressed appropriately. And maybe coming here during restaurant week was not a good idea... Having said that--the food is delicious. We have tried appetizers, salads, main courses and desserts, and I honestly think the food was superb all around. We were a party of 6 and given a booth upstairs. It was cozy and private. The service is great and the staff is extremely welcoming... We have been here for a Sunday brunch and a dinner (more formal). No one made us feel like we 'didn't belong'. (I have a feeling that, in our way-too-casual-society, anyone who remotely looks 'establishment' is going to be treated with some level of suspicion.) I would definetely come back.
(5)Gracie A.
We were disappointed in Sunday brunch. Really slow service left us plenty of time to contemplate how run down the surroundings were. Face plates for air returns on ceiling completely rusted, carpet was old worn and filthy, ceramic tile grout and cracks in bathroom literally black with filth. I don't think they were ever cleaned. Empty tissue boxes paper towels bits on floor in ladies. Watched two tables seated after our party of 4 be served and leave. And we ordered eggs and waffles! Asparagus in my omelette raw. Husband's eggs under done. Just really odd for a restaurant in this price category. Dau adds no maple syrup for her waffle.
(3)Rahsaan L.
We attended Oregon Grille for Mother's Day dinner around 6pm and I left there thinking, "Really?" The server was excellent ,but the food was very average. The Prime Rib had too much marbling and by the time I pulled away the fat I had a petite filet. The side dishes were luke warm. The only thing exceptional about the experience was the price tag. For your money, you can find a better quality of food for a similar price at the actual Prime Rib restaurant in Baltimore City.
(2)Allison L.
We came here for restaurant week lunch and it was generally a good experience. The restaurant is in a really nice, beautiful setting off Shawan Road and the outside is really nice (if it hadn't been a gross, cold, raining day, the patio would have been excellent at lunch time). It would've been better if the lunch menu included more "regular" food, and not so many sandwiches, but everything was still good. The rolls they start you off with at soooo good and huge, we were almost full at that point. We all either got the caesar salad or the gazpacho, and while the caesar salad was good, the gazpacho was served on essentially a plate the bowl was so shallow, which made it awkward to eat. Between the 5 of us, we got the steak, polo club, and seared tuna sandwich, and we ended up getting all the different dessert options. No one had any complaints about anything and everything looked really good. It was much more casual at lunch time, which was good since we already felt somewhat awkward being a bunch of 20 somethings at a restaurant that seemed geared towards people much older than us. Another Yelper remarked that the staff wasn't young but I found it to be a good mix; the host was older and a few of the waiters were as well, but our waiter and several others were close to our ages. Regardless, service was pretty perfect. I might come back at some point, but probably not at dinner because any restaurant that requires men to wear jackets seems like it could be a little too stuffy and not really my scene. Overall though, great food, great service, great experience.
(4)Andre M.
We decided to go here on Thanksgiving instead of cooking/eating at home this year. I knew in advance that there was a jacket requirement because it is listed where I made reservations and on their website. It didn't bother me. We ordered off the regular menu instead of the prix fixe meal. Everything was top notch. The grilled oysters were plum and tasty. The heirloom salad was good but I don't think they understand what heirloom means. Entrees were outstanding. The ribeye was cooked perfectly, the rockfish was great and the veggie platter was on point. Coffee was blah and the maple cheesecake was blah as well but the espresso chocolate cake was very good. Service was flawless. It is pricey. Not a place I would go to for a regular Thursday night but it was a very good dining experience.
(4)Jennifer K.
I went here this past Valentine's Day. Overall, an enjoyable, "A-OK" experience: Service was adequate, food was tasty and cooked to temperature, desserts satisfactory. Everything was good but not memorable. I am grateful that we had such a pleasant experience on such a busy evening. But for this price point, I would probably choose Woodberry Ktichen or Wit and Wisdom.
(3)Gaz H.
This restaurant understands that "formal" doesn't necessarily equal stuffy. Our waiter & the bartender were both cool cats with a sense of humor. Great and creative grape martini cocktail for the wife. The soup special (leek and potato) was great. Entrees (special maho mahi and duck off the menu) were good but not great. Chef needs to season (salt) his risotto and his couscous. Facility was very nice. Good all- around package and looks like "someplace special" if your goal is to impress, but there are better meals to be had in baltimore.
(4)Sandy S.
My initial impression was good, but once we experienced the whole thing, we determined that this place is lackluster, the food is bland and not great, and the service was AWFUL! We were hoping for something akin to The Prime Rib in Baltimore, but this place can't be compared to the class that you find at The Prime Rib. The live piano music was nice. We were led to our table by a very nice gentleman. That's where my good opinion ended. Our server came over and handed us the menus and proceeded to tell us about the special, before even taking our drink order. She asked if we would like a wine list (duh)....maybe they don't have enough wine lists to go around, I mean c'mon, even Pizzeria Uno gives you a wine list without asking for it! We eventually placed our orders and got settled. The appetizers were pretty good. We had grilled oysters (nice and plump), and beef carpaccio which was tasty. Some of the things I expect from a restaurant that requires a jacket for the men: 1. the server should be vigilant about refilling wine glasses. 2. a very attentive dining room staff. 3. steak (and all menu items) should be prepared as ordered. 4. when food is not prepared properly and requires a redo, the manager should come over and offer apologies. 5. patrons shouldn't have to wait for serving utensils 6. Servers should not reach across someones food to fill another person's wine glass. 7. Server shouldn't forget what the patron ordered to drink - especially when there are only two drinks to remember. This restaurant violated all of the above. The dining room staff was NOT attentive at all. When they served the dinner rolls (which were very good by the way), they somehow miscalculated and only brought 3 rolls to a table of 4. Is counting that difficult? My husband had to wait for his roll, and then when they brought it to him, they put it on the dish he was eating off of....they should have placed it on a different dish off to the side - not a big deal, just unclassy. I ordered my ribeye steak medium RARE. When I cut into it I knew it wrong when I had to really saw my way into it with the steak knife. I looked at the meat and it was brown all the way through. Maybe a little bit of pink - barely. I pointed it out to the server. She said "oh, is it not right? Would you like them to make you a different one?" Well, since I was paying $40 for a piece of steak, heck yeah I wanted it done right! Everyone else at the table ordered filet mignon and it was done right. After a few minutes the server brought a plate for me to at least eat some of the shared side dishes at the table. She did apologize, but I was a bit annoyed that the manager didn't bother to come over and offer at least an apology or something. We had to ask someone for serving utensils for our side dishes. Our sides were Truffle Mac & Cheese and Creamed Spinach. The former was delicious - I love the taste of truffle oil. The latter was good, but there must have been mint in the recipe because there was a minty sensation that lingered on the palate for awhile...not bad, but also not wonderful. Some time later, the server brought my steak and she said "you're probably full by now after eating the sides". That was a ridiculous thing to say. Should I have laughed at the fact that the chef can't cook a steak right? Should I have laughed that I expected to eat my entree along with the rest of my party but instead got to eat side dishes? How stupid. She should have sincerely apologized and offered the appetizers on the house or something. Finally, the meal was concluded and rather than bring the dessert menu, the server just simply asked if anyone would like dessert or coffee. Again, maybe they're short on menus, but a classy place would simply bring the dessert menus regardless. Bottom line....this place lacks class and luster. The service is poor, and the food is ok, but not great (if its cooked right the first time). I would say the prices are too steep for the overall experience. Save your money and go to Outback next time.
(2)Jan T.
Having never been to this restaurant, but having heard a lot of good things from, admittedly, older clientele with money, we decided to seize the opportunity of Baltimore County Restaurant Week to try the place on for size. First off, I had read my Yelp reviews and noted the jacket requirement. This only applies at dinner time, apparently, as the lunch crowd shuffled in in either regular street clothes (for those under 70), or Alfred Dunner for "the regulars" as it appeared from the way they were greeted. Not a good sign. The decor is old-fashioned. Our both was a little tight, even for us skinny folk, and the wall had specks of dried-on food on it, very out of compliance with the cost of the average menu items. But, back to the decor. The restaurant is kept in a jockey theme, with statues and pictures of the equine persuasion all around. Overall it gives you a staid feeling, as if the place needed an upgrade. The service was impersonal to the point of being rude. The online menu had indicated that there would be a wine pairing with the RW menu but when asked the waiter just rudely suggested that they do not do wine tastings but he could suggest something. A further inquiry about draft beer also yielded a rude "none", even though they have a well-stocked looking bar. Disappointing. The food, however, took the cake. We started with a salmon tartare, which generally is small, cold chunks of salmon. Here, for some ungodly reason, they chose to do it asian but somehow screwed it up. The salmon itself was sushi-style (think spicy salmon roll) mushy tuna on overcooked rice with seaweed salad. It has also been chilled for a while, since the rice was hard to cut. The mains were forgettable. My dining companion had a shrimp and chicken salad platter, both of which were bland. On top of that, the chicken was overcooked and old, tasting rather tough. My shrimp fra diavolo featured overcooked shrimp and I was not given a spoon for the linguine, so that could have been messy. Dessert was similarly forgettable. I had a chocolate mousse that tasted like chocolate pudding. Somehow had apparently forgotten to fluff it, or perhaps it was just Jello, everything else tasting rather pre-made. Overall this restaurant was diappointing. I understand a special menu may not be to your liking, but there is no need to act snooty about it. Furthermore, since this can be used to generate new business and your regulars are not long for this world, perhaps giving a good show would be in your interest. We will not be returning.
(2)Mike F.
Sunday brunch withe the family. Elegant dining experience. Not as formal for brunch as it is for dinner. Food is creative and delicious. Service was friendly and pleasant. Only drawback is the price... a tad bit high, but not out of this world pricey.
(4)Rima H.
Went here for a late lunch with friends (4 adults and a kid altogether) on a lazy hot + humid Sunday afternoon. We sat outside which is nice but a bit warm, in retrospect. Still, the service was good -- the waiter was very attentive. The food: I loved the gazpacho and the seafood cobb. Other dishes consumed by my companions also looked good. High quality ingredients... The wine list was impressive. I'd have loved to drink red but, due to the heat, we opted for an Italian white (Banfi). Worked like a charm! Would come back to this place.
(4)Jesse K.
First off, I feel the need to admit the following; I am not a part of the northern Baltimore County "Horsey Set", I am not loaded with old money, and my wife and I are under 40. Contrary to what some other reviewers have said, none of these factors diminish at all our consistent enjoyment of Oregon Grille. I also could add that we are not "Regulars" (couldn't afford to be, unfortunately), and we seriously enjoy good food (i.e. we are not swayed by stuffy service, nice furniture, or mood lighting to think that mediocre food is actually noteworthy). Having said all of this, Oregon Grille is one of our favorite special occasion destinations and it has been for years due to the consistent service, classy atmosphere, and impeccable quality of food. A recent anniversary dinner proved no exception as we were graciously seated immediately (without a reservation) and then treated to an awesome meal. Any oyster lover who goes to the Grille needs to order the grilled oysters in lemon butter with chives. They are incredible, easily the finest fresh oyster dish I've ever had, with succulent flavors melding into a memorable start to the meal. The beet salad special with carpaccio-style rainbow beets was also fresh and inventive; a great way to use fresh seasonal vegetables that would not be out of place at Woodberry Kitchen, another of our favorite places. Heirloom tomato salad with balsamic also clearly included freshly made mozzarella, and was delicious. For my entree, although I am usually a steak guy (their steaks are uniformly fabulous) I went with the rockfish. Served piping hot on a bed of crab "Delmarva" hash, it was expertly prepared to allow the delicate flavor of the fish be the center of attention. My wife ordered the lobster cardinale and, likewise, the preparation somehow managed to be extravagantly rich while also making the fresh lobster meat sing. Chocolate cake for dessert (made in house) was decadent and a perfect complement to my Balvenie Double Wood scotch digestif. As a scotch whisky enthusiast, I can heartily endorse the Oregon Grille scotch selection, and the detailed descriptions of the character of scotches hailing from the different regions of Scotland is a nice touch on the dessert menu. The wine list also is excellent. I can certainly understand that Oregon Grille is not everyone's cup of tea. Yes, it does cater to an older clientele, but never have we felt out of place or looked down upon due to our age or appearance. Personally, I very much enjoy dressing in a more sophisticated manner for dinner; my wife and I dress to the 9's and feel like we are totally killing it when we walk into the place. It's a great feeling that anyone who actually looks for the opportunity to dress up instead of dress down will be sure to appreciate. In closing, Oregon Grille is old school dining the way it should be; elegant, attentive, gracious, and indulgent. But most of all, it is the food that shines and that is as it should be. I can only counter some of the relatively negative reviews posted here by saying I have never found Oregon Grille to be stuffy, the service never has been rude, the food never has tasted pre-prepared, the walls and tables have always been clean, and our experiences there always have been delightful. It is too expensive to dine there regularly but we look forward to many more celebrations at Oregon Grille and I eagerly anticipate my kids being old enough to begin making their own memories at this fantastic Baltimore County landmark.
(5)Don D.
I went here for a business lunch. It's a nice place, food was good, lunches were about $20 an entree. The waiter, Tom, was very friendly, and I would go back, but probably wouldn't go out of my way to get here.
(3)Iby M.
We came here for Valentine's Day this past year. It was supposed to be a romantic, nice date at a classy place we haven't gone to before (we generally stay in the county). As it was a holiday, the clientele was probably a bit younger than usual; there were some younger couples there for the same reasons that we chose the restaurant. However, given the stuffy overall appearance and the must-wear-jacket rule, I'm guessing that the crowd is usually much older on average. We had 8pm reservations, and were told that it would be a 45 minute wait... with our reservations. No apologies, no offers for an appetizer or drink while we waited, nothing. As it is, we didn't get sat until almost 10pm. It took over 1.5 hours WITH OUR RESERVATIONS to get a seat for just one table for two. At a place that is comparable in price (Woodberry Kitchen), I've had to wait for a reservation with a larger group of people (8-10 people), and it was only a 15 minute wait, and we were sent a round of champagne and given some free appetizers as an apology. Once we were FINALLY seated, our server was friendly and pleasant. The food was good, although not outstanding. The menu options were very traditional -- and not in a good way. It was all things that we had seen before. The steak was cooked to my liking, and my fiance and I enjoyed our appetizers (most memorably, the oysters rockefeller), but the price tag was way too expensive for the quality of food and overall experience. I would not come back here. Given the horrendous service by the management (who did not acknowledge the long wait or even offer to make our experience more enjoyable by a dessert on the house or a free drink), we will spend our money at a place like Woodberry Kitchen the next time we want to go out for a special celebratory meal.
(2)T M.
We went here for Baltimore Restaurant Week. For a jacket required restaurant, it really met all the points in terms of customer service. We had the dinner menu. My boyfriend ordered the beef carpaccio, filet mignon, and chocolate chip cook and ice cream. I ordered salmon tartare, MD crab cake, and chocolate mousse. The appetizer was OK at best. The sushi rice that the salmon tartare was placed over was mushy and not done right. The salmon was not sweet and when I think of salmon tartare, I rather have it "poke" style. Like Ahi Tuna tartare or Ahi Tuna Poke. Anyway, the beef carpaccio was OK at best. The main dish however made up for this. The filet mignon was tender but we could really do without the onion crisps. The crab cake was done right and I really had no criticism there. The dessert was below par. The chocolate chip cookie with ice cream could have been done at home by me. And the chocolate mousse was bland. With that being said, the service was excellent. They were attentive. Our food came out in rhymthic timing. The water was never below the half way mark. The butter and bread was excellent and the server was always around for us to ask for more. We ordered 1 bottle of wine, which made it all worth while. Anyway, it was a very nice experience and would recommend to anyone. We're a young couple and we really didn't feel out of place.
(4)John K.
The two most important things about a staff, to me, is that they be knowledgeable and be un-intrusive. Good food, of course, is important, but I've had good food in a lot of places. What separates fine dining is the service. Their command of the menu (i.e., preparation methods), command of the wine list (there's is quite impressive), and un-intrusive service (they do not stop and force conversation, or put their elbows in your face) all point to a polished, well planned and flawlessly executed experience. All of the food I had was delightful; the julienne fries, the creamed spinach, the lobster bisque...all wonderful. The bourbon glazed pork was marvelous as well. The wine list is outstanding. I was there for lunch, and my fiance and I split a glass of rose sparkling wine (Schramsburg Mirabelle Rose) for our bisque, and a half bottle of Shafer Merlot for our entrees. We weren't making an evening of this, we just wanted a few pleasant treats for the afternoon. As such, a half bottle was the supreme choice. Any list that has half bottles is already making friends with me, but their selections were useful and intelligent. Nothing terribly nerdy, and quite flexible with food. The full bottles did get a little nerdy, which made me envious of people that would be their for dinner...luckily, I can always go back. This really is what a forward-looking steakhouse should be. It is not entrenched; it is capable of change. It is not only a steakhouse. In fact, the term "steakhouse" does not do it justice. The cuisine is distinctly American, but so much more than another Morton's/Ruth's Chris/Shula's/Flemings. It is focused on wine; it is not an afterthought. The service is professional, informed and not young. As a younger member of the food service profession, I feel I can comfortably say that a restaurant full of young people is often a sign of an amateur operation. That, I can honestly say, was not the case. This is one of the best efforts in the Baltimore area, by far. If looking for a memorable meal, consider a classic Maryland horse-country experience, rather than another urban clone.
(5)Ollie G.
I would say it is a far cry from a 4-5 star review that it seems to get on yelp. I took my dad for his birthday here tonight as this is considered one of the best restaurants in Baltimore. The restaurant required a jacket for gentlemen, and so I expected the service to compliment the apparent dress code. From the time we arrived, we waited probably about 5 minutes before the the gentlemen ( with a one size fits all suit) greeted us and walked us to our table. Greeted meaning, ''may I help you '' not , ''I am sorry have you been waiting long''. This restaurant obviously has a regular clientele that keeps them in business, and don't really care to have new comers. It caters very much to '' older money''. So the first impression ( for what is suppose to be) was a 2 out of 5. Once we were seated, we did have a waiter who was polite, somewhat interesting but in a rehearsed kind of way. We ordered, and aside from him bringing the plates he was no where to be seen, I had to ask other waiters walking by for things we needed etc. So the waiter 2 out of 5. The Sommelier was excellent, once i explained what we were looking for, he recommended a fantastic bottle of wine. I would say a solid 4.5 out of 5 for the sommelier. The salads were excellent 4.5 out of 5. No elaboration on this point, just great! Two of us had a fish both were completely bland. My dad who is 70 years old, and watches his salt intake found it unpalatable. I understand you can always add salt, but come on this is not a high grade hospital food on medical restrictions diet ( though i understand their concern considering the primarily geriatric clientele). Main dish had HUGE potential as everything else about the dish was done perfectly, but complete lack of salt brings it down to 3 out of 5. A chef should not have let that dish out of the kitchen, never mind sending TWO completely under seasoned dishes out of the kitchen. Now, for the price and supposed reputation I give it a solid low 3 out of 5. Had it been half the price and dress code with a properly dressed chef de salle ( he looked ridiculous in his cheap suit) then it would have been a different story.. Would I go back, maybe as I haven't tried their steaks, but if they make me put on a blazer I would laugh in their face and tell them to look in the mirror. PS .. I wore a jacket tonight, I am not sore about the dress code, I actually like and appreciate it. I just think its ridiculous to enforce one when they don't pay attention to their own.
(3)Gordy B.
This place is very expensive, but the Steak Au Poive (medium rare) is my death-row meal. The couvoiser cream sauce and the onion straws... orgasmic is the only word that suits this steak meal. If you don't get the Steak Au Poive, you've wasted your time.
(4)Ashley Z.
my sister had her wedding reception here for a group of about 30. we were seated in the third floor at one very long table and i was impressed. the building is awesome - old stone, cool pictures and artwork, reminds you of an old country estate. all of the wait staff were friendly and did a great job. for appetizers we had the choice of lobster bisque or caesar salad. the lobster bisque was lick the bowl out good...i used the awesome fresh bread that they served to clean my bowl. husband had the salad and he thought it was really good. for dinner we had a choice of crab cake with fresh fruit salsa, organic chicken with mashed potatoes and broccoli, or steak tenderloin with fries and coleslaw. i had the chicken and it was great. moist, flavorful, and the broccoli looked like it was just steamed but was so flavorful. hubs loved his steak and my dad thought the crab cake was awesome. this place is definitely expensive but everything we had would seem to suggest that the price is justified for the quality of food served, the atmosphere, and service.
(5)Rachel C.
This place is great for a sophisticated, older crowd. It's old-fashioned and horse-race-themed. The food was excellent and so was the service. I recommend it for a special occasion dinner with parents or grandparents. (And try the Beer, Cheese, and Broccoli Soup!)
(4)Margot T.
We visited this restaurant during Baltimore county's current restaurant week. We had heard a lot about it and wanted to try it to see if it could be an alternative to our usual fine dining establishment in the area. Sadly this place is not up to snuf. We were greated out side by a row of faded jockey figurines and the decorating theme continued inside with hunting and jockey prints , highlighted by dried up food on the wall .Interesting enough the caked up food was all at head hight of a seated guest. Makes you wonder if his is bad cleaning , bad management or food fights in the restaurant. We further noticed that the over seventies crowd was much better received then the youger people though we made it a point to dress respectably for the occasion. Now to the service and the food. The restaurants advertises wine pairing on the website and that seems to be the only place where it takes place , not in real life. Upon my questions if they had any beer on draught I received a disgusted 'none' from the waiter. A restaurant in this price range should carry some superior european and local brews on tap. Our starter was salmon tatar or rather a sorry excuse of it. Tatar should be soft with identifiable pieces in it and not the kind of salmon you place in a Sushi roll. The rice underneath was overcooked and it was not fresh. My main course was chicen and shrimp salad with devil eggs which featureda total absence of flavour and taste and looked like two spoonfulls of something coming out of a bucket at a whole sale food store. Desert was strawbery crips with ice bream and the ice cream was nice. However the crips resembled the dry food I place into my cats bowl As to the service : I do not mind to be addressed as 'folks' in a rustic pub but I find in appropriate in a restaurant that wants to be of a certain class. Sadly this place has none
(1)Keith R.
This place gets 3 stars from me not because of the food or the ambiance, but the atmosphere. By far the stuffiest "I am so special" restaurant in MD. The restaurant is in a large house covered in steeple chase memorabilia and clearly caters to the blue blood old time staple chase crowd. A jacket is required and if you do not have one then one will be provided. Proper dress code is strictly enforced. The appetizers are delicious, but if you are looking for something outside of the box here from a flavor standpoint then forget it. Truffle mac'n'cheese is a must have, one of my all time favorite side dishes. Brunch is OK, not as good as NYC brunch spots, Miss Shirley's or Woodberry Kitchen. Steaks are good at Oregon Grille. Parking is close and free. Food is very expensive. Wine list is good and the house cab (Treasure Hunter) is the best house red I have ever tasted. There is outdoor seating which is nice if you are there in the summer or spring during the day. I am pretty sure the outdoor seating is closed during the night. At night they tend to have a pianist. Happy hour features free food (sushi and other small tapas like items), but I heard it gets pretty crowded in the bar area. Service is excellent.
(3)Nicholette P.
I came here on a beautiful day for lunch with my mom. We shared an appetizer and each had our own meals. It was very good and a nice presentation! The patio was so lovely and definitely worth going to on a nice day. It is a bit pricey but was doable for lunch! Would love to go back for sunset dinner on the patio!!!!
(4)Maria A.
Been here twice and honestly I am really dissapointed. Every time I am looking forward a phenomenal experience and everytime that bubble gets popped. For starters the place is immaculate, set at the foot steps of Oregon Park in Hunt Valley, the place is gourgeous with lucious gardens, outside decks and fireplace. The inside is dimly lit and almost with a foggy feeling. The services always bends over backwards to please, but often time I find them lacking of knowledge of their offerings and referring back to the chef multiple times. The food is yet another story! I am a tru believer that a restaurant should put their best foot forward during restaurant week to lurenew customer in to become regulars. My first course, the crab bisque was an insipid pale broth bearing a count of three pieces of crab. Absurd!! Nobody should call such thing bisque! The oysters were served with an original Japanese fruit of some sort, so I was informed, when it was obviously marinated in Mandarin. I must say innovative, but there is really no way one can destroy oysters, really?! (Unless they are rotten). My steak was tender and over cooked for my request for rare. The steak per se had no salt no pepper or any other spices whatsoever. Just a blunt piece of meat on a plate that had been pooly cooked. I do believe that anyone can cut a piece of steak and put it on a grill for a few minutes without any care for it. What I find absurd is doing so for a whopping $24 dollars for a 6 oz cut. I must admit that my friend steak au poivre had a quite peppery sauce (hence Poivre) this one was their "signature dish" so we were told, but at a over $30 list price. The mango sorbet with fruits, definitively store bought eventhough with fresh cut fruit. I am convinced this place is overly pretencious with substandard immagination for culinary arts. Dissapointing to say the least, especially when they potray themselves as this big culinary fantasy land. PLEASE! This will be my last time visiting. Do yourself a favor, if you want great steak, Mortons is your best bet.
(1)Aron F.
We usually go to Prime Rib or Ruth's Chris for steak houses but I had never been to Oregon Grille and really wanted to try it out. We went to dinner on a Saturday evening at 8pm. The restaurant was full but did not seem overly busy. The waiter did not provide poor service but did not provide excellent service either. We had to ask for everything including the wine menu! The bread was not served until our entrees came out. The poor rating is mainly about the food. The service was mediocre. For the price we paid it definitely did not suite the quality of food. My husband had the spinach salad. Nothing special. I had the salmon tartar appetizer. Perhaps I was expecting a different preparation, but it was basically like chopped up flavorless salmon on top of sushi rice. I don't recommend this dish. My husband wanted prime rib however they were apparently out of prime rib so he had the bone in ribeye and asked for it medium rare. He also ordered bernaise sauce. It came rare which he was okay with (he doesn't like to send food back in fear of what else might come back on the plate...) but the piece of meat he got was not tender and very chewy with lots of gristle. He said the bernaise tasted like it was out of a package. I knew better than to not order steak at a steak house but that particular evening I was in a seafood mood. I ordered the Lobster Fra Diavolo. Epic fail! The lobster was overcooked and chewy; I ate it but it really wasn't good. The pasta was completely mushy and bland, I didn't eat any of the pasta. I actually filled up on the bread! The rolls were good. We decided to skip dessert after our lack luster dinner. I was expecting a great meal as I heard from many people that this was a great place, unfortunately not this time. I've had better meals at Outback Steakhouse. We definitely will not return!
(2)Shane F.
The food is fantastic - staff always top notch. Great building and location. If you visit early in the day you can get away with dressing more casually. The wine list is serviceable. Also, makes a good spot for Sunday brunch.
(4)T S.
A friend from the area brought us to the Oregon Grill for lunch. It was awesome! It was a lovely, relaxed atmosphere with friendly staff and a delicious menu. My daughter had a cheeseburger which was excellent, according to her, and she is picky. I shared a salad and an avocado crab dish. Both were excellent. The avocado crab dish was superb. Definitely give this place a try.
(5)Pappa D.
If you are looking for high end atmosphere and average food ,this is it..Very expensive . Service is excellent and drinks are generous.
(3)kanling k.
I was very impressed. I don't usually dine at the fanciest restaurants because I usually come out feeling like I wasted my money. Not here. The food is even fancier than the ambiance. And for the quality of the food and service, I felt the price was very reasonable. I was there on a Saturday mid afternoon, so there were only a few customers at the time. I was dressed pretty casually and they didn't make an issue of it. But, next time I go I will probably be a bit neater. I felt kind of odd in a fancy place wearing only jeans and a T-shirt.
(5)