Review: Nick's Airport Inn in Hagerstown, MD

Meal: Weekday Cocktails
Atmosphere: Elegant
Service: Friendly
Prices: High
Food: Could've Been Better

Dining Companion (DC) and I wanted a light meal one weekday evening, so we decided to sample a few appetizers and cocktails at the bar in Nick's Airport Inn. Read my previous review of Nick's Airport Inn for more details about the atmosphere and décor.

The bar side of Nick's Airport Inn is a bit more relaxed than the formal dining room. A few large screen TVs are hung behind the bar, so most evenings you'll be able to watch the news or a sporting event. A piano sits in the middle of the room, but I believe they only have live music on weekend nights.

Our server was pleasant although not particularly attentive. (On numerous occasions I've had food and drinks at this bar with an assortment of companions, and I've discovered this is a common theme at Nick's Airport Inn. Their service greatly improves if you're a well-known local businessperson, but it tends to be average or below for regular “unknown” customers.)

DC ordered a mixed cocktail. At a price of about $6, he expected to taste the liquor in his drink. Unfortunately, his cocktail had been mixed so that it was very weak. My glass of house wine was about $6, too.

We ordered two appetizers. The Filet Mignon Tips were $11.95, and they were accompanied by a bleu cheese slaw. The Stuffed Mushrooms were mushrooms stuffed with lump crab meat and covered in sauce, and they were priced at $10.95.

DC asked for the Filet Mignon Tips to be served medium, but they were cooked well-done when they arrived. They were tender, but I've definitely had better filet mignon tips. They seemed to lack any real flavor, although this may have been because they were overcooked. The slaw was crispy and had an interesting taste, though I am not usually a fan of bleu cheese. The portion size of this appetizer was pretty large.

The three stuffed mushrooms that were served to us, on the other hand, looked almost pathetic on the wide expanse of white plate. In terms of taste and texture, DC and I agreed that they were average. Although the mushrooms were tender and the crab meat was abundant, the sauce was uninteresting and had no depth of flavor. Again, I'd say that I've definitely had better crab stuffed mushrooms.

As usual, the restroom in Nick's Airport Inn was clean, well-stocked and extremely pleasant. It is probably one of the nicest restaurant restrooms in Hagerstown.

My verdict: You'll pay a premium price for both drinks and food at Nick's Airport Inn. Unfortunately, the drinks are often weak and sometimes the food is only slightly above average. If you leave good tips for the staff and become a “regular” in Nick's (or if you visit with an “important” person), you'll get better service than if you're just stopping in for the occasional meal.

Tastefully Yours,

Ms. Dish