Comments About Shrimp Heads, Quality Beef And Several Ways To Serve Chorizo

Thanks again for everyone who voted for HowChow in the Sun's Mobbie's contest. Even more than a vote, I love that people add their two cents in the comments. I often pull news or new restaurants from there, and I periodically highlight some comments because you probably missed the ones on older posts.

Today's I'm posting comments because I hope to get more tomorrow. I'll start a two-day post of my "Best Restaurants" and "Best Food Experiences" in Howard County. Please do jump in.

First, a real question about Jesse Wong's Asean Bistro. It is one of my favorites, so I was struck by an anonymous comment asking whether the Asean Bistro had changed ow

ners or chefs. In a detailed, reasoned comment, she says that the food seemed totally different on a recent trip. Nothing like the quality they had had before. Does anyone know any news about

the Asean Bistro?

Now, all the opinions:

• Kevin and Anonymous laughed at me for leaving the shrimp heads during my dim sum lunch at Asian Court.
• Porter confirmed that I have overlooked a Burrito Brothers in King's Contrivance.
• Amy of Delicious Divas found the bento boxes at Hanoori Home Plaza, but noted that a store full of colorful plastic and shiny metal was not the place to browse with preschoolers.
• Rob and Trip Klaus discussed quality beef and their hopes for the new steakhouse planned for Maple Lawn in Fulton.
• Trip Klaus also reported that Bistro Blanc joined the Howard County elite by offering a parking lot cafe -- al fresco dinner with a view of your car. In serious news, Anonymous reported that four Jordan's Steakhouse waiters have joined Bistro Blanc.
• K8teebug, Kevin, and others gave their advice about Max's Blob Park and how to enjoy the polka, German food and Oktoberfest.
• Robandsam asked whether anyone knows what is joining the Columbia Mall food court next to the new Thai place. Still in the mall, Wonderinaliceland says no the Five Guys' mall location, saying it didn't match up with burgers at other Five Guys.
• Among the comments on Mango Grove, Kattrina said that the owner/manager recommends great foods, and Dzoey recommends the onion and pepper oothappam with the tikki channa chaat appetizer. But SH says the Columbia restaurant is underwhelming and not as good as Udupi Palace -- a PG County place that I love as well.
• Anonymous found one of the great taco trucks on U.S. 1. We're not sure if it was Pupuseria Lorenita's, but I think it was because they do sell tortas. Anonymous shrugged at the tacos, but loved the bean and cheese pupusas.
• Veggies!, HowICook, TVMom, Kathy and others described their favorite items at the relocated Dutch Country Farmers Market in Laurel. Although Sandy McDonald echoed my concerns that the market offers some great items and some ordinary when she noted that the deli salads comes from plastic tubs and the produce appears to come by delivery from the Jessup wholesale market.
• Anonymous talked up the chicken kabob, the pumpkin, the balkava and more at Mimi's Kabob -- dinner for three for $21. Similarly, Maria talked up the Red Snappaz for Jamaican in Laurel.
• Nakiya at the Taste of Baltimore blog chose the wrong side and agreed with my wife that chocolate doesn't go together with Old Bay seasoning.
• Lovely Rita says that the India Delight buffet makes her question her loyalty to House of India. Just below, Lyss recommended the lamb di piaza and the chicken tikka masala.
• Anonymous seconded my rave about the popped rice cakes at H Mart -- although I'm not sure that he/she actually saw my original post.
• Katie gave her recommendations for sushi at Hanamura: Kevin roll, crunch roll, . . . . . . But Kim and emkenton both talk up Sushi King -- and emkenton says the King will make you a sweet potato roll if you ask.
• Coal Fire continues to spark comments with it's pizza. The recent ones include everything from Lar being disappointed to Anonymous promising to drive eight hours back for another pie. The big news: Anonymous says there is a kid's menu if you ask. Why make people ask?
• Then, there were excellent recommendations of specific dishes: Heepers likes the carnitas at Zapatas in Columbia. Kristi and a friend enjoyed the bibim bop at Bethany Seafood Restaurant in Ellicott City. Momomon loved the Cuban panini at Hidden Treasure in Highland - and says they sell salted caramels. Kim liked the chicken dish at Soretti's Ethiopian in Burtonsville (formerly Cafe Oromia). PENALTYna talked up the tacos de alambre at El Azteca in Clarksville -- steak, bacon & chorizo. M Allen loved the buffalo chicken sandwich at Dog House Pub in Columbia. Morty Abzug waxes poetic about the chorizo burrito at Frisco Grille in Columbia.
• Michael says that Fortune Star Buffet seems to have dropped off. It's the classic fly in the soup problem.