Comments About Facci, Halal Foodies, And Union Jack's

The rate of comments has increased so much that I'm not keeping up as well as I did before.  (Thirteen comments on a post about potato salad!)  But I still love them.  I appreciate people's time, and I really appreciate when people can talk -- and disagree -- without devolving into Internet nastiness.

A quick link to the Sun's Facci review kicked off 25+ comments.  The worst look like plants, but Rida, K8teebug, DanaSr, Chrysalis and others gave detailed reports on their experiences.  Then YumPo and Anonymous had an extended exchange about food blogs and diner's expectations.  On the actual food, I'm listening to the Pizzablogger, who says the pies have improved.  On the parking, I'm wondering about Renfield1969's suggestion that there is parking "just across and down the street via a connected sidewalk."  Where is that?

A comment originally tipped me to the new Red Pearl planned for the old Jesse Wong's Hong Kong space in Columbia.  Then, Kristi and Dzoey posted about meals at the two restaurants owned by the people opening Red Pearl.  Kristi has eaten at Far East in Rockville -- and says they have a "secret Chinese menu" and lots of food that she likes.

This is a restaurant where you can get the most Americanized dishes or the most authentic, but it will depend on your knowledge of Chinese dishes. Obviously if you go in and order the General Tso’s chicken or Orange chicken, it’s going to be Americanized. But choose one of the vegetable or seafood dishes, and you’re more likely to get a different sauce than you’re used to.

Nazar Produce has opened the first Turkish market around -- a broad array of Middle Eastern items, but a focus on Turkish stuff.  HowICook gave some great suggestions about items to buy and a cookbook to try them out.  Then two Anonymouses shared what seems like some experienced advice.  The first noted that halal beef cuts can be limited and that Nazar sells rib-eye and filet mignon.  The second said the baklava -- which I think it superb -- qualifies in his/her mind as average at best.  (If you're the first Anonymous, please email me because I would love a guest post aimed at Halal foodies. Someone else pointed out that the re-born Dobbin Donuts and Kabob Korner will have halal deli -- "It's very hard to find a halal roast beef sub.")

And there's more.  Definitely check out some comments, which have good information and might lead to old posts.  This isn't a comprehensive list, but I'm trying to highlight some recent ones that are worth the click:

• Dzoey seconds the BBG's belief that T-Bonz has improved its craft beer selection, but says the food remains hit-or-miss.
• Anonymous asked where to find roast duck and soy chicken.  Can anyone help?
• Vivo wants to know if anyone has tried the pizza at Gianni's in Severn.  Anyone?
• Nigel loved the NY Deli hot corned beef -- says it's lean, but the least bit dry.  Anonymous didn't like the pastrami or the hot dog, but Wendy liked the egg salad.
• Anonymous loved the scallop roll at Sushi Sono.  Better than the bridal veil and dragon, he/she says.  That's worth checking out.  Lynn talks up the lobster with chef's spicy butter sauce at Jesse Wong's Asean Bistro.
• MaybeKathy says that I missed out by skipping the house-brewed root beer at Bare Bones in Ellicott City.
• The sandwiches and other food at Bon Fresco got more comments -- but also some complaints about inconsistency -- from Jen, Chrysalis, and others.  Anonymous did recommend the apple turnovers, and Fultie lauded the cinnamon rolls.  I hadn't focused on the sweets there.
• Brandon Miller linked to a lamb kabob recipe perfect for the flat kabobs that you can buy at Pars Market in Columbia.
• Cheryl suggests that cheddar garlic loaf at Great Harvest Bakery.  On the bread theme, Adam from GrubGrade.com took my suggestion on the biscuits at Victoria Gastropub and then tried the Cuban sandwich there.
• Chris suggests that you skip Oktoberfest -- okay, it's not exactly in season, whatever -- at Max Blob's Park.
• Krispasf suggests the $5 margarita Mondays at Azul 17, but the dinner fell into "good but not noteworthy."
• Anonymous talked up the vegetable maki and baby red snapper specials at Sushi Sono.
• Anonymous (again) reports that Target has begun to expand in Ellicott City, presumably so that they can add product.
• Michelle From TX and Christine both liked the tacos at R&R Deli in Jessup.  But TC had real reservations -- about the conditions, not the flavors.
• A bunch of people -- including Brian Grogan and Sherry -- reported about the new Honey Pig in Ellicott City.  So far, that's all raves.  It's more a mixed bag in the feedback about Union Jack's in Columbia from Lous Biggie, Brandon, and others.  In the same way, HoCoRising and Emily had opposite views on the new Yama Sushi in Ellicott City.
• Leah actually posted a follow-up comment.  She had joined an original string with many people complaining about Portalli's in Ellicott City.  Leah went back and thought it had improved into her "special" neighborhood restaurant.
• A bunch of people riffed on the running joke about what to call the area around the APL, Facci and Kloby's.  Perrik, Elaine and others gave their points.  Kam got the last word -- which I assume was a joke.  (Dzoey talked up the beef ribs at Kloby's.  Boiled down: Tasty food, spacey waiter.  Other folks have talked up the green beans, the baked beans and the hush puppies.  I'm always bummed at the Kloby's sides are so small for the price.)