Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Trolling: Tomato Palace's Meatballs, El Azteca's Tortilla Soup, And TJ's Dark Chocolate Pretzels

Lauren writes the blog AthlEAT where she writes particularly about healthy cooking and occasionally about taste-testing for her wedding.   The blog is fun, and she has reviewed some Howard County places like Tomato Palace.  That's the perfect example of what this "trolling and pimping" series adds to HowChow.  We have never been to Tomato Palace, and I have never had El Azteca's soup.  So Lauren has recommendations for me as well as you:

Meatballs and Polenta at Tomato Palace in Columbia.  The star of this dish is the soft parmesan polenta.  Buttery and cheesy, it goes wonderfully with the homemade meatballs.  The tomato sauce and sprinkle of parmesan have to be included in every bit to get the full experience.  The fresh baked garlic knots, house salad, and chicken rigatoni are all incredible.  Who doesn't love the Tomato Palace that grew up in Howard County?
Tortilla Soup at El Azteca in Clarksville.  Chicken and vegetables in a flavorful broth topped with fresh avocado and crispy tortilla strips.  Can't forget the sprinkle of melted cheese.  I sometimes think about driving out to Clarksville just to get this soup.
Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Covered Pretzel Slims.  An embarrassing portion of my paycheck goes to Trader Joe's in Columbia every month. I sometimes wish I had never discovered these dark chocolate pretzel slims.  They have the salty/sweet combination that is extremely addicting.  You can find them in the most overwhelming aisle of the store with the frozen items and sweet treats.  
Trolling on Tuesday is my attempt at a series where readers would share three things with other HowChow readers -- favorite restaurant dishes, food to buy, food experiences, etc.  Click here for all the Trolling posts.  Click here for the explanation and the rules.  Anyone can submit.  

12 comments:

  1. I thought the Tomato Palace had closed. Is the one at the Lakefront in Columbia still open?

    Love Trader Joes!

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  2. I won't be surprised if they are still open. People seem to gravitate to the place despite the inedible food. I have to agree that the meatballs and polenta are good. But everything else is tasteless and greasy.

    HowChow, this note's for you --- why no review of The Rumor Mill?

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  3. Tomato Palace next to Sushi Sono is still open.

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  4. its refreshing that people are saving your blog with these types of posts, mr how chow.

    It appears your typical commentary on pink soda at mexican foodmarts is growing quite stale. Time for some new material that matters.

    Troll on.

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  5. We had dinner at TP on Saturday night and were very happy. Good food, great service and awesome dinner rolls.

    -wb

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  6. Hehe, the haters always make my day. They are so passionate and committed about their hating. I always imagine them sitting in McDonald's, feeling sorry for the rest of us because we can't understand the superiority of a Big Mac, having nothing else to do, so why not bash howchow over the free wifi.

    What a great blog to elicit such feelings of love and hate. And that's without even trying. HowChow is actually very conscientious when it comes to sticking to his non-negativity policy.

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  7. But if the blog went away, Mr. Anonymous Hater, then you wouldn't be able to complain about it anymore!

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  8. Or Ms. Anonymous Hater. I shouldn't gender-discriminate.

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  9. Maybe it's not a traditional, old-school, Little Italy joint, but the baked house cannelloni at Tomato Palace (either with marinara and mozzarella or with pink/white sauce and parmesan or, for those who throw calories to the wind, the pink/white and mozzarella) is probably my favorite Italian dish anywhere.

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  10. Does it mean you are old if you think of the Tomato Palace as "that new Italian place on the waterfront?"

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  11. Tomato Palace is one of our favorite restaurants to go to for one of their many delicious salads. Especially love the gorganzola salad. The meatball/polenta dish is wonderful and we also enjoy the calamari.

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  12. Thank you for mentionning El Azteca!!!! I had never heard of it and went there last week after reading this post and OMG, the food was fabulous! I went there again last night and everything I tried on their menu was splendid again. This is definitely my new favorite mexican place in Howard County.

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I love comments -- especially comments that specifically recommend dishes or items to buy. Tell people what you like and why. If you can, please don't leave it as "anonymous." Just choose "name/URL" below, type in a nickname and leave the URL part blank. I like following people's comments even if I don't know your name.