Comments are a great part of HowChow because people report news and provided detailed reports or sugestions about what you might want to try.
Chicken Stirfry w/ Cumin at Red Pearl |
But many great comments fall on old posts. For example, Bboyneko wrote a long review of dinner at Azul 17 in Columbia -- an ambitious restaurant where I had some mixed experiences. Bboyneko says the prices are fair for unusual goods like the bar drinks:
For example, the Mojito is made with Mexican ingredients for a very unique take on the classic drink. Then there are other surprises like using very hard to find Colombian juices for their drinks. (read, colOmbian, NOT ColUmbian.) Ever had Maracuya, Lulo or Guanabana juice? Well those use it in their Margaritas with very good effect. . .
I try to collect comments regularly so you get to hear from more than one mouth. This is just a blog about food, and everyone has different taste and a different voice. Here is a sample of the recent thoughts:
- Lisa, bl86, Sam and others talked up the bubble tea that Mrs. HowChow enjoyed at Ichiban in Columbia.
- Linda reports that Laurel Meat Market's meats are grass-fed, no hormone and no antibiotics.
- k8teebug, Sherrington and others recommended their favorite places to lunch in Columbia.
- Barbi enjoyed Mimi's Kabobs in Clarksville -- overall it doesn't beat Maiwand Kabob, but delicious chicken kabob and pizza.
- Marcia and a crew of anonymous commentors report on the goods at the new Kolache Korner in Ellicott City.
- MaybeKathy didn't like Smokin Hot in Glenwood. But she loves JW Trueth, especially the skirt steak.
- Steve reported that China Chefs in Columbia has a sign saying they're remodeling and will reopen in February 2011. (Update: But it looks like it will be a different name and restaurant.)
- Marcia recommends the Lisbon Grille for smoked meat and especially the club.
- Courtney, several Jens and others listed the high-end places where they think Howard County food is worth paying big city prices.
- PizzaPoPo liked the pizza at Facci, but questioned some claims on the menu.
- Mo stumbled on the Twist & Turn Tavern. She liked the wings and chips, but had some warnings. Mo also reported that J.W. Trueth's meat comes from Pennsylvania Amish country.
- Charles recommended the pork shoulder sliders at Pure Wine Cafe in Ellicott City.
- Al Pong -- who runs an exotic tree nursey in Fulton -- reported that he does have kaffir lime trees that people requested.
- Ray F provided his techniques for cooking the crab cakes from Boarman's in Highland.
- SpikeyD didn't like his first visit to Victoria Gastropub. Chris was similarly down on his first visit to Honey Pig.
- Mary questioned whether Donna's in Columbia depends on whether Donna is in Columbia when you eat there.
- Laila suggested how to find the best deals at Ann's House of Nuts in Columbia.
- AlPal3 recommends the kofta kabob and the bowlani at Maiwand Kabob, and Morty Abzug confirms the suggestion to call ahead.
- Sarah, emkenton and a host of anonymous folks talked last fall about their CSA deliveries.
That is really interesting about China Chefs remodeling, and reopening. That comment was made over a month ago. Can anyone confirm that China Chefs will be reopening? If it's true, I will be very happy!
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ReplyDeleteHave you eaten at Royal Taj, near the Greene Turtle/Smoothie King? We were there on Monday for their lunch buffet and the place was packed. This is my new place for Indian, their dishes are more flavorful than House of India and the staff is incredibly nice. They have Chicken Tikka Masala as a buffet entree, which is a huge plus with me.
ReplyDeleteGood post. I guess this is as good a time as any to chime in with a recent lunch outing at Bistro Blanc. I have to say, their sandwiches are really very good. In fact, I would say they are the best in HoCo for a casual sit-down place. I had the Peppercorn Turkey. It was paired masterfully on a flaky and buttery croissant with melted brie and crisp apple slices. The turkey portion was hearty and amazingly flavorful. The black pepper coated breast meat was very succulent and had a great peppery sweetness, and it really went well with the buttery richness of the croissant and the milky brie. I'm usually not one to order sandwiches on a croissant, but this was well worth it! I love how they don't charge extra for fruit instead of fries, and was glad to find an honest-to-God fresh fig in my side of fruit. The rest of my family members all got sandwiches as well and really enjoyed them. Yea, the service is a little odd (long waits, odd wait staff, stuffy interior) but the food is worth it!
ReplyDeleteAzul 17: love the mole and the enchilada with crab and shrimp. But the red snapper is mild and bland, even though the waitress recommended it.
ReplyDeleteAlso, for Thai, we've been enjoying Cha Ya on McGaw Rd. I love the massaman curry there.
Has anyone else tried Indian/Nepali at Gateway Pizza? I like the momo.
ReplyDeleteGateway Pizza is in East Columbia/Elkridge, on Old Waterloo Road, a short distance from the Columbia Best Buy.
Address:
6520 Old Waterloo Road
Website: http://www.gatewaypizzeria.net/
I got hungry reading the stuff about Bon Appetit Cafe and decided to give up my AM bagel and go there for breakfast instead.
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is... wow. It was awesome.
I loved that they had a bunch of samples out, too. I ended up picking some extra food up to share at work.
I definitely echo Kristi's call to try the lunch buffet at Royal Taj in Columbia. The buffet also offers milky chai tea and freshly made dosas in the buffet too.
ReplyDeleteMorty- I've tried the Gateway Pizza. I tried it and it's a good alternative to the traditional Indian restaurants in the area. It's extremely spicy, so I would stick to milds and mediums unless you're particularly familiar with this type of food. There's a few reviews on this place on yelp.com.