Howard Magazine's 2011 dining edition hit the stands this week, and you should check out the full package with a feature, the "best of" list, and some suggestions from some talkers.
The Howard Magazine lists are sort of an "anti-blog." I always stress that HowChow -- and especially my best restaurants list -- is just personal opinions, but the magazine folks collect votes from readers across the county. Their Best of Dining 2011 list runs dozens of of topics including takeout, margaritas, Chinese and wine lists.
To round it out, the magazine also asked for thoughts from me, their dining columnist Donna Ellis and Sun reviewer Richard Gorelick. Their suggestions are terrific. But you should definitely check out the entire package for the photos as well. The main feature describes six "giant" meals that you can order in Howard County. They highlight burgers, a burriro and a sandwich, but it was the double-decker "Smash Dog pizzas" at Pug Dog in Columbia that reminded me that I need to check out those (regular) pizzas.
16 comments:
HA - I missed the comma and thought you said "takeout margaritas". I thought - hey, now there's something I want to find out about. Darn it.
A couple of my favorites are missing, but I'm happy to finally see Rumor Mill not make a 'best of' list. ;)
I am surprised at their ranking Luna Bella in Hickory Ridge so highly! I mean, we like it well enough for weeknights when we don't want to drive too far, but we definitely prefer Stella Notte in the Lotte Plaza on 40 and Aida Bistro on Columbia Gateway.
...Perhaps the reviewers were biased by their sweet tooth!
You're right Stephanie, Stella Notte is one of our favorites too.
I've never understood the great love that there is for Hunan Manor. I ate there on several occasions and never once had a particularly good meal. That and their very well-publicized issues with the health department (such as attempting to pass off bug parts in food as shrimp) really make me wonder what the reviewers are thinking when they sing the praises of that particular restaurant.
Unfortunately it's just a popularity contest. How can a best of list not include Bon Fresco in the deli section?
Well of course it's a popularity contest - it's a vote tally. Vote next time.
@Steffi - I think for Hunan, it's just good memories. My family and I ate there frequently in the late-80's and early 90's. It really was a good restaurant then. Sometime in the late-90's they took a serious dive in terms of quality and cleanliness. Now, anytime my mother visits, I have to explain why we can't just meet my brother and his wife and kids at Hunan Manor...
HowChow – you should try Pub Dog if you have not. I am in a neighborhood “Men’s Film Club” – i.e. bad movies that we don’t have the guts to ask our wives to see with us. It meets Sunday nights and then we go to Pub Dog. It is a real fun place, even late on a Sunday with very good pizza (with tons of choices) and self-brewed beer and it is very cheap.
Since I haven't seen any posts with information regarding the Mongolian Grill in Columbia I thought I'd comment and let you know that I walked past the store front tonight and noticed that they have a sign announcing they are permanently closed. The stated reason was because they couldn't get their lease renewed. The sign directed people to their website to watch for information on a reopening if they find a new location. Could this be one of the spaces the Mango Grove/Mirchi Wok are planning on leasing for their reopening?
Help me HowChow! Any ideas for a HoCo restaurant that could accomodate a rehearsal dinner for 20, a separate room would be best. We would prefer Asian (Thai would be ideal) but will settle for anything at this point! Thanks!
@Bride -- I can't think of an Asian place with a private room. First thought: Red Pearl in Columbia. Good Chinese, especially the authentic menu. You might even negotiate a dim sum menu. No private room, but they could cordon off the back. Second thought: Portalli's in Ellicott City has separate dining rooms. They might be able to give you the downstairs room if it's not a busy night. I'm trying to picture other "business dinner" places, but I can't picture a private room. You might call Stanford Grill in Columbia, Gregstone Grill in Columbia. Third thought: Sushi King has a separate, but not private, room with several tables. Not the screened rooms that seat maybe eight. I just mean the side room. It might seat 20. I'd love to know what works out.
@Bride - Hunan Manor has a private room that will easily sit 20.
Red pearl does a great job sectioning off part f te restaurant. Also try the new Asian Palace (near Mad City). It's more fusion but food is good and decor is quite hip.
Thanks all! I had called Asian Palace and they said they do have a room but don't have any special menus, it may have to do though! I think I'll also try Red Pearl since we love dim sum!
I know it's 7 months later, but I wanted to thank you for your recommendations - we ended up going to Red Pearl and it was perfect! They were really flexible in putting together a menu with 2 dim sum selections, 5 entree selections, and a dessert selection which were all served family style in a semi-private seating area. The food was delicious, plentiful and affordable. I highly recommend Red Pearl for anyone looking for a family-style dinner for 20+!
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