On Hiatus

HowChow will be coming back, but I don't expect to post in the next two weeks.

Take A Tour Of The New Turf Valley

The new Turf Valley development is bringing an impressive group of second restaurants to western Ellicott City -- a second Facci, a second Xitomate, a second Mimi's Kabob, etc.

I posted about some of the restaurants, but AnnieRie has a post with photos.  She has been liking the new Harris Teeter.  She is watching construction of the restaurants.

Shilla Bakery Has Opened In Ellicott City

During my down time, the Shilla Bakery opened on Rte 40 in Ellicott City.

Shilla is a Korean bakery with sweets and savory.  I haven't been there yet, but I assume it has a selection similar to the Bon Appetit bakery farther west on Rte 40.  Adam tells me that they have bulgogi and kimchi pizza.  That seems like something that I need to try.

Shilla is on the south side of Rte 40 west of Rte 29.  It is a strip shopping center just in front of the center where you can get Bon Chon fried chicken.  Weirdly, the Shilla Web site seems to say the new bakery is at 8801 Baltimore National Pike, which would be the Lotte shopping center.

Thanks to Adam, Dan and everyone else who emailed me about Shilla opening.  If you have been, please post reports or recommendations in the comments.

Here Comes The New Foreman-Wolf Restaurant; Construction Begins, Red Pearl Disappears

Demolition at the new Foreman-Wolf restaurant

Here comes the new Foreman-Wolf restaurant on the lakefront in Columbia.

Construction has started on the new restaurant from the owners from Charleston, Pazo and other Baltimore spots.  Or at least demolition has started.  Crews were tearing out metalwork and fixtures earlier today.

Red Pearl's old woks

The Red Pearl's woks were sitting on the floor near the door after that place closed last year.  We still miss that lakefront dim sum.  But we're very excited for Cindy Wolf's new kitchen.  So far, no one has talked publicly about what kind of menu the new restaurant will offer.  Mrs. HowChow is rooting for a seasonal place tied to local farms.

The June announcement said the new restaurant would open in 2013.  It's part of the Howard Hughes Co.'s effort to develop their land and properties in central Columbia.  It's next to Sushi Sono and just down the lake from the Whole Foods under construction.

Hatch Chile Craziness This Week At Wegmans

While I was away, Mena flagged for me that the Hatch chile event comes back this week to the Columbia Wegmans.

The New Mexico chiles took over the Wegmans parking lot last year, and people could buy them in several levels of spiciness and roasted or fresh.  Looks like the same options come back this year.  People buy them by the case, then freeze them to add all year.

Mena says Wegmans called for pre-orders because she had ordered last year.   You can talk to the catering department.  Or you could check out the parking lot on August 23-25.

Thanks Mena!