Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Is Chiptole Coming To Maple Lawn? Plus, New Mexican, New BGR, Closed Peruvian, Closed Thai

Anthony's New York Pizza & Pasta
The talk about Maple Lawn is that Chipotle is going into the new construction going in near the Harris Teeter.  It's been that way for months now.  People who know real estate explaining why the space and location look right.  Other folks saying that the new facade looks like a Chipotle.

I nod when they say that.

But I honestly don't know how to spot a Chipotle.  I can identify a classic Pizza Hut as I drive past, but I'm taking folks' optimism at the Chipotle and hope that we'll get an announcement soon.

I don't see anything official about the other Maple Lawn construction, but talk is about several other restaurants in the works.  Maybe a seafood place or a pub near Harris Teeter?  Maybe a new breakfast and lunch restaurant in the new office building that they're finishing up on the other side of the development?

Although we're a bit limited these days by toddler bedtimes, we're always looking for new places.  Lil' Chow and I hit up Anthony's New York Pizza & Pasta in Clarksville one night when Mrs. HowChow was out of town.  Unfortunately, this was before Lil' Chow announced "I don't like sauce."  So I ended up eating both our slices and feeding him garlic knots in desperation.

While we're at it, other local food news that built over my hiatus in the comments and emails:
  • Taqueria Los Primos has opened a "brick-and-mortar" store on U.S. 1 in Laurel, reports Steve on a comment.  This is one of the highlight taco trucks, so I'm eager to get over there.  And eager for Lil' Chow to come around to Mexican food more than tortillas.
  • That's an influx of new Mexican.  Cinco De Mayo is filling the space that Royal Taj vacated when it moved to expanded space in Columbia.  Junior Barnes sent me the website link that says Cinco De Mayo will open in "early 2016."
  • And BGR the Burger Joint may be come to Rte 108 next to the new Urban BBQ, says Kevlar51.    On the same comment threat, SHerrington asked if anyone knows what's going into the retail built at 10000 Old Columbia Road -- visible on the south side of Rte 32 but apparently empty as far as I've seen.  Does anyone know?
  • Bangkok Delight in Columbia appears to have closed while I was on hiatus.  Jim S. left a comment, and Nicole mentioned it on Facebook in November.  I'm nostalgic because it was one of the first places that Mrs. HowChow and I went out for dinner.  That was back when we lived off Rte 108.  I remember really enjoying Bangkok Delight, then feeling like the food changed.  Alicyn recommends Little Spice in Hanover as a Thai alternative.
  • Also, has one or more of the Bagel Bins closed?  Folks were talking in November.  Dzoey mentioned a Cafe Bagel on Rte 103.  That's new to me.  And what about Pisco?  That was the Peruvian restaurant near Perfect Pour in Elkridge.  Katie reported last week that it was closed.
  • 5485 Restaurant appears to have opened in Columbia.  This is in the Doubletree Hotel near Rte 29 and Rte 175.  The staff says they renovated and changed from Morgan's to 5485.   When I called, they said the menu isn't on-line yet.  Has anyone tried 5485 yet? 
  • Starting in January, you'll be able to visit the Manor Hill Brewery on Saturdays to buy cans and growlers of their beer, says MoCo Beer.
  • Black Flag Brewing in Columbia has launched a Facebook site so that you can follow the brewery that will open on Snowden River Parkway next year.  And you can watch for the web site that they're building now.
  • What is Mother's Howard County Grille planned for Elkridge?  After figuring out the calendar system to check on the liquor license applications at Wegmans, I'm having fun watching the liquor board web sit.
  • Dzoey hit up the new Pie Five on Rte 40 in Ellicott City.  Several new chains are opening along Rte 40.  Pie Five is in new construction just west of Bean & Burgundy, which Dzoey says still has a good lunch buffet.  This is the report:
Pie Five does not take reservations and they do not deliver, but they have a special way of cooking the pizza so that it bakes in 2 minutes and it is ready for you 5 minutes after you order. You can specify your own pizza, choosing from five different crust types and four sauces and a variety of toppings, or you can use one of their pre-arranged combinations.

I tried three (pre-arranged) pizzas: the BBQ pizza, the Buffalo Chicken pizza, and a meat pizza (I forget the name) with one of their thin crusts and two of their thick crusts. I thought the thin crust was good, better than Domino's, not as good as Ledo's, and the thick crust was good as well, better than Pizza hut, not as good as what I've had in Chicago. The BBQ sauce was on the sweet side, with a hint of smoke and went well with the chicken. The meat pizza was good, with a good balance of salt and spice. The buffalo chicken wasn't what I expected, there was not much buffalo sauce, just some jalapeno peppers. It's a pretty crowded market so I wish them well. It's worth trying out.
  • And finally, you need to check out VCnearDC's long comment about the best cheesesteak in Howard County.  The family did a four-stop taste test.  They decided that Philly's Best in Columbia had the best meat and therefore the best sandwich.  Now that's on my list to try as well.

37 comments:

  1. I've got to believe that the Mother's is related to the venerable bar Mother's Federal Hill Grille, famous for it's "Purple Patio" on Ravens game day.

    ReplyDelete
  2. You asked if a Bagel Bin closed. Yes the one in King's Contrivance Village Center closed. It is has been closed over a month.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Also, Cafe Au Lait closed. They had a great bahn mi. :(

    ReplyDelete
  4. On October 12 I sent a tweet to Chipolte asking them when their Fulton location is opening, Here is their response......

    We are so excited for this opening, though it is still in the very very early stages. Because of this, I can't give an exact date, but we're looking at the beginning of the new year. We hope to see you then!

    Until we 'meat' again,
    Jessica

    Customer Service Consultant
    Chipotle Mexican Grill

    ReplyDelete
  5. Try tamales out with Lil' Chow. I was an extreme picky eater when I was lil' and that was the only Mexican food I would eat.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Visited Pisco in October hoping to use my Groupon, and there was a sign saying it's under renovation. Now it's closed. 😣

    ReplyDelete
  7. Visited Pisco in October hoping to use my Groupon, and there was a sign saying it's under renovation. Now it's closed. 😣

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm surprised 5485's menu isn't online yet - I reviewed it for the Sun last summer! The food was decent hotel fare but at that point, the bar still wasn't fully up and running - they didn't have the ingredients for most of their signature cocktails. (That was a month after the relaunch as 5485.) People were nice, though.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Cafe Bagel on rt. 103 isn't new if you're referring to the one in the plaza with the Giant in Elkridge, but it's still fantastic! Quaint little bagel/sandwich shop, tends to get busy on weekend mornings. I've been there many times.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I hope someone opens a coffee shop a la Bagel Bin, Starbucks, Panera, Pete's or Caribou where Pisco was. That Gateway Overlook shopping center needs a nice coffee bar. Is there one there and I just don't know about it?

    ReplyDelete
  11. Unfortunately El Hidalgo has closed. Also, Let's Dish has closed their storefronts and moved to a delivery-only model.

    Do you keep a list of all of the restaurants that you've visited?

    ReplyDelete
  12. El Hidalgo is still open - until Sunday, Jan 3rd. They are running specials to clear out their stores food.

    ReplyDelete
  13. While looking up "pizza Columbia Maryland" I ran into a new(?) spot: Rovia's Bistro. It's located across the street from HCC next to the First National Bank. The website is here: http://www.roviabistro.com/ I don't have any more details.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We order from Rovia's--salads are fresh and subs are very good too!

      Delete
  14. Oh man, El Hidalgo had the best sangria and a nice owner. Rovia's has been over for a bit now...my sister has been there and said it's good.

    ReplyDelete
  15. For those Jimmy John's fans, there's a new location on Snowden River Parkway going north, just past the intersection of it and Broken Land Parkway. The official address is 7075 Minstrel Way.

    ReplyDelete
  16. @JL: Yes, that's the one - Bagel Cafe in the shopping center off of 103 & Montgomery. Best bagels in Howard County.
    That's a real shame about El Hidalgo! That was my favorite Mexican place, though it was a bit of a drive, so we didn't get there that often.
    I'm glad Howchow is active again - I missed the all the good info. Welcome Back and Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Pie Five is also coming to Dobbin Center where Baja Fresh used to be. Also, just noticed that Minstrel Way/Snowden area will be getting a Grotto Pizza soon (next to Jimmy John's). More Pizza!

    Thanks for all the Food News.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Sad news for Elkridge, El Hidalgo is closing its doors for the last time today, Jan 3. Had our last meal there last night. Check their website for official statement.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Any reviews of Beef Brothers on route 40? We go to Romas pizza and subs for cheesesteak, meatball, and hot italian subs, but it'd be nice to have a good reuben place!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I can't believe that people still go to Chipotle, given the problems they have been having with E. coli.

    ReplyDelete
  21. There's a banner on El Hidalgo's former location saying "Mt. Everest Restaurant Coming Soon" with a phone number that I didn't get a chance to write down. Maybe Nepalese?

    ReplyDelete
  22. @kam. It could be a branch of the Baltimore restaurant Mount Everest. (Indian & Nepalese) Website is http://www.mounteverestrestaurant.com/

    ReplyDelete
  23. I drove by Pisco today, and saw a sign on the door. It was an eviction notice from the Howard County sheriff.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Urban BBQ announced they opened today at the location near Coal Fire in Ellicott City.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Got an advertisement menu today for the Mount Everest in El Hidalgo's old spot, and it is Indian and Nepalse, with a few assorted Western items (subs, etc.) The menu has some things in common with the Baltimore one listed above but looks like a slightly more limited selection and possibly a greater emphasis on carryout.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Little Spice is my favorite are Thai Restaurant. Even better is Sumitra in Frederick.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Looks like it's going to be a Verizon store going in between the Starbucks and Urban BBQ off 108, not a food place.

    ReplyDelete
  28. According to Patch, Nalley Fresh is now open in Dobbin Center.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Cinco de Msyo is now open. Grotto Pizza opened last month.

    ReplyDelete
  30. According to Patch, Pie Five in Dobbin Center opened today.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Had the lunch buffet at Mount Everest about a month ago and it was terrible. I thought Grotto pizza was just ok.

    ReplyDelete
  32. A new Thai restaurant called "Siam Spice" opened in Bangkok Delight's old location. I tried Bangkok Delight a couple of years ago when I first moved to Columbia and was very disappointed. However, Thai Spice has been great the three times I've gotten their take-out. I wouldn't say it's as good as Little Spice but it's definitely the best Thai food I've found in Columbia. Here's their website: http://siamspicemd.com/

    ReplyDelete
  33. Siam Spice is where Bangkok Garden 9 was located (in Oakland Mills), not in Bangkok Delight's old location. (Which is still empty?)

    ReplyDelete
  34. The pizzas all look absolutely delicious, thanks for the little review!

    ReplyDelete
  35. I can identify a classic Pizza Hut as I drive past, but I'm taking folks' optimism at the Chipotle and hope that we'll get an announcement soon. اسعار الخيام في الامارات | خيم عزاء

    ReplyDelete

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.