Comments On New Restaurants, Kahlua Nachos, A Cocktail Served With Smoking Wood, And More

New options at the Great Wall supermarket in Catonsville

There are too many new restaurants opening for me to keep pace.  Can't get there to eat.  Can't get time to write.  So I really appreciate all the folks who have been emailing and commenting to report on meals.

AnnieRie and Deena took the lead by writing respectively about the new Facci in Turf Valley on AnnieRie Unplugged and about White Oak Tavern on Deena's Days.  But other people chimed in through comments -- from Eagle15 on Facci to rsi, JRick, Jess and Mike on White Oak to Anonymous on the Grille in Maple Lawn.

Kevlar51 reported on a Manhattan served at the new Gatsby's Bar American served under a bell jar with a piece of smoking cedar.  Jay, Anonymous and others described meals at the new Columbia restaurant.  At the same time, Travelinsnorkel reported on an early dinner at Petit Louis, and Gina says the Caffe Benne coming to Rte 40 had great hot chocolate and a cool atmosphere.

A few of Min's favorite things

Min and Anonymous both talked up the new Great Wall supermarket in Catonsville.  Anonymous comments about some Chinese items that aren't readily available at the Korean-run markets like Lotte.  Min emailed to say the Hong Kong roast pork was even better than Asian Cout's dim sum and to say they were happy to find some Taiwanese soy sauce brands, fermented black beans and other pickled items:

There's also this supposedly very yummy crispy skin duck (Pipa Ya 琵琶鴨) that my friends have been raving about. I was there around 2 pm, and they were all sold out! 

Chris and Edith both ate at Chutney, the Indian restaurant that replaced Akhbar's on Snowden River Parkway.  Chris commented on a post, and Edith emails:

I had dinner there last night and both food and service were excellent. Lots of freebies, too (although I'm not sure whether that's SOP while they're opening or if they just felt sorry for me, dining alone on Valentine's Day). 

Until now Royal Taj and Mango Grove have been my favorite Indian restaurants in Columbia but Chutney just catapulted to the top of the list.  Definitely going to visit their buffet lunch soon.

AnnieRie, Anonymous, Cindy, and Radha asked and got tentative opening dates for new spots --  Pisco (April), Buffalo Wild Wings (May 14) and Mission BBQ (June or July) and the new Royal Taj in "Restaurant Park" (8-9 months).  Adam even flagged another new restaurant -- or at least a Facebook page for BricknFire Pizza coming to Catonsville.  Looks like they're just getting their pizza oven and storing away wood for a spring opening.  Anyone know more?

Trolling: Tim Finds Sushi At Katana In Clarksville, Nudges Me To Find Nicki's Foster's Country Store

Tim's sushi at Katana in Clarksville

Urbanspoon lead Tim to Katana in Clarksville, and I get a "trolling" post out of the fun.

Trolling on Tuesday is my attempt at a series where readers 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.

This is a great way for people to hear about places where we have not eaten.  We eat out way less than the blog seems to make people think.  We hadn't been to Katana, so I appreciated Tim's report on Katana and on Maiwand Kabob -- along with reports on the new restaurants coming to Turf Valley and his nudge that lead me to discover another new place Nicki's Foster's Country Store in Ellicott City opens over the next two weeks.

But first, Tim on sushi in the western county:

We stumbled upon Katana in Clarksville, and I have to say we were impressed with the sushi.   Was not very impressed with the Pad Thai from the Thai menu, so next time we will try the Drunken Noodles.  We have still not made it to Sushi Sono, but it's high on the -- list, just not as convenient to get to from Western HoCo. 

At Katana, we started with a Negimaki Beef. One of my Japanese favorites, theirs was barely average. Then we shared a pad thai and three rolls; 8 piece Tim Rolll (from the special board), six-piece Hot Summer Roll and I think an eight-piece Sweet Heart Roll.  All three rolls were excellent.  Pad Thai was just okay. 

We have been really digging the Afghan pumpkin appetizer at Maiwand Kabob, in Columbia.  That is pan fried baby pumpkin topped with yogurt sauce and ground beef. Many Afghan places have this dish but it's truly amazing at Maiwand. 

We are anxiously awaiting the opening of Red Parrot and Mimi's Kabob at Turf valley, they both look really close to opening. I will say I was sad to hear that Mimi's will not be offering pizza at the Turf Valley location, according to someone at the Clarksville location, hopefully that will change. 

I mentioned to you last summer about the old Foster's country store on Rte 144.  They have been doing a lot of work on the inside, looks practically finished to me.  Maybe someone else knows something?

I didn't know anything about the new country store, but Google did.  I found a Facebook page for Nicki's Foster's Country Store on Rte 144 in western Ellicott City.  I can't tell the details there, but there is chatter about homemade donuts and fountain drinks.  Tim says they put a sign outside Monday that says: Quiet Opening, February 19; Grand Opening, March 1.

What Is Wild Cajun Seafood? Are They Serving?

What is Wild Cajun Seafood?  Has anyone eaten there?

Jack emailed me about a Web site for a restaurant in the Lotte shopping center at Rte 29 and Rte 40.  It's new to me.  Jack and I didn't even know if it is open.  The phone number doesn't go to a restaurant yet.

Does anyone know the story?

The menu that Jack found on-line has a lot of fried seafood -- along with salads, other seafood, and New Orleans dishes like gumbo and etouffee.  They promise po' boys, and that could be a delicious.  There is also a Facebook page where they seem to be recruiting job applications.

Jersey Mike's Coming To Elkridge At Trader Joe's

A sub chain called Jersey Mike's appears to be opening in Elkridge in the shopping center with Trader Joe's and Perfect Pour -- across from the Costco.

I don't know Mike, but I have received raves from several excited people.  I have always held up Philadelphia sandwiches as a gold standard when I think about good locals like C&B Italian Dely on Rte 40.  It sounds like Jersey Mike's has a South Jersey pedigree, as Zevonista wrote me:

Used to eat these on the Jersey shore - looking forward to their arrival! 

It's been quite a while since I've been to one - but my memory is that they're bigger, with a good amount of meat. Meat sliced as you wait. And the bread is (well, used to be!) great - fresh, baked in store. Hopefully they still do that. 

My experience around here is with pizza places, where they do subs kind of as a backup to pizza. They're fine, but it's not how they make their money. Meats not fresh, bread been sitting around for a bit...

Fresh bread and fresh-sliced meats will make these sandwiches stand up around here.  Marcia confirmed that and said she goes to a Jersey Mike's in Laurel:

I go occasionally to the Jersey Mike's in Laurel.  I don't know if you've been to one, their subs aren't the "stuffed with meat" variety but they use great quality real Italian cold cuts (mortadella, etc) in their subs. T he rolls are nice and crusty.  Head and shoulders above Subway.

This Gateway Overlook center is also the site of the coming-soon Peruvian place Pisco.  That's a few doors down.  Does anyone know the plan or the timing for Pisco or Jersey Mike's?

Hat tip to Randy, Kerri and several anonymous commenters who also saw the signs for Jersey Mike's in Gateway Overlook.

Is Royal Taj Moving To Restaurant Park?

There's talk -- including folks who spoke with the owner -- that Royal Taj is moving to its own building in the "Restaurant Park" part of Columbia.

Royal Taj is a white-table cloth place off Snowden River Parkway.  It's one of the great Indian restaurants around.  Talk is that they want to go more upscale.  Anyone know the plan?

The "Restaurant Park" is a development off Rte 108 just north of Rte 175.  There's an Applebee's, a McDonalds and some other stuff.  I don't know which one might be closing to be replaced by Royal Taj, although Sam wrote a comment that it's the Applebee's.

From Marcia:

The owner told Steve he'd always wanted to take "the next step up" with his restaurant and Royal Taj was doing well enough that he could do it. He is very excited ! I'm happy for him, we are big fans of the food at Royal Taj, but we always get carry out so can't speak to service or atmosphere in the restaurant. (Imagine prices will go up - sigh)

Baltimore Mag To Howard Co.: No Sweet For You; What An Intern Could Have Found In One Day

CrunchDaddy popcorn -- That's sweet

Does Baltimore Magazine want us to stop us from buying their magazine?

I know that these "city" magazines have contracted into monthly shopping guides, but they can be really great ways to find new places.  I'm just bummed that Baltimore Magazine seems to be aggressively saying that they don't want subscribers in Howard County.

I can't figure out another message behind the "Sweets" article on the cover of the February edition.  The 10-page spread couldn't find a single Howard County bakery or restaurant to highlight.  Fifty recommendations.  None here.

Salt in the wound: They mentioned Bonaparte Bread, but only the Fells Point store -- not the Savage bakery where they sell and bake.  That seems like a conscious decision where they went out of their way to note the "multiple locations" of such culinary stars as Au Bon Pain and Maggie Moo's.

Au Bon Pan and Maggie Moo's?

But I digress.  It's actually a smart article that mixes haute, expensive joints with casual, old-time bakeries.  (My favorite is the sidebar "admitting" that Berger cookies aren't the uniformly-loved treasure most local journalists make them out to be.)  The many options would make me want to move north -- except that I know we're so sweet down here that I can only assume a Baltimore Mag editor drew a line to discuss only "the city," "the county," and a quota in Anne Arundel.

Baltimore Mag seems to know Howard County exists.  I can see ads for Victoria Gastro Pub and stores at the Columbia Mall.  But we got nothing more than a fine-print quote that says Great Sage makes vegan desserts -- not even a mention of what they bake.  So what could the magazine find with just an afternoon of an intern's time?

• Bonaparte Bakery in Savage and Touche Touchet in Columbia.  The pastries at Bonaparte and the cookies at Touche Touchet would have fit perfectly into their mix of modern, high-end desserts.  Editor's pick: Frosted cookie with seasonal art at Touche Tochet.
• Kolache Kreations in Ellicott City.  Here's a little niche item that anyone is welcome to tell their readers that they've discovered.  A pastry fond to European immigrants -- that's a Baltimore media speciality.  Editor's pick: Coffee and a cherry kolache.
• Sweet Cascades in Ellicott City: Chocolate, chocolate everywhere.  The camp esthetic at Sweet Cascades would have contrasted nicely with the three chocolate shops that Baltimore Mag highlighted in Timonium.  (Road trip!)  Editor's pick:  The subtle bite-sized candies with flavors like rosemary, but we know people love the wacky stuff like Old Bay chocolate crabs, chocolate-dipped cheese puffs, and wine bottles covered with edible designs.
• Shilla Bakery in Ellicott City.  Here's a stop that would have absolutely stood out on the Baltimore Mag list.  Korean folks make great sweets -- from French-inspired cakes to awesome sundae-like bing soo.  (Our bing soo adventure at the equally-interesting Bon Appetit down Rte 40.)  Editor's pick:  Red bean donut and a sweet potato latte.
• CrunchDaddy and CookieRide.  Again, I appreciate the "how to find a place to shop" theme that has devoured city magazines.  I just don't see the service journalism in telling people in Baltimore that Berger cookies exist.  CrunchDaddy sells spectacular, unique sweet and savory popcorn from Columbia, and CookieRide will deliver cookies -- or run cookie parties -- all over.

Okay.  That's enough.  I just wrote about bakeries to check out on your weekend last month.  Plus, the scene keeps getting better with Columbia's Le Comptoir joining the absolute best group when it opened last month.  You could even click on all 160+ posts about sweets.  Find what you like.  Just don't cut us off the list.

I actually feel Baltimore Mag's problem with ice cream.  Maggie Moo's stands out on their list because it's really not made with a personal touch.  But they listed the local ice cream that I know, and I can't think of anything they missed.  Does anyone make ice cream in Howard County?  The closest that I know is Seibel's in Burtonsville.

Check Out Valentine Specials From Bare Midriff

Elizabeth from the Bare Midriff blog has compiled more than a dozen restaurant specials for Valentine's Day.  Special menus on everything from vegan food to French cuisine.  I'm terrible at lists, so I always appreciate when folks put them together.

Latest Word: Ananda Will Bring Indian To Maple Lawn; Mission Barbecue To Come To Columbia

The latest word is that the Indian restaurant Ananda will open in Maple Lawn in the near future.

That's what the Maple Lawn developer told folks at a race in the neighborhood over the weekend.  There was that weird point last week where the new restaurant building seemed to be listed for rent.  But the developer said the Indian restaurant would open, and the liquor board is still scheduled to consider Ananda's license on February 11.

In other news, Mission BBQ is coming to Columbia.  I have that from a reliable source, although I didn't take notes so now I'm not 100% sure of the location.  Mission is a local chain with locations around Baltimore.  They're replacing something that closed recently.

Buffalo Wild Wings is replacing the Don Pablo that closed near the Target off Rte 175.  Am I right that a Chicken Out closed in Columbia, maybe on the back side of that same Target?  My faulty memory says the Mission BBQ is replacing a Chicken Out.  Maybe someone knows the story or the timing.

Craving Now: Agua Fresca At Xitomate

Agua Fresca at Xitomate

I am thinking about dinner at Xitomate -- even though I can't exactly remember the drink that is making me crave a trip.

Agua frescas are a Mexican drink made with fruit juice often made by a kitchen that just blends fruit, water and ice.  They can be as standard as watermelon or as exotic as tamarind or tropical fruit mixtures, and they range from a lemonade consistency to a thin smoothie.  But in their many forms, they have become one of my favorite parts of Mexican dinners.  It's like a custom cocktail when I don't want alcohol.

My local spots for agua frescas are R&R Taqueria in Jessup and Xitomate in Columbia.  I highlighted R&R's during Cold Drink Week in 2011, but I'm craving a mid-winter warmup at Xitomate where I could settle in with some hearty food and a fruit drink.  I don't even remember what flavor agua fresca we got at Xitomate, but it's calling me back.

Petit Louis Cuts The Ribbon In Columbia

Petit Louis cut the ribbon its its Columbia location.  Ken Ulman, Mary Kay Sigaty and other local politiicans welcomed the restaurant on the lakefront.  We went into Le Comptoir to warm up.  At first, we just ordered two chocolates.  Then we added two macarons.  Then they brought out a tray of chocolate croissants warm from the oven.  And we had to try those!!  Amazing.

Seriously, you should come out Sunday to enjoy the warmth, coffee, pastries and sandwiches.

(Update:  You may want to call to confirm they're open Sunday.  The Web site says they open at 10:30 am Sundays, but there is a comment below that says they may be closed tomorrow.)

Quick News: Ananda Coming?, Paolino Taking Over Serafino?, And First Tastes Of Petit Louis

White Oak Tavern

Has anyone heard anything about the Indian restaurant coming to Maple Lawn?

They built a beautiful building, and folks applied for a liquor license for a restaurant called Ananda.  But then the building appears to have been briefly listed for rent earlier this week.  So far, I haven't heard anything more.  I know people are asking, so I think it is noteworthy that no one has publicly confirmed that the Indian restaurant will open as planned.

There are other bits of news around:

• Cindy and others have heard a rumor that Chef Paolino may be taking over the space that used to be Serafino's in Ellicott City.
• Trip Klaus posted that the folks who own Victoria Gastro Pub have announced that they'll join the brewing trend by opening Manor Hill Brewing.
• Trip Klaus also emailed me that Bean & Burgundy was soft-opening this new dinner menu on Friday night.  This is a big space on Rte 40 with an ambitious mix of coffee house, wine bar and restaurant.  Apparently, a consulting company is on-site to help create an Asian fusion and tapas menu.
• White Oak Tavern has opened on Rte 40 in Ellicott City.  Tom Coale has moved to Stage 2 in food blogging, and he snapped the photo above.  (Next step:  Photos of the food.  Step 4:  Moving the food on the table to get the best photography light.)  His quick report:

This is a place to put at the top of your "to eat" list. The good is great and the atmosphere is everything you would want from a local tavern. But don't let the comfort of this place fool you. The food is ambitious with things like "beer battered hake with creme fraiche on brioche" (what I had) on the menu. Notably, there are a number of vegetarian options, including a grilled cheese that I look forward to trying. 

Overall, a home run out of the box for these two owners (who were working the bar). I'm very happy for them and hope the community responds.

• Also -- check out the Howard County library's annual gala Evening in the Stacks planned for February 22.  Tickets are on sale.

I'd love to hear comments below if anyone know more about Ananda, Chef Paolino or any of these other items.

And, of course, Petit Louis and its casual counter Le Comptoir are opening.  You should go now for those great Le Comptoir coffee and pastries, and the Petit Louis ribbon-cutting will be there this afternoon.  T.J. Mayotte actually got to eat during the soft opening this week.  He tossed together a report this morning, and I have posted it after the jump.  Check out his glowing report.

I will reserve comment except to note that we have reached the point in American culture where men comment on the beauty of bathroom.  I laughed when I got to T.J.'s excitement because I made an even-more detailed report ("sliding glass entrance door!") when I came back from my first trip to the bathroom at Range.

Lunar New Year: Learn To Make Seafood Dumplings From Cha Ya's Growing Video Line

Cha Ya Asian Bistro has updated its cooking video lessons in time for the Lunar New Year.

Check out the video above to see the chef making scallop dumplings.  This one has even-more instructions about forming the steamed treats -- a perfect pair if you buy dumpling wrappers at an Asian supermarket and your own filling recipe.

My favorite dumpling resource is Andrea Nguyen's cookbook Asian Dumplings.

Hat tip to Jessie X who spotted the video.

The Best Food To Be Served In A Parking Lot?

Taco trucks go well with beer

We need to think about the best food that Howard County can serve in a parking lot.

Yesterday, I posted about the two breweries that plan to open this spring.  The trick of a brewery -- not a brew pub -- is that it has no kitchen.  So Jailbreak Brewing and Black Eyed Susan Brewing both plan to partner with food trucks and restaurants to feed folks who come to drink some beer.

Food trucks are fun.  I have posted about them many times.  The breweries may be able to attract trucks form DC or Baltimore, but the local choices make some good ideas:

• Barbecue from David Welch, who usually sets up in Savage.  He is a pro, and the pulled pork, kielbasa, ribs and more could make terrific drinking food.
• Tacos and Mexican sandwiches.  There are several trucks along U.S. 1.  I haven't been to many since I discovered R&R Taqueria, but the breweries could roll in folks like Pupuseria Lorenita or Pupusieria Los Pinos. 
• Sweet and savory from the waffle trucks -- La Pearl or Thomas Waffles.  Dessert is obvious, and La Pearl does catering.  But Thomas does some sausage sandwiches that I could have used on some late nights.
• Then there are cookies.  CookieRide may not seem like the obvious choice for tipsy folks.  But the Jailbreak folks are specializing in "culinary" beers -- recipes made with fruits and other items more common with chefs than brewers.  I wonder if there are ways to partner with CookieRide or even CrunchDaddy's popcorn.  I'm imagining mini-bags of some savory popcorn paired with special beer.

But I was thinking about other fun.  Nathan Sowers runs out River House Pizza on the Second Sunday markets on Main Street in Ellicott City.  That pizza oven looks tough to move, but those pizzas are absolutely spectacular.  I can't think of better food if these breweries can attract crowds that make it worth pulling that oven.

What else can you recommend for Jailbreak and Black Eyed Susan to check out?  They can pass out cards at the food truck round-ups.  But there must be creative partnerships to make -- especially where these folks want to brew interesting beer that pairs with food.  They have space.  They need food for their folks.

What restaurants might want to show up?  I don't know the economics of restaurants or the logistics of delivering food to a parking lot.  But there are good places to start the conversation:

• RG's BBQ Cafe?  These folks might want to meet Robert Gadsby.  He has a new high-end place in Columbia with an aspiration for a creative bar, and his casual Laurel barbecue joint just down U.S. 1 could do great wings, ribs, and more.
• Town Grill in Lisbon runs a great stand at Larriland's October weekends.  Pit beef, barbecue sundaes, and burgers.  It's a drive from Lisbon, but their food would go great with a beer.
• Bulk pizzas?  Justin and I talked at Jailbreak about whether a pizza place might deliver.  I don't know that Coal Fire Pizza delivers, but maybe there is a way to connect them.  Are there any good pizza joints near Jailbreak in Laurel or Black Eyed Susan in Columbia?
• Can restaurants deliver if they don't normally cater?  I think of great food that works as take-out.   If it could travel, it could be great fun to have Peruvian chicken or Hawaiian roast pork or kalbi or Korean tacos from Annas or Mexican tacos on Lily's house-made tortillas.

What can you suggest to Jailbreak and Black Eyed Susan?  They'll want something delicious.  I know that I'm an oddball, and I'd love Maiwand's kabobs or Mango Grove's chicken tikka with my beer.  But I'd love to know what you'd recommend.  Who else could cater to a parking lot?

It's serious that any truck, restaurant or catering folks should reach out to the breweries if they want to work together.  These seem like serious folks who want to find good food.

Is An Indian Restaurant Closing In Maple Lawn Before It Even Opens? New Place For Rent?

For more than a year, people have been talking about a new Indian restaurant in Maple Lawn called first the Polo Club and later Ananda.

Are they closing before they even opened?

The building looks beautiful inside, and it seems close to completion.  The business even applied for a liquor license.  But Keller Williams has a listing on Craigslist offering to [update: rent, I think,] the building -- saying it would be great for a retail store or a "barista bar."  Giulia spotted the ad and posted on a Facebook group.

Does anyone know what's up?  The Maple Lawn developers definitely thought an Indian restaurant was opening here at their last annual meeting.

Here Come The Brews: New Howard County Breweries Will Want You To Taste Their Wares

Where the magic happens at Jailbreak Brewing Co.

I'm pretty sure that I drank a decade of beer before I ever realized that beer came from somewhere -- let alone worried about where it came from.

Those were the dark days when Killian's Irish Red was an exotic flavor and when American bars almost disappeared down the horrifying path towards Zima.  There was beer and light beer.  At our classiest, we tried to impress folks by drinking Irish pints -- without realizing that our Harp was imported from Canada.

But beer has made great strides in the past 20 years, and you'll soon be able to buy more beer that comes from here.  Comes from commercial breweries here in Howard County.

Two breweries are aiming to open in 2014 -- Jailbreak in Laurel and Black Eyed Susan in Columbia.  They're both small businesses aiming to sell kegs to restaurants and bars, but hoping to carve out a retail niche with tasting rooms where you'll be able to try the wares.

In the tasting room, looking into the brewery

And eat at food trucks.

I sort of buried the lede here.

Both Jailbreak and Black Eyed Susan plan to park food trucks in the parking lot.  They would also like to partner with local restaurants.

So you'll be able to sit, sip beer, and eat tacos or barbecue or whatever other foods are available that night.  Just the thought of grilled meats in a summertime parking lot will help me survive this January freeze.

Breweries differ under the law from brew pubs like Frisco Tap House in Columbia because those have kitchens and primarily make beer for the folks eating their food.  Howard County just legalized this kind of brewery last year.

Luke Lavoie profiled both companies and the legal change in the Sun last September.  Andrew Metcalf's Patch article about Black Eyed Susan from December describes a business plan similar to the one that I heard Monday when I walked the Jailbreak location with one of the owners, Justin Bonner.

Justin and his friend Kasey Turner brought on Ryan Harvey as their brewer.  Harvey had been the head brewer at Dogfish after working at Empire, Keegan's and Alaskan breweries before.

They hope to open the first week of April.  They are in the midst of converting an empty warehouse into an industrial zone.  Brewing requires a complex of boilers, pipes, and fermenting equipment.  Much of the shiny machinery is in place.  They've laid a tile brewing floor.

When they're done, you'll be able to see it all from stone-walled tasting room in front.  They'll have tables and a giant television.  Justin said that they'll do some regular beers like IPAs, but they're trying to emphasize a "culinary" style.  They want to use ingredients like chefs -- a jalapeno IPA, a honey-apple ale, a pineapple-agave wheat . . .

You get the idea.  They're already brewing . . .  at Justin's house.  He said they have equipment firing outside his house where Ryan is already working out the recipes.

Beer is a big job.  Jailbreak will grind its own grains.  They'll have augers moving that overhead, steam lines, machinery to brew and store multiple varieties, and even casks to age it.  I can see why Black Eyed Susan's Web site says that they plan weekend tours.

But, mostly, you'll want to come to drink -- and get food in the parking lot.

Look for both Black Eyed Susan and Jailbreak in Spring 2014.  Tomorrow, I will post about the food that should partner with these breweries.  They need tasty food trucks or local restaurants that would want to deliver or partner with the breweries.  This is your chance to help connect some locals.

For more about the breweries, check out articles by Ryan Sharrow and Sarah Meehan from last summer in the Baltimore Business Journal.

Jailbreak Brewing Company
9445 Washington Boulevard North, Suite F
Laurel MD 20723
443-345-9699

NEAR:  Jailbreak will be in a light industrial development on the east side of Rte 1 in Laurel.  It is just south and across the street from the Carmax.  You turn off Rte 1, then turn left into the industrial area.  Jailbreak has a big sign overlooking the parking lot.

Black Eyed Susan Brewing Company
9570 Berger Road
Columbia, MD 21046
410-648-4042

NEAR: Black Eyed Susan will be just off Snowden River Parkway near Broken Land Parkway.  They're tucked back on Berger in the same general neighborhood as Daedalus Books.

Three Cup Chicken At Noodles Corner Brings A Taste Of Taiwan To Your Chinese Dinner

With the loss of Red Pearl, Noodles Corner has turned into our local spot for Chinese food, and we loved a Taiwanese dish called "Three Cup Chicken" over the holidays.

Noodles Corner is in Columbia in the same shopping center as Mango Grove and Pub Dog.  It's a casual place with a regular Chinese restaurant menu, but it also offers a second menu of "authentic" dishes that we have absolutely loved.

"Three Cup Chicken" or sanbeiji appears to be a bedrock Taiwanese dish cooked with soy sauce, rice wine and sesame oil -- thus the "three cups" that make the sauce.  We got tender chunks of chicken coated in an amber sauce lively with ginger, basil, salt and maybe lemongrass.

The chicken dish is all meat, so it pairs perfectly with the "Basil Eggplant."  That plate comes to the table in a cloud of Thai basil.  It smells delicious, and the eggplant has been perfect -- firm enough to stay together, soft enough to cut with a fork.  We actually drove to Noodles Corner for the eggplant dish.  It is worth every mile.

Do you have any restaurant-dish recommendations for other Chinese restaurants around Howard County?  We are due for a trip to Odenton for Grace Garden, which remains my #1 favorite.  I'd love any other recommendations about where you go and what you order.

White Oak Tavern Is Now Open On Rte 40

White Oak Tavern has opened on Rte 40 -- farm-to-table dining with lots of beer taps.

I'm going to cook dinner for 30 people, so I gotta keep this short.  Please comment if you go.

Drop What You're Doing! Go Have Coffee And Pastries At Le Comptoir, The New Walk Up

"Cinnamon bun," chocolate croissants, croissants

Petit Louis hasn't even opened, but the small walk-up counter next door has already kicked off a brand new experience for Howard County food.

Le Comptoir is a casual counter service area next to the space that will open next week as the latest Foreman-Wolf restaurant.  You can get casual lunch items, but it's worth dropping whatever you're doing right now to just get coffee and pastries.

The best croissant Mrs. HowChow has ever had.  Lemon poppy cakes.  A chocolate-pistachio pastry.  Two flavors of macarons.    Something described as a cinnamon bun, which I carried out and is waiting to be eaten as a little snack.

Everything that we ate was perfect.  A small, crispy croissant that was simultaneously light and flaky, but left a luscious impression of butter on my tongue.  A cake moist with a strong lemon flavor and a slight crunchy crust for contrast.  You know that I love the local bakeries, but you can't beat these pastries overlooking the lake.  We split a French press of coffee, and we had the best time.

Even before the coffee rush, I was pretty hyped up for this group's first restaurant in Howard County.  I can't say that I dream of French dining, but the Foreman-Wolf restaurants have this amazing feeling where people are obviously serious about the food, but not about themselves.  They're so nice.  The flavors and the people make me want to go back immediately.

At Le Comptoir, you can take out or sit at one of the cafe tables overlooking the Columbia lakefront.  Gorgeous now -- and great to get out of our house after these frigid weeks.  I can imagine that it will be even better in five to seven months when you could eat outside, walk around the lake, and let little feet run on the grass.

Petit Louis appears to be opening next week.  They're doing "friends and family" meals to work out the kinks and hosting a few charity lunches and dinners this week.

Check with Le Comptoir about their hours this week.  Eventually, they're planning on breakfast and lunch.  Maybe into the night.  But the restaurant is still opening, so I don't know their hours this week.  Hat tip to Clayton who stopped for an espresso and croissant on the first day Saturday.

Le Comptoir (inside Le Petit Louis)
10215 Wincopin Circle
Columbia, MD 21044
410-964-9999

NEAR:  This is on the Columbia lakefront next to Sushi Sono and just down from the Tomato Palace and Clyde's.  You park in the parking garage fronting Little Patuxent Parkway, then walk down to the lakefront.

Petit Louis To Open Next With Charity Meals

Petit Louis -- the new Foreman-Wolf restaurant on the Columbia lakefront -- will open next week with a series of special lunches and dinners to raise money for charities.

Andrew Metcalfe has the full story in the Patch -- including menu items and talk of brunch.  The special meals will be January 28-31, then the restaurant will open for real in February.

Looking For Favorite Dishes -- Especially Unique Ones -- At Howard County's Indian Restaurants

Dosa -- a little one from lunch -- at Mango Grove

Can I get your "deep cuts" for Indian restaurants in Howard County?

When we go for Indian, we love the comfortable feeling of dishes that we eat again and again.  The mashed eggplant of baingan bartha.  A lentil dish.  A chicken tikka masala or chicken korma.  That is guaranteed pleasure without even opening the menu -- and way more than a meal for two of us.  So we haven't branched out as much as we could.

I was thinking about this a few weeks ago when Diana lamented the shuttered Akbar's by saying that its kitchen had turned out her favorite non-standard Indian dish -- lamb xiacutti, a dish from the town of Goa.  I had never heard of the dish.  I never knew Akbar offered it.  Now, I'm on Wikipedia reading about lamb or chicken cooked with poppy seeds, coconut, and red chilis, and I wish that I could find xiacutti (or "xacuti" as spelled by Wikipedia).

What other special dishes should I check out?

This feels like a good time to talk about special Indian dishes because Ananda -- formerly to be called The Polo Club -- will open soon on Maple Lawn Boulevard in Fulton.  Then Chutney appears to filling the former Akbar in Columbia, maybe with some former chefs from House of India.  I hope they both offers something unique.

For now, I always talk up dosas, the thin crepe-like dish from southern India that normally comes wrapped around a filling of mashed vegetables.  Mango Grove does several varieties.  Flavors of India does as well.  They're wonderfully exotic, but they're completely accessible -- and very friendly for children or people who don't like curries -- because simple dosas just boil down to crisp batter wrapped around tasty mashed potatoes.

I also loved the whole fish at House of India when we ate it several years ago.  We were served a whole rockfish cooked in the tandoor oven, served beautifully with charred skin and a delicious sauce laced with ginger.  For vegetarians, I'd ask for the jackfruit curry at Mango Grove.  They use unripened fruit to make a curry with a delicious flavor and a texture that could make you think you were eating chicken.

These are the dishes that would make me drive past all the great Indian restaurants to eat from a specific kitchen.  I also crave the Nepalese dumplings called momos that you can get at Curry & Kabob in Columbia.  Royal Taj makes us love our regular orders, so they must have specials that are just as excellent.

What are your favorite dishes at Indian restaurants?  What are the specials or the unusual dishes that make a certain restaurant stand out?  Any regional dishes?  Any fusions?