EL: I'm sure that Pete wasn't suggesting that you can't drive but was merely stating his wish that Howard County restaurants would gain recognition in the Sandbox.

Here you go, Pete - all the way from Tennessee!

I think you're right. And he did it so graciously. :-) EL

As a now-former 35 year resident of Howard County, I must agree with the list 100%. It's a pretty fair drive from my new home in Mount Airy, so I don't get to them very often now. But I miss all of them

Thank you for posting this list. My husband actually wanted a list of restaurants from which to select where we are going for my 30th birthday next month. I went to Tersiguel's last year and loved it.

The only one missing from that list is Hunan Manor... the BEST chinese restaurant... the only chinese restaurant I've ever eaten at that uses real chicken beasts instead of chicken nuggets.... and I love Jordans... never had a bad meal there!

I am requesting your expanding this list with a dollar value average per restaurant to compare when deciding where to go depending on who and how much you are planning on spending............suggest for 2 people
under $50.00 and over $50.00 list

I agree with your list, but if you also take into consideration cost, I think you should include Hunan Manor as well. Probably some of the best Chinese food in the state (it would be perfect if they had dim sum on the weekends) and definitely well worth the price.

King's Contrivance has long been a favorite of mine. My one trip to Tersiguel's was great as well. As for the rest - so many prospects, so little time...

I'm really surprised--no, shocked--really shocked that the following 10 dining establishments in Howard County didn't make the list:

Famous Dave's
Cheesecake Factory
PF Changs
Uno's
Carrabba's
Outback
Macaroni Grill
Don Pablo
Bertucci's
Ruby Tuesday's

:-) :-) :-)

But how do they compare to Mounteagle?

An Loi - great Pho soup at incredibly low prices
Elkridge Furnace Inn, Kings Contrivance Inn, and Tersieguel's, all in historic homes with charm, and good for all special occasions or dinners where you want to linger longer.

I went to Tersiguels and had an uneven experience. Most of the food was nice but they put us at a tiny table next to a very busy doorway (the restaurant is an old house if I'm not mistaken). We liked the wine and dessert but the mashed potatoes lacked all flavor. Seriously, it was as if they were boxed potatoes reconstituted with water. Then the water knocked an entire glass of wine on me. They comped dessert and offered to pay for my dry cleaning. That's it!.

How about LeeLynn's in Ellicott City, great small plates and the best burger in Howard County!

We went to the Crepe Cafe associated with the Cafe de Paris on the Saturday afternoon before Mother's Day and were TOTALLY UNIMPRESSED! I make better crepes at home and the service was very slow and unattentive. We won't be going back. Cafe de Paris may be better, but there are too many other restaurants to bother wasting our time and money on trying out this restaurant.

Suggest reviewers and diners consider the "Maple Lawn trio": Trapeze, oZ Chophouse, and Ranazul. Three fine restaurants sharing one corner in southern HoCo.

I have to give a shout-out to Sushi King, which I have always loved - both the food and the service - despite their location next to tthe MVA. I actually haven't tried Sushi Sono, to make a comparison, but my friends and I are devoted to Sushi King. (And, not to stir up controversy, but the servers are great with children, so it's a good place to take well behaved kids - a more sophisticated outing than Rocky Run and glad to have them there.)

I keep hearing good things about Sushi King, but I have never tried it. The reason being: my boyfriend and I walked in once during the afternoon when they weren't busy, waited by the hostess stand for a good five-ten minutes without being acknowledged by a single member of the staff, and decided to just leave and go to Hanamura down the road. We refuse to go back to a place that won't even acknowledge the customer's existence.

Well-done list. I must disagree with those commenters who rave about Human Manor; it has slipped. Hunan Legend in Dorsey Search is a far better choice for Chinese. For other Asian fare, I'm fond of Thai Aroma in Ellicott City and Noodle Corner in Columbia. El Azteca in Clarksville remains a treat for Tex-Mex.

What about Crab Shanty in Ellicott City? We've never had a bad seafood meal there in years.

I can comment on only three that you've listed: Tersiguel's seating is cramped and uncomfortable. Those of us who remember, remember fondly Chez Fernand. Elkridge Furnace Inn has too many stairs and too many airs. The wait staff take itself far too seriously. Its Elkridge not Manhattan. Jordans has been perfect every time I've eaten there. You simply cannot go wrong by choosing Jordans.

Pete did have a point; the non-Baltimore restaurants do, and have always, gotten short shrift from the Baltimore reviewers.

As a resident of Baltimore and a longtime reader of the Baltimore Sun, I'd like to say that I have no problem whatsoever with any slant you may have in favor of covering Baltimore restaurants.

El Azteca has great Mexican food - it's in Clarksville. Pho Dot Tranh in Columbia has wonderful pho and a super-friendly and efficient waitstaff. And everyone's list has to include perennially-jammed Soft Stuff, the family-owned soft ice cream emporium on Rt 40 across from the former Enchanted Forest. Absolute heaven, even if soft ice cream mostly is whipped pig fat. :-)
There's a very nice outpost of Donna's in Columbia (not sure if that counts as a "chain," since there are a couple of them, but it's locally-owned and the quality remains high.)

That's a pretty good list...

I also recommend:

Tiber River Inn
Crab Shanty
Hunan Manor
House of India
La Palapa/El Azteca
Bare Bones
Rams Head Tavern
Frisco Grill
Bombay Peacock
Maiwande Kabob

I love An Loi, but I have to agree that Sushi King - especially the private rooms - should be on the list. Plus Maiwand Kabob for pumpkin and kabobs.

Can someone recommend what to order at these Chinese places? What is authetic and great? I want to try them. I'm searching for good places for a blog howchow.blogspot.com.

I see a lot of my favorites on the list, but I'd also like to recommend a new restaurant: Victoria's Gastro Pub. A lot of good comfort food. And foodies will be happy here.

Honestly, I relly am surprised Clyde's didn't make the list. Although they are a small local "chain", it is very consistent, fresh, and the menu changes every other month to feature differrent ingredients that are in season.

If they all depended on me for support they would all be out of business. I am a city boy through and through.

I'd also recommend Shannon's - their cream of crab soup is wonderful and our service is always very good.

Hey, how about Shannon's --best shrimp salad, wings, crab dip, burgers and salads in town. Fried Shrimp Dinners, Meat Loaf and lots of the other dinners on the menu are excellent also.

I don't mean to sound snarky (although I'm sure I do), but this list is a perfect example of why Howard County has such a bad reputation for dining. Cafe de Paris. Sushi King (or Sono -- same owners). Tersiguel's. That's about it. Just about everything else is second or third rate.

Sushi King should definitely be on the list and should in fact replace Sushi Sono. Quality sushi, reasonable prices, great atmosphere. Emily and her boyfriend should give it another try.
Tersiguels had been hit or miss, last time...a miss, we were served 4 seafood appetizer-family style and each person (10 ppl) was charged the full price of the appetizer. Wait staff did not state that would be the case. Elkridge Furnace Inn food never stood up to it's reputation. Crepe Cafe and Cafe de Paris were both pretentious.

You have to try Victoria Gastro Pub in Columbia. It impressed me a lot.

TBonz in Ellicott City. Hard to find, but great burgers, ribs, and steaks. Very friendly staff and wonderful owner.

Clyde's and
Victoria's Gastro Pub
are both quality restaurants

What, no Taco Bell????

Asean Bistro's chinese is much better than Hunan Manor. As for the snarky "Howard County restaurants stink" comments, I enjoy being able to go out to eat unarmed, thank you very much. Grew up in Northwood, never going back.

Melissa, Lady Elizabeth has covered Victoria Gastro Pub quite a bit on this blog already. It made the Top Ten list for places to have brunch you might not have thought of, and also the TT for places with horrible names!

We haven't been to Tersiguel's for a couple of years, but it has always been a destination restaurant for us--for an anniversary or birthday celebration. Yes, it can feel crowded, but it also has a European flair you won't find everywhere.

I was very happy to see this list posted. I have visited a couple of the restaurants listed here, but I am tired of all the chain restaurants!

Really Donna's has better food then Victoria's Gastro Pub

House of India on Snowden River is at the top of my list; Aida is nowhere near it. I don't understand the press Aida's been getting. The food's adequate; the service barely so. Maybe they'd be better if the staff thought I was a food critic? () :-)

Crab Shanty?!?! Never had a good seafood meal there.

Just ate at House of India, fine restaurant and educates you on Indian cuisine.

Tersiguel's is loud (just like the old location by the Shot Tower!)

Elkridge Furnace was very good food on Mother's Day (but my kids made fun of the wait staff all the way home! - high snooty quotient)

Iron Bridge is the BEST! Go early (or late) with friends, go any time with your wife. Have a glass of really good wine and close your eyes and point for the menu choices. (wish I could afford to eat there every week!)

Tersiguel's has always been a favorite, especially when Fernand is there. The best Chef's tasting menus in Baltimore area. Everything is based on what is fresh, not a pre-set published menu.
Aida's chef, Sean, is terrific.
The one time I went to Sushi King I was surprised at how dirty it seemed. Sushi Sono is always terrific.
I'm not a Jordan's fan but I'm not a steakhouse fan either.

I have to put in a good word for the Mango Grove for vegetarian Indian cuisine.The prices can't be beat, either.

A knee-jerk republican said: I enjoy being able to go out to eat unarmed, thank you very much. Grew up in Northwood, never going back.

Wow, it's amazing how many of us unarmed city-dwellers seem to survive just fine.

Hal VoR--to what are you responding? I don't see the original post. Did I miss something?

Jessie Wong's Hong Kong has the best Dim Sum this side of town. Bangkok Garden is known for authentic Thai.

I have to agree with the comment about Hunan Legend in Dorsey Hall. They have much better food than Hunan Manor, less pretentious and less expensive.
I also second the vote for El Azteca - truly superior Mexican cuisine.
For beer and grill, try Frisco Grill - the best beer on tap, possibly the best selection in the State.
Finally I second the vote for LeeLynn's, the best small plates (tapas?) restaurant for any price in the Baltimore metro area.

A restaurant I've always had a great meal is Cacao Lane in Ellicott City. I eat lunch there at least 1-2 times a month and dinner 4-5 times a year, and what impresses me is that everything on the plate is good. Not just a good entre, but fluffy potatoes, crisp vegetables, etc. Service can be a bit slow at times, but overall I've always liked going there.

Some of the better items in the "authentic" menu at Hunan Manor -Salt and Pepper Squid, Pan Fried or Steamed Cod, Beef Chow Foon (Dry). Just my opinion.

Okay, I'll bite:

• Hunan Manor - Would be perfect if they did W/E dim sim
• Akbar (lunch) - buffet to die for
• Maiwand Kabob -Afghan
• Bangkok Delight - Thai
• Trattoria é Pizzeria in KCVC - get the gnocchi with the Aurora sauce
• An Loi - Vietnamese

All under $20/person for dinner

We have lived in the area for 5 years and found Cafe de Paris to be our favorite a lot like a real good bistro. I agree with those who say Crab Shanty should be on the list. Both Tersiguel's and King's Contrivance have an undeservedly high opinion of themselves. I know I'll get a lot of flack for this, but seriously they don't come close to real high end restaurants in DC or even Baltimore.

Dahlink said: Hal VoR--to what are you responding? I don't see the original post

It was posted June 17th at 3:31 pm, and starts with "Asean (sic) Bistro's chinese".

Aha--don't know why my usually sharp eyes missed that one. Maybe for the same reason I don't listen to certain radio voices. Thanks, VoR, YMMV.

Agreed with the comments on Hunan Manor - don't waste your time. I've been there a few times, and the hot and sour soup tasted like it came out of a can. You can have far better food at either of Jesse Wong's places.

Also agreed with Sushi King - great quality and friendly service. Even after moving out of the area and returning only once a year or so, they remember us. A nice touch.

And House of India ranks up there with the Ambassador for quality. Don't bother with Akbar's...

Having abandoned HoCo to move to the city, I'll just glide right by the comment by the woman afraid to come to the big, bad place.

But she at least did get Asean Bistro right, Hal. Its name is apparently inspired by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and it has pan-Asian food.

Kiki, I agree with you and Citypaper, which named Mango Grove "best reason to drive to Columbia" a while back.

Also, what about Eggspectations? Chain yes, but it's Canadian.

Elkridge Furnace Inn is TERRIBLY overrated! Been there twice and will not return. Forgot our desserts and no apologies. Food is very average and overpriced.

Big Aida fan. They do monthly wine events and chef Sean matches up food and wine with the best of them. Also they offer a wonderful 3 course menu with wine pairings. Check it out!

I have been a patron of Cafe de Paris since it opened in Laurel about ten years ago. I have always found the food to be a very good example of French Bistro cuisine. The owner, Erik Rochard is extremely hospitable and goes the extra mile trying to make his patrons feel welcome and to ensure that they are satisfied. Last year they opened the Crepe Cafe serving authentic French crepes at reasonable prices. The previous comment that the service was poor I am in disagreement with, and the statement that he made better crepes at home, well, it must not be a French home .

Interesting string. One of the longest in a while. Shows there are serious foodies, if not much serious food, in HowCo.
By the way, the epitome of fine dining in Northwood was Ameche's.

Not so. The epitome of fine dinning in Northwood was the Haven in Northwood Shopping Center.

the epitome of fine dining in Northwood was Ameche's

Ameche's was in Hillendale, safely (but just barely) outside the dreaded city limits.

I lived in Northwood until I was 10, then we moved to Hamilton. Anyone remember the rooftop restaurant on top of the Hecht's in the Northwood Shopping Center?

Anyone remember the rooftop restaurant on top of the Hecht's in the Northwood Shopping Center?

Yes, indeed. We had lunch there frequently when my mother came to visit. And, when my kids were little, we went there for breakfast with Santa & with the Easter Bunny.

I also worked at Hecht's in the children's clothing department.

Rams Head Tavern has THE best burgers, I believe it is the blue burger that has the crab and the blue cheese, it's like eating a steak

There is an excellent Chinese place, it is not "posh" this is a take out place but the food is wonderful. Chopstixx in Elkridge, I love the chicken fried rice and the spicy chicken wontons

Trapeze in Maple Lawn is okay, but I have only been there for lunch. The quality of the crab in the crabcake sandwhich is not what I would have expected for that restaurant (especially in Maryland). I wasn't that impressed so I haven't trekked back

Sushi Sono in Columbia is wonderful, and I am never disappointed at Clydes either.

The quality of the crab in the crabcake sandwhich is not what I would have expected for that restaurant (especially in Maryland)

Unfortunately, many Maryland restaurants are now using that less tasty but much cheaper Asian crabmeat that Phillips and others have been hawking under the misleading name of "blue swimmer crab".

Unfortunately, many Maryland restaurants are now using that less tasty but much cheaper Asian crabmeat that Phillips and others have been hawking under the misleading name of "blue swimmer crab".

That is just so disappointing.

Hi MrsHindell, at Trapeze we use Jumbo Lump crab meat in our crab cakes with little filler, I will look into why you had less-than that quality on your lunch, I'm very sorry, consistency is so important. I hope you come back!