Immediately off topic for a minute...

I just logged on and I see that the Most Recent Comments box is expanded to show 8 comments today. I asked for that (not that I'm claiming all the credit...others have too) and there it is.

I want to thank Multimedia Editor Mary, or whomever is responsible, for listening and acting.

And now, back to the topic at hand...

With the Bertha's photo, why not best dive bar with pub grub? they'd get a mention, along with Duda's.

I like this idea. Anyone have any other nominations? EL

How about Top Ten Places you wouldn't take your mother to.

What about top 10 area food blogs? There are quite a few around here.

crap. I just saw the blogroll in the margin after I posted that. --nevermind.

How about a Top 10 in a particular location? Like the Top 10 Restaurants in Annapolis, or Top 10 Restaurants on Harford Rd.?

This is a good idea, and I've been meaning to do more of these. We did do Top 10 in Howard County. EL

Top ten Italian Cold cuts, or Top ten cheese steaks, well, you get the idea...

The Top 10 reasons why Elizabeth shouldn't have to come up with Top 10 lists every week?

What about top 10 area food blogs?

Have you not been paying attention?
Dining@Large ... The Only Blog That Matters™

Where is Howard County?

Lissa asked, "Where is Howard County?"

Depending on traffic, about 13 minutes south of the Civic Center, er - Baltimore Arena, no - 1st Mariner Arena, on Interstate 95.

Lissa, if you like to shop, you must discover Columbia mall which is the main reason I think there is to go to Howard county! It's not the best mall in all of MD but it's up there. If not, never mind....

Hmm...I thought Anne Arundel County was south?

I need to spend some time with a map. Possibly with a rental car, too.

Sam Sessa: EL doesn't have to come up with Top Ten lists every week. She could end this activity with a mouse click. Clearly this activity has become an institution (sorry, EL) of this beloved blog. Not only that, but equally clearly is the fact that there are plenty of Top Ten lists yet to be explored, thanks to suggestions from the Sandbox. So there! (Sam, please excuse my attitude. I shall now return to my piano to write some music.)

I fear my idea of good shopping is eccentric used book stores, computers stores, farmers markets and weird little ethnic grocery stores. I've yet to meet a mall that caters to that many perversions.

Hmm...I thought Anne Arundel County was south?

Howard County is more southwest than south from downtown Baltimore.

I need to spend some time with a map. Possibly with a rental car, too.

Maps are very good things, and I encourage you to learn the area. That said, Howard County isn't all that interesting for a city dweller. Unless you're into big suburban shopping malls, which I'm not.

Sam, yeah what Piano Rob said. And did you see my Funtastic post? I was BORN in a sandbox! Yeah!

I have no idea what I'm excited about. Oh yeah, down by the pylons.

How about a really great hot dog. I've yet to find one. Had some decent and far too many not so good. I'm still hunting for a great dog.

Have tried C&A (from Diners show) - so so. Zacks is passable, (though I do like Vienna Beef products) The place in Glen Burnie was a serious disappointment.

The best so far is Burke's, but not convenient access.

I'm working on it, Hal. I frequently gaze on my MTA map while eating. Oh, the places I'll go...

Forget "what exit?" I'm all about "What bus stop?"

Places You Wouldn't Take Your Mother...that's Sessa's blog!

Ah, hot dogs. Coming from New York I have always been partial to Nathan's. Not the "skinless" ones they sell at the store, but the ones they grill with "natural casings" that snap when you bite into them, and the deli mustard and the container of sauerkraut on the condiment table so you can take as much as you want. My local Giant Food sometimes has the Boar's Head "all-beef frankfurters with natural casings" that I can slow grill at home. Mmmm ... I'd have some tonight if I didn't have to show a movie. Ah, well, tomorrow's another day.

Oh, yes. Must be natural casing.

When I get back from Iceland, I'll report on their hot dogs. They are supposed to be wonderful, plentiful and (by Icelandic standards) cheap.

Lissa, in that case you're quite safe. You pretty much can't get to Howard County by bus.

Lissa - I'm right there with you on the bus. Unfortunately, to quote an old SNL skit, "you can't get there from here." (Insert appropriate Maine accent.) If the MTA had a decent route to Howard County and Columbia, I'd probably be off the unemployment roll by now.

how about top places to get chicken salad?

"I've yet to meet a mall that caters to that many perversions." that's what the city does well, Lissa. As I'm sure you know. Being a car owner in the county is a pain in the butt when you want to stroll the city streets and window shop because you have to a: drive into the city braving the closures, one way streets and other diabolical things that make you end up on the wrong side of town and b: find a parking spot or pay a gazillion dollars for a few hours to a parking garage that you will most certainly never find again! Once again, I resolve to begin using public transportation more often!

Joyce, it does take longer to get places by bus, which gives one both more time to gawk at the things along the route and to enjoy the free entertainment.

Why, just this morning, I was conversing with a gentleman on the bus about whether or not McCain ever flies on regular commercial flights and if he'd have to go through the security theatre if he did.

At least, I think that was what we were discussing...

Berthas would be on my list for shrimp salad and places with soul. They saved my Valentine's Day after an insane service at Louisiana where nothing but soup came out of the kitchen for almost 2 hours hours, and the dining room was full of sad faces. Bertha's has great live music acts that roll through that I keep meaning to catch, but always seem to miss. I hope they can pull in a New Orleans jazz act for Mardi Gras this year. I called them last year to see what they were doing that night and caught the "yeah, that would be a good idea" response. Just a handful of months to go before we're back!

Bob UU, I love Bertha's and am friends with as well as play music with Tony and Laura, the owners. Their music lineup doesn't change a lot, though (jazz on Tuesday through Thursday, dixieland on everyother Wednesday, blues on Friday and Saturday).

Another place in that neighborhood that's good for music (but not for shrimp salad or food of any kind) is the Cat's Eye Pub. They have live music every night of the year, and the selection is more eclectic than Bertha's. This can be both good and bad, of course, as the act that night might not be one you care for.