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Soups and Sandwiches Are On the Menu at Bon Fresco

November 17, 2015 by

When it’s almost lunchtime and you’re searching for somewhere good to eat, Bon Fresco offers both flavorful fare and one of the most convenient locations in the Columbia area. This casual cafe has a distinctly European charm combined with American dishes like homemade potato salad and pork loin sandwiches, creating a unique dining experience that’s perfect for your midday break.

Bon Fresco is decorated with a warm, relaxing color palette, comfortable cafe tables and glass display cases filled with mouthwatering baked goods to take back to the office with you. Choose from the large selection of hearty sandwiches made on fresh baked ciabatta breads, seasonal soups and cous cous salads topped with flavorful hummus. Whether you enjoy your lunch in the cafe or bag it up to go, you won’t find many better lunch options than Bon Fresco.

Bon Fresco
6945 Oakland Mills Road
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 290-3434
www.facebook.com/BonFrescoSandwichBakery
www.yelp.com/biz/bon-fresco-columbia

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Sip a Juried Selection of Craft Beers at the Judge’s Bench

November 11, 2015 by

Judge’s Bench is a bar and grill that occupies the former Ellicott City courthouse, so it’s not just a clever name. The bar, which is now known for its craft beer offerings and classic American food items, is certainly a lot more fun than it used to be back in those days! It’s decorated in a beautifully rustic style, with ornate chandeliers, dim lighting, and a heavy wooden bar.

The menu includes snack plates and sandwiches that are more unique than your standard bar fare, and it even offers vegan options for guests who don’t eat meat. In addition to the craft beers and cheaper drink options, Judge’s Bench also carries an impressive selection of higher-end scotches and whiskeys. Even if you’re not much of a scotch drinker, the knowledgeable staff is always on hand to recommend a great new drink.

On the weekends Judge’s Bench hosts live music from a wide variety of different acts, and though the crowd can get a bit rowdy, it’s always comfortable and friendly.

Judge’s Bench
8385 Main Street
Ellicott City, MD 21043
(410) 465-3497
judgesbenchpub.com
www.yelp.com/biz/judges-bench-ellicott-city

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New Facebook Sweepstakes! Enter to Win an iPad Mini!

November 9, 2015 by

To enter the Sweepstakes, visit our Facebook Page and then look for the Sweepstakes tab (image shown below) located on our Facebook Page to enter. Sweepstakes ends December 31st, 2015. We suggest you like our page to keep informed about future sweepstakes and community happenings.

For mobile users, click here to enter.

Filed Under: Life at Monarch Mills Apartments Tagged With: ,

Brunswick Zone: Pin It to Win It, Monarch Mills!

October 30, 2015 by

If you’re looking for a night of fun in the Columbia area, you’ll find it at Brunswick Zone. There’s something for visitors of all ages at this all-in-one facility, which contains a bowling alley, an arcade, a billiards room, and much more. There are 32 lanes containing optional automatic bumpers in the well-maintained bowling area, as well as comfortable seating areas at the end of each lane and electronic scoreboards that make it easy to keep track of every strike and spare.

The pro shop offers bowling shoes and balls for rent at a low price, while the snack bar offers affordable food and beverages that will keep you fueled for the next game. Classic games line the walls of the arcade, and there are even billiards tables for those who prefer pool to bowling. Brunswick Zone even contains party and event rooms that can be rented for fun birthday parties and other gatherings.

Brunswick Zone
7100 Carved Stone
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 381-7750
www.bowlbrunswick.com

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: , ,

Dependable Virtual Destinations for Apartment Decor and Accessories

October 27, 2015 by

It’s no secret that shopping online often yields affordable results, and the same goes if you’re looking for home décor items and accessories for your apartment. Any renter on a budget will love to browse those finishing touches that really make a house a home, and these are some of the best places to find them.

Urban Outfitters
While you may already shop at the trendy clothing retailer for all of your favorite T-shirts, Urban Outfitters also offers a great selection of stylish home goods. From eclectic art prints to colorful duvet covers and even mid-century modern inspired furnishings, you’ll find a number of great items on the convenient website.

Wayfair
If your home décor style is classic with a touch of modern, Wayfair is just the place to shop online. Here you’ll find chevron print area rugs, gold metallic picture frames, and antique-inspired clocks to hang on the wall.

CB2
For those who prefer sleek, minimal décor and bold pops of color, CB2 is a great option. Discover things like low-profile sofas, interesting throw pillows, and industrial bar stools, or browse the limited edition art selection to find affordable pieces from some of the biggest up-and-coming artists in the art world today.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Luna Bella Ristorante: Where Pizza, Pasta and Good Conversation Meet

October 20, 2015 by

When you’re looking for an upscale yet comfortable dinner spot in Columbia, Luna Bella Ristorante is a great choice that the locals love. This old-school Italian eatery serves heaping helpings of fresh pastas, lunchtime sandwiches, and homemade pizzas with your choice of toppings. There are shareable appetizers perfect for starting off the meal, as well as a large wine list with reasonably priced reds and whites.

Inside, Luna Bella is homey and comfortable, with a vaulted ceiling covered in string lights, antique furnishings and lush, green plants throughout. Spacious booths are large enough for the whole family, but you’ll also find more intimate tables perfect for date night. Visit Luna Bella Ristorante and you can get dinner for two, appetizers, wine and dessert all for less than $100!

Reservations are recommended during peak hours.

Luna Bella Ristorante
6420 Freetown Road
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 531-0250
www.facebook.com/Luna-Bella-Ristorante-114793508570369/timeline/

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Iron Bridge Wine Company: Get Caffeinated or Wine-d Down

October 9, 2015 by

Iron Bridge Wine Company offers a beverage for every time of the day, from that first sip of coffee in the morning to that glass of Pinot Noir while you wind down your evening. This wine bar and coffee shop is frequently voted one of the best eateries in the Baltimore area, and it’s even been recognized in national publications as a hotspot for fine wines.

Inside, you’ll find a warm, dark wood bar and wine bottles lining the walls, as well as cozy dining tables for those who want to enjoy a sit-down dinner along with their glass of red or white. The menu features gourmet cheese platters, tapas-style appetizers, and grilled flatbread pizzas to start, as well as quiche, pastas, and salads for lunch or dinner.

Everything on Iron Bridge Wine Company’s menu is made with seasonal, local ingredients in a small-plate style, and the dishes are so artfully plated that they’re almost too pretty to eat!

Iron Bridge Wine Company
10435 State Route 108
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 997-3456
www.ironbridgewines.com

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Centennial Park: Take a Break in Nature

September 29, 2015 by

If you’re looking to disconnect from your electronics for a while and get back to nature, Centennial Park is the perfect place to do so near Monarch Mills. This award-winning park spans an impressive 325 acres of land, and it is a part of Howard County’s park system, which comprises more than 7,000 acres.

A beautiful lake sits at the center of Centennial Park, and a 2.4-mile walking trail creates a loop around it. Visitors spend time walking, jogging, or bird watching on the trail, and it also connects to areas at the lake’s shores where you can cast a fishing line or launch a boat. There are grassy open areas ideal for picnicking, and you’ll often see rabbits, deer, and beavers in their natural habitats while you relax nearby.

Many of these areas also make great places to play a pickup game of soccer, tag football, or catch with the little ones!

Centennial Park
9801 Old Annapolis Road
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 313-7271
www.centennialmd.org

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: , ,

How to Save Money This Halloween

September 28, 2015 by

Halloween is a favorite holiday for many people, but if you’re not careful it can also become very expensive. But how can you create the perfect costume without spending a lot on its various parts? These simple money-saving tips will show you.

  1. Make your own costume. No matter which way you slice it, one of the best ways to save money around Halloween is by forgoing the pricey costume stores and making your own costume.
  2. Take advantage of thrift stores. Thrift stores are often filled with great components for many different types of Halloween costumes, and they’re much less expensive than craft or clothing stores.
  3. Be smart about decorations. Instead of splurging on Halloween decorations from expensive home goods stores, shop around at discount stores first. Places like dollar stores and, again, thrift stores are great places to check. You can always wait until closer to Halloween to decorate, as stores often put their decorations on sale later in the month.
  4. Save on candy. If your neighborhood is filled with children, handing out trick or treat candy can also get very expensive. To save money, purchase one type of candy in bulk from a bulk food store instead of buying numerous different types.

10 Ways to Save Money This Halloween [Lifehack]
4 Ghoulish Ways to Save Money this Halloween [Reader’s Digest]
5 Tips For Saving Money This Halloween [Money Crashers]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Granville Gude Park and Lake House: Great Outdoors

September 17, 2015 by

Right in the center of Laurel, the Granville Gude Park and Lake House is a place for relaxation, recreation, and community events for everyone. Spanning 29 acres, the park is perfect for a hike or jog around Laurel Lake. The lake is beautiful and available during the summer months for boating fun. You can also rent a paddle boat for a small fee. There’s plenty of open space for different sports and there’s also a few barbeque pits for public use. Check out some of the fun events during the year, like the Easter Egg Hunt, Movies in the Park and the annual July 4th celebration, complete with music and fireworks! The Granville Gude Park and Lake House is open daily from dawn to dusk, and admission is free!

Granville Gude Park and Lake House
8300 Mulberry Street
Laurel, MD 20707
(301) 490-3530
http://www.yelp.com/biz/granville-gude-park-and-lakehouse-laurel

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: , , ,
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