Savor European Pastries at Renata’s Tasty Bites

Growing up along the Adriatic Coast in Croatia, Renata Alanovic learned the art of baking and cooking as a young girl. The older she got, the more she came to cherish her time in the kitchen. She even began to draw up her own recipes for baked goods, which were always met with acclaim by her friends and families. When she came to Maryland, she brought her talents with her, and she opened Renata's Tasty Bites.

At the bakery, she crafts the breads and cakes she grew up making, as well as some savory pastries. On your way to work in the morning, swing by to grab one of the sweet, crumbly blueberry scones to dunk in your cup of coffee. Or savor the sweet flavors of an almond pastry on your midday break. You can also take a fork to a personal-sized quiche if you're looking for something more substantial at Renata's Tasty Bites.

Maiwand Kabob: Authentic, Affordable Afghan Cuisine

In only a little more than a decade, Maiwand Kabob has already expanded into four separate locations. That's thanks to the family who owns it and strives to meet just one, simple goal: dish out fresh, authentic Afghan food at affordable prices. They're doing just that at all four branches, including the Columbia restaurant near Monarch Mills.

Unsurprisingly, the menu features many authentic Afghan kabobs. Chefs marinate lamb in a special blend of spices, slice it into chunks, and spear it and sear it. They do the same with beef, ground beef (AKA "kofta"), and chicken. If you want some greens with your dinner, order the chicken salad. The same boneless morsels of chicken are tossed atop a bed of greens with grilled veggies, olive oil, and balsamic. You can always go with the classic gyro sandwich, a mix of sliced beef and lamb in tandoori bread and served with fries and a drink if you're looking for something quick and simple at Maiwand Kabob.

Enjoy Upscale American Fare at the Stanford Grill

It doesn't matter what night of the week you come to Stanford Grill, there's always jazz music playing in the dining room. A jazz trio graces the main dining area with soft tunes as guests enjoy happy hour specials and cocktails or dig into a dinner of upscale American cuisine.

Stanford Grill offers a selection of steak, seafood, and burgers, but a few dishes stand out as house specialties. One of them is the wood-fired rotisserie chicken, which is roasted slowly to perfectly tender and then dished out alongside mashed potatoes and green beans. The Danish barbecue pork ribs are also seared very slowly in order to seal in the juices. They come with fries and cole slaw. Your other options range from spicy "rattlesnake" pasta with chicken to hardwood-grilled salmon served with tabouleh and house-made dressing. Stop by Stanford Grill to try one of the inventive dishes here!

Black Flag Brewing Company: An Ever-Changing Lineup of House-Brewed Beers

Black Flag Brewing Company switches up its tap list constantly so that the brewmasters get a chance to show off what they've been working on using their small-batch system. Of the 10 beers on tap, five are always the signature brews: the Flagship IPA, the Alpha Pale, the Mambo Sauce Double IPA, the Belgie Saison, and the Brunch Breakfast Stout. But the other five are a toss-up.

Black Flag is currently showcasing the Outback Haze, a Northeast-style IPA, as well as an unfiltered IPA. If you prefer something lighter, order a pint of the Z Morris Blonde, named for the straw-haired protagonist on Saved By the Bell. You can also indulge in a pint of the Belgian Waffle, which is part Brunch Stout and part Belgie Saison. Rounding out the current selection is the Rainbow Road, a hazy pale ale, and the Amber Waves, a warm amber ale. Sample one of the inventive brews this summer at Black Flag Brewing Company!

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Keith’s Treats & Eats: Where Spuds Sate Your Sweet Tooth

If you like sweet potatoes, there is a very good chance that you'll love Keith's Treats & Eats. This Laurel shop and its associated food truck specialize in a line of unique sweet potato desserts. First of all, the sweet potato pies fly off the shelves as soon as they're baked. Next, the soft, moist sweet potato bread makes a great breakfast treat (try it toasted, with a bit of butter), or you can order Keith's unique sweet potato pancakes with a side of bacon and home fries. The rich, creamy sweet potato pudding is an ideal afternoon snack, while the ultra-rich sweet potato bread pudding is best saved for after dinner with a cup of coffee.

While sweet potato treats steal the show at Keith's Treats & Eats, there's also a limited menu of non-sweet potato foods. Regulars rave over the chicken salad sandwiches, and they say you can't go wrong with a bag of house-made honey granola bites.

Keith’s Treats & Eats
14713 Baltimore Avenue
Laurel, MD 20707
(301) 362-3624
www.keithfoods.com
www.yelp.com/biz/keiths-treats-and-eats-laurel

Pho Kevin: Explore Vietnamese Cuisine at this Hidden Gem in Laurel

Described by patrons as a “hidden gem nestled in a shopping center,” Pho Kevin serves traditional Vietnamese cuisine in Laurel. The dishes at Pho Kevin are varied and flavorful, with a menu that spans traditional pho, grilled entrees, noodle dishes, and soups to smoothies and bubble tea. Crowd-favorite dishes include the fried spring rolls appetizer, the chicken pho, and the bun bo hue. Each dish has fresh herbs, the soups are delicate, and the grilled foods are well seasoned.

Never had Vietnamese food before? Not a problem. The owner, Kevin, visits each table and will help diners pick out an entree favorable to their taste buds!

Pho Kevin is open seven days a week. Both take-out and dine-in options are available.

Pho Kevin
3439 Fort Meade Road
Laurel, MD 20724
(301) 498-3230
www.phokevin.com

Honey Pig Restaurant: Korean BBQ in Ellicott City

Hungry for some Korean BBQ fare? Stop by Honey Pig Restaurant. This Ellicot City spot is open 24 hours a day so you can always satisfy your craving. Honey Pig is a casual, fun restaurant with lively music playing in the background. It can get a little loud, but mostly from everyone having a good time and enjoying their meal.

The tables are set up like mini-hibachi tables. The meat is cooked on the grill in the center of the table. Each meal comes with salad, kimchi, pickled radishes, pickled cucumber, and pickled tofu. Regulars recommend the spicy pork belly or regular pork belly for your entree. There are more adventurous meats like octopus and intestines for those brave enough to try them. A few Korean beers and wine are available to go with your drink as well as regular soda. Look online for coupons before you visit!

Honey Pig Restaurant
10045 Baltimore National Pike
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 696-2426
http://eathoneypig.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/honey-pig-gooldaegee-korean-bbq-ellicott-city

Don’t Skip the Venison Sausage at Ellicott Mills Brewing Company

If you've never indulged in venison sausage, you're missing out. At Ellicott Mills Brewing Company, the venison sausage sampler is sweet and subtly spiced, one of the eatery's most popular starters. The sampler also includes a tasting of either bockworst, bratwurst, or wienerwurst.

The sampler makes a perfect accompaniment to an Alpenhof craft beer brewed with the highest quality ingredients. Brewmasters craft the beer in-house according to whichever regional technique matches the type of beer in accordance with historically-backed methods. This means that beers have plenty of time to breathe and mature as needed, resulting in a smooth finish for every pour. Use it to wash down a plate of the popular crab cakes, beer-battered shrimp, or Argentine steak.

Ellicott Mills Brewing Company
8308 Main Street
Ellicott City, MD 21043
(410) 313-8141
ellicottmillsbrewing.com
www.yelp.com/biz/ellicott-mills-brewing-co-ellicott-city-2

Johnny’s Bistro on Main: A Downtown Ellicott City Spot

Located smack-dab in the middle of downtown Ellicot City, Johnny’s Bistro on Main offers a tasty array of creative sandwiches, flatbread pizzas, panini, tapas, wine and beer. Put your order in at the counter and a server delivers it to your table.

Options include some yummy entrée salads like the Atlantic Salmon Salad with seared marinated salmon, mixed greens and lemon-dill vinaigrette, and the Warm Mushroom Salad with sautéed portabella, shitake mushrooms, gorgonzola & crispy onions. The sandwich roster features the Bistro – marinated flank steak, roasted red pepper, grilled onion & horseradish aioli on rustic herbed ciabatta bread, and the California Dreaming with roasted turkey, apple wood bacon, guacamole, lettuce & tomato on ciabatta.

Be sure to save a spot for Johnny's Homemade Bread Pudding with bourbon sauce!

Johnny's Bistro on Main
8167 Main Street
Ellicott City, MD 21043
(410) 461-8210
http://www.johnnysbistro.net/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/johnnys-bistro-on-main-street-ellicott-city

La Palapa: Experience Authentic Mexican Fare Flavor and Fun

If you want the fun and festive feel of Mexico without leaving Ellicott City, La Palapa is a great place to visit. This grill and cantina serves up fresh, flavorful Mexican fare in a fun atmosphere that’s perfect for everything from family dinners to nights out with friends.

What this spot lacks in ambiance it more than makes up for in fun, friendly energy, with a knowledgeable wait staff and a bustling bar area in the front. If you come with a group for happy hour, expect large, shareable appetizers and a number of different types of margaritas. The chicken quesadilla and stuffed jalapenos are especially popular. For lunch and dinner, Mexican fare classics like enchiladas, burritos, chimichangas, and tacos come with sides like rice and beans. La Palapa also offers sandwiches for guests with simpler tastes, and the children’s menu includes smaller portions that are perfect for the little ones.

La Palapa is able to accommodate large parties with advance notice. The restaurant is open from lunchtime until 11 p.m. Sundays through Tuesdays. La Palapa stays open until 2 a.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays.

La Palapa
8307 Main Street
Ellicott City, MD 21043
(410) 465-0070
www.lapalapagrill.com
www.yelp.com/biz/la-palapa-grill-and-cantina-ellicott-city

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