It’s Worth the Wait for a Table at Columbia’s Victoria Gastro Pub

The next time you’re planning a fun night out with friends in Columbia, Victoria Gastro Pub is one of the best places to see and be seen. This hip, elegant pub is the perfect combination of comfortable and upscale, from its warm wood furnishings to its spacious bar and intimate dining tables.

While the wait can be lengthy on busy weekend evenings, it’s worth your patience to sample Victoria Gastro Pub’s creative American menu of duck fat French fries, lobster grilled cheese, and gourmet burgers with premium toppings. There’s always a selection of ever-changing seasonal favorites made with fresh, local ingredients, as well as a full bar with lots of spirits and other libations. You’ll find local IPAs and high quality craft beers, handmade cocktails, and fine wines that pair well with your meal.

With its lively atmosphere and decadent menu, Victoria Gastro Pub is the perfect place to kick back on the weekend!

Victoria Gastro Pub
8201 Snowden River Parkway
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 750-1880
www.victoriagastropub.com

Make Lunch a Treat at Bon Fresco Bakery and Cafe

When you’re looking for a quick lunch in Columbia that’s still fresh and healthy, Bon Fresco is the place to go. This local bakery and cafe has a clean and modern atmosphere complete with bakery cases filled with fresh-baked pastries and a convenient ordering counter that makes it easy to order your food and get on your way. If you choose to eat in, Bon Fresco also has a comfortable dining area with a number of cafe tables and free Wi-Fi throughout.

The menu includes hearty sandwiches in styles like the London broil, chicken picante, and vegetarian hummus topped with fresh veggies and pesto, as well as fresh, daily soups and sides of Israeli couscous and lentil salads. Everything is available for affordable prices that are perfect for a casual lunch, and there are even whole loaves of bread that you can take with you for dinner at home!

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

Red Sky: Laurel’s Delightful New American Cuisine

Red Sky in Laurel serves delightful New American cuisine. The spacious, modern interior is warm and inviting, as is the menu, which features a nice array of choices to please the pickiest appetite. Raves are given to the Creamed Crab Soup, with hefty chunks of crab swimming in a creamy, sherry accented broth. Ditto for the Blackened Tilapia accompanied by dollops of creamy risotto, the 8 ounce center-cut Filet Mignon, and the Crab Cake Sandwich served on a fluffy Kaiser roll. The long chrome bar is perfect for mingling after work with a yummy chilled cocktail while chatting with friends or flirting with a special someone. Red Sky also serves Sunday brunch, and has a happy hour from 3 until 7 p.m.

Red Sky
14707 Baltimore Boulevard
Laurel, MD 20707
(301) 604-2144

Share Naan and Curry With Friends at Chutney Indian Restaurant

At Chutney Indian Restaurant in Columbia, the fragrant smells of warm curry, jasmine rice, and fresh baked naan fill the air all day long. This authentic Indian eatery’s convenient location makes it a good choice when you’re on a lunch break or running errands in the area.

Their lunch buffet boasts all of your favorite meat and vegetarian dishes, from chicken tikka masala to chana masala, as well as tasty sides like rice, samosas, and mango chutneys. For dinner, you’ll find entrees with heaping portions of biryanis, tandoori platters, and various curries, each served with so many sides that you’ll likely end up with leftovers. The takeout options are just as popular as the restaurant’s dine-in service, and if you’re busy, you can even order delivery to anywhere in the immediate Columbia area.

Chutney Indian Restaurant
9400 Snowden River Parkway
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 381-3600
www.chutneymd.com
www.yelp.com/biz/chutney-indian-restaurant-columbia-2

Soups and Sandwiches Are On the Menu at Bon Fresco

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

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

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

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

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/

Cafe Au Lait: Coffee and Banh Mi in Ellicott City

Love Banh Mi, those delectable little Vietnamese sandwiches? Café Au Lait is a favorite place to get them in Ellicott City, a place where you can sip some freshly brewed coffee and tea drinks.

If you haven’t tried them, you should: Banh Mi consist of meats, fresh and pickled veggies, and herbs sandwiched between a sliced French roll. The Lemongrass Chicken Banh Mi has grilled chicken, pickled carrots, daikon, cucumbers & cilantro. Opt for the Pork Roll Banh Mi and you get roast pork, pate, ham, lettuce, cilantro, cucumber, jalapeno, carrot, butter and mayonnaise. Entrée salads are also on the menu, as are wraps. Stop by for breakfast and feast on croissants and bagels with cream cheese, or an egg bagel sandwich. Coffee, tea and smoothies are also served.

Cafe Au Lair
3290 N. Ridge Road Suite 105
Ellicott City, MD 21043
(410) 313-8838
https://www.facebook.com/cafeaulaitec
http://www.yelp.com/biz/cafe-au-lait-ellicott-city

Do Something Good With Your Dinner Dollars at Mission BBQ

Mission BBQ debuted on September 11, 2011, and the date was no coincidence. Ten years after the United States suffered one of the greatest tragedies in its history, the founders of Mission BBQ wanted to give back to the heroes who sprang into action when the twin towers fell. That's why the Columbia restaurant regularly gives back to veterans, firefighters, police, and first responders, supporting charities such as the Wounded Warrior Project.

So if this cause is close to your heart, too, you can feel good about eating at Mission BBQ—not that you wouldn't otherwise. After all, the carefully crafted barbecue is tasty regardless of the philosophy behind selling it. Don't miss the brisket, which earns raves from Yelp reviewers. Pulled pork, turkey, chicken, and sausage round out the list of platters, but you can also get most of the meats in sandwich form.

Mission BBQ
6270 Columbia Crossing Circle
Columbia, MD 21045
(443) 832-6180
mission-bbq.com
www.yelp.com/biz/mission-bbq-columbia

Snag a Specialty Sammy at Bon Fresco

London broil isn't just for special occasions at Bon Fresco. The staff serves it every day in sandwich form, and regular customers gush about it. Paired with vibrant greens, fresh bread, and a signature sauce, the tender London broil makes for a hearty and filling lunch or dinner. It's just one example of the many carefully crafted sandwiches that draw customers to Bon Fresco.

For something lighter, order the hummus sammy with artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, and a healthy serving of hummus on focaccia bread. The grilled veggie sandwich offers another healthy option, a baguette stuffed to nearly bursting with grilled zucchini and eggplant, roasted peppers, and olive tapenade. If you're a fan of poultry, try the chicken breast sandwich or roasted turkey on whole wheat bread. Prosciutto, mortadella, and Genoa salami star in some of the other specialty sandwiches at Bon Fresco, which share menu space with crisp, colorful salads.

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

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