You are here: Home / Archives for Columbia Dining

Pub Dog: Pizza And More

October 15, 2014 by

What goes better with beer than a big cheesy pizza? Nothing, if you’re a regular at Pub Dog. This locally-owned business first owned in historic Federal Hill before opening the Columbia location, and regulars have been flocking there to eat great pizzas and drink the house-brewed craft beer.

The pizzas come in a variety of combinations, with strong flavors predominating. Some favorites include the Atomic Dog, which packs serious heat with hot sauce, cherry peppers, smoked gouda, bacon, mozzarella, and pepperoni, as well as the excellent Veggie Dog for non-carnivores. Salads are also made fresh and very satisfying, and the bar’s fresh-made pretzels make a great snack. If you’re looking to save a few bucks, go for the “Dog Deal,” which gives you two mugs of beer for one low price.

Pub Dog
8865 Stanford Boulevard
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 872-0364
http://www.yelp.com/biz/pub-dog-columbia

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , , ,

Bird Is The Word at Columbia’s Grille Chick’n Pollo

September 23, 2014 by

Grilled chicken is one of the healthiest options that you have for protein, as it’s light on fat and heavy on nutrients. Unfortunately, if it’s not done right it can also be pretty bland. Thankfully, the chefs at Grille Chick'n Pollo know exactly what to do to wring the utmost in flavor out of the bird. Cooked in the Peruvian style over charcoal, chicken here is incredibly moist and tasty. Don’t take our word for it, though: If you stop in, they’ll give you a free sample. (Make sure to get the dark meat!)

The menu features some other options, including very delicious chicharrones (fried pork skins) and sides. Try the yucca fries. Made from a South American root, they’re a little denser than normal potatoes but have exceptional flavor. The antichuco, marinated sliced beef hearts skewered and grilled, are also super tasty. Make sure to leave some room for dessert, as the house-made flan here is creamy and delicious.

Grille Chick'n Pollo
6470 Freetown Road
Columbia, MD 21044
(240) 755-0079
www.grillechicknpollo.com
www.yelp.com/biz/grille-chickn-pollo-columbia

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Tropical Smoothie Café: Fresh Fruit Drinks

September 16, 2014 by

If you’re looking for something a little healthier, visiting the Tropical Smoothie Café is a fine idea. This national chain has several outposts in the Mid-Atlantic area (including one in Columbia, Maryland), and they work hard to deliver a high-quality menu made with fresh ingredients. As you’d expect, smoothies are the big attraction here, and regulars rave about the flavorful, nutrition-packed combinations.

Some favorites include the Sunrise Sunset, made with strawberries, pineapple, orange, and mango for an energy-filled blast, as well as the Blue Lagoon which is full of antioxidant-powered blueberries, strawberries, and banana. If you feel like having a solid meal, the Tropical Smoothie Café boasts a good selection of salads and sandwiches as well. Regulars rave about the toasted hummus veggie wrap, which is a heart-healthy collection of rice with corn, black beans, asparagus, onions, romaine lettuce, and salsa with pepper jack cheese and hummus in a toasted garlic tortilla, and the Ultimate Club sandwich is also exceptional.

Tropical Smoothie Café
6455 Dobbin Road
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 730-6564
http://www.yelp.com/biz/tropical-smoothie-cafe-columbia-2

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , , ,

Frisco Taphouse and Brewery: 50 Beers on Tap

August 28, 2014 by

Frisco Taphouse and Brewery in Columbia features the potent ales and lagers of Maryland microbreweries. Regulars praise the extensive beer selection here. With 50 different brews on tap, along with a “beer engine” that pumps from a cask in the eatery’s cellar, you could sample for days and not get halfway through Frisco Taphouse's offerings!

Of course, you need snacks to go with your beer, and the menu here delivers well-esteemed bar bites. The “Ken’s Chorizo-Queso Obsession” is a popular choice, featuring melted cheese and sausage ideal for dipping chips. The fire-grilled wings with ancho chile glaze is also a good bet. For larger plates, the cornmeal-dusted chicken sandwich with pepper jack cheese and chipotle mayonnaise wins raves, as does the spicy steak sandwich brushed with Thai chiles.

Frisco Taphouse and Brewery
6695 Dobbin Road
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 312-4907
www.friscogrille.com
www.yelp.com/biz/frisco-taphouse-and-brewery-columbia

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Trattoria E Pizzeria Da Enrico: Throw The Dough

August 13, 2014 by

There are plenty of places to get solid pizza in Columbia, but if you ask locals the top of the heap is Trattoria E Pizzeria Da Enrico. With three locations in Howard County, this locally-owned micro-chain focuses on high-quality, homestyle Italian dishes made with fresh ingredients. The pies here are New York style, with a thin, durable crust that isn’t too puffy, quickly charred in the oven. Tomato sauce is made fresh and they pile plenty of cheese on their pizzas.

The calzones here also win raves from regulars – they’re stuffed with delicious, creamy ricotta cheese. They also offer a variety of traditional Italian dishes, including a veal Parmigiana that diners rave over. For lunch, the sub sandwiches are a popular choice.

Trattoria E Pizzeria Da Enrico
8630 Guilford Road
Columbia, MD 21046
(410) 381-1256
www.facebook.com/pages/Trattoria-E-Pizzeria
www.yelp.com/biz/trattoria-e-pizzeria-da-enrico-columbia

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Try the Reuben Sandwich at Joe’s Place

July 15, 2014 by

Joe's Place is a Columbia, Maryland deli that has been serving awesome sandwiches for over a decade. In 1997, they were the first restaurant in the area to win a “Healthy Howard” award for offering health-conscious menu choices.

Regulars have a few sandwiches that they recommend. Try the classic Reuben sandwich with hot leaned corned beef, melted Swiss cheese, Russian dressing, and sauerkraut on toasted rye, or get it with hot turkey breast instead. The October Road is also recommended: hot ham, melted Swiss, lettuce, tomato, and dijon mustard on a pretzel roll. Or you can try the hot roast beef sandwich, which melds hot roast beef, Swiss cheese, and spicy-sweet tiger sauce on a soft kaiser roll.

Portions are large, and prices are relatively inexpensive, with a sandwich costing around $8. Visit Joe's Place's website to learn more about this Columbia restaurant!

Joe's Place
7130 Minstrel Way
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 381-7880
www.joesplacedeli.com
www.yelp.com/biz/joes-place-columbia

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Bertucci’s: Brick Oven Pizza and More

June 17, 2014 by

The most important thing in the world of pizza is the oven. Your crust can be perfectly formed, your sauce can be tangy and delicious, but if your oven can’t get hot enough to cook it, the pizza may not turn out right. The key to Bertucci’s success is the brick oven at the heart of the restaurant, which gets each and every pizza perfectly crisp.

This is an excellent casual Italian chain that delivers high-quality food at reasonable process to Columbia locals, and it’s usually quite packed, especially on weekends. Some of the most popular dishes include the Ultimate Bertucci pizza, which is divided into quarters, each with a different flavor profile – meatballs, chicken, ham, and pepperoni. The eggplant Panini is also quite good, and the calzones are hearty and satisfying. You can choose your own ingredients, letting you tailor the meal to your liking!

Bertucci’s
9081 Snowden River Parkway
Columbia, MD 21046
(410) 312-4800
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bertuccis-brick-oven-restaurant-columbia

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , , ,

Red Pearl Restaurant: Classic Chinese Cuisine

May 20, 2014 by

If you’re looking for delicious, authentic Chinese cuisine in a gorgeous, scenic setting, make a reservation at Columbia’s Red Pearl. Located on the banks of Lake Kittamaqundi on the Columbia waterfront, this restaurant has been wowing local foodies for years with a bevy of astounding dishes. The staff here knows how to make dishes that draw from both Cantonese and Mandarin traditions, and some favorites include the Mandarin shrimp, which comes in a remarkably robust and complex sauce, as well as the Peking duck. On weekends, go for traditional dim sum service, where the staff brings out appetizers on the little carts and you pick and choose depending on what looks good. Some hits on the dim sum service are the steamed pork buns, which are flavorful and juicy, as well as the steamed water chestnut cake, which is a must-try. Service is low-key and prices are fair.

Red Pearl Restaurant
10215 Wincopin Circle
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 715-6530
http://www.yelp.com/biz/red-pearl-chinese-restaurant-columbia

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , , ,

Bon Fresco Sandwich Bakery: A Popular Sandwich Shop

May 13, 2014 by

Stop being disappointed with your brown bag lunch and head over to Bon Fresco Sandwich Bakery. This Columbia sandwich shop is serving some of the best sandwiches in town. All the sandwiches come on fresh baked bread. You can see the bakers working hard making the bread when you go to the counter to order your sandwich.

The London Broil, piled high with beef, lettuce, red onion, mayo, and mustard, is one of the most popular sandwiches but regulars say you can't go wrong with any of the fresh creations. If you're feeling especially hungry get a side of the couscous or potato salad. Homemade soups, fresh baked breads, and pastries are also available.

Bon Fresco Sandwich Bakery does get busy during lunch, so arrive early to avoid a crowd.

Bon Fresco Sandwich Bakery
6945 Oakland Mills Road
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 290-3434

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Stanford Grill: Good Food Done Right

April 15, 2014 by

Sometimes you just want to eat classic American cuisine ably executed. If that’s the case, stop in at the Stanford Grill for hearty, satisfying food made with great ingredients and served in sizable portions. This local institution has earned raves from locals for its exceptional service as well, which is professional and courteous. But it’s really the food you’re visiting for, and some of the top dishes include the spectacular steaks – the prime rib is exceptional, as is the filet mignon. Other good selections are the rotisserie chicken, which is cooked slowly so it remains moist and delectable. The sides are also quite good, with the buttery mashed potatoes earning special raves and the macaroni and cheese being big enough to be a full meal. For dessert, don’t miss the bread pudding, which regulars rave about. Stanford Grill also hosts regular jazz brunches with live music that draw big crowds.

Stanford Grill
8900 Stanford Boulevard
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 312-0445
http://www.yelp.com/biz/stanford-grill-columbia

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »

Pin It on Pinterest