HowChow

Hot Pot Hero has opened in Ellicott City

It's going to take time to catch up to all the restaurants that opened while I was out or that are coming soon.  Great folks have told me about these in comments or emails.  I'll work out visits over time.  Here is a fast rundown of some:

• Texas Roadhouse is opening off Snowden River Parkway, noted several commentators including Anonymous.  I'm still trying to figure out the exact location because I haven't seen the construction.
• Lib's Grill will open in Fulton this fall in the Maple Lawn spot that has been a steak house and was most-recently Maple Lawn Grill.  Julekha Dash wrote a quick story on the Bisnow website that a different anonymous commentator flagged for me.
• OC Brewing Company will open next to Perfect Pour in Elkridge, according to a comment by Anonymous.  I assume that's the space that previously was a Peruvian restaurant.
• Shake Shack and others are coming to the Columbia Mall, according to a Columbia Flier article written by Andrew Michaels and highlighted to me by RJ.  Shake Shack will take over a piece of the space where Champps closed.  As a side note, I'm psyched to hear Barnes and Nobles is coming to Columbia Mall.  Book stores are good.
• A speakeasy is coming to one of the new office buildings near the Columbia Mall, reported Joshua Gordon in the Baltimore Business Journal in May.  It's actually a restaurant called Cured with a small restaurant and bar behind an unmarked door called 18th and 21st.  That sounds fun, although I can't actually tell you anything because the description is a word salad of "rustic," "classic" and "modern" that I assume is just copied from a press release:

Cured will combine a rustic vibe and classic mid-Atlantic recipes with a modern twist while 18th & 21st, named after the Constitutional amendments that created and repealed prohibition, will be accessible through an unmarked door in the back of Cured.

• The same folks are opening a Mutiny Pirate Bar on Troy Hill Drive in Elkridge, again as reported by Joshua Gordon in the Baltimore Business Journal.  This replaces an earlier plan to open in downtown Ellicott City. 
• A Caribbean restaurant Jazz's Island Soul has replaced Zapata's in Harper's Choice Village Center.  Suzanne Loudermilk talked it up in a Howard Magazine review last month.
• Hot Pot Hero and Kung Fu Tea both opened in Ellicott City.  They're in the same shopping center as Honey Pig, which I love for a casual night of Korean barbecue.  Hot pot is definitely on my list.  The last time that I ate it was the first day that we met Lil' Chow -- and the last time that a coughing fit sent me running to the bathroom because I misunderstood how spicy the broth had gotten.  I need to figure out a kid-friendly option on the Hot Pot Hero menu like noodles, rice or tofu.  I'd love to think Lil' Chow would try cooking his own food, but I'm not confident yet. 
• And finally, a Korean BBQ place called Iron Age (update:  apparently is about to open) in Catonsville on Rte 40 just east of the new Lotte supermarket.  I haven't been, but David P. described it in a Facebook comment as "Fogo De Chao but for Korean BBQ. 25 dollars gets you endless meat."  That's inspiration for a guy's night.

I know there are many other new places.  Asian Court moved to Turf Valley.  I really want to hit the new place for dim sum.  Please feel free to report about your experiences with anything listed above or about other places that people should know.

The Columbia lakefront will get a new music and food venue where the Clyde's restaurant group will offer live music and casual food, reports Warren Rojas in the DC Eater.

The Clyde's folks apparently closed the Tomato Palace.  They're renovating to create a 240-seat performance space, not yet named but modeled after a DC spot called The Hamilton.  They'll share a kitchen with the Clyde's next door, but offer a different menu.

Anthony's New York Pizza & Pasta

The talk about Maple Lawn is that Chipotle is going into the new construction going in near the Harris Teeter.  It's been that way for months now.  People who know real estate explaining why the space and location look right.  Other folks saying that the new facade looks like a Chipotle.

I nod when they say that.

But I honestly don't know how to spot a Chipotle.  I can identify a classic Pizza Hut as I drive past, but I'm taking folks' optimism at the Chipotle and hope that we'll get an announcement soon.

I don't see anything official about the other Maple Lawn construction, but talk is about several other restaurants in the works.  Maybe a seafood place or a pub near Harris Teeter?  Maybe a new breakfast and lunch restaurant in the new office building that they're finishing up on the other side of the development?

Although we're a bit limited these days by toddler bedtimes, we're always looking for new places.  Lil' Chow and I hit up Anthony's New York Pizza & Pasta in Clarksville one night when Mrs. HowChow was out of town.  Unfortunately, this was before Lil' Chow announced "I don't like sauce."  So I ended up eating both our slices and feeding him garlic knots in desperation.

While we're at it, other local food news that built over my hiatus in the comments and emails:

• Taqueria Los Primos has opened a "brick-and-mortar" store on U.S. 1 in Laurel, reports Steve on a comment.  This is one of the highlight taco trucks, so I'm eager to get over there.  And eager for Lil' Chow to come around to Mexican food more than tortillas.
• That's an influx of new Mexican.  Cinco De Mayo is filling the space that Royal Taj vacated when it moved to expanded space in Columbia.  Junior Barnes sent me the website link that says Cinco De Mayo will open in "early 2016."
• And BGR the Burger Joint may be come to Rte 108 next to the new Urban BBQ, says Kevlar51.    On the same comment threat, SHerrington asked if anyone knows what's going into the retail built at 10000 Old Columbia Road -- visible on the south side of Rte 32 but apparently empty as far as I've seen.  Does anyone know?
• Bangkok Delight in Columbia appears to have closed while I was on hiatus.  Jim S. left a comment, and Nicole mentioned it on Facebook in November.  I'm nostalgic because it was one of the first places that Mrs. HowChow and I went out for dinner.  That was back when we lived off Rte 108.  I remember really enjoying Bangkok Delight, then feeling like the food changed.  Alicyn recommends Little Spice in Hanover as a Thai alternative.
• Also, has one or more of the Bagel Bins closed?  Folks were talking in November.  Dzoey mentioned a Cafe Bagel on Rte 103.  That's new to me.  And what about Pisco?  That was the Peruvian restaurant near Perfect Pour in Elkridge.  Katie reported last week that it was closed.
• 5485 Restaurant appears to have opened in Columbia.  This is in the Doubletree Hotel near Rte 29 and Rte 175.  The staff says they renovated and changed from Morgan's to 5485.   When I called, they said the menu isn't on-line yet.  Has anyone tried 5485 yet? 
• Starting in January, you'll be able to visit the Manor Hill Brewery on Saturdays to buy cans and growlers of their beer, says MoCo Beer.
• Black Flag Brewing in Columbia has launched a Facebook site so that you can follow the brewery that will open on Snowden River Parkway next year.  And you can watch for the web site that they're building now.
• What is Mother's Howard County Grille planned for Elkridge?  After figuring out the calendar system to check on the liquor license applications at Wegmans, I'm having fun watching the liquor board web sit.
• Dzoey hit up the new Pie Five on Rte 40 in Ellicott City.  Several new chains are opening along Rte 40.  Pie Five is in new construction just west of Bean & Burgundy, which Dzoey says still has a good lunch buffet.  This is the report:

Pie Five does not take reservations and they do not deliver, but they have a special way of cooking the pizza so that it bakes in 2 minutes and it is ready for you 5 minutes after you order. You can specify your own pizza, choosing from five different crust types and four sauces and a variety of toppings, or you can use one of their pre-arranged combinations.

I tried three (pre-arranged) pizzas: the BBQ pizza, the Buffalo Chicken pizza, and a meat pizza (I forget the name) with one of their thin crusts and two of their thick crusts. I thought the thin crust was good, better than Domino's, not as good as Ledo's, and the thick crust was good as well, better than Pizza hut, not as good as what I've had in Chicago. The BBQ sauce was on the sweet side, with a hint of smoke and went well with the chicken. The meat pizza was good, with a good balance of salt and spice. The buffalo chicken wasn't what I expected, there was not much buffalo sauce, just some jalapeno peppers. It's a pretty crowded market so I wish them well. It's worth trying out.

• And finally, you need to check out VCnearDC's long comment about the best cheesesteak in Howard County.  The family did a four-stop taste test.  They decided that Philly's Best in Columbia had the best meat and therefore the best sandwich.  Now that's on my list to try as well.

No Wegmans liquor for now, but here comes barbecue

For now, there isn't an active plan to open a liquor store at the Wegmans in Columbia, according to a Baltimore Sun article that came out while I was on hiatus.

In August, I had flagged the liquor license application filed by The Loft Wine & Spirits.  In November, Amanda Yeager reported that the application was withdrawn because of a zoning issue.  Apparently, the county says a liquor store isn't appropriate there.

Reading between the lines, it looks like folks are tussling behind the scenes.  I'm sure Wegmans would like to rent that second-story space, and liquor store owners are pushing the liquor and zoning laws.  Does anyone know updates since mid-November?

But while I was nosing around the liquor board website, I came across some other tidbits about new restaurants, including the Urban Bar-B-Que that looks really close on Rte 108 near Snowden River Parkway and the Mission BBQ on Rte 40 that I'll blog about soon.  Here's fun stuff:

• You may be able to buy a beer while your friends or kids play indoor soccer.  The November hearing that would have been for the Loft turned into a one-item agenda:  a license for the Soccer Dome in Columbia.  It's not my scene, but it seems to be an indoor soccer facility.
• There are new liquor licenses that mention restaurants that are new to me and are either opening or just opened -- Los Compadres in Woodstock, Home Slyce in Columbia, and Pie Five Pizza on Rte 40 in Ellicott City.  I got a little excited that I had discovered a new restaurant called Vantage House until I read closely and saw it's actually a license to serve beer and wine at a retirement community.
• The great coincidence was that Jeffrey Givens of Southern Skies Coffee in Finksburg just emailed me about Los Compadres.  He and his wife basically stumbled on the new Mexican restaurant in the Waverly Woods shopping center just north of I-70 on Marriottsville Road:

We had a few rare hours to ourselves for dinner, and I wanted Mexican. There's nothing good up our way, so we had planned on going to El Azteca in Clarksville.  Just out of curiosity, I fired up the Yelp app to see if there were any more options, and Los Compadres popped up with really good reviews.

Since it was so much closer, we decided to take a chance and I'm super glad that we did. Rommel, the owner, introduced himself and took us through the menu. It's mainly the standard fare, but they also had less common items like sopes and tortas.  My wife got three enchiladas with one each of pastor, carne asada and barbacoa.  I got chile rellenos.

I pretty much hold R&R as the gold standard.  If I graded R&R as a "10," I'd have to say that the food we had was a solid 8.5.  It was all very well seasoned and the flavor profiles were spot on.

The prices were very reasonable, with our bill coming in at $20.

I think the place is a real gem and deserves some good attention from the food press.

 Unfortunately, I think sometimes that the food press is evaporating around us.  I appreciate the Sun and WPost articles because they're becoming fewer and farther between.  I also welcome any reports on these new places in the comments below.

Fried dumplings at Tian

Black Flag Brewing is coming to Columbia.  The Black Flag folks and I surprised each other -- a liquor board hearing notice was my first word about the brewery, and my post was their first word about the hearing.

Black Flag is leasing space in a new building under construction next to Lincoln Tech on Snowden River Parkway.  They're getting licensed as a brewery, which means that they'll make beer and host people to come drink and eat.  But it will be "carry in" eating or food trucks, not a kitchen in the brewery.  Brian emailed me to say they'll announce more news as they get closer and talked about the name:

We will be all over the map with our beers. The name Black Flag (which appears to be hotly contested in the comments section haha) comes from way back when ships or other groups of people would fly the flag to show no allegiance or affiliation to any group or country. That's what we intend to do with the beers we make - no specific focus. We think that the local area could use some more hoppy IPA options - the new craft breweries seem to have avoided them slightly. We also intend to have some culinary focus (have a great breakfast stout with coffee/oats/chocolate) and would love to be the first in the area to offer a true sour. It makes ingredient logistics a bit of a mess but should keep things interesting for the customers.

Mrs. HowChow and I have our eye on the swimming school that I think will open in the same building.  Here is hoping that we will eventually be able to have Lil' Chow swim lessons, then lunch and a beer at Black Flag.

Think mid-winter for Black Flag to open.

What else has been going on?  Marcia emailed me Saturday about Wild Seafood -- the retail successor to Frank's Seafood in the Jessup seafood market.  That was my local place for crabs, which are getting into the great fall season now.  I need to check it out after Marcia's rave:

We've been to Wild Seafood twice recently, and it's better than ever.  I am now seeing many of the former Frank's employees, and they tell me business is getting close to previous numbers. They have rearranged things slightly, you no longer hand money over top of the prepared seafood. That always bugged me. 

Today the whole fish, especially snapper, looked exceptionally fresh.  They will still clean whole fish for free.  They have Maryland crabmeat, today they also had North Carolina crabmeat which was slightly less expensive. On both visits they also had the $1 steamed crabs!

It was good before as Frank's, it is even better now as Wild.

Thanks to Marcia and everyone else who emails or leaves comments.  I'm a bit disappointed to learn that some of y'all have been going for weekend ramen at Matcha Time in Ellicott City without telling me.  LOL.  Look at their Facebook page from August!! But if you'll promise to mention when you see the next ramen weekend, I'll pass along these other comments and tidbits:

• Beef Brothers is opening on Rte 40 in Ellicott City, reports Brianscrazytalk and an email from Lisa.  This looks like a Baltimore joint doing deli, sandwiches, and salads.  They're going into the shopping center with Bon Appetit.
• Joe Squared may still be bringing its pizza to Main Street in Ellicott City, according to a Facebook post that Lisa copied into a comment.  It looks like Joe Squared is focused on the original Baltimore location, but still has plans for Ellicott City.
• I need to organize another black-bean dinner at Tian Chinese Cuisine in Ellicott City.  The photo above is the fried dumplings.  They're excellent split among a large group.  I'm going through old photos, and my toddler-addled memory has lost the details of dinners that I had planned to post about.  But I love the black bean noodles at Tian and recommend filling a table to try Korea's Chinese food.
• Wondergirl recommends the eggplant Parmesan at Luna Bella in Columbia.  A bunch of people chimed in with thoughts on Facci -- both the original and the new one in Turf Valley.
• Does anyone know about Los Compadres in Woodstock?  I saw a liquor license transferring from Sedona Cafe & Grill to Los Compadres on the September 1, 2015 liquor board hearing agenda.  I see a few Web sites that mention a Mexican and American restaurant.  Has anyone been?

Bananas and wine -- The devil's combo

Someone appears to be trying to open another brewery in Columbia called the Black Flag Brewery -- and I want to know what's coming to Snowden River Parkway.

I stumbled on the name on the Howard County liquor board's October 13 agenda.  I was looking around for information about the liquor store planned on the second floor of Wegmans.  I have posted before about the apparent application by The Loft Wine & Spirits to sell liquor at Wegmans, but I'd still welcome comments if anyone knows details.  

I focused on Wegmans again after walking through a Whole Foods in Chicago last week.  Civilization apparently survives in Illinois even though they stock bananas next to wine and Pabst Blue Ribbon near the salad bar.

This is Whole Foods, so I assume the PBR is ironic

Black Flag Brewing Company d/b/a Black Flag Brewery wants to a license to run a tavern at 9315 Snowden River Parkway.  I see random Web pages about the company --  like this on Bloomberg and this at the SEC -- but you can't count on the SEC and its forms to tell you anything useful.

What's up with Black Flag Brewery?  Is this a brewery or a restaurant?  The tavern license seems to suggest that they'll serve food.  But where?  The address on Google Maps falls somewhere between Lincoln Tech and Oakland Mills Parkway.  A bunch of buildings there face Snowden, but use the address of Berger or other cross streets  I'd love to know the location and the timeline if folks are in the know.

Renata's Is Open Now

Have a delicious Labor Day weekend.  If you're looking for fun, you can't beat the shady trolley trail from Wednesday's post or the Scoop and Paddle ice cream Sunday at River Hill Garden Center from Thursday's post.  But there is still more fun on the horizon:

• Go explore Renata's Tasty Bites -- the new bakery in Columbia that will have a grand opening September 12 but is already serving up baked goods.  Steve sent the photo above and reported that he and his wife both liked their first visit -- a coconut cake and almond pastry
• Check out a movie and CrunchDaddy popcorn at the Wine Bin in Ellicott City on Saturday night.  They're playing the Sound of Music outside.  Check CrunchDaddy's blog for details -- and for a Sunday invite to taste the popcorn at Boarman's Meat Market in Highland.
• Look in a few months for a new burger chain in Columbia -- CaliBurger, an In-n-Out imitator that the Washington Post reports will open in November.

What's coming to the new construction in Maple Lawn?

So what have I missed?

One of the great parts of HowChow has been collecting news and rumors that I hear in emails and comments on the blog.  People have been sending news even though I haven't been posting, and it's time to share what I know and ask folks to add more in the comments.  We're looking at new barbecue, a new bakery, hopefully new ramen, and probably a new rum bar.  Plus, there is more news and some good-looking spots where I hope restaurants will open.

This is part of my "While I've Been Out" series to restart the blog.  Late last year, the blog got some serious competition.  I'm still working out how to keep writing while I'm doing so many other new things as well.  Thanks to everyone who has kept reading, emailing and commenting.  Tomorrow, my report on the restaurant that surprised me the most this year.

Let's start with the things that I know -- or at least have heard about:

• Urban BBQ is coming to Ellicott City -- specifically to the shopping center with Coal Fire Pizza off Rte 108 near Snowden River Parkway.  Months ago, Mike sent me a link to Urban BBQ's Web page where they list a location coming soon.  Who has a report on Urban BBQ?  Who knows a timeline?
• In other barbecue talk, there is chatter that Mission BBQ will be one of the businesses taking over the former Shanty Grill on Rte 40 in Ellicott City.  That's a great location for a barbecue place that opened a spot in Columbia and had such long lines on the day that I went for lunch that I couldn't wait with a toddler.  Think about March or early spring 2016 for the new location.  Anyone know details?
• Smashburger is coming to Ellicott City, as I posted in July. Tim reports that a new Barakat Kabob looks to be opening nearby on Rte 40 next to the Yama Asian Bistro.  He said they have a menu in the window, but paper still covered them last week.  Tim also talks up the new Carroll Farm meat stand on Rte 144.  I have been there yet, although I assume it is the farm with this Web page.  He reports nice beef and pork selections, including different sausages.  They also sell chicken that you can buy on the day that they're processed.
• That Rte 40 development is really hot.  Glory Days Grill also opened there, and the Two Dudes Who Love Food blogged about a sneak peak in July.   They talked up wings, fried pickles, pizza and salmon.
• Primo Hoagies says they're opening a shop on Dobbin Center Way in Columbia.  Dori and I would like to know more.  Anyone know when?  Anyone eaten their sandwiches?  I lived in Philadelphia so I'm very cautious when people claim to be selling Philly-level hoagies.
• Coho Grill has re-opened.  The Columbia restaurant closed during renovations at the golf club's clubhouse.  I haven't heard details about the new space or menu, but Stan Rapport wrote a profile with some video.
• Renata's Tasty Bites has taken over the bakery on Snowden River Parkway that used to be Linda's Bakery.  I haven't been yet, but I saw that we're going to become regulars once the weather gets a little colder.  They're open at 8 am on weekend mornings.  Coffee and a pasty could entertain us and Lil' Chow on our way to grocery shop or some toddler classes.  Renata's has been around for several years, so please let me know what you'd recommend that I try.
• Paper Lantern Asian Grill & Sushi has opened on Marriottsville Road.  JJ tweeted about the opening, and I'd love to hear about good Asian food in the western county.
• Uma Uma is still aiming to bring ramen and yakitori to Rte 40 in Ellicott City.  This is across from the former Shanty Grill next to Lighthouse Tofu and a Boston Chicken.  The owners have been working to renovate a former sub shop since last summer.  I hope to slurp noodles there this fall, and I'll keep you up to date.
• Highland Inn closed.  It's heartbreaking because I saw the years and clear money that people put into opening that restaurant on Rte 216.  They were going for a real upscale experience, but it doesn't seem to have worked out.  We ate there.  I wish that I could have blogged positively about the experience.
• BrickNFire Pizza won a recent competition with Marriott where they were picked as the best restaurant concept and get a six-month tryout in the Marriott near Camden Yards.  Richard Gorelick wrote up the contest in June.  (Hat tip to CrunchDaddy -- whose Columbia-made popcorns are spectacular.  His butter-rum and cranberry flavor got a write-up in the June edition of the Food Network's magazine.)

Then some stuff that I am hoping that you can answer:

A great space on  Main Street

• What's the timing and plans for the new Bulk Head brewery that is supposed to open on Old Annapolis Road in Columbia?  Sarah Meehan wrote up the plans in June and described a beach-themed brewery from two founders who did home brewing.  Meehan talked about a fall opening.
• What are the plans for FoodPlenty -- the Clarksville restaurant being planned by the folks behind Victoria Gastropub?  The place-holder website says they're aiming for 2016.  Anyone know more? 
• Is Black Eyed Susan Brewing open for business?  The website doesn't seem definitive.  Has anyone tried the beer?
• What's the timing on Mutiny Pirate Bar, which still has a sign saying that they're coming to downtown Ellicott City?  It's a spot just off the major intersection of Main Street and Old Columbia Pike.  When I posted in March, the signs said "Summer 2015."  They say its a rum bar.  It didn't look close when I biked past in August.  This is the second location of a restaurant by the folks who run Iron Bridge Wine Co. so I have high hopes.
• Anyone know if a restaurant has signed to open right at the Main Street-Old Columbia Pike intersection?  That's the old Taylor Antique Mall, and I had linked in December to a Sun article where the landlord's agent talked about Joe Squared opening there.  I haven't seen any progress, and the sign still offered the space for rent on my last visit.
• What is going into the new Maple Lawn construction?  I hear that the buildings going up near the Harris Teeter are slated for at least two restaurants.  At one point, there had been talk of the Looney's folks getting into brewing their own beer, but I don't know whether anyone has signed up for the space.

In other news, check out the "Farm To Fork Frederick" events that run August 28 to September 7.  Restaurants, farms, breweries and others in our neighboring county have gathered together to schedule specials and events that celebrate Frederick-grown foods.  Their Web site is here.  It looks like fun for folks who enjoy a food adventure -- and who don't have to juggle naps or 7:45 pm baths.  It's not Howard County, but we outer boroughs need to stick together.

If you know more news, please add comments below.  I'm still working through email so I'm sure that I'll have more posts with news and questions.

I hope to blog more regularly going forward.  It's great fun.  It's a great inspiration to try new food.  And it's always a blast to get emails or comments with news about Howard County food.  So please stay with me.

The new Centre Park Grill

Centre Park Grill has soft-opened in the former Columbia home of Cafe De Paris offering an upscale variation on their work at the Mt. Airy Tavern.

I haven't had a chance to stop at Centre Park yet.  I was chuckling recently when I remembered that I once had so much free time that I stopped at Gadsby's on opening day.

The bourbon that I'll try when I get there

Centre Park is run by Jim DiChiara and the folks behind the Mt. Airy Tavern.  They took over the space that used to be Cafe de Paris on Rte 108 near Rte 100.  They renovated, and Jim was aiming to stretch in his new kitchen -- a little more culinary flair, a little less bar food.

I had to laugh because the Centre Park folks sent me a few photos, including a bourbon that I really want to try on its own.  It was exactly the come-on that I need -- although I have to admit that our eating out has been just toddler quickies.

Check out Centre Park on their Web site or on Facebook.  I'd love folks to try to new place and leave comments with reactions and suggestions.

If HowChow were a business, not a hobby, then I would try to do something as cool as Columbia Association's new "World Food Passport" program.

The CA has recruited a few dozen local restaurants to join a game that encourages you try new places.  You pick up a free passport.  You eat in participating restaurants.  You get your passport stamped when you pay your bill.

Some people will win a raffled gift certificate.  But I love the "World Food Passport" for encouraging folks to try something new -- an untried restaurant, a novel cuisine.  The CA wants to expose people to new cultures and wants to drum up new business for restaurants.  They reached out to all kinds of restaurants.  You can see the ones who volunteered to donate a gift certificate and buy a passport stamp on the program's Web site.

There are great spots on the list.  If it's mostly new to you, I would probably start with South Asian food.  Most of the county's Indian restaurants have joined, and many of those are exceptional.  But you could search HowChow for posts about many of the restaurants.  Look in right column for the search bar or for the list of links by restaurant name.

Personally, I think the CA folks need help.  I know how much effort Laura Smit and others put into the planning and outreach.  But they have a handful of Asian restaurants -- and no Korean ones -- in a county full of great Asian food.  Many restaurants have been hesitant about a novel idea.  Laura has an advisory board helping on multicultural programs, and I'd love for her to get help from a HowChow reader with connections to Chinese, Thai or Korean restaurants.  You can reach her at 410-715-3162 or International@ColumbiaAssociation.org.

Check out the CA Website for details and instructions on picking up your passport.  You can get them at Columbia village centers and Howard County libraries, so they're convenient.  I'm optimistic that more restaurants will join now that the program is real and diners will be coming around.

Joe Squared's pizza -- maybe coming to Ellicott City

Joe Squared Pizza will open an Ellicott City branch in the former Taylor's Antique Mall on Main Street, the landlord's project manager told the Sun earlier this month.

Joe Squared is a really good pizza restaurant with two locations in Baltimore.  We ate lunch at one today after a morning at Port Discovery.  It's a thin-crust square pie with high-quality toppings.

Blair Ames wrote a story on Dec. 11 about a tax credit announcement held on Main Street with a bunch of elected officials.  I would have thought tax credits were news 20 years ago when I was a newspaper reporter.  But amid a stultifying list of projects, Ames quotes Don Reuwer with information that actually affects people --  that they have a tentative deal for Joe Squared to occupy the first floor of the former Taylor's Antiques with offices on the second and third.

This is a prominent spot right at the intersection with Old Columbia Pike.  It is across from Pure Wine Cafe, which pairs nicely with Joe Squared's casual vibe and attention to ingredients.  The Taylor's folks have talked about a restaurant since at least January, and Reuwer told Ames that they hope to finish the project in six to eight months -- so figure next summer or fall because construction is always difficult and often delayed.

Hat tip to the anonymous commenter who mentioned Joe Squared and Main Street on yesterday's post.  I hadn't read the Sun article, and no one had mentioned it to me.  There is another comment that says the new restaurant from the folks who own Victoria Gastro Pub will be FoodPlenty in Clarksville.

Double hat tip to the HoCo Rising blog that noticed the lede buried in the Sun story last week.  Of course, some bloggers live a leisurely life where their new baby can't run yet.

Talk is cheap, but it is getting louder about supposedly new projects by the folks behind Victoria Gastro Pub, Bon Fresco and Bistro Blanc.

Does anything know the actual plans?  I've heard talk that they're all working on new projects.  Maybe a sibling for Bon Fresco in an office park off Broken Land in Columbia.  Maybe a second restaurant from the Victoria folks?  Maybe a new or second location for Bistro Blanc near Rte 32 and Cedar Lane?

These are places that people love, and new restaurants would be great fun -- especially if they're opening late in 2015 when we may have enough control on our lives to get out to them.

Please comment if you know anything.

Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill and Gadsby's Bar American both appears to have closed in Columbia.

Garbanzo was part of a small chain, and it definitely drummed up a devoted following.  Folks have been emailing and posting in comments for a while, but I've been to crazed to even post.

Gadsby's Bar American had replaced Greystone Grill just off Rte 100.  This was Robert Gadsby's restaurant.  People have lauded the place for an innovative bartender, but I had heard so many disappointed reports that I kept postponing a visit in the hope that they would get it together.  Now the Web site is gone, and the phone has been temporarily disconnected.

I'm always bummed when people work hard on a restaurant and see it close.  This morning, Carole posted a comment on the Facebook page saying the Korshi buffet in Columbia has closed as well.  No one answered the phone when I called, but I don't know the situation.  Does anyone know the story?  Does anyone know any of these stories?

David's Natural Market's new home in Wilde Lake

David's Natural Market is moving on up to the east side of the new Wilde Lake shopping center.

Moving day appears to be Thursday or Friday according to signs and talk at the organic grocery store in Columbia.

David's is a Howard County institution.  It is one of the centerpiece of the new Wilde Lake development. I hadn't been there in a while so I was stunned to see how much had been torn down and how much had been built.

The "old" market

The new store looks big, and I assume there have been all kinds of innovations in grocery store design since David's last renovated its old space.

From the signs, it looks like the Today's Catch seafood market will also get a new store in Wilde Lake. Does anyone know that timing or location? With Frank's closing in Jessup, Today's Catch is one of the few independent seafood options.

Congrats to David's. Lil' Chow and I came through for miso, and they were preparing for the move. I assume the Wegmans and Whole Foods have shaken up the local organic chains -- David's in Columbia, Roots in Clarksville, and Mom's in Jessup -- and I would love to see them all succeed.

The Shanty Grille in Ellicott City is closing at the end of the year.  The family who runs the restaurant will focus on the Sea King and Pig Pickers takeouts.  They cater and can do Shanty Grille menu items if you want. See their post -- http://www.shantygrille.com/letter.php.

Hang Ari Noodle Company chef rolling out the noodles

The owner/chef owned and operated Curry Hyang in Korea Town in LA, a popular Japanese restaurant specializing in curry and Japanese style noodles. After many years there, he sold the business and went on to open a kalgooksoo restaurant, with a business partner, in Korea Town called “Hang Ari Kalgooksoo.” 

This talented chef used the training he acquired in Korea under veteran chefs from historically famous kalgooksoo restaurants to great success. Right now, The Korean Daily (Joong Ang Ilbo) newspaper in LA named Hangari Kalgooksoo as the busiest restaurant in LA with the longest lines. 

Photo from the tasting, I think

The chef is bringing the same concept to the East Coast with his new restaurant, Hang Ari Noodle Company. The restaurant will feature two distinct categories of noodle dishes – kalgooksoo and Mil Myun. 

Kalgooksoo (literally “knife noodle”) is a noodle soup that is made using fresh hand-cut wheat flour noodles. It is served in large bowls of delicious broth and topped with garnishes that enhance the dish. The kalgooksoo menu will feature various flavor options including chicken, clam, seafood, kimchi and beef.

Mil Myun is similar to naeng myun (literally “cold noodle”), but the incredibly thin noodles are made using the same dough used for kalgooksoo  The mil myun menu will feature various options such as Mul Mil Myun (noodles in a chilled broth), Bibim
Mil Myun (noodles in a spicy sauce), Kimchi Mil Myun and Hong Uh (Skate) Mil Myun. 

A unique business strategy that the chef is taking will be offering customers a traditional Korean appetizer of bori bop (brown rice), dwen jang (Bean Paste) and yul moo  kimchi (young radish stem kimchi) free of charge with each order of noodles.  Because the noodles will be rolled out, cut and boiled fresh to order, the appetizer will keep customers happy while they wait for their food. 

Hang Ari  Noodle Company is bringing a new concept to the area that I’m sure will be a hit! Koreans in the area with be delighted to finally have a kalgooksoo and mil myun speciality restaurant open in Maryland. And for non-Koreans, this restaurant will be a great new cuisine to try.  They are set to open very soon, with a tentative date for this weekend. 

I heard they had a secret tasting with the chef’s family over the weekend and everyone loved it.  I personally can’t wait to try their clam kalgooksoo!

For more about the LA restaurant and this cuisine, check out the One More Bite blog and Yelp reviews.

The new Sonic on Rte 40 in Ellicott City will open on October 16, according to a Facebook post spotted by Adam.

This is on Rte 40 west of Rte 29.  It's definitely a joint with a loyal following.  Adam says he will aim for opening day:

I plan to be there. It's overrated, yes, but it's been a few years since I reminded myself of that.  Where else are you going to get a corn dog, tots, and a shake all at the same time without ever leaving for car?

The Sonic has been two-and-a-half years in the making.  The first report was May 2012 by Wordbones.  It may be a while before I can try the shakes -- which Mrs. HowChow says are the highlight -- but I'll pour a little out for Wordbones.

It looks like a restaurant called Center Park Grill will replace the closed Cafe De Paris in Columbia.

DozyCat snapped a picture today and posted on Twitter.  Does anyone know more about the restaurant or the timing?

@HowChowBlog Centre Park Grill to replace Cafe de Paris spot. heard anything? #hocofood pic.twitter.com/mZ3mmCjAJr
— Min (@dozycat) September 29, 2014

When you're standing in the parking lot facing Hmart, Hanoori Town is to the right.  There's a Korean food court on top with Korean retail stores (Asian housewares, gifts, beauty products, clothes and bedding) below.  When the place was called Besesto, I think everything was under the same person.  But it was reopened as Hanoori Town under new management about five years ago, and I think each individual shop is sub-leased under one owner. I think the owner wanted to create a space where different ethnicities could come together to shop and eat.  Hanoori means 'Us as one.'

On the top floor there are actually three different restaurants -- two to the left and one facing you as you walk in.  When we went there [in August], I heard that a new restaurant is going into the second space. 

So as you walk in, the first restaurant to the left is Bu Du Mak (closest to the window). They specialise in a cold noodle soup called naeng myun, Korean blood sausage called soon dae, and traditional Korean soups and stews.

The restaurant next to Bu Du Mak was a Korean/Chinese noodle restaurant that specialised in jja jang myun (black bean noodles), jjam ppong (spicy seafood noodle soup) and typical Korean/Chinese dishes like Hanjoonggwan in Ellicott City.  But they are no longer there.  A new kal guk su restaurant is going into that space.  The new chef/owner is famous in LA for his fresh hand pulled noodles and soup, and he's bringing it to the East Coast with his first location in Hanoori Town. I was told that it should be open in roughly late September. 

I love kal guk su  so I'm very much looking forward to checking them out. Kal guk su is well known in the Myung Dong neighborhood of Seoul. 

The restaurant facing you as you walk in is called Chan Mat and they offer all sorts of Korean food, Japanese sushi lunch buffet and I saw new signs for Korean/Chinese cuisine on their wall. I 'm guessing when the Korean/Chinese restaurant in the middle closed, Chan Mat added those items to their menu. 

I like the housewares store and the Korean bedding store in the basement. I got my shabu shabu pot from there and the Korean bedding shop in the back corner has lots of gift items and comfortable blankets, mats and pillows for the house.

Details are sparse, but Frank's Seafood in Jessup may have closed.

This would be a bummer.  Frank's was a retail store inside the wholesale seafood market.  They were an invaluable place for fish, seafood and crabs.  I got crabs there last month.

Again I don't know details.  But the phone want answered this afternoon, and the Twitter and Facebook pages seem to be deleted.  A friend of mine who knows that market says Frank's has closed.  (Update:  I have heard this from two other people as well, including Nicole who put a comment on the HowChow Facebook page saying a guard at the seafood market said they have been closed since Monday.)

Does anyone know details?  I would love to be wrong.  I assume that Frank's was hurt when Wegmans and Whole Foods opened big retail fish counters in Columbia.  I love both of those places, but I recognize that they are changing the landscaping and taking business from businesses that welcomed me when I moved to Howard County.