Restaurants? Restaurants!

What: Tex-Mex
Where: Columbia, MD off Dobbin Road
When: Last Visited Nov 2005
Rating: Highly Recommended

Baja Fresh is part of a recent trend towards "fast casual" eateries, those where food is made is to order from fresh ingredients, but without table service. Baja Fresh offers a full range of tex-mex offerings such as burritos, tacos, enchiladas, and the like. The burritos are comparable to the competition at Chipotle and numerous other TexMex eateries that have opened in recent years, but the menu is broader and the salsa bar at Baja Fresh can't be beat -- four zesty salsas, fresh cilantro, and various pickled hot peppers are free for garnishing your meal. The baja salsa may be the best in its class that I've tasted.

The official website is www.bajafresh.com.

This is one of Omar's regular restaurant stops.

What: Thai
Where: north Columbia, MD on Centre Park Drive
When: Last Visited Nov 2005
Rating: Highly Recommended

Bangkok Delight has what is possibly some of the Howard County area's best Thai food, and is one of my favorite local restaurants. The high quality and value of their offerings belies the restaurant's middle-class suburban setting in a strip mall in north-central Columbia.

The interior is heavily decorated with umbrellas hanging from the ceiling, and prints and decorations from Thailand on the walls. The staff is entirely Thai as far as I can tell. In several years of patronizing this restaurant, I have consistently experienced prompt, courteous service.

Curries here are exceptional, made with the classic Thai coconut base. Soups and rice noodle dishes are also stand-out, particularly the coconut-based soups. If dining in, make sure to have Thai Iced Tea with your meal, the flavor nicely complements the food, and the milk offsets the burn of the chilis. Try the sticky-rice with mango for dessert, if in-season.

Lunch specials are a very good deal for around $7, with a small serving of soup, a spring-roll, and a reasonably sized entree from a list that varies week-to-week.

The official website is http://www.bangkokdelight.com/.

This is one of Omar's regular restaurant stops.

What: Indian
Where: south Columbia, MD on Old Columbia Drive
When: Last Visited March 2005
Rating: Highly Recommended

Bombay Peacock Grill is part of a local chain, with friendly service and appropriate decor, including a large number of beaten-copper dishes, decorations, and vessels. It is located somewhat incongrously in the bottom of an office building.

The traditional dishes are all good. The lunch buffet allows for carryout. Lamb dishes are stand-out, particularly the lamb saag (lamb in spinach). The lassi is good, try the lychee lassi if they have it. Make sure to get some naan. The keema-naan (stuffed with seasoned ground-beef) is delicious.

By comparison to my superb dinner and lunch experiences, the Thursday night kebab night (all-you-can eat kebabs cooked to order) was a disappointment with odd pacing of food delivery and selection, such that I and my dining companions were left full, but unsatisfied.

Update March 2005: On a recent visit late on a quiet night, we were the only guests at the restaurant. Despite this, the food was all top notch, fresh, and the pacing was excellent. As in many Indian restaurants, service can be somewhat off-hand as it was tonight, but we don't patronize the place for the service (which is acceptable), but for the most excellent Indian fare.

Bombay Peacock's official website is www.bombaygrill.com.

What: Mediterranean / Coffee-bar
Where: MD-108 in Columbia, MD
When: Last Visited Nov 2005
Rating: Highly Recommended

Donna's is a locally owned chain of cafes / coffee-bars. Each location varies somewhat, but all have a similar feel with clean lines and a lack of pretension. Owner Donna makes appearances from time to time, talking to customers and helping out as needed. This location in Columbia is located in an office-building at the intersections of MD-108 and Snowden River Parkway. The interior is pleasant and airy with a Euro-cafe feel to it.

The food is Mediterranean with an Italian inspiration, Donna recently returned from a trip to Italy to seek inspiration for new menu ideas. I usually stick to light fare here. The salads are excellent, the brushetta superb. Soups can be hit or miss, some recent tomato-based soups were too coarse, as if they needed to be pureed for another minute. Burgers and sandwiches are always good bets, and pizza and pasta is very well done. Calamari makes for a meal-sized appetizer. "Heavy" fare such as meat or fish tends to be reasonable but not as inspired as the rest of the menu, so I tend to steer away from it.

Products of the coffee-bar are usually quite good (though not as robust as those used to Starbucks might expect), as are the pastries at the coffe counter. Try the large black-bottom cup-cakes, they are possibly the best black-bottoms I've had. There is also a full bar and a wine list.

On weekends, there is live music at the Columbia location. Wine tastings, cooking courses, and special-event meals are also offered, such as for Valentine's Day.

This is one of Omar's regular restaurant stops.

What: American / Pub
Where: Buckeystown Pike near I-270
When: Last Visited Fall 2004
Rating: Fair

Friday's is one of those uninspired chain restaurants of the sort that most folks have been to. Despite the lack of inspiration in the kitchen or format, it often provides a comfortable or convenient location. Pretty much any Friday's location is like any other Friday's.

Don't go to Friday's expecting haute cuisine. Food that sounds like "fancy" food is uninspired, so don't bother. However, burgers here are usually good, so are wings. Drinks are usually reasonable as well. Can't go wrong here with a burger and a beer. The "Mudslide" makes for an excellent combination of alcohol and dessert. Various appetizers were downright blah on a recent visit, and desserts taste unpleasantly artificial.

The official website: http://www.tgifridays.com/main_nonflash.html

What: Vegetarian/New American
Where: Clarksville, MD off MD-108
When: Last Visited Nov 2005
Rating: Highly Recommended

Great Sage is a vegetarian restaurant run by the same group that operates the nearby and popular Roots natural market in Clarksville, MD.

It has a full menu of vegetarian and vegan fare, with notes indicating what items are gluten or dairy free. In contrast to many vegetarian restaurants I have been to, I felt like I would be able to eat a full meal here and enjoy it.

There is a full beverage list, including a decent selection of organic wines and beers. I had an organic hot chocolate that was very tasty, and the iced tea was very good also. The tap water tasted filtered.

The service was prompt and friendly. The store is decorated in 'natural' materials and features artwork and pieces from the neighboring "Nest" store, also operated by the same people. The interior is pleasant and appealing.

In our light meal (we didn't order entrees), the corn-tortilla quesadilla was an incredible example of a quesadilla that I could eat every day. Two different kinds of salads were both perfectly dressed and made with fresh, crisp greens. The dessert, a seasonal fruit crisp made with apples was possibly the best apple crisp I've eaten. Definitely recommended.

Great Sage's official web site is www.great-sage.com.

Update Nov 2005: On a recent visit, we found the corn tortilla quesadilla replaced with a much larger and not as unique flour tortilla quesadilla. Still good, but not as good. Guacomole is excellent here, and the organic coffees and teas very tasty.

What: Greek
Where: southwest Columbia, MD in Hickory Ridge Village Center
When: Visited 06/17/2003
Rating: Average

Greek Taverna II is in the Hickory Ridge Village Center in Columbia, in the spot previously occupied by the Old Hickory Grill.

As much as I like Greek food, I have to say the offerings here were uneven. The lamb shoulder with orzo was well seasoned and flavorful, and the calamari was crispy and oil-free. A stuffed grape-leaf from the combination platter was one of the best of its sort I have had.

However, the spanakopita (spinach pie) was mediocre and the saganaki (fried cheese) appetizer was coated in a very salty batter that made it almost inedible. The only Ouzo carried by the bar wasn't appealing, though that may have been my taste at the moment rather than bad ouzo. The bread for the table was unimpressive dinner rolls.

What: Indian
Where: Connecticut Ave, Cleveland Park, NW DC
When: Visited Dec 2003
Rating: Highly Recommended

Indique is a welcome new addition to the Indian cuisine scene in the DC area, abandoning the predictability of its competition in favor of high quality food, uncommon dishes, excellent service, and a robust wine list. All dishes are presented in an aesthetically pleasing fashion in stylish settings. The lamb is, of course, stand-out -- and we tried almost all of their lamb dishes. But everything else we tried was also excellent.

All this a stone's throw from the Red Line metro and a block from the Uptown Theater -- what more can you ask for? It's not the cheapest place in town, however.

Indique's official website is www.indique.com.

What: Wine Bar / Continental
Where: MD-108 in Columbia Maryland
When: Visited March 2005
Rating: Highly Recommended

This unusual wine bar / wine shop / restaurant / coffee shop is tucked into a non-descript building off busy MD-108 near Centennial Park in Columbia.

The first thing that strikes you upon entering is the large quantity of wine that forms a backdrop for the main room. Iron Bridge specializes in less-well-known wines, so don't be surprised if you recognize few of the labels. A large bar with surprisingly comfortable seating occupies much of the room. On a recent weeknight vist around 6pm, the place was packed with a short waiting list (that also applies to the bar). Despite the somewhat cramped interior, the palce has a warm, cozy feel rather than a cluttered one, and some of the tables are actually sofas with coffee-tables.

Food is light, high-quality, neo-continental fare from a short daily menu. We tried a soup, a salad, and an entree (and of course, wine!) and were well pleased with all three. Tasty bread came with the meal, and was accompanied with a very pleasant garlic-infused oil for dipping.

Iron Bridge's official website is www.ironbridgewines.com.

What: Tapas / Spanish
Where: Bethesda, MD (near Barnes & Noble)
When: Visited 07/2005
Rating: Very Highly Recommended

Jaleo is the well-regarded restaurant that brought the tapas craze to the DC area in a big way. Its lineage is very good, with Jaleo-affiliated or trained chefs responsible for some of the finest local restaurants. Chef José Andrés is highly regarded and was Bon Appetit's 2004 chef of the year.

This Bethesda restaurant is open and airy inside, with a central bar area, large wall paintings, and flamenco (?) dancers on some evenings. The original Jaleo location is downtown in the Penn Quarter area of Washington, D.C., and while the space there is more cramped and the parking more onerous, the two restaurants are very comparable in quality of experience.

There is a full bar, and a selection of Spanish and other appropriate wines. There also dessert drinks (sherries, port, etc). I usually stick to the house-made sangria, which is a tad sweet but very enjoyable.

The theme of the restaurant, and the reason to go there, is of course the tapas. Spanish inspired small servings, of which most people will take 3-6 to make a meal. On a recent visit, we had 8 or 9 tapas (shared between two people) and dessert, as well as sangria. Every tapa was outstanding, an impressive record even for Jaleo. Seafood is always good, such as the gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp). I always enjoy the pimientos del piquillo rellenos de queso y setas (peppers stuffed with goat cheese and mushrooms) also, and on the current seasonal menu, the coco catalana (toasted flatbread with savory toppings) is delightful.

One-third of the menu changes seasonally, and there are daily specials. A few entrees are also offered, but stick to the tapas. And save room for dessert! I make custards of every kind and am pickier about them than most any other dessert, and I still find their flan to be possibly the best I've had.

Garage parking and a myriad of other restaurants and shops are nearby.

Jaleo's official website is http://www.jaleo.com/.

This is one of Omar's regular restaurant stops.

What: Cafe / Bar
Where: Baltimore, MD (Canton)
When: Visited 01/2005
Rating: Recommended

Kiss Cafe is large high-ceilinged space in the former Can Company in the Canton neighborhood of Baltimore.

A light menu, coffee-drinks, and a full bar are served. A second story with another bar apparently opens for peak time traffic.

The space is all hard edges, and likely gets loud very quickly when crowded. On a recent weekend visit, the band playing was far too loud for the space. But on a quiet weeknight, it was a great place for a drink and a conversation, particularly on the sofas next to the fireplace.

On a light night visit, the cocktails were excellent and the dessert above average, but the coffee tasted burnt as if it had been left to sit too long (Kiss apparently uses heated coffee keepers rather than the thermal carafes used by most coffee shops).

What: Mexican
Where: north Columbia, MD on Centre Park Drive
When: Visited 06/13/2003
Rating: Fair

La Fiesta gets points for the friendly service and the fact that it is not part of a chain in a town increasingly over-run by chain restaurants. The chips were crisp and the salsa zesty.

However, the chicken quesadilla was bland and uninspired, with little seasoning, and no onions or peppers. It was also accompanied by only sour cream; the typical pico de gallo and gaucamole were nowhere to be found.

The steak chimichanga was reasonable, served covered in a dark brown mole-style sauce, but the accompanying re-fried beans and rice were bland at best. My dining companions gave the chicken chimichanga the thumbs-down.

The bar has an extensive selection of tequilas, but the house margarita is made with low-quality Cuervo.

What: Italian family-style
Where: Chevy Chase, MD across from the Chevy Chase Pavilion
When: Visited 08/02/2003
Rating: Acceptable

Maggiano's is an ever-popular and ever-busy Italian restaurant chain.

While the food is well-done and the portions immense (hint -- an appetizer, entree, and dessert will feed a couple for two meals), the Chevy Chase location has terrible acoustics and is very crowded. The place begs for a little acoustic baffling, some more partitions to break up the cavernous dining area, something, anything to dampen the din to a level acceptable for dinner, rather than what one would expect in a bar.

Perhaps because of the size of the dining room and the saturday evening crowds, the service was relatively inattentive and spotty on a recent visit.

However, the beef tenderloin medallions and calamari appetizer were tasty, and a variety of other dishes ordered at the table were also all acceptable or above average. The creme brulee dessert was nicely done with a crisply caramelized layer of sugar and pleasant citrus flavor.

Because of the noise levels and service, Maggiano's gets downgraded and barely stays within the "Acceptable" category. Consider patronizing their adjoining "Corner Bakery" for light fare, or retiring there for an inexpensive dessert outside of the bustling dining room.

The official website: http://www.maggianos.com

What: Greek / Deli
Where: College Park, MD just south of the UMCP campus entrance on Rt. 1
When: Last Visited Nov 2005
Rating: Highly Recommended

Marathon Deli is a small Greek deli that has been part of the College Park restaurant scene for a long time. A change in ownership a few years ago doesn't seem to have hurt anything.

The gyros are really really good. For only $5, they can't be beat. The spanokopita is tasty, crisp with nicely balanced filling, and the baklava is decent. Every regular (that includes me) encourages newcomers to try the fries, which are nicely seasoned.

Well worth a stop for all fans of Greek food.

This is one of Omar's regular restaurant stops.

What: Japanese / Sushi
Where: Bethesda, Woodmont Triangle Area, on Cordell Ave
When: Visited 06/26/2003
Rating: Recommended

Matuba is one of the classic sushi spots in Bethesda and expanded a few years ago. Its longevity in the highly competitive Bethesda market and its ranking in Washingtonian's Top 100 Restaurants and Top 100 Cheap Eats list are no doubt a result of the consistency and quality of the food here.

The menu does not have a lot of the speciality or unusual rolls many sushi places do today -- mostly the basics. There are a number of cooked items on the menu as well, and at lunch-time, an unlimited salad bar accompanies meals.

What: Vietnamese
Where: Columbia, MD
When: Last Visited Nov 2005
Rating: Recommended

This Vietnamese restaurant opened in Columbia during a wave of new ethnic restaurants coming to the area over the past two years. Pho Dat Thanh is located in the same shopping center as Akbar, Ni Chi Be Kai, a kebab shop, and an oriental market, off Snowden River Parkway.

It offers a sizable menu of "pho" (Vietnamese Beef Noodle soup), as well as various other entrees and specialties. We tried both a traditional beef based pho, and a seafood based soup, as well as a fish cake appetizer. The fish cakes were reasonable, but not exciting. The soups were excellent, especially once doctored with the accompanying plate of sprouts, cilantro, basil, and jalapenos and some of the ubiquitous (in Vietnamese restaurants) "rooster" hot sauce.

As in most Vietnamese restaurants, you can expect to eat well for a minimal price.

This is one of Omar's regular restaurant stops.

Update Oct 2005: On a recent visit, I was reminded that I should recommend Vietnamese style hot coffee at this location. For those who haven't tried it, Vietnamese coffee is served thick and smooth, a little like french-press, over a layer of heavy, sweet condensed cream. The cream can be stirred into the coffee to lighten or sweeten it as much as the drinker desires, and is left as a sweet finish upon reaching the bottom of the cup.

What: American / Bistro
Where: Baltimore, MD (Canton)
When: Last Visited Summer 2005
Rating: Recommended

Red Fish is a Bistro located along the waterfront in Baltimore's Canton neighborhood. It's associated with Blue Pointe Grill in Ellicott City (same owner). It is attractively decorated and was completely renovated before its opening a year or so ago.

Considering its location near a variety of popular nightlife, one of Red Fish's standout features is that it serves appetizers, salads, and sandwiches in its bar/lounge area until midnight. This is quite easily some of the best late-night fare in the city. It's food you'd go out of your way for at dinner time. There's no comparison between this and the "greasy spoon" diners and fast-food joints that are the most of other options for late night snacking.

On my first visit to Red Fish, they had a seafood quesadilla on their specials list that was the best quesadilla I had ever had, light, crispy, with a good amount of filling but not overflowing. And really good quality seafood. On my second trip, I had an excellent "Italian" burger, done just right. On another trip, the Adriatic quesadilla was slightly overpowering with the vinegar flavor (likely from the brine of its olives or other pickled ingredients), but still reasonable.

Definitely worth a stop, whether for dinner, or late night snacking.

What: American / Burger
Where: Columbia, MD
When: Last Visited Nov 2005
Rating: Recommended

Red Robin is a diner-esque burger chain, kind of a grown-up's Fuddrucker's with more elaborate burger concoctions, a bigger menu, and a full bar which sets it apart from that competitor.

The portions are large, and there is little danger of leaving Red Robin hungry, at least not for us meat-eaters.

On recent visits, the guacamole burger and the banzai burger were both very good. The meat and toppings were all fresh and good quality. For fans of french fries, every burger comes with a pile of tasty thick-cut fries. The "Tower of Onion Rings" appetizer is also impressive, and filling enough to be a meal.

Red Robin is a chain with many locations, I have only been to the Columbia location. The official website: http://www.redrobin.com/.

This is one of Omar's regular restaurant stops.

What: Hawaiian Fusion
Where: Baltimore, MD (Harbor East)
When: Visited 04/2005
Rating: Recommended with reservations

Roy's is a Hawaiian fusion chain, with a location in the newish Harbor East development around the Marriott in Baltimore. The inside is stylishly appointed with a long curving bar, high glass dividers between areas, and comfortable seating.

We were excited during out initial visit by the seafood selection, and highly enjoyed the lobster potstickers. However, the house speciality cocktails were made with cheap liquor (and tasted it), and the main fish courses, while very tasty, we not outstanding enough to warrant the $25-$30 a plate price. We would have felt a lot better about them for about $10 less each. Maybe try the prix-fix menu for a better value.

So, recommended with some reservations about value. The choice location may make it an easy choice for travelers, but for locals, there are better values out there. Maybe just go next door and have the excellent seafood at Fleming's Steakhouse.

Official website: http://www.roysrestaurant.com/docs/index.html.

What: Tex-Mex / Brew-Pub
Where: Sterling, VA
When: Visited 06/29/2003
Rating: Recommended

Sweetwater is a local chain with decent Tex-Mex food, a variety of beer, and a decent bar. This location in Sterling, VA has a flagstone patio and outdoor seating overlooking a lake. Quite pleasant on a nice evening.

The southwestern egg-rolls are possibly the best I've had. The margarita (one of the specials in the menu, made with Sauzo) was perfectly balanced and delivered as ordered (it's amazing how many bars can't handle "straight-up, no salt"). The nightly special, halibut over pasta was good, although the portion was a little on the small side. The service was without flaw.

What: Modern American
Where: Washington, DC, NW, Penn Quarter
When: Visited 03/2005
Rating: Recommended

Despite its museum location, Zola is a real restaurant rather than the expected glorified concessioner. It's see-and-be-seen bar, fascinating decor, and unusual layout are a treat for the eyes. The wine list has some unusual entries. And while at Zola, you have to check out the way to the restrooms. Really.

Update March 2005: The place was a little too DC on recent visits, full of see and-be-seen people packed in so tight you can't get to the bar or get a table. And like most of the bars in Penn Quarter, the Zola bar has last call absurdly early, as early as 11pm or 12midnight, even on weekends. After running into the crowd problem or the hours problem repeatedly this year, we've decided Zola isn't worth the night-time effort. Try them early in the evening, perhaps.

The official website: http://www.spymuseum.org/dine/zola.asp.