I just got around to noticing that Victoria Gastro Pub had a recent (12/08) full review in the Baltimore City Paper. Have a look if you haven't seen it.
I think the reviewer's a little unfair to judge the restaurant only on the basis of one visit on a crowded Saturday night, but she does get some things right. Sometimes the throngs at Victoria's can overwhelm the kitchen, and some of the dishes can get a little too trendy for their own good. I've enjoyed trying many of the different menu items, but haven't yet found ones that really knocked my socks off...though the burgers and fries are mighty good, now that I think about it.
But overall, and especially at less busy times, Victoria's offers food, drinks and atmosphere that are far above the Howard County average. Maybe Victoria's doesn't warrant a drive from Baltimore for the City Paper crowd, but from my perspective it means not having to travel all that far for innovative and fun food and spirits.
I do give a positive nod to the City Paper's Eats+Drinks web site. It's an easy to search and browse listing of restaurants in our area. Just "Browse by City" for Ellicott City, Columbia or others to see snapshots and archived reviews of other local spots. Local restaurant owners can enter information directly in the database, and I encourage them to do so.
Victoria Gastro Pub is on our list of Howard County's Best Restaurants.
Soft Stuff Lost The Creepy Motel, But Made A Friendly Corner On Rte 40 For
Ice Cream
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Soft Stuff ice cream with rainbow sprinkles I didn't believe that Soft
Stuff could recreate the magic on Rte 40, but now I've taken a kid to lick
ice cream...
6 years ago
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4 comments:
Bill -- I can't cast stones at people who judge a restaurant by a single visit!
To clarify my point, I don't think it's fair for a reviewer (especially a professionally published one) to publish significant criticisms of a place based on a single visit. Any establishment, individual chef or server can have an off night. An authoritatively published review has a long shelf life on the web and can have a real impact on business. I think the bar is lower for positive or neutral reviews, but if you're going to make negative comments I think you should give the restaurant a little benefit of doubt.
Hi Bill, Nice to meet you today at the hocoblogs breakfast party. And congrats again on starting your new blog. :-)
I really dig Victorias. My favorite popcorn is there - white truffle popcorn. I've yet to have a meal there that I didn't thoroughly enjoy.
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