Crossroads Pub

In the mood for crabs? Fresh fried seafood? A killer crab soup? The Crossroads Pub, tucked way out of the way in Western Howard County, could be the spot for you. It's another one of those places I've driven by for years and finally stopped in, only to find something quite different than what I'd thought.

Seafood, specifically crab, is the name of the game at the Crossroads Pub. You can order fresh steamed crabs and start pounding and picking like you were at the Eastern Shore. Or you can order off a menu filled with fried seafood entrees and sandwiches, along with a few traditional landlubber options. The soups, either Maryland Crab or Cream of Crab, are hearty, rich and tasty. The crab cake platter or sandwich stands up with the best in the area. The fried clam strips were fresh and meaty. The shrimp salad is also listed as a specialty, but I haven't tried it yet. Whatever you get, you're not likely to leave hungry.

The Crossroads Pub is small, but with a back room of picnic tables is a little bigger than it appears from the street. It's not fancy, and the crowd and service can feel like a trip back to an older time in Maryland that may not appeal so much to the trendy set. But the Crossroads Pub seems to be proud to serve a down home meal to those that seek it out.

Reviews

• Restaurantdb.net rates the Crossroads Pub 8.7/10 for food, based on 9 reviews as of 5/1/09.
  

Location

4809 Ten Oaks Road

Dayton, MD 21036

Phone: 410-531-7485

Website: (none)

The Crossroads Pub is just west of Route 32 on Ten Oaks Road where it intersects Howard Road and Green Bridge Road. Exit Route 32 at Linden Church Road West, then turn right on Ten Oaks Road.

Cinco de Mayo in Howard County

Happy Cinco de Mayo, everybody! Where can you go to celebrate in Columbia, Ellicott City or elsewhere in Howard County? Here are a few ideas. If you have some others, please post a comment.

• El Azteca in Clarksville is at the top of our list for Best Mexican restaurant in the County. They are having "drink and food specials all day."
• La Palapa in old town Ellicott City is a cousin of El Azteca's, but larger. Not sure of what specials they're having, but Tuesdays are all-you-can-eat taco nights.
• Mi Casa on Route 40 in Ellicott City is a small but friendly Mexican restaurant and a personal favorite.
• The Pachanga Grill, further west on Route 40 in Ellicott City, is also an El Azteca cousin and is also offering drink specials for the night.
• The Frisco Grille in Columbia has a great beer and tequila selection to go with its good Mexican food menu.
  
• Sonoma's Bar & Grille in Columbia has live music from Sons of the Radio from 9:00 pm and lunch and dinner specials as well.
• The Second Chance Saloon in Columbia has taco, beer and margarita specials tonight.
• El Nayar in Elkridge has a nice selection of Mexican meals, and Tuesdays are 1/2 price burrito nights.
• If you're in more of a do-it-yourself mood, stop into Lily's Mexican Market in Columbia and stock up on all you need.
  

Coal Fire Pizza

Full marks to HowChow for being all over the recent opening of the Coal Fire Pizza restaurant in the Shipley Grant development of Ellicott City. This place is a welcome addition to the local restaurant scene and I agree it jumps near the top of the list for best pizza in Howard County.

The thin, handmade pizzas feature fresh sliced mozzarella and a choice of three tasty sauces. The 580-degree coal fire oven produces a crisp, bubbly, slightly charred pie that's distinct from any others in the county. The selection of toppings is limited, but Coal Fire suggests no more than two toppings per pie "to ensure a perfect bake." I haven't gotten beyond the pizzas yet, but the pastas, sandwiches and wings look intriguing and worth a try.

The restaurant itself is suburban modern, with the oven prominently visible. It's fun to watch your pizza being made and see the coals glowing. Coal Fire Pizza is not especially exotic, but offers good quality everyday eating and is off to a strong start in its first few weeks.

Reviews

• HowChow has an excellent review that has generated 10 additional comments as of 5/2/09.
  
• Chowhound has a lengthy discussion of Coal Fire Pizza with 15 replies as of 5/2/09.
  
• Urbanspoon readers give Coal Fire Pizza 100/100 based on two votes and has one user review as of 5/2/09.
• Yelp readers gives Coal Fire Pizza 5/5 stars based on 1 review as of 5/2/09.
  

Location

5725 Richard's Valley Road

Ellicott City, MD 21043

Phone: 410-480-2625

Website: not yet

The Shipley's Grant location is on Route 108 between Snowden River Parkway and Route 100.

Columbia Foundation Spring Party

The Columbia Foundation holds its 27th Annual Spring Party this Thursday, May 7, from 5:45 - 8:30 pm at the Spear Center in Columbia. Tickets are $75 for a full buffet and open bar, and you have the option of donating an additional $25 to support each of the Foundation's 25 non-profit endowments.

The Columbia Foundation is one of Howard County's most important and productive non-profit groups. Take a moment to look through their list of recent grants and you're sure to find support for some of your favorite and most worthwhile local institutions. So, supporting the Columbia Foundation is a quick and easy way to help a whole range of local organizations at once. The current economy is hard on everyone, but especially the non-profit community that relies on contributions. Here's one way you can help...and get dinner and drinks to boot.

Tooting One's Own Horn

The Baltimore Sun featured yours truly among the County's many fine bloggers in a lengthy article in yesterday's paper. It's great to see the article finally appear -- the interviews occurred back in December and January -- though the online version doesn't have the print version's nice photo of Jessie Newburn and Chris Bachmann ogling an iPhone.

I encourage you to read all the local blogs, made especially easy by the HocoBlogs website and Twitter page. As I wrote in a recent post, bloggers play an increasingly important role in sharing information about local events and community, especially as local newspapers are in an accelerating tailspin. So support your local blogs and tell your friends! UPDATE: See also the feature article in today's Washington Post on restaurant bloggers pros and cons. A happy coincidence.

I particularly want to extend special appreciation for two people in the local blogging community. Jessie Newburn is a remarkable multitasker who writes her own blog (Jessie X), runs the HocoBlogs site, Twitters up a storm on her own, and finds time to host frequent gatherings of Hoco bloggers (that I've been derelict in attending). She's an inspiration and valuable catalyst for helping new bloggers and making Howard County a more interesting place. And speaking of inspirations, HowChow continues to generate a terrific blog on interesting restaurants and food finds in and near the county. He is very deservedly the number one Baltimore area blogger on Urbanspoon, and just got a nice mention from Elizabeth Large at the Sun for his post on the opening of Coal Fire Pizza in Ellicott City.

Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival

The Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival is underway at the Howard County Fairgrounds this weekend. This is one of the largest wool and craft events on the east coast, drawing thousands of people (and some lengthy traffic jams) to the Fairgrounds. The festival is always held the first weekend in May, but somehow it always seems to sneak up on me. Driving by the Fairgrounds today I can attest that the place is packed, but the early morning rush is over and it's easier to get in. The festival runs until 9:00 pm tonight, then tomorrow from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. Admission is free.

There are over 250 vendors selling all manner of things related to raising sheep and the crafting of wool products. There are also lots of classes and demonstrations of weaving, knitting, quilting, spinning, braiding and most anything else you can think of to do with wool. And there's musical entertainment, too. So if you're looking for something to do this weekend, head on out to the Howard County Fairgrounds. One more hint: if the Route 32 exit from I-70 looks jammed, head west to the next exit (Route 97), then come back east on Route 144. You can also exit the Fairgrounds that way and probably save some time.

Mother's Day Restaurant Specials in Howard County

Here are restaurants in Howard County, including Columbia and Ellicott City, offering special menus or brunches for Mother's Day on Sunday, May 10.  In addition to these, I'm sure any restaurant serving brunch in Howard County (see our list) would be happy to see you.  For a convenient list of brunch options in the wider Maryland area, see the OpenTable brunch listing.

• Aida Bistro and Wine Bar offers a special Mother's Day prix fixe menu from 1:00 - 7:00 pm. $34 per person, or $44 with flights of wine or beer. Reservations recommended.
• The Crab Shanty has a Champagne Buffet Brunch (menu pdf) from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm. Adults $22.95, kids 12 and under $10.95. The Crab Shanty will also offer a Mother's Day Dinner Buffet (menu pdf) from 2:00 - 9:00 pm. Adults $29.95, kids 12 and under $12.95. Reservations recommended.
• The Elkridge Furnace Inn has both a special Mother's Day Brunch Buffet and Mother's Day Dinner Menu. The brunch buffet (menu pdf) will be served from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm in the garden tent, $32.95 for adults, $16.50 for children age 5-12, children under 5 free. The dinner (menu pdf) can be ordered as two to five courses from $39 to $58. Reservations recommended.
• The Iron Bridge Wine Company presents a special three-course Mother's Day Menu. $40 per person, from 11:00 am - 6:00 pm. Reservations recommended.
• The King's Contrivance offers a Mother Day Menu with both prix fixe ($55 per person) and a la carte items. Reservations recommended.
• oZ Chophouse serves a Mother's Day Brunch Buffet (menu) from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. $30 per person. Reservations recommended.
• Tersiguel's serves a special Mother's Day Menu from 11:30 am - 7:30 pm. Reservations required.
• The Waterside Restaurant in the Columbia Sheraton Hotel offers a Mother's Day Brunch (menu pdf) from 11:00 am - 7:00 pm. Adults $31.95, children aged 4-10 $15.95. Reservations recommended.
  

Restaurant Events for May '09

May brings Cinco de Mayo, Mother's Day and Memorial Day. Make your plans now for a special night out!

Sat. 5/2: The Second Chance Saloon features Mint Juleps and Mojitos at 5:00 pm for the Kentucky Derby.

Sat. 5/2: The Diamondback Tavern features $2 Mint Juleps for the Kentucky Derby.

Mon. 5/4: The Iron Bridge Wine Company hosts its Iron Bridge University session on Italian Wines. Taste 4-6 wines with a snack included. $25 per person. Reservations required.

Tue. 5/5: The Second Chance Saloon features taco specials, margaritas and Mexican beer for Cinco de Mayo.

Wed. 5/6: The Elkridge Furnace Inn hosts an Afternoon Tea. Seatings 11:00 am - 2:30 pm. $26.50 per person. Reservations required.

Sun. 5/10: Aida Bistro and Wine Bar offers a special Mother's Day prix fixe menu from 1:00 - 7:00 pm. $34 per person, or $44 with flights of wine or beer. Reservations recommended.

Sun. 5/10: The Crab Shanty has a Champagne Buffet Brunch (menu pdf) from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm. Adults $22.95, kids 12 and under $10.95. The Crab Shanty will also offer a Mother's Day Dinner Buffet (menu pdf) from 2:00 - 9:00 pm. Adults $29.95, kids 12 and under $12.95. Reservations recommended.

Sun. 5/10: The Elkridge Furnace Inn has both a special Mother's Day Brunch Buffet and Mother's Day Dinner Menu. The brunch buffet (menu pdf) will be served from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm in the garden tent, $32.95 for adults, $16.50 for children age 5-12, children under 5 free. The dinner (menu pdf) can be ordered as two to five courses from $39 to $58. Reservations recommended.

Sun. 5/10: The Iron Bridge Wine Company presents a special three-course Mother's Day Menu. $40 per person, from 11:00 am - 6:00 pm. Reservations recommended.

Sun. 5/10: The King's Contrivance offers a Mother Day Menu with both prix fixe ($55 per person) and a la carte items. Reservations recommended.

Sun. 5/10: oZ Chophouse serves a Mother's Day Brunch Buffet (menu) from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. $30 per person. Reservations recommended.

Sun. 5/10: Tersiguel's serves a special Mother's Day Menu from 11:30 am - 7:30 pm. Reservations required.

Sun. 5/10: The Waterside Restaurant in the Columbia Sheraton Hotel offers a Mother's Day Brunch (menu pdf) from 11:00 am - 7:00 pm. Adults $31.95, children aged 4-10 $15.95. Reservations recommended.

Tue. 5/12: The Iron Bridge Wine Company hosts its Tuesday Night Wine Club featuring an Alexander Valley Winemaker's Dinner with winemaker Kevin Hall. A four-course menu will be served beginning at 6:00pm. Reservations required.

Thu. 5/14: The Elkridge Furnace Inn has a Wine Tasting of Sauvignon Blancs from 6:30 - 8:00 pm. $29 per person. Special prix fixe dinner available after for $30. Reservations recommended.

Sat. 5/16: The Diamondback Tavern features $2 Black Eyed Susans for the Preakness Stakes.

Sat. 5/16: The River Hill Sports Grille features Black Eyed Susans and Happy Hour Food all day for the Preakness Stakes.

Mon. 5/18: The Iron Bridge Wine Company hosts its Iron Bridge University session on Wines of Spain and Portugal. Taste 4-6 wines with a snack included. $25 per person. Reservations required.

Mon. 5/18: The Elkridge Furnace Inn hosts the Gourmand Club Goes to Mexico, a belated Cinco de Mayo five-couse wine dinner from 6:30 - 9:00 pm. $90 per person. Reservations required.

Mon. 5/18: Bistro Blanc hosts a Wine Dinner featuring J. Lohr Wines from Monterey, California. Reservations recommended.

Thu. 5/21: The Elkridge Furnace Inn hosts an Afternoon Tea. Seatings 11:00 am - 2:30 pm. $26.50 per person. Reservations required.

Wed. 5/27: Aida Bistro and Wine Bar is hosting a Sensorium Vineyards Wine Dinner from 6:30 - 9:30 pm. A special five-course meal will be matched with Sensorium wines for $89 per person. Winemaker Jeff Ritchey will attend. Reservations required.

Thu. 5/28: The Elkridge Furnace Inn hosts a Murder Mystery Dinner from 7:00 - 10:00 pm. $56 per person. Reservations required.

Sun. 5/31: The Elkridge Furnace Inn serves a Sunday Afternoon Tea at 12:00 pm. $26.50 per person. Reservations required.