Visitor's Guide to Howard County - 2016

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Romantic Settings
Howard County has several options for
memorable meals in lovingly restored
historic manor homes and gardens.
Family-owned Tersiguel’s French
Country Restaurant sources produce
from their farm and bakes old world
bread on the premises in the heart of
Old Ellicott City. Elkridge Furnace
Inn, on the banks of the Patapsco
River, has a farmette on site, and
bricked pathways perfect for a romantic
stroll after dinner. Sign up for The Inn’s
array of French cooking classes in the
winter, sure to stir and warm the heart.
The Kings Contrivance, a stately
Federal mansion in Columbia, is tucked
away on what was originally a 370-acre
farm, granted in 1730 by the Lord
Baltimore. It serves the very best new
American cuisine
with European and
Asian influences.
Al fresco dining
with a view
Don't miss the popular
Sunday brunch with unlimited
Champagne, bloody Marys,
mimosas and live music at
Alexandra’s American Fusion
at Turf Valley where you can
sit in the indoor atrium or on
the outdoor patio, with views
of the garden and golf course.
Coho Grill serves contempo-
rary neighborhood cuisine in a
relaxed, casual setting overlook-
ing the gorgeous greens of
Hobbit's Glen golf club. Indulge
in classic French bistro fare from
the Foreman-Wolf restaurant
team at Petit Louis on the
Lake or revel in the tremendous
selection of teriyaki, tempura,
sushi and sashimi at Sushi
Sono . Both are located at Lake
Kittamaqundi in downtown
Columbia, and are local date
night favorites for meeting, min-
gling and unforgettable dining.
Dinner and Dancing
Toby’s Dinner Theatre in downtown
Columbia offers diners lip-smacking
fare along with award-winning
entertainment. At La Palapa Grill
& Cantina in Old Ellicott City,
couples enjoy spicy Mexican,
Caribbean and Latin dishes, then
dance the night away to salsa,
mambo and even try the tango! “Worth the Drive”
The Washington Post and Baltimore
magazine boast about Bistro Blanc
and Victoria Gastro Pub, both ‘worth
the drive’ gems tucked in suburban
strip malls off highway roundabouts.
Bistro Blanc offers locally sourced
New American tapas and entrées,
paired with a diverse selection of
wines in an intimate setting; suppers
in the stone wine cave are splendidly
romantic. Owned and operated by
the Marriner family, Victoria Gastro
Pub serves sophisticated and in-
novative interpretations of classic
pub fare with an extensive beer and
wine list. Date night musts include
sharing famous duck fat fries and
lobster grilled cheese – paired, of
course, with the family’s Manor Hill
beer from its nearby farm brewery.
Sweethearts will swoon over the pub’s
homemade brown sugar-crusted
pineapple upside-down cake with
sweet and sour cherries. Indeed, for
a romantic date night, all you need
to bring is love – Howard County’s
eateries will supply the rest.
KENNETH LOSURDO, JR.
COURTESY OF KINGS CONTRIVANCE
Tersiguel’s French Country Restaurant
FREEOR ALMOST FREE
Bring a blanket and picnic dinner and enjoy
the Sunset Serenades series at Ellicott
City’s scenic Centennial Park. Modestly
priced concession menu items are available.
Concerts are weekly during summer months.