Nature, Wine & Dining

Victor
Nature, Wine & Dining

Places to Eat

Here is a list of some of my favorite local eateries.
Voted 2015 Howard County's Best Mexican Restaurant. Decorated in a distinctive Hacienda style, El Azteca offers a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, exceptional prices, and original recipes from Northern to Southern México and everywhere in between and has a bar/pub side as well. If you enjoy Mexican cuisine this is one of, if not the best place to eat . (2.1 miles from our location)
El Azteca
12210 Clarksville Pike
Voted 2015 Howard County's Best Mexican Restaurant. Decorated in a distinctive Hacienda style, El Azteca offers a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, exceptional prices, and original recipes from Northern to Southern México and everywhere in between and has a bar/pub side as well. If you enjoy Mexican cuisine this is one of, if not the best place to eat . (2.1 miles from our location)
Teppanyaki Grill has the largest selection of food I have ever seen in a buffet. Dozens of Asian selections, a sushi bar, a fix your own plate grill (if you prefer steaks or specialties), a desert bar, ice cream bar, and everything from fried chicken to ginger lobster and its all you can eat for a single low price. Go hungry and plan to be there for a while if you want to sample even a portion of what is offered. (19 miles from our location)
Teppanyaki Grill
14150 Baltimore Ave
Teppanyaki Grill has the largest selection of food I have ever seen in a buffet. Dozens of Asian selections, a sushi bar, a fix your own plate grill (if you prefer steaks or specialties), a desert bar, ice cream bar, and everything from fried chicken to ginger lobster and its all you can eat for a single low price. Go hungry and plan to be there for a while if you want to sample even a portion of what is offered. (19 miles from our location)
Offering simple but fabulous meals and steamed crabs all year long. For lunch you might start with a house salad then maybe the out of this world crab cake sandwich with lumps of crabmeat on a brioche roll with spiral fries. Floyd's won the "Best Crab Cake in Baltimore" for 2016. Personally - I think they are still the best. You must try this place!! Inside and outside seating but be aware that inside seating is tight. You should take this in to consideration when coming in the cooler months. (1.5 miles from our location)
Floyd’s Crossroads Pub
4809 Ten Oaks Rd
Offering simple but fabulous meals and steamed crabs all year long. For lunch you might start with a house salad then maybe the out of this world crab cake sandwich with lumps of crabmeat on a brioche roll with spiral fries. Floyd's won the "Best Crab Cake in Baltimore" for 2016. Personally - I think they are still the best. You must try this place!! Inside and outside seating but be aware that inside seating is tight. You should take this in to consideration when coming in the cooler months. (1.5 miles from our location)
Flavorful and very tasty authentic Indian cuisine either in buffet style (lunch) or ordered from the kitchen. Good portion sizes and ample all you can eat buffet, you will leave with a full stomach! Beautiful interior, very clean and professional. The menu has a wide variety of food with pictures and everything is labeled on the buffet (for those of us who don't know much about Indian cuisine). I have been there for the lunch buffet and dinner. The buffet is a good place to start because you can try dishes to see what you like and what you do not like. Great service and friendly staff. (2.1 miles from our location)
Mint Indian Of Clarksville.
12447 Clarksville Pike
Flavorful and very tasty authentic Indian cuisine either in buffet style (lunch) or ordered from the kitchen. Good portion sizes and ample all you can eat buffet, you will leave with a full stomach! Beautiful interior, very clean and professional. The menu has a wide variety of food with pictures and everything is labeled on the buffet (for those of us who don't know much about Indian cuisine). I have been there for the lunch buffet and dinner. The buffet is a good place to start because you can try dishes to see what you like and what you do not like. Great service and friendly staff. (2.1 miles from our location)
Opened June 2018, The Soundry brings headliners and up-and-coming acts to the stage in Downtown Columbia. Brought to life by the same culinary team that envisioned classic DC area restaurants like Clyde’s & Old Ebbitt Grill, The Soundry combines great food with amazing entertainment in one unforgettable venue. (11 miles from our location)
The Soundry
10221 Wincopin Cir
Opened June 2018, The Soundry brings headliners and up-and-coming acts to the stage in Downtown Columbia. Brought to life by the same culinary team that envisioned classic DC area restaurants like Clyde’s & Old Ebbitt Grill, The Soundry combines great food with amazing entertainment in one unforgettable venue. (11 miles from our location)
Experience Medieval Times dinner and a rousting good show - chivalry, rivalry & revelry! Knights, horses, falconry, jousting, the color & action of medieval Spain. This is "Olde Thyme" fun so be prepared to eat with your fingers! (19.5 miles from our location)
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Ужин и турнир Средневековья
7000 Arundel Mills Cir
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Experience Medieval Times dinner and a rousting good show - chivalry, rivalry & revelry! Knights, horses, falconry, jousting, the color & action of medieval Spain. This is "Olde Thyme" fun so be prepared to eat with your fingers! (19.5 miles from our location)
An insiders' jewel, this decently priced Columbia Japanese restaurant, hidden near the MVA, isn't flashy but completely rocks for consistently terrific sushi masterpieces created by veritable artists and delivered by courteous servers in traditional garb; seating is packed, so I suggest calling ahead, even on weekdays. (11.5 miles from our location)
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Sushi King
6490 Dobbin Road
7 (рекомендации местных жителей)
An insiders' jewel, this decently priced Columbia Japanese restaurant, hidden near the MVA, isn't flashy but completely rocks for consistently terrific sushi masterpieces created by veritable artists and delivered by courteous servers in traditional garb; seating is packed, so I suggest calling ahead, even on weekdays. (11.5 miles from our location)
Koto Sake has a dining side, a hibachi area and fabulous sushi bar. One hibachi dinner (fillet mignon and scallops) starts you off with a bowl of miso soup and a side salad. The hibachi dinner was prepared with noodles, fried rice, fried veggies (onions, broccoli, carrot, and zucchini), and two free appetizer shrimps. The noodle, rice, and fillet are cooked to perfection and seasoned perfectly with sauces, salt and pepper. The portion sizes are very generous so doggy bags are provided. I can't complain when I can make two meals out of it. Reservation are recommended. (7 miles from our location)
Koto Sake Japanese Steak House
6410 Freetown Rd
Koto Sake has a dining side, a hibachi area and fabulous sushi bar. One hibachi dinner (fillet mignon and scallops) starts you off with a bowl of miso soup and a side salad. The hibachi dinner was prepared with noodles, fried rice, fried veggies (onions, broccoli, carrot, and zucchini), and two free appetizer shrimps. The noodle, rice, and fillet are cooked to perfection and seasoned perfectly with sauces, salt and pepper. The portion sizes are very generous so doggy bags are provided. I can't complain when I can make two meals out of it. Reservation are recommended. (7 miles from our location)
Katana is a full menu Japanese restaurant with excellent sushi as well. The restaurant sits in a strip of small stores has authentic Japanese cuisine. The sushi is wonderful and fresh, the chef's special rolls are extremely tasty and creative and the Singapore noodles are perfectly spiced. No American dishes are offered but you won't be disappointed. (3.1 miles from our location)
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Katana Sushi
6343 Ten Oaks Rd
8 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Katana is a full menu Japanese restaurant with excellent sushi as well. The restaurant sits in a strip of small stores has authentic Japanese cuisine. The sushi is wonderful and fresh, the chef's special rolls are extremely tasty and creative and the Singapore noodles are perfectly spiced. No American dishes are offered but you won't be disappointed. (3.1 miles from our location)
Vegetarian and vegan extensive buffet at this friendly and affordable Indian oasis in Columbia that also throws a few bones to “die-hard meat eaters” with a separate Indo-Chinese menu under the banner Mirchi Wok; large space, snazzy decor featuring table linens and orange and plum accents. (11 miles from our location)
Mango Grove (Mirchi Wok)
8865 Stanford Boulevard
Vegetarian and vegan extensive buffet at this friendly and affordable Indian oasis in Columbia that also throws a few bones to “die-hard meat eaters” with a separate Indo-Chinese menu under the banner Mirchi Wok; large space, snazzy decor featuring table linens and orange and plum accents. (11 miles from our location)
Anthonys NY Pizza and Pasta House creates some of the best Italian food around in a clean and family friendly setting. Offering Pasta, Pizza, Salads, Subs, Seafood, Soups and Finger Foods. (2 miles from our location)
Anthony's NY Pizza and Pasta House
5805 Clarksville Square Dr
Anthonys NY Pizza and Pasta House creates some of the best Italian food around in a clean and family friendly setting. Offering Pasta, Pizza, Salads, Subs, Seafood, Soups and Finger Foods. (2 miles from our location)

Nature and Parks

If the outdoors is more to your liking, here are some local nature areas you might enjoy.
Centennial Park is an Ellicott City-based park open for public use and featuring athletic courts, a pond, boat rental station, six pavilions that can be reserved for events and a two-and-a-half mile hike-and-bike trail. (8.2 miles from our location)
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Центенниал-парк
10000 Clarksville Pike
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Centennial Park is an Ellicott City-based park open for public use and featuring athletic courts, a pond, boat rental station, six pavilions that can be reserved for events and a two-and-a-half mile hike-and-bike trail. (8.2 miles from our location)
Restaurants, a band stand, an outdoor amphitheater, plenty of parking and even paddle boats for rent, the lakeside at Lake Kittamaqundi is perfect to bring the kids or to bring your date. Paved walking route that takes you through the trees and about the lake. Park in free lots, wander around very pleasant waterside, attractive artworks, some world class architecture, and very convenient dining. (10 miles from our location)
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Lake Kittamaqundi
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Restaurants, a band stand, an outdoor amphitheater, plenty of parking and even paddle boats for rent, the lakeside at Lake Kittamaqundi is perfect to bring the kids or to bring your date. Paved walking route that takes you through the trees and about the lake. Park in free lots, wander around very pleasant waterside, attractive artworks, some world class architecture, and very convenient dining. (10 miles from our location)
This suburban park has a playground, a 2 mile paved trail, areas for playing ball or picnicking, a gazebo, and of course the beautiful lake. Recommended for anyone who loves a nice quiet, serene atmosphere without a lot of noise, and just wants to enjoy what nature has to offer. (10 miles from our location)
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Lake Elkhorn Park
Patuxent Branch Trail
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This suburban park has a playground, a 2 mile paved trail, areas for playing ball or picnicking, a gazebo, and of course the beautiful lake. Recommended for anyone who loves a nice quiet, serene atmosphere without a lot of noise, and just wants to enjoy what nature has to offer. (10 miles from our location)
The Robinson Nature Center is a unique nature education facility situated on 18 acres of land in Columbia adjacent to the Middle Patuxent Environmental Area, which provides more than 1,000 acres of forest, meadows and river valley to explore. (6.3 miles from our location)
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Robinson Nature Center
6692 Cedar Ln
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The Robinson Nature Center is a unique nature education facility situated on 18 acres of land in Columbia adjacent to the Middle Patuxent Environmental Area, which provides more than 1,000 acres of forest, meadows and river valley to explore. (6.3 miles from our location)
Patuxent Branch Trail is a 9.4 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Jessup, Maryland that features a river and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. (9.7 miles from our location)
Patuxent Branch Trail
Patuxent Branch Trail
Patuxent Branch Trail is a 9.4 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Jessup, Maryland that features a river and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. (9.7 miles from our location)
Patapsco Valley State Park is a public recreation area extending along 32 miles of the Patapsco River south and west of the city of Baltimore, Maryland. The state park encompasses multiple developed areas on over 14,000 acres of recreation fun for hiking, cycling (mtn), running, fishing, camping, horseback riding, canoeing and picnicking. (18 miles from our location)
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Парк штата Патапско Вэлли
8020 Baltimore National Pike
55 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Patapsco Valley State Park is a public recreation area extending along 32 miles of the Patapsco River south and west of the city of Baltimore, Maryland. The state park encompasses multiple developed areas on over 14,000 acres of recreation fun for hiking, cycling (mtn), running, fishing, camping, horseback riding, canoeing and picnicking. (18 miles from our location)
A nice little suburban oasis that stretches from Font Hill Drive to Centennial Lane. There is parking on the Font Hill Drive side with a small pond, pathways and a stream that lead to a larger pond on the Centennial Lane side. It is an easy walk thru the woods, loaded with sounds, geese, frogs, ducks and the larger pond looks to be good for fishing. (13 miles from our location)
Font Hills Wetlands Park
10018-10020 Autumn View Ln
A nice little suburban oasis that stretches from Font Hill Drive to Centennial Lane. There is parking on the Font Hill Drive side with a small pond, pathways and a stream that lead to a larger pond on the Centennial Lane side. It is an easy walk thru the woods, loaded with sounds, geese, frogs, ducks and the larger pond looks to be good for fishing. (13 miles from our location)
Savage Park offers many opportunities for discovering wildlife, wildflowers and natural history along 2.8 miles of interconnecting trails, including links to Patuxent Branch Trail and Lake Elkhorn. The Savage Loop Trail offers different lengths and terrains for hikers and bikers of various skill levels. The park environment offers an abundance of recreational areas such as 5 ball diamonds (permit use only); 2 basketball courts; 2 horseshoe pits; a picnic pavilion available on a first-come-first-served basis, unless reserved; 4 lighted tennis courts, 2 volleyball courts, a playground and restroom facilities. The Park is open from 7 AM to dusk, or as posted. Park regulations prohibit hunting, firearms, swimming and alcoholic beverages (unless consumed in a rented pavilion). Leashed pets are allowed in the park but not in picnic or sports areas. Howard County law requires owners to clean up after their pets. Park Rangers are on patrol. (12.7 miles from our location)
Savage Park
8400 Fair St
Savage Park offers many opportunities for discovering wildlife, wildflowers and natural history along 2.8 miles of interconnecting trails, including links to Patuxent Branch Trail and Lake Elkhorn. The Savage Loop Trail offers different lengths and terrains for hikers and bikers of various skill levels. The park environment offers an abundance of recreational areas such as 5 ball diamonds (permit use only); 2 basketball courts; 2 horseshoe pits; a picnic pavilion available on a first-come-first-served basis, unless reserved; 4 lighted tennis courts, 2 volleyball courts, a playground and restroom facilities. The Park is open from 7 AM to dusk, or as posted. Park regulations prohibit hunting, firearms, swimming and alcoholic beverages (unless consumed in a rented pavilion). Leashed pets are allowed in the park but not in picnic or sports areas. Howard County law requires owners to clean up after their pets. Park Rangers are on patrol. (12.7 miles from our location)
This is inside the Rockburn Branch Park. The park has a lot of trails and one of the few parks in Maryland where everybody can practice their bicycle riding skills. The Skills park is excellent for beginners, intermediate and advanced riders. The best part is it's free and don't forget your helmet because it's required for all riders. (17.6 miles from our location)
Rockburn Skills Park
6105 Rockburn Branch Park Rd
This is inside the Rockburn Branch Park. The park has a lot of trails and one of the few parks in Maryland where everybody can practice their bicycle riding skills. The Skills park is excellent for beginners, intermediate and advanced riders. The best part is it's free and don't forget your helmet because it's required for all riders. (17.6 miles from our location)

Wine in the Woods is one of the premiere events in the region and a source of pride for Howard County. Maryland wine producers from all over the state set up and offer tastings as well as sale of their wines. Food vendors available from the entire state as well as numerous stages throughout the woods providing free live performances. There is also an entire area devoted to local artisans showing and selling their wares. The entire Department of Howard County Recreation and Parks has worked together as a team to produce this event. The festival has been voted Best Outdoor event by Columbia Magazine in 1997 and 1998 and awarded Best Annual Festival in Howard County by Howard Magazine for the past five years. (10 miles from our location)
Wine in the Woods Festival
10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy
Wine in the Woods is one of the premiere events in the region and a source of pride for Howard County. Maryland wine producers from all over the state set up and offer tastings as well as sale of their wines. Food vendors available from the entire state as well as numerous stages throughout the woods providing free live performances. There is also an entire area devoted to local artisans showing and selling their wares. The entire Department of Howard County Recreation and Parks has worked together as a team to produce this event. The festival has been voted Best Outdoor event by Columbia Magazine in 1997 and 1998 and awarded Best Annual Festival in Howard County by Howard Magazine for the past five years. (10 miles from our location)
In 1972, amidst rolling hills, dairy cows, and corn fields, a small vineyard was planted in the fertile soils of an old dairy farm. That one small vineyard has proudly become Linganore Winecellars. Now operated by the sons of the founders, Linganore Winecellars cordially invites you to partake in an enjoyable and relaxed afternoon tasting their award winning wines and the many activities and concerts held at their location. (26 miles from our location)
30 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Винодельня Линганор
13601 Glissans Mill Rd
30 (рекомендации местных жителей)
In 1972, amidst rolling hills, dairy cows, and corn fields, a small vineyard was planted in the fertile soils of an old dairy farm. That one small vineyard has proudly become Linganore Winecellars. Now operated by the sons of the founders, Linganore Winecellars cordially invites you to partake in an enjoyable and relaxed afternoon tasting their award winning wines and the many activities and concerts held at their location. (26 miles from our location)