Pazani Trattoria Italiana Restaurant Elkridge

Pazani  is a small restaurant located in the Lynwood Square shopping center near a Giant foods. Someone recommended we try this restaurant so we did. 

Of course we had to try the pizza.  We tried the thick sliced Sicilian pizza. While it doesn't compare to the pizza we've eaten in New York - it was pretty good. The crust was crunchy and thick on the outside but moist and tender on the inside.  The sauce had a sweet blend of Italian herbs while the mozzarella cheese was plentiful.

We usually order a salad with our pizza to make sure we have some vegetables with our meal.  We ordered the spinach salad below.  It had spinach leaves, walnuts, gorgonzola cheese, tomato, red onions and bacon. Although it was a good portion to spilt, it came smothered with a balsamic vinaigrette that was so heavy on the balsamic vinegar and light on the oil that we couldn't even eat it.  We asked if we could have another one made with the dressing on the side.  The manager was happy to do it.  But it came after we ate our meal and even though the dressing was on the side it tasted the same.

This salad came with my mom's pasta dish. Although it was much better than the spinach salad we ordered, the lettuce came undressed but the leaves were kinda of wet - as if they washed the leaves and didn't dry them. 

My mom ordered the Capellini Pesto with diced chicken, sun-dried tomato, roasted red peppers and mushrooms. She really liked it.  We eat a lot of homemade pesto at home so I wasn't surprised she ordered this dish. 

Our dad ordered the Fettucini chicken alfredo - mainly because Charles couldn't make up his mind whether he wanted pasta or pizza.  So, my dad ordered the pasta so he could have some of both. Our mom makes this dish for Charles at home because it's one of his favorite pastas.  It wasn't on the menu but we asked if they could make it for us and they said yes.  Well, maybe there is a reason it's not on the menu.  It tasted bland and gooey. We asked them to include peas in the dish and they forgot.

We recently went to NYC and had delish garlic knots. When we saw Pazani's garlic knots we knew we had to try them.  Although the garlic knots looked delectable ..... looks are deceiving. The dough was dry and tough to chew. Plus the garlic flavor was flat - their was no hint of oils or herbs, just garlic. 

Pros: Causal atmosphere good for kids, creative menu items, great Sicilian pizza

Cons: Outside of the pizza, the salads and one of the pasta dishes didn't sustain our attention, 

Recommendations: We think this restaurant is worth trying - worthy of a second visit.

Trattoria Pizza & Pasta in Dorsey's Search Village Center

The trattoria is our neighborhood pizzeria.  The owner Carlo is actually from Naples, Italy. All the food made at the restaurant is from his family's reciepes. From pasta, meat dishes, and pizza, to calzones, subs, and salads.  We're an Italian American family, so we know good Italian food...and this the real deal.

Trattoria makes three different pizzas - thin crust NY style, White Gourmet and thick crust Sicilian.  Thomas ordered NY style sausage pizza .With so many different toppings to choose from, you can create all sorts of different pizza pies.

 Charles ordered the steak and cheese sub. Now, you might be thinking "why is he ordering a sub in an Italian place".  Well, it's simple.  Carlos makes one of the best Cheese steak subs outside of Philadelphia. You can't tell how colossal this sub is from the photo below but it could be enough for two people. Look at the sizzling hot cheese melted on top of the perfectly seasoned steak. The finely chopped lettuce, the tender sliced tomato, sweet sauteed onions, and mayo contribute ...now that's my kind of sub!

My mom ordered a lunch pasta special with broccoli in a olive oil and garlic sauce.  She loved it.  It wasn't too oily, had the right amount of garlic and the broccoli was fork tender. In fact, she asked the owner Carlo how he made the garlic oil...we can't tell you what he said but there is definitely a secret to cooking this dish. 

  The main course or lunch specials come with a house salad (below) dressed with a creamy, balsamic vinaigrette that is really good.  The salads offered as a main course are terrific.  My brother and I will eat a garden salad with grilled chicken as either a meal or share it as an appetizer before our main course. 

Although we selected pizza and a sub, over time we've eaten many of the dishes that Carlos cooks.  Some of our favorite: gnocchi napolentana, chicken and eggplant parmigiana, tortellini tricolore, spaghetti pie and spaghetti & meatballs.

Specials: Monday night is pizza night 7.00 lg to $1.60. Tuesday night is pasta dinner BOGO (buy one get one)  1/2 half off.  Wednesday night is chicken dinners BOGO 1/2 off.

Pros: Casual atmosphere (we've eaten there after sports games - still in our uniforms), friendly service, authentic Italian food, good variety of choices: subs, pasta, meat dishes, pizza, salads.

Cons: Don't know of any  ....

Recommendation: Sprint, don't run to the Trattoria!

Clyde's Dowtown Columbia

My family went to the Columbia Lakefront to see the March Forth Marching Band - part of the Columbia Festival of the Arts. They were funky, unique and very cool. Here's what I mean....

After the show we decided to eat at Clyde's because it was located next to the show stage. 

Charles ordered a pulled pork sandwich. The pork was rather tough and unpleasant. Although the BBQ sauce was finger licking sweet, it could not cover up the feeling of dry pork in my mouth. The fries were relatively adequate, but needed a little salt.

Thomas ordered a bacon cheeseburger. It was fantastic! The crisp bacon complemented the velvety consistency of the burger with plenty of melted cheddar cheese. The fries had just the right amount of salt (sorry Charles!) and were cooked just the way I like them - tender on the inside but crispy on the outside. Bravo for Clydes.

Pros: Our waiter was attentive and re-filled our drinks frequently. Great view of lakefront from table. Menu said they used local farm produce in their recipes.

Cons: Food took a long time to make.  Thomas had a great meal but Charles wasn't crazy about his.  I think burgers are Clyde's speciality, so you are best to stick with that menu item. 

Recommendation: Great for burgers. 

Our film How2Chow: Bee Natural

We created this film at school to show how 2 support local farms and your health at the same time.  Our family eats a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables from Howard County farms. Do u have a favorite Howard County farm? Tell us about it.

Howard County Food "Feastival" at Clark's Farm

This is a picture of me at the 2nd annual Howard County Film food "Feastival"farm. I was the only kid to show a film at this special event.

My brother was away at basketball camp.  So I represented both of us when our film "How2Chow:Bee Natural" premiered at the"Feastival" - the event that kicks off  the farm to restaurant weeks. Several HoCo farms (Bowling Green, Breezy Willow, Falcon Ridge, Clark's, Sharp's) and restaurants (Aida Bistro, Kelsey's, Mango Grove, Town Grill and Bistro Blanc) were there.

Falcon Ridge Farm

Breezy Willow Farm 

This is me in front of live bees - part of the Howard County Beekeepers Association.  They were a cool bunch of people.

Lisbon's  Town Grill (www.lisbontowngrill.com) was my favorite restaurant featured at the Food "Feastival".  They had a mouthwatering "BBQ Sundae".  It was so ingenious.  In a cup- Cornbread stacked piled high with pulled pork, sweet BBQ sauce, coleslaw and topped with a pickle. Did I tell you how much I LOVE BBQ?  And this was one of the best -  tender, juicy pork with a tangy but savory sauce mixed with a dense cornbread. YUM!

Oh, and here is our film again....