Summer Restaurant Weeks Features Asian-American Eateries

ELLICOTT CITY, MD — Summer Restaurant Weeks & Craft Beverages will be July 12-25 in Howard County, with a special feature on Asian-American restaurants, which are participating for the first time.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball was joined Thursday by Maryland First Lady Yumi Hogan to announce a partnership with the Asian-American Pacific Islander Workgroup to include more locally-owned restaurants this year. More than 35 restaurant and craft beverage creators are featuring specialty menu items and beverages during the two weeks.

“This summer, with our vaccination progress and record low COVID-19 cases, is the perfect time to step back out and experience everything our community has to offer – delicious food, amazing drinks, and good company," said Ball in a news release. "You can travel the world through the food and ambiance here in Howard County – and we’re encouraging more of our locally-owned restaurants to use the platform of restaurant weeks.”

“This restaurant week is more special than ever. Businesses have been hit hard, faced many challenges, but have not given up,” said Hogan. “As the first Asian American First Lady in Maryland, I am truly excited about this partnership that recognizes that diversity is the first step for inclusion but also promotes growth for our local economy.”

“Hang Ari decided to participate in Howard County Restaurant Week to showcase its unique Korean cuisine items to the non-Korean population of Howard County,” said Charley Sun, Hang Ari spokesperson. “It is particularly important to do that now because Hang Ari is right in the heart of what will become Koreatown. Having this section of Route 40 designated as Koreatown is very important for the large Korean-American population of Howard County as well as the many Korean restaurants in the area. It is a great opportunity for us to share our culture and heritage through food.”

In partnership with the AAPI community the following Korean-American owned establishments, located along Baltimore National Pike in Ellicott City are participating this year:

• Bonchon Columbia
• ChoSun Hwaro
• Han Joong Kwan
• Hang Ari
• Honey Pig
• Nan Xiang Express soup dumpling
• Tous Les Jours Bakery
• Slurpin Ramen
• Tiger Sugar
• UmaUma
• Yama Sushi
• Zen Garden

There are also several new and first-time participating restaurants:

• Aida Bistro & Wine Bar
• Bolder Food/Drink
• Bonchon Columbia
• Bushel and a Peck Kitchen & Bar
• ChoSun Hwaro
• Clove and Cardamon
• Cured/18th & 21st
• EC Diner
• Elkridge Furnace Inn
• Galliano Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar
• Great Harvest Bakery Cafe
• Han Joong Kwan
• Hang Ari
• Honey Pig
• Hudson Coastal Raw Bar & Grille
• Kloby's Smokehouse
• Lib's Grill Maple Lawn
• Manor Hill Tavern
• Nan Xiang Express soup dumpling
• Neo Pizza & Taphouse
• Ranazul Tapas. Wine. Bistro
• Rathskeller
• Slurpin Ramen
• The Ale House Columbia
• The Greene Turtle
• The Iron Bridge Wine Co.
• The Walrus Oyster & Ale House
• The White Oak Tavern
• Tiger Sugar
• Tino's Italian Bistro
• Tous Les Jours Bakery
• UmaUma
• Victoria Gastro Pub
• Walker's Tap & Table
• Yama Sushi
• Zen Garden

Visit Howard County is also offering more than $500 worth of prizes throughout Restaurant Weeks. Beginning July 12, diners can enter to win restaurant gift certificates by:

• Following @VisitHoCoMD on Instagram
• Sharing a photo of your dining experience or a photo of your meal on Instagram with the hashtag ##hocorwcb More details and full Giveaway rules can be found at https://www.visithowardcounty.com/howard-county-restaurant-weeks/giveaway/

A full list of participating locations is available here. Restaurants can register to participate online here.