ranazul

we started off with a lovely sopa de azteca. tortilla soup, but with a better name. this was something i’d come back for. it was tasty. it was vibrant. it even gave you just enough of a sweat. man, i wanted more.

then came the tapas.

yeah.

okay.

perhaps ranazul, the local spanish restaurant, is not familiar with the concept of tapas? you know, small plate eating of little spanish treats that make you want to sample more and more?

yeah, that’s not what’s happening here.

we are being presented with full sized plates of food. not tapas-sized plates of food, full…on dinner sized…if-i-eat-just-this-i’ll-be-fine plates of food.

my favorite restaurant. been many times. good food, atmosphere, prices, and service. go if you can!

food good; needs more customers; maple lawn is in need of more artistry-- fountain, sculptures, shows, events, varied colors

nice atmosphere, food was not very good, very stingy with portions even for tapas. sangria is delicious. if i ever go back it will only be for drinks before dinner elsewhere, and even those were much to expensive.

best sangria. there tapas is good way above average, but i don't think i've ever had a better pitcher of sangria

a good reason to visit howard county. i have reviewed this restaurant previously on the baltimore site. i don't exactly know why this is the only restaurant on both however, i thought i would share my thoughts with dc diners. there is no question after visiting dozens of times that this is one of the best restaurants in howard county.

located in the new area of maple lawn near rt 29 and closer to columbia and clarksville than you might think this place is well worth a trip. the lunch menu is a mix of so called tapas and sandwiches both of which are well made and well priced. the patatas bravas bear little resemblance to my favorite madrid guilty pleasure but the habanero spiked salsa accompaniment is a nice change. the salads and sandwiches are reliable if becoming boring. two additions to the lunch menu are notable. the petite filet is wonderful (my favoritre dinner dish as well) however the peruvian chicken is an insult to those great rotisserie places around dc.

they could use some updates on the menu which has changed little since the opening but if you're new to the place there are plenty of good things to try.

the space is by far the best in howard county and one of the best outside of the city.

as i said in my baltimore review the only real problem is the overpriced and overthought wine list.

we finished at ranazul. order the sopapias. don't argue with me. we tried other desserts, and even though ranazul has exquisite tapas, i recommend the good coffee and these fried triangles, dusted with sweet spices and drizzled with honey. (ask for extra