Of late, I’ve avoided national chain restaurants due to their massive portions, so-so service in general, and the selections. Besides, I’ve been cooking a lot of my food, and with the help of a slow cooker, cooking has become much easier for me. Trying out a new restaurant, though, is the general exception to this trend. It also helps when it is recommended by a friend I trust on things beyond gastronomy. So, with another friend in tow, I checked out Houlihan’s in Elkridge, MD.

From the outside, the restaurant looks very modern and trendy. The inside is far, far warmer. Lots of wood, and soft lighting due to massive circular shades. The interiors are still bright; this isn’t like P.F. Chang’s where you can barely see your food.

We started off with calamari and buffalo chicken tenders. Pricing is similar to comparable places but the appetizer servings live up to the name. While not as small as, say, the single (or double, if you’re dainty) bite of an amuse bouche, they are smaller than your typical chain restaurant portions.

Appetizers: Calamari and Buffalo Chicken Tenders

We had ordered what we wanted at the same time as the appetizers, so the kitchen had plenty of opportunity to pace our meal properly. They didn’t fail there: once we were done, our entrees were served immediately. Pacing was important for my choice. I ordered fish tacos, and those need to be served quite soon after preparation to prevent sogginess. My friend got the Southwest chicken wrap. I also ordered the Tuscan side salad: white beans, tomatoes, rosemary, and field greens.

Fish tacos

Southwest Chicken Wrap

Tuscan side salad

The presentation of the food was delightful. The flavors were clear and distinct when needed, like in the tacos, or excellently blended, like in the salad. The way the meal came together had me bobbing in my seat. My friend had to point out that I have never, ever, been this delighted over a meal before, and I think, in the four years we’ve known each other, have I come close to ecstatic over a restaurant meal. This didn’t happen when I went to the Old Ebbit in DC, nor in Clyde’s of Columbia, or Fogo De Chao, or Joss Cafe in Annapolis. I had my first experience going gaga at a restaurant and it was at a chain.

Perhaps the best part of the Houlihan’s experience is the fact that I was able to have a full meal, practically wipe my plate clean, and still have room for dessert. And loaded coffee, which they serve separately with your choice of liquor. I had the Grilled Smores Envelope, he had Snickers Crunch Ice Cream Dome.

Grilled S'mores Envelope

Snickers Crunch Ice Cream Dome

I don’t quite have a rating system here with my reviews, but for what it’s worth, I’ve gone back to Houlihan’s since then and have recommended it to a few friends.