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    lāk

    3.7 (58 reviews)
    Closed 6:30 am - 10:30 AM, 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    lāk Photos

    LĀK ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Outdoor seating

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    Reviews With Photos - lāk

    Cornflake French Toast
    Y C.

    I stayed at the hotel and decided to try the restaurant for breakfast. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It has a huge welcoming area before you get seated at your table. Very open space with lots of light. It had its fall decor still on the tables and around the restaurant.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I ordered a latte and the lak avocado toast with a side of scrambled eggs which was an extra cost. Also ordered the cornflake French toast. Food was delicious and Anna who was our waitress was outstanding. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The only little flaw was that the table was not balanced and it kept moving every time I tried to cut into the food. Luckily nothing was spilled.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] It still didn't take away from the delicious food. There is a free parking garage adjacent to hotel. Definitely recommend.

    Cathy H.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]This is a fun place to go with a group or for a date night.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] It is very close to Merriweather so you could even pregame or have dinner then walk to the concert. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It has very pretty views of the lake[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] and they have yummy drinks and food. You can make reservations.

    Safania R.

    Came to LAK Columbia for their 4th of July buffet and it was fantastic! The food was amazing, everything was fresh and flavorful, and the ice cream was definitely the highlight. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We also had front-row seats for the fireworks, which made the night even more special.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The atmosphere was fun and festive, and the staff did a great job keeping everything running smoothly.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I'll definitely be back next year!

    Heather M.

    A lakeside contemporary eatery, lāk offers fresh ingredients prepared with care. We enjoyed their breakfast, and I recommend the Crab Benedict and Corn Flake French toast. In addition to wonderful food, the service at lāk was spot on. Anna was gracious, friendly and helpful. Cheers!

    Jeanette D.

    This hidden gem is definitely worth a try. The food was amazing, the service was excellent due to the size of our group. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We were able to sit on the balcony and the view is so stunning.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I can't wait go back!

    Pork loin
    Ashley W.

    We came here for Mother's Day and having been to this area quite often, it was nice to see something a little more updated! Open kitchen and tall ceilings made the whole place feel big and spacious. The outdoor scenery was also so beautiful being by the lakefront. I would say the only thing that took away from the ambiance was that the live violinist and cellist played mostly pop covers, and it felt distracting and maybe even inappropriate for a nicer, upscale restaurant where classical music might have been more soothing and more suited for the ambiance. The food was excellent! I thought everything was pretty tasty but my own dish, the salmon, seemed to be a bit underseasoned and a little underwhelming, as it was relying on the salsa on top to give it some flavor. The pork loin was my favorite! The desserts were superb, the bread pudding was a special for Mother's Day but it should be a regular staple! The tiramisu was amazing too! Overall a really nice place for a special occasion but a bit pricy.

    Chocolate cheesecake
    Anita T.

    We had a great experience for New Year! We came here as part of the NYE package offered by the Marriott Lakehouse hotel. This review is for lake. The dinner menu for our package was pre-fixe, which included beverages and champagne. We each got appetizers, an entree, and a dessert. There was a nice selection that included fish, steak, chicken options and more. The servings were very generous. And the flavor was better than expected. The breakfast menu was also pretty full. With the package we could order anything off the menu. Food was good. Our waitress (same lady for both meals) was lovely and attentive! The stay at the hotel was pretty good, but not without it's flaws. But overall we got a great deal, thanks to the meals at lak.

    The deck
    Qadira W.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]We opted to sit outside on the deck so we had nice views of the lak(e).[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The drinks, appetizers and entrées were amazing. It was really nice. Our waiter was helpful with making recommendations and everything he suggested was AMAZING!

    Salmon entree w/saffron rice
    Jacqueline A.

    Heidi provided us with excellent service. The salmon w/saffron rice was OK overall, but I probably would not order it again. It reminded me of something with a Tex Mex influence due to the black bean topping and seasoning in the bottom of the rice. The seafood pappardelle was apparently delicious and my beet and burrata salad was very refreshing. We enjoyed our cocktails as well. I'd imagine this is an ideal location for a nice dinner date or brunch. I would return to try other menu options.

    Rosana P.

    Lak Restaurant Review: It is situated in the Merriweather Hotel with a view of Lake Kittamunqundi. If you enter through the entrance of the hotel you will be greeted with a beautiful Christmas tree in the center of the lobby. You will feel like you are checking into a ski chalet in the mountains. The restaurant is nothing short of fine dining upon appearance. Now aside from the appearance service is where the fine dining stars start falling off for me. We checked in for 6pm reservation on a Friday and it was only one other table seated. The staff stood around the kitchen just twiddling their thumbs and just staring at us while we were waiting for our waitress. She comes over and stood over waiting for us to speak to her. Couldn't find her after she gave us our meal. The menu is seasonal. In the summer there was a completely different menu. I ordered crab cake entrees for the girls and myself and David had the short ribs. We also ordered the baked mac and cheese, fries, tatter tots, and salad. The waitress looked ask me was I sure I wanted to order three crab cake entrees for the kids (my kids eat off the adult menu). Why ask us that? The short ribs and cream potatoes were delicious. The meat was tender and the potatoes were savory. The crab cake entree came with coleslaw and watercress salad. The coleslaw slaw was bland but the watercress was seasoned well (light, citrusy, and refreshing). It was good but for $45 an entree we were still hungry. We also ordered shareable sides of baked Mac n cheese and fries. The kids said was not good and the fries were burnt. My lychee martini tasted like a lemon drop martini. Overall, if you are going for an anniversary dinner, business dinner, or looking for a place with a nice ambiance I would recommend. They need to improve in their customer service.

    Steak frites, fries taken off plate
    Julie D.

    Horrible service. Horrible food. Extremely overpriced for what they serve. I LITERALLY had to spit food out that I already chewed because I couldn't shallow it. Steak frites on the online menu said it came with a sauce and green beans and fries. It came with ketchup and fries. Apparently menu has not been updated yet. Did not refill our water once even though our cups were almost empty but refilled and checked on the table behind us multiple times. Food took over 20 mins and didn't once stop by to say sorry for the wait or to check on us. Plate was served with red "juice" blood from the steak on the plate. Worst meal I've had in a long time. McDonalds is better.

    K C.

    Came for restaurant week- great menu offerings Beautiful inside of restaurant and great views of the lake. Was a bit windy outside so I decided on inside dining but sat close to the patio windows. Lobster bisque- there were very few actual pieces of lobster. Texture was smooth, liked it overall Charred Caesar salad- enjoyable, better than a traditional Caesar salad Chicken Milanese- chicken crispy, lemon caper sauce wasn't overpowering (I'm not typically a lemon sauce fan), risotto cooked well Fruit cheesecake- was ok, didn't like the crust compared to a traditional cheesecake crust, enjoyed the fruit on top

    Birthday deserts!

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    Review Insights

    4 years ago

    Food was decent, but service while nice - was unacceptably slow. Would not return. Layout is odd and unappealing.

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    3 years ago

    Food was really good and exceptional service and really good signature cocktails definitely will be back

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    The Food Market- Columbia

    The Food Market- Columbia

    4.3
    (735 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    I've been to The Food Market many times for brunch, lunch, and dinner, and I have never been…read moredisappointed. The food is consistently exceptional, the drinks are always on point, and the atmosphere strikes the perfect balance between lively and welcoming. Whenever friends or family visit from out of town, this is my go-to spot because I know they'll leave impressed. Most recently, I visited for brunch on Saturday and ordered the short rib gnocchi. It was absolutely delicious... rich, flavorful, and incredibly filling. I paired it with the bubbles flight, which featured an assortment of four sparkling wines and was the perfect complement to the meal. Every visit reminds me why I keep coming back. Great food, great drinks, and consistently great experiences. Love this place. Five stars for consistency and great food!

    Sadly, we had a disappointing Mother's Day experience. While the restaurant was extremely busy,…read morethere were a few highlights. The truffle popcorn was excellent, our child enjoyed the shrimp and fries, and the fresh tuna appetizer was flavorful, although overly sauced. Unfortunately, the scallops with risotto were unacceptable. Both entrees had a strong ammonia-like taste from the first bite, which was immediately noticeable to both of us. We were unable to get much attention from our server due to how busy the restaurant was, but the dishes were left mostly untouched for a reason. For a $40 entrée, we expected much better quality and execution. Sadly, The Food Market did not deliver.

    Photos
    The main bar
    The main bar
    Big Ole' Mozzarella Sticks
    Big Ole' Mozzarella Sticks
    Octopus - appetizer

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    Octopus - appetizer
    Old Line Kitchen & Wine Bar

    Old Line Kitchen & Wine Bar

    4.3
    (53 reviews)
    3.6 mi
    $$$

    This place had amazing ratings online so I decided to check it out for my birthday!! This spot is…read moretucked away located in an unsuspecting location. The interior is beautifully decorated, golds and greens with gorgeous lighting & a fireplace. We were greeted by Laurie who seemed to be both host and server! She was really sweet and super personable. The food was amazing. I loved my chicken Marsala, the chicken was cooked perfectly. The fries were delicious, the extra crispy kind that you can't find many places! The cream of crab was so good, I don't like when there are chunks of onion in it and this one was smooth and thick. The steak was awesome and so was the whipped feta! The wine flight was a nice touch, they have a ton of wines and cocktails for everyone else (also a full bar)! For my birthday the chef prepared a berry sorbet with candles! It was the best sorbet I've ever tasted and I wish I could have more now! The prices were very reasonable and they do happy hours all day on certain weekdays! We will for sure be back!

    Old Line Kitchen & Wine Bar is the perfect lowkey, chill vibes spot for great food and friendly…read moreservice. Whether you're planning date night, catching up with friends, or looking for the perfect first stop before a concert or show at Maryland Live, this spot sets the tone for a great evening. The menu may be limited, but trust me, you'll still find something tasty and fulfilling. Every dish feels thoughtfully prepared, and the relaxed atmosphere makes you want to sit back, sip, and stay awhile. If you're in the Columbia, MD area, Old Line Kitchen & Wine Bar is definitely worth adding to your list.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Omelet
    Omelet
    Inside

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    Inside
    Victoria Gastro Pub

    Victoria Gastro Pub

    3.9
    (1.8k reviews)
    2.9 mi
    $$$

    So this review is going to be short and sweet, but with one VERY important note. Those of you who…read moreread my reviews know I typically review either really good or really "not so good" restaurants. I'm breaking my own rules, because I feel the 3.9 rating is pretty accurate, with one 5 star + exception. This was a business lunch and a convenient location so there we were. The duck fries as an appetizer were good but needed to be seasoned with a little more salt. I had a strawberry salad with some grilled chicken that was good with the greens, but dry as the desert with the chicken and borderline inedible. Here's the twist!!! My two compadres both had the grilled cheese and lobster sandwich. They both looked at me sheepishly and said, you f ed up!!! William was kind enough to break off a substantial bite and let me try it. Angels sang, children wept, and I almost passed out! It was the kind of perfection we all agreed we would have eaten 5, maybe 6 of these unnaturally awesome sandwiches until we passed out! 3.5 Star service, 4 Star ambience, and some 10 Star bites! Cheers, JimG

    Unique decor and menu gives Victoria the British gastropub atmosphere. There are private rooms that…read morecan be reserved if food purchase minimums are met which makes them great for gatherings such as graduation or birthday celebrations. The staff are nice, but service and the kitchen seemed a bit slow on a Sunday early afternoon towards the very end of brunch despite the area we were seated only had a few tables filled. The Crab Cake Eggs Benedict was nothing special - feeling like a flat, single-note dish.. Perhaps it was that the hollandaise sauce lacked the acidity (usually from lemon juice) to brighten the dish. Or, that the nod to Maryland - the Old Bay honey - drizzled around the edges of the dish wasn't enough to elevate it to something that is savored with each bite. The Fluffernutter Blondie is a good dessert choice if you love blondies and peanut butter. Although, it was a bit drier than I'd like, the texture was still soft.

    Photos
    Great people working here
    Great people working here
    1/2 baked with hot-honey sauce with waffles, and cream spinach.
    1/2 baked with hot-honey sauce with waffles, and cream spinach.
    Lavendar Bees Knees

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    Lavendar Bees Knees
    Grillmarx Steakhouse & Raw Bar

    Grillmarx Steakhouse & Raw Bar

    4.0
    (346 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Been to the bar a few times in the past, fave local bar in Columbia with the best cocktail and…read morewhisky selection. (Love a nice spot with a good central large bar!) Service is always great. Free parking in attached garage where you can walk right into the inside of the restaurant. Recently came here for dinner on Father's Day, first time trying Kona ribeye (flavored so its sweeter), had mine done medium rare. Was juicy, not overly chewy, good flavor. Lot of marbling. Had to cut off some big chunks of fat, but other than that was great. Added mushrooms for a surcharge which was well worth it. Their steak I included a side so I opted for spinach risotto, delish. Husband had his Kona ribeye done medium and enjoyed it. Had the smoked old fashioned and the manhattan, both great- manhattan was very strong and didn't even finish it (rare for me) not a bad problem to have. For dessert tried the seasonal PB Oreo cheesecake which was delish. Very filling portions. Only critique was that server was very pleasant but kept forgetting to bring certain things and had to be reminded.

    Great spot for brunch. The bar is always on point and the brunch or lunch options all satisfy…read more People watching is above average and if the there is live music it has always been very good. Check it out, pretty damn good. Recap: Not too loud, nice ambiance, decent service, great bar, good live music, great food, decent people watching. Why not go?

    Photos
    Decor
    Decor
    Key Lime Tart
    Key Lime Tart
    Blue Points

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    Blue Points
    Mahana Fresh

    Mahana Fresh

    4.5
    (37 reviews)
    2.3 mi

    It's a stop & go type place, small but meant for quick turnarounds. It was absolutely freezing…read moreinside so I wouldn't stay longer than needed. Staff was very friendly and nice. The Luau BBQ bowl was delicious- the citrus ginger sauce really surprised me with how flavorful it was without having one thing overpower it. I ordered a mac & cheese bowl but the lack of cheese just made it starchy and lacked flavor.

    This was my first visit to Mahana Fresh, and I was pleasantly surprised from the moment I walked…read morein. The menu offers a nice balance between curated bowls and build-your-own options, and everything on display looked vibrant and genuinely fresh. Even the subtle aroma of garlic in the air set the tone in the best way. I don't usually go for chicken (I cook enough of it at home), but being from Hawaii, there was no way I was passing up on their limited-time Huli Huli chicken. For those unfamiliar, traditional Huli Huli chicken is typically bone-in, skin-on, soaked in a brine, marinated with a blend of soy sauce, ginger, brown sugar, garlic, and pineapple juice maybe rice vinegar or ketchup, it's all left to the cook. Basted several times as the meat is flipped until fully cooked. Back home, you don't just eat it--you experience it. You smell it long before you see it--grilling on those iconic half oil drum kettles along the roadside, often set up for fundraisers or local gatherings. The sight of chicken quarters being flipped ("huli" means "turn") and basted over open flames is pure island nostalgia. So yes, expectations were high. I was offered a sample, and it delivered. The flavor balance was spot on--savory, slightly sweet, and deeply satisfying. The chicken itself was moist and tender. The only thing missing was that classic crispy, charred skin and the full leg quarter presentation you'd find back home--but even so, it didn't disappoint and left me wanting more. My bowl came together beautifully with coconut sweet potato sauce, fresh spinach, garlicky cilantro green beans, and basmati rice. It was flavorful, well-balanced, and delicious. Service was another highlight--the staff was friendly, patient and helpful with recommendations. The space itself is not large to eat in but it was clean, bright with ocean-toned blues that nod to its island inspiration. I'll definitely be back--especially while that Huli Huli chicken is still on the menu.

    Photos
    In door seating.
    In door seating.
    Smaller-portioned, protein-heavy bowls coming soon.
    Smaller-portioned, protein-heavy bowls coming soon.
    Sushi grade ahi tuna for the perfect pescatarian bowl.

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    Sushi grade ahi tuna for the perfect pescatarian bowl.
    Iron Bridge Wine Company

    Iron Bridge Wine Company

    4.1
    (711 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$$

    I'm not one of those people who go to lunch and then leave a review if something happens with the…read morerestaurant staff. But today we realized that Iron Bridge is considered a bar, not a restaurant, and therefore this place in Columbia/Howard County, MD doesn't require/ need to have high chairs for families with toddlers whom need them, and in our experience, it's not a family/ children friendly bar. ? I always thought it was a nice restaurant, until today ! What I consider a shocking experience. Because we live nearby and have celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, etc., there, but until today I've never taken our grandkid there! Wow, a terrible experience! However our waitress was really nice ..

    They have a small parking lot but we ended up ubering this evening. We didn't have a reservation…read more(Friday evening 7:30 pm) and we were able to get a seat right by the door. They were definitely very busy but our server was still attentive and friendly. My friend ordered a flight of wine and I ordered a glass of the Poggio Le Volpe, 'Roma Rosso'. The wine, as always was delicious. My friend ordered the IBWC Fall Burger and I ordered the Grilled Bistro Steak Frites. The Steak was perfectly cooked and absolutely delicious. We had also ordered side Caesar salads. It was restaurant week and neither of us opted into the the 3 courses for a price option but our server did kindly inform us that she grouped it that way to help us save and include the dessert. We ended up getting the Nutella dessert (I don't recall what it was called). While the presentation wasn't great, it was very good and I would recommend it. Wish I liced closer so I could come here more often but it is one of my favorites in the area.

    Photos
    Wine area
    Wine area
    Mahi mahi
    Mahi mahi
    Iron Bridge Wine Company

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    Elliott’s Craft Kitchen

    Elliott’s Craft Kitchen

    3.9
    (37 reviews)
    3.5 mi
    $$

    Brunch at Elliott's Craft Kitchen: A Promising Start With a Few Missed Beats…read more.. I recently visited Elliott's Craft Kitchen a fairly new spot that my group of four decided to try out for brunch. We were hoping for a fresh experience, but our visit turned out to be a mixed bag. Ambiance and First Impressions... When we arrived, the restaurant was surprisingly empty, which was a bit of a head-scratcher for brunch time. Even though we could hear staff chatting in the back, it took a good five to eight minutes before anyone came out to seat us. Once we were seated, we noticed the lighting was so dim that we actually had to whip out our phones just to read the menu. Not exactly the cozy brunch vibe we were hoping for. The Food: Hits and Misses... On to the food. We started with the cream of crab soup, which was just okay--nothing to write home about. The Brussels sprouts were a bit of a letdown. They were tiny and mostly just fried leaves rather than the hearty sprouts we expected. So if you're imagining those classic roasted Brussels sprouts, this wasn't it. The chicken and waffles were decent in flavor, although the presentation could have used some polish. The pita bread for the crab dip could have been toasted or something more firm and doesn't taste like it was immediately pulled from a bag. Surprisingly, the star of the meal ended up being something as simple as the French fries. They were really tasty and stood out more than some of the fancier dishes. Service and the Final Stretch... Our server was kind and polite, which we appreciated. But the big hiccup came at the end. Their payment system went down, and we ended up waiting over 30 minutes just to settle the bill. After sitting for about 15 minutes we informed our server that we would like to wait in the lounge area to get more comfortable as I understand.... things happen. Although while we waited for about 20 minutes there were no offers of water or anything to make the wait less awkward (not to mention asking for payment without even presenting a bill). It felt like they were more focused on turning the table than making sure we were okay during the delay. Although maybe it was an awkward start to the morning. I will say our server did her best to work things out with the technology she was given. So, I still provided her a fair tip, not her fault. Value for Money... In terms of pricing, it felt pretty average overall, but there were a few eyebrow-raisers. For instance, the avocado toasted croissant--topped with over-easy eggs, baby spinach, and Grana Padano--was $19, which felt a bit steep for what it was. In comparison, a pork schnitzel dish was around $21. So, while the pricing wasn't outrageous, some items definitely made me pause and question the value. Overall Thoughts... In the end, my experience at Elliott's Craft Kitchen was a bit of a letdown. So I'm surprised by some of the reviews (maybe because it was not dinner). While there were a few highlights (like the fries and a well-made Old Fashioned), the service hiccups and the underwhelming dishes mean I'd probably think twice before going back. Definitely not for brunch but I would really consider Dinner after some more reviews. Hopefully they'll iron out the kinks as they get more established.

    Great addition to the restaurant park in Columbia…read more We finally had a rare date night and decided to try this new spot. It was not crowded at 5pm so we were served very quickly. We enjoyed hot wings and bao buns as our appetizer and shared a black and blue burger for our meal. My dark and stormy was a great pick as well. Helpful attentive staff.

    Photos
    Brussels sprouts
    Brussels sprouts
    Thai chilli wings (a modification to the buffalo wings on the menu)
    Thai chilli wings (a modification to the buffalo wings on the menu)
    Crispy crunch fries...

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    Crispy crunch fries...

    lāk - newamerican - Updated July 2026

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