Folks – I’ve never done this on The POV before, and you know my attitude towards advertising on here, but a good friend of mine, Lance Cook, has opened up a fantastic restaurant here in Columbia, MD and I’d like to share about it.

It is called The Periodic Table, and Lance opened it pretty boldly right during last summer’s C-19 time, and it is just now really getting it’s feet under itself. You’ll see by the photos that this isn’t a “seen and be seen” type fakery place – but where you will find great food, good service and great conversations.

Some info:
If you live in the eastern part of Maryland, or if you are staying here while doing business in DC or Baltimore I cannot recommend a meal there more highly. Here are some specifics:
The lunch menu (and all meals) are no-frills, no-foufou food well conceived and at a great price, especially here in Columbia, MD which tends to have rather high prices on things overall. I truly love meatloaf and Lance has the best I have had in years…but all the items are worthwhile. Our family will be regulars there.
The dinner menu follows along those lines and both lunch and dinner servings are a good sized meal – my wife and I always carry some home with us.

For drinks they serve thoughtful and varied choices; Here are the Ale list, the Bottled Beer list and Wines…
I just ate dinner at a nice place in Pittsburgh, Pointe Brugge in Highland Park (very good) and while Pointe Brugge is more internationally flavored than The Periodic Table I’d say the two place were equal in quality and atmosphere – both really fine.
The Periodic Table also has good music and other events going on so it’s not just food and drink but a bunch of fun also. Please do try this place – the owner has a huge hit in his first eatery, Tino’s Italian Bistro, also in Columbia and which has been around for a years (and always crowded – if possible try the homemade lemon oil salad dressing!), so I wasn’t surprised one bit at his new venture being the top shelf place it is.
If you all remember when Pitt played Navy in Annapolis in the bowl game a bunch of fans stayed here in Columbia, MD and close by. If we do that again – maybe we win this time – we’ll eat here and drinks on me. Yes, all evening.
Thanks my POV friends, as I said – I haven’t done this before but this is a special place run by a special guy and his staff.


He’s got a good draft list lineup. He should find better bottled beer though. And of course he’s got garrison brothers for bourbon so I’m hooked. Looks like a nice place. A bit too upscale for my tastes. I’m used to the Fort Worth saloons and drinking a margarita next to a longhorn do do. You can do that in the stockyards.
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Stick with your Star Cafe chicken fried steak followed with a bunch of Shiners at the White Elephant.
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The white elephant is a pretty cool place. But don’t forget filthy mcnastys, the thirsty armadillo and Sandy’s favorite, the whiskey girls saloon.
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Was in for business, got a tour by a local. It was a long fun night, lol. Also, did a night in Grapevine.
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Horseshoe hill for that fried steak. Don’t you like these peculiar Texas names.
https://m.yelp.com/biz/horseshoe-hill-cafe-fort-worth
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Well Tex, wherever you go and start talking you have a load of bull do do right next to you… 😊
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So true indeed. I’m my own bull…with the crap to go with it.
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Agree….he needs some good bottled English Ales to go along with the great Bourbon list.
They are a lot better than these overly hoppy IPA’s.
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I like the vodka and borscht
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Do you think an overweight 50 year old has a chance. I’ve got to be just as good as an Elon recruit at my age.
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Well, Tex, there is a Team Big Man Challenge. And the vernacular these days is to never let your dreams die.
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POV feels like a cyberspace version of Heads Together
You can get it all in the underground mall.
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I spent some time at western psyche my senior year. 🤠. Seriously, I worked there.
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Now we know why Reed was a big Tino fan. LOL
Tino’s Italian Bistro. Too funny !
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I never realized that…good catch.
Although not a big Tino fan, just think Pitt fans blame him for the program’s problems too much.
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That is quite the Bourbon list, I must say.
Wish I lived nearby. An uber rider from the Carolinas might be a little pricey.
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Just got on the POV to see what’s under discussion today (4/21). I see we’re talking Bourbon. Scotch drinker myself, but good friend, fraternity brother and best man at my second wedding, Ralph, likes Makers Mark, so that’s what we drink when he visits.
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PS. Second wedding was the one that stuck.
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This Periodic Table has a nice selection of Rye as well, as Bourbon. Rye was at one time a very popular whiskey(as in Rock & Rye), which seems to making a nice comeback.
I enjoy it as much as Bourbon. The Makers 46 is a very nice version of Makers Mark.
Try it…..you’ll like it !
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Are you familiar with Rye, Tiny’s Place? If so, what’s your recommendation? I’ve been considering sampling some Rye.
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Yes to a certain extent. You really can’t go wrong with Bulleit Rye. Whistle Pig is also very good.
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I’ll have to see if PA’s State Stores carry either brand. If so, I’ll give one a try. Thanks for the tip.
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I recommend the Basil Hayden’s Dark Rye.
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Hobie…what scotch do you prefer? I was A Johnny Black guy when I was drinking but loved single malts. I uniquely abused my best friend and frat brother as best man both weddings. Before I went out to the chapel in wedding #1, he urged me to run and he’d make the announcement to the gathered! Wish I’d of listened!
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Dan72 – About Scotch. So far I haven’t been willing to pay for 18 year old single malts, but I always stock15 year old Glenlivet and Glenfiddich. As for the blends, I stock Chivas Regal 18 and Johnny Walker’s Green or Gold Label Reserve. I also always have Laphroaig around for when I want its unique smoky taste. About marriages, I had second thoughts before my first wedding. But, I’m glad I tried. A good woman, but our lives were heading in different directions, she saw it first, then I saw it too.
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Some of these dishes would go well in ike’s POV cookbook.
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I think it was Tino’s Italian Bistro that Yogi was referring to when he said:
“No one ever goes there anymore; it’s always too crowded.”
I like ike!
Go Pitt.
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List of coaches hired by AD’s since Pederman #1.
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Johnny Walker Green for blended. Lagavulin 16 Islay if you like unique single malt. Buffalo trace for basic burbon, Four Roses for fancy. Bushmills for Irish, definitely not a Jamison guy. Try Japanese whisky instead of scotch, Really fond of Hibiki harmony, and the bottle is classy also!
May go to the game Saturday. I really need a diversion. I think the talk of super conference will go the way of soccer league which folded like a cheap tent. Talk of a 15 team super conference will never go, lots of powerful, rich teams left out. Would love to see it done like Premier league, with teams moving up and down yearly, would be a bloodbath, but highly entertaining.
Had interesting talk with friend who knows high school scene. Different take on Pine Richland situation. Also good stories about the Miller brothers and the leader of our BOT. But in fairness, I am somewhat prejudiced.
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Forecast for Saturday’s Spring game:
High of 64 and occasional showers in the afternoon…
Go Pitt.
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Tex, I can’t read much of the other blogs once I see your name. Sorry guys, I have no idea what you may have written above.
Anyway I am so happy about some or our so called minor sports. Lyke, you have done a good job for the kids and most of us alumni. Great job men’s soccer, lady’s volleyball! I’m proud.
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I’m not grumpy Tex when Pitt sports wins at things. My daughter played volleyball so that’s my tie in. Plus played the sport on sand and grass growing up.
Soccer is a sport I coached and played. Along with baseball. Never at a college level though.
That’s why I’m stoked about soccer and baseball now. I’ll be following their journey closely. I actually feel real good about both making a long run in the playoffs.
If these coaches can be successful, why is it so damn hard for football.
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Reed, by the way, the Periodic Table is on my list of restaurants to visit next time down to your area.
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We need to help friends when we can.
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Read some above. I don’t drink much – got old. But when I do drink some whiskey, I prefer Rye. Much smoother than bourbon. Scotch not at all any more.
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https://www.liquor.com/articles/rye-whiskey-rules/
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On this Earth Day, a reminder to Fran to replace his divots and water the shrubs!
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In Myrtle Beach, that is.
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Interesting conversations, thanks.
Now, would someone send me a quick bit about our next teams that are still playing?
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