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Dining

Cacao Lane is a casual dining establishment in an historic 160-year-old stone building. The menu has various Continental and American influences – French, Italian, and regional seafood. (8066 Main Street, tel. 410-461-1378)

In a town full of antiques shops, it’s only appropriate that the Crab Shanty has taken off with the antique motif. All around diners are ­objects that once adorned Victorian homes: wooden spindles, carved brackets from stairways and gingerbread porch trim. Three dozen leaded glass windows from a Masonic Temple in upstate New York, old post office boxes, oak beams from a razed barn, and pieces of treadle sewing machines complete the décor. Items such as a sled Bing Crosby rode in the film Holiday Inn while singing White Christmas are all ­designed to create a warm, nostalgic atmosphere. Serving seafood, veal, chicken and beef for lunch and dinner. Sunday brunch is also served. (3410 Plum Tree Drive, tel. 410-465-9660, www.crab­shan­ty.com)

Ellicott Mills Brewing Co. has been showered with accolades for its restaurant and brewpub where you can watch the beer-making process from behind a glass window. The fare combines German and American favorites – Buffalo wings and Kassler Dippchen (smoked pork chops) are both on the menu. The Alpenhof brews, from Bohemian pilsner to the heavy, dark Doppelbock, are made with ingredients imported from Germany. (8308 Main Street, tel. 410-313-8141, www.elli­cott­millsbrewing.com)

Tersiguel’s French Country Restaurant is in the 19th-century home of Ellicott City’s first mayor. The “rustic country fare” is reminiscent of the owners’ homeland of Britanny, France. Tersiguel’s features fine dining in six individual dining rooms perfect for that romantic dinner for two or a private party for up to 50 guests. In season, produce comes from their gardens, edible flowers from their greenhouse, and chevre cheese from their goat dairy. (8293 Main Street, tel. 410-465-4004, www.tersiguels.com)

Also on Main Street are La Palapa Grill and Cantina’s authentic Mexican (8307 Main, tel. 410-465-0070), Tea on the Tiber for tea and desserts (8081 Main, tel. 410-480-8000), and Silver Arrow Fudge Shop, serving 36 kinds, freshly made. (8167 Main, tel. 410-465-0119)

Il Giardino Ristorante is a fine Italian dining experience where the specialty of the house, Cioppino, is a medley of clams, mussels, shrimp, crab, calamari and fish over pasta. (8809 Baltimore National Pike, tel. 410-461-1122)

The Trolley Stop is in an 1833 tavern once known as “The Bloody Bucket.” We’re not sure where that colorful name came from, but we do know that the trolley once stopped right outside the second-floor dining room, hence the current name. The number 9 trolley ran from 1927 to 1955; its route is now a nature trail. The fare, primarily soups, salads, sandwiches, pasta, steaks and seafood, is moderately priced. (6 Oella Avenue, tel. 410-465-8546)

See also Alexandra’s Restaurant at Turf Valley Resort under Lodging, below.

Lodging

Sink into a down comforter or a deep, claw-foot tub for a bubble bath at The Wayside Inn. The inn has four guest rooms, including two suites. The Ellicott Room is named for a mid-1800s rendering of Main Street that hangs on the wall. (4344 Columbia Road, tel. 410-461-4636, www.waysideinnmd.com, $$)

Turf Valley Resort and Conference Center is a golf and spa getaway with more than 220 rooms, suites and golf villas. Alexandra’s Restaurant has fine dining overlooking the golf green and serving a delightful champagne Sunday brunch. (2700 Turf Valley Road, tel. 410-465-1500, 888-TEE-TURF, www.turfvalley.com, $$)

Pet-friendly: Forest Motel has 25 rooms and a pool, and accepts pets at no extra charge. (10021 Baltimore National Pike, tel. 410-465-2090, $)

Information

Howard County Tourism Council’s Visitor Information Center is adjacent to the Main Street post office in Ellicott City, open Monday-Friday 10 am-5 pm, and weekends noon-5 pm. (tel. 800-288-TRIP, www.VisitHowardCounty.com)

TRIVIA: In 1972, Hurricane Agnes caused quite a bit