Don't miss: Howard County dining

Located along Columbia’s downtown lakefront, this Chinese restaurant serves Sichuan, dim sum, Cantonese and Mandarin. Owner David Wong, whose family also operates Rockville’s Far East restaurant and Potomac’s Jade Billows, offers dim sum daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., including pushcart service on weekends and holidays. Event hosting is available.

Yama Sushi

4725-G Dorsey Hall Dr.

Ellicott City 410-997-3688

May and Kenny Chen really  spruced up the ambience at this former card shop in the Dorsey’s Search Village Center with inventive lighting and a crystal beaded curtain separating the sushi bar from the dining area. They call it Japanese fusion, offering hibachi and teriyaki dishes, sushi and sashimi, and lunchtime bento boxes. A party room is available for reservations.