The Rumor Mill

Not my cup of tea…
Jack was my server/​bar tender. He was super attentive and was very informative. This «swanky» restaurant does do things differently from what I would consider a typical bar/​restaurant. Infusions seem to be a big innovative difference that the Mill offers. «Chef» as this owner is referred to by his wait staff, uses dried fruit for most of his vodka mixes. Although I didn’t try it personally, it certainly was different and more innovative then I’ve seen.
I only came as in as an out of towner looking for a place to grab a bite. A bite is what you pretty much get. After much internal debate and bouncing options off of Jack, I decided on the $ 17 Bison steak. It was a medallion style cut, maybe 4 – 5 oz. with grits that had a slight spice and corn. The cut of beef was tender and drizzled in a blueberry infused sauce-​like vinaigrette.
I wasn’t impressed with the entrée. I guess this light entrée style is just not for me. The taste didn’t really grab me. The «bison steak» tasted sort of regular and the blueberry sauce didn’t really add anything to the overall taste of the plate. The grits were tasty, but we’re out of place for my pallet. Maybe you’ll have better luck.
If I ever were to return, it would be for the exceptional bar tender and entertainer that Jack is, coupled with, despite having no tap system, outstanding bottled beer selections! The old dominion stout Jack recommended was awesome.

What a great little place… We loved the Tapas type menu, so go before you go there know that is the deal. Our server, Jack, was the best. He knew exactly when to bring out the next course, and gave great suggestions. The food was excellent, You have to try the grilled Cesar Salad, I ordered two, on for me and one for my wife, i didn’t want to share, it was that good… The other Tapas were great as well, just as they are known for, very fresh ingredients and very well prepared to order.
We had 3 Tapas each, a cocktail, and desert and our bill was 82.00, not bad…
We really enjoyed my night at the Rumor Mill, and will for sure return with friends…

«Food is life.» Chef Matthew honors the tapas tradition by packing enormous flavor and variety into smaller, yet substantive plates. Rumor Mill mixes a bit of haute cuisine, casual ambiance, and unpretentious service with the occasional visit by Chef Matthew himself, who solicits your feedback and incorporates some ideas back into the menu.
The plates ranged from butter and cinnamon tossed sweet potato fries to 5-​Star smoked swordfish. Dining at the Rumor Mill was akin to eating at a 5-​Star restaurant. And, sampling just about anything that smells, looks, or sounds delicious, in the room or on the menu.
One particular dish: Fresh scallops seared & topped with bacon marmalade on roasted corn & pepper grits (gf).
This dish was amazing. The scallops were large, fresh, and succulent without being under done. The scallops are topped with a bacon marmalade infused with a symphony of flavor-​filled notes: sweet, savory, and smoky. There’s a very subtle bitter note that balances all the others, which is unexpected and pleasing all at the same time. The roasted corn and pepper grits could stand alone as quite pleasing, however, pairing those flavors with the scallops and marmalade added to the sweet symphony of notes on this plate.
After devouring brussels, kobe sliders, short ribs, scallops, and salmon medallion we had no room for dessert, yet were tempted by the blueberry or apple crisp with salted caramel ice cream!

The Rumor Mill is a terrific spot for casual, intimate dining. Chef Matthew puts care and attention into providing you the best in familiar fare kicked up mega notches. The Fried Eggplants have a mild flavor and are gluten free. I was pleasantly surprised to learn from Chef Matthew that they are actually Thai. I enjoyed the contrast between the crispy outsides and the velvety insides it paired nicely with the yummy arugula pesto and garlic aioli.
Chef Matthew suggested the whimsical flying saucer shapped Orecchiette pasta, made elegant by the inclusion of a tender but well-​seasoned rabbit and ragu.
The Pork Belly was rich and buttery. I especially loved the crisp sauté finish.
The Crab Salad features jumbo lump crabmeat sautéed with sweet butter and orange zest, served over jerk-​seasoned black beans with crispy plantains. This dish is complex and delicious and yes, gluten free. I enjoyed tasting the flavors of each ingredient, which complimented one another very well.
My friend ordered the Kobe sliders and let me eat them. What a treat! The burgers are plated as a serving of four to an order and served with a garlic aioli, tomato and caramelized onions on brioche buns. Special house made spicy pickles are included too — they were a treat. The burgers were clean, lean and flavorful. Pure goodness!
Chef Matthew spent about half an hour sharing with us how he began the restaurant and what a labor of love it is to serve familiar dishes tweaked up a notch or two or ten. He derives pure joy and heartfelt satisfaction watching patrons smile as they enjoy his food.
Our server Jack was very knowledgeable about the menu (which had just been changed) and equally personable and accommodating. One thing you should know is that there are no traditional condiments in the house (that’s right No Ketchup or Mustard) — with food prepared with love you don’t need it.
Reservations are required, bring your appetite and be prepared to be WOWED!

I can describe this place in three words: pricey, pretentious, crap.
My 5 friends and I went to this place with no expectations. They were dashed. Here are some short descriptions of everything we ordered.
Rabbit ragu: surprisingly good
Scallops: gritty and gummy (had to spit out)
Sliders: chewy
Carrots: cool ranch dorito mix on orange chew toys
Salmon: bubble mix (had to spit out)
Brussel sprouts: incredible
Pough boy: good
Eggplant: like biting into the larvae of a rather large and pungent butterfly
And this mixed bag of food costs 160 bucks including the 20% gratuity charge for parties of 6 or more. We had to get pizza afterward because we were not satisfied. Appropriately, their menu has small text on about a quarter of it akin to a disclaimer or the side effects on medicine commercials. Guys. Consult your doctor before going to this place.

Returned to try Chef Matt’s new menu and was not disappointed. Our party of 4 shared Tempura Asoaragus & Mini Brie Cheeses with assorted toppings. All very good.
Then we each ordered individual plates — Scallops, Rabbit Ragu and Short Ribs. Also very good.
All of food was accompanied by affordable, quality wines & excellent service by Samantha & Holly.
It was another outstanding dining experience at Rumor Mill.

My friend, fellow Unilocaler and supreme eater — Jen F. — Recently recommended I give rumor mill a try because it’s her new «favorite restaurant.» Per her advice we came here on Saturday night. Although tucked away off the main drag of olé Elliott city, rumor mill has been a Mainstay here since 2007. Why I haven’t eaten here yet is beyond my comprehension because the dishes were overall… outstanding. The grilled Caesar salad was a reimagining of the way a Caesar salad should be. Instead of just lettuce and croutons plopped on a plate this Caesar salad had banana peppers, tomatoes, chickpeas, Parmesan and a just the right amount of dressing. It’s the way a Caesar should always be!
The BLT calamari was an another awesome dish that took the concept of fried calamari to another level. I love the addition of bacon and the tangy sauce added just a touch of heat. Plus the Calamari wasn’t burnt and they left the tentacles out. Yay.
Up next was probably the weakest dish of the evening — smoked salmon. It was just boring and underwhelming although the homemade remoulade definitely pulled the other components together nicely. Wouldn’t get this one again.
The best dish of the night were the Kobe sliders. The beef was just packed with flavor and the mustard and pickles created the perfect balance.
The Brussels sprouts were just fair compared to the other dishes. A tad too oily but crispy.
Finally, the peanut butter chocolate tart for dessert was rich, flavorful and extremely filling. For $ 14 I’m not sure I’d get it again but for chocolate lovers it’s a must try dish.
Ironically the best item of the evening came from the drink menu. They do a fig and honey Manhattan here that is «on point.» I had two but I could have had five of these bad boys. Next time I’m diving into the chefs infused vodkas.
Although the menu was a tad small for a tapas restaurant this was a great experience and I’d definitely try some other dishes on the next visit. They did have 3 specials so I’m assuming there’s always something different to look forward to.
Our server, holly, was incredibly polite, friendly and accommodating. Also The restaurant is very clean (especially the bathrooms) and everyone who works here seems to genuinely enjoy it.
What else can I say. Eat here.

I celebrated my 40^th here last night and it was a fantastic experience! The infused vodkas were wonderful and the small plates were fun and tasty. Our party tasted pretty much everything except the duck and tuna. Every dish was unique and delicious. Also, our waitress Holly was such a joy! She was helpful, witty and made sure our first time here was a blast! We’ll be back for sure!

A wonderful night of tapas food.
The duck and cherries, crab dumplings, and kobe sliders were among my favorites.
The waitress was pleasant, helpful and always prompt.
Not enough vegetable dishes, a few more would not hurt. However, the Brussel sprouts were awesome.

Went here with a friend while I was in Baltimore for a conference.“Old Downtown Ellicot City” is absolutely gorgeous. The street this restaurant was on looks like a mix of Venice and Florence, Italy. I was so surprised. There is a beautiful river that goes by as well that affords a beautiful view.
In terms of the restaurant, some tables have too dim of lighting making it difficult to read the menu. Our waitress was extremely attentive and very patient with us since we were slow to decide since we spent a while talking and catching up. She had recommended 2 – 4 dishes per person since the restaurant does «small plates.» We decided to get 3 plates total which was enough for us.
We got the ribs with fries, shrimp and potatoes and the crab dumplings (when in Baltimore, you must get crab!!!) The dumplings were out of this world. The shrimp and potatoes were good. The ribs were very tasty as well. I’d definitely get the crab dumplings again but may try some other dishes out too.
I asked for ketchup and they didn’t have any… one of the servers kind of made a face at me when I requested it, which I didn’t appreciate.

Excellent location, it is off the main square so you avoid secondary traffic.
The service was excellent. We were immediately greeted upon walking in without a reservation. We sat at a high top in the «bar area» and didn’t expect a whole lot. We were wrong.
The bartender came around from the back of the bar and very patiently waited on us. He explained the drinks and helped me pick one which I ended up re-​ordering, not once, but TWICE (Leaf Peeper).
The food was EXCELLENT. You would expect this quality of food from a boutique restaurant in downtown D.C., for twice the price. I tried about eight tapas amongst four people and was blown away. I can’t even help you select a dish, because you can’t go wrong with anything.
The chef, Matt, came out to greet us and spent a significant amount of time explaining the dishes to us. Not only that, but he brought us two extra dishes that he was experimenting with!
Will be back again!

Stopped back in with the spouse for a pre-​dinner cocktail, and it’s been confirmed for me, The Rumor Mill is a good stop for a drink. The atmosphere was nice and relaxed sitting at the bar. I had remembered how good the drink was last time I was here, and was excited to try something new. I had a honey and fig manhattan that was delicious and the spouse had an old fashioned, which was apparently the best ever had. I’m sure we’ll be back again for a drink when life allows.

«Rumor» has it that your restaurant has now been officially dubbed my favorite of all time! Considering I have lived in Ellicott City for almost 4 years now, I need to visit your restaurant every week to make up for «fine dining» lost time! Let me run down why my dining experience at your restaurant was off-​the-​charts amazing…
1) «Timing is everything» — I was stunned to see not only how fast each plate was prepared but how magnificently well each was made, too. There was also the perfect length of time in between each course, too.
2) «Food for Thought» — The food was so delicious I don’t think I chewed it but more like inhaled it. My husband and I ordered the Brussel sprouts (to die for), the wings (incredibly crispy), the crab wontons (perfect crunch factor), the ribs (OMG these were so delectable), and scallops (capital Y-​U-​M). We culminated our meal with two desserts, the bread pudding (some of the best I’ve ever had) and the peanut butter tart (a circle of heaven). There was not one plate that I didn’t consume without grinning from ear to ear.
3) «Hats off to the chef» — it was an incredibly pleasant surprise to find the executive chef visiting with his customers. When he stopped by our table he shook both my husband’s and my hand and thanked us for coming to his restaurant. He took the time to sit with us for a few minutes and even encouraged us to poke our heads into the kitchen next time we’re in. I was blown away by such impeccable customer service! Our waiter was stellar, too. Even the staff member who filled our water glasses was a delight.
But not everyone was perfect… I must say the manager was a pure stick-​in-​the-​mud yuppie who didn’t have the decency to greet or bid farewell to my husband and me. Now, normally, I wouldn’t be bothered by the manager not saying anything but he truly suffered in comparison to the amazing customer service we received from everyone else. Even a smile or a nod would have been a nice gesture. Tell him to get over himself and greet his customers!
Don’t worry… I won’t let the proverbial chip on your manager’s shoulder get in the way of coming to your restaurant again very, very soon!

This is a great spot when you are in the mood for something different and not too filling. It’s located in old Ellicott City so parking is never an easy thing. You will have to get lucky and find a spot on the street or in one of the lots and walk in to Tiber Alley to get to the Rumor Mill. It’s a small establishment with a nice layout and ambiance to it. There is a bad downstairs and a small dinning area upstairs. If you aren’t familiar with the place they are a Tapas Bar so they only have small plate dishes. You won’t get full off any one thing so if you are hungry make sure you order a few things.
They have a interesting drink menu that includes a variety of infused vodka, tequila, whiskey, and gin. They combine many of them in the signature drinks. I tried the blood orange vodka and it was excellent. For food I ordered some shrimp dumplings that were delicious. My friend got and grilled Brussel sprouts and I tried a few, also delicious. They have a nice selection of vegetarian and vegan options. The staff are very friendly and by chance we met the Chef Mathew Malonie, hope I spelled his name correctly. He was very knowledgable and more than willing to explain any of his dishes we had questions about.
I highly recommend this establishment.

This is a great little spot. The food is incredibly well-​prepared and creative every single time.
The only thing I don’t like about the place is the décor and the overall cheap feeling of the tables (even the ceilings and lighting)! Doesn’t match the quality of the food. With a little investment in the décor/​lighting, refinishing the floors, etc. I think the place would be packed.

Hmmm the rumor mill… well let me start with the food. The chopped Caesar salad is the best salad I’ve ever had. It sounds like really a salad? But you have to go to experience it. The combination of the banana peppers and the onions. Just goodness. I’ve also had the calamari – it’s okay. It has bacon in like a chili sauce. I’ve had other small plates during my visits, and I’ve never had a bad meal.
However…the drinks and when they’re open are kinda suspect to me. So this fusion bar… while the bartender is very knowledgable about the various liquor, I just wasn’t all that impressed with any of it. Just tasted like run of the mill rail liquor.
The other thing is when they open and close. I don’t know, but it seems that a restaurant in this prime location should draw a decent consistent crowd. Instead, going in some nights makes you think you’re in a restaurant on a dirt path road in a town of 20! They close down pretty early because of a lack of patrons. It just seems weird being in the heart of Old Ellicott City they can’t draw a more consistent decent crowd than what I’ve seen the times I’ve been. While the drinks are so so, the food is definitely good.

This is strictly tapas. If you’re very hungry, either order a mixture of a lot of things or come prepared to eat «appetizer like». Your bill can add up ordering more than one if you’re planning on filling up. I had crab dumplings & calamari blt which were good. It was a party of 7 so we passed our plates around to try different things. Can’t go wrong with sweet potato fries. We passed around our beverages too. We all got a flavored vodka & they are strong! It is NOT a mixed drink!
May come back for restaurant week or something. When I’m hungry and it’s my first time somewhere, I would prefer to be satisfied (especially for the price) vs wanting to eat more at home.

So where do I start, I guess you could say on a dreary rainy day in Ellicott city. My friends and I decided to check out Chef Matthew Milani at the Rumor Mill. After being seated our lovely waitress ran through the daily specials and took our drink orders. Our group started with a glass of chardonnay «grand estates,» a biscottitini (rum. vanilla vodka, Irish cream, hazelnut liqueur and a splash of cream, served on the rocks), and a Root Beer vodka Martini. Note: the Rumor Mill infuses their vodka, which includes a multitude I’ve different flavors including some crazy flavors like jalapeño, root beer, and blood orange. And they also give you the ability to mix and match your own drink from their list of infused vodka they currently have on hand.
After placing our drink order we started out with a few tapas. This is a tapas place, so keep that in mind if you deside to give this joint a try. First we ordered a side of crispy sweet potato fries tossed in a light cinnamon butter sauce. These fries alone should be a requirement for everyone eating at the rumor mill. They’re almost like eating at dessert.
Next tapa was grilled cilantro beef, this delightful dish was carefully prepared and arranged in one long strand resembling an extra long sushi roll. It was served with alternating beef and cucumber slices dredged in a light cilantro virgin olive oil.
The third tapa we ordered was an oldie but goodie, the crab dumplings. Keep in mind these are small plates so luckily our group of three had just enough dumplings to go around. These dumplings were filled with lump crab meat marinated and seasoned with Old Bay, Dijon goat cheese, and cooked golden brown; then served with a side of sweet soy sauce.
Next, we ordered the chicken thigh; consisting of one single lightly flowered, pan fried thigh, served with sweet Thai chili sauce, black bean, and a honey mustard sauce. The thigh was perfectly cooked tender and juicy with just the perfect amount of salt and pepper.
Our next choice was the slow roasted and glazed in teriyaki barbecue sauce ribs. These ribs had a nice smoky flavor to them; get still have a sweet and very flavorful taste.
We then ordered this shrimp and potatoes, which consisted of three large shrimp served over warm fingerling potato salad made with sausage, tomatoes and caramelized onions, all dressed with roasted garlic and sherry vinaigrette.
The final tapa we ordered was the calamari BLT. This by far was my favorite of all the tapas served. It consisted of a generous portion of calamari rings lightly breaded in Panko, then quickly fried and then tossed with arugula, diced tomatoes, and pecan wood smoked bacon; served with a ring of Thai chili sauce.
Of course after eating this great meal, our helpful waitress pointed out the desert specials to us for the evening. One of our party chose the white chocolate specialty desert of the night, while I went with the chai tea bread pudding, and our other friend chose the three scoops, ice cream platter. What a great way to end the evening. This is a great restaurant, with a romantic vibe. Is a great place to spend quality time with friends, family, co-​workers, and that special someone on a cold dreary night.

Cocktails are great, they frequently have specials and happy hour deals and if you don’t see what you want the bartenders have no problem making you something custom. Brie cheese sampler, duck, oysters, and sweet potato fries are all delicious. Staff is excellent and the décor is great. It’s a little pricey but definitely worth coming.

I’ve been coming to The Rumor Mill for years, and I’ve not once been let down. I’m not a good Unilocaler, but it’s about damned time I dropped a few notes on what I consider the best restaurant in Howard County.
I could go on and on about Matt’s regular menu, the duck and cherries, the 48-​hour short rib, the Brussels sprouts… but, today I’m reviewing the amazing meal I had on Christmas Eve. I got to speak with Matt several times in the weeks leading up to the Feast of Seven (or so) Fishes, he shared some of his ideas with me and how the conceptualization of his menu was going. I, and everyone else who got to experience the Feast would not be let down that night.
I started with the corn & crawfish chowder… the roasted corn popped in my mouth, the crawfish were beautiful and the creamy, perfectly seasoned chowder was a great way to start my Feast.
My next dish was the crab risotto, and after the first bite, I knew I should have saved it for last. The only word I can use to describe this risotto is «perfect». Perfectly cooked rice, perfectly seasoned, perfect chunks of backfin, the truffled crab claws garnishing the top were my favorite part. They were shelled up to the pincer, so I got to enjoy the salty crabiness all in one bite. This risotto was a perfect dish.
The shrimp sliders were next, and I remember talking to Matt about these a few weeks before the dinner. I’m glad he decided to grind up the shrimp and bind it into a patty to make a real slider. The spicy ketchup and vinegar slaw that topped the patty were the perfect pairing. The only let down was the bun… I can’t remember where he said they were from; but, based on the appearance and texture, one could think they were from the grocery store.
My fourth dish was the grilled swordfish. The fish itself was forgettable, not because of the preparation or anything done in the kitchen, but because it was the same swordfish I’ve had in a hundred different restaurants. That being said, I love swordfish and it was exactly as I would expect to have it prepared for my face. It was served over a mushroom ragu and topped with a mushroom cream sauce; these were the star of the dish! I love me some fungi and these were so fresh and earthy. A very good portion too, so I was not let down at all.
By this point, I was not feeling dessert, but my favorite bartender told me the apple pie bread pudding was based off of her grandmother’s apple pie… who can say no to that. I was a bit too excited to dig in when it was placed in front of me, so I forgot to photograph it. I don’t think they have digital scratch and sniff yet, so the picture really wouldn’t have done anything for you.
I was again treated to one of the best meals I could ask for. Besides Matt’s culinary chops and his local, creative, and inspired menu… the staff at The Rumor Mill are some of the best trained and friendly people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. I hope everyone at TRM had a great holiday season and I can’t wait to come back and see what’s next.