As our spring thermometer bounces up and down, we’ve been treated to evenings when balmy temperatures bid us to dine al fresco. Many Bethesda restaurants have moved tables and chairs outside to accommodate patrons seeking a meal under the dancing planets. At our picks for outdoor dining spots, though you’re only steps from busy traffic, you’ll feel transported by quality cooking and courteous service. Most Romantic Streetside Dining: Mon Ami Gabi My favorite outdoor dining is Mon Ami Gabi for a few reasons. First, the patio seating on the side near the Landmark Theatre is a quiet place to …

Argentine cooking consists of bold flavors inspired by European and Arab cultures. Immigrants from across the Atlantic were drawn by Argentina’s expansive countryside where they found livestock and agriculture thrived. So, Argentine cuisine is a well-rounded playground of meats, seafood and vegetables. Although it’s difficult to find a more decadent, mouth-watering list of carnivorous specialties—asada (barbeque beef), schnitzels (breaded and fried meat), empanadas (meat in a pastry), chorizo and morcillo (sausage)--what attracts me to Argentine dining is not the food itself, but the communal…

Whether it's cabin fever or gift returns that take you to Westfield Montgomery Mall, you’ll notice two new eateries emanating robust smells—Janetta’s and Doc Popcorn. Janetta is a belgian waffle stand in the lower level near Old Navy, and Doc Popcorn is on the upper level, across from the central elevators. Doc Popcorn is a franchise from a national chain of popcorn stands -- the first in the area, Patch recently reported -- while Janetta is a prototype created by local entrepreneur. While making your purchase at either of these two stands, you’re likely to experience a commitment to service …

More and more people are giving the gift of fellowship during the holidays. Selecting a gift is such a challenge, so this year, make a deal to spend your money on a meal and celebrate each other. It’s good for the economy, and you don’t have to stand in line. Many Bethesda restaurants are festive places where you can relax, and leave the cooking to someone else. Here are three restaurants that are especially effective at catering to groups. They include a place to dine elegantly with staff or loved ones; a bar to gather with friends visiting from afar; and a place where family can watch a …

Kraze Burgers is the newest burger place to come to Bethesda, located at the corner of Woodmont and Elm Street (previously home to Haagen Dazs and the Jean Company). The chain Kraze Burgers was born in Korea—the owner introduced gourmet hamburgers first to the Koreans, and then world-wide. When the chain opened its first location in the United States, they selected our humble neighborhood--beautiful downtown Bethesda. Kraze Burgers' bright green letters beckon, along with the smell of charred beef. Naturally, the curious responded to the call. Yet, the opportunity to make a good first …

It's that time of year again. Luckily for us, dozens of restaurants, markets and grocery stores in Bethesda stand ready to lend a hand, or even cook your meal, this Thanksgiving. Maybe you don’t want to cook, hate to cook, afraid to cook, or can’t fit a turkey into your oven…whatever the reason, there are several local restaurants serving memorable Thanksgiving meals, or places where you can buy ready-made versions. There are also local markets where you'll find the supplies you need to make that feast yourself. So, be thankful--you live in Bethesda. Preparing a Feast for your Family Whole …

This past weekend, I attended the annual Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaining Show along with 25,000 other food enthusiasts. I never miss this event. Of course, seeing the celebrity chefs in action is was what first drew me in, but what keeps me coming back every year is discovering new and exciting food exhibitors. This year, I hit the mother-load—there were more than 400 exhibitors handing out samples and selling specialty products. I spent seven hours roaming the Convention Center; sampling and communing with fellow foodies. As I tasted my way through aisles filled with maple butter, …

On an unusually warm fall day, Veteran's Park in Woodmont Triangle was alive with people eating lunch and soaking up the weak November sunshine. I was pleased to run into my old friend, Kal Stein, while ordering a sandwich at the newest addition to the neighborhood, Jetties. “Woodmont Triangle is experiencing a renaissance,” Stein told me when we spotted an open table in the park. Stein is the president of Earth Share, a workplace fund aising organization for environmental groups. Like many business people who work in Bethesda, he takes advantage of the array of dining options found in the …

It was date night, so I wanted to go someplace romantic with minimal kid noise. Some foodie friends recommended Brasserie Monte Carlo, which has been in Bethesda for a while, but never looked terribly exciting. Still, they urged, “Try it.” We arrived on a weeknight around 6:30 p.m.; the restaurant is on the corner of Norfolk and Cordell and was completely empty. A very friendly server offered us our pick of tables so we opted for a table by the window to watch the swirling leaves blowing across the intersection. Inside of the restaurant is a brightly painted mural of Monte Carlo, storied …

Peruvian chicken restaurants are popping up all over the greater Washington Aarea, especially in the suburban neighborhoods of Maryland and Northern Virginia. People have become very passionate about their favorite Peruvian outposts. Recently, there was an hour-long program on WAMU’s Kojo Nnamdi devoted to the subject of this cuisine’s growing popularity. So, Bethesda now has two Peruvian chicken restaurants vying for an eager audience. Chicken on the Run opened a few years ago on St. Elmo Avenue. It’s a cramped place, with plentiful helpings. The new kid on the block is Don Pollo, on …

The name ‘Lilit’ is Armenian for “goddess,” and in Hebrew ‘Lilit’ means “night owl.”  Perhaps Lilit Café combines the two meanings—"Goddess," because they serve some heavenly food there, and "night owl," because Lilit is an ideal place for night owls to pick up a late night snack or bottle of wine. Lilit Café, on Old Georgetown between Auburn and Del Ray Avenue, is a bit like a New York deli. It consists of one shop selling wine, beer, homemade gelato, deli sandwiches, gluten-free grocery items, and a small sit-down café-- all in the same space. My husband says, “This place tries to be many …

The day I lunched with a well-traveled friend at Kabob Bazaar II in Bethesda, almost every customer was speaking Farsi. It seemed this Persian cuisine, with its hearty, chargrilled meats, was pretty authentic if it attracted this many Iranians. Despite humble digs in a low-slung shopping center on Wisconsin Avenue, in less than a year, Kabob Bazaar II has built a steady customer base by offering exceptionally tasty food and dignified service. Both my friend and I know and adore Middle Eastern cuisine and were taken by surprise by the level of quality in the ingredients and by the powerful …

Saturday, I headed to Taste of Bethesda in my rain slicker and warm sweater. This rainy, cold, windy day is unusual weather for early October in the DC area; the temperature was in the 50s—about 20 degrees lower than normal. But despite the showers, Taste of Bethesda vendors were out in full force. There were close to 60 restaurants represented, and non-stop musical performances. You could see people swaying in their rain coats and umbrellas. Others were huddled under awnings, eating out of paper bowls and plates filled with foods from around the world. Taste of Bethesda is the perfect …

Every fall, Jewish residents of Bethesda ring in their new year or break their day of fasting during the High Holy Days by eating traditional Jewish cuisine. Some local restaurants and stores offer prepared versions of these traditional foods, so whether you host an event at home, or you want to take the family out for dinner, there are options to help make it easier. Ron Gross, a New York transplant living in Bethesda, is an investment analyst who enjoys cooking. Ron’s taken classes at L’Academie de Cuisine and often tries new recipes or creates some of his own. I asked him about his family’…

Praline Bakery and Bistro is located on Sangamore Road in Bethesda, an area where there’s little competition for diners. Unlike the downtown Bethesda restaurants that have to fight for customers and parking spots, Praline is situated in a shopping center with abundant parking, a grocery store, bank, several shops, and one Chinese restaurant. The neighborhood consists of well-appointed homes and a giant government facility. But even without ideal real estate, Praline is likely to command a devoted customer base—perhaps the same folks they serve now—seniors, ladies and small children. Currently…

Some of us mourn the end of summer--days getting shorter, leaves preparing to change, and school days passing in a blur of activities. That’s how I was feeling this rainy week, so to lift my spirits, I met a close friend for a consummate summer meal—hot dogs. Hot dogs are considered as "American as apple pie," but actually, hot dogs are international. They are especially beloved in South America, according to Bold Bite’s owner Alonso Roche. When I interviewed him months before he opened Bold Bite on Fairmont Avenue, he told me sausages and hot dogs are a popular street food in his native …

On Sunday, the Bethesda Central Farm Market hosted its second annual "Bake Bethesda a Pie" contest, and I was one of the lucky judges invited to weigh in on the merits of 35 different pies. Participants entered into the savory, sweet and youth categories. Clearly, many of these amateur bakers had extraordinary skill.  The market had invited three esteemed judges who definitely knew their way around a bakery—Deputy Food Editor of the Washington Post Bonnie Benwick and Joseph and Ruth Poupon, owners of Patisserie Poupon. The four of us were asked to judge the pies on originality, appearance and…

Matuba Restaurant, on Cordell Avenue, has served sushi and other highlights of Japanese cuisine for more than two decades. It’s been awhile since I dined there, so when I learned of their Thursday night rotary buffet special, I decided to try it with my kids. Matuba had embraced the hecticness of this week by promoting a back-to-school Bento box for $15.50.    Matuba was one of the first restaurants in the Washington, D.C. area to install a rotary buffet—a conveyor belt that rotates small plates of food around a bar. Guests take whatever plates they want. In some restaurants, diners pay for …

Empanadas are a guilty pleasure. Often these cresent-shaped pastries are made with lard and deep fried, but they still appeal to almost all the senses—they look, smell and taste binge-worthy. Found in many cultures, empanadas are popular street food in South America and are gaining a lot of attention in the United States. They are the quintessential portable meal and often contain several critical food groups—veggies, protein, carbohydrates and dairy--in one bite. The empanadas at Panas Gourmet Empanadas at 4731 Elm Street in Bethesda are a jubilation of flavors. And as I learned there was no…

Lorenzo Rios greets many customers by name at A&H Gourmet and Seafood Market. He’s the general manager of this compact shop located at the north end of Bethesda Avenue. Tucked behind the Bethesda Crab House, the market opened 35 years ago. The current owner, Santi Zabaleta, bought the market in 2007. 80 percent of the business is selling wholesale to local restaurants, while 20 percent of their sales is to walk-in customers. “The wholesale business keeps our prices low,” explains Lorenzo. A&H Seafood is a meeting place for Bethesda residents who are passionate about buying fresh seafood and …