The newest incantation of the popular, local empire known as Cava attracts a steady stream of fans at their Bethesda Row location. Cava’s owners (and childhood friends) Ted Xenohristos, Ike Grigoropoulos, and Dimitri Moschovitis, were named Restaurateurs of the Year by Washingtonian Magazine in 2010. The Cava team, along with their newest partner Brett Schulman, opened their doors in Bethesda last fall, bringing diners an innovative way to enjoy their memorable dishes. Even if you haven’t yet eaten at Cava in Rockville or Capitol Hill or seen their products at Whole Foods, you’ve likely …
Picture this—five eager faces ooohing and aaahing over plates of elegantly presented appetizers -- my friends looming over these plates impatiently waiting to taste. Everyone frustrated and dismayed, as I shooed their bread and forks away from digging in, so I can take my pictures...This was my first dining experience at Bethesda’s Bistro LaZeez. Most local reviewers have raved about LaZeez, so I had high expectations. Open for lunch, brunch and dinner, it has a neighborhood feel to it--perhaps because it’s off the beaten path. Although its not far away from the busier streets like Cordell or…
Ben & Jerry’s ice cream parlor has long been a favorite neighborhood stop for Bethesda families. So, you can imagine the dismay felt by parents everywhere when they heard Ben & Jerry’s was closing its doors on 4901 Fairmont Ave. in the Woodmont Triangle. Typically during the summer months, lines at Ben and Jerry’s were out the door and down the sidewalk; but staying alive during the winter months can put strain on the best cold food business. (The owner of the franchise recently told Patch he's looking to relocate within Bethesda.) But alas — all is not lost. Bethesda families will not have …
Are all the pink hearts and expectations for romance getting on your nerves? Well, you’re not alone. Many of us find Valentine’s Day an annoying Hallmark holiday. Of course, you’re not planning a romantic Valentine’s night out, and neither are most of your friends. So, where can you celebrate Anti-Valentine’s Day? There are festive places in Bethesda that feel anything but romantic, where you’ll still find good food and entertainment. Just the right places to spend that dreaded night — no reservations required! Barking Dog The Barking Dog — some live bands, often a DJ, creaky wood floors, …
Louisiana Kitchen & Bayou Bar is a descendant of Louisiana Express, for those who remember Express, the mostly takeout Cajun restaurant with plastic plates and forks (on Bethesda Avenue across from the Mercedes dealership). Express’s tiny kitchen pumped out authentic Creole cuisine to a crowd of regulars, not to mention some who drove to Bethesda just to find New Orleans-style cooking. There aren’t that many places with real Cajun food in the area, especially casual eateries. When Louisiana Kitchen opened on Cordell Avenue, this ambitious move looked like a no-brainer; of course, fans of …
Do you know that contented feeling you have when a new place makes you feel instantly comfortable? Is there a Bethesda restaurant where the staff reliably makes you feel welcome … dare I say appreciated even? It doesn’t happen all that often. The freshness and warmth of the staff at Food Wine & Co propels this new eatery in the realm of unusual. But what about the food and wine? Well, it lives up nicely to its name too. The food is reliably good. Not earth-shattering good, but everything I tasted was flavorful and appetizing. There were no unwelcome surprises that we discovered as we ordered …
As the cold January wind blows, it’s hard to imagine it will ever be warm enough for Bethesda’s outdoor farmers markets to set up so we can start picking out fresh produce again. It's such a pleasure to buy locally grown produce and un-hydrogenated baked goods. Good home cooks know --everything tastes better when prepared with farm fresh ingredients. Plus, it feels good being “green” while supporting your local economy. The good news: Montgomery Farm Women’s Cooperative Market is still open and waiting for you to see what’s in season. In season? Yes! Some vendors here have bountiful green …
Pizza is a very personal thing. Each of us likes our pizza a certain way. In my family alone there are vast preferences, posing a challenge when it’s time to order in. My younger daughter insists on delivery-style plain cheese pizza with soft, hand tossed crust, and most “gourmet” pizzas are unacceptable. There’s my older daughter who prefers thin crust, loves a variety of toppings, and even tolerates a veggie or two. My husband wants his covered with everything — except meat — yes, on anchovies. Fortunately he caves on this demand most of the time. For me — sauce. I want copious amounts of …
Have you longed to dine at one of the many acclaimed restaurants in Bethesda or Chevy Chase, but worry you’ll blow your monthly budget? Well, you’re in luck because Jan. 24 through Jan. 30 is Restaurant Week — an opportunity to feast at participating restaurants and know up front how much you’ll pay. My husband and I always take advantage of the Restaurant Week specials hosted by some our favorite places in the neighborhood, and you should too. At some of the more expensive restaurants, Restaurant Week is an opportunity to sample several dishes at a bargain price. For example, during …
Redwood, like the beloved tree of its name, has quite a presence — both literally and figuratively — among Bethesda's posh hot spots. Redwood has quickly become a favorite since its opening in August of 2008, and not just for the suaveness so appreciated by its patrons. Named Best New Restaurant by Bethesda Magazine in March 2009, Redwood's food is, in a word, "fantastic," according to server Evan Mahan. "The hardest part of my job is suggesting food to my guests. I'll always be honest if something isn't good, but that just doesn't happen here." Redwood is known for hosting events, as …
Flanagan's Harp & Fiddle in Bethesda not only transcends the usual Irish bar image when it comes to their music, but their happy hour — which extends from 4-7 p.m. — continues with nightly specials all the way until closing. Have family and friends visiting from out of town this holiday season? Come in from the cold with your whole crew and choose from an array of tasty late-night deals any given night, or root for the Redskins while devouring Redskins Specials during this season's remaining games. At Harp & Fiddle, any last call with old friends in town for the holidays is sure to be a …
You don't need me to tell you how chilly it's been in Bethesda since December arrived. Yet, we still have to go out, do our shopping, and celebrate with co-workers and friends. So, where can you warm up by a fireplace or sip a hot drink? One of my favorite places to casually catch up with friends or spend the day huddled comfortably with my laptop is Cosi. Cosi was voted #1 for Families in Washington Parent's 2009 poll. You'll see why after you find one of Cosi's comfy couches and order the S'mores. This is where the fire is brought to your table—literally. The server lights up a small flame …
If you're like me you probably don't need anything. I'd rather select my own clothes, books and jewelry; my walls are covered with artwork or collectibles, and my cabinets are overflowing with housewares. So, what gift do I most enjoy? Food, of course! One great reason to buy food gifts is that food doesn't add to life's clutter. You're going to eat it eventually. You probably won't buy that extravagant French honey or box of handmade chocolates yourself, so what a treat when someone puts that in your stocking! I asked my friends—the ones with impeccable taste, of course --"Where do you find…
Many Bethesda restaurants cater to individuals and families who want to take freshly prepared foods home or to the office. Since there are so many excellent choices, I decided to investigate by neighborhood or street. This first issue in our "Bethesda's Best Take-Out" series features Elm Street. I started off by talking with Brian Baczkowski. As as a media specialist at Bethesda- Chevy Chase High School, Baczkowski spends a lot of time eating in downtown Bethesda. He is also a self-professed foodie who seeks restaurants that serve "sharp flavors." I met up with Baczkowski when he was dining…
Serving as memorials to something past, most relics are hidden away in museum vaults or lie untouched in glass cases. Thus, the name Relic is apropos for the year-old restaurant on Fairmont Avenue that remains a hidden treasure in our midst--except to those who go out dancing after 10 pm. After dinner is served, Relic staff push back the walnut dining tables and pump up the volume. But if you'd rather dine than dance, you're still going to enjoy an evening spent at Relic. The décor is eclectic. Bar stools are made from real bridle saddles. Moose antler chandeliers adorn the walls. You might…
Don't feel like cooking Thanksgiving dinner? Maybe you can't travel home to your family's annual gathering. Well, you're in luck, because many Bethesda restaurants are offering multi-course Thanksgiving feasts. After reading their menus, I don't think you'll be disappointed if you choose to dine out this year. I've hosted Thanksgiving at home for the last ten years; it's always a ton of work. One year, I "went on strike" as my kids say, and decided we should dine out on Thanksgiving. Talk about easy! I know it's hard to give up leftovers, but this list of restaurants, and their delicious-…
It looked like every New Yorker living in Bethesda showed up for lunch this week at downtown Bethesda's hottest new restaurant, the Uptown Deli. During the lunch rush, customers were crowded into corners, leaning against windows and perched at tables waiting for their orders. Baskets containing heaping sandwiches, garlicy dill pickles and sides of crisp, creamy coleslaw adorned most tables. Although the majority of customers, usually men, were hungrily biting into their pastrami on rye or corn beef with sauerkraut, I saw a few ordering salads and soups. But the sandwiches are the big sellers …
Nationwide, people are going crazy for cupcakes, and Bethesda residents clearly have the fever. Probably because we have so many delicious places to buy cupcakes. For the last two weeks, I've been on a quest to distinguish one cupcake from another. The search for the elusive "best cupcake" in Bethesda, with the help of a distinguished panel of local experts—myself, my daughters' friends and their parents, plus my next-door neighbors (four boys). Experts- I use this term loosely, because just about anyone with a passion for cupcakes fancies themselves a connoisseur after sampling a couple. …
If you're a local foodie, you've probably followed the career of French chef Yannick Cam. Washington residents first sampled Cam's innovative "nouvelle cuisine" in 1979 at Le Pavillion. He later opened Le Paradou, an award-winning restaurant with a long menu and a huge fan base. In 1995, Washingtonian magazine named Cam "Restaurateur of the Year." His critical and culinary successes continued at other restaurants—Yannick's, Provence and Coco Loco—in Washington, DC and Northern Virginia. Now, fortunately for us, Cam's turned his attention to pleasing diners in Bethesda. And Bethesda diners …
This is Bethesda Row's Restaurant Week and a perfect time to dine out at some of Bethesda's best. The prices range at each restaurant but are usually $12 to $15 for a lunch of two courses and $30 for a dinner of three courses. Last night I had dinner at Assaggi Restaurant Mozzarella Bar, an elegantly casual Italian restaurant on Bethesda Avenue. I've previously tested their homemade mozzarella bar, but hadn't sampled any other menu items. Arriving around 7:30 pm, most of the tables were full. I asked the server if this was an unusually busy Tuesday night due to restaurant week. He explained …
