F2C: Freedom to Connect

Guest post by Lynn Hughes (Thanks!)

Welcome to all of you coming to the Silver Spring area for F2C. I’ve put together some suggestions on places to eat and/or hang-out while in town. I hope you all find this helpful and take no responsibility if your taste buds don’t agree with mine!

Downtown Silver Spring is an eclectic mix of chain and local owned stores. At first glance it might look a little typical corporate layout, but don’t let that fool you. There is a broad range of food choices that reflect the rich diversity of our community. I’ll try and give some suggestions for most of the International flavors. I’m only mentioning restaurants that are walkable from AFI and the nearby hotels.

March Madness?

For me, the most critical thing happening on Sunday is the Elegant 8. I know if I were out of town, I’d be looking for a good spot to watch (I’m not a hotel sitter) — best options are:

1) Galaxy Billiards (across from the Border’s on Ellsworth — immediately BEHIND the AFI theatre): I personally think there TVs are the best set-up for watching a game. They have plenty of screens and reasonable bar food while you watch (you can even play a round of pool if you’d like).

2) Across the Street Cafe (across the street from AFI): http://www.acrossthestreetcafe.com/about.html a new restaurant in town. The owner is very nice, the food is good and not too pricey and he has free wi-fi. He’s got one plasma screen that I noticed, rather than the many at Galaxy. But the crowds are light on Sunday and I’ll bet he’ll help make your watching enjoyable.

3) Austin Grill (on Ellsworth near the fountain): They’ve got screens around the bar and pretty good Tex-Mex. But it’s usually loud in there and the focus certainly won’t be on the games. You’ll be competing with the dinner crowd.

Best Coffee/Gelato

Kefa Cafe
963 Bonifant St

I know there’s a great breakfast planned for each day of F2C, but if you find yourself looking for a great cuppa joe on Sunday or Wednesday, skip the chains (Panera and Starbuck’s) and walk a couple blocks to Kefa Cafe. It’s just two blocks down from the AFI and a real local favorite. Owners Lene and Abeba Tsegaye are as nice as can be. I always leave that place with a smile.

The coffee at Kefa is first rate, and the two sisters have done a splendid job of turning Kefa into a true community gathering place, a setting where groups come to meet about projects, display art, and discuss civic matters. Sometimes the owners even stay open past closing to accommodate residents’ needs (review poached from Yelp). They also have the best homemade gelato ever.

American/standard fare

1) Jackie’s
8081 Georgia (it’s actually on Sligo Ave)
http://www.jackiesrestaurant.com/
It’s a bit of a hike, but well worth it for the mini-Elvis burgers and best martini’s in town. A very funky place indeed.

2) Ray’s the Classics
corner of Georgia and Colesville (across from AFI)
Great steaks and solid meat and potatoes cooking. Always ends up on the Washingtonian Best of lists…

3) Quarry House Tavern
Georgia and Bonifant (take the steps down…)
http://www.quarryhousetavern.com/
Run by Jackie (of Jackie’s above). Best burgers in town and homemade tater tots. Enuf said.

4) Red Rock Grill
Georgia towards Wayne (next to Marimekko)
Yeah, it’s a chain and there’s always a crowd, but it’s solid food. I do admit that I eat there fairly often.

Asian/Chinese/Japanese/Thai/Vietnamese/Malaysian

1) Asian Bistro
next to Panera on Georgia at Colesville
http://www.asianbistrocafe.com/
I personally think that Asian Bistro has the best sushi in town (meaning our little neck of MD, not all of DC). Their specialty rolls are amazing. They also have a full Chinese and Japanese dinner menu. (I know others in town like the sushi on Fenton, but I’m just not sold).

2) Oriental Garden
East-West Highway in Blair Plaza (just past the metro, hang a left)
The dim sum at Oriental Garden is legendary. If you come on a Sunday the line literally goes round the block. They also have some of the best Peking Duck I’ve ever had, but if you’re trekking over, I’d suggest trying the dim sum. Also, make sure they give you the full menu. They have one for the novices and one with all the good stuff.

3) Thai Derm
Bonifant, in the middle of the block (two blocks down from AFI)
Small restaurant in what seems should be a townhouse (and if you go to the bathroom, you’ll usually walk by some family member prepping food). Great food and nice owners. I prefer it to the Thai restaurant over the fountain at Ellsworth, although that one’s not too bad.

4) Mandalay
Bonifant, towards Fenton (about 3 blocks from AFI)
Burmese food that’s solid and a nice wine selection. My friend who grew up in Burma loves it. I don’t know enough to tell whether it’s authentic, but it certainly is tasty.

5) Lotus Cafe
Georgia and Sligo (about 8 blocks)
It’s next door to Jackie’s, so be prepared to walk. They’ve only been open a couple months, but it’s already a favorite with the neighbors. I’m a fan. Had a great meal there recently. They also have a sweet little deck if the weather is nice.

Ordering Chinese in — Spring Garden
I’d strongly suggest one of the restaurants above, but if you’re in your hotel room and want to order in, choose Spring Garden. Most consistent and fresh of the groups that deliver (Oriental Garden won’t).

Ethiopian
We’ve got a really vibrant Ethiopian community here in the area. If you are a fan of the food, you should definitely try Addis Ababa. It’s on Fenton just past Thayer. There is the main restaurant and a roof garden (which is heated and used year round). Always a crowd there.

Middle Eastern

We’ve got some great spots in the area, none of which are big chains (Lebanese Taverna by the fountain is kind of a chain, they’ve got a handful of restaurants in the area).

1) Taste of Jerusalem
8123 Georgia (at Silver Spring Ave next to the old Firehouse)
A bit of a walk, but well worth it. Haven’t heard a bad word about this place ever.

2) Ghar-E-Kabab
Wayne between Georgia and Fenton (next to the Crescent building)
It’s Nepalase and quite good. I’m a fan of the seafood kababs. Easy walk from the AFI.

3) Lebanese Taverna
by the fountain on Ellsworth
Don’t let the cafeteria style service fool you. Great food, very fresh, atmosphere be damned.

Tex Mex/Latin

Most people just wander over to Austin Grill, but if you are willing to walk about two blocks farther, you’ll find two of the best places around.

1) Mi Rancho
8701 Ramsey Avenue
Family owned, great home style Mexican food (well good for the East Coast). They’ve also got the best margarita’s in town and a good house sangria. There’s a tortilla maker in the lobby and a really cool patio that’s heated so it can be used year round.

and across the street
2) Cubano’s
1201 Fidler Lane
Real Cuban food. Seriously the best I’ve had outside my grandmother’s kitchen. They have great Yucca fries and black beans and on weekend only offer a homestyle Arroz Con Pollo.

Upscale

1) Nicaro
8229 Georgia Avenue (just past Thayer)
Pedro Matamoros’ newest venture (he has Tabard Inn downtown). Good food, nice atmosphere, a little pricey.

2) Olazzo
8235 Georgia (couple doors down from Nicaro)
I haven’t been here, but have heard it’s very good. Understand they have a martini bar that rocks.

For other entertainment

1) McGinty’s Pub (on Ellsworth next to PotBelly’s) is a great old style Irish Pub. http://www.mcgintyspublichouse.com/silverspring/ They’ve got dancing on Sunday night for those who aren’t into b-ball and a pub quiz on Monday night. They also have great comfort food.

2) The Pirate Bar (on Georgia at Bonifant). The name says it all. I’m not a frequenter so can’t attest to the food, but it’s certainly entertaining.

Post by Lynn Hughes

This entry was posted on Friday, March 27th, 2009 at 5:08 pm and is filed under Announcements, General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.