December 2009
Addis Ababa
by Will Marshall
It is a rainy and cold Tuesday night in Silver Spring. A string of newly lit Christmas wreaths glows through the haze down Fenton Street. My wife and I are on our way to Addis Ababa Ethiopian restaurant. I have to be honest, neither of is in the mood for dinner out tonight. The malaise we feel stems from a food hangover brought on by the gluttony of Thanksgiving dinner just days prior. But just moments inside Addis Ababa we quickly realize that this night will be so much more than just another meal out, it will be a cultural adventure.
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Photos by Eric Bond |
December 2009
by Katie Dozier
If I told you that a local restaurant bakes their authentic fresh pita bread daily, would you avoid it just because it is a chain? I certainly hope not! The Lebanese Taverna Café is one of the tastiest restaurants and best values in downtown Silver Spring, and behind the chain’s story is one of an American dream.
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Photos by Julie Wiatt |
October 2009
Parkway Deli
by Katie Dozier
When a restaurant has been open almost fifty years, its success is no accident. The Parkway Deli & Restaurant proves this every day, with a menu that cooks up everything from omelets to apple pie. No matter how finicky the eater you’re dining with, this is an eatery that always will have something to please.
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Photo by Katie Dozier |
September 2009
The Sub*urban Trading Company
by Katie Dozier
As I grew closer to the Suburban Trading Co., passing the red Adirondack chairs and summer flowers lining the exterior, a woman stopped to ask me, “What is this place? A grocery store or a café?”
Actually it’s a delicious mixture of both.
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Photo by Katie Dozier |
June 2009
Roscoe's Neapolitan Pizza
by Elizabeth Brinkama
Judging by the number of people waiting to get in, word has spread that there is a new sit down restaurant in town worth a look see. The word on the street has been one of great anticipation, coupled with enthusiasm that Roscoe’s Neapolitan Pizzeria is finally here and open for business. Early reviews from those lucky to get a table have been nothing but positive, even as the understandable opening kinks are being worked out. It would seem to make this review completely unnecessary, but then there would go my excuse to eat copious amounts of food over several visits.
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Photo by Julie Wiatt |
June 2009
Pizza Roma
by Elizabeth Brinkama
Is there ever such a thing as too much pizza? I don’t think so!
A year after announcing the imminent arrival of Pizza Roma at the Junction, the doors have finally opened and judging by the aromas wafting down the street, it has been well worth the wait. With family ties in the area, owner Abdul Baig brings his halal standard menu he perfected in College Park to his second location as part of the ever growing restaurant scene in Takoma Park.
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Photo by Julie Wiatt |
June 2009
Ruan Thai
by Katie Dozier
When you arrive at a strip mall in Wheaton, you may not even notice Ruan Thai sandwiched between a dry cleaner’s and a used car lot. But with one bite of the Yum Watercress appetizer, you will know that you have stumbled upon the best Thai restaurant in our area, despite its dreary locale. Ignore the stained drop ceiling and mostly bare walls; instead, focus on the art that appears on every plate.
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Photos by Julie Wiatt |
May 2009
articles and photos
by Elizabeth Brinkama
The era of pizza reminiscent of a cardboard box in taste and texture from the frozen foods aisle of my local grocery store, or bland generic fare from delivery, has finally come to a glorious end. Pizza night has taken on a whole new life with the advent of Tuesday Night Pizza at Da Marco Ristorante Italiano in Silver Spring.
While carry-out is available, dining in has its own rewards as wine is offered at ½-price with your pizza…..and what a selection of pizza they have!
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April 2009
The staff at Golden Flame Restaurant maintain a standard from yesteryear
by Elizabeth Brinkama
Back in the day, I used to work in an office building in downtown Silver Spring. A mere two blocks away was the Golden Flame Restaurant, which always appeared to be a somewhat mysterious place. The windows were tinted, so I really couldn’t see inside and from the name it somehow seemed like one of those old steakhouses from the ‘50s. You know the kind I mean. Heavy red damask drapes, waiters in tuxedos who prepare your Caesar salad tableside and cigar smoke wafting through the room. Though intrigued, I never ventured inside. Ah, the perks of reviewing for the Voice.
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photos by Julie Wiatt |
March 2009
by Elizabeth Brinkama
While fans of the dearly departed Colorado Kitchen wait with breathless anticipation for the grand opening of Avenue Ovens, a preview of what is to come from Chef Gillian Clark and business partner Robin Smith can be yours with a quick trip to their latest endeavor in Silver Spring. While Avenue Ovens (slated to open in early summer – fingers and toes crossed) is designed to bring Takoma Park and neighboring denizens a little taste of Eastern Europe, the General Store boasts a more casual menu with a bit of Southern flair that is as easy on the wallet as it is on the taste buds.
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The perfect marriage of sugar and sugar.
photo by Ann-Marie VanTassell
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February 2009
by Elizabeth Brinkama
They say a penny saved is a penny earned and as we all try to cut back our extracurricular spending, eating out is fast becoming one of those luxuries we are doing without. With a little creativity, however, at Sabroso South American Rotisserie and Grill, a family of four can easily dine out for no more than $20. Located across the street from the Round House Theatre and AFI on Colesville Road, it is still possible to eat well, eat healthy and not feel deprived without straining the family budget.
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Sabroso offers fresh flavor for the budget-conscious.
photos by Julie Wiatt
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January 2009
by Elizabeth Brinkama
If you have a hankering for hearty southwest food prepared fast, fresh and without fuss, then the newly opened Amado Tex-Mex & Rotisserie fits the bill. Located in the Safeway Shopping Center at the Takoma/Langley Crossroads, Amado serves up a tasty alternative to the run-of-the-mill fast food offerings. Our intrepid group of gastronomes (read: really hungry people) recently paid a visit.
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The burritos at Amado sneer at the Taco Bell across the street.
photos by Julie Wiatt |
December 2008
The Organic Falafel Stand
by Elizabeth Brinkama
Location, location, location!
In business, they say location is everything and in the most unlikeliest of spots you can now eat well, eat local and eat with good conscience. In the parking lot of RS Automotive, where Grant and Carroll Avenues intersect with East-West Highway and a mere stones’ throw from the TPSS Co-op, there is a rather unobtrusive catering truck offering 100% vegan fare that is pleasing to the palate, your wallet, and Mother Earth.
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Nina Sutcliffe is ready to take your order.
photos by Julie Wiatt |
November 2008
The Olive Lounge opens in Old Takoma
by Elizabeth Brinkama
At long last, with the advent of the Olive Lounge & Grill, there is a neighborhood bar in Old Takoma.
No, I haven’t forgotten about Taliano’s, but it’s been almost three years since they mysteriously closed in the dead of night and, if you’ll pardon my triteness, I never felt the “Cheers” vibe there. I found it too dark, too loud and too uncomfortable on many levels.
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Nadol and Chris Hishmeh beckon you to join them.
photo by Eric Bond |
November 2008
by Elizabeth Brinkama
“Coffee Klatch or coffee klatsch; also kaffeeklatsch: n. a social gathering for informal conversation and coffee”
— American Heritage Dictionary
Heather Sutcliffe, the beloved former manager of Savory, returns to Takoma Park every Sunday to dispense coffee and offer up her usual wry observations. This time, however, you will find she has traveled a few blocks along Carroll Avenue to brew coffee at Summer Delights. Beginning at 9:00 am and during the course of the farmers market, Fresh off the Roast is the featured coffee purveyor at your neighborhood ice cream parlor.
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photos by Eric Bond |
October 2008
by Elizabeth Brinkama
After enduring two unrelated fires in a years’ time, one in the restaurant and the other in the apartment above, the Lotus Café, located on the corner of Georgia and Sligo Avenues, is in the midst of a renaissance that is worth experiencing firsthand.
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Pho Fighters.
photos by Julie Wiatt
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September 2008
by Elizabeth Brinkama
As Summer ebbs and Fall, with its crisp air and chilly nights, fast approaches, there is no better time to put away the cottage cheese and non-fat yogurt of the season and begin to hunker down with some good ole satisfying comfort food.
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Red Dog Café equals comfort food.
photos by Julie Wiatt
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August 2008
by Elizabeth Brinkama
One of life’s simple pleasures during long, hot summer evenings is relaxing outside at one of the local cafés while sipping a favorite cocktail, giving a wave to a passing acquaintance, and leisurely watching the world go by. Were we living in a city such as New York, Philadelphia, DC-proper or a college town like Chapel Hill, this would fast become the standard afterwork or weekend social ritual. However, with its narrow sidewalks unable to accommodate outdoor seating, this particular rite of summer is not yet to be found in Old Takoma.
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Raise a mojito to the waning days of summer.
photos by Stephanie Williams
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July 2008
by Kamillah Phillips
The day Peaches Kitchen opened, no one in the quiet Northwest community of Manor Park could have imagined that the restaurant would bring smiles to so many faces. Peaches Watson had a vision of giving people food just like their “momma used to make” in a place that feels just like home. With an already dedicated base of customers from her catering business, Watson’s dream of becoming a profitable restaurateur is steadily coming true. I spent a Saturday at Peaches Kitchen just to see what the “buzz” was about.
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Philip Connolly loves the home cooking of his mom, Peaches Watson.
photos by Kamillah Phillips |
June 2008
by Allison Sosna
A second version of Tijuana’s Mexican Café is now open next to a 7-Eleven at the corner of University Boulevard and Carroll Avenue. Tijuana’s sees itself as a neighborhood eatery with a feast of home-style cooking.
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photos by Julie Wiatt |
March 2008
by Allison Sosna
On a bitter cold weekday evening, my party appreciated the warm greeting we recieved as we entered the newly opened Indian and Nepali restaurant on Wayne Avenue. We were even more impressed to learn that our competent server also helps to cook on occasion. Since the weather seemed to keep most diners home that day, our waiter gave us the opportunity to choose an inviting window table.
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Shanti Sharma, one of the owners of Ghar-E-Kabab, serves Mac and Anna Keller “Momos” — traditional Nepali dumplings.
photos by Julie Wiatt |
February 2008
by Kara Berger
On Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring lies a small part of Italy called Olazzo, an up-and-coming restaurant with a relaxing ambience and great food. The décor reminded me of chic New York, a small, inviting space, with a warm palate of reds and browns, elegant brick veneer walls and dark wood. I was expecting prices to match but was happily surprised.
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Our waitress Violetta Manavis
photos by Julie Wiatt |
January 2008
by Jessica Hayes
Newly opened Nicaro Restaurant Lounge is nestled in downtown Silver Spring among trendy clothing shops and restaurants. Executive chef and owner, Nicaraguan-born Pedro Matamoros, infuses his American-themed dishes with an eclectic flair that is as pleasing to the taste as his restaurant’s décor is to the eye.
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Thai seafood stew has an unmistakable spicy flair.
photos by Julie Wiatt |
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