Tyler Cowen's Ethnic Dining Guide

Michael’s Noodle House, 10038 Darnestown Road, Rockville, MD, 301-738-0370 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Gazette.net | Washingtonian | SilverChips | Yelp | Gayot]

Imagine a combination of A&J and Hong Kong Palace and you have what is perhaps the best Chinese restaurant in this area right now. The dishes are a mix of Sichuan, Taiwanese, and Manchurian.

It has the best noodles and best dumplings around; the Sichuan wontons are a must. Shredded tofu is great. Singapore Noodle is surprisingly good and quite subtle. Pork with spicy noodles, in various incarnations, is excellent. I’ve yet to try the soups but they looks very good. Go mostly with the smaller dishes.

The décor is slightly nicer than at most Mom and Pops, the owners are Taiwanese, not so much English is spoken by the staff, and it draws an older Chinese crowd, less raucous than many other excellent Chinese places. Highly recommended.

Peking Eastern House (Dong Lai Shun), web site, 617 S. Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD, 301-963-1426 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [This is Gonna Be Good | zabihah | Gazette.net | Yelp]

This is a real Chinese Muslim restaurant! I liked the humburgers [sic] best of all. Get lots of meat dishes, get lots of cumin, get noodles. Ask for help. Don’t let them pawn off their standard “Chinese” food on you. Be aggressive and firm. Just don't expect any pork...

Bob's 88 Shabu Shabu, 316 N. Washington Street, Rockville, MD, 301-294-5888 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | Don Rockwell | Gayot]

Update February 2009: now closed.

The Chinese consider 88, like 66, to be a lucky number, of course this is also the Bob of Bob’s Noodle 66, one of the best Chinese places around. Shabu refers to dipping your food into a boiling pot to cook it. In general I am opposed to this idea, rarely are the results very interesting. But this is a worthwhile restaurant.

You must get your boiling mix to be “very spicy,” then you must order the most complex combination of stuff possible to put into the mix (this will depend on how many people you have). The results are genuinely delicious. I thought the fish was especially good. I might add there is a second menu, small but similar to part of the 66 place, which taken alone would make this one of the best Chinese restaurants around. No matter which route you wish to go, this place is worth trying.

More

• Lucky Phone Number Costs $44,000
• Chinese Business Culture -- Gift Giving
• Prosper with 8 88 888 88888 (scroll down)

Mama Leah's Gourmet Pizza (kosher pizza), web site, 4836 Boiling Brook Parkway, Rockville, MD, Randolph Hills Shopping Center, 301-770-1781, their hours observe the Sabbath (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window)

CLOSED.

Temari, 1043 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD, 301-340-7720 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

Highly authentic, too authentic some would say. Right next to a Japanese store and Japanese supermarket; patronized primarily by Japanese. More a cafe than a restaurant. If pork cutlet doused in ketchup is your thing, this is the place to go. Here you will encounter the other side of Japanese food.

Rainbow, 312 E. Diamond Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD, 301-947-0099, open daily 11-9 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

I don’t usually cover the dining paradise that we call Gaithersburg, but West African places are hard to find. I have yet to go. The cooks are from Ghana and Sierra Leone.

Benjarong, web site, 855-C Rockville Pike, Wintergreen Shopping Center, Rockville, MD, 301-424-5533, closed Sunday lunch (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

A very good Thai place, somewhat more expensive than most but also nicer than average and better than average.

Sol de Espana, web site, 838-C Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD, 240-314-0202 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | City Paper | Don Rockwell | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

A new Spanish place, from the former managers of Andalucia, in Bethesda. In other words, they had to lower their rent, so they reinvented their place. The core problem is that our Taberna is one of the best Spanish restaurants in the world outside of Spain. So why visit the others? But if you do, get the shellfish.

Sam's Restaurant and Cafe, 765 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD, 301-424-1600 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

Stews, kabobs, lamb shank, special rice dishes. Sounds pretty good, I have yet to go, one reader claims they make the best gelato in the DC area.

Tacos Pepito's Bakery, web site (Gaithersburg, MD location), 1762 Columbia Road NW, Washington, DC, 202-232-7121, Adams-Morgan (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo (DC) | The Burrito Blog | WaPo (Gaithersburg) | Yelp]

Also at 107-B East Diamond Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD, 301-990-1541

Recommended on Chowhounds, I have yet to go.

Skewers, web site, 9736 Traville Gateway Drive, Rockville, MD, 301-279-6999, off Shady Grove Road (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [zabihah | Washingtonian | City Paper | food-plan | Yelp | Gayot]

Supposed to be an above-average kabobs place.

Chipotle, web site, numerous area locations. [Washingtonian | WaPo | food-plan | Don Rockwell | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

OK, let’s get the bad news out of the way up front. This is a chain. Even worse, it is a chain owned by McDonald’s corporation, the fount of culinary evil. That being said, it is pretty good. Fresh and relatively authentic Mexican food, you tell them how to put together your meal. The salsa is genuinely spicy. The carnitas are the best meat. Not much choice, but you don’t need it. I’d rather eat here than almost any other Mexican place on this list.

El Mariachi, web site, 765C Rockville Pike, by Wootton Parkway, Rockville, MD, 301-738-7177 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

Many (not all) people love this place, and it is usually crowded. I have yet to go.

Crisp & Juicy, multiple outlets [WaPo | 10Best | City Paper | openlist | Yelp | Citysearch | Gayot]

• 4540 Lee Highway, Arlington, VA, on the corner of Lee Hwy and N. Woodrow Street, 703-243-4222 [Hobnob Blog]
• 913 W. Broad Street, Falls Church, VA, 703-241-9091 [Falls Church News-Press | Tarting it up]
• 1331-G Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD, 301-251-8833
• 3800 International Drive, Silver Spring, MD, 301-598-3333

Many of my readers like these places, I have yet to go.

Crisp & Juicy, 4540 Lee Highway, Arlington, VA

913 W. Broad Street, Falls Church, VA

Crisp & Juicy, , half of whole chicken dinner

Crisp & Juicy, , half of whole chicken dinner

Crisp & Juicy, chicken breast sandwich with everything on it

Crisp & Juicy, whole chicken

Crisp & Juicy, black beans and rice, fries, and salad

Siena's Pizzeria, 11417 Woodglen Drive, Rockville, MD, 301-770-7474 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | openlist | Yelp | Gayot (says closed, but it was open as of 4/30/06)]

Unlikely that I will get here soon, since I don’t trust pizza in this area, plus I have no reason to seek out a kosher version of it.

Royal Dragon Kosher Chinese Restaurant, web site, 4840 Boiling Brook Parkway, Rockville, MD, 301-468-1922 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [City Paper | openlist | Yelp]

I have never gone.

Sam Woo, 1054 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD, 301-424-0495 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Korean DC | Washingtonian | City Paper | openlist | Yelp]

I've been to dozens of Korean restaurants in my life, and never experienced a bad one. This would be my second choice of the ones I know in Maryland, after Seoul Soondae on Veirs Mill Road.

Caribbean Feast Restaurant, 823 Hungerford Drive, Rockville, MD, 301-315-2668, closed Sunday I believe. (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | City Paper | food-plan | Yelp | Gayot]

A great name, and one of the best Jamaican places. It doesn’t give me the visceral thrill that Negril does, but it is worth having in the repertoire. Very good chicken, lots of goat, and sides that would never pass the Atkins test. Good atmosphere.

Lots of places along this stretch of Hungerford Drive.

Negril's, web site, 965 Thayer Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, 301-585-3000 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

Also

• 2301-G Georgia Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-332-3737
  
• 18509 N. Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD, 301-926-7220
  
• 12116 Central Avenue, Mitchellville, MD, 301-249-9101

Curried stews, red beans, ox-tail, and rolled breads. Cheap, and very tasty. Don’t be scared off by the branching, this place is great.

Il Pinito, 5071 Nicholson Lane, Rockville, MD, 301-881-0085 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | City Paper | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

Definitely recommended, the sort of place you are convinced this area does not have. Cheap, tasty, fresh Italian food. Nothing shocking, but delivers all around in a way that few Italian places here do.

Israeli Grill (Moti's Restaurant and Grill at KosherMart), web site, 4860 Boiling Brook Parkway, Rockville, MD, 301-468-0400 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo]

I am told this has good grill and deli and is fully kosher.

Bombay Bistro, web site, 3570 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, VA, 703-359-5810, also at 98 W. Montgomery Avenue, Rockville, MD, 301-762-8798 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | Don Rockwell | openlist | Gayot]

A good restaurant with a wide-ranging menu. The Fairfax branch opened late in 1995, and rivals Connaught's as the best restaurant in Fairfax. They even have several kinds of dosas. The lunch buffets are good and fresh. There is also a main branch in Rockville, but I have never been there.

Ambrosia Grille, web site, used to be at 1765 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD, now at 802 Hungerford Drive, Rockville, MD, 301-251-5816 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist]

Heard it is in decline. I just can’t bring myself to try these places, the arrogance of experience I suppose.

Mykonos Grill, web site, 121 Congressional Lane, Rockville, MD, near Rockville Pike, 301-770-5999 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

Supposed to be good, but I've never been. Formerly of K Street.

Pampanguena Cafe, 16041 Frederick Road (Route 355), Gaithersburg (technically Derwood), MD, 240-631-2210 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [City Paper | Don Rockwell | Gayot]

I don’t usually include the excellent Gaithersburg in this guide (just too far for me), but how many good Filipino places do we have? A Filipino reader says this is the best one around.

Cuban Corner Restaurant, web site, 825 Hungerford Drive, near Ivy League Lane, Rockville, MD, 301-279-0310, closed Sunday (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Three Guys From Miami | Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

The best Cuban place around, as far as I can tell. Excellent pork and sides. The following is the rule of thumb on Cuban restaurants. The rice and beans are bound to be worthwhile. To have a great meal all you then need do is latch on to one other satisfactory dish. And here that is very easy to do. First-rate atmosphere, and I love the list of all the prominent Cubans on the wall, and the anti-Castro political propaganda. Definitely recommended, and very good for people-watching as well.

Hard Times Cafe, web site, 1404 King Street, Alexandria, VA, 703-837-0050; 3028 Wilson Blvd., Clarendon, Arlington, VA, 703-528-2233; 1117 Nelson Street, Rockville, MD, 301-294-9720; 394 Elden Street, Herndon, VA, 703-318-8941; and others; usually open. (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

Chili up to five different ways, Texas and Cincinnati style, tasty and cheap. That being said, the tastes are blander than they used to be. Not up to the quality level in southern Ohio, but then again what is? Purists will never be happy here.

Green Field Churrascaria, web site, 1801 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD, 301-881-3397 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

This famous Queens churrascaria now has a branch in Maryland. The meats here are better than in the other Brazilian places of this area. That being said, the salad bar is a disappointment. Still worth the visit, however, especially if you don’t know the concept. And definitely construct your own feijoada from the salad bar (pile on the oranges and collard greens and farinha from the salad buffet).

Rinconcito Boliviano, Randolph Hill Center, 4824 Boiling Brook Parkway, Rockville, MD, 301-881-0332 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian |food-plan | Yelp]

NOW CLOSED. More mom and pop stuff. Live music on Sundays. You get to Boiling Brook by turning right on Nicholson, off of Wisconsin.

According to food-plan, this place is closed.

Urban Bar-B-Que, web site, 2007 Chapman Avenue, Rockville, MD, 240-290-4827 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | Don Rockwell | openlist | Gayot]

Mostly take-out, they only have ten tables, always a good sign. They plan to expand, which I take to be a bad sign. The French fries are excellent. The sauces were not exactly to my taste. In any case this is a significant sign of progress. One of the best barbecue places around.

El Patio, web site, 12303 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD, 301-231-9225 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | City Paper | openlist | Gayot]

Washingtonian magazine praises this place to the skies, but not a word in its favor is convincing. How can do really do this cuisine without first-rate beef, which no U.S. restaurant short of Morton’s is going to have?

Pho 75, 3103 Graham Road, Suite B, Falls Church, VA, 703-204-1490, go early to avoid the line (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | Don Rockwell | openlist | Citysearch | Gayot]

Other locations:

• 1721 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA, 703-525-7355
  
• 382 Elden Street, Herndon, VA, 703-471-4145
  
• 771 Hungerford Drive, Rockville, MD, 301-309-8873
  
• 1510 University Blvd. East, Hyattsville, MD, 301-434-7844
  

Do not fear tripe and the other nasty bits. Learn to eat for crunch and texture.

Bob's Noodle 66, 305 N. Washington St., Rockville, MD, 301-315-6668, usually open, cash only. (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | Gayot | City Paper | Don Rockwell]

Superb Chinese food, nor is it replicated by the other best Chinese places around. More Taiwanese than most local Chinese restaurants. The thick noodles are amazing. I loved the fish and the ginger casseroles. Get the oyster pancake as a starter. The last fish dish, lightly fried fish in a sweet and sour sauce, is a knock-out. Not to mention the tempura soft shell crab. Right now this is the best Chinese place around. I wouldn’t pretend that I have discovered the best dishes here yet, but you can’t go wrong, even if you don’t usually like duck blood.

Also see Bob's 88 Shabu Shabu

Update January 2007: This restaurant is now in slight decline.

Oyster Pancake

Seafood Combo Thick Noodle Soup


Ginger Chicken Casserole

The Best

Technorati Tags: restaurant reviews, Tyler Cowen's Ethnic Dining Guide, Tyler Cowen Ethnic Dining Guide, washington, dc, washington-dc