Contributor Review by Cheryl Kagan: YumBurgers

This Contributor Review is from Rockville Central friend, Cheryl Kagan, who recommends one of Rockville’s newest dining locations, YumBurgers in King Farm.

When one’s tastebuds are all primed for Russian blini, caviar, and goulash, it’s not the most pleasant surprise to find that the restaurant at King Farm has been replaced by a joint called “YumBurgers.” Lucky for us, the four of us decided to stay and enjoyed the discovery of an affordable new Rockville dining establishment.

I have a bias for locally owned restaurants and shops. In my opinion, they are more attuned to our community, more generous in their local giving, and more responsive to customers’ reactions. Michael Passas, a resident of Gaithersburg, bought this space with his wife when it came on the market in November. They’ve kept much of the experienced staff while transforming the menu and décor.

Addressing the menu first: it is in some ways, a straightforward burger joint, with hot dogs, burgers, and chicken with countless condiments and accompaniments. (Think Cheeburger, Cheeburger without the screaming kids and insane portions.) Michael is of Greek heritage, and his chef is Peruvian. There is a bar menu of options that reflect both.

While we were waiting for our food, we enjoyed a deliciously decadent appetizer called “Chester’s Sweet Tots.” The sweet potato nuggets were warm and tender insider the crispy exterior; the Buttermilk Garlic dressing and parmesan cheese made for a perfect complement!

The Greek-spiced lamb chops were completely delectable and very reasonably priced at approximately $12. The cole slaw that accompanied our dishes was tasty and without the mayonnaise gloppy texture I’ve sometimes found. We also enjoyed their chili, which was served (after they generously allowed us to sample it) in a large bowl over pasta. It was meaty with large chunks of tomato. It definitely had a bite but wasn’t overwhelmingly spicy. Lastly, the namesake of the place, their burgers, were delicious. I chose a customized “That’s My Burger” with my choice of cheese, 4 regular toppings, and 2 premium toppings. Although the kitchen accidentally left off the promised fries (which I didn’t need), I found the meal to be filling without the insane portions one finds at many restaurants. One can choose the burger with a bun or in a bowl; an extra dollar buys a second 5-ounce patty.

The owner was diligent in checking in to be sure we were satisfied. His eagerness for feedback makes it likely that the table service (fairly average) and kitchen will improve in the coming months. I’d recommend “YumBurgers” for a family with or without kids. It’s neither fancy nor fast food, but the friendly ambiance and tasty meals make it a new place worth patronizing soon!

Cheryl C. Kagan

YumBurgers Grill
800 Pleasant Dr, Suite 160
Rockville, MD 20850
(301) 355-4979
[email protected]
www.yumburgers.com
Hours:
Sunday thru Thursday: 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Friday and Saturday: 11:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Free Wi-Fi

This is a Contributor Review. We welcome submissions on all sorts of things — shopping, restaurants, performances, art, cultural events, and more. Rules: it should be in Rockville, and you should try to be nice. Get in touch with us, [email protected] if you would like to submit something!

Keep Warm By The Fire At These Rockville Restaurants

Lately, the cold really seems to be getting to me. January has hit a month early and we barely have temperatures above freezing. Where can we go to keep warm by the fire in Rockville? Here are the warm and friendly choices with open flames in the hearth.

Photo from Clydes website

#1 Clyde’s Tower Oak Lodge

My husband and I have enjoyed romantic dinners on winter evenings by the light of this fire. Tower Oaks is always crowded because of the atmosphere and fine food. Even though you are next to the 21-acre nature preserve on Wootton Parkway, you would swear you were in a wood lodge in the Adirondacks with massive stone fireplaces. Their classic American menu is centered around their purchases of meat, fish, and poultry direct from their native regions. From spring to autumn, Tower Oaks also buys produce from local farmers.

Photo from Spice Xing website

#2 Spice Xing

As Tom Sietsema said in his review in The Washington Post, “A diner can point pretty much anywhere on this menu and hit a winner …” In addition to the popular Indian fare, SpiceXing offers an assortment of dishes which have been influenced by other cultures and nationalities such as British, Portuguese, Chinese, Spanish and French. There really isn’t a bad choice on the menu and every single bite deliciously fills the senses.

Photo from Timpano website

#3 Timpano Chophouse and Martini Bar

Timpano Chophouse revives the big city dining experience with steaks & chops. The rich decor includes velvet draperies, large chandeliers, and white tablecloths. The Starlight Lounge provide comfortable sofa seating, a baby grand piano and the fireplace to go along with the cocktails.

Photo from Rolls 'n Rice website

Rolls ‘n Rice

This modern restaurant has a comfortable sleek feel while offering traditional Japanese and sushi dishes such as rolls and bento boxes, along with some Korean favorites. Here’s a review from Lunching In the DMV.

Photo from La Madeleine website

La Madeleine

La Madeleine is a country French café for light and casual meals in the cafeteria style. The cozy atmosphere is French-cottage inspired with fireplaces situated around the restaurant with lots of wood and beams.

Can you think of any more? Where else can I keep hot by the fire?

Contributor Review By Hena Khan: Like a Moth to a Flame: Matchbox opens in Rockville

Photo from Matchbox.

I am extremely pleased to welcome this Contributor Review from my friend, Hena Khan, a children’s book author who you may know from her wonderful work and local appearances. Thank you Hena!

When deciding where to entertain a pizza and burger-loving friend visiting from California for a great meal and hip atmosphere last Friday night, one place came instantly to mind: Matchbox. Although I’d been eagerly anticipating the opening of the popular DC restaurant’s new Rockville location in Congressional Plaza on December 11, our plans pre-dated the grand event by one day. So down to Chinatown we trekked in the bitter cold, to pay a visit to the original Matchbox that opened its doors in 2003.

Even though our group of four was hungry, I was met with skepticism when I declared that we must order at least nine—if not more—mini-burgers as a starter. But all doubts disappeared the moment our tower of burgers arrived: black angus beef cooked to a touch of pink, snuggled inside fresh brioche bread and topped with our choice of gorgonzola and gouda cheeses. Piled on top like a crown was a glorious heap of the crispiest and lightest onion strings you’ll ever taste, sprinkled with a dusting of parmesan cheese.

Sure enough, in a matter of minutes, we were negotiating who got the last burger and emphatically agreeing on one thing: Matchbox was a winner. And we hadn’t even gotten to the wood-fired brick oven pizzas yet.

Photo from Matchbox.

Ever since my husband first introduced me to Matchbox years ago, fanning a box of spicy meatball pizza under my nose as we waited in line for a concert at the Verizon Center, it’s been a family favorite (I had to endure the whines of my sons who heard that I dared go eat there without them). But as exciting as it was to learn that it would soon be so close to home, I was a little nervous that something might be lost in the new Rockville location, which took over a historically unsuccessful spot. I wondered if the atmosphere and experience would somehow be diminished by a suburban setting.

I had nothing to worry about. The expansive 10,000 foot building, which was rebuilt from the ground up, dwarfs the Matchbox in Chinatown and its other location in Capitol Hill. But the space retains Matchbox’s signature design elements and rustic charm, with walls made of old barn wood from New York and fireplaces crafted from reclaimed brick. The 67 tables inside were each handcrafted by one of the principal partners, Ty Neal, who painstakingly poured layers of resin to highlight the centerpiece of each table: a unique matchbox.

“Customers bring us matchboxes all the time, from all over the world,” Neal explains—a personal touch that adds to the charm of the restaurant.

The two-story space includes a mezzanine level, two patios for outdoor seating, as well as a spacious private room (with clever plans underway to host birthday parties for the kid-friendly plaza).

The Rockville menu is exactly the same as the DC locations. Apart from the trademark mini-burgers, the signature wood-fired pizzas include ‘spicy meatball’ and ‘fire and smoke’ for those who like it hot, traditional favorites like ‘four cheese’ and ‘white pizza,’ and a variety of other choices boasting gourmet toppings like coppa Italian ham and arugula, wild mushrooms, grilled marinated chicken, and more (or build your own). With its crispy, blistered thin crust, the pizza is sure to please. But if you fancy something else, the menu features delicious salads, sandwiches to satisfy the most discerning foodie, and a host of creative entrees to choose from (like succulent braised beef short ribs served with garlic mashed potatoes and bacon-gorgonzola brussel sprouts in a red wine reduction). Plus, every day, long time Rockville resident Executive Chef Jonny Mac serves up original creations for lunch and dinner.

It’s really challenging to save room for dessert, but if you can swing it, it’s absolutely worth the extra calories. My favorite is the warm chocolate chip bread pudding, served with banana, rum caramel, and whipped cream—yum.

And how does the food in Rockville match up to the original? Perfectly. Plus, the fact that I didn’t have to drive downtown, circle around city streets searching for parking, wait for a table (at least, not yet!), or suffer a long bathroom line for a single stall might have allowed me to enjoy my meal even more than in the district. Now I can take comfort in knowing that my favorite grown-up comfort food, in all its glory, is just around the corner. All I need is an errand that takes me to, say, the Container Store. Don’t I need some new closet organizers?

Hena Khan

Hena Khan is a Rockville native, communications consultant and children’s book author (Night of the Moon: A Muslim Holiday Story, Chronicle 2008). She enjoys sharing her stories and talking about writing with local audiences and schools, and can be reached at [email protected].

This is a Contributor Review. We welcome submissions on all sorts of things — shopping, restaurants, performances, art, cultural events, and more. Rules: it should be in Rockville, and you should try to be nice. Get in touch with us, [email protected], if you would like to submit something!

Four New Eateries Under Construction

Silver Diner

Signs announce the opening of the brand new Silver Diner in Federal Plaza on Tuesday, November 2nd. This long-time political meeting place for Montgomery County is relocating from Mid-Pike Plaza after spending $3.5 million to build the new restaurant. The rotating clock tower sit 30 feet high on top of the stainless steel retro building.

When you hear “diner” you might think greasy but the Silver Diner philosophy is all about healthy meals with produce, eggs, and milk from local farms in an effort to support sustainable agriculture. The menu includes many 600 calorie entrees so there’s always a non-fattening choice. The coffee’s from Greenberry’s in Charlottesville, VA.

The Mid Pike Plaza location opened in 1989. As one of the busiest restaurants in the country, the Diner has been a mainstay of the community and the backdrop for many fond memories. On the Diner’s Facebook page they’ve been giving away a replica tabletop jukebox (which plays MP3s and CDs) each week to a random winner chosen after they shareda short story, picture, or video of why they love the old Rockville Silver Diner.

The new Diner is expected to combine the best of the 1950′s decor including tabletop Seeburg Jukeboxes with modern features such as free Wi-Fi. As a Jersey diner girl, I’ll meet you at the Silver Diner next month!

Matchbox

In the midst of building from the ground up, Matchbox has been rising in the parking lot of Congressional Plaza South. With locations on H Street and Capitol Hill, Matchbox is expanding to Rockville.

Matchbox boasts wood-fired 800 degree masonry ovens to create unparalleled crispy pizza crusts. The bistro offers fancier steaks, scallops, and grilled salmon.

A very strong green initiative forms the basis of their business. They strive to reduce disposable paper and plastic products, use recycled paper, and replace petroleum based products with biodegradable non-petrol based items, while also reducing energy and water consumption whenever possible. The buildings are healthy for people and they donate to organizations in an effort to reduce the carbon footprint of the wood-burning ovens.

Voted Best New Restaurant in 2004 by the Restaurant Association, we have to hope the Rockville location receives the same accolades. I can’t wait to experience the finished eco-friendly restaurant.

Woodside Deli
Twenty years ago when we lived in Silver Spring, the Woodside Deli was our regular Sunday brunch stop. When we moved to Rockville, we were glad they followed us and opened a location near Congressional but it didn’t have the same vintage feel and it didn’t make it. When I saw the sign announcing another new location in the mall at 12 North Washington Street, I couldn’t help by take note.

The Deli will be specializing in catering for any occasion from small gatherings to large corporate affairs. With over 45 years of experience, they know how to serve a great spread for anything from a picnic to a Bar Mitzvah to a meeting to Thanksgiving. We’ll have to see what delicious options they’ll have for us when they open around Thanksgiving at the beginning of December.

Subway

Throughout the years, there have been many different shops in the end unit at 12 North Washington Street. To me, Subway will be a welcome addition because the company provides all the nutritional information for each sandwich. I know exactly how many calories I’m ordering and can eat an entire large sub without worrying about it. Although I didn’t eat Subway exclusively when losing my 50 lbs., I could always count on a filling lunch when I did. The hardest part is making the fresh-baked bread and vegetable choices. This will be my “go-to” quick lunch destination.

Contributor Review by Janet Wilson: Jackie’s Wine Club

Off the beaten path of Rockville’s Town Square proper is an obscure gem of a meeting place, Jackie’s Wine Club. Located at 12 North Washington Street in the storefront that was Temptations Ice Cream Shop in a previous life, Jackie’s is a welcome addition to the neighborhood with incredibly affordable prices.

Jackie’s features “a distinct selection of wines from Argentina, Chile, France Italy and Spain” according to their menu, along with a tapas menu with options that hail from the same countries. You can purchase wine to go and by design, their pricing is more like a retail store than a wine bar. But why not stay and enjoy the minimalist, contemporary atmosphere where you can listen to music, catch a football or soccer game on the flat screen tv or just people watch.

In recent weeks, we’ve enjoyed a full body 2007 Cantele Primitivo from Italy for $21 a bottle, a medium body 2009 Santa Julia Pinot Noir from Argentina for $16 a bottle and tasted a fantastic Aqua de Piedra Malbec, also from Argentina, that sells for $15 a bottle. Where else other than home can you sip this quality of wine for the equivalent of $4 a glass.? Leftovers? No worries; Maryland State Law allows you to take the remainder home.

With a broad selection of tapas, you can pair that wine with a snack or make an entire meal. In addition to the cheese plate where you choose the number and types of cheeses, there are empanadas from Argentina ($3.95); pizzetas from Italy with your choice of white or red sauce ($7.50); Spanish tapas that include the homey & satisfying tortilla de patata (egg and potato pie $3.95), colossal shrimp sautéed in garlic ($7.95) and chorizo sausage ($3.95). Other options range from ceviche ($5.59) to Pate de Campagne ($5.00) to the ham and cheese sandwich traditional to Argentina (get it lightly toasted $4.00).

With the unfortunate demise of Bobby’s Crabcakes, we’re doubly committed to patronize the local restaurants especially the small, independently-owned options such as Jackie’s Wine Club.

Janet Wilson

This is a contributor review. We welcome submissions on all sorts of things — shopping, restaurants, performances, art, cultural events, and more. Rules: it should be in Rockville, and you should try to be nice. Get in touch with us, [email protected], if you would like to submit something!

Join Us For Dinner And Support Rockville Restaurant Week

A last minute reminder to join us for the first Rockville Roundtable dinner. We will be meeting on Thursday, October 7, at 7:00 pm at La Tasca in Town Square. “Spain is closer than you think!”

La Tasca is one of the participating restaurants in Rockville Restaurant Week, which is going on this week until Sunday, October 10th. Participating restaurants all have fixed-price deals for both lunch (if they serve it) and dinner. All the details are here. And here’s a list of all participating restaurants.

La Tasca’s special for Restaurant Week is unlimited tapas for $25 at lunch and dinner (There’s also a two tapas lunch special for $10). The unlimited tapas must be chosen from a special menu by the whole table, so that’s what we are going to do! The menu includes Starters, Salads, and Seafood/Vegetable/Meat Tapas.

As Brad explained:

In case you are wondering what this Rockville Roundtable thing is, we don’t blame you. It’s simple. It’s just a basic get-together. We all meet up at a different restaurant each month, usually on a different day too (to maximize the number of people who can attend.) No speeches. No agenda. Nothing fancy. We get separate checks. It’s been going on for a couple of years now, and we have a hoot.

No rsvp necessary, but if you drop us a note at [email protected] to let us know you will be there it makes our life slightly easier. However, do NOT let not rsvp’ing stop you from coming, if you happen to get the notion Thursday night. Just show up!

We hope you can make it!

Gold Star Muffins Arrive In Rockville!

A couple of years ago, I would meet my friend, Laura Levengard, for a weekly fast-paced walk. We had met in a sports class for our sons when they were toddlers. Always full of energy and ideas, she had become a personal trainer. One day she told me she wanted to sell muffins. Not just any muffins but rather unique, healthy ones that would be high in protein and low in calories. The kind of muffins someone would want to buy at a gym for all the right reasons.

I’ve had the great pleasure of watching Laura make the muffins a reality and now they are finally available in Rockville at Rich’s Café, which turns out to be a very special place too. Rich’s Café has been at 1 Church Street #105 across from the Rockville metro for two years. Previously it was located on North Washington Street for ten years.

Michelle and Tom Joo named the Café after their son and they live in King Farm. As customers came in for lunch, I couldn’t help but notice how they knew most of their names and even noticed new hairstyles. This is a friendly establishment serving breakfast and lunch from 7 AM until 4 PM. Located in the corner of the office building facing out to Rt. 355, the Café is an easy hop across the metro parking lot to grab a quick brown bag meal. Outside seating makes a nice meeting place during good weather.

Rich’s Café has all the typical sandwiches plus a vegetarian option, turkey brie, and triple subs. The grill cooks up eggs, omelets, pancakes, fried potatoes, and cheese steaks along with Korean Boolgoki which is marinated beef and vegetables. They also cater breakfasts with their selection of bagels and danishes and can be reached at 301-738-9650.

Of course, they carry Laura’s Gold Star Muffins front and center on the counter and they are selling well ($2.39 each).

Laura teamed up with partner, Beth Novick, to create Gold Star Bakers. The muffins are actually star-shaped and will “satisfy your urge to indulge” while being Tran’s fat free and made from natural ingredients.

They set out to create “a great muffin that wasn’t a health food (where’s the fun in that?) or a nutritional disaster (and feel guilty the rest of the day? No thanks).”

I’ve finally tried them all and I agree! They come in Cinnamon Coffecake, Strawberry Cinnamon, Cappuccino Chip, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Chocolate Chocolate Chip, and Lemon Blueberry. With the high protein count, each muffin is filling and I do not need to put in extra time at the gym. The flavors are refined and better than baked goods typically labeled as healthy.

Gold Star Muffins are perfect for events when you want a tasty but healthy treat. You can also freeze them.

Laura grew up here in Rockville and graduated from Rockville High School. Although her muffins are sold throughout Montgomery County, she’s thrilled to finally make them available in her hometown. I, for one, am glad to be able to walk over and enjoy one (or two!) with my coffee.

La Tasca’s Unlimited In September

Every day from September 1 – 30, 2010, La Tasca Spanish Restaurant and Bar in Rockville Town Square is offering Unlimited Tapas:

$20 per person for lunch from 11:30 AM – 4 PM
$30 per person for dinner from 4 PM – closing

The menu includes 25 of their most popular and signature dishes, including vegetarian, meat, and seafood choices. The price is all-you-can-eat.

Since we were looking for a location for a Rockville Central dinner gathering, I decided to find out how much I actually could eat with friend, Annie Bolduc, who was enjoying a short staycation in Rockville. We tasted 13 tapas together and recommend several. We only made it through half the menu, so if you have some favorites to add, please let us know in comments.

• Empanadas de Carne is filled with minced beef with green pepper with a spicy, hot pepper sauce for an added kick.
• Esparagus Verdes is a burst of freshness which isn’t anything special until you squeeze the grilled lemon on top creating a different, full-bodied taste with the sea salt.
• Mejillones are messy mussels in a red marinara sauce made with slices of good, fresh vegetables. If you like to slurp, this sauce was delicious and we wished it could be added to other dishes.
• Salmon a la Piancha was perfectly cooked salmon in a green spinach sauce but the deep-fried mussels made it special. Since there were only a few, we savored the fried taste guilt-free.
• Patatas Bravas are fried potatoes which combine spicy with creamy. The red sauce gives some surprise heat.
• Ensalada Tomate are green, yellow and red tomatoes so fresh and crunchy you are immediately in the garden on a summer day. Although you could taste the herbs, the honey wasn’t recognizable in the vinaigrette.

If you are a vegetarian, there are enough dishes to keep you satisfied.

From our meal, we don’t recommend a couple of dishes. The shrimp in the Gambas Ajillo were chewy and even eating cloves of garlic with them didn’t make up for it. The pork in the Solomillo de Cerdo was on the hard side and overcooked.

A few other dishes were likable and certainly satisfying.

• The raisins and pine nuts mixed with spinach in the Espinacas Salteadas added subtle flavor.
• The lovely cabbage was the best part of the Brocheta de Pollo chicken and red pepper on a skewer.
• The Datiles with a bacon wrap and blue cheese was for someone who wants something different but definitely loves blue cheese.
• The Chorizo a la Parilla tastes like pepperoni or a dry salami stick.
• The seafood in the Paella Verduras were all smooth but mostly it was a rice dish.

At La Tasca the service is friendly. The restaurant is often packed and people truly enjoy the atmosphere by the fountain for the outdoor seating. La Tasca’s inviting interior with wood, color and fabric feels like you’re visiting a friend. With an extensive drink menu, people certainly enjoy the spirits. Since it opened, the restaurant has been a meeting place on the Square, a chance to visit Spain in Rockville.

Contributor Review By Chas Hausheer: Just Two Persons’ Opinion About Againn Tavern

Photo from Againn Tavern website

Chas Hausheer visited the new Againn Tavern with his wife, Sheila Sweeney, and sent along a Contributor’s Review. Againn has a popular location in Washington, DC and describes itself as a contemporary British Isles Bistro with extensive single-malt Scotch, whiskey, and beer selections. Againn is pronounced “a-g-uin” from the gaelic “at us” or “with us”.

Againn Tavern has moved into and opened up in the former Houstons property on The Pike. Being big fans of the previous occupant, curiosity tinged with high expectations - oh and hunger - drew the wife and me to try them out for a recent Saturday lunch.

For those who were familiar with Houstons the first thing you will become aware of is that the décor has been changed a bit; brighter lighting and a bit more of an open feel are the first things you will notice. Shutters have been removed from the floor to ceiling windows in the front dining area and the fully functional open flame gas sconces have been relegated to the bar only. I saw nothing different in there but I did notice later that their web site offers rental of personal scotch lockers. I’m betting they smell a whole lot better than my gym locker.

Price wise, they are definitely as upscale as Houstons if not a little more so but with a brand new menu. They call it comfort food with a strong organic bent and stress locally produced produce. Good for our local growers and green in every sense the word is used today. Again for Houstons’ fans there is still a spinach and artichoke dip. It is on our “to do list” for our next visit.

We enjoyed a very fine lunch and dessert with top notch service. Granted they were not very busy at the time but our drinks were refreshed without prompting – a sign that your wait person is not forgetting you and just what I like.

We both had the day’s specials – me a delightful chicken sandwich on a cibatta roll. The wife had a poached tuna sandwich garnished with hardboiled egg slices and some kind of mayonnaise mix. Both came with small salads of mixed field greens. She also had a side of a delicious cold tomato and basil soup. The table bread was tasty and hearty; may have been some kind of multi grain. Our portions were generous and though neither of us has a refined palate (although she reads Bon Appétit) we found ourselves doing the full mouth smile and nod at each other with our first tastes. For dessert we shared what is called Eton Mess. It was lemon curd, berries and some small pieces of meringue. As yummy as it was the being served in a canning type jar, albeit it quaint did make getting the last little sweet morsel a bit difficult. Not to fear we did mange though; ‘will and way’ you know.

We had a very genial chat with the general manager Marciel Vizcarra. She is attempting to adjust things to the more family centered Rockville clientele. Towards this end a limited children’s menu has been added along with some kiddy distracting place mat games and crayons. I did get a kick that the coloring page for the children we saw is Magritte’s “The Son of Man”.

Being from a family that tends to dine in a larger troupe one new wrinkle is bound to please similar groups, that is, Againn does take reservations. As much as we loved Houstons I feel we will most definitely return again to Againn.

Their web site is AgainnTavern.com and they are open for lunch and dinner seven days a week from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Note they do plan to open for brunch in the near future. The full address is 12256 Rockville Pike and their phone number is 301-230-9260.

This is a contributor review. We welcome submissions on all sorts of things — shopping, restaurants, performances, art, cultural events, and more. Rules: it should be in Rockville, and you should try to be nice. Get in touch with us, [email protected], if you would like to submit something!

Lunching In The DMV: Lighthouse Tofu

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Photo by Dskco

Last week Dskco hit the Korean Restaurant on Twinbrook Parkway, Lighthouse Tofu, and found a short but surprisingly different and tasty menu.

Her review on Lunching in the DMV starts:

Last night I met up with two friends for some Korean food. I suggested eating at Lighthouse Tofu because one of my awesome readers (Sup Mark!) reminded me this place existed. I used to work right around there and always thought they only served Soon Dubu Jigae (Spicy Tofu Stew), so I never went. They restaurant has their own private lot with the closest metro being Twinbrook on the red line.

The stew was so hot she took a video of it bubbling. They serve rice with tea which you eat/drink after the rice softens and Dskco says the combination is “addicting”. She recommends the the Kim Chi Pancake and enjoyed the traditional outfits (han bok) on the servers.

Lunching in the DMV is a local Rockville blog reviewing restaurants throughout the metro DC area. Whenever she writes about a restaurant in Rockville, we post a link to her article. She stops by all those places you wonder about to let you know whether you should. We’re happy to share her experiences with our readers.

Lunching in the DMV: Bubble Tea Cafe

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Photo by Dskco

The days are warming up, sending us in search for the perfect refreshing drink. In her search to find a new favorite glass of bubble tea, Dskco went to the Bubble Tea Cafe on Rollins Avenue (where Twinbrook Parkway turns into Rollins). She was pretty happy with the results and plans on going back.

The other week the bf and I craved a refreshing drink, so before grocery shopping we stopped by Bubble Tea Cafe in Rockville. I was looking for a cafe to replace my beloved Bubble Mix (out of business) which I used to frequent 3 times a week in College Park years ago. This place is like a grown up version of that place. Parking is located on the sides and behind the building. The closest metro stop is Twinbrook on the red line.

Sometimes I’m in the mood for bubble tea and I didn’t know this shop was tucked away in Rockville. Although a couple of others are closer to home, this could be a cozy, out-of-the-way place to take a break. Plus I always found the bubbles to be chewy and apparently, they don’t have to be!

A recent New York Times article on food blogging puts New Jersey (my beloved home state) at the forefront of local people snapping pictures of restaurants for a multitude of blogs. Restaurant owners have become completely accustomed to patrons posting the pictures everywhere. I couldn’t help but think of our Dskco! Her pictures provide a perfect sense of place for all of her restaurant excursions.

Lunching in the DMV is a local Rockville blog reviewing restaurants throughout the metro DC area. Whenever she writes about a restaurant in Rockville, we post a link to her article. She stops by all those places you wonder about to let you know whether you should. We’re happy to share her experiences with our readers.

First Watch Daytime Cafe Reviewed: Yum

I was delighted to see >this recent review of one of my favorite all-time breakfast spots, First Watch Daytime Cafe in Rockville Town Square. I have spent many a pleasant moment in First Watch, not only eating their fabulous food but also holding court in meeting after meeting. If you’re looking for somewhere to go in the day, First Watch is a great bet.

This from the review:

Everyone is always on the lookout for a great brunch and breakfast joint. In the Washington D.C. metro area, one place you’ll want to pay a visit to is the FirstWatch Daytime Café, located in Rockville, Maryland.

Perhaps the only problem with the FirstWatch Daytime Café in Rockville for brunch or breakfast is that there are so many awesome looking menu items that you may have a hard time narrowing down your choices. Some are innovative like their specialty Crepeggs, which offer a thin crepe combined with whipped eggs. Others are more traditional and you’ll find classic breakfast and brunch fare as well.

Read the full review here.

100 Gibbs St., Unit D
Rockville, MD 20850
301-762-0621

Lunching In The DMV: Sushi Damo

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Photo by Dskco

In her latest review on Lunching in the DMV, Dskco was out to celebrate her birthday, which meant a visit to both Susahi Damo (for dinner) and Gordon Biersch (for dessert).

I had a great birthday weekend a few weeks ago. On New Years Day, the bf took me to Rockville Town Square for dinner at Sushi Damo, dessert at Gordon Biersh and Regal to watch Avatar in 3D (go see it if you haven’t yet!).

Sushi Damo is the bf’s favorite sushi place. Located in Rockville Town Square, there’s paid parking, meter and free parking all over the place. We parked at the theater for $1 since we were going to see a movie anyway. The closest metro stop would be Rockville on the red line.

As always, Dskco entices with her photos taking you right along for the discoveries. Read to find out about Green Tea Tiramisu and her birthday good time.

Lunching in the DMV is a local Rockville blog reviewing restaurants throughout the metro DC area. Whenever, she writes about a restaurant in Rockville, we post a link to her article. She stops by all those places you wonder about to let you know whether you should. We’re happy to share her experiences with our readers.

Max van Balgooy: Three Top Washingtonian Restaurants In Rockville

>Rockville Central friend Max van Balgooy, whose “Max For Rockville” blog is increasingly required reading, has a nice spotlight today on three Rockville restaurants that made the Washingtonian’s “top 100″ list: Cava, Spice Xing, and Addie’s.

His piece begins:

The January 2010 issue of Washingtonian magazine lists a couple restaurants in Rockville among the “100 Very Best” in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. They are part of an exclusive club that includes Komi (#1), the Inn at Little Washington (#11), and 2 Amys (#28). We’re delighted that the restaurants in Rockville are being recognized and that a few of them are meeting an extraordinarily high standard for quality.

Thanks for this, Max!

Lunching in the DMV: Carmen's

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I know it’s COLD outside and you may not be thinking about a frozen treat, but Dskco stopped over to my family’s favorite destination, Carmen’s Italian Ice and wrote up a review for her Lunching in the DMV blog.

Last month my friends and I wanted something sweet and decided to go to Carmen’s. They are known for their Italian ice, custard, and gelatis. Located in Rockville off I-270, exit 6A, there is plenty of parking in the front lot. The closest metro stop would be Rockville on the red line.

Take a read. She decided it’s affordablew and way better than Rita’s!

Lunching in the DMV is a local Rockville blog reviewing restaurants throughout the metro DC area. Whenever, she writes about a restaurant in Rockville, we post a link to her article. She stops by all those places you wonder about to let you know whether you should. We’re happy to share her experiences with our readers.