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Russian blini, caviar, and goulash, it’s not the most pleasant surprise to find that the restaurant at King Farm has been replaced by a joint called “YumBurgers.”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!

Roller Derby Jams In Rockville [Updated]

The Jammer has a star on her helmet. Photo by Cindy Cotte Griffiths.

If you’ve seen the 2009 movie Whip It (the directorial debut of Drew Barrymore staring the ever intriguing Ellen Page), you know all about roller derby bouts. What you might not know is that Rockville has its own roller girls.

In November 2009 Keightasorass Rex formed Free State Roller Derby (FSRD) using her father’s Fast Pitch location in Rockville as a practice facility. Since then she’s left to work with the Park Service, but the team jams on. Update: she will be returning to scrimmage in December.

In case you’re wondering about this founder, derby skaters have alter-ego names and FSRD is no exception with Brusie Q, CINder BLOCK, Crum N’ Punishment, Evil Stitch, Melony Conviction, Psyche Drama, Scarlet Cleaver, Ta Ra Boom D A, Tawna Brixx, Tiffany Twisted, and Unablonder, Only a killer sport requires such epic handles.

Jammers start at the back. Photo by Cindy Cotte Griffiths.

Free State Roller Derby practices every Wednesday and Sunday on quad skates with sturdy knee pads. During a roller derby bout, a team tries to make it difficult for one skater from the other team (“the jammer”) to advance through the pack of skaters (“the blockers”) led by a “pivot” who sets the speed. The jammers from both teams score points for passing members of the opposing team. Since teams skate in a pack while the two jammers dodge and glide through the crowd at the same time, the sport involves extensive strategy by the inside, outside, and power blockers.

Jammers moving through the blockers. Photo by Cindy Cotte Griffiths.

A definite camaraderie has grown among the skaters who range from 20 to 50 years old. This spread in years proves age and experience don’t matter when you’re having fun. B-Knock-Ya is about to become a grandmother. Most haven’t skated since they were young girls. Some never skated in their lives before lacing on a pair to join Free State.

Mothra Stewart found the time to join and is glad she did:

I spent a long time thinking about doing derby and not doing anything about it. A friend of mine joined a drumming group called Batala which requires a lot of practice time and physical effort. I thought, “Well, if she can find the time for that then I can find time for derby.” Derby is amazingly fun and unlike anything else I’ve ever done. I feel like an athlete and part of a community. I only wish I had started playing earlier.

Co-Captain Slaughter Lily is also new to the sport without any experience skating:

I actually got started after watching Whip It five times and finally saying to myself that I have got to do that, no matter what it takes. I had no skating experience of any kind when I started, unless you count one miserable night in college of wobbling around an ice rink. I literally was unable to skate — I had to be held up to stay vertical for my first month of practices. It’s really hard to start from zero as an adult, and not a particularly athletic one, either. I’m still one of our weakest skaters, but I have made so much progress in the year I’ve been doing this and I’m pretty proud of myself. It’s the hardest I’ve ever worked in my life.

I think I was elected as a co-captain because, though I am not a good skater yet(!), I have a single-minded obsession with derby. I really appreciate that people saw me as a person who’d commit the time and effort to keep the team thriving, and I hope that I’ve been living up to those expectations. And I could never have come this far without my teammates, who are all incredibly supportive and just great people. I feel really, really lucky to be a part of this team.

Jammer sizes up the situation. Photo by Cindy Cotte Griffiths.

Although Co-Captain Trips Ahoy was never on a roller derby team either before joining FSRD, she leads practice with the help of solid online resources and a committed roller derby community which is extremely supportive and encouraging to newcomers. Guest coaches, especially advanced skaters who have retired, stop by to teach others about the sport they love. Former FSRD member, Crowella De Vil, a very talented jammer who was chosen to join the Baltimore Charm City Roller Girls, also brings it back to coach her friends.

Besides Charm City, our area is home to several DC teams including the DC Rollergirls whose motto is “With Liberty And Justice To Brawl”. These teams compete as part of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (Real. Strong. Athletic. Revolutionary.)

Although the roller derby scene has been described as “aggression on wheels”, FSRD concentrates on communication and strategy by leaning and blocking, although they do sometimes practice hip checking. After each scrimmage the group discusses what worked and what didn’t.

How'd we do? Photo by Cindy Cotte Griffiths

When asked about the aggressive reputation of roller derby, Slaughter Lily provided an overview of the current roller derby world:

Although we are just a small start-up league and not a member of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), we do play by their rules, as do most flat track leagues. Using elbows and hands is strictly prohibited — if you elbow someone, even accidentally, you will get called for a minor penalty; if you do it hard enough to affect their game play, that’s a major and you’re in the box for a minute. Tripping, kicking, and any blocking to or using the head are also not allowed. Punching will get you tossed from the game, no questions. There are several pages of rules detailing how to hit legally. The idea with the 2000s revival of roller derby is to combine a full-contact, fairly aggressive spectacle with real athleticism and camaraderie. I’ve heard that there are some teams in the West (where the sport was reborn) that still play derby the way it used to be on TV in the 1980s — brawling on the track and all — but that is definitely not what the vast majority of leagues are doing. As for Free State, we’re still learning a lot about how to play this sport, including the contact aspect of it and how to, say, control where our elbows go, but we are definitely interested in playing fair, playing safe, and playing hard.

The action comes from behind so communication is key. Photo by Cindy Cotte Griffiths.

For those who want to try recreational roller derby, Free State welcomes new skaters. Don’t worry, the first lessons include two extremely important skills (1.) how to stop and (2.) how to fall down. After the basics are out of the way, the fun is learning about this all-female, up-and-coming sport. Plus, they’ve found the training to be great exercise.

If you want to try the roller derby scene, e-mail Free State for the details: [email protected] or check out their Facebook page. All you need is a desire to learn and a pair of skates. Dues are minimal and not necessary until you’re really sure you want to commit and have bought your first pair of rad skates.

Big Crowd And Countdown At The Rockville Town Center Tree Lighting

Photo by Cindy Cotte Griffiths

Last night Rockville Town Square filled with people and holiday cheer as the tree was illuminated during a festive ceremony. I overheard one person say he “didn’t know there were this many kids in Rockville.” With Santa and Mrs. Claus, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, and Frosty the Snowman visiting, families turned out in droves on the cold, clear evening.

Photo by Cindy Cotte Griffiths

The crowd joined together for a robust countdown before the big switch was flipped by a resident of the Housing Opportunities Commission, Samantha Clark, along with her kids andNBC 4′s Lindsay Czarniak. A canon shot confetti and streamers into the air which floated down over the crowd for a couple of minutes. Take a quick look if you missed it:

Decked out in red hats, the Walter Johnson High School Choir sang before, during, and after the ceremony. After arriving in a horse drawn carriage, Santa had some advice about being good, “What’s important is that you try hard.” Families did try to do good by making toy and gift donations for the residents of HOC’s programs. They were rewarded with a horse and carriage rides on the streets around the square.

Photo by Cindy Cotte Griffiths

Sue Richards also performed in The Waygoose, where a warm, light-filled shop was the perfect stop for some holiday gift buying. The Town Center garages, shops, and restaurants were all bustling. Rockville’s off to a wonderful start to this holiday season.

Photo of Sue Richards by Cindy Cotte Griffiths

Contributor Review by Brittany Sullivan: The Happy Elf

Photo from Montgomery College

Harry Connick Jr. visited Rockville on Saturday and was interviewed by Montgomery College student Brittany Sullivan, one of the writers for My Life At MC, an uncensored and unedited blog by nine students who write about their experiences both inside and outside the classroom.

On Saturday, November 13, 2010, Harry Connick Jr. made a star-studded appearance to Montgomery College to help promote his new children’s musical, The Happy Elf. Montgomery College and Adventure Theatre teamed up together to present a new, live stage production that told the story of Eubie, a North Pole elf who must bring Christmas joy to the sad little town of Bluesville to ultimately win a coveted spot on Santa’s sleigh team. Other big names in the industry helped to make this production possible including Tony Award-winners John Rando and Michael Rupert.

Harry Connick Jr. explained “this is a really exciting project, and it is my first time writing children’s music; however, it is still a work in progress.” The Happy Elf originated as a song, and later adapted into an animated TV special. Connick adds: “The stage version gets more deep into the character than the TV special. The show has a deeper meaning, it’s thicker.”

This was Connick’s first time to Montgomery College but he was “thrilled about The Happy Elf coming here,” citing Dr. Pollard’s ambition and the healthy campus environment.

This will be The Happy Elf’s last workshop before it attempts Broadway in New York. Each workshop allows for the cast to make their own interpretation of the script. “This will be the second innovation of writing the script,” explained Connick, “but that’s the great thing about theater; that’s how it works.”

When asked which character most resembled him, he chose the main happy elf, Eubie. “I am very impulsive and enthusiastic,” stated Connick, “but sometimes I can have a short attention span. However, I think there is a little Eubie in all of us.”

This hour and fifteen minute production had both its pros and cons. The vocals by Clint Johnson and Elliot Dash were spectacular, and had the smooth richness required to conquer the jazz melodies. Also, the set and lighting helped capture the audience and bring them into Santa’s workshop and the town of Bluesville. However, there were small glitches in the sound department, and the vocals by Valerie Issembert and Nova Y. Payton were pitchy at times. For a play that was filled with so much talent I felt that it compared to the typical Montgomery College production. The songs were not extremely catchy, and when asked to perform one of his songs he wrote for the play, Connick had trouble remembering the lyrics and required assistance from Clint Johnson.

The Happy Elf is a production that is sure to amuse children, but if it wishes to perform on Broadway there is much room for improvement. It will continue to play at Montgomery College at the Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center through November 28, 2010. For more information you can visit www.montgomerycollege.edu or www.adventuretheatre.org.

Brittany Sullivan

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!

Art Thrives With New Galleries And Exhibits At VisArts

Glass Box Gallery Photo by Cindy Cotte Griffiths

What if it’s 3 o’clock in the morning and you want to visit a gallery exhibition in Rockville? You can!

Last week VisArts opened three new spaces including the Glass Box Gallery, located in the window of the VisArts TOO shop facing Gibbs Street. Visitors can peer at the large screen 24 hours a day and experience a silent video production. Although VisArts always presents a cosmopolitan vibe, this never-ending tech exhibit brings a very urban feel down to the street. The current exhibit, Mascara, focuses on one eye as makeup is rubbed away. We couldn’t help but watch more than one loop while trying to understand the circumstances.

Photo by Cindy Cotte Griffiths

Every month the new Spotlight Gallery will display the work of a different Montgomery County Public School Art Teacher. VisArts carved this special gallery out of the space in the back of the VisArts TOO shop. The Spotlight provides a wonderful opportunity for teachers to share their work and encourage the pursuit of art. This incredibly public space provides an opportunity for all of us to view and purchase artwork from these educators, but in particular it provides a rare opportunity for students to appreciate the display and sale of art by someone they know. The first exhibit features Angela White’s oils on canvas and cigar boxes in a series entitled Sea Over Land. Described as “Inspiration beyond the classroom”, the monthly shows will inevitably inspire us all.

Family Gallery by Cindy Cotte Griffiths

The second floor family studio has moved down the hall which opened up its former space to some fresh possibilities as an exhibit area called the Portfolio Gallery. To celebrate the opening, Mariah Anne Johnson created a site-responsive installation using the colors of the room and inspiration from the season. The use of fabric in her artwork began almost by accident after she continually combed through thrift stores purchasing fabrics with diverse patterns. Instead of cutting the fabric, the folds and combinations became whole in her projects. With a background as a painter, Mariah uses fabric to replicate the layering which occurs in the painting process to create abstract art designs. Her delightful personality shines through every piece.

Mariah Anne Johnson Photo by Cindy Cotte Griffiths

“As you look around the room, there is just one story after another about both the people and the photographs,” explained the Carl D Brandt about the Best of the Silver Spring Camera Club exhibit presented by the Washington School of Photography in the main Kaplan Gallery. He trusted us with his tender story and enthralling photography descriptions. When he met his wife in a photography club in 1963, he asked her to marry him six weeks later. Together they shared a lifetime of photography until her passing unexpectedly during surgery last year. The exhibit includes some of Carl’s best photographs from across all the years. While catching Lightening in 1950, he ran the risk of being electrocuted. Meanwhile his Chinese Dragon displays the performers in bright sunlight in DC with the background digitally pasted out to black for an amazing contrast.

Carl D Brandt Photo by Cindy Cotte Griffiths

This exhibit includes vibrantly uplifting colors, captured expressions, and nature’s moments. Douglas Walters’ close ups of morning lotus and dancing leaves transform these natural objects into flowing objects reminiscent of imaginary playgrounds. Carolina Simon’s close ups bring you to the surface of another planet, especially with Spiny Menace. Twilight Pleated Wave also embraces roller coaster movement and waves. Although their close-ups masterfully elevate objects to artwork, many of the photographs from the DC area also bring a different perspective to everyday places. If you have any interest in photography, this exhibit is for you.

VisArts TOO Shop Photo by Cindy Cotte Griffiths

All of the VisArt galleries bring innovation and community alive. Now there are even more reasons to go down to the end of Gibbs Street. Remember the VisArts TOO Shop for your holiday shopping, including animal ornaments.

VisArts at Rockville directions and hours are available here.

Music Review: Billy Coulter’s Live Verve

Photo from Billy Coulter

“I loved live albums growing up because of the excitement and exhilaration,” shared Billy Coulter during my interview. With the release of his new CD, Trace, he now has one of his own. His band recorded the entire album in one session last May with Goose Creek Entertainment where producer, Mike Pugh, and managing partner, Stuart Martin, specialize in live CD/DVD projects.

Fans have been calling out the names of the songs during his recent shows. Billy credits this enthusiasm to the album’s lighthearted and positive tone:

My first album was deep emotional thinking and feeling but these are a lot of fun and really positive songs. We’re getting great feedback.

Billy credits the quality of the album to the fine musicians playing with him rather than “studio magic”. The CD is a testament to his band and “what they sound like for real”. Although they were nervous to record and also videotape the session, they had a terrific time that night. Their spirit and enthusiasm shined through while playing their road-tested favorites along with five brand-new songs. Since the recording spans a range of influences that include rockabilly, Celtic, country and pop, the album is a slight departure from their usual classic roots rock.

“I’m very fortunate to have success at my age,” admits Billy. Of course, success is how you measure it. He has always had two simple goals: to play regularly and to earn the respect of his peers. With shows every month at locales such as Rams Head, Birchmere, Strathmore, Barns of Wolf Trap, and IOTA, he certainly plays regularly. Having been nominated for more than 30 WAMMIEs since 2004, his fellow musicians do affirm his talent.

Looking back, Billy’s career started with some success too. When he graduated from Wootton High School, he learned 40 songs in two weeks to play guitar with his older sister’s New Wave band, Insert. Then they won the Rising Stars of Washington contest on Channel 9. For 19-to-20 year olds, the experience was very exciting. He started to write songs and play in college, but then his adult life and career took over and he stopped for a long time.

In 2000 he started writing songs again and met Steve Thoma (Fleetwood Mac, Glenn Frey) when he was on vacation. Steve invited him to come to California and worked with him to produce a seven-song demo. The trip gave him confidence and courage to pursue his music. In 2003 the songs were remixed and produced in part by WAMMIE-winner Marco Delmar. In 2008, Billy also released a 10-song CD titled Dose which was produced by Delmar.

At the beginning of next year, he’ll have a formal CD Release Party. Right now he’s selling them at shows and, of course, you can buy the CDs online.

Since the band has played on the Rooftop and at Hometown Holidays, we’ll probably have to wait until warmer weather to hear him play in Rockville, which Billy describes as “a wonderful place to grow up and still a great city.”

If you are interested in hearing the band locally, their annual Christmas Show will be at the Café in Damascus on December 11, 2010 from 7 – 10 PM.

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

Rockville Car Show Overflows With Enthusiasts

The big crowd.

Saturday was a beautiful day to take a stroll down motor memory lane at Rockville’s annual Antique and Classic Car Show. Over 600 entries crowded every corner of the field at Rockville Civic Center Park.

Let’s face it, they just don’t make ‘em like they used to. Small children marveled at the colors and shapes, while those of us with a few years under our belts remembered vehicles from our pasts. Most of all, people enjoyed talking with the owners.

Terry Benson showing his Super Clipper.

Terry Benson has been coming down from Hagerstown for eight years now with different cars. He was one of several from Hagerstown who lined up for a day of socializing. His 1956 Packard Super Clipper has shiny upholstery and was in perfect condition inside and out. When you talk to these car owners you get the car’s history along with a lesson in economics. These Packards were like Cadillacs then the company was bought by Studebaker and went bankrupt. Expansion can be a disaster.

Robert Phillips in the People's Choice Award winning Ferrari racer!

When you see a classic car in a museum, it’s more of an object. But when they are still on the road, each is a marvel to behold. Robert Phillips of Arlington, the recipient of the People’s Choice Award at the show, epitomized the concept. He still races his 1955 blue SF Ferrari Mondial Series II 500. He raced it back in the 60’s and two weeks ago he raced it in New Jersey. He’s also driven it from San Francisco to New York City on the highways. Although it doesn’t have a heater, he’s also driven it in a blizzard. You could tell he’s a daring man!

Even though he loses his voice from speaking too much, he explained why he enjoys coming to the Car Show:

The best part is I get to talk to people and tell them about these race cars. I’m glad that other people like my little blue car!”

Motorcycles!

This year the car show featured Italian vehicles and the display included motorcycles, some old and some new, but they all looked fast.

Julius West Middle School Assistant Principal, Dudley Davidson's '71 Honda AZ 600. People commented it was the original smart car.

The first Rockville Car Show was held in 1962, as George Hamlin from Mid-Atlantic Packards, details in this year’s program:

The original inspiration for Rockville to have its own car show came from Barney Welsh, lawyer, raconteur, Rockvillian, newspaper columnist, auto hobbyist and all-around bon vivant. Barney loved Montgomery County. He generally referred to it in print at Mungummery and sang its praises regularly through his column in the local paper, a piece featuring Monty Gopher and a cast of colorful characters (many of whom were suspected of being thinly disguised members of the Welsh family).

Being a car collector of some renown, he woke up one morning and thought, “Why don’t we have a big car show right here? We could use that grassy area known as the Civic Center and get the City of Rockville to support it through its Recreation and Parks budget.”

It didn’t take long to interest several local clubs in assuming sponsorship, in which they served on the planning committee, provided a significant amount of the manpower, publicized the event to their membership and rallied people to turn out.

Attendance rallied this year too. Although the crowd wasn’t officially counted, it appeared to be record breaking. Traffic was congested on Baltimore Road during the afternoon peak.

Baltimore Road

Rockville certainly appreciates the efforts of all these fine car owners who travel and give us the opportunity to dream about driving their rare wheels.

Force Major Upgrades The Local Music Scene

Austin Grill Rockville transformed into a downtown DC club last Friday night when Force Major, a local Rockville “jazz punk” band took the stage after another local band, Chute.

First and foremost when Force Major plays – it’s a PARTY. And believe me, they know how to throw one.

In LOL they sing “Let’s have some fun tonight and drink and dance until your eyes can blink. Let’s be as loud as we can” so the fans know they’re included. You realize the guys of Force Major would be disappointed if the audience didn’t join in with the music. One fan even jumped on stage, had them slow down the beat, and hip hopped his way through some lyrics.

Kirill Romanov (vocals, guitar, cello) is a true showman with the facial expressions to prove it. He voice bears witness to punk legends with an added smooth Russian accent. He fingers the guitar strings like he’s playing a classical instrument while ramming the punk riffs out of the speakers. Meanwhile Mike Rivin (bass, back vocals) joins him to turn the show into an athletic event by jumping and landing the songs together. Behind them Alex Polyakov (drums) never slows down for a second to keep heads nodding and bodies thumping. The physical force of their performance pounds every beat from their muscles through the audience leaving one to wonder how they can thrash so much and continue playing.

Inviting everyone to join them for a night out for a good cause, Austin Grill is trying to raise $5,000 this month for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, which never turns a family away even if they don’t have health insurance. As they did on Friday night, they’re taking up collections during shows.

If you missed this show, the bands will be playing Austin Grill regularly every month. Chute has been receiving some local radio airtime and the talent in both these bands is obviously breaking through.

As Kirill said, “Who wants to dance? Let’s pretend this is a club!” With the right band and crowd at Austin Grill, you don’t have to pretend. Take a look:

If you want to hear more, Force Major has released two CDs:
Turbulence in Russian and English on June 11, 2010, and Two Extremes November 28, 2008.

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!

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.

Hispanic Heritage Celebration Was A Gathering Place

Over 50 Bolivian dancers showed up at Rockville’s Hispanic Heritage Celebration on Saturday, September 20, 2010. Throughout the afternoon, groups in different costumes filled the square with many of the men’s outfits matching the women’s dresses, plus a bunch of little kids joined in the fun with their own colorful versions. Four hours of movement was presented by Caporales Universitarios San Simon, Café Caribe, Caminito Amigo, Fraternidad, Diablada Boliviana, Arte Flamenco, and Ballet Ritmos del Peru. After the show was over, the dancers stayed around and had something to eat together. The audience did the same.

A sense of pride could be felt among those in attendance. Even when a family was fluent in English, the parents encouraged conversations in Spanish. The whole square was packed with people in a celebratory mood of sharing who visited the tables set up with information about many programs with explanations in Spanish including City of Rockville, Priority Partners, Kaseman Clinic, Kaiser Permanente, Casa de Maryland, Community Ministries of Rockville, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Montgomery County, Montgomery County Federation of Families, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Montgomery County, and Revista Buena Gente.

Carlos Aparicio, the City’s new Community Services Manager who previously worked in the Linkages To Learning program, came to hand out information and became a tattoo artist. He had a nonstop parade of kids wanting “I Love Rockville” temporary tattoos while they waited for the moon bounce. When he explained they looked like “biker” tats, even I was tempted.

The musical entertainment and dancers all volunteered to perform at this new Hispanic Heritage event in Town Square. The final musical presentation was by Visions of Jazz. They were enjoying themselves so much they played until 7:15 PM even though the official ending time was 7 PM, which was a real testament to the good time being had by all. Here’s a very brief clip of their performance.

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!