410 Hungerford Dr, Rockville, 240-403-7351, website
My rating:
Cost: $$
- Until recently, this was called Sichuan Pavilion and had been drawing rave reviews (including this from Tyler Cowen), so my expectations were high.
- It's packed and its large round tables are ideal for a big family outing.
- The menu has an "authentic Sichuan" section and an "American Chinese style" section. The distinction, intended to be helpful of course, only forces you to immediately turn to the authentic list (why else would you be here?). This is a challenge (should we try the Intestines with cumin? the Duck tongue with pickled pepper?) but also leaves you with a sense that you are groping in the dark. Next time, I'm coming with Chinese friends.
- The problem is probably me. Many reviews pointed to the Mapo Tofu as one of the best dishes, but I was underwhelmed. Maybe, deep-down, I really just don't like authentic Chinese food?
Favorites: Wontons in hot sauce, Dan Dan noodle, Cucumber Salad
Duds: Crispy eggplant (too greasy), pork dumplings (too heavy)
7401 Woodmont Ave, Bethesda, 301-654-8333, website
My rating:
Cost: $$$
Winner of my
Best Outdoor Seating
- Stuck in a bit of the no-man's-land between Bethesda restaurant clusters, Cesco & CO2 is the latest restaurant attempt where the old McCormick & Schmick's failed.
- Come here to sit in the glory of a summer evening. There are plenty of outdoor tables, comfortable couch-like seats, and it's all beautifully designed.
- I've only sampled the small plates menu and the food was just adequate. But the experience was so pleasant that it almost didn't matter. Excellent cocktails and good wine list helped too.
- Can't anyone in Bethesda make decent mussels?
Favorites: Crab tower, Burrata mozzarella
Duds: Mussels
Nationals Park, upper mezzanine level in Center Field
My rating:
Cost: $
Winner of my
Best Eats at Nats Park
- Let's face it, the food at Nationals Park sucks.
- Here is a reasonable recent list of the stadium's top five options, but none are really stand-outs. The current best among this sorry group is the barbeque place Blue Smoke. Second choice is probably the taqueria. I still don't know why there are no decent hotdogs in a baseball stadium (email me if you find one!) and I'm amazed that the mediocre Ben's Chili Bowl has so many fans.
- Blue Smoke's BBQ sauce could definitely use more kick.
- I like that the meals come in boxes that close - better for carrying food in crowds.
- Can't beat the view from Center Field.
Favorites: Pulled pork sandwich, Kansas City spare ribs, jalapeno chocolate
Duds: Fries not worth it
98 West Montgomery Ave, Rockville, 301-123-4567, website
My rating:
Cost: $$
- Decent friendly Indian restaurant with all the expected standard fare. Chef and co-owner K.N. Vinod also runs Indique and Indique Heights. No gripes but also, unfortunately, nothing really stands out.
- Man behind the counter has one of the world's best mustaches.
- The lamb shank bhuna, slowly cooked in a thick tomato-based sauce and still on the bone, is a nice surprise
- Service is fine if you eat in but, oddly, painfully slow and confused for take-out. During a recent visit, there was a line out the door just for pickup! They apologized profusely for the 25+ min wait just to get to the counter, but I won't make that mistake again.
Favorites: Peshawari Chole, Chicken Nilgiri Korma, Lamb Shank Bhuna
Duds: Dal Tadka (usually my favorite!), Saag Paneer
