dining guide
jaleo.com. The restaurant that launched the
American career of chef José Andrés and popu-
larized Spanish tapas for a Washington, D.C., au-
dience offers hot, cold, spicy and creative small
plates served with outstanding Spanish wines.
❂ R L D $$
Jetties, 4829 Fairmont Ave., 301-951-3663, www.jetties
dc.com. The first suburban location for the popular
sandwich, salad and ice cream eatery, which has
two restaurants in North west Washington, D.C. Also
look for one-pot “crock” dishes and an innovative
children’s menu. ❂ J L D $
Jiffy Shoppes, 4924 St. Elmo Ave., 301-961-4949,
www.jiffyshoppes.com. The offspring of the vener-
able pizza-and-sub shop that’s across the street from
Andrews Air Force Base. This one was opened by the
son of one of the owners. ❂ L D $
Kabob Bazaar, 7710 Wisconsin Ave., 301-652-5814,
www.kabobbazaar.com. The younger sister of a
popular Arlington restaurant with the same name
offers kabobs in every protein possibility, plus lots of
vegetarian side dishes. Music on Saturdays and
Sundays. ❂ J L D $
Kadhai, 7905 Norfolk Ave., 301-718-0121, www.kad
haimd.com. The popular Indian restaurant formerly
known as Haandi relocates to the old Uptown Deli
space. L D $$
Kraze Burger, 4733 Elm St., 301-215-9068, www.
kraze.us. The first U. S. location of a Korean chain fea-
tures American-style beef burgers, as well as ground
turkey, grilled tofu and veggie burgers, served in an
eco-chic setting. ❂ J L D $
La Panetteria, 4921 Cordell Ave., 301-951-6433,
www.lapanetteria.com. For more than 25 years, La
Panetteria has transported diners into a quaint Italian
villa with its impeccable service and Old World atmo-
sphere, serving such classic dishes as homemade
spaghetti and veal scaloppine. L D $$
Le Vieux Logis, 7925 Old Georgetown Road, 301-652-
6816, www.levieuxlogisrestaurant.com. The colorful
exterior will draw you into this Bethesda institution,
but classic French dishes such as Dover sole meunière
will keep you coming back. D $$
Lebanese Taverna, 7141 Arlington Road, 301-951-
8681, www.lebanesetaverna.com. The latest branch
of this long-lived local chain is an elegant spot for
dipping puffy pita bread into hummus and baba gha-
noush. The rest of the traditional Lebanese mezze are
worth a try, too, as are the slow-cooked lamb dishes.
Voted “Best Middle Eastern Restaurant” by Bethesda
Magazine readers in 2012. J L D
Louisiana Kitchen & Bayou Bar, 4907 Cordell Ave.,
301-652-6945, www.louisianabethesda.com. Former
Louisiana Express chef José Blanco and veteran wait-
er Carlos Arana continue the tradition of the popular
Bethesda institution in a larger, spiffier setting. The
prices and Cajun- and Creole-style menu are pretty
much the same, the fried items are still divine and
the pain perdou and beignets remain a great way to
start a Sunday morning. B R L D $
Luke’s Lobster, 7129 Bethesda Lane, 301-718-1005,
www.lukeslobster.com. An upscale carryout with au-
thentic lobster, shrimp and crab rolls; the seafood is
shipped direct from Maine. ❂ L D $
Maggie’s, 4914 Cordell Ave., 301-907-9466, www.
maggiesdc.com. Wing Hub co-owner buys out his
partners, changes the name and adds pizza; the wings
remain. ❂ J L D
Mamma Lucia,4916Elm St.,301-907-3399, www.mamma
luciarestaurants.com. New York-style pizza dripping with
cheese and crowd-pleasing red sauce, and favorites
like chicken Parmesan and linguini with clams draw the
crowds to this local chain. ❂ J L D $$
Matuba Japanese Restaurant, 4918 Cordell Ave.,
301-652-7449, www.matuba-sushi.com. Detail-ori-
ented sushi chefs and attentive service perk up this
otherwise plain white-and-blond-wood Japanese
restaurant that has been doing a steady business in
downtown Bethesda for 30 years. L D $$
Mia’s Pizzas, 4926 Cordell Ave., 301-718-6427, www.
miaspizzasbethesda.com. Mia’s wood-burning oven
turns out Naples-style pies with a variety of top-
pings; homemade soups and cupcakes in a cheery
dining room with yellow, green and orange accents.
❂ JL D $$
Moby Dick House of Kabob, 7027 Wisconsin Ave.,
301-654-1838, www.mobysonline.com. This kabob
takeout/eat-in mainstay was one of the first kabob
places in the area. It makes its own pita bread. L D $
Mon Ami Gabi, 7239 Woodmont Ave., 301-654-1234,
www.monamigabi.com. Waiters serve bistro clas-
sics such as escargot, steak frites and profiteroles
in a dark and boisterous spot that doesn’t feel like a
chain. Voted “Best French Restaurant” by the maga-
zine’s readers in 2012. Live jazz Tuesday and Thurs-
day nights. ❂ J R L D $$
Morton’s, The Steakhouse, 7400 Wisconsin Ave.,
301-657-2650, www.mortons.com. An ultra-sophis-
ticated steak house serving pricey, large portions of
prime-aged beef and drinks. The restaurant is known
for a top-notch dinner experience but also offers
lunch and a bar menu. D $$$
Mussel Bar & Grille, 7262 Woodmont Ave., 301-
215-7817, www.musselbar.com. Kensington resi-
dent and big-name chef Robert Wiedmaier serves
his signature mussels, plus wood-fired tarts, salads
and sandwiches. Wash them all down with a choice
of 40 Belgian beers, which won the place “Best Beer
Selection” by the magazine’s readers in 2012 and
2013. ❂ R L D $$
Nest Cafe, 4921 Bethesda Ave., 301-718-6378, www.
nestwinebarcafe.com. Nest offers simple salads, pasta
and pizzas. Among the best eats, however, are the crispy
calamari and artichokes appetizer and the mussels and
fries entrée. ❂ J R L (Wednesday -Saturday) D
Newton’s Table, 4917 Elm St., 301-718-0550, www.
newtonstable.com. Modern American cuisine from
up-and-coming chef-owner Dennis Friedman, whose
creations were voted “Best Example of Plating as Art”
by the magazine’s editors in 2013. ❂ J L D
Oakville Grille & Wine Bar, 10257 Old George-
town Road, 301-897-9100, www.oakvillewinebar.
com. Fresh California food paired with a thoughtful
wine list in an elegant, spare setting may not sound
unique, but Oakville was one of the first in the area
to do so, and it does it well. ❂ J L D
Olazzo, 7921 Norfolk Ave., 301-654-9496, www.ola
zzo.com. This well-priced, romantic restaurant is the
place for couples seeking red-sauce classics at rea-
sonable prices. Voted “Best Italian Restaurant” by
our readers in 2012. ❂ L D $$
Original Pancake House, 7703 Wisconsin Ave., Store
D, 301-986-0285, www.ophrestaurants.com. Dozens
of pancake dishes, as well as eggs and waffles ga-
lore. ❂ J B L $
Panas Gourmet empanadas, 4731 Elm St., 301-
657-7371, www.panasgourmet.com. Baked, not fried,
empanadas with a modern twist—think chicken pes-
to, smoked eggplant and chipotle steak. L D $
Parker’s American Bistro, 4824 Bethesda Ave., 301-
654-6366, www.parkersbistro.com. An all-American
menu with vintage local sports posters, Parker’s offers
a wide-ranging food and wine list, upbeat soundtrack
and servers who take an interest in your happiness.
❂ J R L D $$
Passage to India, 4931 Cordell Ave., 301-656-3373,
www.passagetoindia.info. Top-notch, pan-Indian fare
by chef-owner Sudhir Seth, with everything from
the garlic naan to the fish curry made to order. El-
egant ivory screens shield diners from street noise.
❂ R L D $$
Penang Malaysian Cuisine, 4933 Bethesda Ave.,
301-657-2878, www.penangmaryland.com. At this
Malaysian spot decorated with exotic dark woods
and a thatched roof, spices run the gamut of Near
and Far Eastern influence, and flavors include coco-
nut, lemongrass, sesame and chili sauce. L D $$
Persimmon, 7003 Wisconsin Ave., 301-654-9860,
www.persimmonrestaurant.com. Chef-owner Da-
mian Salvatore’s popular restaurant hes reopened,
with more casual décor, lower prices and less for-
mal fare. ❂ L D $$
Pines of Rome, 4709 Hampden Lane, 301-657-8775.
Local celebrities and families gather at this down-
home Italian spot for traditional food at prices that
are easy on the wallet. The white pizza is a hit, and
don’t forget the spaghetti and meatballs. L D $
Pizza Tempo, 8021 Wisconsin Ave., 240-497-0003,
www.pizzatempo.us. Pizza with a twist, which includes
toppings such as sujuk (Mediterranean beef sausage),
pistachio mortadella and spicy beef franks, plus a wide
selection of pides (boat-shaped pizzas). Salads, wraps,
panini and entrées also available. Limited seating;
delivery within about a 3-mile radius. L D $
Pizzeria da Marco, 8008 Woodmont Ave., 301-654-
6083, www.pizzeriadamarco.net. Authentic Neapolitan
pizzas fired in a $15,000 Italian brick oven. ❂ L D $
