What's good near the Doubletree Hotel in Rockville MD?

[Larry Stein]

A few co-workers and I will be there for some seminars in early November. We won't have a car, but a short taxi ride isn't out of the question. This would be for dinner only. Our budget is inexpensive to moderate as I'm sure our expense accounts won't go further than that.

We're coming from the SF Bay Area so something that we might not get at home would be great (Chesapeake Bay seafood, for example). Someplace with a decent wine list would be a bonus!

[repete]

It's been a bit since I've been to El Patio, but it seems to be fairly popular with Argentinians in the area.

[e.argent]

I second Urban BBQ, Noodle Joes, you also might want to try Lebanese Taverna next to the Tower Records on Rockville pike.
Good mezze platters, ask for the garlic dip to go with your bread. Yum.

[jeb]

You aren't going to find a decent wine list in Rockville at a moderately price restaurant. Best restaurants are ethnic and the wine is very spotty to say the least. Sad but true. If you want a reasonably nice decor (tablecloths), your best bet is probably Mykonos. Food is only ok. Better food at Addie's - best wine list close by - but on the high end of moderately priced.

[FusilliFarfalle]

I was really disappointed in Addies. I thought it was VERY over rated!!! Not worth the wait or expense.

[Jule]

I had lunch at Addie's a couple of months ago after a long absence and I was quite shocked to find that not only had the prices gone up steeply but the quality of the food seems to have plummeted. I'd always enjoyed their bread, usually some unusual varieties included, but this time the bread basket consisted of just some rather bland french bread slices.

[ImaginaryGirl]

I second (or third) recommendations for Mosaic Cafe, Urban BBQ, and El Patio, all incredibly close to your hotel. You can't go wrong with any of them. If you are looking for Maryland seafood, there are good places in downtown Bethesda, which is just a few metro stops away from the hotel.

[repete]

El Patio is right there on Twinbrook, half a block off the Pike. Very solid for light Argentinan fare and great desserts.

[Smokey]

having traveled for a month in Argentina, I found El Patio to be pretty 'eh.' The coffee is nothing compared to coffee in Argentina (which I loved). All in all, I thought El Patio was merely ok. To each their own.

[Terrie H.]

Definitely take the Metro down to U Street one night for Ethiopian!

[dinwiddie]

I also second Urban BBQ, it is literally a short walk from the hotel on Chapman Ave. (Disclaimer, my son used to work there until he went off to college and the owners are friends)

One thing I'd recommend is to go downtown to one of the better Ethiopian restaurants (search the board for favorites, but Etete is one of the best) since that is something that you can't get in SF.

Unfortunately, Montgomery County (where Rockville unfortuantely resides) makes having a good, and well priced, wine list difficult. Timpano's has a pretty good one for the county, but you are much better off going to Dino (only one block from the Cleveland Park METRO stop) if a good wine list is a plus. Best priced list in town, and one of the largest lists in DC. Tell Dean I sent you and have him make a recommendation. They also serve about 20 wines by the taste, glass, or half carafe so it is easy to get good wine there for a good price.

[unicorn633]

In Rockville itself, you can try Mama Lucia's, decent pizza but great pasta. They have a great Monday night special where you get the second pasta dish for a dollar. The garlic bread is yummy.

For a bit higher end try Timpano's, great wine list. It considers itself an italian chophouse but I have always liked the seafood better than the meat.

Also, try the Mosaic Cafe. Great waffles, both savory and sweet. In the same vicinity is Lebanese Taverna for good greek food not pricey or pretentious.

A bit further cab ride is Blue Mountain Cafe. EXCELLENT Cuban food. Definitely worth the ride.

Have a good visit.

ps I second Joe's, best Chinese in the area, hands down.

[Smokey]

I've never had Blue Mountain Cafe, but I think Cuban Corner is great Cuban north of you (a taxi ride away) on the Pike.

I think the Lebanese Taverna in Congressional Plaza (nearly across the street from the hotel) is absolutely terrible. A shadow of what others seem to say about other branches of this local mini chain. (And not to pick nits, but I think it's largely Lebanese/mid-E food, not Greek.)

I think Mosaic is ok, but kind of a gimmick (waffles for everything!).

I actually really like the pizza at mama Lucias--have never had the pasta.

Mykonos Grill is a good Greek place in "Congressional North" plaza. Not cheap, but good.

I love Joe's Noodle House and would highly recommend it. I may like A&J's (northern Chinese dim sum all day, no carts, delicious) more. It's a bit further north on the pike in the sunshine square shopping mall on the west side of the street (in the lower level of the building).

(And, yes, for where you're staying if you want to eat around there, you will likely be eating at a strip mall).

[rcheng]

A&J's is excellent, but note that it's cash only, and there is no ATM on site, so get your cash before you get there. It's pretty inexpensive as nothing on the meny is more that $6 (it's kind of tapas style).

[dinwiddie]

The Brazilian BBQ (Greenfields) is a chain that has gone downhill lately. Still a good bet for folks who want to gorge on meat, but it is pricy (about $30 per before drinks, dessert, tax and tip)

The suggestion to take the METRO downtown is a good one. Your hotel is right across the street from the METRO. Take it downtown to Cleveland Park and there are several good choices, Palena is the best, but Dino has a great and well priced wine list, 2 Amy's for the Pizza, Indique for Indian, Lavandou for French, Adero, etc. are all in that area.

In Rockville, try Bombay Bistro for good Indian food, or Hinode or Nawana Hana for sushi. But I'd really recommend taking the METRO to see what DC has to offer for both food and after dinner.

[dagmar]

That Brazilian BBQ all-you-can eat place (either at your hotel or across the street, I forget which hotel is which) is very good.

[Hal Laurent]

I don't have any Rockville recommendations (no sense recommending Joe's Noodle House to someone from San Francisco), but your hotel is right next to the Twinbrook metro station on the red line, so you should also consider going into DC for dinner.

[flavrmeistr]

Why the hell not recommend Joe's? My San Fran-Oakland-Humbolt relatives make a beeline for Joe's every time they're in town. Also, a crowd of people is the best way to do Joe's, so you can sample more of the menu. You can feed a dozen people very well for $10 a head.

[tubman]

Casual and inexpensive, and a short 1/4 mile walk--Urban Barbecue. I haven't done the pork, but the beef brisket and chicken are amazing. You won't regret having left a lot of room on the expense account.

They close on the early side (8 pm). No wine, but very chow-worthy.

http://www.urbanbbqco.com
Washingtonian reviews: http://www.washingtonian.com/dining/r...