Opinions wanted! Places to go in Rockville

[PJ4]

Hi everyone,

My husband and I are in a rut. We are looking for new places to go in the Rockville/Gaithersburg area. Please post your 2 or 3 favorite restaurants and what your favorite item is on the menu. I really don't want a whole novel on the whole experience at the restaurant. Just a quick, simple list.... name and food, that's it. Thanks in advance!!

[Minger]

it would probably be easier if you started by listing your rutty favorites since because you live there you've probably saturated the restaurant market there and any recommendations here will most likely overlap what you already know.

while awaiting your list, i'll chip in Seven Seas - Chinese - prix fixe group menu.

[dcs]

I went to lunch today at Black Market Bistro and can personally vouch for the following items:

Cornmeal Crusted Oysters w/ house made tarter sauce
Marinated Grilled Squid Salad
Poached Pear Tart

I was told by a dining companion that the Hardwood Grilled Pork Tenderloin sandwich was pretty darn good. Looked good.

http://www.blackmarketrestaurant.com/

[Dennis S]

I agree with Minger, that you'll get better responses, but to post a couple anyway:

Pepitos' for tacos and tortas (especially the tortas)

Addies

Joe's Noodle House

Someone posted that the kebab place next to Joe's is well worth it. Since it's a small trek for me to get to that area, it's hard for me to experiment too much.

[Cookingthebooks]

Definitely Joe's Noodle House! There's another thread going about it:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/484865

[HilkaryIC]

I love Bombay Bistro in Rockville. I always get the Aloo Gobi and the Lamb with spinach, but I also try something different every time I'm there. Last time I got a creamy curry of chicken and green peppers that was yummy.

In the North Bethesda/Rockville Area I like Ambrosia for Greek food and Taipei Tokyo for sushi. On Friday you can get Greek style lima beans at Ambrosia that will knock you on your feet with deliciousness. Sometimes you can convince them to make them for you when they aren't a special.

[Just Visiting]

Two places in the Rockville Town Center are getting good reviews - Bobby's Crabcakes and La Canela. I don't know if Saigon is one of your regular spots (I'm talking about the place behind the firehouse). Over the years, it has become somewhat shabby, but the food is still quite good.

[GregJ]

I had lunch at Bobby's Crabcakes two or three weeks ago and thought it was very good, particularly since is the "crab season" in this area. Bear in mind that it's small and has few tables. There are counter seats with stools along a couple of the walls. Also, it's very informal, if that mattters: You order up front and your food is brought to you when it's ready.

[Lauman]

Three suggestions:
(1) Another vote for La Canela -- we had a very nice meal there last week. Love the aji de gallina (chicken breast and potatoes bathed in a Peruvian aji pepper sauce) and the pisco sours!
(2) Cava -- Greek Mezze and Wine bar --in the Traville Gateway Center off of Shady Grove Road -- is quite good, if a bit noisy. It made the Washingtonian Top 100 this year.
(3) And, of course, there is my all-time local favorite -- Il Pizzico on Rockville Pike -- which, if you've been around awhile, you probably have been to many times. But if not, you must go! A favorite dish is ravioli in pistachio cream sauce

[wysguymd]

Addies & Blacks are always good, but they are already on most local foodies regular rotation.

There is a nice Italian restaurant off 7 Locks Road in Potomac called Amici Miei. (http://www.amicimieiristorante.com) It's in a small strip mall, but don't let that scare you away - the chefs used to work at Roberto Donna's restaurants and the food is excellent.

Normandie Farms (out Falls Road) is a french restaurant that's been there for years.

The new Rockville Town Center has alot of new restaurants to try. I personally haven't been thrilled with any of them, but it's always good to try something new.

Clydes Tower Oaks is consistently good and the menu changes often.

A little further up the pike in King Farm there is Nick's Chophouse, Thai Farm and Fontina Grill.

Amada Amante is off Shady Grove in Travilah. It's upscale, but they have $5 martinis for happy hour!

Urban BBQ is hidden off the Pike near Twinbrook. They have good pork sandwiches. They also opened Urban Burger off Rt28, but haven't tried that yet.

[DCDeb]

Check out the restaurants at Ritchie Center (Rville Pike & Wooton Pkwy). Pho 95 is always great for a hot bowl of pho or some bun with grilled pork or chicken. India Grill has a tasty buffet. Sam's has Persian/Middle Eastern specialties--save room for their homemade gelato. Across the Pike from there is Yuan Fu Vegetarian restaurant. Great mock meats.

[PJ4]

Thanks to all for the suggestions! Keep them coming!

[cleveland park]

Flor de la Canela has always been very good in Gaithersburg. Probably the best peruvian I´ve had in the area. They opened a second location in rockville town center, but I haven´t been. You should try the beef tripe with peas, the anticuchos are very good, also the seafood rice is pretty good and a huge portion

[DanielK]

Still waiting to hear the list of places you already go to, so we can suggest "new" places...

[PJ4]

Thanks for your interest DanielK. My list and humble opinions of each:

Joe's Noodle House - Ok, won't go again though
Bob's Shabu - Like, will go again and try other things
Flor de la Canela - Love, thanks for the reminder Cleveland Park
La Frontera - Good, definite keeper
Crisp & Juicy - Good, a keeper also
Cava - very good, will go again
Thai Farm - good, will go again
Caribbean Feast on Rock Pike - Good, will go again
Bombay Bistro - Good, will go again
Sam's - liked it, thanks for the reminder DCDeb
Inka's Empire - Good food, service spotty, prices bad, won't go back
Broadway Diner - Good, will probably end up there again, never my first choice though, beautiful desserts!
O'briens - Yuck, never again
Tara Thai - Good, but probably won't go back
Bonefish Grill in Kentlands-Good, will go again
Zodiac Grill in Kentlands - Good , will go again
Cancun-Fine, won't go again
Jr.'s Chicken - Very Good, will go again
India Bistro - Very Good, will go back
Laredo Grill - Good, won't go back
Pupuseria al Comalito-Great, will go back soon.
Dogfish Head-Good pizza, will go back
20/20 (formerly Options) -Great, will go again, expensive though
Red Rock Canyon - Great mixed veggie grill plate, will go again
Spice Indian - Great, will go again

These are the most recent I can think of right now. I am excluding all chain restaurants that we have been to. I don't really need to get or give any info on those.

I think you can see why I said we were in a rut. We have lived here for 13 years now and go out to eat 3 to 4 times a week, so we have tried a lot of places. Thanks for making me write them down... I have reminded myself about several places I want to go to again. Thanks again to those of you who posted. There are a lot of great suggestions! Can't wait to try them. Please continue to post!

[DanielK]

I also live in the area, so I have my list of regulars too.

Some places that I frequent, that haven't been mentioned by others yet:
Pho 75
China Bistro (dumplings)
Tony Lin's (ask for the Chinese menu)
A&J
Mykonos
Niwano Hana
Vit Goel (Lighthouse Tofu)
Giuseppi's
Mamma Lucia
Cuban Corner
Celebrity Delly
Yekta Kabobi

[cleveland park]

Just incase you are polling the answers, I would like to second some of DanielK´s options:
-Pho 75
-China Bistro (sometimes known as Mamas Dumplings) very addictive
-A&J
-Vit Goel Lighthouse Tofu. I love this place

[orangemix]

Ok, this is not an obvious place to go, but I like the small eats at Maxim Supermarket by Bob's 66.

They have good, big homemade pork & veggie steam buns, and their tray selections always look good, though I've only tried their pigs ear and that was tasty.

[PJ4]

Just went back to Bob's Shabu last night and got the hot pot for the first time. Very fun thing to do! Chicken was a bit tough but anything dunked in your own mix of sauces is yummy! Great service and great prices!

[kallisti]

I just went for the first time 1.5 weeks ago, got the lion's head and crispy tofu, and loved both. Mmmm, that meatball. And I'm still thinking about the tofu.

[deangold]

Next time try the Mongolian Hot Pot Lamb and the cuke salad

[DanielK]

Dean, did you notice if the Mongolian Hot Pot was available on their set menus?

[deangold]

Not as far as I can tell. Its 14.95 and will feed 2 with maybe room for one more dish or even a small dish.

[kallisti]

Will do!

[PJ4]

I didn't see the Lion's Head meatball on the Shabu menu... I thought maybe it was at the other Bob's. Do you have to ask for it?

[DanielK]

It's definitely at Bob's 88 Shabu Shabu. It's in the main menu under Chef's Specialties, called "Meatball with Napa (Lion's Head)". If you only had the 2-page laminated sheet with the Shabu Shabu, you might not have seen it. But you can always ask - the staff is very helpful, and Bob is almost always around, and loves to talk with customers!

[PJ4]

Thanks! Can't wait to try it!

[dcben]

Some of my Rockville Favorites

Bob's Noodle 66 for Taiwanese food. Try the fish fillet, pork with bamboo shoots, and shaved ice for desert

Il Pizico for Italian. I always get the Maltagliati al Ragu’ di Vitello (homemade pasta with veal sauce)

El Patio is decent for empanadas

Fractured Prune for desert- hot, fresh, hand dipped donuts

[dinwiddie]

I would add Urban BBQ to your list, you must try the wings, they are killer. I like the pulled pork and the soul rolls are a heart attack waiting to happen. It is also one of the few places where you can get collard greens to go with your BBQ. And their cornbread is wonderful. The Rootbeer on tap is also very good. If you are looking for a burger, Urban Burger in the shopping center where the Safeway is on Norbeck Rd. is very good. They cook your burger to order so you can get it the way you want.

Il Pizzico is one of my absolute favorites when my wife and I want a nice, and a little more upscale Italian meal with a decent bottle of wine. We have always found the food to be good and the service friendly and efficient. They make a very good risotto.

I love Bombay Bistro, the Tandoori Rockfish is very good and I can never resist getting a bread basket and some black dahl.

Broadway Diner is OK late at night when nothing else is open, but the desserts are prettier than they taste. They make a pretty decent club sandwich, but I am not at all impressed with their breakfasts.

I'm not as impressed with Bob 88 Shabu as others, but then I was spoiled by some of the great ones in SF.

New Fortune is very good for dim sum on Sundays, but crowded. If you can drive to Wheaton, I like Hollywood East Cafe on the Blvd. better (and they will serve duck feet if you ask, unlike many other places), but New Fortune has a huge selection and they keep it coming.

Amina Thai on Nicholson Lane is pretty good. But they are Halal Thai so they do not serve any alcohol. Nice people though and good food.

Tacos Pepitos in Old Gaithersburg is good, but the only tables are outside so expect to get carry out. They also have quite a lot of baked goods that are different.

[PJ4]

Urban BBQ is very good. Thanks for the recommendation! The wings are good. I liked them dipped in the red sauce though. They needed a sauce to cut the spicyness of the rub. The cornbread is definitely the best I have ever had in a restaurant. Moist and full of corn, very good eats!

[Mister Big]

Please note: Urban makes a very good crabcake, better than Bobby's Crabcake, and cheaper, too.

[PJ4]

Thanks Mister Big. I will try it next time!

[PJ4]

Thanks for the ideas! I have seen elsewhere that Fractured Prune is good. Thanks for the reminder. Definitely will try it. We went to El Patio and I think the key word in your description is decent. Definitely not worth a return trip. The desserts looked very beautiful but we didn't have room to try.

[skipper]

Didn't see it mentioned, but I would suggest Yuan Fu, a vegan Chinese restaurant up the Pike near the intersection with Viers Mill. Haven't had anything bad there yet.

[PJ4]

Thanks for the rec on Yuan Fu. I have passed it many times and have been hesitant to try. I love vegetarian places and have been looking for a good one. Thanks!

[Transplanted Texan]

Veggie Garden on Rockville Pike is much better than Yuan Fu. It's near the White Flint metro, on the west side of the pike, but I can't remember the name of the shopping strip it's in.

[PJ4]

Cool, thanks! I will definitely give it a try.

[DanielK]

Newly added to the list after a great meal tonight: El Tapatio, on the east side of 355 just a couple blocks north of Shady Grove Rd. It's the second location of the Riverdale taqueria, and it's immediately the best Mexican food available in MoCo. Get the goat!

[reiflame]

Oooo thanks for the tip; this sounds good. Is it in the shopping center with Thai Jasmine Bistro etc?

[DanielK]

Thai Jasmine Bistro is in the same shopping center as New Fortune, right? El Tapatio is a block north of that - I think it's in the spot where Tippy's Taco House used to be.

[reiflame]

Thanks so much for the tip; we went for lunch and the food was great. It's a dive, so if that's not your thing, don't go. No English, either. But;

The chorizo tacos are wonderful. The fajitas are wonderful. And the Birria is wonderful. Also the salsa is wonderful. The chips were a little greasy, but that's being picky.

[PJ4]

I second the "Oooo thanks for the tip". I definitely must try it! Thanks!

[DanielK]

We didn't get the chorizo, but did get the lengua, carnitas, and birria tacos. The birria (goat) was definitely the standout - I will order the birria plate next time!

Tamales were also excellent, and the guac was very good, though needed salt. Chips were a little greasy, but clearly house-made.

It is dive-y, but new, so clean. And there was a guy last night who spoke english, but he was the only one. All the menu items are numbered, so point away!

[PJ4]

Just went to El Tapatio tonight. Great! Love it. I had to break out my rusty Spanish to talk with the waitress. Not adventurous enough to try the goat but the chicken burrito and chilaquiles with red sauce were definitely the best I have had here yet. Thanks a million DanielK!

[DanielK]

de nada!

[katiesir]

I would take Ameici Mei over Il Pizzico for Italian. Usually their specials are extremely good. I had a wonderful octopus appetizer the other night and it was delicious. Make reservations if you are going to go on the weekend or you'll wait about 30 minutes.

[Transplanted Texan]

I agree with Katiesir. I've been Pizzico several times with friends who love it; I continue to fail to see the attraction. Amici Miei is much better. AM really reminds me a lot of the little places we went to in Italy when we lived in Europe.

[foodcheck]

ROCKVILLE ONLY:
Great: Il Pizzico (best Italian in MD)
Good: L'Oustalet (underrated French), Flor de Canela (best Peruvian by far), Sol De Espana (authentic Spanish), Mykonos (decent Greek)
Cheap eats: Urban BBQ, El Patio (good empanadas), Yekta Kabobi (authentic)

[Redsgirl]

We Love:
Italian Pines in Lost Knife Rd in G-burg ...awesome eggplant parm, rockfish,seafood soup, love the pizza, love the prices. (we go once a week at least!)

Zios Shady Grove Rd. G-burg, We love the Chicken Calzone , Spinach pizza, Greek Salad, Baked Rigatoni, lasagne was good too, other items might disapoint.

Il Pizzico Rockville Pike , Rockville, rarely disapointed with any picks from menu.

Black Market Bistro - it's just really good!
Addies- same family
Blacks- same family

Pana Thai in Derwood...Green Chicken -delish, a dessert of black sticky rice was to die for!

Pepitos Tacos in G-burg (old towne), tacos al pastor (lamb) & pollo (chicken) are favorites, chorizo was a little rich for my taste on a taco. Kind of divey, they have picnic tables on a small patio right on E. Diamond, no wine/beer, little english.

Ay Jalisco in Gburg (2 locations, rt 355 & one on Snouffers School) Beef Tacitos , awesome pupusas!

Woodlands G-burg, Muddy Branch. Vegetarian Indian good food good prices (lunch buffet w/ Gulab Jamoon)

Roys' Place East Diamond Ave. G-burg- Awesome Roast beef, brisket and crabcakes. Favorite Sandwich: Greatly Improved Welsh & Tennery (sp) (lobster salad, bacon and cheddar on french). 200 sandwiches or something insane like that, old place, quirky. Good Selection of beers and full bar.

La Tasca Rockville Town Center...Awesome empanadas, good calamari, sausage and cheese platter was good, Sangria really disapointing...no kick, no buzz, Shrimp in Garlic butter and salads way disapointing... restaurant okay, worth a look for something different.

Sorry for the long list, thinking of my favorites...I get carried away.

[mdfoodlover]

Thumbs up for Zios. My favorite pizza, bar none. There was a Zios in my former home (Olney) for a few years, and I was so sad it did not last. I have since moved to Howard Co, and have yet to find a decent pizza nearby.

To add to the Rockville list, we have always like El Mariachi in Ritchie Center. Salmon in Pacifico Sauce is my standby. Quite good standard margaritas as well. The salads, Brazilian is my fave, are also good.

I have very mixed feelings about Il Pizzeco. Portion sizes don't warrant the price tags, and the overall meal price is way high for an only decent Italian meal in cheap strip center. Good food granted, but I only go once in a blue moon.

We loved the food at Bombay Bistro. A few bad experiences turned us off, and we started going to Tandoori Nights in Kentlands. Nice service. Excellent salmon & shrimp. The Dal Makhani is to die for.

[PJ4]

Thanks for your list Redsgirl. I have been hesitant to try Zios due to its kind of divey cheesy look, but based on the recs here we will give the pizza and baked goods a try. Thanks! I will definitely try Ay Jalisco too. I have seen the new businesses there that have come in since they rebuilt and have been wondering about them. I also like Roys' Place, but only if someone else is paying.... Those sandwiches cost way too much. Cheers!

[reiflame]

I'll second the recs on Zios and Ay Jalisco.

The calzones and pizza at Zios are great - the dining room does look like it's stuck in 1980, but if the food is good that doesn't bother me. I haven't tried much beyond that though; and I've heard their non-pizza dishes are forgettable. They also have a tasty rum cake and cheesecake if you have room for dessert.

Ay Jalisco has great lunch deals. The seafood chalupa is my standby there.

[PJ4]

Reporting back on Ay! Jalisco... We went to the one on Rockville Pike today for lunch. I am underwhelmed. The first test of a good TexMex restaurant is the salsa. Their's is adequate, no depth or spice. My husband liked the pupusas, I thought they were lacking seasoning. We both liked the platanos. We also ordered the pollo asada and thought it had a funny taste to it, so much so that we didn't finish it. The beans that came with the platanos were good but the frijoles ala charra that came with the chicken also had that strange taste. We also paid extra for the handmade tortillas(2 for an extra 50 cents) and we shared one and didn't go back for the other(it is unheard of for us to not eat tortillas given). To sum up, we won't go back. We also went to Zio's recently and agree that the pizza there is worth going back for... Thanks for the rec!

[DanielK]

Ay Jalisco #2 is not nearly as good as #1 on Snouffer School Rd in Gaithersburg, unfortunately.

And AJ#1 is not as good as Los Chorros in Wheaton, from which it originally sprung (different owners now).

[PJ4]

Ah... thanks for the info. While we were in the restaurant I was wondering if maybe the other one was the good one. I will give it a try!

[Redsgirl]

Recant on Ay Jalisco...I admit it had been a while since my last visit.
I recently went to Ay Jalisco myself...they've changed the menu!!
They used to have these awesome little lunch specials, seafood chalupa, taquitos, salads, tasty and reasonable...everything was different! My waiter (bless him) brought me a glass of cab when I asked for chard, the salsa was runny and not very flavorful,the tamales were bland and fatty, my steak salad was just so-so, and the pupusas were not what they once were. I was very disapointed...this establishment must have changed owners or something amiss. So sad! Sorry if I misled anyone...it used to be terrific, my favorite little lunch spot...heavy sigh!

[PJ4]

Redsgirl, did you go to the one on Snouffer School Road or the one on 355?

[b52hawk]

Thought i'd add + backup some of those suggestions.

Pho - Pho 75 by montgomery college. If you like stronger pho, then try rice paddies grill in bethesda or the green papaya in bethesda as well.

Chinese eat in - p.f. changs or joes noodle house(takeout is better due to rudeness).
Chinese take out / del - Baejing schezuan for taste, kennys sub shop for quantity.

Italian - Almafis is great, can be loud sometimes when busy but always a good meal, mama lucias is good if you have a family or aren't looking for anything too upscale, or too cheap.

Bagels - Go to bethesda bagels, best around for sure, been going there my whole life.

Sushi - Niwano hana is great, tai pai tokyo has good lunch specials, and hinodi is ok if your trying to eat yourself into a coma and don't mind some ricey sushi.

Donuts - dunkin donughts is open 24 hours in wintergreen plaza, little north you can go to krispy kreme and get them fresh - just look for the light on and mmmm tasty.

Wings - Wingstops garlic parmesian, hard times wings, or get kennys sub shops wings with sauce on the side(they put too much)

Thats it for now.
Will add more later

[Suemelk]

For Thai I like Benjarong, I usually get shrimp dishes. PGA Grill has good barbeque ribs and I agree that the crabcakes at Bobs are delicious. I didn't like the creation I had at The Fractured Prune but maybe that's just me. I don't think you need to do anything to a donut!

[glroman]

PGA Tour Grill's ribs were as good as Houston's. They also had an excellent open face roast beef sandwich and tasty shoestring fries. Unfortunately they went out of business several weeks ago. (The next restaurant should insist on adding signage that points into Congressional Plaza.)

[reiflame]

Have you tried Rainbow African restaurant in Old Town Gaithersburg? I haven't been in a while, but the food is good. The service is weird - it's really just a person taking your order and one person cooking, so food sometimes comes out piecemeal. The peanut soup is great, though! And if you've never had Ghanese before, it's worth the trip.

Also in Old Town, I like Antojito's. They make one of the better lomo saltados in town. It's another one that you'll have to break out your rusty Spanish!

[PJ4]

Rainbow African sounds like Pink's(formerly Jackie's) in Germantown. Very weird service but great jerk chicken! I will try Rainbow and the other's you mentioned in Old Town. Thanks!

[eighthour]

Bombay Bistro-Aloo Gobi or Masala Dosa. Best breads I've had in an Indian restaurant.
Niwano Hana-anything.

On the other hand, avoid Sam Woo and Clyde's Tower Oaks.

[rachgolden]

Fontina Grill in King Farm is one of my favorites, great rockfish, ravioli, never had a bad dish. Nice to sit outside in the summer.

Neal's bagel's in Gaithersburg has the best bagels. (but not as good as bethesda bagels)

I hate hate hate diner food, but the Star Diner in the Kentlands is fantastic. The food is phenomenal, great atmosphere too. Sweet potato fries are yummy.

Vasilis in the Kentlands, wonderful Mediterranean food

[PJ4]

Have been meaning to try Fontina and Vasilis, thanks for the recs rachgolden. Mrsphud, Peking Cheers was our all time favorite for Chinese then went through some chef changes. Have you been there recently?

Reporting back on Urban Burger. Fun place. Good burger with good bread and great choices of how to do your burger to customize it to your own taste. Great Onion rings. We got the wings at Urban BBQ and liked them because of the dipping sauces that added something to the taste. Urban Burger doesn't have the dipping sauces and I didn't like the wings just with the rub(which seems to be the same as UBQ's). It needs something... like salt or sugar. Don't know, but I left them uneaten. Thanks posters for more great ideas!

[wookyluvr]

I'm always surprised that people love Vasilis. Crowded all the time, but I just don't get it. I've had some actually bad meals there, avoided it for a while, tried it again last month, and still don't see any reason to go back. Over-priced for what it is. I don't get it. I'd like to see some cheap, decent Greek food up this way.

[DanielK]

Peking Cheers for years was mostly Americanized chinese food, with that great Peking Duck special.

Then, for a short time, one of the Sichuan chefs from Joe's Noodle was working there, and they had a great little Sichuan menu.

Then that went away, and a few months ago they brought in a new Chinese chef. I don't want to hazard a guess as to what region the chef is from, but they do again have a "real" chinese menu, translated to English. A visit a few weeks back was very successful.

[flavrmeistr]

I like the duck at Peking Cheers, especially for the price. Saw the same sichuan dishes as Joe's, but they weren't as good. PC has cocktails, though. Haven't been back in about a year. What did you have that was good?

[DanielK]

Afraid I did not take notes from the last visit - perhaps mrsphud recalls?

[mrsphud]

We go to Peking Cheers a few times a month and always enjoy it. The trick is to get the manager (who speaks pretty good English) to translate the Chinese menu. On our last trip we had something that was described as sort of like conch. It was outstanding. The Peking duck was excellent as always. Do stay way from the soft shell crabs. They were battered and not up to the other excellent offerings.

[wookyluvr]

In the same shopping center as Neal's (around the back behind the Fuddruckers) I love the subs at the Italian Gourmet Market. Great subs, and some of the other ready to eat items are really yummy (I like the veal and chicken parmesan, italian wedding soup, fresh mozarella).

In the Kentlands (across the street and up a block from Vasili's) we've really enjoyed Le Palais for date night (without the kids).

[mrsphud]

We live in the area too and seem to get in the same ruts. Here are some of our favorites. L'ostellet in King Farm. Peking Cheers, and China Canteen. Mykonos. Good cheap ribs and chicken at the Amish Market (only open Thursday through Saturday at 3 pm). China Jade has both the usual stuff (done well) and some interesting stuff on the chinese menu - mutton hot pot, seafood with lilly root. We disagree with Zios - we find it very bland an noisy.

[reiflame]

Are you refering to the China Jade in on Shady Grove in the shopping center with the Red, Hot and Blue?

If so, I've only eaten off their non-Chinese menu but I found it to be vile. The sauce was thick and cloying, the veggies were limp and slimy and the meat was so covered in batter that, well, I'm honestly not sure if there was any meat.

For Americanized Chinese food my standby is China Bistro/Mama's Dumplings. The dumplings are great, but if you're craving your General Tso's they make the best I've had in MoCo. The chicken is not drowned out by the batter, the sauce is way lighter and not as viscous as most places and the veggies are crunchy and fresh.

[DanielK]

The "chinese" menu at China Jade is a relatively recent addition. My friend "mrsphud" has been trying to drag me there for some time now, but I haven't made it yet! I agree that when I lived up that way, one visit for their Americanized food was more than enough.

What's funny about China Bistro is that while I go there at least once or twice a month, I've never ordered off the Americanized side of the menu! The dumplings and small plates are first rate, though.

[reiflame]

PJ4, if you like Thai Farm you should also try Thai Jasmine Bistro. I personally think the food is a little better, but the decor is not quite as nice. The staff makes up for it though; I've always found them to be friendly and gracious (like when they took my pick up order at 9:50 last night even though they close at 10).

If it's been mentioned before, I apologize; there's a lot of info in this thread!

[PJ4]

Thanks reiflame, I definitely will try TJB. Although I do like nice decor and appreciate it, the food is definitely what I am looking for. Sometimes the best foods are found dives.

I realize that most foodies would turn their noses up at Americanized Chinese food, but to me, good food is good food so who cares! Your description of the Gen. Tso's at China Bistro sounds really great! I want it even though I never order the fried items in sauce at Chinese restaurants.

Reporting back on Rainbow African in Gaithersburg... The jerked chicken sauce is really good. The whole plate, with salad(with Hidden Valley ranch dressing!), rice and plantains is a total winner. The beef pie had a great crust but the meat was underseasoned. I usually don't comment on atmosphere too much but I love when the owners/operators have their kids on site, it shows kind of a family togetherness type of warm fuzziness. However, yesterday, one child, although extremely charming most of the time, had several fits of screaming that were decidedly not charming. Perhaps take out is the way to go here.

[PJ4]

Just went to Azteca Bar and Grill on Friday. Highly recommended! The best Pupusas and Platanos Fritos in the area. It is right behind the 7-11 across from King's Farm development.

[reiflame]

Ugh, I went there for lunch one day and their lunch buffet was absolutely awful. That, and the decor on the walls is horrible; pictures of muscle guys carrying half naked women. I liked this spot better when it was Blue Mountain Cafe.

[PJ4]

I would definitely agree that the artwork is, uh, interesting, and should be changed but the food was good(no buffet going at the time), and that makes up for a lot!

[reiflame]

Maybe I'll give it another try, just not for lunch. We went not long after they opened.

[PJ4]

It may have to do with who is working the kitchen also. When we were there it was a middle aged, overweight woman(always a good sign, and I can say that because I am an overweight middle aged woman, I can speak for my people ;) ).

[hypnoteyez_713]

La Brasa Latin Cuisine - 12401 Parklawn Drive Rockville, MD 20852 labrasalatincuisine.com

What's not amazing at this place. Great rotisserie chicken, fried yucca, good sauces. Good fresh chips and a nice salsa with a good light spice (for me... I eat hot!) We always start out with the ceviche which has a distinct ingredient other places don't generally use, but definitely is what makes it great. We also always order the sangria which is also a little different than other places, and also very good. I'm not much of a beef person but this place has an awesome carne asada, very flavorful. The homemade salad dressing is really good. Though this is a pollo a la brasa place, what I always order here is the trout with seafood or tilapia and both are topped with shrimp. I always go here and get one of the two when I'm craving seafood. They each have a different light sauce that makes the plate flavorful. The owner will let you change the sides your dish comes with too. The tres leches is right now my favorite dessert from any restaurant, really moist.
What really keeps me coming back are the owners. They will go up to your table and talk with you and even bring out your plates at times. They remember their customers and sometimes even remember what you order.

[thetwops]

Two of the best place in Rockville:
La Limena- peruvian
A&J's- northern Chinese dim sum

[PJ4]

Thanks! I love peruvian and am always looking for new places. I have heard that A&J's is good. I definitely need to try that too.

[reiflame]

I just tried Oceans Nine Thai Restaurant in Gaithersburg today - it was decent but not as good as Thai Jasmine Bistro, which is my standard for Thai food in this area.

[PJ4]

Thanks reiflame. I will pass on it then. I tried Thai Jasmine Bistro recently and thought it was great also. The fried rice with pineapple, raisins and cashews is awesome and the pad thai was spot on.

[scotcheroo]

Have you tried the new restaurant/wine bar Redwood yet? I liked their burger and the chicken liver pate... also great selection of wines by the glass. Partner had teh shrimp and grits which he said was truly awesome.

[dining with doc]

Chinese: Fu Shin
Pho: Pho Nam
Italian: Il Pizzico
Sushi: Sushi Damo
Brewery: Gordon Biersch
Crab Cakes: Bobby's Crab Cake
Dim Sum: Good Fortune, A& J
American: Addies
Italian Bisto: Pizza Pomadora
BBQ: Urban BBQ
Noodle Soups: Noodle Stew with pork and shrimp @ Tokyo Taipai
Vietnamese: Taste of Saigon
Thai: Pana Thai (Derwood) and Benjarong

[crabtreeacres]

azucar in silver spring. latin american food. great garlic shrimp, tortilla soup, can't miss "everyday latin" dishes like fajitas. the stuffed artichoke special is fabu -- they should make it available more often. great drinks.