CHEAP DATE: DINNER AND A MOVIE AT BETHESDA ROW

Potbelly on Elm Street is offering a special deal:  dine at the sandwich shop, and get movie tickets for only $8.  A pretty good deal, given that 3-D tickets are around $14 these days.

Now, guys, speaking as one bachelor to another, this is not a date that will impress the ladies.

But if you are planning a more casual evening, this cheap date will save you about (taking out calculator) $92!

Sure, it's not Coastal Flats, which had a similar offer in Tyson's Corner, but $92 is more than chump change.

VALET PARKING NOW AVAILABLE AT BETHESDA ROW

Federal Realty has come up with a great idea to reduce at least some of the parking frustration at Bethesda Row.

Now that we are entering the peak season for outdoor dining, the closure of Lots 31 and 31A are really having an impact on parking.

For that reason, Valet Parking is now available all week, from 5-11 PM, in front of Cosi at 7251 Woodmont Avenue.

This is especially useful for date nights when you have a reservation, and there's just no readily-available place to park.

Happy summer!

HOT TICKET: BRIT MARLING TO APPEAR IN PERSON AT BETHESDA ROW

Actress and Co-writer of

Sound of My Voice to

Answer Questions After

Friday Night Screening

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

The celebrity appearances at Bethesda Row never end!  This Friday night, Brit Marling will be at Bethesda Row Cinema for a Q&A session following the 7:25 PM screening of her new movie, Sound of My Voice.

This is Georgetown alum Brit Marling, who is known as an actress/writer/producer/director/Sundance Festival It Girl.

Her first big movie release, Another Earth, also ran here at Bethesda Row last year, and I remember writing about it at the time.  Like Another Earth, Sound of My Voice is the kind of movie where you don't want to talk about it with others before going to it, because of the surprise twists and ending.  Or at least, that's the advance word.  But there will be much to discuss afterwards, if it is like Another Earth.  Marling's films, like Christopher Nolan's, don't define the meaning of everything for you; everyone will have their own interpretation of what happened.

So it could be a good date movie.  On the other hand, the trailer does make the film seem a little... weird.  If you think that might be a problem, better to go around the block to Regal for The Lucky One.  

But if it's a unique, unpredictable and intellectual movie you want, Sound of My Voice could fit the bill.  And it always makes for an enhanced and memorable movie or date night experience, when the actual movie star is in the house.

I'd recommend pre-theater dining at Bethesda Row.  Mon Ami Gabi is steps away from the theater.  Across the street, you have Raku and Tandoori Nights.  Further down the street on Woodmont Avenue, you have Mussel Bar, American Tap Room and Jaleo.  Or just grab what might be the best burger in downtown Bethesda, The Matiz at Kraze Burger.

Remember to allow extra time to find a parking space, as Lot 31 and 31A are now closed.

Does this sound like a plan for Friday night?  If so, CLICK HERE to buy your tickets for the 7:25 PM show Friday night in advance.

Until next time, save us the aisle seats.

BETHESDA ROW

RESTAURANT WEEK

MENU SPOTLIGHT:

RAKU

Raku is an old dependable at Bethesda Row that manages to stay fresh. The sushi restaurant with a hint of "Asian fusion" aspirations, Raku is a nice spot for lunch or a first date. It also has fabulous outdoor dining space on Woodmont Avenue - if you can snag seats!

I can't help but start with Raku this week, because - to the best of my recollection - this is the first Restaurant Week menu Raku has made available outside of the restaurant. Kudos to Raku, as it is very helpful for Restaurant Week diners who have many choices, to be able to preview the menu. So here we go!

RAKU DINNER MENU $30

Course 1:

Grilled Shrimp Salad with Wasabi Yuzu Vin Blanc (a dressing combining Wasabi root flavor with mustard and the juice and rind of the Japanese Yuzu fruit - spicy, tart and delicious!), watercress, frisee (endive leaves) and radish

OR

Cream of Napa Soup with Snow Crab and White Truffle Oil (Napa is a type of cabbage)

-----

Course 2:

Nigiri Sushi (Tuna, Salmon, Hawaiian Amberjack, Shrimp, Eel) - Hawaiians call amberjack "kahala," Mexicans call it "Pez Fuerte" (strong fish)

OR

Salmon Fettucine with Lemon Butter sauce, Salmon Roe, Brown Beech Mushroom (a nutty, buttery mushroom) and Korean cabbage

-----

Course 3:

Beef Tenderloin with Shiitake Duxelles, ginger bordelaise, zucchini, yellow squash and Korean sweet potato (Shiitake Duxelles is more Paris than Tokyo; it's a sauce of mushrooms, onions, shallots, butter and herbs)

OR

Walnut-crusted Alaskan Halibut with warm, sundried tomato vinaigrette, fried baby potato, baby bok choy and miso tapenade (a soybean and barley/rice paste)

=======================

As you may notice, there are plenty of options for those in your party who are not sushi fans.

So stop by Raku tonight, or one of the many other restaurants at Bethesda Row, as we enjoy Restaurant Week 2012 through April 22.

DATE NIGHT WITH

"PASSION" AT THE

STRATHMORE TONIGHT

Did you take my date night advice last month, and attend the screening of Metropolis with live symphonic accompaniment?

If it worked out well, I have an encore for you tonight, right here in Bethesda at the Strathmore at 8 PM.

A screening of the 1928 silent classic, "The Passion of Joan of Arc," will be accompanied by a live performance of the acclaimed original score by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Marin Alsop.

Renee Falconetti's portrayal of Joan of Arc has only been named one of the top 100 cinematic performances of all time. No big deal, right?

There is also a FREE pre-screening lecture for you really intellectual cinephiles.

To reserve tickets, and for all the details, go to

http://www.bsomusic.org/explorations

Ah, but what about the dinner?

I would recommend Addies and Black Market Bistro, part of the same family-owned group as Black's Bar and Kitchen. Both are close to Strathmore.

Timpano's and Cheesecake Factory are nearby as well, and Matchbox on Rockville Pike a bit further yet.

PERI PERI

IS FOR

LOVERS

Valentine's Special at Nando's Peri Peri

All Month Long During February

Love is in the air at Bethesda Row: Nando's Peri Peri on Bethesda Avenue is offering special Valentine's Day dinner package they call "Peri Peri is for Lovers." The best part is, it is available every day in February. After all, is it possible to have too many romantic dinners?

Here's what comes with the package: One whole Nando's Chicken in Fiery Peri Peri Sauce, your choice of two large side dishes, a bottle of Cara Viva wine, and a Chocolate Spoon Cake.

Grand total for this date night: $39.99!

Starts Wednesday at Bethesda Row.