4935 BAR AND KITCHEN NOW OPEN REGULAR HOURS FOR DINNER IN BETHESDA

4935 Bar and Kitchen, the restaurant that replaced Tragara at 4935 Cordell Avenue over a year ago, is now open regular hours. While the restaurant has functioned primarily as a nightspot with varying schedules, a spokesperson says patrons can now dine Tuesdays through Saturdays from 4:00 to 11:00 PM.

Last night's New Year's Eve party was a Grand Opening for the restaurant, which hired new staff in December. 

BETHESDA ROW RESTAURANT WEEK APRIL 15-21, 2013

Bethesda Row Restaurant Week returns April 15-21! Enjoy a $15 three-course lunch or a $30 three-course dinner, just in time for Spring outdoor dining weather. This is one of those rare opportunities during the year to try out several restaurants around the Row in the same week, without emptying your bank account.

Menus are coming soon, but here is a list of participating restaurants:

Assaggi
American Tap Room
Café Deluxe
Jaleo
Lebanese Taverna
Le Pain Quotidien
Luke’s Lobster
Mon Ami Gabi
Mussel Bar & Grille (lunch only) Parker’s American Bistro
Raku
Redwood
Vino Volo

4935 BAR AND KITCHEN EXPANDS HOURS

4935 Bar and Kitchen on Cordell Avenue is expanding its hours of operation. While the new establishment has been open primarily Friday and Saturday nights since opening, the owners now want to serve weeknight diners, as well.

The restaurant will now be open for dinner every evening from Tuesday through Saturday, starting at 5:00 PM.

The head chef is Ashish Alfred.

CELEBRATE ROSH HASHANAH AT BETHESDA ROW! HAPPY JEWISH NEW YEAR!

Enjoy a 5-star Rosh Hashanah dinner at Mon Ami Gabi this Sunday or Monday from 4-10 PM!

The Bethesda Row French restaurant has put together an outstanding menu.  Start off with selections like Homemade Gefilte Fish with Beet Horseradish, Chopped Liver with onion croutons, Vegetarian Chopped Liver, Matzo Ball soup or Challah bread with apples and honey.

Entree choices will be Seared Atlantic Salmon, Classic Braised Beef Brisket, or Herb Chicken Paillard.  Side dishes include Carrots Tzimmes, Kasha Varnishkes, Noodle Kugel, or Potato Pancakes.  Finish off with an Apple Tarte Tatin with caramel sauce, warm Chocolate Flourless Cake, or Stewed Fruit Compote.

Call 301-654-1234 to make your reservation now, and have a happy New Year!

BETHESDA RESTAURANT WEEK MENUS JULY 16-22, 2012

Why waste time clicking all over the internet for Bethesda-Chevy Chase Restaurant Week menus, when I've done all the work for you?

Surprisingly, many restaurants haven't posted their menus so far.  But here are the ones that have:

Assaggi

Lunch and Dinner 

Jaleo

Lunch and Dinner 

Lebanese Taverna

Lunch and Dinner 

Lia's

Lunch and Dinner 

Mon Ami Gabi

Lunch and Dinner 

Passage to India

Dinner (this is their January RW menu, but it should be fairly similar)

Tragara Ristorante

Lunch and Dinner 

(Great chance to try this expensive restaurant for a low price)

Throughout Restaurant Week, Lunches are $13-16, and Dinners are $33.

Enjoy Restaurant Week, and I will add any additional menus as soon as they are posted.

Here is a complete list of participating restaurants:

American Tap Room 7278 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda, MD 301-656-1366	Lunch $16 & Dinner $33
Assaggi Mozzarella Bar 4838 Bethesda Ave., Bethesda, MD 301-951-1988	Lunch $13 & Dinner $33
Bezu Restaurant 9812 Falls Rd., #G, Potomac, MD 301-299-3000	Lunch $16 & Dinner $33
Brasserie Monte Carlo 7929 Norfolk Ave., Bethesda, MD 301-656-9225	Lunch $16 & Dinner $33
The Capital Grille 5310 Western Ave., Chevy Chase, MD 301-718-7812	Lunch $16 & $33 Dinner
Clyde's of Chevy Chase 5441 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, MD 301-951-9600	Lunch $13
Food, Wine & Co. 7272 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, MD 301-652-8008	Lunch $16 & Dinner $33
Geppetto Restaurant 10257 Old Georgetown Rd., Bethesda, MD 301-493-9230	Lunch $13
Grapeseed American Bistro & Wine Bar 4865 Cordell Ave., Bethesda, MD 301-986-9592	Lunch $13 & Dinner $33
Guardado’s 4918 Del Ray Ave., Bethesda, MD 301-986-4920	Lunch $13 & Dinner $33
The Irish Inn at Glen Echo Restaurant 6119 Tulane Ave., Glen Echo, MD 301-229-6600	Lunch $16 & Dinner $33
Jaleo - Bethesda 7271 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda, MD 301-913-0003	Lunch $16 & Dinner $33
La Ferme 7101 Brookville Rd., Chevy Chase, MD 301-986-5255	Lunch $16 & Dinner $33
Lebanese Taverna Bethesda 7141 Arlington Rd., Bethesda, MD 301-951-8681	Lunch $16 & Dinner $33
Le Vieux Logis 7925 Old Georgetown Rd., Bethesda, MD 301-652-6816	Dinner $33
Lia’s 4435 Willard Ave., Chevy Chase, MD 240-223-5427	Lunch $16 & Dinner $33
Mon Ami Gabi 7239 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda, MD 301-654-1234	Lunch $16 & Dinner $33
Newton’s Table 4917 Elm St., Bethesda, MD 301-718-0550	Lunch $16 & Dinner $33
Oakville Grille and Wine Bar 10257 Old Georgetown Rd., Bethesda, MD 301-897-9100	Lunch $16 & Dinner $33
Old Angler’s Inn 10801 MacArthur Blvd., Potomac, MD 301-365-2425	Lunch $16 & Dinner $33
Passage To India 4931 Cordell Ave., Bethesda, MD 301-656-3373	Dinner $33
Persimmon Restaurant 7003 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, MD 301-654-9860	Lunch $16 & Dinner $33
Raku- Bethesda 7240 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda, MD 301-718-8680	Dinner $33
Redwood Restaurant 7121 Bethesda Lane, Bethesda, MD 301-656-5155	Lunch $16 & Dinner $33
Tavira 8401 Connecticut Ave., Chevy Chase, MD 301-652-8684	Lunch $16 & Dinner $33
Tragara Ristorante 4935 Cordell Ave., Bethesda, MD 301-951-4935	Lunch $13 & Dinner $33

MOTHER'S DAY IN BETHESDA

Have you been caught without plans for Mother's Day brunch or dinner in downtown Bethesda?

Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row to the rescue!

al fresco

There's good news and bad news.  But what if I told you the bad news is actually good news, too?

The good news is that Redwood on Bethesda Lane is having a great Mother's Day Brunch.  The bad news is that they've sold out.  But wait!

Redwood is going to seat as many walk-ins as possible on the patio on Bethesda Lane!  Which will actually be better than dining indoors, if it doesn't rain.  So stop by on Sunday!  $34 adults, $15 kids.

Redwood is also serving Mother's Day dinner, so give them a call!

Redwood, 7121 Bethesda Lane.  301-656-5515.

delicioso

Check out my post about Uncle Julio's Plato de Madre special, for a Mother's Day feast of salmon, shrimp and crab!

voyage to the mediterranean

Lebanese Taverna at Bethesda Row is offering a Unlimited Mezza Brunch and pastry table from 11-4 Sunday.  $29.95 adults, $12.95 kids under 12.

gluten-free

Yes, there is a gluten-free Mother's Day menu available at Lilit Cafe!

buon appetito

Cesco Osteria's  Chef Francesco Ricchi has created a Mother's Day brunch buffet inspired by Tuscany.

Cesco Osteria, 7401 Woodmont Avenue. 301.654.8333.

MOTHER'S DAY FEAST AT BETHESDA ROW

I have to say, that of all of the great Mother's Day brunch and dinner options in downtown Bethesda, my personal favorite so far is the Plato de Madre at Uncle Julio's at Bethesda Row.

If you like grilled salmon, shrimp or crabs... you're going to get all three on one plate!  First of all, you get the Salmon Campechito, mesquite-grilled, and served over a tequila cream sauce.  You also get crab-stuffed shrimp alongside the salmon.  And a side of Cilantro Rice.

This also sounds like a fairly healthy meal.  For example, the regular mesquite-grilled salmon they offer is listed in the Heart Healthy category on the menu.  And you're getting a serving of rice.

If you add their chips and guacamole/salsa, and a Swirl (a frozen margarita layered with house-made sangria), you have a great meal.

By the way, those tortilla chips, guacamole and salsa are all made fresh in the restaurant.

I'm wondering where the name of the recipe comes from.  There's a city called Campeche, and also Nuevo Campechito in the state of Campeche.  And then there's the ubiquitous use of the diminutive in Mexican Spanish...

I majored in Latin American history, and even I can't figure this one out.  Rick Bayless on Line 1...  (speaking of chefs who should open a restaurant at Bethesda Row!).

Anyway, the best part about the Plato de Madre is that it is available today, and through May 20!  So you don't just have to order it on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 13.

If you'll excuse me, I may just head over right now...

Uncle Julio's, 4870 Bethesda Avenue, Bethesda.  301-656-2981.

BETHESDA

EASTER BRUNCH

GUIDE

All the Best Restaurants to Celebrate the

Holiday Weekend in Downtown Bethesda

Easter egg hunts. Candy. Honeybaked ham. Aside from religious services, did I forget something?

Easter brunch, of course! Maybe you forgot about it too, but fortunately you stopped by this blog just in time to find the best Easter brunches in Bethesda for 2012.

AMERICAN TAP ROOM 10 AM - 3 PM

7278 Woodmont Avenue, 301-656-1366

They haven't posted a menu as of this morning, but Chef Bobby Vickers is sure to have some creative surprises up his sleeve as always.

==========

REDWOOD Brunch 10 - 4, Dinner 5 - 10 PM

7121 Bethesda Lane, 301-656-5515, amanda@redwoodbethesda.com

Enjoy the fabulous setting of Bethesda Lane at either the Brunch buffet or a la carte Dinner.

Check if they still have a reservation.

Brunch will be $34 for adults, $15 for kids. Eggs benedict, custom-order omlettes, cornflake-crusted French toast, prime rib, glazed ham and house-made donut holes for dessert. Live jazz by George Oakley Trio.

==========

MON AMI GABI

7239 Woodmont Avenue, 301-654-1234

Easter in the City of Light - right here at Bethesda Row!

Mon Ami Gabi is pulling out all the stops. Classic Quiche Lorraine is joined by Vegetable Quiche and two crepes: shrimp and scallops, or creamy chicken and mushroom.

Not just french toast! Authentic *French* Toast! In vanilla or blueberry flavors.

For the adults, Build-Your-Own Bloody Mary bar and bubbly mimosas.

For the kids, a FREE take-home Easter basket of surprise treats!

To complete your Easter trip to France, stop by Le Pain Quotidien on Bethesda Lane, and pick up some of their Easter chocolates - imported directly from France! Can you find a Poisson d'Avril in there?

==========

LEBANESE TAVERNA

7141 Arlington Road, 301-951-8681

Maybe you'd rather set sail from the Riviera eastward in the Mediterranean, for a traditional Lebanese brunch. You can do that at Bethesda Row, too!

Lebanese Taverna, like Redwood, is offering a Brunch (11-4) and a dinner (4-9) Sunday. Brunch is $29.95 per person, dinner is a la carte.

Brunch will feature over 25 mezza plates. Kids get a small Easter basket with candy, stickers and other surprises.

==========

GUARDADO'S

4918 Del Ray Avenue, 301-986-4920

Prefer Spain? How about a traditional Spanish Easter brunch at Guardado's, one of the best-kept secrets in Bethesda.

Try the $15 Spanish Late Breakfast. What a bargain! Grilled Steak tapa with Corales sauce, Torrija, Fried Eggs and Guardado's special Home Fries.

Coffee or juice is included with each brunch entree. There are also salads, fresh ceviche, and tapas. Sides include the usual and the exotic (fried plantain).

==========

CESCO OSTERIA 11 AM - 10:30 PM

7401 Woodmont Avenue, 301-654-8333

They know how to celebrate holidays gastronomically in Italy! Cesco isn't portioning up the schedule; they're going large all day with an event they're calling Easter in Firenze. The cost is $40 for three selections from the prix fixe menu; $10 for the kids menu.

You could start with an octopus and shrimp salad, move on to the Lamb Rolatini or Involtini of veal, and bring things to a close with Tiramisu, Zuppa Inglese, Gelato ice cream, or Meringata from the Dessert menu.

Reserve your table today.

Happy Easter and Happy Passover to all!

And if you are celebrating Passover, call Mon Ami Gabi to ask about the Passover Dinner they're serving tonight at Bethesda Row.

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.