City: Bethesda, MD
Category: Restaurants
Address: 7750 Woodmont Avenue
2. Hard Times Cafe
City: Bethesda, MD
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (301) 951-3300
Address: 4920 Del Ray Avenue
Description: See the Suburban Virginia section for information about this local chain of chili restaurants.
3. Louisiana Express Company
City: Bethesda, MD
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (301) 652-6945
Address: 4921 Bethesda Avenue
Description: No, you haven’t been transported back to “Lew-zee-ann-uh.” It just seems that way at Louisiana Express Company, where authentic Cajun treats—crawfish, po’ boys, jambalaya, soft-shell crab sandwiches, the works—are served up in a down-home atmosphere. Stop by early for a full breakfast or on Sunday for a knockout brunch. It serves breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday, dinner nightly, and brunch on Saturday and Sunday.
4. Persimmon
City: Bethesda, MD
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (301) 654-9860
Address: 7003 Wisconsin Avenue
Description: Opened in 1998, Persimmon is one of the longest-standing members of the Bethesda restaurant row. More than a decade later, it’s still one of the most popular places in the neighborhood. Hints of Asia appear in the dishes, like the salmon that’s crusted with shiitake mushrooms and hoisin, bathed in a scallion miso broth with shrimp dumplings. As diners await their selections, they’re served crusty white bread and chicken pâté—an interesting twist on the classic bread and butter combo. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, save room for the homemade ice cream and sorbet.
5. Green Papaya
City: Bethesda, MD
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (301) 654-8986
Address: 4922 Elm Street
Description: A restaurant with a name like Green Papaya ought to bring a smile to your face. Reasonably priced and tastefully decorated, it’s a pleasant spot that works well for a casual date, a business meeting, or even a family outing. On the menu, you’ll find an appealing mix of sweet and spicy dishes. Duck is prepared with a hint of lemongrass, while garden rolls are accompanied by a delectable peanut sauce. Come early; this popular eatery usually attracts a crowd.
6. Matuba
City: Bethesda, MD
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (301) 652-7449
Address: 4918 Cordell Avenue
Description: For top-notch Japanese cuisine at bargain prices, Matuba can certainly dish it out. Budget sushi is almost an oxymoron, but not at Matuba, which offers sushi and sashimi in a large variety of combinations. Sushi rolls are a special treat, executed with flair. At Matuba, you can afford sushi as a first course and go on to sample tempting cooked seafood as a second course—the soft-shell crab, for example. There’s another Matuba in Arlington (see our listing under Northern Virginia). Matuba is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday.
7. Tako Grill
City: Bethesda, MD
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (301) 652-7030
Address: 7756 Wisconsin Avenue
Description: As the name implies, Tako Grill ventures beyond its considerable sushi menu to feature an equally wide array of grilled foods. There are grilled meats, seafood, and a surprising variety of vegetables, many so exotic that they’re not found elsewhere in Washington—certainly not grilled. At one time fans would stand in line to eat here because the restaurant accepts no reservations, but it was recently expanded, so the wait shouldn’t be as long. Try going on a weeknight just to be sure. Open for lunch Monday through Friday and dinner daily.
8. Tara Thai
City: Bethesda, MD
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (301) 657-0488
Address: 4828 Bethesda Avenue
Description: The Maryland suburbs around Washington have lots of good, basic Asian restaurants, but here’s one with glamor. For more on Tara Thai, please see its Virginia listing. It serves lunch Monday through Saturday and dinner nightly.
City: Bethesda, MD
Category: Restaurants
Address: 7925 Old Georgetown Road
10. Geppetto’S
City: Bethesda, MD
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (301) 493-9230
Address: 10257 Old Georgetown Road
Description: Imagine pepperoni piled so high it’s hard to see the pizza itself. Although such generosity seems terribly wasteful except for perhaps eaters of above-average girth, it’s tough for lovers of deep-dish pizza and pasta not to adore Geppetto’s. The pleasure begins from the moment you step inside this casual cafe at the upscale Wildwood Shopping Center and take in the delightful aroma. This is not a place for those seeking delicate refinements in Italian cooking. It’s Italian-American abbondanza at its best. Make sure you see the exhibit of puppets in the back dining room, including, of course, Pinocchio. Lunch and dinner are served daily.
11. Pines Of Rome
City: Bethesda, MD
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (301) 657-8775
Address: 4709 Hampton Lane
Description: Pines of Rome has stuck to its guns through cooking fads from nouvelle to northern Italian to fusion. Never has it deviated from the old Italian-American standard: pasta with heavy red sauce served on checkered tablecloths. Sure, there’s a white pizza that’s pretty good and a robust spaghetti carbonara, but that’s about as adventurous as you want to get here. This is a place to bring kids when you want to eat cheaply, quickly, and plentifully. It’s open for lunch and dinner nightly.
12. Tragara
City: Bethesda, MD
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (301) 951-4935
Address: 4935 Cordell Avenue
Description: This may be the most extravagant—and the most formal—Italian restaurant in the Maryland suburbs, and it’s one of the prettiest, with two levels, generous floral arrangements, and light, bright decor. The food is mostly northern Italian, which means rich white sauces, grilled meats, and a delicate hand with seasoning. You may end up spending more here than you think you should, but if you’re looking for a special occasion Italian restaurant in Maryland, nothing comes close in terms of overall atmosphere and cuisine. Tragara is open for lunch weekdays and dinner nightly.
13. Rio Grande Cafe
City: Bethesda, MD
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (301) 656-2981
Address: 4870 Bethesda Avenue
Description: It used to be that an hour-long wait was standard for a table at Rio Grande Cafe. Some of the furor has died down, but this casual eatery remains popular. One of the highlights here is the tortilla machine, which produces warm, fresh . . . you guessed it . . . tortillas to accompany the fajitas and other Tex-Mex fare. You’ll find the usual tacos, enchiladas, and burritos, plus a few unexpected items like frog legs and quail. This place is loud, busy, and frenetic, so it might not be the place for an intimate evening. It is open for lunch Monday through Saturday, dinner nightly, and Sunday brunch.