JoeMollica "Never smell it before you taste it."

A & J Restaurant is tucked away in the Sunshine Shopping center (Think Sushi house, Joseph A. Bank, Entenmann’s) on Southbound Rockville Pike. Hungry and desperate for something new; the Mrs and I set out for adventure: Dim Sum style.

Atmosphere:: Entering A & J is like entering any small Asian restaurant in Montgomery County. Chinese paintings and wallpaper, ~30 tables, mid-backed chairs are standard here. Look around and you’ll even see the numerous ‘Cheap Eats’ awards Washingtonian Magazine has bestowed upon them over the last decade. The restaurant is well lit with no pretense for mood setting. Not a place for the overly romantic, but might still make for a fun date.

Food:: Let me first start by saying there is no Americanized food here. Should you seek General Tso and his chicken, check down the street. That said, ordering can be very tricky. The menu items are first listed in Chinese, then English, and with no elaboration of what exactly it is you’re attempting to order. Thankfully you circle what you want on the menu and turn it in to your server! Tea is served immediately as you sit down and comes at no added cost. We had several steamed dumplings, some beef on crackers, a dessert pastry, and I was brave enough to try the Thousand Year Egg. The food was freshly prepared and tasty, albeit a bit oily.

Drink:: All we had here was the house tea. Very good and FREE!

Service:: We were promptly greeted by a cheery young lady who seated and served us. Service is quick and to the point. Some may find this off-putting and mistake it for rudeness. In the Asiatic cultures, waiters are to be prompt and professional; something we Americans sometimes aren’t accustomed to! When not waiting tables, I saw the staff having a good time with some toddlers that came to try their first dim sum meal. Overall service was good.

Parking:: Parking is plentiful. Shouldn’t have a problem. Watch out for inattentive drivers blowing through stop signs.

Final Thoughts:: This restaurant was fun to try, inexpensive (Entire meal came out to $25 for two people + tip), and filling. I can’t decide if it’s average or good, but we’ll call it good all the same. I think this would be a good place to try authentic Chinese/Taiwanese food without the risk of spending a lot and not liking it. Like I said before, this is a CASH/CHECK ONLY establishment. Closest ATM I found was 2 blocks South.

Let me preface this review by saying that until this point, I have not been satisfied with a restaurant that puts a flashing arrow on their sign. If it takes that much to get people in your doors, something else has gone awry.

Dave’s is the exception to this rule.

Dave’s American Bistro takes the place of former Brookeville/Olney roughneck landmark “Griff’s Place”. What was once a dimly-lit, smokey, watering hole for the good-ole-boys is now a half resort bistro, half beach bar fusion.

Inside the restaurant feels like your typical Florida hotel restaurant. The backyard is where Dave’s really sets itself apart from anything Olney’s seen. Lots of trees, two sand bars, and two separate decks give you plenty of visual stimuli to keep the rest of your body busy while your mouth and stomach enjoy the food.

::Food:: The food quality is top notch and well beyond what you’d expect for the price paid. A new weekend breakfast menu gives you a fresh reason to get up before noon. The ingredients are fresh, the food perfectly cooked, and the presentation perfect. Additionally, the iced tea is fresh! Huzzah!

::Value:: The food here is VERY reasonably priced. Huge omelets with hash browns and toast will run you $9. Mouth-watering burgers (roughly 1/2 lb) $9 with fries, $10.50 with sweet potato fries. The portions and flavor match the price perfectly and represent [to two broke twenty-somethings] excellent value.

::Parking:: Finding this place isn’t hard (see the flashing arrow out front), and parking isn’t hard either. There’s limited up front parking but a sizable gravel parking lot next to the building capably handles the overflow.

::Atmosphere:: Tile floors and rich wood adorn the interior, but fear not- if you’re not in a suit you’re not under-dressed! This would be a great choice for a romantic get together (ask to be seated near the fireplace), or just a meal enjoyed quietly.

::Staff:: The staff are fantastic. Our waitress (her name escapes me) went above and beyond to put in a breakfast order well after breakfast was over. My glass has yet to remain empty and they have a seemingly endless supply of smiles and good moods.

::Overall:: This is a restaurant well worth trying- even if only for the weekend breakfast. I recommend this restaurant without reservation to my friends, and so I offer the same recommendation to you!

Pistachio is a small, cozy, cafe nestled in between two antique shops in a tiny shopping center in Laytonsville. Easy to miss, the only way to know this bakery/cafe exists is the lone “Bakery” sign facing the road.

Entering the bakery you’re greeted by a smiling Maximo Morales, the shop owner, and his helpful staff. The shop reminds me a lot of European bakeries. Fresh bread abounds behind the cashier, pastries and pies populate glass cabinets, and brewed drinks are an arm’s-length away.

The food is 100% fresh and delicious. Both my girlfriend’s and my own meal came fresh out of the oven- having been prepared just minutes earlier. The croissant crusts are flaky, flavorful without being too butter-heavy, and perfectly formed.

If you’re in the mood, try one of their fresh-made lattes. The Chai Latte is ten times better then Starbucks and half the cost.

The atmosphere here is perfect for a lazy Sunday outing. Pistachio green walls, a fireplace in the corner, wrought iron bistro tables with comfortable chairs, low-volume music and beautiful decor invite you to sit with a book or good company watch the time go by. Bring a watch- you may forget what time it is!

All in all Pistachio Bakery is a place I wish I had tried years sooner. A must-visit if you live in the area.

There’s a small, back-lit sign on North Ave in Baltimore with a trucker’s face marking an otherwise ordinary building in the Arts & Entertainment district. To the unfamiliar this may look like any other dive joint in Baltimore; but to the adventurous or well-connected this sign denotes a hidden gem. Pass through two small doors and Joe Squared’s low-key exterior gives way to a homey-yet-hip restaurant and bar.

Low light, crimson walls, and ornate stenciling on the rafters bring you into Joe’s world. One of a well-stocked bar complete with international beer on tap, pizza that brings new possibilities to the meaning of life, and free live music every night. This is a pizza joint you could bring a date to and NOT get harped on.

The staff is excellent. Rarely have I shared a beer with a ‘cheers!’ with my waitress on my first visit to a restaurant. The staff is attentive, animated, and fun. You’ll leave this place not only full but happy for the people you’ve enjoyed your meal with. How often can you say that?

The pizza here is worth the hour drive we took to get there. While our original purpose for coming to Baltimore was a friend’s CD release party, we asked around and heard about this ‘pizza place’ on North St. Well, we were not let down. The pizza ingredients were incredibly fresh. The pesto perfect, the cheese melty, the crust delicate and well-flavored. The best part? Joe Squared has the only coal-fired pizza oven in the state of Maryland! This brings the flavor over the top. Pizzas are available in 10", 12", 14", and 16" squares. A 14" and a pitcher of beer was enough for 3 people to be comfortably full.

The prices may seem a bit high at first, but if you can appreciate the freshness, the portion size, and the atmosphere you’ll soon be at peace with your wallet.

Quick notes: Parking is available though we parked at Penn Station and walked (four blocks). Beer samples are available for anything on draft in case you’re unsure. Online ordering is available.

Bottom line: This is a must-visit if you’re in the vicinity of Baltimore. My girlfriend and I WILL be back to sample the rest of the menu!

Little India is a small restaurant located across from the Woodley Park/Zoo metro stop that has been serving Adams Morgan since 1987. They tout the quality of their ‘Homestyle Indian Cooking’

Food- My girlfriend and I had the Samosas, Goat Curry, and Butter Chicken- all of which was scrumptious! The ingredients tasted very fresh and the sauces well-mixed with good flavor balance. Hot dishes are easily tailored to Medium, Hot, Very Hot, and Ridiculous. Portions are appropriate for the price and much pride is shown in the food.

$3 Happy hour specials ALL WEEK LONG!

Price- Pricing is very fair for the neighborhood and quality of food. Appetizers run between $3-$10, Entrees $7-1$7, and beer $3-$8.

Atmosphere- Outdoor seating is available (and with this scenery- very recommended!) and ample. Inside the restaurant is decorated to appear traditional. Traditional music plays in the background but during this visit was drowned out by a lone guitarist at the metro station. Personally, his music fit the mood better and was quite welcome!

Service- The service was very good, although after we were done eating it took almost 30 minutes to receive our check. Otherwise the waiter was very helpful with recommendations and very personable.

Parking- Good luck. This is DC and the best advice I can offer is bring a small car and find a street spot. The nearest parking garage (to my knowledge) is on 17th ST up by the bars in Adams Morgan. Take the metro, or walk/bike if at all possible.

Overall, Little India doesn’t set any benchmarks, but it makes for a delicious meal with great company in a cozy location. I would recommend it without hesitation.

Sol Azteca was the first real “Mexican” restaurant to hit Olney since Casa Rico moved out a handful of years ago. Situated in the Olney 9 Cinemas shopping center, it’s location provides plenty of parking and ease in finding.

The Food The food is amazing, simply put. The Carne Asada is among the best I’ve had, and most of their antojitos (appetizers) are delicious. Everything is fresh, the portions are generous, and they have a lot of (and I hate using this term) authentic dishes.

The only downside to the food is the guacamole doesn’t meet up to the same level as the rest of their food. Everything is so delicious, then you get the guacamole which is almost runny and no t as fresh as the rest of the food. It’s still good, but the freshness is not matching with the rest of the meal.

Service This is their real strong point. The wait staff here is among the most attentive I’ve ever had and oh boy are they friendly. I’ve also noticed that their meal suggestions are spot on.

Value Meals here are generously portioned and reasonably priced. A delicious Carne Asada with beans, rice, guacamole, and cheese is going to run you around $14. Most appetizers are between $7 and $10.

Atmosphere While not totally upscale, this restaurant would be a good choice for a romantic dinner or a night out with the family. The bar is separated from the main dining by a good-sized wall, so roudiness is kept to a minimum.

All in all, if you’re too tired to drive to Mi Rancho or Guapo’s, give Sol Azteca a try. You won’t be disappointed!

Dempsey’s is an Ashton area landmark. Locals come here for a great, low-priced lunch and friendly wait-staff. A bit dated in design, what Dempsey’s lacks in style they make up for in character and cooking. The food is classic American serving up burgers, onion rings, sandwiches, and breakfast fare.

Dempsey’s has good value with the portions far outweighing the price, but the food itself isn’t stellar. It is not without its own merits, however. Sometimes, you just can’t help but crave a big, juicy Ashton burger with onion rings and a coke.

Parking is ample, but forget about getting a quick bite to eat on Sunday morning! Locals swamp this place before and after church, and those that don’t go to church come here DURING church times to beat the rush!

Raaz is located on the boardwalk of the Rio theater/restaurant complex between Guapo’s and the cinema. Serving modern Indian and “Indochinese” cuisine, most entrees ring in between $9 and $17. The atmosphere is very cosy and romantic with the only downside being the booths in the back by the kitchen. The booth seat sits a bit too high, causing the customer to hunch over the table most uncomfortably.

Service is prompt and attentive, the food is delicious and served with great composition. I would recommend this restaurant for a date or dinner out with friends! The drinks are well mixed with the bartender pouring it JUST on the border of being too strong.

Also nice is their quick pre-movie menu. You can pick 3 (like Friday’s) courses to have made quickly so you can eat and catch a movie next door!