Bethesda Magazine: January-February 2018

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January/February 2018 | Volume 15 Issue 1

contents

ON THE COVER

83 Best of Bethesda

COVER: Bethesda Magazine art department

Our readers’ and editors’ picks for 142 great places to go, people to know and things to do

16 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

PHOTO BY DEB LINDSEY

Tuna poke bowl at Millie’s in Upper Northwest D.C.

contents

FEATURES P. 172

Ryan Rilette, artistic director at Bethesda’s Round House Theatre

145 Weddings of the Year

172 round house revival

Three years ago, a plane crashed into Ken Gemmell’s home in Gaithersburg, killing his wife, Marie, and the couple’s two young sons.

Gemmell and his daughter, Arabelle, weren’t home at the time, and he decided soon after the tragedy that he wasn’t going to let it destroy them.

A look inside four local celebrations, from an Indian wedding with 400 guests to a rustic fall ceremony in a barn

Artistic director Ryan Rilette has transformed the Bethesda theater into one of the D.C. area’s best

BY ALEX CAROLAN, KATHLEEN SEILER NEARY AND ABBY WALLISCH

BY KRISTA BRICK

18 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

BY AMY REININK

182 Bethesda Interview Chevy Chase resident and best-selling novelist Sarah Pekkanen talks about plot twists, scaling mountains and selling the movie rights to her latest book

BY CHRISTINE KOUBEK PHOTO BY LIZ LYNCH

134 finding their strength

BRAND NEW Y E T

FA M I L I A R

I N

Just the Right Places Experience a distinctively new way to live, without having to leave the neighborhood you love.

The Brownstones at Chevy Chase Lake, a collection of 62 stately elevator townhomes, combine the ease and innovation of modern home design with timeless appeal. Spacious, open floorplans.

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contents

P. 202

DEPARTMENTS 24 | TO OUR READERS 26 | CONTRIBUTORS

201

good life

art. festivals. culture. day trips. hidden gems.

38 | BEST BETS

202 | HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS Must-have mirrors

204 | THE PERFECT FIT

Can’t-miss arts events

A Chevy Chase couple tailors a historic home to suit their lifestyle

42 | ARTS CALENDAR Where to go, what to see

51

home

banter

people. politics. books. columns.

54 | FIGURATIVELY SPEAKING Animal Services by the numbers

272 | COOKING CLASS

Inside one Bethesda family’s forever home

It’s comfort food times two when cheese and pasta get together

224 | HOME SALES BY THE NUMBERS

274 | DINING GUIDE

216 | ROOM TO GROW

235

health

307

etc.

236 | BE WELL

308 | SHOP TALK

News you may have missed

An indoor cycling instructor teaches others the joy of riding

A bridal boutique sells designer gowns for less. Plus, winter fitness finds.

62 | BOOK REPORT

238 | MRS. BRACE FACE

312 | GET AWAY

After three years of orthodontics in middle school, our writer needed more as an adult

Your cheat sheet for a weekend away

66 | SUBURBANOLOGY

246 | WELLNESS CALENDAR

Quick retreats to help you escape

Who needs the next bright shiny phone when the geniuses at Apple will fix the one you have

BY APRIL WITT

263

58 | QUICK TAKES

New books by local authors, literary events and more

326 | PETS

dine

When it comes to social media, some pets have a mind of their own

264 | REVIEW

70 | HOMETOWN A Rockville children’s author hopes to help readers understand what it means to be Muslim American

BY STEVE ROBERTS

315 | DRIVING RANGE

La Limeña Grill debuts with Peruvian favorites

268 | TABLE TALK What’s happening on the local food scene

327 | FLASHBACK Bethesda’s bowling game started in the 1890s and is still going strong today

328 | OUTTAKES

AD SECTIONS PROFILES: FINANCIAL PROFESSIONALS 75

WEDDING RESOURCE GUIDE 164

LONG & FOSTER AD SECTION 189

20 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

PROFILES: DENTISTS 249

SUMMER CAMPS AD SECTION 292

PRIVATE SCHOOL AD SECTION 320

COURTESY PHOTO

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Sometimes it’s just more comfortable to talk woman to woman.

Especially when the subject is wealth management. It’s no secret that the financial industry has a low representation of women. But at Chevy Chase Trust, we have wealth management teams comprised entirely of women who have the knowledge, expertise and dedication to help clients achieve their financial goals.

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to our readers

WHERE THE ARTS THRIVE IN NOVEMBER, IT WAS my pleasure to present the “People’s Choice Award” for the 15th annual Trawick Prize for contemporary art. The competition, founded and supported by Bethesda arts patron Carol Trawick, attracts and highlights the many extraordinary artists in Montgomery County and throughout the Washington, D.C., area.

Cash prizes totaling $14,000 are given to the winners and runners-up of a juried competition—and $1,000 goes to the People’s Choice Award winner, who is selected through voting at BethesdaMagazine.com.

Thanks to Trawick and others, the local visual and performing arts scene is flourishing. In addition to the contemporary arts prize, Trawick sponsors the annual Bethesda Painting Awards. Bethesda resident Cathy Bernard sponsors the annual Bernard/Ebb Songwriting Awards. And the Bethesda Urban Partnership, Federal Realty Investment Trust and commercial property owner Lenny Greenberg have commissioned large public murals throughout downtown Bethesda.

Nothing, however, symbolizes the resurgence of the Bethesda arts scene more than Round House Theatre.

At the beginning of this decade, Round House was struggling financially and artistically. (Full disclosure: I was on the theater’s board of directors for a brief period.) But everything changed when Ryan Rilette became artistic director in 2012.

In this issue, we profile Rilette, who oversees all facets of the theater—and also directs and performs in plays. He has propelled Round House to the top tier of theaters in the D.C. area. Last March, Washington Post theater critic Peter Marks wrote: “Under the leadership for the past five years of artistic director Ryan Rilette, Round House has gradually been moving 24 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

up in qualitative rank, to the point where its seasons rival those of the five companies that form the elite spokes of the regional theater community: Shakespeare Theatre Company, Arena Stage, Studio Theatre, Woolly Mammoth Theatre and Signature Theatre.”

Rilette’s artistic vision was greatly influenced by his experience living in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. As head of the Southern Rep Theatre in that city, Rilette realized that theater could give voice to— and spur conversation about—the fears and emotions of residents. At Round House, he has presented plays that address many of today’s important and troubling issues.

Our story about Rilette—and how he remade Round House—begins on page 172.

THIS IS, OF COURSE, our Best of Bethesda issue, which includes 61 Editors’ Picks and 81 Readers’ Picks.

For our Editors’ Picks, our editors worked with our writers to come up with interesting and fun categories— and to pick the winners. For this year’s Readers’ Picks, nearly 11,000 people voted in our online poll. Thanks to everyone who participated.

Look for an announcement soon for the date and location of our annual Best of Bethesda Party!

I hope you enjoy this issue of the magazine.

Please email me your comments on the issue at steve.hull@bethesdamagazine.com.

STEVE HULL Editor & Publisher

]

It’s beyond selling homes.

When McEnearney Associates was formed in 1980, John McEnearney knew that he wanted to create a firm that went above and beyond just selling and buying homes for clients... He wanted to give back to the communities that helped grow the firm to over 360 Associates today. Every Associate that joins our firm stands behind a brand that invests in the communities that we live and work in.

They are responsible for our enviable reputation. They are McEnearney Associates.

With sincere gratitude, thank you to the organizations and non-profits that we have worked with in the DC metropolitan region to strengthen our communities for the past 37 years.

ALIVE Alzheimers Association American Cancer Society American Craft Endeavors American Heart Association Avon Breast Cancer Walk Capital Area Food Bank Capital Hospice Capital Pride Alliance DC Design House Chevy Chase Historical Society Child and Family Network Centers Children’s Charities Golf Tournament Children’s Hospital Community Partners for Children Cookies for Kids Cancer Foundation DC Volunteer Lawyer Project Doorways for Women and Families Everyone’s Home Matters Feeding Children Everywhere Foreign Service Youth Foundation Friendship Veterans Fire Association Helping Haitian Angels

Holiday Home Tour Holy Child CYO Basketball tournament Home Stretch Homes for our Troops IAHF/Walk INOVA Health Systems Foundation International Justice Mission Ironman Foundation Jubilee Association Lake Claire Swim Little Goblin Parade Logan Circle Community Association Logan Circle Home Tours Martha’s Table Maury Elementary Mercy Health Clinic National Capital Lyme/Tick Disease Walk National Leukemia and Lymphoma Society National Multiple Sclerosis Society Northwest Washington Little League Operation Homefront Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Safe Community Coalition

Saint Coletta of Greater Washington SCAN Foundation Scholarship Fund SHARE Smithsonian Craft Show So Others Might Eat (SOME) Special Olympics Saint Coletta of Greater Washington St. Stephens/St. Agnes St. Jude Children’s Hospital Street Sense The Child and Family Network Centers The Reading Connection Town of Kensington Fountain Project Two Rivers Public Charter School UCM - Food Drive USO - Marine Lunches Warm Clothes Drive Washington Winter Show Washington Blade Parade Wider Circle Turtle Park May Fair ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walk

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DEB LINDSEY

KRISTA BRICK

LEAH ARINIELLO

LIVES IN: Potomac

LIVES IN: Gaithersburg

LIVES IN: Bethesda

IN THIS ISSUE: Photographed adults with braces, the three food stories in Table Talk, and two Best of Bethesda Editors’ Picks on fitness.

IN THIS ISSUE: Wrote about Ken Gemmell and his daughter, Arabelle, and their life after a plane crashed into their family’s home, killing Marie Gemmell and her two young sons.

IN THIS ISSUE: Writes about her experience with adult orthodontics.

WHAT SHE DOES: As owner of Deb Lindsey Photography, which she started in 2007 after many years as a Washington Post photo editor, Lindsey photographs weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, people and food, primarily for the Post’s Food section and magazine.

WHAT SHE DOES: A former managing editor of The Gazette in Montgomery County, Brick is a freelance writer and a consultant for Maier & Warner, a marketing and public relations firm in Rockville.

WHAT SHE DOES: A freelance writer with a specialty in health, science and parenting issues, Ariniello has written for a number of media outlets, including The Washington Post, Washingtonian and The New York Times’ parenting blog Motherlode.

WINTER LOOK: “As a Syracuse graduate, you would think I would have some tolerance for the cold. These midwinter months you’ll find me with my ears attached to my shoulders, running in and out of the car cranked to 85 on the thermostat, racing my four kids to sports practices that have migrated inside gyms.”

WHY SHE MOVED TO MARYLAND: She disliked the harsh winters of her native Boston but found Atlanta to be too hot. “Bethesda has the perfect climate—a change of seasons with one or two nice snowstorms and then back to mild weather.”

BEST PARTS OF HER JOB: “Creative problem solving, doing something different every day, and getting to eat after the food assignments.”

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26 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

COURTESY PHOTOS

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EDITORIAL EDITOR

Steve Hull DESIGN DIRECTOR

Maire McArdle MANAGING EDITOR

Rebecca Scherr SENIOR EDITOR

Cindy Rich ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Kathleen Seiler Neary DEPUTY ART DIRECTOR

Laura F. Goode DESIGNER

Jenny Fischer BETHESDA BEAT MANAGING EDITORS

Julie Rasicot, Andrew Schotz (acting) BETHESDA BEAT WRITERS

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Drs. Kunder and Lee received the highest-level training in this specialized field of medicine and taught at a premier veterinary college before joining the Friendship team. With great expertise and compassion, Drs. Kunder and Lee will properly diagnose and treat disorders of the skin, from flea allergies to autoimmune disease. They’ll give you the answers – and the relief – you and your companion need.

Call 202.363.7300 today to make your appointment with Dr. Kunder or Dr. Lee.

Andrew Metcalf, Bethany Rodgers, Joe Zimmermann WEB PRODUCER

Amélie Ward RESTAURANT CRITIC

David Hagedorn CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Eugene L. Meyer, Louis Peck, Carole Sugarman COPY EDITORS

Sandra Fleishman, Steve Wilder EDITORIAL INTERNS

Alex Carolan, Abby Wallisch CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Caralee Adams, Jennifer Barger, Stephanie Siegel Burke, James Michael Causey, Dina ElBoghdady, David Frey, Michael S. Gerber, Steve Goldstein, Janelle Harris, Melanie D.G. Kaplan, Christine Koubek, Nevin Martell, Laurie McClellan, Brian Patterson, Melanie Padgett Powers, Amy Reinink, Steve Roberts, Charlotte Safavi, Jennifer Sergent, Bara Vaida, Mark Walston, Carolyn Weber, April Witt, Sarah Zlotnick PHOTOGRAPHERS & ILLUSTRATORS

Edgar Artiga, Anne Bentley, Skip Brown, Lisa Helfert, Sarah Hogue, Deborah Jaffe, Alice Kresse, Deb Lindsey, Liz Lynch, Scott Pollack, Hilary Schwab, Amanda Smallwood, Mary Ann Smith, Matthew Stebenne, Michael Ventura, Stephen Walker, Stacy Zarin Goldberg Bethesda Magazine is published six times a year by Kohanza Media Ventures, LLC. © 2009-2018

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

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Winchester Homes, Inc., A Member of the TRI Pointe Group. | 2015 BUILDER OF THE YEAR1 AND 2014 DEVELOPER OF THE YEAR 2. | Copyright ©2017 Winchester Homes Inc. All rights reserved.

The prices of our homes, included features, plans, specifications, promotions/incentives, and available locations are subject to change without notice. Stated dimensions and square footage are approximate and should not be used as a representation of the home’s precise or actual size. Please see the actual purchase agreement for additional information, disclosures, and disclaimers relating to a home and its features. Any photographs or renderings in these materials are for illustrative purposes only and photographs or renderings of people do not depict racial preference. No information or material herein is to be construed to be an offer or solicitation for sale. Marketing promotions/incentives may be subject to conditions or restrictions. You must visit a Winchester Homes New Home Gallery to purchase a home. Please consult a New Home Advisor for specific price and other information for each community. A Broker/Agent must register their client in person on client’s first visit at each community for a Broker/Agent to receive a commission or referral fee. Our name and the logos contained herein are registered trademarks or trademarks of TRI Pointe Group, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Winchester is a registered trademark and is used with permission. MHBR No. 57. ©2017 Winchester Homes, Inc. 1 BUILDER Magazine named TRI Pointe Group the Builder of the Year in 2015. The Builder of the Year Award is BUILDER’S highest yearly honor. 2 Builder and Developer Magazine, a national homebuilding publication, named TRI Pointe the Developer of the Year in 2014.

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art. festivals. culture. day trips. hidden gems.

good life

TONI L. SANDYS/WASHINGTON POST/GETTY IMAGES

SAP SESSION HOW DOES SAP from a tree make it to your table as maple syrup? Naturalists at Brookside Nature Center in Wheaton Regional Park will tell—and show—visitors the full story during Maple Sugaring Days in February. During a one-hour all-ages program, they explain how trees produce sap, and then take groups of about 30 to a maple grove to see sap flowing into buckets. Next is a chance to watch sap boiling down into syrup over a wood-burning fire.

“There’s a lot of tree energy and human energy that goes into the process,” says Suzanne Bode,

a park naturalist who ends the programs by letting participants nibble on little pancakes with locally made syrup (Saturdays and Sundays only).

Maple Sugaring Days, Feb. 1 to 25, Thursdays, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (programs every 30 minutes). $6; free for children younger than 3. Preregistration is strongly encouraged.

Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, 301-962-1480, brooksidenature.org —Caralee Adams BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

THE ART OF SKATING

PHOTO BY SKIP BROWN

IF YOU LACE UP YOUR SKATES and glide onto the ice at Rockville Town Square this season, you’ll get an added treat: art beneath your feet. Under the ice is colorful geometric artwork that was digitally transferred onto vinyl panels and installed at the 7,200-square-foot outdoor rink.

Bethesda artist Emily Eisinger, 35, says she considered the feelings of skaters when she came up with the “dreamy” design. “I was really excited by the idea of creating something that people would actually interact with and that would have an impact on what they were doing, as well as treating it as an actual piece of art,” says Eisinger, an instructor at VisArts, a Rockville nonprofit arts organization that pitched the idea as part of its 30th anniversary celebration. She wanted the design to be both interesting for someone viewing it from a building above and dynamic for a skater standing on top of it looking down.

The rink is open Monday to Thursday, noon to 10 p.m.; Friday, noon to 11 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. $9; $8 for ages 12 and younger; $5 skate rental.

Rockville Town Square Ice Rink, 131 Gibbs St., Rockville, 301-545-1999, rockvilleiceskating.com —Caralee Adams

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

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A DIY BRUNCH COCKTAIL Oyster Co. in Potomac’s Cabin John Shopping Center, there’s a customizable bloody mary option. You’ll be handed a glass with a shot of vodka and enough room to turn it into your ideal version of the tomato juice cocktail. Belly up to the bar, where a large sky-blue decorative boat holds carafes of George’s Bloody Mary Mix (made by a company in Ocean City, Maryland) and toppings such as bourbon candied bacon, Old Bay, pickles and hot sauce. Grilled Oyster owners Valerie and Rick Dugan, who 36

have differing opinions on what should be in a bloody mary, developed the weekend brunch option about two years ago. The $5 create-your-own drinks are offered alongside brunch items such as Maryland Crab Benedict and Maine Lobster Hash.

The Grilled Oyster Co. serves brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. 7943 Tuckerman Lane, Potomac; 301-299-9888, thegrilledoystercompany.com —Abby Wallisch

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

PHOTO BY STEPHEN WALKER

DURING BRUNCH AT The Grilled

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good life

BEST BETS

Our picks for the best things to see and do in January and February

BY STEPHANIE SIEGEL BURKE

Jan. 18

TEENAGE DREAM A new generation of rising teen pop stars, each of whom got their start online, comes to Silver Spring.

Social media sensation Jacob Sartorius headlines his “Left Me Hangin’” tour stop at The Fillmore, along with opening acts Zach Clayton and Hayden Summerall.

Sartorius, 15; Clayton, 17; and Summerall, 12, became online celebrities through their postings on YouTube, YouNow, Vine and karaoke app Musical.ly. With millions of followers each, they’re hoping their online fame translates into successful music careers IRL (that’s “in real life”).

7:30 p.m., $29.50, The Fillmore Silver Spring, fillmoresilverspring.com

the seasons on a quest for eternal

ICE ICE BABY

winter in a production that features live singing, original music, elaborate costumes and a synthetic ice surface

FACES OF FRIDA

Winter is onstage in Skatetacular: show that is part figure skating, part

2 p.m., $10-$25, Montgomery College

Mexican artist Frida Kahlo was known for her intense self-portraits, but an exhibition at Artists & Makers Studios in Rockville shows how four local artists depict the famous painter, feminist and political activist. The Mexican holiday Day of the Dead is another common theme among the paintings and mixed-media artwork by David Amoroso, Marily Mojica and Sergio and Claudia Olivos on display in the exhibition Frida and the Day of the Dead. It features colorful portraits of Kahlo—one by Amoroso renders her as a strong, heroic pop-art icon (above), while a collage by Mojica suggests Kahlo as a more mysterious, introspective figure—along with other Latin American imagery. An opening reception is planned for 6-9 p.m. on Jan. 5.

Broadway-style musical and part Cirque

Cultural Arts Center, Silver Spring,

du Soleil. Characters travel through

montgomerycollege.edu/cac

Dreams on Ice, a family-friendly

that doesn’t have to be cold.

Jan. 31-Feb. 25

LEADING LADIES

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, free, Artists & Makers Studios, Rockville, artistsandmakersstudios.com

38 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

Born only six months apart, Queen Elizabeth II and Margaret Thatcher were the most powerful people in Great Britain during Thatcher’s term as prime minister from 1979 to 1990. But the relationship between the two formidable women was reportedly stony. There’s no documentation of the weekly meetings between the two, but the comedy Handbagged at Round House Theatre imagines what might have transpired in their private conversations. This is the U.S. premiere of the production, which is part of the 2018 Women’s Voices Theater Festival. $36-$65, Round House Theatre, Bethesda, roundhousetheatre.org

FRIDA KAHLO BY DAVID AMOROSO; COURTESY OF THE FILLMORE; COURTESY OF ROUND HOUSE THEATRE

Jan. 5-25

Jan. 28

CHILDREN’S NATIONAL IS #1 FOR BABIES Children’s National is proud to be named #1 for newborn

intensive care in the U.S. News & World Report Best Children’s Hospitals survey and ranked among the Top 10 children’s

hospitals overall. What makes us the best choice for care in the nation’s capital? Expertise that’s focused on children’s unique

needs and support for every family. At Children’s National, we want every child to GROW UP STRONGER.

Learn more about top-ranked care for children at childrensnational.org/usnews 1-888-884-BEAR

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#GrowUpStronger

good life

BEST BETS Feb. 2

HOT JAZZ, COOL WORDS Arturo O’Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra are known for their Grammywinning blend of big-band music, Afro-Latin jazz and sounds from across Latin America.

Cornel West is known as a philosopher, Harvard professor and political activist.

These two virtuosic entities come together in North Bethesda for a concert at The Music Center at Strathmore. The program includes a performance by the 18-piece band, which will back West in a spoken-word performance during a portion of the show.

Feb. 16

BREW LOVE Craft beer lovers can plan a date for Love Thy Beer: Winter Warmer Showcase, hosted by the Brewers Association of Maryland in honor of FeBREWary, a monthlong celebration of the state’s craft beers. Attendees can taste seasonal beers not widely available to the public, including winter ales, cask ales and sours. Brewers and brewery owners will be on hand to chat with attendees. The event also includes light fare and folk musician Skribe.

6-10 p.m., $55-$75, Silver Spring Civic Center, marylandbeer.org

40 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

Feb. 10-March 18

RAGS TO RICHES Mark Twain’s classic story The Prince and the Pauper gets a Bollywood-style makeover in Imagination Stage’s production of The Princess and the Pauper—A Bollywood Tale. The show, a world premiere musical by Anu Yadav, is set in India and follows a spoiled princess who changes places with a dressmaker’s daughter. Expect music, colorful costumes and specially choreographed dancing in this show, which is best for ages 5 and older. $12-$30, Imagination Stage, imaginationstage.org

COURTESY OF STRATHMORE/BY AMANDA SWEET; COURTESY IMAGES

8 p.m., $35-$65, The Music Center at Strathmore, strathmore.org

ASPIRE HIGHER FIND YOUR PLACE AT THE TALLEST CONDOMINIUM RESIDENCES IN BETHESDA. COMING IN EARLY 2018.

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good life arts & entertainment

CALENDAR COMPILED BY SANDRA FLEISHMAN

Strathmore hosts Step Afrika!

Step Xplosion on Jan. 21.

Jan. 21 STEP AFRIKA! STEP XPLOSION. The fourth annual showcase includes percussive dance styles historically practiced by African-American fraternities and sororities, plus traditional African dance and art forms. 5 p.m. $35-$75.

The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, strathmore.org.

Feb. 24 A WINNTER AFFAIR: TO BENEFIT THE CHILDREN’S INN AT NIH. Young professionals socialize, dance and enjoy specialty cocktails to benefit the nonprofit hospitality house on NIH’s Bethesda

campus. The Children’s Inn provides free lodging and support to children with rare and critical illnesses to allow them to participate in clinical trials. See website for ticket prices. 8 p.m.-midnight. The Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, Washington, D.C. childrensinn.org/ events/7th-annual-winnter-affair.

MUSIC Jan. 5 CATHERINE RUSSELL & JOHN PIZZARELLI: A SALUTE TO BILLIE HOLIDAY & FRANK SINATRA. Two top jazz performers team up to cover the legendary singers of yesterday. 8 p.m. $40-$95. The Music

42 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda.

301-581-5100, strathmore.org.

Jan. 6 BSO: MOZART’S JUPITER. In addition to the beloved Jupiter, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra performs Mozart’s Eine kleine Nachtmusik and the Concerto for Flute and Harp. 8 p.m. $35-$99.

The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, bsomusic.org.

Jan. 8 ELVIS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION, FEATURING JESSE GARRON. The “King” would have been 83 on this date in 2018.

Jesse Garron’s Vegas-style performance pays tribute. 8 p.m. (Doors open at 6 p.m.) $20. Bethesda Blues & Jazz

PHOTO BY JIM SAAH

DANCE

good life Supper Club, Bethesda. 240-330-4500, bethesdabluesjazz.com.

Jan. 20 ANA VIDOVIC. The 37-year-old Croatian native started playing guitar at the age of 5, and by 7 had given her first public performance. At the age of 11, she was performing internationally. Her classical guitar performance is part of the John E. Marlow Guitar Series. 8 p.m. $22.50$45. Westmoreland Congregational United Church of Christ, Bethesda. 301-7994028, marlowguitar.org.

Jan. 25 BSO: DIVA TO DIVA—FROM ELLA TO ADELE. Broadway’s Ann Hampton Callaway joins the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra for a jazz-pop fusion from Carly Simon to Carole King, and Etta James to Ella Fitzgerald. 8 p.m. $35-$99. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda.

301-581-5100, bsomusic.org.

Jan. 27 NIGHTHAWKS ON THE BLUE HIGHWAY. First up is a full-length documentary about

the life and times of blues-rock band The Nighthawks, directed by Johnny Cash’s biographer; then the band takes the stage.

8 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30.) $25. AMP

by Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-5815100, ampbystrathmore.com.

$34. The Fillmore Silver Spring. 301-9609999, fillmoresilverspring.com.

Feb. 16-18 MID-ATLANTIC JAZZ FESTIVAL. More than 50 artists are scheduled on six stages, including vocalist Carmen Lundy, bassist Buster Williams, and the MidAtlantic Collegiate Jazz Orchestra with guest conductor and vibraphonist Warren Wolf. Check the website for times. $20$85. Children 10 and younger free with ticketed adult. Free midnight jams.

Hilton Washington DC/Rockville Hotel & Executive Meeting Center, Rockville. 301563-9330, midatlanticjazzfestival.org.

Jan. 27-28 COSMIC DESIGNS. The National Philharmonic combines Gustav Holst’s powerful space voyage, the orchestral suite The Planets, with a multimedia presentation featuring NASA footage of the solar system and exhibits. Also, La Mer, Debussy’s celebration of the beauty and terror of the sea. 8 p.m. Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday. $24-$73; children ages 7-17 can attend for free with a paying adult.

The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, strathmore.org.

Feb. 18 WASHINGTON PERFORMING ARTS: THE BERNSTEIN STORY. American composer Leonard Bernstein would have been 100 in 2018; to celebrate, WPA’s free concert features Bernstein’s daughter Jamie sharing stories of his life, and the U.S. Air Force Band performing music from West Side Story, On the Town and more. 4 p.m. Free, but tickets required. The Music

Feb. 2 CHASE RICE: LAMBS & LIONS TOUR. Rice, a modern country singer best known for the massive 2014 hit “Cruise,” which he co-wrote with Florida Georgia Line, is promoting his newest album. 8 p.m. $25-

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44 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

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301-581-5100, strathmore.org.

Feb. 23-March 4 THE MERRY WIDOW. The Victorian Lyric Opera Company offers Franz Lehar’s most famous work, about a fabulously wealthy young widow from a fictional Eastern European country and its ambassador’s attempts to find her a new husband to save the country from bankruptcy. 8 p.m.

Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. $28; $24 seniors, $20 students. F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, Rockville. 240-3148690, vloc.org.

Feb. 24 GERSHWIN’S PORGY AND BESS. The classic concert opera is performed by the National Philharmonic Chorale and acclaimed soloists. 8 p.m. $25-$82; children ages 7-17 can attend for free with a paying adult.

The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, strathmore.org.

Feb. 28 FRESHFARM ROCKS! PRESENTS STYX. The legendary rock band performs old hits and

new songs from its 15th studio album, The Mission. 7:30 p.m. $65-$300. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda.

301-581-5100, strathmore.org.

THEATER & FILM

and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. $16. Open Source Studio at The Highwood Theatre, Silver Spring. 301928-2738, 4615theatre.com.

Jan. 26

Jan. 12-Feb. 3 WIT. Margaret Edson’s play won the 1999 Pulitzer Prize for drama and has been hailed for its brilliance in tackling the story of a renowned professor of English diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Jan. 21 and 28. $22-$25. Silver Spring Stage, Silver Spring. 301-593-6036, ssstage.org.

Jan. 19-Feb. 10 WAXING WEST. 4615 Theatre Company presents this Washington-area premiere as part of the 2018 Women’s Voices Theater Festival. Winner of a New York Innovative Theatre Award, Romanianborn playwright Saviana Stanescu’s drama turns an immigrant’s pursuit of the American Dream into a darkly funny modern fable. 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays

THE NEWLY DEAD GAME. Audience members are invited to participate in this murder-mystery comedy that is part scripted and part improv. The setting is the taping of a Newlyweds-style game show, but one of the contestants winds up dead.

Attendees figure out whodunit. 8 p.m. $20$30. AMP by Strathmore, North Bethesda.

301-581-5100, ampbystrathmore.com.

Jan. 26-Feb. 4 THE UNDERPANTS. Rockville Little Theatre presents comedian Steve Martin’s adaptation of a 1911 German play called Die Hose. A couple’s conservative life is changed—but not in the way they expect— by a flash of underwear at the king’s big parade. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m.

Sundays. $22; $20 seniors and students. F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, Rockville. 240-3148690, rockvillemd.gov/theatre.

RITE OF SPRING

FRI, FEB 23 | 8:15 PM • OFF THE CUFF SUN, FEB 25 | 3 PM • FEATURING BRANFORD MARSALIS Join Marin Alsop and the BSO for two performances of Stravinsky's great masterpiece, The Rite of Spring. The Friday night performance includes an in-depth Off The Cuff discussion of The Rite of Spring with Music Director Marin Alsop. Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Branford Marsalis joins the Orchestra on Sunday to perform Scaramouche for saxophone and orchestra.

FROM VIENNA TO 42ND STREET

THU, MAR 8 | 8 PM Join Jack Everly for a star-studded concert featuring Broadway singers and the Baltimore Choral Arts Society performing favorite show tunes from Kiss Me, Kate, Phantom of the Opera, Candide and more.

MAHLER’S TITAN

THU, APR 19 | 8 PM Experience the massive orchestral forces of Mahler's “Titan.” The BSO performs two of the greatest pieces in the classical repertoire, Beethoven’s romantic Triple Concerto and Mahler's dramatic "Titan" Symphony.

Presenting Sponsors: M&T Bank | Total Wine and More

TICKETS FROM $35 | 1.877.BSO.1444 THE MUSIC CENTER AT STRATHMORE • NORTH BETHESDA, MD

EXPLORE ALL UPCOMING CONCERTS AT BSOMUSIC.ORG

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 45

good life Jan. 26

Feb. 7-March 4

AUBERGINE. Julia Cho’s off-Broadway hit about a son who leaves his job as a classically trained French chef to take care of his dying father, a Korean immigrant, is being produced by Olney Theatre Center and Everyman Theatre as part of the 2018 Women’s Voices Theater Festival. See website for times and prices. Olney Theatre Center, Olney. 301924-3400, olneytheatre.org.

Feb. 8 COMMUNITY CORNERSTONES: AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITIES IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY. Heritage Montgomery has produced a 60-minute documentary featuring five of the 40 historic church communities established in the county between the Civil War and

Check out multimedia artist Roni Horn’s work—including this piece, Pink Tons—at Glenstone in Potomac through Jan. 28.

the civil rights movement. Sponsored

by Glenview Mansion and Peerless Rockville’s speaker series. 7 p.m. Free.

Glenview Mansion, Rockville. 240-3148682, rockvillemd.gov.

Feb. 9-24

STEEL MAGNOLIAS. A group of gossipy Southern ladies in a small-town beauty parlor provide an alternately hilarious and touching story for Kensington Arts Theatre. 8:15 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. $17-$20. Kensington Town Hall, Kensington. 240-621-0528, katonline.org.

46 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

Feb. 9-25

STICK FLY. An affluent African-American family gathers at their Martha’s Vineyard home for the weekend. But two newcomers butt heads over issues of race and privilege, bringing longstanding family tensions to a boiling point. Recommended for ages 14 and older. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. $20; $12 for ages 14 and younger. The Arts Barn, Gaithersburg.

301-258-6394, gaithersburgmd.gov.

Feb. 17

PLAY IN A DAY. Six local theater

PHOTO BY RON AMSTUTZ, COURTESY GLENSTONE

VERTIGO: FILM & BREW PARTY. The classic Hitchcock film, with TV critic Arch Campbell hosting, and a cash bar. Doors open at 6 p.m.; 6:30 p.m. pub opens; 7 p.m. preshow discussion with Campbell; 7:30 p.m. film. $5. The Arts Barn, Gaithersburg. 301258-6394, gaithersburgmd.gov.

companies have 24 hours to write, rehearse and perform an original play, produced by Bethesda Urban Partnership.

Each troupe gets a theme and prop that they must incorporate into their play. A panel of judges awards prizes. 8 p.m. $15. Imagination Stage, Bethesda. 301215-6660, bethesda.org.

PHOTO BY RON AMSTUTZ, COURTESY GLENSTONE

Feb. 21-25 AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE. In Henrik Ibsen’s play, a doctor discovers that the local waters that feed the town’s spa— and its economy—are poisoned, but town leaders and the press don’t want to hear about it. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. $10; $8 seniors; $5 students with ID. The Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center, Montgomery College, Rockville. 240-567-5301, montgomerycollege.edu/pac.

ART Through Jan. 6 FINE ART IN MINIATURE. More than 700 mini-masterpieces from around the world are in the 84th annual exhibition curated

by The Miniature Painters, Sculptors & Gravers Society of Washington, D.C. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

Wednesdays; noon-4 p.m. Sundays. The Mansion at Strathmore, North Bethesda.

301-581-5100, strathmore.org.

Through Jan. 6 SILVER & GOLD: THE HOLIDAY SHOW. Waverly Street Gallery’s artists present new works in ceramics, jewelry, paintings, photography, prints and sculpture. Noon6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Free.

Waverly Street Gallery, Bethesda. 301-9519441, waverlystreetgallery.com.

Through Jan. 28 RONI HORN. The four-decade retrospective of the internationally known American multimedia artist fills the museum’s 9,000 square feet of gallery space. This is believed to be Horn’s first solo showing in the Washington, D.C., area. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday-Sunday. Free. Glenstone, Potomac. 301-983-5001, glenstone.org.

Through July 15 BOOM: THE 1950s IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY. The interactive exhibit—with more than 200 objects, photos and documents—explores the cultural, social and economic factors in the ’50s that changed life in the county and led to

a massive influx of families. The influx fueled the construction of new roads, schools and subdivisions. Beall-Dawson House, Rockville. 301-340-2825, montgomeryhistory.org.

Come Together

Jan. 10-Feb. 3 GROUP SHOW. Works by Sara Becker, Nancy Butler, Helen Gallagher, Caroline Orrick, Maureen Ward, Ann Rossilli and Penny Smith. Noon-6 p.m. WednesdaySaturday. Opening reception 6-8 p.m. Jan. 12. Free. Gallery B, Bethesda. 301-2156660, bethesda.org.

Jan. 13-March 4 POE & PUCK: THE 27TH ANNUAL STRATHMORE JURIED EXHIBITION. Magic meets macabre when artists explore a common theme: the literary genius of Edgar Allan Poe and William Shakespeare.

Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 10 a.m.9 p.m. Wednesdays; noon-4 p.m. Sundays.

Closed Mondays. Opening reception 7 p.m.

Jan. 18. (See other family events below.)

Free. The Mansion at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, strathmore.org.

Feb. 7-March 3 GROUP SHOW. Works by Katty Biglari, Nora Maccoby, Grazia Montalto and Yolaine Rilhac.

Noon-6 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. Opening reception 6-8 p.m. Feb. 9. Free. Gallery B, Bethesda. 301-215-6660, bethesda.org.

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES Through Jan. 7 CHARLOTTE’S WEB. Presented with live music, the beloved classic recounts how farm girl Fern forms an unlikely bond with Wilbur, a charismatic pig, and how Charlotte, a clever spider, saves the day. Recommended for ages 5 and older. 1:30 and 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; selected Saturdays at 11 a.m. and some weekdays during the holidays (check the website). $10-$35. Imagination Stage, Bethesda. 301-280-1660, imaginationstage. org.

Jan. 5-21 THE RELUCTANT DRAGON. Arts on the Green and The Montgomery Playhouse collaborate on a zany tale about a young girl more interested in fairy tales than in her daily farm chore of painting the pigs. She runs into a poetry-loving dragon and has to defend him. Recommended for ages 7 and older. 7:30 p.m. Fridays; 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m.

Sundays. $15; $12 for 14 and younger.

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BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 47

good life The Arts Barn, Gaithersburg. 301-2586394, gaithersburgmd.gov.

Jan. 13-Feb. 11

INSIDE OUT. It’s bedtime, but instead of getting ready, two children use their imaginations to turn their room into a messy wonderland. Recommended for ages 1-5. Must be accompanied by someone 13 or older. 10 and 11:15 a.m.

Saturdays and Sundays. $14. Imagination Stage, Bethesda. 301-280-1660, imaginationstage.org.

Jan. 13

NUGGET & FANG. Based on a book of the same name by Tammi Sauer, ArtsPower’s under-the-sea musical tells the story of Nugget, a minnow, and Fang, a shark, who get along swimmingly—until Nugget goes to school and learns that fish are supposed to be afraid of sharks.

Recommended for ages 5 and older.

11 a.m. $7; $6 seniors; $4 students and children. The Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center, Montgomery College, Rockville. 240-567-5301, montgomerycollege.edu/pac.

Jan. 15

NOW FAMILY CONCERT. New Orchestra of Washington’s family-friendly concert includes Camille Saint-Saëns’ The Carnival of the Animals and NOW artistic director Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez’s Laberinto.

An instrument petting zoo is included; and pizza lunch afterward is an extra price to be determined. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $10; free for 3 and younger. Westmoreland Congregational United Church of Christ, Bethesda. neworchestraofwashington.org.

Jan. 19-Feb. 11

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TALES OF BEATRIX POTTER. Christopher Hudert uses hand puppets to present three of Potter’s favorites—“Two Bad Mice,” “Jemima Puddle-Duck” and “Jeremy Fisher”—in this 45-minute show.

Recommended for ages 3 to 9. 11 a.m.

Fridays; 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. $12. The Puppet Co., Glen Echo. 301-634-5380, thepuppetco.org.

Jan. 27

CHILDREN’S ART TALK & TOUR. Kids ages 7 and older get a close-up view of “Poe & Puck” (the 27th Annual Strathmore Juried Exhibition) and “Infinite Glitter: Jordann Wine” in a guided tour of The Mansion at Strathmore, followed by a hands-on art activity. 10:15 a.m. Reservations required. $5; free for accompanying adults. The Mansion at Strathmore, North Bethesda.

301-581-5100, strathmore.org.

48 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

Jan. 27 CLEMENTINE: THE MUSICAL. TheatreworksUSA sets to music the antics of the heroine in the Sara Pennypacker books. Recommended for ages 5 and older. 11 a.m. $7; $6 seniors; $4 students and children. The Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center, Montgomery College, Rockville. 240-567-5301, montgomerycollege.edu/pac.

Jan. 27

MOCOMCON. Montgomery County Public Libraries holds its second comics convention, with panels, workshops, programs, exhibits—and, of course, cosplay (dressing as favorite characters). For all ages. No weapons, including replica and costume pieces, will be allowed inside. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Inclement weather date: Feb. 10. Free.

Montgomery County Public Libraries, Silver Spring branch. 240-777-0002, montgomerycountymd.gov/library.

Feb. 3

FOLKLORE SOCIETY OF GREATER WASHINGTON MINIFEST. The annual indoor MidWinter Festival features about 300 performers singing, dancing, telling stories and leading workshops. Noon-10:30 p.m.

See website for pricing; there is a family maximum price. Takoma Park Middle School, Takoma Park. fsgw.org.

Feb. 3

SHAKESPEARE FOR THE YOUNG: THE TINIEST TEMPEST. An interactive puppet show based on Shakespeare’s The Tempest. Recommended for ages 4 to 9. 10:15 a.m. $8 in advance, $10 at the door. The Mansion at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, strathmore.org.

Feb. 9-March 31 ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY. Judith Viorst’s beloved book comes to life on the stage. Recommended for all ages.

See website for times. $19.50. Adventure Theatre MTC, Glen Echo. 301-634-2270, adventuretheatre-mtc.org.

Feb. 9-10

JANET’S PLANET: EXPLORE THE COSMOS! This interactive presentation, based on a public television show, is designed to encourage an interest in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) in elementary school-age kids. 11 a.m. $25; $20 college students and seniors; $15 Montgomery College students and faculty/staff; $10 for ages 18 and younger. Montgomery College

Cultural Arts Center, Silver Spring. 240567-5775, montgomerycollege.edu/cac.

Feb. 10 NOAA OPEN HOUSE. Meet scientists and weather forecasters with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and engage with interactive exhibits and other activities. Recommended for ages 5 and older. Adults need to bring a photo ID to enter the facility. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Silver Spring. 240-5330710, preserveamerica.noaa.gov.

Feb. 16-March 25 BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. A 40-minute version of the classic tale, told with largescale marionettes. Recommended for ages 5 and older. 11 a.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. $12. The Puppet Co., Glen Echo. 301-634-5380, thepuppetco.org.

Feb. 24 THE POE SHOW: ONCE UPON A MIDNIGHT CHEERY. Pocket Change Theatre Company delivers a family-friendly show in which

Edgar Allan Poe is trying to write a spooky story and keeps getting happy suggestions from his cheerful pet raven. 10:15 a.m. $8 in advance, $10 at the door. The Mansion at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-5815100, strathmore.org.

SEASONAL Through Jan. 7

HOLIDAY ART SHOW AND SALE. The annual event by the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture features works in glass, ceramics, jewelry, photography, painting, crafts and more. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Closed Jan. 1. (Additional hours through Dec. 30: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday and Friday.) Free.

Glen Echo Park, Glen Echo. 301-634-2222, glenechopark.org/exhibitions.

Through April 1

ICE SKATING AT VETERANS PLAZA. Take a spin around the outdoor skating rink. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays, noon10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, noon-midnight Fridays, 10 a.m.-midnight Saturdays. 10 a.m.-midnight Dec. 23-Jan.

2. $9 for a two-hour session; $8 children and seniors; $5 skate rental. Veterans Plaza, Silver Spring. 301-588-1221, silverspringiceskating.com.

Jan. 15

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY CELEBRATION. A highlight of the event, which will include multicultural performances and a recognition of Rockville community members, will be a keynote address by a community leader.

Sponsored by the city of Rockville. 11 a.m.12:30 p.m. program; reception follows.

Free. Richard Montgomery High School, Rockville. 240-314-8316, rockvillemd.gov.

Jan. 15

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY OF SERVICE. Use your day off from work— and the kids’ day off from school—to volunteer at various locations throughout Montgomery County. For more information on locations, service opportunities and specific hours, call the Montgomery County Volunteer Center at 240-777-2600, or go to montgomeryserves.org. n To submit calendar items, or to see a complete listing, go to BethesdaMagazine.com.

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Call us at 301.770.8448 to visit our campus. www.smithlifecommunities.org BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 49

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people. politics. current events. books. columns.

banter FLYING HIGH

A 13-year-old from Chevy Chase flips and twists his way to a world championship event

PHOTO BY TAMARA KUKURUTZ PHOTOGRAPHY

BY CARALEE ADAMS

AS A TODDLER, Tomás Minc was always jumping and bouncing—and as he got older, he never stopped. “When he was 2, his preschool teacher said he was extremely coordinated, and a risktaker,” recalls his mother, Tamara Kukurutz, who signed up the two for a mommy-and-me gymnastics class and put a trampoline in their backyard.

When Tomás started classes on his own at age 4, coaches could tell right away that he had natural talent. He made the competitive team at Dynamite Gymnastics Center in Rockville when he was 7, and three years later he reached the youth elite level for two events in the trampoline and tumbling (T&T) program of USA Gymnastics. His coach says he’s the youngest gymnast in Maryland to compete at that level, which is the highest in the sport for athletes his age.

“I like the feeling of being in the air,” Tomás says. “It’s just like I’m flying.”

This past November, the seventh-grader from Chevy Chase celebrated his 13th birthday in Sofia, Bulgaria, where he competed in the 2017 T&T World Age Group Competitions. His event was the double mini trampoline, in which gymnasts sprint down a 55-foot runway and jump from one small trampoline to another while performing a series of somersaults and twists. Tomás, the first gymnast from Dynamite to make it to a world championships, finished 17th out of 33 competitors in his age group.

“When he’s in the gym, he’s working hard.

He’s not afraid of anything,” says Gail Carhart, who coaches Tomás at Dynamite and traveled to Bulgaria with the young gymnast and his mother.

Most weekdays, Tomás gets home from BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

51

banter Clockwise from top left: Seven-year-old Tomás at his first Trampoline & Tumbling national meet in 2012; Tomás competed in Providence, Rhode Island, in 2016; this past November, the seventhgrader celebrated his 13th birthday in Bulgaria, where he competed in a world championship.

52

caption

Argentina. They have an older son, Lucas, 15, who comes to some of his brother’s practices and meets.

Tomás hopes to qualify for the 2018 T&T World Age Group Competitions in Russia. He won’t be old enough to compete in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, and since the double mini competition is not an Olympic event, he’s hoping to adjust his skills and then earn a spot on the U.S. trampoline team for the 2024 Summer Games in Paris.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

In the meantime, Tomás continues to inspire other athletes at Dynamite— some even watched the live stream of his competition in Bulgaria at 3 a.m.

“If I’m doing something new and I’m really scared, he’s there to push me to my limits,” says teammate Alex Cole, a 12-year-old from Washington, D.C. Carhart says soon Tomás might not be the only gymnast from Dynamite competing at the elite level: “We have a few that are trying to follow that same path.” n

PHOTOS BY TAMARA KUKURUTZ PHOTOGRAPHY

Westland Middle School in Bethesda around 4 p.m., grabs a snack—yogurt, cereal or a banana—and leaves for the gym, where he spends about 20 hours a week. He’s back home around 9 and has a late dinner while doing his homework.

Tomás, who’s in Westland’s Spanish immersion program, also plays trumpet in the school band, is on an MSI soccer team, and dives competitively at Rock Creek Pool in the summer. “I like to stay active or else I get really bored at home and I have nothing to do,” he says.

During trampoline season, which runs from December to July, he usually participates in eight to 10 meets.

The road to the world championships was rocky for Tomás. Last May, he finished last at a meet in Colorado after losing points in one event for slightly bending his knees. The following month, his right knee started to hurt, and he was diagnosed with Osgood-Schlatter disease, which is typically associated with growth spurts. A painful bony bump appeared on the shinbone just below his knee. He took two weeks off from working out, only going to the gym to stretch. He did physical therapy and had two weeks to prepare for the USA Gymnastics Championships in Milwaukee in June. “I had to push through the pain,” says Tomás, who listens to remixes of pop songs on his phone to relax before competitions.

“I didn’t think I’d make [the world championships]. …I wasn’t doing super well because of my knee injury.”

Since October 2016, Kukurutz has been selling muffins, doughnuts and homemade empanadas at the gym on Saturdays to help cover the costs of Tomás’ travel. His family also set up a GoFundMe page, which has raised more than $5,000.

Kukurutz, a preschool teacher, and her husband, Gustavo Minc, who works at the Inter-American Development Bank in Washington, D.C., are originally from

banter

BY ALEX CAROLAN

FIGURATIVELY SPEAKING ANIMAL SERVICES BY THE NUMBERS In 2016, there were 5,776 homeless, abused or neglected animals brought to the Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center (MCASAC) in Derwood. The county’s Department of Police, Animal Services Division, operates the center, which helps all of these animals—from dogs and cats to farm and exotic animals—find a home and get the food or care they need.

Here’s a look at 2016 data on MCASAC, the county’s only shelter that won’t deny an animal based on breed, age, health or behavior.

978

1,936

RABIES VACCINATIONS given to animals in the community at free clinics

ANIMALS ADOPTED

from MCASAC in 2016

495 RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS

50,000+

612

Dog adoptions

351

VISITORS to MCASAC

975

Cat adoptions

Animals taken in by

FOSTER HOMES

54

Pounds of

DOG FOOD

STRAYS

MCASAC went through

Percent of

10,705

65,000

that were returned to their owners

Calls to which Montgomery County Animal Services officers responded, including those about loose dogs, injured wildlife, bites and animal cruelty

KITTY LITTER

STRAYS

Source: Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center, 2016 Annual Review

54

Hours put in by

VOLUNTEERS

46,000

Percent of dogs and cats that came to MCASAC as

42

18,000+

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

Pounds of

MCASAC used

INFOGRAPHICS BY AMANDA SMALLWOOD

MCASAC animals that went to

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banter

Allen Hirsh, a practitioner of what is known as “fractal art,” created this self-portrait from a photo taken in 2016. For the smaller image, titled “Kaleidoscope à Chuck Close,” he used a picture of silk flowers in a vase.

THE MIX MASTER How a local scientist swirls pixels instead of paint to create abstract works of art “THE COMPUTER IS MUCH more powerful than Picasso,” asserts Allen Hirsh.

Boldly. Hirsh is given to such statements as he seeks to explain his specialized form of art—painting without a literal brush, palette or canvas but nonetheless creating colorful abstract images that he posts online and sells as framed prints as large as 54-by-72 inches.

Hirsh is a local practitioner of what is known as “fractal art,” utilizing computer algorithms and software he writes himself to mess with colors, pixels and images that begin as basic photographs of flowers or barns.

Applying his computer magic, he then transforms them into something unrecognizable but striking. The digital works, which appear daily on Instagram (@the_ abstract_gardener), have evocative titles such as “Twilight at a Transcendent Monastery,” “Arachnids in Love,” and “Phantom 56

Opposing.” Except for an occasional distorted image of President Trump, his work is artistic and apolitical.

Hirsh is the self-named “Abstract Gardener,” and he comes by this moniker honestly. The Friendship Heights resident was raised on a chicken farm and nursery in the central New Jersey coastal town of Toms River, one of several in the area settled by Jewish immigrant farmers around the beginning of the 20th century.

Hirsh’s family was among them.

Growing up as a farm kid—his parents separated and his mother owned and operated a nursery—Hirsh developed an interest in science and math. His boyhood hobby was raising pet spiders. As a high school junior, he won a scholarship to work in a science lab at Stanford University, which led him to Cal Tech and then to Columbia University with a fellowship in neurobiology, followed by three years

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

back on the farm with his mother.

Primarily interested in plant physiology, he earned a doctorate from the University of Maryland while working at a nursery in Potomac to pay the bills. In the 1980s, he started his own landscaping firm, which he called “The Intense Gardener.” Along the way, he met his wife, Rhonda Weiss, a lawyer for the federal government. They have two grown children: Ilana, whose photographs inspire his fractal art, and Jordan, who is a math whiz like his father and is currently in a doctoral program. On the side, Hirsh has tutored high school students in science and math, and done a little freelance landscaping.

So how can Hirsh’s art best be described?

Think Picasso’s Cubism period squared, except this artist’s canvas is an 8-by-13-inch laptop screen. The equations are as simple as: x(new)=x+a*y*arctan(b*red_value_of_

IMAGES PROVIDED BY ALLEN HIRSH

BY EUGENE L. MEYER

IMAGES PROVIDED BY ALLEN HIRSH

FAMILY LAW pixel) +c*a*arctan (d*red_value_of_pixel), where a, b, c, d are constants input by the user. At home with his algorithms, Hirsh has produced about 70,000 pieces. The maestro of math=art sits at a table in his spacious 12th-floor apartment overlooking the treetops of Upper Northwest D.C. and demonstrates how he “paints” a picture.

“It’s like a microscopically tipped brush, swirling pixels around, except mathematically,” he explains. “Math uncovers the hidden dimension found inside these photographs.”

Hirsh begins with a photograph, by Ilana, of a Dutch karaoke club outside Amsterdam, then with strokes of the keyboard turns it into increasingly abstract images. Within 20 minutes, he has created four variations that stretch reality into psychedelic-like forms. In the last four years, he has won six awards, his work has been juried into 50 shows, and he has even had one of his own shows at Foundry Gallery in the District’s Shaw neighborhood.

His traditional artist friends have tried to get him to paint, well, traditionally. “I’d go crazy,” he says. “I can paint in 30 seconds. I’m not going to take two weeks. It’s not the way I do things. I’ve never had even one dot of art training in any way whatsoever.”

Now 70, Hirsh has found his calling, if not made his fortune, from this mix of math and art. He works at it while not tending to his other gig, as CEO of CryoBioPhysica, a company he founded that sells chemicals to research scientists in the field of molecular biology. His partner lives in Bulgaria and comes here every several months to mix the chemicals at a Germantown lab.

Orders for the chemicals come in over the phone and online, and Hirsh’s artwork time is often interrupted by customers eager to purchase his magic elixirs, if not his fractal images. His artwork starts at $2,800 for a framed 3-by-4-foot picture at theabstractgar dener.com, less for smaller sizes. “Fine art is one of the poorest ways in the world to make money,” he says. “But, absolutely, I adore it.” ■

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57

banter

QUICK TAKES

News you may have missed

BY ANDREW SCHOTZ

STAYING IN SHAPE You’re never too young to examine the ramifications of congressional gerrymandering—at least that’s what 9-year-old Araliya Rubin of Chevy Chase decided. She and her mother, Nilmini, worked together to create a coloring book on redistricting called The United Shapes of America, which is sold at Amazon.com.

Araliya’s father, Joel, ran unsuccessfully in 2016 in one of Maryland’s oddly shaped congressional districts, the 8th.

DIFFERENT GRILLING IN THE SWING

An October forum for candidates hoping to be the next Montgomery County executive featured both serious topics—the minimum wage and public safety—and lighter ones, such as personal picks for food, drinks and music to offer friends at a barbecue. Some examples: vodka martinis for Roger Berliner, a craft brew for Bill Frick, picanha steaks for George Leventhal, and tunes by Little Feat for Marc Elrich.

FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER People who supported Potomac’s Old Angler’s Inn at a September zoning hearing could get a meal and a $50 gift certificate in return. Owner Mark Reges also offered a one-year membership to the “Order of the Golden Hook.” The society, which Reges wants to revive, discussed current events during gatherings at the inn, but hasn’t been active since the 1900s. The Montgomery County Council later passed a bill that restricts the placement of country inns, hampering Reges’ ability to go ahead with his plan to build a banquet hall near the inn.

58

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

ILLUSTRATIONS BY MARY ANN SMITH

Former President Barack Obama has chosen a place to work on his golf game—Columbia Country Club in Chevy Chase. Obama accepted an “honorary membership” invitation from the club’s board of governors, according to a letter sent to members.

While he was president, Obama played at Columbia, Andrews Air Force Base, Rockville’s Woodmont Country Club and other courses.

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CALLING THE PLAYS

Restaurateur Mark Bucher dishes out business advice to NFL players

BY MICHAEL S. GERBER

SITTING ON THE PATIO at his Bethesda home in October, Mark Bucher pulls up a text message from Vinny Curry, an Eagles defensive end in his sixth NFL season.

“Hey man just walked through the new restaurant,” it reads. “Definitely something that Philadelphia has never seen. Looking forward to having team dinners there.”

Curry, who was drafted in 2012 after 60

attending Marshall University in West Virginia, has been thinking about investing in the Philadelphia restaurant, and Bucher, a restaurateur in the D.C. area who’s guiding him on business decisions, doesn’t want him to move so quickly.

Bucher’s inclination was to write back, “Don’t do it,” he says. But instead, he told the player what he tells so many others:

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

“Let’s talk first. Don’t sign anything.”

Texts or calls like that aren’t unusual for Bucher. For the past five years, he’s advised current and former NFL players who want to invest in restaurants, start their own businesses, or get involved in nonprofit work. At 49, Bucher draws on decades of experience in the food industry, first as director of real estate for Dunkin’ Donuts and Chesapeake Bagel Bakery, and later as the owner of BGR: The Burger Joint, a chain he opened in Bethesda, and Medium Rare, a steak frites joint with three locations in Bethesda and Washington, D.C. Bucher considers himself lucky—both BGR (which he no longer owns) and Medium Rare are popular. But his ventures haven’t all succeeded. He opened Community, a diner in Bethesda, in the fall of 2016, and it struggled with poor service and closed after less than a year.

Bucher, a father of four, started working with NFL players soon after he met George Atallah, who stopped by BGR in November 2012 to get his Thanksgiving turkey deep fried (a tradition Bucher continues today at the Barracks Row location of Medium Rare). Atallah, the assistant executive director of external affairs for the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), recognized Bucher’s voice from “Start Up or Shut Up,” a local radio show he co-hosted. The show featured entrepreneurs and wannabe entrepreneurs—sort of like a talk radio version of ABC’s hit Shark Tank, without the multimillionaire investors. Atallah, who knew that players could use some business advice and help in preparing for life after football, asked Bucher and his radio co-host, Tom Gregg, to record a podcast specifically for the NFLPA audience.

“The average career of the NFL player is 3½ years, and we all know that they’re going to retire at the ripe old age of 27,” says Bethesda resident DeMaurice Smith, executive director of the NFLPA. “We are

PHOTO BY EDGAR ARTIGA

banter

there to help them with transitioning.”

Many professional athletes struggle after retirement, and some end up in financial distress or even declare bankruptcy. Sometimes their stories include a “friend” or business partner who took advantage of them or guided them in the wrong direction. When a player needs advice about an industry that Bucher doesn’t know well, he’ll often connect the person to someone who does: He put one retiring quarterback with an interest in charity work in touch with former Redskins quarterback Doug Williams, who co-founded a foundation that helps economically disadvantaged youths.

Bucher, who doesn’t charge for his advice, isn’t much of a football fan, and Smith believes that’s more of an asset than a liability. “I tell our players that they should never take advice from fans,” Smith says, adding that Bucher gives players “a very blunt understanding of what the business is, and how difficult and tough that business is.”

Take the star wide receiver who wanted to open a GNC franchise in preparation for life after football; he told Bucher that his nephew would run the store while he continued to play on Sundays. “Will your nephew open the door for a family who shows up a few caption minutes before closing time on a night when he was hoping to get home early for a date?” Bucher asked him. Not a chance, the player answered. “And that’s why your nephew is never going to run your GNC for you,” he said.

“That was a game-changer” for the player, Bucher says. “They’re given this belief system that they can never fail: ‘I’ve never failed, I can’t fail.’ You know what?

You really can, and you can fail bad. It can go bad fast, because your physical attributes can’t get you out of contracts.

And that’s probably the biggest teaching we do. And it’s hard. Sometimes they listen and sometimes they don’t.” ■

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banter

BOOK REPORT

Chris Palmer believes parents can have more influence on their kids than they think—if they step up. “You have to stay involved, be assertive and have standards,” says the author of Raise Your Kids to Succeed: What Every Parent Should Know (Rowman & Littlefield, October 2017).

The book stems from the 70-year-old Bethesda resident’s experience in learning to connect with his three daughters and working as a professor of film and media arts in the School of Communication at American University, where, he says, students often arrive on campus unprepared and anxious. Among his ideas for raising resilient, happy and kind kids: Create a family mission statement, develop fun traditions, allow kids to teach parents something new each day, spend oneon-one time with each child, have firm boundaries and express love often.

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After years of women pushing for the right to vote, what finally got the issue over the finish line?

That question fascinated Bethesda’s Johanna Neuman and led her to write Gilded Suffragists: The New York Socialites Who Fought for Women’s Right to Vote (Washington Mews Books, September 2017). Neuman, a former Los Angeles Times reporter, discovered that wealthy women with last names such as Astor, Vanderbilt and Whitney joined the cause in the early 1900s, and that their involvement added a “buzz and excitement” that was a magnet for the press corps.

“When [these socialites] declared for suffrage, it was like the first celebrity endorsement of the 20th century,” says Neuman, a writer with a doctorate in history. “They traded their social cache for political power.”

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

Howard Bennett’s new book, The Fantastic Body: What Makes You Tick & How You Get Sick (Rodale Kids, November 2017), uses humor, bright illustrations and fun stories about animals to get kids interested in everything from why their ears pop to the purpose of saliva. The 248-page book is geared toward 8- to 12-year-olds, but the pediatrician, who lives in Bethesda, says it can interest parents, too.

“The human body is just an awesome machine, and we all take it for granted to some degree,” says Bennett, a columnist for KidsPost in The Washington Post. “We think about our outsides— our fingers, our toes, our eyes, our nose. Dipping into a book like this gives you a taste of what it’s like on the inside and how things work.”

A Rift in the Earth: Art, Memory, and the Fight for a Vietnam War Memorial (Arcade Publishing, September 2017) by James Reston Jr. chronicles the artistic, political and emotional struggle nearly 40 years ago over how to honor the men and women who died in one of the nation’s most controversial wars. It’s a story worth revisiting because the design by Yale architecture student Maya Lin became “arguably the most successful war memorial that’s ever been done in all of the history of art,” says the Chevy Chase author.

“It’s become a place for the contemplation of all war.

The experience of going to that wall, when you look at it as a whole, is the focus on the cost of war, and that transcends the Vietnam generation.”

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banter DATA PROVIDED BY

READING LIST

The top-selling books in our area. Data is based on books sold at Politics and Prose’s Connecticut Avenue location in Upper Northwest D.C., from Oct. 31 to Nov. 14, 2017. Note: Author event sales may influence the presence of some titles on these lists.

HARDCOVER FICTION

1. Radio Free Vermont: A Fable of Resistance, Bill McKibben

PAPERBACK 1. Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?: And Other Conversations

2. Manhattan Beach, Jennifer Egan

About Race, Beverly Daniel Tatum

3. Mrs. Osmond, John Banville

2. The Flight of the Maidens, Jane Gardam

4. The Rooster Bar, John Grisham

3. Uprooting Racism: How White People Can Work for Racial Justice, Paul Kivel

5. The Quantum Spy, David Ignatius

4. Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City, Matthew Desmond

6. Lincoln in the Bardo, George Saunders

5. The Undoing Project: A Friendship That Changed Our Minds, Michael Lewis

7. Artemis, Andy Weir

6. Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption, Bryan Stevenson

8. A Gentleman in Moscow, Amor Towles

7. Never Let Me Go, Kazuo Ishiguro

9. The Ninth Hour, Alice McDermott

8. Visual Intelligence: Sharpen Your Perception, Change Your Life, Amy E. Herman

10. A Legacy of Spies, John le Carré

9. On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons From the Twentieth Century, Timothy Snyder 10. Prisoners of Geography: Ten Maps That Explain Everything About the World, Tim Marshall

HARDCOVER NONFICTION

1. Leonardo da Vinci, Walter Isaacson

CHILDREN’S

2. Bobby Kennedy: A Raging Spirit, Chris Matthews

1. Tortall: A Spy’s Guide, Tamora Pierce

3. Obama: An Intimate Portrait, Pete Souza

2. The Perfect Score, Rob Buyea

4. Playing With Fire, Lawrence O’Donnell

3. The Getaway (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series, #12), Jeff Kinney

5. Franklin D. Roosevelt: A Political Life, Robert Dallek

4. Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines, Jeanne Walker Harvey

6. Not a Crime to Be Poor: The Criminalization of Poverty in America,

5. The Book of Dust, Vol. 1: La Belle Sauvage, Philip Pullman

6. The Wedding Portrait, Innosanto Nagara

Peter Edelman 7. The House That Pinterest Built, Diane Keaton

7. The 57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime That Changed Their Lives,

8. Grant, Ron Chernow 9. Hacks: The Inside Story of the Break-ins and Breakdowns That Put Donald Trump in the White House, Donna Brazile

Dashka Slater 8. Dear Martin, Nic Stone 9. The Stars Beneath Our Feet, David Barclay Moore

10. We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy, Ta-Nehisi Coates

10. The Wheels on the Bus, Paul O. Zelinsky

Jan. 15

Jan. 17 and Feb. 21

Jan. 25

“RACE IN AMERICA” PANEL. The panel will include historian and former chairperson of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Mary Frances Berry, D.C. journalist and author April Ryan and others. 7 p.m. Free.

Politics and Prose, Washington, D.C. 202-364-1919, politics-prose.com.

ARTISTS IN FICTION BOOK CLUB. Join fellow art enthusiasts at Strathmore’s new monthly art-themed book club. Participants will discuss the books (authors not attending), and each evening includes a look at the facts behind the fiction. Jan. 17: Claude & Camille: A Novel of Monet, by Stephanie Cowell; Feb 21: The Painter of Battles, by Arturo Pérez-Reverte. 7 p.m. Free. RSVP online. Strathmore Mansion, North Bethesda. strathmore.org.

THE LESSANS FAMILY LITERARY SERIES: BRUCE HENDERSON. First, watch a documentary about German Jewish refugees who were trained at Camp Ritchie, Maryland, to be frontline interrogators of German POWs during World War II; then hear from Henderson, author of Sons and Soldiers, a book on the same topic. 6 p.m. film; 7:30 p.m. talk. Free for film; $18 for talk. Bender Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, Rockville. 301348-3778, benderjccgw.org/litfest.

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

ALL BOOK COVERS FILE PHOTOS

LITERARY EVENTS CALENDAR

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banter | SUBURBANOLOGY

BY APRIL WITT

IN WITH THE OLD I WAS SURPRISED one day many years ago when my neighbor’s tree fell—ripping down power lines, setting the lawn next door on fire and landing on top of my white Saturn station wagon.

I don’t think I was quite as surprised as the insurance adjuster, however, when I implored him not to declare my little suburban clown car a total loss. He pointed out that the Saturn, crushed by the tree, was now trapezoidal. The doors no longer opened. I countered that I always like to drive my cars at least 100,000 miles because that gives me the best cost per use. The longer you own something, the more times you use it—at least in theory.

The more times you use it, the lower the cost per use. The adjuster totaled the Saturn. I bought a Honda CR-V. A lot has changed since then. My Honda sits, unused, in my Bethesda driveway most days. That’s because downtown Bethesda and its traffic have developed in ways that make it more convenient to walk places rather than drive and park. Another change: Whether home or away, it’s almost impossible for me to get lost anymore. I always have an iPhone in my pocket or in

my hand. I also know what the president is tweeting—whether I want to or not. And I can see, just by clicking on a texted video, that my 6-month-old nephew, who lives in another state, now flaps his arms and legs at bath time as if he is trying to swim.

Some things never change. I still consider cost per use before I buy anything.

I’m still no early adopter. I’m content to let trendier consumers discover the flaws in any new product or service before I buy in. I didn’t stand in line this past fall when Apple’s much-ballyhooed iPhone X went on sale with prices starting at $999. That’s because I have a crack team of mechanics that keeps my iPhone 6s Plus running smoothly, more or less.

They aren’t just good: They’re geniuses.

The Genius Bar is the technical support station inside almost every Apple store where customers can get advice and repairs, often for free. In Bethesda, the Genius Bar stretches across the back of the store and looks like a real bar, but without bottles of liquor on display. The store, all sleek hard surfaces, is usually as loud and buzzy as any packed bar. The geniuses stand behind the bar. Customers

66 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

sit on high stools facing them and telling tales of modern life as sad as any unloaded on a bartender. “I think I was hacked too much,” a chic woman with silver hair tells her genius. Nearby, a man confesses that he hasn’t backed up his photos for two years. Priests and priestesses of a secular age, the geniuses calmly help people make sense of what’s happened to their devices and find a way to move on.

I’ve suggested that Apple could improve the vibe at the bar if they actually served wine. Since they don’t, I always prepare for a trip to the Genius Bar as if I’m trekking into the wilderness and don’t know when I’ll return. I pack snacks and bottled water. No matter how long I have to sit at the Genius Bar, I almost always leave relieved and happy. That’s because with each new device I buy AppleCare, which extends the company’s standard one-year warranty to three years for computers, two for phones. If the geniuses can’t fix a device, in my experience, they replace it.

This past fall, my iPhone 6s Plus faltered. I visited the local Genius Bar twice in 10 days. Even the geniuses seemed

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banter | SUBURBANOLOGY stumped. Different geniuses tried various software fixes. None worked. Finally, a genius said he’d replace my phone but didn’t have my model in stock. He’d order me one, but that could take up to three days. Three days? I couldn’t imagine going three hours without a working smartphone. A manager stepped in and suggested a software fi x that nobody had tried yet. It worked—but only for a few days.

Over that weekend, my phone failed again. Unable to get an appointment quickly at the local Genius Bar, I settled for a telephone call with Apple tech support. A woman said she’d express mail me a replacement iPhone 6s Plus.

I forgot to ask if I was going to have to sign when it was delivered. So I didn’t leave home for two days, just in case.

No phone arrived. I checked the tracking information Apple had emailed to me. My replacement phone hadn’t

even been mailed yet. I requested another telephone chat with Apple tech support, and when the call came yet another woman told me that my AppleCare warranty had expired. That sounded ominous.

I walked to the Apple Store downtown.

Out front, customers were lined up to buy the then-just-released iPhone 8 Plus. Police officers were standing by in case there was a phone-related frenzy. I was contemplating joining the line of consumers who had apparently never heard of the cost-per-use calculation when I spotted the manager who’d helped me the week before. She told me they had just received a small shipment of iPhone 6 Plus phones and would replace my old one. She whisked me past the line out front. She didn’t mention my supposedly expired warranty. Maybe she was just doing service recovery for a customer whose patience had expired. I left with a working phone. That was in September.

In October, I had a more dramatic illustration of my now utter dependence upon my smartphone. My husband and I were vacationing in Sonoma County, California, when the wildfires ignited, killing at least 40 people.

We woke on the third day of our trip with plans to go hiking in a redwood forest. We opened the hotel room curtains to admire the view and saw thick smoke that we briefly mistook for strange fog. We didn’t have cell coverage. We had no idea until we tried to get breakfast that wildfires were sweeping much of the region.

Almost every table in the lodge restaurant was filled with exhausted families who’d been burned out of their homes overnight and had taken shelter there. Children still in pajamas slept in their parents’ arms.

At one table, a middle-aged couple who’d just lost everything they owned sat getting drunk on Champagne. Outside, the smoke around the lodge grew ominously thicker.

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A young man at the front desk helped us plot a route out, one in which we’d be least likely to get stuck in traffic and overtaken by flames. We packed in a hurry. I threw out my back rushing to load my big, heavy 14-year-old suitcase into our rental car. My husband, who is the calmest person I’ve ever known, looked tense. Usually we sing on car trips. Now we barely spoke. As my husband drove, I poked frantically at my iPhone. I was trying to get a signal that would let me get news about the fires and call, text or email loved ones to tell them that we were heading for San Francisco.

Finally, one bar appeared in the upper left corner of the screen. An iMessage popped up from a friend asking how our vacation was going. I cheered.

I used my iPhone to book a flight out of California. Later, sitting at the airport in San Francisco, my husband and I both worked our phones to put together an

instant alternate vacation. We booked a hotel in New York City and bought discount theater tickets. Arriving in NYC without restaurant reservations, we used the Zagat app to find every cappuccino or slice of pizza we consumed.

When we returned home, I used my phone to search for new, lighter luggage.

I bought an expensive set because the reviews suggested that the manufacturer offered extraordinary customer service.

If your luggage breaks, they fix it. If they can’t fix it, they send you a new one. “It’s like the Genius Bar for luggage,” I told my husband. He ordered a set, too.

I walked back to the Apple Store one afternoon to answer a question that had been bothering me. Had the extended warranty on my phone really run out?

It turned out that the warranties on all my Apple devices had expired: phone, laptop, iPad and desktop. The young man greeting customers at the front

door assured me that I could still use the Genius Bar, but I’d likely have to pay more for needed repairs.

I can deal with that. While I was there, I asked if somebody could show me how the cameras work on the just-released iPhone X. Demand for the phone was, at that point, outstripping supply. A store employee told me that people were coming from as far away as Pennsylvania to try to buy the iPhone X. He showed me how to use the Apple Store app to find out quickly when one becomes available. I checked a few times. Then I remembered my old Saturn and how disappointed I was that I didn’t get to drive it for 100,000 miles. My iPhone 6s Plus does everything I really need it to do. I won’t buy a new phone until the geniuses tell me that my old one is totaled. n April Witt is a former Washington Post writer who lives in Bethesda.

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banter | HOMETOWN

BY STEVE ROBERTS

RAISING HER VOICE A Rockville children’s author hopes to help readers understand what it means to be Muslim American

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Her first audience is Muslim children like her own boys, now 16 and 12.

“I want to write stories where my kids and others like them could finally see themselves,” she says.

Khan is also aiming at a wider market, the community that made a Muslim girl from Pakistan feel unappreciated, “the people who don’t understand who we are.” With the rising tide of anti-Muslim sentiment in this country, fueled in part by presidential rhetoric, she feels this obligation “more than ever.”

“I really wrote Amina’s Voice for everybody, for

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

PHOTO BY SKIP BROWN; BOOK COVER COURTESY OF THE AUTHOR

HENA KHAN WAS RAISED in Rockville, the child of Muslim immigrants from Pakistan, and I ask if she’d ever faced discrimination because of her religion.

“When I was growing up it was really more about feeling invisible, and not thinking my culture mattered,” she replies. “Nobody at school knew anything about being a Muslim, being a Pakistani-American. My teachers often couldn’t identify Pakistan on a map.”

Khan, now 44, is devoted to ending that ignorance.

Several years ago, she started writing children’s picture books that portrayed Muslim holidays and traditions, and last year, she published Amina’s Voice, a novel for young teens that draws heavily on her childhood experiences in Montgomery County.

Author Hena Khan published Amina’s Voice last year.

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banter | HOMETOWN

people to get a glimpse into a PakistaniAmerican family, and into a Muslim family, in a way that they might not be able to otherwise,” she says.

Hena’s father supported the construction of the Muslim Community Center in Silver Spring in the early 1980s, and in the novel, Amina’s family mosque— defaced by vandals and rebuilt with help from churches and synagogues—plays a big role.

Her goal, says Khan, was to give readers “access to a mosque…and [have them] meet an imam, and hopefully dispel this idea that sinister things are happening at mosques, and imams are up to no good and recruiting people for bad things.”

I submitted Amina’s Voice to an expert reviewer, my 12-year-old granddaughter, Cecilia. She was enthralled

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with Amina’s story saying, “I learned so many things about her family.” So did I. Hena has three more chapter books for young teens in the pipeline, and she’s constantly trying out ideas on her own boys. “It’s very helpful to have test readers in the house,” she says.

That house is only 2 miles from the one near Falls Road where Hena grew up and her mother still lives. Her father came to America in 1959, to study microbiology at Howard University, and returned to Pakistan seven years later to marry a bride he’d never met. The young couple settled in Montgomery County, and Hena’s father commuted to the District where he worked at Children’s National Medical Center.

Being invisible showed itself in many ways. “I went caroling in the neighborhood with my best friends. I could

sing every Christmas carol. I knew the dreidel song. The neighbors across the street were Jewish, and I’d go to their seder,” Khan says. “So I felt I understood everyone else’s traditions but nobody knew anything about mine, or anything about my life.”

Hena was a devoted reader by age 5, and the family made regular treks to the Rockville library, coming home with shopping bags full of books. “But I didn’t ask the librarians for books about Pakistani-American kids, I just accepted the fact that they didn’t exist,” she recalls.

The Khans were like most immigrant families—torn between becoming American and preserving their traditions—and efforts to display their culture did not always go well. Hena recalls one Halloween when her mother suggested: “Why don’t you go as a Pakistani princess

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banter | HOMETOWN

and wear your ethnic clothes? And all I wanted to be was Wonder Woman like everybody else.”

Then there was the “disaster” of show-and-tell, when Hena’s mother made a traditional Pakistani dessert for her classmates. “It smelled like perfume,” she recalls. “And they were all like ‘Eeeewww, get it away from us’ and no one wanted to eat it.”

After graduating from Wootton High School, Hena went to the University of Maryland, where she met her husband, Farrukh Saleem, who shares her Pakistani origins and now works for an IT services company. Her first career focused on international economic development, but a turning point came when a friend asked her to do some freelance writing for Scholastic, a publisher of books and magazines for children.

“I was writing technical boring stuff for adults, but writing for kids was an entirely different experience,” she says.

“I had to be lighthearted, you could use puns and exclamation points!”

When her first child was 3, Hena visited his Montessori school on Seven Locks Road to help celebrate Ramadan. The teacher, meaning well, gave her some material to read to the kids. “I don’t know where she pulled this stuff off the internet, but they were using words like ‘revelation’ and ‘gates of heaven,’ and these kids were sitting there glazed. That was the moment I realized we needed children’s books that you could take into a school environment, that would explain the holidays from the perspective of a child.”

That moment led to Night of the Moon, her first book, published in 2008.

Others followed, including It’s Ramadan, Curious George. “People were just so happy,” she recalls; it’s a “very, very simple little book,” but Curious George celebrating Ramadan gave Muslims “a sense of finally being included.”

The invisible girl has become a very visible woman. “I feel like I’m in a unique position to talk to kids,” Hena says. “If I go into a school and they remember that they met a Muslim and she seemed OK, I think I just need to do this. If I have the opportunity to change the way anyone sees Muslim Americans, I have to take it.” n Steve Roberts teaches journalism and politics at George Washington University and his most recent book, Images of America: Bethesda and Chevy Chase, was published by Arcadia. Send ideas for future column ideas to sroberts@gwu.edu.

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Our focus on the client experience is part of the Sandy Spring Bank ethos. It is not new, but rather the continuation of our founder’s vision regarding the responsible stewardship of client finances, our local communities and our employees’ development—helping people realize their dreams of a better life for themselves, their families, their communities.

Specific to the Private Client Group, we help our clients plan now for their retirement years.

Successful aging is a participatory sport. Adults who plan now for their retirement years have the greatest chance of a successful and rewarding emotional and financial future. Eat well, exercise often, socialize frequently and make sure your asset management succession plans are up to date. While no one likes to think about it, physical and mental decline can happen with or without a plan. It is always better to have one. Knowing how your hard-earned assets will be managed, and who will manage them, is an important step toward a successful retirement.

“Knowing how your hardearned assets will be managed, and who will manage them, is an important step toward a successful retirement.”

CREDENTIALS AND SPECIALTIES Certified Financial Analysts, Certified Financial Planners, Certified Trusts Analysts, Chartered Financial Analysts, Certified Public Accountants, taxation, estate planning, eldercare, trusts

17801 Georgia Ave. Olney, MD 20832 800-399-5919 www.sandyspringbank.com/pcg

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

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Financial Professionals

PROFILES

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

David Hurwitz, CFP®, CRPS®, CRPC®, RICP®, APMA® AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL SERVICES

What type of client do you specialize in?

I specialize in clients who are preparing themselves for retirement or currently in retirement with a typical account size between $500,000— $5,000,000.

These are often Baby Boomers looking for a straightforward framework to create a sound retirement plan. My professional designations are specific to the planning needs surrounding retirement: strategies for creating retirement income, wealth management and estate planning.

What makes you different than others in your profession?

I believe I have a unique ability to present information to clients in a way that they can easily understand and that allows them to confidently take action. I carefully listen to their specific issues and concerns and recommend solutions tailored to their goals and preferences. I take a comprehensive approach to financial planning and have an ongoing service model to help ensure I am adapting to the changing needs of my clients and the market.

Investment advisory services and products are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., a registered investment adviser.

Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2017 Ameriprise Financial, Inc., All rights reserved.

6400 Goldsboro Road, Suite 550 | Bethesda, MD 20817 301-263-8509 | www.davidbhurwitz.com

HILARY SCHWAB

AWARDS AND HONORS Ameriprise Circle of Success 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016; Five Star Wealth Manager award from Five Star Professional 2015, 2016, 2017.

Brian R. Lipton, CFP®, CPA, PFS, AIF® MCKINLEY CARTER WEALTH SERVICES What kind of client do you specialize in?

We work best with those motivated by a vision for their financial futures, but without the time or expertise to develop and execute a plan. By actively engaging and implementing agreed upon strategies, we help individuals and families identify and pursue their personal wealth aspirations, non-profit organizations effectively manage their endowments, and business owners meet the fiduciary responsibilities of their group retirement benefits.

What makes your client experience unique?

We strike the right balance. Our firm is large enough to help our clients and small enough to know them well. We have a deep bench, learn from each other and bring that shared expertise to each client situation. As fiduciaries, we act in the client’s best interests. It’s the only way we know.

(L to R): Brian R. Lipton, CFP ®, CPA, PFS, AIF ®, Deanna Tomasetti, CFP ®, and Dave Walker, AIF ®

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9841 Washingtonian Blvd., Suite 380 | Gaithersburg, MD 20878 240-813-1300 | www.mckinleycarter.com Additional Locations in Pittsburgh, Wheeling, Charleston, Parkersburg

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

HILARY SCHWAB

SPECIALTIES Wealth Management Services, Group Retirement Plan Services, Nonprofit Advisory Services

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

PROFILES

Financial Professionals

Top row (L to R): Jennifer Davis, CFP, EA; Milena Nilsen; Ted Halpern; Susan Grimail; Kirsty Peev, CFP Bottom row (L to R): Lindsie James; Carla LaFleur; Jennifer Wood; Melissa Sotudeh, CFP

Halpern Financial, Inc. What services does your firm provide?

We provide wealth management for high net worth individuals, their families and their businesses. As fiduciaries, we put clients’ best interests first at every level, including personalized retirement planning, investments, charitable planning and college planning.

We are a strictly fee-only firm. That means no commissions, trading fees or hidden costs for our services. Because low investment costs are one of the best predictors of performance, we use an index-based and tax-efficient strategy. Our size also allows our clients access to extremely low-cost institutional share classes that are not available to the majority of investors.

TONY J LEWIS

What makes your client experience unique?

Our clients enjoy the capacity of a large firm with the personal touch of our expert team. We provide an in-depth analysis of all areas of your financial life, from cash flow to retirement planning, and we take the time to find optimal solutions for your individual situation. Each portfolio and plan is custom-designed to bridge the gap from where you stand today to your long-term financial goals, all while keeping costs low and being tax-efficient. Our technology makes the process smooth, secure and easy for clients to view their financial picture at any time.

What type of client do you specialize in?

Business owners, tax specialists, attorneys and anesthesiologists are not the only clients we serve, but we certainly work with a lot of them. Here’s why: all of these people are pretty good at math. They understand the importance of saving with a cost-effective path to markets, and they value financial planning solutions today and for the long term.

“Our clients enjoy the capacity of a large firm with the personal touch of our expert team.”

CREDENTIALS Certified Financial Planners; Accredited Asset Management Specialist; Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor; Accredited Wealth Management Advisor; Certified Income Specialist; Enrolled Agent Tax Specialist; Member of NAPFA, FPA and IARFC

11 N. Washington St., Suite 720 Rockville, MD 20850 20635 Exchange St., Suite 200 Ashburn, VA 20147 240-268-1000 www.halpernfinancial.com

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

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Financial Professionals

PROFILES

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Janice Wise, CIC PRESIDENT, WALKER POOLE INSURANCE INC. What services does your firm provide?

Striving to make our clients feel appreciated and not like a transaction is one of our top priorities at Walker Poole. We provide personal and business insurance in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. Walker Poole is an independent insurance agency founded in 1955; one of the first insurance agencies to represent Erie Insurance in Maryland.

AWARDS AND HONORS Erie Insurance’s F.W. Hirt Quality Agency Award for Maryland and Washington, DC

301-258-2602 | www.walkerpoole.com

HILARY SCHWAB

What piece of advice do you most frequently get asked and what's your answer?

Customers frequently ask what an umbrella policy is and if they should have one. In an event a liability claim or lawsuit exceeding your liability limits, is filed against you or your business, an umbrella policy helps protect your assets by providing excess liability limit and defense coverage in addition to your personal or business policies.

Brian Oettinger VINTAGE FINANCIAL PARTNERS What do you find most satisfying about your job?

I believe in challenging the status quo and thinking differently during every client interaction. I base my advice on the principles of financial planning, crafting a responsible timeline and outlook aligned with each client’s unique circumstances.

I’m most satisfied when, knowing that I have helped them cultivate a financially confident lifestyle, my clients are able to live the life they have dreamed of.

What makes your client experience unique?

At its core, Vintage Financial is about relationships, honoring the days when relationships were strong and based on trust. Before I sit down with someone, I look them in the eye and shake their hand. My work is not about the next text, tweet, pic or post—it’s about really getting to know my clients and understanding what they need.

Securities offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Stratos Wealth Partners, Ltd., a registered investment advisor. Stratos Wealth Partners, Ltd. and Vintage Financial Partners are separate entities from LPL Financial.

600 Jefferson Plaza, Suite 316 | North Bethesda, MD 20852 240-558-9001 | www.vintagefinancialpartners.com 80

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

COURTESY PHOTO

SPECIALTIES Executive Certificate in Financial Planning, Georgetown University; Certified Financial Planner®; Certified Investment Management Analyst®

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

PROFILES

Financial Professionals

The Capitol Bay Group A financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. What services do you provide?

We provide financial planning, tax and estate planning strategies as well as wealth management for high net worth families, executives of large organizations and owners of privately held businesses. We strive to ensure that owners’ business and personal goals are aligned by taking into consideration the current and future value of our client’s businesses.

John Yetman was a co-founder of the non-profit organization called the Association for Enterprise Growth (AEG), which provides business owners access to a network of professionals that specialize in helping to grow and create enterprise value. Within Ameriprise, our group works closely with the Ameriprise Wealth Consulting corporate team, coordinating with our clients’ outside professionals, as appropriate. This helps ensure that the advice and recommendations clients receive from all sources are coordinated for the outcome to best meet each client's unique needs.

HILARY SCHWAB

Ameriprise Financial does not offer tax or legal advice. Consult your tax advisor or attorney.

Investment advisory services and products are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., a registered investment adviser. Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2017 Ameriprise Financial, Inc., All rights reserved (L to R): John Yetman, CIMA®, financial advisor, managing director; Adam Goddard, financial advisor, managing director; Jason Bourgo, CFP®, complex director; Manish Mukhi, APMA®, financial advisor, associate vice president

7500 Old Georgetown Road, Suite 1200 Bethesda, MD 20814 | 301-634-5550 www.ameripriseadvisors.com/team/the-capitol-bay-group/

Lafayette Federal Credit Union Mortgage Headquarters is

We offer a variety of mortgage products to fit your needs.

Plus, our experts will help guide through the process! www.lfcu.org/mortgage

Federally Insured by NCUA BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

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structure. home reinvented

Reinventing Washington. One home at a time. custom built homes & renovations for a new generation of washingtonian

StructureCustomHomes.com

of

Bethesda

142 great places to go, people to know & things to do as chosen by our readers and editors

The following writers contributed to this section: Alex Carolan, Stephanie Siegel Burke, David Hagedorn, Colin McGuire, Andrew Metcalf, Louis Peck, Bethany Rodgers, Carole Sugarman, Abby Wallisch and Sarah Zlotnick

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

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editors’ picks

FOOD

. DRINK

best avocado toast A blank slate that can be dressed up in any number of edible outfits, avocado toast is hip, healthy and photogenic (#avocadotoast on Instagram has more than 552,000 posts).

Here are some of our favorite toasts of the town.

The avocado toast at Barking Mad Cafe in Gaithersburg

Elegant and salad-like, the Avocado Sencha Toast at Lavande Patisserie layers smashed avocados, clover sprouts soaked in Sencha tea dressing, halved cherry tomatoes, lemonDijon-dressed arugula and puffed quinoa on toasted sourdough. A drizzle of basil oil and a dusting of thyme and dried cornflower petals garnish the white space on the plate.

275 N. Washington St., Rockville; 301-424-6100; lavandepatisserie.com

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BEST BREAD

With some avocado toast, the bread seems like an afterthought, and it can get mushy under the moist mash. Not so at Barking Mad Cafe, which wisely chose a sturdy fourseeded pain pavé from local Fresh Baguette.

The toasted slices, rimmed with sesame, poppy, flax and millet seeds, add further interest to the restaurant’s jazzy coverlet of avocado spread, feta, roasted peppers and micro cilantro. It’s served at brunch, with two poached eggs on the side.

239 Spectrum Ave., Gaithersburg; 240-297-6230; barkingmadcafe.com

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

MOST VERSATILE

On top of the four slices of avocado toast at Le Pain Quotidien, you can add sliced organic hard-boiled egg; smoked salmon; half egg, half salmon; both; or just order it plain. Or, get the eggs scrambled or sunny-side up.

Whichever combo you choose, citrus cumin salt, chia seeds and olive oil add a flavorful finish.

Restaurants in Bethesda, Friendship Heights, Spring Valley; lepainquotidien.com

PHOTO BY STACY ZARIN GOLDBERG

MOST UNIQUE

PHOTO BY DEB LINDSEY

best tuna poke Poke, the trendy Hawaiian tuna dish that’s making mussels seem mundane, is popping up in many guises.

Our highest praise goes to the version at Millie’s for its top-notch tuna, well-crafted presentation and multidimensional taste. Deep red cubes of rich, meaty sushi-grade yellowfin cover a hill of warm sticky rice along with cucumber slices, avocado chunks and scallion bits. Topped with a tangle of nori, a sprinkling of togarashi (a Japanese spice blend) and zigzags of Sriracha mayo, it’s silky, spicy and sensational.

4866 Massachusetts Ave., Upper Northwest D.C.; 202-733-5789; milliesdc.com

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editors’ picks

FOOD

. DRINK

Happy hour at Botanero features deviled eggs, crispy beef empanadas and spicy jalapeño margaritas.

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

happy hours from around the world JAPAN

Beautiful, delicate dishes served in serene surroundings make Sushiko the Zen of happy hours. Ooh and aah (quietly) over the salmon ceviche—a little wooden box filled with cubes of raw salmon and Asian pear hidden under a jeweled mound of salmon roe. Equally lovely is the Hamachi crudo—slices of yellowtail sashimi fanned across a bed of grapefruit segments in a pool of orange ponzu. Panko-fried oysters, crunchy spicy tuna handroll, sushito yaki peppers; you can’t go wrong. Wash them down with ginger champagne or a lychee martini, and leave feeling cool, calm and collected.

5455 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase; 301-961-1644; sushikorestaurants.com

SPAIN

One of the newest entrants in the tapas takeover is Botanero, a small plate restaurant and wine bar that opened in Rockville’s King Farm community in 2016. Whether it’s the congenial staff, the comfortably hip décor or the topnotch tapas, there’s a lot to like here. Don’t miss the deviled eggs topped with strips of julienned salami, crispy beef empanadas oozing with red wine-simmered ground beef and melted mozzarella, or the deep-fried chicken croquettes filled with pulled chicken and béchamel. And by all means, spring for the spicy-icy jalapeño margarita.

800 Pleasant Drive, Suite 160, Rockville; 240-474-5461; botanerorockville.com

GREECE

At Trapezaria, you can down shots of ouzo, nibble on pita with spicy feta and learn Greek from the short tutorial on the happy hour menu, all at the same time. Dinner from the mezze selection should include the lamb tacos filled with tender pieces of braised lamb, and kalamakia, skewers of grilled chicken served with tzatziki and chopped tomatoes, cucumbers and onions.

Efharistoh (thank you), Trapezaria, for a pleasant night at the bar.

11 N. Washington St., Rockville; 301-339-8962; thetrapezaria.com

PHOTOS BY STACY ZARIN GOLDBERG; FLAG PIN POINTS: ISTOCK

CHINA

There’s a fun neighborhood vibe at Scion, a Silver Spring restaurant owned by sisters Joanne and Julie Liu, who also run the adjacent NaiNai’s Noodle and Dumpling Bar. While Scion focuses on modern American cuisine, during happy hour it borrows the baos from next door, which include flavorful and sometimes fiery fillings of five-spice duck, Korean beef, Kung Pao tofu, pork belly or fried chicken. The duck and pork belly also show up in sliders. An eclectic list of draft beers completes this happy hour.

1200 East West Highway, Silver Spring; 301-585-8878; scionrestaurant.com

AMERICA

They don’t come in a red box with a smiley face, but the “Happy Meals” on Persimmon’s happy hour menu are guaranteed to satisfy. The choices: a nicely charred, cooked-to-order bistro burger; a mini blackened chicken club sandwich with bacon, fontina, lettuce, tomato, onion and mayo; a loaded taco, or a short-rib slider. The extensive happy hour menu also includes “bistro bites,” featuring smaller portions of some of the restaurant’s terrific appetizers (such as the smoked trout spring rolls, the tuna and avocado tartare), as well as reduced-price salads, mussels, charcuterie and even dessert.

7003 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda; 301-654-9860; persimmonrestaurant.com

best selection of

maryland beers When it comes to stocking Maryland beer, Owen’s Ordinary is hard to beat. About half of its 50 draft brews hail from the Old Line State, as well as a third of the 150 bottles and cans. Montgomery County beers, such as Denizens, Waredaca, 7 Locks and The Brookeville Beer Farm are also in the mix.

Don’t know where to begin? Some popular choices at the restaurant include offerings from Baltimore’s Diamondback Brewing Co. and Cambridge, Maryland’s RaR Brewing.

11820 Trade St., North Bethesda; 301-245-1226; owensordinarymd.com

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

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editors’ picks

FOOD

. DRINK

best dessert for a birthday celebration

Charred cauliflower at Bethesda’s True Food Kitchen

Chocolate piñata at Uncle Julio’s

best place to convert a junk food addict When it comes to preparing creative and vibrant-tasting healthy food, True Food Kitchen nails it. Even couch potatoes will find pleasure in eating their vegetables. Better-for-you versions of burgers, lasagna and sausage pizza will help ease the transition to dynamo dishes such as charred cauliflower, herb hummus, edamame dumplings, poke, and the ancient grains bowl. A further incentive for couch potatoes: They may catch a glimpse of Bravo TV’s Gizelle Bryant of The Real Housewives of Potomac, who’s been known to stop in for a bite.

7100 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda; 240-200-1257; truefoodkitchen.com

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

COURTESY PHOTOS

Lots of restaurants will serve birthday celebrants a slice of cake with a candle, but at Uncle Julio’s they get to smack a chocolate piñata with a rolling pin. The ¾-pound chocolate orb hangs above a board decorated with a chocolate syrup birthday message, mounds of whipped cream, and caramel and raspberry sauces. And when busted open, the piñata ($25) reveals strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and homemade churros. Note: This is not just appropriate for whack-happy kids. Says Bethesda Uncle Julio’s general manager Breck Jones, “Anybody and everybody has ordered it.”

4870 Bethesda Ave., Bethesda; 301-656-2981; 231 Rio Blvd., Gaithersburg; 240-632-2150; unclejulios.com

most surprising place to find

locally sourced food Cooper’s Mill restaurant in the Bethesda Marriott wants you to “Eat Local. Eat Well,” a mantra that decorates its menu and chalkboard. It certainly delivers on the local promise, with Maryland-made Lyon Bakery bread, Stachowski Brand Charcuterie bacon and sausage, Taharka Brothers ice cream, Twin Valley Distillers bourbon and more. It pulls through on the eat well end of the deal, too, with seasonal dishes such as a tender lamb leg braised in hickory syrup from Virginia’s Falling Bark Farm, or giant Atlantic prawns on a bed of grits with melted Monocacy Ash from Montgomery County’s Cherry Glen Goat Cheese Co. While the Marriott shows off our regional cuisine to out of towners, locals can get a taste of it, too.

5151 Pooks Hill Road, Bethesda; 301-897-9400; coopersmillrestaurant.com

PHOTO BY DEB LINDSEY

Seared striped bass at Cooper’s Mill in the Bethesda Marriott

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

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editors’ picks

FOOD

. DRINK

restaurant dream team We’ve cooked up a list of top-notch talent from the local restaurant world

owners

chef

ZENA POLIN AND JERRY HOLLINGER

PHAK DUANGCHANDR

THE DAILY DISH IN SILVER SPRING AND THE DISH & DRAM IN KENSINGTON

THAI TASTE BY KOB IN WHEATON

Polin and Hollinger are partners in two warm and inviting restaurants, but we’re especially partial to The Dish & Dram. The food is tasty, delightfully unfussy and made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. (If the duck confit with braised Boston beans is a special, order it.) The cocktails are terrific—the top-notch Manhattans are garnished with Amarena cherries—and the warm service staff makes you feel like family. That’s everything a neighborhood restaurant should be—any day of the week. Hollinger is the chef, and Polin creates desserts that make us smile at the end of each visit, especially the dreamy Shoofly pie.

Add to that the duo’s devotion to philanthropy (Chefs for Equality, Harvey relief, The Keegan Theatre) and you have the very definition of community.

More than 20 years ago, chef Phak Duangchandr moved to the D.C. area from Bangkok. After running a Silver Spring carryout for 10 years, she opened Thai Taste by Kob (“Kob” is her nickname) with nephew Max Prasertmate in 2014. For her authentic home-style Thai cooking, Duangchandr turns to family recipes with base flavors she prepares from scratch. She grinds chilies to create made-to-order seasonings and pastes, makes her own vinegar condiments, and puts her own twist on traditional sauces and dishes. Pad Thai at Thai Taste is revelatory, not hackneyed as at many other Thai eateries.

BRIAN MCGAHEY OWEN’S ORDINARY IN NORTH BETHESDA

McGahey is a certified Level II Sommelier, but he’s responsible for the cocktail program at Owen’s Ordinary at Pike & Rose. Aside from the gregariousness that immediately puts bar guests at ease, McGahey’s cocktail creativity is notable. He loves to highlight Maryland ingredients, such as McCutcheon’s apple butter in the Jack and Helen cocktail, and Sagamore Spirit rye in the Can’t Beet It (yes, made with beet juice, along with Nocello walnut liqueur, lemon juice, chili peppers and ginger).

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manager

(AND BEVERAGE DIRECTOR)

server

ERIC CORPANCHO

ANDRA JOHNSON

KAPNOS KOUZINA IN BETHESDA

MACON BISTRO & LARDER IN CHEVY CHASE, D.C.

Corpancho, a Gaithersburg native, grew up in the restaurant business doing odd jobs for his father, who manages an outlet of the Manny & Olga’s Pizza chain. He worked his way up from host to food runner to server at Bethesda’s Mon Ami Gabi, moving to Kapnos Kouzina when it opened in 2016. There, he’s all smiles, delivering efficient service that is friendly and informed without being overbearing or obtrusive. He gets extra points for remembering your name and the number of olives you like in your martini, and for going easy on the menu spiel.

After a full week at Kapnos Kouzina, Corpancho still picks up late-night shifts at Manny & Olga’s to help his dad.

Johnson has held many jobs in the restaurant business (busser, host, barista, bartender, server, wine director), and she recently earned her Level I Sommelier certification and Level I Cicerone Certified Beer Server status.

She handles the door and floor at Macon Bistro with élan and happily discusses her tattoos—her right arm reveals her interest in the Yankees, the left shows various potables. She’s an expert in both subjects, so chat her up, especially if you’re a whiskey lover.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

ILLUSTRATIONS BY AMANDA SMALLWOOD

bartender

PHOTO BY MICHAEL VENTURA

best new restaurant It’s the good fortune of Bethesda area residents that renowned chef Peter Chang chose a new office building with ground-floor retail on East West Highway to be the home of his flagship restaurant, Q by Peter Chang. After opening last May, the 8,000-square-foot eatery, stylishly decorated with green cushioned chairs and phone booth-size light fixtures, made a universal splash with its refined and often fiery Sichuan cuisine. Old standbys in Chang’s repertoire, such as cumin lamb chops, scallion bubble pancakes, dry fried eggplant and crispy pork belly, are worth repeating, but diners should experiment with other options, such as cumin duck bao, kumquat beef and seafood pearls. Served at lunch on weekdays, “Peter’s Dim Sum Platter” comes in a ninecompartment shadow box and is an adventurous little feast.

4500 East West Highway, Suite 100, Bethesda; 240-800-3722; qbypeterchang.com

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editors’ picks

FOOD

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Urban Butcher may be an obvious winner for this category, but where else in the county can you find such an extensive selection of house-made cures and salamis, all from Maryland- and Virginia-bred animals? The meat cellar menu includes more than 15 choices, including aged European- and American-style hams, plus artisan cheeses and homemade terrines and pâtés served with thick slabs of rustic grilled bread. We especially like the lamb bacon, bresaola and award-winning salami diablo.

Chef-owner Raynold Mendizabal’s latest fancy is his Chesapeake saucisson, made with Old Bay. 8226 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring; 301-585-5800; urbanbutcher.com

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

PHOTO BY STACY ZARIN GOLDBERG

best charcuterie

best thing on a board that is

PHOTO BY DEB LINDSEY

not charcuterie

At Alatri Bros., vegetables go from humdrum to yum on the “Eat Your Veggies” board. Multicolored carrots roasted with salt, pepper, olive oil and salsa verde, and sprinkled with house-made quinoa brittle, are transformational.

Roasted beets come with knobs of goat cheese and mint leaves, the fried cauliflower arrives lightly battered, and the whole shebang gets even better with a dip of whipped feta veiled with honey and cracked black pepper. You’ll never miss the meat.

4926 Cordell Ave., Bethesda; 301-718-6427; alatribros.com

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

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editors’ picks

FOOD

. DRINK

best place for a

warm welcome The large, rectangular gas-fueled fire pit at Ted’s Montana Grill is bordered by roomy rattan chairs, and the surrounding patio seats 40, with plenty more room for mingling as guests enjoy drinks or a meal. Whatever the weather, it’s a popular yearround gathering place. Says manager Marco Farfan, “Even with snow, they go outside.”

105 Ellington Blvd., Gaithersburg; 301-330-0777; tedsmontanagrill.com

With only five tables and a stone-rimmed, marble mantel fireplace, the little café at Praline Bakery is a coveted spot on a cold winter day. Hot pink walls with photos of macarons and croissants add to the charm, as do a cup of tea and a lemon drop cookie.

4611 Sangamore Road, Bethesda; 301-229-8180; praline-bakery.com 94

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

TED’S MONTANA GRILL PHOTO BY STEPHEN WALKER; PRALINE PHOTO BY STEPHANIE WILLIAMS

These two spots are as different as fire and ice. One is big, modern and outdoor; the other is small, cozy and inside a pastry shop.

ENJOY YOUR remodeling

EXPERIENCE

SM

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DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION • ADDITIONS & RENOVATIONS CONDOMINIUM REMODELING • PURCHASE CONSULTATIONS

editors’ picks

FOOD

. DRINK

The arrival of the “grocerant” trend has transformed the renovated Whole Foods Market in Silver Spring into a grocery store with counter-service restaurants, seating for 95 and plenty of table space. Paper Horse, a Chinese fast-casual concept created for the chain by noted chef Erik Bruner-Yang, offers high-quality ramen, bao and noodles, while a Genji sushi bar turns out bubble tea and a wide variety of rolls. That’s not to mention an expanded coffee and freshpressed juice bar, self-serve acai bowls, and an extensive prepared foods section with brickoven pizza whole or by the slice, plus gazillions of salads, sandwiches, soups and hot dishes.

It’s one-stop eating; after lunch or dinner, you can stock up on groceries for home.

833 Wayne Ave., Silver Spring; 301-608-9373; wholefoodsmarket.com 96

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

PHOTO BY SARAH HOGUE

best dining at a grocery store

REMODELING CAN BE STRESSFUL ENOUGH. LET US TAKE THE STRESS OUT OF FINDING A TEMPORARY HOME.

2 AND 3 BEDROOM TOWNHOMES SHORT-TERM AVAILABILITY Ideally located in the heart of Chevy Chase off Connecticut Avenue Flexible Term – stay as little as 2 months • Pet Friendly • Personal backyards Easy access to the Capital Beltway • Shuttle bus to the Bethesda Metro

To learn more about The Lake Apartments and Townhomes, please call 301.654.4100 or visit www.chevychaselakerentals.com

editors’ picks

SHOPPING

best places to hang out now that Barnes & Noble is closing

Barnes & Noble had been the anchor of downtown Bethesda since it opened in 1997.

It was a place for coffee meetings, study sessions, story time with the kids, or even a few indulgent hours alone with magazines you had no intention of buying. It’s expected to close its doors for good in January—following months of uproar in the community—after the company could not come to a lease extension agreement with building owner Federal Realty.

Not sure where you’ll hang out after Barnes & Noble closes? We have a few ideas.

Window seat at Tout de Sweet

STORY TIME Noyes Library for Young Children (10237 Carroll Place, Kensington; 240-773-9570), originally built in 1893 and endowed with its first 1,600-title collection by Washington Evening Star publisher Crosby Noyes, is a one-room cottage that features books, games, toys and more dedicated exclusively to children. Check out the free programs and story times for all young ages.

most promising

new boutique

INDOOR SPACES

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that seats 50, and order up an inventive seasonal drink, such as a ginger rosemary latte. Also on the menu: Belgian waffles, salads, sandwiches and Instagram-friendly open-faced toasts.

OUTDOOR SPACES Designed by architectural technology students at Montgomery College, downtown Silver Spring’s Outbox is a covered open-air space that features tables, electrical outlets and free Wi-Fi. The brightly colored installation, which made its debut in the spring of 2016 and seats 12, pops up from April through October on Ellsworth Drive. Another open-to-the-public lounge is located at Congressional Plaza on Rockville Pike. Twelve padded lounge chairs are shaded by two pergolas, and 18 dining tables—with seating for four—are covered by umbrellas and other structures. You can enjoy a Starbucks drink or a fast-casual meal from an adjacent eatery, such as Marvelous Market, Chopt or Honeyfish Poke, in Adirondack chairs this winter.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

TOUT DE SWEET AND OAK PHOTOS BY SARAH HOGUE

Founded by Starbucks alums, both of Bethesda’s Quartermaine Coffee Roasters locations will satisfy your caffeine cravings, but the larger Georgetown Square shop (10400 Old Georgetown Road; 240-3966319)—which seats 53—has more tables and an outdoor patio. If you’re looking to really linger, order up a pour-over at Kaldi’s Social House (918 Silver Spring Ave., Silver Spring; 301-557-9991), which seats 150, and sink into one of 20 plush leather chairs. More reason to stay: After 4 p.m. it will do what Barnes & Noble never could—add alcohol to your beverage at the full-service rooftop bar.

If it’s the quiet—and the sweets—that you miss most about Barnes & Noble, try Tout de Sweet (7831 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda; 301-951-0474) for delicious mousse cakes, macarons and seasonal lattes, plus a bright, white laptop-friendly space that seats 23. If it’s the literature you miss, browse the latest in highbrow nonfiction—or attend events featuring high-profile authors—at Politics and Prose (5015 Connecticut Ave. NW; 202-3641919). Then pop downstairs to The Den café

After 25 years in the consignment business at Mustard Seed (now called Remix Recycling Co.), former co-owner Gayle Herrmann was ready to get back to her traditional retail roots—and to do it in a more intimate way. Opened in May in Kensington, Oak’s vibe is “contemporary with a comfortable twist,” and moms and daughters alike can shop an ever-evolving roster of boho dresses, flowy blouses and must-touch sweaters and zip-ups. Herrmann prioritizes sourcing fair-trade items and labels produced by women whenever possible. Prices are reasonable (tops range from $32 to $124), and the Milkbarn baby clothes and all-natural Soap for Sinners soap bars make excellent gifts.

10511 Metropolitan Ave., Kensington; 301-933-0281; oaktheshop.com

most anticipated (and ironic)

AMAZON BOOKS COURTESY PHOTO

store opening

The history of bookstores in Bethesda is filled with more twists than a good page-turner.

Twenty years ago, many people decried the news that Barnes & Noble (B&N) was coming to Bethesda Row, warning that the big-box chain would drive out locally owned booksellers. (They were right.)

Then Barnes & Noble became a sensation as a place to shop and gather. For many locals, browsing at B&N after dinner out on a Friday or Saturday night became a ritual. It was the place for adults (and middle schoolers) to see and be seen.

Amazon, of course, changed everything for the book industry, and in the last few years the Barnes & Noble in Bethesda became more about gathering than shopping. Gathering doesn’t pay the bills, and B&N announced last spring that the store would be closing.

The Bethesda Beat story on the closing prompted nearly 300 comments. One person wrote: “For all those people who loved B&N, yet bought their books from Amazon, I hope you are happy. This is a very sad day for Bethesda.”

The sadness didn’t last long: In the most ironic twist of all, Bethesda Beat reported in November that an Amazon Books store will be opening in 2018 at the corner of Bethesda Avenue and Arlington Road, just down the block from the spot B&N is abandoning.

A Bethesda Beat commenter wrote: “Irony of ironies.

Bye-bye B&N, hello Amazon. Unbelievable.”

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

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editors’ picks

SHOPPING

best homegrown menswear

best annual

sidewalk sale

What’s not to love about prizes, deep discounts, free food and outdoor entertainment? Held on a July weekend, the Bethesda Row Sidewalk Sale has downtown’s best restaurants and retailers spilling out of their storefronts and onto the, well, sidewalks, with special sales, interactive food stations and more. Past promotions have included a learn-to-cook paella station at Jaleo and 15 percent off new arrivals at Kendra Scott. There’s usually live music too. bethesdarow.com/sidewalk-sale 100

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

PHOTO OF MENSWEAR BY SARAH HOGUE; SIDEWALK SALE PHOTO COURTESY FEDERAL REALTY

Spring Valley native and St. Albans School grad Read Wall brings his all-American made-to-measure suits and sportswear to downtown Bethesda with his namesake loft showroom. The outfitter’s 35 body measurements system results in jackets with higher armholes and trousers with slightly tapered legs. Color options include classic navy and preppy primary shades, and the subtly luxurious fabrics keep men feeling comfortable while looking polished. Custom shirts start at $150; suits are $1,195 and up. 4809 Bethesda Ave., Bethesda; 301-654-6600; readwall.com

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11/30/17 9:36 AM

editors’ picks KIDS

MORE THAN WORDS

On days when your own playroom seems uninspiring, head to a Discovery Room at the Gaithersburg, Germantown, Marilyn J. Praisner (Burtonsville) or Quince Orchard branches of Montgomery County Public Libraries. Stocked with toys, books, games and puzzles, each private room has slightly different equipment, but it’s all designed for kids, from babies to 8-year-olds, to learn through play.

One-hour reservations can be made online up to a month in advance, but walk-ins are welcome if the rooms aren’t being used. Book a room and invite some friends; up to eight kids can play at once. various branches, montgomerycountymd.gov/library

rain check It’s raining, it’s pouring and your kids are climbing the walls. Don’t let the weather keep you home.

Here are four ideas to get your family out of the house.

JAM IN YOUR JAMMIES

The Kids Pajama Jam Party series at AMP by Strathmore features award-winning bands and songwriters such as Lisa Loeb and Dan Zanes playing original music that the whole family can enjoy. The venue provides space near the stage where kids can dance, see instruments up close and engage with the performers.

A kid-friendly menu features items such as chicken nuggets and mac and cheese, and the bar is open for grown-ups who want to enjoy a beer while the little music fans play. Shows are typically held on Sundays and start late in the afternoon—early enough to wrap up before bedtime, although pajamas are welcome. Upcoming concerts include a March performance by Justin Roberts, a two-time Grammy nominee known for his clever and poignant songwriting. Tickets are $12; free ticket required for ages 1 and younger.

11810 Grand Park Ave., North Bethesda; 301-581-5100; ampbystrathmore.com 102

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

THE GREAT INDOORS

At the nature-inspired Badlands in Rockville, kids can scale a mountain, play on a turf field and explore a faux forest. The 30,000-square-foot facility opened last June, offering plenty of space for unstructured play as well as activities geared toward science, technology and engineering. There’s a tool workshop, Lego trough, sandbox, and a screening room with comfy beanbag chairs. A café offers snacks, along with coffee and a fully stocked bar for parents. Seasonal exhibits have featured live butterflies and a Cessna airplane. This year, look for more classes, after-school and camp programs, enhanced safety features, and an improved area for nursing moms. General admission for two hours of play is $20 for kids 3 and up; $12.50 for kids under 3. Monthly memberships, group rates and party packages are available.

5200 Randolph Road, Rockville; 301618-0009; badlandsplayspace.com

GET BUSY

If you have a little one who loves to climb and bounce, BusyBees in Chevy Chase is the place to go. Everything in the bright indoor play space is soft, squishy and padded, and open play— without classes or instructors—is the idea. Colorful balloons float in two chambers of a play structure that features an inflatable area for jumping, sliding and climbing. There are big foam building blocks and multiple spinning and moving fixtures on which kids can climb and ride. Children must be under 48 inches to play, making BusyBees a safe place for wobbly toddlers. Parents and caregivers get perks, too, with free coffee, tea and Wi-Fi available.

Admission is $18 for one child; $15 each for siblings. BusyBees also offers birthday party packages, with nearly a dozen themes to choose from.

11 Wisconsin Circle, Chevy Chase 240-396-6466; busybeesplay.com

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BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | JULY/AUGUST 2016

1

editors’ picks KIDS

A couple of times a month at Life Time Athletic in Gaithersburg, the Kids Academy is the hot spot for children ages 4 to 12. From 5 to 9 p.m., Parents Night Out allows moms and dads to give their kids a fun night out, too. Instructors lead activities such as gymnastics, martial arts, yoga, crafts and games. Each night has a theme—past events have included a glow-in-the-dark “Yoga Rave,” a Halloween “Boo Bash” and the wintry “Blizzard Ball.” Pizza is always included. In addition to the standard twice-monthly Parents Night Out, Life Time offers occasional drop-off events, usually around holidays or times when school is out, such as a sports challenge event for 8- to 14-yearolds and a half-day holiday “Shop ’Til You Drop” camp, meant to give parents time to do holiday shopping without kids in tow.

Life Time Athletic members pay $20 per child; $30 for nonmembers. Registration in advance is recommended. Sign up in person at the activity desk or call 301-569-5100.

10121 Washingtonian Blvd., Gaithersburg; lifetimefitness.com

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

COURTESY LIFE TIME ATHLETIC

best parents night out

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11/28/17 2:08 PM

editors’ picks PETS

best sleepovers for your pets

A suite at the Olde Towne Pet Resort

Does your pet need a vacation, too? Some of the area’s best retreats for your furry friends are in Rockville. At The Ruff House Doggy Day Camp & Slumber Party, four-legged guests sleep and play in an open environment, unless the owner requests a kennel. Dogs are separated by temperament in open playpens, but owners can opt for a private 3-by-5-foot overnight suite for an even greater escape. Dr. Boyd’s Veterinary Resort offers more than just a place to board your pets. Its veterinary team sees pets for routine checkups and emergency care, too. A referral program rewards recommendations by providing free services for your pet—and a “Happy Hour” charges owners by the hour, not the day, for pets whose stays are extended. Olde Towne Pet Resort truly puts pets on a pedestal. While pets are enjoying blueberry facials, nail treatments, mud baths or spa soaks, owners can join in the fun by watching via webcam.

Premier Homecare COURTESY PHOTO

Premier Homecare

The Ruff House Doggy Day Camp & Slumber Party, 12264 Wilkins Ave., Suite G, 240-621-7256, ruffhousedaycamp.com; Dr. Boyd’s Veterinary Resort, 11503 Rockville Pike, Suite B, 240-406-5496, drboyds.com/page/ rockville; Olde Towne Pet Resort, 12230 Wilkins Ave., 888-475-3580, oldetownepetresort.com a subsidiary of

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11/22/17 4:15 PM

editors’ picks

ARTS & CULTURE

best place to catch a

rising music star

Lea Morris, Bernard/ Ebb Songwriting Awards Grand Prize Winner, performing at the 2017 concert.

Part musical showcase, part American Idol, the Bernard/Ebb Songwriting Awards is a step on the path toward a music career for some local songwriters. Founded by Bethesda resident Cathy Bernard in 2015 to honor her uncle, Broadway songwriter Fred Ebb, the contest offers songwriters from Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., a chance to win $10,000 and 25 hours of time in a recording studio. After a panel of music industry judges chooses finalists, the competition culminates with a concert at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club. Competitors range from teens to seasoned professionals, and styles include everything from show tunes to rock. Judges provide instant feedback and name the grandprize winner. Participants have gone on to pursue careers in Nashville, study at Berklee College of Music and perform at local venues such as Amp by Strathmore in North Bethesda and D.C.’s 9:30 Club. 2015 winner Owen Danoff competed on season 10 of The Voice.

Bernard/Ebb Songwriting Awards, March 2, Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club, bethesda.org

best local festivals Annual events in the Bethesda area draw families and others with interests in art, science, music and more. Here are our picks for the top local festivals of the year.

On May 5 and 6, Rockville Town Square will transform into an outdoor art gallery of ceramics, paintings, photography and other creations. The A-RTS festival brings about 160 artists to Maryland Avenue and East Middle Lane, where they show off and sell their work. Artisanal foods are available for purchase, and live music adds to the outdoor festival vibe. Admission to the seventh annual event is free; artwork is priced by its creators. a-rts.org

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WILD CHILD Imagination Bethesda, a street festival held in June, is made for kids.

The festival is chockfull of arts and crafts activities at more than 20 tents that line Woodmont Avenue and Elm Street.

From performers on stilts, costumed characters and dance troupes to face-painting and live musicians, kids can let their imaginations run wild. Admission to the 24th annual event is free. bethesda.org/bethesda/ imagination-bethesda

SCIENCE NERDS Is your kid into science and technology? Take her or him to KIDfest (formerly Maker Faire) in downtown Silver Spring. Hosted by KID Museum, this daylong September event at Veterans Plaza, the Silver Spring Civic Building and Ellsworth Drive provides activities for children ages 4 and up, such as a giant game of Operation and an area dedicated to robotics.

Teachers can check out the Educator Hub, where ideas for handson learning projects are shared. Admission is free. kid-museum.org/kidfest

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

JAZZ LOVERS Go for the music, stay for the international fare. Each September, Jazz Academy of Music students kick off the Silver Spring Jazz Festival at Veterans Plaza, where music lovers set up lawn chairs and blankets.

Celebrating its 15th year, the festival has featured the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Wynton Marsalis. Food vendors cook their countries’ specialties under tents on Ellsworth Drive and Fenton Street. Admission is free. silverspringdowntown.com/ silver-spring-jazz-festival

SUPER FOODIES Each October, food lovers descend on Woodmont Triangle for the Taste of Bethesda. They go tent to tent along Norfolk, Cordell, St. Elmo, Del Ray and Auburn avenues to sample food from about 60 local restaurants. While food has been the festival’s focus, music, face-painting and crafts are a big draw for the little ones at the daylong event. Admission to the 29th annual festival is free; taste tickets will be sold at the event. bethesda.org/bethesda/ taste-bethesda

PHOTO COURTESY BETHESDA URBAN PARTNERSHIP

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Close to home.

editors’ picks

ARTS & CULTURE

Clockwise from top left: Kristina Penhoet teaches felting in her Artists & Makers studio; Christine Cardellino’s paintings on exhibit at the Parklawn Drive location; Glenn Kessler instructs students at The Compass Atelier.

Want to try your hand at painting, glassmaking or even belly dancing? Artists & Makers Studios has offerings in everything from smartphone photography to doll-making and provides an outlet for all kinds of creative pursuits for beginners through professional artists.

With two Rockville locations, Artists & Makers is home to nearly 130 resident artists who work in its studios and teach many of the classes. Glass, encaustic, digital, paper and fiber artists are among the residents, along with painters, sculptors and jewelers.

Executive Director Judith HeartSong wanted 110

the centers to provide a place for artists to work, develop their careers and build a creative community. The centers are also home to The Compass Atelier, a painting school founded by local artist Glenn Kessler that offers classes for students at every level.

The Parklawn Drive location has three galleries and provides studio space for up to 75 artists. In November 2016, Artists & Makers expanded to a second location on Wilkins Avenue, bringing it to a total of about 36,000 square feet of space for making and viewing art. Aside from adding 60 studios and two galleries, the Wilkins Avenue location

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

also allows for messier, more industrial processes such as silk screening and furniture refinishing.

Artists & Makers’ five galleries host shows for local and national artists. Exhibitions change monthly, and show openings, usually held on the first Friday of the month, include food, wine and often live music or poetry readings.

Artists & Makers Studios, 11810 Parklawn Drive, Suite 210, Rockville; Artists & Makers Studios 2, 12276 and 12280 Wilkins Ave., Rockville; artistsandmakersstudios.com

PHOTOS COURTESY ARTISTS & MAKERS STUDIOS

best place to experience art

NINE!

editors’ picks

BOWLING

where’s the

better bowling?

Our area’s most talked-about bowling alleys, both of which opened last year, are as different as night and day. Pinstripes, at Pike & Rose in North Bethesda, is reminiscent of a bright five-star hotel with high ceilings, large staircases and service that shines. At Lucky Strike, in Westfield Montgomery mall, there’s a more traditional bowling alley feel, with a darker atmosphere. So, which establishment offers the better experience? We tested both.

LAY OF THE LAND

PINSTRIPES

LUCKY STRIKE

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THE VIBE

THE SERVICE

14 bowling lanes; 11 bocce courts; 3 meeting rooms; 1 ballroom; 200-seat restaurant, bar and bistro; an enclosed patio that can seat 30 to 50 people

The scene: business professionals, wedding parties, and children enjoying birthday parties and field trips

Full restaurant and bar service is available throughout the venue.

The space: A hot spot for corporate meetings, fund-raising dinners and other events. A ballroom seats up to 240 people. Beyond the bar, which is in the front and plays R&B and electronic music, is a dining area and a staircase that leads to bowling lanes, bocce courts and rooftop seating. At the lanes, square red and black couches complement a casual, modern décor, and the colorful bowling balls look like what you see on a pool table.

Eager to help; knowledgeable about the menu

12 bowling lanes; 400-seat restaurant and bar

The scene: football fans and families

Full restaurant and bar service is available throughout the venue.

The space: This feels more like a bowling alley, with a combination of dim and neon lighting, and star patterns on the walls.

The lanes are hidden behind the restaurant and bar, and separated by a wall of books.

(Bowlers are encouraged to borrow and return the books in 30 days.) Sunday is the most happening day of the week, when groups of football fans come to watch games—and bowl. Twenty-four big-screen televisions are positioned throughout, including at every lane.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

Down-to-earth, attentive, chatty; knowledgeable about the business as a whole

INFOGRAPHIC BY AMANDA SMALLWOOD

THE FOOD

THE DRINKS

FORGOT SOCKS?

Similar to a late-night swanky hotel menu (though it offers lunch, dinner, Sunday brunch, happy hour and gluten-free options). The fries ($4) are thin, crisp, dusted with parmesan and accompanied by artisan ketchup. The margherita pizza ($14) is gourmet, layered with tomatoes and cheese, and features a garlic-flavored crust. Sunday brunch is $40 per adult and includes bottomless mimosas; kids under 5 eat free and kids 6-12 are $15. Catering is available for private events.

Six local craft brews, including 7 Locks Brewing’s Surrender Dorothy IPA and DC Brau’s The Citizen Belgian Style Pale Ale, are on tap ($7-$8, or $4 during happy hour). There’s an array of wines ($10-$13 a glass), and a short cocktail menu that includes classics such as an old-fashioned and a whiskey sour ($12 each).

The “Gastro Kitchen” menu offers starters such as baconwrapped shrimp, crabcakes and truffle deviled eggs. Also on the menu: strip steak, salmon and pasta dishes, as well as tacos and sliders. When it comes to the classic bowling alley fare, the Belgian fries ($6) are served with chipotle aioli. The cheese pizza ($11) might have a little too much cheese on top of a flavorless crust, so a jumbo lump crab pizza or a pesto pizza might be a better choice.

Sixteen beer options on tap, from $5-$9, including a couple local offerings from 7 Locks Brewing and the Jailbreak Brewing Co. Signature cocktails ($14$15; $5 happy hour) include a “Passion Mojito,” and wine is $7-$14 a glass.

Socks are complimentary.

PRICE TO PLAY Rates per person per hour: Sunday: $10 Monday-Friday, until 4 p.m.: $8-$10 Monday-Thursday, after 4 p.m.: $10 Friday, after 4 p.m.: $15 Saturday: $12-$15

White socks ($5) or colorful signature Lucky Strike socks ($10) are available.

Rates per person per game: Sunday-Thursday: $3.95-$5.95 Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.: $5.95 Rates per hour per lane: Friday and Saturday, after 5 p.m.: $65

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editors’ picks

FITNESS

best group fitness instructor

LEDER PHOTO BY DEB LINDSEY

You’ll see certified group fitness instructor and Bethesda resident Karen Leder at CorePower Yoga, Lotus Point Wellness and Next Phase, working with students of all levels—including her three high school- and college-age kids. Through unique class themes, such as “acceptance” on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the instructor of four years modifies poses and instruction.

During yoga sculpt, a strength-based class with weights, Leder turns on music. When she’s working with clients who are receiving professional counseling for anxiety and personal loss, she puts more of a focus on the mind. After tragic global events, Leder, who ends her practices with inspirational quotations, leaves students hopeful and strong in body and mind.

CorePower Yoga, 6708 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, 301-951-9642; Lotus Point Wellness, 4405 East West Highway, Suite 508, Bethesda, 301-960-1198; Next Phase, 7610 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, 240-483-0414

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

editors’ picks

FITNESS

best studio for highintensity classes

PHOTO BY HILARY SCHWAB; KILLER HILL PHOTO BY MATTHEW STEBENNE

LEDER PHOTO BY DEB LINDSEY

If you’re ready to really push yourself, then Balanced Athlete Fitness Studios in Upper Northwest D.C. is for you. The studio, which opened in 2016, offers two levels of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) classes.

HIIT-Burn Express offers a workout filled with dumbbells and kettlebells. Advance to a more difficult class with HIIT-Vertical, which uses a wall with ladders and resistance bands. These 45-minute workouts have a maximum class size of 16 people and are designed to be a personal challenge.

5538 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.; 202-838-0055; balancedathletedc.com

best killer hill Increase your stamina and speed by tackling the hill on Leland Street, starting at Beach Drive in Chevy Chase. Even experienced runners find the steep and winding road a challenge as calves and thighs scream for a break. But if you still need more of a challenge, crank up the intensity with intervals that mimic rolling hills. Once you reach Summit Avenue, you have conquered the test and are rewarded by an equally long downhill stretch that serves as a good cooldown.

Leland Street, Chevy Chase BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

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editors’ picks

FITNESS

best workout scene The strongest community-based groups are sometimes built out of friendships, which was the case for The fitCene, a local networking and fitness group for women. In 2015, Chevy Chase residents Mary Jo Slidell and Lauren Rice, and Jill Wiener of Bethesda, founded the group, which partnered with area fitness studios for 50 events in the first year. Since then, the founders have been focusing more on sharing information and resources. At thefitcene.com, there’s a forum where members can post about places or ways to work out. There’s also a recipe exchange in which women can share nutritious meal ideas that complement their workouts.

Membership, which is free, has grown to more than 500 women.

Bonus: One study says working out with friends results in more calories burned. thefitcene.com

best workout F45 is an Australian-based company that opened its first Maryland location last year in downtown Bethesda. On Saturday mornings, a live DJ shapes a playlist to match the energy of the hourlong hybrid cardio and strength-training class. F45 rotates four DJs who play everything from hip-hop to electronic dance music to old-school tunes. Screens at the front of the room display heart rates and how much time remains, plus exercise videos play on a loop while two instructors walk through the class.

4800 Auburn Ave., Bethesda; 240-600-0959; f45training.com/bethesda 116

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

COURTESY PHOTOS

with a live DJ

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editors’ picks

FITNESS

best new twist

Lisa Platnick conducts a class while an old Saturday Night Live skit plays in the background.

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

At Pulse Fitness in Bethesda, you’ll walk away with more than a calorie-torching cycle workout. Every Sunday in the “Trivia Cycle” class you can test your music savvy, too.

With the lights out and music blasting, riders work together to name the tunes, artists and years the songs were released, making the 55-minute class go quickly while working minds as well as muscles. Pulse Fitness founder Lisa Platnick started the Trivia Cycle classes in 2012, and themes have included songs mentioning the moon to mark the solar eclipse, and artists inducted each year into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Some classes also feature music videos.

5110 Ridgefield Road, Bethesda; 301-656-0500; pulsefitnessbethesda.com

PULSE PHOTO BY DEB LINDSEY

on an old favorite

Bal

CATHERINE RUSSELL & JOHN PIZZARELLI

A SALUTE TO BILLIE HOLIDAY & FRANK SINATRA Fri, Jan 5

STEP AFRIKA! STEP XPLOSION Sun, Jan 21, Matinee

ARTURO O’FARRILL & THE AFRO LATIN JAZZ ORCHESTRA WITH SPECIAL GUEST DR. CORNEL WEST Fri, Feb 2

IDAN RAICHEL Thu, Feb 22

2018

Coming up at

DORRANCE DANCE

WINTER SPRING

NIYAZ

ETM: DOUBLE DOWN Fri, March 2

Fri, March 16 Sufi poetry and folk songs from Niyaz’s native Iran blend with acoustic and electronic music.

ANNAPOLIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA JOSÉ-LUIS NOVO, CONDUCTOR MANUEL BARRUECO, GUITAR Sun, March 4, Matinee

JOEY ALEXANDER TRIO

PADDY MOLONEY

k.d. lang

AND SPECIAL GUESTS Wed, March 7

INGÉNUE REDUX TOUR Sun, March 25

JAMISON ROSS Fri, March 23

THE CHIEFTAINS

“S” BY CIRCA Mon, March 12 Extraordinary acrobatics scored by Kronos Quartet.

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L–R: Catherine Russell, Idan Raichel by Toni Delong, Arturo O’Farrill, Dorrance Dance by Matthew Murphy, Circa, Niyaz, Joey Alexander by Carol Friedman

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5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD 20852 | 301.581.5100 | STRATHMORE.ORG

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editors’ picks

FITNESS

best hard-core gym

best local relay race Looking for a fall fun run? This September race, which starts at Lake Needwood in Rock Creek Regional Park, winds through 29 miles of Rockville, Bethesda and Chevy Chase and isn’t a marathon, though it sounds like one. The Rock the Creek Relay is a team race consisting of six legs that take four or five hours to complete.

Teams of three or six runners hand off the baton and meet again at Lake Needwood for the postrun party. rockthecreekrelay.com 120

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

CROSSFIT PHOTO BY SARAH HOGUE; RELAY RACE PHOTO COURTESY

When Tough Temple Barbell Club and CrossFit merged a year ago in Bethesda, CrossFit Bethesda was born. It’s a gym dedicated to activities such as weightlifting, gymnastics and kettlebell training. Before new clients get going on a fitness regime that’s all about a variety of intense exercises in a short period, they take a four- to six-week class that’s intended to work on form and build strength. Instructors teach each exercise with a focus on reducing the risk of injuries, and small classes boost camaraderie that extends to Facebook groups. One-on-one coaching is available.

4848 Cordell Ave., Bethesda; 301-312-6664; crossfitbethesda.com

Thank you for voting us “Best In-Home Care” for the 5th time!

The 2018 recognition is extra special, as it marks the 50th year we have been serving older adults in our region!

Caregivers referred by Family & Nursing Care are the top 10% of caregiving professionals in our region, and help with: Bathing, Dressing, Toileting, Mobilty Assistance Grocery Shopping and Meal Preparation Medication Reminders Light Housekeeping/Laundry Transfer to/from Doctor’s Appointments/Errands

How can we help you and your loved ones?

familynursingcare.com 301.588.8200 Licensed as a Residential Service Agency by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Office of Healthcare Quality. RSA License R2519R. MD NRSA License 070605.

YEAR IN R

editors’ picks

biggest political oops, part I Bearing an impressive résumé—former adviser to two secretaries of state, policy director for first lady Michelle Obama—Krishanti Vignarajah saw a political opening in a Maryland gubernatorial field then devoid of female contenders. But it quickly became apparent that she was a newcomer to the crucible of the electoral arena. After Vignarajah, a Democrat, jumped into the race this past August, Bethesda Beat revealed that she had not voted in Maryland until 2016, even though she had been registered to vote in the state since 2006.

In between, she voted four times in Washington, D.C., utilizing what she described as a “crash pad” as her home address. The information immediately raised questions about her eligibility to run under Maryland’s constitution, which requires a gubernatorial candidate to have lived in the state and to have been registered to vote for five years. Vignarajah’s initial reaction—to repeatedly duck questions—merely succeeded in keeping the story front and center. Finally, in October, she tried to seek a court judgment on her eligibility.

(For Montgomery County) Baltimore City needed more day-to-day operating money from the state for its cash-strapped school system. Montgomery County’s delegation in Annapolis was willing to help, but in return it wanted more capital funding for school construction in a jurisdiction where the student population is mushrooming by about 2,500 annually. The result was a legislative horse trade—and General Assembly approval of a budget containing nearly $60 million in state school construction aid for Montgomery County during the current 2018 fiscal year. While local school officials had asked for about twice that amount from the state, the latest allocation was up $9 million—nearly 20 percent—from a year earlier.

And Montgomery County, with 18 percent of Maryland’s school population, inched closer to what some believe would be a fair share of state aid. For fiscal 2018, it received 15.3 percent of school construction funds allocated by the state; four years earlier, the county received a mere 9.5 percent.

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Would anyone NOT running for County Council at-large please stand up?

Be it fatigue with the same old faces or backlash over a newly imposed property tax hike, residents overwhelmingly voted in the fall of 2016 to impose term limits on the Montgomery County Council. And, as often happens in the wake of major changes to the political system, it didn’t take long for the law of unintended consequences to go to work. In 2010, 10 candidates competed for four at-large council seats in the Democratic primary, where winning is tantamount to victory in November; in 2014, there were only six candidates. But as early as this past fall, with three of the four atlarge council members term-limited out, nearly 30 Democrats had filed or announced—and some head counts had the number heading toward 40 by this February’s filing deadline. Between a confused electorate needing a scorecard to tell the players apart and “microtargeting” of certain groups by some candidates, a tiny handful of the county’s nearly 650,000 registered voters could end up deciding who represents them for the next four years.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

It’s often said that many members of Congress see a future president when they look in the mirror. But in July, when Rep. John Delaney of Potomac became the first announced candidate for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, there weren’t a lot of fellow Maryland officeholders humming “Hail to the Chief.” In fact, the reaction was closer to stunned silence, according to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by a conservative research group seeking email reaction to Delaney’s move by dozens of Maryland officials.

According to a report in The Baltimore Sun, one of the very few comments found through the FOIA request was from Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett, who seemed incredulous that Delaney was forgoing an expected gubernatorial bid for a long-shot chance at the White House. “[I’ll] believe it when I see it,” Leggett said in an emailed response to an aide.

MOST WELCOME RETURN Potomac resident and award-winning news anchor Leon Harris had faced adversity before, but once again he overcame tough times when he joined the NBC4 team last spring. In 2013, when he was a news anchor at ABC-7, Harris survived a life-threatening bout with acute necrotizing pancreatitis. Harris returned to work later that same year but his contract wasn’t renewed in 2016 after 13 years with the company. Harris started his career as an intern at CNN and rose to the role of news anchor, covering the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995 and the 2000 presidential election and recount. He was part of the CNN team that won an Emmy for its coverage of 9/11, and he’s won two Local Emmys for Best Local News Anchor. Harris anchors NBC4 Washington weekday newscasts at 4 p.m. with Erika Gonzalez.

LEON HARRIS PHOTO BY MICHAEL VENTURA

BEST MOVE BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE

HO HUM TO THE CHIEF

N REVIEW LONGEST LEGAL BATTLE In the legal fight over the Purple Line, the light-rail project’s opponents refuse to back down. Two Town of Chevy Chase residents and a trail group have pursued a lawsuit against the project since 2014. Their complaint has morphed from concerns over parkland, to whether shrimp-like creatures would be harmed, to its latest iteration—questions over whether Metro’s ridership decline and safety issues could impact the project.

The plaintiffs didn’t give up even after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued a ruling in the lawsuit that allowed construction to proceed. They filed another lawsuit in September alleging that the federal government improperly funded the transit plan.

Despite their efforts, the state has begun tree clearing and other work on the 16.2-mile light-rail line.

biggest political oops, part II Early last year, after vetoing an increase to $15 an hour in the county’s minimum wage, County Executive Ike Leggett commissioned a study by Philadelphia-based consulting group PFM in the hopes of better informing future debate on the matter. Leggett now probably wishes he had never gone there. When the report was released on Aug. 1, controversy over its methodology generated as much heat as the perennially contentious minimum wage issue itself as critics derided the PFM study as “junk science.”

Leggett, after first defending the study as a “valuable contribution to the debate,” asked PFM to review its findings, which initially predicted a loss of about 47,000 jobs in the county if there was an increase to $15 by 2022. Days later, PFM officials publicly acknowledged that a “computation error” had caused them to double the actual estimate of lost jobs. “Can we get our money back?” Councilmember George Leventhal asked during an October hearing. Two days later, PFM sought to salvage the situation—and potential future business with the county—by waiving its $149,600 fee.

INSTAGRAM PHOTO OP WITH THE MOST POTENTIAL Bethesda joined cities worldwide this past fall in a street art trend that’s made for Instagram.

Federal Realty commissioned street artist Kelsey Montague to create her iconic butterfly wings mural on a Hagar Lane wall around the corner from Quartermaine Coffee Roasters, and to include in them elements specific to Bethesda Row. In 2014, the wing murals went viral after singer Taylor Swift posed between a pair of New York City wings.

Montague has also created the #WhatLiftsYou murals in cities such as Nashville, Tennessee, and San Diego, as well as around the world, including in Ireland and New Zealand. Montague blurs the line between art and advertisement inside Bethesda’s large-scale wings with shoes, a shopping bag and the archway into Bethesda Row. Two other sets of wings, including medium and miniature sizes, let the whole family—including dogs—get in on the photo op. We wonder: Will the line for photos soon outpace the ones for Quartermaine and Bethesda Bagels on weekend mornings?

COURTESY PHOTO

Marriott is coming to town(For Montgomery County) Marriott’s decision to build its new corporate headquarters in downtown Bethesda was big news, but not as big—at least in terms of the number of Bethesda Beat readers—as a follow-up story reporting that the owner of the Tastee Diner might sell that property to give Marriott even more space. As of mid-December, no deal had been reached.

Marriott’s presence in Bethesda will have far-reaching ramifications.

The new headquarters and flagship hotel next door will remake the

downtown skyline, bring thousands more people into Bethesda each day, attract new businesses, pump life into Woodmont Triangle and drive up commercial and residential property values.

And one more thing: During and after construction, the traffic along Wisconsin Avenue will be even worse than it is now. To complicate matters, at least five other major commercial construction projects along Wisconsin will overlap with Marriott. Gridlock, anyone?

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

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YEAR IN REVIEW

perils of the internet age PART 1 Residents who provided nearly 220,000 email addresses to receive updates from the county’s executive and legislative branches got more than they bargained for early last year. The founder of a website that prods candidates to opt for public campaign financing requested and received access to the massive email list, and then other political interests followed suit in obtaining the list—ranging from perennial candidate Robin Ficker to a group with ties to local business. Pointing to the state’s Public Information Act, county officials said they had no choice but to release the lists. However, under county rules, the information provided in response to these requests also was posted to the data sites of the executive branch and the County Council.

Citing their administrative authority, officials removed the email lists from the data sites after about a week, fearing the information could become fodder for telemarketers and spammers. It may have been too late: “Unfortunately, I think those lists are out there and being traded back and forth,” said one source. Meanwhile, concerned that the flap would make citizens reluctant to provide email addresses in order to stay informed about developments in county government, some officials planned to ask the Maryland Legislature for a change in state law to restrict future access to the email lists.

PART 2 Nothing lasts forever—or such was the case until the era of the internet, when a few flip or ill-chosen words can readily resurface after a long dormancy. Silver Spring resident Dan Reed—whose blog, Just Up The Pike, is devoted to “the life and times of MoCo’s east side”—learned that hard lesson in May. Reed, an urban planner, was the apparent front-runner for a county Planning Board seat until years-old barbed blog posts aimed at Bethesda were mined from cyberspace. “I claim all of Bethesda as ours, so long as they stay on their own side of Rock Creek Park so we can remember ‘normal people’ still live in Montgomery County,” Reed gibed back in June 2009.

Two years later he asked Bethesda residents: “How many fine individuals think of Silver Spring primarily as an exporter of black kids?” With his appointment on the line, Reed tried damage control. “Everybody has put their foot in their mouth at some point in their lives,” said Reed, adding ruefully: “Some of us have done it online.” It wasn’t enough. The County Council voted 8-1 to appoint Germantown resident Tina Patterson instead.

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888.647.0476 • FlatsAtBethesdaAvenue.com 124

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

READERS’ PICK, BEST NEW LUXURY APARTMENTS Tour today and discover why our residents and Bethesda Magazine readers chose us.

BELLA BETHESDA

THANK YOU BETHESDA! The Bella Bethesda team would like to thank Bethesda Magazine and its readers for once again voting us as a “Best of Bethesda” winner! This year, we celebrated our ten-year anniversary and became a Green Circle certified salon. We pride ourselves on staying ahead of industry trends and techniques to provide best-inclass service and an excellent customer experience. Come see one of our highly trained stylists for your next salon visit.

Past Awards: Best of Bethesda 2012, 2016; Best of Bethesda Top Vote Getter 2014, 2015, 2017; Salon Today 200

WE’RE CELEBRATING 10 YEARS!

4733 elm street, 2nd floor, bethesda, md • 301.718.9111 • www.bellabethesda.com

@bellabethesda

A special thanks to our many clients for your vote and continued support.

Proud to have built over 147 homes in the Bethesda area ...and counting.

Reader’s Pick A Top Vote Getter Best Builder Custom Homes Doug Monsein . DCG Offices . 301.983.6947 . www.dcghomes.com BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

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BEST OF BETHESDA

readers’ picks

Nearly 11,000 people voted in our online readers’ poll. Here are the winners and runners-up for everything from the best new restaurant to the best live music venue.

BURGER

Five Guys BGR O’Donnell’s Market Bobby’s Burger Palace Elevation Burger

CHEF/RESTAURATEUR José Andrés Mike Isabella Jeff Black

RESTAURANT DÉCOR

Clyde’s Tower Oaks Lodge

food & drink NEW RESTAURANT True Food Kitchen Addie’s Q by Peter Chang

RESTAURANT IN BETHESDA

Kapnos Kouzina, Mon Ami Gabi (TIE) True Food Kitchen Woodmont Grill Raku

RESTAURANT IN CHEVY CHASE La Ferme, Lia’s (TIE)

Clyde’s of Chevy Chase The Capital Grille Sushiko

RESTAURANT IN GAITHERSBURG/ NORTH POTOMAC Coastal Flats il Porto Vasili’s Kitchen

RESTAURANT IN GARRETT PARK/ KENSINGTON

Black Market Bistro 126

Frankly...Pizza!

The Dish & Dram

RESTAURANT IN POTOMAC

MoCo’s Founding Farmers Renato’s at River Falls Addie’s Lock 72 Kitchen & Bar The Grilled Oyster Co.

RESTAURANT IN ROCKVILLE/ NORTH BETHESDA

Summer House Santa Monica Seasons 52 Matchbox Cava Mezze

RESTAURANT IN SILVER SPRING Urban Butcher

All Set Restaurant & Bar The Daily Dish Pacci’s Trattoria

RESTAURANT IN UPPER NORTHWEST D.C. Macon Bistro & Larder Millie’s Blue 44 Range

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

Gringos & Mariachis Summer House Santa Monica

RESTAURANT SERVICE Woodmont Grill

MoCo’s Founding Farmers Mon Ami Gabi Duck Duck Goose

SUSHI Raku

Sushiko Yuraku Sushi Damo

PIZZA (LOCAL) Frankly...Pizza!

Pizzeria Da Marco Pete’s New Haven Style Apizza Pizza CS Potomac Pizza

INDIAN RESTAURANT Kadhai Boutique Indian Cuisine Passage to India Bombay Bistro Tandoori Nights

ITALIAN RESTAURANT Olazzo

Il Pizzico Mamma Lucia Pines of Rome Gregorio’s Trattoria il Porto Trattoria Sorrento

MEXICAN RESTAURANT Gringos & Mariachis, Uncle Julio’s (TIE) Guapo’s El Mariachi Mi Rancho

MIDDLE EASTERN RESTAURANT Lebanese Taverna

Moby Dick House of Kabob Cava Mezze Bistro LaZeez Bacchus of Lebanon Yekta

THAI RESTAURANT Tara Thai

Bangkok Garden Sala Thai Ruan Thai Amina Thai Thai House Restaurant

BRUNCH

MoCo’s Founding Farmers Summer House Santa Monica Silver

COCKTAILS

MoCo’s Founding Farmers PassionFish

HAPPY HOUR PassionFish

Paladar Latin Kitchen & Rum Bar Black’s Bar & Kitchen Tommy Joe’s Ruth’s Chris Steak House

OUTDOOR DINING Old Angler’s Inn

Summer House Santa Monica Mon Ami Gabi Bacchus of Lebanon

ROMANTIC RESTAURANT La Ferme

Old Angler’s Inn Duck Duck Goose Mon Ami Gabi

PHOTO BY LIZ LYNCH

José Andrés at Jaleo in Bethesda

Thank you. Gracias. Merci. Grazie. We are honored.

301.977.0800

424 Main Street Gaithersburg, Maryland

www.ohairsalon.com

Thank you to the readers of Bethesda Magazine!

ASIAN DINING SUSHI & SAKE rakuasiandining.com Bethesda Row 7240 Woodmont Ave Bethesda, MD 20814 301-718-8680

Cathedral Heights 3312 Wisconsin Ave, NW Washington, DC 20016 202-244-7258

Best Restaurant in Bethesda 2011, 2013 & 2017

Best Sushi

2012, 2014, 2016 & 2018 Dupont Circle 1900 Q Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 rakuyarestaurant.com 202-265-7258

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

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BEST OF BETHESDA

readers’ picks

HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM Suburban Hospital

Sibley Memorial Hospital Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center Holy Cross Hospital

PRIMARY CARE PRACTICE

Rockville Concierge Doctors Rockville Internal Medicine Group Potomac Physician Associates Matthew Mintz, MD Cullen Umosella Cullen & Cullen Johns Hopkins Community Physicians

DERMATOLOGY PRACTICE

Capital Laser & Skin Care

Drs. Jaffe, O’Neill & Lindgren DermAssociates The Dermatology Center

ORTHODONTIA PRACTICE EJL Dental

Byrdsmiles Orthodontics Rad Orthodontics Gerlein Orthodontics Frederick S. Fritz, DDS Peter J. Coccaro, DDS John & Bob Gillespie, DDS Dr. Jill Bruno, Orthodontist

AUDIOLOGY PRACTICE Potomac Audiology

The Feldman Hearing Studios The Family Hearing Center at TLC Kaiser Permanente Kensington Medical Center Live Better Hearing (formerly A & A Hearing)

New Wave Salon and Spa in Rockville

CHILD THERAPIST/ PSYCHOLOGIST

The Counseling Center of Maryland Georgetown Psychology Associates Rathbone & Associates Alvord, Baker & Associates Emily Cook Therapy Aspire Counseling

SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY

Maplewood Park Place Charles E. Smith Life Communities Ingleside at King Farm Leisure World of Maryland Kensington Park Riderwood

IN-HOME CARE

Family & Nursing Care Premier Homecare Comfort Home Care Home Care Solutions Lifematters

PHYSICAL THERAPIST FOR ATHLETIC INJURIES Nurses Ioanna Sanborn (left) and Cara Baldini at Suburban Hospital’s Emergency Department

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

Sports and Orthopaedic Therapy Services Point Performance Precision Physical Therapy Issa Physical Therapy ProAction Physical Therapy

fitness & beauty SALON IN BETHESDA Bella Bethesda Salon Nader Salon Central Ira Ludwick Salon Plane Jane Salon Aveda Bethesda

SALON IN CHEVY CHASE The Red Door

by Elizabeth Arden PR at Partners Dessange

SALON IN GAITHERSBURG O’Hair Salon+Spa

Lash Beauté Salon Red The Red Door Salon & Spa

SALON IN NORTH BETHESDA/ROCKVILLE

New Wave Salon and Spa Kindle & Boom Oasis Hair Salon Progressions

SALON IN POTOMAC Zohra Salon Studio Ten83

SUBURBAN HOSPITAL BY DEBRA SCHEINBERG; COURTESY PHOTO

health

CONFIDENCE. EXPERIENCE. RESULTS. ADOPTION ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY FAMILY Sogand Zamani Top Vote Getter, Best Law Practitioner, 2018

2121 K Street, NW, Suite 900 Washington, DC 20037 www.zamaniassociates.com T: (202) 510-9112 BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

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BEST OF BETHESDA

readers’ picks Flats 8300 The Perry 7770 Norfolk Avenue

Christ Episcopal School St. Jane de Chantal School St. Andrew’s Episcopal School

NEW LUXURY CONDO

TUTORING FIRM

The Darcy 930 Rose Hampden Row Stonehall

PrepMatters Marks Education Learning Essentials

NEW TOWNHOME COMMUNITY

I Drive Smart

The Lauren

Grosvenor Heights

Bella Moda Salon & Spa Potomac Hair Design

SALON IN SILVER SPRING Alchemy Salon

Kibana Headlines Hair Designers

GYM FOR PEOPLE UNDER 40 Equinox

Planet Fitness LA Fitness Life Time Athletic Solidcore

GYM FOR PEOPLE OVER 40 Life Time Athletic

Bender JCC of Greater Washington Equinox Pulse Fitness Rock Creek Sports Club Bethesda Sport & Health

Claude C. Lapp Architects Studio Z Design Concepts Kramer Architects

BUILDER FOR CUSTOM HOMES Sandy Spring Builders

Douglas Construction Group Meridian Homes Anthony Wilder Design/Build

REMODELING FIRM

Case Design/Remodeling Jendell Construction Anthony Wilder Design/Build Sandy Spring Builders BOWA Smiley Renovations Meridian Homes

KITCHEN DESIGN FIRM Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens

Zengo Cycle

Case Design/Remodeling Jendell Construction Kitchen and Bath Studios Stuart Kitchens Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath

BARRE STUDIO

HANDYMAN

SPINNING STUDIO SoulCycle

Pure Barre

The Bar Method Barre3

home ARCHITECT FOR CUSTOM HOMES GTM Architects

Anthony Wilder Design/Build 130

FRED Home Improvement JM Contractor Services

PLACE TO BUY OUTDOOR FURNITURE Country Casual Teak GreatGatherings

NEW LUXURY APARTMENTS

Flats at Bethesda Avenue

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

Downtown Crown Montgomery Row The Brownstones at Chevy Chase Lake

NEIGHBORHOOD FOR YOUNG FAMILIES Wyngate

Wood Acres Kentlands East Bethesda Town of Chevy Chase Kensington Parkwood

kids & schools PRIVATE SCHOOL GRADES K-8 McLean School

Washington Episcopal School Green Acres School Christ Episcopal School Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart Norwood School

PRIVATE SCHOOL GRADES 9-12 McLean School

Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart Bullis School Holton-Arms School Landon School St. Andrew’s Episcopal School

PRIVATE SCHOOL WITH RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School Washington Episcopal School

PrepU

DRIVING SCHOOL Greg’s Driving School Potomac Driving School

YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAM Koa Sports

Montgomery Soccer (MSI) Tru2Form Hoops Potomac Soccer Association Kidball Montgomery Youth Hockey Association BCC Baseball

KIDS ART OR MUSIC CLASSES VisArts

Bach to Rock Artworks Fine Art Studio

KIDS DANCE PROGRAM Dawn Crafton Dance Connection

Joy of Motion Dance Center Bethesda Conservatory of Dance Maryland School of Dance

PLACE FOR KIDS PARTIES Badlands

Henry’s Sweet Retreat My Gym Sky Zone ZavaZone Kidville BounceU

PRESCHOOL/DAY CARE Bender Early Childhood Center, Geneva Day School (TIE)

Temple Beth Ami Nursery School Christ Episcopal School B’nai Israel Schilit Nursery School Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church Nursery School Sherman Early Childhood Center at Har Shalom

COURTESY PHOTO

Grosvenor Heights, an EYA townhome community in Bethesda

We are so grateful for all of our wonderful customers who continue to support us and have voted us “best salon in potomac.”

We are fortunate to have the most talented staff of stylists in the region, all of whom are able to create the best version of you.

We look forward to seeing you in 2018.

11325 Seven Locks Rd Potomac, MD 20854 (301) 299-3100

Reader’s Pick ck Best Salon in Potomac mac

Voted Best Child Therapist/Psychologist, 2018

CHILDREN • ADOLESCENTS • ADULTS • COUPLES • FAMILIES

Make the CHANGE.

CCM offers an integrated approach with empirically proven methods. Specialties include: CBT, DBT, Gottman Couples, EFT, parenting, relational issues, anxiety, depression, emotion regulation, life transitions and others. Together we will work with you build the life you have dreamed of.

admin@ccmtherapy.com • 301-742-2282 8030 Woodmont Ave. 3rd Floor Bethesda, MD 20814

CounselingCenterofMaryland.com BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

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BEST OF BETHESDA

readers’ picks

Tom and Patty Craver, owners of Henry’s Sweet Retreat

David Ruben, Merrill Lynch John Yetman, Ameriprise Financial

FAMILY LAW PRACTITIONER

Erin Kopelman, Lerch, Early & Brewer Sogand Zamani, Zamani & Associates Monica Garcia Harms, Stein Sperling Cheryl Hepfer, Offit Kurman

CAR DEALERSHIP (FOR SERVICE) Chevy Chase Cars

Pike & Rose Bethesda Row

Green Acres Camp Calleva Valley Mill Camp SummerEdge at McLean School Camp JCC at Bender JCC

PLACE TO BUY LINGERIE

SPORTS CAMP

Lord & Taylor

Creative Summer at Holton-Arms School

Koa Sports, Tru2Form Hoops (TIE) ESF Summer Camps Coach Lun’s Our Team Basketball Camp Bullis Summer Programs Headfirst Summer Camps Landon Summer

shopping NEW STORE

Henry’s Sweet Retreat Morley Warby Parker

BOUTIQUE

Belina Boutique Julia Farr HBF Boutique Just Perfect Collection South Moon Under Morley

SHOPPING CENTER

Westfield Montgomery Wildwood Congressional Plaza 132

Sylene

The Fillmore Silver Spring AMP by Strathmore Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club Villain & Saint

Underwraps

PLACE TO BUY A COCKTAIL DRESS Nordstrom HBF Boutique Bloomingdale’s Julia Farr Neiman Marcus

JEWELRY STORE

Boone & Sons Jewelers Alan Furman & Co. Pandora Blanca Flor Kay Jewelers

PLACE TO GO DANCING Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park La Tasca Tommy Joe’s The Loft at 4935

FINANCIAL ADVISER David Hurwitz, Ameriprise Financial

Brian Oettinger, Vintage Financial Partners Ron Rubin, Bridgewater Wealth & Financial Management

VETERINARY PRACTICE Friendship Hospital for Animals

Falls Road Veterinary Hospital Nebel Street Animal Hospital Kenwood Animal Hospital & Canine Clubhouse Bradley Hills Animal Hospital Liberty Falls Veterinary Clinic

EVENT PHOTOGRAPHER Michael Bennett Kress Photography Freed Photography Ian Sbalcio Photography

WEDDING CAKES

Fancy Cakes by Leslie JennyCakes Bakery n

best of the rest MOVIE THEATER

ArcLight Bethesda Landmark Bethesda Row Cinema iPic Pike & Rose Regal Rockville Center Stadium 13 AMC Loews Rio Cinemas 18 AFI Silver

LIVE MUSIC VENUE The Music Center at Strathmore

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

Friendship Hospital veterinarian Lauren MacDonald and technician Kathy Waite examine Shy, who was rescued from Puerto Rico.

HENRY’S SWEET RETREAT PHOTO BY LAURA CHASE MCGEHEE; VET PHOTO COURTESY

SUMMER DAY CAMP

Ourisman Honda Bethesda Jim Coleman Toyota Fitzgerald Hyundai/Subaru Rockville EuroMotorcars Bethesda

Thank you to everyone who voted us...

Reader’s Pick, A Top Vote Getter Best Architect for Custom Homes

cclarchitects.com | 301.881.6856 info@cclarchitects.com 11820 Parklawn Drive, 100 Rockville, MD 20852

new wave salon and spa HAIR CUT

MANICURES

DEVA CURLY CUT

PEDICURES

COLOR

PERMANENT MAKE UP

HIGHLIGHTS KERATIN TREATMENTS FACIALS

WAXING MAKE-UP BRIDAL & FORMAL STYLING

COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATIONS AND WALK-INS WELCOME 301.231.4844 | 301.881.9225 1776 E Jefferson St #111 | Rockville, MD 20852

w w w.new wavesalon.com

READERS’ PICK Best Salon in N. Bethesda/Rockville

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h

Three years ago, a private jet crashed into Ken Gemmell’s home in Gaithersburg, killing his wife, Marie, and the couple’s two young sons. Gemmell and his daughter, Arabelle, weren’t home at the time, and he decided soon after the tragedy that he wasn’t going to let it destroy them.

BY KRISTA BRICK | OPENING PHOTO BY MICHAEL VENTURA

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KEN GEMMELL NO LONGER wears his wedding ring. At some point he started taking it off and putting it back on, eventually leaving it in a bowl on his desk. On May 27, 2016, nearly a year and a half after the accident, he changed his Facebook status to “widower.”

Now that he’s a single dad, Gemmell often goes on Facebook to gut check his parenting: Can the tooth fairy leave an IOU? How often does the Elf on the Shelf really need to be moved? He’s talked about some of his parenting misses, like trying to braid his daughter’s hair and getting her to eat kale.

Gemmell, 39, says he’s had to learn a lot of things he never imagined he would.

Like how to cook his wife’s mushroom risotto, and how to get nail polish to look less clumpy. His 10-year-old daughter, Arabelle, jokes that her dad isn’t the best at picking out her clothes, and says he’s had trouble controlling a girls sleepover.

(He served pizza and pancakes in the morning.) Gemmell had relied on his wife, Marie, for things like this.

Everyone on Arabelle’s soccer team knows about the accident—that’s how her dad refers to what happened—but no 136

one really talks about it. The soccer field is a place where she doesn’t have to face the tragedy. It’s where her team, the Lynx, finished up another winning season last spring, scoring goals between coming up with new handshakes. It’s where her dad helps call the shots as assistant coach, working from his pink clipboard and jumping up and down along the sidelines to encourage his players. The field is also the place where Arabelle gets a comforting embrace from a teammate’s mother after getting knocked to the ground during the game, an embrace she should be getting from her own mom.

But the accident does come up sometimes, especially when Arabelle is around new friends, so she’s prepared for the question about her mom and brothers. “I usually say, ‘Do you remember the plane crash of 2014?’ ” she explains.

“Most often they say they remember that, and I say, ‘Yeah, well that’s me. That happened to me.’ ”

LATE IN THE MORNING of Dec. 8, 2014, Gemmell was at work at Savi Technology in Alexandria, Virginia, when a co-worker told him that a plane had gone down

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outside of the Montgomery County Airpark. The Gemmells had lived nearly a mile off the flight path since buying their home on Drop Forge Lane in Gaithersburg in January 2005. He didn’t think there was any reason for concern.

Planes don’t crash into houses, Gemmell thought. They crash at the end of a runway or in an abandoned field.

Marie, 36, was home on maternity leave with the couple’s 7-week-old son, Devin, and 3-year-old, Cole. Gemmell tried calling her cellphone to check in, but she didn’t answer. She’s probably busy folding the laundry we left in a pile last night, he remembers thinking.

Maybe she took Cole and Devin to the park with their dog, Max, or she’s catching some sleep since she still gets up at night with the baby. He knew that Arabelle, then 7, would have already been at school.

Gemmell’s cellphone rang. The caller, a friend and co-worker of Marie’s, told Gemmell that she had just received an unusual call from his wife. The friend said Marie told her that she had taken herself and the boys to a bathroom; then the phone went silent. Marie didn’t pick

PHOTOS COURTESY MYMCMEDIA

A plane crashed into the Gemmells’ home near the Montgomery County Airpark on Dec. 8, 2014.

PHOTOS COURTESY KEN GEMMELL

up when the friend called back, so she called 911.

That’s when Gemmell began to worry.

He started searching online to see if he could find any news about the crash, and saw stories about the chaos happening on his street. He tried Marie again on her cell and on the house phone. OK, so something happened, and she is out helping someone in the neighborhood, he told himself. That was something Marie would do. Just weeks earlier she’d helped organize the second annual Connor Cures Gala & Silent Auction, raising funds for pediatric cancer research.

She’d held fundraisers for Hurricane Sandy victims in 2012.

Almost immediately, Gemmell got his first call from a reporter who wanted a comment about the plane crash at his home. He told the reporter that he wasn’t at the scene of the crash, and hung up.

He told himself the reporter must have been Googling for people who live on the street, that it couldn’t be his house that was involved in this. Still, he found the co-worker he’d commuted with that morning and left for home, driving about 80 mph. The co-worker provided updates from her phone as Gemmell drove, soon determining that his cul-de-sac was the site of the crash.

Then they saw photos of Gemmell’s four-bedroom home engulfed in flames, a plane’s wing lodged into its side. As they neared his Montgomery Village neighborhood, police and rescue workers had blocked the roads. Gemmell pulled up as far as he could, then walked to the culde-sac and told a police officer his name.

Fire suppressant foam was everywhere, and bits of an airplane were strewn across his yard and his neighbor’s. Firefighters brought Gemmell to a command center, where he talked them through the layout of his house, gave them a picture of Marie and called his wife’s cell again.

“They said they didn’t find anyone inside, so I’m thinking maybe she is out somewhere, dazed, confused, and they need these pictures to find her,” Gemmell says. He went looking for her in a nearby

Clockwise from top: The Gemmell family—Marie, Ken, Cole and Arabelle—the summer before Devin was born; Cole and Arabelle celebrating Easter in 2014; Arabelle and her mom on a trip to Walt Disney World.

park, all the while calling her cellphone.

He eventually drew investigators a map of the second floor of the home, marking the master bathroom he said they might have missed. He’d just finished making repairs to the shower in that bathroom, at Marie’s request. More than three hours after Gemmell pulled up to his house, investigators found three bodies huddled in that bathtub. Marie had tried to shield the young boys.

Gemmell’s father, then his brother and other relatives rushed to Drop Forge Lane. They wound up at the home of Marie’s aunt, Mary Hilberg, not far from the Montgomery County Airpark, to await word from investigators and Gemmell, who stayed at the scene. Cole’s

day care provider, who had also cared for Arabelle, picked her up at school to shield her from hearing any news prematurely.

When Gemmell got definitive word about his wife and sons, he went to Hilberg’s house to tell the family. He took Arabelle into a bedroom to try to explain to a child what the adults around her could not comprehend.

“She didn’t understand the concept,” he says. “I told her there was a terrible accident, and got into it enough that she understood they were gone. They were just gone.”

THE TEMPERATURE IN Gaithersburg was below freezing on the morning of

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Dec. 8, 2014. According to a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report, the automated weather observing system that reports conditions to pilots showed the need to activate planes’ de-icing systems.

Pilot Michael Rosenberg, 66, was flying an Embraer EMB-500/Phenom 100 airplane from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, to the Montgomery County Airpark that morning. Rosenberg, a physician, founded a clinical research company in 1989 called Health Decisions, and had a business meeting at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. He was traveling with David Hartman, 52, who worked

crashed. Rosenberg and his passengers died. In 2016, the NTSB reported that the crash was likely caused by Rosenberg’s failure to de-ice the plane in subfreezing conditions and his low approach speed.

Gemmell sued Rosenberg’s estate for his failure as a pilot, and Embraer, the Brazilian maker of the aircraft. The suit settled out of court last July. The settlement formally ended the legal proceedings of the crash’s aftermath, but it didn’t ease the pain of losing his wife and sons.

WHEN GEMMELL PROPOSED to Marie in 2002, she thought it was a joke.

Everyone on Arabelle’s soccer team knows about the accident—that’s how her dad refers to what happened—but no one really talks about it. The soccer field is a place where she doesn’t have to face the tragedy. for a clinical consulting firm, and Chijioke Ogbuca, 31, who worked at Health Decisions.

The Montgomery County Airpark, which opened in 1959 and is used by corporate and personal aircraft, is the only publicly owned airport in Montgomery County. On average, 132 planes take off or land there each day. Rosenberg held a Federal Aviation Administration Airline Transport Pilot certificate, which allowed him to fly the Embraer.

FAA records show that in March 2010 he was operating a plane at the Montgomery County Airpark when it ran off the runway. No one was hurt, according to the report, but he had to be retested for his pilot’s license. He passed.

That day in December, Rosenberg would be landing on Runway 14, coming from the north. But as he approached the airport, the private jet went into an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low to recover from, veered off course and 138

They hadn’t explicitly discussed getting married anytime soon, and he had a reputation for being a teaser. He served her breakfast in bed that morning, and then they went to Baltimore for an afternoon Orioles game. After that, they had a picnic under the cherry blossoms in D.C., where he asked her to marry him. Their parents met them for dinner, and Gemmell arranged for friends to meet them at home for a surprise engagement party. “I guess I was pretty confident in a ‘yes,’ ” he says.

Everyone knew it was love, Hilberg says. As a college student, Marie had spent a spring break in Mexico and returned so sick that her mother drove to Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey, to check on her. That’s when she first met Gemmell, who’d been looking after her daughter. “Any guy who would do that has got to be the one,” Hilberg says.

Gemmell, a year older than Marie, was studying engineering. She was a

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

radio, TV and film major. They spent time together between student government association work and Theta Chi fraternity and Phi Sigma Sigma sorority mixers. When Gemmell graduated in 2000, he took a job at Hughes Network Systems in Germantown and bought a townhouse in Gaithersburg. On weekends, Marie would sometimes get a ride to Philadelphia from Gemmell’s younger brother, Scott, and then take a train the rest of the way to meet Gemmell. Or she’d ask friends for a lift to Maryland since she had poor vision and didn’t drive. When Marie finished school in 2001, she moved to Gaithersburg and started working at James G. Davis Construction Corp. in Rockville. The couple spent much of their time with friends, often going to happy hours at Dogfish Head Alehouse in Gaithersburg, and both were members of the Screaming Eagles, a supporters club for D.C. United. They took a couple of years to plan their wedding while they saved money and paid down school debt. Marie wanted a fall wedding, and in September 2004 they married in front of 180 people in Brick Township, New Jersey, her hometown.

Hilberg describes Marie as an easygoing mom. She’d take the kids to restaurants at an early age and laugh off Arabelle’s toddler fits. She’s going to be an “awesome teenager,” Marie would say.

Arabelle remembers her mother organizing birthday parties. One time, Marie bought fairy wings for the girls and pirate costumes for the boys. Arabelle looked up to her mom and helped take care of her brothers, reading them bedtime stories such as Team Umizoomi, Cole’s favorite Nickelodeon show. They nicknamed Cole “Dennis the Menace” for his playful ability to cause chaos. At the house on Drop Forge Lane, Cole and Arabelle would carry buckets filled with water from their rain barrels and march behind their parents, watering the family garden. Marie loved the blueberries, strawberries and green beans, and the wildflowers that attracted the pollinating bees.

VIDEO GAME AND PLANT PHOTO BY MICHAEL VENTURA; ARABELLE AND SCOUT PHOTO COURTESY

Clockwise from top: Ken and Arabelle at home in Gaithersburg; Arabelle, 10, tends to a garden on the deck; the family’s old dog died in the fire, and last year Ken and his daughter got a new boxer named Scout.

Marie was always planning things for the family, Gemmell says. Just a few days before the accident, they went to Rockville Town Square to see the tree-lighting ceremony, drink hot chocolate and watch a figure skating show at the ice rink.

THE MORNING AFTER the plane crash, Gemmell woke up and realized he had nothing, not even deodorant. He went to Giant to buy some, and out of habit he asked the cashier how she was doing.

“She said, ‘Not too bad, not as bad as what happened to that guy whose house got hit by the plane,’ ” Gemmell says.

“I just looked at her and said, ‘That’s me.’ ” He walked away, not wanting to see her reaction.

Gemmell went back to his cul-de-sac that day, his house still smoldering. As he arrived at the top of the street he saw police guarding the site and reporters covering the aftermath. The house was roped off, now part of an NTSB investigation. Gemmell made his way to the closest police officer and flagged him down to retrieve Arabelle’s car seat, still strapped into the family car that was burned but not destroyed.

“I just stood there, looking,” he says. “I

was in shock. Everything Arabelle and I had burned in that house.”

With the help of friends, Gemmell planned a memorial service for Marie and the boys five days after the crash. He wanted the arrangements to be complete before Christmas, for Arabelle’s sake, he says. Nearly 1,000 people gathered for a service at the Church of the Redeemer in Gaithersburg, then at a meeting hall at the Holiday Inn. Friends and family talked about the good times they’d had with the couple—tours of the Flying Dog Brewery in Frederick, a MythBusters show at the Warner Theatre for Gem-

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finding their strength

mell’s birthday, watching Denver Broncos games. “I was still coming to grips that they were gone, and the tributes were making that real,” he says. He got through those early days in a fog. “Arabelle didn’t understand. I tried to keep it together, to console her.”

Gemmell went back and forth between his parents’ house in Virginia and Hilberg’s home. Plagued by panic attacks, he didn’t sleep much. On New Year’s Eve he signed a lease for the Gaithersburg townhome that he would eventually buy; Arabelle returned to school at Goshen Elementary after the winter break. “I knew we couldn’t be transients,” he says. “I had to take control of what I could. I had to get back on my own.”

AS NEWS OF THE tragedy spread, hundreds of bags full of girls’ clothing, men’s shoes, toiletries, toys and other items piled up at a half dozen drop-off locations organized by Gemmell’s company, 140

Arabelle’s school, Cole’s day care, First Potomac Realty Trust and other places.

Most of the gifts were from local residents, but some came from as far away as Australia. Gemmell says he received more than 1,500 letters and cards from well-wishers all over the world. Those letters are stacked in boxes in the basement of his townhouse, a reminder of the kindness of strangers.

Marie’s former colleagues at Davis Construction used vacant office space on Parklawn Drive in Rockville as a makeshift storage unit. In the roughly 5,000-square-foot room, employees organized donations alphabetically, noting duplicates and keeping an inventory sheet of everything that came in. “It was the only thing that kept many of us moving forward,” says Louise Boulton-Lear, a friend and former co-worker who still has Marie’s number in her phone.

Jenifer Miller, then a server at Dogfish Head Alehouse, launched a Go-

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FundMe campaign that brought in $40,000 within hours. Miller felt lucky to be alive that December day. She had been getting ready to drive from her Silver Spring home to her mother’s house in Gaithersburg when her mom called and told her to wait because there had been an accident nearby. Moments later, both learned through newscasts that a plane had crashed just a few hundred feet from Miller’s mother’s house—close enough that the woman could see the smoke from her back deck. “That could easily have been my family,” says Miller, a 34-year-old mother of five. “That could have been me.”

Struck by the tragedy, Miller decided to try to raise a few thousand dollars to help the family affected by the crash. “It wasn’t until I saw a picture of Marie on the news that it hit me that I knew them,” she says. “I thought, oh my God, that was the family that comes into Dogfish.” She remembered the Gemmells as a sweet

PHOTO BY MICHAEL VENTURA

Arabelle, pictured with Ken at RIO Washingtonian Center in Gaithersburg, says her dad has proved to be a good activity planner.

young family who treated servers kindly.

The last time she’d seen them, Marie was about to have her third child.

The GoFundMe campaign caught the attention of local media, and of Gemmell himself, who called Miller soon after the crash to find out who had started the fund. She assured him that it wasn’t a scam, and Gemmell realized that he knew her from the restaurant. A few months later, Gemmell went into Dogfish and sat in her section, Miller says.

(Nearly 10,500 people contributed to the GoFundMe account, which eventually raised more than $500,000.)

Just weeks after the tragedy, Gemmell and Arabelle flew to Denver to attend a Broncos football game at the invitation of someone who’d heard about Gemmell and his love of the team. Then they went back a few weeks later for the playoffs.

Gemmell wasn’t worried about flying.

He knew the statistical chances of a crash were low, and he wanted to make sure

Arabelle didn’t develop an irrational fear of flying. “It wasn’t something to make a big deal out of,” he says. “We had tickets to see our team and we got on the plane.”

On March 7, Gemmell attended a D.C. United game against the Montreal Impact at RFK Stadium. That day, a friend told him that the team was planning to memorialize Marie and the boys during the game to return the support that Gemmell and his wife had long shown as members of the Screaming Eagles. Players wore black armbands, and at the 10:41 mark of the game a moment of silence was held at the stadium in observance of the time in the morning that the crash occurred. A photo of Marie and the boys appeared on stadium screens. Gemmell says the quiet felt surreal, and he left the game feeling like he was part of a family. “It was nice to see I was more than just the sad story,” he says.

Two months after the crash, Gem-

mell had returned to what was left of the house to meet with an insurance agent.

He saw the burn marks from the spray of jet fuel that had blocked his family’s only escape route. He went through the parts of the home that were deemed safe enough. A few computer hard drives that happened to be in the basement survived the fire. They held some of the young family’s photos, including a precious few of the boys. Gemmell recovered yearbooks from Marie’s school days, and discovered that by ripping out certain pages and laminating them he could seal away the charred smell. He also found wine glasses with “Marie and Ken” etched on them, leftover wedding favors. “I still drink out of them when I open a bottle of wine,” Gemmell says.

The home was a complete loss. New building codes and permitting costs drove the price of the rebuild higher than what Gemmell’s insurance company would pay him, so he opted to rebuild

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finding their strength the house and sell it to recoup some of his losses. He used some of the $500,000 raised through GoFundMe to cover the costs of the house that would be built on the same foundation.

Gemmell and Arabelle walked through the rebuilt house late that summer. After five months on the market, it sold. Gemmell couldn’t imagine moving forward in a place so tied to what he had lost. The new owners said they could visit, but they haven’t returned.

FOR THE PAST SEVERAL months, Gemmell has been seeing someone.

When he started dating again, every date felt awkward. Most of his dates knew what had happened, which made him feel like he had two choices: Go deep into the grief and tragedy right after meeting someone, or spend the time dancing around the 500-pound gorilla in the room. With those who didn’t know his history, he always wondered if he was bringing up the crash too soon.

This time, he waited five dates to reveal his story. They’d met through an online dating service. She happens to be a widow with a 5-year-old son. “It’s a tough story to take,” Gemmell says. “She knew my wife passed away, but she didn’t know the whole ordeal.”

Last summer, the two families went to Disney World together and spent a day at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter—Daigon Alley at Universal Studios Florida. Gemmell has proved to be a good activity planner, Arabelle says, taking her to the Kentlands Oktoberfest, hot-air balloon festivals and the Green Meadows Petting Farm in Urbana. He earned his MBA from the University of Maryland in June, and Arabelle is glad he’ll have more free time to read Harry Potter books with her. She’s in fifth grade now, and has PowerPoint mastered. She’s a member of Girls on the Run and was a leader at her School Safety Patrol Leadership Camp.

Ever since the tragedy, Gemmell has

tried to help his daughter see the good that came out of what happened, the way strangers rallied to help them, and to make sure they return the favor. In March 2015, he called Monica Barberis-Young, director of family services for Interfaith Works, a Rockville-based nonprofit that helps meet the needs of the underprivileged in Montgomery County. He told her he wanted to make a large donation.

She agreed to meet him at the office space in the Davis Construction building where the donations were stored. How large could it be, she wondered.

Barberis-Young found a room with boxes stacked floor to ceiling, and volunteers sorting piles of clothes, toys and toiletries. Floored, she introduced herself to Gemmell and asked him what this was all about. He pulled her aside to explain.

“When he told me, I had no words,” she says. “I just backed into the wall and started crying.” In the fall of 2016, Gemmell took Arabelle to Interfaith Works’ clothing center on Twinbrook Parkway. Bar-

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beris-Young gave them a tour of the warehouse, letting the young girl see the piles of clothes, toys and household items that would now help others. “I wanted her to understand there are other people in need, and this is one way we can help them, just like so many people helped us,” Gemmell says.

Three years after the tragedy, Gemmell still goes to grief counseling and is focused on moving forward. Breathing techniques have lessened the grip of his panic attacks.

“If I can’t get out of bed, if I let it defeat me, then that accident that took my family would destroy me and take Arabelle down with it,” he says. “After the accident, just getting over the shock and what was happening, I felt I needed to take control of this. I needed to make sure Arabelle and I weren’t victims, too.”

He credits his pragmatic engineering side and Arabelle’s positive disposition for helping to be able to do that. Arabelle attends counseling, too, as well as The Moyer Foundation’s Camp Erin, a weekend program for kids who are grieving the loss of a loved one. The two have found that the anticipation of special days, like the anniversary of the crash, and holidays are worse than the actual day. On Dec. 8, 2016, Gemmell and Arabelle went to Acacia Bistro & Wine Bar in the District. “Delicious beet salad. [Arabelle] wouldn’t eat the beets but oh well, more for me,” Gemmell posted to his Facebook page. He says the two acknowledge the day, but try not to sensationalize it.

Gemmell believes Marie would be proud of them. “I think she would think we did pretty well. I think she would think we are doing pretty well. …I want to make sure I don’t fail her,” he says. “Yes, there have been moments of anger, but never long, drawnout moments. I am not over it. I will never be over it, but I don’t let it consume me.”

Lately they’ve had a good distraction—an energetic boxer named Scout, who has destroyed a few pairs of shoes and some soccer shin guards. Arabelle says the dog is a bit too strong for her to walk alone, so she and her dad go together. n Krista Brick is a journalist who has spent her career in Maryland, beginning on the Eastern Shore, and now lives and works in Montgomery County.

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WEDDINGS

of the year

A peek inside the celebrations of four local couples

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WEDDINGS of the year

Days to Remember An Indian celebration for high school sweethearts included a henna ceremony, a cleansing ritual and tying the knot in front of 400 guests Vardahn Chaudhry, 26, both grew up in Bethesda and graduated from Walt Whitman High School. Divya is a graphic designer at Gartner, an information technology research and advisory company in Arlington. Vardahn is a D.C.-based consultant for Accenture. They live in Georgetown.

HOW THEY MET: The two knew of each other and had lots of mutual friends while attending Pyle Middle School and Whitman, but it wasn’t until 2009, at the end of Vardahn’s senior year and Divya’s junior year, that they hung out a few times. He asked Divya to the prom, and she said yes.

THE FIRST DATE: With their upcoming prom date still a few weeks away, the high schoolers started spending more time together. Their first date was an outing to Starbucks on Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Bethesda. They were on their lunch break and wound up chatting for more than three hours, missing class.

THE PROPOSAL: Six years after they

started dating, Vardahn proposed to Divya in New York City, where she was living. He was splitting time between D.C. and New York, and decided to propose on an August weekend. After brunch at a restaurant and boating in Central Park, they went to Riverside Park, one of Divya’s favorite places, and sat down to relax. Lingering nearby was Vardahn’s friend whom he’d enlisted to take photos. Vardahn realized that he wanted to start the proposal while he and Divya were standing, so he made up an excuse to leave and as soon as they stood he dropped to one knee. “I looked around to see what was going on and I

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saw this photographer there and was like ‘Wait, this is really happening?’ ” says Divya, who got over her shock and said yes. They went to Divya’s apartment, where friends had gathered with Champagne, and later celebrated with relatives at a restaurant.

THE WEDDING: Divya and Vardahn were married on Sept. 4, 2016, in front of 400 guests at the Hyatt Regency Reston in Virginia. The celebration included seven events that started 10 days before their ceremony and reception.

THE KICKOFF: The first wedding event was on a Friday night at a Sikh temple in Potomac, where their families often attend the weekly religious service and communal dinner. As a way to contribute to the community there, Divya and Vardahn served food from D.C.’s Indique to about 30 of their close family and friends as well as about 90 others at the temple. They scooped the Indian fare onto everybody’s plates, and also cleaned up. “It was a really nice feel-good event,” Vardahn says.

The next night, Vardahn’s parents hosted a cocktail party at their house in Potomac, and the following night they hosted a religious service. “The tradition is to have an event like this at the home to kick off the week and have everything go smoothly,” Vardahn says. Exchanging gifts was part of the event. “My family gave Vardahn a few gifts and then his family gave me a few gifts,” Divya says. “My parents are builders in real estate and so they gave Vardahn a brick to symbolize the first brick of our first house.”

PRETTY DESIGNS: Four days later was a henna ceremony at Divya’s parents’

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

house in Georgetown. That morning, a henna artist spent about four hours applying ink in intricate designs on Divya’s legs and the front and back of her hands.

(The day after, Divya scraped away the excess ink and was left with the dark red stains that would stay on for about two weeks.) Before the event, Divya painted a mural of an Indian wedding scene on a wall of her parents’ garage as part of the décor. She also made a “wishing tree,” where guests could write wishes for the couple and attach them to the tree with ribbons. Divya enlisted a cousin and aunt to painstakingly bake and decorate dozens of cookies to look like henna-covered hands. About 100 guests (both male and female) arrived in the afternoon, and many of the women also got henna. The party included singing, dancing and guests playing the Indian drum called the dhol.

SPECIAL EVENTS: Two nights before

the wedding, about 300 guests joined the couple at Foxchase Manor in Manassas, Virginia, for a celebration called a sangeet.

“It’s essentially another reception,” Divya says. The night of singing and dancing included food from the four areas of India where their families are from or spent time. “My family does not dance, but they decided they’d do a family dance, but that’s all they really told me,” says Divya, who was surprised when they pulled off a 60-person choreographed number. Divya and her sister also performed a dance together.

The night before their wedding, Divya and Vardahn each went to a haldi ceremony, where a turmeric paste was put on them in a cleansing ritual. Divya’s event was at her parents’ house, and Vardahn’s was at his parents’ house. “At mine, my cousins and brothers and sisters were going for my

STUDIO NINE PHOTOGRAPHY

THE COUPLE: Divya Malkani, 25, and

Two nights before their wedding, the couple celebrated with 300 guests at a party called a sangeet.

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ears, my hair,” Vardahn says. “They were trying to make it as difficult as possible for me to get it out.”

THE ENTRANCE: On the wedding day, the Hyatt Regency Reston closed the street in front of the hotel. “It’s quite traditional in Indian weddings for the groom to be escorted by the groom’s party into the wedding venue,” Vardahn says. Carrying a fake sword, Vardahn rode a horse a block and a half to the hotel entrance, with guests from his side joining him for the 30-minute music-filled procession. Divya and her bridesmaids watched from a hotel balcony.

THE CEREMONY: Divya designed a program explaining 12 of the components of their hourlong marriage ceremony, which was held in a hotel ballroom. One part is an exchange of floral garlands. “The idea is whoever puts it on first is going to wear the pants in the relationship,” Vardahn says.

“You sort of defend yourself. Divya was really aggressive. She got it on but in doing so the headdress that I was wearing fell in the process. We had a lot of laughs.”

THE RECEPTION: With décor that

featured pink, magenta and gold, and lots of candles, the reception included hours of dancing, and food from Indique. For most of the year they were wedding-planning, the couple was living in London so they let their parents make many of the decisions.

They chose a basic white cake, then had two of Divya’s aunts add pink flowers.

THE GOWN: Divya wore an Indian outfit for the wedding that was a gift from Vardahn’s parents, then changed into another for the reception. Both were purchased in India.

THE HONEYMOON: More than a year

VENDORS: Henna ceremony: Catering, Rani Jai Singh and Supriya Deval; henna artist/hair, Mala Amin; photography, SKB Photography. Sangeet: Décor, Dharma Events; DJ, Ravi Prasad (Dynasty Entertainment); catering, Passage to India; hair/makeup, Mala Amin; photography/ videography, Studio Nine Photography.

Wedding: Cake, Amphora Bakery; catering, Indique; décor/flowers, Dharma Events; DJ, Ravi Prasad (Dynasty Entertainment); hair/makeup, Salon SBS; photography/ videography, Studio Nine Photography. ­—Kathleen Seiler Neary 148

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STUDIO NINE PHOTOGRAPHY

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WEDDINGS of the year

Home Run Wedding A 12-year friendship that began with Bethesda’s collegiate baseball league blossomed into a marriage at Rocklands Farm

in Bethesda and graduated from BethesdaChevy Chase High School. She is the special education coordinator at Truesdell Education Campus in Washington, D.C. Alex Thompson, 35, grew up in Potomac and graduated from Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville. He is a partner at Prestige Beverage Group, a wine and spirits wholesaler, in Elkridge. They live in Takoma Park.

HOW THEY MET: The two met in 2001 while stuffing envelopes with baseball schedules at Bethesda Big Train, a summer collegiate baseball league Emily’s dad, Bruce Adams, cofounded.

She regularly volunteered at picnics and parties, or ran the scoreboard. Alex worked for the nonprofit organization during summers throughout college. One summer, Emily was an intern for Alex.

THE FIRST DATE: After 12 years of friendship and conflicting relationship timelines, the two were finally both single.

Alex was living in Rockville, but he visited his brother in New York City, where Emily was living, many times over several months as an excuse to spend time with her. When Emily was home for a weekend in the summer of 2013, they went to a Big Train game and Alex seized his opportunity to ask her out. “It had never really crossed my mind,” says Emily, who was very nervous and excited. Their first date was at a Fourth of July party in Baltimore. “It was kind of cool—our first kiss was with fireworks in the background in Baltimore,” Alex says.

THE PROPOSAL: The couple had visited friends in Margate City, New

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Jersey, in 2015 and stopped by the tourist attraction Lucy the Elephant, a six-story wood-and-tin elephant formerly used as a restaurant. Emily loved the elephant so much that Alex planned to propose there when they went back to New Jersey for a friend’s birthday later that year. During the weeks leading up to the proposal, Alex coordinated with Lucy’s staff and learned the building was closed indefinitely due to repair work. It wasn’t until the day of the proposal that Alex received confirmation that the building was open again. During a group tour, the couple climbed a spiral staircase to a large carriage seat that is strapped on the elephant’s back. With the 360-degree views of the surrounding area and shoreline, Alex knelt on one knee and proposed. A handful of their friends were on a nearby apartment balcony to watch everything unfold. The two then headed back inside the elephant building where their parents were waiting with Champagne. They later found out that Emily’s grandparents went on their first date at Lucy the Elephant.

rosemary and lavender grown on the farm.

Alex had a hops flower in his boutonniere to mark his love of beer.

THE WEDDING: Emily and Alex were

thanking their guests at the reception, they paused to celebrate the birthdays of Emily’s grandmothers. One turned 95 and the other 96 around the time of the wedding. Emily’s aunt brought out mini pies for them and everyone sang “Happy Birthday.”

married on Sept. 10, 2016, at Rocklands Farm in Poolesville. Their reception was held underneath a large tent before guests gathered for dancing in a rustic barn decorated in string lights.

NUMBER OF GUESTS: 190 SPECIAL BLOOMS: The spring before

her wedding, Emily and her bridesmaids were invited to plant flowers with Seed to Ceremony, Rocklands Farm’s florist. The dahlias and other wildflowers were used in wedding-day bouquets, which also included

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

PERSONAL TOUCHES: Alex’s parents

are both graphic designers so they created and hand-assembled the save-the-date and wedding invitations. The save-the-date featured a circus-like picture of Lucy the Elephant. The invitation included a map marked with wedding event locations and spots that are special to Alex and Emily, including where they each grew up. A baseball diamond within a heart marked Shirley Povich Field in Bethesda, where Big Train games are played. To continue with the baseball theme, they had a home base between them during their ceremony.

SOMETHING OLD: Emily had some of her grandmother’s embroidered napkins sewn into the chuppah (a canopy under which they were married), and also used some of the napkins to hold the bridesmaids’ bouquets together.

SWEET SURPRISE: While the pair were

DANCE FLOOR FUN: Alex surprised Emily during their wedding planning by hiring The Colbys, which plays a mix of rock ’n’ roll and New Orleans blues. The band was their biggest splurge. Although they had a nondenominational wedding, Alex is Jewish so elements of the religion

KARISSA GRANTHAM OF SAM STROUD PHOTO

THE COUPLE: Emily Adams, 30, grew up

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were incorporated. They danced the traditional hora, where everyone moves hand-in-hand in a circle. “It was a slow build into this crazy full-blast, 25-minute hora,” Alex says. The 97-degree heat left everyone drenched in sweat. At the end of the night, light-up tambourines and mini finger flashlights were passed out to all the guests as they danced with the couple out of the barn to waiting buses.

The Colbys played “When the Saints Go Marching In” to celebrate the couple’s love for New Orleans, a city they have visited every year since they began dating.

THE DESSERT: Instead of serving cake at the reception, they had pies—cherry, pecan, rhubarb and rhubarb apple.

Some were made by CurvyMama Pies and others by Emily’s cousin Dusty Horwitt. “When we were planning, we didn’t want to do a traditional cake and the first thing we thought about, that most people enjoy, was pie,” Emily says.

THE GOWN: Emily wore a highneck fit-and-flare satin Paloma Blanca dress with beaded straps, a low back and a short train purchased at Love Couture Bridal in Potomac. Emily had had recurring dreams that her dress would rip, so she packed a spare white dress—just in case.

It was so hot on the wedding day that she was grateful to have a shorter dress to change into midway through the night. postponed their honeymoon until August 2017 and visited Croatia, Greece and Hungary. They explored the Trsteno Arboretum, a botanical garden in Croatia built in 1492, and spent a day on a catamaran in Greece eating, swimming and watching the sunset. “There was a heat wave in Europe when we were there, they even named it Lucifer, so the whole trip was reminiscent of our wedding day weather,” Emily says.

VENDORS: Catering, Simply Fresh; florist, Anna Glenn of Seed to Ceremony; hair, DryBar; makeup, Willie Acklin of BrowBeat Beauty; ceremony and cocktail music, Drymill Road; reception music, The Colbys; photography, Karissa Grantham of Sam Stroud Photo; pies, CurvyMama Pies.

—Abby Wallisch 152

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KARISSA GRANTHAM OF SAM STROUD PHOTO

THE HONEYMOON: The couple

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WEDDINGS of the year

Cultural Celebration A couple who met at Montgomery Blair High School incorporated Nigerian traditions in their wedding, including a “money dance” up in Rockville. She is the B2B marketing manager at WeddingWire in Chevy Chase.

Onyemaechi “Onye” Agu, 29, grew up in Silver Spring and is the senior regional manager for District Taco. They live in the LeDroit Park neighborhood of Northwest D.C.

HOW THEY MET: Sara and Onye met in 2006 during their senior year at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring. They were both varsity basketball captains and met on a team bus on the way to a game. They became friends and hung out over the summer before college.

“We didn’t really expect to be thrown into a serious long-distance relationship all through college so it was very low expectations, low pressure,” Sara says.

During the first semester of their freshman year, Onye traveled from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore by bus, taxi, plane and another taxi to visit Sara at The College of Wooster in Ohio. They were still friends at that point, but both could see their relationship growing.

THE FIRST DATE: Sara and Onye consider a dinner date during their first college winter break to be their first official date. They went to The Melting Pot in the District. “We had a nice cozy booth in a very private area, and it was dimly lit, very romantic,” Onye says. “We were like, ‘We’re on a date, we want some privacy.’

And they’re like, ‘Oh these kids.’ ” Since Sara and Onye already knew each other so well, there were no first-date jitters. “It was a celebratory first date,” Onye says.

THE PROPOSAL: Ten years after they met, Onye proposed to Sara at Stone Tower Winery in Leesburg, Virginia.

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Onye had bought a certificate to a spa in Virginia from Groupon, so when he suggested they get a couples massage and then visit a winery, Sara didn’t suspect he would propose. At the winery, they took a bottle of wine outside and Onye asked another couple to take their photo—then proposed. “They got a lot of pictures because Sara just stood there for a while with her mouth open, crying,” Onye says.

“And it was a very hot day. So I’m just on this hot ground, just sweating. Just kneeling. Just there for a while.” Finally she said yes. The couple they had asked to take their photo were newlyweds. “We ended up hanging out with them for the remainder of the evening and sharing stories about marriage and engagement and weddings,” Sara says.

THE WEDDING: Sara and Onye were married at Woodlawn Manor in Sandy Spring on May 28, 2017, exactly one year after they got engaged.

NUMBER OF GUESTS: 120 THE CEREMONY: It was a drizzly day, and the couple made a day-of decision to move their ceremony from a garden to under the reception tent. Their florist set up a birch arbor that had been intended for outdoors, and their wedding planner created a small seating area for a couple dozen guests (the rest sat at their dinner tables).

The mother of one of Sara’s college friends, who is affiliated with a Presbyterian church in Leesburg, officiated. Sara’s brother sang “What a Wonderful World” a cappella, and one of Onye’s childhood friends did a reading. The couple slightly altered traditional vows, and had planned

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

to recite them from memory. But at the beginning of the ceremony, Onye whispered to the officiant, “Don’t leave me hanging because I don’t think I got it.” He repeated the vows instead. Sara immediately started reciting the vows when it was her turn. “Everyone was laughing at that because they could tell I was like ‘I got this, I’m saying it, let’s go,’ ” Sara says.

At the end of the ceremony, the couple danced down the aisle to Marvin Gaye’s “How Sweet It Is.”

CULTURAL HERITAGE: Onye’s father

is Nigerian, and the couple wanted to incorporate traditions from his native country. Custom-made purple-and-gold geometric-patterned bow ties for the groomsmen coordinated with bracelets worn by the bridesmaids and were in line with the bright colors often worn at Nigerian weddings. The same colors were used in a traditional Nigerian outfit Sara changed into during the reception. She and Onye, who had also changed into Nigerian clothing, surprised their guests with their outfits. A relative began a “money dance,” a Nigerian tradition of guests slapping money onto the newlyweds as they dance around. At the end of the dance, children scooped the money off the floor and gave it to an adult to count.

The caterer served traditional Nigerian dishes, including jollof rice, moi-moi beef and peanut chicken stew. They selected a Nigerian-American DJ. “I danced all night,” Onye says. “I got cramps in my legs—I had to sit down, eat some fruit, hydrate and then get back on the dance floor.”

BEHIND THE SCENES: Sara’s gown

had a train and she wore a long veil, so keeping them off the muddy ground during

BAKERTURE PHOTO & VIDEO

THE COUPLE: Sara Pierce, 28, grew

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photo sessions took some maneuvering.

For several photos, a photographer or bridesmaid crouched behind Sara, out of view, to hold her dress up.

THE CAKE: The couple chose a “peekaboo cake”—which shows a bit of the cake that’s not frosted—from Buttercream Bakeshop in Northwest D.C. The flavors were apple cake with pear butter filling and cream cheese frosting; and elderflower-soaked lemon cake with blackberry filling and vanilla frosting. A “How Sweet It Is” cake topper referenced the song that played at the ceremony.

SPECIAL SPICES: Sara and Onye consider themselves foodies and wanted to give their guests something foodrelated. They played with blends of onion powder, garlic salt, cayenne, cumin, pepper flakes and other spices until they were happy with the combination. Onye spent about five hours assembling the jars of spice blend. The jars doubled as escort cards with names and table numbers written on paper hearts. “People now, even several months later, will send us a picture of the salmon they cooked with it or send us something that they made with the spice blend,” Sara says.

THE GOWN: Sara wore a strapless A-line gown with pockets, a sweetheart neckline and a lace floral pattern by Watters, purchased at Lovely Bride in Georgetown. Her Nigerian outfit was a mermaid-style halter dress and matching headdress made by Tai Adeboyeku Designs in Laurel.

THE HONEYMOON: The couple

VENDORS: Cake, Buttercream Bakeshop; catering, Eleven Courses Catering & Event Co.; flowers, Meg Owen Floral Designs; hair and makeup, Alison Harper and Company; DJ and sound, Covenant Child Productions; photography, Bakerture Photo & Video; stationery, Colleen McMackin; wedding coordinator, The One Moment Events. ­ —Kathleen Seiler Neary 156

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BAKERTURE PHOTO & VIDEO

took a 10-day trip to St. Lucia, where they hiked the Gros Piton mountain, went zip-lining and horseback riding, and visited a mud bath at a volcano.

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Photos by Jessica Canazarova Flowers by Blooming Arts

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WEDDINGS of the year

Countryside Charm From mooing cattle to pie and cinnamon cake, a Bethesda couple embraced the barn setting for their rustic fall wedding THE COUPLE: Heather Parmelee, 27,

grew up in Rockville and graduated from Walter Johnson High School in Bethesda.

She teaches second grade at Rock Creek Forest Elementary School in Chevy Chase.

Brandon Altieri, 27, grew up in Roanoke, Virginia, and is a risk analyst at Freddie Mac in McLean, Virginia. The couple lives in Bethesda’s Park View neighborhood, in the house where Heather’s grandparents raised her mother, and where her sister lived for a while as an adult.

BOW TIE PHOTO

HOW THEY MET: Heather and Brandon first contacted each other on the dating website eHarmony in October 2014 and quickly bonded over their love of country music and the importance they place on family and being active. They emailed for about a month before they exchanged phone numbers. “She wouldn’t actually go on a date with me for quite some time, so that was a struggle,” Brandon says.

THE FIRST DATE: Two months after they met online, Heather agreed to meet in person. They had dinner at Oro Pomodoro in Rockville and saw The Hunger Games in Hyattsville. “We went out together every weekend after the first date…on the fourth date he asked me to officially be his girlfriend,” Heather says.

THE PROPOSAL: Brandon prepared

his Love Actually-themed proposal weeks before he asked Heather to marry him in

April 2015. “I remember Heather saying that she loved that movie in a previous discussion, so I went with it,” Brandon says. Heather suspected something was up when she noticed Brandon’s brotherin-law from North Carolina run across the front lawn at her mother’s Rockville home. When Brandon arrived at the house, Heather opened the door to find him in a suit and tie with cue cards that he silently flipped through as one of their favorite songs, “Mean to Me” by country singer Brett Eldredge, played. In the movie scene Brandon re-enacted, Mark (Andrew Lincoln) confesses his love to Juliet (Keira Knightley), who’s married to another man.

Brandon made it his own, with cards that included inside jokes and personal messages such as “I love you more than Paula Deen loves butter.” One card repeated the main line from the movie— “to me, you’re perfect.” After Brandon rang a bell, about a dozen of the couple’s family and friends came out from their hiding spot in a neighbor’s garage and gathered behind Brandon. He got down on one knee and proposed.

THE WEDDING: Heather and Brandon were married on Oct. 9, 2016, at Shadow Creek Weddings & Events in Purcellville, Virginia. Heather chose the venue because it had the rustic feel she was looking for, and she was excited there would be a horse in a nearby stable during the ceremony.

NUMBER OF GUESTS: 150 PRE-CEREMONY SURPRISE: Mooing

cattle close to the barn where the ceremony was held were a little louder than expected, but they weren’t the only surprise.

Heather’s good friends and colleagues Molly Crenshaw and A.J. Pagano finished building a cornhole set Heather had worked on with her father before he died in 2013.

The two friends presented Heather with the completed set before the ceremony, though wind prevented guests from using it. “My dad had written me a note at some point, so they got his handwriting and [copied] ‘love, Dad,’ on the one we built together, and put their names on the other one,” Heather says.

SPECIAL TOUCHES: Heather and

her friend Molly designed the wedding invitations and décor. Heather bought Ikea napkins, then ironed on a label with the couple’s name and wedding date and tucked in a note saying “From our big day to your every day. Please take your napkin to use in your home.” Brandon loves cinnamon so the couple chose a twotiered cinnamon cake. They also served pies from Mom’s Apple Pie Company in Leesburg after falling in love with the shop’s pies while visiting the area for wedding preparations.

FRIENDS AND FAMILY: During the ceremony, Heather’s older sister pitched

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in to hold Heather’s veil behind her to keep the wind from blowing it in her face.

Her 3-year-old niece was a flower girl and walked down the aisle with Heather’s mother. The toddler made for a funny photo op when she cried as Heather met Brandon at the front of the aisle. Family friend “Uncle Fred” McLain officiated the ceremony. “He and my dad were good friends,” Heather says.

DANCE, DANCE: Heather loves drum

lines and mentioned during wedding planning that it would be fun to have one at the wedding. Heather’s mother, who has worked at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School for 30 years and is now the college and career coordinator, asked the school’s drum line to perform so she could make a video to show at the wedding. Heather was thrilled with the surprise.

Heather and Brandon put aside their love for country music to make sure their DJ played music everyone would know.

The couple’s first dance was to “Forever Like That” by Ben Rector. They took dance lessons at Chevy Chase Ballroom because “we kind of realized we didn’t want to just be swaying there,” Heather says.

THE GOWN: Heather wore a strapless tulle ball gown with a sweetheart neckline and taffeta top by Wtoo by Watters, purchased at Betsy Robinson’s Bridal Collection in Baltimore. She traded in silk flowers on the back of her gown for buttons.

THE HONEYMOON: Brandon took the

VENDORS: Cake, Sugardust Cookies & Cake; catering, Purple Onion; florist and coordinator, Event Studio; hair, Kirsten Marie Design; makeup, Laura Henderson Makeup; music, MyDeejay; photography, Bow Tie Photo; pie, Mom’s Apple Pie Company; printed materials, Thomas Printers; table and chair rentals, Something Vintage; transportation, Road Yachts; videographer, Monachetti Weddings. n —Alex Carolan 160

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BOW TIE PHOTO

reins on a honeymoon destination after Heather took charge of their wedding location. “Being a finance guy, I had a budget,” Brandon says. They vacationed for eight days at the Excellence Resort in Mexico’s Playa Mujeres.

WEDDINGS AT STRATHMORE

Be Inspired.

Let Strathmore and Ridgewells set the stage for your special event. With two incredibly unique spaces, we can help you host memorable events of all kinds—large and small.

Strathmore Private Events: 301.581.5255 | rentals@strathmore.org 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda, MD 20852 | STRATHMORE.ORG

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WEDDING RESOURCE guide

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WEDDINGS | CORPORATE | MITZVAHS | CELEBRATIONS When it needs to be perfect, you can count on us to produce the event that exceeds your expectations. Our full service event planning team works directly with you to provide outstanding food and exemplary service whatever your needs.

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WEDDING RESOURCE guide AMP BY STRATHMORE AMP is a bright, contemporary space with floor to ceiling windows and Juliet balconies. With a flexible floor plan, world-class catering by Ridgewells and a comfortable pre-function space, AMP is a unique and beautiful setting for an unforgettable event. Located at Pike & Rose. Maximum seated capacity is 220 without a dance floor.

BOONE & SONS JEWELERS Boone & Sons is a family owned and operated jewelry store serving the Washington area for nearly 50 years.

Three convenient locations feature only the finest in diamond, gold and fashion jewelry. Exceptional pricing and vast selection make Boone & Sons a favorite of Washington’s most sophisticated brides.

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Historic Glen Echo Park is the perfect setting for any event -- from traditional, elegant affairs to fun and whimsical birthday parties and weddings playing off the Art Deco-inspired architecture of this unique National Park. For individuals or businesses seeking an inspiring venue, the park will make your special event a memorable one.

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THE BALLROOM

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Built in 1990, The Ballroom is one of the areas best kept secrets. This beautiful event site, located within a renovated facility, boasts classical architectural design features and subtle, understated traditional furnishings. It can comfortably accommodate 250 persons for a seated function including room for dancing, with an unobstructed view of the whole ballroom.

The Hilton Garden Inn Bethesda is committed to making your big day unforgettable. From Intimate Ceremonies to Rehearsal Dinner, Brunches, Welcome Receptions, Bridal Showers and Guestroom Block, you can count on our creative catering team and attentive staff to create a memorable experience. Ask about our 2018 “Wedding Perks” Package.

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For Intimate Weddings, Affordable Accommodations, Wedding Rehearsals, Brunches, Welcome Receptions and Bridal Showers; you and your guests will have to look no further than the Hilton Garden Inn Bethesda.

Wedding Perks Packages Include • Hilton Honors Group Planner Points • Hilton Honors Guests Incentive Points • Congratulations message on the hotel lobby screen

Book and Pick Up 20 Paid Rooms or more and receive: • One complimentary night per 20 paid rooms to be used towards guest room or banquet space • Bride and Groom receive $75 Ruth’s Chris Gift card* • Complimentary Breakfast for the Bride and Groom *Mention Code “Wedding Perks”

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Prenups: Who Needs ‘Em? A prenuptial agreement is like an insurance policy; you hate dealing with it and you hope never to have to use it, but if you wind up needing it, you are very glad to have it. Nobody wants to contemplate the end of a marriage before it has even begun, but having a prenup not only protects against unforeseen problems but actually can provide comfort and certainty in a variety of contexts going into a marriage. A few examples follow.

This Is Your Spouse’s Second Marriage. Someone who has said “I Do” before may have strings attached – like it or not. How will your partner finance ongoing alimony payments to his or her first spouse? Does your intended spouse own property with a former spouse or owe a duty of child support? A prenup can address how these expenses will be paid among other factors.

You Have Children from a Previous Relationship.

Couples with children from previous relationships often use prenups to earmark marital and non-marital assets for those children. In most states, including Maryland, property acquired during the course of a marriage is considered “marital property” and, in the absence of a prenup, is subject to broad-brush rules with regard to asset division at the time of divorce or death. Use of an effective and enforceable prenup can proactively address these issues, and thus can significantly mitigate conflict between the children and step-parent – now and in the future.

You Bring Significant Assets, or Your Spouse Brings Significant Debt, to the Marriage. People who have established their careers and have – or will one day have – significant assets (business interests, savings, retirement or other investments, family inheritance, real property, etc.), may need to consider the degree to which it is important to designate those assets as separate from shared marital property. Similarly, your partner may bring to the marriage substantial debts (education loans, outstanding mortgage debts, etc.).

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In either case, a prenup is a crucial mechanism for preemptively addressing how these matters will be handled, and can establish clear rules for distinguishing what is marital and what is nonmarital, without comingling.

You Have Relationship Baggage. Whether your parents divorced or you yourself have been unlucky in love in the past, designing a prenup can bring important comfort to the already anxiety-provoking process of preparing for marriage. As a legal contract, a prenup may give you added confidence and security as you prepare to walk down the aisle.

To establish a prenuptial agreement, it can be recommended that each person retain their own lawyer to represent their individual interests. A family law attorneys is helpful in anticipating sources of conflict or disagreement given their detachment from the emotions of the impending marriage and their litigation experience. However, counsel from estate planning, tax and business attorneys also can add helpful perspective, as each of these professionals will encourage unique considerations based on their areas of practice. As a full service firm, our clients benefit from the talents of attorneys in each of these practice areas.

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WEDDING RESOURCE guide HOWARD LANSAT & ASSOCIATES PHOTOGRAPHY Howard Lansat Photography has been around for over 25 years!! We offer our services in the DMV area. Our services include photography for Weddings, Bar/ Bat Mitzvahs, Conferences, Family and Pet Portraits. We also provide extra services that include photo-booths, novelty green screen stations and custom framing.

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MICHAEL BENNETT KRESS Michael Bennett Kress photography has made a commitment to deliver extraordinary photographic coverage and outstanding customer service. Michael is known for intuitively capturing life-cycle events by anticipating precious moments lost to others. Creating images that endure forever is the gift he gives his clients as a keepsake for generations to come.

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HYATT REGENCY BETHESDA

NEW WAVE SALON & SPA

Hyatt Regency Bethesda is located in the heart of downtown Bethesda situated directly above the Metro affording easy access to the Nation’s Capital. With a full renovation including event space, sleeping rooms and the addition of The Rooftop @ 7400, it is the ideal venue for weddings and social gatherings.

At New Wave, we know that your hair and makeup are crucial elements on your special day. The New Wave team is trained on all the latest trends and techniques for your wedding or event. Birthdays, Halloween, rehearsal dinner, shower or private party, we are ready to design the perfect makeup and hair style.

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LA FERME Start your life together in the French Country charm of this Chevy Chase landmark. An intimate affair for just a few friends or something more ambitious, we’ll handle all the details – from decorations to a personalized menu.

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AMP by Strathmore is Bethesda’s premier venue for weddings and private events. Located at Pike & Rose, AMP’s open layout, floor to ceiling windows, Juliet balconies, and a hip, comfortable bar area make it the perfect place for your show-stopping event.

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1776 East Jefferson St., Suite 111 Rockville MD 20852 301-231-4844 | 301-881-9225 newwavesalonandspa@gmail.com www.newwavesalonandspa.com

THE OAKS WATERFRONT INN AND EVENTS Offering superb cuisine, venues for cocktails, dining, dancing and celebrating – all surrounded by the panorama of our magical waterfront setting. The Oaks becomes a private preserve for you, your wedding party and guests the evening before, the day of, and the morning after your wedding celebration.

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WEDDING RESOURCE guide

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POSH & LUXE

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Posh & Luxe provides exquisite furniture and stylish décor rentals to create a chic, sophisticated atmosphere for any event.

We offer only the finest sofa and lounge seating, LED lighted furniture, event chairs, event tables, portable bars, stools, lighting, props, accents and accessories to create a one-of-a-kind event.

Say Yes for Less is a bridal boutique carrying designer gowns at luxuriously low prices. We offer the largest collection of discounted designer wedding gowns in the Washington, D.C. area—proudly stocking more than 450 gowns in sizes 6–20 at 20 percent to 70 percent off of retail prices. Call or email for an appointment today!

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SIMPLY FRESH EVENTS

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Simply Fresh Events offers a fresh take on catering. Our chefs craft fresh, seasonal food onsite, while our event planners create an experience that is uniquely yours.

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When the moment has to be perfect…so does the venue. Voted Frederick’s “Best Event Venue for Weddings & Corporate/ Private Events,” Springfield Manor WineryDistillery-Brewery is a convenient private estate featuring a stunning ballroom and a chic rustic barn that graciously accommodate up to 300 seated guests. Outside alcohol is permitted – no alcohol minimums.

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WEDDING RESOURCE guide

Weddings

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Weddings

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STONE MANOR COUNTRY CLUB This stunning private estate hosts just one event per day, and can accommodate 300 seated guests. Luxury bridal and groom’s lounges are yours for the day. Our experienced staff orchestrate the day you’ve always dreamed of. Stone Manor has been featured in many top wedding magazines and articles. Come and experience the ambiance.

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

WEDDING RESOURCE guide RODNEY BAILEY

VISARTS Go beyond the traditional at VisArts. Our Buchanan Event Room is a modern and versatile canvas. With stunning floor-toceiling windows overlooking Rockville Town Square, our event space features spectacular views, excellent acoustics and lighting, and a permanent dance floor.

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WASHINGTON TALENT Bundle our wedding services to save big for the big day! Since 1967, Washington Talent has worked with countless brides in making their special day perfect. It started with DJs & Bands and has grown to include award-winning photographers and the largest selection of photo booths in the DMV. Contact any of our helpful Event Consultants today!

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Round House

Revival Artistic director Ryan Rilette has transformed the Bethesda theater into one of the D.C. area’s best

RYAN RILETTE WAS SITTING on his wife’s parents’ couch in Atlanta in late 2005 when he discovered the script that would change his life as an artist.

At the time, he was the producing artistic director of New Orleans’ Southern Rep Theatre. He’d sought refuge in Atlanta after Hurricane Katrina ravaged his home and his city—and closed down the theater company—in August of that year.

He frequently shuttled between the two cities, and his days in New Orleans were full of moldinfested walls, maggot-covered refrigerators and deserted neighborhoods. That day in Atlanta, Rilette felt an immediate connection to Kimberly Akimbo, a dark comedy about a teenager who has a disease that causes her body to age rapidly and is convinced that she’s actually the normal one in her family. A funny but sad survival saga, the play examines how hard it can be to live with other people, and Rilette thought it was perfect for Katrina refugees who’d spent months living

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with extended family.

He staged the play for a reopened Southern Rep in May 2006, and residents flocked to see it.

Rilette then tapped even deeper into the community’s shared experience by commissioning Rising Water, which tells the story of a husband and wife hunkered down in their attic to escape the floodwaters below. Rilette directed the world premiere of the play in 2007. New Orleanians found comfort—and rediscovered laughter—in “talk backs” after the play, he says, gatherings where they could recount their own stories of terror and loss, with the help of counselors he’d invited.

“I thought, ‘Oh, this is how you do this,’ ” says Rilette, now artistic director of Bethesda’s Round House Theatre. “People needed to talk. We were all deeply scarred. We needed to hear stories, tell stories, laugh together, cry together. Often theater is a luxury. Storytelling is a necessity. It’s like Joan Didion said: ‘We tell ourselves stories in order to live.’ ”

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PHOTO BY LIZ LYNCH

BY AMY REININK

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Round House Theatre co-produced Angels in America in the fall of 2016.

MORE THAN A DECADE later, the hurricane and its aftermath still shape Rilette’s work in the theater. He’s never forgotten how the post-Katrina audience responded to Southern Rep shows—including Rising Water—and his experience at the theater company taught him that what happens onstage is just the beginning. “Part of our mission at Round House is to produce plays that demand conversation,” Rilette says, “so we think deeply about the discussions that we want our work to provoke, and we pay close attention to the ways that our work intersects with the present moment.”

When Round House co-produced Tony Kushner’s Angels in America—a play set in the mid-’80s, at the beginning of the AIDS crisis—with Olney Theatre Center in the fall of 2016, the Republican National Committee had just passed what some called its most anti-LGBTQ platform in history. “Roy Cohn, a central character in the play, was once again in 174

The lobby at Round House

the news because of his [earlier] association with then-candidate Trump.

And just as we were starting to rehearse Belize’s speech where he says, ‘the white cracker who wrote the national anthem knew what he was doing, he set the word free to a note so high nobody could reach it,’ Colin Kaepernick [was] starting to get national attention for taking a knee,” Rilette recalls. “Those contemporary points of reference became a focus for our conversations with our audience.”

Before Rilette joined Round House in 2012, the theater was struggling to fill seats. His second day on the job,

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

Rilette was told that there wasn’t enough cash to make payroll that week. Things are different now. The current season opened with Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In the Heights, also co-produced with Olney Theatre, which became the topselling show in Round House’s 41-year history. The 2016-2017 season was Round House’s highest grossing ever.

Last March, Washington Post theater critic Peter Marks called Round House “the current meteor in D.C. theater.” He also wrote: “To the Big Five in Washington theater, we should be adding a sixth.”

During Rilette’s time at Round House, the 395-seat theater has shed its debt and increased its operating revenue by 63 percent (from $2.9 million to $4.8 million), netted dozens of awards—it won two Helen Hayes Awards in 2017 alone— and catalyzed downtown Bethesda’s emerging reputation as a cultural hub.

“Round House has made such a searing transformation since Ryan arrived five years ago, in terms of the quality and type of work that appears onstage,” says Managing Director Ed Zakreski, who left D.C.’s Shakespeare Theatre Company for Round House in 2016. “On the business side, it’s the growth of ticket sales and financial stability that will let

PHOTOS COURTESY ROUND HOUSE THEATRE

Round House Theatre in Bethesda

PHOTO BY LIZ LYNCH

Round House reach to be one of the great theaters.”

RILETTE, 44, BEGAN acting in plays as a high school senior. His all-boys school in New Orleans announced that an allgirls school was looking for two boys for its production of Bye Bye Birdie. He auditioned in hopes of meeting girls, he says, and ended up getting the part—and

finding a girlfriend. That summer, Rilette accompanied her on an audition for a community theater production of Merrily We Roll Along, and both got a part.

The same summer, his father, Gary, died suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 44. “I was very, very close to my father, and [a] therapist I talked to suggested I find ways to express what I was feeling,” Rilette says. “Theater was how I

expressed what I was feeling.”

Rilette started college in the fall at Tulane University in New Orleans, and he didn’t act again until he transferred to nearby Loyola University as a junior. He hoped to become a journalist, and when he learned that Loyola offered a dual drama and communications degree, he figured he’d do it. That year, a theater professor suggested he apply for the

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round house revival

The Memphis Mafia on set of “ELVIS” the mini-series. (L-R) Joe Smith as “Lamar Fike”; Ian Leson as “Joe Esposito”; Randy McDowell as “Gene Smith”; Jonathan Rhys Meyers as “Elvis Presley”; John Boyd West as “Red West”; and Ryan Rilette as “Charlie Hodges”

elite American Conservatory Theater’s (ACT) Summer Training Congress in San Francisco. After attending the program that summer, he began to think about acting as a serious career option.

“I was really energized after that, but I still wasn’t committed,” Rilette says. “I applied to the top three grad schools [for acting] in the country and figured if 176

I don’t get in, it’s the world telling me it wasn’t meant to be.”

In 1995, Rilette was accepted into ACT’s master of fine arts program for acting. He and his wife, Christy, who’d met as juniors at Loyola, moved to San Francisco, where Rilette found himself surrounded by people who’d grown up going to shows and acting in community

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theater. “Growing up, theater for me was Mardi Gras and the Catholic Church,” Rilette says. He was determined to fill in what he saw as gaps in his education, and spent hours in the library learning about how theaters functioned. Derek Cecil, who has played Seth Grayson on Netflix’s House of Cards since 2014, went to ACT with Rilette and recalls how

PHOTOS COURTESY RYAN RILETTE

Clockwise from top: Rilette (far right) as part of “The Memphis Mafia” on the set of Elvis, a 2005 CBS miniseries; Rilette met actor Derek Cecil, who has played Seth Grayson on Netflix’s House of Cards, when they were in graduate school, and the two still get together when Cecil’s in town; in 2017, Rilette played Andréy in No Sisters at Studio Theatre.

he would voraciously read new plays.

He says Rilette remains “the best-read actor” he has ever met.

At the end of Rilette’s first year of grad school, classmate Dennis Trainor Jr. asked him to direct a play he’d written.

The show, Plug, received critical acclaim, and Rilette’s professors suggested that he might have a promising career as a director. After graduating in 1997, he and Christy relocated to New York City, where she attended graduate school for library science and he took a day job in publishing. In his free time, he and Trainor founded the Rude Mechanicals Theater Company, and Rilette served as artistic director. Three years later, Rilette and his wife returned to New Orleans. He was suffering from burnout after devoting nights and weekends to Rude Mechanicals, and looking forward to focusing on the publishing job he’d found in his hometown. When he was asked to co-star in a production of Sweet Bird of Youth at a Tennessee Williams festival, he declined. Unless the director position was open, he needed a break from theater, he said. He got a call a few weeks later: The director was pregnant and looking for a replacement. Rilette accepted the job.

A board member from Southern Rep who was in the audience for that play asked Rilette if she could pick his brain for ideas about revitalizing the failing theater company. Soon after, he was offered a job there as producing artistic director.

Rilette thought about his father’s death and wondered whether he’d ever found enjoyment in his career as vice president of an electrical engineering firm. “My dad was in a high-stress field, and he worked way, way too hard,” Rilette says. “I had fallen in love with theater, and I guess I figured that if I chose something I loved to do for my career, it might just keep me alive longer.”

He accepted the position on a parttime basis in 2002, and said if he could turn the theater company around in six months he would make it his full-time job. Six months later, Rilette stood in his boss’ office at the publishing company to

tell him he was leaving to work at Southern Rep. “Before I could tell him, he said, ‘I have great news. There’s an opening for publisher of the Virginia Beach business newspaper, and I want you to take it,’ ” Rilette says. “It was a six-figure job.

I said, ‘Stop talking. I’m leaving to take a theater job that pays $32,000 a year.’ ”

ON AN AUGUST EVENING, about 60 people are milling around in the lobby at Round House Theatre, sipping wine and nibbling on cheese and French bread.

A large blowup of the Washington Post story proclaiming Round House as one of the area’s top six theaters sits on an easel like a masterpiece painting.

The reception follows an “Inside Look” event designed to give theatergoers who’ve donated money to Round House a chance to meet the artists and director involved in a performance.

Tonight’s guests are talking about I’ll Get You Back Again, scheduled to make its world premiere a couple of months later.

“World premieres are what make a theater a great theater,” Rilette says.

New plays also can be risky to stage, as they lack the road tests of audience responses and critics’ reviews. The risks paid off for Rilette in New Orleans: Southern Rep’s budget quadrupled in three years, and the theater company won a series of local awards. During that time, Rilette built Southern Rep’s reputation for producing world premieres, and the theater company joined the National New Play Network, an organization he would go on to lead as president. The growth came despite an eight-month hiatus after Hurricane Katrina, during which Rilette was the company’s only employee. He held benefit readings and fundraisers at theaters around the country as he worked to rebuild Southern Rep, as well as his own home.

In January 2007, the Rilettes became the parents of twins, Mia and Caroline.

Rilette started rehearsals at Southern Rep the following week, and it seemed life was back on track. But that June, as the heat returned to New Orleans, the Rilettes realized their home was BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

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round house revival still full of mold. He started applying for jobs elsewhere. In 2008, the family moved across the country after Rilette was hired as producing director of the San Francisco Bay area’s Marin Theatre Company. During four seasons there, the theater company produced six of the top 10 best-selling shows in its 45-year history and increased annual revenue from $1.8 million to $3.3 million, Rilette says. He credits his time at Marin with helping him hone his financial management skills, which Rilette says have been essential to his work at Round House.

He had to find creative solutions for financial problems—he sold the theater’s roof rights to help the organization start a reserve fund, and worked with a nonprofit finance fund to learn more about nonprofit management.

As his daughters approached school age, Rilette started yearning for a return to a position as artistic director, and he knew he needed to find a job in a place with a

great school system. When the position at Round House came up, Rilette applied.

Mitch Dupler, a nine-year veteran and current president of the Round House board of trustees, says the panel was drawn to the fact that Rilette was as skillful a financial manager as he was an artistic director. “He started to discuss how doing spreadsheets was almost a hobby of his, a mark of a very strong business sense, and that has proven indispensable,” Dupler says.

Board members told Rilette the job wouldn’t be easy. The theater had struggled to keep up in a competitive market.

“There were a number of things about the challenge that appealed to me, and one of those things was the financial management,” Rilette says. “The thing is, Round House was worse off financially than the board even realized.”

IN 1970, THE MONTGOMERY County Department of Recreation launched Street ’70, a program that provided

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educational outreach in schools and staged performances throughout the county. Seven years later, county officials offered Street ’70 space to perform in the former Bushey Drive Elementary School in Wheaton. The school’s round building inspired the theater’s name, which came shortly after the move. In 1982, Round House Theatre incorporated as a nonprofit but remained part of the county’s recreation department until 1993, when it separated and became a nonprofit professional theater. Today, in addition to its main stage in Bethesda, it maintains a six-classroom education center, administrative offices and rehearsal space in Silver Spring, along with a scene shop and a storage facility in Rockville.

When Rilette accepted the position at Round House and moved his family to Potomac, the theater was projecting a surplus for the year. But there were still significant financial challenges, Rilette says, including a lack of liquidity and $570,000

in debt that the theater had taken on during the recession. Knowing that ticket sales alone would never erase that amount, Rilette sought forgiveness of some of the debt and worked with past donors to restructure endowment gifts they had given to Round House, which enabled the establishment of a line of credit with a bank.

In 2013, Round House suffered a second blow. In addition to its main stage, the theater company had been operating a second space, which was owned by the county—a simple and unadorned performance venue with black walls and a flat floor—next door to the AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring.

Rilette had looked forward to staging new plays there, but several smaller theater companies had been leasing the space from Round House, and they protested when they learned that Round House wanted to restrict their access.

“I had huge plans for what we wanted

to do there,” Rilette says. “We fought for a while, but we eventually realized our best move was to let it go. It ended up being a phenomenal decision, because it forced us to focus on making our main stage stronger.”

Rilette spent the next year and a half working with the board to answer some big questions: Who are we? Who are our audience members? Who do we want to be going forward? He imagined differentiating Round House by producing challenging plays from international playwrights, and becoming a leader in gender parity by producing plays written by women. Round House would be somewhere between Arena Stage and Studio Theatre in D.C., Rilette thought— not as commercial and classic as Arena, not as intimate and avant-garde as Studio. Rilette also set a goal of hiring mostly local actors. “[The] D.C. market is maybe one of the strongest markets for actors in the

country,” he says. “Like any regional market, there is a lack of depth in certain areas as a result of people going to places like New York. But it has never been a struggle to fulfill the value of hiring local actors.”

Rilette and the board agreed that it was important to continue Round House’s mission of theater education.

That led to programs such as the Teen Performance Company, which offers free master classes with the region’s best actors, and Play It Forward, which provides roughly 800 free tickets to high school students each season. Rilette also began to tune into his new audience.

Round House theatergoers, he says, are highly intelligent, politically astute and well-educated, unlikely to be satisfied by a play that merely entertains.

“Some audiences are happy with a supervisceral play that doesn’t open up into a larger conversation about the world,” says Rilette, who still acts from time to

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round house revival time. “Not here. Here, plays need to have some larger idea in them.”

Rilette opened the 2015-2016 season with the world premiere of Ironbound, an immigrant tale from Martyna Majok that ran as part of the Women’s Voices Theater Festival. He went on to forge a partnership with Olney Theatre Center in 2016 and ignite the box office with Angels in America. During the 2016-2017 season, the theater’s best, attendance grew to 42,293, a 19 percent increase over the previous season. The theater won a string of Helen Hayes Awards, including the Charles MacArthur Award for original new play or musical for Ironbound.

“Even though it wasn’t a huge commercial hit, that felt like a big, monumental achievement,” Rilette says.

Rilette has also incubated new plays by hosting—and sometimes directing— other world premieres, and has realized his goal of including plays written by women in at least half of the theater’s

programming. And he’s hired local actors for the majority of parts.

Rilette says he regularly enjoys moments that underscore what he loves about working at Round House. At a November rehearsal for The Book of Will, written by Lauren Gunderson, he recalls suggesting that actor Todd Scofield make a small adjustment during a scene with Maboud Ebrahimzadeh. The resulting scene involving the two local actors “was so beautiful, I was openly crying in rehearsal,” Rilette says. “I was tired going into rehearsals, but you get a moment like that and it’s impossible not to feel energized by it.”

Rilette’s twins, Mia and Caroline, are now fifth-graders at Beverly Farms Elementary School in Potomac. The girls have both acted, playing no-neck monsters in Round House’s production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in 2016 and alternating the role of Kayden in Baby Screams Miracle at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company in early 2017. They’ve

also become ardent theater fans, and they begged their dad to take them back to see In the Heights—the hit musical about life in a Latino neighborhood in New York City—after falling in love with the show the first time they saw it. When Rilette and his daughters returned to Olney Theatre Center, where the joint production was running, they sat behind a group of Latino high school students who were speaking to one another in Spanish. For Rilette, the experience highlighted why he values diversity in programming. “[The students’] pure, unmitigated joy in seeing themselves onstage was infectious on a level that is hard to describe,” he says.

Rilette says he’s just getting started at Round House, with plans to create newplay and resident-artist programs in the coming years. “As the community grows, if its institutions don’t grow with it, that community will be out of balance,” he says. “We intend to keep growing.” ■

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interview

A CONVERSATION WITH

SARAH PEKKANEN The Chevy Chase resident and best-selling novelist talks about plot twists, scaling mountains and selling the movie rights to her latest book

BY CHRISTINE KOUBEK | PHOTO BY LIZ LYNCH

WHEN SARAH PEKKANEN was a young girl, she sent stories to book publishers on three-ring binder paper. She was pursuing her dream to be a novelist. “One was a mystery, à la Nancy Drew,” she says. While her early submissions weren’t picked up, she received “one very nice letter from an editor in New York who told me to keep going and that I’d have a book published one day,” Pekkanen recalls. She was 10 years old. “It meant a lot that she would take the time to write it.”

Forty years later, Pekkanen is an internationally best-selling author who has published seven books in seven years, including The Perfect Neighbors, which People magazine called “a delicious beach read.” Pekkanen’s novels focus on the important relationships in a woman’s life, she says: sisters, spouses, new and old friends. All of her books have gone into multiple printings, and her best-sellers have sold a couple hundred thousand copies worldwide.

Pekkanen co-authored her eighth and latest novel, The Wife Between Us, with her former editor, Greer Hendricks, and the two recently received the news that many novelists hope for: Their psychological thriller was optioned for a movie by Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Partners, an arm of DreamWorks. The book, due out Jan. 9, has pre-sold in 30 countries. The Hollywood Reporter compared it to Paula Hawkins’ novel The Girl on the Train, and Pekkanen already has thought about who she’d love to see star in the movie. “Naomi Watts and Scarlett Johansson would be a dream,” she says. “And for [the character] Richard, Leonardo DiCaprio could be an intriguing choice.”

Pekkanen, who has three sons—ages 9, 16 and 18—was born in New York City and moved to Bethesda with her family 182

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when she was 4. After graduating from Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School in 1985, she attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison before transferring to the University of Maryland, College Park, where she studied journalism. Following graduation, she worked at Gannett News Service/ USA Today and The Baltimore Sun. She got away from fiction writing for a while, covering politics on Capitol Hill, and writing feature stories for The Sun, where she reported on everything from the National Aquarium’s rehabilitation of a baby porpoise to the Columbine, Colorado, shootings. “I’d really delve into a particular story and spend a lot of time with it, even a month, and then write it in a narrative form,” says Pekkanen, whose father, John, is a medical writer. “That was kind of the building block for getting back into fiction.”

After her first two children were born, Pekkanen left daily reporting and worked as a freelance writer. “I just wasn’t able to do the type of stuff I had done for The Sun, where you might have to stay late at night or catch a plane with three hours’ notice,” says Pekkanen, who has also published two short stories and a novella. She continued to take assignments for The Sun, as well as Washingtonian, and started writing a column for Bethesda Magazine. She also returned to her first love: fiction. “When I took the column, I think I had started to write a book, but it took a while [to finish it] because I only had about three hours a day when the kids were in preschool,” she says. She’d write in coffee shops, on the sidelines of soccer fields, even at Chuck E. Cheese’s. “I was never really tethered to one space.”

Bethesda Magazine interviewed Pekkanen in October at Quartermaine Coffee Roasters, one of the many places where she’s worked on her novels over the years.

NAME Sarah Pekkanen AGE 50 WHAT SHE DOES Novelist and shortstory writer LIVES IN Chevy Chase

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interview What, or who, inspired you to write when you were a kid?

My father definitely influenced me, and I definitely remember certain teachers encouraging me to write. I found one of them on Facebook recently and thanked her for reading aloud one of my creative essays to my English class at B-CC. What’s the most unusual thing you’ve done in pursuit of a story?

I spent a night in a haunted house while on assignment for The Baltimore Sun. It was just like something out of the movie Poltergeist. A developer near Ocean City built homes on a former graveyard. The tombstones were removed, but the graves were not. One family had inexplicable things happen during the years they lived at the house—items being moved, inexplicable noises, electronics flickering off and on, along with other strange occurrences. Their young son often talked about the old man who would come into his room at night and want to tell stories

about his life, and the wife once caught a glimpse of a strange face in a mirror.

I traveled there to meet a medium who tried to communicate with the spirits.

Spending the night in that house was definitely a creepy experience.

Having gone from the deadline-driven world of journalism to fiction writing, where you need to create your own deadlines, how did you make writing your first novel a priority?

It was just something I had to do. I didn’t give myself a certain deadline, like 2,000 words a week or anything like that. It was just never really in question. Whenever I had a free moment I would turn to the manuscript, and I was thinking about it all the time. I had notebooks in my car, and in my purse and nightstand drawer. I’d scribble down a few lines here and there, so it was kind of more of a compulsion.

Have you learned any tricks along the way, in terms of immersing your-

self in your characters’ lives?

The backstory is so important, knowing your characters well enough to know [that] if you were asked what kind of car they drive, or how they take their coffee, even if you hadn’t thought about it before, you would have an answer. That’s super important, so spending a lot of time building their psychological profile, understanding them and understanding how they’d react in certain situations, I think makes the writing much more authentic. I think about it more than write it down. Long walks with music are great for coming up with characters and plot points.

How has the job of novelist evolved over the years, and how is it different from what you thought it would be?

A big piece of it that was surprising to me is the business side. You have to be really involved with things like social media, emails to weigh in on certain things, building websites, and contracts, so the

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business and housekeeping take up 50 percent of my time, which I enjoy, but it is part of the job. Right now I’m doing two books a year. I’m writing a book with my former editor [Greer Hendricks], which will be out in January. And then I’m still writing solo novels with my old publisher, Atria/Simon & Schuster, and I’ll have one out in June, and then the same thing the following year. It’s definitely a pretty intense pace right now.

How did that partnership with Hendricks come about, and what was it like to go from writing alone to working with a collaborator?

I don’t know if I could have collaborated with anyone else. We worked together on the seven solo novels and hit it off. We became really close friends and we have this weird number of things in common that are very specific. We’re the exact same age, both played field hockey in high school, both studied journalism and psychology in college, and we’re really close to our brothers, who are both named Robert. We just had an unusual relationship in that we were author and editor, but we became close friends.

When she left Simon & Schuster after 20 years, she mentioned to me privately, ‘I’m thinking about writing a book.’ I said, ‘I just finished writing a solo novel, why don’t we write one together?’ And that’s how it happened, kind of a very impulsive thought, a very instinctive thought.

I love writing with her. We are on the phone every day for probably five, six hours talking about characters, writing together, and we’re emailing, texting and calling in between with little snippets like, here’s a magazine article to read, or this podcast, and how about this song to use as a ringtone [for a character’s phone].

How do you structure the work together in terms of who writes what?

She’s in New York, I’m in D.C. Most other writing duos, they each write a chapter and send them back and forth, or each takes a character, but we didn’t want to do that, so we did Google Hangouts and Google Docs, where you can phone each other through the computer

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185

interview

and have a shared document where you see the other person’s cursor. So we’re on the phone and we’re both typing things in and saying, ‘not that’ or ‘yes, that word,’ and then one would go in suggested mode and edit what the other was writing, and then vice versa. If you point to 100 different lines in the book, I could not tell you who wrote what because most of them are a collaboration.

the day, I answer emails or review the day’s writing and make notes of things to discuss with Greer.

What’s a typical day like?

I’m up by 5:30 or 6, check email and make coffee, walk the dog, make lunches and get the kids off to school, race to the gym (I go to a place called Balanced Athlete in D.C. for small classes), then I get on the phone with Greer and we work straight through until it’s time to pick up the kids from school or sports practice. I spend time with the kids after school. Then at night, and in little found pockets during

Is there a character in one of your books who has stuck with you longer than the others?

It’s always the most recent one that’s more in my head. All of them do, in some ways. I feel a little bit protective toward them all, as though they’re all old friends; college friends you were really close with but lost touch with. I think Julia in my Is any of your life in your novels?

I never write anything autobiographical, second book, Skipping a Beat, was special deliberately, partly because I’d run out to me. That was an 12/9/15 emotional book. was 1 CapCityBethesdaMagazineAd1-16_3.25 1:57 PM IPage

Where do your story ideas come from?

It varies every time. Sometimes, for Greer and I, we talk and talk and talk before we come up with the idea, which is constantly refined. I’ve never really had a lightning bolt moment in which an idea comes fully formed in my head. It’s usually much slower and more gradual—and usually around an action, and then the characters come into play. I would love [to be able to say] what J.K. Rowling said [about how] she was riding on a subway and the idea came to her and she wrote it on a napkin, but that has never happened to me.

of material and partly because I’d never want my kids to think I’m writing about them, so I’ve always had that little bit of a fire wall up. I would be very worried if I was writing about a mom with three boys who were the same ages, and they thought they’d recognize themselves in that. I think that would be a little bit of a betrayal to them. That is probably the one thing I’m super careful about.

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pregnant when I wrote it, and I remember just feeling that book really intensely.

What was it about Julia?

I think she was somebody who was trapped in this world, in this life, and kind of didn’t know how she ended up in this very enviable life, but she wasn’t being who she was meant to be, and that was very interesting, and I think it plays into a bit [of] what we see on social media. We think everybody is living this beautiful, pictureperfect, Instagram life, and yet people are struggling deep down. So she was kind of special. And then there was a character named Tina in The Best of Us who was a very overwhelmed mother who got away on a vacation, and she was special, too.

With three boys, I’m always drowning in soccer balls and laundry and [giving them] rides everywhere, so I like throwing a bit in with my characters sometimes.

Are there glamorous parts of your work?

Our publisher [for The Wife Between Us], St. Martin’s Press, just sent us on a sixcity pre-tour—New York, Boston, Seattle, Chicago, San Francisco, D.C.—and hosted intimate parties to introduce us to booksellers in each market. The events were held at gorgeous restaurants and featured specialty drinks that tied into different themes of The Wife Between Us. The actual writing part isn’t so fancy. I’m in Lululemon sweats with a mug of tea by my side and a snoring black Lab at my feet.

What’s your life like now that you’re on a promotional tour?

Tours are always [a] whirlwind. You usually do one city a day, so the pace is hectic and the days start early. But you never know what’ll happen. Once, I stepped onto an elevator and discovered Gavin

Rossdale, the lead singer of Bush and ex of Gwen Stefani, who was also on tour.

He was charming, and we had a nice chat.

I’ve done a number of tours solo, and it’s so different with my co-author, Greer.

Having a good friend along, someone to go running with in a new city, and to eat dinner with, transforms what can be an occasionally lonely experience.

I hear you’ve taken up mountain climbing and recently completed a major climb. What inspired you?

I just love the idea of doing something kind of extreme. I was out in Colorado [in the summer of 2015] climbing up mountains with my boys and realized how much I love the mountains, so I began to look for other adventures and I found out I could climb Mount Washington, the highest peak in the Northeast, and I thought, oh, that looks like fun. You can

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interview climb it in January and it’s really extreme.

A lot of people do it to train for Everest because of the conditions. The wind is just crazy, 50 mph and a wind chill close to negative 30 or 35 degrees when I tried it in January. The first day was bad. If you took off your glove to touch your iPhone, it wouldn’t read your finger. I split my gloves with my ice ax a few times, and I came down and my feet were so swollen.

You have to know what you’re doing, so I hired a private guide who is very experienced with avalanches and all that. We didn’t make it to the top—the wind was too intense. We made it two-thirds [of the way], but then I went back in March, when the winds were closer to 36 mph, and I did make it to the top. It’s definitely something I’m getting a little obsessed with. I’m going to do Mount Washington again because it’s a different mountain every time you climb it. I like the winter— [there’s] hurricane-force wind every three days and you’re in it with crampons [traction devices that strap to your feet] and ice axes, and you’re clawing your way up and it’s such a great release. All you can think about is one foot in front of the other. It’s beautiful. You have to really be very present in a way that’s hard to do these days.

What was the most harrowing part of either climb?

There was one really steep section, and the only way you can get through is if you have the crampons really in. I did slip once, and the guide was screaming ‘arrest, arrest!’ and I remembered, oh, yeah, I know how to stop. You have to put [the ice ax] in and put your weight behind so it holds you, because if you gain some speed while you’re falling it can be bad.

What’s it like to have a guide?

Most of the time you’re so focused on what you’re doing that you don’t talk a lot. He had to teach me how to use crampons and how to cross [certain sections].

We had some really steep sections, and he would have to rope me in and talk me through a lot of technical stuff—foot placement, all of that. You don’t have a ton of energy for finding out each other’s personal stories, but I did meet 188

fascinating people on the mountain.

What were they like?

There was a professional fly fisherman, and a young woman who was in the Coast Guard. You talk to all sorts of different people when you get down to dinner at the lodge—people I wouldn’t come into contact with in the course of my everyday life.

The main group I met on the way up was a group of five or six guys who were old friends. They were a very cool group. One was an entrepreneur who founded [Health Warrior], those great little Chia bars you get at Whole Foods, and one was Jesse Itzler [the author of Living with a SEAL], who is married to the founder of Spanx, and one of his buddies was a guy named Mark Brown, an ex-NFL player. I’ve stayed in touch with them on social media.

Any other mountains on your bucket list?

I would love to do Kilimanjaro, and Denali in Alaska, and Rainier. I’m trying to get my [9-year-old] into it because I figure I’ll have a lot of years with him. He’s all for it. He has to get a little bit bigger though.

Will your climbing experiences influence what you write about, or how you write?

Definitely. I’m planning more climbs and dreaming of a way to work that experience into a novel someday. I have tons of climbing books on my shelves, and I’m toying with an idea for my next solo novel that could tie in my new passion.

How did you end up writing a psychological thriller? How many of the plot twists in The Wife Between Us did you have in mind at the start, versus ones that developed later?

Greer and I sat down and talked about the kinds of stories that spoke to us, and we were both drawn to strong female protagonists and novels with psychological elements. There are rules to standard thrillers and mysteries, but since neither of us had written one, we didn’t know what the rules were—or that we were breaking them. I think that worked to our advantage. As for the plot twists, they

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

developed as we talked. And talked. And talked. At this point, we joke that we have ‘one brain’ because we need both of ours to keep track of all of our twists.

The book was more of an abstract psychological pursuit. We wanted to explore how everyone views their life through different lenses depending on experiences—and how people even change their own perceptions of their past events.

What was it like selling the movie rights?

The Gotham Group represents me and Greer, and the process for selling it was crazy. We spent a day on the phone with different producers who all had different takes on the book and what they’d do with it. And then we talked to DreamWorks. We talked to the president [of production] at Amblin [Holly Bario], which is Steven Spielberg’s production company, and she was amazing, so we signed a contract with them.

Will you have input in the screenplay?

I hope so. I would love it. Greer and I understand that they bought the rights and it’s whatever they want to do with the material. That was our agreement with them. But we would love to learn about the process, and we’re thinking of doing some screenwriting on our own at some point.

As you get busier, are you still under contract to write one solo novel per year?

My kids are in three different schools, so it’s kind of crazy right now. I have two [books] due in the next year. After that I’ll just see if I need to take a little breather from one or the other, maybe make it 18 months rather than every year because it has been quite a time crunch, but I’m also so lucky to get to do what I really love to do, it’s what I always wanted to do. If it’s a little more work, or a little bit busier, that’s OK. It’s been a crazy couple of years, but it’s all good. n Christine Koubek, a regular contributor for Bethesda Magazine, writes the Get Away column.

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In Bethesda In the Washington Metro Area In the Mid-Atlantic Region Independent Real Estate Brand in the Nation* Seller of Luxury Homes in the Mid-Atlantic Region

Source: * No. 1 independent brand by sales volume according to the REAL Trends 500. All other information is based on data supplied MRIS and its member Association(s) of REALTORS, who are not responsible for its accuracy. Does not reflect all activity in the marketplace. 10.1.16 – 9.30.17 as of 10.1217. Information contained in this report is deemed reliable but not guaranteed, should be independently verified, and does not constitute an opinion of MRIS or Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. All rights reserved.

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$1,099,999

Tenleytown

Open floor plan model features an elegant spiral staircase with stunning triple crystal chandeliers, skylights, an updated kitchen, a private, enclosed flagstone patio, and all newer systems. Great location near Rock Creek Park, shopping, and downtown D.C. Bethesda Office 240.497.1700

$770,000

Two bedrooms, 2 baths, 1,100 square foot unit. Oak floors, open dining and living room with gas fireplace and Juliette balcony. Master bedroom with 2 closets, whirlpool tub.

Second bedroom with full bath. Washer and dryer in unit.

Zelda Heller 202.257.1226

LongandFoster.com

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Bethesda Gateway Office 2017 Sales Volume of More Than $1.2 Billion

Bethesda

$1,985,000

Stunning Bethesda oasis featured in Architectural Digest. First-floor master suite with spa bath, screened porch with stone wall fireplace. Six bedrooms, 8 baths, beautiful custom woodwork. Large patio and pool, gorgeous nightscape.

Michael Matese 301.806.6829 / Mike@MichaelMatese.com

Bethesda | Wyngate

$1,499,000

Beautiful new Arts and Crafts home with over 5,300 sq. ft. on 3 levels. Open floor plan with 9’ ceilings, gourmet kitchen, large family room, office. Laundry room and bonus room up. Six bedrooms, 4.5 baths with wonderful owner’s suite.

Lauren Hatten 301.996.5592 / Lauren.Hatten@LNF.com

Bethesda

Bethesda

$1,795,000

Beautiful new home with first-floor bedroom suite plus 4 spacious en suite bedrooms on 2nd floor. Six bedrooms, 6.5 baths, 6,000+ sq. ft. home on quiet cul-de-sac backing to trees.

Erin Demeria 240.687.3681 Erin.Demeria@LNF.com

$998,000

Brick rambler on private lot in sought-after Tulip Hill. Five bedrooms, 3.5 baths with main-level master. Open floor plan with oversized rooms throughout, 3 fireplaces, walkout lower level. Perfect living and entertaining space.

Michael Matese 301.806.6829 Mike@MichaelMatese.com

Silver Spring | Hillandale

Bethesda | The Riviera Potomac

$925,000

Update, renovate or build your dream home! Rambler with unlimited potential on exquisite, rolling, 2.5 acres. Picturesque views of green space and towering trees. Three bedrooms plus den, upper and lower level offices, daylight lower level with walkout to patio. Just one mile to Potomac Village!

Sharyn Goldman 301.529.7555 / Sharyn.Goldman@LNF.com

$849,000

Pristine 5 bedroom, 3 full bath Colonial on over 1.5 wooded acres. Wonderful gourmet kitchen, inviting family/sun room, renovated baths, 3 fireplaces. Gorgeous screened porch, new roof, oversized 2-car garage. Stunning home.

Jaclyn Leimbach 301.434.3992 leimbach@aol.com

$199,000

Totally renovated one bedroom with garage parking just blocks to downtown Bethesda. Gleaming hardwoods, white kitchen with stainless appliances, balcony with treetop views. Building pool, fitness center, concierge and more.

Debbie Cohen 202.288.9939 / debbiecohen@msn.com

BethesdaGatewaySales.com | LongandFoster.com 4650 East West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland | 301.907.7600

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Wendy

Wendy@BannerTeam.com • www.BannerTeam.com Fox Hills / Potomac $799,900 Mitchell & Best townhouse with quality appointments throughout. This well maintained brick home sits on quiet cul-de-sac.

Boasts 3-4 bedrooms, kitchen with updated appliances, newer windows, updated HVAC, hardwoods on all levels and walk-out recreation room to a lovely Georgetown-style brick patio backing to trees.

Bloomingdale / Washington, DC $1,299,000

Potomac View Estates / Potomac

$1,295,000

Contemporary on 2 acres. Walls of windows and soaring ceilings welcome an abundance of light. Sunken living room with fireplace, center island kitchen with adjoining glass-enclosed breakfast room. Main floor ensuite master!

Fully finished walk out lower level. Two terraces leading to tennis. 5 bedrooms, 3 full and 2 half baths.

Beautiful, light filled, totally renovated row house on quiet tree-lined street.

This expanded home features 4 bedrooms including a private owner’s suite, two decks and off street parking. Situated in hip Bloomingdale and minutes to tons of restaurants, shopping, and public transportation.

E Q U E S T R I A N CO M M U N I T Y

Avenel / Potomac

$1,299,000

Quality appointments! Sited on a half acre lot. Updated gourmet kitchen with an oversized island induction cooktop. The family room features an architectural beamed ceiling and radiates warmth from the gas fireplace. Lower level with recreation, game/exercise areas, plus a bedroom suite with separate entrance. 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths.

River Oaks Farms / Potomac

$1,395,000

Merry Go Round Farm / Potomac

$1,450,000

Classic Colonial on 2 acres! Main level with an open floor plan, paneled library, brand new gourmet kitchen, and family room with a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace. Relax in the finished walk-out lower with a full wall fireplace, wet bar, game area. The backyard offers a large terrace plus a 3 car garage and a private driveway. 6 bedrooms, 4.5 baths.

Custom home by Potomac Valley Builders backing to trees with seasonal river views. Newly refinished hardwood floors, updated gourmet kitchen, and family room with custom built-ins and walls of glass leading to deck. Walkout lower level features rec and exercise room with wine cellar.

5 bedrooms, 4 full and 2 half baths.

Glen Echo Heights / Bethesda

Bradley Farms / Potomac

CO M I N G S O O N !

Avenel / Bethesda

$1,650,000

Custom Cape Cod on tranquil wooded lot backing to the golf course at Avenel! Enjoy some of the most spectacular views in the DC area. Featuring 5 bedrooms including a main level owner’s suite, 4.5 baths, kitchen open to great room, large entertaining spaces including a light-filled walk out lower level, deck and expansive stone patio with fire pit.

$1,949,000

$2,699,000

NEW home with 6 bedrooms, 5.5 baths. Old world building standards meet state-of-the-art floor plan and finishes.

With over 6,900 finished sq. ft. on 4 levels; this home boasts hardwood floors, gourmet kitchen open to family room with gas fireplace and a screened porch. Landscaped lot, stone patio, usable fenced yard and 2 car garage.

One of the finest estates in close-in Potomac on a private resort setting. Features 5 bedrooms, 6.5 baths, embassy sized entertaining spaces, high ceilings, exquisite finishes.

Pool, pool house, tennis court, spacious yard, and award winning landscaping. Close to Potomac Village with easy access to Bethesda, DC and NoVa. A sensational value!

Edgemoor / Bethesda

Bradley Farms / Potomac

P R I VAT E E XC LU S I V E !

Burning Tree / Bethesda

$3,395,000

Custom home, built in 2011 on serene .56 acres with 7 bedrooms, 7 full and 2 half baths. Perfect for entertaining!

Walk in to a spectacular 2-sided, floor-to-ceiling fireplace and a wall of windows to lure you outside to the heated inground pool and sport court. The walk-up lower level with rec room, wet bar, and theatre, a must see!

$3,495,000

Traditional Colonial on magnificent .65 acre lot featuring an incredible level backyard with pool and lush gardens. This home offers grand-scale rooms, traditional mouldings and built-ins, in addition to a screened-in porch, 6 bedrooms, 4.5 baths.

$3,695,000

Timeless Georgian on a pristine 2.4 acres. The interior lures you to the exterior with a heated pool, water feature, multiple stone patios, and a carriage house. Featuring a stunning paneled library with built-ins, 5 fireplaces, main level guest suite, gourmet chef’s kitchen with center island open to family room. 6-7 bedrooms, 7 full and 2 half baths.

Garage parking for 5 cars!

301.365.9090 | Wendy@BannerTeam.com 4650 East West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland | 301.907.7600

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Wendy Banner jan-feb18.indd 1

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4201 FORDHAM RD NW, WASHINGTON, DC $1,319,000

Andy Alderdice, REALTOR®, GRI, CRS Direct: 301.66.5898

www.andy4homes.com Bethesda All Points Office #1 Agent 301.229.4000

0 1 2

This stately and sparkling, Spring Valley Colonial is ready for you to call home. The many amenities include an open and renovated kitchen, spacious living room with fireplace and custom built-ins, and a sun room/office with heated floors and French doors that lead to a fully-fenced rear yard.

The master bedroom features a fireplace and cedar closets as well as en-suite full bath. The finished lower level includes heated floors, in-law suite, and full bath.

Complete with a 2-car garage and off-street parking, you will love the proximity to shopping and restaurants such as Wagshal’s, Millie’s, Crate & Barrel, Starbucks and more!

8

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Margie

Left to Right: Leslie Fitzpatrick, Lori Silverman, Lyn Moritt, Jamie Baraff, Margie Halem (center), Harrison Halem, Amy Gordon, Emily Moritt, Ashley Townsend, Lisa Frazier

Everywhere You Want To Be

of Long & Foster Real Estate

Coming Soon: 13912 Little Tree Drive, Rockville

Coming Soon: 13716 Safe Harbor Court, Rockville

Coming Soon: 12468 Ansin Circle Drive, Potomac

For Sale: 12450 Ansin Circle Drive Potomac $919,000

Under Contract: 8519 Country Club Drive, Bethesda

301.775.4196

MargieHalem@LongandFoster.com Licensed in MD | DC | VA Please view our listings at www.MargieHalemGroup.com #1 Billion Dollar Bethesda Gateway Office 4650 East West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland | 301.907.7600

1:03 PM

Margie Halem Jan-Feb18.indd 2

12/8/17 1:06 PM

Bethesda All Points Office A Top Long & Foster Office for 2017 ANDY ALDERDICE #1 Agent in the #1 Miller Office • 2016 Team of the Year Washington Metro Region A 5th generation Washingtonian assisting many MD, DC and VA residents in the sale and/ or purchase of their first and subsequent homes since 1994.

Call her to schedule a private consultation.

2017

Darnestown, Maryland $1,599,000 This sprawling estate features a main house with expansive main level master suite, elevator and pool, plus 2 separate guest houses, plus a 6-stall horse barn, all situated on over 10+ serene acres at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac.

301.466.5898 / 301.229.4000 andy4homes@gmail.com www.andy4homes.com Anne: 301.466.2515 Anne.Emmett@LNF.com Laura: 202.422.6374 Laura.Emmett@LNF.com

SHARRON COCHRAN

ROWENA DELEON

301.351.4517 • SCochran@LNF.com www.SCochran.com

240.423.2422 • www.rowenadeleon.com

• Realty Alliance Award Recipient, Top 5 Percent North America • SRES (Seniors Real Estate Specialist)

Potomac, Maryland

$1,195,000

Resort Living! Located on a 12,803 sq. ft. lot on a quiet cul de sac, this beautiful home features 5 bedrooms, 3 full and 2 half baths, large formal rooms, and family room and chef’s kitchen that open to an amazing backyard with in-ground pool with waterfall, spa, and cabana. 6 Sprinklewood Court.

Residential Real Estate in DC, MD, & VA call 202.365.3222

• Staging, marketing, and negotiation expert

Let my experience work for you!

Licensed in MD, DC & VA

301.996.8334 • TGDHomes@LNF.com

Consistent top honors and producer in the Bethesda Miller Group, Long & Foster Companies and Nationwide.

• Experience with luxury estates & first-time home buyers • Prompt, responsive, discreet

Over 25 years of a proven track record = Results

www.LydiaBenson.com LydiaBenson@ StanfordAlumni.org

Commitment to Excellence

PAGE EISINGER

301.461.3934 • Page.Eisinger@LongandFoster.com Licensed in DC, MD & VA Miller Bethesda Office: #1 Individual Agent (units) #1 Individual Agent (new homes volume) #1 Individual Agent (total volume) #2 Individual Agent (listings volume) • Recognized by Washingtonian Magazine as top agent in 2017 • Native Washingtonian.

• Offering caring, committed, personal and professional service to buyers and sellers for over 30 years.

KAT CONLEY

301.943.3865 (C) • 301.229.4000 (O)

Award Winning Top Producer for 26 Years!

Licensed in DC, MD and VA Licensed since 1991 2011 Realty Alliance Award Recipient Top 5% of REALTORS®, North America #9 Overall in Bethesda “All Points” Office Call Kat for any of your real estate needs!

$2,100,000

Two acres of luxury, family style living. Chef’s kitchen, 6 bedrooms, 5 baths, 2 half baths, 2 offices, formal rooms, great room, multiple decks, gas fire pit, and 4 fireplaces.

Fully finished basement with patio and entertainment space. Plus 3 car garage and 2 outdoor fireplaces.

TAMMY GRUNER DURBIN Serving MD and DC Associate Broker

• Personal, caring, & intelligent take on real estate

Potomac, Maryland

WALSH RICHARDS

301.706.3151 l l

l

l

l Walsh.Richards@LongandFoster.com Licensed in DC, MD & VA

Results driven Native Washingtonian committed to finding you the perfect home.

Professional and personal level of service Over 50 years of diverse commercial and residential real estate experience to help you throughout the selling and buying process.

ELLEN MCPHERSON

202.487.8224 • Ellen.McPherson@LNF.com www.LongandFoster.com/EllenMcPherson • Your partner in the buying and selling process from preparation through closing • Many years of negotiation, renovation and design experience • Discrete, responsive and detail oriented

LongandFoster.com 4701 Sangamore Rd, Suite L1, Bethesda, Maryland | 301.229.4000

Bethesda All Points 2018 Jan-Feb.indd 1

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Bethesd

Bethesda All Points Office A Top Long & Foster Office for 2017

W E T H A N K YO U F O R A N OT H E R R E CO R D B R E A K I N G Y E A R !

We look forward to working with you in 2018!

Susan Sanford

VP, Managing Broker ssanford@LNF.com Office Direct: 301.320.8300

Congratulations to Susan Sanford on her Christie’s International Real Estate Luxury Specialist Designation!

KELLY BOHI

301.580.4991 • Kelly.Bohi@LongandFoster.com Licensed in DC, MD & VA #2 Individual Agent Total Volume for our Bethesda Office in 2015!

• Your relocation expert for over 15 years • Top producer in the Bethesda All Points Office • Your Massachusetts Avenue Corridor Neighbor • I can simplify your home buying and selling process to take the pressure off of you!

NANCY MANNINO

MARIE MCCORMACK

301.461.1018 • Nancy.Mannino@LNF.com Licensed in DC, MD & VA

301.437.8678 • Marie@LNF.com Dickerson, Maryland $900,000 Charming home only 30 miles to DC with pool, tennis, 3 stall bank barn and cottage on 16 acres.

• Consistently Top Team Miller Bethesda • Celebrating 23 years of success selling real estate!

• Long & Foster Gold Team, Founder’s Club • Native Washingtonian

HILL SLOWINSKI

LYNN A. STEWART

301.452.1409 • HILL@LNF.com www.HillSlowinski.com

301.580.4552 • Lynn.Stewart@LongandFoster.com Licensed in MD & DC Your Bethesda Neighborhood Specialist OFFERING YOU: • EXPERT advice and specialists for renovations and staging helping you achieve the highest possible sales price • EXPERT advice & assistance on Downsizing and Right Sizing • EXPERT advice and service on updates to your house long before you decide to Sell • EXPERT listing & negotiation advice for the most Stress Free sale The Only Real Estate EXPERT You Need!

Bethesda / Mass Ave Corridor

$1,995,000

Elegantly renovated Colonial with 5 bedrooms, 4-plus baths, chef’s kitchen, dramatic 2-story great room, library, gorgeous owners’ suite with sitting room, 8 fireplaces, hardwood floors, au pair suite, and beautiful gardens! A truly magnificent home and a commuter’s dream!

Joan Healey 202.302.3232 | Meg Crowlie 301.641.7488 Diana Sweeney 703.407.4129

CAROLE EGLOFF

HOME MORTGAGE, LLC

• More than 40 years of experience in the real estate industry

DANIEL JAY

• Certified Buyer’s Agent and Seller’s Agent • Certified Home Marketing Specialist • Specialties in staging and marketing in all price ranges • Dedicated to exceptional client service and attention resulting in smooth transactions whether buying or selling.

NMLSRID: 192494

Sr. Mortgage Consultant

301.229.0484

Dan.Jay.phmloans.com

Board Member and VP The Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce l #9 Agent Washington Metro Region (2011) l Chairman’s Club l Serving clients in DC•MD•VA l

240.401.1200 • cegloff@verizon.net

Prosperity Home Mortgage, LLC. NMLS#75164. Licensed in Maryland.

(NMLS Consumer Access@ www. nmlsconsumeraccess.org/)

Happy New Year

• Luxury Market Specialists • The #1 Miller Flagship Office • A Top Long & Foster Office Companywide • Serving DC MD VA Buyers and Sellers • Award Winning Top Producing Agents • Relocation Services • An Executive Approach to Real Estate • Mass Ave Corridor Specialists Call Susan today for a confidential interview to find out why top producing and new agents join her office and choose to stay!

SCOTT EGLOFF

301.674.8866 • Scott.Egloff@LongandFoster.com Licensed in Maryland and DC • Montgomery County resident for 40 years • Current Chevy Chase resident for past 26 years • Totally committed to the highest level of professional service • Will guide buyers and sellers through each step of their real estate transactions

LongandFoster.com 4701 Sangamore Rd, Suite L1, Bethesda, Maryland | 301.229.4000

1:08 PM

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interior design. architecture. home sales.

PHOTO BY STACY ZARIN GOLDBERG

home

A built-in bookshelf is wrapped in navy grass cloth in the living room of this renovated Bethesda home.

For more, turn to page 216.

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home | HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS

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3 1

MIRROR, MIRROR These must-have designs add color and sparkle to bare walls and even create the illusion of space

1. BOLD AND GOLD

2. WOODEN WONDER

3. BOHO CHIC

A classic from the 1870s, this French gilded mirror is very elegant. Frame details include beading and a piecrust edge, and the mirror is mercury glass. It’s 37-by-52¼ inches and sells for $2,800 at Tone on Tone antiques shop in Bethesda (240-497-0800; tone-ontone.com).

Inspired by the arched pediments of Parisian windows, the antique black Gisele mirror adds character to a front hall or over a fireplace mantel. It’s hand-carved of solid wood, the glass has a beveled edge, and it is also available in aged oak and antique white finishes. It retails for $1,029 at Ethan Allen in Rockville (301-984-4360; ethanallen.com).

A refined take on the natural fiber wallhanging trend, this round, jute-accented mirror adds texture to a space. Artisans carefully wrap the 25-inch diameter steel frame in natural fibers, so each mirror is unique. Find it for $99.99 at World Market in Rockville (301-816-2480; worldmarket. com).

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ALL COURTESY PHOTOS

BY CAROLYN WEBER

4

6

5

4. CIRCLE TIME

5. GLOBAL GOODS

6. SHOWY SEASHELLS

A mirror as well as a piece of contemporary art, this beauty has an iron frame and spokes adorned with burnt metal discs. The Kensey mirror, from Arteriors Home, is 48 inches in diameter, projects 4½ inches and is priced at $1,320 through Urban Country in Bethesda (301-654-0500; urbancountrydesigns.com).

A great addition to an eclectic décor, the Fara mirror is hand-carved and features a hand-painted antique blue finish. The 20-by48-inch mirror can be mounted vertically or horizontally. It’s available for $349 at Pottery Barn in Bethesda (301-654-1598; potterybarn.com).

This shimmery mirror would look right at home in a serene bedroom or beach house.

The frame features a classic chevron pattern expressed in hand-cut pale blue and ivory capiz shells. It measures 27-by38 inches and costs $495 though Neiman Marcus at Mazza Gallerie in the District (202-966-9700; neimanmarcus.com). ■

Carolyn Weber lives in Silver Spring and frequently writes about architecture and home design.

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the perfect fit A Chevy Chase couple tailors a historic home to suit their lifestyle

ON A TREE-LINED STREET IN Upper Northwest D.C., Sarah and Bryan Carey’s 1920s-era house sits alongside other cottages and bungalows of the same vintage. The charming exterior looks as it did 80 years ago, but the inside has been updated and customized for modern living.

Sarah, 41, an interior designer, and Bryan, 45, a lawyer, have owned the home since 2008, but they waited until 2016 to embark on a major renovation.

“We love our neighborhood and knew we wanted to stay,” Sarah says, “but we needed to live here for a while in order to make smart, thoughtful decisions.”

The four-level, five-bedroom house, which they share with their 12-year-old cockapoo, Bailey, had plenty of space, but the room arrangements and sizes weren’t working for them. “We didn’t need more square footage, we just needed to reallocate it,” Sarah says.

The couple interviewed several design/build firms before deciding on D.C.-based Four Brothers, a company with experience in reconfiguring the interiors of older homes. They collaborated with team leader Ben Johnson and his architects on the design, with a common goal of respecting the home’s architectural character while improving it. “We see ourselves as the caretakers of the house while we live here,” Sarah says.

“We wanted to make it our own, while embracing its original beauty and bones.” They devised a plan that touched almost every room in the house—from major modifications that included the gutting of two upstairs bathrooms, to simple but impactful changes such as adding built-in storage and new lighting.

As a design professional, Sarah follows a philosophy of helping clients focus on measuring the time and energy spent in a room versus the money spent on it. “Whether your budget is $25,000 or $250,000, each decision should align with the value of the space as defined by the homeowner,” she says. She used this approach in her own project. Since she loves to cook, it was worth it to her to splurge on a high-end, custom-built French range. But she didn’t have strong feelings about the kitchen backsplash, so she saved money by opting for a standard, less expensive tile.

The three-month renovation was finished on time and on budget.

“Bryan and I like to be together, even when we’re doing different things,” Sarah says, “and now the house

BY CAROLYN blends the right WEBER combination of open and PHOTOS defined spaces

BY MICHAEL for how we spend VENTURA time here.”

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WORK THE ROOM The layout of the living room didn’t change, but an expanded 6½-foot-wide opening connects it to the new kitchen, improving circulation and creating a central hub for relaxing or entertaining. The Careys upgraded the existing gas fireplace to a modern version that operates via remote control. A 60-inch television is mounted above the mantel and is concealed by new custom cabinetry when it’s not in use.

The room is bright and inviting, thanks to improved lighting and walls painted in Farrow & Ball’s Pavilion Gray.

A sofa and three chairs make for a cozy seating area, but the living room is also spacious enough to host a book club. Sarah describes her style as classic with a twist, and it shows in her use of midcentury modern elements such as the Eero Saarinen womb chair and the clean-lined acrylic coffee table.

The couple uses the small room at the front of the house as a library. A wall of windows allows in plenty of natural light, so Sarah had the room painted in a dark, dramatic gray called Down Pipe, also from Farrow & Ball.

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home

OPEN HOUSE The Careys decided that a den and a living room were redundant spaces, so they incorporated the den’s square footage into the kitchen. Contractor Ben Johnson, from Four Brothers, and his team opened up the back section of the house by removing a loadbearing wall and replacing it with a structural beam. The new and open 400-square-foot 208

kitchen is proportionally large for the house, but it’s where the couple spends most of their time together, so it was worth the investment.

There are very few solid walls in the room, so the opportunity for upper cabinets was limited. A 5-by-9-foot center island is the main work surface as well as a central storage piece, with lots of deep drawers on both sides. Two counter stools tuck in at the

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

end of the island, and a round acrylic and glass table at the rear of the room seats four people comfortably.

The ivory-colored Lacanche range is a real statement piece and was the homeowners’ first design decision. White Shaker-style cabinets, marble-look quartz countertops, oak hardwood floors and pale-gray walls combine for a neutral backdrop.

Two oversize antique brass ring chandeliers illuminate the island. “I needed something with a lot of presence because they are visible from the front door,” Sarah says. The cabinet hardware is nickel, and the range combines both silver and gold finishes to tie it all together. “I think mixed metals create nice texture in the kitchen,” she adds.

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MADE FOR TWO Old houses are not known for their spacious bathrooms, and this one is no exception. Rethinking the master bedroom’s tiny en suite bathroom was a challenge for Johnson and the architects, who were tasked with designing a space that was functional for two adults to use every day.

By borrowing space from an existing closet, they managed to fit a lot—his-and-hers vanities, a walk-in shower and a private water closet—into just 80 square feet. Sarah relocated her closet to a spare second-floor bedroom, which she converted into a dressing room.

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SLEEP RETREAT In the second-floor master bedroom, Sarah and Bryan wanted a space that was just for sleeping and resting. “We didn’t need a sitting area or a place to watch TV,” she says. But they did need storage. The solution was a wall of built-in cabinets with a mix of shelves, large drawers and hanging rods. They love the look of the home’s front façade and wanted to preserve it, so they had to work around the existing window placements. The asymmetrical design highlights the vintage round window, and they even made room under the other window for a window seat.

On the opposite side of the room, new sconces with individual switches flank the bed and are among Sarah’s favorite elements. “You realize over time that the little touches make a big difference day to day,” she says.

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home

SHE’S CRAFTY Formerly a third living room that the couple rarely used, the basement is now one of the most important places in the house. Sarah wanted a dedicated organization space, a place to store large items and out-of-season decorations. “I do everything from wrapping gifts to folding laundry here,” she says. The built-in cabinetry maximizes the storage function, and the island serves as a standing worktable.

In contrast to the high-end finishes upstairs, the homeowners kept the basement design simple and cost effective. The walls are lined with wardrobe-size wall cabinets from Ikea’s PAX system.

“These are fantastic,” Johnson says. “They are inexpensive, but can be customized with different interiors and door styles.” The island is topped with warm and practical butcher block, and the floors are laminate in a hardwood pattern. n Carolyn Weber lives in Silver Spring and frequently writes about architecture and home design.

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A room of floorto-ceiling storage cabinets allows Sarah (pictured with Bryan) to stay organized. Her holiday decorations, extra china and serving dishes, and even a cache of hostess gifts are easy to access, but stowed neatly behind closed doors.

JOHN SHEEHAN HEADLINE

John Sheehan admires...

Lorraine Thlarihani Montgomery.

She is originally from Pretoria, South Africa. Lorraine is a driven millennial with a magnanimous spirit. Her financial planning and auditing experience with a leading CPA firm, which serves mainly non-profit organizations both nationally and internationally, have been a tremendous foundation for her assisting clients with their residential real estate goals. Our diversified clients truly appreciate Lorraine’s international background, and especially her kind, genuine concern for their needs. I admire Lorraine, my colleague, for her acumen, sense of humor, and penchant for professional handling of your most treasured financial asset—your home.

Operated by a subsidiary of NRT, LLC

240-750-0816 | 301-718-0010

John Sheehan, with approximately $200 million in career real estate transactions, presents a year-long series titled “Someone I Admire”

Potomac 4/4/1 $1,349,000 Justin Lin 240-401-2366 9223 Cambridge Manor Court Search MC10046718 on CBHomes.com

Rockville 3/2/0 $850,000 Jerry Rotter 301-335-9330 531 West Montgomery Avenue Search MC10065689 on CBHomes.com

Bethesda 5/3/0 $700,000 Rockville Office 301.921.1040 6912 Bradley Boulevard

Darnestown 5/4/1 $889,900 Rockville Office 301.921.1040 14426 Seneca Road

Clarksburg 6/6/1 $799,000 Rockville Office 301.921.1040 12302 Grey Squirrel Street

Gaithersburg 3/3/1 $369,500 Rockville Office 301.921.1040 88 Bayridge Drive

Rockville 5/3/0 $500,000 Rockville Office 301.921.1040 7509 Park Mill Court

Rockville 2/2/1 $325,000 Rockville Office 301.921.1040 801 Pleasant Drive Unit #80108

Search MC10070906 on CBHomes.com

Search MC10013377 on CBHomes.com

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Potomac 4/3/1 $879,900 Rockville Office 301.921.1040 124040 Beall Spring Road

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Gaithersburg 3/2/2 $379,000 Rockville Office 301.921.1040 311 Curry Ford Lane

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3910 Doc Berlin Drive #21 Silver Spring, MD 20906 $389,900 2BR | 2FBA | 1HBA | MC1001773953

3900 Conn. Avenue, NW #506-F Washington, DC 20008 $344,800 1BR | 1FBA | DC10109361

3622 Rock Creek Church Road NW #1 Washington, DC 20010 $725,000 3BR | 3FBA | DC10094288

20308 Seabrook Drive Gaithersburg, MD 20886 $555,900 4BR | 2FBA | 1HBA | MC10022216

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CHERYL GINSBURG | BRUCE MORRISON JONATHAN BEN-HAROSH

INTERESTED IN A CAREER IN REAL ESTATE? ALANA...THE ONLY MANAGER YOU NEED TO KNOW! Alana Lasover Branch Vice President, Bethesda 4800 Montgomery Lane, Suite 100 Bethesda, MD 20814 301.718.0010 • ALasover@CBmove.com The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor agents and are not employees of the Company. ©2015 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Operated by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker, the Coldwell Banker logo, Coldwell Banker Previews International and the Previews logo are registered and unregistered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.

home

Room to Grow Aly Jacobs and Matt Leydig found their forever home in a Bethesda colonial with an open floor plan, six bedrooms and kid-friendly features

BY CHARLOTTE SAFAVI | PHOTOS BY STACY ZARIN GOLDBERG

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When Aly Jacobs, a former morning radio host at D.C.’s country station, 98.7 WMZQ-FM, and her husband, Matt Leydig, a commercial real estate executive at EagleBank, were expecting their first child in 2015, they decided to move from the District’s U Street Corridor to Bethesda. They wanted to be closer to their work, Jacobs in Rockville and Leydig in Bethesda. They wanted a larger home with a backyard. And they wanted a family-friendly community where they could raise their son, Sam, who’s now 1½.

The couple found a teardown in downtown Bethesda and began to plan what Jacobs calls their “forever” home.

As architectural plans were being finalized and implemented by M.A. Builders in Kensington, Bethesda-based interior designer Erica Burns managed the selection of materials, helped design the kitchen and bathrooms, and chose lighting, hardware and finishes.

The resulting six-bedroom, colonial-style home is befitting to the neighborhood and features an open floor plan, with more formal rooms in the front and a great room in the back.

“I love the open feel of it,” Jacobs says.

“It’s such a comfortable home to raise a family in. We’re together, but everyone has their own space, too, whether a man cave or playroom.” She adds, “Coming from D.C., where Matt and I shared a closet and sink, it feels really good to have separate vanities and our own 218

closets in the master suite.”

Other architectural features include 10-foot ceilings; dark brown, wide-plank stained wood floors; and sliding glass doors in the great room that open onto a screened-in porch. “[The couple] knew what they wanted when it came to design,” Burns says.

“They both love to entertain, and host family and friends. Matt is definitely

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

In the breakfast nook, Restoration Hardware chairs upholstered in an indoor-outdoor fabric surround a reclaimed wood farmhouse table from Arhaus. A traditional country lantern by Visual Comfort in an overscale size makes the table feel more contemporary. The linen curtains from Elizabeth Eakins feature a geometric pattern and are trimmed with a navy band to add a touch of sophistication.

Aly Jacobs (pictured with her son, Sam, and dog, Izzy) loves to entertain in her new home. “The kitchen is all white and crisp,” Erica Burns says of the inset cabinetry from Reico Kitchen & Bath in Bethesda. “I chose a textured, handmade subway tile for the backsplash. If you’re doing white on white, add texture so it doesn’t fall flat.” The tile is by Architectural Ceramics. The kitchen hardware is polished nickel, contrasting with oilrubbed bronze fixtures used elsewhere in the home.

MAKEUP: VALERIE HAMMER MAKEUP ARTISTRY; HAIR: ANNA FAZIO

Real estate agent Michael Shapiro, who renovated this Silver Spring home with a friend, says, “If you look beyond the colonials, there are lots of pockets of midcentury modern.”

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home

Jane Churchill linen drapes with fringed appliqué periwinkle dots are playful yet sophisticated in the formal dining room. The carved-wood Swedish-style chairs from Bliss Home are gray-washed and upholstered in purple Schumacher velvet.

A dramatic brass lantern from Visual Comfort hangs above the table. The custom-cut Fibreworks carpet is made of banded sisal.

The white, gold-tipped metal mirror comes from Carvers’ Guild.

Traditional buffet lamps with Greek key-inspired bases have ruched Quadrille shades and sit atop a custom-lacquered gray china cabinet. The silk wallpaper is by Phillip Jeffries.

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more traditional, and Aly, who likes patterns and color, is more on trend. My job was to bridge the two of them.”

For the color palette, the couple went with greiges (a blend of gray and beige), blues and purples, similar to choices in their D.C. house, but, Jacobs says, “This time around we wanted the furniture to function for kids, too.”

Burns took the family into account with her selections. The kitchen has stain-resistant quartz counters; the great room sofas are navy, with machinewashable cushions; and even the chaise

An updated Rogers & Goffigon plaid on a pair of CR Laine swivel chairs combines the home’s palette of greiges, blues and purples. An oversize 4-by-4-foot painted coffee table from Tritter Feefer provides a place for adults to put up their feet or for kids to work on a puzzle.

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in the dining room is upholstered in a durable Sunbrella fabric, and it’s become Izzy the dog’s favorite perch.

Furnishings are even practical in the front of the house, where things get more formal. “In the dining room, we did this pretty light-blue silk wallpaper that’s dressy, but we installed it above the chair rail to avoid little handprints,” Burns explains.

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The dining room also features a round, custom-made 84-inch table that comfortably seats eight people. It can be expanded into an oval to accommodate up to 12 people.

“One of our favorite things became the dining table,” Jacobs says. “[Burns] knows I like to entertain, so she said, ‘Why not a circle?’ We hosted our first dinner party a couple of months after

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

In the living room, navy grass cloth wraps a built-in custom bookshelf.

An antique mirror that reflects the dining room across the center hall is joined in the niche by a scallop-backed CR Laine sofa that shows off gray fabric-wrapped button trim on its cream-colored Sunbrella upholstery. The side chairs are upholstered in an overscale Schumacher botanical print in blues and purples. Custom throw pillows include a Holland & Sherry wool bouclé, while square ottomans in a Pindler fabric sit in front of an Aidan Gray coffee table. Light fixtures include a pair of whimsical porcelain tassel sconces by Coleen & Co.

The master bedroom walls are finished in a neutral paperweave covering from Thibaut, with the sitting niche defined by contrasting geometric wallpaper from Stroheim. A scalloped linen shade on the chandelier casts a soft light at night, and the ceiling glows in the palest of sky blues during the day. Painted night chests from Pottery Barn provide storage.

moving in. Everyone was talking across the table to each other.”

The living room, also in the front of the house, is a space that became a decorative standout. “It was a large, boxy room with a long wall that had no windows or doors on it,” Burns recalls. “I thought it would be a great place to do an interesting built-in, so we did a clean-lined one, with shelving and cabinets, and even an

inset for a sofa. Then we wrapped the bookcases in grass cloth. It’s functional, while adding warmth and character.”

A patterned, tone-on-tone pearlescent wallpaper covers the remaining living room walls, adding a touch of glamour.

In the master bedroom, a pair of brass swivel lamps and roomy night chests sandwich a platform bed. A plush bluegreen chenille bench sits at the base of

the bed, and a pair of armchairs and an ottoman occupy a seating niche.

“I wanted to pick timeless silhouettes, classical pieces, and durable, userfriendly materials that could handle the wear and tear of a growing family,” Burns says. n Writer Charlotte Safavi lives in Alexandria, Virginia.

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home | BY THE NUMBERS

Data provided by

OCTOBER’S MOST EXPENSIVE

at A peek rea’s f the a some o pensive x most e sold recently s house

HOME SALES

SALE PRICE:

$3.5 million SALE PRICE:

$5 million LIST PRICE: $5.3 MILLION

Address: 7503 Fairfax Road, Bethesda 20814 Days on Market: 48 Listing Agency: Compass Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 6/3

LIST PRICE: $3.8 MILLION

Address: 8512 Country Club Drive, Bethesda 20817 Days on Market: 110 Listing Agency: Washington Fine Properties Bedrooms: 7 Full/Half Baths: 8/3

SALE PRICE:

$2.6 million LIST PRICE: $2.7 MILLION

SALE PRICE:

$4 million LIST PRICE: $4 MILLION

Address: 9210 Fox Meadow Lane, Potomac 20854 Days on Market: 629 Listing Agency: Washington Fine Properties Bedrooms: 7 Full/Half Baths: 8/2

Address: 4915 Cumberland Ave., Chevy Chase 20815 Days on Market: 185 Listing Agency: Long & Foster Real Estate Bedrooms: 7 Full/Half Baths: 5/1

SALE PRICE:

$2.4 million LIST PRICE: $2.6 MILLION

Address: 5844 Marbury Road, Bethesda 20817 Days on Market: 102 Listing Agency: Washington Fine Properties Bedrooms: 7 Full/Half Baths: 5/1

SALE PRICE:

$3.5 million LIST PRICE: $3.7 MILLION

Address: 7200 Crail Drive, Bethesda 20817 Days on Market: 15 Listing Agency: Long & Foster Real Estate Bedrooms: 8 Full/Half Baths: 8/2

$2.3 million LIST PRICE: $2.5 MILLION

Address: 5105 Battery Lane, Bethesda 20814 Days on Market: 73 Listing Agency: TTR Sotheby’s International Realty Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 4/2

SALE PRICE:

$2.2 million LIST PRICE: $2.2 MILLION

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COURTESY PHOTOS

SALE PRICE:

thef leishergroup

THE FLEISHER GROUP PRESENTS

6810 Barrett Road, Bethesda MD 20817 Welcome to this extraordinary custom craftsman influenced colonial designed by award-winning architect Sutton Yantis, and constructed by acclaimed Sandy Spring Builders. Containing over 9300 finished square feet of unparalleled finishes, materials and expert workmanship, this fabulous home is ideal for full scale entertaining as well as comfortable family living. A dramatic center hall entry foyer with 10 foot ceilings and exotic stenciled hardwood floor introduces a sensational floor plan traditional in its function but open and its design. From the elegant formal living and dining rooms with custom millwork, to the stunning gourmet kitchen highlighted with oversized center island and professional appliances, to the adjoining sun-filled family room with corner fireplace and volume ceiling featuring ornamental plaster moldings, no detail has been compromised in presenting this home of distinction. Complementing the exceptional main level is an exquisite library with double French door entry, fireplace and fully paneled and customized mahogany built-in cabinetry and bookcases. The upper level is adorned with five bedrooms including a deluxe master bedroom suite with luxury bath as well as a sun-filled office/library with picture palladium window. Further enhancing the home's appeal is a finished lower level complete with informal media/theater area, recreation/game room that doubles as interior sport center as well as a separate guest bedroom with bath. An inviting wraparound front porch provides for peaceful outdoor relaxation and entertaining while the pool size backyard is defined with play area and is professionally landscaped with specimen plantings. Ideally located in very close in Bradley Hills and adjoining the Edgemoor community, this one of kind home is convenient to the walking path and access to the vibrancy of downtown Bethesda, the Crescent Bike Trail and the Metro. Price upon request.

MARC FLEISHER 5454 Wisconsin Avenue, Chevy Chase Maryland 20815 +1 202 438 4880 cell +1 240 235 0181 office marc@thefleishergroup.com Jan Feb 6810 Barrett Lane.indd 1

12/4/2017 1:35:33 PM

home | BY THE NUMBERS Address: 8501 Pierce Point Court, Potomac 20854 Days on Market: 183 Listing Agency: Long & Foster Real Estate Bedrooms: 6 Full/Half Baths: 6/1

Listing Agency: TTR Sotheby’s International Realty Bedrooms: 7 Full/Half Baths: 6/2

SALE PRICE: SALE PRICE:

$2.1 million LIST PRICE: $2.1 MILLION

BE IN THE KNOW

Address: 7810 Custer Road, Bethesda 20814 Days on Market: 4 Listing Agency: RE/MAX Realty Services Bedrooms: 6 Full/Half Baths: 5/1

SALE PRICE:

$2.1 million LIST PRICE: $1.8 MILLION

Address: 5015 38th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20016 Days on Market: 6 Listing Agency: TTR Sotheby’s International Realty Bedrooms: 6 Full/Half Baths: 4/1

$2 million LIST PRICE: $2.1 MILLION

Address: 4102 Leland St., Chevy Chase 20815 Days on Market: 48 Listing Agency: Evers & Company Real Estate Bedrooms: 6 Full/Half Baths: 4/1

SALE PRICE:

BETHESDA MAGAZINE’S DAILY NEWS DISPATCH

LIST PRICE: $2 MILLION

Address: 7013 Richard Drive, Bethesda 20817 Days on Market: 107 Listing Agency: Long & Foster Real Estate Bedrooms: 7 Full/Half Baths: 6/0

SALE PRICE:

SALE PRICE:

BETHESDA

$1.9 million

$1.9 million LIST PRICE: $2 MILLION

Address: 6505 Pyle Road, Bethesda 20817 Days on Market: 232 Listing Agency: TTR Sotheby’s International Realty Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 4/1

$1.9 million LIST PRICE: $2.3 MILLION

Address: 5402 Wehawken Road, Bethesda 20816 Days on Market: 485 Listing Agency: Long & Foster Real Estate Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 5/1

SALE PRICE:

$1.8 million LIST PRICE: $1.7 MILLION

Address: 3714 Cardiff Court, Chevy Chase 20815 Days on Market: 7 Listing Agency: Wydler Brothers Bedrooms: 7 Full/Half Baths: 4/1

SALE PRICE:

$1.6 million LIST PRICE: $1.8 MILLION

Address: 6925 Armat Drive, Bethesda 20817 Days on Market: 288 Listing Agency: Long & Foster Real Estate Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 6/2

SALE PRICE:

$1.6 million LIST PRICE: $1.6 MILLION

SALE PRICE:

$1.9 million MAGAZINE.COM 226

LIST PRICE: $2 MILLION

Address: 8513 Horseshoe Lane, Potomac 20854 Days on Market: 96

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

Address: 12000 Piney Meetinghouse Road, Potomac 20854 Days on Market: 0 Listing Agency: Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Bedrooms: 4 Full/Half Baths: 3/1

SALE PRICE:

$1.6 million LIST PRICE: $1.6 MILLION

Address: 3520 Rittenhouse St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20015 Days on Market: 0 Listing Agency: Not available Bedrooms: 4 Full/Half Baths: 2/2

Address: 11 E. Kirke St., Chevy Chase 20815 Days on Market: 0 Listing Agency: Washington Fine Properties Bedrooms: 4 Full/Half Baths: 5/0

$1.6 million LIST PRICE: $1.6 MILLION

Address: 8905 Iverleigh Court, Potomac 20854 Days on Market: 91 Listing Agency: RE/MAX Realty Group Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 5/1

SALE PRICE:

$1.5 million LIST PRICE: $1.5 MILLION

SALE PRICE:

$1.4 million LIST PRICE: $1.5 MILLION

SALE PRICE:

$1.5 million LIST PRICE: $1.5 MILLION

SALE PRICE:

Full/Half Baths: 3/1

Address: 30 Beman Woods Court, Potomac 20854 Days on Market: 42 Listing Agency: Washington Fine Properties Bedrooms: 6 Full/Half Baths: 5/1

Address: 3808 Garrison St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20016 Days on Market: 53 Listing Agency: Washington Fine Properties Bedrooms: 4 Full/Half Baths: 2/2

SALE PRICE:

$1.4 million LIST PRICE: $1.4 MILLION

SALE PRICE:

$1.5 million LIST PRICE: $1.5 MILLION

Address: 3830 Livingston St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20015 Days on Market: 9 Listing Agency: Wydler Brothers Bedrooms: 4

Address: 4102 Aspen St., Chevy Chase 20815 Days on Market: 3 Listing Agency: Evers & Company Real Estate Bedrooms: 4 Full/Half Baths: 3/1 Note: Some sale and list prices have been rounded.

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

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home | BY THE NUMBERS

REAL ESTATE TRENDS

BY ZIP CODE

OCTOBER 2016

OCTOBER 2017

20015 (Upper NW D.C.) Number of Homes Sold Average Sold Price Average Days on Market Above Asking Price Below Asking Price Sold Over $1 Million

OCTOBER 2017

19 $1.3 Mil. 59 3 15 10

16 $1.3 Mil. 40 3 9 7

20814 (Bethesda)

12 $1 Mil. 33 6 6 5

11 $1 Mil. 17 2 5 4

20016 (Upper NW D.C.) Number of Homes Sold Average Sold Price Average Days on Market Above Asking Price Below Asking Price Sold Over $1 Million

OCTOBER 2016

Number of Homes Sold Average Sold Price Average Days on Market Above Asking Price Below Asking Price Sold Over $1 Million

21 $1.4 Mil. 44 8 9 17

Number of Homes Sold Average Sold Price Average Days on Market Above Asking Price Below Asking Price Sold Over $1 Million

OCTOBER 2017

Number of Homes Sold 12 Average Sold Price $952,325 Average Days on Market 36 Above Asking Price 3 7 Below Asking Price Sold Over $1 Million 3

14 $1 Mil. 61 4 9 6

20816 (Bethesda)

20815 (Chevy Chase)

12 $1.7 Mil. 80 8 4 9

OCTOBER 2016

20817 (Bethesda)

25 $1.2 Mil. 74 7 15 13

15 $1.3 Mil. 41 5 7 9

Number of Homes Sold Average Sold Price Average Days on Market Above Asking Price Below Asking Price Sold Over $1 Million

34 $1.1 Mil. 68 7 25 18

35 $1.2 Mil. 74 3 29 15

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

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12/7/17 3:27 PM

home | BY THE NUMBERS OCTOBER 2016

OCTOBER 2017

OCTOBER 2016

OCTOBER 2017

OCTOBER 2016

OCTOBER 2017

20832 (Olney)

20853 (Rockville)

20877 (Gaithersburg)

Number of Homes Sold 13 11 Average Sold Price $582,654 $621,878 Average Days on Market 110 36 Above Asking Price 1 4 Below Asking Price 10 5 Sold Over $1 Million 0 1

Number of Homes Sold 30 17 Average Sold Price $528,517 $587,224 Average Days on Market 45 37 Above Asking Price 10 7 Below Asking Price 18 10 Sold Over $1 Million 1 0

Number of Homes Sold 6 9 Average Sold Price $379,167 $382,133 Average Days on Market 31 39 Above Asking Price 1 1 Below Asking Price 3 6 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

20850 (Rockville)

20854 (Potomac)

20878 (North Potomac/Gaithersburg)

Number of Homes Sold 12 20 Average Sold Price $767,520 $699,258 Average Days on Market 65 44 Above Asking Price 3 5 Below Asking Price 9 10 Sold Over $1 Million 3 3

Number of Homes Sold 28 Average Sold Price $961,415 Average Days on Market 74 Above Asking Price 6 Below Asking Price 20 Sold Over $1 Million 9

20852 (North Bethesda/Rockville)

20855 (Rockville)

20879 (Gaithersburg)

Number of Homes Sold 19 9 Average Sold Price $642,468 $570,267 Average Days on Market 36 50 Above Asking Price 5 2 Below Asking Price 12 5 2 0 Sold Over $1 Million

Number of Homes Sold 16 17 Average Sold Price $588,973 $552,300 Average Days on Market 33 64 Above Asking Price 2 3 Below Asking Price 10 10 0 0 Sold Over $1 Million

Number of Homes Sold 10 8 Average Sold Price $449,475 $486,621 Average Days on Market 30 51 Above Asking Price 5 2 Below Asking Price 4 5 0 0 Sold Over $1 Million

CABIN JOHN $2,595,000 8212 Caraway Street, Cabin John, MD Russell Firestone +1 202 271 1701

KENWOOD PARK

COMING SOON 7204 Marbury Road, Bethesda, MD Kirsten Williams +1 202 657 2022 Frank Snodgrass +1 202 257 0978

32 $1.1 Mil. 83 5 20 10

POTOMAC COMING SOON

| $699,000 8622 Wild Olive Drive, Potomac, MD Kirsten Williams +1 202 657 2022 Frank Snodgrass +1 202 257 0978

POTOMAC $1,450,000 12010 Wetherfield Lane, Potomac, MD Shahab Nasrin +1 301 814 8093

Number of Homes Sold 29 23 Average Sold Price $620,527 $646,470 Average Days on Market 64 40 Above Asking Price 4 4 Below Asking Price 22 17 Sold Over $1 Million 1 0

FERNWOOD COMING SOON 9801 Inglemere Drive, Besthesda, MD Kirsten Williams +1 202 657 2022 Frank Snodgrass +1 202 257 0978

AUSTRALIA PRICE UPON REQUEST 4 Washington Street, Toorak, Melbourne, Victoria Greg Herman +61 411 473 307 Sarah Case +61 439 431 020

CHEVY CHASE, MD BROKERAGE | +1 301 967 3344 • GEORGETOWN BROKERAGE | +1 202 333 1212 • DOWNTOWN BROKERAGE | +1 202 234 3344 McLEAN, VA BROKERAGE | +1 703 319 3344 • ALEXANDRIA, VA BROKERAGE | +1 703 310 6800 • ARLINGTON, VA BROKERAGE | +1 703 745 1212

ttrsir.com

©2018 TTR Sotheby’s International Realty, licensed real estate broker. Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated. Equal housing opportunity. All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Price and availability subject to change. Date Source: MRIS (Sales, 12/1/12+, Legal Subdivision: Georgetown)

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OCTOBER 2016

OCTOBER 2017

OCTOBER 2016

OCTOBER 2017

OCTOBER 2016

OCTOBER 2017

20882 (Gaithersburg)

20901 (Silver Spring)

20905 (Silver Spring)

Number of Homes Sold 19 20 Average Sold Price $527,489 $575,873 Average Days on Market 111 77 Above Asking Price 0 5 Below Asking Price 16 15 Sold Over $1 Million 1 0

Number of Homes Sold 26 28 Average Sold Price $468,192 $471,654 Average Days on Market 50 22 Above Asking Price 4 10 Below Asking Price 17 11 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

Number of Homes Sold 18 17 Average Sold Price $580,822 $561,428 Average Days on Market 84 47 Above Asking Price 4 6 Below Asking Price 13 9 Sold Over $1 Million 2 0

20886 (Gaithersburg)

20902 (Silver Spring)

20910 (Silver Spring)

Number of Homes Sold 11 8 Average Sold Price $420,633 $388,750 Average Days on Market 39 34 Above Asking Price 1 4 Below Asking Price 9 3 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

Number of Homes Sold 26 24 Average Sold Price $413,786 $418,085 Average Days on Market 39 25 Above Asking Price 6 10 Below Asking Price 11 11 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

Number of Homes Sold 25 12 Average Sold Price $592,965 $554,375 Average Days on Market 63 54 Above Asking Price 8 2 Below Asking Price 12 8 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

20895 (Kensington)

20904 (Silver Spring)

20912 (Silver Spring/Takoma Park)

Number of Homes Sold 17 26 Average Sold Price $710,607 $684,890 Average Days on Market 53 35 Above Asking Price 2 7 Below Asking Price 13 16 Sold Over $1 Million 3 4

Number of Homes Sold 18 17 Average Sold Price $420,022 $481,523 Average Days on Market 56 74 Above Asking Price 3 2 Below Asking Price 9 11 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

Number of Homes Sold 9 11 Average Sold Price $487,889 $495,545 Average Days on Market 31 37 Above Asking Price 7 4 Below Asking Price 1 7 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

Chevy Chase, MD 5522 Greystone St Under contract in 4 days, $25k over list price

Ready to help you achieve your real estate goals in 2018 The Cara Pearlman Group 202.641.3008 cara@DCSuburbHomes.com

Chevy Chase, MD

Bethesda, MD

4800 Chevy Chase Drive, #500 Under contract in 3 days

5020 Allan Rd Brought buyer, negotiated $50k under list price

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

| JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

Compass is a licensed real estate brokerage that abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is not guaranteed. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Compass is licensed as Compass Real Estate in DC and as Compass in Virginia and Maryland. 5471 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 300, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 | 301.298.1001

Information courtesy of Bright MLS, as of Nov. 14, 2017. The Bright MLS real estate service area spans 40,000 square miles throughout the mid-Atlantic region, including Delaware, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and parts of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. As a leading Multiple Listing Service (MLS), Bright serves approximately 85,000 real estate professionals who in turn serve more than 20 million consumers. For more information, visit brightmls.com. Note: This information includes the most expensive detached single-family homes sold from Oct. 1, 2017, to Oct. 31, 2017, as of Nov. 14, 2017, excluding sales where sellers have withheld permission to advertise or promote. Information should be independently verified. Reports reference data provided by ShowingTime, a showing management and market stats technology provider to the residential real estate industry. Some sale and list prices have been rounded.

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Compass is a licensed real estate brokerage that abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is not guaranteed. All measurements and square footages are approximate.

This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Compass is licensed as Compass Real Estate in DC and as Compass in Virginia and Maryland. 5471 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 300, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 - 301.298.1001

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From small bungalows to expansive custom homes, when you work with Dana, you have the privilege of working with a full team. With unmatched marketing insight, an on-staff stager, and a roster of go-to experts, Dana’s team brings concierge service to each client.

Dana Rice Compass is a licensed real estate brokerage that abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is not guaranteed. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Compass is licensed as Compass Real Estate in DC and as Compass in Virginia and Maryland. 5471 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 300, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 - 301.298.1001

Vice President, RealtorÂŽ DC/MD/VA 202.669.6908 | dana.rice@compass.com

Erich Cabe knows Bethesda Over $70 Million in Sales in 2017

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Compass is a licensed real estate brokerage that abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is not guaranteed. All measurements and square footages are approximate.

This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Compass is licensed as Compass Real Estate in DC and as Compass in Virginia and Maryland. 5471 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 300, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 - 301.298.1001

fitness. wellness. medicine.

PHOTO BY EDGAR ARTIGA

health

Shayla Cornick teaches highenergy indoor cycling classes at her boutique studios. For more, turn the page.

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health | BE WELL

SWITCHING GEARS

Shayla Cornick fell in love with indoor cycling and left her career in education to teach others the joy of riding

BY KATHLEEN SEILER NEARY | PHOTO BY EDGAR ARTIGA

FOR EACH OF HER indoor cycling classes, instructor Shayla Cornick puts together a new playlist, usually with hip-hop, pop or electronic dance music. She called one playlist “guilty pleasures” and included “all the songs that you hate to love,” she says, like Pharrell Williams’ “Happy.” For a class that fell on Friday the 13th, she went with Michael Jackson’s Thriller songs and had his videos playing on a TV screen. “I did a karaoke ride once where we had the words up and we were riding and singing, passing the microphone around,” she says.

Cornick, 37, owns a pair of boutique studios called Cycled!—one in downtown Silver Spring, the other in Takoma Park, D.C.—and teaches up to a dozen classes a week. She says a class she took at SoulCycle in New York City in 2012 got her hooked on indoor cycling. A couple of years later, she told a friend that she was planning to open her own studio. “Wait, you have all these degrees and you’ve done all these amazing things and you want to open a gym?” he said.

Cornick—who lives in Silver Spring and has undergraduate degrees in math and engineering and a doctorate in education—was working in educational research for Discovery Communications at the time. She grew tired of trekking to cycling studios that were far away, she says, so she found a small ground-level space in a Silver Spring apartment building near her office, got certified in indoor cycling, and launched her business in 2015 with money from her 401(k) and other savings. She saw the studio as a different way to help people grow. Instead of helping teachers use technology in their classrooms, as she’d done at a D.C. charter school, or providing schools with useful data from her research at Discovery, she’d be teaching people to better understand their bodies and live active, healthier lives. She ran 236

Cycled! while working full-time at Discovery until early last year, about a month after she opened her second studio.

Cornick says most of her classes are filled with people in their late 20s to early 40s, though she once had a teenager who was training for a triathlon and came in with her mother. A 50-yearold woman, who started coming to Cycled! while going through a divorce, sometimes takes two classes a day. “For her, it’s like a stress reliever, it’s her happy place,” Cornick says. “People come for different reasons. That’s one of the things I really love about my job.”

Since riders sit or stand while pedaling, indoor cycling is a low-impact workout, Cornick says, and her classes usually include arm strengthening moves and “dancing,” which happens on the bike and may just involve leaning to one side. The bikes are equipped with Bluetooth technology, and riders get an email after class with stats that include their heart rate and average revolutions per minute.

One of the first things Cornick tells cycling newcomers at her studio is that the bike seat can cause soreness. “If your body’s not used to being on seats of that size for an extended period of time, it will hurt anybody. People are always like, oh, I need more cushion or less cushion. No, it’s everybody, it does not discriminate—does not matter the size, the shape, the anything.” Riders adjust to the seat over time, she says.

Cornick, who sings while she teaches, hasn’t forgotten what it was like when she first started cycling and her body ached. “I remember being in class and everybody else going really fast and knowing what to do, and I’m like, wait, what? How do I do that?” she says. Now she tells riders in her classes, “You have one goal, and that’s to keep pedaling. Well, two—to not throw your water bottle at me.” n

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MRS. BRACE FACE After three years of orthodontics in middle school, our writer needed more as an adult. And Invisalign alone wasn’t enough.

BY LEAH ARINIELLO | ILLUSTRATION BY SCOTT POLLACK

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If you’re looking for an unvarnished opinion, ask your children. Or don’t ask. Either way, they’ll probably tell you exactly what they think.

A few years ago, my son, who was 12, and daughter, then 9, were both undergoing orthodontic treatment and had braces on the brain. “Really, you had braces?” my son asked me with overthe-top bewilderment. “Your teeth are definitely crooked,” my daughter concluded after a careful inspection with her hand and nose, practically reaching my tonsils. “Thanks,” I responded.

“Make your own dinner.”

After a closer look in the mirror, I realized that my kids were annoyingly astute—my teeth did appear crowded and crooked. So I decided to consult their Bethesda orthodontist, Carmine Petrarca, despite being in my early 40s, despite the fact that I had already endured large silver braces and headgear for three years in middle school. Petrarca determined that 240

my teeth had shifted due to factors he sees in many older patients—I had stopped wearing my retainers in college, and I was clenching and grinding my teeth (thanks again, kids). As a result, my face ached and the look and health of my smile were going downhill.

I chose to fix these problems with another round of orthodontics, and an increasing number of adults are right there with me. More than 1.4 million adults in the U.S. and Canada received treatment in 2014, a record high and a 67 percent increase from 1989, according to the most recent data available from the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO). “A lot of people come in caring about cosmetics,” Petrarca says, “but that’s really the icing on the cake.”

What’s more important, he explains, is how orthodontics in adults can correct tooth and jaw alignment and improve underlying health problems. Treatment can help with pain, plaque buildup

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

and periodontal disease. It can prevent damage to the teeth, even tooth and bone loss. While I didn’t like the look of my teeth, more worrisome was the misalignment, which was causing my jaw pain and could have led to premature tooth loss.

Still, it was a hard decision. I had flashbacks to my younger years in braces, when I would eat yogurt for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert because my teeth were so sore that it was even painful to chew a soft french fry. I mastered smiling with my lips closed since I was certain that my braces drew all eyes to my nose, somehow supersizing its appearance. This time, for a large part of the process I’d be able to use Invisalign, clear aligners that are barely noticeable. No wires, no metal. The popular treatment involves customized and removable plastic trays that snap tightly over the upper and lower teeth. The trays are changed out every week or two, slowly shifting the teeth into alignment. But I couldn’t start Invisalign right away. First

PHOTO BY DEB LINDSEY

I

Bethesda orthodontist Carmine Petrarca, pictured with patient Amy Jackson, used to treat mostly children.

Now about 30 percent of his patients are adults.

I had flashbacks to my younger years in braces, when I would eat yogurt for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert because my teeth were so sore that it was even painful to chew a soft french fry.

PHOTO COURTESY AUTHOR

I’d need a bite plate and traditional metal braces. Braces. Never did I imagine that I’d be in braces again. What about french fries? And the treatment would be expensive. I could think of a lot of ways to spend that money. There was a used convertible for sale up the street. I’d always wanted to go to Italy. I really needed a new kitchen counter. Instead, I was getting braces. As a grown-up.

WHEN PETRARCA STARTED practicing in Bethesda in 1980, he mostly treated children, but adults now account for about 30 percent of his patients.

He says adult interest in orthodontics “jumped dramatically once Invisalign came into vogue in 1998,” and most adults who come in, myself included, request it. He treated himself with the technique when he was in his 50s.

At my consultation, Petrarca explained that Invisalign alone wouldn’t be enough for me. My clenching and grinding habits had caused my teeth to collapse inward, creating an overbite. For the first several months of my treatment, before using Invisalign, I had to wear a bite plate, a removable appliance that snapped across the roof of my mouth and slightly shifted the upper teeth away from the bottom. I also needed braces on my bottom teeth for about seven months to help align and level my bottom arch.

“You can probably correct an overbite 60 to 70 percent with Invisalign,” Petrarca says. “But you can’t correct it 100 percent unless you use bottom braces to get the lower jaw perfectly level.”

The bite plate reminded me of the college retainer that I wore on my top teeth. I could easily pop it in and out, and mostly wore it in private. On the other hand, wearing braces again felt odd at first—and my kids didn’t help. When they first saw

my metal mouth, they gave me that look of, Oh my God, could our mother be any more embarrassing? But besides mortifying my children and the metal making my teeth appear gray, I didn’t really mind them after a few days. At one point, my daughter, son and I were all in metal braces, and it helped expand our dinnertime conversation beyond schoolwork.

They were debating what color elastics they should get next, and they both thought it was weird that I wanted the least noticeable color. “Should I try hot pink then?” I asked, just to see their reaction. No, they said, that would be double weird for an adult. Can’t win.

When I finally got Invisalign, I appreciated how easily I could remove the upper and lower trays. I felt very little discomfort, if any, when I started using new ones, and my eagle-eyed kids didn’t even detect them at first. Other people who’ve used Invisalign also found that the trays were virtually invisible, including Erin Mikulak-Raimundo, an assistant vice president at Chevy Chase Trust. The 43-year-old Rockville resident wore the appliances for eight months to correct an alignment issue that was making her top teeth loose. She felt self-conscious the first day and told everyone she came in contact with that she was wearing the aligners. But then she stopped mentioning it. “No one seemed to notice,” she says. “I wore them in meetings and everything.”

I kept my aligners in religiously, taking them out only to brush, floss, eat and drink anything other than water. Invisalign recommends wearing the aligners 20 to 22 hours daily to obtain the best results. As someone who likes to nurse coffee and snack all day, this was challenging. The first few weeks I actually lost 5 pounds. You can’t even get away with

Leah Ariniello in middle school.

sipping a smoothie or spritzer—I tried drinking white wine through a straw with the aligners in place and they yellowed.

I also had to be a dedicated brusher and flosser. That was the one good thing about braces: I could eat whenever I wanted, without having to worry about finding a bathroom to deal with them, like I did with the aligners. I always carried supplies with me in order to clean the aligners before I put them back in after eating and drinking. If I wasn’t diligent, the aligners would quickly become gunky and start to smell. I also needed “attachments” with my Invisalign. Practitioners sometimes use these small bulges of dental bonding to help move or rotate teeth that aligners alone can’t fix.

At first the bulges weren’t noticeable, but after several months they stained light brown and my kids would report that I had food stuck in my teeth, not realizing it was just the attachments.

“INVISALIGN IS A GREAT tool for minor crowding and minor spacing issues,” says Rockville orthodontist Frederick Fritz, “but even if Invisalign is not an option, there are a lot of other things we can do that are easy and comfortable for adult patients.” There are traditional metal braces, like I had, which are much improved since my middle school days and tend to be the least expensive choice.

Today’s versions use a much smaller bracket attachment on each tooth. Clear braces, generally made of a ceramic material, are also available, and they don’t stain like they once did, Fritz says. I considered clear braces for my bottom teeth, but Petrarca told me they were not an option for my situation. The material in the clear braces is harder than tooth enamel, and because I clench and grind my teeth I would risk chipping them on the clear

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health brackets. With traditional braces, the metal wears down, not the teeth. Orthodontists can also place braces behind, instead of outside the teeth. These “lingual braces” are making a comeback, according to Fritz. Newer versions are gentler on the tongue and are only used on the front top or bottom teeth when the back teeth are in good shape. “It’s a nice aesthetic option that can do a little more than Invisalign without a patient having to undergo a full set of braces,” he says.

There are also ways to speed up treatment, Fritz says, such as wearing “self-ligating” braces. Traditional braces have three parts: the small bracket,

lead to tooth loss.

“I flossed all the time, but because my teeth were so crowded I still had issues,” he says. At first, braces made McCormick, a nurse, feel self-conscious in public and around his patients. “I felt goofy with braces at my age,” he says. Soon he noticed that the braces opened up a dialogue. “A lot of people were very curious about my treatment and talked to me about how they wanted to improve their own appearance.” After two years of treatment, McCormick’s braces were removed in June 2016. “My periodontal issues have really improved, and even when I had the braces on, people were commenting [on]

At one point, my daughter, son and I were all in metal braces, and it helped expand our dinnertime conversation beyond schoolwork. which is placed on each tooth; a wire that applies pressure; and a band, usually elastic, that connects the wire to the bracket. Self-ligating braces, which come in a metal or clear version, have special brackets with built-in clips to hold the wire. This eliminates the need for elastics, which can cause friction between the brackets and the wire, slowing the movement of the teeth. The brackets in self-ligating braces are able to slide more freely along the wire, applying a more consistent, lighter force and shortening treatment time. According to Fritz, these systems can cut treatment time by about six months. “It’s a big difference,” he says.

Stephen McCormick, 50, had orthodontic issues that couldn’t be treated with clear aligners, so he had to wear a full set of braces. He says the results far outweighed the inconvenience.

The Rockville resident needed braces growing up, but his family couldn’t afford them. For years, McCormick was unhappy with the look of his crooked smile, and the crowding of his teeth led to periodontal issues as he aged. Bacteria can cause gum damage and eventually 242

how nice my teeth look,” he says. “I feel really good about myself.”

RESEARCH SUGGESTS THAT MANY people believe an attractive smile can lead to improved relationships and professional success. A 2012 survey of American adults commissioned by the AAO found that more than one-third of the 1,000 respondents were unhappy with their smile, and many believed that better teeth could lead to a better social life and professional success. The survey revealed that 77 percent of women thought crooked teeth were worse than a receding hairline when it came to a potential love interest. It also found that 22 percent of Americans who were unhappy with their smile thought that fixing their teeth would improve their love life; 14 percent believed they might be missing out on a better job.

In 34 years of practicing, Lisa DeMarco says she has seen how orthodontics can be life-altering at any age.

“We have seen amazing transformations,” says DeMarco, an orthodontist who practices in Silver Spring. “People

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

look younger, happier, healthier, and have boosts in confidence.” One of her patients came for treatment at age 83 after taking care of a dying spouse for months. “She said, ‘Now it’s time for me,’ ” DeMarco says. After treatment, the patient went overseas, met someone and remarried.

Although most adults—no matter their age—can benefit from orthodontic treatment, there are some caveats.

First, patients need healthy bones and gums to withstand the pressures that are applied to move their teeth, Petrarca says. Bethesda resident Amy Jackson says several orthodontists she consulted told her that she’d need surgery before orthodontic treatment in order to align her jaws. Jackson, 54, had braces at 16, but the treatment didn’t completely fix her bite. Over time it became even worse from clenching and grinding. She experienced pain, and her rear molars were becoming ground down.

“I also noticed that my top teeth were becoming more and more like buck teeth, which was how my teeth looked as a kid,” she says. “I wanted to do something, but I was worried about the risk of surgery.” The procedure, she says, would have required shaving the bone in her upper jaw near the sinuses to realign the teeth and fix her bite. “The surgery is very invasive, and I read that there is a risk for issues and pain afterwards,” she says. Jackson ended up choosing Invisalign, even though she knew the results would not be perfect. “My orthodontist said surgery would be ideal, but if I was really against surgery, I could still improve my bite significantly.” Jackson started her treatment in October 2016, and it was expected to continue for 15 to 18 months. Her pain has diminished already, and her teeth are straighter. “I wish I did this a long time ago,” she says.

Another consideration is the expense.

Adult orthodontics typically cost around $5,000 to $7,000, according to the latest survey data from the American Dental Association. I paid around $6,000 for my treatment (including the initial consultation, X-rays, all dental appliances, office

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visits and my retainers) after receiving 20 percent off as part of a family discount.

Dental insurance and flexible spending accounts may help offset the expense, and some practitioners offer payment plans. It can also pay to seek several consultations before deciding on a provider since fees and treatment plans can differ.

I met with three orthodontists when my son needed braces, and each offered a different plan and price. I ended up choosing Petrarca to treat my children (and myself) because of his experience.

Some dentists offer clear aligner treatment, but it’s a good idea to check how much extra training they’ve had in orthodontics. A dentist can provide Invisalign after completing a one-day course and some online and self-directed course work. In addition to any Invisalign training, orthodontists complete two to three years of specialized training beyond dental school and have an expertise in straightening teeth

Ariniello, pictured after she completed her treatment, went to Petrarca when she was in her early 40s.

and aligning jaws. “I think it makes sense to go to the discipline with the expertise,” says longtime Bethesda orthodontist Peter Coccaro Jr. “I doubt anyone would want me to set their broken arm.”

Once my treatment was complete, I was surprised to find out that I’d need to keep wearing retainers. Forever. In the past, orthodontists recommended that patients wear retainers for maybe a year or two, but Petrarca told me the thinking changed in the 1980s. Wearing retainers for a year after treatment helps keep teeth straight. However, it’s

now recommended that adults wear retainers nightly for the rest of their lives, or as long as possible, to prevent any changes that can happen over time.

“The majority of people clench or grind their teeth at night, so you need to wear something to prevent that and keep the teeth in place,” Petrarca says. I’ve been wearing my retainers for several months now, and over time they’ve become a comforting habit and seem to help me sleep better. If I happen to nod off without them, I end up jerking awake to put them in.

My treatment wrapped up in the summer of 2016, after nearly two years, but even with the downsides I would do it again. I have no more jaw pain and my teeth are straight. Even my kids are impressed. “They look good,” my daughter told me. “Just a little yellow.” ■ Leah Ariniello is a science and health writer based in Bethesda.

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health

health

wellness

CALENDAR COMPILED BY SANDRA FLEISHMAN

East Silver Spring Elementary, Silver Spring. leosrun.org.

Feb. 10 CUPID’S CHASE 5K. Community Options Inc. invites runners, walkers and rollers (baby strollers and wheelchairs) to help raise funds to support people with disabilities.

8 a.m. registration. 10 a.m. race. $30 in advance; $40 on race day. Wheaton Regional Park, Wheaton. 301-656-3997, comop.org/ cupidschase.

Feb. 18 KEMP MILL C(HILLS) 5K/10K. Both races start and finish at Kemp Mill Elementary School, looping through the neighborhood on open roads. 9-10:30 a.m. $10; $5 for younger than 18; free for members of Montgomery County Road Runners Club.

Kemp Mill Elementary School, Silver Spring. mcrrc.org.

The New Year’s Day 5K has a 10 a.m. start time so you can sleep in a bit after ringing in the new year.

Jan. 1 NEW YEAR’S DAY 5K. Start the year with a new commitment to running. 10 a.m. $10; $5 for younger than 18; free for members of Montgomery County Road Runners Club.

Manna Food Center, Gaithersburg. mcrrc.org.

Jan. 6 AL LEWIS 10-MILER. The out-and-back course runs along Rock Creek Trail. 9 a.m. Free in advance for members of D.C. Road Runners Club; $10 for nonmembers. Race-day registration is $10 for DCRRC members; $15 for nonmembers. Ken-Gar Palisades Park, Kensington. dcroadrunners.org.

Jan. 13 DCRRC JFK 20K AND MLK 5K. The out-andback races take place on the C&O Canal towpath. 9 a.m. for the 5K, 10 a.m. for the 20K. $10 for either race; free for members of D.C. Road Runners Club. Race start is at the far southeast end of the Carderock Recreation Area, Carderock. dcroadrunners.org.

Feb. 4 LEO’S RUN 5K RUN/WALK. The fourth annual run in memory of Leo Michael Mowery honors and supports families coping with loss. Leo was stillborn on Feb. 2, 2014. The race starts at East Silver Spring Elementary School, heads to Sligo Creek Park and ends at the school. 9 a.m. $20. Fees go toward a memorial garden and to a scholarship fund for children who have lost a sibling.

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RISE AND SHINE WALKING PROGRAM. Among Suburban Hospital’s programs aimed at improving seniors’ health. 8:30-9:30 a.m.

Wednesdays. Free. Registered participants receive free blood pressure screenings.

Lakeforest Mall, Gaithersburg. 301-8963939, events.suburbanhospital.org.

SCREENINGS/CLASSES/ WORKSHOPS Jan. 2-March 27 SENIOR SHAPE: ADVANCED AEROBICS/ STRETCH/STRENGTH. The six-week program is taught by a certified instructor through Suburban Hospital. All participants should be able to perform floor work. A mat, weights and a resistance band are required. 10-10:45 a.m. Tuesdays. $40 for the entire session.

Wisconsin Place Community Recreation Center, Chevy Chase. Registration required.

301-896-3939, events.suburbanhospital.org.

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Jan. 6 WHY DON’T MY KIDS LISTEN TO ME? An introduction to the nonprofit Parent Encouragement Program. 3-4:30 p.m. Free.

Kensington Baptist Church, Kensington.

301-929-8824, pepparent.org.

Jan. 9 GRIEVING MINDFULLY. Explore the practice of mindfulness and how it can be helpful in handling grief. Participants should be at least three months beyond the time of their loss. 6:30-8 p.m. Free to anyone living or working in Montgomery County. Montgomery Hospice, Rockville. 301-921-4400, montgomeryhospice.org.

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Jan. 25 SHINGLES: MORE THAN A RASH. About a million new cases of shingles develop each year in the U.S. While there’s a tendency to treat shingles as just a rash, it needs timely treatment to avoid potentially serious long-term consequences. Internist Janna Lachtchinina discusses its causes, signs, symptoms, treatments and prevention. 1-2 p.m. Free. Rockville Senior Center, Rockville.

Registration requested. 301-896-3939, events.suburbanhospital.org.

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Feb. 6 and March 6 A SPOONFUL OF SUGAR DISCUSSION PROGRAM. A two-part integrative medicine series explores concerns around sugar in our diets: its role in cancer, metabolism and more. Also, quick and healthy dessert recipes for satisfying a sweet tooth. Free. 3-4:30 p.m. Shady Grove Adventist Aquilino Cancer Center, Rockville. Registration required. 240623-2099, adventisthealthcare.com/sugar.

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Feb. 21 GIVE BLOOD: NATIONAL DAY OF GIVING. Suburban Hospital asks for blood donations during the National Day of Giving. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. To schedule a blood donation appointment, call 301-896-2849.

Suburban Hospital, Bethesda. events.suburbanhospital.org.

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health Feb. 21 16TH ANNUAL WOMEN’S SYMPOSIUM. In honor of Heart Month, join an expert panel of physicians from Suburban Hospital and Johns Hopkins Medicine as they discuss how women can take a unique approach in improving their overall health and well-being.

6:30-8 p.m. Free. Chevy Chase Club, Chevy Chase. Registration required. 301-896-3939, events.suburbanhospital.org.

Feb. 22 KEEPING YOUR EYES HEALTHY: HOW TO PREVENT & REVERSE EYE CONDITIONS. It’s no secret that vision declines with age. Ophthalmologist Neal Adams reviews the essentials for eye health as well as prevention and treatment options for macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and other common eye conditions. 1-2 p.m.

Free. Rockville Senior Center, Rockville.

Registration requested. 301-896-3939, events.suburbanhospital.org.

SUPPORT GROUPS Support groups are free unless otherwise noted.

Jan. 2 and Feb. 6 BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP. 6:308 p.m. Hope Connections for Cancer Support, Bethesda. 301-634-7500, hopeconnectionsforcancer.org.

Jan. 2 and Feb. 6 STROKE SUPPORT GROUP. For survivors and caregivers. 7-9 p.m. Suburban Hospital, Bethesda. 301-896-3939, events. suburbanhospital.org.

Jan. 8 and Feb. 12 OVARIAN/GYN CANCERS SUPPORT GROUP. For patients, caregivers and family members.

6:30-8 p.m. Hope Connections for Cancer Support, Bethesda. 301-634-7500, hopeconnectionsforcancer.org.

Jan. 10 and Feb. 14 DIABETES SUPPORT & CONTINUING EDUCATION. Learn new self-management strategies and share information with others.

Healthy refreshments are served. 6:30-8 p.m. Suburban Hospital, Bethesda. 301-8963939, events.suburbanhospital.org.

Jan. 11, 25 and Feb. 8, 22 YOUNG ADULTS WITH CANCER SUPPORT GROUP. For patients currently undergoing treatment. 6:30-8 p.m. Hope Connections for Cancer Support, Bethesda. 301-634-7500, hopeconnectionsforcancer.org.

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Jan. 16-Feb. 20 AFTERNOON GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP. The six-week group is open to anyone grieving the death of a loved one. Please wait three months after the death. 1:30-3 p.m.

Tuesdays. $25. Faith United Methodist Church, Rockville. Registration required.

301-921-4400, montgomeryhospice.org.

Jan. 17-Feb. 28 LOSS OF A CHILD SUPPORT GROUP. A sixweek group for parents grieving the death of a child of any age. Please wait three months after the death. 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesdays (no meeting on Feb. 14.) $25. Montgomery Hospice, Rockville. Registration required.

301-921-4400, montgomeryhospice.org.

Jan. 17-Feb. 28 EVENING GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP. A six-week group for those grieving the death of a loved one. Please wait three months after the death. 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesdays (no meeting on Feb. 14). $25. Montgomery Hills Baptist Church, Silver Spring. Registration required.

301-921-4400, montgomeryhospice.org.

Jan. 18 and Feb. 15 PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP. For patients currently undergoing treatment.

6:30-8 p.m. Hope Connections for Cancer Support, Bethesda. 301-634-7500, hopeconnectionsforcancer.org.

Jan. 31 and Feb. 28 DIABETES SUPPORT GROUP + EAT WELL FOR HEALTH CLASS. Join this support group, facilitated by a registered dietitian, for a cooking demonstration led by Adventist HealthCare Executive Chef Jeff Whary. 5:30 p.m. Adventist HealthCare Washington Adventist Hospital, Takoma Park. Registration required. 301-891-6105. adventisthealthcare.com/eatwell.

Feb. 7-March 28 WINTER CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP. The eight-week series includes sessions with speakers and time for questions and discussion. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Wednesdays. OASIS at Macy’s Home Store, on the second floor, Westfield Montgomery mall, Bethesda. Registration required.

301-469-6800, ext. 211; oasisnet.org/ washington-dc-area.

Ongoing CANCER CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP. 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesdays; noon-1:30 p.m.

Thursdays. Hope Connections for Cancer Support, Bethesda. 301-634-7500, hopeconnectionsforcancer.org. ■ To submit calendar items, go to www.

BethesdaMagazine.com.

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Featured Dentists

Featured Dentists

PROFILES

Jill Bruno,

TONY J. LEWIS

DMD, MSEd See Profile page 254

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Featured Dentists

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Mark Taff, DDS; Brad Levine, DDS; Hilari Dunn, DDS & Janice Grossman, DDS TAFF & LEVINE DDS, PA

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“Let us give you something to smile about! Let us give you something to brag about!”

AWARDS AND HONORS Best Dentistry Group/Practice, Best of Bethesda Readers' Poll, Bethesda Magazine, 2017

7811 Montrose Road, Suite 300 Potomac, MD 20854 301-530-3717 taffandlevine@comcast.net www.taffandlevine

MICHAEL VENTURA

What brings you the most satisfaction in your work?

Voted the “Best Dentistry Group/Practice” in 2017 in the Bethesda Magazine “Best of Bethesda Readers’ Poll” is very gratifying, as it lets us know we are serving our patients in a most exemplary fashion. We are constantly striving to “wow” our patients and make the experience in our office like no other. We are committed to creating an environment where one can attain state-of-the-art, full-service dental care, in a relaxing atmosphere, surrounded by caring doctors and staff. In our new Potomac office, we have created a 21st-century modern work space. With HD TVs in every operatory, we are better able to explain and show oral issues that need attention and our in-house CAT Scan allows for more accurate diagnostics when problems arise.

Our goal is to deliver first-class dentistry in a conservative fashion to all who seek the best. It’s an incredible feeling to see a patient that thought this kind of dentistry was out of their reach, transform into a person with a vibrant and youthful smile! It is very satisfying to know we have built a multi-generational practice spanning over 40 years that is consistently recognized in the community.

Our new VIP Membership Plan gives our existing and new patients a way to reduce the cost of most dental procedures without compromising the needed treatment they deserve.

Let us give you something to smile about! Let us give you something to brag about! We are confident you will be as proud to be a part of our dental practice as we are to serve you.

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PROFILES

Featured Dentists

Roy Eskow, DDS & Adam Eskow, DDS, MS BETHESDSA DENTAL IMPLANT CENTER What brings you the most satisfaction in your work?

We're part of a family of three generations of dentists and are very proud of our dental heritage. Paramount is building a relationship with each patient. The best part of our day is when a patient tells us how we have positively affected his/her life. We take pride in providing the highest quality dental care in a comfortable environment. We will find the right solution for you—whether it be saving your natural teeth or providing dental implants.

What is your professional and educational background?

Dr. Roy Eskow graduated the University of Maryland School of Dentistry and received his periodontal training at the Boston University School of Graduate Dentistry. Dr. Adam Eskow graduated from the University Maryland School of Dentistry (UMSD) and completed his periodontal training at the University of Texas UTSA. Both are members of the UMSD Deans Faculty and lecture to dental and dental hygiene colleagues.

What is the one thing that your patients should know about you?

We combine longevity and experience with contemporary education. It’s one of the hallmarks of our practice. We deliver only the latest advances and technology in periodontics, dental implants, oral medicine and dental sleep medicine. We’ve been performing periodontal therapy and surgical placement of dental implants at the Bethesda Dental Implant Center for 30 years.

How do you employ new technology to help your patients?

The Pinhole Surgical Technique for treating gum recession and exposed roots is one of our many state-of-the-art services. It allows us to treat gum recession without incisions or sutures. We also use digital x-rays and 3-dimensional CBCT tomography equipment —a dramatic help in diagnosis and treatment. With our new Piezo Electric Unit, we provide minimally invasive therapy, which allows for a quick recovery.

MICHAEL VENTURA

“We specialize in individual care…only seeing one patient at a time.”

AWARDS/HONORS Dr. Roy Eskow: Fellow, American College of Dentists; Fellow, International College of Dentists; University of Maryland School of Dentistry Alumnus of the Year Dr. Adam Eskow: Diplomate of the American Academy of Periodontology, Elected Chair of the Education Committee for the D.C. Dental Society, Leader of the Spear Study Club in Bethesda.

Wyngate Medical Park 5626 Shields Drive, Bethesda, MD 20817 301-493-6200 (Bethesda) | 202-337-0200 (Washington, D.C.) office@perio2implants.com | www.bethesdadentalimplantcenter.com BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

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Dr. Robert Schlossberg, DDS & Dr. Deborah Klotz, DDS BETHESDA SEDATION DENTISTRY

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“Our approach to patient care, raising a family and nurturing our own relationship couldn’t be more rewarding!”

AWARDS AND HONORS Best of Bethesda Readers' Poll, Bethesda Magazine; Winner or “A Top Vote Getter,” 2009, 2011, 2015, 2017

10401 Old Georgetown Road, Suite 200 Bethesda, MD 20814 301-530-2434 sleep@bethesdasedationdentistry.com www.bethesdasedationdentistry.com

TONY J. LEWIS

What is unique about your practice?

If Deb and I had to select a single word that would describe us as a married couple, life partners and business partners, it would be “unique.”

Our paths crossed years ago while students at The George Washington University. We journeyed from college to dental school together at The University of Maryland. There, our like-minded approach to life, learning and dentistry became further solidified. Now, more than 15 years into our practice together, our uniqueness is epitomized as we continue to position ourselves as the premier comprehensive, sedation-driven dental practice in the D.C. metro area.

Our approach to patient care, raising a family and nurturing our own relationship couldn’t be more rewarding! The love and admiration that our children have for each other at home is mirrored in our Dream Team’s warm, caring relationships with one another here at Bethesda Sedation Dentistry. The empathy we have for our patients is a crucial part of the excellent clinical care we all provide.

Even at home on a Saturday, during our boys’ soccer games, we find ourselves with the wonderful opportunity to move easily through conversations about how we are best caring for patients and the complex needs that many present with, and all the while we’re cheering from the sidelines.

We couldn’t imagine life or private practice any other way. It’s our uniqueness that allows us to deliver outstanding care, time and time again.

PROFILES

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Featured Dentists

Andrew L. Schwartz, DMD; Stacia M. Krantz, DDS; Todd C. Wasserman, DDS; Adam J. Eskow, DDS, MS; & Michelle L. Snyder, DDS FALLSGROVE CENTER FOR DENTISTRY What is unique about your practice?

Our practice group contains a unique team of leading dentists in the Washington metropolitan area, who focus on providing quality care to all of our patients. At Fallsgrove Center for Dentistry, we have dentists that specialize in multiple areas. With the ability to combine a variety of specialists, such as a board-certified orthodontist and a board-certified periodontist in the same office, we are able to provide patients with top-notch comprehensive care, while reducing the number of office visits required.

HILARY SCHWAB

What makes you different than others in your profession?

Our dentists have been recognized as the leading dentists in their field, notably in Consumer Checkbook Magazine, Washingtonian, The American College of Dentists, and The International College of Dentists.

Patients work with our doctors to review their options and treatment plans, and are offered various advanced orthodontic, periodontal and restorative dental procedures that are individually tailored to each patient’s dental needs.

How do you employ new technology to help your patients?

We pride ourselves in offering the latest dental technology, procedures and dental treatment plans to provide stunning results, consistently striving to exceed our patients’ expectations.

Our dentists are devoted to providing patients with superior results while reducing any apprehension associated with receiving oral care. Our highly trained and personable hygiene team work alongside our dentists to educate the patient regarding excellent oral care maintenance throughout their lifetime.

“We pride ourselves in offering the latest dental technology, procedures and dental treatment plans to provide stunning results, consistently striving to exceed our patients’ expectations”

14955 Shady Grove Road, Suite 200 Rockville, MD 20850 301-610-9909 info@fallsgrovedentistry.com www.fallsgrovedentistry.com

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Jill Bruno, DMD, MSEd What is the one thing patients should know about you?

My goal is to provide an exceptional experience from the moment a patient walks through the door. Our office is serene, light-filled and open, where children, teenagers and adults feel comfortable, whether their treatment includes braces, Invisalign or something in between.

I am proud to announce the opening of our Adult Treatment Suite where we focus on individualized plans using the latest technology to decrease treatment time with outstanding results.

Our children and teen patients like our special events and the Bruno Bucks Reward Program, and our adult patients love being treated like adults!

5454 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 1260 Chevy Chase, MD 20815 301-656-3310 | receptionist@brunosmiles.com www.brunosmiles.com

TONY J. LEWIS

How would your patients describe you?

Committed to excellence, warm and detail oriented. Hilary O. recently posted, “Dr. Bruno is extremely caring and knowledgeable in her field. My daughter and I are both in treatment and couldn’t be happier!”

Derek Blank, DDS DC PEDIATRIC SMILES

5640 Shields Dr. Bethesda, MD 20817 301-363-9026 | smile@dcpediatricsmiles.com www.dcpediatricsmiles.com 254

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MICHAEL VENTURA

What is unique about your practice?

At DC Pediatric Smiles our motto is simple: your child’s visit should be as easy as a trip to the beach. Our team is committed to providing children with a fun, approachable introduction to dentistry. As a father of three young kids, I understand the importance of connecting with my patients to ensure that their first impression of the dentist is positive.

Our office has a bright, clean, beach house vibe. I’d love to use the word “gnarly” but don’t think I can say that with a straight face. In all seriousness, having a brand new, modern design really helps our team set the tone immediately with families.

As a board-certified pediatric dentist, I rely strongly on evidence-based training to care for patients. Parents play a key role in our practice’s teamapproach to treatment. Ultimately, we all share the common goal of creating a lifetime of happy, healthy smiles!

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PROFILES

Featured Dentists

John J. Higgins, DDS What is one thing that patients should know about you?

My practice is centered on excellence in patient care.

It is not only about using the latest technology to provide superior contemporary and comprehensive care.

Our delivery of patient care is a continuum that begins with the initial contact with the office and proceeds through the building of long-term relationships with our patients. Living in an ever changing world brings a lot of excitement to the practice. I belong to three dental study clubs and I am president of one, to keep up with new techniques and technology. Reinventing oneself is most rewarding. Appreciating every day as if it were a gift are my words to live by. At the end of the day, I feel like I have just seen old friends.

What is the biggest challenge in your job?

While we are not contracted by the insurance companies to provide dental services, our office does an excellent job of navigating the benefit levels of our patients’ insurance coverages. Because we are a nonnetwork office, we can provide the patient with a wide range of services and our patients are able to achieve a greater level of health. Most importantly, the patient education of how their dental health affects their general health is an ongoing discussion.

What are your interests outside of work?

It doesn’t get better than watching my family grow up, playing with my grandchildren and coaching and going to the sports events that have shaped their lives.

Fly fishing is my Zen. I belong to Trout Unlimited and I am a board member of my local chapter. Preserving cold water fisheries is gardening for the future.

“Our delivery of patient care is a continuum that begins with the initial contact with the office and proceeds through the building of long-term relationships with our patients.”

DARREN HIGGINS

EDUCATION Providence College, Georgetown University School of Dentistry

5648 Shields Drive | Bethesda, MD 20817 301-530-8008 | johnjhigginsdds.com BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

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Jason A. Cohen, DDS What brings you the most satisfaction in your work?

Our philosophy has always been to Treat Your Family Like Family—and that's not an empty promise! We want to provide the best dental treatment with all the care, skill and judgment we would want for our own families. We do this from start to finish—on the phone, in our office, throughout your treatment—we live our mantra every day.

It’s very satisfying that our philosophy is such a win-win for everyone, our team and our patients. We see it in people’s smiles, in their wonderful feedback and when they bring their children and friends to us.

5530 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 560 Chevy Chase, MD 20815 301-656-1201 | drcohen@cosmeticdds.com www.cosmeticdds.com

MICHAEL VENTURA

What makes you different than others in your profession?

Besides our commitment to Treating Your Like Family, our team offers a calming, caring and gentle atmosphere that allows you to relax and enjoy your experience, as we preserve, protect and enhance your dental health.

Kate Nematollahi, DDS Amir Sarkarzadeh, MS, DDS RENEW32 COSMETIC & FAMILY DENTISTRY What is your professional and educational background?

Dr. Amir Sarkarzadeh and I both grew up in Bethesda and graduated from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry. We completed postdoctoral programs and specialty programs at the University of Michigan.

We’ve been practicing dentistry for over 20 years and believe the way to achieve a healthy, radiant smile shouldn’t be through anxiety-filled appointments, but through informative, relaxed and pampered visits. Our practice offers everything from routine cleanings to total smile makeovers in a calming atmosphere.

7201 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 310 | Bethesda, MD 20814 301-986-0032 | drkate@renew32.com www.renew32.com 256

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LISA HELFERT

How would your patients describe you?

Here are a few direct quotes: “Dr. Kate is super knowledgeable, gentle, thorough and patient. She gives great advice and genuinely cares for her patient's health.”

“Dr. Amir was highly recommended for a root canal. I felt so confident and informed throughout the procedure, and so relaxed, that time flew! If I ever need another, I wouldn’t go to anyone else.”

PROFILES

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Featured Dentists

Shailja Dhir Ensor, DDS; Timothy Johnson, DMD; Lauren Lewis, DDS; Jessica Weber, DDS; Sangita Doshi, DDS; & Jennifer Matelis, DDS DRS. ENSOR, JOHNSON & LEWIS

DARREN HIGGINS

What makes you different from others in your profession?

We are so excited to win Bethesda Magazine’s Best of Bethesda Readers’ Poll for the third consecutive year for both categories—Best Orthodontist and Best Pediatric Dentist! Thank you to our patients and readers of the magazine for this honor!

Our team provides comprehensive care for the entire family in one practice and in one location. We ensure a positive dental experience for your family as you transition throughout your life.

Our pediatric dentists, Drs. Ensor, Lewis and Doshi, create a fun and nurturing environment.

Kids love coming to our office! When a family member needs orthodontic care, Dr. Johnson provides the latest technologies, including Invisalign. Orthodontics are an integral part of our practice and provide continuity of care for patients. Drs. Weber and Matelis focus on creating healthy and beautiful smiles for all our adult patients. We provide personalized dental and orthodontic care in-house for all family members, including those with special needs.

The EJL experience is caring, convenient and fun—we love to see our families smile!

What brings you the most satisfaction in your work?

We’re proud to serve entire families and multiple generations with dental and orthodontic care.

Continuing a dental tradition that began almost 50 years ago, we care for patients we first treated as children, who now bring their own kids. Our specialized, highly trained doctors have also been recognized as leading providers of dental care for the special needs community.

It’s very rewarding to maintain a thriving practice and be able to enthusiastically welcome new patients to our friendly and family centered environment.

“The EJL experience is caring, convenient and fun—we love to see our families smile!”

AWARDS AND HONORS Best of Bethesda Readers’ Poll, Bethesda Magazine winner, 2016 and 2017; Best of Bethesda Readers’ Poll winner for Best Orthodontia Practice, 2018; Washingtonian Top Dentist, 2016 and 2017; Best of Washingtonian, 2016

11810 Parklawn Drive, Suite 101 Rockville, MD 20852 301-881-6170 info@ejldental.com www.ejldental.com

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Patrick A. Murray DDS SHADY GROVE DENTAL CARE What is your professional and educational background?

I grew up in Kensington and opened my practice in Rockville in 1986. After graduating from the University of Notre Dame and the University of Maryland Dental School, I spent four years in the U.S. Army. I have enhanced my general dentistry skills over the years and expanded my expertise to include cosmetic and forensic dentistry.

15200 Shady Grove Road, Suite 340 Rockville, MD 20850 301-330-4600 www.shadygrovedentalcare.com

ERICK GIBSON

What makes you different than others in your profession?

Voted a “Top General Dentist” by Washingtonian, I am one of only 10 dentists in Maryland to be accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

I previously served as Training Officer for a National Disaster Medical System team (DMORT Region 3) and also belong to a “Maryland Responds” team and currently serve as a consultant to the Maryland Medical Examiner’s Office in Baltimore as a Forensic Odontologist.

Rad Orthodontics DR. MEHDY RAD, DR. DAVID RAD, DR. CARMINE PETRARCA & DR. SHIVA MOSTOWFI What is unique about your practice?

Rad Orthodontics is known for custom treatments, exceptional results and shorter treatment times. Combining high-quality techniques with personal care sets us apart. We are both science-driven and sincere: we use only the most proven and sophisticated materials and systems, and we genuinely care for our patients. Our unrivaled reputation for excellence in a fun atmosphere has established us as a leader in contemporary orthodontics for more than a decade.

We are proud to have earned Invisalign® Super Elite Provider status year after year, a distinction awarded only to the top 1 percent of Invisalign® providers nationwide.

7201 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 500 | Bethesda, MD 20814 301-656-1600 | radical@radsmile.com | www.radsmile.com additional offices in College Park, Gaithersburg, North Bethesda and Potomac 258

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COURTESY PHOTO

How would your patients describe you?

Routinely, we hear patients say that we’re fun and friendly, and that they appreciate us making time to discuss options and answer all their questions. We love that many new patients arrive with glowing personal referrals from our current patients.

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PROFILES

Featured Dentists

Peter Kwon, DDS & Crystal Carpenter Kwon, DMD COMPLETE DENTAL CARE OF BETHESDA What are your interests outside of work?

Dr. Carpenter: I run marathons with my running group. I’ve completed four full marathons in two years of running. I’m looking forward to running more marathons in the coming years, too.

Dr. Kwon: I’m from Rockville and attended the University of Maryland so I’m a big Redskins, Wizards and Terps fan.

How would your patients describe you?

We’re both very easygoing and patient. We strive to be totally informative with all our patients. The most important lesson in dentistry is to learn to listen to your patients before you start talking. We like our patients to ask as many questions as possible. We love talking dentistry. We believe the more informed our patients are, more comfortable they will be with us.

What is your professional and educational background?

Dr. Kwon: I attended the University of Maryland Dental School and completed my residency in Advanced Education in General Dentistry at Maryland, too. If I wasn’t a dentist, I’d be a teacher. I’d love to teach at a dental school later in my career and have the best of both worlds.

Dr. Carpenter: After graduating from University of Pittsburgh Dental School, I met Peter while we were both residents at the University of Maryland. I had my own practice, then joined Peter at our Bethesda office in 2008.

What brings you the most satisfaction in your work?

We love working together as husband and wife, business partners and colleagues. We also love seeing our patients leave our office with big smile on their faces.

HILARY SCHWAB

“The most important lesson in dentistry is to learn to listen to your patients before you start talking” 8120 Woodmont Ave. Suite 110 Bethesda, MD 20814 301-657-9116 | text 240-630-4669 www.peterkwondds.com BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

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Jay Samuels, DDS What brings you the most satisfaction in your work?

I find satisfaction in going above and beyond traditional dentistry, spending time with patients and educating them on the direct link between their oral health and overall health. In a world where patients have less say in their health care, I strive to give personalized and conservative treatment in a comfortable setting, using the latest in dental equipment and technology.

I also focus on preventative measures to help patients keep a natural, healthy smile for many years.

How would your patients describe you?

Genuine, understanding, committed and a good communicator. Kristin M. recently said, “Dr. Samuels will make you feel comfortable during any procedure. You can expect the use of cutting-edge technology and techniques to get the job done in the best way possible. I used to dislike going to the dentist, but he has made each visit as painless as possible.”

11140 Rockville Pike, Suite 510 | North Bethesda, MD 20852 301-881-4200 | www.drjsamuels.com | drj@drjsamuels.co

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DENTIST

FINDER

Your Guide to Leading Dentists in the Bethesda Area

GENERAL DENTISTRY, COSMETIC DENTISTRY

PERIODONTICS, DENTAL IMPLANTS

DR. JASON A. COHEN

DR. ROY ESKOW

Jason A. Cohen, D.D.S.

5530 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 560 Chevy Chase, MD 20815 301-656-1201 www.cosmeticdds.com

Dental School: University of Maryland Dental School Expertise: Treating Your Family Like Family. Our practice focuses on General, Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry. Our goal is to preserve, protect and enhance your dental health by creating a caring and gentle atmosphere where the level of treatment is second to none.

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Bethesda Dental Implant Center 5626 Shields Drive Bethesda, MD 20817 301-493-6200 www.bethesdadentalimplantcenter.com

Dental School: University of Maryland School of Dentistry Expertise: We provide state of the art periodontal therapy in a comfortable and caring environment. 30 years experience in dental implant surgery, periodontics, oral medicine, dental sleep apnea.

Paramount is building a quality relationship with each and every patient.

TONY J. LEWIS

AWARDS 2013, 2015, 2017, “A Top Vote Getter,” Best of Bethesda Readers’ Poll, Bethesda Magazine ; 2015, 2017 “Top Doctor,” Washingtonian

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

DENTIST PROFILES

FINDER Featured Dentists

Your Guide to Leading Dentists in the Bethesda Area

GENERAL DENTISTRY, COSMETIC DENTISTRY

GENERAL DENTISTRY

DR. JOHN J. HIGGINS

DR. KATE NEMATOLLAHI

John J. Higgins, DDS PA

RENEW32

5648 Shields Drive Bethesda, MD 20817 301-530-8008 www.johnjhigginsdds.com

Dental School: Georgetown University Expertise: Provide patients with excellent care and health education in a contemporary and comfortable atmosphere

7201 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 310 Bethesda, MD 20814 301-986-0032 www.renew32.com

Dental Schools: Univ of Md. School of Dentistry and Univ of Michigan Expertise: I’ve been practicing dentistry for over 20 years and believe the way to achieve a healthy, radiant smile is through informative, relaxed and pampered visits. Our practice offers everything from routine cleanings to total smile makeovers.

COSMETIC DENTISTRY, GENERAL DENTISTRY

ORTHODONTICS

DR. STACIA M. KRANTZ

DR. ANDREW L. SCHWARTZ

Fallsgrove Center for Dentistry

Capitol Orthodontics

14955 Shady Grove Road, Suite 200 Rockville, MD 20850 301-610-9909 www.fallsgrovedentistry.com

Dental School: University of Minnesota School of Dentistry Expertise: Dr. Krantz prides herself in treating her patients like family. Caring, compassionate, personalized treatment with over 20 years of experience in comprehensive family dentistry.

Offices in Rockville and Northwest DC 301.610.9909 (Rockville) 202.758.4746 (DC) www.capitolorthodontics.com

Dental School: University of Pennsylvania Expertise: One of the only American Board certified orthodontists in Mont Co and DC. Specializing in treatment of adults and children as discreetly as possible utilizing the most recent techniques.

No more GOOPY impressions thanks to our 3D scanners!!

COSMETIC DENTISTRY, GENERAL DENTISTRY

GENERAL DENTISTRY

DR. PATRICK A. MURRAY

DR. TODD WASSERMAN

Patrick A. Murray DDS PC

Fallsgrove Center for Dentistry

15200 Shady Grove Road, Suite 340 Rockville, MD 20850 301-330-4600 www.shadygrovedentalcare.com

Dental School: University of Maryland School of Dentistry Expertise: We provide a relaxing environment for your dental needs. Every patient is unique, and we are committed to providing you with high quality dental care based on your individual needs.

14955 Shady Grove Road, Suite 200 Rockville, MD 20850 301-610-9909 www.fallsgrovedentistry.com

Dental School: Northwestern University Dental School Expertise: We treat your family like our own, committed to caring for your dental needs by providing you general, cosmetic, and implant dentistry. A contemporary and comfortable environment allows our patients to achieve their dental health and cosmetic dreams.

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restaurants. cooking. food. drinks.

dine

PHOTO BY STACY ZARIN GOLDBERG

La Limeña Grill recently opened in Rockville and serves Peruvian fare, including corn pie with beef, raisins and hard-boiled egg. For our review, turn the page.

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PERUVIAN PALATE La Limeña owner Emma Perez expands her reach with a second Rockville restaurant

BY DAVID HAGEDORN | PHOTOS BY STACY ZARIN GOLDBERG Cookies called alfajores are the signature item at La Limeña Grill.

Overall Rating:

B

LA LIMEÑA GRILL 1093 Rockville Pike, Rockville; 301-417-4922 FAVORITE DISHES: Corn pie with beef, raisins and hardboiled egg; tiradito clasico de aji amarillo (sashimi with yellow pepper sauce); causa (mini mashed-potato towers) sampler; fried trout with garlic; Peruvian pork belly; alfajores PRICES: Appetizers: $8.95 to $16.95; entrées: $16.95 to $22.95; desserts: $5 to $7.50

IF YOU’RE SMART, you’ll end your meal at La Limeña Grill, a Peruvian restaurant that opened in Rockville’s Talbott Center in August, with alfajores, small anise-scented cookies that sandwich creamy, thick slatherings of caramel sauce known as dulce de leche.

Butter makes them so delicate that they practically disappear in a puff of powdered sugar as the pastry dissolves on your tongue.

Alfajores are the signature of La Limeña Grill’s owner, Emma Perez, a Silver Spring resident and native of Lima, Peru. (La Limeña means “the woman from Lima.”) She came to the United States 26 years ago to seek medical treatment for her son, who is blind, settling in Maryland to be close to Johns Hopkins Hospital. An economist in Peru, Perez first became a waitress in the U.S., then put a lifelong love of cooking and baking to use by working in George Washington University’s catering kitchen. On the 264

side, she sold alfajores to Latin markets in the Washington area.

Twelve years ago, Perez opened La Limeña Restaurant in the Ritchie Center on Rockville Pike. The restaurant, which features Peruvian and Cuban specialties, has been resoundingly successful, but Perez found the 60-seat eatery too small to meet demand and opened La Limeña Grill three-quarters of a mile down the Pike, in the former Potomac Grill space.

The new restaurant, designed by the Russell Sears & Associates architectural firm, seats 138 inside and 50 on an outdoor patio. Burnt-orange walls, colorful murals of Lima balcony scenes, giltedged mirrors, archways with cast-iron scrollwork, and 20 elaborate cast-iron chandeliers serve as design accents and signal that La Limeña Grill is a step above the more modestly outfitted flagship.

La Limeña Grill’s menu doesn’t send the same message, given that most dishes appear on La Limeña Restaurant’s

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LIBATIONS: A full bar but with a limited number of alcohol brands (Tanqueray is the only gin, for example). A list of 13 cocktails includes Latin American favorites such as Cuba libres and piña coladas.

The pisco sour here is excellent, all the better with passionfruit (maracuyá) nectar added. Nine wines are offered by the bottle and glass. The most expensive bottles are $38. For something more festive, go for the ruby red sangria.

SERVICE: Owner Emma Perez makes the rounds and makes everybody feel welcome, but service can be spotty. One server may be affable while another is cranky, down to dropping the check with one hand and the dessert you ordered with the other. Leave the American Express card at home—La Limeña Grill doesn’t accept it.

La Limeña Grill seats more than twice as many diners as the original La Limeña Restaurant.

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Causas (whipped potatoes) come in a sampler with four toppings.

A classic pisco sour

menu. The specialty cocktail list is the same: featuring Caribbean and Latin American-inspired drinks (such as piña coladas, margaritas and mojitos) and highlighting Peru’s signature cocktail, the pisco sour. They make a sound version of the drink here, which is pisco (Peruvian brandy made from distilled grape wine), lime juice and sugar syrup shaken until foamy, strained and topped with a few drops of bitters. Pisco riffs are made by adding passionfruit (maracuyá) nectar or syrup made from chicha morada, a sweet purple-corn juice.

Peruvian cooking represents a symbiosis of three main influences: Spanish (criollo cooking is the Latin American interpretation of Spanish food), Japanese (known as Nikkei cooking) and Chinese (called chifa). The latter two were fused into Peruvian cuisine when Japanese and Chinese workers emigrated there in the 19th century.

Upon arrival at La Limeña Grill, a server places a dish of fried corn nuts and plantain chips on the table with two sauces made with aji peppers. One is mild, 266

creamy and yellow; the other herbal, zesty from chili peppers and green from cilantro and huacatay (Peruvian black mint with notes of basil, tarragon and citrus).

The sauces come in handy throughout the meal to embolden dishes that need a flavor boost.

You can’t forgo ceviche if you want a true Peruvian experience, and La Limeña Grill does right by the specialty with a classic version of cubed tilapia “cooked” in lime juice and hot rocoto peppers (the fish is denatured by acid in the marinade) and topped with sliced red onions flecked with cilantro. Drunk like a shot, the marinade, called leche de tigre (tiger’s milk), is said to be an aphrodisiac.

Tiradito clasico is a Nikkei take on ceviche where wafer-thin rectangular slices of marinated raw tilapia are laid out sashimi-like on a plate, outlined prettily

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with bright yellow aji pepper sauce and garnished with sweet potatoes, corn and sliced red rocoto peppers. The fish tastes bright and fresh (it comes from Costa Rica or Honduras, Perez notes), its sauce adding a nice counterpoint of richness to balance the acid.

A sampler of four causas—savory stacks of whipped potatoes topped with, respectively, a poached shrimp and three mayonnaise-y dollops of crab, tuna and chicken salad—is a showstopper. But my favorite starter at La Limeña Grill is a creamy, soufflé-like corn pudding spiked with sautéed diced sirloin steak, hard-boiled eggs and raisins. It’s wintertime comfort in a casserole dish, rich and rib-sticking. Tubular pastry pies (tequeños) filled with lomo saltado (beef stir-fried with onions and tomatoes) and aji de gallina (creamed chicken in a sauce made with mild yellow aji peppers)

Tiradito clasico de aji amarillo (sashimi with yellow pepper sauce) Rainbow trout sprinkled with garlic chips

create an opportunity to taste two Peruvian staples in finger-food form.

Entrées don’t blow me away here.

I’m partial to the braised beef shank cooked pot roast-style, especially once I scoop out the marrow and mix it into the meat’s tomato-based braising liquid.

Two dishes—a bouillabaisse-style seafood soup and a seafood combination in a cream- and fish stock-based sauce— suffer from rubbery calamari that was clearly frozen. A pair of chifa dishes—lo mein-esque tallarines (spaghetti) stirfried with vegetables, tomato wedges and chicken; and a stunningly presented chicken fried rice with roast pork slices and a tumbleweed of fried noodles—are bland. My faith is restored by perfectly cooked rainbow trout seasoned with cumin and sprinkled with crisp garlic chips and a two-rib hunk of tender roasted pork belly covered with a bronze shield of crispy skin.

For dessert, you’d be perfectly happy with creamy rice pudding perfumed with cinnamon, or bright orange lucuma (a fruit) ice cream tasting vaguely of maple, but let me make the decision easy for you—you’re having the alfajores. n

Piquillo peppers stuffed with tuna salad

David Hagedorn is the restaurant critic for Bethesda Magazine.

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FILLIN’ IT

AREPAS, SOUTH AMERICAN griddled corn cakes stuffed with savory fillings, à la pita pockets, are all the rage. That makes the timing perfect for brothers Alvaro and Alonso Roche to capitalize on that trend, along with the taco trend, at TacoArepa in Bethesda, which was slated to open in December. Make that three trends: A covered but not enclosed biergarten will debut this spring in the parking lot adjacent to TacoArepa.

The Roche brothers—Alonso’s the chef, and the pair also owns TapaBar, Bold Bite and 202 Artisanal Donut Co.—call TacoArepa a fast-casual hybrid, meaning you order at the counter, sit down and a server brings your order. At night, servers will roam the restaurant with iPads to make it easy to order more items, including Caribbean beers and rum drinks. Garage-style doors on the side of TacoArepa will open into Playa Beer Garden, where large heaters will make the alfresco space usable most of the year.

TacoArepa’s menu features about a dozen Caribbean and Latin American-inspired fillings, which are stuffed into arepas ($8-$9) or into corn tortillas to make tacos ($3-$4.50). The fillings can also top a salad bowl with greens tossed in cilantro lime vinaigrette and rice.

To put together the fillings, chef Roche relied on memories from his youth. He was born and raised in Caracas in Venezuela (except for three years in Vermont) and sailed all over the Caribbean in his father’s boat. Fillings are named after beaches throughout the Caribbean.

We’re fond of arepas, with their crunchy exterior and the subtle corn flavor imbued in each bite. We got an advance taste of TacoArepa’s corn cakes. Our favorites (pictured top to bottom): curried chickpeas with mango slaw and tamarind cream; sliced grilled beef with salsa, avocado, cilantro and chipotle crema; braised pulled pork scented with orange zest, cilantro, oregano and mint; shredded beef with black beans, queso blanco, cilantro and lime crema; and braised chicken curry with mango slaw, toasted coconut and roasted yellow peppers.

TacoArepa, 4905 Fairmont Ave., Bethesda, tacoarepa.com

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BY DAVID HAGEDORN | PHOTOS BY DEB LINDSEY

BUTTERNUT SOUP, TIMES THREE

THIRTY-FIVE DOLLARS was money well spent last October to taste delicious soups featured on the fall and winter menus of a dozen Montgomery County restaurants. The occasion was the 10th annual Empty Bowls fundraiser for the Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB), where we sampled unlimited soup and desserts and left with a handmade bowl donated by a local potter. The CAFB is a hungerrelief organization that serves Washington metro area residents through a network of 444 nonprofit food assistance partnerships.

Puréed squash soups were the most popular offerings, and why not? They are comforting and soul-satisfying cold weather palliatives.

Versions from three Bethesda restaurants stood out. Chef Jeff Tunks served a version (sans lobster meat) of a soup we love at PassionFish Bethesda: a thick, sunflower-yellow bisque of puréed

butternut squash cooked in lobster stock and cream, rife with chunks of poached lobster tail meat and topped with tiny cubes of crispy fried yucca, toasted pumpkin seeds and a drizzle of pumpkin seed oil. Laura Houlihan, the co-owner of Barrel + Crow, dished up an ochre-hued, vegan Hubbard squash soup enhanced with pumpkin seeds, pomegranate seeds and curry oil. The winner, in our opinion, was True Food Kitchen’s roasted butternut squash soup, which, though vegan, conveyed richness and depth thanks to coconut milk and warm spices, such as nutmeg, cinnamon and cardamom. Garnishes of pomegranate seeds, dried apple and a splash of molasses added extra jolts of flavor and texture. The three restaurants plan to have the squash soups on their menus in January and February.

PassionFish Bethesda’s butternut squash soup

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THAI SENSATION

JUST AFTER UNIVERSITY Boulevard breaks off from Connecticut Avenue in Kensington, in the corner of a lot occupied by a Valero gas station, you’ll see a food truck called Fat Nomads. Its front side is painted in bright yellow-and-red rays, and there’s an image of a bearded, bandanna- and sunglasswearing wanderer and the tagline “The Taste of Itinerary.”

Chef Santang Ruangsangwatana, born and raised in Bangkok, adapted dishes for the (mostly) Thai food from her grandmother’s recipes. The menu features bao buns, appetizers, rice and noodle bowls and many vegetarian options.

Ruangsangwatana flavors braised beef for bao buns with star anise and tops them with Sriracha, jalapeño, cilantro and basil, evoking the flavors of pho noodles, she says.

Another bao, with braised pork shoulder, is garnished with tahini-laced slaw, gojuchang (Korean chili paste) and pickled beets. Other winners include delicate chicken and shrimp

Fat Nomads owners Singyod Jaturongkasamrit and Santang Ruangsangwatana dumplings; a stir-fry of ground chicken, Hawaiian basil, purple basil and chilies served over rice with a fried egg, a dash of Maggi (soy seasoning) and chopped peanuts; Vietnamese-style chicken marinated in fish sauce and coconut milk, grilled and served over rice with tomato and tamarind salsa; and five-spice braised beef and meatballs over vermicelli noodle salad.

Ruangsangwatana and friend Singyod (Andy) Jaturongkasamrit own Fat Nomads.

The two worked together at D.C. Noodles in Washington, where she was the chef and he was the expediter. They opened the business last July, with the landlord (he owns the gas station) agreeing to rent out the truck for a

year so the pair could see how it goes before purchasing it.

More a permanently installed kitchen trailer than a mobile truck (“It would take a six-wheeler to move it,” Ruangsangwatana says), Fat Nomads is open year-round and has picnic tables on site.

Ruangsangwatana explains the provenance of the Fat Nomads name.

“We are both chubby and have wanderlust.

We travel, mostly in Southeast Asia, find good food, put our twist on it and share it with our customers.”

Fat Nomads, 3700 University Blvd. W., Kensington; 703-559-4877; fatnomadsdc.com

&

COMINGS GOINGS In November, Potomac’s Amici Miei closed after 13 years in Potomac Woods Plaza due to escalating rent. Owner Roberto Deias plans to reopen the restaurant in downtown Rockville in early 2018.

Urban Butcher chef and owner Raynold Mendizabal plans to open a second downtown Silver Spring restaurant, as yet unnamed. It will be in the Central apartment complex.

Local chainlet Fish Taco is packing up the Wisconsin Avenue outlet it opened a year ago and relocating in the former Secolari and Cosi spaces in Bethesda Row this spring.

In Pike & Rose news, Los Angeles-based ramen chain Jinya, which in the D.C. metro area has outlets in the District and Merrifield,

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Virginia, plans to open in the North Bethesda development in mid-2018. Cincinnati-based chain Nada will open an outlet of its taco- and cocktail-focused restaurants there in the fall of 2018.

Bethesda institution Pines of Rome Italian restaurant closed its Hampden Lane location after 45 years and reopened in the former Matuba space on Cordell Avenue in November.

Silver Spring’s 8407 Kitchen Bar closed in October after a 7½-year run.

RECENTLY OPENED: Check out our Dining Guide for details on George’s Chophouse (Bethesda), One Scotch, One Burger, One Beer (Bethesda) and Pandora Seafood House & Bar (Rockville). n

dine

Classic combo It’s comfort food times two when cheese and pasta get together

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BY BRIAN PATTERSON L’Academie de Cuisine | lacademie.com

To grate soft cheeses, such as cheddar, use a box grater.

For hard cheeses, such as Gruyere and Parmesan, opt for a finer grater.

The Ultimate Macaroni and Cheese DIFFICULTY LEVEL

Directions 1. Bring one gallon of water to a boil. Add 2 tablespoons of salt and 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil.

2. Add the macaroni and cook until just tender (al dente), about 8 to 10 minutes.

ON THE CLOCK

SERVINGS

1 hour

6

Ingredients

4. Melt the butter in a medium pot over medium heat.

5. Add flour and mustard, and stir. Allow to bubble, and stir occasionally for several minutes. As soon as it starts to brown slightly on the bottom of the pan, add half the milk all at once. Stir until it thickens.

2 tablespoons salt

6. Gradually stir in the rest of the milk and simmer for at least 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

7. Reduce heat to low and stir in 3 cups of cheese. Season with salt and pepper.

1 pound elbow macaroni

8. With a rubber spatula, fold the cheese sauce into the cooked macaroni, and transfer to a shallow buttered baking dish.

4 tablespoons butter 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour 3 cups cold whole milk, divided

9. In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup of breadcrumbs with 1 cup of cheese. Sprinkle the mixture in an even layer on the macaroni and cheese. Cover with buttered parchment paper.

4 cups grated cheddar cheese, divided

10. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Salt and pepper to taste

11. Warm the covered baking dish in the oven to an internal temperature of 145 degrees (about 30 minutes depending on the depth of the baking pan).

2 teaspoons ground mustard PHOTOS BY STACY ZARIN GOLDBERG

3. Drain the macaroni in a colander. Rinse with cool water until the pasta is cool to the touch, then drain. Transfer to a shallow bowl or pan and chill in the refrigerator while making the sauce.

1 cup breadcrumbs Butter for greasing the pan and the parchment paper Finely sliced spring onions (optional garnish)

12. Remove the parchment paper, and turn the oven to 400. Bake until there is some brown color on top of the macaroni and cheese. Sprinkle with spring onions and serve hot. n BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

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DINING GUIDE

CHECK OUT THE ONLINE VERSION OF THE DINING GUIDE AT BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

BETHESDA AJI-NIPPON 6937 Arlington Road, 301-654-0213. A calm oasis on a busy street, where chef Kazuo Honma serves patrons several kinds of sushi, sashimi, noodle soups, teriyaki and more. Try a dinner box, which includes an entrée, vegetables, California roll, tempura and rice. L D $$

ALATRI BROS. (EDITORS’ PICK) 4926 Cordell Ave., 301-718-6427, alatribros.com.

The folks behind Olazzo and Gringos & Mariachis bought Mia’s Pizzas and revamped it with a new name and décor. They kept the Naples-style pies that come from a wood-burning oven, but added small plates and healthy options. Sit in the cheery dining room with green, gray and white accents or under an umbrella on the patio.  L D $$

AMERICAN TAP ROOM 7278 Woodmont Ave., 301- 656-1366, americantap room.com. Here’s a classic grill menu featuring sliders, wings and craft beer. Entrées range from BBQ Glazed Meatloaf Dinner with whipped potatoes and green beans to the lighter Crabmeat Omelet. ❂  R L D $$

&PIZZA 7614 Old Georgetown Road, 240-800-4783, andpizza.com. Create your own designer pizza from a choice of three crusts, three cheeses and eight sauces or spreads. Toppings for the thin, crispy crusts range from the usual suspects to falafel crumbles, fig marsala and pineapple salsa. This location of the hip, fast-casual chain has limited seating. L D $

BACCHUS OF LEBANON 7945 Norfolk Ave., 301-657-1722, bacchusoflebanon.com. This friendly and elegant Lebanese staple has a large, sunny patio that beckons lunch and dinner patrons outside when the weather is good to try garlicky hummus, stuffed grape leaves, chicken kabobs, veal chops and dozens of small-plate dishes. ❂ L D $$

BANGKOK GARDEN 4906 St. Elmo Ave., 301-951-0670, bkkgarden. com. This real-deal, family-run Thai restaurant turns out authentic cuisine, including curries, soups and noodle dishes, in a dining room decorated with traditional statues of the gods. L D $

THE BARKING DOG 4723 Elm St., 301-654-0022, barkingdogbar.com.

A fun place for young adults, with drink specials nearly every night and bar food such as quesadillas and burgers. Salsa dancing on Tuesdays, trivia on Wednesdays, karaoke on Thursdays and a DJ and dancing Fridays and Saturdays. ❂ L D $

BARREL + CROW 4867 Cordell Ave., 240-800-3253, barrelandcrow. com. Contemporary regional and southern cuisine served in a comfortable setting with charcoal gray banquettes and elements of wood and brick. Menu highlights include Maryland crab beignets, shrimp

and grits croquettes and Virginia trout. ❂ R L D $$

Key

BEEFSTEAK 7101 Democracy Blvd. (Westfield Montgomery mall), 301-365-0608, beefsteakveggies.com. The fastcasual spot from chef José Andrés is heavily focused on seasonal vegetables for build-your-own bowls and salads (or pick one of their suggested combinations).

Toppings such as poached egg, chicken sausage and salt-cured salmon are also in the lineup. L D $

Price designations are for a threecourse dinner for two including tip and tax, but excluding alcohol.

BENIHANA

$ $$ $$$ $$$$ b  B R L D

7935 Wisconsin Ave., 301-652-5391, benihana. com. Experience dinner-as-theater as the chef chops and cooks beef, chicken, vegetables and seafood tableside on the hibachi. This popular national chain serves sushi, too. The kids’ menu includes a California roll and hibachi chicken, steak and shrimp entrées. J L D $$

BETHESDA CRAB HOUSE 4958 Bethesda Ave., 301-652-3382, bethesdacrab house.net. In the same location since 1961, this casual, family-owned dining spot features jumbo lump crabcakes, oysters on the half shell and jumbo spiced shrimp. Extra large and jumbo-sized crabs available year-round; call ahead to reserve. ❂ L D $$

BETHESDA CURRY KITCHEN 4860 Cordell Ave., 301-656-0062, bethesda currykitchen.com. The restaurant offers lunch buffet and Southern Indian vegan specialties, served in a spare and casual setting. There are plenty of choices from the tandoor oven, as well as vegetarian, seafood and meat curries. L D $

BGR: THE BURGER JOINT 4827 Fairmont Ave., 301-358-6137, bgrtheburger joint.com. The burgers are good and the vibe is great at this frequently packed eatery next to Veterans Park. Try the veggie burger, made with a blend of brown rice, black beans, molasses and oats. ❂ J L D $

BISTRO LAZEEZ 8009 Norfolk Ave., 301-652-8222, bistrolazeez. com. Reasonably priced Mediterranean cuisine served in a small, attractive space. Don’t miss the grilled pita and the signature BLZ Chicken Medley, with a grilled, marinated chicken thigh, drumstick and wing basted in a zesty sauce. ❂JLD$

BISTRO PROVENCE (EDITORS’ PICK) 4933 Fairmont Ave., 301-656-7373, bistroprovence.org. Chef Yannick Cam brings his formidable experience to a casual French bistro with a lovely courtyard. The Dinner Bistro Fare, served daily from 5 to 6:30 p.m., offers a choice of appetizer, main course and dessert for $35. ❂ R L D $$$

BLACK’S BAR & KITCHEN (EDITORS’ PICK) 7750 Woodmont Ave., 301-652-5525, blacksbar andkitchen.com. Customers count on the impeccable use of fresh and local ingredients and

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up to $50 $51-$100 $101-$150 $151+ Outdoor Dining Children’s Menu Breakfast Brunch Lunch Dinner

enjoy dining on the expansive patio. The bar draws crowds for happy hour. ❂ R L D $$$

BOLD BITE 4903 Cordell Ave., 301-951-2653, boldbite.net.

Made-to-order hickory-smoked burgers, fried-chicken sandwiches, salads and milkshakes top the menu at this casual spot. A mix of barstools, booths and small tables offers 60 seats. J L D $

BRICKSIDE FOOD & DRINK 4866 Cordell Ave., 301-312-6160, brickside bethesda.com. Prohibition-era drinks meet Italian bar bites and entrées. Dishes range from fried pork and waffles to short ribs. Try one of the colorfully named punches, which include Pink Murder Punch and Snow Cone Punch. ❂ R L D $$

BUREDO 10219 Old Georgetown Road (Wildwood Shopping Center), 240-483-0530, eatburedo.com. Seaweed stands in for tortillas in the sushi-and-rice burritos at this fast-casual spot, part of a local chain. Try the Beatrix, which combines sweet, savory and crunchy—fresh salmon and tuna are bathed in unagi sauce and topped with tempura crunch. ❂LD$

CADDIES ON CORDELL 4922 Cordell Ave., 301-215-7730, caddieson cordell.com. Twentysomethings gather at this golfthemed spot to enjoy beer and wings specials in a casual, rowdy atmosphere that frequently spills onto the large patio. ❂ J R L D $

CAFÉ DELUXE 4910 Elm St., 301-656-3131, cafedeluxe.com. This local chain serves bistro-style American comfort food in a fun and noisy setting with wood fans and colorful, oversized European liquor posters. Menu options include burgers, entrées, four varieties of

flatbread and mussels served three different ways. ❂ J R L D $$

CAVA MEZZE GRILL 4832 Bethesda Ave., 301-656-1772, cavagrill. com. The guys from Cava restaurant have created a Greek version of Chipotle. Choose the meat, dip or spread for a pita, bowl or salad. Housemade juices and teas provide a healthful beverage option. ❂ LD$

CESCO OSTERIA 7401 Woodmont Ave., 301-654-8333, cesco-osteria.com. Longtime chef Francesco Ricchi turns out Tuscan specialties, including pizza, pasta and foccacia in a big, jazzy space. Stop by the restaurant’s Co2 Lounge for an artisan cocktail before dinner. ❂ L D $$

CHEF TONY’S 4926 St. Elmo Ave., 301-654-3737, cheftonys bethesda.com. Chef-owner Tony Marciante focuses on Mediterranean seafood tapas, offering dishes ranging from fish and seafood to chicken, steak and pasta. Desserts include Drunken Strawberries and Classic Creme Brulée. J R L D $$

CITY LIGHTS OF CHINA 4953 Bethesda Ave., 301-913-9501, bethesda citylights.com. Longtime Chinese eatery serves familiar Sichuan and Beijing fare, including six types of dumplings and seven handmade noodle dishes. Red walls and chocolate-colored booths give the place a sharp look. L D $$

COOPER’S MILL 5151 Pooks Hill Road, 301-897-9400, coopersmillrestaurant.com/bethesda. The

Our goal is to bring back the tradition of the neighborhood butchery and a place not only to get superior fresh meats but to make every customer feel welcome.

restaurant showcases a modern, stylish menu with stone-oven flatbreads, homemade tater tots and locally sourced produce. Local beers on draft and by the bottle, plus regional bourbon and gin.

Happy hour and private dining are offered.

B R L D $$

THE CORNER SLICE 7901 Norfolk Ave., 301-907-7542, thecornerslice. net. New York-style pizza, available by the slice or as a 20-inch pie. Specialty pizzas include the spinachartichoke white pie with ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan and the Buffalo Chicken Pie with blue cheese and hot sauce. ❂ L D $

CRAVE 7101 Democracy Blvd., Suite 1530 (Westfield Montgomery mall), 301-469-9600, cravebethesda. com. Minnesota-based chainlet offers an eclectic melting pot of American dishes, including bison burgers, lobster-and-shrimp flatbread and kogi beef tacos. The restaurant is also known for its extensive selection of wine and sushi. J L D $$

DAILY GRILL One Bethesda Metro Center, 301-656-6100, dailygrill.com. Everyone from families to expenseaccount lunchers can find something to like about the big portions of fresh American fare, including chicken pot pie and jumbo lump crabcakes. ❂ J B R L D $$

DON POLLO 10321 Westlake Drive, 301-347-6175; donpollogroup.com. Juicy, spiced birds and reasonable prices make this Peruvian chicken eatery a go-to place any night of the week. Family

meals that serve four or six people are available. ❂ LD$

DUCK DUCK GOOSE 7929 Norfolk Ave., 301-312-8837, ddgbethesda. com. Thirty-five-seat French brasserie owned by chef Ashish Alfred. Small plates include steak tartare, and squid ink spaghetti with Manila clams and Fresno chilies. Among the entrées, look for updates of French classics, such as dry-aged duck with Bing cherries, and halibut with scallop mousse and puff pastry. ❂ L D $$

FARYAB AFGHAN CUISINE 4917 Cordell Ave., 301-951-3484. After closing for more than a year, Faryab reopened in 2017 and serves well-prepared Afghani country food, including Afghanistan’s answer to Middle Eastern kabobs, vegetarian entrées and unique sautéed pumpkin dishes, in a whitewashed dining room with native art on the walls. D $$

FISH TACO 10305 Old Georgetown Road (Wildwood Shopping Center), 301-564-6000, fishtacoonline.com. This counter-service taqueria features a full roster of seafood as well as non-aquatic tacos, plus margaritas and other Mexican specialties.

JLD$

FLANAGAN'S HARP & FIDDLE 4844 Cordell Ave., 301-951-0115, flanagansharp andfiddle.com. This stylish pub features live music several days a week, Tuesday night poker and Monday quiz nights. In addition to traditional stews and fried fish, Flanagan's offers smoked

PORK, VEAL, LAMB, CHICKEN, GAME MEATS, LOCAL HOMEMADE SAUSAGES & OTHER SPECIALT Y ITEMS CERTIFIED ANGUS BEEF PRIME

12209 Darnestown Road North Potomac, Maryland 20878 • 301-337-6389

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dine ribs, salmon and traditional Irish breakfast on weekends. ❂ J B L D $$

GARDEN GRILLE & BAR 7301 Waverly St. (Hilton Garden Inn), 301-6548111. Aside from a breakfast buffet featuring cooked-to-order omelets, waffles, fruit and more, the restaurant offers an extensive menu, from burgers to crabcakes, short ribs and pasta dishes.

J B D $$

GEORGE’S CHOPHOUSE (NEW) 4935 Cordell Ave., 240-534-2675, georgesbethesda.com. This modern bistro with popculture décor features a seasonally changing menu of house-made pastas, plus a raw bar and a variety of steaks. Steaks are cooked from two to four hours in a mix of red wine, garlic and herbs before being pan seared in butter, thyme and rosemary. The braised beef cheek fettucine combines the main specialties: house-made pastas and slow-cooked meat. L D $$$

GRINGOS & MARIACHIS (EDITORS’ PICK) 4928 Cordell Ave., 240-800-4266, gringosand mariachis.com. The owners of the popular Olazzo Italian restaurants in Bethesda and Silver Spring trade in the red sauce for salsa at this hip taqueria with edgy murals and plenty of tequila.

LD$

GUAPO’S RESTAURANT 8130 Wisconsin Ave., 301-656-0888, guapos restaurant.com. This outpost of a local chain has everything you’d expect: margaritas and chips galore, as well as a handful of daily specials served in festive Mexican surroundings. Perfect for families and dates. J R L D $

GUARDADO’S 4918 Del Ray Ave., 301-986-4920, guardados.com.

Chef-owner Nicolas Guardado, who trained at Jaleo, opened this hidden gem devoted to Latin-Spanish cooking in 2007 and has developed a following with tapas specialties like shrimp and sausage, stuffed red peppers and paella. J L D $

GUSTO FARM TO STREET 7101 Democracy Blvd. (Westfield Montgomery mall), 301-312-6509; 4733 Elm St., 240-3966398; eatgusto.com. The fast-casual eatery aims to serve healthy fare, with a focus on pizzas and salads. The menu includes suggested combos but you can also build your own. Pizza crust comes in cauliflower, whole grain or traditional, and housemade dressings top heirloom tomatoes, butternut squash and other salad items. ❂ (Elm Street location only) L D $

HANARO RESTAURANT & LOUNGE 7820 Norfolk Ave., 301-654-7851, hanarobethesda. com. The restaurant’s modern dark woods combined with a light-filled dining room brighten its corner location, and the menu includes sushi and Asian fusion main courses such as pad Thai and galbi (Korean ribs). The bar offers a daily happy hour. ❂ L D $$

HECKMAN’S DELICATESSEN & BAR 4914 Cordell Ave., 240-800-4879, heckmans deli.com. The deli features all the staples, plus a dinner menu with chicken-in-a-pot and stuffed cabbage. Menu offers long lists of ingredients to build your own salads, sandwiches and egg dishes.

Sweets include rugelach, black-and-white cookies and homemade cheesecake. ❂ J B L D $

HIMALAYAN HERITAGE 4925 Bethesda Ave., 301-654-1858, himalayan heritagedc.com. The menu includes North Indian, Nepali, Indo-Chinese and Tibetan cuisines, featuring

momos (Nepalese dumplings), Indian takes on Chinese chow mein and a large selection of curry dishes. L D $

HOUSE OF FOONG LIN 4613 Willow Lane, 301-656-3427, foonglin.com.

The Chinese restaurant features Cantonese, Hunan and Sichuan cuisine, including chef’s recommendations, low-fat choices and lots of traditional noodle dishes. L D $$

HOUSE OF MILAE 4932 St. Elmo Ave., 301-654-1997. The Kang family, who own Milae Cleaners in Bethesda, bring simple Korean dishes to their first food foray. Chef “M&M” Kang prepares home-style fare such as bulgogi, galbi and bibimbap. The kids’ menu has one item: spaghetti, made from the recipe of owner Thomas Kang’s former college roommate’s mother.

JLD$

THE IRISH INN AT GLEN ECHO 6119 Tulane Ave., 301-229-6600, irishinnglenecho. com. This historic tavern has been a family home and a biker bar, but its incarnation as the Irish Inn has been delivering smiles and hearty food since 2003. Traditional Irish music on Monday nights and The 19th Street Band on every other Wednesday night, plus live jazz on Thursday nights. ❂ J R L D $$

JALEO (EDITORS’ PICK) 7271 Woodmont Ave., 301-913-0003, jaleo.com.

The restaurant that launched the American career of chef José Andrés and popularized Spanish tapas for a Washington, D.C., audience offers hot, cold, spicy and creative small plates served with outstanding Spanish wines. Voted “Best Small Plates” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2017. ❂ R L D $$

JETTIES 4829 Fairmont Ave., 301-769-6844, jettiesdc. com. The only suburban location of the popular Nantucket-inspired sandwich shop, which has five restaurants in Northwest Washington, D.C. Aside from the signature Nobadeer sandwich (roasted turkey and stuffing with cranberry sauce and mayonnaise on sourdough), look for large salads and an innovative children’s menu. ❂ J L D $

KADHAI (EDITORS’ PICK) 7905 Norfolk Ave., 301-718-0121, kadhai.com.

This popular Indian restaurant formerly known as Haandi serves a variety of traditional chicken, lamb and seafood dishes, plus rice and vegetarian dishes and a selection of breads. An extensive lunch buffet is offered daily. ❂ L D $$

KAPNOS KOUZINA (EDITORS’ PICK) 4900 Hampden Lane, 301-986-8500, kapnos kouzina.com. This is chef Mike Isabella’s first foray into Maryland and the second outpost based on Kapnos, his D.C. restaurant that spotlights Greek spreads, salads, small plates and roasted meats.

Not to be missed are the pyde, puffed pillows of bread. They are best as spread-dipping vehicles; crusts for topped, pizza-like flatbreads; or sandwich casings for souvlakis. ❂ R L D $$

LA PANETTERIA 4921 Cordell Ave., 301-951-6433, lapanetteria. com. La Panetteria transports diners into a quaint Italian villa with its impeccable service and Old World atmosphere, serving such Southern and Northern Italian classic dishes as homemade spaghetti and veal scaloppine. L D $$

LE PAIN QUOTIDIEN 7140 Bethesda Lane, 301-913-2902; 10217 Old Georgetown Road (Wildwood Shopping Center), 240-752-8737, lepainquotidien.com. New York-

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based Belgian-born bakery/restaurant chain with farmhouse vibe, featuring organic breads, European breakfast and dessert pastries, savory egg dishes, soups, Belgian open-faced sandwiches, entrée salads, wine and Belgian beer by the bottle. ❂ JBRLD$

LE VIEUX LOGIS 7925 Old Georgetown Road, 301-652-6816, levieuxlogisrestaurantmd.com. The colorful exterior will draw you into this family-run Bethesda institution, but classic French dishes such as Dover sole meunière and mussels in a white wine broth will keep you coming back. ❂ D $$$

LEBANESE TAVERNA 7141 Arlington Road, 301-951-8681, lebanese taverna.com. This branch of this long-lived local chain is an elegant spot for dipping puffy pita bread into hummus and baba ghanoush. The rest of the traditional Lebanese mezze are worth a try, too, as are the slow-cooked lamb dishes. Voted “Best Middle Eastern Restaurant” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2016. ❂ J L D $$

LOUISIANA KITCHEN & BAYOU BAR 4907 Cordell Ave., 301-652-6945, louisiana bethesda.com. The popular Bethesda institution offers a Cajun- and Creole-style menu, complete with divine fried items. The pain perdou and beignets remain a great way to start a Sunday morning. B R L D $

LUKE’S LOBSTER 7129 Bethesda Lane, 301-718-1005, lukeslobster. com. This upscale carryout features authentic lobster, shrimp and crab rolls; the seafood is shipped directly from Maine. Try the Taste of Maine, which offers all three kinds of rolls, plus two crab claws.❂ L D $

MAKI BAR 6831 Wisconsin Ave. (Shops of Wisconsin), 301907-9888, makibarbethesda.com. This tiny 30-seat Japanese restaurant and sushi bar offers 60-plus kinds of maki rolls, categorized as Classic (tuna roll), Crunch Lover (spicy crunch California roll) and Signature (eel, avocado, tobiko, crab), along with sushi, sashimi, noodle bowls and rice-based entrées. L D $$

MAMMA LUCIA 4916 Elm St., 301-907-3399, mammalucia restaurants.com. New York-style pizza dripping with cheese and crowd-pleasing red sauce, and favorites like chicken Parmesan and linguini with clams draw the crowds to this local chain. Gluten-free options available. ❂ L D $$

MEDIUM RARE 4904 Fairmont Ave., 301-215-8739, mediumrare restaurant.com. A prix fixe menu that comes with bread, salad, steak and fries is the sole option at this small chain outpost (there are two Medium Rares in D.C.). Desserts cost extra. Weekend brunch also features a prix fixe menu. D $$

MOBY DICK HOUSE OF KABOB 7027 Wisconsin Ave., 301-654-1838, mobyskabob. com. This kabob takeout/eat-in mainstay was one of the first kabob places in the area. It makes its own pita bread. The menu includes a variety of salads and vegetarian sandwiches and platters.

LD$

MODERN MARKET 4930 Elm St., 240-800-4733, modernmarket. com. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, this Bethesda Row eatery is part of a Denver-based chain. The focus is on seasonal, from-scratch fare and ingredients such as nitrate- and hormone-

free bacon. Sandwiches, soups, salads and pizza dominate the menu. ❂ J B R L D $

MOMO CHICKEN & GRILL 4862 Cordell Ave., Bethesda, 240-483-0801, momofc.com. Skip the breasts, and head for the wings or drumsticks at Bethesda’s first Korean fried chicken spot. Options such as seafood pancakes, bulgogi and bibimbap are part of the extensive offerings, all served in a hip space with framed record albums gracing the walls. ❂ J L D $$

MON AMI GABI 7239 Woodmont Ave., 301-654-1234, monamigabi. com. Waiters serve bistro classics such as escargot, steak frites and profiteroles in a dark and boisterous spot that doesn’t feel like a chain. Live jazz Tuesday and Thursday nights. ❂ J R L D $$

MORTON’S, THE STEAKHOUSE 7400 Wisconsin Ave., 301-657-2650, mortons. com. An ultra-sophisticated steak house serving pricey, large portions of prime-aged beef and drinks.

The restaurant is known for a top-notch dinner experience but also offers lunch and a bar menu.

L D $$$

MUSSEL BAR & GRILLE 7262 Woodmont Ave., 301-215-7817, musselbar. com. Kensington resident and big-name chef Robert Wiedmaier serves his signature mussels, plus wood-fired tarts, salads and sandwiches. Wash them all down with a choice of 40 Belgian beers, a list that was voted “Best Beer Selection” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2017. ❂ R L D $$

NOT YOUR AVERAGE JOE’S 10400 Old Georgetown Road, 240-316-4555, notyouraveragejoes.com. This Massachusettsbased chain’s moderately priced menu offers burgers, big salads and stone-hearth pizzas, plus entrées including Anything But Average Meatloaf. ❂ J L D $$

OAKVILLE GRILLE & WINE BAR (EDITORS’ PICK) 10257 Old Georgetown Road (Wildwood Shopping Center), 301-897-9100, oakvillewinebar.com. Fresh California food paired with a thoughtful wine list in an elegant, spare setting may not sound unique, but Oakville was one of the first in the area to do so, and continues to do it well. L D $$

OLAZZO (EDITORS’ PICK) 7921 Norfolk Ave., 301-654-9496, olazzo.com.

This well-priced, romantic restaurant is the place for couples seeking red-sauce classics at reasonable prices. Founded by brothers Riccardo and Roberto Pietrobono, it was voted “Best Italian Restaurant”

by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2016. ❂ L D $$

ONE SCOTCH, ONE BURGER, ONE BEER (NEW)

7776 Norfolk Ave., 301-272-9050. The owner of this burger place ran Community in the same space before changing the name and menu. The restaurant now features beef, turkey and veggie patties with a variety of toppings, including six cheeses, thick bacon and sautéed mushrooms and onions. Milkshakes range from chocolate and vanilla to creative spiked concoctions. Doughnuts, including those covered in Fruity Pebbles and Captain Crunch cereal, are sold from a small takeout window.❂ L D $

ORIGINAL PANCAKE HOUSE 7700 Wisconsin Ave., Store D, 301-986-0285, ophrestaurants.com. Try one of dozens of pancake dishes, as well as eggs and waffles galore.

JBL$

PASSAGE TO INDIA (EDITORS’ PICK) 4931 Cordell Ave., 301-656-3373, passagetoindia. info. Top-notch, pan-Indian fare by chef-owner Sudhir Seth, with everything from garlic naan to fish curry made to order. Voted “Best Indian Restaurant” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2016. ❂ R L D $$

PASSIONFISH BETHESDA 7187 Woodmont Ave., 301-358-6116, passionfish bethesda.com. The second location of Passion Food Hospitality’s splashy seafood restaurant features stunning coastal-themed décor and an extensive menu of shellfish, caviar, sushi, chef’s specialties and fresh catches of the day. Voted “Best Happy Hour” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2017.

J L D $$$

PAUL 4760 Bethesda Ave., 301-656-3285, paul-usa. com. Fifth-generation, family-owned French bakery becomes an international chain, with locations in close to 35 countries. Aside from breads and pastries, look for soups, sandwiches and quiche. ❂BLD$

PENANG MALAYSIAN & THAI CUISINE & BAR 4933 Bethesda Ave., 301-657-2878, penang maryland.com. At this Malaysian spot decorated with exotic dark woods and a thatched roof, spices run the gamut of Near and Far Eastern influence, and flavors include coconut, lemongrass, sesame and chili sauce. L D $$

PERSIMMON (EDITORS’ PICK) 7003 Wisconsin Ave., 301-654-9860, persimmon restaurant.com. Owners Damian and Stephanie Salvatore’s popular restaurant offers casual fare from salads to sandwiches to meat and seafood entrées in a bistro setting featuring a lively bar, cozy booths and bright paintings on the walls. ❂ R L D $$

PINES OF ROME 4918 Cordell Ave., 301-657-8775. Longtime Italian restaurant, formerly on Hampden Lane, still serves traditional pasta, pizza, fish and seafood at prices that are easy on the wallet. The white pizza is a hit, and don’t forget the spaghetti and meatballs.

LD$

PI PIZZERIA 7137 Wisconsin Ave., 240-800-3822, pi-pizza.com.

St. Louis-based chain serving thin-crust pizza and deep-dish cornmeal-crust pizza, the latter of which has a thick layer of tomato sauce on top. Customize your own or go for the specialty pies, such as the Southside classic deep pie with Berkshire sausage, mozzarella, onions, green peppers and mushrooms.

LD$

PIZZA TEMPO 8021 Wisconsin Ave., 240-497-0000, pizzatempo. us. Pizza with a twist, which includes toppings such as sujuk (Mediterranean beef sausage), pistachio mortadella and spicy beef franks, plus a wide selection of pides (boat-shaped pizzas). Salads, wraps, panini and entrées also available. Limited seating; delivery within about a 3-mile radius.

LD$

PIZZERIA DA MARCO (EDITORS’ PICK) 8008 Woodmont Ave., 301-654-6083, pizzeria damarco.net. Authentic Neapolitan pizzas fired in a 900-degree Italian brick oven range from the Siciliana with eggplant confit and black olives to the Solo Carne with sausage, pepperoni and salame.

Salads, antipasti and calzones available, too. ❂LD$

Your home away from home!

7607 Old Georgetown Road Open Daily 6:30 am – 10:00 pm © 2017 La Madeleine de Corps, Inc.

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dine POSITANO RISTORANTE ITALIANO 4940-48 Fairmont Ave., 301-654-1717, epositano.com. An authentic Italian, family-run restaurant popular for private events, large and small. Colorful rooms are decorated with Italian landscapes, copper pots and hanging plants, and the outdoor patio is one of the most beautiful in the county. ❂ L D $$

PRALINE BAKERY & BISTRO 4611 Sangamore Road, 301-229-8180, praline-bakery.com. This sunny restaurant offers a tempting bakery takeout counter, full dining service and a patio. The food, which includes chicken pot pie and pralines, is French with an American accent. ❂ J B R L D $$

Q BY PETER CHANG (EDITORS’ PICK) 4500 East West Highway, 240-800-3722, qbypeterchang.com. Notable chef Peter Chang’s high-end flagship restaurant offers traditional Chinese dishes in an attractive, modern space.

Peking duck, double-cooked pork belly and other authentic Sichuan cuisine are served, and some dishes are “ultimate spicy” for brave palates. ❂ J L D $$

RAKU (EDITORS’ PICK) 7240 Woodmont Ave., 301-718-8680, rakuasian dining.com. Voted “Best Restaurant in Bethesda”

by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2017, this casual restaurant has bamboo walls that do little to dampen the noise, but the menu satisfies with everything from sushi to kung pao chicken. ❂ L D $$

REDWOOD RESTAURANT & BAR 7121 Bethesda Lane, 301-656-5515, redwood bethesda.com. The upscale wine bar features fresh, local food and California-centric wines. Redwood features a frequently changing menu and in-season farmers market dinners. ❂ J R L D $$

RICE PADDIES GRILL & PHO 4706 Bethesda Ave., 301-718-1862, ricepaddies grill.com. This cute copper-and-green eat-in/carryout makes quick work of Vietnamese favorites such as pork, beef and vegetable skewers infused with lemongrass and the classic beef noodle soup known as pho. L D $

ROCK BOTTOM RESTAURANT & BREWERY 7900 Norfolk Ave., 301-652-1311, rockbottom.com.

India Pale Ales and specialty dark brews are among the award-winning beers crafted in-house at this cavernous yet welcoming chain, which offers a vast menu. The burgers are the real deal. ❂ J L D $$

RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE 7315 Wisconsin Ave., 301-652-7877, ruthschris. com. A dark and clubby feel makes this elegant chain popular with families as well as the happyhour crowd. Don’t skip the fresh seafood choices, which include Caribbean lobster tail and barbecued shrimp. D $$$

SALA THAI 4828 Cordell Ave., 301-654-4676, salathaidc. com. This Thai mainstay cooks the classics and offers diners a nearly panoramic view of Woodmont Avenue through huge, curved windows. Live jazz Friday and Saturday evenings. L D $$

SAPHIRE CAFÉ 7940 Wisconsin Ave., 301-986-9708. A relaxing spot for tasting everything from Maryland-style crab soup to Argentine skirt steak, Saphire pumps it up a notch on Friday and Saturday nights with

drink specials and DJs. Tiki bar open Wednesdays through Saturdays. ❂ L D $

SATSUMA 8003 Norfolk Ave., 301-652-1400, satsumajp. com. Bethesda’s first yakiniku (Japanese barbecue) restaurant has built-in grills at each table. Diners select a cut—short rib, chuck rib, skirt or tongue— and prepare it themselves. There’s also an extensive sushi and sashimi menu, as well as interesting cooked dishes. L D $$

SHANGHAI VILLAGE 4929 Bethesda Ave., 301-654-7788. Owner Kwok Chueng prides himself on personal attention and recognizing regulars who have been stopping in for his classic Chinese cooking for more than 25 years.

Order the secret recipe Mai Tai. L D $

SHANGRI-LA NEPALESE AND INDIAN CUISINE 7345-A Wisconsin Ave., 301-656-4444, shangrila bethesda.com. Northern Indian and Nepali specialties such as butter chicken and fresh flatbreads known as naan shine here. The extensive menu ranges from soups and salads to tandoori and kabobs.J L D $

SHARE WINE LOUNGE & SMALL PLATE BISTRO 8120 Wisconsin Ave. (DoubleTree Hotel), 301-652-2000, doubletreebethesda.com/dining. aspx. Share some buffalo chicken sliders or avocado bruschetta, or go for main courses ranging from Yankee pot roast to cedar plank-roasted salmon. B L D $$

SILVER 7150 Woodmont Ave., 301-652-9780, eatatsilver. com. Upscale, tonier version of the homegrown Silver Diner chain, with modern takes on American classics and an emphasis on healthy, local and organic ingredients. Sleek interior takes its cue from the 1920s. ❂ J B R L D $$

SMOKE BBQ BETHESDA 4858 Cordell Ave., 301-656-2011, smokebbq.com.

Pulled pork, beef brisket, smoked chicken, ribs and all the fixin’s, plus starters including smoked tomato soup and fried pickles served in a friendly, casual space. Delivery available for orders over $15. J L D $

SOUTH STREET STEAKS 4856 Cordell Ave., 301-215-8333, southstreet steaks.com. Even transplanted Philadelphians will admire the cheesesteaks at this local chain’s third location. The shop also offers chicken cheesesteaks, hoagies (that’s Philly-talk for cold subs) and sandwiches called “Phillinis,” a cross between “Philly” and “panini.” J L D $

SWEETGREEN 4831 Bethesda Ave.301-654-7336, sweetgreen. com. The sweetgreen fast-casual chain—with its focus on local and organic ingredients— concentrates on salads (devise your own, or pick from a list) and soups. Look for eco-friendly décor and a healthy sensibility. ❂ L D $

TAKO GRILL 4914 Hampden Lane (The Shoppes of Bethesda), 301-652-7030, takogrill.com. Longtime, popular sushi destination relocated to the space formerly occupied by Hinode Japanese Restaurant. Look for the same traditional sushi menu, plus some new options, such as griddle-cooked teppanyaki at lunch, and more varieties of yakitori at dinner. L D $$

TANDOORI NIGHTS 7236 Woodmont Ave., 301-656-4002,

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tandoorinightsbethesda.com. Located in the heart of downtown Bethesda, the restaurant serves traditional Indian fare ranging from tandoori chicken, marinated in yogurt and spices, to a biryani flavored with saffron, nuts and raisins. ❂ L D $$

TAPABAR (EDITORS’ PICK) 4901-A Norfolk Ave., 240-483-4004, tapabarbethesda.com. This small-plates spot shares a kitchen with its sister eatery, Bold Bite.

Find reasonably priced tapas—from tomato, garlic and olive oil on toasted bread for $2 to a smoked octopus dish for $12—alongside main entrées such as Spanish seafood risotto. R L D $$

TAPP’D BETHESDA 4915 St. Elmo Ave., 240-630-8120, tappdbethesda.com. Beer-centric gastropub offering 40-plus beers on tap, 100-plus bottles and beer flights. Food menu includes standard American fare: soups and salads, char-grilled wings, beer-battered onion rings, burgers, brats and mains such as crabcakes, barbecue ribs and beer-can chicken pot pie. Top it off with a root beer float. ❂ J L D $$

TARA THAI 7101 Democracy Blvd. (Westfield Montgomery mall), 301-657-0488, tarathai.com. Thai cuisine goes high style at Bethesda Magazine readers’ pick for “Best Thai Restaurant” in 2016. With colorful murals of ocean creatures looking on, diners can try dishes ranging from mild to adventurous. L D $$

TASTEE DINER 7731 Woodmont Ave., 301-652-3970, tasteediner. com. For 80 years, this crowd-pleasing if slightly sagging spot has served up everything from breakfast to burgers to blue-plate specials such as steak and crabcakes to crowds of loyal customers.

Open 24 hours. J B L D $

TAYLOR GOURMET 7280 Woodmont Ave., 301-951-9001, taylorgourmet.com. The sandwich shop offers a menu of upscale takes on Philadelphia hoagies, sandwiches and salads made with top-notch ingredients. Check out the eggroll appetizer of mozzarella, provolone, hot capicola, Genoa salami, peppers and red onion. L D $

TIA QUETA 4839 Del Ray Ave., 301-654-4443, tiaqueta.com.

This longtime family and happy-hour favorite offers authentic Mexican food such as moles and fish dishes, as well as the usual Tex-Mex options. Drink menu includes American and Mexican beers. ❂ J L D $$

TOMMY JOE’S 7940 Norfolk Ave., 301-654-3801, tommyjoes. com. This Bethesda institution is now in the space formerly housing Urban Heights. The second-floor, window-filled corner location suits its sports bar persona, and the vast rooftop is ideal for outdoor drinking and snacking. Fare includes wings (Pohostyle, grilled and smoky, are a good option), burgers, crabcakes and ribs. Chunky brisket chili, on its own or on nachos, is a winner. ❂ L D $$

TRATTORIA SORRENTO (EDITORS’ PICK) 4930 Cordell Ave., 301-718-0344, trattoriasorrento. com. This family-run Italian favorite offers homemade pastas, baked eggplant and fresh fish dishes. Half-price bottles of wine on Wednesdays.

D $$

TRUE FOOD KITCHEN 7100 Wisconsin Ave., 240-200-1257, truefoodkitchen.com. Health-focused chain prides

itself on serving fresh ingredients and features an open kitchen. The eclectic, multicultural menu changes from season to season, and includes sandwiches, salads and pizza. Beer, wine and freshfruit and vegetable cocktails are also available. ❂RLD$

TYBER BIERHAUS 7525 Old Georgetown Road, 240-821-6830, tyberbierhausmd.com. Czech, German and Belgian brews served in an authentic beer-hall setting, furnished with the same benches as those used in the Hofbrau brewhouse in Munich. Pub menu features mussels, hearty sandwiches, schnitzel and goulash. R L D $$

UNCLE JULIO’S 4870 Bethesda Ave., 301-656-2981, unclejulios. com. Loud and large, this Tex-Mex eatery packs in families and revelers fueling up on fajitas, tacos and more. Kids love to watch the tortilla machine.

Voted “Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2017. ❂ J R L D $$

VILLAIN & SAINT 7141 Wisconsin Ave., 240-800-4700, villainand saint.com. Listen to live music while digging into salt-roasted beets or slow-smoked pork ribs at this hip bar, courtesy of chef Robert Wiedmaier’s RW Restaurant Group. Delightfully dated décor includes lava lamps and photos of late great rock stars.

The menu is divided into hearty dishes (villain) and vegetarian options (saint). ❂ R L D $$

VÜK 4924 St. Elmo Ave., 301-652-8000, vukpinball. com. VÜK owner (and MOM’S Organic Market CEO) Scott Nash consulted restaurateur Mark Bucher for the only thing offered on the short menu of his Bethesda pinball arcade other than Trickling Springs Creamery’s soft-serve ice cream: thin-crust New York-style pizza and thick-crust Sicilian pizza sold by the slice or as whole pies: cheese, sausage, pepperoni and mushroom/onion. L D $

WILDWOOD ITALIAN CUISINE 10257 Old Georgetown Road (Wildwood Shopping Center), 301-493-9230, wildwooditaliancuisine. com. The eatery, owned by the adjacent Oakville Grille & Wine Bar, serves up thick-crusted Sicilianstyle pizza, pasta and entrées in a casual atmosphere. ❂ L D $$

WILDWOOD KITCHEN (EDITORS’ PICK) 10223 Old Georgetown Road (Wildwood Shopping Center), 301-571-1700, wildwoodkitchenrw.com.

Chef Robert Wiedmaier’s attractive neighborhood bistro serving fresh and light modern cuisine.

Entrées range from Amish chicken with a scallion potato cake to grilled Atlantic salmon with creamy polenta. L D $$

WOODMONT GRILL (EDITORS’ PICK) 7715 Woodmont Ave., 301-656-9755, hillstone. com. Part of the Houston’s chain, the eatery offers such classics as spinach-and-artichoke dip and its famous burgers, but also house-baked breads, more exotic dishes, live jazz and a granite bar. ❂ L D $$$

WORLD OF BEER 7200 Wisconsin Ave., 240-389-9317, worldofbeer. com. Craft beer-focused tavern chain offers 50 brews on tap rotating daily and hundreds of bottled options. Food is classic pub fare, including hamburgers, wings and bratwurst sandwiches, as well as flatbreads and salads. ❂ J R L D $

YAMAS MEDITERRANEAN GRILL 4806 Rugby Ave., 301-312-8384, yamasgrill.com.

A friendly staff serves gyros, souvlaki, lemon chicken and other Greek specialties at this sunny café. Dinner entrées include Greek-style chicken and vegetarian mousaka. ❂ J L D $

YUZU 7345-B Wisconsin Ave., 301-656-5234, yuzu bethesda.com. Diners will find authentic Japanese dishes, including sushi, sashimi and cooked tofu, vegetable, tempura, meat and fish dishes, prepared by sushi chef and owner Yoshihisa Ota. L D $$

CABIN JOHN FISH TACO 7945 MacArthur Blvd., 301-229-0900, fishtacoonline.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂JLD$

GYROLAND THE AUTHENTIC GREEK FOOD 1701 Rockville Pike (Suite B3) Rockville MD 20852 301-816-7829

GYROLANDMD.COM

SAL’S ITALIAN KITCHEN (EDITORS’ PICK) 7945 MacArthur Blvd., 240-802-2370, salsitalian kitchen.net. Persimmon and Wild Tomato owners Damian and Stephanie Salvatore replaced their Asian concept Indigo House with a return to their roots. Find traditional Italian fare, such as bruschetta, risotto balls, Caprese salad, meatball subs, fettuccine Alfredo, chicken cacciatore and shrimp scampi. ❂ L D $$

WILD TOMATO (EDITORS’ PICK) 7945 MacArthur Blvd., 301-229-0680, wildtomato restaurant.com. A family-friendly neighborhood restaurant from Persimmon owners Damian and Stephanie Salvatore, serving salads, sandwiches and pizza. Voted “Best Neighborhood Restaurant”

by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2017. ❂JLD$

CHEVY CHASE ALFIO’S LA TRATTORIA 4515 Willard Ave., 301-657-9133, alfios.com.

This Northern Italian classic on the first floor of The Willoughby of Chevy Chase Condominium has been feeding families and casual diners for more than 30 years. Look for traditional pasta, veal and chicken dishes (plus pizza), served in an Old World environment. J L D $$

THE CAPITAL GRILLE 5310 Western Ave., 301-718-7812, capitalgrille. com. The upscale steak-house chain, known for its He-Man-sized portions and extensive wine list, is located in The Shops at Wisconsin Place.Entrées also include chicken, lamb chops, salmon and lobster. L D $$$$

CLYDE’S 5441 Wisconsin Ave., 301-951-9600, clydes. com. The popular restaurant features a frequently changing menu of American favorites and a collection of vintage airplanes and cars, as well as a model train running on a track around the ceiling. ❂ J R L D $$

DON POLLO 7007 Wisconsin Ave., 301-652-0001, donpolloonline.com. See Bethesda listing. L D $

FISH TACO 7015 Wisconsin Ave., 301-652-0010, fishtacoonline.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂JLD$

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dine LA FERME (EDITORS’ PICK) 7101 Brookville Road, 301-986-5255, laferme restaurant.com. This charming Provence-style restaurant serving classic French cuisine is a popular choice for an intimate dinner. Cognac Le Bar at La Ferme, a bar within the restaurant, opened in fall 2016. The bar serves small plates, and cocktails include the French 75, with cognac, simple syrup, lemon juice and champagne. ❂ R L D $$$

LIA'S (EDITORS’ PICK) 4435 Willard Ave., 240-223-5427, chefgeoff.com.

Owner Geoff Tracy focuses on high-quality, lowfuss modern Italian-American fare at this modern space with a wine room. Pizzas, house-made pastas and fresh fish please business lunchers and dinner crowds. Voted “Best Restaurant in Chevy Chase” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2017. ❂ J R L D $

MANOLI CANOLI RESTAURANT 8540 Connecticut Ave., 301-951-1818, manolicanoli.com. Italian and Greek specialties abound at a fun family eatery that features a large prepared foods section, dishes made with olive oil from owner Stavros Manolakos’ family farm in Greece and homemade mozzarella on pizza and subs. ❂ J L D $

MEIWAH RESTAURANT 4457 Willard Ave., 301-652-9882, meiwah restaurant.com. This modern restaurant on the second floor of a Friendship Heights office building offers top-quality Chinese dishes that are hard to beat. There’s also a sushi bar with an extensive menu. A fountain sparkles on the outdoor patio. ❂ L D $$

POTOMAC PIZZA 19 Wisconsin Circle, 301-951-1127, potomac pizza.com. This cheery, casual dining room provides a break from the ultra-posh shopping surrounding it. In addition to pizza, subs and pastas are popular.

Beer and wine available. ❂ J L D $

SUSHIKO (EDITORS’ PICK) 5455 Wisconsin Ave., 301-961-1644, sushiko restaurants.com. Known as one of the Washington, D.C., area’s most respected sushi restaurants, Sushiko offers a wide range of sushi and other dishes. Kōbō, a restaurant within the restaurant, allows eight people to dine on 12- to 15-course tasting menus. ❂ L D $$

TAVIRA 8401 Connecticut Ave., 301-652-8684, tavira restaurant.com. Fish stews and several versions of bacalhau (salted cod) figure prominently on the menu of this intriguing Portuguese restaurant, which manages to be charming and attractive despite its location in an office building basement. L D $$

GARRETT PARK BLACK MARKET BISTRO (EDITORS’ PICK) 4600 Waverly Ave., 301-933-3000, blackmarket restaurant.com. Sublime American bistro fare served in a restored Victorian building next to railroad tracks; the building once served as a general store and still houses a post office.

Entrées range from swordfish to a burger and pizza, including several vegetable options. ❂ J R L D $$

KENSINGTON THE DISH & DRAM 10301 Kensington Parkway, 301-962-4046, thedishanddram.com. The owners of The Daily Dish in Silver Spring serve comfort food made with local ingredients in a 2,800-square-foot space in Kensington. Steak frites, Maryland crab soup, burgers and house-made desserts are on the menu. J R L D $$

FRANKLY…PIZZA! (EDITORS’ PICK) 10417 Armory Ave., 301-832-1065, franklypizza. com. Owner Frank Linn turns out high-quality pizza in a rustic brick-and-mortar restaurant. The menu offers wood-fired pies topped with home-cured meats and tomato sauce made from an 80-year-old family recipe. Wines and homemade sodas served on tap, too. ❂ L D $

K TOWN BISTRO 3784 Howard Ave., 301-933-1211, ktownbistro. com. Try filet mignon, duck breast à l’orange, chicken marsala and other classic continental dishes from this family-run eatery owned by Gonzalo Barba, former longtime captain of the restaurant in the Watergate Hotel. L D $$

NORTH POTOMAC/ GAITHERSBURG &PIZZA 258 Crown Park Ave. (Downtown Crown), 240-4998447, andpizza.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ LD$

ASIA NINE 254 Crown Park Ave. (Downtown Crown), 301-3309997, asianinemd.com. Pan Asian restaurant with a first location in Washington, D.C.’s Penn Quarter offers dishes from Vietnam, China, Thailand and Japan. Specialties include grilled lamb chops served with mango-soy coulis and miso honey duck breast drizzled with a sake butter sauce. R L D $$

ATHENS GRILL 9124 Rothbury Drive, 301-975-0757, athensgrill. com. This casual, friendly, family-run restaurant specializes in authentic Greek cooking, using recipes handed down through generations.

Specialties such as rotisserie chicken, chargrilled salmon with a lemon dill sauce and lamb kabobs are cooked on a hardwood grill. L D $

BARKING MAD CAFE 239 Spectrum Ave., 240-297-6230, barkingmad cafe.com. Cooking from a wood hearth and selecting vegetables, herbs and edible flowers from its aeroponic (grown in air/mist but without soil) organic garden, Barking Mad Cafe has a corner spot in Watkins Mill Town Center. Look for madefrom-scratch brunch, lunch and dinner sweets and savories, such as breakfast pizza, watermelon salad and farro salad. ❂ R L D $$

BONEFISH GRILL 82 Market St., 240-631-2401, bonefishgrill. com. While fresh fish cooked over a wood fire is the centerpiece of this upscale Florida chain, the steaks, crab cakes and specialty martinis make it a fun option for happy hour and those with hearty appetites. R L D $$

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BUCA DI BEPPO 122 Kentlands Blvd., 301-947-7346, bucadibeppo. com. The Kentlands outpost of this national chain serves huge, family-style portions of Italian specialties from fresh breads to antipasti and pasta dishes amid a sea of Italian kitsch. Desserts include Italian Creme Cake and tiramisu.

J L D $$

COAL FIRE 116 Main St., 301-519-2625, coalfireonline.com.

Homemade crusts fired by coal and topped with your choice of toppings and three different sauces: classic, spicy and signature, which is slightly sweet with a hint of spice. Salads, sandwiches and pasta also available, plus a full bar. ❂ L D $

COASTAL FLATS 135 Crown Park Ave. (Downtown Crown), 301869-8800, greatamericanrestaurants.com. First Maryland locale for Great American Restaurants, a Fairfax-based chain. Seaside-inspired décor extends to the menu, which offers lobster and shrimp rolls, fried grouper and Key lime pie. Steaks, pasta and burgers also served. ❂ J R L D $$

COPPER CANYON GRILL 100 Boardwalk Place, 240-631-0003, ccgrill.com.

Large portions of American classics such as salads, ribs and rotisserie chicken prepared with seasonal ingredients at family-friendly prices are the bill of fare at this spacious and casual chain restaurant.

J L D $$

DOGFISH HEAD ALEHOUSE 800 W. Diamond Ave., 301-963-4847, dogfishale house.com. The first Maryland outpost of the popular Rehoboth Beach brewpub, the restaurant is packed with revelers and families clamoring for the Dogfish Head brews, burgers, pizzas and ribs. Check out the burger of the week. ❂ J L D $$

DON POLLO 9083 Gaither Road, 301-990-0981, donpollogroup. com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ L D $

FIREBIRDS WOOD FIRED GRILL 390 Spectrum Ave., 301-284-1770, gaithersburg. firebirdsrestaurants.com. Part of a chain, this restaurant in the Watkins Mill Town Center cooks steaks and seafood over a wood-fired grill. Designed to look like a Colorado lodge, the eatery tends toward classic fare for entrées (surf-and-turf, salmon, burgers) and dessert (chocolate cake, Key lime pie, carrot cake). ❂ J L D $$

GROWLERS 227 E. Diamond Ave., 301-519-9400, growlers restaurant.com. This turn-of-the-century building in downtown Gaithersburg is now a brewpub with regular and seasonal house brews and a full menu, including pizzas, burgers, sandwiches and entrées such as Cajun rigatoni and steak frites. Live music Wednesday through Saturday. ❂ J R L D $

GUAPO’S RESTAURANT 9811 Washingtonian Blvd., L-17, 301-977-5655, guaposrestaurant.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂JRLD$

HERSHEY’S RESTAURANT & BAR 17030 Oakmont Ave., 301-948-9893, hersheysat thegrove.com. Fried chicken that tastes like it was made by an aproned elder is served up in a clapboard building constructed in 1889. Besides the fab fried chicken, Hershey’s serves up warm rolls, inexpensive prices and live music. ❂ J B R L D $$

INFERNO PIZZERIA NAPOLETANA (EDITORS’

PICK) 12207 Darnestown Road, 301-963-0115, inferno-pizzeria.com. Tony Conte, former executive chef of Washington, D.C.’s Oval Room, goes casual with his first restaurant, an authentic Neapolitan pizzeria offering sophisticated toppings such as shaved truffles and garlic confit. Cozy dining room seats 39, with a tiled, wood-burning pizza oven as the centerpiece. D $

IL PORTO RESTAURANT 245 Muddy Branch Road, 301-590-0735, ilporto restaurant.com. A classic red-sauce menu, elegant murals of Venice and an authentic thin-crust pizza are hallmarks of this friendly, unfussy Italian restaurant tucked in the Festival Shopping Center.

Fried calamari and the white pizza are among customer favorites. ❂ L D $

JOE’S CRAB SHACK 221 Rio Blvd., 301-947-4377, joescrabshack.com.

This is one of four Maryland locations of the chain, which offers blue crabs from April through August and other varieties year-round, as well as chicken and burgers for landlubbers. Popular with families and young couples. ❂ J L D $$

LE PALAIS 304 Main St., No. 100, 301-947-4051, restaurantlepalais.com. Chef-owner Joseph Zaka trips lightly through the dishes of Brittany and Burgundy, adding a modern twist here and there.

Entrées include duck pot-au-feu and cassolette of lamb. D $$$

THE MELTING POT 9021 Gaither Road, 301-519-3638, themeltingpot. com. There’s nothing like dipping bits of bread, vegetables and apples into a communal pot of hot cheese to get a date or a party started. The Melting Pot chain also offers wine, oil or broth to cook meat tableside and chocolate fondue for dessert. J D $$

NOT YOUR AVERAGE JOE’S 245 Kentlands Blvd., 240-477-1040, notyouraveragejoes.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ J L D $$

OLD TOWN POUR HOUSE 212 Ellington Blvd. (Downtown Crown), 301-9636281, oldtownpourhouse.com. One of the eateries from Chicago’s Bottleneck Management restaurant company, this place features more than 90 local and international brews on tap. Classic American cuisine is served in a setting with copper-inlaid bars and high ceilings. ❂ L D $$

PALADAR LATIN KITCHEN & RUM BAR 203 Crown Park Ave., 301-330-4400, paladarlatinkitchen.com. This Cleveland-based chain covers the spectrum of Latin cuisine, with dishes from Cuba, the Caribbean and Central and South America. From Brazil, there’s feijoada stew; from Cuba, ropa vieja; and from Jamaica, jerk chicken. Bar selections includes 50 varieties of rum, 15 tequilas and six types of mojitos. ❂ J R L D $$

POTOMAC VILLAGE DELI 625 Center Point Way, 301-299-5770, potomacvillagedeli.com. Traditional Jewish deli in the Kentlands, offering all-day breakfast and all the classics, from bagels, smoked fish, knishes, matzo ball soup, corned beef, pastrami and chopped liver to overstuffed combo sandwiches, Reubens, subs, wraps, burgers, salads, pizza and New York cheesecake. J B L D $$

Looking for the freshest fish in the DC area? Find it here in Bethesda for lunch, brunch and dinner!

QUINCY’S BAR & GRILLE 616 Quince Orchard Road, 301-869-8200, quincys bar.com. Energetic neighborhood pub with a sports bar atmosphere, Quincy’s also has an extensive menu with wings, pizza, build-your-own burgers and chicken sandwiches, plus entrées including Guinness-braised brisket. Live music is also a big draw. L D $

RED HOT & BLUE 16811 Crabbs Branch Way, 301-948-7333, redhotandblue.com. You’ll find generous portions of hickory-smoked barbecue, plus burgers, salads and wraps, and a Southern attitude at this chain popular for its office party takeout and its family-friendly, kitschy roadhouse décor. J L D $

RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE 106 Crown Park Ave. (Downtown Crown), 301-9901926, ruthschris.com. See Bethesda listing.

D $$$

SARDI’S POLLO A LA BRASA 430 N. Frederick Ave., 301-977-3222, sardis chicken.com. Yes, there’s charbroiled chicken, but don’t miss the other Peruvian specialties, especially the ceviche and Salchipapas, a true Peruvian street food of thinly sliced pan-fried beef hot dogs mixed with french fries and served with condiments.

LD$

TANDOORI NIGHTS 106 Market St., 301-947-4007, tandoorinightsmd. com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ L D $

TARA THAI

7187 Woodmont Avenue • 301-358-6116

PASSIONFISHBETHESDA.COM

9811 Washingtonian Blvd., L-9, 301-947-8330, tarathai.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ L D $$

TED’S BULLETIN 220 Ellington Blvd. (Downtown Crown), 301990-0600, tedsbulletin.com. First Maryland location of the modern diner chainlet from the folks at Matchbox Food Group. Boozy milkshakes, homemade pop tarts and the Cinnamon Roll As Big As Ya Head (served weekends only) are among the specialties. ❂ J B R L D $$

TED’S MONTANA GRILL 105 Ellington Blvd. (Downtown Crown), 301-3300777, tedsmontanagrill.com. First Maryland location of billionaire and bison rancher Ted Turner’s restaurant chain, which uses bison as the showpiece in a humongous selection of dishes, including burgers, meatloaf, nachos and chili.

Soups, salads, American classics and spiked milkshakes also available at this saloon-style eatery. ❂ J L D $$

THAI TANIUM 657 Center Point Way, 301-990-3699, thaitanium restaurant.com. Authentic Thai food laced with lots of chilies and garlic as hot as you like. Try one of the Thai street food dishes, such as roasted pork with Thai herbed sweet sauce and noodle soups. ❂JLD$ TOMMY JOE’S 311 Kentlands Blvd., 301-569-4247, tommyjoes. com. This second branch of a popular Bethesda bar and restaurant offers bar food (burgers, salads) and entrées such as filet mignon. There’s a dance floor inside; the outdoor patio has 18 tables and a lounge area with a sofa. ❂ J L D $$

Lunch Salad & Rice Bowls starting at $6.95 Mon-Fri

UNCLE JULIO’S 231 Rio Blvd. (RIO Washingtonian Center), 240-6322150, unclejulios.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ J R L D $$

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dine VASILI'S KITCHEN 705 Center Point Way, 301-977-1011, vasilis kitchen.com. Tan and brown décor lends a cozy vibe to this 4,700-square-foot Kentlands restaurant.

The owners ran the popular Vasili’s Mediterranean Grill in another Kentlands location for more than a decade before closing it to focus on Vasili’s Kitchen.

The Mediterranean menu is heavy on seafood dishes. ❂ J D $$

THE WINE HARVEST, THE KENTLANDS 114 Market St., 301-869-4008, thewineharvest. com. Stop by this popular Cheers-like wine bar locally owned by the Meyrowitz family for a glass of wine or a Belgian beer. The menu includes salads, sandwiches and cheese plates. ❂ L D $

YOYOGI SUSHI 328 Main St., 301-963-0001. A no-nonsense neighborhood sushi place with bright fish tanks, it offers the familiar sushi, teriyaki, tempura dishes, plus seaweed salad, soup, green tea and red bean ice cream. L D $

ZIKI JAPANESE STEAK HOUSE 10009 Fields Road, 301-330-3868, zikisteakhouse. com. This large steak house on a busy corner charms patrons with its fountains, stone Buddhas and geisha mannequins. Food offerings include sushi, as well as meats cooked on a tableside hibachi. J L D $$

POTOMAC ADDIE’S 12435 Park Potomac Ave., 301-340-0081, addies restaurant.com. Longtime North Bethesda restaurant from the Black Restaurant Group that closed in 2013 is reborn in the Park Potomac development. Date nights call for the signature entrées for two. Larger groups might opt for the supreme Seafood Tower, a mega assortment of daily seafood specials. ❂ R L D $$

ATTMAN’S DELICATESSEN 7913 Tuckerman Lane (Cabin John Shopping Center & Mall), 301-765-3354, cabinjohn.attmansdeli. com. This landmark Baltimore deli has run a second location in Potomac since 2013. The menu offers the same legendary corned beef, pastrami and other deli specialties. Third-generation owner Marc Attman is at the helm. J B L D $

BROOKLYN’S DELI & CATERING 1089 Seven Locks Road, 301-340-3354, brooklyns delimd.com. From chopped liver to chicken soup, Brooklyn’s serves all the deli specialties, plus more.

Think hot pastrami with cole slaw and Russian dressing on pumpernickel. ❂ J B L D $

ELEVATION BURGER 12525-D Park Potomac Ave., 301-838-4010, elevationburger.com. Fast-food burgers go organic and grass-fed at this Northern Virginia-founded chain. Veggie burgers, chicken sandwiches, grilled cheese and a BLT available, too. Shake flavors range from banana to Key lime and cheesecake. ❂LD$

GREGORIO’S TRATTORIA 7745 Tuckerman Lane (Cabin John Shopping Center & Mall), 301-296-6168, gregoriostrattoria.com.

Proprietor Greg Kahn aims to make everyone feel at home at this family-owned restaurant serving a hit parade of traditional Italian favorites, with all the familiar pasta, pizza, chicken, veal and seafood

dishes; the gluten-free menu offers pizza, cheese ravioli and quinoa pastas. J L D $$

THE GRILLED OYSTER CO. (EDITORS’ PICK) 7943 Tuckerman Lane (Cabin John Shopping Center & Mall), 301-299-9888, thegrilledoyster company.com. This Chesapeake-style seafood eatery features small plates, salads, sandwiches and entrées. The sampler of four grilled oysters— with ingredients such as coconut rum and cucumber relish—showcases the namesake item. ❂ J R L D $$

GRINGOS & MARIACHIS (NEW) 12435 Park Potomac Ave., 301-339-8855, gringosandmariachis.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂D$

HUNTER’S BAR AND GRILL 10123 River Road, 301-299-9300, thehuntersinn. com. At this Potomac institution and popular English hunt-themed spot, try a big salad or hamburger for lunch and a traditional pasta dish or filet mignon for dinner with the family. ❂ J R L D $$

LAHINCH TAVERN AND GRILL 7747 Tuckerman Lane (Cabin John Shopping Center & Mall), 240-499-8922, lahinchtavernandgrill.com.

The menu of this sister restaurant to The Irish Inn at Glen Echo commingles Irish standards (traditional sausage roll, shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash, lamb stew) with fare such as Alaskan halibut.

Lahinch is a coastal town in Ireland’s County Clare.

J R L D $$$

LOCK 72 KITCHEN & BAR (EDITORS’ PICK) 10128 River Road, 301-299-0481, lock72. com. Well-known chef Robert Wiedmaier’s RW Restaurant Group runs this upscale American pub (formerly called River Falls Tavern). Entrées include crabcakes, fish tacos, grilled bronzino, a New York strip steak and steak frites. ❂ R L D $$

MIX BAR AND GRILLE 9812 Falls Road, 301-299-3000, mixbarandgrille. com. This casual spot serves charcuterie and cheese plates, brick-oven flatbreads and other light fare. The space is modern and hip, with tall, white banquettes, Plexiglas chairs, five big-screen TVs, and a 20-seat bar. Look for lots of wines by the glass and beers on tap. L D $$

MOCO’S FOUNDING FARMERS 12505 Park Potomac Ave., 301-340-8783, wearefoundingfarmers.com. Farm-inspired fare in a modern and casual setting; this is the sister restaurant to the phenomenally popular downtown D.C. Founding Farmers. Bethesda Magazine readers chose it as “Best Restaurant in Potomac,” "Best Bar" and "Best Brunch" in 2017. Try the warm cookies for dessert. ❂ B R L D $$

NORMANDIE FARM RESTAURANT 10710 Falls Road, 301-983-8838, popovers.com.

This fine-dining French restaurant, open since 1931, strives to preserve its classical heritage while embracing new traditions. Dinner entrées run from seafood to beef and lamb. The restaurant offers quick service, a casual café option and a violinist at afternoon tea. ❂ J R L D $$

O’DONNELL’S MARKET 1073 Seven Locks Road, 301-251-6355, odonnells market.com. This market, from the family that ran O’Donnell’s restaurants in Montgomery County for decades, features a 10-seat bar for lunch and happy hour (11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.). The menu includes a raw bar, salads and many O’Donnell’s classics,

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among them a lump-filled crabcake sandwich, salmon BLT, seafood bisque and crab gumbo. ❂L$

OLD ANGLER’S INN 10801 MacArthur Blvd., 301-365-2425, oldanglers inn.com. Open since 1860 and known for its refined American food and beautiful fireplaces and grounds, it features live music on weekends.

Signature cocktails include hard cider sangria and a pumpkin pie martini. Voted “Best Outdoor Dining”

by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2017. ❂ R L D $$$

POTOMAC PIZZA 9812 Falls Road, 301-299-7700, potomacpizza. com. See Chevy Chase listing. J L D $

RENATO’S AT RIVER FALLS 10120 River Road, 301-365-1900, renatosatriver falls.net. The Italian restaurant offers fish dishes among its menu of pastas and classics such as penne with eggplant, and chicken parmigiana.

Traditional Italian desserts include tiramisu, profiteroles and cannolis. ❂ J L D $$

SUGO OSTERIA 12505 Park Potomac Ave., 240-386-8080, eatsugo. com. The Greek guys who own Cava Mezze and Cava Mezze Grill partner with Mamma Lucia restaurants to serve Italian small plates, meatballs, sliders, pizza and pasta. Chef specialities include blue crab gnocchi and charred octopus. ❂ R L D $$

TALLY-HO RESTAURANT 9923 Falls Road, 301-299-6825, tallyhorestaurant. com. A local fixture since 1968, the eatery serves an expansive diner-style menu with Greek and Italian specialties. Choose from options ranging from burgers and deli sandwiches to pizza, calzones and dinner entrées. ❂ J B L D $

THE WINE HARVEST 12525-B Park Potomac Ave., 240-314-0177, thewineharvest.com. See Gaithersburg listing. ❂LD$

ZOËS KITCHEN 12505 Park Potomac Ave., Suite 120, 240-3281022, zoeskitchen.com. The first Maryland outpost of a Birmingham, Alabama, fast-casual chain, Zoës features Mediterranean dishes such as kabobs, hummus and veggie pita pizzas. It specializes in takeout dinner for four for under $30. ❂JLD$

ROCKVILLE/ NORTH BETHESDA A & J RESTAURANT (EDITORS’ PICK) 1319-C Rockville Pike, 301-251-7878, aj-restaurant. com. Northern dim sum is the specialty at this hard-to-find cash-only spot in the Woodmont Station shopping center. Warm-colored walls surround the crowd digging into thousand-layer pancakes and fresh tofu. R L D $

AL CARBÓN 200 Park Road, 301-738-0003, alcarbonrestaurant. com. Serving authentic Latin American fare across the street from the Rockville Metro station, this unassuming roadhouse has a loyal following for its arepas, empanadas, tapas and more. Try one of the natural juices including mango and tamarindo. ❂BLD$

AL HA'ESH 4860 Boiling Brook Parkway (Randolph Hills Shopping Center), 301-231-0839, al-haesh.com.

Kosher Israeli grill serves vegetable and protein skewers (including chicken, lamb, beef, chicken livers and sweetbreads). All entrées come with small ramekins of salads (think curried chickpeas; marinated red cabbage; and balsamic marinated mushrooms). ❂ L D $$

AMALFI RISTORANTE ITALIANO 12307 Wilkins Ave., 301-770-7888, amalfirockville. com. A family-run, red-sauce Italian restaurant with specialties including white pizza and lasagna. Lots of antipasti choices, too. The gazebo is a charming spot to dine during the summer.

J L D $$

AMINA THAI RESTAURANT 5065 Nicholson Lane, 301-770-9509. Pleasant and bright, Amina Thai is run by a husband-andwife team and bills itself as the first Muslim Thai restaurant in the area, using only halal meats and serving familiar Thai dishes. Chef’s specials include pineapple fried rice and grilled salmon. L D $

&PIZZA 11626 Old Georgetown Road (Pike & Rose), 240621-7016, andpizza.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂LD$

BOB'S SHANGHAI 66 305 N. Washington St., 301-251-6652. Dim sum and rice and noodle dishes are the specialties at this popular eatery offering Taiwanese, Shanghai and Sichuan cuisine. It’s also one of the area’s top destinations for soup dumplings, where you can even watch the chefs making them in a glassenclosed booth. R L D $

BOMBAY BISTRO 98 W. Montgomery Ave., 301-762-8798, bombaybistro.com. Bombay Bistro opened in 1991 as one of the first Indian restaurants in the area to combine high style, reasonable prices and a fresh take on traditional Indian, and it has been packed ever since. House specialties include tandoori lamb chops and shrimp and scallops masala. J L D $$

BONCHON CHICKEN 107 Gibbs St., Unit A (Rockville Town Square), 301637-9079, bonchon.com. International fried chicken franchise with Korean roots serves up wings, drumsticks and strips with soy-garlic or spicy hot garlic sauce, plus other traditional offerings such as bulgogi, bibimbap and scallion seafood pancakes.

LD$

CAVA MEZZE (EDITORS’ PICK) 9713 Traville Gateway Drive, 301-309-9090, cavamezze.com. The dark and elegant Cava offers small plates of everything from fried Greek cheese, octopus and orzo in cinnamon tomato sauce to crispy pork belly and macaroni and cheese. There are martini specials, too. ❂ R L D $$

CHINA BISTRO 755 Hungerford Drive, 301-294-0808. Extensive Chinese menu features many familiar favorites, but this is the place to go for dumplings. With tender dough wrappers and chock-full interiors, these beauties come 12 to an order and with 16 different filling choices. Fresh, uncooked dumplings are also available for carryout. L D $

CHUY’S 12266 Rockville Pike (Federal Plaza), 301-6032941, chuys.com. Drawing inspiration from New Mexico, Mexican border towns, the Rio Grande

Valley and Texas’s deep south, Chuy’s is part of a family-friendly chain that serves up a Tex-Mex experience. Colorful food meets colorful décor, where “If you’ve seen one Chuy’s, you’ve seen one Chuy’s” rings true—eclectic collectibles give each location its own flare. Free chips are served out of a car trunk display. L D J $

CITY PERCH KITCHEN + BAR 11830 Grand Park Ave. (Pike & Rose), 301-2312310, cityperch.com. Located above the entrance to the iPic Theaters at Pike & Rose, City Perch offers creative, seasonal American cuisine in a rustic, inviting space. The menu includes raw-bar selections, small plates, shareable salads and entrée options such as grilled shrimp and Long Island duck. ❂ R L D $$$

CUBAN CORNER 825 Hungerford Drive, 301-279-0310, cubancornerrestaurant.com. Pork and empanadas shine at this small space brimming with ethnic pride (there’s a tribute wall to famous Cuban-Americans).

Don’t skip the Cuban coffee or the Cuban sandwich, a sub bursting with ham, pickles and tangy mustard.

LD$ CSNY PIZZA 1020 Rockville Pike, 301-298-3650, csnypizza. wixisite.com/sneaksite. Carry out a New York-style pizza from this spot by the owners of Pizza CS. Their second Rockville location also offers six seats for guests to dine in, and serves whole pies, hot subs and pizza by the slice. L $

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Offer valid on first or next order through the Mamma Lucia mobile app for a limited time only. By participating, you consent to receive text messages sent by an automatic telephone dialing system. Consent to these terms is not a condition of purchase.

DEL FRISCO’S GRILLE 11800 Grand Park Ave. (Pike & Rose), 301-8810308, delfriscosgrille.com. This is the Texasbased chain’s second location in the area. Look for upscale takes on American comfort foods, such as filet mignon meatloaf and short rib stroganoff, plus trendy items such as kale and Brussels sprouts salad, deviled eggs, flatbreads and ahi tuna tacos.

Plenty of burgers, sandwiches and salads, too. ❂ R L D $$

DON POLLO

CATHEDRAL COMMONS

3701 Newark Street, NW Washington, DC 20016

CABIN JOHN SHOPPING CENTER

7943 Tuckerman Lane Potomac, MD 20854

2206 Veirs Mill Road, 301-309-1608, donpollogroup.com. See Bethesda listing. L D $

EAST PEARL RESTAURANT 838-B Rockville Pike, 301-838-8663, eastpearl restaurant.com. Choose from many options of Hong Kong cuisine, including familiar dishes featuring chicken, beef, poultry, pork and even duck, as well as those for adventurous tastes. Try the soups ranging from egg drop to seafood with bean curd.

LD$

EL MARIACHI RESTAURANT 765-D Rockville Pike, 301-738-7177, elmariachi rockville.com. Serving Tex-Mex and South American food in a bright, pleasant space made lively with colorful art. In addition to the usual enchiladas, tacos and burritos, look for Peruvian seafood and Cuban beef specialties. L D $

EL PATIO 5240 Randolph Road, 301-231-9225, elpatio international.com. This bustling café with pretty green umbrellas on the patio serves up the traditional meat-heavy dishes of Argentina, as well as pizzas and freshly made baked goods. Look for mouth-watering empanadas, beef tongue and sausage specialties. ❂ J B L D $

FAR EAST RESTAURANT

www.thegrilledoystercompany.com

5055 Nicholson Lane, 301-881-5552, fareastrockvillemd.com. Owned and operated by

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dine the same family since 1974, this classic Chinese restaurant greets customers with two royal stone lions out front and sticks to the familiar ChineseAmerican basics. Check out the daily specials and dim sum menu. L D $$

FINNEGAN’S WAKE IRISH PUB 100 Gibbs St. (Rockville Town Square), 301-3398267, finneganswakerockville.com. Irish pub with a nice selection of bourbons, whiskeys and Irish beers and a very limited bar menu offering such fare as bangers and mash, poutine (french fries, gravy and cheese curds), a chicken club sandwich, fish and chips, wings and a burger. L D $

FLOR DE LUNA 11417 Woodglen Drive, 240-242-4066, flordeluna md.com. Latin American fare includes tamales and lomo saltado (a stir-fry of beef and peppers) at this 75-seat restaurant near Whole Foods Market.

Tacos, nachos and quesadillas are also in the lineup. Finish off your meal with the tres leches (three milks) cake. ❂ J R L D $$

FONTINA GRILLE 801 Pleasant Drive, 301-947-5400, fontinagrille. com. A trendy spot with its curvy maple bar and wood-burning pizza oven, Fontina Grille is a favorite gathering place for the King Farm neighborhood.

Pizza, pasta and salads are the main attractions.

Three-dollar pasta dishes available on Monday nights and half-price bottles of wine on Tuesdays. ❂ J R L D $$

GORDON BIERSCH 200-A E. Middle Lane (Rockville Town Square), 301340-7159, gordonbiersch.com/restaurants. The national brewpub chain prides itself on house beers and friendly service. The shiny bar is boisterous, and the menu includes bar favorites with some barbecue and Asian touches, small plates, salads, pizza and flatbreads. J L D $$

GRAND FUSION CUISINE 350 East Fortune Terrace, 301-838-2862, grand fusionrestaurant.com. Diners will find something for everyone seeking a taste of the Asian continent, a full sushi bar, and Chinese, Malaysian and Singaporean specialties. Chef’s specials include Crispy Eggplant in Spicy Orange Sauce and Double Flavored Shrimp. ❂ L D $

HARD TIMES CAFÉ 1117 Nelson St., 301-294-9720, hardtimes.com.

Good American beer selections, hearty chili styles ranging from Cincinnati (cinnamon and tomato) to Texas (beef and hot peppers), and hefty salads and wings bring families to this Wild West-style saloon for lunch and dinner. L D $

HELEN’S 11120 Rockville Pike, 202-483-4444, helensonthe pike.com. Caterer Helen Wasserman serves her signature Asian-American fusion cooking at her 30-seat jewel box eatery (with two large outdoor patios), formerly Addie’s. Dumplings, cheese wontons with guacamole, salmon in phyllo, grilled lamb chops with herbed yogurt, and lump crab cake with shrimp sauce are highlights. ❂ J D $$

HINODE JAPANESE RESTAURANT 134 Congressional Lane, 301-816-2190, hinode restaurant.com. Serving traditional Japanese cuisine since 1992. All-you-can-eat lunch and weekend dinner buffet offers 40 types of sushi, 14 hot foods and a salad bar. Check out the patio with full bar service. L D $$

IL PIZZICO 15209 Frederick Road, 301-309-0610, ilpizzico. com. Setting aside the strip mall location and lack

of pizza (il pizzico means “the pinch” in Italian), chef-owner Enzo Livia’s house-made pasta dishes, gracious service and extensive wine list of mainly Italian wines make even a weeknight meal feel special. L D $$

JOE’S NOODLE HOUSE 1488-C Rockville Pike, 301-881-5518, joesnoodlehouse.com. Chinese ex-pats and many other customers consider the Sichuan specialties (soft bean curd with spicy sauce and hot beef jerky) among the area’s best examples of gourmet Chinese cooking. L D $

LA BRASA LATIN CUISINE 12401 Parklawn Drive, 301-468-8850, labrasa rockville.com. A bold, yellow awning marks the unlikely industrial location of the popular La Brasa.

Customers rave about the rotisserie chicken, lomo saltado (Peruvian marinated steak), Salvadoran pupusas and Tres Leches. ❂ L D $

LA CANELA (EDITORS’ PICK) 141-D Gibbs St. (Rockville Town Square), 301-2511550, lacanelaperu.com. Sophisticated, modern Peruvian cooking shines in a regally furnished dining room in a yellow stucco building graced with curvy black ironwork. The menu includes artfully prepared seafood, pork, chicken and beef dishes. ❂ L D $

LA LIMEÑA GRILL 1093 Rockville Pike, 301-417-4922. An offshoot of nearby La Limeña Restaurant, this Peruvian eatery with a spacious patio serves several traditional seafood dishes, including Ceviche Mixto, an appetizer of lime-marinated tilapia served with glazed potatoes and crispy dried corn kernels.

The Chicha Morada, a sweet corn-based drink, pairs nicely with authentic and tender braised-beef entrées. See our review on page 264. ❂ J L D

$$

LA LIMEÑA RESTAURANT 765 Rockville Pike, 301-424-8066, lalimena restaurant.com. Diners can choose dishes such as beef hearts, tripe and homemade pastries in this tiny but well-appointed eatery. Desserts include passion fruit mousse and vanilla flan. And of course, there’s rotisserie chicken to go. L D $

LA TASCA 141 Gibbs St., Suite 305 (Rockville Town Square), 301-279-7011, latascausa.com. The Rockville location of this regional chain strives to keep things interesting with 45 tapas dishes and six kinds of paella, including Paella Mixta with chicken, shrimp, chorizo, scallops, mussels, squid and clams. ❂ R L D $$

LEBANESE TAVERNA CAFÉ 1605 Rockville Pike, 301-468-9086; 115 Gibbs St. (Rockville Town Square), 301-309-8681; lebanesetaverna.com. A casual and pleasant family spot for lunch or dinner after shopping on Rockville Pike, the café is a more casual offshoot of the local Lebanese Taverna chain, serving hummus, pita, falafel, chicken and lamb kabobs. J L D $

LIGHTHOUSE TOFU & BBQ 12710 Twinbrook Parkway, 301-881-1178. In addition to the numerous tofu dishes ranging from Mushroom Tofu Pot to Seafood Beef Tofu Pot, diners at this Korean stalwart can try barbecue, stirfried specialties and kimchee, the national dish of pickled cabbage. L D $

LITTLE DIPPER HOT POT HOUSE 101 Gibbs St. (Rockville Town Square), 301-6057321. An offshoot of an Asian restaurant in Virginia, this 90-seat restaurant serves individual fonduestyle meals. Pick a pot base (including miso and

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curry), the level of spiciness, the protein and the starch (either rice or noodles), and cook your food right at your table in a bowl of hot stock.

J L D $$

MAMMA LUCIA 12274-M Rockville Pike, 301-770-4894; 14921-J Shady Grove Road, 301-762-8805; mammalucia restaurants.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ L D $$

MATCHBOX VINTAGE PIZZA BISTRO (EDITORS’ PICK)

1699 Rockville Pike, 301-816-0369, matchbox restaurants.com. Look for mini-burgers, a “ginormous meatball” appetizer and thin-crusted pizza with toppings including herb-roasted chicken and portobella mushrooms or fire-roasted red peppers and Spanish onions served in a super-cool space in Congressional Plaza. ❂ J R L D $

MELLOW MUSHROOM 33-A Maryland Ave. (Rockville Town Square), 301294-2222, mellowmushroom.com. Bright retro décor adorns this 200-seat branch of the popular pizza chain, including a wall with more than 1,000 Coke bottles. The lineup: craft beers and over-thetop pies (including one with roasted red potatoes, bacon, caramelized onions, cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, ranch dressing and sour cream). ❂JLD$

MICHAEL’S NOODLES 10038 Darnestown Road, 301-738-0370, michaels noodles.com. Extensive Taiwanese menu at this popular strip mall eatery includes dim sum, mixed noodle dishes, noodle soup and unusual specialties, such as Shredded Chicken with Jelly Fish and Stewed Pork Intestine and Duck Blood.

LD$

MI RANCHO 1488 Rockville Pike, 240-221-2636, miranchotexmexrestaurant.com. You’ll find a boisterous party atmosphere every night at a place where customers can count on standard Tex-Mex fare at good prices. The outdoor patio, strung with colorful lights, is the place to be in nice weather. ❂LD$

MISO FUSION CAFÉ 33-E Maryland Ave. (Rockville Town Square), 240-614-7580, misofusioncafe.com. This 65-seat Korean-Japanese fusion restaurant features: yakatori (grilled marinated skewers of chicken, beef, shrimp); ramen bowls; katsu (breaded, deep-fried cutlets) bowls with rice, vegetables, scallions and egg; chicken, beef or pork katsu stuffed with mozzarella cheese and other fillings; and Korean BBQ of chicken, sliced beef, teriyaki salmon and spicy pork belly. L D $

MOA 12300 Wilkins Ave., 301-881-8880, moakorean restaurant.weebly.com. A welcoming Korean restaurant in the midst of an industrial stretch.

Try the seafood pancake appetizer—a satisfying, crispy frittata bursting with squid, clams, shrimp and scallions. Dol Sot Bibimbap, a mix of rice, vegetables and protein in a hot pot, is a customer favorite. L D $

MODERN MARKET 1627 Rockville Pike (Congressional Plaza), 301603-2953, modernmarket.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ J B R L D $

MOSAIC CUISINE & CAFÉ 186 Halpine Road, 301-468-0682, mosaiccuisine. com. A diner with a soft European accent. Try the fresh Belgian waffles for breakfast. For those with

hefty appetites, the waffle sandwiches are worth the trip, but don’t overlook the homemade soups or light dinner entrées. J B R L D $$

MYKONOS GRILL 121 Congressional Lane, 301-770-5999, mykonosgrill.com. An authentic Greek taverna with whitewashed walls with Mediterranean blue accents on a busy street, Mykonos Grill turns out legs of lamb and fresh seafood expected at any good Greek restaurant. ❂ L D $$

NAGOYA SUSHI 402 King Farm Blvd., Suite 130, 301-990-6778, nagoyasushimd.com. Cheery yellow walls decorated with shelves of Japanese knickknacks greet customers who come for the large selection of sushi at this unassuming sushi spot in King Farm.

L D $$

NANTUCKET’S REEF 9755 Traville Gateway Drive, Rockville, 301279-7333, nantucketsreef.com. This casual New England-style eatery offers a wide range of reasonably priced seafood dishes, including raw and baked oysters, stuffed cod, fried Ipswitch clams, seafood tacos, tuna and salmon salads, and lobster items. Signature cocktails are made with Nantucket Nectars juices. ❂ R L D $$

NICK’S CHOPHOUSE 700 King Farm Blvd., 301-926-8869, nickschop houserockville.com. Aged Angus beef cooked over an open fire is the specialty at this upscale spot, but seafood lovers can get their fill from big crabcakes.

Signature steaks include slow-roasted prime rib weighing 10 to 32 ounces. Separate bar menu. ❂ L D $$

NIWANO HANA JAPANESE RESTAURANT 887 Rockville Pike, 301-294-0553, niwanohana. com. Clean Asian décor and elegant wooden screens greet diners at this friendly and busy sushi spot located in Wintergreen Plaza. There are the usual sushi rolls, plus creative options such as a Spicy Scallop Roll with mayonnaise and chili peppers, noodle dishes, teriyaki and yakitori.

L D $$

ORIGINAL PANCAKE HOUSE 12224 Rockville Pike, 301-468-0886, ophrestaurants.com. See Bethesda listing.

JBL$

OWEN’S ORDINARY 11820 Trade St. (Pike & Rose), 301-2451226, owensordinarymd.com. This Americanstyle restaurant, barroom and beer garden from Neighborhood Restaurant Group boasts 50 rotating drafts and more than 150 types of bottled beer. The 175-seat restaurant serves salads, burgers, beef, pork and fondue entrées, and those looking to grab a drink can make the most of the space’s 60-seat beer garden. ❂ R L D $$

PALADAR LATIN KITCHEN & RUM BAR 11333 Woodglen Drive, 301-816-1100, paladarlatinkitchen.com. See Gaithersburg listing. ❂ J R L D $$

PANDORA SEAFOOD HOUSE & BAR (NEW) 36-A Maryland Ave. (Rockville Town Square), 301637-9196, pandoraseafoodhouse.com. French and Italian seafood is served in an aquatic-themed atmosphere, complete with seashell-inspired light fixtures. Whole lobster comes in a citrus broth with linguine, and a scallops entrée includes fennel pollen, butternut squash, parsnip cream, pistachio crumbs and pumpkin seed oil. Craft cocktails include the Half Moon, a twist on a Manhattan. ❂ J L D $$

PETER CHANG (EDITORS’ PICK) 20-A Maryland Ave. (Rockville Town Square), 301838-9188, peterchangarlington.com. Chef Peter Chang’s Sichuan specialties are showcased in an apricot-walled dining space. Garnering a cult-like following over the years, Chang is best known for dishes such as dry-fried eggplant, crispy pork belly and duck in a stone pot. L D $$

YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD RESTAURANT

PHO 75 771 Hungerford Drive, 301-309-8873. The restaurant is one of the Washington area’s favorite spots for the Vietnamese beef noodle soup known as pho. Soup can be customized with bean sprouts, Thai basil, chilies, lime, and hot and hoisin sauces.

Beverages include interesting options such as Iced Salty Pickled Lemon Juice. L D $

PHO 95 785-H Rockville Pike, 301-294-9391. Pho, the Vietnamese beef noodle soup, is king here. Other offerings include fat rice-paper rolls of shrimp, noodles and herbs with a sweet and spicy peanut sauce, Grilled Lemon Grass Chicken and Grilled Pork Chop and Shredded Pork Skin. L D $

PHO HOA BINH 11782 Parklawn Drive, 301-770-5576, phohoa. com. This pleasant pho restaurant offers the full gamut of variations on the beef noodle soup, plus about a dozen grilled entrées. The Adventurer’s Choice features “unusual” meats, including tendon, tripe and fatty flank. The Vietnamese iced coffee is divine. L D $

PHO NOM NOM 842 Rockville Pike, 301-610-0232, phonomnom. net. As the name suggests, the specialty is pho, but there are also grilled dishes, noodles and the Vietnamese sandwich known as banh mi. House specials include Vietnamese beef stew and pork and shrimp wontons. L D $

PHOLUSCIOUS VIETNAMESE GRILL 10048 Darnestown Road, 301-762-2226, pholuscious.com. This casual restaurant and bar is home to traditional Vietnamese cooking, with fresh ingredients, minimal use of oil and many herbs and vegetables. The menu features pho, noodle dishes, rice plates and lots of protein dishes. Beverages include bubble tea, smoothies, beer and wine.

L D $$

Stop by to see our newly remodeled restaurant. Our new menu and much more. Check out the website for weekly events.

5247 Wisconsin Ave NW. Washington DC 20015 202-362-8040

CHATTERDC.COM

BETHESDA’S CRAFT BEER HEADQUARTERS FOOD & DRINK | SPORTSWATCH | GAMEROOM | EVENTS

GET LOCAL, GET TAPP’D!

PIZZA CS 1596-B Rockville Pike, 240-833-8090, pizzacs.com.

Authentic Neapolitan pies are offered in a sub-shop atmosphere. Choose from a list of red and white pizza options, or build your own pie with herbs, cheeses, meats and vegetables. ❂ J L D $

POTOMAC PIZZA 9709 Traville Gateway Drive, 301-279-2234, potomacpizza.com. See Chevy Chase listing. ❂ JLD$

QUENCH 9712 Traville Gateway Drive, 301-424-8650, quenchnation.com. Urban bar scene in the suburbs, with unique cocktails and contemporary American cuisine. Lots of starter options to try, plus salads, entrées, sandwiches and burgers, and three Asian dishes including pad Thai. ❂ J R L D $$

QUINCY’S SOUTH BAR & GRILLE 11401 Woodglen Drive, 240-669-3270, quincys bar.com. See North Potomac/Gaithersburg listing. ❂LD$

ROLLS ‘N RICE 1701 Rockville Pike (Shops at Congressional Village), 301-770-4030, rollsnrice.com. This Asian café serves more than 25 varieties of rolls, from

MODERN AMERICAN CLASSIC MENU WITH OVER 140+ BEER CHOICES!

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dine a volcano roll (spicy tuna, white fish, salmon, tomato, jalapeño, fish eggs and vegetables) to a Philadelphia Roll (smoked salmon, cream cheese and avocado). J L D $

SADAF HALAL RESTAURANT 1327-K Rockville Pike, 301-424-4040. An elegant alternative to the run-of-the-mill kabob places dotting Rockville Pike, Sadaf is pristine, with lace curtains and glass mosaic tiles in front. In addition to kabobs, it offers Persian curries and fish dishes. ❂ JLD$

SAM CAFÉ & MARKET 844 Rockville Pike, 301-424-1600, samcafemarket. com. Fill up on the kitchen’s juicy skewered meats or interesting entrées, including pomegranate molasses stew and marinated grilled salmon, then have a gelato and check out the hookahs. ❂ LD$

SAMOVAR 201 N. Washington St. (Rockville Town Square), 240-671-9721, samovarrestaurant.com. Chicken Kiev, plov (a lamb-and-rice dish) and borscht are among the long list of Russian and central Asian dishes here. Infused vodkas and Russian and Ukrainian beers are available. A framed wolf pelt adorns one wall. J R L D $$

SEASONS 52 (EDITORS’ PICK) 11414 Rockville Pike, 301-984-5252, seasons52. com. A fresh, seasonal menu featuring items under 475 calories. Choose from flatbreads including Blackened Steak & Blue Cheese and Grilled Garlic Pesto Chicken to entrée salads to meat and seafood dishes. Nightly piano music. ❂ L D $$

SEVEN SEAS 1776 E. Jefferson St., 301-770-5020, sevenseas restaurant.com. An elegant restaurant popular with politicians and local chefs and known for its fresh seafood and impeccable service. Specials include the paper hot pot, meals using ancient Chinese herbs and afternoon tea. Sushi, too. L D $

SHEBA RESTAURANT 5071 Nicholson Lane, 301-881-8882, sheba rockville.com. The menu features authentic Ethiopian cuisine with lots of vegetarian and vegan options. House specialties include Dulet Assa, chopped tilapia mixed with onion, garlic and jalapeño and served with a side of homemade cheese. L D $

SICHUAN JIN RIVER 410 Hungerford Drive, 240-403-7351, sichuanjin river.com. Customers find terrific Sichuan cuisine served in a no-frills setting. Take the plunge and try something new with the authentic Chinese menu, including 23 small cold plates. L D $

SILVER DINER 12276 Rockville Pike, 301-770-2828, silverdiner. com. Customers flock to this trendy diner that still offers tableside jukeboxes. The latest food trends (think quinoa coconut pancakes) share company on the enormous menu with diner staples such as meatloaf and mashed potatoes.

JBRLD$

SPICE XING 100-B Gibbs St. (Rockville Town Square), 301-6100303, spicexing.com. Chef and owner Sudhir Seth, who also owns Bethesda’s Passage to India, serves up small plates and dishes that reflect the history of culinary influences on India. Try the all-you-can-eat lunchtime buffet. ❂ J R L D $$

STANFORD GRILL 2000 Tower Oaks Blvd., 240-582-1000, thestanford grill.com. From the Blueridge Restaurant Group, owner of Copper Canyon Grill restaurants, comes this 300-seat American eatery on the ground floor of an office building. Salads, burgers, steaks and seafood, plus sushi, with an eye toward high quality. ❂ R L D $$

STELLA BARRA PIZZERIA 11825 Grand Park Ave. (Pike & Rose), 301-7708609, stellabarra.com. Adjacent to its sister restaurant, Summer House Santa Monica, Stella Barra is an artisan pizzeria with a hip, urban vibe.

Look for crisp crusts with chewy centers topped with butternut squash and candied bacon or housemade pork sausage and fennel pollen. Italian wines available. ❂ R D $$

SUMMER HOUSE SANTA MONICA (EDITORS’ PICK)

11825 Grand Park Ave. (Pike & Rose), 301-8812381, summerhousesm.com. An airy, light and stunning space sets the scene for modern American cuisine with a West Coast sensibility. Fare includes salads, sushi, tacos, sandwiches and steak frites.

Do not miss the bakery counter. ❂ J R L D $$

SUPER BOWL NOODLE HOUSE 785 Rockville Pike, 301-738-0086, superbowl noodlehouse.com. Look for a large variety of Asian noodle dishes in super-size portions, plus a wide selection of appetizers. Also, bubble tea and desserts, including Sweet Taro Root Roll and Black Sugar Shaved Ice. ❂ L D $

SUSHI DAMO 36-G Maryland Ave. (Rockville Town Square), 301340-8010, sushidamo.com. A slice of New York sophistication, this elegant restaurant offers sushi à la carte or omakase, chef’s choice, plus beef and seafood entrées and an impressive sake list.

L D $$

SUSHI HOUSE JAPANESE RESTAURANT 1331-D Rockville Pike, 301-309-0043. A tiny, plain restaurant serving a large selection of fresh sushi, including sushi and sashimi combinations. Lunch specials for under $7. It’s popular, so be prepared to wait. L D $$

SUSHI OISHII 9706 Traville Gateway Drive, 301-251-1177, sushioishii.com. This charming sushi bar in the Traville Gateway Center offers friendly service and 24 specialty sushi rolls, bento boxes and a few grilled items, including beef, poultry and seafood teriyaki. L D $$

TAIPEI TOKYO 14921-D Shady Grove Road (Fallsgrove Village Center), 301-738-8813; 11510-A Rockville Pike, 301-881-8388; taipei-tokyo.net. These sister restaurants offer a sizable roster of Chinese, Japanese and Thai dishes. The Fallsgrove Village location is the younger and sleeker of the two, with full sit-down service. The older sister, opened in 1993, is more like a noodle shop/cafeteria.

L D $$

TARA ASIA 199-D E. Montgomery Ave., 301-315-8008, taraasiarestaurantrockville.com. A pan-Asian offshoot of the Tara Thai family, Tara Asia is dominated by a floor-to-ceiling mosaic and has an 82-item menu that spans the cuisine from Japan to Thailand and the tiny islands in between. L D $$

TARA THAI 12071 Rockville Pike, 301-231-9899, tarathai.com.

See Bethesda listing. ❂ L D $$

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TEMARI CAFÉ 1043 Rockville Pike, 301-340-7720. Deep-fried oysters, classic rice balls, ramen noodle soup, sushi and sashimi and comic books to peruse while you await your order set this Japanese restaurant apart from the rest. L D $$

THAI FARM 800 King Farm Blvd., 301-258-8829, thaifarm restaurant.com. A tastefully modern dining room soaked in a soothing yellow light. The usual suspects are on the menu here, but chef’s suggestions include an intriguing broiled fish wrapped in banana leaf and stir-fried duck. L D $$

THAI PAVILION 29 Maryland Ave., Unit 308 (Rockville Town Square), 301-545-0244, thaipavilionrestaurant.com. The soaring ceilings decorated with red chandeliers shaped like giant, stationary spinning tops give the feel of a modern museum. When the menu says spicy, believe it. ❂ J L D $$

THAT’S AMORE 15201 Shady Grove Road, 240-268-0682, thatsamore.com. This local chain focuses on familystyle portions of classic Neapolitan dishes such as lasagna and chicken Parmesan in a more elegant setting than might be expected. Good for groups and large families. J L D $$

TOWER OAKS LODGE 2 Preserve Parkway, 301-294-0200, clydes.com/ tower. Here is Clyde’s version of a lodge in the mountains. Well-prepared food runs the gamut of American desires, from burgers to fish, plus a raw bar. Check out the twig sculpture spanning the ceiling of The Saranac Room. J R L D $$

TRAPEZARIA 11 N. Washington St., 301-339-8962, thetrapezaria. com. This down-to-earth and hospitable Greek/ Mediterranean restaurant serves top-notch and unfussy small plates and entrées. Choose among a variety of dips, vegetarian mezze, souvlaki, sausages and more-involved fish and lamb dishes.

Save room for the baklava. L D $$

URBAN BAR-B-QUE COMPANY 2007 Chapman Ave., 240-290-4827; 5566 Norbeck Road, 301-460-0050, urbanbbqco.com. Urban BarB-Que Company, a tiny joint run by a couple of local friends, has a winning formula and features fingerlicking ribs, burgers and wings, plus salads, chili and smothered fries. Staff is friendly, too. J L D $

VILLA MAYA 5532 Norbeck Road (Rock Creek Village Center), 301-460-1247. Here you’ll find all the traditional Mexican and Tex-Mex favorites from quesadillas to fajitas that are sure to please the whole family.

R L D $$

THE WOODSIDE DELI 4 N. Washington St., 301-444-4478, thewoodside deli.com. A second location of the venerable Silver Spring eatery and caterer that has been dishing up matzo ball soup since 1947. Choose from a wide selection of sandwiches, burgers and entrées. This one has a pickle bar. ❂ J B R L D $

WORLD OF BEER 196B East Montgomery Ave., 301-340-2915, worldofbeer.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ JRL D $

YEKTA 1488 Rockville Pike, 301-984-1190, yekta.com.

Persian cuisine, including a selection of beef, chicken and lamb kabobs, is served in a beautiful dining room. Try a dessert such as frozen noodle

sorbet or saffron ice cream. Check out the adjacent market after polishing off your kebab. L D $$

YUAN FU VEGETARIAN 798 Rockville Pike, 301-762-5937, yuanfuvegetarian.com. From tea-smoked “duck” to kung pao “chicken,” the whole menu is meatless, made from Chinese vegetable products. There is a large selection of chef’s specials, including Pumpkin Chicken with Mushrooms in a hot pot and Baby Abalone in Tomato Sauce. L D $

SILVER SPRING

THE DAILY DISH

923 Sligo Ave., 301-565-2233, bibim923.com.

Korean fare is served in a charming, 65-seat neighborhood restaurant, with outdoor seating for 50. Start with scallion or kimchi pancakes and crunchy, lightly coated chicken wings, then go for the house specialty: bibimbap, an abundant mealin-a-bowl dish of rice, vegetables, fried egg, various protein add-ons and gochujang (red chili paste). Sip on a nice selection of bourbons and soju, Korea’s beloved distilled rice spirit. ❂ D $$

THE BIG GREEK CAFÉ

ADDIS ABABA 8233 Fenton St., 301-589-1400. Authentic Ethiopian-style vegetables and fiery meats are served atop spongy bread in communal bowls.

Traditional woven tables and a roof deck add to the ambience. There’s a weekday lunch buffet, too. ❂ RLD$

ALL SET RESTAURANT & BAR 8630 Fenton St., 301-495-8800, allsetrestaurant. com. American cuisine with a focus on New England specialties. Look for clams, oysters and lobster, plus crab cakes and rockfish, and beef and vegetarian options. The snazzy space is also the setting for clam bakes and fried chicken on Sunday nights. ❂ J R L D $$

AMINA THAI

8223 Georgia Ave., 301-587-4733, biggreekcafe. com. Owned by the Marmaras brothers, whose family operated the decades-old Golden Flame restaurant, the café serves a hit parade of Greek specialties, including a top-notch chicken souvlaki pita. L D $

CAVA MEZZE GRILL 8515 Fenton St., 301-200-8666, cavagrill.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ L D $

THE CLASSICS (EDITORS’ PICK) 8606 Colesville Road, 301-588-7297, theclassicsdc.com. The restaurant features great steaks and seafood served without the pomp in a basic white dining room. Serious drinks and fresh seasonal American fare. Its less-formal bistro seating is first-come, first served. D $$

COPPER CANYON GRILL 928 Ellsworth Drive, 301-589-1330, ccgrill.com.

See Gaithersburg listing. ❂ J R L D $$

8624 Colesville Road, 301-588-3588. See Rockville/North Bethesda listing. L D $

CRISFIELD SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

AZÚCAR RESTAURANT BAR & GRILL 14418 Layhill Road, 301-438-3293, azucarrestaurant.net. The name means sugar, and it fits: The colorful Salvadoran spot is decorated in bright purple and orange with Cubist-style paintings.

The pork-stuffed corn pupusas are stars. Also look for more elegant dinners, including fried whole trout.

L D $$

BETE ETHIOPIAN CUISINE 811 Roeder Road, 301-588-2225. Family-run Ethiopian restaurant with a modest dining room but some exemplary cooking. Don’t miss the vegetarian sampler, and in nice weather, opt for eating outside in the lovely, shaded back patio. ❂ J B L D $$

Salon Central

BIBIM

8012 Georgia Ave., 301-589-1306, crisfieldseafood.com. With its U-shaped counter and kitschy, oyster-plate-covered walls, this landmark seafood diner has customers lining up for the Eastern Shore specialties such as oysters and crabmeat-stuffed lobster that it has served since the 1940s. L D $$

8301 Grubb Road, 301-588-6300, thedailydish restaurant.com. A neighborhood favorite serving seasonally inspired, locally sourced comfort food, including bar bites and brunch dishes. Full-service catering is available, too. ❂ J R L D $$

DON POLLO 12345 Georgia Ave., 301-933-9515; 13881 Outlet Drive, 240-560-7376, donpollogroup.com. See Bethesda listing. L D $

DENIZENS BREWING CO. (EDITORS’ PICK) 1115 East West Highway, 301-557-9818, denizens brewingco.com. The bright-orange building houses Montgomery County’s largest brewery, featuring core beers and seasonal offerings, along with drafts from other regional breweries. Menu of snacks, sandwiches and salads includes vegetarian options.

There is a large outdoor beer garden and indoor seating overlooking the brewery. ❂ D $

EGGSPECTATION 923 Ellsworth Drive, 301-585-1700, eggspectations.com. This Canadian import features fresh and creative egg plates in an elegant yet casual dining room complete with a fireplace and colorful Harlequin-themed art. It also serves great salads, dinners and dessert. ❂ B L D $$

EL AGUILA RESTAURANT 8649 16th St., 301-588-9063, elaguilarestaurant. com. A cheery bar and generous plates of TexMex favorites such as enchiladas and Salvadoran seafood soup make this eatery popular with families and others looking for a lively night out. ❂ L D $

EL GAVILAN 8805 Flower Ave., 301-587-4197, gavilanrestaurant.com. The walls are bright, the music’s upbeat, the margaritas are fine and the service is friendly. The usual Tex-Mex fare is here, as well as Salvadoran specialties such as tasty cheese- or pork-filled pupusas. J L D $

EL GOLFO

CUBANO’S 1201 Fidler Lane, 301-563-4020, cubanos restaurant.com. The brightly colored tropical dining room and the authentic Cuban cooking evident in dishes such as ropa vieja (shredded beef in onions, peppers and garlic) and fried plantains keep customers coming back. ❂ L D $$

8739 Flower Ave., 301-608-2121, elgolforestaurant. com. Friendly, home-style Latin service is the hallmark, as attested to by the many Salvadorans who stop in for lunch and dinner. Pupusas, soups and beef dishes such as carne asada as well as more adventurous choices can be found in the

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dine charming, raspberry-colored dining room. ❂ JRLD$

ETHIO EXPRESS GRILL 952 Sligo Ave., 301-844-5149, ethiogrill. com. Ethiopian food goes fast-casual in this counter service eatery that offers your choice of carbohydrate bases (i.e., injera, rice, pasta), plus grilled meats (or tofu), sauces and lots of vegetables (the spicy lentils and yellow split peas are especially good). L D $

FENTON CAFÉ 8311 Fenton St., 301-326-1841. An out-of-the-way crêperie serving 31 kinds of sweet crêpes and 16 varieties of savory crêpes. Savory versions range from cheese and ham to roasted eggplant with zucchini, bell pepper, sundried tomato, garlic and onion. B L D $

FIRE STATION 1 RESTAURANT & BREWING CO. 8131 Georgia Ave., 301-585-1370, firestation1. com. A historic firehouse made over as an eatery serves 21st-century pizza, sandwiches, meat, seafood and vegetarian entrées. Try the Cuban sandwich with seasoned pork, chipotle mayo, Dijon mustard, pickles and Swiss cheese on a ciabatta roll. L D $

THE GREEK PLACE 8417 Georgia Ave., 301-495-2912, thegreekplace. net. Here are big portions of better-than-average food at reasonable prices. The bifteki pita sandwich, a seasoned ground lamb and beef patty with tzatziki, tomatoes and red onions, is especially good. L D $

GUSTO FARM TO STREET 8512 Fenton St., 301-565-2800, eatgusto.com.

See Bethesda listing. ❂ J L D $

HEN QUARTER 919 Ellsworth Drive, 240-247-8969, henquarter. com. An outpost of a restaurant in Alexandria, Virginia, Hen Quarter focuses on Southern fare, such as shrimp and grits, and chicken and waffles. The space includes rustic décor and garage windows that roll back for open-air views of Downtown Silver Spring’s fountain. The bar pours 75 types of bourbon and other whiskeys, as well as craft beer and wine. ❂ J R L D $$

ITALIAN KITCHEN 8201 Fenton St., 301-588-7800, italiankitchenmd. com. Casual, attractive pizzeria with bar seating also turns out homemade sandwiches, calzones, salads and pasta dishes. Pizza and paninis are top notch. L D $

JEWEL OF INDIA 10151 New Hampshire Ave., 301-408-2200, jewelofindiamd.com. Elegant décor and excellent northern Indian cuisine make this shopping center restaurant a real find. Diners will find a good selection of curries, and rice and biryani dishes.

L D $$

KAO THAI 8650 Colesville Road, 301-495-1234, kaothai restaurant.com. This restaurant turns out top-notch curries, noodle dishes and vegetarian options, plus house specialties, such as Siam Salmon with Spicy Thai Basil Sauce and Thai Chili Tilapia. Dishes are cooked medium spicy. ❂ L D $$

LA CASITA PUPUSERIA & MARKET 8214 Piney Branch Road, 301-588-6656, lacasita pupusas.com. Homemade pupusas, tamales and other Salvadoran specialties are available, plus a

full breakfast menu and a small selection of grocery items. B L D $

LA MALINCHE 8622 Colesville Road, 301-562-8622, lamalinche tapas.com. Diners will find an interesting selection of Spanish and Mexican tapas, plus a full Saturday and Sunday brunch featuring huevos rancheros, variations of tortillas Espanola and more.

R L D $$

LANGANO ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANT 8305 Georgia Ave., 301-563-6700. Named for the popular Ethiopian vacation spot, Lake Langano, this longtime restaurant offers fine Ethiopian cuisine such as doro wat (spicy chicken stew) and tibs (stewed meat) in a cozy white- and red-accented dining room. Lunch specials on weekdays. L D $

LEBANESE TAVERNA CAFÉ 933 Ellsworth Drive, 301-588-1192, lebanese taverna.com. See Rockville listing. J L D $

LINA'S DINER AND BAR 8402 Georgia Ave., 240-641-8061. The casual diner features a blend of American and Frenchinspired options, from frisée aux lardons (salad topped with bacon and egg) to double cheeseburgers. Eclectic, Bohemian décor adorns the walls of the dining room. J L D $$

LINCOLN’S BAR-B-QUE 931 Ellsworth Drive, 301-578-1660, lincolnsbbq. com. Next to the fountain in the heart of downtown Silver Spring, Lincoln’s serves up all manner of barbecue. While smoked meats are the headliners, you’ll also find a Frito pie appetizer—cheese, chili, jalapeños and onions on Frito chips—served in a cut-open Frito bag. To-go goods, including sauces and spices, are for sale here too. ❂ J L D $$

MAMMA LUCIA 1302 East West Highway, 301-562-0693, mammaluciarestaurants.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ L D $$

MANDALAY RESTAURANT & CAFÉ 930 Bonifant St., 301-585-0500, mandalay restaurantcafe.com. The modest dining room is packed most evenings with families and large groups who come for the Burmese food, a cross between Indian and Thai. L D $

MCGINTY’S PUBLIC HOUSE 911 Ellsworth Drive, 301-587-1270, mcgintys publichouse.com. Traditional Irish pub and restaurant features corned beef and cabbage, live music and dancing. Early-bird special, three-course menu for $15, from 5 to 7 p.m. ❂ J R L D $$

MI RANCHO 8701 Ramsey Ave., 301-588-4872, miranchotexmexrestaurant.com. See Rockville listing. ❂ L D $

MIX BAR AND GRILLE 8241 Georgia Ave., #200, 301-326-1333, mixbar andgrillesilverspring.com. Modern American bistro with an older sibling; similar menu, plus a selection of ceviche. See Potomac listing. ❂  R L D $$

MOD PIZZA 909 Ellsworth Drive, 240-485-1570, modpizza.com.

First Maryland location of this Bellevue, Washingtonbased chain offers design-your-own fast-casual pies (hence, Made on Demand, or MOD). Pizzas, cooked at 800 degrees for three minutes, can be topped with a choice of nearly 40 sauces, cheeses, meats, spices and veggies. ❂ L D $

288 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

MRS. K’S RESTAURANT 9201 Colesville Road, 301-589-3500, mrsks.com.

Here’s an elegant, antique-filled option for special occasions and brunch. This historic restaurant beckons a younger crowd with the Wine Press, a European-style wine bar downstairs, which has its own more casual menu. ❂ R L D $$$

NAINAI’S NOODLE & DUMPLING BAR 1200 East West Highway, 301-585-6678, nainaisnoodles.com. Sisters Joanne and Julie Liu serve homemade noodles and dumplings in this lovable fast-casual eatery that shares a kitchen with their Scion restaurant next door. Focus on the noodles, and bring a photo of your “Nainai” (grandmother in Chinese) to tack on the bulletin board. L D $

NOT YOUR AVERAGE JOE'S 8661 Colesville Road, 240-839-3400, notyouraveragejoes.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ J L D $$

OLAZZO (EDITORS’ PICK) 8235 Georgia Ave., 301-588-2540, olazzo.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ J L D $

PACCI’S NEAPOLITAN PIZZERIA (EDITORS’ PICK) 8113 Georgia Ave., 301-588-1011, paccispizzeria. com. This stylish eatery turns out top-notch pizzas from a wood-burning oven. Choose from red or white pizza selections, plus four kinds of calzones. ❂ JLD$

PACCI’S TRATTORIA & PASTICCERIA 6 Old Post Office Road, 301-588-0867, paccis trattoria.com. Diners will find a range of classic Italian dishes, including homemade meatballs and sausage, from the owner of Pacci’s Neapolitan Pizzeria, also in Silver Spring. L D $$

PARKWAY DELI & RESTAURANT 8317 Grubb Road, 301-587-1427, theparkway deli.com. Parkway features a bustling back dining room that makes this popular spot so much more than a deli. Longtime waitresses greet regular customers and kids with hugs during busy weekend breakfasts. All-you-can-eat pickle bar. ❂ B L D $

PETE’S NEW HAVEN STYLE APIZZA 962 Wayne Ave., 301-588-7383, petesapizza.com.

Sporting more stylish décor than its other locations, this Pete’s offers the same crunchy-crusted New Haven-style pizzas, plus pasta, panini and salads.

This branch is the only one so far to offer fried calamari. J L D $

PHO HIEP HOA 921-G Ellsworth Drive, 301-588-5808, phohiephoa. com. Seventeen kinds of Vietnamese soup called pho can be customized to taste in this upbeat restaurant overlooking the action in the downtown area. ❂ L D $

SAMANTHA’S 631 University Blvd. East, 301-445-7300, samanthasrestaurante.com. This white-tablecloth, Latin-Salvadoran spot in an industrial neighborhood is popular because of its welcoming attitude toward families with young children. The steak and fish specialties are good. L D $$

SCION 1200 East West Highway, 301-585-8878, scionrestaurant.com. A contemporary American eatery from sisters Joanne and Julie Liu, who also own a popular Dupont Circle restaurant with the same name and Nainai’s Noodle & Dumpling Bar in Silver Spring. Look for everything from wasabi

URBAN WINERY

Caesar salad to crab Reuben to spicy yogurt chicken. J R L D $$

SERGIOS RISTORANTE ITALIANO 8727 Colesville Road, 301-585-1040. A classic red-sauce Italian restaurant that manages to feel special, with soothing wall murals and high-quality service, despite a basement location inside the DoubleTree Hotel. Ravioli with asparagus and cheese in a tarragon sauce is popular. L D $$

THE SOCIETY RESTAURANT & LOUNGE 8229 Georgia Ave., 301-565-8864, societyss. com. A sleek and modern atmosphere catering to a nightlife crowd, Society offers fare with a Caribbean accent. Check out the rooftop seating and daily drink specials, which include $25 beer buckets. ❂ L D $$

SUSHI JIN NEXT DOOR 8555 Fenton St., 301-608-0990, sushijinnextdoor. com. The eatery is spare, clean and modern, and offers terrific udon noodle soup and impeccable raw fish. Choose from 11 appetizers and seven soups and salads. L D $$

SWEETGREEN 8517 Georgia Ave., 301-244-5402, sweetgreen. com. See Bethesda listing. L D $

949 Bonifant St., 301-585-4100, theurbanwinery. com. Silver Spring residents Damon and Georgia Callis open the first and only urban winery in the midAtlantic area. Tasting facility offers craft wines made with local and international grapes, and customers can even create their own wines (by appointment).

Light menu includes artisan cheese, charcuterie and smoked seafood platters, plus Greek mezze. D $

8601 Cameron St., 301-589-8171, tasteediner. com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ J B L D $

3830 International Drive (Leisure World Plaza), 301598-6868, vegetablegarden.com. The popular vegan, vegetarian and macrobiotic Asian restaurant features a wide variety of eggplant and asparagus dishes, plus vegetarian “beef,” and “chicken” dishes often made with soy and wheat gluten. L D $$

VICINO RISTORANTE ITALIANO 959 Sligo Ave., 301-588-3372, vicinoitaliano.com.

A favorite neighborhood red-sauce joint that hasn’t changed in decades, Vicino features some fine seafood choices in addition to classic pasta dishes.

Families are welcome. ❂ L D $ $

THE WOODSIDE DELI 9329 Georgia Ave., 301-589-7055, thewoodside deli.com. See Rockville listing. J B L D $

AMERICAN CITY DINER

TAYLOR GOURMET 8535 Fenton St., 301-304-6283, taylorgourmet. com. See Bethesda listing. L D $

THAI AT SILVER SPRING 921-E Ellsworth Drive, 301-650-0666, thaiatsilver spring.com. The Americanized Thai food is second to the location, which is superb for people-watching on the street below. A modern and stylish dining room with a hip bar in bold colors and good service add to the appeal. ❂ L D $$

URBAN BAR-B-QUE COMPANY 10163 New Hampshire Ave., 301-434-7427, urban bbqco.com. See Rockville listing. L D $

URBAN BUTCHER (EDITORS’ PICK) 8226 Georgia Ave., 301-585-5800, urbanbutcher. com. Hip, eclectic setting is the backdrop for this New Age steak house, with its home-cured salamis, sausages and other charcuterie, plus meat dishes made from local animals of yesteryear breeds.

There’s a lounge, bar, meat curing room, retail counter and dining area. R D $$

CAFÉ OF INDIA 4909 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-244-1395, cafeofindiadc.com. Here’s a cute corner café with two levels of dining and an extensive menu that includes vegetarian and tandoori entrées, dosas, samosas, tikkas, curries and kabobs. ❂ L D $$

CHATTER

VEGETABLE GARDEN

UPPER NW D.C.

TASTEE DINER

takes on comfort food such as roast chicken (locally raised) in an artsy-chic setting. D $$$

5532 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-244-1949, americancitydiner.com. Retro diner complete with blue-plate specials such as Salisbury steak and stuffed peppers; malts and egg creams. Diners can catch a classic movie free with dinner. ❂ JBLD$

5247 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-362-8040, chatterdc. com. A group that includes Gary Williams, Maury Povich, Tony Kornheiser and Alan Bubes bought this neighborhood hangout in 2017 and renovated it while maintaining its Cheers-like atmostphere. It offers a full menu beyond bar food, including salads, steaks, seafood and sandwiches. ❂ R L D $$

COMET PING PONG (EDITORS’ PICK) 5037 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-364-0404, cometpingpong.com. Landmark fun spot where you can play ping-pong or admire local art while you wait for your wood-fired pizza. Choose from over 30 toppings to design your own pie. ❂ R L D $

DECARLO’S RESTAURANT 4822 Yuma St. NW, 202-363-4220, decarlosrestaurant.com. This is a family-owned neighborhood staple, with a traditional Italian menu and upscale/casual atmosphere. Signature dishes include agnolotti, veal scallopini, broiled salmon and hand-made pasta. ❂ L D $$

GUAPO’S RESTAURANT 4515 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-686-3588, guaposrestaurant.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ R L D $$

JAKE’S AMERICAN GRILLE

ARUCOLA 5534 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-244-1555, arucola. com. The restaurant serves authentic Italian cuisine in a casual setting, with a changing menu that includes creative treatment of traditional dishes, homemade pasta and pizza from the wood-burning oven. ❂ L D $ $

BLUE 44 5507 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-362-2583, blue44dc.com. The menu features classic American favorites infused with the flavors of Italy and France, including ratatouille, pork schnitzel and bouillabaisse. ❂ J R L D $$

BUCK’S FISHING AND CAMPING 5031 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-364-0777, bucksfishingandcamping.com. Diners can enjoy a seasonal menu that changes daily, and offers hip

5018 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-966-5253, jakesdc. com. Burgers, steaks and sandwiches are served in a restaurant named after the owner’s grandfather, an accomplished Navy test engineer. Check out the Boiler Room, a sports bar in the basement.

J R L D $$

JETTIES 5632 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-364-2465, jettiesdc.com. See Bethesda listing. J L D $

LE CHAT NOIR 4907 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-244-2044, lechatnoirrestaurant.com. This cute, cozy neighborhood bistro is run by French restaurateurs, who cook traditional fare such as steak frites, bouillabaisse and braised lamb cheeks. R L D $$

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dine LE PAIN QUOTIDIEN 4874 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 202-459-9141, lepainquotidien.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ JBRLD$

LUNCHBOX 5535 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Suite 018, 202-2443470, voltlunchbox.com. The Washington remake of chef Bryan Voltaggio’s defunct Frederick restaurant offers specialties including the Southern Banh Mi with crispy chicken and pickled vegetables, and B’More with pepper-crusted pit beef. L D $

MACON BISTRO & LARDER (EDITORS’ PICK) 5520 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-248-7807, macon bistro.com. Southern and French cuisine converge at this airy, charming restaurant in the historic Chevy Chase Arcade. Appetizers include raclette and fried green tomatoes, and steak frites is offered alongside short ribs with grits for main courses. ❂ R D $$

MAGGIANO’S LITTLE ITALY 5333 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-966-5500, maggianos.com. The restaurant features oldstyle Italian fare that’s a favorite for large groups and private celebrations. Check out the signature flatbreads and specialty pastas, including lobster carbonara. J R L D $$

MASALA ART (EDITORS’ PICK) 4441-B Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-362-4441, masalaartdc.com. Here is fine Indian dining featuring

tandoor-oven specialties and masterful Indian spicing. Start off by choosing from a selection of nine breads and 17 appetizers. L D $$

MILLIE’S 4866 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 202-733-5789, milliesdc.com. This eatery in the Spring Valley neighborhood may be from up north—it’s the second location of a popular Nantucket restaurant—but its flavors are distinctly south-of-the-border. The menu offers coastal takes on tacos, quesadillas and salads that are as summery as the bright, nautical décor of the dining room. ❂ J R L D $$

PARTHENON RESTAURANT 5510 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-966-7600, parthenon-restaurant.com. This is a neighborhood eatery taken up a couple notches, with an extensive menu full of authentic selections familiar and exotic, including avgolemono (egg/lemon soup), tzatziki, moussaka, dolmades and souvlaki. ❂ L D $$

PETE’S NEW HAVEN STYLE APIZZA 4940 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-237-7383, petesapizza.com. See Silver Spring listing. ❂ JLD$

RANGE (EDITORS’ PICK) 5335 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Suite 201, 202-8038020, voltrange.com. Celebrity chef Bryan Voltaggio’s extravaganza, featuring multiple open kitchens, seats 300 and offers an enormous wine list. L D $$$

SATAY CLUB ASIAN RESTAURANT AND BAR 4654 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-363-8888, asiansatayclub.com. The restaurant prides itself on providing a comfortable/casual setting with a menu that spans Japanese sushi, Chinese moo-shi vegetables, Thai curries and Vietnamese spring rolls. L D $

TANAD THAI 4912 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-966-0616, tanadthai cuisine.com. The extensive menu ranges from noodles, rice and curries to vegetarian entrées, and even a Thai lemonade cocktail. House specialties include pad Thai and Drunken Noodles. ❂ L D $$

TARA THAI 4849 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 202-363-4141, tarathai.com. See Gaithersburg listing. ❂ L D $$

TERASOL (EDITORS’ PICK) 5010 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-237-5555, terasolartisans.com. This charming French café offers soups, salads, quiches and a few entrées, along with jewelry and pottery from local artisans.

Live music on Fridays and Saturdays. ❂ B L D $

WAGSHAL’S RESTAURANT 4855 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 202-363-5698, wagshals.com. Longtime popular deli expands grocery and carryout section, and adds a casual sit-down restaurant in the Spring Valley Shopping Center. Same high-quality fare, including the overstuffed sandwiches. L D $ ■

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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Coach Lun's Basketball Camp

Day

Coed

7-14

Bethesda

www.whitmanbasketball.com/coachlun-s-our-team-basketball-camp

301-580-8284

Creative Summer at Holton-Arms

Day

Coed

4 - 13

Bethesda

www.holtoncreativesummer.org

301-365-6003

Dawn Crafton Dance Connection Summer Dance camps

Day

Coed

Rockville

www.dcdcDance.com

301-840-8400

Fusion Academy

Day

Coed

12 & under 12 - 18

DC, Tysons, Alexandria

www.FusionSummerClass.com

703-535-3130

Green Acres School Summer Camp

Day

Coed

3 - 12

N. Bethesda

www.greenacres.org

301-468-8110

Grier Summer

Overnight

All Girls

7 - 17

Tyrone, PA

www.griersummer.org

814-684-3000

Headfirst Camps

Day

Coed

3 - 13

multiple

www.headfirstcamps.com

202-625-1921

Imagination Stage Summer Camp

Day

Coed

4 - 18

Bethesda

www.imaginationstage.org

301-280-1636

Jackals Club Field Hockey

Day

All Girls

Bethesda

www.jackalsfieldhockey.com

301-370-3063

Koa Sports

Day

Coed

5 - 13

Rockville

www.koasports.org

301-229-7529

LEAD Camp

Day

Coed

9 - 14

Bethesda

www.leadcamp.org

240-482-3722

Lowell School Summer Programs

Day

Coed

3 - 14

Washington, DC

www.lowellschool.org

202-577-2006

Oneness-Family School Summer Programs

Day

Coed

Chevy Chase

www.onenessfamilyschool.org

301-652-7751

St. John's College High School Summer Sports Camps

Day

Coed

3.5 11+ 6 - 17

Chevy Chase, DC

www.stjohnschs.org/summercamps

202-363-2316

Stone Ridge Summer Campus

Day

Coed

4 - 17

Bethesda

www.stoneridgesummercampus.org

301-657-4322

Summer at Norwood

Day

Coed

3.5 - 14

Bethesda

www.summeratnorwood.org

301-841-2254

Summer at the Academy Enrichment Camp

Day

Coed

12 - 18

Kensington

www.academyoftheholycross.org

301-942-2100

Summer at the Academy Robotics Camp

Day

All Girls

11 - 13

Kensington

www.academyoftheholycross.org

301-942-2100

Summer at the Academy Sports Camp

Day

All Girls

9 - 17

Kensington

www.academyoftheholycross.org

301-942-2100

Summer at WES

Coed

3.5 - 14

Bethesda

www.w-e-s.org/summer

301-652-7878

Summer Stock at the Academy - Performing Arts Institute

Day & Overnight Day

Coed

12 - 17

Kensington

www.academyoftheholycross.org

301-942-2100

SummerEdge at McLean School

Day

Coed

3 - 18

Potomac

www.summeredge.org

240-395-0690

Travelin’ Teens & Adventure Camp

Day

Coed

9 - 13

www.kidsafterhours.com

301-351-9966

Valley Mill Camp

Day

4 - 14

www.valleymill.com

301-948-0220

Washington Sailing Marina

Day

Boys camp Girls camp Coed

Various MoCo locations Darnestown

8 - 15

Alexandria

www.washingtonsailingmarina.com

703-505-9353

Westmoreland Children’s Center

Day

Coed

2-5

Bethesda

www.wccbethesda.com

301-229-7161

YMCA Bethesda-Chevy Chase/Ayrlawn Center

Day

Coed

4 - 15

Bethesda

www.ymcadc.org

301-530-8500

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301-251-5766 301-251-5766 202-885-3031

FIELD TRIPS

HORSES

WATER SPORTS

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Essential information on

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SPECIALTIES Celebrating 40 years, it will be an unforgettable summer as they take their final bow in a musical theater show! Two weeks of singing, dancing, costumes, props and acting.

With a trip to NYC or a role in Les Miserables to choose from based upon your choice of session, this inclusive three week training program develops students’ performance training by providing focused instruction in an immersive musical theatre environment. Ask about our scholarships.

American Volleyball Camps are the most fun and challenging camps in the DMV. From beginner to elite, all levels (youth, middle school, high school) are welcome. ●

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On-site swimming, horseback riding, sports, overnights, special event days, arts and crafts, nature, outdoor living skills, martial arts, dramatics, music, and CIT program.

Swim instruction/pool time, before and after care, outdoor adventure excursions, arts and crafts, dance, music, cooking, STEAM, robotics, chess, sports and games for PK-5th graders.

Counselor-in-Training leadership experiences for 6th-12th graders The area’s best and most affordable summer baseball camp. Learn directly from future professional baseball players.

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Our specialties are adventure, day, tennis, golf, soccer, field games, arts and crafts; swim lessons included in day camp. Lunch included in all camps. Free swim for all camps.

High ratios staff to camper. Transportation, before and after care available.

Calleva offers exciting outdoor adventures in nearby wilderness areas -”Rivers, Trails, Rocks & Farm.” Transportation included.

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Dedicated to the personal and creative growth of our campers, and includes over 75 activities including acting, a cappella, stage combat, filmmaking, newspaper, costume design, hip-hop dance, pick-up sports, musical theater, sculpture, improv, and Chinese brush painting!

1, 2, 3 and 4-week sessions. Horses, rafting, arts, mountain boarding,mountain biking, organic farming, rock climbing, fishing, sports, 1000 foot zip line and more!

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We encourage campers to be creative and independent, have fun and make friendships that last a lifetime. Activities include aquatics, sports, outdoors adventures, horseback riding, performing/visual arts and more.

Camp JCC is the place to be this summer. Explore everything we have to offer from arts, sports, theater, STEM, daily swimming and so much more.

Horseback riding, swimming, soccer, tennis, gymnastics, basketball, track and field, and more. Transportation and extended care available!

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Voted Best of Bethesda 2015 & 2017 and ACA accredited. Variety of sessions offered and activities. Specialities: Aquatics, Equestrian, sports programs, archery, riflery, arts and more.

Capital Camps is a Jewish overnight camp where campers develop lifelong friendships while exploring our sports, adventure, visual/performing arts, and aquatics programs.

We will teach fundamentals and reinforce the importance of a positive attitude, teamwork, and FUN! All skill-levels welcome!

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Retake a class or get ahead before next semester, or supplement with an art, music, or lab class. From algebra to yoga and everything in between, we have over 250 courses.

Daily, on-site swimming instruction; Create your own path in science & Technology, Sports, Music and Art.

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Create your own summer: We offer classes in the arts, cooking, crafts, dance, music, outdoor exploration, sports, swimming, tennis, theater, tutoring, and more.

Transportation, extended day are available.

Half day 9:30-12:30/Full Day 9:30-3:30 Before & Aftercare available. Dance camp includes Hip Hop, Jazz, Ballet, Musical Theatre, Tumbling, Crafts & More!

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Art, musical theatre, dance, English or Western horseback riding; intensive or recreational programming options; beginner, intermediate, or advanced skill levels welcome; theme weekends & special activities.

Our mission is to inspire each camper’s personal best, while unleashing the power of play to grow and discover their gifts. Now offering Day/Overnight, Sports and STEM camps in Alexandria, Oakton, Bethesda and DC More than 100 1, 2, 3, & 4-week camps in drama, dance, musical theatre, and filmmaking True developmental field hockey training.

Koa Sports is a fun, coed, active multi sports camp for all ages and abilities!

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LEAD Camp provides a gateway to 21st century skills for budding entrepreneurs and leaders, valuable business and marketing experience that will last your child a lifetime, along with core athletic exercises. Guest speakers from leading local companies, and “Shark-Tank” style competitions.

Horsemanship program, outdoor adventures program, onsite swimming pool, newly expanded weekly teen offerings, and extended programs into August including an Aquatics camp.

Daily nature exploration (1st-5th grade), pool trips & water-play, yoga, thrilling creative arts & sciences, low camper to counselor ratio, and extended care!

Baseball, basketball, field hockey, football, lacrosse, performance training, soccer, tennis, track and field, volleyball, wrestling

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Choose your own adventure from over 45 classes including: makerspace tech lab, moviemaking, drama, jewelry making, fine art, dance, cardboard boat regatta, musical theater, guitar lessons, swimming, diving, Sports Academy, Community Service, Adventure Camps and more!

Early childhood, specialty day camps in STEM, art, dance, cooking, sports, academic enrichment, kayaking, rock climbing, hiking, CIT. Preparation course for the High School Placement Test (HSPT) used for Archdiocese of Washington Catholic high school admissions.

Learn the basics of STEM-related robotics Choose from field hockey, soccer, lacrosse, basketball, and volleyball

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Nine sessions that include archery, robotics, cooking, sculpture, animation and video game development, basketball, hiking, entrepreneurship, dance, and more!

Hone your performing arts skills; classes include singing, dancing, improvisation, filmmaking, and acting.

From producing a blockbuster movie to conducting eye-opening science experiments, SummerEdge at McLean School offers something fun and learning for everyone.

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Daily field trips to Area Beaches & Amusement Parks, High Ropes Course, Water Parks, White Water Rafting, Scuba, Tubing, Climbing, Sporting Events. 100% supervised by our counselors at all times.

Kayaking, canoeing, swimming, horseback riding, rock climbing, archery, air rifle, gymnastics and more. Transportation provided.

Great summer days spent learning the wonderful sport of sailing on the Potomac River. It is empowering, fun and healthy! Camps available for beginners through advanced.

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Each theme oriented session includes water play, special events, special projects and music. Outdoor playground and well-equipped pre-school classrooms. Low teacher to child ratio. ●

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25+ different camps a week—travel camps, aquatics, sports, arts, science, teen, specialty

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summer Camps

Valley Mill Day Camp

Learn More about open house at www.valleymill.com Spring & Summer Programs

Call 301-948-0220 Voted Best of DC

Transportation Provided

Celebrating 60 years !

Located in nearby Darnestown, MD 294

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OFFERING DAY, STEM AND SPORTS CAMPS Boys and Girls Ages 3-13

MATER DEI BETHESDA, MD

ST. ALBANS/NCS NW WASHINGTON, DC

!

NEW

OVERNIGHT CAMPS

EPISCOPAL HIGH SCHOOL - ALEXANDRIA, VA

(202) 625 - 1921

headfirstcamps.com

summer Camps

2018 SUMMER CAMP 4 -week options for ages 4 -18 r o , 3 , 2 , 1

ACTING | MUSICAL THEATRE | DANCE | FILMMAKING www.imaginationstage.org | 301-280-1636

2018 BBBBBBBB BBB TTTTT SSSSSS BBBBBBBB CCCC

Gallop to the beat of Summer fun!

Co-Ed Instructional Sports Program Camp:

June 18 - August 31 Spring break camp: March 26-30 + April 2

Open house dates:

BBBBB SSSSSS CCCCC | PPPPPPPP CCCCC AAAAAAAA DDDDDDDDDDD CCCCC

Jan. 20, 27 and Feb. 3 2 week minimum Ages 3 1/2 - 15

Learn from future Major Leaguers and the reigning #4 collegiate summer team in the country!

Door to Door Transportation Extended Care Available

• Ages 5-12 • All skill levels welcome • Weekly Camps: June 18-July 23 • Before and After Care available

Activities Include: Visit www.bigtrain.org for prices, details & registration For more info: (301) 365-1076 or camp@bigtrain.org Shirley Povich Field | Cabin John Regional Park

WWW.............

Use promo code BMAG for 10% off!

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• Horseback Riding • Basketball • Swimming

• Football • Gymnastics • Soccer

• Tennis • Mountain Biking • Games and more!

Camp Olympia 5511 Muncaster Mill Road, Rockville, MD 20855

www.camp-olympia.com • 301-926-9281

summer Camps

BOLD be

Readers’ Pick, Best Summer Day Camp

for boys and girls ages 4-13

CAMP DATES Session 1: June 25 to July 13, 2018 • Session 2: July 16 to August 3, 2018

For detailed information about Creative Summer programs, please visit our NEW website www.holtoncreativesummer.org

THE AREA’S BE ST ADV ENTURE CAM PS!

301-216-1248

CA L L EVA . O RG

CUBS (4-5yrs) EXPLORERS (6-9yrs) ADVENTURE CAMP (10-15yrs) HIGH ADVENTURE (12-17yrs) BEETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

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summer Camps

THANK YOU FOR VOTING US, BEST KIDS’ DANCE PROGRAM, 2018.

All Styles • All Ages • All Levels Located at Rockville Town Square 301-840-8400 • info@dcdcDance.com dcdcDance.com

DISCOVER YOUR INNER ARTIST

CAMP ARENA STAGE A MULTI-ARTS SUMMER DAY CAMP FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AGES 8 – 15

POOL

❤

STEM CLASSES ❤ ARTS ❤ SPORTS ❤ ADVENTURE CAMPS

www.stoneridgesummercampus.org Co-ed, Ages 4–17 June 18–July 27 Full-day, one-week camps 9101 Rockville Pike · Bethesda, MD 301.657.4322 ext. 380 298

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

75+ ACTIVITIES INCLUDING ART, FILMMAKING, DANCE, THEATER, MUSIC, ANIMATION AND MORE! 4-WEEK INTENSIVE: JUNE 25 – JULY 20, 2018 2-WEEK SESSION: JULY 23 – AUGUST 3, 2018 CAMP OPEN HOUSE: JANUARY 13, 2018

REGISTER TODAY!

ARENASTAGE.ORG/CAMP | 202-600-4064

summer Camps

This summer, St. John’s College High School has something for every athlete! SJC offers a wide variety of summer sports camps for both boys and girls, including: Baseball Basketball Field Hockey Football

Lacrosse Performance Training Soccer

Tennis Track and Field Volleyball Wrestling

For more information, please visit us online at www.stjohnschs.org/summercamps

ST. JOHN’S COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL 2607 Military Rd., NW, Chevy Chase, DC 20015 202-363-2316 / stjohnschs.org

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summer Camps

m ddp i H a C wesn meado

A World of Fun Not Far From Home

1 - 4 Weeks Boys & Girls Ages 6 - 16 Horseback Riding • White-Water Rafting • Climbing Tower • Sailing Sports • Mountain Boarding • Canoeing • Backpacking • Swimming Arts & Crafts • Organic Farm • Mountain Biking • Rock Climbing 1,000 Ft. Zip Line • Performing Arts & more!

JOIN US FOR A TOUR. A quick 1-hour trip from Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD.

e Shuttl C D r fo area!

1-800-600-4752

Capital Camps is the official JCC overnight camp in our region.

camphiddenmeadows.com

JAN. 28 | FEB. 11 | MARCH 4 MARCH 25 | APRIL 15 | APRIL 22 SIGN UP FOR A TOUR AT CAPITALCAMPS.ORG

Washington Sailing Marina

Summer Sailing Camp Programs GD 10608

Summer fun along the Potomac River Full day Sailing and Windsurfing camps Transportation available from Bethesda/ Chevy Chase Area Week long sessions June 4 - Aug 17 (Ages 8-15) Washington Sailing Marina • Alexandria, VA For on-line registration visit www.washingtonsailingmarina.com Questions? Email amy@sharethewind.com

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summer Camps

summer camp for boys and girls Pre-K - Grade 8

NINE WEEkly SESSIoNS June 11 - August 10, 2018

Awesome adventures include archery, robotics, cooking, sports, and more. There’s something for everyone. Day camp located in the heart of Bethesda on the Washington Episcopal School campus – open rain, shine, or heat wave! Before Care and After Care available. Check out the Sleepaway Camp for children entering Grades 3 - 8. Starting March 1, private tours of campus facilities available. Please call 301-652-7878 to schedule a tour.

Register online at www.w-e-s.org/summer today!

WASHINGTON EPISCOPAL SCHOOL 5600 Little Falls Parkway, Bethesda, MD 20816 | www.w-e-s.org | 301-652-7878

301-652-7878

Fun-Paced Learning at McLean School STEM ACADEMICS

PreK - Grade 12

SPORTS

June 18 - August 24 240.395.0690 Readers’ Pick Best Summer Day Camp

ARTS COMMUNITY SERVICE TRAVEL BEFORE & AFTER CARE

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summer Camps Star in a full-scale musical!

Summer Musical Theatre Camp Rising Grades 1–6 Monday–Friday

Game On! GIVING YOUR FAVORITE ELECTRONIC AND BOARD GAMES NEW LIFE! Online Registration Begins January 1

Session 1: June 18–July 6 Session 2: July 9–27 Last Call!: July 30–August 3

2 Week Sessions Glen Echo Park

8:00 am–3:15 pm After Care Available

Newly ded Expan Teens s n’ Tween ram Prog

Counselor-in-Training Opportunities

Offering a wide variety of day camp programs for preschool through teens Onsite pool and swim lessons Eight-acre campus bordering Rock Creek Park Camp Open House March 11, 1pm–3pm

Save $50 when you pay it all by Jan 31!

Use the code SAVE50

& ATMTC ACADEMY

Call: 301.251.5766 Visit: bit.ly/2018SMTC

STEAM Offerings to include: – Robotics – – Welding – – DJ Camp – – Programming – – Production of Annie Jr – AND MORE!

1640 Kalmia Road NW Washington, DC 20012 202-577-2006

www.lowellschool.org S U M M E R AT H O LY C R O S S Co-Ed Summer Enrichment Grades 7-8 High School Placement Test Prep (HSPT) Course

Girls Summer Sports Camps

June 18 - 22

Session 1: June 18 - 22 • 9 am - 3 pm Session 2: June 25 - 29 • 9 am - 3 pm

Morning Session: 8:30 am - 12 pm

Afternoon Session: 1 pm - 4:30 pm

Girls Robotics Camp

Grades 4 -10 Basketball, Field Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Volleyball

Co-Ed Summer Stock Performing Arts Grades 6-11

Grades 6-8

June 18 - 29 • 9 am - 3 pm

Session 1: June 18 - 22 Session 2: June 25 - 29 8:30 am - 3:30 pm

Classes in: Musical Theatre Dance, Musical Theatre Singing, Improvisation, Filmmaking, Acting Final Performance: Friday, June 29 at 7 pm

All-Girls, Grades 9-12 • 301-942-2100 4920 Strathmore Ave, Kensington MD w w w . A c A d e m y O f T h e h O ly c r O s s . O r g

For more information call 301-942-2100

I am a thinker, an athlete, an artist.

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summer Camps

Catch up, get ahead, or try something new

this summer.

Join us for a summer semester!

Summer school doesn’t have to be boring. At Fusion, we have the ability to customize classes to student’s individual strengths, interests, and learning style. Classes are taught with just one student and one teacher per classroom. We offer academic tutoring, enrichment, and classes for credit for grades 6 through 12. Students can enroll at any time, and take classes at a time of day that works best for them.

Learn more at FusionSummerClass.com.

Fusion Academy Rockville FusionRockville.com (301) 251-5130 Fusion Academy Washington D.C. FusionWashDC.com 202.244.0639

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summer Camps Extraordinary Environment for Learning Serving students age 18 months through Grade 12

Away from the everyday

Now enrolling for fall 2018!

3, 2 & 1 Week Sessions Coed | Ages 7 to 16

admission@barrie.org

Readers’ Pick Best Overnight Summer Camp

Have plans for summer yet?

Saturday, January 20 | 9:30 –11 am Washington Episcopal School Bethesda, MD Activities • Bagels • Info To register & for more info visit www.camptalltimbers.com

Camp Tall Timbers High View, WV | 800.862.2678

Beauvoir Summer offers pre-kindergarten through fifth grade children swim lessons, sports, arts and crafts, and outdoor adventure camps.

Counselor-in-Training leadership programs are offered for sixth through twelfth graders.

Beauvoir Summer runs June 11 to August 3, 2018. www.beauvoirschool.org/summer

Our programs are located at Beauvoir, The National Cathedral Elementary School 3500 Woodley Road NW, Washington, DC 20016

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Visit us to learn about our rich tradition of camp activities and exciting new offerings for ages 4-14.

Barrie Camp Open Houses: Jan 21, Feb 25, Mar 11 • 1-3 pm Barrie School and Camp 13500 Layhill Road, Silver Spring, MD

barrie.org

summer Camps

Coach Lun

BASKETBALL CAMP 9 AM–3 PM

(free early drop off any time after 8 am) BOYS AND GIRLS, RISING 2ND-9TH GRADES 2 GAMES EACH DAY (8 game regular season with playoffs) DAILY CONTESTS (Knockout, Hot Shot, Bball Golf, and 21) DAILY RECAP EMAILS FROM COACH LUN CHAMPIONSHIP FRIDAY (Trophies, Certificates, awards, prizes, etc.!)

HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE COUNSELORS

301-580-8284 • Christopher_D_Lun@mcpsmd.org Whitman High School • 7100 Whittier Blvd • Bethesda, MD 20817 www.whitmanbasketball.com/coach-lun-s-our-team-basketball-camp.html

Summer is Calling CAMP 2018 DATES: June 25-August 3 PEACE WEAVERS

AGES 3 ½—6 ½ YEARS OLD

• Unique weekly themes with related arts, play and projects • Water-play and trips to Bethesda outdoor pool • Fun-fitness games, creative movement and yoga • In-house entertainment and off-campus field trips

EARTH KEEPERS

RISING 1ST—5TH+ GRADERS

GRIER SUMMER—SLEEPAWAY CAMP IN PENNSYLVANIA FOR GIRLS • Located on the grounds of the historic Grier School • Girls between the ages of 7–17 • Intensive or recreational programming • Geared for all ranges of ability

HORSEBACK RIDING | ART DANCE | MUSICAL THEATRE

• Interactive exhibits at nature centers and museums • Daily outdoor excursions to wilderness areas of MD, VA and D.C. • Exploring with fossils, animal tracks, fishing nets, and bird-calls • Swimming, climbing and trampoline time

SINGLE-WEEK OPTIONS available for all ages HALF-DAY OPTIONS offered for Peace Weavers

REGISTRATION BEGINS JANUARY 1 www.onenessfamilyschool.org/summer-programs

Summers at Grier are what lifetime memories are made of.

For additional information visit www.griersummer.org or call 814-684-3000, x7013

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summer Camps

Summeratnorwood.org

Registration Open Now! Ages 3 ½ to 14 One and Two Week Sessions:

June 18-August 17, 2018 Junior Day Specialty Day Camp Classes Adventure Camps Sports Camps

WHERE ADVENTURE NEVER ENDS

AND KIDS NEVER STOP LEARNING At YMCA Bethesda Chevy-Chase/Arylawn summer camp, summer camp I can have different experiences and adventure all summer.

Summer day camp at YMCA Bethesda Chevy-Chase allows campers to step outside of their comfort zones and try new and exciting things. Every week you can choose from a variety of 20 different camps that help children learn more about themselves, their communities and the world around them. Choose Y camps such as sports, dance, nature, adventure, tennis or aquatics. See what new adventure is waiting every day!!

The YMCA of Metropolitan Washington is a non-profit 501©3 organization that fosters the spiritual, mental and physical development of individuals, families and communities according to the ideals of inclusiveness, equality and mutual respect for all.

REGISTER TODAY USING EASY TO ENROLL! www.facebook.com/YMetroDC youtube.com/YMCAMetroDC

twitter.com/YMCADC

Camp brochures are available online at www.ymcadc.org or call 1.301.530.8500 or 301.530.3725 306

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LEADERS, ENTREPRENEURS, AND ATHLETIC DEVELOPMENT A camp exploring what it means to be an entrepreneur.

SESSION I

June 18 – June 29

SESSION II

July 9 – July 20

Washington Episcopal School, Bethesda MD

REGISTER AT LEADCAMP.ORG

shopping. beauty. weddings. pets. travel. history.

PHOTO BY DEBORAH JAFFE

etc.

Pamela Vito owns a discount bridal boutique in Potomac.

For more, turn the page.

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PHOTO BY DEBORAH JAFFE PHOTO BY DEBORAH JAFFE

SHOP TALK

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BY SARAH ZLOTNICK

TRY A SAMPLE PAMELA VITO KNOWS BRIDES LOVE designer wedding gowns. As the former owner of Hannelore’s, a high-end bridal salon in Old Town Alexandria, she also knows they don’t love paying designer prices. Not long after selling the building that housed her boutique for 32 years, Vito realized she wasn’t ready to retire. But she was interested in reaching a different kind of customer. Fifteen months later, in May 2017, she opened Say Yes for Less, a bridal boutique in Cabin John Mall in Potomac that stocks big-name dresses discounted by 20 percent to 75 percent and priced between $900 and $4,000.

Vito sells for less because she sells differently. The gowns in bridal salons typically are “samples” or prototypes of a dress design. These dresses haven’t been worn—just tried on a few dozen times. At a traditional salon, brides place orders for particular designs, and several months later the dresses crafted specifically for the brides arrive at the store. At Say Yes for Less, it’s the samples that are for sale.

Other salons, which often unload samples from dress lines they no longer carry, are the source for Vito’s 450-gown-deep collection, including labels such as Lazaro, Hayley Paige and Monique Lhuillier.

Here’s what Vito recommends for brides who are shopping for designer sample wedding gowns.

PREP WISELY. “Get yourself fixed up to go to the appointment,” Vito says. “If you’re having a bad hair day and forgot to put eyelashes on, you’re not going to feel good about yourself.” You’re also going to spend time with a consultant while getting dressed, so Vito recommends donning full flesh-colored underwear and a strapless bra.

DON’T COME AFTER WORK. “It’s the worst idea,” Vito says. “You’ve driven through traffic and haven’t had dinner.

It won’t be as enjoyable.”

FORGET ABOUT THE SIZE.

PHOTO BY DEBORAH JAFFE

If you regularly wear a size 4, Vito says expect to be an 8 or a 10 in bridal wear (the industry mostly keeps to traditional couture sizing).

FACTOR IN TAILORING. If a gown is one size too big, has a skirt that’s too long, armholes that are too tight, or is slightly snug on your hips, it can be altered. If it’s one size or more too small, it’s a nogo. Budget-wise, Vito recommends reserving at least $550 for alterations.

MAKE YOUR PURCHASE. “If you fall in love with a sample dress, be prepared to buy it,” Vito says, “because there’s only one.”

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SHOP TALK

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BABY IT’S COLD OUTSIDE Bundle up with these winter fitness finds

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IMAGES COURTESY

Slush on the sidewalks, biting winds, daylight ending early—your favorite neighborhood running route can become a lot less inviting in the winter months. But with the right combination of proper gear, it’s possible to train no matter how frigid the temps. Ferrall Dietrich, the owner of upscale athletic wear boutique Core72, which has locations in Cathedral Heights and Chevy Chase in D.C., says layering is the key. Focus on keeping your core cozy by starting with a zippered or half-zip base layer. Next, add an insulating shell, and then make sure your outer layer is wind- and weather-resistant. Garments that fit snugly help keep cold air from getting in; fabric-wise, merino wool and synthetic performance fabrics wick away sweat—which cools your body naturally—without being too uncomfortably bulky to move around in. Avoid cotton at all costs—“it wets out and doesn’t dry as quickly, so you’ll be freezing cold,” Dietrich says— and wear thinner, more streamlined pieces on your hands and other extremities.

This outfit, created with pieces at area stores, puts all of Dietrich’s practical advice to stylish use.

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1. REI Co-op “Power Wool” gloves, with merino wool interior and water-repellent exterior, $44.50 at REI (910 Rose Ave., North Bethesda; 301-770-1751, rei.com).

2. Kari Traa “Tove” jacket, with thermal lining, thumb holes and reflective detailing for nighttime visibility, $180 at Core72 (5502 Connecticut Ave. NW; 202-686-4258, core72dc.com).

3. REI Co-op midweight half-zip base layer top, in merino wool with flat seams to prevent chafing, $89.50 at REI (910 Rose Ave., North Bethesda; 301-770-1751, rei.com).

4. “Darn Tough” cushion socks, in merino wool with extra cushioning and performance fit, $20.95 at L.L. Bean (925 Rose Ave., North Bethesda; 888-660-1570, llbean.com).

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5. “Ascent Active” beanie, in lightweight, quick-dry polyester, $30 at The North Face (4848 Bethesda Ave., Bethesda; 301-6543223, thenorthface.com).

6. “No Hands” arm warmers, in moisturewicking polyester and elastane jersey with UPF 50 protection, $30 at The North Face (4848 Bethesda Ave., Bethesda; 301-6543223, thenorthface.com).

7. Kari Traa “Marianne” tights, with high waist to insulate core, $78 at Core72 (5502 Connecticut Ave. NW; 202-686-4258, core72dc.com).

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BY CHRISTINE KOUBEK

GET AWAY

THIS PAST FALL, The Inn at Willow Grove in Orange, Virginia (named the top resort hotel in the South based on Travel + Leisure magazine’s reader survey last year), added two luxury cottages, a spa and an azure-tiled saltwater pool to its plantation-meets-urbanchic compound of relaxation. The recently opened cottages each have five luxury rooms or suites. The 40-acre estate’s new Mill House Spa, located in a red barn, is home to tranquil treatment rooms and a fitness and yoga studio.

Each of the inn’s original 14 guest rooms and suites offers unique features, from heated travertine tile floors to a stone-clad fireplace and expansive porches that overlook the Blue 312

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Ridge Mountains. All accommodations come with amenities you’ll wish you could take home: butler service, morning beignets and locally roasted French press coffee delivered to your door, and an evening turn-down service with sweet treats and tea. Willow Grove’s popular Vintage Restaurant serves farm-to-table fare with a Southern influence.

Montpelier (President James Madison’s home) and the Monticello Wine Trail are short jaunts from the inn. Rates begin at $275.

The Inn at Willow Grove, 14079 Plantation Way, Orange, Virginia; 540-317-1206; innatwillowgrove.com

COURTESY OF AARON WATSON PHOTOGRAPHY

INN VOGUE

HIT THE SLOPES LAUREL MOUNTAIN SKI RESORT reopened last winter in Pennsylvania’s Laurel Mountain State Park after an extensive renovation that included a new chairlift, widened trails and a transformed lodge. Among Laurel’s 20 slopes and trails are a 761-foot drop (the highest vertical drop in Pennsylvania’s Laurel Ridge) and the double-diamond Lower Wildcat, the steepest slope in the state. The resort’s main base is at the mountain’s summit, where you’ll find parking and Laurel Lodge, the place for après-ski cocoa and cocktails by the fire. Outside the lodge, there’s a concrete terrace and a massive stone fireplace surrounded

by Adirondack chairs. Inside, Wildcat Lounge serves up thick sandwiches, “Wildcat Chili” and bread pudding. The Laurel House Cafe, a casual eatery, has sweeping views of the valley below. A new fleet of Rossignol and Burton equipment is available at the rental center.

While there are no overnight accommodations at Laurel Mountain Ski Resort, two ski spots roughly 30 miles away—Seven Springs Mountain Resort and Hidden Valley Resort—offer lodging. Seven Springs, which operates Laurel Mountain, offers guided snowmobile tours, snow tubing, horse-drawn sleigh rides and the East Coast’s only Olympic-size half-pipe. The Highlands Package offers skiing and snowboarding at all three resorts for a total of 79 slopes and trails.

All-day ski/snowboard passes for Laurel Mountain Ski Resort are $39-$60; $35-$50 for ages 6-11. The Highlands weekend ticket (valid 9 a.m. Friday until closing on Sunday) is $209; $158 for ages 6-11.

Laurel Mountain Ski Resort, 374 Summit Ski Road, Boswell, Pennsylvania; 724-238-2801; laurelmountainski.com

COURTESY LAUREL HIGHLANDS VISITORS BUREAU; COURTESY THE MISSION INN

MISSION POSSIBLE THE MISSION INN in Cape May, New Jersey, is a California Spanish mission-inspired bed-and-breakfast that earned third place on TripAdvisor’s 2017 Travelers’ Choice list of the Top 25 B&Bs and Inns in the United States. It was the property’s third time on the list, and first under its new owners. Laura Shaddock and Wendy Collins took the helm in November 2016 and have added their own twists to the beautiful eight-room inn’s offerings. There’s a new gas fire pit for relaxing on the back patio year-round. An assortment of craft beers from local breweries were added to the complimentary house libations.

Intimate concerts take place monthly as part of the Music at The Mission series. Guest rooms are mini-havens, featuring a fireplace, jetted tub (or spa shower), comfortable king-size bed, and unique painted wall murals and headboards. The San Buenaventura room’s walls depict the grounds of California’s original San Buenaventura Mission. Three-course gourmet breakfasts alternate each morning between savory and sweet dishes. Inn favorites include lemon poached and honey glazed pears, peppered Amish bacon and homemade chocolate banana scones. Rates begin at $230 per night, breakfast included.

The Mission Inn, 1117 New Jersey Ave., Cape May, New Jersey; 609-884-8380; missioninn.net n BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

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IT’S BACK!

Dig in and try something new at some of the Bethesda-area’s best dining spots!

JANUARY 12-21 For a list of participating restaurants, menus, and more information visit: BethesdaMagazine.com

etc.

DRIVING RANGE

New Year, New Start

PHOTO CREDIT

Need a break from technology, the holidays and the news cycle? A quick retreat may do you good.

BY AMY BRECOUNT WHITE ILLUSTRATIONS BY MARY ANN SMITH

THE YEAR 2017 was stressful. I often found myself binge-listening to audiobooks while driving, walking the dog or doing laundry in an attempt to avoid the latest political scandal, societal rift or outbreak of violence. The world seemed off-kilter, and as I tried to reinforce my own center, I began to seek physical and spiritual escapes. Here are a few retreats I discovered, anchored in a variety of religious traditions, within driving distance of the D.C. area.

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DRIVING RANGE

Silent Treatment Last March, my friend Jan and I booked two spartan rooms at Holy Cross Abbey—situated between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Shenandoah River in Berryville, Virginia—for a mostly silent weekend retreat with the resident Cistercian (aka Trappist) monks. They chant five times a day, carrying out a ritual known as the Divine Office or Liturgy of the Hours.

As the sun set on our first evening, we joined the monks for vespers, silently absorbing their lead-and-response pattern as they chanted a psalm and prayers in traditional Gregorian tones.

Afterwards, during a simple but ample dinner, we greeted the other retreatants with nods and smiles, but no words.

In silence, I soon discovered, one listens closely and moves more cautiously. The next morning, walking the 10 minutes to the chapel across slumbering winter acres, I was tuned in to every shape and color that caught my eye: a brilliant bluebird on a nearby fence post; the upper branches of a white sycamore spread like lace against the cloudless sky. In the afternoon, Jan and I meandered to the banks of the Shenandoah River, where we talked and talked. Suddenly that simple act felt decadent.

Later that day, we each signed up for a 30-minute one-on-one with Father James, one of the resident monks. A few issues were weighing on me (our trip coincided with the 22nd anniversary of my father’s death) and he smilingly shared his gentle wisdom, along with some book recommendations.

After dinner, we walked to a prayer service in the subfreezing air, taking note of Orion’s belt shining bright among the stars.

We entered the chapel to find no lights other than one illuminating an icon of Mary and Jesus in the apse. Bells rang, their bold tones startling the stillness. Soon, the monks filed in and their voices swelled in the darkened space. Filled with gratitude, I breathed in that peace.

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Meditation and Mindfulness Summer is always hectic, between the demands of work and the fun of family vacations, but I did manage to schedule two brief escapes from the madness in August and September.

During a half-day mini-retreat at Hidden Hills Farm & Vineyard near Frederick, Maryland, mindfulness teacher Linda Naini led us through three separate meditations. (The gathering was organized by the Insight Meditation Community of Washington, which also offers weekly meditation classes in various D.C.-area locations.)

For the first meditation, our group of about 20 sat in a circle of chairs as Naini’s calm voice guided us through a centering exercise, with reflections on lines from the 13th-century Persian poet Rumi.

For the second, a walking meditation, we strolled across the horse farm’s rolling green hills to a lush section of grapevines, where Naini encouraged us to tread mindfully and absorb the intricacies of our surroundings. I fine-tuned my senses to the nearly black bunches of grapes…the buzz of an insect…the crunch of grass underfoot…and deepened my breath.

The third and final meditation involved walking to a small hilltop, where Naini had arranged thick blankets in a circle for a 30-minute, lying-down session. I was a bit skeptical at first, but soon relaxed as a cool breeze coincided with her quiet recitation of a poem about a grasshopper.

Improbably—or perhaps serendipitously—I felt a grasshopper-like weight land on my torso and then my leg before it moved on. The last lines of Mary Oliver’s poem “The Summer Day” sank into my heart: “Tell me, what is it you plan to do/ with your one wild and precious life?”

And then we rolled up our blankets and went to taste some fine wines, locally made. More of this, I thought.

That’s what I plan to do.

In Slow Motion Three weeks later I found myself at the Bon Secours Retreat & Conference Center in Marriottsville, Maryland (roughly 23 miles west of Baltimore), trying T’ai Chi Chih, which instructor Sharon Sirkis likened to “taking a shower for your internal organs.”

Not to be confused with the more demanding tai chi—which has a martial arts component—T’ai Chi Chih is described as “joy through movement” and concentrates on helping participants feel the “chi” or life energy. The discipline consists of 19 movements—with descriptions ranging from “Passing Clouds” to “Pulling Taffy”—that you can do in any order. Over the course of two hours, our group of nine discussed the overall philosophy and concentrated on mastering three movements.

“Grounding is the antidote to anxiety,” Sirkis, a former registered nurse and karate instructor, told us as we balanced in “Rocking Motion,” gently shifting weight from our toes to our heels while lifting our hands to shoulder height in front of us. At first our movements felt ridiculously slo-mo for this day and age, but within minutes my body and breath adapted and I began to enjoy the pace. The world and my swirling mind slowed as I concentrated on moving deliberately through the air around me.

By the time we performed “Bird Flaps Its Wings” in sync, I was awestruck. I found it impossible to feel anxiety or anger while slowly repeating each calm gesture. Sirkis’ suggestion to “just try a minute a day” sounded reasonable to me. Now if everyone else would just practice that too.

As a new empty-nester, writer Amy Brecount White appreciates having the time to explore local retreat options.

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett joins the Fund for Montgomery, Montgomery County Volunteer Center, and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Committee in proudly presenting

MEMBERSHIP STARTS AT

$39

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service & Celebration

January 15, 2018 MAKE IT A DAY ON... not a day off!

NORTH BETHESDA 1pm-3pm Marriott Conference Center

GAITHERSBURG 9am-11am Seneca Creek Community Church

SILVER SPRING 10am-Noon Silver Spring Civic Building

Service Projects & Volunteer Fair

Service Projects

Service Projects

Sign up for these and find more opportunities over MLK weekend at

www.MontgomeryServes.org

Birthday Tribute and Celebration Fulfilling the Dream Monday, January 15, 2018 • 3:30 pm The Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda Free tickets are required for this event. Ticket giveaway is Monday, January 15 in the Music Center foyer beginning at 2:30pm, starting near the café. Tickets are one (1) per person and general admission seating. Seating will begin at 3:00pm.

SWING INTO FITNESS

CARDIO | STRENGTH | SPIN | HIIT ZUMBA | BODYPUMP | PILATES CALL OR VISIT US NOW 8325 GRUBB ROAD, SILVER SPRING, MD (301) 587.4447 | WWW.ROCKCREEKSPORTSCLUB.COM BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

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PLAN YOUR ESCAPE Bon Secours Retreat & Conference Center (rccbonsecours.com) in Marriottsville, Maryland, hosts creative events such as daylong poetry and contemplative photography retreats, as well as overnight retreats. The grounds include a labyrinth to walk, a pond and a Zen garden. The T’ai Chi Chih retreat was $20 for two hours.

Ease Yoga & Café (easeyogacafe.com) in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood offers monthly Full Moon Gong Baths ($20 for one hour). There is no water involved in this form of sound therapy—only the deeply soothing vibrations of the gong, which undulate through your limbs, releasing a series of tingles. Recharj (recharj.com), a meditation studio, offers weekly gong baths ($18 for 35 minutes) in its D.C. location and monthly “sound bath meditation” with Tibetan singing bowls ($35 for one hour) in its newly opened Bethesda studio.

Hidden Hills Farm & Vineyard (hiddenhills farmandvineyard.com) in Frederick, Maryland, boasts “wines, vines, and equines” and has produced award-winning bottles, including its Bay Roan Cabernet Sauvignon. Tours and tastings by appointment. The half-day retreat held there by the Insight Meditation Community of Washington was $45.

Holy Cross Abbey (virginiatrappists.org) in Berryville, Virginia, hosts silent retreats and has 16 rooms for weekday or weekend visits.

There is no fee, but a suggested donation ($200-$350/weekend; $350-$600/week) covers food and lodging. The bookstore stocks a range of Catholic titles, as well as locally sourced creamed honey and fruitcakes.

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Insight Meditation Community of Washington (imcw.org) offers weekly meditation classes in locations around the D.C. area, including Arlington and Bethesda.

The group also offers a plethora of daylong, weekend or weeklong retreats at various sites throughout the region. Most include guided meditations in lovely settings. Day retreats are $75-$95. A weeklong retreat is $1,750 for a single room or $1,250 for a double.

guesthouse and a kosher kitchen, as well as a chapel, meditation garden, labyrinth, woods and campfire areas.

The Mindfulness Center (themindfulness center.org) in Bethesda offers a monthly Candlelight Yoga Flow ($20), along with staycation and weekend mindfulness retreats.

Veritas Vineyards & Winery (veritasretreat. com) in Afton, Virginia, roughly 23 miles west of Charlottesville, offers a one-day mini-retreat of yoga, brunch, hiking and wine tasting ($150). Those craving a longer stay can book four days and three nights in the winery’s elegant 1839 farmhouse, which includes all of the above plus cooking classes, family-style meals and a winepaired dinner ($1,000 per person, double occupancy).

Sanctuary Retreat Center (sanctuary retreatcenter.com) in Beallsville, Maryland, is an option for those who want to organize their own retreats. The 28-acre property in upper Montgomery County includes a farmhouse, a

Yogaworks (yogaworks.com), formerly Tranquil Space, with locations in Arlington and D.C., offers a seasonal, 90-minute session of yoga nidra—another type of deep relaxation that many find meditative and conducive to sleep ($30). n

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

Bethesda Urban Partnership and Bethesda Magazine will honor writers at the Local Writer’s Showcase, April 19-20, 2018.

DEADLINE: JANUARY 19, 2018 For eligibility and rules, please visit www.bethesda.org or www.bethesdamagazine.com.

AWARDS

First place: $500 and published in Bethesda Magazine Second place: $250 // Third place: $150 // Honorable Mention: $75 The first place winners will also receive a gift certificate to The Writer’s Center.

All winners will be published on the Bethesda Magazine and Bethesda Urban Partnership websites and will be honored at a special event during the Local Writer’s Showcase.

High School winners receive: $250, first place; $100, second place; $50, third place.

Bethesda Magazine will print the first place Essay & Short Story.

For more information, please call 301-215-6660, Ext. 117 or 301-718-7787, Ext. 207.

EssayContest_BethMagAd2018.indd 1

11/30/17 2:38 PM

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

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a Holton girl is someone who: Loves to learn Is eager to explore Might be an artist, athlete, scholar, or all three Works hard, yet knows how to have fun Hears our motto, “I will find a way or make one,” and thinks, yes, that’s me!

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Sound like anybody you know?

Holton-Arms is an independent day school in Bethesda, Md., for girls in grades 3 through 12. www.holton-arms.edu

Serving Students Kindergarten – 6th Grade with Learning Disabilities; Language and Sensory Processing Needs; Executive Functioning & Attention Issues; and Social Thinking Challenges

One child. A collaborative community. A world of difference.

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K-12 College Preparatory School Supporting Bright Students’ Individual Learning Strengths and Challenges Join us for an Open House!

9:00 am Saturday, January 20 Contact us anytime! mcleanschool.org Potomac, Maryland 240.395.0698 admission@mcleanschool.org BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

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THE POWER OF RISE. BE KNOWN

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An independent day school for children in grades PK-8.

8821 River Road, Bethesda Maryland www.norwoodschool.org

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PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Dance Model UN National Spelling Bee Writing Violin Anatomy Swimming Class Mayor Martial Arts Theater Printmaking Sculpture Soccer Robotics Politics Art Trumpet Graphic Design Basketball Chamber Singers Engineering Global Studies Track & Field Fencing Poetry Habitat for Humanity Football Girl Up Jazz Workshop Tech Club Community Service Ceramics Flute National Honor Society Peer Mentors Experiential Education GSA Softball Entrepreneurship Club Field Hockey Theater & Improv Sound Design Politics Chorus Tennis Chinese Painting Management Read-In Concert Band Debate Anatomy Strategic Games Marine Biology Science Fair Golf Illustration Economics Shakespeare Chemistry Concert Choir Softball Engineering Fencing Photography Yoga Tech Club Student Network Rock Climbing Health Student Newspaper Drawing Clarinet Lacrosse Painting Piano Conduct Review Board Jazz Band Music Theory UNICEF club Yearbook Student Ambassador “It’s Academic” Engineering Astronomy Club STEM Track & Field Math Day Basketball French Capstone Journalism Project-Based Learning Online Learning Spanish Physics String Ensemble Cheerleading Student Tutors Climbing Geo Bee National History Day Calculus Art Student Newspaper

Challenge Accepted

passions discovered

www.bullis.org Bullis School @BullisSchool Grades K–12 | Potomac, MD | (301) 299-8500

Designing Education for the 21st Century Ages 2–Grade 12 Select Openings Available An Independent Montessori School Steps from Downtown Bethesda A Vibrant International Community 6701 Wisconsin Avenue Chevy Chase, MD 20815 301-652-7751 www.onenessfamilyschool.org

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

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PRIVATE SCHOOLS

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Located in

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Experience the joy of learningThe

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Schedule a tour at our campus in North Bethesda www.greenacres.org | 301.881.4100 | Age 3–Grade 8

Extraordinary Environment for Learning Serving students age 18 months through Grade 12

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Where the challenging academic curriculum meets bright students where they are, with the goal of setting every student up for a lifetime of success.

▪ www.theauburnschool.org ▪ Campuses in Silver Spring, Fairfax and Baltimore 324

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

Barrie School

13500 Layhill Road Silver Spring, MD 20906

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North Bethesda, in the heart of the

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Our students stand out without burning out out.

COME AND SEE FOR YOURSELF: All Grades (Age 3 to Grade 8) Open House Thursday, January 18 • 9:30 a.m.

RSVP at www.w-e-s.org/admissions Or call 301-652-7878 to schedule a visit today!

WASHINGTON EPISCOPAL SCHOOL An independent, co-educational school for Nursery – Grade 8 5600 Little Falls Parkway, Bethesda, MD 20816 | www.w-e-s.org

Located about a mile from the DC line and 10 minutes from northern Virginia, off River Road

St. Jane de Chantal School Catholic Education for Children Pre-K through Grade 8 • Christ-centered education in nuturing environment • Highest retention rate of ADW schools • Smartboard technology in all classrooms • 1 to 1 Chrome Books in Middle School • Music, Art, PE, Computer, and Spanish language classes • STEM Enrichment • Morning and After Care

Join us for our OP EN H O USE January 29th 9:00-11:30 AM

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Discover Stone Ridge!

Call our Admissions Team to schedule a tour: 301.657.4322 x321

Empowering leaders to serve with faith, intellect, and confidence.

Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart is a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for girls, Grades 1-12, with a co-educational Early Childhood Program, infants through Kindergarten. Located in Bethesda, Maryland.

DC, MD, and VA bus transportation available.

www.stoneridgeschool.org BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

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BY JEFF CIRILLO

PETS

ALMOST FAMOUS WHEN BETHESDA RESIDENT Laurie White adopted a 4-year-old puggle named Hoover early in 2015, she quickly took to Instagram to share pictures of him. White says her friends soon became more interested in photos of the blond dog playing, relaxing and occasionally wearing hats than they were in pictures of her, so she decided to get Hoover an account of his own.

Nearly three years later, @hooverthe puggle has about 1,850 followers on Instagram, 350 more than his owner. Some are White’s friends, but many are strangers who browse social media for animal photos and often share their own. (Among Hoover’s followers: @presleythepuggle, @shantithebeagle and @chloethebrussels griffon.) White writes captions in Hoover’s voice, depicting him as charming and devoted, though decidedly self-absorbed.

“It’s so hard to take a bad picture of me,” Hoover muses in one post.

Maintaining an online persona for a pet can serve as a hobby or creative outlet for an owner, and sometimes it can turn into a business venture. Pet accounts on social media have grown from an internet fad into something of a cottage industry.

Two years ago, Time magazine published a piece entitled “17 Dogs You Should Be Following on Instagram,” which featured Maru, a Shiba Inu from Japan who now boasts 2.6 million followers.

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Enterprising pet owners can enlist the services of “influencer agencies” to help them get the attention of big advertisers.

BlogPaws, a social media company for pet parents, hosts an annual conference focused on how to make a pet the next animal A-lister. A few have struck gold: After photos of a grumpy-looking calico in Arizona went viral, his owners signed an endorsement deal with Nestle Purina PetCare about four years ago to make Grumpy Cat its official “spokescat.”

White isn’t doing it for money or internet fame. She was recently offered a fee to review a dog carrier backpack for a friend’s fitness website, but she declined.

For her, Hoover’s account is a “mental health break” from her communications job with Mom Media Enterprises, which organizes conferences for online media creators, and she wants to keep it that way. Beyond that, it’s a shrine to her best friend. “He’s the thing I love most in the world,” she says.

Kensington-based artist Judy Folkenberg takes an imaginative approach to pet blogging, posting colorful shots of her studio assistant, a tuxedo-patterned alley cat named TeddyBoy Sinclair, on his own website, alongside book reviews written in his voice. In one shot, the cat tries his paw at poker; in another, he’s sipping a martini. Much of Folkenberg’s art is inspired by books—she

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

used to work at the National Library of Medicine—and she says TeddyBoy’s Instagram and Facebook accounts can help attract people to her website. The challenge is getting TeddyBoy to sit for photos. “If you’re going to do animal photography, you have to do it somewhat at their schedule,” she says.

Will and Robin Hart of Kensington created an Instagram account for their 11-year-old golden retriever, Hobie, four years ago to fulfill a promise to the people who’d been caring for him.

Hobie had stayed with a foster family in Los Angeles while a rescue organization sought a permanent home for him. The Harts, who were living in San Diego, adopted Hobie in 2013 and said they would keep in touch by sharing photos of him in his new life. “It’s a nice way for them to see he’s doing well,” Will says.

Will created @hobiethegolden in March 2014, and Hobie’s former foster mother was his first follower. She still likes every photo Will posts of the dog, who’s often sleeping, playing or spending time with the Harts’ young children, Thomas and Molly. Like Hoover and TeddyBoy, Hobie—who now has 141 followers—speaks in the captions. In one post he stares longingly at scraps of rotisserie chicken on the counter. “Hey, Dad,” the caption reads. “Go in the other room for a few minutes.” n

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION ISTOCK

When it comes to social media, some pets have a mind of their own

etc.

BY MARK WALSTON

FLASHBACK

MEMORY LANES

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ALICE KRESSE

Bethesda’s bowling game started in the 1890s and is still going strong today IN 1947, PRESIDENT Harry Truman’s new White House attraction—a bowling alley—ushered in a golden age in the sport’s popularity, and over the next two decades it became ingrained in American culture. Military personnel returning from war bowled across the nation; an alley opened on the grounds of what was then known as the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda following the completion of the tower in the 1940s.

(The lanes there today are open to the public, but a base pass is required.)

Bowling in Bethesda actually had been around since 1891, when the trolley arrived in town. The tracks’ terminus was Alta Vista Road, and an amusement wonderland soon rose north of Cedar Lane.

Called Bethesda Park, it offered indoor bowling, roller coasters, shooting galleries and a Ferris wheel, among other things.

A hurricane decimated the park in 1896. It would never recover, and bowling in town languished until the 1920s, when the State Theatre opened near the southwest corner of Old Georgetown Road and Wisconsin Avenue (the Hyatt replaced the theater in the 1970s). Beneath the single-screen theater, with an entrance from the back parking lot, was a small bowling alley that offered a handful of lanes— with pinboys. The developer’s idea was to combine the theater and alley to create an amusement center.

Automatic pinsetters appeared in the late 1930s. That technology became the centerpiece of Bethesda’s shining new bowling alley, built in 1942 with 40 lanes in a sleek art deco building on the northwest corner of Woodmont Avenue and Old Georgetown Road. Ads for the Bethesda Bowling Center boasted a cool, air-conditioned environment.

The center was also a duckpin alley, a variation on tenpins unique to the Eastern Seaboard. Reportedly having originated in Baltimore in 1901, the game, with its smaller pins and lighter balls, became a hit among all ages, and lanes spread throughout Maryland. Spurring public popularity was local entrepreneur Nick Rinaldi, who opened his first alley, Wheaton Triangle Lanes, in 1951—tenpins downstairs, duckpins upstairs. By 1970, Rinaldi was the largest single proprietor of duckpin lanes in the county, operating the Glenmont Lanes (originally opened in 1952 by NFL Hall of Famer Tuffy Leemans); Takoma Park Bowl; and, eventually, the Bethesda Bowling Center, which he rebranded “Bethesda 40.”

Rockville got into the game in 1959, when a no-frills tenpin alley opened beneath the newly completed Congressional Plaza. That same year, the White Oak Duckpin Lanes opened in the basement of a strip shopping center along New Hampshire Avenue in Silver Spring;

the original 24 lanes still operate. Within a few years, both were eclipsed by River Bowl on River Road (now the site of a Whole Foods Market), which had a sleek ’60s design—all plastic and chrome, with a snack bar, arcade and multicolored balls. Bowl America Westwood would open in the early 1960s, less than a mile away on Westbard Avenue, a hybrid offering 13 duckpin lanes and 20 tenpin, but it couldn’t compete with the River Bowl behemoth.

Both eventually suffered as bowling declined in popularity at the end of the last century. Yet, while River Bowl—later Brunswick Bowl—faded and eventually closed by the early 2000s, in 2001 its competitor was transformed into Bowlmor Bethesda, the brainchild of Tom Shannon.

His original Bowlmor Lanes in Greenwich Village in New York featured “high-end” bowling in a modern lounge setting, with video screens, glow-in-the-dark lanes and lane-side food and drink service. Bowlmor Bethesda was the first center to test Shannon’s New York solution.

Bowling again is rolling in Bethesda: Lucky Strike’s new lanes are humming in the basement of Westfield Montgomery mall, and Pinstripes recently opened in Pike & Rose in North Bethesda. n Author and historian Mark Walston was raised in Bethesda and lives in Olney.

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

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etc.

OUTTAKES

BRIDES OF OUR OWN

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THE COUPLE: Jenny Ragone, 28, and Andrew Fischer, 29, met in 2014 on Coffee Meets Bagel, a dating app.

Jenny, who grew up in Richmond, Virginia, is a designer at Bethesda Magazine. Andrew, who’s from Orlando, Florida, is an assistant superintendent for Clark Construction in D.C. They live in Northwest D.C.

THE COUPLE: Amélie Colwell, 27, and Gregory Ward, 31, met in 2013 while working at D.C.’s Sibley Memorial Hospital. Amélie, who grew up in Westport, Connecticut, is the web producer at Bethesda Magazine. Greg, an Annapolis native, is the senior director of real estate and construction at Sibley. They live in Upper Northwest D.C.

THE WEDDING: They were married on Nov. 5, 2017, at Historic Mankin Mansion in Richmond. During the ceremony, there were two points where the rabbi said a blessing and the bride and groom drank from a glass of wine. Before the second glass of wine could be poured, the first one had to be finished. Not realizing that the rabbi was going to fill each glass to the rim, Jenny and Andrew passed their wine to the groomsmen to drink. Both times. “They finished an entire bottle of wine,” Jenny says.

THE WEDDING: Amélie and Greg were married on Aug. 5, 2017, at St. Edmond Catholic Church in Rehoboth Beach, and had their reception at the Rehoboth Beach Country Club. They arrived at the reception via boat, and were greeted by their friends, family and wedding party cheering on the dock. Says Amélie: “At the reception, the groomsmen did a hilarious coordinated dance where they formed a human bicycle with Greg as the cyclist.” ■

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

LEFT: AMANDA MAGLIONE PHOTOGRAPHY; RIGHT: ANDREW TAWES PHOTOGRAPHY

We love reading about all of the weddings that are submitted for our annual “Weddings of the Year” feature (see page 145).

But this year we got to experience the excitement firsthand with the nuptials of two Bethesda Magazine employees.

Its the LEASE we can do!

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