dine MODERN MARKET 4930 Elm St., 240-800-4733, www.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 hormonefree bacon. Sandwiches, soups, salads and pizza dominate the menu. J B R L D $
MOMO CHICKEN & GRILL 4862 Cordell Ave., Bethesda, 240-483-0801, www. 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 $$
MON AMI GABI
7239 Woodmont Ave., 301-654-1234, www.mon amigabi.com. Waiters serve bistro classics such as escargot, steak frites and profiteroles in a dark and boisterous spot that doesn’t feel like a chain. Voted “Best Place for a Couple’s Night Out” by the magazine’s readers in 2015. Live jazz Tuesday and Thursday nights. J R L D $$
MORTON’S, THE STEAKHOUSE
7400 Wisconsin Ave., 301-657-2650, www.mor tons.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 $$$
MUSSEL BAR & GRILLE 7262 Woodmont Ave., 301-215-7817, www.mus selbar.com. Kensington resident and big-name chef Robert Wiedmaier serves his signature mussels, plus wood-fired tarts, salads and sandwiches. Wash them all down with a choice of 40 Belgian beers, a list that was voted “Best Craft Beer Selection” by the magazine’s readers in 2015. R L D $$
NAPLES RISTORANTE E PIZZERIA E BAR 7101 Democracy Blvd. (Westfield Montgomery mall), 301-365-8300, www.naplesbethesda. com. Neapolitan-style pizzas from three woodfired ovens are served at this large, light and airy addition to the mall’s dining terrace. Owned by the Patina Restaurant Group, which operates about 70 eateries nationwide, Naples also offers Italian wines, small plates, pasta dishes and entrées. L D $$
NOT YOUR AVERAGE JOE’S 10400 Old Georgetown Road, 240-316-4555, www. notyouraveragejoes.com. This Massachusettsbased chain’s moderately-priced menu offers burgers, big salads and stone-hearth pizzas, plus entrées including Anything But Average Meatloaf. J L D $$
OAKVILLE GRILLE & WINE BAR (EDITORS’ PICK) 10257 Old Georgetown Road (Wildwood Shopping Center), 301-897-9100, www.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 $$
OLAZZO (EDITORS’ PICK) 7921 Norfolk Ave., 301-654-9496, www.olazzo.com. This well-priced, romantic restaurant is the place for couples seeking red-sauce classics at reasonable prices. Founded by brothers Riccardo and Roberto Pietrobono, it was voted “Best Italian Restaurant” by the magazine’s readers in 2016. L D $$
ORIGINAL PANCAKE HOUSE 7700 Wisconsin Ave., Store D, 301-986-0285, www. 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, www.passageto india.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 $$
PASSIONFISH BETHESDA 7187 Woodmont Ave., 301-358-6116, passionfish bethesda.com. The second location of Passion Food Hospitality’s splashy seafood restaurant (the first opened in 2008 in Reston, Virginia) features stunning coastal-themed décor and an extensive menu of shellfish, caviar, sushi, chef’s specialties and fresh catches of the day. J L D $$$
PAUL 4760 Bethesda Ave., 301-656-3285, www.paul-usa. com. Five-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, www.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 $$
PERSIMMON (EDITORS’ PICK) 7003 Wisconsin Ave., 301-654-9860, www.persim monrestaurant.com. Owners Damian and Stephanie Salvatore’s popular restaurant offers casual fare from salads to sandwiches to meat and seafood entrées in a bistro setting featuring a lively bar, cozy booths and bright paintings on the walls. R L D $$
PINES OF ROME 4709 Hampden Lane, 301-657-8775. Local celebrities and families gather at this down-home Italian spot for 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. L D $
PI PIZZERIA 7137 Wisconsin Ave., 240-800-3822, www.pipizza.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. L D $
PIZZA TEMPO 8021 Wisconsin Ave., 240-497-0000, www.pizza tempo.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. L D $
PIZZERIA DA MARCO (EDITORS’ PICK) 8008 Woodmont Ave., 301-654-6083, www.pizzeria damarco.net. Authentic Neapolitan pizzas fired in a 900-degree Italian brick oven range from the
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Siciliana with eggplant confit and black olives to the Solo Carne with sausage, pepperoni and salame. Salads, antipasti and calzones available, too. LD$
POSITANO RISTORANTE ITALIANO 4940-48 Fairmont Ave., 301-654-1717, www. 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 $$
PRALINE BAKERY & BISTRO 4611 Sangamore Road, 301-229-8180, www. praline-bakery.com. This sunny restaurant offers a tempting bakery takeout counter, full dining service and a patio. The food, which includes chicken pot pie and pralines, is French with an American accent. J B R L D $$
QUINCY’S BAR & GRILLE 4920 Del Ray Ave., 301-718-2400, 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. LD$
RAKU (EDITORS’ PICK) 7240 Woodmont Ave., 301-718-8680, www.raku asiandining.com. Voted “Best Sushi” by the magazine’s readers in 2016, 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 $$
REDWOOD RESTAURANT & BAR 7121 Bethesda Lane, 301-656-5515, www.redwood bethesda.com. The upscale wine bar features fresh, local food and California-centric wines. Redwood features a frequently changing menu and in-season farmers market dinners. J R L D $$
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, www.rock bottom.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 $$
RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE 7315 Wisconsin Ave., 301-652-7877, www.ruths chris.com. A dark and clubby feel makes this elegant chain popular with families as well as the happy-hour crowd. Don’t skip the fresh seafood choices, which include Caribbean lobster tail and barbecued shrimp. D $$$
SALA THAI 4828 Cordell Ave., 301-654-4676, www.salathai dc.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