Photograph of Joe’s Record Paradise by Erik Uecke
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Photograph By Erik Uecke1 Chef at Work
Pedro Matamoros makes June Cleaver look lazy. At his 8407 Kitchen Bar
(8407 Ramsey Ave.; 301-587-8407), he
handmakes everything from pickles to pastrami bacon. We like his heartier
dishes, such as the Cuban sandwich, lamb Bolognese, and grilled rib
eye. -
2 Clubby Cool
In the mood for steak—or a quick bite before a show at the AFI
or the Fillmore? You’ll find one of the best deals in town in the front
lounge at Ray’s the Classics (8606 Colesville Rd.;
301-588-7297), where the mood and the prices conjure a bygone era. For
$22.99 you get a cup of lump-meat-packed crab bisque, a flavorful hanger
steak, and sides of mashed potatoes and creamed spinach. The kitchen also
slings the most popular burgers from sister restaurant Ray’s Hell-Burger
in Arlington. -
3 Films Galore
The AFI Silver Theater (8633 Colesville Rd.;
301-495-6720), the cultural center of the American Film Institute, is one
of our favorite places to catch a movie. Three theaters play a mix of
mainstream, art-house, classic, and seasonal films. But the biggest draw
is the festivals. Every June, Silverdocs brings the world’s best
documentary filmmakers together for a week of screenings, panels, and
special events. Also popular: September’s Latin American Film Festival and
the European Union Showcase in November. -
Photograph by Scott Suchman4 Terrific Thai
Some of the area’s most vivid curries can be found at
Kao Thai (8650 Colesville Rd.; 301-495-1234), a cheerful
slip of a dining room. Temper the spiciness with soothing wonton soup and
sticky rice with mango. Or ramp it up with an order of larb, the
fiery minced-chicken salad. -
5 Killer Music Hall
Open since September, the Fillmore (8656
Colesville Rd.; 301-960-9999) has brought the likes of Blondie, Deadmau5,
and Mary J. Blige to Silver Spring. Taking its cues from the historic San
Francisco Fillmore, the venue can hold 2,000 and is decorated with vintage
rock posters and four purple chandeliers. Many concerts end in time to
take the Metro home, and snacks such as duck-fat fries and pork pot
stickers are easy to munch during shows thanks to Chinese takeout
containers. -
Photograph By Erik Uecke6 Arthouse Chic
Metamorphosis Wardrobe & Accessories
Boutique (811 Wayne Ave.; 301-588-8901) is filled with good
options for the artsy shopper. Draped skirts, sweaters, and jackets come
in warm shades of red, burnt orange, and brown, and the demurely cut
cocktail dresses rely on bold patterns and color to catch attention. A
collection of one-of-a-kind hats ($90 to $300) perch on cast-iron stands
in one corner; at the checkout counter, you’ll find oversize cocktail
jewelry with an African vibe. -
7 Fun for Fido
The cheery pet boutique Living Ruff (8517
Georgia Ave.; 301-495-7833) has great finds for dogs, cats, and the people
who love them. The focus is on organic and natural food (all products are
wheat-, corn-, and soy-free), but you’ll also find a selection of toys,
training equipment, dog coats, and a few gifts for owners. -
8 Delicious Dive
When you walk into the basement-level Quarry House
Tavern (8401 Georgia Ave.; 301-587-8350), all signs point to a classic dive bar: graffitied bathrooms and honky-tonk and garage-rock
bands on the small stage. But the menu is a foodie’s delight. Overseen by
Jackie Greenbaum of nearby Jackie’s Restaurant, the kitchen serves
delicious house-made chips and organic-beef burgers, and the rotating beer
list runs about 300 deep. -
9 Red-Sauce Staple
With its exposed-brick dining room and flowing Chianti,
Olazzo (8235 Georgia Ave.; 301-588-2540) feels more Little Italy than bel paese. Plates come heaped with such
checked-tablecloth staples as mozzarella-laden garlic bread, lasagna with
red sauce, fried calamari, and chicken Parm’. On Monday night, bottles of
wine are half off when you order an entrée. -
10 Vintage Records
Spotify-spurners and iTunes-haters, here’s the shop for you. In
business since 1974, Joe’s Record Paradise (8216 Georgia Ave.; 301-585-3269) is a gigantic, pink-walled music-and-media emporium
that moved from Rockville to Silver Spring two years ago. You’ll find
records, CDs, even cassettes and VHS tapes (remember those?) from all
genres and decades. In the “cheapie” section, records go for $1 to $3.50.
For those who prefer to keep their tunes on an iPod, Joe’s is also a great
source for retro wall art. -
11 Creative Cocktails
At the glam-punk lounge Sidebar (8081 Georgia
Ave.; 301-588-0899), the walls are painted black, sparkly chandeliers hang
from the ceiling, and the craft cocktails—normally $9 to $11—are $6 during
happy hour. The drinks are a mix of old classics such as the sidecar and
more creative concoctions including the duck-fat-infused Quack-Quack-Erac.
Chef Diana Davila-Boldin’s menu changes often, but you’ll likely find the
Chicago-style hot dog and truffle-oil popcorn for a savory
snack. -
12 Local Flavor
The kitchen at the Eastern Shore-style Crisfield
Seafood Restaurant (8012 Georgia Ave.; 301-589-1306) might not be
quite what it was a few decades ago, but with checkerboard floors and
paper place mats, the 67-year-old neighborhood institution gets the
atmosphere right. And it’s worth grabbing a stool at the convivial
horseshoe-shaped bar if you stick to the simple stuff: buttery crab
Norfolk; a cold seafood platter heaped with shrimp, crab, and lobster;
baked stuffed shrimp; and slightly sweet slaw. -
13 Latin Tastes
At the Latin dining room Samantha’s (631
University Blvd. E.; 301-445-7300), look past the fajitas and
enchiladas—they’re fine, but the real riches can be found in the
house-specialties section of the menu. Go for the generous masitas de
puerco, a Cuban dish of crispy pork with a whiff of citrus, or
pan-fried Salvadoran-style trout.
See Also:
Ann Limpert joined Washingtonian in late 2003. She was previously an editorial assistant at Entertainment Weekly and a cook in New York restaurant kitchens, and she is a graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education. She lives in Petworth.
Sarah is the Editor-in-Chief of Washingtonian Bride & Groom, and writes about weddings, fashion, and shopping. Her work has also appeared in Refinery29, Bethesda Magazine, and Washington City Paper, among others. She is a Georgetown University graduate, lives in Columbia Heights, and you can find her on Instagram at @washbridegroom and @sarahzlot.
