The Washington Post’s Tom Sietsema has been the newspaper’s food critic for nearly 25 years. In his latest dining guide, highlighting the ‘26 Best New Restaurants in the DC Area‘, he writes “My spring guide is a celebration of what’s new, but also what’s worth your time and money.” Four Maryland restaurants make his list, including three in Montgomery County.
My Kabul is the only Maryland restaurant included in the list that is not located in Montgomery County. It’s described as a “family-owned Afghan Restaurant located in Laurel, Maryland: proud to bring authentic flavors and the magical aroma of Afghanistan to your table. Our story is deeply rooted in the culture of resilience of newly arrived Afghan refugees.”
Aventino, located in Bethesda, features vibrant and traditional Roman cuisine with a menu of antipasti, pasta and more by chef Mike Friedman (Olney resident), and classic cocktails like a selection of spritzes and negronis, in a warm and inviting setting that can hold over 100 guests. Per Washingtonian, the menu includes “dishes like Jewish-style fried artichokes, polenta-crusted fluke, and housemade gelato.”
Cielo Rojo, located in Takoma Park, recently reopened in its new location. Menu items include California-inspired traditional Mexican cuisine such as tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, and a variety of small plates (platos pequeños) and entrees (platos grandes). The full menu can be seen here.
Owners David Perez and Carolina McCandless first met in 2012 at Gracias Madre, a vegan Mexican restaurant in San Francisco. McCandless has ties to the area, as she’s from Takoma Park and her parents own nearby Amano. Cielo Rojo opened in Takoma Park in 2019. The former location (7056 Carroll Ave) was converted into San Pancho Burritos, a fast-casual restaurant serving San Fransisco-style burritos.
District Bistro, located in Wheaton, is a new American concept that is focused on “seasonality and use of local ingredients,” according to owner Pedro Matamoros. District Bistro shares its location with sister-restaurant Frank’s Burgers, with Frank’s on one side and District Bistro on the other, united by a kitchen in the back. Menu items include beef tartare, steak frites, roasted duck and lamb bolognaise, and its bar will focus on classic cocktails like Martinis and Manhattans.